>>> 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 A SOBERING WEEK WHEN IT COMES TO THE NUMBER OF COVID-19 CASES.

SO BAD CALIFORNIA IS NOW TAKING ACTION IN RESPONSE TO THE SPICA PATIENTS ENDING UP IN THE HOSPITAL AND I SEE YOU.

ALL HEALTHCARE WORKERS MUST NOW GET VACCINATED BEFORE THE END OF SEPTEMBER.

KPBS REPORTER ALEXANDRA RANGEL HAS THE URGENT MESSAGE FROM SAN DIEGO COUNTY HOSPITALS.

>>> TODAY IS SCRIPPS HEALTH WE HAVE 122 PATIENTS IN THE HOSPITAL.

AT OUR PEAK IN JANUARY, WE HAD 500.

>> Reporter: ALTHOUGH HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE NOWHERE NEAR THE PEAK SEEN IN JANUARY, DR. GONZALEZ SHARIF WITH SCRIPPS HEALTH SAYS THOSE NUMBERS ARE QUICKLY GETTING UP.

THEY ARE ALSO STARTING TO SEE YOUNGER PATIENTS.

>> WE HAD SOMEBODY 23, 24, A 25- YEAR-OLD, UNVACCINATED.

>> Reporter: COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS ANNOUNCED THAT 2 MILLION PEOPLE HAVE BEEN VACCINATED.

IT'S A GREAT MILESTONE, BUT WE SAW THE WAYS TO GO TO REACH HERD IMMUNITY.

>> OTHERWISE WE WILL KEEP DOING THIS COVID CYCLE.

MORE VARIANTS WILL COME IN.

MY CONCERN IS THAT WE GET TO A POINT WHERE A VARIANT IS NOT ABLE TO BE TACKLED BY THE VACCINE AT ALL.

>> Reporter: SHE UNDERSTANDS PEOPLE ARE FATIGUED FROM PANDEMIC RESTRICTIONS, BUT IT IS TIME TO BUCKLE DOWN.

>> THE BIGGEST THING WE CAN DO RIGHT NOW IS GO BACK TO MASKING, DISTANCING, ALL THE THINGS WE KNOW WORKS BEFORE THAT WE LET OFF ON.

>> SOMEBODY DESCRIBED IT RECENTLY AS BEING LIKE A WILDFIRE IN CALIFORNIA, AND DELTA WAS THE SPARK THAT LIT THE FLAME, BUT THE CHANGE IN MASKING MEASURES IS REALLY THE WIND THAT CARRIED IT.

>> Reporter: UNLESS THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN PUBLIC HEALTH RESTRICTIONS, NUMBERS WILL CONTINUE TO INCREASE THROUGH SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER.

THE CURRENTLY IS NO MASKING MANDATE IN THE COUNTY.

MEANWHILE MEANT NEIGHBORING COUNTIES WITH SIMILAR INFECTION RATES HAVE ISSUED MASK MANDATES TO MITIGATE THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS.

ALEXANDRA RANGEL , KPBS NEWS .

>>> IN SAN DIEGO, MORE THAN 90% OF COVID-19 CASES ARE AMONG THE UNVACCINATED, BUT NUMBERS OF THOSE FULLY VACCINATED AND CATCHING THE VIRUS ARE RISING.

KPBS HEALTH REPORTER MATT HOFFMAN SAYS HOSPITALIZATIONS AND DEATHS AMONG THOSE VACCINATED ARE STILL VERY LOW.

>>> TO BE HONEST, THE LAST , YOU KNOW MY MOTHER SO I HAVE NOT BEEN WEARING A MASK INSIDE GROCERY STORES, AND WE HAVE BEEN INSIDE CREDIT RESTAURANTS.

BACK SUZANNE AND HER HUSBAND WERE BOTH VACCINATED IN APRIL, AND SLOWLY STARTED RETURNING TO A PRE-PANDEMIC LIFESTYLE.

>> KIND OF ENJOYING THAT FREEDOM WE THOUGHT WE HAD.

>> Reporter: BUT AFTER RECENTLY FEELING UNDER THE WEATHER AND LIGHTHEADED, SHE GOT A CORONAVIRUS TASK WHICH CAME BACK POSITIVE, MAKING HER ONE OF NEARLY 3000 BREAKER CASES IN SAN DIEGO.

>> MY SYMPTOMS WERE VERY MILD, ALMOST SO MUCH THAT I PROBABLY WOULD NOT HAVE GOTTEN TESTED IF I HAD NOT BEEN SO PARANOID ABOUT THROUGH CASES.

>> Reporter: HER HUSBAND ALSO GOT THE VIRUS DESPITE BEING VACCINATED.

THEIR SYMPTOMS HAVE BEEN MILD AND THEY HAVE NOT NEEDED MEDICAL ATTENTION.

