Thanks To Our Sponsors
Be a sponsor!
Breaking News
Explore What Matters
News Center
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…
Visit East County
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
What East County Topic Matters Most to You?
Get East County Wildfire, Emergency Alerts
Latest Stories
Sponsorship Placement
TRUMP’S MASSIVE GLOBAL TARIFFS WIPED OUT TRILLIONS IN US MARKETS BEFORE HE HIT PAUSE. WHAT DID, OR COULD, HIS TRADE WAR ACHIEVE?
Printer-friendly versionBy Matthew DeWees, Cronkite News Photo via Library of Congress: Sen. Reed Smoot of Utah (right) and Rep. Willis Hawley of Oregon, both Republicans, on April 11, 1929. The Smoot-Hawley tariff they authored has been blamed for prolonging the Great Depression. April 9, 2025 (Washington D.C.) — President Donald Trump’s tariff policy wiped out almost $10 trillion
Spring Break-Out for Shelter Pets
Printer-friendly versionBy Yvette Urrea Moe County of San Diego Communications Office April 10, 2025 (San Diego) — Join the sun, fun and forever homes spring break “paw-ty” at County Animal Services. Shelter pets are ready to trade kennel life for beach vibes — and you can help make their spring break-out dreams come true. Come adopt your new
EL CAJON MAN DIES IN LAKESIDE ROLLOVER CRASH
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery April 9, 2025 (Lakeside) – An El Cajon man, 57, who was not wearing his seatbelt died at the scene of a solo vehicle crash in Lakeside this afternoon. He was driving a 2006 Toyota Tacoma westbound on El Monte Rd. about a mile and a half east of Lake Jennings Road when he lost
JUDGE OVERTURNS SAN DIEGO COUNTY’S TRANSPORTATION GUIDELINES
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery View the court’s ruling April 9, 2025 (San Diego) – San Diego Superior Court Judge Joel Wohlfei has struck down San Diego County’s Transportation Study Guide. The decision in a lawsuit filed by Cleveland National Forest Foundation (CNFF) and the Coastal Environmental Rights Foundation (CERF) is a win for environmentalists seeking to reduce emissions from
THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S IMPACT ON SOCIAL SECURITY
Printer-friendly versionChanges at the SSA, such as staff cuts and office closures, are affecting customer service and beneficiary payments, and causing long phone wait times By G. A. McNeeley April 8, 2025 (Washington D.C.) – After President Donald Trump returned to The White House, one big focus of his presidency has been to eliminate wasteful spending in the
READER’S EDITORIAL: DISTRICT 1 ELECTION ISSUES AND NEGLECT
Printer-friendly version By Jennifer Lynn April 9, 2025 (Spring Valley) — I’ve written about this and spoken with the Representative from the County Registrar of Voters, who set up a table at two candidate forums, about Spring Valley being left out on the county web page and almost all media just stating cities and or South Bay. Spring Valley
DISTRICT 1 SUPERVISOR RACE SET FOR RUNOFF
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 9, 2025 (San Diego) – The balance of power on the County Board of Supervisors remains in limbo, as the special election to fill the District 1 vacancy left by Nora Vargas’ resignation now appears headed for a runoff. No candidate has received 50% or more needed to decided the race outright. As of
SAN DIEGO SEALS SET SIGHTS ON PLAYOFFS
Printer-friendly versionBy Karen Pearlman SAN DIEGO — The National Lacrosse League 2024-25 regular season is coming to a close and the San Diego Seals (8-8) are hitting the home stretch soon. The Seals are concluding their regular season with a two-game home-and-home series against the Albany FireWolves (6-10). The first game is set for Saturday, April 12
HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY AFTER STABBING IN EL CAJON
Printer-friendly version East County News Service Photo by Robert Gehr April 8, 2025 (El Cajon) – El Cajon homicide detectives are investigating a fatal stabbing. Officers responded to multiple 9-1-1 calls around 2:41 a.m. reporting the stabbing in the 200 block of Cypress Avenue. Officers quickly responded and found the stabbing victim, who was transported
U.S. HOUSE TO EYE BILL THAT WOULD MAKE IT HARDER TO REGISTER TO VOTE
Printer-friendly versionUpdate April 10: This bill passed the House and now heads to the Senate for consideration. By Suzanne Potter, California News Service April 8, 2025 (Washington D.C.) — Pro-democracy groups are speaking out against a bill being considered next week in the U.S. House of Representatives to require proof of citizenship to register to vote.The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility
Damon Brown named new San Diego County Counsel
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Jan. 14, 2026 (San Diego County) — The San Diego County Board of Supervisors has approved the appointment of Damon M. Brown as County Counsel. Brown was chosen after the county launched a national recruitment, bringing broad and diverse experience at the national, state and local levels. A trial attorney and policy executive with more than
Navy officials meet with Warner Springs community to address PFAS in water
