LA MESA POLICE SEEK SUSPECT IN FATAL SHOOTING: $1,000 REWARD OFFERED
By Miriam Raftery Photo by Diane Granander Update August 21, 2022: The victim has been identified as Joseph “J.C.” Curtis, 44, a father of four who lived nearby the gas station. August 12, 2022 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Police are asking for public help to locate a man suspected of shooting and killing another man this morning in front of the Speedway Express gas station at the corner of University and Park avenues. Officers responded to multiple calls reporting the shooting. They found the victim on the sidewalk and immediately provided aid. The victim, a 44-year-old man from La Mesa, was transported to Sharp Memorial Hospital, but “tragically was pronounced deceased,” says Lieutenant. Katy Lynch. She adds, “Initial information gathered by investigators has revealed that the victim and suspect were involved in a verbal altercation that turned into a physical fight. The suspect then shot the victim several times before fleeing the scene in a dark colored smaller SUV or similar style vehicle, westbound on University Avenue.” The suspect is described as a Black male adult in his early to mid-30s. He was wearing a dark shirt and blue jeans and was accompanied by a heavy-set Hispanic female. “The relationship between the suspect and the victim is unknown, but investigators do not believe this was a random act of violence,” Lt. Lynch says. Vehicle and pedestrian traffic for westbound University Avenue from Parks Avenue were closed for several hours while detectives from the La Mesa Police Department’s Investigation Unit conducted their investigation at the scene, but has since been reopened. La Mesa Police Department is asking that anyone who was in the area at the time of this incident or anyone who has any information on this case to please call the La Mesa Police Department at (619) 667-1400. You may also call Crime Stoppers’ anonymous toll-free tip line (888) 580-TIPS (or www.sdcrimestoppers.com). You can remain anonymous, and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest in this case.
READER’S EDITORIAL: THE PHOENIX IS BURNING
By Robert Gehr August 20, 2022 (El Cajon) — Previously, I’ve written freelance articles about El Cajon for East County Magazine – the attractions, beauty, things to do, and its once dilapidated condition rising from the ashes of fire like the mythical Phoenix to become a nice attractive place to call home. Sadly. I’m now giving my opinion on how this city is once again falling into disrepair. It seems that everywhere I look as I walk around, I’m witnessing more trash, unkempt sidewalks and gutters in front of most businesses (that are supposed to be kept clean as per city municipal codes) cigarette butts, vomit, urine, excrement (human and dog) and rundown buildings (some that are abandoned) and the ever-increasing population of homeless people. There needs to be better enforcement on businesses to clean and sanitize the areas in front of the buildings, sidewalks, including the gutters. This should be their responsibility, at least in part, not entirely the taxpayers. Fresh paint and upkeep will go a long way to make places look nice and attract customers. Now, I don’t have an exact answer as to why folks are homeless. Perhaps through no fault of their own. Unaffordable rents, emotional health issues, job loss, or something else? I do have a fairly good idea that many self-medicate with alcohol, and or drugs in a vain attempt to dull the aforementioned emotional pain. This of course exacerbates the problem of their plight, actions I certainly don’t condone. These homeless individuals range from young children to seniors, with a variety in between. Men, women, children, even veterans of the military. Backgrounds and causes of their situation no doubt run the gamut of personal horrors most of us simply cannot comprehend. Does the city of El Cajon have enough resources to properly combat homelessness? I’m not sure, and equally not sure if they use every possible method available. I mention this because some homeless people don’t want to comply with the requirements placed upon them by the available service providers, such as faith groups. These individuals, often with mental health and substance abuse issues either cannot, or will not adapt to the new way of life and conditions offered to them. So what can be done? I’ve presented some thoughts to the mayor and a city council member in the past. I’ll repeat them here. Of course, nothing is guaranteed to solve things, but I think every tool available should be employed. Based on what I’ve read that works to some extent in other states / cities, I believe that in addition to helping get cooperating homeless people off the streets and into a living environment with a job is safe parking lots for those with vehicles is needed, and an area for “camping” for the ones who don’t have a vehicle– places that could create a conduit for these folks to heal and feel good again. This can be achieved by bringing free, volunteer social services to them. Food, clothing, medical, job assistance, toilets, showers, laundry machines. That should be very cost effective for the city and taxpayers. City parking lots for vehicles, and fenced (privacy fencing) off sections of selected parks for campers. Simple idea, and not complicated to enact. Giving them dignity might go a long way for these folks in turning their life around. For sure, some type of security personnel and basic rules will be needed to keep the peace, and Faith groups could fulfill the necessary requirements. My thinking is this; City leaders have a choice. Either continue to do what doesn’t entirely solve homelessness, or step up and add extra humanitarian efforts to help people. Add additional resources as I mentioned, or continue ignoring the plight of homeless folks hanging around the streets, parks, etc. I believe that many would rather have a place to be, than having to exist day to day wandering around the city streets. The reality is that anyone can become homeless at any time. Job loss, a house fire, unaffordable