Category: San Diego

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Some roads connecting La Jolla Village Drive to Interstate 5 will be closed for pavement work this weekend until early Monday morning, Caltrans stated in a news release Wednesday. Get 40 cents off gas Thursday at these Circle K locations in San Diego The closures will affect the eastbound and westbound La Jolla Village Drive on-ramps to southbound I-5 from 9 p.m. on Friday until 5 a.m. on Monday. The far right southbound lane of the interstate from La Jolla Village Drive to Nobel Drive will also be closed for pavement work. Map of closures from Friday, Nov. 22 to Monday, Nov. 25. (Caltrans) Drivers are asked to use northbound I-5 and exit at Genesee Avenue, turn left and then take the southbound I-5 on-ramp. Real-time traffic information can be found on the Caltrans QuickMap. The construction work schedule could change depend on weather, traffic conditions and other factors.

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The Shelter Island boat launch will be closed to the public Thursday as crews work to remove an abandoned vessel, the Port of San Diego announced in a news release Wednesday. According to the port, the approximately 35-foot vessel was abandoned for unknown reasons at the launch ramp last Wednesday. Despite Harbor Police leaving a notice of violation and ordered the removal of the vessel, it was still there last Friday, leading authorities to call a tow service. However, while waiting for the tow service, the port said the vessel started to sink. Cal Fire unveiled a newly ‘fire-resistant’ home in San Diego. Will more be retrofitted? Attempts to contact or find the registered owner of the vessel or the last known operator have been unsuccessful, according to authorities. To further complicate matters, the king tides that happened over the weekend pushed the vessel under a section of the east side docks, the port explained in the release. Imperial Beach tenants demand city council put an end to ‘no fault’ evictions The boat launch will be closed Thursday from 6

A 68-year-old woman was charged Monday with misdemeanors accusing her of allowing her dogs to regularly escape her property and be aggressive toward her neighbors, including children, prosecutors said. The Rancho Santa Fe woman was charged by the District Attorney’s Office on one count each of maintaining a nuisance and permitting/maintaining a nuisance after a notice, prosecutors said. She pleaded not guilty and is due to return to court next month. If convicted as charged, she faces a maximum of one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. The woman used a public defender at the arraignment in Vista Superior Court, but she is expected to use a retained attorney going forward, the District Attorney’s Office said. She could not be immediately reached for comment Wednesday. Prosecutors allege she had been warned and notified in writing by the county’s animal services department after they received multiple complaints from residents about her dogs. Investigators also said they had received reports of abused horses at a separate property owned by the same woman on Artesian Road west of Camino Del Sur. County officials said they visited the

Career prosecutor Bryn Kirvin has been approved to take over as executive director of the San Diego Ethics Commission once current leader Sharon Spivak steps away early next year. In a unanimous vote by the San Diego City Council, Kirvin’s nomination by the commission won approval this week. “It’s a privilege to be here today,” the San Diego County deputy district attorney told the council ahead of the vote. “I find deep meaning in being a public servant, and I am looking forward to continuing my service to the city of San Diego.” Kirvin was chosen from a group of more than 125 applicants to succeed Spivak, who announced her retirement from the city earlier this year. Spivak, a former San Diego City Attorney’s Office lawyer who took over as executive director of the Ethics Commission in 2020, will leave in March. Kirvin is scheduled to begin her new role in January and transition into the executive director’s role over the following two months. The Ethics Commission is the independent San Diego agency responsible for enforcing the city’s campaign and lobbying rules, and it is

By ELLEN KNICKMEYER WASHINGTON (AP) — Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders forced an effort in the Senate on Wednesday to block the sale of some offensive weapons to Israel for its war in Gaza over mounting civilian deaths there. The Vermont lawmaker and a small group of Democrats put legislation up for a Senate vote that would block the transfer of some tank and mortar rounds, as well as kits that convert bombs into more precisely targeted weapons, to Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government “has not simply waged war against against Hamas. It has waged an all-out war against the Palestinian people,” Sanders told lawmakers from the Senate floor. Known as joint resolutions of disapproval, the measure would have to pass both houses of Congress and withstand any presidential veto to become binding. Congress has never succeeded in blocking arms sales with the joint resolutions. But the vote served as a test of broader frustration among Democrats at the war and President Joe Biden’s handling of relations with Israel. Lawmakers’ move comes after a 30-day Biden administration deadline came and went earlier this month

