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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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GUHSD BOARD TO VOTE ON REVOCATION OF HELIX HIGH CHARTER AT MEETING THURS. JULY 9
Printer-friendly version July 8, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Grossmont Union High School District’s Board of Trustees will vote Thursday on a notification to revoke Helix High School’s charter. The Helix High School Foundation and Alumni Association is planning a rally and urging supporters of Helix to attend the meeting at the East County Regional Educational Center, 924 East
MOTORCYCLE IGNITES FIRE IN OTAY MESA
Printer-friendly version July 8, 2009 (Otay)—A motorcycle accident has sparked a vegetation fire on Otay Lakes Road that is currently eight acres, CAL-FIRE informed East County Magazine at 5:43 p.m. “Firefighters do not anticipate the fire getting any larger,” CAL-FIRE Captain Nick Schuler said, adding that no additional resources will be required to extinguish the blaze. The motorcyclist was
SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE WITHOUT ARCHITECTS: JULY 13 PROGRAM SHINES LIGHT ON ENERGY-EFFICIENT HOME DESIGN TECHNIQUES FROM IRAN
Printer-friendly version July 8, 2009 (San Diego)–Architect Simi Razavian will demonstrate how people of Tabbas, Iran used micro-climate and local materials to create energy-efficient homes. She will illustrate how they used sun, wind, and water, along with thermal mass to create not only zero energy consumption buildings but also private and comfortable homes. Razavian has a Master of Science
ASSEMBLYMEMBER BLOCK TO HOST 2 PUBLIC EVENTS THIS WEEK: OPEN HOUSE & FREE CLINIC FOR DISTRESSED HOMEOWNERS
Printer-friendly version July 5, 2009 (Lemon Grove)– Assemblymember Marty Block (D-78) will host an open house at his DistOffice in Lemon Grove on Friday, plus a free clinic in Bonita on Saturday for homeowners facing foreclosure. "We had a very successful open house in December," commented the Assemblymember, "and would like to repeat that while introducing residents to our
TACKLE THIS: NFL PLAYER & FORMER ALL-AMERICAN QUARTERBACK HOLDS FOOTBALL PASSING CAMP AT GROSSMONT COLLEGE
Printer-friendly version July 6, 2009 (El Cajon)–The Grossmont College Athletics Dept. and assistant Grossmont football coach Akili Smith, a former Grossmont College All-American quarterback and National Football League player, will host a football passing camp and tournament for high school football athletes starting at 9 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, July 10 and 11, at the college’s football field.
GROSSMONT COLLEGE ANNOUNCES NEW SCHOLARSHIPS & MATCHING FUNDS UP TO $25 MILLION TO HELP EAST COUNTY STUDENTS AFFORD AN EDUCATION
Printer-friendly versionJuly 5, 2009 (El Cajon)–The Grossmont College Foundation has announced that $83,500 has been raised so far –mostly from five local entities — for six perpetual, $1,000-a-year scholarships for Grossmont College students as part of a partnership with the San Francisco-based Bernard Osher Foundation. Additional scholarship monies raised over the next two years by the Grossmont College Foundation
“MAGNIFICENT MILKY WAY” WITH ASTRONOMER DENNIS MAMMANA AT BORREGO SPRINGS AUG. 15
Printer-friendly version July 5, 2009 (Borrego Springs)–Few celestial sights are as stunning as an August desert sky. On Saturday, August 15, famed astronomer and night sky photographer Dennis Mammana offers an evening of galactic viewing along the Milky Way. Mammana invites guests to "witness some of the most magnificent scenery anywhere" from “the nearest of stars and glowing
DOIUBLE TRAGEDY IN DELUZ: MAN AND 3-YEAR OLD CHILD DROWN
Printer-friendly version July 4, 2009 (Deluz) – A three-year-old child airlifted by helicopter last night to Palomar Hospital has died, CAL-FIRE reports today. The child, a drowning victim, was driven to CAL-FIRE’s Deluz station last night, after relatives found the youngster at Tenaja Reservoir in Deluz, not breathing. Firefighters performed CPR, but were unable to save the youngster. Engine companies and
FIRE SPARKED BY WEEDING TOOL DOUSED IN EL CAJON; KEEP FIRE EXTINGUISHER HANDY WHEN CLEARING BRUSH, OFFICIALS CAUTION
Printer-friendly version July 4, 2009 (El Caj on)–At 11:05 a.m. this morning, El Cajon Fire crews were dispatched to a report of a brush fire near 1103 Gorsline Dr. in El Cajon. When firefighters arrived on scene, they encountered a 3/4-acre brush fire burning uphill threatening residential structures. Approximately ten firefighters on three engines and a Battalion Chief were
LA MESA KIWANIS AWARDS $5,400 IN COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS TO GRADUATING SENIORS AT GROSSMONT, HELIX, CHAPARRAL
Printer-friendly version Fourteen graduating seniors from East County high schools have been awarded college scholarships totaling $5,400 by the Kiwanis Club of La Mesa and the La Mesa Kiwanis Foundation. Keith Meeker, Tom LeDuc and Dick DeNure headed the scholarship committee that interviewed applicants from Grossmont, Helix and Chaparral High Schools. Those receiving the scholarships were: Grossmont High School
