By Jonathan Goetz

December 16, 2016 (El Cajon) – East County Magazine sat down with new Councilman Steve Goble, who share his views on the most important issues facing El Cajon,  his budget priorities,  background, and thoughts on pressing problems such as homelessness, the refugee crisis, the East County Performing Arts Center and marijuana regulation.

Source: El Cajon Valley Lions

December 14, 2016 (El Cajon) - On Saturday December 17, 2016, El Cajon Valley Lions will box and deliver Christmas food baskets to needy families in El Cajon. Each family will receive turkey and all the fixings and toys for the children. El Cajon Valley Lions have been doing this program in collaboration with the El Cajon Salvation Army for more than 25 years.

Hear our interview with Dilkhwaz Ahmed by clicking the audio link.

East County News  Service

December 10,2016 (El Cajon)—In an interview on KNSJ Radio, Dilkhwaz Ahmed with License to Freedom offered an urgent plea for help. Hundreds of Syrian families have just arrived in East County – with 50 to 60 more flooding in each day. 

The refugees fled a humanitarian crisis in their war-torn homeland, relocated here by the U.S. government at the request of the United Nations. Other countries are also offering shelter to refugees. But many who came here have large families, so their modest aid funds are scarcely enough to cover rent and food.  They need help to overcome trauma and learn how to build new lives in America. But there are not nearly enough people or resources to fill the desperate need.

By Kathy Carpenter

Associate/Youth Reviewer www.sdtheatrereviews.com

December 7, 2016 (El Cajon) - Peace on Earth, good will toward men. This is the time of year for giving. Give yourself a gift by taking time away from the stress of shopping, baking, social events, wrapping, the list goes on ... Add time for yourself helping others. For$7.00 you can't even go to a movie,  but you can enjoy going toyouth theatre. The look on the faces of the cast as they look out and see a full audience is priceless.

Story and photos by Liz Alper

December 6, 2016 (El Cajon) - The Valhalla High School boys’ soccer team is off to a hot start with a 6-0 win over El Capitan High.  Tonight, they faced the Patriots of Patrick Henry High School.

Source: Heartland Fire & Rescue

December 5, 2015 (El Cajon) — Two people suffered burns in a warehouse fire today in the 800 block of West Bradley Avenue in El Cajon.

Heartland Fire & Rescue crews dispatched shortly before noon found heavy smoke coming from the single-story structure.  Fire officials called for a second alarm and two ambulances.

By Miriam Raftery

December 1, 2016 (El Cajon) — A notice from the city of El Cajon today announces that a Draft Environmental Impact Report on the city’s proposed Housing Element Rezoning Program is available for public review and written comment starting December 5th through January 19^th.

A community open house is set for January 5^th from 6 p.m.to 7 p.m. at the El Cajon Branch Library (201 East Douglas) meeting room to discuss the project, the California Environmental Quality Act public review process and the content and findings of the draft EIR.

East County News Service

December 1,  2016 (El Cajon) –El Cajon’s City Council will hold a public hearing on Tuesday,  December 13 at 3 p.m. in Council Chambers (200 Civic Center Way) to consider extending an ordinance banning outdoor marijuana growing for the next year.

Following passage of Proposition 64, the statewide ballot measure legalizing recreational marijuana including growing up to six plants per household,  El Cajon’s City Council on Nov. 15 passed an emergency ordinance banning outdoor growing of marijuana plants until Dec. 30 in all zones within the city.  The hearing on Dec. 31 would be on a proposal to extend that ban until  Nov.14, 2017.

East County News Service

November 27, 2016 (El Cajon) — Grossmont College’s Stagehouse Theatre will present “These Shining Lives” in December.  The play recounts the true story of women workers exposed to radiation at the Radium Dial Company. Their fight for justice and their sacrifices created a legacy of better working conditions for future generations. 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy of ECM news partner 10 News

November 25, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – The youngest survivors of Syria’s civil war are a traumatized generation.  In the U.S., 80% of the 10,000 Syrian refugees admitted in 2016 are children—and nearly all have suffered unspeakable trauma. 

By Jonathan Goetz

Photo, left to right: Councilman Gary Kendrick with his son, TJ, and two formerly homeless men they have taken into their home, Tony and Michael

November 24, 2016 (El Cajon) -- It’s rare to find elected officials willing to stand up to special interests or cast votes unpopular with vocal constituents, doing what he or she believes is right for the community and for people in need.

For more sports coverage, visit ECM's Sports section

Source: NASCAR.com

Cover photo:  Creative Commons under Nascarking (Wikipedia).  Newsflasher photo:  Creative Commons under Flickr upload bot

November 20, 2016 (Miami) - Jimmie Johnson today won his seventh Sprint Cup championship and his first in three years at the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Miami.  The 41-year-old and El Cajon native is now tied with Dale Earnardt and Richard Petty as a seven-time premiere series champion.

By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

November 13, 2016 (El Cajon) -- The City of El Cajon held a Veterans Day ceremony at Centennial Plaza on November 11^th and presented its first Veteran of the Year Award to retired Chief Ray Moody.

In addition to the WWII veterans and others in attendance, a 30-year-old veteran, Kenny Patterson, US Navy, was also present.  He went in the service at 19. The phrase “I am a veteran –my oath of enlistment has no expiration date” aptly applies to Patterson.  He gives back to the community by participating in the American Legion Riders Chapter #303 which raises money to help other veterans.  A vet helping other vets. A vet who was also honoring other vets by his attendance at the ceremony.

By Robert Gehr

Update November 13, 2016:  Jarred  Jefferson, 22, has been charged with felony vandalism for destroying or damaging 13 flags,  as well as two counts of obstructing an officer, NBC 7 News reports.  Poles were broken and some flags thrown in the street, where vehicles ran over them.  The flags had been put up by a local Boy Scout troop.

November 12, 2016 (El Cajon) — El Cajon Police arrested a young man yesterday morning who was reported to be damaging American flags displayed along Main Street in downtown El Cajon in recognition of Veteran’s Day.

Witnesses called El Cajon Police to report a man vandalizing American flags and it didn’t take very long for a Police officer to arrive, track down the perpetrator and make contact. The suspect did resist initial attempts by the first officer on scene attempting to arrest him, but was eventually taken into custody after another officer responded and aided in controlling the uncooperative man.

Bond measure narrowly losing

By Jonathan Goetz

November 9, 2016 (El Cajon) -Conservative Republicans have won election in the five-person race for Cajon Valley Union School Board. Both are  endorsed by the Republican Party though the race is nonpartisan.

Clark-Mejia serves as the lead marriage and family therapist intern at New Day Women’s Center and Counseling Services, a 501(c)3 nonprofit that serves women and their families.