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]]>Check also: CBP seized over $880,000 worth of narcotics and firearms at border
During the event held at the First Baptist Church of Lemon Grove, a total of 184 firearms were collected from individuals seeking to responsibly dispose of their weapons. In return for their handguns, rifles, shotguns, assault weapons, and ghost guns, participants received gift cards valued at $100 or $200, depending on the type of firearm turned in.
The SDSO emphasized the anonymous nature of these events, where no questions are asked of those surrendering firearms. However, they also noted that each weapon is thoroughly processed to check for any ties to criminal activity or if it has been reported stolen. Any firearm falling into these categories will be subject to further investigation.
Check also: San Diego County seeks public input on budget priorities through engage survey
One of the event’s key outcomes is the destruction of all collected firearms, ensuring these weapons will not fall into the wrong hands or be used in future crimes. Additionally, attendees had the opportunity to receive free cable locks and gun safety lock boxes, promoting responsible firearm storage among gun owners.
This recent event follows a similar successful gun buyback in Vista last December, which saw nearly 300 firearms turned in. For individuals looking to safely dispose of unwanted firearms outside of these events, the SDSO provides information and resources on their website.
#KeepingYouSafe Nearly 200 unwanted weapons were collected during this weekend's @SDSheriff Gun Safety Event in Lemon Grove. We also gave out FREE cable locks and gun safety lock boxes to people looking to secure their firearms. Read our news release: https://t.co/mkRXcXZ31h. We… pic.twitter.com/nq82faVS44
— San Diego Sheriff (@SDSheriff) March 10, 2024
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]]>The post CBP seized over $880,000 worth of narcotics and firearms at border appeared first on WebNewsys.
]]>The operation began when CBP officers, during a routine inspection around 10:40 PM on March 4, encountered a 38-year-old woman driving a 2019 SUV attempting to enter the United States from Mexico. The initial inspection revealed several suspicious packages hidden behind the rear seats, prompting officers to call for additional assistance and conduct a thorough examination of the vehicle.
Using X-ray imaging technology, CBP officers detected anomalies in various parts of the vehicle, including the firewall, rear seats, spare tire, and trunk. A subsequent investigation by a K9 unit confirmed the presence of narcotics within the SUV. Officers were able to extract a total of 103 packages containing methamphetamines, blue fentanyl pills, cocaine, heroin, and three handguns. The combined weight of the narcotics was 126.4 pounds, with an estimated street value of $885,460.
Mariza Marin, Port Director of the San Ysidro Port of Entry, praised the efforts of the CBP officers, stating, “Another outstanding interdiction by our CBP officers. Our officers inspect over 100,000 travelers each day, balancing the need to efficiently process legitimate trade and travel with the ability to intercept illicit goods and narcotics. This seizure is a testament to their hard work and dedication.”
Following the discovery, the driver was taken into custody by Homeland Security for further investigation, while the seized narcotics and firearms were taken by Customs and Border Protection. This operation underscores the critical role of CBP officers in protecting the nation’s borders and the communities within from the dangers posed by illegal drugs and weapons trafficking.
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]]>The post San Diego Unified School District unveils student-run food truck Sunset Bites: Unique opportunity and experience appeared first on WebNewsys.
]]>Sunset Bites is more than just a food truck. It’s a lively collaboration between students pursuing different job paths, with the goal of giving them real-world skills and experiences that go beyond the classroom. Mya Diaz, a senior at Patrick Henry High, explained about how important this project was for getting students ready for college and careers by showing them how their learning could be used in the real world.
Read also: San Diego County Board of Supervisors calls for bipartisan action on immigration reform
Kristine Huynh, a senior at Mira Mesa High, picked the name Sunset Bites because it speaks to the essence of San Diego, with its beautiful sunsets and diverse food culture. Huynh got the idea for the project from eating food by the beach, which makes a clear link between the project and the people it aims to assist.
Students, like Diaz, also came up with the truck’s design and branding. They were inspired by sunsets and food to come up with a theme-based and visually appealing design. This student-led approach to the whole project shows the importance of giving students a place to be creative and start their own businesses.
