ECM – Page 2

Don’t miss Santa Ysabel and Wynola on your way to visit Julian

Printer-friendly versionTiny mountain towns often overlooked by travelers in East County’s back country By Paul Levikow Photos by Miriam Raftery and Paul Levikow April 10, 2026 (Santa Ysabel/Wynola) – Visitors travelling to Julian north from Ramona can oftentimes overlook two equally charming communities along the way. Some might even think Santa Ysabel, population around 600, and Wynola with about 200 residents, are actually part of Julian. They are not. Each town has its own unique and enchanting vibe with distinctive views of the Cleveland National Forest and Cuyamaca Mountains. Perhaps Santa Ysabel, which is about seven miles from Julian, and Wynola, a mere three miles away along state Routes 78 and 79, could be considered suburbs of Julian and its approximately 1,700 residents. All three communities are about an hour drive from San Diego proper by heading east along Interstate 8, then north on state Route 67. That’s the path that takes travelers through Santa Ysabel and Wynola. There are lots of things to see and do in those communities that might make visitors forget they were on the way to Julian, known for its pies, apple picking, Gold Rush history, shopping, and mountain getaway accommodations. So, let’s get going. Dudley’s Bakery 30218 Hwy 78 Santa Ysabel Phone: 760-765-0488 Hours: Monday through Sunday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Website: dudleysbakery.com Email: sales@dudleysbakery.com Frequent tourists to the area and local San Diego County residents probably think of Dudley’s Bakery when they think of Santa Ysabel. Afterall, its been around since the early 1960s and was recently acquired by new owners. The former owner of The French Gourmet in Pacific Beach and a Temecula restaurateur, two longtime friends and business partners, have teamed up to restore Dudley’s to its original glory. They promise even more offerings in the famous bread and pastry categories. Miranda Melia, pastry baker and cashier, was a big help recently when East County Magazine stopped by for bread and sweets. There is also a coffee bar and a deli that serves breakfast and lunch. Sandwiches come on a Dudley’s bread of your choice. There is also a gift shop, market, beer and wine, with indoor and outdoor seating. Santa Ysabel Open Space Preserve and Nature Center 22135 Hwy 79, Santa Ysabel Park phone: 760-765-4098 Reservations Center: 858-565-3600, 877-565-3600 Hours: Nov. 1 through March 31: Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday to Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; April 1 through Oct. 31: Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Friday – Sunday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Website: https://www.sdparks.org/content/sdparks/en/park-pages/SantaYsabelNatureCenter.html Email: askparks.lue@sdcounty.ca.gov The Nature Center at the Santa Ysabel Open Space Preserve, operated by the County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation, was dedicated in 2019. The preserve is a 6,347-acre span of land that includes 20 miles of trails for recreation, along with opportunities for habitat protection, enhancement and education. The nature center is tucked into a grove of mature Engelmann oaks, and facing out to rolling grasslands. The property showcases the beauty of the area and the vegetation and wildlife that thrive on site. It’s a must-stop for travelers and locals alike. Inside the 6,000-square-foot nature center are educational displays, interactive exhibits, ranger offices, restrooms, a water refilling station, a staffed information desk and access to Wi-Fi. The state-of-the-art community room and kitchen is large enough to hold parties of up to 99 people. It’s available for rent as one large venue or can be split into two rooms with access to a patio. A park ranger who was on duty when ECM visited said that since the nature center is hidden, they don’t get many people on weekdays, but it’s busy on the weekends. The hiking area draws a lot of tourists and they host tours of the facility and lead field trips on hikes, he said. The trails have native oak and plants along the way. “It’s a good hike,” he said. Santa Ysabel Indian Mission St. John The Baptist Catholic Church Address: 23013 Hwy 79, Santa Ysabel Phone: 760-419-5381 Hours: Saturday Mass, 3 p.m., Confessions 2:30 p.m.; Sunday Mass, 8:30 a.m. Website: www.symission.org E-mail: missionsantaysabel1818@yahoo.com Just down the road from the nature center is the Santa Ysabel Indian Mission, founded in 1818 as a sub-mission for Mission San Diego de Alcala to serve Native Americans in the backcountry. The site features a 1924 church, an ancient cemetery, and a small museum, famously known for the “Mystery of the Bells” and their partial recovery. The current St. John the Baptist Catholic Church replaced older adobe structures. In 1926, the mission’s historic 18th-century bells disappeared. They were later found to have been stolen for their perceived gold content. Broken pieces were returned in 1966. The site is a key part of San Diego’s mission history and remains an active parish Julian Pie Company 21976 Hwy 79, Santa Ysabel Phone: 760-765-2400 Hours: Daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Website: https://www.julianpie.com/ Email: https://www.julianpie.com/pages/contact-us Julian Pie Company is always a popular stop on Main Street in Julian since 1986. But tourists can avoid traffic and parking hassles by visiting their Santa Ysabel bakery that opened in 1992. It’s a family operation that has gotten nationwide attention and also sells their pies at grocery stores throughout San Diego County. Dons Market 30250 Hwy 78, Santa Ysabel Phone: 760-765-3272 Hours: Daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Website: donsmarketsantaysabel.com Email: https://www.donsmarketsantaysabel.com/contact-us/ Dons Market was started in 1991 by owner Don Brown, a 55-year veteran of the grocery business. It is committed to providing Santa Ysabel and the surrounding area with a quality grocery experience. Don’s top priority is serving the local community and he and his employees pride themselves in their specialty meats department, fresh produce, great selection, products from local businesses and reasonable prices with weekly specials. Santa Ysabel Art Gallery 30352 Hwy 78, Santa Ysabel Phone: 760-765-1676 Hours: Thursday to Monday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and by appointment. Closed Tuesday, Wednesday and the following holidays: Easter, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Website: santaysabelartgallery.com Email: https://santaysabelartgallery.com/contact/ It’s not all food and

