EL CAJON–A man was arrested by El Cajon police for fatally beating a four-year-old Chihuahua named “Chico” in a El Cajon neighborhood. On Thursday, police arrested Troy Anthony Hilliard, 23, for cruelty to animals. Hilliard lived in a neighboring apartment complex and was visiting friends prior to the attack. On January 11, the Chihuahua wandered [...]

EL CAJON—Six people were left without a home after a Monday night blaze destroyed their El Cajon residence. At 11:49 p.m., Heartland Fire and Rescue responded to reports of a structure fire at a board and care facility located at 1460 E. Lexington Avenue. Fire crews arrived to find heavy smoke and flames coming from [...]

SAN DIEGO–District Attorney Bonnie M. Dumanis today announced a felony animal cruelty charge against a Crest man who beat his puppy so badly the dog had to be euthanized. Phillip Shawn Rich, 26, pleaded not guilty in El Cajon Superior Court today and is being held on $25,000 bail. “The District Attorney’s Office takes animal [...]

CREST–A Crest resident was arrested over the weekend for severely beating his 4-month-old male Siberian husky, causing such bad injuries the animal had to be euthanized. On Saturday night, Phillip Shawn Rich, 26, brought the puppy, named Knight, to a veterinary hospital, where veterinarians ultimately determined the puppy’s injuries were so grave euthanasia was the [...]

SAN DIEGO–The County of San Diego, Department of Environmental Health (DEH) has issued a Boil Water Order and Public Notification for the Mount Laguna Recreation Area water system located on Sunrise Highway, Mt. Laguna  effective immediately. The drinking water system has tested present for total coliform bacteria and absent for E.coli.  Total coliform bacteria can [...]

EL CAJON–The Heartland Fire and Rescue will receive the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals’ Compassionate Fire Department award for their heroic actions in rescuing a dog from a mobile home fire on January 4. PETA will send a letter of appreciation, a framed certificate, a box of vegan chocolates, and a package of special oxygen masks [...]

ALPINE–The Alpine Fire Protection District has approved pension changes with the Alpine Fire Fighters Association. After months of negotiations at a board meeting on December 20, both sides agreed to a contract extension that makes changes to the pensions of current and future Firefighters employed with the District. All employees of the Alpine Fire District [...]

EL CAJON–Heartland Fire and Rescue responded to a mobile home fire Wednesday morning in the 700 block of South Second Street at the Lynnwood West Mobile Home Estates in El Cajon. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy smoke entering the mobile home. Heartland Fire, with assistance from the San Miguel Fire Protection District, extinguished the fire [...]

SAN DIEGO–The transaction that transferred ownership of the lease to operate the State Route 125 toll road was completed today, and beginning December 22 San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) will be the operator of the South Bay facility. “Drivers on the South Bay Expressway will see no immediate changes,” said SANDAG Board Chair and Encinitas [...]