Award-winning nonprofit media in the public interest, serving San Diego's inland region

Award-winning nonprofit media in the public interest, serving San Diego's inland region

Breaking News

Explore What Matters

Stay informed on the issues that shape East County. From local news and emergency alerts, to community celebrations

News Center

News Issues

Politics

Wildfires and Emergencies

Events & Arts

Visit East County

People

Communities

Features

Get East County Wildfire, Emergency Alerts

Critical wildfire and emergency notifications delivered instantly.Join Neighbors who stay informed and prepared with our award winning Journalist

Latest Stories

Sponsorship Placement

BOB FILNER, FORMER SAN DIEGO MAYOR AND CONGRESSMAN, DIES AT 82

Printer-friendly version By Karen Pearlman      Photo,left: Bob Filner on Election Night 2012, when he won election as San Diego Mayor (April 28, 2025) San Diego — Bob Filner, who served as San Diego’s 35th mayor and as Congressman representing San Diego and border regions in East County, died April 20. He was 82.  A fierce advocate for civil rights, his

Read More ...

SAN DIEGO-BASED JACK IN THE BOX TO CLOSE 150-200 RESTAURANTS

Printer-friendly version East County News Service April 27, 2025 (San Diego) – Jack in the Box has announced plans to close 150-200 underperforming restaurants this year and next, to improve the company’s cash flow. The locally-owned fast food chain opened the nation’s first drive-through hamburger outlet in 1951 at 6270 El Cajon Blvd. in San Diego (photo, left). Soon after,

Read More ...

ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR. CLAIMS HE’LL FIND THE “CAUSE” OF AUTISM BY USING PRIVATE MEDICAL DATA

Printer-friendly version  Kennedy also moved to cut funding for various autism programs, and tasked discredited researcher with finding “link” between autism and vaccines  By G. A. McNeeley  Photo, left: cc via Bing April 27, 2025 (Washington D.C.) — Robert F. Kennedy Jr, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, has pledged to find the “cause” of autism, while he and other members

Read More ...

LEMON GROVE MAYORAL RECALL FAILS TO GET ENOUGH VALIDATED SIGNATURES, BUT ORGANIZER SAYS HE’LL TRY AGAIN

Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery April 26, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – On April 15, a notice of intent to recall Lemon Grove Mayor Alysson Snow (photo,left) was served by resident Ken King.  But the next day, the City Clerk’s office notified King that the notice was rejected because it did not have enough valid signatures, printed names and addresses. In

Read More ...

REP. ISSA HOLDS PUBLICITY APPEARANCE AT MCDONALD’S, AFTER PROTESTERS LEAVE

Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery April 26, 2025 (San Diego)– Congressman Darrell Issa announced plans to hand out “Freedom Fries” at a McDonald’s in San Marcos on Thursday, April 24th. But after word got out that protesters planned to picket the event, 12 noon arrived—and Issa didn’t, until after protesters left. Issa’s office mailed a photo to media outlets including

Read More ...

TRUMP ADMINISTRATION REJECTS ‘HOUSING FIRST’ APPROACH TO HOMELESSNESS

Printer-friendly version By Angela Hart for KFF Health News. Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the KFF Health News-Public News Service Collaboration File photo, left, by Miriam Raftery:  A homeless man living in a makeshift tent in Lemon Grove in 2024 April 26, 2025 (Washington D.C.)– President Donald Trump is vowing a new approach to

Read More ...

MISSING WOMAN FOUND DEAD IN VEHICLE

Printer-friendly version Update:  Michelle Moden’s body was found  Sunday, April 27,with her vehicle on Sequan Truck Trail,  says Officer Jared Grieshaber with California Highway Patrol.  Foul play is not suspected, he indicated, but anyone with information is asked to contact  CHP’s Border Division Major Crimes Unit at 858-944-6300. East County News Service April 25, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – The

Read More ...

BORDER PATROL AGENTS IN JAMUL FIND 51 POUNDS OF METH IN TIRE

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Photo:  Methamphetamine stash hidden in tire   April 25, 2025 (Jamul) — U.S. Border Patrol agents from the San Diego Sector stopped a narcotics smuggling attempt in its tracks, intercepting a large quantity of methamphetamine concealed in a vehicle’s spare tire.   According to the Border Patrol, on April 18 around 10:30 p.m., a K-9

Read More ...

Stay safe! Sign up to receive free East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

Printer-friendly version Click here to receive our free alerts via email. You can also follow our alerts on X. Scroll down to read our latest articles on wildfires and other emergencies in San Diego’s inland region. We appreciate the generous sponsorships of the San Diego Regional Fire Foundation and San Diego River Conservancy  to support our emergency alerts, helping us keep

Read More ...

