Thanks To Our Sponsors
Be a sponsor!
Breaking News
Explore What Matters
News Center
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
What East County Topic Matters Most to You?
Get East County Wildfire, Emergency Alerts
Latest Stories
Sponsorship Placement
San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce hosts 114th annual East County Honors Awards gala
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service February 27, 2026 (El Cajon) — On Saturday, February 28, the San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce will celebrate the 114th anniversary of its annual East County Honors event at Sycuan Casino Resort at 5 p.m. Since 1912, the Chamber has held the tradition of swearing in the new Chamber Board of Directors and recognizing
City of San Diego leaders moving toward safety overhaul on Jackson Drive, other streets
Printer-friendly versionA memorial of bouquets of flowers, stuffed animals, notes and religious candles for the children who were hit by a car, with one killed, at the site of an October accident on Jackson Drive. The city of San Diego continues to make changes for safety. Photo by Karen Pearlman By Karen Pearlman Feb. 27, 2026 (San Carlos) — The
“ICE Out” rallies Feb. 28 at Home Depot stores across San Diego County
Printer-friendly versionFebruary 27, 2026 – Community members and local civic advocacy groups will rally at over a dozen Home Depot locations across San Diego County on Saturday, February 28, including three East County locations, calling on the company to condemn ICE activities at their properties, and stop immigration enforcement actions at these and all locations. Organizers say ICE agents have
Reader’s Editorial: Cajon Valley’s compensation vote raises questions about priorities
Printer-friendly versionBy Alex Welling February 26, 2026 (El Cajon) — Last week, the Cajon Valley Union School District Board of Trustees voted to increase its monthly compensation from $630 to $2,000 — the maximum amount permitted under state law for a district of its size. That figure does not include their taxpayer-funded healthcare benefits. Several months ago, district educators
El Cajon Mayor Wells and city leaders outline achievements and goals during State of City address
By Kevin A. Green Miriam Raftery contributed to this report Photos via elcajon.gov The mayor and city officials outline planned actions to benefit the community…
Jeep thefts surge in La Mesa: Thieves using fob hacking to target autos
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Feb. 26, 2026 (La Mesa) — The La Mesa Police Department is sounding the alarm to the community about rising thefts of recent models of Jeeps. The police department shares that residents in La Mesa as well as surrounding East County neighborhoods need to be informed of a sophisticated spike in vehicle thefts targeting high-end,
Donating blood in March could save YOUR life, too
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Feb. 26, 2026 (San Diego County) — The American Red Cross is turning a routine blood donation into a lifesaving health diagnostic in March. Amid a severe national blood shortage which saw supply levels plummet by 35% in early 2026 due to winter blizzards and a heavy flu season the organization is offering a dual
Postcards sent to registered voters for June gubernatorial primary
Printer-friendly versionBy Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego Communications Office February 26, 2026 (San Diego) – The San Diego County Registrar of Voters office has mailed more than two million postcards to the County’s registered voters, outlining voting options for the June 2 Gubernatorial Primary Election. Every active registered voter will receive a ballot by mail and can return it in one of three
New leader at East County EDC in Matt Sanford
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Feb. 26, 2026 (El Cajon) — The East County Economic Development Council has named Matt Sanford as its new President and CEO, with plans coming for a new chapter as the region’s economic growth continues Following a competitive nationwide search that drew more than 300 applicants, Sanford was selected to succeed James Sly, who departed late last year to
After Supreme Court overturns some of Trump’s tariffs, Democrats push for refunds to U.S. businesses
By G. A. McNeeley Image created with ChatGPT February 24, 2026 (Washington D.C.) — Three Senate Democrats released legislation on Monday, February 23 that would…
CONTROLLED BURNS WED. & THURS. OVER EAST COUNTY’S RURAL AREAS
Printer-friendly versionJune 2, 2009 (Boulevard)–If you see smoke, don’t panic! CAL-FIRE has announced plans for a 100-acre controlled burn east of Boulevard near McCain Valley on Wednesday and Thursday, June 3 and 4, East County Magazine has learned. Smoke will be visible over most of East County, said CAL-FIRE Captain Nick Schuler. The controlled burns are part of CAL-FIRE’s program
