City News Service

The dramatic surge in COVID-19 cases continued Thursday, with a daily record of 5,976 new infections reported and county public health officials urging residents to keep New Year's celebrations small.

The California Highway Patrol will conduct a "maximum enforcement period" on the lookout for drunk or drugged drivers over New Year's Eve weekend, the CHP announced Thursday.

San Diego County reported 3,653 new COVID-19 cases and 11 deaths in its most recent data as public health officials continue to urge people to take precautions.

San Diego County reported its first influenza death of the season, a 42-year-old man from the North Central region of the county, the Health and Human Services Agency announced Wednesday.

Heavier precipitation is expected Wednesday through Thursday, with some mountain areas likely to get up to a foot of snow while widespread showers douse the rest of the area.

The investigation is continuing into the crash of a small airplane that took off from John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana and slammed into a neighborhood near El Cajon, killing all four people aboard.

Mayor Todd Gloria and City Council President Sean Elo-Rivera Wednesday announced an update to San Diego's climate action initiative.

The announcement comes after a judge struck down San Diego's COVID-19 vaccine mandate, saying only the state can make that a requirement.

Earlier this month, supervisors unanimously voted to oppose any further placements of sexually violent predators until local jurisdictions are able to fully participate in the placement process, including having full veto authority.