To help make sure you stay informed on the most shared and talked about stories in San Diego County, each Saturday we'll revisit five stories from the previous week and capsulize them in this digest with the most recent updates.
1. Not a Crime to Sleep in Your Car in San Diego
The San Diego City Council unanimously voted Tuesday to repeal a law that made it illegal for people to live inside of their vehicles. Last summer, a judge ordered the City to stop ticketing people for sleeping in their cars because the law wasn't very clear. As of Tuesday, anyone can legally live in their car or RV as long as they follow the posted signs and do not park in the same location for more than 72 hours.
2. David Westerfield Death Penalty Conviction Upheld
Many San Diegans will never forget the kidnapping and murder of 7-year-old Danielle van Dam. The Sabre Springs girl's neighbor David Westerfield was convicted in the 2002 crime and sentenced to death. Earlier this week, the state supreme court upheld Westerfield's sentence. Westerfield is being held at San Quentin State Prison.
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3. San Diego Mayor Proposes New Immigrant Affairs Position
Immigrants comprise a quarter of San Diego's population so the mayor is proposing a new staffer to help develop ways to best integrate migrants and refugees into the city's programs. Mayor Kevin Faulconer announced Monday he wants to employ an immigrant affairs manager who will work with the help of a steering committee. The San Diego City Council will get a chance to weigh in on the proposal and discuss funding.
4. State Identifies Low-Performing Schools in San Diego County
The state on Tuesday released a report detailing the lowest-performing schools in each California school district, and more than 30 campuses in San Diego County landed on the list. Officials with the San Diego Unified School District said the results show closing the gap between students in historically disadvantaged communities and the school system at large is still a work in progress.
5. SDSU Is Looking for New Stadium Tenants
San Diego State University has been talking to numerous professional sports organizations about the possibility of sharing a new stadium in Mission Valley with the Aztec sports programs. NBC 7's Derek Togerson talked with a spokesperson for the university about who they have contacted to gauge the chances of seeing more than Aztec red on the banners of the future stadium. Read his piece here.
