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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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INAUGURATION CELEBRATION AND COMMUNITY BALL– PUBLIC WELCOME
Printer-friendly versionStory and photo by Miriam Raftery San Diego (January 12, 2009) — Malcolm X Library will host an all day Community Inaugural Celebration to mark the momentous occasion of the Inaugural of President-Elect Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States on Tuesday, January 20th. The Library envisions San Diego residents from all walks of life attending
OBÃMANOS! TRAVELS THROUGH AZTLAN WITH RITA AND RICHARD
Printer-friendly version Richard and Rita with Enrique Morones at a joint Latino African American press conference on the day they left for the battleground states. Enrique is the director of Border Angeles, an immigrant rights group in San Diego that provides water and food to immigrants in the desert. Kensington residents Richard Griswold and Rita Sanchez are among thousands of
INAUGURATION BREAKFAST IN EL CAJON
Printer-friendly versionJanuary 12, 2008 (El Cajon) — The public is invited to celebrate Obama’s inauguration at the Hacienda Restaurant in El Cajon on Tuesday, Jan 20th, at 8 a.m. (main event at 9 a.m.) Organized by the East County Democratic Club. Open to the public. No cover, no-host; breakfast costs are each individual’s responsibility. The restaurant is located at 700
2 BILLS TO STOP PAY DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN PASS HOUSE; DAVIS & FILNER VOTE “YES”; BILBRAY, HUNTER & ISSA VOTE “NO”
Printer-friendly version January 11, 2009 (San Diego) — Two landmark bills aimed at helping women employees achieve equal pay for equal work and obtain judgments against employers who violate the law have passed the House of Representatives and will now go to the Senate. San Diego County’s Congressional delegation split down party lines, with Democrats Susan Davis and Bob Filner
EAST COUNTY DEMOCRATS ELECT NEW EXECUTIVE-BOARD REPRSENTATIVE AND DELEGATES
Printer-friendly versionDemocrats in East County’s 77th Assembly district elected a pro-labor/progressive slate of 12 delegates on Saturday, January 10th at the El Cajon Library. Ninety-one local Democratic voters registered to cast ballots in the election, in which a record 23 people ran for twelve delegate positions. Delegates represent the region at the California Democratic convention for the next two years,
FALLBROOK PARAPLEGIC STUDENT ASPIRES TO JOIN ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Hermes Castro with Sir Robert Swan, polar explorer who has invited Castro on his Antarctic expedition Antarctica January 7, 2008 (Fallbrook) — Invited by a famous polar explorer to join an Antarctic expedition in March, Hermes Castro and his fellow students at Mesa College are raising funds for transportation and special equipment to help him
EAST COUNTY ROUND-UP — DECEMBER
Printer-friendly version Links to top stories in other publications on East County issues STATE TO SHUT DOWN FIRST AND THIRD FRIDAYS EACH MONTH Sacramento Bee (January 9, 2009) — California will close most state offices on the first and third Fridays each month starting in February, padlocking DMV outlets and other services while reducing state worker pay to help survive
HIGH WINDS PREDICTED TONIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY: CAL-FIRE BEEFS UP PROTECTION
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery San Diego’s East County (January 9, 2009) — Cal Fire has dramatically increased fire protection staffing in anticipation of wind gusts of 40 mph or higher predicted starting tonight through this weekend. “We will have 18 engines with three- person staffing, 19 hand crews, three bulldozers, and the two Sheriffs helicopters,” Cal Fire Captain Nick
SHERIFF’S DUI ARRESTS INCREASE FIFTEEN PERCENT THIS HOLIDAY SEASON: AGGRESSIVE ENFORCEMENT TO CONTINUE
Printer-friendly version January 10, 2008 (San Diego) — This holiday season, arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI) shot up 15% countywide. Whether more people engaged in holiday merrymaking or drowning their sorrows amid a bleak economy remains unknown, but Sheriff’s credit increased enforcement action with the spike in drunk driving busts. The San Diego
GET THE POINT: FREE ACUPUNCTURE! FIRST FRIDAYS IN EL CAJON
Printer-friendly versionFebruary 1, 2008 (El Cajon) — Healthy Community Acupuncture is offering free acupuncture treatments for stress reduction on the first Friday of every month, starting Friday, February 6, 2009. Appointments are required at the clinic, which is located at 277 E. Lexington Ave Ste B in El Cajon. Healthy Community Acupuncture is the first community acupuncture clinic to open
GONE TO POT: FALLBROOK DEPUTIES BUST MARIJUANA GROWERS, ARREST THREE
