New council poised to undo Blakespear's Santa Fe Drive fiasco

Union-Tribune:

A controversial construction project that’s completely overhauling busy Santa Fe Drive will be halted for at least six months while city officials try to figure out if it’s actually improving roadway conditions, the Encinitas City Council decided Wednesday.

17 homes per acre!

Union-Tribune:

Neighbors, who have said they were expecting something more like 1 home per developable acre, rather than 17, banded together to form the opponents’ group United Citizens for the Responsible Development of Bella Vista.

We've already hit something like 10 homes per acre, if you look at Calypso Place off Daphne in Leucadia or Primrose Lane off Olivenhain Road east of Home Depot.

Alas, the U-T article is just poor editing. The La Costa Boulevard development is 17 homes over ten acres.

Voice of San Diego: tax increase failed because voters don't trust Kranz

 VOSD:

In North County, four cities – Encinitas, Escondido, Oceanside and San Marcos – asked residents to vote on sales tax measures that could provide relief to their budgets, bolster public safety, improve infrastructure and maintain quality of life.

Of the four measures, only one of them failed. Encinitas’ proposed one-percent sales tax increase, Measure K, was rejected by voters, with nearly 52 percent voting “no.”

But the other North County sales tax measures passed by wide margins, each earning 60 percent or more of the vote. So, why did Encinitas – a city whose demographics and political leanings suggest residents would support a sales tax increase – reject one, while other cities overwhelmingly supported them?

Coupled with overall frustration with the rising cost of living, it likely came down to a deeper dissatisfaction among Encinitas residents with how their city is being run and financially managed. This became clear when voters decided to oust the city’s mayor and an incumbent city councilmember.

This was Kranz's second attempt to push a sales tax increase on Encinitas.

12/11/24 City Council meeting open thread

 Please use the comments to record your observations.

12/10/24 Inauguration City Council meeting open thread

 Out with the old, in with the new!

A million bucks ain't what it used to be

 Zillow:

Constituents unhappy with Santa Fe redesign

From the Inbox:

Joy,

This corridor was designed and approved by people who clearly have
shit for brains. Today was 10 min from Evergreen to Nardo and there
was no going around the bus which was stuck in the westbound driving
lane.

Why haven't you been as upset as the rest of us who have to use this
mess and done something about it?

You suck and so does everyone who hasn't pulled this project up and
started over.

Pardon me

With the administration changing, should the outgoing mayor have the power to pardon the policymakers and road engineers responsible for the bike infrastructure deaths over the last few years?

Obvious answer: not necessary! No one is ever held accountable in this city. But why not?

11/20/24 City Council meeting open thread

By request. 

Special closed sessions starting at 3PM, regular meeting at 6PM.

Please use the comments to record your observations.

Destiny, we hardly knew ye

From the Inbox:

11/13/24 City Council meeting open thread

Please use the comments to record your observations.

Two men arrested in organized retail theft

Coast News:

Two men have been arrested in connection with a series of organized retail thefts in Encinitas involving nearly $6,700 in stolen goods, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office.

On Aug. 29, deputies from the North Coastal Sheriff’s Station responded to a reported theft at the REI store in the 1500 block of Leucadia Boulevard.

Authorities said a suspect, identified as 60-year-old Daniel Dipinto, fled the scene in a black Audi after allegedly stealing a Yeti cooler valued at nearly $300. The vehicle matched descriptions linked to previous shoplifting incidents in the area.

Investigators from the Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving (COPPS) Unit connected Dipinto to additional thefts at multiple stores, including Target, REI, and Dick’s Sporting Goods. Authorities said stolen items included Yeti coolers, Legos, Tumi bags and women’s clothing.

The investigation also led deputies to identify 34-year-old Omar Najera as an alleged accomplice. Officials allege Najera provided Dipinto with stolen credit card numbers in exchange for merchandise obtained during the thefts.

Dipinto appears to be a Cardiff resident.

Destiny Preston is down by 10 points and still won’t concede

Coast News:

District 2 candidate Destiny Preston, trailing Jim O’Hara by nearly 600 votes, told The Coast News she would “wait until all votes are counted and the final results are certified before making any statements.”

