Police seek help solving sexual-assault case Police are looking for tips to help find the man who sexually assaulted a 51-year-old woman in her Point Loma Heights residence on May 13. The San Diego Police Department’s Sex Crimes Unit is investigating the case. “We’re still processing the evidence. We’re still working with the victim to see if we can come up with a composite [sketch] and looking for additional witnesses,” said Lt. Rick O’Hanlon. According to police reports, the suspect broke into the residence at about 4 a.m., taking property and sexually assaulting the woman. The suspect is described as a 5-foot-7-inch white male between the ages of 20 and 30, weighing about 140 pounds. At the time of the crime, the suspect was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and gloves, and the victim said the man smelled like fuel or oil. Anyone with information is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at (619) 531-2210. Earlier trash collection to save $4.4 million Trash collection will soon start at 6 a.m. in residential neighborhoods after the San Diego City Council voted May 11 to switch the current 7 a.m. pickup to the earlier time as part of an effort to save money. There was no discussion by councilmembers and the change in hours was approved in a 7-0 vote on the consent agenda — which typically sports routine matters considered to be noncontroversial. Sanitation workers will work 10 hours a day, four days a week and get three days off. Currently, trash collectors work eight hours a day, five days a week. The change in hours represents a saving of $4.4 million annually, according to city documents. Workers with the city’s Environmental Services Department were mostly in favor of the change in hours, according to Joan Raymond, who represents the workers. The change is also in keeping with delivering trash to the Miramar landfill, which closes at 4:30 p.m. each day to comply with its operating permit. The landfill lease prohibits landfill operations after dark. The change only affects city workers and the city-provided green and blue recycling containers that are picked up mechanically on the street. The decision will not affect private waste haulers and does not involve dumpsters that are typically used in apartment complexes or condominiums. —Neal Putnam Deadlines approach for June 8 election As the June 8 primary elections approach, there are two deadlines before the election that are important for local voters. Registration forms for voters can be found online at www.sdvote.com. Monday, May 24 is the deadline for voters who aren’t currently registered to do so, or who would like to change their party affiliation or who have recently moved or changed their name. All forms must be postmarked or delivered to the county’s Registrar of Voters Office, 5201 Ruffin Road in Clairemont Mesa, no later than 8 p.m. on May 24. In addition, Tuesday, June 1 is the deadline to apply for a mail ballot. Applications for a mail ballot must be received by 5 p.m. June 1 and can be mailed to the Registrar of Voters Office at P.O. Box 85520, San Diego, 92186, or faxed to (858) 694-2955. Voter registration forms are also available at post offices, public libraries and Department of Motor Vehicles offices. Essay winners from OB Elementary honored Fourth-graders from Ocean Beach Elementary School were honored May 7 for their efforts in a Mother’s Day Essay Contest sponsored by the Ocean Beach Woman’s Club.  Mishelle Petry was the first-place winner. Second place went to Zion Snyder and third place was awarded to Nicholas Lafontaine.  Each received a dozen roses for their mothers and a check for themselves.  All 45 participants received a certificate of recognition.  A donation was also made to the school for the arts program. For more information, call (619) 222-1008. Midway transient injured after being hit by car On May 6 at about 8:35 p.m. in the Midway District, a 40-year old male transient was hurt after being struck by a vehicle on Pacific Highway, according to police investigators. The homeless man was walking westbound across Pacific Highway and stepped in front of a car driven by a 26-year-old woman, officials said. According to police reports, the female swerved to avoid hitting the man but her side view mirror struck him, resulting in pelvic injuries and a broken arm. The male was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. OBTC accepting grant requests The Ocean Beach Town Council (OBTC) is seeking grant requests from community groups and organizations. The grant money, made available as a result of money raised by the OBTC Tree Committee, totaled about $15,000 last year, according to officials. To qualify, groups and organizations are asked to submit a one-page letter describing what is to be done with the grant money and the amount being requested. The deadline for requests is Tuesday, June 15. Grant requests should be sent to the OBTC, P.O. Box 7225, Ocean Beach, 92107, or may be made online at [email protected]. OBTC officials said the grants are open to all, but OBTC membership is strongly encouraged. Recipients will be asked to provide a quarterly update that will be posted on the OBTC website. Successful recipients will receive a one-year membership to OBTC, renewable annually. Past recipients of the OBTC grants include Loaves and Fishes, the Ocean Beach Historical Society, Sunset Cliffs Surfing Association, OB Community Foundation, Point Loma High School Boosters, Peninsula Girls’ Softball, Ocean Beach Planning Board and Friends of Famosa Slough. OB teen to compete in SD pageant Jessica Littlefield of Ocean Beach will be competing Sunday, May 23 in the Nationals’ 2010 Miss Teen San Diego pageant. Littlefield learned of her selection by Nationals, Inc. last week after submitting an application and taking part in an interview with the pageant coordinator. Littlefield will be competing for her share of thousands of dollars in prizes and specialty gifts that will be distributed to contestants. She will be competing in the Miss Teen Division — one of four in which young women between the ages of 7 and 19 participate, said pageant officials. The contestants compete in modeling routines — including casual wear and formal wear — but also get a chance to display personality and interviewing skills with the San Diego judging panel. Pageant officials said personality is the No. 1 aspect each contestant is judged on in all phases of the competition. If Littlefield wins the title of Miss Teen San Diego, she will represent the city and the surrounding communities at the Cities of America National Compeition in Orlando, Fla. Community sponsors allow each contestant to receive the necessary training, rehearsals and financial support. For information about sponsorships, call (800) 569-2487.