News

By Miriam Raftery

January 8, 2025 (La Mesa) – Dozens of public speakers at yesterday’s Grossmont Healthcare District meeting urged the board to move its 9 a.m. meetings to evenings in order to accommodate people with full-time jobs. The proposal was made by newly elected director Nadia Farjood, a working mother who says her new full-time job at the District Attorney’s office prevents her from attending daytime meetings.

The district represents about 520,000 residents. Around 271 people signed a petition in support of Farjood’s proposal, and around 40 showed up in support at yesterday’s meeting. But despite testimony from union representatives, healthcare workers, district residents and local elected officials, Farjood’s proposal failed, with no other director in support.

Some speakers voiced concern not only for Farjood, but for the potential chilling effect on would-be candidates who may be persuaded from running for office if they have full-time day jobs.

Jesse Garcia from the carpenters’ union called it “unfair” and “unAmerican” to “disenfranchise the 23,000 voters” who backed Farjood in the recent election by refusing to accommodate her request, potentially forcing her off of the board. He noted that he serves on multiple boards and committees, which all have evening meetings.

Regina Beasley, a Sharp Healthcare worker and Service Employees International Union (SEIU) member, said restricting meetings to mornings is “discriminatory” based on age, gender and employment status, noting that “most of us in here have children.”

Leila Kater (photo, left) testified that she represents almost 2,000 healthcare workers in the Grossmont district. She told the board that workers “will start paying a lot more attention to these meetings” in order to “hold this board accountable.”

Toni Vargas, a phlebotomist, voiced concerns over "exclusion" of working people including healthcare workers by holding morning meetings, and said avoiding evening meetings is "about preserving power."

Briana Costen,  a trustee on the La Mesa Spring  Valley School District board, said she was “deeply troubled” by the tone of the discussion.  “This is a public board, and you serve the public,” she stated, noting that “75% of voters in this district are below retirement age” and thus likely to have work conflicts that would make it difficult to attend daytime meetings.

Patricia Dillard, Vice Mayor of La Mesa, called for “transparency and accountability.” She said if any member cannot attend evening meetings that are more accessible to the public,  “you should have no choice to go get off this board.”

Former La Mesa Councilmember Jack Shu said he would often take calls late at night from constituents. “Public service means you serve the people when it is needed,” he said after dozens of others had spoken out. “I have not heard one person speak in favor of keeping the 9 a.m. time,” he said, noting that the city of La Mesa changed its meetings to 6 p.m. and had an increase in attendance as a result.

Melinda Vasquez said she worked with Farjood and voted for her because “I knew that she would bring a different vantage point to this board...She should not have to quit her day job to do public service.”

Several callers gave remote testimony on Zoom, including La Mesa Councilwoman Lauren Cazares, who praised the “excellent service” she received from the healthcare district after being hit by a drunk driver and injured in December.  She noted, “I have a full-time job and am a councilmember.  It shouldn’t be difficult to participate in meetings,” then urged the board to “please serve the community that elected all of you.”

After public testimony, the board held a discussion led by board president Bob Ayres, who thanked everyone for sharing their views.

Director Virginia Hall disputed claims by some speakers that all board members are retired and should be more flexible. “I do work,” she said, adding that she’s also helped care for her grandson. “It saddens me to hear these comments.” She praised the district for accomplishments including lowering tax rates for taxpayers, giving out $1.5 million in grants to community organizations, receiving a Golden Watchdog Award, and being named the Best Healthcare District in California in 2023.

Hall noted that people who can’t attend in person may participate via Zoom, and noted that the board did launch a pilot program holding meetings at 5 p.m. for six months last year, but that attendance did not increase. She suggested that attendance at meetings is low because the community trusts board members to make wise decisions.

Director Randy Lenac, participating remotely, noted that the head of LAFCO has said the Grossmont Healthcare District is the “gold standard of healthcare districts” and that Sharp Grossmont is a “great hospital.”  He voiced support for keeping meetings at  9 a.m. and said the meeting time has been “settled for a long time,” drawing groans from the crowd.

Farjood pointed out that the issue at hand was not whether or not the district has done good work. She then pressed her colleagues over their responses to a survey sent to board members about their availability for meetings at other times. Though all other members had written down a preference to keep meetings at 9 a.m., she noted, “None of the members identified any conflict with 6 p.m..”  She said she has seen board members at other evening meetings, including a recent holiday party.

Lenac insisted that “9 a.m. is the best time to assure principal participants can attend,” and insisted that his availability for other times is “irrelevant,” drawing laughter from the audience. He noted, however, that when meetings used to be at 7:30 a.m. he sometimes had to drive through snow from his rural residence, but added, “I never missed a meeting.”

Farjood asked who Lenac considered principal participants, prompting the attorney to try and stop her questioning. This drew shouts from the audience, such as ”No one elected him!” and “Stop speaking down to us!”

Assured she could continue, Farjood stated, “My view is that the public are principals.”

Lenac then clarified that he was referring to members of the hospital who regularly address the board on matters such as healthcare quality, finances, facilities, and future projects.

Farjood said the board is the oversight body for the hospital.  “To say we would put the interests of the hospital above the public you’ve heard from today is backwards,” she added. She asked Lenac how he knew that hospital principals couldn’t attend a 6 p.m. meeting, and he admitted, “Well, I don’t know, but I know that 9 a.m. works.”

As for the 5 p.m. pilot program, Farjood called it a “sham” and noted that many people get off work at 5 p.m. and are commuting home at that hour. She also objected to what she views as inadequate outreach by the district, noting that most constituents she met walking precincts said they “never heard of it.”

Farjood clarified that she is not asking the board to change its days, which alternate between Tuesday and Thursday, but only to shift times to 6 p.m. or later.

Hall objected, saying that people are tired at the end of the day, and that traffic can be bad at 6 p.m.

Farjood suggested that better outreach could boost meeting attendance. When Hall asked why so many people showed up at this meeting, when meetings are usually sparsely attended, Farjood replied, “Because I let them know about this,” drawing cheers from the audience.

Board Chair Gloria Chadwick (photo), a retired nurse and long-time advocate for seniors, noted that some seniors are vision-challenged, particularly with night driving.  Pressed on her own availability for evening sessions, Chadwick said, “I will do whatever our board decides.”

Direcftor Ayres (photo,left) said “it’s possible” he could attend evening meetings, but noted that he has an outside full-time job that often requires evening work, including talking with clients in other countries.  “Last night I didn’t finish until almost 9 p.m.,” he noted.

As for Farjood’s conflict with attending daytime meetings,  Ayres noted that directors are also expected to attend training sessions, committee members, legislative days, grantees’ events and community events, which are often during daytime hours.

Farjood asked why the board needs two meetings a month. She then made a motion asking the board to change to one meeting per month, on the third Thursday at  6 p.m. No member seconded the motion, which died without a vote.

“Today is a dark day for the Grossmont Healthcare District,” concluded Farjood (photo, left), who added that increasing public access was a key part of her campaign. “No amount of years serving on this board can erase the message sent today—that working people cannot serve on this board.”

