Review by Heidi Hope

Linchpin focuses on the theme of changing the world for the better and making a difference in the workplace by embracing one’s individuality, artistry and uniqueness in visions and values, instead of simply following instructions and never getting to contribute creativity into any task. This New York Times bestselling book captures my attention through the image of a big hand wrapped in a tight fist holding on to the lightning bolt with flashes around it. In my opinion, this image represents the idea of holding on to your belief as you make a difference in this world through your own artistry and vision. 

Seth Godin wrote Linchpin according to his perceptions on the nature of the corporate workplace. His vision is all about making a difference by contributing one’s unique power, values and creativity into the job, instead of only merely following instructions and resisting newness and fascination on the job with a lizard brain. The key idea of this book is all about being one’s own leader in the workplace along with developing new ideas through the power of uniqueness and creativity on the job by exercising courage and overcoming fear and resistance. 

By Miriam Raftery

Image: On Facebook, a group seeking to recall GUHSD trustees posted a flyer calling tonight’s agenda items “frightful”, stating, “Here’s the tricks and not a treat in sight.”

October 9, 2025 (El Cajon, CA) – At its 6 p.m. meeting tonight, the Grossmont Union High School District board of trustees will consider adopting a policy to restrict by designating “no activity zones” outside of its meetings on public property where activities such as “picketing, leafletting, protest or other expressive activity” would be prohibited. The issue raises serious free speech and First Amendment rights issues.

The proposal would allow the Board or the Superintendent to establish the no activity zones, ostensibly to create a safe path of entry and exit, identified by markers such as cones or signs. However, it sets no size limit, potentially allowing the board to limit or ban free speech activities altogether outside buildings such as the Grossmont High School gymnasium where tonight’s meeting is being held and where for months, hundreds of teachers, students and parents have gathered outside to hold rallies, protests, picketing, signature gathering and other expressions of opposition to board policies such as mass firing of teachers and librarians.

East County News Service

File photo: Lorena Gonzalez-Fletcher

Updated October 9 with statement from Grecia Figueroa

October 8, 2025 (San Diego) - Superior Court Judge Blair Soper yesterday denied a request by Grecia Figueroa for a civil harassment restraining order against Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, wife of former Supervisor Nathan Fletcher. This marks the second time Figueroa's request has been rejected, following the initial denial of a Temporary Restraining Order on Sept. 15 upon finding insufficient evidence of violence or threats,

By Miriam Raftery

October 8, 2025 (El Cajon) – Last month, several dog owners in El Cajon got together to hold a birthday party for their dogs complete with music, cake, doggie gift bags, games and more. That event proved so much fun that organizers will be hosting a community Halloween party complete with dog costume contest, games and food for people, and a prize for the costume contest winner.

East County News Service

Oct. 8, 2025 (Santee) -- There will be plenty of treats -- in the form of brews, boos and bites -- with no tricks in sight at this month's Santee Brews & Bites Festival Fundraiser.

The annual Brews & Bites Festival Fundraiser, a Halloween-themed night of live music, food and beverage samples for those ages 21 and up, plus opportunity drawings and costume contests, is set for 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 18, at the city of Santee's Town Center Community Park East.

Musical group BETAMAXX, an ultimate 80’s experience, will headline the event.

East County News Service 

October 8, 2025 (San Diego) -- In the wake of recent high-profile incidents across the nation, Sheriff Kelly Martinez and local law enforcement agencies held a press conference yesterday to advise the community that they are prepared and ready to respond to any emergency in San Diego County.

Source: San Diego County Sheriff

October 7, 2025  (Lemon Grove) – A bicyclist is dead after a collision with a black Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck shortly before 9:30 p.m. last night in the 8500 block of Troy Street in Lemon Grove.

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office

Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine contributed to this report

Photo:  firefighters purposely overloaded a lithium-ion battery to show what can happen.

October 6, 2025 (San Diego) -- Make sure you’re charging your lithium-ion batteries safely for devices such as cell phones and laptop computers. Using the wrong charger or one that is damaged, overcharging your rechargeable batteries or charging them on a bed or under a pillow could result in a fire or even a small explosion.

An effort to recall El Cajon City Council Phil Ortiz (seated, left) is not moving forward. 

By Karen Pearlman

Oct. 6, 2025 (El Cajon) – A grass-roots effort begun in 2024 to recall El Cajon City Councilmember Phil Ortiz has fizzled after organizers failed to turn in signatures as required by last Friday to qualify a recall for the ballot.

 El Cajon City Clerk Angela Cortez said leadership of the group seeking to remove Ortiz from office told her on Friday, Oct. 3, that it was not moving forward on the recall, although as of 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6, the Recall Phil Ortiz website was still online.

The group behind the recall attempt, Latinos en Accion, did not turn in the required paperwork, Cortez told East County Magazine.

By Mike Allen

October 5, 2025 (Santee) -- The vacant lot behind the Cameron YMCA will soon be vacant no longer.

The Santee City Council voted 3-0 to approve a 285-unit condominium project on the 22.17-acre site which had long been used by dog walkers, model car and plane users, and overspill parking during big events at the Town Center Community Park. Mayor John Minto and Councilman Ronn Hall were absent and on vacation for the Sept. 24 meeting.

By Miriam Raftery

October 5, 2025 (Atlanta, GA) – In an action that has drawn condemnation from journalism and civil liberties organizations, the Department of Homeland Security on Friday deported Mario Guevara, an Emmy award-winning journalist, to El Salvador in retaliation for his live-streaming of ICE raids.  

“The government kept Mario unlawfully detained for weeks because of his vital reporting on law enforcement activity. His deportation is a devastating and tragic outcome for a father and celebrated journalist,” said Scarlet Kim, senior staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Speech, Privacy, & Technology Project, in an ACLU statement. “Journalists should not have to fear government retaliation, including prolonged detention, for reporting on government activity, and showing up to work should not result in your family being torn apart. Mario’s treatment should terrify any person in this country that cares about a free press.”

East County News Service

October 5, 2025 (Lemon Grove) -- Lemon Grove School District has been honored with the California School Boards Association (CSBA) Golden Bell Award for advancing equitable student outcomes.  This work has been led by Amy Fulinara, Executive Director of Educational Services.  

East County News Service

October 4, 2025 (San Diego) — A 55-year-old man arrested Sept. 29 for public intoxication was found unresponsive at 11:55 p.m. on Oct. 1 in a holding cell at the San Diego Central Jail and later died. He was alone in the cell. 

East County News Service

Photo, L-R: CalFire Chief Tony Mecham, Sheriff Kelly Martinez, & Supervisor Joel Anderson

October 3, 2025 (Ramona) - San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson and Sheriff Kelly Martinez are hosting a wildfire safety town hall during Fire Prevention Week in Ramona on Monday, October 6 at 5:30 p.m. in the Ramona Library (1275 Main St., Ramona). 

East County News Service

October 3, 2025 (La Mesa) -- The City of La Mesa is partnering with ProduceGood to pick La Mesa residents’ trees, donate the fruit to a local food pantry, and send a receipt for the donation. No property is too small - even one tree makes a big difference.