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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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FELIPE FIRE 100% CONTAINED
Printer-friendly versionEast County Wildfire & Emergency Alert Service Update May 2, 2025 — The fire is 100% contained according to CalFire. One firefighter has suffered a minor injury, according to City News Service. Update 4:30 p.m.–The fire has grown to around 50 acres and is burning at a slow rate. Per Cal Fire, crews are working in steep,rocky terrain
CUYAMACA COYOTES WIN 3C2A MEN’S SOCCER STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
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NEW “PET HEALTH EXPRESS” TO SERVE UNINCORPORATED COMMUNITIES
Printer-friendly version Source: San Diego County April 30, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — San Diego County Animal Services today announced the launch of the Pet Health Express, a new mobile veterinary unit designed to bring affordable pet care directly to unincorporated communities across the region. “Pet Health Express represents our commitment to breaking down barriers to veterinary care,”
RECALL EFFORT LAUNCHED AGAINST 4 GUHSD TRUSTEES WHO REFUSE TO RESCIND MASS FIRINGS
Printer-friendly version Three trustees have apparent conflicts of interest including ties to private schools and home schools By Alexander J Schorr and Miriam Raftery Photo, left: Students, teachers, librarians, and community members rally outside GUHSD meeting April 24 in latest protest over layoffs. April 27, 2025 (El Cajon) — A recall effort is underway seeking to oust four trustees on
$65,000 REWARD FOR INFO LEADING TO ARREST AND CONVICTION IN 2021 MURDER OF CORNEILIUS DONTE BROWN IN LA MESA
Printer-friendly versionApril 30, 2025 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Police Department and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) are asking for the public’s help in identifying and locating the suspects responsible for the murder of 22-year-old Navy Sailor Corneilius Donte Brown, which happened four years ago. Governor Gavin Newsom recently pledged an additional $50,000 reward from the State of
APPEALS COURT RULES AGAINST CHALDEANS OVER REDISTRICTING
Printer-friendly versionView the appellate court ruling By Miriam Raftery File photo: St. Peter’s Chaldean Catholic Cathedral in El Cajon April 30, 2025 (El Cajon) – The 4th district Court of Appeals has ruled against the Chaldean Coalition over supervisorial redistricting. The lawsuit, Chaldean Coalition v. The County of San Diego Independent Redistricting Commission et al, filed in 2021 had argued
DEPUTIES AND DISPATCHER SAVE MISSING AUTISTIC BOY ON FREEWAY IN SANTEE
Printer-friendly versionSource: San Diego County Sheriff’s Dept. April 29, 2025 (Santee) — The quick thinking actions of an off-duty Sheriff’s Dispatcher and Sheriff’s Deputies led to the rescue of a missing child who had wandered onto a freeway in Santee. On Sunday, March 9, just before 4:30 p.m., the Sheriff’s Communications Center received a report about an 11-year-old
BOB FILNER, FORMER SAN DIEGO MAYOR AND CONGRESSMAN, DIES AT 82
Printer-friendly version By Karen Pearlman Photo,left: Bob Filner on Election Night 2012, when he won election as San Diego Mayor (April 28, 2025) San Diego — Bob Filner, who served as San Diego’s 35th mayor and as Congressman representing San Diego and border regions in East County, died April 20. He was 82. A fierce advocate for civil rights, his
SAN DIEGO-BASED JACK IN THE BOX TO CLOSE 150-200 RESTAURANTS
Printer-friendly version East County News Service April 27, 2025 (San Diego) – Jack in the Box has announced plans to close 150-200 underperforming restaurants this year and next, to improve the company’s cash flow. The locally-owned fast food chain opened the nation’s first drive-through hamburger outlet in 1951 at 6270 El Cajon Blvd. in San Diego (photo, left). Soon after,
ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR. CLAIMS HE’LL FIND THE “CAUSE” OF AUTISM BY USING PRIVATE MEDICAL DATA
Printer-friendly version Kennedy also moved to cut funding for various autism programs, and tasked discredited researcher with finding “link” between autism and vaccines By G. A. McNeeley Photo, left: cc via Bing April 27, 2025 (Washington D.C.) — Robert F. Kennedy Jr, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, has pledged to find the “cause” of autism, while he and other members
RECESSION IN CALIFORNIA: SENATOR BOXER RELEASES REPORT
