By Miriam Raftery
March 30, 2025 (Lakeside) – Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call reporting that a toddler was not breathing last night at 8:53 p.m. in the11600 block of Camino Del Tierra, Lakeside.
“Deputies from the Lakeside substation and paramedics from the Lakeside Fire Department arrived and performed life saving measures on the toddler,” says Lieutenant Patrick Fox. The toddler was transported to the hospital, where the child tragically passed away.
Detectives are diligently gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and examining the circumstances surrounding this death. The cause and manner of death will be determined by the Medical Examiner's Office.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Homicide Unit at (858) 285-6330/after hours at (858) 868-3200. You can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
East County News Service
Photos by Karen Pearlman
March 29, 2025 (Santee) - Mary Hennessy, the 90-something owner of Mary's Donuts, grabs a sweet treat during her business's 40th anniversary bash Saturday morning, March 29.
Hennessy, who plied the donut trade at a Winchell's Donuts, bought the former Zona's Donut Shop with her husband, and opened the original Mary’s Donuts and Coffee in 1984 on Mission Gorge Road in Santee. After a lease dispute with her landlord, Hennessy moved the popular donut spot just a few blocks away to a nearby strip mall along Carlton Hills Boulevard. Hennessy still oversees operations.
East County News Service
March 18, 2025 (Lakeside) -- The Maine Avenue Revitalization Association (M.A.R.A.) invites you to the Taste of Lakeside, its upcoming fundraise on April 8 from 5-8 p.m. This event brings together ten local restaurants, including Cali-Stack, Ranch House, Octavio's, East Bound, Yogurt Barn, The Parks, Caffeine Queens, and the VFW, offering attendees the opportunity to sample their culinary delights.
To prevent overcrowding at any single location, participants will receive one of four maps. This will ensure a pleasant and enjoyable evening of food and fun. A $30 donation grants access to the event, including a lanyard to be presented at each participating restaurant.
Tickets may be purchased from a M.A.R.A. member, Mary's Donuts, or the Lakeside Historical Society on Saturdays. A QR code is also provided at the bottom of the flyer for convenient ticket purchase. All funds raised will directly support Downtown Historic Lakeside.
East County News Service
March 18, 2025 (Santee) – The city of Santee invites you to hop on over to Santee’s Bunny Trail on Saturday, April 12 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Santee Trolley Square.
Guests can enjoy photos with the bunny, games, crafts, face painting, giveaways and carnival rides.
Santee Trolley Square is located at 9884 Mission Gorge Rd.in Santee.
By Mike Allen
Photo by Scott Lagace: Santee firefighters saved the life of an unconscious woman during a July 2024 fire that engulfed her mobile home, also administering oxygen to save a cat.
March 14, 2025 (Santee) -- Santee knows it has to be better when it comes to providing fire protection to its residents, and after a sales tax-funded plan for new fire stations failed in November, its City Council made improving that essential service as its top priority.
In fairness, the Council was already focused on getting a couple of new stations to double the current number—two—to serve a population of more than 60,000.
It was building a temporary station off Olive Way where it formerly used to keep its maintenance operations, and was planning a new station in the north part of the city. Yet the Council was hoping the half-cent hike to local sales taxes would finance the improvements. Not so fast, said voters who rejected the plan.
At its March 12 meeting, the Council set building new fire stations—along with finding new ways to pay for them--as its No. 1 goal from a list of ten.
City Manager Marlene Best rattled off what the city was already doing including adding new trucks, more emergency medical personnel, completing the temporary station, designing a permanent station at the operations yard, and conducting a study for a third station in the north part of the city.
“We’re also looking at the potential for a new funding measure,” Best said. That could mean another sales tax hike or raising taxes on property owners.
The remainder of the list mirrored what the priorities were two years ago, with Best giving updates on whether goals were accomplished or what the status was. The entire five-member board made no comment about the list.
The number two priority two years ago, considering annexing West Hills Parkway and surrounding parcels, is still up in the air. Best said the Council wants to work with one property owner to ensure his project conforms to Santee’s higher standards. The fact is that this property, indeed all of West Hills Parkway, remains in the city of San Diego so whatever Santee wants could be ignored as was the case when San Diego approved the Castlerock/ now Weston development.
