It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Olaf Wieghorst Museum Western Heritage Center gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in El Cajon, CA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Martesha has always been in a good mood and pleasant while providing her services to”
“I have been with Always Best Care for about 2 years, caring for my 86”
“I am very proud to Belong to Always Best Care Senior Services ❤️ Because”
“Great company. The staff is amazing and helpful. I was a caregiver for my husband”
“My name is Gabriela, I have been with Always Best Care for seven years and”
“I been working with always best care for a year now, let me just say”
“My experience with the clients with them have been great.Plus they have a very flexible”
“Hi, my name is Janett .. Working at Always Best Care has been the best experience”
“I'm a caregiver with Always Best Care. I've work for the agency since early April”
“My name is Haley Maddox and I’ve been with Always Best Care for a few”
“So grateful to be apart of this wonderful community of people, it is such a”
“Have really enjoyed working for Always Best Care !”
“Chelsea from the day she manager has been sweet and wonderful, making sure my schedule”
“This is Gloria Brown and Ive been with always best care for some years. Its”
“Aida Gomez is truly an Angel in disguise She is patient with me & attend to”
“For me it is a honor to be part of this company called ALWAYS BEST”
“Always Best Care has been and continues to be a great working environment. The flexibility”
“I have a great experience, flexible hours, great place to work.”
“This is a great place to work, great environment there is very nice staff a”
“Always best care provides an excellent service as a caregiver. They care about the staff”
“Ophelia Carter is the best thing that ever happened to Bobby Wigley. She has a”
“Honestly this is a great company to work for. The owners really care about what”
“Just wanted you to know that we moved Beth into Pacific Pointe last weekend. All”
“Ethan Kim was extremely helpful in assisting us set up in home care support. His”
“Ethan Kim of Always Best Senior Services helped me find a place for my husband”
“Martesha has always been in a good mood and pleasant while providing her services to me. She goes beyond what has been asked to do both physically and mentally. Her attitude is always positive and encouraging me in my recovery. She is an excellent companion and helpful to me. She is morally fit and encouraging I can’t thank you enough. ABC thank you for providing services”
“I have been with Always Best Care for about 2 years, caring for my 86 year old father. Although I am his main caregiver, I still need help. My dad has 2 caregivers assigned to him which allows me to still keep my job. Dawn, his daily caregiver, goes that extra mile. Treating my dad as if it was her father. And Martesha, a newer caregiver for my dad, knew just what to do. And with a little background about my father, she didn't need much prompting ABC is so thoughtful and really shows their employees and client's how much they are appreciated.”
“I am very proud to Belong to Always Best Care Senior Services ❤️ Because is a Company which really care about of their clients and their team workers”
“Great company. The staff is amazing and helpful. I was a caregiver for my husband and they help with training and were always pampering me with gift cards, birthday cards, Raffles. It felt just like a hug in this road”
“My name is Gabriela, I have been with Always Best Care for seven years and I have to say, it's really a great company to work for. The owners and manager are very professional, attentive, kind and flexible. As a caregiver is important that my client's needs are met and that we are a good match, and ABC does this perfectly. It's been a rewarding experience, taking care of my clients and Always Best Care has a huge heart towards people in need of care. Thank you ABC”
“I been working with always best care for a year now, let me just say how wonderful it has been to work for such an amazing company that not only cares for their clients but also their employees. If you are looking for a job as a caregiver I would highly recommend always best care!”
“My experience with the clients with them have been great.Plus they have a very flexible hours.”
“Hi, my name is Janett .. Working at Always Best Care has been the best experience of my life, from the day I went to apply for the job as a caregiver I felt very humbled. Im happy working at ABC and I hope to continue working for many years.. "❤️"”
“I'm a caregiver with Always Best Care. I've work for the agency since early April 2023. My experience has been fun, challenging at times but very rewarding. My clients are very nice. It is a great place to work. Management and administration are very communicative and attentive. They always address any concerns I have whether it is schedule issue, a client issue, or a special request. I love working for ABC. I highly recommend our company for any prospective or experienced caregivers. ????”