But she added defiantly,  “I am not going anywhere,” suggesting she may seek accommodation from her employer or, as an attorney, perhaps pursue a legal remedy.  “I will be advocating for this at every meeting,” she pledged, thanking all who showed up in support.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left: Jamul tribal chairwoman Erica Pinto

January 8, 2025 (Jamul) – On December 23, President Joe Biden signed into law the bipartisan Jamul Indian Village Land Transfer Act, which places 172 acres of land in East County, San Diego into tribal trust for the Jamul Indian Village.

“Thank you to Senators Padilla and Butler, and Representatives Issa and Vargas for their leadership,” Biden said upon signing S. 3857 authored by California Senator Alex Padilla into law. The companion measure in the House was authored by Congressman Darrell Issa.

“The Jamul Indian Village has sought for years to bring tribal members back onto their ancestral land – so they can raise their families, carry forward their culture, and add to their history,” said Rep. Issa when the measure passed the Senate last month. “This is the right thing to do, and it empowers not government, but individuals, to take new charge and best care of their lives. This Fee-to-Trust bill provides that opportunity, securing Jamul’s land, preserving its sacred sites, and protecting Kumeyaay traditions for generations to come. My thanks to Senator Padilla and Congressman Vargas for their support in pushing forth this important legislation.” 

The 172 acres are currently owned by the Jamul Indian Village, which includes residential land for homes and council buildings, an ancestral cemetery, and the tribe’s only road for transportation.

“After years of sacrifice in their efforts to achieve self-determination, the Jamul Indian Village will finally get the true homeland they deserve to preserve their sacred history,” said Senator Padilla. “I am honored to have worked alongside the Jamul Indian Village and Congressman Issa to strengthen the Tribe’s community development and permanently safeguard their home for the benefit of their members.”

“For years, the Jamul Indian Village has been fighting to restore their homeland and rebuild their communities. Today, we mark a milestone in these efforts as the Jamul Indian Village Land Transfer Act passes Congress,” said Rep. Juan Vargas. “This bill honors the Jamul Indian Village’s right to place their land into trust, protecting traditions and sacred sites for future generations. Thank you to Congressman Issa and Senator Padilla for their leadership on this issue. It was an honor to work on this legislation alongside my colleagues and Jamul Indian Village leaders, and I look forward to seeing it swiftly signed into law.”

Chairwoman Erica Pinto testified on the legislation, stating, “The Tribe desperately needs additional trust lands so that it may preserve and protect its cultural sites, and develop housing for its members, a health clinic, a grocery store, Tribal administrative offices, law enforcement, educational services, and other community resources in service of the Tribe’s members."

After the bill became law, Chairwoman Pinto told ECM,  "This legislation brought out mixed emotions amongst the community but to me, no words can describe what this legislation truly means to my people."

The measures did draw opposition locally. The Jamul-Dulzura Community Planning Group raised concerns over potential commercial development, traffic, and procedures followed, though Chairwoman Pinto has said the tribe would only use the land for purposes specified, including tribal housing, education, administrative offices, and healthcare.

View our prior coverage: https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/bills-propose-adding-172-acres-trust-jamul-indian-village

Read the bill text here.

By Jessica Brodkin Webb

January 7, 2025 (El Cajon) --In 13 days, President-elect Donald Trump could potentially begin to make good on his campaign promise to pursue mass deportations of immigrants and refugees living in the United States.

“As President I will immediately end the migrant invasion of America," Trump said in a Sept, 2024 speech and although he has not released specific details of how he might direct such a plan at a federal level, community leaders stand divided on how best to respond at the local level.

Under current California law, state and municipal governments are barred from working in conjunction with federal law enforcement agencies to actively pursue deportation for anyone who has not committed a serious crime. That approach stands in direct opposition to Trump’s proposed plan to conduct mass immigrant deportations.

El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells, in a letter to the Calif. Attorney General, says he plans to propose that his city fully cooperate with federal immigration authorities. San Diego’s Board of Supervisors majority, by contrast, has urged county authorities not to turn over any immigrants to federal authorities, while the County Sheriff has said she will take the middle ground and follow state law, cooperating only when immigrants have committed serious crimes.

Besides posing a challenge for local elected officials who must decide how they will answer to conflicting state and federal guidelines, an element of murkiness also exists for prominent community members and social service agency heads who spend many hours each week working directly with refugees.

Photos by Miriam Raftery: Noori Barka and Dilkhwaz Ahmed, leaders of El Cajon nonprofits aiding immigrants and refugees, have contrasting views on deportations

For example, Chaldean Community Council Founder Noori Barka said he doesn’t like to see people enter the country illegally and supports Trump’s plan to deport immigrants and refugees.

According to the Chaldean Community Council website, the social service organization provides “essential resources and support to help Chaldean and Middle Eastern families build a new life in El Cajon.” For individuals and families who have legally entered the country, they offer assistance with job placement, healthcare coordination, legal guidance and educational assistance among other things.

“I am against any illegal immigration and generally support people coming in the right way. Come like we all came, as immigrants, in a legal way. We have to do the right thing. Come with a degree, a relative, with refugee status.” Barka said.

He believes established members of East County’s Chaldean community, one of the largest in the nation, “came through the legal way” and with vetted backgrounds. Young people with “something to offer” are an asset, he said, including those who are able to enter the country legally with an H1 (work) visa.

However, Barka is concerned that recent waves of immigrants have not been subject to any background investigation and could bring danger to the community.

“People who are coming now, we don’t know their backgrounds and it's scary because sometimes we get criminals. We have to have the right to protect our borders and we have to have the right to allow people who want to come to the county to ask permission, but after we do a background investigation,” Barka said.

Meanwhile, License to Freedom Executive Director Dilkhwaz Ahmed who works daily with domestic violence survivors said some victims arrive undocumented and turning them back around after a harrowing journey to safety puts them at extreme risk. Niche populations such as these, she said, need special and individual consideration outside an all-encompassing policy.

“They’ve traveled thousands of miles to come to a safe country. Sending back those women and children, we put them at risk and what are we going to say: we can’t protect them? This population really needs us to support them, to give them a safe place, get them documents to start as a new human being,” Ahmed said.

Photo, left, a migrant encampment near Jacumba in San Diego County has drawn immigrants from around the world.

The legal process can take years, she explained, from connecting a newly arrived individual to an attorney, then helping them connect their situation with evidence of domestic violence.

“I have a client from Afghanistan, the Taliban killed her husband and it took her seven years to make it to the United States. She called me, scared she would be deported. Imagine what would happen if we send back this woman? What could happen to her? What is her destiny?” Ahmed asked.

The immigrant population she works with “came to the country for democracy, opportunity” and while License to Freedom doesn’t serve many undocumented individuals, there are some, Ahmed said. She wishes some of their cases could be reviewed from a different perspective.

