NORTH COUNTY: After the latest visit by a team of educators, MiraCosta College remains on notice that it could lose its accreditation.
Acting college President Dick Robertson assured employees in an e-mail yesterday that “MiraCosta College is accredited, our courses count toward degrees and transfer, students are eligible for financial aid and the educational experience at MiraCosta College is top notch.” But the Oceanside school is still on “warning” from the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Robertson said.
The commission's report, issued June 30, has been posted on the college's Web site under accreditation.
In September, after turmoil at the college had resulted in the departure of three top administrators and eventually the president, an investigating team made its first visit. A follow-up visit occurred in May.
In the latest report, investigators said the college is making progress and its divided board “did not exhibit the rancor of previous meetings,” but the board “is yet to fully embrace” its role as a policymaker. Occasional micromanaging by the board continues to occur, the report says.
–L.S.
Ticking noise in mailbox causes scare; only a card
CARMEL VALLEY: A ticking noise that brought a bomb squad to a medical building yesterday turned out to be a harmless greeting card.
The card, from a pharmaceutical company promoting a limited-time offer on its products, read “Your time is up” on the cover, while a small battery-driven device made the sound of a ticking clock.
A receptionist heard the noise coming from a hallway mailbox at Children's Medical Group, a three-story office building on El Camino Real south of High Bluff Drive.
She called 911 about 4 p.m. while security officers evacuated the building, San Diego police said.
A Metro Arson Strike Team bomb squad removed the greeting card from the mailbox and opened it, said Maurice Luque of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department. The card was addressed to a doctor who no longer worked at that office.
Luque said the battery inside had been damaged, causing the card to tick before it was opened. A U.S. Postal Inspection Service inspector called to the scene planned to warn the pharmaceutical company about its promotional efforts gone awry.
–P.R.
Nighttime lane closures expected on Interstate 15
SAN DIEGO: Nighttime motorists can expect some lane closures on both sides of Interstate 15 between state Route 52 and Miramar Road through early Thursday.
Caltrans officials say the closures are needed because of construction work. The state is expanding the freeway's network of express lanes.
The closures will take place between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.
–S.S.
Monster Truck Mania at tomorrow's car show
EL CAJON: Monster trucks are rolling into town for the Cajon Classic Cruise, from 5 to 8 p.m. tomorrow in downtown El Cajon.
This week's theme – Monster Truck Mania – will feature trucks in a variety of styles, colors and sizes, as well as an “engine blow-up contest.” Participants can buy a five-second time slot within a 30-minute window, and if the engine gives out during that slot, the participant who bought it will win half the prize money collected.
The car show, presented by the El Cajon Community Development Corp., runs every Wednesday through Sept. 24 on Main Street and Magnolia Avenue in El Cajon. Themes vary weekly. The free event includes prizes, music and entertainment.
–S.H.
Councilman seeks funds for home-safety program
SAN YSIDRO: San Diego City Councilman Ben Hueso hopes to expand a city loan program that helps low-income residents, seniors and people with disabilities improve the appearance and safety of their homes.
The Housing Enhancement Loan Program, or HELP, has proved successful in other areas of the city, Hueso said. He and other officials want the council to approve funding for the expansion plan with $500,000 in redevelopment funds.
The council meets at 2 p.m. today on the 12th Floor of City Hall, 202 C St..
–J.Z.
Staff writers Lola Sherman, Pauline Repard, Steve Schmidt, Sharon Heilbrunn and Janine Zúñiga contributed to this report.
