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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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San Diego Automotive Museum to hold “Garage Night” fundraiser
Printer-friendly versionEvening event at new IGNITE Academy campus (see photo, left, showing students from the academy) will support automotive career training for local youth East County News Service Jan. 7, 2026 (Santee) — The San Diego Automotive Museum will host its first Garage Night from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, at the recently opened IGNITE Academy campus, 8630 Argent St.
Helix High cheer team reaches summit — and looking for support
Printer-friendly versionLa Mesa squad wins first CIF championship, now sets sights on national competition in Las Vegas. Photo courtesy Helix High Cheer Team East County News Service Jan. 7, 2026 (La Mesa) — After three consecutive years of finishing as runners-up, the Helix Charter High School competitive cheer team finally reached the top of the podium, capturing first place in
Calif. Attorney General Bonta wins permanent injunction against Trump administration over unlawful NIH funding cuts for universities and research institutions
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service January 6, 2026 (San Diego) – A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit has unanimously affirmed a lower court decision which permanently barred the Trump administration from decimating funds that supported cutting-edge research and public health research at universities and research institutions across the country — including at the University of
Passages: Dr. Harry Paul Cuero Jr., former Campo tribal chair
Printer-friendly versionPhoto via SDSU 2011 news release January 6, 2026 (Campo) – Dr. Harry Paul Cuero Jr., former chair of the Campo Band of the Kumeyaay nation, spiritual leader and educator dedicated to preserving Kumeyaay sovereignty culture and leading efforts to share indigenous Bird Songs with future generations, died on December 6 at age 65. Cuero, known as Junior, dedicated
Local leaders lost in 2025
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Updated January 6 to add two leaders whose December deaths we learned of after this was originally published. January 1, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) — Our region lost leaders in many fields during 2025 – two tribal chairmen, La Mesa’s long-serving Mayor, a Chaldean bishop, a Padres pitching star, a Lemon Grove Councilman, a Congressman
Dog training tips from the San Diego Humane Society
Printer-friendly versionSan Diego Humane Society shares how to start the new year on the right paw. Photo courtesy SDHS East County News Service Jan. 5, 2026 (San Diego County) — Behavior challenges left unaddressed can become the reason dog owners surrender their pet to a shelter like the County of San Diego Department of Animal Services. With January being National
Unidentified man struck, killed by vehicle in La Mesa on January 1
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service January 5, 2026 (La Mesa) – An unidentified male pedestrian has died after being struck by a vehicle on Interstate 8 east in La Mesa, west of Jackson Drive. California Highway Patrol Officers responding to a call found him lying in the roadway at 1:20 a.m. on New Year’s morning. He died of his injuries
Single mom dies three weeks after being hit by car in El Cajon
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service January 5, 2026 (El Cajon) — Susana Gascon, 39, was crossing Mollison Street in El Cajon on December 6 when she was struck by a sedan. Paramedics transported her to Sharp Memorial Hospital, where she died on December 28. “This tragic incident resulted in a severe brain injury and multiple bone fractures,” her sister, Alicia
Venezuelan president captured in U.S. military attack on Caracas: Trump says U.S. will run the nation and take over oil production, but critics contend action violates U.S. and international law
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Photo Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro aboard USS Iwo Jima after his capture, via U.S. Dept. of War January 4, 2025 (San Diego) – Without notifying Congress and in apparent violation of international law, President Donald Trump ordered airstrikes and a ground raid on Venezuela’s capital city that resulted in capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Madura and his wife, Cilia Flores,
The Water Conservation Garden gears up for a blooming 2026
Printer-friendly version Photo of a buttefly at the Dorcas E. Utter Butterfly Pavilion at The Water Conservation Garden and story by Karen Pearlman Jan. 3, 2025 (Rancho San Diego) — The Water Conservation Garden, the 6-acre botanical showcase of sustainable landscaping and water-wise gardening adjacent to Cuyamaca College, has rooted out its slate of events for Winter and Spring 2026. The schedule includes educational opportunities,