rent, illness. The reasons are many. Most people don’t want to see homeless people around, especially the ones under the influence of some type of substance, and aggressive types. Yet the average citizen has no clue how to help resolve this situation long term. Giving money, food, clothes, etc. is a nice gesture, but this doesn’t “fix” homelessness. Bandages cannot stop the hemorrhaging we are experiencing. City leaders can do more and should. My strong suggestion: Get out and walk various areas of the city, while diligently observing conditions and make notes on improvements needed. There are many. Remember, you’re paid with tax dollars that come from citizens, your constituents who vote to put some of you in office. Let’s help the phoenix to rise from the fire and ashes once again. Beautify the city by creating cleanliness, attractive buildings, and assisting the homeless even more. Help make the streets safe again for seniors to go for a walk without fearing being accosted, or worse. One final note: Please do a makeover on the waterscape area, it looks terrible. The water fountain rarely works anymore, the water itself smells horrible, the walkway and benches need to be power washed occasionally, and cigarette butts need to be picked up. In fact, Prescott Park should be included in the regular cleaning and cigarette butt abatement. It would help tremendously if the “No Smoking” laws were actually enforced as well. There are people who blatantly smoke in these areas with apparent impunity, despite the signs which state in part – No Smoking, No Camping, and so forth. Yes, I see tents in the park every day. Additionally, the sidewalks downtown need to be power washed regularly to clean and sanitize the areas of human and dog urine, vomit, and sometimes excrement. Residents and tourists alike will enjoy a cleaner environment to enjoy once again. The views reflected in this reader’s editorial reflect the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect
HUNDREDS ATTEND DISTRICT 79’S 10TH ANNUAL BACKPACK GIVEAWAY AND FREE VACCINATION CLINIC HOSTED BY ASSEMBLYMEMBER DR. AKILAH WEBER
Source: Dr. Akilah Weber August 20, 2022 (San Diego) – Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D. (D-79) hosted District 79’s 10th annual Backpack Giveaway on Saturday, August 13, 2022 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Lemon Grove Recreation Center located at 3131 School Lane, Lemon Grove, CA 91945. Over 1,000 backpacks filled with school supplies were distributed to students on Saturday. Additionally, there were vendor booths with more giveaways, resource tables with of information for families and the CHP held a bicycle helmet giveaway! Sponsors included: International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 569 & National Electrical Contractors Association San Diego Chapter, Ralph’s, SDG&E, Improving Lemon Grove and more. San Diego Protecting against HPV and Champions for Health were onsite to provide free HPV and COVID-19 vaccines. The vaccine clinic was completely optional and not a requirement to receive backpacks. Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D. represents California’s 79th Assembly District, which includes parts of Southeast San Diego, Bonita, Chula Vista, La Mesa, Lemon Grove and National City. Website of Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D: www.a79.asmdc.org
EXPLORING SNAPDRAGON STADIUM: OUR FIRST TOUR OF SDSU’S NEW MISSION VALLEY VENUE
By Ken Stone, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association August 20, 2022 (San Diego) – The new home of San Diego State football, San Diego Wave women’s soccer and year-round entertainment was declared finished Friday — two years and two days after ground was broken in Mission Valley. More than a dozen media reps were given a two-hour tour of Snapdragon Stadium. Afterward, school and community members gathered for a ribbon cutting to celebrate the 35,000-seat venue near the old site of the Chargers and Padres stadium. SDSU President Adela de la Torre pointed to murals, sculptures and portraits by students and local artists and noted: “Nearly 90% of the old stadium was recycled or reused on site.” The stadium will see its first football game Sept. 3, when the Aztecs host the University of Arizona Wildcats. “SDSU Mission Valley has always been about community – people, our families, our children, and the generations of those who will follow us,” de la Torre said. “The shared vision and plan for this site was seeded by our community.” Premium seating is close to the bottom level to bring fans closer to the action, while the “Sycuan Piers,” inspired by San Diego’s coastlines, provides spectators a unique view as a portion juts out toward the field. “We appreciate all the hard work to get Snapdragon Stadium complete in time for our first game against Arizona,” said J.D. Wicker, SDSU athletic director. “We are looking forward to fans coming to a stadium that they can be proud of – a stadium that is authentic to San Diego,” Wicker said. “We feel we’ve created an unmatched experience in collegiate athletics, and in all events that come to the stadium.” In December 2021, SDSU and Qualcomm Technologies Inc. jointly announced a long-term agreement to secure exclusive naming rights to the new venue. The stadium is named for the Snapdragon platforms that power smartphones, PCs, gaming devices, connected cars, extended reality glasses and smart watches. “We are thrilled to finally welcome fans into Snapdragon Stadium alongside San Diego State University,” said Don McGuire, SVP of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and CMO of Qualcomm. “As a company founded in San Diego 37 years ago, we are proud to partner with San Diego State University to bring this state-of-the-art stadium to the community.” Snapdragon Stadium is the first part of the development of SDSU Mission Valley. Earlier this year, the university broke ground on the river park expected to be done by the end of 2023. The university is also in the process of selecting developers for the first Innovation District and residential projects.
