January 2011 La Mesa Blog Posts (45)

La Mesa Women Get A Lesson In Self-Defense

LA MESA -  Recent discussions of crime in La Mesa -- like those that peppered the fall elections -- usually focused on the declining crime rate. But…

Cool Returns And Brings Fog With It

LA MESA -- The respite from cold departed with the return of a cool rain overnight, leaving a foggy morning to greet the work week in La Mesa. Gird yourself for more of this bitter winter! (Is this as bad as it…

Woman Robbed In Wal-Mart Parking Lot

 On January 26, 2011, at about 6:30 PM, the La Mesa Police Department responded to a call of a robbery that had just occurred in the parking lot of the Wal-Mart Store, located at 5500 Grossmont Center Drive, La Mesa. 

The female victim was approached from behind by the suspect as she was walking in the parking lot of Wal-Mart.  The suspect grabbed the victim’s purse…

When I was ten years old I made a discovery that has never left me:  words move people.  Even in works of fiction, words are powerful.  

It was summer, a particularly hot day in Whittier, California where I grew up, and it was one of those  perfect days for finding a place in the shade to sit down with a really good book. I decided I'd take the Reader's Digest condensed version of Old Yeller by Fred Gipson and head outside for an afternoon read.

So I poured some…

Officials Seek Support For Marine's Pet

LA MESA -- A local U.S. Marine who is suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder recently purchased a companion dog from a local pet store that may have been the product of a puppy mill.

The dog almost immediately had health problems and the marine was left with vet bills he couldn't afford.

Mayor Art Madrid today held a press…

A theatrical production remembering the glory days of radio!  

Thursday, February 10th, 2011

$ 10 admission

6 PM reception. No host food and beverages.

7…

The nation, nay the world, waits breathlessly in anticipation of words from perhaps the greatest world leader in our time if not history. The announcement is made and in comes the great one followed by his entourage of minions, henchmen and fawning sycophants. The world is treated to an exhibit of "aint I great" and a chorus of "Look At Me" as they wind their way to their seats, arranged to appear as though they are filled…

By Smart Money

The housing market still looks pretty bleak: There were a record 1 million foreclosures last year, home prices are still falling in many regions, and the number of "underwater" properties is at a record high.

And things don't look much better in other areas of real estate. The number of construction jobs continues to decline, even as other parts of the economy have added jobs. And mortgage rates have moved higher as long-term Treasury yields have backed…

Why Does La Mesa's Centennial Matter?

LA MESA -- What better way to get ready for a Centennial than looking to our own history. A year ago, we published the story below explaining why so much work and planning was underway to mark La Mesa's first century.

This…

La Mesa Cops Conduct DUI Warrant Sweep

LA MESA -- In an effort to display its commitment to combating drinking and driving, the La Mesa Police Department conducted a DUI Warrant Sweep on Monday.

A total of forty five subjects with outstanding DUI warrants that had been issued in the last two months were identified. Several teams of Officers attempted to locate these subjects at…

Purse Snatcher Takes It On The Chin

LA MESA -- A 52-year-old woman fended off a purse snatcher, exchanging punches with the thief in the Henry's parking lot near Palm Avenue Friday night.

La Mesa police said the attack happened just before 9 p.m. Police said the woman had just finished shopping at Henry’s Market and was walking through the parking…

A Clear Uptick In Civic Engagement

MARYLAND AVENUE -- Just 48 hours later and a few blocks west of Tuesday's town hall meeting place, but it might have been a world away.

Attendance at the City of La Mesa's second town hall meeting this week rocketed from a handful to dozens. Discussion…

I just watched an upcoming "news" release of a program airing January 21st wherein yet another "comedy" spot was performed mocking Sarah Palin. In truth it was just another Progressive hate spot. So I wonder: What elicits so much hatred for this one person throughout the entire country? Think about it. Not a single day passes, nay often a single hour, without a "hate spot" on television, newspaper, radio and that…

Another Bank Robber Hits La Mesa

UNIVERSITY AVENUE -- For the second time in two days, a robber has slipped a note to a local bank teller and made off with cash.

On Thursday, just before noon, La Mesa police responded to a call of a robbery that had just occurred at the Wells Fargo Bank located inside the Vons store at 8011 University Avenue.The lone…

Police Ask Help In Finding Alleged Molester

LA MESA -- The La Mesa police are asking the public's help in finding a man accused of molesting a 16-year-old boy he first met on-line.

On June 24, 2010, Jeffrey John McPherson, 41, was arrested by La Mesa police for molesting the 16-year-old boy over a 9-month period.

The…

A few months ago, I walked through my office at home on my way out to my car to head down to the commercial district of La Mesa. I own a greeting card company and I write and illustrate all my own work.   A new sewer project up on my hill had brought a symphony of sound and sight to the neighborhood.  Tractors and trucks and bobcats and men in orange vests and hard hats…

Lone Suspect Robs Bank Of West

La Mesa police are looking for a bank robber who handed a teller a note demanding money just after 9 a.m. this morning at the Bank of the West on Grossmont Center Drive.

Police said the lone suspect entered the bank, located at 8690 Grossmont Center Drive, and handed a teller a demand note.  No weapon was displayed and no one was harmed.  The…

A Quiet Night At Town Hall Meeting

PARKWAY - The City Council gathered Tuesday night to take the pulse of the people.

Depending on your view, the quiescence they were met with suggested either a moribund or contented electorate.…

Sixth Grades May Be Moving Back To Elementary Schools

LA MESA - The impact of the state budget crisis continues to take its toll on local schools.

In an appparent cost saving move, the La Mesa/Spring Valley school district is expected to move its sixth graders back to elementary campuses in September.

The move, which has not been officially…