

Reporter
Maura Fox
Maura Fox is a reporter at the Union-Tribune covering the neighborhoods and communities in the city of San Diego. She was previously a member of the Guides team, writing service journalism-style guides to everything from local history to mental health resources. Before ing the U-T, she was an editor at Outside magazine in Santa Fe, New Mexico and a freelance fact-checker and writer. Originally from San Diego, she earned her undergraduate degree from UC Santa Barbara. In her free time, you'll find her rock climbing, hiking, performing improv or telling anyone who will listen about her cat, Cosgrove.
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El presidente del Concejo Municipal y la supervisora del condado han ofrecido conservar los lugares con fondos del condado.

Coastal Commission warns Gloria over plan to remove fire rings from San Diego beaches
Meanwhile, City Council President Joe LaCava and county Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer have offered to keep the rings with county funding

Gloria, Jewish groups back away from San Diego Pride over headliner Kehlani’s Gaza stance
In a letter to the groups, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria called the event's headliner 'disappointing' and said organizers had revised the singer's contract to bar them from 'engaging in...

Hegseth ordena borrar el nombre del activista Harvey Milk del buque de la Armada construido en San Diego
La medida despojará al buque del nombre de un activista por los derechos de los homosexuales asesinado y que sirvió como marinero durante la Guerra de Corea

Hegseth orders name of gay rights activist Harvey Milk scrubbed from San Diego-built Navy ship
Milk served as a sailor during the Korean War.

Demandaron a la ciudad de San Diego por las inundaciones del año pasado. Ahora la ciudad los demanda
Un distrito escolar del este del condado señaló a dos residentes que, según ellos, contribuyeron a las inundaciones.

Hike of the week: Take an hour to enjoy Navajo Canyon’s native vegetation and peace
The 2.3-mile out-and-back hike is easy, but hikers will need to navigate a few stream crossings, which add to the adventure

The feds yanked millions for their clean-air projects. Now San Diego groups are ‘pivoting and doing what we need to do.’
After the Trump istration moved to revoke their grants, blowing a hole in their budgets, local nonprofits are now figuring out what comes next.

They sued the city of San Diego over last year’s flooding. Now the city is suing them.
And in another countersuit filed Friday, an East County school district pointed the finger at two residents they said contributed to the flooding.

San Diego 8th grader ends national spelling bee tied for 74th place
Duaa Ouznali, from Bright Horizon Academy in Allied Gardens, competed in the quarterfinals of the national competition held just outside Washington D.C.

San Diego student moves on to quarterfinals in national spelling bee
“It was kind of stressful, but it’s done,” said 13-year-old Bright Horizon Academy student Duaa Ouznali after the first day of the competition.

Estas escuelas del condado de San Diego no solo enseñan a los niños. Ayudan a las familias a construir una comunidad
Las escuelas comunitarias como Fay Elementary en City Heights están ayudando a los padres y tutores a crecer como cuidadores

These schools don’t just teach kids. They help families build ‘a community where we all work together.’
Community schools like Fay Elementary in City Heights are helping parents and guardians grow as caregivers, as individuals and as of their communities.

Hike of the week: Find several spots to take in a sea view on the Broken Hill Trail
This roughly 3.3-mile loop in the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve follows three different trails, each offering sweeping views of the coast and reserve's wildlife

San Diego’s new Catholic leader is the U.S.’s first Vietnamese American bishop
Michael Pham has deep roots in San Diego County.

Hike of the week: Find a refreshing palm oasis in the sweltering San Diego desert
The roughly 3-mile loop through Palm Canyon in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park offers little to no shade but can reward hikers with a rushing spring

‘Everybody has skin in the game’: Protesters in North County push back against Trump’s anti-trans, immigrant policies
Six rallies were held on the International Day against Transphobia, Homophobia and Biphobia — a global day of action against LGBTQ+ discrimination

‘Our power is not panic. It’s our resilience’: LGBTQ+ leaders urge solidarity, hope as Trump targets rights
Friday's Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast was both celebratory and somber, highlighting progress made and reflecting on present persecution.

