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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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AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION SENDS LETTER TO OBAMA OPPOSING SCHWARZENEGGER REQUEST TO EXPEDITE SUNRISE POWERLINK; CITES CONCERNS OVER AIR QUALITY AND FIRE RISK
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery January 27, 2009 (San Diego)–East County Magazine today received a copy of a letter sent by the American Lung Association of California to President Barack Obama in opposition to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s request for the U.S. Forest Service to fast-track approval of Sunrise Powerlink. The letter cites concern that the project, if approved, would negatively impact
January Capitol Report: How They Voted
Printer-friendly versionCongress approved several major bills in January, including measures to improve healthcare for low-income children, provide oversight of bail-out funds, delay conversion to direct TV, set aside public lands and ocean areas as environmental preserves, protect fair pay for women, and improve remedies for victims of discrimination. The Senate also approved nomination of Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner. Do you
SAN DIEGO ASSEMBLYMEMBER LORI SALDAÑA NAMED SPEAKER PRO TEM OF STATE ASSEMBLY
Printer-friendly versionJanuary 27, 2009 (San Diego) — Assembly Member Lori Saldaña was sworn into her new role as Assembly Speaker pro Tempore in a ceremony in the Capitol on December 1st. The Assemblywoman’s district encompasses most of the City of San Diego, including neighborhoods east of I-15 between Highways 94 and 52. Printer-friendly version
OUR INAUGURATION PHOTO LIBRARY AND LOCAL INAUGURAL BALL VIDEO ARE NOW ONLINE!
Printer-friendly versionView our full library of photos from local presidential inauguration events in East County and East San Diego at eastcountymagazine.org/?q=414_inauguration_photo_library. Watch our video of the inaugural community ball in City Heights at www.youtube.com/watch?v=-U9e-XN7bXs. Read our inauguration stories at eastcountymagazine.org/?q=403_inauguration, eastcountymagazine.org/?q=404_waymon, and eastcountymagazine.org/?q=405_inauguration_elected. Printer-friendly version
INAUGURATION PHOTO LIBRARY
Printer-friendly version Marine Sgt. Shaka Greene and his son, Shaka, Jr. Artist. (Leon Thompson) Hosts of MoveOn party in La Mesa.. Beat Poet. Nancy Goettler of La Mesa at Move-On party. Saxophonist jazzes up party at MoveOn inauguration event in La Mesa. Beat poet. City Heights ball. Obama campaign volunteers. Dancing in celebration. (Leon Thompson) Printer-friendly version
INAUGURATION POEM
Printer-friendly versionAt the Community Inaugural Ball hosted by City Heights Library Performing Arts Annex, Poet Sylvia Cameron Telafaro read a poem she composed especially for the occasion. Below is the text, along with her photo. View our full library of photos from local presidential inauguration events in East County and East San Diego at eastcountymagazine.org/?q=414_inauguration_photo_library. Watch our video of the
CONGRESSMAN HUNTER OPPOSES SENDING GUANTANAMO PRISONERS TO CAMP PENDLETON
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery January 21, 2009 (Washington D.C.) — On his first day in office, President Barack Obama ordered that the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay be closed down within a year. Closure of the now-infamous detention facility could result in some of the 245 prisoners held there being transferred to Camp Pendleton, according to a Pentagon study. Newly
LAKESIDE POLICE SEEK MAN IN SILVER CAR WHO TRIED TO LURE 15-YEAR-OLD GIRL INTO VEHICLE
Printer-friendly version Mitsubishi Eclipse with spoiler, vehicle possibly driven by suspect. January 15, 2009 (Lakeside) — Lakeside deputies responded to a radio call of a possible kidnapping at 10133 Maine Avenue in Lakeside shortly before 7 a.m. Upon arrival, deputies contacted the victim, a 15-year-old ninth grade female who attends El Capitan High School. The victim reported an unknown male
MARCH 17 HEARING SET IN SAN DIEGO ON SDG&E PLAN TO SHUT OFF POWER ON DRY, WINDY DAYS
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery January 23, 2009 (San Diego) — An administrative law judge has issued orders requiring the California Public Utilities commission to hold three public hearings on SDG&E’s proposed shut-off of power to back country communities during high-wind events with low humidity. “Many Santa Ana events will qualify, some of which last 7-10 days in a row,” said
2 FEDERAL AGENCIES APPROVE POWERLINK; SCHWARZENEGGER ASKS U.S. FOREST SERVICE TO EXPEDITE OK TO BUILD POWERLINK THROUGH CLEVELAND NATIONAL FOREST