Printer-friendly version1 in 18 San Diego households face foreclosure; food bank demand up 50% December 23, 2008 (Washington, D.C.) — California Senator Barbara Boxer has prepared a report detailing impacts of the nation’s recession on California counties and cities. The report, based on interviews conducted with officials in 20 cities and all 58 counties, paints a stark picture of the
$1,000 REWARD FOR FEMALE SUSPECT IN CARJACKING AT GROSSMONT CENTER
Printer-friendly versionDecember 23, 2008 (La Mesa) — On December 22, 2008, at about 5:30 PM, a woman was carjacked, robbed and driven into El Cajon by a female suspect as the woman was parking at Grossmont Center. The victim, a 20 year old female from La Mesa, told police that she had just parked at Grossmont Center near Wal-Mart when
December Capitol Report
Printer-friendly version(Note: Since Congress and the Legislature were in recess and took no major actions in November, there is no November Capitol Report) How did your elected officials vote on the most important bills in Congress and the California Legislature? Find out here! Editor’s Note: Congress and the Legislature have been in recess in most of November and December. In
GENERAL CONTRACTOR RON ASBURY APPOINTED TO PROP R OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
Printer-friendly versionDecember 20, 2008 (El Cajon) — La Mesa resident Ron Asbury, a general contractor and active volunteer for East County schools, is the newest appointee to the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Citizens Bond Oversight Committee. The CBOC is charged with ensuring that revenues from Proposition R, the $207 million local bond measure passed in 2002, will be spent solely
2 Grossmont High School Teachers Named Winners in Inaugural “I’m Thankful For My Teacher” Award
Printer-friendly versionSan Diego County teachers recognized with thousands of “thank yous” from grateful parents, schoolchildren in contest sponsored by Mission Federal Credit Union, Junior Achievement, Cox Communications and Channel 4 December 18,2008 (San Diego, CA) Campaign organizers are proud to announce the winners of the first-ever “I’m Thankful For My Teacher” Contest, hosted by Mission Federal Credit Union, Junior Achievement
COMMUNITY LEADERS REACT TO CPUC’S APPROVAL OF SUNRISE POWERLINK SOUTHERN ROUTE
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Click photo for larger image. December 19, 2008 (San Diego’s East County) — The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has ruled to allow construction of Sunrise Powerlink across the southern portion of East County. The decision drew a mixture of praise and criticism from local community leaders. “Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has revealed his true colors when
LA MESA POLICE SERVE SEARCH WARRANT AT CHOP SHOP IN LA MESA; ARREST MADE ON DRUG, WEAPON AND STOLEN VEHICLE CHARGES
Printer-friendly versionDecember 19, 2008 (La Mesa) — Officers from the La Mesa Police Department’s Special Enforcement Detail, and detectives from the Regional Auto Theft Task Force (R.A.T.T.), served a search warrant at a home in the 6000 block of Amaya Dr. in La Mesa. The search warrant stemmed from an investigation into stolen vehicles in the area. Detectives found approximately
EL CAJON MAN ARRESTED FOR ROBBING HOLIDAY SHOPPER IN TOYS R US PARKING LOT
Printer-friendly versionDecember 18, 2008 (La Mesa) — La Mesa Police Officers responded to a robbery that occurred at 11:47 a.m. in the parking lot of Toys R Us on Grossmont Boulevard in La Mesa. When officers arrived, they found that security officers had chased the suspect on foot northbound on Jackson Drive. The security officers lost the suspect under the I-8
Armed Subject at Helix High School Determined to be a Hoax
Printer-friendly versionDecember 17, 2008 (La Mesa) — A report of an armed man on the Helix High School campus yesterday has now been determined to be a hoax. Further investigation by Helix staff and the La Mesa Police Department confirmed that the student who reported seeing a man with a gun had fabricated the incident. It is not known why
GROSSMONT-CUYAMACA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT PASSES AUDITS; BUDGET FOCUSES ON COST-CUTTING STRATEGIES
Printer-friendly versionDecember 17, 2008 (El Cajon ) — Grossmont Cuyamca Community College District today announced it has passed five separate 2007-2008 audits. The audits presented to the governing board cover the district’s general audit, its part-time employees’ pension plan, Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges foundations, and the district’s auxiliary. Two more audits relating to the district’s Prop. R facilities bond program
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