However, bribing businesses to move or stay is a shell game

Medical equipment maker ResMed, which in November said it might move to a tax-friendlier and regulation-lighter state such as Texas, last month decided to keep its headquarters in San Diego, according to the publication Medbill. The company decided it would …

Olympic Committee notifies San Diego bi-national host out of question

The longshot bid for San Diego and Tijuana to jointly host the 2024 Summer Olympics has likely been shut down in the early stages of the process. As of April 26th, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) charter stated that the …

Repeat felon, high on heroin, driving stolen vehicle, crossed into oncoming traffic

An Escondido man who caused the death of a passenger in his car when he drove head-on into another car, was sentenced to 45-years-to-Life in prison today. “Justice was served with this lengthy state prison sentence,” said prosecutor Laurie Hauf. …

La Mesa Police are looking for four suspects involved in a brawl outside a liquor store on the 5900 block of Severin Drive on Saturday night (April 27) that left two store employees bruised but not seriously injured. Shortly after …

2010 letter of advice to ex-mayor's aide outlines year-long prohibition on ex-staff contacts with current city officials

Back in December 2010, when Kris Michell - then chief of staff to San Diego Republican mayor Jerry Sanders - departed for the greener pastures of a special interest group called the Downtown San Diego Partnership, she was handed an …

Four mobile home associations gave a total of $12,000 to the SD Democrats on April 26

Mobile home park associations are moving in the same direction as the Democratic Party. An April 29 filing from the San Diego Democratic Party shows that four separate mobile home park owners and affiliated associations gave the party a total …

Company has sold papers for a penny, which counts as paid circulation

According to data released this morning by the Alliance for Audited Media (formerly called the Audit Bureau of Circulations), the Union-Tribune's total average Sunday circulation for the six months ended March 31 rose to 409,796 from 364,454 in the same …

An online petition campaign initiated by a local student calling on San Diego to ban the use of single-use polystyrene foam (commonly referred to as Styrofoam) containers. Student activist Yenny Zhang, a senior at Canyon Crest Academy High School in …

Investors defrauded in municipal bond offering, says SEC

The federal Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) today (April 29) charged the Carlsbad finance firm of Kinsell, Newcomb & DeDios (KND) with making false statements in a 2008 bond offering by the Victorville Airport Authority. The commission also charged that …

State auditor recommended more be done to protect historical resources.

The City of San Diego's Development Services Department received a few bad scores in an audit from the California State Auditor. The review found that the department doesn't do a good enough job protecting historical resources and notifying the public …

Prior convictions for robbery and stolen vehicle are alleged

When Michael Crain Grandys, 29, was arrested on Loker Avenue in Carlsbad he had a bindle of meth on him, according to Sheriff’s deputy Mike Hanks. Officers then checked the man’s car and found a baggie of meth in the …

Mexico accounts for 86% of county's two-way trade

The value of two-way trade through San Diego topped $56.5 billion last year, 7.2% over 2011, according to economist Kelly Cunningham of the National University System Institute for Policy Research. The value of trade dropped 18% in 2009, then rebounded …

Several Democratic members of Congress, including ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee Henry Waxman of California along with Anna G. Eshoo, Lois Capps, Doris O. Matsui, and Jerry McNerney sent a letter on Friday (April 26) to …

The Mexican Navy reports 10-12 boats per month abandoned by smugglers with immigrants aboard

Officials from the Mexican Navy (La Secretaría de Marina) reported today, April 29th, that 10 to 12 boats per month are abandoned off the coast of Baja California with immigrants aboard. The Associated Press detailed the report in Spanish, which …

A group of 26 members of the Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team, San Diego Mountain Rescue Team, and the BORSTAR division of the Border Patrol were called out Saturday night to rescue two 23 year-old hikers who found themselves stranded …

District's motion for retrial is denied.

The lights at the end of the stadium tunnel are beginning to grow dim in San Diego Unified School District's legal fight over the $800,000 in Proposition S school-bond revenues that it spent on stadium lighting at Hoover High School. …

Pages signed by "Dee" and "Kitten" have ominous messages

More than a year since Brittany Dawn Killgore’s body was found just outside of San Diego County, a prosecutor in the murder case is sorting through new evidence. Three weeks ago, a judge allowed prosecutor Patrick Espinoza access to a …

The business-friendly Lincoln Club of San Diego is sending out invites for a $250-a-plate breakfast next Tuesday, April 30, to benefit the 2014 re-election campaign of District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis. Former City Councilman Carl DeMaio and City Attorney Jan Goldsmith …

The Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee to discuss ban on sale of puppy mill puppies at upcoming committee meeting.

A city council committee is taking the lead in an effort to outlaw pet shops from selling companion animals that were bred in high volume breeding facilities, also known as puppy mills, catteries, and rabbit mills. On Wednesday, the Public …

Associate vice chancellor for extended studies and public programs joins ex-state senator on two boards of non-profits promoting charter schools and online news

Two La Jolla-based nonprofit corporations at the heart of San Diego’s great debate over public versus charter schools have been paying a pair of prominent academic and political players for their board service. http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/apr/26/44450/ The Girard Foundation, a non-profit corporation …

Authorities are seeking witnesses and information tips from the public after thieves stripped about 7,500 feet of copper wiring from the lighting system at 4S Ranch Community Park on the 16100 block of 4S Ranch Parkway near the north end …

He stole and laundered $750,000, says U.S. Attorney's office

Former Chula Vista Wells Fargo banker Ricardo Adolfo Benavente III has been charged with defrauding the bank and its customers by stealing and laundering $750,000 from customer accounts. An indictment was unsealed today (April 25). According to that indictment, Benavente …

A settlement deal has been finalized between the UT San Diego and buyers of the website’s “daily deals” who were unable to redeem them for the stated cash value after the expiration of deal periods at participating merchants. Under terms …

Majority of residents, 54% voted against the MAD

The Barrio Logan Association, the non-profit that will control the newly formed "Community Benefit Maintenance Assessment District," is eager to get the district up and running. On March 22, the interim Board of Directors for the Barrio Logan Association, headed …

Fed's low rate policies the catalyst; but is this too far, too fast?

