El Cajon

WANT TO RUN FOR A LOCAL OFFICE? FILING DEADLINE IS OPEN NOW THROUGH AUGUST 12

 

By Miriam Raftery

July 24, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – The filing period to run for local offices is now open, closing August 12.   Concerned citizens can often make positive differences in their communities by become elected officials serving as members of school boards, community planning groups, fire boards, water boards, hospital districts, city councils, or as mayors.


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GROSSMONT COLLEGE THEATER PRESENTS 80 DAYS, A NEW MUSICAL, JULY 28-AUG. 6

 

East County News Service

July 24, 2016 (El Cajon) - See “Around the World in 80 Days,” a timeless tale of amazing adventures as Phineas Fogg attempts to circumnavigate the globe in less than 80 days in order to win a sizeable wager.  The play is based on the novel Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne.


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WHAT’S HAPPENING IN EL CAJON

 

Source: Monica Zech, Public Information Officer for the City of El Cajon

Photo by Leon Thompson

July 24, 2016 (El Cajon) – From classic cruises to an El Cajon Walks! Meet-up group, museum exhibits, musicals and more, there’s a lot happening this month and next in El Cajon. Plus, nominations are being sought for the Women in Leadership and Veteran of the Year awards.


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FIRE DAMAGES KAELIN’S MARKET IN EL CAJON

 

East County News Service

July 24, 2016 (El Cajon) -- Heartland Fire & Rescue units were dispatched to a reported fire at Kaelin’s market in the 1400 block of East Main Street on Friday afternoon.  Fire crews arrived within four minutes to find a single story commercial building under construction with smoke inside the building. A second alarm was quickly called due to the extreme heat conditions firefighters were facing and the potential of fire spread.


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CANDIDATES CAN NOW FILE TO RUN FOR GROSSMONT UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT TRUSTEE ELECTIONS; FILING DEADLINE IS AUGUST 12

No filing fees, ballot statement costs  $315 to $360 in smaller trustee districts

By Miriam Raftery

July 24, 2016 (San Diego’s East County ) – For the first time, the Grossmont Union High School District will hold elections in November for individual trustee districts.   There are no filing fees, though modest fees are charged for candidates to publish ballot statements. With smaller districts, the cost for ballot statements is far less than in the past --just $315 in Trustee Area 1 (Lemon Grove/Spring Valley/La Prensa),which is an open seat, and $360 in Trustee Area 2 (La Mesa/Casa de Oro/Mt. Helix and part of Rancho San Diego) currently represented by Jim Stieringer.

The candidate filing period opened July 18 and closes August 12th.  August 12 is also the deadline for candidates to submit ballot statements, which for the first time will be accepted electronically.


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VEHICLE SHOOTING IN RANCHO SAN DIEGO

 

Source: Sheriff's press release

July 24, 2016 (El Cajon) - On July 21, 2016 around 2:20 a.m., California Highway Patrol transferred a 911 call reporting a road rage incident that occurred near the intersection of Jamacha Road and Hilton Head Place involving multiple gunshots fired.  Sheriff's Deputies responded to the area and located the victim. Varying witness accounts described the suspect vehicle as either a white SUV and/or a black sedan.    A white SUV matching the description of a vehicle involved was located at an apartment complex nearby.  Four individuals associated with the vehicle were questioned but released pending further investigation.  Several bullet casings were found in the apartment complex parking lot about two blocks away from where the white SUV was located.  There were no injuries reported in this incident and the investigation is continuing.        


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THE WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN INVITES HELIX WATER DISTRICT CUSTOMERS TO CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAY

 

East County News Service

 

July 20, 2016 (East County) – The Water Conservation Garden, a six-acre conservation demonstration garden in El Cajon, will host a customer appreciation day for customers of the Helix Water District. This free event will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, July 31. The Water Conservation Garden is at 12122 Cuyamaca College Drive West, adjacent to Cuyamaca Community College, in El Cajon’s Rancho San Diego area.


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MUSEUM ROADSHOW IS BACK AT HERITAGE OF THE AMERICAS MUSEUM

 

East County News Service

July 20, 2016 (El Cajon) - The Museum Roadshow returns to the Heritage of the Americas Museum at Cuyamaca College on July 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the museum's conference room.


