san diego

Amidst ethics probes: Hunter won’t meet with voters, approve any funds for district

Rep, Duncan Hunter (R-50th District) had a busy day of “just say no” as his chief aide said the Alpine congressman wouldn’t hold an in-person town hall and Hunter said he wouldn’t assist in any federal aid requests from sanctuary cities, including his own. All of San Diego County, and cities in Hunter’s district, are classified as sanctuary areas, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs…


Burger Bench on Grand Avenue, Escondido

Burger Bench is the brainchild of one of my hiking / blogging friends 100peaks and in its first year of being open, it has already carved itself a spot in the downtown Escondido culture. Serving up good burgers and a large menu of San Diego craft beer, it is one of those spots you want to go after a long hike in one of San Diego’s many…


Hunter under fire from House Ethics panel

The House Ethics Committee said Thursday it is continuing an investigation into possible ethics violations by Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., following an inquiry launched by the independent Office of Congressional Ethics. The ethics panel did not disclose the nature of the investigation, but a Washington-based watchdog group filed a complaint last spring alleging that Hunter improperly used campaign funds to pay for tens of thousands…


No more Souplantation for you?

It’s almost too easy to go Seinfeld “Soup Nazi” as in no Souplantation for you. Rancho Bernardo-based Garden Fresh, owner-operator of Souplantation, is closing 20 to 30 of its 123 restaurants in 15 states as part of a reorganization caused by filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Delaware. Rest assured lovers of the all-you-can-eat soup and salad self-serve eatery with outlets at Escondido Promenade along…


Court leaves most of Lilac Hills Ranch opposition ballot statement standing

San Diego Superior Court Judge Eddie C. Sturgeon Wednesday told Lilac Hills Ranch supporters to forget about changing opposition ballot statements. Sturgeon denied the request of Lilac Hills Ranch advocates that opponents alter language in their ballot statement, in effect legitimizing the right of opponents to frame their arguments as they chose fit. “The court supported our concerns about Measure B,” James Gordon of the No on B…


Zoo burns $1M in rhino items in 1st US bonfire of its kind

The San Diego Zoo burned items containing rhinoceros horn with an estimated black market value of $1 million in a symbolic gesture at its San Pasqual Valley Safari Park Thursday to show the U.S. is committed to ending illegal wildlife trafficking. Today @DirectorDanAshe is at @sandiegozoo! We’re burning #rhino horn to raise awareness & #endwildlifetrafficking. pic.twitter.com/8uKo8p284K — US Fish and Wildlife (@USFWS) September 8, 2016 The U.S. Fish…


Krispy Kreme Tuesdays bites off more than it can chew at North County mall

 Krispy Kreme Tuesdays Burbank apparently bit off more than it could chew at Escondido’s Westfield North County regional mall last night. When the police and fumes cleared the vast parking lot and its environs, namely freeway feeder lanes and nearby exit/entrances, an estimated 1,500 to 2,500 Southern California vehicular flash mob enthusiasts were gone, if not forgotten. Not so coincidentally, the car show flash mob…


Fact Check: Will a sales tax hike relieve traffic congestion?

The Gist The San Diego Association of Governments hasn’t been shy about touting the benefits county residents will feel if they pass its proposed ballot measure in November. One of the proposal’s major selling points is that the projects the measure would fund will relieve traffic congestion. We found SANDAG thinks of traffic relief differently than a typical commuter might. Statement: “SAN DIEGO COUNTY ROAD REPAIR,…


Jenny Craig, ‘Papa’ Doug Manchester disgrace USD by hosting Trump fundraiser

As proud alumni of the University of San Diego, spanning different generations, races, faith traditions, genders, sexual orientations and professions, we love and care deeply about the mission and moral core of USD. We support and cherish USD’s mission to operate as a “preeminent Catholic university known for educating students who are globally competent, ethical leaders committed to the common good and empowered to engage…