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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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FIRE NEAR SYCUAN NOW 65 ACRES, VOLUNTARY EVACUATIONS
Printer-friendly versionMay 22, 2009 6 p.m. updated (San Diego’s East County) — A fire burning at Willow Glen Drive and Singing Canyon near Sycuan is now more than 65 acres and 20% contained. Voluntary evacuations have been made along Vista Sierra Drive but no structures have been damaged. Leonard Villareal, spokesman for the San Miguel Fire Department, confirms that the
EAST COUNTY ROUND-UP — MID-MAY
Printer-friendly version East County Roundup highlights the best stories about East County issues found in other publications. MENTALLY ILL DETAINEES’ TREATMENT AT HOSPITALS WORRIES ADVOCATES San Diego Union-Tribune (May 18, 2009)–Federal immigration officials send mentally ill detainees to a private psychiatric hospital in La Mesa, where they are shackled to beds 24 hours a day, prohibited from watching television or
FREE LOCAL BUSINESS DIRECTORY FROM BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU
Printer-friendly versionThe San Diego Better Business Bureau (BBB) has announced that distribution has begun at about local 500 retail outlets of its 2009 Summer edition of the BBB Yellow Pages, a free, 216-page, yellow-page-type directory that includes contact information on 6,000 BBB accredited businesses, as well as consumer protection tips articles and information on how to avoid scams and make
ART SHOW AT WILLIAM HERRICK COMMUNITY HEALTH LIBRARY FEATURES DISABLED ARTISTS’ WORKS
Printer-friendly versionThe Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library in La Mesa, a public library specializing in health research information, has announced it is hosting a display of 20 charcoal drawings drawn by persons who have developmental disabilities from Sophie’s Art Gallery, an art program provided by St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center, a non-profit based in El Cajon. The
HELIX WATER DISTRICT RESIDENTS EXPRESS IRE OVER PROPOSED RATE INEQUITIES, ALLEGE DECEPTIVE NOTICES AT GROSSMONT-MT. HELIX ASSOCIATION (GMIA) PUBLIC FORUM
Printer-friendly version by Gayle Early May 20, 2009 (Mt. Helix)—Residents poured into Fuerte Elementary School’s auditorium Thursday evening, May 15th to get a status update on Helix Water District’s (HWD) rate-increase proposals and express outrage over what they contend is an unfair tier-pricing system. GMIA, representing the large unincorporated area of East County around La Mesa, offered eight recommendations to
WATER BOARD STIRS FLOOD OF CONTROVERSY: ALLEGED VIOLATIONS, SECRECY FUEL THREATS OF LEGAL ACTION; SPECIAL MEETING SET MAY 22 TO ADDRESS LEGAL CHALLENGES
Printer-friendly version A special joint investigative report by East County Magazine and Channel 10 News 10news.com story By Miriam Raftery May 19, 2009 (La Mesa)—A water board controversy has sparked public outcry in East County. No, we’re not talking about a torture tactic—though many ratepayers fear pain from steep rate hikes in the Helix Water District. The local “water
EXCERPTS FROM LETTERS SENT TO HELIX WATER DISTRICT IN OPPOSITION TO THE RATE HIKES
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery May 19, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–Helix Water Board’s management withheld 68 letters sent by ratepayer from at least one Board member until after a vote was taken on rate hikes at the April 27 meeting. Below are excerpts from those letters. All opposed the rate hikes; many accused the board of unfairly targeting homeowners over businesses,
$20 MILLION IN ENERGY-EFFICIENCY INCENTIVES FOR BUSINESSES OFFERED
Printer-friendly versionMay 19, 2009 (San Diego) – Southern California Gas Co. (The Gas Company) announced today that more than $20 million in rebates and incentives are available this year to business customers for qualifying energy-efficiency projects—the largest pool of incentive money in the utility’s history. The Gas Company shared the news with more than 300 business representatives gathered for its
“LOST BOYS OF SUDAN ” SHARE HARROWING STORIES OR SURVIVAL FRIDAY AT CUYAMACA COLLEGE
Printer-friendly versionMay 20, 2009 (El Cajon)–Students from the Sudanese Cultural Club at Cuyamaca College will share their own harrowing stories from their war-torn homeland, including riveting tales demonstrating the triumph of the human spirit in Darfur, a land ravaged by genocide. The program, titled "An Afternoon with the Lost Boys of Sudan: Stories of Hope and Survival", will be held
FIRE DAMAGES BANK AMERICA IN EL CAJON
Printer-friendly versionMay 19, 2009 (El Cajon)–At 7:33 p.m. tonight El Cajon Firefighters responded to reports of a fire in the kitchen area of the Bank of America branch, located at 512 Fletcher Parkway. Upon arrival fire crews found smoke coming from the rear of the building where they made entry. Quick action by firefighters had the fire knocked down in
