January 2025

East County News Service

File photo by Miriam Raftery

December 10, 2024 (Valley Center) — A bomb threat from an anonymous caller yesterday morning prompted a safety sweep at Harrah’s Resort Southern California on the Rincon tribe’s reservation in Valley Center. Resort staff found a backpack in an unauthorized area.

After clearing that portion of the facility,  a joint incident command was established with the Valley Center Sheriff's Substation, Rincon Fire Department, Rincon Gaming Commission, Rincon Tribe, Harrah's Security personnel, Sheriff's Bomb/Arson Unit and Sheriff's Explosives Detection K-9s.

“The backpack was eventually checked but did not contain anything suspicious,” says Sergeant Brendan Cook with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Valley Center substation.

Sheriff's Explosive Detection K-9s checked the rest of the resort to ensure the safety of guests. The resort was not evacuated. No additional suspicious items were locatedand no injuries were reported during the incident.

If you have any information related to this incident, call the San Diego County Sheriff's Office non-emergency line at (858) 868-3200.

Our Mountain Living section covers the mountain communities in San Diego's East County north of I-8 including Aguanga, Cuyamaca, Descanso, Guatay, Julian, Mount Laguna, Pine Valley, Ranchita, Ramona, Santa Ysabel, Shelter Valley and Warner Springs.

Our deserts section covers the Anza Borrego Desert State Park and the communities of Borrego Springs, Ocotillo, Ocotillo Wells and Jacumba.

By Olivia Barnard

December 10, 2024 (Lakeside) -- I first met Robin Pawl and her horses Shelby, Indy, Ka Lio, and Phoenix on a Saturday afternoon. The faded Lakeside hills framed the riding center as hawks called out and the pepper trees swayed. I loved horses growing up, but I had never been on a ranch. I didn’t know what to expect from volunteering with horses or students with disabilities. But The Magic Horse website’s description of therapeutic riding practices was interesting, the place charming and intriguing, and I was going to give it a shot.

Upon meeting Robin and the horses, I couldn’t have predicted how much personal growth would come out of our experiences together. In sharing my experiences, I hope to inspire others to take the opportunity and discover the magic of the horse, just as I did.

My first day went as expected—I was on poop duty. Students were scheduled to arrive later that day, so until they did, I wouldn’t get to see what Robin described regarding the horses’ positive impact on her students. Robin explained on introduction day that The Magic Horse is a nonprofit she founded in 2004. Using her therapeutic riding instructor certification, background with horses, and expertise in Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) practices, she runs the center with volunteers. By joining the team, I could contribute to The Magic Horse’s mission statement goal to, “make a life-enhancing difference for people with disabilities and their families through the magic and power of the horse.” However, my first task was manual labor.

The experience was surprisingly meditative. I was out in the open, fresh air and felt the horses’ presence nearby. I welcomed the peace and connected with the environment and my body. Hand over hand, weight shifting between each leg as I lifted the rakefuls, I made steady, satisfying progress.

This initial task was the first interaction where I started to see the various and unique ways people can learn while working with horses. Even mucking out stalls offered some unexpected yet important lessons. I saw how getting to the “fun” part of anything requires the completion of other necessary parts. All people at the Magic Horse know this. Volunteers must do chores. The students are taught that in order to ride, they have to prepare their horses. Everyone is expected to be detail-oriented and thorough, even when manual tasks aren’t exciting. These duties build responsibility, train the body, and inspire a feeling of fulfillment. Robin told me she grew up with horses and noticed how much it improved her strength, so now she helps people (especially kids) develop their physical skills through activities with the horses. She said, “Working with horses can increase physicality, balance, coordination, strength, and fine and gross motor skills. If you're tying knots or doing anything with your fingers, those are fine motor skills, while gross motor skills are the big motions, like carrying the brush bucket.” So simply from shoveling poop, I learned there’s a lot more to working with horses than just riding.

