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."

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)

Party hardy goes awry on Los Morros with stabbing, fights, underage drinking and arrests

A party in exclusive Rancho Santa Fe attended by more than 200 people late Friday night led to a stabbing, fights and arrests for disorderly conduct and resisting officers, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department said.

One person was stabbed, another hit with a sheriff's stun gun, and six people arrested at a raucous house party at 17434 Los Morros. 

Deputies said the stabbing suspect got away in the confusion as they arrived just after midnight to a report of a stabbing at a home on the 17400 block of Los Morros, near the intersection of La Bajada, a crossroads just southeast of Encinitas.

The owner of the property on Los Morros was arrested for violating the county's social host ordinance against allowing underage drinking. Deputies used a Taser to arrest one person on the property. Several people younger than 21 were found drunk.

San Diego Sheriff's Sgt. Joe Passalacqua said arriving deputies... (more)

Encinitas fire destroys apartment, send firefighter to the hospital

A fire destroyed the upstairs unit of an Encinitas duplex early Sunday morning and sent one firefighter to the hospital for heat exhaustion, authorities said.

Residents of the building on Cambridge Avenue told firefighters they woke to a crackling sound and a smoke alarm around 1 a.m. and then found a box near their fireplace completely engulfed in flames, said Encinitas Deputy Chief Mike Daigle.

About 25 firefighters and six units responded to battle the blaze. One unit reported seeing flames from the freeway, Daigle said.

All residents escaped unharmed, however one firefighter was later transported to Scripps Memorial Hospital in Encinitas to be treated for heat exhaustion. He was released about two hours later, said Daigle.

He estimated damage to the building at about a half-million dollars, plus about $50,000 for the contents. The upstairs unit was destroyed and the unit downstairs suffered water damage, said Daigle.

By 5 a.m., the... (more)

A motorcyclist was seriously injured in Encinitas Saturday when the rider hit an SUV that was making a U-turn on South Coast Highway 101, sheriff’s officials said.

The driver of a Nissan Pathfinder sport utility vehicle made the U-turn in front of the southbound motorcycle south of Santa Fe Drive about 3 p.m. Saturday.

Sheriff’s officials said the motorcycle rider suffered serious, but not life-threatening injuries, and was taken to a hospital.

Authorities did not release the age or gender of either driver.

Three people were hospitalized Friday afternoon after a crash that occurred near Rancho Santa Fe, authorities said.

A vehicle with four people inside went off the road on Via de la Valle near Las Planideras about 4:42 p.m., said Julie Taber, a spokeswoman for the Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District.

The vehicle rolled over but landed on its wheels, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Three of the occupants were able to get out of the vehicle on their own but a fourth person had to be removed by emergency personnel, Taber said.

One of the individuals was taken by helicopter to Scripps Hospital in La Jolla, she said. Two other people were taken to the hospital by ambulance.

One of the occupants declined treatment, Taber said.

Via de la Valle was closed in both directions for a short time, Taber said. The CHP is investigating the crash.

No other information was immediately available.

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

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

• Vacation Check Form
• CHP Traffic
• Crime Stoppers
• Rancho Santa Fe Association
• RSF Fire
• San Diego Sheriff

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.

'Blue Velvet' the David Lynch-like Reality Coronado Murder Plays Out To Be Continued...Coverage courtesy Fox 5 San Diego.

By John Langeler

8:26 p.m. PDT, July 14, 2011

CORONADO, Calif. -- Authorities Thursday said a 32-year-old woman who died at a historic multi-million-dollar mansion in Coronado was found hanging from a balcony by the owner's brother.

At a late-morning news conference, sheriff's Capt. Tim Curran said investigators have not determined if the death of 32-year-old Rebecca M. Nalepa is a suicide or a homicide.

"Because of the unique and bizarre circumstances, it is unclear if this is a homicide or a death investigation," Curran said.

Adam Shacknai called Coronado police shortly before 7 a.m. Wednesday to report finding Nalepa hanging from a balcony at 1043 block of Ocean Boulevard in Coronado, Curran said. Officers found Nalepa lying in the courtyard behind the 27-room manor, Curran said. Paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene a short time later.

