Written by Dennis Moore

February 15, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) - Kelly Cole, host of “Lites-Out” on KPRI 102.1FM and a resident of Santee since 1987, has music in her heart and soul. Born and raised in San Diego, she describes “Happiness” as family, good friends and music. It certainly comes across in her chosen profession.

February 7, 2014 (Santee) – Hand-crafted Valentine’s gifts for your sweetheart will be offered at a special Valentine’s Craft Show set for this Saturday, February 8 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Santee Coffee Corner.  Over 17 local vendors will participate, offering items such as hand-made truffles, artwork, hair accessories and body-care products.

January 20, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) has released a new report on poverty.  Included in the report are five-year estimates of poverty in our region, based on the American Community Survey in 2011.

El Cajon has by far the highest poverty rate in San Diego County, with 32% of individuals living below the poverty level and 49% living within 200% of the federal poverty level.   National City has the next highest level, a full ten points lower at 22% living in poverty.

January 15, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) -- On March 7^,  the cities of La Mesa and Santee will hold their annual Miss La Mesa and Miss Santee Pageants.  Pageant organizers are currently seeking outgoing residents ages 13-26 to participate in a program that has been a tradition in the cities since the late 1960’s and includes a mentoring program for young women.  The pageants are sponsored by the local Chamber of Commerce and focus on community service. 

The 2014 titleholders will all receive scholarships which have been funded through past local talent and fashion show fundraising events. 

The contestants will be scored on personal interview, speech, poise and personality, sportswear, evening gown and an on stage question. There is no swimsuit competition.

January 5, 2014 (Santee)--This is a story made in the shade!  Takeda California, a pharmaceutical company,  plans to plant 2,000 trees along a one-mile-stretch of the San Diego River in Santee’s new Walker Preserve on January 20.  That’s 20 times more trees than the drug discovery company used in paper during the entire last year.

The trees will be planted by Takeda’s employees, family members and friends.  The effort will benefit the San Diego River Park Foundation and Walker Preserve by introducing native Coast Live Oak, Scrub Oak, Englemann Oak, Laurel Sumac, Cottonwood, Sycamore, Lemonade Berry and Elderberry to lands previously used for mining operations.

Our November shows are now online—including special reports on East County issues, interviews with top newsmakers, local musicians, authors, colorful characters and people making a positive difference in our community. Click here for a list of our November shows and guests with links to listen online.

You can also hear our show live when it airs on KNSJ 89.1 FM on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 5 p.m. and reruns Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 9 a.m.  Or listen live online during those hours at www.KNSJ.org.

By the East County Eater

December 10, 2013 (Santee) -- The Santee Chamber of Commerce hosted its 26th annual Taste of Santee at Union Bank on December 5.  The place was packed for this popular event, which was free for guests who brought a new toy or food item for Santee Santas.

Fifteen restaurants, breweries and wineries brought their best stuff.  The food was delicious. Olive Garden brought its signature lasagna and salad with creamy Italian dressing.   Pinnacle Peak came to let everyone know they are still around and intend to relocate in a year or so (following an impending land sale); they just may be the last genuine, mesquite grilled steak-house in town.   The Manzanita Brewery unveiled its coffee brewed Ale.  he brew had a hint of rich coffee bean flavor that made me think how natural it was to roast hops, barley and coffee beans together to make beer. 

By  Grey Feathers

November 28, 2013 (Santee) – The second annual Waddle and Trot 5K run began and ended at the Pathways Community Church, the sponsors of the event.  Proceeds will be evenly split between the Santee Santas and the Santee Food Bank.  This was a certified 5K run on a fast and nearly flat course around Santee Lakes.  The family-friendly event attracted serious runners to casual walkers on a sunny beautiful Thanksgiving morning.

On the starting-line were contestants with team shirts and bright-colored running-shoes.  In the middle of the crowd were great grandfathers, teenagers, parents with infants and children.  Near the back were dozens of strollers with precious cargo along for the ride. 

This was my first 5K run ever and I found myself locked in an epic battle for last place.

By Jerrie Dean

November 23, 2013 (Santee) -- On Friday night, area residents celebrated the upcoming holidays with the lightng of the tree at Santee Trolley Center for the 10th year.

Although thunder could be heard throughout East County, the storm let up just enough for everyone to enjoy the festivities. The event began at 5:30 p.m. with music, activities and booths where kids had a chance to make holiday crafts.  A jumper, horse-drawn carriage rides, and a visit from Santa were some of the favorite attractions. 

November 12, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – El Cajon, La Mesa and Santee City Councils meet this week to discuss matters ranging from the future of Oktoberfest to choosing a new mayor.  Below are highlights from the agendas for each community.

October 26, 2013 (Santee) – If you bought a Fantasy 5 lottery ticket at the CVS Pharmacy in Santee, you may be the winner of a $379,925 prize.  The store, located at the corner of Mission Gorge Road and Cuyamaca Street, sold a winning ticket that has not yet been claimed since Friday's drawing. The winning numbers are 5, 24, 30, 32 and 36.

Lottery officials have indicated that another local winning ticket was sold at a 7-Eleven store in Downtown San Diego, worth $186,723.

October 20, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – On October 17, a shoulder-tap operation was conducted by the Sheriff’s Department and other agencies to see if retail outlets are illegally selling alcohol to minors in Santee, Alpine, Lakeside, Spring Valley, Lemon Grove, and unincorporated El Cajon.

Deputies from the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, Agents from Alcohol Beverage Control, and three minor decoys conducted a "Minor Decoy" and "Shoulder Tap" Operation at various locations in the East County. The operation involved minors who tested "on-sale" and "off-sale" establishments. The minor decoys tested retailers and servers at a number of locations in an attempt to purchase alcoholic beverages inside their establishments. Three employees sold alcohol to the decoys.

See what’s on the agendas for city councils in  El Cajon, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, Santee, and the San Diego Supervisors this week

By Miriam Raftery

October 7, 2013 (San Diego’s East County)  - Chickens, term limits, renaming a theater, the Castlerock housing project, a regional water plan and a proposal to boost beekeeping in the backcountry are among the hot items impacting East County that will be heard this week.

September 15, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – The East County Economic Development Council (ECEDC) will host a bus tour of East County to learn about business opportunities, existing and future plans in the cities of El Cajon, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, Santee, and the communities of Alpine, Lakeside, Rancho San Diego, and Spring Valley. The tour will be held on Wednesday, September 25.  Those interested in attending must register by Friday, September 20. 

August 29, 2013 (San Diego) – The FBI and San Diego Police Department announced the arrest of Cesar Daniel Flores, age 23, of Santee as a result of the investigation into the robbery of the San Diego County Credit Union, 2245 Fenton Parkway, San Diego on Friday, August 2.

Flores was arrested on Saturday at the Mission Valley Mall after an off-duty FBI Agent spotted Flores at a bus stop.  After seeing Flores, the Agent contacted San Diego Police Department (SDPD) and requested a uniform Patrol Officer to respond to the area. When the agent and SDPD Officer returned to the bus stop they discovered Flores had left the area. After a brief search of the area, Flores was located in the mall and taken into custody without incident.