Thanks To Our Sponsors
Be a sponsor!
Breaking News
Explore What Matters
News Center
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
What East County Topic Matters Most to You?
Get East County Wildfire, Emergency Alerts
Latest Stories
Sponsorship Placement
HEALTHCARE FOR ALL BILL PASSES- GOVERNOR THREATENS VETO
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery September 8, 2008 (SAN DIEGO) – A landmark bill to provide guaranteed universal healthcare coverage for every man, woman and child in California (including medical, dental, mental health and eye care coverage) has been approved by the State Legislature. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has until September 30th to sign the measure, SB 840 by Senator Sheila Kuehl,
EAST COUNTY LEADERS ORGANIZE FUTURE SAN DIEGO: GREEN ECONOMY
Printer-friendly versionOct. 18 event at UCSD to feature Lt. Governor John Garamendi, green jobs fair and more By Miriam Raftery Event organizers Chuck Brands (left) of El Cajon and Mark Hanson of Lakeside (right) with keynote speaker, Lt. Governor John Garamendi (center) October 1, 2008 (San Diego) – Looking for a “green” job? Own a business seeking to save energy
White Rabbit Candy Sold in California Recalled Due To Melamine Contamination
Printer-friendly versionSeptember 29, 2008 (BURLINGAME, CA) – The California Department of Health and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are urging consumers not to eat White Rabbit Candies sold in California. Queensway Foods Co. of Burlingame, California is recalling White Rabbit Candy after tests revealed that some of the products are contaminated with melamine–the same deadly toxin in infant formula
OBAMA OPENS NEW OFFICE IN EAST SAN DIEGO
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Photos by Leon Thompson October 1, 2008 (San Diego) – The Obama-Biden campaign hosted a presidential debate-watching party to kick-off the opening of a new campaign office at 1744 Euclid Street in East San Diego. “We’ve had a larger than expected turnout,” Vince Hall, spokesperson for Obama for President in San Diego County told East County
NEW BLACKWATER PROTESTS MARK ANNIVERSARY OF NISOUR SQUARE SHOOTINGS
Printer-friendly versionCongressman Bob Filner and Assembly candidate Ray Lutz of East County speak out against Blackwater at Otay Mesa Rally Story and photos by Gayle Early Sign from a military families organization opposed to Blackwater. October 1, 2008 (Otay Mesa) – In September 2007, 17 people were shot to death in the Nisour Square traffic circle in Baghdad, Iraq, by
LOCAL RESIDENTS JOIN NATIONAL PROTEST OF WALL STREET BAIL-OUT BILL
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery September 26, 2008 (El Cajon) – East County residents angered by the Bush administration’s proposed $700 billion bail-out bill for Wall Street financial firms took to the streets yesterday as part of a national protest action organized by True Majority. Thousands protested across the nation (photo: New York protest, taken by Jeremy Scahill.) “Many people in
FDA ALERT: DEADLY TOXIN FOUND IN COFFEE & TEA; CANDY & INFANT FORMULA MAY ALSO BE TAINTED
Printer-friendly version September 25, 2008 (SAN DIEGO) – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a consumer alert today warning that numerous products have been found to be contaminated with melamine – the same deadly toxin that killed thousands of cats and dogs in contaminated pet food last year. The FDA found that seven Mr. Brown instant coffee and milk
PENDLETON FIRE CHARS 400 ACRES
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Capt. Nick Schuler, CAL-FIRE September 25, 2008 5:00 p.m. CAMP PENDLETON – More than 400 acres have burned at Camp Pendleton in a brush fire that remains active this evening. East County Magazine was the first local media to post news online of the fire, which began around 12:30 p.m. today The blaze began near Roblar
DRIVER SENTENCED FOR THREATENING PEACE ACTIVISTS IN RAMONA
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery September 23, 2008 (RAMONA) – Keith Alan Davis, a Ramona man who drove his pickup truck toward a group of anti-war protesters n June, has been sentenced to probation, ordered to take anger-management classes and must perform 20 days of community service. “This is America. You can’t just go running people over, but let’s not just
7 BANDS HOLD CONCERT TO HELP FIRE VICTIMS OCT 4
Printer-friendly versionROC For Fire Relief Concert and Fire Expo Helps Neighbors, Celebrates Heroes Saturday, October 4th, 2008 12:00pm to 10:00pm Lakeside Rodeo Grounds, Lakeside www.rocsd.net Listen to music from the bands. October 1, 2008 (Lakeside) – “Relief is still needed in a serious way,” said Randy Seol of the band Strawberry Alarm Clock, a longtime San Diego resident who
FIRE AUTHORITIES MOP UP TWO SMALL BRUSH FIRES IN POWAY & LAKESIDE
Printer-friendly version August 6, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)1:45 p.m. – Two brush fires in Lakeside and Poway have been quickly contained. In Poway, a vegetation fire started at approximately noon today next to 15281 Hilltop Circle. “With assistance of the San Diego Fire Department, helicopters and us, we were qable to keep it at three acres,” Poway Fire
IDENTITY THEFT ALERT- YOU MAY BE AT RISK
