Lemon Grove

READER’S EDITORIAL: AREN’T WE WORTH THE INVESTMENT?

By Jerry Jones, Lemon Grove Councilman

“Let’s first save the city, and then deal with the leadership and trust issues.” – Councilman Jerry Jones

October 4, 2019 (Lemon Grove) -- While I am supporting a city sales tax for Lemon Grove I did oppose the one proposed for last year for a number of reasons. I was very clear in my 11-page PowerPoint that the 1/2 cent was not enough and what I felt next steps should be. At no time did I advocate for disincorporation, though I did call for a discussion on what that would look like. For some people transparency is just a word, not me. I was very clear about the steps needed to address our problem with the end result being a 1 cent tax measure placed on the 2020 ballot. Yes, one cent is a heavy lift but by my calculations and forecast that is what it will take to make us sustainable. I am not a tax kind of guy in principle. For some the word tax is an immutable principle and to be avoided at all cost. The good people of Lemon Grove expect me to protect their asset, that is the city, not force my principles on them. If the facts support a tax that will sustain, benefit the community and improve my home then I will fight as hard as I can to make that happen under the right circumstances. The Citizens initiative, circulating a petition currently, is only 3/4 versus the one cent I proposed but my calculations say that it will work. It just leaves us less to invest than I would have wanted and will require a larger reserve. 


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FREE HEALTH AND VISION SCREENINGS PLUS HEALTHY FUN FOR ALL AT KIDS CARE FEST IN LEMON GROVE THIS SATURDAY

By Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor

October 3, 2019 (Lemon Grove) – “Kids Care Fest,” a healthcare festival for kids will be held on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Lemon Grove Recreation Center at 3131 School Lane in Lemon Grove.


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SHERIFF INVITES LEMON GROVE RESIDENTS TO COFFEE WITH COMMUNITY OCT. 3

East County News Service
 
September 28, 2019 (Lemon Grove) – The Sheriff’s department will host Coffee with the Community on Thursday, Oct. 3 at 6:30 p.m. at Starbucks (3520 Massachusetts Avenue near Broadway) in Lemon Grove.  The public is invited to meet patrol deputies and ask questions about issues brewing in the community.  
 
During the one hour meeting, attendees can also learn about crime prevention and free safety programs offered by the Lemon Grove substation.

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LEMON GROVE SALES TAX INITATIVE SPURS JUICY DEBATE

Mary England and George Gastil sound off in arguments for and against measure

By Miriam Raftery

September 26, 2019 (Lemon Grove) – Advocates of a ballot measure proposing a three-quarters of a cent sales tax increase argue that the measure will sweeten Lemon Grove, shoring up a structural budget deficit to fund city services wanted by residents, such as parks, road repairs, and improving public safety. 

But former Lemon Grove Councilwoman Mary England, also president of the Chamber of Commerce in neighboring La Mesa, is sour on the idea.

Both England, who opposes the ballot measure dubbed the “Lemon Grove Security Petition,” and former Councilman George Gastil, a leader of the citizens’ group advocating for the petition, agree that the city has had a structural deficit for years, with a budget that’s nearly entirely consumed by rising police and fire protection services.  But they disagree sharply on solutions.


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LEMON GROVE MAN ACCUSED OF STEALING POLICE BIKE, BREAKING INTO HOME ON CORONADO

By Miriam Raftery
 
September 22, 2019 (Lemon Grove) – This morning, The Coronado Police Department announced the arrest of Lemon Grove resident Nicklas Paul Jorgenson. He was taken into custody at a motel in Point Loma by Coronado police, aided by San Diego Police Department K-9 units.

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SENIORS FROM LEMON GROVE AND ESCONDIDO KILLED BY COLLISION

East County News Service
 
September 22, 2019 (Lemon Grove) – Lauro Ordonez, 81, of Lemon Grove died in Palomar Medical Center on September 3rd of injuries sustained in a car accident the day before in Escondido. 
 
According to the County Medical Examiner’s report, Ordonez ran a red light  in his sedan while exiting Interstate 15 south and collided with a vehicle on Del Lago Blvd.  He was transported to the hospital, where he died.
 

