La Mesa

INTERGENERATIONAL TUTORING DOES “MIRACLE WORK”

By Susan Taylor

Photo  tutor Elaine Westheimer is enthusiastic about being part of the Oasis Intergenerational Tutoring Program

December 19, 2022 (La Mesa) -- At San Diego Oasis in Grossmont Center, seniors have the opportunity to be trained for and directed to the wonderful world of tutoring.  This fall, 175 volunteers, most of them seniors, are tutoring children in elementary schools in San Diego County.  This number is up from the first years of the COVID-19 pandemic, when just a handful of people were meeting face to face with kids at schools. 

The number of tutors was between 300-400 before COVID.  Kristen Amicone, Director of Intergenerational Programs at Oasis, said, “(We are) working diligently to reach that number again and estimate that we will do so by the end of the 2023-2024 school year.”


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SKIMMERS STEAL FUNDS AT LOCAL ATM AND CREDIT CARD MACHINES

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  skimming device recovered by La Mesa Police Department

December 14, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) – Skimming devices attached by thieves to ATM machines and credit card devices have stolen money from consumers in multiple East County locations. Some even have tiny hidden cameras stealing pin codes.

Lieutenant Katy Lynch with the La Mesa Police department confirms, “It’s definitely a trend.” LMPD has launched a campaign to educate merchants and the public on how to protect consumers and help nab thieves behind these schemes.

In La Mesa alone, 12 cases of skimming have been reported in the past year, with others in adjacent communities. “Many cases go unreported to law enforcement,” says Lt. Lynch. She urges anyone who is a victim of a skimming scam, or who believes they have spotted a skimmer, to immediately alert law enforcement. 

Showing a police report to banks or other financial institutions can help consumers recover money faster and also helps law enforcement catch the crooks, such as by identifying fingerprints or DNA on skimmers, and by asking businesses for surveillance videos. Businesses are encouraged to check their devices daily and report anything suspicious.


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AFSHAN CONCEDES LA MESA COUNCIL RACE; DILLARD AND LOTHIAN WIN BY NARROW MARGINS

By Miriam Raftery

December 12, 2022 (La Mesa) – Patricia Dillard and Laura Lothian have won their races for the La Mesa City Council.  According to the final certified results, Dillard will fill the seat vacated by Bill Baber’s retirement, drawing 8,600 votes, or 23.92%, while Councilmember Lothian won reelection with 8,414 votes or 23.40% -- just 11 votes above civil rights activist Mejgan Afshan, who got 8,403 votes, or 23.37%.


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LA MESA VILLAGE DOWNTOWN DISTRICT SIGN IS 83 PERCENT FUNDED - LOOKING TO COMMUNITY AND BUSINESSES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON TO GET TO THE FINISH LINE

East County News Service

December 10, 2022 (La Mesa) -- The La Mesa Village Association (LMVA) continues to fundraise for the much-anticipated downtown district sign that will be a beautiful new focal point in the La Mesa Village.  


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LAMPLIGHTER'S THEATRE REVIEW: THE GIFTS OF THE MAGI - TIMELESS CHRISTMAS ROMANCE THROUGH DEC. 18 AT LAMPLIGHTERS THEATRE IN LA MESA

By Kathy Carpenter

 

December 6, 2022 (La Mesa) - In San Diego, we do not have snow for Christmas. For many, it isn't Christmas without snow. In "The Gifts of The Magi" presented by Lamplighter's Theatre, the character City Her asks the question: how can I tell the Fourth of July from Christmas without snow? The Narrator, Willie Porter, sums up the Christmas season with his reply: people are uncharacteristically civilized.  That’s a term I fell in love with immediately because it's so apt.


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160 GUNS RELINQUISHED AT GUN BUY BACK EVENT

By Susan Taylor

Photos courtesy San Diego Sheriff's Department

December 4, 2022 (La Mesa) -- At 9 a.m. on Saturday, Dec.3, cars pulled into the parking lot across from the La Mesa Civic Center with guns that the drivers wanted to unload.  Organized by the San Diego County Sheriff and the City of La Mesa, assisted by El Cajon police, the event resulted in 160 firearms handed over in exchange for gift cards to Target stores.


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JUST FIVE VOTES SEPARATE LA MESA CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES

By Miriam Raftery

December 1, 2022 (La Mesa)  With two seats open on the La Mesa City Council, the latest returns reported tonight by the San Diego Registrar of Voters are so tight that a recount may be in the cards.


