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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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Bicyclist dies after collision in Lemon Grove
Printer-friendly versionSource: San Diego County Sheriff October 7, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – A bicyclist is dead after a collision with a black Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck shortly before 9:30 p.m. last night in the 8500 block of Troy Street in Lemon Grove. Deputies form the Lemon Grove Sheriff’s station responded to reports of a serious injury collision and found the

Missing Spring Valley teen
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service October 7, 2025 (Spring Valley) – Public help is sought to local Angel Mauricio Reyes Mejicanos, 15, who vanished after walking his sister to school on September 29. He was reportedly sighted in the Encanto area on October 1. His family is pleading for public help to find him according to the RAD Movement, which

Charging your devices: Safety steps can prevent lithium-ion fires
Printer-friendly versionBy Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine contributed to this report Photo: firefighters purposely overloaded a lithium-ion battery to show what can happen. October 6, 2025 (San Diego) — Make sure you’re charging your lithium-ion batteries safely for devices such as cell phones and laptop computers. Using the wrong charger or one

No kidding–firefighters save goat trapped in boulders
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery October 6, 2025 (Descanso) – A goat trapped between boulders on Mizpah Lane in Descanso has been freed, thanks to the efforts of Cal Fire/San Diego Fire crews. Firefighters from Station 44 in Pine Valley and Station 45 in Descanso responded and performed a technical rescue to extricate the goat. “We are deeply honored to serve

Recall Ortiz effort in El Cajon fails to qualify for ballot
Printer-friendly versionAn effort to recall El Cajon City Council Phil Ortiz (seated, left) is not moving forward. By Karen Pearlman Oct. 6, 2025 (El Cajon) – A grass-roots effort begun in 2024 to recall El Cajon City Councilmember Phil Ortiz has fizzled after organizers failed to turn in signatures as required by last Friday to qualify a recall for the

Reduced Santee Council approves 285-unit condo project near Town Center Community Park
Printer-friendly versionBy Mike Allen October 5, 2025 (Santee) — The vacant lot behind the Cameron YMCA will soon be vacant no longer. The Santee City Council voted 3-0 to approve a 285-unit condominium project on the 22.17-acre site which had long been used by dog walkers, model car and plane users, and overspill parking during big events at the Town

Media Watch: Free speech groups denounce deportation of Emmy-award winning journalist for live-streaming ICE raids and protests
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery October 5, 2025 (Atlanta, GA) – In an action that has drawn condemnation from journalism and civil liberties organizations, the Department of Homeland Security on Friday deported Mario Guevara, an Emmy award-winning journalist, to El Salvador in retaliation for his live-streaming of ICE raids. “The government kept Mario unlawfully detained for weeks because of his

Lemon Grove School District wins Golden Bell Award
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service October 5, 2025 (Lemon Grove) — Lemon Grove School District has been honored with the California School Boards Association (CSBA) Golden Bell Award for advancing equitable student outcomes. This work has been led by Amy Fulinara, Executive Director of Educational Services. The CSBA Golden Bell Awards promote excellence in education by recognizing outstanding programs and

260,000 California 2nd graders awarded CalKIDS scholarship accounts
Printer-friendly versionSource: CalKids October 5, 2025 (Sacramento) — More than 260,000 California 2nd graders are starting this school year with their very first scholarship through CalKIDS, the state’s landmark program that helps families prepare for college and career training. Each eligible 2nd grader is automatically awarded a minimum of $500 in their CalKIDS Scholarship Account. Foster youth and students experiencing

