Almost three months after a January storm and flash floods killed several people and displaced hundreds of San Diego-area residents, the state is offering one-time Disaster CalFresh benefits to help families recover.
To be eligible for disaster food benefits, people must have lived or worked in storm-impacted areas on Jan. 21, the day record rainfall swelled creeks and rivers, deluging neighborhoods. About 600 people sought emergency shelter.
California’s Department of Social Services said it will provide 30 days of food benefits to families who qualify. A family of four, for instance, could get $973 if they have a monthly income of up to $3,380.
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Eligible households also must have lost food or income or incurred such evacuation expenses as hotel or transportation charges.
But time is running out to apply. The application window that opened March 7 closes on March 15. Applicants can call the county’s social services office by calling 877-847-3663 (FOOD) or submit an online pre-registration application.
Top Photo: Gregory Montoya in his garage where he stores antique items that were severely damaged by recent floods in the Southcrest neighborhood of San Diego. March 8, 2024. (Photo by Adriana Heldiz, CalMatters)
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New board members of the Workforce Development Board, from left: Kurling Robinson, Ricky Shabazz, Veronica Dela Rosa, and Carol Kim.
New leadership announced for the Workforce Development Board
The San Diego Workforce Partnership has named a new slate of officers to its board of directors for the Workforce Development Board. They include chair of the board Kurling Robinson, vice chair Dr. Ricky Shabazz, treasurer Veronica Dela Rosa, and secretary Carol Kim.
Ricky Shabazz is president of San Diego City College. Veronica Dela Rosa is executive vice president of operations, San Ysidro Health. Carol Kim is CEO of the San Diego County Building & Construction Trades.
The new Board Chair, Kurling Robinson, is a visionary entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in software development and startups. His diverse career spans arts, automotive, technology, and energy sectors, including tenures at companies like Getty, Toyota, NetZero, and IFS.
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Superior Court Judge Keri G. Katz retires
Judge Keri G. Katz
San Diego Superior Court Judge Keri G. Katz announced her retirement on March 8 after nearly 40 years of civil service to the community. Katz, who began her legal career in 1986 as a deputy city attorney with the San Diego City Attorney’s Office, handled the defense and prosecution of civil lawsuits until 2007.
While serving as deputy city attorney, she was promoted to several leadership positions, including head deputy city attorney of the city’s public works division and assistant city attorney in charge of the city’s civil division. Katz also served as the mayor and San Diego City Council’s chief legal adviser, providing legal guidance and support.
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Katz was appointed as a Superior Court judge by former Gov. Jerry Brown in February 2014.
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California launches first-of-its-kind
council to create thousands of more jobs
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the creation of the California Jobs First Council and operational plan focused on streamlining the state’s economic and workforce development programs to create more jobs, faster. The Council and operational plan will guide the state’s investments in economic and workforce development to create more family-supporting jobs and prioritize industry sectors for future growth.
The Council will coordinate the development of a statewide industrial strategy that includes a statewide economic snapshot and identification of priority sectors, a statewide projects portfolio, a business expansion, attraction, and retention strategy, and a workforce development strategy. The California Jobs First Council will also support the regional Jobs First Collaboratives to expand industry and create jobs locally.
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This new cathode material for lithium-sulfur materials is structurally healable and highly conductive. (Photo by David Baillot/UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering)
Healable cathode could unlock potential
solid-state lithium-sulfer batteries
By Liezel Labios | UC San Diego
Researchers have moved one step closer to making solid-state batteries from lithium and sulfur a practical reality. A team led by engineers at the University of California San Diego developed a new cathode material for solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries that is electrically conductive and structurally healable—features that overcome the limitations of these batteries’ current cathodes.
The work was published in the journal Nature on March 6.
Solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries are a type of rechargeable battery consisting of a solid electrolyte, an anode made of lithium metal and a cathode made of sulfur. These batteries hold promise as a superior alternative to current lithium-ion batteries as they offer increased energy density and lower costs.