>> I'M SO GRATEFUL I'M VACCINATED, AND THAT MY SYMPTOMS ARE MINIMAL.

I DO FEEL THE ONLY REASON WHY I AM WALKING AND TALKING AND STANDING HERE IS BECAUSE I'M VACCINATED.

>> Reporter: MEDICAL EXPERTS SAY CASES LIKE HERS SHOW THAT DESPITE INFECTION, THE VACCINES ARE WORKING, PROTECTING AGAINST DEATH IN HOSPITALIZATIONS.

>> EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE MORE BREAKTHROUGH INFECTIONS, THEY'RE DEFINITELY VERY MILD, AND SHORT LIVED IN VACCINATED PERSONS.

>> Reporter: DR. FRANCESCA TORI ON A IS AN INFECTIOUS DISEASE SPECIALIST AT UC SAN DIEGO HEALTH.

SHE SAYS THE MARK CONTAGIOUS DELTA VARIANT COULD BE THE REASON FOR THE UPTICK IN CASES AMONG THOSE FULLY VACCINATED.

>> WE DO SEE MORE BREAKTHROUGH THAN WE EVER SAW BEFORE, AND THIS MAY SIMPLY BE BECAUSE DELTA , THE DELTA VARIANT IS ASSOCIATED WITH SO MUCH MORE VIRUS.

>> Reporter: SINCE MARCH OF THIS YEAR, AROUND 9% HAVE BEEN AMONG THOSE FULLY VACCINATED, AND THEY ACCOUNT FOR JUST 2% OF HOSPITALIZATIONS, AND 7% OF DEATHS.

>> THIS PANDEMIC IS STILL IN UNVACCINATED PANDEMIC.

HER BACK SHE SAYS THE DELTA VARIANT IS CHANGING THE FIGHT AGAINST THE PANDEMIC, ESPECIALLY SINCE INFECTIONS IN THOSE FULLY VACCINATED CAN BE EXTREMELY MILD, BUT THE VIRUS CAN STILL BE SPREAD.

>> THAT IS WHY MASKING IS PROTECTION OF OTHERS, SO THAT I DON'T INFECT OTHERS SO THAT THIS IS A SOURCE CONTROL, IS SO IMPORTANT.

>> Reporter: SUZANNE IS NOT SURE HOW SHE GOT THE VIRUS, BUT SHE IS NOW BACK TO MASKING, AND FOR NOW IS NOT SOLD IN RETURNING TO NORMAL.

>> I WAS FLYING REALLY CLOSE TO THE SUN, ENJOYING WHAT I COULD, AND NOW I AM GOING TO DIAL IT BACK.

IF I AM A CAUTIONARY TALE, I WOULD JUST SAY TO DIAL IT BACK A LITTLE BIT, AND MAYBE WE ARE NOT OUT OF THE WOODS YET.

>> Reporter: MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS .

>>> SOME MUCH-NEEDED COVID RELIEF MONEY IS COMING TO SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE COUNTY.

IT IS PART OF MAYOR TODD GLORIA'S GOAL TO GET BUSINESSES BACK ON TRACK, AND PEOPLE BACK TO WORK.

KPBS REPORTER ALEXANDRA RANGEL HAS MORE FROM A BUSINESS OWNER IN NORTHPARK, WHO SAYS A LIFELINE IS VERY MUCH NEEDED.

>>> EVEN THOUGH IT MAY BE FROM THE 1950s -- >> Reporter: GAIL HIGGINS, THE OWNER OF A GIRL CAN'T HELP IT, SPECIALIZES IN VINTAGE CLOTHING.

HER STORE HAS BEEN A LABOR OF LOVE, FUELED BY HER PASSION FOR VINTAGE FASHION.

LATELY IT HAS BEEN MORE LABOR WITH LITTLE REWARD, AS PANDEMIC HURDLES GROW HIGHER.

>> I WAS LOOKING INTO BANKRUPTCY, STORAGE UNITS, INTO WHATEVER I THOUGHT MAYBE THE NEXT STEP.

>> Reporter: MAYOR GLORIA'S NEW PLAN BACK TO WORK SD WAS RECENTLY APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL.

$10 MILLION WILL GO TOWARDS HELPING NONPROFITS, AND SMALL BUSINESSES, RECOVER FROM THE PANDEMIC'S ECONOMIC IMPACTS.

HIGGINS SAYS IT IS THE HELP THE BUSINESS OWNERS NEED RIGHT NOW.

>> I THINK THAT IF WE RECEIVED MORE HELP, IT WILL TAKE AWAY SOME OF THE ANXIETY OF, IS THIS GOING TO CHANGE AGAIN, YOU KNOW WITH NUMBERS GOING UP AGAIN, WITH WEAR A MASK, DON'T WEAR A MASK, VACCINATED, NOT VACCINATED.

