August 24, 2012 (El Cajon)—Native Americans from across the nation will convene September 7 -9 at the Sycuan reservation for the 23rd annual Sycuan Pow-wow. 

More than $125,000 in prize money will be awarded for top participants in bird singing and dancing and a drum/singing contest.  Native American arts and crafts will be available for purchase, as well as food.  The event, which is free and open to the public, is an opportunity to learn more about Native American culture and heritage. 

September 5, 2012 (El Cajon) – A man who was struck while crossing the intersection at Fletcher Parkway and Johnson Avenue against a do not cross sign Monday night died yesterday in a local hospital from injuries sustained in the accident.

"The El Cajon Police would like to remind pedestrians when walking at night to wear bright clothing and to obey all designated cross walk signs," Lieutenant Frank La Haye with the El Cajon Police stated in a media release.

September 4, 2012 (El Cajon )--The Medical Examiner's office has identified Maria, Josephine Newman, 51 of La Mesa as the victim who died Sepember 1 after trying to climb out of a pickup truck in El Cajon.  According to witnesses, she was hanging on the passenger side of the vehicle while it drove north on Orlando at 12:07 p.m., when she fell and was struck by the pickup.

Police seek help to find the driver, who fled the scene. The vehicle is described as a 1969-72 Chevy pickup, light blue with a white stripe and a faded white camper shell.  It may have a construction-type sign on the driver’s door. The license plate and identity of the driver are unknown.

September 1, 2012 (El Cajon) -- The San Diego Better Business Bureau (BBB), San Diego’s largest county-wide business membership organization, will host a BBB business-to-business (B2B) networking mixer from 4 to 6 p.m., on Thursday, Sept.6, at Toyota of El Cajon, 965 Arnele Ave., in El Cajon. The public is invited to attend.

August 9, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – The Cities of El Cajon, La Mesa and Lemon Grove, whose jointly managed fire departments make up Heartland Fire & Rescue, have selected Rick Sitta as its new Fire Chief. Sitta replaces Chief Mike Scott, who retired on July 27, 2012.

July 25, 2012 (El Cajon) – Youth Theatre Conservatory (YTC) will be performing “Underground” July 23-28 at 7:00 p.m., with a 2:00 p.m. matinee on the July 28, at Granite Hills High School Little Theatre, 1719 East Madison Ave, El Cajon.  The show is centered around forgiveness and letting go of struggles.  It was previously named “A Room Full of Strangers”.

By Ariele Johannson

July 16, 2012 (El Cajon)—San Diego County’s Board of Supervisors voted on June 20 to approve the  Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) allowing redevelopment of 70 acres at Gillespie Field Airport from light industrial to aviation-only usage. 

By Miriam Raftery

July 7, 2012 (El Cajon) – A new phenomenon in today’s challenging economy is the rise of “cash mobs” organized by friends via social media to help local merchants. The craze has caught on across the country and today, takes root in El Cajon.  

The public is invited to meet at the corner of Main St. and Magnolia in front of Starbucks at noon, then walk en mass to Glamour Girlz Boutique one block east on Main St. 

June 30, 2012 (El Cajon) – Residents  at the Villa Embasador Inn, a residential motel  on East Main Street in El Cajon, tried valiantly to save the life of a disabled woman found floating face down in a spa last night, but were unable to revive her.  The victim’s wheelchair was nearby. 

Story by Nadin Abbott; Photos Tom Abbott

June 28 (El Cajon)—El Cajon  City Council, under its role as successor agency to the San Diego East County Economic Development Council, voted to approve funding for Saint Madeline Sophie’s Center and the El Cajon Scholarship Association.

Public urged to attend and support call to save the theater; plan will reopen venue before City’s Centennial celebration this fall and calls for phased renovation

June 21, 2012 (El Cajon) – After objecting to a proposal by the City of El Cajon to demolish East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC) and build a hotel on the site, community members have united around a goal of saving the theater, forming the ECPAC Foundation.

At a recent meeting, Council voted to reject a developer’s proposal to tear down the theater, then invited ECPAC Foundation to submit a proposal to save the venue.

Today, the organization will hold a press conference at El Cajon City Hall, 200 Civic Center Way, at 3 p.m. to outline its proposal.  The group will submit an extensive plan for operating the theater to the City Manager at 3:30 p.m. The public is encouraged to come show support to save ECPAC.

June 12, 2012 (El Cajon) – A brush fire this evening at Lavala Lane and Highway 8 Business loop in El Cajon charred at least two acares, forcing evacuations in the area briefly, Incident Page Network reported. Helicopters dropped water on the blaze, swiftly bringing it under control.

Heartland Fire Dispatch reports units are now being released from the scene.