Driver who injured child in El Cajon faces charges of felony hit-and run, evading police
East County News Service November 5, 2025 (El Cajon) – A judge has set bail at $1.5 million for Dani Korkis, 35 of El Cajon,who fled the scene after hitting a 12-year-old boy with his SUV, causing serious injury. After his arrest, Korkis was initially released on a lower bail but failed to show up at an October 28 court hearing on a separate charge of evading police back in July.He was charged with reckless driving in July and again in August, before the Oct. 22 accident on Ballantyne Street that left the 12-year-old boy with a head injury that left him in a coma initially, ABC 10 News reports, though his condition is reportedly improving. The boy also suffered missing teeth and is wearing a wire to hold his remaining teeth, according to NBC 7. Korkis now faces additional charges including felony hit-and-run. El Cajon Police used license plate reading technology to find the SUV driven by Korkis, a white BMWX, parked outside his family’s business, Lakeside Smoke Shop, CBS 8 reports. According to Deputy District Attorney Natalie Scholfield, surveillance video indicates Korkis was aware he had hit someone. He pleaded not guilty and later claimed he had loaned the vehicle to a woman. Judge Peter Lynch rebuked Korkis during a hearing Nov. 1 for his pattern of reckless driving, evading police and ultimately injuring a child,” all of which could’ve been avoided if he simply followed the traffic laws that everybody is supposed to do,” the judge said. Judge Lynch set the hefty $1.5 million bail, calling the defendant “clearly dangerous.”
Larry Cohen named new County Treasurer-Tax Collector
East County News Service Nov. 5, 2025 (San Diego County) — San Diego County has a new Treasurer-Tax Collector to fill the void of Dan McAllister, who retired earlier this year. The County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday appointed Larry Cohen to fill the position of Treasurer-Tax Collector for McAllister who retired Aug. 2. Cohen will serve until the current San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector term ends Jan. 4, 2027. An election will determine a successor for the following four-year term. Cohen currently serves as the Chief of Staff to Congressman Juan Vargas (D-San Diego), who sits on the House Financial Services Committee. For more than five years, Cohen has acted as chief advisor in supporting Vargas’ work on the committee that oversees banks, pensions and federal securities legislation. Cohen in the private sector worked for MilliporeSigma, a global biotech company with a campus in Carlsbad. Cohen managed a $30 million business line for MilliporeSigma, and was responsible for profit and loss performance, investment strategies and contract negotiations. Cohen has an MBA from Strayer University in Washington, D.C. where he received training in finance and management skills. He holds a B.A. in political science from UC San Diego. The selection process began during a public hearing on Sept. 30, when applicants spoke before the Board of Supervisors and answered questions. From a pool of 11 candidates, the Board selected four finalists, including Cohen. The Board held an informal meet-and-greet Oct. 30 to give the public a chance to meet the candidates in person and Tuesday’s hearing gave the four finalists another chance to address the Board before they voted. The Treasurer-Tax Collector’s office collects more than $9.1 billion in property taxes every year. The office also collects the transient occupancy tax and the cannabis business tax from businesses in the County’s unincorporated areas. The office also manages the County investment pool, which annually ranges in size from $10.2 billion to $18.8 billion in assets. The Treasury is also the paying agent for all 42 public school districts in the region. Additionally, the office handles the Deferred Compensation Program for County employees and has oversight of the County’s $2.7 billion Deferred Compensation Program. It also reconciles internal payroll reports, approves wires, oversees program activities and education, and works closely with payroll and Human Resources. Cohen is tentatively scheduled to be sworn in at the Nov. 18 Board of Supervisors meeting.
