Award-winning nonprofit media in the public interest, serving San Diego's inland region

Award-winning nonprofit media in the public interest, serving San Diego's inland region

Breaking News

Explore What Matters

Stay informed on the issues that shape East County. From local news and emergency alerts, to community celebrations

News Center

News Issues

Politics

Wildfires and Emergencies

Events & Arts

Visit East County

People

Communities

Features

Get East County Wildfire, Emergency Alerts

Critical wildfire and emergency notifications delivered instantly.Join Neighbors who stay informed and prepared with our award winning Journalist

Latest Stories

Sponsorship Placement

As politics in San Diego has shifted blue over the last decades, local broadcast industry has turned MAGA red

Printer-friendly versionTrump Supporters Will Soon Control Most TV News Stations in San Diego By J.W. August December 7, 2025 (San Diego) – San Diego County’s voter makeup has gone from red to blue over the decades, and there’s no better example in recent years than the evolving Democratic majority on the San Diego City Council and county Board of Supervisors.

Read More ...

East County AWP construction boosts cost, but officials say recycled water supply is worth the price

Printer-friendly versionBy Mike Allen Photo: Education Center at AWP plant December 5, 2025 (Santee) — Three years into construction, the massive East County Advanced Water Purification Program is approaching the finish line late next year when the region’s sewage now being treated at Point Loma will be pumped to a new Santee plant and converted to drinkable, purified water.  

Read More ...

Loveland Reservoir draining underway brings pushback from East County residents

Printer-friendly version Loveland Reservoir showing what is left of the public fishing zone. Photo by Ostan Patton By Karen Pearlman Dec. 5, 2025 (Alpine) – It’s been three years since Loveland Reservoir was drained by Sweetwater Authority to “deadpool” level for the first time ever, leaving the area susceptible to environmental challenges, killing fish and increasing fire hazards. Now another extreme draining is underway by Sweetwater

Read More ...

Fiery crash in Ranchita kills girl, 8, injures seven others

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service December 4, 2025 (Ranchita) – An 8-year-old girl has died and seven other people injured, including children, in a multi-vehicle collision Sunday afternoon, November 30 on San Felipe Road south of Montezuma Valley Road. Alcohol is suspected as a factor in the crash, according to the California Highway Patrol.   “Dozens of first responders worked

Read More ...

County officials respond to November coyote attack at UTC

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service A coyote peers out from near Cowles Mountain in 2023. Photo by Karen Pearlman Dec. 4, 2025 (San Diego County) — San Diego County officials are sharing information in response to a recent coyote attack that took place in the Westview UTC mall parking lot on Nov. 25. The coyote attack injured two children and

Read More ...

Grossmont Healthcare District Awards Nearly $4 Million to Strengthen Health and Wellness Services Across East County

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Dec. 3, 2025 (La Mesa) —  The Grossmont Healthcare District has approved nearly $4 million in community grants and sponsorships for fiscal year 2025–26. GHD officials say that the grant shares mark the largest single-year investment in its history to support the health and well-being of East County residents. The awards were finalized at the GHD governing

Read More ...

Shredded cheeses recalled in 31 states due to possible metal fragments: Cheese were sold at major retailers under several brand names

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service December 3, 2025 (San Diego) – Great Lakes Cheese Co. has recalled shredded cheeses sold in 31 states due to possible metal fragments in the products. The cheese was sold under multiple brand names, including Borden, Good & Gather, Great Value, Publix, Food Lion and Food Club, and at stores such as Walmart, Target, Aldi,

Read More ...

Trump administration allows PFAS “forever chemicals” in pesticides used on food and eliminates asbestos testing in cosmetics

Printer-friendly version   By Alexander J Schorr Image: Harmful health effects of PFAS, via European Enviornmental Agency November 30, 2025— The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently approved new pesticide products containing “forever chemicals” (PFAS) for use on major food crops, sparking significant controversy. The approvals, announced this month, have been met with criticism from scientists and environmental advocates due

Read More ...

Holiday season safety tips & reminders from the California Fire Foundation and PSA program

Printer-friendly versionSource: California Fire Foundation November 29, 2025 (San Diego) – The holiday season is a time of joy, family gatherings, and cherished traditions. As families across California prepare for festive celebrations, it’s essential to prioritize safety—especially in a state prone to wildfires. Here are some key holiday safety tips from the California Fire Foundation:   1. Kitchen Safety The kitchen

Read More ...

Automated license plate reader technology helps ECPD arrest burglary suspects

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service November 28, 2025 (El Cajon) – Officers from El Cajon Police Department responded to reports of a home burglary in progress, with the family inside on November 23 around 9:14 a.m.  Whey they arrived, officers learned that two suspects—a woman who fled on foot and a man who stole the victims’ SUV—had already left the

Read More ...

