Photo by Robert Gehr: A homeless person's tent on grassy area along Main Street in downtown El Cajon
May 24, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – The 2025 Point-in-Time count of homeless people conducted in January found large drops in homelessness countywide in nearly every community, with a 72% drop in families living on the streets-indicators that efforts to help the homeless are likely having positive results.
In East County, only El Cajon showed an increase. But the city argues that the count is inaccurate, including several census tracts that are not in the city limits or only partially in the city, as well as inflating the count in other areas within its city limits.
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May 24, 2025 (San Diego) -- More details have emerged on the tragic crash of a Cessna plane into a military housing neighborhood near San Diego’s Murphy Canyon on May 22nd while attempting to land amid heavy fog at Montgomery Field.
All six people on board the plane died in the fiery crash. The pilot, Dave Shapiro, was the co-founder of the El Cajon-based music agency, Sound Talent group. Shapiro also owned Velocity Aviation based at Gillespie Field in El Cajon.
According to Velocity’s website, he was a certified flight instruction who had logged over a million miles with 15 years of flight experience and was a licensed transport pilot for multi-engine planes, as well as holding licenses for everything from flying helicopters to aerobatics.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the airport’s weather alert system and runway approach lights were not working at the time, though the cause of the crash has not yet been determined. Shapiro was flying home from New Jersey and had refueled in Kansas.
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May 24, 2025 (San Diego) -- Pulitzer Prize winning author Chris Hedges will speak at a fundraiser for KNSJ radio on Friday, May 30 at St. Paul’s Cathedral, 2728 6th Avenue in in San Diego.
Hedges, is a journalist, author, commentator and Presbyterian minister who has worked as a war correspondent and New York Times Middle Eastern Bureau Chief, winning the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for coverage of global terrorism.
He has written numerous books on war, fascism, and the rise of the Christian right in American politics. He currently hosts The Chris Hedges Report podcast.
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Half of all births in rural California are covered by Medicaid; rural hospital closures would impact even moms with private insurance
By Suzanne Potter, California News Service
May 23, 2025 (Sacramento) -- The Republican-controlled House of Representatives is hashing out last-minute details of a huge funding bill which could come to a floor vote this week. Advocates warned proposed Medicaid cuts could force layoffs or closure of rural hospitals.
The Trump administration is looking for savings to fund his proposed tax cuts, which primarily benefit the wealthy.
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May 22, 2025 (San Diego) –Supervisor Joel Anderson today offered a statement on the deadly plane crash that occurred in a Tierrasanta neighborhood near Murphy Canyon, along with advice on organizations helping collect donations and items to assist residents displaced by the crash.
"My office is closely monitoring the situation in our district where a small plane crashed into a Murphy Canyon neighborhood,” Sup. Anderson says.”Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who have been killed and we wish those who have been injured a full recovery. Thank you to our incredible first responders who helped evacuate more than 100 people to safety in the early hours this morning."
The following organizations are currently collecting donations for the families impacted by this devastating crash. For more information, residents can contact:
Zero8Hundred - 858-944-0800
Support The Enlisted Project (STEP) - 858-695-6810
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May 22, 2025 (San Diego) – Auxiliary Bishop Michael Pham, 58, has been appointed by Pope Leo XIV to serve as Bishop of the San Diego Catholic diocese, the Vatican announced today.
Born in Vietnam, Bishop Pham was ordained in 1999 and previously served in parishes across the San Diego region before becoming Auxiliary Bishop and now Bishop.
He fills the vacancy left when Cardinal Robert McElroy, formerly San Diego’s Bishop, was named Archbishop of Washington D.C. in March.
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Get ready for a whirlwind of mistaken identity, tangled romance, and laugh-out-loud confusion in this timeless Shakespeare comedy.
By G. A. McNeeley
Photography By Kristin Campbell
May 22, 2025 (El Cajon) — Twelfth Night is a romantic comedy that was created by William Shakespeare, and directed by Linda Libby. This is one show at the Grossmont College Stagehouse Theatre that you’ll definitely want to check out.
If you’re not familiar with the story, it follows shipwrecked twins, Viola and Sebastian, as they find themselves lost in the strange land of Illyria. Violet, disguised as the young Cesario, falls in love with the noble Orsino, who is in love with the beautiful Olivia. But, Olivia falls in love with Cesario, who’s idolized by the pompous Malvolio. Meanwhile, Sebastian’s unexpected arrival only adds to the confusion, as he embarks on a quest to find his sister.
