Northrop Grumman Corporation completed assembly of a full-size uncrewed underwater vehicle (UUV) prototype known as Manta Ray. A new class of UUV, it is an extra-large glider that will operate long-duration, long-range and payload-capable undersea missions without need for on-site human logistics.
Manta Ray was built through a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) program aimed at advancing key technologies to benefit future UUV designs, including techniques to manage energy, increased payload capacity, low-power propulsion and more.
DARPA has awarded Phase 2 contracts to continue the Manta Ray program that began in 2020. The effort seeks to demonstrate innovative technologies allowing payload-capable autonomous unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) to operate on long-duration, long-range missions in ocean environments. The two prime contractors, Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation and Martin Defense Group, are each developing unique full-scale demonstration vehicles.
For more on the Manta Ray, click here
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Photo: A full-size prototype of Manta Ray, a new class of uncrewed underwater vehicle, is assembled in Northrop Grumman’s Annapolis facility. (Photo Credit: Northrop Grumman)
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An encampment covers a sidewalk near a freeway entrance in downtown San Diego on March 22, 2024. (Photo by Kristian Carreon for CalMatters)
Democrats kill California homeless camp ban, again
By Marisa Kendall | CalMatters
For the second year in a row, Democrats on Tuesday voted down a bill that sought to ban homeless encampments near schools, transit stops and other areas throughout California.
Despite the fact that cities up and down the state are grappling with a proliferation of homeless camps, legislators said they oppose penalizing down-and-out residents who sleep on public property.
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“Just because individuals that are unhoused make people uncomfortable does not mean that it should be criminalized. And this bill does that,” said Sen. Aisha Wahab, a Democrat from Fremont and chairperson of the Senate Public Safety Committee. “The penalties will just be added to their already difficult situation of paying for things.”
Senate Bill 1011stumbled in its first committee hearing, stalling in the Public Safety Committee on a 1-3 vote. The measure by Senate GOP leader Brian Jones and Democratic Sen. Catherine Blakespear, both of the San Diego area, would have made camping within 500 feet of a school, open space or major transit stop a misdemeanor or infraction. It also would have banned camping on public sidewalks if beds were available in local homeless shelters.
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San Diego’s OAN settles with Smartmatic
in $2 billion suit over 2020 election lies
By Ken Stone | Times of San Diego
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Smartmatic has settled a lawsuit accusing San Diego-based One America News of defamation by falsely claiming that the voting technology company rigged the 2020 presidential election to help Joe Biden beat Donald Trump.
It’s the third settlement involving the right-wing network whose reach has dwindled in recent years. A lawsuit by Dominion Voting Systems against OAN is still pending.
Terms of the latest settlement are confidential, Smartmatic’s lawyer Erik Connolly said, but the company voluntarily dismissed its lawsuit filed in 2021 in Washington, D.C.
Smartmatic had estimated that OAN’s false claims wiped out much of its business value, reducing it to less than $1 billion from more than $3 billion.
Lawyers for OAN did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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The lawsuit was one of several accusing right-wing or conservative-leaning media of spreading lies about the election to drum up viewership, and boost advertising revenue.
Smartmatic still has lawsuits pending against Fox News and Newsmax over their election coverage. It is seeking $2.7 billion in the Fox lawsuit.
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All Peoples Church sues San Diego
over rejection of Del Cerro project
By Jessica Mills | sdnews.com
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All Peoples Church filed a complaint against the City of San Diego on March 25 alleging that the city council’s rejection of the church’s large-scale project for a new 900-seat sanctuary on a vacant, 6-acre lot in Del Cerro violates federal protections provided to churches by the Religious Land Use And Institutionalized Persons Act. The suit further claims that the city is in violation of the church’s free speech and assembly and the free exercise of religious rights outlined in the First Amendment.
All Peoples Church purchased the property, located near the College Avenue off-ramp, in 2017. In addition to the 900-seat sanctuary, the church group sought to construct a building with “staff offices, Sunday School classrooms and a multi-purpose room.” The latter of which is intended to serve as a youth room, fellowship hall and a basketball court, according to the lawsuit.
