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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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TAKE THE WARRIOR HIKE CHALLENGE MAY 24 AT EL CAPITAN COUNTY PRESERVE
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BORREGO SPRINGS MICROGRID COLLABORATIVE SEEKS GRANT FOR COMMUNITY MICROGRID DEVELOPMENT
Printer-friendly versionInitiative would serve as a model for community-led energy resilience, delivering more reliable power and improved energy security for Borrego’s most vulnerable residents and businesses File photo, left: Sunbeams over Anza-Borrego Desert near Borrego Springs By Gabriela Dow May 16, 2025 (Borrego Springs) — The Borrego Springs Microgrid Collaborative (BSMC) has submitted a grant application for funding through San
ACADEMY FIRE IN SAN PASQUAL VALLEY HALTED
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery May 16, 2025 (San Pasqual)—The #AcademyFire has been halted at 49.7 acres, according to Cal Fire, with no structures lost or injuries. The fire briefly threatened structures along Highland Valley Road in the San Pasqual Valley east of Escondido. The blaze began this afternoon in the 7700 Block of San Pasqual Valley Road (State Route
DEAD CROWS IN LEMON GROVE TEST POSITIVE FOR WEST NILE VIRUS
Printer-friendly versionBy Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office Crow image cc via Bing May 16, 2025 (Lemon Grove) — Two dead crows recently collected in routine monitoring from Lemon Grove tested positive for West Nile virus, prompting County environmental health officials to remind people to protect themselves from mosquitoes that can transmit the virus to people. The positive tests mark
EARTHTALK®: REDUCING RISKS OF CHEMICALS IN MANICURES AND PEDICURES
Printer-friendly version From the Editors of E – The Environmental Magazine Image via Pixabay April 15, 2025 Dear EarthTalk: Am I being exposed to harsh chemicals when I get a manicure or pedicure? –– Susan Porter, via e-mail The nail care industry is booming. Global market projections will near $11 billion by 2027. But beneath the glossy finish of a
LA MESA SEEKS BOARD AND COMMISSION MEMBERS
Printer-friendly versionWant to make a difference in your community? The City of La Mesa is currently recruiting volunteer members for several Boards and Commissions. The application deadline is July 1 at 5:30 p.m. These are the boards and commissions with current openings: Arts and Culture Commission Community Parking Commission Community Police Oversight Board Community Services Commission Design Review Board Environmental
CALIFORNIANS WOULD LOSE AI PROTECTIONS UNDER BILL ADVANCING IN CONGRESS
Printer-friendly version House Republicans want to ban state AI regulations for 10 years. California leaders are alarmed. by Khari Johnson, Technology reporter, CalMatters. This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. May 16, 2025 House Republicans moved to cut off artificial intelligence regulation by the states before it can take root, advancing legislation in Congress that, in California, would make
NO CITIZENSHIP SWEARING-IN CEREMONY AT THIS YEAR’S AMERICA ON MAIN STREET FESTIVAL
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Photo: Naturalization citizenship ceremony, cc via Bing May 16, 2025 (El Cajon) – This year, El Cajon’s America on Main Street celebration won’t include a mass swearing-in ceremony for new citizens. “The City reached out to the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services to make our annual request for their participation,” city manager Graham Mitchell told ECM.
