Recent Stories RSS Feed

Permalink
By dweisman

it's not all champagne and roses in the skies above Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.

 Or: Another day, another hot air balloon crash...

With the second downed hot air balloon in 10 days just after 5 p.m. Thursday, this time at Rancho Diegueno Road, not far from San Dieguito Road at Fairbanks Ranch, it's not all champagne and roses in the skies above Rancho Santa Fe. 

This was the scene on Jan. 8 at Rancho Penasquitos where, according to San Diego Fire-Rescue Department spokesman Maurice Luque, a hot air balloon landed in the back of a home on Calle de los Ninos at Avenida De La Cantina shortly after 4:45 p.m.

The balloon operator who emergency landed Thursday scoured the brush topped hills for a landing space before touching down in a rural residential area near Fairbanks Village Plaza shopping center, according to San Diego County sheriff’s Lt. Mario Zermeno who shied away from saying the balloon crashed. No one was injured, Zemeno said. The "landing" site was within shouting distance of Rancho Santa Fe's newest fire station as well as the Helen C. Woodward Animal Center.

The forced landing followed a more eventful tilt at disaster's windmill on Jan. 8 when one person was slightly injured during a forced landing of a balloon carrying a 14-person wedding party at Rancho Penasquitos, about 10 miles southeast of Thursday's crash. The balloon crashed into a suburban home's yard.

Residents have cited numerous instances of balloon companies abusing landing rules, cutting gate locks, trashing areas including damaging environmentally sensitive landscapes, lying about emergency landings and generally disrespecting community norms.

"We have had confrontations with the balloon people calling us all sorts of names when they land on our properties," said Lynn Diamond, a Rancho Santa Fe Covenant resident who retired in 2010 as Carlsbad Police Department spokeswoman.

"They have put up chains, cut locks and put up their own locks on people's property," Diamond said. "Then, they claim they are landing due to an FAA emergency. Homeowners who try to ask them to leave private property are subject to verbal abuse, threats, lies and profanity.

"They are driving around with their trucks dragging equipment and trashing away," Diamond said. "They are also abusing open spaces and endangered habitat. They land wherever they want. It's definitely not what it is portrayed to be. They are a constant problem."

Likewise, Annie Fonte, a property owner and resident in the covenant area just beyond the Zumaque Gate, along the environmentally sensitive San Dieguito Riverbed, said balloon companies on several occasions had trespassed, scared her animals and generally ravaged the landscape.

"I'll be walking with my dogs and horses," Fonte said, "and often see the champagne corks, napkins and clues as to where they landed. You ask these folks who they are and they are elusive. They won't answer questions. It can be dark and you don't know who these people are. 

The end result, God forbid, is they crash into somebody's home. It would be a tragedy."

(Photo: A pumpkin patch in October, this area by Rancho Santa Fe Village shoppng center serves as a take-off and landing spot for hot air balloon operators although it is unclear if they have the property owner's permission)

Balloonists for hire have landed on her property without authorization three times in the last year, according to Fonte, who also has traced balloon skid marks along several parts of the nearby, and environmentally protected, Lusardi Creek Preserve.

Furthermore, balloon companies said a root cause of local communication problems and complaints stemmed from development in the area depriving them of once available open space landing areas.

Due to the fly-by-sunset nature of the commercial balloon ride for profit industry, it was impossible to determine how many companies offer such services locally. However, those involved in the industry put the number of operators at around nine. About four, or five, operate from San Diego County with the remainder based in the Temecula area
Generally, they offer flights along the Pacific Coast through Carmel Valley and into the Rancho Santa Fe area, starting around dusk and taking place on weekends.

Rides offer champagne or cider, photo opportunities and tours, generally lasting from 30 minutes to several hours. Costs vary but generally are around $80 per person for a half-hour ride to $200, or more, for an hour. A private charter may cost around $650 to $800 for one to two hours.

These businesses typically operate out of homes and meet customers at pre-designated open field areas. Currently, many meet customers near Flower Hill Mall off Via de la Valle or near MiraCosta College off Manchester Road in Olivenhain.

Local operators included Rancho Santa Fe resident Frank Reed and Sunballoon, Connie Von Zweck of Skysurfer from Del Mar, David Bradley of Temecula-based California Dreamin', Panorama Balloon Tours with a Del Mar post office box and apparent home-based location in Carlsbad, Sky's the Limit operated by James Lawson out of Encinitas and Balloon Addicts, location unknown.

Only Reed and Von Zweck agreed to speak on the record about the industry and their activities.

"The balloon companies have not done a good job of promoting themselves," Von Zweck said. "You only hear from people who don't like something. You don't always hear the positive. We need to communicate with the public to educate people and raise public awareness of ballooning."

Reed said, "For the most part, the people in the Rancho Santa Fe area have worked exceptionally well with us. Some people, who have been vocal about us, don't even own the properties. We don't trespass on properly posted property. But landing is an imperfect science."

The Balloon Federation of America is considered the leading voluntary, balloonist membership organization with 3,000 members.

 

 

The Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA, regulates hot air balloonists, according to Ian Gregory, the FAA Western-Pacific Region communications manager. Balloon pilots must pass a variety of written and hands-on flight tests to be commercially rated and allowed to charge people for rides, he said.

The FAA requires any emergency landings to be reported to the agency within 48 hours, but had no record of any in San Diego County from 2002 to 2008, according to the last available sources. There were eight reported balloon accidents in the state and 97 nationwide during that period, Gregor said.

As for liability to property owners would a balloon crash, "Balloonists in such circumstances are trespassers," Gregor said. "When they enter they have no right or privilege, the responsibility is theirs, and they must assume the risk of what they may encounter."

By Ah-Ha Police/Fire News

Police sketches released of two suspected of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. home invasion

Authorities asked the public Wednesday for help in identifying two men who forced their way into a Rancho Santa Fe home five days before Christmas, holding a housekeeper at gunpoint while stealing valuables and handcuffing her before fleeing.

The thieves, suntanned white men who appeared to be in their late 20s or early 30s, confronted the victim at the large house in the 5000 block of El Mirlo shortly after noon on Dec. 20, according to sheriff's officials.

A housekeeper was home when two unknown men – one of whom was armed with a handgun – forced their way inside, holding the housekeeper at gunpoint.

