El Cajon

EL CAJON SETS DEC. 13 PUBLIC HEARING ON MARIJUANA GROWING BAN

 

 

East County News Service

December 1,  2016 (El Cajon) –El Cajon’s City Council will hold a public hearing on Tuesday,  December 13 at 3 p.m. in Council Chambers (200 Civic Center Way) to consider extending an ordinance banning outdoor marijuana growing for the next year.

Following passage of Proposition 64, the statewide ballot measure legalizing recreational marijuana including growing up to six plants per household,  El Cajon’s City Council on Nov. 15 passed an emergency ordinance banning outdoor growing of marijuana plants until Dec. 30 in all zones within the city.  The hearing on Dec. 31 would be on a proposal to extend that ban until  Nov.14, 2017.


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SETTLEMENT REACHED IN SERVITUDE CASE

 

East County News Service

November 30, 2016 (El Cajon) – A settlement has been reached in the case of an El Cajon couple accused of keeping a housekeeper against her will as an indentured servant.

The victim, who asked to be identified by her initials, W.M., wanted to go home to Indonesia and did not want to go through the ordeal of confronting her alleged captors in court, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.  So prosecutors negotiated a plea deal.


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GROSSMONT COLLEGE’S THEATRE PRESENTS “THESE SHINING LIVES” DEC. 1-10

 

East County News Service

November 27, 2016 (El Cajon) — Grossmont College’s Stagehouse Theatre will present “These Shining Lives” in December.  The play recounts the true story of women workers exposed to radiation at the Radium Dial Company. Their fight for justice and their sacrifices created a legacy of better working conditions for future generations. 


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NOMINATIONS BEING ACCEPTED FOR EL CAJON’S 2016 “CITIZEN OF THE YEAR”

 

East County News Service

November 27, 2016 (El Cajon) - Each year, El Cajon’s civic, service, and fraternal organizations select the El Cajon “Citizen of the Year” from the many people in El Cajon who contribute to El Cajon through years of volunteer civic and community service. Active community groups, or individuals, can nominate a candidate for the “Citizen of the Year” by sending a representative of your organization to the Selection Committee meetings.


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SYRIAN REFUGEES THANKFUL FOR NEW LIVES IN SAN DIEGO REGION

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy of ECM news partner 10 News

November 25, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – The youngest survivors of Syria’s civil war are a traumatized generation.  In the U.S., 80% of the 10,000 Syrian refugees admitted in 2016 are children—and nearly all have suffered unspeakable trauma. 


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MOTORCYCLIST DEAD AFTER THREE-VEHICLE COLLISION IN EL CAJON

UPDATE AS OF NOVEMBER 25 AT 1:04 PM:  According to Lt. Randy Soulard with El Cajon Police,  the driver of the SUV was traveling east on Washington and did not see the oncoming motorcycle traveling west.  The SUV turned into the path of the motorcycle and the motorcyclist, unable to stop or avoid a collision, struck the SUV.

“Based witness statements and evidence recovered at the scene, the speed and driving behavior of the motorcycle rider may have been a factor in this collision,” Lt.  Soulard indicated.  He added that neither drugs nor alcohol are believed to be factors.

The occupants of the SUV were uninjured as a result of this collision.

Anyone with information regarding this collision is encouraged to contact the El Cajon Police Department Traffic Division at 619-441-1632.

East County News Service

November 23, 2016 (El Cajon) - A motorcyclist is dead after a three-vehicle traffic collision in El Cajon, police said.

The crash happened around 4:40 p.m. today at the intersection of East Washington Avenue and Lincoln Avenue, officials said.


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LEADERSHIP PROFILE: EL CAJON COUNCILMAN GARY KENDRICK, A HERO FOR THE HOMELESS

 

By Jonathan Goetz

Photo, left to right: Councilman Gary Kendrick with his son, TJ, and two formerly homeless men they have taken into their home, Tony and Michael

November 24, 2016 (El Cajon) -- It’s rare to find elected officials willing to stand up to special interests or cast votes unpopular with vocal constituents, doing what he or she believes is right for the community and for people in need.


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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: SCOUTS SHOW PATRIOTISM

 

East County News Service

November 22, 2016 (El Cajon) -- Drum Macomber sent in this photo of Senior Patrol Leader Kyle Jackson and Patrol Leader Alex Horn, Boy Scouts from Troop 362, with the El Cajon Main Street Flag Committee.

