November 2025 Articles

November 2025 Articles

Navy police officer charged with murder in death of LMPD officer pleads not guilty; bail set at $1M

Video capture of Antonio Alcantar, right, courtesy ECM news partner KGTV 10 News
 
East County News Service and news partner KGTV 10 News
 
Nov. 3, 2025 (San Diego) -- A United States Navy sailor accused of drunk driving and hitting and killing La Mesa Police Officer Lauren Craven on the freeway less than two weeks ago pleaded not guilty in San Diego County Superior Court last week.
 
Antonio Alcantar, 38, appeared in court last Thursday, Oct. 27, where a judge set his bail at $1 million and had him taken into custody. 

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Reader’s Editorial: CalRTA delivers -- from pension power to Social Security fairness, retired teachers get it done

Source:  California Retired Teachers Association

November 2, 2025 (San Diego) - During this year’s Retired Teachers Week, we proudly look back to January when the California Retired Teachers Association (CalRTA) achieved our biggest legislative victory when the Social Security Fairness Act was signed into law. CalRTA helped spearhead this successful national campaign and was the only West Coast organization working directly with the bill authors to secure this historic change. This landmark achievement repealed the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), policies that had unfairly reduced the earned benefits of retired educators and other public servants for decades.


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Grossmont Healthcare District Board to consider James Sly as CEO at upcoming meeting

By Karen Pearlman
 
Nov. 1, 2025 (East County) -- Santee resident and San Diego East County Economic Development Council leader James Sly could be named the new CEO of the Grossmont Healthcare District this week.
 
The GHD board meeting agenda for Nov. 4 lists a Chief Executive Officer employment agreement for Sly.
 
Aaron Byzak has been the interim CEO for the Grossmont Healthcare District since March 2025 following the GHD board's decision to not renew the contract of Christian Wallis. Byzak has also been the communication strategy consultant for the GHD.
 

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Full Moon Walk in Anza Borrego’s South Palm Wash Nov. 5

East County News Service

October 21, 2025 (Anza Borrego)—You’re invited to walk by the light of a full moon in Anza Borrego Desert State Park’s South Palm Canyon Wash on November 5 from 6:30 to  8:30 p.m.. The hike will be led by Mike McElhatton, education director at the Anza Borrego Desert Natural History Association (ABDNHA).

“Experience the unique and serene beauty of moonlight on the canyon walls as we take a 1.5-mile walk through South Palm Wash,” the invitation states. 


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Artillery round from Camp Pendleton celebration explodes over I-5, hits CHP vehicle

Accident comes after Governor Gavin Newsom raised safety concerns and closed freeway

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  Shrapnel that struck CHP vehicle

October 20, 2025 (Camp Pendleton, CA) – An artillery round exploded prematurely over I-5 on Saturday, causing metal shrapnel to strike a California Highway Patrol vehicle. The incident occurred while  Vice President J.D. Vance was at Camp Pendleton for the 250th anniversary of the Marine Corps.

President Donald Trump refused to cancel the live-fire demonstration over the freeway, even after Governor Gavin Newsom, the CHP and local leaders voiced safety concerns. Newsom ordered busy I-5 closed for four hours during the event, drawing criticism from conservatives, but the accidental explosion over the highway proved such concerns valid. Had other vehicles been on the freeway, additional chunks of shrapnel could have caused damage or injury to motorists.


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Destination East County: Notable November Events

October 18, 2025  (San Diego’s East County) – November brings numerous noteworthy events to East County, including the Ramona Art and Wine Festival, an Antique and Craft Fair at Summers Past Farms in Flinn Springs, the Wheel of Fortune live game show at Viejas in Alpine, the award-winning play Copenhagen at Lamplighters Theatre in La Mesa, stargazing at Mission Trails, the Boots and Bells Fashion Show at the Olaf Wieghorst Museum in El Cajon,a Wild West Turkey Stampede at the Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona,  and a  Chili Cookoff at Circle TLC Ranch in Lakeside.

There's also the brand new Marinelli Brothers Circus at Parkway Plaza in El Cajon, La Mesa historic homes tour, Santee’s holiday tree lighting, a concert at the Magnolia in El Cajon by original Beach Boys member Al Jardine, a Spring Valley 5K run, the Mt. Helix Park turkey trot, Bates Nut Farm’s Holiday Craft Fair in Valley Center, Julian’s Country Christmas, and Holiday Lights on Main in El Cajon.

Scroll down for all the fun and festive details.


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Linchpin encourages people to find their value in the workplace

Review by Heidi Hope

October 15, 2025 (San Diego) -- Linchpin focuses on the themes 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. 


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