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Stories by Mike Madriaga

No wetsuit in December

Name: Mark De Salas Age: 21 From: Imperial Beach Occupation: Fire watch department in shipyards On December 17, at about 4:30 p.m. there was only one person by the Imperial Beach Pier capitalizing on the …

December 25, 2017
Amazon overload

Lately there’s been a rash of theft in the Chula Vista neighborhoods, from home burglaries to Christmas-mail porch thieves. Although neighbors try to be vigilant, the recent use of unmarked vehicles by FedEx, UPS, and …

At PB maybe I was getting in their way

Name: Melissa Beach: Ocean Beach Melissa moved here from Guam two months ago. She’s a 20-year-old college student that frequents Ocean Beach because of the friendlier vibes. “At PB by the pier, it was different,” …

December 18, 2017
Clocked by a GoPro stick at border protest

“My head was opened up with a hit from the GoPro holder,” says Rafael Bautista, one of the founders of Tenants United, a group seeking to implement rent control in San Diego. But Bautista's activist …

December 15, 2017
City Heights humbugged by no Christmas lights

As holiday traffic makes the 805 freeway a little more congested, Christmas lights on the Market Street overpass contribute to the seasonal cheer. This is the fourth year since the lights went up, a collaboration …

December 8, 2017
Coronado was like Tahiti

Name Chad : Age: 37 Occupation: Law student at the University of San Diego Where: Ocean Beach Pier I found Chad surfing with his seven-foot Catch Surf Odysea in support for the “Paddle for Clean …

Great year for 7-Eleven beer-runners

“Yesterday at 9:40 [p.m.] two Modelo 24 oz. cans fell out of his pants,” said Fredley. “I said, 'What the hell...what is this?' then he grabbed them and ran away…but his girlfriend is right behind …

Border protesters demand release of Sunshine

On November 29, the Mexicali side of the Zona Centro border crossing was blocked by protesters demanding the jail release of Sunshine Antonio Rodríguez Peña, the organizer of the fishing communes in San Felipe. Rodríguez …

December 3, 2017
Memes of mercy for two SD men jailed in Thailand

Memes are usually captioned photos or short repetitive videos that go viral and transform to amuse, inspire, humor, or mystify people. A meme can also be only text that convey how the meme-poster feels at …

December 1, 2017
The washing machine treatment

Name: AF Age: 47 Location: Imperial Beach At about sunset, I spotted AF at the end of Date Avenue loading his 7’8″ Electric Duck surfboard into his van. “It’s shaped by Mike Richardson,” he said. …

Matt hits Manzanita Canyon hard and often

Over the weekend (November 18–19), Matt Armstrong says he pulled out 350 pounds of trash from Manzanita Canyon — by himself. "I usually like to go out in the late morning/early afternoon, as there is …

November 20, 2017
Ten years old, boogie-boarding since he was five

Name: Rio Beach: Ocean Beach Rio was named after the 1983 Duran Duran hit. He is 10 years old, and he’s been boogie-boarding since he was five. “When I catch a wave,” he said, “I …

November 20, 2017
New: Mexican/Baja 1000 Off-Road Walk of Fame

On November 8, at about 2 p.m, Diego Gomez admired the new marble tiles inlaid on Ensenada’s sidewalks. “They measure between half a meter and one square meter,” he said, “and three [tile] plates from …

November 13, 2017
Shop cop questions immigration status of panhandler

On November 9, at about 1:15 p.m., shoppers making their way inside the Target located at 3424 College Avenue would have noticed a heated argument in the parking lot. Sonia Serrano Zavala, a 43-year-old mother …

November 13, 2017
Sweetwater & Rohr Park Railroad days numbered?

