Mike Madriaga

1 week ago | sandiegoreader.com | Mike Madriaga

San Diego’s skate scene has long been part of the city’s coastal culture—but over the past year, a series of violent incidents, one deadly, involving skateboards and skateboarders, has raised concerns. In just the past year, two police officers were assaulted by skateboarders in separate incidents. In another case, a skateboarder was killed near a popular skate park.

2 weeks ago | sandiegoreader.com | Mike Madriaga

Shoplifters are finally getting caught—a significant shift from the past few years. Just last year in countless cases suspects were let go, calmly escorted out of big-box stores by loss prevention specialists, or simply ignored by employees—often under orders not to intervene due to company liability concerns. In San Diego County, stopping a thief just wasn’t worth the risk. But now, California’s retail theft crackdown is in full effect—and the impact is undeniable.

3 weeks ago | phoenixnewtimes.com | Mike Madriaga

For decades, the scent of fresh bread, sliced Boar’s Head meats and exotic cheeses has greeted Valley customers the moment they walk into Cheese 'N Stuff on the corner of Camelback Road and Central Avenue. The longtime uptown Phoenix staple is part sandwich shop, part deli and part-time capsule. Now, the iconic spot is preparing to close on April 30, ending a 76-year run of stacked sandwiches, handwritten menus and multigenerational memories.

3 weeks ago | sandiegoreader.com | Mike Madriaga

On April 14, a sudden boom ripped across San Diego County—from downtown to past Ramona, and from Tijuana to Oceanside. Some said it sounded as if someone were  stomping on their rooftops. Phones lit up with emergency alerts—and then, in a split second, the ground began to rumble. A 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck east of Ramona, shaking the county and beyond, jolting many San Diegans and their furry loved ones into a first-ever quake experience.

1 month ago | sandiegoreader.com | Cathy Rozy |Mike Madriaga

The deadly crashes at the highway 94 eastbound to I-15 northbound connector on April 3 and March 29 are the latest examples of growing safety concerns along the 94 corridor. Since November, this short stretch of freeway—from downtown San Diego to Lemon Grove—has become a hotspot for accidents, many of them fatal. On April 3, 619 News Media was among the first on the scene as emergency crews assessed the damage.