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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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FLAVORS OF THE GARDEN: VALENTINE’S DAY TOUR AT CUYAMACA COLLEGE’S WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN
Printer-friendly versionFebruary 1, 2009 (El Cajon) — Savor a flavorful tour of the Water Conservation Garden on Saturday, February 15th at 11:30 a.m. Tour includes samples of sweet and savory flavors from the botanical world including fruits, vegetables, and herbs–and then there is chocolate! Printer-friendly version
MORE INAUGURATION PARTIES LOCALLY
Printer-friendly versionJanuary 16, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) — Several progressive organizations are planning dozens of local inaugural bashes on January 20th besides those previously posted on our site. Below are links to find Inauguration Day events in your neighborhood hosted by local members of Democracy for America (DFA) or by MoveOn.org. Members of the public are welcome regardless of
FORMS IN METAL EXHIBITION OPENS IN HYDE ART GALLERY AT GROSSMONT COLLEGE
Printer-friendly versionJanuary 14, 2008 (El Cajon) — To mark the 1st anniversary of the opening of its new, state-of-the-art Sculpture facility, the Hyde Art Gallery at Grossmont College will host Forms in Metal , a group exhibition of contemporary metalwork from January 26-February 26; An opening event is scheduled for February 10th from 7-9 p.m. The exhibition will feature the
MANY MORE INAUGURATION PARTIES PLANNED IN EAST COUNTY
Printer-friendly versionIn addition to private parties that are planned all over the county several national organiztions are mobilizing supporters to open their homes for viewing parties. To find out if there is a party in your neighborhood click on the following links. Moveon.org is planning many local house parties as well as some events in local restaurants: http://pol.moveon.org/event/events/index.html?action_id=158&rc=homepage The Presidential
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA REGENTS CUT FRESHMAN ENROLLMENT BY 6%; EAST COUNTY EDUCATION LEADERS ASSESS IMPACT ON LOCAL STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY COLLEGES
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery January 15, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) — Grappling with cuts in state funding, regents at the University of California voted yesterday to cut freshmen enrollment by 6%, eliminating 2,300 spots for students throughout the UC system. The cuts occur at a time when UC is receiving more applications than ever before, as fewer students can
STATE OF THE STATE: “CALIFORNIA FACES INSOLVENCY WITHIN WEEKS,” GOVERNOR WARNS
Printer-friendly versionJanuary 15, 2009 (Sacramento)–Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger refused to deliver a traditional state-of-the-state address today “because the reality is that our state is incapacitated until we resolve the budget crisis,” he said during today’s address in Sacramento. (Video of speech: http://msmedia.dot.ca.gov/governor/20090115_state.asf; text of speech: http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/capitolalertlatest/018621.html) Printer-friendly version
NEW CHANCELLOR NAMED FOR GROSSMONT-CUYAMACA COLLEGE DISTRICT
Printer-friendly versionJanuary 14, 2009 (EL CAJON–“Dr. Cindy Miles, president of the Hialeah Campus at Miami Dade College in Florida, has been unanimously selected by the governing board as chancellor of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District. Miles replaces Dr. Omero Suarez, who is retiring from a record term of more than a decade. Trustees voted 5-0 to approve a three-year contract
CA REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIR RON NEHRING SHARES GOP STRATEGY IN SAN DIEGO ADDRESS
Printer-friendly versionJanuary 13, 2009 (San Diego) – Ron Nehring, Chair of the California Republican Party, gave an update on the GOP’s priorities nationally and statewide during a San Diego County Republican Party Central Committee meeting January 12. Nehring reported that during the Obama administration, the Republican National Committee’s priorities will include limiting the scope of government, opposing higher taxes and
SENIORS INAUGURATION CHARTERTRIP OFFERED
Printer-friendly version January 12, 2008 (San Diego) — If you’re 55 or older and want to be part of history, you can join a charter trip to attend the inauguration of Barack Obama in Washington D.C. on January 20th. “The charter is for between 20 to 40 people, and it is just catching on,” said Mona Robinson of San Diego,
OBAMA CALLS FOR NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE FROM ALL AMERICANS
Printer-friendly version To commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2009, President-elect Obama has created a national day of service and is calling on all Americans to renew America together. This call to service is extended to every American across the country, regardless of political party affiliation, to reignite our national spirit of volunteerism and community service not only on a
