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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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FLAVORS OF THE GARDEN: VALENTINE’S DAY TOUR AT CUYAMACA COLLEGE’S WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN
Printer-friendly versionFebruary 1, 2009 (El Cajon) — Savor a flavorful tour of the Water Conservation Garden on Saturday, February 15th at 11:30 a.m. Tour includes samples of sweet and savory flavors from the botanical world including fruits, vegetables, and herbs–and then there is chocolate! Printer-friendly version
MORE INAUGURATION PARTIES LOCALLY
Printer-friendly versionJanuary 16, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) — Several progressive organizations are planning dozens of local inaugural bashes on January 20th besides those previously posted on our site. Below are links to find Inauguration Day events in your neighborhood hosted by local members of Democracy for America (DFA) or by MoveOn.org. Members of the public are welcome regardless of
FORMS IN METAL EXHIBITION OPENS IN HYDE ART GALLERY AT GROSSMONT COLLEGE
Printer-friendly versionJanuary 14, 2008 (El Cajon) — To mark the 1st anniversary of the opening of its new, state-of-the-art Sculpture facility, the Hyde Art Gallery at Grossmont College will host Forms in Metal , a group exhibition of contemporary metalwork from January 26-February 26; An opening event is scheduled for February 10th from 7-9 p.m. The exhibition will feature the
MANY MORE INAUGURATION PARTIES PLANNED IN EAST COUNTY
Printer-friendly versionIn addition to private parties that are planned all over the county several national organiztions are mobilizing supporters to open their homes for viewing parties. To find out if there is a party in your neighborhood click on the following links. Moveon.org is planning many local house parties as well as some events in local restaurants: http://pol.moveon.org/event/events/index.html?action_id=158&rc=homepage The Presidential
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA REGENTS CUT FRESHMAN ENROLLMENT BY 6%; EAST COUNTY EDUCATION LEADERS ASSESS IMPACT ON LOCAL STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY COLLEGES
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery January 15, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) — Grappling with cuts in state funding, regents at the University of California voted yesterday to cut freshmen enrollment by 6%, eliminating 2,300 spots for students throughout the UC system. The cuts occur at a time when UC is receiving more applications than ever before, as fewer students can
STATE OF THE STATE: “CALIFORNIA FACES INSOLVENCY WITHIN WEEKS,” GOVERNOR WARNS
Printer-friendly versionJanuary 15, 2009 (Sacramento)–Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger refused to deliver a traditional state-of-the-state address today “because the reality is that our state is incapacitated until we resolve the budget crisis,” he said during today’s address in Sacramento. (Video of speech: http://msmedia.dot.ca.gov/governor/20090115_state.asf; text of speech: http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/capitolalertlatest/018621.html) Printer-friendly version
NEW CHANCELLOR NAMED FOR GROSSMONT-CUYAMACA COLLEGE DISTRICT
Printer-friendly versionJanuary 14, 2009 (EL CAJON–“Dr. Cindy Miles, president of the Hialeah Campus at Miami Dade College in Florida, has been unanimously selected by the governing board as chancellor of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District. Miles replaces Dr. Omero Suarez, who is retiring from a record term of more than a decade. Trustees voted 5-0 to approve a three-year contract
CA REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIR RON NEHRING SHARES GOP STRATEGY IN SAN DIEGO ADDRESS
Printer-friendly versionJanuary 13, 2009 (San Diego) – Ron Nehring, Chair of the California Republican Party, gave an update on the GOP’s priorities nationally and statewide during a San Diego County Republican Party Central Committee meeting January 12. Nehring reported that during the Obama administration, the Republican National Committee’s priorities will include limiting the scope of government, opposing higher taxes and
SENIORS INAUGURATION CHARTERTRIP OFFERED
Printer-friendly version January 12, 2008 (San Diego) — If you’re 55 or older and want to be part of history, you can join a charter trip to attend the inauguration of Barack Obama in Washington D.C. on January 20th. “The charter is for between 20 to 40 people, and it is just catching on,” said Mona Robinson of San Diego,
OBAMA CALLS FOR NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE FROM ALL AMERICANS
Printer-friendly version To commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2009, President-elect Obama has created a national day of service and is calling on all Americans to renew America together. This call to service is extended to every American across the country, regardless of political party affiliation, to reignite our national spirit of volunteerism and community service not only on a
