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Editorial: Housing bubble could burst, again

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:00 GMT

“Oops! … I did it again” is a Britney Spears song, but it could also double as the federal government’s motto for housing policy.Starting in late March, the Federal Housing Administration will reduce mortgage insurance payments on loans that it backs. The agency insures mortgages for borrowers with suboptimal — not good — credit.Some mortgages require as little as 3.5% down. Borrowers have to pay an extra 1.75% fee, which can be rolled into the mortgage. Borrowers also have to pay for mortgage insurance, which is an annual premium of 0.85% in many cases. The Biden administration will now drop that to 0.55%. On a $400,000 home, the average annual savings is $1,200.The appeal of this move is obvious. A rapid increase in mortgage rates has dramatically reduced the pool of available buyers — at least at these prices. The White House is looking to juice the market.On the surface, this looks as if the government is lowering costs in response to a market that has gone haywire. But if you t...

MIAA statewide tournament scoreboard and highlights from Tuesday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:00 GMT

TUESDAYS HIGHLIGHTSBOYS BASKETBALLNick Lemmond grabbed an offensive rebound and put it back in off the glass to beat the buzzer and send No. 10 Marblehead (13-4) to the Div. 2 quarterfinals with a thrilling 59-57 win over No. 7 Pope Francis. … Victor Soto scored 23 points as No. 5 Charlestown (20-4) rolled to a 87-45 win over No. 12 Dartmouth. … Matt Baur tallied 28 points as No. 3 Sharon (19-3) defeated No. 19 Burlington, 75-59. … Eddie McCoy scored 31 points and added seven steals as No. 2 Mansfield (22-2) defeated No. 15 Salem, 64-43. … Matt Gaffney scored 22 points and teammate Nick Martinez added 20 as No. 1 Malden Catholic (20-2) pulled away from No. 16 Scituate in the second half, 76-58.Josh Campbell paced things offensively with 27 points, while Lorenzo Jackson added an 18-point spark as top-seeded Archbishop Williams (21-1) coasted to the Div. 3 Round of 8 with an 82-72 victory over No. 16 Seekonk. … Sage Baptiste had 26 points, nine rebounds and three blocks as No. 21 Bish...

Lowry: America’s border policy is Dickensian

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:00 GMT

“I became, at ten years old, a little labouring hind in the service of Murdstone and Grinby.”Thus relates David Copperfield in the Charles Dickens novel of the same name.Of course, Dickens was a crusader against the exploitation of children. The edge is taken off the depictions of the heartless treatment of children in his fiction, though, by the funny and memorable portrayals of the malefactors, the upward trajectory of the lives of the likes of David Copperfield and Oliver Twist, and the knowledge that the practices that Dickens inveighed against are a thing of the past in the advanced world.This is all relevant today, because, as a big New York Times report highlighted, we have a Dickensian border policy.The Times details how so-called unaccompanied minors end up “in some of the most punishing jobs in the country.” The Times found: “Twelve-year-old roofers in Florida and Tennessee. Underage slaughterhouse workers in Delaware, Mississippi and North Ca...

Plan ahead for next season

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:00 GMT

It’s early March and you’re barely thinking about summer yet. But smart ski and ride enthusiasts are focusing in on next season and beginning the process of choosing their passes for the coming year.In the old days, you just waited until Autumn and made your purchase. But today’s ski and ride pass market, with its wide variety of options, starts early. And in most cases, the earlier you act, the more you save.Resorts and pass programs have begun rolling out sales for the 23/24 season. In some cases, you can even – and with the snow this past week this should be even more enticing – ski the rest of this season on the pass you purchase now for next season.Gunstock Mountain Resort (www.gunstock.com) launched their season pass sales this past week, with deep discount prices if you purchase before May 1. Right now, their adult full pass (all week, all holidays, no blackouts) comes in at $589 for adults and $389 for kids and seniors.Gunstock has a generous view on those ages, too. Kids pa...

South Bay teacher suspected of 'inappropriate relationship' with ex-student arrested

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:00 GMT

NATIONAL CITY, Calif. -- A sixth-grade teacher at Lincoln Acres Elementary School in National City was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of having an inappropriate relationship with a former student, education officials said.The arrest occurred at the Lincoln Acres campus around 8 a.m., National School District Superintendent Leighangela Brady told FOX 5 in a statement."The arrest took place on campus but was away from students, as both law enforcement and our site staff collaborated to ensure that student learning and the campus climate were not interrupted. We know that our entire school community is as stunned as we were by this news," Brady said. SDSU professor dies following Legionella pneumonia diagnosis Brady confirmed the student no longer attends the National School District, and that officials are unaware of any other victims."The district will cooperate with law enforcement and cannot comment any further on the pending investigation. We will continue to do everything p...

