La Mesa to vote April 11 on resolution to oppose AB 805

By Miriam Raftery

April 8, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – Elected leaders in numerous local cities are gearing up to oppose a state bill that critics warn weaken the voices and voting power of smaller cities on the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), as well as the Metropolitan Transit System and North County Transit District.  The bill gives more power to the city of San Diego, which critics contend will mean not enough clout by representatives from the county or other cities in the region to pass, block, or even place items on the agenda.

East County News Service

April 7, 2017 (Lakeside) -- The 53rd Annual Lakeside Rodeo brings the exciting action of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association to the Lakeside Arena April 28th, 29th & 30th, with four full rodeo performances featuring the seven events of rodeo: bull riding, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, calf roping, barrel racing (WPRA), tie down roping, and team roping.

East County News Service

April 7, 2017 (Lakeside) - Do you know someone who goes above and beyond for the betterment of our community? A friend, family member, or associate who loves Lakeside and is actively involved in doing their part to volunteer and lend a helping hand? If you do, then the Lakeside Chamber of Commerce wants to hear from you.

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Story and photos by Liz Alper

April 4, 2017 (Spring Valley) - Monte Vista varsity baseball began conference play today after starting the season with a decent 7-4 record.  Their first opponent?  The West Hills Wolf Pack, who haven’t fared as well, but who stood at an average 4-6 coming into today. Senior Justin Schweizer started on the mound for the Monarchs against another senior, Noah Quintana, for the Wolf Pack.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Screenshot, NBC  7

April 1, 2017 (Santee) – The Santee City Council will hold a special meeting in April 3^rd at 2 p.m. to consider a resolution proclaiming an emergency in order to authorize immediate repair of certain corrugated metal pipe storm drain systems that have caused major sinkholes that threaten to undermine homes.  The sinkholes are located on East and West Hartland Circle and Ryder Court.

Updated March 28 with a response from Michael Beck at the Endangered Habitats Conservancy and Supervisor Dianne Jacob's office.

By Miriam Raftery

March 27, 2017 (Lakeside) - A big mess in Lakeside just got worse.  Someone has dumped debris illegally over the weekend along a waste heap from a former sand mining site that residents in Lakeside’s El Monte Valley were already fighting to get cleaned up.

East County News Service

March 22, 2017 (Santee) – To commemorate Tuesday, March 28 as the American Diabetes Association’s “Alert Day,” the nine Chick-fil-A restaurants in San Diego County, including the Chick-fil-A restaurant at 9418 Mission Gorge Road, Santee, will giveaway free food to customers who find out their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

East County News Service

March 21, 2017 (Santee) -- The City of Santee, and Santee Lakes present the 14th annual Spring Eggstravaganza at Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve (Lake #5) on Saturday, April 15^th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Source: County of San Diego

March 19, 2017 (San Diego's East County)--An estimated 900,000 gallon sewage spill was identified Friday, March 17^th at Los Coches Creek near East Sierra Alta Way in unincorporated El Cajon, the County announced today. The sewage entered the creek after an underground sewer pipe became exposed and significantly damaged during the February 27^th storms.

East County News Service

March 13, 2017 (Lakeside)  - Lakeside's River Park Conservancy will hold the 10th annual San Diego River Run 5k on Saturday, May 6 from  8 a.m. to 11 a.m.at the Lakeside River Park trail.

The San Diego River Run 5k will be held in the morning this year, with on-site registration beginning at 7:00 am and the race starting at 8:00 am. The event will take place at Lakeside's River Park located at 10398 Channel Road, Lakeside.

By Michelle Mowad, County of San Diego Communications Office

March 5, 2017 (Lakeside) -- The hike at El Capitan County Preserve is considered one of the most rugged and physically challenging in San Diego County. The preserve’s trails run along a granite-ribbed ridgeline, which has stunning views of both the ocean and mountains. It can easily take up to six hours to complete this 12-mile out-and-back trek.

By Miriam Raftery

March 4, 2017 (San Diego) — Andy Parr has been appointed to serve as the County’s new Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Administrator.  Parr is best known in East County as the former Fire Chief of the Lakeside Fire Protection District, where he served for 37 years including during the Cedar and Witch Creek wildfires. Most recently he served as EMS/Fire Liaison for the County Health and Human Services Agency.

By Mike Allen

Photo, left:  shot of early stage treatment of reclaimed water at PD water recycling plant just north of Santee Lakes.

February 27, 2017 (Santee) -- While the recent rainy weather has improved what was a critical drought situation for much of California, officials at the Padre Dam Municipal Water District continue work on a regional water reclamation program to convert sewage discharge into drinkable water.

Source: California Highway Patrol

February 24, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) — A tow truck driver assisting a disabled vehicle on the right-hand shoulder of State Route 52 eastbound was hit by a Ford Explorer yesterday at 5:08 p.m.  and died at the scene.