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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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Lassos & Lace brings vintage clothing and horseshoe art to Julian
Printer-friendly version By Heidi Hope If you are visiting the Julian area or a Julian local in need of affordable clothing, you cannot miss Kimmi Branson’s store where you can access vintage clothing for reasonable pricing that never goes out of style. Branson started this business getting inspired by her husband. She recalls, “My husband asked me: “What
Levin concerned over possible I-5 closures amid live-fire reports at Camp Pendleton event
Printer-friendly versionBy Elizabeth Ireland, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association Photo: Camp Pendleton gate. (File photo courtesy of Camp Pendleton) October 16, 2025 (Camp Pendleton) – Rep. Mike Levin issued a statement Wednesday expressing concern over potential plans to close portions of Interstate 5 this weekend amid reports Navy ships will fire live ordnance over the freeway
Kaiser Permanente strike enters second day
Printer-friendly version By Paul Levikow Photo via Alliance of Healthcare Unions October 15, 2025 (San Diego) — A five-day strike by health care workers at Kaiser Permanente facilities entered its second day Wednesday affecting three hospitals in San Diego County. The strike is part of a walkout statewide in California and Hawaii involving 31,000 members of the United Nurses Associations of
Trump administration rescinds Casa de Oro grant for Campo Road improvements
Printer-friendly versionEast County’s Casa de Oro, which was going to benefit from a demonstration project for Campo Road road improvements, saw a grant from the federal government rescinded. ECM photo Local residents and officials voice disappointment in decision By Karen Pearlman Oct. 14, 2025 (Casa de Oro) — Campo Road, one of San Diego County’s historic thoroughfares, was the unfortunate
Senator Jones’ sexually violent predator placement reform bill signed by Governor
Printer-friendly versionLegislation requires in-depth study on state-run transitional housing options East County News Service October 14, 2025 (Sacramento) — Today, Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego) announced his Senate Bill 380 has been signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom and will take effect immediately. The bill directs the Department of State Hospitals to investigate placing sexually
Ramona woman killed, man injured when pickup struck pedestrians
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service October 14, 2025 (Ramona) – Ramona resident Ashley Rose Dietze, 35, died after being struck by a pickup truck while she was crossing the 700 block of Main Street (westbound highway 78) in Ramona on October 11 at 9:20 p.m. A 42-year-old male pedestrian was also hit and suffered major injuries. They were struck by
Jewish Family Service hosts drive-thru food distribution for government workers on Oct. 15
Printer-friendly versionPhoto courtesy Jewish Family Service East County News Services Oct. 14, 2025 (San Diego) — Jewish Family Service of San Diego has found another way to help those impacted by the United States federal government shutdown. The nonprofit that helps the entire community, along with The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank, is hosting a
Fatal motorcycle crash in Julian kills Jamul man
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service October 14, 2025 (Julian) – A Jamul man, 49 died at the scene of a collision in Julian on October 12. He was driving a Yamaha R6 motorcycle that crossed a double yellow line, colliding head-on with a Chevrolet Silverado towing a travel trailer. The driver was ejected from the motorcycle and was pronounced dead
County offering two no-cost flu vaccination events this week
Printer-friendly versionLocations are in Spring Valley and San Diego By Anita Lightfoot, County of San Diego Communications Office October 14, 2025 (San Diego) – Cooler temperatures have arrived in San Diego, and influenza is already threatening to make this another rough flu season. The County is hosting two cost-free flu vaccine events in local communities. Up to 200 doses of flu
Every San Diego County-born baby has a scholarship in wait via CalKIDS
Printer-friendly versionPhoto courtesy CalKIDS East County News Service Oct. 14, 2025 (San Diego County) — California-born babies can getting an early start on saving and investing. Through the California Kids Investment and Development Savings Program, every baby born in the state of California on or after July 1, 2022, automatically has a scholarship waiting in their name,
New affordable housing for veterans headed to Mission Gorge Road