LOOKING FOR JOB TRAINING? FREE “GET YOUR LIFE ON TRACK” MEETING AT GROSSMONT COLLEGE DEC. 9
Printer-friendly versionThe Grossmont College Adult Reentry Program will host “Get Your Life on Track,” a free informational meeting for adults interested in retraining for new jobs and careers, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 9, at the college’s Griffin Gate at the Student Center near Parking Lot #7. Reservations are not required. Speakers will include former students
BOXER ANNOUNCES NEW BORDER CROSSING
Printer-friendly versionBy Gayle Early December 2, 2008 (Otay Mesa) — Senator Barbara Boxer announced today that a new port of entry will be developed two miles east of the current Otay Mesa border crossing, a project she and Senator Diane Feinstein pushed through the Administration. In the announcement, she wrote that the new port should alleviate congestion and accommodate future
Two finalists named for chancellorship of Grossmont Cuyamaca Community College
Printer-friendly versionDecember 2, 2008 (EL CAJON) Public forums are scheduled for Dec. 10 and 11 for two finalists seeking the position of GCCCD chancellor. The finalists are Dr. Cindy Miles, president of the Hialeah Campus of Miami Dade College in Florida, and Dr. Mark Zacovic, interim vice president of administrative services for the Pasadena Area Community College District. The district
POWERLINK PROTEST SONG DEBUTS AT LAKESIDE FUNDRAISER: HEAR IT HERE FIRST!
Printer-friendly versionCoalition to stop Sunrise Powerlink has 78,000 members, organizers report; protest song implores Cleveland National Forest supervisor to save forest, block Powerlink By Miriam Raftery May 31, 2009 (Lakeside) – Mountain Echo gave a debut performance of their new Powerlink protest song during a fundraiser at the Hazy Meadow ranch yesterday. East County Magazine has the exclusive videotape of
Christmas in the Village
Printer-friendly versionQuintessential hometown fun By Kristin Hobbs Kjaero La Mesa (December 1, 2008) — Santa Claus is coming to town! On December 12-13, the La Mesa Village will magically transform with Christmas lights, sparkling window displays and open fire pits. Visitors can enjoy carnival rides, puppet shows, four stages showcasing homegrown talent, and ride ponies, carriage, and fire truck. ENTERTAINMENT
EDITORIAL – A PROPOSAL FOR PRESIDENT-ELECT BARACK OBAMA
Printer-friendly versionPut Americans to work providing fire protection infrastructure and energy independence for San Diego’s fire-ravaged East County region By Miriam Raftery, Editor, East County Magazine December 7, 2008 (San Diego’s East County) —President-Elect Barack Obama is expected to propose the largest infrastructure-rebuilding program since Franklin Delano Roosevelt initiated the Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the Great Depression. The goal
Save Water to Win Free Admission to the Natural History Museum–and Get Discounts for Legoland
Printer-friendly versionDecember 1, 2008 (Natural History Museum) — San Diego County faces water rationing in 2009 as a result of drought. Water districts locally are asking all users to cut back on water usage. Now you can earn some fun rewards for your family by conserving water. Residential customers who have saved water could win a family membership at the
FORMER GUHSD SUPERINTENDENT TERRY RYAN DIES OF BRAIN TUMOR
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery December 1, 2008 (East San Diego County) — Terry Ryan, former superintendent of the Grossmont Union High School District, died November 24 at his home in Rancho Bernardo. Battling brain cancer, Ryan resigned from his position at the GUHSD 18 months ago. “He worked hard to improve relations with the teachers after what had been an
SOLAR HOLIDAY LIGHTS– SAFE, CHEAP & GREEN!
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery December 2008 (San Diego) — Here’s a bright idea–save money on your holiday electric bills by going green! Solar holiday lights are now available in white or colored strings, twinkling lights, tree nets, wreaths, illuminated stars and even poinsettia lights for a variety of outdoor applications. Solar lights are also much safer than electric holiday lights.
The San Diego Science Festival presents Small Wonders: a day of exploration into the world of nanotechnology and advanced materials for high school students
Printer-friendly versionDecember 12 deadline for schools to apply You have heard about the Stone Age, the Iron Age and the Bronze Age. Now we are in the midst of a new technological revolution driven by nanotechnology and other material sciences, which will usher in a new age of Advanced Materials. On April 1, 175 high school students from all over
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