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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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GROSSMONT ANNOUNCES OPENING ON CITIZENS BOND OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
Printer-friendly version October 13, 2009 (La Mesa)–The Grossmont Union High School District is seeking applications to fill an opening on the Citizens Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC). The CBOC is responsible for implementation of Proposition H, the $274 million general obligation bond measure passed in 2004 to bring facility improvements and renovations to the district’s schools. In addition, the CBOC also oversees
MWD TAKES PENSION HIKES OFF THE TABLE: WATER PENSION PROPOSAL FIRED UP CONTROVERSY
Printer-friendly version By Francine Phillips Photos courtesy of Helix Water Distict October 13, 2009 (San Diego) – The Metropolitan Water District (MWD), which supplies water for most San Diegans, decided yesterday to re-visit labor negotiations rather than pass a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that outlined a pension arrangement that was retroactive and underfunded by 75 million. MWD’s action was the
ASSEMBLYMEMBER SALAS HOSTS VETERANS HEALTH & RESOURCE FAIR OCT. 17
Printer-friendly versionOctober 14, 2009 (Otay) – Assemblymember Mary Salas, Chair of the Assembly Veterans Affairs Committee, will host a Veterans Health and Resource Fair at Southwestern College 900 Otay Lakes Road, Chula Vista, CA 91910. Over thirty representatives from health organizations and Veterans service organizations will be in attendance offering information, body mass index, blood pressure checks, and glucose screenings.
FREE DOCUMENT SHREDDING SATURDAY
Printer-friendly version October 13, 2009 (El Cajon)- To help prevent identity theft, San Diego County Credit Union has announced that free shredding services will be available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, at its El Cajon branch, located at 312 West Main St. The public is invited to bring a maximum of two boxes containing
SHERIFF’S DEPT. OFFERS LANDLORD TRAINING SEMINAR
Printer-friendly version October 13, 2009 (San Diego)–Bill Gore, Sheriff, San Diego County, announces the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department sponsorship of a free one day Landlord Training Seminar for Mobile Home Park managers and staff. It will be held on Thursday October 22nd, at 9621 Ridgehaven Court in San Diego beginning at 8:00 a.m. Light refreshments will be served. The Landlord Training
BETWEEN WILDFIRES: ASK QUESTIONS!
Printer-friendly version Part 1 of an 8-part Series By Anne S. Fege, Ph.D., M.B.A., wildfire ecologist/educator and retired Forest Supervisor, Cleveland National Forest October 13, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–By any accounts, we will always be “between wildfires” in southern California. That raises three wildfire questions that face San Diego. What will it take to keep houses from igniting?
IS ISRAEL THE NEW SOUTH AFRICA? FREE LECTURE BY ISRAELI ACTIVIST OCT. 15 AT GROSSMONT COLLEGE
Printer-friendly versionOctober 13, 2009 (El Cajon)–Grossmont College’s Arabic Club will host a free lecture by Israeli activist Mike Peled, author of “The General’s Son: The Journey of an Israeli in Palestine,” from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15, in Room 220, a lecture hall on campus. The title for Peled’s lecture is “Is Israel the new South
GOVERNOR VETOES BILL TO INCREASE FIRE PROTECTION
Printer-friendly version AB 666 WOULD HAVE REQUIRED COUNTIES TO ENSURE THAT FIREFIGHTING SERVICES EXIST BEFORE APPROVING NEW BUILDING SUBDIVISIONS October 13, 2009 (Sacramento)–Governor Arnold Scharzenegger has vetoed legislation by Assemblymember Dave Jones (D-Sacramento) to require counties to ensure that adequate fire protection exists before approving new subdivisions in high fire hazard areas. “I am very disappointed that the Governor chose
COUNTY HOPES NEW LAW WILL SPUR HOME SOLAR, WIND
Printer-friendly version Governor signs AB 920 to compensate solar and wind powered homes for surplus energy SAN DIEGO— Owners of home solar and wind energy systems that generate extra kilowatts can soon turn those surplus electrons into compensation thanks to new legislation signed by the Governor this week. Assembly Bill 920, which earned strong backing from Chairwoman Dianne Jacob
NAACP CALLS ON SDSU TO REVERSE POLICY CURTAILING LOCAL STUDENT ADMISSIONS; SAN DIEGO NAACP PLANS PROTESTS OCT. 13 & 14
Printer-friendly version San Diego (October 11, 2009)—The San Diego branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is reacting strongly against San Diego State University’s (SDSU) recent decision to eliminate the guaranteed admissions policy for local students who meet CSU eligibility criteria. The University’s new admissions policy will cap local enrollment in the incoming freshman class
Mount Miguel High School to become “Mount Miguel Early College High School,” expanding college opportunities
Printer-friendly versionBoard approval marks a major milestone for Spring Valley school, enhancing college readiness programs and building on past successes Source: Grossmont Union High School District November 26, 2025 (Spring Valley) – Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) Governing Board President Dr. Gary C. Woods announced the Board’s official approval to rename Mount Miguel High School as Mount Miguel Early College
Sharp HealthCare nurses begin strike
Printer-friendly version Photo of striking nurses by Lauren Cazares Facebook page East County News Service Nov. 26, 2025 (San Diego County) — Thousands of nurses at Sharp HealthCare in San Diego began a strike today that is expected to last through Thanksgiving weekend. The strike is likely to impact hospital operations during one of the busiest times of the year.
