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IN A WIN FOR PUBLIC ACCESS, CITY COUNCIL VOTES TO KEEP LAKE MURRAY OPEN DAILY

By Karen Pearlman

Photo by Karen Pearlman: wild birds at the Lake Murray reservoir

June 11, 2025 (San Diego) – The future of continued daily access to Lake Murray is looking a little brighter today.

With a 7-2 vote, the San Diego City Council on Tuesday approved a 2025-26 budget that preserves activities at Lake Murray and other city-operated reservoirs and lakes, avoiding many previously threatened cuts to hours and days of operation.

The action came after Friends of San Diego Lakes submitted a petition with more than 8,500 signatures of residents opposed to a proposal to close the popular lake on weekdays.

There will also be no cuts to recreation center hours or park restrooms, and while city libraries will remain closed on Sundays, the budget reversed proposed Monday closures for 16 branches.

It remains to be seen whether Mayor Todd Gloria will sign or veto the revised budget. 


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GUHSD BOARD REJECTS TEACHERS’ ETHNIC STUDIES PROGRAM, PROVIDES UPDATES ON AI AND TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES

By Alexander J Schorr

Photo, front row: Zahra Nuristani and Maggie Kelly, student board members stepping down, and Sage Larson, one of two new student board members

At the June 6 meeting, Grossmont Union High School District’s governing board rejected an ethnic studies program prepared by teachers, announced AI and technology updates, shared a video from the new superintendent, and welcomed new student board members.

 In addition, an organizer of efforts to recall four trustees announced progress on the recall campaign.


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LOS ANGELES IMMIGRATION PROTESTS, CIVIL UNREST FUEL CLASH BETWEEN GOVERNOR AND PRESIDENT

By Alexander J. Schorr

Photo: KTLA screenshot: flashbang deployed amid L.A. civil unrest at Los Angeles Sheriff's officer looks on

June 11, 2025 (Los Angeles) -- California sued the Trump administration this week over the President’s order to deploy 2,000 California National Guard troops to Los Angeles without the Governor's consent. California Governor Gavin Newsom has argued that the deployment is “an illegal act, an immoral act, [and] an unconstitutional act.”

A hearing is scheduled Thursday on the lawsuit, which was filed before Trump also ordered 700 Marines deployed protect federal buildings in Los Angeles, further heightening tensions following five days of protests over roundups of undocumented immigrants, many of whom have not been charged with any crimes. As residents sought to block ICE from hauling away immigrants, some violent clashes ensued, including rocks thrown at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and vehicles burned.

The deployment appears to be the first time in decades that a state’s National Guard was activated without the request of its governor, adding a significant escalation against those who have sought to halt the administration’s mass deportation efforts


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PASSAGES: ART MADRID, FORMER LA MESA MAYOR WHO SERVED THE CITY FOR OVER 30 YEARS

By Karen Pearlman

June 10, 2025 (La Mesa) – Leaving behind a legacy of service, prolific leadership and unwavering commitment to civic matters, longtime La Mesa Mayor Art Madrid has passed away at age 90.

His leadership shaped the city, earning admiration and respect from residents, businesses and civic leaders around the region and across the country.

He passed away in his home in La Mesa on Friday, June 6, according to his daughter, Lisa Madrid.

Madrid was elected to public office in La Mesa six times, including two terms as a City Council member from 1981-1990 and four terms as mayor, leading the city from 1991-2014, including during the city's centennial celebration in 2012. He previously served in the U.S. Marine Corps, including a stint in Korea, then spent 35 years working for Pacific Bell before entering politics.


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SANTEE REPLACES LOW-INCOME APARTMENTS WITH CONDO PROJECT

 
An infill condo project for 52 units is coming to Sante
 
Photo and story by Mike Allen
 
June 9, 2025 (Santee) -- The Santee City Council unanimously approved another infill condominium project recently, this one for 52 units on the site that once housed the PureFlo Water dispensary, and had previously been approved for low-income apartments.
 
The site is adjacent to Laurel Heights, an 80-unit single family housing project that was approved about four years ago.
 
The latest project had been planned as a 96-unit apartment complex in 2022, but developer Michael Grant apparently pulled out, allowing KB Homes, one of the nation’s largest home builders, to step in and continue its activity in Santee.