Housing values in Western markets continue to soar, according to data released this morning (April 25) by Zillow.com. Year-over-year prices for the period ended in this year's first quarter zoomed in Phoenix (up 24%), Las Vegas (22.3%), San Jose (22.1%), …

Recent arrests in the Imperial Valley bordering San Diego County have led to a handful of prison convictions for suspects apprehended in the border towns of El Centro, Calexico, and Indio, representatives of the U.S. Border Patrol is reporting. Eight …

Victims testified they were pulled to the ground by pack of pit-bull-mixes

After a two day trial, a Valley Center man was declared guilty of failing to control dogs that attacked and seriously injured two joggers, more than a year ago. The attack was reported about nightfall on November 27, 2011, and …

U.S. Attorney has made seven similar arrests since February

Song Shen Zhen of Calexico has been charged with smuggling swim bladders of the endangered Totoaba across the border. Zhen became the seventh person charged by the U.S. Attorney's office for such an offense since February. Swim bladders of Totoaba …

Honeywell International PAC only donor to committee owing $120,000 to Democratic congressman

As previously reported, La Jolla congressman Scott Peters recently filed a statement with federal campaign regulators saying that he had forgiven $2.25 million in personal loans he made to his campaign committee last year: http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/apr/24/44344/ “Personal loans were made by …

San Diego Trust Bank, with three local branches and just under $200 million in deposits, cleared a regulatory hurdle April 23 when the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco and the California Department of Financial Institutions approved its acquisition by …

The segment of sidewalk near Smythe Elementary has long been an issue in the community.

This fall marks two years since Ubaldo Gutierrez fell off his bicycle while riding on a shoddy sidewalk near Smythe Avenue in San Ysidro. Since that time, Gutierrez has been forced to trudge through the courts to recoup wages and …

The Los Angeles City Council yesterday joined a host of Southern California cities in passing a resolution calling for public safety hearings before a restart is allowed at the troubled San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station in northern San Diego County. …

Abrahim Ah Saed accused of multiple ID frauds

A judge noticed that the defendant seated before him was wearing the “same exact” plaid shirt seen in surveillance photos, during a San Diego Superior Court hearing yesterday. Honorable Sim von Kalinowski first reviewed evidence photos and then noted for …

Men rescued west of Calexico after placing call for help

A United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) air unit worked with El Centro Border Patrol agents on the ground to rescue three lost immigrants on Sunday, April 21st. According to CBP authorities, a distress telephone call was made from …

As housing prices continue to rebound, distressed sales including foreclosures and underwater “short sales” account for a shrinking share of the total real estate market, the industry trade group California Association of Realtors reported yesterday (April 22), when it released …

As cash rolls in from Manchester executive, lobbyists, and Walmart, costs include pro-Crenshaw and anti-Cole material, disclosures show

The Lincoln Club of San Diego County, home to some of downtown's most influential Republican lobbyists, has entered the battle between Democrats Dwayne Crenshaw and Myrtle Cole for the 4th district city council seat left behind by Tony Young when …

The City of Vista has become the latest in the region to take on the issue of recreational vehicles parked on city streets, announcing that it will begin to enforce an ordinance approved March 14 banning vehicles longer than 22 …

O'Connor will appear in court for a case filed by her sister's former husband over the sale of a Mendocino luxury hotel

Former San Diego mayor Maureen O'Connor is due back in court on Thursday, or, at least her lawyers will be there. On April 25, Judge John Meyer will call into session another hearing in the case filed by O'Connor's twin-sister, …

Must spend every night at detention center for six months, after work

A Vista man was sentenced to 180 days “work furlough,” after he was found guilty of felony resisting-arrest during a loud house party last November. Eric Gregory Campbell, 46, will be allowed to go to his mechanic’s job during the …

Two felonies and four misdemeanors declared after two week trial

Today a jury declared a 62-year-old registered nurse guilty of felony abuse of a 23-year-old autistic man in his care last summer. Michael Dale Garritson was declared guilty of two felonies today, April 22, 2013. The first guilty count is …

They create jobs, contribute much more impact than Comic-Con

Craft brewers and brewpubs created $299.5 million in economic impact in the county in 2011, according to a study by the National University System Institute for Policy Research. That's 1.5 times the impact of Comic-Con. That year, there were an …

Meth load discovered in truck tires at Santo Tomás

Federal police discovered a load of crystal methamphetamine, in a stranded semi-truck, in Santo Tomás in the early hours of Monday, April 22nd. El Universal reported that 120 kilos (264.5 pounds) of crystal meth was discovered inside the trucks tires. …

San Diego freshman Democrat who voted for cyber intelligence bill got campaign funds from industry-linked figures in month leading to House vote

Despite complaints by online activists and privacy advocates that the measure would allow agents of the U.S. government to make dangerous intrusions into Internet privacy, the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act, known as CISPA for short, breezed through the …

Encinitas Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to Cardiff State Beach Sunday afternoon (April 21) and called in the Bomb Arson Unit to defuse an explosive device described only as “unidentified military ordinance.” Shortly after 1 p.m., a resident walking along the …

The San Marcos Fire Department has announced it will be conducting a handful of live fire training exercises between 8 a.m. this morning (April 22) and Wednesday, May 1 on the 200 block of Chinaberry Lane, situated north of SR-78 …

San Diegans for Open Government filed a lawsuit against the City of San Diego and Westfield LLC for trying to scuttle current zoning laws.

