Santee/Lakeside

FIND PUPPY LOVE AND A DOGGONE GOOD TIME AT FIDO FEST: RESCHEDULED FOR MARCH 11 IN SANTEE

POSTPONED:  Due to inclement weather, Fido Fest has been postponed until Saturday, March 11 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“Due to inclement weather, The City of Santee’s seventh annual Fido Fest will be postponed to March 11. Our focus is on the safety and enjoyment of our furry friends and their families. The event is rescheduled to Saturday, March 11 from 11:00a.m. to 3:00p.m. at Town Center Community Park East, located at 550 Park Center Drive, Santee. Join us for a dog-gone good time…”

By Miriam Raftery

January 29, 2023 (Santee) – Fido Fest, the largest dog festival in East County, will be presented by the city of Santee on Saturday, February 25 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dog adoptions, giveaways, a dog agility course, costume contest and much more will be available at the free event held at Town Center Community Park East (550 Park Center Drive).


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STOLEN DOCUMENTARY REVEALS SAN DIEGO CHILD TRAFFICKING EPIDEMIC

Story and photos by Shiloh Ireland and Miriam Raftery 

View video by Douglas Quaid including event highlights and ECM interviews with Monica Dean (photo, left) and Dr. Rhonda Taylor

 

January 28, 2023 (Lakeside) Sex trafficking of children inSan Diego is happening in every single school district inSan Diego County, NBC San Diego investigative reporter Monica Dean (photo, left) told parents and teachers during a showing othe documentary film Stolen at El Capitan High School in Lakeside on January 19.

 

That shocking evidence was found during NBC San Diegoaward-winning investigative reporting series on which the film is based. Dean, a mother of three young children, hopes to raise awareness to protect vulnerable children and teens in the community from exploitation by traffickers. We all have to stand up against them, she says of traffickers. We all have a role to play.

 

San Diego is one of the country’s hotspots for trafficking of adults and children – the FBI has ranked San Diego as one of the 13 worst regions in the United States with up to 8,000 victims per year.


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NAKED DISPLAY OF TRANSGENDER ANIMUS AT SANTEE COUNCIL AS YMCA ALLIES DECRY LIES

 

Story and photos by Ken Stone,Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

January 28, 2023 (Santee) - Former Miss California Carrie Prejean Boller took the lectern at Wednesday’s Santee City Council meeting and declared that she “identified” as Christynne Wood — and thus deserved the same three minutes of public comment time.

Boller, in her mid-30s, followed the real Wood — the 66-year-old transgender woman whose Santee YMCA presence “terrified” a 17-year-old girl in the women’s locker room.
 
So despite all other speakers being limited to two minutes, Boller ignored her time cutoff and rebuffed efforts by two other women to move her away.
 
On a night when dozens of friends and allies supported Wood — many with hand-painted signs reading “We (HEART) Chrissy” — the extremes of the issue were on naked display.

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500 GATHER AT SANTEE YMCA OVER LOCKER ROOM CONTROVERSY

 

By Shiloh Ireland

Miriam Raftery also contributed to this report

Photo, left: Conservative activist Carl DeMaio speaks at rally

January 23, 2023 (Santee) -- On a rain-soaked, muddy field at the Santee YMCA, around 500 peaceful rally goers and counter protesters turned out on January 18th. Organizers staged a rally supporting women and girls’ rights over concerns regarding a transgender person in the women’s locker room, while counter protesters turned out in support of transgender rights.

At the flash point of the controversy, 17-year-old Rebecca Phillips told YMCA staff and the Santee City Council that she saw a “naked man” in the locker room earlier this month as Phillips emerged from the shower. The teen had testified that she was traumatized and voiced concern for her younger sister who attends camps at the center.

The person Phillips saw was Christynne Lili Wrene Wood (photo, right), a transgender person who has indicated she has undergone gender-change surgery and considers herself a woman.


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MISSING SANTEE TEEN

Source:  San Diego County Sheriff

January 20, 2023 (Santee) - The San Diego County Sheriff's Department wants the public's help in locating a missing girl in the East County.

16-year-old Veronica Moreno was last seen at her home in Santee on January 6. She ran away after an argument with her parents, according to the Sheriff’s Department.


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SLAMMED IN SANTEE, TRANSGENDER WOMAN REVEALS HERSELF AFTER HARSH YMCA RALLY

 

By Ken Stone and Chris Stone, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association 

January 19, 2023 (Santee) - Speaker after speaker in front of the Santee YMCA invoked right and wrong, “what is true and what is good,” as they denounced policies that allowed “grown men to parade around naked in women’s showers and locker rooms.”


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TENSIONS ESCALATE AT SANTEE YMCA

YMCA closes early due to rallies today, apologizes to teen; Santee School district pledges review of YMCA policies before approving future field trips for students

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Shiloh Ireland

January 18, 2023 (Santee) The Santee YMCA branch announced it will close early today to protect staff members after an announced rally and counter-protest over a teen girl’s complaint of a transgender person she described as a “naked man.”

