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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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What to know about flu and cold season
Printer-friendly versionBy Alexander J. Schorr Photo via CDC.gov January 21, 2026 (San Diego) — The current 2025–2026 flu season in the United States has seen high activity, primarily driven by a dominant influenza A(H3N2) strain known as subclade K. According to the latest CDC preliminary estimates as of January 12, at least 7,400 deaths have occurred due to flu so far this season.
California Governor’s race draws crowded field of contenders
Printer-friendly versionBy Alexander J Schorr Updated January 25 with an additional candidate. January 20, 2026— As of January 2026, the race to succeed the term-limited Governor Gavin Newsom features a crowded field of candidates ahead of the June primary. California uses a nonpartisan blanket primary system, where the top two finishers regardless of party advance to the general election. Who are the
Cans of tuna recalled due to botulism sent to major retailers including California
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service January 20, 2026 (San Diego) – Cans of Genova yellowfin tuna that were recalled due to potentially fatal botulism were inadvertently shipped to stores by a distributor, including Safeway, Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions in California. An earlier recall included some sold under the Trader Joe’s label in California. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration
New Woodspring Suites now Santee’s largest hotel
Printer-friendly versionBy Mike Allen January 19, 2026 (Santee) — Santee’s newest hotel came in handy for a few local families who needed a temporary home because their regular abode sustained serious damage. “One guest stayed for two weeks because their house flooded, and another stayed three weeks because their house caught fire,” said Jesse Duenas, general manager of the Woodspring
Spring Valley Community Planning Group elects new officers amidst controversy over filling board vacancies
Printer-friendly version By Paul Levikow January 19, 2026 (Spring Valley) – The Spring Valley Community Planning Group board elected executive officers for the 2026 term Tuesday, but not before some members expressed concerns about how they would fill vacancies. A few cited perceived interferences on behalf of District 1 County Supervisor Paloma Aguirre’s office. Lora Lowes, board member and former
Local rabbi disinvited from speaking at King breakfast over Israel connection
Printer-friendly versionBy Donald H. Harrison, San Diego Jewish World, a member of the San Diego Online News Association Photo: Rabbi Hanan Leberman in Israel in 2018. Image from American Jewish Committee video January 19, 2026 (San Diego) – The rabbi of a local synagogue was disinvited from delivering a closing message at the All People’s Breakfast in Balboa Park Monday in honor of Dr.
Tony Winney to be interim City Manager in Lemon Grove
Printer-friendly version Photo of Tony Winney from Winney’s LinkedIn page By Karen Pearlman Jan. 17, 2026 (Lemon Grove) — The Lemon Grove City Council will formally appoint former Coronado Assistant City Manager Tony Winney as interim City Manager, with a start date of Jan. 26. The City Council is expected to hire Winney at an annualized base salary of $215,000
Calaware cofounder and open government champion Terry Francke leaves legacy of reforms
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery January 16, 2026 (San Diego) – CalAware Founder and open government champion Joseph Terrence “Terry” Francke died December 24 with his wife, Carolyn “Muffy” Francke at his side. As cofounder and long-time general counsel of Californians Aware (CalAware), Francke fought for the rights of the public and press to access information, court actions and public meetings
Body armor coming to El Cajon Police Department’s K9 Titan
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Jan. 15, 2026 (El Cajon) — Titan, the El Cajon Police Department’s resident K9, will receive a bullet and stab protective vest through a charitable donation from nonprofit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Titan’s vest will come within the next 10 weeks and will be embroidered with the sentiment “In memory of Milo.” Since
Supervisors advance ordinance to limit federal law enforcement’s access at county facilities
Printer-friendly versionBy Paul Levikow January 14, 2026 (San Diego) – The San Diego County Board of Supervisors Tuesday advanced a new law that would prohibit federal agents from accessing non-public areas at County facilities unless they have a warrant or court order. The Civil Liberties Enforcement and Accountability Rules (CLEAR) Ordinance is based on the city of San Diego’s
2 RESCUED FROM OVERTURNED VEHICLE IN LAKESIDE
Printer-friendly version Story by Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire Protection District Photos by Firefighter-Paramedic Steve Russo, Lakeside Fire Protection District Winter Gardens: On November 7th, at 10:54 AM, units from the Lakeside Fire District were dispatched to a “Rescue Vehicle Accident” in the 8600 block of Winter Gardens Blvd. On arrival crews discovered a vehicle still on it’s roof with
TRADE IN YOUR HOLIDAY LIGHTS FOR ENERGY-EFFICIENT LEDS–FREE!
