LAURA EMBRY / Union-Tribune Sixth-graders Lynell Hirmez (left) and Thu Nguyen worked on a science experiment dealing with the reflective qualities of light at Hillsdale Middle School in the Cajon Valley school district.

Thousands of students in the county won't take classes this summer, school officials say, because districts don't have money to run them. San Diego Unified, Poway Unified and La Mesa-Spring Valley school districts have canceled summer school for all elementary students who aren't in special education. Middle and high school students will continue summer studies to keep them on pace for promotion or graduation.

CAMP PENDLETON – Murky rules of engagement caused Sgt. John Winnick II and his team of Marine snipers to kill two civilians and wound two others about a year ago in Iraq, his attorneys said yesterday during a hearing at Camp Pendleton.

DEL MAR – Her long-stemmed beauties may have raked in 25 ribbons, including three best-in-show awards yesterday, but rose enthusiast Linda Clark was just happy watching San Diego County Fair visitors enjoy her blooms.

Pneumonia patients admitted to three North County hospitals – Palomar Medical Center, Pomerado Hospital and Tri-City Medical Center – had significantly worse chances of survival than patients at more than 260 other California hospitals, according to a new state report.

An old editor of mine telephoned last month with one last assignment. “Go check out the statue,” Gary Mortenson told me. “See if they haven't dressed it up again.” For decades Mortenson has been protecting the integrity of the tall bronze caballero that greets visitors to the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

Steve Hollinger likes to get to the bus stop and shopping mall near his home in Serra Mesa in his wheelchair, but there are so few curb ramps that Hollinger, a quadriplegic, has no choice but to ride in the street.