August 31, 2010 (El Cajon ) - The FBI and El Cajon Police Department seek the public’s help to identify two men who robbed a U.S. Bank branch inside Albertsons grocery store at 1608 Broadway, El Cajon, on Saturday, August 28 at 2:48 p.m. The two men simultaneously approached two tellers and threatened to shoot them if they did not comply with demands for money.

August 26, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Citing concerns over a recent audit report, the El Cajon City Council voted 4-1 to extend funding for the El Cajon Community Development Corporation for six months instead of the full year. While the Mayor expressed confidence that a new director has agreed to correct problems identified in the audit, some Councilmembers warned that the City could exercise the City’s 30-day right to terminate the ECCDC’s contract if their concerns are not adequately addressed.

 
 
August 23, 2010 (San Diego) -- The San Diego Better Business Bureau (BBB), San Diego’s largest county-wide business membership organization, will host a BBB business-to-business (B2B) networking mixer from 4 to 6 p.m., on Thursday, Sept. 2, at Toyota of El Cajon, 965 Arnele Ave., in El Cajon. The public is invited to attend.  Admission cost is $25 per person.

By Buck Shott

August 19, 2010 (San Diego's East County) – The races are on for mayor and council positions in East Couny. Two local mayors’ seats are up for reelection in November. Both face challengers vying for the leadership spots in El Cajon and La Mesa. In addition, a pack of contenders is vying to run for council seats in East County’s cities of El Cajon, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, and Santee. Here's the lineup: 

Have you shopped at a farmers’ market? Would you like to shop at one in El Cajon?  The City of El Cajon is considering bringing back a farmer's market--and wants to hear from you.

By Miriam Raftery

August 13, 2010 (El Cajon) – The Center for Social Advocacy in El Cajon has been awarded the Organizational Leadership Award from the American Psychological Association’s Committee on Socioeconomic Status. The award recognizes CSA’s dedication and leadership on behalf of poverty and socioeconomic issues.

East County News Service

August 7, 2010 (El Caon) – Sunshine Horton has been a “Miracle Maker” for Rady Children’s Hospital for 16 years, winning the “Most Creative Miracle Maker Award” in 2010. This year, she invites the public to her 16th annual birthday fundraising event, which includes a dance-a-thon and fashion show hosted by the Downtown Café, (182 East Main Street in Downtown El Cajon). Proceeds will benefit Rady Children’s Hospital and commemorate police officer killed by drunk drivers.

Update 11:30 a.m.  The gas line has been repaired and all roads are now open.
August 5, 2010 (El Cajon) – Road closures and evacuations are being ordered in El Cajon due to a damaged gas line at 613 Mundy Terrace.

August 4, 2010 (El Cajon) -- Grossmont College Athletics Dept. and men’s basketball coach Doug Weber invite boys and girls entering the 3rd through 8th grades to Grossmont College’s annual youth summer basketball camp from 8 a.m. to noon, Monday through Thursday, Aug. 9-12.

By Miriam Raftery

July 31, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) – San Diego Sheriff deputies along with U.S. Fish and Wildlife officials conducted sweeps of homeless camps in wooded areas of Rancho San Diego early this morning.

East County Magazine accompanied officers on the first sweep, behind Savanna Grill. More sweeps were held near Cuyamaca College, the YMCA, Target, and the old Steele Canyon bridge off Highway 94. No homeless people were present or arrested, though many left behind trash and/or treasures that could not be toted away in a backpack or shopping cart. Makeshift tents, lean-tos and mattresses were found, along with more poignant items: a large stuffed monkey, a cracked mirror with ornate frame, a pushcart, cooking utensils, nail polish, and a chipped china pitcher.

 
 
July 28, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- Construction crews will close southbound State Route 67 between Woodside and Prospect avenues this Thursday night at 9 p.m. and will reopen the lanes at 5 a.m. Friday morning. The southbound Magnolia Avenue on-ramp will also be closed beginning one hour earlier at 8, according to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).

July 21, 2010 (El Cajon) – A cracked storm drain has undermined the roadway on Fanita Drive, causing a sink hole measuring four feet wide and 20 inches deep. Fanita remains closed in both directions between Valley Lake Drive and Gibbons Street for repairs begun yesterday.

 
 
July 20, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) – Where can you see a snake charmer and fire dancers, sample foods from around the world, savor music and dancing by top performers, enjoy beer and wine gardens, find face-painting for kids and a mesmerizing magic show—all free? Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber of Commerce invites you to the first-ever Summer Music & Culture Festival on Sunday, August 8.

SAN DIEGO, CA July 23, 2010 Meet author Gary Winters, of The Deer Dancer, Friday evening as he gives a presentation and signing for his powerful novel, The Deer Dancer, at Borders Books and Music in El Cajon. The author will speak briefly about the process of writing this novel, read from his book, and take questions. This is part of an ongoing commitment between the El Cajon Borders and local publisher, Sunbelt Books, to provide East County with local author readings to encourage literacy and a sense of community.

East County News Service
 
July 12, 2010 (El Cajon) – Camp Bow-Wow is teaming up with Downtown Café to raise money for the Animal Center for Education and Service (ACES) Foundation by hosting a “Yappy Hour” for dogs and their owners on Thursday, July 22 from 6-8 p.m. at the restaurant's sidewalk cafe.  This B.Y.O.D. (bring your own dog) party includes “puptinis” for canines as well as food and drink specials for dog owners. Live music, giveaways, and raffle prizes are all part of the fun.

