March 10, 2010 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Police has arrested Anthony Long, 19, of El Cajon and two juvenile males from El Cajon and Santee for attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon. The assault occurred on March 6 at Northmont Park in LA Mesa.

The suspects were arrested after search warrants were obtained and searches conducted on three homes in East County. According to the police investigation, two groups of young men got into a phone argument over a girl following a party in El Cajon, then agreed to meet at Northmont Park for a fight.

February 28, 2010 (La Mesa) –A Circle K Store was robbed at gunpoint Friday at 11 p.m. Earlier on the same date, two young men robbed, punched and kicked a juvenile on Spring Street. In yet another incident, a youth was robbed of a cell phone by five men at Water Street and Amaya Drive in La Mesa.

February 26, 2010 (La Mesa) -- The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) is working with Sharp Grossmont Hospital officials to notify patients, visitors and employees who may have been exposed to a hospital worker diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB). The period of concern is Oct. 4, 2009 to Jan. 20, 2010, and limited to individuals who worked or visited one patient care floor of the hospital’s West Tower between 7:30 p.m. and 7:30 a.m.

 

February 20, 2010 (La Mesa) – Leaders in the arts and business communities gathered Thursday for the grand re-opening of O’Dunn Fine Art, which moved into an expansive new space across the street from its original location in La Mesa’s downtown village.

City aims to attract, retain businesses in challenging economic times

February 20, 2010 (La Mesa) -- La Mesa… Seeking to encourage businesses to remain in La Mesa and attract new businesses to the community, the City of La Mesa has launched a redesigned economic development webpage at www.cityoflamesa.com/economicdevelopment aimed at providing up-to-date information including listings of space available, guides for property owners and start-up businesses.

February 18, 2010 (La Mesa)--The public is invited to a reception and grand-reopening of O'Dunn Fine Art from 5:30 to 7:30 today.   The gallery has moved to a newer, larger location at 8325 La Mesa Boulevard, across the street from its original space in La Mesa's downtown village. 

February 14, 2010 (La Mesa)—A groundbreaking will be held Wednesday, February 17 at 11:30 a.m. for improvements including an elevator tower, stairs, and a pedestrian bridge connecting the Grossmont Transit Center trolley stop and residential community to Grossmont Shopping Center shops and nearby businesses.

 
by Kristin Kjaero
 
February 13, 2010 (La Mesa) -- On Monday the lower field at Rolando Park in La Mesa was dedicated as the 40th official Little Padres Park.
 
Padres closing pitcher Heath Bell and president/CEO Tom Garfinkel were on hand for the occasion--much to the delight of Rolando Little League players and their families.

February 7, 2010 (La Mesa) James Robinson, 29, of La Mesa died of acute heroin and alcohol intoxication, the San Diego County Medical Examiner has found. Robinson was found slumped over his infant child at Gas Depot, a gas station on in San Diego on January 4.

By Miriam Raftery

February 2, 2010 (La Mesa)--In an exclusive interview, La Mesa Mayor Art Madrid offered his perspectives on the past year and the coming one. Despite challenging economic times for communities across America, La Mesa has weathered the storm in better shape than many.  Mayor Madrid provides insights into the city’s successes, future challenges, and new initiatives on the horizon—including consolidating some services with neighboring communities, revitalizing the downtown village, starting a community garden, and gearing up for the city’s centennial celebration in 2012.

January 24, 2010 (La Mesa) – Two white men, one with a mustache, stole a purse and injured a woman who was walking from Walmart to her vehicle in the parking lot at Grossmont Center on Thursday, January 22nd.

A green older model Chevy or Ford pickup pulled up in front of the woman and a passenger got out, then tried to slash the victim’s purse strap with a knife. During a struggle, she sustained a deep cut on her hand.

Januuary 24, 2010 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Police have arrested two men suspected of robbing an Arco AM/PM store on Massachusetts Street on January 22nd. Punckey Donnell, 23, of Lemon Grove and Devon Brown, 27 of San Diego were booked into San County Jail for robbery. Three other unknown suspects fled in a blue Honda and have not yet been apprehended.