“My name is Haley Maddox and I’ve been with Always Best Care for a few months now and I would just like to say I absolutely LOVE and appreciate the company because they are always willing to work with you and your schedule to fit your personal life as well. Not only that but they make sure you know it’s ok to report any and every kind of complications at work and they always encourage you to ask questions and I like that a lot because not many jobs give you that comfortable feeling that YOU matter too. Thank you to ALWAYS BEST CARE for taking great care of not just their clients but their employees as well!❤️”
“So grateful to be apart of this wonderful community of people, it is such a great company! My clients treat me as I am their family and I truly take great pride in being able to care for them.”
“Have really enjoyed working for Always Best Care !”
“Chelsea from the day she manager has been sweet and wonderful, making sure my schedule which is very complicated was met. She is a blessing to me”
“This is Gloria Brown and Ive been with always best care for some years. Its always been a great company to work for, but it even got better when Chelsea became the manager. With my super busy schedule she's alway been able to accommodate me, witch is not easy. It has been a blessing having her in my life. I've never worked for a company that shows appreciation and rewards us often. It feels wonderful to be appreciated. Thank you.”
“Aida Gomez is truly an Angel in disguise She is patient with me & attend to all my needs as a caregiver.. Her appearance & personality is awesome!!????. Am very pleased with Aida. I love her flexibility.”
“For me it is a honor to be part of this company called ALWAYS BEST CARE . From the first moment they always treated me with great respect , always worried about what I need . For me , my clients are part of my family, they are people who needs heard,respected and loved♥️I feel very blessed to be their caregiver ????.. Thank you very much for allowing me to be part of your beautiful company ????”
“Always Best Care has been and continues to be a great working environment. The flexibility in my schedule has made it one of the most beneficial advantages working here. I have had the pleasure to have such great clients that have been very compatible both ways. Overall working at Always Best Care is and continues to be a great, flexible, compatible, understanding environment. Thank you Always Best Care”
“I have a great experience, flexible hours, great place to work.”
“This is a great place to work, great environment there is very nice staff a job you can call home and care about are clients.”
“Always best care provides an excellent service as a caregiver. They care about the staff and the patient needs. The Leadership team are very compassion because they have a good level of communication and it also wants to do the right things.”
“Ophelia Carter is the best thing that ever happened to Bobby Wigley. She has a lot of patience and she is so good for him. She manages to do everything in a timely manner for him. She's amazing. I don't know how much money she makes but she deserves more. Thank you”
“Honestly this is a great company to work for. The owners really care about what they do and it's really refreshing for a change. It's been a blessing to be apart of the family. I look forward to continue my journey with them and helping seniors in our community!”
“Just wanted you to know that we moved Beth into Pacific Pointe last weekend. All is going well and I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to show me this place.”
“Ethan Kim was extremely helpful in assisting us set up in home care support. His staff was very friendly and made my mother comfortable. Ethan was always available to answer questions and was quick to provide substitute support when needed. Would highly recommend this company for senior care.”
“Ethan Kim of Always Best Senior Services helped me find a place for my husband to recuperate after surgery for a broken femur and extensive surgery. He took me to see three places. I was able to choose one and I am very happy with my choice. I know I wouldn’t be able to accomplish this on my own. Very grateful for his service.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Bill Beck Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Rodizio Grill Brazilian Steakhouse San Diego or visit Knox House Museum, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in El Cajon, CA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in El Cajon, CA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in El Cajon, CA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
A former manager of an El Cajon company pleaded guilty Wednesday to hiring undocumented workers, the culmination of a federal investigation that included an undercover agent and an armed raid at the powder coating and sandblasting company earlier this year.John Washburn, the former general manager of San Diego Powder & Protective Coatings, was sentenced to one year of unsupervised release but will do no jail time as part of a plea agreement, according to court records.Washburn, who had been originally charged with a felony,...
A former manager of an El Cajon company pleaded guilty Wednesday to hiring undocumented workers, the culmination of a federal investigation that included an undercover agent and an armed raid at the powder coating and sandblasting company earlier this year.
