​🌱 High-Speed Chase + Auto Show Is Back! + Bike Lanes Come To Convoy

Hello, everybody! I'm back with your new copy of the San Diego Daily, fresh off the presses. Sip that coffee/tea, savor that pecan pie, and read on to find out what's happening in our town:

• Police catch suspected catalytic converter thieves after high-speed chase.
• After years of cancellations due to COVID-19, the Auto Show is back!
• City plans to create bike lanes in the Convoy Asian Cultural District.

But first, today's weather:

Cloudy with a little rain.🌧️ High: 64, Low: 53.

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

1. Police pursued four people in a chase that reached up to 100 mph. After finding a car abandoned by the roadside, officers found the suspected catalytic converter thieves hiding in a riverbed and detained them. Recently, Oceanside police also arrested three persons suspected of catalytic converter thefts, who were chased down by a victim. Great work! (Patch)
2. Gone for two years due to COVID-19, the San Diego International Auto Show is back! Dubbed "Where the Cars are the Stars," the event will be held Sunday – Monday. Kids get in free on Sunday with a paid adult admission of $18 — which must be purchased online. The show will include new cars, trucks, SUVs, electric vehicles, hybrids, exotics and more. Come on out, view the models, and you can even test drive one of the cars. (Times of San Diego)
3. An update to the Kearny Mesa Community Plan will require the installation of bike lanes and the removal of 300 parking spaces in the Convoy Asian Cultural District. Bike lanes will be added in 2023 as part of the repaving project due to take place on Convoy. The project has its proponents, as well as opponents. To compensate for some of the lost parking spaces, the city plans to add parking on side streets by converting from parallel to angled parking lanes. The goal is to make Convoy more walkable and bike-friendly. (KPBS)
4. The good news is that COVID-19 and flu cases have slowed in San Diego. The bad news is that wastewater testing reveals that COVID-19 is trending up! January usually brings an increase in viral infections, and with people gathering for the holidays, not wearing masks and not getting vaccinated, physicians expect to see a large number of new cases. Avoid the flu and COVID-19 by getting vaccinated now! (NBC San Diego)
5. Hear ye! Hear ye! MTS offers free public transportation on New Year’s Eve. The transit district, along with the North County Transit District, will get you to and from your party safely. Parking will be free at all stations. Avoid a DUI during this maximum enforcement period. The free public transportation will continue into the early hours of New Year’s Day. Check it out.

WISHING YOU A HAPPY NEW YEAR 2023!

Today in San Diego:

• New Year's Eve at the Living Coast: Popping into 2023 — Living Coast Discovery Center. (9 a.m.)
• Live Interactive Video 2nd/3rd Grade Storytime with Mr. Luan — Linda Vista Branch Library. (9:30 a.m.)
• Saturday Morning Storytime! — Paradise Hills Branch Library. (10 a.m.)
• Dance Pants in the Park w/ Mr. Erni — Kensington/Normal Heights Branch Library. (10:30 a.m.)
• Saturday Morning Craft Time — Allied Gardens/Benjamin Branch Library. (11 a.m.)
• Leading Knight New Year's Eve Party — San Diego Elks Lodge #168. (5:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Frightened pets: "While people may look forward to ringing in the new year with a bang, fireworks and loud festivities can be scary for animals. These frightened pets may try to flee — like sweet Bella, who was spooked from fireworks last year and escaped from her home." (San Diego Humane Society via Facebook)
• Good Samaritan helps kitten: "When 3-week-old Harley Quinn was found by a good Samaritan under his house, this lone kitten was brought to our nursery immediately. Our staff had an idea that, if it worked, would help the little orphan to really thrive." (San Diego Humane Society via Facebook)
• New & Notable: "Enter 2023 with lots of glee because of these 23 great new and notable things to see & do in San Diego, CA! 🤩 Which number are you most excited for?" (Visit San Diego via Facebook)
• Capital Improvements Program: "The Engineering & Capital Projects Department has been busy this year after Mayor Gloria signed the 'Ready to Rebuild' budget, which includes $808.9 million for the City's Capital Improvements Program (CIP) to bring new projects and more jobs to our local economy." (City of San Diego via Facebook)
• Free e-books, audiobooks, and e-mags: "Help us crush our goal by reading! SDCL is very close to reaching 4 million e-book and audiobook downloads before the end of the year, and it’s all thanks to you! Visit sdcl.org/elibrary to download free e-books, audiobooks, and e-magazines." (San Diego County Library via Facebook)
• Help provide transportation: "Wheelchair vans are a critical need for people with disabilities, especially those who are wheelchair-bound. With your help, we can provide our clients with the transportation they need to access community resources and live more independently." (The Arc of San Diego via Facebook)

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Events:

• Crossing Over With Psychic Medium John Edward (Live)! (Jan. 21)
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You're officially in the loop 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