By Miriam Raftery

June 19, 2025 (Campo) --  Billie Jo Jannen, an award-winning journalist and chair of the Campo-Lake Morena Community Planning Group from 2013-2025, died May 27 of cancer at age 69. 

Jannen was a powerful voice for backcountry residents. She won awards for investigative reporting and spent nearly 25 years as a reporter and editor covering East County’s hottest topics such as wildfires, wind turbines, border and land use issues. Her coverage drew national attention on 60 Minutes and 20-20 TV shows.

She also rooted out tales of feral pigs and turkey hunts, offered tips on how to remove horse manure, and covered local politics. As Jannen wryly noted, “Some might see similarities in these topics.”

By Miriam Raftery

File photo: Homeless outreach workers offer help to an unsheltered person in an El Cajon park

June 19, 2025 (El Cajon) – The Regional Task Force on Homelessness has acknowledged that its 2025 Point in Time County overstated the number of homeless people in the city of El Cajon. The report included 24 homeless individuals who were outside the city limits. 

Originally, the report listed 344 unsheltered people in El Cajon—a 21.6% rise over the prior year.  In fact, the increase was 13.07%, for a total of 320 unsheltered persons living on the streets.  The city also has 695 individuals living in shelters)

““Moving forward, to reflect this geographic area more accurately, the census tract designation will change from `El Cajon’ to `El Cajon, including unincorporated communities,”‘ the Task Force indicated.

The change follows criticisms from City Manager Graham Mitchell and Mayor Bill Wells over findings of the count done in January.

East County Wildfire and Emergency Alerts

Image by Josh Stotler, East County Magazine:  Helicopter scoops water to fight fire on day one of #MonteFire

June 18, 2025 (Lakeside)-- On day three of the #MonteFire,  976 acres have burned and the wildfire fire is 25% containment.

The San Diego County Sheriff's Office has lifted an evacuation order for an area off El Monte due to improved containment of the fire. If you had to evacuate your home in this area, it is now safe to return. All other evacuation orders and warnings, which are in remote areas away from homes, remain in place until further notice. To see maps of the affected areas, visit: https://protect.genasys.com/hazards/2f3488c6-736d-4161-aff6-a7729a7e28c0?z=14&latlon=32.89795864312755%2C-116.83490992590015 and https://emergencymap.sandiegocounty.gov/index.html.

The Temporary Evacuation Point at the Walmart Supercenter, located at 13487 Camino Canada in El Cajon, will be closed.

By Karen Pearlman

June 18, 2025 (San Diego County) – A little over a week after the San Diego City Council voted 7-2 to continue to fund consistent public access to city-owned and operated lakes and reservoirs, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria wielded his line-item veto power to cut access at some lakes, though Lakes Murray and Miramar will remain accessible daily. The Mayor also vetoed funding for numerous other items, from homeless outreach to brush clearing and stormwater projects to prevent fires and floods.

The Mayor preserved funding for other popular items previously on the chopping box, such as libraries and firepits for beach bonfires.

By Miriam Raftery

Image:  Lands proposed for sale in Rep. Darrell Issa's district

June 18, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – Senate Republicans have slipped language into the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” budget reconciliation measure that would allow sale of up to 250 million acres of federal public lands in 11 states including California. 

The Wilderness Society calls this a “disturbing giveaway that sets an extremely dangerous precedent.”

A map of lands to be sold includes much of Cleveland National Forest in San Diego’s East County, as well as portions of Mt. Laguna and Pine Valley, plus large tracts of U.S. Forest and Bureau of Land Management lands in northeast county, desert areas near Anza Borrego Desert State Park, and even some coastal locations.

Over 16 million acres are proposed for sale in California, including Big Sur, an iconic and picturesque section of California’s coastline.

Find links to contact your Congressional members and Senators at the bottom of this article.

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

Photo: Red areas are under mandatory evacuation orders as of 5 p.m. Yellow areas have evacuation warnings.  View interactive map here for latest evacuation updates. This is the county's map which has more details than others.  

Find out what evacuation zone you are in by typing your address here:  https://protect.genasys.com/search?z=14&latlon=32.794773%2C-116.962527

Update 6:44 p.m.-- Fire size: The fire is 340 acres and 10% contained, per Cal Fire.

Update 6:18 p.m.  Road closures: Due to the #MonteFire, the following roads are closed to thru traffic and open to residents only: • Lake Jennings Rd & El Monte Rd • El Monte Rd @ Omas Rd • Willow Rd @ Omas Rd, per CHP.

Update 5:19  p.m. -- Animal evacuation:  Large animals can be evacuated to Dianne Jacob Equestrian Park, 11055 Moreno Ave, Lakeside. Small animals can be evacuated to Humane Society shelter at 5821 Sweetwater Rd, Bonita.

Update 4:34 p.m.- The fire is now 312 acres, per Cal Fire with zero percent containment.

June 17, 2025 (Lakeside) -- Evacuations have been ordered in the fast-moving #MonteFire in Lakeside’s El Monte Valley.  The fire began at 15900 El Monte Rd. near El Monte Park and the San Diego River. Cal Fire says the fire has potential for extended attack.

El Monte Rd. is closed at Yucca Rd.

A very large air tanker has been ordered, per scanner traffic.