Printer-friendly version By Anita Lightfoot, County of San Diego Communications Office Video by José Eli Villanueva November 6, 2025 (San Diego) – A groundbreaking ceremony was held today for The Grant at Mission Trails, a 48-unit affordable housing development dedicated to current and former military members and families. Located in the Grantville neighborhood on Mission Gorge Road, the seven-story project will
CAL FIRE announces statewide transition to new national emergency reporting system
Printer-friendly versionSource: CAL FIRE November 5, 2025 (Sacramento) – Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) announced today that fire departments across the state are beginning the transition to the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS), a secure, cloud-based platform built to modernize how emergency incidents are reported and analyzed. Departments across the country are onboarding to NERIS as part
Driver who injured child in El Cajon faces charges of felony hit-and run, evading police
Printer-friendly version East County News Service November 5, 2025 (El Cajon) – A judge has set bail at $1.5 million for Dani Korkis, 35 of El Cajon,who fled the scene after hitting a 12-year-old boy with his SUV, causing serious injury. After his arrest, Korkis was initially released on a lower bail but failed to show up at an October
Larry Cohen named new County Treasurer-Tax Collector
Printer-friendly version East County News Service Nov. 5, 2025 (San Diego County) — San Diego County has a new Treasurer-Tax Collector to fill the void of Dan McAllister, who retired earlier this year. The County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday appointed Larry Cohen to fill the position of Treasurer-Tax Collector for McAllister who retired Aug. 2.
Voters overwhelmingly approve Prop 50 redistricting and recall of Poway Councilmember
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery November 4, 2025 (San Diego) – Voters in California, including San Diego, have decisively approved Proposition 50, which will allow temporary redistricting of the state’s Congressional districts for the next five years. Poway voters also opted overwhelmingly to oust scandal-plagued District 2 Councilmember Tony Blain by an 81% to 19% margin. Blain is facing felony
Community input sought for Lakeside’s transportation future
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Nov. 4, 2025 (Lakeside) – The County of San Diego Planning & Development Services (PDS) is inviting all Lakeside residents and community stakeholders to a public meeting to discuss local transportation needs and potential solutions. The meeting, set for 5:30 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 18 at the Lakeside Community Center, is part
Man arrested for domestic violence and felony sex crime warrant after SWAT standoff at El Cajon motel
Printer-friendly version East County News Service Nov. 4, 2025 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Police officers on Sunday rescued a woman who called 911 on Sunday afternoon to report that her husband had assaulted and strangle her, holding her hostage in an El Cajon motel room located at 1368 East Main St. After police evacuated the victim, the suspect, later
DNA identifies 1998 El Cajon homicide victim as Alicia Ledezma Sanchez, born in 1968
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Photo: rendering from ECPD depicts victim, reconstructed based on her skull November 4, 2025 (El Cajon) — Twenty-seven years after her body was found partially decomposed in a ravine off Avocado in El Cajon, Alicia Ledezma Sanchez has been identified as the homicide victim, thanks to a match to DNA provided by her son. The
Pumpkin Smash event turns Halloween waste into environmental wins
Printer-friendly versionLocal students join I Love A Clean San Diego to divert organic waste from landfills Story and photo via I Love a Clean San Diego November 4, 2025 (Spring Valley) — On Monday, November 3, students at Sweetwater Springs Elementary School participated in a unique post-Halloween event aimed at reducing organic waste and promoting environmental education. Hosted by I
Grossmont and Cuyamaca College military and veteran students find connection and support
Printer-friendly versionThe colleges offer award-winning programs that celebrate and honor veterans Photo: Grossmont College student veterans Source: Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District November 4, 2025 (El Cajon) – Navy veteran Isaiah Nailon had one clear goal in mind when he enrolled at Cuyamaca College in the spring of 2018: taking the first step toward earning a bachelor’s degree. “That was it,” he
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