♪ >>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS "EVENING EDITION" HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY BILL HOWE FAMILY OF COMPANIES, PROVIDING SAN DIEGO WITH PLUMBING, HEATING, AIR, RESTORATION AND FLOOD SERVICES FOR OVER 40 YEARS.

CALL 1-800-BILL-HOWE, OR VISIT BILLHOWE.COM.

AND BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION.

DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY, AND BY THE FOLLOWING -- AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU!

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

CHANTS OF PEOPLE OVER BILLIONAIRES RANG OUT AT THE COURTHOUSE IN DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO THIS MORNING.

ELECTED LEADERS JOINED SCORES OF ADVOCACY GROUPS CALLING FOR TAX DOLLARS TO FUND ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS INSTEAD OF I.C.E.

>> WHAT'S STRONGER THAN A BAD DAY?

>> THE POWER OF THE MASSES!

>> Reporter: THE MESSAGES WERE AS LOUD AS THEY WERE URGENT.

>> SEE LOUD AND CLEAR.

>> AND FRIENDS ARE WELCOME HERE.

>> Reporter: MEMBERS OF SEVERAL UNIONS AND ELECTED LEADERS ALL SOUNDING AN ALARM OVER THE DEPLOYMENT OF NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS AND I.C.E.

INTO COMMUNITIES, AND VOICING CONCERN THAT THE RIGHTS GUARANTEED BY THE FIRST AMENDMENT LIKE FREEDOM OF SPEECH ARE UNDER SERIOUS THREAT.

>> AND AT THE MOMENT THAT THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH BEGINS ATTACKING PEOPLE FOR WHAT THEY SAID AT A POPULAR SHOW ON TV OR AN EDITORIAL THEY'VE WRITTEN FOR A NEWSPAPER AND ARE SENT TO PRISON OR A DETENTION CENTER BECAUSE OF THAT, THAT MEANS WE'RE ON A SLIPPERY SLOPE OF LOSING THE PRINCIPLES OF WHAT A DEMOCRACY MEANS FOR US.

>> WE WILL NOT STAND FOR JUSTICE.

>> BUT COUNTY BOARD OFOF SUPERVISORS CHAIR TARA LAWSON-REAMER.

>> A RIGHT TO HEALTH CARE, FOOD ASSISTANCE, IT'S BEING TAKEN AWAY IN ORDER TO GIVE TAX CUTS TO BILLIONAIRES.

IF WE DON'T COME TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY TO FIGHT BACK, WE'RE GOING WAKE UP TOMORROW MORNING AND THERE IS NOT GOING TO BE ANYTHING LEFT.

>> SEVERAL MOTORISTS TALK HONKED IN SUPPORT AS THEY DROVE BY.

BUT A QUESTION SOMEWHERE, HOW MUCH CHANGE WITH A PROTEST FOR AN HOUR OR SO IN DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO.

IT'S A QUESTION I PUT TO PEDRO RIOS.

>> AND FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE LIVING IN FEAR, IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THEM TO HEAR AND TO SEE THAT PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO STICK THEIR NECKS OUT DURING A POLITICAL CLIMATE THAT'S EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FOR PEOPLE TO DO SO.

>> Reporter: THIS PROTEST WAS NOT A ONE-OFF.

ORGANIZERS TELL ME THEY'RE GOING TO BE BACK HERE EVERY THURSDAY WITH THE SAME MESSAGE, FOR PEOPLE TO GET INVOLVED IN WHAT THEY CALL THE FIGHT FOR THE SURVIVAL OF THIS DEMOCRACY.

IN DOWNTOWN, JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> LAST NIGHT THE ENCINITAS CITY COUNCIL VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO RESCIND THE EMERGENCY ACTION TAKEN LAST MONTH AFTER AN I.C.E.

ARREST IN THE CITY.

KPBS NORTH COUNTY REPORTER ALEXANDER NGUYEN SAID THE COUNCIL THEN TOOK A NEW VOTE TO REINSTATE MOST OF THOSE ACTIONS.

>> Reporter: IT WAS A PACKED HOUSE LAST NIGHT, AND MANY WERE THERE IN SUPPORT OF THE EMERGENCY ACTION.

SPEAKERS URGED THE COUNCIL NOT TO RESCIND IT.

>> I WANT TO VOICE MY STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE STEPS THIS COUNCIL TOOK ON AUGUST 20th.

>> Reporter: THAT EMERGENCY SESSION WAS HELD HOURS AFTER A MAN WAS ARRESTED BY I.C.E.

AGENTS NEAR AN ENCINITAS SCHOOL.

BUT THE FOLLOWING WEEK, RESIDENT GAVIN WALSH SENT A LETTER TO THE CITY SAYING THE EMERGENCY ACTION VIOLATED THE STATE'S OPEN MEETING LAW.

HE SAYS OPPOSITION TO THE I.C.E.

ARREST IS NOT AN EMERGENCY.

