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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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SUPERVISORS APPROVE FUNDS FOR SLEEPING CABINS IN LEMON GROVE, SHIFT MONEY FROM STALLED RV PARKING PROJECT IN LAKESIDE

By Miriam Raftery
 
May 25, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – San Diego County Supervisors this week approved a measure introduced by Supervisors Joel Anderson and Monica Montgomery-Steppe to fund first-year operations and services for the Troy Street sleeping cabins project, which supervisors previously authorized to house homeless individuals on state Caltrans land in Lemon Grove.
 
The board action authorizes $3.5 million for the sleeping cabins in Lemon Grove, which will provide temporary shelter and support services for an estimated 140 people a year with 60 cabins. Another $868,568 is directed to the Regional Homeless Assistance Program (RHAP) for emergency housing services countywide, including motel vouchers. RHAP is expected to help support long-term operational costs.

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HANNAH SHIRLEY CROWNED WORLD’S OLDEST LIVING PYGMY HIPPOPOTAMUS IN MANAGED CARE

San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center celebrates world record
Story and photo courtesy of the San Diego Humane Society
 
May 25, 2025 (Ramona)-- San Diego Humane Society’s beloved pygmy hippopotamus, Hannah Shirley, is officially the oldest living pygmy hippo ever in managed care in the world.
 
On May 25, 2025, Hannah surpassed the previous record of 51 years, 6 months and 2 days — an extraordinary milestone for a species that typically lives 30 to 50 years in the wild.
 
Hannah was born on Nov. 22, 1973, and is recognized in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Regional Studbook as animal #365, which tracks all pygmy hippos living in managed care around the globe.

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HOMELESS COUNTY FINDS BIG IMPROVEMENTS IN MOST AREAS; EL CAJON DISPUTES FINDINGS

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Robert Gehr:  A homeless person's tent on grassy area along Main Street in downtown El Cajon

May 24, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – The 2025 Point-in-Time count of homeless people conducted in January found large drops in homelessness countywide in nearly every community, with a 72% drop in families living on the streets-indicators that efforts to help the homeless are likely having positive results.

In East County, only El Cajon showed an increase. But the city argues that the count is inaccurate, including several census tracts that are not in the city limits or only partially in the city, as well as inflating the count in other areas within its city limits.


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PILOT IN DEADLY MURPHY CANYON CRASH WAS FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR AND MUSIC AGENT BASED IN EL CAJON

By Miriam Raftery

May 24, 2025 (San Diego)  -- More details have emerged on the tragic crash of a Cessna plane into a military housing neighborhood near San Diego’s Murphy Canyon  on May 22nd while attempting to land amid heavy fog at Montgomery Field.

All six people on board the plane died in the fiery crash. The pilot, Dave Shapiro, was the co-founder of the El Cajon-based music agency, Sound Talent group.  Shapiro also owned Velocity Aviation based at Gillespie Field in El Cajon.

According to Velocity’s website, he was a certified flight instruction who had logged over a million miles with 15 years of flight experience and was a licensed transport pilot for multi-engine planes, as well as holding licenses for everything from flying helicopters to aerobatics.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the airport’s weather alert system and runway approach lights were not working at the time, though the cause of the crash has not yet been determined. Shapiro was flying home from New Jersey and had refueled in Kansas.


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ADVOCATES WARN PROPOSED MEDI-CAL CUTS COULD HARM RURAL MATERNITY CARE

 

Half of all births in rural California are covered by Medicaid; rural hospital closures would impact even moms with private insurance

By Suzanne Potter, California News Service

May 23, 2025 (Sacramento) -- The Republican-controlled House of Representatives is hashing out last-minute details of a huge funding bill which could come to a floor vote this week. Advocates warned proposed Medicaid cuts could force layoffs or closure of rural hospitals.

The Trump administration is looking for savings to fund his proposed tax cuts, which primarily benefit the wealthy.


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SUPERVISOR ANDERSON: HOW TO HELP PLANE CRASH VICTIMS

East County News Service

Photo courtesy of ECM news partner 10 News

May 22, 2025 (San Diego) –Supervisor Joel Anderson today offered a statement on the deadly plane crash that occurred in a Tierrasanta neighborhood near Murphy Canyon, along with advice on organizations helping collect donations and items to assist residents displaced by the crash.

"My office is closely monitoring the situation in our district where a small plane crashed into a Murphy Canyon neighborhood,” Sup. Anderson says.”Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who have been killed and we wish those who have been injured a full recovery. Thank you to our incredible first responders who helped evacuate more than 100 people to safety in the early hours this morning."

