East County News Service

April 4, 2018 (Santee) -- The Santee Chamber of Commerce invites you to join over 30,000 visitors at the 10th Annual Santee Street Fair and Craft Beer Festival on Saturday, May 26^th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Riverview Parkway and Town Center Parkway in Santee.  This event features live music and entertainment, more than 300 food and craft vendor booths, carnival rides, and breweries from all around San Diego County.

East County News Service

March 28, 2018 (Santee) – The Sheriff’s Santee station will conduct a DUI and driver’s license checkpoint on Friday, March 30^th from 8:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. at an undisclosed location.

Checkpoints aim to reduce the number of deaths and injuries from alcohol-involved accidents by getting offenders off the streets and by educating the public on dangers of impaired driving, as well as the importance of designating a sober driver. Checkpoints also assure that each motorist has a valid driver’s license.

East County News Service

March 17, 2018 (Lakeside) -- Do you love the great outdoors? Do you have a digital SLR or cell phone camera?  If so, you’re invited to come out and compete in this year’s Lake Jennings Spring Photo Contest.

The shooting window is from March to the end of May and contest participants can get a free day pass to explore the reservoir to seek, find and capture eye-catching images.

East County News Service

March 15, 2018 (La Mesa) – The San Diego County Gun Owners (SDCGO), a Santee-based political action committee promoting Second Amendment rights, will host its 2018 California Gun Laws Convention, an event open to the public, from 4 to 7 p.m., Saturday, March 17, at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, Surfside Race Place, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: City of Santee

March 12, 2018 (Santee) -- The Walker Preserve Trail in Santee will soon have 4,000 new plants and trees – all native to our region.

Cottonwoods, alders, sage brush, buckwheat and San Diego sunflowers are among the drought-tolerant species that will soon line the walking trail, providing habitat for birds and other native wildlife, NBC 7 reports.  Native plants will also help improve water quality in the San Diego River and prevent erosion.

By Sierra Billock

March 8, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- On Saturday, March 3, 2018, the city of La Mesa and the city of Santee held the annual Miss La Mesa and Miss Santee Pageants. The programs have been a tradition in the cities since the late 1960’s and are an outstanding mentoring program for young women. Mayor John Minto from Santee and Mayor Mark Araposathis from La Mesa were in attendance to formally present Miss La Mesa 2018 Kelli Loper, Miss Teen La Mesa 2018 Kennedy Dirkes, Miss Santee 2018 Laurene Vouaux and Miss Teen Santee 2018 Jordan Bockert.

By E.A. Barrera

March 5, 2018 (San Diego) -- My mother, Marion Kathryn Holmes Barrera, died on March 3, 2018. She died a little after four in the morning, 25 days to the minute from when my father died. My dad was San Diego State Professor Ernesto Martin Barrera. Together, my parents led a life that began on the campus of UCLA and took them to Cartagena, Los Angeles, San Diego - and a lifetime of romance, family and meaningful purpose. 

By Miriam Raftery

March 3, 2018 (Santee) – The Sheriff’s office is seeking a man in a red van who reportedly approached two teen girls in a vehicle in the parking lot at the Santee Sports Plex and chased one of the young women.

The incident occurred March 1^st around 11 p.m. when the girls were attending a softball game. They had returned to their vehicle to warm up when an Hispanic man approached and looked through the window. One girl locked the door and the man then grabbed the handle and tried to get in, the girl’s father told 10 News.

Backcountry hidden pleasures:   Our guide to unique lodging adventures in San Diego’s beautiful backcountry

By Mike Allen, East County Magazine

February 22, 2018 (Santee) -- Ever since wood cabins were built at the end of Santee Lakes some seven years ago, I’ve been curious about what they were like.

I’ve stayed in a few cabins in my life, some quite rustic and spartan, and others with all the stuff you’d ever need if you’re “camping,” including one that had a spa tub.

The cabins at Santee Lakes are definitely at the higher end, in fact, downright luxurious with just about everything a family would need to enjoy one of America’s best campgrounds situated smack dab in the middle of Santee.

East County News Service

February 13, 2018 (Lakeside) - More help is now available to victims of domestic violence in the East County. The Lakeside Sheriff's Substation is partnering with a non-profit group to offer direct and immediate assistance to victims.

“Be the change you want to see in the world.”

By Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine

February 8, 2018 (Santee) – Genevieve Jones-Wright, a candidate running for San Diego County District Attorney, will be the featured speaker at the East County Democratic Club’s meeting on February 15 at 7 p.m. at Jimmy’s Family Restaurant, 9635 Mission Gorge Road in Santee.

By Miriam Raftery

January 25, 2018 (Santee) –  We’re proud to announce that East County Magazine is a finalist in the Santee’s Favorites survey!  You can help by voting for East County Magazine here in the “media and entertainment” category.  You can vote once each day, per IP address, now through February 4.

If you enjoy our local news and events coverage, or appreciate our wildfire and emergency alerts, please vote for us as often as possible and share with friends and family!  Vote here.

East County News Service

January 30, 2018 (East County) – Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the 12 Chick-fil-A restaurants in San Diego County, including the restaurants at 9418 Mission Gorge Road in Santee and 8200 Fletcher Parkway in La Mesa, will host a “Daddy-Daughter Date Night” for fathers and daughters from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 7.

By Mike Allen

January 26, 2018 (Santee) -- Despite having one of the most homogeneous populations in the county and lacking any concentration of minority groups, Santee elected officials say the city’s hands are tied, and Santee is forced to comply with a state law urging cities to adopt district elections.

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Story and photos by Liz Alper

January 23, 2018 (Spring Valley) - ECM traveled to Granite Hills on Tuesday night for a clash between the lady Eagles and the lady Wolf Pack on the court.  Granite Hills has started their season a little lackluster, going 7-10 overall and 1-1 in league.  The Wolf Pack sport the same 7-10 record, but are undefeated so far in league, going 2-0.