John Washburn, the former general manager of San Diego Powder & Protective Coatings, was sentenced to one year of unsupervised release but will do no jail time as part of a plea agreement, according to court records.
Washburn, who had been originally charged with a felony, pleaded guilty Wednesday to one misdemeanor count of hiring undocumented workers.
The sentencing comes after armed federal agents raided the El Cajon business in March, a decision that Washburn’s attorney said had no purpose other than to “terrorize the community.”
“This was not to enforce some immigration laws,” said Patrick Griffin, Washburn’s attorney. “It was to do so in a manner to send a chilling effect to the community.”
Griffin criticized the decision by federal authorities to pursue charges against Washburn, and said the federal authorities used an unnecessary amount of resources to investigate the case, and then raid the El Cajon business.
“It’s a monumental waste of resources for this,” he said.
As part of the plea agreement, Washburn admitted that he had communicated with other managers at the company about employees who had “bad paperwork,” meaning they did not have valid documents proving they were allowed to work in the U.S., according to a statement from the U.S. attorney’s office.
According to the initial complaint filed against Washburn, the investigation included an undocumented worker who cooperated with federal agents who recorded audio and video inside the company, and an undercover agent who posed as a worker lacking proper documentation.
According to the complaint, the immigrant worker who was cooperating with federal agents was two or three weeks away from obtaining legal immigration status, but had been working at the company under a fake name.
In one recording captured by the worker, Washburn indicated he was aware that several workers did not have the documentation to work in the U.S.
When one worker asked about bringing in a friend looking for work, Washburn reportedly said, “As long as you can show me something, I don’t care,” according to the complaint.
But Griffin said federal authorities seemed to target Washburn simply because he was the employee who spoke to the worker who cooperated with officials.
“[Washburn] is just a paid employee,” Griffin said. “They’re prosecuting a manager, someone who is just punching a clock for doing what he’s told and doing his job.”
Court documents indicate that the company, San Diego Powder & Protective Coatings, often worked with military agencies as a subcontractor, including at the time of the raid in March.
Jeremy Warren, an attorney representing San Diego Powder & Protective Coatings, said the company completed a review of its hiring practices after the March raid.
“This incident sparked SDPPC to review its policies and adopt best practices in hiring and training employees,” Warren said. “All current employees are authorized workers.”
Warren said before the raid, all employees for the company were receiving the same benefits, accrued personal time off, and had taxes withheld.
According to the complaint, three workers believed to be undocumented were also living at the company building, where a conference room had been converted into living quarters with cots, a television, small refrigerator, microwave and rack of clothes.
Workers interviewed by federal agents said they had been allowed to stay in the conference room and were not being charged rent.
The March operation in El Cajon came several weeks before a visible escalation of operations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement across Southern California. The ICE raids and detentions of the past few weeks seemingly focused on detaining and deporting unauthorized immigrants and have apparently not targeted employers such as Washburn.
Masked ICE agents have been reported across the region, executing raids at car washes, Home Depot parking lots, near schools, in busy immigrant communities and most recently near Dodger Stadium. The raids sparked days of protests and arrests across Southern California.
Last week, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said immigration agents had taken 330 immigrants into custody in Los Angeles and surrounding areas since the operations began in June.
According to the complaint filed against Washburn, about 50 people were working at the company at the time, and about 15 of them appeared to lack legal authority to work in the U.S.
ICE officials did not immediately respond to questions about the status of the unauthorized workers who were identified in the March operation.
The fire was reported around 1 p.m. on Thursday near Jamacha Road and State Route 54.SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — Fire crews battled a brush fire that burned in El Cajon near State Routes 54 and 94 on Thursday. The fire sent large plumes of smoke into the air that could be seen nearby.San Miguel Fire crews are along the 2800 block of Jamacha Road.CalFire has built a list of things to hav...
The fire was reported around 1 p.m. on Thursday near Jamacha Road and State Route 54.
SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — Fire crews battled a brush fire that burned in El Cajon near State Routes 54 and 94 on Thursday. The fire sent large plumes of smoke into the air that could be seen nearby.