The following organizations are currently collecting donations for the families impacted by this devastating crash. For more information, residents can contact:

Zero8Hundred - 858-944-0800

Support The Enlisted Project (STEP) - 858-695-6810


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POPE APPOINTS MICHAEL PHAM AS SAN DIEGO BISHOP

East County News Service
 
May 22, 2025 (San Diego) – Auxiliary Bishop Michael Pham, 58, has been appointed by Pope Leo XIV to serve as Bishop of the San Diego Catholic diocese, the Vatican announced today.
 
Born in Vietnam, Bishop Pham was ordained in 1999 and previously served in parishes across the San Diego region before becoming Auxiliary Bishop and now Bishop.
 
He fills the vacancy left when Cardinal Robert McElroy, formerly San Diego’s Bishop, was named Archbishop of Washington D.C. in March.

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SIX FATALITIES IN TIERRASANTA PLANE CRASH

Update 5 p.m.-- The music agency Sound Talent Group in El Cajon announced that three of its employees, including co-founder Dave Shapiro, who is also a pilot, were aboard the plane and died in the crash. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), six people were on the plane and all perished.

Update 8 a.m.-- SDPD reports all fires are out, except for one vehicle fire. They anticipate remaining on scene for 24 hours. Approximately 100 people are displaced.

May 22, 2025 (San Diego) -- Multiple homes and vehicles caught fire due to a Cessna plane that crashed in Tierrasanta. Evacuations are in place in the are of Salmon, Sample and Sculpin Streets per San Diego Police.  

.At least 15 homes in an area of military housing are impacted, per 10 News.  There are multple fatalities, but authorities believe all were aboard the plane.  While officials initially reported no hospitalizations, later reports indicate at least two residents were transported to hospitals for minor injuries and/or smoke inhalation.

An evacuation site is set up at Miller Elementary, 4343 Shields St.


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COTTONWOOD SAND MIND ON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA JUNE 13

By Miriam Raftery

May 20, 2025 (San Diego) – Years after the Cottonwood Sand Mine was first proposed along the Sweetwater River on the site of the Cottonwood Golf course in Rancho San Diego, the San Diego County Planning Commission will hold a hearing on the proposed sand mine. The latest draft environmental impact report can be viewed here.

The hearing, originally set for April, will now be held Friday, June 13 at 9a.m. at the San Diego County Operations Center hearing room, 5520 Overland Ave., San Diego.

The Valle de Oro Community Panning Group in March voted 10-1 to oppose the controversial project, with one abstention, as ECM reported.


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WHO WILL BE THERE WHEN THEY COME FOR YOU? OUR INTERVIEW WITH IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY NORA MILNER

By Alexander J Schorr

May 19, 2025 (San Diego) -- East County Magazine editor Miriam Raftery interviewed Nora Milner, an immigration attorney based in San Diego. This interview originally aired April 4 on KNJS radio, with a Youtube video available. Milner, who works at the Milner & Markee (LLP) law firm, specializes in immigration law.

In the interview, she voiced alarm over blatant denials of due process for immigrants under the Trump administration, warned that even citizens are not safe, and offered tips for those concerned about being visited by ICE or detained for potential deportation.

Audio: 


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WHY HAVE EL CAJON’S WATERSCAPE AND DUCK POND GONE DRY?

By Miriam Raftery

Photos, left by Robert Gehr:  

May 18, 2025 (El Cajon) – For 48 years, El Cajon has had water features and ducks near its civic center in the heart of downtown. But now the water features have been drained, leaving only bare, jagged rocks where once a waterfall and streambed flowed.

“The pond is now dry and converted into a dry riverbed for the moment,”  City Manager Graham Mitchell told ECM.  “The reason for the conversion is that the pump system has failed and the bed of the pond has many leaks.” Repair cost is estimated at $500,000, he added. “Because the City Council directed staff to explore possible uses for that space, it does not make sense to put $500,000 of repairs into the feature.”

Could some waterworks remain?  “Depending on how the space around The Magnolia is programmed, the pond could come back, or it may become something else,” said Mitchell. “However, those are questions that the City Council will address later.”


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AFTER BOMBING IN PALM SPRINGS , SAN DIEGO SHERIFF PROVIDES EXTRA PATROLS AT FERTILITY CLINICS

East County News Service

Photo via FBI:  The FBI is investigating this as a terrorism act, along with the U.S. Joint Task Force on Terrorism and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

May 18, 2025 (San Diego) – A vehicle bomb outside a Palm Springs fertility clinic yesterday killed one person and left four others injured. 

