🌱Gas Price Drop + Fentanyl Deaths Up Among Homeless

Hey, everybody! It's Tuesday in San Diego, and I'm back in your inbox with what's happening in our community. Grab your coffee/tea and let's get started:

• Traveling for the holiday? Good news: gas prices have dropped!
• Fentanyl deaths are up among the homeless here in San Diego.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and nice. 🌞 High: 72, Low: 45.

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

1. Here's good news for San Diego travelers! Gas prices are currently averaging $5.33, the lowest price since Sept. 10. It’s expected that 4.5 million people will travel through Southern California this holiday week, so demand is expected to increase. Now is the perfect time to fill your tank before the holiday. (Times of San Diego)
2. No segment of our society is immune to the fentanyl epidemic here in San Diego. The homeless population has been hit hard. Overdoses of fentanyl have resulted in the deaths of 200 homeless San Diegans. Fentanyl is everywhere. It is often found within other drugs. Now, Narcan is available and can be used to reverse drug overdose. (Voice of San Diego)
3. It began near the San Diego border and ended in downtown San Diego. U.S. Border Patrol officials reported that two suspects were arrested after a chase through downtown San Diego. They were charged on suspicion of "alien smuggling." (Patch)
4. Seventy-seven volunteers came together to cleanup 2,000 pounds of trash and 184 pounds of plastic in Imperial Beach. “Youth really learn by example, and when they see other youth cleaning up our community, that’s leadership by example.” said Paloma Aguirre, Imperial Beach mayor-elect. The cleanup to beautify the Imperial Beach neighborhood was part of No More GPGP (Great Pacific Garbage Patch). (FOX 5 San Diego)

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Today in San Diego:

• Mind-Body Fitness for Older Adults — Riford/La Jolla Branch Library. (11:30 a.m.)
• Toddler Storytime — Riford/La Jolla Branch Library. (Noon)
• Fun & Games for Seniors — Scripps Miramar Ranch Library Center. (12:30 p.m.)
• Create! At the Library (Ages 5 - 11) — Malcolm X Library and Performing Arts Center. (5 p.m.)
• Adult Craft Program — Festive Bottle Decoration. (6 p.m.)
• Pajama Storytime —Rancho Peñasquitos Library. (6:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• SDPD stands in solidarity: "The San Diego Police Department stands in solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community. Our hearts are heavy following the deadly mass shooting in Colorado Springs." (San Diego Police Department via Facebook)
• Tropical rainforest: "Stroll the Garden this weekend and enjoy everything in bloom! With 29 unique, themed gardens and glass conservatory, visitors can stroll through a lush tropical rainforest with a waterfall before hiking into desert gardens." (San Diego Botanic Garden via Facebook)
• 40 years in the NBA: "Thanks again to Ralph Lawler and Bill Walton for bringing us a SLAM DUNK 🏀 event! Ralph’s new book, BINGO! Forty Years In the NBA, is on sale now at Library Shop! And thank you again to Bill who has always been a treasured San Diego Public Library supporter." (Library Foundation SD via Facebook)
• Need a book? "Go Behind the Desk at San Diego Public Library and take a look at our latest Recommended Reads published in The San Diego Union-Tribune. This week's recommendation comes from Steven Torres-Roman, Humanities Librarian at the Central Library." (San Diego Central Library via Facebook)
• Safari at the park: "Safari the San Diego way at San Diego Zoo Safari Park! 🦒 What would you be most excited to see? 📷 IG: thelindsayryan" (Visit San Diego via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Lights at the Lakes Holiday Light Show. (Nov. 25)
• Jazz at the Ballroom Presents "HOLIDAY IN." (Dec. 1)
• Add your event

You're all caught up for today! I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with another update.

— Bettyann Pernice

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