Articles by Staff

Staff has written 2158 articles for the OB Rag!

Missing Woman from New York Found in OB

January 19, 2022 by Staff

Her face was on flyers wrapped around signs and palm trees in Ocean Beach yesterday, January 18.

Serena Stevens, a 19-year-old woman reportedly missing after traveling to San Diego from New York late last week has been located in Ocean Beach.

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Injured Wild Animal? Project Wildlife to the Rescue

January 13, 2022 by Staff

By Geoff Page

This post is a pitch for a really great organization called Project Wildlife. For those who don’t know about them, here is what they do, based on an actual experience I had Tuesday morning.

My wife and I were walking our dogs at Dog Beach. She noticed a bird at the waterline she called a coot. It’s a black bird, sort of medium size. This one was by itself, we didn’t see any others nearby. My wife remarked that she had seen these birds along the river but had never seen one in the surf at Dog Beach. I had to agree.

Just as we were looking at the bird, a dog went after it in the surf.

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OB Planners on ADUs, Midway Redevelopment, Rogue Project on Santa Cruz

January 11, 2022 by Staff

By Geoff Page

The two highlights of the Ocean Beach Planning Board’s first monthly meeting in 2022 were clearly a detailed presentation of a Sports Arena redevelopment proposal and drastic changes involving Accessory Dwelling Units, or ADUs.

The regular monthly meeting, that takes place the first Wednesday of every month at 6:00 p.m., was held on-line. The OBPB and most planning boards have not gone back to live meetings yet. The meeting may be viewed on YouTube here.

Land Use Code Changes

The city is planning on implementing the requirements mandated in Senate Bill 9, the bill that calls for relaxing building codes to help allegedly solve the housing shortage in California.

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In 1861 Ten Senators Were Expelled From Congress for Supporting Insurrection and Conspiracy

January 10, 2022 by Staff

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Jan. 6 : An Orgy Without Restraints for a Large Number of Idiots Who Were Told by the White House that It Was Okay

January 6, 2022 by Staff

By Geoff Page

January 6, 2021, was the final act of everything that had occurred in the previous four years. It was an orgy more than anything else. It was a day when all internal restraint of any kind was ignored. It was a day when a large number of idiots believed they could have an orgy devoid of moral or legal obligations because the White House Idiot had told them, and shown them, this was OK.

We had a person in the White House who showed the world just how unaccountable a President could be when he never suffered any consequences for any of his many outrageous actions. Those of us who care were horrified. But, after four years of this, a huge number of Americans saw it as permission to do whatever they wanted to, regardless of the law or morality.

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Vigils for Democracy in San Diego and Across the Country, Solemn Commemoration in DC on Anniversary of Insurrection

January 6, 2022 by Staff

January 6 Vigils for Democracy – 338 vigils planned across nation

There are two Vigils for Democracy planned for today, January 6, in San Diego. The first is at 1pm in the park next to the San Diego County Administration Building. The second vigil is at 7 pm at Union Street and West F Street. Across the nation, 338 vigils are planned as of this writing.

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Where Are Nathan Fletcher and Todd Gloria Now That San Diego’s Pandemic Triggers Are In the Red

January 3, 2022 by Staff

We have an avid reader who raises a good point:

I’m probably missing the obvious, but I can’t figure our why Nathan Fletcher, who jump-started his tenure on the board of supervisors by literally stealing the spotlight every day with his COVID pronouncements, is now no where to be found on the issue.

His publicist won’t even respond to a request for any sort of comment, from the UT.

I’m sure other San Diegans have noticed him MIA, and would also appreciate any insight into his disappearance, as well as this new-found silence by other board members, the county health department, Mayor Todd Gloria, etc.

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OB Planning Board: Review of One of the Sports Arena Redevelopment Teams Proposals, Recommendations on Granny Flats – Wed., Jan.5

January 3, 2022 by Staff

The Ocean Beach Planning Board meets this Wednesday, January 5. It will be held virtually via Zoom at 6 pm. Register for the meeting here.

Notable agenda items include a presentation by the Election Committee for the March 2 annual election of board members, and another presentation by the Monarch Group, one of the five redevelopment teams vying for the Midway Sports Arena contract with the city.

The board will also review and make recommendations to the city’s Draft Housing Action Package, including possible revisions to the City Code regulating Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) or so-called granny flats.

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Ocean Beach and Point Loma Pushed Into Newly-Redrawn 50th Congressional District – Darrel Issa’s Former District

December 22, 2021 by Staff

It looks like Ocean Beach and Point Loma will be pushed into the newly-redrawn 50th Congressional District. Ironically, arch-conservative Darrel Issa currently represents the district. Not to worry. He just announced he will be seeking election in the new 48th Congressional District.

OB and the Peninsula are currently in the 52nd District, represented by Democrat Scott Peters. The new 50th includes many of the communities currently represented by Peters, so there is a general assumption he will go for that seat. The new districts take effect with the June 2022 primaries and continue for the next decade.

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No ‘Shelter From the Storm’ – OB Christmas Tree Survives

December 16, 2021 by Staff

The street light at the intersection of Newport and Cable found no shelter. Photo by Cassidy Elyse, reposted from Social OB facebook.

