🌱 How growing riverbed camps are raising fire risks in Lakeside
Lakeside, California Patch AM: a 4 min readGood morning Lakeside! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How growing riverbed camps are raising fire risks in Lakeside
- When and where you can stargaze in Lakeside for free
- Fatal I-8 crash near Lakeside claims life of El Cajon man
Today's riddle: What did Tennessee see? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 82 and low of 59 degrees.
- Saturday: Sunshine and a few clouds, temps: high: 80, low: 59.
- Sunday: Low clouds, then sun, with a high of 80 and low of 58 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Growing riverbed encampments spark safety concerns in Lakeside (10news.com) — Homeless encampments along the San Diego River in Lakeside are growing in size and trash, raising serious fire and safety concerns for nearby neighborhoods. The Lakeside River Park Conservancy, volunteers, and the Sheriff’s HART team are cleaning debris and connecting people with services, while planning community meetings to shape long-term, safer solutions. 
• Star Parties heading to Lakeside throughout 2026 (eastcountymagazine.org) — Lakeside residents can enjoy a series of free nighttime Star Parties at Sycamore Canyon/Goodan Ranch and Oakoasis preserves throughout summer and fall 2026, with expert astronomers and high-powered telescopes on site. Events start June 26 and run monthly through December, offering rare after-hours access to local open space and a chance to test astronomy gear before buying.
• Richard Ortega dies in two-vehicle crash on Interstate 8 (newsline.com) — A 43-year-old El Cajon man, Richard Ortega, died in a two-vehicle crash on westbound Interstate 8 just east of Lake Jennings Road near Lakeside on May 21. Authorities are still investigating, while legal experts quoted in the piece emphasize preserving evidence and exploring wrongful-death options for families after serious crashes.
📸 Around Lakeside
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🗓
Upcoming Events in
Lakeside
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★ Featured events ★
-
Senior Stroll – Jun ’26 →
Lakeside County Park, 12660 Lindo Ln, Lakeside
9:30 am
Sunday June 7
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Other local events
📣 Lakeside Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
-
Santee - Dog dental cleaning →
Village Pet and Feed, 11541 Woodside Ave Suite B, Santee
9:00 am -
Always Adele - Adele Tribute →
The Magnolia, 210 E Main St, El Cajon
10:00 am -
Magic: The Gathering - Friday Night Magic... →
HobbyTown, 9747 Mission Gorge Rd, Santee
3:00 pm -
Gary with special guest Jerry Gontang Carlton Oaks... →
Carlton Oaks Country Club, 9200 Inwood Dr, Santee
5:00 pm -
The Heart of Rock & Roll - The Authentic Tribute... →
Prescott Promenade, 200 E Main St, El Cajon
6:00 pm -
Pauly Shore →
The Comedy Store - La Jolla, 916 Pearl St, La Jolla
7:00 pm -
Halo Effect →
Full Circle Saloon, 8528 Magnolia Ave #105, Santee
8:30 pm -
The Cedar Shakers →
Grand Ole BBQ Flinn Springs, 15505 Olde Hwy 80, El Cajon
1:00 pm -
62nd Anniversary Party →
German American Societies Inc, 1017 S Mollison Ave, El Cajon
3:00 pm -
Harbor Cruise →
Joan MacQueen Middle School Alpine, CA 91901
5:00 pm -
Board of Education Meeting
Santee Educational Resource Center 9619 Cuyamaca Street,
6:00 pm
Friday June 5
Saturday June 6
Tuesday June 9
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- To the lady on Maine in Lakeside yesterday, rounding up all the ducklings to keep them from getting ran over...
I wasn't trying to make you feel stupid or wrong. I understand that you thought that you were doing the right thing. I would've been right alongside… (Nextdoor Los Coches Creek) - Is anyone missing a black male cat on Willow road?
He's kind of medium hair length, appears neutered, super friendly, starving and scraggly, but he knew the sound of a cat food can opening. Would… (Nextdoor Wildcat Canyon)
- Chili's Grill & Bar posted a job opening for Dishwasher - Santee Chili's in Santee. Apply here.
- Panda Restaurant Group posted a job opening for Cook (P1-1383598-2) in El Cajon. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Lakeside here.
🗞 Nearby News
Santee
- Appellate court strikes down 3,008-home Fanita Ranch development in Santee (timesofsandiego.com)
- 'Monsters of the American Cinema' explores real-life monsters (dailygazette.com)
- Santee Retail Property Goes for $3.7 Mil (rentv.com)
El Cajon
- Hundreds Of Pets Available During Free Adoption Event At San Diego Humane Society (patch.com)
San Diego
- Marine Room's Signature High Tide Dinner Series Returns This Summer (patch.com)
- Containment Grows On Dulzura-Area Wildfire That Prompted Evacuation Warnings (patch.com)
Ok Lakeside! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Same as Arkansas (Thank you Juanita B. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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