This story was reported for San Diego News Network on June 15, 2009. With a rise in border-related drug violence, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano felt compelled to form a task force to tackle the issue head-on. San Diegan Ruben Barrales was more than happy to get involved. Personifying the old adage: if you want to get something… Read more →
Schwarzenegger visits county to talk $24.3 billion deficit
This story was reported for San Diego News Network on June 12, 2009. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger visited Escondido Friday to address the California deficit, just three weeks prior to the state budget’s expected passage. The $24.3 billion deficit — combined with pressure from State Controller John Chiang to pass the budget immediately and Schwarzenegger’s proposed cuts — has many Californians… Read more →
Local gay man, lesbian claim attacks were hate crimes
This story was reported for San Diego News Network on June 12, 2009. Two gay San Diegans say they were victims of recent hate crimes, and their attacks, they said, underscore the need for increased awareness and protection of minority groups. Local musician Rhythm Turner, and Ron deHarte, the executive director of San Diego Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Pride,… Read more →
Locals heated over proposed sale of Fairgrounds
This story was reported for San Diego News Network on June 9, 2009. San Diegans expressed their concerns Tuesday over the proposed sale of the Del Mar Fairgrounds in an attempt to help deter the state from its $24.3 billion deficit. The worries were offered at the 22nd District Agricultural Association board meeting, an entity of the state government that… Read more →
City ignores proposed state mandate in passing budget
This story was reported for San Diego News Network on June 8, 2009. San Diego’s City Council passed the mayor’s proposed $3 billion budget Monday 7-1, despite the possibility of the state’s mandated loan of $36 million. After months of battles from unions and those against fee increases, seven city councilmembers opted to take Mayor Jerry Sanders’ route on the… Read more →
Taxing sex to save California from its budget deficit
This story was reported for San Diego News Network on June 8, 2009. Single, childless, and with an average weekly income of $2,500, one would assume “Samantha” pays a hefty income tax. Not so. The 23-year-old prostitute hasn’t paid taxes in more than a year – and now she’s planning to expand her clientele. If prostitution were legal in California,… Read more →
A million California children could lose health care
This story was reported for San Diego News Network on June 4, 2009. More than 76,000 San Diego County children could lose health care coverage if Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposal is approved, said local leaders Thursday. Leaders of San Diego Organizing Project, Family Health Centers of San Diego and local churches said if Schwarzenegger’s Plan B proposal was approved, nearly… Read more →
San Diego leaders irate over possible state-mandated loans
This story was reported for the San Diego News Network on June 3, 2009. California’s possibly taking $2 billion from local municipalities led San Diego County leaders to convene an emergency budget meeting Wednesday. Elected officials from 15 of the 18 county’s cities, as well as two members of the board of supervisors, were in attendance. Distressed over Gov. Schwarzenegger’s… Read more →
Undercover operation nets medical marijuana patients
This story was reported for the San Diego News Network on June 3, 2009. Story was reported by Hoa Quach and Steven Bartholow. After a four-year stint in the U.S. Navy, Eugene Davidovich started to feel anxious, restless, and suffered migraine headaches. In 2002, at the end of the third class petty officer’s service — which garnered him 10 medals… Read more →
History of medical marijuana in the U.S.
This story was reported for the San Diego News Network on June 3, 2009. This was reported by Hoa Quach and Steven Bartholow. As far back as 1854, marijuana appeared in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia, the country’s official standard-setting for prescription drugs. At the turn of the century – when it was estimated 5 percent of people were addicted to opiates… Read more →