GUHSD BOARD TO VOTE ON REVOCATION OF HELIX HIGH CHARTER AT MEETING THURS. JULY 9
Printer-friendly version July 8, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Grossmont Union High School District’s Board of Trustees will vote Thursday on a notification to revoke Helix High School’s charter. The Helix High School Foundation and Alumni Association is planning a rally and urging supporters of Helix to attend the meeting at the East County Regional Educational Center, 924 East
MOTORCYCLE IGNITES FIRE IN OTAY MESA
Printer-friendly version July 8, 2009 (Otay)—A motorcycle accident has sparked a vegetation fire on Otay Lakes Road that is currently eight acres, CAL-FIRE informed East County Magazine at 5:43 p.m. “Firefighters do not anticipate the fire getting any larger,” CAL-FIRE Captain Nick Schuler said, adding that no additional resources will be required to extinguish the blaze. The motorcyclist was
SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE WITHOUT ARCHITECTS: JULY 13 PROGRAM SHINES LIGHT ON ENERGY-EFFICIENT HOME DESIGN TECHNIQUES FROM IRAN
Printer-friendly version July 8, 2009 (San Diego)–Architect Simi Razavian will demonstrate how people of Tabbas, Iran used micro-climate and local materials to create energy-efficient homes. She will illustrate how they used sun, wind, and water, along with thermal mass to create not only zero energy consumption buildings but also private and comfortable homes. Razavian has a Master of Science
ASSEMBLYMEMBER BLOCK TO HOST 2 PUBLIC EVENTS THIS WEEK: OPEN HOUSE & FREE CLINIC FOR DISTRESSED HOMEOWNERS
Printer-friendly version July 5, 2009 (Lemon Grove)– Assemblymember Marty Block (D-78) will host an open house at his DistOffice in Lemon Grove on Friday, plus a free clinic in Bonita on Saturday for homeowners facing foreclosure. "We had a very successful open house in December," commented the Assemblymember, "and would like to repeat that while introducing residents to our
TACKLE THIS: NFL PLAYER & FORMER ALL-AMERICAN QUARTERBACK HOLDS FOOTBALL PASSING CAMP AT GROSSMONT COLLEGE
Printer-friendly version July 6, 2009 (El Cajon)–The Grossmont College Athletics Dept. and assistant Grossmont football coach Akili Smith, a former Grossmont College All-American quarterback and National Football League player, will host a football passing camp and tournament for high school football athletes starting at 9 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, July 10 and 11, at the college’s football field.
GROSSMONT COLLEGE ANNOUNCES NEW SCHOLARSHIPS & MATCHING FUNDS UP TO $25 MILLION TO HELP EAST COUNTY STUDENTS AFFORD AN EDUCATION
Printer-friendly versionJuly 5, 2009 (El Cajon)–The Grossmont College Foundation has announced that $83,500 has been raised so far –mostly from five local entities — for six perpetual, $1,000-a-year scholarships for Grossmont College students as part of a partnership with the San Francisco-based Bernard Osher Foundation. Additional scholarship monies raised over the next two years by the Grossmont College Foundation
“MAGNIFICENT MILKY WAY” WITH ASTRONOMER DENNIS MAMMANA AT BORREGO SPRINGS AUG. 15
Printer-friendly version July 5, 2009 (Borrego Springs)–Few celestial sights are as stunning as an August desert sky. On Saturday, August 15, famed astronomer and night sky photographer Dennis Mammana offers an evening of galactic viewing along the Milky Way. Mammana invites guests to "witness some of the most magnificent scenery anywhere" from “the nearest of stars and glowing
DOIUBLE TRAGEDY IN DELUZ: MAN AND 3-YEAR OLD CHILD DROWN
Printer-friendly version July 4, 2009 (Deluz) – A three-year-old child airlifted by helicopter last night to Palomar Hospital has died, CAL-FIRE reports today. The child, a drowning victim, was driven to CAL-FIRE’s Deluz station last night, after relatives found the youngster at Tenaja Reservoir in Deluz, not breathing. Firefighters performed CPR, but were unable to save the youngster. Engine companies and
FIRE SPARKED BY WEEDING TOOL DOUSED IN EL CAJON; KEEP FIRE EXTINGUISHER HANDY WHEN CLEARING BRUSH, OFFICIALS CAUTION
Printer-friendly version July 4, 2009 (El Caj on)–At 11:05 a.m. this morning, El Cajon Fire crews were dispatched to a report of a brush fire near 1103 Gorsline Dr. in El Cajon. When firefighters arrived on scene, they encountered a 3/4-acre brush fire burning uphill threatening residential structures. Approximately ten firefighters on three engines and a Battalion Chief were
LA MESA KIWANIS AWARDS $5,400 IN COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS TO GRADUATING SENIORS AT GROSSMONT, HELIX, CHAPARRAL
Printer-friendly version Fourteen graduating seniors from East County high schools have been awarded college scholarships totaling $5,400 by the Kiwanis Club of La Mesa and the La Mesa Kiwanis Foundation. Keith Meeker, Tom LeDuc and Dick DeNure headed the scholarship committee that interviewed applicants from Grossmont, Helix and Chaparral High Schools. Those receiving the scholarships were: Grossmont High School
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