Barka has a no-exceptions outlook on illegal immigration while Ahmed prefers to hear one’s story before deciding how to proceed, yet both rely on individual background information. In contrast, Trump’s plan— albeit lacking in granular details—  emphasizes removing as many immigrants as possible regardless of their lived history—even DACA recipients or “Dreamers” brought to this country as children.

Photo, right, 2018 San Francisco rally for young immigrants brought here as children,  Protected under DACA, they may now face deportation under the Trump administration

American Civil Liberties Union Executive Director Anthony Romero said, “President-elect Trump will soon have the full power of the U.S. government machinery at his disposal to target and displace immigrants at a scale our nation has never experienced,” prompting the question of where viewpoints like that of Barka, Ahmed or other leaders who parse individual stories from the larger immigrant invasion fit in with public policy.

In the end, Ahmed said, people need to find a sensible solution for immigration policy which she believes can only be attained when people with political differences are willing to sit through a calm conversation and find common ground.

“Deporting criminals? Yes. Why should they be here? But people who come to work and pay taxes, are good human beings and good citizens? We need to stop pointing fingers at each other, start to listen and come up with solutions. Both parties have to give some,” she concluded.

January 8, 2025 (San Diego's East County) -- The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for San Diego County mountains and valleys today and tomorrow due to high winds and extreme fire danger. The strong winds that have fueled two large wildfires decimating Los Angeles County are forecast to move into San Diego County next.

This is the driest winter period measured from October 1 through January 8 since 1850, according to the National Weather Service, increasing fire danger.

Due to high winds and potential power outages, schools in six local districts will be closed today. The San Diego County Office of Education announced the closures for:

• Julian Union Elementary School District
• Julian Union High School District
• Mountain Empire Unified School District
• Ramona Unified School District
• Spencer Valley School District
• Warner Unified School District

“The safety of students and school staff is of the utmost importance to San Diego County school districts,” officials said in a news release.

In Los Angeles County, devastating fires have collectively destroyed over 1,000 homes and two people have died, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The Palisades Fire (Photo,left, by Henri Migala) has burned over 2,900 acres and has destroyed many homes, including beachfront houses along Pacific Coast Highway, since it began yesterday morning in Pacific Palisades. Over 30,000 residences have been evacuated in cities including Santa Monita, Topanga, Malibu, and Pacific Palisades.

Photo, left by Henri Migala: Palisades Fire viewed from Westin Hotel near LAX this morning.

The Eaton Fire in Altadena/Pasadena soared to 2,227 acres overnight.  In Sylmar, the Hurst Fire has burned 500 acres. All of these fires remain zero percent contained.

Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state emergency due to the Los Angeles County Fires.

The winds fueling these devastating wildfires are moving into San Diego next, posing extreme fire danger here. Some local firefighters are now in L.A. helping to battle those fires.

 SDG&E has begun shutting off power to prevent fires in some rural communities, with more outages anticipated.

Please be prepared for power outages and evacuation if necessary.Avoid any actions that could spark a brush fire, such as weed whacking or parking a vehicle atop try brush.

Sign up to receive free East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts via email at the top right side of our homepage. You can also follow EastCountyAlert on X (formerly Twitter).

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Henri Migala

January 7, 2025 (Los Angeles) – The fast-moving Palisades Fire has burned 2,921 acres as of tonight, according to Cal Fire.  The wildfire that began around 10:30 a.m. in Pacific Palisades has now forced evacuation of approximately 10,000 residents from 30,000 homes in Malibu, Topanga and Pacific Palisades, also forcing closure of portions of Pacific Coast Highway.

The fire is expected to worsen overnight, with extremely dangerous winds up to 100 miles per hour possible, the National Weather Service predicts. Already, gusts up to 70 miles per hour have fueled the conflagration. Wind speeds are expected to peak tomorrow, though strong winds are forecast through Friday.

Both Governor Gavin Newsom and the City of Los Angeles have issued emergency declarations.  “This is a highly dangerous windstorm that’s creating extreme fire risk—and we’re not out of the woods,” Newsom said.

The fire has forced closure of multiple schools and burned portions of the Getty Museum property, though museum officials say the museum housing precious works of art is expected to remain safe, thanks to prior brush-clearing on the site.

Some residents racing to flee had to abandon their vehicles amid the fast-moving fire, running to the beach or back home to shelter in place. Firefighters responded to numerous calls, rescuing residents trapped at home, the Los Angeles Times reports.

All residents are urged to evacuate immediately when asked to do so by authorities.  Travelers should check on road conditions before visiting the area.

ECM reporter Henri Migala, who is visiting Los Angeles,sent the above photo taken from his hotel room.  Another ECM freelancer in Los Angeles on other business advises that the fire has caused long traffic delays for commuters attempting to leave the area.

Cal Fire has activated its Incident Management Team II to assist Los Angeles county and city firefighters. 

Evacuation details are available via the Watch Duty App at https://share.watchduty.org/i/40335?ts+1736302139000.

For the latest fire updates from Cal Fire, visit https://fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/1/7/palisades-fire .

East County News Service

January 6, 2025 (La Mesa) – Tomorrow at 9 a.m., the Grossmont Healthcare District board of directors will consider a proposal by newly elected board member Nadia Farjood to change the board’s meeting times to evenings or weekends.  But a survey of board members shows no support for that plan. The board previously experimented with holding evening meetings but found that attendance by the public dropped, multiple members noted.

Farjood, an attorney, has said that her  day job prevents her from attending any meetings Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 6 p.m., when she has court appearances, as well as from 6 to 9 p.m. on the second and third Tuesdays each month.

While the board has changed its meeting times more than once during the past election year, none of its meeting times were during the hours when Farjood has said she could participate.

“Rescheduling the meeting from 9 a.m. time will help accommodate all Board member work schedules and enhance public access,” she states in response to a survey of board members on meeting date/time availability. She also states that she  believes weekend meetings are not ideal for staff, leaving only weeknight meetings as options, in her view.

She notes that the La Mesa City Council meetings at 6 p.m., and that both Palomar Health and Fallbrook Regional Health districts’ boards meeting evenings. She also calls on Grossmont to cut meetings from twice monthly to once a month, and for the board to reimburse members for ride-share services or taxis to attend evening meetings.

A petition at Change.org has gathered 217 signatures in support of Farjood’s proposal.though many are from outside the district, The petiion argues that moving meetings to 6 p.m. would enhance accessibility and participation, promote transparency, respect the democratic process, and encourage more people to run for the board. 

But the four other board members disagree--and cite past experiences as evidence that daytime meetings have actually increased public participation.

Chair Gloria Chadwick says she supports keeping the current dates and times “because we conducted a pilot program to determine if more participation would be generated at an evening hour. The results were that fewer people attended the evening time slot.” She notes that no public comments or suggestions were received during those evening meetings, “not even from the Zoom meeting public, which included the competing candidates for the three board positions.” She adds, ”Since the 9 a.m. time slot, our attendance numbers have increased.” The meeting time change also reflect input from staff, and it aligns with scheduling of senior health programs offered by the library, where the board meets. Chadwick indicated she would only be available Mondays through Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m, except for special or emergency sessions.