SANTEE HIRES INTERIM CITY MANAGER

Printer-friendly version By Mike Allen April 25, 2025 (Santee) — Santee’s City Council hired Gary Halbert, a former city manager for Chula Vista, as its interim city manager on the same day, April 23, that the prior city manager, Marlene Best, officially ended her nine-year tenure in a mutually agreed separation. Neither the City Council nor Best provided any comment

Read More ...

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

Read More ...

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

Read More ...

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

Read More ...

JEFF OLSON TO RUN FOR COUNTY TAX ASSESSOR/RECORDER/CLERK

Printer-friendly version July 3, 2009 (San Diego)—Jeff Olson, who currently serves as Chief of Assessment Services for the County, has announced plans to run for the County Tax Assessor/Recorder/Clerk position in June 2010. If elected he pledges, “I will always be an advocate for the taxpayer and will ensure that no taxpayer is paying more in property tax than they

Read More ...

ACLU ASSERTS SHERIFF’S OFFICERS VIOLATED 4TH AMENDMENT PROTECTIONS IN TREATMENT OF BUSBY PARTY HOST, PEPPER SPRAYING OF GUESTS

Printer-friendly version  D.A. and Sheriff’s Dept. Open Investigations into Incident   By Miriam Raftery   July 3, 2009 (San Diego) – The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has issued a statement accusing the San Diego Sheriff’s Department of excessive use of force and violations of civil rights against the hostess and guests at a fundraising party for  Francine Busby, Democratic candidate

Read More ...

ANDERSON BLL WOULD ALLOW IOUs TO BE USED AS PAYMENTS FOR OBLIGATIONS TO STATE

Printer-friendly version   Lawmaker voted "No" on budget that included tax increases aimed at preventing deep cuts in services and closure of state parks   By Miriam Raftery   July 2, 2009 (Sacramento) – Assembly Bill 1506 by Assemblyman Joel Anderson (R-El Cajon), would let people and businesses receiving state IOUs use them as payments to the state for DMV fees, payroll

Read More ...

BUDGET CUTS BRING FEARS OF LOCKED HOSPITAL WARDS & HOMELESSNESS FOR DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY

Printer-friendly version  July 2, 2009 (San Diego)–Local nonprofit organizations serving people with autism, cerebral palsy and other developmental disabilities will drastically cut back on services, or be forced to close their doors if the state follows through on plans to further cut funding, according to a new survey.   The survey of 300 San Diego County providers conducted by the

Read More ...

NEW TECHNOLOGY MAKES WOMEN’S OPERATIONS EASIER: FREE SEMINAR JULY 15 ON GYNECOLOGIC ROBOTIC SURGERY

Printer-friendly version  July 2, 2009 (La Mesa) – Sharp Grossmont Hospital will host a free seminar for women facing hysterectomy, surgery for uterine fibroids, fertility or reproductive cancer. A Sharp Grossmont-affiliated physician will discuss advanced, minimally invasive robotic surgery that results in smaller incisions, fewer side effects and a quicker return to activities. Snacks and beverages will be provided.  

Read More ...

HEADS UP: CHILD TRAPPED IN LAKESIDE STORM DRAIN IS RESCUED

Printer-friendly version    July 2, 2009 (Lakeside) –  A child whose head became trapped in a storm drain has been freed following a dramatic rescue.  The seven-year-old boy tried to retrieve a toy that had fallen into a storm drain near 10252 Big Cone Court, when his head got stuck.    Lakeside Fire crews, with assistance from El Cajon Fire

Read More ...

REWARD UP TO $1,000 FOR SUSPECT WHO SERIOUSLY INJURED MAN IN SPRING VALLEY

Printer-friendly version    July 1, 2009 (Lemon Grove) – Yesterday the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department announced that it is joining forces with Crime Stoppers to help identify and apprehend a group of men responsible for assaulting and severely beating Russell Hinton in Spring Valley on June 13th shortly after midnight.   Earlier that evening Russell Hinton and a female

Read More ...

Get Wildfire Alerts & Wildfire Emergency News

Stay ahead of emergencies with real-time notifications delivered directly to your inbox when seconds count.

Partner To ECM

Connect with East County’s most informed and engaged community. Our readers trust ECM for critical news and actively support local businesses.

Our Engaged Audience

Unique Visitors

5 to 10 million hits

per month!

Number of Visitors
0

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

Thanks To Our Major Sponsors

📬 Subscribe to ECM – 100% Free, Trusted by East County Since 2008

Reviews and Feedback