Lake Murray

LAKE MURRAY FIREWORKS AND MUSIC FEST

East County News Service

July 4, 2023 (La Mesa) – The Lake Murray Fireworks and Music Festival returns for a day of live music, food, fun and fireworks to celebrate Independence Day.

Enjoy music by bands including Republic of Music, Whiskey State of Mind, Big Time Operator, The Jackals, plus a day-long scavenger hunt and other children’s activities from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., followed by fireworks at 9 p.m.


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WOMAN ARRESTED AFTER FATAL CRASH IN LAKE MURRAY AREA

Update February 15, 2023:   The vicitm has been identified as Terry Dana Lee, 67, of El Cajon.

East County News Service

February 14, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – A 51-year-old San Diego woman is under arrest after running a red light and striking a motorcycle, causing death of the drive yesterday morning, according to San Diego Police Dept.


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CAUSE OF DEATH STILL UNKNOWN FOR WOMAN FOUND IN LAKE MURRAY

By Alexa Oslowski

April 11, 2021 (La Mesa) - The cause and manner of death is still undetermined for Elena Lisowski, the woman found in Lake Murray on February 7.


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NO CAUSE OF DEATH RELEASED YET FOR WOMAN FOUND IN LAKE MURRAY

By Alexa Oslowski

February 23, 2021 (La Mesa) - On February 7, the woman found floating in the water at Lake Murray was identified as Elena Lisowski, a 44-year-old resident of San Diego. The cause and circumstances of her death remain unresolved.

“Elena Lisowski was not reported as a missing person,” San Diego Police Lieutenant and Public Information Officer Shawn Takeuchi said in  response to an inquiry from East County Magazine. “This death case is not under the purview of the San Diego Police Department. Responsibility over this case was transferred to the Medical Examiner’s Office on the day the body was recovered.”

Lisowski worked in the restaurant business for nearly two decades and previously worked at Antica Trattoria in La Mesa and spent 15 years at Princess Pub in Little Italy. According to an online profile, she graduated from CSU San Marcos in 2006.


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WOMAN’S BODY FOUND AT LAKE MURRAY

East County News Service
 
February 8, 2021 (San Diego) – San Diego Lifeguards pulled the body of an unknown woman from the waters of Lake Murray Sunday afternoon, after a caller reporting seeing the body around 1 p.m.

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CLIMATE STRIKE AT LAKE MURRAY TODAY AT 3 P.M. AS PART OF NATIONAL YOUTH-LED CLIMATE ACTION DAY

By Miriam Raftery

September 20, 2019 (San Diego) – In addition to student climate action strikes taking place today across the nation,  East County will be hosting a climate action event at Lake Murray Community Park today at 3 p.m. to stand in solidarity with youth activists on this important issue.

Katie Eder, a 19-year-old climate justice activis, and the executive director of Future Coalition is a helping to coordination the coalition of youth-led organizations organizing and mobilizing today’s climate strike in over 500 U.S. cities and 100 nations.

“I’m proud to announce that the US Climate Strike youth coalition has finalized a set of bold demands,” she says. Too often, we think about solutions in a very small-minded way, inside the box, way. We don’t have time to stay in the box. We need to be more innovative with our solutions and ask for what we need, not what we think could be possible or has been possible in the past.”


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ALLEGED BURGLAR KILLED AT HOME NEAR LAKE MURRAY

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy of ECM news partner 10 News

Update July 19, 2019: Police have identified the decease as Hollis Forman, 38.

 

July 16, 2019 (San Carlos) – An alleged burglar was shot and killed after being confronted by a homeowner and the homeowner’s son in the 6300 block of Lake Shore Drive around 6:30 a.m. 


