🌱 Fire at El Cajon care home forces over 100 residents to evacuate

Hello El Cajon! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☀️

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In today's newsletter:

• Fire at El Cajon care home forces over 100 residents to evacuate
• How your El Cajon pet photos can help 40,000 animals
• El Cajon mourns the passing of longtime resident Edmond LeRoy Forth

Today's riddle: What is the astronaut’s favorite meal? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: Mostly sunny and very warm, with a high of 91 and low of 66 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
• Wednesday: Mostly sunny and hot, temps: high: 98, low: 69.
• Thursday: Mostly sunny and very warm, with a high of 93 and low of 67 degrees.

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📰 News we're reading

• Fire Forces Evacuations at El Cajon Assisted Living Center (santeepulse.com) — An early-morning kitchen fire at Carroll’s Residential Care on Mollison Avenue in El Cajon forced more than 100 residents and dozens of staff to evacuate, though no injuries were reported. Firefighters from multiple agencies quickly knocked down the blaze, but mobility and medical needs made the evacuation difficult. Officials say the incident should prompt East County families to ask care homes about emergency plans.
   

• Think your pet is the cutest? San Diego Humane Society launches annual photo contest. (sandiegouniontribune.com subscription) — El Cajon pet lovers can support the local San Diego Humane Society campus by entering their animals in a photo fundraiser that helps care for more than 40,000 animals across the region. Entries cost $25, votes are $1 each, and top winners can land calendar features, resort stays, and gala tickets while ensuring more animals receive rescue, medical care, and rehabilitation.
   

• Edmond LeRoy Forth, 91 of El Cajon, CA, formerly of Marseilles (1430wcmy.com) — El Cajon is home to the late Edmond LeRoy Forth, 91, a devoted family man and Army veteran who passed away January 3 at Sharp Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa. Though services and burial will be held later this month in Illinois, local friends and relatives in East County are remembering his years as a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His life spanned military service, small business ownership, and deep Christian faith.
   

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📸 Around El Cajon

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📣 El Cajon Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Tuesday July 14

• First Year Orientation
  California State University San Marcos CSUSM
  8:00 am
• Summer Teaching Institute 2026
  California State University San Marcos KEL 2413
  9:00 am
• San Carlos Youth Chess
  San Carlos Branch Library 7265 Jackson Drive, San Diego, CA, 92119, US
  5:00 pm
• Taco Tuesday Trivia
  San Diego Elks Lodge #168 7430 Jackson Dr, San Diego, CA 92119
  6:00 pm
• Comedy Night at BNS Brewing →
  BNS Brewing and Distillery., 10960 Wheatlands Ave, Santee
  7:00 pm

Wednesday July 15

• Mind/Body Fitness for Older Adults
  San Carlos Branch Library 7265 Jackson Drive, San Diego, CA, 92119, US
  10:00 am
• Community Police Oversight Board Meeting →
  City of La Mesa - La Mesa Police Department Community Room 8085 University Avenue La Mesa CA 91942
  4:00 pm

Thursday July 16

• VANC Board Meeting
  Veterans Association of North County 1617 Mission Ave, Oceanside, CA 92058
  10:00 am
• Storytime for Toddlers & Preschoolers
  San Carlos Branch Library 7265 Jackson Drive, San Diego, CA, 92119, US
  10:30 am
• Gold Star Spouses
  Veterans Association of North County 1617 Mission Ave, Oceanside, CA 92058
  11:00 am
• Craft Circle
  San Carlos Branch Library 7265 Jackson Drive, San Diego, CA, 92119, US
  2:00 pm

Friday July 17

• Mess Night CRR Medlog →
  Veterans Association of North County 1617 Mission Ave, Oceanside, CA 92058
  5:00 pm

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

• Good Morning to All on this Monday.
  Wishes from the hearts I meet, blow through the breeze I feel, but if I try to capture the desire, I can’t always tell which are real. Dreams sent… (Nextdoor Granite Hills)
• Please share & repost to help reunite this lost cat!
  Deva was LOST on July 7, 2026 in El Cajon, CA 92021 near Near royal rd El Cajon ca Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to contact… (Nextdoor North Central)

• Merry Maids posted a job opening for Housekeeper/House Cleaner/Maid No Nights M-F in El Cajon. Apply here.
• Finish Line, Inc. posted a job opening for Store Management - Parkway Plaza, El Cajon, CA in El Cajon. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near El Cajon here.

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🗞 Nearby News

Rancho San Diego

• For artist Renée Richetts, art heals mind, body and soul (sandiegouniontribune.com)

Santee

• Santee residents to decide on one-cent sales tax in November (sandiegouniontribune.com)

La Mesa

• Newly Renovated Community in La Mesa - 3603 King St E La Mesa CA (1 units available) (zillow.com)
• La Mesa Vegan Restaurant Announces Closure as Shopping Center Undergoes Redevelopment (whatnow.com)
• City Council Agenda: Regulating short-term rentals, $2 million bond savings, playground upgrades, and more (lamesatimes.com)

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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: Launch (Thank you Lee S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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