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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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APPLICATIONS STILL OPEN FOR CAMP ERIN
Printer-friendly version Free weekend camp Sept. 25–27 in Julian helps kids who suffered death of a loved one July 21, 2009 (San Diego) – Camp Erin San Diego, a free weekend camp open to kids ages 6-17 who have recently experienced the death of a loved one, has a limited number of openings available for the program September 25
THUNDERSTORMS FORECAST TONIGHT COUNTYWIDE, FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS SOUTHEAST OF MT. LAGUNA
Printer-friendly version July 20, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm and flash flood warning for most of San Diego County including inland valleys, mountains, deserts and coastal areas. Orange, Riverside and San Bernadino Counties are also affected. Isolated thunderstorms and hail are forecast in the deserts for tonightl, followed by
NEWSOM, FILNER ANNOUNCE INITIATIVES TO HELP HOMELESS VETERANS
Printer-friendly version HALF OF ALL HOMELESS IN SAN DIEGO ARE VETS By Miriam Raftery Photos by Joel Ryerson and Leon Thompson July 18, 2009 (San Diego)—“No mayor in America has done more for homeless veterans than Gavin Newsom,” Congressman Bob Filner (D-Chula Vista), chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, told veterans and media during a press conference yesterday at Stand Down, a three-day event
20 GRADUATE FROM CHAMBER LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
Printer-friendly version July 20, 2009 (El Cajon) – San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce recently graduated 20 students from its Leadership program. The intensive nine-month program features a full day each month of seminars. “We cover all facets of the community,” Drum Macomber told East County Magazine during last month’s final project presentations at Grossmont College, followed by
FIRE NEAR IN-KO-PAH AT IMPERIAL-SAN DIEGO COUNTY LINE
Printer-friendly version July 20, 2009 (In-Ko-Pah) – CAL-FIRE is battling a five-acre brush fire approximately one and a half miles north of I-8, just west of the Imperial-San Diego County line near In-Ko-Pah. “The area is inaccessible by engine, so helicopters and air tankers are currently flying in air support,” CAL FIRE Battalion Chief Nick Schuler informed East County Magazine.
GOOD SHOTS: BASKETBALL CAMP FOR YOUTHS OFFERED BY GROSSMONT COLLEGE COACH
Printer-friendly version July 20, 2009 (El Cajon)–The Grossmont College Athletics Dept. and Grossmont College men’s basketball coach Doug Weber is inviting all boys and girls entering the 3rd through 8th grades to Grossmont College’s first annual youth basketball camp, from 8 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday, Aug. 10-14. The camp will feature instruction on fundamental skills, group and individual contests
NEWSOM, CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR, SHARES VIEWS ON KEY ISSUES WITH ECM
Printer-friendly version Story and photo by Miriam Raftery July 18, 2009 (San Diego) – San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, Democratic candidate for Governor, spoke briefly with East County Magazine after his address at the Stand Down event to help homeless veterans yesterday. We asked his views on three pressing issues impacting residents in our region. How concerned is
THERAPY DOGS NEEDED: TRAINING OFFERED IN BLOSSOM VALLEY
Printer-friendly version July 19, 2009 (Blossom Valley)—Therapy dogs are needed to visit hospitals, schools, and homes of elderly people, bringing smiles to the faces of patients, students and seniors. Training is now available for dog owners who wish to have their animals take a Therapy Dog International (TDI) test on August 9th. “I am a dog trainer who trains
FRUITS OF THEIR LABORS: RAMONA FORUM MEMBERS REAP REWARDS OF COMMUNITY GARDEN
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery July 19, 2009 (Ramona)—“We started looking at the economy and saying hey, people are going to need to start doing community gardening,” Dave Patterson, founder of the Ramona Forum, told East County Magazine. Most members of the forum, which was founded as a political discussion group, had little experience in farming. But they did some
RESCUE IN PINE VALLEY
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Photo: CAL-FIRE Battalion Chief Nick Schuler July 17, 2009 (Pine Valley) – A car plunged off eastbound I-8 one mile west of the Pine Valley bridge, rolling 200 feet over the side late this afternoon. The accident trapped inside the four-door, champagne-colored vehicle. “An off duty CAL FIRE firefighter happened to be driving by just after the
EL CAJON LAUNCHES PROGRAM TO PREVENT HOME FORECLOSURES
