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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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GAME OF THE WEEK: DONS INVADE HELIX HIGHLANDS IN 41-19 WIN
Printer-friendly versionStory and photo by Christopher Mohr (LA MESA) – Coming from behind to win games can lead to dramatic finishes, such as the wins Helix had in its first two games against Rancho Buena Vista and Mira Mesa. However, when you spot an opponent four touchdowns and that opponent is Cathedral Catholic, comebacks go from being difficult to nearly
SHERIFF CANDIDATES TRADE SHOTS IN HEATED DEBATE
Printer-friendly version Tent city jails, sonic weapons, border crimes, Las Colinas prison expansion, and cuts in deputy staffing among hottest issues By Miriam Raftery Photos by Leon Thompson September 15, 2009 (El Cajon) – Four candidates vying to be the top lawman in San Diego County faced off outside El Cajon’s civic center on Sept. 12, dueling verbally
HELICOPTER CRASH IN VALLEY CENTER INJURES 2
Printer-friendly version By Mick Roberts Photos by Nick Schuler, Cal-Fire Battalion Chief September 20, 2009 (Valley Center) – A helicopter has crashed in southeastern Valley Center at Orozco Ridge on a remote part of the Guijito Ranch. CAL-FIRE and Valley Center Fire Department responded at 2:40 p.m. San Diego County Sheriff’s ASTREA helicopter hoisted two patients from the crash
NEW FIRE IN JAMUL ON HIGHWAY 94
Printer-friendly versionSeptember 20, 2009 (Jamul) 5:45 p.m. — A brush fire that started around 5:30 p.m. today has burned approximately one acre at Highway 94 near Jefferson in Jamul, CAL-FIRE Battalion Chief Nick Schuler has informed East County Magazine. This is the second brush fire in two days for the area. According to a second source, a radio report indicates
RECORD TEMPERATURES PREDICTED FOR MID-WEEK, ELEVATING FIRE DANGER
Printer-friendly version September 19, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a special weather statement for an Diego County mountains, deserts, valleys and coastal areas as well as other portions of Southern California. Heat 10-20 degrees over normal is predicted over the next week, with record highs predicted in some areas. Tuesday and Wednesday are
FIRES NEAR JAMUL , RIVERSIDE SEND SMOKE BlLLOWING OVER SKIES IN EASTERN SD COUNTY
Printer-friendly version HOMES BURN, EVACUATION CENTERS OPEN IN TEMECULA AS FIRE SWELLS TO 348 ACRES Update 9 p.m. Sept. 19 – The fire in southeast Riverside County has expanded to 348 acres, burned 12 structures including at least two homes, and vehicles. Evacuations of 500 homes have been ordered. The Red Cross has opened evacuation centers at the Temecula Community Recreation Center, 30875 Rancho Vista Rd. and at Rancho
WE’VE GONE GREENER!
Printer-friendly versionSeptember 18, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – We’re proud to announce that our server is now powered 100% by wind energy. Since our online publication is already paperless and green, we’re definitely the most eco-friendly news publication in town! Did you know that nearly 10% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. are produced by the paper
HIGH TECH SYSTEM TO SUPERCHARGE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION IN COUNTY
Printer-friendly version September 18, 2009 (San Diego)– During an emergency every second counts, each tick of the clock can reduce survivability; each tick of the clock can allow a small fire to grow into an inferno, each tick can allow a criminal to do more harm. Under the technical restraints of current dispatch systems, getting critical information to First Responders
HATE CRIMES SUMMIT OCT. 1 IN EL CAJON SEEKS TO STEM VIOLENCE IN OUR AREA
Printer-friendly versionMost Local Hate Crimes Are Committed by Youths Under 21 United for a Hate Free San Diego, a coalition of faith and community leaders, presents the 2nd annual Hate Crimes Summit on Thursday Oct. 1 from 6-8 p.m. at the Ronald Reagan Community Center, 195 E. Douglas Ave, in El Cajon. A series of violent, hate-motivated incidents in East County and elsewhere
SDSU GETS RECOVERY ACT FUNDING FOR CARBON CAPTURE RESEARCH
Printer-friendly version September 19, 2009 (San Diego)–Congressman Bob Filner (D-San Diego) announced that a $299,993 Recovery Act grant has been awarded to San Diego State University (SDSU) Research Foundation through the U.S. Department of Energy. Funds will be used for a web-based carbon dioxide (CO2) subsurface modeling project and will create training opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students to develop skills for
SPLC PROVIDES TOOLS TO CURB RECRUITMENT OF TEENS BY RACIST HATE GROUPS; HATE CRIMES ON RISE
