East County News Service

Nov. 2, 2021 (Borrego Springs) – You’re invited to submit your best photos of the unique and natural beauty of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park by December 7. There are six categories to enter your photos – and the Best of Show winner will receive a 2.5 hour private tour for two with California Overland Desert Excursions.

The contest is presented by the Anza Borrego Foundation in partnership with the Borrego Art Institute and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

East County News Service

November 2, 2021 (Santee) -- The City of Santee’s annual Holiday Lighting Celebration returns this year, and will provide the community with the traditional elements they have come to expect when celebrating the holiday season. The event will take place Friday, November 19 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Santee Trolley Square.

“After months of teamwork, a brave family is finally coming home.” – Rep. Darrell Issa

 Nov. 2, 2021 (El Cajon) --  Today, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50) announced that a seventh family and schoolchildren from the El Cajon school district has escaped Afghanistan and will be returning to their home in California.

“For months, my staff and I have joined an unprecedented community wide effort to bring this family and these kids home. Today, we can say that they are for certain on their way back to us,” said Issa. “There are so many people to thank for making this possible.”

By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

Nov. 1, 2021 (La Mesa) The appeal on a future housing project that challenged the steps toward building a 49-unit mixed-income project on Wilson Street was denied during an online Zoom meeting of the La Mesa City Council on Oct. 26.  The motions moved forward with councilmember Bill Baber the sole no vote. 

The multi-story building was proposed as a density-bonus affordable housing project for households earning less than 60% of the median area income and four units designed for very low-income seniors over age 55, earning 50% or less of the area median income. Developer CityMark Communities, LLC. sought waivers to height, parking, pedestrian standards, open space, and landscaping standards. Per state law, these waivers for affordable housing cannot be denied unless a project would adversely impact health, safety or the environment and cannot be mitigated.

By Henri Migala and Miriam Raftery

October 31, 2021 (Santee) -- With the recent grand opening of "The Plaza," Lantern Crest Senior Living in Santee might have created a national model for how we provide care for our aging population. The senior living facility is complete with a theater, a '50s-style diner with soda fountain, bowling lanes custom-designed for seniors, on-site medical center and doctor, pharmacy, gym, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, dog park, community garden, an award-winning chef serving three restaurants and two bars, an elaborately appointed tea room, live music and entertainment venues and much more.

Source: AAUW

October 29, 2021 (La Mesa) -- The La Mesa-El Cajon Branch of the American Association of University Women will hold a panel discussion about women in law enforcement, fire protection and who serve as dispatchers for local agencies. The meeting will take place on November 13, 2021 in King Hall at Foothills United Methodist Church beginning at 9:30 a.m.

East County News Service

Oct. 29, 2021 (El Cajon) A Grossmont College campus visitor died on Friday, October 29 due to what appears to have been natural causes. The individual, whose identity has not been released, appears to have collapsed while exercising on the campus’ track, according to a statement issued by the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District.

The individual was found unresponsive by a campus employee about 10:35 a.m. The employee called 911. 

East County News Service

October 29, 2021 (Santee) – A celebration of life for Steve Krueger, the UPS driver killed by a plane that crashed in Santee on October 11, will be held at Santee Town Center Community Park on Sunday, November 7.  The service will be held from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. fields 1 and 2.  The Santee Town Center Community Park is located at 550 Park Center Community Park, Santee.

“We are heartbroken by the loss of our driver Steve Krueger, and extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends," the company's statement read. "Those who knew Steve said he took pride in his work, and his positive attitude and joyful laugh made the hardest days a little lighter."

Krueger had worked for UPS for 30 years and was just months away from retirement. He had recently purchased a retirement home in Mammoth, NBC 7 reported.

East County News Service

Photo courtesy of Parkway Plaza

October 28, 2021 (El Cajon) – Parkway Plaza regional shopping mall in El Cajon invites you to bring the family to a free Fall Fest on Saturday, October 30 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.  The event features “adventure throughout the plaza to say hi to your favorite live characters such as Wonder Woman and Captain America, and partake in a variety of activities throughout the mall,” according to Parkway Plaza.  Guests can also enjoy carnival games such as ring toss and skee ball, visit a face painting table, or stop at the arts and crafts station to make skeletons, bats and more.

Parkway Plaza is located at 415 Fletcher Parkway in El Cajon. 

East County News Service

October 27, 2021 (Julian) – You’re invited to an old-fashioned Christmas Market at the Julian Mining Company (4444 Highway 78, Julian) on Saturday, December 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

By Henri Migala, East County Eater

October 26, 2021 (El Cajon) -- East County is quickly becoming the new mecca in San Diego for sumptuous culinary adventures with an array of international cuisine, thanks to our region’s many immigrants and refugees. Adding to East County’s already rich diversity of restaurants is Kabul Kabob House in El Cajon, specializing in delicious and authentic food from Afghanistan.

Owned and operated by Ajrudin Nabizada, an Afghan immigrant, Kabul Kabob House offers probably the tastiest and most genuine Afghan food in San Diego County. The portions are generous and the prices affordable.

Nabizada came to the U.S. with his wife and two children in December 2014 on a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) after serving as a translator for US Special Forces in Afghanistan. He came to San Diego because his wife’s cousin was living here. Since arriving, his family has enjoyed the birth of their third child.

By Miriam Raftery

October 26, 2021 (La Mesa) – A body found on a dark, dead-end road in Bonita has been identified as Kimberly Gutierrez, 22, of La Mesa.  An autopsy found that she died of gunshot wounds.

According to Lieutenant Thomas Seiver, evidence at the scene indicated she was killed at the site, not dumped there. Her death was ruled a homicide.

East County News Service

October 23, 2021 (El Cajon) – The 75^th annual Mother Goose Parade will be held virtually on November 21, the Sunday before Thanksgiving, at 1 p.m.  You can view it at www.MotherGooseParade.org.  The parade theme is “Celebrating 75 Years of East County Fun.”