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Thursday, June 30, 2011

Caterpillars – Look But Don’t Touch

Thursday, June 30, 2011

The city of Santee today (June 30) posted warnings at Town Center Community Park and Mast Park urging the public to avoid contact with caterpillars.

Officials took this action after two parents in as many weeks reported that their children had experienced adverse physical reactions after touching caterpillars.

The incident that occurred today involved a toddler who experienced a toxic reaction that included a rash and difficulty breathing. The symptoms were severe enough that the parent took the child to the hospital.

Park officials aren’t sure which specific types or colors of caterpillars may be responsible for the toxic reactions, so they are urging the public to avoid touching all species. 

Citywide Pavement Repair and Rehabilitation Project 2011

The City of Santee held meetings on June 27 and June 28 with residents and businesses located along the largest paving project in the City’s history.  Bids for the project were opened on June 8, 2011 with the Hazard Construction being the lowest responsible bidder at $3,533,172.30.  The City Council awarded the project to Hazard Construction on June 22.

A preconstruction meeting will be scheduled with Hazard Construction in mid July with construction anticipated to begin by August 1. 

To view the power point presentation on the Fanita Parkway, Lake Canyon Road, E. Glendon Circle neighborhood and Rumson Drive portion of the project, click HERE.

To view the power point presentation on the Carlton Hills Blvd. and Mission Gorge Road portion of the project, click HERE.

Construction updates and schedules will be posted on the City’s website as construction progresses.

If you have any questions, please contact Toby Espinola, City Project Manager, at (619) 258-4100 x 174.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Fire Triggers Brief Road Closure

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Mission Gorge Road near Magnolia was closed for a short period during the morning rush hour Wednesday while Santee fire fighters extinguished a grease fire at a Sonic Drive-in restaurant.

The fire, which was reported by employees at the restaurant about , caused minor damage to the kitchen area but left the structure unscathed, said Santee Fire Chief Robert Leigh.

“Because of early detection and quick action by Sonic employees, coupled with rapid response from Santee firefighters, who arrived at the scene in four minutes, damage was limited and minor,” Leigh said.

Fire units from Santee, Lakeside and El Cajon responded to the blaze, which started in the exhaust flue in the grill area of the restaurant.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Storm Drain Project

Thursday, June 23, 2011

So what’s with all the heavy equipment converging after dark at Mission Gorge Road between Riverview Parkway and Cuyamaca Street and leaving before dawn?

Answer: The city is stabilizing about 1,100 feet of a large storm drain pipe. The project started on June 19, and work is being done between and to minimize impacts to traffic flow.

The work involves cutting into the street and placing temporary steel plates over the access holes. The plates will remain in place for several weeks, but the work is expected to be finished on July 15.

Anyone with questions may contact associate civil engineer Steve Miller at 258-4100 ext. 176.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Firefighters Clown Around for Safety's Sake

Thursday, June 16, 2011

His name is Snorkle and he looks like he’s clowning around. He’s actually a veteran Santee firefighter who performs as a clown to teach kids basic safety procedures. For instance: “What does ABC stand for? Answer: Always Be Calm (when dialing 911 to report an emergency).”

Snorkle, who in real life is Brad Peterson, teams up with “Trucker,” fellow firefighter Fred Daunis, to perform a routine that makes it fun for children to learn how to react to emergencies. The fire fighters actually went to clown school to polish their act, which they have been performing to live audiences for the past 21 years as part of the department’s Life and Fire Safety program. They take their act on the road with their own trailer that carries their costumes, sets and sound equipment.

Teens and Alcohol: Not a Good Mix

Summer is the season for high school graduation celebrations, which may put temptation in front of minors in the form of alcohol or controlled substances such as marijuana.

Parents or other adults hosting such parties are required by a city ordinance to monitor teens’ behavior and to actively discourage alcohol and drug use.

Santee’s Social Host Ordinance, which was amended in February 2010 to increase the penalties for violators, holds parents or other adults responsible for keeping drugs and alcohol away from minors.

Adults who fail to properly supervise parties and allow teens to openly consume drugs or alcohol face a mandatory minimum fine of $1,000.

According to a recent survey of students in the Grossmont High School District, 26 percent of 9th graders and 36 percent of 11th graders admitted they had consumed at least one alcoholic drink in the past 30 days.

The survey also revealed that 8 percent of 9th graders and 15 percent of 11th graders had participated in binge drinking, defined as consuming five or more drinks in rapid succession, on at least three occasions during the previous month.

If you don’t think such parties are a problem, read this recent article in the Union-Tribune.

If you need help to contain an out-of-control party, contact the Sheriff's Department dispatch center at (858) 565-5200.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Come Fly With Me

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

June 15 was National Fly a Kite Day, and Brett O’Connell of Santee was the first to show up at Town Center Community Park East to participate in the event. At one point, there were eight kites in the air, all being held aloft by the westerly breeze that is typical this time of year. Don’t forget that tomorrow, June 16 at p.m.the city will hold the first free summer concert on the lawn at Town Center Park East.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Senior Club Hikes New Nature Trail

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Members of the Santee Seniors’ Club took a guided tour of the new Mast Park West nature trail on Monday morning (June 6).  The weather was sunny and mild as the group hiked along the trail, which extends for about a half-mile from Carlton Hills Blvd. to the Carlton Oaks golf course. The club’s next “Out and About” outing will be a July 12  trip to the Coronado ferry terminal. If you’d like to participate, email recreation coordinator Judi Callicott at jcallic@ci.santee.ca.us or call her at (619) 258-4100 ext. 257.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Fighting the Bite

Thursday, June 2, 2011

If you spotted a blue helicopter hovering over Santee today (June 1), you were seeing a contractor for the county dropping a larvae-killing pesticide to combat mosquitoes that reproduce in the ponds of San Diego River.
The pesticide, two types of bacteria that are mixed with corn meal and pressed into granules, is not harmful to humans or wildlife, and doesn’t affect any insects except mosquito larvae, county officials said. The objective is to reduce the mosquito population as well as the risk of West Nile virus.

Before the helicopter arrives, County Vector Control officials drive to the mosquito-prone areas to warn hikers and pedestrians so they can avoid being near the drop zones when the anti-mosquito granules are released, she said.

Each month during mosquito breeding season, the county commission’s helicopters drop the anti-larvae agents at 43 locations countywide, including four drop sites in Santee, in a single day.

Vector control agents are scheduled to return to Santee on June 7. They’ll be using a boat to spray a liquid larvicide at the ponds at Mast Park West, where, in the past, mosquitoes have been especially prolific.

More information is available on the County website.