The San Diego Sheriff’s Department issued a statement indicated it is aware of the planned protest, adding, “We support the public's right to free speech and assembly. We encourage the peaceful gathering of people. We respect your right to be heard.”

The statement added, “The Sheriff's Department does not condone any acts of violence or intolerance in our communities. We are a county that is welcoming of people from all backgrounds. Our job is to enforce the law. As long as people express themselves in a peaceful and lawful manner, we do not have any lawful authority to intervene.”


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MISS LAKESIDE PAGEANT QUEENS CROWNED

By Shiloh Ireland

January 16, 2023 (Lakeside) -- The muddy rodeo grounds as well as the pouring rain did not put a damper on the excitement of the almost two and a half hour annuaMiss Lakeside Pageant filled with excitement and talented Lakeside contestants, parents and local community leaders.


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PARENTS TO RALLY JANUARY 18 AT SANTEE YMCA OVER TEEN GIRL COMPLAINT OF NAKED TRANSGENDER PERSON IN LOCKER ROOM

By Miriam Raftery

January 14, 2023 (Santee) – A group called SanteeParents4Choice is planning a “rally for women’s and girls’ rights”  at the Santee YMCA (10123 Riverwalk Drive, Santee) on January 18 at 6 p.m.  Organizers have pledged to hold a non-violent rally to highlight parents' concerns over protecting privacy.

The action is in response to a teen girl who says she became frightened while showering at the YMCA, when she saw a naked trangender person in the women’s locker room. At last week’s Santee City Council meeting, a tearful Rebecca Phillips, 17, testified that two weeks earlier, “As I was showering after my workout, I saw a naked male in the women’s locker room. I immediately went back into the shower, terrified, and hid behind their flimsy excuse for a curtain until he was gone.”


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LAKESIDE PAGEANTS TO CROWN QUEENS JANUARY 14-15

 

East County News Service

January 14, 2023 (Lakeside) – The Preteen Junior Miss Lakeside Scholarship Pageant will be held tonight at the Lakeside Rodeo Grounds at 5 p.m., with the doors opening at 4:30 p.m. Tomorrow, the Miss Lakeside and Teen Lakeside pageants will be held at the same venue.

The Lakeside Rodeo Grounds hall is located at 12584 Mapleview Street in Lakeside.

The Miss Lakeside Program is a part of the San Diego 678 Pageant System which includes the two sister pageants Miss Ramona and Miss Julian.


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POPEYES COMING TO SANTEE THIS SUMMER

By Mike Allen

January 10, 2023 (Santee) – Here’s good news for those who’ve been traveling to Tierrasanta or beyond to get their Popeyes fix. The Louisiana chicken chain will open an outlet here this summer.


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PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: GREAT BLUE HERON

East County News Service

January 7, 2023 (Santee) – Scott Lagace started the New Year off right with a stroll around Santee Lakes on January 1, where he captured a Great Blue Heron in flight, shown in these beautiful images.

 


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EAST COUNTY PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL: VAQUEROS BRAVE BRAVES IN EL CAJON

Story and photos by Liz Alper
 
January 6, 2022 (El Cajon) - The lady Vaqueros of El Capitan headed inland to hit the hardwood at El Cajon Valley taking on the Braves.  The girls have had an impressive season at 13-5.  The Braves are doing well too at 9-4.  Both teams began conference play tonight.

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VICTIMS IN LAKESIDE MURDER-SUICIDE IDENTIFIED AS SISTERS, SHOOTER ALSO NAMED

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: CC via Bing

January 3, 2023 (Lakeside) – The San Diego Sheriff’s department has released the identifies of two women shot and killed on December 30 in Lakeside by a man who then fatally shot himself.  Two juveniles were also in the home in the 13500 block of Interstate 8 Business when the killings occurred.


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THREE DEAD IN LAKESIDE MURDER-SUICIDE

East County News Service

December 31, 2022 (Lakeside) – A man fatally shot two women, then killed himself at a home in Lakeside after an argument last night, the San Diego Sheriff’s Department reports.


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PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: OUR NATIONAL BIRD

East County News Service

December 26, 2022 (Lakeside) – Scott Lagace snapped these photographs of a Bald Eagle, our national bird, over the holiday weekend at Lake Jennings in Lakeside. Though no longer federally endangered, Bald Eagles are still protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act as well as the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. They remain rare in San Diego County, however, where there are only a handful of nesting pairs, making such a sighting a special thrill.


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LAKESIDE HAS MORE SHOPPING CHOICES: GROCERY OUTLET OPENS

By Shiloh Ireland

December 23, 2022 (Lakeside) -- On Wednesday, December 15, Grocery Outlet  held its grand opening in Lakeside. ECM has been in contact with corporate and the new owner-operator Cristobal Sanchez as he prepared for the occasion.


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SNOW DAY AT LINDO LAKES

Story and photos by Shiloh Ireland

 

December 23, 2022 (Lakeside) - Wesley Maddocks of San Diego County Parks and Recreation featured Snow Day at Lindo Park in Lakeside.

