Judicial finding that Kalashos engaged in cyber-harassment, defamation and other intimidating actions comes within days of ECM reporter Paul Kruze filing a police complaint alleging that Councilman Kalasho threatened him with an attack dog and defamed him on social media.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Ben and Jessica Kalasho at  a Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce event, before the U.S. Patent and Trademark office forced them to change the name of the organization due to trademark infringement.

July 6, 2018 (El Cajon) – Superior Court Judge Timothy Taylor has issued a judgment granting a motion  filed by beauty pageant contestants and a taco shop owner against El Cajon Councilman Ben Kalasho and his wife, Jessica. The ruling allows documents and a supporting declaration  submitted by plaintiffs’ lawyers to be admitted as facts at trial and  most damning, orders evidence of the following admissions to be submitted  at trial as true facts--meaning the Kalashos cannot dispute the accuracy of these findings in court:

• Kalasho, his wife and their entities created fake nude photos of Miss Middle East pageant Queen Zhala Tawfiq and published them online “intending to cause and causing Ms. Tawfiq severe emotional distress.”
• Kalasho propositioned pageant contestant Paris Kargar, offering sex in exchange for assuring she won the 2016 Miss Middle East pageant. He made statements indicating her declining this proposition cost her a fair shot at the title.
• Kalasho whispered in Kargar’s ear, “You are so f*cking hot, I cannot take my eyes off you.” He also made comments about her breasts jiggling as she walked down the runway.
• Kalasho conducted one-on-one recorded interviews with 2016 contestants including Tawfiq and Karger, but destroyed these videos after the lawsuit in which Kargar contends she was harassed during her interview.
• Kalasho,his wife and his entities created multiple alias Facebook profiles used to make defamatory posts against Tres Taqueria, including fabricated poll results and false claims of food poisoning after the restaurant owner refused to post Kalasho campaign signs.
  

Our guide to unique lodging and adventures in San Diego’s beautiful backcountry

By Miriam Raftery

June 30, 2018 (Spring Valley) – Vineyard Hacienda, a 13,000 square-foot adobe estate home built in the 1930s in old-style Spanish tradition on a nine-acre property, is secluded retreat that also serves as an idyllic base for guests seeking to explore historic Highway 94.

“As soon as you drive down our driveway, you escape into a little paradise,” says Joseph Harmes III, proprietor.

By Miriam Raftery

July 6, 2018 (El Cajon) – La Maestra Family Clinic, a nonprofit which operates community health centers including a facility in El Cajon, has been granted a license by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to operate a low-power FM radio station in El Cajon.

Our March, April and May 2018 radio shows are now online. For links to listen to the shows plus a full list of topics and interviews, click here, or click "read more" and scroll down. (Sound files may take a few moments to load).

Our interviews included wildlife biologists Tommy Hough and Renee Owens on their adventures in the field and conservation efforts, Sheriff Bill Gore, El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells, legal thriller novelist Teresa Burrell, judicial candidate Matt Brower, Assembly candidate  Larry Wilske, County School Board candidate Eric Lund, Victor Crosswaithe Contreras on a historical script-writing contest, and investigative journalist Greg Palast. (Note: candidate interviews were previously posted separately before the election and are now also available in complete show files.)

We also covered hot local, state and national issues including school gun violence, a lawsuit over powerline easements in East County, a lawsuit against  Lemon Grove Councilman Arambula , El Cajon Councilman Kalasho accused of false real estate filings, homelessness, the Trump-Russia investigation, family separations, La Mesa’s new farmer’s market, an initiative to limit growth in Santee, Earth Day activities and more.

East County News Service

July 5, 2018 (San Diego) -- California Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) has announced the appointment of Senators who will serve on the Conference Committee on Wildfire Preparedness and Response. They include Senator Ben Hueso (D-San Diego), whose district includes the southern portion of East County.

