>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS LOOK AT THE BEST ORIGINAL REPORTING FROM KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

IT HAS BEEN ANOTHER LONG, DRY SUMMER.

WITH IT NOW COMES MORE TALK ABOUT CONSERVING WATER.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA'S BIGGEST SUPPLIER IS CALLING ON PEOPLE TO LIMIT THEIR WATER USE, BUT COULD THIS MEAN RESTRICTIONS ON THE ROAD?

KPBS REPORTER ALEXANDRA RANGEL HAS MORE ABOUT WHAT THIS MEANS FOR OUR LOCAL WATER SUPPLY.

>> Reporter: DROUGHT CONDITIONS ARE WORSENING IN THE WESTERN U.S.

THE U.S. DROUGHT MONITOR SAYS MORE THAN 95% OF THE REGION IS IN A DROUGHT.

CONTINUED DROUGHTS ARE FORCING THE METROPOLITAN WATER DISTRICT OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TO ASK WATER AGENCIES TO VOLUNTARILY CONSERVE WATER.

JEFF STEFANSSON IS A WATER RESOURCE MANAGER FOR THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY.

HE SAYS THE COUNTY IS DECADES AHEAD IN CONSERVATION PRACTICES.

>> HERE IN SAN DIEGO WE HAVE A GREAT HISTORY OF IDEAS EFFICIENCY.

WE HAVE CUT WATER USE PER PERSON AND HALF OF THE LAST 30 YEARS.

>> Reporter: THE SUPPLY ALERT COMES A DAY AFTER THE FIRST EVER WATER SHORTAGE WAS REPORTED ON THE COLORADO RIVER.

ALTHOUGH THAT SHORTAGE MOSTLY AFFECTS NEVADA AND ARIZONA, SAN DIEGO DOES RECEIVE 60% OF TRANSFER WATER FROM THE COLORADO RIVER, WHICH MAY SEEM LIKE A LOT, BUT -- >> WHAT MAKES US IN A BETTER POSITION THAN OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE, ESPECIALLY NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, IS 30 YEARS AGO WHEN WE STARTED DIVERSIFYING OUR WATER SUPPLIES.

>> Reporter: OVER THE YEARS, HE SAYS SAN DIEGO WENT FROM HAVING ONLY TWO WATER SUPPLIES, TO A MULTITUDE OF SOURCES THAT INCLUDE RESERVOIRS, RECYCLED WATER, AND GROUNDWATER.

HE SAYS WE WILL BE FACING A REAL PROBLEM IF VOLUNTARY REDUCTIONS COME STATE MANDATES FOR EVERYONE ACROSS THE BOARD.

>> IT'S TOO SOON TO TELL IF THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN, BUT IF THE STATE WERE TO DO THAT, WE WOULD LIKE THEM TO OFFER THE STRESS TEST AGAIN, SO WE CAN SHOW THIS MODEL THAT WE CREATED THAT THE REST OF THE STATE COULD EMULATE, THAT WE DIVERSIFIED OUR SUPPLIES, PREPARED FOR DROUGHT.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS WE WILL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE IF WE WILL BE HIT IN THE REDUCTION MADE IT IN THE MONTHS TO COME, BUT FOR NOW HE ENCOURAGES SAN DIEGANS TO CONTINUE USING WATER EFFICIENTLY.

ALEXANDRA RANGEL , KPBS NEWS .

>>> SAN DIEGO CLIMATE ADVOCATES ARE TRYING TO PRESSURE LOCAL MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO DO MORE.

FOR THE SECOND TIME THIS WEEK, THEY ARE TAKING DIRECT ACTION.

KPBS ENVIRONMENT REPORTER ERIK ANDERSON HAS THIS STORY FROM CINDY HEIGHTS.

GLOBAL CLIMATE ADVOCATES JOINED THEIR COUNTERPARTS AROUND THE COUNTRY TO CALL OUT FOR LAWMAKERS IN WASHINGTON TO SUPPORT THE PRESIDENT'S BUDGET PLAN.

THE BLUEPRINT CONTAINS MORE THAN $3.5 TRILLION WORTH OF SPENDING ON THE PRESIDENT'S AGENDA GREATEST CITY COUNCILMEMBER RIVERA SAYS IT WILL FUND PROJECTS THAT BRING FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE TO UNDERSERVED NEIGHBORHOODS.

HE SAYS THEY SHOULD FUND ELECTRIC CAR INFRASTRUCTURE, LEAD PIPE REMOVAL, AND EXPANSION OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AMONG OTHER THINGS.

>> IT SHOULD INCLUDE THESE THINGS, NOT BECAUSE THEY WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE, BUT BECAUSE WHO IS BEARING THE BRUNT OF CLIMATE CHANGES ARE MOST VULNERABLE NEIGHBORS, WHICH INCLUDES MANY PEOPLE IN CITY HEIGHTS WHERE WE ARE TODAY, AND THROUGHOUT DISTRICT 9, AND ALL OF SAN DIEGO.

