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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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County approves new traffic signals, road improvements and filtration project
Printer-friendly versionBy Donna Durckel, County of San Diego Communications Office Photo: rendering of final road improvements February 12, 2026 (San Diego) – The Board of Supervisors approved three major infrastructure projects to improve safety, mobility and sustainability in unincorporated communities: new traffic signals in Lakeside and Fallbrook, road upgrades in Valley Center and a stormwater filtration project in Fallbrook. New Traffic Signals
Alcohol a factor in head-on crash in Crest that killed Ramona woman, 72
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Photo via San Diego Fire Protection District February 12, 2026 (Crest) – A Ramona woman, 72, has died of injuries sustained in a head-on crash that occurred February 11 in the Crest area of unincorporated El Cajon. An El Cajon woman, 30, driving a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado eastbound on La Cresta Road east of Coyote
Supervisors OK updating ordinance for amplified music at boutique wineries
Printer-friendly versionGrapes at Sierra Roble Winery in Warner Springs Photo and story by Karen Pearlman Feb. 11, 2026 (San Diego County) — The silence will at last be broken at some of East County’s smallest vineyards. The San Diego County Board of Supervisors on Wednesday voted unanimously to amend the County Zoning Ordinance, allowing amplified live music at boutique wineries. The decision
Court finds San Diego rodeo practices ‘cruel,’ ‘illegal’
Bucking bronco horse at Calgary Stampede; Creative Commons image by SA 3.0 via Wikipedia By Karen Pearlman Feb. 11, 2026 (San Diego) — In a…
Every 15 Minutes comes to Helix Charter High School on February 11th
Source: California Highway Patrol February 11, 2026 (La Mesa) – On February 11, 2026, the California Highway Patrol, in conjunction with Helix Charter High School…
San Diego FC preparing for 2nd MLS season while still hot in Concacaf play
Photo courtesy SDFC By Karen Pearlman Feb. 11, 2026 (San Diego) — Fresh off a victory in Mexico City, San Diego FC is shifting its…
California opens $2.5M in grants to reimagining State Parks through art and culture
East County News Service Feb. 10, 2026 (Sacramento) – Looking to literally bridge the gap between nature and the diverse communities of the state, California…
Court finds San Diego rodeo practices ‘cruel,’ ‘illegal’
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GUHSD Superintendent backs DA’s appeal against potential release of 2001 Santana shooter
Printer-friendly version East County News Service February 10, 2026 (Santee) — Grossmont Union High School District Superintendent Dr. Kirsten Vital Brulte has sent a letter to District Attorney Summer Stephan expressing full support for her appeal of the San Diego Superior Court’s decision to grant a recall and resentencing hearing for Charles “Andy” Williams, the perpetrator of the 2001 Santana
Next phase of Casa de Oro plan to be discussed at Feb. 26 workshop
East County News Service Feb. 10, 2026 (Casa de Oro) – The vision for a safer, more walkable Casa de Oro is moving from the…
FEDS AWARD $190,000 FOR NURSING PROGRAM AT GROSSMONT
Printer-friendly versionFunds will go toward purchase of high-tech medical mannequins March 24, 2009 (El Cajon) – Included in the federal appropriations bill signed by President Barack Obama is a slice totaling $190,000 for Grossmont College’s nursing program to help equip the high-tech simulation labs central to the new health/physical sciences complex currently under construction. Grossmont’s share of the much-anticipated spending
GROSSMONT COLLEGE AND GCCCD RECEIVE STATEWIDE AWARD FOR PROGRAMS TO BOOST STUDENT SUCCESS
