San Diego County Officials May Waive Event Fees For Businesses

METRO SAN DIEGO — The San Diego County Board of Supervisors will consider a proposal that would waive permit fees for events businesses that have been hammered in the last year by the coronavirus pandemic.

The proposal is scheduled to go before the board April 6 and would apply to the 2021-2022 fiscal year, according to a report by Andrea Lopez-Villafaña of The San Diego Union-Tribune. If approved, the proposal would see a $1.7 million reduction in funding for the county's health departments, sheriff's department, parks and recreation and fire authority.

Board Chairman Nathan Fletcher told the Union-Tribune it's vital to provide a lifeline to local business hurt by the pandemic. He said the budget shortfall could be made up using funds from the American Rescue Plan Act.

“The event industry was dealt a tremendous economic blow by the pandemic,” he said. “Unlike other sectors who were able to operate at limited capacity and bring in some revenue, they could not because of the protections around large gatherings. As the restrictions on events are relaxed, the event industry deserves some financial help.”

Community Space Reopens

Fair@44 will reopen its space Saturday after a yearlong hiatus because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Before the shutdown, the space hosted food vendors, live events and community organizations, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune. Darnelle Williams, who works at a coffee stand inside the space, told the paper he hopes Fair@44 will bring a "sense of normalcy" back to the area.

“I want to revitalize the space and bring it back to being a safe space for family and children,” he said.

Metro San Diego Headlines

• Suez Canal Jam Up Could Impact SD: A container ship has been stuck in the Suez Canal since Tuesday and its impact on the global shipping trade could mean higher prices for food and gas in San Diego in the coming weeks.
• Humane Society Rescues Dog And Her Newborns: The San Diego Humane Society took in a stray dog that was found underneath a van Thursday and had given birth to a litter of puppies.
• Police Seize Drugs, Weapons and Cash: The San Diego Police Department's narcotics unit seized 21 firearms, more than 1,000 Adderall pills, cocaine, fentanyl and $33,000 in cash while serving a search warrant at a Normal Heights home Thursday.
• Teachers Offered Money To Return To Class: Sweetwater Union High School District is offering a one-time 7 percent pay bump for teachers who return to in-person instruction in April as well as a 2 percent bonus for May and June.

"The specter of being lumped in with everyone from (64) to 16 was a little disconcerting ... we have decreased immunity, and we’re not the same as a 30- and a 40-year-old."

— Mary Niez, 59, on the California's staggered release schedule for the COVID-19 vaccine prioritizing adults who are between the ages of 50 and 64.

SPORTS TALK: Yu Darvish, who is set to be the San Diego Padres' starting pitcher for opening day, struggled in his final spring training game Thursday against the Texas Rangers.

The Union-Tribune reports the pitcher let the Rangers walk four times and steal six bases. The Padres were able the squeak by with an 11-10 win. By the time he left the pitcher’s mound, Darvish was able to record his fourth strikeout of the game.

Speaking through an interpreter, the paper quotes Darvish as saying it was good to "get the negative out" ahead of opening day.

“It obviously wasn’t a good outing, and you actually do want to have those outings during spring training,” he said, “But obviously it wasn’t a good outing, and I’m not really feeling good about it. Like I said, it’s good to get those negative outings out of the way.”

WEATHER IN A WORD: Clear.

LET'S MAKE PLANS: Hop on the Bunny Train at the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in Campo for an Easter celebration. The 45-minute train tour will provide a view of the mountains in the east county and will feature a visit from the Easter Bunny. The Bunny Train will be held on March 27, 28 and April 3. Advanced registration is required.

• Bates Nut Farm in Valley Center will offer pony rides starting April 3. Rides cost $9 for each person who meet the farm's weight and height requirements.
• La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla will offer springtime tea every Thursday and Friday beginning April 8. The tea will feature a variety of scones, sandwiches, pastries and quiche. Reservations cost $69.

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