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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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SHERIFF SEEKS PUBLIC HELP TO FIND KIDNAPPERS OF TEEN IN POWAY
Printer-friendly versionJanuary 30, 2009 (Poway) — Three men reportedly forced a 12-year-old girl into a van in Poway yesterday near Scots Way and Midland Road. According to the Poway Sheriff, the victim was walking home between 5:25 and 5:45 p.m.. Three Hispanic male adults in older white box-type utility van stopped and forced the juvenile into the van. The suspects
RANCHO SAN DIEGO RESTAURANT INFURIATES CHAINS BY GIVING AWAY HUNDREDS OF FREE MEALS
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery February 1, 2009 (Rancho San Diego) — We have seen many types of restaurant promotions to grab our attention. However, Brenda Nason, owner of Bistro D’Vine in Rancho San Diego, simply takes the cake. Her goal is to give one free meal to every household in the Rancho San Diego area that has not already been
HAWK WATCH 2009
Printer-friendly versionFebruary 1, 2009 (Ramona)–Each Saturday in February from 9 a.m to noon, the public is invited to visit the Ramona Grasslands with the Wildlife Research Institute, Inc. for a free educational program. You will see raptors such as the Golden Eagle, the wintering Ferruginous Hawk, the Red-tailed Hawk, Prairie Falcon and the Red-shouldered Hawk. Nineteen (19) species of raptors
FACE OFF: SHOULD CONGRESS SUPPORT PRESIDENT OBAMA’S ECONOMIC STIMULUS PROPOSAL?
Printer-friendly versionDual views on hot topics The President’s proposed economic stimulus plan has split Congress down party lines, with Democrats overwhelmingly in favor and House Republicans unanimously opposed. San Diego’s Democratic Congressman Bob Filner and San Diego County Republican Party Chairman Tony Krvaric face off with drastically divergent views on the stimulus proposal. Texts below were submitted to ECM as
FLAG DAY PARADE IN JEOPARDY: LA MESA SEEKS SPONSORS, DONORS TO SAVE ANNUAL EVENT
Printer-friendly versionJanuary 31, 2009 (La Mesa) — Faced with a budget gap, La Mesa’s City Council has voted not to provide financial support for the City’s Flag Day Parade this year. To save the popular community event, some councilmembers and community leaders have launched a one-week fundraising drive in hopes of saving the community’s parade. Printer-friendly version
BURLINGTON COAT FACTORY ROBBED AT GUNPOINT
Printer-friendly versionJanuary 29, 2009 (La Mesa) — At 7:39 PM, La Mesa Police responded to a report of an armed robbery from the Burlington Coat Factory located at 7938 El Cajon Boulevard. Several La Mesa Police officers and the Sheriff’s helicopter ASTREA responded to the scene, but the suspect had fled prior to their arrival. The suspect entered the open
FILNER REINTRODUCES BILL TO HONOR FALLEN HEROES FROM VIETNAM
Printer-friendly versionJanuary 28, 2009 (San Diego) — Congressman Bob Filner has reintroduced legislation to honor the service and sacrifice of many members of the United States Armed Forces who fought in Vietnam, the “In Memory Medal for Forgotten Veterans Act” (H.R. 671). The bill recognizes veterans who died as a result of their service in the Vietnam War but who
FRIENDSHIP PARK
Printer-friendly versionDespite Border Patrol Ban, Communion Celebrations Continue at Historic Border Park–”For Now (Karl W. Hoffman) Editor’s Note: Impacts of the border wall are important nationally and internationally, as well as for people in San Diego County. Each Sunday afternoon, Friends of Friendship Park gather at the historic venue to celebrate communion through the U.S.-Mexico border fence. Rev. John Fanestil,
CONGRESS SENDS LILY LEDBETTER FAIR PAY ACT TO PRESIDENT FOR SIGNATURE
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Congressman Bob Filner (D-San Diego) with Jan Hedlun of Potrero. “This issue is as basic as it gets,” said Congressman Filner (D-CA), who voted in favor of the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which is now on President Barack Obama’s desk. ”You should not be paid less because you are a woman. You should not
ASSEMBLYMAN ANDERSON URGES LEGISLATURE TO SUPPORT ISRAEL IN GAZA CONFLICT
Printer-friendly versionASSEMBLYMAN ANDERSON URGES LEGISLATURE TO SUPPORT ISRAEL By Miriam Raftery January 27, 2009 (Sacramento)– Assemblyman Joel Anderson (R-El Cajon), has introduced Assembly Concurrent resolution (ACR) 10, California’s Resolution to Stand with Israel. The move has drawn praise from backers of Israel and criticism from supporters of the Palestinians. “It’s vital that we stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel as