O’Hara currently leads with 3,218 votes, or 55.13%, over Preston’s 2,619 votes (44.87%). According to the Registrar of Voters, a total of 6,688 ballots were cast in District 2, with 851 votes remaining to be counted at the time of publication.

Reported rape of teenage girl in broad daylight in downtown Encinitas

At the time of the assault, the suspect was out on bail (or no bail) in another criminal case. HT: The Coast News:

Ehlers, Shaffer, O’Hara lead in early returns

San Diego Registrar:

Measure G, the SANDAG Tax, and Measure K, the Kranz tax, are trailing but close.

UPDATE: Next update Thursday evening, apparently:

Happy Election Day!

 Where are you watching the results and what are your best sources for real-time updates?

Hairdressing as a campaign expense

From the Inbox:

Destiny charged $120 of donor money to pay for her hairdressing for an
event. If this is how she puts donor money to use, how is she going
to spend taxpayer money? Big red flag.

As she's part of the Blakespear/Kranz crew, we presume her donors are primarily developers and out-of-town Democrat activists, so won't mind a little splashing out with their money.

$32 million settlement in bluff collapse deaths

Fox 5:

A settlement has been reached in the case of a tragic bluff collapse at a North County beach in 2019 that resulted in three women losing their lives.

According a news release from Bibianne Fell, the attorney for the plaintiffs, on Tuesday, the state of California, city of Encinitas and condominium owners and management have agreed to a settlement of more than $32 million with the women’s families.

Kranz - Ehlers debate thread

 What did you see?

Who knew the city council was about to ban abortion?

HT: Encinitas Votes

10/16/24 City Council meeting open thread

 Please use the comments to record your observations.

Destiny Preston threatens public safety if Kranz’s sales tax increase doesn’t pass

Coast News letters:

Destiny Preston, District 2 candidate, recently warned residents that if the 1% sales tax increase (Measure K) fails to pass, there will be “trade-offs” that involve “investing less in public safety.”

The comments were posted on Preston’s and District 1 candidate Allison Blackwell’s BikeWalkEncinitas website in response to a questionnaire but have since been removed. This was done, in all likelihood, under pressure from a public that reacted negatively to such coercive language.

For the record, Kranz has wasted tens of millions of dollars on non-essential services. For example Pacific View which Kranz purchased and then left abandoned for nearly a decade before pouring even more money into it to make it safe enough to even occupy. On top of that, the huge expansion of city staff in a time of near-zero population growth, including the creation of a new and unnecessary permanent city department of homelessness. Homeless and other human services have historically been the domain of the county. Then there's the unsafe and unwanted separated bike lanes that require a city sand Zamboni staff.

10/9/24 City Council meeting open thread

 Please use the comments to record your observations.

Four stories, 448 units approved on Quail Gardens

Union-Tribune:

This is a much better design than the previous version, members of the Encinitas Planning Commission said as they voted Thursday to approve what’s slated to become the largest apartment complex in the city.

Pickleball and volleyball courts at Encinitas Community Park?

Coast News:

The Encinitas City Council recently discussed potential upgrades to Encinitas Community Park, including adding pickleball and sand volleyball courts at the popular 44-acre recreational area along Santa Fe Drive.

The council’s conversation focused on the results of a feasibility study conducted by RRM Design Group. The study evaluated the potential for installing new courts at the park in areas initially earmarked for a teen center and an aquatic center, both of which were part of the park’s original master plan but have yet to be built.

Kranz, Blackwell propose high-density housing at Swami’s?

Coast News letter:

There’s only one word to describe the Affordable Housing Task Force: WEIRD.

What would citizens of Encinitas say to high density housing at the Self Realization Fellowship? In our parks? At the Pacific View Art Center? All three are included along with churches and schools on the “Consolidated Potential Sites List.”

The Affordable Housing Task Force was hastily created for unknown reasons, proposed by appointed (not elected) Deputy Mayor Allison Blackwell, District 1 candidate, and Mayor Tony Kranz, mayoral candidate. We have a state-compliant housing plan, so why were they in such a rush now to plan yet more high-density housing?

Can you imagine what those pumpkin fields would be worth if they were upzoned for 4-story condos lot line to lot line?

