Richie Lawrence Has the X-Factor: Hard Work Pays Off as Top Fundraiser

La Mesan, 10, won a Kinect gaming system for raising the most money for his Pop Warner team.

Photo Gallery: It's Book Time with Ronald McDonald

Ronald McDonald is touring through libraries to help enlighten children with the power of reading, just in time for the start of a new school year.

Grossmont’s Rib: How Helix High School Opened in Rival’s House

Sixty years ago, a school first dubbed La Mesa High School made its debut, igniting eventual crosstown rivalry.

Helix Marching Band Fears Noise Complaints Could Shut Program

Community meeting originally set for Aug. 31 at football stadium has been called off, band director says. Mayor Art Madrid is getting involved.

March Madness: It’s Band Camp Time at Grossmont High School

Director Adam Bovie and drum majors Patricia Tan and Kathryn Herman will lead the Royal Blue Regiment at halftime shows and tournaments.

Update: High School District Has Only 60% Compliance on Tdap Vaccinations

Booster shots to fight whooping cough are required under state law. Helix Charter High missing only 10 percent of students.

Limousine Ride on First Day of School Could Go to Four Foothillers

Grossmont Center is collecting new clothes and school supplies to help needy kids in Kroc area.

La Mesa Middle School Less Than Halfway to Meeting Vaccination Law

Parkway Middle School compliance at 83 percent, says district, with two weeks until deadline.

Update: Waiting List Hits 23,000 Seats in Grossmont College District

About 94 percent of classes are full, say district officials, citing “the travesty of the budget crisis.”

Cindy Miles Shows Her True Colors at 50th Anniversary of Grossmont College

La Mesan and district chancellor gets in the spirit of the 1960s at convocation celebrating survival.

Helix Baseball Draft Picks Harlin, Reed Taking Different Paths

Jake Reed is off to Oregon to pitch for the Ducks, while outfielder Rashad Harlin is playing for the Rangers' Arizona Rookie League team.

Teachers Play Musical Chairs as School Starts in La Mesa-Spring Valley District

A fifth of teachers will be at new schools with today’s first day of classes in the K-8 district.

Former Helix Baseball Coach Named Commissioner of CIF San Diego Section

Jerry Schniepp will succeed Dennis Ackerman as chief overseer of high school sports in county.

Are You Ready for Football? Scotties and Hillers Train for Sept. 2 Openers

Helix and Grossmont hope for successful seasons in the wake of both making CIF last year.

John Neill’s Magical History Tour Gives Grossmont Students Taste of Reality

Teacher, coach and accomplished artist had 24-year real-estate career before coming to campus.

Murdock Elementary Gets Ready For Students

Pros and Cons of Studying Abroad

Many high school graduates are leaving Spring Valley for college. How far away should they go?

La Mesan Among Pioneer Grossmont College Staffers to Be Honored

Cornelius “Van” Vanderpoll will join seven other original employees at 50th anniversary salute.

How the Hillers Won the Hurley: Team, Crew and the ‘Power of One’

Routine resonated well with judges, says ASB adviser, who devised the fashion show’s theme.

Youth Ministry Leader at SDSU Says He Chose Books Over Hoops

Jordan Harrison says his parents taught him financial responsibility early.

Grossmont College Student, Living Out of Car, Has Drive to Attain MBA

Fernando Rico gave up his home so he could better afford school and says: “I actually love it.”

Check This Out: Winning Grossmont Returns to Campus With $25,000

Parents and district officials cheer victors in Hurley company's "Walk the Walk" fashion contest.

Special Whooping Cough Booster Offered at SVECC

The Spring Valley-East Communities Center is formerly Spring Valley Elementary School, 3845 Spring Dr.

Grossmont High School Claims $25,000 First Prize in ‘Walk the Walk’ Contest

Twenty Foothillers go last, finish first with “sick” performance at Huntington Beach event. Money goes to ASB projects—to be decided later.

Former Monte Vista Baseball Coach Convicted of Embezzlement of Team Funds

Larry Rinehart faces up to three years in state prison and will be sentenced Aug. 30.

Crowning Achievement for Helix High Alum: Miss Deaf United States

Former Scottie Kayla LaBruno says she felt "amazing and inspired" when she won pageant in June.

La Mesa-Spring Valley School Board Raps Law as ‘Financially Reckless’

School districts say they were thrown a curveball with a Sacramento bill on possible midyear cuts.

Exclusive: Junior Cadet Leadership Challenge Experience—Part 1

This video provides a look into the journey of Army JROTC cadets while participating in the Junior Cadet Leadership Challenge, which features cadets from Mount Miguel and other San Diego County high schools.

Grossmont Students Gear Up for Shot at $26,000 in Fashion Show Contest

Twenty Foothillers will perform Aug. 4 at U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach.

Cara Day-McKellar Banking on La Mesa as Home for Her Private Prep School

La Mesa native is remodeling old Home Savings building on Jackson Drive for 110-student nonreligious K-12 school.

Some Bunny Headed to Boston University with Former Scottie

Helix Charter High School alum Mallory Orr is counting the days until her move to Beantown.

GUHSD To Consider New Attendance Areas that Could Affect Thousands of East County Students

The Grossmont Union High School District is planning to change attendance boundary areas of its nine comprehensive East County high schools for incoming students.

GUHSD to Consider New Attendance Areas That Could Affect Thousands of East County Students

The Grossmont Union High School District is planning to change attendance boundary areas of its nine comprehensive East County high schools for incoming students.

Grossmont College Art Students Leave Their Mark on County Fair

Each year, instructor Al Ventura takes a few of his students to paint a mural of the fair's logo near the Student Showcase.

SADD Reality Turned Happy: Local Chapter Receives National Recognition

Helix Charter High School's Students Against Destructive Decisions chapter is recognized nationally for the quality programs it conducted throughout the school year.

Cornerstone Reception at GHS Was a Mixture of Old and New

GHS’ Cornerstone Reception showcased the newly restored contents found in the 1922 cornerstone and left plenty of time for old friends to catch up.

La Mesa-Spring Valley Schools Cut 14 Jobs After OK'ing $90.4M Budget

School board targets 13 janitors for layoffs in spending plan filled with uncertainty because of the state budget crisis.

Preview of the Junior Cadet Leadership Experience

The Junior Cadet Leadership Experience features JROTC programs from high schools across San Diego, including Mt. Miguel HS.

American entrants in WMA World Masters Athletics Championships in Sacramento

Meet is July 6-17, 2011, at Sacramento State University and nearby tracks.

Honduras Gets a Welcome Dose of Helix from Alumnus/Administrator

John Quiggle, Class of 1964, is back in the States and visiting twin grandsons in La Mesa.