HOWELL FAMILY OF COMPANIES, PROVIDING SAN DIEGO WITH PLUMBING, HEATING, AND AIR RESTORATION, FLOOD AND REMODELING SERVICES FOR OVER 40 YEARS.

CALL ONE 800 BILL HOW OR VISIT BILLY HOWLE.COM POINT AND THE BY THE CONROD FOUNDATION.

DARLENE MARCO SHYLY AND, AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US, I AM A MAYA TRABULSI.

SAN DIEGO IS ONE OF THE SAFEST BIG CITIES IN THE UNITED STATES, ACCORDING TO CRIME DATA COLLECTED BY THE SAN DIEGO POLICE DEPARTMENT, BUT A CERTAIN TYPE OF CRIME IS ON THE RISE HERE, AND THAT IS A HATE CRIME.

KPBS PORTER JOHN CARROLL SAYS THERE IS A NEW EFFORT UNDERWAY TO STOP CRIMES WHERE HATE IS THE MOTIVATING FACTOR.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO POLICE CAPTAIN JUAN SANCHEZ LAID OUT THE SITUATION IN STARK TERMS THIS MORNING POINT >> LAST YEAR ALONE, THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO SAW A 30% INCREASE IN HATE CRIMES CITYWIDE.

AND OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS, HILLCREST HAS BEEN THE PLACE WITH THE MOST HATE CRIMES.

IT >> Reporter: A NEWS CONFERENCE FEATURING TWO MEMBERS OF THE SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL AND OTHER LEADERS WAS HELD RIGHT WHERE ONE OF THOSE HATE CRIMES HAPPENED, RICHARDS BAR ON UNIVERSITY AVENUE.

ONE MAN WAS INJURED AFTER BEING SHOT BY A PELLET GUN LAST MAY.

NO ONE HAS BEEN CHARGED YET IN THAT CRIME, BUT A 19-YEAR-OLD IS FACING CHARGES IN ANOTHER ATTACK EARLIER THIS MONTH IN HILLCREST BUT ANOTHER SERIES OF PELLET GUN SHOOTINGS, WHERE AT LEAST FOUR PEOPLE WERE HURT.

COUNCILMEMBER RAUL CAMBIO SAYS WHEN IT COMES TO HATE CRIMES, THERE ARE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO HELP THE VICTIMS.

>> ONE TEACH WHAT IS CALIFORNIA VERSUS HATE, IT IS A FREE CONFIDENTIAL SERVICE THAT IS AVAILABLE IN OVER 200 LANGUAGES.

THE SERVICE ALLOWS YOU TO REPORT HATE INCIDENTS AND CONNECT WITH TRAINED PROFESSIONALS WHO KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING, CAN GIVE YOU LEGAL HELP, MENTAL-HEALTH HELP, FINANCIAL RESOURCES, AND MEDIATION SERVICES.

>> Reporter: YOU CAN ACCESS THOSE RESOURCES AT CALIFORNIA VERSUS HATE.ORG.

THE COUNCILMEMBERS DISTRICT INCLUDES DEL CERRO, WHERE EARLIER THIS YEAR, ANTI-SEMITIC FLYERS WERE PLACED AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

HE SAYS THAT INCIDENT CONVINCED HIM TO GET THE WORD OUT THAT SAN DIEGO WILL NOT TOLERATE HATE CRIMES.

>> HATE DIRECTED AGAINST THE JEWISH, LGBT BLACK COMMUNITIES, THAT IS NOTHING NEW.

BUT PART OF THE POINT HERE THIS MORNING IS THAT HATE IN THIS DAY AND AGE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES, AND IT IS IMPORTANT TO STOP IT AT THE SOURCE.

>> IT'S LIKE WE TAKE STEPS FORWARD, THEN WE TAKE STEPS BACK.

>> NICOLE RAMIREZ IS A LONGTIME LATINO AND LGBTQ COMMUNITY ACTIVIST.

>> I WOULD SAY THE LAST EIGHT YEARS, THE RISE IN HATE AND THE LACK OF DIALOGUE OF PEOPLE COMING TOGETHER IS JUST ASTOUNDING.

I WOULD THINK THAT OUR COUNTRY AND OUR NATION WOULD LEARN THAT WHAT MADE US THE GREAT NATION WE ARE IS OUR DIVERSITY.

IT >> Reporter: A BRIGHT SPOT?

HATE CRIME STATEWIDE FELL FROM 2022 TO 2023.

THE HOPE OF THESE LEADERS IS THAT TRENT CAN TAKE HOLD HERE IN SAN DIEGO AND SOON.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> TWO PEOPLE ARE UNDER ARREST AND AN INVESTIGATION IS UNDERWAY AFTER A SMALL PLANE LANDED ON STATE ROUTE 76 IN OCEANSIDE.

POLICE SAY THE PLANE EXPERIENCED ENGINE FAILURE AND MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING NEAR CANYON DRIVE JUST BEFORE 2:00 THIS MORNING.

