By Robert Gehr

July 18, 2015 (El Cajon)--Two new solar powered pedestrian safety lights were recently installed near Johnson Elementary School and should create a safer walk zone for the many children who attend this Cajon Valley school on west Madison Ave. in El Cajon.

By Juwan Armstrong and Miriam Raftery

July 18, 2015 (El Cajon) --Representatives from Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign spoke at the East County Democratic Club last Thursday at MJ’s Family Restaurant in El Cajon, seeking to fire up local support.

 A former Secretary of State, First Lady and Senator, Clinton is focusing her campaign vision on four goals: building an economy for tomorrow, strengthening America’s families, defending America and our core values, and revitalizing our democracy.

Patrick Alexander, JD, added that one of the most important issues in the campaign will be the appointment of up to four Supreme Court Justices that the next president could make – appointments that could shape the high court for the next half century and impact rulings significant for women's rights, voting rights, minority rights, labor, the environment, the enviroment and more. 

By Miriam Raftery

July 16, 2015 (El Cajon) – El Cajon currently holds at-large elections where everyone in the city votes for all five Council races.  But on Tuesday, the City Council voted 5-0 to have staff move forward with implementing a shift to individual districts each electing its own representative.  The concept of districts aspires to provide greater representation for minorities to elect representatives reflective of their neighborhoods' concerns.

By Juwan Armstrong

July 15, 2015 (El Cajon)--An El Cajon chiropractor, Dr. Mace Richter, has pleaded not guilty to 42 counts related to insurance fraud.

New features and services at your fingertips!

July 10, 2015 (El Cajon)--The City of El Cajon has launched a new, redesigned website! The website provides new communication and outreach tools, added service features for residents and businesses, and gives the City of El Cajon a more powerful web presence.

Photo: City of El Cajon’s first fire truck, 1924

July 8, 2015 (El Cajon)--It’s been years in the planning, but retired El Cajon Fire Chief Ed Jarrell, partnering with Parkway Plaza, is bringing a fire museum to the City of El Cajon!  It’s been a long-time dream for the former Fire Chief to provide the City with a history of firefighting in El Cajon, inspiring youth to pursue a fire career and to provide safety education to those who visit the museum.

Update: The spill was  at Abacana Industries, a pool manufactoring and supply company.  Approximately 2,000 gallons from a 4,000 gallon storage tank leaked out. A secondary containment area in place to contain potential runoff from spills also failed, leading to a spill in the parking lot and storm drain. A private environmental company is now also assisting with cleanup.  Photo courtesy of Heartland Fire & Rescue. 

July 6, 2015 (El Cajon)--Heartland Fire & Rescue is on the scene of a hazardous materials spill at 545 W. Bradley Ave. in El Cajon. San Diego County and City Haz Mat crews are on scene assisting, and the spill is currently contained.

There are no road closures, as measurements on gas monitors are within normal range, however the public is advised to avoid the area until approximately 1:15 p.m.

July 4, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) --Caltrans construction crews will close several connector ramps on State Route 67 (SR-67) to and from Interstate 8 (I-8) and from SR-67 to State Route 52 (SR-52) for night work Sunday to Wednesday. See attached.

By Miriam Raftery

June 30, 2015 (El Cajon)—A suspected vehicle thief who tried to ram an El Cajon Police officer with a stolen vehicle has been arrested and charged with assault.  The suspect, 27-year-old Jose Maldonado of El Cajon, was bitten on the leg by a police dog after a pursuit that covered four miles from El Cajon into Spring Valley.

East County News Service

June 29, 2015 (El Cajon)—Three suspects are in custody after a group of people reportedly forced their way into a garage and tried to assault a homeowner and collect a debt, But the homeowner, who lived in the 8200 block of Limon Lane in unincorporated El Cajon, armed himself with a shotgun and shot one of the suspects in the leg.

By Pastor Rolland Slade, Meridian Baptist Church

June 26, 2015 (El Cajon)--For some time now, alcohol retailers in the City of El Cajon have been under pressure to conduct their businesses more responsibly. But despite all their efforts, irresponsible business practices such as selling to minors and already intoxicated homeless people have continued to be a problem.

By Miriam Raftery

June 25, 2015 (El Cajon) – Nationwide, over 400,000 rape kits have never been tested, including many right here in our region.  Yet testing every rape kit can produce undeniably dramatic results.

By Miriam Raftery

June 22, 2015 (El Cajon ) – A woman who left her dog in a hot car for five hours at the El Cajon courthouse on June 19^th  has been arrested and charged with animal cruelty.

By Robert Gehr (C) 2015

June 17, 2015 (El Cajon)--The Olaf Wieghorst Museum in El Cajon, will be closed for painting from June 17th through July 6th - 2015.

Photo: KaBoom! Playground previously built at Wells Park in El Cajon

June 13, 2015 (El Cajon)--Once again, the City of El Cajon plans to build a playground in a day.  Volunteers are needed to help with the assembly of a one-of-a-kind, customized playground at Bill Beck Park on June 18 and June 20.  The existing playground at Bill Beck Park was over 50 years-old.  So, a new playground is planned to provide youths with a better area to play and have fun.  Some of the volunteers who have registered so far include off-duty Heartland Fire & Rescue Firefighters and El Cajon Police officers, along with other City personnel and members of local civic groups.