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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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“CASH FOR CLUNKERS” VOUCHER BILL PASSES HOUSE; MEASURE AIMS TO REDUCE POLLUTION, SAVE JOBS AND FUEL
Printer-friendly versionLocal Representatives Split Votes By Miriam Raftery June 10, 2009 (Washington D.C.)–Three local representatives have voted in favor of a “cash for clunkers” program that will allow consumers to trade in their old, gas-guzzling cars for vouchers worth up to $4,500 to help people buy new, more fuel-efficient vehicles. The Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act (HR 2751)
EAST COUNTY’S LARGEST FREE HEALTHCARE FAIR SATURDAY JUNE 13
Printer-friendly versionJune 11, 2009 (La Mesa)–The public is invited to attend the 9th annual Summer Healthcare Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, June 13, at the Grossmont Center shopping mall, 5500 Grossmont Center Dr., La Mesa. Free health screenings will include diabetes, blood pressure and stroke prevention. Free information will be available on such topics as nutrition, body
CALIFORNIA-FRIENDLY® LANDSCAPES WIN BIG PRIZES
Printer-friendly versionJune 1, 2009 (El Cajon) – Winners of the sixth annual California-Friendly® Landscape Contest gathered to collect their prizes at the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College on May 16th. Twenty homeowners from across the county received honors for outstanding examples of beautiful, drought-tolerant landscapes. Photographs of the winning landscapes adorned a display in The Garden’s Plaza, and garden
EQUALITY TORCH RELAY SPARKS ARREST IN LEMON GROVE; GAY RIGHTS ADVOCATES CARRY TORCH TO RALLIES AT 4 EAST COUNTY CITY HALLS
Printer-friendly version June 9, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)—A protester was arrested in Lemon Grove Saturday for assaulting San Diego Pride director Ron DeHarte during an equality relay for gay rights. (View a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E91X_cD-tqk&feature=related). Overall, however, the relay through four East County cities was peaceful, organizer Eve Parker reported. “We had such a wonderful and supportive day in East
SWEET SUCCESS: GROVE PASTRY SHOP
Printer-friendly versionJune 7, 2009 (Lemon Grove)—“What is special about this place is that we make the most challenging cakes—cakes that nobody else around town will take,” said Luis Francisco Montero, baker at the Grove Pastry Shop in Lemon Grove. Montero spoke with East County Magazine during an East County Chamber of Commerce reception earlier this week at the bakery, which
SKINCARE & WOUND CARE PRODUCTS INFECTED BY BACTERIAL CONTAMINATION, FDA WARNS
Printer-friendly versionConsumers advised not to use any skin products by Clarcon, marketed under several other brand names listed here June 8, 2009 (Washington D.C.)–The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today that Clarcon Biological Chemistry Laboratory Inc. of Roy, Utah, is voluntarily recalling some skin sanitizers and skin protectants marketed under several different brand names because of high levels of
DUI CHECKPOINT IN FALLBROOK NETS ARRESTS & CITATIONS; MORE CHECKPOINTS PLANNED
Printer-friendly versionJune 8, 2009 (Fallbrook)—Law enforcement officials issued 19 citations at a driving under the influence (DUI)/driver’s license checkpoint Friday in Fallbrook, also towing 16 vehicles. Additional DUI checkpoints are planned for the Fallbrook area, the San Diego Sheriff’s office confirms. Law enforcement agencies from throughout San Diego County joined forces to conduct an AVOID – DUI Campaign Task Force
FREE LEGAL WORKSHOP FOR PROPERTY OWNERS & BUSINESS OWNERS IMPACTED BY POWERLINK
Printer-friendly versionJune 8, 2009 (Alpine)–The East County Community Action Coalition (ECCAC), in partnership with The Protect Our Communities Foundation and Backcountry Against Dumps is sponsoring a free legal rights workshop for individuals and businesses directly impacted by the Sunrise Powerlink. The workshop will be held on Thursday, June 11th from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Alpine Community Center, 1830
EL CAJON HUMAN RIGHTS LEADER JOINS NEW NATIONAL COALITION FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM; LEADERS TO MEET WITH OBAMA IN WASHINGTON THIS WEEKEND
Printer-friendly versionJune 2, 2009 (San Diego) – “This economy is built off immigrants, and immigration reform will benefit the economy,” El Cajon resident and Center for Social Advocacy spokesperson Estela De Los Rios said at a press conference Friday in San Diego, where community leaders announced launch of the Reform Immigration For America Campaign (www.immigrationforum.org). De Los Rios has traveled
LABOR COUNCIL ANNOUNCES FREE JOB TRAINING FOR VETERANS