Printer-friendly versionJune 1, 2009 (El Cajon) If you’re a homeowner in need of help to avoid foreclosure, take heart! Starting today, the City of El Cajon is offering help through a new Homeownership Foreclosure Program (HFP). The HFP Program provides a toolbox of alternatives for low and moderate-income homeowners of properties within the incorporated City of El Cajon who are
SDG&E TEAMS WITH GOOGLE TO PROVIDE ENERGY USAGE DATA TO CUSTOMERS
Printer-friendly versionMay 30, 2009 (San Diego) San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) has announced a partnership with Google that, by the end of this year, will enable SDG&E customers to obtain their daily energy usage information via the popular Web site with Google’s new Google PowerMeter gadget (http://www.google.org/powermeter/ ). The data will be made available through SDG&E’s digital smart
IT’S IN THE HOLE! RANCHO SAN DIEGO-JAMUL CHAMBER INVITES YOU TO JOIN GOLF TOURNAMENT JUNE 26—OR SPONSOR A WOUNDED VET TO PLAY
Printer-friendly versionJune 1, 2009 (El Cajon)– The Rancho San Diego Jamul Chamber of Commerce is having its second annual golf tournament and networking event on June 26th. “Come join the fun. Last year’s event was a blast and this year is going to top it,” pledged Valerie Harrison, president. Guests who don’t golf or can’t attend are urged to sponsor
SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED FOR DISABLED STUDENTS IN I.T. ONLINE TRAINING
Printer-friendly versionMay 29, 2009 (San Diego)—“We will be awarding 20 scholarships for our second class, which is scheduled to begin at the end of July,” said Cindy Lennon, special projects coordinator for Able-Disabled Advocacy. “Applications are due on June 15th.” So far, 19 students have signed up in six tracks for online IT training. Students are now being recruited for
NEW VETERANS’ CEMETERY APPROVED AT MIRAMAR, MAY OPEN BY LATE 2010
Printer-friendly versionMay 29, 2009 (San Diego) – Congressman Bob Filner, Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, announced today that the Department of Veterans Affairs has chosen a San Diego firm, Van Dyke Landscape Associates, to design a newly-approved Miramar Satellite Cemetery. “Progress at last!” said Congressman Filner, who chairs the House Committee on Veterans Affairs. “We need to move
SEMPRA ENERGY UTILITIES EARNS TOP RANK IN NATIONAL CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SURVEY–BUT SOME LOCAL RATEPAYERS EXPRESS SHOCK AND DISSATISFACTION
Printer-friendly versionMay 28, 2009 (San Diego) – Sempra Energy’s California utilities, Southern California Gas Co. (The Gas Company) and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), rank No. 1 in customer satisfaction among the largest U.S. investor-owned energy utilities, according to a recent survey by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). But some local ratepayers expressed shock at that report, citing
LA MESA OFFERS FREE DISPOSAL OF HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTES & ELECTRONICS
Printer-friendly versionJune 1, 2009 (La Mesa)–If your household has hazardous wastes, the City of La Mesa and California Integrated Waste Management Board have teamed up to offer free pickup and disposal on June 6, July 18, August 29, October 10 and November 21. The City is also giving away a free nontoxic thermometer to any resident who brings in a
SPECIAL ELECTION ANALYSIS: WHAT MESSAGE WERE VOTERS REALLY SENDING TO SACRAMENTO POLITICIANS? AND WHAT SHOULD BE DONE NOW TO SOLVE CALIFORNIA’S BUDGET CRISIS?
Printer-friendly version CONSERVATIVES CALL FOR DEEPER CUTS, PROGRESSIVES LAUNCH CAMPAIGN TO ALLOW MAJORITY TO MAKE BUDGET DECISIONS IN SACRAMENTO By Miriam Raftery Voters resoundingly defeated Propositions 1A-E at the polls, passing only 1F, a measure to freeze legislators’ pay when the state is running a deficit. But what message was the public really trying to send to elected representatives? Does
EAST COUNTY COMMUNITY LEADERS REACT TO CA SUPREME COURT UPHOLDING PROP 8; NEW LAWSUIT FILED IN FEDERAL COURT BY LAWYERS IN BUSH V. GORE SEEKS TO REINSTATE GAY MARRIAGE
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery May 27, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – The California Supreme Court ruled this week to uphold Proposition 8 banning gay marriage, though the court also held that gay marriages that occurred before Prop 8’s passage will remain valid. (View the high court opinion here: www.courtinfo.ca.gov/courts/supreme/). In East County and across the state, leaders on both
ANDERSON PROPOSES TAX BREAKS FOR VETERANS
Printer-friendly versionMay 28, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–“I spent 26 years serving my country in the US Navy, and I would do it again,” said Arthur Armagost, an Alpine resident and veteran. “But it pains me to see men and women I served with leaving California when they retire. They spent their entire careers stationed in California but can’t afford
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