Printer-friendly versionBy Karen Pearlman with additional reporting by Miriam Raftery Jan. 14, 2026 (Warner Springs) — Dozens of local residents and business owners visited the CAL Fire Station in Warner Springs on Jan. 12 to glean information from the United States Navy and several other federal groups as well as state and county water agencies about PFAS and their impact
Democrats line up to unseat incumbent Rep. Darrell Issa in 48th Congressional District: several speak at candidate forum
Printer-friendly version By Paul Levikow Photo, left to right: Ammar Campa-Najjar, Marni Von Wilpert, Abel Chavez, Brandon Riker, Mark Iannarino, Ferguson Porter, Corinna Contreras, and Jerlilia Ryans January 13, 2026 (San Diego) – When the Primary Election is held June 2 for the 2026 midterms, more than a handful of Democrats will be on the ballot in an effort to
Free America Walkout January 20
Printer-friendly versionBy Alexander J. Schorr January 11, 2026 (San Diego) — The “Free America Walkout” is a nationwide protest initiative scheduled for Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. local time across the United States. Being organized by groups like The Women’s March and the 50501 movement, the event encourages people to walk out of work, school, and commence to protest fascism and the policies of the Trump administration. At least seven
Horse rescued in Alpine by San Diego Humane Society’s Emergency Response Team
Printer-friendly version East County News Service Jan. 10, 2026 (Alpine) — A 38-year-old horse that went down and could not get back up in Alpine has been rescued by the San Diego Humane Society’s Emergency Response Team. The nonprofit’s ERT successfully completed a technical rescue today (Jan. 10) for the Palomino horse named Jasmine — also affectionately known as “Jazzy.”
New laws come to California in 2026
Printer-friendly versionBy Henri Migala Photo by Miriam Raftery: California state seal at capitol in Sacramento January 10, 2026 (Sacramento) — Nearly 800–900 bills were signed into law in 2025 in California spanning workers’ rights, consumer protections, public health, education, housing, tech/AI policy, immigration policy, environmental safety, and more. Below are major statutes that took effect on January 1, 2026, unless
GUHSD invites students, families, staff and community to participate in Portrait of a Graduate Survey
Printer-friendly versionSource: Grossmont Union High School District January 9, 2026 (El Cajon) – The Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) is inviting East County students, families, educators, school staff, and community members to participate in shaping its Portrait of a Graduate (POG) – a long-term, community-created vision that defines the knowledge, skills, dispositions, and mindsets every student needs to thrive in
North Island Credit Union Foundation offering scholarships to San Diego County students
Printer-friendly versionFoundation invites college-bound students to apply for $1,000 scholarships by March 6 Source: North Island Credit Union Foundation January 9, 2026 (San Diego) – North Island Credit Union Foundation is encouraging college-bound students in San Diego county to apply for its 2026 Student Scholarship Program. Through the program, the Foundation awards $10,000 in scholarships annually to recognize local students who
El Cajon brings on Jennifer Lyon as new city attorney
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Jan. 9, 2026 (El Cajon) — Jennifer M. Lyon has started taking on the role of City Attorney for the City of El Cajon. Lyon, who is part of the La Mesa-headquartered attorney group McDougal Boehmer Foley Lyon Mitchell & Erickson, succeeds Morgan L. Foley, who has retired from his role as the City of El Cajon’s City Attorney,
Detra Williams named San Diego County’s Chief Deputy of Tax Collection
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Jan. 9, 2026 (San Diego County) — Detra Williams has been appointed as San Diego County’s next Chief Deputy of Tax Collection, succeeding Chief Deputy David Baker, who has retired. Williams was appointed to the position effective Jan. 6. County Treasurer-Tax Collector Larry Cohen announced the appointment on Jan. 6. Williams has worked for the
Get Wildfire Alerts & Wildfire Emergency News
Partner To ECM
Our Engaged Audience
5 to 10 million hits
per month!
5 to 10 million hits
per month!
A quarter million visits
each month
Most widely read news site dedicated to
San Diego’s East County
Winner of over 150
journalism awards
“Sponsoring East County Magazine is a great way to reach our loyal and engaged readers, who value organizations and businesses that support nonprofit, independent news in the public interest and wildfire/emergency alerts that keep people safe and informed. Sponsors can choose to underwrite our community news site, support a favorite section or a new special section, underwrite an event, or sponsor our wildfire and emergency alerts.”
— Miriam Raftery, Founder of East County Magazine
Community Links
Thanks To Our Major Sponsors
📬 Subscribe to ECM – 100% Free, Trusted by East County Since 2008
- Emergency alerts
- Breaking news
- No spam ever