Santee/Lakeside

SAND MINE DEVELOPER STARTS DIGGING WITHOUT PERMIT, YET COUNTY SAYS IT’S OK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





 

Photos by Billy Ortiz; Facebook screenshots

 

By Mike Allen

Updated October 26 with comments from Supervisor Dianne Jacob

October 25, 2018 (Lakeside) -- The developer of the El Monte Valley Sand Mine is apparently is so sure the project will get approved he began digging Oct. 24 without a permit, but according to San Diego County he doesn’t need one.

El Monte Nature Preserve LLC, the ironically-named entity that has been seeking county approval for the mining operation on nearly 500 acres of land near Lakeside, sent a heavy equipment operator to the site Wednesday to  begin digging holes. That prompted several local mining opponents to block the operation.


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LAKESIDE PLANNERS TO HOLD HEARING THURSDAY AND VOTE ON SAND MINE EIR

 

East County News Service

October 22, 2018 (Lakeside) – The Lakeside Community Planning Group will hold a public hearing this Thursday on an environmental impact report on a controversial sand mining project proposed in the El Monte Valley. After public comments and discussion, planning group members are expected to vote on the project’s EIR.


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TRAVELING 911 MEMORIAL PAINTING ARRIVES AT SANTEE FIRE STATION ON OCT. 18

 

Source: Santee Fire Department

October 16, 2018 (Santee) -- An original art work honoring the sacrifice of first responders on September 11,2001 will make Santee its home for the next three months.

The 3-by-4-foot oil painting portrays a New York firefighter with is head in his hands standing below a tattered American flag with the iconic wreckage of the Twin Towers in the background.


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INJURED SANTEE WOMAN TO RETURN HOME FROM AFRICA THURSDAY

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

October 16, 2018 (Santee) – Jeanette Craig, who suffered serious injuries when a tour bus overturned in Africa, has resolved transportation issues and is slated to return home Thursday.  


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SANTEE COUNCIL CANDIDATES SPEAK OUT, RESPOND TO OUR QUESTIONS

 

 

By Miriam Raftery, Editor, East County Magazine

Photos, upper left to lower right:  Evlyn Andrade-Heymsfelt, Zack Gianino, Laura Koval, Councilman Ronn Hall, Councilman Rob McNelis, Lynda Marrokal, Rudy Reyes

Updated October 18 with responses from Rudy Reyes

October 8, 2018 (Santee) – This is the first time Santee has held district elections, where the winners will each represent a specific neighborhood instead of being voted on by the city at large. We sent questionnaires to the seven candidates running for three City Council seats in Santee, asking the same questions of everyone. All seven candidates replied. Their thoughtful responses address a range of issues such as balancing growth and open space, also offering some fresh ideas, such as creating a community choice energy program for Santee.

Below are their answers in full to our questions, along with a link to their ballot statements for more information, arranged by district and in alphabetical order within each district.


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COUNTY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT STAFF FACES STIFF OPPOSITION FROM IRATE LAKESIDE RESIDENTS OVER PROPOSED SAND MINE PROJECT

 

 

By Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor

Photo, left, by Paul Kruze

October 12, 2018 (Lakeside) -- Members of San Diego County’s Planning and Development staff bravely faced some 500 irate Lakeside residents at a recent loud and often rowdy standing room only meeting at the Lakeside Community Center over a proposed sand mine project at the El Monte Valley.

The meeting came on the heels of a controversial draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) released by the County on the possible environmental effects the sand mine project might have directly on the Lakeside community and on the adjacent cities of Santee and El Cajon.

The County has solicited its draft report for public review and comment from August 30th through October 29th. (The report and other documents related to the project can be accessed here.)


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SANTEE CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES NAME ECONOMIC GROWTH AND TRANSPORTATION AMONG PRIORITIES AT OCT. 4 FORUM

 

By Ana Nita

View video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxJlcuFhwyI&t=10s

October 11, 2018 (Santee) -- In April, the City of Santee ended the “at large” election system by adopting an ordinance that divided the city into four election districts. The electoral battle on November 6 now has seven candidates from three districts. Registered to run in District 1 are Evlyn Andrade-Heymsfield and current Vice Mayor Rob McNelis; in District 2, Council Member Ronn Hall and Rudy Reyes; in District 3: Zach Gianino, Laura Koval and Lynda Marrokal.