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Frontwave Arena opening to feature Simone Biles
North County’s new multi-purpose sports and entertainment arena will kick off its Sept. 17 opening day with a show starring the most decorated American gymnast in history. Frontwave Arena will be the first stop along the Gold Over America Tour, which will feature two-time Olympian and seven-time Olympic medalist Simone Biles. The tour will travel to more than 30 arenas nationwide and feature a family-friendly show that celebrates American gymnastics and showcases the athletic talent of Biles and a select squad of team members.
Enhanced Landscape Management acquires Holmes Landscape Company
Enhanced Landscape Management (ELM), a subsidiary of Landscape Development Inc. (LDI) has completed the purchase of Holmes Landscape Company (HLC), which was founded by Larry Holmes in 1974. Larry Holmes will remain with the company through the integration process and HLC Vice President Lee Frank will continue to oversee the local operations as part of the ELM management team.
Kyra Seay named a vice president of California Coast Credit Union
California Coast Credit Union, the longest serving financial institution based in San Diego, with over $3.5 billion in assets, has named Kyra Seay as vice president of community relations and business development. Seay will oversee community relations and business development, and participate in enterprise-wide strategic planning within the organization. She will join the board of the Cal Coast Cares Foundation, a nonprofit started by the credit union in 2015 that provides student scholarships and educator grants.
Rady Children’s Field officially opened
The San Diego Seals lacrosse team and the Ryan Family YMCA in Point Loma held a ribbon cutting marking the official opening of Rady Children’s Field on Feb. 22 at 4425 Valeta St. Rady Children’s Field is a collaboration between the Seals, Rady Children’s, and the YMCA to create a new practice field for the Seals and a new asset for the community. It is located adjacent to Bill Cleator Park, directly below the Ryan Family YMCA
Navy SEAL Museum San Diego to locate Downtown
The Navy SEAL Museum San Diego has signed a lease at 1001 Kettner Blvd. in Downtown San Diego to build a museum to honor the history and heritage of the U.S. Navy SEALs. This location was formerly utilized by the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. Scheduled to open in late 2024, the 10,000-square-foot NSMSD will be within walking distance of the San Diego bayfront and serve as the preview of a larger, world-class museum to be built in the coming years.
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Council approves $1 million Marston House restoration project
The San Diego City Council recently approved the Marston House $1 million exterior restoration project. The funding, provided by the state, is part of a $68.5 million grant for 19 different projects citywide. The Marston House hasn’t undergone regular and necessary maintenance since the 1990s, with the 2017 roof replacement being the last major repair. Save Our Heritage Organisation, has requested with increasing urgency that its restoration be addressed.
New Children’s Museum premiers Octavia E. Butler exhibit
The New Children’s Museum of San Diego is premiering “Octavia E. Butler: Seeding Futures,” the first-ever exhibit for youth and multi-generational audiences focused on the life and work of American science fiction writer Octavia E. Butler (1947-2006). Visitors will explore a large-scale installation inspired by Butler’s childhood influences, experiences growing up in Southern California, and features murals by collaborating artist Mithsuca Berry.
SeaWorld San Diego to bring back Seven Seas Food Festival
SeaWorld San Diego’s popular Seven Seas Food Festival returns in 2024 with an array of all-new flavors for guests to sip and savor. The event runs on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, now through April 28. Guests will taste flavors from around the world while strolling between award-winning attractions and animal presentations. With over 100 food and drink options inspired by global cuisine, food enthusiasts and families will discover a gastronomic journey at food locations scattered throughout the park.
Bench International enters into alliance with Ashton Tweed
Bench International, a leading global executive search firm, announces a “first of its kind” strategic alliance with Ashton Tweed, the East Coast-based life sciences leader in interim talent placement and retained search. This strategic alliance is a unique symbiotic relationship that brings additional resources and service offerings to each company’s client base. Bench International is a woman-founded executive search firm with a 49-year history serving the Life Science and Healthcare sectors.
