Award-winning nonprofit media in the public interest, serving San Diego's inland region

Award-winning nonprofit media in the public interest, serving San Diego's inland region

Breaking News

Explore What Matters

Stay informed on the issues that shape East County. From local news and emergency alerts, to community celebrations

News Center

News Issues

Politics

Wildfires and Emergencies

Events & Arts

Visit East County

People

Communities

Features

Get East County Wildfire, Emergency Alerts

Critical wildfire and emergency notifications delivered instantly.Join Neighbors who stay informed and prepared with our award winning Journalist

Latest Stories

Sponsorship Placement

HEALTH AND SCIENCE HIGHLIGHTS

Printer-friendly versionApril 24, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future. HEALTH Virus that causes polio-like illness found in Bay Area as influenza cases spike (SF Gate) Tuberculosis cases in the US rose to their highest levels in more than a dozen years (AP) States

Read More ...

TRUMP AIMS TO DEPORT AMERICAN CITIZENS TO PRISONS IN EL SALVADOR

Printer-friendly version By G. A. McNeeley  Photo: Prisoners at the El Salvador prison criticized for human rights violations and inhumane conditions, where Trump gas sent deported immigrants and now wants to send U.S. citizens. CC BY-SA   via Bing April 23 2025 (Washington D.C.) — President Donald Trump says his administration is actively exploring a proposal to detain U.S. citizens and send them

Read More ...

22ND ANNUAL GRIP IT & RIP IT GOLF TOURNAMENT AT SINGING HILLS MAY 15

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 22, 2025 (El Cajon) – The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce invites you to the 22nd annual “Grip it and Rip it” golf tournament at Singing Hills  Golf Club on May 15. The event for ages 21 and up includes one round of golf and lunch. The invitation states, “Challenge yourself on

Read More ...

POPE FRANCIS DIES ON MORNING AFTER EASTER

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service   April 21, 2025 — The day after people of the Christian faith had their holiest celebration of resurrection and new life, Pope Francis passed away early this morning at age 88.   The Holy See announced his death early this morning, saying the pontiff passed peacefully at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, where he had been

Read More ...

PASSAGES: THOMAS POWELL’S WAKE STATEMENT READ TO HIS SURVIVORS

Printer-friendly version Advocate led “Save Our Bolts” Chargers movement   Submitted by Joe Gandelman, Editor-in-Chief of The Moderate Voice Photo: Thomas Powell with Noah, Sofia and Sammi   April 20,2025 (San Diego) — My son, Thomas Powell, died February 27 after a brutal, many-years-long battle with congestive heart failure.   He spent most of his last six months hospitalized.  

Read More ...

ISSA SUIT AGAINST CALIFORNIA SEEKS TO STOP COUNTING OF BALLOTS AFTER ELECTION DAY

Printer-friendly versionLeague of Women Voters, groups representing veterans and seniors, and Issa’s Democratic opponent Curtis Morrison all oppose action in court By Miriam Raftery April 20, 2025 (San Diego) – Rep. Darrell Issa, a Republican representing the 48th Congressional district, has filed a lawsuit against California Secretary of State Shirley Weber. The suit, Issa v.Weber, seeks to halt California’s decade-long

Read More ...

SUP. ANDERSON: SIGN PETITION TO EXTEND PUBLIC NOTICE REVIEW PERIOD

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service   April 19, 2025 (San Diego County) — San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson (photo, left) the county’s District 2 representative and voice, is asking for the public’s help to weigh in on extending public notice review time for the Board of Supervisors agenda.   Anderson sent an email to constituents noting that “public engagement

Read More ...

WILD IN THE COUNTRY FUNDRAISER COMING MAY 17; GALA HELPS LIONS, TIGERS & BEARS

Printer-friendly version Photo and story by Karen Pearlman April 19, 2025 (Alpine) – The permanent refuge for a bevy of rescued wild animals, Lions, Tigers & Bears isn’t your average animal sanctuary — so don’t expect its annual fundraiser to be anything but extraordinary. The Alpine-based nonprofit will welcome visitors to its big cats and bears haven for the annual

Read More ...

SANTEE’S BEST LEAVING CITY MANAGER JOB

Printer-friendly versionSantee City Manager Marlene Best (left) By Mike Allen April 18, 2025 (Santee) – Marlene Best, Santee’s city manager for the past nine years, is leaving the job effective April 23. Following a closed session of the Santee City Council on April 18, Mayor John Minto announced he will sign a separation agreement with Best, and begin the process

Read More ...

DESCANSO MAN CONFRONTED BY MOUNTAIN LION IN CUYAMACA RANCHO STATE PARK

Printer-friendly versionBy Karen Pearlman Image of Mountain Lion courtesy Pixabay April 17, 2025 (Descanso, CA) — A 31-year-old Descanso runner on Wednesday, April 16, came face-to-face with a mountain lion that he says charged at him, during an evening run on the Oak Trail in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. JJ Goodrich wrote on his Facebook page as well as in

Read More ...

