Thanks To Our Sponsors
Be a sponsor!
Breaking News
Explore What Matters
News Center
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
What East County Topic Matters Most to You?
Get East County Wildfire, Emergency Alerts
Latest Stories
Sponsorship Placement
2-STORY HOME LOST IN SECOND ALARM FIRE; OWNERS HAD BEEN FINED FOR DEBRIS
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Photos by Leonard Villareal October 6, 2009 (El Cajon) — Dale Wojczynski, owner of a home destroyed by fire on September 30, had been fined $10,000 by the County for ignoring numerous orders to clean up the property. A criminal case has been filed and will be heard on October 29. San Miguel Fire
LEARN HOW TO SELL AT A CERTIFIED FARMERS’ MARKET
Printer-friendly version October 6, 2009 (Escondido) – The San Diego County Farm Bureau is hosting a class to teach any interested grower how to sell produce and nursery crops at a certified farmers’ market. The class will be on Thursday, October 22 and will go from 3:00 to 5:00. Attendees will get comprehensive information on the rules and history
HELIX CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR CONTRIBUTING TO DELINQUENCY OF A MINOR
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery October 6, 2009 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Police are conducting an investigation into a Helix Charter High School assistant principal in a case involving a runaway female student. “We hope to finish our investigation this week and forward to the District Attorney with a misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor,”
FREEBIE ALERT! CALLING ALL KIDS–FREE ADMISSION TO SAN DIEGO ZOO & WILD ANIMAL PARK IN OCTOBER
Printer-friendly version KIDS FREE DAYS for children 11 years old and younger has been expanded and is now available all during the month of October. Everybody loves our World famous Zoo; now’s the time to enjoy the cooler weather as you learn more about animals and conservation. Come check out two fun, new play areas at the ZOO, and experience
GETTING YOUR BUSINESS ON THE FAST TRACK: OCT. 7 IN RANCHO SAN DIEGO
Printer-friendly version October 6, 2009 (Rancho San Diego) – Are you maximizing your business growth and profitability potential? Michelle S. Butler, president and CEO of the Women’s Business Center of California, will teach you how to utilize the same tools Fortune 500 companies use to help your business profits soar. Butler will speak at a business roundtable presentation hosted
MAN COMMITS SUICIDE OFF SEVERIN DRIVE BRIDGE
Printer-friendly version October 5, 2009 (San Diego) – The San Diego County Coroner’s office has identified Ali Shah Wahid, 34, as the man who committed suicide on September 29th by jumping off the Severin Drive overpass in La Mesa. Wahid, who was witnessed jumping, was struck by several vehicles, according to the Coroner’s report. Arriving after receiving 911 calls, emergency responders
THE CYCLE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: FREE PRESENTATION OCT. 27 IN SPRING VALLEY
Printer-friendly version October 5, 2009 (Spring Valley) — William D. Gore, Sheriff of San Diego County, announces a presentation regarding domestic violence and resources available to those who find themselves in abusive relationships. The event will be held on Tuesday, October 27th 2009, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the San Miguel Fire Station, located at 2850 Via Orange Way
WHITMAN CLAIMS SACRAMENTO BEE DISTORTED HER VOTING RECORD
Printer-friendly version October 5, 2009 (Sacramento) – Last week, the Sacramento Bee published an article stating that Meg Whitman, Republican candidate for Governor, did not register to vote in the past 28 years. Initially, Whitman responded by stating that her voting record was “inexcusable,” adding, “I failed to register and vote on numerous occasions throughout my life. That is simply
USDA OFFERS HELP TO FARMERS & RANCHERS IN SAN DIEGO & IMPERIAL COUNTIES
Printer-friendly version October 5, 2009 (Washington D.C.) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently designated San Diego and Imperial counties as part of a contiguous natural disaster area due to drought that began January 1, 2009, and continues. Farmers have eight months from the date of the USDA declaration – September 17, 2009 – to apply for assistance to
HUNTER ANNOUNCES FUNDING STEP TO INCREASE SAN DIEGO’S WATER SUPPLY—BUT VOTED “NO” ON BILL
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery October 5, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine) issued a press release announcing that the House of Representatives passed a conference report on H.R. 3183, the fiscal Year 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations Act. The legislation includes $120,000—funding secured by Congressman Hunter, according to the release, to perform a feasibility study
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
Get Wildfire Alerts & Wildfire Emergency News
Partner To ECM
Our Engaged Audience
5 to 10 million hits
per month!
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
Community Links
Thanks To Our Major Sponsors
📬 Subscribe to ECM – 100% Free, Trusted by East County Since 2008
- Emergency alerts
- Breaking news
- No spam ever