Sexual assault reported in Midway area San Diego police investigators are asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspect in a sexual assault Saturday afternoon, after the man reportedly attacked a 36-year-old woman carrying groceries home on Kemper Street in the Midway area. Investigators said the attacker pulled the woman into the bushes as she walked near the Point Loma Shopping Center west of Kenyon Street around 3:45 p.m. The victim described her attacker as a black man around 30 years old, about 5-feet-10-inches tall with short to medium-length hair and a thin, muscular build. Investigators said the man sported a stubbly beard and was last seen wearing a black T-shirt and blue jeans. Anyone with information is urged to call the San Diego Police Department’s Sex Crimes Unit at (619) 531-2210. SD Superior Court seeks grand jury applicants The San Diego Superior Court is actively seeking applications from residents throughout the area to serve on the 2011-12 San Diego County Grand Jury. Court officials said they are searching for “dedicated individuals with sound judgment” to sit on the grand jury, which investigates citizen complaints and performs the traditional function as a “watchdog” over government agencies. The county grand jury does not conduct criminal investigations. The 19-member panel will work four days a week for about six hours a day between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012 at the Hall of Justice in downtown San Diego. Grand jurors draw a small stipend per day — along with mileage — and downtown parking is provided, according to court officials. All application forms must be received by Jan. 14. Qualified candidates will be nominated for a random drawing tentatively scheduled to take place June 3. The drawing gives each supervisorial district equal representation by population. Applications may be obtained by calling (619) 450-7272, or in person at the San Diego Superior Court civil business offices and in the central (downtown), northern, southern and eastern branches of the court. Potential jurors may also download an application from the San Diego Superior Court’s website at www.sdcourts.ca.gov, or the San Diego County Grand Jury’s website at www.sdcounty.ca.gov/grand-jury. Robber wearing Halloween mask hits OB gas station San Diego police are probing a gas station robbery in Ocean Beach on Sunday afternoon, during which the suspect reportedly sported a Halloween mask. The suspect struck the Shell station at 4794 Voltaire St. around 4:15 p.m. and indicated he had a handgun, police said. The man demanded cash and fled on foot, according to investigators. The robber is described as a black male, about 5-feet-8-inches-tall with a husky build and a goatee. He was last seen wearing a dark shirt and dark-colored pants. Anyone with information is urged to call the San Diego Police Department’s Robbery Division at (619) 531-2299. Silver Gate to host fundraising tree sale Silver Gate Elementary School will host its inaugural Holiday Tree Sale on Saturday, Dec. 4 to raise money for the Silver Gate Foundation. The sale will feature both grand fir and noble fir trees, ranging between four-feet- and nine-feet-high. Proceeds from the sale benefit the foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides financial support to the school’s enrichment programs. School officials said trees are available for pre-order or on the day of the sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Silver Gate field. The school is located at 1499 Venice St. in Point Loma. For more information, call (619) 954-4242, or visit www.silvergateschool.-com. Loma Portal residents set to Deck the Poles Residents of Loma Portal will again join in an annual neighborhood-wide holiday tradition of decorating local lamp posts. The Deck the Poles event takes place Sunday, Dec. 5 from 2 to 4 p.m. Neighbors are encouraged to pick a pole, bring family and friends and get creative with decorations. The lamp poles are the centerpiece of Loma Portal’s unique residential experience. For more information, contact Patricia Walsh at [email protected]. SDFD warns of carbon monoxide poisoning signs The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department (SDFD) is reminding the public of the warning signs of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning after fire officials responded to a call Nov. 24 in which a resident’s carbon monoxide alarm had gone off. The resident had used the oven as a heater, according to fire officials. The SDFD reminds the public during the cold-weather season that CO poisoning is a threat because it is odorless and can kill a person in minutes. Symptoms include severe head-aches, confusion, shortness of breath and mild nausea. Often the symptoms are similar to the flu, so victims do not necessarily realize they are being poisoned. The fire department said those affected by possible CO poisoning should get fresh air and open windows and doors immediately. Those affected should go to an emergency room, where poisoning can be diagnosed with a blood test. The SDFD warns not use a gas oven as a heater and or use a charcoal grill indoors. For more information, call (619) 533 -4300. Cabrillo Clubs of Calif. to offer scholarships Graduating high school seniors of Portuguese descent who qualify may begin applying for $500 scholarships to be given June 2011. Applications have been distributed to all of the city and county schools to find candidates. To qualify, a student must have a grade-point average of 3.5 or better and have been involved in school and community service. The deadline for applications is March 15. For information, call (760) 305-8021, e-mail [email protected], or visit www.cabrillocivicclubs.-org. OB surf shop to hold Holiday Skate Jam Ocean Beach Surf & Skate will host its sixth annual Holiday Skate Jam in the OB Pier parking lot Saturday, Dec. 4 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Entry for the all-day event is free. Open skate takes place from 10 a.m to 1 p.m, with skate contests from 1 to 4 p.m. and open skating from 7 to 9 p.m. Entry forms are available at the shop, 4976 Newport Ave. For information, call (619) 225-0674, or visit www.obsurfandskate.-com.