>> Reporter: ADVOCATES SAY IT IS PAST TIME TO TAKE ACTION.

THEY ARGUE THE LATEST U.N.

CLIMATE REPORT ONLY GIVES THE WORLD 9 YEARS TO STAVE OFF THE WORST POSSIBLE OUTCOMES OF A WARMING PLANET.

>> WE ARE IN A CLIMATE EMERGENCY, AND WE WILL NOT HAVE A LIVABLE FUTURE WITHOUT BOLD CLIMATE ACTION.

WORKING-CLASS BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES ARE THE ONES HAD FIRST AND WORST BY THE CRISIS.

>> Reporter: ADVOCATES ARE HOPING THAT THEIR CALL FOR ACTION WILL END THE POLITICAL CIRCUS IN WASHINGTON, AND CONVINCE LAWMAKERS TO SUPPORT THE INFRASTRUCTURE DEAL, AND JOE BIDEN'S NEW BUDGET.

ERIK ANDERSON , KPBS NEWS .

>>> THE RECENTLY RELEASED 2020 CENSUS RESULTS SHOW LATINOS MAKING UP THE SECOND LARGEST ETHNIC RACIAL GROUP IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, AFTER WHITE PEOPLE.

KPBS RACE AND EQUITY REPORTER CHRISTINA KIM SAYS FOR MANY PEOPLE, THE CENSUS CATEGORIES DO NOT REALLY WORK FOR THEM.

>> Reporter: THIS CHULA VISTA RESIDENT EMIGRATED FROM MEXICO 18 YEARS AGO.

EVERY TIME SHE FEELS THAT THE SENSES, IT IS CONFUSING.

SHE ASKS WHY IT SAYS LATINO, AND THEN TO SELECT THE RACE.

>> I DON'T IDENTIFY AS AFRICAN- AMERICAN OR ASIAN OR WHITE, SO I FEEL I AM LEFT WITHOUT A BOX TO MARK.

YES, SO I COULD NOT FIND AN OPTION THAT FIT IN, SO I FILLED IN ANOTHER RACE.

>> Reporter: THE 2020 CENSUS SHOWS MANY PEOPLE ARE LIKE HER.

MORE THAN HALF OF ALL LATINOS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY IDENTIFY AS A MOTHER RACE.

MORE THAN 20% INCREASE IN THE LAST DECADE.

THE GROWING NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO MARK SOME OTHER RACE SHOWS THE LIMIT OF THE CENSUS, SAYS A SOCIOLOGY PROFESSOR AT UC IRVINE.

>> WHY ISN'T THERE A LATINO CATEGORY?

>> Reporter: SINCE 1980, THE CENSUS IS ALREADY HAD A TWO FORMAT QUESTION, THEY ASK IF YOU ARE LATINO OR HISPANIC, AND THEN DESIGNATE ANOTHER RACE.

THAT'S BECAUSE IT DESIGNATED AS AN ETHNICITY INSTEAD OF A RACE, BUT THE DIFFERENCES AREN'T SO CLEAR.

>> THE TRADITIONAL WAY WAS THAT RACE ARE THESE PEOPLE THAT DIFFERED BY PHYSICAL FEATURES, AND ETHNICITY WERE PEOPLE WITH CULTURAL DIFFERENCES.

WHILE WE KNOW THAT THERE IS REALLY A LOT OF OVERLAP BETWEEN US.

>> Reporter: WHAT WE DO KNOW FROM THE RECENT CENSUS IS AT LATINOS IN SAN DIEGO INCREASINGLY SEE THEMSELVES AS MULTIRACIAL.

THE NUMBER WHO MARK TWO OR MORE RACES ROSE BY MORE THAN FIVE TIMES SINCE 2010.

MARIA TORRES IS A MARRIOTT SHE MUSICIAN WHO LIVES IN CHULA VISTA.

5 YEARS AGO, HE LEARNED MORE ABOUT HIS MULTIRACIAL ROUTES THROUGH HIS GENETIC TESTS, AND THE HISTORY OF MARY ARCHIE.

>> SPEAKING [ SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE ] LEARNING MORE ABOUT MY OWN PERSONAL HISTORY.

>> Reporter: HE MARKED DOWN SEVERAL RACES ON THE SENTENCE," AND THAT HE IS NATIVE AMERICAN MEXICAN FOREIGN LANGUAGE MAC WHICH INCLUDE HIS WIFE AND TWO KIDS SING AND RECORD SONGS AND NOT TO THEIR ROOTS.

>> ♪ ♪ >> I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE AND DIZZINESS PART, BUT THE OTHER PARTS AS WELL, BECAUSE IT IS ME, AND IF I DON'T KNOW MY HISTORY, IF I DON'T KNOW MY ROOTS, THEN I DON'T HAVE AN IDENTITY.

4 PEOPLE LIKE THEM ARE RECOGNIZING THEIR COMPLEX RACIAL AND CULTURAL IDENTITIES, BOTH ON THE SENTENCE, AND FOR THE TORRES FAMILY, THROUGH THEIR MUSIC.