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Cal Fire crews are fighting a brush fire that broke out along State Route 94 near Jamacha Wednesday afternoon. The fire, which has been named the Millar Fire, broke out in the area adjacent to the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge around 2 p.m. As of 3:30 p.m., it is estimated to have burned about 15 acres. Forward progress has been stopped and the fire is 5% contained, Cal Fire said. Cal Fire unveiled a newly ‘fire-resistant’ home in San Diego. Will more be retrofitted? Evacuation orders and warnings were briefly issued for areas south of SR-94, with the temporary evacuation point set up at the El Cajon Edwards Cinema at 2951 Jamacha Road. Both were lifted with the halting of forward progress. The area previously impacted by the evacuation warning can be found below. (County of San Diego Emergency Map) A SigAlert was issued by California Highway Patrol as they closed off parts of SR-94 for crews to battle the fire. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

A 70-year-old man who was using a walker while allegedly jaywalking was struck and killed in an apparent hit-and-run crash in Spring Valley Tuesday, according to California Highway Patrol officials. The crash was reported around 6:05 p.m. when a dark-colored Chevy Traverse heading west on Jamacha Boulevard drove through a green traffic signal at the intersection with Pointe Parkway, Officer Jasmine Lopez said in a news release. The SUV hit the man, who was walking across the road, Lopez said. The SUV then made a U-Turn and headed back the way it came. Sparks were seen flying from underneath the SUV, and the walker was not found at the crash site. The pedestrian died before he could be taken to a hospital. His name was not released Wednesday. Officials said they are looking for the SUV, which likely has a damaged windshield and driver-side mirror from the crash. Investigators asked anyone with information about the crash to contact the CHP El Cajon office at 619-219-6900.

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Clear skies and slightly warmer afternoon temperatures are the highlight in Southern California mid-week, but a chance for stormy weather is on the forecast for this weekend. Light offshore flow is maintaining breezy and dry conditions across the region as the region’s inland warming trend continues through Thursday. ‘Built like a superyacht’: A look inside a $75M oceanfront house for sale Del Mar Thursday’s daytime highs will top out in the low 70’s for the coast, mid-to upper 70’s inland, mid-60’s for mountains, and low 80’s in the deserts. Looking toward the weekend, a second atmospheric river will bring lots of moisture to California and there could be some periods of light to moderately heavy rainfall Saturday through Monday. Rainfall could be more widespread but generally light with higher rainfall rates along mountain slopes. The best chance of rain activity is Sunday. Total rainfall through Tuesday of next week right now looks like about a third-inch of rain for beaches and valleys, with some pockets potentially getting up to half an inch of rain. The second half of the weekend will

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Fire officials have long urged California residents take steps limiting their home’s vulnerability to wildfire in the event flames reach their doorstep — whether its vegetation management or keeping combustible materials like propane tanks at a distance. But what if the home itself could also be retrofitted withstand flames? That is a prevention tactic Cal Fire is now working to expand, especially among those living in high fire-risk zones. The concept of hardening one’s home by taking steps to limit the vulnerabilities of it to flames is nothing new. For many people, however, it is an approach that has largely been out of reach given the high costs associated with renovation and use of fire-resistant materials. Under a relatively new state pilot program, that has begun to change. Tribal representatives call on Biden to designate new national monuments in California Called the California Wildfire Mitigation Program, Cal Fire in partnership with the governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is now offering grants to low and moderate-income residents of high fire risk areas to renovate their homes in ways that

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — “This house was intentionally built like a superyacht with luxurious marine-grade materials,” said global real estate advisor Rande Turner. “The goal is to spend your time using it, not maintaining it.” He’s talking about an oceanfront estate in Del Mar that is now on the market. It’s the most expensive listing in the city as of November 2024, with a $75 million price tag. The 30,491-square-feet abode sits on a rare beach lot located at 2920 Camino Del Mar. Ocean House Del Mar. (Credit: Rande Turner Collective) Referred to as Ocean House Del Mar, the home was created to withstand the elements of the coast. For instance, it has a DaVinci Shake roof and a seawall to safeguard the property. PHOTOS: San Diego fisherman hooks tuna weighing over 442 pounds The estate was designed by award-winning architect William Hefner with interiors by Jeffry Weisman and Bryn Brugioni. It boasts a main house, two guest houses, as well as a space for “privacy, family connection and relaxation,” the real estate advisor explained. “Ocean House is about lifestyle per square foot. You have this flexibility

By ERIC TUCKER, ZEKE MILLER and MARY CLARE JALONICK, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — As senators prepare to consider President-elect Donald Trump’s picks for his Cabinet, they will likely be doing so without a well-established staple of the confirmation process: an FBI background check. The Trump transition team has so far not signed the requisite agreements with the White House or the Justice Department to allow the FBI to screen his personnel choices, both for the process of obtaining security clearances and meeting the Senate’s usual standards for nominations. That means the Senate could be asked to vote on Trump’s picks without the usual rigorous background checking meant to uncover personal problems, criminal histories or other red flags that would raise questions about a nominee’s suitability for the job. There already are questions about problematic issues related to a number of the people Trump wants in his administration. “There are very real liabilities on the security side if you don’t get this right,” said Dan Meyer, a Washington lawyer at the at the Tully Rinckey law firm who specializes in background checks, security clearances and

