Dennis Wagner

Phoenix

News Writer at The Coronado News

Bald scribe for USA Today with private side as gramps & outdoorsman.

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Articles

How the Navy's 'Fat Leonard' scandal reached Coronado

Sep 30, 2024 | thecoronadonews.com | Dennis Wagner

On Sept. 17, 2013, law enforcement agents pulled up to a house in one of Coronado’s neatly pruned neighborhoods. As kids played on scooters outside, U.S. Navy Cmdr. Stephen Fletcher Shedd found out he was the subject of a criminal investigation for bribery, fraud and conspiracy. About the same time, federal investigators were confronting two other Navy officers from Coronado in what would become the Fat Leonard case — the biggest and most damaging corruption scandal in U.S. Navy history.
A step in the right direction, but new funds for sewage plant still fall short

Mar 29, 2024 | thecoronadonews.com | Dennis Wagner

Tijuana sewage that has fouled Coronado’s coastline and sickened beach users for years will not be staunched anytime soon, despite more money being funneled to wastewater treatment projects this year. That was the big take-away from a news conference staged March 28 at the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant, and from a public forum that evening at the Coronado Community Center.
Awaken Church: From down under to Coronado

Aug 16, 2023 | thecoronadonews.com | Dennis Wagner |Craig Harris

Awaken Church founders Jurgen and Leanne Matthesius have built their evangelical ministry around Jesus, but with an emphasis on miracles, speaking in tongues while advocating political activism and “prosperity theology” – a belief that God will reward faith with wealth on earth. The pastors enhance those themes with attractive young ministers, lively Christian music and eye-catching video presentations.
Awaken Church: A service of music, miracles and tithes

Aug 8, 2023 | thecoronadonews.com | Dennis Wagner |Craig Harris

At Eastlake Business Park in Chula Vista, an “Awaken Church ” sign hovers between Lolita’s Mexican Restaurant and Skyzone Trampoline Park, with a muscular, armed guard in Kevlar at the door. Remodeling is underway inside, so services on this Sunday in July are conducted a couple doors down at an events center known as The Venue.
Awaken Church gets unholy reception in Coronado

Aug 1, 2023 | thecoronadonews.com | Dennis Wagner |Craig Harris

In the best-case scenario, the Revs. Jurgen and Leanne Matthesius are prophets who converse with God and spread his word while building religious communities, leading the faithful to goodness and wealth through the power of the Holy Spirit. In the worst cases scenario, as described by critics, Awaken Church leaders are huckster evangelists who prey on weak-minded believers, taking their money in return for a theology that blends Trumpist politics, Christian nationalism and demonizing hate speech.
Promises, Promises: Will Mexico keep its bargain to fix sewage crisis?

Mar 22, 2023 | thecoronadonews.com | Dennis Wagner |Craig Harris |Julieta Soto |Madeline Yang

With much ballyhoo, the United States and Mexico last summer announced they had agreed to spend $474 million to collectively address the “Tijuana sewage problem.” During an August ceremony, the two countries said the agreement outlined sanitation projects in San Diego County and Tijuana that would result in an “80% reduction in the volume of untreated wastewater discharged to the Pacific Ocean.” Among the plans was doubling the capacity at the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment...
Dysfunction seemingly at the core of Tijuana sewage mess

Mar 16, 2023 | thecoronadonews.com | Dennis Wagner |Craig Harris |Julieta Soto |Madeline Yang

In 2017, professor James Cooper attended a public forum on Tijuana sewage contamination where citizens were invited to hear government officials explain what was being done to staunch the fecal pollution of San Diego County beaches. That session, like many others, didn’t go well. “(It) was less a meeting and more of an expression of exasperation. Malodorous scents emanated from the nearby sewage,” Cooper noted in a written account.
Coronado School Board limits time for public comments

Mar 10, 2023 | thecoronadonews.com | Julieta Soto |Dennis Wagner

The Coronado School Board has changed course and only is allowing public comment on non-agendized items for 20 minutes during the later part of its meetings. The move expedited the monthly school board meeting on March 9. Prior meetings this year had public comment on non-agendized items at the beginning of the meeting and public comment on agendized items moving through each section, allowing various community members to talk into the evening.
Coronado Love Letter: A walk back in time with Susan Keith

Mar 10, 2023 | thecoronadonews.com | Craig Harris |Dennis Wagner |Paul Huntsman

With a peek-a-boo view to the Pacific Ocean, Suan Keith’s home is a journey back in time. Whether it’s her classic books, military memorabilia or her Republican bathroom – yes, you read that correctly – Keith’s large, comfortable home with her rambunctious 2-year-old Labrador Izzy is a modern-day history lesson. The Tudor home, which she said is the ultimate family hangout during Fourth of July weekend, was bought by her parents, Eleanor and Stan Ring in 1947.
Village Elementary Principal Heidi Bergener named K-12 Pathway Director

Mar 10, 2023 | thecoronadonews.com | Paul Huntsman |Dennis Wagner

Village Elementary School Principal Heidi Bergener announced Friday that she has accepted a new position as a K-12 Pathway Director for the Southwestern Community College Consortium, of which the Coronado Unified School District is a member. “I have mixed emotions about the announcement.