San Diego and Phoenix best for drivers, Los Angeles and Philadelphia worst.

A report issued last Tuesday by Allstate Insurance Company called San Diego the second safest big city for drivers in the country. The report notes that collisions in America’s Finest City are 14.6% more likely to occur than the national …

City charter states interim mayor does not have discretionary power.

The City Attorney's office has issued a memo detailing the powers, or lack of, held by San Diego's interim mayor Todd Gloria. The August 29 memo explains the powers as laid out in the city charter. “During the time when …

If no politician addresses these crucial issues, he will run for mayor

NBC Channel 7 reported tonight that former City Attorney Mike Aguirre will run for mayor. The station is jumping the gun. "I have not made a definitive decision," he says. Aguirre told me tonight that there are three critical issues …

Order prohibits use of drive-through.

In his final hours as Mayor of San Diego, Bob Filner had some parting gifts of his own to give away. One was for residents of North Park living near the Jack in the Box on Upas and 30 Street. …

As of August 30, 16 people, all males, have filed papers with the City Clerk's Office.

Update: A version of this story will be updated as more and more candidates enter the race: And they're off: As the number of Mayor Bob Filner's alleged victims grows, so to does the list of candidates vying to take …

Ian O. Mausner allegedly awarded profitable trades to funds in which he had his money

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) today (Aug. 30) charged a San Diego-based investment advisory firm, J.S. Oliver Corp., and its president Ian O. Mausner, with a "cherry-picking" scheme in which Mausner got the cherries and his clients had their …

Local beaches fare much better in water quality during the summer months

Santa Monica-based environmental group Heal the Bay yesterday (August 29) released its 2013 End of Summer Beach Report Card, which compiles data from over 640 sites along the west coast and assigns letter grades of A through F. “California beaches …

Wealthy non-San Diegans, some with colorful pasts, open their checkbooks for former Republican as official GOP field has yet to gel

As an expected crash campaign by San Diego's richest man, Qualcomm Democrat Irwin Jacobs, ramps up behind the scenes for Nathan Fletcher's mayoral bid, money from some of San Diego's wealthiest neighbors is already starting to arrive in the former …

Several dozen San Diegans gathered in Balboa Park Thursday afternoon (August 29) to celebrate Women’s Equality Day marking ratification of the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote in August 1920. Many participants in the seventh annual Suffrage Rally …

Ruling tentative, but Shames's lawyer has already been knocked out

In a tentative ruling today (Aug. 29), Superior Court Judge Ronald S. Prager ruled for Utility Consumers' Action Network (UCAN) in the libel lawsuit filed against it by Michael Shames, UCAN's former executive director. The court said that Shames failed …

Move done in two steps

Acting mayor Todd Gloria today (Aug. 29) fired most of the staff of Mayor Bob Filner, who leaves office tomorrow (Aug. 30). Initially, the Human Resources department delivered the equivalent of pink slips to half the staff, including Chief of …

So far, as of August 29, fourteen potential candidates have filed papers with the City

Update: A version of this story will be updated as more and more candidates enter the race: And they're off: As the number of Mayor Bob Filner's alleged victims grows, so to does the list of candidates vying to take …

Among many things, he turned in duplicate expense accounts

Kevin Kelso, former director of finance at the Westin San Diego hotel, was arraigned yesterday (Aug. 28) on charges of embezzling more than $500,000 from the Westin in the years 2010-2012. Among many techniques, Kelso allegedly submitted duplicate expense accounts …

Up to 100 protesters gathered downtown this morning in support of “Fight for 15,” a nationwide one-day strike by fast food workers in 35 cities calling for a $15 minimum wage and the right to join unions without employer retaliation. …

Fletcher versus Coons in San Diego mayoral showdown assures fireworks over Jacobs Plaza de Panama power play will be a virtual certainty.

Until yesterday, the smart money in San Diego politics was eyeballing a somewhat formulaic race between Republican Carl DeMaio and former Republican Nathan Fletcher to replace fallen Democrat Bob Filner as mayor of San Diego. http://www.sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/aug/29/52299/ Though vastly different in …

Man stepped into gopher hole while playing football, suffered permanent damage to leg.

"Au revoir, gopher." A man is suing the City of San Diego after permanently damaging his right leg by stepping in a gopher hole at Robb Field in Ocean Beach while playing a game of football. Andre Walker's complaint, filed …

California dentist and wife admitted stealing from patients

Dr. Edward J. Bodek was interviewed at the time of his arrest, according to a probation report. “He admitted that he and his wife conducted the fraudulent/unauthorized credit card transactions on patient credit cards, but they intended to pay it …

So far, as of August 28, thirteen potential candidates have filed papers with the City

Update: A version of this story will be updated as more and more candidates enter the race: And they're off: As the number of Mayor Bob Filner's alleged victims grows, so to does the list of candidates vying to take …

Local Congressman Scott Peters has come under fire from Children’s Ministries International, Inc., a group dedicated to “glorify God by training leaders and partnering with His global church to evangelize and disciple boys and girls around the world.” [emphasis in …

DeMaio claims charges are lies. Hueso says he answered Dalton queries truthfully

Carl DeMaio has taken the offensive, claiming on Channel 7 and to the Union-Tribune that the charge that he was caught masturbating in a City Hall restroom is "a lie" that could damage him and the City of San Diego. …

Movie to depict immigrants and American citizen taking border patrolling into own hands

Gael Garcia Bernal, a widely popular Mexican actor and film director, is set to star in a film that will be shot in Baja California, beginning in October. The film, Desierto, is a Spanish language film which will depict Mexican …

Matt Potter tries to get Redden to talk, as did McClatchy earlier

The Reader's Matt Potter today (Aug. 28) tried unsuccessfully to get San Diego polygrapher Paul Redden to talk about his financial relationship with Lafayette Instrument Co., a maker of lie detector devices. Redden purportedly gave local politician Carl DeMaio a …

So far, as of August 28, twelve people have filed papers with the City Clerk's Office

Update: A version of this story was posted yesterday. The story will be updated as more and more candidates enter the race: And they're off: As the number of women accusing Mayor Bob Filner grows, so to does the number …

Washington-based McClatchy News Service investigated alleged favoritism in police lie detector contract awards to Indiana company as San Diego cops stayed mum

