‘Bring home the bacon’ for rescued pigs
Story and photo by Karen Pearlman Aug. 15, 2025 (Guatay) – Horses of Tir Na Nog is going hog wild with its latest event. The nonprofit equine rescue group, which also rescues other animals, is hosting a fundraiser, “Wine for Swine,” to support its pig rescue efforts. The Aug. 23 event (for those 21 and older) will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at Cork and Stem, a wine bar and flower shop in Hillcrest. As part of the fundraiser, attendees will get to enjoy a glass of house wine (or a non-alcoholic beverage) and a mini flower wrap. There will also be an opportunity drawing as well as a drive to collect blankets for the pigs. Tickets are $30 per person and can be purchased online at Wine for Swine! The last day to register is Monday, Aug. 18. The organization is also seeking donations to support its rescue work to help those like the pig in the photo shown below and is still looking for donations of items for the opportunity drawing at the event. Cork and Stem is located at 1035 University Ave., in San Diego. Horses of Tir Na Nog provides a safe haven for more than 200 animals. Since it opened its sprawling 20-acre site 17 years ago, Horses of Tir Na Nog has provided sanctuary to hundreds of animals including all types of horses, goats, sheep, llamas, alpacas, pigs, dogs and cats. It is the longest-operating equine sanctuary in the county, starting in 2003, becoming a 501c-3 nonprofit in 2005 and moving to its home in Guatay in 2008. Horses of Tir Na Nog’s mission is to create a safe haven for horses and build connections between people and horses. It also works to raise awareness about responsible horse ownership and care through education.
Lemon Grove Mayor sues organizer of recall effort
Updated Aug. 21 with a statement from King. By Karen Pearlman August 14, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – After several months of rebuffs from the city of Lemon Grove, proponents of a recall effort to remove Lemon Grove Mayor Alysson Snow from office have finally received the city’s OK to move forward on their petition. Snow, meanwhile, has filed a lawsuit in San Diego County Superior Court against the organizers of a recall effort, including main petitioner Kenneth King. The city of Lemon Grove’s election official Joel Pablo, the Lemon Grove City Clerk, is also named. Snow, elected last November, is alleging that the group is fraudulent in its attempt to remove her from office. The lawsuit seeks to immediately halt the circulation of the petition that Snow claims fraudulently appends voters’ signatures to a previous Notice of Intention to Recall Petition, which Snow calls a “False NOI.” In her suit, Snow calls out the recall proponents for a scheme she calls “bait and switch,” that she contends has deceived voters in order to garner their signatures on the recall petition. Propenents say that the recall was initiated by residents who are concerned about the mayor’s role to locate a homeless shelter near a school without proper community input or notification. But Snow’s lawsuit said that the recall organizers created a notice of intention (or NOI) which included unsubstantiated claims about Snow’s supposed involvement in what they claim is a “sprawling federal investigation into corruption in cannabis licensing.” According to Snow, that false claim was part of information that was used to gather signatures. “The video and photographic evidence shows that recall proponents used one form of the Notice of Intention to Recall, that included the False Statement, to obtain signatures, but then switched the face page and filed a different Notice of Intention with the City Clerk,” said one of Snow’s attorneys, Allison E. Burns. The official public notice for grounds for the recall was published in the East County Californian on June 20 ( https://eccalifornian.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/6-20-25-CAL-legals.pdf ). It says that Snow “misled the people of Lemon Grove, putting our community at risk. She went to the Board of Supervisors, claiming the residents supported a low-barrier homeless encampment near our schools and homes without engaging them first. “Snow campaigned by saying the encampment would house families with children and seniors, while in fact, it would house the mentally ill, drug addicted, and petty criminals. This could bring more homeless individuals to our city without necessary resources, increased sheriff presence, or assurances that Lemon Grove’s own homeless will be helped. “Snow appears to ignore calls for a forensic audit despite an auditor warning of serious accounting errors and potential fraud. She appears to have had a political opponent detained at a public meeting. She allegedly used racial stereotypes against a community activist. “Alysson’s decisions could endanger public safety, lower property values, and degrade our community. Snow does not appear to represent the benefits of the city. An overwhelming number of constituents have spoken up against this but seem to be ignored. Lemon Grove cannot afford any public official who does not represent the city’s best interest. “We need a mayor who puts us first.” ‘Disrupt progress’ effort, Snow says Snow, who was elected in November, views the recall effort as an attempt to disrupt progress in Lemon Grove. Snow’s published answer to the NOI reads: “This recall isn’t about policy – it’s about politics