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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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JEFF OLSON TO RUN FOR COUNTY TAX ASSESSOR/RECORDER/CLERK
Printer-friendly version July 3, 2009 (San Diego)—Jeff Olson, who currently serves as Chief of Assessment Services for the County, has announced plans to run for the County Tax Assessor/Recorder/Clerk position in June 2010. If elected he pledges, “I will always be an advocate for the taxpayer and will ensure that no taxpayer is paying more in property tax than they
ACLU ASSERTS SHERIFF’S OFFICERS VIOLATED 4TH AMENDMENT PROTECTIONS IN TREATMENT OF BUSBY PARTY HOST, PEPPER SPRAYING OF GUESTS
Printer-friendly version D.A. and Sheriff’s Dept. Open Investigations into Incident By Miriam Raftery July 3, 2009 (San Diego) – The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has issued a statement accusing the San Diego Sheriff’s Department of excessive use of force and violations of civil rights against the hostess and guests at a fundraising party for Francine Busby, Democratic candidate
ANDERSON BLL WOULD ALLOW IOUs TO BE USED AS PAYMENTS FOR OBLIGATIONS TO STATE
Printer-friendly version Lawmaker voted "No" on budget that included tax increases aimed at preventing deep cuts in services and closure of state parks By Miriam Raftery July 2, 2009 (Sacramento) – Assembly Bill 1506 by Assemblyman Joel Anderson (R-El Cajon), would let people and businesses receiving state IOUs use them as payments to the state for DMV fees, payroll
BUDGET CUTS BRING FEARS OF LOCKED HOSPITAL WARDS & HOMELESSNESS FOR DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY
Printer-friendly version July 2, 2009 (San Diego)–Local nonprofit organizations serving people with autism, cerebral palsy and other developmental disabilities will drastically cut back on services, or be forced to close their doors if the state follows through on plans to further cut funding, according to a new survey. The survey of 300 San Diego County providers conducted by the
NEW TECHNOLOGY MAKES WOMEN’S OPERATIONS EASIER: FREE SEMINAR JULY 15 ON GYNECOLOGIC ROBOTIC SURGERY
Printer-friendly version July 2, 2009 (La Mesa) – Sharp Grossmont Hospital will host a free seminar for women facing hysterectomy, surgery for uterine fibroids, fertility or reproductive cancer. A Sharp Grossmont-affiliated physician will discuss advanced, minimally invasive robotic surgery that results in smaller incisions, fewer side effects and a quicker return to activities. Snacks and beverages will be provided.
HEADS UP: CHILD TRAPPED IN LAKESIDE STORM DRAIN IS RESCUED
Printer-friendly version July 2, 2009 (Lakeside) – A child whose head became trapped in a storm drain has been freed following a dramatic rescue. The seven-year-old boy tried to retrieve a toy that had fallen into a storm drain near 10252 Big Cone Court, when his head got stuck. Lakeside Fire crews, with assistance from El Cajon Fire
REWARD UP TO $1,000 FOR SUSPECT WHO SERIOUSLY INJURED MAN IN SPRING VALLEY
Printer-friendly version July 1, 2009 (Lemon Grove) – Yesterday the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department announced that it is joining forces with Crime Stoppers to help identify and apprehend a group of men responsible for assaulting and severely beating Russell Hinton in Spring Valley on June 13th shortly after midnight. Earlier that evening Russell Hinton and a female
GOVERNOR VOWS TO VETO TAX INCREASE PROPOSAL THAT MAY KEEP STATE PARKS OPEN, STAVE OFF CUTS IN STATE SERVICES
Printer-friendly version By Ryan Lescure July 1, 2009 (San Diego)–Faced with the prospect of closing 220 state parks, including two in East County (Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and Cuyamaca Rancho State Park), the California Legislature passed a bundle of tax and fee increases by a simple majority, though a two-thirds majority is required to raise taxes. Governor Arnold
EAST COUNTY ROUND-UP, JULY 1, 2009
Printer-friendly version Top Stories About East County in other publications, including: • FIRE SERVICES PARTNERSHIP EMERGING • LAKESIDE YOUTH IS COUNTY’S 44th WITH WHOOPING COUGH • OFFICIALS’ SUPPORT SCRIPTED BY SDG&E • WIND FARM SET FOR CAMPO RESERVATION • DESCANSO AREA TARGET OF USFS GRANT TO GREATER SAN DIEGO RCD • GOVERNMENT AGENCIES’ OPENNESS ON WEB VARIES • NEW
M*A*S*H BASH! ACTOR/AUTHOR MIKE FARRELL IN LA MESA JULY 1
Printer-friendly versionJune 30, 2009 (La Mesa) – Actor Mike Farrell, who played Dr. B.J. Hunnicutt on the T.V. series M*A*S*H, will present his new book at the La Mesa Community Center on Wednesday, July 1st. "We will have a ‘swamp’ set up for an ice-cream social, and Mike will be available to sign his books; Of Mule and Man
POLICE SEEK MAN WHO APPROACHED GIRL AT LA MESA BIG LOTS STORE
Printer-friendly versionMarch 22, 2009 (La Mesa)–La Mesa Police ask the public’s help in identifying a man who solicited a phone number from a young teen outside the Big Lots store on Lake Murray Boulevard last night. Crime Stoppers is offering a reward. Printer-friendly version
SPRING BREAK! WHERE TO HAVE FUN IF YOU’RE STAYING IN TOWN
Printer-friendly versionMarch 26, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) — With the economy in the tank, many college students are staying in San Diego over spring break. So after you get sunburned at the beach, what’s there to do for the rest of the week? Check out our guide to the coolest spots to have fun in San Diego’s eastern region.
