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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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HELIX WATER DISTRICT CANCELS MAY 27 HEARING, AGREES TO REVAMP RATE HIKE PROPOSAL
Printer-friendly version By Dennis Moore May 24, 2009 (La Mesa) –Following a joint investigation by East County Magazine and Channel 10 news into allegations that Helix Water Board violated open government laws, the Board has voted to cancel a May 27 hearing and revise its rate hike proposal. "We won this round. They’re starting from scratch with a
FIRE DESTROYS TRAILER HOME IN EL CAJON
Printer-friendly versionMay 27, 2009 (El Cajon)– El Cajon Fire crews responded to a trailer home fire at the Horseshoe Trailer Park, located at 150 South Anza, Space 1B early this morning. As crews arrived, they found a 30-foot trailer home fully involved. Firefighters had the fire knocked down in less than 10 minutes. Their quick action kept the fire from
ANDERSON BILL TO PROVIDE TAX RELIEF FOR CEDAR FIRE VICTIMS PASSES ASSEMBLY APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE
Printer-friendly versionMay 26, 2009 (Sacramento)—Assembly Bill 157, a measure authored by Assemblyman Joel Anderson (R-Alpine) to help fire victims and other disaster survivors, passed the Assembly Appropriations Committee on May 18 by a unanimous vote. Under Anderson’s bill, homeowners in the 2003 Cedar Fire, as well as those who lose homes in other disasters after July 1, 2007, will have
BATTLES LOOM AS TO WHEN GAYS WILL SERVE OPENLY IN MILITARY; LOCAL LEADERS AIR THEIR VIEWS
Printer-friendly versionBy E.A. Barrera "The Navy knew that they had a large gay population. During one particular ‘Naval Investigative Services’ witch-hunt in 1976, one of my commanders commented that if they uncovered and removed all the people in the Navy who were gay, the Navy wouldn’t be able to function. But the climate was severe and it was one
CONGRESS FILNER TO HOST WEDNESDAY TOWN HALL AT SDSU ON NEW POST-9/11 GI BILL, EDUCATION BENEFITS FOR VETS
Printer-friendly versionMay 26, 2009 (San Diego)–Tomorrow, Congressman Bob Filner is hosting a Veterans Town Hall at San Diego State University (SDSU) to publicly discuss the impact of the new Post-9/11 GI Bill on our veterans. Congress passed legislation to significantly expand the educational benefits for veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The Department of Veterans Affairs recently began accepting
HEALTH EXPERT & SONGWRITER TO SPEAK AT GROSSMONT COLLEGE GRADUATION JUNE 3
Printer-friendly versionMay 26, 2009 (El Cajon)–Grossmont College has announced that Dr. Dorothy Wiley will be the keynote speaker and Jose Molina Serrano will be featured as student speaker at the commencement ceremony on June 3rd at 5:30 p.m. Wiley is a global expert on public health issues, while Serrano is a musician whose music was played aboard the Space Shuttle
GIO RESTAURANT HONORED AS CALIFORNIA SMALL BUSINESS OF YEAR FOR OUR REGION
Printer-friendly versionHonored at Formal State Recognition Celebration – Selected from among 3.7 million small companies in California Editor's note: Can we pick 'em or what? Gio was one of the very first restaurants we covered when we launched, with a rave review by our "Vines & Steins" connoisseur columnist: http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/?q=0809vinesteins May 26, 2009 (Sacramento) — A crowd of 500 business
BRACING FOR THE PERFECT STORM: FIRST RESPONDERS ANNOUNCE UNPREDECENTED FIRE PROTECTION OUTREACH
Printer-friendly versionFarmers Insurance Funds “Before the Threat” 2009 Door-To-Door Preparedness Campaign Across San Diego County May 25, 2009 (San Diego)–Fire or inferno? It’s not if, but when.San Diego County residents are urged to prepare for what could well be that “perfect fire storm.” A continued drought, thousands of acres of aged unburned brush throughout the County, and Santa Ana winds
CITIZENS GROUP SEEKS TO BLOCK SDG&E PLAN TO CUT ALL TREES WITHIN 25 FEET OF POWER LINES
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery May 24, 2009 (Ramona)—San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) wants to expand its right to trim or remove trees within 18 inches of power lines dramatically – increasing that range to 25 feet on either side of power lines. On Friday, the Mussey Grade Road Alliance, a citizens’ watchdog group, has filed an opening brief with
3 HOMES BURNED, NEW EVACUATIONS ORDERED IN PALA FIRE
Printer-friendly versionUPDATE MAY 25: The Pala fire is now 60% contained and the acreage number has not increased overnight, Cal Fire Captain Nick Schuler reports this morning. May 24, 2009 (Pala) — A fire burning along Highway 76 near Pala has reached 122 acres and burned three homes. New evacuations have been ordered this evening on Palomar Del Norte Road,
