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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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HEALTHCARE FOR ALL BILL PASSES- GOVERNOR THREATENS VETO
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery September 8, 2008 (SAN DIEGO) – A landmark bill to provide guaranteed universal healthcare coverage for every man, woman and child in California (including medical, dental, mental health and eye care coverage) has been approved by the State Legislature. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has until September 30th to sign the measure, SB 840 by Senator Sheila Kuehl,
EAST COUNTY LEADERS ORGANIZE FUTURE SAN DIEGO: GREEN ECONOMY
Printer-friendly versionOct. 18 event at UCSD to feature Lt. Governor John Garamendi, green jobs fair and more By Miriam Raftery Event organizers Chuck Brands (left) of El Cajon and Mark Hanson of Lakeside (right) with keynote speaker, Lt. Governor John Garamendi (center) October 1, 2008 (San Diego) – Looking for a “green” job? Own a business seeking to save energy
White Rabbit Candy Sold in California Recalled Due To Melamine Contamination
Printer-friendly versionSeptember 29, 2008 (BURLINGAME, CA) – The California Department of Health and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are urging consumers not to eat White Rabbit Candies sold in California. Queensway Foods Co. of Burlingame, California is recalling White Rabbit Candy after tests revealed that some of the products are contaminated with melamine–the same deadly toxin in infant formula
OBAMA OPENS NEW OFFICE IN EAST SAN DIEGO
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Photos by Leon Thompson October 1, 2008 (San Diego) – The Obama-Biden campaign hosted a presidential debate-watching party to kick-off the opening of a new campaign office at 1744 Euclid Street in East San Diego. “We’ve had a larger than expected turnout,” Vince Hall, spokesperson for Obama for President in San Diego County told East County
NEW BLACKWATER PROTESTS MARK ANNIVERSARY OF NISOUR SQUARE SHOOTINGS
Printer-friendly versionCongressman Bob Filner and Assembly candidate Ray Lutz of East County speak out against Blackwater at Otay Mesa Rally Story and photos by Gayle Early Sign from a military families organization opposed to Blackwater. October 1, 2008 (Otay Mesa) – In September 2007, 17 people were shot to death in the Nisour Square traffic circle in Baghdad, Iraq, by
LOCAL RESIDENTS JOIN NATIONAL PROTEST OF WALL STREET BAIL-OUT BILL
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery September 26, 2008 (El Cajon) – East County residents angered by the Bush administration’s proposed $700 billion bail-out bill for Wall Street financial firms took to the streets yesterday as part of a national protest action organized by True Majority. Thousands protested across the nation (photo: New York protest, taken by Jeremy Scahill.) “Many people in
FDA ALERT: DEADLY TOXIN FOUND IN COFFEE & TEA; CANDY & INFANT FORMULA MAY ALSO BE TAINTED
Printer-friendly version September 25, 2008 (SAN DIEGO) – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a consumer alert today warning that numerous products have been found to be contaminated with melamine – the same deadly toxin that killed thousands of cats and dogs in contaminated pet food last year. The FDA found that seven Mr. Brown instant coffee and milk
PENDLETON FIRE CHARS 400 ACRES
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Capt. Nick Schuler, CAL-FIRE September 25, 2008 5:00 p.m. CAMP PENDLETON – More than 400 acres have burned at Camp Pendleton in a brush fire that remains active this evening. East County Magazine was the first local media to post news online of the fire, which began around 12:30 p.m. today The blaze began near Roblar
DRIVER SENTENCED FOR THREATENING PEACE ACTIVISTS IN RAMONA
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery September 23, 2008 (RAMONA) – Keith Alan Davis, a Ramona man who drove his pickup truck toward a group of anti-war protesters n June, has been sentenced to probation, ordered to take anger-management classes and must perform 20 days of community service. “This is America. You can’t just go running people over, but let’s not just
7 BANDS HOLD CONCERT TO HELP FIRE VICTIMS OCT 4
Printer-friendly versionROC For Fire Relief Concert and Fire Expo Helps Neighbors, Celebrates Heroes Saturday, October 4th, 2008 12:00pm to 10:00pm Lakeside Rodeo Grounds, Lakeside www.rocsd.net Listen to music from the bands. October 1, 2008 (Lakeside) – “Relief is still needed in a serious way,” said Randy Seol of the band Strawberry Alarm Clock, a longtime San Diego resident who
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
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
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
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
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,
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
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
MAJOR ACCIDENTS SNARL COMMUTE ON 3 AREA FREEWAYS
Printer-friendly versionNovember 18, 2009 (San Diego)-SigAlerts have been issued following serious accidents on area freeways this evening including I-8, I-805, and SR 163. Two cars have rolled over, trapping passengers inside on southbound I-805 at Murray Ridge Road. The accident also involves a motorcycle and there are multiple injuries, IPN reported at 6:38 p.m. Traffic remains slow
MAN ROBS OFFICE DEPOT IN LA MESA
Printer-friendly version November 18, 2009 (La Mesa) — At approximately 2:52 p.m. yesterday, a man robbed the Office Depot store at 8481 Fletcher Parkway in La Mesa. The robber demanded money from a store clerk, displaying a simulated gun under his shirt. The clerk gave the suspect approximately $334.00 in cash. The suspect fled eastbound and was last seen running running
SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT: LAUGHTER IS FOCUS AT ALPINE BUSINESS NETWORKING MEETING NOV. 19
Printer-friendly version November 18, 2009 (Alpine) Alpine Business Networking Meeting is offering a tour of Alpine Fitness Club (www.AlpineFitnessClub.com), 1620 Alpine Blvd., location of the organization’s next meeting on November 19 (upstairs at "Mike’s Place") from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The meeting will feature Michael Coleman from Laughing in San Diego, as well as a 15 minute Laughing Yoga session focused
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