Water Damage Restoration in El Cajon, CA

El Cajon, CA (September 25, 2024) – A traffic collision occurred on Wednesday morning at approximately 8:26 AM at the intersection of SR67 and Cloudy Moon Drive. The incident involved two vehicles, both reported to be black in color, and prompted an immediate response from local law enforcement and emergency services.

Initial reports indicated that the collision resulted in both vehicles coming to a stop in the right shoulder of the roadway. Witnesses noted seeing smoke at the scene, suggesting that the impact may have caused some damage to the vehicles involved. Emergency responders, including deputies from the local sheriff’s department, were dispatched to assess the situation and manage traffic.

As the situation unfolded, it was confirmed that at least two vehicles were involved in the collision, leading to the blockage of the southbound lanes on SR67. Authorities worked to clear the roadway and ensure the safety of all motorists in the area.

Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this incident.

Traffic Collisions in California

Traffic collisions are a significant concern across California, where busy highways and roadways can lead to serious accidents. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, thousands of vehicle accidents occur each year, resulting in a variety of injuries and fatalities. Many of these incidents are caused by factors such as distracted driving, speeding, and driving under the influence.

In California, it is crucial for drivers to remain vigilant and adhere to traffic laws to ensure the safety of all road users. When accidents occur, victims often face physical, emotional, and financial challenges as they navigate the aftermath. It is essential for those injured in accidents to understand their rights and seek legal guidance to protect their interests.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a traffic accident, it is important to act quickly. Consulting with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney can help ensure that victims receive the compensation they deserve for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Being involved in a traffic accident can be a traumatic experience, leaving victims and their families feeling overwhelmed. It is vital to seek support and guidance during this challenging time to ensure that your rights are protected.

Local Accident Reports is your trusted resource for post-accident support. We’ve compiled essential information and resources for accident victims like you. Our comprehensive database provides key details and support options for those affected by accidents.

Get the assistance you need to handle this challenging situation and move forward. Contact us today to learn how we can assist in your recovery journey.

Contributors: Charlotte Radulovich / Video Journalist

The United States invaded Iraq in 2003 promising democracy.

Iraqis who fled to El Cajon, California are questioning whether they can find democracy there.

“People come here, they think that this country has a lot of democracy. ‘We can talk. We can express.’ There are different kinds of democracy here.” Dilkhwaz Ahmed said. “So here we have freedom of expression, but my voice will not go out of the door.”

The documentary “Baghdad, California” follows her efforts to get her fellow Iraqis counted by the 2020 U.S. Census.

Though El Cajon had rapidly and visibly changed, transforming into what some community members call “Little Baghdad,” Ahmed said the local government believed Kurds only made up 2.3% of the county’s population. She thinks it’s more.

A lot was at stake, she told one mosque.

“If we don’t prove our real percentage in El Cajon,” the translation reads, “they will not provide us any services.”

Services like English as a second language and citizenship classes, or more funding for women’s shelters, said “Baghdad, California” co-director Rahmah Pauzi.

“These resources are not given to them because they simply, on paper, do not exist,” Pauzi said. “But on paper, those who exist are the ones with power, the ones with money.”

Census numbers don’t just determine how the government allocates resources and funding, but also where they draw political districts — lines that determine whether minority communities can elect someone who represents them.

The documentary says El Cajon’s City Council has never included a woman of color.

Ahmed was trying to change that. But COVID-19 interrupted the 2020 census.

Reports say minorities were even more undercounted than they were in 2010.

The city council said El Cajon’s demographics didn’t change enough. It kept its old political map.

The events take place years ago, but co-director Diego Lynch said the documentary is just as relevant this November.

“It’s not just a film about the systems the Iraqi-Americans are captured in. It's about the system of American democracy and the challenges we all face to, you know, have our voices matter,” he said.

The documentary will have two screenings:

The El Cajon Elks Lodge Car Show is raising its antlers high and proud in 2024!

Hosting the automotive event is its namesake organization. And it’s happening at the club’s home base.

All types of cool Southern California cars display. Bringing out everything from sweet custom rides originally manufactured decades ago. To brand new wheels that have recently rolled off the assembly lines.

