Source: Heartland Fire & Rescue

June 13, 2023 (Lemon Grove) -- Today, Heartland Fire & Rescue announces that the Lemon Grove Fire Department has received a grant from the Gary Sinise Foundation, which provided the department with over $26,000 in much needed equipment.

By Jessyka Heredia

View interview on Youtube

June 12, 2023 (El Cajon) -- On Thursday, ECM sat down with former Los Angeles Lakers’ basketball star Lamar Odom and Dontae Ralston, Executive Director / Founder of West Urban Outreach in El Cajon, to talk about their new substance abuse treatment centers called Odom Wellness Treatment Centers set in a residential recovery environment.

There are three treatment centers expected to open in San Diego County at this time. El Cajon and Lemon Grove as well as one in the city of San Diego. 

When asked about the type of clients they will be servicing, Odom said, “I’m sure we will have a high-profile celebrity clientele, but of course anybody is welcome with a substance abuse problem. Addiction doesn’t discriminate, so we’ll be ready to help them.”

Odom said his inspiration to open these treatment centers was due to his own very public battle with addiction. Odom told ECM that when he overdosed, he had “12 strokes and six heart attacks,” adding that his purpose is “to help people.” At the time of his near-fatal overdose in 2015, Odom had just retired from the NBA and was going through a divorce with Khloe Kardashian.

By Jessyka Heredia

June 7, 2023 (Lemon Grove)- The Lemon Grove Recreation Center will be hosting the 3^rd annual 3-on-3 Trevon Harris basketball tournament on June 10, 2023, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

East County News Service

June 4, 2023 (Lemon Grove) -- AnniVenti La Trattoria, an Italian restaurant owned and operated by three brothers, is now open in Lemon Grove. The restaurant is named after their family's original restaurant located just 10 miles from Palermo in Italy, where the brothers grew up working. Emanuele Gagliano, one of the brothers, says, "It's been our lifelong dream to bring the authentic tastes of Italy to Lemon Grove, and we're thrilled to share our passion for modern Italian cuisine with you."

AnniVenti La Trattoria's menu reflects the Italian heritage of the Gagliano brothers with a contemporary twist to tantalize your taste buds. Their diverse selection of dishes caters to all palates, whether you're in the mood for a romantic dinner for two or a group gathering. The menu includes various antipasti, such as the crunchy pistachio burrata and the zuppa cozzee e vongole, along with a selection of salads and sides. Their primi piatti/pasta section includes dishes like the Spaghetti Vongole e Pistacchio, the Paccheri e Scampi, and the Gnocchi Sorrentina, while their entrées section features dishes like theFiletto Di Manzo, the  Pollo Arrosto, and the Salmone di Bronte.

Update 3:15 p.m. -- The seven-hour SWAT standoff has ended. According to the Sheriff's Dept., the suspect, Brandon Andrade, walked out of the house and surrendered after deputies used chemical agents. Mental Health Clinicians with the Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT) will evaluate Andrade before he is booked into San Diego Central Jail. He is expected to face three counts of attempted murder charges. The evacuation notification and road closures will be lifted in an hour.

East County News Service

May 25, 2023 (Lemon Grove) – The San Diego County Sheriff's Department is working to peacefully resolve a SWAT standoff in Lemon Grove. A suspect has barricaded himself inside his home and is refusing to come out after firing multiple shots and injuring a neighbor. 

Skyline Drive between Longdale Drive and Palm Street is closed as deputies continue to negotiate with the suspect, who may have other weapons. Deputies evacuated eight homes in the neighborhood. Lemon Grove Early Childhood Education Center was also placed on lockdown as a precaution.

Source:A Positive Choice

May 21, 2023 (San Diego) -- A Positive Choice Resource & Referral Services LLC is hosting a Walking in Confidence Shoe and Sock Drive in collaboration with Serene Health, We Support U and Monarch School to donate as many shoes and socks in all sizes to the homeless community. New shoes and socks will be accepted until June 22 at the drop off locations around San Diego County, including A Positive Choice’s office at 7614 Lemon Avenue Lemon Grove, CA 91945.

Jeannine Nash,  Director of Referrals for A Positive Choice,  says, “There are many individuals who are homeless and shoeless. These individuals suffer from a lack of confidence. Shoes will assist in providing individuals with the protection they need from the environment, the shoes will give them a sense of pride and dignity.”

Lemon Grove Lions Club celebrates eighth anniversary with night under the stars at their Salsa y Salsa Fiesta

May 15, 2023 (Lemon Grove) -- The Lemon Grove Lions Club is pleased to announce its upcoming Salsa y Salsa Fiesta, which will take place on Saturday, June 3 from 6 to 9 p.m. at 3205 Olive Street in Lemon Grove. The event will celebrate the Lions Club's 8th anniversary and raise funds for local service projects. Tickets are available for $35, and attendees can expect an evening of fun and entertainment, including a no host bar, raffles, silent auction, salsa contest, DJ, and a performance by the Fabulous Five Dancers-SD Forever Lions Club. The event will be catered by Big Boz Taco Cart, ensuring that attendees will enjoy delicious food throughout the evening. 

By:Jessyka Heredia

Video video of hearing: part 1, part 2

Photo: Applicant Chris Williams addresses the City Council.

