March 2025 Articles

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“It could happen, at any water system in the United States. The systems were not designed for what we what we witnessed in L.A.,” says Helix Water District general manager Brian Olney, though Helix has taken steps to reduce risk

East County News Service

March 21, 2025 (Valley Center) – Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call yesterday reporting that a family member who recently passed away was buried on the family property in the 29000 block of Paso Robles Road, Valley Center.  Deputies found a grave that appeared recent.

March 21, 2025 -- As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

Constitutional showdown

• Chief Justice Roberts rebukes Trump and GOP rhetoric about impeaching judges  (CNN)
• Judge demands to know why Trump administration ignored order about redirecting deportation flights (CBS)
• Judge orders urgent release of DOGE records, citing ‘unprecedented’ power and ‘unusual secrecy’ (Politico)
• Judge rails against DOGE for ‘terrorizing’ U.S. Institute of Peace after using ‘guns and threats’ to shut it down (Independent)

Economy

• US stock market loses $4 trillion in value as Trump plows ahead on tariffs (Reuters)
• Trump threatens mega 200 percent tariff on EU wines and spirits (Politico)

Social Security

• Trump Admin Threatens to Stop Social Security If DOGE Can’t Have Personal Data (YahooNews)
• Social Security Administration to require in-person identity checks for new and existing recipients (AP)

Public safety

• NTSB says DCA midair collision part of 'serious safety issue'   (NPR)
• Critics warn cuts at agencies overseeing US dams could put public safety at risk  (ABC)

Immigration and deportations

• ICE Returns All Migrants From Guantánamo to Stateside Facilities(New York Times)
• U.S. citizen child recovering from brain cancer removed to Mexico with undocumented parents (NBC)
• Lawyers for R.I. doctor allege she was deported despite federal court order (PublicsRadio)
• Protesters arrested after storming Trump Tower to demand release of Mahmoud Khalil (CNN)
• German man with green card ‘violently interrogated’ by US border officials (Guardian)
• Canadian actor detained at US border in ‘inhumane conditions’ for nearly two weeks (Guardian)

Education

• US Education Department to cut half its staff as Trump eyes elimination (Reuters)
• Can protesting in the US be ‘illegal’? Trump’s vague warning raises constitutional questions (CNN)

US foreign relations and human rights

• US added to human rights watchlist over Trump moves (Fox 5)
• French Official Demands the U.S. Return the Statue of Liberty (MTN)
• Secretary of State says 83% of US AID programs are being cancelled (CBS)
• Supreme Court rejects Trump bid to keep $2 billion in foreign aid frozen (CBS News)

Diversity, equity and inclusion

• ‘Chilling’: NYT reveals list of words banned by Trump’s 'anti-woke' initiatives (MSN)
• Federal judge blocks Trump administration from banning transgender people from military service (AP)

 Resistance

• Drawing huge crowds, Bernie Sanders steps into leadership of the anti-Trump resistance (AP)

Project 2025

• Trump’s Policies Are Making Project 2025’s Vision a Reality (Wall St. Journal)

Pardons

• Fact-checking Trump’s claim that Biden pardons are ‘void’ because he used an autopen (Politifact, via PBS)
• Judge says Trump Jan. 6 pardon doesn’t apply to man who conspired to kill investigators (Politico)

WORLD

Mexico

• Mexico City bans violent bullfighting, sparking fury and celebration (NPR)

Ukraine-Russia war

• More than 30 nations will participate in Paris planning talks on a security force for Ukraine (AP)
• US ‘deletes evidence’ of Russia’s kidnap of thousands of Ukrainian children (UK Independent)
• Russia and Ukraine conduct large prisoner exchange after Putin-Trump call (Reuters)
• Putin showed ‘true face’ by bombing Ukraine after ceasefire call, says Finland’s president (PoliticoEU)

Israel-Gaza War

• Israel launches first ground offensive since Gaza ceasefire collapse, partially recapturing key area (CNN)
• Netanyahu faces fury as renewed war deepens Israeli divisions (CNN)

