PICKLEBALL COURTS COMING TO WELLS PARK IN EL CAJON
Source: City of El Cajon May 1, 2025 (El Cajon) — Calling all pickleball players! Five new pickle ball courts are coming to Wells Park this summer. The pickleball complex will feature LED court lighting, seating for spectators, shade sails, a drinking fountain with water bottle filler, new landscaping and more. A portion of the Wells Center will be renovated to create a welcome area and pro-shop for all your pickleball needs. This new recreational feature at Wells Park is made possible by federal funding through the Biden administration’s American Rescue Plan Act.
FELIPE FIRE 100% CONTAINED
East County Wildfire & Emergency Alert Service Update May 2, 2025 — The fire is 100% contained according to CalFire. One firefighter has suffered a minor injury, according to City News Service. Update 4:30 p.m.–The fire has grown to around 50 acres and is burning at a slow rate. Per Cal Fire, crews are working in steep,rocky terrain but firefighters are making good progress. The fire is 5% contained. May 1, 2025 (Julian, CA) – The #FelipeFire is burning along Highway 78 east of San Felipe Road and north o f Shelter Valley near Julian. The fire is 15-20 acres and has shut down all lanes of State Route 78 in both directions, per Cal Fire. The fire has a moderate rate of spread with potential for extended attack, however no structures are threatened at this time, Watch Duty reports. Air attack has requested additional air tankers and incident command is asking for two more hand crews.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.
AIR FORCE VETERAN RECEIVES UPGRADES TO EL CAJON RESIDENCE FROM HOME DEPOT FOUNDATION AND 365 CONNECT
East County News Service Photos courtesy of Darren McClane, Team Depot Captain April 30, 2025 (El Cajon) — As a part of the National Volunteer Month campaign, The Home Depot Foundation and 365 Connect teamed up today to upgrade the home of local veteran Lawrason Springwell. Lawrason, a retired Air Force pilot who served in the Vietnam War, lives with his wife on Carob Lane in El Cajon. Since 2023, he has faced significant health challenges, prompting his wife to leave her job and become his full-time caregiver. With Lawrason unable to tend to the property as he once did and his wife occupied with his care, the Springwells needed assistance to clean up their property and restore it to its previous condition. Team Depot, The Home Depot’s associate volunteer force, partnered with 365 Connect to refresh the Springwells’ yard by trimming overgrown trees and bushes, plus clearing debris that had accumulated and posed a potential fire risk to their home. Given their property is in a high fire risk area, this project helps bring peace of mind to the Springwells and allow them to safely age in place in their cherished home. During National Volunteer Month this April, The Home Depot Foundation is partnering with national and local nonprofits to complete dozens of service projects like this one to give back to veterans and local communities across the country. You can learn more about the national campaign HERE. Giving back to veterans is personal to The Home Depot, according to a company press release, since tens of thousands of the company’s associates are veterans or military spouses. Since 2011, the Foundation has invested more than $550 million in veteran causes and improved more than 65,000 veteran homes and facilities, ensuring more of our nation’s heroes have a safe, comfortable place to call home that fits their individual needs. The volunteer projects included: Removing debris cluttering the backyard, which has created a fire hazard Trimming overgrown trees and bushes around the property About The Home Depot Foundation The Home Depot Foundation, a nonprofit supported by The Home Depot, works to improve the homes and lives of U.S. veterans, support communities impacted by natural disasters and train skilled tradespeople to fill the labor gap. Since 2011, the Foundation has invested more than $550 million in veteran causes and improved more than 65,000 veteran homes and facilities. The Foundation has pledged to invest $750 million in veteran causes by 2030 and $50 million in training the next generation of skilled tradespeople through the Path to Pro program by 2028. To learn more about The Home Depot Foundation visit HomeDepotFoundation.org and follow t@HomeDepotFound on X and on Facebook and Instagram @HomeDepotFoundation. About 365 Connect 365 Connect is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting socially responsible corporations with nonprofit organizations through meaningful employee engagement experiences. With a mission to foster a shared sense of purpose, 365 Connect creates impactful, community-driven events that strengthen philanthropic relationships and inspire collective action. Through strategic grantmaking, innovative leadership, and collaborative partnerships, 365 Connect builds bridges between donors and nonprofits, helping to cultivate a more compassionate and connected world.
CUYAMACA COYOTES WIN 3C2A MEN’S SOCCER STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
NEW “PET HEALTH EXPRESS” TO SERVE UNINCORPORATED COMMUNITIES
Source: San Diego County April 30, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — San Diego County Animal Services today announced the launch of the Pet Health Express, a new mobile veterinary unit designed to bring affordable pet care directly to unincorporated communities across the region. “Pet Health Express represents our commitment to breaking down barriers to veterinary care,” said Vaughn Maurice, Director of San Diego County Animal Services. “By meeting pet owners where they are, we’re helping ensure healthier pets, safer neighborhoods, and more compassionate communities.” The Pet Health Express will offer a full range of low-cost services, including spay/neuter services, vaccinations and microchipping. See details below. Spay/Neuter Surgeries – Safe, professional procedures that help reduce pet overpopulation. Vaccinations – Just $20 Each: Rabies – Crucial for protecting both pets and people from a fatal disease. DAPP and Bordetella (for dogs) – To defend against common viral and respiratory infections. FVRCP (for cats) – Shielding cats from highly contagious and potentially deadly diseases. RHDV2 (for rabbits) – Protecting against the Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus, a rapidly spreading and fatal disease. Microchipping – A quick and easy way to ensure pets can be identified and reunited with their families if lost. In addition to the mobile unit, all of these low-cost services are also available at both of County Animal Services’ Bonita and Carlsbad shelter locations. No appointment is needed—just walk in anytime Tuesday through Sunday, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pet Health Express is designed to eliminate access barriers, bringing high-quality, compassionate care to areas that need it most. By offering both mobile and in-shelter options, San Diego County Animal Services ensures that more pet owners can get the help they need—close to home and on their schedule. Stay tuned: A full schedule of Pet Health Express community visits will be announced soon. Visit www.sddac.com for updates.
