🌱 Patch AM: How will Seth Smith’s appointment reshape Lemon Grove’s council and 2026 ballot?

What's up Lemon Grove! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How will Seth Smith’s appointment reshape Lemon Grove’s council and 2026 ballot?
• Why a Lemon Grove death is raising new questions for deputies

Also on today's calendar: Lemon Grove Farmer's Market - Thrive Lemon Grove Presents Speaking My Truth and 7 more events.

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high of 75 and low of 48 degrees.
• Friday: Sunshine and beautiful, temps: high: 75, low: 48.
• Saturday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 69 and low of 47 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Seth Smith sworn in to Lemon Grove City Council (sandiegouniontribune.com) — Lemon Grove resident Seth Smith has been sworn in to fill a vacant seat on the Lemon Grove City Council, serving through the November 2026 election. A longtime planning commissioner and community figure, he was praised for his listening skills and collaboration, and his appointment will shape upcoming council decisions and the structure of the next local election ballot.
   

• Morning Report: Everyone Is Solving the TJ River Crisis (voiceofsandiego.org) — A regional news roundup includes a troubling case in Lemon Grove, where advocates question authorities’ response before a homeless woman was rescued from a ditch and later died. It also covers ongoing efforts to fix the Tijuana River sewage crisis, downtown San Diego’s shaky commercial real estate market, new fast-track border lanes for college students, and county homelessness trends.
   

📸 Around Lemon Grove

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Lemon Grove

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Thursday December 18

• Lemon Grove Farmer's Market - Thrive Lemon Grove Presents Speaking My Truth
  3200 Main St, Lemon Grove
  4:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Friday December 19

• Gentle Yoga
  Lemon Grove Library , 3001 School Ln , Lemon Grove
  9:00 am
• Donnie Fernandez AD Retirement
  Veterans Association of North County , 1617 Mission Ave , Oceanside
  1:00 pm
• NAACP NSDC Annual Meeting
  Civic Center Library Community Rooms , 330 N Coast Hwy , Oceanside
  5:30 pm

Saturday December 20

• Lemon Grove Drive-Thru Food Distribution
  3131 School Ln , Lemon Grove
  9:00 am
• Buffalo Soldiers
  Veterans Association of North County , 1617 Mission Ave , Oceanside
  11:00 am
• Vincent Santiago Commission
  Veterans Association of North County , 1617 Mission Ave , Oceanside
  3:00 pm

Tuesday December 23

• Neighbors Food Distribution
  Christian Church of Lemon Grove , 6970 San Miguel , Lemon Grove
  3:00 pm

Thursday December 25

• Lemon Grove Farmers Market
  Treganza Heritage Park , 3200 Main St , Lemon Grove
  4:00 pm

Wednesday December 31

• Peace Out 2025 - NYE at the Living Coast
  Living Coast Discovery Center , 1000 Gunpowder Point Dr , Chula Vista
  6:00 pm

📣 Lemon Grove Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday December 18

• Family Free Play
  La Mesa Branch Library , 8074 Allison Ave , La Mesa
  10:30 am
• Storytime for Toddlers & Preschoolers
  San Carlos Branch Library , 7265 Jackson Drive , San Diego
  10:30 am
• Craft Circle
  San Carlos Branch Library , 7265 Jackson Drive , San Diego
  2:00 pm
• Creative Thursdays: LEGO, Chalk, & Perler Beads
  Paradise Hills Branch Library , 5922 Rancho Hills Drive , San Diego
  3:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Lemon Grove PatchAM possible:

• PlayPro Guitar School — (619) 454-5375
  Mention “Patch10” for 10% off your 1st pkg of 4 lessons

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Lemon Grove Drive-Thru Food Distribution —Lemon Grove Lions Read on Patch

• Kroger posted a job opening for Grocery Clerk in Lemon Grove. Apply here.
• Advantage Solutions posted a job opening for Traveling Retail Merchandiser - Overnight in Lemon Grove. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Lemon Grove here.

🗞 Nearby News

La Mesa

• La Mesa continues to be fair when it comes to trade (timesofsandiego.com)
• Holiday lights and more in La Mesa Walks! stroll on Dec. 17 (eastcountymagazine.org)
• LMSVSD's new child nutrition director aims to feed more students (lamesatimes.com)

El Cajon

• Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club hosts Santa Brunch (sandiegouniontribune.com)
• The best things to do this weekend in San Diego: Dec. 19-21 (sandiegouniontribune.com)

San Diego

Ok Lemon Grove! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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