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UNIDENTIFIED MAN STRUCK BY SEVERAL VEHICLES, DIES ON HIGHWAY 94 IN LEMON GROVE

By Miriam Raftery
 
September 18, 2019 (Lemon Grove) – An unidentified man walking north in traffic lanes of State Route 94 east at College Avenue was struck by a 2010 Nissan Altima around 8:45 p.m. The driver, a 27-year-old woman from San Diego, swerved upon seeing the man walking directly into the path of her vehicle in the number three lane, but was unable to avoid hitting him.  

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FIREFIGHTERS AND VOLUNTEERS IN LEMON GROVE SEEK TAX PARITY WITH LA MESA

By Jonathan Goetz 

 

Signature drive not on track to meet end of September deadline to make it on the ballot without massive last-minute influx of signature gatherers

 

September 15, 2019 (Lemon Grove) – Firefighters led volunteers who spread out through Lemon Grove yesterday to collect signatures on a ballot measure that would bring Lemon Grove's sales tax on par with La Mesa, raising it by ¾  a cent. The measure, if approved, which would nearly double the amount the City receives as its share of the sales tax.


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HUNTER’S NURSERY CELEBRATES CENTENNIAL OCT. 19

By Helen Ofield, Lemon Grove Historical Society
 
September 14, 2019 (Lemon Grove) -- Five generations of Hunters will be on hand to celebrate the centennial of Hunter's Nursery on Oct. 19, 2019 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the nursery, 3110 Sweetwater Road, Lemon Grove. Crafts, food, music and, of course, trees, plants and flowers will greet all comers.

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PARSONAGE MUSEUM CELEBRATES 20TH BIRTHDAY SEPT. 21

By Helen Ofield

September 13, 2019 (Lemon Grove) -- The Lemon Grove Historical Society will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Parsonage Museum on Sept. 21 from 2 - 4:30 p.m. in Civic Center Park between Main and Olive Streets, Lemon Grove. 


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KIDS CARE FEST COMES TO LEMON GROVE OCT. 5: FREE HEALTH SCREENINGS, SAFETY INFO, GAMES, ACTIVITIES AND MORE

By Miriam Raftery

September 9, 2019 (Lemon Grove) – Grossmont Health District’s Kids Care Fest will bring “healthy fun for the kid in all of us” to the Lemon Grove Rec Center (3131 School Lane) on Saturday, October 5 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The event also includes free dental and vision screenings,  fun and active games, flu shots, blood pressure checks, and information on a variety of health services and conditions. 


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HOW HOT WILL IT GET WHERE YOU LIVE?

By Miriam Raftery

 

Roger Coppock contributed to this story

 

September 8, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- Extreme heat is poised to rise steeply in frequency and severity over the coming decades, bringing unprecedented health risks for people and communities across the country. That’s the disturbing finding of the Union of Concerned Scientists in a just-issued report titled Killer Heat in the United States: Climate Choices and the Future of Dangerously Hot Days.


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LEMON GROVE HOME INVASION SUSPECT ARRESTED FOR MURDER

By Miriam Raftery
 
August 28, 2019 (Lemon Grove) – A home invasion robbery that went awry in February led to a struggle between the home’s occupants and two suspects. The homeowner’s son was shot and wounded, resulting in the homeowner firing back, killing a teenage suspect. 

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LEMON GROVE COMMUNITY CLEANUP AUGUST 31

East County News Service

August 20, 2019 (Lemon Grove) – The Lemon Grove Improvement Council invites you to a community cleanup on Saturday, August 31 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Lemon Grove Community Center. 

Volunteers wishing to take pride in their community are needed to remove graffiti, clean up trash, and make the area look and feel better. Participants are encouraged to bring a team of friends, family, coworkers, or colleagues from school, church, clubs or athletic teams.


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SMART LEAK DETECTOR REBATES FOR HELIX WATER AND SWEETWATER CUSTOMERS CAN HELP REDUCE BILLS

By Miriam Raftery

August 18, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – Through a new pilot program, customers of Helix Water and Sweetwater Authority can received a $100 rebate on a qualifying smart leak detector purchased August 1st or later, while supplies last.  Learn more and apply here.


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HELIX WATER DISTRICT VOTES 4-1 TO APPROVE RATE HIKE FOR RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES

Board President Dan McMillan votes against the measure

By Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor

August 17, 2019 (La Mesa) -- Water from the Helix Water District (HWD), which serves some 276,000 residents throughout East County San Diego, is going to get a little more expensive in spite of ample water supply in storage.


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FIREFIGHTERS SAVE CAT AFTER EXPLOSIVE FIRE IN LEMON GROVE

By Miriam Raftery
 
Photo courtesy of ECM news partner 10 News
 
August 15, 2019 (Lemon Grove) – Heartland Firefighters used oxygen to revive a cat found unconscious in the front yard of an explosive house fire yesterday afternoon. When firefighters arrived at the scene at 1783 Dupont Drive in Lemon Grove, the home was 50 percent engulfed in flames, 10 News reports.
 
Sheriff’s deputies evacuated neighboring residences while firefighters battled the blaze.
 
No residents or firefighters were injured; the cat ran off after it was resuscitated.

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NEW BOOK ON LEMON GROVE’S 1931 DESEGREGATION CASE DEBUTS AUG. 23 AT LEMON GROVE LIBRARY

By Helen Ofield, Lemon Grove Historical Society

August 15, 2019 (Lemon Grove) -- The Lemon Grove Historical Society and the Lemon Grove Library will unveil Christy Hale's new, bilingual book, "Todos Iguales/All Equal," exploring the landmark 1931 desegregation case in Lemon Grove's lone grammar school. Written as an original corrida, the book is geared to all ages, but especially to youngsters.


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DUI DRIVER ARRESTED AFTER STRIKING CHP OFFICER AND FLEEING SCENE

East County News Service
 
August 14, 2019 (Lemon Grove) – A California Highway Patrol officer hit by a suspected drunk driver last night near Lemon Grove suffered moderate injuries but expected to make a full recovery, says Officer Travis Garrow with the CHP.

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LEMON GROVE CITIZENS LAUNCH SALES TAX INITIATIVE

By Miriam Raftery
 
August 12, 2019 (Lemon Grove) – For years, Lemon Grove has been struggling financially. Now, a group of residents led by former Councilman George Gastil is gathering signatures on a ballot initiative to raise Lemon Grove’s sales tax by three-quarters of a cent, an action the “Vote Yes for the Lemon Grove Tax” committee estimates would raise approximately $3 million.

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TASTE OF ITALY WINE DINNER AT GIARDINO AUGUST 15

East County News Service

August 8, 2019 (Lemon Grove) – Take your tastebuds on a culinary journey through Italy with five fine fantastic wines paired with five original courses (not on the menu) at Giardino Neighborhood Cucina in Lemon Grove on August 15 at 6 p.m.


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NIGHT OUT TO FIGHT CRIME: AUGUST 6 AT THESE SHERIFF STATIONS

East County News Service

August 1, 2019 (San Diego) -- National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer. Millions of neighbors take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities from all fifty states, U.S. territories and military bases worldwide on the first Tuesday in August—including a dozen locations in San Diego County.

You can come meet deputies who patrol your neighborhoods, learn about services the Sheriff’s department provides, and get crime prevention safety tips. You can also explore Sheriff’s programs such as senior volunteers, home vacation checks, the You Are Not Alone program for homebound seniors and the disabled, and Jr. Explorers. Visitors may also meet McGruff “The Crime Dog” and view a Sheriff’s K-9 demo. The events also offer free food and drinks, giveaways and a bicycle raffle at some locations.

Click on one of the communities below for an event flyer at each of these Sheriff's stations and substations including several  East County locations:


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FULL HOUSE AT EAST COUNTY LEADERSHIP COUNCIL FORUM: IDEAS FOR SOLVING REGION’S BIGGEST ISSUES

By Miriam Raftery
 
August 1, 2019 (El Cajon) – “We’re not interested in headlines today  We’re interested in the long-term,” George Gastil, founder of the East Count Leadership  Council, told a capacity audience at the El Cajon Library at a July 27th regional issues forum.

