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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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EDITORIAL: HOW MANY MORE?
Printer-friendly version By Enrique Morones October 1, 2009 (San Diego) – Today marks the 15th anniversary of the wall of death—the border wall of shame. Since October 1st 1994 and the launching of Operation Gatekeeper here in San Diego, thousands have died. Nobody knows the exact number: 5,000, 6,000, 10,000. How many more? These are not numbers, these
VIEJAS HOSTS FIRE PREVENTION DAY THURS. OCT. 8
Printer-friendly version October 5, 2009 (Alpine) – On Thursday, over 250 school children will join firefighters, tribal representatives, Smokey the Bear and Sparky the firedog from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. for hands-on learning about the importance of fire safety. The event, held at Viejas Recreation Center in Alpine, is being held in conjunction with National Fire Prevention Week. The free
FBI OPENS INVESTIGATION INTO SEMPRA/SDG&E LOBBYIST SCANDAL
Printer-friendly version Assembly Ethics Committee Drops Its Investigation By Miriam Raftery October 5, 2009 (Sacramento) – The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has launched an investigation info former Assemblyman Michael Duvall’s claims of having a sexual affair with a female lobbyist, the Los Angeles Times reports. The woman has been identified as a lobbyist for Sempra Energy/SDG&E by an Orange
TWO CANDIDATES FOR STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION SHARE VIEWS ON STRENGTHENING EDUCATION SYSTEM IN CALIFORNIA
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery October 5,2009 (San Diego)—“Our schools have been left to fall to the bottom of rankings in the nation,” Tom Torlakson told delegates at the San Diego Grassroots Convention in San Diego on September 26th. “In the early ‘70s, we were the best in the nation.” Gloria Romero, also running for the state’s top education
TROLLEY, TRUCK COLLIDE IN SANTEE
Printer-friendly version October 5, 2009 (Santee) – A Toyota truck struck a trolley last night at the intersection of Mission Gorge Road and Cuyamaca shortly before 11 p.m. last night, Incident Protection Network reported. The driver of the truck was taken to Sharp Memorial Hospital. East County Magazine spoke with a Metropolitan Transit Service representative this morning and has obtained additional details. "The
SAN DIEGO SOLAR HOME TOUR SAT. OCT. 3
Printer-friendly version October 2, 2009 – The San Diego Solar Home Tour 2009 offer working examples of residential solar energy technology on a tour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This year, the California Center for Sustainable Energy is joining the American Solar Energy Society (ASES) National Tour to showcase residential homes using solar technology at locations throughout San Diego
2 ARRESTED FOR BOMB HOAX AT WEST HILLS HIGH SCHOOL
Printer-friendly version October 2, 2009 (Santee)—San Diego County Sheriff William Gore today announced the arrest of two male juveniles accused of making false bomb threats at West Hills High School. At approximately 3:50 p.m. yesterday, deputies responded to West Hills High School after receiving a report of a possible bomb threat. A note had been discovered by a teacher alluding
ROBBERS VIOLENTLY ASSAULT, INJURE MAN & WOMAN AT 24 HOUR FITNESS IN LA MESA
Printer-friendly version Police Seek Suspects: 3 Hispanic Men with Shaved Heads; Reward Offered October 2, 2009 (La Mesa) – Last night at approximately 8:28 PM, a man and woman were assaulted by three men and knocked unconscious outside the 24-Hour Fitness Center in La Mesa. The 34 year old female victim was standing in the parking lot waiting
LIGHTNING FIRE HALTED IN PAUMA VALLEY
Printer-friendly versionOctober 2, 2009 (Pauma Valley) — CALFIRE reported a half-acre brush fire in the community of Pauma Valley off Rincon Ranch Road and South Mesa Drive. The fire was started by a lightning strike mid slope and burned uphill towards a grove. The fire was reported at 3:22 p.m., however the spread of fire was halted at 3:37
WILL YOU BE NOTIFIED WHEN THE NEXT WILDFIRE STRIKES? SIGN UP FOR E-MAIL & CELL PHONE NOTIFICATIONS
