🌱 $24M For Otay Mesa Bridge + Increase In Traffic Deaths

Good mornin' everyone! Sip that coffee/tea, crunch those waffles in maple syrup, and read on for news of what's happening in San Diego today:

• $24 million grant to repair the Otay Mesa Bridge
• Aggressive drivers cause an increase in traffic deaths.
• Local San Diego School districts join a lawsuit targeting social media apps.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny.🌞 High: 67, Low: 52.

Are you tired of blending in with all the other real estate agents in San Diego? Stand out with a premium sponsorship in our newsletter. Gain valuable exposure for yourself to our highly engaged local readership. Click here to learn more about this exclusive opportunity.

Here are the top stories today in San Diego:

1. The Otay-Mesa-Nestor community will receive a $24 million grant for a bridge project. The grant, from the federal Infrastructure Law’s Bridge Investment Program, will help make improvements, reduce traffic delays, increase freight transportation and reduce future maintenance costs. Upwards of 38,000 vehicles cross the bridge daily. (City News Service)
2. The San Diego police officers’ union is alarmed over the increase in traffic deaths around the City of San Diego. Drivers are more aggressive, resulting in more hit-and-run crashes and fatal traffic collisions. The shortage of police officers, along with cuts to SDPD’s traffic enforcement, makes the problem worse. (FOX 5 San Diego)
3. With studies showing a correlation between depression and the use of social media, some school districts joined a federal lawsuit against TikTok, Meta and Snapchat. San Diego school districts, Coronado and Oceanside, want more transparency in the apps’ algorithm process, the ability to shut down Internet access at certain times, and they want additional school funding for alerting students about social media addiction. (NBC San Diego)
4. Recent rains created a super bloom of wildflowers around San Diego, and scientists are hoping that this big bloom may boost the local 🐝bee population as well. With more than 600 species of bees, San Diego County is a noted biodiversity hotspot for pollinators, which are necessary for the growth of food crops. 🐝🐝🐝 (NBC San Diego)

Today in San Diego:

• Poway Valley Garden Club Annual Flower Show 2023: Poway (9:00 AM)
• Earth Day Scavenger Hunt & Recycling 2023: Rancho Bernardo (10:00 AM)
• Robotics Showcase Extravaganza 2023 - San Carlos Branch Library (10:00 AM)
• Paws to Read - Mira Mesa Branch Library (11:00 AM)
• Sustainability TALKS: The Rise of Clean Energy, Why It Matters - Malcolm X Library and Performing Arts Center (11:00 AM)
• 101st Annual Flower Show 2023: Spreckels Park, Coronado (1:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Earth Day scavenger hunt: "Don't miss out on our Annual Rancho Bernardo Earth Day event, Saturday, April 15, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The event, taking place at Rancho Bernardo Community Park, 18448 West Bernardo Drive, San Diego, will feature an earth-friendly scavenger hunt through the park. The City Environmental Services Department, along with the City’s Household Hazardous Waste unit, will collect batteries and lightbulbs. E-waste not accepted."
• On the brink of death: "This week, we're celebrating the impact our Humane Officers make for animals like Dixie. When she was rescued, Dixie was on the brink of death. The 6-month-old boxer was severely emaciated, weighed just 9 pounds, and had a body condition..." (San Diego Humane Society via Facebook)
• Your pet can be a star: "Does your pet have what it takes to be a star? Whether your best friend is furry, feathered or scaly, you can enter them in our 31st annual Photo Fundraiser contest for a chance to win a spot in our 2024 calendar! And if you can gather j..." (San Diego Humane Society via Facebook)
• Download the Budburst: "Have you downloaded the Budburst app yet? 🌱 A community-based project and app, Budburst relies on the observations of people like you from around the world to help contribute to important plant data. When you report to Budburst about ho..." (San Diego Botanic Garden via Facebook)
• Starbucks partners with Feeding San Diego: "“As someone who lives and works in San Diego, I’m proud to play a positive role in strengthening my community by supporting people facing hunger through the Starbucks FoodShare program. Now more than ever, our neighborhoods need us, and ..." (Feeding San Diego via Facebook)
• Join in with the arts: "It's Arts, Culture & Creativity Month in California! Art is essential to individual and community transformation. It can change lives, bridge communities, and raises awareness for social impact. The City of San Diego provides general ope..." (City of San Diego via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Cable Pipe & Leak Detection — (Visit website)
• The Au Pair Expert — (Visit Website)
• Add your business here

Featured events:

• Estate Planning Seminar at Mission Valley Library (April 17)
• Spencer Comedy Hypnosis Show (April 22)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Saturday. I'll see you soon!

— Bettyann Pernice

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming San Diego Patch newsletter? Contact me at sandiego@patch.com