This story was reported for San Diego News Network on April 21, 2009. John Shaff once worked as a loss prevention officer at Nordstrom Rack in Woodland Hills, Calif. But after “Black Friday” of 2007, his days as a department store employee were numbered. Shaff said it started when his managers brought out an abundance of merchandise to supplement the… Read more →
San Diegans may have to change their water ways
This story was reported for San Diego News Network on April 15, 2009. San Diegans may not have to allocate their water this summer. Or at the least, not be forced to take the “one bucket approach.” After Tuesday’s Metropolitan Water District announcement on water reductions, the city will re-determine how San Diegans have to cut back their water usage.… Read more →
Council declares impasse on contracts with labor unions
This story was reported for San Diego News Network on April 15, 2009. Fire trucks drove through C Street in downtown on Tuesday around 2 p.m. Their sirens blared through the nearby buildings and echoed as far as the halls of the San Diego City Council chambers. Perhaps, it was a sign from the firemen of San Diego City Firefighters… Read more →
Alan Bersin named border czar by Obama
This story was reported for San Diego News Network on April 15, 2009. A controversial San Diego figure has been named “border czar.” Alan Bersin, chairman of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority has been appointed by the Obama administration to oversee drug-cartel and violence-related issues along the U.S.-Mexico border. The announcement was made on Wednesday in El Paso,… Read more →
San Diegans protest taxes at harbor tea party
This story was reported for San Diego News Network on April 10, 2009. The Southern California Tax Revolt Coalition will host its second protest against President Obama’s tax plan and California’s recently passed state budget. SCRTC is planning the tea party event because the Founding Fathers intended for taxes to be low, the group’s co-founder Leslie Eastman said. Group member… Read more →
People you may know: Politicians get social
This story was reported for the San Diego News Network on April 9, 2009. California Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher (R-San Diego) climbed Mt. Shasta on April 3, while tweeting. San Diego Councilmember Kevin Faulconer and Lemon Grove Councilmember George Gastil just became “friends.” And, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) thinks “Holder [U.S. attorney general Eric Holder] better NOT shop around.” These facts… Read more →
Local dropouts hard on taxpayers’ wallets
This story was reported for San Diego News Network on April 7, 2009. In the 2006 to 2007 school year, 6,126 students dropped out of high school in San Diego County, which in turn, lightened the weight of taxpayers’ wallets. According to studies conducted by California Dropout Research Project the U.S. loses about $192 billion in income and tax revenue… Read more →
San Diego County residents treading water in dry spell
This story was reported for San Diego News Network on April 3, 2009. The county’s 18 incorporated cities, along with the rest of the state, are hitting troubled waters or perhaps, just trouble. On Feb. 20, 2009, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared that California was in its third consecutive drought year and announced an executive order for residents to ration their… Read more →
Motion on meters
This story was reported for San Diego News Network on March 30, 2009. San Diegans may have to consider carrying more pocket change, or at least hold on to it for the next 45 days. During the San Diego City Council meeting on Monday, the issue of extending meter times and increasing its fees were discussed. The motion was voted… Read more →
Ill weekend
This story was reported for San Diego News Network on March 30, 2009. If President Obama thought his weekend would work as a sort of sabbatical from criticism or even a bit of work, he was mistaken. After the president spoke about his intent of universal health care last Thursday, he was attacked on Capitol Hill – creating a flurry… Read more →