At No. 3, continued focus on road paving, which is always an item that generates lots of complaints, especially on West Hills Parkway.
Fourth, expand economic opportunities through a recently adopted Arts & Entertainment District. The city has a vision of turning the Town Center and its surrounding area into a village that would feature art galleries, dance studios, theaters, restaurants and bars. It also will be deciding on who will run a total of four cannabis shops in the industrial-zoned areas of the city by early July.
Fifth, a new building permit system, has been implemented so that should make it easier to get all those new galleries and theaters built faster. It also redid the city website and has a new app to make interactions with the city easier.
Sixth, continue focus on risk reductions, meaning fires, from homeless folks camping in the city, particularly in the San Diego riverbed. Best said since the city hired an outreach person two years ago, the number of encampments cleaned was 120, and 16 in the last month. She also noted that a recent count of the homeless population in Santee fell to 46 from 112 one year ago.
The seventh priority, looking for ways to improve the trails linked to Mission Trails Park, particularly at Big Rock Park, was put on the backburner, Best said, due to the fact that most of the land remains in San Diego County, not the city.
But the Council once again wants to make safety on its trails a priority and ranked it at eight. Best said among the efforts to make the trails safer is the possible adoption a video camera system, now in the testing phase, that would be monitored by the Sheriffs Department.
At No. 9 is the continued reduction in the city’s liabilities involving the pensions it must pay to retired workers, which it has been doing by making higher annual contributions to that budget expense over the last four years.
The tenth priority and one that was achieved in January was completing a development impact fee study and adopting a new set of fees charged to new development that took effect March 10.
Among the add-ons, but not officially tabbed as a priority, the Council wants to adopt a funding plan for a community center behind the Cameron YMCA. Best said a workshop on this is scheduled for April 9. The cost for the center was estimated at $50 million a few years ago.
At one point, the center was a darling project for most officials but in light of the pressures from building new fire stations, that may have to be put on the backburner too.
By Mike Allen
March 12, 2025 (Santee) -- Kristen Dare, who led the Santee Chamber of Commerce as CEO for the past six years, resigned from the position to take a new job at Waste Management Corp.
In an email sent to chamber members March 3, Chamber Chair Susie Parks said she is grateful for Dare’s decade of experience at the business association. She joined at the nonprofit on St. Patrick’s Day in 2014.
“Under her guidance, we have seen much growth and success even during challenging times. While we will certainly miss Kristen's leadership, we fully understand and support her decision,” Parks said.
Parks, the owner of Coffee Corner on Town Center Parkway, said the chamber is retaining Dare in a consulting capacity as the organization goes through a transition and searches for a new chief executive. Particularly she will assist in the group’s signature spring events and ensure a seamless experience for our Santee business community, she said.
The Santee Chamber, which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, has about 250 members and an annual budget of about $350,000, Dare said.
In addition to regular networking events to foster support for local businesses, the chamber puts on annual community events
By Mike Allen
March 12, 2025 (Santee) -- Kristen Dare, who led the Santee Chamber of Commerce as CEO for the past six years, resigned from the position to take a new job at Waste Management Corp.
In an email sent to chamber members March 3, Chamber Chair Susie Parks said she is grateful for Dare’s decade of experience at the business association. She joined at the nonprofit on St. Patrick’s Day in 2014.
“Under her guidance, we have seen much growth and success even during challenging times. While we will certainly miss Kristen's leadership, we fully understand and support her decision,” Parks said.
Parks, the owner of Coffee Corner on Town Center Parkway, said the chamber is retaining Dare in a consulting capacity as the organization goes through a transition and searches for a new chief executive. Particularly she will assist in the group’s signature spring events and ensure a seamless experience for our Santee business community, she said.
The Santee Chamber, which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, has about 250 members and an annual budget of about $350,000, Dare said.
In addition to regular networking events to foster support for local businesses, the chamber puts on annual community events
Source: San Diego Sheriff’s department
March 2, 2025 (Lakeside) - The Sheriff's Bomb/Arson Unit is investigating the discovery of explosive materials inside a recreational vehicle (RV) in Lakeside. The items were discovered when deputies from the Sheriff’s substation in Lakeside responded to a call reporting a possible overdose in the 11000 block of Lakeside Avenue.
