Thanks To Our Sponsors
Be a sponsor!
Breaking News
Explore What Matters
News Center
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
What East County Topic Matters Most to You?
Get East County Wildfire, Emergency Alerts
Latest Stories
Sponsorship Placement
California, Oregon, Washington to launch West Coast Health Alliance
Printer-friendly version By Paul Levikow September 3, 2025 – (East County) The governors of California, Oregon and Washington today announced they will launch a West Coast Health Alliance aimed at recommendations about immunizations, in response to recent cuts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). California Governor Gavin Newsom, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, and Washington Governor Bob Ferguson
ECM World Watch: National and global news
Printer-friendly version September 3, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — 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. Epstein accusers put pressure on Congress to release the files (NBC) DHS to States: Follow
East County Roundup: Local and statewide news
Printer-friendly versionSeptember 3, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s round-up stories include: LOCAL Supervisors vote to allow San Diego County to tap into financial reserves (Times of San Diego) How San Diego’s Congressional districts could change under redistricting
Proposed Lakeside Sand Mine Owner Sues City of San Diego for Damages From Water Release at El Capitan Dam
Printer-friendly version 91-year-old dam is too dangerous for city to keep reservoir filled, leading to massive water waste and now, damage claims downstream Updated Sept. 5, 2025 with additional seismic risk details. By Karen Pearlman Sept. 1, 2025 (Lakeside) – A lawsuit against the city of San Diego is highlighting safety and management concerns at the El
California Attorney General sounds alarm over state’s “health care emergency”
Printer-friendly version By Paul Levikow September 2, 2025 (East County) – California Attorney General Rob Bonta and health care activists from the nonprofit Protect Our Care California held a virtual news conference Tuesday regarding the “ongoing Trump-GOP health care emergency,” which they say puts 28 hospitals and 15 nursing homes at risk of closure statewide. Pioneers Memorial Hospital in Brawley in
Director of CDC has been fired by HHS Secretary Kennedy: 9 former CDC directors criticize action
Printer-friendly version This action prompted other top CDC officials to resign in protest, while Kennedy hires a replacement who has no medical background. By G. A. McNeeley September 3, 2025 (Washington D.C.) — The Trump Administration is facing bipartisan pushback over the firing of Susan Monarez, the Director of The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which prompted dozens
Health and Science Highlights
Printer-friendly versionSeptember 3, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future. HEALTH Medicare Will Require Prior Approval for Certain Procedures (New York Times) New CDC chief picked without medical credentials as vaccine panel faces shake-up (AP/Scripps News) Sen. Cassidy calls for vaccine advisory meeting to
Building together: local trades connect at Ram’s Hill Golf Cottages
Printer-friendly version Meet-and-Greet By Jennifer Sencion September 2, 2025 (Borrego Springs) – On July 31, Borrego Community Builders, in partnership with Skyline Construction, hosted a Subcontractor Meet-and-Greet in Borrego Springs to connect local tradespeople with a landmark hospitality project. The gathering brought together electricians, plumbers, painters, construction crews, and other skilled trades from Borrego Springs and neighboring desert communities,
Prop 36 proves effective: 98% of defendants accept addiction treatment
Printer-friendly versionSome retail outlets start unlocking high-end products East County News Service September 1, 2025 (San Diego) — San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan has released promising data on prosecutions and court-mandated treatment under news laws created by the passage of Proposition 36. Numbers show that of the hundreds of defendants who have pleaded guilty to drug-related offenses under
Woman arrested for vandalizing Santee Post Office
Printer-friendly version East County News Service August 31, 2025 (Santee) – A suspect accused of vandalizing the Santee Post Office on Mission Gorge Road last night was caught red-handed — or rather, black-handed – early this morning. Brandy Thomas, 52, was found in possession of black spray paint cans and had paint on her hands, legs and clothing when apprehended,
The Vault, La Mesa’s new resale boutique, helps you dress well on a budget and go green
Printer-friendly versionBy Heidi Hope November 13, 2025 (La Mesa) – If you’re looking for men’s and women’s vintage and contemporary fashions, you’ll find a treasure trove of resale clothing and accessories at The Vault. Run by Michelle La Bruno, The Vault is located at the corner of Lemon Avenue and Nebo Drive in La Mesa’s downtown village, tucked behind the
Governor Newsom attends COP30 Climate Summit that President Trump skips, after UN warns of highest C02 spikes in history
