East County News Service

September 6, 2024 (El Cajon) --Investigators from the El Cajon Police Department conducted a retail theft operation in collaboration with the Home Depot in El Cajon to combat the ongoing theft issues facing our local businesses. Investigators worked closely with store staff to surveil and arrest thieves in real-time without a delayed response.

“This one-day operation netted five arrests and led to the recovery of stolen merchandise from the store,” says Sergeant Kevin Reilly.

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

Update September 7, 2024: The fire has been extinguished. All evacuation orders have been lifted.

Update September 6, 2024:  The Escondido Union School District closed multilpe schools today.  Businesses in the area remained closed and evacuation orders continue. According to SDG&E, lithium ion battery storage fires must burn themselves out.

September 5, 2024 (Escondido) -- Evacuations have been ordered and road closures are in effect in Escondido, just west of I-15 and south of state route 78, due to a fire at a battery storage facility. Such fires have the potential to release toxic fumes.  Enterprise Street is closed between Mission Road and Auto Park Way.

There is an immediate threat to life, so residents are urged to leave immediately. The area is closed for the public to enter. View map of evacuation zones.

Evacuees should go to Pala Casino, or to Pueblo Bank and Trust Company, 11154 Highway 76,Pala,CA.

Annual concert is free this year, focusing on mental health awareness with screenings and information to the public

September 4, 2024 (El Cajon) -- El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells and his 14-piece band are partnering with the San Diego Rescue Mission this year on his acclaimed annual concert. This year’s event, “Shine a Light on Mental Health” will be held Saturday, October 12 at the Magnolia Theater,210 East Main St.,El Cajon.

The event begins with a health fair at 6:30 featuring nearly 15 local mental health and wellness providers in the courtyard providing free screening and information, followed by the concert at 8 p.m. Free tickets are available here.

Mayor Wells' 14-piece band plays Rock, Pop, R&B, and Blues from across a few decades by artists including Ray Charles, the B-52s, Santana, Stevie Wonder, Chicago, Earth Wind and Fire, Joe Walsh, and, as Wells noted, "a few songs you love but have no idea who sang them." The band is made up of friends he's played with over the years, and they are coming in from all over the country for this great cause. 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo via Centers for Disease Control

September 3, 2024 (La Mesa)  - If you or your children visited Rady Grossmont Pediatric Unit in La Mesa on August 20,  or Rady Children’s Hospital Emergency Room in San Diego on August 25, you may have been exposed to measles. 

A 13-month-old unvaccinated infant who contracted measles while traveling overseas was seen at these locations. The child is the fourth case of measles locally this year.  Measles is a serious illness that spreads easily, so anyone with symptoms is urged to contact their healthcare provider.  

East County News Service

September 2, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – The San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce will host “Politics in Paradise” on Friday, Sept.20 from  5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College in Rancho San Diego.

Candidates are invited to sign up and participate. Candidates can share their platform and discuss topics with both Chamber members and guests, give a one-minute speech,invite attendees to engage one-on-one questions and answers, bring a table with campaign materials, and solicit fundraising. Candidates must complete this candidate form.

The public is invited to attend and learn more about the people running for local offices seeking to represent East County residents.

By Miriam Raftery

September 2, 2024 (Dulzura) – Migrants have twice approached school buses in the Jamul-Dulzura Union School District, sparking concerns among some parents.  However Superintendent Liz Bystedt, in a letter to families, says the Sheriff’s office has spoken with several witnesses and found no crime occurred.

Based on witness statements, the Superintendent’s letter states, “It appears that while several individuals approached the bus, there never appeared to be any intent to take over the bus or harm anyone. At no point in time did anyone other than the students enter the bus, or even get close to entering a bus.”

East County News Service

September 1, 2024 (Ramona)—Enjoy live camel and talking  bird shows, meet camels and feed them treats during open farm days at Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona.  The next tours are September 4 and 14 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

You can also enjoy camel milk products such as artisan soaps, lotions, chocolates,and camel milk to drink.

Go Aztecs

August 31, 2024 (San Diego)--Marquez Cooper rushed for 223 yards and two touchdowns to power San Diego State to a 45-14 victory over Texas A&M-Commerce on Saturday at Snapdragon Stadium, giving Sean Lewis a victory in his inaugural game as the Aztecs’ head coach.