It’s these subtler yet equally engaging activities that form the basis for unmounted personal-growth opportunities like horsemanship training, EAL programs, and leadership-development courses. The difference between the three curriculums, which Robin offers students of all backgrounds, is that horsemanship courses focus on strengthening equine knowledge and familiarity. In the program offered by the The Magic Horse, students have hands-on experiences implementing equine training techniques and caring for horses. On the other hand, EAL group programs encourage participants to self-reflect and, with the unique assistance of horses, pursue growth in target skill areas. Leadership development is at the core of all things horses, and can be valuable when specifically focusing on team member contributions, cohesion, and individual composure.The insight I’ve gained has been from months of volunteering, but these styles of teaching accelerate the learning process. The experiences I share in this article are examples of the growth opportunities I’ve found. The Magic Horse offers a range of lessons for fostering self-awareness, growing confidence, practicing group cohesion, and implementing better leadership.

My first task at the Center helped me recognize the value horses can bring to one’s life. In the calm environment of the Magic Horse grounds, I self-reflect and slow down from my busy college-student life. I appreciate the simple things in life, but also find mental clarity to move deliberately toward my goals. Interestingly, the attitudes each person adopts are reflected in the horses, allowing one to increase their self-awareness.

Early on, I heard Robin tell a volunteer who was tense that horses are herd animals and liken their feelings to those they’re working with. Robin explained the 7-4-8 breathing technique and told the volunteer that if she calmed herself, her horse would become less agitated too. As I watched the volunteer and horse relax, I reflected on my own body and where I was holding stress. A big part of being around horses, where body language is key, is recognizing that body and mind are connected forces. Bodily and situational awareness go together as a way to connect to one’s emotional well-being, as well as an accompanying horse’s. Robin would later tell me, “Our bodies can affect our thoughts, and our thoughts affect our bodies. So if we put ourselves into a different posture, it can help change our thinking and feeling. Horses are the same way. If we can encourage them to have a more correct and relaxed body posture, then they can relax in their mind.” In the following weeks, I noticed my own emotions reflected by the horses. Sheila, a volunteer of 17 years and lifetime horse owner, explained how she feels a special emotional connection to horses. “Horses seem to know your heart in a way that other animals don't,” she said.
Though I’d gained a lot from my solo poop-scooping adventures, it was exciting to begin working with other volunteers. Nanami, Aleah, and I work together almost every week and have formed a friendship through our teamwork. We discuss our student lives in our respective high school and grad/undergrad programs, but we also share what we’ve learned from the horses.

All of us have seen an increase in our level of confidence around the horses. At The Magic Horse, all participants learn the ins-and-outs of horse ownership and gain problem-solving and adaptability skills in getting the horses to cooperate. In one frustrating encounter, our objective was to muck Phoenix’s pen out. However, Phoenix is the most dominant horse at the center and tested our will by continually getting in the way. It took our combined volunteer forces to repeatedly shoo him back into his barn, where he eventually stayed for good. In this practice, we had to be persistent and unyielding. Gaining confidence around an incredibly dominant horse is difficult, especially with no equestrian background. However, by taking initiative consistently, self-efficacy can flourish. Its about setting intentions (cleaning the pen) and taking the necessary steps (shooing Phoenix) to reach the goal. Horses sense hesitation. They won’t follow through if you don’t. You improve when you persevere.

It’s through persistence that students like Annabella thrive. Annabella, who is diagnosed to be on the autistic spectrum, has been riding for eight years. In her time at the Magic Horse, she’s gained a deep understanding of horses and more importantly, a better sense of herself and her goals. Her mother Heidi described how amazing it is to see her daughter persevere, saying “Annabella has had a tendency to give up very easily when something's physically hard. Robin challenged her to keep trying. When I first came here she could not do buckles; now, she can almost fully tack up the horse by herself.” I realized the power of the horse when I saw Annabella in her element. In a family of five children, it is through horses that Annabella has found her niche and taken control of her life instead of others telling her what to do. “Horses have been Annabella’s way of self-mastery. She has learned that she can do so much more than she thought she could and more than I thought she could,” Heidi said.

