Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How could La Mesa’s next mayor change homelessness outreach?
Happening soon: Heartland Coin Show on the La Mesa Patch calendar
Hey there, La Mesa! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How could La Mesa's next mayor change homelessness outreach?
- How close is La Mesa's long-promised Waite Park to breaking ground?
- Could that easy work-from-home offer be a parcel mule scam?
Also on today's calendar: Heartland Coin Show and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: Why did the cookie go to the hospital? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Friday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high of 92 and low of 65 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Saturday: Times of clouds and sun, temps: high: 85, low: 66.
- Sunday: Tropical Rainstorm Rachel, with a high of 75 and low of 62 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. How a new mayor might address homelessness (timesofsandiego.com) — La Mesa's next mayor could reshape how the city responds to homelessness, with leading candidates sharply divided over whether to continue the HOME outreach team that now handles most non-criminal homelessness calls. One frontrunner argues the program attracts more unhoused people, while the other, along with La Mesa police, credits it with reducing street homelessness as the city's Homeless Action Plan expires. 
2. La Mesa takes step toward long-awaited park, but funding gap remains (10news.com) — La Mesa has secured $1.5 million in state funding toward the long-promised Waite Park at Waite Drive and Murray Road, but still faces a $6.5 million gap before construction can begin. Neighbors describe years of frustration with the fenced-off, trash-strewn lot and hope the city's renewed push for grants finally delivers a much-needed family gathering space on this overlooked side of town.
3. La Mesa Woman Says a Work From Home Shipping Job That Promised $4,200 a Month Became a Warning About Parcel Mule Scams and Stolen Goods (newsbreak.com) — A La Mesa mother's too-good-to-be-true work-from-home shipping job turned out to be a suspected parcel mule scam involving strange packages and dead-end company contacts. After stopping shipments, she alerted police and a postal inspector, and local prosecutors explain how these schemes use stolen identities—offering La Mesa residents practical red flags to avoid similar offers.
4. Pete Hegseth addresses sailors on USS Abraham Lincoln (fox5sandiego.com) — Residents of La Mesa are indirectly tied to growing scrutiny of conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, since Rep. Sara Jacobs, whose district includes the city, has pushed for an independent review. During a visit, she heard sailors describe food shortages and mental health struggles, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the deployment and praised the crew's resilience.
📸 Around La Mesa
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in La Mesa
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Heartland Coin Show →
El Cajon Elks Lodge #1812, 1400 E Washington Ave, El Cajon
10:00 am - Recovery Happens →
ECTLC, 1527 E Main St, El Cajon
5:00 pm - The Fall Home Garden Show →
Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar
10:00 am - FREE Kids Fall Festival →
1465 E Madison Ave, El Cajon
10:00 am
Saturday October 17
Sunday October 18
Saturday October 24
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- 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 - Tree Treks at La Mesita Park →
La Mesita Park, La Mesa
10:00 am - Howl-O-Ween Hounds Adoption Event →
Grossmont Center, 5500 Grossmont Center Drive, La Mesa
11:00 am - Patchwork Presents Succulent Pumpkins Craft Workshop →
La Mesa Wine Works, 8167 Center St, La Mesa
1:00 pm - La Mesa Art in the Park →
MacArthur Park, 4975 Memorial Drive, La Mesa
1:00 pm - The Fall Home Garden Show →
Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar
10:00 am - Spooktacular Trunk or Treat →
Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve, 9310 Fanita Pkwy, Santee
10:00 am
Saturday October 10
Saturday October 17
Saturday October 24
📣 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
- The Union Tribune is raising my rate from $10 per 8 weeks to $21.
45 per week. Kind of a steep increase. And they just renewed it at the $10 rate in August. (Nextdoor Kumeyaay) - Report of police activity in San Diego, California.
9:35PM on Oct 7: Police and firefighters are present at Florida Street and Lincoln Avenue in North Park. (Nextdoor )
- Olive Garden posted a job opening for Bartender in La Mesa. Apply here.
- Pizza Hut posted a job opening for Production/Cook in La Mesa. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near La Mesa here.
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: "Why did the cookie go to the hospital?" — Because he felt crummy. (Thank you Sanda J. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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