Latest news with #ElizabethAlvarez
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Student pilot in SR-76 emergency plane landing sentenced to prison for drug trafficking
Above: Video of previous report on emergency plane landing by Elizabeth Alvarez. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — A student pilot forced to make an emergency landing on State Route 76 in Oceanside last year was sentenced to 30 months in prison for drug trafficking. Troy Othneil Smith, 36, of Oceanside, admitted to two counts of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, the United States Department of Justice said in a news release Wednesday. On Sept. 25, 2024, the private aircraft departed from Mesa, Ariz. around 11:08 p.m. and flew past Carlsbad around 1:28 a.m. the following morning, according to flight records. After making a U- U-turn over the Pacific Ocean toward the direction of Oceanside, the plane made an emergency landing on SR-76 around 1:39 a.m. Homeowners sue San Diego over proposed trash collection fee When authorities arrived on scene, they found the pilot, identified as Gabriel Breit, and Smith near the plane. An Oceanside police officer noticed Smith wearing a backpack and pacing near the plane, per the DOJ. The two men were detained as the rescue efforts turned into a criminal drug investigation. One count of Smith's charges is connected to the emergency landing, while the other is related to Smith's mailing of cocaine through the United States Postal Service in 2023. Smith also admitted to relevant conduct discovered during the course of the investigation of at least two other occasions wherein Smith mailed cocaine through the U.S. Postal Service, according to his plea agreement. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
New rideshare-style shuttle service launches in Vista: How to ride
VISTA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — The North County Transit District has expanded its on-demand ride service to include the city of Vista, offering residents a personalized transportation option similar to Uber or Lyft. The shuttle service, called NCTD+, officially launched on Monday in the greater Vista area. It was previously available only in the city of San Marcos. NCTD+ works like a rideshare service, allowing residents to request rides to a specific destination. Residents can use it as a convenient first and last mile connection while taking other forms of public transit, or as an affordable alternative to roam within community. The on-demand service is one of a handful launched across the county in the last few months, including one in City Heights and North Park and the city of El Cajon. They join the long-standing shuttle in downtown San Diego, Ride Circuit's Free Ride Everywhere Downtown (FRED). Community feedback needed on LOSSAN rail realignment plans Unlike some of these other options, however, the NCTD+ shuttle runs seven days a week. Rides can be requested in the app between the hours of 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the week and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Each ride costs $3 for the first passenger with an additional $1.50 charged for every extra rider on the same booking. For those just looking to get to and from Sprinter stations, the one-way fare is $1.50. Youth under the age of 18 are eligible to ride free. The price point, NCTD officials say, makes it an affordable option for large groups looking to take an alternative transit option. Rides can be requested from most places in the service zone, although some may need to walk a short distance to reach the closest pickup and drop-off spots. These spots are strategically placed near key areas, such as schools, the Boys and Girls Club, shopping centers and the library. NCTD officials note all rides must also start and end in the service zone. Interactive maps of the zones can be found on the transit district's website or in the NCTD+ mobile app. FOX 5/KUSI took a ride on the shuttle service Monday morning. The trip was smooth and professional with a friendly driver, Naomi. The vehicle is spacious with plenty of room for families or larger groups. For those looking to get started with NCTD+, the app is available for download in both the Apple App Store and Google Play. FOX 5/KUSI's Elizabeth Alvarez contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
SDUSD voting on plan to replace Native American school mascots