and personal animosity. I trust the people of Lemon Grove to see through it. To be clear, I ran for office to help make Lemon Grove a clean, safe, and prosperous city by fixing our streets, supporting small businesses, and helping families afford to keep a roof over their head and food on the table. “Since elected, we have repaired 63 sections of streets, secured over $20 million in outside investments to help stop and prevent homelessness, and new businesses are filling up the empty storefronts. This is just the beginning of the new, improved Lemon Grove. “On the other hand, the recall proponents would rather spend $250,000 to $400,000 of our taxpayer dollars to settle political vendettas, than fix streets. “I welcome opposing views and discourse on how to help the City of Lemon Grove progress forward – it’s part of a healthy democracy. What I will not tolerate are efforts to derail progress through smear campaigns. “I remain committed to the community I’ve called home for 15 years, and I will continue working every day to serve with integrity, compassion, and courage. Let’s move forward together.” King, who did not respond initially to several emails or phone messages left by East County Magazine, is the first signee on the recall petition. After this article was published, King still did not address the allegations raised by the mayor regarding allegedly misleading tactics used to collect signatures nor Snow’s claim that King made up claims that she was under federal investigation. However he did email this statement: “This recall is about protecting Lemon Grove. We have to solve OUR homelessness before we help the county with theirs. Alysson Snow sold us out to the county for her own future. She didn’t care that she was handicapping ours. We need a mayor who is committed to putting Lemon Grove first! This video was made today. Does it look like we can afford to bring more homelessness to Lemon Grove?” He also sent a movie file that could not be opened due to a message stating the file may be corrupted. Snow maintains that the recall is not about policies but is “sour grapes,” by the petitioners. “This recall is a political stunt, a really expensive one,” Snow said. “The recall proponents want the city to spend almost half a million dollars for their recall. Most people in Lemon Grove would like to spend that money paving streets and fixing storm drains, not on a recall. I trust the people of Lemon Grove to see through the drama.” In May,
ECM World Watch: national and global news
August 15, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — 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. Multiple Men Have Impersonated ICE Agents To Kidnap And Assault Women (Huffington Post) Supreme Court formally asked to overturn landmark same-sex marriage ruling (ABC) US judge blocks Trump religious exemption to birth control coverage (Reuters) State Department slashes reports on human rights violations (NPR) Key sections of the US Constitution deleted from government’s website (Tech Crunch) Elon Musk, Crypto Help Boost Trump Super PAC to New Heights (NOTUS) Private Prisons Cash In on ‘Unprecedented’ ICE Demands (NOTUS) Las Vegas sees drop in tourism, hinting at broader economic woes facing the U.S. (NPR) U.S. Air Force to deny early retirement benefits to some transgender service members (AP) Federal judge rules cuts to humanities grants were ‘unlawful’ (NPR) Video shows Department of Justice official urging Jan. 6 rioters to ‘kill’ cops (NPR) Trump Goes One Step Further Toward Naming JD Vance His Heir Apparent (NOTUS) WORLD Trump may offer Putin minerals access(in Alaska) in exchange for peace, Telegraph reports (MSN) Israeli Security Cabinet Approves Full Military Takeover of Gaza (NY Times) Netanyahu divides Israelis and allies with plan for new military push in Gaza (BBC) 4 European countries agree to buy a combined $1 billion in U.S. weapons for Ukraine (NPR) Seven volcanoes wake up in Russia’s Kamchatka after powerful quake (AP) Flash floods kill at least 10 people and leave 33 missing in northwestern China (AP) For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down. U.S. Multiple Men Have Impersonated ICE Agents To Kidnap And Assault Women (Huffington Post) House Democrats are urging the Department of Homeland Security to mandate that immigration officials clearly identify themselves when conducting arrests. The demand comes in the wake of multiple reports of men impersonating Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to kidnap and assault women. The Democratic Women’s Caucus demanded action in a Monday letter sent to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and other Trump administration officials. Supreme Court formally asked to overturn landmark same-sex marriage ruling (ABC) Ten years after the Supreme Court extended marriage rights to same-sex couples nationwide, the justices this fall will consider for the first time whether to take up a case that explicitly asks them to overturn that decision.Kim Davis, the former Kentucky county clerk who was jailed for six days in 2015 after refusing to issue marriage licenses to a gay couple on religious grounds, is appealing a $100,000 jury verdict for emotional damages plus $260,000 for attorneys fees. US judge blocks Trump religious exemption to birth control coverage (Reuters) A U.S. judge on Wednesday struck down rules adopted during President Donald Trump’s first term