>> ♪ ♪ [ SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE ] ♪ >> Reporter: CHRISTINA KIM, KPBS NEWS .

>>> MORE PEOPLE, MORE TRAFFIC.

HOWEVER RUSH-HOUR IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY HAS BEEN LIGHTER SINCE THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HIT.

AS KPBS METRO REPORTER ANDREW BOWEN EXPLAINS, IT IS MAKING ITS WAY BACK, BUT NOT ALWAYS IN WAYS YOU MIGHT THINK.

>> Reporter: TRAFFIC ON THE FREEWAYS BOTTOMED OUT IN THE SPRING OF LAST YEAR, WHEN STAY- AT-HOME ORDERS WERE THEIR STRICTEST.

IT HAS BEEN CREEPING UP EVER SINCE.

BUT FOR DEREK THRASHER, WHO HAS BEEN WORKING FROM HOME SINCE MARCH OF 2020, RUSH-HOUR ISN'T MUCH OF A CONCERN ANYMORE.

THE LACK OF COMMUTE PROMPTING HIM TO MOVE RECENTLY TO A BIGGER HOME IN ESCONDIDO, FURTHER FROM HIS OFFICE.

>> ALSO IN HOPES THAT WHEN WE WOULD RETURN TO THE OFFICE, THE TRAFFIC WOULD BE A LITTLE LESS BAD COMING MISDIRECTION, GOING NORTH, BUT I HAVE LEARNED THAT IT'S NOT NECESSARILY THE CASE.

>> Reporter: OVERALL HE SAYS HE DRIVES A LOT LESS NOWADAYS, BUT ALSO FINDS HIMSELF TAKING MORE TRIPS JUST TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE.

>> AFTER I HAVE BEEN WORKING FROM HOME ALL DAY, I REALIZE I HAVEN'T REALLY GONE ANYWHERE FOR A WHILE, I MIGHT GO TO THE DOG PARK, TAKE THE DOGS SOMEWHERE ON JUST A QUICK JAUNT.

WE HAVE QUITE A FEW OPTIONS AROUND US, AND THEN JUST LITTLE TRIPS TO THE GROCERY STORE, OR DOWNTOWN ESCONDIDO, HAVE A BITE TO EAT OR DRINK.

>> Reporter: IS DRIVING HABITS ARE PLAYING OUT ACROSS THE COUNTY.

FOR MORT WORKING HAS LED TO A MUCH LIGHTER MORNING RUSH-HOUR SINCE FEWER PEOPLE ARE DRIVING TO WORK, BUT TRAFFIC DOES NOT EASE UP AS MUCH AFTER THAT MORNING PEAK, AND SOMETIMES IT IS WORSE IN THE AFTERNOONS THAN BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

REMOTE WORKERS MAY NOT BE DRIVING HOME FROM THE OFFICE, BUT THEY ARE TAKING MORE TRIPS UNRELATED TO THEIR JOBS ACCORDING TO CELL PHONE LOCATION DATA ANALYZED BY THE COMPANY STREETLIGHT DATA.

>> THERE'S A WHOLE HOST OF NEW DRIVING THAT HAPPENS BECAUSE PEOPLE NOW HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY TO GO OFF AND DROP OFF A CHILD AT CAMP MIDDAY, OR GO DO A SHOPPING TRIP THAT WOULD HAVE PREVIOUSLY BEEN IMPOSSIBLE BECAUSE YOU WERE IN THE OFFICE.

WE BELIEVE THAT A LOT OF THAT MIDDAY DRIVING HAS TO DO WITH ERRANDS INSTEAD OF CASUAL DRIVING, AS OPPOSED TO COMMUTING.

>> Reporter: AN INCREASE IN DELIVERY SERVICES HAS ALSO PUT MORE CARS AND TRUCKS ON THE ROAD, COMPARED TO BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

TOTAL DRIVING IS STILL DOWN, AND THAT HAS BEEN ENOUGH TO KEEP CONGESTION IN CHECK, BUT AS MORE BUSINESSES CHOOSE TO BRING THEIR WORKERS BACK TO THE OFFICE, TRAFFIC IS LIKELY TO KEEP CREEPING BACK UP.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> SAN DIEGO OFFICIALS ARE TAKING BOLD STEPS TO ADDRESS THE CHRONICALLY HOMELESS.

PLANS ARE UNDERWAY TO OPEN HARM REDUCTION MODEL SHELTERS, SOMETHING THAT HAS NOT BEEN DONE HERE YET.

THE IDEA IS FOR THESE SMALLER SHELTERS TO HOUSE , NOT TURN AWAY THOSE WHO HAVE SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES, WHERE MORE SERVICES CAN BE BROUGHT TO THEM.

>> THIS IS NOT THE KIND OF FOLKS THAT WE CLOSE THE DOOR ON.

THESE ARE THE KIND OF FOLKS THAT WE OPEN THE DOOR, INVITE IN, AND SERVE.

