Community Corner

Massacre in Colorado, Haunted House Fire, and Alleged Teacher-Student Sex

These stories and more as we take a look at the Week in Review on La Mesa-Mount Helix Patch.

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.

Obviously, the biggest news anywhere in the world last week, was that of James Holmes, the former San Diego resident, who allegedly shot and killed 12 people and injured dozens more in Aurora, Colorado, during a midnight screening of the new film "The Dark Knight Rises." Holmes was arrested and appeared in court on Monday.

Holmes, 24, whose parents live in Rancho Penasquitos, grew up in San Diego and went to Westview High. Patch editors from across the county collaborated to cover this story from the San Diego angle.

Find out what's happening in La Mesa-Mount Helixwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A La Mesa home that had served as a "haunted house" during Halloween for the last 20+ years, had a fire in the garage on Friday. Firefighters were able to prevent the fire from spreading into the home, but all of the contents of the garage (including holiday decorations), which investigators estimated at around $100,000, were lost.

Another story that made readers shudder last week was that of Chrystina Delrosario, 25, of El Cajon, who was arrested and charged with having sex with a 15-year-old male student. Delrosario was serving as a teachers aide at Reflections School in La Mesa, at the time of the alleged incident in late June.

Find out what's happening in La Mesa-Mount Helixwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

More education news, as the La Mesa-Spring Valley school board approved across-the-board salary reductions to its management. It is the third consecutive year that the salaries have been reduced as a response to growing budget concerns.

Graduation and dropout rates were also recently released for the high schools in the Grossmont Union High School District. Find out the rates for Grossmont, Helix, Mount Miguel, and Monte Vista, and how they compare to last year.

Nearly two dozen local students wrapped up the first annual La Mesa Police Department Youth Leadership Camp. The kids learned lessons about leadership, while participating in fun and interactive activities, put on by the police department.

After more than two years of planning and volunteer trail cutting, the new Yawkey Trail, a quarter-mile walking path at Mount Helix Nature Park, was officially dedicated last week. Check out the photos and some of the stunning vistas.


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