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RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURE FIRE IN EL CAJON

 

East County News Service

July 18, 2016 (El Cajon) - At approximately 12:00 p.m. Sunday, Heartland Fire & Rescue units from El Cajon were dispatched to reports of a single story, single family residential structure fire in the 1000 block of Leslie Road in El Cajon.  Fire crews arrived within 5 minutes to discover smoke and fire coming from a room attached to the rear of the structure. Firefighters were able to confine the fire to the area of origin with some attic involvement.The fire was controlled within 10 minutes.


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EAST COUNTY POSSE STRIVES TO GIVE PEOPLE "A HAND UP, NOT A HAND OUT"

 

By Janis Russell 

 

Photo: Mark Allan

July 15, 2016 (San Diego's East County) - The East County Posse was founded a little more than 10 years ago. The mission is to help East County residents “in need of a hand up, not a hand out.” ECM met with East County Posse’s board member, Mark Allan, and chairman/CEO, Greg Brown, for an interview about this organization.  


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ANIMAL TALES: CAT HAVEN--FRIENDS OF CATS

 

By Mimi Pollack 

July 13, 2016 (San Diego's East County) - In East County, there is place that welcomes all cats, no matter the age or condition. Friends of Cats in El Cajon is a haven for kittens, adult and senior cats, FIV positive cats and even cats with bad habits or psychological problems! They welcome them all with open arms and take good care of them, providing a safe environment. 


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MULTI VEHICLE TRAFFIC COLLISION IN EL CAJON

 

 

Source:  Heartland Fire

July 12, 2016 (El Cajon) - At 2:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, Heartland Fire & Rescue crews were dispatched to reports of a vehicle accident at the intersection of Greenfield Drive and the I-8 underpass in El Cajon.


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ARABO STANDS UP FOR FATHER NOEL, PLANS APPEAL TO POPE

 

"Father Noel is amazing in the halls of Congress. We were able to get 20,000 more visas for Chaldeans to come here. For his success, he is being punished.  The church is saying that no Iraqi Christians should leave Iraq..Wewlil not allow himto be sent like a cow to slaughter.--Mark Arabo

By Miriam Raftery

July 12, 2016 (El Cajon)-- Friday is the deadline for Father Noel Gorgis to leave the St. Peter Chaldean Catholic diocese, under an order signed by interim Bishop  ShlemunWarduni and Patriarch Mar Louis Sako. Pope Francis previously intervened to overturn an order for Father Noel to be transferred to Iraq, after local Chaldeans made clear he is needed here, and that his life would be in jeopardy in Iraq.  The new order seeks to punish Father Noel for disobeying the Patriarch despite the Pope's wishes that he remain serving his parish here.

Now Mark Arabo, founder of the Minority Humanitarian Foundation and a prominent spokesman for Chaldean-Americans, is joning with other parishioners here to defend Father Noel.


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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: BISHOP WARDUNI SPEAKS OUT ON PLIGHT OF CHALDEANS AROUND THE WORLD

 

By Miriam Raftery

East County Magazine was granted an exclusive interview yesterday with Bishop Mar Schlemon Warduni, who has been serving as interim Bishop  and apostolic administrator of St.Peter Chaldean Catholic Diocese since May, following the retirement of Bishop Sarhad Jammo.  Bishop Warduni leaves the U.S. today to head for Rome and then Iraq, awaiting appointment of a permanent Bishop for the San Diego region.

 Bishop Warduni has long served in Baghdad, Iraq under Patriarch Mar Louis Sako, and as Secretary General of the Catholic Bishops Council. He has worked to build over20 projects serving Christians in Iraq, including a church, senior citizens home, student/youth complex, homes for priests and a Bishop’s house. (Read his full biography here.)

In our interview, Bishop Warduni discussed the plight of Christians in Iraq and in refugee camps,  the challenges of keeping Chaldean culture alive,  the controversy over Father Noel Gorgis being asked to leave the diocese, and Bishop Warduni’s hopes for the future.


