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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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Elderly man who died in custody had urinary tract infection, high blood pressure and heart disease
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery November 22, 2025 (San Diego) – The Medical Examiner has concluded that 82-year-old Karim Talib died of natural causes in the San Diego Central Jail on July 28. The autopsy determined that the cause of death was high blood pressure and heart disease complicated by acute kidney disease due to a urinary tract infection. ECM has
San Diego River Park Foundation takes action to protect homeless; hundreds in jeopardy from storms
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service November 22, 2025 (San Diego) – The San Diego River Park Foundation is leading efforts to help 323 people living along the San Diego River who are at risk from flooding in upcoming storms. In addition to checking on homeless camps and getting warnings out ahead of storms, the nonprofit holding a care package drive
Suspects arrested for stealing from Home Depot in Lemon Grove
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service November 21, 2025 (Lemon Grove) — Two men are facing serious charges after getting caught stealing from a home improvement store in Lemon Grove. Last night around 6:00 p.m., deputies from the Lemon Grove Sheriff’s Substation’s Community Oriented Policing and Problem-Solving (COPPS) team coordinated a counter-theft operation at the Home Depot store on Broadway. “During
Sheriff deputies kill Alpine resident Robert Liddell during wellness check
Printer-friendly version CA Attorney General is investigating the shooting East County News Service November 21, 2025 (Alpine, CA) – A concerned neighbor called 911 to request a wellness check on her neighbor on November 5, after she found his door partially open and he did not answer. The incident ended tragically. Sheriff’s deputies fatally shot the resident, 72-year-old Robert Edmund
Supervisors discuss future housing and development in unincorporated county
Printer-friendly versionBy Paul Levikow Photo: map shows targeted areas to be prioritized for housing November 20, 2025 (San Diego) – With San Diego County experiencing a housing crisis, the Board of Supervisors held a workshop Wednesday aimed at finding solutions for the unincorporated areas, including several in East County. The Valle de Oro/Casa de Oro neighborhood was identified as being
County Supervisors Extend Behavioral Health Services Contracts
Printer-friendly versionBy Paul Levikow November 20, 2025 (San Diego) – The San Diego County Board of Supervisors Tuesday voted unanimously to extend mental health and substance use services contracts. The County Health and Human Services Agency’s Behavioral Health Services (BHS) department provides services to vulnerable populations, including individuals who are experiencing homelessness, people involved in the justice system, and children
Hannah Shirley the pygmy hippo, turns 52
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Nov. 20, 2025 (Ramona) — San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center celebrated the coming 52nd birthday of Hannah Shirley (photo, left, courtesy San Diego Humane Society), the world’s oldest living pygmy hippopotamus in managed care. Hannah enjoyed a festive “Hungry Hungry Hippos”-themed party that included floating fruit treats and colorful decorations inspired
Trump aims to open California coast to oil drilling; Senator Padilla and Governor Newsom denounce plan
Printer-friendly versionDraft proposal seeks six California lease sales despite clear legal limits and decades of bipartisan coastal protections By Miriam Raftery Photo: dead seabirds killed by the Exxon Valdez oil spill off Alaska in 1989. Source. November 20, 2025 (Washington D.C.) – The Trump administration today released its draft 2027 to 2032 Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing plan, the most
Santee music store owner sentenced to 7 years in prison for domestic abuse
Printer-friendly version East County News Service November 20, 2025 (Santee) – Superior Court Judge Johnetta Anderson has sentenced Joseph “Joey” Carlos Veizaga to a term of seven years in state prison after he was found guilty of domestic violence causing great bodily injury to his wife. Veizaga is the owner of Mr. Joey’s Music Store in Santee and fo9under of Los Reyes
USDA Secretary Says SNAP Recipients Will Have To Reapply For Benefits
Printer-friendly version Additionally, President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” provisions could kick millions out of the program By G. A. McNeeley November 20 2025 (Washington D.C.) — After disruptions in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits due to the federal shutdown, recipients have been anticipating getting benefits restored now that the shutdown has ended. But U.S. Department of Agriculture