San Miguel Fire crews are along the 2800 block of Jamacha Road.
CalFire has built a list of things to have ready in case you and your family are evacuated during any wildfire or disaster.
Ensure your wildfire ‘Go Bag’ includes:
Always have sturdy shoes and a flashlight near your bed, ready for sudden night evacuations.
If time allows, consider adding:
When wildfires break out across San Diego County, emergency officials use technical terms like "containment" and "forward rate of spread" that can confuse residents trying to understand the threat level. CBS 8 visited CAL FIRE headquarters and spoke with Cal Fire Captain Robert Johnson to decode the terminology that could help residents better assess their safety during wildfire emergencies.
Contained:
Johnson said "contained" means the fire is surrounded by barriers — either fire lines built by crews or natural breaks like roads, lakes and ridges.
When officials report a fire is "25% contained," barriers surround a quarter of the fire's perimeter. But Johnson warns that doesn't mean the fire is 25% extinguished.
"If you have 25% containment, 50% containment, it doesn't mean that we're out of the woods yet. It doesn't mean we're safe. It doesn't mean the fire is completely extinguished, so there still are hot spots that tend to be burning within the perimeter," Johnson said.
The forward rate of spread has been stopped:
Containment percentages can remain static while a fire continues growing, depending on whether the "forward rate of spread has stopped."
"The fire activity has been reduced, and the fire is not actively growing in size. This does not mean the fire is contained or controlled. It just means that the predominant active side of the fire is not actively growing," Johnson explained.
Controlled:
A "controlled" fire means 100% containment with flames extinguished and fuel cleared, though crews continue monitoring for hot spots.
"Once those hot spots are extinguished and safe, then the incident commander may say the fire is now under control," Johnson said.
Out:
Finally, "out" means no hot spots or smoke remain.
"Once a fire has 100% containment lines around the perimeter of the fire and all the hot spots within the fire's perimeter have been extinguished and the fire is controlled, now the fire is considered to be out," Johnson said.
Evacuation orders, warnings:
WATCH RELATED: How to know when it's time to go during a wildfire:
Santa Ana Winds occur when air from the desert region blows westward toward the California coast. This results in dry air that flows est to west over the mountains and towards the valleys and coast of Southern California. Santa Ana winds typically feel warm because as the cool desert air moves down the side of the mountain, it is compressed, which causes the temperature of the air to rise. We tend to see relative humidity plummet and temperatures soar during offshore wind events like this.
These winds create high fire conditions not only for a fire to start but offshore, Santa Ana winds are the perfect fan needed to allow a fire to explode in size once it starts.
The water year restarts every year on October 1 and measures the rain totals for the season through the following September. When rain totals are below average, the vegetation that once was green turns brown and dry and can serve as fuel for wildfires. The saturated ground can help mitigate fire risk substantially, but the opposite tends to elevate our fire risk. The sooner and more frequently we see substantial rainfall, the lower our risk of a wildfire starting and spreading rapidly.
When a region is in critical fire danger, power companies tend to shut off power in pre-planned ways in order to prevent electrical equipment from sparking or starting fires. It is also because electric consumption tends to climb with warmer temperatures (usually thanks to A/C needs) and can lead to overall stress on the power grid. When you combine the risk of fire with planned power shut-offs, many school districts will close. Schools can also be used as monitoring sites for fire crews in the event of a fire starting.
July 20, 2025The Eclipse channel on YouTube has uploaded video of QUEENSRŸCHE's July 18 concert at Sycuan Casino Resort in El Cajon, California. Check out the clips in the YouTube playlist below. (Note: After each song, the YouTube player automatically jumps to the next song in the playlist.)According to Setlist.fm, the setlist for the show was as follows:01. Queen Of The Reich02. Operation...
July 20, 2025
The Eclipse channel on YouTube has uploaded video of QUEENSRŸCHE's July 18 concert at Sycuan Casino Resort in El Cajon, California. Check out the clips in the YouTube playlist below. (Note: After each song, the YouTube player automatically jumps to the next song in the playlist.)
