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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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HELIX PIPELINE UPGRADE SENDS WATER FLOWING FOR 3 DAYS IN EL CAJON NEIGHBORHOOD
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery September 24, 2009 (El Cajon) –Why was water left to flow for three days from a pipeline on Pepper Drive? After a reader e-mailed East County Magazine to say that Helix Water had failed to repair an apparently ruptured pipeline a day and a half after it was first reported, we contacted Helix Water District
FIRE DEVASTATES SANTEE HOME
Printer-friendly version Story by Peter Diehl, Incident Page Network Photos by Scott Bolle, www.code3photos.com September 24, 2009 (Santee)–An early morning fire in Santee on Thursday required a response of engines and trucks from Santee, El Cajon, and Lakeside. The first engine arrived on the fire scene at 10530 Flora Veda, minutes after a call came into the Heartland communications center.
FIX THE MEDIA! MEDIA POLICY REFORM PANEL IN SD SEPT. 26
Printer-friendly version Media Reform Panel at San Diego Grassroots Democratic Convention Saturday September 24, 2009 San Diego)– The topics of, “Why do cities like San Diego have five or six talk radio stations with conservative viewpoints, but no progressive talk radio?” and “What can we do about it?” will be discussed by a panel of experts at the San Diego Grassroots
SOLAR ENERGY CONFERENCE SEPT. 29
Printer-friendly version September 24, 2009 – As part of Solar Energy Week, the California Center for Sustainability is sponsoring an all-day Solar Energy Conference featuring keynote speakers and high-level experts who will be exploring the latest policy, trends, technologies and other issues. Learn the latest in solar trends, and network with solar industry insiders. The conference promises something for everyone
WHAT’S THE FUTURE OF GROSSMONT UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT? FIND OUT OCT. 3
Printer-friendly version September 24, 2009 (El Cajon) – Grossmont Union High School District will host a free public forum Oct. 3 on the future of the district. The public is invited to learn more about projects planned for each campus and school project timelines, as well as celebrate the future of Grossmont schools. Imagery of design guidelines for specialty classrooms
PAROLED ARSONIST IN EAST COUNTY SPARKS CRY FOR REFORM
Printer-friendly version September 24, 2009 (Boulevard) –On Monday, CAL FIRE Battalion Chief and acting Boulevard Fire Chief John Francois informed Boulevard Fire Board members that a paroled arsonist had been living in the community. The arsonist is now back in custody for violating his parole terms. “Several suspicious fires are still under investigation,” Donna Tisdale, Chair of the Boulevard Planning Group informed East
CALIFORNIA’S FIREFIGHTING CAPACITY IS STRESSED AND FIREFIGHTERS STRETCHED THIN BY BUDGET CUTS, FIRE CHIEFS WARN LEGISLATIVE PANEL IN SAN DIEGO
Printer-friendly version State Fire Experts Urge Adoption of Emergency Response Initiative (ERI) By Miriam Raftery September 23, 2009 (San Diego) – With major wildfires burning in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties and red flag warnings locally due to high fire danger, State Senator Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego) chaired a joint legislative committee hearing on emergency management in San Diego
SDSU CUTS ENROLLMENT, CHANGES ADMISSION & TRANSFER STUDENT POLICIES: ANNOUNCEMENT DRAWS CRITICISM
Printer-friendly version September 23, 2009 – In response to “devastating budget cuts”, San Diego State University President Stephen L. Weber announced that SDSU will cut enrollment by 10.8%, or 4,588 undergraduate students. In addition, the school will make changes to its admissions policy for incoming fall 2010 freshmen and transfer students. The announcement has sparked concerns and criticisms from community
TECATE FIRE HALTED AT 2 ACRES
Printer-friendly version September 23, 2009 (Tecate) – A fire that began at 9:56 a.m. in a mobile home off Humphries in Tecate has been stopped at two acres, CAL FIRE reports. An outbuilding on the property also burned. Twelve engines, two fire crews, two air tankers, a helicopter, a bulldozer, a water tender and about 100 firefighters swiftly extinquished
EDITORIAL: SDSU ATTEMPTING TO IMPLEMENT A POLICY THAT HARMS LOCAL STUDENTS
Printer-friendly version Public letter to Charles B. Reed, Chancellor and Board of Trustees, California State University "We concur that SDSU is once again pursuing a strategy of “discouraging” local students from enrolling at the campus. This discouragement had been one of the well kept secrets on the campus. …By closing the door to many of these youngsters the University and
Bill Garrett to lead Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District board in 2009
Printer-friendly versionDecember 17, 2008 (El Cajon) — The Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Governing Board has unanimously re-elected Bill Garrett board president, Deanna Weeks board vice president, and Greg Barr board clerk for 2009. “Because of the severity of the state budget, this coming year will be a particularly difficult one for our district”, said Garrett, who first joined the board
SNOW FALLING IN EAST COUNTY! ACCIDENTS CLOG I-8, CHAINS REQUIRED ON MOUNTAIN HIGHWAYS
Printer-friendly versionUPDATE 9 p.m. A winter storm warning remains in effect through Thursday morning. I-8, closed earlier in portions of East county due to snow, has been reopened, according to the California Department of Transportation website, though many accidents are reported and conditions remain hazardous-. State Route 79 remains closed from I-8 to 11.9 miles south of the junction of
NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR SAN DIEGO EXCELLENCE IN ENERGY AWARDS
Printer-friendly versionDecember 18, 2008 — Are you an Energy All-Star? Take credit for your green efforts and submit a nomination for the 5th Annual San Diego Excellence in Energy (SANDEE) Awards. The SANDEE Awards recognize outstanding projects and activities that have achieved significant energy efficiency or energy conservation savings, implemented renewable energy and reduced CO2 emissions in San Diego County.