SUSPECT SOUGHT IN FATAL EL CAJON SHOOTING
East County News Service August 20, 2022 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Police Department seeks public help to identify a suspect in a fatal shooting last night. Officers responding to a report of one or more gunshots found a man with a gunshot injury in the parking lot at 441 Dominguez, El Cajon. The officers provided medical aid until relieved by medical personnel. The victim was transported by ambulance to a local hospital, where he died as a result of his injury. “A light skinned male suspect fled the scene, running northbound on Dominguez, then eastbound along Madison Avenue,” says Sergeant Tenaya Webb. “The suspect has not yet been apprehended.” If you have information about this case, please call the El Cajon Police Department’s homicide tip line: (619) 441-5530.
ECM FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: BULLDOGS GUN DOWN PATRIOTS TO KICK OFF SEASON
Story and photos by Liz Alper August 19, 2022 (Ramona) – Football. Is. Back. And ECM Sports is back too and better than ever with full coverage of our East County game of the week on Friday nights this fall. This week, we took our first ever trip to Ramona for a great East County matchup as the Christian High Patriots took on the Ramona Bulldogs in the first game of the season. The Bulldogs wasted no time, eating up clock in the first quarter and marching down the field, completing a 14 play, 71 yard drive that ended with a punch-in by senior quarterback Colin Lester and Ramona led 7-0 after one. Lester did it again with nine seconds left in the half with another punch-in score and the Bulldogs went to the locker room with Colin leading the charge, up 14-0. Colin wanted more, but he needed some help from his friends to do it. So in the third quarter, he connected with senior wideout Azlan Enriquez for a nice first down and then for a touchdown. Junior kicker Fernando Torres’ extra point was blocked, but that didn’t stop the Bulldogs from committing more crimes against Patriots. On Christian’s next possession, junior safety and corner Kyle Patenaude came up with a smooth interception on senior Patriot quarterback Jake Davila and junior back Ryan Dutra ran it in from four yards out. The two-point conversion was good and the Bulldogs owned the third quarter and it gave them an epic win to start the season, 28-0. Lester scored two rushing touchdowns. UP NEXT Next week, the Bulldogs travel down the hill to face Rancho Bernardo at 7 p.m. The Pats go way out of their element to La Jolla to face Bishop’s, also at 7 p.m. Other East County scores: Point Loma 41, Santana 10 Mountain Empire 20, Hoover 14 West Hills 24, Grossmont 6 Mission Bay 27, El Cajon Valley 14 Like our sports coverage? Donate to help support ECM’s sports section! 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!
ECM PADRES REPORT: ANOTHER LATE-NIGHT NATIONALS HIT
By Liz Alper Photo: Manny Machado via @padres on Twitter August 19, 2022 (San Diego) – The Padres suffered late last night against the Nationals, but they tried again tonight against Paolo Espino for Washington against Blake Snell. Trent Grisham started the scoring with a single that scored Brandon Drury in the second and the Padres led 1-0 after two. But former Padre C.J. Abrams got the upper hand on his old team with a two-RBI single in the fourth and the Nats led 2-1 after four. Keibert Ruiz singled in the fifth to score Joey Meneses, but Manny Machado saved the day in the home half with a two-RBI double that tied the game at three after five. But the Nationals prevailed in the ninth when Lane Thomas reached first on a throwing error by Josh Hader, allowing Victor Robles to score and Alex Call drove Thomas in with a two-run homer UP NEXT Game three is an hour earlier tomorrow night at 5:40 p.m. Josiah Gray starts for Washington against Grossmont High alum Joe Musgrove. TRANSACTIONS Free agent RHP Brandon Kintzler signed to a minor league contract