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

Mail might not be postmarked until days after you send it, under new rules that could cause tax penalties, result in ballots not counted

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery December 30, 2025 (Washington D.C.) – Don’t wait until the last minute to mail in a ballot, tax return or other important documents. A change in U.S. Postal Service regulations that took effect December 24 means that mail is no longer considered postmarked on the date that you drop it in a mailbox or at a post office

Read More ...

CRASH ON PINE VALLEY BRIDGE DELAYS MOTORISTS

Printer-friendly versionEast County Wildfire and Emergency Alerts Image via CHP on X Dec. 30, 2025 (Pine Valley) — A motorhome accident on the Pine Valley bridge has shut down one lane of I-8 east and knocked down 80 feet of guardrail, per the California Highway Patrol. Westbound lanes remain open. Motorists traveling east are advised to take an alternative route

Read More ...

Cities can’t punish outreach workers for helping homeless Californians under new law

Printer-friendly versionBy Marisa Kendall, CalMatters This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Photo:  Physician assistant Brett Feldman checks Carla Bolen’s blood pressure at her encampment on the Figueroa Street Viaduct above Highway 110 in Elysian Valley Park in Los Angeles on Nov. 18, 2022. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local December 30, 2025 (Sacramento) – Senate Bill 634 would have made a

Read More ...

County warns residents about deadly wild mushrooms

Printer-friendly versionBy Fernanda Lopez Halvorson, County of San Diego Communications Office Photo courtesy California Department of Public Health December 30, 2025 (San Diego) – County public health officials are urging residents to avoid foraging for, or eating, wild mushrooms as some could contain a dangerous toxin called amatoxin that causes severe liver damage and can even lead to death. Winter rainfall creates

Read More ...

House Republicans pass healthcare bill without extending Affordable Care Act subsidies that expire December 31: costs set to double or triple for many Californians

Printer-friendly versionBy G.A. McNeeley and Miriam Raftery Image: CC via bing December 28, 2025 (Washington D.C.) – With both houses of Congress adjourned until January, 22 million Americans can expect to see large increases in Affordable Care Act (ACA) healthcare premiums, since subsidies will expire on December 31. While Democrats fought to extend the subsidies, House Republicans passed their own

Read More ...

PFAS “forever chemicals” found in Warner Springs groundwater: Navy to host open house January 12 and provide testing of wells at nearby properties

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Updated Dec. 31 with comments from the Warner Spring Community Sponsor Group chair and a local winery representative, plus a statement from the Vista Irrigation District. December 27, 2025 (Warner Springs) — The U.S. Navy has announced that PFAS, known as “forever chemicals” have been detected in groundwater in Warner Springs.  The contamination is believed to be linked to a

Read More ...

Federal cuts and reversals upend California health care in 2025

Printer-friendly versionPhoto:  CC by NC-ND via Bing This story was originally published by Cal Matters. Sign up for their newsletters. By Ana B. Ibarra for CalMatters Dec. 27, 2025 (San Diego County) — After a decade of expanding health coverage and safety net programs, the Golden State took a sharp detour in 2025. As federal funding reductions and policy changes rippled through the

Read More ...

Ring in the new year safely with free transit rides New Year’s Eve after 6 p.m. throughout San Diego

Printer-friendly versionSource:  MTS December 26, 2025 (San Diego) – The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and the North County Transit – San Diego Railroad (NCTD) announced plans to offer free transit rides and extended late-night service on New Year’s Eve, giving the region a safe, convenient and affordable way to celebrate and get home.   “We want everyone to enjoy New Year’s Eve and celebrate responsibly,”

Read More ...

Escaped felon in Lemon Grove

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Dec. 24, 2025 (Lemon Grove) — The Lemon Grove Sheriff’s Substation is looking to the public for help in locating a wanted felon who escaped from custody. Just after 4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 18, Sheriff’s Deputies observed Hiram Sanchez, 36, in the 7100 block of Broadway in Lemon Grove. He was wanted on an

Read More ...

SDG&E urges caution around downed power lines

Printer-friendly versionSource:  SDG&E December 24, 2025 (San Diego) – With the current rainstorm approaching our region, SDG&E is urging the public to exercise caution around downed power lines.  During rainstorms, power lines may become damaged or fall, potentially posing a threat to those nearby. It is crucial for customers to stay safe, be vigilant and take necessary precautions to avoid potential

Read More ...

