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 Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

June 28, 2021 (San Diego) -- We have not seen significant rain in several months. Fuel moisture content is at 0%. We are at what we call 100% probability of ignition. This means the tiniest spark can start a fire.

The Fourth of July can be a fun time with great memories. But before you, your family & friends celebrate, make sure everyone knows about Fourth of July safety. Since Fireworks are illegal in San Diego County, there are still safety precautions to provide safety while celebrating.

By Miriam Raftery

July 5, 2020 (El Cajon) – Each year, more pets go missing on July 4 than any other night of the year. Fireworks the last two nights locally frightened many dogs and cats, prompting some to run off and become lost. Pawboost has now set up lost and found pet sites on Facebook for local communities to help reunite lost pets with their owners. 

Watch for increased impaired driving patrols this holiday weekend

Source:  San Diego Sheriff's Department

July 2, 2020 (San Diego) - This Fourth of July will be different due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the changes to Independence Day celebrations, you should always do the responsible thing and not get behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

East County News Service

June 7, 2018 (El Cajon) - Families and folks of all ages are welcomed to the Rancho San Diego Library (11555 Via Rancho San Diego) for their annual Celebrate the USA event, an old-fashioned Fourth of July festival. This event will be taking place Saturday, June 30^th  from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is free for all ages.

By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office

Image credit:  PhotoSpin

July 3, 2017 (San Diego's East County) - Independence Day! It’s all about celebrations, get-togethers, barbecues and lots and lots of food.

It should also be all about cooking safely — so no one goes home from your get-together celebrating a bellyache or worse because bacteria like salmonella, listeria or E. coli that can cause food-borne illness crashed your cookout.

Four killed, 11,000 injured last year by fireworks nationwide

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office:

Image credit: San Diego County Sheriff's Department

June 30, 2017 (San Diego) - The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department wants everyone to have a safe Independence Day free of serious injuries or jail time. That means never driving if you’ve been drinking alcohol or taking drugs (including medications that impair your driving), never setting off illegal fireworks and not allowing juveniles to drink alcohol at your house party.

By Miriam Raftery

June 22, 2017 (Poway) – Experience an old-fashioned Independence Day celebration complete much as people at the end of the 1900s would have done.  The fun includes patriotic entertainment, gun fighting reenactments and rides on a historic railway train—as well as tasty treats, crafts, old-fashioned games and entertainment at Old Poway Park (14134 Midland Road, Poway) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

East County News Service

June 13, 2017 (Rancho San Diego) -- Families and folks of all ages are welcomed to the Rancho San Diego Library at 11555 Via Rancho San Diego for their annual Celebrate the USA event, an old-fashioned Fourth of July festival. This event will be taking place Saturday, July 1^st  from 11am-1pm, and is free for all ages. As part of the event, the Friends of the Rancho San Diego Library will be holding a half-price book sale in the library courtyard from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

June 27, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- It’s hot, it’s dry, it’s the 4^th of July! These words make fire officials cringe, says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. It will be a long three-day 4th of July weekend and the fire department needs your help!

East County News Service

June 11, 2016 (Poway) - Bring your family and friends to Old Poway Park (14134 Midland Road in Poway) and celebrate our country’s independence “turn-of-the-20th-century-style” on Monday, July 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This event will feature patriotic entertainment, gun fighting re-enactments, crafts, and old-fashioned games (all free) amid restored buildings and museums from the early 1900s.  You can also take a ride aboard an old-fashioned train or savor tasty treats (for a nominal fee).  

East County News Service

June 11, 2016 (Santee) – The city of Santee invites you to Santee Salutes, an annual extravaganza set for July 4^th from 2:30 to 10 p.m. at Town Center Community Park East (550 Park Center Drive) in Santee.

August 25, 2014 (Campo)--Campo resident Tee Waidler sent in this photo of her 4 ½ year old daughter, Estrella posing in a red dress and heels back on the 4^th of July.  Estrella means “star”, and she certainly shines as she shows off her patriotic spirit!