Shacknai told investigators that he found Nalepa hanging nude by the neck from a balcony of the main house. Her hands were tied behind her and her legs were bound, Curran said. Shacknai told investigators that he had cut Nalepa down.
 
Shacknai, whose brother Jonah Shacknai owns the mansion, had been staying in the guest house on the estate, and Nalepa, who was Jonah's girlfriend, was staying in the main house, Curran said.

Jonah Shacknai, 54, was not at the estate when the death was reported, Curran said. The captain declined to discuss the executive's whereabouts at the time or in the hours that followed, though he said investigators had been "in constant contact'' with the businessman.

Curran said the owner of the manor and his brother were considered witnesses, not suspects or even "persons of interest,'' the captain said.

Former District Attorney Paul Pfingst visited the scene Wednesday night, but Thursday denied he'd been hired by Jonah Shacknai.  He would not elaborate on whether another member of the family had sought him for legal counsel.

Jonah Shacknai, chief executive officer of Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Medicis Pharmaceuticals, bought the mansion for $12.75 million in 2007, according to the San Diego County Assessor's Office. The estate includes a separate guest house, three kitchens, six fireplaces and a six-car garage. Shacknai also owns a large estate in Scottsdale.

On Monday, a young boy was injured at the mansion in an apparent accident and had to be hospitalized, Curran told news crews. There was no evidence that the incident was related to the woman's subsequent death, the captain said.

"Right now, we don’t see any connection between the two incidents," Curran said at the Thursday news conference.

Neighbors said the injured boy was Jonah Shacknai's 6-year-old son.

Kennel owner Ted Greenberg told Fox 5 he was in the Coronado mansion after the boy was injured.  He said Nalpea called, asking to take care of the family dog.

One of his two ex-wives lives in Coronado, not far from the historic estate, in a house owned by the millionaire.

Private security guards were seen Thursday outside Shacknai and his ex-wife's houses on Coronado.

The mansion was built in 1908 by industrialist John D. Spreckels, who was thought to be the richest man in San Diego in the early 20th century. Spreckels, who died in 1926 at age 72, once operated San Diego's street railway system, changing it from horse power to electricity in 1892, and owned the Hotel Del Coronado for a time, according to the San Diego History Center.

BA-AAH!!! HAVE YOU SEEN OUR GOAT? San Diego Crimestoppers $3,000 reward for information...

"SENIOR PRANK GONE WRONG," AUTHORITIES SAY...

 Fallbrook High 

2400 South Stage Coach Ln., Fallbrook, 92028

• Public school in the Fallbrook Union High district.
• Grades 9-12
• 2,899 students
• 125 faculty members

 

( Source: California Department of Education)

 

A $3,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the person who put duct tape around the snouts and legs of two goats at Fallbrook High School, leading to the death of one goat.

The incident, which occurred about 5 a.m. on June 15, may have been a "senior prank" gone wrong, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

The vandal -- described as 5-foot-11, 180 pounds -- fled when he was discovered by a security guard. The guard removed the duct tape from the goats, but one goat had already died.

The goats, kept in a livestock pen, were part of an agricultural project. A necropsy determined that the goat suffocated.

Anyone with information is asked to call San Diego County Crime Stoppers, (888) 580-8477, or sheriff's Det. Jim Pucillo, (760) 451-3100. The reward is being offered by Crime Stoppers and San Diego Animal Advocates.

San Diego Sheriff's crime report for 6/22/2011 - 6/28/2011: 13 local crimes found....

BONUS COVERAGE !!! SEVENTEEN DEL MAR FAIR ARRESTS JUNE 22-28.

