Thursday, August 20, 2026
Crime reports, fire, emergency, and law enforcement updates for Santee and East County.
A man accused of starting the Sorrento Fire pleaded not guilty this week, and East County Magazine reports the case has local ties to Santee and Jamul. The fire burned about 138 acres near Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve before firefighters stopped its forward spread.
Via East County Magazine
A wildfire in the Dehesa and Harbison Canyon area prompted evacuation orders Wednesday as flames threatened structures east of Santee. Forward progress has been stopped, but evacuation orders remained in place for two zones, according to East County Magazine.
Via East County Magazine
Sheriff's officials say a pedestrian was trapped between two vehicles on Poplin Drive and taken to a trauma center with life-threatening injuries. The Santee Sheriff's Traffic Unit is investigating, and witnesses are being asked to contact the station.
Via San Diego County Sheriff's Office
A pedestrian suffered life-threatening injuries after being trapped between two vehicles in Santee on Tuesday, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office. Deputies said the crash happened in the 7900 block of Poplin Drive.
Via ABC 10News / City News Service
San Diego County is warning retail food facilities that may have received eggs from Happy Hens, a Ramona poultry farm tied to a local salmonella outbreak. The county says the outbreak has grown to 21 cases, including seven hospitalizations.
Via East County Magazine
A fast-moving brush fire near Campo grew to 132 acres Monday afternoon, prompting evacuation orders and warnings south of Interstate 8. CAL FIRE said forward progress had been stopped by 4:45 p.m., with the fire 5% contained.
Via CAL FIRE
MTS says Orange Line construction is disrupting service between Euclid Avenue and Lemon Grove Depot on Sunday, with shuttle buses available for riders in the closure area.
Via Metropolitan Transit System
El Cajon police are asking the public for help in a decades-old homicide case involving Alicia Ledezma Sanchez, whose body was found in a wooded area in 1998. Investigators say even small details could help move the case forward.
Via East County Magazine
A 43-year-old El Cajon man died after his motorcycle struck multiple parked vehicles on Pepper Drive, according to police information reported by East County Magazine. Investigators said excessive speed appears to be a factor.
Via East County Magazine
El Cajon police are again asking for help in the killing of Alicia Ledezma Sanchez, whose remains were found off Avocado Avenue in 1998. The case is a reminder that decades-old East County investigations can still move when new information comes forward.
Via ABC 10News
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against Leticia Diane McCormack in the 2022 death of 11-year-old Arabella McCormack, according to City News Service. The Spring Valley case is expected to go to trial next year.
Via ABC 10News / City News Service
San Diego’s new e-bike age rules take effect Aug. 13, adding to a growing patchwork of local safety regulations across the county. East County Magazine noted that La Mesa has already approved its own e-bike safety pilot program, making the issue relevant for Santee families as the school year begins.
Via East County Magazine
The Crest-Dehesa-Granite Hills-Harbison Canyon planning group is urging a harder look at wildfire, evacuation and emergency-access risks tied to SDG&E's proposed Suncrest transmission project. The project would add about 14.5 miles of 230-kV transmission line in East County.
Via East County Magazine
San Diego County health officials confirmed the region's first Clade I mpox case and said the patient likely contracted the virus during international travel. The county says identified contacts are being monitored and no one has reported symptoms.
Via County News Center
A new roundabout is now open at El Paso Street and Dalhart Avenue near Murray Manor Elementary School. City officials say the intersection is still an active work zone while crews finish striping, signage and landscaping.
Via East County Magazine
A domestic violence call in La Mesa turned into a dangerous overnight incident when police say a gunshot went through a shared apartment wall and wounded a neighbor. The suspect was arrested after allegedly pointing the gun at officers and pulling the trigger, according to East County Magazine and La Mesa Police.
Via East County Magazine
A two-vehicle crash in Lemon Grove sent five people to hospitals Friday morning, including four children, according to 10News. Heartland Fire & Rescue officials said at least one vehicle rolled over in the crash.
Via 10News
A 43-year-old El Cajon man died early Saturday after police said his motorcycle crashed into multiple parked vehicles on Pepper Drive. Investigators said excessive speed appears to have been a factor, while the role of drugs or alcohol remains under review.
Via 10News
A fast-moving brush fire in Jamul prompted evacuation orders Friday afternoon for two zones near Skyline Truck Trail. East County residents should use the live Genasys evacuation map for current boundaries before traveling near the area.
Via East County Magazine
A 25-year-old Santee man was arrested early Thursday after deputies said an alleged assault between adult brothers led to an hours-long SWAT response. Authorities said eight rifles were later seized from the home.
Via East County Magazine
A man was arrested after deputies say an SUV was found fully engulfed in flames at a Spring Valley storage facility. The case has East County relevance because deputies from the Rancho San Diego Station and the Sheriff's Bomb and Arson Unit handled the investigation.
Via San Diego County Sheriff's Office
San Diego County has reported its fourth human West Nile virus case of the summer, and officials are urging residents to dump standing water and prevent mosquito breeding. The reminder matters in Santee, where warm weather and backyard water sources can quickly turn into mosquito habitat.
Via NBC 7 San Diego
Yolanda Marodi pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the 2025 stabbing death of Cal Fire Capt. Rebecca “Becky” Marodi at their Ramona home. Sentencing is expected next month, according to Times of San Diego.
Via Times of San Diego
A free Aug. 6 presentation in Julian will focus on wildfire insurance, disaster coverage and home-hardening discounts. The issue matters across East County as high-fire-risk communities continue facing a difficult insurance market.
Via East County Magazine
Sheriff's officials say a man was arrested after an SUV burned at a Spring Valley storage facility Sunday. The case matters for nearby Santee residents because Rancho San Diego deputies and the Sheriff's Bomb and Arson Unit handle incidents across the same East County public-safety network.
Via East County Magazine
A Santee Fire Department battalion chief is helping fight major wildfires in Oregon through a mutual aid deployment. City fire officials say Santee emergency response services remain fully staffed while he is away.
Via East County Magazine
Two Los Angeles-area juveniles were arrested Sunday after deputies tracked an allegedly stolen vehicle from the El Cajon area toward Alpine and back west on Interstate 8. Authorities said the chase topped 100 mph before ending near the Mollison Avenue exit.
Via 10News / City News Service
El Cajon police said a body was found Saturday in a drainage canal near East Washington Avenue. The Medical Examiner has taken over the investigation, and authorities have not released a cause or manner of death.
Via 10News
La Mesa approved a new no-turn-on-red restriction near Murray Manor Elementary after parent safety concerns. The change is outside Santee, but the back-to-school timing makes it useful for East County families watching school-zone traffic.
Via Times of San Diego
A Marine Corps F-35 crashed Friday morning at MCAS Miramar, sparking a small vegetation fire before the pilot was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. For Santee and East County military families, the incident is a reminder that major training operations are happening close to home.
Via Patch
CAL FIRE says the Grade Fire northwest of Lake Henshaw grew to 80 acres Friday afternoon, with evacuation orders and warnings in place and East Grade Road closed. The fire is outside Santee, but smoke and mountain road closures are worth watching across inland East County.
Via CAL FIRE
Three inland preserves near East County are closing for August as county officials try to reduce heat-related trail rescues. The closures include El Capitan Preserve near Lakeside and Mt. Gower Preserve in Ramona.
Via East County Magazine
Santee residents looking for air conditioning during this weekend’s heat advisory have a local Cool Zone option. The city says the Santee Branch Library will open with extended Sunday hours on Aug. 2.
Via City of Santee
About 1.5 million OCOOPA rechargeable hand warmers have been recalled after federal officials linked the products to fires, burn injuries and the death of a San Diego resident. Santee households with the devices should stop using them and follow hazardous-waste disposal guidance.
Via Patch
The American Red Cross says summer blood donations have fallen to a four-year low, with type O blood supplies especially strained. A Santee blood drive is scheduled Thursday at Summit Unitarian Universalist Fellowship as hospitals continue looking for donors.
Via Patch
A man was arrested after deputies said he tried to carjack a pickup at the San Altos Trolley Station in Lemon Grove. The victim was not injured, according to the Sheriff's Office account reported by Patch.
