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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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Cause of death released on 35-year-old man who died in county jail Aug. 30
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service January 1, 2026 (San Diego) – The County Medical’s office has determined that Steven Curren, 35, died of natural causes at a hospital on August 30, less than an hour and a half after he was found unresponsive in his cell at San Diego County’s Central Jail. An autopsy found the cause of death was
Give to support our award-winning reporting in 2026!
Printer-friendly versionIt’s been a challenging year, with more important news stories to cover than ever before. We need your support to bring you in-depth coverage on important topics in 2026! Please give now with a tax deductible donation or become a monthly donor to assure that we can cover the most important news stories in the new year. All gifts are appreciated,
Sycuan Tribe unveils new Sycuan Health Center to serve East County residents, including tribal members and broader community
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Photos courtesy of Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation December 31, 2025 (El Cajon) — The Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation held a ribbon cutting ceremony on December 19 at its new, expanded and relocated healthcare facility. The state-of-the-art healthcare center is located at 4921 Dehesa Road in El Cajon, continuing Sycuan’s commitment to high-quality, culturally
Give to support our award-winning reporting in 2026!
Printer-friendly versionIt’s been a challenging year, with more important news stories to cover than ever before. We need your support to bring you in-depth coverage on important topics in 2026! Please give now with a tax deductible donation or become a monthly donor to assure that we can cover the most important news stories in the new year. All gifts are appreciated,
Fundraiser to help Marine’s family devastated by crash that killed daughter, 8, near Julian: accused DUI driver charged with murder and faces deportation
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service December 31, 2025 (Julian) – An online fundraiser at GoFundMe has been set up to help Oscar Cruz Acencio, a U.S. Marine, and his family. On November 30, the family was traveling on San Felipe Road near Julian when a Tacoma truck crossed the center line and hit their vehicle head-on, killing their 8-year-old daughter, Arya. Acencio,
Forty dogs rescued from unsanitary conditions in La Mesa
Printer-friendly versionPhoto of some of the 40 dogs rescued from La Mesa courtesy San Diego Humane Society East County News Service Dec. 31, 2025 (La Mesa) — San Diego Humane Society’s Humane Law Enforcement rescued 40 dogs and puppies from an apartment in La Mesa on Tuesday, Dec. 30, following a welfare check by community police officers. The rescue comes at
Lakeside school district moves to stop bullying, defiance and more
Printer-friendly versionBy Karen Pearlman Dec. 30, 2025 (Lakeside) – Looking to reclaim local classrooms from a rising tide of student misconduct, the Lakeside Union School District Board of Trustees earlier this month passed a sweeping resolution aimed at curbing bullying, “death notes” and chronic defiance. Lakeside Union School Board member Andrew Hayes championed the policy, adopted Dec. 11, and said
Mail might not be postmarked until days after you send it, under new rules that could cause tax penalties, result in ballots not counted
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery December 30, 2025 (Washington D.C.) – Don’t wait until the last minute to mail in a ballot, tax return or other important documents. A change in U.S. Postal Service regulations that took effect December 24 means that mail is no longer considered postmarked on the date that you drop it in a mailbox or at a post office
CRASH ON PINE VALLEY BRIDGE DELAYS MOTORISTS
Printer-friendly versionEast County Wildfire and Emergency Alerts Image via CHP on X Dec. 30, 2025 (Pine Valley) — A motorhome accident on the Pine Valley bridge has shut down one lane of I-8 east and knocked down 80 feet of guardrail, per the California Highway Patrol. Westbound lanes remain open. Motorists traveling east are advised to take an alternative route
Cities can’t punish outreach workers for helping homeless Californians under new law
Printer-friendly versionBy Marisa Kendall, CalMatters This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Photo: Physician assistant Brett Feldman checks Carla Bolen’s blood pressure at her encampment on the Figueroa Street Viaduct above Highway 110 in Elysian Valley Park in Los Angeles on Nov. 18, 2022. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local December 30, 2025 (Sacramento) – Senate Bill 634 would have made a