Acampar en un parque estatal puede requerir una reserva y cargos adicionales. ¿Es esto legal?
Una demanda dice que las tarifas que cobra ReserveCalifornia.com por los sitios para acampar

Camping at a state park can require a tough reservation — and extra fees. Are they legal?
A lawsuit says the fees ReserveCalifornia.com charges for campsites at popular San Diego County beaches violate state law.

Street named in honor of open-space crusader Eloise Battle, the ‘savior of Tecolote Canyon’
Battle, who died this spring at 95, spearheaded efforts in the 1970s to preserve the open space from development.

Los supervisores del condado de San Diego no se ponen de acuerdo. Pero las elecciones de julio podrían cambiar esta situación
Quien sea elegido para el puesto ahora vacante del Distrito 1 romperá un estancamiento partidista

Hike of the week: Climb to one or both of Poway’s Twin Peaks for sunset or sunrise
The roughly 2-mile moderately difficult route brings hikers to 360-degree views of Poway and the rest of San Diego County, including other peaks like Black Mountain, Mount Woodson and Iron...

Despite bold proposals, county supervisors can’t agree on much. The July election could change that.
Whoever is elected to the now-vacant District 1 seat will break a partisan deadlock — and help steer the future of county government.

Walt Ekard, longtime top county executive, dies at 71. To acolytes, he was a ‘giant among mortals.’
Friends and former colleagues recall his integrity, his sense of humor and his fondness for song.

Cómo la caída de Saigón moldea las comunidades y los vínculos vietnamitas en San Diego, 50 años después
«Es una historia multigeneracional», dice un líder comunitario. «Queremos que comprendan el pasado».

Hike of the week: Mission Hills Open Space will be a spring and summer staple
The canyon, located across from Pioneer Park, offers a peaceful and sometimes rugged journey along springtime flower blooms and grasses

How the fall of Saigon shapes Vietnamese communities and bonds in San Diego, 50 years on
'It’s a multigenerational story,' says one community leader. 'We want them to understand the past.'

A journey through the Carmel Mountain Preserve is full of surprises
The 3-mile hike explores a range of different trails and even es by a 20th century gravesite

‘Just wanted to play baseball’: New exhibit celebrates the men who integrated the sport
It tells the Negro Leagues' history, introduces Black and Latino players who went on to integrate baseball and pays special tribute to Johnny Ritchey, the Padres’ first Black player.

District 1 supervisor election results are official. So is the race’s low turnout.
Voter turnout in special elections is often low, but this time it was significantly lower than in the race for District 4 supervisor in 2023.

Veteranos y simpatizantes expresan su oposición a los recortes propuestos por Trump al Departamento de Asuntos de Veteranos
La istración Trump dice que planea recortar aproximadamente 80.000 empleos del VA

Eloise Battle, defensora del Cañón Tecolote, querida por su dedicación al espacio abierto, muere a los 95 años
Como la mitad de los 'Gemelos Tecolote', pasó años instando a los líderes de la ciudad

‘Every position is mission critical’: Veterans and ers voice opposition to Trump’s proposed VA cuts
The Trump istration says it plans to cut roughly 80,000 jobs from the VA, which provides health care, housing and more to roughly 200,000 veterans in San Diego County.

Tecolote Canyon advocate Eloise Battle, beloved for her dedication to the open space, dies at 95
As one half of the 'Tecolote Twins,' she spent years urging city leaders to understand that the canyon was a valuable open space to protect.

A short and sweet end-of-day walk near the Sweetwater River
The peaceful 2.4-mile loop takes hikers over the historical Sweetwater River Bridge and through an open space bursting with spring vegetation

July runoff certain in District 1 supervisor race, new election results confirm
Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre and Chula Vista Mayor John McCann both advanced from Tuesday's primary.

McCann y Aguirre lideran las elecciones especiales para supervisor del Distrito 1
Se encuentran entre los siete candidatos que se postulan para el puesto, vacante desde la inesperada salida de Nora Vargas a principios de este año.

