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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…
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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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State sues city of El Cajon over sharing of data from license plate readers
Printer-friendly versionBy Jennifer Vigil, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association Photo: a San Diego intersection where there are two automated license plate reader cameras on the streetlights. (File photo by Gabrielle Wallace/Times of San Diego) October 4, 2025 (El Cajon) – California is suing El Cajon over the city’s lack of compliance with
Supervisor Joel Anderson and Sheriff Kelly Martinez to host Wildfire Safety Town Hall in Ramona on Monday, Oct. 6
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Photo, L-R: CalFire Chief Tony Mecham, Sheriff Kelly Martinez, & Supervisor Joel Anderson October 3, 2025 (Ramona) – San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson and Sheriff Kelly Martinez are hosting a wildfire safety town hall during Fire Prevention Week in Ramona on Monday, October 6 at 5:30 p.m. in the Ramona Library (1275 Main St., Ramona).
Padres’ World Series dream ends in Chicago
Printer-friendly versionThe Chicago Cubs celebrate after beating the Padres 3-1 to clinch a spot in the NLDS. Photo courtesy Official Wrigley Field Instagram East County News Service Oct. 3, 2025 (Chicago) — The San Diego Padres’ 2025 season, a 90-win campaign filled with promise and frustration, came to an abrupt halt on Thursday at Wrigley Field. The Padres lost 3-1
ECM World Watch: National and global news
Printer-friendly versionOctober 3, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include: U.S. Immigration and detention Hundreds of Alligator Alcatraz detainees drop off the grid after leaving site (Miami
Trump threatens to fire workers amid shutdown; Newsom says shutdown has halted critical wildfire programs in peak fire season
Printer-friendly versionHealthcare premiums will double for millions of Americans if Republicans don’t renew subsidies By Alexander J. Schorr Photo: Cedar Fire in October, 2003 burned over 276,000 acres, destroyed 2,232 homes and killed 15 people. October is peak wildfire season in our region, yet the shutdown threatens wildfire preparedness and disaster relief. October 2, 2025— The US federal government has
Chief’s Corner: Charge into Safety National Fire Prevention Week Oct 6th
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East County Roundup: Local and statewide news
Printer-friendly versionOctober 3, 2025, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s round-up stories include: LOCAL ICE arrests rise at a higher rate in San Diego than across the U.S., data shows (NBC San Diego) Out with the old and
Health and Science Highlights
Printer-friendly versionOctober 2, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future. HEALTH What the shutdown means for Medicare, Medicaid and other health programs (NBC) American Health Insurance Providers issues statement on vaccines (AHIP) How Trump Boosted Bizarre ‘Medbed’ Conspiracy Theory With Deleted Post (Forbes) Scientists create
Pack the Pantry virtual food drive launches to help local college students facing food insecurity
Printer-friendly versionSource: Cal Coast Credit Union October 2, 2025 (San Diego) – Imagine being a college student, striving for a better future, yet unsure where your next meal will come from. Research shows this is the heartbreaking reality for nearly half of our local college students who face food insecurity every day. Without reliable access to food, many are forced
Harmony Grove Village South development approved by Board of Supervisors despite controversy
Printer-friendly version By Paul Levikow Photo, left: Brenda Wright October 2, 2025 (San Diego) — The San Diego County Board of Supervisors Wednesday unanimously approved a housing development in the North County community of Harmony Grove, despite objections by several residents who expressed concerns about the lack of a second evacuation route during wildfires. The Harmony Grove Village South development
BOXER INTRODUCES RESOLUTION CONDEMNING AFGHAN MARITAL RAPE LAW: URGES AFGHAN LEADERS TO RESPECT WOMEN’S RIGHTS
Printer-friendly versionApril 27, 2009 (Washington, D.C.) Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME), along with Representatives Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Judy Biggert (R-IL) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) have introduced a concurrent resolution in the Senate and House of Representatives calling on Afghanistan’s leaders to repudiate a new Afghan law that legalizes marital rape and imposes other Taliban-era restrictions on Shiite
