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Hearing May 15 on proposed release of sexually violent predator Gary Snavely in Borrego Springs: public comments sought
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 11, 2026 (Borrego Springs) – The San Diego Superior Court has ordered the conditional release
Supporters flee Swalwell’s governor campaign amid allegations of sexual assault
Printer-friendly versionBy Jeanne Kuang and Yue Stella Yu, CalMatters This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Photo: U.S. Rep. Eric
News Issues
Hearing May 15 on proposed release of sexually violent predator Gary Snavely in Borrego Springs: public comments sought
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 11, 2026 (Borrego Springs) – The San Diego Superior Court has ordered the conditional release
Attacked by AI-cyberbots: Please help us fund critical security upgrades
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery April 10, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – Our East County Magazine website is being attacked
Politics
Supporters flee Swalwell’s governor campaign amid allegations of sexual assault
Printer-friendly versionBy Jeanne Kuang and Yue Stella Yu, CalMatters This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Photo: U.S. Rep. Eric
Latest No Kings rallies draw 70,000 in San Diego County, 8 million nationwide
70,000 San Diego County residents join 8 million nationwide in No Kings demonstrations, the largest ever U.S. protest By Miriam Raftery March 31, 2026 (San…
Wildfires and Emergencies
Cal State University San Marcos and nearby homes evacuated due to brush fire
East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts April 5, 2026 (San Marcos) – The #MoreeFire in San Marcos has led to evacuations, including the California State…
Help shape fire priorities in San Diego County
East County News Service April 4, 2026 (San Diego County) — With “fire season” now a year-round threat, public input is growing in importance as…
Events & Arts
Cheers to the Valley Wine Festival April 18 in Ramona
East County News Service April 5, 2026 (Ramona) – The Ramona Chamber of Commerce is inviting the public to savor the 2026 Cheers to the…
Destination East County: Festive events in mid-April and May 2026
By Miriam Raftery April 5, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – As April continues, drifting into the merry month of May, there are many unique…
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DESTINATIONS: Borrego and beyond — a beautiful backcountry day
Printer-friendly versionBy Karen Pearlman, with photos by Karen Pearlman and Miriam Raftery Feb. 22, 2026 (San Diego County) — With
We need your help! We have more news tips for East County issues than our budget can cover
Printer-friendly versionLast year tapped our resources at East County Magazine more than any on record, with so many major news
People
Donate to help pets in need at Alpine Pet Food and Supply Drive April 4
East County News Service March 14, 2026 (Alpine) – Dog and cat food, treats, grooming supplies, new pet toys, feeding
Descanso resident named American Honey Queen
By Miriam Raftery February 18, 2026 (Descanso) — You could call it sweet success. The American Beekeeping Federation has chosen
Communities
Hearing May 15 on proposed release of sexually violent predator Gary Snavely in Borrego Springs: public comments sought
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 11, 2026 (Borrego Springs) – The San Diego Superior Court has ordered the conditional release
San Diego County has free parking perks for seniors
Printer-friendly versionSan Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson holds up his senior parking pass at Mt. Woodson Gateway County Preserve in
Features
San Diego County has free parking perks for seniors
Printer-friendly versionSan Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson holds up his senior parking pass at Mt. Woodson Gateway County Preserve in
Don’t miss Santa Ysabel and Wynola on your way to visit Julian
Printer-friendly versionTiny mountain towns often overlooked by travelers in East County’s back country By Paul Levikow Photos by Miriam Raftery
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YMCA RISES IN EAST COUNTY; PUBLIC INVITED TO “TILT UP” RISING MONDAY AUG. 17
Printer-friendly version McGRATH FAMILY YMCA GETS ONE STEP CLOSER TO OPENING DOORS TO THE COMMUNITY Rancho San Diego (Aug. 13). –After much anticipation, the McGrath Family YMCA’s expansive concrete walls will be lifted towards the sky, giving the community a visual of what’s to come; A 35,000 sq. ft. full-service YMCA facility in Rancho San Diego. A Tilt-Up event that
UCAN TAKES SUNRISE TO HIGH COURT FOR SUNSETTING
Printer-friendly version August 14, 2009 — The Utility Consumers Action Network has filed two petitions with appellate courts seeking to halt construction of Sunrise Powerlink, Sempra Energy’s high-voltage power line project slated for East County. The first was an appeal to the 4th District Court of Appeal. In it, UCAN urges the court to remand the case back
WHAT’S NEW — & OLD! HISTORIC WALKING TOUR STARTS IN LA MESA THIS WEEKEND
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery August 13, 2009 (La Mesa) – This Friday, Saturday and Sunday, join a historical free walking tour through downtown La Mesa and learn about our region’s colorful past. The tour will include a professional impersonator portraying Mary Porter, a famous La Mesa resident of the era, as well as music and costumed tour guides.
