By Valerie Watts

November 3, 2017 (El Cajon) - Are you ready to see all your favorite fair tales mixed together, stood on end, and performed by an enthusiastic high school performing troupe?  Granite Hills High School Theater is presenting the Broadway version of "Into the Woods" at 1719 E. Madison Ave., El Cajon.  Performance dates are November 9, 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18 at 7 p.m. with additional matinee showings at 1 p.m. on the 11th and 18th.  Admission is $15 for adults and $5 for children 10 and younger.  For more information, message 619-655-1213.

By Miriam Raftery

November 1, 2017 (El Cajon) – El Cajon resident Darius Demon Lake, 27, is under arrest for suspicion of committing eight bank robberies in San Diego County and one in Temecula, Walt Miller with the El Cajon Police Department reports.  A second suspect, Brian Lee Barkley, also of El Cajon, was arrested for participating in one of three El Cajon bank heists.  “During that robbery, physical evidence was left by both suspects linking them to the robberies,” Miller says.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: the Hope Rally in El Cajon drew attention to domestic abuse

October 27, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – Domestic abuse impacts over 16,000 victims a year in our region, scarring families and sometimes, claiming lives. The San Diego District Attorney’s Office has provided statistics on domestic violence incidents locally from 2012 through 2016.

East County News Service

October 25, 2017 (El Cajon) -- Waste Management of San Diego and the Mother Goose Parade Association announce launch of a non-perishable food drive benefiting the East County Transitional Living Center, which provides housing to help the homeless and others in need. The drive will run through November 15 with local businesses serving as drop off sites and will culminate with food being collected in Waste Management Bagster® bags at the Mother Goose Parade on Nov. 19.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Smoke from crash visible on UCSD’s HP Wren camera

October 23, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – The small plane that crashed late Saturday afternoon east of the El Capitan Reservoir, sparking a 20-acre brush fire during a red flag warning for high fire danger, was an Extra EA-300/L plane registered to KD Leasing in Henderson, Nevada, National Transportation Safety Administration (NTSA) records indicate. 

Source: San Diego Sheriff

October 21, 2017 (El Cajon) –A $1,000 reward is offered for information leading to arrest of a suspect who assaulted and strangled a  woman last night on a hillside trail east of Starlight Mobile Home park iat 351 East Bradley n unincorporated El Cajon. The victim reported that the suspect wrapped a cable-like rope around her neck, nearly causing her to lose consciousness.

Fortunately she was able to escape from the suspect’s hold; she last saw him running toward the hillside, says Sergeant Miguel Lopez.

Sheriff’s dispatch received a 911 call at 9:16 p.m. Friday night, October 20th reported the assault with a deadly weapon. The suspect was described as a black male, approximately six feet tall, in his mid-thirties wearing a blue plaid shirt and baggy jeans.

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Story and photos by Liz Alper

October 20, 2017 (El Cajon) - ECM Friday Night Lights is back in action this week with our first-ever visit to El Cajon Valley.  The Braves are struggling at 2-5 and 0-1 in league play.  Tonight the Monarchs of Monte Vista paid Darryl R. Priest Field a visit.  The boys in red and gold are 4-3 overall and 2-1 in the Grossmont League.

East County News Service

October 18, 2017 (El Cajon) -- The Sixth Annual “HauntFest on Main” will be held this Friday night, October 20^th from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. in Downtown El Cajon. This fun, family-friendly Halloween-themed event includes live music on the Promenade Stage including the Stand-Up Guys from 5 to 7:15 p.m. and the Amazing ‘80s All-Starz from 7:45 to 10 p.m.: This event also features costume contests on the Main Street stage, carnival rides, crafts, games, car show, a candy trail, kids zone with outdoor movies, face painting, inflatables for kids, pumpkin patch, Ghostbusters and more. 

Story, videos and photos by Paul Kruze

October 12, 2017 (El Cajon) – An outburst and verbal kerfuffle between El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells and Councilman Ben Kalasho at the end of Tuesday’s El Cajon City Council meeting almost overshadowed an earlier unified 5-0 decision to ban outdoor growing  of marijuana by individuals and increase penalties for illegal commercial marijuana dispensaries and commercial growing facilities within the city limits of El Cajon.

By Miriam Raftery

October 8, 2017 (San Diego) – The City of El Cajon will be reholding public hearings on filing liens against city residents over unpaid bills for trash removal services provided by Waste Management. That decision comes after Councilman Ben Kalasho voted in favor of filing the liens after Waste Management paid $2500 in membership fees to a chamber of commerce that he founded and which his wife headed up since his election to the City Council. 

East County News Service

October 9, 2017 (El Cajon) – The Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors (PSAR), a 2,500-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., Wednesday, Oct. 18, at PSAR’s East County Service Center, 1150 Broadway, El Cajon. The event is open to the public.

By Miriam Raftery

October 7, 2017 (El Cajon) – Crowds flocked to Oktoberfests in El Cajon and La Mesa for bratwurst, beer, and festivities. The two community events differed sharply, with the German-American club’s event at its headquarters in El Cajon focused on authentic offerings such as a German band and Bavarian pastries, while La Mesa added some international elements and carnival attractions.

By Miriam Raftery

October 4, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- Today, Assemblyman Randy Voepel (R-Santee) announced he will be holding a "Listening Tour" through multiple communities within the 71st Assembly District including Santee, Julian, Lakeside, El Cajon, Ramona and Idyllwild.  The Listening Tour will provide an opportunity for constituents to hear a legislative update, ask questions, and offer ideas for how to improve California.

East County News Service

By Miriam Raftery

Rally and march photos by Robert Gehr

Cover photo:  Alfred Olango's father, Richard Olango Abuka

September 29, 2017 (El Cajon) – A one-year anniversary event commemorating the death of Alfred Olango, an African-American man shot and killed by an El Cajon Policeman, was held Thursday on Civic Center Way in downtown El Cajon, followed by a march to city hall and the police station.