The signs point to a showdown in court. Last week, San Diegans for Open Government, a non-profit government watchdog group, filed a lawsuit against the City of San Diego and Westfield Group over an attempt to scuttle current zoning laws …

Appeals court reverses Judge Irma Gonzalez in case critical to consumers' rights

In a lawsuit whose outcome might be critical to the ability of individuals and journalists to smoke out bad business practices, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday (April 17) told U.S. District Court Judge Irma Gonzalez to think …

Seventeen-year-old tried as adult for fatal shotgun blast in rivals' territory

Trial began last week for a 17-year-old boy accused of shooting another teenager in the belly with a shotgun. Prosecutors claim that it was one year ago when Samuel went into rival gang territory with a group of homies after …

Judge says Climate Action Plan has no enforcement mechanism on greenhouse gas emissions

Superior Court Judge Timothy Taylor ruled for the Sierra Club yesterday (April 19) in a suit it had filed against the county's Climate Action Plan (CAP). The club argued that the county plan contains no enforcement mechanism for reducing greenhouse …

Alleged gangster accused of ramming a man with his car, who rescued a beating victim

Jorge’s birthday happens to be Cinco de Mayo, but he will turn 22-years-old this year while in custody, in the Vista jail. Jorge Alcantara Colin pleads not-guilty to attempted murder and other felonies, and could face life in prison, since …

Happiness guru apparently buys year-old home on ocean front

According to the publication South Florida Real Estate, San Diego-based motivational speaker Anthony (Tony) Robbins, has bought a $24.75 million Palm Beach home, "according to several sources." The home that the self-styled purveyor of inner peace has bought has six …

A Better San Diego, a labor-backed nonprofit, held the latest in its series of community breakfast forums on Friday, April 19, hosting a panel of speakers focusing on living wages in San Diego, particularly zeroing in on wages of hotel …

Union-head Lorena Gonzalez far ahead of her opponent Steve Castaneda in campaign donations.

Chief executive of the San Diego and Imperial County Labor Union and now state assembly candidate, Lorena Gonzalez, is proving to be quite skilled at fundraising. Gonzalez, who is running for the assembly seat vacated by Ben Hueso, has raised …

Jobs up 8,300 over month, 32,600 over year

The San Diego County unemployment rate for March was 7.7%, down from a revised 8% in February, according to the California Employment Development Department. The county gained 8,300 jobs in over the month; leisure and hospitality jobs rose 3,600 -- …

The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), in conjunction with the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) has announced plans within the next year to roll out a major expansion of the MTS Bus Rapid Transit system, connecting the I-15 …

Brookfield Homes, developers of the 120-unit Cottage Lane condominium project in the Windingwalk master planned community in eastern Chula Vista, have agreed to pay the homeowners’ association there $2 million due to alleged construction defects. The Naumann Law Firm, representing …

Group run by outspoken Chaldean leader favoring Nathan Fletcher admits failing to fully identify itself and making late filings during last year's race for mayor

As reported here last May 29, the Neighborhood Market Association, a group representing various liquor stores and convenience markets around the county, unleashed a barrage of hit pieces against then-congressman Bob Filner, who was running for mayor. http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/apr/18/44031/ One of …

Draft ordinance improves access from 2011 ordinance.

Proponents and patients of medical marijuana in San Diego will finally get a chance to voice support for a new ordinance that clears the way for medical marijuana dispensaries to open in the City. On Monday, April 22, the City …

As H-1B barriers would loosen, employers would win, U.S. employees lose

Recent college grads, doctoral candidates, and skilled professionals will find the already-rough job market much rougher if the immigration overhaul proposed in the Senate Wednesday (April 17) gets into law, says a new article in Bloomberg BusinessWeek. Consider the H-1B …

The Jacobs School of Engineering at UC San Diego today (April 18) plays host to its annual Research Expo, where over 200 projects from Jacobs graduate students will be on display. “Solving the world’s most pressing and complex challenges – …

Adult nurse sons testify in jury trial of their registered nurse father, who is accused of abuse

Jarrod Garritson was subpoenaed to testify in the trial of his father, on April 16, 2013. Jarrod looked at Michael Dale Garritson, 62, sitting at the defense table and said, “He’s my father.” The elder Garritson is accused of abusing …

Dean of downtown San Diego influence peddlers and longtime GOP supervisor Ron Roberts have partnership interests in Brooklyn Girl Eatery, disclosures show

The world of San Diego politics and its well-heeled corporate lobbying corps has long been a clubby sort of place, where tickets, dinners, drinks, and entertainment tabs for elected officials and their staffs are covered by obliging influence peddlers, eager …

But Aguirre says Jeff Baker gave two different stories in two different courts

According to Courthouse News Service, Jeffrey Baker has sued attorneys Mike Aguirre and one of his partners, Chris Morris, and their firm, Aguirre Morris & Severson, for malpractice, fraud, and other alleged offenses. Baker claims that Aguirre encouraged him to …

About two dozen protestors organized by climate change activist group SanDiego350.org gathered outside the Loews Coronado Bay Resort today (April 17) as the American Petroleum Institute concluded its 2-day 2013 Pipeline Conference, billed by promoters as “the ‘go-to’ event for …

Hitmen claim to have taken orders from U.S. inmate

Multiple suspects, who have been arrested in connection with at least one of the recent homicides in Tijuana, have admitted to taking orders from a United States prison inmate. According to authorities, six suspects were arrested in connection with the …

SCI Consulting filed lawsuit on Superior Court alleging the City witheld public information.

