Thanks To Our Sponsors
Be a sponsor!
Breaking News
Explore What Matters
News Center
Padre Dam’s Ray Stoyer Water Recycling Facility decommissioned after more than a half-century of use
Printer-friendly versionRay Stoyer Water Recycling Facility at Padre Dam Municipal Water District, Santee Lakes Community event makes way for the
Lemon Grove Library hosting Sheriff’s reentry event
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 13, 2026 (Lemon Grove) — The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office Reentry Services Division
News Issues
Padre Dam’s Ray Stoyer Water Recycling Facility decommissioned after more than a half-century of use
Printer-friendly versionRay Stoyer Water Recycling Facility at Padre Dam Municipal Water District, Santee Lakes Community event makes way for the
Lemon Grove Library hosting Sheriff’s reentry event
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 13, 2026 (Lemon Grove) — The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office Reentry Services Division
Politics
Padre Dam’s Ray Stoyer Water Recycling Facility decommissioned after more than a half-century of use
Printer-friendly versionRay Stoyer Water Recycling Facility at Padre Dam Municipal Water District, Santee Lakes Community event makes way for the
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
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
Jamul Casino Resort gets two film awards
Printer-friendly version Water Sweet – The Story of Jamul” Earns Top Honors at AAF Reno ADDY Awards East County News
Lionel’s Legacy hosting sleepover party and more in Lakeside April 18-19
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 14, 2026 (Lakeside) — East County-based senior dog rescue group Lionel’s Legacy is holding
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
Lionel’s Legacy hosting sleepover party and more in Lakeside April 18-19
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 14, 2026 (Lakeside) — East County-based senior dog rescue group Lionel’s Legacy is holding
Mountain Empire Art Show Debuts April 15 in Boulevard
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 14, 2026 (Boulevard) — The Backcountry Resource Center in Boulevard will be busy this Wednesday,
Features
Jamul Casino Resort gets two film awards
Printer-friendly version Water Sweet – The Story of Jamul” Earns Top Honors at AAF Reno ADDY Awards East County News
Lionel’s Legacy hosting sleepover party and more in Lakeside April 18-19
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 14, 2026 (Lakeside) — East County-based senior dog rescue group Lionel’s Legacy is holding
What East County Topic Matters Most to You?
Get East County Wildfire, Emergency Alerts
Latest Stories
Sponsorship Placement
GET HIGH ON GREEN ROOFS AT CUYAMACA COLLEGE ON NOV 8
Printer-friendly versionBy Gayle Lynn Falkenthal, APR November 1, 2008 – A roof may seem like just a roof to you. But to Jim Mumford of Good Earth Plant Company, a roof is one big pot for plants. His imagination and vision have made him San Diego’s “green roof guru.” Mumford will share his expertise on green roofs in an upcoming
CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES ADDRESS ECONOMY, WAR, WILDFIRE AND OTHER ISSUES IMPACTING EAST COUNTY
Printer-friendly versionBy Joseph Rocha Duncan Hunter Mike Lumpkin October 28, 2008 (San Diego’s East County) – For better or for worse, come November 4th, the 27-year stronghold on the 52nd Congressional seat will be released. Republican Congressman Duncan Hunter is retiring. Now, East County finds itself under siege in one of the hottest Congressional races of the season as
LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON? LEGACY OF DUNCAN HUNTER, SR. AT ISSUE IN CONGRESSIONAL RACE — AND THE RECORD MAY SURPRISE YOU
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery October 28, 2008 (San Diego’s East County) – Duncan Duane Hunter seeks to capture the 52nd Congressional seat being vacated by his father, 27-year Congressman Duncan Hunter. He has voiced support for his father’s voting record yet chided his principal opponent, Michael Lumpkin, for claiming that the Hunter family seeks a monarchy-like transfer of power. The
CONGRESSIONAL DEBATE VIDEO — VIEW THE BATTLING VETS!
Printer-friendly versionOctober 28, 2008 (San Diego’s East County) – Two dueling veterans–Navy Seal Mike Lumpkin, Democrat and Marine Captain Duncan D. Hunter, Republican (son of the retiring Congressman)–plus Libertarian Michael Benoit share views on key issues in a 52nd Congressional District debate held at Cuyamaca College on October 22. View the full debate, sponsored by the East County Chamber of
MUTINY AT THE GOP?
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery November 1, 2008 (San Diego) – San Diego Republican Party Chair Tony Krvaric is alleged to have rigged endorsements including a mayoral race, violated state election law and party rules. A complaint filed by a Central Committee member calls for Krvaric’s ouster. Will the GOP Central Committee make its chairman, who has previously been implicated in
FIRE OFFICIALS SAY SHOCKEY FIRE CAUSE CAN’T BE DETERMINED; PRAISE CAMPO RESIDENTS FOR SAVING HOMES
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Cal Fire Captain Richard Stephan October 27, 2008 (Campo) – The cause of the Shockey Fire, which burned approximately 400 acres on October 15, will likely never be conclusively determined, California Fire and Forestry (Cal Fire) officials informed East County Magazine’s editor during a recent visit at Campo’s fire station. “We found the area of origin
HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS
Printer-friendly versionDownload PDFs provided by Cal Fire in English and Spanish. Printer-friendly version
EL CAJON VOTERS TO DECIDE ON SALES TAX HIKE
Printer-friendly versionCouncilman blasts Assembly Rep for opposing Prop J without consulting Council or Mayor By Miriam Raftery 77th District Assemblyman Joel Anderson Voters in El Cajon will decide whether or not to approve Proposition J, which would raise sales tax by one-half cent on the dollar. “The decision to place a sales tax increase on the ballot for El Cajon
11 CANDIDATES VIE FOR 3 SEATS ON EL CAJON COUNCIL
Printer-friendly versionContenders clash on budget solutions, jobs, housing, and religion in politics By Miriam Raftery How should El Cajon address its budget shortfall? Should public jobs be privatized, or services cut? Or can new revenues and employment be created with an industrial park, green jobs, a new hospital, a university, or other innovative solutions? Candidates differ sharply on these
Editorial – Seizing the Moment
Printer-friendly versionSan Diego County’s Green Energy Future By Martha Sullivan The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is poised to take action any day now on Sempra Energy’s proposed Sunrise Powerlink project, which the CPUC’s own ratepayers’ advocate division has concluded is unnecessary. In this editorial, Martha Sullivan, former CPUC staffer, lays out a plan of action for consumers interested in
CRASH LANDING: GIANT OAK DESTROYS RAMONA HOME: WAS SDG&E’S TREE-TRIMMING TO BLAME?
Printer-friendly version February 7, 2010 (Ramona) — It’s a good thing residents of this Ramona home weren’t hosting a SuperBowl party this afternoon, when a massive tree scored an unforeseen touchdown. At 1:30 p.m. Cal Fire responded to a report of a tree fallen into the residence, located in the 13000 block of Fernbrook. When firefighters arrived, they found
SPRING VALLEY RESTAURANT KICKS OFF SUPERBOWL SUNDAY WITH A PARTY
Printer-friendly version February 7, 2010 (Spring Valley) – Cali Comfort Restaurant & Sports Bar in Spring Valley invites football fans to party hearty and watch today’s SuperBowl—while leaving the clean-up to their crew. To spice up the offer, Cali’s is offering $8 pitchers of beer, 50 cent wings, and a crowd-pleasing assortment of discounted appetizers. To kick off
EL CAJON CONTRACTOR KIDNAPPED BY ISLAMIC MILITANTS IN IRAQ
Printer-friendly version ISSA SALOMI BELIEVED TO BE CAPTIVE SHOWN IN VIDEO Updated February 7, 2010 8 a.m. February 6, 2010 – The U.S. military confirms that Issa Salomi, 60, of El Cajon has been kidnapped by a militant Islamic organization, the Washington Post reports. Salomi was working as a contractor in Bagdhad, but disappeared January 23. Now a video posted
TORRANCE JONES, 33, ARRESTED FOR MURDER IN ROLANDO AREA
Printer-friendly version February 7, 2010 (San Diego) – Following a three-day manhunt, San Diego Police have arrested Torrance Jones, 33, and charged him with the murder of LaDonte Ellese Collins, 22. Collins and two friends had a flat tire and called for a taxi outside the Ace Budget Motel, according to authorities. When it arrived, Jones and a woman came
LA MESA MAN FOUND DEAD IN CAR WITH BABY DIED OF HEROIN & ALCOHOL, CORONER SAYS
Printer-friendly version February 7, 2010 (La Mesa) James Robinson, 29, of La Mesa died of acute heroin and alcohol intoxication, the San Diego County Medical Examiner has found. Robinson was found slumped over his infant child at Gas Depot, a gas station on in San Diego on January 4. Police and paramedics were called, but Robinson was confirmed dead
TWO “LUCKY” MOTORISTS ESCAPE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS ON HIGHWAY 54
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery February 6, 2010 (National City) — A vehicle rolled over 100 feet off the freeway at 3:41 this morning at Highway 54 west of Highland, trapping one victim under the vehicle. Emergency responders from multiple jurisdictions arrived, with National City Fire Department arriving first on the scene. "When personnel made contact with the victim, they
SIG ALERT CANCELLED ON I-8 AT MURRAY DRIVE
Printer-friendly version February 6, 2010 (El Cajon) Updated 11:45 p.m.. – A serious accident involving several vehicles caused CHP to shut down all lanes on I-8 westbound at Murray Drive in El Cajon, diverting traffic onto 125. CHP’s website reports one vehicle flipped over and a person was trapped inside with fluid leaking. Fortuantely, injuries were not serious,
BIG HIT: PRESIDENT OBAMA WELCOMES WORLD CHAMPION LITTLE LEAGUE TEAM FROM CHULA VISTA
Printer-friendly version February 6, 2010 – As snow fell on the nation’s capitol, Chula Vista’s Park View Little League players, coaches and family members received a warm welcome at the White House from President Barack Obama. Each player on the world champion team was greeted personally by the President. “He said that he was proud of us for representing the
HEAD-ON COLLISION IN LAKESIDE INJURES 3
Printer-friendly version February 6, 2010 (Lakeside) – A high-speed, head-on traffic collision with entrapment on a rain-slicked road brought a multi-agency response to Lake Jennings Park Road in Lakeside. Crews used hydraulic rescue tools to extricate the front seat passenger of one vehicle. Firefighter/paramedics provided advanced life support care and transported a total of three patients to the trauma
COUNCILMEMBER EMERALD TACKLES COLLEGE AVE TRAFFIC
Printer-friendly version GREEN LIGHT! TWO NEW TRAFFIC SIGNALS TO BE INSTALLED February 6, 2010 (San Diego)–San Diego City Councilmember Marti Emerald announces an important step in securing funds for the installation of two traffic lights on College Avenue, one at Arosa Street and one at Adams Avenue. The Crossroads Redevelopment Project Area Committee has voted to recommend funding for the lights. The Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee,
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