The Coast News

The Oceanside City Council unanimously approved the Police Department’s addition of two drones and its inventory of “military-grade” equipment as part of an annual state-mandated review.

Oceanside police add two drones to military-grade inventory | The Coast News Group The City Council unanimously approved the Police Department’s addition of two drones and its inventory of “military-grade” equipment.

The Encinitas City Council approved a balanced budget for fiscal year 2026-27 that adds four new city positions — including an urban forester and lifeguard sergeant — while maintaining a projected General Fund surplus and reserve levels.

Encinitas budget adds four city positions | The Coast News Group The Encinitas City Council approved a balanced budget for fiscal year 2026-27 that includes four new positions at City Hall.

The Leucadia Farmers Market is back in business at a new home, following a contentious appeal process that delayed its relocation and sparked debate over neighborhood impacts, public process and online harassment.

Leucadia Farmers Market returns after appeal fight | The Coast News Group The Leucadia Farmers Market is back in business at a new home, following a contentious appeal process that delayed its relocation.

Oceanside is investing opioid settlement dollars into local programs aimed at preventing youth substance abuse and expanding access to treatment and recovery services. See which organizations received funding.

Oceanside awards opioid settlement funds for youth drug prevention | The Coast News Group Oceanside has set aside funding from a state opioid remediation program, which uses money from a national opioid settlement.

Free summer meals are available for kids across North County.

We've rounded up locations in Oceanside, Escondido, San Marcos, Vista, Carlsbad and Fallbrook where children and teens can receive free meals while school is out for the summer.

Check out our full list of sites and meal times.

North County locations offer free summer meals for families in need | The Coast News Group School districts, city libraries and other organizations across the region are providing free summer meals for children and families in need.

Escondido's financial outlook is improving, with city staff projecting an $8.7 million operating budget surplus at the close of the current fiscal year and a $5.5 million surplus next year, driven largely by revenue from the city's new Measure I sales tax.

Measure I eases Escondido’s operating budget woes | The Coast News Group The city’s financial outlook is improving, with staff expecting to close the current fiscal year at the end of June with an $8.7 million operating budget surplus

Woodland Park Pool has reopened just in time for summer following a five-month renovation project funded by the city’s Measure Q sales tax.

San Marcos reopens Woodland Park Pool following repairs | The Coast News Group

Two-time Olympian Bryce Ava Wettstein may be competing on some of the biggest stages in skateboarding, but a weekend back home in Encinitas showed she's still the same person who grew up skating at the YMCA.

Between stops on the 2026 WST World Cup tour and upcoming X Games League events in Sacramento and Chiba, Japan, Wettstein returned to the Magdalena Ecke YMCA Skate Park, where she first started skating at age 5. She spent the day signing helmets and skateboards, writing personalized messages for young fans and sharing what she loves most about those moments.

“Every time I sign a board or sign something or just have an interaction, it feels like a place to pause,” Wettstein told The Coast News. “It's like a good interruption. I always feel like it's a very spiritual moment.”

The weekend also included concerts at Johnny Radz and The Roxy, where Wettstein mixed original songs, covers, poetry, freestyle raps and even origami hearts into performances that felt every bit as expressive as her skateboarding.

Now 22, Wettstein says she's learned something important from both music and skateboarding:

“You can just show up exactly how you feel and are. And that's the biggest gift to all of us — just having fun. Now I'm 22, so I feel like I'm just so ready to be exactly who I am.”

Read the full story at thecoastnews.com. Story link in comments below.

Photos by Summer Hu/The Coast News.

The San Diego County Water Authority today proposed a 3% rate increase for 2027, with similar adjustments tentatively planned through 2032.

County Water Authority proposes 3% water rate hike for 2027 | The Coast News Group

A newly released citywide facilities report has found that the City of Encinitas faces nearly $50 million in facility repairs over the next decade, warning of a $29 million maintenance backlog and the potential for several popular parks and public facilities to fall into poor condition within just a few years.

Encinitas facilities need $49M in repairs over next decade, report finds | The Coast News Group A newly released citywide facilities report has found that Encinitas faces nearly $50 million in facility repairs over the next decade.