♪ >>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS LOOK AT SOME OF THE BEST STORIES FROM KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

I'M JOHN CARROLL.

COMING UP, REMEMBERING A POLITICAL ICON.

WE'LL DEEP INTO THE ARCHIVES FOR SOME OF OUR CONVERSATIONS WITH LEON WILLIAMS.

A GLIMPSE INTO A PRIVATE DETENTION SYSTEM.

HEAR FROM THE FRIEND OF A GERMAN TOURIST DETAINED THE BORDER.

>>> AND SEE THE NEW INSTALLMENT AS THE ERA BEGINS.

>>> WE START WITH A LOOK AT HOW THE HOMELESS SITUATION IS EVOLVING IN SAN DIEGO.

MORE TENTS ARE POPPING UP ALONG THE SIDES OF FREEWAYS, CREATING QUESTIONS OF WHETHER IT'S AN ISSUE FOR THE STATE.

HOW ENCAMPMENTS ARE PLAYING A ROLE.

>> NEON GREEN SIGNS GIVING PEOPLE 24 HOURS NOTICE BEFORE AN ENCAMPMENT SWEEP.

SAN DIEGO HAS INHIBITED IT FOR MORE THAN A YEAR.

THIS WOMAN GOT USED TO IT WHEN SHE WAS CAMPING DOWNTOWN.

THEY FOUND AUTHORITIES WERE LESS LIKELY TO MAKE HER MOVE NEXT TO THE FREEWAY.

>> IS WE WERE NEXT TO THE FREEWAY BY 17th STREET AND THAT WAS OKAY AND THEN MORE PEOPLE STARTED TO COME.

>> PEOPLE WITH THE FATHER VILLAGES STREET HOME TEAM SAY MORE AND MORE HOMELESS ARE CROSSING FROM CITY TO STATE PROPERTY.

IT MAKES IT HARDER AND MORE DANGEROUS TO PROVIDE CARE AND CONNECT PEOPLE TO SERVICES.

>> WE TRY TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO COME OUT FOR HEALTHCARE OUTSIDE OF THE FENCE.

BUT SINCE THEY'VE MOVED BEHIND FENCES NEAR THE FREEWAYS, IT SCARES ME MORE ON A PERSONAL LEVEL.

>> THEY GO WEEKLY TO PROVIDE WOUND CARE, SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELING AND PRESCRIPTION MANAGEMENT.

WITHOUT IT, MINOR ISSUES CAN HAVE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES.

>> THE SMALL INGROWN HAIR TURNS INTO AN ABSCESS.

IF WE CAN'T FIND THEM IN THE INTERIM WHEN IT'S GOING ON, IT GOES FROM IT BEING A MILD WOUND CARE SITUATION TO AN ANTIBIOTIC SITUATION.

>> THE TEAM HASN'T ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO FIND LEE ALVAREZ.

>> I WAS JUST LITERALLY ACROSS THE STREET.

>> THEY MONITOR HER HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND MAKE SURE SHE HAS MEDICATION.

>> IT HELPS CONSIDERABLY.

AS FIRST I WAS HESITANT, BUT WHEN WE SAW THE RESULTS IN THE BLOOD PRESSURE READINGS, THEY WERE MORE NORMAL AND MY HEADACHES, I WASN'T GETTING HEADACHES.

>> JENNY WILKINS MANAGES THE STREET HEALTH TEAM.

SHE SAYS MORE FREQUENT SWEEPS HAVE MADE IT HARDER TO KEEP TRACK OF PATIENTS.

>> ON ONE HAND I HAVE SEEN WHERE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN MORE WILLING TO ACCEPT HELP OR TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ALTERNATE OPPORTUNITIES BECAUSE THEY'RE TIRED OF BEING SHIFTED AND MOVED AROUND AND DISPLACED, YOU KNOW, SO REGULARLY.

AND THEN I'VE ALSO SEEN WHERE PEOPLE HAVE RETREATED INTO THE RECESSES AND THEY'RE, LIKE, NEVER TO BE FOUND.

SO WE'RE LEFT WONDERING WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM, WHERE THEY WENT, ARE THEY OKAY.

>> CITY LEADERS SAY THE CAMPING ORDINANCE HAS HELPED THEM CONNECT PEOPLE TO SHELTER SERVICES.

FRANKLIN COOPER SMITH IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL DEPARTMENT SERVICE'S CLEAN DIVISION.

HE SAYS THE CITY'S OUTREACH STEM TEAM RECENTLY SPENT SEVERAL DAYS AT THIS OPEN SPACE.

