Local News |
December 17th, 2009 |
Merriam Mountain Housing Project Gets a Tie Vote 2-2. Roberts to Cast Deciding Vote
Because County Supervisor Ron Roberts was in Sacramento attending another meeting, and because the sitting Supervisors wound up with a 2-2 vote, the Merriam Mountain Housing Project was dealt a setback, at least temporarily.
A tie vote effectively stops the progress of the development. However, there is a catch. Any of the five county supervisors can call for reconsideration within a 30 day time period and the matter will be reheard.
At issue is the developer’s proposal for a 2,700-home development proposed for 560 acres north of Escondido. Roberts was in Sacramento for a California Air Resource Board meeting during Wednesday's hearing and missed the vote.
While it is generally thought that Roberts supports the project and would likely vote in support of it, his office claims Roberts is undecided. The other supervisors are likely to leave it to Roberts to call for a re-hearing of the matter, which he would likely do in order to hear the arguments and then cast his vote. Supervisors Bill Horn and Greg Cox voted for the development. Supervisors Dianne Jacob and Pam Slater-Price voted against it.
The project, which has been controversial, drawing both proponents and opponents to the hearing table, would include a 1,200-acre biological preserve, 18 miles of trails and 37 parks. Most of the land would be preserved as open space, with the houses clustered near a proposed 10-acre shopping center north of Deer Springs Road.
Oceanside Woman Attacked Three Males in Custody
Three men, including the son of former Oceanside city councilmember Shari Mackin, are in custody and charged with attacking a 63-year old Oceanside woman who had asked them to quiet down and stop throwing bottles into her yard. She was allegedly dragged from her yard, beaten and kicked until neighbors rescued her, according to police.
Oceanside residents Tyler Mackin, 23, Richard Vaughan, 24, and Brandin Evinger, 23, have all pleaded not guilty to charges of kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon, vandalism and resisting arrest in connection with the Nov. 29 attack in the 1800 block of South Tremont Street, according to Deputy District Attorney George Lloyd.
Mackin, son of former Oceanside Councilwoman Shari Mackin, broke the woman's gate as he charged into her yard, then punched her in the face, the victim told police. She told police further that the three men then dragged her from her yard and punched and kicked her.
Mackin and Vaughan also are charged with making criminal threats after they allegedly told the victim they would shoot her. Neither had a gun, police said, and both men have pleaded not guilty to the charge.
At least three neighbors came to the woman's aid and restrained the three men until police arrived, Poorman said. All three struggled with police, and Mackin tried to pull one of his friends from an officer's grip, the sergeant said. The victim was treated by medics at the scene and declined to be taken to the hospital.
Mackin and Evinger remained in custody at the Vista jail on Wednesday, booking records showed. Vaughan was released from custody on Dec. 2, jail officials said.
5 Shot in Vehicle, 1 Dies
The Escondido Police Department Crimes of Violence Unit is investigating a shooting of five persons resulting in the death of a 19 year-old. On December 13, 2009, at approximately 8:38 p.m, the Escondido Police Dispatch received a call of a shooting in the area of 13th Ave. and Maple Street. As officers responded to the area, a Kia Sephia arrived at Palomar Hospital containing five gunshot victims.
One of the occupants was pronounced dead at the hospital, another is in serious but stable condition. The other 3 victims have non-life threatening wounds. The name of the deceased is being withheld pending the notification of his family. According to witnesses, the vehicle was in the area of 13th Ave and Maple Street when an unknown male on foot, shot into the vehicle numerous times striking all 5 occupants. The witnesses described the suspect as a tall Hispanic male in his early 20’s wearing a dark hooded jacket.
Anyone that may have information regarding this shooting, is asked to contact Detective Miguel Ramirez at (760) 839-4925, or Crimestoppers at (888) 580-TIPS. San Diego Crimestoppers may pay a reward up to $1000 for information provided anonymously
Woman Seriously Injured While Crossing Street
Traffic Investigator Mike Garcia is the lead officer for this case from 12-13-09 at about 10:54 PM, when Escondido police responded to an injury collision on Centre City Parkway south of Felicita. Officers from the Escondido Police Department arrived on scene at approximately 10:58 PM. Officers found a vehicle stopped in the roadway and a female laying in the roadway unresponsive. The female pedestrian was attempting to cross the roadway mid-block. The driver saw the female in the roadway and immediately reacted by applying his brakes. He was unable to stop the vehicle before striking the female. The female remains in critical condition. Neither the driver, nor his passenger was injured as a result of this collision.
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