THE RENO REPORT: SDSU BASKETBALL RE-ENTERS THE ARENA
Printer-friendly versionViejas invests in a gem By Jamie Reno Exclusive for East County Magazine March 23, 2009 (San Diego)–As a wide-eyed young journalism student making my way across the San Diego State University campus for the first time in the Fall of 1984, I was energized by the thought that I was about to attend a top-notch J school and
ATTORNEY TRACY EMBLEM ENTERS 50TH CONGRESSIONAL RACE: DEMOCRAT PLEDGES TO REBUILD THE ECONOMY; JOBS, HOUSING AND HEALTHCARE ARE TOP PRIORITIES
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery March 23, 2009 (San Diego)–Honored as outstanding advocate by Consumer Attorneys of San Diego, Tracy Emblem now wants to fight for the rights of people in the 50th Congressional District who need help with healthcare, housing, and jobs. "Brian Bilbray has not been an effective leader. He hasn’t brought back any jobs to our community," Emblem
BILBRAY COAUTHORS BILL TO EXEMPT SOLAR FARMS FROM ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW; FEINSTEIN SEEKS TO BLOCK DESERT SOLAR FARM DUE TO SEVERE ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery March 23, 2009 (San Diego)–Congressman Brian Bilbray (R-San Diego) has coauthored H.R. 964, a measure that would exempt any solar energy project on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands from Environmental Impact Report requirements. Sempra Energy, Bilbray’s third largest campaign contributor, seeks to import power from desert solar farms on BLM lands. On Friday, California’s
VIEJAS HOSTS INTER-TRIBAL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Printer-friendly version 1st place Barona team March 17, 2009 (San Diego) — The Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians hosted the Inter-Tribal Sports (ITS) Basketball Championships on the Viejas Reservation on Sunday, March 15. The sports league, consisting of teams from 16 different tribes or tribal organizations in the Southern California area, provides athletic opportunities along with native cultural and spiritual
POWERLINK BATTLE MOVES TO FEDERAL FRONT AMID GROWING CONTROVERSIES OVER SDG&E
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery March 19, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–The next phase in the battle over Sunrise Powerlink, which was approved in December by the California Public Utilities Commission, now moves to the federal level. In the past week, several key developments have occurred under the Obama administration that could impact whether or not Sempra’s Powerlink Project will win
SDSU WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM ADVANCES TO NCAA POST-SEASON FOR 1ST TIME IN 12 YEARS
Printer-friendly versionMarch 19, 2009 (San Diego)–San Diego State University’s women’s basketball team, the Aztecs, will play in the NCAA Basketball Championships for the first time since 1997 and the seventh time in the team’s history. The team will face off against DePaul University’s Blue Demons at 5 p.m. at Cox Arena on Saturday. "To be able to play at
ANDERSON BILL TO BLUR GOOGLE EARTH IMAGES SPARKS NATIONAL CONTROVERSY
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery March 18, 2009 (San Diego)–Assemblyman Joel Anderson (R-Alpine) has introduced AB 255, a bill that seeks to prevent terrorist acts by blurring online images of schools, government buildings, churches and medical facilities through Google Earth and other online aerial mapping technologies. The measure has drawn the attention of CNN News and sparked a debate among high-tech
FILNER BLOCKS OBAMA PLAN TO CHARGE INSURERS FOR TREATMENT OF WOUNDED VETS
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery March 18, 2009 (Washington D.C.)–East County Magazine contacted Congressman Bob Filner’s office after receiving an e-mail from the American Legion which stated that President Obama intended to require private insurance carriers to reimburse the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for treatment of military veterans who suffered service-related injuries or disabilities. Filner (D-San Diego), is Chairman of
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