Another student who’s made incredible progress is two-year-old Alden. Alden is bubbly and curious. He’s always smiling, babbling, and exploring. However, he wasn’t always able to express his feelings verbally or walk around on his own. After three months on the horses, Alden gained the ability to walk 38 independent steps and strengthened his verbal skills. Robin explained that this process can be very rapid. “Sitting on a horse stimulates children’s bodies to develop so they can start walking. It also stimulates their ability to speak, so kids who are nonverbal can often speak their first words when they're on the horse. Once that starts, it usually keeps going, and pretty soon they’ll be talking up a storm. And then parents wonder, ‘Oh, why did I ever want him totalk?’ They’ll start to walk, and pretty soon they're running. It's like, ‘Oh my gosh, now, we have to chase after them!’” she said.

This type of progress fundamentally alters how children interact with the world, but in freedom, new challenges arise for parents and teachers. Alden’s curiosity is sometimes a source of distraction from goals set by his parents and teachers. Jake, another student, is happy to participate in conversations with volunteers, but these tangents can interrupt lesson plans. In these situations, I’ve gained the ability to recognize and understand other perspectives. Robin gets riding lessons back on track not by brashly making demands but by acknowledging distractions and then redirecting the students’ focus. This approach is also important in working with horses. Horses are prey animals and constantly keep track of their environment, and thus may act in confusing ways that aren’t compatible with the handler’s desires. But I’ve learned in my experience with both people and horses that it’s through taking other viewpoints into account that harmony can be realized. No understanding comes out of simply forcing ones way onto others. Robin wants her horses to keep their personalities. Their dispositions are what make them unique and provide opportunities for people to learn new social skills. She said, “When horses are forced against their will to be something they aren’t, they’ll shut down and become robotic. I want my horses responsive,” said Robin.

Working with horses provides unique experiential learning opportunities in team building and communication. A crucial part to working with horses is to align intentions, words, and actions consistently. This alignment is applicable when strengthening the communication in any relationship. Clear communication also promotes fairness. When people contradict themselves in voice and action, it is not fair that the others are punished for misunderstanding. Trust and collaborative relationships can develop between horses and people in horsemanship exercises like round penning.

Round penning requires great equine-human communication, a fair hand, and close physical proximity. When I first entered the pen, I was intimidated by the idea commanding a creature weighing six times more than I did. However, the experience turned out to be incredibly fascinating and rewarding. In a single session with Robin and Shelby, I was able to considerably increase my knowledge of horse language while discovering my own communication and leadership styles.

These interactions are even more amazing when put into context. Shelby is not a bad horse, but he is certainly disobedient and obnoxious in many situations. In the round pen, however, Shelby is well-behaved and a great instructor and partner. He provides feedback when the rules are broken by the student, but, like the other horses, he is forgiving of mistakes and unclear communication. It’s Shelby’s general bad manners though that set him apart from the other horses who act according to their position within the herd hierarchy.

When I arrived at The Magic Horse, what became evident immediately was that horses are unlike other domestic animals. While Maestro the dog was easy to warm to, and Indy the horse was generally interested in being scratched by anyone, Ka Lio and Phoenix made it clear their respect had to be earned. Power and social standing are critical themes in working with horses. Effective leadership and boundary-setting are crucial to gaining horse cooperation.

In my first interaction with Phoenix, he nipped me on the butt. However, it wasn’t out of aggression or the desire to misbehave. The nip was the secondary part to his testing my reaction after he had already entered my personal space. Because I didn’t take charge immediately and move him, he knew he could have his way. With horses, it’s a matter of establishing rules. “You have to set boundaries. Horses are social animals. They understand boundaries. You have to uphold them,” said Robin. Standing tall and adopting a no-nonsense but fair attitude can make all the difference.

Therefore, because herd structures rely so heavily on good leadership and social hierarchy, they can be the ultimate teachers of how to earn and wield authority. What’s important to first understand is each group members’ position and resulting conduct which has to do with mindfulness of oneself and others. Robin explained when strengthening leadership skills through EAL practices and horsemanship drills, she pairs individuals to specific horses. She said, “A person who is too timid can't be with a super assertive horse without learning how to deal with a super assertive horse. A horse’s reaction will show when someone comes across too assertively and when one does not come across assertively enough to enforce boundaries.” When Aleah, Nanami, and I moved Phoenix, we needed to take on a more dominant approach than when working with Indy who is far more submissive. In working with horses, volunteers and students learn how to be leaders that earn respect while staying polite and fair. “If you are a good leader, you're fair and just, and you're consistent, then a horse will be willing to follow your lead. In general, adapting yourself to other personalities, abilities, and communication styles is important. You learn to shift your leadership style to be effective. So when you're working with a horse, you have to recognize where in the hierarchy of power this horse sees himself. You have to be a little more powerful than he is, so that you can manage him. If you're not, he's going to manage you,” said Robin.

