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

SDG&E LOBBYIST ACCUSED OF BEDDING ASSEMBLYMAN OVERSEEING UTILITIES

Printer-friendly version September 9, 2009 (San Diego) – Shock and snickers greeted news reports today revealing that a lobbyist for SDG&E/Sempra Energy is accused of granting sexual favors to Republican legislator Mike Duvall, Vice Chair of the Assembly Utilities & Commerce Committee.  If true, the relationship would be a direct conflict of interest and a clear ethical violation, since the

Read More ...

SHERIFF GORE AIMS FOR A BIG GOAL: MAKE SAN DIEGO THE SAFEST MAJOR COUNTY IN AMERICA

Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Photo by Leon Thompson   In an exclusive interview, San Diego’s new top law enforcement offer shares his goals with East County Magazine–including priorities and new initiatives for East County.    Appointed to replace retiring Sheriff William Kolender, Bill Gore brings 42 years of law enforcement expertise to the job. As Assistant Director of the FBI in

Read More ...

FREE WHEELCHAIR BALLROOM DANCE CLASSES AT GROSSMONT REHAB CENTER START SEPT 10

Printer-friendly version  San Diego’s Only Wheelchair Ballroom Dance Group Provides Social Connection Between Able-bodied Dancers and Wheelchair Users September 9, 2009 (La Mesa)–The Sharp Grossmont Rehab Center will offer a free, eight-week session of ballroom dance instruction every Thursday beginning on September 10, 2009. Students and their able-bodied dance partners will learn to do the Fox Trot, Swing, Cha-Cha, and

Read More ...

LA MESA MURDER SUSPECT SOUGHT; CONSIDERED ARMED & DANGEROUS, SHERIFF WARNS

Printer-friendly version  September 8, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–William D. Gore, Sheriff, San Diego County, today announced a manhunt initiated by the San Diego Fugitive Task Force to locate Richard Dean Neff. Neff is suspected of a murder which occurred in La Mesa early yesterday morning. Neff, a transient and known drug user, according to the Sheriff’s special bulletin,  is

Read More ...

LA MESA-SPRING VALLEY BOARD NIXES AIRING OBAMA’S LIVE NATIONAL ADDRESS TO SCHOOLS; CENSORSHIP SPARKS OUTRAGE, CALL TO REPLACE BOARD MEMBERS

Printer-friendly version   As Controversy Grows, Ex-First Lady Laura Bush Defends Presidential Address to Students by Gayle Early A special Board meeting convened on Labor Day to debate airing the President’s live broadcast. In a 3-2 vote, the majority voted to censor today’s speech, citing concerns that it was “unconstitutional,” “indoctrination,” and “inappropriate.” The move sparked outrage and a call to

Read More ...

BRUSH FIRE HALTED IN FALLBROOK

Printer-friendly version  September 7, 2009 (Fallbrook) A brush fire in Fallbrook burning in heavy brush has been extinguished at less than an acre, Cal Fire spokesman Darrell Pena has informed East County Magazine at 4:50 p.m. today. The fire, initially reported shortly before 4 p.m., put up heavy smoke and was visible throughout the Fallbrook area, said Pena. The fire

Read More ...

GAME OF THE WEEK: FALCONS SLOW DOWN NORSEMEN IN 28-16 WIN

Printer-friendly versionby Christopher Mohr   (EL CAJON) – Friday night’s football game at Valhalla High School between the host Norsemen and the visiting Falcons from Our Lady of Good Counsel of Olney, MD drew a lot of interest from local fans. Good Counsel was ranked sixth in the state of Maryland while Valhalla has a good shot at a return

Read More ...

PROTECTING YOUR PROPERTY AFTER A FIRE: RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE CALIFORNIA LANDSCAPE CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION

Printer-friendly version  September 7, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–Fire destroys hundreds of homes each year in California and often burns thousands of acres of land. If your property was damaged by fire, the California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA) is pleased to offer some recommendations to help your landscape recover and to help protect your property.   In general, many plants and trees

Read More ...

FATAL CRASH ON 94

Printer-friendly version  September 6, 2009 (Dulzura) – A motorcyclist has died from a head-on collision at high speed on Highway 94 at Dulzura, one mile west of the Barrett Junction Café.   Emergency medical personnel attempted CPR, but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Identification of the victim is withheld pending notification of kin.   Printer-friendly version

Read More ...