If you enjoy period pieces or comedies, then this show is definitely for you. This bold and stylish reimagining of the beloved comedy will transport you into a 1920s speakeasy, where mistaken identities, unrequited love, and mischievous revelry take center stage.
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Update 5 p.m.-- The music agency Sound Talent Group in El Cajon announced that three of its employees, including co-founder Dave Shapiro, who is also a pilot, were aboard the plane and died in the crash. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), six people were on the plane and all perished.
Update 8 a.m.-- SDPD reports all fires are out, except for one vehicle fire. They anticipate remaining on scene for 24 hours. Approximately 100 people are displaced.
May 22, 2025 (San Diego) -- Multiple homes and vehicles caught fire due to a Cessna plane that crashed in Tierrasanta. Evacuations are in place in the are of Salmon, Sample and Sculpin Streets per San Diego Police.
.At least 15 homes in an area of military housing are impacted, per 10 News. There are multple fatalities, but authorities believe all were aboard the plane. While officials initially reported no hospitalizations, later reports indicate at least two residents were transported to hospitals for minor injuries and/or smoke inhalation.
An evacuation site is set up at Miller Elementary, 4343 Shields St.
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May 21, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – The San Diego Sheriff’s department today announced the arrest of Pierre Martel Terry, who is charged with conspiracy to commit murder. He is the fourth suspect arrested in relation to the September 18, 2024 murder of Darron Willie Singleton Jr. in Lemon Grove.
Deputies responding to reports of gunshots found Singleton lying in the street on Dain Court in Lemon Grove, suffering from at least one gunshot wound to his torso. Despite emergency efforts by deputies and San Miguel Fire department personnel, he died at the scene.
Singleton, the victim, was 23 years old when he was brutally gunned down. According to his obituary, he was attending Mesa College while working in security and for furniture moving companies. He played football at Morse High School and had played basketball, football and baseball in various local leagues. He also enjoyed writing rap music and singing.
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May 21, 2025 -- 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:
For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.
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May 21, 2025 (El Cajon) —The FBI San Diego’s Violent Crime Task Force is asking for the public’s help in identifying and locating the man behind a bank robbery in El Cajon, dubbed “The Blue Glove Bandit”.
The robbery occurred at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at the Wells Fargo Bank located at 1235 Avocado Avenue, El Cajon, CA. During the robbery, the suspect entered the bank, approached the counter, and grabbed a customer, using him as a hostage. The suspect then demanded the teller give him money.
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May 20, 2025 (San Diego) – Years after the Cottonwood Sand Mine was first proposed along the Sweetwater River on the site of the Cottonwood Golf course in Rancho San Diego, the San Diego County Planning Commission will hold a hearing on the proposed sand mine. The latest draft environmental impact report can be viewed here.
The hearing, originally set for April, will now be held Friday, June 13 at 9a.m. at the San Diego County Operations Center hearing room, 5520 Overland Ave., San Diego.
The Valle de Oro Community Panning Group in March voted 10-1 to oppose the controversial project, with one abstention, as ECM reported.
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May 20, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – June is jam-packed with summer fun, including outdoor concerts in El Cajon, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, Santee, and Viejas. You can also cheer on Flag Day Parade, enjoy the Descanso Day Parade and Fair, laugh along with comedian Arsenio Hall at Sycuan, learn about our region's western heritage at Campo Days, and visit Julian’s Town Square Music Festival.
You can also savor a Father’s Day barbecue in Jacumba Hot Springs or Father’s Day tours at the Ilan Lael Center in Santa Ysabel. Meet local artists at the new Artival festival in El Cajon, see birds of prey up close at Mission Trails Regional Park, watch movies in the park, stroll through classic car shows, or watch a poolside concert at Sycuan.
Scroll down for details on these sizzling summer events and more.
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May 20, 2025 (San Diego) -- Catherine Pope, a San Diego resident, has written a debut book about her struggle to gain social justice. Pope, as a poor 19-year-old black college student, set her sights on the Miss America Crown.
She began by winning the 1969 Miss Omaha beauty pageant, where she was promised a four-year college scholarship. Though she won talent contests, in 1970, Pope did not receive any recognition, let alone receive the Miss Nebraska award. A photo in her book of pageant contestants shows a line of blondes with bouffant hairdos, where Pope and another dark-haired white lady who sit in the foreground, stand out as the most beautiful.
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For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.
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May 21, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego's inland regions, published in other media. This week's round-up stories include:
For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.