"This photo was not staged; it just happened when we decided that we should have the Pledge of Allegiance at the Work Party," Macomber says. "This is a Norman Rockwell Moment if ever."


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JIMMIE JOHNSON WINS SEVENTH SPRINT CUP CHAMPIONSHIP

 

For more sports coverage, visit ECM's Sports section

Source: NASCAR.com

Cover photo:  Creative Commons under Nascarking (Wikipedia).  Newsflasher photo:  Creative Commons under Flickr upload bot

November 20, 2016 (Miami) - Jimmie Johnson today won his seventh Sprint Cup championship and his first in three years at the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Miami.  The 41-year-old and El Cajon native is now tied with Dale Earnardt and Richard Petty as a seven-time premiere series champion.


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MAN KILLS SELF AFTER TAKING SON HOSTAGE, TRIGGERING SWAT OPERATION IN EL CAJON

 

By Miriam Raftery

November 19, 2016 (El Cajon) — A man who prompted a SWAT standoff after firing shots and taking his 7-year-old son hostage last night is dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot.  According to Lieutenant Royal Bates, the child exited the residence in the 800 block of Grape Street unharmed shortly before the gunshot was heard.


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CITY OF EL CAJON VETERAN’S DAY CEREMONY HONORS VETS OF ALL AGES

 

By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

November 13, 2016 (El Cajon) -- The City of El Cajon held a Veterans Day ceremony at Centennial Plaza on November 11th and presented its first Veteran of the Year Award to retired Chief Ray Moody.

In addition to the WWII veterans and others in attendance, a 30-year-old veteran, Kenny Patterson, US Navy, was also present.  He went in the service at 19. The phrase “I am a veteran –my oath of enlistment has no expiration date” aptly applies to Patterson.  He gives back to the community by participating in the American Legion Riders Chapter #303 which raises money to help other veterans.  A vet helping other vets. A vet who was also honoring other vets by his attendance at the ceremony.


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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: CIVIC LEADERS PAY HOMAGE TO VETERANS IN EL CAJON

 

By Jonathan Goetz

Photo: (L-R) Hon. Gary Kendrick, Moody RL, BMC, Hon. Bob McClellan, Hon. Susan Davis, Hon. Star Bales, Hon. Tony Ambrose

November 13, 2016 (El Cajon) — Congresswoman Susan Davis joined members of the El Cajon City Council at a ceremony honoring our veterans on Friday in downtown El Cajon. Rep. Davis, who also hosted a town hall meeting for veterans last week, posted on her Facebook page,  “Let us never forget the veterans who dedicated themselves to defending and protecting our freedoms.”


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EL CAJON POLICE ARREST MAN FOR DAMAGING AMERICAN FLAGS ON VETERANS DAY ALONG MAIN STREET

 

By Robert Gehr

Update November 13, 2016:  Jarred  Jefferson, 22, has been charged with felony vandalism for destroying or damaging 13 flags,  as well as two counts of obstructing an officer, NBC 7 News reports.  Poles were broken and some flags thrown in the street, where vehicles ran over them.  The flags had been put up by a local Boy Scout troop.

November 12, 2016 (El Cajon) — El Cajon Police arrested a young man yesterday morning who was reported to be damaging American flags displayed along Main Street in downtown El Cajon in recognition of Veteran’s Day.

Witnesses called El Cajon Police to report a man vandalizing American flags and it didn’t take very long for a Police officer to arrive, track down the perpetrator and make contact. The suspect did resist initial attempts by the first officer on scene attempting to arrest him, but was eventually taken into custody after another officer responded and aided in controlling the uncooperative man.


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GRANITE HILLS WINS CLASH OF THE EAGLES AND THE FIRST ROUND OF CIF PLAYOFFS

For more sports coverage, visit ECM's sports section

Story and photo by Liz Alper

November 10, 2016 (El Cajon) - In the first round of CIF playoffs, it was the battle of the Eagles as the San Pasqual High Golden Eagles traveled to Granite Hills to take on the Eagles.