Board member Robert Ayres agrees with Chadwick. “After twice revising the current District Board meeting days and time I find that the present schedule is meeting the needs of the District,its staff, the staff of the Hospital, and for Grantee, Scholarships, and Sponsorship awards recognition. The 9 a.m. time is also conductive for presentations made to the District Board for both internal and external presentations.” He notes that Mondays have many holidays that would impact meetings and that Fridays are often not available for people traveling over the weekend.  He also voiced concern over nighttime driving safety concerns. He says he  supports only Tuesday and Thursday 9 a.m. meetings.

Board member Virginia Hall, who drives from Santee, concurs that, “When we tried the 6-month pilot program at 5 p.m., we did not have any more public attend compared to our previous 7:30 a.m. time. 9 a.m. is a more reasonable time for all,” she states, adding that it is “safer for all to drive during daylight hours and not during rush hour.” Further, she says  9 a.m. meetings allow for more staff involvement and less overtime. In addition, she says Fridays are when “most public, staff and the hospital staff are tired and Friday traffic is generally worse in the afternoon.”   She would support meetings only between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on weekdays. While she could also be available Saturdays during those hours, she observes,”GHD and hospital staff are usually not available without a financial impact to the taxpayers and hospital” on weekends.

Board member Randy Lenac, in answer to whether he supports keeping the current board meeting dates and times, responded succinctly, “Yes, it works for all concerned.”  He did not list any alternative times he could be available.

The board majority’s sentiment is bipartisan; Chadwick is a Democrat, while Ayres, Hall, and Lenac are Republicans. Farjood, a Democrat, has drummed up support for her cause from Run Women Run, though the group has also endorsed Chadwick over the years.

Farjood is correct that changing meeting times to evenings has been done by some other boards to enable working people to attend; examples include Helix Water District and the La Mesa City Council. But her request does not take into account the ract that the Grossmont Healthcare District Board already tried evening meetings, with the opposite outcome. Morning meetings have also been seen as more convenient for doctors and hospital personnel, a factor that cities and other public boards don't need to to consider. On the other hand, the board has the will of voters to consider, and whether keeping a meeting time convenient for the majority is appropriate if it disenfranchises voters whose representative is unable to participate. 

If the board declines Farjood’s request to change the meeting dates and times, her options to continue to serve appear limited.  A new state law prohibits elected officials from participating remotely, such as on Zoom, more than five times a year for boards that meet more than once a month (or two meetings a year for those meeting monthly or less frequently). The law, AB 2302 which takes effect January 1, 2025,  aims to increase interaction with the public in person. 

Per Grossmont District policy, a board member who misses three or more consecutive meetings can be removed, with the vacancy filled either by appointment or special election. 

Being forcibly removed could be a blight on a record of a public official aspiring to run in the future for another office. Another option is to resign, which would provide Farjood with the opportunity to save campaign donors’ funds for use in a future campaign for another office, but which could disappoint supporters who backed her campaign for the healthcare district board.

While it’s rare for a newly elected official to step down, it is not unprecedented. Helix Water District trustee-elect Luis Tejeda resigned Dec. 30, 2017 before being sworn in, citing a new job that posed conflicts of interest. County Board of Supervisors Chair Nora Vargas resigned effective today despite winning reelection by a landslide, citing safety and security concerns.

East County News Service
January 6, 2025 (Santee) – Jordan Marks, San Diego County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk (ARCC), has announced that early appointments are now available for civil wedding ceremonies between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Valentine’s Day, Friday, Feb. 14, 2025.  Couples can book their Valentine’s Day appointments for marriage licenses and ceremonies at one of four ARCC offices, including Santee, Chula Vista, San Marcos and the San Diego Downtown ARCC headquarters at the County Administration Center, 1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego. The Downtown location also offers indoor ceremony rooms or a picturesque, outdoor marriage arbor on the waterfront. The ARCC Santee branch office in East County is located at 10144 Mission Gorge Ave.

The ARCC office is responsible for issuing marriage licenses, birth and death certificates, as well as registering business names and recording all legal real estate documents. On average, the ARCC office provides nearly 25,000 marriage licenses and performs more than 11,000 weddings annually.

However, Valentine’s Day is historically one of the busiest and most popular days of the year for same-day marriage licensing and civil ceremonies, according to Marks, a countywide elected official who serves as county commissioner of civil marriages in his role as San Diego County ARCC.

“Valentine’s Day 2025 will be extra special this year because it falls on a Friday, allowing for a weekend of fun for the newlyweds,” said Marks. “Happiness begins here at my County Clerk Office for hundreds of couples looking to tie the knot on this unforgettable day. I highly encourage couples to make their Valentine’s Day 2025 appointment now, using my award-winning online booking system to secure their reservation for love on this highly-sought-after day.”

Cost for a non-confidential marriage license is $129. Cost for an ARCC staff member to perform the ceremony is an additional $107. Ceremonies can be conducted in English or Spanish.  To make an appointment, visit www.sdarcc.gov, or call (619) 237-0502.

Source: SDG&E

January 6, 2025 (San Diego)  – Due to extreme fire weather conditions and forecasted Santa Ana winds, San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) has notified 64,866 customers that it may have to turn off power to reduce wildfire risk as early as Tuesday. Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) are approved by state regulators as an important safety tool of last resort to mitigate fire risk during dangerous weather conditions. 

This week marks the driest start to the rainy season in San Diego County in 174 years. As a result of these dry conditions and expected Santa Ana winds, the National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for parts of Orange and San Diego Counties beginning Tuesday evening through late Wednesday night. SDG&E’s meteorology team is closely monitoring weather conditions. 

Power shutoffs are possible in the following areas:

• Alpine
• Barona Reservation
• Boulevard
• Campo
• Campo Reservation
• Capitan Grande Reservation
• Chula Vista
• Descanso
• East San Juan Cap
• El Cajon
• Escondido
• Fallbrook
• Jacumba
• Jamul
• Julian
• La Jolla Reservation
• La Mesa
• La Posta Reservation
• Lakeside
• Los Coyotes Reservation
• Manzanita Reservation
• Mesa Grande Reservation
• Pala
• Pala Reservation
• Pauma and Yuima Reservation
• Pauma Valley
• Pechanga Reservation
• Poway
• Ramona
• Ranchita
• Rancho Bernardo
• Rancho Santa Fe
• Rincon Reservation
• San Diego
• San Pasqual Reservation
• Santa Ysabel
• Santa Ysabel Reservation
• Santee
• Sycuan Reservation
• Valley Center
• Viejas Reservation
• Warner Springs

SDG&E has activated its Emergency Operations Center and staffed it with key personnel to monitor weather conditions throughout the duration of the event, especially the wind speeds in the high fire risk areas of the county. 

If SDG&E implements a PSPS for public safety, it will open Community Resource Centers to support impacted customers.   

Given the potential for extended power outages, SDG&E encourages customers to be prepared. Outage preparedness tips can be found at sdge.com/outage-center; safety guidelines for generator use can be found at sdge.com/generator.    

