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
LEMON GROVE COUNCIL CANDIDATES OFFER FRESH PERSPECTIVES
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery October 25, 2008 (Lemon Grove) – Who has the best fresh ideas for Lemon Grove? Which candidate can squeeze the most benefits out of shrinking tax dollars? What seeds of future development should be planted for the city’s future—and was the Council’s vote to raise its pay 40% a sweet or sour deal? These are among
LIBRARY FRIENDS ANNOUNCE ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS
Printer-friendly versionNovember 1, 2008 (San Diego) – The Library Friends of San Diego County (LFSDC) announced the winners of its annual essay contest, with this year’s theme, "Libraries, Loud or Quiet?" First, second and third place winners in the youth, teen and adult categories will be honored by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors at the Tuesday, November 18
A QUESTION OF POWER ON SDG&E’S PROPOSED SUNRISE POWERLINK:
Printer-friendly version Video documentary distributed to CPUC is now online October 23, 2008 (San Diego, CA) – Stubborn Mule Productions and Backcountry Against the Dump, Inc. announce that “A Question of Power” is now available online. This one-hour locally produced grassroots documentary about the ongoing battle over the 150-mile “Sunrise Powerlink” transmission line proposed by San Diego Gas & Electric
THE RENO REPORT: MORNING HAS BROKEN
Printer-friendly versionBy Jamie Reno Exclusive for East County Magazine October 15, 2008 (Tierrasanta) – Morning has broken. As the sun rises over the East County, a sense of calm permeates my body. Yesterday morning, when I started writing this column for East County Magazine on the new fire threats, it was a different story. I was filled with anxiety. The
CONTROL OF GROSSMONT UNION HIGH SCHOOL BOARD HANGS IN BALANCE
Printer-friendly versionElection creates rift among Republicans By Miriam Raftery Five candidates are vying for two seats on the Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) Board of Trustees. The stakes are high. The outcome of this election may determine if a popular superintendent will be retained, if a new high school will be built in Alpine, and if divisive forces will
PROPOSITION U SEEKS FUNDS FOR CLASSROOM UPGRADES, NEW BUILDINGS IN GROSSMONT UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Grossmont Union High School District’s superintendent and four of five GUHSD school board trustees agree that Proposition U is critical to repair and replace aging buildings throughout the district—and build a long-awaited new high school for Alpine. “We can’t modernize the old industrial classrooms abandoned years ago without Proposition U,” GUHSD Superintendent Robert Collins said
ETHICS, BUDGET CUTS, & CHOOSING NEW CHANCELLOR TOP ISSUES IN GROSSMONT-CUYAMACA COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD RACE
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery The race: Four candidates are running for two seats on the Grossmont-Cuyamaca College Board of Trustees. Challengers Mary Kay Rosinski and Moe Bakeer face off against incumbents Tim Caruthers and Bill Garrett, board president. ECM interviewed Rosinski, Caruthers and Garrett; Bakeer did not respond to interview requests. What’s at stake: Community colleges face tough times amid
Remember “L” is on “La Mesa” ballots
Printer-friendly versionCity faces low reserves; bond rating, city jobs at stake if measure fails to pass By Kristin Hobbs Kjaero The proposition Proponents call it the “Vital City Services Measure,” and opponents call it a “Pension Tax.” The impartial ballot analysis identifies it as a “general tax,” which means revenue would go into La Mesa’s general fund and “the City
STATE OF DISUNION: WAR VETERANS SPEAK OUT AGAINST MILITARY ABUSE OF TROOPS IN LOCAL STOP ON NATIONAL TOUR
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Editor’s Note: Military authorities declined to speak with East County Magazine regarding this story. We also requested permission to interview veterans at Balboa Naval Hospital to obtain a diverse range of views on conditions in mlitary service. Our request was denied. October 18, 2008 (San Diego)–Army intelligence officer Selena Coppa has risked her freedom to speak out.
SAN DIEGO SOLAR HOMES TOUR: SATURDAY OCT. 18
Printer-friendly version The San Diego Solar Homes Tour is quite possibly the longest running and most popular tour in California. Celebrating the ninth year of the free tour, over 40 homes throughout San Diego County are participating—including many in East County and San Diego’s Eastern region. This self-guided tour, sponsored by the California Center for Sustainable Energy, offers real-life, working
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