According to Setlist.fm, the setlist for the show was as follows:
01. Queen Of The Reich02. Operation: Mindcrime03. Walk In The Shadows04. The Lady Wore Black05. Breaking The Silence06. I Don't Believe In Love07. The Mission08. Warning09. Behind The Walls10. Take Hold Of The Flame11. Silent Lucidity12. Jet City Woman13. Screaming In Digital
Encore:
14. Empire15. Eyes Of A Stranger
Earlier in the month, QUEENSRŸCHE announced that it will hit the road this fall on the "Volume And Vengeance Tour" alongside special guests ACCEPT. The trek will kick off on November 7 in Denver, Colorado at Summit and will conclude on December 20 in Temecula, California at Pechanga Theater Casino.
QUEENSRŸCHE vocalist Todd La Torre commented: "We are extremely excited to announce our upcoming 2025 U.S. fall tour with metal legends ACCEPT!
"For years and years both bands have discussed wanting to do a proper tour together, and the time has finally arrived. And while we both have our unique stylistic approaches, both bands continue to have a deep and revered history, shared by an amazing fanbase that is sure to enjoy this moment in time.
"So it is with great pleasure that we invite you to experience the 'Volume And Vengeance Tour' with QUEENSRŸCHE and ACCEPT, and be part of metal musical history with us! See you soon!!!"
In a recent interview with Sonoridades Inc., QUEENSRŸCHE guitarist Michael Wilton spoke about La Torre, who joined the group in 2012 as the replacement for QUEENSRŸCHE's original vocalist Geoff Tate. Michael said: "[Todd has] helped keep us relevant. He's a great songwriter, but he's not just a vocalist and a lyric writer. He's a drummer. He can play guitar. He can speak to you and communicate to you as a musician, not just a singer. I mean, he grew up in Florida in the metal era, and he's got a lot of that influence, but he's very melodic as well. And he's got a killer voice. So I think it's just something that in the evolution of post-QUEENSRŸCHE, it's, like, we are still doing it and kicking ass. And hopefully we'll have something new out in the future."
Regarding the progress of the songwriting and recording sessions for the follow-up to 2022's "Digital Noise Alliance", Michael said: "Right now we're writing. We're doing so much touring right now, it's hard to figure out where we will have a block of time to make an album. But before we went to Europe, we brought Zeuss [Chris Harris], our producer, down to Florida, and we worked on some ideas. We just started writing. And that's where we're at right now."
Wilton also talked about QUEENSRŸCHE drummer Casey Grillo, who joined the band in 2017 as the replacement for the original QUEENSRŸCHE drummer Scott Rockenfield. He said: "[Casey is] an amazing player and he brings so much to QUEENSRŸCHE. He respects the songs, but he's such a dynamic player. He's very talented, and he helps in the writing process as well. So, yeah, he's been in the band over five years, six years, or whatever it is, seven, and, yeah, he's great."
In October 2021, Rockenfield filed a lawsuit against Wilton and bassist Eddie Jackson, alleging, among other things, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty and wrongful discharge. A few months later, Wilton and Jackson filed a countersuit against Rockenfield, accusing him of abandoning his position as a member of the band and misappropriating the group's assets to his own personal benefit. That dispute has since been settled out of court.
This past April, La Torre was asked by Chile's iRock.cl how QUEENSRYCHE's sound has changed since he joined the group 13 years ago as the replacement for Tate. He responded: "I think that the band kind of got its sound back, more of the roots, the heavier kind of sound that QUEENSRYCHE was known for early on. There was a long period of time where the music got more adult contemporary and less hard rock and heavy metal and progressive and all of the different elements that QUEENSRŸCHE was kind of known for. So I think me being in the band — I mean, it could have been any other singer — has allowed these guys to completely write whatever they wanna write without it being turned down as being too heavy, for example, 'cause that had happened."
