By Jessyka Heredia

July 17, 2024 (Lemon Grove) – Residents of Lemon Grove were told there would be a community forum tomorrow  to discuss the possibility of bringing 70 sleeping cabins to Lemon Grove to house homeless people. But County Supervisors voted 4-0 yesterday (with Nora Vargas absent) to move forward on the project just two days before the community forum, leaving residents to wonder if their input ever mattered.

The project was to be built with a $10 million dollar grant from the state originally slated for 150 sleeping cabins in Spring Valley, but that project was cancelled after objections from neighbors over proximity to homes and sensitive sites. Vargas said she “heard the concerns of the community” and backed instead building a smaller-scale project in Lemon Grove near the Spring Valley boundary.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos, top left to bottom right:  Homeless people camped in Lemon Grove and their stories: Erika, a diabetic unable to drive; Christopher, a widower and carpenter seeking work; Elijah, who says his unemployment payments were stolen, Cardell, a nurse whose family died, and Kimberly, 78, who says she has lung cancer and a fractured skull; she has been sheltering in a rancid storm drain after her tent burned.

July 2, 2024 (Lemon Grove)-- Kimberly, 78, is frail, petite, and in desperate need. She  struggles to push a shopping cart laden with rumpled belongings on a scorching July afternoon. The elderly woman, her wrinkled skin tanned and leathery, coughs frequently. An edge of fear underlies her soft voice.

”I have lung cancer,” she says.  Kimberly tells us that she suffered a fall recently in a nearby parking lot. “I’ve got a fractured skull right now.”   “Nobody’s helping me,” she says sadly.

Kimberly is one of 293 homeless people in Lemon Grove who might be helped if the County approves funds to build 60-70 sleeping cabins in Lemon Grove at Troy and Sweetwater on land owned by Caltrans.  On July 18at 6 p.m. a public hearing on this issue at the Lemon Grove Community Center, 3146 School  Lane, Lemon Grove, Supervisor Monica Montgomery-Steppe has announced.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Lemon Grove Mayor Racquel Vasquez and Shane Harris, President of the People's Associate of Justice Advocates, raise Juneteenth flag

June 19, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – In honor of Juneteenth, a federal and county holiday, events and recognitions have been held across our region.

Juneteenth flags were raised in the cities of Lemon Grove and Chula Vista, at the Sweetwater Union School District,and other venues, while La Mesa hosted a Junetenth and Friends celebration.

On June19,1865, slaves in Galveston, Texas learned that they were free—over two years after President Abraham Lincoln had signed the emancipation proclamation. Juneteenth commemorates this official end to slavery in the U.S.

East County News Service

June 16, 2024 (Lemon Grove) – Two men and a woman were shot last night outside a residence near the intersection of Dain Court and Jadam Way in Lemon Grove.

Deputies from the Lemon Grove Substation and the Rancho San Diego Station responded to reports of shots fired around 9:40 p.m., but the three victims had already gone to a local hospital.

“There is currently no suspect description. No arrests have been made,”says Lieutenant Joe Barry. The victims are being treated for non-life-threatening injuries at the hospital and are in stable condition, he adds.

RSVP to reserve space: Only a few seats are left!

You’re  invited to our next East County Dining Club event! This event benefits East County Magazine and our East County Wildfire & Emergency alerts. Everyone is welcome to attend our event at this popular new eatery founded by chefs with international experience!

When: Wednesday, May 8 at 6:30 p.m.

Where:  Lemon Grove Bistro & Beer Garden, 3308 Main St., Lemon Grove

 RSVP to editor@eastcountymagazine.org or call (619) 698-7617; include your name and the number in our party.

What:  The menu features European and American cuisine, including many delicious dishes such as Spanish paella, Scottish salmon, French-inspired Beef Bourguignon, Greek lemon chicken, pastas, fish, chicken, meatloaf, soups, fisherman’s stew, burger, and vegetarian options such as Cauliflower steak with Chimichurri, a variety of salads, spinach/cheese ravioli, and portabello steak. Plus savor wonderful desserts, beers and wine vintages.

Win prizes!  Our event includes an amazing raffle with many prizes and gift certificates galore donated by local businesses: 

Blood drive from 2-4 p.m. April 4 in Treganza Heritage Park, Lemon Grove

By Chris Ernest Nelson

March 29, 2024 (Lemon Grove) -- Living in community is humankind’s primary means of survival. Our happiness, our well-being, and our purpose are all sustained by people working together in meaningful sympathy. Long-time San Diego County resident, Mrs. Charlene Waddell, knows from experience the importance of a healthy community, both in our general well-being and in the spirit of sacrifice. In 2006, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer. Her recovery required multiple surgeries that took parts of her colon, her liver, and her entire appendix. She required a lot of blood to survive. Thanks to the San Diego Blood Bank, which is there to help everyone in need of blood, Charlene got the precious blood she needed, and has made a welcome recovery.

By: Jessyka Heredia

Watch video here

This Article was edited on March 11, 2024 to express the concerns of residents who suffered storm damage and to better show the timeline of events and relationships between council members and Borderlands for Equity. 

March 7, 2024 (Lemon Grove) – Tuesday, the Lemon Grove City Council members were presented a chance to pass a resolution “calling for an immediate, and permanent ceasefire and a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis affecting Gaza and Israel.”

By Jessyka Heredia and Miriam Raftery 

March 6, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) -- La Mesa Councilman Colin Parent and Lemon Grove Mayor Racquel Vasquez are maintaining their first and and second place positions in the primary race for the 79th Assembly district seat. If their leads hold, the two East County elected official will run-off in the November general election, leaving their current council and mayoral positions to be filled in the November election, since both have terms of office ending after this year.

As of 11:30 p.m. on Election night, Parent has 41.01%, Vasquez 31.53% and Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins, County Office of Education’s community engagement specialist and adjunct professor at SDSU trails close behind with 27.43%. 

As last night’s Lemon Grove City Council meeting adjourned, ECM’s  reporter approached the dais to let Vasquez know she was number two in the early voting numbers so far and asked if she would like to give a statement.

By Megan Brown, Navy Office of Community Outreach

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jordan Jennings



March 1, 2024 (Lemon Grove) - Petty Officer 2nd Class Ramiro Perez, a native of Lemon Grove, California, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 35.

East County News Service

February 23, 2024 (Lemon Grove) -- The Lemon Grove Lions Club is always actively collecting gently used reusable eyeglasses for the Lions Club International Recycle for Sight Program.

Refractive errors can be easily corrected with eyeglasses, yet millions of people living in low and middle-income areas lack access to basic eye care services. The Lions Club recognizes the urgent need for corrective lenses and collects usable eyeglasses in their communities. The lack of eyeglasses denies children and adults opportunities for education, employment, and a better quality of life.