Learn how to use the county’s ‘Tell Us Now!’ app on April 13

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 10, 2026 (Rancho San Diego) — We’ve all been there: you’re driving through somewhere in San Diego County and run over a jagged pothole, spot a flooded culvert or keep seeing the same abandoned vehicle on a street corner…. but the thought of trying to find the right County department to call and report what you see is overwhelming. The County of San Diego has been working to change that narrative with its “Tell Us Now!” app for mobile phones. The app has been helping people connect to County services since it first launched in 2017, but to help more residents navigate the digital tool, the office of Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe is hosting a community meeting focused on using the app on Monday, Apreil 13 at the Casa de Oro Library. The event, from 10 a.m. to noon at the library at 9805 Campo Road in Spring Valley, aims to turn residents into neighborhood advocates, showing exactly how a single photo can spark a government response. ‘See It, Snap It, Fix It’ The “Tell Us Now!” app is designed for those on the go. Instead of navigating complex phone menus, users simpley snap a photo or video of the issue, add a brief description and hit “Submit” to send the data directly into the county’s computer systems. The app isn’t just for road maintenance, drainage issues or abandoned cars. It acts as a direct line to several key departments, covering both unincorporated areas and regionwide concerns like signs; traffic; graffiti; illegal dumping; overcharges at scanners, gas pumps and scales; smoke; odd smells; dust and illegal burns. The app also offers transparency. Rather than sending a complaint into a “black hole,” users can track the progress of their report in real-time. By providing GPS-tagged photos and specific details, County employees arrive on the scene with the information they need to conduct investigations or make repairs, often resulting in issues being addressed within 72 hours. Residents are encouraged to attend the upcoming session in Casa de Oro to get a hands-on demonstration, where Montgomery Steppe’s team members will guide participants through the app’s features and answer questions about jurisdictional boundaries. To register for the meeting click here or visit https://shorturl.at/Gwz1z The “Tell Us Now!” app is free and available for download on both the Apple App Store and Google Play. It supports both English and Spanish, automatically ad Printer-friendly version

