San Diego, CA

Vonnie Argen Ruple Jr. – San Diego Union-Tribune

Published

11 months ago

April 24, 2025

Vonnie Argen Ruple Jr. – San Diego Union-Tribune

Vonnie Argen Ruple Jr.

OBITUARY

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing ofVonnie Argen Ruple Jr., known affectionately by many as V.A., Von, and Rip. He passed away peacefully on April 2, 2025, at the age of 93, surrounded by his loving family in Poway, California.

Born on December 1, 1931, in Chualar, California, Vonnie spent much of his childhood in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and soon-to-be great-great-grandfather. His family was the cornerstone of his life, and he will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wifeSybil Davis Ruple, to whom he was married for 67 wonderful years, as well as a brother and sister. Von and Sybil were high school sweethearts, marrying while still students–he a junior, and she a senior–at North Little Rock High School. Together, they built a beautiful life and raised one daughter,Deborah.

Vonnie enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1951 during the Korean War, serving as a plane captain and patrol bomber. Following his military service, Von held a variety of jobs that showcased his hands-on skill and tireless work ethic. He worked as a riveter for a steel mill, a railroad machinist for Missouri Pacific Railroad, and a U.S. Border Patrol officer in Texas. In 1959, Von and his family moved to Poway, California, where he worked as a missile test mechanic for Convair Astronautics until 1961.

That same year, he began his distinguished fire service career as a firefighter engineer for the Poway Municipal Water District. He quickly became known by the nicknames “Rip” and “Taz” for his strength and tenacity. Von was promoted toCaptain in 1963, then toAssistant Chief in 1975, a role he held until his retirement in 1982. Never one to stay still for long, he went on to serve asChief of the Ramona Fire Departmentfrom 1982 to 1983, before his final retirement.

Von was instrumental in the founding and development of the Poway Fire Department and played a key role in training generations of firefighters–many of whom would rise to become captains, assistant chiefs, and even chiefs themselves. His legacy in the fire service is deep and lasting.

In 1967, Von suffered severe burns during wildfires and was hospitalized for over two months, undergoing extensive skin grafts. During his recovery, he was visited by none other thanPastor Billy Graham, a moment that left a lasting impression.

Von’s dedication extended beyond the firehouse. He volunteered with theSan Diego Humane Societyand served as avolunteer sheriff deputyin Poway. A man of deep faith, he read his Bible daily–cover to cover, multiple times–and found great strength in his spirituality.

A true jack-of-all-trades, Von could fix or build anything. His hobbies includedstained glass work, carpentry, gardening, and he was especially proud of hisprize tomatoes.

Debbie fondly remembers frequent family trips to the desert, where they rode dune buggies and made lifelong memories. After retirement, Von and Sybil traveled extensively in their RV, including many trips to North Carolina to visit their eldest granddaughter and great-grandchildren. Remarkably, he made hisfinal solo RV trip at age 86, just shy of his 87th birthday.

Von is survived by his loving sister Jean of Arkansas, his daughter Debbieand her husband Paul Loska of Ramona, CA, and his cherished grandchildren:Robyn Wolfeand husbandCraigof North Carolina;Allyson Bowersand husbandJadeof Utah;Kristyn Coxand husbandWayneof California;Daniel Loskaof Idaho;Shea Loskaof Virginia; andLauryn Loskaof California. He was also blessed with great-grandchildren:Turner and Taelyr Jacksonof North Carolina,Ella and Oliviaof Utah, andKennedy, Anthony, and Lukeof California.

Von’s legacy is one of devotion–to his family, his community, and his faith. He will be dearly missed by his family, his many friends, and especially his dear lifelong friendsAnn Wills, Lavine Powell, Bill Briscoe, Harvey Latshaw and Joanne Herman.

A privategraveside servicewill be held atDearborn Cemeteryin Poway at11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 16, 2025. Apublic celebration of lifewill follow atPoway Fire Station 3at1:00 p.m., and all who wish to honor his memory are welcome to attend.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made in Von’s honor toAlzheimer’s San Diegoand/or theSan Diego Humane Society.

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San Diego, CA

UNLV faces San Diego State after Hamilton’s 24-point performance

Published

1 hour ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

UNLV faces San Diego State after Hamilton’s 24-point performance

UNLV Rebels (16-14, 11-8 MWC) at San Diego State Aztecs (19-10, 13-6 MWC)

San Diego; Friday, 10 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: UNLV faces San Diego State after Kimani Hamilton scored 24 points in UNLV’s 92-65 victory over the Utah State Aggies.

The Aztecs have gone 13-2 in home games. San Diego State is eighth in the MWC with 9.0 offensive rebounds per game led by Miles Heide averaging 2.0.

The Rebels have gone 11-8 against MWC opponents. UNLV ranks eighth in the MWC shooting 34.4% from 3-point range.

San Diego State averages 79.1 points per game, 0.6 more points than the 78.5 UNLV gives up. UNLV averages 7.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.9 fewer made shots on average than the 9.1 per game San Diego State allows.