Solar hot dogs

 

9/25/24 City Council meeting open thread

 Please use the comments to record your observations.

On those Destiny endorsements

From the Inbox:

Destiny has made the below post a few times on social media over the past couple of months. It includes a clip of Bruce praising her qualifications for appointment to a commission. Her post gives the impression that Bruce supports her for council.  He has gotten enough questions. He has gotten enough questions about his claimed support that he was prompted to make a corrective statement of his own, copied below hers. 


First Destiny's statement:

And Bruce's:

We're #1!

CBS 8:

Out of 11 cities in San Diego County, Encinitas ranked number one as having the highest rent, where one bedroom units can cost an average of $2,680.

9/18/24 City Council meeting open thread

 Please use the comments to record your observations.

Full moon eclipse tonight

 Step outside. You can see it now.

9/11/24 City Council meeting open thread

 Please use the comments to record your observations.

Kerfuffle over candidates' party registration

 From the Inbox:

Kranz/Blackwell/Preston's more rabid supporters are trying to make hay against D1 challenger Luke Shaffer for his mistake in thinking he had chosen NPP but instead registered as AIP (the word "independent" hooked him).  As it happens, according to a 2016 NPR news article, 73% of California voters registered AIP actually think they are registered NPP: Voters Often Confuse 'American Independent' With 'Independent' Party : NPR.

Here is Allison Blackwell, not new to politics - she is, after all, Deputy Mayor - "was surprised" that for 21 years, she was not a registered Democrat.  When she finally did register, it was just this past December.  How's that for the epitome of an opportunistic switch to get all the goodies the Democrat party has to offer in supporting her candidacy?

Scratch her being "actually surprised" she was not registered Dem all this time.  From January 2023, she advertises herself as NPP when she was going for the D1 council appointment:

Open thread

 What did we miss?

Political cartoons

From the Inbox:

8/21/24 City Council meeting open thread

 Please use the comments to record your observations.

City reducing speed limits

CBS 8:

And it's not just happening on main roads like Encinitas Boulevard, Coast Highway, and Leucadia Boulevard, it's also happening on smaller side streets that are within a quarter mile of a school. Those limits will drop from 25 to 20.

“That is slow,” Bankston said, “but we want to make sure that we're safe for out vulnerable citizens - our cyclists, our pedestrians, our school kids, our seniors.”

The City says it will cost around $120,000 to complete the project, but if it saves one life, residents say its money well spent.

Kranz reacts to online videos showing Encinitas homeless situation

X:

Those "Kooks on IG":

8/14/24 City Council meeting open thread

 Please use the comments to record your observations.

Mayoral debate last night

Being discussed on Encinitas Votes.

What did you think?

National Democrat PACs pumping big money into local election

From the Inbox:

Never before heard of D2 contender Destiny Preston has a "massive monetary lead" over opposition candidate Jim O'Hara.  How did that happen?  

Preston is registered with national org "Act Blue" that funnels nationwide donations to Democrat candidates in every city and state.  ActBlue's mission: "Powering Democratic candidates & progressive causes across the country."

Commercial service coming back to Palomar Airport

North County Pipeline:

Commercial airline service will return to McClellan-Palomar Airport next year, according to American Airlines.

The company confirmed it will begin two daily outbound and inbound flights to and from Phoenix beginning on Feb. 15, 2025, as it marks the return of commercial service to Carlsbad.

The outbound flights to Phoenix are scheduled for 6:15 a.m. and 12:45 p.m., according to American Airlines’ website. The flights from Phoenix to Carlsbad are at 11:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Ticket prices start at about $366 for a roundtrip flight.

Pedestrian killed on freeway

Union-Tribune:

A pedestrian who was trying to cross the southbound lanes of Interstate 5 in Encinitas was struck by a car and killed Monday afternoon, the California Highway Patrol said.

Around 2:35 p.m., callers reported that a man had run into the southbound HOV lane of the freeway. He was struck by a white Tesla Model Y just north of Birmingham Drive, the CHP said.

Governor wants cities to clean up homeless encampments

Wall Street Journal:

California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a directive calling for cities to take down homeless encampments after the Supreme Court expanded the authority of municipalities to dismantle the camps.

