Cause of Kate Sessions Park grass fire unknown Fire investigators have not yet determined the source of a grass fire that blackened about a half-acre of brush around the perimeter of Kate O. Sessions Memorial Park on June 29. The cause of the flare up remains under investigation, according to Maurice Luque, a spokesman for the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department. Flames broke out about 2:15 p.m. Wednesday near the back of the park. Firefighters used a helicopter to make at least two water drops to help extinguish the blaze. Although firefighters took a precautionary stand near Edgeworth and Crosshill roads near neighboring homes, the structures were not threatened, according to fire officials. The grass fire was extinguished in about 45 minutes and no injuries were reported, said officials. Girl slightly hurt after being run over by lifeguard A toddler reportedly suffered only bruises after she was accidentally run over by a lifeguard vehicle June 30 at the foot of Law Street in north Pacific Beach shortly after 7 p.m., said fire officials. The driver of the lifeguard vehicle reportedly did not see the 3-year-old because she was under a towel at the beach, according to Maurice Luque, a spokesman for the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department. The child was taken to Rady Children’s Hospital and was found to have bruising but no other apparent trauma or signs of internal injuries. The San Diego Police Department is investigating the case, said Luque. Killer in 2008 PB case sent to mental hospital A Pacific Beach man who was convicted of second-degree murder in the 2008 slaying of his roommate has been committed to a state mental hospital after a judge determined he wasn’t mentally competent to be sentenced. San Diego Superior Court Judge Fred Maguire agreed with court-appointed psychologists that Ian Alex Suazo, 24, didn’t understand the court proceedings and ordered Suazo to Patton State Hospital. Although Maguire issued the order on May 13, Suazo remains in the central jail awaiting transfer to the facility in San Bernardino. Patton is currently filled to capacity, which has space for 1,287 patients. Suazo’s attorney, Richard Gates, said he’s not surprised that Suazo is still awaiting transfer, even though it has been six weeks the judge’s order. He said that Patton waits until there is a vacancy before accepting another person who is committed there by a judge. Gates said his client needs treatment now, but added that many people languish in local jails awaiting transfer until there is a vacancy. A jury found Suazo guilty in March 2010 and found that he was sane when he stabbed 39-year-old Ocie Raines to death in their Agate Street apartment on Sept. 24, 2008. Suazo went outside and walked into the street deliberately and was hit by a car on Mission Boulevard. Doctors at Patton will treat Suazo, and if he regains his mental competency, he will be sent back to San Diego for sentencing. He faces 16 years to life in prison. —Neal Putnam MB Sports Center wins new lease The Mission Bay Sports Center got a new 20-year lease with the city that increases its rent from $45,000 to $70,000 annually, reportedly the current market level. The center is open to the public at 1010 Santa Clara Place in Mission Bay Park. The center teaches beginning-through-intermediate levels in sailing, surfing, body boarding, water skiing, kayaking, rowing/paddling, wake boarding and windsurfing. The owners have pledged nearly $800,000 in improvements, including a new dock, new landscaping and irrigation, new restrooms, and building upgrades. Solar energy panels will be used. The San Diego City Council approved the new lease on June 21 in a 7-0 vote in a motion by District 6 Councilwoman Lorie Zapf. Councilmember Kevin Faulconer was absent. The owners made improvements to the city-owned building that included new fencing, re-staining the building and modification of the storage yard, according to a city report. The previous lease expired in October 2005, and the center was currently on a month-to-month tenancy. The $70,000 annual rent will be adjusted every five years, and a market-level adjustment would come after 10 years. —Neal Putnam Charger pleads not guilty in PB DUI case San Diego Chargers linebacker Antwan Applewhite pleaded not guilty June 14 to two misdemeanor drunken-driving charges in Pacific Beach and has a court hearing set for July 26. Applewhite, 25, didn’t have to appear in San Diego Superior Court because the charges are misdemeanors. His attorney entered the not guilty plea on his behalf. Applewhite was arrested May 6 about 2:25 a.m. on Grand Avenue near Gresham Street after allegedly failing a sobriety test. The judge set a readiness conference for July 26 and a trial date will be set later if the case is not resolved. Applewhite has retained high-profile attorney Kerry Steigerwalt. If Applewhite is convicted of misdemeanor drunken driving, he faces a maximum sentence of six months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. A jail sentence is unlikely without property damage or a collision. Applewhite remains free on bond. —Neal Putnam