Thanks To Our Sponsors
Be a sponsor!
Breaking News
Explore What Matters
News Center
Passages: Mark Ostrander, firefighter, backcountry leader, 69
Printer-friendly versionBy Karen Pearlman April 15, 2026 (Boulevard) — Mark Ostrander, a dedicated public servant, retired Cal Fire Battalion Chief
Federal judge: Continued Border Patrol sweeps in California violated court order
Printer-friendly version By Wendy Fry and Sergio Olmos, CalMatters. This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Photo: a line of
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
La Mesa City Council votes 5-0 approving e-bike safety pilot program
Printer-friendly versionBy Karen Pearlman April 16, 2026 (La Mesa) — La Mesa is the latest city in San Diego County
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
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
Passages: Mark Ostrander, firefighter, backcountry leader, 69
Printer-friendly versionBy Karen Pearlman April 15, 2026 (Boulevard) — Mark Ostrander, a dedicated public servant, retired Cal Fire Battalion Chief
New Crisis Stabilization Unit opening in El Cajon
Printer-friendly versionApril 18, 2026 (El Cajon) — The County of San Diego will open its newest Crisis Stabilization Unit —
Features
Federal judge: Continued Border Patrol sweeps in California violated court order
Printer-friendly version By Wendy Fry and Sergio Olmos, CalMatters. This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Photo: a line of
How the fruit fly quarantine has impacted food donations — and how you can help
Printer-friendly version By Philicia Tonangoye Image: Tangerines, via Bing (cc) April 18, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – The Mexican
What East County Topic Matters Most to You?
Get East County Wildfire, Emergency Alerts
Latest Stories
Sponsorship Placement
San Diego FC starts 2026 MLS season with 5-0 win
Photo courtesy San Diego FC Instagram East County News Service Feb. 22, 2026 (San Diego) — If Saturday night’s match at Snapdragon Stadium was any…
Motorcyclist dies in Descanso
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service February 21, 2026 (Descanso) – A man killed in a solo motorcycle crash in Descanso on February 8 has been identified as Fernando Omar Herrera, 39, of San Diego. The motorcycle he was driving veered off the roadway on Viejas Blvd. at Merigan Fire Rd. and struck a wire fence around 11:05 p.m. Responding paramedics
And the survey says… County Supervisors looking for input
East County News Service Feb. 20, 2026 (San Diego County) — There’s one week left to tell San Diego County officials what you want to…
Tacos, taxes and targeted relief — Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson hosting resource fair
East County News Service Feb. 20, 2026 (San Diego County) — As the April income tax filing deadline looms, State Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson (D-SD)…
Tacos, taxes and targeted relief — Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson hosting resource fair
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Feb. 20, 2026 (San Diego County) — As the April income tax filing deadline looms, State Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson (D-SD) will serve up a unique blend of financial relief and local flavor next month. Weber Pierson’s office on Saturday, March 14, is hosting “Tacos & Taxes” at the Jackie Robinson YMCA. The event offers
And the survey says… County Supervisors looking for input
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Feb. 20, 2026 (San Diego County) — There’s one week left to tell San Diego County officials what you want to see, including ways they can better pull back the proverbial curtain on local government. With a comprehensive survey launched earlier this year, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors — Paloma Aguirre (District 1), Joel Anderson (D2), Terra Lawson-Remer
U.S. Supreme Court strikes down Trump’s tariffs. Here’s how they’ve affected California
Printer-friendly version By Levi Sumagaysay, CalMatters This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Photo: The cellar room of Tablas Creek Vineyard in Paso Robles on July 30, 2025. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local February 20, 2026 (Sacramento) – In a major blow against President Donald Trump, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Friday that he does not have the authority
Storm drops nearly 6 inches of rain at Cuyamaca, 3 inches of snow on Mt. Laguna with more forecast
By Miriam Raftery February 19, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – A winter storm advisory remains in effect for San Diego’s mountain areas, with additional…
Cognitive decline disproportionately affects Black Americans–why this is happening and how you can help
By Kristen Romea, LCSW, Director of Supportive Services , and l eaders of the Encanto 4 th Thursday Caregivers Support Group : Linda Cochran-Johnson ,…
Storm drops nearly 6 inches of rain at Cuyamaca, 3 inches of snow on Mt. Laguna with more forecast