>> Reporter: ANGELA LANDSBERG, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF NORTHPARK MAIN STREET SAYS A LOT OF BUSINESSES ARE STILL STRUGGLING.

SHE SAYS SOME BUSINESSES AND TOOK OUT LOANS TO PREVENT CLOSURE ARE ALREADY BEING ASKED TO PAY THAT MONEY BACK.

BUSINESSES THAT NEED HELP WILL BE ABLE TO APPLY FOR THE GRANT MONEY FOR THE SAN DIEGO FOUNDATION STARTING NEXT WEEK.

ALEXANDRA RANGEL , KPBS NEWS .

>>> SWEETWATER UNION HIGH SCHOOL, ONE OF THE FIRST DISTRICTS TO RETURN TO SCHOOL, IS SEEING A NUMBER OF POSITIVE COVID CASES AMONG STUDENTS.

KPBS REPORTER ALEXANDRA RANGEL SPOKE TO SOME FAMILIES AT THE DISTRICT WHO WERE CONSIDERING GOING BACK TO ONLINE LEARNING.

>>> I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS GOING TO BE A FEW HOURS, BUT IT WAS SHORTER THAN I EXPECTED.

>> Reporter: LINES REACHED ALL THE WAY TO THE PARKING LOT AS PARENTS AND CHILDREN FLOCKED TO THE COVID TESTING SITE HELD AT EASTLAKE HIGH SCHOOL ON TUESDAY POINT SOME STUDENTS TELL US THAT THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO GET TESTED, AS POSITIVE CASES HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED AT SCHOOL.

>> IN MY SCHOOL, A LOT OF KIDS ARE GETTING INFECTED BY COVID.

>> Reporter: SOPHIA IS 2 WEEKS INTO THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR AT EASTLAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL.

ALTHOUGH SHE IS VACCINATED, AND HAPPY TO BE BACK FOR IN PERSON LEARNING, SHE IS STARTING TO HAVE RESERVATIONS.

>> HONESTLY, I DON'T REALLY WANT TO GO TO IN PERSON CLASSES.

>> Reporter: HER FATHER SAYS THEY ARE TRYING TO DO WHAT IS BEST FOR THEIR KIDS.

THEY ARE NOW LOOKING INTO HYBRID SCHOOL OPTIONS FOR THEIR DAUGHTER.

>> I THINK IT IS BETTER.

>> Reporter: JOHNSON IS THE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR AT SWEETWATER UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT.

SHE SAYS IN PERSON LEARNING IS GOING WELL.

THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ANY MAJOR OUTBREAKS AT SCHOOL, BUT SOME KIDS HAVE TESTED POSITIVE.

>> TESTING SITES HAVE BEEN VERY POPULAR, AND ACTIVE AS WELL, SO WE HAVE BEEN PROVIDING TESTING AT SEVERAL DIFFERENT LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK FOR THE LAST 2 WEEKS.

>> Reporter: OUT OF THE 35,000 STUDENTS ATTENDING IN PERSON CLASSES, 58 STUDENTS HAVE TESTED POSITIVE, ACCORDING TO THE DISTRICTS COVID DASHBOARD.

JOHNSON SAYS WITH COVID STILL BEING A THREAT TO THE COMMUNITY, POSITIVE CASES WERE EXPECTED.

THIS IS WHY THEY ARE CONTINUING TO OFFER FREE TESTING AT DIFFERENT SCHOOL SITES.

>> WE ARE REQUIRING MASKS AND TESTING.

WE KNOW THAT TESTING, VACCINATIONS, AND WEARING YOUR MASKS ARE THE BEST WAY TO STOP THE SPREAD COVID-19.

>> Reporter: ALEXANDRA RANGEL, KPBS NEWS POINT >>> SINCE THE STORY AIRED, MARK CASES HAVE BEEN REPORTED.

THE DISTRICT HAS CONFIRMED A TOTAL OF 90 CASES AT ALL CAMPUSES SINCE REOPENING IN LATE JULY.

>>> MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FIRE INVESTIGATION THAT DESTROYED THE USS BONHOMME RICHARD IN JULY.

INVESTIGATORS RELEASED NEW DETAILS OF THE SAILOR WHO THEY BELIEVE CAUSED IT.

KPBS MILITARY REPORTER STEVE WALSH SAY THE DOCUMENTS REVEAL A NAME AND POSSIBLE MOTIVE.

>> Reporter: DOCUMENTS UNSEALED THIS WEEK SHOWED 20-YEAR-OLD SEAMAN APPRENTICE HAD TRIED TO BECOME A NAVY SEAL, BUT HE QUIT FIVE ACTORS AFTER ENTERING S.E.A.L.

BASIC TRAINING IN CORONADO.