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SAN DIEGO'S HISTORIC PLACES: LAKE MURRAY

 

 

By Donald H. Harrison

Originally published at San Diego Jewish World, a member of the San Diego Online News Network

April 11, 2019 (La Mesa) - The 198-acre Lake Murray reservoir is a magnet for humans, animals and plants of all sorts. With a few notable exceptions, all are welcome, says reservoir keeper Gayle Havens and Friends of Lake Murray founder Barbara Cleves Anderson.


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LAKE MURRAY FIREWORKS AND MUSIC FEST JULY 4

 

East County News Service

June 14, 2018 (La Mesa) - The Lake Murray Fireworks and Music Fest will celebrate Independence Day on July 4th from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. with live bands, food, fun and a fireworks finale. 

The festival will be held on the San Carlos side of Lake Murray, but the full lake will be open during the day for fishing and other family-fun activities.

For more information, you can visit www.LakeMurrayFireworks.org.


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POLICE SEEK MEN IN GREEN FORD EXPLORER SUSPECTED IN HOME INVASION MURDER AT SAN CARLOS HOME

May 13, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – Brent Adler, 33, is dead of a gunshot wound after arriving at his San Carlos home and interrupting a home invasion robbery.  San Diego Police are seeking four or five men spotting fleeing the scene in the 8500 block of Tommy Drive in a green Ford Expedition Wednesday, May 11 around 2:50 p.m..

The victim suffered at least one gunshot wound to his upper body and was found dead in front of the residence.


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BODY FOUND IN LAKE MURRAY

 

East County News Service

March 27, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) --  A body believed to be that of a missing 18-year-old San Diego State University student has been found in Lake Murray.


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BIRD TALK: TURKEY VULTURES

 

By Greg Dunne

Photos by Greg Dunne and Norman Banks                                         

February 28, 2015 (Lake Murray)--The Turkey Vulture is one of the largest birds in San Diego’s East County. With their bald red head and a wingspan of up to six feet, these birds stand out in many ways. You can usually see them soaring at low levels looking for food, using the thermals for gliding effortlessly.  You can also see their slivery-colored wings contrasting with the dark colors of the bird’s feathers.


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GOODWILL OPENING NEW STORE IN LAKE MURRAY NEIGHBORHOOD

 

July 7, 2014 (Lake Murray) –Goodwill Industries of San Diego will open a new retail store and donation center on Thursday, July 10.  The new site will be located at 6127 Lake Murray Boulevard in La Mesa (next door to Big Lots).


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BIRD TALK: THE COMMON HOUSE FINCH & NOT SO COMMON RELATIVES

 

April 21, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) --There is a staggering estimated population of up to 1.4 billion House Finches across North America. If the birding scientific estimates are accurate, that would be about the same as the number of people in China today!  When you consider that the House Finch was originally only in the western United States and Mexico until 1940, its success in population growth is even more impressive.


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BIRD TALK: NESTS - HOMES FOR BIRDS

 

By Greg Dunne

July 24, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Bird nests can be hard to observe. We usually just stumble across them out in nature. One place you can always see a large variety of Egret and Heron nests is in the Eucalyptus trees at Lindo Lake.

“Large” fledgling Egrets and Herons are leaving the nest at this time of the year. I say large because the Snowy and Great Egret babies getting ready to leave the nest are as big as their parents. It always looks a little odd to see Mother Egret feeding a bird nearly her own size in a very crowded nest.


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PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: COOPER'S HAWKS

 

July 22, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Bird Talk columnist Greg Dunne shared these images. He writes, “Out at my six-mile walk around Lake Murray Thursday towards the dam, I was treated to five fledgling Cooper's Hawks. I was able to observe them for quite a while.” The darker-backed Cooper's Hawks are the adults, he noted. “I could also tell the fledglings by their behavior, hopping around from branch to branch, making noise with their screeching, and just seeming unsure what to do next, while there was one that seemed a bit annoyed at all this commotion, and was a bit darker on the back side, and was a bit more poised than the young ones. A bit far away for good photos, but I really had a good time watching them.”


