Council to Consider Big Sales Tax Deal, Change to Park Alcohol Policy

A new deal with HD Supply could boost city sales tax revenue by more than $250,000, and more at this week's city council meeting.

Santee’s Homeless Count Falls to 18, Says Latest Census

Regional Task Force on the Homeless finds 18 people unsheltered in Santee.

Fanita Ranch Lives: Santee Development Planned Since 1982

HomeFed made a visit to the city council last week to remind everyone that the Fanita Ranch housing project hasn't been discarded.

Santee Mayor Says He's Tired of Cutting City Jobs

The City of Santee has eliminated 24.8 positions since 2009- a number that upset many of the councilmembers.

U.S. Airman From Santee on Journey to Summit Mount Everest

The USAF Seven Summits Challenge team hopes to summit in mid-May and become the first group of active-duty U.S. service members to reach the top.

Santee Assemblyman's Concealed Weapons Permit Bill Fails Passage

Assemblyman Jones: "The best way to combat gun crime is through harsher punishment, not through stricter gun control.”

Padre Dam Water District Will Save Money With Credit Rating Upgrade

It could save the district $496,000 due to loan refinancing.

F-Bombs OK? Santeeans React to FCC Plan to Ease Swearing, Nudity Ban

"If we let this ban be dropped we might as well be prepared to possibly suffer the same fate as Sodom and Gomorrah," commented one Santee resident.

Post Office to Keep Saturday Mail Delivery

USPS drops plans to halt Saturday mail delivery service.

County to Begin Researching a Comprehensive Renewable Energy Plan

Staffers will report findings in four months.

Mayor: Santee 'Hot and Sweaty' in Talks for New Movie Theater

Discussions between the city and movie theater operators for an "entertainment complex" at Town Center continue.

Reports of Domestic Violence in Santee Up 67% Since 2008

Rates of violent and property crimes both jumped from 2011 to 2012 as well. See more annual crime stats inside.

Where Is Councilman Ryan? Council Asked to Extend Absence Through May

This week the council will look get the lowdown on what Santee can afford in the future.

Quail Brush Requests Suspension of Application for Power Plant Near Santee

After being dealt a blow by the PUC, the company vying to construct a power plant near Santee is taking a step back to regroup.

Santee Jobless Rate Down Half a Point From January to February

State agency says unemployment rate here was 6.7 percent in February, down from 7.9 a year ago.

Tax Collector: More Than Half of SD County Property Owners Still Owe

The second installment of property taxes are due April 10.

City Council Strikes Down Most Staff Ideas for Dealing With Homeless in Santee

Mayor Voepel: "The City of Santee is not in the social services business."

What Did Your Congressman's Seat Cost?

Find out how much Rep. Duncan Hunter had to raise to win the 50th District seat.

Santee Pays More for Water as Padre Dam Executive Salaries Rise

U-T San Diego reports on salary increases of thousands of dollars for some water district employees while customers pay more for water.

Five Santee City Employees Honored for Job Excellence in 2012

John Keane, Linda Christensen, Kathy Valverde, Steve Miller and Jeff Hernandez received the "Values in Motion" award.

Military-Industrial Complex Pushes for Drone Test Range Across SoCal

The proposed drone test zone would extend from Edwards Air Force Base, just north of Lancaster, west to the Pacific Ocean and south to the Mexican border.

Santee Jobless Rate Rose to 7.2% in January, State Reports

San Diego County’s unemployment rate was 8.6% in January, up from revised 8.2% in December.

Victory for Quail Brush Foes: PUC Denies Power Contract for Peaker Plant

Save Mission Trails and other activist groups were out in force for Thursday's commission hearing.

Padre Dam Board Approves $1 Lease for Santee Teen Center

The safe place for teens will remain affordable for the city and residents.

Santee Bridges Among Many in U.S. Labeled ‘Structurally Deficient’

A private group, Transportation for America, examined nearly 70,000 spans and freeway overpasses and found more than 10 percent of them in need of better upkeep.

Any Atheists Willing to Conduct Invocation at Santee Council Meeting?

Santee Mayor Randy Voepel elaborates on the rules and purpose of the "prayer" at the beginning of Council meetings, called an invocation.

‘Obama 2016’ Filmmaker Tells GOP Women How Party Can Be ‘Invincible’

Dinesh D’Souza says the only immigrants needed are those who believe in GOP ideals.

City Council to Tackle the Issue of Panhandlers and Homeless in Santee

The March 13 meeting will include employee awards, Santee Public Arts Committee, safe walk to schools grant, Sheriff staffing report and more.

How Long an ER Wait at Hospitals Near Santee? Feds Spill the Beans

Medicare database shows how hospitals across San Diego—and nation—compare for care.

Grossmont High School District Won't Have to Layoff Teachers This Year

For the first time in three years no layoff notices will be sent to district teachers.

Pulitzer Winner: Sequester ‘Not That Big a Deal,’ But May Stir S.D. Recession

Former U-T writer Dean Calbreath sees possible $7.5 billion hit to the San Diego County economy.

City Council Gives Majority of CDBG Funds to Santee Food Bank

Other nonprofits that benefitted from the funds: Cameron Family YMCA, Crisis House, Meals on Wheels, Elder Help, Santee Boys & Girls Club.

All 12 Major Donors to Prop. U School Bond Campaign Won Contracts

A new report digs into the relationship between companies that contribute to school bond campaigns and the awarding of contracts.

Assemblyman Calls High-Speed-Rail Hiring Plan ‘Social Engineering Disaster’

Brian Jones says state train project calls for first hiring the homeless, long-term jobless and felons.

Video: Las Colinas Expansion Discussed During State of the County Address

The $300 million project in Santee is mostly being paid for in cash. Watch the address inside.

Local Pension Costs Set to Rise in Santee, Says San Diego Taxpayers Group

Contributions from cities including Santee are rising at a fast clip, according to a San Diego County Taxpayers Association report.

No-Fault Insurance Could Help Reduce Gun Violence

Tom Harvey: “No-fault insurance as it is applied to pedestrians (who are victims that often don’t have their own insurance) would work to cover nearly all victims, if applied to guns.”

Strive Harder for Accuracy, Impartiality When Reporting on 2nd Amendment

Michael Schwartz: “I am baffled with your opinion of the racial makeup of the room and why that is important to you.”

Alpine High School Proposal Defeated in 4-1 School Board Vote

Grossmont Union High School District leaves campus on back burner amid Alpine unification drive.

Council Will Hear From Local Non-Profits to Decide Which Get Funding

What's happening at this week's Santee City Council meeting? Check here to find out.