The Chula Vista Elementary School District has ordered an investigation of a series of corruption allegations spotlighted by Voice of San Diego.
Earlier this month, Voice reported on former district official Jovanim Martinez’s claims that Superintendent Eduardo Reyes repeatedly pushed him to award contracts to companies and that an assistant superintendent ordered him to work with another district staffer to organize a political fundraiser for board member Francisco Tamayo while on the clock.
Earlier this week, our Will Huntsberry and Jim Hinch report, Reyes and Tamayo emailed the school board president requesting an independent investigation that suggested both expect to be cleared by an outside review.
The district board then voted behind closed doors late Wednesday to hire an outside law firm to dig into the allegations.
Gap Between Newly Homeless, Newly Housed Narrowed in March
The number of people becoming homeless in San Diego County continued to outpace the number moving into homes in March though the mismatch was less dramatic last month.
The Regional Task Force on Homelessness reports that 994 people became homeless for the first time in March and 991 exited homelessness.
Your monthly reminder: For most of the last couple years, local efforts to house homeless residents haven’t kept up with the flood of people losing their homes. The region needs to change this math to dramatically reduce homelessness.
In other homelessness news: NBC 7 reports that a new downtown shelter for women and families will open next week with 50 beds but eventually expand to serve up to 210 homeless residents.
Cheers to 20 Years!Â
In honor of our 20th anniversary, we collaborated with 3 Punk Ales Brewing Company to create a limited edition Voice of San Diego beer.
Be the first to try it at our official launch party next week. Let us pour you one on Thursday, April 24, at 5 p.m. at 3 Punk Ales in Chula Vista.
Click here for more info.
In Other News
- City Attorney Heather Ferbert defended her decision to allow her No. 2 to work remotely on a fourth-month world cruise in a memo to staff saying she agreed to the arrangement because Executive Assistant City Attorney Jordan scheduled it amid an initial plan to retire last year. (Union-Tribune)
- Mayor Todd Gloria said he prioritized public safety as he considered proposed cuts to address a $258 million budget deficit but the city’s fire union president is concerned about the impact of the mayor’s proposal to close a station near Petco Park. (NBC 7)
- A Wednesday report from a national environmental advocacy organization declared the Tijuana River as the second most endangered river in the nation. (KPBS)
- UC San Diego reports that at least 35 of its international students have had their visas terminated and one was deported this month – all for reasons the federal government hasn’t explained to the university. (10 News)
- A Lemon Grove resident’s attempt to recall Mayor Alysson Snow has failed but he said he’ll try again. (Union-Tribune)
- Trolls posting pornography and hate images popped up on video conferencing software in 10 San Diego Superior Courtrooms across the region on Tuesday. (NBC 7)