>> YOU CAN CULTIVATE THE IF I CAN THAT THIS IS APPROPRIATE FOR YOU TO HAVE DONE TO BEGIN WITH, BUT IT'S A FICTION.

AND I'M GOING TO INTERPRET A DECISION TO RESCIND TONIGHT AS AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT THAT MY POSITION IS CORRECT.

>> Reporter: THE CITY ATTORNEY SAYS THE EMERGENCY ACTION DID NOT VIOLATE THE BROWN ACT, BUT ADVISED THE COUNCIL THAT REVISION WAS PHYSICALLY PRUDENT TO AVOID FIGHTING A LAWSUIT.

MAYOR BRUCE ELLERS AGREES.

>> I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING THAT CHANGED MY MIND FROM WHERE I WAS TO BE 20th.

BUT THIS IS LEGALLY PRUDENT.

THIS IS GOOD MANAGEMENT OF OUR CITY, OUR FUNDS, AND AT LEAST MORE MONEY FOR DOING THE ACTIONS WE WANT TO DO.

>> AFTER APPROVING THE RESCISSION, THE COUNCIL VOTED TO REINSTATE MOST OF THE SAME ACTIONS TAKEN LAST MONTH, INCLUDING THE KNOW YOUR RIGHTS CAMPAIGN, POSSIBLY JOINING OTHER CITIES IN A LAWSUIT CHALLENGING THE LEGALITY OF I.C.E.

'S ACTIONS, AND FILING A FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST TO DOCUMENT I.C.E.

OPERATIONS IN THE CITY.

BUT THE COUNCIL WALKED BACK ON LIMITING MASK WEARING BY I.C.E.

AGENTS IN CITY LIMITS.

ALEXANDER NGUYEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IS STILL PLAYING CATCH-UP TODAY AFTER A DISABLED PLANE PROMPTED AN HOURS-LONG GROUND STOP YESTERDAY.

AIRPORT OFFICIALS SAY AROUND 5:40 LAST NIGHT, A PRIVATE JET WAS STRANDED ON A RUNWAY AFTER HAVING A GEAR MALFUNCTION.

AN ALASKA AIRLINES PLANE BEHIND THE JET WAS ALSO CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF, AND A SOUTHWEST PLANE IN THE AIR WAS WAITING FOR ITS TURN TO LAND.

THE SHUTDOWN CAUSED DOZENS OF FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS AND DELAYS.

>> AND OUR FLIGHT GOT CANCELED.

>> YEAH, I DO HAVE TRUST RAIGTS -- FRUSTRATION RIGHT I KNOW.

>> WHEN I GOT BACK TO THE HOTEL, THEY SAID THEY HAD SOLD OUT.

>> THE RUNWAY REOPENED AROUND 9:30 LAST NIGHT AND AN AIRPORT SPOKESPERSON SAID THINGS SHOULD GET BETTER AS TIMES GOING E GOES ON.

>>> A TOP OFFICIAL AT ANIMAL SERVICES SEND A CRUDE AND PROFANITY-LACED MESSAGE ABOUT ANIMAL SHELTER DOGS AND COMPLAINED THERE WASN'T ENOUGH EUTHANASIAS HAPPENING.

INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER SCOTT ROD GOT AHOLD OF THE REPORTING.

>> Reporter: RACHAEL BORRELLI WAS NAMED ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SERVICES LAST JUNE.

SHE OVERSEES OPERATIONS AT THE COUNTY'S TWO ANIMAL SHELTERS AND REGULARLY APPROVES EUTHANASIAS.

IN A TEXT MESSAGE THREAT FROM LATE LAST YEAR, SHE DISCUSSED EUTHANIZING A SPECIFIC DOG AND THE DEPARTMENT'S EUTHANASIA DEPARTMENT IN GENERAL.

BORRELLI FELT THE COUNTY'S CARLSBAD SHELTER WASN'T PUTTING DOWN ENOUGH DOGS.

SHE SENT THIS AUDIO MESSAGE IN THE TEXT THREAD.

>> YEAH, BUT IN CARLSBAD, THEY DON'T EUTHANIZE ANYTHING, EVEN IF THE DOG [ BLEEP ] A KID.

SO THAT'S WHY I WAS LIKE EUTHANIZE THE DOG.

I'M SO SICK OF US KEEPING [ BLEEP ] DOGS THAT AREN'T GOING TO GET ADOPTED.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE OVERCROWDED.

CALL ME HEARTLESS, BUT I'M ALSO REALISTIC.

>> Reporter: THE SOURCE WHO SHARED THE VOICE MESSAGE ASKED TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS, FEARING PROFESSIONAL CONSEQUENCES.

I PERSONALLY REVIEWED THE TEXT THREAD AND VERIFIED THE MESSAGE'S AUTHENTICITY.

BORRELLI DECLINED TO COMMENT WHEN REACHED BY PHONE.