The suspect has been identified as Guy Edward Bartkus of Twentynine Palms,  a military community, CBS reports, citing law enforcement officials. According to CBS, the suspect stated irrationally in writings and/or recordings that he was against bringing people into the world against their will. He reportedly claimed responsibility for the bombing.


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OTAY WATER DISTRICT AWARDED TRANSPARENCY CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE



Highlights Efforts to Promote Transparency and Good Governance



East County News SErvice

May 18, 2025 (Spring Valley, CA) -- The Otay Water District received the District Transparency Certificate of Excellence from the Special District Leadership Foundation (SDLF) in recognition of its outstanding efforts to promote transparency and good governance and reaffirm its commitment to openness and accessibility for its constituents and local stakeholders.

"This award reflects the Otay Water District's dedication to open government," said Board President Jose Lopez. "I commend our staff for empowering the public with information and encouraging engagement and oversight."


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CURTIS MORRISON, DEMOCRAT RUNNING AGAINST ISSA, SPEAKS OUT ON KEY ISSUES AND THREATS TO OUR DEMOCRACY

By Miriam Raftery

May 17, 2025 (San Diego) – Curtis Morrison is an immigration attorney  and Democrat running for the 48th Congressional district against Congressman Darrell Issa, a Republican.  He’s previously worked as a realtor and substitute teacher.

Last month he sat down for an in-depth interview with East County Magazine, originally aired on our radio show on KNSJ radio. View video, hear audio, or scroll down to read highlights.

2026 will be a pivotal election year, since Republicans hold a very slim majority in the House and Senate; if Democrats regain control of one or both house, they will have the power to reign in many of the Trump administration’s controversial actions.

Audio: 


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BORREGO SPRINGS MICROGRID COLLABORATIVE SEEKS GRANT FOR COMMUNITY MICROGRID DEVELOPMENT

Initiative would serve as a model for community-led energy resilience, delivering more reliable power and improved energy security for Borrego’s most vulnerable residents and businesses

File photo, left:  Sunbeams over Anza-Borrego Desert near Borrego Springs

By Gabriela Dow

May 16, 2025 (Borrego Springs) -- The Borrego Springs Microgrid Collaborative (BSMC) has submitted a grant application for funding through San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) under the California Microgrid Incentive Program (MIP). California Senate Bill 1339, enacted 2018, directed the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to develop microgrid policies, leading to the MIP. 

This funding opportunity is a critical step in advancing a community microgrid that enhances energy reliability, resilience, and sustainability for Borrego Springs – a community of just over 3,000 residents in San Diego County, surrounded by Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

The MIP was established to improve electricity reliability, increase resilience in high-risk communities, and promote clean energy technologies. This milestone marks an important step toward a more sustainable and reliable energy future for the Borrego Springs community.


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LA MESA SEEKS BOARD AND COMMISSION MEMBERS

Want to make a difference in your community? The City of La Mesa is currently recruiting volunteer members for several Boards and Commissions. The application deadline is July 1 at 5:30 p.m.

These are the boards and commissions with current openings:

To apply for a board or commission submit a completed application to the City Clerk’s office.


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CALIFORNIANS WOULD LOSE AI PROTECTIONS UNDER BILL ADVANCING IN CONGRESS

 

House Republicans want to ban state AI regulations for 10 years. California leaders are alarmed.

by Khari Johnson, Technology reporter, CalMatters.

This story was originally published by CalMattersSign up for their newsletters.

May 16, 2025

House Republicans moved to cut off artificial intelligence regulation by the states before it can take root, advancing legislation in Congress that, in California, would make it unlawful to enforce more than 20 laws passed by the Legislature and signed into law last year.

The moratorium, bundled in to a sweeping budget reconciliation bill this week, also threatens 30 bills the California Legislature is currently considering to regulate artificial intelligence, including one that would require reporting when an insurance company uses AI to deny health care and another that would require the makers of AI to evaluate how the tech performs before it’s used to decide on jobs, health care, or housing.

The California Privacy Protection Agency sent a letter to Congress Monday that says the moratorium “could rob millions of Americans of rights they already enjoy” and threatens critical privacy protections approved by California voters in 2020, such as the right to opt out of business use of automated decisionmaking technology and transparency about how their personal information is used.


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NO CITIZENSHIP SWEARING-IN CEREMONY AT THIS YEAR’S AMERICA ON MAIN STREET FESTIVAL

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Naturalization citizenship ceremony, cc via Bing

May 16, 2025 (El Cajon) – This year, El Cajon’s America on Main Street celebration won’t include a mass swearing-in ceremony for new citizens.

