Good morning, Escondido.

The Park Avenue Community Center unveiled a new van wrap on June 24th — funded by an Empowerment Grant from the San Diego Seniors Community Foundation — that gives seniors a stylish ride to programs at 210 E Park Ave.

The annual Glow Pool Party will be held Saturday, June 28 from 7:30 to 10:00 p.m. at Washington Park Pool (501 North Rose Street) with glow sticks, lights, music, games, and a first-30 giveaway; children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult and visitors are advised to bring water, a towel, and a life jacket if needed.

Larry Lightning Jr.—convicted of leading a bank robbery crew that stole nearly $400,000 from banks in Escondido, Scripps Ranch, Kearny Mesa, and Carlsbad between 2019 and 2022—was sentenced today to nearly 500 years to life in prison after a jury found him guilty on more than two dozen felony counts including kidnapping, assault with a firearm, and robbery.

California drivers will face higher gas prices beginning July 1 due to new state taxes and stricter environmental rules from the Low Carbon Fuel Standard—experts estimate initial prices may reach about $6 per gallon.

Additional factors such as refinery closures and global tensions could push prices even higher later on.

The Escondido Union School District board will promote internal candidate Andy McGuire as the next superintendent after Luis Rankins-Ibarra retires at the end of the school year—pending contract approval on July 24 with McGuire set to take office on July 1.

He will work with Rankins-Ibarra during the transition while some residents have questioned the board’s process on social media.

Today, SDG&E is boosting its wildfire prevention efforts amid dry conditions by using advanced technology—AI and a team of six meteorologists at its Wildfire and Climate Resilience Center in Kearny Mesa to monitor 130 cameras and 223 weather stations across high fire-risk areas.

The utility has spent $6 billion replacing power lines and wooden poles with underground lines and fire-resistant steel poles after past wildfires and will continue these improvements to safeguard the region.

San Diego County is considering a 5-point plan to address the Tijuana River sewage crisis — it will upgrade infrastructure along the river, improve air filtration at schools and hot spots, and appoint a sewage crisis commissioner — as county officials work to protect public health.

San Diego County supervisors approved an $8.63B budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year on Tuesday — the plan adds $18.3 million for public safety and increases overall funds by $104 million over last year.

The budget takes effect July 1 — it provides money for housing, behavioral health, road safety, and jail upgrades.

San Diego County supervisors are preparing for federal budget changes that could shift hundreds of millions of dollars in costs to the county for health, housing, and food programs.

They will vote on the $8.62 billion budget and have asked for reports by July 22 and Sept. 30 that outline extra staffing and funding options + program adjustments.

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.