Man pleads guilty to murder in DUI?case A man with five drunk-driving convictions pleaded guilty to second-degree murder Tuesday, Oct. 14, after causing a fatal accident on Interstate 8 near the Mission Bay Drive exit while driving under the influence. John Joseph Taskey, 47, of La Mesa, will receive a sentence of 15 years to life in state prison, according to court records. San Diego Superior Court Judge Jeff Fraser set sentencing for Nov. 12. Rosa Degerman, 76, and her family were on their way to watch the sunset at Sunset Cliffs on Sept. 13, 2007, when their vehicle was struck by Taskey’s pickup around 6:30 p.m. Charges of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, drunk driving, injury to a person over 70 years of age and driving under the influence of alcohol with prior convictions were dropped after he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. The sentence in the murder charge is longer than any term with the other dismissed charges. Taskey was on parole when the incident occurred. He went to prison for the first time on his fifth drunk driving conviction in 2006, said Deputy District Attorney David Grapilon. The second-degree murder charge includes the element of “willful disregard for life,” Grapilon said, and he said it was appropriate in this case. Taskey’s blood/alcohol level in this incident was .10, said the prosecutor. Degerman died of her injuries the next day in a hospital. Her adult son received a concussion, and her 11-year-old granddaughter suffered a fractured shoulder. Taskey was also injured. He remains in county jail on $1 million bail. Lotsa Pasta hosts PB?Town Council fundraiser The Pacific Beach Town Council (PBTC) is inviting the public to join its members for a fundraiser dinner at Lotsa Pasta Tuesday, Oct. 28, from 5 to 8 p.m. Lotsa Pasta will donate a proceed from the check when diners present a fundraiser flier with their bill. Copies of the flier were included in the PBTC’s October newsletter or can be picked up at the PBTC office, 1706 Garnet Ave. For information call (858) 483-6666. Costumed kids head to PB?Rec for Halloween carnival Goblins, ghosts and pirates are taking over the Pacific Beach Recreation Center for its annual Halloween carnival Friday, Oct. 24. The carnival will include carnival games, arts and crafts, food, a cakewalk and a costume contest. The costume contest is organized by age group. 2 and under – 5 p.m. 3-5 years old – 5:20 p.m. 6-8 years old – 5:40 p.m. 9-12 years old – 6 p.m. 13 and older – 6:20 p.m. The PB Rec Center is located at 1405 Diamond St. For information call (858) 581-9927. Bloodmobile pulls into Big O Tires Oct. 23 The San Diego Blood Bank’s bloodmobile is pulling into Big O Tires, 1106 Garnet Ave., Thursday, Oct 23, from noon to 5 p.m. to accept blood donations. Donors must be at least 17 years old, in good health and weigh at least 110 pounds. It is recommended that donors eat a good meal before giving blood. For information or to make an appointment, call the blood bank at (800) 469-7322. Soledad Mtn. Road open one year after landslide City officials marked the year anniversary last week of the Oct. 3, 2007, Soledad Mountain landslide, reopening Soledad Mountain Road — a thoroughfare that allows access for Pacific Beach and La Jolla residents. After working on the closed road for more than one year, most of it is open, said Rupert Adams, geologist with HelenSchmidt Geotechnical. “The road is now open,” Adams said. “They opened it Wednesday or Thursday last week. The mayor was there. But it’s not quite fully complete.” Though traffic can now travel through Soledad Mountain Road, Adams says work still needs to be completed on Desert View Drive, the alley below Soledad Mountain Road. When Soledad Mountain Road at Desert View Drive collapsed last year, some residents who were forced to evacuate learned the hard way that their homes had a history of landslides dating back to 1961. The collapse damaging about 45 homes. Eventually the city razed three homes. The hillsides behind these houses had been slipping into the alley for several years but they didn’t realize the severity of the situation, said Battalion Chief Bruce Cartelli with the San Diego Fire Department last October. At about 9 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2007 Engine Company 16 received an emergency call. Soledad Mountain Road was gaping open. Oddly enough, San Diego Fire Department battalion chiefs and commanders were already on their way to the scene: they said they were concerned about Soledad’s immanent danger and wanted to create a contingency plan, Cartelli said. After the dust settled, homeowners battled with the city over who was responsible for property loss. Attorneys continue litigation against the city. One year and eighteen days later, Soledad Mountain Road reopened, Adams said. Adams said HelenSchmidt continues the excavation and repair of the alley at Desert View Drive, which should reopen around April. Dogs dress up for Howl-O-Ween Festival The Ocean Beach Canine Carnival returns with its third annual Howl-O-Ween Festival and Street Fair with another free party for the dog owners Sunday, Oct. 26. The carnival is scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. along Santa Monica Avenue between Ebers Street and Sunset Cliffs Boulevard. The event will feature games, a canine costume parade with prizes, a silent auction and a street fair with food and goodies for both pets and people. Event organizers have also named the Bandit the Biker Dog to to serve as grand marshal of the costume parade. The costume contest is expected to feature multiple judging categories, including single dog, groups of two or more dogs and floats. Floats will feature dogs riding in wagons and on skateboards. All registered dogs will receive a special gift bag and are eligible for prizes. Judging will occur throughout the event until the end of the parade. Dog registration will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., followed by a parade of the registered dogs at 2 p.m. Prizes will be awarded around 3 p.m. The event is free for people, but registration is $5 for a single dog and $8 for groups and floats. A city ordinance requires dogs to be restrained on a leash with a maximum length of six feet at all times. For more information email [email protected] or call (619) 225-8705. Church invites public to special dedication service The Pacific Beach Christian Church is dedicating its new sanctuary as part of a special worship service Sunday, Oct. 26, at 10:30 a.m. The church is located at 1074 Loring St. For information call (858) 483-4504 or visit www.pbchristian.com