PLHS again ranked among nation’s best Point Loma High School has once again been named on a list of “America’s Best High Schools.” The list was released May 8 by US News and World Report magazine, in conjunction with the American Institutes for Research. In order to be included, schools must have been rated among the top 1,800 of 22,000 campuses in the United States. Factors examined included performance on state tests and levels of college readiness. PLHS was ranked No. 137 in California and No. 744 nationwide, earning a “Silver” designation. This covers roughly the top 5 percent of schools (those ranked between 501st and 1,000th nationwide) in the rankings. Several other local schools were also listed. Those in the top 500 nationwide — or roughly 2.5 percent — were given “Gold” status. The state/national rankings include: Gold: Preuss Charter School (8/44), La Jolla High (34/167) and University City High (66/371) For complete details, including ratings of colleges, graduate schools and more, visit www.usnews.com/rankings. — Scott Hopkins

OBMA seeks volunteers, cook-off entries Ocean Beach MainStreet Association organizers are putting out the call to fill the final spots for entrants in the wildly popular chili cookoff section of the 33rd annual Ocean Beach Street Fair on June 23. Organizers said there are still roughly 10 spots left for entrants to put their chili-recipe prowess to the test. Entries are $30, and participants must cook up 10 gallons to compete in the event. Applications are available at www.OceanBeachSanDiego.com, at the OBMA office: 1868 Bacon St.  Setup and check-in begins at 7 a.m. on the grassy area just south of the main lifeguard tower and tasting begins at 11 a.m. For more information, call (619) 224-4906. The OBMA is also seeking helping hands to volunteer in various capacities during the OB Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off Festival. Volunteers may sign up for 3- or 4-hour shifts and receive a free event T-shirt. A variety of jobs are available, including setting up chairs and tables at the eating areas, helping sell T-shirts and miscellaneous OBMA products, selling tickets to the chili cook-off, assisting with the community mural, break down and other tasks. To volunteer, call (619) 222 1231, or email [email protected] to leave a street or email address. Applications will be sent.  Robber whose plates got him nabbed faces trial The alleged robber of a Point Loma bank who tried to escape in a vehicle with personalized plates on Jan. 14 will soon learn his trial date. Robert Nathan Alm, 27, is accused of robbing the Chase Bank at 3609 Midway Drive and trying to flee when someone wrote down the license plate: ALMDUDE. Police arrested him two days later. Alm is being detained without bail as a “serious flight risk,” according to court records. He has pleaded not guilty and will next appear in federal court on July 9 to set a trial date. The bank lost nearly $3,000 in the holdup. Alm is also charged with carrying a 9mm caliber Glock handgun. — Neal Putnam