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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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ON THEIR TOES: ACADEMY OF PERFORMING ARTS OPENS STUDIOS IN LA MESA
Printer-friendly version By Gina McGalliard November 30, 2009 (La Mesa) –The Academy of Performing Arts, San Diego’s acclaimed dance studio which has sent numerous students on to professional ranks, has just relocated to La Mesa. The new four-studio home is located at 5120 Baltimore Drive in the same shopping center with a Discount Dance Supply Store. “There’s so many
WOMAN ROBBED OF NECKLACE AT LA MESA TROLLEY STATION BY 2 TEEN GIRLS
Printer-friendly version Crimestoppers offers reward November 30, 2009 (La Mesa) – Yesterday at 11:05 a.m., a woman was robbed at the La Mesa Trolley Station at 8248 La Mesa Blvd. The victim had just gotten off the trolley and was robbed on the trolley platform by two female suspects. The victim tried to fight off the two female suspects but
EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: NOVEMBER 30, 2009
Printer-friendly version November 30, 2009 — East County Roundup includes the most important stories about San Diego’s eastern regions, or stories relevant to our readers, that are published by other media. Top stories from the past month include: Bilbray Billing Bilbray: North County Congress member pays his wife from campaign coffers SD Retailers Pleased with
PUBLIC HELP SOUGHT TO FIND GANG MEMBER WHO BEAT, STRANGLED RANCHO SAN DIEGO WOMAN ON THANKSGIVING
Printer-friendly version November 28, 2009 (Rancho San Diego) — an Diego Sheriff’s Department’s Domestic Violence Unit asks the public’s help to locate a suspect on the run. Early on Thanksgiving morning, November 26th, Francisco McCrary allegedly assaulted the mother of his five-year-old son at her home in Rancho San Diego. McCrary reportedly beat and strangled the 29 year-old victim to
BURGLARY SUSPECTS ARRESTED AT LA PRESA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN SPRING VALLEY
Printer-friendly version November 28, 2009 (Spring Valley) – Shortly after noon today, Sheriff deputies responded to a burglary alarm at La Presa Elementary School in Spring Valley. The alarm company reported their audio surveillance system was picking up voices from inside the school. Deputies set a perimeter around the school with the assistance of ASTREA. Shortly after the deputies’ arrival, four
SNOW ON I-8 TRIGGERS ACCIDENTS, TRAFFIC ADVISORY
Printer-friendly version November 28, 2009 (Alpine) — A traffic advisory has been issued on I-8 east of Alpine to the San Diego County line, due to multiple minor injury traffic collisions related to weather conditions. A light snow is falling in the area, but is not sticking, Incident Page Network reports early this afternoon. In addition, the National Weather Service
RANCHO SAN DIEGO-JAMUL CHAMBER HOSTS ANNUAL HOLIDAY BREAKFAST & TOY DRIVE DEC. 11
Printer-friendly version November 28, 2009 (Rancho San Diego) – Rusty Nails, a.k. “The Executive Imposter” will entertain guests at the Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber of Commerce annual holiday breakfast. Festivities take place on Friday, December 11 at Peter Piper Pizza, 2983 Jamacha Road in El Cajon from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. This is the happiest and funniest event of the
POINSETTIA BOWL DEC. 23 AT QUALCOMM STADIUM: SAN DIEGO COUNTY CREDIT UNION IS TITLE SPONSOR OF EVENT TO BENEFIT MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION
Printer-friendly version November 28, 2009 (San Diego) — San Diego County Credit Union (SDCCU), with three local branch offices in El Cajon, La Mesa and Santee, has announced it has extended its title sponsorship of the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl through the 2010 game, with options for 2011 and 2012. Since the Poinsettia Bowl’s game inception
ROUGH WATER AHEAD? HELIX WATER BOARD VOTES FOR PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER NEW RATE HIKES
Printer-friendly version “Why can’t we charge people the right cost at the right time?” – Board member Kathleen Hedberg By Kristin Kjaero November 27, 2009 (La Mesa) – – On November 18, the Helix Water District Board dived into controversial waters, voting to hold a public hearing in June on a proposal to raise rates 12.6% effective July 10,
4th arrest made in Helix-area robberies
Printer-friendly version November 28, 2009 (La Mesa)–La Mesa Police have arrested a fourth individual, Johnny Stewart, a 20 year old man from La Mesa, in conjunction with a robbery that occured at Helix Charter High School on November 20. Stewart was arrested November 24 and has been charged with armed robbery; bail is set at $100,000. One adult and two juveniles were previously
EDITORIAL – WHO DESERVES AN ORGAN TRANSPLANT-AND WHO SHOULD DECIDE?
