East County News Service

January 24, 2017 (Santee) – A woman pedestrian around 50 years old was struck by a vehicle and seriously injured Friday, January 20th around 5:35 p.m. while crossing Magnolia Avenue in front of the 7-11 store on Woodside Avenue.

East County News Service

January 24, 2017 (Santee) -- The Start Smart Program is an opportunity for new drivers and their parents/guardians to clearly understand their responsibilities when a teen starts to drive. “If you are a teen or know a teen who can benefit from this class please click on the following link for more information http://sdsheriff.net/co_startsmart.html,” says Martha Miramontes, Crime Prevention Specialist with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Dept.

By Mike Allen

January 17, 2017 (Santee) -- Santee Mayor John Minto says he’s big on creating deals to share the costs his city must bear for essential services such as police and fire, as well as community meeting places.

By Mike Allen

January 15, 2017 (Santee) -- The Santee City Council is seeking a fifth member to fill out the two years remaining on Mayor John Minto’s term after he was elected in November, vacating his Council seat. At the Council’s January 11th meeting, the four members decided to appoint Minto’s successor rather than hold a special election that was deemed too costly.

January 12, 2017 (Lakeside) -- Canada Geese have become frequent winter visitors in San Diego's East County,  sometimes lingering year-round.  This one cruised in for a landing at Lake Jennings in Lakeside, photographed by our editor, Miriam Raftery.

Source:  San Diego Sheriff

December 27, 2016 (Santee) -- Do you recognize the man in this surveillance video? https://vimeo.com/197224069. He is wanted on suspicion of using a lost debit card and going on a shopping spree, according to the Sheriff’s department.

East County News Service

December 16, 2016 (La Mesa and Santee)--The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce announces that applications are now available for the 2017 Miss La Mesa and Miss Santee Scholarship Pageants. Next year’s pageant will be held on Saturday, March 4th, 2017 at the beautiful new theater at Helix Charter High School.

 Each year the two cities seek young women between the ages of 12-26 to participate in a program that has become a tradition in the cities since the late 1960s and is an outstanding mentoring program for young women.

Source: Santee Fire Department

December 12, 2016 (Santee) — Santee Fire Department officials will express their appreciation to the Firehouse Subs Safety Foundation for providing the city with grant funds for new life-saving equipment at static display of the equipment scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Dec. 16.

Update: Hear our interviews with Stephen Houlahan and  Preserve Wild Santee leader Van Collinsworth on environmental issues in Santee by clicking the audio link.

Mike Allen

Photo: Councilman Jack Dale moderated meeting on Castlerock project November 29 with elected officials, city workers, and representatives from developer Pardee Homes.

December 3, 2016 (Santee) -- Angry residents near the Castlerock housing project lashed out at Santee city officials and representatives from developer Pardee Homes during a public meeting November 29, saying the way the project is unfolding is nothing like the plans they saw earlier this year.

By Mike Allen

November 27, 2016 (Santee) -- The city of Santee’s Department of Development Services will host a public meeting at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov.29 at City Hall concerning the Castlerock homes project.

According to a city notice, representatives from the developer, Pardee Homes, as well as from the cities of Santee and San Diego will be available to answer questions.

East County News Service

November 23, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – Pickwick Players will present a murder mystery musical, “Something’s Afoot,” performing off-Broadway live December 2-7 at 9490 Cuyamaca Street in Santee.

East County News Service

November 18, 2016 (Lakeside) - The El Cajon Valley Gem & Mineral Society invites you to their "Gem & Mineral Round-Up" Saturday, December 3rd (9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.) and Sunday, December 4th (9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.) at the Lakeside Rodeo Grounds.

Update 8 p.m.:   Todd Perkins has been found safe in Lemon Grove.

East County News Service

November 14, 2016 (Lakeside)—The  Sheriff has issued a be-on-the-lookout bulletin for Todd Randolph Perkins,48.  He has been missing since 2:30 p.m.  His caretaker says he may have walked away from his home on Dorsal Drive in Lakeside.

He suffers from a medical condition that causes him to limp.  He has green tattooso on both arms. He is white with brown hair and brown eyes, 5 feet 6 inches tall, and weighs 130 pounds.  He has told his caretaker that he would like to return to his former home on the 7100 block of Broadway in Lemon Grove,though he does not drive.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo,left:  Stephen Houlahan

November 9, 2016 (Santee) – With 36% of precincts counted,  Councilman John Minto,a retired police officer, is maintaining a 10 point lead over felow Councilman and realtor Rob McNellis in the race to become Santee’s next Mayor.  Current Mayor Randy Voepel tonight won election handily  to the State Assembly over Leo Hamel.

Though Santee’s Council has long been heavily influenced by developers and real estate interests, Stephen Houlahan,  running on an environmental platform,  appears likely to defeat  two pro-development opponents.