Update 11:30 a.m.  The gas line has been repaired and all roads are now open.
August 5, 2010 (El Cajon) – Road closures and evacuations are being ordered in El Cajon due to a damaged gas line at 613 Mundy Terrace.

By Miriam Raftery

July 31, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) – San Diego Sheriff deputies along with U.S. Fish and Wildlife officials conducted sweeps of homeless camps in wooded areas of Rancho San Diego in the grey light of early morning.

East County Magazine accompanied officers on the first sweep, behind Savanna Grill. More sweeps were held near Cuyamaca College, the YMCA, Target, and the old Steele Canyon bridge off Highway 94. No homeless people were present or arrested, though many left behind trash and/or treasures that could not be toted away in a backpack or shopping cart. Makeshift tents, lean-tos and mattresses were found, along with more poignant items: a large stuffed monkey, a cracked mirror with ornate frame, a pushcart, cooking utensils, nail polish, and a chipped china pitcher.

All lay forgotten in the mud, symbols of shattered lives and broken dreams.

July 21, 2010 (El Cajon) – A cracked storm drain has undermined the roadway on Fanita Drive, causing a sink hole measuring four feet wide and 20 inches deep. Fanita remains closed in both directions between Valley Lake Drive and Gibbons Street for repairs begun yesterday.

SAN DIEGO, CA July 23, 2010 Meet author Gary Winters, of The Deer Dancer, Friday evening as he gives a presentation and signing for his powerful novel, The Deer Dancer, at Borders Books and Music in El Cajon. The author will speak briefly about the process of writing this novel, read from his book, and take questions. This is part of an ongoing commitment between the El Cajon Borders and local publisher, Sunbelt Books, to provide East County with local author readings to encourage literacy and a sense of community.

July 5, 2010 (El Cajon) – On Friday, July 9th, fans of art, music, wine and classic cars will be prowling the streets of downtown El Cajon for the 5th annual Alley Cat Summer Fest. The event, which many consider to be the “cat’s meow,” is presented by St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center to benefit Sophie’s Art Gallery, creating opportunities for artists with developmental disabilities.

June 21, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) - This month's "4th Friday" sun-up breakfast sponsored by the Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber of Commerce will feature leaders of local law enforcement agencies and fire officials offering tips on safety and crime prevention for businesses and residents. 

Story by Miriam Raftery

Photos and video by Khari Johnson

June 15, 2010 (El Cajon) – History came alive at the eighth annual Western Heritage Days June 5-6 in El Cajon, where Buffalo soldiers, ladies with parasols and Laguna Mountain men roamed the streets.

Entertainment also included Native American dancers, musical acts such as Tom Hiatt and the Sundown Riders, shoot-out reenactments and much more. View video highlights.

June 14, 2010 (El Cajon) -- Cindi Fargo has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the El Cajon Community Development Corporation, CDC Board of Directors Chairman John McTighe announced.  Fargo was selected from over 60 candidates in a nationwide search that was launched after long-time President/CEO Claire Carpenter announced her departure in December of last year.

June 12, 2010 (El Cajon)--The public is invited to participate in a monthly Saturday morning neighborhood clean up day.  The next "Lend a Hand" event is Saturday, June 26 from 9:00 to11:00am at East Camden and Lincoln Avenues in downtown El Cajon. Volunteers and residents will come together to remove trash and identify graffiti to promote a clean and safe community.

Up! Down! Flying Around.

Looping The Loop And Defying The Ground.

They're All, Rightfully, Kings!

Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines.
 

May 17, 2010 (El Cajon)--Sycuan Casino has made a $20,000 contribution to the El Cajon Community Development Corporation to further the organization’s economic development efforts in Downtown El Cajon. The firm’s donation will support two of the El Cajon CDC’s most popular community programs: the free weekly Cajon Classic Cruise car show which commences June 30, and the free weekly Concerts on the Green which commences June 25.