FORMER ANIMAL SHELTER EMPLOYEES TOLD ME THE VOICE MESSAGE REFLECTS BORRELLI'S GENERAL ATTITUDE TOWARDS DOGS AND EUTHANASIA.

>> IT DOESN'T SURPRISE ME THAT IT CAME FROM HER.

>> Reporter: KRISTINA SMITH WORKED IN THE SHELTER SYSTEM LAST YEAR.

SHE GREW VISIBLY UPSET.

>> ANY DOG IS GOING TO COME IN WITH A MINOR ISSUE SHE IS GOING TO SAY EUTHANIZE THIS ONE.

EUTHANIZE THEM ALL.

THAT'S THE FIRST THOUGHT IN MY HEAD.

IS THERE ANY HOPE FOR THESE DOGS.

>> Reporter: A FORMER SHELTER EMPLOYEE NAMED VENUS HAD A SIMILAR REACTION.

>> THAT SOUNDS PRETTY TYPICAL FOR RACHAEL TO SAY.

WHEN I HEAR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, MY IMMEDIATE THOUGHT IS YOU SHOULDN'T BE WORKING IN ANIMAL SERVICE.

>> Reporter: BOTH FORMER EMPLOYEES SAY THIS ATTITUDE FROM SOMEONE IN LEADERSHIP COULD HAVE REAL AND DIRE CONSEQUENCES FOR DOGS.

IN JULY, A KPBS INVESTIGATION FOUND THE DOG EUTHANASIA RATE AT COUNTY-RUN SHELTERS HAS SKYROCKETED SINCE THE PANDEMIC.

SOME FORMER EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEERS CLAIM DOGS WITH MILD TREATABLE BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS ARE ROUTINELY PUT DOWN.

A COUNTY SPOKESPERSON HAS PUSHED BACK ON THESE CLAIMS AND SAID EUTHANASIA DECISIONS ARE NEVER MADE LIGHTLY, AND ASSESSMENTS ARE DONE BY TRAINED STAFF.

KPBS PREVIOUSLY HIGHLIGHTED THE STORY OF A 4-YEAR-OLD GREAT PYRENEES NAMED FRANKLIN.

>> THERE HE WAS, A PYRENEES.

AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?

NOT BARKING.

JUST KIND OF VERY CALM.

HE TOOK A TREAT FROM US.

YOU COULD TELL HE HAD A GOODIES POSITION.

>> Reporter: CARLSBAD RESIDENT JEANNE MILLER ADOPTED FRANKLIN FROM THE CARLSBAD ANIMAL SHELTER LAST WINTER.

WE SPOKE TO HER IN JUNE AT HER CARLSBAD HOME.

MILLER HAD TO RETURN FRANKLIN BECAUSE HER OTHER DOG, A GREAT DANE NAMED BUTTERCUP BARKED AND GROWLED AT HIM.

IT WAS FRANKLIN'S SECOND TIME BEING RETURNED TO THE SHELTER.

A FAMILY PREVIOUSLY BROUGHT HIM BACK FOR GROWLING AND BEING TERRITORIAL AROUND FOOD.

MILLER EMPHASIZED THAT FRANKLIN WAS A VERY GOOD DOG IN THE RETURN PAPERWORK.

>> THE LADY ASSURED ME THAT, YEAH, WITH THE REVIEW, HE WAS GOING TO BE ADOPTABLE.

AND, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE WILL PROBABLY ADOPT HIM.

SOONER, QUICKER.

BECAUSE IT WAS A GOOD REVIEW.

>> Reporter: BUT THE SHELTER PUT HIM DOWN IMMEDIATELY, LIKELY WHILE MILLER WAS STILL STANDING AT THE FRONT DESK, KPBS FOUND.

FRANKLIN'S EUTHANASIA PAPER HAS THE INITIALS RB ON IT, RACHAEL BORRELLI HAD APPROVED THE EUTHANASIA.

WE SHARED BORRELLI'S VOICE MESSAGE WITH MILITARY GET HER REACTION.

>> AND THEY'RE IN THE BUSINESS OF REHOMING ANIMALS SO THAT THEY HAVE A BETTER LIFE SO THAT THEY HAVE A LIFE.

THAT'S PRETTY COLD-HEARTED.

>> Reporter: I SENT A COPY OF THE VOICE MESSAGE TO THE COUNTY IN A REQUEST FOR COMMENT.

COUNTY SPOKESPERSON TAMMY GLENN WROTE IN AN EMAIL, QUOTE, WHILE WE CAN'T COMMENT ON PERSONNEL MATTER, THE INFORMATION PROVIDED DOES NOT REFLECT THE VALUES OR THE MISSION OF THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO, AND IT IS NOT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CARING AND DEDICATED WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SERVICES STAFF.

GLENN ADDED THAT THE DEPARTMENT IS WORKING TO IMPROVE ITS POLICIES AND TRAINING TO SUPPORT EMPLOYEES AND REDUCE THE DEPARTMENT'S EUTHANASIA RATE.

