By Miriam Raftery

December 31, 2023 (El Cajon) – The City of El Cajon has filed a lawsuit against former Councilman Bessmon “Ben” Kalasho and his wife, Jessica Deddeh, for allegedly failing to address numerous code violations at an unauthorized bed and breakfast at the couple’s residence, NBC 7 reports.

According to the City’s complaint, the El Cajon residence has been listed on the Trivagosite as “The HIstorical Chamber House in East  San Diego with Optional Breakfast.” Code compliance officers found and photographed unpermitted construction of an outdoor stair, deck, and a second kitchen.

City code compliance investigators found violations on six visits from Sept.2019 to Jan.2022, the suite states. Multiple warning letters were sent and fines were levied, reaching $2,000 per day.  The total is now approximately $1.4 million.

The City is asking for injunctive relief including removing the unpermitted dwelling unit and movable properties within it sold under supervision of a court-appointed receiver. If rents and proceeds of selling the movable items do not cover the amount owed, the city asks the court to order that the home be sold.

Source: Grossmont College Stagehouse Theatre

November 28, 2023 (El Cajon) -- Get ready for a magical, uproarious experience as Grossmont College Stagehouse Theatre presents Freaky Friday, Disney's beloved body-swap musical comedy, directed by Katie Banville. Based on the celebrated novel by Mary Rodgers, the beloved classic gets a contemporary twist with a hilarious new book by Bridget Carpenter, complemented by pop/rock music by Tom Kitt and lyrics by Brian Yorkey

By Miriam Raftery

November 21, 2023 (El Cajon) – Two suspects have been arrested for the fatal shootings of two teens on October 28 at a house party in the 700 block of Mahogany Drive in El Cajon. Thanks to the city’s new Flock Safety automated license plate readers, El Cajon Police detectives were able to identify the getaway vehicle used in the crime, according to Lieutenent. Will Guerin.

ECPD officers responded to a series of 911 calls reporting a loud house party and multiple gunshots shortly before midnight on Oct. 28.  Arriving officers saw numerous people fleeing the area and found two male shooting victims, ages 16 and 18. Both were critically wounded.  Despite swift medical attention, both victims died of their injuries after being transported to local trauma hospitals.

Two suspects, 21-year-old Bruce Luu and 24-year-old Dan Nalab, both city of San Diego residents, were identified. Nalab was taken into custody on Nov.19 by the Chula Vista Police Department for an unrelated firearm charge.  On Nov.20, with the assistance of the US Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force and the East County Regional Gang Task Force, El Cajon Police officers and detectives apprehended Bruce Luu in San Diego.

East County News Service

November 17, 2023 (El Cajon) -- On December 16^th at 1 p.m., the San Diego Ballet brings the Nutcracker ballet to The Magnolia theater in El Cajon.

Imagine the magic as the Nutcracker features Tchaikovsky's timeless musical score and an international cast of more than 100 beautifully costumed dancers. Sugarplum fairies, leaping Cossacks and flurries of snowflakes swirl across the stage, in this magical journey through a young girl''s imagination.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Councilman Gary Kendrick with his late dog, Ocho.

November 15, 2023 (El Cajon)—By a unanimous vote,  El Cajon City Council members approved allocating $30,000 for the Humane Society to provide shelter for dogs belonging to homeless people for up to 30 days, providing the person enters a program for the homeless. The individual can choose any homeless program, in El Cajon or elsewhere, to help them get off the streets.  The measure also funds up to $2,000 in veterinary care per pet.

“It’s removing one more barrier to getting people off the street,” says Councilman Gary Kendrick, who introduced the measure, noting that local homeless shelters won’t accept pets.  “A lot are saying, `I don’t want to lose my dog, so I won’t go into a program.”

The homeless person can retrieve their dog from the Humane Society after they complete a program in 30 days, or sooner if they choose.  “They can leave the program and get their dog bag at any time,” assures Kendrick, a dog owner.