IN INSTAGRAM POST SHOWS HIM SAYING, I LOVE THE SMELL OF NAPALM IN THE MORNING .

WITNESS TOLD INVESTIGATORS THAT MAYS HATED THE NAVY.

FORMER ATF FIRE INVESTIGATOR ROBERT SHAW SAYS -- >> IT'S ALL CIRCUMSTANTIAL, BUT YOU GET A WHOLE LOT OF CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE, YOU'RE ABLE TO PROVE IT.

>> Reporter: MAYS WAS ASSIGNED TO USS BONHOMME RICHARD.

MOREL AND BEHAVIOR AMONG THOSE WHO FAILED S.E.A.L.

TRAINING IS OFTEN CHALLENGING ONCE THEY COME TO THE FLEET.

HIS FORMER GIRLFRIEND DESCRIBED HIM AS BIPOLAR.

DURING A 10 HOUR INTERVIEW, MAYS INITIALLY TOLD INVESTIGATORS THAT HE DID NOT KNOW OF ANY A WAY TO GET OUT OF THE AREA OF THE FIRE WITHOUT BEING DETECTED, BUT LATER REVEALED THAT HE DID.

>> WE CALL IT A FALSE EXCULPATORY STATEMENT, WERE YOU GIVE A STATEMENT THAT IS FALSE, BUT IT IS INTENDED TO SHOW THAT YOU COULD NOT HAVE DONE IT.

>> Reporter: THREE OF THE FOUR NEARBY FIRE STATIONS HAD BEEN DISABLED.

DURING THE INVESTIGATION, ONE BOTTLE THAT HAD BEEN TAGGED AT EVIDENCE WAS MISSING AT THE SCENE.

>> IT SEEMS THAT SOMEBODY INTENTIONALLY TAMPERED WITH IT, BECAUSE THE FLAGGING TAPE WAS AROUND THE BOTTLE, AND IT WAS PUT ON SOMETHING.

THEY FOUND THE FLAGGING TAPE, BUT THE BOTTLE WAS GONE.

>> Reporter: DOCUMENTS WERE ORIGINALLY FILED IN AUGUST 2020 AS INVESTIGATORS SAW MAYS'S EMAIL HISTORY FROM GOOGLE.

BEGINNING JULY 12, THE FIRE BURNED FOR 5 DAYS ABOARD THE SHIP.

71 PEOPLE WERE INJURED.

MAYS IS IN CUSTODY.

HE'S EXPECTED TO STAND TRIAL IN MILITARY COURT IN SAN DIEGO.

STEVE WALSH, KPBS NEWS .

>>> A LOCAL MILITARY VETERAN WHO SURVIVED THE ATTACK AT PEARL HARBOR HAS DIED OF COVID- 19.

STU WAS THE SOLE SURVIVOR ON THE BATTLESHIP WEST VIRGINIA.

IN A TWEET, THE SAN DIEGO MAYOR TODD GLORIA SAID STU IS A HERO.

HE SURVIVED PEARL HARBOR, AND SPEND THE REST OF HIS LIFE INJURING SAN DIEGANS NEVER FORGOT THE DATE THAT LIVES IN INFAMY.

HE WOULD HAVE TURNED 100 YEARS OLD ON OCTOBER 31st.

>>> WILDFIRE IS A CONSTANT THREAT TO THE REGION, AND IN A EFFORT TO NEGATE THOSE THREATS, THE POWER COMPANY HAS PRESENTED PLANS TO PRESERVE THE ENVIRONMENT BY REDUCING UTILITY OF RELATED RISK.

IT INCLUDES SAFETY SHUTOFFS, STRATEGIC UNDERGROUND IN, AND EXPANDED GENERATOR GRANT PROGRAM, AS WELL AS ADVANCED CLEAN TECHNOLOGY.

THEY ALSO INCLUDE A FLOW BATTERY TO KEEP CRITICAL FACILITIES AND CUSTOMERS ENERGIZED DURING A POWER SHUT OFF.

>>> THE SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THE FIRST OVERHAUL OF THE CITY'S PARKS MASTER PLAN AND 65 YEARS.

KPBS METRO REPORTER ANDREW BOWEN SAYS THE GOAL IS EQUITY.

>> Reporter: IN THE PAST, NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS WERE LARGELY FUNDED BY FEES TIED TO NEW DEVELOPMENT.

THAT MEANT NEWER AND WEALTHIER NEIGHBORHOODS WITH MORE GROWTH RECEIVED A DISPROPORTIONATE SHARE OF PARK MONEY.

THE NEW SYSTEM REQUIRES THAT A PORTION OF DEVELOPMENT FEES REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY COME FROM, GO TO UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES.

COUNCILMEMBER VIVIAN MARINO SAYS THE STATUS QUO HAS LEFT HER CONSTITUENTS BEHIND.