The men allegedly handcuffed the woman to something so she couldn’t call for help while they ransacked the home, stealing jewelry, antique clocks and other expensive items, deputies said.

After gathering jewelry and antiques, the bandits handcuffed the maid to a door to keep her from calling 911, then... (more)

By Ah-Ha Police/Fire News

San Diego Sheriff's crime report for 9/9/2011 - 9/15/2011: 33 local crimes found...

http://www.crimemapping.com/map/region/northcountysandiego

Follow the link above to view the entire mapping tool...

 

 

 

Type:Description:Case #:Location:Agency:Date:
PETTY THEFT(All Other Larceny) (M)-400 W BLOCK D STREETEncinitas Sheriff9/13/2011 07:15 PM
TAKE VEHICLE W/O OWNER'S CONSENT/VEHICLE THEFT (F)-1100 BLOCK EOLUS AVENUEEncinitas Sheriff9/13/2011 07:00 PM
PETTY THEFT(Shoplift) (M)-100 BLOCK C STREETEncinitas Sheriff9/13/2011 02:15 PM
VEHICLE BREAK-IN/THEFT-600 S BLOCK HWY 101Solana Beach Sheriff9/13/2011 10:00 AM
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY-400 BLOCK 09TH STREETDel Mar Sheriff9/13/2011 08:40 AM
TAKE VEHICLE W/O OWNER'S CONSENT/VEHICLE THEFT (F)-1800 N BLOCK VULCAN AVENUEEncinitas Sheriff9/13/2011 07:00 AM
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY-15900 BLOCK OVERVIEW ROADPoway Sheriff9/12/2011 12:00 PM
PETTY THEFT(from Building) (M)-14800 BLOCK POMERADO ROADPoway Sheriff9/12/2011 11:10 AM
VANDALISM [$400 OR LESS] (M)-1300 BLOCK HERMES AVENUEEncinitas Sheriff9/12/2011 09:30 AM
COMMERCIAL BURGLARY-400 BLOCK SANTA FE DRIVEEncinitas Sheriff9/12/2011 12:01 AM
COMMERCIAL BURGLARY-12800 BLOCK POWAY ROADPoway Sheriff9/11/2011 10:00 PM
TAKE VEHICLE W/O OWNER'S CONSENT/VEHICLE THEFT (F)-13400 BLOCK POWAY ROADPoway Sheriff9/11/2011 08:00 PM
COMMERCIAL BURGLARY-13500 BLOCK POWAY ROADPoway Sheriff9/11/2011 03:57 AM
SIMPLE BATTERY (M)-500 S BLOCK COAST HIGHWAY 101Encinitas Sheriff9/11/2011 02:00 AM
SIMPLE BATTERY (M)-100 S BLOCK CEDROS AVENUESolana Beach Sheriff9/10/2011 11:15 PM
VEHICLE BREAK-IN/THEFT-700 BLOCK DEVONSHIRE DRIVEEncinitas Sheriff9/10/2011 11:00 PM
VANDALISM ($400 OR MORE) (F)-13600 BLOCK POWAY ROADPoway Sheriff9/10/2011 09:29 PM
VEHICLE BREAK-IN/THEFT-300 BLOCK LA COSTA AVENUEEncinitas Sheriff9/10/2011 06:30 PM
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY-1900 BLOCK GLASGOW AVENUEEncinitas Sheriff9/10/2011 06:00 PM
PETTY THEFT(All Other Larceny) (M)-600 BLOCK LOMAS SANTA FE DRIVESolana Beach Sheriff9/10/2011 02:30 PM
VEHICLE BREAK-IN/THEFT-3100 BLOCK CIRCA DE TIERRAEncinitas Sheriff9/10/2011 11:00 AM
DISORDERLY CONDUCT: ALCOHOL-12400 BLOCK POWAY ROADPoway Sheriff9/10/2011 04:38 AM
VANDALISM [$400 OR LESS] (M)-12600 BLOCK ROBISON BOULEVARDPoway Sheriff9/10/2011 03:50 AM
VANDALISM [$400 OR LESS] (M)-12400 BLOCK POWAY ROADPoway Sheriff9/10/2011 03:09 AM
EXHIBIT DEADLY WEAPON OTHER THAN FIREARM (M)-800 BLOCK SANDCASTLE DRIVEEncinitas Sheriff9/10/2011 01:30 AM
VANDALISM [$400 OR LESS] (M)-700 BLOCK CLARK AVENUEEncinitas Sheriff9/9/2011 07:00 PM
VANDALISM [$400 OR LESS] (M)-100 BLOCK SAXONY ROADEncinitas Sheriff9/9/2011 05:00 PM
OTHER AGENCY VEHICLE THEFT/RECOVERY (F)-100 W BLOCK C STREETEncinitas Sheriff9/9/2011 08:19 AM
COMMERCIAL BURGLARY-13200 BLOCK CARRIAGE ROADPoway Sheriff9/9/2011 07:22 AM
COMMERCIAL BURGLARY-12600 BLOCK POWAY ROADPoway Sheriff9/9/2011 05:24 AM
COMMERCIAL BURGLARY-12600 BLOCK POWAY ROADPoway Sheriff9/9/2011 05:24 AM
BATTERY WITH SERIOUS BODILY INJURY-13100 BLOCK CARRIAGE ROADPoway Sheriff9/9/2011 01:37 AM
VANDALISM [$400 OR LESS] (M)-800 BLOCK SANTA FE DRIVEEncinitas Sheriff9/9/2011 01:05 AM
By Ah-Ha Police/Fire News

A Diffierent Theft.......

(From the files of the Rancho Santa Fe Patrol, Thursday, July 21, 2011...)

Over the past week we have taken reports for the theft of Back Flow Preventer Manifolds.  What the heck is a Back flow Preventer Manifold?   Well, its the "U" shaped pipe object you see coming out of the ground- usually near a water meter.  Its made to prevent water back flowing through the pipes into your plumbing.  The pipes are being stolen for the brass or copper value of the metal.  But, not all back flow preventers are brass....

The stolen valves are taken to a metal recyclers and the crooks try to get cash for them.  Changes in the laws prevent an immediate handout of cash- the recyler has to take the persons name and information and contact the authorities before handing over the cash. 

