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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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SDG&E HOSTS “FIRE PREPAREDNESS” COMMUNITY MEETINGS
Printer-friendly versionSDG&E will host a series of fire preparedness community meetings on November 17, 18 and 19 in Valley Center, Alpine and Pine Valley to discuss its proposal to shut-off power during high fire-risk periods. “The "power shut-off" portion of our Emergency Fire Plan has been suspended until next year’s fire season (at least),” Don Parent, SDG&E public affairs manager,
“Border 24” Fire
Printer-friendly versionNovember 15, 2008 – A Vegetation Fire broke out this morning East of the Tecate Border crossing. Fire officials say 35-40 acres have burned but the fire’s advance has been stopped. Printer-friendly version
EAST COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESIDENT SHARES VIEWS ON ELECTION OUTCOMES AND IMPACT ON BUSINESS COMMUNITY
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery East County Chamber of Commerce President Mike Cully (left) and membership director Regina Williamson (right) present new member plaque to ECM Editor Miriam Raftery and Marketing Director Leon Thompson. Mike Cully, president of the East County Chamber of Commerce, was at Election Central in Golden Hall downtown as the announcement was made that Barack Obama had
FIRE RELIEF FUNDRAISER SET FOR SAT. NOV 8
Printer-friendly version"Do you think the victims of the fires of 2003 & 2007 be allowed to go homeless?" asks Randy Seol of the musical group Strawberry Alarm Clock. This Saturday, November 8 from 3 to 8 p.m., Seol is organizing a benefit fundraiser to meet and hear musical groups slated to perform at a benefit concert next March.(The concert was
SDG&E PLAN TO CUT POWER GETS FROSTY RECEPTION AT PUC HEARING; BACK COUNTRY RESIDENTS, PUBLIC OFFICIALS VOICE OBJECTIONS
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery November 2008 (San Diego) — Public officials and backcountry residents leveled harsh criticism at SG&E during a public meeting of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) convened in San Diego on October 14 to discuss causes of the 2007 wildfires and how to prevent future conflagrations. Speaker after speaker blasted SDG&E’s proposal to cut power to
HOPE PREVAILS: OBAMA VICTORY HAS LONG COATTAILS LOCALLY
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Democrats gathered at House of Blues await word on Presidential race On the night when most of America turned blue, Democrats gathered to celebrate at the aptly-named House of Blues in San Diego. Cheers greeted the historic announcement that Barack Obama had just been declared the winner, becoming the first African-American president in U.S. history. Kristy
Budget Crisis Hits Home
Printer-friendly versionState workers in East County struggle to cope with prospect of huge pay cuts, lay-offs; Judge orders Sept. 12 hearing on Governor’s wage-slashing orders By Miriam Raftery Photos by Aida Canonizado November 4, 2008 (El Cajon)–Mildred Scarber, a state employee who works at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in El Cajon, was shocked to learn that Governor Schwarzenegger
SAN DIEGO COUNTY TURNS BLUE: MORE REGISTERED DEMOCRATS THAN REPUBLICANS, REGISTRAR REPORTS
Printer-friendly version Democratic voter registration volunteers cheer as Party Chair Jess Durfee announces San Diego County now has more registered Democrats than Republicans. NOVEMBER 2, 2008 (San Diego) — “We have, after 24 years, returned San Diego County to the blue column,” San Diego County Democratic Party Chairman Jess Durfee announced at a press conference today. According to the latest
DANGERS OF LIVING NEAR CELL PHONE TOWERS RAISED
Printer-friendly versionLa Mesa Council holds hearing Nov. 5 on proposal to erect cell phone tower in Lake Murray area By Miriam Raftery When Mom asked me to look into possible health hazards posed by cell phone panel antennas that a church in her neighborhood wants to put up, I expected to find reassuring facts to allay Mom’s concerns. Instead, I
REMEMBER TO VOTE! ELECTION DAY TUESDAY NOV. 4TH
Printer-friendly versionTIPS FOR VOTERS: Forgot to mail your absentee ballot? Do NOT put it in the mail! Ballots received late will NOT be counted. Instead, take it to any polling place or to the Registrar of Voters office. Have to work on Election Day? California law requires that your employer let you take time off from work to vote. Disabled
