Santee/Lakeside

HOW SHOULD COUNTY SPEND FEDERAL FUNDS IN YOUR COMMUNITY? SHARE YOUR VIEWS IN THESE PUBLIC FORMS

 

East County News Service 

July 5, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- “San Diego County needs your input on how best to invest federal funds in our low- to moderate-income communities,” says Supervisor Dianne Jacob. 

The County is holding a series of public forums at county libraries, each one hour, including these East County locations, to hear your ideas:

  • Alpine, July 8 at 12:30 p.m.
  • Ramona, July 10 at 1:30 p.m.
  • Julian, July 12 at 11:30 a.m.
  • El Cajon, July 22, 3:30 p.m.
  • Borrego Springs, July 24 at 11:30 a.m.
  • Spring Valley on July 29 at 11:30 a.m.

You can also share your thoughts and suggestions in an online survey: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/sdhcd/ 

SANTEE TELLS SANDAG TO KEEP HANDS OFF HIGHWAY FUNDS

By Mike Allen

Photo:  Hasan Ikhrata, executive director, SANDAG 

July 2, 2019 (Santee) -- Santee’s City Council heard first-hand this week about a massive, high-tech revamp to San Diego County's transportation system, but Council members weren’t impressed.

 

The Council appeared united in telling a team of three professionals from the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), the regional transportation planning agency, to keep its hands off any committed funding to expand the key highways to the city.

 

"Everybody here is excited to hear about bold, new ideas," said Councilwoman Laura Koval. "But we also want you to know that we're still moving forward with our plan...and we're still going after funds to complete our highways."

SANTEE REVERSES COURSE, BANS SMOKING ENTIRELY AT PARKS

By Mike Allen
 
June 27, 2019 (Santee) -- In a stunning reversal of an earlier vote last month, Santee’s City Council rejected a watered down smoking ban for its parks, and approved an ordinance that bans the activity entirely.
 
The vote for a 100 percent smoking ban at its June 26 meeting was 4-1 with Councilman Rob McNelis opposed.

PADRE DAM BOARD APPROVES INTERIM FUNDING AGREEMENT FOR REGIONAL WATER PURIFICATION PROJECT

By Mike Allen
 
June 23, 2019 (Santee) -- The board for the Padre Dam Municipal Water District has voted unanimously for a financing package that clearly outlines the costs to each of the four agencies building the East County Advanced Water Purification Project.

ADVANCING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES: LAKESIDE LIFE, A TOWN HALL CONVERSATION

By David R. Shorey

 

East County program manager, Institute for Public Strategies

 

Photo: Lakeside Life Town Hall was held May 29, 2019 at the Lakeside Community Center. Photo courtesy IPS

 

June 19, 2019 (Lakeside) -- Resident involvement is strong in Lakeside. This was very evident recently when more than 40 people came together at Lakeside Life: A Town Hall Conversation at the community center on the shore of Lindo Lake.

GRANT TO BRING CAJON VALLEY’S “WORLD OF WORK” PROGRAM TO LA MESA-SPRING VALLEY, GROSSMONT HIGH AND VISTA SCHOOL DISTRICTS

By Miriam Raftery

June 6, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – A $1.2 million grant awarded by the national nonprofit American Student Assistance (ASA) will fund participation in the World of Work (WoW) program for over 33,000 students at 38 local schools in the La Mesa-Spring Valley (LMSV), Vista Unified and Grossmont Union High School (GUHSD) districts.

The program was developed by the Cajon Valley Union School District (CVUSD) in partnership with the University of San Diego to provide  K-12 students to explore career options and identify their individuals strengths and interests. The program has rolled out in 27 schools in the past two years, been written up in national publications such as Forbes business magazine, and most recently drew attention in meetings with U.S. Department of Education representatives (photo left) and a presentation at the Brookings Institute.

EXPERTS GIVE THEIR INSIGHTS ON LAKESIDE FIRE AND SECURITY ISSUES

By Mike Allen

June 4, 2019 (Lakeside) -- Lakeside has a good reputation as a relatively safe area, but like every area of the county, it’s got some crime and could be made even safer if citizens make an effort and speak out when they see problems.

That was the key message imparted by a panel of experts speaking May 29 at the Lakeside Community Center organized by the Institute for Public Strategies.

MOTORCYCLIST DIES AFTER COLLISION WITH TEEN DRIVER ON OLDE HIGHWAY 80

By Miriam Raftery
 
June 2, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – A 19-year-old Jamul woman driving a Hyundai Accent made a U-turn on Olde Highway 80 west of Bond Avenue in unincorporated El Cajon yesterday at 5:25 p.m., crossing directly into the path of a motorcycle.  The driver of the motorcycle, a 27-year-old Santee man on a black SSR Razkull 125, was ejected following the collision and sustained blunt force trauma.

