Miracle Shopping Center May Be Demolished By the End of the Month

Small steps have been taken up until now to prepare the Miracle Shopping Center to be torn down, but real demolition should begin next week. It will take about two weeks to tear down the buildings, he said.

Residents Overcharged by City, Commercial Zoning Changes at Wednesday City Council Meeting

The city will also hold closed door meetings with Sudberry Properties to discuss final terms of an agreement to build a shopping center at 9th Street and Palm Avenue.

IB Post Office Was Among 40 Considered for Closure or Other Changes Last Summer

The Imperial Beach Post Office will remain open, officials say, but it was one of 40 different USPS branches in the San Diego region considered for closure or other changes to save money.

The Cost of Ending the Sandcastle Competition

How ending the largest sandcastle competition in the United States may change Imperial Beach.

Kids N’ Kastles Hopes to Continue Despite End of Adult Competition

Organizers of the children’s sandcastle competition want to continue next year and in the future. The competition acts as a major fundraiser for the Optimist Club Imperial Beach.

Sandcastle Competition Founder Blames City, Sheriff's Department for Contest's End

Bud Harbin was part of a group who helped found the Sandcastle Committee, and blames the city, the sheriff's department and the committee's board for ending the largest sandcastle competition in the United States.

I-805 Freeway Connection to State Route 905 Closed for Construction

The connecting ramp will be closed for the next 25 days, Caltrans officials said.

Future Uncertain for Centers that Help Seniors and Disabled

Elm Adult Day Health Center in I.B. is still open, but not all patients will continue to be qualified for services.

What Went Wrong at the International Wastewater Treatment Plant

A variety of problems kept the secondary treatment plant which opened a year ago from meeting Clean Water Act standards. The plant's ability to comply is scheduled to be reviewed in February 2012.

City Seeks Public Comment on New Palm Avenue Shopping Center’s Environmental Impact

IB residents have until Dec. 7 to comment on the environmental impact of the new shopping center and plans to reduce impact. Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2012.

Seacoast Drive Economic Development on Wednesday City Council Meeting Agenda

The city wants to get more involved with economic development on Seacoast Drive ahead of the construction of a hotel to replace the Seacoast Inn that is scheduled to open its doors by August 2012.

SBUSD School Board Approves Earthquake Evaluation to Assess Many Potentially Unsafe Buildings

The South Bay Union School District has nearly 100 structures whose performance in earthquakes may be considered questionable.

Expect Explosions on Silver Strand During Nov. 12 Navy Exercise

Blank fire exercises will be conducted by the Navy on the SIlver Strand Saturday evening.

City Charged All Imperial Beach Property Owners Too Much or Too Little - Here's Why

After taking over sewer fee calculations for the first time, city officials made several mistakes. Every bill sent to property owners was incorrect.

Briana Bilbray, San Diego Marijuana Dispensaries Seek Injunction to End Federal Crackdown

Papers seeking the injunction were filed in federal court Monday. Bilbray, 25, has melanoma cancer. Her brother is an Imperial Beach city councilman and her father is a U.S. Congressman.

Santa Ana Winds Push Navy Helicopters to North Runway

The landing field's north runway is closer to the homes of residents in nearby neighborhoods.

Cell Phone Reception, Clean and Green, New American Legion at Wednesday City Council Meeting

The Imperial Beach City Council will meet Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. at City Hall to discuss the following items.

Construction Begins on Skate Park Fence

The new fence should be installed within a month, the company contracted to do the job said.

Work Begins to Restore Plants in Wildlife Refuge

Planting began last week as part of the salt pond restoration project.

Unemployment Rate Dips in I.B.

The Employment Development Department releases September’s unemployment rates, which are lower locally, countywide and across California.

High-Crime Rental Properties Targeted by City, Sheriff’s Department

The Crime Free Multi-Housing program is voluntary in IB for now, but could become mandatory and cost thousands of dollars if property owners do not comply.

Condo Conversion, Ambulance Services and Beach Sand at City Council Meeting Wednesday

The city will extend its ambulance service contract, gather more sand replenishment monies and move forward with new redevelopment agency rules at their meeting Wednesday at 6 p.m.

City of Imperial Beach to Get Twitter Account

The addition of a Twitter account comes after the city updated its website in June.

Code Enforcement Leaves Some Homeowners in Disrepair

Imperial Beach homeowners for and against the city's code enforcement policies. When violations aren't taken care of in time, they can lead to thousands of dollars in fines.

After Second Push, 4-Story American Legion Hall and Affordable Housing Project Approved

Demolition of the current building may begin in spring 2012. Construction may be completed by about the same time the next year.

Big Ideas City Workshop Wednesday

City Council will meet Wednesday evening to discuss important topics for the city's future.

Imperial Beach Welcomes Redbox and Vending Machines - Finally

New regulations approved by City Council will allow certain vending machines to operate within the city, including the iconic DVD kiosk Redbox.

Demolition of Miracle Shopping Center to Begin by the End of October

The project may disrupt traffic on neighboring streets as trucks haul away the building's remains.

New American Legion Building, City Employee Benefits on Wednesday City Council Agenda

City Council will review two long-term code enforcement cases and move forward with an Imperial Beach Redevelopment Agency funded American Legion Post project.

Video: South San Diego Leaders Discuss Strategy to Fight Slow Economy

Political leaders and economic experts lead symposium on South San Diego County's economic future in jobs, education and bi-national relationships.

Salt Ponds Now Reach the Bay; Major Phase of Restoration Complete

Barges used to dredge ponds north of Imperial Beach in Coronado were removed Thursday, returning more than 200 acres of wetlands to San Diego Bay.

City of Imperial Beach Now Accepts Online Payments

Tickets and other fees can now be paid at cityofib.com. Until now, payments could only be made at the Finance Department at City Hall.

Naval Exchange Renovations Add Frozen Foods, Furniture and Barber Shop

The store was reduced in size by one-third to make room for new features and make the shopping experience more like a convenience store. Half the old space was converted into a low-cost furniture store.

IB Firefighters Lose Big Benefits Under New Pension Agreement

Effective immediately, the city's Firefighters/Paramedics take on more costs to save Imperial Beach tens of thousands of dollars over the next five years as the city will no longer pay toward employee's retirement pensions.

IB Sales Tax Revenue Climbs, Yet Growth Remains Slow

Sales tax revenue accounts for less than $1 million of the city's $18 million budget.

Demolition of Miracle Shopping Center, Firefighter Pensions, BID Review at Wednesday City Council Meeting

An agreement has been reached between the city and its Firefighter's Association, but negotiations will continue.

Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center Hours May Be Limited to Weekends Due to State Budget Restraints

State cutbacks may mean the Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center will only be open Saturday and Sunday. The cutback may occur within the next few weeks.

Possible Lawsuit After Navy Finds No Significant Impact From Helicopter Increase

In a final draft of an Environmental Assessment prepared by the Navy and ridiculed over the past months in Coronado and Imperial Beach, no significant impact was found for a 30 percent increase in helicopter activity and additional squadrons.

Home Foreclosure and Buyer Advice at Workshop

Open to the public and free of charge, "HOME Clinic" provided legal advice, personal counseling and workshops for people struggling to keep their homes.

Assault, Armed Robbery, Arson in Sheriff's Blotter Aug. 9 to 21

The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department Imperial Beach Station reported the following arrests and crimes from Aug. 9 to 21. If you see a crime, please report it to the Sheriff's Department.