Source:  Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District

November 9, 2023 (El Cajon) - Military Times magazine has ranked Cuyamaca College 80^th in the nation as Best for Vets: Colleges and 215^th as Best for Vets: Employers. Cuyamaca College was the only San Diego County college or university in the top 100 of the magazines’ ratings of best colleges for veterans. 

By Chuck Westerheide, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo:  forensic sketch artist P.J. Puterbaugh created this image of the unidentified accident victim

November 3, 2023 (El Cajon) - San Diego County Medical Examiner’s investigators are asking for the public’s help to identify a woman fatally hit by a car while crossing Cuyamaca Street north of Weld Boulevard in El Cajon late in the evening of September 22.

East County News Service

October 31, 2023 (El Cajon) – You’re invited to the annual Holiday Lights on Main Street celebration on Saturday, November 25 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.  The festivities include ice skating on the promenade, family fun and live music, with the tree lighting at 6 p.m. at the corner of Main and Magnolia.

The entertainment on stage will feature the Audio Hounds Band from 2 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. and the Harmony Grove Band from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

By: Jessyka Heredia

WATCH FULL VIDEO HERE: https://youtu.be/uheUnysqWtM?si=irgfHh5_9CbH7_6N

October 24, 2023 (El Cajon) -- Most, if not all of us have travelled down Interstate 8 countless times, but you have likely passed up a lot of history that dates back more than 100 years while getting to your destination. The Old Spanish Trail Centennial Celebration Association (OTS100) is in town celebrating 100 years of the trail’s history with a series of events the community can attend free in early November including a museum reception, history lectures, and drives through our backcountry.

East County News Service

October 20, 2023 (El Cajon) -- Enjoy a healthy Halloween and free admission to The Water Conservation Garden on Thursday, October 26 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. courtesy of the Grossmont Healthcare District. 

East County News Service

October 17, 2023 (El Cajon)— A 28-year-old woman has died after being struck by a vehicle yesterday morning in El Cajon.

By Cecilie Shamanow

El Cajon – Imagine going to sleep at night in your home, content, safe and secure, only to wake up to it going up in flames. Melissa Taylor didn’t have to imagine such a tragedy because it was her reality.  The 65-year-old El Cajon resident woke up the night of August 7th to a fire rapidly spreading through her home.

Taylor, who normally falls asleep to the sound of her television, was awoken at 5:30  pm. by the sudden silence caused by the power going out in her trailer. She could hear the sound of her neighbors outside yelling for her to get out.

She narrowly escaped; the trailer was burned beyond repair in a matter of moments. Taylor could do nothing but watch as it burned, and listen to the sounds of her four cats crying inside, unable to escape.

Source: Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District

October 12, 2023 (El Cajon)--The Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District will be demonstrating support for undocumented students by joining community colleges across California in Undocumented Student Action Week October 16-20. Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges will be holding a wide range of events in support of undocumented students and immigrants.

Students are encouraged to visit the Together We Rise Center at Cuyamaca College or the Dream Center at Grossmont College, which offer programs and services to help empower undocumented students to achieve their academic and personal pursuits.  Both centers serve as a resource to help students with access to higher education, advocacy and educational materials, campus-based and community services, current events, engagement activities, legal aid referrals, legislative updates, and more.

By Cecilie Shamanow

The city of El Cajon is holding a forum for local business owners and managers on Tuesday October 17^th at 7:30 a.m. at the El Cajon Police Station 100 Civic Center Way, El Cajon, CA 92020.

The aim is to discuss the impact the unhoused population is having on local businesses.

The forum is a collaborative effort between the City of El Cajon and the El Cajon Police Department; the meetings will be led by Police Chief Mouton and City Manager Graham Mitchell.

East County News Service

September 27, 2023 (El Cajon) -- On Friday, October 20, 2023, the San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce will be celebrating its 21st Annual Women in Leadership event at Sycuan Casino Resort.

In 2003 the first Women in Leadership Luncheon (WILL) was launched with the idea of honoring women who excel professionally and as community leaders. The successful women of San Diego County, along with our inspirational keynote speakers, keep WILL growing year after year.