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May 20, 2025 (El Cajon) -- El Cajon made history when its city council unanimously approved an ordinance that would ban the sale of disguised vape devices in an effort to help local schools control the youth vaping epidemic. Now, they need to focus on strictly enforcing tobacco restrictions at the point of sale.
The ordinance, which went into effect on April 10, is the first of its kind in California; the only other similar ban nationwide can be found in Minnesota, where a statewide ban on the sale of disguised vape products passed in 2024. This decision displays El Cajon’s eagerness to protect the health of East County youth but fails to address the issue at the root of teen vaping.
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May 19, 2025 (San Diego) -- East County Magazine editor Miriam Raftery interviewed Nora Milner, an immigration attorney based in San Diego. This interview originally aired April 4 on KNJS radio, with a Youtube video available. Milner, who works at the Milner & Markee (LLP) law firm, specializes in immigration law.
In the interview, she voiced alarm over blatant denials of due process for immigrants under the Trump administration, warned that even citizens are not safe, and offered tips for those concerned about being visited by ICE or detained for potential deportation.
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May 18, 2025 (Campo) – You’re invited to step back in time to the Wild West and experience the history and culture of San Diego’s East County during Campo Days. This free event includes visits to four museums in Campo, as well as activities ranging from riding a historic railway to watching exciting demonstration of equestrian skills.
Campo Days will be held on Saturday, June 14, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, June 15, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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May 18, 2025 (El Cajon) – For 48 years, El Cajon has had water features and ducks near its civic center in the heart of downtown. But now the water features have been drained, leaving only bare, jagged rocks where once a waterfall and streambed flowed.
“The pond is now dry and converted into a dry riverbed for the moment,” City Manager Graham Mitchell told ECM. “The reason for the conversion is that the pump system has failed and the bed of the pond has many leaks.” Repair cost is estimated at $500,000, he added. “Because the City Council directed staff to explore possible uses for that space, it does not make sense to put $500,000 of repairs into the feature.”
Could some waterworks remain? “Depending on how the space around The Magnolia is programmed, the pond could come back, or it may become something else,” said Mitchell. “However, those are questions that the City Council will address later.”
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Photo via FBI: The FBI is investigating this as a terrorism act, along with the U.S. Joint Task Force on Terrorism and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
May 18, 2025 (San Diego) – A vehicle bomb outside a Palm Springs fertility clinic yesterday killed one person and left four others injured.
The suspect has been identified as Guy Edward Bartkus of Twentynine Palms, a military community, CBS reports, citing law enforcement officials. According to CBS, the suspect stated irrationally in writings and/or recordings that he was against bringing people into the world against their will. He reportedly claimed responsibility for the bombing.
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Dr. Keith Black Interview with Anat Tour/ East County Magazine
May 10, 2025 (San Diego) – Recently, ECM Bookshelf host Anat Tour sat down for an in-depth interview with Dr.Keith Black on our East County Magazine Radio Show. Dr. Black A pioneer in brain tumor research and leading neurosurgeon, he is also author of the book Brain Surgeon.
In the interview, Dr. Black talks about his early learning experiences, his pioneering research, how he believes artificial intelligence will influence the field of neuroscience, and more.
You can view a video of the full interview, hear an audio version aired on KNSJ Radio, or scroll down to read a transcript. To read a review of Dr. Black’s book, Brain Surgeon, click here.
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.
Highlights Efforts to Promote Transparency and Good Governance
East County News SErvice
May 18, 2025 (Spring Valley, CA) -- The Otay Water District received the District Transparency Certificate of Excellence from the Special District Leadership Foundation (SDLF) in recognition of its outstanding efforts to promote transparency and good governance and reaffirm its commitment to openness and accessibility for its constituents and local stakeholders.
"This award reflects the Otay Water District's dedication to open government," said Board President Jose Lopez. "I commend our staff for empowering the public with information and encouraging engagement and oversight."
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May 17, 2025 (San Diego) – Curtis Morrison is an immigration attorney and Democrat running for the 48th Congressional district against Congressman Darrell Issa, a Republican. He’s previously worked as a realtor and substitute teacher.
Last month he sat down for an in-depth interview with East County Magazine, originally aired on our radio show on KNSJ radio. View video,hear audio, or scroll down to read highlights.
2026 will be a pivotal election year, since Republicans hold a very slim majority in the House and Senate; if Democrats regain control of one or both house, they will have the power to reign in many of the Trump administration’s controversial actions.