A long-time provider of lie detector services to the San Diego Police Department has declined to discuss a report by Washington. D.C.'s McClatchy News Service about his work for Lafayette Instrument Co. Inc., an Indiana company that, accusers assert, has …

The Army Corps of Engineers has announced a series of closures that will affect users of the San Luis Rey River Trail in Oceanside over the coming months. The closures will impact areas from Benet Road South to Interstate 5, …

Meth, cocaine, and heroin found inside vehicles gas tank

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials, agents at the Otay Mesa port of entry seized over 52 pounds of hard narcotics from a vehicle on Monday, August 25. Officers noticed discrepancies with the vehicles gas tank, which led …

So far, as of August 27, eight people have filed papers with the City Clerk's Office

Update: A version of this story was posted yesterday. The story will be updated as more and more candidates enter the race: And they're off: The race to replace Mayor Bob Filner is underway. Yesterday, August 26, five candidates, mostly …

Animals were taken by County in July, nursed back to health before adoption event

Nineteen of the 22 horses seized last month from Ramona woman Lori Patton found new homes over the weekend, the San Diego County Department of Animal Services reported Monday (August 26). After a herd of malnourished horses was found wandering …

Ruben Anthony Cepeda denies intentionally shooting pregnant girlfriend

Yemely said, “She told me she was pregnant” and “I took her to two of her appointments” and “she seemed happy.” Yemely knew her younger sister Viridiana, 18, was four months pregnant with her boyfriend’s baby. Viri had been dating …

Outed by electronically eavesdropping auditors, manager pledges a deal with public employee unions for crackdown on workers' on-the-job speeding

While politicos here have been taking their licks in the scandals of San Diego - city of partying newspaper publishers, warm beaches, hot cars, and even hotter sexual matters - some county workers have been doing a different kind of …

Ruben Anthony Cepeda pleads not-guilty to double murder charge

“My sister texted him and told him,” according to witness Diana Rodriguez. “He just said, are you serious? And my sister said, yeah.” Twenty-three-year-old Diana said that Ruben Anthony Cepeda was aware his 18-year-old girlfriend was pregnant with his child. …

Shortly after the California Supreme Court opined that San Diego County and the San Diego Sheriff’s Department might be found liable in the 2006 shooting death of a mentally unstable, intoxicated Santee man in his home, deputies in San Marcos …

Nationally, rate of acceleration moderating, says S&P

In June, San Diego County home values continued outpacing gains in other metro areas, according to Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller data released this morning (Aug. 27). From May to June, local home values rose 2.8%, topping the collective 2.2% of the …

One accused of gross negligence

The Medical Board of California has made an accusation against Dr. Blaine Jackson of Escondido. He is charged with gross negligence in the care and treatment of a 79 year-old female. In a letter of reprimand, Dr. Edward Ahn was …

Three UC schools are in the top five

The magazine Washington Monthly revealed today (Aug. 26) said that the University of California San Diego is the nation's top institution of higher learning. UC-Riverside and UC-Berkeley are also in the top five. The criteria are schools' performance in recruiting …

Candidates all filed statement of organization papers with the City Clerk's Office.

And they're off: The race to replace Mayor Bob Filner is underway. Today, August 26, four candidates filed with the City Clerk's Office to run for Mayor of San Diego. Air Force veteran and first-time candidate Kurt Schwab was one …

The California Supreme Court last week, in response to an apparent 2006 incidence of “suicide by cop” in the East County suburb of Santee, ruled that the San Diego Sheriff’s Department could potentially be liable for negligence in the series …

Tijuana has received more deportees with criminal records than any other border city

Tijuana’s municipal police chief, Jesús Alberto Capella Ibarra, announced that the city has received more than 8,000 deported ex-convicts from the United States so far in 2013. Mexicali, the capital of Baja California, only received 200. The statistics were released …

Legality of shadowy DeMaio fund and Republican chief Tony Krvaric's recall role the topic of emails between city ethics chief and Lincoln Club treasurer

During last month's Bob Filner recall run-up, spokesperson Rachel Laing was quoted by Republican Doug Manchester's U-T San Diego as saying the effort was non-partisan. Nobody's doing it from a partisan perspective. Everybody's desire to give voters a choice on …

Enrollment plunges; lawsuits pile up over building defects

According to the National Law Journal, a New York law firm hired by Thomas Jefferson School of Law has filed suit, claiming the school owes it $1.3 million. The law firm, LePatner & Associates, says it did investigative work for …

Affiliate has lost $60 million in last two years

According to Australian mining media, Heathgate Resources, owned by General Atomics, lost $34.5 million last year on revenue of only $59 million. The previous year, Heathgate lost $25.6 million on $84.6 million in revenue. Uranium prices plunged 50% after the …

Pair used online classified ads to lure victims into real-life muggings

Law enforcement officials are reminding San Diegans to exercise caution when conducting transactions in person with individuals met through online sources such as craigslist, after a man was lured into a attempted armed robbery in the 4S Ranch neighborhood of …

Dueling memos from Goldsmith and Gloria differs as to the actual powers of an interim-mayor.

On August 23, hours after San Diego city councilmembers agreed to drop their case against Filner and pay up to $98,000 to defend him in the sexual harassment lawsuit from former Communications Director Irene McCormack-Jackson in exchange for Filner's resignation, …

Ruben Anthony Cepeda pleads not-guilty after shot-to-the-belly

A prosecutor claims that the 21-year-old boyfriend of a pregnant teen pressed the tip of his 9mm Glock semi-automatic against her belly, just above her belly-button, and then pulled the trigger. The bullet did not touch the 16-week-old male fetus, …

Ruben Anthony Cepeda pleads not-guilty to double murder charge

“This was an accident. You know that, because Ruben said that at the time. All the witnesses there agree, yep, that’s what he said. It was an accident, didn’t mean to do it.” The attorney for defendant Ruben Anthony Cepeda, …

Truthfully, he says he was ambushed by lynch mob

The City of San Diego will indemnify Mayor Bob Filner for all or most of his costs in return for his resigning at the end of the month. The council approved the arrangement today (Aug. 23) by a 7-0 vote. …

Not mentioning masturbation story, he wants "a time to seek healing."

