Source: La Mesa Police Department

October 19, 2022 (La Mesa) -- La Mesa Police Department has been awarded a $100,000.00 Grant to deter unsafe behaviors and increase safety on roads  LMPD will increase patrols throughout the community and provide other traffic safety programs to help reduce the number of serious injuries and deaths on roads.

“This grant funding allows us to support our ongoing traffic safety efforts in the community,” La Mesa Police Chief Ray Sweeney said. “Our intent is to stop the most unlawful and dangerous behaviors that put people at risk and create an environment where everyone feels safe traveling.”

October 16, 2022 (La Mesa) -- East County Magazine recently interviewed Patricia Dillard, one of four La Mesa City Council candidates vying for two seats on the ballot. In our interview, originally aired on KNSJ radio, she shares her experience, priorities and goals if elected.

Her  career spans close to 40 years working in business development, customer service, and sales for large and small businesses. She’s also been an active volunteer in community service. 

View the full interview by clicking the video image above and scroll down for highlights.

By Henri Migala

View the full interview by clicking the image below, and scroll down to read highlights.

October 7, 2022 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Councilwoman Laura Lothian spoke with ECM via zoom about her run for re-election. Council. The interview also aired on KNSJ radio, 89.1 FM.

Lothian is one of four candidates running (a fifth, Kathleen Brand, has dropped out); ECM will be publishing and airing interviews with all the candidates over the next several days. She aims to "class up" La Mesa, bucking the trend toward high-density housing downtown, while also working to reduce homeless and crime, as well as cut regulations for businesses and homeowners with permit applications for new construction or remodeling.

By Miriam Raftery, based on interview by Henri Migala

October 6, 2022 (La Mesa) – In an interview with East County Magazine’s Henri Migala originally aired on KNSJ radio, La Mesa City Council candidate Mejgan Afshan shared her experience as a civil rights leader and her goals to build a more equitable La Mesa if elected. She is one of four candidates running (a fifth, Kathleen Brand, has dropped out); ECM will be publishing interviews with all of the candidates over the next several days.

East County News Service

October 8, 2022 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa History Center is teaming up with Grossmont High School and Museum to present the 16h annual Home Tour on November 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This year’s theme will be “Fabulous Foothillers.”

Source:  City of La Mesa 

October 7, 2022 (La Mesa) - The La Mesa Police Department encourages parents and students to join their classmates and walk, bike, or roll to class October 12, 2022. “Walk and Roll to School Day” is celebrated annually to highlight the benefits of exercise and practice pedestrian and road safety with other students, families, and caregivers.

View videos of our interview by clicking the video image at left.

Kristine Alessio is running in hopes of becoming La Mesa’s first woman mayor, challenging the current Mayor, Dr. Mark Arapostathis. She is a former La Mesa Councilwoman  with a background in land use, law, business and community service. She holds degrees in philosophy and law, and she’s a La Mesa native who raised her daughter here. As a former City councilmember, she says she spearheaded some local initiatives including Term Limits, the Climate Action Plan, pension liability paydown plan, Smoke Free La Mesa ordinance and an Affordable Homes Bonus program.

La Mesa is changing from a sleepy small town and is now facing challenges that larger cities face. Alessio says the city needs a dynamic mayor with leadership that she hopes to provide. In an interview with East County Magazine originally aired on KNSJ Radio, she spoke about her goals if elected. Click the links to view videos or hear audio, or scroll down to read highlights.

East County News Service

Phot: CC via Bing

October 4, 2022 (La Mesa) – United Church of Christ invites to join Pastor Kelly for a blessing of the animals on October 9 at 2 p.m. in Harry Griffen Park, next to the dog park.

“Bring your beloved animal companion(s), be they fish or fowl, dog or cat, all creatures great and small,” says Melanie Lucero.  “All animals will receive an individual blessing from Pastor Kelly. If you are not able to bring your pet, please bring a picture of him/her.”

East County News Service

September 25, 2022 (La Mesa) – A man jumped to his death this afternoon off of State Route 125 onto Interstate 8 east in La Mesa, the California Highway Patrol reports.

Source: Helix Water District

Photo: Helix Water District Board of Directors in the district’s new all-electric, zero-emission, Ford F-150 Lightning pickup truck. Driver’s seat: Board President Kathleen Coates Hedberg. Backseat: Director Dan McMillan. Back of the truck: Directors Joel Scalzitti, De Ana Verbeke and Mark Gracyk.

September 23, 2022 (La Mesa) -- Helix Water District received its first all-electric, zero-emission, Ford F-150 Lightning pickup truck -- another milestone in the organization’s sustainability plans.

East County News Service

September 21, 2022 (La Mesa) – The 49th annual La Mesa Oktoberfest attracts revelers from across Southern California with three days of festive live music, games, and three biergartens (beer gardens) featuring German and craft beers. This year’s festivities, hosted by the La Mesa Village Association, take place September 30 through October 2 in the downtown La Mesa village.

By Miriam Raftery

September 16, 2022 (La Mesa) – Helix High School in La Mesa has been honored as a 2022 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education, one of just 29 California schools to make the grade. 

These are among the state’s highest performing schools based on all student scores, subgroup student scores, and graduation rates. Helix is a charter high school within the Grossmont Union High School District.

The prestigious award honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools that made significant progress in closing achievement and opportunity gaps among student subgroups, and where students achieve high learning standards.

East County News Service

September 9, 2022 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the County of San Diego, invites you to “Shop & Dine La Mesa” to enjoy free family-friendly activities, entertainment, a car show, raffle prizes, live music and more.

The event takes place at The Marketplace at Lake Murray Village (at the corner of Lake Murray Blvd. and Baltimore Drive) in La Mesa on Saturday, September 24 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.