ARMED ROBBERY AT WELLS FARGO BANK KIOSK IN LA MESA
Printer-friendly version August 13, 2009 (La Mesa) — At 3:20 p.m., a lone suspect entered the Ralph’s Grocery Store, located at 8800 Grossmont Boulevard in La Mesa, and approached a teller at the Wells Fargo Bank kiosk. The suspect drew a large frame, semi-automatic pistol from his front waistband, slammed the gun on the counter, and demanded cash from the teller.
LA MESA VOTES FOR CONDITIONAL APPROVAL OF SDG&E POWER SHUT-OFF PLAN; MAYOR, COUNCILMEMBERS BLAST COUNTY ON FIRE PROTECTION
Printer-friendly version 2 CONFLICTING RECOMMENDATIONS MADE TO CPUC by Miriam Raftery August 13, 2009 (La Mesa)—“We are here because the County has not done a damn thing to protect the people in the backcountry,” La Mesa Mayor Art Madrid said at a La Mesa City Council meeting on Tuesday. Council voted 4 to 1 to draft a letter supporting its Fire Chief in calling for
SANTEE TOWN HALL MEETING ON CABLE SKI PARK SPARKS HEATED DEBATE
Printer-friendly version August 13, 2009 (Santee) — The Santee City Council held a town hall meeting on Wednesday, August 12th to discuss a proposed cable ski park at Santee Lakes. During the four-and-a-half hour session, Padre Dam officials said after six years of study, they have concluded that environmental impacts such as noise and traffic would be minimal. The
FOUR FIRES ALONG I-8 NEAR TAVERN ROAD, ALPINE
Printer-friendly version August 12, 2009 (Alpine) – Four small fires are burining along Eastbound Interstate 8 between Old Highway 80 and Tavern Road, near the community of Alpine (TB Map 1233) between the Dunbar and Tavern Road exits. “The spread of all four fires has been stopped,” CAL FIRE spokesperson Roxanne Provaznik reported at 4:45 p.m. “Two of the
SEMPRA ENERGY FOUNDATION SETS $1 MILLION ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGE FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Printer-friendly version SAN DIEGO, Aug. 10, 2009 – If you had $100,000 what would you do to “green” Southern California? That is the challenge that the Sempra Energy Foundation has posed to non-profit organizations with an environmental focus. Those chosen will receive between $25,000 and $100,000, as part of a new $1 million Environmental Champions Awards program created to recognize
PICTURE YOURSELF CRUISIN’ IN THIS COOL CONVERTIBLE!
