August 18, 2023 (Lakeside,  CA) -- The Sheriff is asking for public help to find 68-year-old Jose Martinez, who is reported missing from a care facility in unincorporated El Cajon. Martinez was last seen at the care facility around 9:00 p.m.last night by staff.

Deputies from the Lakeside Sheriff’s Substation responded to the care facility and began checking the area for the missing man.A Sheriff's Command Post has been established at the Awaken Church located at 950 North Second Ave in El Cajon. The Sheriff's Search and Rescue (SAR) Unit has also activated. SAR Volunteers responded and searched the area throughout the night, says Lt.Chris Katra..

Update August 18, 2023 -- The #Coyote Fire has burned 466 acres and is 43% contained. A firefighter injury is reported and two structures were destroyed.

Update 3:45 p.m. -- The fire is 100 acres and threatening homes near Round Potrero Rd. and  Horizon View. Round Potrero Road is closed between Yerba Santa Road to  Potrero Valley. The evacuation order area has broadened;view map: . temporary evacuation center has been set up in the parking lot of the Mountain Empire High School at 3305 Buckman Springs Rd. in Pine Valley. You can take your animals, including livestock, to the @SanDiegoCounty Animal Shelter at 5821 Sweetwater Road in Bonita

August 17, 2023 (Potrero) -- Cal Fire is at the scene of a vegetation fire on Coyote Holler Road near Ranch Road in Potrero.

The fire has burned at least five acres and has a dangerous rate of spread, per Cal Fire.

The Sheriff's vehicles now have a hi-low alarm sound.  If you hear it, evacuate immediately.

Mountains and deserts forecast to get 5-7 inches of rain, with winds up to 60 mph

By Miriam Raftery

August 17, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – Hurricane Hilary is barreling toward San DIego County, slated to hit this weekend.

“The storm is going inland, so the strongest winds will be in the mountains,” meteorologist Miguel Miller with the National Weather Service in San Diego told  East County Magazine. “The rainfall, flood potential and winds are actually going to be stronger the more east you go. This will be a really wet and windy storm.”

Currently a category 2 hurricane, Hilary could be upgraded to a category 4 by the time it hits Baja, Mexico, though it will likely be downgraded to a tropical storm once it reaches San Diego County. However, the impacts will still pack a wallop, with thunderstorms, very heavy rains and flooding likely --with the worst in inland areas.

Desert areas are forecast to be soaked with 5-7 inches of rain, with 5-7 inches in the mountains, 2.5 inches in Alpine, and 1.75 inches in El Cajon from Saturday through Monday. The worst of the storm is expected to peak on Sunday.

Wind gusts of 40 to 60 miles per hour are expected in the mountains, with 30 to 50 mph winds on the desert floor. West of the mountains, 30 to 40 mph winds are forecast. High surf will occur along the coast.

This isn’t the first time a hurricane has hit our region.

Back in September 1976,  Hurricane Kathleen had a similar trajectory. Designate a tropical cyclone by the time it reached our region, it as ECM previously reported on an anniversary of that storm, it caused massive flooding and destruction.

By Jessyka Heredia

Watch Full Video Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wkN9EZZbEw

August 15, 2023 (Lemon Grove) -- Lemon Grove Councilmember Liana LeBaron came out as the lone victor in the restraining order filed back in February by Councilmember Jennifer Mendoza Monday at the El Cajon Superior court. Mendoza may also have to pay LeBaron’s legal fees in an anti-SLAPP suit (Strategic Lawsuit against A Public Participation) counter suit filed by LeBaron.

By Miriam Raftery

August 15, 2023 (El Cajon) – “Prepare to witness an incredible transformation at the corner of Cuyamaca and Weld, as a project initially planned as a 140,000-square-foot Amazon Distribution Center evolves into something even more impressive,” the City of El Cajon posted today on Facebook. The City released photos of grading at the site, which is slated to hold a 386,000-square-foot industrial complex, set to become a hub for multiple companies, catering to the needs of diverse industries.

By Rachel Becker, Cal Matters

The decision about the fossil fuel plants comes despite the state’s mandate for 100% renewable and zero-carbon electricity by 2045

Photo: CC0 Public Domain

August 16, 2023 (Oxnard) - California officials yesterday agreed to extend operations at three natural gas plants on the Southern California coast in an effort to shore up California’s straining power grid and avoid rolling blackouts.

The controversial and unanimous vote that keeps the plants open came from the State Water Resources Control Board, which oversees the phaseout of natural gas facilities that suck in seawater and kill marine life.

By Miriam Raftery

August 15, 2023 (San Diego) – Early results in the 4^th Supervisorial district special election show San Diego Councilmember Monica Montgomery Steppe, a Democrat, with a strong lead at 40.71%  However the race appears likely to head to a run-off in November, if no candidate receives more than 50%.

Republican Amy Reichert, a small business owner and founder of Reopen  San Diego, is in second place with 28.67%, followed by Marine veteran and veterans’ advocate Janessa Goldbeck at 25.51.  Trailing at a distant fourth is Paul McQuigg, a Republican and advocate for disabled vets. Steppe has 31,418 votes thus far, Reichert 22,126,  Goldbeck 19,681, and McQuigg 3,941.

By: Jessyka Heredia

Photos from City of El Cajon meeting and presentation

August 14, 2023 (El Cajon) – The  El Cajon City Council on Tuesday was given a presentation by the city’s marketing and engagement manager, Chris Berg, about a new farmers market idea that includes a beer garden, farmers, artisan foods and goods plus three concert stages and more. The proposal is much larger in scope than other farmers markets around the county.

The City Manager, Graham Mitchell, also introduced three different proposals to the Council on possible projects to use their remaining ARPA funds on.

By Miriam Raftery

I recently signed up for Social Security.  On Aug. 12, a Saturday, I received an email from DoNotReply@ssa.gov with subject line “Request for Information” that Social Security confirms is a scam. Don’t be fooled into giving scammers info that could be used in an identity theft scheme or to steal benefits—and be sure to report suspected scams to the SSA’s Office of Inspector General at Report.Scam@ssa.gov.

By Miriam Raftery

August 14, 2023 (El Cajon)—Attorneys representing a woman who was struck by a Waste Management trash truck and seriously injured held a press conference today at a Waste Management dump site in El Cajon to announce a lawsuit against the trash collection and recycling company.

 “On February 5, 2021, Deanna Beck was walking through the parking garage in her apartment complex, in a designated crosswalk, when an employee of Waste Management Cesar Colin skewered her with the metal tines of the garbage truck he was operating in the course and scope of his employment,”  states a press release issued by S. Harris Communications on behalf of her attorneys,  John Gomez and Corey Garrard with Gomez Trial Attorneys.

The lawsuit filed in Superior Court contends that Beck suffered brain trauma, neck injuries and dysautonomia, a disorder of the central nervous system.

Reporter injured, newspaper co-owner dies next day

Story and photos by Jonathan Goetz

August 14, 2023 (Marion, Kansas) – Seven police and sheriff's officers in Kansas on Friday raided the Marion County Record newspaper and its publisher’s house, raising concerns over freedom of the press in the United States.

Not only did law enforcement officers search the newspaper’s office, but in seizing the computers, server, cell phone of a reporter, and back-up hard drive, the raid essentially shut down the newspaper. The Marion County Record said Friday this is, "reminiscent of what occurs in totalitarian regimes and the Third World."