Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: GPS Device, Cellphone Found As Search Continues For Sexually Violent Predator

Also, don't miss Discover Ukraine: A Heritage Celebration on the San Diego Patch calendar

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Coffee in hand, San Diego? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • San Diego deputies search for missing sexually violent predator after GPS tampered
  • Otay Mesa border crossing reopens after suspicious package investigation
  • San Diego alert issued as search widens for four missing children

Also on today's calendar: Discover Ukraine: A Heritage Celebration and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What do you call a belt that is made of watches? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Areas of low clouds, then sun, with a high of 80 and low of 64 degrees.
  • Friday: Sunny and very warm, temps: high: 90, low: 69. 🌶 Hot!
  • Saturday: Sunny and very hot, with a high of 97 and low of 70 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. GPS Device, Cellphone Found As Search Continues For Sexually Violent Predator (patch.com) — San Diego authorities are intensifying the search for 69-year-old sexually violent predator Merle Wakefield, who vanished from his Rancho Bernardo workplace after tampering with his GPS monitor and leaving his phone behind. Local and regional law enforcement, including the San Diego Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement Task Force, are coordinating efforts and urging residents not to approach him but to call 911 or Crime Stoppers with any sightings or tips.
   

2. Otay Mesa Port Of Entry Reopens After Suspicious Package Prompts Closure (patch.com) — Border crossers in San Diego saw the Otay Mesa Port of Entry temporarily shut down after a suspicious package was found, diverting traffic to San Ysidro and rerouting vehicles on eastbound SR-905. Authorities have since fully reopened the crossing and highway access, saying the incident was safely resolved while withholding details about the package's contents.
   

3. 4 Children Missing With Mother; Endangered Missing Alert Issued In San Diego County (patch.com) — San Diego County residents are being asked to watch for four young children believed to be with their mother, after an endangered missing advisory was activated that includes the San Diego region. Authorities say the family may be traveling in a gray 2011 Toyota Prius and urge anyone who spots them or has information to immediately call 911 or Los Angeles police.
   

4. For nearly 35 years, it was a safe space for the homeless in downtown S.D. Now it's closed. (sandiegouniontribune.com) — A long‑running, city‑funded day shelter for homeless residents in downtown San Diego's East Village has closed permanently, with services shifting two blocks away to a smaller Joan Kroc Center facility. The move, driven by city budget decisions and changing homelessness strategies, reduces daily capacity and eliminates storage, leaving many regulars unsure where they'll go for basic needs like bathrooms, laundry, and mail.
   

5. San Diego food truck vendor scammed through fake December Nights website (nbcsandiego.com) — A San Diego food truck owner is warning fellow vendors after scammers impersonated the city's December Nights organizers, using a fake website and Zelle payments to nearly steal his money. The city confirms the fraud and urges anyone applying for Balboa Park's huge holiday festival to use only the official DecemberNights.org portal and report suspicious payment requests.
   

📸 Around San Diego

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • San Diego Residents Among the Most Anxious and Risk-Averse Markets Surveyed Amid Uncertainty —Northwestern Mutual - San Diego Read on Patch
  • San Diego Adults Expect to Work Longer Than Their Peers Nationwide —Northwestern Mutual - San Diego Read on Patch
  • San Diego Leads All Reported Markets in Financial Relationship Strain —Northwestern Mutual - San Diego Read on Patch
  • Pyramid Global Hospitality posted a job opening for Night Auditor - PT AC Hotel San Diego Gaslamp in San Diego. Apply here.
  • C.C.S. Facility Services posted a job opening for Dasy Porter in San Diego. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near San Diego here.

Ok San Diego! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A waist of time. (Thank you Martin L. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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