A nationwide count of homeless people collected by federal authorities last year estimated more than 123,000 were unsheltered in California while living in tents, trailers, and vehicles. California accounted for nearly half the unsheltered homeless people tallied nationwide last year.

“The state has been hard at work to address this crisis on our streets,” said Newsom, a Democrat. “There are simply no more excuses. It’s time for everyone to do their part.”

Has anyone checked on the Oggi's / Cottonwood Creek encampment since Encinitas Watchdog left town?

Open thread

City council meetings cancelled all month.

Open thread.

Debate!

 

Open thread

 Tonight’s council meeting is cancelled. Open thread.

City’s vaccine mandate goes to federal court

Coast News:

A former municipal employee’s lawsuit, claiming wrongful termination after the city refused to grant him a religious exemption from its COVID-19 vaccine mandate, has been moved to federal court.

Scott Vurbeff, a former city environmental project manager, seeks damages and lawyer fees for numerous allegations, including religious discrimination and retaliation.

Doyle drops out to clear way for machine candidate Destiny Preston

"Democratic" Party.

Coast News:

Kevin Doyle, who threw his hat in the ring for the District 2 seat shortly after stepping down from his role as chairman of the city’s Planning Commission, confirmed to The Coast News on June 28 that he is withdrawing from the race against political newcomers Jim O’Hara and Destiny Preston.

“It doesn’t need to be me. I didn’t like the three-way race,” Doyle said. “I saw it as too much of a crapshoot, and I’m just learning how much work it is to run for something.”

[...]

First-time political candidate Destiny Preston, a small business owner and environmental activist, also seeks the District 2 seat. Preston, who launched her campaign earlier this month, is endorsed by the San Diego County Democratic Party.

Supreme Court: cities can enforce public camping bans

SCOTUSblog:

In City of Grants Pass v. Johnson, the court rules that “camping ban” laws restricting the homeless from sleeping on public property do not constitute “cruel and unusual punishment” and are therefore not prohibited by the Eighth Amendment.

6/26/24 City Council meeting open thread

 Please use the comments to record your observations.

Stabbing at Home Depot

10 News:

The suspect, identified as Hernan Padilla, allegedly entered the Home Depot and attempted to leave without paying for items, prompting three bystanders to intervene. Padilla brandished a knife, stabbing one bystander before fleeing the scene,'' the department reported.

6/12/24 City Council meeting open thread

Please use the comments to record your observations.

Encinitas City Council Raises Pride Flag

City council wants to raise sales tax

After a decade of egregious fiscal mismanagement and multi-million-dollar lawsuits for negligence, the city wants more of your money.

Encinitas Advocate: 

In a 4-1 vote, with Councilmember Bruce Ehlers opposed, the City Council decided Wednesday, May 22, to put the item on the Nov. 5 ballot. Adding 1 percent to the city’s 7.75 percent tax rate is expected to generate an extra $15.4 million yearly in revenue.

Meanwhile, Carlsbad cuts bloat. 

Encinitas cancels SeeClickFix contract?

The City of Encinitas used to have an app called SeeClickFix, where residents could easily report road hazards, vandalism, debris, etc. from our new "neighbors experiencing homelessness" (thanks, Tony!).

Apparently, there were too many reports for the staff to keep up with, or so many reports it became politically inconvenient for the incumbent majority, so now the app has been disabled.

5/22/24 City Council meeting open thread

Please use the comments to record your observations.

Downtown restaurants trashed in vandalism spree

 Fox 5:

Early Monday morning, two North County restaurants were vandalized and burglarized, setting both local hubs back thousands of dollars’ worth of stolen property and damages.

FOX 5 and KUSI obtained surveillance video at both Union Kitchen and Tap Encinitas along with Trattoria I Trulli, detailing the destruction of shattered windows, tables, chairs and the loss of equipment far beyond repair.

The assailant defaced Trattoria I Trulli specifically with graffiti stating “merchant of death” before being apprehended by law enforcement.

UPDATE: Joshua Jackson, 39. He's still in jail as of Friday morning on $25,000 bail, so clearly doesn't have any friends or family who want to help.