FLAVORS OF THE GARDEN: VALENTINE’S DAY TOUR AT CUYAMACA COLLEGE’S WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN
Printer-friendly versionFebruary 1, 2009 (El Cajon) — Savor a flavorful tour of the Water Conservation Garden on Saturday, February 15th at 11:30 a.m. Tour includes samples of sweet and savory flavors from the botanical world including fruits, vegetables, and herbs–and then there is chocolate! Printer-friendly version
MORE INAUGURATION PARTIES LOCALLY
Printer-friendly versionJanuary 16, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) — Several progressive organizations are planning dozens of local inaugural bashes on January 20th besides those previously posted on our site. Below are links to find Inauguration Day events in your neighborhood hosted by local members of Democracy for America (DFA) or by MoveOn.org. Members of the public are welcome regardless of
FORMS IN METAL EXHIBITION OPENS IN HYDE ART GALLERY AT GROSSMONT COLLEGE
Printer-friendly versionJanuary 14, 2008 (El Cajon) — To mark the 1st anniversary of the opening of its new, state-of-the-art Sculpture facility, the Hyde Art Gallery at Grossmont College will host Forms in Metal , a group exhibition of contemporary metalwork from January 26-February 26; An opening event is scheduled for February 10th from 7-9 p.m. The exhibition will feature the
MANY MORE INAUGURATION PARTIES PLANNED IN EAST COUNTY
Printer-friendly versionIn addition to private parties that are planned all over the county several national organiztions are mobilizing supporters to open their homes for viewing parties. To find out if there is a party in your neighborhood click on the following links. Moveon.org is planning many local house parties as well as some events in local restaurants: http://pol.moveon.org/event/events/index.html?action_id=158&rc=homepage The Presidential
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA REGENTS CUT FRESHMAN ENROLLMENT BY 6%; EAST COUNTY EDUCATION LEADERS ASSESS IMPACT ON LOCAL STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY COLLEGES
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery January 15, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) — Grappling with cuts in state funding, regents at the University of California voted yesterday to cut freshmen enrollment by 6%, eliminating 2,300 spots for students throughout the UC system. The cuts occur at a time when UC is receiving more applications than ever before, as fewer students can
STATE OF THE STATE: “CALIFORNIA FACES INSOLVENCY WITHIN WEEKS,” GOVERNOR WARNS
Printer-friendly versionJanuary 15, 2009 (Sacramento)–Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger refused to deliver a traditional state-of-the-state address today “because the reality is that our state is incapacitated until we resolve the budget crisis,” he said during today’s address in Sacramento. (Video of speech: http://msmedia.dot.ca.gov/governor/20090115_state.asf; text of speech: http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/capitolalertlatest/018621.html) Printer-friendly version
NEW CHANCELLOR NAMED FOR GROSSMONT-CUYAMACA COLLEGE DISTRICT
Printer-friendly versionJanuary 14, 2009 (EL CAJON–“Dr. Cindy Miles, president of the Hialeah Campus at Miami Dade College in Florida, has been unanimously selected by the governing board as chancellor of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District. Miles replaces Dr. Omero Suarez, who is retiring from a record term of more than a decade. Trustees voted 5-0 to approve a three-year contract
CA REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIR RON NEHRING SHARES GOP STRATEGY IN SAN DIEGO ADDRESS
Printer-friendly versionJanuary 13, 2009 (San Diego) – Ron Nehring, Chair of the California Republican Party, gave an update on the GOP’s priorities nationally and statewide during a San Diego County Republican Party Central Committee meeting January 12. Nehring reported that during the Obama administration, the Republican National Committee’s priorities will include limiting the scope of government, opposing higher taxes and
SENIORS INAUGURATION CHARTERTRIP OFFERED
Printer-friendly version January 12, 2008 (San Diego) — If you’re 55 or older and want to be part of history, you can join a charter trip to attend the inauguration of Barack Obama in Washington D.C. on January 20th. “The charter is for between 20 to 40 people, and it is just catching on,” said Mona Robinson of San Diego,
OBAMA CALLS FOR NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE FROM ALL AMERICANS
Printer-friendly version To commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2009, President-elect Obama has created a national day of service and is calling on all Americans to renew America together. This call to service is extended to every American across the country, regardless of political party affiliation, to reignite our national spirit of volunteerism and community service not only on a
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