These were the most popular Voice of San Diego stories for the week of April 23-April 29.
1. Poway Unified Board Puts Superintendent on Administrative Leave
The Poway Unified school board’s move follows a string of departures by high-level administrators. (Ashly McGlone)
2. Renters Grapple With a Changing Oceanside
Rents are rising in Oceanside, and long-time renters are feeling the pinch. They’re happy to see their neighborhood improve, but can’t help wondering for whom it’s improving. (Maya Srikrishnan)
3. After a Rush to Build Costly Water Treatment Plants, They’re Now Sitting Unused
This winter, demand for water was so low that the San Diego County Water Authority temporarily idled a $160 million plant in San Marcos that it built less than a decade ago. Water agencies that went into debt building treatment plants still have to pay up, whether the plant is needed every day or not. (Ry Rivard)
4. Fact Check: Police Chief Offers No Evidence for Media Slam
The San Diego Police Department can’t hire and train new recruits as fast as veteran officers are leaving the force. Chief Shelley Zimmerman says that’s partly because of the “national dialogue” around police officers that the media has fostered. Is there any evidence to back up her claim? (Scott Lewis)
5. Your Speeding Ticket Might Not Be Enforceable
Attorney Coleen Cusack wants the city to conduct valid traffic surveys. If a traffic survey is more than 10 years old, the speed limit on that portion of road is considered unenforceable under state law — but most people don’t know that. (Kelly Davis)
6. San Diego Explained: Balboa Park’s Problems
Balboa Park attracts millions of visitors each year. But behind the scenes the city is having trouble paying for some badly needed repairs. (Lina Chankar)
7. Border Report: Marine’s Return Could Open the Door for More Deported Vets
Marine veteran Daniel Torres’ return to the United States could potentially open the door for other honorably discharged — but deported — veterans to come back to the country they think of as their own. (Brooke Binkowski)
8. Culture Report: Introducing the San Diego Culturecast
A real-time look at a changing Barrio Logan, historic Agua Caliente ads have many defenders, what’s next for Bread & Salt and more in our weekly roundup of arts and culture news. (Kinsee Morlan)
9. San Ysidro Residents Brace for a Busier Border
The border expansion has heightened health concerns among San Ysidro residents, and calls for an air pollution study of the community have gone unheeded, activists say. So residents, led by Casa Familiar, have obtained funding from CalEPA to do their own air-pollution study. (H.G. Reza)
10. Opinion: San Diego Needs Transit More Than Ever — and SANDAG’s Plan Doesn’t Have Enough
Despite SANDAG’s sales tax expenditures, the agency has failed to make any impact on transit ridership. (Carol Kim)