San Diego

This is a tough time to be an animal in this suburb of San Diego -- particularly if you're an animal employed by, sheltered by or exhibited by the cash-poor city government. As the city struggles with its share of the national financial mess, programs involving animals are being hard hit. The City Council last week tentatively approved eliminating the Police Department's K-9 unit and dis- persing its five Belgian Malinois.

5 Entertaining kids can cost parents a fortune. But it doesn't have to. My son and I discovered some inexpensive simple pleasures near our San Diego home on a recent Sunday that gave the two of us three solid hours together with no beeping cellphones, buzzing BlackBerrys or dirty dishes to interrupt our morning. Here's how we pulled it off. Our first stop was the Cottage, a small, family-run restaurant on Fay Avenue in La Jolla that serves a homey breakfast.

San Marcos has one. Vista does too. San Diego has several. Even Folsom in Northern California, a city best known for its state prison, just got one. But Escondido, which fancies itself the capital of affluent Northern San Diego County, has no In-N-Out restaurant. The city came close two decades ago, and therein lies a tale of lasting civic pain and unrequited love for the purveyor of hamburgers and fries.

at Loyola Marymount 65, San Diego 57: The Lions (2-23, 1-8 West Coast Conference) had lost 30 of their last 31 before Vernon Teel secured the win over the Toreros (13-12, 5-5) with key late plays. at Pacific 70, Cal State Fullerton 51: Marcio Lassiter scored 13 points in a loss for the Titans (12-12, 6-6 Big West Conference). Michael Kirby scored 14 points to lead the Tigers (13-9, 6-5).

It began with a visit by a San Diego businesswoman who volunteered at an Afghan refugee camp in Pakistan after the Taliban was pushed from power in 2001. Fary Moini, the owner of two tuxedo shops, was shocked by the poverty and despair at the overcrowded site just across the border from Afghanistan, and moved by the sorrow and confusion she saw in the eyes of the children. When she returned home, she appealed to her fellow Rotary Club members to help do something -- anything -- for the Afghans.

It may have been Valentine's Day, but it was definitely not love at first sight when I checked into Se San Diego. The recently opened hotel couldn't find my reservation; then I was told the restaurant was fully booked for dinner. The room reservation was straightened out as I relaxed in the lobby and was offered the house welcome cocktail: Champagne and vodka with essences of rosemary and cucumber.

San Diego officers shot and killed a 50-year-old man who lunged at them with a 10-inch knife after his wife had made a panicky call to police for help, authorities said Friday. Willard Anthony Bradley stabbed a police dog before advancing on officers, police said. Bradley was pronounced dead at the scene. His 50-year-old wife, whose name was not disclosed, was found dead in the living room of their home in the Paradise Hills neighborhood.

Beverly Hills investment firm Platinum Equity said Monday that it had completed its purchase of the San Diego Union-Tribune from Copley Press Inc. Starting its first newspaper venture, Platinum installed Paul Bridwell as the senior executive of the Union-Tribune with the title of chief restructuring officer. In a news release, Platinum described Bridwell as an experienced turnaround specialist who has served in senior positions at several companies owned by the investment firm. David H.

The union representing Los Angeles police officers is pressuring the owner of San Diego's biggest newspaper to change the paper's editorial stance on labor issues or to fire its editorial writers. The feud is rooted in the recent purchase of the San Diego Union-Tribune by Platinum Equity, a private Beverly Hills firm.

at San Diego 7, Chicago Cubs 2: Kevin Kouzmanoff hit a home run and drove in four runs to help the Padres cap their first 9-0 homestand. at Boston 12, New York Mets 5: Kevin Youkilis and Mike Lowell each hit three-run home runs. at Atlanta 10, Toronto 2: Brian McCann hit two home runs, and the Braves swept the three-game series. Kansas City 3, at St. Louis 2: Pinch-hitter Mike Jacobs' single ended a seventh-inning tie.