Anaheim City Council approves $2 billion Disneyland plan
A proposal that would bring nearly $ 2 billion in new rides, attractions, restaurants and shops to Disneyland was the subject of an hours-long and contentious city council meeting in Anaheim that started Tuesday night and lasted into the wee hours of Wednesday morning. In the end, the plan was approved in a 7-0 vote, the city said. A second council vote is required in May for the plan to get final approval.
Residents packed the meeting where council members were to officially decide the fate of the proposal that would add $1.9 billion in advancements to the park and the surrounding area.
Anaheim says 84 members of the public spoke at the session, with 57 in favor, 24 opposed and three who didn’t have a strong opinion either way.
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While many support the idea due the the influx of additional money to Anaheim, plenty of residents have loudly voiced their opposition in recent months.
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La Jolla Concourse d’Elegance
April 19 VIP Party sets stage for April 21
La Jolla Concourse d’Elegance automotive showcase
Set atop the seaside cliffs at Ellen Browning Scripps Park, the La Jolla Concourse d’Elegance VIP Party will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. on April 19, marking the beginning of a weekend dedicated to world-class automotive excellence.
The Friday VIP Party leads into a weekend packed with exciting events and displays, all culminating in the prestigious showcase of timeless automotive artistry, the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance 2024 on Sunday, April 21.
Recognized globally as one of the finest classic automobile showcases in the United States, the La Jolla Concours consistently draws discerning car enthusiasts from around the world. This year’s La Jolla Concours theme, celebrating the Roaring 20s and the Glamorous 30s, promises to infuse the event with a sense of yesteryear nostalgia and timeless elegance.
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Whether seasoned car enthusiasts or those seeking an evening of indulgence, the Friday VIP Party promises to be an immersive experience not to be missed. Tickets are now available to purchase on the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance website for $300 per person.
For more information about the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance, visit www.lajollaconcours.com
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Dining Out For Life San Diego returns on April 25
The San Diego LGBT Community Center announce the return of Dining Out For Life San Diego on Thursday, April 25, 2024. This annual culinary event brings together food enthusiasts, community members, and local restaurants in support of vital HIV and AIDS services and prevention programs across San Diego County. The Center invites the community to dine out at participating locations. A minimum of 25 percent of sales, and at some sites, up to 100 percent, is donated to HIV services across the county.
North Island Credit Union opens new branch in Escondido
North Island Credit Union recently celebrated the official grand opening of its new full-service retail branch in Escondido located at 1230 Auto Park Way in the Escondido Promenade Shopping Center. Local city, business and community leaders opened the new branch with a ribbon-cutting ceremony along with special member raffles, prizes and give aways. The Escondido branch features a 1,700-square-foot Community Room for local organizations to hold their events and meetings at no charge.
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Pilot Energy acquires Worthington Energy Consultants
Pilot Energy, a provider of energy procurement advisory services, announced its acquisition of Worthington Energy Consultants, an energy consulting group headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Together, Pilot and Worthington serve customers across deregulated markets, with significant expertise in CAISO and PJM. Pilot and Worthington each boast decades of industry experience and expertise. Pilot Energy is backed by Boyne Capital Partners.
ideaForge introduces border protection solutions for the U.S. market
ideaForge Technology Inc. (a subsidiary of ideaForge Technology Limited), a leading global drone technology and manufacturing company, announced the launch of new innovative solutions designed to bolster its presence in the U.S. market. These innovative solutions for Border Protection and Public Safety represent the brand’s commitment to addressing pivotal challenges encountered by border patrol agencies and law enforcement bodies through innovation.
Sony Electronics announces a wide-angle zoom lens
Sony Electronics announced a large-aperture wide-angle zoom lens compatible with Sony’s Alpha E-mount cameras. This latest addition delivers sharp imagery from 16 mm through 25 mm while maintaining a maximum aperture of F2.8 over the entire zoom range. The FE 16-25mm F2.8 G is the smallest and lightest constant F2.8 zoom lens that Sony has produced to date. The compact design is a signature feature of Sony’s G lens series and makes it a highly portable lens option. It will retail for $1,99.99 at authorized Sony dealers.
