By Miriam Raftery

August 15, 2017 (Mount Helix) – A resident on Mount Helix says he caught a woman driving a Lexus luxury car red-handed, stealing avocados off trees at his home before dawn last week.

The resident, Alan van Antwerp, in an interview with ECM news partner 10 News, said a motion sensor alerted him. He posted a photo of the startled woman and her license plate number on the Next Door Mount Helix forum, eliciting over 100 comments, many from residents reporting similar thefts of avocados and other fruits by thieves who left trees stripped bare.

By Jonathan Goetz

Photo: Children’s Weekly

August 15, 2017 (El Cajon) – Today is Sunshine Horton’s 72^nd birthday. Each year since 1995, Sunshine Horton has done a Miracle Maker birthday to raise money for Rady Children’s Hospital.

“For my 50^th birthday I wanted to thank this country for giving me such a great life and I wanted to do something special, so I went to the Sheriff’s Department and they told me to do a walk.

By Miriam Raftery

August 14, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – “In recent months, the Rancho San Diego Command has experienced a trend of violent take-over style robberies of marijuana dispensaries,” Sergeant K. Murashige with the Rancho San Diego Sheriff’s substation says, adding, “In each case, armed guards were not a deterrent, the suspects were all armed, dispensary staff members failed to call for help even after people were physically assaulted, and in some cases the staff members refused to allow law enforcement to enter, causing a stand-off situation that stretched the department's resources in helping victims.”

By Liz Alper

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

August 14, 2017 (San Diego) - Today's San Diego State football practice was canceled after an outbreak of chicken pox among some players, ECM news partner 10 News reports.

Three players began showing symptoms on Saturday, SDSU Senior Associate Athletic Director of Communications and Media Mike May told 10 News.

Grant Yourself Immunity

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

August 14, 2017 (San Diego) -- Every week it seems there’s some new virus, disease, airborne, food contamination in which we have to exercise caution around or get an immunization.

Wouldn’t it be great if we could get an immunization against the 405 freeway and stop that spread of toxic traffic! How about from rude and obnoxious people? I guess we can never rid ourselves of those.  However, vaccine-preventable diseases can be prevented if we take the time and get our immunization shots.

By Miriam Raftery

August 13, 2017 (Charlottesville, VA)—Unite the Right, the largest white supremacist gathering in decades, was declared an unlawful assembly by the city of Charlottesville, Virginia,  where three people are dead and at least 35 injured. Governor Terry McAuliff declared a state of emergency and politicians across the country have spoken out to denounce the hate groups participating and a Nazi sympathizer who rammed his vehicle into a crowd has been charged with murder.

Former Ku Klux Klan (KKK) mperial Wizard David Duke had earlier credited Donald Trump with inspiring the rally.

Other County Apps can help find lost dogs, get emergency info, find veterans services, search for library books, save lives and more

By Miriam Raftery

August 13, 2017 (San Diego) – See a pothole, graffiti, or other problem in San Diego’s unincorporated communities?  Now you can download the County’s “Tell Us NOW” app, enabling you to take a photo and instantly submit it. The App is available for Apple and Android phones.

Copyright 2017 by Sam Warren

August 13, 2017 (San Diego) -- This week we have monsters, robots, goddesses, etc. to keep you occupied. Scroll down for a full list of local readers and writers’ events.

By Miriam Raftery

August 12, 2017 (San Diego) – El Cajon Councilman Ben Kalasho is counter-suing two contestants in the Miss Middle East Beauty Pageant that he founded, alleging that his reputation has been harmed by their claims that include fraud and sexual harassment.

Aztecs yield goal 68 seconds into game

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

August 12, 2017 (Fullerton) - San Diego State endured a 49-minute delay before the start of the game and surrendered a goal in the first 68 seconds in a 1-0 exhibition loss at Cal State Fullerton. Outside of the lone goal, the Aztecs showed promise, outshooting the Titans 12-4 for the contest.

By Jonathan Goetz

Photo: Ben Kalasho, August 8, 2017 (El Cajon)

August 11, 2017 (El Cajon) - Councilman Ben Kalasho threatened to file an employment discrimination complaint Tuesday as the Council discussed a resolution to limit Council members’ use of electronic devices during City Council meetings.    

By Robert Gehr

August 11, 2017 (El Cajon) - The now closed Hometown Buffet building located at 390 west Main St. in El Cajon is currently being transformed into a brand new Golden Corral buffet restaurant.

As I write this article, construction is going on inside and out, giving the place a fresh new look and feel.

Events provided by Monica Zech, Public Information Officer for the City of El Cajon

August 11, 2017 (El Cajon) – This Saturday, El Cajon hosts a free e-waste and paper shredding event. Coming up this week are the Heroes in concert, and Cajon Speedway Night downtown.  Other upcoming activities include the Alley Cat art walk and an Air Group One breakfast featuring World War II aerial crew heroes sharing their historic memories.  Scroll down for these events and more – all in El Cajon.

By Kendra Sitton

Photo:  Mrs. Monreau addresses Member John Eugenio while the public views the plans

August 10, 2017 (Spring Valley) -- In the warm training room at Otay Water District headquarters, every seat was filled by Spring Valley residents who quickly grew heated by the long process before Agenda Item 5, a proposal for the old shopping center at Sweetwater Springs Boulevard and Austin Drive, was reached.