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
Lemon Grove School District wins Golden Bell Award
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service October 5, 2025 (Lemon Grove) — Lemon Grove School District has been honored with the California School Boards Association (CSBA) Golden Bell Award for advancing equitable student outcomes. This work has been led by Amy Fulinara, Executive Director of Educational Services. The CSBA Golden Bell Awards promote excellence in education by recognizing outstanding programs and
260,000 California 2nd graders awarded CalKIDS scholarship accounts
Printer-friendly versionSource: CalKids October 5, 2025 (Sacramento) — More than 260,000 California 2nd graders are starting this school year with their very first scholarship through CalKIDS, the state’s landmark program that helps families prepare for college and career training. Each eligible 2nd grader is automatically awarded a minimum of $500 in their CalKIDS Scholarship Account. Foster youth and students experiencing
Sheriff reports ninth in-custody death this year
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service October 4, 2025 (San Diego) — A 55-year-old man arrested Sept. 29 for public intoxication was found unresponsive at 11:55 p.m. on Oct. 1 in a holding cell at the San Diego Central Jail and later died. He was alone in the cell. Deputies called 911, requested additional help from the facility’s medical staff and
State sues city of El Cajon over sharing of data from license plate readers
Printer-friendly versionBy Jennifer Vigil, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association Photo: a San Diego intersection where there are two automated license plate reader cameras on the streetlights. (File photo by Gabrielle Wallace/Times of San Diego) October 4, 2025 (El Cajon) – California is suing El Cajon over the city’s lack of compliance with
Supervisor Joel Anderson and Sheriff Kelly Martinez to host Wildfire Safety Town Hall in Ramona on Monday, Oct. 6
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Photo, L-R: CalFire Chief Tony Mecham, Sheriff Kelly Martinez, & Supervisor Joel Anderson October 3, 2025 (Ramona) – San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson and Sheriff Kelly Martinez are hosting a wildfire safety town hall during Fire Prevention Week in Ramona on Monday, October 6 at 5:30 p.m. in the Ramona Library (1275 Main St., Ramona).
Padres’ World Series dream ends in Chicago
Printer-friendly versionThe Chicago Cubs celebrate after beating the Padres 3-1 to clinch a spot in the NLDS. Photo courtesy Official Wrigley Field Instagram East County News Service Oct. 3, 2025 (Chicago) — The San Diego Padres’ 2025 season, a 90-win campaign filled with promise and frustration, came to an abrupt halt on Thursday at Wrigley Field. The Padres lost 3-1
ECM World Watch: National and global news
Printer-friendly versionOctober 3, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — 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. Immigration and detention Hundreds of Alligator Alcatraz detainees drop off the grid after leaving site (Miami
Trump threatens to fire workers amid shutdown; Newsom says shutdown has halted critical wildfire programs in peak fire season
Printer-friendly versionHealthcare premiums will double for millions of Americans if Republicans don’t renew subsidies By Alexander J. Schorr Photo: Cedar Fire in October, 2003 burned over 276,000 acres, destroyed 2,232 homes and killed 15 people. October is peak wildfire season in our region, yet the shutdown threatens wildfire preparedness and disaster relief. October 2, 2025— The US federal government has
Chief’s Corner: Charge into Safety National Fire Prevention Week Oct 6th
Printer-friendly versionPrinter-friendly version
East County Roundup: Local and statewide news
Printer-friendly versionOctober 3, 2025, 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 ICE arrests rise at a higher rate in San Diego than across the U.S., data shows (NBC San Diego) Out with the old and
OUR INTERVIEW WITH DR. KEITH BLACK, AUTHOR OF BRAIN SURGEON AND LEADING BRAIN TUMOR RESEARCHER
Printer-friendly version Dr. Keith Black Interview with Anat Tour/ East County Magazine May 10, 2025 (San Diego) – Recently, ECM Bookshelf host Anat Tour sat down for an in-depth interview with Dr.Keith Black on our East County Magazine Radio Show. Dr. Black A pioneer in brain tumor research and leading neurosurgeon, he is also author of the book Brain Surgeon.
OTAY WATER DISTRICT AWARDED TRANSPARENCY CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE
Printer-friendly version Highlights Efforts to Promote Transparency and Good Governance East County News SErvice May 18, 2025 (Spring Valley, CA) — The Otay Water District received the District Transparency Certificate of Excellence from the Special District Leadership Foundation (SDLF) in recognition of its outstanding efforts to promote transparency and good governance and reaffirm its commitment to openness and accessibility for
CURTIS MORRISON, DEMOCRAT RUNNING AGAINST ISSA, SPEAKS OUT ON KEY ISSUES AND THREATS TO OUR DEMOCRACY
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery May 17, 2025 (San Diego) – Curtis Morrison is an immigration attorney and Democrat running for the 48th Congressional district against Congressman Darrell Issa, a Republican. He’s previously worked as a realtor and substitute teacher. Last month he sat down for an in-depth interview with East County Magazine, originally aired on our radio show on KNSJ
TAKE THE WARRIOR HIKE CHALLENGE MAY 24 AT EL CAPITAN COUNTY PRESERVE
Printer-friendly versionPrinter-friendly version
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
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