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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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INAUGURATION CELEBRATION AND COMMUNITY BALL– PUBLIC WELCOME
Printer-friendly versionStory and photo by Miriam Raftery San Diego (January 12, 2009) — Malcolm X Library will host an all day Community Inaugural Celebration to mark the momentous occasion of the Inaugural of President-Elect Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States on Tuesday, January 20th. The Library envisions San Diego residents from all walks of life attending
OBÃMANOS! TRAVELS THROUGH AZTLAN WITH RITA AND RICHARD
Printer-friendly version Richard and Rita with Enrique Morones at a joint Latino African American press conference on the day they left for the battleground states. Enrique is the director of Border Angeles, an immigrant rights group in San Diego that provides water and food to immigrants in the desert. Kensington residents Richard Griswold and Rita Sanchez are among thousands of
INAUGURATION BREAKFAST IN EL CAJON
Printer-friendly versionJanuary 12, 2008 (El Cajon) — The public is invited to celebrate Obama’s inauguration at the Hacienda Restaurant in El Cajon on Tuesday, Jan 20th, at 8 a.m. (main event at 9 a.m.) Organized by the East County Democratic Club. Open to the public. No cover, no-host; breakfast costs are each individual’s responsibility. The restaurant is located at 700
2 BILLS TO STOP PAY DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN PASS HOUSE; DAVIS & FILNER VOTE “YES”; BILBRAY, HUNTER & ISSA VOTE “NO”
Printer-friendly version January 11, 2009 (San Diego) — Two landmark bills aimed at helping women employees achieve equal pay for equal work and obtain judgments against employers who violate the law have passed the House of Representatives and will now go to the Senate. San Diego County’s Congressional delegation split down party lines, with Democrats Susan Davis and Bob Filner
EAST COUNTY DEMOCRATS ELECT NEW EXECUTIVE-BOARD REPRSENTATIVE AND DELEGATES
Printer-friendly versionDemocrats in East County’s 77th Assembly district elected a pro-labor/progressive slate of 12 delegates on Saturday, January 10th at the El Cajon Library. Ninety-one local Democratic voters registered to cast ballots in the election, in which a record 23 people ran for twelve delegate positions. Delegates represent the region at the California Democratic convention for the next two years,
FALLBROOK PARAPLEGIC STUDENT ASPIRES TO JOIN ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Hermes Castro with Sir Robert Swan, polar explorer who has invited Castro on his Antarctic expedition Antarctica January 7, 2008 (Fallbrook) — Invited by a famous polar explorer to join an Antarctic expedition in March, Hermes Castro and his fellow students at Mesa College are raising funds for transportation and special equipment to help him
EAST COUNTY ROUND-UP — DECEMBER
Printer-friendly version Links to top stories in other publications on East County issues STATE TO SHUT DOWN FIRST AND THIRD FRIDAYS EACH MONTH Sacramento Bee (January 9, 2009) — California will close most state offices on the first and third Fridays each month starting in February, padlocking DMV outlets and other services while reducing state worker pay to help survive
HIGH WINDS PREDICTED TONIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY: CAL-FIRE BEEFS UP PROTECTION
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery San Diego’s East County (January 9, 2009) — Cal Fire has dramatically increased fire protection staffing in anticipation of wind gusts of 40 mph or higher predicted starting tonight through this weekend. “We will have 18 engines with three- person staffing, 19 hand crews, three bulldozers, and the two Sheriffs helicopters,” Cal Fire Captain Nick
SHERIFF’S DUI ARRESTS INCREASE FIFTEEN PERCENT THIS HOLIDAY SEASON: AGGRESSIVE ENFORCEMENT TO CONTINUE
Printer-friendly version January 10, 2008 (San Diego) — This holiday season, arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI) shot up 15% countywide. Whether more people engaged in holiday merrymaking or drowning their sorrows amid a bleak economy remains unknown, but Sheriff’s credit increased enforcement action with the spike in drunk driving busts. The San Diego
GET THE POINT: FREE ACUPUNCTURE! FIRST FRIDAYS IN EL CAJON
Printer-friendly versionFebruary 1, 2008 (El Cajon) — Healthy Community Acupuncture is offering free acupuncture treatments for stress reduction on the first Friday of every month, starting Friday, February 6, 2009. Appointments are required at the clinic, which is located at 277 E. Lexington Ave Ste B in El Cajon. Healthy Community Acupuncture is the first community acupuncture clinic to open