>> THEY WERE ABLE TO GET 16 OF THE 20 PEOPLE INTO SOME TYPE OFTEN HOUSING OPTION.

>> BEFORE THE ORDINANCE THEY GAVE 72 HOURS NOTICE.

NOW THEY GIVE 24 HOURS.

>> THEY FOUND THAT AS A REALLY GOOD MIDDLE GROUND OF TRYING TO BE COMPASSIONATE, WHILE ALSO ADDRESSING PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY.

>> ONCE PEOPLE MOVE TO STATE OR PRIVATE PROPERTY, THEY CAN'T ENFORCE THE ORDINANCE.

>> IT'S AN IMAGINARY REAL LINE AND THEY KNOW THEY CAN GO ON THE OTHER SIDE AND THAT'S WHERE OUR RESOURCE STOPS.

WE DON'T GO ON TO STATE, DON'T GO ON TO PRIVATE OR COUNTY PROPERTY.

>> CAL TRANS SAYS IT PRIORITIZEDS REMOVING ENCAMPMENTS THAT ARE A THREAT.

THEY GIVE 48 HOURS NOTICE.

THIS IS THE CAPTAIN OF STPD'S NEIGHBORHOOD POLICING DIVISION AND THEY'RE TALKING WITH STATE AUTHORITIES ABOUT HOW THEY CAN WORK TOGETHER.

>> WE HAVE TO FOCUS ON CITY PROPERTY AND I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN GET INTO THE WORLD OF POLICING 151 MILES OF STATE HIGHWAYS WITHIN THE CITY.

WE JUST DON'T HAVE ENOUGH RESOURCES.

>> LAST WEEK, A BILL WAS ANNOUNCED THAT WOULD ALLOW CAL TRANS TO COORDINATE AND FUND CLEANUP EFFORTS, OUTREACH PROGRAMS AND SHELTER SERVICES.

MAYOR TODD GLORIA CO-SPONSORED THE BILL SAYING HE HOPES IT WILL ADDRESS THE GROWING PROBLEM.

THIS WOMAN IS STILL LIVING IN A TENT BUT NOW AT ONE OF THE CITY'S STATE SLEEPING SITES.

SHE CAN KEEP TRACK OF HER BELONGINGS AND STAY WITH HER HUSBAND AND HER DOG.

>> HAVE SOMEONE KEEP YOUR STUFF AND NOT WORRYING ABOUT IT GETTING STOLEN IS A BIG HELP.

>> IT'S EASIER FOR THE HEALTH TEAM TO FIND HER, A GROWING CHALLENGE.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> SMALLER CITIES ARE SEEING MORE PEOPLE LIVING NEAR FREEWAYS.

MELISSA MAY TELLS US HOW LEMON GROVE IS GETTING FUNDING TO HELP.

>> RAIN AND HAIL SWEPT ACROSS SAN DIEGO COUNTY SUNDAY NIGHT.

>> IT WAS SCARY IN MY OWN HOUSE.

OUR WINDOWS WERE SHAKING.

WE COULD HEAR THE WIND BLOWING THROUGH THE TREES.

AND I JUST IMAGINED SOMEBODY TRYING TO MAKE IT IN A TARP ON MUD IN THAT RAIN AND HOW COLD IT WAS.

>> THAT'S LEMON GROVE MAYOR ALLISON SNOW TALKING ABOUT THE UNSHELTERED RESIDENTS IN HER CITY.

A POPULATION THAT'S BEEN GROWING.

>> WHEN I FIRST GOT HERE IN 2010, THERE WAS MAYBE 30.

SINCE '22, I WOULD SAY IT'S EXPLODED THREEFOLD AND WE'RE UP TO ABOUT 300 PEOPLE.

>> SNOW SAYS NORMALLY ABOUT 150 HOMELESS PEOPLE LIVE HERE IN ENCAMPMENTS ALONG STATE 94 IN NORTH AVENUE.

NOW THE CITY HAS BEEN AWARDED MORE THAN $8 MILLION IN A STATE GRANT FOR RAPID REHOUSING, FOCUSING ON THIS TWO-MILE AREA.

THEY'RE WORKING WITH THE STATE AND CALTRANS TO ACCESS THE AREA.

THE REGIONAL TASK FORCE ON HOMELESSNESS WILL OVERSEE THE PROGRAM.

>> IT ALLOWS US TO DEDICATE NO LESS THAN 85% OF THAT FUNDING PURELY FOR OUTREACH ENGAGEMENT, RENTAL SUBSIDIES, INTENSIVE CARE MANAGEMENT, LANDLORD ENGAGEMENT, HOUSING RETENTION SERVICES AND SUPPORT FOR HOUSING STABILITY.