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery May 9, 2009 (La Mesa)—“There is an alarming increase in hate crimes in the United States,” James McElroy, chairman of the board for the Southern Law & Poverty Center (SLPC), told members and guests at the La Mesa –Foothills Democratic Club on May 6th. “We try to shine a little light on it. Hate is like
LEMONADE STANDS AIM TO SQUEEZE OUT MULTIPLE SCHLEROSIS MAY 30
Printer-friendly versionLemon Grove resident Kim German, 30, who has multiple sclerosis, is hosting a lemonade stand to raise money for multiple sclerosis from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 30, at the Lemon Grove VFW Hall, 6873 Federal Blvd., in Lemon Grove. The public is invited to drop by Kim’s lemonade stand, which will be one of more
BLOSSOM VALLEY CONSERVATION DAY MAY 30 OFFERS ENERGY& WATER SAVING TIPS
Printer-friendly versionMay 27, 2009 (Blossom Valley) — The Blossom Valley Water Task Force announces it will host an Energy & Water Conservation Day on Saturday, May 30th from 1 to 4 p.m. "If you haven’t heard by now, water deliveries will be cut to local agencies by 8 percent and a level 2 drought alert condition has been declared,"
WEEKLY CAJON CLASSIC CRUISE OPENS MAY 13TH FOR 9TH SEASON
Printer-friendly versionMay 1, 2009 (El Cajon)–Cajon Classic Cruise, the largest weekly classic car show in Southern California, returns to Main Street in Downtown El Cajon on Wednesday, May 13 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm with its 2009 Season Opener. In addition to viewing classic cars, the grand opening includes live music by the little Efert Band, a DJ from 104.2
BAFFLED BY BALLOT INITIATIVES? MAY 19 MEASURES PROVE STUDY IN CONFUSION
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery May 6, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)—The May 19 election includes six statewide ballot initiatives (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, and 1F) that are among the most confusing in recent memory. The stakes are high: stability of California’s budget process and the ability to fund vital services such as education, healthcare and public safety for
ECONOMIC CRISIS INCREASES SUICIDE RATE, COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH REPORTS. KNOW THE WARNING SIGNS
Printer-friendly versionMay 6, 2009 (San Diego)–May is Mental Health Month–and County of San Diego officials decided to kick it off highlighting the connection between the economic crisis and suicide. In San Diego County, the number of suicides increased 17 percent during the last five years, reaching 366 in 2008. The biggest increase took place in 2007 when the number
SOUTHERN POVERY LAW CENTER CHAIR TO SPEAK ON RISE IN HATE CRIMES: LA MESA, MAY 6
Printer-friendly versionApril 26, 2009 (La Mesa)–Jim McElroy, Chairman of the Board, Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), will speak on the rise in hate crimes in America during the May 6th meeting of the La Mesa-Foothills Democratic Club. A recent report from the SPLC shows a 50% rise in the number of hate groups in the United States. According to the
STATE OF EAST COUNTY: CITY LEADERS REVEAL PLANS RANGING FROM DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION TO A WATER SKI PARK IN SANTEE; JACOB TO PROPOSE FIRE DEPLOYMENT STUDY
Printer-friendly versionMay 2, 2009 (El Cajon)—Speaking at an East County Chamber of Commerce breakfast at Grossmont College yesterday, Supervisor Dianne Jacob took a cue from President Barack Obama and offered her own “100 days” post-election report. But she noted one key difference, “I did not take over any banks,” she quipped, then offered her own “to do” list. Mayors of
NEW FLU CASES CONFIRMED AT SDSU & POLINSKY FOSTER CHILDREN CENTER; NO CLOSURES AT THE SCHOOLS, BUT STATE PRISON SYSTEM HALTS VISITS AMID FLU FEARS
Printer-friendly versionMay 4, 2009 (San Diego)—San Diego County now has 24 confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza (the World Health Organization’s new name for swine flu). New cases include a 20-year-old SDSU student and a child at the Polinsky Center for foster children. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control have previously called for closing of schools where the virus is
ECO-FURNISHING LINE LAUNCHED IN SAN DIEGO
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery May 3, 2009 (San Diego)—Now your home can be beautiful—and green! San Diego designer Laura Birns, ASID, LEED AP, has launched LauraBirdsDesignEco-Furnishings. Named among the “Top 10 Green Gurus” by Innovative Home Magazine, the nationally published designer is a Certified Green Build Professional, USGBC,and Sustainable Furnishings Council member. Now she has created home and commercial furnishings
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