By Miriam Raftery

April 26, 2018 (El Cajon) – Flyers posted and distributed anonymously at a career expo at Cuyamaca College this week took aim at Cajon Valley Union School District trustee Jim Miller.  

The expo was co-sponsored by America's Job Center of Cailfornia and the East County Career Center. Over 50 employees were there to recruit employees for a wide variety of jobs including in healthcare, childcare, education, municipalities, county agencies, public utilities, nursing homes, nonprofits, law enforcement, gaming, landscaping, local legislators, San Diego's radio stations and more.

“As you know, the school district that you choose to work in will have an enormous impact on your classroom, your income, your career, your future, and the pride that comes with being associated with a good school district,” the flyer advises attendees, adding, “Due to the recent antics of one of the members of the Cajon Valley Union School Board, I feel obligated to give you a little background on the actions of this particular ‘loose cannon,’ named Jim Miller. We are also including a listing of other, nearby school districts, that you may consider while you make important decision.

By Kendra Sitton

April 26, 2018 (Jamul) — ECM has new details on an attempted kidnapping of an 11-year-old girl walking between Oak Grove Middle School and Jamul Primary School on Tuesday.

The 6th grade student was using a dirt trail in the rural area frequented by other kids and even Oak Grove’s cross-country team. Near the bottom of the trail behind a baseball dugout, a man suddenly grabbed her backpack from behind, possibly in an attempt to knock her off her feet. She stood firm and then the suspect grabbed her arm tightly, so much so she described it as feeling like her arm was going to explode. She was able to escape and run towards the school.

By Miriam Raftery

April 25, 2018 (Santee) – In the latest round of claims that Assemblyman Randy Voepel has inflated his military record, audiotapes and transcripts from two California legislative hearings last year reveal Voepel speaking of being in “heavy combat” in Vietnam and serving with the “Tiger Battalion.”

Source: Sheriff’s Department

April 24, 2018 (Rancho San Diego) -- Investigators from the Rancho San Diego Sheriff’s Station want your help locating a man wanted in connection with theft, burglary, and fraud in the East County.

On April 1st between 12:00 p.m. and 1:45 p.m., someone stole a checkbook from the glove box of a vehicle that was parked in the 2100 block of Merlyn Place in unincorporated El Cajon.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

April 24, 2018 (Descanso) – Three men in the trunk of an orange Mazda have sustained moderate to serious injuries after the driver failed to follow an order to pull over for a secondary inspection at the Border Patrol checkpoint in Pine Valley.   The driver fled through the checkpoint onto I-8 west at speeds over 100 miles per hour with Border Patrol officers in pursuit.

Backcountry hidden pleasures:   Our guide to unique adventures in San Diego’s beautiful backcountry

By Miriam Raftery

April 24, 2018 (Borrego Springs) – Located in the heart of the Anza-Borrego Desert in the furthest east reach of San Diego County, Borrego Springs is a place where visitors are surrounded by nature, can stargaze in an internationally designated “dark skies” region, enjoy spring wildflowers, visit the largest state park in California, gaze at whimsical statues across the desert and also find cultural attractions from art shows to musical programs in a performing arts center.

East County Dining Club invites you to join us at:

SWAMI’S CAFÉ

8284 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa

Friday, April 27 at 6 p.m.

Benefits East County Magazine

Swami’s Cafe has high ratings from Zagat, Trip Advisor and Yelp. Their dinner menu has an amazingly diverse menu of delicious dishes with f healthy options plus heartier fare and exotic choices. There’s something for all, and dinners are affordable! (Most entrees are under $20 including seafood, chicken, steak, burgers, pasta, salads, vegetarian options and more.)

Prizes include Midway Museum passes, wine baskets, gift certificates to local restaurants, boutiques and shops, jewelry, books, coffee, dance concert tickets, pilates class & much more.

For this event, you can order anything off the menu, but please RSVP to reserve space and check in before ordering.

Come meet your neighors and the media, and enjoy some great food!

 RSVP TO RESERVE SPACE: 619-698-7617 or editor@eastcountymagazine.org

Like our sports coverage?  Donate to help support ECM’s sports section!  Type in “Sports” as your donation!