Voters overwhelmingly approve Prop 50 redistricting and recall of Poway Councilmember
By Miriam Raftery November 4, 2025 (San Diego) – Voters in California, including San Diego, have decisively approved Proposition 50, which will allow temporary redistricting of the state’s Congressional districts for the next five years. Poway voters also opted overwhelmingly to oust scandal-plagued District 2 Councilmember Tony Blain by an 81% to 19% margin. Blain is facing felony charges including perjury and soliciting bribes. Prop 50 results and reactions Statewide, 64.7% of voters cast votes for Prop 50, with 35.3% opposed. Locally, 60.8% of San Diego County voters supported the redistricting measure, with 39.2% opposed. Prop 50 allows the state Legislature to redraw the lines instead of the state’s redistricting commission, an action that aims to elect more Democrats to Congress and to counter Republican gerrymandering of districts in Texas and other states. Locally, passage means Rep. Darrell Issa’s district is slated to be redrawn to span inland and coastal areas, making the heavily conservative district more politically balanced in a move Democrats hope may give them an edge in the Nov. 2026 elections. The measure is being closely watched at the national level. Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Ken Martin issued a statement which reads in part, ““When Donald Trump started ordering his Republican lackeys to save his fading power by rigging the midterms, he didn’t realize he’d be up against a new Democratic Party. We don’t roll over when one team refuses to play by the rules. We fight back. Trump got his showdown, and tonight, we met him in the arena. Californians stood up, rallied together, and passed Proposition 50 to make sure voters — not Donald Trump — decide who represents them in Congress. Trump is toxic, and he knows he’s going to lose next year. Instead of building the economy, he’s building a ballroom. Instead of fixing health care, he’s throwing out-of-touch parties with his ultra-wealthy friends. And now, he’s staring down the consequences of his corrupt, failed presidency.” National Republican Congressional Conmmittee (NRCC) Chairman Richard Hudson (R-NC) released the following statement after the passage of Prop 50: “No matter how Democrats redraw the lines to satisfy Gavin Newsom’s power grab, they can’t redraw their record of failure, and that’s why they will fail to take the House majority. Even under this new map, Republicans have clear opportunities to flip seats because Californians are fed up with Democrat chaos. We will continue to compete and win because our candidates are stronger, our message is resonating, and Californians are tired of being ignored.” Poway recall Blain, a military officer and doctor who was just elected to the Poway City Council last December, drew animosity from the start after defeating a fellow Republican to win the seat. His most prominent endorsement came from Assemblmember Carl DeMaio. Blainn has been accused of trading votes for favors in apparent violation of state law, also threatening and harassing city staff members and officials, according to Voice of San Diego. The City Council took the rare step of censuring Blain in February and then in April, filed a lawsuit against him for allegedly destroying public records and using an encrypted app for city business. NBC 7 reports Blain was recently deployed overseas and has not been available to comment on his legal woes or on being recalled overwhelmingly by voters in his eastern Poway district.
Community input sought for Lakeside’s transportation future
East County News Service Nov. 4, 2025 (Lakeside) – The County of San Diego Planning & Development Services (PDS) is inviting all Lakeside residents and community stakeholders to a public meeting to discuss local transportation needs and potential solutions. The meeting, set for 5:30 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 18 at the Lakeside Community Center, is part of the “Lakeside Mobility Options Via Efficient Solutions” (MOVES) program, a component of the County’s broader Community Based Transportation Program. The initiative aims to collaboratively identify transportation challenges, needs and opportunities within the local community. The resulting Lakeside MOVES plan will serve as a guiding vision to enhance transportation options and accessibility throughout the Lakeside focus area. The ultimate goals are to improve mobility, safety, and connectivity for all modes of transportation. The upcoming public meeting will provide an opportunity for community members to review and offer input on the project’s goals, existing transportation conditions, and potential future improvements and programs. The Lakeside Community Center is at 9841 Vine St. For more details about the Lakeside MOVES project or to register for the event, visit the official project webpage here.
