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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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SPLC PROVIDES TOOLS TO CURB RECRUITMENT OF TEENS BY RACIST HATE GROUPS; HATE CRIMES ON RISE
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery May 9, 2009 (La Mesa)—“There is an alarming increase in hate crimes in the United States,” James McElroy, chairman of the board for the Southern Law & Poverty Center (SLPC), told members and guests at the La Mesa –Foothills Democratic Club on May 6th. “We try to shine a little light on it. Hate is like
LEMONADE STANDS AIM TO SQUEEZE OUT MULTIPLE SCHLEROSIS MAY 30
Printer-friendly versionLemon Grove resident Kim German, 30, who has multiple sclerosis, is hosting a lemonade stand to raise money for multiple sclerosis from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 30, at the Lemon Grove VFW Hall, 6873 Federal Blvd., in Lemon Grove. The public is invited to drop by Kim’s lemonade stand, which will be one of more
BLOSSOM VALLEY CONSERVATION DAY MAY 30 OFFERS ENERGY& WATER SAVING TIPS
Printer-friendly versionMay 27, 2009 (Blossom Valley) — The Blossom Valley Water Task Force announces it will host an Energy & Water Conservation Day on Saturday, May 30th from 1 to 4 p.m. "If you haven’t heard by now, water deliveries will be cut to local agencies by 8 percent and a level 2 drought alert condition has been declared,"
WEEKLY CAJON CLASSIC CRUISE OPENS MAY 13TH FOR 9TH SEASON
Printer-friendly versionMay 1, 2009 (El Cajon)–Cajon Classic Cruise, the largest weekly classic car show in Southern California, returns to Main Street in Downtown El Cajon on Wednesday, May 13 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm with its 2009 Season Opener. In addition to viewing classic cars, the grand opening includes live music by the little Efert Band, a DJ from 104.2
BAFFLED BY BALLOT INITIATIVES? MAY 19 MEASURES PROVE STUDY IN CONFUSION
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery May 6, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)—The May 19 election includes six statewide ballot initiatives (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, and 1F) that are among the most confusing in recent memory. The stakes are high: stability of California’s budget process and the ability to fund vital services such as education, healthcare and public safety for
ECONOMIC CRISIS INCREASES SUICIDE RATE, COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH REPORTS. KNOW THE WARNING SIGNS
Printer-friendly versionMay 6, 2009 (San Diego)–May is Mental Health Month–and County of San Diego officials decided to kick it off highlighting the connection between the economic crisis and suicide. In San Diego County, the number of suicides increased 17 percent during the last five years, reaching 366 in 2008. The biggest increase took place in 2007 when the number
SOUTHERN POVERY LAW CENTER CHAIR TO SPEAK ON RISE IN HATE CRIMES: LA MESA, MAY 6
Printer-friendly versionApril 26, 2009 (La Mesa)–Jim McElroy, Chairman of the Board, Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), will speak on the rise in hate crimes in America during the May 6th meeting of the La Mesa-Foothills Democratic Club. A recent report from the SPLC shows a 50% rise in the number of hate groups in the United States. According to the
STATE OF EAST COUNTY: CITY LEADERS REVEAL PLANS RANGING FROM DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION TO A WATER SKI PARK IN SANTEE; JACOB TO PROPOSE FIRE DEPLOYMENT STUDY
Printer-friendly versionMay 2, 2009 (El Cajon)—Speaking at an East County Chamber of Commerce breakfast at Grossmont College yesterday, Supervisor Dianne Jacob took a cue from President Barack Obama and offered her own “100 days” post-election report. But she noted one key difference, “I did not take over any banks,” she quipped, then offered her own “to do” list. Mayors of
NEW FLU CASES CONFIRMED AT SDSU & POLINSKY FOSTER CHILDREN CENTER; NO CLOSURES AT THE SCHOOLS, BUT STATE PRISON SYSTEM HALTS VISITS AMID FLU FEARS
Printer-friendly versionMay 4, 2009 (San Diego)—San Diego County now has 24 confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza (the World Health Organization’s new name for swine flu). New cases include a 20-year-old SDSU student and a child at the Polinsky Center for foster children. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control have previously called for closing of schools where the virus is
ECO-FURNISHING LINE LAUNCHED IN SAN DIEGO
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery May 3, 2009 (San Diego)—Now your home can be beautiful—and green! San Diego designer Laura Birns, ASID, LEED AP, has launched LauraBirdsDesignEco-Furnishings. Named among the “Top 10 Green Gurus” by Innovative Home Magazine, the nationally published designer is a Certified Green Build Professional, USGBC,and Sustainable Furnishings Council member. Now she has created home and commercial furnishings
Editorial – SDG&E SHUT-DOWN THREAT FIRES UP BACKCOUNTRY OBJECTIONS
Printer-friendly versionBy Donna Tisdale La Mesa Fire Department In response to SDG&E’s announced plans to shut off-power to "remote areas" during high wind events: SDG&E and their urbanite supporters want to run the Sunrise Powerlink through the most HIGH RISK FIRE ZONES of our highly flammable backcountry. In addition to the 500-1000 estimated turbines already proposed in this area, SDG&E is also
BATTLE OF THE WATCHDOGS: WILL THE REAL CONSUMER CHAMPION PLEASE STAND UP?
