Lakeside welcomes December with two-part holiday cheer

  East County News Service Nov. 25, 2025 (Lakeside) — The heart of cozy Lakeside will transform into a hub of festive activity next month, anchored by two of its warmest community traditions: the annual “Spirit of Christmas” celebration and the return of the popular “Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Resale Shoppe.” Sponsored by the Lakeside Chamber […]

Exclusive: ECM obtains video showing start of Coches Fire

View video   September 17, 2025 (Lakeside) — East County Magazine photographer Patrick Ward has obtained surveillance video from a Lakeside homeowner who lives next to the spot where the Coches Fire began.  The video from the homeowner, who asked to remain anonymous, shows vehicles on the roadway around 2:56 p.m. on September 8, 2025, followed […]

Resources available for residents affected by the Coches Fire

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office September 14, 2025 (Lakeside) – An online guide is available to help people who lost their home or sustained damages in the Coches Fire. Resources include information for homeowners seeking property tax relief, permits for repairs or rebuilding, along with self-sufficiency resources. Details about these […]

STRUCTURE THREAT FROM COCHES FIRE IN LAKESIDE

Update:  At least 3 mobile home parks are burning, per air attack, ECM has learned.  Planes and helicopters are on scene.  An addition 15 engines and 2 helicopters have been requested by incident command and air attack.  Evacuees can go to Viejas Casino. September 8, 2025 (Lakeside) — There is an immediate structure threat from […]

Never Forget: 9/11 memorial walk in Lakeside

East County News Service August 17, 2025 (Lakeside) – The Maine Avenue Revitalization Association in Lakeside will hold its sixth annual “Never Forget” memorial walk to commemorate the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The walk will be held on September 11, 2025 starting at 6:15.  Participants are asked to meet at 6 p.m. at Mary’s […]

Fire devastates condo in Lakeside

East County News Service   Photo by Shiloh Ireland   August 10, 2025 (Lakeside) – A fire on August 7 heavily damaged a unit in a condominium on Mapleview Street in Lakeside.   Crews from Lakeside Fire and San Miguel Fire departments responded to the blaze.  Since the residence is located less than two miles […]

County closes three parks in August to protect hikers from heat

By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office Photo:  El Capitan County Preserve August 1, 2025 (Lakeside) – As summer temperatures rise, the County of San Diego has closed three parks that it shuts down every year for the month of August to protect residents during what is often the hottest time of the […]

INTERVIEW WITH CAL FIRE CAPTAIN ON MONTE FIRE

June 22, 2025 (Lakeside) — Cal Fire Captain Robert Johnson discusses firefighting efforts in the Monte Fire in Lakeside, during an interview yesterday with Shiloh Ireland.   View video.   At the time of the interview, the fire had burned 1,051 acres of rugged terrain on El Capitan Mountain. El Monte County Park in Lakeside became the staging […]

VIDEO OF THE WEEK: LAKESIDE RESIDENTS THANK FIREFIGHTERS

East County News Service June 23, 2025 — Photographer Shiloh Ireland provided this video of Lakeside residents Sarah Ann WIlson and BIlly Ortiz unfurling a banner to thank firefighters who worked tirelessly to protect homes and halt the Monte Fire in Lakeside’s El Monte Valley. View video:  Monte Fire Appreciation to Firefighters- 06/21/2025  Also see Ireland’s […]