Update July 11:  Trump has recently said of Project 2025, "I have no idea who is behind it." However, CNN reports that at least 140 people who worked for Trump were involved in Project 2025's creation, including six of Trump's former cabinet secretaries,  his White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, his long-time advisory Steven Miller, and several attorneys who represented Trump in election inteference cases.  The project's top architects describe it as a blueprint for a second Trump administration.

By Miriam Raftery

Image: Spirit of '76, painting by A.M. Wilard depicts American Revolutionary War fought to win freedom from British tyranny

July 4, 2024 (San Diego) – Today, we celebrate our nation’s declaration of independence from Britain’s king in 1776. But ironically, America’s democracy is at risk, along with the liberties we cherish.  Constitutional experts warn that like several failed democracies, most notably Germany in the 1930s, the United States now faces the very real threat of becoming an autocracy,  or dictatorship.

The threat is two-fold: first, a document called Project 2025 is a blueprint for converting our democracy to an autocracy and the guidebook for a second Trump term of office. Second, a Supreme Court ruling this week effectively grants Trump, Biden, or any future president king-like authority to break the law without fear of prosecution for crimes.

Steven Levitsky, coauthor of the award-winning, bestselling book How Democracies Die states, “Democracies may die at the hands not of generals but of elected leaders—presidents or prime ministers who subvert the very process that brought them to power. Some of these leaders dismantle democracy quickly, as Hitler did in the wake of the 1933 Reichstag fire in Germany. More often, though, democracies erode slowly, in barely visible steps.” He further warns, “This is how elected autocrats subvert democracy—packing and “weaponizing” the courts and other neutral agencies, buying off the media and the private sector (or bullying them into silence), and rewriting the rules of politics to tilt the playing field against opponents. The tragic paradox of the electoral route to authoritarianism is that democracy’s assassins use the very institutions of democracy—gradually, subtly, and even legally—to kill it.”

By Miriam Raftery

Photos, top left to bottom right:  Homeless people camped in Lemon Grove and their stories: Erika, a diabetic unable to drive; Christopher, a widower and carpenter seeking work; Elijah, who says his unemployment payments were stolen, Cardell, a nurse whose family died, and Kimberly, 78, who says she has lung cancer and a fractured skull; she has been sheltering in a rancid storm drain after her tent burned.

July 2, 2024 (Lemon Grove)-- Kimberly, 78, is frail, petite, and in desperate need. She  struggles to push a shopping cart laden with rumpled belongings on a scorching July afternoon. The elderly woman, her wrinkled skin tanned and leathery, coughs frequently. An edge of fear underlies her soft voice.

”I have lung cancer,” she says.  Kimberly tells us that she suffered a fall recently in a nearby parking lot. “I’ve got a fractured skull right now.”   “Nobody’s helping me,” she says sadly.

Kimberly is one of 293 homeless people in Lemon Grove who might be helped if the County approves funds to build 60-70 sleeping cabins in Lemon Grove at Troy and Sweetwater on land owned by Caltrans.  On July 18at 6 p.m. a public hearing on this issue at the Lemon Grove Community Center, 3146 School  Lane, Lemon Grove, Supervisor Monica Montgomery-Steppe has announced.

Update July 6, 2025 8 a.m.--The fire is 95% contained, per Cal Fire.

Update July 4, 4:30 p.m. -- All evacuation warnings are lifted and all roads are open. Cal Fire asks that people please drive carefully. Smoke is still visible, but there is no danger to the public at this point, per County Emergency Services.

Update July 3, 8:30 a.m.  The #McCainFire has burned 1,352 acres and is 50% contained. Evacuation warnings remain in place for portions of Boulevard as firefighters continue working in rugged terrain, though evacuation orders were lifted.The Red Cross has closed the evacuation center at Golden Acorn.

Update July 2, 3:30 p.m.-- De Anza evacuation order has been lifted. Residents can return home but some nearby areas remain under an evacuation warning; these residents are asked to remain vigilant since the fire is still burning. To see the zones for the evacuation warning, follow this link.

Update July 2, 8:00 a.m.-- I-8 West has reopened.  The fire has burned 1,000 acres and is 5% contained.

East County News Service

July 2, 2024 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Police Department is investigating a troubling string of hate crime vandalism that occurred on June 27 between1:30 and 3 a.m. in the 1300 block of Greenfield Drive. Five parked vehicles were spray-painted with swastikas and hate speech, including gay and anti-Arab slurs, 10 News reports.