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By Michelle Mowad, County of San Diego Communications Office
May 17, 2025 (Lakeside) -- Conquer what is arguably the toughest trail in San Diego County this Memorial Day weekend. Trek up El Cajon Mountain in El Capitan County Preserve during the 10th annual Warrior Hike Challenge on Saturday, May 24.
The adventure is designed to celebrate the physical and mental stamina that’s required to hike El Capitan, which is popular among active-duty military and veterans.
There are several levels to this challenge. Participants can choose their own adventure, navigating the length of trail that matches their individual interest and ability. “Celebration stations” will be at the 1-mile and 3-mile turnaround points. Extreme hikers can push on to the summit for an 11-mile roundtrip trek.
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Initiative would serve as a model for community-led energy resilience, delivering more reliable power and improved energy security for Borrego’s most vulnerable residents and businesses
File photo, left: Sunbeams over Anza-Borrego Desert near Borrego Springs
By Gabriela Dow
May 16, 2025 (Borrego Springs) -- The Borrego Springs Microgrid Collaborative (BSMC) has submitted a grant application for funding through San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) under the California Microgrid Incentive Program (MIP). California Senate Bill 1339, enacted 2018, directed the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to develop microgrid policies, leading to the MIP.
This funding opportunity is a critical step in advancing a community microgrid that enhances energy reliability, resilience, and sustainability for Borrego Springs – a community of just over 3,000 residents in San Diego County, surrounded by Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.
The MIP was established to improve electricity reliability, increase resilience in high-risk communities, and promote clean energy technologies. This milestone marks an important step toward a more sustainable and reliable energy future for the Borrego Springs community.
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Three other state parks in San Diego County also recognized
East County News Service
Photos. left and right by Bob Kutschner: Wildflower fields at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
May 17, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – Anza-Borrego Desert State Park has been named the best California state park for wildflower viewing in a new “Best of California State Parks” poll released by the California State Parks Foundation. Anza-Borrego also won an honorable mention for best camping location.
Three other state parks in San Diego County also made the list.
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May 16, 2025 (San Pasqual)—The #AcademyFire has been halted at 49.7 acres, according to Cal Fire, with no structures lost or injuries. The fire briefly threatened structures along Highland Valley Road in the San Pasqual Valley east of Escondido.
The blaze began this afternoon in the 7700 Block of San Pasqual Valley Road (State Route 78) in San Pasqual Valley near the San Pasqual Academy, a boarding school for foster youths.
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May 16, 2025 (Descanso) -- The Descanso Town Hall Association will present its annual Descanso Day Fair and Parade on Saturday, June 7. The parade rolls out from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. with grand marshals Brett and Tammy Cooker, owners of Descanso Junction restaurant.
The fair takes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the historic Descanso Town Hallo, 24536 Viejas Grade Road, Descanso. Big Sky Moon will play live country music and classic rock from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Guests can also enjoy pulled pork sandwich plates and hot dog plates, IPAs and lagers with Burning Beard Brewery, a horse shoe tournament at noon (with signups at 11, for $25), a Kidz Zone ($8 unlimited play, with prizes), cake walk, vendors inside and outside the hall, raffle and silent auction.
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By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office
Crow image cc via Bing
May 16, 2025 (Lemon Grove) -- Two dead crows recently collected in routine monitoring from Lemon Grove tested positive for West Nile virus, prompting County environmental health officials to remind people to protect themselves from mosquitoes that can transmit the virus to people.
The positive tests mark the first detections of West Nile virus in the county this year. There have been no reported human cases in San Diego County this year.
However, West Nile virus remains a potentially deadly threat. County officials said people should continue to follow the County’s “Prevent, Protect, Report” guidelines to protect themselves from mosquitoes. Those include finding and dumping out standing water around homes to keep mosquitoes from breeding.
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May 24, 2025 (San Diego) -- Pulitzer Prize winning author Chris Hedges will speak at a fundraiser for KNSJ radio on Friday, May 30 at St. Paul’s Cathedral, 2728 6th Avenue in in San Diego.
East County News Service
East County News Service
By G. A. McNeeley 
East County News Service
May 21, 2025 -- 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:
Book by Catherine Grace Pope, EdD
May 20, 2025 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.
May 21, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego's inland regions, published in other media. This week's round-up stories include:
By Kathleen Finney 
File photo, left: Sunbeams over Anza-Borrego Desert near Borrego Springs
East County News Service
Photos. left and right by Bob Kutschner: Wildflower fields at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
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