Both cases we investigated occurred late at night.  If you happen to see a car or truck stopped on the side of the road looking suspicious, please give us a call.

LINKS

We Have Moved

We have moved our office to 16936 El Fuego.  This is on the south side of the Fire Station in the village.  Our mailing address and phone numbers do not change.  To reach us- 858-756-4372 or 858-756-9966.   There may be a delay in answering emails for a day or so. 

 

 

 

 

Mountain Lion Seen

On July 5, 2011 at about 2:00pm, a resident in the area of  16100 blk of Via Del Alba,  saw what he described as a Mountain Lion cross his driveway.  The animal was walking.  It was not aggressive.  The sighting was reported to Fish and Game.  If you see a Mountain Lion you should not approach the animal.   If you should see a mountain lion, you are encouraged to call Fish and Game at 858-467-4257.  If the animal is a threat, call 911. 

Although historically sightings are rare, there are several types of wild animals that live here in Rancho Santa Fe.  Mountain Lions main food source is deer and coyotes.  Eliminating plant species that attract deer help discourage mountain lions from coming into the area. 

Please take precautions – mountain lions are most active at night as well as dusk and dawn.  Do not leave children outside unattended; don’t leave pet food or food that may attract animals outside.  Do not leave animals outside unattended.  Horses should be kept in stalls in the barn.  Be careful when walking/ jogging at dusk and dawn time periods.   If you see a mountain lion- make noise-lots of it.  Yell, scream, and bang on something.  For example, pocket sized air horns are a good way to do that.

If you have any questions please call the Dept of Fish and Game at 858-467-4201  or the RSF Patrol 858-756-4372.

For more information:  www.keepmewild.org.

By Ah-Ha Police/Fire News

San Diego Sheriff's crime report for 6/14/2011 - 6/20/2011: Seven local crimes found in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.-area...

 

 http://www.crimemapping.com/map/region/northcountysandiego

Follow the link above to view the entire mapping tool...

 

Type:Description:Case #:Location:Agency:Date:
BURGLARY (VEHICLE) (F)-1800 S BLOCK EL CAMINO REALEncinitas Sheriff6/16/2011 07:30 PM
PETTY THEFT-2200 BLOCK JIMMY DURANTE BOULEVARDDel Mar Sheriff6/14/2011 09:45 PM
BURGLARY (VEHICLE) (F)-2200 BLOCK CAROL VIEW DRIVEEncinitas Sheriff6/14/2011 06:00 PM
BATTERY ON PERSON-2200 BLOCK JIMMY DURANTE BOULEVARDDel Mar Sheriff6/14/2011 05:59 PM
SIMPLE BATTERY (M)-2200 BLOCK JIMMY DURANTEDel Mar Sheriff6/14/2011 04:30 PM
BATTERY AGAINST POLICE OFFICER-2200 BLOCK JIMMY DURANTE BOULEVARDDel Mar Sheriff6/14/2011 02:40 PM
GRAND THEFT (All Other Larceny) (F)-2200 BLOCK JIMMY DURANTEDel Mar Sheriff6/14/2011 06:30 AM
By Ah-Ha Police/Fire News

San Diego Sheriff's crime report for Rancho Santa Fe, Cal. area, 6/6/2011 - 6/12/2011: 12 local crimes found ...

 

For more information, follow the mapping tool above.....

 

 

 

Type:Description:Case #:Location:Agency:Date:
ROBBERY (F)-800 BLOCK SANTA FE DRIVEEncinitas Sheriff6/10/2011 09:13 PM
SIMPLE BATTERY (M)-300 BLOCK PRINCEHOUSE LANEEncinitas Sheriff6/10/2011 08:45 PM
PETTY THEFT(Shoplift) (M)-1100 S BLOCK COAST HIGHWAY 101Encinitas Sheriff6/10/2011 03:40 PM
VANDALISM [$400 OR LESS] (M)-100 BLOCK SINALOA COURTSolana Beach Sheriff6/9/2011 01:00 PM
VANDALISM ($400 OR MORE) (F)-300 BLOCK SPRUCEWOOD DRIVEEncinitas Sheriff6/8/2011 11:45 PM
PETTY THEFT(from Veh) (M)-900 BLOCK ARDEN DRIVEEncinitas Sheriff6/8/2011 09:00 PM
TAKE VEHICLE W/O OWNER'S CONSENT/VEHICLE THEFT-1300 S BLOCK COAST HIGHWAY 101Encinitas Sheriff6/8/2011 01:30 PM
BURGLARY (RESIDENTIAL) (F)-200 S BLOCK SIERRA AVENUESolana Beach Sheriff6/8/2011 09:00 AM
PETTY THEFT(All Other Larceny) (M)-2000 BLOCK PARK DALE LANEEncinitas Sheriff6/7/2011 08:06 PM
PETTY THEFT(from Veh) (M)-2900 BLOCK MANCHESTER AVENUEEncinitas Sheriff6/7/2011 06:00 PM
BURGLARY (COMMERCIAL) (F)-200 N BLOCK EL CAMINO REALEncinitas Sheriff6/6/2011 05:17 PM
PETTY THEFT(from Building) (M)-500 BLOCK LOMAS SANTA FE DRIVESolana Beach Sheriff6/6/2011 03:15 PM
By Ah-Ha Police/Fire News

BREAKING NEWS 1:30 P.M. - Traffic injuries at Lineo Del Cielo and Calzada Del Bosque, another one at Del Mar Heights Road bringing amublances, injuries and delays...

Two traffic collisions are slowing down Rancho Santa Fe traffic and bringing amubulances to the scene to attend to possibly injured parties. The first one is at Linea Del Cielo and Calzada Del Bosque, a prime local driving route from inland areas to the coast, happened around 12:45 p.m. It apprently involves two minors who were driving and collided vehiclesThis is the CHP report as of 1:30 p.m.

