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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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GREYHOUND FOUND BY EL CAJON POLICE
Printer-friendly versionApril 11, 2009 (El Cajon)—Holly, a former racing greyhound lost Thursday morning at Bradley Street and Highway 67 near Gillespie Field airport, has been found by El Cajon police following a doggedly determined search effort involving volunteers across the country. The brindle (brown striped) dog had only been in her new home for one day. “Volunteers from the
MORE THAN PUPPY LOVE: FREE CANINE COMPANION SERVICE DOGS BENEFIT LOCAL SENIORS
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery (Canine Companions for Independence) April 1, 2009 (San Diego County) – Disabled seniors and organizations that serve senior citizens can obtain free service dogs thanks to a grant provided by the Gary and Mary West Foundation. Canine Companions for Independence will provide dogs to help seniors throughout San Diego County with tasks such as opening doors,
SPRING EGGSTRAVAGANZA AT SANTEE LAKES
Printer-friendly versionApril 9, 2009 (Santee)—Carnival rides, a petting zoo, crafts, food, inflatables and pony rides are among the attractions planned for “Eggstravaganza at Santee Lakes” on Saturday, April 11th. Continuous egg hunts will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Egg hunts are limited to children eight and younger. The Easter Bunny will also be on hand—and “hoppy” to
ESTRANGED BEDFELLOWS: KEHOE DEFENDS BLOCK, BUT SAYS SHE’S “DISAPPOINTED” WITH LACK OF VOTE FOR GAY MARRIAGE LEGISLATION
Printer-friendly versionBy E.A. Barrera April 2, 2009 (San Diego)—Openly gay San Diego State Senator Christine Kehoe defended newly elected 78th District Assemblyman Marty Block, even as she scolded Block for his refusal to support a resolution calling on the California Supreme Court to overturn Proposition 8, the voter-approved measure which invalidated gay marriages in California. Kehoe said she “had not
EDIITORIAL: SDGE’S PROPOSAL TO SHUT-OFF POWER DURING TIMES OF SEVERE, FIRE-PRONE WEATHER RAISED IRE OF HUNDREDS OF BACKCOUNTRY RESIDENTS AT CPUC HEARING
Printer-friendly versionBy George Barnett April 8, 2009 (Alpine)—Over 300 people attended a California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) hearing in Alpine tonight on SDG&E’s proposal to shut off power during fire-prone weather conditions. People turned out from El Cajon to In-ko-pah in the desert and the mountain community of Julian; with a smattering from areas unaffected by the proposal, such
HELIX SPEECH TEAM NAMED LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
Printer-friendly version March 20, 2009 (La Mesa)—Helix Charter High School’s speech team has won the League Championship in a three-day tournament, earning its fourth League title in the past six years. Nineteen Helix students have qualified to compete at the California High School Speech Association State Tournament in Culver City at the end of April. Nate Howard, a third-year speaker and senior
O’DUNN FINE ART GALLERY OPENS IN LA MESA
Printer-friendly versionBy Rachel Ford Hutman Photo by Tim Thomas Pastelist Molly Lipsher, oil painter Jack Jordan, Paul Henricksen, La Mesa Chamber CEO Mary England, gallery owner Shannon O’Dunn, Mayor Art Madrid, Miss La Mesa Stephanie Packard, and Miss La Mesa Teen Katrina Schweitzer. March 29, 2009 (La Mesa)—Art aficionados flocked to the grand opening of O’Dunn Fine Art Gallery Thursday
LA MESA CHAMBER MIXER AT VIEJAS DRAWS CROWD
Printer-friendly version La Mesa Chamber of Commerce President Mary England and Viejas spokesman Charlie Brown By Miriam Raftery March 26, 2009 (Alpine) —“We don’t just hold mixers. We make cash registers ring,” La Mesa Chamber of Commerce president Mary England told a crowd of approximately 100 members and guests at a mixer hosted by the Chamber at the Dreamcatcher Lounge
HOG WILD: 4,000 CELEBRATE GRAND RE-OPENING OF EL CAJON HARLEY-DAVIDSON
Printer-friendly version March 28, 2009 (El Cajon) —Ribbon-cuttings for Chamber of Commerce members are usually sedate affairs. Not so the grand re-opening of the E l Cajon Harley-Davidson dealership today, where thousands of motorcyclists packed in to join the celebration on El Cajon Boulevard. “We were expecting 3,000, but it looks more like at least 4,000 people are here,” office
CONGRESSMEN SPAR AT SAN DIEGO REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LUNCHEON
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery April 3, 2009 (San Diego)—Democratic Congressman Bob Filner took some good-natured swings at fellow members of San Diego’s Congressional delegation at the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce luncheon on March 27th. “First let me take some cheap political shots,” quipped Filner, sporting boxing gloves. He noted that the Chamber of Commerce and other business interests