WHEN WE DO THAT, IT IS FAR MORE LIKELY WE CAN BREAK THE CYCLE OF ADDICTION, ADDRESS THE UNDERLYING MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS, AND ULTIMATELY GET THIS PERSON HOUSED IN OFF THE STREET FOR GOOD.

>> AND HOW SERIOUS THIS ISSUE IS.

TO HEAR ABOUT IT EVERY SINGLE DAY FOR MY CONSTITUENTS.

IT REQUIRES US TO DO NEW THINGS IN NEW WAYS, AND THAT IS WHAT WE ARE DOING HERE.

>> NEXT WEEK WE CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION WITH SAN DIEGO MAYOR GLORIA AND SUPERVISOR NATHAN FLETCHER ABOUT THE CITY AND COUNTY PARTNERSHIP THAT AIMS TO FILL A GAP IN THE HOMELESS SERVICE SYSTEM.

>>> SAN DIEGANS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO FOUGHT IN A 20 YEAR LONG AFGHANISTAN WAR, ARE WATCHING CLOSELY WHAT IS HAPPENING THERE.

KPBS MILITARY REPORTER STEVE WALSH HAS BEEN TALKING TO A NUMBER OF VETERANS , AND SHARES THEIR THOUGHTS.

>> Reporter: VETERANS ARE WATCHING ON TV AS THE WAR THEY FOUGHT RECEIVES MORE ATTENTION FROM THE AMERICAN PEOPLE IN HIS FINAL DAYS THAN THE CONFLICT DID FOR MOST OF THE LAST TWO DECADES OF WAR.

>> I FELT DIZZY.

>> Reporter: A FORMER NAVAL OFFICER FROM SAN DIEGO WAS A LIAISON OFFICER IN AFGHANISTAN IN 2009.

>> CHAOTIC SCENES AT THE AIRPORT, THAT I HAVE BEEN TOO MANY TIMES, AND SEEING PICTURES OF THE TALIBAN IN THE PRESIDENTIAL PALACE, A PLACE I HAVE BEEN TO.

>> Reporter: THE FACT THERE HASN'T BEEN A TERRORIST ATTACK BY AL QAEDA OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS IS PROOF THAT THE WAR WAS NOT FOUGHT IN VAIN.

AN ARMY STAFF SERGEANT STATIONED IN DAYTON, OHIO BELIEVES IT WAS TIME FOR THE U.S. TO LEAVE AFGHANISTAN.

>> THAT IS THEIR COUNTRY.

THEY ARE NEVER GOING TO CHANGE, NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER GOING TO CHANGE.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO CHANGE THEM.

AS YOU CAN SEE BY NOW MY 20 YEARS, AND LIKE HOW QUICKLY THE TALIBAN JUMPED BACK IN THERE.

>> Reporter: SHE WAS A CIVIL AFFAIRS OFFICER IN 2008 AND 2009 OVERSEEING RECONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.

AS PAINFUL AS IT IS TO WATCH THE COLLAPSE, SHE SAYS WAITED AS MUCH AS WE COULD WHAT WE WERE THERE.

>> I PERSONALLY, INDIVIDUALLY THINK THIS WAS A COMPLETE WASTE OF TIME.

>> Reporter: JASON LILLY IS A FORMER MARINE RATER BASE AT CAMP PENDLETON WHO LIVES IN ORANGE COUNTY.

HE WAS IN AFGHANISTAN IN 2009, AND AGAIN IN 2012 AND 2013.

>> IT COULD'VE BEEN PREVENTED WE COULD HAVE GONE IN HARD, HIT IT AS HARD AS WE COULD FOR A FEW YEARS, AND DID EXACTLY WHAT WE WERE SUPPOSED TO DO, GET RID OF THE TALIBAN, GET RID OF AL QAEDA, GET RID OF OSAMA, AND THEN GOT OUT.

MY 20 YEARS?

BACK TOM PORTER IS A NAVY RESERVIST HE SPENT A YEAR IN AFGHANISTAN IN 2010.

HE IS NOW WITH THE IRAQI AND AFGHANISTAN VETERANS OF AMERICA, A SERVICE ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO POST-9/11 VETERANS.

>> TO SEE IT ALL MELT AWAY IN A MATTER OF HOURS IS SHOCKING, AND IT IS ANGRY.

YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF VETERANS, SERVICE MEMBERS, THEIR FAMILIES, WONDERING, WAS IT ALL WORTH IT?

>> Reporter: AT THE MOMENT, HIS SUGGESTION IS TO ASK VETERANS ABOUT THEIR SERVICE, BUT TO KEEP IT JUDGMENT FREE.

IS AMERICA'S LONGEST WAR ENDS, THERE WILL BE PLENTY OF TIME TO TALK ABOUT POLITICS.

STEVE WALSH, KPBS NEWS .

>>> THE LARGEST SOLAR POWER GENERATING FACILITY IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY IS ON ITS WAY TO BEING BUILT RIGHT NEXT TO THE SMALL EAST COUNTY TOWN OF HOT SPRINGS.