When they arrived, they found a man who was unresponsive in a RV on the property. Paramedics took the man to the hospital to receive medical care.
“While at the scene, deputies noticed several items in the RV that were indicative of possible explosives,” says Sergeant Anthony Tripoli.
The Sheriff's Bomb/Arson Unit, was called in to assist. Members of the City of San Diego and San Diego County HAZMAT teams, as well as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) assisted the Sheriff's Bomb/Arson Unit with the disposal of some of the explosive materials.
The investigation into this incident by the Sheriff's Bomb/Arson Unit continues.
The Sheriff's Bomb/Arson Unit investigates all matters relating to arson, suspicious fires, fire injuries, fire death, explosions, explosive injuries, explosive-related deaths and the recovery and safe disposal of homemade bombs and military munitions.
By Mike Allen
Photo: Santee Fire Department responding in 2023
March 1, 2025 (Santee) -- The chaos and disruption happening daily at the federal government isn’t permeating to the local level in Santee, where the City Council took several significant actions this week, including funding the remaining balance on a $2 million temporary fire station, adopting a new specific plan for its Town Center area, and hearing that its finances are in sterling shape.
The East County city of 60,000 has long acknowledged that it lacks adequate fire protection, making due with the same two fire stations that existed decades ago. At the prompting of the local firefighters’ union last November, the Council unanimously backed their plan to raise some $54 million through a half-cent sales tax increase and bond issuance to build two new stations, and hire additional staff.
Santee voters rejected the idea, forcing the Council to address the issue without imposing new taxes on the public.
The temporary station, which converted a maintenance operations yard to a fire station off Olive Lane, was approved in 2023, and is close to completion. Initially, the Council appropriated $1 million for the temporary station, but the final bill will be about twice that amount.
To finish the project, the Council allocated some $425,000 it still had left of federal stimulus funding to go with earlier allocations and transfers. The contract was awarded to Horizons Construction Co. of Orange, CA, the same one that did the living quarters building.
The slew of provisions contained in the vote gives Fire Chief Justin Matsushita the power to make change orders to a maximum of $151,000 or 15 percent of the contract, which will be done in a design-build mode.
The action triggered little comment from the five elected officials except from Councilman Rob McNelis who said he was under the impression the new financing arrangement would result in a surplus to the city. Matsushita said he didn’t recall stating that.
The new station will provide much better response times to calls emanating from the southern part of Santee, and relieve pressure on the city’s two aging stations, one on Carlton Oaks Drive, and the other on Cottonwood Avenue. The overwhelming number of calls are for medical emergencies. Of the total 919 calls the Santee Fire Dept responded to in January, 708 were medical related, and only 18 involved fire, according to numbers posted on the department’s Facebook page.
In other actions, the Council adopted a revised Town Center Specific Plan, setting a framework of planning concepts for the city’s core section, roughly bounded on the north by Mast Boulevard, on the south by Mission Gorge Road, on the east by Magnolia Avenue, and on the west just past Town Center Drive. Hired consultant Mark Steele said the vision that developed from several public workshops held in Santee was for “an American village” with five distinct neighborhoods anchored by an Arts and Entertainment neighborhood.
Mayor John Minto said adopting the new plan that replaces the first specific plan of 1986 is one more step in a process of transforming the city to having “communities and amenities that are just dynamic enough for people to want to be here.”
Santee has been trying to change its image in recent years as not just a convenient shopping destination, but for enjoying the benefits of a concentrated group of restaurants, art galleries, and live performing venues that would attract both residents and visitors, as well as generate more sales tax revenue through visitors’ spending.
For the most part, that effort has failed. A lynchpin project, a Karl Strauss brewery/restaurant/office complex along the San Diego River behind Trolley Square approved more than a decade ago, was downsized to a tasting room, and even that is still in limbo. A combined movie theater/restaurant project called Studio Movie Grill planned to go next to Karl Strauss didn’t happen when the company went bankrupt. And a 97-room hotel at Trolley Square that was approved in 2023 got mired in litigation, and hasn’t broken ground.
