By Miriam Raftery

August 2, 2017 (La Mesa) – Thieves who entered a La Mesa home through a dog door attacked two small dogs with pepper spray. The intruders ransacked the home, stealing jewelry from a bedroom.

Jake Hutchison told 10 News that his wife came home to the family residence near Bancroft Drive and discovered orange marks on the fur of their Chihuahua Terrier mix dogs, along with the disarray.

East County News Service

August 2, 2017 (La Mesa) – NBC News reports that a 20-year-old woman says she spotted a cell phone camera held under the door of a fitting room where she was trying on clothes at Macy’s department store in Grossmont Center last Thursday, July 28^th.

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

August 2, 2017 (San Diego’s East County)   -- The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch Wednesday morning for San Diego’s inland region that includes the East County communities of La Mesa, El Cajon, Santee, Pine Valley and Julian as well as other inland areas of Escondido, Poway and San Marcos. 

The flood watch is in effect through tonight, with the threat of flash flooding and debris flows greatest in areas burned bare by brush fires. A deluge could bring over an inch an hour to some areas.

East County News Service

August 1, 2017 (La Mesa) -- The La Mesa Community Services Commission will host a public meeting on August 9 at 6 p.m. at La Mesa Community Center (4975 Memorial Drive) to get community input on proposed uses for MacArthur Park land, including the former Sun Valley Golf Course.

By Jonathan Goetz

August 1, 2017 (La Mesa) – This year’s Oktoberfest will be September 28-Ocober 1 and run by the La Mesa Village Association.  The La Mesa City Council approved the action at last week’s meeting. A proposal to change all City Council meetings to 6 p.m. was continued to a future meeting to allow more community feedback.  The City’s traffic calming program will use more than just speed humps to slow down traffic. Additionally, private fundraising efforts will be launched to raise money for a large gateway sign for downtown La Mesa.

East County News Service

July 27, 2017 (La Mesa) –A high-powered panel of local political heavy-weights will discuss what inspired them to run and why others should consider entering the political arena at the Wednesday August 2 meeting of La Mesa Foothills Democratic Club (7 p.m. in the La Mesa Community Center (4975 Memorial Dr, La Mesa).

This panel includes Congressional members Susan Davis and Scott Peters, Assembly members Todd Gloria and Lorena Gonzalez-Fletcher, Helix Water Board Director Mark Gracyk, Executive director of The Center on Policy Initiatives (CPI), Dr. Kyra Greene.   (Photo, left)

Democrats outnumber Republicans in La Mesa, Lemon Grove and San Diego, yet there are scores of seats on local boards and jurisdictions where Republicans run unopposed every election cycle.  Now, Democrats are taking their “Resist Trump” agenda to the grass-roots by enticing new leaders to run for office.and inspiring those on the sidelines to get involved. 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left:  Current structure on site, from city documents

July 26, 2017 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa City Council, at its August 8 meeting at 6 p.m. will consider the a proposal to build 130 apartment units on the former Little Flowers Haven convent site at 8585 la Mesa Blvd.  The key controversy centers around parking concerns raised by nearby residents.

Silvergate Development has taken advantage of a state law meant to encourage affordable housing.  In exchange for dedicated 10 percent of the project to units that fit the state’s definition of affordable housing for 55 years, the developer would be allowed to provide 25 percent fewer parking spaces than La Mesa normally requires. 

On a local community online forum, numerous residents have voiced concerns and at times, outrage.

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.