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CALIFORNIA COMPANY'S EGGS RECALLED DUE TO SALMONELLA OUTBREAK

East County News Service
 
June 9, 2025 (San Diego County) -- California-based August Egg Company in Hilmar is recalling 1.7 million eggs tied to a multi-state outbreak of salmonella, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Food and Drug Administration.
 
The FDA said brown cage-free and brown certified organic eggs were distributed by the August Egg Co. in Merced County were distributed from Feb. 3 to May 15 to retailers in nine states, including California, with best-by dates ranging from March 4 to June 19.
 
The eggs were distributed under more than two dozen brand names and distributed to stores that include Walmart, Safeway, Save Mart, FoodMaxx, Lucky, Smart & Final, Raleys, Food 4 Less and Ralphs.
 
The recalled products are brown cage-free and brown certified organic eggs from August Egg Co., with plant codes: P-6562 or CA5330.

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LATINOS EN ACCION HELPING THEIR COMMUNITY

From left to right: Mairene Branham, Violeta Lombrera and Eva Pacheco. (Photo by Mimi Pollack)

By Mimi Pollack 

June 8, 2025 (El Cajon) -- Latinos en Acción, a group in El Cajon, is led by three mothers who want to make a difference in their diverse community.
 
These three very different women came together with the same goals in mind: to make the people of El Cajon more aware of what is going on.
 
They do this in part by holding rallies where they condemn U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids -- especially those targeting elders -- demand an end to El Cajon Police and ICE cooperation, call out racist visa revocations that target Afghan families and hold city officials accountable. 
 
They want to defend immigrants’ rights and dignity.

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CONCERNS LEAD JEWISH COMMUNITY TO PULL SUPPORT OF SD PRIDE

Controversial Headline Performer, Safety Concerns Cited as Reasons for Withdrawal

By Karen Pearlman

June 7, 2025 (San Diego) – Many local Jewish organizations from across San Diego County that have traditionally been part of the annual San Diego Pride event will not be joining in this year.

Jewish community leaders say that because the Pride Festival chose musical artist Kehlani to be a headliner at the annual July festival, there will be no official, organized Jewish presence there.

According to a media release shared last week from the Jewish Federation of San Diego, the groups and synagogues that will not be participating in San Diego Pride include the Federation, ADL-San Diego, Lawrence Family JCC, Temple Emanu-El of San Diego, Congregation Dor Hadash, Congregation Beth Israel of San Diego, Congregation Tifereth Israel Synagogue and Temple Adat Shalom of Poway.

It also includes the festival’s current volunteer director of medical operations and assistant director of medical operations, Dr. Jennifer Anger and Eliyahu Cohen-Mizrahi. Both individuals are Jewish and have also stepped away from their roles with Pride.


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TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGES COMING TO CAMPO ROAD IN CASA DE ORO

Artistic rendering of coming changes to Campo Road (Courtesy County of San Diego)

By Karen Pearlman

June 7, 2025 (Casa de Oro) – The County of San Diego is moving into the next phase of the ambitious Campo Road Corridor Revitalization Specific Plan, aimed at transforming the Campo Road corridor into a safer, more walkable and vibrant community hub.

Backed by a multi-million-dollar grant awarded early this year, county personnel along with input from stakeholders continue to focus on detailed design and engineering for public infrastructure improvements including a more walkable environment, improved safety and connections for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers, said Audrey Hamilton, project manager with the County Department of Public Works, who led a June 4 Zoom meeting on the latest news for the area.

The coming work is expected to bring new life to portions of Campo Road and surrounding streets in the unincorporated area between Spring Valley and La Mesa.

There’s been more than a decade of discussion and years of tentative plans for revitalizing the main commercial strip and adjacent residential area along Campo Road in Casa de Oro.


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COMMUNITY PANCAKE BREAKFAST TO LAUNCH YOUTH FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAM

East County News Sevice
 
June 7, 2025 (La Mesa) — The La Mesa Juneteenth Foundation is inviting families and community members to a Pancake Breakfast Celebration later this month.
 
The celebration, in partnership with Mission Federal Credit Union, is set for 9 a.m. until noon, Thursday, June 19, at MacArthur Park in La Mesa.
 
There is a $5 donation suggested for those interested in partaking of the event, which includes not just a pancake breakfast but also kids activities like games and a bounce house, as well as a raffle.
 
It also will include a financial literacy angle, celebrating the launch of “Start From Zero,” a brand-new program designed for youth and families in La Mesa, Spring Valley and Lemon Grove.

