City News Service

A citizens group that alleges the Palomar Health District violated California's open meeting law when it awarded contracts to a new emergency care provider filed a lawsuit Friday against the health care district and its board of directors.

The updated data were announced Thursday, the same day a new testing site opened at North County Lifeline in Vista — one of several new sites opened this week as demand for tests rises while the virus continues to surge.

San Diego County began notifying restaurants Thursday of $4.5 million in permit fee refunds for the period of March 16, 2020 through June 15 of this year — the result of a recent settlement in a lawsuit brought by a local restaurant group.

It was the fourth time in the past five reports that overall agriculture values increased, and the third time since 1990 that total values topped $1.8 billion in San Diego County. Values exceeded $1.8 billion in both 2013 and 2014.

Mayor Todd Gloria signed two pieces of legislation Thursday clearing the way for the city to invest roughly $293 million to repair or upgrade roads, stormwater systems, parks, recreation facilities and libraries, and to purchase public safety and waste management equipment.

All of these sites are in response to a striking surge in COVID-19 cases throughout the county, the vast majority of which have occurred in the unvaccinated.

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.