San Diego, CA
Joanne Bovee Hickey
Joanne Bovee Hickey
OBITUARY
Joanne Hickey wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend to many passed away on September 17, 2024 in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA with her family by her side.Born on June 6, 1930 in Los Angeles, she was the oldest of four children born to Glenn and Helen (Hurst) Bovee. Joanne spent her early years, with twin sisters Merry and Jeri and brother Ronnie, in West Hollywood before moving to Point Loma. Joanne graduated from Point Loma High School (Class of ’48) before attending University of Southern California (Class of ’52), where she made many life-long friends as a member of Chi Omega Sorority.After graduation, Joanne began her 20+ year teaching career in Los Angeles before returning to Point Loma to teach second grade at Silvergate Elementary School and later, Fremont Elementary. Well beyond her retirement, Joanne loved reconnecting with old students and fellow teachers she spent so many special years with. She also never stopped teaching whether to her kids, grandchildren, or peers in Zeta Rho. Joanne’s passion for learning and sharing her knowledge never slowed down.Joanne married Frank Hickey in 1956, who she enjoyed 38 years with until his passing in 1994. While raising their daughter, Beth, and son, Glenn, their marriage was full of Chargers games, hosting dinner parties, and attending their children’s activities. Joanne also dedicated a lot of time volunteering within the Point Loma community. Throughout the years, she was active in the Juniors of Social Services, National Charity League, Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church, La Playa Trails Association, and Zeta Rho.After Frank passed away, she spent a lot of quality time with family, friends, and her wonderful companion, Ed Streicher. She loved taking her grandchildren to the San Diego Zoo and her favorite restaurants (Miguel’s and Pizza Nova), and sharing her favorite books (Anne of Green Gables and Little Women) with them. Joanne was also lucky enough to travel to all the places she dreamed of visiting, experiencing many new adventures with her closest friends, sisters, and Ed.Most of all, Joanne cherished the time she was able to spend with loved ones over a great meal, a glass of wine, and lively conversation. She was incredibly thoughtful, and loved hearing about what was going on in everyone’s life the life of any party.Joanne was preceded in death by her parents Glenn and Helen; husband Frank; brother Ronnie; sister Merry; and loving partner Ed. Joanne is survived by her daughter Beth and her husband Craig Hildebrand; son Glenn and his wife Zena; grandchildren Andrew (Matt Harnos) Hildebrand, Bryan (Kaci) Hildebrand, Sean Hickey and Paige Hickey; her sister Jeri Thompson; and many nieces and nephews.A special thank you to Juanita for the wonderful care you gave Joanne; the team at Belmont Village; her nephew Gregg who spent so much time with her in the last year; and to Anne, Elise and Dave for their weekly visits.A Celebration of Life will be held. Please reach out to the family for details if you would like to join them in celebrating Joanne’s amazing life.
San Diego, CA
San Diego Humane Society Releases 4 rare western spotted skunks into the wild
RAMONA (CNS) – Four rare western spotted skunks were released back in the wild after weeks of rehabilitation and socialization at the San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center, officials announced Wednesday.
The successful release marks a major milestone for a species rarely seen in wildlife rehabilitation. The group included one orphaned skunk that was flown more than 400 miles by Flying Tails Animal Rescue from Sierra Wildlife Rescue in Northern California to join an orphaned group in Ramona, according to the SDHS.
The four skunks were returned to a carefully selected, remote habitat in Valley Center after reaching the necessary weight and developmental milestones to thrive on their own.
Western spotted skunks are a rare sight for the Humane Society’s Project Wildlife team. While the wildlife center typically handles hundreds of striped skunks each year, admitting six spotted skunks from different litters in one season is unusual. Spotted skunks are generally found in remote forested areas and are not as common in urban neighborhoods, officials said.
“We have never seen this many western spotted skunks in a single season before,” said Autumn Welch, wildlife operations manager at the Ramona Wildlife Center. “Because they are more reclusive than striped skunks, they require very specific care and even more secluded release sites to ensure they can stay wild.”
Socialization is critical for orphaned spotted skunks. During their stay at the Ramona Wildlife Center, the group became a bonded unit — exploring, digging and sleeping together, according to SDHS officials. Experts say these social cues prevent habituation to humans and teach the orphans natural skunk behaviors.
While four members of the group have returned to the wild, two spotted skunks remain in care at the facility. The smallest skunk was moved to an outside pre-release habitat and introduced to a slightly older skunk in late June.
Wildlife officials said by keeping the pair together, the wildlife team ensures the younger skunk will have a companion to learn from until they are both ready to be released, likely within the next month or two.
