July 2025 Articles

July 2025 Articles

JAMUL CASINO RESORT PULLS OUT OF SAN DIEGO PRIDE PARADE AMID ANTISEMITISM CONCERNS

 

Resort donates $10,000 to JPride Festival promoting Jewish LGBTQ pride

By Miriam Raftery

Photo via JPride

July 3,2025 (Jamul, CA) – After Jewish groups withdrew from the San Diego Pride Parade over objections to participation by headliner Kehlani over antisemitism, the Jamul Casino and Resort announced today that it will not be participating in the event.  

“Given the complexity and sensitivity of this situation involving free expression, political symbolism and community inclusion, Jamul Casino Resort’s position is one that prioritizes its firm commitment to core values such as artistic freedom, equality, diversity and genuine respect for community concerns,” says Kirvin Doak, media contact for Jamul Casino Resort. 


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TESLA DRIVER CHARGED WITH MURDER OF MOTORCYCLIST, INJURING OTHERS INCLUDING EL CAJON MAN

East County News Service

July 3, 2025 (El Cajon) – The driver of a red Tesla has been charged with multiple felonies including murder. He is accused of “intentionally” rear-ending a motorcycle, killing its driver who was from Chula Vista. 

The Tesla then struck a 2012 black Ram 1500 driven by an El Cajon man, 24. Six occupants in the Ram suffered minor to moderate injuries and were transported to hospitals.

 The deadly incident occurred June 30 around 8:03 p.m. on southbound I-805, north of Telegraph Canyon Road.


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COUNTY BUDGET INCLUDES MANY EAST COUNTY PROJECTS



By Miriam Raftery

Image: County Administration Building

July 2, 2025 (San Diego) – The $8.63 billion balanced budget passed by San Diego County Supervisors last week prioritizes housing, homelessness, public safety, infrastructure, health, environmental sustainability and support for vulnerable populations.

It also includes projects benefitting or impacting East County communities. These include:

  • Buying two ambulances for unincorporated areas
  • Purchasing a helicopter for firefighting and search and rescue missions
  • A new crisis stabilization unit in El Cajon
  • Operating safe parking programs in Spring Valley and unincorporated El Cajon, plus opening a third safe parking site in Grantville for people living in vehicles
  • Constructing Troy Street Sleeping cabins in Lemon Grove to shelter homeless people
  • Upgrades and repairs at the Descanso Fire Station
  • Staffing two water tenders to provide water during wildfires
  • Partnering with Cal Fire to explore using livestock grazing to reduce fire risk
  • Enhanced fire and emergency medical services in Dulzura and Pauma Valley
  • Improving a temporary space during construction of new Ramona Sheriff’s substation
  • New county library opening in 2026 in Casa de Oro
  • Creating community gardens in Spring Valley and Ramona
  • New mobile veterinary surgical unit for unincorporated areas
  • Cleaning up homeless encampments in unincorporated areas
  • Installing new electric vehicle charging stations in rural areas

In addition to those East County specific projects, the budget  includes many other items to benefit residents countywide including these:


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MCCANN CONCEDES: AGUIRRE WINS SUPERVISOR SEAT

By Miriam Raftery

July 2, 2025 (San Diego) – Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre has declared victory in the 1st Supervisorial district special election, after her opponent, Chula Vista Mayor John McCann, conceded the race.

Aguirre issued this statement, “Whether you voted for me or not, I’m ready to work my heart out to bring down costs, protect our health, and deliver results—no matter your income, political party or zip code. We need bold action to protect against Trump’s Medicaid cuts, clean up the polluted sewage poisoning our communities and finally get serious about putting County funding where it belongs: in our communities to help working families who are struggling."

The San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council, which recruited hundreds of union members to knock on doors and make calls to elect Aguirre, posted that thanks to these efforts, San Diego County now has “a pro-union, community-first majority—blocking right-wing austerity that would’ve gutted services for our most vulnerable.”


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NEW NAME FOR SANCTUARY IN ALPINE

 
Horses relax at Alpine Acres Sanctuary Farm (Courtesy photo)
 
 
By Hoa Quach, Times of San Diego
 
July 2, 2025 (Alpine) -- San Diego Animal Sanctuary & Farm, a 20-acre animal sanctuary in Alpine with nearly 200 rescued animals, this week announced a new name and brand identity: Alpine Acres Sanctuary Farm.
 
The new name reflects the nonprofit’s primary work, as well as highlighting its regenerative farm, while also best communicating its location. The reason for the name and brand change is the result of a settlement lawsuit with another local not-for-profit in the area.
 
Alpine Acres Sanctuary Farm™ rolled out its new name June 25 with the full switch by July 15.

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AGUIRRE TAKES STRONG LEAD IN DISTRICT 1 SUPERVISORIAL RACE

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left, via candidates' websites:  John McCann, left, and Paloma Aguirre, right

July 1, 2025 (San Diego) – In a special election that will determine the balance of power on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre leads with 53.22% of the vote over Chula Vista Mayor John McCann, who has 36.78%, according to the San Diego County Registrar of Voters

Aguirre, a Democrat, has 37,324 votes while McCann, a Republican, has 32,805, a lead of 4,518 votes. Another 9,500 ballots remain to be counted, with the next update from the Registrar due by 6 p.m. this evening. The winner is expected to take office by the end of this month as the new District 1 Supervisor.

Though the race is officially nonpartisan, the board currently has a 2-2 split following the resignation of Nora Vargas.  If Aguirre’s lead holds, Democrats will retake the majority, which could sway policy decisions on key issues.

An Aguirre win will also bring back a Latina voice on the board of Supervisors in an era when immigration issues have brought heightened tensions to the region, as well as providing a voice calling for cleanup of severe pollution that has forced long-term beach closure and serious air pollution health threats to Imperial Beach residents.

Aguirre released a statement declaring victory, though McCann has not yet conceded.


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ISSA BILL WILL INCENTIVIZE WILDFIRE PREVENTION THROUGH TARGETED TAX RELIEF

East County News Service

July 1, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) -- Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48) has introduced the Wildfire Infrastructure and Landowner Tax Relief Act of 2025 (WILTR Act) to make wildfire mitigation and resilience attainable for homeowners who know it provides essential protection from future fires. The bill text can be found here.

“It’s not enough to say we will be ready for the fire next time. We need to back it up with real solutions that put homeowners in charge,” said Rep. Issa. “This legislation makes it more possible than ever for homeowners to adopt breakthrough innovations in wildfire defense through targeted tax relief we know will make it possible.”


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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

EL CAJON POLICE ARREST PAROLEE IN POSSESSION OF FIREARM, NARCOTICS AND AMMUNITION

East County News Service
 
July 1, 2025 (El Cajon) -- El Cajon Police Department detectives arrested a parolee in possession of a firearm, narcotics and ammunition on June 26, following a surveillance operation.
 
According to Lieutenant Will Guerin, detectives observed 26-year-old Hector Ruiz Rico standing near a vehicle in a parking lot. placing items into both the trunk and cabin of the vehicle. Detectives recognized Rico as a parolee on active California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation parole for a robbery conviction.
 
Uniformed El Cajon Police Department officers made contact with Rico at the scene. During a parole compliance search of Rico and the vehicle, officers located a shotgun, ammunition, methamphetamine, and fentanyl.

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