 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)	-	2000 S BLOCK COAST HIGHWAY 101	Encinitas Sheriff	6/27/2011 01:30 PM
	BURGLARY (RESIDENTIAL) (F)	-	300 N BLOCK EL CAMINO REAL	Encinitas Sheriff	6/27/2011 07:30 AM
	PETTY THEFT(All Other Larceny) (M)	-	900 BLOCK VIA MIL CUMBRES	Solana Beach Sheriff	6/26/2011 06:15 PM
	SIMPLE BATTERY (M)	-	2200 BLOCK SUMMERHILL DRIVE	Encinitas Sheriff	6/26/2011 06:00 PM
	VANDALISM ($400 OR MORE) (F)	-	4S RANCH PARKWAY / LONE QUAIL RD	San Diego County Sheriff	6/26/2011 05:00 PM
	GRAND THEFT (All Other Larceny) (F)	-	W CLIFF STREET / PACIFIC AV	Solana Beach Sheriff	6/26/2011 04:00 PM
	PETTY THEFT(All Other Larceny) (M)	-	2300 BLOCK SAN ELIJO AVENUE	Encinitas Sheriff	6/25/2011 02:00 PM
	VANDALISM [$400 OR LESS] (M)	-	100 N BLOCK EL CAMINO REAL	Encinitas Sheriff	6/24/2011 12:01 AM
	ASSAULT W/DEADLY WEAPON OTHER THAN FIREARM OR GBI FORCE	-	2500 BLOCK LONE JACK ROAD	Encinitas Sheriff	6/23/2011 07:11 PM
	TAKE VEHICLE W/O OWNER'S CONSENT/VEHICLE THEFT	-	1500 BLOCK JUNIPERHILL DRIVE	Encinitas Sheriff	6/23/2011 04:17 PM
	TAKE VEHICLE W/O OWNER'S CONSENT/VEHICLE THEFT	-	2000 S BLOCK COAST HIGHWAY 101	Encinitas Sheriff	6/23/2011 03:00 PM
	BURGLARY (VEHICLE) (F)	-	2200 BLOCK CAROL VIEW DRIVE	Encinitas Sheriff	6/23/2011 12:30 AM
	BURGLARY (VEHICLE) (F)	-	2200 BLOCK CAROL VIEW DRIVE	Encinitas Sheriff	6/22/2011 12:00 PM

DEL MAR FAIR RELATED ARRESTS

Type:	Description:	Case #:	Location:	Agency:	Date:
	PETTY THEFT(All Other Larceny) (M)	-	21ST STREET / CAMINO DEL MAR	Del Mar Sheriff	6/26/2011 05:00 PM
	BURGLARY (VEHICLE) (F)	-	2900 BLOCK CAMINO DEL MAR	Del Mar Sheriff	6/26/2011 03:00 PM
	PETTY THEFT(Purse Snatch) (M)	-	2200 BLOCK JIMMY DURANTE BOULEVARD	Del Mar Sheriff	6/25/2011 10:00 PM
	BURGLARY/UNSPECIFIED	-	2200 BLOCK JIMMY DURANTE BOULEVARD	Del Mar Sheriff	6/25/2011 09:15 PM
	SIMPLE BATTERY (M)	-	700 E BLOCK SOLANA CIRCLE	Solana Beach Sheriff	6/25/2011 09:05 PM
	VANDALISM ($400 OR MORE) (F)	-	100 N BLOCK CEDROS AVENUE	Solana Beach Sheriff	6/25/2011 08:30 PM
	BATTERY WITH SERIOUS BODILY INJURY	-	2200 BLOCK JIMMY DURANTE BOULEVARD	Del Mar Sheriff	6/25/2011 06:55 PM
	SIMPLE BATTERY (M)	-	2200 BLOCK JIMMY DURANTE BOULEVARD	Encinitas Sheriff	6/25/2011 06:55 PM
	PETTY THEFT(Mot Veh Parts) (M)	-	500 BLOCK VIA DE LA VALLE	Solana Beach Sheriff	6/25/2011 06:00 PM
	BURGLARY (VEHICLE) (F)	-	15000 BLOCK BLK EL CAMINO REAL	San Diego County Sheriff	6/25/2011 04:00 PM
	BURGLARY/UNSPECIFIED	-	800 BLOCK DEL MAR DOWNS ROAD	Solana Beach Sheriff	6/24/2011 10:00 PM
	TAKE VEHICLE W/O OWNER'S CONSENT/VEHICLE THEFT (F)	-	2400 BLOCK JIMMY DURANTE BOULEVARD	Del Mar Sheriff	6/24/2011 08:30 PM
	GRAND THEFT (Theft From Mot Veh) (F)	-	2200 BLOCK JIMMY DURANTE	Del Mar Sheriff	6/24/2011 02:30 PM
	BURGLARY (COMMERCIAL) (F)	-	1500 BLOCK CAMINO DEL MAR	Del Mar Sheriff	6/23/2011 11:15 AM
	BURGLARY (VEHICLE) (F)	-	3000 BLOCK CAMINO DEL MAR	Del Mar Sheriff	6/23/2011 10:30 AM
	GRAND THEFT FROM PERS (Pocket-Picking) (F)	-	2200 BLOCK JIMMY DURANTE BOULEVARD	Del Mar Sheriff	6/22/2011 08:20 PM
	TAKE VEHICLE W/O OWNER'S CONSENT/VEHICLE THEFT (F)	-	600 BLOCK VIA DE LA VALLE	Solana Beach Sheriff	6/22/2011 04:30 PM