that exempt employers with religious or moral objections from having to provide workers with insurance coverage for birth control. State Department slashes reports on human rights violations (NPR) The State Department released its long-awaited reports on international human rights Tuesday, and they drastically reduce the types of government repression and abuse that the United States under President Trump deems worthy of criticism. Key sections of the US Constitution deleted from government’s website (Tech Crunch) Several sections of Article 1 of the U.S. Constitution appear to have been removed from the official U.S. government website, as pointed out by sleuths on the internet and as seen by TechCrunch. The changes were made in the last month… Large parts of Section 8 have been removed, and Sections 9 and 10 have been deleted altogether…These sections largely relate to the powers that Congress has and does not have, as well as limitations on the powers of individual states. The removal includes sections relating to habeas corpus, the powers that protect citizens from unlawful detention. Elon Musk, Crypto Help Boost Trump Super PAC to New Heights (NOTUS) President Donald Trump’s flagship super PAC is sitting on an unprecedented war chest as the 2026 midterm elections take shape. / The super PAC, MAGA Inc., boasts a cash balance of nearly $200 million, according to a report it filed late Thursday with the Federal Election Commission…. / Most notable among MAGA Inc. donors: Elon Musk, who made a $5 million donation to the president’s super PAC on June 27, weeks after his chaotic and public falling out with the president. Private Prisons Cash In on ‘Unprecedented’ ICE Demands (NOTUS) CoreCivic, one of the biggest private prison companies in the United States, posted a 103.4% increase in net income in Q2. Las Vegas sees drop in tourism, hinting at broader economic woes facing the U.S. (NPR) For the sixth consecutive month this year, Las Vegas experienced a decline in the number of visitors year-over-year …. Among the biggest blows has been the loss of visitors from Canada, who make up the biggest share of Las Vegas’ international market, according to Woods…. In the U.S. more broadly, there was a drop in international travelers from nearly every region in the world in June compared to last year… / The World Travel & Tourism Council in May said that the U.S. is on track to lose $12.5 billion in international spending this year. U.S. Air Force to deny early retirement benefits to some transgender service members (AP) The U.S. Air Force said Thursday it would deny all transgender service members who have served between 15 and 18 years the option to retire early and would instead separate them without retirement benefits. One Air Force sergeant said he was “betrayed and devastated” by the move. Federal judge rules cuts to humanities grants were ‘unlawful’ (NPR) A federal judge has ruled that the government’s abrupt elimination of humanities grants previously approved by Congress was “unlawful” and that a lawsuit brought by humanities groups can move forward…. In his decision, U.S. District Judge Michael H. Simon wrote that the councils were “likely to succeed on their claim that the withholding of the funds
Migrant children sites in El Cajon and Lemon Grove shut down: Trump admin. drops lawsuit that accused operator of sexual abuse
Actions raise concerns over children’s wellbeing; their locations are undisclosed By Karen Pearlman Miriam Raftery contributed to this story; photos by East County Magazine staff Updated Aug. 15 with responses from federal officials Aug. 14, 2025 (El Cajon) – Nonprofit Southwest Key Programs Inc. (photo, left) is no longer operating its site in El Cajon that had been housing unaccompanied immigrant children since the first Trump administration. El Cajon City Manager Graham Mitchell told the City Council and staff on Monday via email that the United States’ largest provider of housing and services for unaccompanied minors has left the city. “Larger employers are required by law to inform the City if they go out of businesses or initiate a large-scale layoff,” the email said. “Earlier today, the City received a notice from Southwest Key (operating on Broadway) that they lost federal funding and will be shutting down. As you recall, Southwest Key has been operating at the site for many years operating as a facility for unaccompanied minors that have entered into the United States from the southern U.S. border.” The El Cajon site had housed boys; a similar site in Lemon Grove housed migrant girls. The El Cajon facility drew scrutiny in 2018 during the Trump-era separation of migrant children from families, when protesters demonstrated outside the facility and Congressional members Juan Vargas and Susan Davis visited the site amid allegations of sexual abuse, neglect and runaways at U.S.