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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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POLITICS IN PARADISE: MEET YOUR LEGISLATORS FRIDAY AUG. 21
Printer-friendly version August 20, 2009 (El Cajon) – The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce invites members and the public to “Politics in Paradise”, an open forum with an opportunity to interact with your elected officials while they are in town during the Congressional and state legislative recesses. The event will be held Friday, August 21st at the Cuyamaca
SAN DIEGO SENIOR WOMEN BRING HOME THE GOLD FROM NATIONAL SENIOR GAMES AT STANFORD UNIVERSITY
Printer-friendly version They Shoot, they Score, they WIN the GOLD! San Diego’s SWBA Splash Returns Undefeated By Linda Cord August 19,, 2009 (San Diego) – It’s a slam dunk: the golden years are fun and filled with fitness challenges and triumphs for two San Diego women’s teams that scored victories to win gold medals, placing first in the nation at the
EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: MID-AUGUST 2009
Printer-friendly version East County Roundup highlights the best stories about East County issues found in other publications. August 19, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) TOP STORIES in the past month include: In the Dark About SDG&E’s Shutoff plan SDG&E Shutoff Plan to Affect 590 People on Life Support Borrego Plans to Sell Solar Fire Officials Prepare to Scale Back Operations Tax Sought By San Miguel Fire District Defeated Bioard of Supervisors Update Community Trails Master Plan Rancho Bernardo: Winery
EAST COUNTY WINE-MAKING COMES OF AGE
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Photos by Leon Thompson and Miriam Raftery August 18, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Could East County someday rival Napa Valley as a prime winemaking locale? San Diego County has over 40 wineries, nearly all in the eastern regions. Bernardo Winery in Rancho Bernardo is the County’s oldest; Orfila in San Pasqual
MARKETING MATTERS: PLANNING FOR EFFECTIVE MARKETING PART 2 – THE WHO
Printer-friendly versionTIPS AND TRICKS FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS AND GROWTH By Rama Beerfas August 18, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)—Last month, we started talking about how to plan for a successful marketing campaign. We looked at the “why” of the campaign – the ultimate goal to be achieved. If you didn’t see that article, you can read it now at
TEE OFF SEPT. 24 TO BENEFIT CAMP HOPE, HELP ABUSED CHILDREN
Printer-friendly version August 17, 2009 (La Mesa) — For the past 6 years, a golf tournament has been held to support Camp Hope, a 13-acre site at the base of Lake Sutherland in the foothills of Ramona. This camp is a summer place for physically and emotionally abused children. This year, the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce will host and
CAL FIRE DOUSES FIRE AT OLD HIGHWAY 80 IN EAST COUNTY
Printer-friendly version August 17, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) — At 2:41 pm firefighters from CAL FIRE responded to a vegetation fire located at Old Highway 80 and Live Oak Springs. In an attempt to rapidly extinguish these flames, firefighters utilized a joint effort with allied agencies to battle the blaze. It took 15 engine companies, 4 air tankers and
SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDS TO COMBAT BORDER VIOLENCE ANNOUNCED
Printer-friendly version August 16, 2009 (San Diego) — Sheriff William D. Gore announced this week that San Diego County will receive an additional $4.9 million in funding from Operation Stonegarden. This is an augmentation of the initial $8.8 million awarded to the region last month. The Operation Stonegarden grant enhances the capabilities of local law enforcement to coordinate with federal,
BOOK REVIEW: HOWARD DEAN’S PRESCRIPTION FOR REAL HEALTHCARE REFORM: HOW WE CAN ACHIEVE AFFORDABLE MEDICAL CARE FOR EVERY AMERICAN AND MAKE OUR JOBS SAFER
Printer-friendly version By Howard Dean, M.D. Chelsea Green Publishing Reviewed by Miriam Raftery The free market just doesn’t work in medicine. You can’t be an informed consumer. I never saw someone with severe chest pain jump off the table and say, Doctor, I’m going to the cheaper guy down the street.” — Howard Dean. M.D. , on a
EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH VIEJAS FIRE DEPT. TO SPONSOR FREE WILDFIRE & EMERGENCY ALERT SERVICE
Printer-friendly version August 13, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) –East County Magazine (www.eastcountymagazine.org) and Viejas Fire Department announce a partnership to improve wildfire and emergency notification for all San Diego County residents. “We are pleased to partner with the East County Magazine on the wildfire alerts,” said Viejas Fire Chief Don Butz (photo). “Viejas tribal members have worked on
