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Today’s newsletter is presented by County of San Diego – Office of Emergency Services.
Good morning, San Diego.
Today, I’m beginning our day with a story of adventure and derring-do on the high seas — my favorite. A sailor, Mitsuhiro “Hiro” Iwamoto, has announced that he plans to sail across the Pacific Ocean solo, with only his smartphone for company.
There’s a twist, though — Hiro Iwamoto is blind, and he has been since he was just 13.
If he’s successful, this will be his first solo crossing, but not his first time overall. In 2019, he completed a nonstop Pacific Ocean crossing from San Diego to Fukushima, Japan, with the aid of a sighted navigator. Iwamoto plans to push off from San Diego in early 2027.
So, why is he doing it? It’s his dream, he said. He hopes to inspire others who feel that what they really want to do is out of their reach.
And even if he doesn’t have a successful crossing, he’ll have a great story to tell at the end of it, and really, that’s enough motivation for anybody.
But of course, that isn’t the only story we have to tell today. Dive in and learn what we’ve got: Prop. 50 updates, more housing coming, and is the San Diego Padres’ ownership battle finally coming to an end? We don’t know either — but stay tuned.
Thoughts? Opinions? Let us know what you think by emailing news@timesofsandiego.com.
Today’s top story
‘Lot of gumption’ – blind Japanese sailor to launch solo trans-Pacific crossing from San Diego
By Dave Schwab • Times of San Diego
In 2013, blind Japanese sailor Mitsuhiro Iwamoto’s first trans-Pacific sailing attempt failed when a whale struck his boat. He’s ready to try again.
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6 stories to start your day
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Today’s opinion column
Opinion: The case for mid-rise housing
Mid-rise housing done right is the best way to address San Diego’s affordability issues — and build neighborhoods that people love.
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