Printer-friendly versionMarch 26, 2009 (El Cajon) – – A nonprofit group with a goal to increase college attendance in California has honored two local educational programs as among the best in the state. Grossmont College’s Project Success Learning Communities and the district’s Cal-PASS Freshman Composition Alignment Project are among 15 “working solutions” chosen by the statewide Campaign for College Opportunity
FDA ALERTS CONSUMERS TO RECALL OF PISTACHIOS: SALMONELLA FOUND IN CA NUTS
Printer-friendly versionMarch 30, 2009 (Washington D.C.)–The FDA and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) are investigating Salmonella contamination in pistachio products sold by Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella Inc, Calif. The company has stopped all distribution of processed pistachios and will issue a voluntary recall involving approximately 1 million pounds of its products. Because the pistachios were used as
WORKING IN THE GARDEN THIS SPRING? WATCH OUT FOR BURIED GAS LINES, THE GAS COMPANY WARNS
Printer-friendly versionMarch 30, 2009 (San Diego) – Southern California Gas Co. (The Gas Company), a subsidiary of Sempra Energy in San Diego, is encouraging customers to “call 811 before they dig” to avoid damaging buried natural gas lines when pursuing projects in their yard, such as putting up a new wall or fence, planting or re-working landscaping, putting in a
LOCAL GROUPS FILE APPEAL, ASK BLM TO REVERSE POWERLINK APPROVAL
Printer-friendly versionMarch 24, 2009 (Boulevard) — An appeal to the U.S. Department of the Interior over its Bureau of Land Management (BLM) approval of San Diego Gas & Electric’s Sunrise Powerlink transmission project was filed Monday by three local organizations in San Diego County. The appeal notice to the Interior Board of Land Appeals is the first step to a
ALL SMILES: LAUREN SMYLE AMONG 16 FINALISTS FOR NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP: READERS VOTES CAN HELP HER WIN
Printer-friendly version March 28, 2009 (East County)–Thanks in part to East County Magazine readers, West Hills High School Student Lauren Smyle has made it into the "Sweet 16" finals as one of 16 finalists trying to win a $20,000 national scholarship sponsored by Zinch.com. The competition began with 1,700 students nationwide. Now after several weeks of online voting, Smyle's family
SPRING VALLEY BOY, 8, SHOT IN HIS BED BY INTRUDER
Printer-friendly versionMarch 27, 2009 (Spring Valley)–An eight-year-old boy was shot in the foot while sleeping in his bed at 4:34 this morning. Suspects knocked on the door at Villas at Casa De Oro Apartments (3860 Helix Street, Spring Valley)., then began firing into the apartment using a rifle and a handgun, according to the San Diego Sheriff’s Department. The boy
TOWN HALL MEETING ON SUNRISE POWERLINK SET FOR APRIL 6 IN ALPINE
Printer-friendly versionMarch 28, 2009 (Alpine, CA) –The East County Community Action Coalition (ECCAC) has scheduled a Town Hall meeting on Monday, April 6, 2009, from 6-8pm at the Alpine Community Center. The meeting will be a chance for East County residents to get more information about the Sunrise Powerlink’s Southern Route. The route affects communities and towns such as Alpine,
HOW DO YOUR CONGRESSIONAL MEMBERS RATE ON MIDDLE CLASS ISSUES? GRADES FOR LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES VARY FROM ZERO TO 100%
Printer-friendly versionApril 1, 2009 (WASHINGTON, DC)–San Diego Congressional members Bob Filner and Susan Davis have received an “A” from the Drum Major Institute for Public Policy. The organization’s Congressional Scorecard evaluates each Member of Congress based on their support for policies that help our nation’s middle class. Democrats Filner and Davis voted in support of middle class issues 100% of
SPRING GARDEN FESTIVAL APRIL 25: CONSERVATION IN BLOOM
Printer-friendly versionMarch 26, 2009 (El Cajon) – If you haven’t yet experienced the Spring Garden Festival, be sure to mark your calendars for April 25th. The annual event drew more than 7,000 people last year and is quickly becoming one of East County’s premier attractions. Live music, Native American dancing, arts and crafts, food, plant sales, water-wise gardening, tree-care advice
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