April 29, 2011 (La Mesa) --La Mesa Police Officers received a report last night shortly after 8 p.m. of a robbery victim being treated at Grossmont Hospital. Officers responding to the hospital located a 13 year old male victim.  He told police he was walking home on Mills Street near Orchard Avenue when he was attacked from behind.

By Jeremy Los

“This issue has received band-aid approaches to fix it when it needs a tourniquet.” – La Mesa Mayor Art Madrid

“We look at them as a resource… they are the eyes and ears of the community… they certainly know when something is going on.” – El Cajon Mayor Mark Lewis, on the homeless in his town

 "I do not feel there needs to be a regional center for the homeless in East County." -- Lemon Grove Mayor Mary Sessom

"I am not in the homeless business." - Santee Mayor Randy Voepel

April 26, 2011 – Four East County mayors shared their reactions on a new study on the many homeless in our region. Their views differed dramatically on how to address the homeless problem.  In addition, three of the four mayors questioned the study findings and voiced doubts on the numbers of homeless people listed in their cities. 

According to the 2011 Point-In-Time Count by the Regional Task Force on the Homeless, East County is now home to 8.9% of San Diego County’s homeless population, with El Cajon staking claim to the highest number of homeless people. However, the majority of El Cajon's homeless are in shelters--while in other East County communities, the homeless are living on the streets, in cars, or camped along riverbeds.  

April 28, 2011 (La Mesa) – You’re invited to express yourself in public through the spoken word, poetry, song or dance at the Space Bar Internet Café at 7454 University Avenue in La Mesa tonight from 7:30-10:00 p.m.  The event, hosted by Jim Moreno, will feature author, poet and musician Lalo Velasco, recipient of a California Arts Council Grant. Refreshments are available.

"We've got a conga player from Cuba, and a percussionist from Ghana, and another from Zimbabwe that make the evening an interesting combination of music and spoken word," Moreno said.

April 18, 2011 (La Mesa)--La Mesa Police Department in conjunction with the San Diego County Probation Department conducted a Probation Stakeout Operation today.  This operation resulted in one arrest for a woman violating terms of her DUI (driving under the influence) probation.

The Probation Department identified 16 subjects, all on Court Ordered Probation and living in La Mesa. They are considered the “worst of the worst” of the DUI offenders. One of their probation conditions is “no alcohol” what so ever, at any time.

April 12, 2011 (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 seniors discussion group on the “Feeling Fit Club,” featuring a presentation from Vickie Velasco, founder of the Feeling Fit Club, from 10 to 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 27. The public is invited to attend. RSVP is not required.

April 10, 2011 (San Diego)—A 17-year-old girl walking in the 6000 block of University (about 10 blocks west of La Mesa in the El Cerrito area) was attacked tonight by a Hispanic male who wore a dress and brandished a knife. According to San Diego Police, the suspect grabbed the victim’s breasts and tried to pull her into some bushes.

By Russell Buckley

March 31, 2011 (La Mesa)--"Today's benefit structure for public employees is unrecognizable from the design, funding structure and goals of the original 1932 version. Instead of retirement security, the public pension became a wealth generator. Initially, state workers retiring at age 65 could expect retirement income at roughly half of their final compensation, based on an average salary earned during their last five years of employment. The retirement formulas and benefits began ratcheting up in the 1940's and never stopped. California's pension plans are dangerously under funded, the result of overly generous pension promises, wishful thinking and an unwillingness to plan prudently. Unless aggressive reforms are implemented now, the problems will get far worse, forcing counties and cities to severely reduce services and layoff employees to meet pension obligations."

The words above are taken from the 50 or so pages of the Little Hoover Commission Report released last month. The report is about the State at large - but its words apply so accurately to La Mesa that it seems to be talking about us.

General Plan Update, Health and Wellness in La Mesa on agenda

March 30, 2011 (La Mesa)—Help create La Mesa’s vision for a healthier community at a community workshop on Thursday, April 7 from 6-8 p.m. at the La Mesa Police Station community room, 8085 University Avenue in La Meas. Topics for discussion include a new Health and Wellness element as well as the 2012 general plan update (available online at www.cityoflamesa.com/GeneralPlanUpdate).

March 24, 2011 (La Mesa) -- To celebrate two years in business, proprietor Shannon O’Dunn has announced her gallery will host an all-day event featuring special savings on Thursday, March 24, 2011. All are welcome. Three California fine artists have recently joined with O’Dunn Fine Art for representation, furthering the gallery’s role and reputation as an attractive venue and outlet for high-quality fine art in East County.

March 22, 2011 (La Mesa) – A witness who saw a 95-year-old woman knocked to the ground in a robbery this evening chased two suspects, La Mesa Police report. Police are seeking two suspects in a maroon 2000-2004 Nissan Ultima 4-door vehicle.

March 13, 2011 (La Mesa) –A vehicle stolen in a violent carjacking in the Skyline area of San Diego last was recovered in La Mesa, San Diego Police report. The victim was invited to a party at a home on Shorewood Drive, but arrived to find no party. Instead, three black men in their early 20s approached the victim and one struck him in the back of the head with a handgun.

Event at United Church of Christ La Mesa will benefits Charley Brown Children’s Center in La Mesa

March 3, 2011 (La Mesa) – Robert Preston, as Professor Harold Hill, created a memorable musical moment in the movie “The Music Man,” parading 76 trombones, 110 cornets and other instruments through the streets of River City. Sliding forward in time, on March 6, 2011 at 6 p.m., the eight trombonists in San Diego’s own Bone-A-FieD Brass Ensemble will appear in a special concert followed by a “Mini-Mardi Gras Party” featuring Cajun hors d’oeuvres and more music.

City invites residents to help make a more walkable community

February 25, 2011 (La Mesa)--The “La Mesa Kids Walk & Roll to School ” Safe Routes program is inviting the public to attend Walkability Workshops being held at local schools.