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Story and photos by Liz Alper

November 3, 2017 (Spring Valley) - For the last game of the season, ECM Friday Night Lights went back to our old stomping ground:  Mount Miguel High School.  They faced a team we’ve never covered; the Sultans of Santana.  The purple and gold haven’t had the season they wanted, sporting a 4-5 overall (1-2 in league) record.  The Monarchs have done a little better since we saw them last, but still hold a 3-6 overall (1-2 in league) record.

By Paul Kruze

Link to audio of Santee City Council Meeting, Oct. 25, 2017

November 3, 2017 (Santee) -- Cinemark Theatres won unanimous approval from the Santee City Council Wednesday to operate a multiplex movie theater. The multiplex theater is to be built on a seven-acre parcel purchased last spring from the County of San Diego near the Santee Town Center shopping mall and Parc One apartment complex at 320 Town Center Parkway.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: the Hope Rally in El Cajon drew attention to domestic abuse

October 27, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – Domestic abuse impacts over 16,000 victims a year in our region, scarring families and sometimes, claiming lives. The San Diego District Attorney’s Office has provided statistics on domestic violence incidents locally from 2012 through 2016.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Smoke from crash visible on UCSD’s HP Wren camera

October 23, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – The small plane that crashed late Saturday afternoon east of the El Capitan Reservoir, sparking a 20-acre brush fire during a red flag warning for high fire danger, was an Extra EA-300/L plane registered to KD Leasing in Henderson, Nevada, National Transportation Safety Administration (NTSA) records indicate. 

Source: Helix Water District

October 19, 2017 (Lakeside) -- Lake Jennings – the lake, not the campground -- will be closed to all activities, including fishing and boating, from October 30 to November 16 so Helix Water District can study the lake’s hydraulics.

Update October 19, 2017:  The man killed while standing beside his disabled vehicle has been identified as Cesar Duenas, 55. 

By Miriam Raftery

October 18, 2017 (Lemon Grove) – A Lexus driver struck and killed a disabled motorist who was on the shoulder of State Route 94 at the Lemon Grove off ramp at 5:50 p.m. yesterday.   A tow truck driver, 39, from Santee who was assisting the disabled motorist also was struck and sustained minor injuries.

By Miriam Raftery

October 10, 2017 (Lakeside) – Sometimes, retrieving has its pitfalls.  After a three-year-old golden retriever got his head stuck under a brick wall while chasing a ball, Lakeside firefighters came to the rescue.

The crew from Engine 2 freed the trapped dog which seemed no worse for the wear.  “Upon release, he resumed chasing the ball,” Lakeside Fire reported on its Twitter feed.

Like our sports coverage?  Donate to help support ECM’s sports section!  Type in “Sports” as your donation!

Follow @ECMagSports on Twitter for live sports coverage and stories!

Does your son or daughter play a sport at a level other than varsity? Comment on this story or tweet @ECMagSports to request coverage!

Story and photos by Liz Alper

October 6, 2017 (Lakeside) - ECM Friday Night Lights is back after a two-week hiatus with our first-ever trip to Lakeside as the Foothillers of Grossmont (3-2 overall) made the trip out to visit the Vaqueros of El Capitan (2-3 overall) in both teams’ first matchup of Grossmont League play.

By Miriam Raftery

October 4, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- Today, Assemblyman Randy Voepel (R-Santee) announced he will be holding a "Listening Tour" through multiple communities within the 71st Assembly District including Santee, Julian, Lakeside, El Cajon, Ramona and Idyllwild.  The Listening Tour will provide an opportunity for constituents to hear a legislative update, ask questions, and offer ideas for how to improve California.

Story and file photo by Miriam Raftery

October 1, 2017 (Lakeside) –  Lakeside residents have raised concerns over sanitation at Lindo Lakes Park, where they said homeless people have urinated and defecated on walkways or steps in front of the restroom that until recently was locked at night.

Senator Anderson votes no, rest of San Diego legislators vote yes on landmark measure

East County News Service

September 26, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- Gov. Jerry Brown today signed Senate Bill 214, legislation authored by Sen. Toni Atkins that will strengthen the capacity of the San Diego River Conservancy to protect and enhance historic, cultural and natural resources within the watershed along the 52-mile San Diego River.

Like our sports coverage?  Donate to help support ECM’s sports section! Type in “Sports” as your donation!

Follow @ECMagSports on Twitter for live sports coverage and stories!

Does your son or daughter play a sport at a level other than varsity? Comment on this story or tweet @ECMagSports to request coverage!

Story and photos by Liz Alper

September 27, 2017 (La Mesa) - It’s been a little cold the last few days, but it’s starting to warm up again and it’s perfect water polo weather as the varsity Santana Sultans boys--who are having an impressive season so far, sporting a 6-2 record (but 0-1 in league) made the trip to Helix to take on the Highlanders, who aren’t doing as hot at 4-7 overall and 0-2 in league play.

By Miriam Raftery

September 18, 2017 (El Cajon) – A Hyundai driver traveling 40 miles an hour rear-ended a Toyota Camry stopped ahead of her as she exited southbound State Route 125 at Grossmont College Drive at 9:10 this morning. The impact pushed the Toyota across SR-125, directly into the path of a Chevy Impala traveling 65 miles an hour.

By Miriam Raftery

September 17, 2017 (Santee) – The officer who shot Robert Westbrook on State Route 125 the evening of September 8^th has been identified as Deputy Freddy Herrero. He has been employed as a deputy sheriff with the San Diego Sheriff’s station for four years and is assigned to the Santee Sheriff’s station.

Screenings find heart abnormalities in 1 of 300 teens tested

East County News Service

September 13, 2017 (Lakeside) – Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) occurs when a heart unexpectedly stops beating because of an undetected heart abnormality. To combat this syndrome, which is a leading cause of death in people under age 25 and the #1 killer of student athletes, the Eric Paredes Save a Life Foundation is hosting a free heart screening on Sunday, September 17th from 9 am. to 3 p.m. at El Capitan High School (10410 Ashwood St. Lakeside, CA 92040).