JENNY WEISENT IS AN ASSOCIATE CLINICAL PROFESSIONAL COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE.

SHE STUDIED THE TREMENDOUS STRESS ANIMAL SHELTER WORKERS FACE.

HER REACTION TO BORRELLI'S PROFANE VOICE MESSAGE WAS ONE OF UNDERSTANDING.

>> WHEN PEOPLE ARE PUT INTO SITUATIONS THAT WHERE THEY CAN'T FIND THE POSITIVE OUTCOMES, THERE IS FRUSTRATION AND ANGER.

>> Reporter: AT THE SAME TIME, SHE ADDS -- >> IS IT AWFUL RHETORIC?

YES.

AND IT'S HARD TO HEAR.

I CAN THAT IT'S CLEAR THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN'T HAVE SOMEBODY IN CHARGE WHO'S NOT ABLE TO SEPARATE THEMSELVES FROM THEIR EMOTIONS AND MAKE DECISIONS RATIONALLY.

>> Reporter: SCOTT ROD, KPBS NEWS.

>> IF YOU HAVE A TIP FOR KPBS'S INVESTIGATIONS TEAM, SEND AN EMAIL TO INVESTIGATIONS@KPBS.ORG OR MESSAGE THEM AT 619-594-8177.

>>> THERE IS A HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS THAT'S ATTRACTED A BIT OF ATTENTION.

KPBS SOCIAL MEDIA HOST JAY GADA SAID IT SERVES AS A CASE STUDY OF HOW TO ADD MORE HOUSING.

>> 19 NEW HOMES ARE COMING TO UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS THANKS TO SAN DIEGO'S COMPLETE COMMUNITIES HOUSING SOLUTIONS PROGRAMS.

IT ALLOWS MORE DENSITY IN PLACES CLOSE TO TRANSIT IF THE IT INCLUDES AFFORDABLE HOMES.

THIS IS BLOCKS FROM A BUS LINE SO IT QUALIFIES.

THE OWNER APPLIED FOR A FIVE-STORY BUILDING THAT WILL INCLUDE AFFORDABLE UNITS.

BUT SOME NEIGHBORS AREN'T HAPPY.

>> WE DON'T LIKE THERE IS NOT ENOUGH AFFORDABLE HOUSING HAPPENING HERE.

WE ALSO DON'T LIKE IT'S IN THE MIDDLE OF A COUPLE OF BLOCKS WHERE IT'S ALL SINGLE FAMILY, TWO-FAMILY, AND LOW DENSITY SIX TO EIGHT-UNIT RENTAL PROPERTIES.

IT CHANGES THE WHOLE MAKEUP OF THE BLOCK.

AND IF YOU LOOK AROUND, THERE IS ALREADY A PARKING PROBLEM FOR FOLKS WHO LIVE HERE.

>> Reporter: MARK JOHNSON IS THE COMMUNITY HEIGHTS ASSOCIATION.

HE SAID IT COULD BE REDEVELOPED TO FIT THE SCALE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> WE'RE NOT SAYING NOT IN MY BACKYARD.

LET'S DO IT SMARTER.

PUT THINGS WHERE THEY MAKE THE MOST SENSE AND DISRUPT THINGS THE LEAST SO WE CAN KEEP WHAT MAKES THIS COMMUNITY SO ATTRACTIVE FOR PEOPLE TO COME HERE.

>> Reporter: WITHOUT THE COMPLETE COMMUNITIES PROGRAM, THE OWNER WOULD LIKELY ONLY BUILD ANOTHER SINGLE-FAMILY HOME AND MAYBE A COUPLE OF ADUs.

BUT REDEVELOPMENTS LIKE THAT DON'T CREATE AFFORDABLE OPTIONS.

>> YOU'RE JUST REPLACING AN OLDER UNIT WITH A MANSION, YOU'VE NOT DONE ANYTHING TO THE HOUSING SUPPLY.

YOU'VE KEPT THE HOUSING SUPPLY CONSTANT.

IF ANYTHING, YOU INCREASED THE HURDLE ON AFFORDABILITY BECAUSE YOU REMOVED A MILLION DOLLARS HOME AND REPLACED WIT A $3 MILLION HOME.

>> Reporter: RESEARCHER TOBIAS PETER FOUND MORE AFFORDABILITY WITH BIGGER UNITS.

THE PRICE FOR EACH GOES DOWN.

THE MORE HOMES THAT ARE BUILT, THE MORE AFFORDABLE EACH ONE IS.

>> IT'S PRETTY AMAZING THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING FOR AFFORDABILITY BY BUILDING NEW HOUSING.

>> Reporter: BUT JOHNSON ISN'T CONVINCED.

HE SAID DEVELOPMENTS LIKE THAT SHOW BE LIMITED TO PARK AND EL CAJON BOULEVARD THAT HAVE TRANSIT LINES.