Carl DeMaio has just put out a statement on the resignation of Bob Filner as mayor. DeMaio claims "San Diego has been given a fresh start. Now is the time to put aside partisan differences to seek healing, foster unity …

According to a August 22, an unnamed party filed a Motion to Quash case against Bob Filner.

Signs of a settlement deal between Mayor Bob Filner and the City of San Diego over allegations of sexual harassment are beginning to appear. According to the San Diego Superior Court website, a "motion to quash" has been scheduled for …

As Filner heads for departure with reported settlement deal, declaration of city's number one recently minted Democrat raises revival possibilities for Jacobs Balboa Park teardown deal

The body isn't quite yet dead, but apparently anticipating the imminent political demise of Democratic mayor Bob Filner in today's vote on a reported departure deal, ex-Republican Nathan Fletcher has been the first to jump into the race to replace …

New desalinization plant at Camp Pendleton sought, disagreements over long-term storage capacity

The board of directors for the San Diego County Water Authority, whose membership is comprised of 24 local municipal water districts, ratified its response yesterday (August 22) to a May report from the San Diego County Grand Jury, Reduce Dependence …

Ben Hueso witnessed the incidents twice.

The VoiceofOC.org, a nonprofit investigative news agency based in Orange County, tonight (Aug. 22) broke a story that has been hushed up — Republican politician Carl DeMaio's masturbation in the council men's room. The story, by Rex Dalton, formerly of …

SD hotels inch up, other California coastal markets grow sharply

According to Smith Travel Research, July occupancy this year was 87.5%, up from 86.4% a year earlier. Year to date, occupancy has barely risen to 73% from 72.6% a year earlier, but average daily room rate has grown to $137.22 …

Plans to push ahead with Irene McCormack Jackson suit

Gloria Allred, Los Angeles-based sexual harassment lawyer, today (Aug. 22) held a press conference in her Los Angeles office to urge the city council not to make a deal with embattled Mayor Bob Filner. Virtually everybody following the case assumes …

Union leaders, along with Congressman Scott Peters and Congresswoman Susan Davis, stages a press conference downtown this morning (August 22) calling for an end to what Peters termed “mindless, across-the-board, non-mission-based cuts” in federal spending, commonly referred to as sequestration. …

Deborah Ann Gore denies stealing profits from auto shops

Philip said he hired Deborah Ann Gore in 2005 to do the books for his businesses, which includes a chain of car repair shops. “She worked in the Carlsbad office,” Philip said. Deborah Gore did all the bookwork, he said, …

Boot filed papers with the City Clerk on August 31.

The race for the soon-to-be empty District 2 council seat just got a bit more crowded. Sarah Boot has officially entered the race, filing a statement of organization with the City Clerk's Office. Boot has long been rumored to be …

On Monday (August 19), a 30-year-old Mexican national driving a bobtail truck carrying a load of frozen fish was stopped at the Otay Mesa border crossing. An imaging system at the secondary inspection area found “anomalies” in the truck’s fish …

Dr. Edward and Mary Rose Bodek admitted stealing from clients

Former dentist Edward J. Bodek, 60, and his wife Mary Rose Bodek, 56, were sentenced to 365 days custody plus 5 years probation in San Diego’s North County Superior Courthouse yesterday. Each felon had more than 320 “custody credits” at …

Susan Seibert admitted stealing half-million dollars

Linda Conover, one of the owners of a chain of pizza shops in San Diego County, spoke to a judge this afternoon before he pronounced sentence on a bookkeeper who caused “financial devastation.” “Thank you for hearing us. Chip and …

She is both suer and suee

Dianne York (who sometimes went by the name Dianne York-Goldman until she divorced Goldman), is a lawyer's dream...well, sort of. San Diego courts are full of suits in which she is either a plaintiff or a defendant. There have been …

Eviction of her business that went into bankruptcy. Personal bankruptcy attempt

CNN and the Union-Tribune reported today (Aug. 21) that an 18th female, Dianne York, has accused Mayor Filner of harassment-related activity -- this time, putting his hands on her buttocks. CNN ran a photo of Filner with his arms around …

On the heels of announcements from the state real estate trade group that home prices seem to be leveling off right at what’s typically the peak of the season comes the latest numbers from default-tracking organization PropertyRadar, launched as ForeclosureRadar …

Sweetwater Authority to consider water rate increase, some increases as high as 50%

The Sweetwater Authority board of directors will consider a water rate increase on August 26. The authority provides water services to National City, Bonita and western and central Chula Vista. The rate structure for Sweetwater Authority is a tiered system …

C. Terry Brown, Richard Bartell and host of other special interests provided funding to Republican federal committee transferring $70,000 for Zapf, Cate

Given the shadow-financed Republican-led effort to recall embattled mayor Bob Filner, it's not always easy to track the torrents of cash being pumped into San Diego politics by the town's wealthy special interests. http://www.sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/aug/21/51738/ The latest wrinkle in the art …

The refunds were issued to unions, corporations, and big developers.

The hits keep coming for Mayor Bob Filner. As the Mayor ponders resignation in a legal mediation with the City and former Communications Director Irene McCormack-Jackson, a treasurer for his special political fund is zeroing out one of Filner's political …

SDG&E will test technology that monitors customers' energy use down to the individual device using it

Those who opposed the digital “smart meters” installed over the last few years by San Diego Gas & Electric may soon have a new technology to worry about: a real-time monitoring device that measures the power draw off every circuit …

And selling stock in a mine that didn't exist

Mark Twain defined a gold mine as a hole in the ground with a liar on the top. Today (Aug. 20) Douglas Ellingson pleaded guilty to investment fraud. He sold more than $2 million worth of stock that was secured …

The political action committee that won't die comes to life once more with Sempra work done by familiar sounding political outfit

When last we checked in on the Independent Voter PAC, the political fund run by David Takashima was helping to the advance the agenda of Proposition 30, the successful November 2012 tax hike by Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_K9chLGt49Q&feature=player_embedded#t=0 It …

Recent court documents show City Attorney's office now defending Sunroad's land-grab

Giving away public park space to a developer? No big deal. Filing a lawsuit against the City for an apparent quid-pro-quo with said developer? A complete "sham." That is the latest opinion from the City Attorney's Office in the legal …

Owner of uniform store and police museum commissioner faces sentencing in federal court here next month on kickback conspiracy count

San Diego being the kind of rough-and-tumble law enforcement, military and border intelligence town that many say it is, it may not be too surprising to find lots of interesting characters on the board of commissioners of its non-profit police …

Statements made after DEA declares organization extinct

Rommel Moreno Manjarrez, the Baja California Attorney General, announced that despite claims made by the DEA, the Arellano Félix Cártel has not disappeared from the area. The statements came on Tuesday, August 20, a day after Eduardo Arellano Félix was …

Court reconsiders decision on advice of San Diego ACLU

A Sri Lankan man will get another shot at applying for asylum after the American Civil Liberties Union of San Diego and Imperial Counties and the Harvard Immigration and Refugee Clinic came to his aid, urging the federal Ninth Circuit …

City Attorney now says anyone, regardless of place of residence can assist in recall efforts.

