 Cravens guilty of murder
 NANCEE E. LEWIS
A San Diego Superior Court jury finds Seth Cravens guilty of second-degree murder Tuesday in the fatal beating last year of a professional surfer in La Jolla. Above, Cravens reacts to the verdicts. Cravens' defense lawyer, Mary Ellen Attridge (right), said they would appeal the verdict.
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Library, rec center cuts seen as no-win situation
Nov. 18 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
At the Azalea Recreation Center in City Heights, every season has its youth sport – basketball in the winter, soccer in the spring, baseball in the summer and flag football in the fall.
At the Allied Gardens/Benjamin Branch Library, students from three nearby schools are regulars, and a group of seniors meets weekly to discuss mystery books.
More Metro News
Nov. 19 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
County is facing painful cuts: San Diego County is facing a $78 million budget deficit that is expected to persist in coming years and could force cuts in public safety and programs for low-income families. The county Board of Supervisors received an update yesterday that showed a bleak picture for sales and property tax revenues and state funding, which makes up a large chunk of the county's $5.2 billion budget.
Nov. 19 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Guilty verdict in surfer death:It all started with a spilled beer at a La Jolla bar.
What followed was a street brawl that led to the death of a young surfer, outrage among the residents of an affluent beach community and a media maelstrom that soon went national.
And now, nearly 18 months later, a murder conviction.
SAN DIEGO, Nov. 19 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Council OKs law for heart devices: SAN DIEGO
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Large new buildings, including stores, churches, hotels, restaurants, schools and theaters, will be required to have heart-starting medical devices on site under a law passed by the San Diego City Council yesterday.
Nov. 19 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Regulator breathes life into Sunrise Powerlink:San Diego Gas & Electric's controversial proposal to build the Sunrise Powerlink got a boost yesterday when a top regulator said it is needed to spur development of solar, wind and geothermal power.
Nov. 19 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Scheme gives distressed properties to squatters:Law enforcement investigators in San Diego and Riverside counties have uncovered a brazen real estate scheme in which individuals are claiming ownership of distressed homes by filing official-looking grant deeds with county recorder offices.
SAN DIEGO COURTS, Nov. 19 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Closing arguments heard in stepson's trial in '07 slaying: SAN DIEGO COURTS
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Nathaniel Gann and his sister calculated the slaying of their stepfather down to the last detail, a prosecutor told jurors during closing arguments yesterday.
SAN DIEGO, Nov. 19 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Pedestrian shot from behind, is expected to live: SAN DIEGO
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An 18-year-old man was shot from behind several times as he walked through the Mountain View neighborhood last night, police said.
Nov. 19 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
La Jolla woman reports being sexually assaulted : LA JOLLA:
A woman reported that she was sexually assaulted early yesterday while walking on a popular bike path near Starkey Park, police said.
Nov. 19 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Analyst urges Sanders to postpone closings :SAN DIEGO:
The city's independent budget analyst yesterday called on San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders to hold off on his proposed closures of 17 libraries and recreation centers, but Sanders pressed on.
SAN DIEGO, 4:39 p.m. Nov. 18 (UNION-TRIBUNE)San Diego water rates to rise on Jan. 1: City of San Diego water rates will rise $4.43 a month to $57.31, an 8.4 percent increase, on Jan. 1, following the City Council's approval Tuesday. SAN DIEGO, 7:49 p.m. Nov. 18 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
S.D. law requires new large buildings to have defibrillators: Large new buildings, including stores, churches, hotels, restaurants, schools and theaters, will be required to have heart-starting medical devices on site under a law passed Tuesday by the San Diego City Council. 6:54 p.m. Nov. 18 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Border Patrol claiming success along local fence: The Border Patrol is claiming success along a formerly chaotic five-mile stretch of the border between the San Ysidro and Otay Mesa ports of entry, where fencing was raised and reinforced with razor-studded concertina wire. SAN DIEGO, 6:41 p.m. Nov. 18 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
City College student diagnosed with TB: A San Diego City College student has been diagnosed with tuberculosis, and about 190 students and faculty members have been notified that they may have been exposed, county officials said Tuesday. SAN DIEGO, 6:13 p.m. Nov. 18 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Career criminal, wanted since 2003, gets 100 months in prison: When Manuel Jose Romero was pulled over by a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy in April, the man described by authorities as a career criminal had a few problems. SAN DIEGO, 5:53 p.m. Nov. 18 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
