Award-winning nonprofit media in the public interest, serving San Diego's inland region

Award-winning nonprofit media in the public interest, serving San Diego's inland region

Breaking News

Explore What Matters

Stay informed on the issues that shape East County. From local news and emergency alerts, to community celebrations

News Center

News Issues

Politics

Wildfires and Emergencies

Events & Arts

Visit East County

People

Communities

Features

Get East County Wildfire, Emergency Alerts

Critical wildfire and emergency notifications delivered instantly.Join Neighbors who stay informed and prepared with our award winning Journalist

Latest Stories

Sponsorship Placement

Funeral procession for fallen LMPD Officer Lauren Craven October 28

Printer-friendly versionLa Mesa officials say to expect major traffic delays   East County News Service   Oct. 25, 2025 (La Mesa) — A funeral procession is planned for fallen La Mesa Police Officer Lauren Craven starting at 7:30 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 28, according to the La Mesa Police Department.   Craven, 25, was killed in the line of duty on October 20,

Read More ...

From the Fire Chief’s Corner: Let’s “move it” this November

Printer-friendly versionGrowing Conversations, Saving Lives By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna October 24, 2025 (San Diego) – Each November, a global movement takes root, one mustache at a time. Movember isn’t just about facial hair; it’s about facing the facts. Men’s health is in crisis, and silence is no longer an option. A Movement with Muscle Founded in 2003 in Melbourne, Australia,

Read More ...

Police arrest person who hit juvenile with car in El Cajon

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service    Oct. 24, 2025 (El Cajon) — Local public safety officials have arrested the person who is believed to have been the driver of a car linked to a hit-and-run collision on Wednesday night, Oct. 22 in El Cajon that put a 12-year-old boy in the hospital.   Dani Korkis, 35, of Lakeside was arrested

Read More ...

County launches new Alert San Diego app, replacing SD Emergency

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service   Oct. 24, 2025 (San Diego County) — The name and look of the emergency information app for the County of San Diego has changed, and now has new features to help keep residents safe.   Known previously as SD Emergency, it is now called Alert San Diego. The updated app is part of the

Read More ...

Passages: Grossmont Union High School District mourns the passing of former superintendent Mike Fowler

Printer-friendly versionSource:  Grossmont Union High School District October 24, 2025 (El Cajon) – With deep sadness, the Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) announces the passing of former Superintendent Mike Fowler, who devoted nearly three decades of extraordinary service to East County students and families. He passed away following a courageous battle with brain cancer. Statement from GUHSD Governing Board President

Read More ...

Safely dispose of prescription medications this Saturday, Oct. 25

Printer-friendly versionBy Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office October 23, 2025 (San Diego) – The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office is urging people to check their homes and collect unused or expired prescription medications and turn them in on National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. People can anonymously drop medication off at one of nine Sheriff’s locations,

Read More ...

Climate Action Plan and Green Building Incentive Program: County hosts virtual meeting Oct. 28

Printer-friendly versionSource:  County of San Diego October 23, 2025 (San Diego) – The County of San Diego County Planning & Development Services (PDS) invites you to attend a virtual public meeting on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. to learn about and share your input on the County’s implementation of the Climate Action Plan (CAP) and the development of the Green Building

Read More ...

Shawn Dixon named president and CEO of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

Printer-friendly version  East County News Service   Oct. 23, 2025 (San Diego) — Shawn Dixon has been named the new president and CEO of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.   The SDZWA announced his appointment on Thursday, Oct. 23, which came following an extensive global search.   Dixon served as interim president and CEO of the SDZWA for the past

Read More ...

San Diego FC playoff-bound this weekend at Snapdragon Stadium

Printer-friendly version By Karen Pearlman Oct. 23, 2025 (San Diego) — It’s been quite a start for the San Diego Football Club. In its inaugural Major League Soccer season, the team is headed to the playoffs. San Diego FC will host its first playoff match Sunday, Oct. 26, at Snapdragon Stadium when the team faces the Portland Timbers in Game 1

Read More ...

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

Read More ...

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

Read More ...

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

Read More ...

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

Read More ...

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’

Read More ...

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

Read More ...

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

Read More ...

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

Read More ...

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

Read More ...

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

Read More ...

Get Wildfire Alerts & Wildfire Emergency News

Stay ahead of emergencies with real-time notifications delivered directly to your inbox when seconds count.

Partner To ECM

Connect with East County’s most informed and engaged community. Our readers trust ECM for critical news and actively support local businesses.

Our Engaged Audience

Unique Visitors

5 to 10 million hits

per month!

Number of Visitors
0

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

Thanks To Our Major Sponsors

📬 Subscribe to ECM – 100% Free, Trusted by East County Since 2008

Reviews and Feedback