Update February 11, 2018:  Mrs. Scinto has been found near her vehicle , reunited with her family and taken to a local hospital for evaluation. See details below:

"We thank the public for looking out for Mrs. Scinto, as well as our Search and Rescue volunteers," says Sergeant Kristin Brayman.

The Sheriff's Search and Rescue (SAR) is an all-volunteer unit. Together, they perform wilderness and urban rescues, as well as search for missing and at-risk persons. Teams are available 24 hours per day to respond to local, state and federal agency requests. If you would like to volunteer, visit www.sdsheriff.net/volunteers.

If you have a loved one who has Alzheimer's or suffers from a physical or mental disability, you can sign them up for the Sheriff's Take Me Home Program. It's a FREE and confidential service that can help law enforcement find a loved one in the event they get lost or wander away. For more information or to enroll online, visit: www.sdsheriff.net/tmh.

East County News Service

December 25, 2017 (Lakeside) – William “Frank” Taylor is home safe for the holidays, thanks to the kindness of community members.  The 89-year-old, who suffers from dementia but is very physically fit, vanished from 7900 Shalamar Drive in Lakeside around 5 p.m. last night.

 He left without a jacket, wearing only a long-sleeve blue shirt, jeans and tennis shoes on a chilly winter night.  Fortunately, he was found a short time later, the Sheriff’s department announced at 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve. 

By Miriam Raftery

December 7, 2017 (San Diego) -- High winds roaring through San Diego County today have wreaked havoc. 

In Carlsbad, a tree fell onto an elderly man and killed him.  Santa Ana winds knocked a semi-truck and trailer onto their sides on I-8 east, shortly before high winds forced closure of I-8 east of Alpine.  A sign truck was nearly blown off the towering Pine Valley Bridge.  In Lakeside the community Christmas tree toppled over; Lakeside's Chamber of Commerce posted a photo on Facebook, vowing to restore it after the winds die down.

Strong winds also led SDG&E to shut off power to thousands of homes in communities across the region, with some slated to be without power for days.

East County News Service

October 18, 2017 (Lakeside) - Trevi Hills Winery, which produces premium red and white varietals on hillside vineyards in rural Lakeside, celebrates its grand opening Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 21-22, from 10 a.m. to dusk. The 3,000-square-foot winery, tasting room and patio is located at 13010 Muth Valley Road and offers panoramic views of the historic Muth Valley and the 800-acre Trevi Hills community.  The grand opening festivities celebrate the 2017 harvest of Syrah, Sangiovese, Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc and will include discounted wine flights, food trucks and bocce ball.

By Miriam Raftery

September 17, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- According to a California Health Alert Network bulletin, San Diego County’s outbreak of hepatitis A now includes  cases in La Mesa, El Cajon and Santee as well as unincorporated areas of the County, though cases have now been confirmed “in all parts of the County,” the report states.

By Miriam Raftery, East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

Photos: Robert E. Younger

September 2, 2017 (Lakeside) – A vehicle fire on Wildcat Canyon Road  ignited dry brush, just north of Muth Valley Road and south of Pata Ranch Road. Named the Ranch Fire, it charred an estimated three-quarters of an acre this evening before forward spread was halted, Cal Fire reports. 

By Julie Pendray

Photo courtesy County Parks and Recreation

August 22, 2017 (Lakeside) -- Lindo Lake Skatepark in Lakeside has been a source of community pride since it opened in 2014, next to Lindo Park Elementary School. But, for the past few months, Sheriff’s deputies and County Parks staff have been asked to keep a closer watch there due to increased concerns over alcohol and drug use. Some parents say they no longer take their children there because of bad examples and potential risk. Others are encouraging residents to keep supporting what has been a highly popular facility that was 20 years in the making, from conception to fruition. They say it still offers many positive outlets for all ages. Parks staff and law enforcement encourage the public to call whenever they see a problem.

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.

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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.