By Jonathan Goetz

Photo: With exclusions around sensitive sites and each other, it appears three dispensaries will open in the western portion of Lemon Grove along Federal Boulevard

March 8, 2017 (Lemon Grove) – Lemon Grove City Council held a public hearing Tuesday about the new medical marijuana dispensary application process that opens March 20^th to comply with  Measure V, which Lemon Grove voters approved in November legalizing medical cannabis sales.   

East County News Service

February 23, 2017 (Lemon Grove) – After Voice of San Diego revealed that SANDAG misled voters on projected revenues for the Measure A transportation initiative (see stories here and here),  seven SANDAG members said they were not informed of the botched forecast and have signed a letter calling for an investigation, VOSD reported.

By Miriam Raftery

February 15, 2017 (Lemon Grove) – A suspect killed in a February 7^th home invasion in Lemon Grove has been identified as a juvenile, 15-year-old Derrick Harris Jr.

The Sheriff’s Department seeks public help to identify a second suspect who remains at large, says Lieutenant Kenneth Nelson with the San Diego Sheriff’s Homicide Detail.

By Jonathan Goetz

February 14, 2017 (Lemon Grove) -- Newly elected Lemon Grove Mayor Racquel Vasquez forwarded to a list of committee assignments for Council members to a dramatically altered City Council following the November elections.

Source: San Diego County Sheriff's Department

February 9, 2017 (Lemon Grove) - The Sheriff's Homicide Detail wants the public's help in identifying a suspect who was killed in a home invasion in Lemon Grove.

It happened just before 2:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 7th at a home in the 2400 block of Edding Drive. Investigators say two armed suspects forced their way into the home. The homeowner's son and one of the suspects suffered gunshot wounds after a struggle. That suspect died. The homeowner's son is recovering from non-life threatening injuries.

East County News Service

Photo courtesy of ECM news partner 10 News

February 4, 2017 (Lemon Grove) – Three young people and several dogs died of injuries in a collision in Lemon Grove Wednesday evening.  A woman and a 4-year-old girl also sustained major injuries.  All of the victims are in the same family and funds have been set up to help the surviving relatives.

By Mimi Pollack

January 24, 2017 (Lemon Grove) -- In her 80 years, Janet Gastil has worn many hats and is a true Renaissance woman. She has been a wife and mother, teacher, musician, realtor, and politician.  Her son, George, has followed in Janet’s footsteps, dedicating himself to teaching and public service, as well as raising his family. 

By Miriam Raftery

January 10, 2017 (Lemon Grove) – The Fair Political Practices Commission published a notice of a possible $1,013 fine against Mary Sessom, former Lemon Grove Mayor for missing campaign filings and annual fees.  

East County News Service

December 29, 2016 (Lemon Grove) – The next History Alive lecture in the Lemon Grove Library has been moved to January 14 at 2 p.m.  Lemon Grove Historical Society is partnering with the Lemon Grove Library to present master nurse and noted lecturer, Donna Vitale Lupinacci, in a riveting words-and-pictures look at "The Influenza Pandemic of 1917-18 and Its Aftermath."  As "Spanish Flu" swept the globe, no community was exempt from its effects, including Lemon Grove.

By Miriam Raftery

November 27, 2016 (Lemon Grove) — On election night, George Gastil held a lead over Racquel Vasquez in the Lemon  Mayoral race.  But by morning, Vasquez was on top. Her margin has now grown go 120 votes, close to 1%. 

On Saturday,  Gastil posted on Facebook, “There are still some provisional ballots being counted, but not enough to make a difference. (You can see the latest results for races at Registrar of Voters website, sdvote.com.) The early absentee votes went more for me, and the later absentee and poll votes went more for Vasquez. It was an energetic and positive campaign, with a record number of people voting in a Lemon Grove Mayoral election. I called Racquel Vasquez and congratulated her.”

Current Sage Project partner Lemon Grove will be first in North America to use new toolkit

Source: SAGE Project

November. 16, 2016  (Lemon Grove) – California cities have long been tasked with developing a plan to reduce carbon emissions and create more sustainable, environmentally friendly communities. The City of San Diego approved its Climate Action Plan last year and other nearby cities have followed suit as a result of the state mandate. But for smaller cities the task can be overwhelming.

Update 8 p.m.:   Todd Perkins has been found safe in Lemon Grove.

East County News Service

November 14, 2016 (Lakeside)—The  Sheriff has issued a be-on-the-lookout bulletin for Todd Randolph Perkins,48.  He has been missing since 2:30 p.m.  His caretaker says he may have walked away from his home on Dorsal Drive in Lakeside.

He suffers from a medical condition that causes him to limp.  He has green tattooso on both arms. He is white with brown hair and brown eyes, 5 feet 6 inches tall, and weighs 130 pounds.  He has told his caretaker that he would like to return to his former home on the 7100 block of Broadway in Lemon Grove,though he does not drive.

School bond measure also passes

By Miriam Raftery

November 9, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) –The Grossmont Union High School District has been rife with controversies including efforts to parents to split the district apart after the board ignored admonishments by the County Grand Jury  and refused to build an Alpine High School promised in two past bond measures—voting to instead fund a lawsuit defending the district’s stance.   

Yesterday,  voters cast out incumbent  Jim Stieringer, the newest Board member in a wave of anti-incumbency that swept the nation on a day that saw Donald Trump capture the presidency.  His replacement in trustee district 2, the La Mesa-Mt. Helix area, is a teacher.  Voters also elected a teacher in district 1 in Lemon Grove-Spring Valley-La Prensa, carved out through redistricting as a majority-minority district. Here's what the public can learn from these races.

By Jonathan Goetz

November 3, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – Deceptive mailers have been sent to voters in El Cajon and Lemon Grove, readers tell ECM.

The San Diego County Democratic Party has endorsed Vickie Butcher, Stephanie Harper and Ben Kalasho in the El Cajon City Council Race. But a reader has alerted ECM that a mailer claims El Cajon Democrats endorsed Butcher as well as Humbert Cabrera and Steve Goble.  Cabrera and Goble have not been endorsed by any political party.