By Miriam Raftery

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July 13, 2016 (Lakeside) -- East County Magazine's show on KNSJ recently sat down with Ana Nita, an investigative journalist and activist who is working on a documentary about controversies involving a proposed sand mine that could have devastating consequences for people and wildlife in Lakeside's picturesque El Monte Valley.

She also discusses apparent conflicts of interest involving Michael Beck, a county planning commissioner with financial ties to the sand mining company, and has called for Beck to resign or be removed. 

As an update, after this interview aired, Supervisor Dianne Jacob's office advised us that she is asking County Counsel for advice on the appropriate way to handle Beck's conflict of interest issue.

East County News Service

June 29, 2016 (Santee) -- It’s time to break out the cowbells and get your spots on because Chick-fil-A is issuing a cattle call. The nine Chick-fil-A restaurants in San Diego County, including the Chick-fil-A restaurant at 9418 Mission Gorge Road, Santee, are preparing to give away free food on Tuesday, July 12, as part of the chain’s nationwide promotion called “Cow Appreciation Day.” On that day, Chick-fil-A restaurants nationwide will offer a free entrée to any customer who visits a restaurant dressed as a cow.

Thursdays June 16-August 25

East County News Service

June 22, 2016 (Santee) - In Santee, summertime means it’s time to grab a beach chair or blanket and head down to the outdoor performance stage to hear live music at Town Center Community Park East, 550 Park Center Drive.

By Miriam Raftery

June 17, 2016 (San Diego's East County) -- A reader e-mailed us to point out that many of the Cool Zones listed on the County's map are not open Sundays. So we did some research to find a few more options on some cool places to go, such as shopping malls, bowling alleys, ice rinks, movie theatres, casinos, aquatic centers, libraries and more. 

We also have some tips on how to beat the heat at home and keep your cool. Plan ahead, since SDG&E says Flex Alerts (temporary power outages) are possible during the extreme heat starting Sunday. 

Check out our list below of cool places  that are open Sunday and beyond:

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

Update 8:10 a.m.  Big-rig tow is nearly at the scene. After towing away vehicles, road shutdown will be changed to one-way closure for next 10-12 hours while power line repairs are made, per CHP website. SDG&E will handle the traffic one-way closure.

Update 7:30 a.m. -- The fires are now out.  Two people have been transported to trauma centers with injuries.

June 14, 2016 (Lakeside) -- 6:40 a.m. A SIG ALERT has been issued for a two-vehicle crash on Wildcat Canyon at Willow Road in Lakeside. One vehicle is on its roof, the other 100 feet down an anbankment with people trapped inside. The crash sparked several small brush fires and knocked down power lines, causing an outage to 21 customers with power restoration estimated at 9:30 a.m. per SDG&E.

Lakeside and Heartland Fire are on the scene. 

East County News Service

View the video: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10201644595153046&id=1724097629

June 12, 2016 (Lakeside) - Billy Ortiz has created a beautiful and moving video of El Monte Valley in Lakeside, which is threatened by a proposed sand mining project. 

East County News Service

June 7, 2016 (Santee) -- Night Fishing is coming to Santee Lakes on Thursday evenings June 9, 23, July 7, 21, and August 4, 18.

East County News Service

June 5, 2016 (Lakeside) - The Lakeside Library will host "Country Living:  Let's Talk Turkey" on Saturday, June 18th at the Lakeside Library on 9839 Vine Street in Lakeside.

CAPIO, PRSA and AMCP recognize Advanced Water Purification Video

East County News Service

June 2, 2016 (Santee) - Padre Dam Municipal Water District was nationally honored with a Bronze Anvil Award of Commendation from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), an Award of Distinction from the California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO) and a Platinum Hermes Creative Award from the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP) for its video, Water, Too Good to Waste. 

By Mike Allen

May 29, 2016 (Santee) -- Santee’s library is bursting at the seams, hosting more children’s story-tellings, classes and community meetings than ever and library officials have the numbers to prove it.

East County News Service

May 26, 2016 (Santee)--The Santee Street Fair and Craft Beer Festival draws over 30,000 visitors each year with patriotic fund for the whole family. The eight annual festival will be held this year on Saturday, May 28^th from 10a.m to 6 p.m. at Riverview Parkway and Town Center Parkway in Santee. The festival will feature local breweries and honor the military on the Heroes Stage.

Festival highlights include: a craft beer festival, live music and entertainment, a crafter row and artist alley, over 300 food and vendor booths, carnival rides, and games for the family. 

East County News Service

May 20, 2016 (Santee) – The Santee Firefighters Fishing Derby will be held on Saturday, June 25 at Padre Dam’s Santee Lakes (Lake 3 and 4, Area G) from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m.   Derby participants will receive a free day permit, worms, raffle ticket, hot dog lunch and free door prizes while they last.

East County News Service

May 13, 2016 (Santee) – The nine Chick-fil-A restaurants in San Diego County, including the Chick-fil-A restaurant at 9418 Mission Gorge Road, Santee, are preparing to give away more than 10,000 chicken sandwiches on Wednesday, May 25, as part of its annual “Military Appreciation Night” promotion.

East County News Service

May 13, 2016 (Santee) – The River Park Festival and San Diego River Run 5K will take place this Saturday, May 14^th from 3:30 to 8 p.m. at Town Center Community Park East, 550 Park Center Drive in Santee.

The festival is free and includes live music, a beer garden by BNS Brewing and Distilling, tree planting (sign up) , interactive booths, kids’ corner, crafts, games and activities, BMX demos by East County BMX and a free bike repair event.

East County News Service

May 11, 2016 (Lakeside) -- Lake Jennings will hold its greatly anticipated Catfish Opener on Friday, May 27th. The lake will open at 4 p.m. instead of the usual 6 a.m., and will close at midnight. 2,000 lbs. of catfish will be stocked for this event.