The bad blood between the City of San Diego and a maintenance assessment consulting firm it once hired is flowing heavier and hotter than ever. The consulting firm has filed a new lawsuit against the City accusing officials in the …

Of existing members, only C. Terry Brown seeks re-election

The San Diego Tourism Marketing District, catching headlines of late due to its clash with Mayor Bob Filner over his insistence on revising an operating agreement negotiated but not signed by the outgoing Jerry Sanders, is due for a nearly …

Relations with utilities too cozy; legislator calls for Peevey firing

A report, due to be released today (April 17), blasts the California Public Utilities Commission for its "anti-safety" attitude and "resistance to challenging utilities," according to the Sacramento Bee, to which the report was leaked. The report blames a workplace …

Accused of using 200 stolen identities to collect more than $1 million in bogus tax returns

Tax preparer Cynthia Lozano of Lemon Grove was arrested in Phoenix on Monday, April 15 (Tax Day) and stands accused of stealing the identity of more than 200 people, filing false returns on their behalf and collecting over $1 million …

This Wednesday and Thursday detonations from aircraft may be heard as far as San Diego.

On April 15th Camp Pendleton announced "live-fire training exercises," via aircraft, will occur between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday. The press release goes on to state that "other aircraft will be dropping high explosive bombs in …

A different paid caregiver is facing felony abuse charges in San Diego Superior Court

The teenaged brother of an autistic man was called as a defense witness today, in the trial of a 62-year-old registered nurse accused of abusing his patient. Michael Oakley said he is 19 years old and has been a paid …

Sheriff’s deputies in Santee are reporting a particularly successful DUI checkpoint operation over the weekend, having made 14 drunken driving arrests over a six-hour period from 8:00 p.m. Saturday, April 13 until 2:30 the following morning. A total of 1,948 …

Advice letters fly regarding one-time consultant to lobbyist for controversial Jamul Indian casino

As reported here last June, marketing and economic consultant Michael Casinelli, then-chairman of the county's Jamul Dulzura community planning group, had a good customer in the form of MJE Marketing Services, the big downtown lobbying and public affairs outfit. http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/apr/16/43809/ …

Tight inventory and a flood of entry-level buyers are contributing to a continued rise in home prices, according to a new report out from the California Association of Realtors trade group released April 15. “Statewide inventory dropped 36 percent from …

Colorado jury says Riddell responsible for $3.1 million in damages

A Trinidad, Colorado jury has found football helmet maker Riddell responsible for 27% of the monetary damages awarded to a high school football player who suffered severe brain damage and paralysis at a practice. The total award was $11.5 million. …

With mail ballots set to be distributed in the next week for the May 21 special election to replace 80th district state Assemblyman Ben Hueso, Democrat Steve Castaneda is looking to an unlikely source to bolster his campaign against local …

Registered Nurse pleads not guilty to felony charges

The step-father of a 23-year-old autistic man joined others in accusing a Registered Nurse of abusing the young man in his care. Mark Oakley said he met Kim when her son was just a toddler, “He just turned two.” The …

Thieving bookeeper sentenced to 9 years State prison this afternoon

A woman hinted that her family’s business will not survive the dishonest bookkeeper who embezzled more than $5 million from their company in San Marcos. One of the owners of Proformance Apparel said that more than 90 people who worked …

Story was edited by ex-U-Ter who was an editor in two previous Pulitzer winners

David Hasemyer, who was laid off by the Union-Tribune in one of its several pogroms, is one of three reporters winning the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for national reporting, according to an announcement today (April 15). The other reporters are Elizabeth …

United States University altered documents so students could get Pell grants

United States University has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $686,720, according to the U.S. Attorney's office. The school's former financial aid director, Christina Miller, pleaded guilty to falsifying loan applications so students could get Pell grants from the …

Violent week in Tijuana, three more killed by Monday afternoon

At least 14 homicides were recorded in Tijuana over a seven day period, ending on Sunday, April 14th, 2013. By the early hours of Sunday, Frontera had reported that 13 homicides had been counted by local authorities. Local investigators allege …

U-T's encomium on Red Scott omitted key details

"Speak no evil of the dead," is advice that many newspapers follow in a non-paid obituary. However, many of the credible daily papers, such as the New York Times, strive to do balanced reports on the life of a person …

The Community Oriented Policing & Problem Solving (COPPS) division out of the Vista Sheriff’s Station over the weekend conducted a minor decoy operation in which underage customers attempted to purchase tobacco products at a total of 73 retail stores throughout …

Goldsmith's latest disclosure shows a $2,500 donation to the local GOP party one day after Filner releases draft budget proposal

Mayor Bob Filner's proposal to pay for additional public services by cutting more than $1 million from City Attorney Jan Goldsmith's department isn't going over too well with the GOP faithful. The draft budget calls using one-time funds as well …

Code compliance officers now issuing citations to all food trucks, even those on private property

Code enforcement officers in San Diego have been busy serving up a wide assortment of citations to food trucks throughout the City ever since city councilmembers agreed to tighten the rules governing the operation of food trucks during a December …