THE APPROVAL OF THE PROJECT TEAM AGAINST THE OVERWHELMING OPPOSITION OF THE CUMBRE RESIDENCE.

>> Reporter: HER, HOT SPRINGS.

IN CASE YOU'RE NOT QUITE SURE WHERE IT IS, HERE IS A MAP.

IT IS A HAMLET OF ABOUT 500 PEOPLE IN FAR EASTERN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, RIGHT NEXT TO THE BORDER WITH MEXICO.

THIS IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE IN TODAY'S BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING.

SCORES OF RESIDENTS SHOWING UP, MOST CLAD IN YELLOW T-SHIRTS, MAKING CLEAR THEIR OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT.

ONE THING EVERYBODY HERE AGREES UPON HIS THE NEED TO MOVE AWAY FROM BURNING FOSSIL FUELS AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE DEVELOPERS OF WHAT THE JV ARE ENERGY PARK IS PROPOSING, IT SOUNDS LIKE IT FITS IN BEAUTIFULLY WITH THAT GOAL, OFFSETTING MORE THAN 1 MILLION TONS OF CO2 EMISSIONS, GENERATING ENOUGH POWER FOR 52,000 HOMES IN THE METROPOLITAN AREA, AND PRESERVING ACRES OF OPEN SPACE.

>> THIS IS THE RIGHT SPACE FOR THE PROJECT.

YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR A LOT TODAY ABOUT HOW RENEWABLE ENERGY IT IS AND THE TOWN WILL RUIN JACUMBA.

THAT OPPORTUNITY IS RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW.

PLEASE SUPPORT THE PROJECT.

>> Reporter: BUT TALK TO MOST OF THE PEOPLE IN JACUMBA, AND YOU GET A VERY DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE.

>> PLEASE HELP SAVE 21 HOT SPRINGS FROM A HUGE SOLAR PROJECT THAT JEOPARDIZES THE FUTURE OF HER TOWN.

>> Reporter: TOWN THAT SINCE 2020 HAS BEEN LARGELY OWNED BY THIS MAN, JEFFREY OSBORNE, AND A COUPLE OF BUSINESS PARTNERS.

OSBORNE USED A MAP TO SHOW THE CURRENT TOWN IN GREEN, AND THEN WITH THE FOOTPRINT OF THE FOOT SOLAR FARM WOULD LOOK LIKE.

>> THIS IS THE SIZE OF SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

IT IS RIGHT NEXT TO OUR COMMUNITY.

IT IS INSIDE OUR PROTECTED VILLAGE BOUNDARY.

IT'S ON TOP OF A SPECIFICALLY PLANNED AREA DESIGNED FOR RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT ONLY.

>> Reporter: AFTER LISTING TO DOZENS OF SPEAKERS, THE BOARD TURNED TO DISCUSSION.

THE SUPERVISOR SAID SHE WAS ALL IN FAVOR OF RENEWABLE ENERGY, BUT THE PROPOSAL DID NOT SEEM EQUITABLE TO THE RESIDENCE OF JACUMBA.

SUPERVISOR JOEL ANDERSON ECHOED THOSE COMMENTS, WHICH LED TO SOME SPONTANEOUS DEALMAKING.

DURING THE MEETING, THE DEVELOPER AGREED TO EXTEND THE BUFFER ZONE OF THE PROJECT FROM 300 TO 400 FEET AWAY FROM THE TOWN'S EDGE.

AND IN A DRAMATIC MOVE, THE CEO OF THE COMPANY BEHIND THE PROJECT UP TO THE FINANCIAL COMMITMENT TO PAY FOR COMMUNITY BENEFITS TO JACUMBA.

IT HAD BEEN $1.6 MILLION, BUT ROSE TO $4 MILLION.

HERE IS THE EXCHANGE BETWEEN SUPERVISOR LAWSON REAMER, CHAIRMAN NATHAN FLETCHER, AND CEO FRED ROBINSON.

>> I HAD THE NUMBER FIVE BACK IN MY HEAD, AND HE'S A 3, SO THAT WAS 4 IT WOULD BE OKAY -- >> DONE.

>> WE WILL COMMIT TO 4.

>> SO WE ARE GOOD.

>> Reporter: BUT JEFFREY OSBORNE SAYS HE HAS HIRED A LAWYER.

HE DID NOT SAY WHETHER A LAWSUIT WOULD BE COMING.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS .

>>> IT WAS BACK-TO-SCHOOL FOR MANY LOCAL DISTRICTS THIS WEEK.

AMONG THEM, HOW A UNIFIED, THE THIRD LARGEST IN THE COUNTY.

SOME 36,000 KIDS JOINED BACK TOGETHER WITH TEACHER AND STAFF.

CAMPUSES HELD SPECIAL WELCOME BACK EVENTS AS MANY STUDENTS RETURNED FOR THE FIRST TIME AFTER STAYING HOME DUE TO THE PANDEMIC.