Murder in Encinitas

Patch.com:

A man was stabbed to death in Encinitas, authorities said Sunday. A stabbing was reported at 10:11 p.m. Saturday in the 300 block of Sprucewood Drive in Encinitas, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

Deputies found a man with a stab wound, Lt. Michael Krugh said. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His identity was not released.

"Deputies detained the suspect about half a mile away from the location of the crime," Krugh said. "Sheriff's homicide detectives are conducting an investigation and gathering more evidence."

The motivation and circumstances of the crime were still under investigation, he added. There were no outstanding suspects.

UPDATE: Fox 5:

Upon arrival, deputies report they found a man with a stab wound to his stomach area who later died at the hospital. He has been identified as 19-year-old Miguel Mozo-Hernandez from Encinitas.

The sheriff’s department reports after an autopsy was completed, his cause of death has been ruled a homicide.

Deputies found and arrested the suspect about a half-mile away from the scene Saturday night. According to the sheriff’s department, the victim’s 17-year-old brother is in custody at a juvenile hall facing homicide charges.

Young progressive targets school board seat

 NC Pipeline:

The musical chairs for this election season continues as one candidate in Carlsbad has opted to withdraw from his City Council race to run for school board in San Dieguito Union High School District.

On Monday, Kevin Sabellico announced his decision during an event with the Democratic Club of Carlsbad and Oceanside. He also announced his resignation on Monday as a Carlsbad planning commissioner after he was appointed to the San Diego County Environmental Health and Quality Advisory Board by Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer.

According to sources at the event, Sabellico told the audience that he plans to run against Michael Allman for the D4 seat on the San Dieguito Union High School District Board of Trustees on Monday. Sabellico, who moved to D2 in Carlsbad several months ago, moved to Carmel Valley so he can run for the seat.

5/8/24 City Council meeting open thread

 Please use the comments to record your observations.

E-bike fail

Union-Tribune:

An e-bike company that has had racks of rentable bikes in Encinitas since early 2022 is pulling out of the city this month, saying usage rates haven’t been as good as hoped.

“We just weren’t getting the wheel spinning at the level that we needed” to make the program cost-effective, BCycle Executive Director Brian Conger said Wednesday.

City officials said they’re sorry to see the company depart, but said they understood the challenges BCycle faced.

Ehlers announces for mayor

Coast News:

Councilmember Bruce Ehlers has thrown his hat into the ring to become the next mayor of Encinitas.

The council’s District 4 representative told The Coast News that he has filed the official paperwork needed to start the candidate process. Ehlers will challenge incumbent Mayor Tony Kranz.

“I am running to return to the priorities that guided us since incorporation, preserve community character, provide reliable public services, ensure public safety and protect the environment,” Ehlers said.

Ehlers is the principal author of Proposition A, a ballot initiative that gave Encinitas voters the final say on development proposals that fall outside parameters outlined in the city’s general plan.

4/17/24 City Council meeting open thread

 Please use the comments to record your observations.

Homeless attack at Coaster station

Nextdoor:

Train reportedly hits pedestrian downtown

 

Cycle trap unusable

From the Inbox: 

Did you see today's Cycle Trap conditions?

Posted on Please restore safe cycling to Cardiff FB page.

Sand in the cycle trap has been a problem from the beginning. Before the bike obstacles were installed, winds and passing cars kept the roadway clean of sand. The city had to buy sweeper vehicles and hire crews to regularly sweep the trap.

3/27/24 City Council meeting open thread

 Please use the comments to record your observations.

Ryan Currie obituary

The man who died at the Blakespear bike obstacles earlier this month:

Click over to legacy.com to read the whole thing.

Encinitas man dies in late night bicycle accident

Encinitas Advocate:

Someone found the 48-year-old man lying on the ground in a bike lane on South Coast Highway near Ocean Street and called 911 around 12:07 a.m., sheriff’s Lt. Zheath Sanchez said. A bike was found nearby. Deputies and paramedics attempted life-saving measures, but the man died before he could be taken to a hospital.

The bicyclist has been identified as 48-year-old Ryan Currie of Encinitas, according to a news release. An initial investigation has revealed Currie was riding northbound along the east side of S. Coast Highway in the protected bicycle lane on an Electra Townie bicycle.

