Nonprofit plans fundraiser May 19-20

By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

May 2, 2018 (El Cajon) -- The Princess Project, an organization that matches up the right high school prom dress with the right high school student for free, came to the County of San Diego-El Cajon Library branch on April 30th.  The nonprofit provides free dresses and accessories to high school students who cannot otherwise afford them.

April 30, 2018 (El Cajon) -- Bill Wells, El Cajon Mayor and a Republican challenger to Rep. Duncan Hunter in the 50th  Congressional district,  has appeared on the FOX Business program "Risk and Reward" and FOX News Channel's "FOX and Friends" openly endorsing a growing revolt by Southern California cities against Senate Bill 54.  The mmeasure signed by Gov. Jerry Brown (D) last October declared the State of California as a "sanctuary state" for undocumented immigrants. It was passed in response to the Trump administration’s broad crackdown on undocumented immigrants including increased deportations.

By Miriam Raftery

April 26, 2018 (El Cajon) – Flyers posted and distributed anonymously at a career expo at Cuyamaca College this week took aim at Cajon Valley Union School District trustee Jim Miller.  

The expo was co-sponsored by America's Job Center of Cailfornia and the East County Career Center. Over 50 employees were there to recruit employees for a wide variety of jobs including in healthcare, childcare, education, municipalities, county agencies, public utilities, nursing homes, nonprofits, law enforcement, gaming, landscaping, local legislators, San Diego's radio stations and more.

“As you know, the school district that you choose to work in will have an enormous impact on your classroom, your income, your career, your future, and the pride that comes with being associated with a good school district,” the flyer advises attendees, adding, “Due to the recent antics of one of the members of the Cajon Valley Union School Board, I feel obligated to give you a little background on the actions of this particular ‘loose cannon,’ named Jim Miller. We are also including a listing of other, nearby school districts, that you may consider while you make important decision.

Source: Sheriff’s Department

April 24, 2018 (Rancho San Diego) -- Investigators from the Rancho San Diego Sheriff’s Station want your help locating a man wanted in connection with theft, burglary, and fraud in the East County.

On April 1st between 12:00 p.m. and 1:45 p.m., someone stole a checkbook from the glove box of a vehicle that was parked in the 2100 block of Merlyn Place in unincorporated El Cajon.

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Story and photos by Liz Alper

April 23, 2018 (El Cajon) - Grossmont boys lacrosse, like most other Grossmont sports, is undefeated in league, sporting a perfect 9-0 while remaining almost flawless overall, going 11-2.  Tonight, they faced a school that ECM Sports doesn’t get to cover as much when league play comes around due to league differences, the Patriots of Patrick Henry, who are just as good, sitting at 3-1 in the Eastern League and 9-6 overall.

By Miriam Raftery

April 24, 2018 (El Cajon) – A motorcyclist who rear-ended a Toyota Tacoma last night on I-8 east, just west of El Cajon Boulevard, succumbed to his injuries later in the evening.

The victim, 55, from Oceanside was riding a 2016 Harley Davidson motorcycle at a reportedly high rate of speed, along with a passenger, when he struck the rear of a Toyota Tacoma around 6:06 p.m. Both the motorcyclist and his passenger, a 30-year-old woman from South Carolina, were ejected onto the freeway lanes with major injuries.

Article and photos by Robert Gehr © 2018

April 23, 2018 (El Cajon) -- The Letitia Coxe Shelby Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) chapter in La Mesa held a dedication ceremony for a Knox House Museum historic marker on Saturday at the Olaf Wieghorst Museum and Art Gallery in the heart of downtown El Cajon.

By Jonathan Goetz and Miriam Raftery

Photo:  Standing room only crowd included dozens of gun control supporters as well as gun rights advocates

April 17, 2018 (El Cajon) – Actions of the Cajon Valley Union School District have become targets for both sides in the gun violence debate. At the April 10^th board meeting, members came under fire over:

• Hillsdale Middle School students put on lunch detention for participating in an on-campus walk out during the nationwide March for Our Lives, an event aiming to to prevent gun violence on campuses;
•  Termination of a contract for counseling intern Margaret Katchur Morghen, who sat with students during detention as a “learning exercise on the First Amendment” and also spoke with media about the walk-out;
• School board member Jim Miller firing off a derisive letter to a retired teacher who had written to the Superintendent asking for actions to reduce gun violence at schools. Miller responded on behalf of the San Diego Gun Owners Political Action Committee, and wore a National Rifle Association (NRA) hat during the school board’s April 10, 2018 public meeting.

Those actions got the public up in arms, figuratively speaking. Gun rights advocates and people concerned about gun violence packed the hearing room at the April 10^th school board meeting.  Eight people testified during public comments, split evenly with four rounds on each side.

East County News Service

April 16, 2018 (La Mesa) – Foothills Christian Church, 365 West Bradley Ave., El Cajon, will host “Blessed with a Dress,” a free event for young women needing high-quality, fashionable formal wear for school dances and other special occasions. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 21, girls can visit the church campus and select a free dress, pair of shoes and jewelry for upcoming formal events.

By Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor

April 7, 2018 (El Cajon) -- El Cajon City Council members temporarily set aside their differences and got down to work Tuesday in what some say was one of their most productive sessions in recent months.

Update April 9, 2018: The good Samaritan who died has been identified as Kenneth Riddle, 46, of El Cajon. He leaves behind a wife and young daughter. A GoFundMe page to help the family has been established where donations can be made.

Update April 11, 2018: The driver who was killed has been identified as Lamont Taylor, 35, of El Cajon.

By Miriam Raftery

April 8, 2018 (El Cajon) – Two good Samaritans stopped to help a driver involved in a solo vehicle collision at 1:20 a.m.  on eastbound I-8 just west of El Cajon Boulevard in El Cajon.  The vehicle had come to rest in the number 2 lane of traffic.

By Miriam Raftery

April 3, 2018 (El Cajon) – Robert Diedrich, 53, suffered a minor, non-life threatening gunshot wound to his stomach tonight at his home.  He was treated and released at the scene, according to Lt. Randy Soulard with El Cajon Police.

East County News Service

April 1, 2018 (El Cajon) - Be a part of the reunion! The Olaf Wieghorst Museum Foundation is holding its annual “Bringing ‘em Home” benefit dinner & auction on Saturday, May 5 at 5 p.m. at the Wieghorst Museum, 131 Rea Avenue in El Cajon.

East County News Service

April 1, 2018 (El Cajon) – At the Warbird Expo hosted by the Commemorative Air Force at Gillespie Field in El Cajon (north ramp of Marshall Ave.) on Saturday, April 14^th, warbirds, classic aircraft, classic cars and WWII memorabilia will all be part of a fun-filled day for the whole family.  Gates open at 9 a.m. and the event runs until 4 p.m.