🌱 '8-Minute Call From Hell' + Has Surge Peaked? + Homes Listings

Happy Thursday, Rancho Bernardo-4s Ranch! Here's everything you need to know about what's happening today.

First, today's weather:

Sunny; nice in the afternoon, Santa Ana winds possible. High: 72 Low: 46.

Here are the top three stories in Rancho Bernardo-4s Ranch today:

1. He said that if she contacted the police, her mother was dead. Lesley Mumford received a call at work from her mom, a Rancho Bernardo resident. Except it was not really her mom on the call. The man demanded that she send him money through Zelle. Eventually, she transferred $500 to the account of a name he gave her, before he demanded $400 more. After that transfer, he ended the call. "This was an 8-minute call from hell,” said Mumford. She called her mom who was at work, fine. Mumford realized she had been scammed. To learn more: Click into parenthesis, then click the link. (10News)
2. Hospitals continue to be challenged by the large influx of COVID-19 patients. About 78 percent of inpatient beds were in use, and 21 percent of all inpatient beds were occupied by COVID-19 patients, according to the HHS. "There may be reason for cautious optimism," said Emily Pond, a research data analyst with the Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center. "The most recent case surge appears to have peaked, with nationwide case totals declining for the first time in over a month." To learn more: Click into parenthesis, then click the link. (Rancho Bernardo-4s Ranch Patch)
3. New homes have hit the real estate market. Whether you need 1,140 square feet of home with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, or a 3,585 square feet home with 6 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms, or something in between, there are several homes to choose from in the Rancho Bernardo - 4s Ranch area. With prices ranging from about $579K to just under $2.2 million, there may be a home just right for you. To learn more: Click into parenthesis, then click the link. (Rancho Bernardo-4s Ranch Patch)

From our sponsor:

Hey Rancho Bernardo-4s Ranch, are you looking to buy a house, refinance or just explore your options? Check out the new Patch Mortgage Center for all your home financing needs!

Today in Rancho Bernardo-4s Ranch:

• Support the Enlisted Project (STEP)'s Coffee with the CEO — North San Diego Business Chamber. (8:30 a.m.)
• Thomas Gainsborough: Beyond the Blue Boy (Online) — San Diego Oasis. (10 a.m.)
• Arthritis & Balance — Ed Brown Center. (11:15 a.m.)
• Avoiding Diabetes (Online/In Person Hybrid) — San Diego Oasis. (1 p.m.)
• Rummikub — Ed Brown Center. (1 p.m.)
• Playreaders — Ed Brown Center. (2 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• The latest COVID-19 updates show that COVID-19 test demand is declining from the holiday time peak. (NBC San Diego)
• The North San Diego Business Chamber suggests that "Staying healthy while sitting at a desk all day can be difficult. Here are three simple ways to live healthier: 1. Maintain proper posture; 2. Know the ergonomics of hand and wrist placement; 3. Take breaks to get up and walk around. Share in the comments your favorite ways to stay healthy and fit with a desk job." (Facebook)
• Rancho Bernardo Library —"Have you checked out the exhibitions currently on display at San Diego Central Library? It's the final countdown for visitors to see our Call to Serve at the Art Gallery and the Wada Barracks on the ground floor!" (Facebook)
• Free smoke alarms for seniors are available through The Burn Institute. (Burn Institute)
• The Rancho Bernardo Branch Library invites you to "Join Miss Minoo to create a snowman painting!" (Facebook)
• The Rancho Bernardo Branch Library presents "Stitch in Public Day hosted by Threaded Needle Chapter on Feb. 5." (Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Are Your Beliefs Based on the Bible? (Jan. 28)
• Rattlesnake Avoidance for Dogs. (Jan. 30)
• Taxes in Retirement Webinar. (Feb. 7)
• 5 Ways to Manage Your Debt Online. (Feb. 10)
• Add your event

Announcements:

• Declutter, Destress & Do Good! (Details)
• Add your announcement

Loving the Rancho Bernardo-4s Ranch Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe
• Get your local business listed in front of readers
• Send me a news tip or suggestion at RanchoBernardo@Patch.com

That's it for today! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new update.

— Bettyann Pernice