Grossmont District’s high schools experience first semester without teacher librarians
Printer-friendly version“They meant to hurt us, but they’re hurting our kids.” –Jason Balisteri, Mount Miguel history teacher and former teacher-librarian By Armando Rasing II Photos, left: protest signs at GUHSD board meeting when the majority voted to fire all teacher-librarians. November 25, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – The 2025-26 school year marks the first school year that the Grossmont
San Diego plans 322% housing boom for College Area amid SDSU’s continued growth
Printer-friendly versionBy Calista Stocker, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association Photo: an aerial view of the College Area. Photo courtesy of the city. November 25, 2025 (San Diego) – San Diego is set to update the College Area’s blueprint for future development, and San Diego State University’s enrollment forecasts are driving city planners’ push
Warner Springs opens historic adobe doors for inaugural Holiday Tour
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Nov. 25, 2025 (Warner Springs) — The community of Warner Springs will open its proverbial doors next month and offer the public an unprecedented look inside its architectural soul. Six private historic adobe homes — some dating back to the 1890s — will be part of the community’s inaugural Holiday Adobe Home Tour
New City Sinfonia and Downbeat Big Band swing into the holidays with Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Nov. 25, 2025 (El Cajon) — The sounds of the holiday season will get a swinging upgrade next month, as the New City Sinfonia and the Downbeat Big Band team up for a special performance featuring Duke Ellington’s jazz interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s classic, The Nutcracker Suite. Organizers of the Dec. 10 event at
San Diego FC wins, faces Vancouver Whitecaps with MLS Cup dream on the line
Printer-friendly versionPhoto courtesy San Diego FC Instagram East County News Service Nov. 24, 2025 (San Diego) — In their first Major League Soccer season, San Diego FC is headed to the Western Conference Final this weekend at Snapdragon Stadium. San Diego FC has consistently played like a veteran club this season, surpassing any and all expectations. After
Escaped inmate sought after leaving Cal Fire work camp in Julian
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service November 24, 2025 (Julian) — California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) officials are searching for an incarcerated man who walked away today from La Cima Conservation Camp run by Cal Fire in Julian. Joseph Lee Randall, 28, was last seen wearing an orange T-shirt, gray sweatpants and could be in white tennis shoes or
Recall Eckert effort falls short: Where GUHSD moves from here
Printer-friendly versionBy Alexander J. Schorr November 24, 2025 (El Cajon) — The recall effort against trustee Scott Eckert on the Grossmont Union High School District Governing Board failed to meet the required amount of 9,600 signatures on Monday November 17, 2025. The grassroots effort needed signatures from 15% of registered voters in La Mesa to spur a recall action: volunteers
La Mesa Chamber bringing cheer to homebound seniors
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Servie Nov. 23, 2025 (La Mesa) – The spirit of giving is starting already in East County with the launch of the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce’s Homebound Seniors Holiday Project 2025. The community initiative aims to bring comfort and joy to some of the region’s most isolated residents, providing festive gift baskets filled with
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