ALLAN OPTS NOT TO RUN
Printer-friendly version November 2, 2009 (La Mesa) Councilman David Allan called today to inform East County Magazine that after further reflection and conversations with friends and colleagues over the weekend, he has decided not to pursue plans to run for Supervisor. Allan had filed a notice of intent for candidacy last week, as ECM reported. “My decision to file was due to
CENTER ON POLICY INITIATVES TURNS ITS ATTENTION TO “BUILDING OUR FUTURE WITH A GREEN AND FAIR ECONOMY”
Printer-friendly version Story and photos by Leon Thompson October 31st, 2009 (Mission Valley) — The 2009 Center on Policy Initiatives Gala, held at the Holiday Inn San Diego on the Bay on October 21st, honored the MAAC Project, which provides self-sufficiency for low and moderate-income people. Long-time activist Deborah Szekely , and San Diego’s Construction Workers were also honored. View
HUNTER TO HOLD VETERANS RESOURCE FAIR NOV. 12
Printer-friendly version November 1, 2009 (El Cajon) — Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine) will sponsor a Veterans Resource Fair for San Diego-area veterans on November 12, 2009, in partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2275. The event is set for 2 PM to 4 PM at VFW Post 2275, located at 136 Chambers
BILLIONAIRES FOR WEALTHCARE INVADE TEA PARTY EXPRESS
Printer-friendly version November 1, 2009 (San Diego) – Conservatives rallying for the Tea Party Express, which kicked off its national tour in San Diego, received an unexpected visit from Billionaires for Wealthcare, a group formed to draw attention to high insurance company profits in the healthcare reform debate. A video of the bizarre confrontation has been posted at YouTube. Barbara
OBAMA SIGNS MEASURE TO EXPAND PROSECUTIONS OF HATE CRIMES
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery November 1, 2009 (Washington D.C.) – Last week, President Barack Obama signed a defense budget bill which contains language to broaden the definition of hate crimes to include attacks based on gender, sexual orientation, or disability—adding to protections already in place for attacks based on race, religion or national origin. The Matthew Shepard and
SDG&E, COX TO PAY $17 MILLION TO STATE OVER FIRE CLAIMS; DEAL DOES NOT AFFECT LAWSUITS BY FIRE VICTIMS
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery November 1, 2009 (San Diego) – San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) has agreed to pay $14.3 million to the state to settle claims that its poor maintenance caused the 2007 Witch Creek, Rice, and Guejito fires, plus an extra $400,000 in reimbursement to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). SDG&E did not admit causing the
ROBERTS SAYS HE’S THE CANDIDATE WITH DISTRICT’S PULSE
Printer-friendly version By E.A. Barrera October 24, 2009 (San Diego) — Solana Beach City Councilman Dave Roberts says he once supported Republican Congressman Brian Bilbray, but has decided to challenge him in 2010 because Bilbray is too conservative. "Bilbray voted against medical insurance for the working poor. He voted against health insurance coverage for children. He voted against the Lily
BOMB SQUAD CALLED AFTER AMMO FOUND IN BURNING HOME
Printer-friendly version Smoke alarm alerted resident to blaze October 31, 2009 (El Cajon)—The Sheriff’s Bomb & Arson squad was dispatched Saturday after cases of ammunition were found in an El Cajon house fire started by Halloween decorations inadvertently left on a stove. Members of the San Miguel Fire District responded Saturday morning to a structure fire on 1124
DAVID ALLAN, LA MESA COUNCILMAN, AIMS TO RUN AGAINST SUPERVISOR DIANNE JACOB
Printer-friendly version November 1, 2009 (La Mesa) – Can a career firefighter and long-time La Mesa Council member defeat Supervisor Dianne Jacob, who has held the office for 17 years? Allan has filed candidate intention paperwork (form 501) to launch fundraising for the race. In an interview with East County Magazine, he confirmed that he is running because he believes
DO YOU KNOW WHAT’S IN THE HEALTHCARE BILL? TOP 14 PROVISIONS THAT WOULD TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY
Printer-friendly version October 31, 2009 (Washington D.C.) – Many Americans are not aware that The Affordable Health Care for America Act now before Congress has many provisions to help people afford healthcare costs right away. A public option (or choice between government-run healthcare and private insurance) if passed would take time to set up. This week, Speaker Nancy Pelosi released
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