NuEzzY BRieFs for Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. area: Coast Police Get Tough; Ag Commish Gets Going; Cardiff Parade Coming and Going...

  Coastal deputies getting tougher on patrol this summer, captain says 

Uh-Oh, mind your P's and Q's or you'll be sorry as ABC. OK?

San Diego Sheriff's Department officials said they were getting tough on crime this summer, believe it. A new coastal enforcement program is going to be more intense than in the past, according to Encinitas Sheriff's Capt. Sherri Sarro.

"Our focus, obviously, is on crime in the area, but not just that," Sarro said to Encinitas council members at their recent June meeting.

Teams of six Encinitas deputies and two Solana Beach deputies will work the coast on foot and in patrol cars. They will blend in, kind of for "You may see a deputy in shorts or a T-shirt" keeping an eye on the crowds, Sarro said.

In addition to extra police presence along the coast, the Sheriff's Department has increased its networking with business groups along the Coast Highway 101 corridor, Sarro said. Deputies are doing this to help spot emerging trends in criminal activity, such as the start of a spike in car burglaries in a given area, Sarro said.

San Diego County Ag Commissioner Bids Farewell

San Diego County Agricultural Commissioner and Sealer of Weights and Measures, Bob Atkins, recently retired after 38 years of service to the agricultural communities of Los Angeles and San Diego.

In 1975, Commissioner Atkins found the first Mediterranean fruit fly in California and later worked to eradicate the same fruit fly in a series of five quarantines in San Diego County from 2008 – 2010. He also led a local, cooperative effort to eradicate the Mexican fruit fly and Japanese beetle, and battled the insidious Asian citrus psyllid and light brown apple moth. 

County Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Sarah Aghassi, has appointed Agriculture, Weights and Measures Assistant Director, Lisa Leondis, to serve as Interim Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer while the County searches for a permanent replacement. Ms. Leondis possesses all of the required licenses to be qualified to act as the Commissioner/Sealer and has  more than 20 years of experience with the department.

 Happy Days! Cardiff Marks Centennial with Parade, Festival

The Cardiff 101 Main Street association celebrates the community's centennial from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday with a 100-Year Birthday Celebration in Glen Park.

Festivities will begin at 10 a.m. with a parade down Newcastle Avenue from the Cardiff Post Office (2027 Newcastle) to Glen Park (2149 Orinda Drive). 

The parade's grand marshal will be a television and stage celebrity with deep local roots, "Happy Days" star Marion Ross, who grew up in San Diego and made her professional debut at the Old Globe Theatre in 1948.

Once the parade arrives at Glen Park, the festival will begin, featuring vendor, food and game booths, educational exhibits, music and children's activities.

 Parking is limited, but free shuttle service will be offered from Encinitas City Hall at 505 S. Vulcan Ave. every half-hour from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more info, call 760-436-0431.