-run facilities operated by Southwest Key, as ECM reported — see photo, below, right. Lemon Grove City Manager Lydia Romero told East County Magazine that she has not received word that Southwest Key’s site in Lemon Grove has closed, but a call to the organization’s office on El Prado Avenue resulted in a disconnected phone line. Southwest Key confirms El Cajon closure, but has not responded to inquiries in children’s current locations In an email from Southwest Key Programs Chief of Staff Christina Cantu to ECM states, “Southwest Key Programs has received official notice from the US Department of Health and Human Services – Administration of Children and Families that our grants offering residential shelter services for unaccompanied children with the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) have concluded. “Southwest Key Programs is committed to ensuring an orderly transition in close coordination with our federal partners, and we appreciate our dedicated staff whose professionalism and compassion have shaped our programs and aided those we serve.” Follow-up emails asking about the whereabouts for current clients that are in Southwest Key’s care have not been answered. Natalie Baldassarre, senior media affairs manager for the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs, referred ECM to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for comment. In an email to ECM, Emily G. Hilliard, press secretary for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services wrote: “As a matter of policy, to protect the privacy and security of unaccompanied alien children referred to us, ORR does not identify the names or locations of shelters.” Serious and pervasive abuse allegations Southwest Key has been working with the government for more than two decades. But the company has struggled with allegations of abuse and harassment of minors at its facilities and has been under scrutiny. Southwest Key has operated 27 residential shelters that provide temporary living arrangements for unaccompanied alien children in Texas, Arizona and California. Southwest Key has been operating its shelters through grants from the HHS Office of Refugee Resettlement. (Unaccompanied alien children are minors who enter the U.S. without parents or other legal guardians and without lawful immigration status in the U.S.) The Biden administration’s Justice Dept. filed a lawsuit in 2024 against Southwest Key alleging pervasive abuse and even rape of children at multiple facilities, Associated Press reported, though no specific abuse cases were cited at the El Cajon or Lemon Grove sites. Read the lawsuit. The Biden-era lawsuit alleged that Southwest Key, through its employees, subjected unaccompanied alien children in its care to unlawful sexual harassment and abuse. The lawsuit said that “from at least 2015 through at least 2023, multiple Southwest Key employees have subjected unaccompanied children in their care to repeated and unwelcome sexual abuse, harassment, and misconduct and a hostile housing environment, including severe sexual abuse and rape, solicitation of sex acts, solicitation of nude photos, entreaties for sexually inappropriate relationships, sexual comments and gestures, leering, and inappropriate touching. “In some cases, Southwest Key employees threatened children to maintain their silence. In harassing these children, these Southwest Key employees exploited the children’s vulnerabilities, language barriers, and distance from family and loved ones. Despite knowledge of these severe and pervasive harms, Southwest Key failed to take appropriate action to protect the children in its care. Southwest Key’s actions constitute a pattern or practice of discrimination in housing because of sex in violation of the Fair Housing Act.” Trump’s Justice Dept. drops the abuse case against Southwest Key, announces it will move children but does not disclose new locations But the Trump administration in March inexplicably dropped the lawsuit, though Health and Human Services Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the administration would move the children to other locations. “This administration is working fearlessly to end the tragedy of human trafficking and other abuses of unaccompanied alien children who enter the country illegally,” Kennedy said. “For too long, pernicious actors have exploited such children both before and after they enter the United States. Today’s action is a significant step toward ending this appalling abuse of innocents.” A March press release from the Dept. of Justice said that “Out of continuing concerns relating to these placements, HHS has decided to stop placement of unaccompanied alien children in Southwest Key facilities, and to review its grants with the organization.” “Securing our border and protecting children from abuse are among the most critical missions of the Department of Justice
East County Roundup: local and statewide news
August 15, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s round-up stories include: LOCAL Justice Department releases new list of so-called ‘sanctuary jurisdictions’, includes San Diego County (Times of San Diego/AP) San Diego veterans volunteer to stand with Afghan at immigration court (KPBS) New reading program leads to remarkable literacy improvements at Poway Unified (ABC) Sprawling class-action lawsuit over county jails’ safety nears trial, as judge refuses to dismiss claims (San Diego Union-Tribune) ICE agents detain parent near elementary school during morning drop-off (KGTV) Dems eye redistricting plan to flip 5 GOP seats, including Issa’s in San Diego County (Times of San Diego/AP) 12 deaths at San Diego’s Safe Sleeping sites raising concerns among some participants (10 News) UC San Diego approved for major enrollment expansion (CBS 8 ) STATE California will move forward with redistricting vote to counter Texas, Newsom says (ABC News) Fast-growing brush fire forces thousands to evacuate north of Los Angeles (AP) California