Good morning, Escondido.

San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. sued Big League Advance on Monday in San Diego County Superior Court—accusing the company of using unfair tactics to lure him into a future earnings deal that could cost him $34 million.

He received $2 million upfront for giving up 10% of his future earnings after signing a $340 million contract in February.

San Diego County law enforcement seized nearly 2 million fentanyl pills—worth an estimated $20 million—in the past 18 months as part of its effort to stop the opioid trade.

Larry Lightning Jr.—45—led a crew that robbed banks in Escondido, Scripps Ranch, Kearny Mesa and Carlsbad between 2019 and 2022 and stole nearly $400,000, and on Monday he was sentenced to 488 years and eight months to life in prison because of previous convictions that counted as his third strike.

The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office said Monday that over an 18‑month period it seized 1.9 million fentanyl pills — valued at $20.6 million — along with 33 pounds of cocaine, 406 pounds of methamphetamine, and 16.3 pounds of heroin, and fentanyl deaths in the county dropped 30% in 2024.

Researchers from UC San Diego and Johns Hopkins University tested a 10-story cold-framed steel building on Monday morning using the only outdoor shake table of its kind on an industrial lot off Pomerado Road — the building swayed little during strong earthquake motions — and recorded data from over 800 sensors. They will study the results to see if building codes that limit cold-formed steel structures to six stories can be updated.

Supervisor Jim Desmond said San Diego County is finalizing its FY 2025-2027 budget that provides funds for public safety, affordable housing, mental health services, and road improvements in District 5—he stressed protecting taxpayer dollars by keeping emergency reserves for true emergencies.

Dog Dental Cleaning Clinic

9 a.m. – 2 p.m. — Pets Plus — Appointments required — Enjoy a non-anesthetic dog dental cleaning along with other veterinary services at this special one-day event.

Conservation Conversation: Protecting the Southwestern Pond Turtle

6-7 p.m. — Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve — Free entry — Learn about efforts to protect the native Southwestern Pond Turtle and its habitat in Escondido Creek.