>> WE WOULD MUCH MORE LIKE TO SEE THAT DEVELOPMENT HAPPENING ON THE TRANSIT LINES WHERE THE SCALE IS MUCH, MUCH MORE APPROPRIATE.

>> Reporter: HERE IN UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, APARTMENTS RENT AND SELL FOR FAR CHEAPER THAN SINGLE FAMILY HOMES.

SAN DIEGO COMPLETE COMMUNITIES PROGRAM LETS WHO APARTMENTS GET BUILT FASTER.

BUT THERE WILL ALWAYS BE THE QUESTION IN WHO'S BACKYARD THEY'RE BEING BUILT.

KPBS NEWS.

>> FOR MORE STORIES ABOUT HOUSING FROM OUR PUBLIC MATTERS INITIATIVE, GOOD TO KPBS.ORG/WHO'S BACKYARD.

>>> THE DEADLINE TO ENROLL IN SAN DIEGO'S NEW TRASH AND ING SERVICE IS ALMOST HERE.

MOST SAN DIEGANS STILL NEED TO SELECT THE BINS THEY WANT.

>> Reporter: IN JUNE, THE CITY APPROVED A HISTORIC AND CONTROVERSIAL TRASH FEE.

IT AFFECTS RESIDENTS LIVING IN SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES OR IN MULTI-FAMILY DEVELOPMENTS WITH FUR OR FEWER UNITS.

BEFORE NOW THE CITY DID NOT CHARGE FOR THE SERVICE.

THE CITY SAYS IT'S SENDING OUT NEW MAILERS TO REMIND RESIDENTS TO CHOOSE THE SIZE OF THEIR TRASH CANS BY SEPTEMBER 30th BECAUSE -- >> THE CITY WILL BE COLLECTING ALL THE OLD TRASH CONTAINERS AND ALL THE OLD RECYCLING CONTAINER, AND WE WILL NO LONGER BE SERVICING THOSE.

>> Reporter: JEREMY BOWER IS THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE CITY ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

HE SAYS THE NEW FEE WILL SHOW UP ON PROPERTY TAX BILLS THIS YEAR.

IT'S $43.60 A MONTH FOR THE 90-GALLON CONTAINER MOST RESIDENTS HAVE NOW.

BUT SMALLER OPTIONS ARE CHEAPER.

BOWER SAYS IF PEOPLE DON'T ENROLL, THEY'LL AUTOMATICALLY BE GIVEN THE 95-GALLON CANS AT THE HIGHEST COST.

>> AROUND 64,000 CUSTOMERS HAVE SIGNED UP IN THE PORTAL TO SELECT THEIR CONTAINERS.

IT'S ALMOST A THIRD OF THE WAY.

WE ARE SEEING AN ACCELERATION.

>> Reporter: ABOUT 20,000 CUSTOMERS WHO LIVE IN LARGER COMPLEXES ARE NO LONGER ELIGIBLE FOR CITY TRASH PICKUP.

THEY HAVE TO SECURE SERVICE FROM PRIVATE HAULERS.

SO FAR THE CITY SAYS ABOUT HALF MISSED THE SEPTEMBER 1 DEADLINE.

JILL JOHNSON SAID IT TOOK MONTHS OF BACK AND FORTH WITH PRIVATE TRASH HAULERS BEFORE LOCKING IN A DEAL AT A FAIR PRICE.

>> I THOUGHT IT WAS A MESS.

IT WAS REALLY CLEAR TO ME THAT THE CITY DID NOT UNDERSTAND THE BURDEN THAT THIS WAS GOING TO PUT ON THE PROVIDERS.

>> Reporter: SHE IS TREASURER OF AN EIGHT-UNIT CONDOMINIUM HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION IN OCEAN BEACH.

SHE SAYS THE CHANGE HAS LED TO MANY MORE TRASH TRUCKS IN HER NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> NOW EVERYBODY IN THIS CONDO COMPLEX WORLD CHOSE DIFFERENT PROVIDERS.

SO YOU HAVE LARGE GARBAGE TRUCKS COMING UP AND DOWN THE ALLEY PRETTY MUCH EVERY DAY EARLY IN THE MORNING.

>> Reporter: BOWER SAYS THE CITY IS STILL PICKING UP TRASH FOR RESIDENTS WHO HAVEN'T FOUND A PRIVATE HAULER.

THE CITY IS HOPING TO SWITCH OVER CUSTOMERS BY THE END OF THE YEAR AND COULD EVENTUALLY FINE CUSTOMERS WHO FAIL TO DO SO.

FOR THOSE WHO QUALIFY, THE NEW TRASH FROM RECYCLING BINS WILL BE DELIVERED STARTING OCTOBER 6th.

JACOB AYER, KPBS NEWS.

>>> A NEW CALIFORNIA LAW REQUIRES HEALTH INSURERS TO COVER COVID-19 VACCINES RECOMMENDED UNDER STATE GUIDANCE.

