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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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Sponsorship Placement
La Mesa Rotary Gives Donation to CHIP’s Organization
Printer-friendly version (left to right) Lynn Hamilton, current La Mesa Rotary President, Joel Tzinberg and Glenn Kellogg. December 10, 2008 (La Mesa) — The La Mesa Rotary Club donated $500.00 to the Community Health and Improvements Partners (CHIP’s) organization. CHIP is a collaboration of San Diego health care systems, hospitals, community clinics, insurers, physicians, universities, community benefit organizations and the
U.S. CRANBERRY MARKETING COMMITTEE PARTNERS WITH SAN DIEGO-BASED SOUPLANTATION
Printer-friendly versionPartnership promotes benefits of cranberries During the Month of December December 3, 2008 (SAN DIEGO) — San Diego-based Souplantation, voted one of “America’s Healthiest Restaurants” by Health magazine, has formed a partnership with the Cranberry Marketing Committee (CMC), a committee established by the federal government that works to promote and inform the public about the benefits of U.S. cranberries.
EAST COUNTY ROUND-UP – DECEMBER
Printer-friendly versionLinks to top stories in other publications on East County issues AUDITOR: CITY BOTCHED DEBRIS REMOVAL, At least $775,000 at issue after ’07 fires, report says San Diego Union-Tribune (December 20, 2008) — San Diego’s auditor has concluded that the city was not equipped to manage the large debris removal program it developed after the wildfires of 2007, and
SUPERVISORS VOTE TO ALLOW HOMEOWNERS TO SELL SURPLUS SOLAR POWER BACK TO UTILITY COMPANIES
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery December 7, 2008 (San Diego) — A unanimous vote by the San Diego Board of Supervisors in November requires the County’s Chief Administrative Officer to provide county-sponsored legislation making it easier for residential power customers the ability to sell surplus solar energy back to utility companies. Supervisor Dianne Jacob, who represents East County, introduced the resolution
SAN DIEGO COUNTY’S INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS ADDRESSED AT NCA CONVENTION
Printer-friendly versionStory and photos by Thea Skinner Rev. Canon Mary Moreno-Richardson, coordinator for Hispanic Ministry in the Diocese of San Diego speaks as other panelists are attentive during the National Communication Association’s 94th Annual Convention, "unCONVENTIONal" at the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel in San Diego Nov. 22. Dec 1, 2008 (San Diego) — Spirits ran high in higher education during
CALIFORNIA LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS 2008 SCORECARD: A TO F FOR SAN DIEGO’S LEGISLATORS
Printer-friendly versionEnvironmental voting records for east San Diego County state legislators and Governor Schwarzenegger By Sylvia Hampton December 9, 2008 San Diego) — Environmental protection is very important to San Diego County voters. Every year the League of Conservation Voters publishes a "scorecard" on the voting records of all state level representatives: www.ecovote.org/scorecard_2008.pdf. Among Assembly members representing East County and
Tecate, our Neighbors South of the Border
Printer-friendly versionBy Dennis Moore December 7, 2008 (Tecate) — Between the desert and the sea beats the heart of Baja California: Tecate, Mexico (not to be confused with the American city by the same name just across the border). Located in the northern central part of the state, Tecate is the ideal starting destination to every other city or point
POVERTY RISING IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY; EL CAJON HAS HIGHEST POVERTY RATE
Printer-friendly versionBy Walter Davis December 7, 2008 (San Diego) — Poverty is fueled by scarcity. In San Diego County, scarcity of affordable housing and high paying jobs are causing hardship for many citizens, with some East County communities among the hardest hit. The Center On Policy Initiatives report released on August 26, 2008 reveals incomes stagnated in San Diego County
TOXIC TOYS STILL ON STORE SHELVES – HOW TO AVOID BANNED PRODUCTS FOR YOUR CHILDREN
Printer-friendly versionDecember 6, 2008 (San Diego) — Before you buy children’s toys this holiday season, be aware that many toxic toys have NOT been removed from store shelves. Here’s what you need to know to avoid these toys harmful products. According to the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, toys containing toxic phthalates are supposed to be banned starting on February
LOOK WHO’S BACK – RECALLED PLANNER GORDON HAMMERS WINS ELECTION, RECLAIMS SEAT ON POTRERO PLANNING GROUP
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery December 4, 2008 — Less than a year after being recalled by a two-to-one margin, former Potrero Planning Group Chairman Gordon Hammers has been re-elected to the board. Hammers’ victory, though surprising to many, appears to signify a healing in this small rural community split first by controversy over Blackwater and later by the Harris Wildfire
INVESTIGATIONS INTO LOBBYIST SCANDAL DROPPED
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery The U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI and the California Fair Political Practices Commission have all dropped investigations into boasts made on tape by former Assemblyman Mike Duvall (R-Orange County), who claimed to have had sexual relationships with lobbyists. An Orange County newspaper and other media reported that one of those lobbyists worked for Sempra Energy/SDG&E.