Printer-friendly version EDITOR’S UPDATE: ECM no longer recommends AlertSanDiego. While the service does provide timely notification of emergencies targeted by zip codes, we have received complaints of SPAM, political mail and excessing mailings sent to subscribers of that service. Instead, we recommend only the Viejas Wildfire & Emergency Alerts service powered by East County Magazine. We average a couple of alerts per week and we
HEALTHCARE FOR ALL BILL PASSES- GOVERNOR THREATENS VETO
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery September 8, 2008 (SAN DIEGO) – A landmark bill to provide guaranteed universal healthcare coverage for every man, woman and child in California (including medical, dental, mental health and eye care coverage) has been approved by the State Legislature. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has until September 30th to sign the measure, SB 840 by Senator Sheila Kuehl,
EAST COUNTY LEADERS ORGANIZE FUTURE SAN DIEGO: GREEN ECONOMY
Printer-friendly versionOct. 18 event at UCSD to feature Lt. Governor John Garamendi, green jobs fair and more By Miriam Raftery Event organizers Chuck Brands (left) of El Cajon and Mark Hanson of Lakeside (right) with keynote speaker, Lt. Governor John Garamendi (center) October 1, 2008 (San Diego) – Looking for a “green” job? Own a business seeking to save energy
White Rabbit Candy Sold in California Recalled Due To Melamine Contamination
Printer-friendly versionSeptember 29, 2008 (BURLINGAME, CA) – The California Department of Health and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are urging consumers not to eat White Rabbit Candies sold in California. Queensway Foods Co. of Burlingame, California is recalling White Rabbit Candy after tests revealed that some of the products are contaminated with melamine–the same deadly toxin in infant formula
OBAMA OPENS NEW OFFICE IN EAST SAN DIEGO
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Photos by Leon Thompson October 1, 2008 (San Diego) – The Obama-Biden campaign hosted a presidential debate-watching party to kick-off the opening of a new campaign office at 1744 Euclid Street in East San Diego. “We’ve had a larger than expected turnout,” Vince Hall, spokesperson for Obama for President in San Diego County told East County
NEW BLACKWATER PROTESTS MARK ANNIVERSARY OF NISOUR SQUARE SHOOTINGS
Printer-friendly versionCongressman Bob Filner and Assembly candidate Ray Lutz of East County speak out against Blackwater at Otay Mesa Rally Story and photos by Gayle Early Sign from a military families organization opposed to Blackwater. October 1, 2008 (Otay Mesa) – In September 2007, 17 people were shot to death in the Nisour Square traffic circle in Baghdad, Iraq, by
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
FDA ALERT: DEADLY TOXIN FOUND IN COFFEE & TEA; CANDY & INFANT FORMULA MAY ALSO BE TAINTED
Printer-friendly version September 25, 2008 (SAN DIEGO) – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a consumer alert today warning that numerous products have been found to be contaminated with melamine – the same deadly toxin that killed thousands of cats and dogs in contaminated pet food last year. The FDA found that seven Mr. Brown instant coffee and milk
PENDLETON FIRE CHARS 400 ACRES
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Capt. Nick Schuler, CAL-FIRE September 25, 2008 5:00 p.m. CAMP PENDLETON – More than 400 acres have burned at Camp Pendleton in a brush fire that remains active this evening. East County Magazine was the first local media to post news online of the fire, which began around 12:30 p.m. today The blaze began near Roblar
DRIVER SENTENCED FOR THREATENING PEACE ACTIVISTS IN RAMONA
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery September 23, 2008 (RAMONA) – Keith Alan Davis, a Ramona man who drove his pickup truck toward a group of anti-war protesters n June, has been sentenced to probation, ordered to take anger-management classes and must perform 20 days of community service. “This is America. You can’t just go running people over, but let’s not just
7 BANDS HOLD CONCERT TO HELP FIRE VICTIMS OCT 4
Printer-friendly versionROC For Fire Relief Concert and Fire Expo Helps Neighbors, Celebrates Heroes Saturday, October 4th, 2008 12:00pm to 10:00pm Lakeside Rodeo Grounds, Lakeside www.rocsd.net Listen to music from the bands. October 1, 2008 (Lakeside) – “Relief is still needed in a serious way,” said Randy Seol of the band Strawberry Alarm Clock, a longtime San Diego resident who
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