By Miriam Raftery

June 12, 2023 (Lemon Grove) – A celebration of life service for former Lemon Grove City Councilman Tom Clabby will be held on Saturday, June 17 from 1-4 p.m.at the H. Lee House in Treganza Heritage Park, 3200 Main Street in Lemon Grove.

Clabby passed away on January 22 in the company of family and friends. He served on the Lemon Grove City Council for 14 years from 1994 to 2008, after previously serving on the city’s planning commission. He was also the city’s appointed representative to Metropolitan Transit System, providing leadership at the agency.

By José Eli Villanueva, County of San Diego Communications Office

June 12, 2023 (Del Mar) - Get great ideas to get outside this summer at a new San Diego County fair exhibit. This year’s theme at the fair is ‘Get Out There’ and the County’s Parks and Recreation Department is featured in the main hall. Here’s a sneak peek and be sure to stop by when you’re at the fair.

Update June 19, 2023: The victim has been identified as  Darrell Raymond Yenawine, 60, according to the San Diego County Medical Examiner's office.

By Miriam Raftery

June 12, 2023 (Julian) – A driver and his passenger, both from Julian, were ejected from the vehicle during a rollover crash June 9.  

Neither were wearing seatbelts, according to  Officer Jared Grieshaber with the California Highway Patrol.

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The passenger, a 56-year-old woman, was transported by Mercy Air to Desert Regional Hospital with major injuries.

By Jacob Pamus

June 12, 2023 (San Diego) -- Former president Donald Trump’s second indictment, this time by federal prosecutors who allege that he compromised national security by mishandling classifeid documents,  is big news around the world.  Here’s a sampling of how the international press is covering the story.

Story and photos by Shiloh Ireland

 June 11, 2023 (Lakeside) – Barrel racing is a rodeo event where contestants attempt to complete a clover-leaf pattern around three barrels in the fastest way possible. Depending on the size of the arena, 15 seconds and up are average times.

On June 8, the Lakeside Rodeo grounds held barrel racing practice, including timed sessions. These fun events are regularly held and are free to the public to attend.

Timeline analysis prepared by ECM documents efforts to conceal records from FBI

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, from indictment: Boxes with classified records stored insecurely in a bathroom at Trump’s Mar a Lago Club.

June 10, 2023 (Washington D.C.) – Special Counsel Jack Smith yesterday unsealed a 49-page indictment charging former president and current presidential candidate Donald Trump with “felony violations of our national security laws as well as participating in a conspiracy to obstruct justice,” Smith announced, after a Florida grand jury voted to indict. Trump is charged with 37 felonies; if convicted, he could face decades in prison.

His chauffeur and former White House aide Waltine Nauta also faces charges, including conspiring with Trump to obstruct justice.

Prosecutors allege that Trump:

• Showed a secret Pentagon plan of attack against a foreign country to unauthorized persons including a writer and publisher in a taped meeting in July 2021, in which he stated, “See as president I could have declassified it…Now I can’t, you know, but this is still a secret.”
• Showed a political action committee member without a security clearance a classified map of a foreign country during a military operation that he stated was “not going well” in summer 2021.
• Asked his lawyers to defy a subpoena, withhold documents and lie to the FBI;
• Ordered an aide to move boxes of subpoenaed documents without telling his attorneys, shortly before the FBI raid on Mar a Lago;
• Stored highly sensitive documents in an insecure manner in a bathroom, ballroom, storage closet and other areas with unlocked doors Mar a Lago, where thousands of guests attended over 150 events while records were there;
• Mishandled documents on nuclear weaponry of the United States, America’s vulnerabilities,  nuclear capabilities of a foreign country, a foreign country’s support of terrorism against U.S. interests,and plans for possible retaliation in response to a foreign attack.

Smith says of the indictment, “I invite everyone to read it in full to understand the scope and the gravity of the crimes charged…Our laws that protect national defense information are critical to the safety and security of the United States and they must be enforced. Violations of those laws put our country at risk….We have one set of laws in this country, and they apply to everyone.”

East Count News Service

June 10, 2023 (Alpine)-- In Saturday, June 17, Supervisor Joel Anderson will be hosting a town-hall style Community Coffee in Japatul at the residence of John & Cori Mendez, 23155 Illahee Drive in Alpine, from 3:00 to 5:00  p.m.

