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.

 By Miriam Raftery

Update June 28, 2018 -- The victim has been identified as Juan Martinez, 47, of Lemon Grove who suffered serious injuries to his upper body. The Medical Examiner's report determining cause of death has been sealed and the Sheriff's homicide investigation continues.

 June 22, 2018 (Lemon Grove) – An injured man who pounded on a door seeking help last night in Lemon Grove has died. A homicide investigation has been launched into the death of the man, who has not yet been identified.

 Startled residents called 9-1-1 shortly before 9 pm. after hearing banging on their door in the 7600 block of Lemon Avenue. When deputies arrived a short time later, they found a man who was lying on the ground, unresponsive, with visible injuries to his upper body.

By Kayla Turnbow, Navy Office of Community Outreach

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tim Miller

May 31, 2018 (Lemoore, Calif.) - A 2003 Mount Miguel High School graduate and Lemon Grove, California, native is currently serving with a U.S. Navy strike fighter squadron which flies one of the world’s most advanced warplanes.

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

Update 8:45 p.m.:   Heartland Fire and Rescue indicates the fire started in palm trees at the Lemon Grove Trolley station and spread along trolley tracks, briefly threatening about 20 homes.  The fire damaged power lines and railroad ties for the trolley, so the trolley remains shut down. There was also minor damage to eaves of some homes and a fence. Cause of the fire is under investigation by the Sheriff's Bomb and Arson squad.

Heartland Fire & Rescue units from Lemon Grove and La Mesa responded, with assistance from San Diego Fire, San Miguel Fire, and Cal Fire/SDSO to swiftly stop the blaze.

May 27, 2018 (Lemon Grove) -- A brush fire in Lemon Grove has charred about two acres, but Heartland firefighters have halted the forward spread.

The fire was reported in palm trees shortly after 5 p.m. in the 1500 block of San Altos Place. It jumped Imperial Avenue and according to CBS 8, briefly threatened structures on Angelus Avenue.

By Miriam Raftery

May 18, 2018 (Lemon Grove) – Christopher Williams has filed a lawsuit against Lemon Grove Councilman David Arambula alleging that during a meeting at Arambula’s home on July 15, 2017  to discuss Williams’ applications for marijuana dispensaries, Arambula assaulted and injured Williams. 

The suit also names the city of Lemon Grove, claiming the city knew that Arambula conducted city business outside of city hall and “could be physically violent toward members of the public while he conducted official city business but never took any action to prevent him from acting in such a manner.”