Board of Supervisors Votes to Create Committee to Battle Human Trafficking

The newly formed council will include law enforcement agencies, victim services organizations, the education community, and volunteer and community groups.

City Council to Vote on $33M Budget Wednesday

City Manager Gary Brown will present the council with a balanced budget but warns the city faces "sizable financial challenges arising from the economy and the State of California."

State Budget May Impact SBUSD Layoffs

District officials are waiting on a final state budget to determine whether there's room in the budget to bring back some teachers who received layoff notices following a May 10 vote by the board of trustees.

City of Imperial Beach Launches New Website

City staff intend to regularly update the new site, and a visitors section has been added. Social media and video of City Council meetings may be added in the future.

Pensions Paid to IB Firefighters Among Top in County

According to the Union Tribune, Imperial Beach firefighters pensions require no payment from employees who can retire at age 60 and be paid 90 percent of their salary every year.

Medical Marijuana Dispensary Ban, Two-Year City Budget on Wednesday City Council Agenda

This week City Council will review ordinances to approve a ban on medicinal marijuana dispensaries, the ECO Bike Parkway and taking city code enforcement for local residents to the next level.

An Analysis of Crime and Marijuana in and Near Imperial Beach

The City Council may vote to ban medical marijuana dispensaries in IB in part due to a belief it will attract crime, but a review of police reports show little-to-no crime related to marijuana at dispensaries near Imperial Beach.

Don't Want to Miss the Bus? Send a Text Message

San Diego public transit users can now find out when their bus will arrive by sending a text message.

Restoration Project to Flood Salt Ponds in July, Wetlands Return Moves Toward Final Stages

After dredging finishes in July, salt ponds in the most southern parts of San Diego Bay will be reconnected to ocean tides. A walkway from Seventh to 10th Streets for bird watching will be constructed in September.

California Coastal Commission Staff Approves Navy Helicopter Activity Increase

The California Coastal Commission accepted the Navy's draft Environmental Assessment on Friday, denying the city of Imperial Beach's request that an Environmental Impact Statement be carried out.

Commanding Officer Lindsey, Residents Argue Case For and Against Helicopter Activity Expansion

A debate on noise, safety and public awareness continued at Wednesday’s City Council meeting over the Navy’s proposed 30 percent increase of helicopter traffic in Imperial Beach by 2016.

Off-Leash Dog Beach Remains on Short Leash

Money, location and liability questions still concern City Councilmembers and city staff when it comes to creating an off-leash beach for dogs in Imperial Beach and a proposed six-month trial period.

Code Compliance, Navy Helicopters, Off-Leash Dog Beach on Wednesday's Council Agenda

Leash-free dog beach trial period, an increase in local helicopter traffic and the hiring of an additional code enforcement officer will be discussed at the City Council's June 1 meeting.

Vets, Families Pay Tribute to the Fallen at Veteran's Park Ceremony

Stories were told, “Taps” was played and flowers brought in tribute were taken to sea by Navy helicopters as Imperial Beach remembered those who paid the ultimate price in defense of their country.

SD County Board of Supervisors Redistricting Plan to Trim District 1 Population

Redrawing of district lines for the San Diego County Board of Supervisors will be decided July 12 to correct for changes in population since the 2000 census. Resident input is welcome.

Navy Hosts Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for 24-Hour Child Care Center

The center is the sixth of its kind in the U.S. Navy and the first on the West Coast to offer round-the-clock care for sailors and their families.

Video: IB Residents Meet Navy on Fence Line to Discuss Helicopter Noise

Navy officials and local residents, many from the Seaside Point and Oneonta neighborhoods, met Tuesday to discuss helicopter operations and the impact of noise on nearby homes.

Ditch the Car: May 20 is Bike to Work Day

It's time to ditch the car—and $4-a-gallon gas. Bike to Work Day is May 20. Read on to find ways to participate.

With New Fiscal Year, Sewage Fees Increase for Imperial Beach Residents, Businesses

IB residents and businesses will see the 1.19 percent in sewage fees in their property taxes. The money is necessary to shore up an aging sewage system and rising costs, city officials said.

Public Hearing Date for Medical Marijuana Dispensary Ban Postponed

To accommodate one of its members, the IB City Council votes to postpone the public hearing until June 15.

