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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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FEB. 25 HEARING ON WIND TURBINES & WIND TESTING
Printer-friendly versionFebruary 2009 (San Diego)–The County Board of Supervisors will deliberate February 25 whether to ease permitting requirements for installing industrial-scale meteorological testing units (MET towers) on private and county properties. The county is also debating the turbine ordinance to allow for more options, such as industrial-scale turbines on private property or more than one turbine per lot, including the
LA MESA SAVES FLAG DAY PARADE: DONATIONS ROLL IN FROM RESIDENTS, BUSIENSSES AND CIVIC LEADERS
Printer-friendly versionFebruary 9, 2009 (Mesa) “ Thanks to the generosity of La Mesa citizens, business leaders and elected officials who donated out of their own pockets, La Mesa’s annual flag day parade has been saved from the budget chopping block. The 14th annual event will take place on Saturday, “We met the goal and then some,” an e-mail signed by
ART SALE FEB. 14: HERITAGE OF AMERICAS MUSEUM AT CUYAMACA COLLEGE
Printer-friendly versionFive East County artists will help raise money for the Heritage of the Americas Museum with an art sale from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 14 at the museum, located on the campus of Cuyamaca College, 12110 Cuyamaca College Dr. West, in El Cajon. Admission is free. Printer-friendly version
PROP L SPARKS DEBATE AT LA MESA OPEN FORUM MEETING
Printer-friendly versionBy Yuliana Cerda February 6, 2009 (La Mesa) — The La Mesa City Council held an open forum meeting in the auditorium at Rolando Elementary School last Thursday night. The meetings are meant to provide an opportunity for citizens to voice concerns or input on issues throughout their city. La Mesa citizens voiced their views on an array of
SEX EDUCATION? HELIX DEFENDS ITS ACTIONS, DISPUTES REPORT RELEASED BY DISTRICT THAT CRITICIZED HELIX ADMINISTRATOR’S RESPONSE TO SEXUAL ABUSE, MISCONDUCT;
Printer-friendly versionBOARD TO CONSIDER CHARTER SCHOOL CURE CORRECT ORDERS AT FEB. 12 MEETING February 6, 2009 (La Mesa) Did administrators at Helix Charter High School respond appropriately to four incidents of sexual abuse and misconduct involving teachers and students and has enough been done to prevent similar problems in the future? The Grossmont Union-High School Governing Board will consider these
FILNER REINTRODUCES FAIR TAXES FOR SENIORS ACT
Printer-friendly versionFebruary 1, 2009 (San Diego) — Congressman Bob Filner has reintroduced the Fair Taxes for Seniors Act, H.R. 674, which will provide a one-time increase in the capital gains tax exemption on the sale of a home for citizens who are 50 years of age or more. “The Fair Taxes for Seniors Act would give many seniors the additional
STATE DEPARTMENT CANCELS BLACKWATER’S CONTRACT IN IRAQ: EAST COUNTY LEADERS, BLACKWATER WEST VP SHARE REACTIONS
Printer-friendly version Jan Hedlun, right, at victory celebration last year after Blackwater dropped plans to build a training base in Potrero. February 1, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) —–“Blackwater has been fired by the State Department from its job protecting U.S. diplomats in Iraq,” ABC News has reported. The U.S. State Department has announced it will not renew a $1.2
AL NASSER TO SPEAK IN LA MESA WEDNESDAY ON IRAQ WAR ISSUES
Printer-friendly versionDr. Farouk Al Nasser, an Iraq native and U.S. citizen, will speak on conditions in Iraq at the La Mesa Community Center on Wednesday, June 3rd. “Dr. Nasser will help us understand the situation on the ground in Iraq; he is in contact with his extended family of more than 400 living in Iraq,” said Linda Armacost, president of
SDG&E THREATENS TO SUE WILDFIRE VICTIMS
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery February 2, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–San Diego Gas & Electric Company has notified attorneys representing fire victims that the utility company plans to sue victims of the 2007 wildfires. The announcement has sparked an angry response from some elected officials and residents in burned-out areas of East County. “Predictably, SDG&E’s lawyers are stooping as low
LA MESA HOSTS 2 TOWNHALL MEETINGS & BUDGET WORKSHOP
Printer-friendly versionFebruary 1, 2009 (La Mesa) — As part of La Mesa’s commitment to staying in touch with the community, the City Council has scheduled two Town Hall Meetings for 2009. These open forum meetings provide an opportunity for citizens to provide input on issues in their neighborhood and throughout the City. The two meetings are held in different parts
County hosts webinar October 22 on Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) proposed ordinance
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service October 14, 2025 (San Diego) – The County of San Diego Planning & Development Services (PDS) invites you to attend a virtual meeting to share your thoughts on the draft ordinance for the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Zoning Ordinance Amendment and the proposed Separate Sale of ADUs Program, which is currently available for public review.