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SANTEE CANDIDATES DUCK MAJOR ISSUE FACING CITY AT OCT. 9 FORUM

 

By Mike Allen

October 10, 2018 (Santee) -- The proposed Fanita Ranch housing project that would add nearly 3,000 houses to Santee is probably the most controversial issue facing city leaders. But at a candidates’ forum Oct. 9 at the Pride Academy School, three candidates for City Council including two incumbents declined to reveal their opinions about it.


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SANTEE WOMAN INJURED IN AFRICA NEEDS FUNDS TO COME HOME

 

GoFundMe page started to pay for medical evacuation flight

By Miriam Raftery

October 10, 2018 (Santee) – Jeanette Craig, a retiree from Santee, has been seriously injured while vacationing in Lesotho, an African nation, when a tour bus overturned. Three people were killed and 12 injured. Craig suffered a fractured pelvis and leg, as well as torn ligaments, 10 News reports.

“Regular airlines will not transport her because of the severity of her injuries. The cost is estimated at $160,000,” says Nicolas Wiseman, a friend who started a GoFundMe page to help Craig return home. “While Jeanette has travel insurance, it will not cover these costs.”


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PADRE DAM BOARD FREEZES WATER RATES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019

 

 

A previously approved water rate increase will not be implemented

Source: Padre Dam Municipal Water District 

October 10, 2018 (Santee) – Padre Dam Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors unanimously approved to freeze water rates for Fiscal Year 2019. The decision to freeze rates was based on an increase in water sales the previous year compared to the District’s Budget and the strong financial position of the water operation funds. 


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SANTEE CANDIDATE FORUMS SET FOR OCT. 4 AND 9: READ ABOUT THE 7 CANDIDATES RUNNING

 

 

 

East County News Service

October 2, 2018 (Santee) – Santee's Council races have attracted seven candidates for three seats, drawing strong public interest following a heated Council meeting recently over the future of growth and development in the community.  Scroll down for details on two candidate forums, as well as information on all candidates in the race.

Two candidate forums are slated on October 4th and 9th for Santee City Council candidates running in districts 1, 2 and 3:

Thursday, Oct. 4, 6 p.m. at Carlton Oaks Golf Club Crest Room, 9200 Inwood Drive, Santee

Tuesday, October 9, 6 p.m. at Pride Academy School, 9303 Prospect Dr., Santee


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BRAVE THESE HAUNTED TRAILS AT COUNTY PARKS

 

 

East County News Service

October 1, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- Ready to get spooked? County parks invite you tor a haunted adventure through the woods. Don’t forget to dress up in your favorite Halloween costume!


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OMA’S PUMPKIN PATCH IN LAKESIDE HAS HAYRIDES, MAZE AND MORE

 

By Miriam Raftery

October 1, 2018 (Lakeside) – Now in its 19th year, Oma’s Pumpkin Patch at the Van Ommering Dairy in Lakeside is open for the season now through October 31st .  You can visit Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.


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STABBING ON BARONA RESERVATION

 

East County News Service

September 30, 2018 (Lakeside) — A man suffered serious wounds in a stabbing Saturday on the Barona reservation, though they are not considered life-threatening, says Sgt. John Delocht with the Sheriff’s department.


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HONDA DRIVER AND PASSENGER KILLED IN LAKESIDE CRASH

 

SIG Alert issued; Wildcat Canyon Rd. closed at Willows Rd.

By Miriam Raftery

September 27, 2018 (Lakeside) – A collision on Wildcat Canyon Road this morning has resulted in two fatalities. A 21-year-old woman and a 53-year-old man, both from El Cajon, died after they were ejected from a 1992 Honda Accord that struck a 2013 Porsche Cayenne.

