🌱 Patch AM: How did a La Mesa water bill jump to nearly $3,000?

What's up La Mesa! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How did a La Mesa water bill jump to nearly $3,000?
• La Mesa residents felt this quake—are you ready for the next?

Also on today's calendar: Heartland Coin Show and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What do you call a paper airplane that can't fly? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: Sweltering heat with sunshine, with a high of 100 and low of 65 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
• Thursday: Sunshine and hot, temps: high: 96, low: 64.
• Friday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high of 92 and low of 65 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• East County man baffled by nearly $3,000 water bill, seeks answers (cbs8.com) — A La Mesa homeowner is challenging a nearly $3,000 Helix Water District bill after the agency's meter readings showed more than 228,000 gallons used, despite no active leaks found and normal past bills. The district has paused payment while it reviews the case, leaving the resident worried about both the huge charge and whether the system can accurately track his water use.
   

• Update: Earthquake of 3.5 magnitude registered close to Dana Point, CA on Oct. 5 (sanluisobispo.com) — Residents in La Mesa were among those who reported feeling Monday's 3.5-magnitude earthquake centered near Dana Point, though only weak shaking was noted and no damage reported. The piece explains how magnitude works and offers clear, practical safety tips for what to do during and after earthquakes, information especially relevant in seismically active Southern California.
   

📸 Around La Mesa

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🗓 Upcoming Events in La Mesa

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Saturday October 17
• Heartland Coin Show →
  El Cajon Elks Lodge #1812, 1400 E Washington Ave, El Cajon
  10:00 am
Sunday October 18
• The Fall Home Garden Show →
  Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar
  10:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Thursday October 8
• SD Coordinating Council →
  4816 Glen St, La Mesa
  6:30 pm
• Choir Practice →
  St. Andrew's Choir Room, 4816 Glen St., La Mesa
  7:30 pm
Friday October 9
• CITY HALL CLOSED →
  La Mesa CA
• La Mesa Village Farmers Market →
  La Mesa Village, La Mesa
  3:00 pm
• La Mesa Farmers Market Trade Alley →
  La Mesa Village Farmers Market, 4th Street, La Mesa
  3:00 pm
• Refreshing Your Marriage - San Diego →
  Skyline Church, 11330 Campo Road, La Mesa
  7:00 pm
• Music Bingo at Coin Haus →
  Coin Haus, 8361 Allison Avenue, La Mesa
  7:00 pm
Saturday October 10
• Litter Free La Mesa Cleanup Series - Kroc Center →
  Meet at Rolando Park parking lot, 6600 Vigo Dr., La Mesa
  9:00 am
• Second Saturday Divorce Workshop →
  Zoom
  9:00 am
Saturday October 17
• The Fall Home Garden Show →
  Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar
  10:00 am

📣 La Mesa Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Found this male rottweiler on 30th & market St I can't figure out how to get it posted in that neighborhood.
  So, please humor me and help get this message out that way and everywhere. So, we can find this dogs home and owner. Thanks. Jen (619) 658-5353 **… (Nextdoor Broadway)

• Brinker International posted a job opening for QA/Expeditor - La Mesa Chili's in La Mesa. Apply here.
• InstaSwim posted a job opening for Private Swim Instructor in La Mesa. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near La Mesa here.

🗞 Nearby News

Spring Valley

• Vista man arrested in fatal AM/PM incident (newsbreak.com)
• Arrests in Brevard County: October 4, 2026 – The Space Coast Rocket (thespacecoastrocket.com)

El Cajon

• El Cajon council candidates spar over surveillance cameras, immigration and homelessness (sandiegouniontribune.com)
• El Cajon Oktoberfest brings Bavarian tradition to San Diego amid triple-digit heat (10news.com)
• Mexican Pop Star Kenia Os Unveils US Tour Dates (pollstar.com)

San Diego

• Leslie's Pool Supplies To Close 3 San Diego County Stores Amid Bankruptcy (patch.com)
• Trump Suggests Letting Iran 'Take Out Los Angeles, San Diego,' Stirring Local Outrage (patch.com)

Ok La Mesa! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "What do you call a paper airplane that can't fly?" — Stationary (Thank you David H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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