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PANCAKE BREAKFAST FUNDRAISER IN LA MESA

East County News Service

 
June 6, 2025 (La Mesa) — Heartland Firefighters of La Mesa will host a pancake breakfast fundraiser and emergency preparedness training on Sunday, June 8, at La Mesa Fire Station 11.
 
The event, which will run from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 8034 Allison Ave., is open to all ages. Tickets are $5 and include pancakes, eggs, sausage, coffee and orange juice.
 
Proceeds will benefit the Heartland Fire Explorer Program.
 

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SD SUPERIOR COURT WARNS ABOUT SCAMS

Latest scam concerns traffic court fees, previous scams have concerned jury duty or warrants
 
East County News Service
 
June 6, 2025 (San Diego County) – The San Diego Superior Court is warning the public about new scams that are making the rounds around the county.
 
The court has received complaints about individuals trying to scam members of the public by pretending to be court officers or officials.
 
In a recent example, individuals have received text messages stating that there are overdue Traffic Court fees in their name and if they do not pay the fees in a certain manner, additional action will be taken.

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SENATE PASSES 5 BIPARTISAN BILLS BY SEN. BRIAN W. JONES

Bills tackle public safety, insurance crisis, and more

East County News Service

June 5, 2025 (Sacramento) -- This week, Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego) announced that five of his commonsense bills passed the Senate with unanimous, bipartisan support, and that they are now under consideration in the State Assembly.

Each proposal aims to address urgent issues facing Californians -- from public safety and insurance coverage to updating outdated state laws.

“These bills are focused on real problems and offer real solutions,” Jones said in a statement to the public. “From protecting communities from sexually violent predators to fixing gaps in insurance coverage for mobile homes, I’m proud to have unanimous support in the Senate and look forward to working with my colleagues in the Assembly to get them across the finish line.”


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SUP. ANDERSON PRAISES VOTE IN SUPPORT OF AGENDA TIMELINE EXTENSION

East County News Service

 
June 3, 2025 (San Diego) -- San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson (photo, left) the county's District 2 representative and voice, praised a unanimous vote on Tuesday, June 3 from his fellow supervisors regarding extending public notice review time for the Board of Supervisors agenda.
 
On Tuesday, Anderson said, "Today's vote was a baby step in the right direction for transparency and for my constituents' ability to have adequate notice and input on County decisions."
 
Anderson has long been advocating for advance transparency and engagement by extending agenda review times.

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SAN DIEGO LAWMAKERS ANGRY OVER ARMED ICE RAID ON SOUTH PARK RESTAURANT

San Diego lawmakers reacted with fury Monday to last weekend’s armed ICE raid on a popular South Park restaurant, accusing the federal government of heavy-handed tactics in support of arbitrary arrest goals.

Reprinted, with permission of author, from Times of San Diego, a  member of the San Diego Online News Association

Rep. Juan Vargas speaks to media outside the federal courthouse in downtown San Diego. (Photo by JW August/Times of San Diego)

By JW August

June 2, 2025 (San Diego) -- “Why were ICE agents armed to the teeth as if they were entering a war zone, storming restaurants?” asked Rep. Juan Vargas at a press conference on the steps of the federal courthouse downtown.

Vargas was joined by Reps. Mike Levin, Sara Jacobs and Scott Peters, as well as Mayors Todd Gloria of San Diego and Paloma Aguirre of Imperial Beach, city councilmembers and other lawmakers.
 
Vargas criticized federal magistrate Judge Karen Crawford for signing the warrant leading to the raid, and demanded a meeting with her boss, Judge Cynthia Bashant, who became chief judge in January. The warrant was apparently based on a four-year-old tip.
 
“And that’s why we’re here, because we’re pissed off and we’re not going to allow this to happen,” Vargas said.

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CLANDESTINE SELECTION OF NEW GUHSD SUPERINTENDENT LACKS TRANSPARENCY

By Alexander J Schorr

Photo,left: GUHSD's new Superintendent, Dr.Kirsten VitalBrulte

June 2, 2025  (El Cajon) -- Following Mike Fowler’s departure from the GUHSD governing board due to cancer, and with Sandra Huezo taking the role of Acting Superintendent, the board selected a candidate finalist for the role of board Superintendent behind closed doors, with no public comment allowed and press barred from the room.