McCann and Aguirre hold leads in special election for South County supervisor, early returns show
They're among seven candidates running for the seat, vacant since the unexpected departure of Nora Vargas earlier this year.

Learn about San Diego’s past while iring its present beauty on the Historic Flume Trail
The 5.7-mile moderate hike offers views of El Cajon Mountain to the east and the El Monte Valley

As election day nears, supervisor hopefuls push to stand out amid a crowded field and political turmoil
Despite the condensed campaign season, they hope it’s enough to mobilize voters to cast a ballot in the region's first election since Trump's return to the presidency.

Mission Trails Regional Park delivers yet again with the Big Rock and Mesa trails
This 2.7-mile moderate loop is located on the eastern side of the regional park, with trails lined with mountain lilac, laurel sumac and sage

SAN DIEGO: Una mezcla de terreno y vegetación crea una caminata atractiva a través del Cañón Gonzales
Este circuito de casi 6 millas es solo una de las muchas rutas que los excursionistas pueden completar en la reserva de espacio abierto.

Seven vote centers open across the South Bay in District 1 county supervisor election
A total of 13 centers will be open across the district on April 8, and voters can also mail their ballots or drop them in a drop box.

Randy Tidmore, WWII Marine and Rosie the Riveter, ’embodies history’ at 103
She was assigned to help build B-26 airplane wings for the war effort in Illinois before she decided to enlist in the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve.

Veteranos de San Diego temen que los recortes del VA dañen su atención médica
Algunos de los veteranos del condado de San Diego se preocupan por las consecuencias que los recortes de la istración Trump

A mix of terrain and vegetation makes for an engaging hike through Gonzales Canyon
This nearly 6-mile loop is just one of the many routes hikers can complete at the open space preserve

‘I didn’t think it would be this bad’: San Diego veterans worry VA cuts will hurt their care
Some of San Diego County's roughly 200,000 veterans worry about what the Trump istration's cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs will mean for their benefits. Some already have their...

“Necesitamos esto”: Padres frustrados y confundidos después de que la ciudad retira los juguetes del Parque Fanuel
Los residentes dicen que les dijeron que los juguetes fueron retirados para ayudar a limpiar el parque.

¿Traerán una mejor floración primaveral las lluvias recientes? La sequía genera temperaturas frescas en el desierto del condado de San Diego
Es probable que la cantidad de flores silvestres sea mínima.

‘We need this’: Parents frustrated and confused after city removes toys at Fanuel Park
Residents say they were told the toys were removed to help clean up the park — and that now it lacks options for kids.

Will recent rain bring a better spring bloom? Drought makes for ‘crispy’ conditions in San Diego County desert
With just over 1 inch of rain since last April, Borrego Springs and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park are feeling the effects. Wildflowers are likely to be at a minimum.

ire Morrison Pond on an easy walk in the Sweetwater Summit Regional Park
This 1-mile meander in Bonita takes hikers near the pond and along its nearby trails

El condado aprueba nuevas protecciones contra la especulación de precios y los desalojos tras un desastre
La nueva ordenanza evitaría que las empresas aumenten el precio de los productos básicos

County OKs new protections from price-gouging and evictions following a disaster
The new ordinance would prevent businesses from raising the price of basic goods and rental rates by more than 10% in the month following a disaster

Take in sweeping views of San Diego from Mount Helix and its trails
The Yawkey Trail and other paths on Mount Helix offer views of nearby Dictionary Hill, Cowles Mountain, El Cajon Mountain and more

Leon Williams, who shaped San Diego and paved way for Black leaders, dies at 102
The city council member, county supervisor and civic leader opened doors for others with 'dignity and purpose,' says Secretary of State Shirley Weber.

An easy walk along the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge offers birds and a breeze
The roughly 2-mile walk in Imperial Beach travels along a section of the 24-mile Bayshore Bikeway

Man arrested in fatal assault near Hillcrest gas station
Police said the victim was strangled and his head was slammed into the ground

In spate of lawsuits over January 2024 floods, judge OKs most claims against city to proceed
'You win some, you lose some,' said one of the plaintiffs' lawyers, saying the decision 'won’t have much of an impact.'