City Attorney Jan Goldsmith's Office is whittling away at the laws governing recall elections. In an August 16 memo, Deputy City Attorney Sharon Spivak found that a requirement that signature gatherers in recall elections be registered voters and San Diego …

Numbers released last week from the California Association of Realtors trade group paint a rather bleak picture for the prospect of home prices continuing to rise as rapidly as they have of late. First, the Association’s economists found that housing …

Resignation on table, as expected. Secrecy also?

As predicted here yesterday (see my blog post on Sunday, Aug. 18), Mayor Bob Filner and City Attorney Jan Goldsmith met today, according to reports in mainstream media today (Aug. 19). Locally, such media outlets as Channel 10, KPBS, and …

Arellano Félix drug cartel boss receives sentence after pleading guilty in May to multiple charges

Eduardo Arellano Félix, one of the former leaders of the Arellano Félix drug cartel, has been sentenced to a 15 year federal prison term on Monday, August 19. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Larry Burns at …

The San Diego Sheriff’s Department has announced the results of two more driver’s license/DUI checkpoints conducted over the weekend, and is already planning another. On the 1400 block of East Vista Way in Vista, which deputies shut down from 7:30 …

Newly arrived U-T San Diego editorialist worked for non-profit news outfit linked to conservative oil and chemical magnates by Columbia Journalism Review

The billionaire Koch brothers, David and Charles of Wichita, Kansas, don't enjoy much obvious clout in San Diego politics, but that could soon change, depending in part on the fate of Republican spearheaded recall efforts to oust Democratic mayor Bob …

Complaint against the City and its police department was filed in federal court

Detectives from the La Mesa Police Department are accused of searching the DMV database and collecting driver's license photos of African-American males as a way to locate suspects. A lawsuit filed in U.S District Court on Monday alleges that detectives …

400,000 deported to Mexico last year, 126,000 to Baja California

The Instituto Nacional de Migración (National Migration Institute or INM) of Mexico released its estimates on the number of Mexicans deported from the United States in 2012, on Friday, August 16. Milenio reported on the statistics the following day, which …

A former San Diego local has a unique plan for commercial billboards: filling them with art, rather than advertisement. Nathan Horner, who lives in Hollywood but attended art school in San Diego and lived in the area for several years, …

City attorney seeks settlement tied to resignation; but does he have anything in his hand?

As of today (Sunday, Aug. 18), Mayor Bob Filner and City Attorney Jan Goldsmith are scheduled to meet tomorrow at an undisclosed location, probably not on City property. The meeting could be delayed or canceled, of course. The mayor will …

Tosses about words like "sociopathic," "lack of conscience."

KUSI interview City Attorney Jan Goldsmith, a bitter enemy of Mayor Bob Filner, is fishing about for a pretext for getting a restraining order against Filner. He may try the "hostile workplace" charge that is arising from the sexual harassment …

Stoned shooter reportedly missed the point-blank shot-to-the-head

Phillip Esquire Miller IV denies putting a gun to the head of a man with whom he had been smoking “Kush” for an hour, and then stealing three pounds of marijuana from the frightened survivor, more than three years ago. …

J.R. Mahon will supposedly be a consultant

According to NetNewsCheck.com, J.R. Mahon, who has led U-T San Diego's $3.5 million, 24-hour live streaming video network since its inception in May 2012, is out. U-T Chief Executive John Lynch told NetNewsCheck that Mahon would have a consulting job …

Sixty-nine-year-old man denies killing 73-year-old wife

Frederick Joseph Hengl, 69, is expected to be brought into court in a wheelchair on Tuesday, August 20, in San Diego’s North County Courthouse. Hengl was arrested nine months ago and charged with murder and abuse of elder and criminal …

Dr. Edward and Mary Rose Bodek used others' credit cards

Former dentist Edward J. Bodek, 60, and his wife Mary Rose Bodek, 56, have twice delayed their sentencing, since they admitting stealing from patients. Each defendant was charged with 45 felonies that alleged ID theft and fraudulent use of others’ …

August 15 marked a milestone for a group of local protesters, as San Diego Veterans for Peace celebrated one year of Thursday afternoon demonstrations near the Poway facilities of General Atomics, manufacturers of the well-known Predator and Reaper unmanned aerial …

Jobs decline -- education down seasonally

The San Diego County unemployment rate was 7.8% in July, up from 7.4% in June and above the unadjusted national rate of 7.7%. The county lost 10,900 jobs in the period. Local government jobs dropped by 11,500, including educational jobs …

No limits on amount of recall donations and lack of reporting make for big money mystery and uniquely San Diego-style media and political intrigue

Who is funding the big money recall effort to oust embattled San Diego mayor Bob Filner? So far, no one is saying, and - unless someone steps forward to sue the city to force greater disclosure - that seems to …

Windy, overcast weather presents challenge to researchers

After a handful of tests over the first half of the summer, Dr. Andy Nosal from the Birch Aquarium and assistants were able to launch their shark-tracking weather balloon to study the movement patterns of leopard sharks off the coast …

City of Vista due to be repaid costs in 176 years

A teenaged graffiti vandal has promised to pay $105,703 to the City of Vista, at the rate of $50 per month, as restitution for “knowingly and with malice” destroying property. Ramona Elena Montes, 18, admitted five separate acts that caused …