>> SNOW SAYS THE HOUSING FOR THE PROGRAM ALREADY EXISTS IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> THIS IS NOT A COMMUNITY OF DEADBEATS.

THIS IS A COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE WHO CARE, A COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE WHO GO BUT FOR THE GRACE GO I.

THIS ENCAMPMENT RESOLUTION PROGRAM IS NOT A HANDOUT.

IT'S A HAND UP.

>> SHE SAYS THE GRANT MONEY COULD BE ISSUED WITHIN THE NEXT 90 DAYS AND WE HAVE TWO YEARS TO USE THE FUNDING.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> SAN DIEGO'S FIRST BLACK CITY KOUNLMAN AND COUNTY SUPERVISOR DIED THIS WEEK AT 102 YEARS OLD.

RACIAL JUSTICE AND SOCIAL EQUITY REPORTER SAYS HIS LEGACY LIVES THIS.

>> LEON WILLIAMS FLED THE OKLAHOMA DUST BOWL AS A TEEN, HE ARRIVED IN A SAN DIEGO THAT REFUSED HIM SERVICE AT RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS.

STILL, HE WANTED TO SERVE THE CITY THAT WOULDN'T SERVE HIM.

HERE IS WILLIAMS SPEAKING TO KPBS IN 2015.

>> I WANTED TO CREATE MORE EQUITY AND MORE FAIRNESS AND MORE JUSTICE AND I WAS WATCHING MARTIN KING AND WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO THOSE AFRICAN AMERICANS AND OTHER KIDS IN THE SOUTH.

I WAS SAYING, YOU KNOW, IF THEY CAN DO THAT, I CAN DO SOMETHING HERE.

>> HE WON A CITY-WIDE ELECTION, BECOMING SAN DIEGO'S FIRST BLACK COUNCIL MEMBER IN THE LATE '60s.

THEN ITS FIRST BLACK COUNTY SUPERVISOR.

OPENING THE DOOR FOR MORE TO FOLLOW.

HE WAS THE FIRST BLACK HOMEOWNER IN HIS DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD, KNOWN FOR HIS SIGNATURE FEDORA AND HIS KNACK FOR GETTING PEOPLE TO WORK TOGETHER.

HE USED THAT SKILL TO REVITALIZE DOWNTOWN AND CREATE THE TROLLEY SYSTEM.

WILLIAMS DIED THIS WEEK OF CARDIAC ARREST.

KPBS'S MAUREEN CAVANAUGH IN 2015.

>> IF YOU HAD TO DO IT AGAIN IN TODAY'S CLIMATE WOULD YOU GO INTO POLITICS AGAIN?

>> IF I WERE YOUNG, I WOULD.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> SO YOU WOULD DO IT AGAIN?

>> I WOULD DO IT AGAIN.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> KPBS NEWS.

>>> YOU CAN HEAR MORE FROM LEON WILLIAMS IN THE FREEWAY EXIT PODCAST.

ANDREW BOWEN SPOKE TO HIM ABOUT THE MOVEMENT TO DEFEAT HIGHWAY 252 IN SOUTH CREST IN THE EPISODE TITLED THE FREEWAY REBOLTS.

REVOLTS.

>>> A GERMAN TOURIST HAS SPENT MORE THAN A MONTH AT THE MASON DETENTION CENTER WAITING TO BE DEPORTED.

FRIENDS SAY THIS HAS BEEN A TERRIBLE ORDEAL AND THEY WANT THEIR FRIEND TO BE ABLE TO GO HOME.

>> IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A PERFECT REUNION.

>> THEY WERE GOING TO HAVE A MONTH OF MAKING ART.

THAT WAS OUR PLAN.

>> THAT'S AMELIA LOVING, A DESIGNER WHO RECENTLY MOVED TO LOS ANGELES, TALKING ABOUT HER FRIEND, A GERMAN TATTOO ARTIST SPENDING THE WINTER IN MEXICO.

THEY PLANNED TO SPEND THE WEEKEND IN TIJUANA, CROSS THE BORDER AND DRIVE UP TO L.A. >> WE HAD PRINTED OUT HER RETURN TICKET.

SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO FLY THE 15th OF FEBRUARY LACK TO BERLIN.

>> BUT SHE NEVER MADE IT TO L.A. SHE'S BEEN IN FEDERAL INTEGRATION CUSTODY SINCE JANUARY 25th.

>> SHE LOOKED AT JESSICA'S PASSPORT, SHE NEEDS TO GO TO SECONDARY SCREENING.

