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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 COUNTY CITIES VIE TO LURE SHOPPERS
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery April 1, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – A sales tax hike that takes effect today in La Mesa and El Cajon, has sparked competition among East County cities and Chambers of Commerce vying for shoppers’ business. A statewide sales tax increase boosts sales tax county-wide to 8.75%. In El Cajon and La Mesa, voters approved
UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS EXTENDED AN EXTRA 20 WEEKS
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery March 27, 2008 (Sacaramento) – With the state’s unemployment rate at 10.5%, jobless Californians will be eligible to receive unemployment benefits for an additional 20 week. Legislation signed by Governor Schwarzenegger will bring help to more than 400,000 California families, the California Labor Federation reports. California workers generated nearly 3,000 letters to legislators and the governor
ANZA-BORREGO DESERT STILL BLOOMING IN HIGHER ELEVATIONS
Printer-friendly versionWildflower Hike Planned April 16. April 1, 2009 (Borrego Springs) – It’s not too late to see Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in bloom. As we move past the peak flower time, the show is moving from the desert floor to canyons and higher elevations, where there are a wide variety of plants just beginning to bloom. Anza-Borrego Institute will
COURTS LIKELY TO OVERTURN SUNRISE POWERLINK APPROVAL, CONSUMER ATTORNEY PREDICTS TO CROWD OF 600 PROTESTORS IN ALPINE
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Sign expresses residents’ outrage over fire dangers posed by Powerlink April 8, 2009 (Alpine)—A coalition of more than 600 people packed the community center in Alpine last night to protest Sunrise Powerlink, the high-voltage line that SDG&E plans to build through the heart of this mountain community. Attorney Michael Shames from the Utility Consumers Action Network
VIEJAS TRIBAL MEMBER RECEIVES HEALTH HERO AWARD
Printer-friendly version Charlie Brown is honored for his ongoing contribution to the Burn Institute. March 23, 2009 (San Diego, Calif.) – Charlie Brown, a Viejas Tribal Member and Director of Viejas Community Relations, was awarded the Health Hero Award by the Combined Health Agencies for his contributions to the local health industry and community activism. Brown, nominated on behalf
SEIU LOCAL 221 RATIFIES CONTRACTS WITH SAN DIEGO COUNTY
Printer-friendly version March 20, 2009 (El Cajon)—Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 221 members have ratified their contract with the County of San Diego. Voting on the contract took place March 17-19, and of the members who voted, 89% voted to ratify the contract. The new contract will extend the currently existing contract by two years and will include
GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY: INTRODUCTION TO FARMING WORKSHOP SERIES AT LA MILPA FARM IN ESCONDIDO STARTS APRIL 4
Printer-friendly version April 1, 2009 (Escondido)—San Diego Roots and La Milpa Organica are pleased to announce a new educational program for our community. Whether you are a beginning gardener or experienced farmer, this program will take you full circle through a seasonal planting and harvest on a farm. If you are interested in learning more about food production but only
JESSE LAMONACA HEADLINES AT CUYAMACA COLLEGE COYOTE MUSIC FESTIVAL MAY 1
Printer-friendly version Jesse LaMonaca April 1,2009 (El Cajon) — The Cuyamaca College Music Industry Studies program is proud to announce the Coyote Music Festival on May 1, 2009 on the grand lawn of Cuyamaca College. The event will feature 6 San Diego acts playing original music during the late afternoon concert: Jesse Lamonaca, Regina Leonard, Silent Lune, Goodnight Caulfield, Rhythm
NEW ASSEMBLYMAN MARTY BLOCK INTRODUCES BILL TO CREATE NEW COLLEGE IN CHULA VISTA
Printer-friendly version Vittorio Arata, Gabriella Quiroga (1), Katya Quiroga, Mariella Quiroga (Mark Raftery) April 1, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) — On his first day of work at the Capitol, Assemblyman Marty Block introduced AB 24, a bill which would require that the California State University trustees conduct a feasibility study for locating the 24th Campus of the CSU System in Chula
EDITORIAL: EMPLOYEE FREE CHOICE ACT IS VITAL TO REBUILD OUR ECONOMY
Printer-friendly versionBy Tracy Emblem (Democratic candidate, 50th Congressional District) March 27, 2009 (San Diego)–The Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) is vital to rebuild America’s economy. But the right-wing media is disseminating false information and scare tactics aimed at duping the public regarding EFCA. We are losing the middle class. Wages are spiraling downward, workers are losing healthcare, yet CEOs are
TRUMP’S BUDGET BILL WILL NEGATIVELY AFFECT MEDICAID USERS
Printer-friendly version President Donald Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” will also give tax breaks to the wealthiest of Americans; Democrats and some Republicans raise objections By G. A. McNeeley June 21, 2025 (Washington D.C.) – Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S. Dakota) faces backlash from Republicans, over the latest version of President Donald Trump’s budget bill, which ignores Republican senators’ concerns
IRAN-ISRAEL ESCALATION INVOLVES THE US NOW
Printer-friendly version Netanyahu has decided to wage war against Iran— specifically designed to sabotage United States international diplomacy By Alexander J Schorr Friday June 20, 2025 – Under the current leadership of the Trump administration, the United States risks military involvement with Iran at the behest of Benjamin Netanyahu. One may have hoped that the international community could be working
ICE AGENTS SCATTER AS SD BISHOP PHAM, CLERGY VISIT IMMIGRATION COURT
Printer-friendly versionSan Diego Bishop Michael Pham (left) waits to enter the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building on World Refugee Day. (Photo by Chris Stone/Times of San Diego) By Ken Stone, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association June 20, 2025 (San Diego) — Eight immigration courts line the fourth-floor hallway of the downtown Edward J.