Valley Farm Market and The Cottage coming to Del Mar Plaza
The Del Mar Plaza will be home to two new tenants in the coming year as Valley Farm Market and La Jolla-based brunch spot The Cottage prepare to move into the storefront space on Camino Del Mar. Both businesses plan to open on the ground floor of the plaza sometime in 2024: Valley Farm in the former storefront of Banana Republic and The Cottage in the former space of Chinese restaurant Del Mar Rendezvous.
36.9 — The percentage of groundballs that Márquez yielded in 2025, a career low and significantly below his career average (48%). Márquez’s groundball rate was regularly above 50% before requiring Tommy John surgery in early 2023. He made one start in 2024 and struggled mightily while making 26 starts last year.
TRENDING
Down — Márquez had a 4.40 ERA through his first seven years in the majors, not bad considering he pitched roughly half his games at one of the best hitting environments in the majors. In fact, Márquez has a 5.17 ERA in his career at Coors Field and a 4.22 ERA in road environments. But Márquez underwent Tommy John surgery early in 2023, made one start in the majors in mid-July in 2024 (4 IP, 3 ER) and struggled throughout his first full year back in the Rockies rotation. The season was so difficult for Márquez that he was actually worse on the road (7.32 ERA) than he was in 11 starts at Coors Field (5.98 ERA). His strikeout rate (5.9 per nine innings) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (1.73) were the worst of his careers, as was his walk rate (3.4 per nine innings), while his hit rate (12.0 per nine innings) was the second worst of his career. On top of that, Márquez’s groundball rate was also the lowest of his career (see stat to note) and ranked in the bottom 22nd percentile of the league and his hard-hit rate (48.5%) and average exit velocity (91.7 mph) both ranked in the bottom 2 percentile of the league. One reason: a 94.8 mph four-seamer is down a few ticks than the height of his effectiveness. Márquez reached free agency after the season and signed with the Padres in February.
2026 OUTLOOK
Márquez has a big-league deal with the Padres, but he’ll have to rediscover his pre-elbow-reconstruction form to hold onto a roster spot, as RHP Griffin Canning (Achilles) is expected to push for a spot at some point this season and the likes of LHP JP Sears, RHP Matt Waldron and minor league signees like Marco Gonzales could warrant looks if Márquez’s struggles continue into 2026.
German Marquez #33 of the San Diego Padres participates in drills during spring training workouts at the Peoria Sports Complex on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026 in Peoria, Ariz.(Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
In today’s Daily Dirt, I mentioned that the search at San Diego was done. Here’s the official announcement from USD on the hiring of JR Blount as their next head men’s basketball coach:
University of San Diego Athletics has named JR Blount the 15th head coach in San Diego men’s basketball program history, USD Associate Vice President and Executive Director of Athletics Kimya Massey announced on Monday.
Blount arrives in San Diego with a reputation as one of college basketball’s rising coaching talents after helping lead Iowa State to four NCAA Tournament appearances in four seasons.
He joins the Toreros after five seasons on T.J. Otzelberger’s staff at Iowa State, where the Cyclones compiled a 95-45 record during his tenure, won the 2024 Big 12 Tournament Championship and reached the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 in 2022 and 2024 — one of the most successful stretches in program history. Iowa State finished in the AP Top 15 in each of those four seasons and climbed as high as No. 2 nationally in each of the last two years. During the 2025-26 season, the Cyclones opened with a 16-0 start, highlighted by victories over No. 1 Purdue, No. 2 Houston, No. 9 Kansas and No. 14 St. John’s.
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“After a thorough and highly competitive national search, we are proud to welcome JR Blount as the next head coach of USD men’s basketball,” said Massey. “JR is an outstanding leader, a relentless competitor and one of the brightest rising coaches in college basketball. Even more importantly, throughout this process I came to know him as a humble leader with strong integrity and deep family values. JR has been a part of winning at every level of his career and understands what it takes to build a program that competes with toughness, discipline and consistency. Just as importantly, he believes in developing young men holistically and leading in a way that reflects the values of this university.
