By Gina Yarbrough San Diego, CA–A man was sentenced Thursday to 15 years to life for randomly pushing an elderly man into a freight train at the Old Town Transit Station in San Diego, prosecutors said. Superior Court Judge Rachel Cano handed down the sentence to 27-year-old Ryan Rukstelis for the unprovoked attack. The victim,…
By SDCN Editor Washington, D.C.–The Justice Department Wednesday announced $192,819,214 in formula and discretionary grant awards to support vital services and legal responses for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in observance of the 29th anniversary of the original enactment of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Congress appropriated approximately $700…
By Gina Yarbrough El Cajon, CA–A man was arrested by the Sheriff’s Department Fugitive Task Force Thursday on suspicion of murder in the east county, authorities said. The suspect, identified as 40-year-old Kenneth McNally, is accused of killing 59-year-old Samuel Holthaus. The motivation and circumstances of the incident are still under investigation, Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant…
By Gina Yarbrough San Marcos, CA–A 15-year-old juvenile was arrested Tuesday in connection with manufacturing un-serialized ghost gun parts in San Marcos, authorities said. Sheriff’s Department detectives located the teen’s home and obtained access to the room belonging to the juvenile. While searching the home, detectives found a gun part fabrication process, several gun parts,…
The narcotics were field tested as methamphetamine with a total weight of 126.06 pounds and heroin with a weight of 7.84 pounds. Photo: U.S. Customs and Border Protection By SDCN Editor Calexico, CA–U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Calexico West port of entry found 223 packages of heroin and methamphetamine concealed in…
By Gina Yarbrough El Cajon, CA–A man accused of a violent carjacking in San Diego was arrested following a brief vehicle pursuit in East County, authorities said. On September 11, around 12:44 a.m. officers began receiving ALPR notices that a vehicle taken during a carjacking in San Diego was now in El Cajon. Officers located…
From left, Jose Cruz, CEO, of San Diego Council on Literacy, Nancy L. Sasaki, president and CEO, of United Way of San Diego County, and San Diego Councilmember Raul Campillo who presented them with the proclamation. Photo courtesy of United Way of San Diego County. By SDCN Editor San Diego, CA–During Tuesday’s City of San…
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and TSA Administrator David Pekoske. Photo: FEMA By SDCN Editor Washington, D.C.–Ahead of what is projected to be another busy holiday travel period, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, and TSA Administrator David Pekoske joined together and distributed a new public service announcement (PSA), asking travelers to…
Deer mouse By SDCN Editor San Diego, CA–A deer mouse collected near Mount Laguna on August 24 during routine monitoring by county officials has tested positive for hantavirus. This is the seventh routine detection of hantavirus in the region this year, County officials said. It is common to find hantavirus in wild rodents in San…
By SDCN Editor San Ysidro, CA–Governor Gavin Newsom is cracking down on illegal drugs — including fentanyl — being smuggled into California. Newsom will increase the number of California National Guard service members deployed to interdict drugs at four U.S. ports of entry along the border by approximately 50%. Building on the state’s $1 billion…