JULIAN MAN DIES IN CRASH ON 78

Printer-friendly version Rees Boynton Skinner, 53, of Julian died November 20th from injuries sustained in a collision between two pickup trucks. According to the County Coroner’s office, Skinner was the driver and sole occupant of a pickup truck that was struck by another, out-of-control truck on Highway 78 near Ramona. Numerous witnesses stopped to render aid but were unable to

Read More ...

WOMAN ARRESTED IN LA MESA FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER; ALLEGEDLY STABBED BOYFRIEND WHILE CHILDREN OVERHEARD

Printer-friendly version  November 21, 2009 (La Mesa) – Tomika Carey has been arrested and charged with the attempted murder of her boyfriend, Sergeant Hanson at the Lemon Grove Sheriff’s Station has confirmed. On November 20th around 1:52 a.m., deputies responded to a call of a stabbing at an apartment complex in an unincorporated area of La Mesa. Parties at the

Read More ...

SHERIFF’S OFFICERS SHUT DOWN TRANSIENTS ENCAMPMENT IN LAKESIDE

Printer-friendly version CRITICS ASK WHY HOMELESS ARE TREATED LIKE CRIMINALS INSTEAD OF RECEIVING HELP November 21, 2009 (Lakeside) The Santee COPPS Unit, Santee Sheriff Crime Prevention and 50 community service workers provided through Cal-Trans started a large scale clean up of transient encampments in open space southeast of Old Highway 80 and Pecan Park Drive in Lakeside on November 12th.

Read More ...

MTS HOLDS PUBLIC MEETINGS OVER PLAN TO CUT SUNDAY BUS & TROLLEY SERVICE

Printer-friendly version November 21, 2009 (San Diego) — Sales tax shortfalls and the improper elimination of State Transit Assistance funds are forcing the Metropolitan Transit System to reduce its expenses by more than $7 million. To preserve the network of weekday services and to impact as few riders as possible, MTS is proposing to substantially reduce service on Sundays. The

Read More ...

ACADEMIC LEAGUE #3: RESULTS AND FEATURED MATCH: GRANITE HILLS AT EL CAPITAN

Printer-friendly version  November 18, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) By Steve Haiman, co-coordinator   The moderator for today’s Grossmont Union-High School Academic League Match pitting the Granite Hills “Eagles” against the El Capitan “Vaqueros” was Valhalla math teacher extraordinaire Brian Andersen. He kept the match moving and in good order with a good sense of humor.   In Junior Varsity

Read More ...

MEFDLY LARVAE FOUND IN FALLBROOK

Printer-friendly version  November 20, 2009 (Fallbrook) — A fruit stripping and cutting operation in Fallbrook has lead to the discovery of 68 Mediterranean fruit fly larvae.   “This is actually good news because it allows us to stop the Medfly from producing another generation and reduces the chance of residents moving infested fruit,” said Robert Atkins, County Agricultural Commissioner. California

Read More ...

MORE H1N1 VACCINES RECEIVED: INFANT GIRL IS LATEST FATALITY

Printer-friendly version  November 20, 2009 (San Diego) — The County’s six Public Health Centers and one immunization clinic have each received 200 additional doses of injectable H1N1 vaccine.   The limited vaccine is prioritized for use in the CDC priority groups of: children and young adults four to 24 years old; adults 25 to 64 years old with chronic medical

Read More ...

CIF FOOTBALL PLAYOFF MATCHUPS

Printer-friendly version(SAN DIEGO) – The following is a list football playoff pairings for CIF San Diego Section. We will update it with each round of the playoffs.   The team’s seeding, name and overall win-loss record are shown for each team. The top four teams in each division get a first round bye.   Teams within East County Magazine’s coverage area

Read More ...

SPRING VALLEY SCHOOL GIRL STALKED BY MAN IN DARK BLUE MINIVAN

Printer-friendly version  November 20, 2009 (Spring Valley) – The Sheriff’s Department has released the following information about a report of a man who tried to pick up a Spring Valley school girl and told her he had been watching her and her sisters. According to the police report, on November 18th around 8:53 a.m., the girl was walking to school

Read More ...

ARREST MADE IN ROBBERY OF SPRING VALLEY LIQUOR STORE

Printer-friendly version November 20, 2009 (Spring Valley) – Joshua Kimble, 21, has been arrested on suspicion of robbing the La Presa Liquor Store at 9410 Jamacha Blvd. in Spring Valley on November 18. At 11:33 a.m., deputies responded to an armed robbery call, where the suspect reportedly brandished a pistol and was last seen on foot in an unknown direction.

Read More ...

Get Wildfire Alerts & Wildfire Emergency News

Stay ahead of emergencies with real-time notifications delivered directly to your inbox when seconds count.

Partner To ECM

Connect with East County’s most informed and engaged community. Our readers trust ECM for critical news and actively support local businesses.

Our Engaged Audience

Unique Visitors

5 to 10 million hits

per month!

Number of Visitors
0

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

Thanks To Our Major Sponsors

📬 Subscribe to ECM – 100% Free, Trusted by East County Since 2008

Reviews and Feedback