“The City reached out to the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services to make our annual request for their participation,” city manager Graham Mitchell told ECM. “Our contact person informed us that due to operational needs they are unable to participate this year, but asked that we keep them in mind for next year. “

The federal government’s denial of the city’s request to swear in new immigrations comes amid the Trump administration’s expanded operational crackdowns and mass deportations of undocumented immigrants and some green card holders. Withholding swearing in of new immigrants dashes hopes of many who went through the long and costly process to become U.S. citizens.

America on Main Street began in 2017 as a “patriotic celebration of our diversity,” according to Councilmember Gary Kendrick, a cofounder of the event.


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TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WANTS TO SELL FEDERAL LANDS, SLASHES FUNDING FROM FOREST AND PARK SERVICES

The Trump Administration is trying to sell off federal lands, while its budget cuts are severely impacting national parks and forests


By G. A. McNeeley 

Photo: Staircase Escalante National Monument, Utah


May 16, 2025 (San Diego) – House Republicans have approved a provision to their budget that would allow the federal government to sell thousands of acres of public land in Nevada and Utah, in an effort to boost fossil fuel production and development projects, according to Newsweek. 

 

The move comes after deep cuts in rangers and other staffing have impeded public access and safety at national parks and forests.

 

Meanwhile, the Trump Administration’s funding cuts and the loss of federal workers who support wildland firefighting is continuing to make planning for the upcoming wildfire season a challenge, according to CBS News. 


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DESCANSO RESIDENTS OPPOSE CALTRANS PLAN TO DRASTICALLY CUT PARKING SPACES

By Miriam Raftery

May 16, 2025 (Descanso, CA) – Tammy and Brett Cooker opened their Descanso Junction Restaurant in 2003, in a century-old building on State Route 79.  Days later, the Cedar Fire roared through the region, destroying many homes and closing down I-8.   But the Cookers swiftly earned the community’s loyalty, keeping their doors open to serve up displaced community members, stranded motorists, and firefighters.

During the COVID pandemic, they weathered forced shutdowns of indoor dining, surviving winter's frigid mountain temperatures by investing in plastic bubbles for outdoor diners under oak trees out back. 

But now their business faces a new threat—this time, from Caltrans. Citing safety concerns, the state transportation agency wants to eliminate the20 perpendicular parking spaces in front of Descanso Junction and nearby businesses, replacing them with only six horizontal parking spots.


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PASSAGES: BO MAZZETTI, 77, RINCON CHAIRMAN AND LEADING ADVOCATE FOR NATIVE AMERICANS

 

East County News Service

Photo: Chairman Bo Mazzetti, courtesy of the Rincon band of  Luiseño Indians 

May 15, 2025 (Valley Center, CA) –Bo Mazzetti, Chairman of the Rincon band of Luiseño Indians for over 16 years, passed away on May 1 at age 77 after battling cancer.  A leading voice for Native Americans statewide over several decades, he was a founding member and President of the Southern California Tribal Chairman’s Association, also serving on the statewide Tribal Chairman’s Association.

"Mr. Mazzetti was a driving force behind the establishment of the CTCA and uniting a majority of Northern, Central, and Southern California indigenous tribal members and their Indian reservations into a unified voice," according to the SCTCA website.

The SCTCA site quotes Mazzetti's words:  As my father taught me, it is our responsibility to pave the pathway for future generations and to pursue a path that younger tribal leaders can follow, like our tribal elders did for us."

He  held numerous other influential positions during his lifetime of service, including in federal, state and local government as well as tribal offices.


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CALIFORNIA BUDGET IS $12 BILLION IN THE RED AMID TRUMP TARIFFS AND RISING COSTS

by Alexei Koseff

This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters.

Gov. Gavin Newsom addresses the media during a press conference unveiling his revised 2025-26 budget proposal at the Capitol Annex Swing Space in Sacramento on May 13, 2025. Photo by Fred Greaves for CalMatters

In summary

California is experiencing unexpectedly shaky economic conditions, as health care costs rise and Trump’s tariffs create ongoing uncertainty.

May 14, 2025 Gov. Gavin Newsom announced yesterday that California is facing a $12 billion budget deficit, spurred by soaring costs for social services as the state’s economy teeters from President Donald Trump’s chaotic tariffs strategy.


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WOMAN, 31, DIES DAY AFTER ADMISSION TO LAS COLINAS DETENTION FACILITY

East County News Service

Update May 15:  The deceased has been identified as Callen Lines.

May 14, 2025 (Santee) – A 31-year-old woman died in a hospital on May 12, one day after she was arrested for vehicle theft and resisting arrest.

According to Lt. Juan Marquez with the San Diego County Sheriff’s department, sergeants at the Las Colinas and Reentry Facility in Santee found the woman unresponsive in her cell at 7:25 p.m. on May 12 while performing routine supervisor checks.