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REWARD OFFERED IN CASSIDY HOPWOOD CASE; FUNDRAISER SITE SET UP FOR BURIAL OF TEEN FOUND DEAD IN LA MESA

By Miriam Raftery

November 30, 2022 (La Mesa)  -- A $1,000 reward is offered for information leading to an arrest in the case of Cassidy Hopwood, an El Cajon teen who went missing in February. Her body was found March 13 behind a business in the 7900 block of El Cajon Blvd. in La Mesa, but she was not identified until November. 


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GUNS FOR GIFT CARDS EXCHANGE IN LA MESA DEC. 3

East County News Service

November 28, 2022 (La Mesa) – You’re invited to turn in your unwanted guns and receive a gift card valued at $100 to $200 this Saturday, December 3 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the La Mesa Civic Center, 4825 Date Ave. in La Mesa.

 

Gift card values of $100 will be provided for handguns, rifles and shotguns, while assault weapons and ghost guns can be exchanged for a $200 gift card.

 

You can remain anonymous; no questions asked.


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CHAMBER HOLIDAY PROJECT HELPS LA MESA SENIORS: DONATE ITEMS BY DEC. 2

East County News Service

November 21, 2022 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce seeks donations of items to help 16 homebound seniors locally, which will be assembled in large gift baskets and gift bags.

The gifts will be delivered by the La Mesa Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol. To allow time for wrapping and delivery, all donated items must be received by Friday, December 2. Please bring items to Fran Smith at the La Mesa Chamber’s office, 8080 La Mesa Blvd., Suite 214 between Monday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Mary England, Chamber President, can also meet donors seven days a week to pick up items directly from you by calling her at 619-251-7730.

Suggested items to purchase or donate:  Canned soups, canned vegetables, canned fruits, crackers, pasta, marinara, macaroni & cheese, instant cereals, bars of soap, tubes of toothpaste, tissues, bottles of hand soaps, hand sanitizer, socks, pens and pads of paper. Gift cards in any denomination from the following locations: Walmart, Target, or any grocery store. Please double check expiration dates, If you have another item you believe will put a smile on their faces, drop them off.


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MATT STRABONE SET TO BECOME FIRST MILLENNIAL ELECTED IN LA MESA AND FIRST DEMOCRAT TO SERVE AS CITY TREASURER

East County News Service

November 16, 2022 (La Mesa) – Matt Strabone appears all but certain to have won election as City Treasurer in La Mesa. He currently has 9,621 votes, or 54.01%, leading William “Bill” Exeter who has 8,192 votes, or 45.99%.


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DILLARD TAKES LEAD IN LA MESA CITY COUNCIL RACE; LOTHIAN AND AFSHAN ARE CLOSE BEHIND IN TIGHT BATTLE FOR TWO SEATS

Update November 16, 2022 – This race has tightened further, with the top three candidates in a near dead heat for the two Council seats.  Only 49 votes separate Dillard, who is in the lead, from Lothian in second, while just 31 votes separate Lothian from Afshan, who is currently in third. Countywide, 80,000 votes remain to be tallied, though the Registrar has not disclosed how many are in La  Mesa.

If Lothian squeaks out a win and Afshan fails to win a seat, it will likely be due in part to Brand, a Democrat who withdrew from the race too late to remove her name from the ballot, likely drawing votes away from fellow Democrats Afshan and Dillard, the party-endorsed candidates. Lothian was endorsed by Republicans. Though the race is officially nonpartisan, both parties sent mailers urging voters to party-backed candidates.

 

November 15, 2022 (La Mesa) – The latest election returns from the County Registrar of Voters show that Patricia Dillard has taken the lead over Councilmember Laura Lothian, with Mejgan Afshan a close third.  The top two vote-getters will win the seats.


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LA MESA-EL CAJON BRANCH OF AAUW ANNOUNCES ANNUAL SPEECH TREK CONTEST

East County News Service

November 16, 2022 (La Mesa) -- The La Mesa-El Cajon Branch of the American Association of University Women is holding their annual Speech Trek, speech contest, open to all high school students in grades 9-12. The in-person contest is open to all high schools including public, charter, home and private.

Each year a critical topic is selected and students, along with a branch/teacher coach, create, prepare, and present an original, 5–6-minute speech. This year’s topic is, “How can communities, organizations and citizens of all ages help protect and expand voting rights?”


