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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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LOOKING FOR JOB TRAINING? FREE “GET YOUR LIFE ON TRACK” MEETING AT GROSSMONT COLLEGE DEC. 9
Printer-friendly versionThe Grossmont College Adult Reentry Program will host “Get Your Life on Track,” a free informational meeting for adults interested in retraining for new jobs and careers, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 9, at the college’s Griffin Gate at the Student Center near Parking Lot #7. Reservations are not required. Speakers will include former students
BOXER ANNOUNCES NEW BORDER CROSSING
Printer-friendly versionBy Gayle Early December 2, 2008 (Otay Mesa) — Senator Barbara Boxer announced today that a new port of entry will be developed two miles east of the current Otay Mesa border crossing, a project she and Senator Diane Feinstein pushed through the Administration. In the announcement, she wrote that the new port should alleviate congestion and accommodate future
Two finalists named for chancellorship of Grossmont Cuyamaca Community College
Printer-friendly versionDecember 2, 2008 (EL CAJON) Public forums are scheduled for Dec. 10 and 11 for two finalists seeking the position of GCCCD chancellor. The finalists are Dr. Cindy Miles, president of the Hialeah Campus of Miami Dade College in Florida, and Dr. Mark Zacovic, interim vice president of administrative services for the Pasadena Area Community College District. The district
POWERLINK PROTEST SONG DEBUTS AT LAKESIDE FUNDRAISER: HEAR IT HERE FIRST!
Printer-friendly versionCoalition to stop Sunrise Powerlink has 78,000 members, organizers report; protest song implores Cleveland National Forest supervisor to save forest, block Powerlink By Miriam Raftery May 31, 2009 (Lakeside) – Mountain Echo gave a debut performance of their new Powerlink protest song during a fundraiser at the Hazy Meadow ranch yesterday. East County Magazine has the exclusive videotape of
Christmas in the Village
Printer-friendly versionQuintessential hometown fun By Kristin Hobbs Kjaero La Mesa (December 1, 2008) — Santa Claus is coming to town! On December 12-13, the La Mesa Village will magically transform with Christmas lights, sparkling window displays and open fire pits. Visitors can enjoy carnival rides, puppet shows, four stages showcasing homegrown talent, and ride ponies, carriage, and fire truck. ENTERTAINMENT
EDITORIAL – A PROPOSAL FOR PRESIDENT-ELECT BARACK OBAMA
Printer-friendly versionPut Americans to work providing fire protection infrastructure and energy independence for San Diego’s fire-ravaged East County region By Miriam Raftery, Editor, East County Magazine December 7, 2008 (San Diego’s East County) —President-Elect Barack Obama is expected to propose the largest infrastructure-rebuilding program since Franklin Delano Roosevelt initiated the Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the Great Depression. The goal
Save Water to Win Free Admission to the Natural History Museum–and Get Discounts for Legoland
Printer-friendly versionDecember 1, 2008 (Natural History Museum) — San Diego County faces water rationing in 2009 as a result of drought. Water districts locally are asking all users to cut back on water usage. Now you can earn some fun rewards for your family by conserving water. Residential customers who have saved water could win a family membership at the
FORMER GUHSD SUPERINTENDENT TERRY RYAN DIES OF BRAIN TUMOR
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery December 1, 2008 (East San Diego County) — Terry Ryan, former superintendent of the Grossmont Union High School District, died November 24 at his home in Rancho Bernardo. Battling brain cancer, Ryan resigned from his position at the GUHSD 18 months ago. “He worked hard to improve relations with the teachers after what had been an
SOLAR HOLIDAY LIGHTS– SAFE, CHEAP & GREEN!
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery December 2008 (San Diego) — Here’s a bright idea–save money on your holiday electric bills by going green! Solar holiday lights are now available in white or colored strings, twinkling lights, tree nets, wreaths, illuminated stars and even poinsettia lights for a variety of outdoor applications. Solar lights are also much safer than electric holiday lights.