Via Patch
San Diego County health officials say 13 confirmed and probable Salmonella cases have been linked to Ramona Family Naturals Market, with four people hospitalized. The warning matters across East County as residents check recent deli purchases and watch for symptoms.
Via San Diego County News Center
A CAL FIRE San Diego helitack crew rescued two people who became trapped as the Creelman Fire moved quickly near Ramona, according to East County Magazine. The rescue highlights why East County fire officials keep stressing evacuation readiness during fast-changing wildfire conditions.
Via East County Magazine
Sheriff’s officials said a man was arrested Tuesday morning after a reported carjacking attempt at the San Altos Trolley Station in Lemon Grove. No injuries were reported, and investigators are asking anyone with information to contact the Sheriff’s Office or Crime Stoppers.
Via San Diego County Sheriff’s Office
San Diego County public health officials say no New World screwworm cases have been detected locally, but they are urging residents to watch pets, livestock and wounds after recent animal cases in Texas and New Mexico.
Via East County Magazine
A Border Patrol K-9 was flown by helicopter to a La Mesa emergency veterinary hospital Friday night, temporarily shutting down traffic near Jackson Drive and Grossmont Boulevard. Officials had not released details on the dog's injury or condition as of East County Magazine's report.
Via East County Magazine
El Cajon plans new safety upgrades on Jamacha Road after residents spent months asking city leaders for help following crashes in the area. The changes include roadway markings, signs, rumble strips, a radar feedback sign and a guardrail near Gustavo Street.
Via ABC 10News
San Diego County sheriff's officials say deputies responded to two illegal house parties in East County on July 21, including one at an abandoned property where about 40 people were detained and released. No arrests were made, according to the Sheriff's Office.
Via San Diego County Sheriff's Office
CAL FIRE says evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted for the Creelman Fire near Ramona after crews held the blaze to 347 acres overnight. The fire remains active, with crews continuing hazard work and containment efforts Thursday.
Via CAL FIRE
A fast-moving brush fire in Ramona prompted evacuation orders Wednesday afternoon and sent smoke concerns across parts of East County. Fire officials directed evacuees to Ramona High School while crews worked the Creelman Fire near San Diego Country Estates.
Via NBC 7 San Diego
San Diego County is trying to track down about 200 Desert Willow plants sold at local Costco warehouses that may carry invasive pests. Santee residents who bought one between June 24 and July 3 should contact county agriculture officials before moving or discarding it.
Via San Diego County News Center
The Thorn Fire in rural southeastern San Diego County reached 100% containment Monday after burning 1,234 acres, according to City News Service via Patch. Four structures were damaged or destroyed, and the cause remains under investigation.
Via Patch / City News Service
El Cajon police impounded several bikes after a group of young riders blocked traffic on Magnolia and Madison avenues, 10News reported. The incident is another East County reminder that e-bike safety is becoming a neighborhood traffic issue, not just a school-yard concern.
Via ABC 10News
CAL FIRE and county officials reopened the rebuilt Ramona Air Attack Base with new aircraft and faster refill systems. For Santee and East County residents, the upgrades matter because aircraft based in Ramona respond across the county when fire conditions move quickly.
Via East County Magazine
A woman was hospitalized with a non-life-threatening ankle wound after gunfire broke out during a street fight outside a Spring Valley house party late Friday, according to East County Magazine. Sheriff’s investigators said the shooter or shooters left before deputies arrived.
Via East County Magazine
San Miguel Fire & Rescue has a new brush engine operating out of the Crest firehouse as crews prepare for the height of wildfire season. The apparatus was acquired with grant help from regional fire and river-conservation partners.
Via East County Magazine
The San Miguel Fire Protection District has been added to California’s Fire Risk Reduction Community list, a designation insurers must consider when pricing wildfire risk. The district covers Crest, Spring Valley and Rancho San Diego, with lessons that matter across fire-prone East County.
Via ABC 10News
A Boulevard couple escaped the Thorn Fire after a sheriff's deputy and CAL FIRE/San Diego County Fire paramedics returned as flames reached the area around their home. The rescue is another reminder for East County residents to prepare before evacuation warnings turn urgent.
Via San Diego County News Center
The Thorn Fire in East County has burned 1,234 acres and reached 45% containment, according to East County Magazine. Some evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted, while others remain in place.
Via East County Magazine
A swastika and racial slur were removed from a fence near Rio Seco Elementary School after residents raised concerns. The Santee School District said it notified the San Diego County Sheriff's Office.
Via ABC 10News
Crest Fire Safe Council has received its third SAFE Grant, funding wildfire preparedness lessons for more than 260 Crest School students and new community outreach tools. For Santee and East County residents, the project is another reminder that prevention work is happening before the next fire starts.
Via East County Magazine
A fast-moving brush fire near Boulevard has burned more than 1,200 acres, crossed Interstate 8 and prompted evacuation orders and warnings in southeastern San Diego County. The fire is not in Santee, but smoke, freeway disruption and fire-season risk make it one East County residents should watch closely.
Via ABC 10News
A two-alarm fire at an El Cajon assisted living center forced staff and more than 100 patients out early Monday, according to ABC 10News. No injuries were reported, but fire officials said the evacuation was difficult because many residents had mobility issues or complex medical needs.
Via ABC 10News
A woman was injured after gunfire struck an SUV on the transition from eastbound SR-52 to southbound I-15, according to the California Highway Patrol. The case is a reminder for Santee and East County drivers to avoid engaging aggressive drivers and call 911 when it is safe.
Via East County Magazine
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office identified the two people killed in a Ramona double homicide this week. The update follows a July 7 arrest in a case investigators say remains under review.
Via San Diego County Sheriff’s Office
Deputies say an 8-year-old boy broke the front door of a Lakeside pet store and left with a red fire sand boa before being found nearby. The snake was returned, and officials said no arrest or charges are pending.
Via ABC 10News
Cal Fire says the first phase of a $12 million renovation at the Ramona Air Attack Base is complete, adding support for larger aircraft and more daily staffing. For Santee and East County residents, the upgrade matters as hot, dry weather raises wildfire risk across the inland region.
Via ABC 10News
Sheriff's officials say a 33-year-old Escondido man was arrested after deputies found a man and woman with fatal injuries in Ramona Monday night. The case remains under investigation, and the Sheriff's Office said there is no known ongoing threat to the community.
Via San Diego County Sheriff's Office
Crest is now covered by a state wildfire risk-reduction designation that insurers must consider when setting eligible property rates. Other East County agencies, including the Santee Fire Department, also appear on the state list, making this worth checking for local homeowners.
Via East County Magazine
County health officials confirmed the region's first locally acquired Chagas disease case after routine blood donation screening. The risk remains uncommon, but Santee residents who camp, spend time outdoors or have possible exposure should know what symptoms and prevention steps to watch for.
Via San Diego County News Center
Cal Fire says San Diego County is entering peak fire season with hotter inland temperatures and drying vegetation. The warning matters in Santee and East County, where open space, canyons and trail areas can turn small sparks into fast-moving fires.
Via NBC 7 San Diego
County officials say mosquitoes collected near San Carlos tested positive for West Nile virus, the first such mosquito detection in San Diego County this year. For Santee households, the reminder is practical: dump standing water, check screens and report mosquito problems before summer activity picks up.
Via County of San Diego Communications Office
A robbery suspect and a companion were arrested after a vehicle pursuit through Spring Valley, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office. Deputies said no injuries were reported.
Via San Diego County Sheriff's Office
Sheriff's officials said deputies arrested a robbery suspect and a female companion after a vehicle pursuit ended in Spring Valley on Thursday. No injuries were reported.
Via San Diego County Sheriff's Office
The San Diego County Sheriff's Office says deputies will conduct increased impaired-driving patrols on July 4 and throughout the holiday weekend.
Via San Diego County Sheriff's Office
A Spring Valley neighborhood dispute turned into a SWAT response Tuesday after one resident allegedly made threats while armed with a firearm. Sheriff's officials said the suspect surrendered and was expected to be booked on suspicion of criminal threats.
Via ABC 10News / City News Service
CAL FIRE says the Junction Fire near Santa Ysabel is now fully contained after briefly closing Highway 79 and threatening one commercial structure. The incident is a useful reminder for Santee and East County residents heading into a hot, dry Fourth of July week.