Same lobbyist used by billionaire Irwin Jacobs for failed Plaza de Panama makeover employed in battle to force mayor to sign Sanders-negotiated deal

Another major San Diego controversy has paid off big for MJE Marketing Services, Inc., the influence peddling firm that was paid in excess of $100,000 during last year's ultimately unsuccessful quest by Qualcomm billionaire Irwin Jacobs to make over Balboa …

Martha Lucía Cruz Macleod has been missing since March 22nd

Authorities in Tijuana are asking for help in locating a missing 19 year old woman. Martha Lucía Cruz Macleod has been missing since March 22nd, when she left Tijuana for the city of Puebla. Authorities have stated that Martha was …

San Diego’s General Atomics found itself the victim of an international hoax complete with a fake website and an individual attempting to impersonate a company spokesman on television, Britain’s Channel 4 reported late last week, on April 12. General Atomics …

IRS data point to clusters of possible small business chiselers

The Associated Press today (April 14) has a story on where tax cheats are likely to be clustered, according to data from the National Taxpayer Advocate. It used confidential Internal Revenue Service data from 2009 tax returns to try to …

Court documents show the City Attorney and SCI Consulting have come to terms in case of overcharged assessments on Property-based Improvement District

The mess over a faulty engineer's report which resulted in thousands of downtown residents being overcharged hundreds of thousands of dollars in assessments for the downtown Property-based Improvement District (PBID) is nearly over. The district provides downtown neighborhoods "enhanced" services …

Man accused of mistreating his patient protests that evidence was destroyed

An Escondido police investigator said a woman brought computer parts to him inside a kitchen waste bin. “The card was in pieces when it was presented to me. I believe it was in the trash can.” Detective Damon Vandervorst said …

Ramona's Steven Martinez gets almost 24 years in prison

Former Internal Revenue Service agent Steven Martinez of Ramona today (April 12) was sentenced to 286 months (almost 24 years) in prison for defrauding clients, then plotting to have four of them killed to keep them from testifying against him. …

Trial date set for alleged pay-to-play defendants.

On April 12, in the South Bay courthouse, officials and ex-officials from the South County school districts were arraigned. Despite urgings on the part of the district attorney's office for an earlier trial date, Judge Ana Espana set the trial …

Interim president and CEO of Terry Brown-backed lobbying group seeks redrawn sixth council district spot, filing says

Chris J. Cate, interim president and CEO of the San Diego County Taxpayers Association - the lobbying organization that has been a key player in the effort to force Democratic Mayor Bob Filner to sign a funding contract negotiated by …

Yesterday morning (April 11), shortly before noon a Spring Valley man called authorities to report the theft of his marijuana at gunpoint. The suspect, described as a black male about 35 years old, clean shaven with a stocky build, gained …

Construction supervisor Cervantes allegedly extorted bribes from contractors

Natividad Lara "Nate" Cervantes, who referred to himself as the "Godfather at Camp Pendleton," was arraigned today (April 12) on bribery charges, according to the U.S. Attorney's office. Cervantes, supervisor for construction and service contracts at Pendleton, used his position …

After a considerable delay and multiple extensions of an emergency ban on the licensing of gourmet food trucks within its city limits, Del Mar appears poised to implement regulations that would allow the trucks to roll once more by the …

An alleged shootout involving a security guard in Lakeside on April 5 turns out to have been a hoax. Around 4 a.m. on the 5th, 22 year-old Lance Wright of Bravo 3 Security called Sheriff’s deputies and told them he …

15,300 square feet, nine full baths, three half-baths.

Former Union-Tribune publisher and owner David Copley, who died at age 60, in the 1970s built a small home and then began expanding it. It grew into a 15,300 square foot mansion with seven bedrooms, nine full bathrooms and three …

Suspected motorcycle thief escaped custody last night at hospital

Sheriff’s deputies apprehended 18 year-old escaped fugitive Isaac Nachbar at a residence on the 100 block of Calle Magdalena in Encinitas early this evening (April 11) after a day-long manhunt, authorities have announced. Shortly after 10 p.m. last night, Nachbar …

Mayor and SDCERS president Herb Morgan will appear tomorrow to issue a public request to Goldsmith

Just when all the tensions between Mayor Bob Filner and City Attorney Jan Goldsmith over the Tourist Marketing District started to ease, it appears as if the two might have another clash is brewing. This fight is over the City's …

Attorney who represented drug lord executed in broad daylight

A former attorney of the Tijuana drug boss Benjamín Arellano Félix was killed on Thursday, April 11th. El-Mexicano first reported the murder of Roberto Navarro, which occurred during broad daylight in Tijuana. According to the municipal police, Navarro was attacked …

Video on the damaged computer card was not recoverable, expert said

A computer expert testified today that he was shown a card which supposedly contained video evidence, and he concluded, “It had been destroyed intentionally.” Darrell Wade told a jury this morning, “I am a data recovery specialist.” He has worked …

Lawsuit filed on April 8th looks to overturn appeal granted by city council.