Ninety-two-year-old said he survived assault by 60-year-old woman

Ninety-two-year-old Benjamin Farber said that a former friend shoved a pillow over his face a year ago, but he survived to testify against her at a hearing in January of this year. Farber said 60-year-old Donna Lee Darling was visiting …

Would be charged with creating "hostile workplace"

Monday -- or perhaps a later date -- could be critical for Mayor Bob Filner, according to excellent inside sources. It appears that an intergovernmental palace coup is underway. Today (Aug. 15), a great-grandmother, in an extremely bizarre appearance with …

Messages ask governor to stop human rights violations

At least twelve handmade banners were placed across Tijuana and Rosarito with messages denouncing abuses by the state police, on Thursday, August 15. The banners displayed numerous messages, asking the governor to intervene in human rights abuses which are allegedly …

Big downtown developer law and lobbying firm long linked to U-T San Diego owner Doug Manchester does epic legal battle with allegedly underpaid and ill-treated young waitresses

Hooters, the big national franchisee of bars and eateries whose business model is based on a young female wait staff dressed in distinctively revealing outfits, has been making some big headlines in San Diego news media and among rightward leaning …

Attorneys say Filner used issue to deflect attention from harassment case.

Lawyers for fast-food chain Jack in the Box and the City of San Diego have crafted their defense to a lawsuit from residents over the demolition and rebuild of a drive-through restaurant on Upas Street in North Park. Their legal …

At issue is possible loss of federal grants

Moody's Investors Service has placed under review for downgrade the ratings of 15 California transit agencies, including $41 million of San Diego Metropolitan Transit System pension obligation bonds. They are rated Aa3. The bonds are at risk of downgrade by …

David Diaz pleads not-guilty to murder charge

Carlsbad police responded to a 911 call reporting a shooting last week, but the medical examiner has declared that the victim died of “multiple incised and stab wounds of head and neck.” Asher Caleb Freeman, 24, was found “deceased at …

Journalists debate U-T TV's gauche Filner dance video.

The Los Angeles Times has broken a story about U-T TV's juvenile, unprofessional post on the Filner controversy. TV Week and Huffington Post have also commented on the video. All should consider Matt Potter's excellent Reader post: when details about …

Even if it were legal, proper studies weren't done, says Scenic San Diego

A local environmental group has lodged a formal objection to the “Negative Declaration” issued last month ruling that a proposed electronic billboard advertising a Santee used car dealership “.could not have a significant impact upon the environment.” Scenic San Diego, …

Big cash means big difference for two high-profile politicos accused of sexual harassment

Before Bob Filner there was Arnold Schwarzenegger, but besides their obvious physical differences, their crisis management skills and abilities also appear to be widely divergent While the GOP’s Schwarzenegger skated past a host of sexual harassment allegations - handily batting …

Suit alleges non-profit has spent hundreds of thousands of taxpayer assessments on non-permitted items.

Executives at the Downtown San Diego Partnership will have to defend what some say is mismanagement and misuse of taxpayer funds in court. On August 12, government watchdog group, San Diegans for Open Government, filed a lawsuit against the downtown …

Requesting public's help regarding "suspicious" death

Oceanside police reported finding a man dead in the street before 6 a.m. on Wednesday, August 14, 2013. Responding to a 911 call, police went to the 600 block of Arthur Avenue and “located an obviously deceased adult male victim …

Gulf War veteran Michael Lewis and his family have filed a lawsuit against the County of San Diego, the City of Coronado, and several employees with each entity, claiming civil rights violations, battery, false imprisonment and negligence after the County …

Five new traffic lanes hope to shorten wait times, pedestrian lane opened Tuesday

The San Ysidro port of entry plans to open up five new northbound traffic lanes on Friday, August 16. According to the Mexican Foreign Relations Secretariat, the new lanes will put San Ysidro at the highest northbound capacity of all …

The stock market value of SeaWorld Entertainment Inc., operators of 11 theme parks nationwide including one of its namesake aquatic-themed destinations on Mission Bay, tanked yesterday after the company posted a loss of $15.9 million, or 18 cents per share, …

Ninth Circuit doesn't buy fraudulent security claims of plaintiffs

According to Courthouse News Service, investors who bought condominiums in the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego have lost their fraud suit on appeal. The investors claimed that they had bought contracts for condominiums that were effectively securities that were not …

New front in partisan war of alleged sexual behavior opened by top California political advisor, recalling "sexual gratification" charges leveled against U-T owner

Embattled Democratic San Diego mayor Bob Filner, his offices reportedly swarmed by federal agents; investigators reporting to GOP Sheriff Bill Gore; and a sizable percentage of the town's numerically dissipated version of the Fourth Estate, continues to make national headlines. …

Man found hiding in tree after crashing into delivery truck

Sheriff’s deputies arrested 32-year-old Michael Green on a host of charges Monday (August 12) after he led police on a brief high-speed chase through the Spring Valley community of Casa De Oro. Members of the Sheriff’s Analysis Driven Law Enforcement …

Shaun Patrick Flanagan remains at liberty

Seventy-three-year-old Nancy has had an account at Wells Fargo Bank for many years. She lost her husband Ted in 2011, and it was a comfort for her to be able to continue her bank visits with her “personal banker,” Shaun …

Some suggest the influx of applicants is due to a scam, while others note a change in policy

The Otay Mesa port of entry has seen a large influx of asylum seekers from Mexico in recent days, as reported by Fox News on August 12. An anonymous source, who allegedly works at the port of entry, told Fox …

Southern California Edison, former operator of the shuttered San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, claimed yesterday (August 12) that its customers should bear the cost of prematurely shuttering the plant, as reported in the Los Angeles Times. According to Edison, “If …

Family denies Oceanside teen was the shooter

It was an emotional afternoon in the courthouse yesterday, when family of the boy who was shot to death and family of the boy who was found guilty of the killing, took turns speaking to a judge before sentencing. Samuel …

David Diaz pleads not-guilty to murder

A man accused of killing his new roommate was brought before a judge this afternoon in San Diego’s North County courthouse. Twenty-four-year-old Asher Freeman had only recently rented a room from David Diaz, according to a prosecutor. Diaz complained to …

Lawsuit comes after years of objections from local residents.