>> KIDS HAVE NO SAFE PLACE TO PLAY IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS.

SENIORS DON'T HAVE SAFE PLACES TO WALK AND EXERCISE.

PARK DEPRIVATION IS WHY YOU SEE PEOPLE PLAYING SOCCER ON BASKETBALL COURTS, AND IN PARKING LOTS.

WE FELT IT TREMENDOUSLY DURING THE LOCKDOWN.

>> Reporter: COUNCILMEMBER CHRIS CADE CAST THE ONLY VOTE AGAINST THE PARK PLAN, SAYING HE FEARS HIS DISTRICT, WHICH INCLUDES THE FAST-GROWING COMMUNITY OF KEARNY MESA, COULD BE LEFT BEHIND.

>> WE HAVE COMMUNITIES IN MY DISTRICT THAT ARE GOING TO BE SEEING TENS OF THOUSANDS OF NEW UNITS BEING BUILT, EVENTUALLY OVER 100,000 NEW RESIDENTS COMING INTO MY COMMUNITIES, WITH REALLY NO ASSURANCES OR GUARANTEES THAT EVEN A SMALL BIT OF THE FUNDING THAT WOULD COME FROM THOSE COMMUNITIES WOULD GO BACK TO THOSE COMMUNITIES FOR PARKS.

>> Reporter: THE MASTER PLAN UPDATE ALSO INCLUDES INCENTIVES FOR MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND IT CHANGES HOW THE CITY EVALUATES PARK QUALITY, WITH LESS EMPHASIS ON ACREAGE, AND MORE EMPHASIS ON A PARKS AMENITIES.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> A NEW ORDINANCE THAT BANS THE SALE OF GHOST GUNS WAS ALSO APPROVED BY THE SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL.

KPBS REPORTER ALEXANDRA RANGEL HAS MORE ON WHAT THIS MEANS FOR GUN OWNERS.

>>> IF IT PASSES 8-1, WITH COUNCILMEMBER CADE VOTING NO.

>> Reporter: THE ORDINANCE PASSED BY THE SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL MONDAY AIMS TO ELIMINATE NON-SERIALIZED UNTRACEABLE FIREARMS, GHOST GUNS IN THE COUNTY.

THE ORDINANCE PROHIBITS THE POSSESSION, PURCHASE, AND SALE OF NON-SERIALIZED GUNS AND GUN GETS IN SAN DIEGO, AND ONLINE.

THE COUNCILWOMAN SAYS THE RECENT RISE IN GHOST GUNS, AND THE TRAGIC GASLAMP SHOOTING IN APRIL THAT KILLED A PERSON, AND INJURED THREE OTHERS COME UP PUSHED HER TO MOVE THE ORDINANCE FORWARD.

>> IF ANYONE WANTS TO PURCHASE AN UNFINISHED FRAME, IT WILL BE REQUIRED TO BE SERIALIZED AND TRACEABLE, JUST LIKE ANY OTHER FIREARM IN THE STREAM OF COMMERCE.

>> Reporter: THE SAN DIEGO POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS SOUNDED THE ALARM ON THESE GUNS, CITING A 169% INCREASE OF GHOST GUNS BEING FOUND AT CRIME SCENES.

ACCORDING TO SD PD, THE MAJORITY OF THESE UNTRACEABLE GUNS ARE FOUND IN THE HANDS OF FELONS, DRUG DEALERS, AND PEOPLE PROHIBITED FROM PURCHASING A GUN.

THIS IS WHY COUNCILMEMBER CHRIS KATE VOTED NO ON THE ORDINANCE IN A STANDALONE BOAT.

HE SAYS THE NEW LAW WOULD NOT PROHIBIT CRIMINALS FROM CONTINUING TO BREAK THE LAW.

IN CALIFORNIA, OWNING AN UN- SERIALIZED FIREARM IS ALREADY ILLEGAL.

>> IS COMPLETELY UNREASONABLE TO BELIEVE THEY WILL FOLLOW THIS NEW LAW.

THIS LAW DOES NOTHING TO PREVENT MASS SHOOTINGS.

IT IS NOTHING TO HOLD CRIMINALS ACCOUNTABLE.

THIS LAW DOES NOTHING TO MAKE US SAFER.

>> Reporter: COVER GUN VIOLENCE ADVOCATES HOPE THE NEW LAW TO PREVENT MORE DEATHS.

>> I HAVE LOST FRIENDS TO GUN VIOLENCE, AND I SEE, AND I HAVE HUGGED TOO MANY MOTHERS WHO HAVE LOST THEIR SONS TO GUN VIOLENCE.

>> Reporter: ALEXANDRA RANGEL, KPBS NEWS .

>>> THERE IS A MAJOR EFFORT IN THE U.S. TO SHUT DOWN THE MULTIBILLION-DOLLAR TRADE IN EXOTIC ANIMALS, SUCH AS LIONS, TIGERS, AND LEOPARDS.

