City News Service

San Diego County will remain in the second, or red, tier of the state's four-tier COVID-19 reopening plan for at least another week.

The program will narrow down the list of shelters with possible availability within 30 minutes or less, expediting a process that can typically take up to several days for victims in immediate need.

Notices are being mailed out for people with appearance or fine due dates stretching from March through mid-September, according to court officials, who noted that several automatic extensions have already been issued due to the pandemic, but an additional 30-day grace period is being offered for those with outstanding fines.

The first $1.5 million in loans from The San Diego Foundation's small business and nonprofit program have gone out to eight local organizations, part of a $5 million fund for organizations impacted by COVID-19.

San Diego County awaited fresh data from the state Tuesday to see if it will avoid being pushed back into the most restrictive "purple tier."

A woman lodged a complaint against the county Sheriff's Department, alleging that a deputy used excessive force when he yanked her out of her car, pulling her hair and arm during a traffic stop in Lakeside last week.

California has been battered by 10 previous atmospheric rivers this winter.

The latest in-custody death comes on the heels of news that a sheriff’s deputy was arrested for allegedly having illegal drugs on county jail property.

Officials with the U.S. Department of Transportation issued a statement in response to Southwest's cancellations, noting that the department will be looking into the situation.