Owner attributes deaths to helicopter flyovers for SDG&E Sunrise Powerlink Construction

“The mitigation will be handled by the courts. Well by then, they will all be dead.” – Catherine Gorka, Pampered Parrots owner

“SDG&E should do the right thing TODAY to protect these endangered birds, up to and including relocating the birds to a safe location...It is unconscionable that they would knowingly allow the deaths to occur instead of proactively doing the right thing.” – Laura Cyphert, East County Community Action Coalition

August 11, 2011 (Lakeside) – “The house was shaking. It terrified me,” Catherine Gorka, owner of Pampered Parrots in Lakeside’s El Monte Valley, recalls the first flyover above her home and aviaries by an SDG&E helicopter working on Sunrise Powerlink on February 25, 2011. “I was waiving my arms, calling out for them to stop.”

Update August 5, 2011:  John Williams was found safely last night and has been reunited with his family, Jan Caldwell with the Sheriff reports.

"Seeing is believing!" Lynne McTurk, Funbelievable

By Miriam Raftery

July 20, 2011 (Lakeside) – Now there’s a place where you can let kids climb the walls—plus run, jump, and bounce to their heart’s delight. It's a great place to beat the summer heat and let the kids run wild. 

June 15, 2011 (Blossom Valley) – A paraglider called for help after crashing into a mountainside and suffering a back injury in Blossom Valley on the evening of June 13th.

He was hoisted out via helicopter and taken to El Monte Park in Lakeside. Mercy Air then transported the injured man to a local hospital.

Local elementary school names wild owlets and wins their own owl nesting box with spycam!

June 14, 2011 (Lakeside) –The four owlets of Hoot and Holla, a mated pair of wild barn owls at The Water Conservation Garden, have fledged the nest (or taken their final flight into the wild) as of June 7, 2011.   Unbeknownst to them, the owlets have been observed by a loyal group of fans 24-hours a day via a live infrared Owlcam at www.thegarden.org, since they were eggs laid by Holla in mid-February of this year. 

One Day, One Night, One Fight for our Community

June 7, 2011 (Lakeside) -- The second annual Lakeside Relay for Life will be held on Saturday June 11, 2011 to raise funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society. Teams of people camp out and take turns running or walking around the track during this 24-hour free event.

May 7, 2011 (Lakeside) – A fatality accident on the new section of Highway 52 has claimed the life of Gary Leroy York, 68. York was driving his three-wheel motorcycle westbound on State Route 52 when he was rear-ended by a sedan and ejected just west of Fanita Drive in Santee on Friday at 8:40 a.m.

 HELP DESIGN A WHEEL PARK AT LINDO LAKE

(April 26, 2011 -- Lakeside) Skaters, bikers, scooter riders and everyone  is Invited to share Ideas. Interested young people and adults are encouraged to attend an upcoming meeting

to help design a proposed wheel-friendly plaza for Lindo Lake Park.

The meeting is scheduled for 6- 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 27, at the Lakeside

Community Center, 9841 Vine St. 

Rodeo , parade and more highlight frontier town’s annual event

April 15, 2011 (Lakeside) – Rodeo has been a tradition in Lakeside since the first rodeo was held back in 1920. Since then, Lakeside Western Days has broadened to encompass a series of eventsApril 15-17 celebrating the community’s Wild West heritage.
 

Suspects also accused of using stolen credit cards at local businesses

By Miriam Raftery

April 12, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – San Diego Sheriff detectives, following an extensive theft and fraud investigation, have made several arrests related to vehicle burglaries at local hiking trails including the El Capitan Preserve in Lakeside, Blue Sky Open Space Trail in Santee, and trailheads at Mission Trails Regional Park in San Diego.

April 5, 2011 (Lakeside) –A memorial service was held at the Lakeside Community Center on March 22 to commemorate Shelly McClendon Hilliker, a long-time community leader. Born in Chula Vista on October 20, 1959, Hilliker passed away on March 10, 2011.

“Shelly was a beautiful, lighthearted person, who was loved by everyone she met as much as she loved them,” states an obituary submitted by the Lakeside River Park Conservancy, where Hilliker served as a Board member. “She has joined her late husband, Harold Hilliker, who passed on July 31, 2009. Their extensive volunteer work will be missed by the entire Lakeside community."

Update 8:15 p.m.  CHP reports at 8:11 p.m. this will be a "long" closure.  Body was found behind a dumpster at 12102 Wildcat Canyon Road, according to the Sgt. Roy Chase. Anyone with information is asked to call 858 565-5200.

April 1, 2011 (Lakeside) – Muth Valley Road is closed down at Wildcat Canyon Road due to a homicide investigation. According to Lt. Walker at the San Diego Sheriff, “a passerby or a resident found a body and called deputies.”  A source close to the scene indicates the body is male and that there was bruising on the torso.

After deputies were dispatched to the scene, they requested the homicide unit said Walker, who had no further details. As of 5:55 p.m., he said it’s likely the road will remain closed for several hours.

By Billy Ortiz
 

April 1, 2011 (Lakeside) – Back on December 27, ECM reported on my fall during a rockslide on El Capitan Mountain in Lakeside, when a 500-pound boulder dislodged and rolled over my leg. Thankfully I’ve recovered.

What hasn’t been reported until now, however, is the amazing discovery that resulted. I recently returned and found a hidden tunnel revealed behind that boulder, leading deep within the mountain. Inside, I discovered a vast underground lake. Even more astoundingly, after exploring it via kayak, I found the ruins of an entire lost civilization!

March 17, 2011 (Lakeside)--Helix Water District is beginning the environmental review process for the El Monte Valley Mining, Reclamation, and Groundwater Recharge Project (El Monte Valley Project). A second public scoping meeting for the Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment seeks input on what will be studied.
 

The second scoping meeting will be held in Lakeside, Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at 7 p.m. in the Lakeside Christian Church, 13739 El Monte Road, Lakeside, CA 92040.

March 10, 2011 (Lakeside) --After a courageous battle with cancer complicated by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Richard “Rick” Allen Smith, 67, passed away peacefully at his home in Lakeside on February 18th.  He held leadership positions on Lakeside's fire and planning boards, as well as the Chamber of Commerce and other organizations. 

“His dedication to the community of Lakeside will have a lasting affect for many years to come and his experience and wisdom will be sorely missed by all who knew him," said his daughter-in-law, Michelle Dimsey. "He maintained his trademark sense of humor and “can do attitude” all the way to the end.”