SOME OF THESE BIG CATS WIND UP IN SANCTUARIES, LIKE ONE RIGHT HERE IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

KPBS REPORTER JOHN CARROLL TAKES US THERE .

>> Reporter: SAID AMONG THE ROLLING HILLS OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY'S BACKCOUNTRY, JUST A FEW MILES OUTSIDE OF ALPINE, A MENAGERIE.

93 ACRES OF SANCTUARY, AND A NAME, LIONS, TIGERS, AND BEARS, A HOME FOR RESCUED ANIMALS.

>> THE EXOTIC ANIMAL TRADE IS SECOND TO GUNS AND WEAPONS AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN OUR COUNTRY.

THESE ANIMALS ARE USED, ABUSED, AND BREAD FOR NOTHING MORE THAN PROFIT.

>> Reporter: BOBBY BRINK IS THE FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF LIONS, TIGERS, AND BEARS, HOME TO DOZENS OF ANIMALS, NOT JUST THE ONES IN THE TITLE.

BOBCATS, GOATS, A LLAMA, ALONG WITH SOME HORSES AND BIRDS LIVE HERE AS WELL.

IT IS ACCREDITED BY THE AMERICAN SANCTUARY ASSOCIATION, AND THAT IS IMPORTANT.

>> A TRUE SANCTUARY RESCUES, PROVIDES A LIFETIME HOME, DOES NOT BREED, SELL, OR TRADE ANIMALS.

>> Reporter: WE WERE HERE LAST THURSDAY, INTERNATIONAL TIGER DAY.

>> AT LEAST 10,000 TIGERS ARE KEPT IN TO NAVIDI.

>> Reporter: PEOPLE BEGIN THEIR TIME HERE WATCHING A VIDEO, EXPLAINING HOW THE ANIMALS THEY ARE ABOUT TO SEE GOT HERE.

THIS BEING INTERNATIONAL TIGER DAY, THERE WAS SOMETHING SPECIAL.

TREATS HIDDEN IN CARDBOARD CREATIONS.

RAW MEAT FOR NOLA AND BOCA.

IT COSTS DIFFERENT DEPENDING ON THE DAY, $26 FOR CHILDREN FOR A DAY'S VISIT.

THE 15,000 YEARLY VISITORS HELP PAY THE BILLS.

>> IT'S ABOUT $15 $15,000 PER YEAR TO FEED ONE CAT, AND OUR BIGGEST EXPENSES BUILDING THESE FAST HABITATS, INSURANCE, PUMPING THE WATER, ELECTRICITY, KEEPER SALARY.

ALL THESE ANIMALS HAVE TO HAVE SOMEONE TO TAKE CARE OF THEM DAILY.

IT IS NOT CHEAP.

>> Reporter: ABOUT $2 MILLION PER YEAR TO TAKE CARE OF 65 ANIMALS.

WHILE VISITORS HELP WITH DAILY EXPENSES -- >> WE DO SURVIVE ON DONATIONS.

>> Reporter: DONATIONS THAT HELP PAY FOR BIG COSTS, LIKE THE REHABILITATION OF THE ANIMALS.

A LOT OF THEM ARE IN BAD SHAPE WHEN THEY ARRIVE.

THE LIFE THESE BEARS LIVED BEFORE GETTING HERE IS STOMACH TURNING.

>> BEHIND ME IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF WHAT WE CALL PIT BEARS.

THEY'RE LITERALLY IN CINDERBLOCK PITS WHERE THE BEARS CANNOT BE OUT.

THEY ARE KEPT IN BREEDING PAIRS.

WHEN THE BABIES ARE BORN, THEY PULL THE BABIES AT 60 DAYS FROM THE MOTHER, UP TOP WHERE THE MOTHER CAN HEAR AND SMELL THEM, BUT CAN'T SEE THEM, FOR PEOPLE TO GET THEIR PICTURE TAKEN.

>> Reporter: DO YOU STILL GET ANGRY AT YOUR FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS?

>> I HAVE TO CONTROL MY TEMPER A LOT, BECAUSE YOU CAN'T LOSE YOUR TEMPER, OR WE LOSE.

WE WANT TO GET THE ANIMALS OUT OF THERE, AND SOMETIMES THIS CAN TAKE YEARS, 5 TO 6 YEARS, TO GET ANIMALS OUT OF DISGUSTING PLACES.

>> Reporter: BOBBY PICKED RAN HER PROFESSIONAL CAREER AS A FLIGHT ATTENDANT IN 1990, BUT SHE SOON REALIZED THAT WASN'T FOR HER.

NEXT SHE BECAME A RESTAURANT TOUR, BUT EVENTUALLY SHE AND HER HUSBAND CAME HERE.

