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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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RECESSION IN CALIFORNIA: SENATOR BOXER RELEASES REPORT
Printer-friendly version1 in 18 San Diego households face foreclosure; food bank demand up 50% December 23, 2008 (Washington, D.C.) — California Senator Barbara Boxer has prepared a report detailing impacts of the nation’s recession on California counties and cities. The report, based on interviews conducted with officials in 20 cities and all 58 counties, paints a stark picture of the
$1,000 REWARD FOR FEMALE SUSPECT IN CARJACKING AT GROSSMONT CENTER
Printer-friendly versionDecember 23, 2008 (La Mesa) — On December 22, 2008, at about 5:30 PM, a woman was carjacked, robbed and driven into El Cajon by a female suspect as the woman was parking at Grossmont Center. The victim, a 20 year old female from La Mesa, told police that she had just parked at Grossmont Center near Wal-Mart when
December Capitol Report
Printer-friendly version(Note: Since Congress and the Legislature were in recess and took no major actions in November, there is no November Capitol Report) How did your elected officials vote on the most important bills in Congress and the California Legislature? Find out here! Editor’s Note: Congress and the Legislature have been in recess in most of November and December. In
GENERAL CONTRACTOR RON ASBURY APPOINTED TO PROP R OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
Printer-friendly versionDecember 20, 2008 (El Cajon) — La Mesa resident Ron Asbury, a general contractor and active volunteer for East County schools, is the newest appointee to the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Citizens Bond Oversight Committee. The CBOC is charged with ensuring that revenues from Proposition R, the $207 million local bond measure passed in 2002, will be spent solely
2 Grossmont High School Teachers Named Winners in Inaugural “I’m Thankful For My Teacher” Award
Printer-friendly versionSan Diego County teachers recognized with thousands of “thank yous” from grateful parents, schoolchildren in contest sponsored by Mission Federal Credit Union, Junior Achievement, Cox Communications and Channel 4 December 18,2008 (San Diego, CA) Campaign organizers are proud to announce the winners of the first-ever “I’m Thankful For My Teacher” Contest, hosted by Mission Federal Credit Union, Junior Achievement
COMMUNITY LEADERS REACT TO CPUC’S APPROVAL OF SUNRISE POWERLINK SOUTHERN ROUTE
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Click photo for larger image. December 19, 2008 (San Diego’s East County) — The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has ruled to allow construction of Sunrise Powerlink across the southern portion of East County. The decision drew a mixture of praise and criticism from local community leaders. “Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has revealed his true colors when
LA MESA POLICE SERVE SEARCH WARRANT AT CHOP SHOP IN LA MESA; ARREST MADE ON DRUG, WEAPON AND STOLEN VEHICLE CHARGES
Printer-friendly versionDecember 19, 2008 (La Mesa) — Officers from the La Mesa Police Department’s Special Enforcement Detail, and detectives from the Regional Auto Theft Task Force (R.A.T.T.), served a search warrant at a home in the 6000 block of Amaya Dr. in La Mesa. The search warrant stemmed from an investigation into stolen vehicles in the area. Detectives found approximately
EL CAJON MAN ARRESTED FOR ROBBING HOLIDAY SHOPPER IN TOYS R US PARKING LOT
Printer-friendly versionDecember 18, 2008 (La Mesa) — La Mesa Police Officers responded to a robbery that occurred at 11:47 a.m. in the parking lot of Toys R Us on Grossmont Boulevard in La Mesa. When officers arrived, they found that security officers had chased the suspect on foot northbound on Jackson Drive. The security officers lost the suspect under the I-8
Armed Subject at Helix High School Determined to be a Hoax
Printer-friendly versionDecember 17, 2008 (La Mesa) — A report of an armed man on the Helix High School campus yesterday has now been determined to be a hoax. Further investigation by Helix staff and the La Mesa Police Department confirmed that the student who reported seeing a man with a gun had fabricated the incident. It is not known why
GROSSMONT-CUYAMACA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT PASSES AUDITS; BUDGET FOCUSES ON COST-CUTTING STRATEGIES
