By Matthew Manosh

Scroll down to links to videos from vigils

March 1, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) -- Local Ukrainian-Americans gathered in demonstrations these past few days in solidarity with their nation, which is under attack from Russian forces. Thursday night,  a prayer vigil was held in Santee on a vacant lot, where there are plans to build a Ukrainian Catholic Church. Father Yurii Sas of St. John the Baptizer Catholic Church in San Diego led his congregation in prayer and song, asking for God to protect his people in the Ukraine:

House of Ukraine shares link to donate to help Ukraine

By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

(Image courtesy of the House of Ukraine) 

Feb. 24, 2022 (Santee) A prayer service and Panakhyda, a memorial service,  will be held for Ukraine at the future site of the Ukrainian Catholic parish in Santee today at 5 p.m. The memorial will honor those killed thus far by Russia’s attacks on the Ukraine, including children. The location of the future parish is 9308 Carlton Oaks Drive.

Organizers are encouraging attendees to bring signs, flags, wear Ukrainian shirts, or other supportive materials.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: CC-by-NC-ND

February 17, 2022 (Lakeside) – A 77-year-old woman was struck by a car while walking east at the intersection of Pino Drive and Lindo Lane in Lakeside this morning. She was taken to Sharp Memorial, where she died of her injuries.

The accident occurred at 6:45 a.m., when a 2000 Honda Accord driving north on Pino Drive hit the pedestrian. The Honda was driven by a Lakeside man, 37, who had a female juvenile passenger.

Update: At their meeting on February 16, Padre Dam's Board of Directors voted to begin the approval process of a time change from 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Staff will first research the change, such as impacts on other personnel's schedules and any financial ramifications, before sending it back to the Board of Directors for final approval at a later meeting, as per their rules.

By Miriam Raftery

February 15, 2022 (Santee) – Suzanne Till, a teacher, has asked her colleagues on the Padre Dam Municipal Water District Board to move meeting times from 3:30 to 4 p.m. since she has repeatedly been late due to the long commute from her job at a Chula Vista school.  But so far, the board has not done so.  The issue of moving the meeting time to later will be on the agenda for the board’s virtual meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 16 at 3:30 p.m., item 12. 

But some fear the board majority, all Republicans, may vote to oust Till, a Democrat, for tardiness in a partisan maneuver rather than accommodate a minor shift in meeting times. Till has fought against water rates, also opposing fines for late payments and water shutoffs during the pandemic. She holds a PhD in water resources geography and is a former Marine Corps Captain.  Her website details her record:  www.suzannetill.com .

By Mike Allen

February 12, 2022 (Santee) -- Santee’s grand plan to turn part of Trolley Square into an arts and entertainment district took a big step forward on February 9 when the City Council approved the sale of a parcel for a four-story, 89-room hotel.

Story and photos by Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

By Mike Allen

Photo:  the current Santee district boundaries

February 2, 2022 (Santee) -- The city of Santee continues the process of redoing the boundaries for its four electoral districts, which will likely result in keeping the lines as they currently are.

East County News Service

Photo via San Diego Sheriff Dept. 

January 29, 2022 (Lakeside) – Shawn Orr, 26, a wanted felon and gang member with a felony arrest warrant, has been captured in Lakeside.

According to Sergeant Aaron Meleen, “Orr was in possession of approximately 1 ounce of methamphetamine, two "ghost" guns, and various burglary tools” when Patrol and Crime Suppression Team deputies form the lakeside Substation contacted him on January 27 in the 12500 block of Lakeshore Drive.

By Miriam Raftery

January 24, 2022 (Santee) – The Medical Examiner has identified Wesley DeVault, 36, as the victim of a murder-suicide Friday night in Santee.  A healthcare worker and father of a 6-year-old son, DeVault was shot and killed by his girlfriend’s estranged husband, Daniel Wayne Isaac, who later committed suicide.

By Miriam Raftery

January 22, 2022 (Santee) – Sheriff's deputies responded to the 8800 block of Diamondback Drive in Santee at 7:20 last night after a report that a man had shot another man. Deputies spotted a vehicle matching a description of the suspect’s and conducted a high-risk vehicle stop a block from the residence.

The suspect was alone in the vehicle and did not respond to the deputies' attempts to communicate with him. The deputies approached the vehicle and found the suspect had shot himself. They removed the suspect from the vehicle and performed lifesaving measures until relieved by fire department personnel, but the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.

East County News Service

January 12, 2022 (Lakeside) – Greg Dunne took a stroll around Lake Jennings in Lakeside, where he photographed a a black-crowned night heron and a bald eagle, both fish-loving birds that have been denizens at our local lake.

By Miriam Raftery

January 5, 2022 (Santee) – Martin Andara, 68, of Santee was killed on Saturday after he was pushed into the path of a train at the Old Town Transit Center. According to San Diego Police, Andara had just gotten off a southbound trolley when another passenger shoved him off the platform without provocation, then fled on foot.

Andara was struck by the train and died at the scene.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Scott Lagace

December 20, 2021 (Santee) – A fire in an upstairs apartment in Santee on Sunday morning displaced eight residents. 

10 volunteers honored with Senate Certificates of Recognition

Source:  Senator Brian Jones

Photo: Senator Brian Jones loading food at the drive-thru distribution event and afterwards with Feeding San Diego volunteers (below right)

East County News Service

December 3, 2021 (Santee) -- Lantern Crest Senior Living is hosting its annual drive-through Holiday Light Extravaganza featuring thousands of twinkling lights throughout its 34-acre East San Diego property! Cocoa and snacks will be available for purchase with proceeds benefiting the Lantern Crest Foundation.  The event takes place every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Thursday, Dec. 2 to Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021 (12 nights to choose from!).