January 20, 2010 – Jared Shelton has been arrested for assaulting a man who attempted to come to the aid of Shelton’s girlfriend during an altercation outside the 7/Eleven Store at 4610 Avocado Boulevard in the unincorporated area of the County aound 1:30 a.m. on January 19th.

 
January 15, 2010 (La Mesa) The public is invited to join La Mesa’s 14th annual Multicultural Festival. The event will be held this Sunday, January 17 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Drive, La Mesa.

January 16, 2010 (La Mesa) - Roy Springer, MD, a doctor with Center for Family Health in La Mesa, has presented an $11,000 check to the challenge Center, a nonprofit fitness club in La Mesa dedicated to helping people with disabilities achieve independence.

“This give will provide a lot of health and life skills for those most often overlooked in these areas,” said Challenge Center president and founder Bill Bodry.

The Salvation Army Kroc Center is opening its doors to the community for FREE on Saturday, January 9. Guests can take guided tours, and enjoy special membership savings as well as a free all-venue pass for the day.  Visitors can also experience skateboarding, ice skating, rock climbing, swimming, fitness classes, weight lifting, arts and crafts, an acting workshop and more. 

Are you facing a health issue and want reliable, up-to-date medical information?

There is a free resource available for you, The Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library is available to residents in the Grossmont Healthcare District. This is a state-of-the-art, hybrid library that offers information both through online computer databases and through books, medical journals, newsletters, DVDs, and more. The library's welll-trained, friendly staff will help you find the information you are seeking. In addition, they host a monthly Senior Discussion Group about a health topic and a monthly movie, and will begin computer classes in March.

January 1, 2010 (La Mesa)--Residents of La Mesa can drop off holiday trees to be recycled and receive free holiday tree mulch on a self-load/self-haul basis at EDCO, 8184 Commercial Street in La Mesa. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sundays from 8 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. through January 15th.

Feb. 1 – People who suffer with knee arthritis, stiffness and pain have new options for knee surgery that result in less pain and faster recovery than traditional knee replacement. At this seminar, learn about new, less-invasive procedures.

By Nancy Clement

December 22, 2009 (La Mesa and Spring Valley) -- Start the New Year off right by walking your way to health!

Live Well invites you to come and “Take a Walk with your Community” at a fun-filled event that features a 30 minute hosted walk, free entertainment, refreshments and a special guest. This special event will occur simultaneously at both Harry Griffen Park in La Mesa and Lamar Park in Spring Valley from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 30th.

December 20, 2009 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting earlier this month to celebrate AT&T’s aesthetic enhancements  to its building at the corner of La Mesa Boulevard and Spring Street. Those enhancements included addition to the building's exterior of tiled mosaics depicting scenes from the company’s history.

 
December 18, 2009 (La Mesa) -- Yesterday during the early morning hours, eight cars were burglarized in La Mesa, mostly in the 5600 block of Amaya Dr. and the 9100 block of Campina Dr. Various items were stolen during the burglaries, mainly loose items lying in open view. There is no suspect description at this time.

December 14, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Residential fires have caused major damage to homes in Descanso, Lakeside, Valley Center and La Mesa this month. The latest blaze occurred this morning at 4:17 a.m. in a condominium complex at 9320 Earl Street #25 in La Mesa, where fire crews arrived in less than five minutes and ran hose lines inside through thick, dark smoke down to the floor. Firefighters used a thermal imaging camera to locate the fire in the kitchen.

December 14, 2009 (La Mesa) – On December 13th around 2:18 a.m., a man leaving a friend’s home at 8025 Valley View Circle in La Mesa was assaulted while getting into his vehicle . Three black male suspects approached him, armed with a crowbar and a stick. One suspect began punching and kicking the victim while demanding his property and stole his wallet, according to the La Mesa Police. All three suspects fled the scene in a dark 1994 or 1995 Ford Thunderbird. See detailed descriptions below.