HEIDI DE MARCO SAYS WHILE STATE RULERS ARE OVERRULING FEDERAL VACCINE RECOMMENDATIONS, QUESTIONS REMAIN ABOUT WHO WILL BE LEFT UNPROTECTED.

>> Reporter: NEW STATE HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS SAY ANYONE SIX MONTHS AND OLDER WHO WANTS A COVID-19 VACCINE SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET ONE.

PREGNANT WOMEN ARE URGED TO GET COVID, FLU, AND RSV SHOTS.

DR.

PIA IS AN INFECTIOUS DISEASE SPECIALIST AT SAN DIEGO.

>> THEIR DECISION IS BASED ON UNDERSTANDING THE EVIDENCE AND LISTENING TO THE EXPERTS.

>> Reporter: GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM ALSO SIGNED AB-144, LETTING CALIFORNIA RELY ON INDEPENDENT MEDICAL GROUPS INSTEAD OF THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION AND ITS ADVISORY COMMITTEE IMMUNIZATION PRACTICES FOR VACCINE RECOMMENDATIONS.

IT ALSO REQUIRES STATE REGULATED HEALTH PLANS TO COVER HER TO THOSE VACCINES.

BUT PANNARAJ SAYS SHE IS WONDERING WHICH GUIDANCE FEDERAL PROGRAMS WILL FOLLOW IN THE STATE.

>> THE PEOPLE AT HIGHEST RISK ARE THOSE WITHOUT PRIVATE INSURANCE.

SO THOSE THAT ARE DEPENDENT, AT LEAST CHILDREN WHO ARE DEPENDENT ON THE VACCINES FOR CHILDREN PROGRAM, WHICH COVER ABOUT 50% OF OUR CHILDREN.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS VACCINE GUIDANCE FROM THE CDC'S ADVISORY PANEL MEETING THIS WEEK MAY CREATE MORE CONFUSION.

HER ADVICE, LISTEN TO YOUR DOCTOR.

HEIDI DE MARCO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WELL, WE'LL CONTINUE TO SEE THE RAIN AND THE THUNDERSTORMS LINGERING THROUGH THE MORNING, MAINLY INTO OUR MOUNTAIN AND DESERT REGIONS.

THERE IS STILL FLASH FLOODING RISK OVERALL WITH REALLY ANY RAIN OR THUNDERSTORMS THAT WE DO SEE.

AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND, WE GET WARMER.

WE GET A LITTLE BIT DRYER.

THAT MOISTURE IS GOING TO LINGER A LITTLE BIT FOR SOME OF US, BUT OVERALL FOR OUR AREA, WE SHOULDN'T BE CONTINUING TO PICK UP A LOT OF RAINFALL.

OVERALL HEADING INTO TONIGHT, MORE CLOUDS THAN THERE IS RAIN.

TEMPERATURES IN THE MID-60s IN OCEANSIDE, PUSHING 70 FOR SAN DIEGO.

71 FOR BORREGO SPRINGS THERE.

WE LOOK AHEAD TO TOMORROW.

A LOT OF US MAY SEE CLOUDS, MAYBE A SPRINKLE OR TWO.

WE DON'T SEE RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS IN PLACES LIKES BORREGO SPRINGS, EVEN CAN'T RULE IT OUT FOR SOMEWHERE LIKE MOUNT LAGUNA.

TEMPERATURE-WISE IN THE MID-90s FOR BORREGO SPRINGS.

80 BY THE TIME WE GET TO SAN DIEGO.

HERE IS A LOOK AT HOW THIS PLAYS OUT AS FAR AS THE RAINFALL.

NOW WE START OUT THE REST OF THE EVENING.

A LOT OF THIS HAS MOVED FARTHER INLAND.

BUT WE'RE SEEING STILL MAYBE A FEW SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

WE SEE LESS AND LESS RAINFALL AS WE HEAD THROUGH FRIDAY, AND EVEN INTO SATURDAY.

THIS MODAL IN PARTICULAR MAYBE EVEN A LITTLE UNDERDONE, BUT OVERALL JUST NO SCATTERED RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE STILL SEEING SOME CHANCES OF.

OVERALL RAINFALL TOTALS, MOST OF US SEEING A HALF AN INCH TO MAYBE AN INCH OF RAINFALL.

MAYBE HIGHER AMOUNTS AS WE GET INTO THOSE HIGHER ELEVATION AREAS.

BUT OVERALL KIND OF THE RAIN THAT WE'VE GOTTEN TODAY.

WE MAY PICK UP A COUPLE MORE TENTHS OF AN INCH THROUGH TOMORROW.

AGAIN, MAYBE HIGHER AMOUNTS INTO OUR MOUNTAIN AND DESERT REGIONS.

AS WE LOOK AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK, IT'S NOT OUT OF THE QUESTION TO SEE A LITTLE BIT MORE MOISTURE BRINGING MORE RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS TO US.

