A Slew of Robberies and Fires, Gingham Sale Falls Through, SVCA Survives

At La Mesa-Mount Helix Patch, we know that in your busy lives there may be some stories that you can't read about the day they happen. With the "Week That Was" column, we'll provide a roundup of the most important stories of the week.

With the busyness of the holiday season, we will take a look back at the last two weeks of stories.

There were a slew of robberies in the La Mesa and Spring Valley area over the past two weeks, inlcuding a recycling center and two gas stations.

Sheriff's Seek Suspects in Spring Valley Recycling Center Armed Robbery (Dec. 18)

Woman Robbed of Purse at Gunpoint (Dec. 24)

(Dec. 26)

La Mesa 7-Eleven Store Robbed Wednesday (Dec. 26)

Authorities Release Photos of Suspects in BPS Gas Station Robbery (Dec. 26)

There were also three fires in the area, including one in which a dog was injured.

(Dec. 18)

Couple Saved from Burning Home After Alert Neighbor Notices Smoke (Dec. 24)

La Mesa House Fire Hurts Dog (Dec. 26)

The on-again, off-again saga of whether popular La Mesa restaurant Gingham would be sold, ultimately ended with a sale to the Cohn Restaurant Group falling through. Co-owner James Brennan told the UT that he is not seeking a buyer for the year-old eatery.

Update: Gingham Sale to Cohn Group Falls Through

In another business story, Lamplighter Community Theatre plans a return to La Mesa. The group, which was a community theater staple for more than 70 years, is hoping to have space opened up in March, pending approval from the city.

Lamplighter Community Theatre Plans Triumphant Return to La Mesa

In the wake of the Newtown, Conn. tragedy, California senator Diane Feinstein said that she will make it a priority to adopt legislation that would ban the sale of assault weapons.

Feinstein Says Bills to Ban Assault Weapons Will Be a Priority

The possibility of disbanding as an orgainization was a very real one for the Spring Valley Citizens Association. However, by a margin of just one vote, the group decided at its Dec. 20 meeting to continue to operate. Read the whole story here.

Spring Valley Citizens Association Survives by Single Vote on Third Ballot