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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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ENGAGED COUPLE SEEKS PHOTOGRAPHER WHO SHOT THIS PHOTO IN BORREGO ON MARCH 16, 2024
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ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS
Printer-friendly versionApril 24, 2025 — 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. Lawsuits and key court rulings Supreme Court temporarily pauses deportations under Alien Enemies Act (CNN) Judge in Abrego Garcia case
SUSPECT ARRESTED IN JACUMBA BURGLARY SERIES; STOLEN PROPERTY RECOVERED
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 23, 2025 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – Miguel Sua, 31, has been arrested on suspicion of burglarizing multiple homes in Jacumba Hot Springs. After obtaining a warrant, deputies from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Rural Command station searched Sua’s home Monday morning, where they found stolen property, guns, over a quarter pound of fentanyl, and
KALASHOS IN COURT OVER CODE VIOLATIONS, ALLEGED ILLEGAL ADDITIONS AT THEIR EL CAJON HOME
Printer-friendly versionFile photo of Bessmon (Ben) Kalasho in his Fletcher Hills home By Karen Pearlman April 23, 2025 (San Diego) – Former El Cajon City Council member Bessmon (Ben) Kalasho and his wife, Jessica Deddeh Kalasho, were in San Diego Superior Court this week facing a slew of municipal code compliance violations and civil penalties related to the
IN TOWNHALL MEETING, CONGESSWOMAN SARA JACOBS WARNS THAT NATION IS IN A “CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS”
Printer-friendly versionBy Alexander J. Schorr Photo: Congresswoman Sara Jacobs speaks before a crowd of parents, teachers, community and union members about “stateof the union.” April 23, 2025 (El Cajon) – In a live town hall meeting last night at Grossmont College’s Performing and Visual Arts Center, Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-51) presented her own “State of the Union” address in which
EL CAJON MAY REZONE LAND AS RESIDENTIAL THAT WAS LONG SLATED FOR NEW KAISER HOSPITAL
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Photo: Kaiser attorney Jennifer Lynch April 23, 2025 (El Cajon) – For 23 years, ever since an old medical facility was torn down, Kaiser Permanente has been promising to build a new hospital at its property on Main Street near Greenfield Ave.in El Cajon. Frustrated by the lack of action, the City Council yesterday considered changing
EL CAJON COUNCILMAN PHIL ORTIZ SERVED WITH RECALL NOTICE
Printer-friendly versionOrtiz defends actions as “only about public safety” By Miriam Raftery April 23, 2025 (El Cajon) – “You betrayed the large immigrant community here,” Mairene Branham told El Cajon Councilman Phil Ortiz at yesterday’s city council meeting, where she served him with a recall notice. The recall effort was sparked by Ortiz’s vote on Feb. 11 in favor of
HEALTH AND SCIENCE HIGHLIGHTS
Printer-friendly versionApril 24, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future. HEALTH Virus that causes polio-like illness found in Bay Area as influenza cases spike (SF Gate) Tuberculosis cases in the US rose to their highest levels in more than a dozen years (AP) States
TRUMP AIMS TO DEPORT AMERICAN CITIZENS TO PRISONS IN EL SALVADOR
Printer-friendly version By G. A. McNeeley Photo: Prisoners at the El Salvador prison criticized for human rights violations and inhumane conditions, where Trump gas sent deported immigrants and now wants to send U.S. citizens. CC BY-SA via Bing April 23 2025 (Washington D.C.) — President Donald Trump says his administration is actively exploring a proposal to detain U.S. citizens and send them
22ND ANNUAL GRIP IT & RIP IT GOLF TOURNAMENT AT SINGING HILLS MAY 15
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 22, 2025 (El Cajon) – The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce invites you to the 22nd annual “Grip it and Rip it” golf tournament at Singing Hills Golf Club on May 15. The event for ages 21 and up includes one round of golf and lunch. The invitation states, “Challenge yourself on
El Cajon City Council denies Afghan Center’s appeal for prayer tent extension
East County News Service March 30, 2026 (El Cajon ) — The El Cajon City Council last week unanimously upheld a decision by the city’s…
Brush fire burning in Santee near Town Center
Update 9:14 p.m. Forward spread has been stopped. Update 7:42 p.m. — The fire has crossed the river and is now burning directly behind commercial…
El Cajon approves funds for reconstruction of Fletcher Hills Fire Station 7
East County News Service March 28, 2026 (El Cajon) – Heartland Fire’s station 7 in Fletcher Hills, built in 1960, will soon undergo major renovations….
A Look into Hell: What allegations and censorship in Epstein files reveal about President Trump and the justice system
By Alex J. Schorr March 17, 2026 — Americans widely disapprove of President Trump’s handling of the Epstein files , with a majority believing that…
La Mesa City Council grapples with housing and parking concerns
Councilmember Laura Lothian criticizing city tactics on parking issues By Alexander J. Schorr March 29, 2026 (La Mesa) — The La Mesa City council met…
Sheriff impounds 10 electric motorcycles, issues citations for violations by e-bikes and e-motorcycles in Santee
East County News Service March 28, 2026 (Santee) — Deputies from the Santee Sheriff’s Station conducted an enforcement operation on Thursday aimed at addressing the…
Sheriff’s Department weighs in before ‘No Kings’ rallies
East County Magazine March 27, 2026 (San Diego County) — On the eve of what many are calling the largest civil mobilization in American history,…
Suspicious backpack at Santee Sheriff’s station triggers fear of explosives and shutdown of nearby streets
By Miriam Raftery March 27, 2026 (Santee) – A staffer spotted a camouflage backpack near the front entrance of the Santee Sheriff station today at…
Saddle up: Border Patrol officers on horseback are coming to East County
East County News Service March 27, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) — U.S. Border Patrol horse patrol units across the Southwest recently received 15 horses…
Sheriff not investigating 7 reported rapes at Otay Mesa detention center
By Wendy Fry and Nigel Duara, CalMatters Photo: a CoreCivic vehicle at the Otay Mesa Detention Center. (File photo by Adrian Childress/Times of San Diego)…
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