McGrory to Borrego's rescue?
Former city manager, other SD investors want to buy former Casa del Zorro, but face snags
A group of San Diego and outside investors is attempting to purchase Borrego Ranch Resort & Spa, formerly La Casa del Zorro, but is running into multiple snarls. The deal went into escrow and has fallen out, but the investors …
SDGE maneuvering
Group charges utility furtively trying to nail ratepayers with 2007 fire costs
On December 20th, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will decide a long-running case in which San Diego Gas & Electric wants ratepayers to pick up the tab for uninsured costs from the 2007 fires, for which the utility was …
Non-traded REITs -- again
LPL Financial charged with violations by Massachusetts official
According to the Boston Business Journal, San Diego-based LPL Financial has been charged with dishonest business practices by Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin. An administrative complaint was filed against the firm December 12, and Galvin seeks a cease-and-desist order …
Copley land still for sale
Copley Press developing land adjoining late Helen Copley's estate
The La Jolla Light reported this week that Copley Press, what's left of the old publishing empire, is still trying to develop the acreage next to the Fox Hill (also called Foxhill) estate of the late Helen Copley. According to …
Robo-signing settlement
Subsidiary of San Diego's Encore Capital to pay $500,000 to Minnesota
Midland Funding LLC, a subsidiary of San Diego's publicly-traded Encore Capital Group, has agreed to overhaul its collection practices and pay Minnesota $500,000, according to the Minneapolis StarTribune. Midland faced allegations that it robo-signed paperwork in collection lawsuits without verifying, …
SD middle class vanishing
Middle-wage jobs in San Diego depart, and wages drop, more rapidly than in state or nation.
"The rich get richer, the poor get poorer (or stay relatively the same), and the middle is disappearing," is how economist Kelly Cunningham of the National University System Institute for Policy Research synthesizes his new study of the San Diego …
LA Times for sale
Manchester, OC Register owner interested, says Reuters
Reuters is reporting tonight (Dec. 11) that U-T owner "Papa Doug" Manchester and Orange County Register owner Aaron Kushner are interested in buying Tribune Company's papers -- particularly the Los Angeles Times. Long-bankrupt Tribune Co., which owns the Times, Chicago …
UCAN raising funds
Troubled Utility Consumers' Action Network resumes fundraising, discusses lack of funds
Utility Consumers' Action Network, the watchdog that is under investigation of more than one governmental agency, will be sending out a fundraising letter soon. At a monthly meeting last evening, one board member believed the current proposed letter is too …
Foreclosure ends
Rancho Santa Fe spread owned by U-T's John Lynch went into foreclosure and quickly out. He is living there.
On December 4, a home at 6311 Clubhouse Drive, Rancho Santa Fe, went into foreclosure. Owner John Lynch, chief executive of the U-T, his wife Catherine and the family trust were warned in a Notice of Trustee's Sale, "You are …
Looking for singles?
Lowest male marriage rate in Imperial Beach, says Census
The United States Census Bureau yesterday (Dec. 6) released 2007-2011 neighborhood data from its American Community Survey. Some high and low nuggets from the San Diego metro area: in Imperial Beach, only 42.9% of males are married; in Lemon Grove, …
Unemployment rate falls
U.S. adds 146,000 jobs in November, brushing off Hurricane Sandy
The U.S. unemployment rate dropped from 7.9% to 7.7% in November, the lowest level since December of 2008, according to the Labor Department. However, the lower rate was caused largely because people dropped out of the labor force and stopped …
Scathing report on U-T San Diego
U-T a "corporate shill," says respected media publication
"The Fall of the San Diego Union-Tribune" is the headline in a story today (Dec. 6) in the publication Media Matters for America, a politically progressive media watchdog. The year since "Papa Doug" Manchester took over the paper has been …
Judge rebukes SANDAG plan
Regional transportation plan for 2050 will have to be changed
Superior Court Judge Timothy Taylor ruled Monday (Dec. 3) that the 2050 Regional Transportation Plan of the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) violates state law by permitting climate pollution in its environmental review. SANDAG's plan will increase greenhouse gas …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Cool $10 million
Jack Goodball should pull down almost $10 million from Conagra purchase of Ralcorp
Conagra has iced a deal to buy Ralcorp (the former Ralston Purina) for $90 a share. Jack Goodall, long time board member of Ralcorp, had stock-based ownership of 111,069 shares of Ralcorp. as of January 13, 2012. If he held …
Tourism up...sort of
SD visitor industry improving, but still lags pre-recession levels
The hotel business is picking up in San Diego, according to Smith Travel Research. October occupancy was 70.2% vs 66.1% a year earlier. Year to date, occupancy was 73.2% vs. 70.6% for the same period a year ago. However, tourism …