police misconduct records now available in public database (KPBS) Long-shot ballot initiative could have huge effect on California insurance (KPBS) Auditor: California could save $225 million a year by letting state employees work remote (KPBS) For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down. LOCAL Justice Department releases new list of so-called ‘sanctuary jurisdictions’, includes San Diego County (Times of San Diego/AP) The Justice Department identified some three dozen states, cities and counties as so-called sanctuary jurisdictions on Tuesday, two months after the federal government quietly removed a much longer list that included many localities that support the Trump administration’s hard-line immigration policies… Trump officials have long warned that the federal government would go after jurisdictions that resist the president’s plans for mass deportations. San Diego veterans volunteer to stand with Afghan at immigration court (KPBS) For the first time under a new volunteer initiative, San Diego veterans were at an immigration court Wednesday to support an Afghan refugee — a former journalist who fled the Taliban. The program, called Battle Buddies, was launched by two nonprofits: Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and #AfghanEvac. New reading program leads to remarkable literacy improvements at Poway Unified (ABC) The district has implemented a multi-sensory approach to teaching reading that’s dramatically improving literacy rates among its youngest students….According to district data, kindergarteners went from 43% performing below grade level in winter to 91% reading on or above grade level by year’s end. First graders improved from 59% below grade level in fall to 84% on or above grade level by the end of the year… Sprawling class-action lawsuit over county jails’ safety nears trial, as judge refuses to dismiss claims (San Diego Union-Tribune) A federal judge has denied the county’s request to dismiss key parts of a sweeping class-action lawsuit filed by attorneys representing people incarcerated in San Diego County jails. The decision means the long-running case challenging the treatment of people in sheriff’s custody is closer to being set for trial. ICE agents detain parent near elementary school during morning drop-off (KGTV) Parents and students witnessed immigration enforcement agents detain a woman just a block away from an elementary school playground during the morning drop-off on Wednesday…. Video shows Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents wearing bulletproof vests exiting unmarked cars with flashing police lights near Camarena Elementary in Chula Vista around 8 a.m….The road was partially blocked as cars filled with children waited to be dropped off at school….According to Cena, a young boy and girl were in the car speaking with agents. Dems eye redistricting plan to flip 5 GOP seats, including Issa’s in San Diego County (Times of San Diego/AP) California Democrats are considering new political maps that could slash five Republican-held House seats in the liberal-leaning state while bolstering Democratic incumbents in other battleground districts. The move comes in direct response to efforts by Texas Republicans to redraw House districts in order to strengthen the GOP hold on the chamber in 2026. 12 deaths at San Diego’s Safe Sleeping sites raising concerns among some participants (10 News) A dozen people have died at San Diego’s two Safe Sleeping sites for the homeless since they opened in 2023, Team 10 has learned….City spokesman Matt Hoffman said nearly 500 homeless people died countywide last year. UC San Diego approved for major enrollment expansion (CBS 8 ) The University of California Board of Regents has approved plans for UC San Diego to increase its student enrollment to 56,000 by 2040, potentially making it one of the largest schools on the West Coast. This expansion represents a significant increase from the university’s previous enrollment target of 42,400 students by 2035, which was surpassed in 2023. STATE California will move forward with redistricting vote to counter Texas, Newsom says (ABC News) California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday that he is moving forward with putting proposed new congressional maps for the state on the ballot on a Nov. 4 special election in an attempt to counter mid-decade redistricting being pushed by Republicans in Texas. Fast-growing brush fire forces thousands to evacuate north of Los Angeles (AP) A fast-growing brush fire has forced thousands of people to evacuate in a mountainous area north of Los Angeles. The Canyon Fire ignited Thursday afternoon and grew to more than 7.6 square miles (19.7 square kilometers) by 11 p.m., according to the Ventura County Fire Department. At least 400 personnel were battling the blaze along with several planes and helicopters. It remained uncontained late Thursday and was spreading east into Los Angeles County, officials said. California police misconduct records now available in public database (KPBS) The Police Records Access Project database, now available to the public, contains roughly 1.5 million pages of records from 12,000 officer-misconduct and use-of-force cases in California. Long-shot ballot initiative could have huge effect on California insurance (KPBS) Proposed ballot initiative aims to repeal Prop. 103, the California law that regulates home and auto insurance.