By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

August 26, 2017 (La Mesa) -- Hurricane Harvey, in addition to ravaging the Texas coast, hit locally at La Mesa’s The Hills Local Pub.

“So, Louisiana Fishing Company was unable to send us crawfish for our Crawfish Boil due to Hurricane Harvey”, said the Hills’ manager, Leilani Donea.  “We got the call yesterday.” As a result, they had to cancel today’s scheduled “La Mesa’s Block Party and Crawfish Boil,” a fundraiser for the La Mesa Police Department’s PEER Support Group.

East County News Service

August 23, 2017 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Wineworks invites you to their one-year anniversary bash on Saturday, August 26 from 12 noon to 10 p.m.  The festivities include music, games, prizes, special drinks and foods ranging from Greek to Maine Lobster.

By Miriam Raftery

August 13, 2017 (La Mesa) – The Interfaith Council of La Mesa invites the public to join millions of people around the world participating in activities to celebrate the United Nations International Day of Peace on September 17^th. The La Mesa event will be held starting at 3 p.m. in Aztec Park, 7945 Morocco Drive, La Mesa.

By Jonathan Goetz

Photo, left, Susan Wayne, La Mesa resident, speaks out

August 17, 2017 (La Mesa) - Pathfinder Silvergate La Mesa, LLC is threatening litigation following a 2-2 deadlock of the La Mesa City Council in their development proposal at the Little Flower Haven former convent site at 8585 La Mesa Blvd.

East County News Service

August 16, 2017 (La Mesa) – The public is invited to join members of the business community to view the goods and services they provide, mix and mingle on Thursday, August 17 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the La Mesa Community Center (4975 Memorial Drive, La Mesa.). You can also taste foods from many local restaurants and win over40 door prizes from participating vendors.

By Miriam Raftery

August 15, 2017 (Mount Helix) – A resident on Mount Helix says he caught a woman driving a Lexus luxury car red-handed, stealing avocados off trees at his home before dawn last week.

The resident, Alan van Antwerp, in an interview with ECM news partner 10 News, said a motion sensor alerted him. He posted a photo of the startled woman and her license plate number on the Next Door Mount Helix forum, eliciting over 100 comments, many from residents reporting similar thefts of avocados and other fruits by thieves who left trees stripped bare.

Broil & brewfest will benefit La Mesa Police Department Peer Support Fundraiser

August 12, 2017 (La Mesa) -- Looking for a true southern cookout without having to travel to New Orleans? The Hills Pub has just the summer broil and brew event for you!

On Saturday, August 26, La Mesa’s The Hills Local Pub will be hosting its first annual neighborhood Crawfish Broil in conjunction with local breweries. From 2- 6 p.m., foodie enthusiasts can enjoy hearty portions of flavorful crawfish prepared and prepped in true bayou-style. The Hills will also have a smoker with slow-cooked sausages, and energetic live music will keep the party going all night long.

By Miriam Raftery

August 7, 2017 (La Mesa) — Scammers claiming to be from the “La Mesa Energy Control Board” have been calling La Mesa residents to solicit information and money, according to a post on the La Mesa Next Door forum.

By Miriam Raftery

August 5, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – Fundraising sites have been established at GoFundMe for two families devastated by last week’s crash of a big rig truck that lost control and struck multiple vehicles.

East County News Service

August 4, 2017 (La Mesa) -- Caltrans maintenance crews will close the connector ramps from westbound Interstate 8 (I-8) to northbound and southbound State Route 125 (SR-125) Saturday at 10 p.m. until 10 a.m. Sunday for bridge joint repair work. 

By Miriam Raftery

Scene photos credit:  Lynn Spicer

Photo: Kristina Andarus, 6, of Santee suffered a spinal injury in the crash. Her mother, Aneta Andarus, has asked for prayers.

August 3, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – The two people killed yesterday after a big-rig lost control on State Route 125 were a mother and daughter from Ramona:  Nancy Jeanette Bauerlein, 57,  and Jennifer Campbell, 29. Campbell leaves behind a husband and two children.  Bauerlein had a husband, five children and 10 grandchildren.

The crash has also left 6-year-old Kristina Andarus of Santee with severe spinal injuries.  She has undergone surgery but may be left paralyzed, her mother told 10 News. Her mother, Aneta Andarus, an Iraqi immigrant and owner of Threading by Aneta in Clairemont, has asked for prayers.

Photo courtesy of ECM news partner 10 News

August 2, 2017 (La Mesa) – A long-term highway closure is in effect at State Route 125 and I-8 in La Mesa, where an out-of-control big rig truck struck multiple vehicles, killing two women in a green Chevy car and injuring six other people, including two children, ages 6 and 3.

The children were in an SUV that was struck.  The 6-year-old was not in a carseat suffered major injuries including a broken neck, KNSD reports. She was reportedly not breathing when emergency responders arrived but she was resusciated.The children were taken to Rady Children's Hospital.

According to the CHP site, the big rig on southbond  125 struck a center divider, then careened into northbound lanes, striking multiple vehicles before coming to rest, jackknifed across the freeway. 

East County News Service

August 2, 2017 (La Mesa) – A kitchen fire at Wong’s Golden Palace, 7126 University Avenue, caused an estimated $300,000 in damage to the restaurant.  The Chinese restaurant had celebrated its golden anniversary in 2016, its 50^th year in business.

By Kendra Sitton

August 3, 2017 (La Mesa)-- In the La Mesa-Spring Valley (LMSV) Board of Education’s last meeting before the school year began, six candidates for the open seat moved forward to the public interview this Thursday, Aug. 3. Rebekah Basson, Charles Muse, Paul Schnaubelt, Jay Steiger, Dwight Sykes and Helen Yapura-Weiler were each nominated by current members for the appointment. The only eligible applicant who did not receive a nomination was John Shaffer.

By Miriam Raftery 

August 1, 2017 (La Mesa) – A two-year-old boy has drowned in a swimming pool at his family’s home in the 7200 block of Princeton Avenue in La Mesa.  According to La Mesa Police, it is believed that the boy’s parents put him to bed last night in his bedroom, but somehow the toddler got outside during the night or early morning through a rear sliding glass door that the parents believed was locked.