East County News Service

April 7, 2017 (La Mesa) -- April Pools Day, a free event for the whole family, will be held Saturday, April 8th from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the La Mesa Municipal Pool, 5100 Memorial Drive.  The event promotes water safety in preparation for May, which is Drowning Prevention Month.

By Miriam Raftery

March 30, 2017 (La Mesa) – A survey conducted by the city of La Mesa found that 91% of residents rated quality of life in the city as good or excellent, with 87% satisfied with the city’s performance in providing municipal services.

East County News Service

March 23, 2017 (La Mesa) — Daniel Mitchell, 29, was arrested early Tuesday morning at his home on Blackton Drive in La Mesa after a SWAT team incident.

Mitchell reportedly fired into the home Monday evening following a dispute with his roommate, who fled the residence unharmed, 10 News reports.

Listen to our interview,  originally aired on KNSJ 89.1 FM, by clicking the audio link.

By Miriam Raftery

March 21, 2017 (La Mesa) – This Thursday, La Mesa Conversations will host an event at Johnny B’s Restaurant in La  Mesa from 5:30 to 7 :30 p.m.  on homelessness in La Mesa.  We sat down with Bonnie Baranoff, a steering committee member from La Mesa Conservations, and with Lois Knowlton from the La Mesa First United Methodist Church on signicant progress helping the homeless—and how you can help. 

The church holds regular events to help the homeless get back on their feet, offering clothes for job interviews, haircuts and meals.  The church has long helped homeless people who showed up on their doorstep.  Now, church leaders aim to take that to a higher level by creating La Mesa’s first temporary shelter for homeless people in the church’s basement.

East County News Service

March 21, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- A man suspected of robbing several East County businesses has turned himself in this afternoon and is now in custody, the Sheriff’s Department advises. The suspect is Randall Lee, 22, of Lakeside.

By Miriam Raftery

March 19, 2017 (La Mesa) -- Wildflowers are popping up all East County over after the winter rains -- including these sunflowers springing forth at Harry Griffen Park in La Mesa.

The park, located behind Grossmont High School,  has idyllic paths for strolling  or walking your dogs through areas of native vegetation just starting to blossom.

By Miriam Raftery

March 18, 2017 (La Mesa)—If you’d like an Irish-themed photo with your dogs,  stop by the first-ever holiday photo booth today from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. just outside the dog run, on the grass, at Harry Griffen Park (9950 Milden St.)  in La Mesa .  You’ll find props, clothes and signs to put you and your pups in the St. Patrick’s Day spirit – free of charge, thanks to the nonprofit Canine Corners board.

Does your son or daughter play a sport at a level other than varsity?  Drop a line on this story or tweet @ECMagSports to request coverage!

Like our sports coverage?  Donate to help support ECM’s sports section!

Follow @ECMagSports on Twitter for live sports coverage and stories!

Story and photos by Liz Alper

March 14, 2017 (La Mesa) - Helix High varsity boys basketball has breezed through two rounds of the Division IV CIF playoffs.  They defeated Granada Hills Charter last Wednesday night in Round I, followed by a rout of West High from Torrance on Saturday night in Round II, now it was time for the regional semifinals tonight against Carson High School from Carson, California.  The Colts have had a phenomenal season and entered San Diego with a 23-6 record on the season.

By Miriam Raftery; Jonathan Goetz also contributed to this report

View full video of town hall:  https://www.facebook.com/RepSusanDavis/videos/1499056013470282/

March 12, 2017 (San Diego) -- Concerns over healthcare reforms, deportations, attacks on public education, troops in Syria, climate change, and Trump’s Russian ties were among the issues raised by constituents of Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) at a town hall forum yesterday.  More than 1,000 people filled Montezuma Hall at San Diego State University to capacity.

East County News Service

March 12, 2017 (La Mesa) – A passenger in the backseat of a 2005 Infiniti Q45 traveling east on I-8 near Fletcher Parkway was injured by a bullet fired from a passing vehicle at 4 a.m. At least five rounds were fired, said California Highway Patrol Officer Kevin Pearlstein.

East County News Service

March 9, 2017 (La Mesa) – On Wednesday, June 21st, the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Lamplighters Community Theatre will welcome members, local businesses and guests to the Lamplighters Community Theatre’s 80th Anniversary celebration.

UPDATE:  Helix will host West High School at 6 p.m. March 11

Does your son or daughter play a sport at a level other than varsity?  Drop a line on this story or tweet @ECMagSports to request coverage!

Like our sports coverage?  Donate to help support ECM’s sports section!

Follow @ECMagSports on Twitter for live sports coverage and stories!

Story and photos by Liz Alper

March 8, 2017 (La Mesa) - In Round I of the Division IV CIF boys basketball playoffs, the Highlanders of Helix faced another set of Highlanders, those from Granada Hills Charter in Granada Hills, a city just north of Santa Monica.  Both team’s colors are green and white.  Both teams’ mascot is a highlander.  Both are charter schools.

By Jonathan Goetz

March 7, 2017 (La Mesa) - At its February 28 meeting, the La Mesa City Council spent over an hour learning about and discussing cannabis legislation, following a lengthy introduction by City Attorney Glenn Sabine who consulted a conditional Use Permit (CUP) process and cannabis taxing consultant.

By Miriam Raftery

Jonathan Goetz contributed to this report

March 6, 2017 (La Mesa) – Helix Water District’s board will hold a special meeting on March 8 at 6 p.m. to consider a proposal by newly elected board member Dan McMillan to lower water rates. 

But a staff report (see agenda) advises against a rate reduction at this time, citing insufficient reserves. Instead, staff recommends that the district continue to look at opportunities to reduce rates as fiscal year 2016-17 concludes, after results of winter and spring rainfall are measured and the fiscal year 2017-18 budget is developed.

Source: La Mesa Chamber of Commerce

Photo:  Left to right: RSVP Mike Sparks, Detective Tim Cook, Liz Robinson, Mary England, Fire Captain Billy Doig, Detective Colt Wisler and RSVP Bill Walton.

Photo courtesy of Sandra Small Photographer.

March 4, 2017 (La Mesa) - La Mesa Chamber of Commerce held it's 9th annual Salute to Local Heroes Feb. 22 at the Town & Country Hotel to celebrate La Mesa’s 2017 local heroes.

“This year's six heroes are as important to our community as any "Best Picture" or "Best Actor" award,” says Chamber President Mary England. “They have made a tremendous impact on the lives of others.“ These heroes were recognized for some of the following feats: A baby was delivered under unusual circumstances, a young man's life was saved following a severe traffic accident, 117 stolen vehicles with an estimated value of over $1.3 million were recovered, a cold case homicide from 2014 that occurred in La Mesa was solved, firearms and illegal drugs were seized. 86 suspects were arrested, 70 search and arrest warrants were written and two Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol were honored for assisting the La Mesa Police Department in the daily tasks needed to run the organization, as well as for their thousands of volunteer hours.