East County News Service

September 1, 2023 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Police Department is crediting newly installed automated  license plate reading (ALPR) cameras with solving three crimes in three days, according to Lieutenant Jeremiah Larson.  The Flock Safety technology sends ECPD real-time crime alerts when a stolen vehicle, or known wanted vehicle, from a state or national database is detected locally.

Judge denies couple’s request to delay sentencing, after they claimed air travel was unsafe for Jessica Kalasho due to pregnancy

By Miriam Raftery

File photo of  Ben and Jessica Kalasho at a prior hearing

August 26, 2023  (San Diego) – Former El Cajon Councilman Bessmon  “Ben” Kalasho and his wife, Jessica have been found guilty on four counts each of contempt of court in a civil defamation case won by attorney Lina Charry. 

They have been ordered to report to San Diego Superior Court on September 1 to being serving an eight-day jail sentence, as well as pay fines of $1,000 apiece for each count.

By Jacob Pamus

Photo:  Pastor Rolland Slade speaks out on Council's decision to defund the task force.

Updated August 21 with statements from Bonnie Baranoff, Coordinatorof the East County Homeless  Task Force, disputing the city's assertions and media statements.

August 16, 2023  (El Cajon) – El Cajon’s City Council majority voted to drop its funding for the East County Homeless Task Force.  Ironically El Cajon has the most homeless among East County communities and 16% of the homeless in San Diego County. 

City Manager, Graham Mitchell said during a Council meeting in late July that even though El Cajon’s interests do align with the task force, “Over time, that alignment has been shifting.” Mitchell  noted that initially he was in support of the task force because of how many different perspectives were involved, including law enforcement and business oriented individuals, but now he does not see that.

East County News Service

July 22, 2023 (El Cajon) – A stolen vehicle suspect barricaded himself in an El Cajon motel Thursday evening and threatened to set the building on fire, prompting evacuation of nearby rooms, says Lieutenant Darrin Forster with El Cajon Police Department. 

The incident began at 6:38 p.m., when  El Cajon Police received information that the GPS system on a vehicle reported stolen showed it was parked at the Best Inn & Suites at 1274 Oakdale Avenue. Officers found the vehicle in the parking lot unoccupied. The driver of the stolen car was observed on surveillance video entering a motel room, which paid for by the San Diego County Homeless Voucher Program administered through EQUUS.

Fitness competition, live band, dancing, sports stars, kids activities, auto show and opportunities to meet police and firefighters are all slated 

East County News Service

July 17, 2023 (El Cajon) -- El Cajon is gearing up to celebrate the 40th anniversary of its National Night Out event, a milestone for a community event that has been fostering positive interactions between law enforcement and the local community. This year’s event, set to be the largest ever hosted, will take place on Tuesday, August 1 from 5 to 9 p.m. in the parking lot at Parkway Plaza Mall in El Cajon.  

East Count News Service

July 11, 2023 (El Cajon) – The bodies of two brothers, Wilburn Burchette, 84, and Kenneth Burchette, 76, were found in their home on July 9.

Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call reporting a death that evening and found the two bodies. “Both men appeared to have been deceased for some time,” says Lieutenant Joseph Jarjura with the San Diego County Sheriff’s department.

East County News Service

Update July 10, 2023: The Medical Examiner has identified the deceased as Gary Zing, 59.

July 5, 2023 (El Cajon) – Heartland Fire & Rescue responded to a 9-1-1 call at 11:10 a.m. requesting help for a man who fell while cutting down a large tree at his property at 1962 Altozano Way in El Cajon.  Fire crews found that the tree had fallen onto the victim.

“Paramedics attempted to render aid but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene,” says Andy McKellar, emergency preparedness coordinator at Heartland Fire & Rescue.

By Miriam Raftery

July 1, 2023 (San Diego) – A man found unresponsive in his cell at San Diego County Central Jail on June 26 died two days later at UCSD Hospital. The Medical Examiner has found the cause of death was suicide by hanging.

Story and photo Miriam Raftery

Photo:  Jimmie Johnson and his wife, Chandra Janway,  at a 2009 rally with then-Supervisor Dianne Jacob in Santee, where Johnson and his wife were honored for their charitable foundation’s generous donations to local schools.

June 27, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – The parents of NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson’s wife, Chandra Janway, Johnson, were found dead today at a home in Muskogee, Oklahoma, along with Johnson’s 11-year old nephew.  Raised in El Cajon, Johnson has long been hailed as a hometown hero not only for his NASCAR wins, but also for the generosity of the foundation that he and his wife ran, donating millions of dollars to help children in need and benefit local schools.

Police investigators report that they believe Terry Janway shot and killed her husband, Jack Janway, and their grandson, Dalton, then killed herself.  

NASCAR issued this statement.  “We are saddened by the tragic deaths of members of Chandra Johnson’s family.  The entire NASCAR family extends its deepest support and condolences during this difficult time to Chandra, Jimmie, and the entire Johnson and Janway families.”

East County News Service

June 23, 2022 (El Cajon)—The couple found dead yesterday morning by their daughter in the family’s home have been identified as Eric and Denise Helen Orpinela. According to the Sheriff’s Department, Eric Orpinela shot and killed his wife, then committed suicide.

The couple had three young children. The oldest, who found the couple in their residence on East Bradley Ave. in ElCajon, is 14.

By Miriam Raftery

June 22, 2023 (El Cajon )  -- A man who swung a sword at neighbors and threatened violence prompted a SWAT team to respond today ending in his arrest 

Around 8 a.m., El Cajon Police began receiving calls reporting a man swinging a large sword at people in the parking lot of 1018 East Lexington.

“The man with the sword went back inside an apartment, and then returned to the parking lot making threats to shoot people, while simulating a gun in his waistband,” says Lieutenant Jeremiah Larson, adding that no gun was seen by any of the victims or witnesses.

Story and photos by Josh Stotler

Photo, left: Crews battle the heat and smoke of the Murray fire Tuesday afternoon.

June 20, 2023 (El Cajon)-- A small vegetation fire was sparked off Interstate 8 near Murray Drive and Dennstedt Place in El Cajon this afternoon. While East County crews were battling two other wildland fires, calls came into Heartland Fire & Rescue’s dispatch just after 2:20 p.m. reporting a fire on the hill adjacent to Grossmont High School.

Engines were sent to the scene and Interstate 8 was closed to westbound traffic as crews battled the flames.

Update June 19, 2023  --The Medical Examiner has identified the victim as Christopher Dembowski.

East Count News Service

June 12, 2023 (El Cajon) – A 43-year-old El Cajon was killed in solo-vehicle crash Friday around 6:45 p.m. at the junction of State Route 67 and Interstate 8 in unincorporated El Cajon.

He was driving a 2010 Ford Econoline van on the ramp from SR-67 southbound onto westbound I-8 when for unknown reasons, the vehicle veered right off the roadway and struck a yellow and black advisory sign, then crashed into a tree.

Source:  AAUW

May 29, 2023 (La Mesa/El Cajon) - The June 10, 2023 installation meeting of the La Mesa-El Cajon Branch of the American Association of University Women will be held at the Bay Club Hotel and Marina at 2131 Shelter Island Dr. in San Diego. The luncheon meeting begins at 11:00 and dress is Tropical. The new officers will be led by President Elect, Jane Drinkwalter. For more information, lunch selections and reservations go to AAUW La Mesa-El Cajon (CA) Branch. The cost of the luncheon is $40.00.