Hear our interview with Steve Lauria, California Health Network, on Santee's Health Awareness Month (originally aired on KNSJ radio):

http://k003.kiwi6.com/hotlink/pvv1xj39d8/Newsmakers-SteveLauriaSanteeHealthMonth-CAHealthNetwk.mp3

By Steve Lauria

January 20, 2016 (Santee) -- At the end of December, we ran a story on January being Health Awareness Month in Santee. With the month halfway over, here is an update: more than 30 organizations have offered a free or discounted service to the citizens of Santee, for the month of January. The specials can be found here:

www.californiahealthnetwork.org/healthawarenessmonth.

Some organizations, such as Volunteers in Medicine, offer free service, year around to people who can’t afford medical service.Many organizations are offering free services, such as personal training sessions, chiropractic exams,  exercise classes, dance classes and more.

By Mike Allen

January 18, 2016 (Santee)--Santee’s City Council has voted to amend an earlier ban on medical marijuana dispensaries, adding the explicit prohibition of cultivating and delivering weed within the city.

The city already prohibited the sale of weed dating to 2009, and has never allowed the activity, but a recent slate of regulations adopted by the state and signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown in October has prompted many cities to pass additional laws ensuring that the cities maintain local control.

The vote on Jan. 13 was 5-0, although one council member said the city should take another look at the issue especially in light of the money the city is spending to enforce the ban.

January 13, 2016 (Santee) – A suspect reportedly caught in the act of burglarizing a home on Pasita de Kristy in Lakeside yesterday afternoon was apprehended a short time later during a routine traffic stop after fleeing the scene in a 2010 black Ford Ranger.  His truck contained stolen items from several recent burglaries, said deputies.

East County News Service

January 12, 2016 (Santee) — Crime Stoppers and Sheriff deputies in Santee seek public help to solve a crime spree involving burglaries of nine homes in Santee neighborhoods from December 14 to December 31, 2015. The suspect(s) targeted single story detached homes and forced their way in through a rear window or rear patio door. The stolen items were mainly prescription medications. Cash, electronics and tools have also been taken.

By Miriam Raftery

January 11, 2016 (Lakeside) – Assemblyman Brian Jones visited the Lakeside Skatepark on Friday to commemorate his measure, Assembly Bill 1146, which became law on January 1^st.  The new law allows non-motorized scooters, bicycles, in-line skates, roller skates and non-motorized wheelchairs in skate parks.

East County News Service

January 4, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – Thieves burglarized two ATM machines in Santee and Rancho San Diego overnight.

Free & discounted services at over 30 Santee health, fitness & wellness organizations in January

By Steve Lauria

 December 29, 2015 (Santee)--The City of Santee is a growing community in East County, and a great place to live and raise a family. Along with the rest of the country, it has a growing problem with obesity, chronic disease, and other health related problems.

 California Health Network is a nonprofit organization that was founded in Santee in 2012. Some of its efforts include East County’s first health and fitness expo, the East County Live Well Expo, and obesity prevention presentations to more than 60 local high school classes.

To help increase community awareness, California Health Network is promoting “Santee Health Awareness Month” in January of 2016, with the help of local officials and health related organizations.

December 24, 2015 (Santee) — A reward of up to $1,000 is offered for information leading to the arrest of a man wanted for allegedly trying to steal credit card information at an ATM machine in Santee back on November 27^th.  The photo was captured by a surveillance camera.

By Mike Allen

December 23, 2015 (Santee) -- Karl Strauss Brewery got another clear sign that its planned brewery, tasting room, restaurant and distribution center is welcome in Santee when the City Council approved the project’s site plan last week.

East County News Service

December 18, 2015 (Lakeside) --  A woman driving a silver 2002 Infinity on Los Coches Road drove onto an exit ramp and entered Interstate 8 east, heading in the wrong direction at 10:08 p.m. last night.  She collided with a black 2015 Jeep Patriot, which rolled onto its right side.

By Miriam Raftery

December 8, 2015 (Santee) – Michael Balazs has created the ultimate Christmas light show at his Santee home “to bring smiles to the neighborhood children and adults alike.”  This year’s show at 9773 Roe Drive, Santee features 28,000 lights synced to eight musical songs ranging from Party Rock to Carol of the Bells. It's all synced to FM radio so people can get out of their cars and dance to show their holiday spirit.

This year, he switched to professional LED lighting – and slashed his electricity bill to a shockingly low $50 to $70 a month, he says.

East County News Service

December 1, 2015 (Santee) –A 31-year-old El Cajon man was killed and two other people injured in a rollover accident on State Route 52 west of State Route 125 in Santee shortly before 5 a.m. this morning. The passenger who sustained fatal injuries was not wearing a seatbelt.

According to California Highway Patrol Officer Kevin Pearlstein, a 33-year-old man from Escondido was driving a 2004 GMC pickup westbound when the vehicle drafted into a dirt center divide. The driver over-corrected, causing the truck to travel down a hill on the right before overturning.

East County News Service

November 26, 2015 (Lakeside) – Santa and his elves are hard at work getting ready for the Lakeside Chamber of Commerce’s 17^th annual Spirit of Christmas on Maine Ave. in Lakeside.  The holiday tradition takes place on December 5^th from 4 to 9 p.m. and is free to the public.

With an atmosphere of an old-fashioned, hometown Christmas, the event features the sights and sounds of Christmas including local school performances, Santa Claus and photos with Santa, food and drink, kids activities, rides and jumpy jumps, booths, crafters, and lighting of the community Christmas tree.

East County News Service

November 16, 2015 (Lakeside) – On Sunday morning, employees at the Lakeside River Park Conservancy found their office had been broken into. A laptop computer had been stolen, the alarm dismantled, and food from the fridge scattered across tables.

A security camera revealed an image of the intruder eating and tampering with the alarm system The Sheriff’s department sent Deputy Darryl Patmon out to the scene to investigate.

The next morning, at 7:30 a.m, employees again arrived at work and discovered the same man seen in the video standing in the kitchen, drinking tea after sleeping in the office and apparently breaking some items, the River Park’s Facebook page indicates. 

November 13, 2015 (Santee)--You loved them so much last year, Pickwick Players, your East County theatre family, is bringing them back again! Come join Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, Snoopy and the entire Peanuts gang as they come to life one more time on the Off Broadway Live stage (9490 Cuyamaca Street in Santee)  to look for the true meaning of Christmas in A Charlie Brown Christmas December 4-19.