These were the most popular Voice of San Diego stories for the week of Aug. 18-25.
1. San Diego DA’s Prosecution of Pot Attorney Has Sent Chills Through the Legal Community
Lawyers in San Diego and beyond worry the prosecution of a lawyer who represents a marijuana business could force a central tenet of practicing law – attorney-client privilege – to go up in smoke. (Jonah Valdez)
2. San Diego’s Other Confederate Memorial Sits in a City-Owned Cemetery
The plaque removed from Horton Plaza isn’t the only thing commemorating members of the Confederacy in the city – and the other might be much harder to remove, even if officials want to. (Randy Dotinga)
As part of a crackdown on illegal marijuana dispensaries, San Diego police conducted a raid on Aug. 2 and arrested 12 employees for illegally selling and distributing marijuana. (Adriana Heldiz)
4. Public Restrooms in East Village Remain Locked Despite Hepatitis Outbreak
A developer agreed years ago to maintain public restrooms at Fault Line Park in East Village. But homeless people say they remain inaccessible. Meanwhile, experts say hygiene issues could be helping spread the deadliest hepatitisA outbreak in California in 20 years. (Lisa Halverstadt)
5. On Rare Occasions, the Sheriff Has to Sue to Keep Problem Deputies off the Job
A San Diego Sheriff’s deputy was fired earlier this year after a series of mistakes, but the county’s Civil Service Commission reinstated him. Sheriff Bill Gore is suing to keep the officer off the force. The case provides a rare look at officer discipline proceedings in a state that keeps such information under lock and key. (Mario Koran)
6. Areas of Consensus Emerge Among the Crush of Housing Plans
Among the housing reform plans put forward by several City Council members and Mayor Kevin Faulconer, there is some significant agreement that could open the door to actual policy changes. (Lisa Halverstadt)
7. Another Arts Venue Bites the Dust
City officials shut down The Glashaus in Barrio Logan this month due to fire and safety concerns and code compliance issues. Artists who rent studios in the space were given 30 days to move out, and they’re struggling to find a place to go. The issue has come to head at a time when there’s less affordable art studio space in San Diego than ever. (Kinsee Morlan)
8. Don’t Let Chula Vista Become the Wild West of Marijuana
I oppose the sale and use of marijuana. But letting an outside advocacy group write the city’s rules isn’t the best path, either. ()
9. California Can’t Tax Itself Out of the Housing Crisis
As local, state and federal governments continue to raise and impose new taxes and permit fees, they make it harder for families – especially low-income families – to save for a home. (Mark Powell)
10. District Admits Pushing Struggling Students Toward Charters
Not only does new data show the lowest-performing students in the class of 2016 were transferring out of San Diego Unified, school officials now admit that’s exactly what has happened in the past – a major reversal after the district vehemently denied that was the case. (Mario Koran)