Never approach a downed line; report it by calling 911 or SGD&E’s call center at 800-411-7343.

Real-time information about unplanned power outages can be found at www.sdge.com/outage.  

Updates about this PSPS can be found at sdge.com/Ready and SDGEToday.com or by following SDG&E’s X channel, @SDGE. 

By Miriam Raftery

January 2, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – 2024 has been a turbulent year, from devastating floods in January to controversies over homelessness and immigration, contentious elections, land use and fire issues, expansion of Jamul tribal lands, officials grappling with hate speech, resignation of the County Supervisors' Chairwoman Nora Vargas, and at year’s end, Syrian-Americans rallying in El Cajon to celebrate the fall of the Assad regime.

Below are the top stories of the year which had an impact in East County communities.

FLOOD INNUNDATES REGION

The year opened with extreme flooding in January, resulting in county, state and federal emergency declarations. As ECM reported, thousands sought help at a flood assistance center in Spring Valley. A woman drowned in a flooded Santee creek. In East County, floodwaters caused severe damage to homes in areas such as Rolando and destroyed relief supplies for Ukraine gathered by a Ukrainian church in Spring Valley, where community members sought donations to help neighbors. ECM published links to multiple relief and donation efforts to help victims, also highlighting acts of heroism.  A civil rights advocate announced plans to sue the city of San Diego over its failure to clear storm drains and attorney Mike Aguirre filed a class action suit. But those legal actions offered no help for residents of unincorporated areas, some still struggling to rebuild their lives.

FBI PROBES SHOOTING OF DENTIST IN EL CAJON

In February, a shooting suspect was arrested following a manhunt after he opened fire at an El Cajon dental clinic, killing Dr. Benjamin Harouni, who was Jewish, and injuring two other employees. The FBI launched an investigation and community members voiced concerns over a possible hate crime, though the shooter, Mohammed Abdulkareem, was a disgruntled patient.  Dr. Harouni’s family held a vigil and fundraised to help the surviving victims, also announcing plans to start a charity, Hearts over Hate.

DEADLY MARINE HELICOPTER CRASH

Crash of a Marine helicopter during a winter storm in February over rugged terrain near Pine Valley triggered a desperate search for survivors. Sadly, all five Marines on board were later confirmed dead.

HATE SPEECH LEADS TO BAN ON REMOTE PUBLIC COMMENTS IN LA MESA

In response to anti-Semitic rants in February during a La Mesa City Council meeting which may have been AI generated as part of a national campaign, councilmembers in March voted to ban remote public comments.  The action triggered objections from La Mesa activists who say remote comments allows greater public access; they hope that a newly elected Council majority may lift the ban in 2025.

WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN FINANCIAL CHALLENGES

In February, the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College abruptly closed amid restructuring, due to financial challenges after the Joint Powers Authority denied pleas to boost funding. Later in the month, the garden reopened with reduced hours and the Garden’s Joint Powers Authority taking over operations from the troubled Friends of the Water Conservation Garden nonprofit, which later declared bankruptcy and defaulted on several large loans.

By June, under leadership of interim director Lauren Magnuson with help from JPA members and volunteers, the garden reported strong growth in revenues, though a budget gap remained. The Garden drew a large crowd for its 25^th anniversary event in November, showing that the community supports the venue and wants it to thrive.  But troubles remain, since some JPA water agency members facing financial troubles of their own have voiced intent to withdraw and the remaining agencies don’t want to pick up the other agencies’ shares of funding.  Options include finding new funding sources, persuading reluctant water agencies not to bolt, or turning the Garden over to Cuyamaca College to use as an educational facility,  an option which some fear could limit or eliminate public access.

GUHSD STAFFING AND SAFETY CUTS

In March, over the objections of a vocal crowd, the Grossmont Union High School District’s board majority voted to lay-off 91 full time employees, including teachers, certified staff members, interpreters, and administrative assistants. The board also terminated the district’s school safety director and eliminated its department of school safety.

The action was shocking and particularly troubling in a district that survived two deadly  mass shootings at Santana and Granite Hills high schools in 2001. School shootings are at record levels nationwide today.

IMMIGRATION ISSUES

With a surge in migrants in Jacumba, ECM reporters used Google Translate to interview people in April who had come here from around the world including some fleeing violence in their homelands, others hoping for economic opportunities, and a young Russian opposed to the war in Ukraine. Their stories were harrowing and heartwarming; our coverage received journalism awards. Some political leaders stoked fear of migrants, much of it unjustified such as claims of rampant crime (in fact the crime rate among immigrants is lower than among citizens).  But one fear had a legitimate basis: border fires sparked by migrants seeking to keep warm or alert authorities when they needed help. By year’s end, local city and county leaders found themselves in the crosshairs between state and federal regulations, with the incoming Trump administration threatening to arrest civic leaders who refuse to cooperate in mass deportation efforts, while state law prohibits such actions. El Cajon’s City Council on January 7 will consider Mayor Bill Wells’ proposal to cooperate fully with federal immigration authorities. County Supervisors took an opposite path, seeking to protect migrants beyond what state law requires, but the Sheriff announced she will follow state law, which allow cooperation for deportations of serious criminals but not other migrants.  Coming next year: a new Border Patrol Station in Dulzura to house migrants, as ECM reported last January.

HOMELESSNESS

The point-in-time count conducted in January and released in May showed that while East County’s overall homeless population dropped 28% over the prior year, La Mesa and Lemon Grove had sharp rises, like due to the city of San Diego banning homeless camps. In June, a Supreme Court ruling found it legal to sweep homeless camps and effectively criminalize homelessness.

Yet efforts to provide housing for the homeless have proven frustrating for officials. Supervisors approved sleeping cabins for homeless people in Spring Valley in March, only to withdraw the plan in June after vocal public opposition. A new proposal to build the sleeping cabins in Lemon Grove raised hopes among homeless people interviewed by ECM in Lemon Grove. But residents accused county officials of ramming through the project before any public hearing and objected to some councilmembers voicing support for the plan with no public hearing.  One bright spot for the homeless came when the county announced plans in May to build an East Region Crisis Stabilization Unit and Recovery Bridge in El Cajon.

RABBIT HEMORRHAGIC DISEASE

An ECM investigative report in April on rabbit deaths in rural East County led the state to analyze carcasses, after residents said their requests to do so had been ignored. In June, the state confirmed deaths of rabbits in Jamul and Dulzura were due to rabbit hemorrhagic disease. The disease, a form of viral hepatitis, is fatal 50 to 100% of the time in wild rabbits and hares

CPUC REJECTS AT&T PLAN TO PULL PLUG ON LAND LINES

Land-line telephones remain the only reliable source of communication during emergencies in some rural East County areas.  So when ECM published a report on the proposal, local residents flooded the California Public Utilities Commission with comments objecting to the plan. At a March hearing, rural residents from across California warned that eliminating AT&T’s responsibility as telephone carrier of last resort could cost lives.  In May, the CPUC announced its intent to deny AT&T’s request, assuring rural residents would not be left without communications during emergencies.