SO I LOOK AT HER, I'M GOING TO WAIT RIGHT OUTSIDE FOR YOU.

>> LOVING WAITED TWO HOURS BEFORE A CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION AGENT DELIVERED THE BAD NEWS.

SHE SAYS THE AGENT ACCUSED HER OF PLANNING TO VIOLATE THE TERMS OF HER TOURIST VISA BY WORKING AS A TATOO ARTIST.

>> SHE'S GOING TO GET DEPORTED AND CALL YOU IN A COUPLE OF DAYS FROM GERMANY.

>> THAT'S NOT WHAT HAPPENED.

IN FACT, IT WOULD BE 25 DAYS BEFORE LOVING SAW HER FRIEND AGAIN.

SHE HAS SPENT THE ENTIRE TIME IN FEDERAL DETENTION WHERE SHE'S WAITING TO BE DEPORTED.

KPBS INDEPENDENTLY CONFIRMED THAT SHE'S CURRENTLY IN FEDERAL CUSTODY.

SHE WAS FIRST OBTAINED BY CDP AND THEN TRANSFERRED TO THE DETENTION CENTER, RUN BY I.C.E.

NEITHER AGENCY WOULD COMMENT ON THE SPECIFICS OF THE CASE.

>> I'M A DUMB ARTIST, I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO IN THESE SITUATIONS.

I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO LOOK.

I POST ONLINE, HEY, GUYS, HELP ME OUT.

I CAN'T FIND JESSICA.

DOES ANYBODY KNOW WHAT THEY CAN DO?

MY SOCIAL MEDIA GOES CRAZY.

>> THOSE POSTS GOT THOUSANDS OF VIEWS.

>> I HAVE AN UPDATE ABOUT THE GERMAN TOURIST.

[ SPEAKING IN A GLOBAL LANGUAGE ] >> HER NAME IS JESSICA.

[ SPEAKING IN A GLOBAL LANGUAGE ] >> AND USING PUBLICLY AVAILABLE DATABASES, ONLINE SLEUTHS TRACKED HER DOWN TO OTEI MESA.

ONE OF THOSE POSTS CAUGHT THE EYE OF ASHLEY.

>> I WAS SCROLLING TIKTOK AND CAME ACROSS A VIDEO.

>> SHE LIVES CLOSE TO THE DETENTION CENTER.

>> AT THE END, SHE JUST SAID IS THERE ANYBODY IN THE AREA THAT CAN PUT EYES ON HER AND HELP.

AND I JUST -- I JUST MESSAGED HER.

>> PASKIN SAYS SHE'S NOT A LAWYER OR AN ACT ACTIVITY BUT SOMETHING ABOUT THE STORY JUST GRABBED HER, SO SHE WENT TO VISIT.

>> I THINK MOSTLY IT WAS JUST THE MOM IN ME THAT WAS, LIKE, HER MOM HASN'T HEARD FROM HER AND DOESN'T KNOW WHERE SHE IS AND NO ONE HAD -- AT THAT POINT NO ONE HAD ANY CONTACT WITH HER AT ALL.

>> A FEW WEEKS LATER, LOVING WAS FINALLY ABLE TO SEE HER FRIEND AGAIN.

>> FINALLY I COULD SEE JESSICA.

OH, MY GOD, I WAS CRYING.

I'M SO SORRY, I'M SO SORRY, AND SHE'S LIKE, STOP SAYING SORRY, IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT.

>> THAT'S WHEN LOVING FIRST HEARD ABOUT HER FRIEND'S HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE IN DETENTION.

>> SHE SAYS IT WAS LIKE A HORROR MOVIE.

THERE'S PEOPLE SCREAMING FROM ALL THE ROOMS AROUND, THEY'RE JUST FEEDING HER FOOD THROUGH A LITTLE MAILBOX, AND SHE SAYS SHE DIDN'T HAVE A BLANKET, DIDN'T HAVE A PILLOW.

IT'S BASICALLY A YOGA MAT.

>> SHE SPENT NINE DAYS IN THE FACILITY, WHICH APPEARS TO BE A VIOLATION OF THE AGENCY'S OWN DETENTION STANDARDS THAT SAY THEY'RE ONLY SUPPOSED TO HOLD PEOPLE IN THE FACILITIES FOR 72 HOURS.

AGAIN, CBP WOULDN'T COMMENT ON THE SPECIFICS OF THE CASE.

>> AFTER NINE DAYS SHE SAID SHE STARTED FREAKING OUT AND PUNCHING ALL THE WALLS AND THEN THERE'S LIKE BLOOD EVERYWHERE.