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery January 24, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–In the last days of the Bush administration, two federal agencies gave a parting gift to Sempra Energy. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission designated a vast swath of San Diego’s East County as a federal energy corridor, paving the way for the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to approve
NEWS BULLETIN: FIRE IN MEXICO
Printer-friendly versionAugust 10, 2009 (Campo) – If you see smoke over East County, don’t panic. A large fire is burning in Mexico, just south of Campo. However it poses no threat to Americans on this side of the border since the wind is blowing in the opposite direction, CAL-FIRE Battalion Chief Nick Schuler assures us. Should a threat arise that impacts
BURNING ISSUE: LA MESA COUNCIL VOTES TUESDAY ON SDG&E PLAN TO SHUT-OFF POWER
Printer-friendly version PLAN PITS URBAN VS. RURAL COMMUNITIES IN HIGH-STAKES, LIFE-OR-DEATH DECISIONS By Miriam Raftery August 9, 2009 (La Mesa) – On Tuesday, August 11th at 4 p.m. the La Mesa City Council will consider whether to approve a highly controversial proposal by SDG&E to shut off power to up to 60,000 homes for up to three days during high-risk conditions for wildfires. SDG&E contends pulling the
GOVERNOR SIGNS 2 BILLS BY HOLLINGSWORTH INTO LAW; PROVIDES LAW ENFORCEMENT MORE RESOURCES TO MONITOR & PROSECUTE SEX OFFENDERS
Printer-friendly version August 9, 2009 (Sacramento) – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday announced the signing of two bills that will give law enforcement officials additional resources to more effectively monitor and prosecute registered sex offenders and sexually violent predators. Both were authored by Senator Dennis Holilngsworth (R-Murrieta) whose district includes East County, North County, and portions of San Diego.
ALPINE BUSINESSMAN’S CHAIN SAW CARVES OUT NEW CAREER
Printer-friendly version Photos by Miriam Raftery and Marilyn Lukinich August 8, 2009 (Alpine)–A little boredom turned into a roaring artistic success for ex-logger James Lukinich of Alpine. Using a chain saw, the owner of the White Wolf Tree Service now coaxes charming designs out of wood. Fanciful birds, appealing bears, clever alligators and other creations quickly take shape. Making the first cut
LAGUNA MOUNTAIN AIR FORCE BASE TO BE DECOMISSIONED, FOREST RESTORED AS ECONOMIC RECOVERY PROJECT
Printer-friendly version “This site has posed a serious hazard to national forest visitors for over 20 years, and we have struggled to find the financial means to restore the area to its natural ecosystem. The site has some of the largest pine trees that exist on Laguna Mountain and it will make for a very enjoyable site for visitors once
DO YOU OWN THE TOP DOG? FIND OUT AUG. 16!
Printer-friendly version August 5, 2009 (El Cajon) — Want to teach an old dog some new tricks? Enter your canine companion in a fun-filled dog competition on Sunday, August 16 at 3 p.m. at the Challenge Ranch, 5973 Stallion Oaks Road in El Cajon. Games, classes and contests are all part of the fun. Entry categories include:
2 COUNCIL CANDIDATES ADDRESS WATER ISSUES IN PUBLIC FORUM
Printer-friendly version By Ryan Lescure Emerald defends vote for power-shut-off; tells opponents in backcountry to “bellayche to the County Supervisors” and urge use of Prop 172 funds for firefighting August 6, 2009 (San Diego)–Water issues were the main topic of discussion at the San Diego chapter of Democracy for America’s meeting last night. The event featured Marti Emerald,
HEALTHCARE DEBATE HEATS UP
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery August 6, 2009 (San Diego) – Violence, arrests and racial slurs have disrupted town hall meetings on healthcare reform in Florida, Pennsylvania and other states, where mobs opposed to healthcare reform attempted to shout down and drown out supporters. MSNBC TV’s Rachel Maddow reported that many “protesters” at these meetings were in fact
EX E-BAY CEO MEG WHITMAN, GOP CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR, LAYS OUT PRIORITIES IN VISIT TO CUYAMACA COLLEGE: JOBS, EDUCATION & SPENDING CUTS FOR CALIFORNIA
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery August 6, 2009 (El Cajon) – Can the woman who led e-Bay to become one of the world’s most successful business models turn around California’s troubled economy? Meg Whitman, former Chief Executive Officer of the online auction site, pledged to run California “more like a business” if she wins the Republican primary
BORDER PATROL OFFERS QUARTER MILLION DOLLAR REWARD FOR INFO ON AGENT’S DEATH; FBI ASKS PUBLIC HELP TO SOLVE MURDER CASE
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Photos by Deborah Craig August 6, 2009 (San Diego) –The U.S. Border Patrol has added a $250,000 reward to the growing pool of reward money offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for killing agent Robert Rosas July 23 at the border near Campo. “As a result
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