THE SUPERINTENDENT SAID A LOT OF WORK WENT INTO MAKING CAMPUSES SAFE, AND THAT STATE MASK MANDATES ARE IN EFFECT.

>>> WITH THE PANDEMIC STILL RAGING, THERE ARE SOME SAFETY GUIDELINES AT SOME SCHOOLS ARE CHALLENGING.

KPBS HEALTH REPORTER THAT HOFFMAN SAYS ONE EAST COUNTY DISTRICT IS RESENDING A POLICY THAT HAS BEEN DRAWING CRITICISM .

>> Reporter: RAMONA UNIFIED BOARD MEMBERS ARE REVERSING COURSE FOR NOW, PUTTING ON HOLD A RECENTLY ADOPTED POLICY THAT WOULD ALLOW PARENTS TO OPT THEIR CHILDREN OUT OF MASK WEARING, DESPITE STATE GUIDELINES REQUIRING IT.

DURING A SPECIAL BOARD MEETING IN A COMA PARENTS SPOKE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ISSUE.

>> IS NOT YOUR JOB TO DO IT'S POPULAR.

IT IS YOUR FOUNDATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF RAMONA STUDENTS AT OUR SCHOOLS.

FOLLOWING HEALTH GUIDANCE IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO FOR RAMONA .

>> I'M SIMPLY BEGGING FOR THE FREEDOM TO CHOOSE.

WHAT I THINK IS BEST FOR MY CHILDREN MAY NOT BE BEST FOR YOURS.

>> I AM HERE BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE THE CHOICE WITH WHETHER OR NOT MY DAUGHTER WEARS A MASK, AND I DON'T THINK IT'S YOUR RIGHT.

>> Reporter: IN A STATEMENT TO KPBS, THE SUPERINTENDENT SAID THE BOARD WENT ON TO APPROVE THE SAFE REOPENING PLAN, WHICH FOLLOWS A STATE GUIDELINES FOR K-12 SCHOOLS, AND FOR THOSE GUIDELINES, ALL STUDENTS AND ADULTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR FACE COVERINGS INSIDE WHEN STUDENTS RETURNED TO THE CLASSROOM ON THURSDAY.

THE MASK WEARING REQUIREMENT IS IN EFFECT FOR STUDENTS AND SCHOOL STAFF ACROSS CALIFORNIA.

MOST RECENT GUIDELINES SAY FACE COVERINGS DO NOT HAVE TO BE WORN OUTDOORS, JUST INSIDE WHEN KIDS ARE PRESENT.

CURRENTLY THOSE UNDER 12 ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR COVID-19 VACCINATIONS.

>> LET US DO OUR JOB, EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT HAPPY WITH HOW IS GOING DOWN.

WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO DO OUR WORK.

>> Reporter: THE MASKING ISSUE IS NOT OVER JUST YET IN RAMONA.

ONE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER TELLS ME THAT THE PLAN ADOPTED HAS LANGUAGE SPECIFYING THAT A FORM FOR PARENTS TO OPT THEIR KIDS OUT OF MASKS WILL SOON BE MADE AVAILABLE.

THE DISTRICT BOARD AND STAFF WILL WORK COLLABORATIVELY LATE TO DEVELOP AN OPT OUT FORM THAT IS LEGALLY SOLID, MEANING AT THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, MASKS WILL BE WORN, BUT THERE IS CLEAR DIRECTION TO MAKE IT OPTIONAL SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS .

>>> WE WANT TO REMIND YOU ABOUT THE TRACKING COVID-19 SECTION AT KPBS.ORG.

THAT IS WHERE WE HAVE ALL OF OUR LOCAL REPORTING WITH THE LATEST NUMBERS AND STORIES FROM OUR COMMUNITY.

YOU CAN FIND THE LINK RIGHT ON HER HOMEPAGE.

>>> FROM NOW THROUGH DECEMBER, THE COAST IN LA JOLLA TURNS INTO A LEOPARD SHARK PLAYGROUND.

A KPBS REPORTER MELISSA MAE EXPLAINS WHY THESE SHARKS MAKE THEIR WAY TO OUR BACKYARD EVERY YEAR.

>> Reporter: IF YOU WADE OUT INTO THE WATER ALONG LA JOLLA SHORES, YOU MAY BE LUCKY ENOUGH TO SPOT A LEOPARD SHARK.

>> IT'S REALLY COOL TO SEE SOME WILDLIFE OUT HERE IN LA JOLLA.

>> Reporter: CASEY WHITE IS A BEACH SUPERVISOR FOR THE KAYAK TOUR COMPANY EVERY DAY CALIFORNIA.

HE SAYS PEOPLE HAVE ALL KINDS OF REACTIONS WHEN THEY SEE SHARKS.

>> PEOPLE ARE FREAKED OUT BY THE SHARKS SOMETIMES.

OTHER PEOPLE ARE FASCINATED BY THEM.

THEY ARE REALLY FRIENDLY SHARKS.

