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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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100-ACRE FIRE AT PENDLETON; NO THREATS TO STRUCTURES AT THIS TIME
Printer-friendly version August 27, 2009 (Camp Pendleton) –If you’re driving north and see smoke, don’t panic. A slow moving brush fire in the Whiskey Impact Area is currently burning on Camp Pendleton. The brush fire started at approximately 1 p.m., Aug. 26 and has burned approximately 100 acres. The Whiskey Impact Area is located in the Northeastern portion of the
VIEJAS ADDS A “STRIKING” NEW DEVELOPMENT
Printer-friendly version VIEJAS BOWL continues Viejas Outlet Center’s transformation into “lifestyle center” August 27, 2009 (Alpine) – Viejas announced plans today for a new, boutique bowling center, to be called Viejas Bowl, at the Viejas Outlet Center, across from the award winning Viejas Casino. The new development boasts 15,667 square feet of space and will include 12 United
GARAMENDI OFFERS SOLUTIONS TO ATTAIN A SUSTAINABLE CALIFORNIA
Printer-friendly version GARAMENDI OFFERS SOLUTIONS TO ATTAIN A SUSTAINABLE CALIFORNIA By Jackie Hanson August 26, 2009 (San Diego) – What would it take for California to become energy self-sustaining? As surfers caught waves just a few yards away, Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi spoke at the new Scripps Seaside Forum in La Jolla on August 5th, offering ideas to
MISSING GIRLS RETURN HOME
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery August 27, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Two girls missing since Friday have returned home, police now report. The teens left home voluntarily and no charges have been filed, according to police. "Unfortunately, it is with sad and scary news that I am contacting you,” Michael Bailey, regional golf course superintendent at Warner
YO-HO! A PIRATE’S LIFE: EAST COUNTY RESIDENT SAM SPARROW FINDS LUCRATIVE CAREER AS “CAPTAIN JACK” CELEBRITY IMPERSONATOR
Printer-friendly version “Stay the course to your dreams.” – Sam Mejia Sparrow Editor’s Note: Want a pirate for your next corporate event, motivational meeting or private party? We’ll be auctioning off swashbuckling Sam Sparrow at our “Celebrate East County” event Saturday! Register here. Story and inside photos by Miriam Raftery August 25, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) –
PHOTOS OF MOTEL SHOOTING SUSPECT & VEHICLE RELEASED BY LA MESA POLICE
Printer-friendly versionATTEMPTED MURDER BELIEVED TO BE GANG-RELATED August 25, 2009 (La Mesa) — Surveillance photos and video of a shooting suspect and his vehicle have been released today by the La Mesa Police. The suspect is wanted for alleged attempted murder at the Heritage Inn, 7851 Fletcher Parkway that occurred on August 23, 2009. A photo shows the suspect, who wore a horizontal striped
DEMOLITION OF DEPRESSION-ERA BUILDING AT GROSSMONT HIGH SCHOOL MAKES WAY FOR STATE-OF-THE-ART SCIENCE CLASSROOMS
Printer-friendly version Project Funded by Prop H School Bond El Cajon, Calif. – It was out with the old and in with the new at Grossmont High School as a 70-year-old relic came down. The aging Building 900, which was a concrete structure constructed on the La Mesa campus in the mid-1930s, was recently cleared to make way for

POLITICS IN PARADISE: FILNER, HUNTER CLASH ON HEALTHCARE, BUDGET, CLIMATE CHANGE & MORE
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery August 25, 2009 (Rancho San Diego/El Cajon)—The setting was serene, but the political exchanges were rocky at “Politics in Paradise,” a community legislative forum sponsored by the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce Friday evening at Cuyamaca College’s Water Conservation Garden. “Welcome to East County’s first town hall yelling match on healthcare reform,”
NEED WORK? HUNTER TO HOST JOB FAIR SEPT. 2 IN EL CAJON
Printer-friendly version August 25, 2009 (El Cajon) Congressman Duncan D. Hunter (R-Alpine) will host a Community job Fair on September 2 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the Ronald Reagan Community Center, 195 East Douglas in El Cajon. "This community job fair offers a great opportunity for County residents, veterans and local businesses to come together and explore
TO YOUR HEALTH! FREE & LOW-COST HEALTHCARE CLASSES IN SEPTEMBER
Printer-friendly version Sharp Grossmont Hospital’s Senior Resource Center offers free or low-cost educational programs and health screenings each month. The Senior Resource Center also provides information and assistance for health information and community resources. For more information, call 619-740-4214. For other programs, call 1-800-827-4277 or visit our web site at www.sharp.com. HOW TO TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR DURING DIFFICULT

