By Miriam Raftery

June 8, 2017 (El Cajon) – For two decades, the Crown Victoria police intercept model was the iconic car used by law police departments across the nation.  So, when a reader of ours, Christina Carson, asked why El Cajon Police officer are now driving predominantly sport utility vehicles (SUVs) instead of Crown Victoria sedans, and what the differences are in gas costs, we reached out to the El Cajon Police Department to find out.

Kalasho provides documents to bolster his defense, though this isn't first time he has faced claims of fraud or ethics questions

By Miriam Raftery

Updated with comments from Tawfiq's attorney

June 7, 2017 (El Cajon) – A lawsuit has been filed against the Miss Middle East Beauty pageant  USA Inc. and Ben (Bessmon) Kalasho, organizer of the pageant and an El Cajon City Councilman.

The suit, filed by pageant winner Zhala Tawfiq and first reported by the Reader, claims the pageant is fraudulent, that prize money was not paid, and that after she objected to giving up passwords to her social media accounts, photos of her face photoshopped onto someone else’s nude body were posted on  an Instagram page named “Zhala_Tawfiq_Fanpage” with a  post reading, “Leaked images of Miss Middle East Beauty Queen.”  Soon after she was removed as pageant winner and the title was given to the runner-up.

Asked if he posted the photos, Kalasho told East County Magazine, “Absolutely not." He indicated Tawfiz was replaced due to not fulfilling terms of her contract.

East County News Service

June 7, 2017 (San Diego) - Each year, Live4Gen hosts its premier event in the summer to remember former Mount Miguel High School girls basketball player Genevieve Costello, who lost her life to breast cancer in May of 2013. On Saturday, June 17th at San Diego High School, the 5^th Annual Live4Gen Charity Basketball Games and Inaugural Dominique Jones Youth Football Camp will bridge sports and the San Diego community by serving as a charitable platform for professional athletes and community leaders.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  Lemon Grove Bakery

June 6, 2017 (Lemon Grove) – Here’s some sweet news for Lemon Grove residents and baked goods aficionados:  the Lemon Grove Bakery will be opening on Friday, June 9^th from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the site of the former Grove Pastry Shop at 3308 Main Street, Lemon Grove.

East County News Service

June 5, 2017 (Lakeside) – A 37-year-old woman has died after she and a second motorcyclist parked on the shoulder of Winter Gardens Boulevard south of Creekford Road in Lakeside were struck by a Ford Taurus Monday at 8:52 p.m.

By Miriam Raftery

June 4, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – The Otay Water District filed a lawsuit in Superior Court on May 30^th against the City of San Diego alleging breach of contract, overcharges on recycled water rates and lack of transparency.  The suit accuses San Diego of becoming “unjustly enriched at Otay’s expense,” according to Mark Robak, president of the Otay Water District, and asks the court to rescind a January 2016 rate hike and repay that money to the district.

The Otay district provides water for residents in Spring Valley, Jamul, Rancho San Diego, La Prensa, eastern Otay Mesa and eastern Chula Vista.  

Source: Alpine Historical Societiy

June 3, 2017 (Alpine) -- Alpine History Day is Saturday, June 3 from 11 am to 2 pm at the John DeWitt Museum, 2116 Tavern Road, Alpine.

New attractions this year include the Waterwise & Butterflies Garden, the JMMS Robotics Team, Alpine Amigo's 4H Club with their chickens, piglets, and goats, the California Note Catchers, a chorus singing in four-part harmony, Animals & Animals reptile petting zoo, and the newest exhibit in the Beaty House: Alpine, Then and Now, which explores the changes in Alpine landscape and lifestyle through photos and objects from the Alpine Historical Society's collections.

By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

June 1, 2017 (La Mesa) -- “It helps with fall prevention” said fitness instructor Eduardo Gracia of the exercises he designs for seniors at La Mesa’s The Montera-Westliving Senior Living Community.  Gracia led seniors through indoor (balloon) volleyball, basketball, darts, and other activities on the 24^th Annual National Senior Health & Fitness Day on May 31.

CHP seeks a lifted F-250 or F-350 diesel pickup similar to one in photo that struck woman and sped off. A motor home that may have witnesses is also sought.

By Jordan Damond and Miriam Raftery

June 1, 2017 (Lakeside) – It’s a mystery how a San Diego woman wound up standing on westbound Interstate 8 just west of the Lake Jennings exit in Lakeside at 4:45 a.m. on Monday, where she was struck by two vehicles that both fled the scene.

East County News Service

June 1, 2017 (San Diego’s East County)  You’re invited to join in a fun drive to discover the unveiling of Historic Highway 67 in San Diego’s East County on June 17^th from 8:30 to 1 p.m.  Travel through the wild and scenic countryside, stopping at pit stops in El Cajon, Santee, Lakeside and Ramona to get your passport stamped and win drawing tickets for prizes.

This event is  presented by the Historic Highway 80 Corporation along with the Santee, Lakeside, Ramona, and San Diego East County Chambers of Commerce.

East County News Service

Shows held June 23, July 28 and August 25

June 1, 2017 (Lemon Grove)—Muevete Dance Studio in Lemon Grove (3338 Main St.) presents  a Zapateados “fundraiser” on the fourth Friday each month from June through August. These events showcase dance styles from various regions in Mexico,  showcasing talented dancers from Ballet Folklorico en Aztlan.  All shows are free, starting at 7 pm.

East County News Service

May 31, 2017 (Santee) — The Santee Sheriff’s station will host a coffee with the community on Monday, June 12 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Cameron Family YMCA pool deck, 10123 Riverwalk Drive in Santee.

By Miriam Raftery

May 31, 2017 (Lakeside) – California Highway Patrol’s El Cajon office is seeking witnesses to help find two drivers who fled the scene after striking and seriously injuring a 29-year-old woman who was standing in traffic lanes.

By Jonathan Goetz

Miriam Raftery also contributed to this report

May 30, 2017 (El Cajon) – El Cajon’s City Council had a packed agenda Wednesday at its 3 p.m. meeting, taking actions including:

• Voting 5-0 to put an item on an upcoming agenda to have staff prepare a report on feasibility of hiring a Crisis House “homeless navigator” expert to match unique needs of homeless people with private and public programs to help house the homeless;  
• Voting 4-1 to hold two town hall meetings annually to allow residents to propose agenda items and for Council to set agenda priorities;
• Heard a report from the County Water Authority claiming Metropolitan Water has been squandering funds and overcharging ratepayers;
• Honoring participants and supporters of America on Main Street;
• Presented awards to local youths and Friends of East County Arts contest winners
• Praised a resident for using a drone to get evidence of an illegal marijuana dispensary.