By Miriam Raftery

Screenshot of video from  ECM news partner NBC 7: Authorities transport an injured patient from the scene.

November 19, 2023 (Spring Valley) – Five people were taken to a hospital last night with gunshot injuries after being shot in the backyard of a home in the  9000 block of Ildica Street in Spring Valley.  Two children were also injured, suffering burns that authorities believe were caused by the shooter throwing fireworks to mask the sounds of gunshots.

The dead-end street was cordoned off last night while authorities searched for a male suspect, who remains at large. No description was provided by authorities; scanner traffic indicated the suspect was wearing black clothing.

By Branda Gorgies

Photos from Branda Gorgies, Brenda Ramirez and Creative Commons via Google Images

September 6, 2023 (Spring Valley) -  Teachers at Steele Canyon High School, a charter school in the Grossmont Union High School District, are seeking a salary increase because many of them feel they’re not being paid a competitive salary. On August 16, at the high school’s library, Steele Canyon’s independent governing board held a meeting with public comment from five teachers. On Monday this week, students held a walkout to show support for the teachers. 

East County News Service

July 11, 2023 (Spring Valley) - Saps at Sea, the San Diego chapter of the Sons of the Desert, the Laurel & Hardy fan organization, present their August program, "Double Your Pleasure" on Saturday, August 19 at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Spring Valley.

By Miriam Raftery; Henri Migala contributed to this report

Photos by Henri Migala

July 9, 2023 (Rancho San Diego) -- A blue vehicle crashed into a power pole on  Steele Canyon Rd. near State Route 94 this morning. The power pole fell across the roadway and the vehicle caught fire, causing closure of Steele Canyon Rd. in both directions.

The crash caused a power outage affecting portions of Spring Valley,  Rancho San Diego and La Presa.

East County News Service

June 24, 2023 (Spring Valley) – California Highway Patrol is searching for the drivers of a red SUV and a silver sedan which each struck a 50-year-old woman in Spring Valley shortly before 10 p.m. on June 22, then fled the scene.

The woman was walking northbound on Jamacha Blvd. east of Lamplighter Village Drive when she was hit by the red  SUV, which was traveling west on Jamacha.  The impact knocked the victim to the ground. While she was lying on the roadway, she was struck a second time by the silver sedan.

The woman sustained major injuries and died at the scene.

“Both vehicles were last seen fleeing the scene, westbound on Jamacha Blvd.,” says Officer Matthew Baranowski with the California Highway Patrol. 

East County News Service

Photo via County News Service

June 14, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – The State of California has awarded a grant of nearly $17 million to help put people experiencing homelessness along the San Diego Riverbed into permanent housing and to connect them with services.

The grant is the result of a county-led partnership in collaboration with the city of Santee, the city of San Diego, and the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans).  It’s funded as part of $240 million in Encampment Resolution Funds that California announced last year to help local jurisdictions resolve encampments and get people into housing, as well as provide services.

According to the Point in Time homeless count conducted countywide on a January morning in 2023, homelessness countywide has risen by 25% over last year’s count.  Here in East County, communities along the San Diego River, where there are numerous homeless camps, have seen homeless numbers rise significantly including a 58% increase in Lakeside, 23% increase in Lakeside, and an 18% increase in Spring Valley.  In Lakeside and Valley, 100% of homeless people are unsheltered, highlighting the need for these funds. The count found 78 homeless people in Lakeside and 71 in SpringValley.  Santee had76 homeless individuals, of whom only 18 were in any type of shelter.

By Miriam Raftery

May 17, 2023 (Spring Valley) -- The San Diego County Sheriff's Department has released video from a deputy-involved shooting that occurred on April 26 in Spring Valley. The deputy fired several rounds, seriously injuring a man who had charged at deputies with a metal bedframe in his residence in the 3600 block of South Barcelona Street.

By Jessyka Heredia

May 2, 2023 (Spring Valley) - On Saturday April 29^th the Spring Valley Community Alliance (SVCA) put on its first annual Spring Valley Day with great attendance and lots of things to see and do once inside.

East County News Service

March 11, 2023 (Spring Valley) - The Saps at Sea, the San Diego chapter of the Sons of the Desert, the official Laurel & Hardy fan organization, will host its April gathering, "A Very Special Night," on April 15 at Williams Hall at Trinity Presbytarian Church in Spring Valley.

Story and Photos by Josh Stotler

January 27, 2023 (Spring Valley) -- A single vehicle collision into a power pole ignited a small vegetation fire off of Elevator Road in Spring valley today. The reports of smoke came in to Heartland Fire Dispatch just before noon and units from Heartland, Cal Fire and air support from the San Diego Sheriffs dept. we’re quickly on the scene.

East County News Service

November 22, 2022 (Spring Valley) -- Two men have been arrested for the murder of 32-year-old Jorkim Rose in Spring Valley. Authorities believe the killing was gang related.

East County News Service

November 21, 2022 (Spring Valley) - Noah Homes in Spring Valley invites you to its annual Enchanted Village December 16-22 from 5-8 p.m. 

Guests will  stroll through acres of brilliantly lit trees, magical cottages, light tunnels, live entertainers, and over a million lights with interactive displays and other festive decorations. Santa will be at the Enchanted Village every night for photos with guests. 

Donations are requested to support lifelong homes for people with developmental disabilities at Noah’s Homes.  For more information, visit enchantedvillage.org/.