Starting Oct. 25, select vote centers open for November special election
Printer-friendly versionBy Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego Communications Office October 27, 2025 (San Diego) – You don’t have to wait until Election Day to vote in person. Voters can take advantage of early voting at nearly three dozen select vote centers starting Saturday, Oct. 25. The centers are located around the county and will be open daily from 8

Fatal hit-and-run crash in Lemon Grove
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Oct. 27, 2025 (Lemon Grove) — An early-morning, multi-vehicle crash Sunday, Oct. 26 on state Route 125 claimed the life of a San Diego man and left several others injured, the California Highway Patrol said. At about 4:28 a.m. on Sunday, a Nissan Sentra driven by an unidentified individual, was traveling northbound just

Passages: Danny Tucker, Sycuan Tribal leader, 73
Printer-friendly versionBy Karen Pearlman, with additional reporting by Miriam Raftery Oct. 26, 2025 (East County) — One of the original champions for First Nation independence through gaming on Native American reservations in California, Daniel “Danny” Tucker, longtime leader and tribal member of the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, has passed away. Tucker, born Feb. 5, 1952 at Mercy Hospital,

Nonprofit saves San Diego County’s tallest waterfall
Printer-friendly versionBy Taina Fonseca, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association Photo: Mildred Falls. Photo by Alexander S. Kunz October 26, 2025 (San Diego) – The San Diego River Park Foundation has successfully purchased a 58-acre parcel from a private owner, the organization announced this week. Why is that important? Because

Reader’s Editorial: Why I support the recall or resignation of the GUHSD Board majority
Printer-friendly version By Chris Fite, Trustee, Grossmont Union High School District board October 26, 2025 (El Cajon) — When the dust settles after all of the lawsuits and media stories and packed and contentious board meetings, these facts will remain: the GUHSD board majority repeatedly if not exclusively tried to make vital decisions regarding hiring, firing and curriculum choices on the basis

Puppy recovering from severe collar injury; County seeks public’s help
Printer-friendly versionBy Sir Milo Loftin, County of San Diego Communications Office October 26, 2025 (San Diego) – County Animal Services is asking for the public’s help to learn more about a puppy found with a severe neck injury caused by a collar that had become embedded in his skin. The puppy was brought into the County’s Bonita shelter as a

Seven women honored at East County Chamber WILL event
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Oct. 23, 2025 (East County) — The San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce awarded a group of top females from around the county last Friday at its 23rd annual Women in Leadership event. The Women in Leadership Luncheon, with more than 450 attendees at Sycuan Casino, honored seven women who excel professionally and

Funeral procession for fallen LMPD Officer Lauren Craven October 28
Printer-friendly versionLa Mesa officials say to expect major traffic delays East County News Service Oct. 25, 2025 (La Mesa) — A funeral procession is planned for fallen La Mesa Police Officer Lauren Craven starting at 7:30 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 28, according to the La Mesa Police Department. Craven, 25, was killed in the line of duty on October 20,

From the Fire Chief’s Corner: Let’s “move it” this November
Printer-friendly versionGrowing Conversations, Saving Lives By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna October 24, 2025 (San Diego) – Each November, a global movement takes root, one mustache at a time. Movember isn’t just about facial hair; it’s about facing the facts. Men’s health is in crisis, and silence is no longer an option. A Movement with Muscle Founded in 2003 in Melbourne, Australia,

Police arrest person who hit juvenile with car in El Cajon
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Oct. 24, 2025 (El Cajon) — Local public safety officials have arrested the person who is believed to have been the driver of a car linked to a hit-and-run collision on Wednesday night, Oct. 22 in El Cajon that put a 12-year-old boy in the hospital. Dani Korkis, 35, of Lakeside was arrested
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