SD Democrats in Congress urge GOP to negotiate to avoid shutdown

Printer-friendly version by Chris Jennewein • Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association  Sept. 30, 2025 (San Diego) — Three Democratic members of Congress from San Diego called on their Republican colleagues to negotiate but acknowledged that a government shutdown is likely at midnight. Earlier this month Republicans in the House of Representatives passed

Read More ...

Lawsuit led by Calif. Attorney General seeks to restore FEMA disaster funds cut by Trump

Printer-friendly version East County News Service Photo:  2007 Harris Fire in Potrero, one of many wildfires for which FEMA provided disaster relief funds in our region September 30, 2025 (Sacramento) — California Attorney General Rob Bonta, as part of a multistate coalition, yesterday sought emergency relief from the U.S. District Court for the District Court of Rhode Island to stop the

Read More ...

A deadly month for roadway accidents

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery September 29, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – September has been a deadly month for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians, with vehicle accidents claiming numerous lives across our inland region. Here are details, per the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s office. All died of blunt force injuries, with one driver also suffering multiple strokes.  These tragic deaths,

Read More ...

East County Schools Federal Credit Union appoints Matt Lyons as new president & CEO

Printer-friendly versionSource:  East County Schools Federal Credit Union September 29, 2025 (El Cajon) – East County Schools Federal Credit Union (ECSFCUannounces the appointment of Matt Lyons as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective September 15, 2025. Lyons succeeds, who has served as ECSFCU’s President and CEO for 22 years and will retire on October 15, 2025. Following a

Read More ...

SDG&E to conduct notification tests Sept. 30

Printer-friendly version East County News Service September 29, 2025 (San Diego) – SDG&E will conduct a test of its customer notification systems on Tuesday, September 30.  According to SDG&E’s press release, “ This test is part of SDG&E’s commitment to public safety, ensuring our customers have the information they need when emergencies arise. Regular testing ensures our notification systems are fully operational

Read More ...

Orphaned Mountain Lion Cubs Return to Wild

Printer-friendly version   San Diego Humane Society’s Project Wildlife program helps young big cats reclaim their place in nature Source:  San Diego Humane Society September 29, 2025 (Ramona)  — Two mountain lion cubs who arrived at San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center as orphans in March have been returned to the wild. The young carnivores were released into suitable habitat

Read More ...

“We are immigrants” rally in Escondido celebrated immigrants’ contributions to America

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Photo via Indivisible North County San Diego and 50501 North County San Diego September 29, 2025 (Escondido) – Approximately 100 residents from Ramona, Temecula, Escondido, San Diego, and other locations joined in a ‘We are All Immigrants’ rally on September 27th in Escondido.  The rally was organized by the North County chapters of Indivisible and 50501. The

Read More ...

10th annual East County Manufacturing Expo Sept. 30 celebrates innovation, workforce pathways and job creation at Cuyamaca College

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service September 29, 2025 (El Cajon) — On Tuesday, September 30, 2025, the East County Economic Development Council (ECEDC), in partnership with the San Diego and Imperial Small Business Development Center, will host the 10th Annual East County Manufacturing Expo at Cuyamaca College.  This year’s theme, Innovate, Integrate, Inspire – 10 Years of Manufacturing Growth, reflects a

Read More ...

Building Hopes in the Golden State: How the New Federal Program Can Tackle Homelessness Among California Veterans

Printer-friendly version The Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS New Hampshire returns to port at Naval Station Norfolk on May 7,2021. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Alfred A. Coffield)   By Cristina Johnson   September 29, 2025 (San Diego) — The noble sacrifices made by United States veterans have always been woven into the fabric of the nation.  

Read More ...

Border Patrol agents rescue cyclist after harrowing fall off cliff

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service September 28, 2025 (Otay Lakes) — San Diego sector Border Patrol agents rescued an injured cyclist, Keith Leyva, after he fell over 40 feet from a cliff into a remote canyon. On Sept. 20, Border Patrol agents working in the vicinity of Otay Lakes County Park heard cries for help originating from a canyon adjacent

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