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The San Diego Unified School District's Board of Trustees will be voting on new guidelines Tuesday for renaming schools and mascots to comply with a new California law banning certain insignia based on Native American communities. The law, which was passed last year, prohibits the use of Native American mascots for K-12 schools starting in 2026. This law affects a handful of SDUSD schools, including Clairemont High School, whose mascot is the 'Chieftain.' Community meeting discussing San Diego Unified employee housing draws big crowd The potential change of this mascot has drawn mixed reactions from members of the campus community. 'It was about time, just because of the context and the history with the name 'Chieftain',' said one student at Clairemont High School, adding that she believes it would help make the indigenous members of the student body feel more welcome on campus. 'The Chieftains represent courage, they represent survival — everything about it is something positive that we would love for our kids to take into the community, to their career, to wherever they go,' said Lori Schmersal, a teacher at the school. The policy SDUSD's Board of Trustees will be voting on Tuesday will serve as a road map to align the district with the new law. District officials say this renaming process will include holding at least two district-level public hearings to receive community input. FOX 5/KUSI's Elizabeth Alvarez contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Yahoo
Oceanside-Irvine bus link returns to rail service as cliff work continues
OCEANSIDE, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — Another temporary pause to rail service through San Clemente began on Monday as crews continue emergency repairs to a cliffside that collapsed last year. Bus connections are being provided to travelers between the Oceanside and Irvine stops of the San Diego-Los Angeles (LOSSAN) corridor during the repair period. The repairs are focused on a cliff in San Clemente that crumbled due to a landslide, halting both the Pacific Surfliner and Metrolink services. Los Angeles to San Diego by train is about to get easier The landslide, which occurred in January 2024, was triggered by a major storm that caused boulders and debris to fall onto the tracks. Most travelers arriving at the Oceanside Amtrak station on Monday told FOX 5/KUSI they were informed of the service change a few days in advance and did not view it as a significant inconvenience. 'It was fine, it was very simple. They've got it down,' said one passenger, Daniel Grone. Repairs are expected to last six weeks, during which time bus connections will ensure continued travel between affected areas. FOX 5/KUSI's Elizabeth Alvarez contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
San Diego asking for public input as it finalizes new trash collection fees
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The city of San Diego is in the process of finalizing a new fee for waste collection services after more than a century of no-cost pick-up and residents will be able to give their input at a public forum Monday night. The proposed fee would start at about $42 to $53 per month for some 233,000 single-family homes, depending on the kinds of containers used. Should it be approved, homeowners can expect the fee to go into effect at the start of the next fiscal year on July 1. The fee structure, the Environmental Service Department estimates, would allow the city to save more than $60 million in savings from its general fund during its first year — something San Diego officials urgently need in order to close a $250 million budget deficit. It would also allow the city to offer free bin replacement and repairs, as well as other service enhancements. Dozens of San Diego streets could soon see speed limit changes 'I don't have a problem with it, it's a service,' one University City resident said of the trash fee. While some San Diego residents do not mind paying, others have expressed skepticism about the prospect of another fee given the city's already high cost of living. The proposed fee falls on the higher end of the cost range for waste collection services compared to other California cities, although it remains markedly cheaper than those in Northern California areas like Oakland and San Jose that charge over $160 per month. Public meetings will be taking place for residents to learn more about the fee and give their input on the services. The first will be held at 5:30 p.m. Monday in the Otay Mesa-Nestor Library, located at 3003 Coronado Ave. Additional meetings are scheduled for: March 3 – Rancho Peñasquitos Library, 13330 Salmon River Rd. March 10 – Pacific Highlands Ranch Library, 12911 Pacific Pl. March 17 – City Heights/Weingart Library, 3795 Fairmount Ave. March 24 – Balboa Park, Casa del Prado Room 101, 1650 El Prado March 25 – Linda Vista Library, 2160 Ulric St. April 1 – Skyline Hills Library, 7900 Paradise Valley Rd. April 4 – Virtual meeting April 7 – San Diego College of Continuing Education, 3249 Fordham St. April 8 – North University Community Library, 8820 Judicial Dr. A full calendar can be found on the city's Clean Green SD website. 'Since last summer, we have connected with nearly 10,000 San Diegans who shared with us what kind of waste collection services they would like to receive,' said Jeremy Bauer, ESD assistant director, said in a release. 'We now encourage folks to come back and join us during our third round of community engagement to better understand the new services proposed, how the fees would apply, the timing of next steps, and how to stay involved.' FOX 5/KUSI's Elizabeth Alvarez contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
