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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
EARLY VOTING LINES
Printer-friendly versionWhy does a County with 4,261 square miles have only 1 early voting place? Two San Diego Assemblymembers call for changes after ECM inquiry By Miriam Raftery Assemblywoman Lori Saldaña vowed to take action in Sacramento to require that San Diego have more early voting locations to avoid long lines in the future. November 2, 2008 (San Diego) —
GREEN HOUSES: DEL CERRO DESIGNER COOKS UP A GREEN KITCHEN
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery November 1, 2008 (Del Cerro) — “Clients will ask, `How can we go green and still make it beautiful? That’s really the trick,” observes designer Rick Fahmie of Kitchen Expo. Fahmie designed a green kitchen in his own Del Cerro home, using utilizing natural and eco-friendly materials as well as maximizing energy efficiency. “Granite is as
EAST COUNTY ROUND-UP – NOVEMBER
Printer-friendly versionLinks to top stories in other publications on East County issues POWERLINK GETS PUMMELED ECM Editor’s note: The CPUC decision leaves the door open for a southern route to be built, which would impact East County communities near the border, so stay tuned. Voice of San Diego (November 1, 2008) — San Diego Gas & Electric’s proposed $1.2 billion
FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE, CITIES & BOARDS TAKE STANDS ON PROP 8
Printer-friendly versionEvents planned this weekend by supporters and opponents of initiative to overturn same-sex marriage By Miriam Raftery Art Madrid, La Mesa Mayor November 1, 2008 (La Mesa) – La Mesa’s City Council voted unanimously to take a neutral stance on Proposition 8, drawing applause from most of the crowd assembled at council chambers last week. “The city of La
A CONSERVATIVE AGAINST PROP. 8!
Printer-friendly versionBy the Rev. Michael C. Boblett Editor’s Note: Proposition 8 seeks to overturn the legality of same-sex marriages in California. I believe that Proposition 8 is a perfect example of an important fault line dividing the conservative movement in America today. On one side of this line are people like me, fiscal conservatives who prefer a government that does
HUNGRY IN EAST COUNTY
Printer-friendly versionStory and photos by Gayle Early November 1, 2008 (La Mesa/Spring Valley) – It’s 7:00 a.m., third Saturday of the month. The line behind Crosspointe Life Church in La Mesa snakes through the parking lot and all the way down the alley. Feeding America, a nonprofit agency formerly known as Second Harvest, has dropped off its monthly food distribution
EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE’S EDITORS AND WRITERS SWEEP SAN DIEGO PRESS CLUB AWARDS
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery October 22, 2008 (San Diego) – Q: Who are those grinning people posing with San Diego State University icon Monty Montezuma at the Hall of Champions in Balboa Park? A: East County Magazine editor Miriam Raftery and consulting editor Jamie Reno, who collectively received 14 awards in San Diego Press Club’s 2008 Excellence in Journalism competition.
GET HIGH ON GREEN ROOFS AT CUYAMACA COLLEGE ON NOV 8
Printer-friendly versionBy Gayle Lynn Falkenthal, APR November 1, 2008 – A roof may seem like just a roof to you. But to Jim Mumford of Good Earth Plant Company, a roof is one big pot for plants. His imagination and vision have made him San Diego’s “green roof guru.” Mumford will share his expertise on green roofs in an upcoming
CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES ADDRESS ECONOMY, WAR, WILDFIRE AND OTHER ISSUES IMPACTING EAST COUNTY
Printer-friendly versionBy Joseph Rocha Duncan Hunter Mike Lumpkin October 28, 2008 (San Diego’s East County) – For better or for worse, come November 4th, the 27-year stronghold on the 52nd Congressional seat will be released. Republican Congressman Duncan Hunter is retiring. Now, East County finds itself under siege in one of the hottest Congressional races of the season as
LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON? LEGACY OF DUNCAN HUNTER, SR. AT ISSUE IN CONGRESSIONAL RACE — AND THE RECORD MAY SURPRISE YOU
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery October 28, 2008 (San Diego’s East County) – Duncan Duane Hunter seeks to capture the 52nd Congressional seat being vacated by his father, 27-year Congressman Duncan Hunter. He has voiced support for his father’s voting record yet chided his principal opponent, Michael Lumpkin, for claiming that the Hunter family seeks a monarchy-like transfer of power. The
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