A BLOCK OF NEW BILLS FROM MARTY BLOCK
Printer-friendly versionMay 28, 2009 (Lemon Grove)–Freshman Assemblymember Marty Block (D-Lemon Grove) has been busy. During his first few weeks in Sacramento, Block introduced 23 bills that he believes will “make a difference for our communities.” Block added, “ In these difficult times for our state budget, I made sure to only author legislation that will have no impact to the
ACLU THREATENS LAWSUIT AFTER RAMONA SCHOOL BANS SIXTH GRADER’S PRESENTATION ON HARVEY MILK
Printer-friendly versionMay 27, 2009 (Ramona) – The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has sent a demand letter to the Ramona Unified School District alleging that a school policy on sex education was used to illegally censored a sixth grader’s classroom presentation about Harvey Milk earlier this month. The ACLU contends that the District violated Natalie Jones’ free speech rights when
CONGRATULATIONS, GRADUATES! VALEDICTORIANS NAMED, GRADUATION TIMES LISTED FOR GROSSMONT UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
Printer-friendly versionMay 28, 2009 (El Cajon) – On Thursday, June 4, and Friday, June 5, 2009, approximately 5,224 senior students from nine comprehensive high schools, two charter high schools and three alternative high schools in the Grossmont Union High School District will be donning caps and gowns for commencement exercises. Below is the schedule of graduation dates, times, and locations,
HAYES CONFIRMED AS DEPUTY SECRETARY OF INTERIOR AFTER GOP SENATORS LIFT BLOCK ON NOMINATION; POWERLINK BATTLE NOW ELEVATED TO NATIONAL LEVEL WITH EX-SEMPRA LOBBYIST OVERSEEING KEY DECISIONS
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery May 27, 2009 (Washington D.C.) –David J. Hayes, a former lobbyist for Sempra Energy/SDG&E, has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior. His nomination proceeded after an earlier block by Republican Senators from Alaska over oil and gas leases was lifted. Both California Senators, Barbara Boxer and
SATURDAY NIGHT FIGHT: WARGODS V AT VIEJAS
Printer-friendly versionMay 27, 2009 (Alpine)–MMA Veteran Vernon “Tiger” White will face one of Temecula Team Quest’s stand out Lew Polley at Wargods “Five” at the Viejas Casino in Alpine, California on Saturday, May 30th. Doors open at 5:30 for the event, which starts at 6:30 p.m. The main card will begin with a four man elimination tournament that will
LABOR VICTORY: SD SCHOOL BOARD VOTES TO KEEP 10,000 CONTRACTING JOBS LOCAL UNDER PROP S, REQUIRE CONTRACTORS TO PROVIDE HEALTH BENEFITS TO WORKERS
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery ”We cannot survive as a city if 75% of our children are coming out of families living in poverty…This is saying that our city is not going to live in poverty.”—Shelia Jackson, President, San Diego School Board May 27, 2009 (San Diego) – “Today, the School Board affirmed the vision of the future—that when tax dollars
EQUALITY TORCH RELAY SET IN EAST COUNTY JUNE 6
Printer-friendly versionMay 27, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)—“This is a time where we need equality,” says Eve Parker, lead organizer of the East County Equality Torch Relay slated for June 6th in Santee, El Cajon, La Mesa and Lemon Grove. The relay is part of a county-wide event for supporters of equal rights for gay and lesbian people. “I am
INSURANCE COMMISSIONER STEVE POIZNER ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR ANDERSON FIRE-RELIEF LEGISLATION; URGES SAN DIEGO RESIDENTS TO BE PREPARED FOR WILDFIRES
Printer-friendly versionMay 26, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner announced support of AB 157, authored by Assemblyman Joel Anderson (R-El Cajon). Poizner also offered disaster preparation tips for all San Diego residents, including advice for preparing a home inventory for insurance purposes. “Wildfire survivors face so many hurdles as they try to rebuild their homes and lives,
HOT TOPICS: FIRE CHIEFS DISCUSS FIRE SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS AT RANCHO SAN DIEGO-JAMUL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BREAKFAST
Printer-friendly versionStory by Kyle Serzen Photo by Leon Thompson May 27, 2009 (Cuyamaca College)—Despite the friendly conversation and satisfying meal at last Friday’s Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Meeting at Cuyamaca College, the focus was a serious issue—fire safety and preparedness for East County residents as fire season approaches. Cal Fire Battalion Chief Dave Allen and San Miguel
FIRE ON MOUNT LAGUNA
Printer-friendly versionMay 27, 2009 (6:55 a.m.)–A five-acre fire is burning in Laguna Meadows, one mile west of the Laguna Campground on Mount Laguna. No structures are threatened and all roads remain open. “It’s in a fairly inaccessible area, so our engine crews have hiked in. We have two hotshot crews as well, and a potential to have some air tankers
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