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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…
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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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EAST OF THE LINE: LOCAL ECONOMY GETS SHOT IN THE ARM FROM BORDER OPERATIONS
Printer-friendly versionBy Billie Jo Jannen Victor Leon of Potrero and Rudolfo Reyes of Campo put a raked finish on the drying concrete at the base of the border fence in the far western portion of Campo. They are working on the south side of the fence, which is constructed a short distance north of the border inside the border “buffer
GET READY TO RUMBA! FREE WHEELCHAIR BALLROOM DANCE CLASSES START FEB 19 IN LA MESA
Printer-friendly versionFebruary 17, 2009 (La Mesa) — TheWheelchair Dancers Organization, sponsored by the Sharp Grossmont Foundation, is offering 8 weeks of free wheelchair ballroom dance classes. This is the first wheelchair ballroom dance program ever offered in San Diego by a professionally certified wheelchair dance instructor, William Valencia. Dance classes start on Thursday, February 19, from 12 Noon-1:00 pm., Sharp
LA MESA’S BUDGET A COMPLEX ISSUE
Printer-friendly versionLA MESA’S BUDGET A COMPLEX ISSUE Annual Budget Workshop March 17 By Kristin Kjaero A number of diverse elements contribute to the city’s financial health as a whole. In a lead up to the City’s Annual Budget Workshop, we are pleased to provide an overview for our readers. CITY FINANCES Structural Deficit For the past two and a half
FIRE OFFICIALS SCORCH STAY-AND-DEFEND POLICY, CITE DEATH TOLL IN AUSTRALIAN WILDFIRES
Printer-friendly versionPublic urged to “leave early” when fire threatens, make preparations before fire season By Miriam Raftery February 17, 2009 (El Cajon)–“Fifty-three fire chiefs agree that the best way to keep families safe is to evacuate early,” August Ghio, president of the San Diego County Fire Chiefs Association, said at a press conference at Cal Fire’s El Cajon station. Ghio
STOP-PAYMENTS TO FOSTER FAMILIES RAISES CONCERNS FOR CHILDREN
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery February 16, 2009 (San Diego) — A letter sent by the County of San Diego last week to foster parents warned that the State of California planned to halt payments to counties for foster parent services immediately. While County officials joined with 23 other counties to file a lawsuit against the state, the prospect of losing
NEED SANDBAGS? GET THEM AT THESE CAL-FIRE STATIONS
Printer-friendly versionFebruary 16, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–In preparation for the expected weather CAL FIRE has prepositioned 4×4 engines in strategic locations near I-8 in East County. CAL FIRE also has sand bags available at the following stations: Deer Springs Station 11 8709 CIRCLE R DRIVE ESCONDIDO, CA 92026 CAL FIRE Station 70 16971 HIGHWAY 76 PAUMA VALLEY, CA. 92061
CA BUDGET ONE VOTE SHY OF PASSAGE: HOLLINGSWORTH LEADS OPPOSITION
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery February 18, 2009 (San Diego) — Efforts to pass a $40 billion state budget plan collapsed over the weekend due to Republicans refusal to support the plan, which fell one vote shy of passage in the Senate. The state has halted refund checks to taxpayers and payments to vendors, stopped 2,000 public works projects
HUNTER INTRODUCES RIGHT TO LIFE ACT: BILL WOULD DECLARE LIFE BEGINS AT CONCEPTION; NO EXCEPTIONS FOR RAPE, INCEST, OR SAVING A MOTHER’S LIFE
Printer-friendly versionFebruary 13, 2009 (Washington DC) –“Congressman Duncan Hunter has introduced H.R. 881, which would declare that life begins at conception. The Right to Life Act would establish “personhood of the unborn” by requiring equal protection under the 14th amendment of the Constitution to the “born and unborn” beginning with the moment of fertilization or cloning. Hunter’s bill contains no
HOUSE PASSES STIMULUS BILL THAT AIMS TO CREATE 396,000 JOBS IN CALIFORNIA; LOCAL LEADERS SPLIT VOTES
Printer-friendly versionFebruary 13, 2009 — The House of Representatives passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act by a vote of 246-183. Local Democratic representatives Bob Filner and Susan Davis voted for the measure, while Republicans Duncan D. Hunter, Brian Bilbray and Darrell Issa voted no. According to the White House, the measure will create or save 396,000 jobs in California
DON QUIXOTE BATTLES WINDMILLS — AND SO DO THE FOLKS IN BOULEVARD
Printer-friendly versionPART II in a three-part series: WHY BOULEVARD? By Gayle Early Pristine vale in McCain Valley slated for transmission lines, including Sunrise PowerLink. (photo by Gayle Early) February 16, 2009 (Boulevard) — Iberdrola Renewables and other parties have had their fingers in the wind, testing for the past three years and more. “If you link the windy areas in