Printer-friendly version By Peter Tworoger Identity theft can be devastating. The costs associated with identity theft have surpassed that of the drug trade. According to USA Today, the number of victims is expected to increase 20 fold over the next few years. Identity theft is not just about credit cards. The five types of identity theft are: DRIVERS LICENSE
SAN DIEGO SELECTED AS TARGET MARKET FOR LARGEST TRANSPORTATION ELECTRIFICATION PROJECT IN U.S. HISTORY
Printer-friendly version U.S. Department of Energy Chooses ECOtality’s eTec to Implement Project: 1,000 Electric Cars to be Tested in San Diego County August 5, 2009 (San Diego) – San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) and Electric Transportation Engineering Corporation (eTec) today announced that eTec, a leader in development of advanced transportation and energy systems, has been
SEMPRA ENERGY REPORTS SECOND-QUARTER 2009 RESULTS’ SDG&E EARNINGS RISE 15%
Printer-friendly version SAN DIEGO, August 4, 2009 – Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE) has reported second quarter 2009 earnings of $198 million, or $0.80 per diluted share, compared with second-quarter 2008 earnings of $244 million, or $0.98 per diluted share. Sempra Energy reaffirmed its previously announced 2009 earnings-per share guidance range of $4.35 to $4.60. Second-quarter 2009 results included an asset
BORREGO SPRINGS NAMED INTERNATIONAL DARK SKY COMMUNITY—ONE OF ONLY TWO WORLDWIDE
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery August 4, 2009 (Borrego Springs) — On Friday, July 31, Borrego Springs was designated by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) as only the second official International Dark Sky Community on earth—and the first in California. “It’s taken us nearly two years to make this happen, and we’re all pretty excited about this achievement,” said
IT’S IN THE HOLE! GOLF TOURNAMENT TEES OFF OCT. 16 AT COTTONWOOD
Printer-friendly version August 2, 2009 (El Cajon) –Looking for some fun in the sun? Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber of Commerce invites community members to take their best shots with local business members in the “It’s in the Hole Golf Tourmanent” Friday October 16. The event will be held at the brand new Lakes Course at Cottonwood Golf Course in Rancho San Diego.
$1.6 MILLION IN ANNUAL PERMANENT FUNDING ANNOUNCED TO ENCOURAGE DOCTORS TO SERVE IN LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES
Printer-friendly version San Diego’s Diamond Neighborhood Family Health Care Center will benefit from Thompson Program August 2, 2009 (San Diego) – Assemblymembers Mary Salas (D-San Diego) and Hector De La Torre (D-Los Angeles) announce permanent funding of $1.6 million annually to the Steven M. Thompson Program, which encourages doctors statewide to serve in low-income rural and urban communities .
GROSSMONT COLLEGE STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT NAMED TO CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGES’ BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Printer-friendly version Student leader tasked with keeping state board attuned August 1 2009 (El Cajon) – Marc Valenzuela, Grossmont College’s new student body president, has a busy year ahead–including his latest appointment as a student liaison to the California Community Colleges’ Board of Governors. Valenzuela, who also represents the nine community colleges in San Diego and Imperial counties
BURNING ISSUE: ECM EDITOR SPEAKS ON SDG&E SHUT-OFF PROPOSAL IN TV, RADIO SHOWS
Printer-friendly version July 31, 2009 (San Diego) – Hosts of two radio programs and a TV show today interviewed East County Magazine editor Miriam Raftery on some of the hottest topics in town– including a fiery East County issue: SDG&E’s proposal to shut-off power during fire-prone weather. Audio, video and transcripts from KPBS and KCBQ are available below. (cartoon reprinted with
VIEJAS CASINO NAMED “BEST CASINO” 10 YEARS IN A ROW; ALSO TAKES TOP HONORS FOR DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
Printer-friendly version August 1, 2009 (San Diego) – Viejas Casino (http://www.viejas.com) has been named the “Best Casino” for the tenth year in a row. Viejas also picked up awards for “Best Casino Dining,” “Best Live Music Venue” (for Concerts-in-the-Park), “Best Steakhouse” (for The Grove Steakhouse), “Best Dance Club/Entertainment” (for the DreamCatcher Lounge). The highly-coveted honors were announced today as part
Get Wildfire Alerts & Wildfire Emergency News
Partner To ECM
Our Engaged Audience
5 to 10 million hits
per month!
5 to 10 million hits
per month!
A quarter million visits
each month
Most widely read news site dedicated to
San Diego’s East County
Winner of over 150
journalism awards
“Sponsoring East County Magazine is a great way to reach our loyal and engaged readers, who value organizations and businesses that support nonprofit, independent news in the public interest and wildfire/emergency alerts that keep people safe and informed. Sponsors can choose to underwrite our community news site, support a favorite section or a new special section, underwrite an event, or sponsor our wildfire and emergency alerts.”
— Miriam Raftery, Founder of East County Magazine
Community Links
Thanks To Our Major Sponsors
📬 Subscribe to ECM – 100% Free, Trusted by East County Since 2008
- Emergency alerts
- Breaking news
- No spam ever