Anyone who finds an injured, sick or orphaned wild animal is encouraged to visit sdhumane.org/wildlifehelp or call 619-299-7012.
Copyright 2026, City News Service, Inc.
San Diego, CA
Serial sex abuser sentenced to over 300 years for crimes against young relatives
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — A 33-year-old man was sentenced Tuesday to 325 years to life in prison for sexually abusing two 6-year-old girls, in addition to a slew of other felony sex abuse charges, according to the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office.
Christopher T. Gardner was convicted of 15 felony sex abuse charges, which included molesting the two girls, who were relatives of his, over a five-year period.
The abuse reportedly first came to light when one of the victims told a friend in confidence during a sleepover that she had been touched inappropriately. The friend then told her mother, who contacted law enforcement.
After Gardner was arrested, a third victim came forward, who was also a relative. Now a young adult, the victim said that when she was 7-8 years old, Gardner sexually assaulted her.
During the nine-day trial, the first two victims reportedly testified to multiple vulgar acts of sexual abuse by Gardner.
“Predators who rob children of their innocence and inflict lifelong trauma do not belong in our communities,” DA Summer Stephan said. “This sentence sends an unmistakable message to abusers: you will be held accountable. I am deeply grateful to our specialized sexual abuse prosecution team for their dedication in bringing a measure of justice to the survivors.”
San Diego, CA
Community Calendar: La Jolla meetings and more, July 9-17
Thursday, July 9
• La Jolla Town Council: 6 p.m., La Jolla Recreation Center, 615 Prospect St. lajollatowncouncil.org
Friday, July 10
• La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary Club: 6:45 a.m., UC San Diego Faculty Club, 270 Muir Lane. lajollagtrotary.org
• Kiwanis Club of La Jolla: noon, La Jolla Community Center, 6811 La Jolla Blvd. kiwanisclublajolla.org
Sunday, July 12
• La Jolla Open Aire Market: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Girard Avenue at Genter Street. (858) 454-1699. lajollamarket.com
Monday, July 13
• La Jolla Library Book Club: 1:30 p.m., Community Room, La Jolla/Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave. The July book is “Fresh Water for Flowers” by Valérie Perrin. sandiego.events.mylibrary.digital/event?id=316631
• La Jolla Planned District Ordinance Committee: (pending items to review), 4 p.m., La Jolla Recreation Center, 615 Prospect St. Email info@lajollacpa.org.
• Laughmasters Toastmasters: 6:30 p.m., online. Email jrmmt@cox.net.
Tuesday, July 14
• San Diego Blood Bank blood drive: 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Hensel Phelps Construction Co., 9404 Genesee Ave. Donors must be 17 or older, weigh at least 114 pounds and be in good health. Photo identification is required. (619) 400-8251. sandiegobloodbank.org
• Rotary Club of La Jolla: noon, La Valencia Hotel, 1132 Prospect St. rotarycluboflajolla.org
• Co-op Toastmasters Club: noon, online at bit.ly/46W13bx (meeting ID: 849 4320 0407, passcode: cccu2020). (669) 900-6833. toastmasters.org/find-a-club/00001125-coop-club
• La Jolla Development Permit Review Committee: (pending items to review), 4 p.m., online. Email info@lajollacpa.org.
Wednesday, July 15
• Torrey Pines (La Jolla) Rotary Club: noon, online. torreypinesrotary.org
• La Jolla Shores Association: 6 p.m., Martin Johnson House, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, 8840 Biological Grade. lajollashoresassociation.org
Thursday, July 16
• La Jolla Sunrise Rotary Club: 6:58 a.m., La Jolla Shores Hotel, 8110 Camino del Oro. Call Cheryl Collins at (760) 936-3272 or Steve Cross at (619) 992-9449.
• San Diego Blood Bank blood drive: 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Sanford Burnham Prebys (patio outside Buildings 6 and 7), 10901 N. Torrey Pines Road. Donors must be 17 or older, weigh at least 114 pounds and be in good health. Photo identification is required. (619) 400-8251. sandiegobloodbank.org
• La Jolla Shores Permit Review Committee: (pending items to review), 4 p.m., online. Email info@lajollacpa.org.
Friday, July 17
• La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary Club: 6:45 a.m., UC San Diego Faculty Club, 270 Muir Lane. lajollagtrotary.org
Did we miss listing your community event? Email calendar information to Noah Lyons at noah.lyons@lajollalight.com by noon Thursday for publication in the following week’s edition. ♦
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