By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Screenshot, NBC  7

April 1, 2017 (Santee) – The Santee City Council will hold a special meeting in April 3^rd at 2 p.m. to consider a resolution proclaiming an emergency in order to authorize immediate repair of certain corrugated metal pipe storm drain systems that have caused major sinkholes that threaten to undermine homes.  The sinkholes are located on East and West Hartland Circle and Ryder Court.

East County News Service

April 1, 2017 (Guatay) – Jack Rafael Ruiz, 66, of Guatay died on March 30^th at a home he was working on as a pest control employee at 1526 Oak Hill Drive in Escondido.  According to the Medical Examiner’s office, a coworker left for two hours and upon return, found Ruiz unresponsive on the back patio with head trauma.

By Devorah Ann Fox

March 30, 2017 (La Mesa) – California philanthropist and environmentalist Tom Steyer will speak at the La Mesa – Foothills Democratic Club meeting on Wednesday, April 5 at the La Mesa Recreation Center.  A 6:30 p.m. snack and social hour will precede his 7 p.m. speech and a question and answer period.

East County News Service

March 30, 2017 (La Mesa) -- La Mesa Conversations is partnering with Circulate San Diego to host a panel discussion on the Future of Transportation on April 12 from 6-8 p.m. at La Mesa Wine Works, 8167 Center St, La Mesa.

East County News Service

March 28, 2017 (Rancho San Diego) - The Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College will host its Spring Butterfly and Garden Festival on Saturday, April 29^th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Activities include butterfly pavilion and garden tours, butterfly releases, face painting, kids’ activities and craft vendors, animal exhibitors, educational exhibits and presentations, us edible, ornamental and native plant sales. You can also sign up for landscape design consultations.

East County News Service

March 28, 2017 (Lemon Grove) - The Mt. Miguel School Alumni Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit, will hold a Spring Craft Fair on Saturday April 29 from 10:00 a.m. to 3 p.m.at Lemon Grove Academy Auditorium on School Lane in Lemon Grove.  All proceeds will go to fund Mt Miguel High School Programs and Scholarships.

Updated March 28 with a response from Michael Beck at the Endangered Habitats Conservancy and Supervisor Dianne Jacob's office.

By Miriam Raftery

March 27, 2017 (Lakeside) - A big mess in Lakeside just got worse.  Someone has dumped debris illegally over the weekend along a waste heap from a former sand mining site that residents in Lakeside’s El Monte Valley were already fighting to get cleaned up.

East County News Service

March 26, 2017 (Campo-Lake Morena) – The Campo-Lake Morena Planning Group will meet on Monday night, March 27 at 7 p.m.  The agenda includes a proposal to use 20% of new park funding for maintenance of existing parks, as well as review of applicants to fill a planning group vacancy. There will also be standing committee reports including water issues and announcements on items ranging from marijuana regulatory changes to plans for Star Ranch. Below is the full agenda and meeting location details:

East County News Service

March 25, 2017 (El Cajon) – Cal Fire and Heartland Fire crews responded to a call at 6:30 this morning in the 1500 block of North Magnolia Ave. in unincorporated El Cajon, where they found an auto repair shop fully engulfed in flames.

East County News Service

March 25, 2017 (Borrego Springs) – On April 1^st (no fooling!) the Anza Borrego Foundation will hold a day-long celebration commemorating its founding 50 years ago. 

The ABF will throw a party to look back at its accomplishments to support the Anza Borrego Desert State Park, and set the mood for the next 50 years.  

East County News Service

March 25, 2017 (Lakeside) – Thousands of eggs and 1,700 pounds of trout are among the attractions at the Spring Carnival Lake Jennings slated for Saturday, April 8 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.   The event will also feature free paddle boating for the whole family, a Kid’s Pond for children under age 10, rainbow trout fishing and of course, an egg hunt. 

East County News Service

March 23, 2017 (La Mesa) — Daniel Mitchell, 29, was arrested early Tuesday morning at his home on Blackton Drive in La Mesa after a SWAT team incident.

Mitchell reportedly fired into the home Monday evening following a dispute with his roommate, who fled the residence unharmed, 10 News reports.

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Story and photos by Liz Alper

March 23, 2017 (El Cajon) - Tonight, Monte Vista and Granite Hills High girls lacrosse squared off in both schools’ second game of conference play.  Both schools sported winning records, with the Monarchs at a solid 7-2 and the Eagles at 3-2.

East County News Service

March 23, 2017 (Borrego Springs) – Bob Kutscher of Borrego Springs shared these gorgeous flower photos taken during this month’s “super bloom” in the Anza-Borrego Desert.

“A routine of mine this year has been taking afternoon off-road rides and searching out flowers.  Needless to say it's been an enjoyable time this year.”

East County News Service

March 22, 2017 (Santee) – To commemorate Tuesday, March 28 as the American Diabetes Association’s “Alert Day,” the nine Chick-fil-A restaurants in San Diego County, including the Chick-fil-A restaurant at 9418 Mission Gorge Road, Santee, will giveaway free food to customers who find out their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.