By Miriam Raftery

October 3, 2016 (El Cajon) – Saturday night, El Cajon Police declared an unlawful assembly and arrested 14 people at a makeshift memorial site at 800 Broadway, where Alfred Olango was fatally shot last Tuesday by a police officer.

According to Lieutenant Rob Ransweiler, on Saturday night a vehicle was stopped for a traffic infraction leaving the protest area. The driver, who was under 21, was arrested for driving under the influence. Two passengers were also arrested for being drunk in public.  After the arrest, a small group of protesters gathered near800 Broadway.

By Mike Allen

October 3, 2016 (La Mesa) -- As the issue of climate change becomes more elevated, more cities are taking a harder look at their carbon footprints and mulling alternatives.

In California, at least two counties and a few smaller cities have already formed new entities that purchase a larger share of their energy from renewable sources and are doing it at cheaper rates than was previously provided by the investor owned utility.

East County News Service

October 3, 2016 (El Cajon) - The San Diego chapter of Showing up for Racial Justice (SURJ) will host a community forum this Thursday to discuss the tragic death of Alfred Olango. The forum, open to all community members, will be 6:30-8:30 pm October 6, at the College-Rolando branch library, 6600 Montezuma Rd, San Diego. 

East County News Service

October 2, 2016 (Spring Valley) - Community outreach is a top priority of the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. The Rancho San Diego Sheriff's Station will provide an opportunity for the public to discuss issues related to safety and security at Coffee with the Community on Thursday, October 27 from 8-10 a.m.at Butler’s Coffee House,9631 Campo Road in Casa de Oro.

By Jonathan Goetz

October 2, 2016 (El Cajon) -- The shooting of a black man reportedly suffering a mental health crisis in El Cajon by police has led to protests, and police crack-downs. After an officer advanced toward Alfred Olango, gun drawn at close range, Olango allegedly pointed a vape pen, or smoking device, at the officer, who mistook it for a gun and fired the deadly shots.

El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells, a clinician and former Director of Psychiatric Intake Services and Director of Outpatient Services, voiced support and empathy for both Olango’s family and for police in the City’s carefully crafted official response.

But many may not be aware that El Cajon’s City Council has been trying to address problems with the homeless and the mentally ill for quite some time. At its June 14^th 2016 meeting, the El Cajon City Council voted to join San Diego County Mental Health and the Sheriffs in the East County Homeless Outreach Team, which embeds social workers with police and travels weekly to homeless hot-spots.

East County News Service

October 2, 2016 (Washington D.C.) – This week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid announce a new rule barring forced arbitration requirements at nursing homes that accept federal funds.

East County News Service

October 2, 2016 (Jamul) – You’re invited to join Maness Vineyards and Highway 94 Wineries to celebrate the Fourth Annual Trail Blazers Awards Ceremony at Cottonwood Golf. Awards will be presented during the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce’s “Toast to East County” on October 22 from 12 to 4 p.m.

By Miriam Raftery

October 1, 2016 (El Cajon)—No arrests were made overnight as protests continued for a fourth night and into today, following the shooting of Alfred Olango by El Cajon Police on Tuesday.

Tensions remain despite video released yesterday and a photo showing Olango in a shooting stance, aiming a vaping device at Officer Richard Gonsalves, who has said he believed it to be a gun. 

By Liz Alper

October 1, 2016 (La Mesa) - This year's Oktoberfest in La Mesa was packed!  There were tons of people enjoying all the street vendors.

Source: Alpine Education Foundation

October 1, 2016 (Alpine) - To celebrate the new school year, the Alpine Education Foundation hosted its sixth annual President’s Reception Thursday, September 29th at Campbell Creek Ranch. This invitation-only event gave the Foundation the opportunity to thank their donors and present grants to Alpine schools. AUSD Teachers and Employees of the Year were also acknowledged.

Source: Assembly Jones press release

October 1, 2016 (Santee) -- Assemblyman Brian Jones (R-Santee) announced that Governor Jerry Brown has signed his legislation AB 873 into law.

Source: press release from Marty Block

October 1, 2016 (San Diego) -- Proposed consumer protections related to insurance coverage for natural disasters, insurance fees, contract language and other practices were approved this week by the governor.  The proposal, SB 488, by State Senator Marty Block (D-San Diego) would clarify provisions in the public adjuster laws and regulations that arose out of cases and complaints investigated by the California Department of Insurance.

By Janis Russell

October 1, 2016 (Santee) - The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with other Chambers in East County, put on Politics in Paradise Part 2 at BNS Brewery in Santee 2 days ago. This was a continuation of Politics in Paradise in July. Again this year, the public got to mix and mingle with the local candidates. Near the end of the night, candidates gave a 15-30 second speech about why they were running.

East County News Service

October 1, 2016 (Jamul) -- The County of San Diego, Department of Environmental Health (DEH) has issued a Boil Water Order and Public Notification for the Indian Hills Camp water system located at 15763 Lyons Valley Road in Jamul, CA 92086, effective immediately. The water system serves 9 mobile homes, 15 RV spaces, 2 dorms, 15 camping sites, 4 restroom facilities with showers, 2 swimming pools, a kitchen and office building.

East County News Service

October 1, 2016 (El Cajon) — You’re invited to the first-ever “Made in East County” Manufacturing Expo on Tuesday, October 4 from 3-6 p.m. at the San Diego Air & Space Museum ANNEX, 335 Kenney Road at Gillespie Field, in El Cajon.  The event , which is free to the public, gives manufacturers an opportunity to "show their stuff” to the local community in one location.