WE TOLD HIM THAT, BUT FOR THE MOST PART PEOPLE ARE REALLY EXCITED TO SEE THEM.

>> Reporter: RIGHT NOW HUNDREDS OF PREGNANT LEOPARD SHARKS ARE CLOSE TO THE BEACH, THANKS TO AN OFFSHORE SUBMARINE CANYON.

IT MAKES WAVES IN THE AREA VERY SMALL, AND THE WATER WARMER.

AT NIGHT IT PROVIDES COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF SQUID TO FEED ON.

>> THEY ARE BASICALLY INCUBATING THEIR DEVELOPING EMBRYOS, KIND OF LIKE MOTHER BIRDS SITTING ON THEIR EGGS TO KEEP THEM WARM.

>> Reporter: ENTER IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL AND OCEAN SCIENTIST PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO.

HE HAS STUDIED SHARKS SINCE 2007, AND SAYS THE SHARKS WON'T HURT YOU.

>> WE NEED TO BE RESPECTFUL OF THEIR SPACE.

IT IS A REAL PRIVILEGE THAT WE HAVE THESE SHARKS IN OUR BACKYARD, AND THAT WE CAN SHARE THEIR COMPANY ON THEIR TURF.

IN FACT, THEY ARE USUALLY PRETTY SKITTISH.

FOR MAC ERIC TRENTON AND HIS WIFE AND THEIR STANDUP PADDLE BOARDS AND SNORKEL GEAR TO SWIM AT THE SHARKS.

>> IT'S AMAZING.

AT FIRST IT IS SCARY BECAUSE THEY ARE SHARKS, BUT THEN YOU REMIND YOURSELF THEY ARE DOCILE.

WHEN YOU ARE ON THE BOARD, YOU ARE UP HIGH ENOUGH THAT YOU CAN LOOK DOWN AND SEE THROUGH THE WATER.

IT IS LIKE THE GRANT IS MOVING UNDERNEATH YOU.

>> Reporter: THIS IS A MARINE PROTECTED AREA, AND ALTHOUGH IT MAY BE TEMPTING TO REACH OUT AND TOUCH THE SHARKS, THEY ARE ACTUALLY PROTECTED BY LAW AMOUNT WHICH MEANS YOU LEGALLY CANNOT TOUCH THEM.

FROM THE LA JOLLA SHORES, MELISSA MAE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> HAVE YOU EVER WANTED TO ROCK INTO THE WHITE HOUSE, AND SEE, LET ALONE SIT, IN THE OVAL OFFICE?

WHEN THE COMMAND IS IT EVERY DAY, SORT OF.

>> Reporter: WHEN ROGER WALKS INSIDE OF HIS HOUSE, HE TAKES A STEP INTO ANOTHER PLACE AND TIME.

>> WELCOME TO THE OVAL OFFICE.

>> Reporter: HE HAS BEEN COLLECTING HISTORICAL ARTIFACTS FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS.

THE ROOM IS NOW FLANKED BY HIS REMAKING DOCUMENTS, SIGNED BY THE MOST FAMOUS MEN IN AMERICAN HISTORY.

THE MEN THAT MADE A COUNTRY.

>> I GUESS IF YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE A THEMED ROOM, YOU MIGHT AS WELL HAVE THE BIGGEST THEMED ROOM YOU CAN HAVE.

>> Reporter: WHEN THEY REBUILT WHAT WAS ONCE HIS PARENTS HOME, THEY DESIGNED THIS ROOM TO BEAR THE FAMOUS OVAL SHAPED LIKE THE REAL THING.

>> IS A FUNCTIONAL DESK AND OFFICE.

I USE IT ALL THE TIME.

>> Reporter: THE SIZE OF THE DESK WAS ALSO TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION, A REPLICA OF THE RESOLUTE DESK, ORIGINALLY A GIFT FROM QUEEN VICTORIA TO THEN-PRESIDENT RUTHERFORD B HAYES, AND USED BY MANY AMERICAN PRESIDENTS.

>> THE MOST FAMOUS OF COURSE WAS JOHN F. KENNEDY WITH JOHN JOHN COMING OUT OF THE LITTLE DOOR IN THE FRONT.

THIS ONE HAS THAT SAME DOOR IN THE FRONT THAT YOU CAN OPEN UP AS WELL.

>> Reporter: BE ON THE WAINSCOTING, SCALLOPED DOORWAY MOLDS, AND OTHER SMALL THOUGHTFUL DETAILS, THIS ROOM HOLDS TRACTORS THAT TRANSCEND TIME, LIKE THIS LIEUTENANT COLONEL'S UNION UNIFORM, WORN DURING THE CIVIL WAR, WITH A SMALL HANDWRITTEN CLUE AS TO THE PERSON WHO WORE IT.

>> THIS WAS FOUND ACTUALLY IN THE POCKET, AND IT DOES SAY THAT IT DID BELONG TO -- OF RHODE ISLAND.