He continued: "I love the old classic stuff. We perform all the songs in the standard tunings like they were recorded, so there's nothing downtuned that changes the way they sound. I think that's helped contribute to kind of the resurgence of the band. But we just write songs, and sometimes I think, 'Oh, I wanna write a masterpiece of a song like 'Roads To Madness'' or a great song like 'Take Hold Of The Flame' or — I don't know — songs off of '[Operation:] Mindcrime', for example. But we all have a great time and the chemistry in the band is perfect. We all are super, super close. We all get along off the stage so well that it really kind of… I think that the contribution that I bring in is the jokes, the laughter, the creativity with music and art idea, artistic ideas with album covers and video concepts and that kind of thing. I don't know. That's the best way I could answer it, is I'm just one fifth of QUEENSRŸCHE. But the band is in a very healthy state."
Regarding how he sees the future of QUEENSRŸCHE, Todd said: "Oh, man. I kind of see the future as kind of what we're doing still. A lot of bands have retired, and we're still out there. There's nothing in the future that I see of the band retiring. I mean, we play about a hundred shows a year. So probably more of the same — just performing live shows, writing new songs and making new records and promoting our art that way. But, I mean, really it boils down to the live concert. That's really what we are now."
In a separate interview with Brazil's Monsters Of Rock, Todd was asked which "unexplored musical directions" he would like to see QUEENSRŸCHE go in on the band's upcoming follow-up to "Digital Noise Alliance". He said: "[We're] kind of [doing] the same thing as what we've been doing. I mean, we don't go in writing a record with a preconceived idea. We just get in a room and [go], 'Hey, show me your guitar parts. What do you have in your mind?' And we kind of all get together in a room and just see what happens in real time. So as far as unexplored musical directions… Personally, I'd love to hear more clean guitar on the next record, maybe some more spacious stuff, some more clean guitar. Orchestration is always fun to work with. It's very huge and cinematic sounding. So those are fun things to play with. Maybe some different percussion things would be interesting to play around with again.
"But, gosh, after 40-plus years, I think without completely changing the band, the band's style of music, I don't know that there's really any too much unexplored musical directions," he continued. "I mean, QUEENSRŸCHE's kind of done a lot within the large space that QUEENSRŸCHE has to run around in. I mean, if we were to do something — we wouldn't write a hip-hop song, we wouldn't write a death metal song. So within the confines of what QUEENSRŸCHE kind of is, as diverse as it as it is, I don't know what kind of unexplored musical directions there would be. On the next one, I mean, I would love to, like I say, play around with some other clean guitar sounds, maybe some more interesting percussion things — like the song 'I Am I' had some really neat percussion things going on."
Guitarist Mike Stone, who rejoined QUEENSRŸCHE in 2021, contributed guitar solos to the band's latest studio album.
Since late May 2021, Stone has been handling second-guitar duties in QUEENSRŸCHE, which announced in July 2021 that longtime guitarist Parker Lundgren was exiting the group to focus on "other business ventures."
Stone originally joined QUEENSRŸCHE for the 2003 album "Tribe" and stayed with the band for six years before leaving the group.
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and last updated 11:09 PM, Jun 20, 2025
UNINCORPORATED EL CAJON, Calif. (KGTV) — The Hawick Fire burned in unincorporated El Cajon. The fire has burned 51 acres and was 90% contained as of 6:45 a.m. Friday, according to Cal Fire.
WATCH: ABC 10News reporter Ava Kershner live at the scene of the Hawick Fire
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Watch Duty first reported the fire just before 3 p.m. Thursday afternoon, saying it was burning at the base of an avocado grove.
They're reporting that the fire is 51 acres and that forward progress has stopped, according to incident command.
When it first broke out, even those in non-evacuation zones were prepared to leave.
"We just started staging everything to evacuate, grabbing mementos, clothes. We have pets, animals. Make sure that they're OK and just kind of quickly forming a plan to go," said Aron Sacks, a former firefighter who lives right next to the charred hilltop.
Five additional type three engines have been requested by incident command.
Cal Fire says that additional resources have been requested and that some have been switched off the Monte Fire to help with the Hawick Fire.
Multiple local agencies are assisting alongside San Diego Cal Fire and U.S. Forest Service.