El primer día de paseo de perros del refugio de Chula Vista trajo sonrisas a la comunidad y a sus perros adoptables
El día de pasear a un perro de Chula Vista Animal Services reunió a más de 200 de la comunidad con 90 perros, todos disponibles para adopción

Despite its modest height, South Fortuna Mountain is still a tough climb
This 5-mile loop through Mission Trails Regional Park takes hikers to the mountain's peak and through coastal sage scrub and oak habitats

‘It feels like we’re being set up to fail’: Local efforts to fight pollution face federal funding uncertainty
Several climate-focused programs in San Diego County got EPA grants last year. Now their leaders are nervous about the future of their much-needed projects.

Chula Vista shelter’s first dog walking day brings smiles to the community and its adoptable dogs
The Chula Vista Animal Services’ Walk a Dog Day brought together more than 200 community with 90 dogs, all available for adoption

A walk along the San Diego River in Lakeside is especially magical on a cloudy day
The easy path meanders under sycamore, oak and eucalyptus trees and es by a sweet pocket park

A ‘campus town center,’ a greenway and 3 times as many people: What San Diego plans for the College Area
Community response is mixed. Some residents say more housing is crucial, especially near SDSU, but others decry projections for dramatic growth.

Black Comix Day brings a love of comics and celebration of Black artists to San Diego
The Black History Month event highlights the work of Black comic book creators and the importance of representation in media

‘La iglesia es un lugar de santuario’: Líderes religiosos de San Diego temen arrestos en lugares de culto
La orden ejecutiva de Trump permite a los agentes federales arrestar a inmigrantes indocumentados

Decompress from a stressful day, week or month at the peaceful Orilla Trail
The gentle 2.75-mile out-and-back trail through the San Elijo Lagoon and Ecological Reserve is ideal for a sunny winter day

Chinese New Year Fair celebrates Year of the Snake, brings ‘optimistic energy’ in its 42nd year
The two-day event in downtown San Diego honors the local Chinese community with cultural performances, crafts and food

‘Church is a place of sanctuary’: San Diego faith leaders fear arrests in places of worship
Trump's executive order permits federal agents to arrest undocumented immigrants in formerly off-limit spaces such as churches and schools

A tale of three trails that lead to the Mount Woodson summit
This 5.8-mile loop includes the Mount Woodson peak and its popular Potato Chip Rock

Poetry can be a ‘powerful and magical’ tool, says San Diego’s new Poet Laureate, Paola Capó-García
The North Park resident says she hopes to work with local schools to incorporate more poetry into their curriculums and host workshops to help people bring their poetry to life

A pesar de la intervención del juez, la congelación del gasto federal por parte de Trump sacude a los líderes de San Diego
“Hasta que no nos digan específicamente que los programas de subsidios serán cancelados

Despite judge’s intervention, Trump freeze on federal spending roils San Diego leaders
'Until we hear specifically that the grant programs will be terminated, I guess we'll continue to employ our staff,' said the leader of one community clinic

Have a spare 30 minutes? Try the easy and centrally located Stonecrest Village Trail
The Stonecrest Village Trail is short and sweet — ideal for a lunch break during the week

Coronado council appoints longtime city employee Kelly Purvis to fill vacancy
As a 32-year resident of Coronado and 11-year city employee, Purvis says she hopes to gain trust with residents through her decades of fairness and community engagement

Un año después de las históricas inundaciones estos vecinos de San Diego siguen “en la lucha”
Algunos han huido de la amenaza de futuras inundaciones. Otros han regresado a sus hogares reconstruidos.

One year after historic flooding, these San Diego neighbors are ‘here in the fight’
Some have fled the threat of future floods. Some have returned to rebuilt homes. And others are still waiting.

