🌱 Traffic Stop Nets Narcotics In The Trunk + School For 4-Year-Olds

Welcome back, San Diego! It's Bettyann Pernice, with your fresh copy of the San Diego Daily. Drink your cup o' Joe, dunk your donut, and let's get started with what's happening today in San Diego:

• Funk in the trunk! Sheriff's officers find narcotics in the trunk of a car.
• A school program for 4-year-olds bridges preschool and kindergarten.
• Nonprofit helps veterans navigate benefits programs, fight drugs, get jobs.

But first, today's weather:

A passing morning shower.☔ High: 58, Low: 44.

🏘️Looking to differentiate yourself from other real estate agents in San Diego? Partner with the San Diego Patch and gain access to a targeted, engaged audience through our premium newsletter sponsorships. Click here to learn more.

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

1. After making a routine traffic stop for speeding on Interstate 5 near Camp Pendleton, sheriff’s officers found narcotics in the fuel tank of the vehicle. Thirty-two packages, 240,000 pills, of counterfeit Oxycodone pills were recovered. According to officers, this type of counterfeit pill often contains deadly fentanyl. The driver was booked into the Vista Detention Center. (FOX 5 San Diego)
2. Pre-enrollment begins in February for new universal transitional kindergarten for 4-year-olds. The program is free of charge to families in San Diego Unified. Classes are limited to 24 children, with a 12-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio. The program will bridge the gap between preschool and kindergarten. Parents can join Zoom workshops for more information on the evening of Jan. 17, or on the morning of Jan. 19. (Voice of San Diego)
3. San Diego has the fourth-largest veteran population in the nation, and for veterans leaving the military and entering civilian life, the transition isn't always easy. Local nonprofit Veterans Navigation Center connects veterans to case managers who can navigate the complexities of veterans' benefits and assist them in obtaining the benefits they deserve. The center also helps veterans who are overcoming addiction issues and who need help gaining new employment. (KUSI)
4. A series of recent storms saturated San Diego, downing trees, flooding roads and causing power outages. In addition, the San Diego River flooded in the Fashion Valley area. At least two water rescues took place as vehicles became trapped in rising waters. Roads were closed in the area. Travelers are urged to drive with caution. (NBC 7 San Diego)

Today in San Diego:

• Balboa Adult Book Club Discussion — Balboa Branch Library. (10 a.m.)
• Music and Motion — MountainView/Beckwourth Branch Library. (11:30 a.m.)
• Mind-Body Fitness for Older Adults — Riford/La Jolla Branch Library. (11:30 a.m.)
• Toddler Storytime — Riford/La Jolla Branch Library. (Noon)
• Adult Social Scrabble — North Clairemont Branch Library. (1 p.m.)
• DO YOUR HOMEWORK @ THE LIBRARY — San Ysidro Branch Library. (3 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Male with firearm: "Officers responded to a call of a male with a firearm in the Hillcrest neighborhood. Surveillance cameras showed the male remove a handgun from his waistband and place it into a truck's bed where he was hiding. Officers contacted the male and arrested him for being a felon in possession of a firearm and narcotics." (San Diego Police Department via Facebook)
• Gloria100 campaign: "The #Gloria100 adoption campaign is still going strong! Thanks to Mayor Todd Gloria, adorable pups like Ember, Peppermint and Bacon just found wonderful new homes — but there are so many more dogs waiting for the same second chance! Adoption fees are still waived for adult dogs (7 months and older) — and after 100 adoptions are reached, fees will be just $25 through today!" (San Diego Humane Society via Facebook)
• Pets play with puzzle toys: "Mental stimulation is essential to keeping pets happy and healthy — and that's especially important in a shelter setting! San Diego Humane Society's Behavior Center gets creative to provide engaging items like puzzle toys with extra special treats, which also help prepare adoptable animals for success in their future homes." (San Diego Humane Society via Facebook
• Giant dipper: "Cue the screams! Time to feel the giant dip! 😱 📷 IG: tybillin 📍: Belmont Park" (Visit San Diego via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

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

Announcements:

• Free self-guided, goal-setting worksheet for 2023. (Details)
• Add your announcement

Alrighty, you're all good for today! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow with another update.

— Bettyann Pernice

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