CEMETERY PROPOSAL IN PINE VALLEY RAISES GRAVE OBJECTIONS

A proposed cemetery with capacity for 25,000 burials over Pine Valley’s sole-source aquifer drew strong objections from rural planning group members and residents concerned over potential groundwater contamination. One neighbor claims he was duped by a project representative, allowing access over his property in the belief that a single-family home was slated to be built, instead of a massive cemetery. At year’s end, the project remains pending, with no hearing date set yet by the County Planning Commission.

INCUBATOR BUSINESS CENTER OPENS IN EL CAJON

Fulfilling a decade-long dream, the Chaldean Community Council opened an incubator business center in El Cajon in May with a goal of helping refugees start up businesses to fulfill the American dream.  The county and city provided funding, using monies from the Biden administration’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the Small Business Stimulus Grant program, and the County’s Community Enhancement program.

Supervisor Joel Anderson, presenting a half-million dollar check, called the day a “joyous occasion,” adding, “In East County, we’ve got enterpreneurial spirit to be tapped. He predicted that the enterprise will produce new entrepreneurs, “bringing wealth and opportunities to East County.”

CAMPUS PROTESTS OVER ISRAEL-GAZA WAR

Campus protests over the Israel-Gaza war erupted nationwide in May, including here in San Diego. Locally, a student protest at San Diego State University remained peaceful, but arrests were made at the University of California San Diego campus and in Los Angeles, student protests turned violent.  Pro-Palestinian protesters demanded an end to the war and to American funds and weapons being shipped to Israel as the Gaza death toll rose, also calling on universities to divest from investments in Israel. Counter-protesters expressed support for Israel, citing the deadly Hamas attack last year, and voiced concerns over safety of Jewish students and anti-Semitism.

BATTERY STORAGE FIRES IGNITE SAFETY CONCERNS

A fire at a lithium battery storage facility in Otay Mesa in May forced neighboring businesses to evacuate for nearly two weeks.  Another fire in May broke out at an Escondido lithium ion battery storage site, prompting evacuation of residents. In La Mesa, where a smaller lithium battery storage site was proposed, City Manager Greg Humora issued safety assurances, highlighting key differences between the Otay and La Mesa projects in size, technology, and fire protection plans. The incidents are reminders that clean energy technologies, though less polluting and free of greenhouse gases that fuel climate change, can pose safety issues of their own.

FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP CONVICTED ON 34 FELONY COUNTS

In May, a New York jury found former president Donald Trump guilty on all 34 felony criminal counts of falsifying business records to conceal payments to a porn star in order to influence the 2016 election. But after his reelection in November, the judge delayed sentencing until after Trump’s four-year term of office. The action left Trump supporters rejoicing and critics decrying lack of accountability.

LEGENDS LOST

In May, two of East County’s most famous residents passed away: NBA basketball superstar Bill Walton of La Mesa and world renown architect/artist James Hubbell of Santa Ysabel. Their lives have ended, but their legacies live on. Read about other local leaders lost in 2024 here.

LOVELAND RESERVOIR RESTORATION

In a win for local fishing enthusiasts, Sweetwater Water Authority voted in May to restore the floating fishing dock destroyed by a storm, after extreme draining of the reservoir left the dock vulnerable. But activists’ efforts to restore sunrise-to-sunset access remain unresolved.

FIRE INSURANCE AND ZONE ZERO DEFENSIBLE SPACE REQUIREMENTS

Soaring and often inaccessible fire insurance rates, new “zone zero” defensible space mandates for the five feet closest to structures, and how to form fire-wise communities were among the hot topics discussed at the Jamul-Dulzura Fire Safe Council meeting in June. Speakers Sharon Smith, outreach analyst with the Calif. Dept. of Insurance, and Cal Fire/San Diego County Fire Captain Thomas Shoots provided insights, as ECM reported. In September, ECM interviewed Cal Fire Captain Mike Cornette, with tips on how to prepare for wildfires and keep households safe.

CATHOLIC DIOCESE DECLARES BANKRUPTCY

In June, Cardinal Robert McElroy announced that the San Diego Roman Catholic Diocese was declaring bankruptcy. The action shields the church from paying out full settlements over sexual abuse claims and enables the church to continue it religious mission. But an attorney representing survivors of clergy sex abuse is blasting the action as a deceptive legal ploy to protect church assets and hide secrets.

18 LOCAL WATER SYSTEMS FAIL SAFE DRINKING STANDARDS

In San Diego County, 18 water systems failed repeated tests due to contaminants that include arsenic, uranium, nitrate, nitrite, manganese, E-coli, heavy metals, and more, including numerous water providers in East County. Sixteen other local water systems are at risk or potentially at risk, according to state records. ECM interviewed state water officials on our radio show for in-depth details on why so many water systems are failing safety tests—and what’s being done about it.

EGG RANCH FIRE IN RAMONA

A fire at the Demler Brothers Egg Ranch in July killed tens of thousands of chickens, raising animal cruelty concerns.  The ranch supplies eggs to Walmart, Smart & Final and other major retailers, yet had no plans to evacuate birds even in adjacent barns to the one in which chickens burned to death.  The ranch has previously been investigated for animal cruelty complaints after investigators from Direct Action Everywhere, an animal rights group, reportedly found tens of thousands of birds in extreme confinement, with corpses on the floor and injured birds languishing in trash bins.

PARKWAY PLAZA REDEVELOPMENT

With online sales taking a bite out of retail traffic, shopping malls across the U.S. are struggling and some have closed down. Seeking to avoid that scenario, the City of El Cajon commissioned a market analysis envisioning redevelopment options for Parkway Plaza,  East County’s largest regional shopping mall. In July, El Cajon Councilmembers unanimously favored a motion to move beyond proposed aspirational measures and begin the next step toward transforming Parkway Plaza into a mix of residential, retail, offices, entertainment and community space.

TRUMP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPTS

A would-be assassin opened fire at a Donald Trump rally in Pennsylvania in July, killing an audience member, injuring Trump’s ear and wounding two other rally goers before Secret Service killed the gunman. Two months later, Secret Service agents spotted a man pointing a rifle as Trump golfed two holes away at his Florida course.  An agent opened fire and the man fled, dropping the weapon. He was arrested a short time later. The incidents raise questions over the adequacy of Secret Service steps to protect former presidents, and presidential candidates.

SHERIFF ANNOUNCES DRUG SCREENINGS FOR EMPLOYEES AT JAILS

In the latest effort to address the high rate of deaths in local jails, Sheriff Kelly Martinez announced in July that random drug and contraband screenings would be implemented at county-run jails. The action had long been called for by advocates of jail reforms to prevent drug overdoses among incarcerated individuals.

BIDEN DROPS OUT OF PRESIDENTIAL RACE, HARRIS ACCEPTS NOMINATION

Following a shaky debate performance, 84-year-old President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the presidential race in July, just months before the November election. In this unprecedented situation, Vice President Kamala Harris accepted her party’s nomination to head the ticket at the July Democratic National Convention.  Despite a strong debate performance against Trump in September, Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, ultimately lost the election to Trump in November, when Republicans also took control of both the House and Senate.

