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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…
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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
SWEEPING AWAY TRUANCY: GUHSD REDUCES DROP-OUT RATE BY DROPPING IN ON KIDS WHO DITCH SCHOOL
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery September 23, 2009 (Santee) – If you’re playing hooky in the Grossmont Union High School District, you might get some unexpected visitors . Today, Superintendent Bob Collins dropped in at the homes of truant students in Santee, along with a Sheriff’s Deputy and child welfare worker. Juvenile Detail sweeps also include visits to places
BIG INSURANCE: SICK OF IT!
Printer-friendly version Story and photos by Leon Thompson September 22, 2009 (La Jolla) Health reform advocates today held a “Big Insurance: Sick of It” rally as part of a nationwide day of action. Locally, a rally was staged in front of the San Diego office of Anthem Blue Cross, the California subsidiary of insurance giant Wellpoint. Protestors demanded that Anthem
GAME OF THE WEEK – BONUS COVERAGE: MONARCHS ENCOUNTER REBELLION AT SFC
Printer-friendly version by Christopher Mohr (SOLANA BEACH) – At a private, religious K-12 school like Santa Fe Christian, it’s a given that students are well-versed in the story of David and Goliath. What’s doubtful however, is that those who taught that story expected its lessons would be applied to the high school football program. According to the CIF, SFC
GAME OF THE WEEK PREVIEW – COUGARS LOOKING TO POUNCE ON VISITING TITANS
Printer-friendly version by Christopher Mohr (RANCHO SAN DIEGO) – This Friday, we head to Rancho San Diego to cover the home opener between the Steele Canyon Cougars and the visiting Eastlake Titans. Steele Canyon (1-1) comes off a 2008 season where they finished 7-6, but won three out of their last four games, going deep in the playoffs.
FREE SMOKE ALARMS!
Printer-friendly version The Burn Institute Senior Smoke Alarm Program is for people 55 and over who own their own homes. All smoke alarms, batteries and maintenance direction are provided by The Burn Institute for the program – free of charge. If a senior is a renter, The Burns Institute will, at the renter’s request, call the owner on
SENATOR KEHOE TO CHAIR JOINT LEGISLATIVE HEARING ON WILDFIRES IN SAN DIEGO SEPT. 23
Printer-friendly version September 21, 2009 (San Diego) — Senator Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego), Chair of the Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Management, convenes an informational hearing on the State of California’s preparation for future wildfires. The hearing will be held Wednesday, Sept. 23 from 1-4 p.m. at Caltrans District 11 headquarters, Garcia Auditorium, 4050 Taylor Street in San Diego. Kehoe
ACCIDENTS CLAIM LIVES OF 2 EAST COUNTY WOMEN
Printer-friendly version Sylvia Earnhart, 73, El Cajon Pamela Sue Marabeas, 53, Santee September 21, 2009 (Santee)—Santee resident Pamela Sue Marabeas, 53, was killed early yesterday morning when the SUV she was driving was struck by a pickup truck at the intersection of Mission Gorge Road and Highway 125 in Santee. A witness called 9-1-1 and sheriff deputies responded, along with fire department
RED FLAG WARNING ISSUED FOR SAN DIEGO COUNTY TUES.-THURS.; RISK OF “EXPLOSIVE FIRE GROWTH”
Printer-friendly version September 21, 2009 (San Diego) – The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning cautioning Southern California residents of “explosive fire growth potential” due to a combination of strong winds and low humidity, which will be in effect from 9 a.m. Tuesday through 9 p.m. Thursday due to gusty winds and low humidity. The red flag
WOMEN’S HEALTH FAIR OCT. 3 TO BENEFIT CHASE AVE. FAMILY HEALTH CLINIC
Printer-friendly version September 24, 2009 (El Cajon) – A women’s health fair will be held on Saturday, October 3 at Andres Restaurant, 1235 Morena Blvd. in San Diego (www.andresrestaurantsdc.com). Proceeds will benefit the Chase Avenue Family Health Clinic in El Cajon. The health fair is sponsored by San Diego Wedgies Chapter of the Blue Thong Society (www.bluethongsociety.com). Pledging to “blend
Women’s Healthy Hour Seminar: Wellness in Your 50s and Beyond – Sept. 22
Printer-friendly version Sept. 21, 2009 (La Mesa)– The risk of colon cancer is greater for those in their 50s, but the chances of survival increase with screenings and early detection. In this physician-led seminar on Tuesday, you can receive free life-saving information about risk factors for colon cancer, like lifestyle and family history, while learning how the latest screening options
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