January 12, 2011 (La Mesa)--The City of La Mesa’s annual Multicultural Festival in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr will be heldr Sunday, Jan. 16th from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. at the La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Drive. The 15th annual event, presented by the City of La Mesa Human Relations Advisory Commission, is free and open to the public.

Featured entertainment includes appearances by the Helix Charter High School Bagpipe Band, Moreton Bay Fig Morris, an English Folk Dance Troupe, and Axis Gospel Singers. Dr. James Kitchen, Vice President, Student Affairs, San Diego State University, will serve as guest speaker.

January 1, 2011 (La Mesa) Updated 8 p.m.– Dana Lohner, 48, of La Mesa has been arrested on suspicion of drunk driving after she struck and killed Kelly McPherson, 53, a pedestrian from Mission Valley.  McPherson died at the scene.  

Lohner, who was driving a Ford Mustang was booked into the Las Colinas Jail.

December 21, 2010 (La Mesa)—La Mesa Police Department responded to a robbery near the Jack in the Box restaurant located at 6987 University Av., La Mesa around 5:20 p.m. today. According to police, three juveniles approached a 16-year-old and demanded his cell phone. One suspect grabbed the victim’s phone while the other two kicked and punched him. The victim had abrasions and some bruising from the incident.

December 17, 2010 (La Mesa) – “Food, wine, art and a chance to talk with local people who are going about making the world a better place, one village at a time…what could be more in the holiday spirit?” asks an invitation from Shannon O’Dunn, owner of O’Dunn Art in La Mesa. Tonight from 5-7 p.m., she will host a wine-tasting event to benefit H.U.G.S. (Helping Ugandans Grow Stronger). The organization is raising funds to build a bakery in western Uganda that will provide jobs for women and girls in this impoverished area.

By Jeremy Los

December 16, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- The holiday season is upon us—bringing carols, crowded shopping malls and of course, Christmas lights! Several East County neighborhoods have taken it upon themselves to celebrate the holiday season with extravagant light displays for everyone to enjoy. Scroll down for descriptions, and view our map of holiday light displays in East County.

December 15, 2010 (La Mesa) – An early morning fire at 4:30 a.m. Monday resulted in the death of a cat and sent the owner to a hospital with respiratory problems sustained while trying to locate her pet in a smoke-filled apartment unit.

December 13, 2010 (La Mesa) -- State Senator-elect Joel Anderson, County Supervisor Diane Jacobs and other community leaders will join Skyline Church this Wednesday, December 15, at 10 a.m. to celebrate the start of construction for a new Worship Center at Skyline Church in La Mesa.

Rancho San Diego festivities also include snowman contest, bonfire, and more

December 11, 2010 (Rancho San Diego)--The Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Olde Time Christmas Village December 11th from 3-9 pm in the Rancho San Diego Professional Center, 3855 Avocado Bl., La Mesa.

This free public event celebrates children and community. Activities include a snowman building contest, a bonfire, free photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, holiday treats, sweets and more.

December 10, 2010(La Mesa)--The City of La Mesa today announced plan to enhance its community notification system, coined La Mesa e-Gov, to encourage residents to keep informed and take steps to protect themselves in an emergency.

December 3, 2010 (La Mesa)-- La Mesa Police were involved in a vehicle pursuit through La Mesa. An officer attempted to stop a black BMW for running a red light at the intersection of University Avenue and Allison Avenue at 8:20 last night. When the officer initiated his emergency lights and siren, in an attempt to stop the vehicle, the driver fled.

November 29, 2010 (La Mesa) -- All but one eastbound lane on I-8 at Spring Street have been shut down late tonight due to football-sized rocks spilled by a dump truck, CHP reports. A Sig-Alert has been issued, along with a long-term closure order in order to clean up the debris.

East County News Service
High fees violate state law, and discourage rooftop solar, Sierra Club says
 

November 23, 2010 (La Mesa) – A 17-year-old has been arrested after attempting to rob the Yum-Yum Doughnut store for the second day in a row.

Yesterday 10:50 a.m., the teen stole a tip-jar from the store at 7550 El Cajon Blvd. According to La Mesa Police, he told the employee that he was sorry, but had no money and needed the cash. The employee and suspect struggled briefly over the tip jar, which contained about $10.

November 13, 2010 (La Mesa)—La Mesa Police responded to a robbery at the 76 gas station at 6085 Lake Murray Blvd. at 3:32 this morning. The clerk told police that a white man with heavily tattooed arms a shaved head and plug-style earrings posed as a customer and asked to purchase some items. When the clerk began ringing up the purchases, the man produced a large pocket knife and threatened to stab the clerk if she did not hand over cash from the register.