THIS IS ALEXANDER HAMILTON'S SIGNATURE.

>> Reporter: WITH A LITTLE TASTE OF HOW THEY SETTLED THINGS BACK THEN.

>> HE WAS KILLED BY THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, WHICH WAS AARON BURR.

>> Reporter: AND THERE IS A PAPER SIGNED BY WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON, WHO SERVED ONLY 30 DAYS AS PRESIDENT BEFORE SUCCUMBING TO PNEUMONIA.

YES, EVEN DONALD TRUMP MADE THE WALL.

>> I AM AN EVIL OPPORTUNITY PRESIDENTIAL COLLECTOR, AS I HAVE EVERY PRESIDENT TO DATE EXCEPT FOR JOE BIDEN MAMA WHICH IS ONLY RIGHT NOW THAT I DON'T HAVE A PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENT FROM HIM, BECAUSE HE IS STILL IN OFFICE.

>> Reporter: WILL THESE UNIQUE ITEMS REMIND US OF THE IMPORTANT EVENTS IN HISTORY THAT HAVE SHAPED THE COUNTRY, SOME SMALLER PIECES GIVE US A GLIMPSE OF THE PERSON NOW BEHIND THE DECISION-MAKERS OF YESTERYEAR.

>> THESE ARE ORIGINAL SKETCHES BY RONALD REAGAN WHEN HE WAS DOODLING ON HIS BLOTTER.

>> Reporter: WHILE THIS DOODLE SITS CASUALLY ON HIS DESK IN LA JOLLA, THE REAGAN LIBRARY SELLS COPIES FOR MUSEUM VISITORS.

>> IT'S SO UNIQUE BECAUSE NOBODY REALLY HAS THOSE.

YOU SEE WHICH WAY THE HEAD IS POINTED?

IT'S ALWAYS POINTED TO THE OLIVE BRANCHES WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ONE PRESIDENT.

THE EAGLE TURNS ITS HEAD TO THE ARROWS DURING WORLD WAR II FROM FDR AFTER THEY ATTACKED PEARL HARBOR.

AND WHEN HARRY TRUMAN BECAME PRESIDENT, HAD TURNED BACK OVER TO THE OLIVE BRANCHES, AND IT HAS REMAINED THAT WAY EVER SINCE.

FOUR MAC AS GUARDIAN OF THIS TREASURE, ROGER WANTS THESE THINGS TO BE ACCESSIBLE, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, INTERACTIVE.

>> THIS WOULD CONTAIN YOUR LAUDANUM, WHICH IS OPIUM.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS HISTORY SHOULD BE TOUCHED.

>> THIS IS SOMETHING THEY WILL YOU DO AT THE SMITHSONIAN, BUT WE DO HERE, AND THAT IS AN ACTUAL DOCUMENT, SIGNED TWICE BY ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

>> Reporter: ABRAHAM LINCOLN SIGNED IT RIGHT HERE, AND RIGHT HERE, AUGUST 17, 1863.

>> Reporter: LESSON 2 YEARS LATER -- >> BECAUSE GLASSES WERE REPORTEDLY FOUND AT FORD'S THEATER THE NIGHT THAT ABRAHAM LINCOLN WAS SHOT, AND WAS DROPPED BY A CAPTAIN.

IF THESE GLASSES COULD ONLY TALK, THEY COULD TELL A STORY.

>> Reporter: IT IS THE STORY BEHIND THE LAND DEED, PARDON, COURT-MARTIAL, OR EVEN CIVIL WAR BULLETS LODGED IN A PIECE OF WOOD THAT DRAWS ROGER TO THESE ITEMS.

>> I'M HOLDING THIS PIECE OF HISTORY IN MY HAND UNTIL I CAN GET PASSED ON TO SOMEONE ELSE.

>> Reporter: FOR LOVERS OF HISTORY, THESE ARE REMINDERS OF HOW FAR WE HAVE COME, AND HOW FAR WE HAVE HAD TO GO.

>> ASKS NOT WHAT YOUR COUNTRY CAN DO FOR YOU.

ASK WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR COUNTRY.

>>> AND BY THE WAY, IF YOU ARE WONDERING, ROGERS COLLECTION IS A PERSONAL ONE, AND IS NOT OPEN FOR PUBLIC VIEWING.

>>> FINALLY, A BIG HONOR FOR THE FAMILY OF A LOCAL WAR HERO.

THE POWAY POST OFFICE ON MIDLAND ROAD WAS OFFICIALLY DEDICATED TO RAY CHAVEZ, U.S. NAVY VETERAN WHO PASSED AWAY AT THE AGE OF 106.

HE HAD BEEN THE OLDEST LIVING SURVIVOR OF THE JAPANESE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR ON DECEMBER 7, 1941.

A PLAQUE HONORING HIM WAS UNVEILED TODAY IN FRONT OF HIS FAMILY.

IN FACT, THAT WAS YESTERDAY.

>>> FROM ALL OF US HERE AT KPBS NEWS, I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING .