Communities

LEMON GROVE TOY DRIVE STILL ACCEPTING DONATIONS

By: Jessyka Heredia

 

December 15, 2023 (Lemon Grove) – The Lemon Grove Toy Drive is on its fourth year of providing free toys to Lemon Grove kids. Kids Fashion Week Network’s (KFWN) annual Toy Drive and Giveaway has become a staple in the community of Lemon Grove. Last year over 700 toys were collected at local businesses throughout Lemon Grove and were later distributed to residents at a festive holiday giveaway. 


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THOUSANDS TURN OUT FOR LAKESIDE’S SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS ON MAINE

By Shiloh Ireland

December 12, 2023 (Lakeside)-- Thousands of merrymakers attended Lakeside’s Spirit of Christmas on Maine event December 2.  

The event along Maine Avenue featured vendors, local merchant displays, food trucks, dance and vocals from local middle schools, community information booths, animals, local dignitaries, a band, classic car show, Lakeside Rodeo And Bulls Only Queens, Lakeside pre-teen and teen queens, Lakeside Fire Department, Lieutenant Katra of San Diego Sheriff Lakeside office and much more.


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LEMON GROVE IMPROVEMENT COUNCIL RECEIVES 100 SLEEPING BAG COATS FROM THE LUCKY DUCK FOUNDATION

By: Jessyka Heredia

 

December 12, 2023 (Lemon Grove)—Back in October, founding member of the Lemon Grove Improvement Council (LGIC) Teresa Rosiak received 100 sleeping bags that convert into warm coats for the unsheltered. Rosiak has already distributed over 75 of them directly to the homeless in Lemon Grove during her group’s weekly volunteer outreach.


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JAYWALKING PEDESTRIAN STRUCK BY CAR AND KILLED IN RAMONA

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: CC via Bing

 

December 11, 2023 (Ramona) – A Ramona man, 59, suffered fatal injuries when he was struck by a 2023 Nissan Altima yesterday morning around 6:15 a.m.  According to the California Highway Patrol, the man was crossing State Route 67, also known as Main Street near the intersection of 14th street in Ramona against the “don’t walk” illuminated sign.


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BURGLARY SUSPECT ARRESTED IN LA MESA AFTER FIVE-HOUR STANDOFF

East County News Service

December 11, 2023 (La Mesa) – After La Mesa Police responded to a call reporting a burglary in a vacant apartment in the 8500 block of Chloe Avenue, the suspect barricaded the door and claimed to have a hostage inside.

“The suspect was known to officers and was known to have an outstanding felony arrest warrant for a theft-related charge,” says Lieutenant Katy Lynch.

Residents of adjacent apartments were evacuated and additional resources were requested, including the La Mesa Police Department’s Special Response Team, the San Diego Sheriff Department’s Crisis Negotiation Team, and a K9 from the San Diego Police Department.


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TWO VACANCIES ON SPRING VALLEY COMMUNITY PLANNING GROUP

Source: Christopher Pierce, Chair,  Spring Valley Community Planning Group 

December 10, 2023 (Spring Valley) -- The Spring Valley Community Planning Group advises San Diego County regarding planning and land use matters. The group’s responsibilities include discussion, voting, and advising the County on decisions regarding construction projects or just changes to commercial and residential properties. 


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FBI, SENIOR GROUPS TEAM UP TO HOST ELDER FRAUD PRESENTATIONS

East County News Service

December 9, 2023 (La Mesa) - In partnership with the FBI San Diego Elder Justice Task Force, the FBI San Diego Citizens Academy Alumni Association and the San Diego Seniors Community Foundation’s Senior Center Coalition will host a series of one-hour elder fraud information sessions for seniors, caregivers and neighbors. 


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LA MESA LEADERS END E-BILLBOARD PLANS

 

By Miriam Raftery

December 13, 2023 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Mayor Mark  Arapostathis and Vice Mayor Laura Lothian introduced a motion at the Dec. 12 City Council meeting directing staff to terminate the request for proposals  (RFP)  for electronic billboards. By a unanimous vote, the City Council voted to reject electronic billboards and end the RFP,  following an ECM investigation that found a history of many serious traffic accidents where the billboards were proposed to be installed.

“After considering substantial citizen commentary and careful evaluation regarding this matter, we believe that the placement and installation of digital billboards in La Mesa is inappropriate at this time,” the agenda attachment for item 8.1 stated. “Therefore, rather than expend valuable staff time, resources, and effort processing the RFP, we request that the Council immediately (at this meeting) redirect staff to terminate the RFP and all related actions.”


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MOM THANKS COMMUNITY AND POLICE AFTER MISSING SON WITH AUTISM FOUND SAFE

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Skye Pinon, via ECM news partner 10 News

December 9, 2023 (La Mesa) – Skye Pinon says it was the “scariest moment of my entire life” when she realized that her 15-year-old son,  Max, who has autism, was missing.  Max went for a walk around 3 p.m. shortly before Thanksgiving wearing only a T-shirt and shorts, with no wallet or cell phone.

Skye Pinon and her husband spent an hour searching on their own, then called La Mesa Police, according to her post on a La Mesa community forum. Within minutes, officers took a report, had a helicopter in the air broadcasting Max’s description, called in a volunteer canine search and rescue team, and launched a social media post that was soon widely shared.  

“It only took minutes for the amazing people of this community to begin responding and I immediately began getting calls, texts, and social media messages from people asking how they could help,” Pinon says.


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RAMONA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION GRANTS $40K TO LOCAL NONPROFITS TO BUILD COMMUNITY & POST-PANDEMIC RECOVERY

East County News Service

December 8, 2023 (Ramona) - Ramona Community Foundation (RCF), a regional affiliate of San Diego Foundation, has awarded $40,000 to seven local nonprofit programs that demonstrate the power to build a more vibrant community and recover from the pandemic.


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EAST COUNTY EATER: PERFECTLY SMOKED MEATS AND MORE AT PAPALO SONORAN-STYLE BBQ IN LA MESA

By Mike Atkinson

 

December 8, 2023 (La Mesa) - As a Texas BBQ aficionado, I've been anxious to try the newly-opened Papalo Sonoran-Style BBQ in La Mesa Village. Chef Drew Bent has a legendary pedigree, most recently the founding chef behind San Diego's Michelin-recognized Lola 55 modern taqueria. 


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SUSPECTS SOUGHT IN RAMONA HOMICIDE;VICTIM IDENTIFIED

 

By Miriam Raftery

 

December 8, 2023 (Ramona) – Angel Jauregui, 35, of  Ramona has been identified as the victim of a deadly shooting that occurred on December 5th. Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call around 11:24 p.m. reporting gunshots and found Jauregui  at the intersection of State Route 78 and Haverford Road in Ramona.


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LA MESA TO ROLL OUT LICENSE PLATE READERS


By Michael Howard

 

December 8, 2023 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa City Council voted on Nov.28 to join 15 San Diego County cities and agencies in installing 20 automated license plate readers (ALPR) in high traffic areas throughout the city at a cost of $124,500 for a two-year period. 

 

The vote passed 4-1, with Vice Mayor Laura Lothian casting the only dissenting vote.


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UNINCORPORATED AREA CREATES ASSOCIATION TO HAVE A VOICE AT SANDAG

By: Jessyka Heredia

December 7, 2023 (San Diego County)—Tomorrow the newly formed Association of Planning Groups-San Diego County will find out if SANDAG will allow the group, comprised of all 18 Planning Groups in the unincorporated areas, to have an advisory role on the SANDAG board. Currently there is no representation for the unincorporated communities.


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LEMON GROVE VOTES TO ADOPT NEW MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENT REGULATIONS

By Jessyka Heredia

WATCH FULL VIDEO HERE

Article updated to clartify the views of applicant Pick Axe Holdings and not the opinion of ECM. 

December 6, 2023 (LEMON GROVE)— Lemon Grove is home to 12 massage facilities and is making new policies to cut the number of massage establishments down to eight, require background checks for all owners and managers and display of their therapist certificate issued by the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC). The ordinance will also regulate what hours they can operate and set other rules.


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LEMON GROVE APPROVES MAJOR PARK UPGRADES ALMOST ENTIRELY FROM PROP 68 GRANT FUNDS

WATCH FULL VIDEO HERE

By Jessyka Heredia

An earlier version of this artile mistakenly reported the Council voted 5-0. The vote was 4-1with LeBaron voting no.

December 6, 2023 (Lemon Grove) —Yesterday the Lemon Grove City Council unanimously voted to move forward with installing all new playground structures at Lemon Grove Park, thanks to the Proposition 68 Per Capita Grant Program. This non-competitive grant program provides funding to local government agencies to support the rehabilitation, creation and improvement of local parks and to address deficiencies in neighborhoods lacking access to outdoor recreation facilities. Lemon Grove currently only has two parks with playground equipment and a recreation center that lost all funding over 12 years ago.


