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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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SAGE & SONGBIRDS GARDEN TOUR: RAPTOR REHAB FACILITY INCLUDED ON THIS YEAR’S TOUR MAY 1-3
Printer-friendly versionApril 20, 2009( Alpine)–Are you looking for ideas to “spruce up” your garden or yard? The Sage & Songbirds Garden Tour has a wealth of ideas for creating beautiful gardens that also provide wildlife-friendly habitat. The 12th annual event, set for May 1-3, spotlights five unique gardens, chock-full of plants, waterscapes, pathways, structures and other very interesting features. Lisa
HUNTER CALLS ON CONGRESS TO WITHHOLD FUNDS FOR GITMO CLOSURE; OBAMA RELEASES RECORDS CONFIRMING TORTURE ORDERED BY BUSH OFFICIALS
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery April 16, 2009 (Washington, DC) – U.S. Congressman Duncan D. Hunter (R-CA), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, has issued a statement opposing the Obama Administration’s request for $30 million in supplemental funding for the closure of Guantanamo Bay. “The Obama Administration’s plan to close Guantanamo Bay appears to be moving forward without any
WELCOME RECEPTION MAY 5 FOR NEW GCCD CHANCELLOR: DEALING WITH BUDGET CRISIS A TOP PRIORITY
Printer-friendly versionApril 18, 2009 (El Cajon)–– Talk about a baptism by fire. Dr. Cindy L. Miles has started a new job as chancellor of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District at a time of fiscal uncertainty amid what some economists still expect to be the deepest recession in the modern era. Limited funding by the state at a time of escalating
SPRING GARDEN FESTIVAL’S “CONSERVATION IN BLOOM” HIGHLIGHTS WATER CONSERVATION, CULTURAL CONSERVATION, AND CUYAMACA COLLEGE’S BIGGEST PLANT SALE OF THE YEAR
Printer-friendly versionDrawing to win a High-Efficiency Clothes Washer or Home Landscape Re-design April 18, 2009 (RANCHO SAN DIEGO)—On Saturday, April 25, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m,, Cuyamaca College’s campus will bloom with activity as three of its on-campus venues—the Ornamental Horticulture Department, the Water Conservation Garden,and the Heritage of the Americas Museum—invite the public to celebrate spring at their sixteenth annual
LA MESA VILLAGE REVITALIZATION WORKSHOP
Printer-friendly versionApril 20, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm at the La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Dr. By Kristin Hobbs Kjaero La Mesa – Locals call the La Mesa Village the heart and soul of their hometown. Given this sentiment, the Village Revitalization Workshop on April 20 is a great opportunity for the community to share their thoughts for improvements
SAN DIEGO EARTH WEEK FEATURES NEW EVENTS IN 2009
Printer-friendly versionGREEN JOBS FAIR AT SDSU AND A GREEN CITY LEADERSHIP FORUM ARE NEW THIS YEAR; EARTH FAIR KICKS OFF WEEK’S ECO-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES April 17, 2009 (San Diego)—Earth Day Week in San Diego kicks off with Earth Fair 2009 in Balboa Park on Sunday, drawing more than 70,000 visitors. Produced by 400 volunteers, EarthFair features more than 400 exhibitors, special
TOP DOG: BERSIN NAMED BORDER CZAR BY OBAMA; BUT CAN HE TAKE A BITE OUT OF BORDER VIOLENCE?
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery April 16, 2009 (San Diego)—Alan Bersin has officially been appointed Border Czar by President Barack Obama, Homeland Security Director Janet Napolitano announced today. Bersin held a similar position during the Clinton administration. He served as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California a the U.S. Justice Department’s special representative for the Southwest border. He was
CHILD MOLESTER ARRESTED IN LA MESA
Printer-friendly versionApril 15, 2009 (La Mesa)—La Mesa police have arrested Garth Gumienny, 35, a convicted child molester found to be living with a young boy who he repeatedly molested. The child was the son of Gumienny’s roommate, according to La Mesa Police Captain Ed Aceves. “The mother did not know the sexual abuse was occurring,” Aceves told East County Magazine.
