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Poway Offers To Help Homeowners Build Granny Flats | J Harry Jones Feb 09, 2019

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Poway’s leadership has decided to explore a concept proposed by its mayor that could lead to the city building and paying for granny flats in the backyards of residents. Under the proposal, offered as a small solution to the affordable housing crisis, homeowners who agree to have a stand-alone structure put in their yards would also agree to rent the granny flat, through a third party, to qualified low-income tenants for a set amount of time. Mayor Steve Vaus came up with the idea — he calls it HOMES (Homes On My Extra Space) — and the City Council agreed Tuesday to move the process forward. They directed city staff to come up with a plan and agreed to form a subcommittee to explore all the pitfalls that could arise. They said they hoped a plan could be ready later this year.

Stunning End To Zahau Case As Family Settles, Wipes Out Jury Finding | Greg Moran Feb 08, 2019

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In a surprise move, the $5.1 million judgment and jury finding that blamed Adam Shacknai for the death of Rebecca Zahau in a Coronado mansion eight years ago was wiped out and the entire case dismissed after the family of the deceased woman reached a settlement with Shacknai’s insurance company. The announcement by lawyer C. Keith Greer came at the start of a scheduled hearing to argue post-trial motions. It took Shacknai by surprise, as well as his lawyer — and added yet another twist to the controversial death of Zahau, which has now been investigated twice by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and was the subject of a captivating civil trial last year. Story: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/public-safety/sd-me-zahau-trial-settlement-20190206-story.html Listen to our podcast series about last year's trial: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/podcasts/sd-under-the-gavel-zahau-20180315-htmlstory.html

San Diegans Can Now Live In Their Cars, Which Is A Big Win For The Homeless | David Garrick Feb 07, 2019

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San Diego City Council members voted unanimously Tuesday to repeal a 35-year-old law that has made it illegal for people to live inside vehicles. Supporters of the repeal say they hope it will be a key step toward ending the local criminalization of homelessness. “It’s in line with a number of other policy objectives we’ve been trying to move through our legislative pipeline,” said Councilman Chris Ward, referring to safe parking lots, storage facilities and temporary shelters the city has created recently for the homeless. https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/politics/sd-me-homeless-parking-law-20190205-story.html

California Released A List Of Low-Performing Schools, Here's Why | Kristen Taketa Feb 06, 2019

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California for the first time released a list of its lowest-performing 8 percent of public schools in the state, but some experts are skeptical that education leaders will use this new information and related funding to effectively improve those schools. The state’s list includes 58 San Diego County schools, including 14 district schools and 5 charter schools within the San Diego Unified School District. https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/education/sd-me-worst-performing-schools-20190204-story.html

More Questionable Spending From Alpine Rep. Duncan Hunter | Morgan Cook Feb 05, 2019

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It’s been a rough few months for Alpine Congressman Duncan Hunter. Last year, he was indicted on 60 of counts of misspending campaign funds, charges he and his wife Margaret have pleaded not guilty to. He’s says prosecutors are on a witch hunt. In the meantime, in the latest mandated reporting for campaign finance funds, more questionable spending has emerged.

There's another Donald Trump Jr. -- Tijuana's Mayor | Wendy Fry Feb 02, 2019

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He's called migrants criminals. He's worn a MTGA hat (Make Tijauna Great Again). And he's running for reelection. The U-T's Daniel Wheaton interviews reporter Wendy Fry about Juan Manuel Gastelúm.

Border Dispatch: How Meth Is Staining Tijuana In Blood | Gary Coronado & Kate Linthicum Feb 01, 2019

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It seemed like everyone in Christian Castillo’s life was getting killed or running from death. Two neighbors on his block were gunned down, along with the taco vendor at the end of the street. Then came a childhood friend of Castillo’s mother who had started selling drugs and was shot dead with her husband. Soon their son was executed, too. Castillo, who until a few years ago held a good job at a Tijuana insurance company, didn’t attend any of the funerals. He was too busy getting high and trying not to be killed next. “It felt like death was following me,” he said. Tijuana, a city of 1.8 million that not long ago was celebrating a major reduction in violence, is in the grip of an unprecedented homicide crisis. A record 2,518 people were killed here in 2018 — nearly seven times the total in 2012. With 140 killings per 100,000 people, Tijuana is now one of the deadliest cities in the world. Across the border in San Diego, there were 34 homicides last year, or just over 2 killings per 100,000 people. Read the story: https://www.latimes.com/world/mexico-americas/la-fg-mexico-tijuana-drug-violence-20190130-htmlstory.html Check out Sandra Dibble's previous reporting: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/border-baja-california/sd-me-tijuana-killings-20170809-htmlstory.html

Businesses Get Their Revenge On Dockless Bikes And Scooters With This Startup Jan 31, 2019

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As scooters continue to colonize San Diego’s streets — blocking parking garages, walkways and encroaching onto private property — locals are beginning to fight back. While some residents have resorted to vandalism (tossing scooters into dumpsters and lakes), two businessmen in Pacific Beach are offering an alternative way to get rid of errant scooters. They pick them up for free and charge scooter companies — Bird, Lime, Jump and Lyft — to get their property back. Story: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/technology/sd-fi-scoot-scoop-tow-scooters-20190129-story.html

Remembering San Diego's First School Shooting 40 Years Ago Jan 30, 2019

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In 1979, Brenda Spencer shot into a group of schoolchildren attending the Cleveland Elementary School in San Carlos. She fired 36 rounds. Eleven hit their mark — eight children and three adults. Read the story: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/public-safety/sd-me-brenda-spencer-school-shooting-20190129-story.html

San Diego renews investment in public libraries Jan 29, 2019

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There's plenty of fun you can have with a library card -- and it's not just books. Public libraries have become more like community centers, and San Diego will have two new libraries by the end of the year. The U-T's Daniel Wheaton interviews Peter Rowe about what libraries stand for in 2019. Story: http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/politics/sd-me-libraries-refuse-to-die-20190107-story.html

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