PASSAGES: BILLIE JO JANNEN, CHAIR OF CAMPO-LAKE MORENA PLANNING GROUP AND FORMER ALPINE SUN EDITOR
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery June 19, 2025 (Campo) — Billie Jo Jannen, an award-winning journalist and chair of the Campo-Lake Morena Community Planning Group from 2013-2025, died May 27 of cancer at age 69. Jannen was a powerful voice for backcountry residents. She won awards for investigative reporting and spent nearly 25 years as a reporter and editor covering
EL CAJON HOMELESS COUNT FINDINGS ADJUSTED IN RESPONSE TO CITY’S COMPLAINT
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery File photo: Homeless outreach workers offer help to an unsheltered person in an El Cajon park June 19, 2025 (El Cajon) – The Regional Task Force on Homelessness has acknowledged that its 2025 Point in Time Count overstated the number of homeless people in the city of El Cajon. The report included 24 homeless individuals who
INVESTIGATION INTO CAUSE OF HOUSE FIRE IN RAMONA THAT DAMAGED THREE PROPERTIES
Printer-friendly version East County News Service June 19, 2025 (Ramona) – An abandoned home in the 1600 block of Casteel Lane, Ramona caught fire around 6 p.m. yesterday, quickly spreading to two neighboring properties. The blaze caused extensive damage to the home as well as outbuildings, fences and brush on adjacent properties. Firefighters with CAL FIRE/San Diego County were able
SOME EVACUATIONS LIFTED IN MONTE FIRE
Printer-friendly versionEast County Wildfire and Emergency Alerts Update June 20: The #MonteFire has burned over 1,000 acres and is 65% contained. Image by Josh Stotler, East County Magazine: Helicopter scoops water to fight fire on day one of #MonteFire June 18, 2025 (Lakeside)– On day three of the #MonteFire, 976 acres have burned and the wildfire fire is 25% containment.
EL CAJON WOMAN, 53, DIES IN CUSTODY AT SANTEE DETENTION FACILITY
Printer-friendly version East County News Service June 19,2025 (Santee) – A woman who died at the Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility in Santee on June 13 has been identified as Linda Bagby, 53, of El Cajon. This is the sixth in-custody death this year at detention facilities in San Diego County. Deputies were serving dinner when they found Bagby
MAYOR GLORIA VETOES KEY BUDGET ITEMS, CUTTING ACCESS TO SOME LAKES , FUNDS FOR BRUSH CLEARING, STORMWATER PROJECTS AND MORE
Printer-friendly version By Karen Pearlman June 18, 2025 (San Diego County) – A little over a week after the San Diego City Council voted 7-2 to continue to fund consistent public access to city-owned and operated lakes and reservoirs, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria wielded his line-item veto power to cut access at some lakes, though Lakes Murray and Miramar
KALASHOS FAIL TO SHOW UP TO BEGIN JAIL SENTENCE; NEW ARREST WARRANTS ISSUED
Printer-friendly version By Karen Pearlman File photo by Miriam Raftery June 18, 2025 (El Cajon) – Just weeks after they stood in San Diego Superior Court for a trial about code enforcement issues at their Fletcher Hills home, former El Cajon City Councilman Bessmon “Ben” Kalasho and his wife, Jessica Deddeh Kalasho, skipped out on a scheduled June 9 court
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