By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

April 7, 2016 (Lakeside) – A 9-year-old girl was been taken into protective custody this morning after patrol deputies from the Lakeside substation found her living in a small shed with her father and a woman at 12721 Lindo Lane in Lakeside. The discovery occurred during a probation compliance check in which six men and 2 women were arrested on charges that included child endangerment as well as drug, weapons, and parole violations.

East County News Service

March 25, 2016 (Lakeside) – Lakeside’s Western Days Parade will roll out along Maine Street on April 23 starting at 9:35 a.m.  Celebrating its 51^st year, this year’s parade hosted by the Lakeside Chamber of Commerce will feature the theme “America Strong, Lakeside Strong.”

Lots of free and discounted health/fitness services for Lakeside residents!

By Steve Lauria

View video with Senator Joel Anderson discussing the Lakeside Health Awareness Month: https://www.facebook.com/CaliforniaHealthNetwork/videos/1234959753184102/

February 29, 2016 (Lakeside)--Lakeside is a rural area in the Eastern region of San Diego County. Many people find it a great place to call home, but like the rest of San Diego County, it has a growing problem with chronic disease and other health concerns.

Throughout the month of March, California Health Network, a nonprofit organization based in East County, is doing its part in improving  the health of the citizens of Lakeside by sponsoring Lakeside Health Awareness Month. Another 32 local health and fitness businesses are offering free and discounted services to  citizens of Lakeside. You can view the offers here: http://californiahealthnetwork.org/healthawarenessmonth

By Miriam Raftery

February 23, 2016 (Lakeside) – A 10-year-old girl who pushed another child out of the path of a moving vehicle in Lakeside was struck and seriously injured. She was taken to Grossmont Hospital, where she later died of her injuries, said California Highway Patrol Officer Kevin Pearlstein.

County News Service

December 16, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)--The family of three—a couple approximately in their 40s, and their 17-year-old son and pet dog—slept in sleeping bags and blankets behind a Santee gas station last week. They were dressed in layers and were huddled or lying down on the concrete ground close to the building with their belongings in a few small carts. The family has been homeless since last December. Because the father works there five days a week, the gas station owner allows them to sleep on the property on occasion.

East County News Service

November 16, 2015 (Lakeside) – On Sunday morning, employees at the Lakeside River Park Conservancy found their office had been broken into. A laptop computer had been stolen, the alarm dismantled, and food from the fridge scattered across tables.

A security camera revealed an image of the intruder eating and tampering with the alarm system The Sheriff’s department sent Deputy Darryl Patmon out to the scene to investigate.

The next morning, at 7:30 a.m, employees again arrived at work and discovered the same man seen in the video standing in the kitchen, drinking tea after sleeping in the office and apparently breaking some items, the River Park’s Facebook page indicates. 

Source:  County Parks Department

November 10, 2015 (Lakeside)-- This Veterans Day weekend, you can honor the sacrifice and service that all of our military neighbors, friends and family members make to preserve peace and maintain freedom — and enjoy a great “Warrior Challenge” hike at the same time.

From 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at El Capitan Preserve in Lakeside, the San Diego County Parks Department will hold the first of what is expected to become an annual event: a hiking event with something for everyone, whether you’re a beginner — or little — hiker to those hardcore warrior-hikers as well.

Photo: Surveillance photo of suspects

East County News Service

November 1, 2015 (Lakeside) --San Diego County Crime Stoppers and investigators from the Lakeside Sheriff's Substation are asking for the public's assistance to help identify and locate a man and a woman wanted in connection with a car burglary and the use of stolen credit cards at several businesses in the East County. The suspects may be driving a white Chevrolet Monte Carlo or similar style car.

By Miriam Raftery

October 10, 2015 (El Cajon ) – The family of Elijah “Bear” Diaz, 20,  who vanished on August 29^th, will hold a spaghetti dinner fundraiser and raffle at Barona Clubhouse on October 23, 2015 at 6 p.m. 

“Since we believe Bear is not missing on his own terms, the family has hired a private investigator which these funds will go toward,” Katey Hoffman told East County Magazine. She is working with Lelanie Thompson,  Bear’s mother.

The cost is $10 and includes spaghetti, garlic bread, salad, drinks and desert.  Raffle tickets are $5 and prizes include jewelry, art, cooking wares, and gift cards.  Donations of additional raffle prizes are welcome.

East County News Service

September 29, 2015 (Lakeside)—Twenty people were arrested Saturday morning during a probation compliance sweep conducted by Sheriff’s detectives, deputies and other staff.

September 22, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)--Do-it-yourselfers in Fallbrook, Lakeside, Ramona and Spring Valley can score a free new oil filter for their car Saturday, Sept. 26 just by turning in a used one, thanks to the County of San Diego’s Department of Public Works and O’Reilly Auto Parts.

East County News Service

September 7, 2015 (Lakeside) – Residents of El Monte Valley and other community members concerned about a massive sand mining project proposed in Lakeside are invited to join a meeting convened by the Preserve El Monte Action Coalition.  The meeting will be held Thursday, Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. in the Lakeside Christian Church, 13739 El Monte Road in Lakeside.

The goal will be to help residents frame concerns to address them in writing to the County of San Diego.

August 24, 2015 (San Diego) – The Barona Band of Mission Indians invites San Diegans to experience Native American dancing, music and traditional food at the 45^th annual Barona Powwow, which will be held on Labor Day weekend at the Barona Sports Park located on the Barona Indian Reservation. The three-day celebration starts on Friday, September 4 with Gourd Dancing at 6 p.m. and the spectacular Grand Entry at 7 p.m. and continues throughout the weekend on Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. Admission is free.

“For the past 45 years, the Barona Powwow has been a wonderful opportunity for Native Americans to not only celebrate our heritage and traditions with each other but to share our culture with San Diego,” said Barona Tribal Councilwoman Beth Glasco. “Over the years our Powwow has grown to become one of the most anticipated in our area and we are proud to invite the community out to experience this wonderful cultural celebration.” 

By Miriam Raftery

August 26, 2015 (Lakeside) - - Residents, environmentalists and medical experts presented strong evidence for why a proposed sand mining project in Lakeside’s El Monte Valley should not be approved.  Opponents of Enviornmine’s proposed 167-acre project spoke out at tonight’s scoping meeting conducted by the county.’s Planning department.  Public comment remains open until September 14^th, after which an Environmental Impact Report will be drafted.

Dr. Christy Walker, an emergency room physician, testified about the confirmed presence of Valley Fever (coccidioides immitis) in El Monte Valley; evidenced in the treatment of both people and pets who contracted the potentially lethal illness in the Valley. She indicated that Valley fever does not just affect the lungs but can affect multiple organs. Her concern is that mining that lift layers of sand to dig the 100' deep, 182 acre wide mining pit would release fungal coccidioides spores d into the air, greatly increasing exposure and infection.

Credit photo to Billy Ortiz

East County News Service

August 17, 2015 (Lakeside) – The County is preparing an environmental impact report on a massive sand mining project  proposed in El Monte Valley. The first step is to determine the “scope” of issues to be addressed. The County will host a scoping meeting on the project on Wednesday, August 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Lakeside Community Center, 9841 Vine Street in Lakeside.

Members of the public, agencies and organizations are invited to attend and submit comments to assist the in determining the scope and content of the environmental informational impact report.  Details can be found at http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/pds/ceqa_public_review.html . To have your comments entered into the official record, you must voice your comments at the public meeting or submit a letter before September 14 to: