Update January 9, 2019 -- The deceased suspect has been identified as Adolfo Gonzalez, 28, of San Diego.

The deputies involved in this shooting are Carlos Cenizo, Sean Daly and Casey Dow. All are assigned to the Lemon Grove Sheriff's Substation. Cenizo has been a deputy since 2014; Daly and Dow have been deputies since 2015.

East County News Service

January 6, 2019 (Lemon Grove) – Three Sheriff’s deputies opened fire on an armed man  inside the Del Taco restaurant at 7060 Broadway in Lemon Grove last night.  

According to Lieutenant Rich Williams with the Sheriff’s Homicide Unit, a 9-1-1 caller shortly after 8:30 p.m. reported that the suspect had pointed a handgun at the caller and his family in the Del Taco shop.  Deputies arrived minutes later and when they tried to talk to the suspect, The man produced a handgun and as a result, a deputy-involved shooting occurred,” Lt. Williams said. “It appears all three of the deputies who contacted the armed suspect fired their handguns in response to the threat.”

By Miriam Raftery

December 20, 2018 (Lemon Grove)—The driver of a green Kia utility vehicle has been arrested for suspected driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs after striking a power pole at 6:47 a.m. at 1750 Madera Street near Massachusetts Avenue in Lemon Grove.

Broken wires resulted in loss of power at San Altos Elementary School. The outage is expected to last until this afternoon.The school has planned a minimum day.

By Miriam Raftery

December 6, 2018 (Lemon Grove) — A man jumped over the county of a Jack-in-the-Box at 7979 Broadway Avenue in Lemon Grove shortly after 2 p.m. yesterday, thenpointed a black pistol at customers and employees, demanding cash.

The suspect is described as black, about 6 ft. 2 in heightwith medium to heavy build, wearing a baseball cap, red flannel shirt, grey hooded sweatshirt with hood pulled up, black gloves, white pants, and a white bandana covering his face.

By Miriam Raftery

November 18, 2018 (Lemon Grove) – Lemon Grove’s City Council will consider a tobacco retail licensing ordinance aimed at keeping tobacco products away from children. Following months of planning and community input, the ordinance will have its first reading at Tuesday’s 6 p.m. council meeting at the Lemon Grove Community Center, 3146 School Lane, Lemon Grove.

East County News Service

November 12, 2018 (Lemon Grove) – The Lemon Grove Historical Society presents Globe for All, a free performance of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” on Wednesday, November 14^th.  The production is from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Alvarez Auditorium (next to the Lemon Grove Library), plus a free dinner will be offered at 5 p.m.

To reserve a seat, contact lghistorical@gmail.com. 

East County News Service

October 31, 2018 (Lemon Grove) – The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD) will present the 2018 Kids Care Fest, a free community health event open to the public. Featuring free health screenings, Kids Care Fest will be held Saturday, Nov. 3 at the Lemon Grove Recreation Center, 3131 School Lane, Lemon Grove. 

Image: composite drawing of the suspect provided by the San Diego Sheriff

October 18,2018 (Lemon Grove) – The Sheriff’s child abuse unit is asking for public help to identify and find a suspect who sexually assaulted a child. The suspect committed the assault after entering a residence where a family and two children were present at 2 a.m. in the7000 block of Canton Drive in Lemon Grove. He was confronted by a family member who tried to restrain him, but the man escaped.

The suspect is described as a black man age 20-25, about 5 ft. 7 inches tall with a thin build. He was wearing a black hoodie and black gym pants, and may have arrived on a skateboard.

East County News Service

October 16, 2018 (Lemon Grove) – On November 8^th, Giardino Neighborhood Cucina in Lemon Grove will celebrate its one-year anniversary with a special evening of tastings and live music.  In addition, the popular eatery announces a pasta making class with Chef Marco on October 24^th and new pizza nights every Tuesday.  Scroll down for the delicious details.

East County News Service

October 2, 2018 (Lemon Grove) - During the month of October, the Lemon Grove Library is hosting a free series of bilingual parenting workshops to empower families in the area. The workshops are offered in partnership with the Lemon Grove School District and address a variety of topics of interest to families with school-aged children in the district.

Scooter craze offers freedom for riders seeking alternatives to cars, but raises concerns over injuries, parking and public safety

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Scooter riders don't always follow traffic rules; cc by N.A.

September 9, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – The latest worldwide transportation craze has hit our region.  Electric “dockless” scooters for short-term rental are cropping up across San Diego County, offered by companies such as Bird, Lime, Uber and soon, Lyft.

East County News Service 

September 8, 2018 (Lemon Grove) — Following numerous hit and run collisions where drivers fled the scene and evidence of drinking and driving was found, the Sheriff’s department conducted a checkpoint on September 7th in the 8000 block of Broadway.

By Helen Ofield, President, Lemon Grove Historical Society 

Despite positive changes, budget clouds loom as city draws on reserves for operating expenses

By Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor

August 16, 2018 (Lemon Grove) -- Members of the Lemon Grove City Council and other city officials are grappling with concerns about a major budget deficit poised to sour the city’s future. The problem has led to media speculation that Lemon Grove might give up cityhood and become part of the County’s unincorporated area.

Yet, to a packed-to-the-rafters community room, recently-elected Mayor Raquel Vasquez painted a positive picture about the city’s many accomplishments in the past year and its challenges in the coming year. During her first State of the City address last week, the Mayor did raise the city’s financial dilemma, but not seeds for solutions over the long term.

By Jonathan Goetz

July 23, 2018 (El Cajon) – George Gastil, a former Lemon Grove Councilman and history professor at Grossmont College and San Diego State Univesrity, opened the inaugural meeting of the East County Leadership Council (ECLC).  The newly formed 501c(3) nonprofit organization has a mission statement to promote “quality discussion of politics and public policy in the East County region of San Diego County.”

By Miriam Raftery

June 29, 2018 (Lemon Grove) – Gustavo Flores, 38, of Lemon Grove has been arrested and charged with the murder of Juan Martinez, 47. Martinez, a Lemon Grove resident who had suffered mortal wounds, banged on the door of residents in the 7600 block of Lemon Grove on June 21^st shortly before 9 p.m.