 

Traffic Collision - Ambulance Responding - Linea Del Cielo at Calzada Del Bosque 12:45 PM
* 2 Vehicles, Blocking Rd, Sta M 97, Att Ing to Move 12:45 PM
* Linea Del Cielo at Ramblas De Las Flores Per Rsf Patrol Going On Scene 12:48 PM
* Will Be Accident (Property Damage), Both Drivers Are Minors Per Sta M 12:53 PM
* CHP Unit on Scene 12:55 PM
* Message/Item Delivered Rose W 1 Truck 12:57 PM
* Message/Item Delivered Rose Tow for Expedite 12:59 PM
* Roll Tow Truck Required on Expedite, Linea Del Cielo Blocking, With Volvo 12:59 PM
* Thomas Guide Map Coordinates: 1168 5C

The second collision is along Interstate 5, just south of Via de la Valle. Seven or eight vehicles are involved, blocking the car pool lanes. It happened around 1 p.m. 

 

Traffic Collision - Ambulance Responding - 5 South Past Via De LA Valle 1:06 PM
* 7-8 Vehicles, Blocking Car Pool, 1, 2, 3 Lanes 1:07 PM
* Per Another Caller Near the Valle On Ramp 1:08 PM
* 3 Vehicle S Traffic Hazard in Fast, Other Vehicle S in Center Divider 1:08 PM
* Per Another Reporting Party, Possible 6 Vehicle Traffic Collision 1:08 PM
* CHP Unit Enroute 1:08 PM
* Message/Item Delivered to SD Fire Department 1:09 PM
* CHP Unit Enroute 1:09 PM
* Message/Item Delivered Eastgate Towing with Flatbed Tow Truck / Can Handle 2 Vehicles 1:10 PM
* Red Chevrolet on Right Shoulder Also Involved Needs Medics, Message/Item Delivered SD Fire Department 1:11 PM
* 7 M; Issue Sigalert for Car Pool and #1 1:20 PM
* CHP Unit on Scene 1:20 PM
* Thomas Guide Map Coordinates: 1187 6J

More details, as they become avaliable...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


By Ah-Ha Police/Fire News

San Diego Sheriff's crime report for Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. area, 5/24/2011 - 5/30/2011: 14 local crimes found... 

 

 http://www.crimemapping.com/map/region/northcountysandiego

For more information, follow the mapping tool above..

 

 

Type:Description:Case #:Location:Agency:Date:
BURGLARY (VEHICLE) (F)-700 S BLOCK SIERRA AVENUESolana Beach Sheriff5/29/2011 04:00 PM
VANDALISM ($400 OR MORE) (F)-1700 BLOCK LEGAYE DRIVEEncinitas Sheriff5/28/2011 08:00 PM
VANDALISM [$400 OR LESS] (M)-14400 BLOCK TWIN GABLES COURTPoway Sheriff5/28/2011 11:45 AM
BURGLARY (RESIDENTIAL) (F)-17100 BLOCK ALVA ROADSan Diego County Sheriff5/28/2011 10:15 AM
PETTY THEFT(All Other Larceny) (M)-100 N BLOCK HWY 101Solana Beach Sheriff5/27/2011 06:37 AM
BURGLARY (VEHICLE) (F)-12600 BLOCK POWAY ROADPoway Sheriff5/26/2011 07:30 PM
BURGLARY (VEHICLE) (F)-100 BLOCK 08TH STREETDel Mar Sheriff5/26/2011 07:00 PM
ADW:NOT FIREARM:GBI LIKELY (F)-700 BLOCK GENEVIEVE AVENUESolana Beach Sheriff5/26/2011 03:05 PM
PETTY THEFT(from Building) (M)-200 BLOCK 12TH STREETDel Mar Sheriff5/24/2011 09:30 PM
PETTY THEFT(from Building) (M)-200 BLOCK 12TH STREETDel Mar Sheriff5/24/2011 07:00 PM
PETTY THEFT(from Building) (M)-200 BLOCK 12TH STREETDel Mar Sheriff5/24/2011 06:30 PM
GRAND THEFT (All Other Larceny) (F)-900 BLOCK LOMAS SANTA FE DRIVESolana Beach Sheriff5/24/2011 04:10 PM
OTHER AGENCY VEHICLE THEFT/RECOVERY (F)-2500 S BLOCK COAST HIGHWAY 101Encinitas Sheriff5/24/2011 10:29 AM
BURGLARY (RESIDENTIAL) (F)-10500 BLOCK CLASICO COURTSan Diego County Sheriff5/24/2011 08:00 AM
By Ah-Ha Police/Fire News

Free emergency San Diego County ambulance service to cost $400 plus $20 a mile starting June 14...

Adding pocketbook insult to injury, it's going to cost a whole lot more to be taken by ambulance to a hospital. You can thank your county supervisors for that one.

County supervisors voted unanimously on May 24 to charge people $400 plus $20 a mile to be taken by ambulance to the hospital. this service is free currently.

These new fees apply to Rancho Santa Fe, Solana Beach, Del Mar and Encinitas.

Supervisors voted unanimously to impose the fee after officials said it would provide financial stability and ensure continued emergency medical care for residents and visitors.

The services are funded by property taxes, special-benefit taxes and non-district resident ambulance transport fees. However, the service area expects to spend $250,000 more than it takes in beginning this year, depleting reserves.

Walter Ekard, county chief administration officer, who earns $286,000 per year plus perks -- more than the speaker of the House of Representatives or U. S. Senators earn -- said the proposed fee was well below the average charged by other communities. The other county service area in Santee and Lakeside charges $900 plus $14 per mile.

 

El Cajon charges $1,184 and $19 per mile while in San Diego it costs $865 plus $13 a mile. Elsewhere, Los Angeles County charges $929 and $15 per mile and Ventura County charges $1,251 and $23 per mile.

Ambulance services for Del Mar, Encinitas, Solana Beach and Rancho Santa Fe and parts of Elfin Forest are provided by San Diego Medical Services Enterprise.

In most cases, fees and mileage reimbursements come directly from Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance companies.

 

 

Monthly healthcare premiums are not projected to increase because the ambulance fee represents a fraction of total health care costs. Last year, the service area’s citizen advisory committee supported establishing the resident fee.

The ordinance is scheduled for adoption on June 14, and would take effect 30 days later.

By Ah-Ha Police/Fire News

BREAKING NEWS 4:30 P.M. - WONDERING ABOUT I-5 TRAFFIC HASSLES IN NORTH COUNTY SAN DIEGO, CALIF. HERE ARE A FEW REASONS WHY.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A series of small fires charred brush along northbound Interstate 5 near Manchester Avenue on Monday afternoon, casting clouds of smoke over the freeway and forcing authorities to close a lane briefly as firefighters doused the blazes.