Jack may soon be in the witness box. Today, August 12, a group of North Park residents filed a lawsuit against the City of San Diego for allowing the fast-food chain to demolish and build a new restaurant. The residents …

Fabled "Sheriff of Baghdad" and Marine reserve Lieutenant Colonel gets conditional go-ahead to cash in on links to anti-terrorism intelligence

The assistant chief of the Port of San Diego's Harbor Police, an expert in Islamic counter-intelligence, has received conditional approval from the state's Fair Political Practices Commission to go freelance with his legendary anti-terrorism and criminal intelligence experience. But a …

The San Diego Sheriff’s Department has reported results on two more “DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoints” conducted Saturday night and into Sunday morning (August 10-11). At a roadblock at Pomerado Road and Stowe Drive in Poway, deputies did not make any drunken …

Michael Colantuono responds to letter asking to view non-profit's accounting records.

Executives at the Downtown San Diego Partnership are sticking to their guns, and doing their best to hold on to Property and Business Improvement District (PBID) funds to pay for homeless services, high-priced consultants, and other questionable expenses. The downtown …

Large plants discovered on farm east of Tecate

Authorities located a marijuana plantation near the U.S.-Mexico border in Baja California on Friday, August 9. State authorities said an investigation led officers to the farm, which was located approximately 30 minutes east of the city of Tecate. The farm …

Customers claim bank offered modifications, then refused to follow through

The federal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals last week ruled in favor of San Diego attorney Timothy Blood, who represents two classes claiming that California lender Wells Fargo refused to follow guidelines in administrating the federal government’s Home Affordable Modification …

Humans and dogs walked the green synthetic turf in California

The Cardiff Dog Days of Summer celebration was advertised as the eighth annual and “largest dog-centric event in San Diego!” A steady crowd enjoyed booths of more than 100 vendors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 10, …

Louis Perez is charged with kidnap, sexual battery, and murder of Brittany Killgore

A man accused of sexual battery and torture and murder of a young woman, yesterday requested “contact visits” with his one-year-old daughter while he is in custody, from a San Diego County judge. “Mister Perez has not been allowed to …

Rumors fly as Filner continues to lose support, government gangs up

One of the rumors making the Twitter circles today (Aug. 9) is that Homeland Security has caught a person or persons eavesdropping on the mayor's office with a directional microphone from a room at the Westgate Hotel. I could not …

Head of Filner take-down war accused in 2011 of illegal road building and grading by late GOP publisher regarding environmental damage allegedly done to mother's Fox Hill estate

These days La Jolla surveyor Michael Pallamary, leader of the recall against Bob Filner, is a stand-up guy, at least according to U-T San Diego, the mini media empire of Douglas Manchester, a laissez faire land developer and hotel magnate …

Oceanside city officials are celebrating the news that a $1.5 million verdict awarded by a jury against the municipality has been vacated and a new trial granted in matters concerning sexual harassment charges brought by a San Diego County employee …

San Diego Sheriff's deputies confirmed at a briefing this morning (August 9) that the blue Nissan Versa sedan belonging to James DiMaggio, suspected of murdering Christina Anderson, setting his house on fire, and abducting her children Ethan and Hannah, has …

San Diego-based General Atomics, while most famous recently for its Predator and Reaper drones, announced this week that it is seeking funding from the federal Department of Energy for work on a next-generation nuclear reactor design. Earlier this year, it …

Says board didn't consider other bids when selling company

According to the publication Law360, a Florida shareholder early this month filed a lawsuit, intended to be a class action, against Vista's DEI Holdings and its board for selling the company for $285 million to private equity firm Charlesbank Capital …

The U.S. Department of Justice moved yesterday (August 7) to block San Diegan Michael I. Turner from preparing federal tax returns. Turner, who has been in business locally since at least 2004 according to the Justice Department, is accused of …

Supreme Court turned down request to review the case. Case now heads back to Superior Court for final ruling.

California Supreme Court judges turned down San Diego Unified's request to review a previous court decision finding the use of Proposition S funds to install stadium lighting at Hoover High School violated the terms of the bond measure. In 2008, …

City ethics chief says check back next week regarding when and whether special interests will have to disclose cash stake in ousting mayor

Two high-profile voter signature drives in California, one aimed at putting the issue of a new basketball arena on the ballot in Sacramento, the other to recall embattled San Diego Democratic mayor Bob Filner, are casting new light on the …

The City of Murrieta is seeking to finance the expansion of a public business center through a unique source: government “crowdfunding.” The southern Riverside municipality is among the first in the nation to enlist the help of Citizinvestor, a sort …

Door pounding interrupted beach party plans and then there was a stabbing

Lorenzo banged on the front door of an Oceanside home at midnight and got a knife in his side, and then made the ride to hospital in a well-stocked limousine with a former porn actress, according to testimony in a …

Utility has problem with amount asked for Shames's services

San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) has challenged the request of troubled Utility Consumers' Action Network (UCAN) for intervenor fees related to its role in the general rate case of the utility. UCAN has asked the California Public Utilities Commission …

San Diego marine park one of five U.S. facilities that sought to obtain rare beluga whales from Russia

The U.S. National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service has turned down an application by the Georgia Aquarium and four associated marine exhibit facilities, including SeaWorld of Florida, SeaWorld of Texas, SeaWorld of California and Shedd Aquarium in …

Small boat finally stopped southwest of Laguna Beach, two suspects arrested

A panga boat, which originated in Mexico, was stopped 12 miles southwest of Laguna Beach with over $4 million worth of marijuana on board on Tuesday, August 6. According to Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) officials, the small sea vessel …

San Diego County Crime Stoppers are looking for clues that will lead to the culprit behind a random stabbing in a Del Mar bar last month. Tory Henry, 22, was drinking at Jimmy O’s on July 18 when he felt …

Man claims to have know priest for over 15 years before killing him

A suspect has been arrested in Tijuana for the murder of an Ensenada Catholic priest on July 21. Local authorities stated that the suspect, 55 year old Marcos Cisneros Melo, was arrested while in possession of the priests van on …

Republican Bonnie Dumanis personally gets $25,755 in partial payback for $50,000 invested in failed mayoral campaign

In hindsight, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis didn't have much of a chance in last year's mayoral derby against congressman Bob Filner, city councilman Carl DeMaio, and Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher. But Dumanis jumped into the race anyway, bagging the support of …

Shortstop's interview may intensify drug probe

USA Today, SBnation.com, and other media outlets today (Aug. 6) are pointing to an interview that Padres shortstop Everth Cabrera, banned for 50 games for using performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), had with a Nicaraguan journalist, as a reason for Major League …

Filner wants case moved due to media frenzy surrounding the case.

