March 13, 2024 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Police have arrested twin brothers for a series of retail thefts between January 23 and February 24. Ali and Shuaib Ahmed, 28, are accused of orchestrating five retail thefts at the Ultra Beauty Store in El Cajon, allegedly stealing over $3,000 in merchandise, as well as a Feb. 24 theft at JC Penney in El Cajon, where goods valued at $700 were stolen.
By Chris Berg, marketing and engagement manager, city of El Cajon
March 13, 2024 (El Cajon) —The city of El Cajon is inviting experienced and innovative event planners and organizations to submit proposals for the management of the newly conceived East County Market Nights. This weekly event, set to transform downtown El Cajon every Thursday evening, combines a certified Farmers Market with a dynamic nightlife experience, including live music, gourmet food trucks, and a beer and wine garden. Video Preview
March 13, 2024 (Santee) -- Santee is hoping to strike a deal with San Diego County to create a new park surrounding the historic Edgemoor Barn as well as much needed affordable housing.
At its most recent meeting on Feb. 28, the city council approved a resolution supporting a collaborative effort between the city and county for a plan on some 21 acres next to the Las Colinas Women’s Detention Center.
March 13, 2024 (San Diego) -- Join the Peter Pan Junior Theater for a heartwarming performance of the beloved musical “Annie,” set to take place from March 20th to 23rd at the Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Performing Arts Center in San Diego. This enchanting production promises to bring the classic tale of hope and adventure to life, featuring the talents of young performers who have been rehearsing and training to deliver an unforgettable experience.
March 13, 2024 (Spring Valley) – On March 10, 2024, at approximately 3:00 a.m., an unidentified female driver was traveling in a silver sedan, southbound in the northbound lanes of State Route 125, just north of Jamacha Road, at an unknown speed. Preliminary investigation and physical evidence suggested the solo female driver was driving wrong way and as a result, the sedan collided with a concrete bridge, lost control and collided with a metal chain link fence, and left the roadway. The sedan came to rest on Jamacha Road.
March 12, 2024 (San Diego) – Kathryn “Kathy” Lynn Carpenter, East County Magazine’s theater reviewer for the past 15 years, passed away on September 16, 2023, two days after her 65th birthday.
“I am deeply saddened to learn of Kathy’s passing last fall,” said ECM editor Miriam Raftery. “Kathy was a kind-hearted person and a valued member of our team who loved showcasing the works of community and youth theaters, high school and college performances, as well as highlighting the talents of young actors. We extend our deepest sympathy to her family and all who loved her. This is a loss to the entire San Diego theatrical community.”
March 12, 2024 (La Mesa) -- Lamplighter’s Theatre in La Mesa will present the comic play, “Five Women Wearing the Same Dress.” The show runs March 1 through 24.
March 7, 2024 (La Mesa) – Dr. Mark Arapostathis, Mayor of La Mesa, gave a State of the City address in February that spoke of progress in processes at City Hall, growth in housing and business opportunities, as well as community engagement such as new park facilities and festive events all year round.
March 12, 2024 (El Cajon) -- “The Wall That Heals”, a ¾-sized replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial with a Mobile Education Center, will be at Wells Park in El Cajon March 21-24. Volunteers are needed to help make this amazing educational opportunity happen.
March 12, 2024 (Mohave County, Arizona) -- A La Mesa woman jumped off a boat to go swimming in Lake Havasu, AZ Sunday afternoon when according to the Mohave County Sheriff’s office. “Her improperly secured life jacket came off. The victim began to panic, then went below the surface of the water.”
A Sheriff’s dive team, aided by side scan sonar technology, found the victim at a depth of 42 feet in chilly 59 degree water. She has been identified as Cynthia Marin, 49, of La Mesa.
Photo: Mayor Racquel Vasquez has a slim 8-vote lead over Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins, in the battle for the second-place run-off slot
March 12, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – If you think your vote doesn’t matter, take a look at the latest results in the 79th Assembly District, where the top two candidates will advance to a November run-off.
