Annual concert is free this year, focusing on mental health awareness with screenings and information to the public

September 4, 2024 (El Cajon) -- El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells and his 14-piece band are partnering with the San Diego Rescue Mission this year on his acclaimed annual concert. This year’s event, “Shine a Light on Mental Health” will be held Saturday, October 12 at the Magnolia Theater,210 East Main St.,El Cajon.

The event begins with a health fair at 6:30 featuring nearly 15 local mental health and wellness providers in the courtyard providing free screening and information, followed by the concert at 8 p.m. Free tickets are available here.

Mayor Wells' 14-piece band plays Rock, Pop, R&B, and Blues from across a few decades by artists including Ray Charles, the B-52s, Santana, Stevie Wonder, Chicago, Earth Wind and Fire, Joe Walsh, and, as Wells noted, "a few songs you love but have no idea who sang them." The band is made up of friends he's played with over the years, and they are coming in from all over the country for this great cause. 

View full video

August 31, 2022 (Chicago)—In her acceptance speech for the Democratic party’s presidential nomination delivered last week in Chicago, Vice President and former prosecutor Kamala Harris presented her case to the American people. She spoke of domestic and foreign policy priorities, sharply contrasting her goals with those of her opponent.

“My entire career, I have only had one  client. The People,” said Harris, former California Attorney General and a former district attorney.  “With this election, our nation has a precious, fleeting opportunity to move past the bitterness, cynicism and divisive battles of the past. A chance to chart a New Way Forward.”

Pledging to be a President for all Americans, she added, “You can always trust me to put country above party and self. To hold sacred America’s fundamental principals—from the rule of law to free and fair elections, to the peaceful transfer of power,” alluding to her opponent, former President Donald Trump, convicted of felony fraud and facing numerous pending charges related to his efforts to overthrow the 2020 election results.

Harris said that if elected, she would strive to unite Americans around “our highest aspirations” and be a President “who leads and listens, who is realistic, practical, and has common sense. And always fights for the American people.”

View video of Mayor Racquel Vasquez’s State of the City 2024 address

By Miriam Raftery

August 28, 2024 (Lemon Grove) – In her 2024 State of the City address delivered August 14, Lemon Grove Mayor Racquel Vasquez said,  “We are gathered tonight to celebrate our remarkable accomplishments and to embrace the exciting opportunities that are before us, and to report a shared vision for the future of our city.”

That progress includes strengthening the city’s finances, enhancing infrastructure and elevating the quality of life, according to the Mayor.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos, top left to lower right:  Sitivi "Steve" Faiai, Councilman George Gastil, Jessyka Heredia,and Seth Smith

August 27, 2024 (Lemon Grove) – Four candidates are running for two City Council seats in Lemon Grove.  Councilman George Gastil seeks reelection. The other candidates are Sitivi “Steve” Faiai, Jessyka Heredia, and Seth Andrew Smith.  Depending on the outcomes in the Council and mayoral races, Lemon Grove will have at least one new face on its City Council, and could have as many as three. 

That’s because Councilmembers Liana LeBaron and Alysson Snow are challenging incumbent Racquel Vasquez in the mayoral race. LeBaron’s Council term is up this year, meaning if she loses her mayoral bid, she will be off the Council.  Snow’s term isn’t up until 2026, meaning she will stay on the Council if she loses her mayoral bid. If Snow wins, this would create a new open seat, which the new City Council could fill by appointment or special election.  Read ECM’s article on the mayoral race.

Lemon Grove’s City Council meetings have often been contentious, with clashes among some Councilmembers as well as pushback from some members of the public on issues including homelessness, housing, business development, street repairs and flooded storm drains. The city has a smaller budget than other East County cities, making it a daunting challenge to meet the many priorities voiced by residents.

Here are highlights of each candidate seeking to represent residents on the Lemon Grove City Council, listed in alphabetical order.

By Miriam Raftery

August 22, 2024 (Chicago, IL) – In an unprecedented action, numerous prominent Republicans have spoken at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this week to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for President—including top Trump administration leaders, a conservative judge,and elected Republican officials. These speakers urged Americans to put country over party, warning that their former boss poses a threat to American democracy and is unfit to hold the nation’s highest office.