GreenPower to showcase its all-electric commercial vehicles
GreenPower Motor Company Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of all-electric, zero-emission vehicles serving the cargo and delivery market, shuttle and transit space and school bus sector, will participate in the San Diego Gas & Electric Electric Vehicle Fleet Day on April 19, at SDG&E Century Park campus in San Diego. It will showcase its product line of all-electric, purpose-buil commercial vehicles asnd school buses.
Drata announces Tony Hawk as Drataverse keynote speaker
Drata, the leading continuous security and compliance automation platform, announced that skateboarding phenomenon and entrepreneur Tony Hawk will deliver the keynote session at the company’s annual user conference, Drataverse, on June 12 at Pier 27 in San Francisco. Drataverse will bring together governance, risk, and compliance (GRC), IT, and cybersecurity professionals for a full agenda of presentations, workshops, networking, and entertainment.
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Ascential Medical & Life Sciences appoints
Anupam Girdhar as divisional CEO
Ascential Medical & Life Sciences announced the appointment of Anupam Girdhar as divisional CEO. A business leader with 25 years of operational and strategic experience, Girdhar has managed complex life science tools and medical devices businesses. He has a proven track record fostering growth and cultivating top-tier organizations and will work towards positioning Ascential Medical & Life Sciences for lasting success. Girdhar joins the Ascential team from Thermo Fisher Scientific, where he spent the last seven years.
Dunham & Associates unveils new approach to retirement planning
Dunham & Associates Investment Counsel Inc. announce the launch of the Dunham Retirement Income Program. Dunham introduces its Retirement Income Program as a comprehensive solution designed to assist financial advisors in guiding clients toward achieving their retirement planning objectives. Dunham believes the Dunham Retirement Income Program is a pivotal program for financial advisors, integrating back-office support and comprehensive planning tools to create a holistic retirement approach.
County Line Fitness offering expert personal training in San Diego
Amid the ever-evolving wellness industry, where the pursuit of fitness and strength is a prevailing focus for many, County Line Fitness emerges as a beacon of expert personal training and health coaching in San Diego. With a dedicated emphasis on strength training and weight loss, County Line Fitness stands at the forefront of providing unparalleled fitness solutions that cater to the diverse needs of individuals striving to achieve their health goals.
ASQ’s World Conference on Quality & Improvement set for May 12-15
Building on a rich legacy of more than 75 years as the quality community’s premier event, ASQ’s World Conference on Quality & Improvement (WCQI) stands as a beacon, connecting people passionate about quality with the processes, technologies, and experts necessary to achieve curated results for their organizations. Taking place at the San DiegoConvention Center May 12-15, 2024, this year’s WCQI promises to be a transformative experience for attendees.
Kumquat Biosciences and Takeda announce collaboration
Kumquat Biosciences, a leader in translating breakthrough science into first-in-class therapeutics, announced a strategic and exclusive collaboration with Takeda to develop and commercialize a novel immuno-oncology small molecule inhibitor as a mono- and/or combination-therapy. Under the terms of the agreement, Kumquat granted Takeda an exclusive, global, and royalty bearing license to develop and commercialize a selected small molecule inhibitor.
Four suspects were behind bars Friday for allegedly beating a man to death two months ago during a fight at Linda Vista Park.
Arrested Wednesday on suspicion of murder in connection with the violent death of 59-year-old Ruben Rimorin were Juan Garcia Alavez, 21, Juan Manuel Lopez, 26, Brian Reyes, 20, and Franklin Joseph Tuell, 21, according to the San Diego Police Department.
Rimorin was found gravely injured about 3:45 a.m. Oct. 18 on a sidewalk in the 6800 block of Osler Street, just west of the park, SDPD Lt. Chris Tivanian said. Paramedics tried in vain to revive the victim before pronouncing him dead at the scene.
It remains unclear what sparked the deadly fight.
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The suspects were being held at San Diego Central Jail without bail pending arraignment, scheduled for Friday afternoon.
National City’s Pepper Park can soon expand in size by nearly 50%, thanks to a ruling this week by the California Coastal Commission to approve the National City Balanced Plan.