THIS IS SOMETHING WE'RE WATCHING VERY CLOSELY BECAUSE SOME OF THE FORECAST DETAILS ARE STILL A LITTLE UNCERTAIN AT THIS POINT.

A LITTLE DISAGREEMENT AMONG THE MODELS.

SO YOU DEFINITELY WANT TO CHECK BACK AS WE GET A LITTLE CLOSER THERE FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION.

TAKING A LOOK AT OUR FIVE-DAY OUTLOOK, THOUGH, OVERALL, WE GET BACK DOWN TO THE 70s BY TUESDAY.

ALONG THE COAST, WE HEAD FURTHER INLAND, AND WE ARE GOING TO BE SEEING MORE AND MORE CHANGES IN THE TEMPERATURES OVERALL.

WE CONTINUE TO SEE THE CLOUDY SKIES STICKING AROUND.

THE OTHER THING THAT'S STICKING WITH US IS THE HUMIDITY.

ALL OF THAT MOISTURE, IT'S OF COURSE BRINGING INCREASED HUMIDITY.

TEMPERATURES MOSTLY IN THE MID- TO UPPER 80s.

WE HEAD TO OUR MOUNTAIN REGIONS.

WE'RE GETTING BACK TO THE 70s BY THE TIME WE GET TO TUESDAY.

AND THEN WE HEAD TO THE DESERT.

WE STAY OUT OF THE TRIPLE-DIGITS OVERALL.

FRIDAY THE MAIN KIND OF LAST DAY OF INCREASED RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS.

CAN'T RULE OUT A FEW MORE SPRINKLES INTO THE WEEKEND, BUT OVERALL TEMPERATURES START TO CLIMB BACK UP TO START OFF NEXT WEEK.

FOR KPBS NEWS, I'M ACCUWEATHER'S ANNA AZZALION.

>>> COUNTLESS HAVE MARVELLED AROUND THE METAL CREATIONS AROUND BORREGO SPRINGS.

HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED WHO MADE THEM?

WHAT'S THE STORY BEHIND THEM?

KEN KRAMER HAS SOME ANSWERS.

>> Reporter: SO IT'S THE DESERT.

SUN-BAKED NOBODY AROUND DESERT.

AND I'M WALKING AND LOOK THERE, SOMETHING I THINK.

NAH, IT COULDN'T BE.

OUT HERE?

CLOSER LOOK AND OH IT'S REAL.

REAL METAL.

AND IT'S NOT ALONE.

NO, THERE ARE DOZENS OF THEM IN ONES AND TWOS SPREAD OUT OVER ACRES OF THE DESERT AS IF CHALLENGING THE MONSOON CLOUDS.

THEY SEEM ODDLY AT HOME HERE, UNAFFECTED BY BLOWING SAND AND SCORCHING HEAT.

THEY ARE THESE MOST IMPROBABLE UNLIKELY METAL SCULPTURES.

MORE THAN 130 OF THEM NOW, INCLUDING A 350-FOOT DRAGON SURP SERPENT UNDULATING ACROSS THE DESERT.

JUST THIS ONE SO BIG THAT A ROAD RUNS THROUGH IT.

YOU KNOW IF YOU LIVE IN BORREGO OR HAVE VISITED OR HAVE SEEN THEM AROUND AN AREA CALLED GALETA MEADOWS, BUT MAYBE YOU WONDER HOW DID THIS EVER HAPPEN?

WHO DID THIS?

AND THAT'S WHERE WE'RE GOING PICK UP THE STORY, BECAUSE THERE WAS A MAN, THE LATE DENNIS AVERY, A WHIP-SMART ATTORNEY HARLEY-DAVIDSON RIDER AND HEIR TO THE AVERY STICKY LABEL COMPANY.

AND HE IMAGINED WHICH THERE COULD BE PUBLIC ART.

REPLICAS OF PREHISTORIC CREATURES AND WHIMSICAL CREATIONS ON A GIANT SCALE.

BUT WHO COULD DO IT?

HE HAD TO FIND THE RIGHT PERSON TO DO IT.

A SCULPTURE, REALLY TALENTED, BUT WITH A WHIMSICAL, HAPPY, PLAYFUL SIDE.

WELL WE WANTED TO FIND HIM TOO.

SO ROAD TRIP!

♪ AN HOUR'S DRIVE FROM BORREGO, ABOUT 18 MILES EAST OF TEMECULA, IN FACT, ALONG HIGHWAY 79, SUDDENLY, LOOK, MORE OF THESE METAL SCULPTURES ALONGSIDE THE ROAD THERE, AND ANOTHER ONE, AND A SIGN, ENJOY THE VIEW.

ART BY RICARDO BRECEDA.

AND SUDDENLY, ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE ROAD, LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE LOT IS ROW AFTER ROW OF FANTASTICAL CREATIONS FROM RICARDO.

HE DID ALL THE SCULPTURES AND HAS WELDED AND HAMMERED OUT IN SHEET METAL MAYBE A COUPLE MORE HERE IN AGUANGA, CALIFORNIA.