Elderly man who died in custody had urinary tract infection, high blood pressure and heart disease
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery November 22, 2025 (San Diego) – The Medical Examiner has concluded that 82-year-old Karim Talib died of natural causes in the San Diego Central Jail on July 28. The autopsy determined that the cause of death was high blood pressure and heart disease complicated by acute kidney disease due to a urinary tract infection. ECM has
San Diego River Park Foundation takes action to protect homeless; hundreds in jeopardy from storms
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service November 22, 2025 (San Diego) – The San Diego River Park Foundation is leading efforts to help 323 people living along the San Diego River who are at risk from flooding in upcoming storms. In addition to checking on homeless camps and getting warnings out ahead of storms, the nonprofit holding a care package drive
Suspects arrested for stealing from Home Depot in Lemon Grove
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service November 21, 2025 (Lemon Grove) — Two men are facing serious charges after getting caught stealing from a home improvement store in Lemon Grove. Last night around 6:00 p.m., deputies from the Lemon Grove Sheriff’s Substation’s Community Oriented Policing and Problem-Solving (COPPS) team coordinated a counter-theft operation at the Home Depot store on Broadway. “During
Sheriff deputies kill Alpine resident Robert Liddell during wellness check
Printer-friendly version CA Attorney General is investigating the shooting East County News Service November 21, 2025 (Alpine, CA) – A concerned neighbor called 911 to request a wellness check on her neighbor on November 5, after she found his door partially open and he did not answer. The incident ended tragically. Sheriff’s deputies fatally shot the resident, 72-year-old Robert Edmund
Supervisors discuss future housing and development in unincorporated county
Printer-friendly versionBy Paul Levikow Photo: map shows targeted areas to be prioritized for housing November 20, 2025 (San Diego) – With San Diego County experiencing a housing crisis, the Board of Supervisors held a workshop Wednesday aimed at finding solutions for the unincorporated areas, including several in East County. The Valle de Oro/Casa de Oro neighborhood was identified as being
County Supervisors Extend Behavioral Health Services Contracts
Printer-friendly versionBy Paul Levikow November 20, 2025 (San Diego) – The San Diego County Board of Supervisors Tuesday voted unanimously to extend mental health and substance use services contracts. The County Health and Human Services Agency’s Behavioral Health Services (BHS) department provides services to vulnerable populations, including individuals who are experiencing homelessness, people involved in the justice system, and children
Hannah Shirley the pygmy hippo, turns 52
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Nov. 20, 2025 (Ramona) — San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center celebrated the coming 52nd birthday of Hannah Shirley (photo, left, courtesy San Diego Humane Society), the world’s oldest living pygmy hippopotamus in managed care. Hannah enjoyed a festive “Hungry Hungry Hippos”-themed party that included floating fruit treats and colorful decorations inspired
Trump aims to open California coast to oil drilling; Senator Padilla and Governor Newsom denounce plan
Printer-friendly versionDraft proposal seeks six California lease sales despite clear legal limits and decades of bipartisan coastal protections By Miriam Raftery Photo: dead seabirds killed by the Exxon Valdez oil spill off Alaska in 1989. Source. November 20, 2025 (Washington D.C.) – The Trump administration today released its draft 2027 to 2032 Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing plan, the most
Santee music store owner sentenced to 7 years in prison for domestic abuse
Printer-friendly version East County News Service November 20, 2025 (Santee) – Superior Court Judge Johnetta Anderson has sentenced Joseph “Joey” Carlos Veizaga to a term of seven years in state prison after he was found guilty of domestic violence causing great bodily injury to his wife. Veizaga is the owner of Mr. Joey’s Music Store in Santee and fo9under of Los Reyes
USDA Secretary Says SNAP Recipients Will Have To Reapply For Benefits
Printer-friendly version Additionally, President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” provisions could kick millions out of the program By G. A. McNeeley November 20 2025 (Washington D.C.) — After disruptions in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits due to the federal shutdown, recipients have been anticipating getting benefits restored now that the shutdown has ended. But U.S. Department of Agriculture
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