Printer-friendly version WSDG&E® is exchanging up to three old holiday light strands for an equal number of complimentary color light-emitting diode (LED) holiday light strands to customers throughout San Diego County. SDG&E® and its community partners are hosting eight light exchanges throughout the County, ringing in energy savings and increased safety for the holiday season. No Cost LED
CHARGERS AND MTS PARTNER FOR “STUFF THE BUS” FOOD DRIVE
Printer-friendly version Need for food in East County cities rises sharply November 7, 2009 (San Diego) — The San Diego Chargers and Metropolitan Transit Service are partnering to run a series of food drives starting Nov. 10 and ending with a game day food drive at the Chargers vs. Philadelphia game at Qualcomm Stadium Nov. 15. Starting Tuesday, Nov. 10 MTS
EAST COUNTY ROUND-UP: NOVEMBER 7, 2009
Printer-friendly version East County Roundup Includes the Most Important Stories About East County, or relevant to our readers, published by other media. Top stories from the past month include: • Motorist to stand trial in young mother’s death • Obama ushers in a new era for Indian Country • Local GOP party calls
TRIO OF FIRES IN LAKESIDE CAUSE ONE DEATH; SHERIFF’S INVESTIGATING “SUSPICIOUS” BLAZE
Printer-friendly version November 6, 2009 (Lakeside) – Three fires last night in Lakeside are under investigation by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, East County Magazine has learned. A traffic accident in the 9500 block of Blossom Valley Road last night sparked a fire which spread into trees. Alpine Fire District and Cal Fire responded to the blaze and determined that
AMA AND AARP ENDORSE HEALTHCARE REFORM PROPOSAL NOW BEFORE CONGRESS, LOCAL LEADERS WEIGH IN
Printer-friendly version HUNTER AFFIRMS OPPOSITION TO PUBLIC OPTION; OTHERS OBJECT TO DROPPING AMENDMENT TO LET STATES PASS STRONGER HEALTHCARE REFORMS By Miriam Raftery November 5, 2009 – The Democratic-sponsored healthcare measure currently before Congress got a booster shot today with the endorsement of two major groups, the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). The American Medical
THREE ARRESTED IN HEALTHCARE PROTEST AT SAN DIEGO BLUE CROSS
Printer-friendly version November 5, 2009 (San Diego) – Mary Bell, 25, cannot get health insurance anymore since overcoming a kidney infection two years ago. On Monday, Bell and two others (photo, left) were arrested following a three-day vigil at Blue Cross in San Diego. Blue Cross executives declined to meet with the protesters, who sought to ask the insurance giant
PADRES, CHARGERS PITCH IN TO HELP RAISE FUNDS FOR ALPINE POP WARNER PLAYER BATTLING CANCER AT NOV, 9 BENEFIT
Printer-friendly version November 5, 2009 (Alpine)-Meet 13-year-old Vincent "Vinnie" Higgins of Alpine, who just discovered he is facing a life changing illness. Vinnie has bone cancer, and he and his family can use some help. The Joan MacQueen Middle School eighth-grader has been an Alpine American Little League player. This year he was playing for the Alpine Pop Warner
H1N1 FLU FOUND IN CAT, FERRET AND OTHER ANIMALS
Printer-friendly version November 5, 2009 – The first known case of H1N1 (swine flu) in a cat has been diagnosed in an Iowa housecat, the New York Times reports (http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/05/the-cat-who-got-swine-flu/ ) Since the cat never goes outdoors and other family members had flu-like symptoms previously, it is believed likely that the virus was transmitted from human to cat. Family members
OVER 1,200 STIMULUS JOBS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, REPORT SHOWS
Printer-friendly version November 1, 2009 (San Diego)–Federal stimulus spending has generated 1,290 jobs in San Diego County, according to data reported this week on the first round of job creation under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). While the report represents a landmark in government transparency, more must be done to make sure high quality jobs are created
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