East County News Service

Assemblyman Jones to purchase first bottle from local distillery

February 16, 2016 (Santee) -- As of January 1^st, new legislation (AB 1295) allows craft distilleries to sell individual bottles of craft spirits from tasting rooms. Prior to this law, the public could only sample distilled spirits at a tasting room but could not purchase bottles directly from a distiller.

East County News Service

February 15, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- East County Magazine, in conjunction with California Health Network, a local nonprofit, is expanding our health and fitness section to promote health awareness to East County residents. This is a great opportunity for you to promote your business to our 150,000 readers and help educate the public on important and potentially life-saving health issues.       

East County News Service

February 15, 2016 (Santee) – Four young people suffered serious injuries after the vehicle they were in crashed into concrete barriers, coming to rest in a hole at a construction site in Santee.

East County News Service

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

February 11, 2016 (Santee) — Patrick Wehrung, 25, an employee at Champion Gymastics and Cheer in Santee, has been arrested for allegedly having sex repeatedly with a 15-year-old female student. The gym has since fired Wehrung, who is free on bail and slated to appear in court next week, 10 News reports.

East County News Service

February 8, 2016 (Lakeside) – Plans are moving forward for a 14-acre Lakeside Equestrian center at Willow Road and Morena Avenue in Lakeside, but additional funds are needed to make the dream become a reality.

East County News Service

February 8, 2016 (Lakeside) — Two passengers suffered life-threatening injuries yesterday morning in a rollover accident on State Route 67 north of Foster Truck Trail yesterday at 5:35 a.m. The Nissan Titan that overturned was driven by 21-year-old Lakeside resident Keith Edward Ruis Jr.

East County News Service

East County News Service

January 30, 2016 (San Diego's East County) – San Diego supervisors will meet on Tuesday and Wednesday,  February 2^nd and 3^rd this week.  The agenda includes some important items for East County.

County Animal Services rescues dozens of chickens, Bengal cats, rabbits, exotic lizards and a wolf dog with pups 

Source: County News Service

January 28, 2016 (Lakeside) -- County Animal Services investigating a complaint of neglected animals at a Lakeside home found at least a dozen dead chickens and a dead rabbit, but rescued over 100 other animals. In all, Animal Services took in 88 chickens, seven Bengal cats, four rabbits, two bearded dragon lizards and a wolf/dog blend with two puppies.  

East County News Service

January 22, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) — Residents in San Diego’s East County have raised fears of spreading Valley Fever spores in their arguments against projects ranging from a sand mine in Lakeside to solar projects in Boulevard and Jacumba.  Now a jury in Northern California has shown just how expensive a verdict might be for a government entity or company that ignores such risks.

Hear our interview with Steve Lauria, California Health Network, on Santee's Health Awareness Month (originally aired on KNSJ radio):

http://k003.kiwi6.com/hotlink/pvv1xj39d8/Newsmakers-SteveLauriaSanteeHealthMonth-CAHealthNetwk.mp3

By Steve Lauria

January 20, 2016 (Santee) -- At the end of December, we ran a story on January being Health Awareness Month in Santee. With the month halfway over, here is an update: more than 30 organizations have offered a free or discounted service to the citizens of Santee, for the month of January. The specials can be found here:

www.californiahealthnetwork.org/healthawarenessmonth.

Some organizations, such as Volunteers in Medicine, offer free service, year around to people who can’t afford medical service.Many organizations are offering free services, such as personal training sessions, chiropractic exams,  exercise classes, dance classes and more.

By Mike Allen

January 18, 2016 (Santee)--Santee’s City Council has voted to amend an earlier ban on medical marijuana dispensaries, adding the explicit prohibition of cultivating and delivering weed within the city.

The city already prohibited the sale of weed dating to 2009, and has never allowed the activity, but a recent slate of regulations adopted by the state and signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown in October has prompted many cities to pass additional laws ensuring that the cities maintain local control.

The vote on Jan. 13 was 5-0, although one council member said the city should take another look at the issue especially in light of the money the city is spending to enforce the ban.

January 13, 2016 (Santee) – A suspect reportedly caught in the act of burglarizing a home on Pasita de Kristy in Lakeside yesterday afternoon was apprehended a short time later during a routine traffic stop after fleeing the scene in a 2010 black Ford Ranger.  His truck contained stolen items from several recent burglaries, said deputies.

East County News Service

January 12, 2016 (Santee) — Crime Stoppers and Sheriff deputies in Santee seek public help to solve a crime spree involving burglaries of nine homes in Santee neighborhoods from December 14 to December 31, 2015. The suspect(s) targeted single story detached homes and forced their way in through a rear window or rear patio door. The stolen items were mainly prescription medications. Cash, electronics and tools have also been taken.

By Miriam Raftery

January 11, 2016 (Lakeside) – Assemblyman Brian Jones visited the Lakeside Skatepark on Friday to commemorate his measure, Assembly Bill 1146, which became law on January 1^st.  The new law allows non-motorized scooters, bicycles, in-line skates, roller skates and non-motorized wheelchairs in skate parks.

East County News Service

January 4, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – Thieves burglarized two ATM machines in Santee and Rancho San Diego overnight.