Governing Board President Gary Woods announced Dr. Kirsten Vital Brulte as the Superintendent Finalist for GUHSD. She recently served for eight years as Superintendent of Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD), the largest district in Orange County, serving more than 44,000 students. The official approval is expected on June 10: read the full description and announcement details here.


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CHIEF MECHAM OFFERS OUTLOOK ON FIRE SEASON AND UPGRADES IN LOCAL FIRE PROTECTION

 

“We will be dropping water at night this summer.” – Chief Tony Mecham (photo, left)

By Miriam Raftery

June 3, 2025 (San Diego) – “The largest economic threat in San Diego County is a large, devastating fire,” says Tony Mecham, County Fire Chief and Cal Fire Unit Chief. But he told a crowd of fire safe council members during the San Diego Regional Fire Foundation’s SAFE awards on May 19, “We have something that’s working in San Diego.”

During the event, Chief Mecham praised efforts of fire safe council volunteers to reduce fire risk. He also announced new firefighting aircraft and equipment for our region, gave an outlook on this year’s severe fire potential amid drought conditions, and shared his experiences and lessons learned from battling major fires including the Eaton Fire that ravaged Los Angeles County in January, and shared concerns over federal budget cuts.


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SDG&E INVESTMENT SINCE 2007 HAS REDUCED WILDFIRE RISK

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left: Brian D'Agostino, SDG&E Vice President of wildfire and climate science and the company's first meteorologist.

View slide presentation by Brian D’Agostino

June 3, 2025 (San Diego) – After the 2007 firestorms ravaged our region, including some fires linked to power lines, San Diego Gas & Electric Co. (SDG&E) invested heavily to prevent future fires--developing the nation's largest utility-owned weather systems, drones to patrol lines, satellites to measure mosture content in vegetation, predictive fire modeling share with first responders and public officials, a firefighting team of its own, underground power lines in high-risk areas, and during extreme conditions, planned power outages to prevent fires.

“Seventeen years later, no large fire has come from our fire lines,” Brian D’Agostino, Vice President of Wildfire and Climate Scientist for SDG&E, and the company’s first meteorologist hired 17 years ago, said in a presentation at the San Diego Regional Fire Safe Council’s  SAFE awards on May 19.

Many of SDG&E's innovations have since gone statewide or national, helping to reduce wildfire dangers to communities across the West. That's in sharp contrast to some other utility companies that failed to take such steps and had power lines responsible for some of the worst fires in California history.


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SAN DIEGO REGIONAL FIRE FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES PROJECT SAFE GRANTS TO LOCAL FIRE SAFE COUNCILS

$300,000 in grants awarded to 31 local Fire Safe Councils throughout the San Diego region

June 2, 2025 (San Diego) -- The San Diego Regional Fire Foundation (Fire Foundation) awarded $300,000 in grants to 31 Fire Safe Councils (FSCs) to aid in wildfire prevention and preparedness, including community education to make their neighborhoods safer.

"Our goal is to make San Diego County the safest in the nation," said Joan Jones, Executive Director of the San Diego Regional Fire Foundation. "You are the boots on the ground," she told Fire Safe Council members during the awards presentation on May 19 at an SDG&E facility."We have 13 new fire safe councils this year!"  San Diego now has over 50 fire safe councils-- the most of any region in the United States - all supported by the Fire Foundation. 

Fire Safe Councils are community-led, volunteer-based organizations dedicated to protecting homes and communities from wildfires. FSCs support their communities through various activities including fire-hardening homes, removing flammable plantings, hosting vegetation chipping events, installing reflective address signage, and educating and assisting neighbors with emergency preparedness.

In 2024, volunteers from FSCs invested 16,000 of their time in clearing 1.5 million cubic feet of vegetation, collecting 178 tons (356,000 pounds) of trash, metal, and e-waste; distributing 53,000 newsletters, and presenting 100  wildfire safety education events all geared toward making their communities safer for all residents.  



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SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WATER AGENCIES END LENGTHY LEGAL DISPUTE

Settlement agreement aims to bring region greater fiscal stability, water supply efficiency
and reliability
 
East County News Service
 
June 2, 2025 (San Diego County) – Signaling a new era of collaboration, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and the San Diego County Water Authority today announced the settlement of a 15-year legal dispute over rates and the price term of an exchange agreement between the agencies.
 