MARKETING MATTERS: TIPS AND TRICKS FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS AND GROWTH
Printer-friendly versionTHE INTERNAL CUSTOMER–MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOU MAY THINK> By Rama Beerfas May 1, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) –In our previous installment, we looked at customer service as your #1 marketing tool. (If you missed it, check it out at http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/?q=taxonomy/term/310.) This month, we focus on what exactly an internal customer is–nd why internal customers are just as important
WELCOME RECEPTION MAY 5 FOR NEW GCCD CHANCELLOR: DEALING WITH BUDGET CRISIS A TOP PRIORITY
Printer-friendly versionApril 26, 2009 (El Cajon)–– Talk about a baptism by fire. Dr. Cindy L. Miles has started a new job as chancellor of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District at a time of fiscal uncertainty amid what some economists still expect to be the deepest recession in the modern era. Limited funding by the state at a time of escalating
FLOOD OF RATEPAYER PROTESTS PROMPTS HELIX WATER TO HOLD EMERGENCY MEETING MONDAY, APRIL 27 AT 2 PM; CRITICS CONTEND DISTRICT PLAN IS UNFAIR TO BIG FAMILIES & LARGE LOT OWNERS
Printer-friendly version Update April 28: Despite strong public protest, Helix Water District approved eliminating agricultural meters for 900 customers and accepted other staff recommendations. Watch for details soon. By Miriam Raftery April 26, 2009 (La Mesa)—Deluged by hundreds of calls from residents irate about steep rate increases for heavy water use, and by many seeking irrigation meters to qualify
U.S. DECLARES SWINE FLU EMERGENCY; BORDER CROSSERS, AIR TRAVELERS TO BE SCREENED FOR ILLNESS
Printer-friendly versionApril 26, 2009 (Washington D.C.)—The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared a public emergency today in the United States due to the outbreak of a new strain of swine flu in five states (California, Ohio, New York, Kansas and Texas). “We have implemented passive surveillance protocols to screen individuals who may arrive at our borders,” Homeland Security
CASINO NIGHT A WIN FOR LA MESA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Jeff Hallman (right) of Hallman Jewlers portrayed James Bond; Mary England (center) filled the bill as a Bond Girl for the La Meas Chamber’s Casino Night; George Juchum (left) is owner of Rockscapes, Inc. April 14, 2009 (San Diego)—More than 175 guests filled the Golden Ballroom at the Town & Country Hotel for the La
SUPERVISOR JACOB & AREA MAYORS TO SPEAK MAY 1 AT GROSSMONT COLLEGE
Printer-friendly versionApril 26, 2009 (El Cajon)–County Supervisor Dianne Jacob is scheduled to be joined by several mayors of East County cities as featured speakers at the East County Chamber of Commerce’s “First Friday Breakfast” starting at 7:15 a.m., Friday, May 1, at Grossmont College’s Student Center on the eastern side of the campus. Also speaking at the breakfast will be
SWINE FLU STRAIN IN SAN DIEGO MATCHES DEADLY VIRUS IN MEXICO; ANTI-VIRAL MEDICINES COMBAT DISEASE IF TREATED EARLY
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery ECM intern Marissa Kerizan also contributed to this story. April 25, 2009 (San Diego)—The Center for Disease Control has found that swine flu virus strains in San Diego match samples of a virus that has killed 81 people and sickened over 1,300 in Mexico. In Mexico City, where the majority of cases occurred, all
HOLLINGSWORTH OPPOSES BILLS TO RESTRICT SALE OF TOBACCO NEAR SCHOOLS & ADD RENEWAL FEE FOR TOBACCO LICENSES; SENATOR TOOK HEFTY CONTRIBUTIONS FROM TOBACCO INDUSTRY
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery April 24, 2009 (Sacramento) California State Senate Leader Dennis Hollingsworth (R-Murietta), whose district includes San Diego’s East County, has issued a statement opposing three bills aimed at restricting sale of tobacco to minors. The three measures, SB 601, 602 and 603, passed the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee on a party-line vote. Holilngsworth took $39,500 in
SMALL BRUSH FIRE CONTAINED IN SAN MARCOS
Printer-friendly version (Capt. Nick Schuler, Cal-Fire) April 19, 2009 (San Marcos)—A small brush fire was contained shortly after it broke out around 1 p.m. near the 3000 block of North Twin Oaks Valley Road, CAL FIRE reports. “Due to the quick response of firefighters, no structures were damaged of destroyed,” said CAL-FIRE Captain Nick Schuler. “The fire was burning in
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