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

SEMPRA ENERGY FOUNDATION SETS $1 MILLION ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGE FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Printer-friendly version  SAN DIEGO, Aug. 10, 2009 – If you had $100,000 what would you do to “green” Southern California? That is the challenge that the Sempra Energy Foundation has posed to non-profit organizations with an environmental focus. Those chosen will receive between $25,000 and $100,000, as part of a new $1 million Environmental Champions Awards program created to recognize

Read More ...

PICTURE YOURSELF CRUISIN’ IN THIS COOL CONVERTIBLE!

Printer-friendly version BUY THIS CAR–AND BENEFIT EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE     This is the perfect East County cruiser. Whether you’re top-down cruising historic Highway 80, taking a favorite friend to the Santee Drive-in, or traveling to the coast and beyond, this is a car built for fun. The only other full-sized convertible on the planet is a Bentley! It’s priced

Read More ...

NEWS BULLETIN: FIRE IN MEXICO

Printer-friendly versionAugust 10, 2009 (Campo) – If you see smoke over East County, don’t panic.  A large fire is burning in Mexico, just south of Campo. However it poses no threat to Americans on this side of the border since the wind is blowing in the opposite direction, CAL-FIRE Battalion Chief Nick Schuler assures us.   Should a threat arise that impacts

Read More ...

BURNING ISSUE: LA MESA COUNCIL VOTES TUESDAY ON SDG&E PLAN TO SHUT-OFF POWER

Printer-friendly version  PLAN PITS URBAN VS. RURAL COMMUNITIES IN HIGH-STAKES, LIFE-OR-DEATH DECISIONS   By Miriam Raftery   August 9, 2009 (La Mesa) – On Tuesday, August 11th at 4 p.m. the La Mesa City Council will consider whether to approve a highly controversial proposal by SDG&E to shut off power to up to 60,000 homes for up to three days during high-risk conditions for wildfires. SDG&E contends pulling the

Read More ...

GOVERNOR SIGNS 2 BILLS BY HOLLINGSWORTH INTO LAW; PROVIDES LAW ENFORCEMENT MORE RESOURCES TO MONITOR & PROSECUTE SEX OFFENDERS

Printer-friendly version August 9, 2009 (Sacramento) – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday announced the signing of two bills that will give law enforcement officials additional resources to more effectively monitor and prosecute registered sex offenders and sexually violent predators. Both were authored by Senator Dennis Holilngsworth (R-Murrieta) whose district includes East County, North County, and portions of San Diego.  

Read More ...

ALPINE BUSINESSMAN’S CHAIN SAW CARVES OUT NEW CAREER

Printer-friendly version  Photos by Miriam Raftery and Marilyn Lukinich   August 8, 2009 (Alpine)–A little boredom turned into a roaring artistic success for ex-logger James Lukinich of Alpine. Using a chain saw, the owner of the White Wolf Tree Service now coaxes charming designs out of wood. Fanciful birds, appealing bears, clever alligators and other creations quickly take shape. Making the first cut

Read More ...

DO YOU OWN THE TOP DOG? FIND OUT AUG. 16!

Printer-friendly version  August 5, 2009 (El Cajon) — Want to teach an old dog some new tricks?   Enter your canine companion in a fun-filled dog competition on Sunday, August 16 at 3 p.m. at the Challenge Ranch, 5973 Stallion Oaks Road in El Cajon.  Games, classes and contests are all part of the fun.       Entry categories include:

Read More ...

2 COUNCIL CANDIDATES ADDRESS WATER ISSUES IN PUBLIC FORUM

Printer-friendly version By Ryan Lescure   Emerald defends vote for power-shut-off; tells opponents in backcountry to “bellayche to the County Supervisors” and urge use of Prop 172 funds for firefighting   August 6, 2009 (San Diego)–Water issues were the main topic of discussion at the  San Diego chapter of Democracy for America’s meeting last night. The event featured Marti Emerald,

Read More ...

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

Read More ...

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

Read More ...

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

Read More ...

SAN DIEGO RIVER CLEANUP IN SANTEE ON SATURDAY

Printer-friendly version Photo at Forester Creek in Santee by Karen Pearlman East County News Services June 27, 2025 (Santee) — If you care about the environment and don’t mind getting a little dirty, then a clean up at Forester Creek may be the perfect fit for you! The San Diego River Park Foundation is having a cleanup event from 8

Read More ...

SUPREME COURT ALLOWS TRUMP TO DEPORT MIGRANTS TO COUNTRIES THAT AREN’T THEIR HOMES, WITHOUT DUE PROCESS

Printer-friendly version  Court majority’s action exposes “thousands to the risk of torture or death,”  says Justice Sonia Sotomayor By G. A. McNeeley  June 25, 2025 (Washington D.C.) — The Supreme Court has allowed The Trump Administration to restart the swift deportations of migrants to countries that aren’t their homelands. The conservative majority also lifted a court order that required migrants

Read More ...

CITY OF SAN DIEGO BUDGET CUTS WON’T CUT INTO LOCAL LAKES

Printer-friendly version Fishing expeditions like this man’s at San Vicente Reservoir will continue uninterrupted after fears of budget cuts within the city of San Diego that would have cut hours and days at a group of lakes and reservoirs were quelled. Photo by Karen Pearlman By Karen Pearlman June 25, 2025 (San Diego) –Anglers and outdoor enthusiasts are celebrating after

Read More ...

ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS

Printer-friendly versionJune 25, 2025 — As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include: U.S. DOGE Is Busier Than Ever—and Trump Says Elon Musk Is ‘Really Not Leaving’ (Wired) 128 million Americans under heat advisories

Read More ...

EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: LOCAL AND STATEWIDE NEWS

Printer-friendly versionJune 25, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media.  This week’s round-up stories include: LOCAL New app helps connect unhoused people to shelters in San Diego County (Fox 5) San Diego’s inflation rate highest in the nation for May The

Read More ...

HEALTH AND SCIENCE HIGHLIGHTS

Printer-friendly versionJune 25, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future. HEALTH Concerned about US vaccine misinformation and access, public health experts start Vaccine Integrity Project (CNN) The plan to vaccinate all Americans, despite RFK Jr. (Washington Post) FDA OKs New Shot to Protect Babies

Read More ...

COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY VOTES JUNE 26 WHETHER TO WITHDRAW FROM WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN: PETITION LAUNCHED TO SAVE GARDEN’S FUNDING

Printer-friendly version By Kristin Kjaero June 21, 2025 (San Diego) – – On June 26, San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) will vote on a staff recommendation to end its sponsorship and funding for the Water Conservation Garden. The Garden says accessibility to the public is at risk if SDCWA withdraws, and started an online petition campaign to request that

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