Thanks To Our Sponsors
Be a sponsor!
Breaking News
Explore What Matters
News Center

Padre Dam’s Ray Stoyer Water Recycling Facility decommissioned after more than a half-century of use
Printer-friendly versionRay Stoyer Water Recycling Facility at Padre Dam Municipal Water District, Santee Lakes Community event makes way for the

Lemon Grove Library hosting Sheriff’s reentry event
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 13, 2026 (Lemon Grove) — The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office Reentry Services Division
News Issues

Padre Dam’s Ray Stoyer Water Recycling Facility decommissioned after more than a half-century of use
Printer-friendly versionRay Stoyer Water Recycling Facility at Padre Dam Municipal Water District, Santee Lakes Community event makes way for the

Lemon Grove Library hosting Sheriff’s reentry event
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 13, 2026 (Lemon Grove) — The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office Reentry Services Division
Politics

Padre Dam’s Ray Stoyer Water Recycling Facility decommissioned after more than a half-century of use
Printer-friendly versionRay Stoyer Water Recycling Facility at Padre Dam Municipal Water District, Santee Lakes Community event makes way for the

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
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

Lionel’s Legacy hosting sleepover party and more in Lakeside April 18-19
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 14, 2026 (Lakeside) — East County-based senior dog rescue group Lionel’s Legacy is holding

Mountain Empire Art Show Debuts April 15 in Boulevard
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 14, 2026 (Boulevard) — The Backcountry Resource Center in Boulevard will be busy this Wednesday,
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

Lionel’s Legacy hosting sleepover party and more in Lakeside April 18-19
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 14, 2026 (Lakeside) — East County-based senior dog rescue group Lionel’s Legacy is holding

Mountain Empire Art Show Debuts April 15 in Boulevard
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 14, 2026 (Boulevard) — The Backcountry Resource Center in Boulevard will be busy this Wednesday,
Features

Lionel’s Legacy hosting sleepover party and more in Lakeside April 18-19
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 14, 2026 (Lakeside) — East County-based senior dog rescue group Lionel’s Legacy is holding

Mountain Empire Art Show Debuts April 15 in Boulevard
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 14, 2026 (Boulevard) — The Backcountry Resource Center in Boulevard will be busy this Wednesday,
What East County Topic Matters Most to You?
Get East County Wildfire, Emergency Alerts
Latest Stories
Sponsorship Placement

2025 VALENTINE’S DAY WEDDINGS, APPOINTMENTS NOW AVAILABLE AT COUNTY ASSESSOR’S SANTEE OFFICE
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service January 6, 2025 (Santee) – Jordan Marks, San Diego County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk (ARCC), has announced that early appointments are now available for civil wedding ceremonies between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Valentine’s Day, Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Couples can book their Valentine’s Day appointments for marriage licenses and ceremonies at one of four ARCC offices, including Santee,

SDG&E URGES RESIDENTS TO PREPARE FOR PUBLIC SAFETY POWER SHUTOFFS STARTING TUESDAY
Printer-friendly version Source: SDG&E January 6, 2025 (San Diego) – Due to extreme fire weather conditions and forecasted Santa Ana winds, San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) has notified 64,866 customers that it may have to turn off power to reduce wildfire risk as early as Tuesday. Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) are approved by state regulators as an

BUDGET CUTS MAY JEOPARDIZE HEALTH PROGRAMS FOR MILLIONS IN CALIFORNIA
Printer-friendly versionNursing home coverage could be on chopping block By Chrystal Blair, California News Service January 5, 2025 (Sacramento) — As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, federal health programs affecting 85 million low-income Americans, including more than 12 million in California, may face cuts to reduce inflation and debt. As of 2024, California has the largest state Medicaid

STORIES OF THE YEAR 2024
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery January 2, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – 2024 has been a turbulent year, from devastating floods in January to controversies over homelessness and immigration, contentious elections, land use and fire issues, expansion of Jamul tribal lands, officials grappling with hate speech, resignation of the County Supervisors’ Chairwoman Nora Vargas, and at year’s end,

SAN DIEGO AUTHORITIES ASK PUBLIC TO REPORT THREATS IN WAKE OF NEW YEAR’S DAY TERROR ATTACKS IN NEW ORLEANS AND LAS VEGAS
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Photo, left: surveillance footage from New Orleans terror attack January 3, 2025 (San Diego) – A U.S. military veteran drove a rented electric pickup truck into a crowd of New Year’s Day revelers in New Orleans shortly after 3 a.m. on New Year’s morning, killing 14 people before he was fatally shot by police officers. Authorities

