🌱 Discussion With Sheriff Kelly Martinez + Esports Aids Young Gamers

Good morning, everyone, rise and shine! Sip that latte/Chai tea, munch that biscotti, and read on for what's happening in San Diego today:

• After three months in the job, Sheriff Kelly Martinez gives an update.
• Esports industry aids Poway High School gamers.
• Theft ring strikes again in Rancho Peñasquitos!

But first, today's weather:

Cooler with periods of rain.☔High: 58, Low: 50.

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

1. San Diego County Sheriff Kelly Martinez, reflecting on her three months in office, spoke about school safety, gun safety and response times in the county. Martinez noted that the county made a concerted effort to get illegal guns off our streets, initiating gun safety programs and gun buy-backs, as well as offering gun-safety training, locks, and safes for guns. In addition, the department held active-shooter training at schools. She also noted that department response times have been aggressive, the number of deaths in jails is down, staffing increased, fewer drugs are coming into jails, and overdoses were reduced 70 percent. (CBS News 8)
2. Esports is a billion-dollar industry and may be a pathway to college for interested students. Poway High School recently dedicated its Esports arena as the school’s Titan Esport team played on screens throughout the room. Students are glad to have the dedicated space for their sport, and look forward to playing Esports in college programs. Tech firms and the Poway High Foundation paid for the school’s Esports arena. (NBC San Diego)
3. South American theft rings are targeting affluent neighborhoods in La Jolla, Rancho Peñasquitos and other areas. Seven burglaries with direct ties to these rings occurred since the beginning of the year. Thieves, typically three or four people, are after watches, jewelry, cash and expensive handbags. They are adept at avoiding motion sensors and use pepper spray to silence pets. Suspects were seen on video driving a dark Audi. (FOX 5 San Diego)
4. Educators at “Engaging Students with Comics in the Classroom,” part of WonderCon in Anaheim, discussed their success in introducing students to graphic novels such as “March,” which details the life of civil rights leader John Lewis. A counselor at San Diego Unified talked about “When Stars are Scattered," a memoir of a Somali refugee. And two members from the San Diego Natural History Museum discussed archeology and paleontology as seen on "Star Trek." It was a day of sharing best practices for student engagement in the classroom. (Times of San Diego)

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Today in San Diego:

• Get Your Steps In: San Diego Oasis Mall Walkers - Oasis San Diego (9:00 AM)
• Family and Tiny Tots Storytime - Carmel Valley Branch Library (10:00 AM)
• Essential Home-Selling Tips - North San Diego Business Chamber (10:00 AM)
• Rhythm and Movement - Ocean Beach Branch Library (10:00 AM)
• Dance Pants Party - Mission Valley Library (10:30 AM)
• Doodles for Adults - Oak Park Branch Library (10:30 AM)

From my notebook:

• 3-week old kittens need you: "You can bring warmth and comfort to our most vulnerable kittens by choosing a special gift at sdhumane.org/kittenshower today! These three-week-old babies arrived to our nursery on a cold rainy day with their mom. Now, they are snuggled up resting peacefully on a cozy plush blanket donated during our virtual Kitten Shower! With new kittens like these arriving daily, you can help them blossom into happy, healthy cats by making a gift today!" (San Diego Humane Society via Facebook)
• SDPD and SDFR are committed to helping: "🌴 Spring Break is here, and summer's just around the corner! Get ready for visitors flocking to #SanDiego to soak up the sun on our beaches & explore our attractions. 🏖️☀️🎢 Our officers and @SanDiegoFireRescue lifeguards are committed to keeping you safe & responsible on the roads & waterways." (San Diego Police Department via Facebook)
• 200 orchid species: "Don’t miss your chance to see the incredible World of Orchids exhibition through April 9! Featuring nearly 200 different orchid species, our Conservatory is transformed into a stunning immersive experience for the sights and senses." (San Diego Botanic Garden via Facebook)
• Being heard: "We all want to be heard! Ensure all voices are included by joining the focused discussion group to create a new Inclusive Public Engagement Guide for City projects and policies. The application deadline is April 4. Apply here https://bit..." (City of San Diego via Facebook)
• Flag football: "Are you ready for some football? SDUSD Athletics and the Los Angeles Chargers are inviting ALL San Diego Unified middle school students to our Flag Football Kickoff Event, a free football skills camp hosted by the Chargers." (San Diego Unified School District via Facebook)
• César Chávez Day: "In honor of César Chávez Day, all San Diego Public Library locations will be closed on Friday, March 31." (San Diego Central Library via Facebook)

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You're all caught up for today. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Bettyann Pernice

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