A temporary evacuation point has been set up at the Walmart Supercenter, 13487 Camino Canada, El Cajon per Genasys. .

For a map and more information go to www.AlertSD.org

The fire has reached the ridgeline, per Watch Duty App.

Update 7:55 p.m.-- Cal Fire reports the #Border6Fire in Campo is now 200 acres burning on the south side of the U.S./Mexico border. "We remain engaged on the northern edge of the fire as firefighters from Mexico support suppression efforts in Mexico," Cal Fire posted on X.

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

Photo via Cal Fire

June 16, 2025 (Campo) -- The #Border6 fire is burning in vegetation along the U.S./Mexico border, just west of Forrest Gate Road.

By Miriam Raftery

June 16, 2025 (San Diego) – Federal immigration officials have begun arresting immigrants and refugees at San Diego’s federal courthouse, denying them due process at hearings that could have granted them legal status in the U.S.  Now, Bishop Michael Pham  and two local auxiliary bishops have announced that on World Refugee Day June 20, they will stand in solidarity with migrants making court appearances. They are also calling on all diocese parishes to join them and celebrate a mass devoted to immigrants.

Pham, who came to America as a refugee from Vietnam at age 8, understands the hardships that refugees and migrants face.  His family fled Da Nang to Malaysia, then escaped on a rice barge with no food or water, huddled among dead bodies before finding freedom.  He is the first bishop appointed by Pope Leo IV, who has voiced strong support for refugees and immigrants.

Update:  The CA Court of Appeals has stayed Judge  Breyer's order pending the outcome of a hearing Tuesday at the appellate court by a 3-judge panel that includes two Trump-appointed judges and one Biden appointee.

By Miriam Raftery

June 12, 2025 (Oakland, CA) – In a blistering decision, U.S. District Court Judge Charles Breyer today ordered control of California’s National Guard be returned to the Governor, though the Judge stayed his order until tomorrow afternoon to allow the Trump administration time to file for an emergency appeal.

The judge’s order states that in ordering thousands of California National Guard members to Los Angeles amid civil unrest  over mass immigration enforcement, President Donald Trump’s actions were “illegal—both exceeding the scope of his statutory authority and violating the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.”

Judge Breyer rejected an argument by a Trump administration lawyer, who had claimed courts do not have authority to review a president’s decision on whether the National Guard was needed.

“That’s the difference between a constitutional government and King George,” stated Judge Breyer, a Clinton appointee and brother of former Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer.

East County News Service

June 12, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) -- “They’ve defied our courts, deported Americans, disappeared people off the streets, attacked our civil rights, and slashed our services. The corruption has gone too. far. No thrones. No crowns. No kings,” states the website No Kings, which is organizing protests nationwide on Saturday, June 14. The demonstrations are expected to draw millions of participants nationwide and locally, thousands.

San Diego County has 11 “peaceful” protests planned. View map. and click each location for details; times of rallies vary The local protests are slated to be held in  Carlsbad, Chula Vista, Del Mar, El Cajon, Escondido, Mira Mesa, Ramona, Rancho Bernardo, San Marcos, and two in downtown San Diego including Civic Center Plaza and Waterfront Park.

Action sparks bipartisan outrage

By Miriam Raftery

June 12, 2025 (Los Angeles) – In a shocking action, California’s U.S. Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly dragged out of a press conference in Los Angeles today, thrown on the ground and handcuffed while trying to ask a question of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Video shows he clearly identified himself, stating "I am Senator Alex Padilla" before being manhandled by federal agents.

A statement from Senator Padilla’s office indicates the Senator “is currently in Los Angeles exercising his duty to perform Congressional oversight of the federal government’s operations in Los Angeles and across California,” a reference to immigration enforcement that has led to protests in L.A. and President Donald Trump calling in the National Guard and U.S. Marines.

By Karen Pearlman

Photo by Karen Pearlman: wild birds at the Lake Murray reservoir

June 11, 2025 (San Diego) – The future of continued daily access to Lake Murray is looking a little brighter today.

With a 7-2 vote, the San Diego City Council on Tuesday approved a 2025-26 budget that preserves activities at Lake Murray and other city-operated reservoirs and lakes, avoiding many previously threatened cuts to hours and days of operation.

The action came after Friends of San Diego Lakes submitted a petition with more than 8,500 signatures of residents opposed to a proposal to close the popular lake on weekdays.

There will also be no cuts to recreation center hours or park restrooms, and while city libraries will remain closed on Sundays, the budget reversed proposed Monday closures for 16 branches.

It remains to be seen whether Mayor Todd Gloria will sign or veto the revised budget. 

Explore San Diego Agriculture with Local Farmers 

East County News Service

June 10, 2025 (Escondido) — The San Diego County Farm Bureau is bringing back Farming Tour Day, starting at 9 a.m., Saturday June 28.

This year’s event offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at a diverse array of local farms in Escondido, showcasing the heart of San Diego agriculture.

Participants will  enjoy guided walking tours led by the farmers themselves,  sharing their  expertise and passion for growing everything from mushrooms, succulents and cacti to citrus and avocados.

Each farm offers a unique perspective on local agriculture and innovative growing practices.  Farm Tour Day is family-friendly and self-driven — bring your group, follow our detailed tour map, and explore at your own pace.