By Mike Allen

Image:  rendering of new community center

December 15, 2025 (Santee) -- Santee’s City Council has unanimously approved a contract to build its long-planned Community Center next to the Cameron YMCA for a total cost of $26.8 million, or $3.3 million more than the city staff’s estimate given in April.

Photo:  Chief Don Butz, left, and Batallion Chief Eric Stamm commend firefighter/paramedic Jeff Reyes

View video by Shiloh Ireland

By Shiloh Ireland

Miriam Raftery contributed to this report

December 10, 2025 (Lakeside) – Lakeside firefighter/paramedic Jeff Reyes acted “without hesitation, drawing on instinct, training and sheer courage” to save the life of Captain Steven Russo, who fell through the floor of a burning building, said Lakeside Fire Protection Chief Don Butz during a ceremony yesterday recognizing Reyes’ heroism.

Engineer Shawn McKenna was also recognized for his critical role in transmitting the emergency message and facilitating the rescue.

Crews were battling a two-alarm commercial building in March when Russo fell through a hole in the floor, not realizing the fire was directly underneath him, according to Battalion Chief Eric Stamm. He called the situation “perilous” adding,  “Jeff grabbed Captain Russo and pulled him out of the floor.”

By Karen Pearlman and Miriam Raftery

Overview: San Diego County's beautiful coastline often steals the spotlight, but the eastern side of the county offers a serene and varied landscape.  Our Rivers and Lakes region encompasses  eastern portions of the San Diego River, which flows from its headwaters in the mountains to the sea, along with reservoirs, many parks, rocky crags, and our county’s only natural lake.

This area also celebrates its wild west roots, offers many nature trails as well as contemporary comforts, providing a wealth of recreational opportunities here.

From the bird-laden banks of the San Diego River in Lakeside to the popular Lake Murray Reservoir, the waterways and places around them continue to draw visitors with their inviting features. The County also operates numerous parks in the Lakeside area, including some with rugged terrain and adventures awaiting visitors.

East County News Service

Nov. 25, 2025 (Lakeside) -- The heart of cozy Lakeside will transform into a hub of festive activity next month, anchored by two of its warmest community traditions: the annual "Spirit of Christmas" celebration and the return of the popular "Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Resale Shoppe."

Sponsored by the Lakeside Chamber of Commerce, the Spirit of Christmas event will include two all-day events, lasting from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. both., Saturday, Dec. 6 and Friday, Dec. 19.

From 3 to 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 6, Maine Avenue will be temporarily closed to traffic and transformed into an old-fashioned Christmas celebration, complete with the sights, sounds and scents of the season.

East County News Service

November 19, 2025 (Santee) -- A reckless driving suspect struck multiple vehicles while leading Sheriff’s deputies on a pursuit from Santee to San Diego on November 18^th.

Story and photos by Karen Pearlman

Oct. 21, 2025 (Santee) – Making others happy was something Mary Hennessy did naturally, with no holds – or holes – barred.

As founder and owner of the iconic Mary’s Donuts in Santee, Hennessy sprinkled joy to others – and not just by way of diverse donut toppings, fruity fritter fillings and cinnamon-dusted donut holes, but also through her generous spirit, spreading positivity through acts of kindness and by virtue of making connections.

Mary Hennessy loved interacting with people. chatting with customers, helping behind the counter and especially seeing children come in.

“Handing out stickers to kids was one of her small joys,” said her granddaughter, Kelly Hennessy.

And she did it all for nearly 95 years.

Born Mary Churchill in the small farming town of Dexter, Minn., on May 3, 1931, Hennessy died at her La Mesa home on Oct. 19, 2025, surrounded by family members.

East County News Service

Oct. 8, 2025 (Santee) -- There will be plenty of treats -- in the form of brews, boos and bites -- with no tricks in sight at this month's Santee Brews & Bites Festival Fundraiser.

The annual Brews & Bites Festival Fundraiser, a Halloween-themed night of live music, food and beverage samples for those ages 21 and up, plus opportunity drawings and costume contests, is set for 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 18, at the city of Santee's Town Center Community Park East.

Musical group BETAMAXX, an ultimate 80’s experience, will headline the event.

East County News Service

Sept. 27, 2025 (Santee) – The San Diego County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk (ARCC) will host an American Archives Month Celebration to highlight San Diego County history from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 4 at the ARCC’s East County office, 10144 Mission Gorge Road, Santee. Admission is free.

East County News Service

September 15, 2025 (Santee) – A driver suspected of being intoxicated was arrested September 9 for a hit-and-run collision that caused injuries in Santee as well as for reportedly striking multiple vehicles in El Cajon and Santee.

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office

September 14, 2025 (Lakeside) - An online guide is available to help people who lost their home or sustained damages in the Coches Fire. Resources include information for homeowners seeking property tax relief, permits for repairs or rebuilding, along with self-sufficiency resources.

Update:  At least 3 mobile home parks are burning, per air attack, ECM has learned.  Planes and helicopters are on scene.  An addition 15 engines and 2 helicopters have been requested by incident command and air attack. 

Evacuees can go to Viejas Casino.

September 8, 2025 (Lakeside) -- There is an immediate structure threat from the #CochesFire that started minutes ago on the I-8 business loop east of Las Coches Road, Watch Duty App reports.

An evacuation order has been issued for Zone SDC-1683 on the Genasys Evacuation Map. This zone is also viewable on the Watch Duty map.

East County News Service

August 29, 2025 (Santee) – The San Diego County Medical has completed an autopsy on Callen Lines, 31, who was found unresponsive in her cell at Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility in Santee on May 12 at 7:25 p.m. After emergency efforts by paramedics and Santee Fire Dept. personnel, she was pronounced dead at a local hospital a short time later.