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HOLIDAY IN THE VILLAGE: A LA MESA TRADITION RETURNS DEC. 3 WITH NEW CAROLING STROLL

November 14, 2022 (La Mesa) -- The 7th annual La Mesa Holiday in the Village will once again be ringing in holiday cheer for everyone far and near on Saturday, December 3 from 12 to 9 p.m. The event takes place along La Mesa Blvd. between Spring Street and 4th Street in the heart of downtown La Mesa.

La Mesa Village friends and family will have the chance to take part in free, festive fun with live music, cozy fires, craft vendors, food, holiday photo opportunities including selfies with Santa, and a kids’ area bigger than Santa’s Toy Shop.


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BODY FOUND IN LA MESA IDENTIFIED AS EL CAJON TEEN MISSING SINCE FEBRUARY: REWARD OFFERED FOR INFORMATION

East County News Service

November 13, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) – The San Diego County Medical Examiner has identified a body found on March 13 in La Mesa  as that of Cassidy Hopwood, according to El Cajon Police.  Hopwood, an El Cajon resident, was reported missing in February.

Both La Mesa and El Cajon Police have listed Hopwood’s age as 17. However, on Facebook, the RAD movement, an organization that helps families locate missing teens, states that she was 16 when she went missing and when she was found dead.

The group also leveled criticism at police handling of the case.


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WEAPONS CACHE INCLUDING ASSAULT RIFLES SEIZED IN IN LA MESA AND SAN DIEGO; TEEN ARRESTED

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  some of the weapons and drugs seized

November 12, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) – Harrison Lee Stone,18, was arrested Wednesday under suspicions of trafficking after SWAT teams seized large caches of guns and drugs at homes in La Mesa and San Diego, ECM news partner NBC 7 reports.


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VISIONARY DANCE THEATRE PRESENTS THE NUTCRACKER: IN A NUTSHELL DEC. 9-11 IN LA MESA

East County News Service

 

November 10, 2022 (La Mesa) -- Visionary Dance Theatre:  School for the Performing Arts presents “The Nutcracker: In A Nutshell” at The Visionary Performing Space (8674 La Mesa Blvd. La Mesa, CA 91942) on December 9-11.


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INCUMBENTS WINNING IN EAST COUNTY CITY RACES

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells and La Mesa Mayor Mark Araposthis are winning their reelection bids

November 8, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) – Early results after polls closed tonight indicate incumbents heading for reelection in La Mesa, El Cajon and Lemon Grove.

The power of incumbency proved stronger than partisan politics. Though city races are nonpartisan, political parties endorsed candidates and expended resources walking precincts to campaign for their parties' choices. But incumbents in both parties hold solid leads, though Democrats appear likely to pick up a seat in both the La Mesa and Lemon Grove Council races, following the retirement of Republican incumbents.

El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells, a Republican, has a solid 71.25% of the votes tallied so far; his opponent, realtor Arnie Levine, a Democrat, has 28.75%. The Mayor ran on a track record of boosting revenues through bringing in new hotels and reopening the performing arts center, while Levine criticized Mayor Wells’ defiance of public health business shutdown mandates duringthe pandemic. El Cajon Councilman Gary Kendrick ran unopposed, drawing 100% of the votes.  But El Cajon’s Measure P which the Mayor supports, to increase the city sales tax to a penny per dollar, is losing 58% to 42%.


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LA MESA CITY COUNCIL HEARS CONCERNS OVER PROPOSED APARTMENTS ON RANDALL LAMB SITE DOWNTOWN

By Christianne McCormick

Screenshot: Mayor Mark Arapostathis

 

November 6, 2022 (La Mesa) -- Disgruntled and outraged residents of La Mesa at the October 11 City Council meeting voiced their concerns about a five-story, 64-unit apartment complex proposed to be built in the heart of the city’s village.  The building would be erected on the same land where the historic Randall Lamb Building burnt down during a riot following the May 30, 2020 protests after the tragic death of George Floyd. 


