February 28, 2010 (La Mesa) –A Circle K Store was robbed at gunpoint Friday at 11 p.m. Earlier on the same date, two young men robbed, punched and kicked a juvenile on Spring Street. In yet another incident, a youth was robbed of a cell phone by five men at Water Street and Amaya Drive in La Mesa.

February 20, 2010 (La Mesa) – Leaders in the arts and business communities gathered Thursday for the grand re-opening of O’Dunn Fine Art, which moved into an expansive new space across the street from its original location in La Mesa’s downtown village.

February 18, 2010 (La Mesa)--The public is invited to a reception and grand-reopening of O'Dunn Fine Art from 5:30 to 7:30 today.   The gallery has moved to a newer, larger location at 8325 La Mesa Boulevard, across the street from its original space in La Mesa's downtown village. 

by Kristin Kjaero

February 13, 2010 (La Mesa) -- On Monday the lower field at Rolando Park in La Mesa was dedicated as the 40th official Little Padres Park.

Padres closing pitcher Heath Bell and president/CEO Tom Garfinkel were on hand for the occasion--much to the delight of Rolando Little League players and their families.

By Miriam Raftery

February 2, 2010 (La Mesa)--In an exclusive interview, La Mesa Mayor Art Madrid offered his perspectives on the past year and the coming one. Despite challenging economic times for communities across America, La Mesa has weathered the storm in better shape than many.  Mayor Madrid provides insights into the city’s successes, future challenges, and new initiatives on the horizon—including consolidating some services with neighboring communities, revitalizing the downtown village, starting a community garden, and gearing up for the city’s centennial celebration in 2012.

Januuary 24, 2010 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Police have arrested two men suspected of robbing an Arco AM/PM store on Massachusetts Street on January 22nd. Punckey Donnell, 23, of Lemon Grove and Devon Brown, 27 of San Diego were booked into San County Jail for robbery. Three other unknown suspects fled in a blue Honda and have not yet been apprehended.

January 15, 2010 (La Mesa) The public is invited to join La Mesa’s 14th annual Multicultural Festival. The event will be held this Sunday, January 17 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Drive, La Mesa.

The Salvation Army Kroc Center is opening its doors to the community for FREE on Saturday, January 9. Guests can take guided tours, and enjoy special membership savings as well as a free all-venue pass for the day.  Visitors can also experience skateboarding, ice skating, rock climbing, swimming, fitness classes, weight lifting, arts and crafts, an acting workshop and more. 

January 1, 2010 (La Mesa)--Residents of La Mesa can drop off holiday trees to be recycled and receive free holiday tree mulch on a self-load/self-haul basis at EDCO, 8184 Commercial Street in La Mesa. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sundays from 8 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. through January 15th.

By Nancy Clement

December 22, 2009 (La Mesa and Spring Valley) -- Start the New Year off right by walking your way to health!

Live Well invites you to come and “Take a Walk with your Community” at a fun-filled event that features a 30 minute hosted walk, free entertainment, refreshments and a special guest. This special event will occur simultaneously at both Harry Griffen Park in La Mesa and Lamar Park in Spring Valley from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 30th.

December 18, 2009 (La Mesa) -- Yesterday during the early morning hours, eight cars were burglarized in La Mesa, mostly in the 5600 block of Amaya Dr. and the 9100 block of Campina Dr. Various items were stolen during the burglaries, mainly loose items lying in open view. There is no suspect description at this time.

December 14, 2009 (La Mesa) – On December 13th around 2:18 a.m., a man leaving a friend’s home at 8025 Valley View Circle in La Mesa was assaulted while getting into his vehicle . Three black male suspects approached him, armed with a crowbar and a stick. One suspect began punching and kicking the victim while demanding his property and stole his wallet, according to the La Mesa Police. All three suspects fled the scene in a dark 1994 or 1995 Ford Thunderbird. See detailed descriptions below.

2ND ACCIDENT IN 2 DAYS TO DROP HEAVY OBJECTS OFF ELEVATED RAMPS IN LA MESA

By Miriam Raftery

December 12, 2009 (La Mesa) – A big rig smashed into a wall on an elevated I-8 connector in La Mesa around 10:20 a.m., knocking chunks of concrete onto southbound SR-125 below. The truck cab teetered precariously as a portion of the wall crumbled high above the roadway, reports Miriam Raftery, who was traveling on 125 moments after the accident occurred as emergency vehicles arrived overhead.

City to hold public scoping meeting Wed. Dec. 9 on proposed 18-story project

By Kristin Hobbs-Kjaero

November 18, 2009 (La Mesa) – A 54-year-old woman was punched in the face yesterday at 5:51 p.m. while watching another woman yell at a young child outside the Target Store in Grossmont Center, La Mesa Police report. The victim was in the parking lot when she stopped to observe the incident. According to police, she was about to walk away when she was assaulted. The victim was transported by ambulance to Grossmont Hospital for treatment.

Police seek the public’s help to identify the suspect, shown on a surveillance camera.  She wore a black jacket with fur hood, dark pants, mult-colored shirt, and white boots.