Source: Lakeside River Park Conservancy

Photo: Chris Manzella accepting her award from Volunteer Manager Cindy Collins

December 13, 2016 (Lakeside) -- Chris Manzella has been named Lakeside's River Park Conservancy's Volunteer Of The Year. The award given was the "The Joan Burnett Memorial Inspirational Award" named after founding volunteer Joan Burnett, who passed away in 2005.

East County News Service

December 6, 2016 (San Diego) - The California Highway Patrol has launched its 2016 CHiPs for Kids toy drive in San Diego County.  CHiPs for Kids is a Community Outreach program that has been in existence for 28 years in other areas of the state.  Friday December 16^th.  There will be several collection and distribution events in the county, including Friday,  December 16^th from  2 to 6 p.m. at the Walgreens Store in Lakeside(9728 Winter Gardens Boulevard 92040 here in East County.)  You can also drop off a new, unwrapped toy at any CHP office, Red Robin Restaurant, Waste Management, or Walgreens location between now and December 23^rd.

East County News Service

November 27, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – The newly created San Diego East County Regional Homeless Task Force held its first meeting in mid-November at the El Cajon Police Department. 

The effort is being spear-headed by the San Diego-East County Chamber of Commerce with support from civic leaders, educators, religious and other nonprofit organizations, social service providers and law enforcement. City managers from La Mesa, El Cajon and Lemon Grove and about 100 others attended the inaugural meeting.

By Jonathan Goetz

Photo, left to right: Councilman Gary Kendrick with his son, TJ, and two formerly homeless men they have taken into their home, Tony and Michael

November 24, 2016 (El Cajon) -- It’s rare to find elected officials willing to stand up to special interests or cast votes unpopular with vocal constituents, doing what he or she believes is right for the community and for people in need.

East County News Service

November 1, 2016 (Alpine) - Local teens are determined to help their best friend as she fights bone cancer by organizing a major fundraising event.

Samantha Bodger, 16 years old, who lives in Alpine and is a top student at Granite Hills High School, was diagnosed with High Grade Osteosarcoma in August 2016.  She requires 10 months of intensive chemotherapy and a major surgery to amputate her leg mid-November.

East County News Service

Nov.1, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – The 2016 San Diego Regional Law Enforcement Teddy Bear Drive benefiting Rady Children’s Hospital will launch on Thursday, Nov. 3 at the nine Chick-fil-A restaurants in San Diego County, including the Chick-fil-A restaurant East County’s Chick-fil-A restaurant at 9418 Mission Gorge Road, Santee.

Source: Lions, Tigers & Bears

October 29, 2016 (Alpine) - Lions Tigers & Bears (LTB) - an accredited big cat, bear and exotic animal rescue sanctuary, in San Diego County, Calif., held it's 6th annual Halloween Spooky Campover from Friday, October 28 to Saturday, October 29, for guests of all ages to come and spend a wild and goulish night under the stars with the 60+ rescued animals that call the sanctuary home.

By Petty Officer Jamal McNeill, Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs

October 18, 2016 (San Diego) - A 2003 Mount Miguel High School Graduate and San Diego, California native recently returned to the United States from an overseas deployment with the largest amphibious warship in the Navy.



Petty Officer 2nd Class Adam Vizcorrondo, is a master-at-arms serving aboard USS Boxer (LHD-4), based in San Diego, California.

By Miriam Raftery

October 14, 2016 (Jamul) - A GoFundMe site setup yesterday to help a Jamul woman whose three dogs were bitten by a rattlesnake has raised over $7,000.  She is a single mother who can’t afford the costly care needed to save her dogs’ lives.

By Miriam Raftery

October 4, 2016 (Potrero) – “Finally! Kendrick was the last of the dogs at our shelter in Bonita which were rescued from the Border Fire in Potrero in June, “San Diego Animal Services posted on Facebook yesterday.

According to Animal Services, “The young man in the photo met Kendrick a few weeks ago and couldn't get him off his mind. His mom said if they came back on Saturday (October 1st) and Kendrick was still here, he could have him for his birthday which is this week. Kendrick hit it off with this family right away and was happy to leave with them today! His new family is going to take him on lots of hikes on the trail near their home!”

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, ,left:  Stacy Taylor interviewing anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan on KLSD radio

By Janis Russell

September 22, 2016 (San Diego) - In 1995, 20-year-old Tariq Khamisa was shot and killed by 14-year-old Tony Hicks, a gang member. Hicks was convicted as an adult and was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. The Tariq Khamisa Foundation (TKF), a nonprofit, was established in 1995 by Tariq’s father Azim Khamisa along with Tony Hicks’ grandfather, Ples Felix.

East County News Service

Sept. 12, 2016 (East County) – Fitness instructor, dancer and choreographer Dionne Thomas has been selected as keynote speaker at the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce’s 14th annual Women In Leadership Luncheon (WILL). Awards will be presented Friday, Sept. 16 at the Town and Country Resort Hotel in Mission Valley.

East County News Service

Photo via tkf.org

September 9, 2016 (San Diego) - Twenty years ago after the murder of his 20-year-old son Tariq, Azim Khamisa saw the need to address the epidemic of youth violence in the United States. He reached out to the grandfather of his son’s murderer, Ples Felix, in a spirit of forgiveness. Together, they founded the Tariq Khamisa Foundation.