Fire Destroys La Mesa Home, La Mesa Street Magic, and Carol Garlow Dies

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.

There were a litany of crime stories last week, including a taco shop robbery, liquor store assault by thieves, a nonprofit embezzlement from a La Mesa bank, and attempted residential burglary suspects arrested.

Suspicious Pair Arrested Outside La Mesa Home; Attempted Burglary Suspected

Search Continues for Liquor Thieves Who Assaulted Employees

In the strangest story last week, a it was learned that a La Mesa Middle School student, a boy, posed as a girl on Facebook, and tricked other boys into sending nude photographs. An unnamed source claims that the boy was trying to get revenge on the other students for bullying him, and one of the nude photos did appear online.

The boy was questioned, but not arrested, though the investigation continues, and a possible child pornography charge could be pending.

A house fire destroyed a home on Dillon Avenue last week, and the resident of the home was arrested and charged with "reckless burning of property." The man allegedly extinguished a cigarette behind the house, which sparked the dry brush on the property, and caused damage to a neighboring home.

Carol Garlow, the wife of megachurch Skyline Church in Rancho San Diego pastor Jim Garlow, passed away last week after a long battle with cancer. She was 61.

Sad story emerged from La Mesa last week, as a man was pinned between a car and an RV, after his wife backed over him. He died after being transferred to the hospital. Police are continuing to investigate the incident.

Update: Man Dies After Wife Pins Him Between Car and RV

La Mesa City Council voted unanimously for staff to start the public notification process of a public hearing, which would raise trash rates for La Mesa residents by 67 cents per month. The public hearing is June 25.

We met Joe Spelton, a street magician and busker who has been seen regularly at La Mesa stop lights, performing for drivers. Spelton said he does his magic to share his art with others, and try to make a modest living.

A Different Kind of Panhandler: Street Magician Joe Spelton

Cross-town rivals Helix and Grossmont squared off in a track meet last week, and Patch was there with a comprehensive photo gallery. The Scotties dominated the meet. Check out the great photos.

High-Speed Finale: Helix Handles Grossmont in Last Dual Track Meet