By Paul Kruze

Watch ECM news partner 10News Video of students speaking at Helix

Update January 24, 2018:  La Mesa Police have identified the officer, Scott Wulfing, and indicated he is assigned to administrative duty pending the outcome of an investigation.

January 23, 2018 (La Mesa) -- A group of some 200 students at Helix Charter High School on Monday morning walked out of their classes and gathered in front of the school chanting “Justice for Bri” to protest the aggressive arrest of an allegedly unruly 17-year-old female student on Friday afternoon.

The officer forced the handcuffed African-American girl, who has not been identified, to the ground. The San Diego Union-Tribune today reports that the La Mesa Police Department's school resources officer for Helix has been reassigned and will not be working in any schools until an investigation is concluded.

By Miriam Raftery

January 21, 2018 (La Mesa) – A video showing a La Mesa Police officer  slamming a handcuffed 17-year-old  female student at Helix Charter High School to the ground Friday afternoon has drawn over 17,000 views on social media, with a protest planned Monday morning on campus.

By Miriam Raftery

An East County Eaters review from East County Magazine

Join the East County Dining Club in a feast Jan. 25 at Village House Kalina! 

Read details & RSVP by Jan. 25.

January 17, 2018 (La Mesa) – Each time I’ve dined at Village House Kalina in La Mesa, the Russian, Ukranian and other Eastern European dishes have been delicious. These hearty and flavorful foods have nourished the creative powers of Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky, Tolstoy and other great Russian novelists, energetic Cossack dancers, tsars and peasants alike.

Cozy and filled with authentic décor from Russian samovar teapots to a balalaika on the wall, Village House Kalina is the perfect place for a hearty winter feast or filling fare year-round.

By Jillian Hymer

An "East County Eaters" review from East County Magazine

January 16, 2018 (La Mesa) -- Light Bulb Coffee is a bright new spot in La Mesa’s downtown village. Opened three months ago at 8138 La Mesa Blvd., the business is filling the shoes that Starbucks outgrew when it moved into an expanded location a couple of blocks.

Their menu holds classic coffees, lattes, and teas alongside a variety of healthy smoothies and specialty drinks, as well as a wide variety of breakfast and lunch food items.  There are several house specialties, such as Turkish Hazelnut, which was subtly sweet when I savored an iced version.  Our editor sampled a hot California Pistachio, which had a nutty and minty flavor.

By Jonathan Goetz

Photo: Mayor Mark Arapostathis Mayor’s State of the City Report, January 9, 2018.  Photo courtesy City of La Mesa

January 15, 2018 (La Mesa) – On Tuesday, La Mesa Mayor Mark Arapostathis delivered an optimistic State of the City, in which he cited low crime, a 2017 survey that said 91% of La Mesa residents rate the quality of life in La Mesa as being excellent or good, and $8.5 million in local infrastructure improvements, plus further investments from SDG&E and San Diego County Water Authority that strengthen the "long-term stability for the infrastructure under our streets."

East County News Service

January 11, 2018 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Historical Society will host a lecture on Saturday, Jan. 20 featuring local historian Jim Newland discussing his latest book on the history of Grossmont Hospital. The lecture, which is open to the public, will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at the Grossmont Healthcare District Conference Center, 9001 Wakarusa St., La Mesa. Requested admission donation is $5 per person. For more event info, visit www.lamesahistory.com or call (619) 466-0197. To RSVP, visit http://bit.ly/2BQFPzz.

By Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine

January 9, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – San Diego Restaurant Week will be held January 21^st through 28^th, offering up three-course dinners from $20-$50 and two-courses lunches for $10-$20.

This year, five East County restaurants are participating, including the Final Cut Steakhouse in Jamul and four La Mesa eateries:  Farmer’s Table, Bo-Beau’s Kitchen and Garden, Antica Trattoria and Terra Bistro.

By Miriam Raftery

Video by Wayne Zarling taking from Shadow Hill Drive

Photo by Jake Christie

January 2, 2018 (La Mesa) – A female seen running from the scene of a small brush fire on a hill in the Eastridge area of La Mesa today has been detained for questioning by the Sheriff’s department.

Heartland Fire and Rescue, along with San Miguel Fire and San Diego Fire Departments responded to the blaze that began around 1:25 p.m.  Crews arrived within four minutes to find a 20 by 40 foot spot fire on a slope along High Street near State Routes 125 and 94 that grew to approximately an acre before crews halted the forward spread a half hour later.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

December 29, 2017 (La Mesa) – A La Mesa man called 911 last night at 11:30 to report that he had filled his home with gas and planned to blow it up.  La Mesa Police swiftly evacuated neighbors, some in pajamas.

ECM news partner 10 News was at the scene and got video of the man emerging from the home after police knocked on the door.  He went back inside but after a 45 minute stand-off, staggered out front and collapsed briefly.  Police carried him to the street, where he revived and was taken into custody.

December 11, 2017 -- It's time for East County Magazine's annual festive and fabulous "Feasting and Merrymaking Holiday Party!"

This year's event will be held on Sunday, December 17th from 3 to 7 p.m. at 4438 Hideaway Place, La Mesa, 91941. The event is open to our newsletter and wildfire alert subscribers, dining club members and invited guests. Subscriptions are free! Sign up here:  http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/wild-fire-alerts.

This year's party includes a potluck international feast, so bring your best holiday dish or international dish to share.  We will also have live music with Paul Nichols playing folk, pop and holiday carols (yes, you can sing along!). Plus we'll have a treasure trove of prizes and surprises.

East County New Service

December 8, 2017 (La Mesa) – Paul Kruze provided these photo of La Mesa’s holiday tree and street lighting,illuminated at the “La Mesa Shimmer” event.   

Shops along La Mesa Boulevard are also bedecked with holiday trim, just in time for the start of La Mesa’s annual Holiday in the Village celebration this Saturday, December 9^th from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, December 10^th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

East County News Service

December 2, 2017 (La Mesa) -- You are cordially invited to join La Mesa Conversations at its annual Holiday mixer on Friday, December 8th at Helix Brewing Company (8101 Commercial Street, La Mesa) from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Click here for a Google maps link.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy of ECM news partner 10 News

November 23, 2017 (La Mesa) – A fire on Thanksgiving morning caused $250,000 in damage to a home and its contents in the 3800 of Carbo Court in La Mesa.

According to ECM news partner 10 News, Karla Fierro and her boyfriend helped her three children escape the fire, along with their dog. With help from a neighbor, they also evacuated a paralyzed man whom her boyfriend is caretaker for. The disabled man and his caretaker were treated at a hospital for smoke inhalation.

East County News Service

November 18, 2017 (La Mesa) – Looking for holiday cheer?  San Pasqual Winery’s tasting room in La Mesa is offering cork wreath making classes, an evening of wine and cheese, and live music nights featuring musicians specializing in jazz, classical, and guitar ranging from country to classic rock and more.  For a full schedule of holiday season happenings, scroll down.

East County News Service

November 14, 2017 (La Mesa) — Upcoming events at La Mesa Wine Works include yoga, live music, crazy hat day, trivia night and more. Scroll down for a schedule of events.