UPDATE AS OF 9:50 PM:  FIRE IS 10% CONTAINED

UPDATE AS OF 8:57 PM: ALL MANDATORY EVACUATION ORDERS HAVE BEEN LIFTED 

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Jonathan Goetz

July 11, 2017 (Lakeside) -- The fast-moving #JenningsFire has charred over 300 acres in the past hour and forced shutdown of I-8 in both directions from Lake Jennings Road to Dunbar Lane. 

At least five structures remain threatened as of 3:30 p.m.. Mandatory evacuations have been ordered on Viewside, south of I-8,  Cal-Fire reports.

The fire, which began in brush at 1:40 p.m.,  is burning toward propane tanks at Kamps Propane, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.  Airtankers and ground crews are battling the blaze.

Fire is burning southeast from the freeway toward Harbison Canyon Rd, the Santee Sheriff substation tweeted. Residents in Harbison Canyon and Crest should be on alert!

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy of ECM news partner 10 News

May 11, 2017 (Lakeside) – Two deputies fired shots at a fleeing suspect yesterday at the intersection of Wildcat Canyon Road and Ketuull Uunyaa Way on the Barona reservation in Lakeside, killing the suspect driver at the scene and injuring two people in another vehicle as well as a deputy, according to Lieutenant Greg Rylaarsdam at the San Diego Sheriff’s Department.

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

Like our sports coverage?  Donate to help support ECM’s sports section!

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

Story and photos by Liz Alper

April 27, 2017 (Spring Valley) - Mount Miguel softball is a little worse for wear; they’re 5-7 overall and 1-3 in league play so far heading into today’s game against El Capitan.  The Vaqueros are a different story; they sport a decent 12-10 overall record, but are undefeated in league play with a 4-0 record coming into today.  Sophomore Nya Maga started on the hill for the Matadors against junior Elena Laddon for the Vaqueros.

East County News Service

April 20, 2017 (Lakeside) — You can learn the ins and outs of backyard chicken care from chicken expert Richard Edwords on Saturday, May 13^th at 1 p.m.  This educational program will be held at the Lakeside River Park Foundation at 12108 Industry Road in Lakeside.

Updated March 28 with a response from Michael Beck at the Endangered Habitats Conservancy and Supervisor Dianne Jacob's office.

By Miriam Raftery

March 27, 2017 (Lakeside) - A big mess in Lakeside just got worse.  Someone has dumped debris illegally over the weekend along a waste heap from a former sand mining site that residents in Lakeside’s El Monte Valley were already fighting to get cleaned up.

Report rock slides, boulders or other dangerous road conditions to the County Operations Emegency Call Center (858)565-5262. Help save lives!

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Christina Dahners-Johnson:  Seasonal creek behind Lyons Valley Trading Post in Jamul had been dry for at least seven years before this storm.

February 27, 2017 (San Diego) – Flooding is wreaking havoc on rural roads and highways countywide.  In Mission Valley, the San Diego River has water cresting among the top 10 levels on record, with the ballfield at Petco Park and some parking garages currently submerged.

George Barnett, a member of the Alpine Community Planning Group, posted in the Ranter’s Roost forum, “ It’s raining like hell in Alpine…Viejas Creek is way outside   its normal channel and Via Viejas into the old ranch area is closed with the dam well over-flowing.  To my eye, on a dark and cloudy day, more water is coming down the creek than I recall seeing in maybe 10 years.”

By Andy Tolley, County of San Diego Communications Office

February 16, 2017 (Lakeside) - The County cut the ribbon Thursday for the new Helix Flume Trail in Lakeside, and a group took an inaugural hike on the 0.8-mile path. It may be short in distance, but it’s long on history, with signs that share the story of early water transportation in San Diego. It also feature spectacular views of Lake Jennings and El Cajon Mountains.

The trailhead is located at 14003-14023 El Monte Road in Lakeside.

East County News Service

February 13, 2017 (Lakeside) - With Zika and West Nile Virus in the news, now is a perfect time to get educated.  San Diego County Vector Control's Michelle Christina will lend her expertise on these fascinating insects and how to live with them at a free program hosted by the Lakeside River Park Conservancy (12108 Industry Rd., Lakeside) on Saturday, Feb. 25^th at 10 a.m.

East County News Service

February 7, 2017 (Lakeside) - Robin Rierdan with the Lakeside Rive Park Conservancy will lead a series of four beautiful hikes through Lakeside. The first is this Friday, February 10^th along the Flume Trail in El Monte Valley.  Space is limited and registration is required by Thursday. Register here.

East County News Service

February 4, 2017 (Lakeside) – It’s February and love is in the air – including at Lake Jennings, where photographer Scott Barnhill photographed a pair of nesting bald eagles.   He also captured dramatic images of other birds of prey in flight, fishing, and hunting, including the osprey catching a fish, shown here.  View more photos below, and see this link for a full gallery of images: 

http://www.csprophoto.com/Nature/Lake-Jennings/

By Miriam Raftery

January 10, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – In addition to exonerating an El Cajon Police officer who fatally shot Alfred Olango in a case that drew national publicity, San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis today announced that her office will not file charges in four other officer-involved fatal shootings.

East County News Service

January 1, 2017 (Lakeside) – A man found in a burned home this morning on Woodland Vista in Lakeside has died. Firefighters from the Lakeside Fire Department rescued and revived a Labrador retriever dog, using a special pet oxygen mask.

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.

Update 8 p.m.:   Todd Perkins has been found safe in Lemon Grove.

East County News Service

November 14, 2016 (Lakeside)—The  Sheriff has issued a be-on-the-lookout bulletin for Todd Randolph Perkins,48.  He has been missing since 2:30 p.m.  His caretaker says he may have walked away from his home on Dorsal Drive in Lakeside.

He suffers from a medical condition that causes him to limp.  He has green tattooso on both arms. He is white with brown hair and brown eyes, 5 feet 6 inches tall, and weighs 130 pounds.  He has told his caretaker that he would like to return to his former home on the 7100 block of Broadway in Lemon Grove,though he does not drive.