Sheriff reports ninth in-custody death this year
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service October 4, 2025 (San Diego) — A 55-year-old man arrested Sept. 29 for public intoxication was found unresponsive at 11:55 p.m. on Oct. 1 in a holding cell at the San Diego Central Jail and later died. He was alone in the cell. Deputies called 911, requested additional help from the facility’s medical staff and
CONGRESSIONAL DEBATE VIDEO — VIEW THE BATTLING VETS!
Printer-friendly versionOctober 28, 2008 (San Diego’s East County) – Two dueling veterans–Navy Seal Mike Lumpkin, Democrat and Marine Captain Duncan D. Hunter, Republican (son of the retiring Congressman)–plus Libertarian Michael Benoit share views on key issues in a 52nd Congressional District debate held at Cuyamaca College on October 22. View the full debate, sponsored by the East County Chamber of
MUTINY AT THE GOP?
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery November 1, 2008 (San Diego) – San Diego Republican Party Chair Tony Krvaric is alleged to have rigged endorsements including a mayoral race, violated state election law and party rules. A complaint filed by a Central Committee member calls for Krvaric’s ouster. Will the GOP Central Committee make its chairman, who has previously been implicated in
FIRE OFFICIALS SAY SHOCKEY FIRE CAUSE CAN’T BE DETERMINED; PRAISE CAMPO RESIDENTS FOR SAVING HOMES
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Cal Fire Captain Richard Stephan October 27, 2008 (Campo) – The cause of the Shockey Fire, which burned approximately 400 acres on October 15, will likely never be conclusively determined, California Fire and Forestry (Cal Fire) officials informed East County Magazine’s editor during a recent visit at Campo’s fire station. “We found the area of origin
HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS
Printer-friendly versionDownload PDFs provided by Cal Fire in English and Spanish. Printer-friendly version
EL CAJON VOTERS TO DECIDE ON SALES TAX HIKE
Printer-friendly versionCouncilman blasts Assembly Rep for opposing Prop J without consulting Council or Mayor By Miriam Raftery 77th District Assemblyman Joel Anderson Voters in El Cajon will decide whether or not to approve Proposition J, which would raise sales tax by one-half cent on the dollar. “The decision to place a sales tax increase on the ballot for El Cajon
11 CANDIDATES VIE FOR 3 SEATS ON EL CAJON COUNCIL
Printer-friendly versionContenders clash on budget solutions, jobs, housing, and religion in politics By Miriam Raftery How should El Cajon address its budget shortfall? Should public jobs be privatized, or services cut? Or can new revenues and employment be created with an industrial park, green jobs, a new hospital, a university, or other innovative solutions? Candidates differ sharply on these
Editorial – Seizing the Moment
Printer-friendly versionSan Diego County’s Green Energy Future By Martha Sullivan The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is poised to take action any day now on Sempra Energy’s proposed Sunrise Powerlink project, which the CPUC’s own ratepayers’ advocate division has concluded is unnecessary. In this editorial, Martha Sullivan, former CPUC staffer, lays out a plan of action for consumers interested in
LEMON GROVE COUNCIL CANDIDATES OFFER FRESH PERSPECTIVES
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery October 25, 2008 (Lemon Grove) – Who has the best fresh ideas for Lemon Grove? Which candidate can squeeze the most benefits out of shrinking tax dollars? What seeds of future development should be planted for the city’s future—and was the Council’s vote to raise its pay 40% a sweet or sour deal? These are among
LIBRARY FRIENDS ANNOUNCE ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS
Printer-friendly versionNovember 1, 2008 (San Diego) – The Library Friends of San Diego County (LFSDC) announced the winners of its annual essay contest, with this year’s theme, "Libraries, Loud or Quiet?" First, second and third place winners in the youth, teen and adult categories will be honored by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors at the Tuesday, November 18
A QUESTION OF POWER ON SDG&E’S PROPOSED SUNRISE POWERLINK:
Printer-friendly version Video documentary distributed to CPUC is now online October 23, 2008 (San Diego, CA) – Stubborn Mule Productions and Backcountry Against the Dump, Inc. announce that “A Question of Power” is now available online. This one-hour locally produced grassroots documentary about the ongoing battle over the 150-mile “Sunrise Powerlink” transmission line proposed by San Diego Gas & Electric
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