EAST COUNTY CHAMBER REPORTS DEFEAT OF “JOB KILLER” BILLS; COALITION OF POWERLINK OPPONENTS TAKE ISSUE WITH CHAMBER OVER GREEN ENERGY MEASURE & POWERLINK STANCE
Printer-friendly versionJune 4, 2009 — The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce reports victory in helping to defeat several bills it describes as “business UN-friendly bills." But a coalition opposed to Sunrise Powerlink has taken the Chamber to task for its opposition to one measure which supporters say would, in fact, create jobs in renewable energy production locally. The
MORE KUDOS FOR CAL-PASS: RESEARCH AWARD LAUDS CONNECTION OF K-16 EDUCATORS
Printer-friendly versionJune 1, 2009 (El Cajon) – The awards keep rolling in for California Partnership for Achieving Student Success (Cal-PASS), the data-sharing resource that had its genesis as a Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District partnership with San Diego State University and is now a state-funded network of more than 7,000 institutions from elementary schools to universities. Cal-PASS has been awarded the
HELIX WATER BOARD HOLDS SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING MONDAY; RATE PLAN TO BE UNVEILED WEDNESDAY
Printer-friendly versionMay 31, 2009 (La Mesa) — The Helix Water Board will hold a special meeting on Monday, June 1st at 8 a.m. to discuss the District’s budget. At the next regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, June 3rd at 2 p.m., the Board has announced it will reveal its new proposal for water rate hikes. The board last week agreed
WARNER SPRINGS PROGRAM TEACHES KIDS AGRICULTURAL SKILLS, PRESERVES WESTERN & NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery June 1, 2009 (Warner Springs)—“It’s always fun when we get an adult to volunteer to be the cow,” Sherri Freeman quipped, then deftly lassoed a running parent. Nearby, youngsters saddled up on a bucking mechanical horse, ground acorns, studied history of the Butterfield Stage Coach, hiked with an ecologist, visited farm animals, and learned about wild
CLEAN, GREEN MACHINES: ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLES ON SHOW AT STREET SMART SAN DIEGO JUNE 7
Printer-friendly versionJune 1, 2009 (San Diego)—In San Diego, vehicle emissions are the number one cause of greenhouse emissions that cause global warming. Fortunately, a new generation of vehicles powered by alternative fuels now provides cleaner options for us all. Check out the latest innovations in alternative fuel vehicles from showroom models to electric sports cars and scooters at the third
DINO MOUNTAIN ROARS TO LIFE AT THE SAN DIEGO ZOO’S WILD ANIMAL PARK
Printer-friendly versionStory by Marisa Kezirian Photo by Ken Bohn, San Diego Zoo May 31, 2009 2009 (Escondido)–For a limited time this summer, the San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park offers its exceptional exhibit, Dino Mountain. The mechanical robotic dinosaurs come to life and give viewers a true life experience of being up close and personal with some of the
MARKETING MATTERS: TIPS AND TRICKS FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS AND GROWTH
Printer-friendly versionInternal Customers’ Interaction with External Customers: The Ultimate Marketing Tool By Rama Beerfas June 1, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) –In our previous installment, we looked at how important your internal customers (employees) are to the success of your business. (If you missed it, check it out at http://eastcountymagazine.org/?q=node/986). Of course, no matter how good your relationship is with
PARKWAY PLAZA BECOMES ART GALLERY FOR EAST COUNTY KIDS
Printer-friendly versionBy Gayle Early June 1, 2009 (El Cajon)—Six art pieces selected from each of 87 participating middle and elementary schools were on display at the 19th Annual Kids Art Show last month at Westfield Parkway. Cookies accompanied a reception in the mall, just around the corner from Macy’s. Each artist received a blue ribbon, including Sophia Coseip, whose artwork
DOWNTOWN ARCHWAY IN EL CAJON: NEW CITY LANDMARK TO BE DEDICATED JUNE 10th
Printer-friendly versionJune 1, 2009 (El Cajon) The public is invited to the official lighting of downtown El Cajon’s new archway, which is being installed this week. A lighting ceremony will be held at the closing of the Classic Car Show on Wednesday, June 10th at 8:00 p.m. The new City landmark will arch over West Main Street, just west of
Get Wildfire Alerts & Wildfire Emergency News
Partner To ECM
Our Engaged Audience
5 to 10 million hits
per month!
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
Community Links
Thanks To Our Major Sponsors
📬 Subscribe to ECM – 100% Free, Trusted by East County Since 2008
- Emergency alerts
- Breaking news
- No spam ever