Additional street closures slated in vicinity

July 6, 2010 (Santee) –Highway 67 will be closed in both directions Thursday night and early Friday morning due to extension of the highway into Santee.
 

Southbound lanes will shut down starting Thursday at 9 p.m. between Woodside and Prospect. Northbound lanes in the same section of highway will be closed starting at 11 p.m., along with Bradley Avenue and Prospect Avenue onramps.  Additional closures are as follows:

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 25, 2010 (Santee) – At least 16 vehicles were vandalized or broken into at West Hills High School in Santee sometime between midnight and 5 a.m. yesterday morning. Graduating seniors left their cars parked in the "senior lot" before heading to Knott’s Berry Farm for Grad Night.

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.

Musicians will perform in a recreational preserve beneath a canopy of oaks, sycamores, and summer evening’s starry skies, surrounded by rolling foothills. The event also includes local gourmet cuisine, wines and beers from local wineries and breweries, a visit with the “wine heretic” John Alonge, live and silent auctions, a grand prize drawing, and more.

Update June 4: Santee's lottery winnery has come forward to claim winnings, but asked not to be publicly identified.

June 3, 2010 (Sacramento)—If you bought a California Lottery ticket in Santee recently, you might be the lucky winner of a $23 million jackpot. A ticket sold at Vons Grocery at 9643 Mission Gorge Road matched all six numbers in last night’s SuperLotto Plus. The winning numbers are 8, 7, 15, 11, 31 and the Mega number is 27.

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.  

 
(San Diego) – At last night’s Golden Watchdog and Golden Fleece Awards dinner, the San Diego County Taxpayers Association presented its top honor, the Grand Golden Watchdog Award, to the East County communities of El Cajon, La Mesa, and Lemon Grove, for “Heartland Fire Rescue Consolidation Efforts.” The three cities joined forces to consolidate fire management services, creating additional staffing capacity and containing costs while maintaining a high level of fire and emergency medical services. The expected savings is $560,000 among the three cities without a loss of service to the public.

The City of Santee’s annual Santee Summer Concert Series is set to bring high-energy performances for all ages.

Concerts will be held at the Santee Trolley Square Amphitheater on Thursday evenings, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., from June 10 through August 19.

May 13, 2010  - A man who threatened a Santee homeowner with a tire iron has been arrested following a search by the Sheriff's Astrea helicopter, East County Magazine has learned. 

The had a small white dog with him and had fled through Woodglen Vista Park on Ironwood in Santee.

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.

May 11, 2010 (Santee) – At 9:48 this morning, a man believed to be the “geezer bandit” robbed the Bank of America at 9711 Mission Gorge Road in Santee.

“He had a blue baseball cap and blue sport coat,” said Sergeant Tom Poulin, detective with the Santee Sheriff’s Department. A witness said the robber also had an oxygen tank.

April 12, 2010 (Santee) – The City of Santee has amended its social host ordinance after working in partnership with the City Attorney, San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, and local community groups. Under the new law, party hosts are required to take all reasonable steps to prevent consumption of alcohol by minor and drugs by anyone.

$1,000 Reward offered for information leading to arrest

April 1, 2010 (Santee) – San Diego County Crime Stoppers and detectives from the County Sheriff’s Santee Station seek public help to locate Ramon Marruffo. Marruffo has a $50,000 warrant for his arrest for failing to register as a sex offender. Marruffo, who has also used the last name Tercero and a variant last name spelling (Marrufo), has been previously convicted of lewd or lascivious with a child under 14 years old, according to the Megan’s law registry.

“Ramon Marruffo is a potential third striker and could face a 25 years to life sentence in prison if convicted of this offense,” the Sheriff’s release states.

By E.Z. Pickens
 

April 1, 2010 (Santee) – The San Diego Chargers have received an offer from the City of Santee to construct a new Chargers stadium in the East County community.
 

“This will be a win-win for the Chargers and East County,” said Santee Mayor Randy Voepel, wearing a sporty bolts blazer. With the upcoming completion of Highway 52, Santee will be easily accessible from all parts of San Diego. Having an NFL team in Santee will not only be good for Charger fans, but will also boost revenues for our city.”

March 30, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Thirty-nine young women from East County entered the Miss La Mesa and Miss Santee Pageant,s which crowned winners on March 5th. The programs have been a tradition in the cities since the late 1950’s. Mayors Art Madrid and Randy Voepel presented Miss La Mesa 2010 Erynne Grecco, Miss La Mesa Teen 2010 Danamarie McNicholl-Carter, Miss Santee 2010 Kimberly Swank and Miss Santee Teen 2010 Taylor Shelton.