The teams play for the second time in conference play this season. San Diego State won the last meeting 82-71 on Jan. 24. Miles Byrd scored 23 points points to help lead the Aztecs to the win.

TOP PERFORMERS: Reese Dixon-Waters is shooting 35.9% from beyond the arc with 1.6 made 3-pointers per game for the Aztecs, while averaging 13 points. Byrd is averaging 10.2 points and 5.1 rebounds over the past 10 games.

Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn is shooting 50.9% and averaging 20.6 points for the Rebels. Hamilton is averaging 1.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Aztecs: 5-5, averaging 74.9 points, 28.9 rebounds, 13.7 assists, 6.9 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 69.0 points per game.

Rebels: 6-4, averaging 84.1 points, 32.3 rebounds, 14.7 assists, 6.4 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 50.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 80.8 points.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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San Diego, CA

Military bases in San Diego County increase security following Iran attacks

Published

13 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Military bases in San Diego County increase security following Iran attacks

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – Military bases in San Diego County and nationwide have increased security measures due to last weekend’s U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran, prompting traffic delays near base entrances, enhanced ID checks and access restrictions.

The Naval Air Station North Island on Coronado ports three aircraft carriers, including the San Diego-based USS Abraham Lincoln, which led some of the first-wave attacks on Saturday.

Naval Base Coronado warned motorists of possible traffic delays at all base entry points due to the increased security measures.

Targets included Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command and control facilities, Iranian air defense capabilities, missile and drone launch sites and military airfields.

The U.S. operation, dubbed “Epic Fury,” and Israeli operation, “Raging Lion,” began striking targets at 1:15 a.m. Eastern Time Saturday.

As of Tuesday, at least six U.S. service members had been killed in action.

The strikes also killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei, who had been Iran’s supreme leader since 1989, making him the longest-serving head of state in the Middle East.

Iran’s offensive forces claimed to have struck USS Abraham Lincoln with ballistic missiles, but according to an X post from U.S central Command, “The Lincoln was not hit. The missiles launched didn’t even come close. The Lincoln continues to launch aircraft in support of CENTCOM’s relentless campaign to defend the American people by eliminating threats from the Iranian regime.”

Those with concerns regarding the heightened security can contact San Diego County’s Office of Emergency Services at 858-565-3490 or oes@sdcounty.ca.gov.

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San Diego, CA

SD Unified moves forward with layoffs of classified employees

Published

1 day ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

SD Unified moves forward with layoffs of classified employees

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — Less than 3 weeks after the San Diego Unified School District finalized a new contract with teachers, the school board voted unanimously on Tuesday to move forward with layoff notices for other district employees.

The layoffs affect classified employees — workers who are employed by the district but are not teachers and are not certified. That includes bus drivers, custodians, special education and teacher aides, and cafeteria workers.

The district says it is eliminating 221 positions — 133 that are currently filled and 88 that are vacant — to save $19 million and help address a projected $47 million deficit for the next fiscal year.

Preliminary layoff notices will go out on March 15, with final notices by May 15.

The district estimates about 200 classified employees will receive preliminary notices, but of them, about 70 are expected to lose their jobs based on union-negotiated bumping rules.

Bumping allows employees with more seniority to move into another position in the same classification, thereby “bumping” a less senior employee out of that role.

Lupe Murray, an early childhood special education parafacilitator with the district, said the news came as a shock after the teacher strike was called off.

“When the strike was called off, I’m like, ‘Yes!’ So then when I got the email from the Superintendent, I’m like, ‘Wait, what?’ So, I think everyone was shocked,” Murray said.

The district says it sends out annual layoff notices, as all districts in the state do.

Before Tuesday’s board meeting, classified employees rallied outside, made up of CSEA (California School Employees Association) Chapters OTBS 788, Paraeducators 759, and OSS 724. They were joined by parents, students, and the San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO.

Miguel Arellano, a paraeducator independence facilitator with San Diego Unified and a representative of San Diego Paraeducators Cahpter 759.

“What do we want? No layoffs! When do we want it? Now!” the crowd chanted.

Arellano said he felt compelled to act when he learned about the potential layoffs.

“The first thing that went through my mind was that I need to speak up. I need to protect these people,” Arellano said.

Inside the meeting, the board heard emotional, at times tearful testimony from classified employees before voting unanimously to move forward with the layoff schedule.

Superintendent Fabi Bagula said the district has tried to protect classrooms from the cuts.

“We have tried our best to only, I mean, to not touch the school. Or the classroom. But now it’s at the point where it’s getting a little bit harder,” Bagula said. “What I’m still hoping, or what I’m still working toward, because we’re still in negotiations, is that we’re able to actually come to a win-win, where there’s positions and availability and maybe even promotions for folks that are impacted.”

Arellano warned the layoffs could have a direct impact on students.

“We are already spread thin, so, with more of a case load, it’s going to be impossible to be able to service all the students that we need to have,” Arellano said.

Follow ABC 10News Anchor Max Goldwasser on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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