By Miriam Raftery

Photo: ECM  news partner 10 News

February 26, 2019 (Lakeside) – A 1995 red Ford Mustang traveling at a high rate of speed struck a raised curb and rolled over, catching fire around 2:47 a.m.  The occupants of the vehicle had fled the scene by the time emergency responders arrived and it’s unknown who was driving the vehicle.

East County News Service

February 24, 2019 (Lakeside) – The Lakeside River Park Conservancy will hold a native plant sale on Saturday, April 6 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (or until supply runs out) at 12108 Industry Road in Lakeside.

Preorders are available with a $50 minimum order by March 23^rd.  For more information or a complete plant list, visit www.lakesideriverpark.org/native-plant-sale.

By Teeamarrie Lewis

February 20, 2019 (Lakeside)-- Hello, my name is Teea and I have been homeless in Lakeside for the past three years but have lived here for 30 years. I am not here by choice, I am clean, looking for work with no success but I have seen more problems in this community than they want to let on. In my years of being a homeless citizen I have gained family, lost loved ones, and have lost almost all hope for the human race. When it comes to compassion it seems that there is more stereo types made than there is a realistic version of what is really going on. I am here to try to debunk the stereo type of the Lakeside homeless community.

By Miriam Raftery

February 19, 2019 (Lakeside) – The Lakeside Community Planning Group has called a special meeting to be held this Wednesday, Feb. 20 at 6:30 p.m. in the Lakeside Teen Center in the Community Center. The County will have a representative present to “explain some of the actions that the County Planning Commission has approved and is sending to the Board of Supervisors for their approval regarding changes to the local zoning ordinances that will have an effect on Lakeside,” according to an email sent by LCPG chair Brian Sesko.

Sesko told ECM that the county presented the matter as zoning “cleanup” and complying with state mandates, but that some residents who went down and ready the full proposal raised concerns about potential impacts on Lakeside and other unincorporated areas.

He added that Supervisors are slated to hear the proposed amendments next Wednesday and that the County Planning Commission already voted in favor despite some objections.

Source:  San Diego Sheriff's Department

February 8, 2019 (Santee) - San Diego County Crime Stoppers along with investigators from the Santee Sheriff's Station are asking for the public’s help in identifying and locating an unknown suspect who stole a purse from an unlocked vehicle and used stolen credits cards to make purchases at various stores in Santee.

East County News Service

February 2, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – Nearly every day is a great day to be outdoors when it comes to San Diego County Parks and Recreation. Are you ready for an adventure? We can help with that. Here are some ideas for the month of February at parks in East County.

East County News Service 

January 27, 2019 (Lakeside) – A 27-year-old San Diego man driving a stolen 2003 white Chevrolet Tahoe died in a crash in Lakeside early this morning.

By Mike Allen

Photo:  Race-walk winners Claire Tallent, Australia, and David Velasquez, Ecuador

January 26, 2019 (Santee) – The U.S.A. Track and Field 50 kilometer (31 mile) Race Walk Championship was held today in Santee, which has hosted the national championships eight times in the past 11 years. This year’s race determined the make-up of the U.S. team that will compete at the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru in July. The race was also a qualifier for the IAFF World Track & Field Championships in Quatar in September.

Held concurrent with the national championship was the Waterbridge Capital International 50K Challenge,  on the same Santee course that started and finished at Santee Trolley Square. Winners were David Velasquez, 24 of Ecuador and Claire Tallent, 37 of Australia.  The international competition included race walkers from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Mexico. Among the top US walkers was Nick Christie from El Cajon. 

Santee Drive-In Theatre is one possible site for low-income housing

Council also approves feasibility study on community choice energy option, with two other cities

View Powerpoint presentation

By Mike Allen

January 24, 2019 (Santee) --Believe it not, Santee needs new housing, particularly affordable type, and more rental stock to handle demand from folks who cannot afford to buy houses.

But where to put housing geared to low income earners, and how that construction will impact other properties are not easy subjects, as was revealed at the latest City Council meeting Jan. 23.

The agenda item that prompted much frustration and hand wringing was a proposed residential condo development on a parcel owned by the county. City Ventures, a large Irvine-based developer, recently obtained the 22-acre parcel which is now in escrow. The company wants to build 365 new units at the site, which is just east of Town Center Community Park, behind the YMCA.

East County News Service

Update January 17, 2019 11 p.m. Kennedy's vehicle was last seen Monday near Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa and a doctor's office in Lakeside. The search has now been extended beyond San Diego County for the missing woman and her black Chevy Trailblazer SUV, license #6RQP193.

January 17, 2019 (Lakeside) -- The Lakeside Sheriff's Substation wants your help in locating a missing woman. According to the Sheriff, 70-year-old Kathryn Anne Kennedy was last seen at her home on Harritt Road in Lakeside near Lakee Jennings. Her family reported her missing on Wednesday, January 16th.

"She has medical concerns and some memory problems," Jill Barto, a Cajon Valley school board member who has joined in the search, told ECM.

By Miriam Raftery

January 11, 2019 (Santee) — The Sheriff’s department seeks public help to find a white male in a dirty, newer model white Ford F-150 pickup truck lifted rims. The driver reportedly  tried to trick a 12-year-old boy into accepting a ride. The suspect is described as in his 40s with short blond hair, stubble on his face, wearing a brown Hurley baseball cap and short-sleeved plaid shirt in white and blue.

Story and photos by Liz Alper

January 9, 2019 (El Cajon) - Grossmont boys soccer is...well...let’s just say they could be doing better this season.  They’re currently sitting at 0-8-2 so far.  Tonight, the Hillers hosted Santana in the first Grossmont League game for both teams.  The Sultans are faring much better at 11-4-1.

East County News Service

January 6, 2019 (Santee) – Ashleigh Hanson, 40, of Santee died in a solo-vehicle collision this morning in the 11400 block of Woodside Avenue in Santee.

Sheriff’s deputies and fire personnel responded to the scene and found that Hanson had died of her injuries.

“At this time, it is not known if drugs or alcohol were a factor, however weather and driving too fast for conditions may have contributed to the collision,” says Joe Passalacqua with the Santee Sheriff’s department.