There was no evidence of a collision with a vehicle, but perhaps a collision with Blakespear's lane barriers?

Ocean Street is the north end of Solana Beach, but the protected bicycle lane starts north of there, across from Cardiff State Beach.

Rockets over Encinitas

SpaceX launch, just now.

Thursday morning open thread

 What's on your mind?

Kranz buddy wins Republican Central Committee seat

From the Inbox: 

The results are in for the Republican County Central Committee but one
major question remains….how do 18,000 people know Garvin Walsh?

 

Maybe his name was randomly listed first on the ballot? Most voters have absolutely no idea who any of these people are.

How will the other Republican Central Committee members handle a close ally of the big-spending, tax-raising, natural-gas-banning, woke-DEI-pushing, far-left mayor of Encinitas? Walsh is buddy-buddy enough with Mayor Tony Kranz to be receiving private e-mail forwards from Kranz of constituent e-mails.

Also note that both Mark and Maureen Muir lost after their dirty tricks robocall fallout with the local Republican party.

Beach sand replenishment underway

Man dies in sheriff custody after Cardiff intoxication arrest

Encinitas Advocate:

A man died after struggling with San Diego County sheriff’s deputies following his arrest in Cardiff late Saturday, March 2, authorities said.

Deputies were summoned at 11:55 p.m. to a parking lot at Birmingham Drive near Villa Cardiff Drive where a man in his 30s was reported crawling around the lot with no shirt and no shoes, sheriff’s officials said.

Wednesday open thread

Have a pleasant evening.

City Council hires consultant to raise sales tax

Encinitas Advocate:

Encinitas officials are exploring the idea of raising the city’s sales tax from 7.75 percent to 8.75 percent. It’s estimated this could generate $15.4 million a year. City officials have said they would like to use the money to pay for much-need improvements to the city’s roadways, drainage systems and other infrastructure.

Several council members said Feb. 28 that there were strong reasons for them to support raising the sales tax, but said they wanted to conduct additional research before making a decision about the ballot measure. They agreed to approve spending up to $103,500 for additional consulting work and other assistance related to the project.

The last time the council tried to raise the sales tax was 2014, when the progressives were thwarted by the lack of a supermajority on the council.

New thread

 By request.

Please refrain from doxxing each other in the comments.

Ghetto bird over Cardiff

Multiple sheriff’s vehicles around Santa Fe Drive and Sunset, coincidentally near the Cowan murder house.

Encinitas characters run for GOP county committee

There are some familiar names on the ballot this year.

Garvin Walsh, a recent arrival on the city council scene known for buddying up to several Encinitas politicians, is running for the Republican County Central Committee.

And look who else is there: Mark and Maureen Muir. We thought they were gone for good after getting shunned by the county party for their dirty tricks robocall, dropping out of the school board race, and selling their house.

Quail Gardens stack & pack

Encinitas Advocate:

A revised version of the hugely controversial Quail Meadows housing plan, which now calls for putting the previously proposed 485 apartments into two massive buildings instead of four, will go back before the Planning Commission in two weeks.

Considered to be the biggest apartment development in the city’s history, the project put forward by Baldwin & Sons is proposed to go on a 12-acre site on Quail Gardens Drive, just north of the Encinitas Boulevard intersection. The two apartment complexes would be six stories and top out at 68.6 feet tall, while their accompanying parking garages would be seven stories, including an underground area, and would be 74.6 feet in height.

Fiddling through the floods

Coast News commentary:

Before he was elected to the city council in 2012, Mayor Tony Kranz was in the audience and among those begging the city council for solutions to the extreme flooding dangers. However, once elected, he took a back seat to the issue and sat on his hands. Here’s just a smattering of Mayor Kranz’s non-responses to the dire situation:

Click on over for the rest.

Leucadia residents and businesses still pleading for city to fix drainage

Encinitas Advocate:

With buckets and sandbags, the people who live and work near Leucadia Roadside Park desperately fought an ultimately unsuccessful battle to keep rising floodwaters from entering their homes and businesses as a record-setting rainstorm hammered the region Monday, Jan. 22.

