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.
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.
June 3, 2025 – Throughout the month of June, approximately 4,768 students earning a high school diploma from nine comprehensive high schools, two independent charter schools, one middle college high school, one Project Based Learning school of choice, and three special education academies in the Grossmont Union High School District will be donning caps and gowns for commencement exercises.
Listed below are the total graduate numbers and the names of the Valedictorians and Salutatorians at each school.
June 3, 2025 (La Mesa) -- The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce invites you to join businesses and food providers at the 16th Annual “Taste of San Diego East” on Monday, June 23 at the Legacy Resort Hotel & Spa in Mission Valley.
Guests can “taste, savor, and mingle” as you meet business vendors and enjoy the food samplings prepared by food and catering participants. Whether you love all-American barbecue or old-fashioned onion burgers, or crave international cuisine including Indian, Irish, Italian, Himalayan, Mexican and Sushi, you’ll find plenty to savor and sip.
June 3, 2025 (El Cajon) -- Artival-- an art, wine and music festival--makes its debut in downtown El Cajon on June 7 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. to celebrate art, culture and community.
Organizerse describe the new festival as "where art meets vibes: immerse yourself in creativity, community and craft."
Enjoy an art walk featuring works by talented local artists, from fine art and photography to jewelry, handmade clothing, and ceramics.
There will also be food trucks, a wine garden, beer, and live music.
“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.
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.
$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.
June 3, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego's inland regions, published in other media. This week's round-up stories include:
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.
June 2, 2025 -- As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:
June 2, 2025 (El Cajon) The Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation is hosting its 34th annual Sycuan Cup Golf Tournament this Wednesday morning, June 4, at the Singing Hills Golf Club in El Cajon.
This year, the event aims to raise $100,000 for four deserving local nonprofit organizations: Elymash Yuuchaap – The Native Resource Center at San Diego State University, SBCS, HorsePlay Collective and War Party Ranch.
The invitational tournament kicks off at 8 a.m. with registration. A special beneficiary award ceremony will follow at 9:15 a.m., during which the Sycuan Tribal Council will present donation checks to each of the selected organizations.
Participants will then tee off at 10 a.m. on the Oak Glen and Willow Glen championship courses.
June 1, 2025 (Ramona) – Ryan Jones, 40, faces numerous charges after he was found in possession of a rifle, ammunition, high-capacity magazines and methamphetamine during a traffic stop in Ramona.
On Thursday, May 29 around 9:30 p.m., deputies from the Ramona Sheriff's Substation stopped a pickup truck driven by Jones near the intersection of Main and 16th streets in Ramona.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
VisitAlertSanDiego.org for the latest updates. For an interactive map with updated emergency evacuation information visit: OES Emergency MapThe 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.
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.
May 30, 2025 (El Cajon) -- It burns my wits to read about suspending burn permits with July 4 right around the corner and knowing all the illegal fireworks that will yet again threaten my Lexington Gardens neighborhood with no police responses when it happens. View video.
Want to see danger first hand? Bring your camera on July 4, 9 pm till midnight anywhere from Lexington to Washington to Jamacha to Dillman St. The fireworks debris will cover roofs, yards, cars, and observers. Street traffic is under threat because the fireworks are set off in the middle of the street that adds to the dangers and property damage unprotected.
May 30, 2025 (Santee) -- After more than six months of being vacant, the concession stand at Santee Lake No. 4 will reopen June 12 under a new name and operator: Topwater Grill and Pacific Dining Group.
The San Mateo-based firm, which operates 28 locations in California, was selected by the board of directors of Padre Dam Water District to be the park’s concessionaire, the third such vender at the site in the past four years.
May 30, 2025 (San Diego) -- San Diego resident, M.L. Meurs, has released her debut novel, Camp Salvador. Written in first-person, the book reads like a memoir. The main character, Ellis Robinson, shares her experiences in Baja, Mexico where roughly built homes have a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean.
Ellis and her family enjoy a second home in a small community full of eccentric characters. Most are from the States. Ellis describes the community as a “semi-isolated vintage surfer community.”
Ellis is a sharp, patient, kind soul who tolerates the many conflicts her neighbors experience and sometimes cause. Over time, the presence of the cartel is felt as bodies are found on the camp’s beach. Even so, Ellis returns each year to enjoy her second home with her huge dog that is seen on the book’s cover. Her time at the camp ends with an astonishing conclusion.
The book is as enjoyable as a vacation. And like life, it has its conflicts and surprising turns.
May 30, 2025 (Julian) -- The Julian Town Square Music Festival brings music to the mountains on June 7 from 12 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Presented by the Julian Community Heritage Foundation and Julian Chamber of Commerce, this event will feature multiple musical performances.
These include Kimmi Bitter and Westside Twang, Tim Flannery and the Lunatic Fring, Thea The Band, The Ordeal, Donn Bree and Friends, Dolly’s Revenge, and Subconscious Culture.
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
April 24, 2025 (Mount Helix) – There are no rides or parades in its magical atmosphere, but a local garden in Mount Helix area has been influenced by a famous amusement park in Anaheim.
Bob Caparas and his childhood sweetheart, Carole, have channeled the magic of Disneyland to help them create a unique space along the 1 1/3 acres of hills and valleys adjacent to their home on Grandview Road.
Their garden allows visitors to meander along a main path of cobblestones, bamboo and dirt, with side paths that branch out from it leading lead to several distinct “lands.” The different lands pay tribute to different areas around the globe, and honor different times and eras as well --- from Mayan/Aztec culture to the African plateaus to Greco-Roman to Polynesia and event prehistoric days of dinosaurs.
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.
Photo: Shoppers browse wares during United We Stand Bazaar at The Palms In El Cajon
By Alexander J. Schorr
Photos by Alexander J. Schorr and Miriam Raftery
May 19,2025 (El Cajon) -- Refugees who fled violence and persecution in their homelands and later started up business locally came together at the “United We Dreams” Bazaar at The Palms in downtown El Cajon on Sunday May 18.
All have one thing in common: the El Cajon-based nonprofit License to Freedom, helped them start up their businesses and achieve self-sufficiency and sanctuary.
At the bazaar, these refugee entrepreneurs donated 100 percent of their sales proceeds to License to Freedom, assuring that new refugees will have similar opportunities to attain the American dream.
The awards were presented at a special ceremony honoring 39 graduating high school seniors and 24 professionals from East County who are pursuing careers through advanced certifications and training in the healthcare field. The scholarships support students across multiple academic and professional levels, including those studying medicine, nursing, behavioral health, and other in-demand specialities.
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.
“We will be dropping water at night this summer.” – Chief Tony Mecham (photo, left)
By Miriam Raftery
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.
June 3, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego's inland regions, published in other media. This week's round-up stories include:
Settlement agreement aims to bring region greater fiscal stability, water supply efficiency
June 2, 2025 -- As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:
East County News Service
East County News Service
June 1, 2025 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.
East County News Service
Update June 3, 2025 -- Homeland Security has taken down its list of sanctuary jurisdictions amid controversy nationwide.
Nonprofit immediately provided $77,000 in direct emergency assistance and continues to provide long-term support to 40 families displaced
Photo: Shoppers browse wares during United We Stand Bazaar at The Palms In El Cajon
Source: Grossmont Healthcare District
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
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