ECM World Watch: national and global news

Printer-friendly versionApril 9, 2026 (San Diego) — 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. Trump’s VA killed a home loan program. Vets are now losing their homes because of it (NPR) Eligible young men will automatically be registered for US military draft later this year (NY Post) Trump fires Attorney General Pam Bondi after criticism over Epstein docs (USA Today) Trump administration can’t make colleges provide race-related data, judge rules (Reuters) Looking to limit birthright citizenship, Trump turns to an 1884 Supreme Court ruling against a Native American man (NBC) Judge deals Trump setback in civil suits over Capitol riot (Politico) Board of Immigration Appeals transforms law behind the scenes (NPR) Judge sides with New York Times in challenge to policy limiting reporters’ access to Pentagon (AP) Judge orders Trump administration to bring back DACA recipient deported to Mexico (Politico) Prosecutor conceded lack of criminal evidence in Federal Reserve investigation, transcript shows ((AP) US Treasury plans to put Trump’s signature on new paper currency in first for sitting president (AP) Judge Halts Construction of Trump’s White House Ballroom (Associated Press) Epstein survivors sue Justice Department and Google over release of private information (CNN) Beer cans, helium balloons and mortgages: Unexpected costs of war (NPR) Eulogy for the CIA Factbook: The free standard for world facts, long an educational staple, is gone (AP) WORLD G7 agrees to secure Strait of Hormuz but only after war in Iran ends (Euro News) Israel says it will begin direct negotiations with Lebanon as US prepares for Iran ceasefire talks (CNN) Trump compares attack on Iran to Pearl Harbor in meeting with Japanese PM (BBC) Exclusive: US can only confirm about a third of Iran’s missile arsenal destroyed (Reuters) For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down. U.S. Trump’s VA killed a home loan program. Vets are now losing their homes because of it (NPR) More than 10,000 veterans lost their homes to foreclosure since May of last year, when the Trump administration shut down a key safety net in the VA home loan program, according to the latest industry data. That is the highest pace of foreclosures for VA loans in a decade. Another 90,000 vets are heading toward foreclosure. Eligible young men will automatically be registered for US military draft later this year (NY Post) … Congress approved automatic registration for the draft last December as part of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, must-pass legislation that authorizes funding for military personnel and operations. .. The US has not had a draft since the Vietnam War, but the Iran conflict has fueled concerns that one could take place. Trump fires Attorney General Pam Bondi after criticism over Epstein docs (USA Today) Bondi was the second Cabinet member removed in Trump’s second term, after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Trump administration can’t make colleges provide race-related data, judge rules (Reuters) The Trump administration cannot force public universities in 17 U.S. states to turn over sweeping amounts ‌of data so it can examine whether they have ceased considering race as an admissions factor, a federal judge ruled on Friday. Looking to limit birthright citizenship, Trump turns to an 1884 Supreme Court ruling against a Native American man (NBC) Experts on Native American law say the Elk v. Wilkins ruling has no bearing on whether the children of immigrants without permanent legal status can be denied birthright citizenship. Judge deals Trump setback in civil suits over Capitol riot (Politico) U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta ruled that evidence produced so far in the litigation brought by police officers and Democratic lawmakers indicated that Trump’s speech at the Ellipse that day was political in nature and not subject to the immunity the Supreme Court has found for a president’s official acts. Board of Immigration Appeals transforms law behind the scenes (NPR) An administrative court known as the Board of Immigration Appeals has published a body of immigration case law that significantly narrows the due process and relief from deportation available for immigrants… The White House has done that by shrinking the size of the board by nearly half — and stacking the remaining slate of 15 judges with President Trump’s appointees. Judge sides with New York Times in challenge to policy limiting reporters’ access to Pentagon (AP) Federal Judge Paul Friedman blocked the Pentagon’s policy restricting journalist access, ruling it violates First and Fifth Amendment rights protecting free speech. The policy barred reporters who refused new credentialing rules from accessing the Pentagon, prompting The New York Times to sue in December. Judge orders Trump administration to bring back DACA recipient deported to Mexico (Politico) U.S. District Judge Dena Coggins called the deportation a “flagrant violation” of DACA’s promise of protection to those who arrived in the country as minors. Prosecutor conceded lack of criminal evidence in Federal Reserve investigation, transcript shows ((AP) The Justice Department’s investigation of a $2.5 billion renovation project at the Federal Reserve didn’t find any evidence of a crime, a federal prosecutor privately conceded under questioning by a skeptical judge earlier this month, according to a transcript of the sealed hearing. US Treasury plans to put Trump’s signature on new paper currency in first for sitting president (AP) The move would be a first for a sitting president, since traditionally, U.S. paper currency carries the signatures of the Treasury Secretary and the Treasurer, not the president. Judge Halts Construction of Trump’s White House Ballroom (Associated Press) Decision says construction on the estimated $400 million project can’t proceed until Congress authorizes Epstein survivors sue Justice Department and Google over release of private information (CNN) A group of Jeffrey Epstein survivors filed a class action lawsuit against the Department of Justice and Google on Thursday over the release of victim-identifying information in files related to the late convicted sex offender. The complaint, filed in Northern District of California federal court, alleges the documents the DOJ released in late 2025 and early 2026 “outed approximately 100 survivors” and published “their private