Read also: San Diego County seeks public input on budget priorities through engage survey
The innovative project is being helped by the San Diego-based company Intuit, which has given a food truck that comes with a commercial-grade kitchen. As explained by Sarah Vielma, the head of college, career, and technical education for the district, this donation will help students learn important skills like technical, financial, and business knowledge. Vielma praised the program for helping to prepare students for work, pointing out how important it is for students to have these kinds of real-life learning experiences these days.
Sunset Bites should be open by the end of 2024. It vows to give people in San Diego a unique dining experience and help the next generation of stars in the industry.
Read also: Significant auto insurance rate hikes announced by Allstate in California
This project is part of the larger Intuit Food Truck Program, which funds similar projects in California and other states. It is a big step toward giving students real-world business skills as part of their education.
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]]>The post San Diego County Board of Supervisors calls for bipartisan action on immigration reform appeared first on WebNewsys.
]]>The choice was made after a day of talks about how to best deal with the problems that the current immigration system causes. Early in the day, County Supervisor Joel Anderson started a conversation by suggesting that asylum seekers at the border should not be allowed to enter the country. He says that measures should be temporary. Anderson already told the president about this idea in a letter, and now he was trying to get support from his board colleagues. His plan didn’t go as far as he had hoped, though, because some Democratic supervisors saw it as nothing more than a political move.
Read also: San Diego County seeks public input on budget priorities through engage survey
The Board instead chose a different way to move forward, one that stresses the need for both parties to work together to change the country’s immigration policies. The letter to Congress is a united call from the San Diego County Board of Supervisors for lawmakers to take action that solves the problems at the border in a fair and effective way. Notably, even Supervisor Anderson voted in favor of sending the message, even though he had previously pushed for closing the border.
Supervisor Jim Desmond agreed with Anderson’s first idea and brought up worries about the current asylum process. Desmond said that the fact that it is so easy for people to come to the U.S. and ask for asylum hurts the integrity of the legal immigration road by giving people a reason to skip over the legal process.
The Board did more than just push for federal lawmakers to act. They also took action to meet the instant needs of migrants in the county. The Board agreed that the migrant welcome center in City Heights had to close because it didn’t have enough money. They then told county staff to ask the federal government for help in building a long-term migrant home. Before it closed on February 22, the center, which had been open since October 2023, helped 80,000 refugees in a variety of ways.
Read also: Chula Vista faces uncertainty as Andrea Cardenas steps down amidst new felony charge
The actions of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors show that they want to find fair and practical answers to the immigration problems the area is having. The Board wants to make handling immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border fairer and more long-lasting by pushing for reforms that can be supported by both parties and by working to improve support for migrants.
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]]>The post San Diego County seeks public input on budget priorities through engage survey appeared first on WebNewsys.
]]>You’re invited to take part in a survey on the Engage San Diego County website to share what services you think are most important. What you say will help decide what gets funded in the budget now and in the years to come.
Read also: Murder investigation initiated after two men found dead near U.S. border in San Diego
You can also let the County know the best way to keep you updated on budget matters, whether it’s through email, text, or another method. You’ve got until March 17 to take the survey.
A budget proposal will be shared with everyone on May 2, and it’s a big deal. To give you an idea, the budget for Fiscal Year 2023-24 was $8.17 billion. Right now, County workers are looking at all the numbers, figuring out what resources are available, listening to what people said in 2023, and making sure fairness is part of the decision on where money should go.
The County’s budget covers areas outside the city limits and also pays for services all over the region. In places not part of a city, the County takes care of things like roads, parks, and libraries. But it also has bigger jobs, like helping with mental health and addiction issues, and giving food and medical help to those in need.
San Diego County tackles big issues like homelessness and making housing affordable. It keeps an eye on public health to stop disease outbreaks and checks on restaurants, buildings, gas stations, and even beach water for safety.
Read also: Chula Vista faces uncertainty as Andrea Cardenas steps down amidst new felony charge
Other departments like the District Attorney’s Office, Probation, and Child Support are there for everyone in the county. The Sheriff’s Department looks after places without city governments and helps some cities with police work. The County is also in charge of elections, collecting property taxes, and keeping important records. And that’s just part of what they do.
The budget needs to have enough money for all these services, including any new ones that start up. A big chunk of the budget comes from the state and federal government, which is meant to be used for specific things. The rest of the money comes from property taxes, fees for different services, and other places.