“This is a pivotal moment for our program and JR’s vision aligns with our belief that San Diego men’s basketball should compete in the upper tier of the WCC and position itself to be a regular NCAA Tournament participant. We are excited about what lies ahead under his leadership.”
“As a product of Catholic education and deeply committed to USD’s mission and values, Coach Blount is an outstanding role model for the young men in our Torero basketball program,” said USD President James T. Harris III. “He brings an impressive resume with deep experience, a winning track record and — above all — a commitment to the overall wellbeing of our student-athletes.”
“I’m incredibly honored and grateful for the opportunity to lead USD men’s basketball,” Blount said. “We are so thankful to Athletic Director Kimya Massey and President Harris for this opportunity. This is more than just a coaching position for me — it’s a chance to become part of a community and build something meaningful. My wife and our three daughters are excited to make this move together and we can’t wait to invest in this university and the relationships that make it special.
I come to USD with a deep desire to win — to compete relentlessly, to develop our young men to their fullest potential and to build a program our fans can be proud of. Winning championships is important, but so is building a culture of toughness, accountability and love. We’re going to work every day to represent USD the right way, on and off the court. I’m ready to get started.”
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Blount played a key role in Iowa State’s rise under Otzelberger, helping orchestrate one of the most significant program turnarounds in recent Division I history. In his first season with the Cyclones in 2021-22, Iowa State rebounded from a two-win campaign the year before to finish 22-13 and advance to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. The Cyclones quickly established a national reputation for defensive toughness, ranking among the nation’s best in scoring defense, defensive efficiency, steals and turnovers forced.
Over the next three seasons, Blount helped Iowa State sustain that momentum. In 2022-23, the Cyclones advanced to the NCAA Tournament and recorded nine wins over AP Top 25 opponents, tied for the most in school history. In 2023-24, Iowa State won the Big 12 Championship, finished 29-8, posted an undefeated 18-0 record at Hilton Coliseum and advanced to the Sweet 16. Most recently, the 2024-25 Cyclones finished 25-10, climbed as high as No. 2 in the Associated Press poll, earned another NCAA Tournament appearance and closed the season ranked No. 17 nationally.
Known for his work in player development, recruiting and culture-building, Blount has mentored multiple all-conference and All-America caliber players throughout his coaching career. At Iowa State, he developed some of the Big 12’s top performers while contributing to a program identity rooted in toughness, connectivity and competitive excellence.
Prior to Iowa State, Blount spent three seasons at Colorado State, where he helped elevate the Rams into one of the Mountain West’s top programs. During his tenure in Fort Collins, Colorado State signed the highest-rated recruiting class in program history and posted consecutive 20-win seasons, including a 20-8 finish and a run to the NIT semifinals in 2020-21. He also played a leadership role in Colorado State’s Together Initiative, which promoted social justice and racial equality on campus.
Blount also previously served in coaching roles at Drake and Saint Leo and began his collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant at Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where the program won the 2010 NCAA Division III National Championship.
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A former three-year team captain and two-time team MVP at Loyola University Chicago, Blount later played professionally for the Leicester Riders of the British Basketball League during the 2010-11 season. He earned degrees in psychology and sociology from Loyola in 2009 and later received his master’s degree in education from UW-Stevens Point in 2012.
A native of Milwaukee, Blount and his wife, Ashley, have three daughters: Maya, Zuri and Gema.
UNIVERSITY CITY (KGTV) — San Diego police are investigating the death of an 81-year-old woman who was found unresponsive in her apartment in the 6300 block of Genesee Avenue.
Officers and San Diego Fire-Rescue personnel responded to a 9-1-1 call at about 11:56 p.m. on March 6.
First responders found the woman in her bedroom, unresponsive and “positioned awkwardly on a bed.” Despite immediate life-saving efforts, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Detectives from the San Diego Police Department’s Homicide Unit were called to the scene due to “unusual circumstances,” police said. The cause and manner of death remain undetermined.
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Investigators are working with the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office to determine what happened.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
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