News from San Diego, Texas

Up to His Neck. On Tuesday, September 7, a horse fell into an old septic tank in Jim Wells County. He remained trapped up to his neck until community members arrived to free him. The county’s animal-control officer climbed down into the water and helped tie the animal with straps. “It’s not raw sewage anymore,” he assured onlookers. “It’s just water.” Texas Energy helped to pump water from the area, and the City of Alice provided a backhoe, which they used to lift the horse out.

We Got Video Feed. San Diego police believe they are in possession of a clue that will lead them to solve the 15 to 20 criminal mischief cases that occurred back in July. Early this month, in a similar string of crimes, several young male suspects broke vehicle windows and vandalized a San Diego school. “In one of the locations they hit, we got video feed,” Sgt. Alan Gonzalez told the Duval County Press. “We are close to identifying certain individuals involved.”

No Radio. At the end of August, the Duval County sheriff’s department began training on the “Computer Aided Dispatch System,” a new method of information sharing. The system includes dispatch data, incident filing, and jail management, which will allow deputies and investigators to communicate without relying on radio lines. The department will be provided 13 new laptops for installation in all department patrol vehicles, as well as those of the criminal investigation division and administrators.

Heavy Lifting. Natalie Luna, a 2010 graduate of San Diego High School, won a gold medal in powerlifting at the Sub-Junior and Junior World Championships in Prague on September 3. Luna, lifting for Team USA, turned in a 525-pound squat, a 245-pound bench press, and a 430-pound deadlift, for a total of 1200 pounds. The trip to Prague was paid for in part by community donations. Her coach, Bo Ochoa, believes the win will result in sponsorship for subsequent competitions.