THEY OPENED THIS PLACE IN 2002.

SHE SAYS NOWADAYS HER MOST REWARDING MOMENTS COME FROM VISITORS WHO ARRIVE NOT KNOWING ANYTHING ABOUT THE EXOTIC ANIMAL TRADE, BUT LEAVE EDUCATED AND MOTIVATED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

SOMEDAY, SHE HOPES THERE WON'T BE A NEED FOR PLACES LIKE LIONS, TIGERS, AND BEARS.

>> THAT'S A SANCTUARIES JOB, TO TRY TO BE PUTTING SANCTUARIES OUT OF BUSINESS.

>> Reporter: UNTIL THE DAY ARRIVES, SHE AND HER STAFF AND HER VOLUNTEERS WILL CONTINUE TO EXPAND THIS SPECIAL PLACE BY BUILDING MORE HABITATS, AND BY DOING THE DAILY WORK OF MAKING LIFE AS GOOD AS IT CAN BE FOR THESE ANIMALS WHO HAVE SUFFERED SO MUCH.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS .

>>> SAN DIEGO IS TAKING ACTION TO KEEP PEOPLE AND SEA LIONS FROM HURTING EACH OTHER AT THE ROCKY SHORELINE OF LA JOLLA POINT.

KPBS ENVIRONMENT REPORTER ERIK ANDERSON SAYS THE CITY IS ASKING FOR EMERGENCY APPROVAL TO KEEP PEOPLE OUT OF THE SEA LION ROOKERY.

>> Reporter: THE TENSION BETWEEN LA JOLLA POINT SEA LIONS AND ONLOOKERS HAS BEEN SIMMERING FOR YEARS.

THE ATTRACTION OF SEA LION PUPS HAULED OUT ON THE ROCKY SHORE IS TOO ENTICING.

THIS VIDEO SHOWS TOURISTS CROWDING THOSE PUPS, WHO ARE NOT YET PROFICIENT SWIMMERS.

THE THREAT DOES NOT ALWAYS COME FROM THE SHORE.

ANOTHER VIDEO SHOWS A DIVER COMING UP ON THE BEACH AND SCATTERING THE MARINE MAMMALS.

PEOPLE REGULARLY IGNORE GUIDANCE ABOUT HOW TO DEAL WITH THOSE SEA LIONS, BUT MANY TAKE IN THE SCENE WHILE FOLLOWING THE RULES.

MARLON AGUILERA IS VISITING FROM KANSAS CITY.

SHE FOUND THE SEA LION'S CAPTIVATING.

>> IS BEAUTIFUL.

HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT.

IS MY FIRST TIME BEING HERE.

I WAS SHOCKED YOU CAN SEE THE WILDLIFE RIGHT IN FRONT OF US.

>> Reporter: WHILE SHE FOLLOWED THE RULES AND KEPT HER DISTANCE, OTHERS IGNORED THE WARNINGS.

CITY OFFICIALS HOPE A TEMPORARY EMERGENCY CLOSURE OF THE SHORELINE THROUGH MID-SEPTEMBER WILL HELP MINIMIZE DANGEROUS INTERACTIONS.

CITY PARKS OFFICIALS SAY IT IS IMPORTANT TO PROTECT PEOPLE, AND TO ALLOW THE SEA LION'S TO CARE FOR AND RAISE THEIR YOUNG.

THE SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCILMEMBER BUDDY HAD A SOLUTION WHEN HE PUBLICLY ADDRESSED THE ISSUE IN JUNE.

>> WHAT WE DID ABOUT A MONTH AGO WAS PUT OUT SOME ADDITIONAL SIGNS.

WE DID SOME STENCILING ON THE SHORT WALL THAT ENCOURAGED PEOPLE TO STAY AWAY.

THAT OF COURSE DID NOT REALLY GET THE RESULTS THAT WE WERE HOPING FOR.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE CHANCE TO GET A SELFIE WITH THE MARINE MAMMALS IS TOO IRRESISTIBLE, AND THE EXTRA SIGNAGE DID NOT STOP THE INTERACTIONS.

HE SAYS THAT PUTS YOUNG SEA LION PUPS IN DANGER, AS WELL AS PEOPLE, BECAUSE SEA LIONS WILL LASH OUT IF THEY FEEL THREATENED.

THEY HOPE THE NEW STRONG APPROACH DURING THE SUMMER PUPPING SEASON WORKS.

>> WE WILL BE INSTALLING SIGNS THAT IN SOME PLACES SAY AREA CLOSED, AND THE CITY PARK DIRECT DEPARTMENT WILL DETERMINE WHERE TO PLACE THEM.

ESSENTIALLY IT WILL BE ON THE OCEAN SIDE OF THE SHORT WALL.