EX-ECM INTERN JOSEPH ROCHA LEADS NATIONAL EFFORT TO HALT ABUSE OF U.S. SOLDIERS
Printer-friendly version BREAKING NEWS: TODAY SERVICE MEMBERS LEGAL DEFENSE FUND SENT A LETTER TO DEFENSE SECRETARY GATES, URGING NEW INVESTIGATION OF CHIEF PETTY OFFICER WHO ABUSED ROCHA AND OTHERS By Miriam Raftery November 17, 2009 – In an exclsuvie interview with ECM yesterday, Joseph Rocha shared details of abuses he and other endured during Naval training as a dog handler in Bahrain. Defense documents reveal more than 93 counts of humiliating physical and sexual abuse against U.S. soldiers—gay and straight, men and
SUICIDE PROMPTS TRAFFIC ALERT ON I-15 AT ESCONDIDO
Printer-friendly versionUpdate 2:40 p.m. Traffic is now moving without delay in this location, IPN has informed ECM. November 17, 2009 (Bonsall) – A traffic alert has been issued around 12:30 p.m. today following death of a man who jumped off an overpass at I-15 southbound near old highway 395 near Bonsall, north of Escondido, Incident Protection Network reports. California Highway
CRACKDOWN ON TEEN DRIVERS TODAY, SANTEE SHERIFF STATION ANNOUNCES
Printer-friendly versionNovember 17, 2009 – Today the Santee traffic deputies along with area school resource officers and the Santee COPPS Unit will be conducting a juvenile driver enforcement detail. Special attention will be given to all drivers near schools. Drivers will be stopped and cited for all traffic violations including use of cell phones and texting while driving. Juvenile drivers
SHERIFF’S K-9 VOLUNTEER RESCUE DOG RECEIVES AKC’S ACE AWARD
Printer-friendly version November 17, 2009 (San Diego) – William D. Gore, Sheriff, San Diego County, today announces one of the department’s K-9 Search and Rescue volunteers has received an American Kennel Club ACE Award ~ Honorable Mention. Only five dogs are selected for the honor. Sheriff Gore commented, “We are extremely fortunate to have Snickers and his owner, Pam
TERM LIMITS INITIATIVE FOR SUPERVISORS REACHES SIGNATURE GOAL FOR JUNE BALLOT
Printer-friendly version November 16, 2009 (San Diego) – Organizers of an initiative to require term limits for San Diego County’s Board of Supervisors will hold a press conference tomorrow to announce that they have gathered approximately 120,000 signatures—far more than the 77, 587 required to qualify for the June ballot, East County Magazine has learned. “We know that the signatures
WATER, WATER EVERY WHERE: WATER MAIN LEAKS CAUSE FLOODING IN LA MESA & LAKESIDE
Printer-friendly version November 16, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – A series of water main breaks in East County over the weekend have led some area residents to ask what’s caused so many infrastructure failures. On Friday, November 13th, a water main break at the corner of La Mesa Blvd. and 4th Street sent large amounts of water flowing down
CONTROLLED BURN AT CUYAMACA RANCHO STATE PARK WEDNESDAY; SMOKE MAY BE VISIBLE FOR SEVERAL DAYS
Printer-friendly version November 16, 2009 (Cuyamaca) — Personnel from Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, in cooperation with CAL FIRE, will conduct a controlled burn on Middle Peak north of Cuyamaca Peak on Wednesday. Smoke and flames will be visible from many areas in the county due to high altitude location. Residents in Ramona will have an especially clear view, although the
CIF SAN DIEGO SECTION ANNOUNCES FOOTBALL PLAYOFF MATCHUPS, EAST COUNTY WELL REPRESENTED
Printer-friendly version by Christopher Mohr (SAN DIEGO) November 14 – With the regular season for high school football coming to a close Friday night, Saturday morning meant the announcement of playoff seedings for high schools in the CIF San Diego Section. Coaches from across San Diego and Imperial counties came to the section offices in Linda Vista to
“CLEAN SHAVE DAY” NOV. 16 KICKS OFF MUSTACHES FOR KIDS FUNDRAISER IN LA MESA
Printer-friendly version November 16, 2009 (La Mesa) –Teachers at Helix Charter High School are growing mustaches for charity. Mustaches for Kids is a volunteer-run organization started in Los Angeles in 1999 to do good and have fun by growing mustaches for children’s charities. Since its humble beginnings, Mustaches for Kids satellite chapters have spread across the continent, a steady
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