 

"It has been a dream of our directors to bring snow to our parks," says Maddocks.

 

Twenty tons of ice were donated for this event and the crowd grew to approximately 150 as kids arrived from school. Santa sat patiently for the children to hear their Christmas wishes. It looked like all the participants had a fun afternoon.


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EAST COUNTY PREP SOCCER: VAQUEROS TAME BULLDOGS ON COLD NIGHT IN LAKESIDE

Story and photos by Liz Alper
 
December 20, 2022 (Lakeside) - Ramona High boys soccer traveled down the hill to face off against the Vaqueros of El Capitan in a pre-Christmas matchup.  Both teams are shaky to start the season; the Vaqueros are 6-6-1, while the Bulldogs are winless at 0-2-4.

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SCREENING OF “STOLEN” ON CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING JAN. 19 IN LAKESIDE

By Miriam Raftery

December 18, 2022 (Lakeside) – San Diego County is a hub for child sex trafficking, with at least 3,000 victims here each year. How can you protect your children?  Find out on Thursday, January 19 when the Lakeside Union School District and El Capitan High School PTSA groups host a screening of the film “Stolen: a Year-Long Investigation into Child Sex Trafficking and Exploitation.”  This must-see film based on an NBC 7 investigative series will be shown at the El Capitan High School Events Center (10410 Ashwood St., Lakeside) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.


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VIDEO OF THE WEEK: LIGHTS AT THE LAKES HOLIDAY SHOW IN SANTEE

 

December 16, 2022 (Santee)  -- ECM took a drive through the first-annual Lights at the Lakes holiday show, now running on select dates through December 24 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve. John Levken's video shows highlights of the one-mile drive through over 35 different sparkling light displays set to music synchronized to your car radio.

Each time guests attend the show, it's a new experience.

Tickets are not available on site, and must be pre-purchased online.


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PADRE DAM APPOINTS DIRECTOR AFTER NO CANDIDATE FILED TO RUN

By Mike Allen

Photo:   Rocky Qualin (beard) and Brian Fordyce, new directors of Padre Dam Water District

December 12, 2022 (Santee) -- Brian Fordyce was appointed this month as the newest director for the Padre Dam Municipal Water District board of directors, taking over a seat for District 1 formerly held by Doug Wilson.


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SANTEE SCHOOL DISTRICT WELCOMES TWO NEW ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENTS

Photos and story courtesy Santee School District. 
 
Dec. 12, 2022 (Santee) The Santee School District Board of Education approved two new Assistant Superintendents at the December 6, 2022, regular meeting. Following retirement announcements from Dr. Stephanie Pierce,
Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, and Karl Christensen, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, the District conducted a nationwide search to fill these two vital leadership roles.

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ARRESTS MADE IN NOVEMBER SHOOTING IN LAKESIDE

East County News Service

December 10, 2022 (Lakeside) - Four people have been arrested in connection with a shooting in Lakeside that left a teenager in critical condition.


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WEST HILLS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT UNDER EVALUATION AFTER THREATS

East County News Service

December 7, 2022 (Santee) - A 14-year-old boy is being evaluated at a hospital as a safety precaution after threatening to hurt students and staff at West Hills High School. 


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ROCK CLIMBER DIES IN FALL ON EL CAJON MOUNTAIN

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: El Capitan County Preserve

Update: The victim has been identified as 22-year-old Nathaniel Takatsuno, who had reportedly been free climbing without a rope when he fell 200 feet, Times of San Diego reports.

December 5, 2022 (Lakeside) – The body of a rock climber who fell to his death yesterday on El Cajon Mountain, located in the El Capitan County Preserve in Lakeside was recovered today by a Sheriff’s helicopter crew.


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WOMAN DIES IN FIERY LAKESIDE CRASH

East County News Service 

December 5, 2022 (Lakeside) – The driver of a BMW 325i lost her life in a fiery solo-vehicle crash yesterday at 4:27 p.m., though a passenger escaped.


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SHERIFF RELEASES SKETCH OF SUSPECT WANTED FOR RAMMING WITH PICKUP IN SANTEE IN ATTEMPTED ROBBERY

East County News Service

December 4, 2022 (Santee) - Take a good look at this sketch. This man is wanted in connection with an attempted robbery in Santee on Friday, November 25 and for striking two women with the dark green pickup truck he was driving.


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SDSU FOOTBALL: WEST HILLS ALUM JACK BROWNING NAMED MOUNTAIN WEST SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

November 29, 2022 (San Diego) - San Diego State football’s Jack Browning has been named the Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Year, the league announced Tuesday. An Aztec has now won the award five times (all over the last eight years), the most in the 24-year history of MW.


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SANTEE USES MERIT SYSTEM TO PICK CANNABIS RETAILERS

By Mike Allen

Photo: CC by ND via Bing

November 22, 2022 (Santee) -- Santee may be late to the party that other city governments have joined, allowing the sale of cannabis, yet it’s in no hurry to figure out how it will be permitted and managed.


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