July 9, 2010 (El Cajon) -- Heartland Fire Dispatch received reports of a brush fire just east of Interstate 8 near West Main Street in El Cajon shortly before 4 p.m. today. As crews from Heartland Fire & Rescue arrived, they found the brush and some nearby eucalyptus trees ablaze. It took 15 firefighters about 25 minutes to contain the fire.

The trolley service is delayed through this area and traffic traveling eastbound on Interstate 8 is heavily congested into El Cajon to West Main Street. Surface street areas of West Main Street and Marshall Avenue are congested. Please watch for traffic control, and if possible use an alternate route.

July 9, 2010 (El Cajon) -- Want to help homeless animals and clean up your dirty dog at the same time?  Camp Bow Wow is hosting a charity dog wash at Cat & Doggie Works, 1137 N. Second Street in El Cajon, on Saturday July 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

 

 
July 5, 2010 (El Cajon) – On Friday, July 9th, fans of art, music, wine and classic cars will be prowling the streets of downtown El Cajon for the 5th annual Alley Cat Summer Fest. The event, which many consider to be the “cat’s meow,” is presented by St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center to benefit Sophie’s Art Gallery, creating opportunities for artists with developmental disabilities.

 
June 25, 2010 (El Cajon) – An undercover operation by the El Cajon Police Department yesterday targeted males soliciting acts of prostitution from women on the streets of El Cajon. With assistance from the San Diego Sheriff’s Department, 14 individuals were arrested yesterday during the six-hour operation.

June 21, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) - This month's "4th Friday" sun-up breakfast sponsored by the Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber of Commerce will feature leaders of local law enforcement agencies and fire officials offering tips on safety and crime prevention for businesses and residents. 

By East County News Service

June 18, 2010 (El Cajon) -- El Cajon's 15th Annual Concerts on the Green begins Friday, June 25 with the Legends, who will perform their oldies music from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in downtown El Cajon. Ed Waymire returns as master of ceremonies.  

The temporary location for Concerts on the Green is the outdoor amphitheater at the East County Performing Arts Center pending completion of the renovation of Prescott Promenade.

Story by Miriam Raftery

Photos and video by Khari Johnson

June 15, 2010 (El Cajon) – History came alive at the eighth annual Western Heritage Days June 5-6 in El Cajon, where Buffalo soldiers, ladies with parasols and Laguna Mountain men roamed the streets.

Entertainment also included Native American dancers, musical acts such as Tom Hiatt and the Sundown Riders, shoot-out reenactments and much more. View video highlights.

June 14, 2010 (El Cajon) – A frightening ordeal was experienced by party-goers at a home located in the 300 block of Sunnybrook Lane in El Cajon’s unincorporated area. Last night at 11:15 p.m., several men entered the residence armed with handguns and tasers. The host and guests were tied up with zip ties and duct tape; some victims were tasered when thieves demanded cash and jewelry.

June 14, 2010 (El Cajon) -- Cindi Fargo has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the El Cajon Community Development Corporation, CDC Board of Directors Chairman John McTighe announced.  Fargo was selected from over 60 candidates in a nationwide search that was launched after long-time President/CEO Claire Carpenter announced her departure in December of last year.

By Miriam Raftery

June 13, 2010 (El Cajon ) – A 50 to 75-foot-high geyser of water spewed skyward in El Cajon on Friday morning, visible from as far away as Interstate 8. The gusher resulted from a hit-and-run driver whose truck backed into a fire hydrant on Taft Street, just south of East Main Street.

 
 
June 12, 2010 (El Cajon)--The public is invited to participate in a monthly Saturday morning neighborhood clean up day.  The next "Lend a Hand" event is Saturday, June 26 from 9:00 to11:00am at East Camden and Lincoln Avenues in downtown El Cajon. Volunteers and residents will come together to remove trash and identify graffiti to promote a clean and safe community.

June 10, 2010 (El Cajon) -- The third annual "Royal Tea & Fashion Show" benefitting the 63rd Annual Mother Goose Parade will be held Saturday, June 12th, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 1400 East Washington Avenue in El Cajon.

Up! Down! Flying Around.
Looping The Loop And Defying The Ground.
They're All, Rightfully, Kings!
Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines.
 
June 1, 2010 (El Cajon) - On June 4, 5 & 6,  Air Group One, the San Diego wing of the Commemorative Air Force will present their 15th annual Wings Over Gillespie Air Show at Gillespie Field in El Cajon--complete with recreations of famous aerial battles, pyrotechnics, aerobatic stunt flying, displays, and much more.

May 28, 2010 (El Cajon) – El Cajon’s City Council voted Tuesday to approve using grant money to upgrade lighting at recreation centers, City Hall, a fire station, and along maor city streets. The stimulus funds is from the Obama administration’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which awarded El $881,100 for the upgrade of City equipment and facilities.

 
(San Diego) – At last night’s Golden Watchdog and Golden Fleece Awards dinner, the San Diego County Taxpayers Association presented its top honor, the Grand Golden Watchdog Award, to the East County communities of El Cajon, La Mesa, and Lemon Grove, for “Heartland Fire Rescue Consolidation Efforts.” The three cities joined forces to consolidate fire management services, creating additional staffing capacity and containing costs while maintaining a high level of fire and emergency medical services. The expected savings is $560,000 among the three cities without a loss of service to the public.