GREEN BULIDING QUESTIONS ANSWERED AT ECO BUILD SAN DIEGO
Printer-friendly versionBy Rachel Hutman (California Center for Sustainable Energy) April 9, 2009 (San Diego) – The Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE) hosted the EcoBuild San Diego on Saturday, April 4. Over 350 people attended the free expo to get straight answers about green building. Lauri Walker, Program Manager of the event, observed, “People will visit exhibitors and get a better
GET THE JUMP ON GOING GREEN: FEDERAL INCENTIVES FOR RENEWABLES AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Printer-friendly versionApril 10, 2009 (Washington D.C.) – Looking for your own version of a bail-out? How about a federal incentive to make your home, business or community more energy efficient and/or powered by renewable energy such as wind, solar or biomass? Here are some handy links to tax credits and grants available for homeowners, businesses and local governments to apply
CAREER DAY AT GROSSMONT COLLEGE TEAMS UP KIDS AND LOCAL BUSINESSES
Printer-friendly versionStory by Miriam Raftery, Photos by Andy Phemister SPAWAR Engineer meets with students April 8, 2009 (El Cajon) – Over 1,500 eighth grade students from Cajon Valley Union School District learned about careers first-hand from dozens of local companies during Career Day at Grossmont College last week. Sponsored by the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce, the event
TRADITION AND CONCEPT BRIDGED: ART EXHIBITION APRIL 13-30; ARTISTS RECEPTION APRIL 14 AT HYDE ART GALLERY
Printer-friendly versionApril 13, 2009 (El Cajon)–The Grossmont College Art Council presents “Traditon and Concept Bridged”, a ceramic exhibition by two very accomplished artists, Joanne Hayakawa and Kouta Shimazaki. “To term this exhibition a ceramics exhibition is to pare this collection of artwork down to it’s most minimal definition,” the gallery’s announcement states. “Even to use the title “Tradition and Concept
SDG&E PARTNERS WITH NISSAN TO GET SAN DIEGO ‘PLUG-IN’ READY
Printer-friendly versionNew, Zero-Emission Electric Vehicles to Reach San Diego Next Year April 1, 2009 (San Diego) – San Diego County will become one of the nation’s first “plug-in” ready green regions and start the transformation into a clean transportation community with San Diego Gas & Electric’s landmark partnership announced today with Nissan Motor Co. and the Renault-Nissan Alliance. As President
RENT YOUR HOME? DRIVE A CAR? OWN A CREDIT CARD? RENTER’S INSURANCE CAN COVER THEFT LOSSES ON MORE THAN JUST YOUR APARTMENT
Printer-friendly versionBy Dennis Volz Editor’s note: My daughter found out the hard way why having renter’s insurance would have been a good idea. When thieves stole her car, car insurance only covered damage to the vehicle—not replacing the IPOD, leather jacket, text books and other items that were taken,too. So we’ve asked insurance agent Dennis Volz to provide some tips
DO YOU OWN THESE DANGEROUS PRODUCTS? RECALLS ON LOG-SPLITTERS,HOME HEATING VENT PIPES, AND TOY BOXES ANNOUNCED
Printer-friendly versionApril 1, 2009 (Washington D.C.) – The Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced recalls on the following items: 1. Brave Products Reannounces Recall of Log Splitters; Additional Incidents Prompt Urgent Warning of Amputation Hazard 2. May 1, 2009 Deadline Approaching for Remedy Change in Recall Program; Consumers Urged to Replace Dangerous Home Heating Vent Pipes 3. Lakeshore Learning Materials
EAST COUNTY ROUND-UP — MARCH PART TWO
Printer-friendly version East County Roundup highlights the best stories about East County issues found in other publications. JAMUL’S PLAN TO BUILD CASINO MAY NOT STAND TEST OF HISTORY San Diego Union-Tribune (March 30, 2009)— OVERVIEW Background: The Jamul Indian Village partnered with Lakes Entertainment to build a casino in East County that faced significant local opposition. What’s changing: A U.S.
FREE FOOD! SPRING VALLEY LIBRARY TO HOST VEGETARIAN DAY
Printer-friendly versionApril 1, 2009 (Spring Valley)–The Spring Valley Library, 836 Kempton Street, will host “Vegetarian Day @ Your Library” on Saturday, April 25 from 12 noon to 3 p.m. This one-day free event will offer a wide variety of presentations on the ethical, environmental, health and humanitarian benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle. The public is invited to sample a variety
CA DEMOCRATIC PARTY TO CONSIDER RESOLUTION TO PROMOTE ON-SITE RENEWABLE POWER GENERATION AS ALTERNATIVE TO NEW TRANSMISSION LINES, MASSIVE WIND OR SOLAR FARMS
Printer-friendly versionMarch 20, 2009 (El Cajon)—The East County Democratic Club has adopted a resolution calling for local, on-site generation of solar and wind power as alternatives to massive wind and solar farms, which would require new transmission lines including Sunrise Powerlink. Advocates hope to persuade the State Party’s Resolutions Committee to allow the measure to be considered by delegates at
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