Printer-friendly versionJune 5, 2009 (San Diego) – The San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council is offering free job training for returning service men and women. The program is funded by the State of California Employment Development Department. Printer-friendly version
CONGRESSMAN FILNER ANNOUNCES NEW SMALL BUSINESSES LENDING PROGRAM
Printer-friendly versionJune 15, 2009 (Washington D.C.) – Many local small businesses will soon be eligible for interest-free loans under a new program created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), Congressman Bob Filner (D-San Diego) announced today. The newly launched “America’s Recovery Capital” (ARC) program allows small firms to take out loans of $35,000 to pay down existing
HEALTHY CROWD ATTTENDS HEALTHCARE FAIR IN LA MESA
Printer-friendly versionBy Marisa Kezirian June 16, 2009 (La Mesa) –“At last year’s fair, I found out that my blood pressure was off the charts, and it saved my life,” said Mike Cully, San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce president and chief executive officer. “This is truly an important event—and if we can help keep one more person alive and
A “LEARNING EXPERIENCE” FOR RAMONA SCHOOL DISTRICT: SCHOOL APOLOGIZES FOR BANNING 6TH GRADER’S HARVEY MILK REPORT
Printer-friendly versionMove Comes After ACLU Letter Alleged District Violated Student’s Constitutional Rights June 13, 2009 (Ramona) – A Ramona school district has apologized to sixth grader Natalie Jones for censoring her classroom presentation about Harvey Milk last month, and school officials promised they won’t engage in allegedly unconstitutional restriction of similar free speech in the future. Move Comes After ACLU
NEWBORN LEFT AT EL CAJON FIRE STATION IS ADOPTED BY LOCAL COUPLE
Printer-friendly versionSAFELY SURRENDERED BABY PROGRAM SAVED CHILD’S LIFE June 11, 2009 (El Cajon) – A baby girl left by her mother at an El Cajon Fire station has been adopted by a local family, the City of El Cajon announced today. The infant, just hours old, was left with firefighters at Station 6 on Lexington Avenue under the Safely
“OUR PLANET, OUR HOME” ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY CONTEST ANNOUNCED
Printer-friendly versionJune 12, 2009 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Environmental Sustainability Committee invites students in grades K-12 to submit a poem or work of art in which they reflect upon the environment. The new “Our Planet, Our Home” environmental literacy contest is open to youths living or attending schools within the La Mesa-Spring Valley or Grossmont Union High School
DOUBLE TROUBLE: MAN ARRESTED AFTER ROBBING SAME BANK SECOND TIME
Printer-friendly versionJune 12, 2009 (Escondido) – Police have arrested a 55-year-old Escondido man after he robbed the U.S. Bank on Broadway in Escondido Thursday—for the second time in a month. The alleged thief handed a teller a note demanding cash shortly after 4:30 p.m., then put the cash in a black messenger’s bag and left. Officers spotted the man walking
HIGH SCHOOL FOR ALPINE GETS UNANIMOUS APPROVAL OF GUHSD BOARD
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery June 11, 2009 (Alpine)—Cheers and tears of joy filled the room tonight as the Grossmont Union High School Board unanimously voted to approve construction of a new high school in Alpine. The decision drew a rousing ovation from parents and others who have fought for more than a decade to bring a high school to their
SLEEK AND GREEN: ECO-CAR SHOW POWERS UP DEMAND FOR ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLES
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery San Diego (June 12, 2009)—If you thought driving an eco-friendly car meant settling for a small, boxy vehicle, think again. Vehicles powered by alternative fuels on display at last weekend’s Street Smart San Diego show included sleek, sporty new styles, race cars, and electric conversions of prestigious name brand models. “We’re doing conversions,” said Michael Kadie
HOW PREPARED IS EAST COUNTY FOR THE NEXT WILDFIRE? BUDGET CUTS BURN SOME LOCAL AGENCIES
Printer-friendly version ”It’s outrageous and it’s irresponsible. That’s cold, that’s hard, that’s the truth. There are many other areas where life is not at stake.” –Leonard Villareal, San Miguel Fire District spokesman, on state budget cuts’ impact on fire protection. An East County Magazine special report By Miriam Raftery June 11, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)
LOCAL LEADERS SHARE REACTIONS TO PREJEAN LOSING MISS CALIFORNIA CROWN
Printer-friendly versionJune 11, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Carrie Prejean, a senior at San Diego Christian College in El Cajon, has been dethroned as Miss California USA. Her turbulent reign, which weathered revelations of topless photos and a controversy over her statements opposing gay marriage, came to an end over the beauty queen’s alleged refusal to honor commitments for
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