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.

November 3, 2016 (Lakeside)--The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD), a public agency that supports health-related community programs and services in San Diego’s East County, will present the 2016 Kids Care Fest, a free, family-oriented health event open to the public. Featuring free health care screenings, Kids Care Fest will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 5 at the Lakeside Rodeo Grounds,12584 Mapleview St., Lakeside.

Now in its 15th year, Kids Care Fest is an opportunity for children to receive free, potentially life-saving health care screenings, including vision and dental screenings and children’s wellness checkups. The event will also feature information from dermatologists, pharmacists and other medical professionals, along with free kids fingerprinting and free flu shots (while supplies last).

East County News Service

November 3, 2016 (Santee) - Come meet members of Santee's Fire Department and San Diego Sheriff Bill Gore at Fire Station #5 (9130 Carlton Oaks Dr.) in Santee on November 12 from 7:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

East County News Service

Nov.1, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – The 2016 San Diego Regional Law Enforcement Teddy Bear Drive benefiting Rady Children’s Hospital will launch on Thursday, Nov. 3 at the nine Chick-fil-A restaurants in San Diego County, including the Chick-fil-A restaurant East County’s Chick-fil-A restaurant at 9418 Mission Gorge Road, Santee.

By Miriam Raftery

October 28, 2016 (Santee) - Backers of city council and mayoral candidate in Santee are trading barbs over the use of fire trucks in campaign ads.

Van Collinsworth questions why the Santee Firefighter’s Association has been posting signs supporting mayoral candidate John Minto and city council candidate Mason Herron atop a fire truck parked on public property at West Hills High School. In a letter sent to the current mayor and council, Collinsworth called the practice ”unethical.”

East County News Service

October 25, 2016 (Lakeside) - The 29^th Annual Steak-Out, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of East San Diego County will be held Saturday, Nov. 5, 6 pm at the Lakeside Community Center, 9841 Vine Street, Lakeside, 92040.

By Mike Allen

October 18, 2016 (Santee) -- A Santee candidates’ forum held Oct. 13 at Rio Seco School found common ground on some issues, but differences in how to solve problems and shape the city’s future.

The forum, attended by about 200 people, was one of only a few events where the Santee City Council and mayoral candidates for the Nov. 8 election appeared. It was sponsored by Santee Solutions and the Santee Mobilehome Owners Action Committee, and moderated by the San Diego League of Women Voters.

East County News Service

October 8, 2016 (Santee) — The woman found dead by her roommate on October 4^th in Santee has been identified as Leticia Arroyo, 34. “The manner of death has been ruled a homicide,” said Lieutenant Kenneth Nelson with the Sheriff’s homicide unit.  “The autopsy for this case has been sealed.”

By Tom Christensen, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo courtesy of cdc.gov

October 3, 2016 (Santee) -- A person at San Diego Christian College in Santee has been diagnosed with mumps and may have exposed others on the campus on Sept. 16, 19 and 20, the County Health and Human Services Agency reported today.

Update:  The victim has been identified as Brandon Deguzman, 21.  Cause of death has been determined to be homicide by shooting,outside the victim's home. 

By Miriam Raftery

September 25, 2016 (Santee) – A fugitive wanted in connection with a deadly shooting in unincorporated El Cajon yesterday morning is now under arrest.

East County News Service

September 20, 2016  (Santee) – Santee will soon have a new mayor for the first time in 16 years, as well as an opportunity for new faces on the city council.  On Thursday,  October 13, a Santee candidate forum will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Rio Seco School, 9545 Cuyamaca Street in Santee.

East County News Service

September 18, 2016 (Santee) — Sheriff’s deputies and agents from the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control recently conducted “minor decoy” tests at 11 retail locations in Santee and Lakeside.  All 11 retailers passed the test, refusing to sell alcohol to minors.

East County News Service

September 16, 2016 (Lakeside) — A Hyundai Accent that was reportedly racing through a  Lakeside neighborhood ran a light at Julian Avenue and Los Coches Road at 1.a.m.,smashing into a California Highway Patrol car. The crash injured six people, including a CHP sergeant and an officer, said CHP spokesman Kevin Pearlstein.

East County News Service

September 9, 2016 (Lakeside) - The Victorian Roses Ladies Society is hosting Wild West Casino Night at the Lakeside Rodeo Grounds from 6 to 10 p.m. this Saturday, September 10.