Firefighters responded to reports of three or four small fires burning on a hill near the freeway about 2:30 p.m., a NorthComm dispatcher said.


Structure or Grass Fire - 5 South Before Lomas Santa Fe Dr 3:46 PM
* Message/Item Delivered North Comm 3:46 PM
* Brush Fire 3:46 PM
* Per Able, Just North of Manchester, Sml Brush Fire the Right Shoulder 3:48 PM
* Just South of Mancester Right Shoulder Per Able 3:49 PM
* Able Advised Fire 97 3:55 PM
* Able Advised Fire Department Traffic Hazard Slow Lane/rs 3:56 PM
* Fire Department Has #4 and 5 Lane Blocked 4:00 PM
* Issue Sigalert 4:00 PM
* Traffic Backing Up North and South Lanes 4:00 PM
* CHP Unit on Scene 4:01 PM
* Sigalert Issued Blue1, CHP Uhf1 or 2, CO Call 4:02 PM
* Sigalert Issued, Unknown Duration, 5 South Before Lomas Santa Fe Dr, Brush Fires, Lanes 4 and 5 Blocked 4:03 PM
* Thomas Guide Map Coordinates: 1167 7G

Fire causes were not immediately known. Also holding up traffic was this accident, according to CHP:

 

Traffic Collision - No Injuries - 5 South Before Del Mar Heights Rd 3:25 PM
* Ford Focus and Unknown Sedan 3:27 PM
* on Right Shoulder 3:27 PM
* Silver Ford Pick-Up Truck vs a Red Ford Focus with an Female 3:50 PM
* Thomas Guide Map Coordinates: 1187 6J
By Ah-Ha Police/Fire News

San Diego Sheriff's crime report for Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. area 5/16/2011 - 5/21/2011: 13 local crimes found 

 

 http://www.crimemapping.com/map/region/northcountysandiego

For more information, follow the mapping tool above...

 

Type:Description:Case #:Location:Agency:Date:
TAKE VEHICLE W/O OWNER'S CONSENT/VEHICLE THEFT (F)-100 S BLOCK JAYTON LANEEncinitas Sheriff5/20/2011 11:00 PM
SIMPLE BATTERY (M)-200 BLOCK SAXONY ROADEncinitas Sheriff5/20/2011 08:30 PM
BURGLARY (COMMERCIAL) (F)-800 BLOCK ACADEMY DRIVESolana Beach Sheriff5/20/2011 02:43 AM
BURGLARY (VEHICLE) (F)-1200 BLOCK ENCINITAS BOULEVARDEncinitas Sheriff5/19/2011 07:00 PM
PETTY THEFT(from Veh) (M)-900 BLOCK NARDO ROADEncinitas Sheriff5/18/2011 06:00 PM
BURGLARY (RESIDENTIAL) (F)-2300 BLOCK 11TH STREETEncinitas Sheriff5/18/2011 01:00 PM
BURGLARY (RESIDENTIAL) (F)-1500 BLOCK ORANGEVIEW DRIVEEncinitas Sheriff5/18/2011 12:00 PM
BURGLARY (RESIDENTIAL) (F)-5400 BLOCK CALZADA DEL BOSQUESan Diego County Sheriff5/18/2011 10:40 AM
GRAND THEFT:MONEY/LABOR/PROPERTY OVER $950-800 BLOCK BRACERO ROADEncinitas Sheriff5/17/2011 11:45 PM
PETTY THEFT(from Building) (M)-100 BLOCK VIA CANTEBRIAEncinitas Sheriff5/17/2011 04:00 PM
BATTERY WITH SERIOUS BODILY INJURY-200 BLOCK CERRO STREETEncinitas Sheriff5/17/2011 12:30 PM
BURGLARY (RESIDENTIAL) (F)-10300 BLOCK CRAFTSMAN WAYSan Diego County Sheriff5/17/2011 10:30 AM
KNOWINGLY USE PERSONAL IDENTIFYING INFO TO COMMIT VIOLATION (F)-8100 BLOCK LAMOUR LANESan Diego County Sheriff5/16/2011 08:37 AM
By Ah-Ha Police/Fire News

Scenes from a San Diego County Wildland Training Exercise at Lake Hodges, Calif. DAY 2..

A little rain didn't dampen the spirits of hundreds of firefighters from 28 San Diego County fire agencies on Tuesday, May 17, 2011 as they concluded annual wildland training at Lake Hodges, Calif.

 

And for some bonus coverage...

...Dial it up. Fire training exercise over, the lake re-opens to fishing on Wednesday.

By dweisman

PLUS BONUS COVERAGE OF 'THE ACCIDENT' AT THE LAKE...Featuring the Del Dios Bicycle Players.

As fortune - bad - would have it, a bicyclist suffered a fall at the right place with hundreds of EMTs around.

 

So, as an added busines we bring your photos from 'The Accident' as well.

Last but least, the lake as it stands Monday, May 16, 2011

 

Enjoy?

By dweisman

MORE WILDLAND TRAINING FROM LAKE HODGES, DEL DIOS, CALIF...

Like I was saying, its the annual Wildland Training Day at Lake Hodges and about 100 engine companies along with numerous batallion chiefs and firefighting apparatus, and about a half-dozen fire suppression non-stealth helicopters trained all day Monday at the lake.

They came from every firefighting agency in San Diego County for the hootenanny at the lake.

It was a fun day for all what with seminars, hands-on training and well, sitting around in fire engines all day.

By dweisman

Warning: Arsonists Beware, Stay Away from Lake Hodges Monday for the Lake is Fire-Training or Something...

All of San Diego County's fire agencies turned out in force on Monday for the annual meeting of the clans. Well, the annual wildfire exercise. And what place more appropriate than at the Del Dios Fire Station and Lake Hodges where the 2007 Witch Creek Fire was brought to its knees and vanquished.

Agencies, along with all available firefighting helcopters, spent the day doing stuff around the lake. This included wildfire training seminars at the station as well as hands-on fire suppression and safety drills at the lake. Anyone who was stranded around Lake Hodges due to, I dunno, having a crappy Toyota RAV 4 transmission, were just plain out of luck, but we digress...

....Enjoy!