Three arrested in child abuse investigation, drugs also uncovered

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 9, 2026 (Spring Valley) — Three Spring Valley residents are in custody following an investigation into child abuse that uncovered a stash of narcotics inside a local residence. Detectives from the Rancho San Diego Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday assisted Child Welfare Services in executing a search warrant at a home on the 9000 block of Eucalyptus Street. Entering the residence after 2 p.m., authorities detained three individuals: Karina Rice, 31; Diann Whitt, 67; and Jarron Wood, 30. During the subsequent search of the premises, investigators reported finding cocaine, methamphetamines and marijuana, along with drug paraphernalia. All three suspects were arrested on charges related to child abuse and the possession of illegal drugs. While the investigation was sparked by child welfare concerns, authorities confirmed that no minors were in the house at the time of the police action. “The child of concern was the biological child, and they were not at the residence during the time of the search warrant service,” said Sgt. Gerardo Mateus, a spokesperson for the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. During the sweep, deputies discovered that Jarron Wood was also the subject of an outstanding bookable misdemeanor arrest warrant. Furthermore, a search of his person allegedly yielded an additional 7.17 grams of methamphetamines. Wood was transported and booked into the San Diego Central Jail. The investigation into the household is ongoing. Officials have not released details regarding the current placement of the child or the specific nature of the abuse allegations. Printer-friendly version

Temporary cease fire reached in Iran after Trump threatened “a whole civilization will die;” conflict takes toll on U.S. economy

