By Miriam Raftery, East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

December 9, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – With a red flag warning in effect from the National Weather Service due to high fire danger today through Friday, SDG&E has begun public safety power shutoffs affecting 8,949 customers in Alpine, Boulevard, Campo, Descanso, Jacumba and Jamul. There are also unplanned outages in Julian and Borrego Springs. However, up to 108,619 more customers may face planned power outages between now and December 13 at noon, according to SDG&E, including most East County communities.

Communities at risk of outages in San Diego County include the Barona reservation, Borrego Springs, the Campo reservation, Capitan Grande reservation, Cardiff, Chula Vista, Del Mar, El Cajon, Encinitas, Escondido, Fallbrook, Granite Hills, Jamul Indian Village, Julian, La Jolla Reservation, Lakeside, La Mesa, La Posta reservation, Lakeside, Los Coyotes Reservation, Manzanita reservation, Mesa Grande reservation, Pala,

Pala reservation, Pauma Valley, Pauma reservation, Poway, Ramona, Ranchita, Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Santa Fe, Rincon reservation, San Diego, San Marcos, San Pasqual Reservation, Santa Ysabel, Santa Ysabel reservation, Santee, Solana Beach, Sycuan  reservation, Valley Center, Viejas Reservation, and Warner Springs.

Community Resource Centers are open in many communities.  For a list of community resource centers, see https://www.sdge.com/psps-dashboard.

East County News Service

December 3, 2024 (El Cajon) - The City of El Cajon announces Captain Jeremiah Larson’s promotion to Chief of Police, effective December 18. Larson has served the El Cajon community for over two decades and will succeed the current Chief of Police, Mike Moulton, who announced his retirement earlier this year.

By Miriam Raftery

December 1, 2024 (El Cajon) – San Diego Port Commissioners have named Scott Chadwick to serve as the new CEO of the San Diego Port Authority, starting in January. Born and raised in El Cajon,  Chadwick graduated from Valhalla High School and Grossmont College, later obtaining a B.A. in political science from Purdue University. 

Currently he is the city manager for Carlsbad and previously served as the City of San Diego’s chief operating officer, human resources director and labor relations director. Prior to his 20 years of city government intelligence, he served as a U.S. Army intelligence analyst and also worked for AFSCME, a labor union representing state county and municipal employees.

Public service runs in the family.  Chadwick’s mother, Gloria Chadwick, is an elected member of the Grossmont Healthcare District’s board of directors  in district 4.

In an interview with San Diego Business Journal, Scott Chadwick stated, ”As a leader I have always been focusing on continuous improvement and customer service.” He said he is “thrilled” at the opportunity to “serve all who live, work, and play on and around the beautiful and vibrant San Diego Bay waterfront. It is an exciting time at the Port of San Diego."

East County News Service

November 28, 2024 (El Cajon) – A 28=year-old El Cajon man has died of injuries sustained in a stabbing that occurred on November 28.  El Cajon Police officers responded to the scene in the 500 block of North Mollison around 6 p.m.and found the victim with a life-threatening stab wound.

Paramedics from Heartland Fire transported the victim to a hospital, where he later died of his injuries.

The reporting party and another witness were interviewed at the scene. Two men were taken to the El Cajon Police Department for questioning.

East County News Service

November 27, 2024 (El Cajon) – East County Arts Association invites you to enjoy strolling down Main street in downtown El Cajon for a holiday art walk with 28 participating vendors offering everything from handmade jewelry to vibrant paintings, pottery and more.  The event takes place Saturday, November 30 from 2 p.m.to 8 p.m.  

Then at 5 p.m., the East County Art Gallery at 124 E. Main St. will have a reception featuring the creative abstract paintings of Ross Adcock and his private collection of Juan Quezada and the Potters of Northern Chihuahua. 

East County News Service

November 24, 2024 (Crest, CA) – The reindeer are taking a day off on Sunday, December 8, when Santa will arrive at the Crest Christmas Craft Faire aboard a fire truck!

