by The Editors on November 10, 2009
California Highway Patrol used a spiked strip across lanes of I-5 at 6:00 AM today (Nov. 10, 2009) near Palomar Airport Road to end a car chase according to a story on San Diego 6.
A sheriff’s deputy on his way to work spotted a group of thieves stealing the cash machine at the CVS at 26851 Trabuco Road [in Mission Viejo] about 5 a.m., said Jim Amormino, a spokesman for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
A chase ensued that continued through several Orange County neighborhoods made it to the southbound lanes of Interstate 5 and finally ended in Carlsbad where two men surrendered and two others escaped on foot. The truck the men were driving had been reported stolen earlier in San Diego.
Wonder if it is the same guys who grabbed the Avenida Encinas Chevron Station on December 19, 2009 and the Carlsbadistan Costco ATM on December 26, 2008?
[Link: San Diego 6]
by The Editors on November 9, 2009
Carlsbadistan’s emmy award winning radio and television news reporter Elizabeth Sanchez has a new self-published book out titled Watercooler: Behind the Scenes and Off the Record, the Untold Stories of Broadcasters, according to a story in the North County Times.
“I had experienced so many things myself, and colleagues were always saying what had happened to them, so I finally decided to approach a variety of reporters and have them write something,” said Sanchez, a Carlsbad resident who is now host of the PBS series “A Place of Our Own.” “There have been a lot of journalists who have written books about events they covered, but never a collection.” . . “There’s a lot of inspiration, adventure, humor, triumph and tragedy,” Sanchez said. “It’s not just a book for journalists, but a book for anyone who enjoys a good true story from someone trying to do a job under sometimes very trying circumstances.”
[Link: North County Times]
by The Editors on November 6, 2009
Surprise! The Westfield Plaza Camino Real is losing another tenant this week as Borders Group announced closures of 200 of their retail outlets nationwide, according to a story in the San Diego Daily Transcript. The Carlsbad Borders Express will no longer be with us (not that we ever shopped there).
Through this right-sizing, we will reduce the number of stores with operating losses, reduce our overall rent expense and lease-adjusted leverage and generate cash flow through sales and working capital reductions,” said Borders Group Chief Executive Officer Ron Marshall.
Apparently, the Westfield just can’t win. . . in Carlsbadistan.
[Link: San Diego Daily Transcript]
by Richard J. Riehl on November 6, 2009
Who poses the greater threat to the safety of Carlsbad residents, drivers using cell phones while weaving their way at high speed down El Camino Real, or a bunch of guys standing around on the sidewalk hoping to be offered a job by the multitaskers whizzing by?
The sting operation they launched last month to catch violators of the city’s anti-solicitation ordinance indicates city police seem to think the guys on the sidewalk are more dangerous. According to police Capt. Neil Galucci, the bust is “almost like a prostitution citation,” because it requires that the perpetrator enter into a hiring agreement. Police approach the day laborers in unmarked cars and civilian clothes, pretending to offer them work. If they fall for the scam, the undercover cops drive their victims a few blocks away and cite them for being tricked into violating the law. Those suspected of being in the country illegally are turned over to the U.S. Border Patrol. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on November 4, 2009
Things are not all peaceful and quiet at Rancho Carlsbad, according to a report on Courthouse News Service.
Twenty investors say their property manager and general partner embezzled more than $20 million and covered it up by calling it a “loan,” or “interest.” Rancho Carlsbad Partners say William Geary then engaged them in phony property deals to make it look like he was straightening things out. . . .Rancho Carlsbad Partners say their partner Geary, a Los Angeles-based real estate manager, defrauded them by diverting for his own use money that belonged to the group when they needed it most. . . The partners say Geary’s frauds lasted for 7 years, from 2002 until 2009.
There is much more to the Superior Court complaint, but we’ll let you read that in the story.
[Link: Courthouse News Service]
by The Editors on November 4, 2009
We keep hearing it referred to as the “last hurdle” and we’re saddened that Poseidon Resources has made it this far, but the California Coastal Commission finally granted a permit that will allow the company to build the largest desalination plant in the Western Hemisphere in our lagoon, according to a Michael Burge story in the San Diego Union-Tribune.
