Articles by dweisman

North County, Valley Center October 27, 2015

Lilac Hills Ranch pulls out its big PR gun: Driverless technology run by an app

And now this for proposed Lilac Hills Ranch, scheduled to begin its final approval process before San Diego County Supervisors on Wednesday, Oct. 28: Autonomous, or driverless, vehicles that would provide services to establish a more pedestrian-oriented community and more interconnected neighborhoods, according to Accretive president Jon Rilling. With all the controversy over leap-frog development approvals by San Diego County planning staff and possible circumvention of…

Football, Sports October 26, 2015

New Spring Major League Football (MLFB) tryouts come to Escondido (Video)

The heck with the San Diego (or Los Angeles) Chargers and the NFL. There’s a new professional football league and it’s coming to Escondido on Sunday, Nov. 1. This is the newly formed Major League Football (MLFB) scheduled to kick off in Spring 2016 as a Spring/Summer league with eight teams who will play 10 games each. Top four teams make the playoffs. The league…

Breaking News, Escondido, Politics October 23, 2015

Without warning, Escondido city manager resigns (Breaking News)

Just ahead of a pension vestment that pays him over $200,000 annually, Escondido City Manager Clay Phillips, 58, suddenly resigned on Wednesday. Coincidentally, Phillips’ 3-year city manager contract that made him the highest paid city manager in San Diego County was set to expire next year. Dec, 18 would be his last day on the job, Phillips said. It was unclear if the pension and…

Arts, Education October 23, 2015

Escondido schools get smART with collaborative approach to arts programs

With school arts funding slashed to the bare bone, Escondido artists and the Escondido Union School District have teamed together to bring innovative solutions to the arts education dilemma. Not only is the concept smart, but its called smART as in smART Fridays leading up to next spring’s grand smART Festival at the California Center for the Arts. “The smART collaborative, developed in the fall…

North County, Police/Fire October 23, 2015

Unwanted firearms, bogus fire inspections, CSU faculty strike, hops

Unwanted firearms for Wal-mart gift cards, anyone? The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office is planning to use up to $28,500 in confiscated funds to offer Walmart gift cards to North County residents willing to turn over unwanted firearms. The latest installment of the department’s “Guns for Gift Cards” program is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24 at the San Marcos station,…

Escondido, Tourism October 19, 2015

Escondido’s Grand Avenue Festival attracted thousands for fun and frolic

Escondido’s Grand Avenue Festival, aka Escondido Street Faire, held Sunday, Oct. 18 might be the second-largest single-day festival in California, but as they used to say in the old Avis rent-a-car commercials, they try harder. An estimated 30,000 to 40,000 people flocked to Grand Avenue and block after block of 500 vendors, food and music from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday. Escondido’s first street…

Breaking News, Police, Valley Center October 17, 2015

Bates Nut Farm pumpkin patch locked down by CHP due to missing girl report

Bates Nut Farm pumpkin patch was put in virtual lockdown from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday as reports of a missing 11-year-old girl caused state troopers to search all vehicles leaving the scene.   California Highway Patrol officers also went from car to car in the crowded parking areas looking for the girl. Social media accounts said drivers waited up to 30 minutes to…

Courts/Law, Rancho Santa Fe October 17, 2015

Who is Eduardo Castro and why is the FTB publicly shaming him?

In all, 20 people throughout San Diego County—some married couples—made the list of shame for not paying the money they owe the state. Altogether, local delinquent taxpayers owe more than $9.1 million. Good news always first. Somebody from Escondido made a top 500 money list. Bad news, it’s the list of the top 500 delinquent taxpayers in the state of California courtesy of the state…

Entertainment/Arts, Escondido, Music October 15, 2015

Rocking the House: Etheridge part of arts center’s plans to attract broader audience

‘The goal is to be the Balboa Park of North County.’  — Jerry Van Leeuween, Executive Director, California Center for the Arts   Melissa Etheridge comes to town on Nov. 6, playing the only North County venue large enough for such a major act, the California Center for the Arts in Escondido. The center has had a troubled financial past. However, nobody can deny it…

Football, Sports October 14, 2015

Mission Hills, Valley Center, Escondido football teams are studies in contrast

It’s been a tale of the good, the bad, and the .500 for three local high school football teams this season. We’re talking Mission Hills, Valley Center and Escondido high schools this week. Mission Hills serving winning football on a roll Starting with the good, the Mission Hills Grizzlies are on a roll. The team that plays on the former site of Hollandia Dairy off…