East County News Service

February 1, 2019 (El Cajon) – Cajon Valley Union School District invites parents to attend one or more of six school safety meetings where the district will share results of safety audits and recommendations. Participants will also engage with leaders from the El Cajon Police and Sheriff departments on immediate and long-term steps to maximize security and safety on campuses of students, teachers and staff.  

To attend, please RSVP to email@blackboard.com and complete this survey.  The meeting dates and locations are: 

Story by Liz Alper

Photos by Don De Mars

January 29, 2019 (El Cajon) - We’re back at the home of the Braves this week, but this time for a boys’ game.  The Braves are struggling a little bit at 9-12 overall (2-4 in league) coming into tonight’s game against the school a couple of blocks away from them, Granite Hills.  The Eagles aren’t doing so great either; they sported a .500 record in league play coming into tonight (3-3) but overall, were at 8-13.

Source:  East County Transitional Living Center

January 24, 2019 (El Cajon) - Are you, or someone you know, an essential employee or furloughed federal employee or contractor?

Source: Monica Zech, City of El Cajon

January 16, 2019 (El Cajon) -- Will you know what to do in the case of a wildfire, a home fire, or earthquake?  The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness and the hazards that may impact the area they live. Applications are now being accepted.

East County News Service

January 16, 2019 (El Cajon) – The El Cajon Citizen of the Year Committee has selected Joe Mackey as its 2018 El Cajon Citizen of the Year award.

Mackey, founder, president and CEO of XL Staffing Service, Inc. and Excell Security, Inc., will be honored at a luncheon from noon to 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 5 at the El Cajon Elks Lodge 1812, 1400 E Washington Ave., El Cajon. Admission is $25 per person, lunch is included. Tickets are available online at www.EastCountyChamber.org under “Events,” or by calling (619) 440-6161.

East County News Service

January 14, 2019 (El Cajon) -- The City of El Cajon announced today  that it now accepts passport applications on behalf of the U.S. Department of State. 

U.S. citizens planning international travel may apply for their passports at the City Clerk’s Office by appointment.

Council also discussed revising code governing citizens’ conduct during public comments and reaffirmed fine against landlord over illegal dispensary

By Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor

January 11, 2019 (El Cajon) -- El Cajon City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved new regulations regarding the increasingly popular use of dockless vehicles (scooters, bicycles, skateboards) on city streets and an “expanded Civic Center area” including City Hall, East County Regional Center, East County Performing Arts Center, Library, Community Center, and Fire Facility Headquarters Complex.

By Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor

January 7, 2019 (El Cajon)--The El Cajon City Council is set to get back to work headfirst after nearly four weeks of holiday vacation on Tuesday afternoon at 3 p.m. Among other items, Council will be addressing free speech by citizens at open comment session, blocking the development of a previously shuttered illegal marijuana dispensary, and regulating dockless vehicles within city limits.

Story and photos by Liz Alper

January 2, 2019 (El Cajon) - Back in action just in time for the new year, ECM Sports headed to Granite Hills, where Eagles boys basketball took on the Central Spartans from El Centro.  The Eagles are struggling greatly to open the season, sitting at 2-9. 

Insiders say Kalashos may still be subject to criminal prosecution over alleged fraudulent mortgage filings

By Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor

December 25, 2018 (El Cajon) -- The fraud and harassment case against El Cajon City Councilman Ben Kalasho and his wife, Jessica, tacked in a different direction on Friday, December 14th when litigants faced San Diego Superior Court Kenneth J. Medel and announced that they reached an agreement to attempt to resolve the case through mediation.

By Miriam Raftery

December 20, 2018 (El Cajon) – Brad Payton, 24, of El Cajon has been arrested and charged with the murder of a fellow resident at an independent living center located in the 1200 block of Naranca Avenue.

”Based upon the investigation at this time, it is believed the suspect and victim knew each other and lived in separate rooms within the facility,” says Lieutenant Walt Miller. “Witnesses told investigators the two were arguing for unknown reasons just prior to the suspect attacking the victim with a blunt object.”

Cites accomplishments including addressing city's homeless problem, criticizes Sacramento for  mandates

By Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor

Watch video 

See Powerpoint presentation

December 16, 2018 (El Cajon) --“I am proud to report that the State of our City is outstanding,” said El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells on Tuesday to a nearly full council chamber. He added, “I believe that the City is moving in a positive direction. We have relied on innovation and creative thinking to tackle difficult issues and we have maintained the City’s strong fiscal health, at a time when other cities have struggled.” 

Action comes after Union-Tribune reports seven children missing from Southwest Key facility

By Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor

Photo: Ana Babudar, Southwest Key Programs Inc., addresses City Council

Watch video testimony here

December 14, 2018 (El Cajon) -- The El Cajon City Council on Tuesday unanimously voted to approve a proposal asking staff to prepare letters to the California Department of Social Services and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services asking for a review of Southwest Key Programs, Inc, The Texas-based company provides extended care for undocumented immigrant children. Its El Cajon facility, known locally as “Casa San Diego,” contracts with the federal government to provide care to children who show up at the U.S.-Mexico border without any parents, as well as some children who were separated from their legal guardians by U.S. immigration officials.

Co-sponsored by Council members Steve Goble and Gary Kendrick, the proposal stems from a November 18, 2018 San Diego Union-Tribune article that revealed discrepancies with Southwest Key reports to the El Cajon Police Department and California Department of Social Services.