The San Diego Science Festival presents Small Wonders: a day of exploration into the world of nanotechnology and advanced materials for high school students
Printer-friendly versionDecember 12 deadline for schools to apply You have heard about the Stone Age, the Iron Age and the Bronze Age. Now we are in the midst of a new technological revolution driven by nanotechnology and other material sciences, which will usher in a new age of Advanced Materials. On April 1, 175 high school students from all over
Advancing Healthy Communities: From conflict to connection: Trauma-informed dialogue in a time of unrest
Printer-friendly versionBy Venture Griswold, Institute for Public Strategies Photo: “Kitchen Table Conversation” by Peter Alfred Hess is licensed under CC BY 2.0. November 4, 2025 (San Diego) — If the world feels heavy to you lately, you are not alone. We are in a time of great political unrest, with attacks on marginalized groups, climate disasters, and misinformation spreading quickly. It is natural for
Grossmont Healthcare District announces James Sly as CEO
Printer-friendly versionBy Karen Pearlman Nov. 4, 2025 (East County) – The Grossmont Healthcare District has a new Chief Executive Officer. Santee resident James Sly was unanimously approved by the five-member GHD board to be the Grossmont Healthcare District CEO and lead the organization on Tuesday afternoon. Sly, who has been the CEO of the East County Economic Development Council since
Thousands of San Diegans receive emergency food assistance at Snapdragon Stadium amid federal shutdown
Printer-friendly versionThe Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank partners with the State of California, City of San Diego, and San Diego State University to provide relief for CalFresh recipients impacted by the federal benefit pause. East County News Service November 3, 2025 (San Diego) — In a powerful show of community partnership and coordination, the Jacobs & Cushman San
San Diego-based International Relief Teams responds to Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Photo via Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness on X November 3, 2025 (San Diego) — International Relief Teams (IRT) in San Diego is actively responding to the widespread devastation in Jamaica caused by Hurricane Melissa. Entire communities have been left without safe shelter, access to clean water, food, or basic medicines. A press release from
San Diego FC to face Portland in MLS playoff game Sunday
Printer-friendly versionPhoto courtesy San Diego FC Instagram East County News Service Nov. 3, 2025 (San Diego) — San Diego FC and the Portland Timbers will be playing for the opportunity to advance in the Major League Soccer playoffs this Sunday after Portland beat SDFC 3-2 in a penalty shooutout Saturday night in Portland. San Diego FC beat
Navy police officer charged with murder in death of LMPD officer pleads not guilty; bail set at $1M
Printer-friendly versionVideo capture of Antonio Alcantar, right, courtesy ECM news partner KGTV 10 News East County News Service and news partner KGTV 10 News Nov. 3, 2025 (San Diego) — A United States Navy sailor accused of drunk driving and hitting and killing La Mesa Police Officer Lauren Craven on the freeway less than two weeks ago pleaded
Reader’s Editorial: CalRTA delivers — from pension power to Social Security fairness, retired teachers get it done
Printer-friendly versionSource: California Retired Teachers Association November 2, 2025 (San Diego) – During this year’s Retired Teachers Week, we proudly look back to January when the California Retired Teachers Association (CalRTA) achieved our biggest legislative victory when the Social Security Fairness Act was signed into law. CalRTA helped spearhead this successful national campaign and was the only West Coast organization
Vegetables sprout in new $1.67 billion County Crop Report
Printer-friendly versionBy Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office November 1, 2025 (San Diego) – Agriculture values rose by just over 1% to $1.67 billion, and vegetable and vine crops thrived in San Diego County’s Annual Crop Report released today. The new Crop Report, which covers the 2024 growing season, showed the county’s list of Top 10 crops changed
Grossmont Healthcare District Board to consider James Sly as CEO at upcoming meeting
Printer-friendly versionBy Karen Pearlman Nov. 1, 2025 (East County) — Santee resident and San Diego East County Economic Development Council leader James Sly could be named the new CEO of the Grossmont Healthcare District this week. The GHD board meeting agenda for Nov. 4 lists a Chief Executive Officer employment agreement for Sly. Aaron Byzak has been
Trump administration draws criticism and lawsuit over tearing down entire East Wing of White House
Printer-friendly version By G. A. McNeeley Image, left via Library of Congress: interior of East Wing, now demolished; this hallway displayed portraits of first ladies. October 31, 2025 (Washington D.C.) — President Donald Trump is facing legal action and criticism from historic preservationists and others over demolition of the White House’s East Wing as part of his $300 million
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