At a news conference in San Diego, leaders from two of the state’s largest water agencies hailed the conclusion of all pending litigation, highlighting their commitment to fostering greater teamwork on a range of issues that affect nearly 19 million Southern California residents.
 
The settlement dismisses all pending appeals, maintaining earlier judicial decisions on various matters. It includes provisions to reduce the potential for future litigation, improve certainty in budgeting, and increase flexibility in efficiently managing water supplies.

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JUDGE FINDS KALASHOS MADE UNPERMITTED CONSTRUCTION, SETS JUNE 18 HEARING TO RESOLVE CLAIMS

 

By Miriam Raftery

Image: Exhibit from defendants' closing brief in which the Kalashos claimed substantial unpermitted changes to first, third and fourth floors of their Fletcher Hills rental property are each a "nothng burger."

June 1, 2025 (El Cajon) – Former El Cajon Councilmember Bessmon “Ben” Kalasho and his wife, Jessica Deddeh, made major unpermitted construction changes using unlicensed contractors at the Fletcher Hills home that they are currently renting to a family with children,  That’s the finding of San Diego Superior Court Judge Joel R. Wohlfeil.

However, the judge this week also ruled against the City of El Cajon’s request to impose over $2.5 million in fines and denied without prejudice the city’s request to put the home into receivership to be sold to pay the fines, meaning fines or receivership could be allowed in the future if the Kalashos fail to comply with the court orders.

Instead, the judge ordered Kalasho to allow a city inspector access to determine whether health or safety hazards exist and prohibited occupancy including rental of the property  until any code violations found are corrected, and until the Kalashos comply with building, housing and zoning codes.


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FIVE YEARS AFTER THE NIGHT OF CHAOS: LA MESA’S STRUGGLE FOR REFORM

By Karen Pearlman

Photos, left by ECM photographers:  La Mesa protest, riot and arson May 30-31, 2020.

May 30, 2025 (La Mesa) – It’s been five years since the last Saturday in May 2020, when the city of La Mesa found itself smack in the epicenter of racial justice protests and civil unrest that mirrored a nationwide outcry against police brutality. The protest later exploded into violence, ending with buildings in flames and a small-town community often likened to Mayberry left shell-shocked.

Since then, the city has made strides to improve communications, public outreach and policing, as the city's Mayor, Police Chief and City Manager told ECM in exclusive interviews shortly before the five-year anniversary of those turbulent events.


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MOTORCYLIST DIES IN HEAD-ON CRASH ON STATE ROUTE 67

By Miriam Raftery

May 31, 2025 (Poway) – A 22-year-old motorcyclist died at the scene of a head-one crash with a Ford Truck hauling a boat along State Route 67 north of Poway Road today. 

Deputies from the Poway Sheriff’s station responded to a report of the collision at State Route 67 and Ellie Lane around 11:45 a.m. Poway Fire and paramedics arrived and performed life-saving measure, but the motorcyclist succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

Sara Siebers posted on Facebook that the motorcyclist “hit the pylons and crossed over into oncoming traffic. Hit us head on.”


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JAMUL RESIDENT DIES IN CRASH

 
East County News Service
 
May 31, 2025 (Jamul) –Long-time  Jamul resident Brian Reed died yesterday when his Ford F-150 pickup truck struck a tree in the vicinity of Mother Grundy Truck Trail in Jamul’s Deerhorn Valley area around 11:17 a.m.
 
“His sister confirmed that he suffered a medical issue that led to the fatal accident,” the Deerhorn Valley Community page on Facebook posted.  Reed was unconscious when first responders arrived and died at the scene.
 
He was a retired tow truck driver at Jim’s Towing Service, according to his Facebook account.

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HENDERSON FIRE: 300 ACRES NEAR SAN DIEGO-RIVERSIDE COUNTY LINE

East County Wildfire & Alerts

May 31, 2025 (San Diego) – The #HendersonFire has burned 300 acres and is 15% contained, Cal Fire reports.  The fire began last night along Henderson Road in the Pala area, burning in both San Diego and Riverside Counties.

Visit AlertSanDiego.org for the latest updates. For an interactive map with updated emergency evacuation information visit: OES Emergency Map  The Red Cross is assisting displaced residents, who may go to a reception and care site at Temecula Valley High School,31555 Rancho Vista Rd., Temecula.