Fiery crash in Ranchita kills girl, 8, injures seven others
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service December 4, 2025 (Ranchita) – An 8-year-old girl has died and seven other people injured, including children, in a multi-vehicle collision Sunday afternoon, November 30 on San Felipe Road south of Montezuma Valley Road. Alcohol is suspected as a factor in the crash, according to the California Highway Patrol. “Dozens of first responders worked
County officials respond to November coyote attack at UTC
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service A coyote peers out from near Cowles Mountain in 2023. Photo by Karen Pearlman Dec. 4, 2025 (San Diego County) — San Diego County officials are sharing information in response to a recent coyote attack that took place in the Westview UTC mall parking lot on Nov. 25. The coyote attack injured two children and
Grossmont Healthcare District Awards Nearly $4 Million to Strengthen Health and Wellness Services Across East County
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Dec. 3, 2025 (La Mesa) — The Grossmont Healthcare District has approved nearly $4 million in community grants and sponsorships for fiscal year 2025–26. GHD officials say that the grant shares mark the largest single-year investment in its history to support the health and well-being of East County residents. The awards were finalized at the GHD governing
Shredded cheeses recalled in 31 states due to possible metal fragments: Cheese were sold at major retailers under several brand names
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service December 3, 2025 (San Diego) – Great Lakes Cheese Co. has recalled shredded cheeses sold in 31 states due to possible metal fragments in the products. The cheese was sold under multiple brand names, including Borden, Good & Gather, Great Value, Publix, Food Lion and Food Club, and at stores such as Walmart, Target, Aldi,
Trump administration allows PFAS “forever chemicals” in pesticides used on food and eliminates asbestos testing in cosmetics
Printer-friendly version By Alexander J Schorr Image: Harmful health effects of PFAS, via European Enviornmental Agency November 30, 2025— The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently approved new pesticide products containing “forever chemicals” (PFAS) for use on major food crops, sparking significant controversy. The approvals, announced this month, have been met with criticism from scientists and environmental advocates due
Holiday season safety tips & reminders from the California Fire Foundation and PSA program
Printer-friendly versionSource: California Fire Foundation November 29, 2025 (San Diego) – The holiday season is a time of joy, family gatherings, and cherished traditions. As families across California prepare for festive celebrations, it’s essential to prioritize safety—especially in a state prone to wildfires. Here are some key holiday safety tips from the California Fire Foundation: 1. Kitchen Safety The kitchen
Automated license plate reader technology helps ECPD arrest burglary suspects
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service November 28, 2025 (El Cajon) – Officers from El Cajon Police Department responded to reports of a home burglary in progress, with the family inside on November 23 around 9:14 a.m. Whey they arrived, officers learned that two suspects—a woman who fled on foot and a man who stole the victims’ SUV—had already left the
Keep pets safe throughout the holiday season
Printer-friendly versionBy Sir Milo Loftin, County of San Diego Communications Office November 28, 2025 (San Diego) – The holidays are a time for food, family and celebration. But the extra activity, rich meals and decorations can create hazards for pets. County Animal Services is sharing safety tips to help keep cats, dogs and other pets safe from Thanksgiving through New
Hearing and new website showcase County housing efforts
Printer-friendly versionBy Donna Durckel, County of San Diego Communications Office Image credit: Shutterstock November 28, 2025 (San Diego) – The Board of Supervisors held a housing workshop that focused on unincorporated land use policy and the need for regional housing solutions in support of the County’s commitment to address the region’s housing crisis. The informational workshop set the stage ahead
Border Patrol apprehends escaped felon in Descanso
Printer-friendly version East County News Service September 27, 2025 (Julian)— U.S. Border Patrol agents from the San Diego sector have apprehended a felon who escaped from a Cal Fire work camp in Julian early on Nov. 24. The escapee, Joseph Lee Randall, was serving time for crimes including corporal injury, petty theft, vehicle theft, and grand theft. Using the Border
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