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 REAL	Encinitas Sheriff	6/16/2011 07:30 PM
	PETTY THEFT	-	2200 BLOCK JIMMY DURANTE BOULEVARD	Del Mar Sheriff	6/14/2011 09:45 PM
	BURGLARY (VEHICLE) (F)	-	2200 BLOCK CAROL VIEW DRIVE	Encinitas Sheriff	6/14/2011 06:00 PM
	BATTERY ON PERSON	-	2200 BLOCK JIMMY DURANTE BOULEVARD	Del Mar Sheriff	6/14/2011 05:59 PM
	SIMPLE BATTERY (M)	-	2200 BLOCK JIMMY DURANTE	Del Mar Sheriff	6/14/2011 04:30 PM
	BATTERY AGAINST POLICE OFFICER	-	2200 BLOCK JIMMY DURANTE BOULEVARD	Del Mar Sheriff	6/14/2011 02:40 PM
	GRAND THEFT (All Other Larceny) (F)	-	2200 BLOCK JIMMY DURANTE	Del Mar Sheriff	6/14/2011 06:30 AM

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 DRIVE	Encinitas Sheriff	6/10/2011 09:13 PM
	SIMPLE BATTERY (M)	-	300 BLOCK PRINCEHOUSE LANE	Encinitas Sheriff	6/10/2011 08:45 PM
	PETTY THEFT(Shoplift) (M)	-	1100 S BLOCK COAST HIGHWAY 101	Encinitas Sheriff	6/10/2011 03:40 PM
	VANDALISM [$400 OR LESS] (M)	-	100 BLOCK SINALOA COURT	Solana Beach Sheriff	6/9/2011 01:00 PM
	VANDALISM ($400 OR MORE) (F)	-	300 BLOCK SPRUCEWOOD DRIVE	Encinitas Sheriff	6/8/2011 11:45 PM
	PETTY THEFT(from Veh) (M)	-	900 BLOCK ARDEN DRIVE	Encinitas Sheriff	6/8/2011 09:00 PM
	TAKE VEHICLE W/O OWNER'S CONSENT/VEHICLE THEFT	-	1300 S BLOCK COAST HIGHWAY 101	Encinitas Sheriff	6/8/2011 01:30 PM
	BURGLARY (RESIDENTIAL) (F)	-	200 S BLOCK SIERRA AVENUE	Solana Beach Sheriff	6/8/2011 09:00 AM
	PETTY THEFT(All Other Larceny) (M)	-	2000 BLOCK PARK DALE LANE	Encinitas Sheriff	6/7/2011 08:06 PM
	PETTY THEFT(from Veh) (M)	-	2900 BLOCK MANCHESTER AVENUE	Encinitas Sheriff	6/7/2011 06:00 PM
	BURGLARY (COMMERCIAL) (F)	-	200 N BLOCK EL CAMINO REAL	Encinitas Sheriff	6/6/2011 05:17 PM
	PETTY THEFT(from Building) (M)	-	500 BLOCK LOMAS SANTA FE DRIVE	Solana Beach Sheriff	6/6/2011 03:15 PM

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.

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. 

More details, as they become avaliable...

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 AVENUE	Solana Beach Sheriff	5/29/2011 04:00 PM
	VANDALISM ($400 OR MORE) (F)	-	1700 BLOCK LEGAYE DRIVE	Encinitas Sheriff	5/28/2011 08:00 PM
	VANDALISM [$400 OR LESS] (M)	-	14400 BLOCK TWIN GABLES COURT	Poway Sheriff	5/28/2011 11:45 AM
	BURGLARY (RESIDENTIAL) (F)	-	17100 BLOCK ALVA ROAD	San Diego County Sheriff	5/28/2011 10:15 AM
	PETTY THEFT(All Other Larceny) (M)	-	100 N BLOCK HWY 101	Solana Beach Sheriff	5/27/2011 06:37 AM
	BURGLARY (VEHICLE) (F)	-	12600 BLOCK POWAY ROAD	Poway Sheriff	5/26/2011 07:30 PM
	BURGLARY (VEHICLE) (F)	-	100 BLOCK 08TH STREET	Del Mar Sheriff	5/26/2011 07:00 PM
	ADW:NOT FIREARM:GBI LIKELY (F)	-	700 BLOCK GENEVIEVE AVENUE	Solana Beach Sheriff	5/26/2011 03:05 PM
	PETTY THEFT(from Building) (M)	-	200 BLOCK 12TH STREET	Del Mar Sheriff	5/24/2011 09:30 PM
	PETTY THEFT(from Building) (M)	-	200 BLOCK 12TH STREET	Del Mar Sheriff	5/24/2011 07:00 PM
	PETTY THEFT(from Building) (M)	-	200 BLOCK 12TH STREET	Del Mar Sheriff	5/24/2011 06:30 PM
	GRAND THEFT (All Other Larceny) (F)	-	900 BLOCK LOMAS SANTA FE DRIVE	Solana Beach Sheriff	5/24/2011 04:10 PM
	OTHER AGENCY VEHICLE THEFT/RECOVERY (F)	-	2500 S BLOCK COAST HIGHWAY 101	Encinitas Sheriff	5/24/2011 10:29 AM
	BURGLARY (RESIDENTIAL) (F)	-	10500 BLOCK CLASICO COURT	San Diego County Sheriff	5/24/2011 08:00 AM

