Source:  La Mesa Chamber of Commerce

February 17, 2022 (La Mesa) - On Wednesday, February 23^rd the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce invites you to join them at an open house and ribbon cutting for San Diego Living Real Estate located at 8504 La Mesa Blvd. in La Mesa. The fun begins at 5:00 p.m. and ends at 7:00 p.m. with the “official” ribbon cutting taking place at 6:00 p.m.

East County News Service

February 17, 2022 (Rancho San Diego) – Heritage of the Americas Museum will hold a “Rock Sale” this Saturday, February 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. You can find rocks, crystals, fossils and more. 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: CC-by-NC-ND

February 17, 2022 (Lakeside) – A 77-year-old woman was struck by a car while walking east at the intersection of Pino Drive and Lindo Lane in Lakeside this morning. She was taken to Sharp Memorial, where she died of her injuries.

The accident occurred at 6:45 a.m., when a 2000 Honda Accord driving north on Pino Drive hit the pedestrian. The Honda was driven by a Lakeside man, 37, who had a female juvenile passenger.

By Miriam Raftery

February 15, 2022 (Lakeside) – Imagine swimming beneath waterfalls alongside fish in a freshwater lake. That dream is all part of the ambitious plans that Lakeside River Park Conservancy has announced for a new park at Channel Road in Lakeside.

By Elijah McKee

Photo: CC by NC via Bing

February 15, 2022 (La Mesa) — This past September, the State of California passed a pivotal housing law called Senate Bill 9. Now, like many localities around the state, the City of La Mesa is charged with considering how to best implement the legislation with local ordinances — such as the one that passed the City Council last Tuesday night. 

Update: At their meeting on February 16, Padre Dam's Board of Directors voted to begin the approval process of a time change from 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Staff will first research the change, such as impacts on other personnel's schedules and any financial ramifications, before sending it back to the Board of Directors for final approval at a later meeting, as per their rules.

By Miriam Raftery

February 15, 2022 (Santee) – Suzanne Till, a teacher, has asked her colleagues on the Padre Dam Municipal Water District Board to move meeting times from 3:30 to 4 p.m. since she has repeatedly been late due to the long commute from her job at a Chula Vista school.  But so far, the board has not done so.  The issue of moving the meeting time to later will be on the agenda for the board’s virtual meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 16 at 3:30 p.m., item 12. 

But some fear the board majority, all Republicans, may vote to oust Till, a Democrat, for tardiness in a partisan maneuver rather than accommodate a minor shift in meeting times. Till has fought against water rates, also opposing fines for late payments and water shutoffs during the pandemic. She holds a PhD in water resources geography and is a former Marine Corps Captain.  Her website details her record:  www.suzannetill.com .

Updated Feb. 15 with additional comments from Jennifer Mendoza.

By Miriam Raftery

February 14, 2022 (Lemon Grove) – Thieves broke into the church and  food pantry at St. John’s of the Cross Church at 8086 Broadway in Lemon Grove on February 8 around 3 a.m., vandalizing the property and stealing foods used to feed people in need, according to Councilmember Jennifer Mendoza, who manages the church's food pantry.

Councilmember Mendoza says, "We’re at the food pantry every Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. till noon. Any donations are much appreciated."

According to Mendoza, two of the perpetrators have been arrested. "The sheriff thinks there may be more. They don't think they were after food but were looking for electronic equipment like TVs, computers, speakers etc. or money. They also broke into the church...They caused a lof of damage to the church and pantry. We need to fix broken windows and doors, replace locks, etc.  We are also thinking we now need a security system."

By Elijah McKee

Photos:  Councilmember Lothian envisions murals, such as this one projected onto a currently blank building wall.

February 12, 2022 (La Mesa) — Ever drive through La Mesa and notice the blank gray side of a building? Councilmember Laura Lothian sure does, and she’d like to change what people see. 

By Mike Allen

February 12, 2022 (Santee) -- Santee’s grand plan to turn part of Trolley Square into an arts and entertainment district took a big step forward on February 9 when the City Council approved the sale of a parcel for a four-story, 89-room hotel.

Leashes help to keep dogs & people safer by preventing bites, fights & traffic accidents!

Source:  City of La Mesa

February 11, 2022 (La Mesa) - La Mesa City leaders are reminding dog owners to be good neighbors by keeping their dogs on a leash, unless in a designated off-leash area. It's also the law. Leashes keep dogs and the people around them safer by preventing bites, fights and traffic accidents, as well as avoiding potentially dangerous encounters with snakes, coyotes, or other wild animals.

By Elijah McKee

February 11, 2022 (La Mesa) — Phil Rath could see the light at the end of the tunnel. He had the La Mesa Planning Commission’s stamp of approval, as well as the Design Review Board’s. It appeared that his employer, Urbn Leaf, would soon have a new cannabis dispensary at 7901 Hillside Drive.

By Miriam Raftery

February 7, 2022 (Jamul) -- The California Highway Patrol (CHP) has arrested a driver on suspicion of manslaughter after a crash Saturday evening, Feb. 5, that resulted in the death of another motorist. 

East County News Service

February 6, 2022 (El Cajon) — El Cajon Police seek information from the public on a collision that occurred around 2:55 a.m. in the 400 block of Vernon Way.  Officers found a black 2010 BMW with a man estimated to be in his late 20s or 30s dead in the driver’s seat.

East County News Service

February 5, 2022 (Lemon Grove) -- Two people have been arrested on weapons and drug charges in Lemon Grove, says Lt. Pat McEvoy with the San Diego Sheriff.