November 18, 2009 (Santee) -- On November 17, Santee traffic deputies, school resource officers, juvenile detectives and the COPPS Unit conducted a teen driver compliance detail. Special attention was given to drivers near schools. Drivers were stopped and cited for various traffic violations including use of cell phones, not wearing seat belts, violation of provisional license restrictions and equipment violations.

Within the first 90 minutes, 27 citations and 36 violations issued near Santana High School. During the lunch hour, 9 citations and 14 violations were issued near West Hills High School.

By Miriam Raftery
 

November 15, 2009 (Santee) – Nutrition Zone, a retailer of discount sports nutrition and weight loss products, didn’t just talk about fitness at its grand opening last weekend. Guests climbed a rock wall, jumped and bounced on giant inflatable recreation devices. On hand were fitness and nutrition experts to advise on everything from diet to exercise to shedding unwanted pounds. Not a couch potato in sight!

October 24, 2009 (Santee) – Santee firefighters and the Santee Sheriff’s station invite the public to the 11th annual Santee Pancake Breakfast at the Santee Fire Station #4, 8950 Cottonwood (corner of Mission Gorge and Cottonwood). All proceeds will benefit local families in need.

September 23, 2009 (Santee) – San Diego Master Chorale presents “From Handel to Halloween”, a concert of “spirited” music on October 16 at the Sonrise Community Church in Santee. The program features classics, folk songs, popular music in keeping with the season, spirituals, and a special focus on men’s voices at this family-oriented concert.

August 13, 2009 (Santee) -- The Santee City Council held a town hall meeting on Wednesday, August 12th to discuss a proposed cable ski park at Santee Lakes.

July 12, 2009 (Santee) – A small brush fire that started around 4 p.m. this afternoon at 9255 Magnolia, near the Las Colinas Women’s facility in Santee, has been extinguished. The blaze burned less than three acres. No structures were damaged. Sheriff’s deputies alerted mobile home park residents in the vicinity of the fire, but no evacuations were ordered.

One mobile home park resident was transported to a hospital during the fire, however a dispatcher said she could not confirm whether the individual was injured from the fire or had an unrelated medical issue.

June 26, 2009 (Santee, California) – On Wednesday, June 24, 2009, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved a plan to replace and expand the Las Colinas Detention Facility from 15 acres to 45 acres and certified the final environmental impact report (EIR) for the facility. The vote was 4-1 with Supervisor Dianne Jacob opposing the expansion. On Wednesday night, Santee's City Council voted in closed session to file a new lawsuit challenging the County's environmental impact report.

June 23, 2009 (Santee) – Terry Klinker, owner of the Sport Clips store in Santee, donned the company’s “Sporty” mascot suit and joined with other members of the haircut store’s team to participate in the 2009 Arthritis Walk last Saturday. The retail chain raised more than $2,500 through the walk as well as through a “Cut-a-Thon” held at its nine San Diego County locations on June 3rd. Customers who donated at least $5 to the Arthritis Foundation received a free “MVP” haircut.

May 28, 2009 (Santee) – Live bands, carnival rides, crafts, vendors, a beer garden and food (including a 65-foot-brat grille) will be featured at the Santee Street Fair this Saturday, May 30th from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Free to the public, the event will be held behind the Trolley Square shopping center in Santee, at 101 Civic Center Drive, near the intersection of Mission Gorge Road and Riverview Parkway. There is a trolley station in the shopping center, making the event easily accessible.

May 2, 2009 (El Cajon)—Speaking at an East County Chamber of Commerce breakfast at Grossmont College yesterday, Supervisor Dianne Jacob took a cue from President Barack Obama and offered her own “100 days” post-election report. But she noted one key difference, “I did not take over any banks,” she quipped, then offered her own “to do” list. Mayors of several East County cities also offered their perspectives.

February 12, 2009 (Santee) -- The Cameron Family YMCA in Santee will host their annual Free Gymnastics Day on Sat., Feb. 21 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The event is a special day of fun in the branch's fully-equipped gymnastics center for boys and girls ages three to 13 years of age. The Cameron Family YMCA is located at 10123 Riverwalk Drive in Santee.