San Diego, CA

County Supervisor Collecting Signatures In EPA Superfund Site Push

Published

1 year ago

October 15, 2024

County Supervisor Collecting Signatures In EPA Superfund Site Push

SAN DIEGO, CA — Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer is seeking petition signatures Tuesday from San Diego County residents impacted by the Tijuana River Valley crisis as she looks for support in getting an EPA Superfund site designation.

Following last week’s decision by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors to delay any formal decision on pursuing the Superfund designation for the Tijuana River, Lawson-Remer decided to act anyway.

“The Tijuana River sewage crisis affects all of our coastal neighborhoods,” she said. “We need to get to the bottom of what’s causing the stinky air and sickness among some residents; and seeking a Superfund designation would either give us answers not currently available to us.

“It’s my hope the results would come back negative, but if they don’t then we have a path to seek a solution the residents living up and down our coast deserve. Protecting our beaches, coastlines and public health is of great importance, and a Superfund is another tool at our disposal.”

On Oct. 9, the board voted 3-2 to wait on pursuing the Superfund distinction, a 1980 law which lets the EPA clean up contaminated areas — such as the infamous Love Canal in Niagara Falls, New York.

Some local leaders have joined Lawson-Remer’s push, including Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre; Marcus Bush, National City Council member; National City Mayor Ron Morrison; and Jack Shu, chairman of the San Diego Air Pollution Control District.

Lawson-Remer, who issued a board letter asking for the Superfund designation, voted no last week on the motion for further review, as did Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe.

Lawson-Remer said Superfund is designed to address toxic waste “and the Tijuana River Valley has endured 80 years of wastewater that includes many known toxic substances, making it a strong candidate (for designation).”

Over the past few years, concerns have grown about pollution in the Tijuana River Valley near the U.S.-Mexico border — including sewage spills, contaminated beaches and noxious odors. A broken wastewater treatment plant in Baja California is considered the main cause.

In a statement, supervisors board chair Nora Vargas said the county “cannot afford to delay” coordinated efforts between the U.S. Congressional delegation and local cities in connection with fixing wastewater treatment facilities.

During the meeting last Tuesday, Vargas said she wasn’t opposed to EPA involvement, but she said the process could take decades before any meaningful clean-up begins.

She added that Superfund doesn’t address the international pollution issue, which has resulted in cross-border cooperation.

“Let me be clear: We absolutely need federal action now,” Vargas said. “We cannot make decisions about the Tijuana River Valley without fully engaging communities and organizations on the frontlines of the crisis.”

Further, if the pollution source isn’t solved, “we won’t be able to change a thing,” Vargas said.
Supervisor Jim Desmond said he appreciated more time for the county on how to move forward.

In a statement after the vote, Montgomery Steppe said making the Tijuana River Valley a Superfund site would simply give the county “another tool to combat the decades-long environmental injustice.”

“I do not support the motion to delay the decision for another 90 days, but I look forward to exploring the additional options the county can take,” Montgomery Steppe said.

“Countless constituents inside and outside my district have shared their experiences about the severe impact of the Tijuana River Valley pollution issue, but feel their concerns are overlooked and dismissed,” she added. “I am deeply concerned about this. The people deserve better.”

— City News Service

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San Diego, CA

Here are the 9 San Diego County communities that set or tied heat records

Published

6 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Here are the 9 San Diego County communities that set or tied heat records

San Diego County is known for having wet, cold weather in February. But it had numerous hot spells this year. And when the month ended on Saturday a high pressure system produced heat that broke or tied temperature records in nine communities from the desert to the sea, the National Weather Service said.

The most notable temperature occurred in Borrego Springs, which reached 99, five degrees higher than the previous record for Feb. 28, set in 1986. The 99 reading is also the highest temperature ever recorded in Borrego in February.

Escondido reached 95, tying a record set in 1901.

El Cajon reached 92, three degrees higher than the record set in 2009.

Ramona topped out at 88, five degrees higher than the record set in 2009.

Alpine hit 88, four degrees higher the record set in 1986.

Campo reached 87, four degrees higher than the record set in 1999.

Vista hit 86, four degrees higher than the record set in 2020.

Chula Vista reached 84, one degree higher than the record set in 2020.

Lake Cuyamaca rose to 76, four degrees higher than the record set in 1986.

Forecasters say the weather is not likely to broadly produce new highs on Sunday. Cooler air is moving to the coast, and on Monday, San Diego’s high will only reach 67, a degree above normal.