Via CAL FIRE
San Diego Humane Society is offering free microchips through July 3 and waiving reclaim fees through July 7 as shelters prepare for the holiday surge in lost pets. For Santee residents, the closest campus is in El Cajon.
Via East County Magazine
The San Diego Regional Fire Foundation says $276,000 in Project SAFE grants will support 30 Fire Safe Councils and East County Magazine. For Santee-area residents, the announcement is another reminder that wildfire readiness is a year-round East County issue.
Via East County Magazine
Santee firefighters have new hoses and nozzles through a grant from regional fire and river agencies. The equipment upgrade comes as the city continues planning for added fire station capacity in northeast Santee.
Via East County Magazine
CAL FIRE is warning that illegal fireworks will bring strict penalties as San Diego County heads toward the Fourth of July. For Santee residents, the reminder matters because all consumer fireworks are prohibited countywide, even items sold as Safe and Sane elsewhere in California.
Via East County Magazine
A former Christian High School teacher in El Cajon pleaded guilty this week to five felony sex-crime counts involving an underage girl. Sentencing is scheduled for July 31, according to Patch and City News Service.
Via Patch / City News Service
La Mesa police have increased patrols after repeated late-night explosions believed to involve fireworks rattled neighborhoods near Palm and Pasadena avenues. With the Fourth of July approaching, the reports are a reminder for East County residents to call in suspicious activity before someone gets hurt.
Via ABC 10News
Sheriff's investigators seized hundreds of pounds of flavored nicotine, vape and kratom products during an Alpine smoke shop investigation Thursday. No arrests were made, but officials said an employee was detained and county code violations were noted.
Via ABC 10News / City News Service
Santee firefighters have new hoses and nozzles funded through a grant from the San Diego Regional Fire Foundation and San Diego River Conservancy. City officials say the equipment is meant to improve reliability, water-flow control and firefighter safety during emergency response.
Via City of Santee
San Diego, Carlsbad and Escondido moved this week on e-bike safety as serious youth injuries continue to climb. Santee is already among the San Diego County cities that enacted an age limit under the county-specific state law.
Via inewsource
Sheriff's detectives arrested two people after investigating a reported burglary at an unincorporated El Cajon home. The case is a reminder for nearby East County homeowners to watch vacant or recently rented properties closely.
Via East County Magazine
State and local agricultural officials have expanded a Mexican fruit fly quarantine to roughly 111 square miles after new detections in El Cajon and Spring Valley. The restricted zone now reaches into Santee, meaning backyard gardeners and businesses need to follow rules on moving homegrown fruit and host plants.
Via East County Magazine
A woman was arrested Saturday after authorities said a taxi stolen in Santee led law enforcement on a 25-mile pursuit that ended in Mission Valley.
Via 10News / City News Service
Health officials are urging families to stop using all Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Infant Formula after a nationwide recall tied to infant botulism cases. The product was sold at Target, Target.com and Nara.com, so Santee parents should check cans before the next feeding.
Via East County Magazine
San Diego County health officials are warning parents and caregivers not to use Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Infant Formula after a nationwide recall tied to infant botulism cases. The formula was sold through Target stores, Target.com and Nara.com.
Via County News Center
Patch's latest Santee-area crime log includes several East County incidents, including an arson arrest in Spring Valley, three arrests during a crime suppression operation and a Lakeside carjacking arrest. Here's what Santee readers should know from the roundup.
Via Patch
The San Diego County Sheriff's Office said two San Diego men were arrested in connection with the 2025 homicide of 52-year-old Ruben Cervantes in Spring Valley. Investigators said Cervantes was assaulted in his motorhome on Sweetwater Road and later died at the scene.
Via San Diego County Sheriff's Office
Sheriff’s officials said a woman suspected of taking a GMC Yukon at gunpoint in Lakeside was arrested after an automated license plate reader alert led a deputy to the stolen SUV in Spring Valley. The suspect was booked at Las Colinas in Santee, according to Patch and City News Service.
Via Patch / City News Service
Three men were arrested after deputies searched a Spring Valley home during a felony probation compliance check, according to East County Magazine. Deputies reported finding suspected methamphetamine, stolen IDs, credit cards, personal identifying information and ammunition.
Via East County Magazine
A Warner Springs conservation camp is training 33 incarcerated women for wildfire hand crews as fire season builds across California. The program matters locally because East County communities often rely on fast-moving ground crews when brush fires break out.
Via ABC 10News
County health officials are warning residents not to touch bats after 14 rabid bats were found in San Diego County this year, including recent cases tied to Santee and major local attractions. Officials say anyone who may have had bare-skin contact with a bat should seek guidance immediately.
Via East County Magazine
Target has recalled several Up & Up baby wipes after FDA testing found bacterial contamination. San Diego County families are being urged to stop using the recalled wipes and return them for a refund.
Via East County Magazine
A 25-year-old Lakeside man is one of three U.S. citizens charged in a federal complaint alleging a plot to support ISIS and fund attacks on U.S. service members overseas. Federal prosecutors say the case was investigated by FBI task forces in San Diego, Kansas City and Sacramento.
Via U.S. Department of Justice
Two dead crows found near Rolando and Skyline tested positive for West Nile virus, prompting county health officials to remind residents to dump standing water and protect against mosquito bites. No human cases have been reported locally this year.
Via KPBS / City News Service
Federal agents arrested a Lakeside man and two Kansas men Friday in an alleged plot to support ISIS and target U.S. service members, according to East County Magazine. The case was investigated by FBI teams in San Diego, Kansas City and Sacramento.
Via East County Magazine
County health officials say 14 rabies-positive bats have been identified so far this year, including one found at a private residence in Santee in May. Residents are being urged not to handle bats and to keep pets current on rabies vaccinations.
Via Patch
San Diego County and fire officials have broken ground on a new Fire Station 43 in Jacumba, a rural East County community along Interstate 8. The project matters well beyond Jacumba because backcountry fire coverage is part of the same wildfire defense network Santee residents rely on during wind-driven fire season.
Via East County Magazine
Kandynn Wilson, 34, was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the 2022 killing of his estranged wife, Ericka J. Wilson. Prosecutors said a jury found him guilty of first-degree murder with a lying-in-wait special circumstance.
Via East County Magazine
The Border 6 Fire crossed from Mexico into the United States near Marron Valley between Dulzura and Barrett Junction. Cal Fire reported 200 acres burned on the U.S. side with no structures threatened as of Tuesday afternoon.
Via East County Magazine
Two dead crows in San Diego tested positive for West Nile virus, county officials told Patch. No human cases have been reported locally, but residents are being urged to dump standing water and report dead birds as mosquito season gets underway.
Via Patch
A brush fire near Main and Etcheverry streets in Ramona closed part of SR-67 Monday afternoon and threatened nearby structures, according to Patch, Cal Fire and Caltrans. Santee and East County drivers were urged to avoid the area while crews responded.
Via Patch
A Northern California man was sentenced to life without parole plus one year in prison for the 2022 killing of his estranged wife in Spring Valley, according to the San Diego County District Attorney's Office. Prosecutors said the sentence followed a December first-degree murder conviction with a lying-in-wait special circumstance.
Via San Diego County District Attorney
One person was killed Thursday in a two-vehicle crash on El Monte Road near El Capitan Reservoir. The California Highway Patrol is investigating what led to the collision.
Via Patch
A new CAL FIRE Firehawk helicopter is now permanently based at Ramona Air Base. County officials say the aircraft can carry more water and support wildfire, rescue and emergency missions across San Diego County.
Via East County Magazine
The San Diego County Sheriff's Office is warning residents about mailers asking for donations to buy law enforcement gear. The department says it does not ask the public for money to purchase supplies for deputies.
Via East County Magazine
One person was killed Thursday in a two-vehicle crash at El Monte Road and El Cajon Mountain Truck Trail, according to the California Highway Patrol. The location sits on a rural route used by East County drivers heading toward El Capitan Reservoir and nearby backcountry areas.
Via Patch
The San Diego County Sheriff's Office says it does not ask the public for money to buy deputy equipment such as bulletproof vests or helmets. East County residents who receive donation mailers are being urged to research any organization before giving.