Lt. Will Guerin state in a press release, “Our primary focus is on identifying and arresting the individual(s) responsible for the damage.The motive is unclear, he says, adding that investigators have not yet determine whether the suspect(s) had any connection to the victims.

El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells told 10 News, “"This is not what you want to see in our community or in any community," Wells said. "And it's really not indicative of El Cajon."

East County News Service

June 3, 2024 (La Mesa)-- La Mesa's 2024 Summer Concerts will be held on Sundays from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. from June 23 through July 28 at the Amphitheatre at Harry Griffen Park, 9550 Milden Dr., La Mesa.

The concert series highlights musicians from various genres, from soulful jazz to energetic rock.

Artists include:

June 22, 2024 (El Cajon) -- East County Dining Club invites you to a Mideast Feast at Tarbosh restaurant (1142 East Main St., El Cajon) featuring Iraqi cuisine on Thursday, July 18 at 6:30 p.m. to benefit East County Magazine and East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts. Savor a delicious buffet for just $22, support local journalism,and win prizes in our raffle.

RSVP to 619 698 7617 or editor@eastcountymagazine.org

Savor a delicious buffet dinner for just $22! (excludes tax and tip).

Includes kebobs, schwarma, falafel, mini pastry, koba, and salad, with chicken, beef and vegetarian options.

Win prizes! Raffle items include: Gift certificates to local restaurants and shops, massage/spa gift certificates, wine rack, wine lovers baskets, art, beach gear, jewelry, purses, coffee, gift baskets, books, Spookeasy event tickets/basket, and more!

Thanks to our sponsors:  Tarbosh Restaurant, Lemon Grove Bistro, Alvarado Institute of Skincare, Brody’s Burgers, Beach Hut Deli, Massage Envy, St. Madeline Sophie’s Gift Shop and Gallery, Surji Coffee, Maxwell’s House of Books, San Pasqual Winery, Jessyka Heredia, and more soon!

By Miriam Raftery

June 30, 2024 (La Mesa) – Today is the last day to savor margaritas and Mexican food at Por Favor in La Mesa, a favorite of village patrons for the past 50 years. The Marrujo family has sold its downtown La Mesa restaurant, but will continue to operate Por Favor in El Cajon.

The Alba Retaurant Group, established by Albert Morreales, has purchased the Por Favor site at 8302 La Mesa Blvd., according to SanDiegoVille.com.  The group owns several local restaurants including Farmer’s Table, Limoncello, and Smokey and the Brisket in La Mesa, as well as  Farmers Bottega in Mission Hills.

Alba reportedly plans to remodel the space for a new restaurant concept, though details have not been disclosed,NBC 7 reports.0

Will the new owners retain the Mediterranean Revival-style building’s historic features, such as its arched, stained-glass windows,interior balcony and  exterior concrete-and-stucco finish designed to resemble rusticated stone?

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  Homeless encampment later swept in unincorporated area, via County of San Diego

June 29, 2024 (Washington D.C.) – The U.S. Supreme Court, by a 6-3 majority, has ruled that homeless people can be arrested for sleeping in a public place, regardless of whether or not shelter space is available. The decision also allows local governments to authorize ticketing, fines, and arrest of homeless people who violate anti-camping regulations,  even if they have no place safe to go.

Locally, the decision has sparked condemnation from advocates for homeless people, who argue that compassionate treatment and affordable housing are the solutions needed, but has also drawn praise from some city and county leaders aiming to clear homeless camps from parks, streets, sidewalks and other public places.

East County News Service

June 29, 2024 (San Diego) – East County Magazine editor Miriam Raftery received three awards in the San Diego Society for Professional Journalists’ journalism contest.  The awards recognized Raftery’s investigative report into the Mother Goose Parade’s demise, a profile on “backcountry warrior” Donna Tisdale, and an analysis/timeline of evidence in Espionage Act charges against former President Donald Trump.  The wins bring ECM's total journalism awards to 146 since ouri inception 16 years ago.Individually, Raftery has won hundreds of awards in her journalism career spanning four decade.

Read the winning entries, all entered in the Daily Reporting and Writing category:

Second place, investigative/enterprise story:  Is the goose cooked? Mother Goose Parade organizer duck media calls after event cancelled for fourth straight year

Second place, profile:  End of an era: `Backcountry Warrior’ Donna Tisdale retires after final battle

Third place, politics/election story:  Trump indicted under Espionage Act for risking national security, sharing defense secrets and hiding evidence from grand jury