By Ah-Ha Police/Fire News

San Diego Sheriff's crime report for 5/9/2011 - 5/15/2011: 11 local crimes found...

 

 http://www.crimemapping.com/map/region/northcountysandiego

For more information, follow the mapping tool above....

 

 

Type:Description:Case #:Location:Agency:Date:
SIMPLE BATTERY (M)-900 BLOCK LOMAS SANTA FE DRIVESolana Beach Sheriff5/14/2011 02:40 AM
BURGLARY (COMMERCIAL) (F)-1300 BLOCK CAMINO DEL MARDel Mar Sheriff5/13/2011 06:40 PM
KNOWINGLY USE PERSONAL IDENTIFYING INFO TO COMMIT VIOLATION (F)-300 BLOCK STRATFORD COURTDel Mar Sheriff5/13/2011 05:13 PM
GRAND THEFT (All Other Larceny) (F)-2200 BLOCK JIMMY DURANTE BOULEVARDDel Mar Sheriff5/13/2011 05:00 PM
PETTY THEFT(from Building) (M)-300 N BLOCK ACACIA AVENUESolana Beach Sheriff5/13/2011 12:00 PM
PETTY THEFT-1400 BLOCK CAM DEL MARDel Mar Sheriff5/11/2011 05:35 PM
GRAND THEFT (All Other Larceny) (F)-600 W BLOCK SOLANA CIRCLESolana Beach Sheriff5/11/2011 03:30 PM
BURGLARY (VEHICLE) (F)-3800 BLOCK VIA PASATIEMPOSan Diego County Sheriff5/11/2011 08:00 AM
PETTY THEFT(from Veh) (M)-2900 BLOCK MANCHESTER AVENUEEncinitas Sheriff5/10/2011 05:00 PM
PETTY THEFT(from Building) (M)-5500 BLOCK CANCHA DE GOLFSan Diego County Sheriff5/9/2011 05:00 PM
PERSONATE TO GET MONEY/PROP [OVER $400] (F)-100 BLOCK SALTILLO COURTSolana Beach Sheriff5/9/2011 12:01 AM
By Ah-Ha Police/Fire News

BREAKING NEWS 1 P.M. -- Fire at Cielo Village closes Del Dios Highway at 1 p.m. Friday; Re-opens an hour and a half later...

Lucky for the Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District, a new fire station and the recently relocated department offices are nearby. Conspiracy theories, anyone???

In any event, these were the CHP details as reported. Updated at 8 p.m. wth Rancho Santa Fe Fire Department release on the incident.

Crews knocked down a brush fire that broke out near Cielo Village. The fire was reported shortly after 12:45 p.m. in an area near Del Dios Highway and Bing Crosby Boulevard, according to Cal Fire. Small, separate fires also broke out in the area. Authorities said the fires were apparently sparked by a passing vehicle with a malfunctioning exhaust or brake system. Below is the real-time CHP SigAlert report brought to you real-time ONLY at Ah-Ha Rancho Santa Fe News...

SMALL VEGETATION FIRES ALONG DEL DIOS HIGHWAY QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED

RANCHO SANTA FE, Calif. — On Friday, May 6, 2011, at 12:45 p.m., firefighters from the Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District, Carlsbad Fire Department, Encinitas Fire Department, and CalFire, responde to the report of a vegetation fire along Del Dios Highway just east of Calle Ambiente. When they arrived on the scene, firefighters found three small vegetation fires, covering a total area of 1.5 acres, burning along the roadway and worked quickly to extinguish the flames. Del Dios Highway was closed in both directions for approximately 2 hours between Calle Ambiente and Rancho Drive. Eight fire engines, one hand crew, one helicopter, and two battalion chiefs responded to the incident. California Highway Patrol and Rancho Santa Fe Patrol assisted with the road closure. No evacuations were ordered and there were no injuries. CalFire is investigating the cause of the fires.

-- Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District

Structure or Grass Fire - Del Dios Hwy Just West of Calle Ambiente 12:46 PM
* About 1 Mile Long Fire, All the Way Along the Roadway // Xfrd to Norcomm 12:47 PM
* Brush Fire 12:47 PM
* North Comm Fire Cc; Need Del Dios Shut Down at Calle Ambiente 1 End and Rancho Santa Fe the Other End 12:53 PM
* CHP Unit on Scene 12:58 PM
* CHP Unit Enroute 1:06 PM
* Another Caller Xferred to Norcomm Advise D Approx 10 Small Fires 1:10 PM
* CHP Unit Enroute 1:17 PM
* 23 M: 97 at the Damn-Starting Closure There 1:21 PM
* M6: Issue Sigalert-Del Dios from Calle Ambiente to Damn // Unknown Duration 1:23 PM
* CHP Unit on Scene 2:23 PM
* Thomas Guide Map Coordinates: 1168 1J
By Ah-Ha Police/Fire News

San Diego Sheriff's crime report for Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.  4/12/2011 - 4/18/2011: 10 local crimes found.

 

 http://www.crimemapping.com/map/region/northcountysandiego

For more information, follow the mapping tool above...

 

 

Type:Description:Case #:Location:Agency:Date:
SIMPLE BATTERY (M)-5400 BLOCK LAS PALOMASSan Diego County Sheriff4/15/2011 09:30 PM
ASSAULT W/DEADLY WEAPON OTHER THAN FIREARM OR GBI FORCE-2200 BLOCK MONTGOMERY AVENUEEncinitas Sheriff4/15/2011 06:00 PM
BURGLARY (VEHICLE) (F)-1400 BLOCK TENNIS CLUB DRIVEEncinitas Sheriff4/15/2011 09:30 AM
BURGLARY (RESIDENTIAL) (F)-600 BLOCK SOLANA HILLS COURTSolana Beach Sheriff4/14/2011 09:00 AM
BURGLARY (RESIDENTIAL) (F)-400 N BLOCK GRANADOS AVENUESolana Beach Sheriff4/14/2011 07:30 AM
VANDALISM [$400 OR LESS] (M)-1200 BLOCK LOCH LOMOND DRIVEEncinitas Sheriff4/13/2011 08:30 PM
BURGLARY/UNSPECIFIED-16600 BLOCK DOVE CANYON ROADSan Diego County Sheriff4/13/2011 02:30 PM
BURGLARY (VEHICLE) (F)-3000 BLOCK CAMINO DEL MARDel Mar Sheriff4/12/2011 10:00 AM
BURGLARY (RESIDENTIAL) (F)-6700 BLOCK EL MONTEVIDEOSan Diego County Sheriff4/12/2011 09:30 AM
VANDALISM [$400 OR LESS] (M)-CASTRO STREET / HERNANDEZ STSolana Beach Sheriff4/12/2011 01:00 AM
By Ah-Ha Police/Fire News

BOOK 'EM DANO -- Five crazy days in April when pot boats tried to come ashore the coast...