Evacuation warnings and orders have been lifted.
"Obviously they've had a lot of fire crews, fire helicopters, planes dropped. They have the land on the hill. They just attacked it all over. Thank God for the firefighters here at in California," said Sacks.
This is a developing story, and this article will be updated.
Copyright 2025 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
EL CAJON, CALIF. — Institutional Property Advisors (IPA), a division of Marcus & Millichap, has arranged the sale of Terre at Ballantyne, a multifamily property in El Cajon. The asset traded for $14.4 million. Chris Zorbas, Alexander Garcia Jr. and Kyle Pinkalla of IPA represented the undisclosed seller and procured the undisclosed buyer in the deal. Terra at Ballantyne features 60 units spread across 10 two-story buildings. Apartments offer air conditioning and heating, large closets and patios or balconies on select units. Commun...
EL CAJON, CALIF. — Institutional Property Advisors (IPA), a division of Marcus & Millichap, has arranged the sale of Terre at Ballantyne, a multifamily property in El Cajon. The asset traded for $14.4 million. Chris Zorbas, Alexander Garcia Jr. and Kyle Pinkalla of IPA represented the undisclosed seller and procured the undisclosed buyer in the deal. Terra at Ballantyne features 60 units spread across 10 two-story buildings. Apartments offer air conditioning and heating, large closets and patios or balconies on select units. Community amenities include two swimming pools and two laundry facilities. At the time of sale, the property was 97 percent occupied with 40 percent of the units renovated.
BOISE, IDAHO — Hawkins has completed Canyon Ridge, an apartment community in southeast Boise. Located at 2552 E. Gowen Road, Canyon Ridge features 288 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Community amenities include a resort-style outdoor pool, dedicated dog park and 6,000-square-foot clubhouse. Canyon Ridge is located near the 161-acre Simplot Sports Complex, Mircon’s North Campus and Albertsons. ESI served as general contractor for the project.
LOS ANGELES — Mesa West Capital has provided an affiliate of Seaview Investors with $55 million in first mortgage debt to refinance Burton House Beverly Hills, a 186-room full-service hotel in West Los Angeles. Eastdil Secured arranged the five-year, nonrecourse financing.
Seaview, which has been an investment partner in the hotel since 2003, recently completed a $13.7 million renovation as part of a repositioning under Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio Hotels & Resorts brand. Improvements included the redesign of guest rooms, the development of the Emerald Lounge, a new dining and social concept, updated entrances, a revamped lobby, new fitness center and a 1,100-square-foot yoga and Pilates studio. The refinancing provides the sponsor time to continue driving operating performance under the new brand and to compete with other luxury hotels in the Beverly Hills market, according to Mesa West.
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA. — Colliers has negotiated the $8.6 million sale of Lynnhaven Square, a two-property retail center located at 2077-2085 Lynnhaven Parkway in Virginia Beach. Jeff Fritz and Jay O’Donnell of Colliers represented the undisclosed seller, a tenancy in common (TIC) entity, in the transaction.
The undisclosed buyer has tapped George Fox of Colliers to provide leasing advisory services at Lynnhaven Square, which was fully leased at the time of sale to tenants including Wingstop, Cold Stone Creamery, Virginia ABC, Coastal Vision and The UPS Store. Situated on 2.4 acres, the property is part of Salem Crossing, a larger 450,000-square-foot retail development.
ANAHEIM, CALIF. — ParkTerra and JEN Partners have acquired Axis, an office campus in Anaheim, from a joint venture between a global banking giant and Pendulum Property Partners for $62.5 million. CBRE National Office Partners’ Anthony DeLorenzo, Sammy Cemo and Bryan Johnson represented the seller. CBRE’s Greg Sullivan, Jennifer Whittington, David Dowd and Matt Didier also advised the seller on the transaction.
Axis offers 306,664 square feet of office space at 2121-2170 Towne Centre Place, 2190 Town Centre Place and 2390 Orangewood Ave. The campus offers a creative office building tailored for owner-users, a residential redevelopment site and a high-end office asset.
858-299-6900