By Mike Allen

June 9, 2023 (Santee) -- Padre Dam Water District’s board is fed up with having to pay higher rates for the water it purchases from the San Diego County Water Authority, and voted unanimously not to go along with any rate hike unless the CWA gets serious about its long-range planning.

East County News Service

June 8, 2023 (La Mesa)-- It's the best breakfast deal in town.  On Saturday, June 10, Heartland Firefighters of La Mesa will host a Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser at La Mesa Fire Station 11 (8034 Allison Avenue) from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. For just $5, guests can savor pancakes, eggs, sausage, coffee and orange juice, as well as  receive emergency preparedness training.

The public can receive training in several areas: CPR, Basic First Aid, and Crime Prevention. There will be training “stations” for the public to receive the information.

East County News Service

June 8, 2023 (Santee) –  Harken back in time to the 16^th century to experience the Renaissance on Saturday, June 17 in Santee.  Come as you are, or dress to experience the life of a noble, knight or peasant.

You can try your hand at archery, watch fighting tournaments all day long, learn a craft, learn a dance, listen to a bardic recital, or experience a battle of the bards. Enjoy fun for the entire family – and admission is free.

Experience the captivating blend of art and nature at Ilan-Lael Foundation's Spring Tours, exploring visionary creations of founder James Hubbell in Santa Ysabel

Story courtesy of Ilan-Lael Foundation

Photos, left by Kristin Kjaero and Miriam Raftery

June 7, 2023 (Santa Ysabel) - Immerse yourself in the enchanting and fantastical world of renowned artist and architect James Hubbell, founder of the Ilan-Lael Foundation at the 2023 Spring Tours. The world-famous compound will open its doors to visitors every Monday, Friday, and Saturday until June 17 with tours running at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Located in the stunning hills of Santa Ysabel, California, Ilan-Lael offers a unique and captivating experience for art and nature enthusiasts alike. Built “from the earth up” as living and working spaces for himself and his family, Hubbell spent over two decades creating the awe-inspiring structures. Despite losing four of the Ilan-Lael buildings in the 2003 Cedar Fire, Hubbell, his family, and team came back stronger and rebuilt with the help of the community. Their Spring Tours provide a rare opportunity to explore this extraordinary space, where Hubbell’s vision can be seen and felt.

By Miriam Raftery

June 7, 2023 (Ramona) -- The rider who died yesterday afternoon in a crash while performing jumps at the Slayground Motocross Park in Ramona as been identified as Patrick Michael Casey of Riverside, according to the San Diego County Medical Examiner's office. 

A  BMX champion who turned pro at age16,  Casey is remembered as "an incredible BMX rider, multiple X games, Simple Session medalist, and an all-around fantastic human," Simple Session posted on Facebook. "We are heartbroken about the news and sending lots of love and prayers to his wife, Chase, his son Reid, and his daughter Taytum. This crushing news will send shockwaves through the BMX and action sports world today."

By Kathy Carpenter

June 6, 2023 (La Mesa) - "Gioia di vivere!” The joy of living is expressed in Slikworms, Lamplighters Theatre’s latest production, by local playwright Connie Terwilliger. A world premiere, Silkworms represents three generations of women. Silkworms need mulberry leaves to survive; both are interdependent.  Similarly, the women in this play need each other for support and love.

The grandmother provides wisdom and guidance, the mother provides love and support and the daughter provides hope and new beginnings. Together, they form a strong and unbreakable bond that sustains them through good times and bad. Silkworms is relatable, humorous and poignant.

East County News Service

June 6, 2023 (Santee) -- Santee officials say it’s music to their ears – with the start of the city’s Summer Concerts taking stage on June 15th and running through August 17^th. 

The concerts are held at  Town Center Community Park East on Thursday nights from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. (except for July 6^th).

By Daniela Torres

Photo via Wikipedia, public domain image

June 5, 2023 (Washington D.C.) -- Representatives María Elvira Salazar of Florida and Veronica Escobar of Texas have proposed a bipartisan immigration bill, the Dignity Act of 2023. If enacted, it would provide immigrants with a path to citizenship, while also strengthening border security and phasing in e-verify requirements for employers.

Salazar, a Republican, has been working on the bill alongside Escobar, a Democrat, since December of 2022 before introducing HR 3599 in late May. View a summary of the bill on Salazar’s site.