Casa Beach shows elevated bacteria levels
Swimming is not advised at South Casa Beach, directly north of Children’s Pool, due to bacterial levels that exceed state regulations.
At press time, the advisory had been last updated on Wednesday, Aug. 16 at 9:04 a.m.
For more information call the San Diego County Department of Health, (619) 338-2073, or visit www.co.san-diego.ca.us/deh and click on “Beach & Bay Water Quality” and then on “closures.”
Charges dismissed in Torrey Pines Rd. fatality
Charges have been dismissed against the man who ran over a body on Torrey Pines Road on April 21 due to uncertainty about whether the victim was already dead on the road.
Omega Temesgen, 23, was initially charged with running over and killing Robert Jefferson, and then fleeing the scene. It was unclear why Jefferson had been lying in the road and whether he was already dead when hit by Temesgen.
The San Diego Police Department believes that another vehicle ran over Jefferson before he was struck by Temesgen. Jefferson also did not incur the normal leg injuries inflicted on most pedestrians involved in vehicle accidents, indicating that he was lying down when struck.
Temesgen’s defense lawyer, Kerry Armstrong, argued that there is no law stating that it was Temesgen’s duty to return to the site of the collision to see what he had hit.
“I just think he didn’t know what he hit,” Armstrong said. “He definitely didn’t think it was a human being. You don’t expect to see someone lying in the middle of the road in dark clothing.”
Jefferson was believed to have been lying in the road with four to five times the normal amount of lithium in his blood, as well as marijuana and an anti-depressant medication. Jefferson worked in the area.
Shores Association appeals Eruv approval
The San Diego City Council will have the final word for the Eruv line proposed to weave through La Jolla and University City.The La Jolla Shores Association (LJSA) has appealed the city planning commission’s approval of the symbolic Jewish boundary. Council is expected to hear the appeal on Sept. 18.
The Shores Association objected to the boundary because “there are unresolved issues,” said Sherri Lightner, LJSA president.
Congregation Adat Yeshurun is requesting to install three, 20- to 30-foot poles in La Jolla in order to complete a symbolic Eruv boundary that would permit Orthodox Jews to carry items within the area on the Sabbath.
The poles will be connected at the top with fishing wire, while fences and canyons will connect the rest of the circuit to create a boundary. The Eruv line will transform the area into a private domain under Jewish law, allowing residents to carry items such as car keys, canes, strollers and groceries within the perimeters on the Sabbath.
Orthodox Jewish law prohibits carrying anything outside the private domain on the Sabbath.
La Jolla’s official advisory bodies split in their recommendations to the planning commission. The La Jolla Shores Advisory Board recommended approval, while the La Jolla Community Planning Association voted against the project.
Congregation Adat Yeshurun is located on La Jolla Scenic Drive North.
The boundary would cover parts of University City and La Jolla. Within La Jolla, the boundary line will extend from La Jolla Village Drive to the north, Interstate 5 to the east, La Jolla Parkway to the south and Torrey Pines Road to the west.
Volunteers needed for Kid’s Day
The WindanSea Surf Club needs some volunteers to help with its 20th annual “Kid’s Day at the Beach,” in which children from the downtown St. Vincent de Paul shelter are brought to La Jolla Shores for sun, fun and surf lessons.
This year’s event is Saturday, Aug. 19, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Founded by WindanSea Surf Club member Scot Cherry, the nonprofit surf day also includes a beach barbecue, and each child receives a goodie bag.
To volunteer, visit www.dayatthebeach.org. To donate, visit www.silvergatebank.com.
Homeless programs to close
Due to lack of resources and funds, St. Vincent de Paul Village Programs for the homeless will be closing down on Sept. 1.
Implications for downtown include the closing from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. of the Paul Mirabile Center that provides 350 beds for men and women on a 24-hour emergency shelter program.
Secondly, the Day Center at St. Vincent’s, which provides showers and other services, will close on Sept. 1.
According to a statement by Father Joe’s Villages, the Day Center serves “hundreds of homeless every day.”
St. Vincent’s has cut its budget severely in the past two years. However, according to the organization, it is planning a major drive in San Diego in September to help preserve its other programs, which they claim provide service to “2,000 neighbors each day.”
For more information, visit www.neighbor.org or call (800) Homeless.