By Jonathan Goetz

January 9, 2024 (Santee) -- Santee Chamber of Commerce and the East County Chamber of Commerce invite you to a joint mixer hosted by Sportsplex USA Santee 9951 Riverwalk Dr, Santee, CA 92071. Make new and strengthen current connections with other local business representatives. 

 Story and photos by Shiloh Ireland

View video from County News Service

December 31 2023 (Lakeside) – County Parks and Recreation held a grand opening of the $16.9 million Dianne Jacob Equestrian Park on December 12 in Lakeside. Several hundred people attended, with Jacob as the guest of honor.

Jacob served 28 years as District 2 County Supervisor and is an avid equestrian. Her dream of a premier facility was unveiled to an enthusiastic crowd and local officials. Jacob was an advocate for many park projects during her tenure of 28 years in public office.

The excitement was obvious in Jacob’s demeanor as she cut the long red ribbon to open the beautiful facility. “This is awesome...It’s one-of-a-kind and it’s going to bring in events from all over the state of California,” said Jacob. “This is going to put Lakeside on the map.”

East County News Service

Photos provided by:Shiloh Ireland 

November 30, 2023 (Lakeside)  --Two people were injured after a fight ended in a shooting and stabbing in Lakeside on Saturday, November 25. 

Shortly before 7:30 p.m., deputies from the Lakeside Sheriff's substation responded to reports of a shooting in the 12000 block of Woodside Avenue.

November 21, 2023 (Santee) -- A woman has been arrested in connection with the attempted kidnapping of a child in Santee.

On Monday, November 20 just before 6 p.m., a woman tried to remove a one-year-old child from a shopping cart in the 100 block of Town Center Parkway. The suspect was not successful, since the child was secured in the cart with a lap belt. She then took off on foot heading south toward Mission Gorge Road. Despite a thorough search of the area by Sheriff's Deputies and a Sheriff's ASTREA helicopter, the suspect was not located.

Detectives from the Santee Sheriff's Station immediately began investigating the incident. On Tuesday, November 21 around 7:30 p.m., detectives arrested Isela Ortega, 21,  in the 400 block of Orsett Street in Chula Vista.

By Shiloh Ireland

November 20, 2023 (Lakeside) -- In 2017, husband and wife Jose Ortiz and Claudia Ortiz purchased the Lakeside Cafe in Lakeside, offering home-cooked breakfasts and lunches. Since 2018, they have generously given complete Thanksgiving meals to people in need each year. But this season, they have received more requests than they can accommodate. So, they are asking help from the community for donations.

By Mike Allen

November 15, 2023 (Santee) -- A small congregation of Ukrainian American Catholics will make Santee their new home, once the church they have long planned is built in about a year.

The parish, St. John the Baptizer, which now holds its services in San Diego’s North Park neighborhood, purchased a lot at Carlton Oaks Drive and Pike Street in 2018.

On Nov. 8 the Santee City Council unanimously approved an application for a conditional use permit for the gold-domed church and connecting meeting hall to the applicants, technically a part of the Ukrainian Church of Chicago.

By Shiloh Ireland

November 15, 2023 (Lakeside) --  The Bulls Only Rodeo in Lakeside on Oct. 13-14 featured the most exhilarating and crowd engaging sport challenging the performers to the perfect eight second ride. The Bulls Only is presented by the Lakeside  Optimist Club; proceeds are used to provide for the needs of youths in Lakeside.

This was the 24^th Annual Bulls Only Rodeo There are many rodeo events, but the Sports Writers of America voted bull riding as the most dangerous sporting event in the country.

ECM attended the October 14^th performance. The excitement was felt in the air upon arrival with families and a large crowd anticipating an explosive performance of bull riding, junior bull riding and the always-favorite mutton busting by youngsters. There were many vendors and a wide variety of snacks and beverages to keep the guests fueled. The jumbo screen held up by a crane was a spectacular addition to the performances as instant replays were seen up close and in seconds following a performer’s ride.

East County News Service

November 4, 2023 (Santee) – International touring musician Mean Mary, with her brother, Frank James, will appear at Summit UU Fellowship, 8778 Cottonwood Ave. in Santee on Saturday,  November 25 at 7 p.m. Her special performance will include some crowd favorites such as her original songs, "Iron Horse" and "Blazing," new songs and holiday music from her brand-new Christmas CD.

By Chuck Westerheide, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo:  forensic sketch artist P.J. Puterbaugh created this image of the unidentified accident victim

November 3, 2023 (El Cajon) - San Diego County Medical Examiner’s investigators are asking for the public’s help to identify a woman fatally hit by a car while crossing Cuyamaca Street north of Weld Boulevard in El Cajon late in the evening of September 22.

East County News Service

October 27, 2023 (Lakeside)-- Oma's Family Farm has been a Lakeside business since 1960.  The  farm’s pumpkin patch offers a variety of pumpkins, plus you can opt for wagon rides, a petting zoo, sand sledding and more. Saturday is the last day this season for the pumpkin patch, and reservations must be made online here.

If you miss the pumpkin patch, the farm offers many other attractions such as Furry Animal Friends, Dump Trucks & Dozers, Land of Milk and Honey, Bubble Blast, Country Fair, and soon, Homestead Holidays, Christmas trees, Christmas Cinema, visits with Santa Claus and more. The farm also hosts private events.

By Shiloh Ireland

Photo, left:  Former San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/Clerk Ernest J. Dronenberg cuts ribbon to dedicate the Archive Reading Room in Santee

October 25, 2023 (Santee) – A ceremony was held today at the San Diego County Assessor/Recorder’s office in Santee, where Assessor/Recorder/Clerk Jordan Marks dedicated the Archive Reading Room to his predecessor, Ernest J. Dronenberg, Jr.  The event also celebrated Dronenburg’s legacy of public service.

The facility was full of guests, local county politicians and officials including Mayor Bill Wells of El Cajon, Santee City Councilmembers Ronn Hall and Vice Mayor Laura Koval,  Andrew Hayes, staffer for  Senator Brian Jones as well as an Assembly candidate and Lakeside Union School Board President,  Padre Dam Director Bill Pommering, Jordan Gascon, Chairman of the San Diego Republican Party, and others.

Bow ties were requested to be worn, since that was Dronenburg’s  signature look during his tenure.  Dronenburg was accompanied by his wife. His colleagues described him as a “numbers guy” and praised his service.

East County News Service

October 17, 2023 (Santee) - Every ghoul is welcome at Santee Lakes’ first-ever Spooktacular and Trunk-or-Treat on Saturday, October 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  This will be a ghoulish day of games, a giant Halloween maze, face painting, creepy crafts, photo opportunities, and much more.  

Story and photos by Shiloh Ireland

October 15, 2023 (Santee) -- Santee Fire Department held its Open House on Oct. 7, attracting hundreds of visitors. Children enjoyed interactive activities including face painting and games, as well as boarding fire engines, squirting water with a fire hose and more.