Via East County Magazine
A federal restoration proposal for more than 13,000 acres in the Laguna Mountains is drawing pushback from conservation advocates. The debate matters across East County because the area is both a wildfire-risk zone and a major backcountry recreation destination.
Via East County Magazine
San Diego County health officials are warning families and medical providers as e-bike injuries continue to climb. The advisory matters in Santee and across East County as more young riders use e-bikes on neighborhood streets and paths.
Via Times of San Diego
A fire near the Spring Valley Swap Meet site prompted evacuations at nearby townhomes before deputies arrested a suspect near the state Route 125 and 54 interchange. The case is a close-to-home reminder for Santee and East County residents as dry brush season ramps up.
Via East County Magazine
San Diego County’s wildfire response has a new tool heading into peak fire season. A CAL FIRE Firehawk helicopter is now permanently stationed at Ramona Air Base, giving inland communities faster access to a larger water-dropping and rescue aircraft.
Via County News Center
San Diego County health officials are reminding residents not to eat recreationally harvested mussels, clams, scallops or oysters during the annual state quarantine. The warning matters for Santee families heading to the coast this summer because cooking does not remove the naturally occurring toxins.
Via Patch / San Diego County Health Officials
San Diego County health officials confirmed two unrelated measles cases, including one with possible public exposure at a downtown San Diego hotel and an Imperial Beach ice cream shop. No Santee exposure site was listed, but county officials are urging residents to watch for symptoms if they were at the named locations.
Via County News Center
Kenneth McNally, 42, was sentenced Friday for the 2023 murder of Samuel Holthaus in unincorporated El Cajon. The case began after deputies responded to a suspicious death report on Harbison Canyon Road.
Via Patch
A five-acre brush fire near Spring Street and Leigh Avenue forced a temporary apartment evacuation Monday night in Spring Valley. Deputies told NBC 7 that one person was detained after officials said he set at least three fires.
Via NBC 7 San Diego
Sheriff’s detectives say a Spring Valley man barred from owning firearms was arrested after a search turned up ghost guns, ammunition and gun parts. The case lands close to Santee’s commute corridors and highlights ongoing weapons investigations across East County.
Via East County Magazine
Residents and city officials met Thursday to discuss traffic safety concerns in El Cajon, with Jamacha Road a central focus. The meeting followed months of neighborhood pressure after several serious crashes.
Via ABC 10News
At least one person died after a vehicle left westbound Interstate 8 in El Cajon and burst into flames early Monday. CHP logs indicated two people and a dog may have been inside the vehicle.
Via ABC 10News / City News Service
One person was killed and four others were hospitalized after a two-vehicle crash Monday morning on Pine Hills Road in Julian. Cal Fire said one vehicle was partly engulfed in flames when emergency crews arrived.
Via ABC 10News
La Mesa has joined Santee and other San Diego County cities with new limits on young children riding e-bikes. The ordinance bars riders under 12 from operating Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes in city limits, with warnings first and small citations later.
Via East County Magazine
County health officials say two San Diego County residents became infected in a statewide E. coli outbreak linked to The Kebab Shop. Anyone who ate the chain's beef kofta between March 27 and April 30 and later developed stomach symptoms is being urged to seek medical care.
Via East County Magazine
A head-on crash on Interstate 8 near Lake Jennings Park Road killed both drivers Thursday morning, according to the California Highway Patrol. The collision happened just east of Santee, on a route many East County commuters use to cross the region.
Via Patch / City News Service
The wind-driven Tusil Fire burned 1,000 acres near Campo and forced evacuations and Interstate 8 lane closures. Cal Fire reported 25% containment Wednesday morning, with all evacuations downgraded to warnings.
Via KPBS / Cal Fire
Water service is back in Julian after an outage and boil-water advisory, but district officials say the mountain town's 60-year-old pipe system remains vulnerable to more breaks. The issue matters across East County because Julian's small businesses and Main Street tourism depend on reliable water service.
Via East County Magazine
Two teenage gunmen opened fire at the Islamic Center of San Diego on Monday, killing three men before taking their own lives nearby, authorities told The Associated Press. Police said the attack is being investigated as a hate crime.
Via The Associated Press
MTS says a Transdev work stoppage is limiting MTS Access and 14 minibus routes as of Friday, May 15. Santee-area riders who use paratransit or connect through the affected routes should check trip status before leaving.
Via MTS / NBC 7 San Diego
A Spring Valley traffic stop turned into an hour-long pursuit across San Diego County, according to sheriff’s officials. Deputies said the driver was wanted on several felony warrants before he was arrested near Interstate 15.
Via ABC 10News
An 80-year-old woman died after being struck by a vehicle outside the La Mesa Costco on Wednesday, according to La Mesa police. The driver stayed at the scene and investigators say drugs or alcohol do not appear to be factors.
Via East County Magazine
An 18-year-old El Cajon man died early Wednesday after his SUV went off La Cresta Road, overturned and caught fire, according to the California Highway Patrol. The crash is a sober reminder for East County drivers as CHP investigators work to determine whether drugs or alcohol played a role.
Via East County Magazine
La Mesa is set for a second hearing Tuesday on whether to restrict e-bike riding for children 11 and under. The debate is drawing interest across East County because Santee is among the cities NBC 7 reported already have child e-bike restrictions in place.
Via NBC 7 San Diego
A weekend earthquake swarm near Brawley produced a 4.7-magnitude quake that was felt across parts of San Diego County, including Santee. Officials reported no-to-light damage from shaking, but more aftershocks are expected.
Via Patch
San Diego Superior Court officials are warning residents about a new wave of scams using fake missed-court-date texts, spoofed court phone numbers and urgent payment demands. The warning matters in Santee because the messages are countywide and can look convincing enough to fool people into paying before they verify.
Via East County Magazine
San Diego County’s Vector Control Program is starting its 2026 aerial larvicide schedule, with several Santee waterways and standing-water areas listed as potential treatment sites. The drops are meant to reduce mosquito breeding and lower West Nile virus risk before peak season.
Via East County Magazine / County of San Diego Vector Control
La Mesa Police added Officer Lauren Craven’s name to a department monument this week, marking the first line-of-duty death in the agency’s history. The ceremony drew hundreds as East County prepares for National Police Week.
Via Times of San Diego
A 22-year-old suspect has been jailed in connection with an April 30 assault in La Mesa that left a woman hospitalized in critical condition. Police said the motive and relationship between the suspect and victim remain under investigation.
Via NBC 7 San Diego / City News Service
A three-day wildland fire preparedness drill is bringing about 750 firefighters and law enforcement personnel to the Barona area this week. Residents near Wildcat Canyon Road should expect traffic delays while agencies run simulations focused on wildfire response, communications and structure defense.
Via East County Magazine
An East County stabbing investigation ended with a woman arrested after police said she fled across Interstate 8 while armed with a knife. The suspect was booked into Las Colinas in Santee on multiple felony charges.
Via Patch
San Diego County prosecutors say scammers are increasingly sending couriers to collect cash directly from victims, especially seniors. The warning matters in Santee, where older residents should be alert for anyone asking to pick up money, gold bars or ATM cards in person.
Via NBC 7 San Diego
Police are asking for help identifying a man sought for questioning after a woman was found unconscious and bleeding near Lake Murray. The case is being investigated in La Mesa, with Crime Stoppers offering a reward for tips.
Via NBC 7 San Diego
A driver was killed early Tuesday in a single-vehicle rollover crash on westbound Interstate 8 near state Route 67 in El Cajon. The crash closed at least two lanes during the morning commute, a key route for Santee and East County drivers.
Via NBC 7 San Diego
More than 500 animals are being evaluated and cared for after a massive rescue operation at Villa Chardonnay Horses With Wings in Julian. The San Diego Humane Society says many animals need urgent medical care, and the influx is affecting shelter capacity countywide, including East County.
Via East County Magazine
Two passengers died Sunday evening in a rollover crash on Interstate 8 near Jacumba, according to East County Magazine. CHP said preliminary information points to driver fatigue, with investigators still looking at whether drugs or alcohol played a role.
Via East County Magazine
A 14-year-old girl was killed and an 18-year-old pedestrian was injured Sunday after a vehicle left Navajo Road near Cowles Mountain and hit a tree, according to East County Magazine. The crash happened just west of Mission Trails, a route familiar to many Santee drivers heading toward San Carlos and Lake Murray.
