November 27, 2013 (Santee) – Santee’s Development Services Director Pedro Orso-Delgado announced efforts are under way to update the Circulation Element, a section of the General Plan that provides the framework for all aspects of transportation in the City. The Circulation Element addresses how local and regional traffic will circulate through Santee under both existing and future conditions, as well as the needs of bicyclists, pedestrians, and transit users.

November 13, 2013 (Santee) – Thanksgiving 5K road races, also known as Turkey Trots, have increased in popularity in recent years, as they provide participants an excellent opportunity to lace up their sneakers and get some much-needed exercise before the big holiday meal.  Now, residents of Santee and surrounding areas can enjoy this fun holiday tradition right in their own backyard, while also helping two very special local charities.

On Thursday, November 28 at 8:00 am, Pathways Community Church will be hosting the 2nd Annual Waddle and Trot 5K and Fun Run.  This fun family event is intended for runners and walkers of every fitness level, and all proceeds will go to Santee Santas and the Santee Food Bank.

November 7, 2013 (Santee) – Each year since 2003, the City of Santee has launched the holiday season by hosting its Holiday Lighting Celebration at Santee Trolley Square.

This year’s celebration -- 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22 -- will include booths, music, and activities guaranteed to ensure a fun outing for the entire family. 

Live music will be provided at the amphitheater stage by the Bayou Brothers, recent winners of “Favorite Blues Band” at the San Diego Music Awards. Also performing will be roving carolers dressed in period costumes and a community theater group singing holiday tunes.

Highlights of El Cajon, La Mesa, Santee and San Diego agenda items for this week

Update October 24, 2013:  Supervisors unanimously approved the feasibility study on bringing veterans' services to libraries countywide.

By Miriam Raftery

County Supervisors and local city councils have several significant measures on their agendad impacting East County this week.

On Tuesday at 10 a.m., Supervisors will hear a proposal by Supervisor Dianne Jacob to extend the county’s outreach to veterans. This proposal is being introduced in response to an East County Magazine investigation that found a lack of County veterans’ services in rural East County. 

Supervisor Jacob’s proposal asks the County’s Chief Executive Office to report back in 120 days on the feasibility of using county libraries for veterans services, which would add 34 additional locations for  County Veterans Services representatives to meet with veterans.

By Miriam Raftery

October 17, 2013 (Santee) – Santee’s City Council has voted to allow annexation of the controversial Castlerock Development project, meaning the land will be transferred from San Diego to Santee.  Pardee Homes plans to build 283 single family homes, 147 multi-family dwellings and a public park at the project. 

The Council has fought to oppose Castlerock on the boundary of Santee and San Diego, but the City of San Diego approved it.  Unable to block the project, Santee’s Council decided to allow annexation so that developer fees and property taxes from the new homes will be paid to Santee. In turn, Santee will provide services as fire protection.

By Nadin Abbott

September 17, 2013 (San Diego)—The San Diego City Council voted 7-0 to approve the controversial Castlerock housing project on the border of Santee and San Diego. The resolution proposed by Council Member Scott Sherman (District 7) and Council Member David Alvarez (District 8) reads in part, “approve the Staff’s recommendation (Annexation being the preferred scenario).”

It is clear that San Diego would prefer the project to go to Santee.  One key reason is fire response, which San Diego Fire Department cannot do in a timely manner, due to the location of the nearest fire stations and how busy Santee roads can be at rush hour.  With annexation, Santee will have jurisdiction to dispatch fire engines and other emergency services.

By Miriam Raftery

September 3, 2013 (San Diego’s East County)—Traffic accidents claimed the lives of four East County residents in the past ten days, including victims from Lakeside, Ramona, and Alpine, according to the San Diego County Medical Examiner. 

By Nadin Abbott

Part one in a three-part series (Read Part Two and Part Three)

August 27, 2013 (Santee) — Experts offered parents tips on how to keep kids safe in today’s modern world, including advice on free software to monitor children’s online activities.

State Senator Joel Anderson and District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis came to the forum at West Hills High School to meet residents in Santee last week. The forum presented a panel of specialists in child safety issues, as well as a question and answer session.

By Miriam Raftery

August 17, 2013 (Santee) – An environmental group has lodged a formal complaint over a proposed electronic billboard in Santee, contending that the sign violates city laws and further, should require an environmental review.

The LEC-powered video billboard proposed by a Toyota dealership would stand 70 feet tall and be 321 square feet in size.  It would tower above the junction of highways 125 and 52.

August 15, 2013 (Santee) – State Senator Joel Anderson and District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis will hold an East county Public Safety Town Hall on August 22, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the West Hills High School Theatre at 8756 Mast Blvd. in Santee.  The top priority for parents is protecting their kids from danger.  With new dangers arising daily, it can be difficult to get the information needed to keep children safe.

August 8, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – About two weeks ago, two East County residents, Courtney Case and Victoria Haynes, rescued a female stray Chihuahua-Dachshund mix in Bakersfield. Now she is seeking donations to fund surgery for the rescued dog, which is needed to save her from a degenerative disease.

“She did not have a collar, her nails were painfully overgrown, and she had acquired a limp on her back hind leg,” said Case, an assistant manager at Partnerships with Industry in Santee. “After returning to East County, she had already found a permanent home with a loving family; they fell in love with her sweet and loving personality instantly. Her new family got her all cleaned up and named her Koa, but unfortunately her limp persisted. Koa was taken to the vet to get X-rays and she was diagnosed with Legg-Calvé-Perthes syndrome. This involves spontaneous degeneration of the head on the femur bone. Unfortunately, it was determined that she needs immediate surgery or her condition would worsen and cause her even more tremendous pain and no use of her back right leg.”

By Janis Mork

July 24, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Helix Water District is looking to raise rates for its 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 fiscal years. For 2013-2014, proposed water rates for the domestic/ single customer - using 25 units bi-monthly - will increase six percent. Commercial/Multi-family customers will see a rate increase of three to eight percent. 

By Miriam Raftery

July 7, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – A controversial housing project that could include up to 430 residential units on 204 acres will be heard by the San Diego Planning Commission on Thursday, July 11 at 9 a.m.  The public can attend and testify at the hearing, which will be held at Council Chamber, 12^th Floor, City Administration Building, 202 C Street in downtown San Diego.

The project proposed by Pardee homes has sparked substantial opposition from environmentalists and residents.  A 925-page environmental impact report details significant negative impacts on wildlife and the environment.  ftp://ecity.ci.santee.ca.us/DDS/FinalEIRCastlerock062013.pdf

Preserve Wild Santee’s Facebook page describes Castlerock as “a monstrous housing development in San Diego and Santee” which “proposes to destroy four vernal pools and fairy shrimp, without examining the cumulative impact of these projects …”

June 17, 2013 (Santee) – If you've had your bicycle lost or stolen in the last six months; call the Santee Sheriff’s Station. Please provide some form of proof; a picture of the bike, a receipt, identifying marks, or a good description of the bike in order to claim it.

Santee Sheriff’s Station

8811 Cuyamaca Street, Santee

Call (619) 956-4071 for more information.

June 12, 2013 (Santee) – Sharp Healthcare will be providing free health screenings in East County. These screenings could help prevent heart problems, diabetes and other risk factors.  The screenings will only take about 15 minutes and are offered on eight different dates this summer.

The screenings will measure your cholesterol, blood sugar, body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure. Sharp Healthcare will also provide personalized strategies to improve your overall health and well-being. No appointment is needed. All adults over the age of 18 are welcome to participate.