Santa arrives at 4 p.m. and will visit with children until 6 p.m.  The Craft Faire begins at 10 a.m. and runs through 6 p.m. with unique crafts, vendors, raffle baskets, musical entertainment, food, and photo opportunities.

The event will be held at the Crest Clubhouse, 113 North Park Drive, in the Crest community of El Cajon.

By Miriam Raftery

November 20, 2024 (Rancho San Diego and Spring Valley) – The #MillarFire has burned 20 acres near State  Route 94/Campo Road and Millar Ranch Road in Spring Valley, near the Steele Canyon bridge.  Evacuation orders have been issued for nearby areas including Rancho San Diego, plus evacuation warnings for surrounding areas.  View evacuation map from Alert San Diego: https://emergencymap.sandiegocounty.gov/index.html

 A temporary evacuation point is at Edwards Cinema at 2951 Jamacha Rd.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy of ECM news partner 10 News

November 14, 2024 (El Cajon) – Two people were transported to a hospital early this morning with injuries caused by a speeding vehicle that crashed into their home’s bedroom in the 800 block of Jamacha Road in El Cajon.

By Miriam Raftery

November 5, 2024 (El  Cajon) – All three incumbent El Cajon City Councilmembers have won reelection.  Councilmembers Michelle Metschel and Phil Ortiz ran unopposed.  Councilmember Steve Goble has more than twice as many votes as his opponent, Courtney Hall, 69.64% to 30.36%.

By Lindsay Elias

October 21, 2024 (El Cajon) - The superheroes gathered at The Magnolia in El Cajon for the 2nd annual Haunted Circus. The event was organized by Twisted Orbit Circus Entertainment and included appearances by Captain America, Ghost Rider, Poison Ivy, Wonder Woman, and the duo Harley Quinn and the Joker.

By Lindsay Elias

October 16, 2024 (Rancho San Diego) – The Living Room Coffeehouse has opened its third San Diego location in Rancho San Diego, continuing its signature theme of “A European cafe with a Californian flair.” 

The cafe offers a variety of options for breakfast, lunch and dinner with indoor and outdoor seating available. Notable items on the menu include short rib eggs benedict, tamarindo hot wings and club bagels.  As for their drinks, they have distinctive options such as a black forest mocha, raspberry white mocha, and pistachio frappes. For those looking for drinks with a kick, they have a bar and serve morning cocktails. Additionally, they have bakery sweets and a selection of gelato for those with a sweet tooth. 

East County News Service

September 1, 2024 (El Cajon) -The German American Societies of San Diego invites you to  two full weekends of authentic German celebrations with Oktoberfest in El Cajon. The festivities will be held at 1017 S Mollison in El Cajon the last weekend in September and again the first weekend in October on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Enjoy German food such as bratwurst, ox-on-the-spit, potato pancakes, sauerkraut, red cabbage, potato salad, salted pretzels, and a variety of European pastries. Let a great selection of German beers and liquors – or water, soft drinks and coffee – quench your thirst while you enjoy traditional folk dancing, choir recitals, drama routines, stein-holding competitions, and interactive musical entertainment. Games, contests and prizes, a Kid Zone and a variety of shopping booths line the patio “tent” for additional all-ages fun. Enjoy the Opening Day Parade with Club VIPs and dignitaries, the Tapping of the Keg, and the Crowning of our 2024 Oktoberfest Königin (Queen) on Friday, Sept. 27 at 6:30 p.m..

East County News Service

September 20, 2024 (El Cajon) -- After nearly three decades of distinguished service with the El Cajon Police Department, Chief Michael Moulton has announced his retirement effective December 17.  Chief Moulton’s tenure spans over 29 years, beginning his career with the department in November 1995.

 He has served as the fifteenth Chief for the department, a milestone reflecting his long-standing role in the growth and evolution of the department. Chief Moulton has served in every division throughout his career. From starting in the Community Policing Unit to becoming a detective in the Gang Suppression Unit, Moulton’s contributions have been vast and varied. In September 2019, City Manager Graham Mitchell appointed Mike Moulton as the Chief of Police, positioning him to guide the department through some of its most challenging times, including the global pandemic and the civil unrest of 2020.