Via East County Magazine
California health officials and the state attorney general have filed a legal complaint against a Santee-based kratom manufacturer, alleging the company violated a state embargo and continued making and distributing products. The case centers on products state officials say pose public health risks.
Via CBS 8
Santee recorded one of the county’s steepest year-over-year drops in unsheltered homelessness, according to newly released Point-in-Time Count results. The countywide total barely moved, but the local number matters for residents watching riverbed, park and encampment concerns.
Via NBC 7 San Diego
A wildfire preparedness tour in Mt. Helix highlighted defensible space, ember protection, access for fire crews and evacuation planning. The message for East County homeowners: preparation has to happen long before smoke is in the air.
Via East County Magazine
A three-day wildland preparedness exercise will bring hundreds of firefighters and law enforcement personnel to the Barona area May 6-8. Officials say residents should expect traffic delays on Wildcat Canyon Road as crews practice emergency communications, structure defense and other wildfire response skills.
Via Patch
A new San Diego River Park Foundation census counted 195 people living along the San Diego Riverbed from Ocean Beach to Walker Preserve in Santee, down nearly 23% from last April. The count gives local agencies a fresh snapshot of where outreach and housing work is making progress — and where gaps remain.
Via KPBS Public Media
Sheriff’s officials say a 64-year-old man was arrested in Spring Valley after deputies found methamphetamine, cash, money orders and items believed to be stolen. The case is a reminder for East County residents to report suspected stolen property if they recognize anything tied to the investigation.
Via ABC 10News / City News Service
The California Highway Patrol will run a 24-hour maximum enforcement period from 6 a.m. Tuesday to 5:59 a.m. Wednesday. Santee drivers heading onto SR-52, SR-67, SR-125 or I-8 should expect officers to focus on speeding and unsafe speeds statewide.
Via ABC 10News / City News Service
Santee residents now have a new number for non-emergency sheriff’s calls: 858-868-3200. The Sheriff’s Office says the automated system is meant to route routine calls faster while leaving 911 for immediate threats, crimes in progress, fires and medical emergencies.
Via ABC 10News / City News Service
Authorities have identified two people who died in an April 4 crash on State Route 78 in Julian. East County Magazine reports both pickup trucks overturned multiple times before the victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
Via East County Magazine
A San Diego snake removal specialist says warm weather has rattlesnakes moving earlier than usual, while California has already recorded multiple snakebite deaths this year. The advice for Santee residents is simple: watch where you step, avoid thick brush and call a qualified professional if a snake is on your property.
Via Patch
A La Mesa woman says scam callers reached her hospital room while she was recovering from surgery at Sharp Grossmont Hospital. The case is a timely warning for East County families helping older relatives navigate medical stays.
Via NBC 7 San Diego
A dispute over parking in Lakeside escalated into violence Sunday, leaving a 64-year-old man with serious leg injuries. Authorities told NBC 7 the accused man faces a felony battery charge while prosecutors review the case.
Via NBC 7 San Diego
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced $50,000 rewards for information that helps solve several San Diego County cold cases. One involves the 2021 killing of Navy sailor Corneilius Brown in La Mesa.
Via NBC 7 San Diego
El Cajon is preparing a pilot program that would send written warnings to drivers caught going more than 20 mph over the speed limit. The warning system is expected within six weeks.
Via NBC 7 San Diego
La Mesa leaders approved a grant application for a proposed drone first responder program and real-time crime center. Supporters say it could improve response times, while some residents raised privacy concerns.
Via NBC 7 San Diego
Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 33-year-old Lemon Grove resident after a man was found shot at a home on El Dora Street. Investigators said the case appears isolated, with no known threat to the community.
Via NBC 7 San Diego
Residential outdoor burn permits will be suspended countywide starting May 1 as Cal Fire points to heavier vegetation, rising temperatures, low humidity and seasonal winds. For Santee and East County homeowners, the message is simple: clear defensible space now, before conditions get worse.
Via Patch
The Sheriff's Office will collect unwanted and expired prescription medications from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, including at the Rancho San Diego station. The service is free, anonymous and excludes sharps and needles.
Via Patch
Sheriff's deputies say a Spring Valley search warrant uncovered an un-serialized short-barreled rifle, ammunition and gun parts in various stages of manufacture. A 52-year-old man was arrested in the case, according to Patch.
Via Patch
A vegetation fire in Ramona grew to five acres Tuesday before firefighters stopped its forward spread. Officials said nearby structures were threatened as crews continued work at the scene.
Via East County Magazine
Santee-area residents will have a nearby option to safely get rid of expired or unwanted medications Friday during the DEA's National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The free event includes a Rancho San Diego drop-off site and year-round disposal options through sheriff's stations.
Via Patch
Sheriff's deputies say a child abuse investigation at a Spring Valley home led to three arrests and the discovery of cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing.
Via Patch
San Diego County is opening its first Crisis Stabilization Unit in East County on Monday, adding a 24/7 behavioral health facility in El Cajon. County officials say the site is designed to give people in psychiatric or substance use crises a faster option than an emergency room or jail.
Via East County Magazine
A Santee business owner was arrested after deputies said he fired a gun near North Magnolia Avenue and later threatened law enforcement. Investigators recovered a handgun and shell casings from the business, according to authorities.
Via Patch
Sheriff's deputies say a Santee business owner was arrested after a standoff at a Rockville Street suite where investigators found a handgun and shell casings. The case unfolded near North Magnolia Avenue and led to SWAT serving a search warrant later that morning.
Via East County Magazine
La Mesa just joined the growing list of San Diego County cities using a new state pilot program to crack down on unsafe e-bike riding. The vote matters in Santee too, where local leaders have already moved on similar restrictions and regional enforcement is clearly picking up.
Via East County Magazine
A Santee business owner was arrested after deputies said he fired a gun near North Magnolia Avenue, then threatened to shoot responding deputies from inside his Rockville Street business suite. Authorities say investigators later recovered a 9mm handgun and shell casings during a SWAT-assisted search.
Via Patch
A Santee business owner was arrested Saturday after deputies said he fired a gun near North Magnolia Avenue and later threatened law enforcement from inside his suite. Investigators said they recovered a 9mm handgun and shell casings during the case.
Via Patch
Santee residents still have time to attend Monday afternoon's Community Oriented Policing Committee meeting at City Hall. The 2 p.m. session appears on the city's public calendar for 10601 Magnolia Ave.
Via City of Santee
San Diego County residents are being asked to comment on a draft wildfire protection plan that could shape mitigation priorities, grant funding and preparedness work over the next five years. The update has clear implications for East County communities in fire-prone areas.
Via East County Magazine
Fire crews stopped forward progress on a brush fire in Santee late Sunday, according to Patch. Authorities advised people to avoid the area while crews worked.
Via Patch
Detectives are asking the public for help identifying a suspect in a Spring Valley shooting. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Homicide Unit or Crime Stoppers.
Via San Diego County Sheriff’s Department
Santee Fire and the Santee-Lakeside Emergency Medical Services Authority have added a new Basic Life Support ambulance, aimed at keeping advanced paramedic units available for the most critical calls. The unit, known as BLS 5, began service April 1, according to East County Magazine.
Via East County Magazine
A suspect has been arrested in connection with a fatal hit-and-run collision that killed a pedestrian in San Marcos in February. The pedestrian was identified as 62-year-old Carey Faust of Vista.
Via San Diego County Sheriffs Department
Authorities are asking for the public's help to identify a suspect who shot and injured two juveniles in the Hidden Meadow Apartment complex in September 2025.
Via San Diego County Sheriff's Department
A new Basic Life Support ambulance officially entered service in Santee on April 1, expanding the city's emergency medical response capabilities.
Via East County Magazine
In response to a growing number of violations, the Santee Sheriff's Station conducted a targeted enforcement operation focusing on the illegal use of e-bikes and electric motorcycles, resulting in multiple citations and impounded vehicles.
Via San Diego County Sheriff's Department
A driver who refused to stop for a traffic stop Monday in a Santee parking lot led deputies on a sprawling hour-long chase through East County before a suspect was arrested miles away in Ocean Beach. The incident began on Mission Gorge Road when a deputy tried to pull over a Dodge Charger with no license plates.