Emergency responders deal with tragedy, sometimes joy around Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.

 The ambulance at Rancho Santa Fe Fire Station 1 sat idle, if only for a moment, as paramedic John Salinsky contemplated the upscale North County beat he works for San Diego Medical Services Enterprise, the area's 911 paramedic provider.

"This is a lot different than working downtown," Salinsky said. "It's just better quality here. It's like the difference between Thunderbird and fine wine."

Upscale, yes, but areas served by Salinsky, his partner Angelo Sanchez, an emergency medical technician, and the other medical emergency responders in places such as Rancho Santa Fe, Del Mar, Carmel Valley and Solana Beach suffer life and death traumas like anywhere else.

"One gentleman was at a formal dinner wearing a tuxedo and choking on a steak," Salinsky said. "He was in a room full of doctors all standing over him. You walk in the door and see a doctor with a giant steak knife trying to do a tracheotomy on him."

No happy ending there. The patient died. But potential tragedy many times turns to joy due to quick acting by paramedics such as Salinsky and a sense of humor never hurts.

"I always like the one about the fabled Rancho Santa Fe deer," Salinsky said. "Usually occurs around 2 o'clock in the morning. Someone hits a tree. I get there and they are standing around a little tipsy saying the deer ran across the road and I hit it. I've heard variations like a coyote of bunny rabbit ran across, too. The elusive RSF deer only seems to come out after they've been drinking."

 Loralee Olejnik, shown here, provides SDMSE Project Heartbeat community services around Rancho Santa Fe, Solana Beach, Del Mar, Encinitas and San Diego County.

 

Paramedics and emergency medical technicians are part of a groundbreaking public-private partnership in place since 2001. The umbrella operation is called San Diego Medical Services Enterprise. This combines resources from the city of San Diego Fire-Rescue Department and Rural/Metro Ambulance, a leading national provider of emergency and non-emergency medical transportation.

The organization employs about 410 people covering Carmel Valley and the city of San Diego as well as North County from Encinitas to Del Mar, 4S Ranch to Elfin Forest. Beyond San Diego city limits, the coverage area is referred to as County Service Area 17. Crews respond to about 5,100 emergency calls and transport about 4,300 patients annually. Three ambulances are staffed 24 hours a day out of Rancho Santa Fe Fire Station 1, Encinitas Fire Station 5 and Solana Beach Fire Station 1.

The service also participates in numerous community outreach programs. It offers free blood pressure checks at senior centers, Distributes free emergency medical information kits and defibrillator training. Crews attend various community events telling people how best to contact 911 service providers and other helpful bits of advice about what to do in emergency situations.

Medical service providers work as two-person paramedic units, generally in 24-hour shifts, saving lives side-by-side with regular fire engine crews that include five or six firefighters and a paramedic. This requires teamwork and a commitment to patient care above all else.

"This is not like you're sitting behind a desk pushing paper," said 24-year paramedic Randy Stark as he manned Solana Beach Fire Station 1 with emergency medical technician Jason Gray, a new hire, during the final days of the San Diego County Fair at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

The day before, the crew made three trips to the fair. Two visits were for alcohol-related injuries. One trip was to help a person suffering an off-track motorbike spill.

