The Coast News, Dec. 27, 2013

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THE COAST NEWS

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MAKING WAVES IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

VOL. 27, NO. 52

DEC. 27, 2013

New fire chief named Mike Daigle would like departments to share more of their resources By Jared Whitlock

Motorists travel across a span of bridge on Interstate 15, where in the past water from Lake Hodges would be, but has since sprouted a small forest of shrubs, trees and brush. Photo by Tony Cagala

THE HIGHS AND THE LOWS OF IT

ENCINITAS — New Fire Chief Mike Daigle sees more room for cooperation among the fire departments in Encinitas, Solana Beach and Del Mar. As fire chief, Daigle is in charge of the three coast cities, which contracted to share personnel about four years ago. To further integrate, Daigle would like the departments to collectively train candidates and pool resources for equipment TURN TO DAIGLE ON A18

Mike Daigle was recently named the fire chief of Encinitas, Solana Beach and Del Mar. Daigle said serving as interim chief this summer gave him the confidence to apply for the role. Photo by Jared Whitlock

Questions rise as the water level of Lake Hodges continues to fall By Tony Cagala

REGION— Residents living in sight of the Lake Hodges Reservoir, which stretches from Interstate 15 all the way west towards Del Dios Highway, have seen its highs and lows over the years. Rainy seasons have filled the reservoir beyond its water level capacity, losing much needed water as it spilled over the dam. Extremely dry seasons have dropped the level so low as to reveal the lake bed in some areas, allowing a small forest of trees to sprout up. But after an SDCWA (San Diego County Water Authority) project costing millions of dollars and years of blasting and construction to create the Olivenhain Reservoir and dam, and connect it to Hodges — a project designed, in part, to maintain more consistent levels at Hodges — some residents are ask- The Lake Hodges reservoir stretches from Interstate 15 to west towards Del Dios Highway It was TURN TO HODGES ON A23

joined with the Olivenhain Dam and Reservoir, upper left, to help keep the lake at a more consistent level. Map courtesy of Google

Lights out? Because of an extended race season in Del Mar next year, the Holiday of Lights event doesn’t appear likely to happen. B2

Two Sections, 48 pages Arts & Entertainment . A17 Food & Wine . . . . . . . . A12

During a crisis, first Mission Valley Miracle responders can’t always proCan the Chargers pull off one vide emotional support.That’s more win to make the where the TIPs volunteers playoffs? A9 come in. B1

Legals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A10 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A4 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A19

HOW TO REACH US (760) 436-9737 Calendar: calendar@coastnewsgroup.com Community News: community@coastnewsgroup.com Letters to the Editor: letters@coastnewsgroup.com

Carlsbad will receive 60 acres of land from Corky McMillin Companies to keep as open space. The settlement agreement allows 636 homes to be built. Construction is still a long ways off. Photo by Promise Yee

Group claims some success after 12-year preservation efforts By Promise Yee

CARLSBAD — Diane Nygaard, founder and president of Preserve Calavera environmental preservation group, said the word “battle” is not too strong to describe a 12-year effort to preserve open space in Buena Vista Creek Valley. “We have worked for over 12 years to preserve the heart of the Buena Vista Creek Valley, including the watershed and regional wildlife movement corridor,” Nygaard said.“This settlement agreement is an

important step in the right direction.” Preserve Calavera began its efforts to preserve the valley more than a decade ago with opposition to the Quarry Creek shopping center south of state Route 78. The shopping center butts against El Salto Waterfall, a sacred site of the San Luis Rey Band and the Luiseno tribe. The city of Oceanside kept open space around the waterfall, but Carlsbad went TURN TO QUARRY CREEK ON A18


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