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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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VIEJAS ENTERPRISES RECEIVES BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD
Printer-friendly versionMarch 3, 2009 (San Diego)–At an inaugural celebration, Viejas Enterprises was awarded the East County Regional Business of the Year by the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce. The first "Bet on the Chamber" celebration, held at Viejas’ DreamCatcher Lounge, recognized over 20 outstanding East County businesses.The Chamber annually recognizes businesses throughout East County that have made a
CONGRESS ENACTS NEW FIRST-TIME HOME BUYER TAX CREDIT
Printer-friendly versionMarch 1, 2009 (Washington D.C.)–A tax credit of up to $8,000 is now available for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009. Unlike the tax credit enacted in 2008, the new credit does not have to be repaid. Learn how you can take advantage of this $8,000
NO SPAIN, NO BULL–ITS THE “RUNNING OF THE GOATS” IN CREST SATURDAY, MARCH 7
Printer-friendly versionMarch 3, 2009 (Crest)–It may be un-"herd" of, but it is happening in Crest and it’s not a baaad idea. The first ever "Running of the Goats" will take place on March 7, 2009 at the South Lane Park in Crest. This "running" will not reflect the danger as experienced in the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain,
RESIDENTS STAGE PROTEST IN LAKESIDE OVER POWERLINK; SUPERIVSOR JACOB LEADS FIGHT TO HALT SEMPRA/SDG&E PROJECT
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery "This line is really about bringing fossil fuels up from the plant owned by SDG&E in Mexico," said Dianne Jacob, chair of the County Board of Supervisors. "We do not need this line to meet San Diego County’s energy needs now or in the future…Follow the money to see who supports Sunrise Powerlink." February 28, 2009
BANK ROBBER CAUGHT ON TAPE: UP TO $1,000 REWARD OFFERED FOR FALLBROOK, ESCONDIDO SUSPECT
Printer-friendly versionMarch 3, 2009 (San Diego)–San Diego County Crime Stoppers is joining forces with San Diego County Sheriff’s Department Fallbrook detectives to help identify and apprehend the suspect responsible for robbing the Washington Mutual Bank in Fallbrook. This same suspect may also be responsible for another bank robbery that occurred on January 30, 2009 at about 5:46 p.m. at
BURNED UP: LAKESIDE PLANNERS, FIRE OFFICIALS AND RESIDENTS VENT ANGER OVER STATE’S APPROVAL OF POWERLINK WITH NO NOTICE TO THEIR COMMUNITY
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Before and After images of El Monte Valley February 18, 2009 (Lakeside) — Lakeside planners, fire officials and residents expressed shock and outrage that the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved construction of Sunrise Powerlink through the El Monte Valley, a designated scenic area, without ever notifying officials or the public in Lakeside. Sempra Energy/SDG&E added
WILDFIRE AT SAN DIEGO/TEMECULA COUNTY LINE NOW 50% CONTAINED
Printer-friendly versionUPDATE MARCH 3, 7 a.m.: Fire officials have reduced the acreage estimate to 77. The fire is now 80% contained with full containment expected by 6 p.m. this evening. March 2, 2009 (Temecula)–A fire urning in the Deluz area of Temecula north of Fallbrook in Riverside County, just one mile from the San Diego County line, has engulfed 100
LEARN TO GO GREEN AT CUYAMACA COLLEGE ON MARCH 7
Printer-friendly versionBy Pari Sanati Before & After March 1, 2009 (San Diego)— For many of us, recycling and watching energy and water consumption are now regular practices, far from the days when all these were new and perhaps daunting concepts. As the world makes the inevitable "greening" shift, environmentally conscious home and business owners are looking for new and interesting
PHOTOGRAPHERS FOCUS ON BORDER WALL’S IMPACT ON WILDLIFE AND ENVIRONMENT
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery © Krista Schlyer © Roy Toft March 1, 2009 (San Diego) — A team of 10 international nature photographers has just completed a three-week trip from San Diego to Texas, photographing and documenting impacts that the U.S.-Mexican border wall and immigration are having on wildlife, ecology, and landscape across the Southwest. To expedite construction of a
CONGRESSMAN FILNER REINTRODUCES THE VISITORS INTERESTED IN STRENGTHENING AMERICA ACT
Printer-friendly versionMarch 1, 2009 (Washington, DC — Congressman Bob Filner has re-introduced H.R. 937, the Visitors Interested in Strengthening America (VISA) Act. The bill gives Port Directors the discretion to issue humanitarian visa waivers to Mexican children making brief, pre-scheduled visits to the United States for medical, educational or recreational purposes. This legislation does not affect the number of legal
THREE ARRESTED FOR STREET ROBBERY IN LA MESA
Printer-friendly versionMarch 14, 2009 (La Mesa) At about 6:30 p.m. this evening, a man was robbed by three suspects while walking near Grossmont Center, La Mesa. The suspects walked up to the victim, brandished a knife, and demanded the victim’s wallet, I-pod, and cell phone. The suspects took the property and ran away. The victim ran and called the police
2 LABS NEED HOME AFTER OWNER’S DEATH
Printer-friendly versionMarch 14, 2009 (El Cajon)–Singing Hills Animal Hospital is seeking a good home for two labrador retrievers whose owner boarded the dogs but died during surgery. The goal is to place both dogs together in the same home. According to an e-mail received by East County Magazine from a friend of the owner, the dogs are friendly and obedient.