STATE LAW EXPANDING INVOLUNTARY TREATMENT FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ROLLS OUT JANUARY 1 IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service County News Service contributed to this report January 2, 2025 (San Diego) — The County of San Diego’s Behavioral Health Services has spent the last year organizing extensive planning and training to prepare for the biggest update to California’s civil detention and conservatorship laws in more than 50 years. Advocates argue that the measure is needed

SAN DIEGO ZOO WILDLIFE ALLIANCE NAMED SWEEPSTAKES WINNER IN 136TH ROSE PARADE® FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR
Printer-friendly versionThe Alliance’s Intricate Float Honored Historic Arrival of Giant Pandas Source: San Diego Zoo Wildflfe Alliance Photo by Emily Senninger, courtesy of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance January 2, 2025 (San Diego) – The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance won top honors at the 136th annual Rose Parade® Presented by Honda with a float commemorating the historic arrival of giant pandas.

VEHICLE COLLISION KILLS TWO PEDESTRIANS IN LEMON GROVE
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service January 2, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – A 20-year-old man and a 19-year old woman are dead as a result of a collision in Lemon Grove yesterday. According to the Sheriff’s department, two vehicles collided at the intersection of Buena Vista and Broadway shortly after 11 am. The impact sent one of the cars into the

50TH ANNIVERSARY OF PURCHASE OF COWLES MOUNTAIN AT MISSION TRAILS REGIONAL PARK
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Photo: Cowles Mountain by Gerry Tietje December 31, 2024 (San Diego) — Today, December 31, 2024, marks the 50th anniversary of Cowles Mountain at Mission Trails Regional Park (MTRP). Its purchase and preservation in 1974 was a pivotal moment in the park’s history, and was the result of community members and local leaders uniting to save

SYRIAN COMMUNITY CELEBRATES LIBERATION OF SYRIA
Printer-friendly versionStory and photos by Henri Migala Video links of the event are found at the end of the article. December 31, 2024 (El Cajon) – Joy filled the air at Kennedy Park in El Cajon, where the Syrian community of San Diego County held a community gathering on December 21 to celebrate Syria’s liberation. Approximately 300-400 members of the

U.S. casualties mount in Iran conflict
By Miriam Raftery Photo via U.S. Navy: F/A-18E Super Hornet on flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in support of Operation Epic…

CERT makes emergency preparedness fun
By Yvette Urrea Moe , County of San Diego Communications Office March 11, 2026 (San Diego) – Preparing for emergencies is serious, but it doesn’t…

CERT makes emergency preparedness fun
By Yvette Urrea Moe , County of San Diego Communications Office March 11, 2026 (San Diego) – Preparing for emergencies is serious, but it doesn’t…

Poll workers needed for June 2 gubernatorial primary election
By Gig Conaughton , County of San Diego Communications Office March 12, 2026 (San Diego) — The Registrar of Voters is now hiring poll workers…

Poll workers needed for June 2 gubernatorial primary election
By Gig Conaughton , County of San Diego Communications Office March 12, 2026 (San Diego) — The Registrar of Voters is now hiring poll workers…

Vatican removes San Diego Chaldean Bishop following embezzlement arrest; Cardinal also steps down
East County News Service March 10, 2026 (El Cajon) – The Vatican on Tuesday formally accepted the resignation of Bishop Emanuel Shaleta , the leader…

Two Lemon Grove City Councilmembers leave meeting in protest
The Lemon Grove City Council on March 3, following the exit of Councilmembers Seth Smith and Yadira Altamirano Story and photos By Armando Rasing II…

Vatican removes San Diego Chaldean Bishop following embezzlement arrest; Cardinal also steps down
East County News Service March 10, 2026 (El Cajon) – The Vatican on Tuesday formally accepted the resignation of Bishop Emanuel Shaleta , the leader…

California Voter ID Initiative expected to qualify for November ballot
Battle lines already being drawn for what is expected to be a heated campaign By Paul Levikow March 10, 2026 (San Diego) — The formal…

California Voter ID Initiative expected to qualify for November ballot
Battle lines already being drawn for what is expected to be a heated campaign By Paul Levikow March 10, 2026 (San Diego) — The formal…
Get Wildfire Alerts & Wildfire Emergency News
Partner To ECM
Our Engaged Audience
5 to 10 million hits
per month!
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
Community Links
📬 Subscribe to ECM – 100% Free, Trusted by East County Since 2008
- Emergency alerts
- Breaking news
- No spam ever