Try Nighthawk Trail on Black Mountain for some exercise before the workday
The roughly 4-mile hike features steep and rocky sections plus excellent west-facing views on a clear day

Para los residentes de todas las generaciones, estos jardines comunitarios ofrecen refugio, pasión y “amistades maravillosas”
Durante los últimos años, el condado ha financiado jardines comunitarios intergeneracionales

‘Unyielding fight for justice’: San Diegans honor MLK’s legacy, local leaders at 40th annual breakfast
The event's Human Dignity Awards were presented to the Southeast Disaster Response Team and John E. Warren for their commitment to Martin Luther King Jr.’s values.

For San Diegans across generations, these community gardens offer refuge, ion and ‘wonderful friendships’
For the last few years, the county has funded intergenerational community gardens, bringing together people of all ages. Now it's up to the community to keep them going.

Goodan Ranch features an expansive trail network — and an expansive history
The 3.6-mile loop at Martha's Grove Trail explores Poway's ranching history and pays homage to a beloved former county parks ranger

Si estalla un incendio forestal, ¿estás preparado? Puedes estarlo. Aquí te mostramos cómo
Empaca una mochila de emergencia, mantente informado y haz un plan de evacuación o varios.

If a wildfire breaks out, are you ready? You can be. Here’s how.
Pack a go-bag, stay informed and make an evacuation plan or several. Here's how to be prepared for an emergency.

Eagle Rock is an impressive destination along the Pacific Crest Trail
The roughly 6.5-mile out-and-back hike travels along the iconic long-distance route to reach a unique avian-shaped rock formation

San Diego library’s winter reading challenge is all about finding the inventor within
The challenge runs through Jan. 31 and invites participants of all ages to read books and attend library events focused on innovation and technology

In San Diego, one person’s idea can result in a mural with the help of dozens of volunteers
Muralist Shayne Oseguera walked by a wall in his neighborhood for years before one day putting a mural in motion

Push your limits in 2025 with one of these 7 regional hiking challenges
Challenges range from easy hiking around San Diego County to strenuous treks up the highest peaks in Southern California

Esta semana busque estrellas de mar a lo largo de la costa de San Diego y ayude a a la ciencia comunitaria
La búsqueda de estrellas de mar del solsticio, que se realiza dos veces al año,

By turning home into a restaurant, they gained ‘a purpose’ — and shared the ‘nostalgia’ of eating at grandma’s
Microenterprise home kitchen operations like Mama Greens offer San Diegans a creative culinary outlet, and their neighbors a community space.

This week, hunt for sea stars along the coast — and help make community science ‘a success story.’ Here’s how.
The twice-a-year Solstice Sea Star Search encourages San Diegans to find sea stars at local tide pools. Here's how.

The new Tidal Trail shows off recently restored wetlands in Del Mar
The 2-mile out-and-back hike offers scenic views of the San Dieguito River Lagoon and 84 acres of restored habitat

En Coronado, Awaken Church desata un debate en toda la ciudad sobre la fe, la libertad y el odio
Su política de derecha militante ha provocado una campaña de oposición sostenida

Tres nuevos líderes de Coronado votan para nombrar a un miembro del concejo, sin pasar por una elección
Los tres funcionarios electos que recientemente prestaron juramento votaron a favor de un nombramiento para el concejo

Three new Coronado leaders vote to appoint a council member, bying an election
All three newly sworn-in elected officials voted in favor of a council appointment, with incumbent Carrie Downey the only member in favor of a special election.

Viejas Mountain in Alpine is culturally significant and a tough peak to climb
Hikers gain nearly 1,500 feet of elevation on the climb to the 4,189 foot peak in East County

In Coronado, Awaken Church sparks a citywide debate over faith, freedom and hate
Its militantly right-wing politics have prompted a sustained opposition campaign, and created some 'pretty dramatic divisions' in local church communities.

Cómo prepararse para una tormenta de viento: cargue sus dispositivos, pode sus árboles y asegure a Santa
Los pronósticos de viento de Santa Ana han provocado una advertencia de bandera roja y cortes de energía