Printer-friendly versionCalifornia has reduced greenhouse gas emissions 20% since 2000, while state’s GDP rose 81% By G. A. McNeeley November 13, 2025 (Brazil) — Heat-trapping carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere jumped by the highest amount on record last year, soaring to levels never seen in human civilization. That’s “turbocharging” the earth’s climate and causing more extreme weather,
Shutdown ends as Trump signs spending bill, without extending healthcare subsidies
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Photo via White House: President Trump at signing ceremony November 13, 2025 (Washington D.C.) — President Donald Trump has signed a bill to reopen the federal government and end the longest-ever government shutdown that lasted 43 days, sidelined federal workers, delayed food aid, and snarled air travel. The deal has drawn criticism for failing to
In fiery debut after 50-day delay, Rep. Adelita Grijalva slams House speaker’s ‘abuse of power’
Printer-friendly versionBy Grace Berry and Nick Karmia, Cronkite News Photo: Rep. Adelita Grijalva, D-Tucson, delivers her first floor speech moments after Speaker Mike Johnson swore her in on Nov. 12, 2025 — 50 days after her landslide win in a special election to fill the vacancy left by the death of her father, Raúl Grijalva. (from U.S. House of Representatives video)
County crews are ready for storm, County offers tips to stay safe
Printer-friendly versionBy Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office November 12, 2025 (San Diego) – With the County’s first winter storm predicted to stretch through the weekend and into early next week, County of San Diego road crews are ready to respond if needed and the County is offering tips to help people stay safe. The County and CAL
County urges parents and stores to throw away formula linked to a national infant botulism outbreak
Printer-friendly versionBy Fernanda Lopez Halvorson, County of San Diego Communications Office November 12, 2025 (San Diego) – San Diego County is urging residents and retailers to throw out ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula. This includes all lots, can sizes and single-serve “anywhere” sticks. As of November 10, the formula is linked to 15 nationwide cases of infant botulism. While California
Atmospheric river to bring heavy rains across region Friday through Sunday
Printer-friendly version East County News Service November 13, 2025 (San Diego) – The County is urging residents to make preparations for a deluge forecast over the next three days. The National Weather Service predicts an atmospheric storm could dump 2 to 6 inches of rain in mountain areas, up to 4 inches in valleys and along the coast, and up
Sheriff searches for teen wanted on weapons violations after shooting in Poway field: body army and gun parts in home
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service November 13, 2025 (Poway) – San Diego County Sheriff seeks public help to locate Cameron Johnson, 18, on weapons violations. On Nov. 11, deputies from the Sheriff’s station in Poway responded to multiple calls reporting a man shooting a rifle in an open field near Hidden Valley Drive and Birch Lane in Poway. Johnson, who
In honor of Veterans Day, Attorney General Bonta issues alert on common scams targeting veterans
Printer-friendly versionSource: California Department of Justice November 11, 2025 (Oakland) – In honor of Veterans Day, California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a consumer alert warning veterans and their families to be aware of scams and fraud, including fraud perpetrated by predatory individuals or companies who exploit veterans seeking assistance accessing their benefits. Unaccredited claims representatives, sometimes referred to as
Senators advance potential deal to reopen federal government
Printer-friendly version Proposal would restore SNAP funding, but healthcare subsidies remain in limbo By G. A. McNeeley Updated Nov. 11 and 12 with comments from California’s Senators. November 10, 2025 (Washington D.C.) — On Sunday, November 9, The U.S. Senate moved forward on a measure aimed at reopening the federal government and ending the ongoing government shutdown that
Get Wildfire Alerts & Wildfire Emergency News
Partner To ECM
Our Engaged Audience
5 to 10 million hits
per month!
5 to 10 million hits
per month!
A quarter million visits
each month
Most widely read news site dedicated to
San Diego’s East County
Winner of over 150
journalism awards
“Sponsoring East County Magazine is a great way to reach our loyal and engaged readers, who value organizations and businesses that support nonprofit, independent news in the public interest and wildfire/emergency alerts that keep people safe and informed. Sponsors can choose to underwrite our community news site, support a favorite section or a new special section, underwrite an event, or sponsor our wildfire and emergency alerts.”
— Miriam Raftery, Founder of East County Magazine
Community Links
Thanks To Our Major Sponsors
📬 Subscribe to ECM – 100% Free, Trusted by East County Since 2008
- Emergency alerts
- Breaking news
- No spam ever