By Miriam Raftery

July 10, 2024 (San Diego) – Akeel Robinson will turn 2-years-old in August. He’s made remarkable progress since January, when a wrong-way driver plunged off a freeway overpass in El Cajon, sending a chunk of a concrete guardrail crashing into Akeel’s skull. But his family needs help to fund his extensive rehab therapies, particularly since his mother lost her job caring for elderly patients due to putting Akeel’s needs first for his near-daily therapy appointments, and the bills are piling up. 

“He’s going to need help forever,” Akeel’s grandmother, Jennifer Blocker, told ECM. She is asking for donations at a GoFundMe site, now that the projected costs for Akeel’s care have skyrocketed.  “When the accident happened, my daughter was in the process of moving.  She’s finally gotten into a place, but everything seems to keep snowballing.”  She hopes that the public, who gave generously right after the accident, will help her daughter and grandson assure that his therapy sessions can continue, and help them afford other critical needs.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos: left: Melissa Taylor, in front of burned-out shell of her former mobilehome, right: new mobilehome

July 10, 2024 (El Cajon) – Last August, 65-year-old Melissa Taylor lost everything when a fire destroyed her mobile home in El Cajon, as ECM reported. Now, thanks to the generosity of donors who responded to her GoFundMe plea and a modest insurance settlement, she now has a new mobile home on the same site where she’s lived for 19 years. But she needs more help before she can move in.

“She has no air conditioning, or furnishings. She needs a washer and dryer," asl well as some other appliances to "make it livable,” says Kari Dodson, a long-time friend of Taylor’s. “She hasn’t been able to move in yet, so we are still keeping the donations link active.” You can donate here.

Kari Dodson, a friend of Taylor’s, told ECM our prior coverage helped bring in donations that enabled Taylor to replace her burned home,  “Thank you for your support and concern,” Dodson told ECM. “Your reporting does help the community immeasurably!”

East County News Service

July 2, 2024 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Police Department is investigating a troubling string of hate crime vandalism that occurred on June 27 between1:30 and 3 a.m. in the 1300 block of Greenfield Drive. Five parked vehicles were spray-painted with swastikas and hate speech, including gay and anti-Arab slurs, 10 News reports.

Lt. Will Guerin state in a press release, “Our primary focus is on identifying and arresting the individual(s) responsible for the damage.The motive is unclear, he says, adding that investigators have not yet determine whether the suspect(s) had any connection to the victims.

El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells told 10 News, “"This is not what you want to see in our community or in any community," Wells said. "And it's really not indicative of El Cajon."

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  Homeless encampment later swept in unincorporated area, via County of San Diego

June 29, 2024 (Washington D.C.) – The U.S. Supreme Court, by a 6-3 majority, has ruled that homeless people can be arrested for sleeping in a public place, regardless of whether or not shelter space is available. The decision also allows local governments to authorize ticketing, fines, and arrest of homeless people who violate anti-camping regulations,  even if they have no place safe to go.

Locally, the decision has sparked condemnation from advocates for homeless people, who argue that compassionate treatment and affordable housing are the solutions needed, but has also drawn praise from some city and county leaders aiming to clear homeless camps from parks, streets, sidewalks and other public places.

By Jessyka Heredia

June 17, 2024 (El Cajon) Middle Eastern cuisine has many regions that share similarities with readily available ingredients to the region and yet still have distinct differences in preparation. Tarbosh in El Cajon has brought their owner’s family recipes, which are delightfully light with generous portions that are sure to satisfy the whole family.

East County News Service

June 3, 2024 (El Cajon) -- The City of El Cajon’s special sales tax measure (Prop J) is set to expire, and voters may soon be asked whether to approve extending the half-cent sales tax in the future.  The city invites residents to four town halls (June 13,15,18 and 20) to learn about the services provided through the half-cent sales tax and what services may have to be cut if the funding source is not continued.

Each Town Hall will include an interactive budgeting activity that will provide vital feedback to City leaders.

Below are the town hall meetings scheduled:

By Alyssa Hiestand

May 26, 2024 (El Cajon) -- Just fifteen minutes from Downtown San Diego lies El Cajon, bustling with small businesses, delicious eateries, and more to make any day or night well-spent. Offering an insider perspective, here’s what we’d recommend doing for the ultimate day on Main Street in El Cajon:

Source: Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District

Photos: Zachary Mass and Jessica Bahena, student commencement speakers

May 14, 2024 (El Cajon) -- Cheers and whoops of joy will mark the commencement ceremonies for Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges in late May, as students celebrate their determination and perseverance on their path to earning a college diploma. 

The Cuyamaca College commencement is scheduled for May 29 at 5:30 p.m. in front of the college’s Communication Arts Building on campus, 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway in Rancho San Diego. The Grossmont College commencement will be held May 30 at 9:30 a.m. at the Viejas Arena at San Diego State University. The ceremonies will also be livestreamed at Cuyamaca College Commencement and Grossmont College Commencement.

A total of 2,157 students from both colleges are set to receive 5,337 degrees and certificates, with many students receiving multiple awards.

“I’m proud of all of our graduates for putting in the hard work to reach this milestone,” said Lynn Ceresino Neault, chancellor of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District. “They received an excellent education at Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges, and their lives will be forever transformed by their experiences.”