April 8, 2023 (Lemon Grove) -- During what would normally be a routine hearing by the Lemon Grove City Council on extending a conditional use permit (CUP), Mayor Raquel Vasquez revealed that she had been offered a trip to Las Vegas by an undisclosed person to discuss the project, a medical marijuana dispensary -- an action the City Attorney called an "alleged bribe."

The hearing also included allegations that the City’s opposition to the extension was retaliation against applicant Chris Williams of Pick Axe Holdings, who said the City had approved similar extensions for other applicants.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Councilmember Jennifer Mendoza looks on as attorneys Cory Briggs and Melinda Vasquez participate remotely in Monday's court hearing at the El Cajon courthouse. Councilmember Liana LeBaron was not present.

April 4, 2023 (Lemon Grove) – Attorney Cory Briggs has filed a motion on behalf of  Lemon Grove Councilmember Liana LeBaron asking Superior Court Judge Peter Lynch to dismiss a civil harassment temporary restraining order issued on behalf of Councilmember Jennifer Mendoza.  He cites California’s anti-SLAPP statute as the reason to dismiss the matter.

Briggs contends that the restraining order constitutes a SLAPP suit, or Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation. SLAPP suits are actions filed to discourage a person from speaking out on issues of public importance. 

“The purpose of the anti-SLAPP statute is to encourage participation in matters of public significance and to prevent meritless litigation designed to chill the exercise of First Amendment rights,”  states LeBaron's brief filed in support of the anti-SLAPP motion.

By Helen Ofield, Historian to the Board, Lemon Grove Historical Society

Photo: Roberta Bulling, Education Chair, Lemon Grove Historical Society

March 27, 2023 (Lemon Grove) -- Lemon Grove's third graders have set a record: 142 entries in the 2023 Treganza History Essay Competition--the largest number in 33 years, or since Dr. Amorita Treganza launched and endowed the competition in 1990. She was also a founder of the Lemon Grove Historical Society (LGHS) in 1978, which annually sponsors two history competitions for third and eighth grades.

Story and photos by Jessyka Heredia

View video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdVCRQW1ORk

Update March 22, 2023 -- The victim has been identified as Gregory Moore, 39, of San Diego.  An autopsy confirmed the cause of death was a gunshot wound and the death has been ruled a homicide.

March 19,2023 (Lemon Grove) A fatal shooting occurred at local VFW Post 2082 in Lemon Grove late Saturday night at 2885 Lemon Grove Ave. Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call reporting the shooting shortly before 10 p.m. and found a man, 39, unconscious in a vehicle at the intersection of Lemon Grove and San Miguel Avenues, according to Lieutenant Chris Steffen with the San Diego County Sheriff’s homicide unit.

“As the deputies were taking the unconscious man out of the vehicle, they noticed he had gunshot wounds to his upper leg and torso. Deputies applied a tourniquet to the victim’s leg as the paramedics arrived,” Lt. Steffen said in media release.

Jury concluded Arambula acted in self defense following conflicting statements by Williams about whether his dispensary application was discussed and how much he drank.

Missing witness, in a deposition, stated under oath that Arambula had history of wanting to "fight" after drinking,  threw a glass against wall, told witness he "beat" Williams and asked witness to destroy photos of plaintiff's injuries. The jury never heard this evidence.

By Jessyka Heredia 

Miriam Raftery also contributed to this report

March 6, 2023 (Lemon Grove) -- On Monday, in day three of the Williams vs. Arambula and City of Lemon Grove civil trial, David Arambula and the City of Lemon Grove were both found not liable by a jury in the assault and battery case filed by Christopher Williams.

The case centered around an evening in July 2017 at Arambula’s home, which ended in violence. A mutual acquaintance, Taisha Brown, set up the meeting, which Williams said was to discuss his pending marijuana dispensary application but which Arambula said he believed was to discuss bringing new business investment to the city. Williams claimed they discussed the dispensary and that Arambula pushed him to bring in a partner, but he refused. Arambula denied those claims. After others left, Williams returned for his cell phone and contended that he was assaulted unprovoked by Arambula, resulting in hospitalization for injuries. Arambula claimed Williams attacked him first and that he acted in self defense.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  Williams' facial injuries, taken by Kathleen McLean

March 1, 2023 (Lemon Grove) – A civil lawsuit filed by Christopher Williams against the City of Lemon Grove and former Councilman David Arambula alleges that Arambula violently assaulted Williams at Arambula’s home in July 2017.  Williams contends that he was “attacked” after a meeting regarding an appeal filed by Williams over a cannabis dispensary application.  Attorneys for Arambula and the city contend that Williams’ injuries resulted from a “fight” and that Arambula acted in self defense.

In opening statements in Superior Court  on day one of the trial today, Williams’ attorney Cory Briggs stated that the evidence will show that “Mr. Arambula, unprovoked, beat my client almost senseless,” causing a visit to a hospital emergency room and resulting in serious physical and emotional damage.

Briggs told the jurors to focus on where the meeting took place at Arambula’s house and why was it held there, as well as how the meeting ended in violence, and why.  He cautioned that much of what the jurors would hear would be “noise” intended to distract them from the evidence.

Kathryn Lee-Colgan, attorney for Arambula, told the jury to focus on “responsibility, reasonableness and common sense. She stated that Arambula was the city’s first elected Latino councilmember and a former Marine.