Since volunteering at The Magic Horse I’ve gained invaluable knowledge about myself and the world around me. Observing the interactions between Robin, the horses, students, parents, and other volunteers has proven incredibly beneficial to how I view my relationship with myself, others, and the world. The experiences I’ve shared with people and horses while upkeeping the grounds, providing equine care, and taking on horsemanship practices have contributed to immense personal progress in varying skill areas. I’ve increased my self-awareness, strengthened my ability to take initiative and persist, become more compassionate and flexible, gained valuable communication skills, and realized how I can become a better leader. My experiences are unique in how they’ve affected me, but the lessons I’ve learned are not exclusive to my role as a volunteer. The magic of the horse can be shared with individuals of all ages and abilities, but only if Robin’s efforts are supported by volunteers, donors, and students. Great commitments of time and money keep The Magic Horse running. However, the space is only preserved and able to continue benefiting the community as long as it is sustained by caring individuals. Overhead costs continue to rise, and The Magic Horse needs support now as Robin introduces three new programs based on the core concepts she’s been teaching for years.

Moving forward, Robin invites students of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to visit the center and experience some of the magic firsthand. Reflecting on what I’ve seen, I believe there’s truly something of value here for everyone. If you are interested in learning more about the center, you can go to https://www.magichorse.org/ and schedule a visit. I’m excited to work with all prospective volunteers and students, whether you’re interested in therapeutic riding lessons or the three new programs: group unmounted EAL sessions, horsemanship lessons, or leadership programming (further information for the programs is listed below). But most of all, I’m glad that I’ve been able to contribute to keeping the magic of the horse alive and share it with others. Sheila, a volunteer of 17 years, said it best, “I know what horses have given me, and it's good to see other people getting that too.”

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Group Unmounted EAL Sessions: For groups of up to six interested in general horse care and social interaction opportunities, the center offers one-hour sessions of unmounted group equine assisted learning (EAL). This program provides an education in grooming, feeding, health and ailments, and first aid. With hands-on experience learners have the opportunity to connect with horses in a peaceful setting and develop personal goals and specific skills. While participating in fun activities with the horses, they’ll observe and practice aspects of equine communication to better understand their own body language and interactions with others. This program allows groups of individuals to learn through Robin’s storytelling and focus on their personal wellbeing with practices, such as simultaneously calming oneself and the horse.

Horsemanship Course: This course is oriented towards prospective horse owners and those interested in receiving a thorough equine education. It is not recommended for kids. This program is available for groups of four or less and expands upon the individual-oriented teachings of unmounted EAL to offer groundwork experiences focused on horse training. Groundwork is an essential part of building a deeper connection with horses and includes multiple exercises, including round penning, leading, lunge lining, work in hand, and long lining. These activities provide a strong basis for building confidence around horses and applying effective communication practices. Working with horses in such an engaging way creates a solid foundation in understanding how to foster true cooperation and teamwork.

Leadership Program: This leadership course is composed of four 4-hour sessions and is most applicable to groups of individuals interested in personal development and improving work performance. Groups of four to eight members can engage in a variety of activities that foster leadership and team growth—no previous equine experience needed. In this unmounted program, individuals can learn leadership styles to become more influential and contribute to improved team dynamics. Learners will become aware of themselves and others as they analyze their relationships.

Update January 10, 2025 -- A third suspect has been arrested and charged with aiding and abetting in the murder of Darron Willie Singleton, Jr.  On Thursday January 9, 2025, 45-year-old Valena Marie Gonzales of San Diego was apprehended by the San Diego Regional Fugitive Task Force near Valley Road and Rio Drive in San Diego. She has been booked into custody at Las Colinas Detention Facility.