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SHOP FAIR TRADE IN LA MESA DECEMBER 4

Source: Shop Fair Trade

October 31, 2022 (La Mesa) -- Shop Fair Trade this Christmas will be held at St. Martin of Tours Parish in La Mesa on Sunday, Dec. 4th from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.  You’re invited to shop for beautiful, handmade, one-of-a-kind gifts from local store Fair Trade Décor, The Guatemala Project, and local vendors including Lumily, SSEKO/Noonday and Ember Arts Jewelry.  In addition, you can meet Dressember, founder Blythe Hill celebrating a 10-year anniversary with a special documentary at 11 a.m. 


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ANTI-PANHANDLING SIGNS OF LA MESA SPARK DEBATE, DENUNCIATIONS AND EVEN PRANKS

 

By Ken Stone, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

October 28, 2022 (La Mesa) - A disabled Vietnam-era veteran named John sat under an Ikea umbrella on a La Mesa median Tuesday. He displayed a neatly lettered sign that read: “Please help with what you can. Every little bit helps, even change.”


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THE 39 STEPS LIGHTS UP LAMPLIGHTERS THROUGH NOV. 6

By Kathy Carpenter

October 24, 2022 (La Mesa) - Lamplighters Community Theatre deliver a breath of fresh air as we breeze through October into November in a keystone-cop type comedy presentation of The 39 Steps. This play lightens the mood, when normally at this time of year it's all things dark and spooky. The play is a treat -- light-hearted, delightful and a bit of a spoof on film noir classic Hitchcock.


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SDSU FOOTBALL: HELIX ALUM MICHAEL SHAWCROFT NAMED MOUNTAIN WEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Shawcroft had seven tackles, two TFLs, a sack and a forced fumble in SDSU’s win at Nevada

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

October 24, 2022 (San Diego) - San Diego State senior linebacker Michael Shawcroft has been named the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week, the league announced Monday. It is the first conference weekly award for the San Diego native (Helix HS).


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ANTI-ISRAEL ADVOCACY BECOMES ISSUE IN LA MESA CITY COUNCIL RACE

By Donald H. Harrison, San Diego Jewish World, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  Mejgan Afshan

October 21, 2022 (La Mesa) - A political action group calling itself San Diegans Against Hate has come out in opposition to La Mesa City Council candidate Mejgan Afshan, describing her anti-Israel positions as antisemitic.  Afshan, daughter of Afghan refugees, was invited via her campaign website to respond on Wednesday, Oct. 19, by San Diego Jewish World, but had not done so by late afternoon of Thursday, Oct. 20.


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LA MESA POLICE RECEIVE $100,000 GRANT TO DETER UNSAFE BEHAVIORS AND INCREASE ROAD SAFETY

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.”


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GROSSMONT HEALTHCARE DISTRICT CELEBRATES 70TH ANNIVERSARY NOV. 2

East County News Service

October 17, 2022 (La Mesa) – The Grossmont Healthcare District will host a special “Wellness Wednesday” event on Nov. 2 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., celebrating both the 20th anniversary of the Herrick Library and the district’s 70 years of dedication to health and wellness in East County. The open house event will be at the library at 9001 Wakarusa St. in La Mesa.


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PATRICIA DILLARD, LA MESA CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE: COMMITTED TO PUBLIC SERVICE

 

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.


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LA MESA MAYOR MARK ARAPOSTATHIS SHARES HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND GOALS FOR THE CITY IF REELECTED

 

October 12, 2022 (La Mesa) -- La Mesa Mayor Mark Arapostathis is a life-long La Mesa resident, a teacher once honored as a County Teacher of the Year, and Director of Theatre Arts at La Mesa Arts Academy.  Known as Dr. A, he holds a doctorate in education from USD and SDSU. He served on the La Mesa City Council and headed up the La Mesa Arts Alliance before becoming mayor, and now he’s running for reelection.

In an interview with East County Magazine also airing on KNSJ radio, he spoke about his accomplishments, key issues and challenges facing the city, and his goals if reelected. View the full interview by clicking the image above, or scroll down to read highlights.


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VIEW OUR INTERVIEW: LA MESA COUNCILWOMAN LAURA LOTHIAN SEEKS REELECTION, AIMS TO "CLASS UP" LA MESA

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.


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DECEPTIVE FLYERS TARGET DEMOCRATIC VOTERS IN EAST COUNTY—TOUTING REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES

East County News Service

October 10, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) – Flyers headlined “East County  Democratic Voter Guide” have been mailed to homes across East County. But Democratic Party officials warn that the mailers are deceptive – touting Republican candidates, not Democrats endorsed by the party.


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