By Mimi Pollack

June 3, 2016 (El Cajon) -- Last month, as I was walking around checking out all the booths at the San Diego Humane Society Walk event, I saw two sweet and funny little faces that drew me in. They were two senior chihuahuas named Fred and Ethel, like the couple who lived next door to Lucy and Ricky Ricardo on the “I Love Lucy” show. What perfect names for those silly little faces!

Fred and Ethel are two lucky pooches that were taken in by Lionel’s Legacy, a non-profit organization, out of El Cajon that specializes in rescuing senior dogs.

Source: San Diego Sheriff

May 26, 2016 (El Cajon ) -- The Sheriff's Search and Rescue (SAR) K-9 Team plays a valuable role in locating missing people across San Diego County.  When he's not busy assisting Sheriff's Deputies and SAR Volunteers, Wishbone the Beagle loves meeting children.

Join Wishbone and SAR K-9 Team Leader Pam Medhurst for a special reading of a short book on this talented dog on Saturday, June 25 at 2 p.m. in the Fletcher Hills Library (576 Garfield Ave., El Cajon).

In "Wishbone The Beagle: The Smell And Tell Game," we learn about Wishbone's special talents and how he became a member of the Sheriff's SAR K-9 Team. It's a story children of all ages will love.

East County News Service

May 25, 2016 (El Cajon) – An Uber driver arrested for sexual assault in El Cajon in March now faces charges as a serial rapist. 

El Cajon Police have charged John David Sanchez, 52, with sexually assaulting five additional victims, including raping a 13-year-old child and raping an unconscious person.  Authorities believe those attacks occurred between 2011 and 2014 at Sanchez’s residence in San Diego.

East County News Service

May 17, 2016 (El Cajon) – Shagirah Akila Joyce, 28, is under arrest for attempted homicide of a pregnant woman with two young daughters present. 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: “Happy Hour” painting by Grace Schlesier, created on location on El Cajon’s Main Street

May 15, 2016 (El Cajon) – The Olaf Wieghorst Museum and Western Heritage Center will host a show of nationally known local artists including Gloria Chadwick and Grace Schlesier starting in June.  An “Art After Five” meet the artists opening reception will be held on Thursday, June 16 from 5 to 8 p.m.

By Miriam Raftery

May 14, 2016 (El Cajon) – The driver of a red Mazda truck is dead after fleeing from police and crashing into a tree shortly after midnight in El Cajon.  Officers attempting to render aid to the driver made a grisly discovery – a dead female in the backseat. Arriving paramedics reported that they believe the female was deceased before the collision and that her death was suspicious, said Lieutenant Rob Rainsweiler.

Updated May 11, 2016 with comments from Michael McConnell, advocate for the homeless

By Jonathan Goetz

May 10, 2016 (El Cajon) - The El Cajon City Council praised the new owners of the Villa Serena Motel today for being “most cooperative” and “going above and beyond what we asked” as police evicted the residents at this 23-unit long-term hotel. Building inspectors found extensive building violations that have since been addressed.

By Kathy Carpenter

Associate/Youth Reviewer www.sdtheatrereviews.com

May 7, 2016 (El Cajon) – The Odd Couple is a case of opposing personalities coming together.and trying to work things out. The original movie was in 1968, starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau.  I can hardly believe it was so long ago. In 1970 they made the television series with Tony Randall and Jack Klugman, also a classic. Recently came the remake with Brian Cebrain as Felix and Matthew Perry as Oscar. Although I have only seen a couple of shows, it was also quite funny.

East County News Service

May 5, 2016 (San Diego) - The Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors (PSAR), a 2,300-member trade group for San Diego-area realtors, will provide free paper shredding and electronic recycling services from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, May 13, at PSAR’s East County Service Center, 1150 Broadway, El Cajon. The event is open to the public.

April 28, 2016 (El Cajon) - A mystery dinner theatre production by Toby Otero. Come spend the evening at the Salty Dog Seaside Seafood and Steak restaurant and see what happens when Captain F. “Bigbeard” McQuarrie and his misfit crew decide to stop their pirating ways and try to sail the straight and narrow. With the notorious French Privateer, “The Razor,” always on his tail, and a drunken pirate head waiter who always seems to do the wrong thing, can Captain Bigbeard and his crew ever truly live a peaceful life? This is the manic tale of a stolen treasure chest, a sensational swashbuckling swordfight, mayhem, mischief, and…MURD-ARRR!!! Performances will be held on Friday and Saturday nights, April 29^th and 30^th, at 7:00pm and on Sunday May 1^st at 2:00pm. The venue is Richardson Hall, 551 Farragut Circle, El Cajon. All seats are $20.00 and include a themed meal. For reservations, please e-mail thecircleplayers@gmail.com or phone (619) 588-5348.

Event helps kids stay active and keep learning all summer long

Source:  East County YMCA Press Release

April 25, 2016 (Santee and Rancho San Diego)--On Saturday, April 30, the Cameron Family YMCA in Santee and McGrath Family YMCA in Rancho San Diego are holding free community events to inspire more kids to keep their minds and bodies active. This year marks the 25^th annual YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day^®, the Y’s national initiative to improve health and well-being for kids and families.  The day-long event features activities such as games, arts, crafts, wellness education, fitness demonstrations, and water safety in preparation for the upcoming summer months. All activities are designed to motivate and teach families how to develop healthy routines at home.  

East County News Service

April 24, 2016 (Rancho San Diego) -- Six local bands with styles ranging from flamenco jazz to country rock will be featured at the 2016 Coyote Music Festival on the afternoon of Saturday, May 7, at Cuyamaca College.

Source: TEDxKids ElCajon Press Release

April 21, 2016 (El Cajon) - Cajon Valley Union School District hosted the community’s second annual TEDxKids@ElCajon event on Saturday, April 16. Speakers included students in grades 1-8, as well as featured speakers Aidan Fay, a local student who built a flight simulator in his bedroom, Brynjar Karl, the “Lego Boy” from Iceland who built a 20-foot replica of the Titanic using over 56,000 Legos, and Chula Vista teen Tae Ho, a Master Chef Junior contestant. Over 1500 children and families listened to inspiring talks from our youth, engaged in a unique Innovation Park, and participated in workshops such as hip hop dance and Minecraft modeling.

East County News Service

April 9, 2016 (El Cajon) – The U.S. Department of Justice has announced the arrest of an El Cajon couple charged with forcing an Indonesian woman to work in their El Cajon home up to 18 hours a day without pay.  The victim was rescued after giving a note to a visiting nurse asking for help.