U.S. citizen arrested at border via SENTRI alert: A 24-year-old United States citizen who had been driving in a a SENTRI lane was arrested at the San Ysidro Port of Entry on suspicion of smuggling marijuana, authorities said Tuesday. EL CAJON, 5:11 p.m. Nov. 18 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Upscale East County house destroyed in 3-alarm fire: A house perched atop a hillside in unincorporated El Cajon was destroyed in a three-alarm fire Tuesday afternoon, injuring two residents and spreading to nearby brush on the surrounding slope. SAN DIEGO, 5:25 p.m. Nov. 18 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Regulator backs Sunrise Powerlink, but not through Anza-Borrego: The head of the California Public Utilities Commission said Tuesday that San Diego Gas & Electric should build a huge power line across East County on the assumption that it will lead to more electricity from the sun, wind and water heated underground. 11:36 a.m. Nov. 18 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
County faces swelling budget shortfall: San Diego County is facing at least a $78 million budget deficit that is expected to grow in coming years and could force dramatic cuts in programs aimed at children and low-income families. SAN DIEGO, 4:19 p.m. Nov. 18 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Prosecutors: Gann, sister planned stepdad's murder to last detail: Nathaniel Gann and his sister calculated the murder of their stepfather down to the last detail, from buying black clothing to faking a home-invasion robbery and calling 911 for help, prosecutors told jurors during closing arguments Tuesday. SAN DIEGO, 3:58 p.m. Nov. 18 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
El Cajon man diagnosed with West Nile: A 49-year-old El Cajon man is the latest person in San Diego County to be diagnosed with the West Nile virus, authorities said Tuesday. SAN DIEGO, 3:39 p.m. Nov. 18 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Woman reports sexual assault on La Jolla bike path: A woman reported that she was sexually assaulted early Tuesday morning while walking on a bike path in La Jolla, police said. Nov. 18 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Gaylord drops Chula Vista bayfront resort: Chula Vista and the Port of San Diego were reeling yesterday after Gaylord Entertainment dropped plans for a 32-acre resort, another disappointment in 35 years of failed attempts to develop the city's waterfront. EL CAJON, 7:40 a.m. Nov. 18 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Big Lots manager attacked, robbed: An employee of an El Cajon discount store was attacked Monday night by a robber armed with a knife who kicked her and hit her over the head with a computer.
Nov. 18 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Officer who sued city over pageant activity loses job: Chula Vista police Officer Deanna Mory has been fired from the department and her attorney has filed an appeal with the city's Civil Service Commission.
Nov. 18 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
2 from UCSD joining Obama team: LA JOLLA – Two UC San Diego scholars have been tapped to join President-elect Barack Obama's transition team.
Nov. 18 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Rapes, homicides climb, but city's crime rate dips: SAN DIEGO – The city's crime rate for the first nine months of this year dropped nearly 8 percent overall compared with the same time period last year, but homicides, rapes and gang-related crimes were up.
Nov. 18 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
State begins spraying for citrus pest: SAN DIEGO – Men in white protective suits and face shields sprayed citrus trees in the San Diego neighborhood of South Bay Terraces yesterday as part of an expanding war against a pest that is little bigger than a pinhead.
Nov. 18 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Kaiser workers go to ER, but no hazard is found: SAN DIEGO: Half a dozen people at a Kaiser Foundation Hospital administrative building were exposed to an unknown white powder yesterday and went to the emergency room as a precaution, authorities said.
Nov. 18 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Theories abound over size of Prop. 8 protest: SAN DIEGO – San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders' surprising support of same-sex marriage. A mobilized church effort to end such unions through Proposition 8. A strong showing at county polls in favor of the measure.
Nov. 18 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Conditions contributing to record heat expected to ease: It may not be fireplace-and-hot-chocolate weather, but after several days of dry, out-of-season heat, fall should finally start acting something like fall.
Nov. 18 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Teen lives on through heart recipient: SAN DIEGO – He was a seemingly healthy 15-year-old boy who enjoyed weight lifting and computer games. She was a 61-year-old woman with congestive heart failure, unsure if she would live to see her grandchildren grow up.
Nov. 18 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Jurors struggling with verdict in surfer's death: SAN DIEGO COURTS – Jurors announced yesterday that they were unable to reach a verdict on a murder charge against Seth Cravens in the beating death of a La Jolla surfer.
Nov. 18 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Canyon brush fire doused: SAN DIEGO – Firefighters stopped flames from reaching homes along the top of a City Heights canyon that burned yesterday for at least the third time this year, a fire official said.