WILDFIRES THREATEN HOMES

ECM sent alerts on dozens of brush fires in 2024 across our region, including several with evacuations in East County communities. The largest was the Nixon Fire, which scorched 4,941 acres in late July and early August. The blaze burned 7 homes in Riverside County and caused evacuations in the Warner Springs area in San Diego County before firefighters finally extinguished the fast-moving fire.

JUDGE BLOCKS FANITA RANCH IN SANTEE

In the latest round of legal wrangling over the proposed 3,000-home Fanita Ranch project in Santee, a in August judge ordered Santee’s City Council to rescind its latest approval of Fanita Ranch. Judge Katherine Bacal ruled on behalf of environmental groups led by Preserve Wild Santee, finding that the city illegally ignored its own rule which required that voters be allowed to weigh in on any new development requiring a change to the city’s general plan.

LOCAL CLIMATE ACTIONS

In September, County Supervisors adopted a new climate action plan, a blueprint for reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in the unincorporated area and at County facilities to reach net zero emissions by 2045. In November, La Mesa’s City Council adopted an enhanced climate action plan which Councilman Jack Shu called “best climate change plan” in the region. Although the incoming Trump administration has pledged to slash climate action programs and withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord, the actions of local governments still have a role to reduce greenhouse gases and work to slow climate change.

PROJECT 2025

Project 2025 is an 887-page blueprint for a second Trump administration, according to its authors. Trump has alternately praised it, claimed never to have read it, and said he disagrees with parts of it; he has denied knowing its authors, even though those authors include 140 top officials and advisors from Trump’s first presidential term, some of whom wrote entire chapters. ECM reviewed the entire document and provided an analysis of its most controversial provisions and how they could impact our readers and our community.

Project 2025’s  stated mission is to restore family as centerpiece of American life, “dismantle the administrative state”, defend our nation’s sovereignty and borders against global threats, and secure ”God given individual rights to live freely.” But if fully implemented, it would dismantle many branches of our federal government, shut down the department of education and the federal emergency management agency (FEMA), politicize federal agencies,  weaponize the justice department, weaken environmental protections and abandon climate change goals, as well as take away many rights and protections for women, minorities, and the LGBTQ community.

SALES TAX MEASURES APPROVED BY VOTERS IN 3 OF 4 EAST COUNTY CITIES

With local governments grappling to fund essential services ranging from police and fire protection to filling potholes, four East County cities put measures on the ballot to increase or extend prior sales tax hikes.  Voters in Lemon Grove, La Mesa and Santee voted enthusiastically to support passage of those measures, but Santee voters defeated a sales tax initiative intended to bolster fire protection.

NEW FACES TO REPRESENT EAST COUNTY

The November election swept in some new faces to represent East County communities.  Lemon Grove voters sought change, ousting an incumbent mayor and councilmember while voting in Alysson Snow as the new mayor, along with new councilmembers Steve Faia and Alysson Snow.  In La Mesa, two open seats were won by Lauren Cazares and Genevieve Suzuki, giving La Mesa a diverse city council with four women, two Latinos, an African-American, and the city’s first LGBTQ+ representative.  ECM held candidate forums for Lemon Grove’s mayoral and council candidates, as well as for La Mesa’s city council contenders.

In the state Assembly, Carl DeMaio defeated fellow Republican Andrew Hayes, while LaShea Sharp-Collins won over fellow Democrat Colin Parent. Akilah Weber, formerly in the Assembly, advanced to the State Senate, defeating Bob Divine.  California also has a new U.S. Senator, Democrat Adam Schiff. 

Incumbents won reelection handily in the El Cajon and Santee City Council races, while East County’s incumbent Congressional members Darrell Issa and Sara Jacobs also won reelection by wide margins.

ISRAEL-LEBANON CEASE FIRE

In November, U.S. President Joe Biden and French President Emanuel Macron announced a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Lebanon. The historic accord  included assurances that Israel will be secure from threats by Hezbollah, which had been bombing Israel from southern Lebanon, and other terrorist groups, with stabilization of southern Lebanon to be provided under international supervision. The agreement called for withdrawal of Hamas from southern Lebanon and withdrawal of Israeli forces, with a goal of ultimately allowing residents of both Israel and southern Lebanon to return safely to their homes.

SERIAL ARSONIST ARRESTED

In early December, Cal Fire announced the arrest of a serial arsonist accused of setting nine fires in November including blazes in Rancho San Diego, Jamul, La Mesa, San Diego, and Dehesa. The news came as a bright spot, helping to keep our communities safer.

BIRD FLU EMERGENCY

Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state emergency in December over bird flu, after the virus began spreading through dairy cows and raw milk. San Diego County Public Health officials issued a warning to consumers not to consume raw, unpasteurized milk and not to feed it to their pets, since some have died as a result.  Bird flu has also been transmitted to workers handling farm animals or wildlife carrying bird flu, which can be fatal to humans as well as animals.

SYRIANS IN EL CAJON CELEBRATE LIBERATION OF THEIR HOMELAND

After the fall of the Bashar Assad regime in Syria, hundreds of local Syrians gathered in El Cajon’s Kennedy Park to celebrate Syria’s liberation with dancing, sharing stories, and waving. U.S. flags. Emotions ran high among refugees who fled Syria to escape the brutal Assad regime. Now, local Syrians report seeing  friends and family members freed from the infamous Saydnaya prison. Many harbor hopes of someday returning home, but for now, they are waiting to see the results of the new leadership and whether its promise of a stable Syrian future will hold.

SUPERVISORS’ CHAIR NORA VARGAS STEPS DOWN OVER SAFETY CONCERNS

In a surprise announcement, newly reelected Nora Vargas, Chair of the County Board of Supervisors, announced she will step down January 6 when her term ends due to “safety and security” concerns. Vargas has said she has received death threats and harassment. The County’s first Latina Supervisor has also faced hateful comments online and abusive remarks at public meetings, as well as harsh criticism and racist remarks over her advocacy for equity and support for immigrants. She has also drawn concerns from Spring Valley and Lemon Grove residents over her support of sleeping cabins for the homeless. She and her staff have also been targets of legal claims claiming they discriminated against prospective employees.  

Her resignation will leave the board with a partisan 2-2 split until the position is filled either by appointment or special election.  Her decision not to serve her next term is deeply troubling if due to death threats and harassment as she has indicated, something no public official should have to endure.  Whether or not other factors influenced her decision, announcing a resignation due to severe harassment  also has the disturbing potential to embolden disturbed individuals to launch racist personal attacks or threaten harm to other elected officials--actions that have no place in a free society.

JAMUL TRIBAL LAND EXPANSION

 In December, legislation authored by Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48) to place 172 acres of land in East County into tribal trust for the Jamul Indian Village passed the House and headed to President Joe Biden’s desk to be signed into law, after the measure passed the house and a companion measure authored by Senator Padilla passed in the Senate.