FIRE AT CUYAMACA PEAK
Printer-friendly version September 5, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – A 5 to 10 acre brush fire is burning at the base of Cuyamaca Peak.. The blaze was reported at 1:20 p.m. near the Boulder Creek community in the vicinity of Creek Road and Tule Springs Truck Trail. CAL FIRE is assisting the U.S. Forest Service in battling
MARKETING MATTERS: PLANNING FOR EFFECTIVE MARKETING PART 3–THE WHAT, WHERE & WHEN
Printer-friendly versionTIPS AND TRICKS FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS AND GROWTH By Rama Beerfas September 1, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – We’ve covered the why (the goal) and the who (target market) of a marketing campaign. Now, it’s time to talk about the “what,” the “where,” and the “when” of a successful marketing campaign. The “what” is the action part
ARSONIST SOUGHT; SHERIFF ALSO SEEKS VANDALS WHO SRAYED RACIST/ HATE GRAFFITI AT SCENE OF FIRE
Printer-friendly version $10,000 REWARD OFFERED September 4, 2009 (Vista) – Vista is not in East County. But an arsonist anywhere in our County poses a threat to us all. One spark on a windy day can spread a fire far beyond its origins. San Diego County Sheriff’s Vista detectives and Crime Stoppers seek the public’s help to find an
40-ACRE FIRE AT HIGHWAY 94 & BORDER CHECKPOINT
Printer-friendly version September 4, 2009 – A fire on the south side of Highway 94 and the Border Patrol checkpoint at Sycamore Canyon has been contained at 40 acres, CAL-FIRE spokesperson Roxanne Provaznik reports. Full control of the Checkpoint Fire is projected for 5 p.m. today. The fire began late this morning within an island of unburned fuels from
SHERIFF ISSUES URGENT “BE ON THE LOOKOUT” BULLETIN: SEEKS SEXUAL ASSAULT SUSPECT IN CREST
Printer-friendly version September 4, 2009 (Alpine) – The Sheriff’s Alpine & Rural Crime Prevention union has issued an urgent request for public help to locate a man accused of committing a sexual assault in the Lilac Lane area of Crest around 8:45 p.m. on Wednesday, September 2. The suspect is described as a white male adult in his 50’s,
2 MAJOR ACCIDENTS SNARL I-15 AND I-8 NEAR SDSU
Printer-friendly version September 4, 2009 – A car struck a pedestrian on Westbound Interstate 8 at College Avenue, near San Diego State University, at 12:49 a.m. One person has been declared dead on arrival. The victim’s name has not been released pending notification of relatives. In a separate incident, racing vehicles crashed in the Southbound land of I-15 near
SDG&E MOVES FORWARD ON NEW SUBSTATION IN EAST COUNTY
Printer-friendly version September 3, 2009 (San Diego)—San Diego Gas & Electric Company has announced plans to develop a new ECO Substation and electrical infrastructure in East County that the company says will connect with its existing power network and enable delivery of clean energy to its customers. The move has drawn praise from key alternative energy interests, but some backcountry
GOLFERS PLAY TO PROTECT SCRIPPS RANCH COMMUNITY
Printer-friendly version September 3, 2009 (Scripps Ranch)–On Saturday, September 26th 2009 at 8:00 am, the Scripps Ranch Fire Safe Council will host its third annual “PLAY TO PROTECT” Charity Golf Tournament at the Rancho Bernardo Inn Golf Course. Proceeds help the nonprofit Council fulfill its mission to protect 12,000 Scripps Ranch homes by establishing firebreaks, clearing overgrown trails, cutting
MAN DIES IN FALL FROM ALPINE VIEWPOINT
Printer-friendly version September 3, 2009 (Alpine) – A man plunged 200 feet to his death from a viewpoint off Eastbound I-8 east of Willows Road in Alpine this afternoon. U.S. Forest Service and Border Patrol officials responded at 12:30 p.m., when a technical rescue was attempted. However the patient was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later. Further
HORTICULTURAL HELP LINE NOW ACCESSIBLE 24-HOURS A DAY
Printer-friendly version Water Smart Pipeline has new message option RANCHO SAN DIEGO, CA—The Water Conservation Garden’s Water Smart Pipeline is now accessible to the public 24 hours a day. Callers may record their questions day or night on the “Pipeline’s” voicemail, and will get a return phone call during Pipeline hours from local gardening expert, Nan Sterman, author of the
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