May 3, 2010 (El Cajon) – Witnesses have told California Highway Patrol officers that a man drinking a beer beside Interstate 8 near the Greenfield exit intentionally stepped in front of a semi-truck, which swerved to avoid him. The man then ran into the path of the truck again and was struck.

Burgled bicycle-for-two advertised on Craig’s list leads to arrest of suspected serial thief

April 24, 2010 (El Cajon) – On Tuesday evening, a thief broke a window at Valley Music at 166 North Magnolia Avenue and stole 17 electric guitars. The loss was devastating for the Mom and Pop business, which was recently forced to relocate after losing the lease on its long-time storefront in downtown El Cajon. But on Saturday, the store owner received news that was music to her ears: Sheriff’s deputies recovered all 17 guitars, along with stolen items from other burglaries---at the home of a parolee.

February 19, 2010 (El Cajon) -- A single engine Cessna made a crash landing on Johnson Avenue just north of Fletcher Parkway in El Cajon Friday evening shortly after 7 p.m. The two men onboard were able to crawl from the wreckage just before the plane burst into flames. Fire crews from Heartland Fire & Rescue in El Cajon quickly arrived on scene and had the fire out in less than five minutes.

Event highlights water conservation, cultural conservation, and Cuyamaca College’s biggest plant sale of the year

April 3, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) -- On Saturday, April 24, from 9am-4pm, Cuyamaca College’s campus will bloom with activity as three of its on-campus venues—the Ornamental Horticulture Department, the Water Conservation Garden, and the Heritage of the Americas Museum—invite the public to celebrate spring at their 17th annual Spring Garden Festival.

“Conservation in Bloom” is the theme at this family festival that includes tips on green living. Admission and parking are free. A range of crafters and vendors from throughout San Diego County will be featured, in addition to activities ranging from live music to a birds of prey show.

By Art Rich and Jack Pott

April 1, 2010 (El Cajon) -- Faced with a growing budget gap and boarded up storefronts downtown as a result of the recession, the City of El Cajon announced today that it has sold naming rights to City Hall, Main Street, and the East County Performing Arts Center.
 

“We saw a market opportunity to let these generous corporate partners buy influence AND boost their public images—all perfectly legally,” said Mayor Mark Lewis.

By Miriam Raftery

March 29, 2010 (El Cajon) – The City of El Cajon has issued a proposed business plan for the East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC). The proposed plan calls for the City to take back management of the facility, dramatically remodel the theater, then bring back headliner stars as entertainment.

IRAQI IMMIGRANTS WAITING HOURS FOR SERVICES FORCED TO GO HOME EMPTY-HANDED

February 12, 2010 (El Cajon) –Iraqi immigrants began lining up at 5 a.m. today to recertify documentation and quality for social service benefits at the Chaldean-Middle Eastern Services Office at 343 Main Street in El Cajon. But shortly after 9 a.m., Heartland Fire & Rescue crews responded to a medical aid call. They found a crowd estimated at 500 to 1,000 people congregating in and around the second floor office.

February 9, 2010 (El Cajon) - The City of El Cajon Teen Coalition presents a “Youth of the Year” Award to recognize youth who go above and beyond in serving their community, either through leadership abilities and/or community service in El Cajon.

The City offers these eligibility guidelines:

February 4, 2010 (El Cajon) – Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine) will host a community job fair in conjunction with the East County Career Center on February 19, 2010, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Ronald Reagan Community Center, 195 E. Douglas Avenue in El Cajon next to the El Cajon Library).  Job applicants are urged to bring your resumes and dress for success.
 

This is the first in a series of interviews profiling people who are homeless in East County. If you know of a homeless person willing to be interviewed, please contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org
 

By Miriam Raftery

January 28, 2010 (El Cajon) – “I’m trying to get off the street,” says Dawn Marie (last name withheld), who has been homeless for three months and is currently sleeping in an abandoned building in El Cajon. “I’ve been to college, but I can’t get a job because I have no experience, and you can’t get experience if nobody will hire you.”

Complicating matters, Dawn Marie suffers from a genetic medical condition known as neurofibromatosis. “I get fibrous tumors wherever I have a nerve,” she said, rolling up a sleeve to reveal bumps on her arms. She also wears a brace on her knee, which  had previous surgery for a sciatic nerve tumor. She  needs more surgery, but has no insurance.  Waits for medical care through County Medical Services are long and coverage is limited.

January 21, 2009 (El Cajon) - A community meeting on the future of the East County Performing Arts Center has been postponed until Wed. Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. due to tonight's stormy weather.  For details, see our previous story at http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/2603.

Update Jan. 21:  Tonight's outdoor rally has been cancelled due to rain, however those who wish to protest closure of the theater will instead gather inside the Ronald Reagan Community Center at 6:30.

January 20, 2010 (El Cajon) The City of El Cajon hosts its second of two community meetings on the future of the East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC) on Thursday, January 21st. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at the Ronald Reagan Community Center, 195 East Douglas St. in El Cajon (1/2 block east of Magnolia).

The City has announced plans to close the theater for up to two years for renovations. Citizen’s Oversight Project, a watchdog group, plans a rally at 5:30 to protest the two-year closure. The rally will be held on Main Street in front of the theater.(This rally has been moved indoors at 6:30 at the Ronald Reagan Community Center due to rain.)

January 16, 2010 (Alpine) – Virgil Frank Garrett of El Cajon has been identified by the County Coroner’s office as the victim who died in a January 9th accident in Alpine. Today would have been his 50th birthday.

January 14, 2010 (El Cajon) - The County will have H1N1 flu shots available Friday from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Ronald Reagan Community Center, 195 East Douglas Ave. in El Cajon. The event is one in a series of mass vaccination clinics, including an event last weekend at Qualcomm Stadium where 5,000 people received the vaccines.  Vaccines are available to everyone.