By Mike Allen

November 16, 2018 (Santee)--Santee is finally getting an indoor movie theater, and another restaurant to go with it.

The long-awaited project that was a top priority of elected officials and most of the city’s candidates is slated to become a reality following unanimous approval of a contract by the Santee City Council Nov. 14.

The council voted 5-0 to enter into a development agreement with Eneract LLC to build a multi-screen movie theater and restaurant that will be operated by Studio Movie Grill, a Dallas-based private company that pioneered the dine-in cinema concept starting in the 1990s.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Zack Gianino and Evlyn Andrade-Heymsfeld await final election results in Santee

November 6, 2018 (Santee) – A grassroots effort to elect slow-growth, progressive candidates to the Santee City Council appears unsuccessful, with a conservative slate leading handily for all three seats and two Republican incumbents headed to reelection.

This was Santee’s first election since dividing the city into districts instead of at-large elections.

East County News Service

November 1, 2018 (Santee) –  The race for Santee City Council District 1 pits incumbent Councilman Ronn Hall,  an insurance company owner and former Chamber of Commerce president, against Rudy Reyes, a San Diego State University program director, Cedar Fire survivor and advocate for burn victims.

We invited both candidates onto our radio show at KNSJ 89.1 FM.  Reyes accepted; you can listen to his full interview at the audio link and view highlights below. 

Councilman Hall declined, citing dental surgery, but did answer written questions earlier in the campaign which you can read here.

East County News Service

October 31, 2018 (Santee) - The city of Santee will host its holiday lighting celebration on November 16^thfrom 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Santee Trolley Square (9884 Mission Gorge Rd., Santee).

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Story and photos by Liz Alper

September 22, 2018 (Santee) - ECM Sports is excited about this week’s edition of Friday Night Lights.  It comes to you from West Hills for the first time, where the incredibly aesthetically pleasing blue field greeted us.  Tonight, the Pack hosted the Vaqueros of El Capitan in the inaugural Tony Burner Memorial Cup, named after the late Wolfpack quarterback and Vaquero coordinator who passed away a year ago.  Burner was the son of El Capitan head coach Ron Burner.  These two are polar opposites of each other; the Vaqueros were struggling at 1-3 heading into tonight, while the Wolf Pack were undefeated at 4-0.

East County News Service

August 5, 2018 (Santee) – Congratulations to Richard and Gail Schultz of Santee, who celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary on August 3^rd, 2018.

They have two children, Kevin, 42, and Karen, 39 and two adopted grandchildren, George Warren and Patricia Ann.

East County News Service

July 29, 2018 (Santee) - The Santee Fire Department posted this photo of a red diamondback on Facebook, with a timely message:  “ Santee Fire Department is an “all hazards” fire department, which means we wrangle snakes from time to time! This little fella is one of the bigger snakes we’ve captured. Don’t put your hands or feet where you can’t see, and always look before stepping over doorsteps, snakes like to crawl along the sides of buildings.”

East County News Service

Update 7:20 p.m. -- Power is restored at the Smart and Final, but SDG&E's website indicates power is still out to over 1,200 customers.

July 24, 2018 (Santee) -- A power outage has occurred in the  Santee/Carlton Oaks area, affecting 2,359 customers. SDG&E is assesesing the cause but estimates restoration at 9:30 p.m.

ECM reporter Rebecca Jefferis-Williamson was shopping at the Santee Smart and Final when the lights went out.  "The big lottery Mega-millions is tonight and I can't buy my ticket," she quipped.

She was also unable to  buy groceries for dinner, since the store is accepting only cash during the blackout fur customers already inside the store.  Customers outside are being turned away.

The two projects are part of the retailer’s investment in serving today’s customers

East County News Service

July 7, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- San Diego County residents today got their first look at two newly remodeled Walmart Supercenters. The El Cajon Supercenter at 605 Fletcher Pkwy, and Santee Walmart Supercenter at 170 Town Center Parkway both underwent extensive changes to better serve their customers.

East County News Service

June 26, 2018 (Santee) -- Cal Fire reports that a drone forced grounding of a firefighting helicopter today in Santee while ground crews fought a fire that began late this afternoon on Prospect Ave. near Highway 52 and Cuyamaca.

The blaze briefly caused evacuations, 10 News reports.  The fire has now been contained, according to the Sheriff's Department.

Our guide to unique lodging and adventures in San Diego’s beautiful backcountry

By Miriam Raftery

June 13, 2018 (Santee and Lakeside) – The Lakeside and Santee areas in San Diego’s East County encompass portions of the San Diego River Park as well as multiple lakes and reservoirs idyllic for fishing, boating, hiking, and birdwatching. Lodging options range from camping and cabins to a casino and spa resort on tribal land.  You’ll also find museums, a rodeo, racetrack speedway, breweries, nature preserves, parks, live theatre, modern shopping and quaint downtown district to explore.

There are wonderful getaway adventures to be found along local trails, ranging from easy hikes to mountain climbing, as well as fishing,  kayaking, canoeing, pedal boats, inner tube floats, rowboats and even places to bring jet skis and water skis.

By Rebecca Jefferis-Williamson and Miriam Raftery

April 10, 2018 (Santee) – A fire has scorched multiple apartments at Santee Villas in the 10400 block of Mast Boulevard across the street from Santana High School tonight, where a passerby told East County Magazine details of efforts to save residents and pets from the flames.

“I was riding down Mast Boulevard when I noticed black smoke coming from an apartment complex,” says Robert Johnson, a Santee resident.  “I chucked my backpack and bike,” he says, adding that he followed the lead of others trying to assist. He says  he “started busting windows and helping people out where I could.”

East County News Service

May 7, 2018 (Santee) - The city of Santee invites you to Fido Fest on June 9^th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Town Center Community Park East (550 Park Center Drive in Santee).

This event will feature dog adoptions, exhibitors, giveaways, demonstrations, live entertainment and a silent auction to benefit Dogs on Deployment, which helps deployed military members find volunteers to board their pets while they are away.

By Mike Allen

Photo courtesy of ECM news partner 10 News

May 1, 2018 (Santee) -- Santee’s restaurant offerings are on the upswing with several having opened in recent weeks, and others planned to open in the near future.

Opening today, May 1, is Raising Cane’s at the corner of Cuyamaca Street and Mission Gorge Road. The Louisiana-based fast food chain is known for its chicken fingers, which are marinated and then deep-fried. The Santee site will be the first in the county. Founded in 1996, Cane’s now has more than 375 restaurants in 24 states including some 10 in Southern California. The business hired 120 people.

By Mike Allen

 View full-size map B adopted by Council here.

 April 14, 2018 (Santee) -- Santee’s ongoing process of shifting from voting for their representatives by all city voters to a system of district elections took another step to reality last week when the council adopted a map made by Mayor John Minto and held the first reading instituting the change.

 Minto offered a map he drew that divides the city into four areas and with a close balance of some 13,000 people in each district. His motion also called for a change in the cycle of elections that results in two council seats being elected every four years starting in 2020. The mayor’s position will remain at large, or selected by all city voters.

 His motion, which was seconded by Councilman Ronn Hall, passed 3-2 with Council members Brian Jones and Rob McNelis opposed. The second reading and adoption of the law and the map is scheduled for April 25.