You don’t have to be a member to join in the fun. But you can definitely learn about the organization. While enjoying a full tank of cool car camaraderie!

Furthermore this is family-friendly fun for all. So swing by and show off your wheels. Or just stop by and enjoy the show!

El Cajon Elks Lodge Car Show - San Diego County, California

Location: El Cajon Elks Lodge 1400 East Washington Avenue, El Cajon, California 92019Starts: 8:00 AMEnds: 2:00 PMAdmission: FreeVehicle Registration: HERE

*Please note: iDriveSoCal is not hosting this car show. To learn more contact El Cajon Elks Lodge Car Show organizers HERE . Including details about attending and displaying your car. Also about becoming a car meet vendor or sponsor.

Additionally, for more of the best Southern California automotive events click HERE .

First-timer? Review our Ultimate Guide to Cars And Coffee events and roll like a pro!

And, ever wonder how cars and coffee events got started? Check out this podcast on The History Of Cars And Coffee !

Have a car show, automotive event or car meet you think we should post? Submit HERE .

Never miss another cool SoCal Car Show! Sign up for our newsletter HERE .

Measure J: El Cajon sales tax increase

If approved by voters, the measure would extend a half-cent sales tax currently set to expire in 2028. If the measure continues, the tax would not sunset until April of 2049. If the renewal is approved, an oversight committee comprised of residents, along with people selected by the San Diego Taxpayers Association and a local business advocacy group will be appointed.

Prefer listening? Hear the full breakdown of the measures

The El Cajon City Council voted unanimously in August to put Measure J on the November ballot.

The tax raises more than $13 million annually for El Cajon’s general fund. The city says at least 75% of those funds support the city’s public safety operations. If Measure J is rejected, the El Cajon city manager says the city would have to make significant budget cuts, affecting firefighters and paramedics, police officers, street maintenance, and stormwater and sewage needs.

Supporters

Carl DeMaio’s Reform California political organization says there are no provisions to ensure city leaders will spend the revenue generated by the tax extension on public safety and infrastructure needs.

Opponents

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Measure L: La Mesa sales tax measure

Voters will be asked to extend the city’s three-quarter-cent sales tax. The city says the $12 million the tax raises annually funds public safety, along with city infrastructure including streets, sidewalks, parks and storm drains.

The La Mesa City Council voted in July to put Measure L on the November ballot. Without a voter-approved extension, the current sales tax will expire in 2029.

La Mesa Mayor Mark Arapostathis said, “Supporting the renewal of this sales tax to maintain high-quality services for our community (is) a clear choice.” He also said, “Extending this measure ensures that we can uphold the standards our residents rely on and invest in the future well-being of our city.”

The measure also has strong support from La Mesa’s two biggest public safety unions. The Firefighters Union says if it is not extended, the city will need to make significant reductions to public safety services and maintenance of local streets, sidewalks, parks, storm drains and other infrastructure.

It is also supported by the San Diego County Taxpayers Association (SDCTA). The SDCTA says the city has demonstrated a need for the funds in outlined long-term plans.

Supporters

Carl DeMaio’s Reform California organization says that funds from the tax would not be earmarked for public safety or city infrastructure needs. Reform California says money from the sales tax extension would instead go to cover salary hikes and “bloated” public pensions.

Opponents

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Measure T: Lemon Grove sales tax measure

Measure T, also known as the Lemon Grove General Revenue Tax, would raise the sales tax in the city by one cent. The city says it needs the revenue to fix potholes, repair storm drains and improve the safety and quality of life in Lemon Grove.

The city says it needs the revenue the measure would raise for several reasons. It says its storm drains are now 50 or more years old and they are starting to fail. The city says that has cascading effects, leading to damage done to city streets, sinkholes and flooding. The city also says it needs the money to ensure rapid response to 911 emergencies.

The San Diego County Taxpayers Association supports the tax increase because of its "commitment to transparency, fiscal accountability, sustainability and the inclusion of a sunset clause. The measure addresses crucial infrastructure needs that cannot be met without the implementation of Measure L."

