Community cleanup, homeless forum planned Following on the heels of a July 6 community forum to address the plight and impact of the local homeless population and other quality-of-life issues in Ocean Beach, a two-pronged campaign is set to be launched later this month. The Ocean Beach Inter-faith Community, which hosted the last community forum, is planning a breakfast for the needy on Saturday, Aug. 21 at 7:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church, located at 4790 Santa Monica Ave. Following the breakfast, a community cleanup will take place to tackle problem alleys in Ocean Beach. According to organizers, dumpsters, some bags and a few tools will be provided. Participants are urged to bring heavy gloves and cleanup tools like rakes, brooms and weed whackers. Then, on Tuesday, Aug. 24 at 7 p.m., organizers will host a second community forum to develop action items addressing homelessness issues and form committees to work on community-specific projects. Some of the action items identified in the original July 6 forum were construction and improvement of beach bathroom facilities, a possible emergency drop-in shelter and /or community center, along with job mentoring and drug/alcohol abuse counseling and treatment programs. The forum takes place at the Church Hall of First Baptist Church. For more information, call (619) 223-7187. Police probe robbery of phone retail store San Diego police are investigating the commercial robbery of an AT&T Wireless retail store on Sports Arena Boulevard after two suspects made off with various merchandise Aug. 1. The incident, which occurred shortly after 2 p.m., unfolded when two men entered the store in Loma Portal and claimed to be armed, according to investigators. The suspects then demanded money and grabbed several items off the shelves before escaping on foot, according to accounts. Police said witnesses described the two robbers as African-American. The first suspect is described as having a short afro with no facial hair, roughly in his mid-20s, about 6 feet tall with a muscular frame and weighing about 160 pounds. He was last seen wearing a white polo shirt and blue jeans and reportedly had piercings in both ears. The second suspect is believed to be in his early to mid-20s, about 5’ 11″, weighing about 150 pounds with a skinny build. He was reportedly last seen wearing a black football jersey with the number 19. Anyone with information is urged to call the police department’s Western Division at (619) 692-4800. Man who pulled down jogger’s shorts sought San Diego County Crime Stoppers and investigators from the San Diego Police Department’s (SDPD) Western Division are asking for assistance from the public in identifying a suspect wanted for sexual assault. Investigators said that on July 26, shortly before 6:30 p.m., a 21-year-old woman was jogging in the 4700 block of Adair Street in Ocean Beach. An unknown male suspect ran up behind the victim and pulled down her shorts. The suspect immediately fled the scene in an older gray Toyota pick-up truck. The victim was not injured. The suspect is described as a white male, 25-35 years-old, between 5’5″ and 5’7″ tall, medium build, dark scraggly neck-length hair, facial hair, wearing an all-gray “beanie” style cap. He drove a gray, early-1990’s Toyota pick-up truck (no shell). Investigators are asking anyone with information on the identity and or location of the person responsible for this crime to call SDPD Western Division at (619) 692-4800 or the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at (888) 580-8477. Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $1,000 reward to anyone with information that leads to an arrest in this case. Anonymous e-mail and text messages can be sent via www.sdcrimestoppers.com. Sewage spill temporarily closes Dog Beach A 3,400-gallon sewage spill led to the temporary closure of Dog Beach in Ocean Beach, according to officials with the San Diego County Department of Public Health. The spill, which occurred Aug. 3, originated from the intersection of Via Las Combres and Cirrus Street near Fashion Valley, entering the San Diego River and ultimately reaching Dog Beach. Health officials estimated that emergency crews captured roughly 1,900 gallons of sewage, leaving about 1,500 gallons destined for Dog Beach where the San Diego River empties into the ocean. The spill is believed to have occurred as a result of roots blocking a sewer line, health officials said. The beach was reopened. For the current status on water closures or advisories in Ocean Beach or elsewhere in San Diego County, call (619) 338-2073 or visit www.sdwatersheds.org/wiki/-Beach_Monitoring. Click on “beach status” at the top left. Deadline nears to apply for OB Town Council seat In September, Ocean Beach Town Council will hold its annual board of directors election to fill seven seats. The deadline for applicants to submit a letter declaring their candidacy for the two-year term is Monday, Aug. 16. Those interested in running for a seat must be a member in good standing of the Town Council and be at least 18 years of age. Membership to the Town Council is open to local residents and business owners who are at least 16 years old. In addition to declaring candidacy, the letter must provide the reasons a person wishes to run and any relevant experience or skills. The letter can be e-mailed to OBTC or mailed to OBTC Election Committee, P.O. Box 7225, San Diego, CA 92167, and must be postmarked or time stamped no later than Aug. 16. OBTC board members are required to attend two meetings per year and participate in their events during the two-year term. For more information, visit www.obtowncouncil.org or call (619) 515-4400.