East County News Service

January 17, 2019 (Lakeside) -- The Lakeside Sheriff's Substation wants your help in locating a missing woman.

70-year-old Kathryn Anne Kennedy was last seen at her home on Harritt Road in Lakeside. Her family reported her missing on Wednesday, January 16th. Kennedy may be driving a 2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer (similar to the one in the attached photo) with California License Plate #6RQP193.

Kennedy stands 5'6" tall, weighs about 180 pounds and has brown curly hair and blue eyes.

By Miriam Raftery

January 17, 2019 (La Mesa)--Join us at our East County Dining Club’s next delicious event: a seafood soiree in the cozy party room at Red Lobster (8703 Murray Dr., La Mesa) across from Grossmont Center on Thursday, February 7 at 6:30 p.m. RSVP and prepay by Feb. 2 to reserve space for this popular event.

You don't have to be a member to attend, though members receive special benefits. Proceeds benefit East County Media to support East County Magazine and East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts.

Your options include not only delicious wood-grilled lobster, shrimp and salmon, but also sizzling steak, Cajun chicken pasta, and options for luscious desserts.

We will also have plentiful prizes for our drawing including Red Lobster and other restaurant gift certificates, winery gift certificate, a wine rack, jewelry, novels, cookbooks, spa gift certificates, coffee, hand-woven scarf, and more.

By Tom Christensen, County of San Diego Communications Office

East County News Service

January 14, 2019 (El Cajon) -- The City of El Cajon announced today  that it now accepts passport applications on behalf of the U.S. Department of State. 

U.S. citizens planning international travel may apply for their passports at the City Clerk’s Office by appointment.

Alaska Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Allegiant Airlines, Sun Country Airlines to move terminal locations

January 14, 2019 (San Diego) - Effective January 29, several airlines at San Diego International Airport (SAN) will move their terminal operations to better accommodate and support future growth. 

Alaska Airlines, the largest carrier impacted, currently operates more than 45 daily departures from SAN utilizing both Terminals 1 and 2.  Alaska Airlines operations will consolidate entirely in Terminal 2 East, helping to streamline the passenger experience. 

East County News Service

January 11, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – Heavy rain and snow is forecast to fall starting tonight, with several new storm systems from the Pacific northwest slated to reach our region next week.

According to the National Weather Service, tonight and tomorrow morning should bring a half inch of rain west of the mountains and up to an inch or rain in the mountains, with several inches of snow above 6,000 feet including Palomar Mountain. Be prepared for a brief period of very heavy rain and strong surf.

 By Mike Allen

 January 10, 2019 (Santee) -- It’s become the latest trend sweeping across California by cities and counties: establishing alternative energy- providing entities that allow customers to choose a greener source for their power needs.

 So far, 19 agencies, mostly in Northern California but including Los Angeles County, are operating as community choice aggregators, or CCAs. The concept gives local agencies more control of their energy purchases, allowing them to buy more power generated by natural sources such as solar and wind.

 Now Santee is taking a look at joining the trend.

By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office

January 10, 2019 (San Diego) - Weather forecasts are predicting more rain this weekend and next week, which means this may be a good time to pick up some free sandbags from the County and CAL FIRE to protect your home and property if you need them.

“To threaten federal disaster funding is a grave insult to our fire-scarred region and a slap in the face of our brave firefighters. The President and the Governor need to work together and put the public’s safety over politics. I know the county will do its part by continuing to make major investments to improve firefighting and fire prevention.” – Supervisor Dianne Jacob

By Miriam Raftery

January 10, 2019 (San Diego) -- President Donald Trump on Wednesday stating that he has ordered a halt to Federal Emergency Management Act (FEMA) funds for California wildfire survivors. His threat has drawn sharp bipartisan criticism from leaders ranging from California’s new Governor to East County’s Supervisor Dianne Jacoband conservative legislators representing fire-ravaged communities.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos: Navy Special Operations Chief Edward Gallagher

January 9, 2019 (San Diego) – Congressman Duncan Hunter has sent a letter asking President Donald Trump to remove a Navy SEAL charged with war crimes in Iraq from the brig at Miramar Naval Air Station where he is being held pending trial.  His arraignment is slated for Friday.

Update January 9, 2019 -- The deceased suspect has been identified as Adolfo Gonzalez, 28, of San Diego.

The deputies involved in this shooting are Carlos Cenizo, Sean Daly and Casey Dow. All are assigned to the Lemon Grove Sheriff's Substation. Cenizo has been a deputy since 2014; Daly and Dow have been deputies since 2015.

East County News Service

January 6, 2019 (Lemon Grove) – Three Sheriff’s deputies opened fire on an armed man  inside the Del Taco restaurant at 7060 Broadway in Lemon Grove last night.  

According to Lieutenant Rich Williams with the Sheriff’s Homicide Unit, a 9-1-1 caller shortly after 8:30 p.m. reported that the suspect had pointed a handgun at the caller and his family in the Del Taco shop.  Deputies arrived minutes later and when they tried to talk to the suspect, The man produced a handgun and as a result, a deputy-involved shooting occurred,” Lt. Williams said. “It appears all three of the deputies who contacted the armed suspect fired their handguns in response to the threat.”

By Chris Jennewein

Reprinted with permission from Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  Jewish Family Service CEO Michael Hopkins speaks to the press after the Board of Supervisors vote. Photo by Chris Jennewein

January 8, 2019 (San Diego) - The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to help a coalition of local nonprofit groups assist asylum seekers by providing temporary shelter on county property.

“Now it falls to us to say, as leaders, what can we do? We have the obligation to help,” said newly elected Supervisor Nathan Fletcher at his first board meeting.

East County News Service

January 6, 2019 (Santee) – Ashleigh Hanson, 40, of Santee died in a solo-vehicle collision this morning in the 11400 block of Woodside Avenue in Santee.

Sheriff’s deputies and fire personnel responded to the scene and found that Hanson had died of her injuries.

“At this time, it is not known if drugs or alcohol were a factor, however weather and driving too fast for conditions may have contributed to the collision,” says Joe Passalacqua with the Santee Sheriff’s department.

By Miriam Raftery

January 6, 2019 (La Mesa) – At the La Mesa City Council meeting on Tuesday, January 19^th, Mayor Mark Arapostathis will deliver his state of the city speech. Afterwards, the Council agenda includes several hot topics.

Council will hear a report on the independent investigation into a controversial use of force by a La Mesa Police school resources officer at Helix High School in January of last year. A video showed the officer knocking a handcuffed female student to the ground.  According to the city, the student declined to speak with the independent investigator and has filed a lawsuit against La Mesa.  

Council will also hear results of the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program and vote on whether to accept the report, which includes a 2019 work plan and ranked list of streets for traffic calming measures.

Council will also hear appeals involving two medical marijuana dispensary applications.