El Cajon Police Arrest Parolee in Possession of Firearm, Narcotics and Ammunition
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service July 1, 2025 (El Cajon) — El Cajon Police Department detectives arrested a parolee in possession of a firearm, narcotics and ammunition on June 26, following a surveillance operation. According to Lieutenant Will Guerin, detectives observed 26-year-old Hector Ruiz Rico standing near a vehicle in a parking lot. placing items into both the
DRIVER CHARGED WITH HOMICIDE, DUI IN FATALITY LEMON GROVE CRASH
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery June 30, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – A 28-year-old man is charged with vehicular homicide and felony driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, after a deadly head-on collision in Lemon Grove last night. Sheriff’s deputies responded shortly before 8 p.m. to the crash in the 8400 block of Broadway, where they found the suspect beside
MAN ARRESTED FOR SETTING TRASHCAN FIRE IN SANTEE
Printer-friendly version East County News Service June 30, 2025 (Santee) — Sheriff’s Deputies and Santee Fire personnel responded to a report of a fire near the Walmart on Town Center Parkway in Santee around 6:32 p.m. on June 28. As deputies were driving to the location, a second witness called Sheriff’s Dispatch and reported they watched a man set fire
INJURED MOUNTAIN LION RETURNS TO WILD; 2 OTHER CUBS CONTINUE REHAB AT RAMONA WILDLIFE CENTER
Printer-friendly versionStory and photos via San Diego Humane Society June 29, 2025 (Ramona) — After nearly five months of rehabilitation at San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center, a young mountain lion injured in a vehicle strike has been successfully released back into the wild. The male mountain lion, estimated to be around 10 months old, was released
MARINES NOW STATIONED IN CAMPO AT BORDER; NEWSOM OFFICE: ‘DANGER’ TO COMMUNITY
Printer-friendly versionTents for U.S. Marines set up outside of the Campo Border Patrol Station in eastern San Diego County on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. (Photo by Ariana Drehsler for CalMatters) This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters here East County News Services June 29, 2025 (Campto) — Dozens of Marines are now assigned to
SUSPECTS ARRESTED FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER AT PARKWAY PLAZA
Printer-friendly version East County News Service June 28,2025 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Police have arrested three men and a juvenile for attempting to kill a teen boy, 17, insider Spencer’s at Parkway Plaza on June 24. “One suspect pointed a handgun at the victim’s head and appeared to pull the trigger,” says Lieutenant Will Guerin. Fortunately, the weapon jammed
SUPREME COURT LIMITS INJUNCTIONS THAT BLOCKED TRUMP’S PLAN FOR BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP
Printer-friendly version “We are fighting to make sure President Trump cannot trample on the citizenship rights of a single child.” –Cody Wofsy, deputy director, ACLU Immigrants’ Rights Project, which filed a class lawsuit in response to Supreme Court’s action By G. A. McNeeley June 28, 2025 (Washington D.C.) — The United States Supreme Court has narrowed the scope of
ECM WINS TWO JOURNALISM AWARDS
Printer-friendly version East County News Service June 27, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – East County Magazine editor Miriam Raftery won two awards from Society for Professional Journalists in the San Diego SPJ Journalism competition. The honors bring ECM’s total awards to 149 since our founding in 2008. In the series category for daily reporting and writing, Raftery took third
GUHSD BOARD FACES MULTIPLE LITIGATION THREATS
Printer-friendly versionCurriculum changes, lack of transparency, and allegations of white supremacy against Mt. Miguel teacher among hot button issues raised Eckert Screenshots: Left to Right — GEA President James Messina and Jason Balistreri, a teacher-librarian, take aim at the governing board for a lack of transparency and trust. By Alexander J Schorr June 26, 2025 (El Cajon) —The
WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN LOSES SD COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY FUNDING
Printer-friendly version Photo and story by Karen Pearlman June 26, 2025 (San Diego) – The fate of public access to the Water Conservation Garden in Rancho San Diego is a little less certain after another partner, the San Diego County Water Authority, on Thursday voted to withdraw its funding and participation from the Water Conservation Authority, operators of
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