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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…
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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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Homicide investigation leads to arrest of 2 suspects
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service July 7, 2025 (El Cajon) — The El Cajon Police Department is looking for tips related to an April shooting in the city that led to the death of a man. El Cajon PD Lt. Will Guerin reporterd that at about 9:47 p.m. on Sunday, April 13, El Cajon police officers responded to multiple
County to Spray for Mosquitoes in Rolando Areas of La Mesa and San Diego to Reduce Risk of West Nile Virus
Printer-friendly version Source: County of San Diego July 7, 2025 (La Mesa) — To protect the public and keep mosquitoes from potentially spreading West Nile virus, which was recently detected in Rolando, the County is scheduled to conduct ultra-low volume, truck-mounted, pesticide-mist treatments this week. The spraying aims to reduce the number of adult mosquitoes on about 4,000 parcels in
Ramona Robbery Victim Spots Suspect at Bank, Leading to Arrest
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery July 6, 2025 (Ramona) – Ramon Jimenez Jr. is in custody on suspicion of robbery and threatening the victim with a metal pole. According to Lieutenant Alex Navarro with the San Diego County Sheriff’s department, a resident of Terre Oak Apartments in Ramona was taking out trash when the suspect approached him, brandishing a metal
Alligator Alcatraz: A Florida ‘Concentration Camp’
Printer-friendly version By Alexander J Schorr July 4, 2025 (Everglades, FL) — Nearby President Trump’s Miami resort in the swamplands of the Florida Everglades sits a makeshift detention facility dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” the latest in his administration’s immigration enforcement efforts. Andrea Pitzer, author of One Long Night: A Global History of Concentration Camps, writes in an editorial published on MSNBC, “I
Owner Identified in Dog-Dragging Case; Animal Cruelty Charges to Be Filed
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service July 5, 2025 (Spring Valley) — San Diego County Animal Services has identified the person responsible for the horrific July 2 incident in Spring Valley in which a dog was dragged behind a vehicle. After seeing video coverage of the incident on television, the dog’s owner contacted County Animal Services and admitted that it was his truck
TRUMP SIGNS BUDGET BILL ON JULY 4 THAT INFLATES DEFICIT, CUTS SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME AMERICANS AND MAKES TAX CUTS FOR WEALTHY PERMANENT
Printer-friendly version By G. A. McNeeley July 6, 2025 (Washington D.C.) – President Donald Trump on July 4 signed the highly contentious budget bill into law. The measure passed the Senate by a one-vote margin and on July 3, the House of Representatives approved the measure. All San Diego representatives voted no, with the exception of Rep. Darrell Issa, who voted
Pizzabilities in Alpine Serves Up Build-Your-Own Pizza and Inclusive Opportunities for Employees
Printer-friendly version Pam Baker and her granddaughter Grace Baker at Pizzabilities in Alpine Story and photos by Karen Pearlman July 2, 2025 (Alpine) – Any way you slice it, Pizzabilities, Alpine’s newest addition to the culinary scene, is about to serve the community in some of the most delicious and unexpected ways. While Pizzabilities serves delicious pies,
Animal Services Seeks Help to Find Animal Abuse Suspect Who Dragged Dog Behind Jeep Cherokee in Spring Valley
Printer-friendly version Source: County News Service July 4, 2025 (Spring Valley) — San Diego County Animal Services is asking for the public’s help in identifying the person responsible for a horrific act of animal cruelty in Spring Valley. On July 2 around 5:45 p.m., witnesses observed a red and brown Doberman being dragged behind a vehicle traveling at an estimated
Festive Fourth of July Events and Fireworks
Printer-friendly version By Karen Pearlman June 25, 2025 (San Diego County) – Independence Day in the USA is just days away, and across San Diego County, there are myriad events to be part of to celebrate. East County Magazine has compiled a list of various offerings to celebrate the Fourth of July, whatever part of the region you’re
“ICE Out” Marchers in El Cajon Take Stand for Immigrants as Concerns Over ICE Raids and Abuse of Detainees Grows
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Photos and videos by Shiloh Ireland “It’s my duty…to speak up for other people that currently are scared… I know what it feels like to be undocumented and having to be living in the shadows for fear of being deported.” – Carlos Gomez Perez, an Iraq War combat veteran who earned a Silver Star medal