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SUSPECTS AT LARGE AFTER ROBBERY OF LOS PIÑOS TACO SHOP IN LA MESA





April 25, 2013 (La  Mesa)—Three robbers, one armed with a handgun, held up the Los Piños Taco Shop at 5660 Lake Murray Boulevard in La Mesa last night at approximately 9:52 p.m. They remain at large despite a search by the Sheriff’s ASTREA helicopter and a canine unit.

All three are described as African-American men in their late teens or early 20s, wearing bandanas over their faces.  Each was approximately 5’10 and weighs around 165 pounds.  One wore eye glasses and another had a dark gray hooded sweatshirt. All wore dark clothing.


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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: UNCLE SAM AT LAKE MURRAY

December 4, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – “Uncle Sam made sure everyone knew (well - everyone at Lake Murray on my 6 mile walk) it was their civic duty to vote today,” Greg Dunne wrote in an e-mail to ECM on election day, adding that he received enthusiastic comments from walkers, dog walkers, bicyclists, joggers and others.  “Thanks to some great photography work from my walking buddy David,” he added. “Now it's off to vote,” said Dunne, who struck a “muscle pose” while modeling the costume made by his wife.


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BIRD TALK: RARE BIRDS IN EAST COUNTY

By Greg Dunne

November 15, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--We have our share of rare bird sightings now and then in our East County. The three I am going to talk about are the Greater White-Fronted Goose, the Nutmeg Mannikin, and the Vermilion Flycatcher. The Vermilion Flycatcher and the Nutmeg Mannikin are going to be the hardest to spot by the novice birder, but with any experience watching birds you should be able to see these uncommon visitors.  The Greater White-Footed Goose on the other hand can easily be seen any time of day at Lindo Lake.


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SAN DIEGO HALF MARATHON’S INAUGURAL RACE NETS $100,000 FOR LOCAL CHARITIES: LAKE MURRAY PLAYGROUND PROJECT COMMUNITY BUILD JULY 14

 
Lake Murray Playground Project community-build July 14
 
July 7, 2012 (San Diego) --  The San Diego Half Marathon, a one-of-a kind race and fundraising event with 100 percent of its net proceeds benefiting local charities, today proudly announced that $100,000 is being donated to local San Diego-area charities from its hugely successful inaugural race last March. San Diego-area charity partners from the 2012 race include Lake Murray Playground Project, San Diego Police Department Communications Division Kitchen/Break room Renovation, Toys for Joy, Robb Field and Hickman Field.

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LAKE MURRAY JULY 4th MUSIC FEST AND FIREWORKS CANCELLED

 

June 28, 2012 (La Mesa) -- Due to the continuing litigation by the Coastal Environmental Rights Foundation (CERF) and its lead attorney, Marco Gonzalez, the Lake Murray July 4th Music Fest and Fireworks Committee has regretfully decided to not hold the fireworks display over Lake Murray this year.

 


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9 CANDIDATES VIE FOR BILBRAY’S SEAT IN CONGRESS

 
May 17, 2012 (San Diego) -- Nine candidates are in the running for the redrawn 52nd Congressional district seat currently held by Republican Brian Bilbray. Eight of them answered a detailed questionnaire provided by the Pomerado News--all but Bilbray himself, who failed to respond to questions.

 


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BIRD TALK: THE AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN

 
By Greg Dunne
                                                
March 27, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--  You might ask what a Pelican is doing inland at any of these East County Lakes: Lake Murray, Lake Jennings, Santee Lakes and Lindo Lake.  Most people associate Pelicans with the sea coast, as do I.  When I see Pelicans at La Jolla Cove it seems perfectly natural and there are always plenty of them to be seen.  Of the two species of Pelicans in our area, The Brown Pelican and the American White Pelican, it’s the American White Pelican that is frequently seen at and around our lakes in the East County.  

