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
Capitol Report – How They Voted
Printer-friendly version For more information on these and other bills, visit www.vote-smart.org or www.govtrack.us Printer-friendly version
East County Roundup – September
Printer-friendly versionLinks to top stories in other publications on East County issues WATER RATIONING GROWS INCREASINGLY LIKELY San Diego Union-Tribune (Sept. 26, 2008) —| For the first time since 1992, San Diego is facing the possibility of water rationing, a step that could happen as soon as January. The threat is expected to loom for years as Southern California readjusts
Book It: New Library Opens in La Mesa
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery La Mesa’s new library is a bookworm’s delight. A soaring wall of windows fills the library with sunlight, creating an inviting place for reading, studying, or browsing. Banks of computers, including some at child-sized desks, make the library an inviting place for people of all ages. Live music, face painting and a magic show for kids
New Border Patrol Facility Opens
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery New Campo Border Patrol facility (photo credit: Leon Thompson) Public reactions varied to a new Border Patrol/Homeland Security facility in East County varied sharply. One local conservative blogger thought it was a casino under construction, adding that it resembled “a palace.” But an immigrant rights supporter observed, “It looks like a prison.” Beauty, it appears, is
Green Beat – Green Citizenship: First Step to a Sustainable World
Printer-friendly versionBy Chuck Brands OK, I’m ticked off. This is going to be a bit of a rant that will touch on hot-button issues facing all of us. Just in case that prospect deters you from reading the rest, I’ll share this month’s green treat with you up front. Wanna be a “green” know-it-all? Visit www.green.alltop.com daily for the single
“Delana’s Dirty Pizza” Wins Charity Cook-Off at New Sammy’s in La Mesa
Printer-friendly versionIf you’re a fan of Sammy’s Wood-fired Pizza, check out "Delana’s Dirty Pizza" featured on the menu through mid-September. The creation concocted by Delana Bennett of Star 94.1 radio’s “Jeff and Jer Showgram” was judged the winner during a charity cook-off held August 13th to kick off the grand opening of Sammy’s newest location in the La Mesa Trolley
The Will Power Report – Solar Roofs
Printer-friendly version Nothing but the Truth! By Will Power The real unemployment rate in the U.S. is over 7%. Many people have stopped looking for jobs. Particularly hard hit is the construction business, due to the mortgage meltdown. The thin-film solar panel business needs a government subsidy and tax breaks for homeowners who install prefab solar panels. The new laser-deposited
Still No County Fire Department Five Years After Cedar Blaze
Printer-friendly version Still No County Fire Department Five Years After Cedar Blaze By E.A. Barrera “Given the existing high-risk conditions that are projected to continue into the future, destructive firestorms will certainly occur again. Yet, even armed with this knowledge and after the Cedar Fire wake-up call, the San Diego region is woefully unprepared.” — San Diego County Grand
Faith, Science and Anti-Catholicism: “THE X-FILES: I WANT TO BELIEVE”
Printer-friendly versionBy E.A. Barrera Courtesy of 20th Century Fox. “It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter.” Proverbs 25:2 King James Bible “THE X-FILES: I WANT TO BELIEVE” is a solid, if not often campy thriller involving the nightmares and paranoia many science-fiction fans crave. The
COMING SOON!