4 SAN DIEGO CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES VOTE TO INVEST IN FIREFIGHTING GRANTS TO BOOST FIRE PROTECTION; ISSA VOTES NO

Printer-friendly version  November 18, 2009 (Washington, DC) – The Fire Grants Reauthorization Act passed by a 395-31 vote in the House of Representatives today, providing local firefighters with tools and resources to prevent and fight fires, enhancing community safety. At a time when many cities face budget shortfalls and cuts to basic services, the Act invests in programs that allow

Read More ...

WHOOPING COUGH CASES MORE THAN DOUBLE THIS YEAR COUNTYWIDE; CHULA VISTA STUDENT IS LATEST DIAGNOSED

Printer-friendly version  November 18, 2009 (Chula Vista) – A five-year-old student who attends John J. Montgomery Elementary School in Chula Vista Elementary School Districthas been diagnosed with pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) reports today. The student was up-to-date on immunizations. There have been 123 cases of whooping cough in

Read More ...

FIGHT NIGHT! PLUS FREE PATIO RELEASE PARTY AT CALI-COMFORT SAT. NOV 21 IN SPRING VALLEY

Printer-friendly version  November 19, 2009 (Spring Valley) – Cali Comfort Restaurant & Sports Bar in Spring Valley invites you to a “patio release party” this Saturday, November 21. Admission is free and includes free viewing of the pay-per-view United Fighting Championships (UFC) matchup between Tito Ortiz and Forerst Griffin 2 with Ashlee from Rock 105.3 radio’s Mikey Show. “We will

Read More ...

LOCAL ECONOMIC INDICATORS IMPROVE, MANPOWER WORKFORCE REPORTS

Printer-friendly version  November 19, 2009 (San Diego) – Looking for some good news about the local economy?   Many of our economic indicators have improved significantly, according to Manpower Workforce Report: A San Diego Labor Market Snapshop (Business edition), published Nov.9 and reprinted with permission below. Among the findings: Economic indicators compiled by the University of San Diego are up

Read More ...

2 GOP OFFICIALS RESIGN OVER ANDERSON CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS CONTROVERSY; EAST COUNTY ASSEMBLYMAN REMAINS MUM ON SUBJECT

Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery November 18, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – A biography of Assemblyman Joel Anderson (R-Alpine) has been removed from his official Assembly website. But an archived copy reads, “The proof of Joel Anderson’s total commitment to honesty, integrity, and hard work aren’t in what he says. They’re in what he’s already done—the record of accomplishment

Read More ...

SHERIFF’S SWEEP NEAR SANTEE HIGH SCHOOLS SNAGS DOZENS OF TEEN DRIVERS

Printer-friendly version  November 18, 2009 (Santee) — On November 17, Santee traffic deputies, school resource officers, juvenile detectives and the COPPS Unit conducted a teen driver compliance detail. Special attention was given to drivers near schools. Drivers were stopped and cited for various traffic violations including use of cell phones, not wearing seat belts, violation of provisional license restrictions and

Read More ...

SHOPPER ASSAULTED OUTSIDE TARGET STORE

Printer-friendly version  November 18, 2009 (La Mesa) – A 54-year-old woman was punched in the face yesterday at 5:51 p.m. while watching another woman yell at a young child outside the Target Store in Grossmont Center, La Mesa Police report. The victim was in the parking lot when she stopped to observe the incident. According to police, she was about

Read More ...

HOW DID YOUR LEGISLATOR VOTE ON CONSUMER ISSUES? HOLLINGSWORTH RANKS 2ND WORST IN LEGISLATURE; SALDANA RANKS 100%

Printer-friendly version November 18, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Legislators representing astern areas in San Diego County got mixed scores from Consumer Federation of California’s 2009 scorecard for California lawmakers. The scorecard ranks state Senators and Assemblymembers for votes to protect consumers on issues including food safety, identity theft, health care reform, toxics, false advertising, real estate lending reform,

Read More ...

BODY FOUND BELOW BRIDGE NEAR FALLBROOK IDENTIFIED

Printer-friendly version November 18, 2009 (Fallbrook) – The body of a man found yesterday in the southbound lane of I-15 at Old Highway 395 has been identified as Leland John Davis, 60. Davis resided in Escondido, along with his wife.   An off-duty Escondido police officer found the body yesterday morning while on his way to work and moved the

Read More ...

STOP BLACKWATER VICTORY PARTY NOV. 20

Printer-friendly version  November 18, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Citizens Oversight, an East County-based watchdog group, led a successful effort to convince Southwestern College to terminate its agreement with Xe (formerly known as Blackwater) for training of local law enforcement students. Now Citizens Oversight invites the public to join a “Stop Blackwater!” victory celebration on November 20th . The

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