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) —  Convenience store chain Circle K is offering discounted gas at select locations for one day only as a way to give back ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. During a three-hour period on Thursday, Nov. 20, those in the Golden State, including San Diego County, can get 40 cents off per gallon of fuel. The discount will be active from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at participating stores. The price at the pump will reflect the savings during that timeframe. PHOTOS: San Diego fisherman hooks tuna weighing over 442 pounds “As many customers take to the roads visiting their loved ones and celebrating what they are grateful for, we want to extend our thanks to our valued customers with a great markdown at the pump,” said Louise Warner, executive vice president for Circle K’s North American operations. California drivers can find their nearest participating location using the convenience store chain’s Store Locator. A representative with the company said participating locations include stores in San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, San Bernardino, and more. Here’s a list of some Circle K

CARLSBAD, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — There have been 22 home burglaries in the city of Carlsbad since August and the local department says they are seeing a very clear pattern. “Between 6 and 8 p.m. is where we are seeing nearly all the burglaries happening,” said Detective Paige Harr from the Carlsbad City Police Department. Harr says dinner time is crime time, as these burglars have been staking out homes and waiting to make their moves while homeowners are out for the evening. “Inside the home they are targeting jewels, jewelry and cash. It’s the easiest for them to sell. It’s very lucrative,” Harr continued. At a police information meeting, held Tuesday, concerned neighbors and victims gathered to learn more about the ongoing issues. “It’s concerning, it’s very scary. It’s just awful,” said one woman who says she was burglarized. Some in attendance say they’ve changed their locks and added security protections. Investigators say these thieves like to target secondary homes along with using nature to stake out homeowners coming and going. The Carlsbad Police Department says when the community mobilizes using technology, thieves find

WASHINGTON (AP) — Throughout his campaign, President-elect Donald Trump heaped scorn on the federal Department of Education, describing it as being infiltrated by “ radicals, zealots and Marxists.” He has picked Linda McMahon, a former wrestling executive, to lead the department. But like many conservative politicians before him, Trump has called for dismantling the department altogether — a cumbersome task that likely would require action from Congress. The agency’s main role is financial. Annually, it distributes billions in federal money to colleges and schools and manages the federal student loan portfolio. Closing the department would mean redistributing each of those duties to another agency. The Education Department also plays an important regulatory role in services for students, ranging from those with disabilities to low-income and homeless kids. President-elect Donald Trump arrives before the launch of the sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship rocket Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024 in Boca Chica, Texas. (Brandon Bell/Pool via AP) Indeed, federal education money is central to Trump’s plans for colleges and schools. Trump has vowed to cut off federal money for schools and colleges that push “critical race theory, transgender insanity, and other inappropriate racial

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Get ready for the “biggest night” in country music with everything you need to know for the 58th Annual CMA Awards. Hosts Luke Bryan, Peyton Manning and Lainey Wilson are hosting the CMAs. Wilson will join veteran hosts Bryan and Manning. Bryan has hosted four times, and Manning will be a three-time host this year. Nominees Morgan Wallen tops the list with seven nominations, while other top nominees include Cody Johnson and Chris Stapleton, both with five nominations, and Post Malone and Lainey Wilson with four nominations each. Louis Bell, Luke Combs, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins, Jelly Roll, Megan Moroney, and Kacey Musgraves each secured three nominations. The nominees for the top prize of the night, the CMA Entertainer of the Year, are Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen and last year’s winner Lainey Wilson. Check out a full list of nominees for all 12 awards here. More information about the full criteria and voting process can be found at the official CMA Awards website. Performances The lineup includes Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Sierra Hull, Bronwyn Keith-Hynes, Ashley McBryde, Post Malone, Shaboozey

By MATT O’BRIEN, AP Technology Writer President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to repeal President Joe Biden’s signature artificial intelligence policy when he returns to the White House for a second term. What that actually means for the future of AI technology remains to be seen. Among those who could use some clarity are the government scientists and AI experts from multiple countries gathering in San Francisco this week to deliberate on AI safety measures. Hosted by the Biden administration, officials from a number of U.S. allies — among them Canada, Kenya, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the 27-nation European Union — are scheduled to begin meeting Wednesday in the California city that’s a commercial hub for AI development. Their agenda addresses topics such as how to better detect and combat a flood of AI-generated deepfakes fueling fraud, harmful impersonation and sexual abuse. It’s the first such meeting since world leaders agreed at an AI summit in South Korea in May to build a network of publicly backed safety institutes to advance research and testing of the technology. Biden signed a sweeping AI executive order last