The approval of the plan at the CCC’s Wednesday meeting, developed by the Port of San Diego, means that not only will the popular park have the ability to increase in size, big changes are coming for commercial, recreation and maritime uses on the National City bayfront.
“We are grateful to the California Coastal Commission for its support of the National City Balanced Plan,” said Danielle Moore, chair of the Board of Port Commissioners. “The progress we have made has been anchored in tireless collaboration with the community, business leaders and, of course, the city of National City. It’s about bringing more recreational opportunities to the bayfront while also streamlining and strengthening maritime operations, and we are eager to bring these projects to life.”
Other components of the balanced plan include:
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Realigning Marina Way to serve as the buffer area between commercial recreation and maritime uses
The closure of Tidelands Avenue between Bay Marina Drive and West 32nd Street, and West 28th Street between Tidelands Avenue and Quay Avenue, around six acres, to increase terminal efficiency by eliminating redundancies
The development of a recreational vehicle park, tent sites, cabins and the “ultimate development of up to two hotels with up to 365 rooms, as well as dry boat storage,” a port statement read
A connector rail project to connect the existing rail and loop track located on the National City Marine Terminal to additional rail car storage spots at the existing Burlington Northern Santa Fe National City Yard east of the National Distribution Center
The Board of Port Commissioners must accept the CCC’s certification, then the port and city can begin the process of completing the above projects.
“I am proud of the work we have done to help create a lasting legacy for National City, the Port of San Diego, and the entire region,” said Port Commissioner GilAnthony Ungab. “Nearly a decade in the making, this plan balances the interests of the community and many other stakeholders, addresses public access, maritime, and recreation uses, and expands waterfront access in my community.”
The National City Bayfront is 273 acres of waterfront land and 167 acres of water, and includes the National City Marine Terminal, Pepper Park, Pier 32 Marina, the Aquatic Center and pieces of public art.
Mayor Todd Gloria announced an initiative Wednesday intended to expand housing options in neighborhoods by integrating small-scale residences such as townhomes, rowhomes and cottages into an area’s existing character.
The Neighborhood Homes for All of Us initiative is also intended to support community land trusts — nonprofit organizations that acquire land to create permanent affordable housing.
“Since Day 1 of my administration, I have been focused on building more homes that San Diegans can actually afford — and getting them built faster,” Gloria said at a news conference Wednesday. “‘Neighborhood Homes for All of Us’ is the latest piece of that puzzle. This innovative program will break down the barriers that have gotten in the way of building the type of housing that I believe is ideal for young families and first-time homebuyers for whom the dream of homeownership has long felt out of reach.”
Around 80% of land zoned for housing in the city is restricted to single-family homes, which continue to increase in price, Gloria said. And a significant portion of new housing being built consists of apartment buildings with primarily studio and one-bedroom units, leaving working-class families fewer and fewer options for homes.
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Neighborhood Homes for All of Us is intended to increase the housing supply and allow community land trusts to keep housing affordable in disadvantaged communities for low- to middle-income families.
“San Diego is an incredible place to raise a family, and more families need the opportunity to do that in San Diego’s existing, highly desirable single-family neighborhoods where their kids can learn and play in a great community,” City Planning Director Heidi Vonblum said. “But today, that comes at a price that is out of reach for too many. Integrating more options for families requires careful and thoughtful planning, with input from existing and future community members across the city, to ensure these new home opportunities for San Diego’s families are built in ways that best enhance and benefit San Diego’s amazing neighborhoods.”
The initiative will roll out in two phases. In the first phase, beginning this week and continuing through next summer, San Diegans can help determine what the neighborhoods can look like. The public will be able to see renderings showing small-scale neighborhood homes within San Diego’s existing communities, along with new regulations that “provide a clear pathway for building these homes,” according to a statement from Gloria’s office.
Phase 1 will also include an open house and ways for the community to provide feedback and concerns.
Phase 2, scheduled for the second half of 2026, will be for city staff to develop regulations allowing for the building of more neighborhood homes in a way informed by the public feedback.
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The initiative is partly funded through a Regional Early Action Planning grant from the San Diego Association of Governments.
