East County News Service

July 25, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- H. Dail Rankin succumbed to a heart attack on June 14, 2017 after a lengthy battle with non-Hodgkins lymphoma and complications caused by chemotherapy.  Born January 24,1944, he attended local schools and became known to many in East County through the years as an Allstate Insurance agent, a Standard Brands Paints manager, and the organizer of multi-class reunions for Lincoln High School.

East County News Service

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

July 21, 2017 (La Mesa) – An argument ended in fatal gunfire last night around 7 p.m. in the parking lot of a La Mesa shopping center at Baltimore Drive and El Cajon Boulevard. The center houses Burlington Coat Factory, an El Torito restaurant and other retail outlets.

By Miriam Raftery

July 20, 2017 (La Mesa)—A high-speed pursuit from Santee to La Mesa ended early this morning in the laundry room of a La Mesa apartment complex, where SWAT teams from La  Mesa and San Diego police departments helped capture the suspect, Randy Hanks, 37.

By Miriam Raftery

July 18, 2017 (La Mesa) – Circulate San Diego has announced that Colin Parent will serve as the organization’s interim executive director, filling the void left by departure of former executive director Jim Stone, who is joining the Elementary Institute of Science.. Parent also serves as an elected member of the La Mesa City Council.

Circulate San Diego is a nonprofit organization that  works to promote public transportation, active transportation (walking and bicycling), and accommodate sustainable growth.

By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

July 15, 2017 (La Mesa) -- In a joyous, humor infused ground-breaking ceremony, NBA basketball star Bill Walton, Supervisor Dianne Jacob, La Mesa Mayor Dr. Mark Arapostanthis, guests of honor Ronald and Mary Alice Brady and more dug the ceremonial shovels into the dirt.  The ceremony, held on the future Boys & Girls Club site on the La Mesa Arts Academy campus on July 12, was a welcome event culminating from great organizational skills, huge and small money donations, and hard work.

East County News Service

Longtime Mission Trails Regional Park docent and author of the new book Nature Adventures! will sign books at Maxwell’s House of Books Thursdays, July 13^th and 20th

July 10, 2017 (La Mesa) -- She’s not originally from around here, but New York transplant and lifelong educator, Linda Gallo Hawley, can school most San Diegans on the region's native flora, fauna and even cultural history. In fact, she’s made her own mark on the culture of the region through her monthly “Nature Adventures!” programs at Mission Trails Regional Park, where she guides primary school children through the park’s many trails, pointing out unique and interesting plants and signs of wildlife along the way, all while singing catchy tunes like “The Ecosystem Song” and the “Big Brown Bats Song.” Now visitors to the La Mesa Classic Car Show have two chances to meet the captivating teacher in person.

By Miriam Raftery

July 8, 2017 (La Mesa) – The California State Medical Board is seeking to revoke the medical license of La Mesa psychiatrist Harry C. Henderson III.  The causes for disciplinary action include gross negligence, repeated negligence, repeated excessive prescribing of narcotics, prescribing without appropriate medical examination or medical need, prescribing to addicts, and failure to maintain adequate records.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Little Flower Haven circa 1954, via Postcards.com on City of La Mesa's website.

July 6, 2017 (La Mesa) – Two public meetings are set for Silvergate Development’s proposal to redevelop the former Little Flower Haven convent and nonprofit home for the elderly at 8585 La Mesa Blvd.  The Planning Commission will hold an informational-only meeting and environmental assessment on Wednesday, July 19 at 7 p.m.  The City Council will hold a hearing on the project on August 8^th at 6 p.m.  Both meetings will be in Council Chambers at 8130 Alison Ave., La Mesa.

Plans submitted called for keeping the historic 1939 Spanish Mission style front structure and bell tower, which is eligible for listing in the California Register of Historical Resources. The property, recently sold, was formerly home to the Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus.   The sisters have relocated to Texas, the Reader reported in March. 

East County News Service

July 4, 2017 (La Mesa-Spring Valley) -  Applications are being accepted now through July 24 to fill a vacancy on the La Mesa-Spring Valley Board of Education. Board member Rick Winet resigned after taking a position with McGregor Inc., a benefits administrator, to avoid a potential conflict of interest.

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, reside within the boundaries of the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District, be a United States citizen, and a registered voter.  The appointee will serve through December 2018.

By Miriam Raftery

July 1, 2017 (La Mesa) – A motorcyclist crashed into the rear of a vehicle on Interstate 8 east in La Mesa yesterday near the Jackson Drive exit shortly before noon.  The motorcyclist was reportedly unconscious following the crash.

East County News Service

June 27, 2017 (La Mesa) – The newest Chick-fil-A restaurant in San Diego County has opened. The Grossmont Chick-fil-A at 8200 Fletcher Parkway, La Mesa, recently became the 11th Chick-fil-A restaurant operating in San Diego County.

Hunting down the wildest jobs in San Diego’s East County

By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

June 26, 2017 (La Mesa) -- “I saw Jurassic Park, I know how this ends!” said MAX 105.7 FM DJ Rob Zilla of his fellow DJ, Karen “ChaCha” Harlow.  ChaCha was sitting in a self-styled snake pit with a red-tailed boa, among other reptiles, at La Mesa’s Grossmont Center’s courtyard on Saturday, June 24^th.  It was all part of the job—for a good cause of bringing in food donations for The Jacob & Cushman San Diego Food Bank.  Thankfully, Jurassic Park’s grisly endings went unrealized.

East County News Service

June 22, 2017 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Village Association invite you to the next Boulevard Stroll, which features a luau theme on July 11 from 5 to 8 p.m.  In addition to leis, music, art and specials at local merchants, participating restaurants are encouraged to serve up Hawaiian drinks or Happy Hour themed specials.

Activities confirmed so far include:

By Miriam Raftery

June 22, 2017 (La Mesa) -- After several years on hiatus, the beloved San Diego Lake Murray Music Fest and Fireworks show is coming back on July 4^th from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., with the fireworks show at 9 p.m. The music fest is held at Lake Murray Community Park in San Carlos (5540 Kiowa Drive, La Mesa, off Lake Murray Blvd.). 

East County News Service

June 21, 2017 (La Mesa) - It’s Charley Brown Preschool’s 45^th anniversary and you’re invited to join the celebration honoring its long history of service to East County families.  Former students, parents, friends and neighbors are invited to the event on Saturday, July 15 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at 5921 Jackson Drive in La Mesa.