Fight against ‘extreme exploitation’

High-ranking officials from the United States and Mexico opened a two-day conference on international human trafficking Thursday in San Diego. They said anyone is at risk of becoming a victim. Virginia Isaias, who was in the audience at the San Diego Sheraton on Harbor Island, nodded her head in agreement – because it happened to […]

April 13, 2017 at 4:47 AM PDT

Drug suspect tied to more than 20 killings

TIJUANA – The cartel lieutenant captured this week participated in one of the deadliest attacks in the state, the massacre last fall of 13 people at a drug rehabilitation center, a state prosecutor said Wednesday. In all, state authorities said Héctor Eduardo Guajardo Hernández, 33, known as El Güicho, is a suspect in 44 cases, […]

April 13, 2017 at 4:46 AM PDT

Students defied their reality to triumph

Ramirez, whose mother is still in Mexico, is one of three Reality Changers students who have received Gates Millenium Scholars awards, which will pay for their full education. Recipients who pursue masters and doctoral degrees may receive additional funding, which is given to deserving students who are underrepresented in higher education. San Diego High senior […]

April 13, 2017 at 4:45 AM PDT

Helping small businesses ‘is a personal thing’

San Diego's top small business official Ruben Garcia wonders what his life would have been like had his father gotten that loan he needed to expand his gas station business more than 50 years ago. Garcia, the U.S. Small Business Administration San Diego district director, shared his story about missed opportunity with a mostly Latino […]

April 13, 2017 at 4:45 AM PDT

Rival groups push own district plan

A proposal to create a second Latino-majority City Council District south of the Interstate 8 freeway faces competition from proposals to form a new district north of I-8. Supporters of these plans Monday in Linda Vista spoke before the San Diego Redistricting Commission, the citizens group charged with drawing a new council district in time […]

April 13, 2017 at 4:45 AM PDT

Their job was to collect ransom, police charge

Tijuana . – State authorities revealed a kidnapping ring that stretched from this city to a tiny community in southern Mexico, where three women allegedly collected thousands of dollars in ransom. The women were identified as sisters Minerva and Martha Villanueva Campusano, 32 and 22 years old, respectively, and Angélica María Campusano Rosales, 25. The […]

April 13, 2017 at 4:44 AM PDT

Tijuana soccer team heads for colossal final

Tijuana. – Futbol fever swept this region as soccer fans scrambled to buy tickets for the two-game final between the TijuanaXolos and Freseros from Irapuato. Fans waited in long lines Monday when tickets went on sale for the first game, to be held Wednesday afternoon at Caliente Stadium. The teams belong to Mexico's second tier […]

April 13, 2017 at 4:44 AM PDT

Despite plea for peace, man found hung to death

Tijuana.- A few hours after hundreds of residents demonstrated against violence in the country a man was found hung from a bridge Sunday night. The state Attorney General’s Office said Monday that the victim had not been identified although he was 20 to 25 years old, had dark features and was short in stature. His […]

April 13, 2017 at 4:44 AM PDT

Residents demand end to bloodshed

Tijuana.- "I don't want to grow up among bullets," "40,000 dead and counting" or simply "No more blood in Tijuana." The signs captured the anguish, anger and hope of an estimated 300 people who demonstrated Sunday at one of the city's main intersections, part of a nationwide march against violence. Noted writer and journalist Javier […]

April 13, 2017 at 4:43 AM PDT

Real beauty, fake Depp make for ‘Strange’ premiere

ANAHEIM – Friendly and accessible. Deceiving and arrogant. Co-stars Penélope Cruz and Johnny Depp painted a stark contrast as they appeared Saturday at the world premiere of "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides." Cruz greeted her fans as she walked along the marathon 2,700-foot black carpet and made it a point to speak to […]

April 13, 2017 at 4:43 AM PDT

Teen suspect detained with big arsenal

TIJUANA – The drug-trafficking problem ends the day weapons are no longer sold because criminals will no longer feel safe, said Gilberto Landeros, commander of the Second Military Zone. "Weapons revitalize criminal groups," he said, speaking at Morelos barracks after presenting for the media a young man allegedly associated with the Sinaloa drug cartel who […]

April 13, 2017 at 4:43 AM PDT

Additions to club give SD Boca needed kick

It was much needed. San Diego Boca FC was desperate for a win. The National Premier Soccer League team was in a funk riding a three-game losing streak. Something had to change to help rake in a win. And coach Eliseo "Papo" Santos' club did just that Friday night getting some relief with a 4-2 […]

April 13, 2017 at 4:43 AM PDT

Los Tigres del Norte to give free concert

TIJUANA – The norteña band Tigres del Norte will celebrate mothers from both sides of the border with a free concert at the city's bullring next Saturday, May 14. The municipal government announced details of the concert at the 48,000-square meter Plaza Monumental de Toros. Myriam Ruiz, Tijuana's public relations director, said that 80,000 tickets […]

April 13, 2017 at 4:42 AM PDT

Mexican fans to get their kicks in fantastic playoffs

The "Fantastic Four" are in the Mexican "liguilla" and they are on a path to meet in the semifinals of the 2011 Clausura Tournament. Club America, Chivas de Guadalajara, Cruz Azul and Pumas are in and there's a chance these teams could face each other. That would be a dream come true to Mexican soccer […]

April 13, 2017 at 4:42 AM PDT

SD Boca needs a win, big time

What appeared to be a promising start to the season has taken a turn in a different direction. San Diego Boca FC started the 2011 National Premier Soccer League season winning their first two matches, both at home. Coach Eliseo "Papo" Santos' team beat Real San Jose and FC Hasental in close matches. Both wins […]

April 13, 2017 at 4:42 AM PDT

State driving home a point: low-cost auto insurance

Looking for affordable car insurance? Something under $400 annually? Don't know where to go? California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones can help. That was the case Thursday at San Diego City College, where Jones helped staff a booth during a Cinco de Mayo celebration promoting the state's Low Cost Automobile Insurance Program. The program, which began […]

April 13, 2017 at 4:42 AM PDT

Group seeks second Latino district in SD

A Latino group is pushing for the creation of a second Latino-majority City Council District in San Diego. "The numbers demand a second Latino district," said Alberto Pulido, spokesman for the Latino Redistricting Committee. The group, about 40 strong, this week submitted a proposal to the city's Redistricting Commission to form a new district featuring […]

April 13, 2017 at 4:41 AM PDT

‘More’ honest Martin ready to cut loose

In 2007 when Ricky Martin last performed in San Diego he was searching for a balance between "Blanco y Negro" (Black or White). Now he's simply bringing "Mas" (More) to Sunday's concert, the ideal pretext to show off the big change in his life. He screamed, literally, to the world his sexual orientation, shedding whatever […]

April 13, 2017 at 4:41 AM PDT

Undocumented migrants facing greater perils

Tijuana.- Tougher policies imposed by the United States and Mexico have paradoxically made the journey north for undocumented immigrants even more perilous and created new opportunities for corrupt authorities and organized criminals. That's the conclusion of a new study released Tuesday by a leading Mexican research center, which called for a new law that effectively […]

April 13, 2017 at 4:40 AM PDT

Ensenada fire kills four children, one adult

Ensenada.- One adult and four children died in a fire that destroyed their small, impoverished house before dawn Tuesday, state authorities reported. The victims were burned beyond recognition. Based on interviews, authorities believe they were an elderly person and four children, the state Attorney General’s Office said. The fire was reported at 1:44 a.m. in […]

April 13, 2017 at 4:40 AM PDT