By Jonathan Goetz

Photos by Spencer John Powell

July 4, 2018 (San Diego) – Happy Independence Day! I would like to take this time to share pictures from Constitution, the Dance, by Visionary Dance Theatre.  Constitution was an exemplary inclusive contemporary dance by Kidz Danz Kompany with artful, graceful and proficient moves, showcasing prominent African Americans and non slave-holding founding fathers, and giving voice to their struggle and American aspirations.

By Miriam Raftery

July 5, 2018 (Jamul) – The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce and Alpine-Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce held a joint mixer beneath shady oaks at a new outdoor event venue at D&S Farms, home to Granite Lions Cellars in Jamul.

East County News Service

July 5, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – Have you “herd?” It’s time to break out your cowbells and get your spots on.

http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/cabins-camping-and-fishing-are-lures-lake-morena-county-park-gateway-pacific-crest-trail​​​​​​​

By Jonathan Goetz

July 3, 2018 (Campo) – Happy Independence Day, Campo and rural readers! We are taking this time to share pictures from the Manzanita High Mountain Rendezvous, held earlier in spring. The gathering recreates life in a mountain man encampment from the 18^th and 19^th centuries on the American frontier.

Please enjoy, and have a great Fourth of July!

By Jesse B. Kendrick

Photo: El Cajon Councilmember Bob McClellan and granddaughter Jessica (left) join Mayor Pro Tem Gary Kendrick (center) to honor Pearl Harbor survivor Stu Hedley, 96 (right).

July 3, 2018 (El Cajon) – Nearly 10,000 community members gathered this weekend for Celebrate America, the annual Independence Day event hosted by Shadow Mountain Community Church. The event featured indoor fireworks and a surprise appearance from military personnel who rappelled down ropes from the ceiling.

Source:  U.S. Forest Service

July 3, 2018 (Ramona) - An emergency closure order has been implemented for Three Sisters and Cedar Creek Falls, effective Thursday, July 5 through Monday, July 9, due to the anticipated heat wave and considerable public health and safety concerns involved..

By Miriam Raftery

July 2, 2018 (Boulevard) – East County Magazine spoke with two officials from California Fish & Wildlife Service today regarding their investigation into reported tiger sightings in San Diego’s East County. 

“We took the report very seriously,” says media specialist Peter Tira. “We believe it is a hoax.” 

Tira says U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) notified the state Fish & Wildlife agency last week about a report of a possible full-grown tiger just north of the border.  Sheriff’s representatives previously told ECM that undocumented immigrants apprehended by Border Patrol agents under ICE claimed to have seen a tiger.

Despite having committed no crime, some asylum seekers have been kept in windowless cells for over a year, never allowed outside even a single day

By Miriam Raftery

July 2, 2018 (Washington D.C.) – People who ask for asylum when they arrive at the U.S. border after fleeing violence and persecution have committed no crime, unlike people who cross the border illegally. Yet the Trump administration has been imprisoning asylum seekers for over a year, even after they passed background checks, were found likely to receive asylum, and in some cases, even after a court granted them asylum but the administration was appealing the cases.

By Andy Tolley, County of San Diego Communications Office

July 2, 2018 (Lakeside) - Hit the trail at one of the oldest County parks: Lindo Lake County Park in Lakeside.

We’ve chosen a scenic 1 1/4 mile route that’s ADA-friendly and fun for the entire family. And if you’re looking to get more than just a stroll in, you’re in luck! There are 17 fitness stations along the trail.

You can take more virtual hikes here.

By Miriam Raftery

July 1, 2018 (San Diego) — The National Weather Service predicts temperatures are likely to reach excessive levels by Friday and Saturday. There will also be a chance of thunderstorms in the mountains of San Diego County and other Southern California locations. Temperatures could reach 118 degrees in Borrego Springs, 101 in Ramona, 100 degrees in Alpine, and 97 degrees in Julian.

Be sure to stay well hydrated with plenty of water and avoid strenuous outdoor activities if possible.  If you must work outdoors, take frequent breaks in the shade or indoors.