Printer-friendly version BUY THIS CAR–AND BENEFIT EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE This is the perfect East County cruiser. Whether you’re top-down cruising historic Highway 80, taking a favorite friend to the Santee Drive-in, or traveling to the coast and beyond, this is a car built for fun. The only other full-sized convertible on the planet is a Bentley! It’s priced
IS THE GOOSE COOKED? CHERISHED MOTHER GOOSE PARADE FACES CANCELLATION IF FUNDS NOT RAISED BY MID-SEPTEMBER
Printer-friendly version August 10, 2009 (El Cajon) The historic Mother Goose Parade is in jeopardy of going dark this year–unless organizers can plump up their nest egg fast. “We need to get the word out that we need to raise at least $150K minimum to put on this parade,” a letter from parade organizers revealed. “With the economic times
Kratom, banned by California, is still for sale in East County stores including synthetic versions linked to numerous deaths
Printer-friendly versionStory and photos by Miriam Raftery January 24, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – An investigation by East County Magazine has found kratom and synthetic kratom (7-OH) products for sale locally in every East County city, despite the fact that it’s illegal in California to sell or manufacture kratom for consumption. The ban is due to risk of addiction,
El Cajon man arrested for rape, sexual assault with multiple underage teen girls
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service January 23, 2026 (El Cajon) — Detectives from the El Cajon Police Department Family Protection Unit have concluded an extensive multi-month investigation into allegations of sexual assault and rape, resulting in the arrest of a suspect for numerous serious offenses. On January 21, ECPD arrested Greyson Washborne, alias Thomas Menchaca, 21, of El Cajon.
County EBT theft drops more than 80% after chip card issued
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Jan. 23, 2026 (San Diego County) — More attention to security needs and new chips are making a difference in the safety of electronic benefits cards, also known as EBT cards. San Diego County officials report that enhanced security measures and new chips have led to an 84 percent reduction in EBT card thefts affecting the
2025 Stories of the year
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery January 22, 2026 (San Diego) – It’s been a turbulent year across our nation, around the world, and here in San Diego County. While national news largely dominated headlines with rollout of unprecedented actions by the Trump administration and protests in response, many local news stories and issues also shaped our lives for better or worse
Lemon Grove residents look to halt retail sales of commercially bred birds
Printer-friendly versionPhoto of petition-gathering outside of Sprouts in Lemon Grove courtesy Amit Dhuleshia By Karen Pearlman Jan. 22, 2026 (Lemon Grove) — A group of Lemon Grove residents and regional animal welfare advocates are launching a formal bid to update local pet sale regulations, aiming to make Lemon Grove the next California city to prohibit the retail sale of commercially
A sweet and Grand (Avenue) time in Escondido with the Chocolate Festival
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Jan. 22, 2026 (Escondido) – Wrappers will crinkle and corks will pop next month along Grand Avenue in Escondido. The Escondido Chocolate Festival is set for Feb 7, turning the city’s historic downtown into a literal moveable feast for those with a sweet tooth, a penchant for chocolate pairings and an appreciation for local flair. Hosted by
Fort Cross brings ‘Old Timey’ adventure to Julian region
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Jan. 22, 2026 (Santa Ysabel) – A family farm in the Julian mountains is bringing back its popular guided tour that brings rustic adventure and recreation education to the outdoors. Fort Cross Old Timey Adventures will host its popular Farm Tour Adventure on Jan. 31, a high-energy, two-hour guided circuit at its farm, nestled in the scenic landscape
Health and science highlights
Printer-friendly versionanuary 22, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) — Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future. HEALTH Pediatricians group sues federal government over cuts to child health funding (10 News) Health insurance CEOs to appear before House committees as premiums soar (NBC) County Public Health Lab Starts Testing Local Wastewater for Diseases (County News Center) SCIENCE
To comply with new state laws, GUHSD board passes protections for immigrant students by 3-2 margin
Printer-friendly version By Alexander J. Schorr File photo, left: Trustee Jim Kelly called the measure “anarchy” and voted against it, along with Trustee Gary Woods January 21, 2026 (El Cajon) — The Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) Board of Trustees on January 19 voted 3-2 to pass a resolution to establish new guidelines for responding to federal enforcement on campuses. This
City of San Diego secures $4 million in federal funds for stormwater infrastructure project along Chollas Creek
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Photo by Genevieve Jones-Wright: flooding in Encanto in January 2024 January 21, 2026 (San Diego) — New federal funding will support four critical stormwater infrastructure projects in the City of San Diego, including drainage improvements along Beta Street in Southcrest, which has been impacted by flooding during recent winter storms. The allocation of $4.36
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