SANTEE APPROVES BOND FINANCING FOR WESTON IMPROVEMENTS

 
 
By Mike Allen
 
May 28, 2019 (Santee) -- Santee’s City Council approved the final phase May 22 on about $9 million in bonds that will be issued next month to pay for improvements and city services to the controversial Weston residential development, formerly called Castlerock.
 
The special tax bonds are completely supported from property taxes paid by the residents of Weston, which is located just west of Santee Lakes and off Mast Boulevard.
 
No city funding will be used to repay the bonds, which are being issued through two separate community facilities districts via a mechanism commonly used by many cities in California called Mello-Roos.
 
The actual amount of issued debt won’t be known until the debt is priced and sold in early June, but likely will come in at about $8.9 million although the special financing districts controlled by the city of Santee has the power to issue up to $9.5 million in debt.

RIVER DAYS HIKE AND RIVER CLEAN-UP JUNE 7-8 IN LAKESIDE

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

 

May 28, 2019 (Lakeside) - The Lakeside RiverPark Foundation announces two events next weekend.  A guided hike originally set in May has been rescheduled for Saturday,b June 8 due to rain last month. Plus, you can help clean-up the River Park on either Friday or Saturday, June 7-8.  Below are details.

BAYOU BROTHERS IN CONCERT JUNE 15 AT SANTEE LAKES

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

May 27, 2019 (Santee) – The Bayou Brothers will present a rollicking concert complete with Cajun, Zydeco and blues  music at Santee Lakes on Saturday, June 15th at 7 p.m. Enjoy the sounds of New Orleans and the Louisiana bayous – and you just may get a free lesson in how to play the rub board.

SANTEE BANS SMOKING IN PARKS, EXCEPT AT CITY-SPONSORED EVENTS IN DESIGNATED AREAS

 
 
By Miriam Raftery
 
May 26, 2019 (Santee) – Lighting up a cigarette, cigar, or vaping device is now illegal in Santee parks, making the city the last in the region to outlaw smoking in public parks.  Council smoked out an exception, however, for designated smoking sections at special events  at Town Center Community Park, including summer concerts and the city’s annual Santee Salutes Fourth of July festivities, as well as Fido Fest.
 

SANTEE CITY COUNCIL TO VOTE WEDNESDAY ON SMOKE-FREE PARKS

 
 
East County News Service
 
Photo: Creative Commons b S.A.
 
May 20, 2019 (Santee) – Santee is the last city in San Diego County to allow smoking in public parks.  In January 2018, the City Council voted to make trails in Santee smoke-free, but didn’t commit to ban smoking in parks or open spaces. But after a workshop on municipal code updates at which residents and public health advocates asked for better protection from secondhand smoke, Council members asked staff in May to include smoke-free parks in a municipal code update. 

ELEVENTH ANNUAL SANTEE STREET FAIR AND SIXTH ANNUAL CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL RETURNS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, MAY 25

 

 

Santee Chamber of Commerce celebrates with family-friendly fun, craft beer and the honoring of military members 

East County News Service

May 20, 2019 (Santee) -- Join more than 30,000 visitors at the Santee Street Fair and Craft Beer Festival on Saturday, May 25 at Town Center Parkway and Riverview Parkway in Santee.  The Street Fair is celebrating its 11th year and offers family-friendly games, live music and entertainment, over 300 various food and vendor booths, artists, carnival rides, a kid’s zone and more. The Craft Beer Festival is back for its sixth year and will feature award-winning craft beer samples from local breweries and beyond. The street fair starts at 10:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the Craft Beer Festival starts at 11:30 am to 5:30 p.m.

CHICK-FIL-A IN LA MESA, SANTEE HONORING MILITARY FAMILIES WITH FREE FOOD AT MILITARY APPRECIATION NIGHT MAY 22

East County News Service



May 20, 2019 (San Diego's East County) – The 14 Chick-fil-A restaurants in San Diego County will honor the community’s military personnel and their families with a Military Appreciation Night from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22. Chick-fil-A restaurants in East County are located at 8200 Fletcher Parkway, La Mesa and 9418 Mission Gorge Road, Santee.

COME TALK ABOUT LAKESIDE LIFE: TOWN HALL MAY 29

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

May 10, 2019 (Lakeside) – You’re invited to join in a conversation on the quality of life in Lakeside along with representatives of Lakeside Fire,  the San Diego Sheriff, District Attorney, health and safety organizations.  A “Lakeside Life” town hall will be held on May 29 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Lakeside Community Center (12244 Lakeshore Drive).  Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

EAST COUNTY FATALITY ACCIDENT VICTIMS IDENTIFIED

 
 
By Miriam Raftery
 
May 9, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – The San Diego County Medical Examiner has identified victims killed in several recent East County accidents in Ramona, Spring Valley, Jamul and Santee.
 
Blake Cameron Jennings, 30, of Ramona died at the scene of a motorcycle accident on May 1st after striking a vehicle making a turn on San Vicente Road at Vista Vicente Drive.