La Mesa Tree Lighting Ceremony Coming Nov. 7
East County News Service Nov. 4, 2025 (La Mesa) — La Mesa City Council member Laura Lothian and The Cohn Restaurant Group are partnering to transform a tree at a local downtown La Mesa restaurant into a Christmas tree with a special star on top. Casa Gabriela will be the site of the towering 80-foot tall Christmas tree, with a white and blue four-foot star on top dedicated to fallen La Mesa Police Officer Lauren Craven, who died in the line of duty last month. Lothian said she had been thinking about a way to honor the memory of Craven, who was hit and killed by a suspected drunk driver on Interstate 8 the night of Oct. 20, trying to help a motorist who had been in a previous car crash. The lighting ceremony, held in front of Casa Gabriela at 8384 La Mesa Blvd., will begin at 5:30 p.m., on Friday, November 7. “Every year during the holidays and especially at La Mesa’s Annual Holiday in the Village event, people come up to me say ‘Downtown La Mesa should have a big ol’ Christmas Tree,’” Lothian said. “Well, here’s that big ol’ 80-foot tall Christmas Tree!” To celebrate the event, Casa Gabriela is offering Abuela hot chocolate with a pumpkins spic pepita scone. The live pine tree will feature nearly 9,000 bright, multi-color LED lights. In addition to Lothian and The Cohn Restaurant Group, other sponsors of the Christmas Tree are Webster Insurance, Mount Helix residents Frank and Ava Passiglia, La Mesa Realtor Andrea Flint-Gogek, Robert Clay of All Access Services, Steve and Janelle Clay of The Postal Annex, and La Mesa resident (and pickleball player) Dory Miller. Pro Light Hangers of El Cajon installed the lights and star.
Man arrested for domestic violence and felony sex crime warrant after SWAT standoff at El Cajon motel
East County News Service Nov. 4, 2025 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Police officers on Sunday rescued a woman who called 911 on Sunday afternoon to report that her husband had assaulted and strangle her, holding her hostage in an El Cajon motel room located at 1368 East Main St. After police evacuated the victim, the suspect, later identified as Ruben Castro, 44, barricaded himself inside the motel room. During the investigation, officers learned Castro committed multiple violent felonies, and had an outstanding felony warrant for sex registration violations. Crisis negotiators attempted to communicate with the suspect, who refused to surrender. “After less-lethal pepper ball rounds were unsuccessful, El Cajon Police SWAT officers used a flashbang and additional pepper ball rounds, prompting the man to exit the bathroom and peacefully surrender without further incident,” says Lieutenant Brandon Stanley, Patrol Watch Commander for ECPD. The suspect has been booked into San Diego County Jail.
DNA identifies 1998 El Cajon homicide victim as Alicia Ledezma Sanchez, born in 1968
East County News Service Photo: rendering from ECPD depicts victim, reconstructed based on her skull November 4, 2025 (El Cajon) — Twenty-seven years after her body was found partially decomposed in a ravine off Avocado in El Cajon, Alicia Ledezma Sanchez has been identified as the homicide victim, thanks to a match to DNA provided by her son. The case is a testament to the persistence of El Cajon Police Department’s detectives and volunteer Cold Case Unit, which persevered over decades to solve the case. When found on August 13, 1998 beneath heavy shrubbery in the ravine, Sanchez had no identification and police were unable to identify her. She was believed to have been dead for about six weeks, says Sergeant Breakall. In 2003 the death case was reexamined by the Cold Homicide Unit of the El Cajon Police Department. The victim’s skull was retrieved and sent to a forensic artist who completed a forensic sculpture. Photographs of the sculpture were released in hopes that a member of the public could assist in identifying the woman. However, no viable leads were developed and the case remained cold. In 2008, DNA was obtained from the decedent and a DNA profile was developed. Unfortunately, there were no DNA matches in the database. Over a two-year period beginning in 2023, members of the ECPD volunteer Cold Case Unit worked with Othram Labs and Parabon Labs to conduct genetic genealogy and phenotyping, advanced DNA techniques to reveal human characteristics and potential family members. In August, the El Cajon Police Department posted her story on the department’s social media pages, asking the public for assistance. The volunteer Cold Case Unit was contacted by a potential family member who believed she knew the woman’s identity. A DNA test with the decedent’s son confirmed a familial match, providing identification 27 years later. If you have any information about Alicia Ledezma Sanchez, or knowledge of the homicide, please contact the El Cajon Police Department’s Investigation Division at 619-579-3320, or email the volunteer Cold Case Unit at coldcaseunit@elcajon.gov. Alternatively, tips can be shared anonymously through Crime Stoppers at (888) 580 -8477 or online at sdcrimestoppers.org.
Pumpkin Smash event turns Halloween waste into environmental wins
Local students join I Love A Clean San Diego to divert organic waste from landfills Story and photo via I Love a Clean San Diego November 4, 2025 (Spring Valley) — On Monday, November 3, students at Sweetwater Springs Elementary School participated in a unique post-Halloween event aimed at reducing organic waste and promoting environmental education. Hosted by I Love A Clean San Diego (ILACSD) in partnership with the County of San Diego and WM, the Pumpkin Smash event gave students the opportunity to responsibly dispose of their Halloween pumpkins while learning about composting and sustainability. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, over 1 billion pumpkins are discarded in landfills each year. When organic waste like pumpkins is buried without access to oxygen, it has the potential to release methane — a potent greenhouse gas that is known for contributing to climate change. Composting offers a sustainable alternative, transforming waste into valuable resources like soil and energy. Students arrived at school with their leftover pumpkins and Jack-o’-Lanterns in hand, ready to smash them in a specially provided organics disposal bin WM generously donated the organic disposal bin and hauling service for the day, ensuring that all collected pumpkins would be transported to the WM Otay Mesa Compost Facility, where they have the opportunity to be composted and repurposed into nutrient-rich soil. “Events like Pumpkin Smash are a fun and impactful way to teach kids about the importance of proper organic waste disposal,” said Bryce Jacoubowsky, Waste Recovery Manager for ILACSD. “By diverting pumpkins from the landfill, we’re not only reducing greenhouse gas emissions but also empowering the next generation to be environmental stewards.” San Diego County residents can help reduce landfill waste by placing unpainted, undecorated pumpkins in their green organics bin. Please remove all lights, decorations, and paint before disposal. The Pumpkin Smash event is part of ILACSD’s ongoing commitment to environmental education and waste reduction across San Diego County. For more information on upcoming events or how to properly dispose of organic waste, visit www.cleansd.org.
Grossmont and Cuyamaca College military and veteran students find connection and support
The colleges offer award-winning programs that celebrate and honor veterans Photo: Grossmont College student veterans Source: Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District November 4, 2025 (El Cajon) – Navy veteran Isaiah Nailon had one clear goal in mind when he enrolled at Cuyamaca College in the spring of 2018: taking the first step toward earning a bachelor’s degree. “That was it,” he said. “Cuyamaca College had one of the best transfer rates to San Diego State University for business administration majors, but everyone in Veterans Services encouraged me, motivated me, and challenged me to dream bigger. ‘Why stop at a bachelor’s degree?’ they said. ‘Why not a master’s?’ It got me to thinking, why not?” Photo, right: Cuyamaca College student veterans Why not, indeed. Nailon not only earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, he went on to complete not one, but two master’s degrees – one in business administration and another in education and counseling. Today, he’s back at Cuyamaca College, paying it forward as the Co unseling and Assessment Supervisor and Acting Veterans Center Supervisor and a School Certifying Official. Nailon’s journey is just one example of the numerous success stories emerging throughout the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District. Similar achievements are also unfolding at Grossmont College, where an impressive Veterans Resource Center has become a focal point for support. At Grossmont College, Navy veteran Kelly Carlson (left) quickly found the Veterans Resource Center to be an essential part of her daily college experience. “I’m here every day, mainly for the computer lab; it’s really quiet, really peaceful, and they have all the amenities that you need,” said Carlson, a biology major who spent six years in the Navy as a gunner’s mate aboard the USS Porter before completing her service at Naval Base San Diego. “The counselors are right across the hall, people are really respectful, and if I ever forget to eat something, I could just go into the kitchen and grab something to eat. They’ve also offered me backpacks, laptops, everything under the sun. It’s truly amazing.” These welcoming resource centers are made possible because of ongoing community support, including funding from the voter-approved Proposition V. The Grossmont College Veterans Resource Center, for example, features an expansive kitchen and living room, private study area, computer lab equipped with 15 new personal computers and printers, and counseling offices. Upstairs , military-affiliated students can relax in a fully furnished, outdoor lounge offering picturesque views of Cowles Mountain, the highest point in San Diego, and Mission Trails Regional Park. The Center’s stockrooms supply hundreds of laptops and Grossmont College backpacks for veterans and dependents in need. Photo, right: Cuyamaca College 2024 Veterans Day Pancake Breakfast