Governor signs bill letting relatives care for children if parents are deported
Printer-friendly versionBy Jeanne Kuang, CalMatters Photo: Gov. Gavin Newsom delivers the 2025-26 state budget. File photo courtesy of the Governor’s office This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. October 13, 2025 (Sacramento) – Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sunday signed a bill allowing a broad range of relatives to step in as children’s caregivers if their parents are
Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza and release of all hostages
Printer-friendly versionThis is first phase of Trump’s ceasefire plan, but it’s uncertain if plan to end the war will be accepted By G. A. McNeeley Photo: rubble in Gaza; public domain image via Wikipedia October 12, 2025 (San Diego) – After days of negotiations, President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of
Senator Weber Pierson holding Town Hall on Oct. 16
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Oct. 12, 2025 (San Diego County) — California State Senator Dr. Akilah Weber Pierson is holding a Community Town Hall this week at Crawford High School in San Diego. Weber Pierson’s event will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 16, at the high school at 4191 Colts Way. You can RSVP here. In
La Mesa aims to have new city hall by 2029, but library expansion remains stalled
Printer-friendly versionBy Alexander J. Schorr October 11, 2025 (La Mesa) — Following a September City Council meeting, La Mesa is moving forward with a redevelopment plan for a new civic center which has spanned decades. The current timeline calls for a new city hall to be completed as early as 2029, with expansion plans for the library to follow. View
Governor Newsom signs Senator Weber Pierson’s first-in-the-nation reparative justice bill
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery October 11, 2025 (San Diego) — Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Senate Bill 518, authored by Senator Akilah Weber Pierson, M.D. (D-San Diego), the first law in the to move beyond study to create a commitment toward advancing reparative justice for descendants of slaves and building lasting systems of equity for Black Californians. The measure was
Health Resources
Printer-friendly versionHEALTH RESOURCES For emergencies, call 911. Scroll down for local and national resources including hospitals, health information and services. Hospitals in East County/San Diego inland Sharp Grossmont Hospital (La Mesa) UC San Diego Health, East Campus (SDSU College area) (Formerly Alvarado Hospital) Kaiser Permanente (Mission Gorge/Grantville) Palomar Medical Center Escondido Palomar Medical Center Poway Mental health and
Dia De Los Muertos Open House at Horses of Tir Na Nog
Printer-friendly version Nonprofit rescue organization Horses of Tir Na Nog cares for more than 100 animals, including Buttermilk the horse. The rescue group is having an Open House at its site in Guatay on Nov. 1. Photo by Karen Pearlman East County News Service Oct. 11, 2025 (Guatay) — Horses of Tir Na Nog, the equine-focused rescue in
Gov. Newsom signs bills to stop the ‘Puppy Mill Pipeline’ in California
Printer-friendly version At a recent companion animal adoption event at Grossmont Center, a dog waits for a chance to find a new home. California Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed hree bills in the “Stop The Puppy Mill Pipeline” legislative package. Photo by Karen Pearlman East County News Service Oct. 11, 2025 (Sacramento) — Unscrupulous, exploitative and abusive “puppy mill”
ICE Out of San Diego rally addresses federal government shutdown
Printer-friendly versionBy Paul Levikow October 10, 2025 (San Diego) – The weekly ICE Out of San Diego rally at the San Diego Federal Building downtown yesterday focused on the government shutdown, while also including messages about ongoing Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents’ detention efforts. Dave Lagstein of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 221 was one of the event organizers.
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