Candlelight vigil, funeral procession held for fallen LMPD Officer Lauren Craven
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Oct. 29, 2025 (La Mesa) — This past week has marked one of the most challenging stretches of time for the La Mesa Police Department as it mourns the loss of fallen La Mesa Police Officer Lauren Craven. Candlelight vigil photos by Karen Pearlman Craven, 25, died the night of Monday, Oct. 20 in San
A lethal pattern of neglect in San Diego county jails
Printer-friendly version By Alexander J. Schorr October 28, 2025— A San Diego County Sheriff deleted 57 hours of video footage that may have shed light on a 22-year-old man’s death in a San Diego County jail. US District Judge Dana Sabraw and Magistrate Judge Allison Goddard have sanctioned San Diego County for erasing this footage, which could have shown whether deputies
El Cajon City Council denies request to increase size of retail tobacco displays
Printer-friendly version By Paul Levikow Photo, left: Vince Kattoula displays hookahs, advocating for more space to display them in retail stores October 28, 2025 (El Cajon) – The El Cajon City Council voted Tuesday to deny a proposal that would have increased the allowable display space for tobacco products such as hookahs in retail stores that are not designated smoke
Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District fall surplus property auction now live
Printer-friendly versionSource: Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District October 29, 2025 (El Cajon) – The Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District has officially launched its fall surplus property auction, now live. The auction is open to the public, and both businesses and individuals are encouraged to bid on the inventory. The District conducts regular surplus sales as part of its sustainability efforts in an effort to reduce
ECM wins 6 awards in San Diego Press Club’s Excellence in Journalism competition
Printer-friendly version East County News Service “The massive reporting effort on this piece is evident…The two reporters on this story are truly an asset to their community.” – Judge’s comments on ECM’s first-place Education article October 28, 2025 (San Diego) – East County Magazine received six journalism awards, including three first place winners, in San Diego Press Club’s 2025 Excellence
Goodwill stores host Little Black Dress Event
Printer-friendly versionLittle Black Dress (LBD) Event featuring a custom gown by top designer Evan Hirsch East County News Service October 28, 2025 (San Diego) – Goodwill San Diego is proud to host its annual Little Black Dress Event, just in time for the holiday season. All Goodwill retail stores will showcase a wide selection of LBDs, shoes, and accessories at
Lemon Grove City Council vacancy application process reopened: New filing deadline Nov. 13
Printer-friendly versionBy Paul Levikow October 28, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – The Lemon Grove City Council reopened the process for filling a vacancy, after efforts to appoint a candidate failed the first time. The vacancy will fill the seat held by Councilmember Steve Faiai, who passed away in July. The difference in the next selection process will rely on ranked choice
CHP launches Halloween maximum enforcement to target impaired drivers
Printer-friendly versionAll available officers deployed statewide to keep roads safe during 12-hour operation Source: CHP October 26, 2025 (Sacramento) – The California Highway Patrol (CHP) will launch a 12-hour Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP) from 6 p.m. Friday, October 31, through 6 a.m. Saturday, November 1, to protect motorists and prevent impaired driving. During the operation, all available CHP
Federal government seeks to repeal protections for bighorn sheep on public land
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Photo by Susan Massey: Bighorn rams on Bureau of Land Management property in Ocotillo, adjacent to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Oct. 28, 2025 (East County) – The Trump administration is proposing to repeal the Bureau of Land Management’s Public Lands Rule in order to fast-track oil and gas exploration. The rule protects
County opens cool zones due to extreme heat advisory
Printer-friendly version October 28, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat advisory for San Diego County’s valleys and inland areas. Temperatures up to 94 degrees are forecast today and up to 96 degrees tomorrow. Hot temperatures may cause heat illnesses. Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of
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