 


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BIRD TALK: THE REGAL OSPREY

 

 
By Greg Dunne
                                                
February 14, 2012  (Lake Murray) --  One of the royalty members of the skies in the bird world is the Osprey. The king of raptors may go to the Bald Eagle, but on an equal hierarchy as the Eagle is the magnificence Sea Hawk, Fish Hawk, Sea Eagle--  more commonly known today as the Osprey.

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EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: TOP LOCAL AND STATE NEWS

 
February 3, 2012 --  (San Diego’s East County)--East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media.  This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:
   

 
 
 
 
LOCAL 
  • Does new County land use plan go too far? (San Diego U-T)
  • State realignment floods county jails and probation departments (KPBS)
  • Sheriff reduces jail time for inmates to avoid overcrowding (La Mesa Patch)
  • City Council meeting Tuesday: With redevelopment gone, now what? (Santee Patch)
  • Santee gets another ‘F’ in state of tobacco report(Santee Patch)
  • Beating Briarcrest: How La Mesa attorneys saved city $10.5 million (La Mesa Patch)
  • Student protester faces stiff sanctions (Daily Aztec)
  • New playground coming to Lake Murray (San Diego U-T)
  •  Helix community garden vote again delayed again by board, dismaying backers (La Mesa Patch)
  • California Health Dept. cites smart meter health risks in report (La Mesa Patch blog by Susan Brinchman)
  • Ramona Water District engineering consultant fees goes up 67% (Ramona Patch) 
 
STATE 
  • Controller: State to run out of cash in March with no action (Sacramento Bee)
  • Caltrans sidesteps accountability (Sacramento Bee editorial)
  • California lawmakers move to limit protests at funerals (Reuters)
  • High court overturns CA slaughterhouse law (PBS)
  • Los Angeles judge blocks state cuts to Medi-cal providers (Sacramento Bee)
 
 
Scroll down for excerpts and links to full stories.

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WOMAN ROBBED NEAR LAKE MURRAY

November 18, 2011 (La Mesa) – A woman walking in the 5600 of Lake Park Way near Lake Murray called 911 yesterday at 5:34 p.m. to report that a man pushed her to the ground and forcibly took her backpack, which was dark blue and contained her phone and medications.


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BIRD TALK: THE GREEN HERON

By Greg Dunne

                                                
November 2, 2011 (Lake Murray) --This is one of my favorite birds. It’s also John Vanderpoel’s  #183 bird on his 2011 “Big Year” bird list. More on that later.
 
The Green Heron is an odd sort of bird, short and stocky; it reminds me of a cartoon caricature from the 1960’s.  It is smart, tough, and intolerant of other birds--even other herons!  

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LAKE MURRAY CHEVRON ROBBED AT GUNPOINT

July 29, 2011 (Lake Murray) – Two men wearing black masks robbed the Chevron gas station at 8780 Lake Murray Boulevard at 11:19 p.m. last night.


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FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATIONS ANNOUNCED IN EAST COUNTY & SAN DIEGO'S INLAND REGIONS

 
June 28, 2011 (San Diego's East County) -- Communities across San Diego's inland regions will host a variety of events celebrating Independence Day on Monday, July 4th including festivals, parades, picnics, an ice cream social, Western-themed events, and of course, fireworks. 
 
 
Below are highlights of celebrations planned in numerous East County and inland San Diego areas:


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PAY FOR PLAY: ACCESS TO LAKE MURRAY WILL NO LONGER BE FREE

 

By Nancy Clement, La Mesa writer and Lake Murray Aficionado

 

April 1, 2011 (La Mesa) - Barbara (Cleves) Anderson, the honorary Mayor of Lake Murray, just announced that she met with the San Diego City Council--and big changes will be happening at Lake Murray beginning June 1st. Water skiing will be allowed at the west side of the lake near the ball fields and second, there will a fee charged for being at the lake.

These recommendations were based on a feasibility study conducted by SCAMDAG.


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