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery February 19, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – A winter storm advisory remains in effect for San Diego’s mountain areas, with additional snow and rain forecast through early Friday morning. From Monday through Wednesday evening, the storm system dropped three inches of snow on Mt. Laguna, with snow even along Interstate 8 from Alpine east to the county
5 WILD MICE TEST POSITIVE FOR HANTAVIRUS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY
Printer-friendly version January 13, 2010 (San Diego) — County Vector Control officials confirmed today that five wild mice trapped during routine monitoring tested positive for Hantavirus. “As the weather cools, rodents will begin to seek shelter indoors. It is important to keep mice out of houses, garages and sheds to prevent infection.” said Jack Miller, Director of the
HOW MUCH CRIME IS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD? FIND OUT AT CRIMEMAPPING.COM
Printer-friendly versionSan Diego Sheriff Announces New E-Tool January 13, 2010 (San Diego) — Sheriff Bill Gore today announces the initiation of a new Internet tool for the residents of San Diego County. Crimemapping.com, a creation of San Diego-based Omega Group, retrieves crime data, maps it by address, and positions it in crime categories for web users to view. Sensitive
BOOK REVIEW: POLICE AND PUBLIC SECURITY IN MEXICO
Printer-friendly version Edited by Robert A. Donnelly and David A. Shirk Book Review by: Dennis Moore January 13, 2010 (San Diego’s East County)–Yajaira Mota Orozco,a San Diego mother of two children, lost her life while eating at a restaurant in Tijuana. During December, she became the 88th victim of alleged gang and drug violence in a single month, underscoring
GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL: WOLFPACK GANGS UP ON LADY SULTANS
Printer-friendly versionby Christopher Mohr January 12, 2010 (Santee) – What started out as a competitive game between two rival schools from Santee soon became a rout as the host Wolfpack of West Hills High School surged past the Lady Sultans of Santana High School with a comfortable 54-31 win. In a contrast of strategies, both teams played a tight game
$1,000 REWARD FOR INFO ON DECEMBER THEFT OF TRAILER FROM GROUP HELPING WILDFIRE VICTIMS REBUILD
Printer-friendly version Mennonite Disaster Services trailer has Pennsylvania plates January 12, 2009 (San Diego)–San Diego County Crime Stoppers is joining forces with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department Ramona detectives to help identify and apprehend the suspect(s) responsible for a theft of a gray tow trailer and about $10,000 worth of tools belonging to a volunteer group that was
“ACTIVE SHOOTER” EXERCISE AT CUYAMACA COLLEGE TODAY
Printer-friendly version January 12, 2009 (El Cajon)–The Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District (GCCCD) is conducting a practice exercise with local public safety agencies on Tuesday, January 12, 2010, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Cuyamaca College. The GCCCD Police, San Diego County Sheriffs’ Department, San Miguel Fire Department, El Cajon Police Department, El Cajon Fire Department, and other East County
KROC CENTER HOSTS OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY JAN. 9
Printer-friendly version The Salvation Army Kroc Center is opening its doors to the community for FREE on Saturday, January 9. Guests can take guided tours, and enjoy special membership savings as well as a free all-venue pass for the day. Visitors can also experience skateboarding, ice skating, rock climbing, swimming, fitness classes, weight lifting, arts and crafts, an acting workshop
FIREFIGHTERS SAVE TWO AFTER VEHICLE PLUNGES DOWN 300-FOOT RAVINE
Printer-friendly version January 7, 2010 (Crest)– A difficult but successful rescue was made Thursday afternoon by members of the San Miguel Fire District. Crews were called to La Cresta Road near Coyote Ridge moments after a vehicle veered off the road and plummeted down a 300 foot embankment. A large SUV with two occupants rolled several times down the steep
COUNTY RECEIVES $4.3 MILLION FOR HOMELESS PROJECTS
Printer-friendly version January 8, 2009 (San Diego) — More than $4.3 million is going to local programs that help homeless individuals find shelter and deal with challenges such as mental illness, disabilities and domestic violence. East County Magazine has e-mailed the County to inquire whether any of these funds will address the growing homelessness needs in East County. The
FOREST SERVICE BEGINS PRESCRIBED FIRE ACTIVITY IN CLEVELAND NATIONAL FOREST
Printer-friendly version January 7, 2010 (San Diego’s East County)– The Descanso Ranger District of the Cleveland National Forest will be conducting 300-500 acres of prescribed burning in the south eastern part of San Diego County. The projects are located near the communities of Alpine, Pine Valley, and Mt Laguna. Prescribed burning will be conducted from January to June 2010, as
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