Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: What investigators say caused a sudden blast inside a Lemon Grove home
Coming up: Real Estate & Economic Update Webinar: A Look Ahead to 2026 on the Lemon Grove Patch calendar
Good morning Lemon Grove! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- What investigators say caused a sudden blast inside a Lemon Grove home
- How your roller skates can boost Lemon Grove youth programs next month
- Did deputies do enough for the woman found in a Lemon Grove ditch?
Also on today's calendar: Real Estate & Economic Update Webinar: A Look Ahead to 2026 and 8 more events.
Find out what's happening in Lemon Grovefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Lemon Grove? Post it to Lemon Grove photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️
Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Lemon Grovefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Tuesday: Partly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 72 and low of 46 degrees.
- Wednesday: Partly sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 74, low: 47.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 78 and low of 50 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Man Injured in Minor Explosion at Lemon Grove Home, Propane Suspected as Cause (hoodline.com) — A man in his 30s was hurt in a minor explosion at a Lemon Grove home on the 8300 block of Broadway, and investigators suspect a propane-related blast in the living room. Deputies from the Lemon Grove Sheriff’s Substation and Heartland Fire crews responded, and the man’s injuries are described as non-life-threatening while the Bomb/Arson Unit continues its investigation. 
• Lemon Grove community invited to 'Skate to Donate' fundraiser for youth programs (eastcountymagazine.org) — Lemon Grove residents are invited to a “Skate to Donate” roller-skating fundraiser on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, benefiting youth programs run by the Lemon Grove Forward Club. The family-friendly event at Ringer’s Skating Rink in San Diego runs from noon to 5 p.m., with $5 from each $18 admission going back into Lemon Grove youth and community projects.
• Autopsy raises new questions about a woman at the center of a sheriff's investigation (mercedsunstar.com) — A woman later identified as Irma Perez Espinoza was found in a Lemon Grove drainage ditch and died days afterward, with an autopsy citing complications from chronic alcohol abuse and hypothermia. Her case has sparked investigations into the sheriff’s response, questions about how homelessness is handled in East County, and potential legal action from her family.
📸 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 ★
- Real Estate & Economic Update Webinar: A Look Ahead to 2026
Online Zoom,
6:00 pm
Wednesday December 17
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- CLR-1 CHRISTMAS PARTY
Veterans Association of North County , 1617 Mission Ave , Oceanside
4:00 pm - CLR # 1 CHRISTMAS PARTY
Veterans Association of North County , 1617 Mission Ave , Oceanside
5:00 pm - Lemon Grove Farmers Market
Treganza Heritage Park , 3200 Main St , Lemon Grove
4:00 pm - CLB-15 Christmas Party
Veterans Association of North County , 1617 Mission Ave , Oceanside
5:00 pm - 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 - 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 - Neighbors Food Distribution
Christian Church of Lemon Grove , 6970 San Miguel , Lemon Grove
3:00 pm
Wednesday December 17
Thursday December 18
Friday December 19
Saturday December 20
Tuesday December 23
📣 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
- Newcomers Christmas Luncheon
Veterans Association of North County , 1617 Mission Ave , Oceanside
11:00 am - Tiny Tot Play
Paradise Hills Branch Library , 5922 Rancho Hills Drive , San Diego
1:00 pm - Junior Innovators STEM Club
San Carlos Branch Library , 7265 Jackson Drive , San Diego
4:00 pm - Community Parking Commission
City Manager's Office Conference Room , 8130 Allison Avenue , La Mesa
5:30 pm
Tuesday December 16
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
- Update: Pet Reunited
A dog who went missing in San Diego, CA, has been safely reunited with their family after 1 hours, 24 minutes. Message from Finder: "Red collar,… (Nextdoor Sunset) - This dog followed me all the way home with my two dogs.
Then when I was able to try to catch him with a leash, he ran off. He came from somewhere on Golden heading north towards Palm . He’s been running in… (Nextdoor Miller's Ranch)
- SAS Retail Services posted a job opening for Travel Store Merchandiser - Overnight in Lemon Grove. Apply here.
- Builders FirstSource posted a job opening for Material Handler I Yard in La Mesa. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Lemon Grove here.
🗞 Nearby News
La Mesa
- Music goldmines? New box sets by Jimi Hendrix, Joni Mitchell, Frank Zappa and more. (sandiegouniontribune.com)
El Cajon
- Winterizing Inland Roofs: How to Protect Your Metal Roof from Sudden Cold Snaps and Valley Runoff in El Cajon (apnews.com)
- Solana Beach City Council appoints Jill MacDonald deputy mayor (sandiegouniontribune.com)
- Lassie, June Lockhart, and a Lesson I Learned Too Late (psychologytoday.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, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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