Skip to main content

Stay in the loop with what's happening in El Cajon

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.

🌱 El Cajon man killed in late-night I-8 chain-reaction crash

El Cajon, California Patch AM: a 5 min read

Good day El Cajon! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • El Cajon man killed in late-night I-8 chain-reaction crash
  • Why hundreds of rescued animals just arrived at El Cajon’s shelter
  • Why El Cajon is suing California over immigration sanctuary limits

Also on today's calendar: Where the Heart Belongs and 3 more events.

Today's riddle: Knock-knock! Who’s there? Irish. Irish who? 🤔 (Answer below!)


Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Partly sunny with a shower, with a high of 69 and low of 52 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny and comfortable, temps: high: 74, low: 52.
  • Thursday: Sunny to partly cloudy, with a high of 80 and low of 57 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Multi-Vehicle collision on I-8 in La Mesa leaves El Cajon Man dead (eastcountymagazine.org) — A 28-year-old El Cajon man died after his pickup struck a semi on eastbound I-8 in La Mesa early Saturday, triggering a chain-reaction crash that also injured two other El Cajon residents. CHP investigators say speed was a factor as they continue probing the cause, while officials urge local drivers to slow down and stay alert on the freeway.
   

2. Humane Society, caring for hundreds of rescued animals, had to euthanize a few in poor condition (sandiegouniontribune.com) — Hundreds of rescued animals from a troubled Julian sanctuary are now being cared for at the San Diego Humane Society, including many cats brought to its El Cajon campus. While several severely ill animals were humanely euthanized, veterinarians and staff are treating the rest, investigating possible neglect, and working to reunite former owners with their animals as the criminal probe continues.
   

3. Border Report: Mexico's Dirtiest Beaches (voiceofsandiego.org) — Border pollution concerns in Tijuana and Rosarito matter locally because they affect shared coastal waters, and the roundup also notes El Cajon’s lawsuit challenging California’s limits on local police cooperation with federal immigration agents. The piece highlights contaminated Mexican beaches, cross-border infrastructure efforts, and several immigration and law-enforcement developments that shape the broader region El Cajon residents live in.
   

4. 14-year-old killed, pedestrian injured in crash near Cowles Mountain (eastcountymagazine.org) — El Cajon Fire Department crews were among the responders to a deadly crash Sunday on Navajo Road near Cowles Mountain, where a car jumped the curb, hit a pedestrian, and struck a tree. A 14-year-old passenger died at the scene, the driver was injured, and an 18-year-old pedestrian suffered a concussion as San Diego police continue investigating the cause.
   


📸 Around El Cajon

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!


🗓 Upcoming Events in El Cajon

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Featured events

Want to see your event featured? Click here!


Other local events

📣 El Cajon Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!


🗓 Events Nearby

    Tuesday May 5
  • Foster Care Awareness Month
    California State University San Marcos ADM RTNDA PLAZA
    11:00 am
  • Mexican-inspired Lunch for Cinco De Mayo
    California State University San Marcos CAMPUS WAY CAFE
    11:00 am
  • U Hour with Frank: Paws & Relax
    California State University San Marcos Epstein Family Veterans Center
    11:45 am
  • Chow on Deck: ASI Semester End Celebration
    California State University San Marcos Epstein Family Veterans Center Deck
    12:00 pm
  • Research Seminar Series
    California State University San Marcos ACD 102
    12:00 pm
  • Historical Preservation Commission
    City Manager's Conference Room, 8130 Allison Ave, La Mesa
    5:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.


 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making El Cajon PatchAM possible:

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.


🪧 Patch Classifieds

  • Trusted Since 2002 | Free Concrete Driveway Estimates San Diego County
    Trusted Since 2002 | #1 Concrete Driveway Specialists San Diego County... (More info)

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Please share & repost to help reunite this stray dog!
    FOUND on May 3, 2026 in El Cajon, CA 92021 near Near e main st Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to contact the finder, view… (Nextdoor North Central)
  • 5 individuals hooded- driving around in a blue dark Ford flex are up to no good.
    They are scooping houses. They ran up towards myhouse and threw eggs towards me and hit my car. BEWARE!! (Nextdoor Bel Air Estates)
  • Oremor Automotive Group posted a job opening for Lot Valet - Porter in El Cajon. Apply here.
  • Zumiez Inc. posted a job opening for _1st Assistant Manager 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: Irish you a happy St. Patrick’s Day! (Thank you Eileen C. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!


👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.


Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Support These Local Businesses

+ List My Business

Stay in the loop with what's happening in El Cajon

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.

Stay in the loop with what's happening in El Cajon

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.