🌱 Conservation Partner Of The Year + Gas Below $5.98 + Buyers Retreat

Hi, all! It's Bettyann Pernice, your host of the San Diego Daily. Here's what's going on today:

• Camp Pendleton is Conservation Partner of the Year.
• In the San Diego area, gasoline is now below $5.98.
• San Diego home buyers retreat amid high interest rates.
• 259 homes near the bluff are proposed for Del Mar to fulfill low-middle income housing requirements.

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny and beautiful.🌞High: 81, Low: 63.

🏡 Attention, real estate pros in San Diego! We're now offering an exclusive sponsorship opportunity for an agent interested in attracting local clients and standing apart from the competition. Click here to learn more.

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

1. Congratulations to the U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton! On Monday, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service named U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton its 18th Annual Military Conservation Partner Award winner. “Camp Pendleton is a conservation leader and shining example of what can be accomplished for species recovery on military land,” commented Paul Souza, regional director of the Service’s Pacific Southwest Region. “We are grateful for their dedication and stewardship and look forward to a continued partnership.” Camp Pendleton has made significant contributions to natural resource management and listed species with multiple restoration projects on the base. (Times of San Diego)
2. Finally! Gasoline prices in San Diego have fallen below $6. It’s good news, but what about the future of gas prices? “After a sharp rise in the national average over the last few weeks, we’ve seen an abrupt, yet expected decline as refinery issues have eased in the West and Great Lakes, overpowering some increases elsewhere,” said Patrick De Haan at GasBuddy. De Haan also commented: “We’ll see a continued sharp drop in gas prices on the West Coast, including areas like Las Vegas and Phoenix, which are supplied by refiners in California, as refinery outages have been addressed.” (Times of San Diego)
3. With low inventory and high interest rates, home prices in San Diego have dropped more than 10 percent. Meanwhile, condominiums and townhomes decreased in price by 15 percent. “Rising interest rates combined with a severe lack of inventory are pushing many prospective buyers out of the market until inflation is under control and rates steady,” commented Chris Anderson, president of the Realtors group. “While slower price appreciation should lead to increased sales over the next year, our housing supply shortage is the fundamental issue affecting affordability. We are calling on local leaders to make building less costly and restrictive by cutting down on the red tape and fees that are driving prospective homebuyers and developers out of San Diego,” Anderson said. (Times of San Diego)
4. It would be called Seaside Ridge, and it would be located on the oceanfront bluff near Dog Beach in Del Mar. A developer has proposed the project, and it would include a 259-unit apartment complex on a 7-acre site. The development would include 85 subsidized units. The spokesperson for the project, Darren Pudgil, commented: “Our plan would help the city of Del Mar comply with the law by building 259 housing units. Seaside Ridge will serve 78 percent of the city’s 54 low-income unit needs (required by the state), and well over 100 percent of the city’s middle-income needs. This will allow equitable coastal access for a range of income groups.” (Local Today)

Today in San Diego:

• Fun & Games for Seniors — Scripps Miramar Ranch Library Center. (10 a.m.)
• Planning Ahead for the End of Life — Riford/La Jolla Branch Library. (10 a.m.)
• Preschool Story Time In the Park — Kensington/Normal Heights Branch Library. (10:30 a.m.)
• Thursday Story Time — Oak Park Branch Library. (10:30 a.m.)
• Preschool Storytime — Rancho Bernardo Branch Library. (11 a.m.)
• Arthritis & Balance — Ed Brown Center for Active Adults. (11:15 a.m.)

From my notebook:

• Voter drop box: 🗳️ "Did you know? San Diego Humane Society’s San Diego Campus is one of the Registrar of Voters’ official ballot drop box locations for the #2022CAGeneralElection. Sign, seal and return your completed ballot to the official drop box at 5500 Gaines St. — and make time on your trip to say hello to our adorable adoptable pets." (San Diego Humane Society via Facebook)
• 💧How to save water now: "Efficient water use is a way of life in San Diego, but did you know the City is currently under Level 2 water restrictions, due to drought conditions? We need your help to meet our water conservation goals." (City of San Diego via Facebook)
• 👏🏻Thank you to 'Friends of the Library': "This week, we celebrate our biggest supporters and advocates – the Friends of the Library. Through countless volunteer hours, fundraising efforts, book sales and more, the Friends help fund learning technology for our customers, library programs and services at our branches, all while contributing to the enrichment of our vast collection of library materials." (San Diego County Library via Facebook)
• 👻Spirits of San Diego: "Cheers to the Halloween season with these 10 not-so-spooky San Diego spirits!" (Visit San Diego via Facebook)
• Creations with succulents:🪴"Create a one-of-a-kind succulent moss deco purse which can be used as decoration to your home or as a great gift! Join us Saturday, October 29th, 2-4pm for our Succulent Moss Deco Basket class. You will have many choices of succulents an..." (San Diego Botanic Garden via Facebook)
• The high price of housing: 🏠 "Have housing cost concerns? Then join the League of Women Voters of San Diego next Wednesday, October 26 in the 9th floor, Shiley Special Events Suite for this FREE event. Register at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rising-housing-costs..." (San Diego Central Library via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Au Pair Childcare USA — (Visit website)
• Convivio Society — (Visit Website)
• Add your business here

That's it for today! See you tomorrow for your next update.

— Bettyann Pernice

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