East County News Service

January 8, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – The Sheriff’s office today announced the arrest of two men suspected in the murder of 23-year-old Darron Willie Singleton, Jr.  

On Sept. 18 around 10:55 p.m., deputies responded to reports of gunfire and found Singleton suffering gunshot wounds to the torse in the 2200 block of Dain Street in Lemon Grove. Despite lifesaving efforts by San Miguel Fire Department personnel and Sheriff’s deputies, Singleton died at the scene.

“Months of intensive investigation led to the arrests of two individuals believed to be involved in this heinous crime,” says Lieutenant Michael Krugh.

Yesterday, Richard Charles Lee, 47, of San Diego, was apprehended in San Diego. Additionally, 44-year-old Reality Grayson of Temecula was arrested Temecula. Both suspects have been booked into custody at the San Diego Central Jail on charges related to the murder of Darron Willie Singleton Jr.

The San Diego Sheriff's Office extends its gratitude for the collaborative efforts of the San Diego Police Department, the Riverside Sheriff's Department, and the San Diego Regional Fugitive Task Force for their support in executing the arrests.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Homicide Unit at (858) 285-6330/after hours at (858) 868-3200.  You can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.

Photo, left to right:  Councilmembers Lauren Cazares and Patricia Dillard, Mayor Mark Arapostathis, Councilmembers Laura Lothian and Genevieve Suzuki

Source:  City of La Mesa

January 10, 2025 (La Mesa) – The City of La Mesa welcomed two new councilmembers during its City Council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 10. The occasion marked a historic milestone in La Mesa as the council now consists of a majority of women, including women of color, with four women and one man who serves as mayor.

“This is a proud and historic moment for La Mesa,” said Mayor Mark Arapostathis. “Our City Council reflects the strength and diversity of our community. I look forward to working alongside my colleagues to continue making La Mesa a place where everyone feels represented and empowered.”

Joining the council are the newly elected members, Lauren Cazares and Genevieve Suzuki. Both Cazares and Suzuki have deep roots in the La Mesa community. Cazares, lifelong La Mesan, currently serves as Policy Advisor at the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and has been actively involved in various boards and committees, including the City of La Mesa Community Police Oversight Board.

“I‘m deeply honored to serve as a member of the La Mesa City Council and continue the work of building a safer, stronger, more affordable community for all,” said Councilmember Cazares. “As a proud Latina, the youngest Councilwoman in La Mesa history and first openly LGBTQ+ Councilmember, I’m committed to ensuring that our City remains a place where everyone feels heard, valued, and empowered to thrive.”

Suzuki, a family law attorney with more than a decade of legal experience, is a dedicated advocate committed to community service in La Mesa. She has served on the Community Services Commission and the La Mesa Park and Recreation Foundation Board.

“I'm honored to have been elected to represent our vibrant community and work with Mayor Arapostathis, Vice Mayor Patricia Dillard, and fellow Councilmembers Laura Lothian and Lauren Cazares,” said Councilmember Suzuki. “I look forward to making sure everyone feels heard and using my time on the City Council to continue the progress made by outgoing councilmembers Colin Parent and Jack Shu.”

The election of these new councilmembers by the people of La Mesa reflects the city’s diverse makeup, with women representing approximately 52% of the population. This milestone builds on the foundation set in 1980 when Jerri Lopez was elected La Mesa’s first female City Councilmember.

“History, history, and more history! I’m thrilled to have made history at Tuesday’s final City Council meeting of the year,” said Vice Mayor Patricia Dillard. “I’m especially excited to welcome our two new Councilmembers, Lauren Cazares and Genevieve Suzuki, as they were sworn in helping form a supermajority female council. Together, we will continue to represent our community with dedication and excellence. Four highly qualified women, each with diverse multicultural backgrounds, are poised to lead. Congratulations to us all!"

