August 29, 2013 (La Mesa) – People of the Earth, a guitar/keyboard duo, will perform live on Saturday, August 31 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the San Pasqual Winery tasting room at 9364 La Mesa Blvd.  (map)

The duo will play popular favorites from the 80's through today, in addition to entertaining original music. There is no cover charge; guests may purchase wine by the glass; cheese,  crackers and dessert are available for sale.

August 26, 2013 (La Mesa) – Late Saturday night, La Mesa Police were called to the emergency room at Alvarado Hospital to investigate a stabbing. The victim suffered two stab wounds to his thigh that are not considered life threatening.

The victim reported to police that the stabbing occurred around 8:50 p.m. in the 7500 block of El Cajon Boulevard in La Mesa The victim said he was waiting for a friend to give him a ride when he was approached by two males and a fight ensued over his property. The victim fought back and did not lose his property in the robbery attempt.

August 17, 2013 (La Mesa) – Two pedestrians were robbed of their purses in the 8100 block of La Mesa Boulevard on August 14 at 10:05 p.m.  Two suspects approached the victims from behind, and one of the suspects displayed a black handgun. The other suspect was armed with a crowbar.

One of the suspects demanded the victims’ purses. After the victims complied, the suspects fled eastbound La Mesa Boulevard on foot. The victims ran to a nearby residence and called La Mesa Police.

National and international leaders in social justice, politics, faith and entertainment to speak

August 6, 2013 (La Mesa)-- While the hallowed halls of downtown San Diego are echoing with strategies for staying in office and getting through the next week, more than 500 local participants are preparing to be inspired by some of the nation’s most effective leaders at the annual Global Leadership Summit, August 8-9, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.  at Journey Community Church, 8363 Center Drive, La Mesa.

“This is a chance to hear from men and women who demonstrate influence in many arenas – politics, social justice, faith and entertainment – and tobe inspired to become confident truth-sayers in our own spheres of influence,” said Ed Noble, Lead Pastor.Speakers such as General Colin Powell, former U.S. Secretary of State, Mark Burnett, executive producer of Survivor and The Voice, Bob Goff, General Counsel to Uganda and Founder and CEO of Restore International, Liz Wiseman, executive strategy and leadership consultant and more will make the case for becoming a leader, not for a term of office or for a bottom-line result, but for life. 

July 15, 2013 (La Mesa)—La Mesa Police responded to a 9-1-1 call on July 12 at 7:40 p.m. in the 7400 block of Colony Drive. A witness reported that a suspect slashed the face of a victim with a knife and then fled west through the residential complex.

Officers arrived on scene and located the victim on the ground with a laceration to his nose and face. The 50-year-old victim was transported to the hospital with wounds that were not life threatening.

Officers searched the area with assistance from San Diego Sheriff’s helicopter ASTREA and El Cajon Police Department canine units, but were unable to locate the suspect. The suspect is described as a white man in his 40s or 50s, between 5’4 and 5’6 tall, approximately 160 pounds, with “salt and pepper” hair. He was wearing a t-shirt and brown shorts and carried a large black trash bag when he fled the scene.

July 11, 2013 (La Mesa) – The Helix Water District Annual Water Quality Report is now available online in both English and Spanish.  Again this year, as in all prior years, Helix’s drinking water meets or exceeds all State and Federal drinking water standards. 

The annual 2013 Water Quality Report contains important information about drinking water in the Helix District.  The District encourages customers to read the report carefully and ask any questions they might have about water sources, quality, or distribution by contacting:  (619) 667-6248 or wqr@helixwater.org.

June 25, 2013 (La Mesa) – The Grossmont Healthcare District’s Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library, 9001 Wakarusa St. in La Mesa, will host a free senior discussion group presentation on “The Importance of Sleep,” from 10 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 26.  The public is invited to attend, and RSVP is not required.  The speaker will be Jason Chagnon, senior technician with Grossmont Hospital Sleep Disorders Center.

June 23, 2013 (La Mesa) – If you bought a Powerball Lottery ticket at Excalibur Liquor on Baltimore Drive in La Mesa, you could be a millionaire.  A ticket sold at the store matched five of six numbers chosen, state Lottery officials reported  Thursday.  The winning ticket is worth $943,604.   

Winners have 180 days to claim the prize.

By Miriam Raftery

June 16, 2013 (La Mesa) – The public is invited to sample award-winning wines, savor food and live music at the grand opening of the San Pasqual Winery at 8140 Center Street in La Mesa.   The festivities will take place Saturday and Sunday, June 22 and 23 from 12-5 p.m.   Cost is $20 in advance or $25 at the door.

The decision to move its wine-making business from Pacific Beach to La Mesa was motivated by a need for more space and a desire to be close to San Pasqual Winery’s existing tasting room in downtown La Mesa.   The new facility will be triple the size of their existing winery, supplementing the existing tasting room with a second La Mesa location.

June 12, 2013 (La Mesa)- On Saturday, June 15,  the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce and the Grossmont Healthcare District will again team up to produce Summer Healthcare Saturday, a one day health exposition that will be held at Grossmont Center in La Mesa.

The event will feature free demonstrations, free health information and screenings. Up to 75 booths are expected to be present and lining up throughout the mall.

June 10, 2013 (La Mesa) – Crime didn’t pay for a pair of burglars caught fleeing the scene of a break-in at Vista La Mesa Academy.  On June 6 at 2:28 a.m., La Mesa Police responded to an alarm activation at the elementary school, located at 3900 Violet Street.  As officers arrived, they heard glass breaking inside.  More officers, including a canine team, responded.

Two suspects were seen carrying computer equipment out of the school and fleeing south through the playground area. Both were taken into custody as they jumped a fence at the south end of the school grounds. The property taken was recovered.

By Janis Mork and Jake Christie

May 30, 2013 (La Mesa)- La Mesa’s City Council unanimously approved increasing sewer service rates at its May 14 meeting. For the average family, the rate will rise by 7% in each of the next two years. Ironically, citizens' successful effort at conserving water has reduced city revenues--and was among the factors cited by Council to justify the rate hike, which drew strong objections from some residents present.

May 22, 2013 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Police were called to the Motel 6 at 7621 Alvarado Road regarding a robbery that had just occurred on May 20 at 2:27 a.m.  Officers found a victim suffering minor injuries from being struck in the head by two unknown suspects.  The victim reported he was robbed of his wallet and car keys by the two assailants.

The victim stated he was visiting a friend and walked out to his vehicle in the parking lot to leave.  The victim reported he was approached from behind, struck over the head, and then knocked to the ground while he was trying to get into his vehicle. The suspects, who were described as African American males, both wearing dark hooded sweatshirts, took the victim’s property and ran towards a waiting vehicle parked on Alvarado Road.  The suspects then fled the scene in that vehicle and were last seen driving east from the motel property.

May 20, 2013 (La Mesa) – A man who reportedly choked his girlfriend until she lost consciousness and threw her against a closet is under arrest for stabbing his girlfriend’s brother.  

La Mesa Police received a report of the stabbing at 1:43 a.m. in the 7100 block of Waite Drive.  When officers arrived, they found the brother, 21, lying near a sidewalk and rendered treatment. A perimeter was set up and the suspect, Mark Hernandez Cervantes, 28, of San Diego surrendered shortly after.

During the investigation, officers learned of the altercation between the suspect and his girlfriend prior to the stabbing.  When she regained consciousness, the victim called her mother, who came to the apartment with the young woman’s brother.  The female victim did not require medical attention.