The Coast News INLAND EDITION
.com ESCONDIDO, SAN MARCOS, VISTA
VOL. 5, N0. 1
JAN. 10, 2020
New law adds time for sex assault claims By Steve Puterski
ish and English versions,” he said. “Both are still selling today.” According to Navarro, the song connects to the beach and lowrider cultures. “It's an unusual recording and hard to replicate,” he said. “Rosie and the Originals caught lightning in a bottle.” However, the realities of adulthood soon faced the teenagers from National City Sweetwater and Mission Bay High Schools when it came to seeking royalties. Before her death at 71, Rosie Hamlin said she and the band became victims of well-documented corruption in the music industry. According to federal registry copyright reports, it took Hamlin and her mother (Juana) 27 years to secure her monetary rights. By then, “Angel Baby” was released worldwide by at least eight different companies, making an accurate audit impossible. Conservatively, Hamlin lost about $6 million. Sidetracked by the court battles and later by advanced fibromyalgia, Hamlin could never record another hit. “Angel Baby” was officially honored in 1995
REGION — Among the horde of new laws enacted on Jan. 1 is one being roundly hailed for its attention to victims of sexual assault. Assembly Bill 218 extends the timeline for victims of childhood sexual assault to file civil lawsuits until age 40 or five years from discovery of the abuse. The previous limit was age 26 or within three years of discovery of abuse. San Diego-based attorney Steve Estey, who specializes in sexual abuse and assault cases, said the new law is a welcome change, but noted there will be challenges for victims. He said it will be difficult for many cases to be resolved in court because the evidence after 30 or 40 years is scant. Also, those involved may have died, memories fade and unless a report of “some kind” was filed, it could be challenging to win in court, Estey said. He said the bill’s author, Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego), was targeting institutions such as the Catholic Church, Boy Scouts of America, USA Swimming and other large entities who may have covered up claims of abuse. “Many times when it happens, they are younger and they’re afraid that people won’t believe them,” Estey said of victims. “There’s a lot of shame that goes along with it. They’ll be in their 30s or 40s and the statute of limitations have long passed.” Also, the bill expands the definition of childhood sexual abuse to childhood sexual assault, making it easier to bring a claim, according to a report in the Orange County Register. Estey, who has a number of active cases against Uber and Lyft for alleged abuses committed by some drivers, said AB 218 allows for those responsible for the crimes to be held accountable. “It’s going to affect the Catholic Church probably the most,” he added. “It’s going to pinch the Catholic Church, probably more than any other entity in California.” As for school districts, though, the new law brings
TURN TO ‘ANGEL BABY’ ON 13
TURN TO SEX ASSAULT ON 3
LIVING MUSEUM ON THE MOVE
Rubber Ducky, a red-foot tortoise, is one of 200 reptiles, amphibians and arthropods at the EcoVivarium Living Museum in Escondido, which is planning to expand this year — its 10th anniversary — with a move downtown. STORY ON PAGE 8. Courtesy photo
Rep. Hunter to give up seat Monday By City News Service
REGION — Rep. Duncan Hunter, who pleaded guilty in December to a federal felony count for misusing $250,000 in campaign funds, announced Jan. 7 he will resign from Congress effective next Monday, Jan. 13. The Alpine Republican is facing a potential five-year prison sentence and said previously he would step down from his post, but he had not given a date for his departure. Hunter sent letters Tuesday to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Gov. Gavin Newsom saying his resignation would be “effective close of business on January 13, 2020.” “It has been an honor to serve the people of CalTURN TO HUNTER ON 15
‘Angel Baby,’ born in San Marcos By Harvey M. Kahn
SAN MARCOS — Rosalie “Rosie” Hamlin died three years ago but her 1961 hit song “Angel Baby” will live forever say music industry analysts. Hamlin was 15 when she sang vocals for Rosie and the Originals. The group recorded its multi-million-dollar seller in a converted airplane hangar owned by Robert Kittinger. The site was on the defunct San Marcos Valley Airfield where no evidence of it now exists. Not only is “Angel Baby” the staple for oldie show hosts like Art Laboe, it continues to live through international rebroadcasts. In addition, the song is one of the anthems for the Mexican-American community. “The song was groundbreaking because it enabled Rosie and The Originals to become the first Hispanic group to have a national hit record,” said Jeb Navarro, general manager at Palomar College radio station KKSM-AM 1320. The lyrics to “Angel Baby” begin; "It's just like heaven being here with you. You're like an angel too good to be true. But after all I love you, I do. Angel Baby. My Angel Baby. When you are near me my
ROSALIE HAMLIN, seen in an undated photo, was a teen when Rosie and the Originals recorded their 1961 hit “Angel Baby” at a defunct airfield. Photo via RosieandtheOriginals.com
heart skips a beat." Rosie's band members were Noah Tafolla, Carl Von Goodat, Tony Gomez, David Ponce and Alfred Barrett. Navarro says the simplicity of the song about young love will allow it to endure. “We play the Span-