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Final Redistricting Map – But It’s Not ‘Official’ for 30 Days

December 16, 2021 by Staff

On Wednesday, December 15, the volunteer San Diego Redistricting Commission decided by a 7-2 vote on the final map of the city council boundaries (which we previewed the other day).

The big, “dramatic” changes for District 2 are that Pacific Beach joins District 1, and District 2 takes the eastern half of Clairemont and Old Town. Unless something happens – like a comet – this will remain and be official for the next ten years. Although, the city is now in a 30-day period where residents can raise objections before the map becomes official.

Other changes:

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Judge Bacal’s Final Ruling: San Diego Should Not Have Placed Lifting 30-Foot Height Limit in Midway On Ballot

December 15, 2021 by Staff

A voter-approved ballot measure lifting the 30-foot building height limit in the Midway District was improperly placed on the November 2020 ballot and cannot be implemented, San Diego Superior Court Judge Katherine Bacal said in her final ruling last week.

Bacal said the city of San Diego should not have asked voters to remove the 30-foot coastal height limit in the Midway area on the 2020 ballot finalizing a tentative ruling that throws a major city redevelopment effort into limbo.

The vote on Measure E lifted the height limit in the entire Midway area,

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Man Tackled and Stabbed at Newport and Bacon in OB Thursday Morning – Has Non-Life Threatening Wounds

December 10, 2021 by Staff

A man was stabbed in the 5000 block of Newport Avenue in Ocean Beach early Thursday morning, December 9.

Fortunately, he sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a hospital.

The unidentified victim was talking to a couple around 1:30 am near the intersection of Newport and Bacon Street when the assailant “ran up to the victim swinging his arms,” according to San Diego Police.

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Teacher Walk-Out at High Tech High School in Point Loma

December 9, 2021 by Staff

Apparently, on Wednesday 15 teachers and three education specialists walked out of their classrooms at High Tech Middle School in Point Loma.

Teachers have recently formed a union called the High Tech Education Collective and have been in contentious meetings with the administration over pay, late paychecks and other issues.

The CEO of the schools had a meeting with staff on Wednesday before school started and it did not go well.

The school claimed the walk-out was an “unlawful work stoppage” and that school kids were left unattended

The CEO of the schools had a meeting with staff before school started and it did not go well.

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OB Holiday Parade – Saturday, December 4

December 1, 2021 by Staff

Under the theme of ‘Rockin’ Around The Crooked Tree!’, the annual Ocean Beach Holiday Parade kicks off this Saturday, December 4.

It will be the 42nd annual event – and it starts on OB Time, 5:05 pm.

Some claim OB has “one of the best Holiday Parades in SoCal,” but whatever, it sure is fun – and a unique moment for the village. So, get your spot on Newport ready.

Come inside to get connected, more info, how to’s ….

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Man’s Body Found Off Ladera Street in Sunset Cliffs

November 29, 2021 by Staff

On Friday, November 26, a body of a male was found floating in waters off Sunset Cliffs.

The fully-clothed male was discovered by a fisherman looking for lobster around 6:30 p.m. off Ladera Street and Sunset Cliffs Boulevard. The body was found about 200 feet offshore. As of now, the man is unidentified and his age is unknown.

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Extreme Bicyclists Hold Sway Over Peninsula Planners

November 24, 2021 by Staff

By Geoff Page

The regular monthly meeting of the Peninsula Community Planning Board, November 18, was all about changes the PCPB is recommending for the streets many people use daily. But, the only people who seem to be paying attention were from the cycling community.

There was also a letter of support for the palms on upper Newport and some projects were reviewed, two of which were more Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).

Froude Street from Voltaire Street to Newport Avenue

The PCPB is still very much concerned that there is not a single stop sign from Voltaire to Newport and they are determined to right this incredible wrong.

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OB Pier Working Group Meeting: ‘All To Do About Nothing’

November 19, 2021 by Staff

By Geoff Page

What has been dubbed the Ocean Beach Pier Working Group had its “Fall Virtual Meeting,” on Wednesday November 17.

The meeting was moderated by Campbell’s representative for the Ocean Beach area, Teddy Martinez. So, this is being run by the District 2 Council office, in case that wasn’t clear enough. Considering the results of this meeting, District 2 should get all the credit.

This was a Zoom meeting for a core group of meeting participants and other interested parties but was deliberately not made open to the public. At one time, there were 27 attendees. Some of the core group come from local organizations such as Andrea Schlageter, chair of the OB Planning Board and Denny Knox from the OB Mainstreet Association.

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Palm Tree Chopped on West Point Loma

November 17, 2021 by Staff

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Someone San Diegans Should Know: The Ranting White Supremacist of Ocean Beach

November 16, 2021 by Staff

Here is someone San Diegans – and OBceans — should know: the ranting White supremacist of Ocean Beach. Meet Nathaniel Maloney, an OB resident.

Maloney was identified as the white man shouting verbal threats and racial slurs at an African-American woman neighbor, who shot a video of the incident on a street in Ocean Beach. The incident reportedly occurred on Monday, November 15.The vid circulated widely on social media.

