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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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What You Should Know About West Nile Virus Spread: County to Hold Program Saturday in La Mesa
Printer-friendly version Pesticide spraying set for July 14 and 15 in more La Mesa neighborhoods By Miriam Raftery July 11, 2025 (La Mesa) – Concern over West Nile virus in the La Mesa and Rolando areas has ramped up, after County Vector control tested nearly 2,000 mosquitos in 165 batches in these areas. West Nile virus found in 37 batches
Ramona Man Killed in Two-Vehicle Crash
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service July 11, 2025 (Ramona) – A 35-year-old Ramona man died at the scene of a two-vehicle crash on State Route 67 in Ramona on Wednesday, July 9. The victim was driving a Lexus southbound on state Route 67 near Brantner Lane when for unknown reasons, his vehicle crossed the center line and crashed
County Extending Mosquito Spraying in La Mesa Early Mon. and Tues.
Printer-friendly version East County News Services July 11, 2025 (San Diego County) — San Diego County officials plan to expand and extend ultra-low volume, truck-mounted, pesticide-mist treatments between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. Monday and Tuesday mornings in parts of La Mesa to reduce mosquito populations and protect the public from the potential spread of West Nile virus. County
Suspects Arrested for Wells Park Murder in El Cajon
Printer-friendly versionVictim’s family held a press conference shortly after the killing to ask the public for help to find the killers (Photo via ECM news partner 10 News) East County News Service July 11, 2025 (El Cajon) – The El Cajon Police Department has announced the arrest of two men on suspicion of murdering Deandre Bryant at Wells
Springs Fire Sparks Evacuations in Jamul
Printer-friendly version East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts Update July 11, 2025 8:30 a.m.– The Springs Fire has been held to 50 acres and is now 20% contained, per Cal Fire. Evacuation orders and warnings remain in place. Cause of the Springs Fire was a vehicle with a malfunctioning catalytic converter, per Cal Fire. July 10, 2025 (Jamul) — Three
TODDLER DIES FROM FALL OUT LA MESA WINDOW
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery July 10, 2025 (La Mesa) – A 14-month old baby boy has died after falling from the second-story window of his family’s housing unit on Valley View Circle in La Mesa on July 5. The Medical Examiner’s office has identified the victim as Kent Adam LaFave. After a 911 call was made, La Mesa Police
Lemon Grove Councilman and Helix Football Coach Steve Faiai Dies
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery July 10, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – Community members are grieving the loss of Sitivi “Steve” Faiai. The Lemon Grove City Councilmember and Helix High football coach died Tuesday morning of an apparent heart attack, according to the city. Faiai, 50, was an active member of Journey Church and also worked at Sprouts grocery
Evacuations Lifted in Steele Fire; Drone Hampered Firefighters
Printer-friendly versionUpdate: All evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted. Story, videos and photos by Josh Stotler View videos: https://youtu.be/usGRn-FQPg0 and https://youtu.be/2vITCTQMPl4 July 9, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – Firefighters have held the #SteeleFire to 28 acres. As of this evening, the fire is 25% contained, with no structures lost, according to Cal Fire, despite interference by a drone temporarily
Cottonwood Sand Mine Backers Fail to Dredge Up Enough Votes, as Planners Deadlock
Printer-friendly version By Karen Pearlman …”I have never seen such a destructive project with such negative impacts on the people who live in a community.” — former Supervisor Dianne Jacob, a Jamul resident (photo, left) July 9, 2025 (San Diego) – The Cottonwood Sand Mine is a wash, at least for now. After nearly six hours of testimony, presentations and
Over 4,700 Under Evacuation Orders from Steele Fire
Printer-friendly version East County Wildfire and Emergency Alerts July 9, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – The Steele Fire has prompted evacuations of over 4,700 residents in Jamul and Rancho San Diego due to structure threast. The fire began on Star Acres Drive in Rancho San Diego View map of areas under evacuation orders or warnings. Evacuees can go to
ECM World Watch: national and global news
Printer-friendly version December 16, 2025 (San Diego) — As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include: U.S. Trump’s DOJ has sued 18 states to try to access voter data (NPR) Trump Sued
GUHSD priorities: trustees give themselves a massive raise, nearly quadrupling salaries
Printer-friendly version By Alexander J. Schorr December 15, 2025 (El Cajon) — The Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) governing board voted unanimously to raise their own monthly salary of $534.04 to a proposed $2,000.00 each starting in January 2026. While California law does allow for school boards to increase their trustees’ compensation annually by up to 5% based
Santee approves contract to build $26.8 million community center and gives ok for new condos
Printer-friendly version By Mike Allen Image: rendering of new community center December 15, 2025 (Santee) — Santee’s City Council has unanimously approved a contract to build its long-planned Community Center next to the Cameron YMCA for a total cost of $26.8 million, or $3.3 million more than the city staff’s estimate given in April. At the Dec. 10 meeting,
Rabbi killed in Australian Hanukkah shooting was nephew of rabbi injured in Poway synagogue attack
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery File photo: Rabbi Ysroel Godstein of Poway December 15, 2025 (Poway) – Rabbi Eli Schlanger, the nephew of Chabad Poway’s founding Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, was among 16 people murdered in a mass shooting yesterday during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. Goldstein was injured during the April 2019 shooting at Chabad Poway, when he
The stress of apartment searching in San Diego: monthly rents and cost of living exceed national average, while scammers target renters
Printer-friendly version By Heidi Hope December 15, 2025 (San Diego) — Hunting for an affordable apartment in San Diego County is a recipe for aggravating stress. Rents and living expenses in the city of San Diego are among the highest in the nation. East County communities are also too expensive for a single person working a low-wage part-time job to
East County Jews to light Menorah today, stand against deadly shooting at Hanukkah celebration in Australia
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery December 15, 2025 (San Diego) – “Let the world see that when darkness tries to intimidate us, we answer with light,” Rabbi Rafi Andrusier from Chabad of East County said today following a mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, Australia. Rabbi Andrusier urged local community members to join in a local Menorah lighting at
Deputies respond to report of possible armed man at Sharp Rees-Stealy in Santee
Printer-friendly version Man detained due to mental health crisis; no weapon found Photo by Patrick Ward December 14, 2025 (Santee) – Sheriff’s deputies evacuated the Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group building on Cuyamaca Street in Santee yesterday afternoon, after receiving multiple 9-1-1 calls reporting a possible armed person. Deputies did not find a weapon. But during the search, deputies
Federal jury convicts Sheriff’s deputy of excessive force, violating inmate’s civil rights
Printer-friendly version Inmate suffered head and spinal injuries after being smashed head first into wall, left bleeding in cell without medical attention East County News Service December 13, 2025 (San Diego) — San Diego Sheriff’s Deputy Jeremiah Manuyag Flores was convicted by a federal jury yesterday of violating the civil rights of a man in pretrial custody at the San Diego Central Courthouse
Seven arrested for retail theft in Lemon Grove
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service December 11, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – Deputies from the Lemon Grove Sheriff’s Substation’s Community Oriented Policing and Problem-Solving (COPPS) team ran a retail theft operation at multiple businesses throughout the city on December 10. During the eight-hour operation, deputies made seven arrests—six misdemeanors and one felony—averaging roughly one arrest per hour. “Retail theft remains
County share: Sustainability hacks during the holiday season
Printer-friendly versionSustainable gifts are always in. Photo from Pexels.com East County News Service Dec. 10, 2025 (San Diego County) — Going green and being sustainable poses some challenges, and can be especially difficult to navigate during the holiday season. Gving and receiving gifts and packages of all makes and models — and most come with wrapping of all types —
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