Couple charged in fire at orphanage

Tijuana – Nearly two years after a fire swept through an orphanage killing six children and one adult, the couple who directed it was arrested, accused by state authorities of causing the deaths. The two, Luis Eduardo García García, 39, and Xóchitl Zárate Medina, 33, were charged Thursday with the aggravated homicide of seven people, […]

‘Best thing is that nobody died’

Mario Enrique Contreras of Chula Vista would not change anything he did the day he helped take down a crazed gunman who opened fire at an elementary school in Carlsbad in October. "The best thing is that nobody died," Contreras said Thursday at a local heroes recognition luncheon in San Diego. "There's no trophy that […]

Angel’s Kiss

It does not get better than this: A heavenly dessert that’s affordable and easy to prepare. I hope you enjoy this treat that will make every meal a special one. Ingredients 1 – 16 oz. can of fruit cocktail 1/2 liter of liquid whipping cream 1 – 16 oz. package of mini- marshmallows Preparation In […]

Police reports can be filed in español

Only 20 people so far have used the San Diego Police Department's new online service for Spanish-speakers to report low-level crimes. Sgt. Ernesto Servin, who oversees the program, believes the number is low because many Latinos aren't aware of the service or lack a computer or computer skills. Some may be undocumented and wrongly fear […]

Metro Conference League started out strong

The high school soccer season is winding down for some South Bay teams, but the Mesa League schedule began Tuesday night. Below are scores from both Metro Conference league matches. METRO CONFERENCE SCORES Tuesday Jan. 18 Mesa League Boys [/p] Hilltop 3, Otay Ranch 1 Chula Vista 1, Bonita Vista 0 Eastlake 1, Mater Dei […]

Arrest of ‘big shot’ will spark reprisals

The arrest in Southern Mexico this week of a leader in the Zetas cartelwill likely be followed by violent reprisals, "which almost always occur after a big shot is captured," an expert warned. "The Zetas are the most sadistic, brutal cartel in Mexico. They're the ones who enjoy decapitating people, tossing them in vats of […]

SDSU to guarantee admission to college

San Diego State University has become harder to get into even for local students due to budget cuts and enrollment caps. But the university is making an exception for students from the college-prep program Reality Changers. SDSU is guaranteeing admission to the four-year university for Reality Changers students who have been with the after-school program […]

January’s death toll hits 30

Tijuana – Seven people were killed in the latest wave of violence in the region, among them two women, a teen-age boy and a worker with Mexico’s Department of Justice. The murders pushed the death toll in the city to at least 30 in the first 18 days of January. State authorities announced details of […]

CHP to target drivers using cell phones

San Diego County law enforcement officers will be on the lookout Tuesday through Thursday for people driving while talking on a phone without a hands-free device or reading, writing or sending a text message on a cell phone. A similar campaign in the county last year resulted in more than 1,000 citations for violating California's […]

Sockers beat their border rival Tijuana for second time

It is still considered a rivalry. They play each other enough times during the regular season to make it a competitive series. But there is one team leading the battle of the border. The San Diego Sockers beat the Tijuana Revolución for the second time this season with a 6-3 win Saturday at Estadio Furati […]

Cartels carve city into two parts

Tijuana – The city has been divided into two parts by two drug cartels, which besides unleashing their relentless violence have laid bare enduring social problems of the border. This fragmentation could worsen as other criminal groups arrive to take advantage of the weakened state of the organization that historically controlled Tijuana, experts warn. One […]

Preview of boys’ soccer season

OTAY RANCH Mascot: Mustangs Coach: Brian Lewis Key returners: Carlo Romero, Jr., F; Alvaro Lopez, Sr., M; Bryant Sanchez, Jr., D. Outlook: This was supposed to be a rebuilding season for the Mustangs. It doesn't appear to be. Coach Lewis said it appears the team has found a rhythm with a handful of young players, […]

Forget tune-ups, league play is here

HILLTOP Mascot: Lancers Coach: Rene Ortiz Key returners: Jessica Carrillo, Jr., F; Nicole Wolfe, Jr., M; Marisa Espino, Jr., M; Maxia Espino, Sr., M. Outlook: All eyes are on the Lancers. And they should be. Hilltop is the two-time league defending champion and once again is considered a powerhouse among South Bay teams. The Lancers […]

Chula Vista, police union reach accord

A labor dispute between the City of Chula Vista and its police officers association might soon be over though it's still unclear whether any officers will be laid off. The two sides struck a tentative agreement this week, which also extended a delay in implementing layoffs, according to statement issued Friday by the Chula Vista […]

Two groping attacks in two days

A second girl was sexually attacked this week while walking in Chula Vista, bringing the number of groping incidents to 10 since September, police said Friday. The latest incident involves a 16-year-old girl who was walking home from school about 2:50 p.m. Thursday on the 600 block of Fourth Avenue near I Street. Police said […]

Dropouts get chance to build new lives

Jose Sanchez, 21, fell a few classes short of graduating high school in 2007. Then things got worse. The Barrio Logan resident didn't return to school. He didn't do much of anything until he saw a flier for a second-chance program called YouthBuild. "I was being lame and not doing anything ‘til I came here […]

Poster for Latino film festival has British roots

The winner of the San Diego Latino Film Festival’s annual poster competition is Matt Bonner, a London-based graphic designer. Bonner was among a dozen finalists that included artists from Italy, Mexico, Croatia and Portugal. The selection committee for Media Arts Center San Diego, the festival’s organizer, reviewed more than 170 entries. The winner will receive […]

Groper attacks teen in Chula Vista

A 15-year-old girl was groped Wednesday while walking in Chula Vista by an assailant who ran off before she could get a good description, said Bernard Gonzalez, a spokesman for the Chula Vista Police Department. Police are investigating whether the assailant is responsible for seven other sexual attacks that have occurred during the past four […]

Next stop: Argentina

After transporting San Diegans for over 20 years and traveling more than two million miles, four trolley cars began a trip this week like no other. Cranes raised the cars and placed them on flatbed trucks that will transport them to Houston, Texas. Then they will be loaded on a ship bound for Buenos Aires, […]

Suspects in murder, smuggling arrested