Articles by dweisman

Friends honor stricken soccer player

Felled by a spinal stroke during a semi-final game between FC Heat BU15 and FC Heat BU14 last July, Danny Smuts, Jr. 15, continues to inspire as he seeks a full recovery at Naval Medical Center Children’s Hospital in San Diego. The final game in the bracket was postponed until everybody found out the severity of Danny’s injury. It was severe alright, an injury usually…


Panache 2016 makes a big splash for Escondido Municipal Arts Gallery

Around 200 art patrons and Escondido Arts Partnership and Escondido Municipal Art Gallery lovers flocked to the latest incarnation of the group’s annual major fundraiser, Panache 2016 on Saturday, March 19. Networking and noshing, auction bidding and general arts partnering went on for hours as patrons couldn’t get enough of art while a good time was had by all. “I live in Mira Mesa now,…



Some great hunches for Easter brunches

Easter Sunday is cause for celebration for many people, what with religious observances and related activites. One of those family traditions revolved around the venerable Easter Brunch. Several outstanding local restaurants are hosting those events with the best of food and fun guaranteed for those who partake. Vintana  Vintana Wine + Dine presents a delicious 3-course menu to enjoy from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m….


Kindergartener aims pellet gun at teacher (UPDATED — Boy suspended by school)

Thursday nearly ended with a bang at Oak Hill Elementary School when a kindergarten student reportedly showed up with a pellet gun and threatened his teacher and possibly other students. The unidentified 5-year-old boy brought the pellet gun in his backpack, according to Escondido police. He became upset during class, took the gun out of his backpack and aimed it at the teacher, police said….


Convicted pH Miracle naturopath Robert Young faces additional charges, civil suit

A bad trip through the U.S. legal system got even worse this week for former Valley Center naturopath Robert Oldham Young. Author of the well-known “pH Miracle” books, and philosophy, Young already was placed in prison Feb. 3. following being found guilty of two charges of practicing medicine without a license. However a hung jury, after deliberating two weeks, found him innocent of one charge…


New Escondido assistant city manager named, salary set at $164,390

Former Escondido assistant city manager turned-city manager Graham Mitchell said Thursday, March 17 that Jay Petrek would become the new Mitchell, i.e., new assistant city manager. Petrek is Escondido director of community development. His new salary will be $164,390. Mitchell, for example, also received benefits including 20 days of management leave with the ability to convert 15 of those days to salary, auto allowance of…


Indiana Jones meet them bones, fossils and rocks of Roynon Museum

Don’t look now Indiana Jones, but Keith and Judy Roynon and their highly eclectic, totally jaw-dropping Roynon Museum of Earth Sciences and Paleontology is gaining on you. The Roynon’s’ huge, private collection of fossils from around the world along with rocks and pre-historic artifacts once filled their South Escondido home. It brought in school groups by the busload for about 15 years. Museum official Jeannie…


Borrego Health helps fill Downtown Escondido urgent care need

Competing emergency services providers swept into downtown Escondido Wednesday to fill the void left by the closure of Palomar Health’s emergency department. Expected since last June, announced last month, Escondido’s only downtown emergency room closed its swinging doors after a 65-year run. A few departments — labor and delivery, inpatient rehabilitation and behavioral health — remain at the 555 E Valley Parkway hospital that once…


Two fires in two days on same block fuel arson-suspicious minds

“We’re caught in a trap I can’t walk out Because I love you baby” — Elvis Presley The 1100 block of North Escondido Boulevard went all “Suspicious Minds” early Monday, March 13 as the second of two fires that broke out within 24 hours of each other at two residences was knocked down. The first fire — “We can’t go on together” — broke out…