Imperial Beach Water Rates Among Lowest in San Diego County

Only residents in Lakeside and Yuima pay less than IB.

Bin Laden Is Dead! What Does This Mean for America and the World?

Express your thoughts on this blockbuster news. Comment in box below.

Helicopter Activity Increase Now in Hands of California Coastal Commission

The Navy submitted documents to the commission claiming no adverse effects to the community. Commission staff will decide by May 28 whether to approve the helicopter activity increase or bring it in front of commissioners to decide.

Medicinal Marijuana Advocates Threaten to Sue the City of San Diego

Imperial Beach city council will consider a ban on medicinal marijuana dispensaries on June 1. The city of San Diego, who took similar actions earlier this month, may have to defend their law in court.

IB Dog Beach Trial Period Proposed

The City Council votes to move forward with a leash-free dog beach between Palm Avenue and Carnation Avenue.

City Council Adopts 2011-15 Goals Concerning Future of Imperial Beach

A glimpse into the future of Imperial Beach seen through the ideals and ideas of the City Council and city staff in adopted goals.

Recreation, Staffing, Animal Control Could Face Large Cuts in City’s New Budget

The IB City Council faces tough budgetary decisions in the next two fiscal years. The mayor recommends exploring all avenues, including outsourcing the recreational program, similar to a fiscal policy used in Lemon Grove.

Public Hearing on Marijuana Distribution Facilities Scheduled for June 1

IB City Council has begun a public review period extending from April 14 to May 26, leading up to the consideration of a ban on marijuana dispensaries once a moratorium enstated in July 2009 expires Aug. 18.

More Layoffs as SBUSD Prepares Budget for 'Beyond Worst Case'

The SBUSD votes to eliminate 13 instructional assistants and approves a potential $5 million TRANS loan so that schools can maintain cash flow for the 2011-12 school year.

Seacoast Inn Loans Finalized; Construction Begins

Excavation, soil stabilization are the first steps now that funding has been provided for the long-awaited Seacoast Inn redevelopment.

Nutrition Summit Serves School Lunch Directors Food for Thought

While sampling menu items in the remodeled Otay Ranch High School cafeteria, school food services directors discussed ways to serve students fresh and healthy foods.

'Stop The Ban SD' Campaign to Bring Medical Marijuana Fight to IB

In the next few months, the city of Imperial Beach plans to pursue a ban on medical marijuana dispensaries. Opponents reactions range from letter writing campaign, a ballot initiative in 2012 or lawsuit.

$2.5M Grant Means Improvements for Bayshore Bikeway

The money will allow SANDAG to create a two-lane bike path between National City and San Diego, with the goal of encouraging alternative and safe forms of transportation.

Signs Posted in IB Warning People to Stay Out of the Water

Currents have pushed sewage levels up north of the border before the rain starts to fall.

City Council, Citizens Lambast Navy Helicopter Increase, Environmental Assessment

City Council and members of the community near the Naval Outlying Field where the Navy wants to increase helicopter activity 30 percent by 2016 spoke out against an environmental assessment nearly all agreed was incomplete and inaccurate.

Photo Gallery: USS Ronald Reagan Delivers Aid to Japanese Earthquake, Tsunami Victims

Photos by U.S. Navy photographer Kevin B. Gray from Imperial Beach, who is currently deployed with the USS Ronald Reagan to aid Japanese earthquake and tsunami victims.

City of Imperial Beach to Get New Website, but for Now It's a Mess

The city of Imperial Beach is working on the development of a new website that should launch this summer, but the current site does a poor job of keeping city residents informed and engaged.

Spread a Little Sunshine, Celebrate Open Government with Sunshine Week

Imperial Beach Patch is taking part in Sunshine Week through March 19 by promoting and celebrating open government and freedom of information.

Local Leaders Campaign Against Brown's Redevelopment Proposal

Elected officials from municipalities across San Diego County came together Monday to disapprove of Governor Brown's call for the elimination of redevelopment agencies statewide.

New Imperial Beach Sign Installed Atop Surfhenge

The "R" in Imperial Beach went missing last December. The entire sign was replaced with new aluminum letters Monday.