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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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COUNTY EMPLOYEES SEEK TO PUT TERM LIMITS FOR SUPERVISORS INITIATVE ON JUNE BALLOT
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery July 13, 2009 (San Diego) – San Diego County employees today held a press conference at the San Diego County Administration Center to announce a ballot initiative that would impose term limits for the San Diego County’s Board of Supervisors. Margaret Johnson, a long-term County employee, filed an initiative with the San Diego Registrar
PAINT THE TOWN: ARTISTS WANTED TO BEAUTIFY DOWNTOWN EL CAJON
Printer-friendly version July 13, 2009 (El Cajon)–The El Cajon Community Development Corporation (El Cajon CDC) is looking for artists to turn unattractive utility boxes into works of art through the Utility Box Art Program (UArt). Deadline for applications is 5 p.m. on July 30th. Painting of the utility boxes was begun several years ago by the former City of
SANTEE BRUSH FIRE EXTINGUISHED
Printer-friendly version July 12, 2009 (Santee) – A small brush fire that started around 4 p.m. this afternoon at 9255 Magnolia, near the Las Colinas Women’s facility in Santee, has been extinguished. The blaze burned less than three acres. No structures were damaged. Sheriff’s deputies alerted mobile home park residents in the vicinity of the fire, but no evacuations were
FLU SHUTS DOWN DETENTION FACILITIES IN COUNTY; 400 INMATES & EMPLOYEES EXPOSED
Printer-friendly version July 11, 2009 (San Diego) On Wednesday, July 8, 2009, two inmates housed in the South Bay Detention Facility began to exhibit flu-like symptoms. Initial testing indicated it was the Influenza-A strain of the virus. The inmates were immediately placed in isolation cells and additional testing was ordered. On July 10th, samples from the inmates were tested at the
HOUSE PASSES SMALL BUSINESS RESEARCH AND INNOVATION ACT
Printer-friendly version Bill aims to create jobs, spur economic growth Washington, DC – Four of five San Diego Congressional representatives (Democrats Bob Filner and Susan Davis along with Republicans Brian Bilbray and Duncan Hunter) voted to create new jobs and boost the economy by supporting the Small Business Research and Innovation Act, HR 2965. The measure is part of the
HOUSE APPROVES FILNER AMENDMENT TO SUPPORT PARALYMPIC PROGRAM FOR INJURED VETS
Printer-friendly version Facilities include Olympic Training Site in Chula Vista Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Bob Filner, Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, announced that the House of Representatives approved a critical funding increase for a paralympic program for veterans and members of the Armed Services. Hundreds of injured veterans now actively participate in paralympic sports and training
AT 45, FORMER STAY-AT-HOME MOM NOW HAS DREAM JOB AS FEDERAL OFFICER
Printer-friendly version She credits Grossmont College for setting her path toward successful career They epitomize the community college success story. Either written off by others as “not college material,” or hindered by their own misgivings or trying circumstances, former students of Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges are featured in a series, “Community Colleges: A Real Chance at the Brass Ring,”
TWO-ALARM FIRE DESTROYS HOME ON GROSSMONT AVE.; OCCUPANTS NARROWLY ESCAPE WITH HELP FROM CITY WORKERS
Printer-friendly version July 10, 2009 (El Cajon)–Shortly after 12 noon El Cajon Fire crews responded to a house fire at 861 Grossmont Avenue in El Cajon. As fire crews responded, a large plume of smoke could be seen at a distance, and when they arrived on scene, flames were shooting from the windows. An 82 year-old homeowner and her
BUG BOMBS CAUSE FIRE THAT DESTROYS TRAILER HOME IN EL CAJON
Printer-friendly version July 9, 2009 (El Cajon)–At 5:15 p.m. this evening El Cajon Fire crews responded to reports of a trailer home fire at the Chieftain Trailer Park, located at 187 Ballard, space number 48-B in El Cajon. Upon arrival firefighters found the trailer home engulfed. About 15 firefighters had the fire extinguished in about ten minutes, preventing damage
NEW PROGRAM NOTIFIES VICTIMS WHEN PRISONERS ARE DUE FOR RELEASE, TRANSFER, OR ESCAPE
Printer-friendly versionVictim Information and Notification Everyday (V.I.N.E.) July 10, 2009 (San Diego)– In June of 2009, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department became a participant in the VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) program. VINE is a free service to the public and provides notification when significant changes occur to an inmate’s custody status. This service has been introduced
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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