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SAN DIEGO COUNTY AND FOUR LOCAL CITIES LISTED AS “SANCTUARY JURISDICTIONS” AT RISK OF LOSING FEDERAL FUNDS

Update June 3, 2025 -- Homeland Security has taken down its list of sanctuary jurisdictions amid controversy nationwide.

By Miriam Raftery

Image via Immigration and Customs Enforcement:  ICE stop in Florida

May 30, 2025 (San Diego) –A list of over 500 “sanctuary jurisdictions” published by the Dept. of Homeland Security yesterday includes San Diego County and four local cities: Santee, San Diego, Chula Vista, and Vista. The criteria for inclusion is baffling, since the list includes both conservative-run and liberal-run jurisdictions locally.

The DHS website claims the jurisdictions are “deliberately and shamefully obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws” but does not specific why any specific city or county is on the list. Under an executive order issued by President Donald Trump on April 28, federal grants and contracts with sanctuary jurisdictions are to be suspended or terminated.

Although the DHS site states that jurisdictions would be notified, all five local jurisdictions have indicated that they did not receive any notification before being publicly listed and local leaders dispute the designation.


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CAL FIRE SUSPENDS BURN PERMITS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY

Source: Cal Fire

May 30, 2025 (El Cajon) -- El Cajon, CA – The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) will suspend residential outdoor burning within the State Responsibility Areas (SRA) of San Diego County, effective Monday, June 2, 2025, at 8:00 a.m.

This suspension includes burning landscape debris, such as branches and leaves. This decision to suspend burn permits follows minimal winter rainfall, rising temperatures, and seasonal changes that have caused the grass crop and other vegetation to dry out quickly, increasing the risk of wildfires across the region.

 Since January 1, 2025, CAL FIRE and fire agencies statewide have responded to over 1,900 wildfires. While residential debris burning is suspended, CAL FIRE urges residents to enhance their wildfire preparedness efforts


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40 MILITARY HOMES UNINHABITABLE AFTER MURPHY CANYON PLANE CRASH: NAVY-MARINE CORPS RELIEF SOCIETY PROVIDES SUPPORT

Nonprofit immediately provided $77,000 in direct emergency assistance and continues to provide long-term support to 40 families displaced
 
East County News Service
May 29, 2025 (San Diego) – Dozens of military families evacuated their homes when a private Cessna aircraft crashed into military housing in the Murphy Canyon area at 3:45 a.m. on May 22. The families had no time to gather basic essentials including wallets, identification, phones and more.
 
The crash killed all six people on board including an El Cajon flight instructor/music agent.
 
It destroyed or damaged numerous residences, temporarily displacing around 100 people. Around 40 military housing units remain uninhabitable, according to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS), which is seeking donations to provide ongoing aid.

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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

SANTEE HOMELESS COURT POP-UP EVENT

Community resource pop-up events, like this one in Santee which meet people where they are, have become an important part of the County’s homeless outreach strategy

By Anita Lightfoot, County of San Diego Communications Office
 
May 28, 2025 (Santee) -- Community resources pop-up events bring essential services directly to people experiencing homelessness and have become an important part of the County’s homeless outreach strategy.
 
These events, held twice a month, are key opportunities for engagement, service delivery, and legal support in locations chosen based on community need and city requests.

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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

TRUMP BRAGS THAT HE'S 'NOT CUTTING 10 CENTS' FROM PENTAGON AS GOP GUTS MEDICAID

"We can cut plenty of other things," President Donald Trump told West Point's graduating class.

By Jake Johnson, Common Dreams

Photo: Screenshot via CSpan; Pres. Trump speaks at West Point graduation

May 26, 2025 (West Point Military Academ, New York) -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday bragged to West Point's graduating class that he has refused to cut Pentagon spending and touted his push for an annual military budget of $1 trillion, arguing that other programs should be on the chopping block instead.

"Some people say, 'Could you cut it back?' I said, 'I'm not cutting 10 cents,'" the president said of Pentagon spending during his bizarre, campaign-style commencement address at the U.S. Military Academy.

"We can cut plenty of other things," Trump added, without specifying what he sees as better targets for cuts than the Pentagon, a sprawling morass of waste and abuse that recently failed its seventh consecutive audit.

Trump's remarks came after House Republicans, with his support, passed a massive budget reconciliation package that includes more than $100 billion in additional spending for the U.S. military and around $1 trillion in combined cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.


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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

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