Two days later, they pleaded with the Encinitas City Council to finally resolve drainage problems that have bedeviled the low-lying area for decades, saying the city’s previous attempts have done little, if anything, to improve the situation. The Jan. 22 storm, which dropped more than 3 inches of rain onto Encinitas, provided ample evidence that drainage is still a huge unresolved issue in Leucadia, they said.

Stacy Reddell, the new executive director of the Leucadia 101 Main Street Association, listed all of the small businesses that sustained damage from the recent flooding, including coffee shops, a pizza place and a ceramics studio. Some people, particularly the owners of The Mudd House Studio, were “completely devastated” by the amount of water that came pouring into their buildings after the roadways around the park on Coast Highway 101 began flooding Jan. 22, she said.

Seems like this should have been a higher priority than a second senior center.

Leucadia still flooding

Leucadia Roadside Park this morning

1/17/24 City Council meeting open thread

Please use the comments to record your observations.

Cronyism on Parade

Coast News Op-Ed:

“I have an opportunity to apply for an appointment to an open seat on our town city council, and it’s very likely if I do it that I would be the one to get the appointment.”

Mali Woods-Drake (now Mali Shook after her marriage in 2022) disclosed this during an If You Knew Me podcast episode in 2023 entitled, “Deciding between motherhood and personal ambition.”

Mali entered Encinitas politics at a BLM rally at the Cardiff Kook in 2020. From there, she quickly allied herself with then-mayor Catherine Blakespear, Councilmember Kellie Hinze, and current Mayor Tony Kranz.

During her work on their election campaigns, Mali became known for her attempts to silence those who disagreed with her by aggressively branding them “racist” and inviting them to “leave town if they don’t like the direction we want Encinitas to go.”

Since 2020, the council has rewarded Mali’s efforts with a string of increasingly influential appointments to the Encinitas Equity Committee and, more recently, the Encinitas Public Health and Safety Commission. Mali’s growing connections also earned her a board seat on the Pacific View nonprofit, Encinitas Arts, Culture and Ecology Alliance.

Raw oysters from Fish Shop suspected in norovirus outbreak

NBC 7:

The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency have linked 41 confirmed and probable cases of norovirus illness to raw oysters imported from a specific harvest location in Northwest Mexico, it was announced Thursday.

According to the HHSA, the cases began mid-December when people dined on raw oysters from Sonora, Mexico. The oysters have only been available through restaurants and wholesale locations and the county is asking those who purchased "Rocky Point oysters" packed by GOLPAC, located in Bahia Salina, Sonora are asked not to eat or serve them until an investigation of the outbreak is complete.

Cases to date have been tied to oysters served at three locations of The Fish Shop -- in Pacific Beach, Point Loma and Encinitas -- and the Carlsbad Aquafarm. Other locations may emerge during this investigation.

Train fatality downtown

Fox 5:

A man was fatally struck by a southbound BNSF freight train in Encinitas Saturday night, authorities said.

According to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, the incident happened around 11:30 p.m. near the intersection of Vulcan and D Street.

Responding deputies confirmed the man did not survive his injuries. The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office will publicly identify the victim once his family is notified.

Beacon’s Beach closed again

 City Instagram:

A bluff failure occurred this morning at Beacon’s Beach, causing damage to the trail access. As a precaution, the beach access has been closed. City experts are currently assessing the extent of the damages and determining the repairs needed. The reopening of the beach access will occur once it is deemed safe for public use. More information will be provided as it becomes available.

City Council meeting cancelled

 Here’s your open thread.

Mali Woods-Drake records podcast

Race activist and friend of the progressive city council Mali Woods-Drake has recorded a podcast:

This week’s story is entitled “Deciding Between Motherhood and Personal Ambition”

Bomb threat at Encinitas temple and preschool

 Encinitas Advocate:

A Jewish temple and preschool in Encinitas was evacuated Tuesday morning, Jan. 2, after someone sent a message with a bomb threat, a sheriff’s official said.

Just after 8:30 a.m., a person at Temple Solel called the Sheriff’s Department to report receiving an email that said explosives would soon be detonated at the campus, Lt. Zheath Sanchez said. The temple is on Manchester Avenue east of Interstate 5 in the Cardiff area.