Kristina Houck

San Diego

Field Editor at Patch

Field Editor for @PatchTweet, covering San Diego County

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Articles

7 CA Beaches Named Among Nation's Best 'Hidden Gems'

6 days ago | patch.com | Kristina Houck

CALIFORNIA — California has some of the best sandy secrets in the country, according to a new survey. Frugal Flyer surveyed more than 3,000 travelers to discover the top "hidden gem" beaches. Seven beaches in the Golden State were voted among the best in the U.S. and three of those beaches ranked among the top 10.
Prankster Wins Lottery + Puppies Rescued From Desert + 'Must-Visit' Pizzeria: Saturday Smiles

1 week ago | patch.com | Kristina Houck

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — To keep your weekend light, Patch presents some positive Southern California stories from the past week — many that hopefully will brighten your day. Animals The Mission Viejo Animal Services Center is seeking donations to help save the lives of seven puppies rescued from the desert. The LA Zoo's California condor breeding program is part of a statewide conservation effort to support the endangered bird.
Brush Fires; Juneteenth Shooting; Drug Trafficking Ring: San Diego County Crime Log

1 week ago | patch.com | Kristina Houck

SAN DIEGO, CA — Here is a collection of this week's police, fire and courtroom stories from across San Diego County. A total of 720 firefighting personnel were assigned to the blaze Friday. Police have confirmed at least one death, but it was unclear if the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. The Hawick Fire sparked off the 14000 block of Hawick Drive near El Cajon, according to Cal Fire.
Crews Works To Contain Wildfire In Lakeside

1 week ago | patch.com | Kristina Houck

LAKESIDE, CA — Crews continued working Friday to contain a wildfire that has blackened hundreds of acres and forced evacuations in eastern San Diego County. The blaze, called the Monte Fire, sparked shortly before 3 p.m. Tuesday in the 15000 block of El Monte Road, just east of El Monte County Park in Lakeside, according to Cal Fire. As of 9 a.m. Friday, the fire has burned 1,049 acres and was 35% contained. "Firefighters continue to make progress and containment is now 35%.
Renter Households Are Taking Over  CA Suburbs, New Study Finds

1 week ago | patch.com | Kristina Houck

SAN DIEGO, CA — Moving to the suburbs meant putting down roots and putting down a mortgage, but things have changed, according to a new report. A new study from Point2Homes showed that 203 suburbs across the country's 20 largest metros now have more renters than homeowners.  With more people leasing their homes than owning them in these communities, the line between city and suburb continues to blur.
SeaWorld San Diego's Summer Spectacular Concert Series Kicks Off Saturday

1 week ago | patch.com | Kristina Houck

The Vallejo rapper behind the platinum hit "Suga Suga" will take the stage at 6 p.m. at the Bayside Amphitheater overlooking Mission Bay. The concert is included with park admission. Several hip-hop, R&B and rap artists are scheduled to perform during the series, which will take place most Saturdays through Aug. 23 at SeaWorld's Bayside Amphitheater. The Ying Yang Twins take to the stage on June 28, followed by Soulja Boy and Bow Wow on July 12, Fat Joe on July 19, and Waka Flocka Flame on July 26.
Man Charged After Failing To Seek Care For Dog, Leading To Leg Amputation

1 week ago | patch.com | Kristina Houck

SAN DIEGO, CA — A man accused of failing to seek medical care for his severely injured dog, leading to amputation of the animal's leg, was charged by prosecutors with felony animal cruelty, officials announced Tuesday. Eagle, a young female Belgian Malinois, had a serious open leg wound with exposed bone, according to San Diego County Animal Services and the San Diego County District Attorney's Office.
Convict Who Walked Away From San Diego Reentry Program Captured In Carlsbad

1 week ago | patch.com | Kristina Houck

CARLSBAD, CA — A convict who walked away from a San Diego halfway house last week was captured Tuesday in Carlsbad, authorities said. State park rangers took Justin M. Dake, 29, into custody without incident at Carlsbad State Beach around 10:30 a.m., according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Dake was taken and booked into Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility.
Wildfire Burns 400 Acres, Injures 2 In San Diego's East County

1 week ago | patch.com | Kristina Houck

LAKESIDE, CA β Crews worked overnight to contain a wildfire that has blackened hundreds of acres, injured two firefighters, threatened homes and forced evacuations in eastern San Diego County. The blaze, called the Monte Fire, sparked shortly before 3 p.m. Tuesday in the 15000 block of El Monte Road, just east of El Monte County Park in Lakeside, according to Cal Fire. As of Wednesday morning, the fire had burned 400 acres and was 20% contained.
Wildfire Smoke Triggers Smoke Advisory For Parts Of San Diego County

1 week ago | patch.com | Kristina Houck

SAN DIEGO, CA — Smoke from a wildfire in eastern San Diego County triggered a smoke advisory for parts of the region. The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District issued a smoke advisory for East County, including the eastern portion of Lakeside and the northeast portion of El Cajon and Alpine. The blaze, called the Monte Fire, sparked shortly before 3 p.m. Tuesday in the 15000 block of El Monte Road, just east of El Monte County Park in Lakeside, according to Cal Fire.