A QUARTER CENTURY STRONG: LA MESA DEMOCRATS CELEBRATED 25th ANNIVERSARY; EMERALD STAFFER ADDRESSED COMMUNITY ISSUES
Printer-friendly versionApril 10, 2009 (La Mesa) – La Mesa-Foothills Democratic Club celebrated its 25th anniversary with a celebration last week that included cake, a potluck dinner, recognition of key members and presentation by Councilwoman Marti Emerald’s chief of staff, Xema Jacobson. Special honorees included the club’s founding members, Claude Cassirer, a Holocaust survivor, and his wife, Beverly (photo). Songs
FACING FORECLOSURE? NEED INFO ON HOME LOANS? GET HELP AT FREE HOMEOWNER PRESERVATION SEMINAR APRIL 18 IN SAN DIEGO
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery April 13, 2009 (San Diego)—At a time when many lenders have evicted families and aggressively foreclosed on, one lender has taken a different approach, setting up a series of events to help families find ways to avoid foreclosure. On April 18th, Project Homeowner, a program to advise California homeowners facing foreclosure on how to keep their
GUHSD STUDENTS ART SHOW AT LAKESIDE LIBRARY THROUGH MAY 12
Printer-friendly version Video and article by Shiloh Ireland View video Grossmont High School District, composed of 12 high schools, has an art show at the Lakeside Library through May 12th. Beautiful pieces of art are displayed, and some are for sale. A lot of talent awaits you. Check the library for library hours and support these young artists. The San
MISSING TEEN: DAVID GUTIERREZ LAST SEEN NEAR GROSSMONT HIGH SCHOOL
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service May 10, 2025 (El Cajon)– The family of David Gutierrez, 17, is asking for help to find him. A student at Grossmont High School, he was last seen at the school yesterday. He is 5 ft. 10 inches tall, white, and weighs about 150 pounds, with brown hair and eyes. “He has a cursive `L’
WILD BAT FOUND INSIDE SAFARI PARK TESTS POSITIVE FOR RABIES
Printer-friendly version Rabies is nearly always fatal without treatment Image Credit: PhotoSpin Source: San Diego County News Service May 10, 2025 (Escondido) — County public health officials are looking for people who may have come in contact with a wild bat found at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondidio on Wednesday, May 7 at 10:45 a.m. that later
HEAT ADVISORY ISSUED FOR INLAND AREAS TODAY
Printer-friendly version East County Wildfire and Emergency Alerts May 10, 2025 — The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory in effect now through 9 p.m. for San Diego County’s valleys including the cities of El Cajon, Escondido, La Mesa, Poway, San Marcos, and Santee. Temperatures up to 97 degrees are forecast in valleys, with even hotter temperatures up to
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ORDERS DEFUNDING OF NPR AND PBS
Printer-friendly version Public broadcasting leaders denounce action, call executive order illegal By G. A. McNeeley M. Raftery contributed to this report May 10, 2025 (Washington D.C.) — The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), a nonprofit organization that oversees the National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), is firing back at President Donald Trump’s executive order
ADVANCING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES: PROMOTE WELLNESS DURING MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH AND END STIGMA
Printer-friendly version By Seraphina Eberhardt, Program Manager, Institute for Public Strategies East County May 9. 2025 (San Diego’s EastCounty) — May 2025 marks Mental Health Awareness Month, a time dedicated to educating the public about mental health challenges, reducing stigma, and promoting wellness. It was established in 1949 by Mental Health America. The annual observance has been pivotal in bringing
CHICAGO CARDINAL NAMED FIRST POPE FROM UNITED STATES
Printer-friendly version New Pope is viewed as a moderate By Miriam Raftery Photo courtesy of Vatican News Service May 8, 2025 (San Diego)—In a historic move, the conclave of cardinals at the Vatican has chosen Chicago Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost to be the 267th Pope, the first American to lead the Catholic church worldwide. He will serve as Pope Leo
CAL FIRE BURN DEMO IN SPRING VALLEY DRAMATIZES DIFFERENCE PREPARING YOUR HOME’S EXTERIOR FOR WILDFIRE CAN MAKE
Printer-friendly version By Alexander J. Schorr Photos courtesy of CalFire Image: Side-by-side demonstration shows how unprepared structure surrounded by bark on left was rapidly engulfed in flames, unlike structure on right, with hardscaping May 7, 2025 (Spring Valley) — On May 6, The Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety partnered for
SAN DIEGO MAN DIES IN FIERY LAKESIDE ROLLOVER ACCIDENT
Printer-friendly version East County News Service May 7, 2025 (Lakeside) – A 24-year-old man from San Diego died in a solo-vehicle crash around 1:22 this morning. He was driving west on I-8 near Old Highway 80 in Lakeside when for unknown reasons, he lost control and his vehicle plunged down an embankment. “The BMW overturned down the embankment, crashed into
TOWN HALL MAY 8 ON SAN DIEGO IN-CUSTODY DEATHS AND ALLEGED MISTREATMENT OF INMATES
Printer-friendly version East County News Service May 7, 2025 (San Diego)—The Racial Justice Coalition of San Diego (RJCSD) and Community Advocates for Just and Moral Governance (MoGo) invite you to attend a Community Town Hall centered on the ongoing inhumane treatment of people detained in the San Diego County Jails. The event will be held on Thursday, May 8 from
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