COMMUNITY LEADERS FLOCK TO ATTEND EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE’S VIP HOLIDAY PARTY
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery, Editor Education leaders at ECM’s holiday party (left to right): Henri Migala, executive dean, Cuyamaca College, Alan Ridley, Student Services Specialist, Cuyamaca College, Mary Kay Rosinski, board member, Grossmont-Cuyamaca College District, and Doug Dean, education chair, East County Chamber of Commerce with musician Gene Warren. December 15, 2008 (La Mesa) — It was a leap of
FOUNDER OF STONEY’S KIDS HONORED DURING EAST COUNTY TOY & FOOD DRIVE EVENT AT VIEJAS
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Stoney Stone and his Wife. Photo Credit: Leon Thompson December 10, 2008 (Alpine) — Community members from throughout East County gathered at the Viejas Dreamcatcher Lounge for a holiday party and auction to help needy families locally. In addition, community leaders paid tribute to B.W. “Stoney” Stone, founder of Stoney’s Kids and long-time organizer of the
Cuyamaca College dedicates Wendell Cutting Center in honor of East County humanitarian
Printer-friendly version From left: nephew L.G. Wayne Cutting; Cuyamaca Interim President Cristina Chiriboga; brothers Larry and Wayne Cutting; sister Ruth Anne Cutting; GCCCD Governing Board Trustee Deanna Weeks; TRUSTEE Bill Garrett; and student trustee Chuck Taylor. December 12, 2008 (El Cajon) Former governing board member Wendell Cutting was remembered Friday for his generosity of spirit and caring for humanity
THE WILL POWER REPORT – Prescription Medicine Costs
Printer-friendly versionNothing but the Truth! By Will Power January 1, 2008 (San Diego) — I am at the end of my rope with Big Pharma. They are the greediest, least efficient, most corrupt corporations going, and that included Big Oil. They sell bad, unsafe, overpriced drugs that kill people and don’t allow people who need drugs to get them. I went
MAKING MIRACLES HAPPEN: CHALLENGE CENTER TAKES THE “DIS” OUT OF DISABILITES
Printer-friendly version Story and photos by Miriam Raftery; videos by Leon Thompson and Rob Constantine. December 21, 2008 (San Diego’s East County) — “When I first had my stroke, I couldn’t speak or move my right side. I couldn’t walk,” recalled Austin Junkin, 80, of Lemon Grove. “Now I can do anything. I lift 100 pounds with ease,” he said,
STATE CUTS FIRE STAFFING DUE TO BUDGET CRISIS
Printer-friendly versionOnly 5 of 20 engines will be staffed this winter By Miriam Raftery December 11, 2008 (San Diego) — CAL FIRE will reduce staffing to winter preparedness levels in Southern Califiornia to address a one-time $6.3 million budget crisis. “This means additional seasonal employees will be laid off for a total of 17 weeks from mid-December to mid April,
Poway Sheriff’s Investigators Seek Public’s Help to Identify and Apprehend Burglary Suspects: $1,000 Reward
Printer-friendly versionDecember 4, 2008 (Poway) — San Diego County Crime Stoppers is joining forces with San Diego County Sheriff’s Department’s Poway detectives to help identify and apprehend the suspects responsible for burglarizing a jewelry store. The suspects’ vehicle was caught on store surveillance video. On November 11, 2008 at about 6:00 a.m., two suspects stole about $100,000 worth of jewelry
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