NELVIN C. CEPEDA / Union-Tribune Former Marine Mary Sinquay helped Carlos Hearst look for clothes yesterday at Stand Down, an annual event for homeless veterans, in San Diego.

SAN DIEGO – Every summer, Veterans Village of San Diego builds a tent city next to Balboa Stadium to give homeless vets a break from the rigors of street life. The event is called Stand Down, a military term for taking a break from routine duties to concentrate on solving a problem. It began for the 21st time yesterday and will continue through tomorrow.

SAN DIEGO – The Ethics Commission has imposed a fine of $75,743 on former City Council candidate Luis Acle – more than four times as much as the previous top penalty levied during the commission's seven-year history.

IMPERIAL BEACH – The plan was to ambush the man in his driveway as he left for work Thursday morning, stab him to death and then flee with a getaway driver. For his part, the hit man would get $5,000.

DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO – The group tasked with resolving the county's most pressing wildfire problems seems poised to support a tax increase, but a handful of details kept it from moving forward yesterday.

SAN DIEGO – Here's a sobering thought: What would the annual Over-the-Line tournament on Fiesta Island be like without alcohol? That thought crossed the minds of organizers who considered canceling the 55-year-old event once they heard of San Diego's booze ban for city beaches.