Fresh off their victory over the Plaza de Panama project, historic preservation group Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO) is heading back to court. This time, SOHO has a new mission; to defend the "Castle." Built in 1927, the Luscomb Building, …

UC San Diego computer scientists and graduate students are taking a once-novel approach to getting kids as young as elementary age into coding in the popular computer language Java: turning lessons into a video game. CodeSpells is based around a …

Del Mar track money to California politicos is healthier than ever, disclosure shows

Whether horse racing is good for horses or not, one thing appears sure, it's great for political fundraisers. http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/apr/11/43565/ A report in today's UT San Diego sheds new light on the long-smoldering controversy over horse fatalities at the state's racetracks. …

Deal has fishy smell. Insiders will make out like bandits

SeaWorld Entertainment, including San Diego's facility and Chula Vista's Soak City water park, intends to go public this week at between $24 and $27 a share (likely $25.50). In my judgment, this one shines and stinks like a rotten mackerel …

Plans for restarting one of the two reactors at San Onofre Nuclear Generating station took a step forward yesterday, as the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission ruled that plant operator Southern California Edison’s license amendment proposal to allow the plant to …

Fifty-three-year-old man admitted felony assault on his mother in Oceanside

“He assaulted his 92-year-old mother with his fists,” said Deputy District Attorney Katherine Flaherty. The prosecutor had evidence photos of an elderly woman with two black eyes, in her case file. William Buford Bidwell, 53, made a plea deal yesterday …

More units coming to Mission Valley means developers will pay less per unit.

On Tuesday, city councilmembers will decide whether to decrease the amount in fees that developers are required to pay for public facilites in Mission Valley. City forecasts show more residential development coming to Mission Valley then expected in the next …

$1000 a person luncheon set to raise Texas campaign cash in newspaper's "Headliners Club," invite says

Fresh from a dust up over the price of campaign ads sold to favored San Diego candidates, UT San Diego publisher Douglas Manchester is throwing a political fundraising lunch next month at the Headliners Club on the fifth floor of …

Suggests a pilot program as a way to discover any future legal liabilities

Brighter lights; same city. That may be the case if the City decides to move forward with turning a 65-block portion of downtown into a new arts and entertainment district. On August 1, 2012 representatives from Finwater Advisors, a Denver-based …

Consolation: it's a bit lower than in the pre-bubble years

Because of the startlingly low interest rates (3% to 4% mortgages), Americans are devoting a lower percentage of their monthly income to servicing their mortgages than they were in the pre-bubble years, according to information released by Zillow.com this morning …

Hotel workers protest new management's use of E-Verify system to disqualify 9 employees

About 50 supporters gathered outside the Hilton Mission Valley yesterday afternoon (April 9) to congratulate the self-styled “San Diego Nine” as the group ended a public five-day hunger strike protesting a decision by new ownership at the hotel to make …

More than 31% of Jefferson law grads jobless nine months from graduation

According to the Business Insider, 31% of San Diego's Thomas Jefferson School of Law 2012 grads did not have a job of any kind nine months after graduation -- highest of any U.S. law school. Also, Jefferson graduates have an …

Baja California highest state, Mexicali highest city for deportations

The Baja California city of Mexicali topped the chart for most deportees received in the year 2012, according to a recent Mexican government report. La Cronica reported on the statistics, which were released by the Instituto Nacional de Migración of …

Mom has to explain her other son putting his disabled brother in a choke-hold

A woman who has accused two caregivers of mistreating her autistic son was asked today to explain video showing her younger son putting his disabled brother into a choke-hold. Mrs. Kim Oakley stated, “He’s definitely in the process of trying …

Groups tasked with developing plan to "increase marginalized communities' influence"

Open Society Foundations, a nonprofit whose stated mission is to “build vibrant and tolerant societies whose governments are accountable and open to the participation of all people,” and which was founded and is currently chaired by George Soros, a prominent …

Heavily backed by Evans hotel family and other local financial interests, incumbent District Attorney already out fundraising for 2014

San Diego county District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis - who badly lost her bid for mayor last year, but has already proclaimed her candidacy for re-election next year - has her first official opponent, according to an April 4 filing posted …

Man says police targeted him for his pro-seal views.

Children's Pool isn't just a safe spot for Harbor Seals to breed and raise pups. It also is a first-rate view for seals to witness the legal dustup between hundreds of residents fighting over public access to the beach, seal …

Formal license amendment submitted to NRC, utility wants answer by May 24

Southern California Edison, operator of the long-idled San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, confirmed yesterday afternoon (April 8) that it had submitted a formal request for a license amendment to its operating license to the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The request …

Joint project of Jamul Indian Village and Penn National Gaming

Jamul Indian Village, which has six acres of trust land, plans to build a Hollywood-branded $360 million casino 20 miles east of San Diego, off Route 94, along with Penn National Gaming of Wyomissing, Pennsylvania. According to the plans, there …

Courtroom observers wonder what is actually seen in the grainy video

Michael Dale Garritson, who has been a Registered Nurse for thirty years, is accused of felony abuse in his handling of a 23-year-old autistic man in his care, last summer. Evidence in a jury trial began this morning, April 8, …

Board continues to cover up financial wrongdoing, he says

David Peffer, who informed the board of Utllity Consumers' Action Network of financial irregularities, has resigned, saying the new board continues to cover up the mess rather than try to straighten out the organization. Peffer, a lawyer, originally informed the …

Salam Kalasho evaded state excise taxes

El Cajon's Salam Kalasho has been sentenced to four years in prison for evading state excise taxes in the sale of tobacco products, according to the U.S. Attorney's office for the Eastern District of California. According to documents introduced in …

A group of five men between the ages of 18 and 22 were arrested early Saturday morning on multiple charges of armed robbery after they robbed several victims at gunpoint outside a house party on the 500 block of Honeyglen …

University of Arizona professor working on "tracking and shepherding " drone overseen by San Diego naval research office

The robotic birds aren't flying over Point Loma just yet, but according to a document posted online by Muckrock, a Boston-based public records request service, the U.S. Office of Naval Research here is overseeing at least one experimental drone research …

