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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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FIRE NEAR SYCUAN NOW 65 ACRES, VOLUNTARY EVACUATIONS
Printer-friendly versionMay 22, 2009 6 p.m. updated (San Diego’s East County) — A fire burning at Willow Glen Drive and Singing Canyon near Sycuan is now more than 65 acres and 20% contained. Voluntary evacuations have been made along Vista Sierra Drive but no structures have been damaged. Leonard Villareal, spokesman for the San Miguel Fire Department, confirms that the
EAST COUNTY ROUND-UP — MID-MAY
Printer-friendly version East County Roundup highlights the best stories about East County issues found in other publications. MENTALLY ILL DETAINEES’ TREATMENT AT HOSPITALS WORRIES ADVOCATES San Diego Union-Tribune (May 18, 2009)–Federal immigration officials send mentally ill detainees to a private psychiatric hospital in La Mesa, where they are shackled to beds 24 hours a day, prohibited from watching television or
FREE LOCAL BUSINESS DIRECTORY FROM BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU
Printer-friendly versionThe San Diego Better Business Bureau (BBB) has announced that distribution has begun at about local 500 retail outlets of its 2009 Summer edition of the BBB Yellow Pages, a free, 216-page, yellow-page-type directory that includes contact information on 6,000 BBB accredited businesses, as well as consumer protection tips articles and information on how to avoid scams and make
ART SHOW AT WILLIAM HERRICK COMMUNITY HEALTH LIBRARY FEATURES DISABLED ARTISTS’ WORKS
Printer-friendly versionThe Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library in La Mesa, a public library specializing in health research information, has announced it is hosting a display of 20 charcoal drawings drawn by persons who have developmental disabilities from Sophie’s Art Gallery, an art program provided by St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center, a non-profit based in El Cajon. The
HELIX WATER DISTRICT RESIDENTS EXPRESS IRE OVER PROPOSED RATE INEQUITIES, ALLEGE DECEPTIVE NOTICES AT GROSSMONT-MT. HELIX ASSOCIATION (GMIA) PUBLIC FORUM
Printer-friendly version by Gayle Early May 20, 2009 (Mt. Helix)—Residents poured into Fuerte Elementary School’s auditorium Thursday evening, May 15th to get a status update on Helix Water District’s (HWD) rate-increase proposals and express outrage over what they contend is an unfair tier-pricing system. GMIA, representing the large unincorporated area of East County around La Mesa, offered eight recommendations to
WATER BOARD STIRS FLOOD OF CONTROVERSY: ALLEGED VIOLATIONS, SECRECY FUEL THREATS OF LEGAL ACTION; SPECIAL MEETING SET MAY 22 TO ADDRESS LEGAL CHALLENGES
Printer-friendly version A special joint investigative report by East County Magazine and Channel 10 News 10news.com story By Miriam Raftery May 19, 2009 (La Mesa)—A water board controversy has sparked public outcry in East County. No, we’re not talking about a torture tactic—though many ratepayers fear pain from steep rate hikes in the Helix Water District. The local “water
EXCERPTS FROM LETTERS SENT TO HELIX WATER DISTRICT IN OPPOSITION TO THE RATE HIKES
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery May 19, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–Helix Water Board’s management withheld 68 letters sent by ratepayer from at least one Board member until after a vote was taken on rate hikes at the April 27 meeting. Below are excerpts from those letters. All opposed the rate hikes; many accused the board of unfairly targeting homeowners over businesses,
$20 MILLION IN ENERGY-EFFICIENCY INCENTIVES FOR BUSINESSES OFFERED
Printer-friendly versionMay 19, 2009 (San Diego) – Southern California Gas Co. (The Gas Company) announced today that more than $20 million in rebates and incentives are available this year to business customers for qualifying energy-efficiency projects—the largest pool of incentive money in the utility’s history. The Gas Company shared the news with more than 300 business representatives gathered for its
“LOST BOYS OF SUDAN ” SHARE HARROWING STORIES OR SURVIVAL FRIDAY AT CUYAMACA COLLEGE
Printer-friendly versionMay 20, 2009 (El Cajon)–Students from the Sudanese Cultural Club at Cuyamaca College will share their own harrowing stories from their war-torn homeland, including riveting tales demonstrating the triumph of the human spirit in Darfur, a land ravaged by genocide. The program, titled "An Afternoon with the Lost Boys of Sudan: Stories of Hope and Survival", will be held
FIRE DAMAGES BANK AMERICA IN EL CAJON
Printer-friendly versionMay 19, 2009 (El Cajon)–At 7:33 p.m. tonight El Cajon Firefighters responded to reports of a fire in the kitchen area of the Bank of America branch, located at 512 Fletcher Parkway. Upon arrival fire crews found smoke coming from the rear of the building where they made entry. Quick action by firefighters had the fire knocked down in
HUNTER SUCCESSFULLY OFFERS MEDAL OF HONOR AMENDMENT
Printer-friendly version June 27, 2009 (Washington DC) – The House Armed Services Committee has accepted an amendment offered by Congressman Duncan D. Hunter (R-Alpine) requiring the Secretary of Defense to review the Medal of Honor awards process. Since the start of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, there has not been a single living recipient of the Medal of Honor.
