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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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Upgrades to Ramona air attack base planned for new Cal Fire tanker
Printer-friendly versionBy Paul Levikow Creative Commons image of C-130H air tanker July 24, 2025 (Ramona) – Enhanced wildfire response capabilities are coming to Southern California, after CAL FIRE announced a significant construction project at the Ramona Air Attack Base that will prepare for a new tanker to be based there. Construction is tentatively set to begin Aug. 1 and take
Passages: Keith and Priscilla Webb, owners of Julian Hard Cider
Printer-friendly version East County News Service July 24, 2025 (Julian) – Keith and Priscilla Webb, best known locally as owners of Julian Hard Cider, the nation’s first craft cider company in Julian, passed away two days apart earlier this month. They also owned Apple Lane Orchard, a popular wedding and vacation rental destination in the mountain community in San Diego’s
Supervisors to weigh in on Cottonwood sand mine in September
Printer-friendly version By Karen Pearlman July 23, 2025 (Rancho San Diego) — The final public hearing on the fate of the Cottonwood Golf Course and whether it will be turned into a sand mine is going to be held later this summer. The San Diego County Board of Supervisors will hear from residents as well as the developers
Pedestrian death in Ramona
Printer-friendly version East County News Service July 23, 2025 (Ramona) – A 40-year-old Ramona man is dead after being struck by a vehicle shortly before midnight on July 18. The victim was standing in the roadway on northbound State Route 67 north of Archie Moore Road in Ramona, an area with low lighting, when a Dodge Challenger driven by an
Three-vehicle crash on Dehesa Road kills El Cajon woman
Printer-friendly version Update July 27, 2025: The victim has been identified as Marie Anderson, 60, of El Cajon. East County News Service July 23, 2025 (San Diego) – An El Cajon woman, 60, is dead and three others injured as a result of a three-vehicle crash that occurred July 19 on Dehesa Road, east of Sloan Canyon Road in unincorporated
Fanita Ranch challenged again in new lawsuit
Printer-friendly version By Mike Allen July 23, 2025 (Santee) — As expected, a coalition of environmental groups including Preserve Wild Santee have filed a new legal challenge against Santee’s biggest residential project, Fanita Ranch, which the City Council most recently approved in June. It was the third time in five years that the Santee City Council gave its approval to
Santee takes high road, approves four cannabis shops
Printer-friendly versionBy Mike Allen Image,left: Rendering of Buzz’s planned cannabis store interior July 23, 2025 (Santee) — Santee has concluded what Mayor John Minto called “an exhaustive process” to award four business permits for the sale of cannabis and related products to four groups, all of which have experience in retailing the highly regulated lines of liquor and gasoline. The
Trump sends supplies to European allies, while Putin intends to keep fighting Ukraine
Printer-friendly versionPresident Donald Trump, who has praised Vladimir Putin in the past, has recently started publicly criticizing him. By G. A. McNeeley July 22, 2025 (Washington D.C.) — President Donald Trump has recently criticized Vladimir Putin, according to CNN. He has also announced that he will increase weapons supplies for European allies, so that those countries can send
Crest Fire Station 18 construction is on time and on budget, according to San Miguel Fire & Rescue officials
Printer-friendly version By Paul Levikow Image, left: rendering of future Fire State 18 July 17, 2025 (Crest) – San Miguel Fire & Rescue Deputy Chief Tobin Riley appeared before the Crest Community Association Thursday to provide an update on construction of Fire Station 18 on the corner of Suncrest Boulevard and North Lane. The update was provided after Facebook posts
Multi-vehicle crash kills five, led to brush fire that closed State Route 67 both directions
Printer-friendly version East County Wildfire and Emergency Alerts Update: The Medical Examiner’s office has identified four of the victims: Emmanuel Rivera Abarca, 32, driver of one of two pickup trucks that collided, Marcial Rivera Solorio, 59, a passenger, and Roberto Martinez Oros, 68, of Ramona, driver of a sedan that collided with the pickup trucks. July 18, 2025 (Poway) —
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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