The woman was walking to her car in her driveway when Maloney ran up to her, spit on her and then assaulted her by screaming the N-word at her over and over. He even tried to call the cops on her, claiming she had assaulted him.

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Redistricting Commission Selects ‘Compromise Map’ as Blueprint : D2 Loses PB But Gains Clairemont

November 15, 2021 by Staff

San Diego’s redistricting commission selected the so-call “Compromise Map” over the weekend as the blueprint for a final map establishing the boundaries of the city council districts.

The map selected will be further tweaked but it will be the preliminary map from which commissioners base any changes on. Commissioners expect the final boundaries to closely resemble the Compromise Map.

For District 2, the Compromise Map removes Pacific Beach, which is added to District 1, but includes east Clairemont. D2 already included west Clairemont.

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COVID Cases Rising in Inland Empire and Central Valley; Concerns for San Diego

November 9, 2021 by Staff

My weather app on my phone has been displaying daily totals of new COVID cases and deaths. Yesterday, the number of cases was 9,000 something. Today, it was 18,000 something.

In today’s LA Times, it’s reported that “COVID-19 hospitalizations have risen significantly in the Inland Empire and Central Valley,” and has raised the specter of a wider spike in California as the winter holidays approach.

Throughout California cases and hospitalizations hit a plateau after months of decline. In areas “with lower vaccination rates, such as Riverside, San Bernardino and Fresno counties, conditions are deteriorating, with hospitalizations up by more than 20% in recent weeks.

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4 Palms Cut Down by City at Niagara and Cable Without Explanation

November 9, 2021 by Staff

By Geoff Page

It’s not enough that city forester, Brian Widener, wants to cut down the historic palms on Newport Ave., using the excuse of public safety, and refusing to explain what the safety emergency is. His department removed four palms at the intersection of Cable and Niagara on October 28 and the city’s forester refuses to say why.

Widener was asked why in an October 29 email:

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Venus, the Moon and OB

November 8, 2021 by Staff

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The Expansion of the Ocean Beach Library

November 2, 2021 by Staff

Here is the official artist’s rendering of the new OB library, expanded. More models and details were be displayed at Wednesday’s OB Planning Board meeting.

From the City:

The Ocean Beach Library Expansion will include demolition of the 2-story adjacent building (the Annex), remodel the existing 5,095 sf library and construct a new 4,205 sf extension to the library. The new extension will designate space for expanded book collection area, a community meeting room with kitchenette, study rooms, office space, a Teen area, storage rooms, outdoor gathering area and new restrooms.

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Video: Tracy Van De Walker Fights to Save OB Palms

October 29, 2021 by Staff


Tracy Van De Walker is a resident of Ocean Beach and recent palm tree activist. She became the center of the fight to keep the palm trees on Newport Avenue standing, when she stood in front of the trucks and chainsaws to protect the trees.

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Slim Majority of Peninsula Planners Favor Reducing Scott Street From 4 Lanes to 2

October 28, 2021 by Staff

By Geoff Page

The regular monthly meeting of the Peninsula Community Planning Board, Thursday, October 21, did not have any major issues on the agenda, but there were a few items of interest to the community.

Traffic Letter

The one item that got the most airplay was a draft letter the board voted to send the city about reducing Scott Street between Talbot and North Harbor Drive from four lanes to two lanes to accommodate cyclists. Here is the letter:

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New OB Library Expansion Design to Be Presented to Community at Planning Board Meeting – Wed., Nov.3

October 28, 2021 by Staff

At long last, the plans for the expanded OB Library will be presented to the community. The OB Planning Board has agreed to have a live meeting so many OBceans can participate. The meeting will be at 6 pm., Nov. 3, at Water’s Edge Church. That was the only venue the Friends of the OB Library could get within the boundaries of OB – which shows why OB needs a big conference room in the expanded library.

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Report on October Meeting of Midway Planning Board

October 26, 2021 by Staff

By Geoff Page

While the agendas for planning board meetings don’t always look enticing, there are usually a few interesting nuggets here and there, some unexpected, in every meeting. This was the case for the Midway-Pacific Highway Planning Group’s regular monthly meeting, October 20.

District 2

For example, the government report for Council District 2 – oh, pardon please – for the Council President’s office, was provided by Makana Rowan.

The only item Rowan spoke about was the long-awaited vendor ordinance, which is coming to city council December 14. When asked to see the exact language of the ordinance, Rowan said it was essentially the same as the draft that has been previously published. He said the city attorney is reviewing it and the final version is not ready yet. This item is not as much of a concern for Midway as it is for Ocean Beach and other beach areas.

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Point Loma Residents Show Up and Force City to Postpone Palm Tree Chopping for Today – No Promises Made for Tomorrow

October 21, 2021 by Staff

By Geoff Page

The actions of a collection of community residents early Thursday morning resulted in a temporary stay of execution for the historic palm trees on upper Newport Ave. The city had told a resident on Wednesday they would be back this morning at 7:30 a.m. to cut down the trees and they would be bringing the police. So, the locals rallied and showed up to voice very vocal opposition to the city steamrolling the community.

They did indeed bring the police.

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