Spring forward! Daylight saving time begins Sunday. Set your clocks ahead one hour when you go to bed Saturday night! Stabbing victim dies; police probe as murder San Diego police investigators have launched a homicide investigation into a stabbing that occurred Feb. 6 in Ocean Beach. Homicide investigators took over the case after the 24-year-old victim, identified as Andrew Bazan, died of his injuries March 5 — nearly a month after he was attacked. Police officials said Bazan was stabbed by an unknown assailant in a parking lot in the 4900 block of Santa Monica Avenue shortly before 10:30 p.m. on Feb. 6. Bazan, who never recovered from his injuries, passed away in the hospital. Because the case is unsolved, investigators are urging anyone with information to call the Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477. City Council rejects pay hike for itself, mayor The City Council unanimously rejected on March 5 a proposed pay increase of $100,000 for themselves and nearly $135,000 for the mayor — a proposal recommended by the city’s Salary Setting Commission. “Nobody’s going to vote for this. It’s one of the easiest ‘no’ votes you can cast,” said District 8 City Councilman David Alvarez. “I’m fine with the salary I’m making.” District 2 City Councilman Kevin Faulconer didn’t comment Monday, but said previously he was aware of the $75,386 salary when he ran for office and that he would not vote for a raise. Right now, the mayor makes $100,464 annually. District 5 City Councilman Carl DeMaio, who is running for mayor, made the motion to reject the increase, and it was seconded by Council President Tony Young. Young said the city’s charter required the council to consider raises every two years. Attorney Robert Ottilie, the Salary Setting Commission’s chairman, suggested the City Council draft an ordinance and put something on the ballot that would authorize another agency to raise their salaries so they could avoid criticism during votes to increase their own pay. — Neal Putnam Makua, foster-care advocates to host panel event Makua, along with Voices for Children, will host a Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) panel on March 14. The CASA panel discussion is designed to give the public a chance to hear first-hand accounts by local volunteer advocates who transform the lives of foster children. CASAs are volunteers trained by Voices for Children to help guide children in San Diego’s foster-care system. Makua is the primary fundraising auxiliary for the Voices for Children organization. The Point Loma-based Makua me bers recently took their message to help local foster youth to the “Dr. Phil Show.” Dr. Phil applauded Makua’s members on-air for their fundraising and awareness programs and encouraged his viewers to not only make donations to Makua’s monetary campaign but to also volunteer their time to help and support foster children. Makua encourages the community to get involved with the program and said it takes only a little time to transform the life of a child. There will be three CASAs speaking during the panel discussion in hopes of educating the community about the system and to urge community members to volunteer their time. Makua members said CASAs play a vital role in helping children find the right foster homes, making sure their education is on track, and asking for funding for clothing and medical care. The CASA panel will be held Wednesday, March 14 at the Historic Rosecroft, 530 Silvergate Ave., from 6:30 to 8 p.m. For more information, visit www.makua.org and www.speakupnow.org. — Djani Schafer Funeral home to assist food bank collections The Beardsley-Mitchell Funeral Home will host a drop-off location for the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank. Most requested food items are in the form of canned goods: meats (tuna, ham, chicken), soup, fruits and vegetables. Other requested items are in the form of dried goods: beans, rice, cereal, fruits and pasta. The food bank also requests peanut butter, powdered milk, infant formula, packaged nuts and seeds. The food bank is unable to accept glass jars (including baby food), home canned items or baked products. The Beardsley-Mitchell Funeral Home is located at 1818 Sunset Cliffs Blvd. and will be open for drop-offs Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. until March 15. For more information, call (619) 223-8100 or visit www.beardsleymitchell.com. — Djani Schafer