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San Diego, CA

Francis Parker captures Open Division girls basketball title

Published

18 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Francis Parker captures Open Division girls basketball title

OCEANSIDE — The Frontwave Arena scoreboard showed 23 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Up 16, Francis Parker’s win over Westview High School for the CIF San Diego Section Open Division girls basketball championship was secure.

“No, no, no!” Parker head coach Courtney Clements screamed to freshman guard Jordan Brown, telling her there was no need to score.

So Brown walked the ball up the floor, from the backcourt, across midcourt, a 1,000-watt smile etched across her face.

With no Wolverines defending her, Brown dribbled from side to side across the logo. Then, a fraction of a moment before the final buzzer sounded, Brown flung the basketball high toward the rafters, then was engulfed by teammates.

The job was complete. Parker’s first Open Division title in program history was secure, the final reading 66-50 on Saturday night.

Of those final seconds, said Brown, who scored 23 points. “It was a surreal moment, knowing we worked for this all year long. It’s amazing.”

One reason it was amazing was because the top-seeded Lancers (21-7) were a decided favorite, but were stressed by the sixth-seeded Wolverines (20-9). Led by UC Santa Barbara-bound senior guard Sarah Heyn (18 points in the first half), Westview led 35-28 early in the third quarter.

“I just knew I had to do whatever it took to win,” said Brown. “Whether that was defense or offense. I just wanted to win, period.”

Sparked by its defense, Parker closed the quarter on a 14-0 run. Westview’s final 11 possessions of the quarter ended with five missed shots and six turnovers.

Still, the game wasn’t over. Heyn cut the deficit to 48-44 with just over six minutes to play on a bucket. But with 5:47 to play, Heyn was whistled for her fifth foul on a reach-in.

“Knowing their best player fouled out, we sealed the win,” said Brown.

As for Heyn, who finished with 23 points, she sat on the bench and pulled her jersey over her eyes, hiding tears.

Clements’ thoughts when Heyn fouled out? “I hope we can put this game away now.”

Francis Parker High’s Jordan Brown shoots against Westview High during the CIF Open Division championship at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. Francis Parker defeated Westview 66-50. (Kristian Carreon / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

That the Lancers did, outscoring Westview 18-6 down the stretch.

The Lancers’ players and coach were effusive in their praise for Heyn, a four-year starter.

“She’s a great player,” said Brown.

“She played phenomenally,” said Clements. “She played the way you would think a senior would play in a championship game. She played desperately. She played every possession like it was the last 20 seconds of the game. She was extremely impressive. (Heyn buried five 3s, missing only once from deep.) She should be proud of herself.”

Clements was proud of her team for another reason. After blowing out two-time reigning Open Division champion Mission Hills by 26 in the semis, some thought Parker might cruise in the title game.

“I figured it was going to be a fight, and it was,” said Clements. “It was good that our girls had to come together, had to stick together. That’s what this is all about, developing character via the sport of basketball. When the kids face adversity, they have to make a decision. Who do they want to be? They showed the best version of themselves. That’s what I want to remember from a game like this.”

Francis Parker’s primary color is brown, which is fitting for the girls basketball team. They are led not only by the freshman Jordan Brown, but also junior Brieana Brown, a strong, aggressive and athletic 5-foot-11 wing.

Brieana Brown scored 25 points and yanked down a team-best eight rebounds.

About the team in brown being led by the Browns (who are not related), Jordan Brown said: “It’s super cool. I love Bri and our story. So many people think we’re related, that we’re siblings. In reality, we’re not, but we play like it.”

Francis Parker High's Brieana Brown shoots against Westview during the CIF Open Division championship at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. Francis Parker defeated Westview 66-50. (Kristian Carreon / The San Diego Union-Tribune) — Francis Parker High’s Brieana Brown shoots against Westview during the CIF Open Division championship at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. Francis Parker defeated Westview 66-50. (Kristian Carreon / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Francis Parker and Westview both will advance to the Southern California Regionals.

Earlier in the season, Clements — who was dressed in all black for the championship game — confessed she wasn’t crazy about Parker’s primary color. Her mood shifted Saturday night.

“Brown’s doing well for me now,” she said.

Asked if Lancers’ Brown squared tandem represents the best one-two girls basketball punch in the San Diego Section, Clements gave the questioner a “What do you think?” smirk.

“That,” said the coach of the Open Division champions, “is a no-brainer.”

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