Nov. 18 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Two small earthquakes hit north of observatory: NORTH COUNTY: Two small earthquakes struck within hours of each other yesterday morning in a remote area of the Cleveland National Forest north of Palomar Mountain.
Nov. 18 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Report outlines how to adapt to climate change: Scientists and policy experts yesterday unveiled San Diego County's first blueprint for adapting to rising sea levels, altered rainfall and other “catastrophic” changes linked to global warming.
Nov. 18 (UNION-TRIBUNE)Man caught near border wanted in L.A. slaying: SAN DIEGO: Border Patrol agents have captured a Mexican fugitive wanted in connection with a homicide in Los Angeles. Nov. 18 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Crews have tough time rescuing trapped woman: NORTH COUNTY: Rescuers worked into the night yesterday trying to figure out how to get a woman out of a canyon in the Pauma Valley area after she slid about 800 feet down the steep, wooded slope. Nov. 18 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Wife found dead at home; husband taken to hospital: RAMONA: A 44-year-old woman was found dead and her husband was hospitalized after a prescription-drug overdose in their home yesterday, a sheriff's official said. Nov. 18 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
School district extends superintendent's contract: EL CAJON: The Grossmont Union High School District governing board voted 4-0 last week to extend the superintendent's contract by one year, until 2012, and increase his annual pay by 4.5 percent. Nov. 18 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Two Lane Field projects strike out with state: SAN DIEGO: The California Coastal Commission has denied a coastal development permit for a project that includes two posh hotels on Lane Field, property that once was home to the Pacific Coast League San Diego Padres. Nov. 18 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
South Bay Expressway operator to donate funds: The South Bay Expressway turns a year old tomorrow, and private operators of the four-lane tollway plan to mark the milestone with a fundraiser. Nov. 18 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
San Diego considers sale of Balboa Avenue parcel: SAN DIEGO: Facing a budget shortfall, the city of San Diego is seeking nearly $3.2 million for a parcel on Balboa Avenue but is rethinking plans to sell a larger piece of property on North Torrey Pines Road for $16 million. Nov. 18 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
County budget deficit could reach $90 million: The county faces a potential budget deficit of $90 million this year as tax revenue falls short of expectations and state funding cuts loom, the county's top administrator has told employees.
SAN DIEGO, Nov. 17 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Pension problems not going away soon: The news from San Diego City Hall last week was grim – the deficit in the city's pension system for retired workers has swollen to $2.7 billion.
NORTH COUNTY, 12:27 a.m. Nov. 18 (UNION-TRIBUNE)Woman stuck in canyon is rescued hours later: Rescuers worked late into the night Monday to haul a woman out of a canyon in the Pauma Valley area after she slid about 800 feet down the steep, wooded slope. Nov. 17 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Head of San Diego VA Healthcare to retire: The head of the San Diego VA Healthcare System, one of the nation's largest medical networks for veterans, announced his retirement Monday after 12½ years at the helm. SAN DIEGO, 8:18 p.m. Nov. 17 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
State begins spraying for citrus pest: Men in white protective suits and face shields sprayed citrus trees in the South Bay Terraces neighborhood Monday as part of an expanding war against a pest that is little bigger than a pinhead. SAN DIEGO COUNTY, 7:32 p.m. Nov. 17 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Weather should start acting like fall: It may not be fireplace-and-hot-chocolate weather, but after several days of dry, out-of-season heat, fall should finally start acting something like fall. SAN DIEGO, 5:20 p.m. Nov. 17 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Cravens jury to resume deliberations Tuesday; split reported: The jury in the Seth Cravens trial was sent home Monday afternoon and is expected to resume deliberations in the high-profile case Tuesday morning. SAN DIEGO, 5:06 p.m. Nov. 17 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Hazmat scare restricts parts of Kaiser Hospital: Kaiser Hospital's emergency room in Allied Gardens and an administrative building on Murphy Canyon Road had limited access Monday afternoon after more than two dozen people were exposed to an unknown white powder, authorities said. SAN DIEGO, 6:04 p.m. Nov. 17 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