>> LOVING SAYS SHE COULD SEE BRUISES ON HER FRIEND'S KNUCKLES FROM THAT EPISODE.

SHE WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE DETENTION CENTER ON FEBRUARY 2nd, ACCORDING TO A STATEMENT FROM I.C.E.

AND ACCORDING TO A SEPARATE MEMO FROM I.C.E., THE AVERAGE COST OF DETAINING CITIZENS HAS COST AMERICAN TAXPAYERS ROUGHLY $5,000.

>> WHY ARE THE AMERICAN TAXPAYERS SPENDING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS DETAINING TOURISTS?

>> GRINLT RIGHTS ACTIVISTS SAY THIS STORY IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE COUNTRY'S BROKEN IMMIGRATION SYSTEM.

>> IT SPEAKS TO HOW INEFFICIENT THIS WHOLE SITUATION IS.

>> THAT IS PEDRO RIOS WITH THE AMERICAN SERVICE COMMITTEE.

>> THE WHOLE PROCESS IS ABSURD.

IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.

THERE'S A LACK OF APPRECIATION FOR HOW TO MAKE THINGS RUN SMOOTHLY.

IN THE PROCESS, PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING.

>> AS OF MONDAY, SHE WAS STILL IN DETENTION AND HER FRIENDS HAVE NO IDEA WHEN SHE'S GOING HOME.

KPBS NEWS.

>> THE KPBS INVESTIGATIVE BORDER REPORTER, HIS RECENT STORY IS ON RECORDS THAT SHOW THE SAN DIEGO SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT MIGHT HAVE VIOLATED SANCTUARY LAW.

YOU CAN FIND THAT AT KPBS.ORG.

>>> A BUDGET DEFICIT AT A UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT COULD COST LIBRARIANS THEIR JOBS IN THE COMING MONTH.

EDUCATION REPORTER SPOKE TO THE LIBRARIAN ABOUT THE BOARD'S RECENT DECISION.

>> THE CUTS VIOLATE ALL OF OUR GOALS.

>> IT WAS STANDING ROOM ONLY AT LAST MONTH'S BOARD MEETING.

>> IT WAS INCREDIBLE.

I'VE BEEN TO BOARD MEETINGS THROUGH MY WHOLE CAREER, I'VE BEEN AN EDUCATOR FOR OVER 30 YEARS.

I'VE NEVER SEEN A BOARD MEETING LIKE THAT EVER.

>> STEPHANIE IS ONE OF NINE LIBRARIANS WHO WOULD LOSE THEIR JOBS.

THE BOARD VOTED 4-1 TO ELIMINATE POSITIONS.

FINAL LAYOFF NOTICES MUST BE ISSUED BY MAY 15th.

>> I CAN SAY WITH ALL HONESTY THAT IF THIS IS THE END OF MY LIBRARY CAREER, THAT I FEEL SUPPORTED AND VERY LOVED AND VERY APPRECIATED.

>> SHE WEARS A BADGE LETTING LGBTQ+ STUDENTS KNOW SHE'S THERE FOR THEM.

THIS JUNIOR TOLD THE SCHOOL BOARD THAT LIBRARIES HAVE BEEN A SUPPORTIVE PLACE.

>> AS SCHOOL COMMUNITIES BECOME INCREASINGLY UNSAFE FOR BOTH QUEER STUDENTS AND IMMIGRANTS, LIBRARIES AND LIBRARIANS REMAIN ONE OF THE FEW SPACES AS THEY PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH LITERATURE WHERE THEY ARE REPRESENTED AND BELONG.

>> NONE OF THE BOARD MEMBERS IN FAVORITE OF THE CUTS SPOKE BEFORE THE VOTE.

A DISTRICT SPOKESPERSON SAYS THE DISTRICT IS FACING LONG-TERM BUDGET CHALLENGES AND MUST BALANCE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY WITH EDUCATIONAL PRIORITIES OF ITS SCHOOLS.

THE DISTRICT IS FACING A $2.4 MILLION DEFICIT NEXT YEAR.

THEY'RE ALSO EXPECTING ENROLLMENT TO CONTINUE TO DECLINE.

STATE FUNDING IS TIED TO STUDENT ATTENDANCE.

THIS BOARD MEMBER VOTED AGAINST THE CUTS.

>> WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE BRINGING PEOPLE BACK FROM ONLINE IF THEY DON'T HAVE CERTIFIED LIBRARIANS AND TEACHERS AND COUNSELORS.

WHAT DO WE HAVE TO DRAW THOSE PEOPLE BACK?

WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT WORK HERE.

>> HE SAYS THE DISTRICT HAS ENOUGH MONEY IN RESERVES TO AVOID THE CUTS FOR NOW.

IN A MESSAGE TO STAFF LAST WEEK, ACTING SUPERINTENDENT WROTE, THAT IF THE DISTRICT RELIES ON RESERVES WITHOUT ADDRESSING STRUCTURAL IMBALANCES, THEY WILL, QUOTE, FACE THE SAME CHALLENGES NEXT YEAR WITH FEWER OPTIONS.

THE BOARD'S NEXT MEETING IS TUESDAY.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> IT'S BEEN ANOTHER WEEK OF HEADLINES ABOUT JOB CUTS AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

SIDE TECH REPORTER THOMAS FUDGE SAYS CUTS TO NOAA, WHICH RUNS THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE, ARE ALREADY BEING FELT IN SAN DIEGO.

>> DONALD TRUMP HAS CUT HUNDREDS OF POSITIONS AT NOAA, THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION.

THEY WILL NOT REVEAL HOW MANY JOBS HAVE BEEN CUT, BUT THOSE IN SAN DIEGO WHO WORK CLOSELY WITH THE AGENCY SAY THE CUTS WILL BE FELT BY THE PUBLIC BECAUSE OF WHAT NOAA DOES.

>> IT'S LIKE PREDICTING WEATHER, BOTH DAY TO DAY AND WHEN THE BIG ONES COME, LIKE HURRICANES AND TORNADOES, THAT HELP US TO UNDERSTAND HOW MANY FISH WE CAN PULL FROM THE OCEAN AND CONTINUE TO DO THAT BOTH PRODUCTIVELY AND SUSTAINABLY.

>> BRYCE SIMMONS IS A MARINE BIOLOGIST AS THE SCRIPPS INSTITUTION OF OCEANOGRAPHY AND WORKS ON A PARTNERSHIP THAT GOES BY THE ACRONYM THAT GATHERS DATA IN OCEAN-GOING VESSELS ABOUT FISHERIES, OCEAN CHEMISTRY AND POLLUTION.

CLARISSA ANDERSON IS ALSO AT SCRIPPS AND SAYS MANY PEOPLE ABOARD THOSE VESSELS HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS.

>> LAST WEEK WHEN THESE TERMINATIONS BEGAN, ALL OF THE SEAGOING STAFF ON THE NOA ASIDE THAT KEEP THESE FOUR MONTH-LONG CRUISES A YEAR GOING WERE TERMINATED.

>> THE PROGRAM BEGAN WITH THE CRASH OF THE SARDINE POPULATION, WHICH ONCE FED A THRIVING INDUSTRY IN CALIFORNIA.

TODAY ANDERSON SAYS PARTNERSHIPS WITH NOAA ARE IMPORTANT TO FISHERIES AND ALSO IMPORTANT TO WEATHER FORECASTING AND TO THE COAST GUARD, WHO RELY ON OCEAN CURRENT DATA FOR SEARCH AND RESCUE.

>> WITHOUT THEM YOU WOULD REALLY NOT HAVE WEATHER SERVICE MODELS THAT WORK, AND IF YOU FALL IN THE OCEAN YOU ARE GOING TO BE FOUND 40% LATER THAN YOU WOULD HAVE IF WE DIDN'T HAVE THIS DATA BECAUSE THE COAST GUARD REQUIRES THIS DATA IN THEIR MODELS TO TUNE THEM AND MAKE THEM ACCURATE SO PEOPLE CAN BE FOUND.

>> THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IS A PART OF NOAA.

NOAA PUBLIC AFFAIRS WOULD NOT COMMENT ON WHETHER CUTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO SAN DIEGO'S OFFICE.

>>> THE WAVE WATER PARK IN VISTA NEEDS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIRS.

NORTH COUNTY REPORTER SAYS THERE ARE DIFFERING OPINIONS ON HOW TO DO THAT.

>> DOES THIS LOOK LIKE A MODERN FACILITY?

THIS COUNCIL MEMBER IS GIVING KPBS A TOUR OF THE WAVE WATER PARK.

WHEN IT FIRST OPENED IN 1994 IT WAS STATE OF THE ART.

THE PARK WAS THE FIRST IN THE WORLD TO USE A FLOW RIDER TO POWER THE LAZY RIVER.

BUT 31 YEARS LATER, IT'S SHOWING ITS AGE.

THERE'S BROKEN CONCRETE ON THE WALKWAY, RUST ON THE SUPPORT POLES, AND LEAKS IN THE BATHROOMS AND CHANGING ROOMS.

