San Diego, CA

Chula Vista residents rally in support of embattled police chief

Published

4 months ago

February 25, 2026

Chula Vista residents rally in support of embattled police chief

Some Chula Vista residents lashed out on Tuesday against their city council members who they believe are trying to force their police chief into early retirement.

“I believe it’s politically motivated,” said Bill Turpin, who owns multiple properties in Chula Vista and calls Chief Roxana Kennedy a friend.

“She’s come up through the ranks,” said Turpin. “She’s a female police chief in one of the fastest-growing communities in the nation. She’s done an unbelievable job. There’s nothing she’s done wrong. She should be getting awards,” he added.

Turpin was one of more than a dozen people who planned to speak during the public comment period at Chula Vista City Council on Tuesday night. Also on the speaker list is Maricris Drouaillet, sister of Maya Milliete, a mother who vanished in 2021. Chula Vista Police eventually arrested Maya’s husband for murder. Drouaillet told NBC 7 she had praise for Chief Kennedy for her department’s handling of the case.

Before Tuesday’s city council meeting, several Kennedy-supporters rallied outside city hall, carrying signs and wearing hats that read, Kennedy should stay, and “keep politics out of policing”.

Supporters of Chief Kennedy are rallying outside Chula Vista City Hall, saying her job is on the line for purely political reasons, reports NBC 7’s Allison Ash.

Attorney for Chief Kennedy’s response

City councilmembers were expected to meet in closed session to discuss a letter from Cory Briggs who said he is representing Chief Kennedy. That letter says in part:

“I am writing to request that your agency and all of those under its control preserve in its current form any evidence regarding the allegations that the Chief has been subjected to improper discipline, retaliation, discrimination, and/ or a hostile work environment, including but not limited to adverse actions against her as a subterfuge for the desire of a majority of the City Council to force the Chief into an early retirement and replace her with a Latino.”

NBC 7 and Telemundo 20 were unable to get comments from city council regarding rumors that some members may be trying to force Kennedy out. Mayor John McCann responded to NBC 7’s request for an interview.

McCann said he believes politics is at play. When asked if Kennedy had done anything to warrant her removal he said, “I have not seen anything.”

He added that he hoped Tuesday night’s closed session meeting would help him “find out exactly what is the hullabaloo.”

City of Chula Vista’s response

The City of Chula Vista provided the following statement in response to the situation Tuesday night:

“The City of Chula Vista is deeply disappointed over the continued misrepresentation of the facts involving its relationship with Police Chief Roxana Kennedy. The City is proud of the advancements in policing that have been made during the Chief’s tenure. While the City is prohibited from sharing information on any individual personnel matter, we can unequivocally state the following facts:

The City Manager has never been pressured by any elected official to replace Chief Kennedy for political purposes. To state otherwise is entirely false.
Chief Kennedy requested and is currently out on approved personal leave. This was not a City-directed action.
The City of Chula Vista has not proactively discussed these matters in public. Reporting on this issue has consisted of untruths, rumors and innuendo generated by other parties, in an apparent effort to attract media attention, create a false narrative and combat factual information.

We will continue to govern our city with integrity and professionalism and adhere to all employment policies to foster a work environment that is respectful, inclusive, and free of discrimination or harassment.”

Chief Roxana Kennedy is on medical leave as her attorney alleges city leaders are trying to force her out following a holiday party, reports NBC 7’s Joe Little.

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San Diego, CA

Neymar expected to return from right calf injury and play for Brazil in World Cup against Scotland

Published

5 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Press Room

Neymar expected to return from right calf injury and play for Brazil in World Cup against Scotland

Neymar is expected to return from a right calf injury and play for Brazil in its final World Cup group match, coach Carlo Ancelotti said Friday night.

Neymar missed Brazil’s first two games of the tournament, including Friday’s 3-0 win over Haiti.

Ancelotti said Neymar would go through individual training on Saturday, train with the team on Monday and “will be available” for Brazil when it closes Group C play against Scotland on Wednesday in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Neymar is Brazil’s career scoring leader with 79 goals in 129 international appearances.

The 34-year-old midfielder has yet to practice in full sessions with the team since reporting to Brazil’s squad while nursing the calf injury.

Looking to play in his fourth World Cup, Neymar had tests on his calf last Monday to determine the progress of the injury that he sustained while playing for Brazilian club Santos on May 17.

There was widespread debate in Brazil over whether Neymar, whose first World Cup was on home soil in 2014, should have been called up for the tournament. He has struggled since returning from tearing the ACL in his left knee in October 2023 in a World Cup qualifier.

Neymar has four goals and two assists in eight matches for Santos this year.

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San Diego, CA

NASCAR San Diego weekend revs up at Naval Base Coronado

Published

16 hours ago

June 19, 2026

Press Room

NASCAR San Diego weekend revs up at Naval Base Coronado

CORONADO, Calif. (KGTV) – Everyone from NASCAR officials to the drivers to those who serve on Naval Base Coronado is beaming with excitement, waiting to kick the tires and light the fires this race weekend for NASCAR San Diego Weekend.

