🌱 Amtrak Service Halted + $187K Salary For Starter🏠 + Ankle Biters🦟

Good morning! It's me, Bettyann Pernice, your host of the San Diego Daily — bringing you what's happening around town today:

• Amtrak Service Halted — How long? Maybe for months.
• $187K Salary For SD Starter Home — Many San Diegans cannot afford to buy.
• Mosquitos — Bites! Bites! Bites! Why are there so many now?
• USNS Mercy returns to San Diego — 15,000 patients seen over five-month mission.

But first, today's weather:

Low clouds may break.🌥️ High: 75, Low: 67.

Here are four of the top stories in San Diego today:

1. Amtrak service suspended until further notice! Amtrak has announced that service has been suspended between San Diego and Irvine due to the need for emergency track repairs near the ocean in San Clemente. Geologists, geotechnical engineers, and surveyors found hillside instability caused by heavy rains from Tropical Storm Kay. Service was suspended immediately to ensure passenger safety. (Times of San Diego)
2. It’s a shocking statistic. San Diegans need more than $186K per year in order to buy a $669K home here. According to Realtor.com, it takes $4,666 a month to qualify for a mortgage for a starter home. "Unfortunately, just to get a starter home, most people are priced out of that market, most households are priced out of that market," Alan Gin, an associate professor of economics at the University of San Diego said.” It is hoped that the recent dip in housing prices may pave the way for more would-be buyers. (NBC San Diego)
3. They are out from dusk until dawn. Then they strike. They like to bite your ankles, but they will bite other areas too. If you've been bothered by mosquitos this year, there's more bad news. The situation is about to get worse as a result of the tropical storm that passed about two weeks ago. So, what should you do to stop those pesky creatures? According to Chris Conlan, ecologist with San Diego County’s Vector Control Program, mosquitoes are expert breeders. Conlon suggests that any source of water around your home should be eliminated, and all windows, doors, and window screens should be kept closed. San Diego County recently completed its application of mosquito larvicide which should help keep the population of mosquitos under control. (CBS News 8)
4. The USNS Mercy, a Military Sealift Command hospital ship, returned home after a five-month deployment. They completed the 17th annual Pacific Partnership mission, an annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness operation. "It has truly been an honor to lead a diverse crew of committed men and women on the Pacific Partnership 2022 team," said Pacific Partnership 2022 Mission Commander Capt. Hank Kim. "We set out to strengthen ties and create new friendships with our host and partner nations, and we achieved this with resounding success." The partnership gave medical care to 15,000 patients, completed construction projects, and taught disaster relief workshops a part of their mission. We welcome them home. (ABC 10 News San Diego KGTV)

Today in San Diego:

• 🧒🏽🧒🧒🏾 Kids Free San Diego — San Diego Museum Council. (8 a.m.)
• 🎃 Pumpkin Station, Kiddie Rides & Petting Zoo 2022: San Diego — Mission Valley Pumpkin Station. (9 a.m.)
• 🌶️ Safety Fair/Police vs. Firefighters Chili Cookoff— Rancho Bernardo Community Council. (10 a.m.)
• 🎭 Cats (Touring) — Civic Theater of San Diego. (1 p.m.)
• 🛬 Honor Flight San Diego Welcome Home at San Diego International Airport — North San Diego Business Chamber. (2 p.m.)
• 🍝 Taste of Italy Food Tour (Evening) — Little Italy San Diego. (4 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• San Diego Humane Society: "San Diego Humane Society’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) is deploying to assist with animal rescues in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian at the request of the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)." (San Diego Humane Society via Facebook)
• City of San Diego: "Next week, in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration, the City will start construction of a new type of "quick build" modular roundabout on Florida Dr. near Morley Field. Roundabouts support the City’s Vision Zero efforts, having shown to eliminate over 90% of fatal crashes and over 75% of crashes resulting in injury." (City of San Diego via Facebook)
• San Diego Police Department: "This week, we seized fake pills containing fentanyl in #SanDiego. Did you know #DEA lab testing reveals that 4 out of every 10 fake pills with fentanyl contain a potentially lethal dose? Talk to your loved ones about the dangers." (San Diego Police Department via Facebook)
• San Diego Humane Society: "The love of a pet changes EVERYTHING! Share all the ways your pet adopted from SDHS has changed your life, and your story could help us earn up to $100,000 in lifesaving funds from Petco Love!" (San Diego Humane Society via Facebook)
• San Diego County Library: "Partner Spotlight - Oct. 6 – 6 p.m. at SDSU theatre! Join KPBS for a special live, free event with Brit Bennett, author of the 2022 One Book, One San Diego adult selection, 'The Vanishing Half.' Check-in begins at 6 p.m." (San Diego County Library via Facebook)
• Library Foundation SD: "TOMORROW ⬇️: Heart of the Zoo 🐨🐒🦍 at San Diego Central Library! Flock on over 🦩it should be a roar 🦁 Friends of Central San Diego Library" (Library Foundation SD via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers, San Diego, CA — (Visit website)
• Au Pair Childcare USA — (Visit Website)
• Convivio Society — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• Dirty Cello at The Merrow. (Oct. 2)
• The Home and Divorce: the Fall Housing Market – Vesta San Diego Hub. (Oct. 4)
• EdUCate! Oktoberfest. (Oct. 8)
• Online webinar with professionals catamaran rental in San Diego. (Oct. 16)
• Skatoberfest ft. The Untouchables, Beta 7, The Stand Outs, & More! (Oct. 22)
• Add your event

You're officially in the loop for today! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow with a new update.

— Bettyann Pernice

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