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HEAR OUR INTERVIEW: WARSAN ARTAN, YOUTH WILL ORGANIZER

By Miriam Raftery

Hear our interview at the audio link and scroll down for highlights.

July 28, 2019 (Lemon Grove) – East Count Magazine sat down last week for an interview with Warsan Artan.  Born in Nairobi, Kenya, after her parents fled civil war in Somalia, she came to Lemon Grove as a refugee at the age of 10. A decade later, she is the lead Youth Organizer at Youth Will, a nonprofit dedicated to making San Diego a world-class region for children and youth. Youth Will recently rolled out a Summer of Youth Power campaign with a series of events to help young people’s voices be heard.

Her goal to create a brand-new regional master plan for San Diego's children and youth. The organization also recently held the region’s first youth county budget forum with Supervisor Nathan Fletcher, created a youth bill of rights, hosted youth presidential debate watch parties, and more.

Audio: 

Interview with Warsan Artan, Youth Will organizer

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EAST COUNTY LEADERSHIP COUNCIL HOSTS REGIONAL ISSUES FORUM ON JULY 27

By Miriam Raftery

July 9, 2019 (El Cajon) – The East County Leadership Council will host its second annual regional issues forum on July 27 from 1-3 p.m. at the El Cajon Library (201 E. Douglas Ave. in El Cajon).


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LEMON GROVE CHECKPOINT RESULTS IN A DUI ARREST AND 22 CITATIONS; 10 VEHICLES IMPOUNDED

East County News Service
 
July 23, 2019 (Lemon Grove) – A DUI sobriety and drivers license checkpoint on July 20th in Lemon Grove resulted in one arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In addition, 22 citations were issued for suspended, revoked or no driver’s licenses and 10 vehicles were impounded.

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JACK OFIELD DIGITAL PAINTINGS ON DISPLAY IN LEMON GROVE

East County News Service

July 19, 2019 (Lemon Grove) -- The Lemon Grove Library and the Lemon Grove Historical Society present a new exhibit of recent digital paintings by Jack Ofield, the noted filmmaker, animator, graphic designer, painter and writer.  Ofield is a member of the Directors Guild of America, a directing fellow of the American Film Institute, and emeritus professor of Film and former filmmaker-in-residence at San Diego State University.


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STAY ISSUED TO DELAY CLOSURE OF THREE CHARTER SCHOOLS IN GROSSMONT DISTRICT

By Miriam Raftery

July 6, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – Three nonprofit charter schools operating within the Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) have been ordered shut down by a judge, but now a stay issued has been ordered for one year until an appeal can be heard. 

The schools at risk of closure are Diego Valley East charter in El Cajon and San Diego Workforce Innovation High charter schools in Lakeside and Lemon Grove. 


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BEST HAPPY HOURS IN EAST COUNTY: GIARDINO NEIGHBORHOOD CUCINO HAS AWESOME AND AFFORDABLE APPETIZERS, MIMOSAS AND MORE

By Miriam Raftery

June 29, 2019 (Lemon Grove) – If you’re hungry and looking for flavorful foods at affordable prices, an array of tasty drinks and extended happy hours, look no further than Giardino Neighborhood Cucina.  Appetizers are just $5 and drinks range from $3 to $5. Also awesome – their happy hours start at 2 p.m. and run to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays in the bar, lounge and new patio area.

 

 

 


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LEMON GROVE MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO MANSLAUGHTER

East County News Service
 
June 27, 2019 (Lemon Grove) – Gustavo Flores, 39, has pleaded guilty to killing Juan Martinez, 47, after a fight near the Home Depot store in Lemon Grove last year on June 21, 2018. 
 
The charge was reduced from murder to manslaughter.  Martinez could face up to 13 years in prison for striking fatal blows with an unknown weapon.

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