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
LA MESA COUNCIL TO CONSIDER HATE-FREE DECLARATION
Printer-friendly versionMay 10, 2009 (La Mesa) La Mesa’s City Council will consider adopting a “Hate Free La Mesa” Declaration at its meeting on Tuesday, May 12th at 4 p.m.The measure has been presented by a member of United for Hate Free San Diego, a coalition of 52 faith-based and community organizations county-wide. United for a Hate Free San Diego seeks
WITNESSES SOUGHT IN DEERHORN VALLEY HATE CRIME INVESTIGATION
Printer-friendly version May 8, 2009 (Dulzura)–The San Diego Sheriff’s Department is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying any witnesses to an alleged assault on seven people attending a party in Deerhorn Valley on April 11, 2009 in the 20800 block of Cinnamon Drive in Dulzura. The initial call was a hit-and-run report; but allegations have surfaced that an assault
COMBAT VETS LEARN ORGANIC & HYDROPONIC FARMING SKILLS AT ARCHI’S ACRES
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery May 9, 2009 (Escondido)—After serving three tours of duty in Iraq, including urban combat zones in Fallujah and Haditha, former Marine Kevin Archipley and his wife, Karen (shown in photo) bought a farm in Escondido and resolved to help returning combat veterans adapt to civilian life. “What the farm offers veterans is decompression,”
SPLC PROVIDES TOOLS TO CURB RECRUITMENT OF TEENS BY RACIST HATE GROUPS; HATE CRIMES ON RISE
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery May 9, 2009 (La Mesa)—“There is an alarming increase in hate crimes in the United States,” James McElroy, chairman of the board for the Southern Law & Poverty Center (SLPC), told members and guests at the La Mesa –Foothills Democratic Club on May 6th. “We try to shine a little light on it. Hate is like
LEMONADE STANDS AIM TO SQUEEZE OUT MULTIPLE SCHLEROSIS MAY 30
Printer-friendly versionLemon Grove resident Kim German, 30, who has multiple sclerosis, is hosting a lemonade stand to raise money for multiple sclerosis from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 30, at the Lemon Grove VFW Hall, 6873 Federal Blvd., in Lemon Grove. The public is invited to drop by Kim’s lemonade stand, which will be one of more
BLOSSOM VALLEY CONSERVATION DAY MAY 30 OFFERS ENERGY& WATER SAVING TIPS
Printer-friendly versionMay 27, 2009 (Blossom Valley) — The Blossom Valley Water Task Force announces it will host an Energy & Water Conservation Day on Saturday, May 30th from 1 to 4 p.m. "If you haven’t heard by now, water deliveries will be cut to local agencies by 8 percent and a level 2 drought alert condition has been declared,"
WEEKLY CAJON CLASSIC CRUISE OPENS MAY 13TH FOR 9TH SEASON
Printer-friendly versionMay 1, 2009 (El Cajon)–Cajon Classic Cruise, the largest weekly classic car show in Southern California, returns to Main Street in Downtown El Cajon on Wednesday, May 13 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm with its 2009 Season Opener. In addition to viewing classic cars, the grand opening includes live music by the little Efert Band, a DJ from 104.2
BAFFLED BY BALLOT INITIATIVES? MAY 19 MEASURES PROVE STUDY IN CONFUSION
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery May 6, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)—The May 19 election includes six statewide ballot initiatives (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, and 1F) that are among the most confusing in recent memory. The stakes are high: stability of California’s budget process and the ability to fund vital services such as education, healthcare and public safety for
ECONOMIC CRISIS INCREASES SUICIDE RATE, COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH REPORTS. KNOW THE WARNING SIGNS
Printer-friendly versionMay 6, 2009 (San Diego)–May is Mental Health Month–and County of San Diego officials decided to kick it off highlighting the connection between the economic crisis and suicide. In San Diego County, the number of suicides increased 17 percent during the last five years, reaching 366 in 2008. The biggest increase took place in 2007 when the number
SOUTHERN POVERY LAW CENTER CHAIR TO SPEAK ON RISE IN HATE CRIMES: LA MESA, MAY 6
Printer-friendly versionApril 26, 2009 (La Mesa)–Jim McElroy, Chairman of the Board, Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), will speak on the rise in hate crimes in America during the May 6th meeting of the La Mesa-Foothills Democratic Club. A recent report from the SPLC shows a 50% rise in the number of hate groups in the United States. According to the
RFK, JR. ORDERS CDC TO STOP RECOMMENDING COVID VACCINES FOR HEALTHY CHILDREN AND PREGNANT WOMEN