Printer-friendly versionQuestions Regarding the Tragic Death of Nataline Sarkisyan By Joel A. Harrison, PhD, MPH January 6, 2008 — Few people who read about the Nataline Sarkisyan case last year could have avoided being touched by her tragic death. Recently her family filed a lawsuit against her insurer, Cigna and is trying to get criminal charges brought against them as
MICHAEL’S CRAFT STORE ROBBED AT GUNPOINT IN LA MESA: $1,000 REWARD OFFERED BY CRIMESTOPPERS
Printer-friendly versionJanuary 5, 2009 (La Mesa) — On January 5, 2009, at 3:12 PM, two masked men entered the Michael’s Craft Store at 9108 Fletcher Parkway, La Mesa and robbed customers and the store employees at gunpoint. The suspects entered the store and ordered employees and customers to the floor while they each waved a handgun around. The suspects took
GROSSMONT & CUYAMACA COLLEGES GO SMOKE-FREE CAMPUSES STARTING JANUARY 1
Printer-friendly versionJanuary 1, 2009 (El Cajon) — Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District becomes the first multi-campus district in California to ban smoking starting New Year’s Day. “In the long run, we have done something very valuable for this district,” said governor board president Bill Garrett. Deanne Weeks said the district has a responsibility to “be ahead of the curve.” Trustee Rick
SHOULD PRESIDENT BUSH PARDON BORDER PATROL AGENTS RAMOS AND COMPEAN?
Printer-friendly version Border agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Alonso Compean January 5, 2008 (San Diego’s East County) — Assemblyman Joel Anderson has written a letter to President George W. Bush requesting a pardon for Border Patrol agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compeon. Both are currently in prison, serving 11 and 12 year sentences after being convicted by a jury of
RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR WITH NEW LAWS
Printer-friendly versionSeveral new laws designed to help strengthen existing DUI laws January 4, 2009 (Sacramento) — With a new year on the horizon, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) wants to remind motorists of a handful of new laws, passed by the Legislature and signed by Governor Schwarzenegger, that go into effect in 2009. "The overall safety of the motoring public
COMPUTER BIZ WIZ– MAKING COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY WORK FOR YOUR SMALL BUSINESS
Printer-friendly versionTop 5 IT Mistakes Small Businesses Make By Michael Natter It is deceptively easy to see what the five top small business mistakes in IT are. They are pervasive, recurring and everywhere! Typical small businesses mistakes include: Not getting value for invested and spent IT dollars: Small businesses are constantly paying for lack of knowledge, hasty decisions, oversights, mistakes,
KIDNAPPING OFÂ 8-YEAR OLD BOY WAS FALSE REPORT
Printer-friendly versionJanuary 2, 2000 (La Mesa) — On January 1, an eight-year-old boy reported being kidnapped from in front of his residence in the 4800 block of Parks Ave., La Mesa. However, the La Mesa Police have concluded after further investigation that the boy had falsified the entire story and that no crime had ever occurred. On January 2, the
EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE’S 2008 NEWSMAKERS OF THE YEAR
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery January 1, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–For better or worse, these are the East County people who made headlines in 2008. Some are famous–elected officials and sports stars. Others are unsung heroes and ordinary citizens who found themselves in extraordinary situations, battling foes ranging from cancer to large-scale developments in their communities. Some have aspired to amazing feats,
2008 NEWSMAKERS OF THE YEAR: HONORABLE MENTIONS
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Each of these individuals has attained remarkable achievements. Some have sparked controversy for their views or actions. Many are working to make our community, our nation, or our world a better place. Our list includes people who triumphed over disabilities, animal protection advocates, artists and musicians, business leaders, citizen watchdogs, educators, fire heroes, healthcare reformers, humanitarians,
EIGHT YEAR OLD BOY KIDNAPPED BY STRANGER IN LA MESA ;CHILD ESCAPED, POLICE SEEK SUSPECT
Printer-friendly versionUPDATE: Police have determined that this reported kidnapping was a hoax. La Mesa Police Officers responded to an attempted kidnapping that occurred at 4827 Parks Avenue in the city of La Mesa on January 1st at 6:55 p.m.. Officers met with the eight-year-old male victim and his aunt at the Parks Avenue address. The victim told officers he was
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