SANTEE LEADERS VOTE TO FILE NEW LAWSUIT AFTER SUPERVISORS VOTE TO EXPAND LAS COLINAS PRISON
Printer-friendly versionJune 26, 2009 (Santee, California) – On Wednesday, June 24, 2009, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved a plan to replace and expand the Las Colinas Detention Facility from 15 acres to 45 acres and certified the final environmental impact report (EIR) for the facility. The vote was 4-1 with Supervisor Dianne Jacob opposing the expansion. On
A ROARING WILD TIME: SPEND THE NIGHT AT LIONS, TIGERS & BEARS JULY 10 & 24
Printer-friendly versionJune 27, 2009 (Alpine_ Looking for a wild time? East County’s only big cat sanctuary invites you to spend a wild night in the country with Raja and Bakari at Lions Tigers & Bears. Pitch a tent and set-up camp next to the big cats–or opt for more luxurious lodging–complete with wine and dinner. Accommodations for campers include a
WATCH FINE PRINT ON OFFER OF “FREE” MONTH TRASH SERVICE SERVICE
Printer-friendly versionJune 25, 2009 (Deerhorn Valley) – Waste Management has sent a notice to customers offering a free month’s service to customers who sign and return a letter agreement mailed to residents asking help to“update our records”—but there’s a big catch. “Read the fine print on the back,” warns Rob Deason, webmaster for www.deerhornvalley.net , a community website in East
HUNDREDS PROTEST BUDGET CUTS IMPACT ON POOR, SICK & DISABLED AT GOVERNOR’S SAN DIEGO OFFICE
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery June 23, 2009 (San Diego)– An estimated 200 to 300 people turned out to protest state budget cuts in San Diego, outside Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s office downtown. Some carried coffins and a skeleton sign—grim symbols of the consequences they believe will result from severe cuts to health and social services programs. Ann Menasche,
SUPERVISORS URGE CPUC TO PULL PLUG ON SDG&E PLAN TO SHUT OFF POWER DURING HIGH FIRE RISK DAYS
Printer-friendly version""There is no evidence that the shut-off plan will prevent fires. But…in a matter of hours, we will be left without electricity and our customers will be left without water…SDG&E will create actual emergencies," – Jennifer Healy, Padre Dam Municipal Water District By Miriam Raftery ECU Intern Kyle Sezian also contributed to this story June 23, 2009 (San
RALLY & MARCH TUESDAY JUNE 23 TO STOP STATE BUDGET CUTS: SIT-IN PLANNED AT GOVERNOR’S OFFICE IN SAN DIEGO
Printer-friendly versionJune 20, 2009 (San Diego)–People United Against Cuts is a local coalition formed to oppose the Governor’s recent “All Cuts” budget. A press released issued by the group states, “The Governor’s proposed budget will have a catastrophic impact on children, seniors, people with disabilities, low income families, college students and HIV/AIDS patients. On June 23, 2009, we will hold
EAST COUNTY COMMUNITY ACTION COALTION CALLS COMMUNITY MEETING WED. JUNE 24 TO DISCUSS POWERLINK, SDG&E SHUT-OFF ISSUES
Printer-friendly versionJune 23, 2009 (Lakeside) — “Today was a GREAT day for San Diego,” Laura Cyphert, co-founder of the East County Community Action Coalition (ECCAC) stated in an e-mail to the coalition’s members, which now number over 78,000, according to Cyphert. “Today the County Board of Supervisors voted 4:0 to take a position AGAINST the SDG&E ill-conceived shut off plan,”
BON APPÉTIT! OVER 20 RESTAURANTS ADD FLAVOR TO 1ST TASTE OF LA MESA AND BUSINESS EXPO, LA MESA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNOUNCES
Printer-friendly versionBON APPÉTIT! OVER 20 RESTAURANTS ADD FLAVOR TO 1ST TASTE OF LA MESA AND BUSINESS EXPO, LA MESA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNOUNCES June 22, 2009 (La Mesa) — The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce announced that more than 20 restaurants and food providers have signed up to participate in the first annual “Taste of La Mesa” slated for Monday,
SD SUPERVISORS ON TUESDAY WILL CONSIDER SDG&E’S PLAN TO SHUT OFF POWER ON HOT, WINDY DAYS
Printer-friendly versionThe County of San Diego Board of Supervisors will take up San Diego Gas & Electric Company’s ill-conceived electricity shut off plan at next Tuesday’s board meeting, June 23rd, which starts at 9 a.m. at the County Administration Building, 1600 Pacific Highway, Third Floor, San Diego. The discussion will center on both the issue of a Memorandum of Understanding
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