By Ray M. Wong

December 8, 2010 (Lakeside)--The school doesn’t look that impressive: A waist-high, chain-link fence separates a gravel parking lot from the school, a cluster of portable structures But appearances can be deceiving. River Valley Charter, a small public school in Lakeside serving 7th to 12th graders, has been the highest rated high school in San Diego County for seven years running.

December 5, 2010 (Lakeside) – Yesterday afternoon, investigators following- up leads in the case of missing 17-year-old Christopher Cory Carioscia discovered a male body in a remote area on the Barona reservation.

Carioscia, who was a student at El Capitan High School and lived with his mother in Lakeside, disappeared October 27th. His burned vehicle was later found on the reservation, where the investigation has focused.

December 3, 2010 (Lakeside) –Santa Claus is coming to town, arriving in Lakeside for the 12th annual Spirit of Christmas on Maine Avenue this Saturday, December 4th, Festivities will be held from 1 to 6 p.m., with a community tree lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m.

The Lakeside Chamber of Commerce invites you and your family to visit with Santa and enjoy holiday music, a petting zoo, hay rides, jump area for kids, games, a Blackhawk helicopter, Christmas shopping, food, and entertainment.

November 27, 2010 (Lakeside) – Lakeside Fire Protection District received a report of a paraglider that had experienced a rough landing at the Blossom Valley Glider Port, resulting in injuries to the pilot. A rescue response was dispatched, including one structural engine, one rescue unit , an ALS ambulance, and Battalion Chief Lawler.

By Billy Ortiz

Flume-riding was a popular East County sport in the late 1800s.  What was it like to travel via water flume from Cuyamaca to San Diego?

November 21, 2010 (Lakeside)—Emergency responders rushed to the rain-swollen Los Coches Creek earlier today, saving two youngsters who were swept downstream while playing near the water.

Funds to help families, blood drive, and card collection planned

By Miriam Raftery

November 18, 2010 (Lakeside) – Two funds have been established to help the families of four members of the Saddletramps motorcycle club in Lakeside who lost their lives in a tragic accident November 13th.  Community members have also rallied to organize a blood drive and collect sympathy cards.

“These families include one who lost both a mom and dad, leaving behind two young sons. The families are in need of aid to help with funeral costs as well as money for food, utilities and the basics of life,” a press release from the Lakeside Chamber of Commerce states.

 By Billy Ortiz

Adventurist/Historian

November 11, 2010 (Lakeside) – This  video adventure  reveals an exciting discovery in my search for East County history. Reading about the history of the Lakeside Inn, I discovered that the innkeepers needed a water source, so a dam was built on Los Coches Creek back during pioneering days in the 1800s. An old black and white photograph of the dam captured my imagination.

I’d assumed that when the flood channel was built in the 1880s, the dam may have been destroyed. So I was excited when Pam Wilmers, a friend, told me a story of riding her horse to a waterfall back in the 1970's. I just had to take a look.

 October 22, 2010

No kidding! Youngsters had a great time at the San Miguel Fire open house in Spring Valley earlier this month, where this boy got a close-up look at goats owned by Johnny Gonzalez; the four-footed brush clearing team is used to create firebreaks in East County’s rural areas. Photo by Miriam Raftery.

“My son grew up here in Boulevard and loves what God gave us,” wrote reader Leslie Mauris, who submitted this photo of boulders balanced as if by divine design.

Scroll down to see more amazing images of East County.....

September 30, 2010 (Lakeside) – Lightning struck a transformer on a power pole on Main Street in Lakeside, causing a power outage. Moments later, a second strike ignited a palm tree in the area, an eyewitness has told East County Magazine. Power is now out to about 2,000 customers in Lakeside.

September 20, 2010 (Lakeside) – A San Diego Sheriff’’s deputy shot a 100-pound dog that reportedly charged at him, growling with teeth bared. The shooting occurred on a driveway of a residence across the street from Lakeview Elementary School at 7:40 a.m., about an hour before classes began.

September 11, 2010 (Lakeside) 4:50 p.m.– California Highway Patrol has issued a SIGALERT for Willows Road at mile marker 2 in Lakeside, where traffic is backed up to the Willow Road intersection. The alert is due to a head-on collision reported around 4 p.m. At least one victim is trapped, CHP reports.

September 8, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – San Diego Sheriff Bill Gore has released a sketch of a man suspected of assaulting and trying to kidnap a 19-year-old woman on Saturday at 5 p.m. The teen was jogging near Quail Canyon Road and Palomino Ridge in the Blossom Valley community.

August 3, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) America's Night Out Against Crime is in its 26th year. The national event provides opportunities for Neighborhood Watch participants, communities, and law enforcement agencies to celebrate effective crime prevention practices and partnerships. San Diego Sheriff's Department supports Neighborhood Watch, Crime-Free Multi-Housing, Start Smart, and other programs targeting crime and safety, and has crime prevention specialists at all patrol stations dedicated to community education and support.

Sheriff's Department National Night Out events in East County will take place at Lakeside, Santee, and San Diego near La Mesa/Lemon Grove Details: