Good morning, San Diego ☀️
Here’s what we have for you today:
- La Mesa approved a 118-unit mixed use development, but councilmembers still raised concerns over the parking issues that may arise.
- The Humane Society is taking on two large-scale surrenders of Yorkies and huskies. So far, 18 dogs have arrived at their campuses.
- Former Chargers linebacker Billy Ray Smith Jr. has died following CTE-caused dementia.
- The city says DJ Daniel Joseph has ‘one shot’ left to make his outdoor sets in Golden Hill happen. No parking on the grass or in the red, folks.
Jennifer Vigil
News editor
Top story
Court filing: San Diego County accused of knowingly issuing inadequate air purifiers to South Bay residents
We know South Bay residents have long had to deal with the fallout from Tijuana River sewage. We also know that some air purifiers sent to them were not up to snuff. But did officials know a batch would fail and purchase them anyway?
Yes, according to new accusations in a lawsuit against San Diego County. The purifiers, distributed to vulnerable residents, allegedly did not meet noise and filtration requirements called for in the county’s contract.
The allegations are contained in the latest court filing by a firm that was the runner up in the bidding for the purifier deal. The company is asking that a judge overturn the contract with the winning firm and at the very least order a new bidding process.
Sour grapes? Perhaps, but if anyone has a right to be sour after all this time and effort, it’s not really a company. It’s residents near the border.
Day after day, they stomach beach closures, terrible smells, and worst of all, air that is dangerous to breathe, while waiting for government at all levels – on both sides of the border, no less – and now the courts, to respond.
Our Dorian Hargrove has the details of yet another battle over the Tijuana River Valley.
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Stories you should know about
🧠 “Date With A Cure” will connect Alzheimer’s experts with community in online forum: The annual forum allows the public to stay up-to-date on the latest research developments. The livestream will take place from 10 a.m. to noon tomorrow.
🎨 Comedy, dancing and (literal) Dog Days, Weekend Guide: Liberty Station’s ArtWalk, the Ramona County Fair and San Diego Soul Food Fest are all here this weekend.
🎥 ‘American Pachuco’: Luis Valdez and the long fight to be seen: The documentary highlighting a fixture of modern Chicano cultural history will screen at Digital Gym Cinema through Aug. 6.
🦠 Issa joins call for Fauci to face ‘accountability’ for COVID handling: Issa took to X after the congressional hearing to renew his criticism of the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
🚅 Opinion: Morocco’s new high-speed trains put California to shame.
What else we’re reading
🚙 Researchers at UC San Diego found a glitch in a KARR anti-car theft system, installed in vehicles sold at most dealerships in Southern California, that could make millions of vehicles in Southern California susceptible to theft— even if a buyer didn’t activate the system. (KPBS)
⛸️ A foundation that owns the San Diego Gulls and Anaheim Ducks is offering to turn a portion of Escondido’s Kit Carson Park into an ice rink. Residents were expecting to hear and weigh in on a discussion of it, as leaders seriously consider the lease, but an item has yet to hit the council agenda. (Voice of San Diego)
Locals Only
🌳 We asked you: What’s the best park in San Diego? Here’s what San Diegans had to say:
💎 Balboa Park from Tom C., Winnie A., Barbara S., Bruce H. and Alex A.
🌳 Civita Park from Sara I.
🚙 MLK Park in Oceanside from Marisa D.
🌴 Mission Bay Park from Lisa R.