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FATHER NOEL ORDERED TO LEAVE ST. PETER CHALDEAN DIOCESE ON JULY 15, 2016

 

 

By Miriam Raftery, East County News Service

July 10, 2016 (El Cajon)—In January 2015, Pope Francis issued a ruling to protect Father Noel Gorgis, a popular, zealous priest at St. Peter’s Chaldean Cathedral in El Cajon, as ECM reported. The Pope invalidated a decree issued by Patriarch Mar Louis Raphael Sako, which would have required Father Noel and several other U.S. priests to return to Iraq, where the Islamic State has been slaughtering Christian religious leaders. The Pope’s action was applauded by local Chaldean leaders. Father Noel has been a leading voice locally and nationally, on behalf of Chaldean-Americans and Chaldean immigrants.

But now the new interim Bishop for the St. Peter Chaldean Catholic diocese of San Diego, Shlemun Warduni, has issued an order for Father Noel to leave St. Peter’s effective Friday, July 15, 2016, multiple church sources have confirmed.  Bishop Warduni is a temporary replacement for Bishop Sarhad Jammo, who recently retired and had been a defender of Father Noel, as ECM reported.


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GIRL, 8, FIGHTS OFF INTRUDER IN EL CAJON HOME

 

By Miriam Raftery

July 10, 2016 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Police are warning residents about an intruder who pried a screen off an open downstairs window at a condo in the1300 block of Hawk Lane at 4:00 this morning. He climbed into a bedroom where an 8-year-old girl and her 6-year-old brother were sleeping. 

The girl's mother told Fox News that the suspect grabbed her daughter and was dragging her downstairs, when the girl struck him in the neck using moves she learned in a martial arts class.

The action caused the suspect to flee the home, said Lieutenant Rob Ransweiler. The suspect is described as a man with tanned skin, dark “fluffy” hair and a thin build.  He had a strong “dirty” odor and wore dark clothing and a backpack.


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BLOOD DONOR SCHEDULED TO DONATE 10TH GALLON AT SAN DIEGO BLOOD BANK JULY 9 IN EL CAJON

 

Source: San Diego Blood Bank

July 7, 2016 (San Diego) - A San Carlos woman has not only saved hundreds of lives with her volunteer blood donations, but has found a way to make it fun in the process. 


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BEST BARNYARD CHICKENS FOR EGGS



East County News Service

July 5, 2016 (Crest) -- Richard Edwords from Kamps Propane will discuss how to pick the very best chickens for eggs, including breed, selection, culling, nutrition, cages & DIY cage design. His presentation will be held July 12th at 6 p.m. in the Crest Library, 105 Juanita Lane, El Cajon.


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MIXING AND MINGLING WITH LOCAL ELECTORAL CANDIDATES AT POLITICS IN PARADISE

 

By Janis Russell

July 4, 2016 (Rancho San Diego) - The East County Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual ‘Politics in Paradise’ at the Water Conservation Garden on July 1st. This year, instead of a panel of speakers, the public got to mix and mingle with the local candidates. Then, throughout the night, candidates came up in three different groups to introduce themselves and explain why they’re running.


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2 MEN IN BLACK TRUCK HARASSED RUNNER ON WESTWIND

 

East County News Service

July 4, 2016 (El Cajon) — A female runner has reported being harassed twice in the past week along Westwind and Tyrone in El Cajon by two men (one white, one black) in their 20s.


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TRUCK CARRYING CRANE HITS OVERPASS ON 67

 

June 28, 2016 – 4:30 p.m. – A truck carrying a crane has reportedly struck the overpass bridge on State Route 67 southbound at Prospect Avenue in El Cajon and is stuck, according to the CHP incident page.  Lanes are blocked and a fuel spill has reportedly occurred.

A bridge supervisor is en route.  We recommend avoiding this area.  


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EL CAJON MAKES PROGRESS ON BUDGET AND HOMELESSNESS, STALLS ON DISTRICT ELECTIONS, REJECTS LOCAL HIRING REQUIREMENTS

 

By Jonathan Goetz     

June 27, 2016 (El Cajon)—Last Tuesday, the City of El Cajon adopted a new annual budget, announced its participation in the East County Homeless Outreach Team and recertified its Property and Business Improvement District.