City Heights canyon fire quickly doused: Firefighters, aided by a helicopter making water drops, quickly doused a fire in a City Heights canyon that briefly threatened several homes on the canyon ridge, authorities said. CHULA VISTA, 3:37 p.m. Nov. 17 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Gaylord pulls out of Chula Vista bayfront project: Gaylord Entertainment, the developer that Chula Vista hoped would finally turn around the city's bayfront with a $1 billion hotel and convention center, has pulled out of the project citing funding hurdles. SAN DIEGO, 3:15 p.m. Nov. 17 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Border Patrol agents arrest Mexican fugitive wanted in L.A. homicide: Border Patrol agents announced Monday that they apprehended a Mexican fugitive wanted in connection with a homicide in Los Angeles. SAN DIEGO, 2:10 p.m. Nov. 17 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
City's crime rate drops 8% overall, but murders, rapes up: The city's crime rate for the first nine months of this year dropped nearly 8 percent overall compared with the same time period last year, with a decrease in robberies, assaults, domestic violence and hate crimes, while the number of homicides, rapes and crimes attributed to gangs increased. SAN DIEGO, 12:49 p.m. Nov. 17 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Gas prices fall for 63rd straight day: The average price of a gallon of self-serve unleaded gasoline in San Diego County fell for the 63rd consecutive day Monday, declining 2.2 cents to $2.359, the lowest January 2006. SAN DIEGO, 10:44 a.m. Nov. 17 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Hang in there: Scorcher to end by mid-week: County residents will have to endure one more scorching day before the weather finally cools down noticeably. SAN DIEGO, 10:43 a.m. Nov. 17 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Then there were two: Quakes shake county just hours apart: Two small earthquakes struck in North County within hours of each other Monday morning, shaking parts of Riverside and San Diego counties. SAN DIEGO, 7:37 a.m. Nov. 17 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
4.1 quake hits North County: A 4.1 magnitude earthquake shook parts of Riverside and San Diego counties early Monday morning.
Nov. 17 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Push for public-works projects expected:Now that taxpayers have received rebates, banks have gotten bailouts and the auto industry is lobbying for help, unemployed construction workers are hoping Uncle Sam dusts off an old standby to boost jobs and the economy – public works.
Nov. 17 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
CSU eyes admission cuts at all campuses:High school seniors in San Diego County and elsewhere might soon have a tougher time getting into a California State University school for fall 2009.
Nov. 17 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Cracked basketball courts at Mission Bay Park trip up players:THE PROBLEM: Almost every summer weekend for nearly 20 years, Mike Williams and his friends would head to the basketball courts at south De Anza Cove in Mission Bay Park for an afternoon of pickup games and barbecue.
Nov. 17 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Photos: Muddy runners:
SAN DIEGO, Nov. 17 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Big, special crew takes up sailing for one day of fun: As soon as the wind filled the mainsail of Mama's Diamond, a smile filled the face of 16-year-old Clint Lyons.
Nov. 17 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
El Cajon is hot spot for nation:Where was the hottest spot in the nation yesterday? Palm Springs? Death Valley? No, it was El Cajon at 96 degrees.
Nov. 17 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Mission Beach man dies after fight with neighbor:MISSION BEACH: Police are investigating the death of a Mission Beach man who was involved in a fight with a neighbor early yesterday, , officials said.
Nov. 17 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Hearing into seals issue gets delay until February:LA JOLLA: A federal judge has postponed a hearing on the fate of the Children's Pool seals until Feb. 13, from Nov. 25, effectively giving the animals a few more months without the threat of being dispersed.
Nov. 17 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Road closures:
Nov. 17 (UNION-TRIBUNE)Drive-by shooting injures 3 teens in Logan Heights: SAN DIEGO: Police were looking for a green SUV, possibly a Jeep, that was involved in a shooting shortly after 8 last night that wounded three teens near a market in Logan Heights. Nov. 17 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Deputies investigating man's death outside store: VISTA: Sheriff's investigators are looking into the death of a shoplifting suspect who was being subdued by customers outside a liquor store in Vista. Nov. 17 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Two Lane Field projects strike out with state: SAN DIEGO: The California Coastal Commission has denied a coastal development permit for a project that includes two posh hotels on Lane Field, property that once was home to the Pacific Coast League San Diego Padres. Nov. 17 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Expansion is on horizon for Old Town state park: OLD TOWN: Old Town San Diego State Historic Park will grow, after the long-awaited completion of an agreement between two state departments to buy land. Nov. 17 (UNION-TRIBUNE)
Madonna show generates thousands for city coffers: SAN DIEGO: The Material Girl's fans spread some wealth in the city of San Diego. City officials say Madonna's Nov. 4 concert will contribute more than $200,000 to the city's general fund, although an exact amount will not be known until this week.
