ACORN: A tough nut to crack
Darrell Issa (R) committee finds ACORN now operating under a new name.
It turns out ACORN was a tougher nut to crack than previously thought. In a 2010 report from Congressman Darrell Issa's Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, ACORN, formerly known as the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, never …
Stubborn as a mule
Valitar producer Mark Remley slapped with another lawsuit for unpaid production expenses.
Mark Remley, the producer of the failed horse acrobatics show Valitar, is "missing in action" says a spokesperson at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. But Remley, who pulled the plug on the show after just four showings, will have to come …
Ready or not
Police busts Point Loma medical marijuana dispensary before they are officially open for business
Yesterday afternoon, medical marijuana advocates took to Twitter and Instagram alerting people to a raid on the Greenworks San Diego Medical Marijuana Dispensary located at 3990 Hickok Street in Point Loma. "RAID IN PROGRESS AT GREENWORKS SD. 3990 Hickok Street, …
Waiting for an update
City extends timeline for completion of community plan update in Uptown
As Tom Petty once sang; "The waiting is the hardest part." For the residents living in Uptown communities of Hillcrest, North Park, Golden Hill, and South Park waiting for an update to their community plan, they know just how hard …
People vs. Parking Garage
Another lawsuit filed against financing plan for parking garage behind Organ Pavilion.
San Diegans for Open Government, the government watchdog group, is not backing down from a fight over a new four-story parking garage proposed for Balboa Park. The pay-for-parking garage will cost approximately $22.4 million when all is said and done. …
Non-permitted non-profits
Non-profit fights a city proposal to do away with exemptions for entertainment permits for not for profit organizations.
The San Diego Police Department hopes to raise some extra cash by eliminating the exemption that allows non-profit organizations to throw fundraisers and other entertainment events without having to pay for a city permit. To boost their argument, San Diego …
Valitar-promoter threw haymaker at horse trainer
Mark Remley, promoter of Valitar, was accused of assaulting horse trainer for having an extra-marital affair with his wife
Mark Remley, the promoter of the failed human-horse acrobatics show Valitar, is reported to have left the cast and crew high and dry after dismal box-office sales forced the cancellation of the show. The show's demise was partially blamed on …
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 …
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 …
Here comes the rooster...ordinance
County Supervisors look to tighten rooster ordinance
San Diego County Supervisors are looking to tighten up on the rooster ordinance. The ordinance they passed in August of last year aimed at eradicating cockfighting just isn't cutting it. The law currently allows residents to have one rooster for …
Bond, Public Facilities Financing Bonds
Housing Commission agrees to take the place of former redevelopment agency to issue bonds for public improvement projects.
The City of San Diego has found a new partner to issue bonds to pay for public improvement projects. On Tuesday, city councilmembers approved adding the City's Housing Authority onto the joint powers agreement. That makes three entities that are …
Deconstructing California's economy
A new report from Public Citizen shows the drag that construction accidents put on the state's economy and the need for more safety.
In a New York Times article published today, the paper paints a rosy picture of California's economy, one that's in stark contrast to what California residents have seen and heard in recent years. The article reported that the state's struggling …
Maintenance deferred
Water pipe ruptures in Balboa Park, flooding building that houses two museums and the San Diego History Center.
With just a few days remaining until Mayor Jerry Sanders leaves office, the lame duck mayor is still making waves. Unfortunately those waves can be found inside a building in Balboa Park after a water pipe ruptured last night. Less …
Chemical bummer
Audit finds the City's purchasing of water and wastewater treatment chemicals should be enhanced
San Diego's Public Utilities Department and the purchasing department have gone rogue when buying the chemicals needed to treat water and wastewater. A new audit from City Auditor's office has found that the departments failed to get the City Attorney's …
Build now and ask later
Doug Manchester's Grand Del Mar applies for permits nearly ten years late.
'Build it and ask for permission later,' that seems to be the mantra at Doug Manchester's posh resort, The Grand Del Mar. On October 11 of this year representatives from Manchester Financial Group applied for a development site permit and …
Maienschein bows down to ferret lobby?
Assemblyman denies reports that he is cuddling up to the ferret lobby
Just weeks after the election and newly minted Assemblyman Brian Maienschein has been said to be cozying up to lobbyists, hard at work to get their pet projects through the state assembly. Well, at least, that's what Pat Wright, founder …
Frat race
Theta Chi fraternity return to SDSU with plans to build large frat house near campus.
Theta Chi, the fraternity banned for the past four years from San Diego State University after investigators found drugs and guns inside the Theta Chi house, is up and running again with plans to build a large 23-room frat house …
Expensive Expansion
City looks to pay Menlo Park law firm an additional $100,000 to defend convention center expansion in court
The City of San Diego is beefing up its defense over the proposed expansion of the City's convention center paid for by an increased tax on hotel rooms. On Tuesday, city councilmembers will decide whether to give Northern California law …
Backing a loser
Rancho Santa Fe resident Robert Shillman's $25,000 fails to elect Tea Party conservative
What's $25,000 to a multi-millionaire? You can ask Rancho Santa Fe resident Robert Shillman, who just lost the $25,000 he gave to help elect Florida's Tea-Party congressman Allen West. Today, a judge in Florida denied West a recount of the …
Throwing in the towel
Congressman Brian Bilbray concedes house race to Scott Peters
More than a week after election day, now former-congressman Brian Bilbray announced that he was throwing in the towel, conceding to his Democratic opponent Scott Peters. The margin of victory was thin, a few-thousand votes thin, and was one of …