Dormant since last year, new investors say construction could start late 2013

Cue the East County land battles: Jamul Indian Village, the Kumeyaay tribe with a small six-acre reservation in the rural community of Jamul, southeast of El Cajon, has entered into a new partnership agreement to build and operate a casino. …

More documents said to be handwritten by defendant Dorothy Maraglino

The District Attorney’s office gained access last week to more evidence, said to be handwritten documents created by one of the defendants in a high-profile, notorious murder case. A “pile” of documents was hand-delivered to a former defense attorney for …

Tobias Summers possibly spotted in Zona Norte

The Associated Press reported, in the early hours of Sunday, April 7th, that authorities are still looking for an alleged Los Angeles child rapist in Tijuana. Tobias Dustin Summers, the 30 year old suspect, was possibly sighted in the Zona …

Defense attorneys complain that video evidence has been selectively edited

Opening statements are set to begin Monday morning, in a jury trial for an adult care-giver accused of harming an autistic man in his care. In other widely publicized cases, when caregivers are accused of abusing their patients, the situation …

Spanos involved in takeover with him before Bilzerian went to prison

The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists has released a devastating study of offshore tax havens, indicating that as much as $32 trillion -- the size of the U.S. and Japanese economies combined -- may be stashed in secrecy and tax …

Sheriff’s deputies are looking for help in identifying two men who attempted to abduct a 17 year-old girl in the Casa De Oro neighborhood of Spring Valley yesterday morning (April 4). The girl was walking near the intersection of Kenwood …

Embrace, a nonprofit dedicated to “the promotion of social and physical wellness programs that serve underprivileged communities,” announced this week that it is the recipient of a $100,000 grant from Alliance Healthcare Foundation. The Mission Support grant is the third …

Evans Hotel executive, key fundraiser behind San Diego council's Todd Gloria, contributes cash to New York's bribery-torn mayor's race

Robert Gleason, the CFO and general counsel at Evans Hotels - one of three homegrown San Diego hotel empires behind the lawsuit filed against Democratic mayor Bob Filner in an unsuccessful effort to force him to sign a city funding …

Practice appears to be violation of campaign finance rules

KPBS and inewsource, in an excellent investigative report released this morning (April 5), reveal what many San Diegans suspected: the barrages of anti-Filner ads run in the Union-Tribune prior to the mayoralty election were discounted. KPBS and inewsource audited ads …

San Diego’s Harbor Police Department, administered by the Port of San Diego, has announced that it will execute a joint training agreement with the Port of Los Angeles’ Port Police Department today, April 5. The Port of Los Angeles has …

Alleged top drug trafficker arrested by state police

The Baja California state police carried out an operation, on April 4th, that resulted in the arrest of an alleged top drug trafficker in the area. The suspect, 52 year old Aida “La Jefa” Moreno Castillo, was arrested in the …

Participation rate drops. Maybe economy not bouncing back as predicted

The U.S. economy added only 88,000 jobs in March, according to the monthly Labor Department report issued this morning (April 5). That's down from an upwardly revised 268,000 in February. Economists had expected 190,000 in March. The 88,000 is the …

Thaddeus Brown paid to influence games, then placed bets in Vegas

Former University of San Diego assistant basketball coach Thaddeus Brown was sentenced today (April 4) to a year in custody for conspiracy to commit sports bribery. He bribed co-defendant Brandon Johnson to influence the outcome of games during the 2009-2010 …

Supervisor Greg Cox endorses Lorena Gonzalez, Secretary-Treasurer/CEO for the San Diego-Imperial County Labor Council

On April 4 San Diego County Supervisor Greg Cox endorsed Lorena Gonzalez for the 80th Assembly District Seat. The district includes Chula Vista, National City, San Ysidro, and Barrio Logan. Cox's endorsement, found on Gonzalez's Facebook page states, "I have …

Union to protest use of E-Verify program at former Hilton Mission Valley

The Hilton Mission Valley hotel — scene of several large protests by members of the Unite Here Local 30 labor union — now faces a new threat: a planned five-day hunger strike from noon Friday to noon Tuesday. This hotel …

Jose Ledesma pleads not guilty to four misdemeanors, failing to control dogs

A trial date was confirmed for later this month, for a Valley Center man accused of failing to control dogs which reportedly attacked joggers more than a year ago. The incident was called “a pit bull attack” in which “two …

Sheriff said it was a gang confrontation in Vista park, last November

A hearing for a 16-year-old boy charged with murder was delayed this morning, in San Diego’s North County Superior Courthouse. The boy is accused of being one in a group of ten to 15 persons who had a fatal confrontation …

Don't eat snacks on trolley or drink soda at stadium

The Metropolitan Transit System is adding a perk to attract trolley ridership on Opening Day for the Padres next Tuesday, April 9: free soda and snacks. Beginning at 1:30 p.m. at the Qualcomm Stadium station, La Mesa’s Spring Street station, …

In short time in Congress, he has received $14,500 from 4 major banks

The 2010 Dodd-Frank bill requires banks to spin off their derivatives activity into non-bank subsidiaries that can't rush to the government for a bailout if their gambling backfires, according to MapLight, a watchdog group that follows the money that special …

Project can be exempt if the application is amended. If approved, even mayoral veto may not be able to stop it.

