Lemon Grove

East County News Service

January 29, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – The City of Lemon Grove is now accepting applications for residents and business owners interested in serving on the Measure T Oversight Committee. Applications will be accepted beginning January 27, 2025, through February 20, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.

The Measure T Oversight Committee is being established following the approval of Measure T – the Lemon Grove Sales Tax Measure – by voters in the November 5, 2024 State General Election. This measure, which is formally known as Ordinance No. 466, added Chapter 3.18 to the Lemon Grove Municipal Code, and mandates the formation of an oversight committee to monitor the implementation of Measure T funds.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• 18 years or older by the time of appointment
• Applicants may be residents or business owners within the City of Lemon Grove

The Measure T Oversight Committee will consist of five members. Interested candidates must submit their application by February 20, 2025. On February 25, 2025, at 6:00 p.m., applicants will have the opportunity to present their qualifications to the City Council during a Special City Council Meeting. A random drawing will determine the order of presentations, followed by potential questions from the Council. The final selection of the five committee members will take place during the Regular City Council Meeting on March 4, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.

Key Dates:

• Application Period: Monday, January 27 – Thursday, February 20, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.
• Special City Council Meeting (Applicant Presentations): Monday, February 25, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
• Regular City Council Meeting (Appointments): Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.

Applications are available at the City Clerk’s Office, located at 3232 Main Street, Lemon Grove, CA 91945, or on the City’s website at https://www.lemongrove.ca.gov/our-government/office-of-the-city-clerk/

For additional information, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (619) 825-3841 or visit the City’s website.

By Jessica Brodkin Webb

January 27, 2025 (Lemon Grove) -- Lemon Grove Mayor Alysson Snow called the Jan. 21 City Council meeting “very light,” yet there was time enough for staunch resident pushback against a historically controversial tiny homes project which was not on the agenda. 

The project, funded and in development by the County of San Diego, is intended to house homeless residents in 70 tiny homes on Troy Street.

A previous iteration of the project, planned around State of California funding, was slated for over twice as many structures and originally destined for Spring Valley. However, state funding was rescinded following missed deadlines, and the project was downsized and relocated to Lemon Grove amidst Spring Valley resident pushback. 

Tuesday, Lemon Grove residents once again questioned why an open community discussion about the project has yet to appear on an agenda.

“I’ve been here over six months asking for this item to be put on the agenda,” resident Ken King said.

King is one of several residents who have consistently voiced concerns about the project during time for public comments at city council meetings.

“Jennifer said the tiny home project would be on the agenda this meeting or next meeting. Those are her words,” King said, referring to Councilmember Mendoza.

Lemon Grove City Manager Lydia Romero said she is working with the county to schedule a special study session which would be open to the public. 

“We are dependent on the County of San Diego because they’re the ones putting forth the project,” Romero said.

However, former Lemon Grove Chamber of Commerce president and resident Teresa Rosiak-Proffit addressed city council members with an emphatic comment, stating that residents “want each one of you to hear their concerns” at a regular city council meeting rather than a county presentation or other special meeting.

“We need a city council tiny homes presentation where the residents can speak with you directly. It is their right for you to hear them. You may not want to hear them, but you have to give them a chance to be heard. Normally, I don’t demand but I am demanding that this be put on the agenda as quickly as possible so you hear what residents have to say,” said Rosiak-Proffit.

Snow said she would look into adding a special city council meeting about the tiny homes project, to which Romero said that essentially constitutes a special study session.

As of publication, no special study session or additional meeting information had been announced. The next regular Lemon Grove city council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 4 at the Lemon Grove Community Center, located at 3146 School Lane.

Update January 10, 2025 -- A third suspect has been arrested and charged with aiding and abetting in the murder of Darron Willie Singleton, Jr.  On Thursday January 9, 2025, 45-year-old Valena Marie Gonzales of San Diego was apprehended by the San Diego Regional Fugitive Task Force near Valley Road and Rio Drive in San Diego. She has been booked into custody at Las Colinas Detention Facility.

East County News Service

January 8, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – The Sheriff’s office today announced the arrest of two men suspected in the murder of 23-year-old Darron Willie Singleton, Jr.  

On Sept. 18 around 10:55 p.m., deputies responded to reports of gunfire and found Singleton suffering gunshot wounds to the torse in the 2200 block of Dain Street in Lemon Grove. Despite lifesaving efforts by San Miguel Fire Department personnel and Sheriff’s deputies, Singleton died at the scene.

“Months of intensive investigation led to the arrests of two individuals believed to be involved in this heinous crime,” says Lieutenant Michael Krugh.

Yesterday, Richard Charles Lee, 47, of San Diego, was apprehended in San Diego. Additionally, 44-year-old Reality Grayson of Temecula was arrested Temecula. Both suspects have been booked into custody at the San Diego Central Jail on charges related to the murder of Darron Willie Singleton Jr.

The San Diego Sheriff's Office extends its gratitude for the collaborative efforts of the San Diego Police Department, the Riverside Sheriff's Department, and the San Diego Regional Fugitive Task Force for their support in executing the arrests.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Homicide Unit at (858) 285-6330/after hours at (858) 868-3200.  You can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.

East County News Service

January 2, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – A 20-year-old man and a 19-year old woman are dead as a result of a collision in Lemon Grove yesterday.
According to the Sheriff’s department, two vehicles collided at the intersection of Buena Vista and Broadway shortly after 11 am. The impact sent one of the cars into the path of victims, who were walking across the street.  

Paramedics and deputies immediately began life-saving efforts on the two pedestrians, but both were pronounced dead at the scene.

The drivers of the two vehicles involved in the collision were taken to a hospital with injuries that are non-life threatening, according to Sergeant William Price with the Lemon Grove Sheriff’s substation.  Results of blood tests for blood or alcohol are pending.

Identities of the pedestrians killed have not yet been released by law enforcement, however commumnity members have gathered to mourn those lost.

However former Councilmember Liana LeBaron, calling the deaths “tragic,” posted on Facebook, “There are many members of the Haitian community standing by the scene of the accident in support of one another and their loved ones who were struck and killed.”

Realtor Stephanie Klein stated, “Many members of the Lemon Grove community in general were standing by the scene in support of one another. We ALL feel this loss as a community.

Newly elected Councilmember Jessyka Heredia poste “Devastating,” offering “prayers to the families and loved ones.”

An earlier version of this story stated that the accident occurred after 11 p.m.; the correct time was shortly after 11 a.m.