According to the CHP, the Honda was traveling south on Wildcat Canyon north of Willow Road at a high speed when the Honda struck a concrete curb. The driver veered left, directly into the path of the Porsche, which was driven by a Santee woman, 43.

“The two vehicles collided broadside,” said Officer Travis Garrow. “The force of the impact split the Honda in half.”


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CHASE IN LAKESIDE RESULTS IN SCHOOL LOCKDOWN, INJURY TO DEPUTY

 

By Miriam Raftery

September 26, 2018 (Lakeside) – On Monday, September 24th, Sheriff’s deputies conducting traffic enforcement at Ashwood Street and Willows Road in Lakeside pulled over a vehicle that ran a stop sign. A male passenger ran out of the vehicle and jumped the fence into the El Capitan High School campus just as students were being released.


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ECM FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: EL CAP HANDS WOLF PACK FIRST LOSS IN INAUGURAL TONY BURNER MEMORIAL GAME

 

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Story and photos by Liz Alper

September 22, 2018 (Santee) - ECM Sports is excited about this week’s edition of Friday Night Lights.  It comes to you from West Hills for the first time, where the incredibly aesthetically pleasing blue field greeted us.  Tonight, the Pack hosted the Vaqueros of El Capitan in the inaugural Tony Burner Memorial Cup, named after the late Wolfpack quarterback and Vaquero coordinator who passed away a year ago.  Burner was the son of El Capitan head coach Ron Burner.  These two are polar opposites of each other; the Vaqueros were struggling at 1-3 heading into tonight, while the Wolf Pack were undefeated at 4-0.


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LAKESIDE FIRE BOARD CANDIDATES RESPOND TO QUESTIONS

 

By Miriam Raftery

September 18, 2018 (Lakeside) – Five candidates are running for the Lakeside Fire Protection District Board.  Three are incumbents:   Robert Robeson, a retired Cal Fire assistant chief, Mike Haworth, a retired fire division chief, Peter Liebig, a retired firefighter/paramedic. Two are challengers:  fire captain Tim Robles and volunteer emergency responder Ron Kasper.

East County Magazine sent questionnaires to all five, and three responded (Robeson, Haworth and Kasper).   Below are their responses (published in the order received), plus links to their ballot statements.


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EIR FOR EL MONTE SAND MINING PROJECT NOW AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT: HEARING SET SEPT. 25 IN LAKESIDE

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

August 31, 2018 (Lakeside) – The County has published a draft environmental impact report (EIR) for the controversial El Monte Sand Mining Project. 


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EAST COUNTY CITIES CONSIDER REGULATING SHARED SCOOTERS

 

Scooter craze offers freedom for riders seeking alternatives to cars, but raises concerns over injuries, parking and public safety

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Scooter riders don't always follow traffic rules; cc by N.A.

September 9, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – The latest worldwide transportation craze has hit our region.  Electric “dockless” scooters for short-term rental are cropping up across San Diego County, offered by companies such as Bird, Lime, Uber and soon, Lyft.


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BARONA RESORT & CASINO OPENS OLD FASHIONED ICE CREAM SHOP AS PART OF WELCOME HOME EXPANSION

 

“The Creamery” features ultra creamy, extra rich homemade ice cream

East County News Service

September 8, 2018 (Lakeside) – Barona Resort & Casino recently unveiled The Creamery, a 1932-era ice cream shop serving super-premium, incredibly delicious house-made ice cream. It is the latest eatery to be unveiled as part of Barona’s Welcome Home expansion.


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LAKESIDE FIRE DISTRICT IS HIRING

 

Source: Lakeside Fire

September 7, 2018 (Lakeside) -- The Lakeside Fire District is hiring for both entry-level Firefighter-Paramedic and Reserve Firefighter. Check out this dramatic video (https://twitter.com/i/status/1038201517344468992) and visit http://lakesidefire.net  for more information.

Applications close on November 1, 2018 at 4:00 p.m.