February 20, 2010 (Santee) - In early February Santee’s Community Policing Unit developed information on a prolific tagging crew consisting of seven criminal graffiti "taggers". Using the Graffiti Tracker investigation system, the San Diego County Sheriff’s office documented that the "tagging crew" had committed over 80 incidents since April 2009 with a significant spike in activity last week.

 
SAFETY TIPS TO PREVENT THIS TRAGEDY IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD
 
By Miriam Raftery
 
February 13, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – A Santee couple and their four children have been hospitalized with carbon monoxide poisoning after the father called 911 on Wednesday. Fortunately, all are expected to recover. But too often, such cases end in tragedy. This reporter, who once worked for the Idaho Statesman newspaper, recalls a restaurant worker who lost his wife and all seven children to poisoning from carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas.
 
What can you do to avoid this danger, which most often occurs in winter months from faulty or improperty use of heating equipment and fireplaces?
 

February 10, 2010 (Santee)—If you’re a Santee resident who would like to represent your city as a community ambassador and be eligible for scholarships, the Miss Santee Contest wants to hear from you. The competition is open to women ages 13-26. (Girls ages 6-12 should contact pageant officials for information on the Santee Princess Program.) Entry is free! Deadline is February 21st.

 
January 31, 2010 (Santee) – The owner of Smokin’ Joes Barbecue in Santee made a whole-hog effort to please guests at the grand opening of his new restaurant yesterday. After slow-roasting a whole pig on a spit, Joe Jones and his restaurant crew served up succulent results to a hungry crowd lined up for “pig pull” samples.

by Christopher Mohr

January 12, 2010 (Santee) - What started out as a competitive game between two rival schools from Santee soon became a rout as the host Wolfpack of West Hills High School  surged past the Lady Sultans of Santana High School with a comfortable 54-31 win.

 
December 26, 2009 (Santee) -- The City of Santee is half way through a one-year trial program allowing dogs off leash in certain city parks. Now there's tail-wagging good news for dogs and their owners:  Santee has increased the hours allowed for dog owners to let their pets exercise in designated areas without being constricted by a leash.

December 2, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Jimmie Johnson, the first driver in history to win four consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup titles, has donated half a million dollars to local schools. Johnson made several local appearances this week, including an event honoring him in Santee hosted by Lowe’s Tuesday night.

“We are most proud of you,” said Supervisor Dianne Jacob, noting that Johnson grew up in East County and graduated from Granite Hills High School. “Besides the greatness you’ve achieved, you’ve given back to your community—you haven’t forgotten your roots.” The San Diego County Board of Supervisors named December 1st “Jimmie Johnson” day in his honor.

November 21, 2009 (Santee) – Thousands of area residents turned out at last night’s 7th annual community tree-lighting celebration at the Santee Trolley Square. For a single night, the shopping area transformed into a winter wonderland, offering horse-drawn carriage rides, ice skating and live entertainment.

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.

November 17, 2009 - Today the Santee traffic deputies along with area school resource officers and the Santee COPPS Unit will be conducting a juvenile driver enforcement detail. Special attention will be given to all drivers near schools. Drivers will be stopped and cited for all traffic violations including use of cell phones and texting while driving. Juvenile drivers will be cited if they are not in compliance with provisional license restrictions.

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!

Mayor Randy Voepel, Vice Mayor Brian Jones and Councilman Hal Ryan voted in favor, Council members Jack Dale and John Minto voted against controversial project

By Miriam Raftery

October 29, 2009 (Santee) – By a 3-2 vote, the Santee City Council voted last night to approve a major use permit for Sudweeks Development to construct a cable ski and wakeboarding facility at Santee Lakes. The project, previously approved by Padre Dam Municipal Water District, will operate seven days a week and also include a restaurant serving alcohol until 11 p.m.

The measure was approved despite strenuous and, at times, tearful objections from dozens of Santee residents and environmentalists.The developer and less than a half dozen supporters argued that the project will increase recreational opportunities in Santee, also boosting revenues for Padre Municipal Water District.

“I have an attorney. We are not done fighting this,” Santee resident Julie Naggar told East County Magazine, hinting that a class action lawsuit may be an option.

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.

October 1, 2009 (Santee)--The Santee Chamber of Commerce announces finalists for the 2009 Santee Chamber Awards Night, which will be held on October 16 at Barona Resort & Casino.

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.