WE WILL ALSO PUT A CHAIN ACROSS THE WOODEN STAIRWAY THAT IS THAT ONE END OF THAT WALL.

>> IT'S A GOOD START.

>> Reporter: DAVIDOFF IS A DOCENT FOR THE SIERRA CLUB'S SEAL SOCIETY.

>> WE ARE REALLY PLEASED TO HAVE THAT.

IT'S A GREAT START.

WE THINK IT WILL HELP QUITE A BIT.

A LOT OF EDUCATION IS NEEDED, AND ENFORCEMENT IS NEEDED BY THE RANGERS.

>> Reporter: DAVIDOFF AND OTHERS HAVE RECORDED LOTS OF ILL-ADVISED INTERACTIONS BETWEEN PEOPLE AND THE MARINE MAMMALS.

SHE SAYS ACCESS TO THE ROCKY SHORELINE NEEDS TO BE LIMITED, BECAUSE IT IS TOO EASY TO GET CLOSE RIGHT NOW.

THIS LOW WALL IS SOMETIMES THE ONLY BARRIER BETWEEN SEA LION HABITAT, AND THE PEOPLE WHO ARE WALKING BY.

IT IS VERY EASY TO CLIMB OVER.

DAVIDOFF SUGGESTS THAT PERHAPS PUTTING A RAILING ON TOP OF IT WOULD CREATE THE SEPARATION THAT IS NEEDED BETWEEN SEA LION'S AND PEOPLE.

THE SIGNAGE AND ACCESS RESTRICTIONS THE CITY IS ASKING FOR WOULD ONLY BE IN PLACE UNTIL THE MIDDLE OF SEPTEMBER.

ACCESS TO THE SHORE WOULD BE PERMITTED AFTER THE PUPPING SEASON IS OVER, BUT CITY OFFICIALS ARE ALSO CONSIDERING LONGER-TERM SOLUTIONS, WHICH COULD INCLUDE CUTTING OFF ACCESS TO THE SHORE DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS.

ERIK ANDERSON, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE NEW RADY SHELL AT JACOBS PARK WILL HOST ITS FIRST- EVER CONCERT TOMORROW NIGHT, THE RIVER WAS CUT FOR THE NEW BAYSIDE VENUE.

KPBS REPORTER MELISSA MAE WAS THERE AND GIVES US A LOOK.

>>> WE WOULD LIKE TO AT THIS TIME ASK FOR BLESSINGS UPON THIS NEW FACILITY HERE.

>> Reporter: A BLESSING FOR THE NEW RADY SHELL FROM NATIVE AMERICAN ACTIVIST, RANDY EDMONDS.

>> PLUS THIS NEW FACILITY THAT IT MAY BE USED FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU.

I HAVE SPOKEN.

>> Reporter: MICHELLE AT JACOBS PARK IS THE NEW HOME FOR THE SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY.

MARTHA GILMER IS THE SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY CEO, AND IS EXCITED FOR THE FUTURE THE VENUE.

>> THE MAGIC OF MUSICMAKING IS NOT!, IT IS INCLUSIVE.

IT DOES NOT STOP AT BORDERS OR FENCES.

THAT IS WHAT THIS SPACE SYMBOLIZES, AND WILL COME TO MEAN IN THE LIFE OF SAN DIEGO.

>> Reporter: DAVID SCHNEIDER IS THE CHAIR OF THE SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY, AND SEES THE RADY SHELL IS A NEW BEGINNING FOR THE SYMPHONY.

>> WHAT WE ASPIRE TO TODAY IS A SPACE TO BE FILLED WITH CONCERTS, WITH EVENTS AND ACTIVITY THAT WILL RAISE THE HUMAN SPIRIT.

TODAY WE COMMENCE THE MOST IMPORTANT WORK OF THE SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY.

>> Reporter: SARAH HAS BEEN THE PRINCIPAL OBOIST FOR THE SYMPHONY SINCE 2009, AND SPOKE ON BEHALF OF HER FELLOW MUSICIANS.

>> THIS WORLD-CLASS PERFORMANCE SPACE HAS ENABLED AND INSPIRED US TO PLAY TOGETHER WITH FAR GREATER SENSITIVITY AND ACCURACY , AND WILL ULTIMATELY HELP US GROW TOGETHER AS AN ORCHESTRA.

WE CAN'T WAIT TO SHARE OUR MUSIC AT THE RADY SHELL WITH THE SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY , AND BEYOND.

>> Reporter: THE RADY SHELL IS THE FIRST PERMANENT WATERFRONT CONCERT VENUE ON THE WEST COAST, AND THE FIRST BAYSIDE CONCERT VENUE IN THE NATION TO BE OPERATED BY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA.

MELISSA MAE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE SHOW WILL HOST ITS FIRST-EVER CONCERT TONIGHT.

WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS LOOK AT KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.