Printer-friendly versionBy Alex J. Schorr April 9, 2026 — As of yesterday, the United States and Iran have agreed to a fragile two-week ceasefire brokered by Pakistan, with the agreement aiming to pause hostilities that began on February 28. Pakistan-mediated talks are scheduled to begin in Islamabad on Friday April 10, to seek a permanent settlement. The fragile cease-fire comes after Trump posted a threat on social media Tuesday stating that a “whole civilization will die tonight” unless Iran reopened the Strait of Hormuz. Additionally, a big point of contention has also emerged concerning Lebanon. While Pakistan and Iran maintain that the truce includes “Lebanon and elsewhere,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Trump have stated that the ceasefire does not cover Lebanon, where Israel has significantly intensified its attacks against Hezbollah. Negotiations are expected to focus on two different frameworks: Iran’s 10-Point Plan: Includes demands for a full US military withdrawal from the region, the lifting of all sanctions, and compensation for war damages. US 15-Point Plan: Prioritizes the permanent ending of Iran’s nuclear enrichment program and the decommissioning of nuclear facilities. Despite the agreement, hostilities have persisted, with reports of continued attacks in the Persian Gulf and accusations from both sides of ceasefire violations. Also, Iranian state TV said a first vessel had transited the global oil checkpoint with Tehran’s permission following a ceasefire, but shipping sources said that the Iranian navy was threatening ships with destruction if they tried to pass. The Strait of Hormuz accounts for roughly 20% of the world’s total oil supply. As a strategic chokepoint between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, it is the primary export for major producers, including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, the UAE, and Iran. Despite President Trump backing off of his threat to annihilate Iran, the strait is still closed. The Motives for War There is such a thing as a “war of necessity,” but as Senator Warner from Virginia says: “This one in Iran is a war of choice.” He would know that, as he is the top democrat on the senate intelligence committee, and stated that “there was no imminent threat from Iran that would justify the United States initiating military action,” and that there was “no available intelligence that showed an immediate threat to our country.” Warner is not just reflecting on the concerns of Americans overall: he is illustrating the concerns of his own state: Virginia is home to the Naval Station at Norfolk, where thousands of military families will be directly impacted by this illegal war. There are already thousands of navy men and women aboard the USS Gerald Ford, which was shipped out to Norfolk earlier in the summer, and are already in the Middle East. Warner himself is just one of many representing those concerned about the deployment of Americans into a war that was uncalled for and unconstitutionally designed. Add the financial cost to the human cost to this equation, where so many Americans are already struggling in the homeland of the United States. Billions of dollars will be put into this conflict, all while the nation prides itself on being the best country and the richest country, when its own people are unable to afford basic expenses. President Trump cannot give a clear explanation behind this military action. Initiating a military assault on another country puts the people in the United States in a very uncertain and dangerous position. The War’s Impact on the Economy Trump has now broken what may be the last promise that he made in his campaign in starting another war. Compare this with certain members of the MAGA movement, who asserted that it was apparently un-pratriotic to fight for or send aid to Ukraine— pro democracy allies— and now spending almost a billion dollars a day to either liberate or not liberate Iran from its own cruel leadership; a sentiment which this foreign country has never asked for. It was barely a year ago that Vice President J.D. Vance said that Ukraine was draining our supplies faster than we could replenish them, while saying at the exact same time that the US couldn’t afford to defend Ukraine, which at its peak was costing $4–5 billion a month, while right now, the war in Iran is set to cost $27 billion per month. For a comparison, the war in Iraq cost about $300 million per day. This means that from day one of the US conflict against Iran, Trump’s war on Iran is costing America triple the cost of the worst days in Iraq. Trump is now debt spending. As of April 8, 2026, the US has spent an estimated $33 billion on direct military operations in the conflict with Iran— also known as “Operation Epic Fury” by the Trump administration. United States Oil prices surged above $104 per barrel for the first time since July 2022, which is about an increase of 90%. Gasoline prices have gone up more than 33% over the last 40 days. The promised yet obviously absent “Doge compensation check” and $2,000 tariff rebate check” have yet to be even admitted to American families and workers to even lessen the pain facing Americans. Despite Trump saying that Americans would be getting gas for less than $2 a gallon. Now, gas prices are closing in on $3.50 a gallon and are expected to continue to keep rising the longer the Middle East conflict lasts. Despite that, Trump is down playing the issue. The latest talking point to rectify this has been to characterize financial woes as a “short-term pain for a long-term gain.” Global stock markets surged and crude oil dropped significantly— falling below $100 per barrel in response to the news, but it is likely and expected to change and fluctuate based on the status of the US and Iran conflict. Every Republican president since Ronald Reagan does this: promise to lower taxes, and does so for the very rich while increasing it for the poorer and middle class, and then attack a middle-western country. The difference between Trump and those who preceded him is that he ran as the “anti-war