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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…
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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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SMALL BRUSH FIRE ON I-8 NEAR GOLDEN ACORN CASINO CONTAINED
Printer-friendly version November 26, 2009 – A traffic alert was issued at 10:34 a.m. Thanksgiving Day due to a small brush fire on the side of the freeway along I-8 eastbound near the Golden Acorn Casino in the Live Oaks Springs area. Lanes remained open but traffic slowed briefly due to smoke conditions. At 10:55 a.m., CAL-FIRE confirmed that the fire
DRIVER PASSES OUT, DESTROYS 2 PLANES AT GILLESPIE FIELD
Printer-friendly version November 26, 2009 (El Cajon) On this Thanksgiving Day, a motorist in El Cajon can be thankful he survived a freak accident that left his vehicle beneath a plane at Gillespie Field. Just after 4:00 p.m. yesterday, the 57 year-old driver traveling northbound on Johnson Avenue, just north of Bradley Avenue, apparently passed out behind the wheel.
PICKUP TRUCK STRIKES, KILLS SANTEE MAN IN WHEELCHAIR
Printer-friendly version November 26, 2009 (Santee) – Santee resident Hector Villasenor, 62, died after being struck by a pickup truck in the 8900 block of Carlton Hills Blvd. shortly before 6 p.m. on November 24. Santee Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call following the accident and found Villasenor non-responsive, lying in the roadway. Santee paramedics were unable to revive him
HOT PROWL BURGLARIES IN ELCAJON PROMPT MASS PUBLIC WARNING
Printer-friendly versionProwler may be a frequent visitor to area, police believe November 26, 2009 (El Cajon)— Southeast El Cajon has had approximately 30 hot prowl burglaries and attempted burglaries since fall 2008. A hot prowl burglary occurs when occupants are home, often at night while residents are asleep. The latest in this series occurred early Saturday morning in the area
ROBERTS DROPS OUT OF RACE IN 50TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT; CITES FAMILY NEEDS
Printer-friendly version November 25, 2009 (San Diego) – Dave Roberts is dropping out of the Democratic primary in the 50th Congressional District. In a letter sent to supporters this evening, the Solana Beach Councilmember issued the following statement: This past Monday was one of the happiest, yet saddest days of my life. As many of you know, Wally and
SHERIFF ANNOUNCES SCHEDULE FOR HOLIDAY WATCH PATROLS
Printer-friendly version November 25, 2009 (San Diego County)–Sheriff William D. Gore announced today a county-wide Holiday Watch Program beginning Wednesday, November 25, 2009 and continuing through Sunday, January 3, 2010. The purpose of Holiday Watch is to provide a safe, secure, crime free environment during the holiday period. The Sheriff’s Holiday Watch program will consist of both education and enforcement.
DENNY’S ROBBED IN EL CAJON
Printer-friendly version November 26, 2009 (El Cajon) – At 12:48 p.m. on the afternoon of November 24, a man robbed the cashier at Denny’s restaurant at gunpoint. After leaving the restaurant located at 1201 East Main St., he fled north toward El Monte Road. The suspect is described as a black male, 5 feet, four inches, wearing a black jacket
LEGAL QUESTIONS RAISED OVER LOCAL ACORN ALLEGATIONS
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Updated 11/25 8:45 p.m. November 25, 2009 (El Cajon) – Surreptitious taping and dumpster diving are the latest tactics used by critics seeking to discredit a local chapter of ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now;www.acorn.org), the largest national organization focused on advocating for the poor and disadvantaged. The latest revelations cast doubt not
MAN ARRESTED FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER OF DEPUTY FOLLOWING HIGH-SPEED CHASE IN POWAY
Printer-friendly version November 24, 2009 (Poway) Poway Sheriff’s deputies attempted to stop a vehicle for a minor equipment violation at Pomerado Road & Robison Boulevard in Poway at 9:33 p.m. last night.. The vehicle failed to yield and the driver, later identified as Jacob Woolsey, fired a weapon several times at the deputy as he fled the area. Sheriff’s deputies
LET IT ROLL! VIEJAS BOWL OPENS IN ALPINE
Printer-friendly version November 24, 2009 – Tribal Council leaders rolled out the first strikes following a ribbon cutting ceremony today at the new Viejas Bowl, located in the Viejas Outlet Center in Alpine. (www.shopviejas.com. Opening ceremonies included a blessing and smudging, or burning of sage, to bring good luck to Viejas’ newest entertainment venture. The new facility features 12 lanes
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 of Sexually Violent Predator Gary Snavely. The California Department of State Hospitals has recommended the placement of Snavely at 3406 Running M Road in Borrego Springs He was convicted of lewd and lascivious acts with two girls ages 8 and
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 Swalwell speaks to a crowd during a town hall he hosted at the Fresno Convention & Entertainment Center in downtown Fresno on Dec. 15, 2025. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local April 10, 2026 (Fresno) – Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell, one
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 by AI-cyberbots that have repeatedly crashed it. Our new website designed in WordPress is ready to launch with great new features for readers – but we can’t launch without critical security upgrade programs that cost thousands of dollars. Please help!
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 Ramona. (Photo courtesy Joel Anderson Facebook page) East County News Service April 10, 2026 (San Diego County) — While parking prices across the region seem to be climbing faster than a fit hiker scaling Iron Mountain, local seniors can count
CHP urges drivers to follow hands-free cell phone law; officers report more violations as distracted driving causes hundreds of crashes annually
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 10, 2026 (San Diego County) — Distracted driving causes hundreds of crashes across California each year, and violations of the state’s hands-free cellphone law remain an ongoing concern. As part of Distracted Driving Awareness Month, the California Highway Patrol is urging drivers to put down their phones and stay attentive to help make roads safer
Learn how to use the county’s ‘Tell Us Now!’ app on April 13
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 10, 2026 (Rancho San Diego) — We’ve all been there: you’re driving through somewhere in San Diego County and run over a jagged pothole, spot a flooded culvert or keep seeing the same abandoned vehicle on a street corner…. but the thought of trying to find the right County department to call and report
ECM World Watch: national and global news
Printer-friendly versionApril 9, 2026 (San Diego) — 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. Trump’s VA killed a home loan program. Vets are now losing their homes because of it (NPR) Eligible young
Three arrested in child abuse investigation, drugs also uncovered
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 9, 2026 (Spring Valley) — Three Spring Valley residents are in custody following an investigation into child abuse that uncovered a stash of narcotics inside a local residence. Detectives from the Rancho San Diego Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday assisted Child Welfare Services in executing a search warrant at a home on the 9000 block
Temporary cease fire reached in Iran after Trump threatened “a whole civilization will die;” conflict takes toll on U.S. economy
Printer-friendly versionBy Alex J. Schorr April 9, 2026 — As of yesterday, the United States and Iran have agreed to a fragile two-week ceasefire brokered by Pakistan, with the agreement aiming to pause hostilities that began on February 28. Pakistan-mediated talks are scheduled to begin in Islamabad on Friday April 10, to seek a permanent settlement. The fragile cease-fire comes after Trump posted a threat
AB 1959 moves along, inspired by 2001 school shooting at Santana
Printer-friendly version Story and photo by Karen Pearlman April 9, 2026 (Santee) — Twenty-five years after teenage student armed with a gun opened fire at Santana High School, survivors and prosecutors are closer to closing a legal loophole they say allows the state’s most violent juvenile offenders to exploit the justice system for early release. On Tuesday in Sacramento, the Assembly
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