Thanks To Our Sponsors
Be a sponsor!
Breaking News
Explore What Matters
News Center

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
What East County Topic Matters Most to You?
Get East County Wildfire, Emergency Alerts
Latest Stories
Sponsorship Placement

County hosts webinar October 22 on Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) proposed ordinance
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service October 14, 2025 (San Diego) – The County of San Diego Planning & Development Services (PDS) invites you to attend a virtual meeting to share your thoughts on the draft ordinance for the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Zoning Ordinance Amendment and the proposed Separate Sale of ADUs Program, which is currently available for public review.

Governor signs bill letting relatives care for children if parents are deported
Printer-friendly versionBy Jeanne Kuang, CalMatters Photo: Gov. Gavin Newsom delivers the 2025-26 state budget. File photo courtesy of the Governor’s office This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. October 13, 2025 (Sacramento) – Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sunday signed a bill allowing a broad range of relatives to step in as children’s caregivers if their parents are

Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza and release of all hostages
Printer-friendly versionThis is first phase of Trump’s ceasefire plan, but it’s uncertain if plan to end the war will be accepted By G. A. McNeeley Photo: rubble in Gaza; public domain image via Wikipedia October 12, 2025 (San Diego) – After days of negotiations, President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of

Senator Weber Pierson holding Town Hall on Oct. 16
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Oct. 12, 2025 (San Diego County) — California State Senator Dr. Akilah Weber Pierson is holding a Community Town Hall this week at Crawford High School in San Diego. Weber Pierson’s event will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 16, at the high school at 4191 Colts Way. You can RSVP here. In

La Mesa aims to have new city hall by 2029, but library expansion remains stalled
Printer-friendly versionBy Alexander J. Schorr October 11, 2025 (La Mesa) — Following a September City Council meeting, La Mesa is moving forward with a redevelopment plan for a new civic center which has spanned decades. The current timeline calls for a new city hall to be completed as early as 2029, with expansion plans for the library to follow. View

Governor Newsom signs Senator Weber Pierson’s first-in-the-nation reparative justice bill
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery October 11, 2025 (San Diego) — Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Senate Bill 518, authored by Senator Akilah Weber Pierson, M.D. (D-San Diego), the first law in the to move beyond study to create a commitment toward advancing reparative justice for descendants of slaves and building lasting systems of equity for Black Californians. The measure was

Health Resources
Printer-friendly versionHEALTH RESOURCES For emergencies, call 911. Scroll down for local and national resources including hospitals, health information and services. Hospitals in East County/San Diego inland Sharp Grossmont Hospital (La Mesa) UC San Diego Health, East Campus (SDSU College area) (Formerly Alvarado Hospital) Kaiser Permanente (Mission Gorge/Grantville) Palomar Medical Center Escondido Palomar Medical Center Poway Mental health and

Dia De Los Muertos Open House at Horses of Tir Na Nog
Printer-friendly version Nonprofit rescue organization Horses of Tir Na Nog cares for more than 100 animals, including Buttermilk the horse. The rescue group is having an Open House at its site in Guatay on Nov. 1. Photo by Karen Pearlman East County News Service Oct. 11, 2025 (Guatay) — Horses of Tir Na Nog, the equine-focused rescue in

Gov. Newsom signs bills to stop the ‘Puppy Mill Pipeline’ in California
Printer-friendly version At a recent companion animal adoption event at Grossmont Center, a dog waits for a chance to find a new home. California Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed hree bills in the “Stop The Puppy Mill Pipeline” legislative package. Photo by Karen Pearlman East County News Service Oct. 11, 2025 (Sacramento) — Unscrupulous, exploitative and abusive “puppy mill”

