By Mike Allen

May 13, 2023 (Santee) – Soon after East County Magazine posted news that the 65-year old Santee Drive In Theater was in escrow, this website began hearing from people that the story was “wrong” and to stop publishing “fake news.”

The seller of the property, which doubles as the Santee Swap Meet on weekends, Susan Forte Boyd, sent an emailed statement to ECM that drive-in was not sold.  However, ECM has reconfirmed that the property is in escrow.

"It is a statement of fact that the Santee Drive-In Theatre has not been sold," ForteBoyd said in an email. She also said the reporter (me) and his sources got the facts wrong, and never contacted the sellers.

That is not true.

UPDATE: The owner states that the property has not sold, however ECM has confirmed that it is in escrow. Read more:  https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/santee-drive-sale-sparks-outcry-property-escrow-city-confirms

 

By Mike Allen

May 6, 2023 (Santee) - The Santee Drive-In, which opened in 1958 and one of the last open-air drive-ins left in the county, is in escrow to a Los Angeles-based development firm, North Palisades Partners.

East County News Service

May 10, 2023 (El Cajon) – You’re invited to an evening of musical celebration to bridge the gap between student success and equity, raising funds for students studying musical arts.  Nationally renowned musical artists will join students from Grossmont and Cuyamaca Community colleges and other local musicians at this inaugural event on Thursday, May 25 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Samuel M. Ciccati Performing Arts Center at Cuyamaca College.

May 13 fundraiser will feature a binational little league game, skills training, DJ, dinner and more at Jamul Little League fields

East County News Service

May 9, 2023 (Jamul) - Not long ago, Jamul Little League was losing players in part because of its deteriorating facilities. The community – led by the Jamul Dulzura School District, Jamul Little League, and local businesses – rallied. Funds were raised and all 6 fields were recently renovated ahead of this season, where 150 little leaguers play ball. 

By Jessyka Heredia

May 7, 2023 (Lemon Grove)- On Tuesday, the Lemon Grove City Council approved two different dispensaries Conditional Use Permits (CUP) while at the same time hearing a prior applicant speak during public comment saying that he has been retaliated against and falsely accused of bribery.

Source:  La Mesa Chamber of Commerce

April 30, 2023 (La Mesa) - The La Mesa Chamber invites you to join in welcoming Casa Gabriela to the business community at a fun-filled evening on Wednesday, May 17. 

By Kathy Carpenter

April 26, 2023 (La Mesa) - Honky Tonk Angels delivers an electrifying dose of pure country energy with a powerhouse cast and a playlist of iconic hits that will have you singing along and cheering for these fierce, flawed and unforgettable women. Written by Ted Swindle, directed by Jonathan Sturch and with Jerrica Ignacio as music director, this musical revue is a must-see for fans of classic country music and the stories that come with it.

By Patricia Haley

April 23, 2023 (Julian) -- The Julian Woman’s Club will present The 96^th Annual Wildflower Show at the Clubhouse of the Julian Women’s Club (2607 C Street Julian) on Friday May 5 and Saturday May 6, from 10 a.m.to 4 p.m. both days.

For two days, club members collect specimens from the over 850 plant species in the area surrounding Julian. The plant display ranges from desert cacti to high mountain dogwood gathered in a 15 mile radius from the historic old mining town of Julian. Permission to collect is obtained from private property owners.

Each year flowers vary depending on weather and rainfall. The display is always colorful and informative as plants are labeled and arranged by area of origin.

East County News Service

April 22, 2023 (El Cajon) – After ECM reported on EBT scams involving skimming devices,  El Cajon Police Department revealed that it’s recovered 12 skimmers from retailers in the city and released a video with tips for consumers to avoid ID theft wherever you slide a credit card or EBT card.

ECPD included this message: 

By Chuck Westerheide, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo:  Medic 282 Paramedic Ambulance and Crew

April 21, 2023 (La Mesa) -- A new ambulance with its crew and services added by the San Diego County Fire Protection District and CAL FIRE is seeing a great deal of use. County Fire accepted the transfer of responsibility for fire protection and emergency medical services in Ramona last August. The change brought a third fire department paramedic ambulance and additional firefighter staffing enhancements to the Ramona service area. 

The new paramedic ambulance has been dispatched 315 times and has taken 148 patients to area hospitals. Assigned to Fire Station 82, on Dye Road, the paramedic ambulance has full-time staffing with two firefighter paramedics 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Due to residential and business development along with population growth, there have been steady increases in 911 emergencies.  

By Miriam Raftery

April 19, 2023 (El Cajon) — El Cajon’s planning commissioners have voted unanimously to revoke the approved status of the Motel 6 on Montrose Court after two registered sex offenders were arrested for alleged sexual assault of an under-age girl. 

By Miriam Raftery

April 18, 2023 (El Cajon) — Eddie Faulkner, 53, was arrested by El Cajon Police on November 7th last year on charges of failing to register as a sex offender and parole revocation. Last night, he died in the Vista Detention Facility.