Police release man arrested after neighbor’s death Police investigators have released a man arrested following the Nov. 16 death of his Mission Beach neighbor pending further investigation, according to Lt. Kevin Rooney with the San Diego Police Department’s Homicide Division. Paramedics and officers were called to Christopher Ross Connor’s home in the 3600 block of Bayside Lane after his roommate arrived home and found him unresponsive. According to Rooney, Connor’s roommate called a neighbor earlier in the night, Brandon Callanan, 29, and asked Callanan to check in on Connor, 21. The original statement released by the police said that Callanan and Connor became involved in a fight, ending with Connor becoming unresponsive and Callanan leaving the house. Rooney said the roommate returned home around midnight and called paramedics. Paramedics attempted lifesaving measures but pronounced Connor dead at 12:28 a.m. Callanan returned to the Bayside Lane home approximately an hour later and was arrested and transported to the county jail. Rooney said Callanan was later released pending additional investigation. He said the cause of death is listed as undetermined while investigators wait for the results of toxicology and other tests. Parolee with five DUIs gets 12 to life for fatality Un automovilista ebrio que estaba en libertad condicional por su quinta condena por conducir ebrio fue sentenciado el 12 de noviembre a 15 años de cadena perpetua por la muerte de una abuela cuya familia conducía a Sunset Cliffs en la carretera interestatal 8 para ver la puesta de sol. John Joseph Taskey, de 47 años, no dijo nada antes de que el juez del Tribunal Superior de San Diego, David Danielsen, le otorgara la pena máxima por asesinato en segundo grado por la muerte de Rosa Degerman, de 76 años, el 13 de septiembre de 2007. El fiscal de distrito adjunto David Grapilon dijo que Taskey fue condenado cuatro veces por conducir ebrio y había recibido libertad condicional por cada caso antes de ser sentenciado a prisión por su quinta condena en 2006. Su nivel de alcohol en la sangre era de 0.10 por ciento la noche del 13 de septiembre cuando fue arrestado cerca de las salidas de Sunset Cliffs Boulevard y West Impulsión de la bahía de la misión. El límite legal para el delito grave de conducción en estado de ebriedad es del 0,08 por ciento. “Dudo que el Sr. Taskey pueda entender el dolor que nos ha costado. Nada puede reemplazarla”, dijo Gregoria Vigil, la hija de Degerman. “Espero que su sentencia sea lo más larga posible para que otras familias (no tengan que sufrir pérdidas)”. Danielsen le dio crédito a Taskey por ya cumplir 426 días en la cárcel desde su arresto. Grapilon dijo que Taskey, de La Mesa, fue condenado previamente por tres delitos graves y dos delitos menores por conducir ebrio. Taskey se declaró culpable el 14 de octubre del asesinato en segundo grado más reciente. A cambio, se desestimaron los cargos de homicidio vehicular grave en estado de ebriedad y dos cargos de conducir ebrio con lesiones. Degerman viajaba con su hijo en un Ford Focus alrededor de las 6:30 pm la noche del accidente. El hijo adulto de Taskey recibió una conmoción cerebral leve y la nieta de 11 años de Degerman sufrió una fractura de hombro. Taskey también resultó herido. PBTC seeks nominations for best decorated house Does your front lawn look like a winter wonderland? The Pacific Beach Town Council (PBTC) is looking for nominations for the best decorated homes for the holidays with prizes awarded for the top three decorated homes. Nominations can be sent to the PBTC office by mail, fax or email. Include name, address and telephone number. The PBTC office is located at 1706 Garnet Ave., phone (858) 483-6666, fax (858) 272-7782. The deadline for nominations is Monday, Dec. 15. The winner will be announced in the Tuesday, Dec. 22 edition of the Beach & Bay Press. Santa scheduled to stop at the Hilton for tree lighting Santa Claus is making an early stop at Mission Bay to light the 35-foot-tall tree at the Hilton San Diego Resort Sunday, Nov. 30, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The tree lighting is co-sponsored by Vons and Easter Seals Southern California and organized to raise awareness to people living with disabilities. Following the tree lighting, Santa and his wife, along with some of their elves, will join the guests for cookies and warm cups of hot chocolate and cider while carolers and dancers entertain the crowd. The event is free to the public but reservations are required. Call (800) 511-3737 ext. 85 for reservations or information. The Hilton is located at 1775 East Mission Bay Drive. Sandbags available for areas prone to flooding With weather forecasters warning of an approaching storm, the city announced that sandbags are available to residents and businesses located in areas prone to flooding. Sandbags can be picked at Fire Station 21, 750 Grand Ave., and any lifeguard stations in Pacific Beach, Mission Beach and Ocean Beach. City officials said beach sand can be used to fill the bags. There is a limit of 10 bags per household. Armed men hold up Mission Bay hotel Two men armed with handguns attempted to rob the Inn at Mission Bay Friday, Nov. 21, at 11:51 p.m. The suspects ordered the manager to open the safe, and when she couldn’t, they took her personal cash and car keys before fleeing.