“I first attended La Mesa City Council meetings when the council comprised of Mayor Art Madrid and Councilmembers Dr. A, Ernie Ewin, Ruth Sterling and Dave Allen,” said Councilmember Laura Lothian. “Since then, our City Council has always been majority male. This new council, with four women and one man, will be very different and interesting. We are a diverse council, with a Greek mayor and the four councilmembers who are female, Black, Hispanic, and Asian.  My ethnic background is half Guatemalan and half English. We are also diverse in age, with Vice Mayor Dillard and I being grandmothers, Genevieve Suzuki as a young mom, and Lauren Cazares, the youngest councilmember elected since the 1970s!”

Cazares and Suzuki are replacing Colin Parent and Jack Shu on the City Council. Parent served on the City Council for eight years, where he focused on housing policies and championed labor initiatives. Shu served on the City Council for four years, earning recognition for his commitment to environmental advocacy.

The swearing-in ceremony took place during the City Council’s regular meeting.

The City encourages residents to engage with the new councilmembers and participate in upcoming City Council meetings. Meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers, located at 8130 Allison Ave., La Mesa.

East County News Service

Photos courtesy of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol

January 25, 2025 (Jacumba Hot Springs, CA) – Two hikers in the Jacumba Wilderness were robbed and attacked, with one man shot by “suspected Mexican cartel terrorists,” according to a press release issued by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.

According to the CPB, agents from the El Centro sector were dispatched following a 911 call reporting that a man had been shot and needed assistance. The agents found  a group of hikers about 1,000 feet north of the international border in the Jacumba Wilderness, which is near the San Diego County and Imperial County line. The hikers reportedly stated that two of the hikers, an American and a Canadian, were ordered by armed men to approach.

When the hikers refused, “the assailants fired a volley of shots toward the hikers, striking one victim in the leg. The assailants advanced on the downed hiker and his Canadian companion, robbing them of their cell phones and backpacks,” the release states.

At 12:08 p.m. Mountain Disrupt Unit, Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC), and Border Patrol Search Trauma, and Rescue (BORSTAR) agents infiltrated to the area, locating the injured victim and stabilizing him.

Agents created a protective perimeter and extracted the victim via CBP Air and Marine Operations San Diego, according to the CPB. 

According to Scott Lord business director with Mercy Air, "The victim was transferred to Mercy Air Ambulance and flown to Sharp Medical Center in  San Diego for treatment."  He indicated that this is the first incidence of a hiker shooting along the border locally that he is aware of, adding that he has friends who have hiked the Pacific Coast Trail from Mexico to Canada and never heard of anything like this.

BORTAC and BORSTAR agents maintained a secure perimeter and tracked the assailants back to the border where they returned to Mexico.

It is unclear why the CPB believes the attackers were cartel members, though cartels have long been involved in smuggling operations along the U.S.-Mexico border.

While unprovoked attacks on hikers locally are rare (ECM has never received any previous similar eport  since our founding in 2008), cartel criminal activities have spilled over the border. including illicit drug activities and more. On January 21, San Diego Police announced arrest of dozens of individual suspected of criminal activities affiliated with Mexican Mafia, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. The suspects are largely street gang members who “took orders from cartel bosses operating in state prison and preyed on business owners by forcing mafia-style taxes,” District Attorney Summer Stephan said Tuesday at a news conference.

The hiker’s shooting comes days after President Donald Trump declared a border emergency  designating Mexican drug cartels and other Latin American criminal groups as terrorist organizations. Trump's order states that these groups "threaten the safety of the American people, the security of the United States, and the stability of the international order in the Western Hemisphere." He has threatened to send U.S. special forces commando into Mexico to go after cartels.

El Centro Sector Chief Gregory Bovino states, “The wounded hiker is an ‘I told you so moment’ highlighting the importance of adequate infrastructure the Border Patrol has been championing for years now.” He predicts, “Suspected cartel terrorists, however, are fixing to learn this type of conduct will be an end game type of activity here in the Premier Sector. All threats, anywhere, or at any time throughout this sector will be addressed vigorously.”

Jacumba Hikers issued a statement on Facebook indicating that while this incident did not involve their hiking group,"Due to this incident, we have decided to cancel the upcoming hike and avoid hiking near the border at this time."

Correction: An earlier version of this article stated that the patient was transported on Reach Air Ambulance, based on a Border Patrol press release. However Mercy Air has contacted us to clarify that their company provided the transport.