March 11, 2024 (El Cajon) -- In his State of the City address on February 7, El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells outlined his major plans for growth in a city that has been plagued by several issues related to the post-recovery period of Covid and the homelessness epidemic.
March 11, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) -- Close to 100 people came before the Grossmont Union High School District board meeting February 22, eager to hear -- and be heard -- regarding disciplinary action taken against four educators at Santana High School after a teenager was sex-trafficked in 2021.
By Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association
A school bus at Grossmont High School. Photo by Chris Stone, Times of San Diego
March 11, 2024 (El Cajon) -- An East County school board will consider two items Tuesday that could lead to the elimination of teaching, administrative and classified positions.
Eighty-six jobs are on the line, according to two human resources items on the agenda for the Grossmont Union High School District.
Source: Department of Environmental Health and Quality
March 10, 2024 (San Diego) -- The County is looking to understand how we can improve services to the community during disasters. To learn more about the specific challenges communities are facing during these disasters, we are hosting online webinars open to the community as well as a survey to learn more and hear directly from the public. This information will be used to develop policy recommendations to the County Board of Supervisors about what actions the County should take to help better serve the public before, during, and after disasters. For more information and to take the survey and register for webinars please go to: https://engage.sandiegocounty.gov/regional-disaster-management
March 10, 2024 (Washington, D.C.) -- Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51) secured $13.5 million for 15 local community projects in San Diego in an appropriations package that passed the House today. These projects were submitted by local governments and non-profits across California’s 51st district, from Lemon Grove to Grantville to Miramar. The Senate is expected to pass this package later this week, and then it will head to President Biden’s desk for his signature.
Rep. Sara Jacobs said: “Bringing home federal dollars to San Diego is one of my biggest responsibilities, so I’m incredibly proud that I secured $13.5 million for local projects across California’s 51st district – especially during such a politically fraught time in Congress. This much-needed funding will help address homelessness, support children, prevent wildfires, care for service members and veterans, build beautiful community spaces, and more. I’m excited to see all the good that this funding will do to make our community healthier, safer, and stronger.”
Rep. Sara Jacobs secured $13.5 million for these 15 San Diego projects:
Photo: Andrew Hayes has moved into 2nd place in 75th Assembly district; LaShae Sharp-Collins has pulled within 183 votes of Racquel Vasquez in the 79th district
March 9, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – Latest election results released at 5 p.m. this evening show results have flipped in the Assembly district 75—with two Republicans now in the first and second place positions poised to run-off in November, if these positions hold.
Andrew Hayes, a Lakeside school board member and long-time aide to Senator Brian Jones and Supervisor Joel Anderson, has narrowly pulled ahead of Democrat Kevin Juza, a business consultant. Carl DeMaio, founder of Reform California and conservative talk radio host, remains in first place. Currently DeMaio has 43.21%, Hayes 18.65% and Juza 18.18%. With just 555 votes separating Hayes and Juza, however, this race is still too close to call. Three lesser-known candidates are trailing far behind.
The race has also tightened in the 79th Assembly District, where three Democrats are vying for the two top slots to advance to the November general election.
March 9, 2024 (Santee) -- Trader Joe’s, purveyor of its own wine label Charles Shaw (formerly “Two Buck Chuck”) and prepared gourmet entrees, said that its next store will be at the former Best Buy site at 9680 Mission Gorge Road in Santee. It will be the chain’s 16th store in San Diego County.
In late December, the Monrovia-based grocery chain had announced Santee would be the location for a new store, as ECM reported, but declined to say anything more. But word leaked out that the old Best Buy site between Navy Federal Credit Union and Discount Tire is the new address.
Bidders must register by March 14 to participate in online auction; Auction runs from March 22-27
March 9, 2024 (San Diego) - San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector Dan McAllister is reminding San Diegans that there is only one week left to register for the 2024 online property tax auction. The auction site currently has a total of 411 properties for sale.