>> A LOT OF THIS FACILITY IS VERY, VERY OLD.

AND WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY NOW TO BRING THE PUBLIC IN AND SAY WE'RE GOING TO MODERNIZE IT, IT'S GOING TO COST US THIS AMOUNT OF MONEY.

LET'S FIGURE OUT HOW WE PAY FOR IT.

>> A RECENT ANALYSIS SHOWS THE PARK NEEDS AROUND $3.5 MILLION IN REPAIRS TO BRING IT UP TO CODE, AND ANOTHER $15 MILLION OVER THE NEXT TEN YEARS TO KEEP IT SAFE AND OPERATIONAL.

>> UPGRADES THAT WE'RE STRUGGLING TO FIND A WAY TO AFFORD.

>> MAYOR JOHN FRANKLIN SAYS ONE WAY IS TO TURN IT OVER TO A PRIVATE ENTITY TO MAKE IT PROFITABLE.

>> THE GOAL IS TO BRING SOMEONE WHO MIGHT HAVE A BETTER BUSINESS ACUMEN TO MAKE SURE WE LOSE AS LITTLE MONEY AS POSSIBLE AND HOPEFULLY TURN A PROFIT.

THAT WOULD GIVE US AN ABILITY TO REIN INVEST.

>> THE CITY COUNCIL REJECTED THAT IDEA AT ITS LAST MEETING.

>> A PRIVATE OPERATOR IS NOT GOING TO GIVE THE CONSIDERATION TO THE PUBLIC THAT THE CITY OF VISTA IS GOING TO GIVE TO THE PUBLIC.

AND WE JUST KNOW THAT THAT'S THE WAY IT IS.

>> THE COUNCIL WILL DISCUSS THE FUTURE OF THE WAVE AT ITS MEETING IN JUNE.

THAT COULD INCLUDE A PHASED APPROACH TO REPAIRS AND EXPANDING AMENITIES AND OPERATING DAYS AND HOURS.

CURRENTLY THE PARK IS ONLY OPEN DURING SUMMER MONTHS.

FOR NOW, STAFF ARE GETTING THE WAVE READY TO OPEN IN MAY, INCLUDING RESURFACING THE LAZY RIVER AND REPLACING THE PUMPS FOR THE FLOW RIDER.

>>> LAST WEEKEND SAN DIEGO OFFICIALLY STARTED ITS MLS ERA WITH THE FIRST HOME GAME FOR SAN DIEGO FC.

IT'S THE LATEST CHAPTER IN A RICH SOCCER HISTORY IN OUR BORDER REGION AND THAT'S THE FOCUS OF THE LATEST KPBS DIGITAL SERIES.

HERE IS KPBS REPORTER.

>> SAN DIEGO SOCCER, CHILDRENS', MEN'S AND WOMEN'S AND NOW SAN DIEGO FC, THE FIRST MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER TEAM HAS ARRIVED.

>> SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN AN ABSENCE, HAVING THAT PRO FEEL IN THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO.

IT'S AMAZING.

WE GOT TO WATCH THE GAMES.

>> SOCCER IN THE SAN DIEGO REGION IS HAVING ITS MOMENT.

>> REALLY BIG SOCCER FAN.

>> WE'RE A SOCCER FAMILY.

WE WATCH SOCCER ALL THE TIME.

WE'VE BEEN TO SNAPDRAGONS SEVERAL TIMES.

>> FOUR TEAMS HAVE RISEN TO TOP TIER PROFESSIONAL LEAGUES.

>> IT'S FOR THE GOOD OF THE COMMUNITY, FOR THE GOOD OF SPORTS BECAUSE WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE THE ONLY ONES.

>> AND WITHIN 25 MILES OF ONE ANOTHER.

HERE IN SAN DIEGO AND TIJUANA.

>> I WATCH CLUB TEAMS.

>> HOW DID WE GET HERE?

IT WASN'T BY CHANCE.

THERE'S A LONG AND RICH SOCCER CULTURE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BORDER.

>> WE NOTICED THERE WERE A LOT OF PLAYERS THAT WOULD COME OUT BECAUSE THERE WAS NOWHERE ELSE TO PLAY.

>> WE'RE EXPLORING THE ORIGIN STORY OF SOCCER IN SAN DIEGO AND TIJUANA.

>> IT'S NOT IN THE STADIUMS, BUT IN THE STREETS.

AND IT'S A CULTURE THAT MAKES OUR BORDER REGION SPECIAL.

>> WHICH IS RIGHT OUTSIDE DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO AND WE'RE AT A SESSION.