“We are concerned about the Chula Vista Golf Course and Rohr Park redevelopment [proposal],” Scott Lewis recently told Chula Vista mayor Mary Casillas Salas, councilmembers, and staff. “[We’ve] been in Rohr Park for 43 years …

November 9, 2017
Baja 1000 racers, start your documentation

As this story goes live and the Baja 1000 starts in less than a week (November 14–18), there still has been no official press release from the Mexican government regarding the new TIP (temporary import …

November 9, 2017
It’s coyote time — guard the pets and tykes

“We started hearing barking from the neighbor’s dog and then right after that we heard one of their dogs start yelping frantically,” said Angie Lira, “I [then] saw three coyotes; two were walking towards Gables …

Lincoln Park graffiti sanctuary to close

“After 15 years, the Writerz Blok facility is closing for redesign of the creative space,” said Reginald Jones, the president and CEO of the Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation. The graffiti art yard is located …

November 6, 2017
Citizens seek concert-traffic relief

Caroline Serrano is a 43-year-old housewife from the Vista Pacifica community of south San Diego, near the Otay Mesa border crossing and nearer to the Mattress Firm Amphitheatre. On Wednesday (October 25) she was concerned …

October 29, 2017
North Park syringe swap site won't change soon

Paul Tibbets and his neighbors want the Safe Point San Diego-Syringe Exchange Program recreational vehicle to move somewhere else. For the past 14 years, an RV has been parking across the street from the North …

October 26, 2017
Likes walking the nose

Name: Shane Age: 23 From: San Diego Location: Ocean Beach Shane and her buddy just got done surfing when the sun was setting at approximately 7:30 p.m. The 23-year-old San Diego native was trying to …

October 23, 2017
Read before rolling into Baja

When the Baja 1000 races roll around next month (November 14–18), some Americans crossing into Mexico might be in for a big surprise. Recently, travelers crossing through the San Ysidro, Otay, Tecate, and Mexicali borders …

Mass grooming in National City

“I do think the elderly [people here] are in need,” said Brooke Ortiz. “There were people that lived [at Southern Highland] that said this was the best day they have ever had.” Ortiz is a …

October 17, 2017
Friday the 13th run on tats

Tattoo shops across San Diego (and nationally) had lines outside their doors on Friday the 13th, the “Black Friday” for tattoo collectors because certain parlors discount their “flash” designs for $13. “We had about 200, …

Wedding for 619 and 858 area codes imminent

On October 9, Tom Davis from Kensington received a letter from AT&T. It read: “Boundary Area Code Elimination Overlay Approved for the 619 and 858 Area Codes,” followed by an explanation and new procedures for …

October 13, 2017
Calm down: South Bay IMAX won't be demo'ed

JR has been working at the AMC theater on Dennery Road for almost six years. On Monday (October 9) he dispelled the rumor that the IMAX section of the AMC Classic Palm Promenade 24 theater …

Chula Vista concert traffic horrific

Marcus has lived in the south San Diego and Chula Vista areas for the past 16 years. On Friday (October 6), he said he “never had a more serious traffic problem.” He and many others …

October 9, 2017
Fast traffic near St. Augustine High chaps neighbors

Ken Adelson has been a North Park resident for the past 32 years. He is a tech writer who lives by Palm Street on the north side of St. Augustine High School. Like many neighbors, …

October 5, 2017
North Park glory at hand

The Stevens-Hartley Annex on University Avenue was built in 1926. If San Diego wins the #VoteYourMainStreet contest, the structure would be eligible to “a share of $2 million in American Express funding for preservation projects,” …

October 2, 2017
Fight night in Paradise Hills

Parked outside of the House of Boxing venue on September 30 was a 1935 San Diego police paddywagon with two guys holding faux tommy guns. One guy was wearing a classic zoot suit, the other, …

Scuffle with box-cutter at murder memorial

“I’m done — [Sonny] just died in our canyon [and] everybody liked him a lot,” Jane said, “and his girlfriend is expecting — he was going to be a father.” Twenty-nine-year-old Sonny Gonzalez was stabbed …

Recycling thief caught up with in Lakeside

Last week, Jeff Cremeans caught a man lurking by his 1984 Toyota truck. The 39-year-old Lakeside resident can see his driveway even when he's at work — thanks to his Night Owl Extreme surveillance system. …

September 29, 2017
Loiterers, crime at Adams rec center park

“Two months ago, while I was walking my two dogs by the Adams Recreation Center park,” Frank said. “A black homeless [looking] guy flicked his cigarette on the street. He [then] said, ‘What you lookin’ …

