SAN DIEGO — A witness called to testify against a decorated Navy SEAL charged with murder said Thursday that he killed the victim, a bombshell admission he described as an act of mercy for the wounded Islamic State fighter. Special Operator 1st Class Corey Scott said he asphyxiated the adolescent...
Tree That Some Say Inspired Dr. Seuss' 'The Lorax' Topples
SAN DIEGO — A century-old tree with a long trunk and bushy branches that some believe was the inspiration for fictional Truffula trees in Dr. Seuss' "The Lorax" has fallen in a coastal San Diego park. Officials are investigating why the wind-swept Monterey cypress toppled in Ellen Browning Scripps Park...
Uber Tests Drone Food Delivery, Launches Autonomous SUV
WASHINGTON — Uber is testing restaurant food deliveries by drone. The company's Uber Eats unit began the tests in San Diego with McDonald's and plans to expand to other restaurants later this year. Uber says the service should decrease food delivery times. It works this way: Workers at a restaurant...
Agents Shoot, Kill Man at California-Mexico Border Crossing
SAN DIEGO — U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents fatally shot a motorist who refused to stop at California's border with Mexico. San Diego police say the shooting took place Monday night in a secondary vehicle inspection area near the San Ysidro Port of Entry. Police say the suspect's vehicle...
Police Chief to Mayor. Lessons from Those Who Made the Leap.
A police chief being elected as mayor of their city is not unprecedented — but doesn’t happen often. Recent examples include San Diego and Tampa, Fla., where retired chiefs survived crowded primaries before going forward to win their respective run-off. Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer, who is scheduled to retire...
Navy SEAL Facing Murder Trial Freed From Custody
SAN DIEGO — Attorneys for a decorated Navy SEAL facing a murder trial in the death of an Islamic State prisoner will try again Friday to have the case dismissed after their client was unexpectedly freed from custody. A military judge released Special Operations Chief Edward Gallagher from custody on...
World War II Veteran, 95, Dies During Honor Flight Trip
SAN DIEGO — A 95-year-old former soldier died last weekend aboard a chartered Honor Flight carrying World War II veterans home to San Diego after an all-expenses-paid weekend trip to Washington, D.C. Frank Manchel collapsed about an hour before the American Airlines jet was due to land Sunday, The San...
Newsom Aims to Boost Security Grants After Poway Attack
SACRAMENTO — California's Democratic governor vowed on Monday to spend $15 million for increased security at "soft targets" like the synagogue where a gunman opened fire over the weekend, killing one worshipper. Gov. Gavin Newsom said he will include the money in his $144 billion general fund budget proposal, which he intends...
Shooting at San Diego Area Synagogue Kills 1, Wounds 3
POWAY — A 19-year-old man armed with a rifle opened fire inside a synagogue near San Diego as worshippers celebrated the last day of Passover, killing a woman and wounding three people Saturday, authorities said. The man, whose name was not released, fled in a car and called 911 shortly...
New Zealand Attack Note Left at Fire at California Mosque
ESCONDIDO — A note referencing the recent terrorist attacks in New Zealand was found at the scene of a possible arson fire at a Southern California mosque, police said Sunday. Nobody was hurt, and members of the Islamic Center of Escondido were able to extinguish the small blaze before firefighters...