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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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Momentum Tutoring hosts Youth Business Fair at Santee Lakes Aug. 16
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service August 12, 2025 (Santee) – Momentum Tutoring (www.momentumtutoring.org) invites the community to the Santee Youth Business Fair at Santee Lakes, a dynamic one-day marketplace where young entrepreneurs will showcase their creativity, hustle, and heart. The event takes place on Saturday, August 16, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Lake #2, Santee Lakes Recreation
Lemon Grove is now accepting applications to fill vacancy left by Councilman Faiai’s death
Printer-friendly versionApplications accepted now through through Sept. 4; forum for applicants Aug. 13 By Karen Pearlman Aug. 12, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – Lemon Grove is actively seeking applicants to fill the vacant City Council seat of Sitivi “Steve” Faiai, who passed away on July 8. Faiai, who was elected in 2024, had just begun his political career when he died
Trump orders fedoral takeover of Washington D.C. police
Printer-friendly versionNational Guard to also be deployed in nation’s capital city By Miriam Raftery August 11, 2025 (Washington D.C.) – President Donald Trump has issued an executive order to put Washington D.C.’s police force under federal control, claiming a need to reduce crime, CNN reports. However, according to a Newsweek report, violent crime in Washington D.C. was the lowest in
70 and strong as ever at Sharp Grossmont Hospital
Printer-friendly versionSHARP Grossmont Hospital employees stand atop the helicopter pad atop its Emergency Room on Aug. 11 as part of a celebration of the hospital’s 70 years of service to the community. Photo courtesy SHARP Grossmont Hospital By Karen Pearlman Aug. 11, 2025 (La Mesa) — Grossmont Hospital just hit 70 years, but the venerable facility is looking sharper than
Spring Valley woman facing animal cruelty charges
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Services Aug. 10, 2025 (Spring Valley) — San Diego County Department of Animal Services has taken custody of a Chihuahua and is pursuing animal cruelty charges against a Spring Valley woman after a disturbing video surfaced which appeared to show a dog being struck with a wooden plank, then covered with a container and kicked. On
Santee gets a new brush fire engine
Printer-friendly versionBy Mike Allen Photo: Members of Santee Fire Dept, SD Regional Fire Foundation and the SD River Conservancy with new brush rig funded through the city along with grants from the two nonprofits. August 11, 2025 (Santee)– The city of Santee has another key tool in its goal of protecting the city from wildfires, a new brush fire engine. City
Fire devastates condo in Lakeside
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Photo by Shiloh Ireland August 10, 2025 (Lakeside) – A fire on August 7 heavily damaged a unit in a condominium on Mapleview Street in Lakeside. Crews from Lakeside Fire and San Miguel Fire departments responded to the blaze. Since the residence is located less than two miles from a fire station,
City of La Mesa launches redesigned website with new .gov domain
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service August 9, 2025 (La Mesa) — The City of La Mesa announces the official launch of its redesigned website, which is now live at www.cityoflamesa.gov. While the site may look different, it retains all the same tools, features, and functionality residents and businesses have come to rely on, according to a press release from the
La Mesans celebrate canceled plans for battery storage facility
Printer-friendly versionBy Drew Sitton, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego online news association Photo: Plans for a proposed battery storage facility at 8135 El Paso St. have been set aside. Photo by Amy Reichert. August 9, 2025 (La Mesa) – In her meetings with La Mesa’s city manager, Councilmember Laura Lothian asked about the proposed 18-megawatt battery storage facility
Measles exposure at Rady Children’s Hospital and Scripps Clinic
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service August 8, 2025 (San Diego) — County public health officials have confirmed the first case of measles in the region this year in a teenage resident who had recently traveled overseas. Anyone who visited Rady Children’s Hospital’s emergency room or the Scripps Clinic Torrey Pines Urgent Care on August 6 or 7, County epidemiologists are
County launches new Alert San Diego app, replacing SD Emergency
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Oct. 24, 2025 (San Diego County) — The name and look of the emergency information app for the County of San Diego has changed, and now has new features to help keep residents safe. Known previously as SD Emergency, it is now called Alert San Diego. The updated app is part of the
Passages: Grossmont Union High School District mourns the passing of former superintendent Mike Fowler
Printer-friendly versionSource: Grossmont Union High School District October 24, 2025 (El Cajon) – With deep sadness, the Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) announces the passing of former Superintendent Mike Fowler, who devoted nearly three decades of extraordinary service to East County students and families. He passed away following a courageous battle with brain cancer. Statement from GUHSD Governing Board President
Events planned to support family of La Mesa Police officer killed in car crash
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Oct. 23, 2025 (La Mesa) — At least three events are planned to honor fallen La Mesa Police officer Lauren Craven, one tomorrow night at Pink Rose Cafe in La Mesa and another Wednesday, Nov. 5 at Casa Gabriela in La Mesa. The La Mesa Police Department is also having a candlelight vigil
Safely dispose of prescription medications this Saturday, Oct. 25
Printer-friendly versionBy Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office October 23, 2025 (San Diego) – The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office is urging people to check their homes and collect unused or expired prescription medications and turn them in on National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. People can anonymously drop medication off at one of nine Sheriff’s locations,
Climate Action Plan and Green Building Incentive Program: County hosts virtual meeting Oct. 28
Printer-friendly versionSource: County of San Diego October 23, 2025 (San Diego) – The County of San Diego County Planning & Development Services (PDS) invites you to attend a virtual public meeting on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. to learn about and share your input on the County’s implementation of the Climate Action Plan (CAP) and the development of the Green Building
Shawn Dixon named president and CEO of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
Printer-friendly version East County News Service Oct. 23, 2025 (San Diego) — Shawn Dixon has been named the new president and CEO of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. The SDZWA announced his appointment on Thursday, Oct. 23, which came following an extensive global search. Dixon served as interim president and CEO of the SDZWA for the past
San Diego FC playoff-bound this weekend at Snapdragon Stadium
Printer-friendly version By Karen Pearlman Oct. 23, 2025 (San Diego) — It’s been quite a start for the San Diego Football Club. In its inaugural Major League Soccer season, the team is headed to the playoffs. San Diego FC will host its first playoff match Sunday, Oct. 26, at Snapdragon Stadium when the team faces the Portland Timbers in Game 1
Sharp HealthCare extends Sharp Mary Birch brand to East County with renaming of the Grossmont Women’s Hospital
Printer-friendly versionSource: Sharp HealthCare October 23, 2025 (La Mesa) – Sharp HealthCare is expanding the trusted Sharp Mary Birch brand across San Diego County—starting with the rebranding of Sharp Grossmont Hospital for Women & Newborns, now renamed Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women & Newborns Grossmont. Sharp Mary Birch is one of the most recognized names in women’s health in
Feeding San Diego expands emergency food assistance to federal workers and Cal Fresh recipients during ongoing government shutdown
Printer-friendly versionAs the shutdown continues, the hunger relief non-profit is preparing for a massive surge in need with the delay of November CalFresh benefits Source: Feeding San Diego October 23, 2025 (San Diego) – As the government shutdown enters the fourth week, Feeding San Diego has expanded food assistance services to federal workers impacted by the loss in pay, including the over 110,000
County rejects supporting statewide ban on foreign investment in homes
Printer-friendly versionBy Paul Levikow Photo, left: Supervisor Jim Desmond sought to restrict foreign investors from buying homes and driving up prices. October 23, 2025 (San Diego) – The San Diego County Board of Supervisors this week rejected a proposal by Supervisor Jim Desmond to support statewide bans or restrictions on foreign investment in entry-level and single-family housing, particularly when located
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