Daughter of surf pro Michael, niece of Derek

Name: Coco Ho Age: 26 Occupation: Professional Surfer From: Oahu, Hawaii Location: Oceanside Pier Coco Ho was competing in the SuperGirl Pro in Oceanside on July 29. At about 2:20 p.m., she won the round. …

September 26, 2017
City Heights wire art must go

An earlier version of this story incorrectly attributed the art's removal to a decision by the city attorney. — Ed. At about 2:15 p.m. on Friday, September 22, Hani asked his customers if they ever …

September 25, 2017
Oak Park neighbors discourage illegal activity

“The broken glass in the concrete wall has gone too far,” Ted said. He was referring to a three-foot-wall in his neighborhood where people used to loiter and sit. It has a layer of uneven …

September 22, 2017
Buses' stop signs ignored

“Last week I was following my son’s bus home [and] the bus stopped on Valle Vista Road near Vista Camino,” said Miranda Niederle of Lakeside. “[Then the driver] turned on the [bus’s stop] lights and …

September 21, 2017
Car shows are different in Tijuana

On September 15, about a hundred Tijuana street racers skipped the unadvertised drag races and met up with other crews in front of Déjà Vu’s Tijuana strip club (at Plaza Pueblo Amigo). “It’s not far …

September 19, 2017
Kaaboo sound system should keep Del Martians quiet

“I can’t hear them,” said Del Mar Circle K worker Robert at about 7:30 p.m. on Friday, September 15. “There is a lot of traffic, though.” The opening night of the three-day Kaaboo music festival …

September 16, 2017
Community not happy with North Park park

“A really aggressive homeless dude” was witnessed yelling and disrespecting a female city employee with “f-bombs” as she was working in the baseball field on September 12, according to Jeff Ray, a 50-year-old North Park …

September 14, 2017
Tat shops take issue with hepatitis flier

“My mom saw that [flier],” said Matthew Manroe, “and then she hit me up and asked if it was something that I was worried about catching [hepatitis A] from doing tattoos.” Manroe, 34, has been …

September 9, 2017
Hepatitis in them canyons

“I got my [hepatitis A] shot at Kaiser last Friday [September 1],” Linda Pennington said. “My arm was incredibly sore for about ten minutes from my bicep to my wrist.” She said that a day …

September 7, 2017
Car theft the new "normal" in Normal Heights?

In the past couple of weeks, there have been four autos stolen in Normal Heights, according to the Crimemapping.com website. An additional eight auto break-ins and thefts were also reported. “I woke up to find …

September 5, 2017
City Heights' Fire Station 17 rehab near done

“It will be beautiful,” said Sandra. “[It’s] another gem in the community, like the police station.” Sandra, 63, was referring to the almost-completed Fire Station 17 at 4206 Chamoune Avenue in City Heights. Like many …

You want rent control in San Diego? Sign here.

“I’m paying $950 [for rent per month] there, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed [that it doesn’t go up],” said Cat Mendoza on August 26. She lives off of 44th Street in City Heights, just …

Lakeside Nextdoor monitor adrift after online kerfuffle

On August 4, Dawn Espedal needed to verify a Lakeside resident on the Nextdoor app. “Please help me verify a new neighbor. Jane Smith [name changed for the story] on Riverview would like to join …

August 22, 2017
Homeless camp cleanup stymied by city

“I did get a fist put to my face [and] that was one of the motivating factors to leave the scene,” said Lashbrook. On August 18, at about 10:45 a.m., Worden “Tom” Lashbrook met with …

Rooster gripes in City Heights

City Heights resident Jen said she is startled by two roosters at four o’clock almost every morning. “If they wake me up, sometimes it’s hard to fall back asleep,” she said. “I asked for suggestions …

Tonnage report on Manzanita Canyon cleanup

“In your cleanup efforts, did you come across any evidence of the fatal Maddux Air Lines Ford Tri-Motor crash of 1929?” asked Mike Gerow. “Contemporary news accounts cited Lexington Park, which I understand is in …

The new kindergarten next door in North Park

On August 11, Ted received a letter from his next-door neighbor of eight years. He said that he rarely spoke to her until last month. “They sent me a letter,” said Ted, a 47-year-old videographer …

August 14, 2017

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