Follow @ECMagSports on Twitter for live sports coverage and stories!

Does your son or daughter play a sport at a level other than varsity?  Comment on this story or tweet @ECMagSports to request coverage!

Check out our sports section for more sports stories!

Story and photos by Liz Alper

April 23, 2018 (El Cajon) - Grossmont boys lacrosse, like most other Grossmont sports, is undefeated in league, sporting a perfect 9-0 while remaining almost flawless overall, going 11-2.  Tonight, they faced a school that ECM Sports doesn’t get to cover as much when league play comes around due to league differences, the Patriots of Patrick Henry, who are just as good, sitting at 3-1 in the Eastern League and 9-6 overall.

By Miriam Raftery

April 24, 2018 (El Cajon) – A motorcyclist who rear-ended a Toyota Tacoma last night on I-8 east, just west of El Cajon Boulevard, succumbed to his injuries later in the evening.

The victim, 55, from Oceanside was riding a 2016 Harley Davidson motorcycle at a reportedly high rate of speed, along with a passenger, when he struck the rear of a Toyota Tacoma around 6:06 p.m. Both the motorcyclist and his passenger, a 30-year-old woman from South Carolina, were ejected onto the freeway lanes with major injuries.

Source: SANDAG

April 23, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- The San Diego Association of Governments is hosting a series of public meetings to gather ideas from San Diego residents about what they want in the future for the region’s transportation.In East County, the meeting will be held Monday, April 30that 3:30 p.m. at the El Cajon Police Department.

ast County News Service

April 22, 2018 (Lakeside) – Lakeside Fire Department’s Engine 26-C “Snake Charmers” are at it again, the department tweeted yesterday.  Firefighter-paramedic Brian Moore shows off an “angry” gopher snake that he caught in Blossom Valley. #Engine26 #GopherSnake #SnakeRemoval

By Miriam Raftery

April 19, 2018 (La Mesa) – What’s in store for housing in La Mesa and the greater region?  Join experts in the field and the leadership of La Mesa Conservations at a panel discussion Wednesday, April 25 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the La Mesa Police Department community room, 8085 University Avenue, La Mesa. 

By Ken Stone

Reprinted with permission from Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  Voepel wearing the Combat Action Medal.

April 18, 2018 (San Diego) - Republican Assemblyman Randy Voepel is taking heavy flak from a GOP rival, who along with another Navy veteran is accusing the former Santee mayor of having “Stolen Valor.”

Monday morning on KUSI TV, 30-year Navy SEAL veteran Larry Wilske brought up claims by retired Master Chief Petty Officer Terence Hoey* that Voepel misrepresented his military service record.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: ECM news partner 10 News

Repair is difficult due to proximity to gas line and storm drain

April 17, 2018 (El Cajon) – A sink hole that formed overnight at Johnson Avenue and Vernon Way in El Cajon swallowed up a car, but fortunately emergency responders rescued the driver.

Helix Water District repair crews have begun making repairs and the intersection is now open to traffic on Vernon Way and southbound Johnson Avenue, though northbound Johnson remains closed.

Like our sports coverage?  Donate to help support ECM’s sports section!  Type in “Sports” as your donation!

Follow @ECMagSports on Twitter for live sports coverage and stories!

Does your son or daughter play a sport at a level other than varsity?  Comment on this story or tweet @ECMagSports to request coverage!

Check out our sports section for more sports stories!

Story and photos by Liz Alper

Cover photo:  Valhalla junior Max Hageman drove in the game-winning walkoff single in the eighth inning.

April 17, 2018 (El Cajon) - Valhalla baseball, usually one of the best high school baseball teams in San Diego County, is off to a rare bad start to 2018.  The Norsemen were 6-11 overall coming into today’s game, but were so far, so good in league with a 2-1 record.  The Cougars of Steele Canyon are quite the opposite.  They’re undefeated in league (3-0) and a solid .500 (8-8) overall.  Both teams met on Norsemen turf today.  In football, this would be the battle for the Jamacha Trophy.  We’ll call it that in baseball too for fun.  Senior Trevor Back started for the Cougars against senior Tanner Smith for Valhalla.