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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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Sponsorship Placement
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
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
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
“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
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
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.
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
Trump’s claims on autism disputed by medical experts and autism patient advocates
Printer-friendly versionBy Alexander J. Schorr Miriam Raftery contributed to this report September 28, 2025 (Washington D.C.) — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has just approved a version of Leucovorin for autism treatment of children. This action comes after President Donald Trump claimed that Tylenol taken during pregnancy can cause autism, despite the fact that numerous studies have found Tylenol
County public safety leader recognized with national justice award
Printer-friendly versionBy Sir Milo Loftin, County of San Diego Communications Office September 28, 2025 (San Diego) – San Diego County Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Andrew Strong has been honored with the inaugural Partners for Justice Champion Award for his leadership and innovative support of public defense. The national nonprofit Partners for Justice (PFJ) launched the award to highlight public policy
Dental to mental, affordable health insurance coverage is available with Covered California
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Sept. 27, 2025 (San Diego County) — Health insurance can feel confusing and daunting, and typically is expensive. But Covered California, the state’s Affordable Care Act Marketplace, offers a less stressful way to shop for and compare plans, and works with all the major health insurance companies to negotiate the lowest possible prices for coverage, helping reduce costs
Integrating Nutrition into Mental Health Care
Printer-friendly versionBook by Ruth Leyse Wallace, PhD Reviewed by Pennell Paugh August 8, 2025 (San Diego) – Long-time resident of San Diego, Dr. Ruth Leyse Wallace, recently released her fourth book, Integrating Nutrition into Mental Health Care. While the book is written for clinical settings, it is written in plain English and offers sensible nutritional facts. I found it helpful
Judge dismisses sexual harassment suit against Nathan Fletcher
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery August 8, 2025 (San Diego) – Today, Superior Court Judge Matthew Braner dismissed a lawsuit filed by Grecia Figueroa against former Supervisor Nathan Fletcher. Judge Braner said Figueroa engaged in “rampant and willful spoilation of evidence” including deleting photos and text messages damaging to her case. Figueroa, a former Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) employee, had accused
Evacuations due to Roadrunner Fire in Boulevard
Printer-friendly version Update 3:20 p.m.– Evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted; forward spread has been stopped. Update 1:30 p.m.– The fire has been mapped at 88 acres and is now 5% contained. Evacuation orders and warnings remain in place. East County WIldfire and Emergency Alerts August 8, 2025 — There is immediate structure threat from the #RoadrunnerFire, a
California Supreme Court hands victory to rooftop solar panel owners
Printer-friendly versionBy Malena Carollo, CalMatters This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Photo: rooftop solar panels on a home in the Rockridge neighborhood of Oakland, on Feb. 18, 2020. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters August 7, 2025 (Oakland) – The California Supreme Court today sided with environmental groups in a case seen as pivotal for the
Overnight safe parking site opens in San Diego’s Grantville neighborhood
Printer-friendly version By Paul Levikow August 7, 2025 (Grantville) – The San Diego County Office of Homeless Solutions opened a new Overnight Safe Parking site in the Grantville neighborhood of San Diego today, with capacity to serve 20 vehicles. The location, in the 4500 block of Glacier Ave., is on county-owned land that will eventually become 300 affordable senior housing
Feather Alert issued for missing teen girl from Pala
Printer-friendly versionUpdate: This Feather Alert has been deactivated because Sunnie Eagleton has been found. East County News Service Image: Sunnie Eagleton, 17 August 7, 2025 (Pala) – A Feather Alert has been issued for a missing teenager from the Pala Indian Reservation. The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office wants the public’s help in locating her. On August 2 around 2 p.m.,
Extreme heat warning issued for deserts, heat advisory for other East County areas
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery August 6, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – Dangerously high temperatures are forecast across much of East County through Friday, peaking on Thursday. Other East County communities could reach the high 90s. Elevated fire conditions are also present due to relative humidity down to 10-15% in inland valleys and mountains, though conditions are not expected
Dulzura woman dies after being ejected from vehicle in Jamul
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service August 6, 2025 (Jamul) – A 25-year-old woman from Descanso who was not wearing a seatbelt overturned down an embankment off State Route 94 east of Otay Lakes Road at 6:15 this morning. She was ejected from the vehicle, a 2010 Hyundai Elantra, and became trapped underneath it. She was pronounced dead at the scene
Trump says there is “real starvation” in Gaza, while also sending mixed signals about his opinions on Israel
Printer-friendly versionPresident says kids in Gaza need to be fed, while making contradictory statements about his stances on Israel By G. A. McNeeley Photo via United Nations Relief and Works Agency: a 4-year old Palestinian girl who died of starvation in 2024 (CC by SA 4.0) August 5, 2025 (Gaza) — President Donald Trump acknowledged on July
Man wanted for sexually assaulting jogger in Rancho San Diego
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Image: surveillance photos of the suspect August 3, 2025 (El Cajon) – The Sheriff’s department seeks public help to identify and find a man wanted for sexual battery of a female jogger, 24, in the 1600 block of Hilton Head Road in the Rancho San Diego community of unincorporated El Cajon. The woman went for
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