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EL CAJON’S MARK LARSON IS RECORD HOLDER FOR BROADCASTING LONGEVITY

 

East County News Service

June 27, 2016 (El Cajon) – Radio and TV personality Mark Larson, a longtime El Cajon resident, recently began his 41st year of continuous on-air presence in the San Diego market. That makes Larson the current holder of the longevity record for local broadcast on-air work (Sam Bass has been heard on KyXy 96.5-FM since 1978; Hal Clement and Bill Griffith both had 39 years on TV before retiring in 2011 and 2015, respectively).


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EL CAJON POLICE DEPT. IS HIRING RECRUITS

 

East County News Service

June 25, 2016 (El Cajon) -- The El Cajon Police Department is looking for highly qualified, highly motivated individuals who want to make a difference by serving their community.  The application process opens on Monday, June 27th and closes on Monday, July 11th.  All applications must be submitted by 5:00 pm on July 11th.  Visit the City of El Cajon website to begin the process and to obtain salary and benefit information.

www.cityofelcajon.us/your-government/departments/human-resources/jobs


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LEWIS AND CLARK BOOK SIGNING AND PRESENTATION JULY 16 AT HERITAGE OF THE AMERICAS MUSEUM

 

East County News Service

June 21, 2016 (Rancho San Diego) -- Author James Thomas will be at the Heritage of the Americas Museum (12110 Cuyamaca College Drive West, El Cajon) will give a presentation and book signing on Saturday, July 16 from 1-3 p.m.  He will be discussing his book, Corps of Discovery, about the Lewis and Clark Expedition.  Thomas is an expert on Lewis and Clark, so the facts are all there.  But he novelized the story, so his book is filled with conversation and you really feel like you get to know each person on the expedition.  We also sell his book in the Museum Store.   This presentation is fun for all ages. Thomas dresses up as an explorer from the period and brings artifacts like those used on the Lewis and Clark expedition.  So bring the family and come to the museum for this educational and entertaining event.


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SAVOR THE FLAVORS OF THE MEDITERRANEAN AT SAJJ HOUSE

 

Review by Maridian Broadus

June 20, 2016 (El Cajon) -- Are you out of ideas of what to cook for dinner? Does your palate crave something other than the ordinary salt and pepper fare that comes out of your kitchen? If you answered “yes” to at least one of the questions posed, then pack your appetite, flee your house, and head over to Sajj House (1255 Avocado Ave., El Cajon), a marvelous new Mediterranean style restaurant where you can savor the flavors of exotic spices.


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EL CAJON POLICE PARTNERING WITH EAST COUNTY AGENCIES TO HELP REDUCE HOMELESSNESS

 

East County News Service

June 18, 2016 (El Cajon) -- During Tuesday’s City Council meeting, El Cajon Police Chief Jeff Davis addressed the City Council to make them aware of the police department’s new partnership with other East County agencies for a homeless outreach program. The actions come after the County Grand Jury issued a report recommending East County cities take actions to improve help for the homeless, as ECM reported earlier this week.


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MORE PLACES TO COOL OFF ON SUNDAY

 

By Miriam Raftery

June 17, 2016 (San Diego's East County) -- A reader e-mailed us to point out that many of the Cool Zones listed on the County's map are not open Sundays. So we did some research to find a few more options on some cool places to go, such as shopping malls, bowling alleys, ice rinks, movie theatres, casinos, aquatic centers, libraries and more. 

We also have some tips on how to beat the heat at home and keep your cool. Plan ahead, since SDG&E says Flex Alerts (temporary power outages) are possible during the extreme heat starting Sunday. 

Check out our list below of cool places  that are open Sunday and beyond:


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GRAND JURY REPORT SLAMS EAST COUNTY CITIES' “LACK OF RESPONSE TO HOMELESSNESS”

 

By Miriam Raftery

June 13, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – The San Diego County Grand Jury has issued a report critical of four cities in East County for failing to provide adequately for the needs of homeless people, including failing to apply for federal funds available for that purpose. The Grand Jury report, titled “East County Cities’ Lack of Response to Homelessness,” also made recommendations to improve the situation.


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FIREWORKS AND FOURTH OF JULY PICNIC IN EL CAJON

 

East County News Service

June 11, 2016 (El Cajon) – The city of El Cajon will hold its annual Fourth of July picnic and fireworks at Kennedy Park.  The fun starts at 1 p.m. with food vendors, kids’ activities and live music from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.   The fireworks display will be held at 9 p.m.


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