Marquez Cooper rushed for 223 yards and two touchdowns to power San Diego State to a 45-14 victory over Texas A&M-Commerce on Saturday at Snapdragon Stadium, giving Sean Lewis a victory in his inaugural game as the Aztecs’ head coach.

In addition, the SDSU defense scored a pair of touchdowns off turnovers in the second half to help erase a 6-3 deficit at intermission and thwart the Lions’ upset bid.

East County News Service

August 28, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) --The Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation will return with both its annual 35th Sycuan Powwow Sept. 6-8 and 3rd Fashion Show themed “The Fire Within” on Sept. 5. The theme will allow Native American artists to illuminate the beauty, talent and resilience of Native American culture, declaring “we are still here.”

The fashion show’s theme, inspired by the Kumeyaay greeting "may the fire (your spirit) burn bright within you," reflects the enduring spirit of indigenous people. The show will also feature 11 designers from Turtle Island, with their designs available for purchase.

The three-day powwow will showcase champion powwow dancers from across the United States, Canada and Mexico. We will celebrate the beautiful dance style of indigenous people representing their tribes. Chairman Cody Martinez will also be conducting an invocation before each grand entry. Arts and craft vendors will be selling their handmade authentic jewelry, pottery, basketry and paintings, and of course, there will be lots of food vendors.

East County News Service

September 1, 2024 (El Cajon) -- East County artists and galleries are banding together to host the 13th Annual Alley Cat Art Walk on Friday, September 13th. This free, family-friendly event will take place on Main Street and Rea Avenue in Downtown El Cajon from 4 to 8 p.m. 

Hosted by the art galleries, studios, museums, and small businesses in the Historic Downtown El Cajon District, the Art Walk is an annual celebration of the local art scene. All are welcome to stroll through Arts Alley to see the artisanal craft booths, boutique vendors, children’s interactive art booths, live music and entertainment. All venues participating are within walking distance, making it easy to scope around, shop, and take in all the different mediums and styles.

East County News Service

August 28, 2024 (San Diego) --  San Diego State University and California Coast Credit Union leaders held a ribbon cutting ceremony on August 21 commemorating the grand opening of the new Cal Coast Credit Union Student Financial Center. 

In 2023, California Coast Credit Union pledged $3 million to establish a financial center that would help students gain financial literacy and wellness skills. The Cal Coast Credit Union Student Financial Center, located on the second floor of SDSU’s Student Services West, has undergone renovations and expansions over the past year while remaining open to students. It serves as a hub for financial education, offering resources for financial aid, bill paying, budgeting, and more.

“I worked full time while I attended SDSU and I didn’t know where to turn on campus for personal financial advice,” said Cal Coast President & CEO Todd Lane (class of ’86). “I didn’t want students to experience that today. That is why it’s been a passion of mine to help develop a variety of free resources on campus to assist students with their personal finances, and make sure students are aware of them. I’m proud to know that through these efforts, we’ve helped students by setting them on a path to thrive financially in the long term.”

By Miriam Raftery

Updated August 29, 2024 with identity of the teen suspect who died at the scene following a pursuit.

August 28, 2024 (San Diego) –  A San Diego Police officer is dead and a second officer hospitalized in critical condition after their patrol vehicle was struck by a suspect following a high-speed chase. The suspect also died at the scene on Clairemont Mesa Blvd. west of I-805 around 11:30 p.m. on Monday.

Ironically, the chase initiated by other officers had been called off to protect public safety, shortly before the suspect slammed into the vehicle driven by Officer Austin Machitar, who was responding to a call to assist with the pursuit. A field training officer who appeared in SDPD recruitment flyers and videos, Officer Machitar had just celebrated his 30^th birthday when the deadly crash occurred. He died at the scene.

Officer Zach Martinez, 27, a Navy reservist trained by Machitar, was in the patrol vehicle’s passenger seat during the crash. As of yesterday, he remained hospitalized at Sharp Memorial with serious injuries.

The suspect has been identified as Edgar Giovanny Oviedo, 16, of San Diego.

By Mike Allen

Photo: Former Padre Dam Municipal Water District director Augie Scalzitti is challenging Councilman Dustin Trotter.

August 27, 2024 (Santee)-- This November, Santee voters are facing several choices on their ballots, one for mayor and one for District Four Council representative, as well as whether to enact a half cent increase to their sales tax.

In the 4th District, incumbent Councilman Dustin Trotter is being challenged by Augie Scalzitti. Development is emerging as a key issue in this race.