After figuring out how much money comes from state and federal sources, the County has to decide the best way to use what’s left. This is a big job, and County staff work hard to suggest a budget plan. But residents have a say in this process too.
Once the proposed budget is shared on May 2, people can give their opinions online through June 13 on the Engage San Diego County website’s budget section.
There are also community meetings where you can speak up, or you can join in the Board of Supervisors’ budget meetings, either in person or over the phone. The website for the budget has all the dates and times you need to know, along with last year’s budget for comparison.
This year, department budget talks with the Board of Supervisors are set for May 14 and May 16. Public hearings will be on June 4 and June 6, with the final budget talks and approval on June 25.
Read also: Federal assistance announced for California storm and flooding recovery efforts
For more details on Board meetings or to ask for translation services, you can visit the Clerk of the Board’s website or call 619-531-5434.
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]]>The post Murder investigation initiated after two men found dead near U.S. border in San Diego appeared first on WebNewsys.
]]>The bodies were found around 8 a.m., about 15 hours after Border Patrol saw what looked like a dead body in the Tijuana River near Clearwater Way and Dairy Mart Road, close to San Ysidro. The San Diego Police Department shared this information.
Read also: Chula Vista faces uncertainty as Andrea Cardenas steps down amidst new felony charge
“This area is a large floodplain (that) has been flooded in recent weeks due to heavy rain,” SDPD Lt. Steve Shebloski said. “Officers … responded and checked the area. However, due to poor lighting conditions, a strong water flow, (and) vegetation and debris in the river, they were not able to locate a body.”
The next morning, with the first light, police started looking again. A helicopter from the Border Patrol helped them, and they found the bodies in the river near a big pile of debris. They got city lifeguards to help get the bodies out.
“The San Diego (County) Medical Examiner’s office was contacted, and, upon closer examination of one of the (dead men), it was discovered he had trauma to his upper body that indicated he was the victim of a homicide,” Shebloski said. “The (other) had no obvious signs of injury that indicated he was the victim of a crime.”
They are still figuring out how the men died, waiting for the autopsy results.
Read also: Federal assistance announced for California storm and flooding recovery efforts
“It is undetermined if the deaths … are related in any way or if (the) bodies ended up at the same location due to the recent heavy rains and strong currents in the river that led to their discovery in a location where a large amount of debris had accumulated within the river,” Shebloski said. “This investigation is ongoing.”
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]]>The post Chula Vista faces uncertainty as Andrea Cardenas steps down amidst new felony charge appeared first on WebNewsys.
]]>On Tuesday, prosecutors added a new felony charge to former Chula Vista City Councilwoman Andrea Cardenas and her brother. This happened the day after Andrea stepped down from the Chula Vista City Council. Her leaving and the upcoming state primary election have caused a lot of uncertainty in San Diego County’s second-biggest city.
With the new charge on Tuesday, Andrea now faces eight felony charges, and her brother Jesus, who runs a political consulting firm, faces six. These charges are all related to claims of fraud. Andrea’s lawyer mentioned on Tuesday that they were hoping to come to an agreement with the prosecutors.
Read also: Heavy rainfall hits San Diego County overnight, exceeding one inch in some areas
However, those talks didn’t lead anywhere that morning, according to lawyer Pedro Bernal.
Andrea and Jesus appeared in court that morning to learn about the additional felony charge being added to their list of accusations.
“We have charged them with grand theft — both Jesus and Andrea Cardenas — for taking money unlawfully from the EDD,” explained prosecutor Chandelle Boyce, referencing the state’s agency that oversees its unemployment insurance arm.
The brother and sister duo is now accused of wrongly taking unemployment insurance money from California’s Employment Development Department in 2020, even though they were supposedly working at the time.
McCann mentioned that Cardenas stepping down has left a gap in the Chula Vista City Council. He shared that the other council members will soon decide whether to fill her spot with someone new for the rest of her term or keep it open until November when voters will pick council members for Districts 3 and 4.
Read also: Federal assistance announced for California storm and flooding recovery efforts
Adding to Chula Vista’s challenges is the possibility of Andrea being elected again.
“Well, she’s still on the ballot, and it’s too late at this point to remove her from the ballot, but she’s not actively campaigning, and I think I think everyone is aware of that,” Bernal explained.
Cardenas was in the running for another term and is among six people on the ballot for the March Primary. The two with the most votes will compete in the November general election.
