Author Archives for Ben Cheeks

Gas leak prompts evacuations at 2 UCSD campus labs

October 11, 2016 2:35 pm Published by Comments Off on Gas leak prompts evacuations at 2 UCSD campus labs

Two laboratory buildings at the University of California San Diego evacuated Tuesday when construction crews cut into a natural gas line, campus officials said.

Stein Clinical Research Building and the Medical Genetics Building, which house labs and offices, were evacuated about 2:10 p.m.

A fire...


Man arrested in fatal stabbing in Encanto

October 10, 2016 9:10 pm Published by Comments Off on Man arrested in fatal stabbing in Encanto

A 20-year-old man accused of fatally stabbing an acquaintance in Encanto early Sunday turned himself in to San Diego police Monday morning. 

Miguel Ramos, of San Diego, was booked into jail on a count of murder in the death of Robert Acevedo, 44.

Ramos is suspected of stabbing Acevedo during an...


Casino grand opening in Jamul causes traffic jam

October 10, 2016 7:00 pm Published by Comments Off on Casino grand opening in Jamul causes traffic jam

The grand opening of a Casino in Jamul created major traffic congestion on state Route 94 Monday. 

Hollywood Casino Jamul-San Diego, which sits on the Jamul Indian Village at Daisy Drive, opened at 2 p.m. 

Through the evening, traffic was backed up on Route 94 in both directions —  west to state...


Casino grand opening in Jamul causes traffic jam

October 10, 2016 7:00 pm Published by Comments Off on Casino grand opening in Jamul causes traffic jam

The grand opening of a casino in Jamul created major traffic congestion on state Route 94 Monday, leading to several reports of people driving recklessly.  The traffic jam began hours before the 2 p.m. opening of Hollwood Casino Jamul-San Diego and continued into the night. The California Highway...


Dumanis says talk of her stepping down early ‘just speculation’

October 10, 2016 5:25 pm Published by Comments Off on Dumanis says talk of her stepping down early ‘just speculation’

District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis acknowledged Monday that there has been talk about the possibility of her stepping down from office before her term ends, but she said she hasn’t made any decisions about her political future.

“I have not decided yet whether I’ll seek re-election in 2018,” she said...


Gas line explosion sparks house fire

October 10, 2016 4:15 pm Published by Comments Off on Gas line explosion sparks house fire

A man was seriously burned Monday in a City Heights house fire caused by a gas line explosion that lifted the roof and blew out some windows, a fire official said. 

The victim was taken to a hospital with second and third-degree burns, said San Diego Fire-Rescue Department spokesman Lee Swanson....


Possibly armed man holed up in Otay Mesa

October 10, 2016 3:45 pm Published by Comments Off on Possibly armed man holed up in Otay Mesa

A possibly armed man holed up in an Otay Mesa house threatened to point a gun at police in an attempt to get officers to shoot him Monday afternoon, authorities said. 

A neighbor called 911 after seeing the man smashing things inside the home on Coldwell Lane near Twining Avenue about 1:10 p.m.,...


Man in custody after 3-hour standoff

October 10, 2016 3:45 pm Published by Comments Off on Man in custody after 3-hour standoff

A man who threatened to commit suicide by cop while holed up in an Otay Mesa house Monday afternoon was taken into custody after a three-hour standoff, authorities said. 

A neighbor called 911 after seeing the man smashing things inside the home on Coldwell Lane near Twining Avenue about 1:10 p.m.,...


Untested rape kits prompting changes in San Diego

October 10, 2016 3:30 pm Published by Comments Off on Untested rape kits prompting changes in San Diego

Public outcry over San Diego leaving thousands of rape kits untested is prompting new city procedures and some proposals for policy changes.

The Police Department’s crime lab says it has begun evaluating each of 2,400 rape kits left untested over the last 26 years to ensure there were sound reasons...


Trailers at Naval medical center go up in flames

October 10, 2016 2:20 pm Published by Comments Off on Trailers at Naval medical center go up in flames

Flames enveloped several trailers at Naval Medical Center San Diego Monday afternoon sending a plume of smoke above Balboa Park, police said.  The fire sparked around 1 p.m. and overtook four temporary trailers being used by a construction company doing work at the Bob Wilson Drive medical center,...