Europe

• Trump's handling of Ukraine and tariffs has NATO rethinking the U.S.-made F-35 fighter (NPR)
• German lawmakers approve huge defense and infrastructure spending (NPR)

Travel ban

• Trump's new travel ban could prohibit entry to the US from this 'red list' of countries (USA Today Network )

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

Eligible low-income residents aged 55, older may receive funds for housing

Source: City of La Mesa and Jewish Family Services

March 21, 2025 (La Mesa) – The City of La Mesa and Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS) are launching the City’s first-ever Older Adult Rental Assistance Program, assisting seniors aged 55 and older who are at risk of homelessness. The program, operated by JFS, will provide 40 participants with a $500 monthly housing subsidy paid directly to their landlords for 12 months and individualized case management. Applications are being accepted beginning the last week of March. Priority will be given to applications filed by April 4.

According to the UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative, nearly half of unhoused Californians are 50 and older, and more than 41% are experiencing homelessness for the first time in their lives.

"With many seniors on fixed incomes challenged by increasing expenses, this program serves as a vital lifeline,” said La Mesa Mayor Mark Arapostathis. “The program will help rent-burdened older adults in La Mesa maintain housing stability and financial security, allowing them to age in place with dignity.”

East County News Service

March 21, 2025 (Lemon Grove) - On March 18, Lemon Grove Mayor Alysson Snow issued a proclamation declaring March 30 as the “Lemon Grove Incident Day.” There will be a celebration on March 30 at 1:00 p.m. in front of the mural that tells the story of a historic school desegregation case victory for students in Lemon Grove nearly a century ago. The mural is on the side of the building at 7963 Broadway, Lemon Grove. 

Source: California Attorney General's Office

March 21, 2025 (Oakland) - California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued a consumer alert to customers of 23andMe, a genetic testing and information company. The California-based company has publicly reported that it is in financial distress and stated in securities filings that there is substantial doubt about its ability to continue, which is a growing concern. Due to the trove of sensitive consumer data 23andMe has amassed, Attorney General Bonta reminds Californians of their right to direct the deletion of their genetic data under the Genetic Information Privacy Act (GIPA) and California Consumer Protection Act (CCPA). Californians who want to invoke these rights can do so by going to 23andMe's website. 

County’s Planning Group to hear controversial proposal on April 18

Story and photos by Karen Pearlman

Photo,left: Valle de Oro Community Planning Group members during packed hearing on Cottonwood Sand Mine

March 20, 2025 (Rancho San Diego)  – More than 100 residents who would be most affected by the proposed Cottonwood Sand Mine gathered in force Tuesday, March 18 at the Rancho San Diego Library to let the Valle de Oro Community Planning Group know they don’t want it in their neighborhood.

After listening to more than two dozen people share their concerns, the community planning group voted 11-0 to recommend opposing the project that would see 214 acres of the former 280-acre Cottonwood Golf Course along Willow Glen Drive in Rancho San Diego turned into a digging site for sand mining for at least 10 years. 

The group also voted 10-1, with one abstention, to not agree with a design exception review to waive the undergrounding overhead utilities along Willow Glen Road.

By Miriam Raftery

March 21, 2025 (Borrego Springs) – An international aerobatics competition will be held at the Borrego Springs airport Thursday through Saturday, April 10-12, organized by the International Aerobatic Club’s Chapter 36.  A highlight for viewers is Saturday’s four-minute freestyle flights set to music, usually involving smoke, flown by top pilots, IAC36 president Bryan Jones advises.

Thursday is practice and registration, while Friday features contest flights all day long.

You can also stop by the Propeller Bar and Grill, where you can enjoy food and drinks plus a rooftop deck to view the flying.

March 18, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – It’s springtime in East County—the season for flower festivals, Easter egg hunts, Lakeside’s rodeo and Western Days Parade, outdoor roller skating at Viejas and bunny rides aboard a historic train in Campo.

This  April, you can also enjoy a roaring ‘20s party atop Mt. Helix for the  Mt. Helix Park’s centennial celebration, a Taste of Lakeside, a mystery dinner theater in El Cajon, plus a winetasting festival in Ramona.

Scroll down for details on these activities and more.