Lake Murray Postal Annex Service in Jeopardy? Meeting To Weigh Reaction

San Carlos couple have launched a protest drive among neighbors who haven't been consulted on possible closing of customer service window.

Helix Water District Ends Drought Restrictions Dating to Summer 2009

Customers are still urged to conserve, after gallons-per-capita daily consumption fell from 126 to 108.

Lutz Rebuffed on Conflict-of-Interest Claim Against Ewin

Lawyer for Grossmont Healthcare District says letter about Councilman Ernie Ewin, who also serves on bond oversight committee, doesn’t hold water.

Congressman Hunter: ‘The Overall Threat Still Remains’

East County congressman, himself an Iraq/Afghanistan war veteran, salutes the troops.

Attorneys Fly in to Aid Ramona Lawyer in Fight Over President's Eligibility

Gary Kreep will address the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Pasadena on Monday, representing American Independent Party members.

Mayor Tells Engagement to President of Grossmont Healthcare District Board

Wedding date isn’t set, but Art Madrid confirms to Chamber of Commerce audience that he's engaged to Deborah McElravy.

United States Won in Vietnam, Veteran Says at Council Salute

Old and new divisions were aired Tuesday night at City Hall, including tensions within the downtown PBID Formation Committee.

Redistricting Advisory Committee Meets in La Mesa

Nobody makes suggestions on how to redraw boundary lines of the five county supervisorial districts.

State Owes Grossmont School District Nearly $100 Million in Matching Funds

Elana Levens-Craig: “To prevent this delay in funding from holding up Prop. H projects, the district will transfer all ongoing construction into Prop. U once Prop. H funds are depleted.”

Ray Lutz Calls for Resignation of Ernie Ewin from Council Over Conflict-of-Interest Issue

COPs founder says Ewin is holding two public posts in same jurisdiction in violation of state law.

Mike Lumpkin Named to Special Ops Post in Pentagon; Ran for Congress

Former Navy SEAL commander ran in East County's 52nd Congressional District against Duncan D. Hunter in November 2008; Lumpkin now assigned to oversee special operations.

Drawing the Lines: County Redistricting Panel to Meet in La Mesa on Monday

Residents are invited to express their views on how supervisor district boundaries should be changed in light of the 2010 census.

Irate Helix Water District Customers Call Pension Reform a ‘Charade’

A new plan—approved in a 4-1 vote—will make HWD employees pay 2 percent of their pension in 2011 and 4 percent thereafter.

PBID Panel Averts Clash Over Vacancy by Downsizing Group to 15 Members

Village merchant Bill Jaynes sought a seat at the table. Group moves on to other matters without replacing resigned member.

City Officials Light on Gifts, Heavy on Investments, Say Disclosures

Mayor Madrid and Councilman Allan report baseball and football tickets, while Councilwoman Sterling lists stocks and bonds totaling in the millions.

City Hosts Workshop to Find Out What Residents Want Most in the Next 20 Years

The city held a general plan community workshop to find out what La Mesans want—and what makes them tick.

New Legislation Would Crack Down on Pimping and Pandering to Protect Young Girls

State Assemblyman Marty Block has authored legislation in cooperation with the San Diego County district attorney, the Board of Supervisors, the San Diego Police Department and the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

Grossmont High Gears Up for Seismic Renovations to Its Historical District Office Building

Grossmont High School’s historic building will soon undergo a major renovation.

Helix Water Decides New Meters Not Smart for Now

Budget constraints force board members to reject smart meter technology, which would come at a price of $1.38 million.

‘Agonizing Decisions’ Are Made for Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges Next Year, Says Schools’ Chancellor

Chancellor Cindy Miles says the school district is forced to cut almost 800 class sections and turn away 5,000 next year, and they’re preparing for even more.

Making Noise: Petition Drive Seeks to Preserve Freeway Sound Wall Above Future Housing Project

Reynolds Communities reportedly cites possible Route 125 widening as reason to eliminate 11-foot sound barrier, but Caltrans official says: “We’re not requiring or asking them to do anything.”

San Diego City Council Approves Additional Regulations on Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

In a 5-2 vote, the Council approves two critical ordinances that will affect all marijuana dispensaries in the city, including one in Spring Valley.

What You Need To Know For Cesar Chavez Day

San Diego County offices and the Spring Valley Community Center will be closed on Thursday.

Doggone Good Listener: Sunny Brightens the Lives of Shy Readers

Therapy dogs are key to weekly program at La Mesa branch library, where youngsters practice their out-loud skills with a nonjudgmental audience.

Frustration with Washington Gridlock Infects Council Debate

Federal block grant allocations to local charities trimmed as Congress dithers on cuts in HUD budget.

Art Madrid: East County Cities Should Follow La Mesa Lead on Collaborating with Churches

Rancho San Diego's Skyline Wesleyan Church also was invited to attend meeting of La Mesa clergy on tackling social ills.

La Mesans Give Two Thumbs Up to Quality of Life, Survey Finds

A $45,000 phone poll of 800 residents details residential satisfaction with city services, recreation and cultural offerings—with misgivings about crime and traffic.

Go Play on the Freeway: Route 52 Extension Opened to Pedestrians

Bands and booths add color to concrete as thousands walk the highway. Gymnastics and antique cars share the lanes.

County Officials Warn Local Businesses About Phone Scam

Fraud is part of a nationwide scheme.

La Mesa Farmers Market Will Move West of Trolley Tracks in Early May

Village Merchants Association got the news for the first time Wednesday night. Popular market has been at Allison Avenue parking lot since 1993.

Helix Charter High Seeks $7,700 for Emergency Restroom Kits

Committee of Grossmont Healthcare District recommends the board reject the grant bid. Request grew out of Jan. 14 lockdown scare.

New Language in General Plan Could Subordinate Community Plans

Valle de Oro Planning Group President Jack Phillips calls Supervisor Ron Roberts' directive at a Feb. 9 meeting "ridiculous."

Spread a Little Sunshine and Celebrate Sunshine Week

Help Patch celebrate open government this week.

Left in the Dark: Nine City Panels Have Posted No Agendas or Meeting Minutes Online

La Mesa Patch is taking part in Sunshine Week through March 19 by promoting and celebrating open government and freedom of information.

‘Elephant in the Room’ Haunts Assessment District Panel

PBID Formation Committee OKs boundaries for proposed downtown district, shifts some areas to a zone with higher assessments, wrestles with complexities.

Puppy Mill Ordinance Gets No Encouragement from City Attorney

La Mesa City Council is told that “expensive, protracted litigation” could result from a proposed ordinance regulating retail sales of dogs and cats in the city.

La Mesa Population a Mystery No More: We Have 57,000-Plus Souls

Conflicting numbers are finally resolved by house-to-house head count in the 2010 U.S. census. A fifth of the city is under 18, with room for more—1,655 housing units are vacant.

East County Residents Speak Out Against Proposed El Monte Valley Water Reclamation Project

About 60 people were in attendance, and almost a dozen residents spoke out, mostly in opposition to the project.

La Mesa Jobless Rate at 8.7 Percent Among Lowest in State

With an estimated 33,700 people in the labor force, La Mesa had 2,900 out of work in January, the state says. Yearly drop is 0.6 percent.

IRS May Owe $1 Billion to Taxpayers Who Didn't File 2007 Returns

Taxpayers have until April 18 to claim refunds for the 2007 tax year.