By Miriam Raftery

July 26, 2015 (La Mesa)—The City of La Mesa announced July 15^th that the applicant for the Park Station Specific Plan has requested that the proposal not go forward to the City Council at this time. “The project is currently on hold,” the City’s public notice stated. 

July 18, 2015 (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 program on “Getting REAL About Alzheimer’s,” from 10 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 22. The program is part of the library’s Wellness Wednesday series, normally held on the fourth Wednesday of the month.

July 16, 2015 (La Mesa) -- There will be a planned power outage at the Public Works Maintenance Yard on Friday, July 17. The phones will be down through Sunday, July 19. 

For a public works related emergency, including a sewer backup, please call 619.667.1400. 

For other non-emergency service requests, please use Request Tracker.

East County Magazine

July 16, 2015 (La Mesa) – Helix Water District’s Board on Wednesday voted down a staff/legal recommendation for a tough new emergency drought action plan resolution that would have imposed a “civil volumetric penalty” for every unit of water over 30 used by residential customers.

East County News Service

July 4, 2015 (La Mesa) – A two-alarm fire 8420 Buckland Street in La Mesa on Friday morning started in a kitchen and caused $325,000 in damages to three apartment units and the contents, Heartland Fire reports.

July 2, 2015 (La Mesa) – There have been reports of a young man with dark hair observed going through people’s mailboxes as he goes door to door in La Mesa.  He then mentions neighbor’s names, supposedly to sell educational material.

In response, Claudia Ortega of the La Mesa Police Department provided a refresher on solicitors in La Mesa and how to stay safe:

East County News Service

June 28, 2015 (La Mesa)--Two pedestrians in the 4300 block of Rosebud Lane in La Mesa were robbed at gunpoint at 12:50 this morning by a suspect armed with a handgun.

The unknown suspect approached the male and female victim as they were standing on the sidewalk. The suspect produced a silver semi-automatic handgun and demanded the victims’ money and cell phones. After the victims complied, the suspect ran away southbound on Rosebud Lane.

By Miriam Raftery

June 15, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – Helix Water District’s Board of Directors will vote on whether or not to close the campground at Lake Jennings in Lakeside. The vote is set for Wednesday, June 17^th at 2 p.m. at the board meeting at the district’s headquarters, 7811 University Avenue in La Mesa.

The vote is slated despite huge gains made in stemming financial losses, from $200,000 in 2013  to just $24,000 this year, plus increased profitability of other attractions and activities with potential for more, including state approval to add kayaks just  last month.

Director Kathleen Coates-Hedberg urges the public: “If  you want to see Lake Jennings Campground stay OPEN for the future and would like to voice your opinion, please come to the Board meeting or send an email to our Board Secretary and she will forward to Board Members. Board Secretary, Sandy Janzen, Sandy.Janzen@HELIXWATER.org.”

By Miriam Raftery

June 7, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – Artist Chuck McPherson has picked up six awards at the San Diego County Fair at Del Mar, after having a record nine entries accepted.  The talented artist grew up in Spring Valley, lives in La Mesa and regularly dazzles crowds with his innovative performance art and colorful style at local charity events (he’s been known to add lipstick, coffee grounds and other audience-provided items to his works).

East County News Service

May 29, 2015 (La Mesa) –A Craft Beer and Wine Summer Festival to benefit the La Mesa Historical Society will be held on Saturday, June 6 from 1 to 6 p.m. at 4888 Date Avenue at the La Mesa Farmer’s Market parking lot.  The festivities include unlimited tastes from 20 breweries plus a VIP lounge, live music, food trucks, and over 30 vendors.

Project will advance to City Council

Story and photos by Janis Russell

Photo, left: Sherm Harmer, Urban Housing Partners

May 21, 2015 (La Mesa)- At yesterday’s meeting, the La Mesa Planning Commission voted to deny approval of a revised Park Station plan because of its inconsistency with the general plan and community objectives. The vote was 4-2 with Commissioner Dexter Levy absent.  Next up, the City Council will be asked to decide Park Station’s fate.

This was the developer’s third attempt to win approval.  The plan had been dramatically scaled down from 190 feet in height originally proposed  to a maximum of 75 feet in the latest proposal, though still far over the 46 feet height limit citywide and double the allowable density. The latest plan increased density and added a hotel, but reduced parking. A controversial aspect has been the developer’s effort to  get approval of a specific plan solely for Park Station so that zoning requirements of the historic downtown district and other areas in La Mesa would not apply.  It would have included a “by right” ability to make future changes without city approval, or what critics referred to as a “blank check.”

May 20, 2015 (La Mesa) --   The American Flag will be flown proudly at the 18th annual La Mesa Flag Day Parade on Saturday, May 30th. The parade will begin at 10:00 a.m. led by the United States 3d Marine Aircraft Wing Band through the downtown La Mesa Village.  Enjoy this year’s Grand Marshal: Sharp Grossmont Hospital Celebrating 60 years in La Mesa. View the many floats, military vehicles, active and retired war heroes, equestrian units, service clubs, and youth groups.  Arrive early to see two pre-parade concerts, La Mesa Middle School and Parkway Middle School bands, at 9:00 a.m. along the La Mesa Boulevard parade route.

May 15, 2015 (La Mesa)--Want to learn more about wine but not sure where to start? @Spacebar Café & Wine Bistro invites you to a wine class, tasting and pairing on June 3rd from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

May 11, 2015 (La Mesa) -- The La Mesa Police Department will be hosting its 4th Annual La Mesa Police Youth Leadership Camp from June 29-July 2, 2015. The purpose of the Youth Leadership Camp is to provide leadership training and life-enhancing skills, personal development training, academic enrichment, team building, and to teach responsibility to one’s family and community. Participants will engage in classroom instruction, discussions, and scenarios; athletic and academic challenges (team and individual); field trips to volunteer community service work; and other activities.

-- Health care library’s `Wellness Wednesday’ meeting will discuss de-cluttering and downsizing for health on May 27

May 10, 2015 (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 program on  “De-Clutter and Downsize for Happiness and Health,”  from 10 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 27. The program is part of the Grossmont Healthcare District library’s “Wellness Wednesday” series, normally held on the fourth Wednesday of the month.