Award-winning nonprofit media in the public interest, serving San Diego's inland region

Award-winning nonprofit media in the public interest, serving San Diego's inland region

Explore What Matters

Stay informed on the issues that shape East County. From local news and emergency alerts, to community celebrations

News Center

News Issues

Politics

Wildfires and Emergencies

Events & Arts

Visit East County

People

Communities

Features

Get East County Wildfire, Emergency Alerts

Critical wildfire and emergency notifications delivered instantly.Join Neighbors who stay informed and prepared with our award winning Journalist

Latest Stories

Sponsorship Placement

COUNTY ANNOUNCES PLAN TO KEEP FIRE STATIONS OPEN

Printer-friendly versionState Budget Cuts Threaten Fire Stations; County Offers to Shift Staff to Protect Region December 23, 2008 (San Diego) —Acting swiftly to counteract California’s latest budget crisis, the County of San Diego has proposed to temporarily shift some firefighters from County-contracted stations to ensure that all 18 CAL FIRE stations remain open this year, according to a press release

Read More ...

RECESSION IN CALIFORNIA:  SENATOR BOXER RELEASES REPORT

Printer-friendly version1 in 18 San Diego households face foreclosure; food bank demand up 50% December 23, 2008 (Washington, D.C.) — California Senator Barbara Boxer has prepared a report detailing impacts of the nation’s recession on California counties and cities.  The report, based on interviews conducted with officials in 20 cities and all 58 counties, paints a stark picture of the

Read More ...

$1,000 REWARD FOR FEMALE SUSPECT IN CARJACKING AT GROSSMONT CENTER

Printer-friendly versionDecember 23, 2008 (La Mesa) — On December 22, 2008, at about 5:30 PM, a woman was carjacked, robbed and driven into El Cajon by a female suspect as the woman was parking at Grossmont Center. The victim, a 20 year old female from La Mesa, told police that she had just parked at Grossmont Center near Wal-Mart when

Read More ...

December Capitol Report

Printer-friendly version(Note: Since Congress and the Legislature were in recess and took no major actions in November, there is no November Capitol Report) How did your elected officials vote on the most important bills in Congress and the California Legislature? Find out here! Editor’s Note: Congress and the Legislature have been in recess in most of November and December.  In

Read More ...

GENERAL CONTRACTOR RON ASBURY APPOINTED TO PROP R OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE

Printer-friendly versionDecember 20, 2008 (El Cajon) —  La Mesa resident Ron Asbury, a general contractor and active volunteer for East County schools, is the newest appointee to the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Citizens Bond Oversight Committee. The CBOC is charged with ensuring that revenues from Proposition R, the $207 million local bond measure passed in 2002, will be spent solely

Read More ...

2 Grossmont High School Teachers Named Winners in Inaugural “I’m Thankful For My Teacher” Award

Printer-friendly versionSan Diego County teachers recognized with thousands of “thank yous” from grateful parents, schoolchildren in contest sponsored by Mission Federal Credit Union, Junior Achievement, Cox Communications and Channel 4 December 18,2008 (San Diego, CA) Campaign organizers are proud to announce the winners of the first-ever “I’m Thankful For My Teacher” Contest, hosted by Mission Federal Credit Union, Junior Achievement

Read More ...

COMMUNITY LEADERS REACT TO CPUC’S APPROVAL OF SUNRISE POWERLINK SOUTHERN ROUTE

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Click photo for larger image. December 19, 2008 (San Diego’s East County) —  The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has ruled to allow construction of Sunrise Powerlink across the southern portion of East County.   The decision drew a mixture of praise and criticism from local community leaders.  “Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has revealed his true colors when

Read More ...

LA MESA POLICE SERVE SEARCH WARRANT AT CHOP SHOP IN LA MESA; ARREST MADE ON DRUG, WEAPON AND STOLEN VEHICLE CHARGES

Printer-friendly versionDecember 19, 2008 (La Mesa) — Officers from the La Mesa Police Department’s Special Enforcement Detail, and detectives from the Regional Auto Theft Task Force (R.A.T.T.), served a search warrant at a home in the 6000 block of Amaya Dr. in La Mesa. The search warrant stemmed from an investigation into stolen vehicles in the area. Detectives found approximately

Read More ...

EL CAJON MAN ARRESTED FOR ROBBING HOLIDAY SHOPPER IN TOYS R US PARKING LOT

Printer-friendly versionDecember 18, 2008 (La Mesa) — La Mesa Police Officers responded to a robbery that occurred at 11:47 a.m. in the parking lot of Toys R Us on Grossmont Boulevard in La Mesa.  When officers arrived, they found that security officers had chased the suspect on foot northbound on Jackson Drive.  The security officers lost the suspect under the I-8

Read More ...

Armed Subject at Helix High School Determined to be a Hoax

Printer-friendly versionDecember 17, 2008 (La Mesa) — A report of an armed man on the Helix High School campus yesterday has now been determined to be a hoax.  Further investigation by Helix staff and the La Mesa Police Department confirmed that the student who reported seeing a man with a gun had fabricated the incident.  It is not known why

Read More ...

GOV. SCHWARZENEGGER DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY OVER DROUGHT; URGES 20% WATER USE REDUCTION. STEEP PRICE INCREASES LOOM, LOCAL WATER OFFICIAL WARNS

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery February 27, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–“This drought is having a devastating impact on our people, our communities, our economy and our environment, making today’s action absolutely necessary,” said Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who declared a state of emergency following three years of drought. The Governor’s action aims to have water agencies reduce water usage by 20

Read More ...

WATER SAVING REBATES AND CONSERVATION TIPS TO WEATHER THE CRISIS

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery February 27, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–Area residents must cut water consumption by at least 20% or face stiff financial penalties, local water authorities warn following a state declaration of emergency today due to the drought. Fortunately, there is help for consumers seeking ways to reduce their water usage. “Sixty to 70 percent of water use

Read More ...

WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN LAUNCHES WATER-WISE GARDENING PHONE HELP LINE STARTING MARCH 3: “THE WATER SMART PIPELINE”

Printer-friendly versionMarch 1, 2009 (Rancho San Diego)–"How can I get rid of my grass?" "What low water groundcover withstands foot traffic?" Can I have color in my garden without using much water?"   These questions and more are frequently asked by San Diegans looking to install water smart landscapes. To help answer people’s concerns about how to garden in these

Read More ...

LEARN HOW TO SELL AT A CERTIFIED FARMERS’ MARKET

Printer-friendly versionMarch 1, 2009 (Escondido)–The San Diego County Farm Bureau is hosting a free class to teach any interested grower how to sell produce and nursery crops at a certified farmers’ market. The class will be on Thursday, March 12 and will go from 3:00 to 5:00. Attendees will get comprehensive information on the rules and history of California certified

Read More ...

EL CAJON SEEKS YOUTH OF THE YEAR NOMINEES

Printer-friendly versionFebruary 27, 2009 (El Cajon)–The City of El Cajon Teen Coalition presents a “Youth of the Year” Award to recognize those who go above and beyond in serving their community either through their leadership abilities and/or their quality or level of community service in El Cajon. Leadership can be defined as those individuals who consistently facilitate a team vision

Read More ...

GOSPEL FESTIVAL FRIDAY FEB. 27 AT GROSSMONT COLLEGE

Printer-friendly versionAs part of its Black History Month celebration, Grossmont College will present a free Gospel Festival, featuring five local gospel choirs and one dance troupe, starting at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 27, in Room #220 on the college campus. The public is invited to attend. Parking is free. Performing artists will include the House of Metamorphosis Choir, Martin

Read More ...

ECUMENICAL GATHERING AT FRIENDSHIP PARK DISRUPTED BY TAUNTING; MINISTER TAKEN INTO CUSTODY

Printer-friendly versionStory and photos by Gayle Early Rev. John Fanestil apprehended by California Border Patrol agents in full riot gear. February 21, 2009 (Imperial Beach) On Saturday, about 200 people and 40 civic organizations gathered to protest the Custom and Border Protection (CBP) closure of Friendship Park on Monument Mesa in Border Field State Park. The media also had a

Read More ...

DON QUIXOTE BATTLES WINDMILLS – AND SO DO THE FOLKS IN BOULEVARD

Printer-friendly version (photo courtesy of AWEA) Part III of a three-part series:   HEALTH, SAFETY, AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF WIND FARMS  February 22, 2009 (Boulevard) — Our country has jumped on a high-speed wind-energy bandwagon, as if the costs of developing and producing wind energy are as invisible as the wind itself. Are benefits commensurate with the costs? Can developers mitigate

Read More ...

PUBLIC FORUM ON ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN CONFLICT TO BE HELD MARCH 1 IN EL CAJON

Printer-friendly versionA documentary film and a panel of experts to represent Palestinian and Israeli points of view, including Dr. Shlomo Dubnov and Dr. Nasser Barghouti. February 24, 2009 (El Cajon) — “The East County Democratic Club is sponsoring a public forum on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at the El Cajon Library Community Room on Sunday, March 1. The event will screen

Read More ...

POWERLINK MEETINGS PLANNED IN LAKESIDE, CAMPO, SCRIPPS RANCH, ALPINE & JACUMBA

Printer-friendly versionSan Diego Gas & Electric Co. will hold a series of open houses throughout the county to respond to residents’ questions about the controversial Sunrise Powerlink project. In December, the California Public Utilities Commission approved a 123-mile route to run high-voltage power lines and 150-foot-tall towers through East County from Imperial Valley to San Diego. SDG&E maintains the line

Read More ...

Get Wildfire Alerts & Wildfire Emergency News

Stay ahead of emergencies with real-time notifications delivered directly to your inbox when seconds count.

Partner To ECM

Connect with East County’s most informed and engaged community. Our readers trust ECM for critical news and actively support local businesses.

Our Engaged Audience

Unique Visitors

5 to 10 million hits

per month!

Number of Visitors
0

5 to 10 million hits

per month!

A quarter million visits

each month

Most widely read news site dedicated to

San Diego’s East County

Winner of over 150

journalism awards

“Sponsoring East County Magazine is a great way to reach our loyal and engaged readers, who value organizations and businesses that support nonprofit, independent news in the public interest and wildfire/emergency alerts that keep people safe and informed. Sponsors can choose to underwrite our community news site, support a favorite section or a new special section, underwrite an event, or sponsor our wildfire and emergency alerts.”

Miriam Raftery, Founder of East County Magazine

Thanks To Our Major Sponsors

📬 Subscribe to ECM – 100% Free, Trusted by East County Since 2008

Reviews and Feedback