Good morning, San Diego ☀️
Here’s what we have for you today:
- A fighter jet crashed onto the Miramar air base yesterday. The pilot ejected and does not have life-threatening injuries.
- Try a West African Taco for free at FamMart today.
- It’s going to be a scorcher out there today (at least, by San Diego standards). Stay cool (and if you do so in the ocean, stay near a lifeguard).
Tessa Balc
Audience engagement producer
Top story
Thrill seekers love Sunset Cliffs. But with rescues on the rise, cliff jumping at ‘The Arch’ faces an uncertain future
Cliff-jumping at a spot along Sunset Cliffs dubbed the Arch is not new, but it certainly has become more popular.
Social media has made the spot a destination for cliff-jumping in Southern California. It also makes the jump look far easier than it is — which some say is leading those without experience to try it out.
This week two major rescues at the Arch made headlines. It’s true that a leap from the cliff is dangerous in itself, but erosion adds an extra layer of potential for a misstep.
On Sunday, a 17-year-old boy jumped and ended up in the hospital with six fractured vertebrae, a bruised tailbone and a cut to his foot that required stitches. The video of his jump quickly circulated across the internet and news cycle. As a result, lifeguards started patrolling the area more frequently, issuing warnings over a loudspeaker.
Then on Tuesday, a man was climbing back up the cliff and reportedly lost his footing. He had to be lifted out on a cable-haul system attached to a modified fire truck.
San Diego PD has begun ticketing violators with fines that start at $100 and can get much higher. It’s not new for police to ramp up enforcement to prevent more dangerous situations.
But some locals believe that, due to either erosion or enforcement, the Arch’s days as a spot for cliff jumping are numbered.
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Stories you should know about
🚨 ‘Quite startling’: Hate crimes spike since mass shooting attack against Islamic Center: Over a two-month period following the attack the City Attorney’s office has seen the largest increase in hate crimes since 2022.
🎞️ ‘Black is Beautiful: The Kwame Braithwaite Story’ shines light on photographer who documented Black expression: The documentary on the late photojournalist and activist is screening Saturday at the Museum of Photographic Arts at the San Diego Museum of Art.
💧 Feds announce deep cuts for Colorado River, affecting California, Nevada, Arizona: The three states face cuts of up to 3 million acre-feet which is nearly enough water to serve more than 25 million people a year.
🚦 Road safety improvements coming to La Mesa as school starts: The city council voted to install “no turn on red” sign at the intersection of El Paso and Lake Murray Boulevard, after a local mother started a petition because her child was nearly hit.
🌴 Opinion: San Diego must not balance its budget on the back of Mission Bay.
What else we’re reading
🎢 SeaWorld was forced to shut down Friday afternoon after a power outage that was related to equipment within the property. (Union-Tribune)
🦭 40% of sea lion pups born at La Jolla Cove this year have died, which is four times the mortality rate recorded at a nearby beach closed to the public. (ABC 10)
🚲 There’s one day a year you are able to ride a bike across the Coronado Bridge and it’s on Aug. 23 this year. (San Diego Sun)
What to do this weekend
Need weekend plans? We’ve got you. ⭐ = free
🎨 Creative Alley Market in Oceanside (Today, 12 p.m.–5 p.m.) ⭐️
🎩 Saps At Sea’s Tribute to Oliver Hardy (Today, 4:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m.)
🐶 Cardiff Dog Days of Summer (Sunday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.) ⭐️