🌱 What El Cajon’s proposed budget cuts could mean for your safety services
El Cajon, California Patch AM: a 5 min readCoffee in hand, El Cajon? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- What El Cajon’s proposed budget cuts could mean for your safety services
- What does this $31.5M sale mean for Parkway Plaza’s future?
- How a local golf tournament turned swings into $100,000 for charities
Also on today's calendar: Pitapalooza.
Today's riddle: What do sweet potatoes wear to bed? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Friday: Partly sunny and warm, with a high of 86 and low of 63 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Saturday: Areas of low clouds, then sun, temps: high: 85, low: 62.
- Sunday: Areas of low clouds, then sun, with a high of 85 and low of 62 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. CA Firefighters Raise Alarm over Budget Cuts (firefighternation.com) — El Cajon officials are weighing a new budget that would cut about $2.5 million, potentially reallocating firefighters from Station 6, closing the city’s crime lab, and trimming projects to close a persistent shortfall. Firefighters, crime lab staff, and some councilmembers warn these moves could strain emergency response and public safety, while leaders debate using more reserves or finding new revenue. 
2. Grocery retail center adjacent to Parkway Plaza sold for $31.5 million as city pushes to acquire mall (sandiegouniontribune.com) — A major shopping center next to Parkway Plaza in El Cajon has sold for $31.5 million, even as the city pursues a long-term plan to revitalize and possibly acquire the mall itself. City officials say the sale included a boundary adjustment but aren’t yet explaining how, or if, this deal fits into broader plans for new housing, shopping, and transit access.
3. Sycuan Cup Raises $100K for Charities (indiangaming.com) — A long-running Sycuan Cup golf tournament at Singing Hills Golf Club in El Cajon just delivered $100,000 to four local nonprofits, including East County Transitional Living Center and St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center. Tribal leaders, sponsors, and charities gathered for two days of golf, presentations, and community-building focused on supporting environmental, safety, disability, and social service programs across San Diego County.
4. How a California tribal college is opening doors for Native students (valleywidenewspaper.com) — Native students in California are finding culturally grounded higher education at tribal colleges, including Kumeyaay Community College located near El Cajon. A newly accredited tribal college in Palm Desert and proposed state legislation could strengthen funding, transfer options, and recognition for these institutions, aiming to improve graduation rates and open more academic and career pathways for Indigenous students statewide.
5. Ahead of expected transit fare hikes, MTS agrees to freeze fares for many low-income riders (sandiegouniontribune.com) — San Diego’s transit board has approved freezing fares for riders on CalFresh, CalWORKs, or Medi-Cal, even as broader bus and trolley fare hikes move forward to close budget gaps. El Cajon Councilmember Steve Goble opposed the last-minute freeze, warning of unknown financial impacts, while other board members argued it’s needed to shield low-income riders who depend on transit.
📸 Around El Cajon
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🗓
Upcoming Events in
El Cajon
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
-
Rip Carson and the Carcinogenics at Grand Ole BBQ →
Grand Ole BBQ Flinn Springs, 15505 Olde Hwy 80, El Cajon
5:00 pm
Saturday June 13
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
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Pitapalooza →
el Cajon Elks, 1400 E Washington Ave, El Cajon
5:00 pm
Saturday June 13
📣 El Cajon Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
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Summer Teaching Institute 2026
California State University San Marcos KEL 2413
9:00 am -
World Cup: USA’s First Game →
The Hills Pub, 8758 La Mesa Blvd, La Mesa
11:00 am -
Car Show Prep parking lot
Veterans Association of North County 1617 Mission Ave, Oceanside, CA 92058
2:00 pm -
La Mesa | FREE DEMO CLASS →
Wagner's School of Music, 8060 La Mesa Blvd, La Mesa
4:00 pm -
Friday Dinner
San Diego Elks Lodge #168 7430 Jackson Dr, San Diego, CA 92119
5:00 pm -
Groove DanceFloor™ →
Blossom & Bloom Creative Arts, 7400 El Cajon Blvd Suite 101-102, La Mesa
6:00 pm -
Clue: The Play →
Theatre for Young Professionals, 7960 University Ave Suite 240, La Mesa
7:00 pm -
LIVE MUSIC - Big Sky Moon →
BNS Brewing and Distillery., 10960 Wheatlands Ave, Santee
7:00 pm -
Movies in The Park Series →
Harry Griffen Park, 9550 Milden St, La Mesa
7:30 pm -
VANC 8th ANNUAL CAR SHOW
Veterans Association of North County 1617 Mission Ave, Oceanside, CA 92058
Friday June 12
Saturday June 13
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Please share & repost to help reunite this lost dog!
this pet was LOST on June 9, 2026 in El Cajon, CA 92020 near Swift lane and Bradley Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to… (Nextdoor North Central) - My cousin found a Frenchie in the Fletcher hills area.
If you know of someone who lost this dog, message me! She’s eager to get back to their owner. (Nextdoor Fletcher Hills)
- Pirate Staffing posted a job opening for Sanitation worker in El Cajon. Apply here.
- Dehesa Elementary School District posted a job opening for Substitute School Administrative Assistant in El Cajon. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near El Cajon here.
Ok El Cajon! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Yammies! (Thank you Lynda S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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