Phase 1 and Phase 2.
“In total, this grant, along with the previous grant is almost $4 million of work that we are going to be performing,” James said. “With the progress that we are making with three separate grants for three of the seven phases of the entire Connect Main Street project, we are hopeful that that gives us city momentum when we start looking out and applying for additional grants to complete the remaining four phases.”
The Green Infrastructure grant program endeavors to maximize op
Hunter sentencing delayed until May
New procedures for courts; busts made for price gouging
By Neal Putnam
For The Alpine Sun
The coronavirus was blamed for the delay in the sentencing of Margaret Hunter, the estranged wife of former Congressman Duncan Hunter, who will now be sentenced on May 4.
The U.S. Attorney’s office and Hunter’s lawyers both asked to delay the April 6 sentencing for Margaret Hunter, 44, citing the outbreak of the coronavirus that has limited federal staffing at U.S. District Court in San Diego.
Judge Thomas Whelan delayed the sentencing April 2 to May 4 and she remains free on $10,000 bond.
Both Duncan Hunter and Margaret Hunter have both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to use campaign funds of his donors.
Duncan Hunter, 43, of Alpine, was sentenced March 17 to 11 months in federal prison. Judge Thomas Whelan allowed him to remain free on $15,000 bond until he surrenders on May 29. He lives with his father in Alpine.
Duncan Hunter asked Whelan not to sentence his wife to prison because she would be needed to take care of their children while he is incarcerated.
When Duncan Hunter appeared before Whelan, he asked the judge to “take sympathy” on his wife “and not give her time in custody.”
Duncan Hunter had blamed his wife for most of the $250,000 losses since she worked as his campaign manager. He paid $60,000 back to the campaign in 2017. He resigned his seat in January after he pleaded guilty.
Court Roundup
with Neal Putnam
The courthouses in El Cajon, San Diego, Chula Vista, and Vista will remain closed through April 30 following an order April 3 by Presiding Judge Lorna Alksne, due to the severity of the coronavirus outbreak.
The courts had been scheduled to open April 6, but the ruling describes the time between April 6 through April 30 as a legal holiday for purposes of computing court deadlines.
Defendants charged with a felony must be arraigned or appear in court within 48 hours of arrest, but the ruling extends this to seven days after an arrest.
Normally, a preliminary hearing must be held within 10 court days of a person appearing in court unless they waive having a speedy hearing. The ruling extends the deadline from 10 to 30 days.
Some defendants in custody who have not waived time are expected to have brief arraignments, or preliminary hearings.
Other exceptions including family emergency temporary restraining orders, unlawful detainers, emergency writs, or emergency conservatorships.
More info can be found on the website sdcourt.ca.gov.
Jury trials have been suspended through May 22 by the chief justice of the California Supreme Court so anyone with a jury duty notice can disregard it up to May 22. Jury services for those called will be considered complete.
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A 53-year-old El Cajon man and seven others were cited for price gouging in attempting to sell overpriced household goods including toilet paper, baby wipes, hand sanitizer, and medical gloves during a medical emergency.
The names of the eight people are not being released because none of them have yet appeared in court due to the court closures following the coronavirus outbreak.
The sheriff’s department cited all eight people and released them. They allegedly advertised the products online. Deputies seized packages of the goods after operating in a plain clothes capacity.
The offenses are misdemeanors and they could face a year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine if convicted.
California law prohibits excessive and unjustified increases in prices for essential consumer goods and services during a declared state of emergency.
The District Attorney, U.S. Attorney, and City Attorney have all issued press releases saying they will prosecute people who wish to profit during this time.
They all have warned the public to beware of people who offer cures for COVID-19.
People who wish to notify officials about cures or price gouging can call Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477 with information and can remain anonymous. Some tipsters may be eligible for a $1,000 reward if their info leads to an arrest.
