Relocation notice!
Effective October 17, 2013, News Ticker has moved out of the blogs and into the News & Stories section.
You may also be interested in: City Lights | Neighborhood News from Stringers | News Under the Radar
Entries
Drone purchase cutback?
Publication reports that government won't purchase 14 more Predator drones
The publication Homeland Security Today reported today (Dec. 4) that a highly-placed source says the U.S. Customs and Border Protection has no plans to go forward with purchase of 14 more Predator unmanned aerial systems to augment its current drone …
Jury selection
Kansas City man accused of robbing homeowner in Vista of marijuana and cash
Jury selection has begun for a Kansas City man accused of stealing three pounds of marijuana at gunpoint, more than two years ago, in San Diego County. The prosecution alleges that Phillip Esquire Miller IV, now 28, complained of the …
Case delayed again
Trial for man in 5-year-old cop shooting was moved from this month to February 2013
The trial date for a man charged with murder after cops reportedly shot and killed the female passenger in his car, was delayed again, this week. Trial was set to begin yesterday for Ronald Sisson, now 39. He was reportedly …
Call to overturn Supreme Court
City Council asks for Constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United
The San Diego City Council voted 8 to 0 today (Dec. 4) to ask Congress to get the ball rolling on amending the U.S. Constitution to overturn the Supreme Court's 2010 decision in the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission …
When a $900 campaign contribution ends up costing $10,000
Supporter of Chula Vista Councilman Steve Castaneda fined for illegal contributions
Some serious cash has been thrown down during this past election cycle. For one Chula Vista resident, her $900 in campaign contributions to city councilmember Steve Castaneda may end up being closer to $11,000 if the California's Fair and Political …
Questionable closure
Briny Brine Percent tell Oysterbamacare to shuck off
Photo: Guido, Creative Commons, via Wikimedia Commons Prices may be on the rise for a popular briney bivalve following a controversial 90 day eviction notice issued to Marin County's Drakes Bay Oyster Co. Last Thursday, the Point Reyes oyster farm …
Del Mar mayor hit with $1500 penalty
California Fair Political Practices Commission levies fine against former county supervisor candidate for campaign reporting violation
Carl Hilliard likes to watch the ponies at Del Mar. He even has a few of his own. But his luck off the track ran out earlier this year when the Del Mar GOP mayor was beaten by fellow Republican …
Loan modification scam
Head of fraudulent mortgage mending operation gets 92 months.
Gary Bobel, founder and head of Oceanside's 1st American Law Center, a mortgage modification telemarketing ring, was sentenced today (Dec. 4) to 92 months in prison. Telemarketer Scott Spencer (a.k.a. Thomas Cole) got 30 months in custody and telemarketer Travis …
Smashed in the face
La Mesa woman cleared to sue police officer for 4th Amendment violation, excessive force
La Mesa resident Drendolyn Sims has the right to sue La Mesa Police officer Mike Stanton over injuries suffered as a result of Stanton’s kicking in a gate on her property and striking her in the head, an appeals court …
Predator maker's radioactive soil contamination level remains unknown
Stealthy cold war "TRIGA" reactor disassembly and storage on General Atomics Torrey Pines campus audited by Nuclear Regulatory Commission
These days, San Diego-based General Atomics is most famous for its Predator drones, deployed in theatres of war around the world. Controlled by wealthy La Jolla Republican brothers Linden and Neal Blue, the operation also dabbles in rail guns, nuclear …
Cash block
City council considers resolution calling for Constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United
San Diego’s city council is set to vote this afternoon on a resolution calling on the federal government to consider an amendment to the Constitution that would reverse the ability of corporations and other entities to pump an unlimited amount …
Corrupt business as usual?
Filner says Chargers will stay, convention center will be expanded
Incoming Mayor Robert Filner gave his inaugural speech today at the Balboa Club. According to sources who were there, Filner said "We are going to make sure the Chargers stay in San Diego." He also said, "We are going to …
Reneging on refunds
Another deadline looms for Greater Golden Hill residents to receive refunds
The clock is ticking for the residents of Golden Hill and South Park to receive refunds for the illegally-formed maintenance assessment district. If residents don't file refund forms with the City by December 10, then the four-year statute of limitations …
Bike giveaway
Employees of defense firm give bicycles to children of service members
The San Diego offices of international defense contractor BAE Systems announced over the weekend that employee contributions over the last year have raised enough money to purchase 670 bicycles and helmets that will be presented to families of local Navy, …
Dumanis plea for post-election campaign cash
Report shows $50,000 in personal loans as fundraising hangover from costliest San Diego mayor's race in history continues after the election
As first reported here, Democratic mayor-elect Bob Filner is staging a fundraising bash at the Mission Bay Hyatt this coming Thursday, co-chaired by AFL-CIO honcho Lorena Gonzalez and Chamber of Commerce insider Mel Katz and his wife Linda. Entry-level tickets …
Overshadowed
No conclusions from San Onofre safety meeting, but monks protest, radioactive material left near street, unions grumble, FBI investigates
A Nuclear Regulatory Commission meeting to discuss the future of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating station went forward last Friday after being delayed when the originally contracted host hotel backed out over attendance concerns. No concrete plans were laid for …
Benvenuti bundle
SD company close to purchasing $800 million portfolio of Sacto developer
According to the Sacramento Bee, Westcore Properties of San Diego is down to short shakes in purchasing most of the portfolio of the late Sacramento developer Joe Benvenuti. It would be one of the largest purchases in Sacramento history. It …
Filner inaugural roster revealed
Lobbyists, past political friends, and a vanquished foe and his big contributor on list of V.I.P. invites.
An invitation list to Monday's inauguration of Bob Filner as mayor of San Diego - furnished by the office of outgoing Republican mayor Jerry Sanders after a request made under the California public records act - boasts the traditional Who's …
Build it if you can
New Copley-Price Family YMCA unanimously approved by city council, but is funding available?
The San Diego city council this week unanimously approved the construction of a new Copley-Price Family YMCA in the Mid-City district bordered by Kensington, Talmadge, and City Heights. The 53,400 square foot facility is set to include an enclosed swimming …
Filner wants funds
Soon-to-be former congressman seeking money to finish San Ysidro border crossing
In one of his last acts in Congress before setting up shop in the mayor’s office, Bob Filner earlier this week asked the U.S. General Services Administration to push for funding on the U.S. side of the San Ysidro border …