April 12, 2015 (El Cajon)--The Water Conservation Garden invites the public to its second-annual Butterfly Festival for an exciting program of activities that will engage all ages with butterflies on Saturday, May 9^th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  The event highlights the important role that these insects play in our ecosystem and how visitors can attract and support butterflies in their home gardens using drought-tolerant plants.  Activities include:

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Phil Konstanin

April 10, 2015 (El Cajon ) – Rock and roll superstar Chubby Checker will perform a concert with a “Twist” on  April 23^rd at Sycuan’s Live & Up Close Theater.  Checker rocketed to fame in 1960, when his recording of “The Twist” was the number one song in the nation, sparking a new dance craze and countless variations such as the “Peppermint Twist”, “Let’s Twist Again” and “Twist and Shout.”

April 9, 2015 (El Cajon) – The 17th Annual Morning Glory Brunch will be held on April 11^th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center (2199 East Madison Ave.) in El Cajon. The event benefits the center’s programs for adults with developmental disabilities.

By Paul Kruze

Photo by Miriam Raftery: Performers on stage at ECPAC in brighter days

April 10, 2015 (El Cajon)--It has been said that “the opera ain’t over until the fat lady sings.” If all goes as planned, the fat lady could be soon be setting a date to sing on the stage at the shuttered and embattled East County Performing Art Center (ECPAC) sooner than later.

In a move that pleased local community activists who have decried the prolonged shutdown of downtown El Cajon’s entertainment venue, the City of El Cajon released an extensive request for bids to fix the theater’s leaky roof and bring about extensive technical upgrades throughout the facility.

April 9, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)—A search is under way for Isac Molina, 27, an El Cajon resident, paramedic and father of two.  Family reported Monday that Molina left home Sunday at 3 p.m. “on his own volition appearing very despondent,” said Lt. Frank La Haye with the El Cajon Police. He is considered a missing person at risk.

East County News Service

April 7, 2015 (El Cajon) – Members of the San Diego Early Music Society (SDEMS) will be performing baroque concertos for harp, mandolin and flute at Cuyamaca College’s Performing Arts Center on Thursday, April 9 at 7:30 p.m. The program will hear is comprised of concerti of Vivaldi, Telemann, Durante, Corelli and Handel for various combinations of soloists.

“SDEMS members asked for a return visit by Concerto Koeln, and we’re only too happy to comply,” said president Mark Lester. “We’re delighted to be able to bring such an accomplished and widely recognized performing group to our newest venue in East County.”

April 3, 2015 (El Cajon )—El Cajon’s second annual America on Main Street festival will be held on Saturday, May 16^th from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in downtown El Cajon.  This family-fun celebration honoring the American spirit will feature four stages with live entertainment, a Ferris wheel, petting zoo, pony rides and hay rides.

By Miriam Raftery

April 3, 2015 (El Cajon) – In response to reports of multiple sexual harassment  and sexual misconduct claims against the El Cajon Police department through the years, we asked City Manager Doug Williford how many women are on the police force, including management. We also asked what policies have been put in place that aim to prevent sexual harassment.

Williford sent our request to Jim Lynch, director of human resources for the City of El Cajon. Lynch provided this response:

By Miriam Raftery

March 26, 2015 (El Cajon) – At the El Cajon City Council meeting on Tuesday, several members of the public spoke out to ask that Officer Richard Gonsalves be fired or put on administrative leave pending outcome of a lawsuit by a woman claiming sexual harassment.  Gonsalves has been demoted, but remains on the force.

An East County Magazine special report

By Miriam Raftery

March 24, 2015 (El Cajon)--An East County Magazine special investigation reveals a long string of sexual harassment and sexual misconduct claims involving the El Cajon Police Department, dating back over the past two decades.  Following a recent sexual harassment lawsuit filed against the ECPD, victims and witnesses to past sexual crimes and alleged sexual misconduct have come forward to speak with ECM about other cases.

Bonnie Price, who is organizing a protest rally Tuesday at 2:15 outside El Cajon's City Council, contends that the Police Department has a "culture of sexual harassment" that may be overly conducive to such actions.

Grossmont district blocks access to Burn Book app following latest incident

March 11, 2015 (El Cajon ) – An anonymous message sent on the popular phone app “BurnBook” at 12:40 a.m. threatened the safety of students and staff at El Cajon Valley High School, El Cajon Police reports.

Source: City of El Cajon

March 11, 2015 (El Cajon)--In August of 2013, the El Cajon City Council adopted, via unanimous vote the Deemed Approved Ordinance (DAO).  The DAO strengthened the City’s abilities to address establishments that sold off-premise alcohol within the City. This included placing specific restrictions on the sale of alcohol, when warranted. This Ordinance was viewed by the City Council as a necessary action in order to protect the community’s youth and businesses from illegal or inappropriate alcohol sales.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Missing pup has been reunited with his owner; photo courtesy 10 News

March 7, 2015 (El Cajon )—A puppy stolen from the backyard of an El Cajon home is back home, thanks to a story aired by ECM news partner 10 News.

By East County Magazine

View a detailed list of pedestrian accidents resulting in serious injuries or deaths in El Cajon

March 5, 2015 (El Cajon)--El Cajon has had 17 fatality pedestrian accidents from 2011 to 2014, including six on Main and East Main Street. The city also had 61 serious injury accidents involving pedestrians during the same period.  During the first few weeks of 2015, fatal pedestrian accidents have claimed more lives, including a 7-year-old boy and an elderly woman in El Cajon.

East County News Service

March 3, 2015 (El Cajon) - Over 200 guests turned out for the first annual Socialites Fashion Event hosted in partnership with the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce and  Mercedes Benz of El Cajon on February 27th.