Homicide investigation leads to arrest of 2 suspects
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service July 7, 2025 (El Cajon) — The El Cajon Police Department is looking for tips related to an April shooting in the city that led to the death of a man. El Cajon PD Lt. Will Guerin reporterd that at about 9:47 p.m. on Sunday, April 13, El Cajon police officers responded to multiple
County to Spray for Mosquitoes in Rolando Areas of La Mesa and San Diego to Reduce Risk of West Nile Virus
Printer-friendly version Source: County of San Diego July 7, 2025 (La Mesa) — To protect the public and keep mosquitoes from potentially spreading West Nile virus, which was recently detected in Rolando, the County is scheduled to conduct ultra-low volume, truck-mounted, pesticide-mist treatments this week. The spraying aims to reduce the number of adult mosquitoes on about 4,000 parcels in
Ramona Robbery Victim Spots Suspect at Bank, Leading to Arrest
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery July 6, 2025 (Ramona) – Ramon Jimenez Jr. is in custody on suspicion of robbery and threatening the victim with a metal pole. According to Lieutenant Alex Navarro with the San Diego County Sheriff’s department, a resident of Terre Oak Apartments in Ramona was taking out trash when the suspect approached him, brandishing a metal
Alligator Alcatraz: A Florida ‘Concentration Camp’
Printer-friendly version By Alexander J Schorr July 4, 2025 (Everglades, FL) — Nearby President Trump’s Miami resort in the swamplands of the Florida Everglades sits a makeshift detention facility dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” the latest in his administration’s immigration enforcement efforts. Andrea Pitzer, author of One Long Night: A Global History of Concentration Camps, writes in an editorial published on MSNBC, “I
Owner Identified in Dog-Dragging Case; Animal Cruelty Charges to Be Filed
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service July 5, 2025 (Spring Valley) — San Diego County Animal Services has identified the person responsible for the horrific July 2 incident in Spring Valley in which a dog was dragged behind a vehicle. After seeing video coverage of the incident on television, the dog’s owner contacted County Animal Services and admitted that it was his truck
TRUMP SIGNS BUDGET BILL ON JULY 4 THAT INFLATES DEFICIT, CUTS SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME AMERICANS AND MAKES TAX CUTS FOR WEALTHY PERMANENT
Printer-friendly version By G. A. McNeeley July 6, 2025 (Washington D.C.) – President Donald Trump on July 4 signed the highly contentious budget bill into law. The measure passed the Senate by a one-vote margin and on July 3, the House of Representatives approved the measure. All San Diego representatives voted no, with the exception of Rep. Darrell Issa, who voted
Pizzabilities in Alpine Serves Up Build-Your-Own Pizza and Inclusive Opportunities for Employees
Printer-friendly version Pam Baker and her granddaughter Grace Baker at Pizzabilities in Alpine Story and photos by Karen Pearlman July 2, 2025 (Alpine) – Any way you slice it, Pizzabilities, Alpine’s newest addition to the culinary scene, is about to serve the community in some of the most delicious and unexpected ways. While Pizzabilities serves delicious pies,
Animal Services Seeks Help to Find Animal Abuse Suspect Who Dragged Dog Behind Jeep Cherokee in Spring Valley
Printer-friendly version Source: County News Service July 4, 2025 (Spring Valley) — San Diego County Animal Services is asking for the public’s help in identifying the person responsible for a horrific act of animal cruelty in Spring Valley. On July 2 around 5:45 p.m., witnesses observed a red and brown Doberman being dragged behind a vehicle traveling at an estimated
Festive Fourth of July Events and Fireworks
Printer-friendly version By Karen Pearlman June 25, 2025 (San Diego County) – Independence Day in the USA is just days away, and across San Diego County, there are myriad events to be part of to celebrate. East County Magazine has compiled a list of various offerings to celebrate the Fourth of July, whatever part of the region you’re
“ICE Out” Marchers in El Cajon Take Stand for Immigrants as Concerns Over ICE Raids and Abuse of Detainees Grows
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Photos and videos by Shiloh Ireland “It’s my duty…to speak up for other people that currently are scared… I know what it feels like to be undocumented and having to be living in the shadows for fear of being deported.” – Carlos Gomez Perez, an Iraq War combat veteran who earned a Silver Star medal
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