Building erupts in flames in downtown San Diego

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- A fire erupted Tuesday in a building in the East Village area, first responders said.The flames broke out just before 7 p.m. near 17th and Island Avenue, fire officials said. San Diego Fire-Rescue, Coronado Fire and San Diego Police responded to the scene as flames could be seen shooting out of the top of the building with thick white smoke billowing into the air.“Neighbors pounding on my window saying there’s a fire across the street. We may have to evacuate. We weren’t too sure yet. We didn’t know the situation fully. We get outside our front gate and the whole building is just engulfed in flames on the top,” neighbor Sammantha Richerson said. Driver, vehicle sought in hit-and-run crash The fire was found on the first floor which then spread to the second floor, according to San Diego Fire-Rescue Battalion Chief Rob Hartman. A total of 57 crews were fighting the tough fire.Firefighters even got on the roof of the home next door to protect it from flames.While much o...

Man fatally stabbed at gas station in San Ysidro

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- A man was killed Wednesday morning after being stabbed by a suspect at a gas station in San Ysidro, authorities said.According to the San Diego Police Department, a call came in to dispatch around 2:20 a.m. reporting a stabbing at 301 E San Ysidro Blvd. This is the location of a Valero convenience store and fuel station. Investigation underway after man found dead in Chula Vista Responding officers discovered one male victim who's age and identity have not yet been released. The man's death has been confirmed by authorities but the details surrounding his passing are unconfirmed at this time.Authorities say the area in which the incident occurred has been taped off as officials investigate. The public has been advised to avoid the area, however, no road closures have been announced.This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Breaking Bad stars spotted across San Diego to promote new mezcal

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- "Jesse, let it go...we need to cook," some mezcal! "Breaking Bad" stars, Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul, have been making the rounds in San Diego to promote their new mezcal, Dos Hombres.The two actors behind Walter White and Jesse Pinkman were at the Mission Valley Costco Monday for a scheduled bottle signing, reportedly bringing out enough people for the line to wrap about the parking lot. Drink up me hearties, yo ho! A new pirate-themed speakeasy has washed ashore in San Diego After Monday's event, the TV show drug lord duo reportedly headed to another bottle signing at a Bevmo liquor store in Point Loma.This is the latest in the pair's promotional tour between Las Vegas and San Diego for Dos Hombres over the last few weeks. One of the first events in America's Finest City was at Cowboy Star restaurant in East Village at the end of February, with fans taking to social media to share Cranston and Paul working their magic behind the bar to mix up cocktails for a packe...

Man killed in two-vehicle crash identified

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO --Authorities have identified a man who was killed in a two-vehicle collision Sunday in the Chollas View neighborhood.The San Diego Medical Examiner's Office said Fidel Gallardo, a 63-year-old Lemon Grove resident, was driving a Nissan sedan westbound within the 4500 block of Market Street when for unknown reasons he swerved into the eastbound lanes of traffic and collided with a Lexus SUV. Man fatally stabbed at gas station in San Ysidro Officials say responding paramedics transported the man, who was unresponsive, to the Scripps Mercy Hospital. Despite lifesaving efforts, the medical examiner's office said Gallardo was pronounced deceased upon arrival. The cause of Gallardo's death was listed as blunt force injuries.The driver of the Lexus, 61, and a passenger were reportedly unharmed in crash, officials said.Market Street was closed for several hours between 45th Street and 47th Street while authorities investigated the scene.

San Diego officials look to redevelop Mission Bay

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Mission Bay’s northeastern corner is drilling down on their final plans for a major redevelopment. The plan lays out roughly a large wetlands restoration project, a small golf course and low cost camping. The redevelopment area site takes over where the De Anza cove mobile home site used to be along with what remains of Campland.  Stakeholders are still lobbying for tweaks, and will have until April 20 to lodge their comments. Breaking Bad stars spotted across San Diego to promote new mezcal “One of the best places in the city of San Diego to get wetland restoration done for water quality improvement, for resilience to sea level rise, for habitat and also improved access for humans,” said Andrew Meyer from the San Diego Audubon Society. City officials are looking to restore the wetlands to gather federal funding for the project and are also working to hit their climate action plan set for 2035. “Wetlands are one of the most effective ways to sequester the carbon in th...