Printer-friendly versionDecember 17, 2008 (El Cajon ) — Grossmont Cuyamca Community College District today announced it has passed five separate 2007-2008 audits. The audits presented to the governing board cover the district’s general audit, its part-time employees’ pension plan, Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges foundations, and the district’s auxiliary. Two more audits relating to the district’s Prop. R facilities bond program
PASSAGES: BO MAZZETTI, 77, RINCON CHAIRMAN AND LEADING ADVOCATE FOR NATIVE AMERICANS
Printer-friendly version East County News Service Photo: Chairman Bo Mazzetti, courtesy of the Rincon band of Luiseño Indians May 15, 2025 (Valley Center, CA) –Bo Mazzetti, Chairman of the Rincon band of Luiseño Indians for over 16 years, passed away on May 1 at age 77 after battling cancer. A leading voice for Native Americans statewide over several decades, he was
CALIFORNIA BUDGET IS $12 BILLION IN THE RED AMID TRUMP TARIFFS AND RISING COSTS
Printer-friendly version by Alexei Koseff This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Gov. Gavin Newsom addresses the media during a press conference unveiling his revised 2025-26 budget proposal at the Capitol Annex Swing Space in Sacramento on May 13, 2025. Photo by Fred Greaves for CalMatters In summary California is experiencing unexpectedly shaky economic conditions, as
WOMAN, 31, DIES DAY AFTER ADMISSION TO LAS COLINAS DETENTION FACILITY
Printer-friendly version East County News Service Update May 15: The deceased has been identified as Callen Lines. May 14, 2025 (Santee) – A 31-year-old woman died in a hospital on May 12, one day after she was arrested for vehicle theft and resisting arrest. According to Lt. Juan Marquez with the San Diego County Sheriff’s department, sergeants at the Las Colinas
PASSENGER, 86, DIES OF INJURIES FROM ACCIDENT ON I-8 IN PINE VALLEY
Printer-friendly version East County News Service May 12, 2025 (Pine Valley) – James Michel, 86, from Yuma, Arizona was a passenger in a vehicle that rear-ended a stopped vehicle on I-8 west near Buckman Springs Road on April 24 shortly before 10 a.m. He was transported to UCSD Medical Center in San Diego, where he died two weeks later, on
LA MESA MOTORCYCLIST KILLED, TWO INJURED IN COLLISION ON AVOCADO
Printer-friendly version East County News Service May 12, 2025 (La Mesa) – A collision between a motorcycle and an SUV Saturday night proved deadly for a 22-year-old La Mesa man. He was riding a 2017 Ducati motorcycle northbound on Avocado Blvd. just south of Explorer Road in La Mesa with a female passenger, 20, from El Cajon just after 8
FIRE DAMAGES APARTMENT BUILDING IN SPRING VALLEY
Printer-friendly version East County News Service May 12, 2025 (Spring Valley) – A fire on Saturday, May 10 cause significant damage to an apartment building in the 400 block of Grand Avenue. San Miguel Fire and Sheriff’s deputies from the Rancho San Diego station responded at 9 a.m. and found two rear patios of the apartment building in flames. “The
HEARING MAY 19 ON CITY’S PLAN TO CLOSE LAKE MURRAY ON WEEKDAYS; OTHER LOCAL LAKES FACE CUTS
Printer-friendly versionResidents launch petition to keep lake open By Karen Pearlman Photo, left, by Miriam Raftery: Lake Murray May 12, 2025 (San Diego) – Lake Murray is one of several local reservoirs that may see their hours of operation get slashed starting next year because of budget issues in the city of San Diego. To cover the city’s $258 million
PADRES BREAK 1889 RECORD WITH 21-0 ROMP OVER ROCKIES
Printer-friendly version By Karen Pearlman May 12, 2025 (Denver) – Following a wild 21-0 win over the Colorado Rockies on May 10 at Coors Field, the San Diego Padres moved briefly back into first place in the National League West, breaking a baseball record that has stood for more than a century. But the Friars closed their nine-game road trip
GUHSD CHIEF OF STAFF HOBBS RESIGNS AMID CONTROVERSY; TRUSTEES REFUSE TO RESCIND LAY-OFFS
Printer-friendly version By Alexander J. Schorr Photo, left: Sign on table urging recall of four GUHSD trustees. May 11, 2025 (El Cajon) — The Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) governing board refused a last-ditch chance to rescind its layoffs of credentialed teachers, librarians, counselors, and psychologists at the May 8 board meeting, despite angry comments from constituents. After the
JUDGE DENIES KALASHOS’ REQUEST TO POSTPONE JAIL TERM
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery File photo: Bessmon “Ben” and Jessica Kalasho May 11, 2025 (San Diego) – A last-minute effort by former El Cajon Councilman Bessmon “Ben” Kalasho and his wife, Jessica, to postpone their 8-day jail sentence has been rejected by Superior Court Judge Wendy Behan. The Kalashos have been ordered to surrender on June 9th to begin
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