COUNTY EMPLOYEES SEEK TO PUT TERM LIMITS FOR SUPERVISORS INITIATVE ON JUNE BALLOT
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery July 13, 2009 (San Diego) – San Diego County employees today held a press conference at the San Diego County Administration Center to announce a ballot initiative that would impose term limits for the San Diego County’s Board of Supervisors. Margaret Johnson, a long-term County employee, filed an initiative with the San Diego Registrar
PAINT THE TOWN: ARTISTS WANTED TO BEAUTIFY DOWNTOWN EL CAJON
Printer-friendly version July 13, 2009 (El Cajon)–The El Cajon Community Development Corporation (El Cajon CDC) is looking for artists to turn unattractive utility boxes into works of art through the Utility Box Art Program (UArt). Deadline for applications is 5 p.m. on July 30th. Painting of the utility boxes was begun several years ago by the former City of
SANTEE BRUSH FIRE EXTINGUISHED
Printer-friendly version July 12, 2009 (Santee) – A small brush fire that started around 4 p.m. this afternoon at 9255 Magnolia, near the Las Colinas Women’s facility in Santee, has been extinguished. The blaze burned less than three acres. No structures were damaged. Sheriff’s deputies alerted mobile home park residents in the vicinity of the fire, but no evacuations were
FLU SHUTS DOWN DETENTION FACILITIES IN COUNTY; 400 INMATES & EMPLOYEES EXPOSED
Printer-friendly version July 11, 2009 (San Diego) On Wednesday, July 8, 2009, two inmates housed in the South Bay Detention Facility began to exhibit flu-like symptoms. Initial testing indicated it was the Influenza-A strain of the virus. The inmates were immediately placed in isolation cells and additional testing was ordered. On July 10th, samples from the inmates were tested at the
HOUSE PASSES SMALL BUSINESS RESEARCH AND INNOVATION ACT
Printer-friendly version Bill aims to create jobs, spur economic growth Washington, DC – Four of five San Diego Congressional representatives (Democrats Bob Filner and Susan Davis along with Republicans Brian Bilbray and Duncan Hunter) voted to create new jobs and boost the economy by supporting the Small Business Research and Innovation Act, HR 2965. The measure is part of the
HOUSE APPROVES FILNER AMENDMENT TO SUPPORT PARALYMPIC PROGRAM FOR INJURED VETS
Printer-friendly version Facilities include Olympic Training Site in Chula Vista Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Bob Filner, Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, announced that the House of Representatives approved a critical funding increase for a paralympic program for veterans and members of the Armed Services. Hundreds of injured veterans now actively participate in paralympic sports and training
AT 45, FORMER STAY-AT-HOME MOM NOW HAS DREAM JOB AS FEDERAL OFFICER
Printer-friendly version She credits Grossmont College for setting her path toward successful career They epitomize the community college success story. Either written off by others as “not college material,” or hindered by their own misgivings or trying circumstances, former students of Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges are featured in a series, “Community Colleges: A Real Chance at the Brass Ring,”
TWO-ALARM FIRE DESTROYS HOME ON GROSSMONT AVE.; OCCUPANTS NARROWLY ESCAPE WITH HELP FROM CITY WORKERS
Printer-friendly version July 10, 2009 (El Cajon)–Shortly after 12 noon El Cajon Fire crews responded to a house fire at 861 Grossmont Avenue in El Cajon. As fire crews responded, a large plume of smoke could be seen at a distance, and when they arrived on scene, flames were shooting from the windows. An 82 year-old homeowner and her
BUG BOMBS CAUSE FIRE THAT DESTROYS TRAILER HOME IN EL CAJON
Printer-friendly version July 9, 2009 (El Cajon)–At 5:15 p.m. this evening El Cajon Fire crews responded to reports of a trailer home fire at the Chieftain Trailer Park, located at 187 Ballard, space number 48-B in El Cajon. Upon arrival firefighters found the trailer home engulfed. About 15 firefighters had the fire extinguished in about ten minutes, preventing damage
NEW PROGRAM NOTIFIES VICTIMS WHEN PRISONERS ARE DUE FOR RELEASE, TRANSFER, OR ESCAPE
Printer-friendly versionVictim Information and Notification Everyday (V.I.N.E.) July 10, 2009 (San Diego)– In June of 2009, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department became a participant in the VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) program. VINE is a free service to the public and provides notification when significant changes occur to an inmate’s custody status. This service has been introduced
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