ICE Out of San Diego rally addresses federal government shutdown
Printer-friendly versionBy Paul Levikow October 10, 2025 (San Diego) – The weekly ICE Out of San Diego rally at the San Diego Federal Building downtown yesterday focused on the government shutdown, while also including messages about ongoing Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents’ detention efforts. Dave Lagstein of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 221 was one of the event organizers.
THE RENO REPORT: MORNING HAS BROKEN
Printer-friendly versionBy Jamie Reno Exclusive for East County Magazine October 15, 2008 (Tierrasanta) – Morning has broken. As the sun rises over the East County, a sense of calm permeates my body. Yesterday morning, when I started writing this column for East County Magazine on the new fire threats, it was a different story. I was filled with anxiety. The
CONTROL OF GROSSMONT UNION HIGH SCHOOL BOARD HANGS IN BALANCE
Printer-friendly versionElection creates rift among Republicans By Miriam Raftery Five candidates are vying for two seats on the Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) Board of Trustees. The stakes are high. The outcome of this election may determine if a popular superintendent will be retained, if a new high school will be built in Alpine, and if divisive forces will
PROPOSITION U SEEKS FUNDS FOR CLASSROOM UPGRADES, NEW BUILDINGS IN GROSSMONT UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Grossmont Union High School District’s superintendent and four of five GUHSD school board trustees agree that Proposition U is critical to repair and replace aging buildings throughout the district—and build a long-awaited new high school for Alpine. “We can’t modernize the old industrial classrooms abandoned years ago without Proposition U,” GUHSD Superintendent Robert Collins said
ETHICS, BUDGET CUTS, & CHOOSING NEW CHANCELLOR TOP ISSUES IN GROSSMONT-CUYAMACA COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD RACE
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery The race: Four candidates are running for two seats on the Grossmont-Cuyamaca College Board of Trustees. Challengers Mary Kay Rosinski and Moe Bakeer face off against incumbents Tim Caruthers and Bill Garrett, board president. ECM interviewed Rosinski, Caruthers and Garrett; Bakeer did not respond to interview requests. What’s at stake: Community colleges face tough times amid
Remember “L” is on “La Mesa” ballots
Printer-friendly versionCity faces low reserves; bond rating, city jobs at stake if measure fails to pass By Kristin Hobbs Kjaero The proposition Proponents call it the “Vital City Services Measure,” and opponents call it a “Pension Tax.” The impartial ballot analysis identifies it as a “general tax,” which means revenue would go into La Mesa’s general fund and “the City
STATE OF DISUNION: WAR VETERANS SPEAK OUT AGAINST MILITARY ABUSE OF TROOPS IN LOCAL STOP ON NATIONAL TOUR
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Editor’s Note: Military authorities declined to speak with East County Magazine regarding this story. We also requested permission to interview veterans at Balboa Naval Hospital to obtain a diverse range of views on conditions in mlitary service. Our request was denied. October 18, 2008 (San Diego)–Army intelligence officer Selena Coppa has risked her freedom to speak out.
SAN DIEGO SOLAR HOMES TOUR: SATURDAY OCT. 18
Printer-friendly version The San Diego Solar Homes Tour is quite possibly the longest running and most popular tour in California. Celebrating the ninth year of the free tour, over 40 homes throughout San Diego County are participating—including many in East County and San Diego’s Eastern region. This self-guided tour, sponsored by the California Center for Sustainable Energy, offers real-life, working
CUYAMACA COLLEGE RETRACTS ENFORCEMENT OF BAN ON POLITICAL MESSAGES IN FACULTY OFFICE WINDOWS
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery October 14, 2008 (El Cajon) – After English professor Timothy Pagaard posted a small Barack Obama sticker on the outside of his office window at Cuyamaca College, he was astounded to receive a warning from the Dean on September 27th ordering him to remove his message in support of the presidential candidate. “The next day the
7th DISTRICT FIGHT – EMERALD VS. BOLING: YOUR RINGSIDE GUIDE
Printer-friendly versionAccountant April Boling refuses to comment on allegations of “illegal and unethical bookkeeping”; opponent Marti Emerald shares vision for San Diego’s future By Joseph Rocha October 15, 2009 (San Diego)–Touted as “The Troubleshooter vs. the Accountant” by local media, San Diego’s 7th District Council race sounds more like a build-up to a Saturday night cage fight than a hotly contested
HIGHWAYS OPEN, FIRES 100% CONTAINED IN CAMPO AND RANCHO BERNARDO; FIREFIGHTERS STILL BATTLE JULIET BLAZE
Printer-friendly versionOctober 14, 2008, 11:00 p.m. — All major highways in San Diego County are open tonight. The Juliet Fire, which burned 3,980 acres in the Oceanside area after spreading from Camp Pendleton, is now 60% contained and evacuation orders in Fallbrook have been lifted. The Shockey Fire in Campo is 100% contained after burning 200 acres. A small fire
Get Wildfire Alerts & Wildfire Emergency News
Partner To ECM
Our Engaged Audience
5 to 10 million hits
per month!
5 to 10 million hits
per month!
A quarter million visits
each month
Most widely read news site dedicated to
San Diego’s East County
Winner of over 150
journalism awards
“Sponsoring East County Magazine is a great way to reach our loyal and engaged readers, who value organizations and businesses that support nonprofit, independent news in the public interest and wildfire/emergency alerts that keep people safe and informed. Sponsors can choose to underwrite our community news site, support a favorite section or a new special section, underwrite an event, or sponsor our wildfire and emergency alerts.”
— Miriam Raftery, Founder of East County Magazine
Community Links
📬 Subscribe to ECM – 100% Free, Trusted by East County Since 2008
- Emergency alerts
- Breaking news
- No spam ever