Deaf Mongolian Immigrant Held by ICE In Otay Mesa for Months Without Access to Interpreter
Printer-friendly versionThe Otay Mesa Detention Center operated by CoreCivic. (Photo by Adrian Childress/Times of San Diego) By Wendy Fry, CalMatters Update July 23, 2025 — ICE has released this immigrant, Cal Matters reports, after four months in custody and following a judicial order to provide a Mongolian interpreter. He is now living with a family member. July 14,
Advancing Healthy Communities: Inside the Bing and Underage Drinking Initiative’s 2025 Annual Status Report for County
Printer-friendly version By Seraphina Eberhardt, Program Director, Institute for Public Strategies July 1, 2025 (El Cajon) — Community leaders, prevention experts, and local advocates came together at Singing Hills Golf Club in El Cajon recently to talk about the realities of alcohol misuse in our neighborhoods. The San Diego County Binge and Underage Drinking Initiative (BUDI) released its
Health and Science Highlights
Printer-friendly versionJuly 14, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future. HEALTH Major medical associations sue Kennedy, Trump administration health leaders for Covid-19 vaccine changes (CNN) Supreme Court preserves Obamacare coverage of preventive healthcare (Politico) Gates Foundation commits $1.6B for global vaccine effort after US
Walmart Recalling Ozark Stainless Steel Water Bottles
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Services July 13, 2025 (San Diego County) — Walmart stores are recalling metal water bottles that can cause blindness when lids snap up. The retailer recalled the Ozark Trail 64‑oz stainless steel insulated water bottle after lid incidents left two consumers blind. In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Walmart has issued
SDSU Swim & Dive Earns 7 Scholar/All-America Honors
Printer-friendly versionAztecs also named a CSCAA Scholar All-America Team for 19th consecutive semester East County News Services July 15, 2025 (San Diego) — Seven student-athletes from the San Diego State University swim and dive program were named College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of AmericaScholar All-Americans for the 2024-25 campaign, as announced earlier this month by the College Swimming
SANDAG Looking for Community Input; Zoom Meeting on July 16
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Services July 13, 2025 (San Diego County) — The San Diego Association of Governments is hosting a special online presentation/feedback session on the 2025 Regional Plan for unincorporated communities in San Diego County. The meeting will be held via Zoom from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 16. Register here. The regional plan can
Residents Urge Council Members to Ban Sale of All Animals in Lemon Grove
Printer-friendly version Story and photo by Jennifer Sencion July 13, 2025 (Lemon Grove) — Dozens of concerned residents and animal advocates spoke at the Lemon Grove City Council meeting Tuesday night to demand a citywide ban on the retail sale of all animals. Sixteen of the nearly 20 speakers urged Councilmembers to expand on California Assembly Bill 485,
La Mesa Becomes First Local City Certified as Age-Friendly Employer, Helping Job Seekers Age 50 and Up
Printer-friendly version East County News Service July 13, 2025 (La Mesa) — The City of La Mesa has been designated as a Certified Age-Friendly Employer (CAFE) by the Age-Friendly Institute, becoming the first municipal government in San Diego County to receive the CAFE seal. This recognition highlights the City’s commitment to inclusive hiring practices and support for a multigenerational workforce.
You’re Invited! July 17 Feast at Himalayan Cuisine in La Mesa with East County Magazine’s Dining Club
Printer-friendly version You’re invited to East County Magazine’ s DIning Club feast at Himalayan Cuisine in La Mesa on Thursday, July 17 at 6:30 p.m. All proceeds benefit our local news reporting and our wildfire and emergency alerts! Everyone is welcome to attend. Himalayan Cuisine features delicious cuisine from Nepal, Tibet and India. Plus we’ll have a fabulous raffle with many great
La Mesa Grandmother Detained By Ice While Serving as Legal Observer for Immigrants at Courthouse
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery July 11, 2025 (La Mesa) – La Mesa resident Barbara Stone, a 71-year old U.S. citizen and courthouse observer at immigration proceedings, is free tonight after being detained by Immigrants and Customs agents (ICE) for eight hours without access to an attorney, according to her daughter and witnesses. Jessica Kort, posted a plea for help
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