Many other prominent Republicans have also endorsed Harris and/or warned that Donald Trump should not be president again, including his former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, his former national security advisor, Trump’s White House chief of staff, other administration insiders, and 15 former Republican members of Congress.

By Miriam Raftery

August 23, 2024 (El Cajon) – Three seats are on the ballot in El Cajon.  In districts 2 and 4,  Councilmembers Michelle Metschel and Phil Ortiz are running unopposed.  In district 3, Councilman Steve Goble, a retired businessman, faces a challenge from  Courtney Hall, a public policy expert and data analyst.

Below are details on their experience, qualifications, accomplishments and endorsements.

View video of full acceptance speech by Tim Walz

By Miriam Raftery

August 22, 2024 (Chicago, IL) – Cheered on by Democratic National convention delegates and many of his former students, Minnesota GovernorTim Walsh accepted the vice presidential nomination as Kamala Harris’ running mate last night. “I haven’t given a lot of big speeches like this,but I have given a lot of pep talks,” the former high school football coach, teacher, former Congressman and military veteran told the crowd.

He likened the 76-days until Election Day to a football game in the fourth quarter, adding, “We’re on offense and we’ve got the ball...and boy, do we have the right team.” He called Harris tough, experience and ready to “build a country where workers come first, healthcare and housing are human rights, and the government stays the hell out of of your bedroom.”

Walz said it was the players he once coached and his students who first inspired him to run for Congress.  “They saw in me what I had hoped to instill in them: a commitment to the common good, an understanding that we’re all in this together, and the belief that a single person can make a real difference for their neighbors.”

East County News Service

Update August 21, 2024:  The victim has been identified as Arthur Stephen Andreatta, 74.

August 19, 2024 (Boulevard) – The Sheriff’s homicide unit is investigating the death of a 75-year-old man found dead with head trauma inside his home in the 900 block of Tierra Del Sol Road in Boulevard.

Cal Fire  called for deputies from the Pine Valley Sheriff’s station to assist after finding the man unresponsive and later pronouncing him dead.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Mayor Racquel Vasquez,Councilmember Liana LeBaron, and Councilmember Alysson Snow

August 15, 2024 (Lemon Grove) – Lemon Grove Mayor Racquel Vasquez will face two elected officials as challengers in her quest to win reelection in November: Councilmembers Alysson Snow and Liana LeBaron.  The city, which is smaller than other East County incorporated communities, faces greater challenges in addressing issues such as homelessness, housing, and infrastructure including road repairs and storm drains that caused recent flood damage.

Here are highlights of each candidate's background and stances on key issues.

Story and Photos by Josh Stotler



August 12, 2024 (Spring Valley)--A vegetation fire threatened homes on Millar Ranch Road north of Millar Anita Ln in Spring Valley today. Some residents were ordered to evacuated and others asked to shelter in place amid flying ash and debris, with firefighting vehicles lining the roadway. Emergency responders helped escort evacuating residents to safety while crews worked to bring the blaze under control.

The fire was first reported at 1:24 pm and crews responded to find a fire in dense vegetation moving at a moderate rate of spread. Homes on Millar Ranch Rd were immediately threatened and more resources were ordered. Air and ground resources worked under a unified fire command to attack this fire head on and keep the loss of life and property to zero.

Cal Fire crews lit a back fire to eliminate fuel between the head of the fire and houses.

One homeowner, Grace Russo, stayed behind to help save her home. “I sent my daughter and my 90 year old mother to safety and I stayed behind with my labs,” she said of the family's dogs.

East County News Service

August 11, 2024 (Alpine)—Supervisor Joel Anderson is asking the public to sign a petition which he will deliver to Sweetwater Water Authority asking the agency to restore sunrise-to-sunset hours at Loveland Reservoir. You can sign the petition here.  

Anderson  has emerged as a champion for local recreational enthusiasts seeking to protect access at several local lakes, including a prior petition that yielded positive results.