October 15, 2010 (Santee) – The Santee Chamber of Commerce sent in a request for help for the family of Ryan O’Dell, an eight-year-old student at Rio Seco School in Santee who was diagnosed in August with a malignant brain tumor. He has already had two brain surgeries and his family also has a disabled five-year-old child who requires full-time care.

By Miriam Raftery

September 22, 2010 (Santee)—Outside Walgreens pharmacy in Santee today, local carpenters held a banner reading “Shame on Walgreens.”

“This is a nationwide campaign,” Ian Law, a representative of Carpenters Union Local 1506, told East County Magazine. “Walgreens has decided to use non-union contractors and sub-contractors to do remodeling and construction of Walgreens stores around the nation,” he said.  Non-union contractors may avoid paying healthcare and pension benefits to workers, also paying lower wages that threaten the quality of life for workers and their families, Law added.

September 18, 2010 (Santee) – A San Diego Sheriff’s deputy shot and wounded Pedro Galarza, 26, a documented gang member on parole. Deputies responded to a call shortly after 8 p.m. last night from his mother, who said her son was armed with a knife and was attempting to abduct a child.

"It was the biggest play of my life. We had a whole line of blockers and I went the whole way untouched." -- Zach Breidt, after scoring a 95-yard touchdown.

By Christopher Mohr

September 8, 2010 (Santee) - For years, the battle for the Mayor's Cup has been a tradition between Santana and West Hills, rival high schools both based in Santee.

August 21, 2010 (Santee) - Free dental exams for children will be offered today from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pathway Community Church in Santee, thanks to a program through Rady Children’s Hospital. The free exams aim to help parents meet state requirements for youngsters entering kindergarten or first grade to have a dental checkup before starting school.

East County News Service
 

Photos by Pat Ward
 

August 17, 2010 (Santee) – A brush fire raced up a slope behind several homes on Strathmore Drive Saturday afternoon, just east of Santee Lakes. Cause of the fire is "suspicious," Santee Fire Division Chief Brett Eldridge told East County Magazine.

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:

July 5, 2010 (Santee) – Januario Natividad Ancheta, 37, leaped to his death off the northbound State Route 125 connector to State Route 52 in Santee last night, the San Diego Medical Examiner’s office reports. He had been pulled over by California Highway Patrol officers and was driving a black Subaru WXR sedan that had been reported stolen.

June 10, 2010 (Santee) – On June 12, Santee Lakes will come alive with the sounds of orchestral and jazz music. Young Artists Symphony (YAS) and the Santee-Lakeside Rotary are collaborating to present this special evening of music, dance, refreshments, wine and cuisine at the YAS Symphony at the Lakes.

June 2, 2010 (Santee) -- All service has been halted to the Gillespie Field and Santee Town Center trolley stations due to a downed plane in Santee. The plane came down on Cuyamaca Street at Prospect Avenue, where the trolley operates in the median, and took with it an estimated 150 feet of catenary wire which powers the trolley. The stations are expected to be closed through Thursday.

The plane had taken off from Gillespie Field when the pilot experience mechanical problems and turned back. The plane clipped trolley lines, crashing upside down onto a roadway.  Rescue workers had to wait for trolley lines to be deenergized before rescuing the pilot and sole occupant, who complained of numbness in his arm and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.  

Update 5 p.m.  The fire, which burned approximately five acres,  has been halted.

May 12, 2010 (Santee) - A brush fire is burning at Big Rock Park, where evacuations are underway. In addition, Incident Page Network reports that Chet Harritt school is slated for evacuation.

Multiple units and air attacks are on scene, Cal Fire confirms.