>> UNDER THE FREEWAYS OF BARRIO LOGAN'S PARK, DOZENS OF PEOPLE GATHERED TO PLAY SOCCER.

>> I'LL DO SOMETHING NICE AND THEY'LL CALL ME THE MAESTRO.

>> IT'S A COST-EFFECTIVE WAY TO KEEP UP WITH THE LOVE OF THE GAME.

>> I THINK IT'S ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, THERE'S A PAY FOR PLAY MODEL.

EVERYBODY IS WELCOME.

WE SEE EVEN LIKE SOME SMALL KIDS COME OUT AND PLAY, AGE GROUP VARIES, BETWEEN 20s, 30s AND 40s.

IT'S ALL ABOUT HAVING FUN.

>> THESE OFFER A PLAYING SURFACE THAT UTILIZES THE MOST OF WHAT'S AVAILABLE.

>> IT GOES BACK TO WHEN WE GREW UP, WE DIDN'T HAVE THESE FREE PICKUPS.

IT'S NICE TO BRING IT TO THE COMMUNITY AND HAVE EVERYBODY ENJOY THE BEAUTIFUL GAME.

>> JUST A STONE'S THROW AWAY ACROSS THE BORDER IN TIJUANA, A SIMILAR PASSION FOR THE GAME HAS DEEP ROOTS.

>> WE'VE BEEN PLAYING SOCCER IN MEXICO A LONG TIME AGO.

A SOCCER BALL AND A BOTTLE OF WATER, AND SOCCER IS LIFE.

>> ON A MASSIVE SOCCER COMPLEX, HUNDREDS OF YOUTH FROM ACROSS MEXICO AND PARTS OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY PLAY THE BEAUTIFUL GAME.

>> FROM TIJUANA OR NEARBY.

BASICALLY IT'S, LIKE, A SOCCER SCHOOL FOR KIDS FROM 3 YEARS TO 17.

>> IT'S PART OF THE ACADEMY SOCCER SYSTEM WHICH FEEDS INTO SYSTEMS IN THE AREA.

IF KIDS AREN'T PLAYING PICKUP IN THE STREETS OR WITH THEIR SCHOOL, IT'S USUALLY A CLUB OR ACADEMY ENVIRONMENT.

>> BASICALLY IT'S A SOCCER SCHOOL.

>> LIKE MANY THINGS, THAT PASSION FLOWS INTO SAN DIEGO.

>> I GREW UP IN MEXICO SO IT'S A VERY COMMON PART OF THE CULTURE AND YOU TRANSMIT THAT TO YOUR KIDS.

>> I START IN REC BECAUSE I REALLY WANTED TO PLAY SOCCER.

BECAUSE I PLAYED IT A LOT IN SCHOOL AND I THOUGHT IT WAS REALLY FUN.

>> A GROUP OF YOUNG GIRLS AND BOYS PRACTICE ON A FIELD FOR THEIR AYSO UNITED TEAMS, INCLUDING THESE TWO CAPTAINS.

>> I DECIDED TO PLAY SOCCER BECAUSE EVERYBODY WAS PLAYING, MY DAD, MY SISTER.

>> I'M REALLY LEANING TOWARD BECOMING A PROFESSIONAL SOCCER PLAYER.

>> THEY'RE PLAYING FOR ONE OF THE LARGEST SOCCER ORGANIZATIONNESS THE UNITED STATES AND IT KEEPS GROWING.

>> THE AMOUNT IT'S BLOWN UP OVER THE LAST, I DON'T KNOW, TEN YEARS, HAS JUST BEEN INSANE.

YOU GO EVERYWHERE NOW AND PEOPLE TALK ABOUT SOCCER.

>> MIX THAT WITH THE SHARED IDENTITY OF SAN DIEGO AND TIJUANA AND YOU HAVE A FLAVOR OF SOCCER YOU WON'T FIND ELSEWHERE.

>> SOCCER IS POPULAR IN SO MANY OTHER COUNTRIES, SO BEING PART OF THAT CULTURE HERE, IT LETS YOU CONNECT WITH OTHER COUNTRIES AS WELL.

AND THAT'S NOT AS OBVIOUS OR EASY WITH OTHER SPORTS.

>> UP NEXT, PART TWO, THE EARLY DAYS OF PROFESSIONAL SOCCER IN OUR BORDER REGION.

>> THAT STORY WAS REDUCED FOR THE SOCCER ALAFROTERA SERIES.

YOU CAN LEARN MORE AT KPBS.ORG.

WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS LOOK AT KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

I'M JOHN CARROLL.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.