No Kings rallies draw millions nationally, over 85,000 locally to protest authoritarianism

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Photo, right:  Washington D.C. No Kings rally, courtesy of organizers October 19, 2025 (San Diego) – No Kings rallies yesterday drew an  estimated 7 million protesters nationwide, including estimates ranging from 25,000 to 50,000+ in downtown San Diego’s Waterfront Park and over 35,000 more in rallies held in cities and towns across San Diego County.  San

Read More ...

No Kings rallies across San Diego County and nation Oct. 18

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service October 16, 2025 (San Diego) – Organizers are predicting that this Saturday’s “No Kings” demonstration against the “authoritarianism of the Trump regime” may be the largest yet, including over 2,500 sites in all 50 states as well as territories and other nations.  Locally,  a large rally is planned at Waterfront Park in downtown San Diego

Read More ...

GUHSD Board passes biased nonviolent discourse resolution and scaled-down limits on protestors

Printer-friendly versionBy Alexander J. Schorr Screenshot: Board President Gary Woods with Superintendent Kirsten Vital Brulte, defending their non-violence resolution in classrooms.  “Trust is earned.” Jay Steiger, 2025 October 16, 2025 (El Cajon) — The Grossmont Union High School District Board passed an amended policy limiting protests outside board meetings, adopted a resolution providing religious exemptions in classrooms, and adopted a

Read More ...

Lassos & Lace brings vintage clothing and horseshoe art to Julian

Printer-friendly version     By Heidi Hope If you are visiting the Julian area or a Julian local in need of affordable clothing, you cannot miss Kimmi Branson’s store where you can access vintage clothing for reasonable pricing that never goes out of style.  Branson started this business getting inspired by her husband. She recalls, “My husband asked me: “What

Read More ...

Levin concerned over possible I-5 closures amid live-fire reports at Camp Pendleton event

Printer-friendly versionBy Elizabeth Ireland, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association Photo: Camp Pendleton gate. (File photo courtesy of Camp Pendleton) October 16, 2025 (Camp Pendleton) – Rep. Mike Levin issued a statement Wednesday expressing concern over potential plans to close portions of Interstate 5 this weekend amid reports Navy ships will fire live ordnance over the freeway

Read More ...

Kaiser Permanente strike enters second day

Printer-friendly version By Paul Levikow Photo via Alliance of Healthcare Unions    October 15, 2025 (San Diego) — A five-day strike by health care workers at  Kaiser Permanente facilities entered its second day Wednesday affecting three hospitals in San Diego County. The strike is part of a walkout statewide in California and Hawaii involving 31,000 members of the United Nurses Associations of

Read More ...

Trump administration rescinds Casa de Oro grant for Campo Road improvements

Printer-friendly versionEast County’s Casa de Oro, which was going to benefit from a demonstration project for Campo Road road improvements, saw a grant from the federal government rescinded. ECM photo Local residents and officials voice disappointment in decision By Karen Pearlman Oct. 14, 2025 (Casa de Oro) — Campo Road, one of San Diego County’s historic thoroughfares, was the unfortunate

Read More ...

Senator Jones’ sexually violent predator placement reform bill signed by Governor

Printer-friendly versionLegislation requires in-depth study on state-run transitional housing options East County News Service   October 14, 2025 (Sacramento) — Today, Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego) announced his Senate Bill 380 has been signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom and will take effect immediately.  The bill directs the Department of State Hospitals to investigate placing sexually

Read More ...

Ramona woman killed, man injured when pickup struck pedestrians

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service October 14, 2025 (Ramona) – Ramona resident Ashley Rose Dietze, 35, died after being struck by a pickup truck while she was crossing the 700 block of Main Street  (westbound highway 78) in Ramona on October 11 at 9:20 p.m.  A 42-year-old male pedestrian was also hit and suffered major injuries. They were struck by

Read More ...

Get Wildfire Alerts & Wildfire Emergency News

Stay ahead of emergencies with real-time notifications delivered directly to your inbox when seconds count.

Partner To ECM

Connect with East County’s most informed and engaged community. Our readers trust ECM for critical news and actively support local businesses.

Our Engaged Audience

Unique Visitors

5 to 10 million hits

per month!

Number of Visitors
0

5 to 10 million hits

per month!

A quarter million visits

each month

Most widely read news site dedicated to

San Diego’s East County

Winner of over 150

journalism awards

“Sponsoring East County Magazine is a great way to reach our loyal and engaged readers, who value organizations and businesses that support nonprofit, independent news in the public interest and wildfire/emergency alerts that keep people safe and informed. Sponsors can choose to underwrite our community news site, support a favorite section or a new special section, underwrite an event, or sponsor our wildfire and emergency alerts.”

Miriam Raftery, Founder of East County Magazine

Thanks To Our Major Sponsors

📬 Subscribe to ECM – 100% Free, Trusted by East County Since 2008

Reviews and Feedback