Via Times of San Diego
A man was struck and killed by a Ram pickup truck Saturday night on Woodside Avenue near Lindo Lake in Lakeside. The victim crossed into the truck's path on an unlit stretch of road, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Via NBC 7 San Diego
A California appellate court has vacated the sexual misconduct conviction of a former Granite Hills High School teacher, finding insufficient evidence on one charge and a trial error on another. Gerald Lopez, 54, could face retrial on the remaining count.
Via NBC 7 San Diego
San Diego County homicide investigators arrested 33-year-old Luis Alvarado of San Marcos on Sunday in connection with a fatal residential fire that claimed two lives near Lacebark Street. He faces two counts of murder and one count of arson.
Via NBC 7 San Diego
A fast-moving vegetation fire broke out Sunday evening in the river bottom near Town Center Parkway, forcing the evacuation of Walmart, Michaels, and other nearby stores. Fire crews from the Santee Fire Department stopped the forward spread at five acres by roughly 8:30 p.m.
Via NBC 7 San Diego / East County Magazine
A Jeep traveling at high speed on State Route 54 in Chula Vista flew off a freeway interchange bridge and landed in the Sweetwater River early Sunday, killing both occupants. Authorities suspect alcohol may have been a factor in the crash.
Via CBS 8 San Diego
A late-night house fire on Lacebark Street in San Marcos left two people dead, prompting the Sheriff's Homicide Unit and Bomb/Arson investigators to treat the scene as a potential crime. One person was detained near the residence as the investigation got underway.
Via San Diego County Sheriff's Office
San Diego County Sheriff's officials did not investigate at least seven reported sexual assaults at the privately run Otay Mesa immigration detention center in 2025, according to records obtained by CalMatters. A 2020 memorandum gives CoreCivic's warden authority to decide whether to investigate rape allegations at the facility.
Via East County Magazine / CalMatters
U.S. Customs and Border Protection received 15 horses transferred from Army posts at Fort Irwin in California and Fort Huachuca in Arizona, saving an estimated $105,000. Several of the horses have been assigned to the San Diego Sector, which covers East County's rugged backcountry border corridors.
Via East County Magazine
The El Cajon City Council voted unanimously to fund a major reconstruction of Heartland Fire's Station 7 in Fletcher Hills, a station originally built in 1960. The $7.2 million project will add a second apparatus bay, nearly double the station's square footage, and improve wildfire response times for East County.
Via East County Magazine
San Diego County public health officials are looking for anyone who may have had direct contact with two wild bats found at separate Escondido locations, both of which have since tested positive for rabies — marking the fourth and fifth confirmed cases in the county this year. If you were near White Oak Villas or the San Diego Zoo Safari Park on or around March 21-22, health officials want to hear from you.
Via East County Magazine
An American Airlines flight from Dallas reported a potential engine fire Saturday morning, triggering a ground stop at San Diego International Airport and delaying hundreds of travelers — including East County residents heading home from spring break trips.
Via National Today
A suspicious camouflage backpack left near the front entrance of the Santee Sheriff's station Thursday triggered a Bomb/Arson response and temporary street closures. Deputies later determined no crime was committed — but it was a reminder to call first.
Via East County Magazine
The Santee Sheriff's Station conducted a major enforcement sweep Thursday targeting unlawful e-bike and electric motorcycle use, resulting in 10 impounded vehicles and fines that could top $1,400 per rider.
Via San Diego County Sheriff's Office
A city audit released in March 2026 has found that a protocol change made by the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department (SDFD) back in 2019 has significantly slowed emergency response times — and may have cost lives.
An 18-year-old was hospitalized Wednesday after leading Santee Sheriff's deputies on a brief pursuit in a stolen Jeep Wrangler that ended in a crash into parked cars near Magnolia Avenue and Fletcher Parkway in El Cajon. The suspect faces vehicle theft and evading charges.
Via Patch
A motorcyclist was rushed to a trauma center Monday afternoon after a suspected DUI driver in a pickup truck struck the rider at North Magnolia Avenue and the SR-67 on-ramp in Santee. A bystander helped deputies apply a tourniquet to control the rider's bleeding before paramedics arrived.
Via Patch
A juvenile was struck by a motorist on Mission Gorge Road in Santee on Monday afternoon and transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver fled before deputies arrived, and witnesses say a group of kids on e-motorcycles had been riding dangerously in traffic before the crash.
Via East County Magazine
E-bike injuries at San Diego County trauma centers jumped 54% in 2024, with Rady Children's Hospital treating more than 250 juvenile e-bike patients last year alone. Santee is one of six cities that passed stricter age-limit rules — but doctors and lawmakers say teenage reckless riding remains the core problem the ordinances don't fully address.
Via inewsource
A juvenile rider was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries Tuesday after being struck by a hit-and-run driver on Mission Gorge Road in Santee. The incident exposed a broader problem with unlawful e-motorcycle riding in the area — deputies witnessed multiple additional juvenile riders flee the scene by crossing center medians into oncoming traffic.
Via San Diego County Sheriff's Office
The San Diego County Medical Examiner has identified the man found dead on an El Capitan trail Sunday as Johnathan Gorbea, a 40-year-old San Diego resident. Gorbea had been reported missing by his family after failing to return from a hike Saturday morning. A cause of death has not yet been released.
Via NBC 7 San Diego
On World TB Day, county health officials revealed that San Diego's tuberculosis rate is more than double the national average and has risen for five straight years. With an estimated 175,000 residents carrying latent infection, East County families should know the warning signs.
Via East County Magazine
A 40-year-old man who went missing Saturday while hiking El Cajon Mountain in Lakeside was found dead Sunday evening after an extensive search by Sheriff's Search and Rescue. The San Diego County Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death.
Via NBC 7 San Diego
A La Mesa man who was helicoptered out of the backcountry near Campo after suffering heat exhaustion while motorcycling is speaking out with a message for East County outdoor lovers: hydrate far more than you think is necessary. The story hits close to home as local temperatures continue running above seasonal norms.
Via 10News
A man convicted of first-degree murder in El Cajon was sentenced to life without parole. An ex-Christian Youth Theater employee pleaded guilty to a sex crime with a teen. Two men and a juvenile were arrested in connection with a 2025 Lemon Grove transit center robbery. And a shooting victim died after arriving at an East County fire station.
Via Patch / City News Service
A La Mesa man nearly died from heat exhaustion while off-road motorcycling north of Campo last year — and he's speaking out as East County heads into another punishing heat wave this weekend. Doctors say even fit, experienced outdoor recreationists are at risk.
Via 10News
A man was shot and killed near Jamul this week, arriving at an Alpine fire station before dying of his injuries. The week also saw multiple stabbings, robbery arrests, and a guilty plea in a Christian Youth Theater sexual abuse case.
Via Patch
Two men and a juvenile have been arrested in connection with a knifepoint robbery at a Lemon Grove transit center last October. Investigators linked the suspects to the crime using video footage from the Metropolitan Transit System.
Via Patch / SDSO
A former employee of the El Cajon-based Christian Youth Theater has pleaded guilty to committing lewd acts on a 13-year-old girl who was a student in the program. David Hott, 39, is one of several former CYT employees accused of sexual abuse in criminal or civil proceedings.
Via Patch / City News Service
A 25-year-old man convicted of first-degree murder for shooting a sleeping El Cajon man through his bedroom window has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The case took nearly five years to resolve and a second suspect still awaits sentencing.
Via Patch / City News Service
A brush fire dubbed the Crosley Fire broke out Thursday near the San Diego-Riverside County border during the peak of this week's record heat wave, burning about two acres before firefighters halted its spread. The incident serves as an early reminder that fire season has effectively arrived.
Via Times of San Diego
Michael Burke, a Fallbrook resident, has been arrested for murder and attempted murder following a March 16 shooting that killed one man and wounded another on E. Mission Road. Deputies say the shooting followed an argument.
Via San Diego County Sheriff's Office
The San Diego County Sheriff's Office has identified the man who died in custody at the San Diego Central Jail on March 15 as Drahkee House, 45, who had been convicted of murder, attempted murder, and robbery and was scheduled to be sentenced in May 2026.