Printer-friendly versionNews, views and resources to improve communities in San Diego’s eastern region* Local and regional news Award-winning team of journalists Wildfire/emergency alerts National news links Best of East County (highlights attractions and activities) Calendar of events (concerts, shows, festivals and more) East County Eater restaurant reviews Lively and informative features Columns and editorials representing diverse voices Voter information People
HELIX WATER DISTRICT CANCELS MAY 27 HEARING, AGREES TO REVAMP RATE HIKE PROPOSAL
Printer-friendly version By Dennis Moore May 24, 2009 (La Mesa) –Following a joint investigation by East County Magazine and Channel 10 news into allegations that Helix Water Board violated open government laws, the Board has voted to cancel a May 27 hearing and revise its rate hike proposal. "We won this round. They’re starting from scratch with a
FIRE DESTROYS TRAILER HOME IN EL CAJON
Printer-friendly versionMay 27, 2009 (El Cajon)– El Cajon Fire crews responded to a trailer home fire at the Horseshoe Trailer Park, located at 150 South Anza, Space 1B early this morning. As crews arrived, they found a 30-foot trailer home fully involved. Firefighters had the fire knocked down in less than 10 minutes. Their quick action kept the fire from
ANDERSON BILL TO PROVIDE TAX RELIEF FOR CEDAR FIRE VICTIMS PASSES ASSEMBLY APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE
Printer-friendly versionMay 26, 2009 (Sacramento)—Assembly Bill 157, a measure authored by Assemblyman Joel Anderson (R-Alpine) to help fire victims and other disaster survivors, passed the Assembly Appropriations Committee on May 18 by a unanimous vote. Under Anderson’s bill, homeowners in the 2003 Cedar Fire, as well as those who lose homes in other disasters after July 1, 2007, will have
BATTLES LOOM AS TO WHEN GAYS WILL SERVE OPENLY IN MILITARY; LOCAL LEADERS AIR THEIR VIEWS
Printer-friendly versionBy E.A. Barrera "The Navy knew that they had a large gay population. During one particular ‘Naval Investigative Services’ witch-hunt in 1976, one of my commanders commented that if they uncovered and removed all the people in the Navy who were gay, the Navy wouldn’t be able to function. But the climate was severe and it was one
CONGRESS FILNER TO HOST WEDNESDAY TOWN HALL AT SDSU ON NEW POST-9/11 GI BILL, EDUCATION BENEFITS FOR VETS
Printer-friendly versionMay 26, 2009 (San Diego)–Tomorrow, Congressman Bob Filner is hosting a Veterans Town Hall at San Diego State University (SDSU) to publicly discuss the impact of the new Post-9/11 GI Bill on our veterans. Congress passed legislation to significantly expand the educational benefits for veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The Department of Veterans Affairs recently began accepting
HEALTH EXPERT & SONGWRITER TO SPEAK AT GROSSMONT COLLEGE GRADUATION JUNE 3
Printer-friendly versionMay 26, 2009 (El Cajon)–Grossmont College has announced that Dr. Dorothy Wiley will be the keynote speaker and Jose Molina Serrano will be featured as student speaker at the commencement ceremony on June 3rd at 5:30 p.m. Wiley is a global expert on public health issues, while Serrano is a musician whose music was played aboard the Space Shuttle
GIO RESTAURANT HONORED AS CALIFORNIA SMALL BUSINESS OF YEAR FOR OUR REGION
Printer-friendly versionHonored at Formal State Recognition Celebration – Selected from among 3.7 million small companies in California Editor's note: Can we pick 'em or what? Gio was one of the very first restaurants we covered when we launched, with a rave review by our "Vines & Steins" connoisseur columnist: http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/?q=0809vinesteins May 26, 2009 (Sacramento) — A crowd of 500 business
BRACING FOR THE PERFECT STORM: FIRST RESPONDERS ANNOUNCE UNPREDECENTED FIRE PROTECTION OUTREACH
Printer-friendly versionFarmers Insurance Funds “Before the Threat” 2009 Door-To-Door Preparedness Campaign Across San Diego County May 25, 2009 (San Diego)–Fire or inferno? It’s not if, but when.San Diego County residents are urged to prepare for what could well be that “perfect fire storm.” A continued drought, thousands of acres of aged unburned brush throughout the County, and Santa Ana winds
CITIZENS GROUP SEEKS TO BLOCK SDG&E PLAN TO CUT ALL TREES WITHIN 25 FEET OF POWER LINES
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery May 24, 2009 (Ramona)—San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) wants to expand its right to trim or remove trees within 18 inches of power lines dramatically – increasing that range to 25 feet on either side of power lines. On Friday, the Mussey Grade Road Alliance, a citizens’ watchdog group, has filed an opening brief with
3 HOMES BURNED, NEW EVACUATIONS ORDERED IN PALA FIRE
Printer-friendly versionUPDATE MAY 25: The Pala fire is now 60% contained and the acreage number has not increased overnight, Cal Fire Captain Nick Schuler reports this morning. May 24, 2009 (Pala) — A fire burning along Highway 76 near Pala has reached 122 acres and burned three homes. New evacuations have been ordered this evening on Palomar Del Norte Road,
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