Printer-friendly version Order ignores science, which shows pregnant women and newborns have high risk for serious COVID complications By Miriam Raftery May 27, 2025 (Washington D.C.) – Health leaders are reacting with alarm to Health & Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s announcement that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have removed the COVID vaccine from its list of
TRUMP BRAGS THAT HE’S ‘NOT CUTTING 10 CENTS’ FROM PENTAGON AS GOP GUTS MEDICAID
Printer-friendly version“We can cut plenty of other things,” President Donald Trump told West Point’s graduating class. By Jake Johnson, Common Dreams Photo: Screenshot via CSpan; Pres. Trump speaks at West Point graduation May 26, 2025 (West Point Military Academ, New York) — U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday bragged to West Point’s graduating class that he has refused to cut
COUNTY PARKS HITS BULLSEYE WITH NEW ARCHERY RANGE IN LAKESIDE
Printer-friendly version County News Center Photo courtesy County News Center: Elizabeth Howe, member of U.S. Archery team U8 Women’s Barebow, takes a shot at the new outdoor archery range in Lakeside. May 26, 2025 (Lakeside) –The County opened its much-anticipated outdoor Archery Range at Kumeyaay Valley Park last week. Located at 10964 Ashwood Street in Lakeside,
SUPERVISORS APPROVE FUNDS FOR SLEEPING CABINS IN LEMON GROVE, SHIFT MONEY FROM STALLED RV PARKING PROJECT IN LAKESIDE
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery May 25, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – San Diego County Supervisors this week approved a measure introduced by Supervisors Joel Anderson and Monica Montgomery-Steppe to fund first-year operations and services for the Troy Street sleeping cabins project, which supervisors previously authorized to house homeless individuals on state Caltrans land in Lemon Grove. The board action
HANNAH SHIRLEY CROWNED WORLD’S OLDEST LIVING PYGMY HIPPOPOTAMUS IN MANAGED CARE
Printer-friendly versionSan Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center celebrates world record Story and photo courtesy of the San Diego Humane Society May 25, 2025 (Ramona)– San Diego Humane Society’s beloved pygmy hippopotamus, Hannah Shirley, is officially the oldest living pygmy hippo ever in managed care in the world. On May 25, 2025, Hannah surpassed the previous record of
HOMELESS COUNT FINDS BIG IMPROVEMENTS IN MOST AREAS; EL CAJON DISPUTES FINDINGS
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Photo by Robert Gehr: A homeless person’s tent on grassy area along Main Street in downtown El Cajon May 24, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – The 2025 Point-in-Time count of homeless people conducted in January found large drops in homelessness countywide in nearly every community, with a 72% drop in families living on
PILOT IN DEADLY MURPHY CANYON CRASH WAS FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR AND MUSIC AGENT BASED IN EL CAJON
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery May 24, 2025 (San Diego) — More details have emerged on the tragic crash of a Cessna plane into a military housing neighborhood near San Diego’s Murphy Canyon on May 22nd while its pilot attempted to land amid heavy fog at Montgomery Field. All six people on board the plane died in the fiery crash.
ADVOCATES WARN PROPOSED MEDI-CAL CUTS COULD HARM RURAL MATERNITY CARE
Printer-friendly version Half of all births in rural California are covered by Medicaid; rural hospital closures would impact even moms with private insurance By Suzanne Potter, California News Service May 23, 2025 (Sacramento) — The Republican-controlled House of Representatives is hashing out last-minute details of a huge funding bill which could come to a floor vote this week. Advocates warned
SUPERVISOR ANDERSON: HOW TO HELP PLANE CRASH VICTIMS
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Photo courtesy of ECM news partner 10 News May 22, 2025 (San Diego) –Supervisor Joel Anderson today offered a statement on the deadly plane crash that occurred in a Tierrasanta neighborhood near Murphy Canyon, along with advice on organizations helping collect donations and items to assist residents displaced by the crash. “My office is closely
POPE APPOINTS MICHAEL PHAM AS SAN DIEGO BISHOP
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service May 22, 2025 (San Diego) – Auxiliary Bishop Michael Pham, 58, has been appointed by Pope Leo XIV to serve as Bishop of the San Diego Catholic diocese, the Vatican announced today. Born in Vietnam, Bishop Pham was ordained in 1999 and previously served in parishes across the San Diego region before becoming
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
Thanks To Our Major Sponsors
📬 Subscribe to ECM – 100% Free, Trusted by East County Since 2008
- Emergency alerts
- Breaking news
- No spam ever