Via San Diego County Sheriff's Office
Paul Aurelio McClain, a former San Diego State University police sergeant, pleaded guilty Wednesday to possessing more than 600 files of child sexual abuse material. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison and sentencing is set for June 24.
Via Los Angeles Times / U.S. Department of Justice
San Diego County public health officials are warning anyone who visited the Sharp Memorial Hospital Emergency Department on March 11 of a potential measles exposure. The case comes as California and the nation see a significant spike in measles activity.
Via East County Magazine
San Diego County Vector Control is launching its first aerial mosquito treatment of the year on March 24, targeting up to 50 waterways with larvicide drops. The county says the treatment is safe for people, pets, and wildlife.
Via East County Magazine
A new 666-page military investigation has concluded that a rare ammunition defect — estimated at one in a million — caused an artillery shell to detonate prematurely over Interstate 5 near Camp Pendleton in October, striking two CHP vehicles. No Marines were found negligent.
Via AP News
A man was shot early Wednesday morning at a Jamul residence on Loose Creek Road and later died at the Alpine Fire Protection District station. Sheriff homicide detectives have taken over the investigation and a suspect has been detained for questioning.
Via East County Magazine
The San Diego County Sheriff's Office is hosting 'Coffee with the Community' events at two East County locations this morning, March 18, giving residents a low-key chance to connect with local law enforcement. Both events run from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Via San Diego County Sheriff's Office
The Southern Pacific rattlesnake is officially on the move as temperatures climb across East County. San Diego County Animal Services is urging Santee residents to take precautions — especially pet owners whose dogs face far greater risk than humans.
Via East County Magazine
An internal investigation into the October 2025 live-fire demonstration at Camp Pendleton has concluded that a rare, one-in-a-million fuze defect caused an artillery shell to explode over Interstate 5, according to a report released by the U.S. Marine Corps.
Via Task & Purpose
San Diego County Sheriff's deputies are investigating a possible homicide in Fallbrook after responding to an assault with a deadly weapon call Monday evening. One victim was found and one person was detained, though no arrest has been made.
Via San Diego County Sheriff's Office
A 45-year-old man in San Diego County Sheriff custody died Sunday after experiencing medical distress in the San Diego Central Jail dayroom. Homicide investigators are conducting a standard in-custody death investigation, and the Citizens Law Enforcement Review Board has been notified.
Via San Diego County Sheriff's Office
Deputies and a Palomar College officer opened fire on a passenger who allegedly raised a gun during a tense 90-second standoff on Feb. 18. The San Diego County Sheriff's Office released body camera and witness footage Friday identifying the man killed as Andre Raphael Mendez, 33, of Oceanside.
Via Times of San Diego
A San Diego man faces federal charges after allegedly selling millions of fake postage stamps sourced from China, pocketing more than $6 million — and using a "significant portion" of the proceeds to buy a home in San Diego.
Via Patch / U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of California
The San Diego County Sheriff's Office will deploy specialized impaired driving patrols starting 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, through 6 a.m. Wednesday. Santee and East County communities are in the coverage zone — plan ahead if you're celebrating.
Via San Diego County Sheriff's Office
The San Diego County Sheriff's Office ran a DUI sobriety checkpoint on North Magnolia Avenue in Santee this past weekend, stopping 905 vehicles and arresting three drivers on suspicion of drunk driving.
Via Patch / San Diego County Sheriff's Office
A stolen truck chase that began Tuesday night on Interstate 8 ended with the suspect fleeing on foot into a drainage canal in El Cajon, where he was located with the help of a Sheriff's helicopter.
Via Patch / El Cajon Police Department
A man was stabbed near Lemon Grove Academy Middle School on Tuesday afternoon, triggering a dramatic multi-city vehicle pursuit that ended on Interstate 8 just before the El Cajon Boulevard exit. The suspect faces attempted murder charges.
Via San Diego County Sheriff's Office
A dead crow found in North Park tested positive for West Nile virus, marking the first detection of the disease in San Diego County in 2026. County health officials are ramping up mosquito surveillance and urging residents — including those in East County — to eliminate standing water and use insect repellent as warmer weather accelerates mosquito activity.
Via CBS 8
A crash on westbound State Route 52 near Santee triggered a SigAlert Wednesday morning, blocking two lanes and snarling traffic for commuters heading toward the city. CHP crews responded quickly to clear the roadway.
Via Patch / CHP San Diego
The San Diego County Sheriff's Office netted three DUI arrests and 14 unlicensed driver citations during a sobriety checkpoint on Saturday night in Santee, with 905 vehicles passing through the operation.
Via Patch
Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of Bishop Emmanuel Shaleta of St. Peter Chaldean Catholic Cathedral in El Cajon, one day after the bishop pleaded not guilty to 17 felony counts of embezzlement and money laundering. The Vatican accepted the resignation in February but delayed the announcement, with observers noting the Holy See appeared to have waited to avoid interfering with the criminal investigation.
Via Times of San Diego
San Diego reported a 6.3% drop in overall crime in 2025 — the fourth consecutive year of decline — with murders at their lowest level since the late 1960s. The data points to a safer region, including East County communities like Santee, El Cajon, and La Mesa.
Via CBS 8
A speeding vehicle veered into oncoming traffic on Jamacha Road in El Cajon Sunday evening, triggering a violent collision that severed one car in half. Two teenagers and an adult were transported to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.
Via Hillstone Law / El Cajon Police
Bishop Emmanuel Shaleta of St. Peter Chaldean Catholic Cathedral pleaded not guilty Monday to 17 felony counts including embezzlement and money laundering. He was arrested last week at San Diego International Airport as he allegedly attempted to flee the country.
Via CBS 8
Two brush fires broke out across San Diego County Sunday under hot, windy conditions — and Cal Fire is warning that this week's forecast brings more of the same. Santee and East County residents are being urged to clear dead vegetation before the heat returns.
Via CBS 8 San Diego
A routine traffic stop for expired plates on State Route 125 near Jamacha Road early Monday morning turned into a drug bust when deputies found a passenger carrying enough methamphetamine to trigger a felony arrest. The driver was cited and released.
Via San Diego County Sheriff's Office
A social media post showing federal agents gathered in the public parking lot of a San Diego County Sheriff's station in Encinitas sparked community concern Monday. The Sheriff's Office quickly clarified it had no prior knowledge of or involvement in the operation.
Via Patch
The San Diego County Sheriff's Office launched a new AI voice system this weekend to handle the roughly 400,000 non-emergency calls it receives each year. Here's what Santee residents need to know before they dial.
Via Times of San Diego
A woman was arrested for driving under the influence Friday night after crashing on Spring Street in La Mesa, a stretch of road that local officials have identified as one of the city's most dangerous — with 57 crashes recorded over a 70-month period spanning January 2020 through October 2025.
Via ABC 10News
A second rideshare driver with a pending asylum claim and valid work authorization was detained by ICE at Camp Pendleton’s gate on Saturday, raising new questions about enforcement at military installations near San Diego.
Via NBC 7 San Diego
A potentially deadly brain parasite has been found for the first time in San Diego County, including opossums in La Mesa. Health officials are urging residents and gardeners to take precautions now.
Via East County Magazine
A San Diego couple was found guilty of second-degree murder Thursday for the 2021 death of their 3-month-old daughter Delilah, who weighed less than 4 pounds when she died — about half her birth weight. Sentencing could come as early as April.
Via NBC 7 San Diego
A former math teacher at The Learning Choice Academy in La Mesa was sentenced Thursday to three years in state prison for an unlawful sexual relationship with a 17-year-old female student. Michael Davis, 35, must also register as a sex offender for a minimum of 10 years.
Via NBC 7 San Diego
San Diego County Sheriff's deputies arrested Bishop Emmanuel Shaleta at San Diego International Airport Thursday as he attempted to flee the country, charging him with eight counts of embezzlement, eight counts of money laundering, and aggravated white collar crime. He is being held on $125,000 bail.
Via East County Magazine
The San Diego County Sheriff's Office will operate a DUI checkpoint in Santee this Saturday evening, running from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday. The location is undisclosed, as is standard practice for sobriety checkpoints.