"I like this job," said Stark, leaning on an ambulance with an interior resembling a fully stocked hospital triage unit. "One day, it's a child birth, then an auto accident, then a stabbing, over to a parachute that didn't open to shark bites, everything you hear over the news."

The journey from tragedy to hospital can be emotionally gut wrenching. Emergency workers undergo extensive psychological and situational training to help them deal with sometimes-unconscionable events. They must act quickly and decisively under pressure.

"We're out there by ourselves," Salinsky said. "We really need to be prepared. You need a certain detail-oriented personality, someone who likes to be autonomous. You're constantly re-assessing during transport like Sherlock Holmes, deducing, trying to narrow down the complaint from an endless list of things, determining what is wrong and how to treat the patient."

Salinsky and Sanchez had just finished transporting a Rancho Santa Fe patient with abdominal pain to Scripps Encinitas Hospital.

"We have a higher percentage of older people around here, but they know to call 911 when they need it and not for reasons other than emergencies like happens downtown a lot," Salinsky said.

But for Stark and Gray over at Solana Beach, the day was quieter as they contemplated life, not death.

"I've participated in delivering 100 babies," Stark said. "We had a child birth in Solana Beach last year where they called 911 saying the baby was coming. The lady delivered in her driveway, leaning on a Mercedes. She called me the other day, and we went to her son's first birthday party."

Medical supervisor Todd Smith checked his on-board computer's global positioning system pinpointing active cases, of which there were several, driving to another of his units on the front lines of emergency medical care in County Service Area 17.

"I was a third-generation San Diego County firefighter before I went to paramedic school," Smith said. "No, I'm not superstitious, but we always have our full moon scenarios. It must be a full moon tonight."

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.

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

 

 

I-5 at Del Mar Heights Rd (Looking North)

(Traffic closest to camera is on 5 North)

Provided by TrafficLand/Caltrans

 

 

 

 

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.

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

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 LANE	Encinitas Sheriff	5/20/2011 11:00 PM
	SIMPLE BATTERY (M)	-	200 BLOCK SAXONY ROAD	Encinitas Sheriff	5/20/2011 08:30 PM
	BURGLARY (COMMERCIAL) (F)	-	800 BLOCK ACADEMY DRIVE	Solana Beach Sheriff	5/20/2011 02:43 AM
	BURGLARY (VEHICLE) (F)	-	1200 BLOCK ENCINITAS BOULEVARD	Encinitas Sheriff	5/19/2011 07:00 PM
	PETTY THEFT(from Veh) (M)	-	900 BLOCK NARDO ROAD	Encinitas Sheriff	5/18/2011 06:00 PM
	BURGLARY (RESIDENTIAL) (F)	-	2300 BLOCK 11TH STREET	Encinitas Sheriff	5/18/2011 01:00 PM
	BURGLARY (RESIDENTIAL) (F)	-	1500 BLOCK ORANGEVIEW DRIVE	Encinitas Sheriff	5/18/2011 12:00 PM
	BURGLARY (RESIDENTIAL) (F)	-	5400 BLOCK CALZADA DEL BOSQUE	San Diego County Sheriff	5/18/2011 10:40 AM
	GRAND THEFT:MONEY/LABOR/PROPERTY OVER $950	-	800 BLOCK BRACERO ROAD	Encinitas Sheriff	5/17/2011 11:45 PM
	PETTY THEFT(from Building) (M)	-	100 BLOCK VIA CANTEBRIA	Encinitas Sheriff	5/17/2011 04:00 PM
	BATTERY WITH SERIOUS BODILY INJURY	-	200 BLOCK CERRO STREET	Encinitas Sheriff	5/17/2011 12:30 PM
	BURGLARY (RESIDENTIAL) (F)	-	10300 BLOCK CRAFTSMAN WAY	San Diego County Sheriff	5/17/2011 10:30 AM
	KNOWINGLY USE PERSONAL IDENTIFYING INFO TO COMMIT VIOLATION (F)	-	8100 BLOCK LAMOUR LANE	San Diego County Sheriff	5/16/2011 08:37 AM

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.

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?

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.

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!