DRIVER ARRESTED AFTER STRIKING, SERIOUSLY INJURING MAN IN SANTEE

 
 
By Miriam Raftery
 
May 7, 2019 (Santee) – A driver who seriously injured a pedestrian in Santee has been arrested for a felony hit and run.  The accident occurred this morning at 5:03 a.m. at North Magnolia Ave. and Riverview Parkway.
 
The victim, 32, had been arguing with his brother and jumped out of a vehicle, walking south on North Magnolia in the lanes of travel, according to Lt. Chris Steffen. The brother and his friend tried to talk the man back into the vehicle, when he was struck by another vehicle traveling north on Magnolia.

SAN DIEGO RIVER DAYS: TWO WEEKENDS OF FREE NATURE ACTIVITIES MAY 11-12 AND MAY 18-19

 

 

East County News Service

May 5, 2019 (San Diego) - San Diego River Days is back for its 16th year with a full calendar of interactive activities; including hikes, bike rides, volunteer projects, bird walks, animal tracking adventures, open houses, tours, artists painting, a star party, fishing, a full moon hike and much more.

SANTEE COUNCIL TO HOLD WORKSHOP ON MASSIVE FANITA RANCH PROPOSED PROJECT MAY 8

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

May 3, 2019 (Santee) -- A workshop describing the controversial Fanita Ranch proposed master-planned community will be held during a regularly scheduled City Council meeting on Wednesday, May 8th. The workshop is designed to provide information to the public about the project. No actions on the project will be taken at this meeting.

HOMELESS COUNT SHOWS 6% DROP COUNTYWIDE: HOMELESS RISES IN RAMONA AND EL CAJON BUT DROPS IN SPRING VALLEY

 

Updated with corrected figures for El Cajon, where homelessness rose and a higher percentage are without shelter than last year.

By Miriam Raftery

May 2, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – For the second year in a row, the annual Point-in-Time homeless count for 2019 found a 6% drop in the number of homeless people living on the streets and in shelters across San Diego County.  The count found a 1% increase in those who are sheltered and a 10% decrease in those left unsheltered.

BOARD APPROVES FIRST PHASE IMPROVEMENTS FOR POPULAR LINDO LAKE COUNTY PARK

 

 

By Gig Connaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office

May 1, 2019 (Lakeside) - San Diego County’s Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Wednesday to move ahead with a $7.5 million first-phase improvement project for the popular Lindo Lake County Park in Lakeside.

SPRING HIKES IN COUNTY PARKS

 

 

East County News Service 

May 1, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – Spring is here – time to lace up your hiking boots and hit the trails. The County is offering a series of special hikes in county parks, from leisurely strolls to a rugged “Warrior hike challenge” up El Capitan.

 

Find details below provided by County Parks: 

MAN ARRESTED FOR KILLING BROTHER IN LAKESIDE

By Miriam Raftery

Updated with names of victims

April 27, 2019 (Lakeside) – Felix Joseph Hernandez, 50, is under arrest for killing his brother. George Hernandez, as well as shooting and injuring Elwin Ray Downs, 65. He is charged with murder and assault.

Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call reporting the shooting yesterday at 4:31 p.m. in a mobile home park at 13460 Highway 8 Business in Lakeside.  Deputies found a 65-year-old man in the parking lot with a gunshot wound to his torso. The victim reported another man had been shot inside a residence.

RISE UP HELPS FORMER INMATES MAKE TRANSITION TO NEW LIFE

 
 
By Mike Allen
 
Photo:  Dustin Greeves and Ernie Garcia
 
April 25, 2019 (Santee) -- A small nonprofit in Santee is making its mark as a proven transition agent, giving newly-released longtime prisoners a chance for a new life while providing skilled workers for local businesses.

LAKESIDE MAN’S SON, 11, KILLED IN SRI LANKA EASTER CHURCH BOMBINGS

 
 
By Miriam Raftery
 
April 24, 2019 (Lakeside) – An 11-year-old boy whose father lives in Lakeside was among over 350 victims killed on Easter Sunday in bombings of churches and hotels in Sri Lanka. Another 500 were injured in the terrorist attacks.

SKETCH RELEASED OF MAN WHO TRIED TO LURE GIRL INTO CAR IN SANTEE

 
 
By Miriam Raftery
 
April 23, 2019 (Santee) -- Detectives from the Santee Sheriff's Station now have a sketch of a man suspected of trying to lure a young girl into his car on March 28th around 6 p.m. on Poplin Drive in Santee.  
 
A nine-year-old girl told detectives she was riding her bicycle when the suspect pulled up beside her and asked her if she would like a ride to a "game." The girl became scared and rode away in her bike all the way home. She was not hurt. 

KARL STRAUSS BREWERY BACK ON TRACK IN SANTEE

 
 
 
By Mike Allen
 
April 16, 2019 (Santee) -- Santee’s largest commercial project in many years, a Karl Strauss brewery/restaurant on 10 acres off Cuyamaca Street next to Trolley Square, was officially put back into play after the San Diego beer company and environmental groups came to agreement about the project.

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