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WANTS TO SELL FEDERAL LANDS, SLASHES FUNDING FROM FOREST AND PARK SERVICES
Printer-friendly versionThe Trump Administration is trying to sell off federal lands, while its budget cuts are severely impacting national parks and forests By G. A. McNeeley Photo: Staircase Escalante National Monument, Utah May 16, 2025 (San Diego) – House Republicans have approved a provision to their budget that would allow the federal government to sell thousands of acres of public
DESCANSO RESIDENTS OPPOSE CALTRANS PLAN TO DRASTICALLY CUT PARKING SPACES
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery May 16, 2025 (Descanso, CA) – Tammy and Brett Cooker opened their Descanso Junction Restaurant in 2003, in a century-old building on State Route 79. Days later, the Cedar Fire roared through the region, destroying many homes and closing down I-8. But the Cookers swiftly earned the community’s loyalty, keeping their doors open to serve up
EAST OF THE LINE: LOCAL ECONOMY GETS SHOT IN THE ARM FROM BORDER OPERATIONS
Printer-friendly versionBy Billie Jo Jannen Victor Leon of Potrero and Rudolfo Reyes of Campo put a raked finish on the drying concrete at the base of the border fence in the far western portion of Campo. They are working on the south side of the fence, which is constructed a short distance north of the border inside the border “buffer
GET READY TO RUMBA! FREE WHEELCHAIR BALLROOM DANCE CLASSES START FEB 19 IN LA MESA
Printer-friendly versionFebruary 17, 2009 (La Mesa) — TheWheelchair Dancers Organization, sponsored by the Sharp Grossmont Foundation, is offering 8 weeks of free wheelchair ballroom dance classes. This is the first wheelchair ballroom dance program ever offered in San Diego by a professionally certified wheelchair dance instructor, William Valencia. Dance classes start on Thursday, February 19, from 12 Noon-1:00 pm., Sharp
LA MESA’S BUDGET A COMPLEX ISSUE
Printer-friendly versionLA MESA’S BUDGET A COMPLEX ISSUE Annual Budget Workshop March 17 By Kristin Kjaero A number of diverse elements contribute to the city’s financial health as a whole. In a lead up to the City’s Annual Budget Workshop, we are pleased to provide an overview for our readers. CITY FINANCES Structural Deficit For the past two and a half
FIRE OFFICIALS SCORCH STAY-AND-DEFEND POLICY, CITE DEATH TOLL IN AUSTRALIAN WILDFIRES
Printer-friendly versionPublic urged to “leave early” when fire threatens, make preparations before fire season By Miriam Raftery February 17, 2009 (El Cajon)–“Fifty-three fire chiefs agree that the best way to keep families safe is to evacuate early,” August Ghio, president of the San Diego County Fire Chiefs Association, said at a press conference at Cal Fire’s El Cajon station. Ghio
STOP-PAYMENTS TO FOSTER FAMILIES RAISES CONCERNS FOR CHILDREN
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery February 16, 2009 (San Diego) — A letter sent by the County of San Diego last week to foster parents warned that the State of California planned to halt payments to counties for foster parent services immediately. While County officials joined with 23 other counties to file a lawsuit against the state, the prospect of losing
NEED SANDBAGS? GET THEM AT THESE CAL-FIRE STATIONS
Printer-friendly versionFebruary 16, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–In preparation for the expected weather CAL FIRE has prepositioned 4×4 engines in strategic locations near I-8 in East County. CAL FIRE also has sand bags available at the following stations: Deer Springs Station 11 8709 CIRCLE R DRIVE ESCONDIDO, CA 92026 CAL FIRE Station 70 16971 HIGHWAY 76 PAUMA VALLEY, CA. 92061
CA BUDGET ONE VOTE SHY OF PASSAGE: HOLLINGSWORTH LEADS OPPOSITION
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery February 18, 2009 (San Diego) — Efforts to pass a $40 billion state budget plan collapsed over the weekend due to Republicans refusal to support the plan, which fell one vote shy of passage in the Senate. The state has halted refund checks to taxpayers and payments to vendors, stopped 2,000 public works projects
HUNTER INTRODUCES RIGHT TO LIFE ACT: BILL WOULD DECLARE LIFE BEGINS AT CONCEPTION; NO EXCEPTIONS FOR RAPE, INCEST, OR SAVING A MOTHER’S LIFE
Printer-friendly versionFebruary 13, 2009 (Washington DC) –“Congressman Duncan Hunter has introduced H.R. 881, which would declare that life begins at conception. The Right to Life Act would establish “personhood of the unborn” by requiring equal protection under the 14th amendment of the Constitution to the “born and unborn” beginning with the moment of fertilization or cloning. Hunter’s bill contains no
HOUSE PASSES STIMULUS BILL THAT AIMS TO CREATE 396,000 JOBS IN CALIFORNIA; LOCAL LEADERS SPLIT VOTES
Printer-friendly versionFebruary 13, 2009 — The House of Representatives passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act by a vote of 246-183. Local Democratic representatives Bob Filner and Susan Davis voted for the measure, while Republicans Duncan D. Hunter, Brian Bilbray and Darrell Issa voted no. According to the White House, the measure will create or save 396,000 jobs in California
DON QUIXOTE BATTLES WINDMILLS — AND SO DO THE FOLKS IN BOULEVARD
Printer-friendly versionPART II in a three-part series: WHY BOULEVARD? By Gayle Early Pristine vale in McCain Valley slated for transmission lines, including Sunrise PowerLink. (photo by Gayle Early) February 16, 2009 (Boulevard) — Iberdrola Renewables and other parties have had their fingers in the wind, testing for the past three years and more. “If you link the windy areas in
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