Mayor Bob Filner is asking that the sexual harassment case filed by former Communications Director Irene McCormack Jackson be heard in Imperial County. Harvey Berger filed a motion on August 6 to move the case from San Diego County due …

The same woes that troubled Edison International when reporting earnings last week seem to have bypassed Sempra Energy, minority owner in the shuttered San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station through its San Diego Gas & Electric utility. Reporting its own numbers …

Authorities now believe he may be headed for Canada or Texas

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has released the attached flyer with photographs of James DiMaggio, suspected of killing Lakeside resident Christina Anderson, leaving her body in his Boulevard home after setting it on fire, and abducting her …

Spent the money gambling at Indian casino

David Hedley, former executive director of the Indian Human Resource Center, admitted embezzling $141,260 of federal money from the center. He was only the head for three months last year, but obtained a debit card that he used to embezzle …

Now Allred wants attorney general, city attorney to pile on

The Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee is investigating San Diego Mayor Robert Filner. Well, not really, but it might as well be. In today's (Aug. 6) U-T, Los Angeles sexual harassment attorney Gloria Allred, who is representing a former Filner staffer, …

Goldsmith has so far refused to turn over closed session transcripts where Filner is said to have ordered attorney to the back of the room. Cites cost of preparation as reason for not disclosing.

The City Attorney's Office and attorney Cory Briggs are digging in their heels in a battle for transcripts from closed session meetings. Despite his attempt to fight it, City Attorney Jan Goldsmith might have to cede some ground, or be …

Suspect alleged to have taken two children after killing two and burning home

Authorities in Mexico have been put on alert after a wanted San Diego County man may have fled across the border with two children. The suspect, 40 year old James Lee DiMaggio, is suspected of killing two victims and kidnapping …

Authoritative San Diego Social Diary says so

It is no secret that Papa Doug Manchester, owner of the U-T, has been seen and photographed around town with the young, beautiful lady of Russian descent, Geniya Derzhavina. They have been photographed together in such publications as lajollalight.com, the …

L.A. Times relates plan by GOP's Gore and state attorney general's office seeking to short-cut recall by putting mayor on trial for "egregious misconduct in office."

The effort to depose embattled San Diego mayor Bob Filner, accused of sexual harassment by a growing cast of alleged victims, appears to have gotten a bit more Machiavellian. According to a Los Angeles Times report today, San Diego sheriff …

Project leaders intend to finalize plans any day and begin 14 month construction

A cross border terminal, which would connect Otay Mesa, CA with the Tijuana International Airport, could possibly begin construction by the end of August. The project, which has been in the works for several years, would allow ticketed passengers to …

The Downtown San Diego Partnership today (August 6) will hold a meeting for contractors interested in bidding on all or part of a project to install Christmas-style lights on trees in five corridors Downtown including along C Street and in …

Seth Leyton also gave misleading information to FINRA

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has filed a complaint against Viewpoint Securities, which closed last year for lack of capital, and broker Seth Leyton. They "aided and abetted a fraudulent scheme to obtain possession and control of [Collateralized Mortgage …

A singer for a California rock band, who is under house arrest for allegedly hiring a hitman to kill his wife, was granted permission to get out for a little therapy. “Defendant Timothy Lambesis is currently on house arrest and …

One writes bad checks to the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office

According to the August issue of the Calbar Journal, two county lawyers have been disbarred. James Chester Weseman of Del Mar was disbarred because discipline imposed on him by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office amounted to professional misconduct. He …

The San Diego Sheriff’s homicide detail announced this evening (August 5) that a suspect has been identified in what’s being investigated as a possible arson and double homicide in the Laguna Mountains community of Boulevard. Deputies originally responded to reports …

But the ailing newspaper will not be part of booming Amazon

The Washington Post Co. has agreed to sell its flagship paper to Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos for $250 million in cash. The paper will not be part of Amazon, which is prospering handsomely. The deal includes a few other smaller …

Fulton says some of it could have gone for affordable housing outside of downtown

The former Centre City Development Corp. (CCDC) had a sacred belief: money that was made from the former Redevelopment Agency tax increment financing had to go back where it came from. And that was downtown. And that's one of the …

Two men and two teenagers were arrested this morning (August 5) after being caught in the process of burglarizing a home on the 1500 block of Robbie Jean in El Cajon. According to Lieutenant Walt Miller of the El Cajon …

Human rights defenders protest on both sides of border by placing white crosses

Human rights activists participated in a demonstration by placing white crosses near the U.S.-Mexico border on Sunday, August 4. The demonstration occurred at Playas de Tijuana and at Border Field State Park, on each side of the border fence. In …

Defense attorney said maybe it’s vandalism, but not felony burglary

An Oceanside resident named Brian phoned police to say that he saw a man leaning in through his car window, on a Thursday morning last month. When Brian heard his car alarm go off before 6 a.m., he went to …

It's part of the Biogenesis investigation

San Diego Padres shortstop Everth Cabrera is among a dozen suspensions that sports media are talking about today (Aug. 5). The players are all connected with investigation of the Biogenesis wellness clinic in Florida, which first hit the news months …

Law enforcement money looms large as Filner foe Dumanis and challenger Brewer battle it out in fight for special influence funding

What would Eliot Ness make of it all? As G-men, G-women and other gumshoes from an alphabet soup of federal agencies swarm city hall trying to get the goods on embattled San Diego Democratic mayor Bob Filner, his erstwhile Republican …

Meth, cocaine, heroin, and marijuana seized along the U.S.-Mexico border

A series of large drug seizures, by law enforcement departments on both sides of the border, have occurred over the last week. The largest seizure occurred at the Otay Mesa cargo facility on July 30. According to Customs and Border …

A study published by UC San Diego engineers recently indicates that there’s little, if any benefit to solar power users to pay firms in the business of cleaning their panels to increase efficiency. A recent study found that panels that …