Printer-friendly versionJune 18, 2009 (Fallbrook) Three people were taken into custody for cultivating marijuana on Tuesday afternoon by Sheriff’s Deputies from the Fallbrook Substation. Deputy Andrew Brumfield was alerted by a concerned citizen of a possible marijuana grow in the Deluz Canyon area off of Calle Roxanne Road. Deputies Brumfield, Mark Cahill and Jeff Holder formulated a plan to conduct
FIRST DEATH FROM H1N1 INFLUENZA VIRUS IN SD COUNTY: ESCONDIDO WOMAN, 20, DIES AT PALOMAR MEDICAL CENTER
Printer-friendly versionJune 20, 2009 (San Diego)–Escondido resident Adela Chevalier, 20, has died of H1N1 influenza (previously known as swine flu) at Palomar Medical Center in Escondido. Previously young and healthy, her death leaves some health experts concerned over whether the disease could have mutated into a more virulent form, though County Health authorities urge people not to panic. “We understand
SUPERVIORS TO HOLD HEARINGS WED. JUNE 24 ON EXPANSION OF LAS COLINAS PRISON IN SANTEE
Printer-friendly versionJune 18, 2009 (Santee, California) – On Wednesday, June 24, 2009, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors will consider whether to approve the revised draft environmental impact report (EIR) for the expansion of Las Colinas Detention Facility in Santee. Santee Mayor Randy Voepel opposes the expansion, arguing that it is unnecessary and that the jail sits on land
MINUTEMEN LEADER ARRESTED IN MURDER OF 9-YEAR-OLD VISITED EAST COUNTY MINUTEMEN TRAINING CAMP
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Exclusive: An East County Magazine special report June 14, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Shawna Forde, leader of Minutemen America Defense(MAD), has been arrested along with two men and charged with double homicide in a home invasion. The victims included a nine-year-old girl and her father. Forde has recently visited Camp Vigilance, a high-desert
PUBLIC HELP SOUGHT TO SAVE MOTHER GOOSE PARADE
Printer-friendly versionJune 16, 2009 (El Cajon)–The Mother Goose Parade is a long-standing holiday tradition in East County–and the largest parade of its kind west of the Mississippi River. Floats, giant balloons, marching bands, equestrian entries and Santa Claus have long been part of the festivities. But this year, without public support the 63rd Annual Mother Goose Parade may not happen
SAN DIEGO COUNTY IS AMONG WORST-HIT AREAS IN NATION FROM GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE, NEW FEDERAL STUDY FINDS
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery June 17, 2009 (Washington D.C.)—Recent warming in the Southwestern U.S. including San Diego County has been among the worst in the nation, according to a newly-released federal report begun under the Bush administration and finalized by the Obama administration. Average temperatures here have increased 1.5 degrees during the past 20 years and are projected to soar
CONGRESS GRANTS FDA AUTHORITY TO REGULATE TOBACCO PRODUCTS, PROTECT KIDS; LOCAL CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES DIVIDE VOTES
Printer-friendly versionCONGRESS GRANTS FDA AUTHORITY TO REGULATE TOBACCO PRODUCTS, PROTECT KIDS FROM SMOKING IMPACTS June 16, 2009 (Washington D.C.) The House and Senate have passed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, designed to protect children and teens from the harmful effects of smoking. The bill grants the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority to regulate the advertising, marketing
EL CAJON PUBLIC SAFETY CENTER BREAKS GROUND
Printer-friendly versionJune 16, 2009 (El Cajon)–El Cajon City officials will gather for the groundbreaking of the new Public Safety Center on Tuesday, June 23, 10:30 a.m. at 100 Civic Center Way. "This very special occasion was made possible by the generous support of the people who call El Cajon their home," a press relaese issued by the city states. "Their
WHAT DO VIKING REFRIGERATOR/FREEZERS AND COFFEE GRINDERS SOLD BY STARBUCKS HAVE IN COMMON? BOTH ARE RECALLED FOR DANGERS TO CONSUMERS
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery June 15, 2009 (Washington D.C.) – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission today announced a voluntary recall of 45,000 Viking built-in refrigerators and freezers with doors that have detached and injured consumers. In addition, Starbucks is recalling over half a million Starbucks Barista Blade Grinders and Seattle’s Best Coffee Blade Grinders. More than 176 complaints have
VACANCY ON COLLEGE DISTRICT’S CITIZENS BOND OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
Printer-friendly versionJune 15, 2009 (El Cajon) – A community member who is active in a senior citizen’s organization is sought to fill a vacancy on the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District’s Proposition R Citizens Bond Oversight Committee. A form to apply or to nominate a member for appointment by the governing board is posted at http://www.gcccd.edu under “Construction News.” Forms are
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