By LISA MASCARO and STEPHEN GROVES WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for attorney general, Matt Gaetz, has launched an effort to personally secure his embattled nomination, meeting behind closed doors Wednesday with Republican senators who have questions about the sexual misconduct and other allegations against him. As Gaetz and senators holed up near the Senate, members of the House Ethics Committee were expected to be meeting to discuss the findings of a long-running investigation of their former colleague. At least one Republican senator decried the “lynch mob” forming against Gaetz, who if confirmed would become the nation’s top law enforcement official. “I’m not going to legitimize the process to destroy the man because people don’t like his politics,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., as he left the private senators’ meeting . “He deserves a chance to make his argument why he should be attorney general,” Graham said. “No rubber stamp, no lynch mob.” Said Sen. Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican who is supportive of Gaetz’s nomination, emerged saying, “If you have concerns, that’s fine. But don’t make up your mind yet. Let the guy testify first.” As the senators met

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United States vetoed a U.N. resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire in the war in Gaza on Wednesday because it is not linked to an immediate release of hostages taken captive by Hamas in Israel in October 2023. The U.N. Security Council voted 14-1 in favor of the resolution sponsored by the 10 elected members on the 15-member council, but it was not adopted because of the U.S. veto. The resolution that was put to a vote “demands an immediate, unconditional and permanent cease-fire to be respected by all parties, and further reiterates its demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.” The resolution had been sponsored by the 10 elected members on the 15-member council. Unlike the five permanent members – the U.S., Russia, China, Britain and France – the elected members have no veto power. The Security Council in June had adopted its first resolution on a cease-fire plan aimed at ending the war between Israel and Hamas. The U.S.-sponsored resolution welcomed a cease-fire proposal announced by President Joe Biden that the United States said Israel had

By JILL COLVIN and ERIC TUCKER, Associated Press Donald Trump says he has chosen former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker to serve as U.S. ambassador to NATO, the bedrock Western alliance that the president-elect has repeatedly expressed skepticism about. Trump, in a statement, said Whitaker was “a strong warrior and loyal Patriot” who “will ensure the United States’ interests are advanced and defended” and “strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability.” The choice of Whitaker as the nation’s representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an unusual one, given his background is as a lawyer and not in foreign policy. Whitaker, a former U.S. attorney in Iowa, served as acting attorney general between November 2018 and February 2019, as special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian election interference was drawing to a close. Before then, he was chief of staff to Trump’s first attorney general, Jeff Sessions, before being picked to replace his boss after Sessions was fired amid lingering outrage over his decision to withdraw from the Russia investigation. Whitaker held the position for several months, on an acting

By SUMAN NAISHADHAM, Associated Press MADRID (AP) — Spain will legalize about 300,000 undocumented migrants a year, starting next May and through 2027, the country’s migration minister said Wednesday. The policy aims to expand the aging country’s workforce and allow foreigners living in Spain without proper documentation to obtain work permits and residency. Spain has largely remained open to receiving migrants even as other European nations seek to tighten their borders to illegal crossings and asylum seekers. Spain needs around 250,000 registered foreign workers a year to maintain its welfare state, Migration Minister Elma Saiz said in an interview on Wednesday. She contended that the legalization policy is not aimed solely at “cultural wealth and respect for human rights, it’s also prosperity.” “Today, we can say Spain is a better country,” Saiz told national broadcaster Radiotelevisión Española. Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has often described his government’s migration policies as a means to combat the country’s low birthrate. In August, Sánchez visited three West African nations in an effort to tackle irregular migration to Spain’s Canary Islands. The archipelago off the coast of Africa is

San Diego officials are busy working out details of how they’ll begin charging nearly 300,000 city households for trash pickup next summer, and they have recently decided to add the trash fees onto twice-a-year property tax bills. Other crucial decisions will come soon on how much to charge, whether to subsidize low-income households and whether households can select a lower level of service in order to pay lower fees. City Council members said last week they would like to provide subsidies, but no details have emerged on how that would work or who would be eligible. City trash officials said they’re still exploring whether to charge all households a flat fee or to have tiered rates based on whether households want bulky trash pickup and large or small bins. They are also analyzing a consultant’s study suggesting the city needs to dramatically revamp its trash and recycling services by hiring more people, adding new technology, buying more trucks and boosting worker training. The big changes are coming because city voters in 2022 approved Measure B, which amended a 1919 law called the People’s Ordinance that