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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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SMALL BRUSH FIRE ON I-8 NEAR GOLDEN ACORN CASINO CONTAINED
Printer-friendly version November 26, 2009 – A traffic alert was issued at 10:34 a.m. Thanksgiving Day due to a small brush fire on the side of the freeway along I-8 eastbound near the Golden Acorn Casino in the Live Oaks Springs area. Lanes remained open but traffic slowed briefly due to smoke conditions. At 10:55 a.m., CAL-FIRE confirmed that the fire
DRIVER PASSES OUT, DESTROYS 2 PLANES AT GILLESPIE FIELD
Printer-friendly version November 26, 2009 (El Cajon) On this Thanksgiving Day, a motorist in El Cajon can be thankful he survived a freak accident that left his vehicle beneath a plane at Gillespie Field. Just after 4:00 p.m. yesterday, the 57 year-old driver traveling northbound on Johnson Avenue, just north of Bradley Avenue, apparently passed out behind the wheel.
PICKUP TRUCK STRIKES, KILLS SANTEE MAN IN WHEELCHAIR
Printer-friendly version November 26, 2009 (Santee) – Santee resident Hector Villasenor, 62, died after being struck by a pickup truck in the 8900 block of Carlton Hills Blvd. shortly before 6 p.m. on November 24. Santee Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call following the accident and found Villasenor non-responsive, lying in the roadway. Santee paramedics were unable to revive him
HOT PROWL BURGLARIES IN ELCAJON PROMPT MASS PUBLIC WARNING
Printer-friendly versionProwler may be a frequent visitor to area, police believe November 26, 2009 (El Cajon)— Southeast El Cajon has had approximately 30 hot prowl burglaries and attempted burglaries since fall 2008. A hot prowl burglary occurs when occupants are home, often at night while residents are asleep. The latest in this series occurred early Saturday morning in the area
ROBERTS DROPS OUT OF RACE IN 50TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT; CITES FAMILY NEEDS
Printer-friendly version November 25, 2009 (San Diego) – Dave Roberts is dropping out of the Democratic primary in the 50th Congressional District. In a letter sent to supporters this evening, the Solana Beach Councilmember issued the following statement: This past Monday was one of the happiest, yet saddest days of my life. As many of you know, Wally and
SHERIFF ANNOUNCES SCHEDULE FOR HOLIDAY WATCH PATROLS
Printer-friendly version November 25, 2009 (San Diego County)–Sheriff William D. Gore announced today a county-wide Holiday Watch Program beginning Wednesday, November 25, 2009 and continuing through Sunday, January 3, 2010. The purpose of Holiday Watch is to provide a safe, secure, crime free environment during the holiday period. The Sheriff’s Holiday Watch program will consist of both education and enforcement.
DENNY’S ROBBED IN EL CAJON
Printer-friendly version November 26, 2009 (El Cajon) – At 12:48 p.m. on the afternoon of November 24, a man robbed the cashier at Denny’s restaurant at gunpoint. After leaving the restaurant located at 1201 East Main St., he fled north toward El Monte Road. The suspect is described as a black male, 5 feet, four inches, wearing a black jacket
LEGAL QUESTIONS RAISED OVER LOCAL ACORN ALLEGATIONS
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Updated 11/25 8:45 p.m. November 25, 2009 (El Cajon) – Surreptitious taping and dumpster diving are the latest tactics used by critics seeking to discredit a local chapter of ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now;www.acorn.org), the largest national organization focused on advocating for the poor and disadvantaged. The latest revelations cast doubt not
MAN ARRESTED FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER OF DEPUTY FOLLOWING HIGH-SPEED CHASE IN POWAY
Printer-friendly version November 24, 2009 (Poway) Poway Sheriff’s deputies attempted to stop a vehicle for a minor equipment violation at Pomerado Road & Robison Boulevard in Poway at 9:33 p.m. last night.. The vehicle failed to yield and the driver, later identified as Jacob Woolsey, fired a weapon several times at the deputy as he fled the area. Sheriff’s deputies
LET IT ROLL! VIEJAS BOWL OPENS IN ALPINE
Printer-friendly version November 24, 2009 – Tribal Council leaders rolled out the first strikes following a ribbon cutting ceremony today at the new Viejas Bowl, located in the Viejas Outlet Center in Alpine. (www.shopviejas.com. Opening ceremonies included a blessing and smudging, or burning of sage, to bring good luck to Viejas’ newest entertainment venture. The new facility features 12 lanes
