🌱 'Uptick In Illegal Border Crossings' + Stem Goes Red + Join CLERB

Hello, everyone! It's Thursday and I'm back in your inbox with today's copy of the San Diego Patch newsletter. Relax, sip that coffee/tea, crunch that English muffin basted with butter and jam, and read on to find out what's happening in our town today:

• "Uptick in illegal border crossings"
• STEM Goes Red event
• Join CLERB, the San Diego Citizens' Law Enforcement Review Board.

But first, today's weather:

A couple of morning showers. 🌧️High: 61, Low: 49.

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

1. According to U.S. border patrol officials, illegal border-crossings were up 30 percent in the first half of this fiscal year. In addition, border patrol agents stopped more than 300 maritime smuggling attempts in San Diego, and prevented over 1,900 pounds of drugs from hitting San Diego streets. (Patch)
2. The American Heart Association’s STEM Goes Red event, held to inspire young female students to achieve STEM careers, will become an annual event to mentor female students. The term STEM represents science, technology, engineering and math. Students will have an opportunity to work with robotics, give presentations and more. (CBS News 8)
3. Want to help investigate citizen complaints against law enforcement? If you live in Supervisorial District 4, you can apply to fill an opening on the San Diego Citizens' Law Enforcement Review Board (CLERB). Applicants can check out the regulations and find out more at CLERB. Applications will be reviewed beginning April 21. (San Diego County)
4. Can't wait to venture out into nature, plant your garden, and trim the shrubs and trees? Before you start, check that you aren't cutting away someone else's home. Help our feathered friends provide for their nestlings in our trees, bushes, and palms. Springtime is not a good time to trim trees anyway — wait a couple of months, and help Mother Nature do her thing! (CBS News 8)

Today in San Diego:

• Preschool Storytime - Tierrasanta Branch Library (9:30 AM)
• AARP Tax Preparation - College Rolando Branch Library (9:30 AM)
• Fun & Games for Seniors - Scripps Miramar Ranch Library Center (10:00 AM)
• Show & Tell Storytime - North Clairemont Branch Library (10:00 AM)
• How to Work a Computer - Malcolm X Library and Performing Arts Center (10:00 AM)
• Mandarin Chinese Story Time - Mira Mesa Branch Library (10:30 AM)

From my notebook:

• Lights On! "Coming Soon: SDPD, Chula Vista and National City are joining agencies nationwide to bring the Lights On! program to San Diego communities! Lights On is a program developed by a Minneapolis-based nonprofit that partners with law enforcement and auto service providers to replace lighting equipment traffic tickets with repair vouchers." (San Diego Police Department via Facebook)
• NPR's Code Switch founder: "Not much time before award-winning journalist and NPR's Code Switch founder Shereen Marisol Meraji arrives at SDPL! She'll be delivering the 2nd annual Clara Breed Civil Liberties lecture honoring San Diego's former City Librarian." (San Diego Central Library via Facebook)

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You're all caught up for today! I'll see you around.

— Bettyann Pernice

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