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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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EL CAJON LAUNCHES PROGRAM TO PREVENT HOME FORECLOSURES
Printer-friendly versionJune 1, 2009 (El Cajon) If you’re a homeowner in need of help to avoid foreclosure, take heart! Starting today, the City of El Cajon is offering help through a new Homeownership Foreclosure Program (HFP). The HFP Program provides a toolbox of alternatives for low and moderate-income homeowners of properties within the incorporated City of El Cajon who are
SDG&E TEAMS WITH GOOGLE TO PROVIDE ENERGY USAGE DATA TO CUSTOMERS
Printer-friendly versionMay 30, 2009 (San Diego) San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) has announced a partnership with Google that, by the end of this year, will enable SDG&E customers to obtain their daily energy usage information via the popular Web site with Google’s new Google PowerMeter gadget (http://www.google.org/powermeter/ ). The data will be made available through SDG&E’s digital smart
IT’S IN THE HOLE! RANCHO SAN DIEGO-JAMUL CHAMBER INVITES YOU TO JOIN GOLF TOURNAMENT JUNE 26—OR SPONSOR A WOUNDED VET TO PLAY
Printer-friendly versionJune 1, 2009 (El Cajon)– The Rancho San Diego Jamul Chamber of Commerce is having its second annual golf tournament and networking event on June 26th. “Come join the fun. Last year’s event was a blast and this year is going to top it,” pledged Valerie Harrison, president. Guests who don’t golf or can’t attend are urged to sponsor
SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED FOR DISABLED STUDENTS IN I.T. ONLINE TRAINING
Printer-friendly versionMay 29, 2009 (San Diego)—“We will be awarding 20 scholarships for our second class, which is scheduled to begin at the end of July,” said Cindy Lennon, special projects coordinator for Able-Disabled Advocacy. “Applications are due on June 15th.” So far, 19 students have signed up in six tracks for online IT training. Students are now being recruited for
NEW VETERANS’ CEMETERY APPROVED AT MIRAMAR, MAY OPEN BY LATE 2010
Printer-friendly versionMay 29, 2009 (San Diego) – Congressman Bob Filner, Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, announced today that the Department of Veterans Affairs has chosen a San Diego firm, Van Dyke Landscape Associates, to design a newly-approved Miramar Satellite Cemetery. “Progress at last!” said Congressman Filner, who chairs the House Committee on Veterans Affairs. “We need to move
SEMPRA ENERGY UTILITIES EARNS TOP RANK IN NATIONAL CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SURVEY–BUT SOME LOCAL RATEPAYERS EXPRESS SHOCK AND DISSATISFACTION
Printer-friendly versionMay 28, 2009 (San Diego) – Sempra Energy’s California utilities, Southern California Gas Co. (The Gas Company) and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), rank No. 1 in customer satisfaction among the largest U.S. investor-owned energy utilities, according to a recent survey by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). But some local ratepayers expressed shock at that report, citing
LA MESA OFFERS FREE DISPOSAL OF HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTES & ELECTRONICS
Printer-friendly versionJune 1, 2009 (La Mesa)–If your household has hazardous wastes, the City of La Mesa and California Integrated Waste Management Board have teamed up to offer free pickup and disposal on June 6, July 18, August 29, October 10 and November 21. The City is also giving away a free nontoxic thermometer to any resident who brings in a
SPECIAL ELECTION ANALYSIS: WHAT MESSAGE WERE VOTERS REALLY SENDING TO SACRAMENTO POLITICIANS? AND WHAT SHOULD BE DONE NOW TO SOLVE CALIFORNIA’S BUDGET CRISIS?
Printer-friendly version CONSERVATIVES CALL FOR DEEPER CUTS, PROGRESSIVES LAUNCH CAMPAIGN TO ALLOW MAJORITY TO MAKE BUDGET DECISIONS IN SACRAMENTO By Miriam Raftery Voters resoundingly defeated Propositions 1A-E at the polls, passing only 1F, a measure to freeze legislators’ pay when the state is running a deficit. But what message was the public really trying to send to elected representatives? Does
EAST COUNTY COMMUNITY LEADERS REACT TO CA SUPREME COURT UPHOLDING PROP 8; NEW LAWSUIT FILED IN FEDERAL COURT BY LAWYERS IN BUSH V. GORE SEEKS TO REINSTATE GAY MARRIAGE
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery May 27, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – The California Supreme Court ruled this week to uphold Proposition 8 banning gay marriage, though the court also held that gay marriages that occurred before Prop 8’s passage will remain valid. (View the high court opinion here: www.courtinfo.ca.gov/courts/supreme/). In East County and across the state, leaders on both
ANDERSON PROPOSES TAX BREAKS FOR VETERANS
Printer-friendly versionMay 28, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–“I spent 26 years serving my country in the US Navy, and I would do it again,” said Arthur Armagost, an Alpine resident and veteran. “But it pains me to see men and women I served with leaving California when they retire. They spent their entire careers stationed in California but can’t afford
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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