New law mandates carbon monoxide alarms A new state law requires that all apartments, condos or single-family dwellings with fuel burning appliances, fireplaces or attached garages have a carbon monoxide detector installed in the home. “Especially in the winter months, the houses are closed up tight and these types of appliances are on,” said San Diego Fire Capt. James Lange. “If these appliances are working well, it’s usually not a problem, but if there’s a problem with the burner or if an appliance isn’t maintained right, you may see signs of carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be deadly.” House appraisals, loans or purchases on homes without a carbon monoxide alarm will not be approved. Lange suggested contacting SDG&E for assistance maintaining or installing carbon monoxide alarms or ensuring that fuel-burning appliances are working properly. Visitor Center gets a new home on Prospect La Jolla’s new Visitor Information Center has recently relocated to its new home on 1162 Prospect St. The knowledgeable visitor center staff provides information on places to stay, must-see attractions and culinary referrals to the best restaurants in town. The visitor center has information for both tourists and locals, offering area maps, coupons and brochures for information on the go. Winter hours of operation are Thursdays through Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Summer hours are daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information call (619) 236-1212. Students’ kidnapper sentenced to 14 years The man who kidnapped and robbed two UCSD students in La Jolla in order to get cash from their ATM in Pacific Beach was sentenced Jan. 9 to 14 years in state prison. Miguel Torres Espinoza, 29, of San Diego, was ordered to pay $645 to Raymond Chung and his girlfriend, Jessica Liu, both 20. He received credit for four months already spent in jail. Both students were in class Jan. 9 and didn’t attend the sentencing. Espinoza had agreed to accept a 14-year term when he pleaded guilty Nov. 21 to two kidnapping counts and two robbery charges. The couple was accosted in the parking lot of the CVS Pharmacy on Villa La Jolla Drive on Sept. 11 around 11 p.m. with an air soft pellet pistol that looked like a real handgun. He forced them to drive to their bank ATM in Pacific Beach and they withdrew $420 in cash. The restitution order includes the cost of their two cell phones, which he took, said Deputy District Attorney Jalyn Wang. Espinoza also stole Liu’s laptop and Chung’s wallet. Police recovered the laptop and some of the money, but no other items. After getting the money, Espinoza suddenly demanded to be let out of the car in a residential area of Pacific Beach. Espinoza did give a quick “thank you” as he exited the car, they testified. The students called police and officers found Espinoza running uphill on Loring Street and Soledad Mountain Road. — Neal Putnam
New middle school parents invited for sneak peek at Muirlands Muirlands Middle School invites parents of incoming sixth-graders to an open house luncheon on Jan. 31 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the school’s auditorium. Prospective families can have their questions answered by faculty, current parents and students, while principal Chris Hargrave will give a presentation along with teachers and foundation members. An optional parent-guided campus tour will be available, as well. RSVPs are requested at bit.ly/TYXVlH. For more information, email [email protected] or [email protected].
