Imperial Beach’s fire department is about 25% understaffed as annual calls near 3,000; crews are working long stretches and city leaders are weighing mutual aid and pay fixes.

A rubbing-alcohol-fueled tabletop fireplace erupted during a marshmallow roast on The Strand in Oceanside, sending two children to a specialized burn center.

An early-morning traffic stop in Coronado ended with a crash, a foot chase and an arrest; police say air support helped officers secure the scene. The department says drugs and alcohol are being investigated.

A Poway man says an AI-generated voice convinced him to hand over $18,000 — money he calls the family's life savings. Experts and federal data show the tactic is rising fast.

A San Diego Reader feature revisits the July 5, 2000 attack on five migrant nursery workers in McGonigle Canyon and the Prop 21 filing that sent teens to adult court.

Juan Carlos Félix Gastélum admitted to running meth labs and pleaded guilty in San Diego; sentencing is set for March 2027.

A Fallbrook father admitted dosing his young sons with psilocybin and using them to help grow and sell magic mushrooms. Federal prosecutors say hundreds of pounds of product and firearms were seized.

A San Marcos man was arrested after a hotel sting; authorities say he arranged to meet a 15-year-old and was found with controlled substances and paraphernalia.

San Diego police renewed an appeal for information in the 2011 Mountain View drive-by killing of Christopher Dunn. Authorities say a reward of up to $1,000 is available for tips.

Late‑night booms left La Mesa neighbors shaken; police have increased patrols and investigators say one bang was linked to fireworks near Palm and Pasadena.

A 56-year-old man died after his Harley crashed into a parked pickup in the 200 block of H Street in Chula Vista. Authorities say the Traffic Bureau is investigating.

A suspected DUI driver allegedly drove through a road closure on El Cajon Boulevard, striking two marked patrol cars and injuring two San Diego police sergeants.

ATF and federal prosecutors launched a San Diego outreach this week reminding residents that buying guns for others is a felony and that straw purchases feed gangs and cartels.