>> I HAVE MARLINS, HORSES, COW, DONKEYS, T-REXS, OCTOPUSES.

>> Reporter: ONE THING ABOUT RICARDO, SOME OF HIS CREATURES MAY BE FRIGHTENING AND INTIMIDATING, BUT THAT'S NOT HIM AT ALL.

HE'LL NEVER BE THE SOMBER ARTIST BROODING OVER LIFE.

THIS WHOLE METAL SCULPTURE THING, HE'S HAVING THE TIME OF HIS LIFE.

>> IT'S FUN.

IT'S MORE THAN FUN.

IT'S A PASSION.

>> Reporter: BORN IN DURANGO, MEXICO, ALL OF THIS STARTED WHEN HIS DAUGHTER ASKED HIM IF HE COULD MAKE LIFE-SIZED DINOSAUR, HE DID, AND IT WAS THE FIRST OF MANY.

SOON THERE WERE FANS FOLLOWING HIM AND HIS WORK.

HE MEETS MORE OF THEM HERE EVERY DAY.

HE CALLS THAT HIS BEST PAY.

>> THE BEST PAY FOR AN ARTIST IS WHEN PEOPLE LIKE WHAT YOU DO.

WHEN PEOPLE ENJOY WHAT YOU DO.

WHEN PEOPLE FEEL WHAT YOU DO.

>> Reporter: BUT HE'S ALSO BECOME QUITE THE SUCCESS.

HE SOLD PIECES TO PEOPLE WHO COME FROM AS FAR AWAY AS CHINA TO SEE HIS WORK.

THIS PLACE, THIS SORT OF OUTDOOR SHOWROOM IS WHERE THIS GENUINELY GENIAL GENIUS IS AT HIS HAPPIEST.

>> HAVING THE PEOPLE COME OVER AND ENJOY THEM AND SMILING.

ITS EVERY DAY A NEW DAY.

WHO ARE YOU GOING TO MEET TODAY.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO SAY.

>> Reporter: HE HAS BEEN COMMISSIONED TO DO GIANT WORKS THROUGHOUT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

HIS BIGGEST, THAT SERPENT IN BORREGO SPRINGS.

HOW DID HE THINK OF IT?

DID THE INSPIRATION COME FROM A DRAGON BOOK OR A PICTURE?

>> WELL, THE DRAGON I MAKE OUT OF MY HEAD.

IT'S NOT DRAGONS IN NO BOOKS NOWHERE.

I MAKE UP DRAGON IN MY HEAD.

>> Reporter: EVERY PIECE, EVERY ONE OF THEM HAS ITS OWN PERSONALITY, RICARDO SAYS.

VERY DETAIL-ORIENTED.

JUST LOOK AT THIS ONE, HORSES AND WAGON LIKE THEY WOULD LAST FOREVER OUT HERE IN THE ELEMENTS, AND THEY JUST MIGHT.

THE CACTUS HE CREATED NEARBY SURELY WILL.

BUT HIS WORK ALSO SEEMS TO HAVE SO MUCH OF HIS SENSE OF FUN.

>> IT'S WHAT I DO.

I MAKE PEOPLE SMILE.

I MAKE PEOPLE HAPPY.

>> Reporter: AN ART CRITIC MIGHT FIND HIDDEN MEANINGS IN RICARDO'S FANTASTICAL SCULPTURES.

HE HAS CHANGED CAREERS, SUFFERED THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AND SOLD COWBOY BOOTS BEFORE HE DID THIS.

AND NOW?

>> IT'S BETTER THAN THE SAN DIEGO ZOO.

>> Reporter: AND IT'S SOMETHING ELSE, I THINK.

IT'S INSPIRING.

THESE PIECES OF ART HERE AND SCATTERED ACROSS THE DESERT ARE AN INSPIRATION TO THINK LARGE, THINK FEARLESSLY.

>> FOCUS ON SOMETHING.

MAKE IT HAPPEN.

DO IT.

JUST DO IT.

.

>> Reporter: AND MOST OF ALL, MOST OF ALL, HAVE FUN.

>> IF YOU WANT TO SEE MORE OF KEN KRAMER'S STORIES ABOUT SAN DIEGO, HE HAS AN ALL NEW EPISODE DEBUTING TONIGHT AT 8:00 RIGHT HERE ON KPBS.

AND YOU CAN FIND TONIGHT'S STORIES ON OUR WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS "EVENING EDITION" HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY BILL HOWE FAMILY OF COMPANIES.

PROVIDING SAN DIEGO WITH PLUMBING, HEATING, AIR, RESTORATION, AND FLOOD SERVICES FOR OVER 40 YEARS.

CALL 1-800-BILL-HOWE, OR VISIT BILLHOWE.COM.

AND BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION.

DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY.

AND BY THE FOLLOWING -- AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU!

♪ ♪