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KAREN CLARK-MEJIA AND JIM MILLER ELECTED TO CAJON VALLEY UNION SCHOOL BOARD

 

Bond measure narrowly losing

By Jonathan Goetz

November 9, 2016 (El Cajon) -Conservative Republicans have won election in the five-person race for Cajon Valley Union School Board. Both are  endorsed by the Republican Party though the race is nonpartisan.

Clark-Mejia serves as the lead marriage and family therapist intern at New Day Women’s Center and Counseling Services, a 501(c)3 nonprofit that serves women and their families.


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CLOSE COUNCIL RACE IN EL CAJON; VOTERS APPROVE REDISTRICTING

 

By Miriam Raftery

November 9, 2016  (El Cajon) – With 43.6% of precincts counted,  a 10-candidate race for El Cajon City Council is still too close to call. There are three seats up—and currently, two challengers have edged ahead of incumbent Star Bales.

However voters handily approved Measure S, the redistricting proposal to establish district elections.  Measure S  has nearly 69% of the vote with 43.6% of precincts counted.


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EL CAJON SCOUT EARNS EAGLE RANK

 

East County News Service

Photos courtesy of Pat Palma

November 7, 2016 (El Cajon) - The Eagle Court of Honor ceremony for new Eagle Scout Alexander Bryan Mast of Boy Scout Troop 320 was held on Nov. 5 at the First Presbyterian Church of El CajonFamily and friends, El Cajon City Councilman Bob McClellan and a representative from State Senator Joel Anderson’s office joined Scouts at the celebration at 500 Farragut Circle. A reception followed. The First Presbyterian Church has sponsored three Scout 320 units.


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I-8 LANE AND RAMP CLOSURES IN EL CAJON

 

Source: Caltrans

November 7, 2016 (El Cajon) -- Lane and ramp closures are taking place along Interstate 8 (I-8) in El Cajon between Johnson Avenue and Lake Jennings Park Road Sundays through Thursdays from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. until mid-December. According to Caltrans, the pavement rehabilitation project will also include lane closures on some adjacent surface streets.


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EL CAJON APPROVES PERMIT FOR LONG-AWAITED ANIMAL SHELTER

 

By Miriam Raftery

November 6, 2016 (El Cajon) — El Cajon’s Planning Commission unanimously approved a conditional use permit Wednesday to start construction of the new El Cajon Animal Care Center.

Voters approved a half-cent sales tax increase to fund the $10.5 million shelter under Proposition O back in 2004, which will be more than double the size of the current shelter, with room for expansion. The new shelter at 1351 North Marshall Ave. will be within a block of the old shelter.


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JUDGE DENIES INJUNCTION SOUGHT BY PROTESTERS AGAINST EL CAJON POLICE AND SHERIFF

 

By Miriam Raftery

November 5, 2016 (San Diego) -- U.S. District Judge Janis Sammartino on Friday denied a temporary restraining order sought by the NAACP and protesters. The plaintiffs wanted the court to stop El Cajon Police and Sheriff officers from arresting protesters at the site where Alfred Olango was fatally shot by an El Cajon policeman on September 27th.


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MAN ARRESTED FOR MURDER

 

Update: The victim has been identified as Richard Kent Chartier. The cause of death was a penetrating gunshot wound to the abdomen. The manner of death was ruled a homicide. Chartier was a resident at the 1321 Oro Street property in unincorporated El Cajon.

 

By Miriam Raftery

November 5, 2016 (El Cajon) – Vincent Frank Peterson,42, has been arrested and will be charged with the murder of a man found with mortal wounds Friday night in unincorporated El Cajon.

Deputies were called to a home on Oro Street near Greenfield Drive after a caller to 911 reported an assault with a deadly weapon around 10 p.m. Friday.  The victim, 42, was found with injuries to his torso and died on the way to a hospital.


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HEAR OUR HOT INTERVIEWS: SAN MIGUEL FIRE BOARD CANDIDATES

 

By Miriam Raftery

November 4, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – The future of the San Miguel Fire District hangs in the balance.  Should San Miguel keep its contract with Cal-Fire or return to being a stand-alone district, as the current board recently voted by a slim margin?  We interviewed a representative from  each of the two slates running for our East County Magazine Radio Show on KNSJ. Listen now by clicking the orange audio link.

 In this heated session,  incumbent Bill  Kiel, a retired engineer, makes the case for staying with Cal-Fire, while retired fire chief Kim Raddatz argues for giving Cal-Fire the boot and returning to an independent district.  Each side claims their position will be best for taxpayers and public safety.  One side is backed by Cal-Fire firefighters, the other by leaders of the former San Miguel firefighters.

Audio: 

San Miguel Fire interviews: Kim Raddatz and Bill Kiel, candidate slate representatives

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DECEPTIVE MAILERS IN EL CAJON AND LEMON GROVE

 

By Jonathan Goetz

November 3, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – Deceptive mailers have been sent to voters in El Cajon and Lemon Grove, readers tell ECM.

The San Diego County Democratic Party has endorsed Vickie Butcher, Stephanie Harper and Ben Kalasho in the El Cajon City Council Race. But a reader has alerted ECM that a mailer claims El Cajon Democrats endorsed Butcher as well as Humbert Cabrera and Steve Goble.  Cabrera and Goble have not been endorsed by any political party.


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SYCUAN TRIBE PROPOSES 11-STORY, 300-ROOM HOTEL AS FIRST PHASE OF LARGER EXPANSION

 

By Mike Allen

November 3, 2016 (El Cajon) -- The Sycuan band of the Kumeyaay nation has plans to build a high-rise hotel and expand its casino.

The plans call for an 11-story, 300-room, hotel plus an additional 21,000 square feet of gaming space with 500 new devices, bringing the total to 2,500. The project would also include a 2,030-car parking garage, an upscale restaurant, a spa, fitness center, and larger outdoor area with two swimming pools.


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EL CAJON SHOOTING SUSPECT MICHAEL RIORDAN ARRESTED IN LEMON GROVE AFTER PURSUIT

 

Source: El Cajon Police

November 3, 2016 (Lemon Grove) -- A suspect has been arrested at a Lemon Grove residence for a shooting that occurred in El Cajon on October 28th at 12:40 p.m.

During the incident, witnesses described an argument occurring between two males and the suspect, near a kiosk in the 1000 Block of Decker Street. The suspect walked away from the argument to a vehicle parked a short distance away and retrieved a handgun. He then walked back to where the kiosk was at and fired numerous shots at the victims striking one of them in the leg. The suspect fled the scene in the vehicle.


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JINGLE PAWS DEC. 3

 

East County News Service

November 3, 2016 (El Cajon) - On Saturday, December 3, the ACES Foundation will be hosting the sixth annual Jingle Paws 1K and 5K Fun Walk from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College.  Registration is from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.


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COUNTY BREAKS GROUND ON CAJON AIR CENTER

 

By James Kecskes, County of San Diego Communications Office

November 2, 2016 (El Cajon)--County officials and community members broke ground on Gillespie Field Airport’s new Cajon Air Center on October 31st.

The groundbreaking kicked off the first phase of a multi-phase redevelopment project in unincorporated El Cajon.


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OLANGO FAMILY TO ESTABLISH FOUNDATION, FILES CLAIM WITH EL CAJON

 

By Miriam Raftery

November 2, 2016 (El Cajon) — The father of Alfred Olango, a Ugandan immigrant who was fatally shot last month by an El Cajon Police Officer Richard Gonsalves, has announced plans to establish the Alfred Olango Justice and Unity Foundation for police reform. In addition, Olango’s sister has filed a claim against the City of El Cajon alleging negligence in her brother’s death.


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NAACP, EL CAJON PROTESTERS AWAIT JUDGE’S DECISION

 

East County News Service

Jonathan Goetz and Miriam Raftery contributed to this report

November 1, 2016 (San Diego) – San Diego Superior Court Judge Janis Sammartino heard evidence October 26 in a case filed by the National Association of Colored Persons (NAAC) and seven protesters against the city of El Cajon, the Sheriff’s Department, and El Cajon Police.


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PARKWAY PLAZA HOLIDAY FESTIVITIES BEGIN NOV. 18

 

Source: Parkway Plaza

November 1, 2016 (El Cajon) - Parkway Plaza shopping mall in El Cajon invites you to celebrate the season, revel in holiday traditions and create new ones with a series of holiday happenings—starting with Santa’s arrival on November 18th.  Below are details provided by Parkway Plaza:


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