Morning Report: Padres on Petco Scam
EM - News Moderator 
The officials that failed to spot a charity scam operating out of Petco Park for years are saying things are better now. Their message comes after ringleaders of the charity scam pleaded guilty to fraud last week.
Some background: In 2023, our Will Huntsberry broke the story of a fake charity called Chula Vista Fast Pitch running concessions stands at Petco Park. It operated with presumed volunteers and kept roughly ten percent of its stands’ proceeds to support its presumed charitable mission.
But Chula Vista Fast Pitch didn’t have a charitable mission. Its operators pocketed $3.5 million that was supposed to go to real charities, prosecutors found.
Huntsberry reached out to the San Diego Padres and the company that manages its concessions stands, Delaware North, to see if they had any comments or wanted to apologize for the millions that went to the fake charity.
They issued no apologies.
Delaware North officials insisted they have implemented more safeguards and measures to better vet nonprofits moving forward, they told Huntsberry. Details of exactly how their vetting process has changed are not entirely clear.
Environment Report: ‘Balcony’ Solar Could Be New Option for San Diegans
A proposal to allow San Diegans to use so-called “balcony” solar to generate power is heading to state lawmakers.
Balcony solar is a plug-in solar panel that goes on your balcony, allowing renters who don’t own their roof to generate cheaper, cleaner power. Just one balcony solar panel could save an average California household about $250 a year in electricity expenses.
The bill is being proposed by Democratic State Sen. Scott Weiner, but the concept of balcony solar isn’t new, writes our MacKenzie Elmer. Millions of Germans already power portions of their homes using balcony solar.
Utility companies are not on board, arguing in part that if residents are allowed to essentially plug in their own generators, it could cause safety risks for lineworkers and first responders.
Read the Environment Report here.
In Other News
- A ballot measure proposed by San Diego Councilmember Kent Lee would reduce the mayor’s power over budgeting and personnel, shifting some of that control to the City Council..(Union-Tribune)
- San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium will host 11 Olympic soccer matches during the 2028 Olympics — more than any of the other six stadiums hosting matches during the games. (U-T)
- The average price of gas in San Diego County has risen to its highest amount since October 2023, a result of the U.S and Israel’s attacks on Iran. (KPBS)
- Trump administration officials are denying accusations from San Diego County officials about poor conditions, overcrowding, lack of medical care access and more at Otay Mesa Detention Center. (KPBS)
- Correction: We updated the story, “How the Sale of a Property Revealed Zoning Mistakes in Barrio Logan” to correct that the Boston Avenue Linear Park is a city project and the city anticipates to break ground in 2029.
The Morning Report was written by Tigist Layne. It was edited by Will Huntsberry.
The post Morning Report: Padres on Petco Scam appeared first on Voice of San Diego.