INAUGURATION CELEBRATION AND COMMUNITY BALL– PUBLIC WELCOME
Printer-friendly versionStory and photo by Miriam Raftery San Diego (January 12, 2009) — Malcolm X Library will host an all day Community Inaugural Celebration to mark the momentous occasion of the Inaugural of President-Elect Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States on Tuesday, January 20th. The Library envisions San Diego residents from all walks of life attending
OBÃMANOS! TRAVELS THROUGH AZTLAN WITH RITA AND RICHARD
Printer-friendly version Richard and Rita with Enrique Morones at a joint Latino African American press conference on the day they left for the battleground states. Enrique is the director of Border Angeles, an immigrant rights group in San Diego that provides water and food to immigrants in the desert. Kensington residents Richard Griswold and Rita Sanchez are among thousands of
INAUGURATION BREAKFAST IN EL CAJON
Printer-friendly versionJanuary 12, 2008 (El Cajon) — The public is invited to celebrate Obama’s inauguration at the Hacienda Restaurant in El Cajon on Tuesday, Jan 20th, at 8 a.m. (main event at 9 a.m.) Organized by the East County Democratic Club. Open to the public. No cover, no-host; breakfast costs are each individual’s responsibility. The restaurant is located at 700
2 BILLS TO STOP PAY DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN PASS HOUSE; DAVIS & FILNER VOTE “YES”; BILBRAY, HUNTER & ISSA VOTE “NO”
Printer-friendly version January 11, 2009 (San Diego) — Two landmark bills aimed at helping women employees achieve equal pay for equal work and obtain judgments against employers who violate the law have passed the House of Representatives and will now go to the Senate. San Diego County’s Congressional delegation split down party lines, with Democrats Susan Davis and Bob Filner
EAST COUNTY DEMOCRATS ELECT NEW EXECUTIVE-BOARD REPRSENTATIVE AND DELEGATES
Printer-friendly versionDemocrats in East County’s 77th Assembly district elected a pro-labor/progressive slate of 12 delegates on Saturday, January 10th at the El Cajon Library. Ninety-one local Democratic voters registered to cast ballots in the election, in which a record 23 people ran for twelve delegate positions. Delegates represent the region at the California Democratic convention for the next two years,
FALLBROOK PARAPLEGIC STUDENT ASPIRES TO JOIN ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Hermes Castro with Sir Robert Swan, polar explorer who has invited Castro on his Antarctic expedition Antarctica January 7, 2008 (Fallbrook) — Invited by a famous polar explorer to join an Antarctic expedition in March, Hermes Castro and his fellow students at Mesa College are raising funds for transportation and special equipment to help him
EAST COUNTY ROUND-UP — DECEMBER
Printer-friendly version Links to top stories in other publications on East County issues STATE TO SHUT DOWN FIRST AND THIRD FRIDAYS EACH MONTH Sacramento Bee (January 9, 2009) — California will close most state offices on the first and third Fridays each month starting in February, padlocking DMV outlets and other services while reducing state worker pay to help survive
HIGH WINDS PREDICTED TONIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY: CAL-FIRE BEEFS UP PROTECTION
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery San Diego’s East County (January 9, 2009) — Cal Fire has dramatically increased fire protection staffing in anticipation of wind gusts of 40 mph or higher predicted starting tonight through this weekend. “We will have 18 engines with three- person staffing, 19 hand crews, three bulldozers, and the two Sheriffs helicopters,” Cal Fire Captain Nick
SHERIFF’S DUI ARRESTS INCREASE FIFTEEN PERCENT THIS HOLIDAY SEASON: AGGRESSIVE ENFORCEMENT TO CONTINUE
Printer-friendly version January 10, 2008 (San Diego) — This holiday season, arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI) shot up 15% countywide. Whether more people engaged in holiday merrymaking or drowning their sorrows amid a bleak economy remains unknown, but Sheriff’s credit increased enforcement action with the spike in drunk driving busts. The San Diego
GET THE POINT: FREE ACUPUNCTURE! FIRST FRIDAYS IN EL CAJON
Printer-friendly versionFebruary 1, 2008 (El Cajon) — Healthy Community Acupuncture is offering free acupuncture treatments for stress reduction on the first Friday of every month, starting Friday, February 6, 2009. Appointments are required at the clinic, which is located at 277 E. Lexington Ave Ste B in El Cajon. Healthy Community Acupuncture is the first community acupuncture clinic to open
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