East County News Service

February 7, 2018 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – The Jacumba Hikers and Walkers  will lead a guided hike this Saturday to the Desert View Tower, one of the oldest roadside attractions/historic landmarks in this region, with a spectacular view of Imperial Valley.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Robert Gehr

Robert Gehr contributed to this report

Update:  The  deceased woman has been identified as Brandi Duhamell. According to El Cajon Police Lieutenant W. Miller, officers arrived to find her fiancee performing CPR on Duhamell, who had shot the fiancee in the leg before committing suicide by shooting herself in the chest.

February 6, 2018 (El Cajon) – A woman is dead and a man hospitalized with a gunshot wound, El Cajon Police Department posted on Twitter this evening.

ECM photographer Robert Gehr, who lives across the street from the Park Royale apartment complex at 193 West Park avenue, said a SWAT team was deployed and reported seeing “at least 12 police units” and 20 or more officers at the scene following the shooting that occurred around 6 p.m. as well as paramedics and a fire truck.

By Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine

February 6, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – A suspect who reportedly carjacked a vehicle this afternoon in El Cajon was captured in Carlsbad following a high-speed pursuit by Sheriff’s deputies and an ASTREA Sheriff’s helicopter.

By Miriam Raftery

February 5, 2018 (El Cajon) -- A man was shot and a security guard injured outside Parkway Bowl on Fletcher Parkway in El Cajon Saturday night shortly after 11 p.m.

El Cajon Police Department reports that a confrontation began at the bowling alley, leading to a shooting nearby.  A security guard who tried to intervene was rammed by the suspect’s vehicle as he fled the scene.

By Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine

February 3, 2018 (Borrego Springs) - You’re invited to don your “desert dressy” attire and finest hiking boots for the second annual “Boots Ball” hosted by the Anza Borrego Foundation on Saturday, March 3 from 2-5 p.m.

By Kendra Sitton

February 1, 2018 (El Cajon) --- Activists praise the end of a ban on feeding the homeless, but continue advocating for further changes in El Cajon.

At a food sharing event organized by Food not Bombs and Breaking Bread on Saturday, Jan. 27, transients and volunteers filled Wells Park. There was a swathe of donated clothes, blankets, and hand sanitizer, as international media attention brought additional support to the advocates who have worked for months to repeal the ban. Houseless people filled plates with beans, chow mein, bread, peach cobbler, and a chocolate cake which read “solidarity not charity.”

By Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine

February 1, 2018 (Spring Valley) – Thomas Jackson,28, has been arrested and charged with the murder of Aurice J. Turk, 25.  Turk was killed January 4^th around 9 p.m. in a reported fight near the Albertson’s on Campo Road in the Casa de Oro area of Spring Valley.

East County News Service

February 1, 2018 (El Cajon) -- Run East County invites you to take part in the annual St. Patrick’s Day half marathon, 5K race, and Green Mile through downtown El Cajon on Sunday March 4^th.  There’s also a Tribes and Clans CrossFit competition, a Tribes and Clans for Kids event and a beer garden.

By Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine

February 1, 2018 (El Cajon) – The County Medical Examiner has identified El Cajon resident Ronald Ray Hegwood, 53, as the victim killed January 24^th in a motorcycle crash in Point Loma.

According to San Diego Police, Hegwood lost control of the motorcycle he was driving while traveling east on West Point Loma Blvd. He crossed into the westbound lane and collided with another vehicle, then also struck a parked vehicle.

By Paul Kruze

February 1, 2018 (Casa de Oro) – The San Diego County Board of voted in principal to approve a blueprint laid out for the eventual revitalizing of the Campo Road area of Casa de Oro at last Thursday’s meeting.

But don’t expect changes to occur overnight.

By Maridian Broadus

Photo, left:  Honoree Alan Cabrera, Jane Elliott, Rev. Shane Harris, Honoree BAPC State President Dr. William Blair

January 31, 2018 (Lemon Grove) — “Where are we 50 years later?” That is the question posed by Reverend Shane Harris, president of the National Action Network in San Diego, and by keynote speaker, educator and anti-racism activist Jane Elliott at the Martin Luther King Jr. 88^th birthday celebration held on Friday, January 19^th at Lemon Grove Community Church. NAN is a social justice organization that advocates on behalf of minorities and the disenfranchised. The celebration paid homage to Dr. King and honored local civil rights activists.

By Miriam Raftery

January 30, 2018 (El Cajon) --- The driver of a green Ford pickup truck that crashed into a business at 1417 North Cuyamaca Street in El Cajon yesterday afternoon was taken to a hospital, where he later died of severe injuries.  The identity of the victim, a 46-year-old African-American man, is being withheld pending notification of his family.

East County News Service

January 30, 2018 (La Mesa) -- In celebration of Valentine's Day, you’re invited to take your sweetheart, best friend, or even a group of friends to a dessert & wine pairing at San Pasqual Winery tasting room in La Mesa’s downtown village.

By Miriam Raftery

January 29, 2018 (La Mesa) – Matthew McConnell, 44, died in a hospital several hours after he was struck by a vehicle Friday night. According to La Mesa Police, he was walking across the intersection at Fletcher Parkway and Nagel Street near Grossmont Center on a red light when the tragedy occurred.

By Miriam Raftery

January 29, 2018 (La Mesa) – The City of La Mesa invites residents to attend two upcoming town hall meetings, where elected officials and city staff will be on hand to answer residents’ questions and hear concerns.  The forums will be held Tuesday, January 30 at the La Mesa Arts Academy (4200 Parks Ave.) and Tuesday, Feb. 6 at Northmont Elementary School (9045 Gregory Street), both from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Mayor Mark Arapostathis and City Council members Kristine Alessio, Bill Baber, Guy McWhirter and Colin Parent are expected to participate, as well as Police Chief Walt Vasquez, Heartland Fire & Rescue Chief Colin Stowell, City Manager Yvonne Garrett, City Attorney Gleen Sabine, and staffers from La Mesa’s departments of public works, finance, and community development.