Via Patch
Federal agents intercepted 944 pounds of liquid methamphetamine hidden in 29 buckets inside a commercial truck's fuel tank at the Otay Mesa Import Cargo Facility. The driver, a 26-year-old Tijuana man, faces life in prison.
Via U.S. Attorney's Office / NBC 7 San Diego
A stolen car pursuit that began in Santee ended in a crash outside an El Cajon hotel early Wednesday morning. The driver was hospitalized and no deputies were injured.
Via CBS 8 News
A federal jury on Tuesday convicted former SDSO deputy Aaron Russell on charges related to the 2020 fatal shooting of an unarmed man outside San Diego Central Jail. The conviction comes after Russell's first federal trial ended in a hung jury.
Via NBC 7 San Diego
San Diego police released body camera footage Monday showing the moment an officer shot a fleeing auto-theft suspect in Spring Valley after the man reached for what turned out to be a novelty cigarette lighter shaped like a pistol. The suspect survived with non-fatal wounds.
Via NBC 7 San Diego
A Romanian national is in federal custody after authorities say he helped steal nearly $160,000 from public assistance recipients, with at least 43 EBT accounts compromised in San Diego County alone. East County residents who use EBT benefits could be among additional victims investigators have yet to identify.
Via CBS8
A motorcyclist suffered life-threatening injuries Monday afternoon after a collision with a pickup truck near the State Route 67/52 on-ramp in Santee. Drugs or alcohol are suspected as contributing factors, and the Santee Sheriff's Traffic Unit is investigating.
Via San Diego County Sheriff's Office
Alexander Tito Oroz, 22, pleaded guilty Thursday to gross vehicular manslaughter in a 2024 Escondido crash that killed a 13-year-old boy in his vehicle. He faces 12 years and eight months in state prison.
Via Patch / City News Service
The San Diego Police Department has placed officers on heightened alert following the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, with increased attention on religious institutions and cultural centers across the city.
Via NBC 7 San Diego
As San Diego County heads toward another fire season, Cal Fire crews in East County are deploying the Flailbot — a remote-controlled brush-clearing machine designed to access steep terrain where heavy equipment can't reach.
Via NBC 7 San Diego
The City of Santee has secured $7.2 million in federal funding to clear invasive vegetation and create defensible space along 300 acres of the San Diego River corridor — a fire-prone stretch running through neighborhoods, parks, and sensitive habitat.
Via City of Santee
Federal prosecutors in San Diego have indicted an alleged high-ranking Sinaloa Cartel lieutenant with narcoterrorism and drug trafficking charges, offering a $5 million reward for his capture. The suspect is accused of controlling fentanyl and drug routes through Tijuana.
Via Patch / City News Service
Dozens of covert license plate reader cameras are logging vehicles on backcountry roads through East County, including near Jacumba Hot Springs and the Golden Acorn Casino in Campo. Privacy advocates and civil liberties groups are pushing California to pull the plug.
Via CalMatters / Los Angeles Times
Following the death of an 11-year-old boy struck by a car while walking to school, the San Diego City Council is poised to approve sweeping safety improvements along Jackson Drive — a heavily traveled corridor used daily by East County commuters.
Via East County Magazine
La Mesa Police are warning East County residents about a surge in high-tech Jeep thefts. Criminals with electronic hacking devices can reprogram key fobs and drive away in minutes — and many stolen vehicles end up across the border.
Via East County Magazine
Nine active-duty U.S. Navy service members are among 10 suspects arrested this week in connection with a violent assault at a Jamul house party last May. The suspects, several tied to criminal street gangs, were taken into custody at multiple Navy bases and facilities across San Diego.
Via CBS 8 San Diego
A motorist has died from injuries suffered in a two-vehicle collision on State Route 94 near Dulzura, the California Highway Patrol reported. The crash occurred Feb. 23 on a stretch of road west of Little Tecate Road in the rural East County community.
Via East County Magazine
A man pursuing his dream of opening a coffee shop in Oceanside was detained by federal agents while dropping off a rideshare passenger at Camp Pendleton, rattling his family and raising questions about enforcement at military base entry points.
Via NBC 7 San Diego
The San Diego County Sheriff's Fraud Unit has confirmed it is actively investigating Bishop Emanuel Shaleta of El Cajon's Chaldean Catholic Eparchy after a published report alleged more than $427,000 in missing church funds and other misconduct.
Via NBC 7 San Diego
Despite a statewide California ban on kratom and synthetic kratom products linked to overdose deaths, a Santee retailer is still openly advertising the products online and falsely claiming they are legal to purchase. An investigation by East County Magazine found illegal kratom for sale at shops across every East County city.
Via East County Magazine
A San Diego juvenile court judge denied the release of Charles "Andy" Williams on Monday, keeping the convicted 2001 Santana High School shooter in state prison while his resentencing case winds through the appellate courts. The ruling came as the school district superintendent publicly joined the District Attorney in opposing his potential release.
Via CBS 8 San Diego
A passerby intervened Saturday morning when two women were being attacked in Spring Valley, injuring the suspect and enabling deputies to make an arrest. Andres Sandoval, 47, is now facing multiple charges.
Via Patch
A reported threatening phone call sent Monte Vista High School into lockdown Monday afternoon, with sheriff's deputies responding and later determining the threat was not credible — a pattern linked to similar hoax calls across California and Idaho.
Via Patch
San Diego police are warning parents and students about the popular 'Senior Assassins' game after gel blasters used in play were found to look nearly identical to real firearms. An officer demonstrated how difficult it is to tell the difference, urging players to use obviously non-realistic water guns.
Via NBC 7 San Diego
A man killed in a solo motorcycle crash in Descanso on Feb. 8 has been identified as Fernando Omar Herrera, 39, of San Diego, according to East County Magazine.
Via East County Magazine
Joshua Cantor, 46, who owned Evolve Custom Automotive Restoration in Santee, was sentenced Friday to 23 years and four months in state prison after an El Cajon jury convicted him of more than a dozen counts related to sex acts with minors.
Via Times of San Diego
U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla and two San Diego County supervisors were turned away Friday from the Otay Mesa Detention Center, where detainees have reported harsh conditions including inadequate food and medical care. County officials say they'll sue over the denial.
Via NBC 7 San Diego
El Cajon police have announced a DUI checkpoint next Friday night on East Main Street. Drivers in the area should know the details — and the consequences of impaired driving.
Via Patch
James Mendias, 29, was sentenced Friday in El Cajon Superior Court for driving drunk the wrong way on Broadway in Lemon Grove, striking a family vehicle head-on and killing 36-year-old Tonia Silva in front of her teenage son and fiancé.
Via San Diego Union-Tribune
The City of San Diego was forced to release water from the 108-year-old Lake Hodges Dam last week after this month's storms pushed reservoir levels beyond a state safety threshold — highlighting the strain recent rainfall has placed on aging regional infrastructure.
Via NBC 7 San Diego
Yolanda Marodi, 54, faces a June murder trial after a judge found sufficient evidence she stabbed her wife — a 30-year Cal Fire veteran — and fled to Mexico. Ring camera footage captured chilling final moments at their Ramona home.
Via Patch / City News Service
A 29-year-old man was arrested after an hours-long standoff with sheriff's deputies following an armed robbery where he stole a horse in Spring Valley.
Via Patch
This week's police and court activity across San Diego County includes a freeway pursuit, a deadly hit-and-run, a serial flasher arrest, school threats, and a dramatic bridge rescue in Oceanside.
Via Patch
After an infected traveler visited Southern California hotspots, health officials urge Santee families to check vaccination status — some adults born before 1968 may need boosters.
Via East County Magazine
An 8-year-old boy was approached by a man in a white pickup truck near El Cajon Thursday afternoon. Authorities are asking Santee and East County residents to be vigilant.
Via NBC San Diego
A 30-year-old El Cajon woman crossed into oncoming traffic on La Cresta Road, striking a Volkswagen Jetta head-on and killing the driver. CHP says alcohol appears to be a factor.
Via Patch
San Diego Sheriff's deputies deployed their quadruped robot to clear a Spring Valley home before discovering a cache of over 20 firearms, military-style armored vests, fentanyl, and a fraud lab.
Via Patch
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