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LA MESA POLICE AND DISTRICT ATTORNEY ANNOUNCE HATE CRIMES FORUM DEC. 14 AFTER ANTI-SEMITIC FLYERS DISSEMINATED

By Miriam Raftery

December 5, 2023 (La Mesa) --  A representative from District Attorney Summer Stephan's office and the La Mesa Police Dept. invite community members to a hate crimes forum with Q&A session on Dec.14 at 5:30 p.m. at the La Mesa Police Dept., 8085  University Ave., La Mesa.

The forum comes on the heels of anti-Semitic flyers repeatedly disseminated in La Mesa and the nearby San Diego communities of Del Cerro,  San Carlos and Allied Gardens in recent months, among other neighborhoods targeted. Some flyers blamed Jews for 9-11 attacks, among other false claims.


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A CAPPELLA GROUP BRINGS “SLEIGHIN’ IT TOUR” TO SYCUAN DEC. 28

East County News Service

December 4, 2023 (El Cajon) – The a cappella group Straight No Chaser, whose fall tour has become a holiday tradition for families around the country, will be performing Dec. 28 at  Sycuan Casino and Resort in El Cajon  The renown singers also just released  “Stocking Stuffer,” an EP with their newest holiday repertoire here, and will also be available for purchase at the concert. 


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LOCAL TEEN MUSICAL SENSATION AMANDA FAGAN TO PERFORM AT LA MESA’S HOLIDAY IN THE VILLAGE

 


By Jacob Pamus


December 1, 2023 (La Mesa)-- Amanda Fagan is an accomplished 19-year-old musician who has written many songs during the past six years.  She lives in La Mesa with her parents and younger sister.  During a two-week stretch at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, she wrote a 23-song musical in just two weeks. A New York musical producer was so impressed that he contracted with Amanda to produce the musical.  Amanda Fagan’s band will be performing at La Mesa’s Holiday in the Village on December 2 and  at Balboa Park’s December Nights on December 1.


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RAMONA MOM DIES IN CRASH CAUSED BY SUSPECTED DUI DRIVER

By Miriam Raftery

December 1, 2023 (Ramona) – Andrea Ortiz,44, a single mom with three daughters, was on her way to work Nov. 28  around 7:30 a.m. when a pickup truck crossed the center line on State Route 78 in Ramona. It head-on into Ortiz’s vehicle, which rolled down an embankment. She died at the scene.


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ELECTRONIC BILLBOARD OPPOSITION IN LA MESA GAINS GROUND

By Miriam Raftery

December 1, 2023 (La Mesa) – An online petition started by Keep  La  Mesa Beautiful in opposition to the city’s plan to allow electronic billboards has attracted 338 signatures sent it launched on November 21.  Now, the new owner of Grossmont Center has sent a letter to the city’s mayor and city council opposing two proposed e-billboards along I-8 as detrimental to the regional shopping mall.


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HELP SOUGHT FOR FAMILY OF CAMPO MAN KILLED BY HIT-AND-RUN DRIVER ON THANKSGIVING EVE

By Miriam Raftery

December 1, 2023 (Campo, CA)—Austin Nathaniel Spirz, a 26-year-old Campo father of three, died at the scene of a crash on Nov.23 at 5:28 p.m. on Sheridan Road near Custer Road in Campo. Spirz was on his way home on his Kawasaki motorcycle, with his life’s partner and children  following close behind him, when a Jeep Wrangler crossed over the center lines and struck  his motorcycle.

“I don’t know how to live life without him,” Aubree Pinkston, his partner of 10 years, told ECM news partner 10 News.

Pinkston and the couple’s children drove up to find Austin Spirz dead at the scene. “His body had to be identified by his father and mother-in-law ,Brandie Pinkston,” Debi Gonzalez at the Backcountry Trading Post told ECM in an email. “The Spirz family has suffered great losses, because their other son, Josh, was also killed this year in an accident. This tragedy has hit our community hard.”

Michelle Sweetman has set up a GoFundMe site to help the victim’s family.  A MealTrain site has also been established to provide meals for the Spirz household.


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COUNTY SUED BY LAKESIDE MAN SHOT 16 TIMES BY SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  Erik Talavera at rally; screenshot from video by ECM media partner 10 News

View deputies’ body camera footage of the shooting (warning, disturbing content):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WErLDy2sSzc 

November 30, 2023 (Lakeside) – A Lakeside man who suffered permanent injuries from being shot 16 times has filed a lawsuit against San Diego County and two Sheriff’s deputies who opened fire. 