“Fans can expect one incredible time. History is being made this weekend,” Matt Humphrey, Sr. Director of Track Communications for NASCAR, said.

The racing track is up at Naval Base Coronado.

“It’s been amazing from seeing the bones of the track going up to driving the track, going to work in the morning. It’s incredible,” Seaman Naylei Fausto of the U.S. Navy said,

And now it’s time to race.

The NASCAR San Diego weekend is officially underway, with the first event held at an active military base.

“They’re going to be able to see a lot of what NASCAR is about with all the different fan displays, the kids’ zone, all the different activations from our partners around, but most importantly, they’re going to see the United States Navy showcased in the best form possible,” Humphrey said.

One of those sailors, Seaman Fausto, who is a lifelong NASCAR fan, never thought she’d see her station transformed into a NASCAR track, let alone any base.

“Joining the Navy, I thought I was going to be out taking pictures and doing Navy-related things, and now I get to work with NASCAR, which is just amazing and it’s fulfilling my inner child,” Fausto said.

Those behind the wheel say that, in their experience, there’s nothing like this event.

“It’s definitely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I think we’ve had some opportunities. We did the street course in Chicago for the last couple of years,” Cody Ware, NASCAR Driver, said. “But to show up here, getting the opportunity to race on an active military base just for the US Navy and NASCAR to be able to work together to put the show on is really incredible.”

There will be a Truck Series race starting at 4 p.m. on Thursday. On Saturday, that’s when the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts race will be happening. That begins at 2 p.m. This is the second tier of NASCAR races where drivers hone their skills, looking to get into the top level of the NASCAR circuit. Sunday is the main race with the NASCAR Cup Series happening at 1 p.m.

While it’s incredible to host NASCAR at the naval base, NASCAR officials hope people plan ahead to avoid the painful process of getting to the track.

“But if you do not have that government-issued photo ID or passport, you’ll be turned away. So very important that you bring that. But then bring your patients, come early,” Humphrey said. “If you think it’s going to take a half hour to get here, add an extra 30 to 40 to even 60 minutes on top of that; just to give yourself enough time to get over the bridge to make sure you get through the gates, get through security.”

Humphrey added that NASCAR is working together with local, state and federal agencies to make sure traffic is moving smoothly, and everyone is getting into the race and having fun.

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San Diego, CA

It’s NASCAR weekend in Coronado. Here’s what San Diegans need to know.

Published

1 day ago

June 19, 2026

Press Room

It’s NASCAR weekend in Coronado. Here’s what San Diegans need to know.

San Diego County will be the center of NASCAR nation this weekend, with fans flocking to Naval Base Coronado for three days of events.

This is the first-ever Cup race held in San Diego County and the NASCAR community is also presenting it as its way of celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy.

Tickets are completely sold out, but locals can still get in on the fun at various event and activities taking place across the region.

Here’s what to know about this one-of-a-kind weekend in San Diego. Full coverage of NASCAR San Diego Weekend can be found at sandiegouniontribune.com/tag/nascar.

What is NASCAR San Diego Weekend?

The three-day event begins with Friday’s Craftsman Truck Series race, continues with an O’Reilly Auto Parts series race on Saturday and wraps Sunday with the Anduril 250.

Grandstands with a capacity for 40,000 fans have been erected, with another 10,000 spectators expected to occupy standing areas around the grounds.

Here’s a turn-by-turn look at Naval Base Coronado’s race circuit

When is it taking place?

Parking lots, which are on base, open each day at 7 a.m. and gates open at 9 a.m.

The Craftsman Truck Series takes place Friday at 4 p.m. The O’Reilly Auto Parts series race blasts off at 2 p.m. Saturday. The main event, NASCAR Cup Series Race, happens Sunday at 1 p.m.

A race-by-race look at NASCAR’s San Diego Weekend

Each day will also feature entertainment, driver Q&As and other activities.

Where is it?

Naval Base Coronado will host the weekend’s activities. All fans in attendance must carry a valid government-issued photo ID at all times.

Going to this weekend’s NASCAR races in Coronado? Here’s what you need to know

All event parking will be located on Naval Base Coronado. There is no event parking available within the city of Coronado.

Who is racing?

Shane Van Gisbergen, Tyler Reddick, Mike McDowell, Chase Elliott and Ty Gibbs are just a few of the names to expect this weekend. A full lineup can be found at nascarsandiego.com/nascar-san-diego-mission-lineup.

These 13 Cup racers could all win Sunday’s Anduril 250 in Coronado

How to watch on TV:

Craftsman Trucks Series race: 4 p.m. Friday on Fox Sports 1

O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race: 2 p.m. Saturday on The CW

NASCAR Cup race: Sunday at 1 p.m. on Prime Video

Local events:

San Diegans have a range of options for getting in on the fun of NASCAR weekend in Coronado, including meet and greets with drivers, watch parties and fan zones.