“It’s a very awkward situation, because what happens if she does come in the Top 2 in the ballot voting,” McCann said.
Under California’s election laws, once someone’s name is on the general election ballot because they were chosen in the primary, it can’t be taken off. McCann expressed his hope that voters would simply choose another candidate.
Read also: San Diego to transform Hotel Circle building into affordable housing for the unhoused
“And then we won’t have to deal with that situation,” McCann said, shrugging.
Bernal, on the other hand, is aiming to reach an agreement before Andrea’s upcoming court date. If found guilty of all her charges, Andrea could be looking at six years behind bars. Her brother Jesus could face five years for his charges.
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]]>The post Heavy rainfall hits San Diego County overnight, exceeding one inch in some areas appeared first on WebNewsys.
]]>Since the storm hit San Diego County on Tuesday, over an inch of rain soaked several spots, based on reports from the National Weather Service at 9 a.m. on Wednesday.
Read also: Federal assistance announced for California storm and flooding recovery efforts
In the coastal and valley regions, Lower Oats Flats, located just north of Escondido, received the highest rainfall at 1.68 inches, followed by Santee at 1.19 inches. Both Fashion Valley and Point Loma got 1.11 inches of rain.
The mountain areas saw even more rain, with Palomar getting over 1.75 inches and Birch Hill 1.40 inches. Julian experienced .81 inches of rain without any snow, while Mount Laguna had a half-inch of rain.
There might be a few light showers during the day, but mostly, the storm had passed through the county by early Wednesday morning, according to NBC 7’s Meteorologist Sheena Parveen.
This rainy season has brought more rain than usual to San Diego. Since October 1, which marks the start of the water year, San Diego International Airport has recorded 9.21 inches of rain. This is just a bit less than the city’s yearly average of 9.79 inches.
February is often the rainiest month in San Diego, as mentioned by NBC 7’s meteorologist Brooke Martell.
Martell noted that the rain San Diego has received not only this water year but also since last winter, has been sufficient to keep the area clear of drought conditions.
Currently, the U.S. Drought Monitor shows that less than 1% of California-Nevada is in a drought, a significant improvement from being 100% in drought just a year ago.
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]]>The post Federal assistance announced for California storm and flooding recovery efforts appeared first on WebNewsys.
]]>The president’s declaration specifically brings federal funding to the residents of San Diego County, offering a much-needed boost to the recovery process. Individuals affected by the disaster can access a variety of financial support mechanisms. This includes grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to assist with uninsured property losses, and other programs designed to aid individuals and business owners in bouncing back from the disaster’s impact.
Moreover, federal funding will be available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures across the state. This strategic approach aims not only to address the current damage but also to fortify the state against future disasters. Ms. N. Allison Pfaendler of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been appointed to coordinate federal recovery operations in the impacted areas.
For those affected, immediate action can be taken to apply for the available assistance, marking a critical step toward recovery. The process has been made accessible to ensure that all who need support can receive it without undue burden.
Residents and business owners who have suffered losses in the designated areas are encouraged to start the application process for assistance. They can do so by visiting www.DisasterAssistance.gov, calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA App. Assistance is accessible to all, including those who use relay services like video relay service (VRS) or captioned telephone service, by providing FEMA with the number for that service.
As the state continues to assess the damage, additional designations for assistance may be announced, highlighting the ongoing nature of the recovery efforts.
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]]>The post California Transportation Commission grants $7.2 million to Orange County for repairing the Los Angeles to San Diego rail line appeared first on WebNewsys.
]]>A landslide in San Clemente that occurred in late January inflicted severe damage on a bridge and littered the train tracks with boulders and debris, leading to the suspension of both Metrolink and Amtrak services through the affected area. The track, under the ownership of the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) and maintained by Metrolink, has seen disrupted operations, affecting countless commuters and travelers reliant on this link.
Efforts to clear the rail line are underway, with the newly secured funding earmarked for the construction of a wall along the hillside at Mariposa Point. This project is aimed at preventing future landslides and ensuring the safety and reliability of the rail service. According to the OCTA, the $7.2 million is in addition to a previous award of $2 million for debris removal and construction-related preparation work.
Despite these proactive measures, the timeline for the resumption of passenger rail service remains uncertain.
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