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Anderson Lutz October 10, 2008 (Assemblyman Joel Anderson considers himself a watchdog for taxpayers. His opponent, Ray Lutz, founded a citizens’ watchdog group. Both claim to represent the public interest. The differences in their views reflect a core question being asked more and more amid today’s challenging economic times: just what is the proper role of
LOCAL RESIDENTS JOIN NATIONAL PROTEST OF WALL STREET BAIL-OUT BILL
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery September 26, 2008 (El Cajon) – East County residents angered by the Bush administration’s proposed $700 billion bail-out bill for Wall Street financial firms took to the streets yesterday as part of a national protest action organized by True Majority. Thousands protested across the nation (photo: New York protest, taken by Jeremy Scahill.) “Many people in
PENDLETON FIRE 100% CONTAINED
Printer-friendly versionOctober 9, 2008 (Camp Pendleton) 9:30 a.m. — A wildfire that began late yesterday afternoon at Camp Pendleton is now 100% contained, though firefighters continue to douse hotspots. “Between 900 and 1,000 acres have burned,” Major Kristen Lasica, Public affairs officer told East County Magazine last night. ECM activated our wildfire alert system last night after learning that aircraft
HUNTER OPENS DOOR FOR SMALL BUSINESS CONTRACTORS
Printer-friendly versionBorder Fence creates opportunities for some, but draws criticisms from others, with waivers of environmental reviews by Gayle Early Gayle Early. October 1, 2008 (El Cajon) – Congressman Duncan Hunter’s office hosted an informal briefing by the Army Corps of Engineers on September 18 on the status of the border fence construction and possible subcontracting opportunities for local businesses.
EDITORIAL – ARNOLD “SWEENEY TODD” Schwarzenegger:
Printer-friendly versionGovernor Vetoes Health Reforms, Terminates Consumer Protection Bills By Senator Sheila Kuehl On September 30, the Governor finished wielding his veto pen and, in one sweeping move, eliminated virtually every health reform measure that would have regulated the health insurance company monopoly. Health reform was not alone, bill after bill that would have benefited consumers, drivers, people who breathe,
EDITORIAL – PICKIN’ ON PICKENS’ PLAN
Printer-friendly versionBy Ken Sobel It’s impossible to turn on the TV or radio lately without being barraged by T. Boone Pickens presenting his ambitious plan to save the world from global warming and wean us off foreign oil. But the decision we need to make in the days and weeks to come is between creating the energy we need locally—or
“HISTORIC” AGREEMENT SIGNED: ALLOWS NIGHT-FLYING HELICOPTERS TO FIGHT WILDFIRES ON STATE LANDS IN EAST COUNTY
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery San Diego Fire Chief Tracy Jarmon shakes hands with CAL-FIRE Chief Howard Windsor as Mayor Jerry Sanders looks on October 1, 2008 (El Cajon) — “This is a historic occasion,” said Fire Chief Howard Windsor with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). Speaking at the San Diego Sheriff’s facility at Gillespie Field
La Mesa City Council Candidate Forum Video
Printer-friendly versionCandidates for the La Mesa City Council answered questions from the public in a September forum hosted by the East County League of Women Voters and the American Association of University Women. View the complete video, provided courtesy of Citizens Oversight Projects: www.copswiki.org/twiki/bin/view/Common/M646 Printer-friendly version
October Capitol Report – How They Voted
Printer-friendly versionHow did your elected officials vote on the most important bills in Congress and the California Legislature? Find out here! Congress weighed in on bills to fund the border fence, bring accountability to the commodities market, allocate money for the Defense budget including a pay raise for military personnel, protect consumers from credit card companies, allow offshore drilling and
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