EAST COUNTY STUDENT LAUREN SMYLE IS FINALIST IN $20,000 SCHOLARSHIP CONTEST: ONLINE VOTES FROM COMMUNITY REQUESTED
Printer-friendly versionMarch 13, 2009 (La Mesa)–Lauren Smyle, a resident of La Mesa and a senior at West Hills High School in Santee, is one of 11 students in the western United States–and the only student from East Counnty–to advance to the finals in a $20,000 scholarship competition. Sponsored by Zinch.com, the contest enables students to advance based on votes received
SEMPRA/SDG&E LOBBYIST NOMINATED BY OBAMA AS DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF INTERIOR: VOTE SLATED THURSDAY, MARCH 12
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery March 12, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) — East County residents opposed to Sempra Energy’s Sunrise Powerlink project are mobilizing opposition to President Barack Obama’s nomination of David Hayes as deputy director of the U.S. Department of the Interior. Hayes served as Deputy Director of the department during the Clinton Administration, but later went to work
POWERLINK MEETING DRAWS PROTESTS IN ALPINE; PARENTS OPPOSE HIGH-VOLTAGE LINES NEAR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Megan Werland, right, worries about health effects of Powerlink on children including her 5-month old daughter, Eleanor March 10, 2009 (Alpine) — Children and parents staged a protest rally outside the Alpine Community Center, where SDG&E held a public meeting on Sunrise Powerlink. Holding signs that read "Class 1 Fire Risk" and "Save the Cleveland National
SDSU STUDENTS ORGANIZE ART RELIEF EVENT MARCH 14 TO BENEFIT KATRINA VICTIMS; PLAN TRIP TO NEW ORLEANS MARCH 28-APRIL 4.
Printer-friendly versionBy Matt Schauer March 8, 2009 (San Diego) — An Art Relief Auction on March 14th will raise funds to benefit College Students for New Orleans, a non-profit organization intent on rebuilding homes in New Orleans and restoring lives of people affected by Hurricane Ike and Hurricane Katrina. We travel to Louisiana four times a year with groups as
NEW ORLEANS JUST MIGHT BE THE PATH TO ENLIGHTENMENT
Printer-friendly versionBy Maia Neubig Maia Neubig is an SDSU senior who traveled to New Orleans on two separate occasions as part of the Art Relief effort. The best part about the trips are the people down there, they are some of the nicest, most caring people I have ever met in my life. They truly love and appreciate every one
EIGHT YEARS AFTER SANTANA AND GRANITE HILLS SHOOTINGS, PEACE PATROL PROGRAM TEACHES NONVIOLENCE; ROTARY AWARDS PEACEMAKER AWARD TO STUDENT EVY PONCE
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Evelyn Ponce, 9, receives Peace Award from La Mesa-Sunrise Rotary Club President David Roberts (Miriam Raftery) March 8, 2009 (La Mesa) — The La Mesa Sunrise Rotary chapter has presented its Peacemaker of the Year Award to Evelyn (Evy) Ponce, a nine-year-old student at Lexington Elementary School in El Cajon to honor her “outstanding work” with
COCONUTS SPA BRINGS TOUCH OF TROPICS TO LA MESA
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Bob Lyon and his wife, Deedee March 8, 2009 (La Mesa) — Luau foods, seashell leis, and other touches of the tropics greeted guests at the grand opening of Coconuts Salon & Day Spa in La Mesa this weekend. Located behind the Brigantine Restaurant at 9340 Fuerte Drive, the salon formerly known as Transformations has been
WHERE’S THE PORK? NO MONEY FOR FIRE STATIONS OR FIRE PREVENTION IN SAN DIEGO’S PROPOSED STIMULUS PROJECTS
Printer-friendly version "The City and County never asked the fire departments. We are very disappointed," — August Ghio, President, San Diego Fire Chiefs Association By Miriam Raftery March 5, 2009 (San Diego)–Why didn't a city and county that have suffered through the worst wildfires in California history request funds through the federal stimulus program for any fire
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