Legal or not here the bypass bridge comes. In coming weeks it appears that San Diego's city councilmembers will revisit a controversial plan to remove traffic from the center of Balboa Park, now that the City Attorney's Office has found …

Fugitive who allegedly kidnapped and raped 10 year old girl possibly fled to Mexico

Authorities across California and Baja California are looking for a suspect in the rape of a 10 year old Los Angeles girl. One suspect, 29 year old Daniel Martinez, has already been apprehended in connection with the crime that occurred …

Nuclear watchdog group Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility, which has distinguished itself for questioning the cost effectiveness rather than safety of nuclear power, is rallying support for Senate Bill 418 authored by state Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson of Santa Barbara with San …

Four persons, using multiple guns, shot children sitting on a couch in a park, DA said

Four persons could face life in prison without parole, now they are charged with the special circumstance of multiple-murders, in the shooting death of two children in a park in Oceanside, three weeks ago. Thirteen-year-old Melanie Virgen and Edgar Sanchez, …

Home price rise consistent with economic gains, should continue rise

San Diego home prices, which rose 9.8% between January 2012 and January 2013, are probably not in a bubble, says economist Kelly Cunningham of the National University System Institute for Policy Research. To reach that conclusion, Cunningham compares the home …

Former Peregrine insiders Moores, Noell, Luddy jettisoning stock quickly

Richard Pearson of Seeking Alpha has an excellent story, dated April 1, on massive insider selling at San Diego's ServiceNow, an information tech company that went public last summer. "ServiceNow insiders have now sold over $400 million of stock, even …

Bay Vista Methodist Heights used millions in restricted funds for "ineligible operating expenses," HUD review finds

A non-profit corporation founded in 1966 by the late Grandison Phelps, Jr., pastor of St. Paul United Methodist Church for 37 years, has been called out by the inspector general's office of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development …

The race to replace Ben Hueso is on, as Secretary of State Debra Bowen yesterday (April 2) certified the candidacies of two Democrats – labor leader Lorena Gonzalez and former Chula Vista city councilman Steve Castaneda, who will face off …

Sanchez Birdsong claims he was fired for having sleep apnea.

A former Assistant Water Distribution Operator for the City of San Diego has filed suit against the City for wrongful termination after his supervisors found him constantly nodding off on the job. But it wasn't boredom that caused Sanchez Birdsong …

Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents in the Imperial Valley were kept busy last weekend, apprehending a wanted gang member, performing a search, rescue, and arrest mission on migrants lost in the mountains between San Diego and the eastern desert, …

Neighbors had complained of bad smell coming from the Oceanside home

A man accused of cooking his wife in three pans simmering on the stovetop in their Oceanside home last November, was too sick to make his court appearance this morning, according to his attorney. “Mr. Hengl was admitted to the …

Two workers who were hired by the shooter may be eye-witnesses

A man who fatally shot his neighbor, then threatened the victim’s girlfriend when she came out to investigate the noise, according to a prosecutor who spoke in court today. Investigators said that Michael Vilkin, 61, went to a vacant property …

24 year old found with 7 stolen cards in Zona Centro

A 24 year old United States citizen was arrested Monday, April 1st, in Tijuana by municipal authorities while in possession of seven stolen debit cards. Heather Nicole Bledsoe, the suspect, is a native of Missouri who is currently living in …

Needles and spoon and baggie of dope reportedly found on suspect

Deputy Marco Weston said he was eating at a Mexican food restaurant in Vista, with his sergeant, when he noticed a man exit the restroom there. It was about 8:45 p.m. on a Thursday evening, March 14, when the officers …

Draft of new IRS filing raises questions of accounting under new management

According to a March 30 article in the Union-Tribune, the new management of deeply troubled watchdog Utility Consumers' Action Network (UCAN) has prepared a draft of its 990 report for the year 2009 to replace the one filed earlier by …

Operator seeks to redefine "full power" as 70% of reactor capacity

Southern California Edison, operator of the long-idled San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, has tentatively submitted paperwork for a license amendment that could lead to one of the twin nuclear reactors being re-activated before summer. Current rules as defined by the …

Video posted by business lobbying group features Jan Goldsmith in chorus line to "help us roast our new mayor"

Lobbyists' banquets have not always been kind to Republican city attorney Jan Goldsmith. Back in February, newly elected Democratic mayor Bob Filner took to the microphone at the Downtown Partnership's dinner and reportedly poked a little fun at Goldsmith's infamous …

Tally of previously undisclosed San Diego political contributions by hoteliers' law firm mounts, shedding additional light on anti-Filner money

Add another $500 to the list of campaign contributions heretofore undisclosed by the San Diego office of Sheppard Mullin, the giant international law and influence peddling firm that has represented some of the city's biggest industrial, corporate, and hotel interests, …

The City of Carlsbad says it will add or widen a handful of bicycle lanes in the coming months as a part of its annual street resurfacing project. Popular bike routes along Carlsbad Blvd. and El Camino Real will see …

As controversy intensifies, SD listening most intently, says Daily Beast

San Diego County is home to the two largest drone makers, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and Northrop Grumman. Smaller local companies make drones, and others make components. In an article in the Daily Beast dated March 31, Erik Bruvold of …

New route to service growing tourists in central BCS

New flights began on March 24th, 2013, between Los Angeles, CA and the central Baja California Sur (BCS) city of Loreto. According to PRWeb, the flights by Aeroméxico are to meet a growing demand of tourists who wish to visit …

A curfew sweep last week resulted in the arrest of 14 minors in the East County communities of Santee, Lakeside, and unincorporated El Cajon, Sheriff’s deputies reported over the weekend. Curfew laws differ considerably based on locale – in Santee …

Iowa Sen. Grassley's bill would require employers to try to hire Americans first

Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, introduced a bill in March that would protect American workers from H-1B abuses. H-1B visas permit workers -- greatly from India -- to come to the U.S. for a …