  San Diego Maritime Foils Several Smuggling Attempts Over 5-Day Period

The San Diego Maritime Unified Command (MUC) is comprised of the U.S. Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Air & Marine, CBP Office of Field Operations, CBP U.S. Border Patrol, ICE, as well as state and local law enforcement partners operating in the San Diego and Orange County maritime domain. The following is a summary of MUC activities over the past several days.

On April 1, California National Guardsmen observed a suspicious 17-foot Bayliner pleasure craft off the coast of Black’s Beach in La Jolla, Calif., and directed CBP to its location. The Bayliner absconded and landed ashore at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas, Calif. U.S. Border Patrol agents responded to the scene and arrested six Mexican nationals who had illegally entered the United States.

On April 4, U.S. Border Patrol agents observed a panga boat off the coast of Solana Beach, Calif. CBP Air and Marine assets responded, and intercepted the boat approximately one half mile off the coast of the city of Del Mar. Marine interdiction agents detained 15 Mexican nationals and brought them and the panga ashore. U.S. Border Patrol agents on shore took custody of the 14 males and one female ranging in age from 19 to 39, and transported them to a local Border Patrol station for processing and further investigation. The vessel was seized by CBP Air and Marine. Three Mexican nationals arrested during the incident are being charged criminally with alien smuggling.

 On April 4, U.S. Border Patrol agents seized an abandoned panga near Dana Point, Calif., with 740 pounds of marijuana onboard. Nine arrests have been made in connection to the maritime drug smuggling incursion. The illegal drugs, vessel, and two vehicles were seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.

(Video below: ootage of San Diego Maritime Unified Command capturing drug smugglers in June 2010. Scenes include the Coast Guard towing the drug smugglers boat back to a dock and the Coast Guard escorting the suspects and drugs on the dock. Provided by U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area.)

On April 4, CBP Office of Air and Marine Interdiction agents intercepted a 16-foot Chaparral pleasure craft near Shelter Island and arrested four Mexican nationals who had illegally entered the country. They were turned over to U.S. Border Patrol agents and transported to a local Border Patrol station for processing and further investigation. The vessel was seized by CBP Office of Air and Marine. One of the Mexican nationals arrested is being charged criminally with alien smuggling.

 

 

On April 5, a U.S. Navy helicopter involved in a training exercise about 20 miles off the coast of Imperial Beach, Calif., reported a panga boat travelling northbound from Mexico. The United States Coast Guard Cutter “Sea Otter” responded and intercepted the boat about 20 miles west of La Jolla, Calif. The Coast Guard detained 14 males and 2 females, and transported them to the Shelter Island Customs dock. U.S. Border Patrol agents arrived on scene and all occupants were Mexican nationals, illegally present in the United States.

By Ah-Ha Police/Fire News

FREE MONEY AT MISSION FEDERAL CREDIT UNION SOLANA BEACH, CALIF.? NOPE but thief got away with $3K...

 A man wearing a black bandanna over his face robbed a Mission Federal Credit Union branch around 11 a.m. today, Wednesday in the 900 block of Loma Santa Fe at Solana Beach.

The suspect was described as a black man in his mid-30s who was wearing a black baseball cap, a black leather jacket, and a black bandana over his face, San Diego County Sheriff's Lt. Jim Walker said.

The man had his hand in his pocket as if he had a gun, but no weapon was seen, Walker said.

No vehicle was seen as the man fled on foot with an estimated $3,000. He was last seen on foot, heading toward the Vons market in the Lomas Santa Fe Plaza shopping center, Walker said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff's Department's at 858-565-5200.

By Ah-Ha Police/Fire News

Moose No Longer Loose So Get Off Our Cloud and Return Those Damn Bronze and Iron Sculptures...OH THE HUMANITY STOP THESE HORRIBLE THEFT AND RETURN INCIDENTS!!!

(Photo: This moose is no longer loose after being returned "mysteriously" to its Ramona owner last weekend. In related stolen large outdoor sculpture matters, San Diego Sherriffs deputies said they were in hot pursuit of a Rancho Santa Fe bronze sculpture and Solana Beach iron-cast sculpture, and its absconders, also missing in action.)

 

Anybody around Rancho Santa Fe missing a giant outdoor bronze horse statue estinated to be worth $4,000? How about somebody at Solana Beach missing a cast-iron statue of undescribed nature estimated at $6,250?

You're not exactly in luck, but have no fear, sort of, the San Diego Sheriffs Department is on the case. Those tributes to the bronze and iron ages are being sought as a result of the mother lode of the entire set, a 600-pound bronze moose, suddenly showing up back at its pre-stolen home on the southwestern outskirts of Ramona.

A woman who had read a newspaper article about the statue's theft was visiting a popular equestrian area at Dye Road and Southern Oak Road in Ramona lnear sunset ast week and spotted the at-large moose, said Sgt. Christina Bavencoff of the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

The woman said she left the area for abut two hours. when she returned, lo-and-behold a 600-pound bronze moose at the same spot staring at her in a vacant field, according to Bavencoff.

"Sometime between 7 and 9 at night, a truck or a van or something probably pulled in to dump it off there," Bavencoff said. "Everybody's pretty much just baffled."

The moose vanished from a Ramona home in late February, and more than 17 other statues also had been stolen in recent months across the North County region. Among those were a cast-iron statue worth $6,250 stolen from its Solana Beach owner and a bronze horse statue worth $4,000 stolen from someone in Rancho Santa Fe.

 

 

Most of the thefts occurred within the last six months, she said.

Bavencoff said she had no idea whether the statues were being sold or scrapped or smuggled across the Mexican border.

However, she urged residents to be careful; while many of the statues were stolen from front yards, some were taken from backyards. Such an invasion could lead to violent confrontations between the thieves and surprised residents, she said.