The civil lawsuit filed by Erik Talavera alleges that deputies David Lovejoy and Jonathan Young gave conflicting commands and used excessive force and negligence during the incident in El Cajon on Feb.16, 2022. The deputies were cleared of criminal wrongdoing following an investigation by the District Attorney.


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FIGHT RESULTS IN SHOOTING,STABBING IN LAKESIDE

 

East County News Service

Photos provided by:Shiloh Ireland 

 

November 30, 2023 (Lakeside)  --Two people were injured after a fight ended in a shooting and stabbing in Lakeside on Saturday, November 25. 

 

Shortly before 7:30 p.m., deputies from the Lakeside Sheriff's substation responded to reports of a shooting in the 12000 block of Woodside Avenue.


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LA MESA CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS GET HEFTY PAY RAISE

By Michael Howard

Photo: Council Salary Adjustment Citizen Panel member Aaron Landua acknowledges his fellow panel members at the October 24 La Mesa City Council meeting

November 29, 2023(La Mesa) -- After 18 years without getting a pay raise, the La Mesa City Council members voted to give themselves a hefty 90% pay increase at their regularly scheduled November 14 meeting.

The ordinance passed unanimously and will amend section 2.04.010 of the La Mesa Municipal Code to increase each city council member’s salary from $1,000 per month to $1,900 per month.  The move also increases the mayor’s compensation by an additional $1,900, reflecting the dual role a mayor plays as both council member and mayor, bringing the mayor’s total monthly salary to $3,800 a month, or a 135% increase.

The increase doesn’t take effect until after the November 2024 elections, which means current pay rates remain the same until then.


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DISNEY’S FREAKY FRIDAY AT GROSSMONT COLLEGE STAGEHOUSE THEATRE DEC. 7 - 16

Source: Grossmont College Stagehouse Theatre

November 28, 2023 (El Cajon) -- Get ready for a magical, uproarious experience as Grossmont College Stagehouse Theatre presents Freaky Friday, Disney's beloved body-swap musical comedy, directed by Katie Banville. Based on the celebrated novel by Mary Rodgers, the beloved classic gets a contemporary twist with a hilarious new book by Bridget Carpenter, complemented by pop/rock music by Tom Kitt and lyrics by Brian Yorkey


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MOTORCYCLIST DIES IN DULZURA COLLISION

East County News Service

November 27, 2023 (Dulzura) – A San Diego man, 29, sustained fatal injuries in a collision that occurred yesterday at 10:29 a.m. in Dulzura. The man was driving a 2004 Suzuki GSXR motorcycle eastbound on State Route 94, west of State Route 188 (Tecate Road) when he crossed double yellow lines and crashed into a 2015 Kia Sorrento.


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DUI DRIVER ARRESTED FOR FATAL CRASH IN RAMONA

By Miriam Raftery

November 27, 2023 (Ramona) – A 26-year-old man has been arrested for causing a head-on crash on November 25 in Ramona that killed a Ramona woman, 44, then fleeing the scene.


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SHADOW MOUNTAIN WELCOMES BACK PASTOR DAVID JEREMIAH

By Shiloh Ireland

 

File photo:  Dr. David Jeremiah at a previous event

 

November 25, 2023 (El Cajon) -- After a long absence of  recovery from illness, Dr. David Jeremiah returned to his church, Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon on November 19th..  The pastor was assisted with a walker and staff guided him to the pulpit. His congregation gave him a warm welcome back and the sanctuary was full. 


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SAGE FIRE THREATENS HOMES IN JAMUL/SPRING VALLEY AREA

Update  4:53 p.m.  from the Sheriff:  An evacuation order related to the #SageFire in Jamul has been lifted. The fire started in the 3300 block of Lorrel Place just before 2:00 p.m. @CALFIRESANDIEGO personnel are making progress with the fire. @SDSheriff ASTREA/helicopter also made water drops. SR-94 between Vista Sage and Rancho Miguel Roads will be closed for a few more hours and will reopen with one lane only through the night as crews mop up at the scene. Drive carefully and be mindful of first responders and fire equipment in the area.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, right, by Jeff Harrison

November 23, 2023 (Jamul) --  Mandatory evacuations have been ordered by CalFire due to the #SageFire. which started this afternoon near Highway 94 and Vista Sage in the Jamul/Spring Valley area has burned 30-35 acres and is spreading at a critical rate of speed, fueled by Santa Ana winds.  Highway 94 is being shut down between Steele Canyon and Lyons Valley Road.

Structures are threatened and vehicles are being escorted out to evacuate.  If you are evacuatiing from Jamul, use Otay Lake Rd., Proctor Valley ro Japatul Valley Rd.


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