Supporters

Carl DeMaio’s Reform California organization claims that the measure would not require the city to spend the revenues raised on the services it promises. Instead, the organization charges that the revenue would be directed toward raises for city workers and what it calls overly generous pension payouts.

Opponents

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Measure S: Santee sales tax measure

Under Measure S, the sales tax in Santee would increase by half a percent, from 7.75% to 8.25%. It would sunset in 15 years.

The city says the funds are needed to renovate an existing firehouse, as well as to build and staff two new facilities at an estimated cost of $55.5 million.

The measure stipulates that the council will appoint seven members to an oversight committee that would meet twice a year to review revenues and publish a public audit.

Measure S is a citizen's initiative. Over 6,000 signatures were gathered to place the measure on the November ballot.

Proponents of the measure point out that Santee has not added a fire station since 1964. They say a "yes" vote on Measure S will address issues identified in the 2023 Santee Community Risk Assessment. Supporters say that, along with renovations to the existing facility and new construction, the money generated from the tax would fund six additional full-time firefighters/paramedics. They say it will bring 90% of Santee within a 4-minute response time, which is the national standard. They also argue that approval of the measure could actually save Santee money by reducing potential insurance premiums.

The Santee Firefighters Association, which cites the need for renovations to the existing firehouse along with the addition and staffing of the new facilities, supports Measure S.

Supporters

The San Diego County Taxpayers Association says Measure S engages in "ballot-box budgeting" — a practice the association calls dangerous for the provision of any public good or service. The association also expresses concern that the measure only partially funds the fire protection needs analyzed by the city years ago. Finally, the association raises concerns about support from the Santee Firefighters Association, arguing that the measure would directly benefit firefighters.

Opponents

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EL CAJON, CA - CPP (Community Preservation Partners), a mission-driven affordable housing preservation developer, has announced the acquisition and planned renovation of Lexington Green Apartments, an affordable housing complex in El Cajon, Calif. CPP partnered with co-developer The Hampstead Companies on the deal. This is the second community in El Cajon for CPP, joining Park Villa Apartments.

Lexington Green Apartments is located in a primarily residential neighborhood two miles east of downtown El Cajon, which sits 17 miles east of downtown San Diego. Originally built in 1970, the property last underwent a tax credit renovation in 2007, which replaced some, but not all, original building systems. The property consists of 144 units, spread across 12 two-story residential buildings. CPP’s total development investment is approximately $80,000,000, which includes the purchase price of $52,880,000 and estimated renovation costs exceeding $80,000 per unit.

“Lexington Green Apartments aligns with one of CPP's core philosophies of strengthening cornerstone communities in the neighborhood while extending the affordability of the community,” said Evan Cramer, Assistant Development Manager at CPP. “We hope to accentuate the feeling of pride that Lexington Green's residents have for their community while providing the physical upgrades necessary to ensure the property remains a prominent piece of the community for many years to come.”

The renovation will exceed the 10% energy savings requirement from the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee (CTCAC) through the replacement of all windows with energy efficient vinyl retrofit windows, water heaters, Energy Star appliances, and energy efficient LED light fixtures.

“At Lexington Green, incorporating green, energy-saving appliances and fixtures allows us to weave sustainability into the residents’ daily lives and helps further our goal to create a more sustainable future,” John Fraser, Vice President CPP – East.

Additional upgrades will include dryrot repairs, flooring replacement, new cabinets and countertops. ADA-complaint upgrades will be made for units and path of travel throughout the property.

CPP and The Hampstead Companies are partnering with LifeSTEPS to provide instructor-led adult educational classes including financial literacy, computer training, resume building, nutrition, exercise, parenting, and more. LifeSTEPS will also provide individualized health and wellness services and programs such as crisis intervention, practical counseling and emotional support, physical and mental health assessments.

Renovations are expected to be complete by August 2025. With CPP's involvement, the property’s previously expired affordability status will be extended until 2044 under a renewed Section-8 Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract.

Additional partners on the project include the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee (CTCAC) and California Debt Limit Allocation Committee, who issued and allocated 4% LIHTC and Tax-Exempt Bonds, WNC & Associates, and Ready Capital.

Source: Community Preservation Partners