FEB. 25 HEARING ON WIND TURBINES & WIND TESTING
Printer-friendly versionFebruary 2009 (San Diego)–The County Board of Supervisors will deliberate February 25 whether to ease permitting requirements for installing industrial-scale meteorological testing units (MET towers) on private and county properties. The county is also debating the turbine ordinance to allow for more options, such as industrial-scale turbines on private property or more than one turbine per lot, including the
LA MESA SAVES FLAG DAY PARADE: DONATIONS ROLL IN FROM RESIDENTS, BUSIENSSES AND CIVIC LEADERS
Printer-friendly versionFebruary 9, 2009 (Mesa) “ Thanks to the generosity of La Mesa citizens, business leaders and elected officials who donated out of their own pockets, La Mesa’s annual flag day parade has been saved from the budget chopping block. The 14th annual event will take place on Saturday, “We met the goal and then some,” an e-mail signed by
ART SALE FEB. 14: HERITAGE OF AMERICAS MUSEUM AT CUYAMACA COLLEGE
Printer-friendly versionFive East County artists will help raise money for the Heritage of the Americas Museum with an art sale from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 14 at the museum, located on the campus of Cuyamaca College, 12110 Cuyamaca College Dr. West, in El Cajon. Admission is free. Printer-friendly version
PROP L SPARKS DEBATE AT LA MESA OPEN FORUM MEETING
Printer-friendly versionBy Yuliana Cerda February 6, 2009 (La Mesa) — The La Mesa City Council held an open forum meeting in the auditorium at Rolando Elementary School last Thursday night. The meetings are meant to provide an opportunity for citizens to voice concerns or input on issues throughout their city. La Mesa citizens voiced their views on an array of
SEX EDUCATION? HELIX DEFENDS ITS ACTIONS, DISPUTES REPORT RELEASED BY DISTRICT THAT CRITICIZED HELIX ADMINISTRATOR’S RESPONSE TO SEXUAL ABUSE, MISCONDUCT;
Printer-friendly versionBOARD TO CONSIDER CHARTER SCHOOL CURE CORRECT ORDERS AT FEB. 12 MEETING February 6, 2009 (La Mesa) Did administrators at Helix Charter High School respond appropriately to four incidents of sexual abuse and misconduct involving teachers and students and has enough been done to prevent similar problems in the future? The Grossmont Union-High School Governing Board will consider these
FILNER REINTRODUCES FAIR TAXES FOR SENIORS ACT
Printer-friendly versionFebruary 1, 2009 (San Diego) — Congressman Bob Filner has reintroduced the Fair Taxes for Seniors Act, H.R. 674, which will provide a one-time increase in the capital gains tax exemption on the sale of a home for citizens who are 50 years of age or more. “The Fair Taxes for Seniors Act would give many seniors the additional
STATE DEPARTMENT CANCELS BLACKWATER’S CONTRACT IN IRAQ: EAST COUNTY LEADERS, BLACKWATER WEST VP SHARE REACTIONS
Printer-friendly version Jan Hedlun, right, at victory celebration last year after Blackwater dropped plans to build a training base in Potrero. February 1, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) —–“Blackwater has been fired by the State Department from its job protecting U.S. diplomats in Iraq,” ABC News has reported. The U.S. State Department has announced it will not renew a $1.2
AL NASSER TO SPEAK IN LA MESA WEDNESDAY ON IRAQ WAR ISSUES
Printer-friendly versionDr. Farouk Al Nasser, an Iraq native and U.S. citizen, will speak on conditions in Iraq at the La Mesa Community Center on Wednesday, June 3rd. “Dr. Nasser will help us understand the situation on the ground in Iraq; he is in contact with his extended family of more than 400 living in Iraq,” said Linda Armacost, president of
SDG&E THREATENS TO SUE WILDFIRE VICTIMS
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery February 2, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–San Diego Gas & Electric Company has notified attorneys representing fire victims that the utility company plans to sue victims of the 2007 wildfires. The announcement has sparked an angry response from some elected officials and residents in burned-out areas of East County. “Predictably, SDG&E’s lawyers are stooping as low
LA MESA HOSTS 2 TOWNHALL MEETINGS & BUDGET WORKSHOP
Printer-friendly versionFebruary 1, 2009 (La Mesa) — As part of La Mesa’s commitment to staying in touch with the community, the City Council has scheduled two Town Hall Meetings for 2009. These open forum meetings provide an opportunity for citizens to provide input on issues in their neighborhood and throughout the City. The two meetings are held in different parts
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