The city’s longstanding summer concert series at Town Center Community Park is successful in drawing folks, and the city continues to bring in new restaurants, but some venues that have shuttered several years ago such as Mimi’s remain closed.
At least the city’s financial condition remains well in the black. In a report on the soon to be completed 2024-25 fiscal year, Finance Director Heather Jennings said the city should end up with a balance on its general fund of $16.7 million from a budget of about $64 million at the end of June. That essentially is a net profit on its revenues after paying expenses and provides Santee with an envious reserve balance of 27 percent of the total, well above a target threshold on reserves of 22 percent.
Among the main contributors to the city’s heftier balance sheet are some $206,000 more in property taxes that was projected; about $235,000 more in sales taxes; and $436,000 more in interest income. It is also saving money from job vacancies not being filled to the tune of $1 million, Jennings said in her report.
Among the unexpected expenditures listed in the report but not commented upon was $61,470 for “materials and supplies related to a cyber incident.”
Many people and their dogs came together at Town Center Community Park East for the ninth annual Fido Fest in Santee.
By G.A. McNeeley
Photos by Scott Lagace and G.A. McNeeley
February 26, 2025 (Santee) - The city of Santee invited lots of people (and their dogs) for fun times at this year’s Fido Fest. People were also able to adopt their own furry friend from one of the many rescue groups present at the event hosted by the city of Santee on February 22 at Town Center Community Park East in Santee.
Contests were held for the smallest dog, the biggest dog, the best costume, and the best trick. There were also demonstrations for the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Unit and the Santee Fire Department Search & Rescue Dog, as well as arts and crafts.
Agility courses were also present for dogs of all sizes to show off their skills and abilities. There were also off-leash areas, and over 50 vendors that were offering pet-friendly products, services, treats, and more.
Donation drives were also accepting unopened dog food, bedding, blankets, toys, and other items that got donated to the rescues who participated in the event.
The San Diego Humane Society was offering free microchipping, and they were also offering paid pet licensing services on-site (at varying costs). Pet health experts and veterinarians were also available to provide attendees with helpful tips and information.
ECM spoke with a representative at the Amazing Strays Rescue Booth, who said that the organization is non-profit, foster-based, and volunteer-run. The group also had binders for the dogs (and cats) that were available for adoption. The binders included success stories and “medical cases,” which are dogs and cats who need extra care. Their organization is also known for rescuing homeless and at-risk pets, providing safe environments for them as well as trying to combat the spread of diseases in pets.
Event organizers from the city of Santee told ECM said that this was their ninth year organizing the event. The event used to be in the summer, but it was too hot, so the event was moved to February. Organizers gave us an event schedule, an activity guide for other events in Santee, and a park map (all of which can be found online). They also told us that they help organize all of the big events in Santee.
“I think this a great event, because I can bring my dogs, Ella and Russel, with me to the park. There’s a lot for them to see and sniff,” said, an attendee. “They got to feast on all of the different treats that vendors had available.”
We also reached out to the San Diego Humane Society, via email, after speaking to a representative at their booth who gave us their contact information. We asked what sorts of programs they have that our readers should know about.
“San Diego Humane Society offers multiple programs to prevent unnecessary pet surrender and to keep pets with their families through challenging times,” said Nina Thompson, Director of Public Relations, San Diego Humane Society. “Services focus on all things related to pet care, including assistance with behavior and training, pet food and supplies and veterinary care. We also offer additional resources for military members and community members experiencing domestic violence and housing insecurity.”
Thompson also told that we can visit the following link to learn more about these services:
Rescue Groups that attended this year’s Fido Fest included 4 Patas, A Way Home for Dogs, Amazing Strays Rescue, Friends of Cats, Friends of Humane Services Tijuana, Frosted Faces Foundation, Heart of Gold’s Shelter, K9 Connection Pet Adoption, Leonberger Rescue Pals, Lionel’s Legacy Senior Dog Rescue, Mutt Luv, Open Arms Rescue, Passion for Pitties, Paws 4 Thoughts Animal Rescue, Rescue Fenix, Ruger’s Rescues, The DeTommaso Dogs, and Woofs and Wags.
For more information on the adoption groups, other events in Santee and additional information:
https://www.cityofsanteeca.gov/calendar/events/fido-fest/45710