With the Coastal Commission permit in hand, Poseidon has met all its regulatory requirements — two years after the Coastal Commission conditionally approved the plant. Poseidon had to satisfy 17 permit requirements before it could begin construction. . . . Peter MacLaggan, Poseidon Resources’ senior vice president, said the coastal permit requires that construction begin in less than two weeks. He said the company next week will start clearing the site, on the grounds of the Encina Power Station on the south shore of Agua Hedionda Lagoon.
Now all Poseidon needs is the money to build the plant. They’ need $530 million in financing, $50 million of it from a bond they’re asking the State of California for, according to a story in the North County Times.
State revenue bonds are tax-exempt, which typically allows them to sell for a lower interest rate than for taxable bonds. This lowers the cost for those repaying the bonds; in this case, the local water agencies the desalination plant will serve.
The company is also asking for a $250 per acre foot subsidy from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (which, according to Food & Water Watch could add up to $14 million a year). Nothing like launching a private business on federal and state subsidies, huh?
For more on some of the reason this plant might not be a good idea, click here for the word from Food & Water Watch.
[Link: San Diego Union-Tribune and North County Times]
by The Editors on November 4, 2009
It appears Ponto Landing is getting a little too much heat from the Boarder Patrol so now the boats are landing a little further south at Beacon’s, according to a story in the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Agents with the Customs and Border Protection’s Marine Interdiction Unit spotted the 15-foot panga about 4:50 a.m. about one mile offshore and followed it until it reached the beach, officials said. . . Nineteen men and 2 women, all Mexican nationals, were taken into custody and handed over to the Border Patrol, Border Patrol Agent Mark Endicott said.
It’s good to know the US Border Parol has a Marine Interdiction Unit. That should help them catch them before they get to Carlsbadistan.
[Link: San Diego Union-Tribune]
by The Editors on November 2, 2009
Lately, as a way of protecting the motorists of Carlsbadistan, the Carlsbad Police Department has been ticketing potential day laborers using “anti-solicitation” laws.
What do day laborer’s have to do with traffic problems? According to a story in the North County Times, police say that stopping to pick up a day laborer can cause traffic snarls.
It’s dangerous for drivers to stop on busy roads to pick up the workers, Carlsbad police Capt. Neil Gallucci said.
If it’s that dangerous, why not ticket the people who are driving the cars that stop to pick up the workers? Oh, right. That’s because that’s what the police are doing to catch the day laborers for solicitation. . .
[Link: North County Times]
by The Editors on November 1, 2009
We could not have asked for a more perfect fall day for a street faire in Carlsbadistan. With the time change everyone was up early. The sun was out. The streets were littered with smashed pumpkins. And the Chargers are going to destroy the Raiders. Could we ask for anything better?
The faire seemed bigger, better, and more well attended. We’ve been rough on the faire in years past, but today we found some pretty amazing gifts, including the custom, retro, hot rod kids clothes from Whiskey Doll Couture (pictured above).
Follow the link to take a photo cruise through Carlsbad’s 35th Annual Street Faire. Click the thumbnails for the images browser and then click on through.
[Link: Carlsbad Street Faire Photos]
by The Editors on October 30, 2009
The California State Department of Parks and Recreations has finally released their list of services that they will no longer be able to provide thanks to State budget issues. Looks like we’re going to lose lifeguards, restrooms, and trash service:
- South Carlsbad State Beach: Lifeguard service scaled back and fire rings removed.
- Carlsbad State Beach: Reduction in lifeguards, restrooms and trash service.
We’re wondering what reductions in restroom service means? Every other flush works? Or they’re going to be cleaned half as well?
[Link: San Diego Union-Tribune]
California Highway Patrol used a spiked strip across lanes of I-5 at 6:00 AM today (Nov. 10, 2009) near Palomar Airport Road to end a car chase according to a story on San Diego 6.
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