RECALL EFFORT LAUNCHED AGAINST 4 GUHSD TRUSTEES WHO REFUSE TO RESCIND MASS FIRINGS
Three trustees have apparent conflicts of interest including ties to private schools and home schools By Alexander J Schorr and Miriam Raftery Photo, left: Students, teachers, librarians, and community members rally outside GUHSD meeting April 24 in latest protest over layoffs. April 27, 2025 (El Cajon) — A recall effort is underway seeking to oust four trustees on the Grossmont Union High School District Board: Scott Eckert, Robert Shield, Gary Woods,PhD, and Jim Kelly. At the April 24 GUHSD board meeting at Grossmont High School, Andy Trimlett held up four notices of intent to recall the trustees, telling the four trustees, “You have refused to listen to your community, so we are launching a campaign to remove you from office.” The recall effort follows two months of protests over the board majority’s elimination of 61 positions, including 49 credentialed teachers, counselors, assistant principals, and 9 teacher librarians, as well as 12 support staffers. Despite the outcry, at the April 24 meeting, when trustee Chris Fite made a motion to rescind the controversial firings, none of the other four trustees would second the motion. The action intensifies growing mistrust between community members and the four conservative trustees, with each side accusing the other of disrespect. View video of recall announcement. Recall organizers have setup a website and an Instagram page. Since the GUHSD has district elections, signatures must be obtained in each of the four districts to qualify a recall election for the ballot. Photo, right: Andy Trimlett announces recall effort against four GUHSD trustees A prior recall effort launched against then-trustee Nadie Davies districtwide ended with her resignation shortly before a recall election was slated to be held. In announcing the current recall effort against four trustees, Trimlettt said his oldest son will be a freshman at Grossmont High School this year, adding, “My wife and I are truly scared for his future.” At a recent GUHSD meeting, trustee Robert Shield was caught on a hot mic suggesting crowds would soon get fatigued and quit coming. Trimlett testified, “He was right. We are tired. We’re tired of having to fight for the basic needs of our children We’re tired of explaining that librarians are essential to a 21st century education…that counselors aren’t luxuries to be discarded…and that safety is not negotiable,” a reference to the board majority voting to eliminate the district’s public safety department and its director. Before the April 24 meeting at Grossmont High School, hundreds of members of the Grossmont Education Association (GEA) and others held a rally outside calling on the board to rescind the layoff notices. The meeting opened with an award ceremony for teacher of the year Kristen LoPrell as well as awards and acknowledgements for Biliteracy Champions Rebecca McMillan and Donny Powers and congratulations to district counselor of the year Breezy Svacina, classified employee Lenny D’angelo, Mick McMurray, and Kendra Vandermeer. Board President Woods acknowledged the hard work of the Mount Miguel High School Army JROTC and their Aerial Drone Competition, the West Hills Best Buddies Club, the Santana High School Key Club, and the student athletes of the Grossmont Union music and girl’s sports programs. Photo, left: Grossmont High School Math Teacher Kristen LoPrell, acknowledged as California’s Teacher of the Year. Of the many who sought to speak in public testimony, few were allowed to do so due to time constraints imposed by the board majority. GEA President James Messina testified, “Cutting counselors and librarians, ELD (English Language Development) teachers, and dance teachers and theatre programs is not going to improve attendance next year.” Messina emphasized that these cuts will not simply impact those being fired, but will not assist students in the long run. Next up, Trimlett made the recall announcement. He concluded, “Trimlett concluded, “We’re tired of wondering… are you here to make public schools better, or are you more focused on the private schools you personally work with or the homeschool businesses you run?” Factcheck: At least three of the trustees facing recall have ties to private schools or a homeschool program. Shield is listed as teaching government and economics at Foothills Christian High School on the school’s faculty page. He does not mention this teaching position on his biography on the GUHSD website. Nor did Shield list any income from this private religious school on his “Economic Interests” form in the 2022 election. Scott Eckert teaches as a private math teacher for homeschooled students through Heritage Christian Academy at a cost of $420 per semester/$840 annual – payable directly to the teacher by semester or annually. Woods is executive director of Equip Biblical Institute, or EBI International Leadership Institutes, a private religious school that is part of Shadow Mountain Ministries. ECM has reached out to Woods, Kelly, Shield and Eckert for comments but have not received a response as of our publication deadline. In public comments, the father of student trustee Maggie Kelly aired his concerns. “We chose this school [district] for two reasons: knowledge and compassion… as Christians, my wife and I are proud to say that our school meets the needs of our community,” he said. “Your proposed budget cuts no longer make me proud.” Matthew Norris, a teacher and former technology coach, emphasized that the cuts act against the needs of the students, adding “I guarantee that if you sit in any of those people’s desks in this district, you could not do their job.” After Trustee Fite’s motion to rescind the mass firings died for lack of a second to allow a vote, the audience erupted, with shouts of “shame” and “spineless.” The previously awarded teacher of the year Kristin LoPrell, returned to the dais, where she gave back a bouquet of flowers celebrating her achievement, to voice her dissent. Photo, right: Teacher of the Year Kristen LoPrell’s flowers after she returned them before the board to protest their cuts of counselors, librarians, and teachers. Board President Gary Woods stated that the decision to enforce the layoffs made he and his fellow board