Female surfing pros dominated the waves in San Diego County this weekend

Female athletes slashed the surf over a three-day contest, with Hawaiian invader Malia Manuel taking the title of champion female surfer on Sunday, August 4, 2013. The Ford Supergirl Pro competition is advertised as the largest all-women’s surf contest in …

Lady surfer Sage Erickson of Ventura defends her win from last year

California surfer Sage Erickson is defending her champion title in Oceanside, from last year, against women from Hawaii and Japan and Argentina – in fact, competitors have come from all over the world. Twenty-two-year-old Sage Erickson was not able to …

Wall Street's Warburg Pincus, which controls Bridgepoint, bought out, piled debt on Rural/Metro

Rural/Metro Corp., an ambulance operation serving San Diego County, is near bankruptcy, media are reporting. (This blog, quoting the San Jose Mercury News, reported the deep financial woes July 18.) The Wall Street Journal, quoting knowledgeable sources, reported July 31 …

More than three hundred drivers contacted over five hour period

Police arrested two persons suspected of driving under the influence, during an overnight checkpoint in Oceanside last night. More than three hundred drivers were contacted between 9:20 p.m. Friday night and 2:30 a.m. Saturday morning, August 3, 2013. Police reported …

Paper, once purchased for $1.1 billion, goes for $70 million

The New York Times announced today (Saturday, Aug.3) that it has sold the Boston Globe and other New England media properties to John W. Henry, principal owner of the Boston Red Sox. Henry paid $70 million. The Times had bought …

John Rizzo pleads guilty on iTrackr caper

John Rizzo, chief executive of iTrackr Systems, admitted yesterday (Aug. 1) that he defrauded investors in the Florida company. He peddled penny stock in the company through offshore boiler rooms. investors didn't know that only 20% of the money would …

Christopher Andrew Sterling won't pay fine for lack of funds

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) went to federal court in San Diego in a work-at-home scam case against Christopher Andrew Sterling. The government said that on his websites (sterlingvisa.com, rebatedataprocessor.com and creditcardworker.com) he falsely promised that people could earn $1000 …

Timothy Lambesis also wants return of other items seized by investigators

There was a hearing in San Diego County Superior Court for the lead singer of a heavy metal rock band, Timothy Peter Lambesis, this afternoon, Friday, August 2, 2013. The singer and co-founder of the band As I Lay Dying …

Agency questions claims for Glucosil

The Food and Drug Administration has warned Lee Zhong, M.D., Ph.D., that his company, Neuliven Health, 10171 Pacific Mesa Blvd., could be selling a diabetes treatment that violates federal law. From its website, the company sells the Glucocil product for …

The Port of San Diego announced progress yesterday (August 1) on another phase in its ongoing effort to clean up the bay floor around the notorious former A-8 free anchorage. A-8, the last of the long-term free anchorages to be …

Goldsmith denies transcripts exist despite invoices and Executive Assistant's testimony

It was a bold accusation: Mayor Bob Filner, a longtime civil rights activist ordering Executive Assistant City Attorney Andrew Jones to the back of the room during a closed session meeting earlier this year. “To me it was tantamount to …

The FBI, Obama's U.S. Attorney, media, government informants, drug war, the mob, and cold cash all have mentions in "Day of the Locust"-style San Diego recall spectacle

When it comes to the mob, media, and law enforcement, San Diego has long been a town of dirty little secrets. Throughout the city's history, the three have often been linked in a murky alliance of cops, bad guys, informants, …

Edison International, parent company of San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station’s former operator, Southern California Edison, booked a loss of 29 cents per share in the second quarter of 2013, the company reported yesterday (August 1), largely due to the announcement …

El Cajon Police are conducting a “motorcycle safety enforcement operation” today throughout the city, targeting both riders and drivers engaging in behaviors that put motorcyclists at risk. After a steady drop in motorcycle-related accidents and deaths from 2008-2010, incidents have …

But unemployment rate falls to 7.4%

Economists were expecting the U.S. economy to generate 180,000 new jobs in July, but the total only came in at 162,000, the government revealed this morning (Aug. 2). However, the unemployment rate dropped to 7.4%, down from 7.6% in June. …

Business community reveals it plans to pick your pockets

A story in the Aug. 1 Union-Tribune tells all that has to be known about the Filner slaughter. First, the city attorney's office issued two dubious opinions to smooth the way for a recall. City Attorney Goldsmith, a toady for …

Feds say they caused insurance companies to issue policies to the unqualified

Insurance brokers Byron Frisch and Kristian Giordano, along with attorneys Kasra Sadr and Brenda Barrera Merriles, were arraigned today (Aug. 1) for fraudulently inducing insurance companies to issue more than $50 million in policies to unqualified people who had no …

Number 74 was a highly wanted fugitive from Los Angeles accused of multiple rapes

According to Baja California authorities, 74 United States fugitives have been arrested in Baja California so far in 2013. Alfredo Arenas Moreno, the chief of the state police international unit, commented on the number while declaring another arrest. Number 74 …

Just weeks after the Metropolitan Transit System issued a warning about the dangers of unlicensed cab services, the California Public Utilities Commission appears set to implement a new proposal to legitimatize such “ridesharing” services as Lyft and Uber, which allow …

With personal millions at stake, hotel mogul Douglas Manchester's financial holding company leaps into Filner fray with political cash the day after paper reports recall effort

It's not exactly a big surprise to locals who read and tune into U-T San Diego, the mini media empire run by La Jolla hotel magnate Doug Manchester, that the long-time Republican is not a big fan of embattled Democratic …

Public requested to dial 911 if they sight "Tony" Hernandez

Late Wednesday night, Escondido police asked for the public’s help to locate a person they suspect killed his wife. The man is named as Jesus Flores Hernandez, who goes by “Tony,” according to a police spokesman. The wanted man is …

After months of delays, the City of Carlsbad has announced that it is set to begin enforcing a ban on overnight RV parking on city streets today (August 1). An ordinance against the overnight parking of vehicles longer than 22 …

Looking for impaired driving from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. at undisclosed location

Police announced there will be a traffic checkpoint in Oceanside starting tomorrow, Friday, at 8 p.m. and finishing at 3 a.m. Oceanside police sergeant Kenneth Gow said officers will be checking “at an undisclosed location” within the city limits, starting …