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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…
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
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EARLY VOTING LINES
Printer-friendly versionWhy does a County with 4,261 square miles have only 1 early voting place? Two San Diego Assemblymembers call for changes after ECM inquiry By Miriam Raftery Assemblywoman Lori Saldaña vowed to take action in Sacramento to require that San Diego have more early voting locations to avoid long lines in the future. November 2, 2008 (San Diego) —
GREEN HOUSES: DEL CERRO DESIGNER COOKS UP A GREEN KITCHEN
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery November 1, 2008 (Del Cerro) — “Clients will ask, `How can we go green and still make it beautiful? That’s really the trick,” observes designer Rick Fahmie of Kitchen Expo. Fahmie designed a green kitchen in his own Del Cerro home, using utilizing natural and eco-friendly materials as well as maximizing energy efficiency. “Granite is as
EAST COUNTY ROUND-UP – NOVEMBER
Printer-friendly versionLinks to top stories in other publications on East County issues POWERLINK GETS PUMMELED ECM Editor’s note: The CPUC decision leaves the door open for a southern route to be built, which would impact East County communities near the border, so stay tuned. Voice of San Diego (November 1, 2008) — San Diego Gas & Electric’s proposed $1.2 billion
FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE, CITIES & BOARDS TAKE STANDS ON PROP 8
Printer-friendly versionEvents planned this weekend by supporters and opponents of initiative to overturn same-sex marriage By Miriam Raftery Art Madrid, La Mesa Mayor November 1, 2008 (La Mesa) – La Mesa’s City Council voted unanimously to take a neutral stance on Proposition 8, drawing applause from most of the crowd assembled at council chambers last week. “The city of La
A CONSERVATIVE AGAINST PROP. 8!
Printer-friendly versionBy the Rev. Michael C. Boblett Editor’s Note: Proposition 8 seeks to overturn the legality of same-sex marriages in California. I believe that Proposition 8 is a perfect example of an important fault line dividing the conservative movement in America today. On one side of this line are people like me, fiscal conservatives who prefer a government that does
HUNGRY IN EAST COUNTY
Printer-friendly versionStory and photos by Gayle Early November 1, 2008 (La Mesa/Spring Valley) – It’s 7:00 a.m., third Saturday of the month. The line behind Crosspointe Life Church in La Mesa snakes through the parking lot and all the way down the alley. Feeding America, a nonprofit agency formerly known as Second Harvest, has dropped off its monthly food distribution
EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE’S EDITORS AND WRITERS SWEEP SAN DIEGO PRESS CLUB AWARDS
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery October 22, 2008 (San Diego) – Q: Who are those grinning people posing with San Diego State University icon Monty Montezuma at the Hall of Champions in Balboa Park? A: East County Magazine editor Miriam Raftery and consulting editor Jamie Reno, who collectively received 14 awards in San Diego Press Club’s 2008 Excellence in Journalism competition.
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
STAPLES ROBBED IN LA MESA; THEIF MAY BE SERIAL ROBBER
Printer-friendly version On December 13, 2009, at about 5:43 PM, a lone suspect robbed the clerk at the Staples store at 8805 Murray Drive, La Mesa. The suspect selected a display item, and waited in line. Once at the register, he simulated a handgun and threatened the clerk, demanding cash. The clerk complied and gave the suspect an unknown amount
BIG RIG SMASHES WALL ON I-8 RAMP, KNOCKS CONCRETE ONTO SR-125
Printer-friendly version 2ND ACCIDENT IN 2 DAYS TO DROP HEAVY OBJECTS OFF ELEVATED RAMPS IN LA MESA By Miriam Raftery December 12, 2009 (La Mesa) – A big rig smashed into a wall on an elevated I-8 connector in La Mesa around 10:20 a.m., knocking chunks of concrete onto southbound SR-125 below. The truck cab teetered precariously as a portion
EL CAJON MAN ARRESTED FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER IN OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING
Printer-friendly version December 11, 2009 (El Cajon) – Kareem Colum, 32, of El Cajon has been arrested for attempted murder following an altercation in which he reportedly tried to take Sheriff deputy’s gun. According to preliminary information posted at the Sheriff’s website, a deputy patrolling Persimmon Avenue in the unincorporated area of El Cajon last night saw a suspicious vehicle
RESIDENTS VOICE NUMEROUS CONCERNS ON LA MESA HIGH-RISE PROPOSAL
Printer-friendly version By Kristin Kjaero December 10, 2009 (La Mesa) – It was a standing room only crowd December 9, as residents gave their input at the Draft Environmental Impact Report and Public Scoping Meeting for Park Stations at the Crossroads of La Mesa, a six-acre, 18-story multiple use project proposed for the Village. The City will continue to take public
JACOB WARNS OF POWERLINK IMPACTS ON ALPINE; SAYS SDG&E REFUSED COUNTY ACCESS TO KEY DOCUMENTS
Printer-friendly version Supervisor discusses other concerns in exlusive interview with East County Magazine “I don’t think anybody in Alpine really understands the magnitude of this.” – Supervisor Dianne Jacob December 10, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – In an exclusive interview with Supervisor Dianne Jacob, East County Magazine obtained new information about the impacts of Sunrise Powerlink on Alpine.
MUSIC TEACHER ARRESTED IN SANTA YSABEL FOR CHILD MOLESTATION & PORNOGRAPHY; SHERIFFS SEEK ADDITIONAL VICTIMS
Printer-friendly version December 10, 2009 (Santa Ysabel) — Yesterday U.S. Marshal’s agents in coordination with the San Diego County Fugitive Task Force arrested Mark Kinney, 47, his residence in Santa Ysabel. Kinney’s arrest came after an extensive investigation by detectives from the Sheriff’s Child Abuse Unit with the assistanceof the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the San Diego
MEMORIAL SET FOR SYCUAN EMPLOYEE DEREK DREIS
Printer-friendly version December 10, 2009 (Lakeside) — Derek C. Dreis, age 45, of Lakeside died suddenly of a blood clot that stopped his heart on Saturday, December 5th. For the last 10 years, he has worked for Sycuan Casino and Resort as an assistant shift supervisor on the security department. He spent his free time enjoying the outdoors,
SANTANA VARSITY TEAM LEADS AFTER 5TH WEEK OF ACADEMIC LEAGUE MATCHES
Printer-friendly version December 10, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – With a 5-0 record, Santa High School ‘s varsity team is in first place after the fifth week of the Grossmont Union High School District’s Academic League matches, besting Helix 85-24. “There were a couple of close matches as well as some strong performances by several teams,” said Steve
ACADEMIC LEAGUE # 4 FEATURED MATCH: GROSSMONT AT SANTANA
Printer-friendly version By Steve Haiman Co-coordinator, GUHSD Academic League December 9, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) — The layoff for Thanksgiving did not slow up the four teams in week four’s featured match with the Santana “Sultans” hosting the Grossmont “Foothillers”. In, fact all of the teams got right down to turkey…pardon the pun…from the very opening question right down
COUNTY TO PROVIDE FREE CAR SEATS TO LOW INCOME FAMILIES
Printer-friendly version December 9, 2009 (San Diego)–Thanks to a $207,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) will improve child safety by offering vehicle protection education and providing 2,000 child car seats to low-income families. Funding for “Keep ‘Em Safe” comes from a grant from the California
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