Source: Santee Fire Department

August 18, 2016 (Santee) -- The City of Santee is reintroducing red-colored fire suppression vehicles into its fleet after 50 years of having yellow as the primary color for the department’s fire apparatuses.

East County News Service

August 17, 2016 (La  Mesa) – At today’s 2 p.m. meeting of the Helix Water District Board (7811 University Ave., La Mesa), directors will consider addition of fees and other changes at Lake Jennings, including adding kayak rentals and a tee-pee rental venue at the campground.  These are the latest improvements proposed by a committee led by director Joel Scalzitti.    As a result, the lake that some board  members sought to close due to budget shortfalls is now operating at a profit.  View board package and agenda.

At its last meeting, the board voted 3-2 for hefty rate hikes of 10.1%, effective on water use after  November 1,2016 and billings starting January 1,2017. That action has inspired five challengers to run against two board members who voted for this hefty rate hike as well as earlier recent increases—moves that fueled outrage in public comments and emails sent to the board.

East County News Service

August 11, 2016 (Santee) – 10 News reports that Pami Peterson found dozens of tacks, most pointing up, spread out and hidden in the grass at Mast Park where she brought her three young sons to play.

By Miriam Raftery

August 8, 2016 (Santee) — The man who fired arrows from a crossbow at Sheriff’s deputies in Santee and died after officers returned fire during a SWAT team incident Friday has been identified as Santee resident David Michael Moya, 31.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  @SDSheriff.net on Twitter

August 6, 2016 (Santee) – A man who reportedly threatened to kill his mother prompted a SWAT team intervention yesterday afternoon at a home at 9901 Woodglen Vista Drive in Santee.  After the suspect fired arrows at Sheriff’s deputies out the windows, deputies returned fire. A robotic device later confirmed the suspect was dead, said Lieutenant Greg Rylaarsdam with the Sheriff’s Homicide Detail.

By Miriam Raftery

August 2, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – The deadline to file as a candidate to run for local offices is August 11. But so far, many East County races have no candidates declared or qualified for the ballot, according to the Registrar of Voters candidate list for the November election.  Most community planning groups have nobody running.  The same is true in some school, water and fire districts. Races with no candidates will be filled by appointment. In other districts, people are running unopposed—even incumbents on some of the most controversy-riddled boards.

No candidates are listed yet for the city councils in El Cajon, La Mesa, Lemon Grove or Santee, nor for the mayoral seats open in Lemon Grove and Santee, nor the La Mesa City Clerk or Treasurer seats.  Candidates have been actively campaigning in some of those races and some will likely file before deadline, but it’s also common for candidates to drop out before qualifying for the ballot.

In the Grossmont Union High School District, incumbent Jim Stieringer is thus far running unopposed in district two (La Mesa/Mt. Helix/Rancho San Diego); in district one (Lemon Grove/Spring Valley) which is an open seat, only one candidate has filed: Pastor Steve Babbitt from Spring Valley Community Church.

Source: Caltrans news Release

August 3, 2016 (Lakeside) - Construction crews will close northbound State Route 67 (SR-67) from Winter Gardens Boulevard to Lakeside Avenue and southbound SR-67 from Lakeside Avenue to Mapleview Street Friday, August 5, and Saturday, August 6 from 9 at night until 11 the following morning. Mapleview Street at SR-67 will also be closed intermittently during these hours. Motorists are advised to expect delays and to avoid the area if possible.

East County News Service

August 1, 2016 (Lakeside) - The Lakeside Community Planning group meetings Wednesday, August 3 in the Lakeside Community Center at 9841 Vine St., Lakeside.  The formal meeting starts at 6:30, however at 6 p.m., a public viewing of plans for current and upcoming projects will be available for the public.

By Michelle Mowad, County of San Diego Communications Office

Source:  County News Service

July 31, 2016 (San Diego) - County Parks and Recreation will close four parks in August, a precaution taken each year due to the month’s expected extreme heat.

El Capitan Preserve near Lakeside, Mt. Gower Preserve near Ramona, Hellhole Canyon Preserve in Valley Center and Wilderness Gardens in Pala are closed Aug. 1 through Aug. 31. In addition, Agua Caliente Regional Park near Julian is closed all summer; it will reopen Labor Day weekend.

East County News Service

July 26, 2016 (Lakeside) – A male pedestrian was struck by a box truck and killed on Interstate 8 west just east of Lake Jennings Park Road yesterday, according to the California Highway Patrol.

By Miriam Raftery

July 24, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – The filing period to run for local offices is now open, closing August 12.   Concerned citizens can often make positive differences in their communities by become elected officials serving as members of school boards, community planning groups, fire boards, water boards, hospital districts, city councils, or as mayors.

East County News Service

July 24, 2016 (Lakeside) - Join the Lakeside Community Center for a night of entertainment, games, food and fun for the entire family.. As part of San Diego's Movies in the Park series, the Center will be hosting two movies at the Lindo Lake Baseball fields featuring "The Incredibles" on Friday, August 26.

Source: Caltrans news release

July 21, 2016 (San Diego) - Construction crews will close northbound State Route 67 (SR-67) from Winter Gardens Boulevard to Lakeside Avenue and southbound SR-67 from Lakeside Avenue to Mapleview Street Friday, July 22, and Saturday, July 23 from nine at night until 11 the following morning. Mapleview Street at SR-67 will also be closed intermittently during these hours. Motorists are advised to expect delays and to avoid the area if possible.

By Randy Jordan

July 15, 2016 (Lakeside) - The Optimist Club of Lakeside Bulls Only Rodeo XXIII will be held at the Lakeside Rodeo Arena, beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, July 15, and Saturday, July 16, 2016.

Source: County News Service

July 14, 2016 (Lakeside) - Are you ready for a challenge? El Capitan is arguably one of the most rugged and difficult trails in San Diego County. Bring a gallon of water and snacks, a hat, sunscreen and wear sturdy shoes for this very difficult 7-hour, 12-mile round-trip hike up to the top of El Cajon Mountain.