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BLUE GREEN ALGAE INVADES EAST COUNTY LAKES

 

The naturally-occurring algae can form toxic blooms, causing severe illness in humans, kill pets, livestock, and other animals

By Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor

September 3, 2018 (San Diego )-- Some people believe in the health benefits of blue green algae as nutritional supplements found at health food stores.  But too much of it can make humans very sick and even kill pets and larger animals exposed to blue-green algae scum that forms on lakes and reservoirs.

While the County of San Diego has been battling a full-scale war on blue-green algae at Lindo Lake County Park in Santee, East County Magazine has received inquiries from readers who spotted algae scum at Lake Morena and voiced concerns.


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SPOOKY CAMP-O-WEEN WEEKENDS AT LAKE JENNINGS

 

 

East County News Service

August 31, 2018 (Lakeside) – Lake Jennings in Lakeside is hosting Spooky Camp-o-Ween events the two weekends before Halloween, Oct. 19-21 and Oct. 26-28, complete with ghost stories, s’mores, a campsite decorating contest, trick or treating and creepy crafts.


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CAL FIRE SAN DIEGO OFFICERS MAKE ARREST FOR ARSON IN LAKESIDE

 

Source: Cal Fire

August 30, 2018 (Lakeside) -- On Monday, San Diego Unit CAL FIRE law enforcement officers arrested Daniel Reyes Ortega, 21, a transient in Lakeside. Ortega was booked on charges of willfully and maliciously setting fire to forest land. The arrest and was made with cooperation of the San Diego Sheriff’s Department.


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MILLIONS POURING INTO EAST COUNTY TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS

 

Next meeting set for Sept. 6 in Lakeside as community seeks solutions to its growing homelessness problem

By Ana Nita

View video here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOWE1HAQS7c&feature=youtu.be

August 29, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- Eric J. Lund, Director of the East County Homeless Task Force and CEO of the East County Chamber of Commerce, announced last week that East County will receive $2 million out of the $18.8 million in state funding for San Diego County to solve the homelessness problem.


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SANTEE JOGGER KILLED; DRIVER ARRESTED FOR DUI

 

Update August 29, 2018: The victim has been identified as Susana Gotell, 41, of Santee.

By Miriam Raftery

August 28, 2018 (Lakeside) – A woman jogging on North Woodside Avenue near Riverford Road in Santee was struck by a Chevy work truck driven by Michael Woodfill, 46, tonight at 6:40 p.m.  

Susana Gotell, 41, was transported to Sharp Memorial Hospital with major injuries, but died shortly after arrival.  She was the mother of two teens, ages 16 and 18, Fox 5 News reports.


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BACKPACK GIVEAWAY SUNDAY IN SANTEE

 

By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

August 18, 2018 (Santee) -- On August 19th, inside the Santee Library, the Santee Mobile-Home Owner’s Action Committee, Inc. (SMOAC) will hold their 4th Annual Backpack & School Supplies Movement.  Backpacks filled with school supplies will be handed out, free to students, at 10 a.m. until supplies are exhausted.


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ECM FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: SULTANS CONQUER RED HAWKS AT HOME TO OPEN SEASON

 

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Does your son or daughter play a sport at a level other than varsity?  Comment on this story or tweet @ECMagSports to request coverage!

Check out our sports section for more sports stories!

Story and photos by Liz Alper

August 18, 2018 (Santee) - It’s finally back.  You’ve waited all winter, spring and summer for it.  ECM Friday Night Lights has returned and it’s back and better than ever.  Our first stop is to Santana High, where we also got our first glimpse of not only the 2018 Sultans, but also of the Red Hawks, who made the journey in from Mountain Empire High School in Pine Valley.


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BODY OF GIRL, 12, FOUND IN SAN VICENTE RESERVOIR

 

By Miriam Raftery

August 16, 2018 (Lakeside) – The body of 12-year-old Lia Rose Barakett was recovered yesterday from the San Vicente Reservoir in Lakeside, where she fell overboard from a boat during an outing with family and friends. Barakett, a Canadian resident, was visiting the area when the tragedy occurred.


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