“The deadline to register to participate in the online tax auction is a week away,” said McAllister. “Our online system makes it simple to sign up, research, and bid on a variety of properties across San Diego County.”
March 8, 2024 (San Diego) -- The Squirrel and the Moon, a picture book, is beautifully written by Jacob Haffner and illustrated by Clarissa Janeen. It’s perfect for the young reader who loves to explore a book through its pictures. The book tells a warm and tender mother/child story.
The squirrel tells his mother he’s going to the moon. When the squirrel sets out to bring a souvenir home from the moon, he discovers that his task is more daunting than he'd expected. Can he make it to the moon and back? If so, how will he get there?
March 9, 2024 (San Diego) – San Diego author J. Elke Ertle was born and raised in West Berlin during the aftermath of World War II, when the city had become the focus of an escalating Cold War between East and West.
In her memoir, Walled-In: A West Berlin Girl’s Journey to Freedom, she beautifully describes how her strict rearing was similar to the restrictions of the Wall on her city’s people.
The following excerpt gives a sense of her conflict:
“My purpose tonight is to wake up the Congress and alert the American people that this is no ordinary moment...What makes our moment rare is that freedom and democracy are under attack at — both at home and overseas at the very same time.” -- President Joe Biden
March 9, 2024 (Washington D.C.) – In a powerful State of the Union speech, President Joe Biden announced his intent to “both wake up Congress and alert the American people” about threats to our democracy at home and abroad. He likened the global threat to 1941, when President Franklin Roosevelt addressed Congress with a warning while Hitler on the march and war raged in Europe. Biden warned of Russia’s threats to the free world, as well as threats to freedoms in the U.S.
In addition, Biden touted historic economic gains, plans for a mortgage tax credit, a goal to cut more prescription drug costs, and a goal to further reduce the deficit by increasing taxes on wealthy individuals earning over $400,000 whose taxes were cut by the Trump administration. He called on Congress to pass aid to Ukraine and a bipartisan border security and immigration reform bill, also announcing emergency orders for the military to build a pier to bring more humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Dr. Harouni’s family also announces plans to start charity, Hearts Over Hate
By Miriam Raftery
March 9, 2024 (El Cajon) – Yareli Carrillo, mother of a 9-month-old baby, was one of two people injured when a gunman opened fire on Feb. 29 at the Smile Plus Dentistry & Orthodontics clinic in El Cajon where she works as an administrative assistant. The shooter, a former patient, also killed Dr. Benjamin Harouni.
The young mother was shot five times in the legs, and has been hospitalized in stable condition. Yarelli Carillo’s family has started a fundraiser on GoFundMe. Organizer Edgar Hernandez says. Your generous contributions will directly support Yareli as she rebuilds her life, covering medical expenses, ongoing treatment, and ensuring the well-being of her baby boy in a stable and nurturing environment. Together, we can make a difference and bring hope and healing to Yareli and her family.”
Jake Harouni has set up a separate fundraiser to assist the family of his brother, Dr.. Benjamin Harouni. “We're organizing a charity - Hearts Over Hate - to support families affected by violent crimes, offering them much-needed counseling and support, particularly for those who lack the resources to access these services,” Jake Harouni writes.
He adds, ”Our enduring vision is to foster peace by educating young people and nurturing environments of love and kindness. This proactive approach aims to prevent such tragedies from recurring.”
March 8, 2024 (East County) – Tonight’s update from the Registrar of Voters is showing the race for second place getting narrower in two East County State Assembly districts..
This Article was edited on March 11, 2024 to express the concerns of residents who suffered storm damage and to better show the timeline of events and relationships between council members and Borderlands for Equity.
March 7, 2024 (Lemon Grove) – Tuesday, the Lemon Grove City Council members were presented a chance to pass a resolution “calling for an immediate, and permanent ceasefire and a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis affecting Gaza and Israel.”
