SeaWorld unveils plans for new coaster SeaWorld San Diego is preparing to build a 54-foot-drop roller coaster as part of its Manta mega-attraction set to open in 2012. The new ride is expected to thrill funseekers with three to four vertical Gs in the coaster shaped like a giant manta ray. Gliding, flying and diving through more than a dozen twists and turns, SeaWorld officials said riders will feel as if they are a ray, taking flight from sky to sea — so close at times that the Manta’s wings skim the waves. Manta also will feature a unique “launch station” where the passengers will start the ride enclosed in a launch tunnel with larger-than-life images of rays projected on a 270-degree enveloping screen — the first of its kind in the U.S. For more information, call (800) 25-SHAMU, or visit www.seaworldsandiego.com. PB Planning Group seeking new members The Pacific Beach Planning Group (PBPG) is seeking candidates for its annual elections on March 23 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Pacific Beach Library. The PBPG advises the city on new development projects, parking, traffic, future planning and other issues related to the Pacific Beach Community Plan. Candidates must be residents or business owners/operators in Pacific Beach and must attend one PBPG meeting prior to the election. The PBPG meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Pacific Beach/Taylor Library, located at 4275 Cass St. (the next meeting is Feb. 23). For more information and candidate forms, visit www.pbplanning.org or call Marcie Beckett at (858) 483-8908. Applications are due by March 9. SavePB encourages neighbors to report crimes SavePB officials distributed a communication to its members this week urging crime victims to report cases to police. While most recognize there is not necessarily anything investigators can do immediately, SavePB officials said neighbors should not underestimate the importance of reporting criminal activity. ” … Crimes that are not reported don’t become part of the crime statistics, so it is very important to report all crimes,” stated the electronic communication sent to SavePB members. Also, calls for service help determine police staff allocations, so if we report things, we may get more policing in the area.” SavePB officials said neighbors should use the San Diego Police Department’s non-emergency phone number in cases of urgency but not involving serious personal injury, These numbers are (858) 484-3154 or (619) 531-2000. True emergencies should go to 9-1-1. Checkpoint nets 25 arrests The San Diego Police Department took more than two dozen drivers into custody Jan. 28 during a sobriety checkpoint at 2600 Ingraham St. in the Mission Bay Park area. Police said 533 vehicles were screened and 38 motorists were detained for further evaluation. Of those, 25 drivers were arrested for driving under the influence. Authorities said “spike strips” were deployed on two vehicles that failed to stop after being directed to do so. Police issued this summary of the checkpoint: • One driver was arrested for possession of marijuana • 28 vehicles were impounded • Two citations were issued for traffic infractions • Three unlicensed and suspended drivers were issued misdemeanor citations • One suspect was arrested on other criminal charges