Tribal Chairwoman Erica Pinto told Senators that in approving the measure, “The federal government would be helping the Tribe to honor its ancestors and their sacrifices in order to remain and prosper in the place that we have always called home.”  Legislators approved the measures despite objections raised by the Jamul-Dulzura Planning Group over potential traffic issues and concerns over the procedures followed.

Congressman Issa stated, ““This is the right thing to do, and it empowers not government, but individuals, to take new charge and best care of their lives. This Fee-to-Trust bill provides that opportunity, securing Jamul’s land, preserving its sacred sites, and protecting Kumeyaay traditions for generations to come.”

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left: surveillance footage from New Orleans terror attack

January 3, 2025 (San Diego) – A U.S. military veteran drove a rented electric pickup truck into a crowd of New Year’s Day revelers in New Orleans shortly after 3 a.m. on New Year’s morning, killing 14 people before he was fatally shot by police officers. Authorities found improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted in the area; ABC news reports that an explosion to a hotel has been tied to the driver, The FBI reports that he posted videos declaring support for the terror group ISIS shortly before the attack, which the FBI confirms was an act of terrorism.

Later in the day, a U.S. Army Green Beret on leave detonated a rented Tesla filled with explosives and fireworks in front of Trump Tower in Las Vegas; his motive is not yet clear. The medical examiner confirmed that the driver shot himself before his body was burned in the explosion. Both attackers were U.S. citizens.

Tonight, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in San Diego is asking locals to be vigilant and report any threats, though the FBI and Sheriff’s department assure that there are no known threats in our region.

Local law enforcement responses

“Protecting the American people from acts of terrorism remains the FBI’s number one priority,” the FBI states in a joint press release released by multiple local law enforcement agencies. “Attacks such as the tragic event in New Orleans have a lasting impact not only on the immediate community but all Americans. The terrorism threats we face are complex and ever evolving, demanding we all work together to keep our communities safe.”

THE FBI is working with law enforcement partners to share information and disrupt any threats to our community.

The public is asked to report suspicious activities or threats to  FBI San Diego at (858) 320-1800 or submit a tip to https://tips.fbi.gov/ or 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324).

San Diego County Sheriff Kelly Martinez states, The recent tragic events in New Orleans and Las Vegas weigh heavily on our hearts. We extend our deepest sympathies to the families, loved ones and communities affected by these horrific incidents. We are grateful for the courage and heroism of the dedicated law enforcement officers and emergency personnel who responded swiftly and courageously. These acts of terror remind us of the vital role community partnerships play in keeping us all safe.”

The Sheriff is the regional coordinator for mutual aid response, working with local, state, federal and tribal partners to collaborate on training, share intelligence and harden infrastructure to keep our region safe. A new asset is a team of explosives detection K-9 dogs; others include the Sheriff’s Bomb/Arson unit working with FBI bomb technicians and other agencies. The Sheriff’s office also participates in the Joint Terrorism Task Force to proactively address emerging threats.

District Attorney Summer Stephan emphasizes, “Keeping San Diego County safe from international or domestic terrorism and other threats of violence is a daily priority working collaboratively with all our law enforcement partners in a coordinated and effective manner. We also rely on the community to be the eyes and ears to any potential threat. Several destructive threats have been neutralized due to the prompt reporting by a student, parent or community member of suspicious activity including words that threaten harm.”

The aftermath of the 9/11 attacks by terrorists resulted in creation of the National Fusion Center Network to strengthen national security by effectively sharing information between various law enforcement organizations. The San Diego Law Enforcement Coordination Center (SD-LECC) is an all crimes, all hazards fusion that also serves as the Regional Threat Assessment Center (RTAC) for San Diego and Imperial Counties and is part of the California State Threat Assessment System (STAS).

Details on the New Orleans and Las Vegas attacks

The driver who plowed into a crowd of revelers on Bourbon Street in New Orleans has been identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, an army veteran who served in Afghanistan before his discharge in 2015. He most recently has worked in real estate in Houston. A recent convert to Islam, he carried an ISIS flag in the rental truck and posted five pro-ISIS videos while driving from Houston to New Orleans, citing a “war between the believers and the disbelievers,” according to the FBI. 

He swerved around barriers before ramming the crowd, then got out of the car, wearing body armor, and began shooting at police officers before he was shot and killed by law enforcement officers, according to the New Orleans Police department.

The FBI has reviewed his phone and computer.  “"At this point, currently, and this is another fact I want to be clear on, we do not assess at this point that anyone else is involved in this attack except Shamsud-Din Jabbar," deputy assistant director of the FBI's counterintelligence division Christopher Raia said in a news conference on Thursday, CBS news reports.

Surveillance video showed Jabbar placing IEDs at the scene and in the French Quarter. Authorities found two active devices described as pipe bombs containing nails, screws and tacks in coolers. President Joe Biden says the FBI advised him that a remote detonator was found in the vehicle.

An FBI poster seeks information about the deadly attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans on New Year's Day.

Raia has said there is currently “no definitive link between the attack here in New Orleans and the one in Las Vegas," despite some similarities. Both attackers rented electric vehicles through Turo. Both attackers were U.S.-born citizens with military experience, including service in Afghanistan and at Fort Bragg (now Fort Liberty), North Carolina, though no direct connection between the two men has been found, CBS News reports.

Photo, left: Tesla truck explodes outside Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas; source: CCTV

The Las Vegas attacker has been identified as Matthew Livelsberger, 37, an Army Green Beret, trained in special forces to work in counter-terrorism. He was awarded five Bronze Stars including one for courage under fire, as well as an Army Commendation Medal.

He rented the electric Tesla truck in Colorado; charging station photos en route show he was alone in the vehicle. According to the Associated Press, he likely intended a more damaging explosion, but the steel-sided vehicle absorbed much of the force of explosion from firework mortars and camp fuel cannisters packed into the truck. The explosion injured several bystanders but did no damage to the Trump International Hotel just a few feet away. Livelsberger’s charred body has been positively identified via tattoos and he had several forms of ID in the truck.

His motive is not yet known, though tipsters have reportedly told law enforcement that he had a fight with his wife over their relationship shortly before renting the truck and loading it up with explosive materials as well as guns.

Authorities have thus far not found a direct connection between the Las Vegas and New Orleans attackers, but have also not ruled out a link.

“It’s not lost on us that it’s in front of the Trump building, that it’s a Tesla vehicle, but we don’t have information at this point that definitively tells us or suggests it was because of this particular ideology,” said Spencer Evans, the Las Vegas FBI’s special agent in charge. Tesla CEO Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, is a major Trump campaign donor and has been recruited by Trump to head up a commission aimed at cutting government inefficiencies.  Neither Trump nor Musk were in Las Vegas on the date of the explosion.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk said Wednesday afternoon on X that “we have now confirmed that the explosion was caused by very large fireworks and/or a bomb carried in the bed of the rented Cybertruck and is unrelated to the vehicle itself.”