Anyone with any information about how the moose traveled to the vacant field ---- or tips about any other statue theft ---- is asked to call the San Diego County Sheriff's Department at 858-565-5200 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.

By Ah-Ha Police/Fire News

San Diego Sheriff's crime report for Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. and area 3/30/2011 - 4/5/2011: Seven local crimes found...

 http://www.crimemapping.com/map/region/northcountysandiego

For more information, follow the mapping tool above....

 

Type:Description:Case #:Location:Agency:Date:
BURGLARY (COMMERCIAL) (F)-16900 BLOCK DOVE CANYON ROADSan Diego County Sheriff4/4/2011 09:00 AM
BURGLARY (RESIDENTIAL) (F)-900 BLOCK CREST ROADDel Mar Sheriff4/3/2011 05:30 PM
BURGLARY (RESIDENTIAL) (F)-500 BLOCK SAN JULIO DRIVESolana Beach Sheriff4/3/2011 02:30 AM
PETTY THEFT(from Veh) (M)-14900 BLOCK EL CAMINO REALSan Diego County Sheriff4/2/2011 10:30 AM
PETTY THEFT-100 S BLOCK CEDROS AVENUESolana Beach Sheriff4/2/2011 12:20 AM
BURGLARY (COMMERCIAL) (F)-900 BLOCK LOMAS SANTA FE DRIVESolana Beach Sheriff3/31/2011 06:20 AM
PERSONATE TO GET MONEY/PROP [OVER $400] (F)-800 BLOCK IDA AVENUESolana Beach Sheriff3/30/2011 01:00 PM
By Ah-Ha Police/Fire News

Selected North County crime notes from police and sheriff’s reports for March:

SOLANA BEACH: Tidewater Tavern on North Coast Highway 101 was vandalized $500 in damage between 5:15 and 7:30 a.m. March 29.

SOLANA BEACH: A thief stole a $750 cellphone and $100 of electronic equipment from a 27-year-old man between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m. March 21 on Cedros Avenue.

SOLANA BEACH: A 31-year-old man was kidnapped and his car was stolen and recovered at 10:55 p.m. March 23 on Lomas Santa Fe Drive.

DEL MAR: A juvenile was arrested for vandalizing city property and possessing spray paint and marijuana on Camino Del Mar at 27th street, 4:27 p.m. March 27.

DEL MAR: An 18-year-old man was arrested after burglarizing a vehicle on Stratford Court between 2:45 and 2:48 a.m. March 26. Deputies recovered the $165 in electronics he stole from the car.

DEL MAR: A 53-year-old man suffered major injuries after fighting another 53-year-old male transient at 12:50 p.m. March 25 on 14th street.

ENCINITAS: A 43-year-old man was... (more)

By Ah-Ha Police/Fire News

Breaking news 3 p.m. - Get ready, get set, STOP on Interstate 5 around Del Mar for a spell longer due to a collision just north of Birmingham Drive...

Yeah, it's Friday, so you know what that means. TRAFFIC HASSLE bleepin' so-and-so commute north. That's a real-time Caltrans photo of what's going on there so either avoid getting on Interstate 5 or else.

Considering traffic gets insane after 3 p.m. on Friday, this accident made it worse. The scene was cleared in an hour. Traffic is proceeding at around 15 miles per hour, or slower, from the Highway 56 merge at Carmel Valley north through Lomas Santa Fe.

So, that's the April Fools Kommute Killer for now. Expect tough going through early evening.

 

Traffic Collision - 5 North at Birmingham Dr

2:06 PM

* No Further Details

2:06 PM

* Vehicle Traffic Collision Traffic Hazard #1

2:06 PM

* 3 Rd Vehicle Fled, Unknown Description

2:08 PM

* Green Toyota Scion vs Silver Merz Ml320

2:08 PM

* Also Just North of Manch

2:08 PM

* Refused Tow Truck Required, Sag

2:09 PM

* Partial Traffic Hazard Cd/#1

2:09 PM

* Have Ptys off at Birmingham

2:31 PM

* CHP Unit on Scene

2:31 PM

* Thomas Guide Map Coordinates: 1167 2E

 

Sorry to report, but that's the way it goes, April Fools Friday. Don't say you weren't warned.

By Ah-Ha Police/Fire News

OH THE HUMANITY!!! Dump truck Ditches Del Dios Highway, Calif. Morning Rush Hour Traffic...

 Just before 8 a.m. Wednesday, March 31, and just in time for morning rush hour, a dump truck overturned on Del Dios Highway near Lake Hodges Dam, Ranch Santa Fe firefighters said.

Maybe, the dump truck driver was watching the waterfalls continuing at the dam. Maybe, those stinking dump trucks shouldn't be allowed on narrow, two-lane Del Dios Highway where they spew pollution, clog up traffic and, yes, even overturn and truly turn the highway into a nightmare, especially at rush hour.

But we digress.

Del Dios Highway was CLOSED, closed we tell ya, from 8 to 9 a.m. so a lot of people didn't get to -- Maynard G. Krebs voice, please --  "work". But gee whiz, no injuries, so that's, er, nice, we guess.

The dastardly dump truck -- its ownership not revealed -- had been towing a small flatbed trailer with a tractor. That's just the worst kind of traffic possible on the misnamed highway because these stinking trucks and trailer go like 30 miles per hour under the speed limit. They also don't turn off when a long line of vehicles is behind them and technically, the law says it's illegal to drive with five vehicles, or more, in the rear.

 ANYWAY, Firefighters found the truck and erstwhile trailer lying on its side on the guard rail along the lane headed from Rancho Santa Fe to Del Dios.

 

Taxpayer dollars came to work then.

Aside from the Rancho Santa Fe Fire engine company and San Diego Medical Services ambulance and crew, San Diego County Department of Public Works employees cleaned up the road while California Highway Patrol officers told people they couldn't drive anywhere.

The accident remains under investigation with no charges filed as yet, said Julie Taber, Rancho Santa Fe Fire spokesperson.

Oh, the humanity!

(By the way, photo below, the waterfall event is coming to a close at Lake Hodges Dam where the one month-long attraction was enjoyed by one and all.)

Viewing Stories 1 - 25 of 73
Previous << 1 2 3 >> Next