On December 13, 2009, at about 5:43 PM, a lone suspect robbed the clerk at the Staples store at 8805 Murray Drive, La Mesa. The suspect selected a display item, and waited in line. Once at the register, he simulated a handgun and threatened the clerk, demanding cash. The clerk complied and gave the suspect an unknown amount of cash. The suspect then fled on foot. No one was injured during the robbery, which La Mesa Police believe may be related to a series of robberies in the area.

2ND ACCIDENT IN 2 DAYS TO DROP HEAVY OBJECTS OFF ELEVATED RAMPS IN LA MESA

By Miriam Raftery
 
December 12, 2009 (La Mesa) – A big rig smashed into a wall on an elevated I-8 connector in La Mesa around 10:20 a.m., knocking chunks of concrete onto southbound SR-125 below. The truck cab teetered precariously as a portion of the wall crumbled high above the roadway, reports Miriam Raftery, who was traveling on 125 moments after the accident occurred as emergency vehicles arrived overhead.

 
Just one day earlier in the same area of La Mesa, shortly before 9 a.m. on Friday, a taxi driver and passenger narrowly escaped death when a 25-ton steel pipe rolled off a flatbed truck and plummeted 75 feet off an elevated freeway connector. 

 
By Kristin Kjaero

December 10, 2009 (La Mesa) – It was a standing room only crowd December 9, as residents gave their input at the Draft Environmental Impact Report and Public Scoping Meeting for Park Stations at the Crossroads of La Mesa, a six-acre, 18-story multiple use project proposed for the Village.

The City will continue to take public input through December 16.  Comments should be e-mailed to bchopyk@ci.la-mesa.ca.us or mailed to La Mesa City Hall, 8130 Allison Ave, La Mesa CA 91942.

City to hold public scoping meeting Wed. Dec. 9 on proposed 18-story project

By Kristin Hobbs-Kjaero

December 3, 2009 (La Mesa)—Should the City of La Mesa waive height restrictions and grant a density increase to allow a mixed-use hotel, retail, office and residential project soaring up to 18 stories high?

The City has received an application to develop 6 ½ acres in the Village with an average density of 76 units/acre, ranging from four to eighteen floors high.

For comparison, the Pravada at the Grossmont Trolley development is 66 units/acre. Grossmont Hospital is five floors above ground, the El Cajon jail is 10 floors, Mercy Hospital is 12 floors, and the Marriott Hotel Mission Valley is 17 floors.

An “informal open house and public scoping meeting” will be held Wednesday, December 9 at 6:00-7:30 p.m. in the La Mesa City Council Chambers (8130 Allison Avenue). 

Park Station at the Crossroads of La Mesa would be encompassed by Spring Street, University Avenue, Baltimore Drive and Highway 8.

La Mesa’s historic shopping district offers a Victorian-style holiday celebration, rides, bonfires, specialty boutiques and unique gifts

December 4, 2009 (La Mesa) – For two days and nights, La Mesa’s historic downtown village transforms into a Victorian winter wonderland complete with strolling minstrels, carolers, street entertainers and several stages. Bonfires will fill La Mesa Boulevard, where you can roast chestnuts over an open fire or delight in a horse-drawn carriage ride. You’ll also find carnival rides, puppet shows, and Santa Claus.

November 18, 2009 (La Mesa) – A 54-year-old woman was punched in the face yesterday at 5:51 p.m. while watching another woman yell at a young child outside the Target Store in Grossmont Center, La Mesa Police report. The victim was in the parking lot when she stopped to observe the incident. According to police, she was about to walk away when she was assaulted. The victim was transported by ambulance to Grossmont Hospital for treatment.

Police seek the public’s help to identify the suspect, shown on a surveillance camera.  She wore a black jacket with fur hood, dark pants, mult-colored shirt, and white boots.