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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…
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
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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Chaldean bishop under investigation for alleged embezzling, personal misconduct
East County News Service Photo by Miriam Raftery: Bishop Shaleta in May 2024 at opening of incubator business center for refugees and immigrants in El…
Chaldean bishop under investigation for alleged embezzling, personal misconduct
East County News Service Photo by Miriam Raftery: Bishop Shaleta in May 2024 at opening of incubator business center for refugees and immigrants in El…
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Photo by Miriam Raftery: Bishop Shaleta in May 2024 at opening of incubator business center for refugees and immigrants in El Cajon February 25, 2026 (El Cajon) – Bishop Emmanuel Shaleta, the top official at St. Peter the Apostle of San Diego Chaldean church in El Cajon, is under investigation by the Sheriff’s fraud unit
ICE agents outside local school campuses raise concerns
Printer-friendly version By Alexander J. Schorr February 25, 2026 (San Diego) — Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity has increased in surrounding school areas, which includes the occupying of parking lots, monitoring of bus routes, and arrests occurring blocks away from schools. At least 3,800 children have been booked into ICE detention between January 2025 and early 2026. Families have expressed anxiety over “haunting and taunting” by
AI glasses: another potential power that poses threats to schools
Printer-friendly versionBy Alexander J. Schorr Photo: screenshot of Meta’s Ray Ban AI Glasses analysis by Surfshark February 25, 2026 (San Diego) — AI in the United States has the potential for great power and change in the nation. It is very much a new “wild west,” and because there are no significant guardrails, there is great danger from it facing human
Public input sought on La Cresta Road safety following head-on fatal collision
Printer-friendly versionBy Paul Levikow Photo via San Diego Fire Protection District February 25, 2026 (Crest) – The Crest Dehesa Granite Hills Harbison Canyon Planning Group is seeking public input on the safety of La Cresta Road, following a recent fatal head-on collision in Crest. Josefina Sanchez, 72, was killed by an alleged drunk driver in the crash Feb. 11, 2026 while visiting her son
Unidentified driver dies in Dulzura collision
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service February 25, 2026 (Dulzura) – An unidentified male driver of a 2009 Nissan Cube has died in a hospital of injuries sustained February 23 around 2:55 p.m. He was driving eastbound on State Route 94, west of Little Tecate Road in Dulzura, when he veered into ongoing traffic and struck a 2003 Dodge Ram driven
After Supreme Court overturns some of Trump’s tariffs, Democrats push for refunds to U.S. businesses
Printer-friendly versionBy G. A. McNeeley Image created with ChatGPT February 24, 2026 (Washington D.C.) — Three Senate Democrats released legislation on Monday, February 23 that would mandate refunds of tariffs paid under President Donald Trump’s higher duties that The Supreme Court struck down on Friday, February 20, according to CNBC. The legislation, led by Senator Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), Senator Jeanne Shaheen
Escondido City Council looking at showdown over ICE training contract
Scrrenshot, left, of Escondido City Council meeting from Feb. 18 courtesy city of Escondido website video By Karen Pearlman Feb. 24, 2026 (Escondido) — The…
Escondido City Council looking at showdown over ICE training contract
Printer-friendly versionScrrenshot, left, of Escondido City Council meeting from Feb. 18 courtesy city of Escondido website video By Karen Pearlman Feb. 24, 2026 (Escondido) — The city of Escondido is bracing for a charged City Council meeting tomorrow (Feb. 25), as elected officials prepare to publicly look at a quietly renewed agreement allowing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to train at a
TAKE THE WARRIOR HIKE CHALLENGE MAY 24 AT EL CAPITAN COUNTY PRESERVE
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BORREGO SPRINGS MICROGRID COLLABORATIVE SEEKS GRANT FOR COMMUNITY MICROGRID DEVELOPMENT
Printer-friendly versionInitiative would serve as a model for community-led energy resilience, delivering more reliable power and improved energy security for Borrego’s most vulnerable residents and businesses File photo, left: Sunbeams over Anza-Borrego Desert near Borrego Springs By Gabriela Dow May 16, 2025 (Borrego Springs) — The Borrego Springs Microgrid Collaborative (BSMC) has submitted a grant application for funding through San
ACADEMY FIRE IN SAN PASQUAL VALLEY HALTED
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery May 16, 2025 (San Pasqual)—The #AcademyFire has been halted at 49.7 acres, according to Cal Fire, with no structures lost or injuries. The fire briefly threatened structures along Highland Valley Road in the San Pasqual Valley east of Escondido. The blaze began this afternoon in the 7700 Block of San Pasqual Valley Road (State Route
DEAD CROWS IN LEMON GROVE TEST POSITIVE FOR WEST NILE VIRUS
Printer-friendly versionBy Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office Crow image cc via Bing May 16, 2025 (Lemon Grove) — Two dead crows recently collected in routine monitoring from Lemon Grove tested positive for West Nile virus, prompting County environmental health officials to remind people to protect themselves from mosquitoes that can transmit the virus to people. The positive tests mark
EARTHTALK®: REDUCING RISKS OF CHEMICALS IN MANICURES AND PEDICURES
Printer-friendly version From the Editors of E – The Environmental Magazine Image via Pixabay April 15, 2025 Dear EarthTalk: Am I being exposed to harsh chemicals when I get a manicure or pedicure? –– Susan Porter, via e-mail The nail care industry is booming. Global market projections will near $11 billion by 2027. But beneath the glossy finish of a
LA MESA SEEKS BOARD AND COMMISSION MEMBERS
Printer-friendly versionWant to make a difference in your community? The City of La Mesa is currently recruiting volunteer members for several Boards and Commissions. The application deadline is July 1 at 5:30 p.m. These are the boards and commissions with current openings: Arts and Culture Commission Community Parking Commission Community Police Oversight Board Community Services Commission Design Review Board Environmental
CALIFORNIANS WOULD LOSE AI PROTECTIONS UNDER BILL ADVANCING IN CONGRESS
Printer-friendly version House Republicans want to ban state AI regulations for 10 years. California leaders are alarmed. by Khari Johnson, Technology reporter, CalMatters. This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. May 16, 2025 House Republicans moved to cut off artificial intelligence regulation by the states before it can take root, advancing legislation in Congress that, in California, would make
NO CITIZENSHIP SWEARING-IN CEREMONY AT THIS YEAR’S AMERICA ON MAIN STREET FESTIVAL
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Photo: Naturalization citizenship ceremony, cc via Bing May 16, 2025 (El Cajon) – This year, El Cajon’s America on Main Street celebration won’t include a mass swearing-in ceremony for new citizens. “The City reached out to the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services to make our annual request for their participation,” city manager Graham Mitchell told ECM.
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WANTS TO SELL FEDERAL LANDS, SLASHES FUNDING FROM FOREST AND PARK SERVICES
Printer-friendly versionThe Trump Administration is trying to sell off federal lands, while its budget cuts are severely impacting national parks and forests By G. A. McNeeley Photo: Staircase Escalante National Monument, Utah May 16, 2025 (San Diego) – House Republicans have approved a provision to their budget that would allow the federal government to sell thousands of acres of public
DESCANSO RESIDENTS OPPOSE CALTRANS PLAN TO DRASTICALLY CUT PARKING SPACES
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery May 16, 2025 (Descanso, CA) – Tammy and Brett Cooker opened their Descanso Junction Restaurant in 2003, in a century-old building on State Route 79. Days later, the Cedar Fire roared through the region, destroying many homes and closing down I-8. But the Cookers swiftly earned the community’s loyalty, keeping their doors open to serve up
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