Veterans Day Celebrations Both college will be celebrating Veterans Day with activities and events for students and employees on Monday, November 10, 2025. At 9:00 a.m., Cuyamaca College will hold a Pancake Breakfast and a U.S. Marines Birthday Celebration in the Veteran Resource Center (Student Center, I-113). At 12:00 p.m., Grossmont College will host a Salute to Service Luncheon at the Veterans Resource Center (Building 36-100). Both campuses, through their well-equipped Veterans Resource Centers and dedicated student support staff, illustrate why the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District has become a statewide leader in serving military veterans and their dependents in a region with the highest concentration of military personnel in California. Across Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges, military-affiliated students, who include veterans, dependents, and those actively serving, comprise about 2.5% of the 20,538 students enrolled this fall, according to the District’s Office of Research, Planning, and Institutional Effectiveness. This figure, however, includes only those using VA education benefits and excludes others who qualify but opt to reserve their GI Bill eligibility for future university studies. For instance, Grossmont College estimates approximately 600 military-affiliated students annually, with its Veterans Resource Center logging 1,992 visits during spring 2025. Likewise, Cuyamaca College serves an estimated 400 military-affiliated students each year, with an average of 15 to 20 students visiting its Veterans Resource Center daily. Award Winning Programs Photo, left: Grossmont College veterans graduation celebration, 2025. Veterans outreach and support extends beyond campus. The District is an active member of the Veterans East County Alliance (VECA) and the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce, and was recently nominated for the Alliance’s 2025 VALOR Veteran Friendly Business of the Year for, among other things, its veteran resources and transitioning programs. The District actively participates in local veteran’s oriented events, such as staffing a booth at the Operation Employment Veteran Career and Resource Fair this fall, hosted by VECA and the City of Santee. In 2024, the East County Economic Development Council recognized the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District with “Partnership of the Decade” honors, in part due to its role supporting and advancing veteran services and workforce training and development. Both colleges have been recognized by The Military Times as Military Friendly Schools, and for the past three years, The Military Times has recognized Cuyamaca College as a “Best for Vets: Colleges” campus. Like its counterpart at Grossmont College, the Cuyamaca College Veterans Resource Center provides a welcoming, modern space designed to help veterans succeed, offering access to technology, study areas, and essential supports, including a fully stocked pantry and kitchenette. Veterans benefit from a range of cost-free resources, including gas cards, book vouchers, hands-on assistance with GI Bill benefits, and educational support for dependents. Laptops, books, calculators, and testing materials are available to borrow. Supporting students on every step of their academic journeys, counselors and dedicated employees at both campuses provide guidance through counseling, career exploration, and the transition from military to college life. These efforts predate even the California Community Colleges’ Vision 2030 initiative, a system-wide roadmap committed to helping veterans navigate the transition to civilian life and higher education. Groundbreaking efforts like the “Veterans Sprint” ensure every veteran’s Joint Services Transcript is reviewed for college credit. Programs such as the
Lemon Grove Forward Club announces annual Sock Drive for November
Source: Lemon Grove Forward Club November 4, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – The Lemon Grove Forward Club is kicking off its annual sock drive, “Socktober,” a tradition that has made a positive impact on the lives of the unhoused in Lemon Grove. The club is asking for new sock donations to help local non-profits provide warmth and comfort during the cold winter months. The drive will run from November 1st to November 30th. Socks are consistently one of the most requested items from the unhoused and at homeless shelters and outreach programs. The Lemon Grove Forward Club aims to address this need with its annual collection effort. Last year, the club collected over 1,100 pairs of socks and hopes to exceed that number this year. “The simple gift of a new pair of socks can make a significant difference in someone’s life during the colder months,” said Teresa Rosiak, Lemon Grove Forward Club President. “Our community has shown incredible generosity in the past, and we are confident we can do it again this year to support our neighbors in need.” To make donating easy and convenient, the Lemon Grove Forward Club has set up an Amazon Wishlist. Donors can have their contributions shipped directly to the club. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1D0GLVVEWXJ9T?ref_=wl_share The club emphasizes that only new socks can be accepted.