The sergeants began CPR, activated 9-1-1and requested help from the facility’s medical staff.

Emergency medical personnel from American Medical Response (AMR) Ambulance #5 and the Santee Fire Department assumed lifesaving measures upon their arrival. AMR Ambulance transported the woman to a local hospital. Despite their efforts, the woman was pronounced deceased at the hospital at about 8:15 p.m.


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PASSENGER, 86, DIES OF INJURIES FROM ACCIDENT ON I-8 IN PINE VALLEY

East County News Service

May 12, 2025 (Pine Valley) – James Michel, 86, from Yuma, Arizona was a passenger in a vehicle that rear-ended a stopped vehicle on I-8 west near Buckman Springs Road on April 24 shortly before 10 a.m.

He was transported to UCSD Medical Center in San Diego, where he died two weeks later, on May 8.


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LA MESA MOTORCYCLIST KILLED, TWO INJURED IN COLLISION ON AVOCADO

East County News Service

May 12, 2025 (La Mesa) – A collision between a motorcycle and an SUV Saturday night proved deadly for a 22-year-old La Mesa man.  

He  was riding a 2017 Ducati motorcycle northbound on Avocado Blvd. just south of Explorer Road in La Mesa with a female passenger, 20, from El Cajon  just after 8 p.m. when a 2019 Ford Explorer driven by a La Mesa man, 40, tried to make a turn from southbound Avocado onto Explorer Road, causing a head-on crash, according to the CHP.


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FIRE DAMAGES APARTMENT BUILDING IN SPRING VALLEY



East County News Service

May 12, 2025 (Spring Valley) – A fire on Saturday, May 10 cause significant damage to an apartment building in the 400 block of Grand Avenue.

San Miguel Fire and Sheriff’s deputies from the Rancho San Diego station responded at 9 a.m. and found two rear patios of the apartment building in flames.


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HEARING MAY 19 ON CITY’S PLAN TO CLOSE LAKE MURRAY ON WEEKDAYS; OTHER LOCAL LAKES FACE CUTS

Residents launch petition to keep lake open

By Karen Pearlman

Photo, left, by Miriam Raftery:  Lake Murray

May 12, 2025 (San Diego) – Lake Murray is one of several local reservoirs that may see their hours of operation get slashed starting next year because of budget issues in the city of San Diego.

To cover the city’s $258 million deficit in its budget, the San Diego City Council is considering reducing the hours of both Lake Murray and Miramar Lake from seven days a week to just two – Saturday and Sunday.

Other outlying bodies of water overseen by the city of San Diego, including the El Capitan Reservoir, Lake Sutherland and Barrett Lake, are also slated for reductions in hours.


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GUHSD CHIEF OF STAFF HOBBS RESIGNS AMID CONTROVERSY; TRUSTEES REFUSE TO RESCIND LAY-OFFS

By Alexander J. Schorr

Photo, left: Sign on table urging recall of four GUHSD trustees.

May 11, 2025 (El Cajon) -- The Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD)  governing board refused a last-ditch chance to rescind its layoffs of credentialed teachers, librarians, counselors, and psychologists at the May 8 board meeting, despite angry comments from constituents.

After the public session, the board adjourned to a private session and returned with a surprise announcement that the majority had voted to accept the resignation of newly named Chief of Staff Jerry Hobbs, who has become mired in controversy.


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JUDGE DENIES KALASHOS’ REQUEST TO POSTPONE JAIL TERM

By Miriam Raftery

File photo: Bessmon "Ben" and Jessica Kalasho

May 11, 2025 (San Diego) – A last-minute effort by former El Cajon Councilman Bessmon “Ben” Kalasho and his wife, Jessica, to postpone their 8-day jail sentence has been rejected by Superior Court Judge Wendy Behan. The Kalashos have been ordered to surrender on June 9th to begin serving their sentence, which was imposed for criminal contempt of court.

The action stems from a 2017 civil lawsuit against the Kalashos, who were accused of using false social media aliases, fake polls, and altered photos to defame plaintiffs including a beauty pageant queen, a taco shop owner, and attorney Lina Charry.  Kalasho resigned from the El Cajon City Council immediately after a settlement was announced with most plaintiffs in that case, amid calls by the public for Kalasho to resign.

Charry refused to settle her case and secured a hefty judgement against the Kalashos, who repeatedly failed to show up and provide financial records to enable Charry to collect the money for her judgement. The court charged and convicted the Kalashos with criminal contempt of court and issued bench warrants for their arrest in May 2023.


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