March 5, 2024 (Lemon Grove) – On January 22, immense flooding ripped through San Diego County, devastating many peoples' homes, businesses, vehicles and personal property. The San Diego County Sheriff’s Lemon Grove substation was inundated by floodwaters, which caused heavy damage to the interior of the station.
March 6, 2024 (San Diego) – Victims of the flooding disaster in San Diego County are now eligible for temporary food assistance through Cal Fresh. Qualified applicants will receive a debit card with at least $291 to purchase food.There is a short application window. In order to get Disaster CalFresh, people must apply by Friday, March 15.
Disaster CalFresh benefits are for people living or working in impacted counties including San Diego County on January 21 who experienced one of the following:
Lost wages or income because of the natural disaster, or
Had their home or place of employment damaged, or
Have disaster-related costs (including lost food, evacuation expenses), or
March 6, 2024 (San Diego)—Republican-endorsed candidates won both contested judicial seats in yesterday’s primary election, prevailing over Democratic Party endosred candidates..
For seat 41, deputy district attorney Brian Erickson has 55.2% of the vote as of this morning, over senior assistant attorney general Jodi Cleesattle with 44.8%
In seat 43, prosecutor Valerie Summers in the District Attorney’s office has soundly defeated family law attorney Koryn Sheppard by a 63.55% to 46.56% margin.
Update March 6: As of this morning, Steve Garvey has pulled ahead of Adam Schiff in the partial term Senate election. Garvey is leading with 1,317,911 votes to 1,173,917 for Adam Schiff. The two will run-off in November, with the winner seated as soon as votes are certified to serve the remaining few weeks in the late Senator Dianne Feinstein's term this November and December.
Schiff still has a narrow lead in the long-term race for the six-year term starting in January;currently Schiff leads in the long-term race narrowly with 1,247,753 over Garvey with 1,218,050 votes. They will run-off in November as well for the long-term race to fill the next six-year term beginning in January.
By Henri Migala
March 5, 2024 (San Diego) --With the balance of power in the U.S. Senate nearly equally split between Republicans and Democrats, the California race to replace the late Dianne Feinstein may decide the balance of power in the Senate and the Nation.
Currently, there are 49 Republicans, 48 Democrats and 3 Independents in the Senate. The Independents have chosen to Caucus with the Democrats, giving them a slight edge. Additionally, on January 20, 2021, Democratic vice president Kamala Harris took office. Her tie-breaking vote established a Democratic majority in the Senate.
With the death of long-serving Senator Dianne Feinstein, a seat that has been held by Democrats for decades is now up for grabs. Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Laphonza Butler to fill the seat until an election could be held.
Today's ballot includes both a partial term election to complete the last two months of Feinstein's unfinished term, as well as a full-term election for the next six-year term beginning January 3, 2025.
East County News Service
By Chris Berg, marketing and engagement manager, city of El Cajon
By Mike Allen
By Jonathan Goetz
East County News Service
East County News Service
Dr. Mark Arapostathis, Mayor of La Mesa, gave a State of the City address in February that spoke of progress in processes at City Hall, growth in housing and business opportunities, as well as community engagement such as new park facilities and festive events all year round.
By Miriam Raftery
East County News Service
By Bransen P. Harper
By Kirsten Andelman
By Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association
Source: Congresswoman Sara Jacobs
By Mike Allen
Bidders must register by March 14 to participate in online auction; Auction runs from March 22-27 
By Miriam Raftery; Jonathan Goetz contributed to this report
Dr. Harouni’s family also announces plans to start charity, Hearts Over Hate
Tonight’s update from the Registrar of Voters is showing the race for second place getting narrower in two East County State Assembly districts..
Tuesday, the Lemon Grove City Council members were presented a chance to pass a resolution “calling for an immediate, and permanent ceasefire and a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis affecting Gaza and Israel.”
On January 22, immense flooding ripped through San Diego County, devastating many peoples' homes, businesses, vehicles and personal property. The San Diego County Sheriff’s Lemon Grove substation was inundated by floodwaters, which caused heavy damage to the interior of the station. 
By Miriam Raftery
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