THE TWO OCCUPANTS WERE NOT HURT, BUT THEY WERE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AFTER POLICE SAY THEY FOUND ILLEGAL DRUGS ON BOARD.

>> DURING THE INVESTIGATION, THEY OBSERVED ONE OF THE INDIVIDUALS DISCARD A BACKPACK INTO A NEARBY BRUSH, WHICH OBVIOUSLY RAISED CONCERNS TO ONE OF THE OFFICERS.

A SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION INTO THAT REVEALED APPROXIMATELY ONE KILO OF SUSPECTED COCAINE IN THE BACKPACK THAT WAS DISCARDED.

>> THE IDENTITIES OF THE TWO SUSPECTS HAVE NOT BEEN RELEASED.

MEANWHILE, THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION IS INVESTIGATING WHAT LED TO THE EMERGENCY LANDING.

>>> I AM ARIELLE SCALISE, AND COMING UP TONIGHT ON KPBS NEWS, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT LOW CLOUDS NEAR THE COAST, THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN FOR OUR NIGHTTIME AND MORNING HOURS, SPREADING INTO THE VALLEY.

EVENTUALLY, WE WILL BE WATCHING A WARMING TREND THROUGH THE END OF THE WEEK, INTO THE WEEKEND, EVEN INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK.

I WILL LET YOU KNOW WHEN TEMPERATURES WILL COME BACK DOWN, THAT IS ALL COMING UP TONIGHT.

>>> HELENE IS NOW A MAJOR CATEGORY 4 STORM TO COME OUT OF THE GULF OF MEXICO.

IT IS EXPECTED TO MAKE LANDFALL IN FLORIDA'S PANHANDLE, AND AS MICHAEL YOSHIDA REPORTS, STATE OFFICIALS ARE CHANGING THEIR MESSAGING FROM THE BACK OF A TO SHELTER IN PLACE.

>> Reporter: EVERY MINUTE THAT GOES BY BRINGS US CLOSER TO HAVING CONDITIONS THAT ARE GOING TO BE SIMPLY TOO DANGEROUS TO NAVIGATE.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IS USING ANOTHER TERM, UNSURVIVABLE.

WHEN IT COMES TO THE STORM SURGE, HELENE IS EXPECTED TO UNLEASH ON PARTS OF THE FLORIDA COAST IN THE COMING HOURS.

>> IT'S GOING TO CHANGE THE LANDSCAPE IN FRANKLIN COUNTY, I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT.

>> FOR MUCH OF FLORIDA'S GULF COAST, MANDATORY EVACUATIONS HAVE BEEN IN PLACE SINCE WEDNESDAY.

STATE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS AND POOR RESIDENTS TO LEAVE ALL YOU CAN.

>> SOME RESIDENTS MADE DECISIONS THAT THEY ARE GOING TO HUNKER DOWN, EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE REQUESTED TO LEAVE.

>> REGARDLESS OF THAT, THE GOVERNOR SAYS RESCUE CREWS ARE STANDING BY.

>> IF THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO BE IN DISTRESS, WE ARE GOING TO BE THERE TO ASSIST WITH >> Reporter: THEIR MESSAGE NOW, SURVIVAL.

>> IF YOU HEAR TREES SNAPPING AROUND YOUR HOME, TREAT IT LIKE A TORNADO.

GET INTO THE INTERIOR PORTION OF YOUR HOME, GET AS LOW AS YOU CAN.

>> Reporter: AND SILENCE, OFFICIALS WORN, DOESN'T MEAN SAFE.

>> IT ACTUALLY MEANS YOU'RE IN THE EYE OF THE HURRICANE.

RIGHT?

DO NOT GO OUT AND SURVEY DAMAGE.

IT >> Reporter: AN EYE THAT COULD BE UP TO 50 MILES WIDE WITH MORE CATASTROPHIC CONDITIONS LESS THAN AN HOUR BEHIND IT.

HELENE IS EXPECTED TO ROAR UP TO SOUTHEASTERN U.S. WITH IMPACTS FELT AS FAR NORTH AS D.C.

IN THE DAYS AHEAD.

RIGHT NOW, ALONG WITH FLORIDA, GEORGIA, THE CAROLINAS, AND THE STATE OF VIRGINIA ARE UNDER A STATE OF EMERGENCY.

IN FLORIDA, MICHAEL YOSHIDA, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE MIRAMAR AIR SHOW TAKES FLIGHT TOMORROW.

KPBS MILITARY REPORTER ANDREW GOT AN EARLY LOOK AND HAS MORE ON WHAT TO EXPECT THIS WEEKEND.

IT >> Reporter: THINGS ARE QUIET NOW, BUT OVER THE NEXT THREE DAYS, OFFICIALS EXPECT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE TO FILL THESE GRAND STANDS.

THIS YEAR'S AIR SHOW AGAIN FEATURES ALL SORTS OF MILITARY AND STOCK PERFORMANCE AIRCRAFT.

BASE COMMANDING OFFICER COLONEL ERIC HERMAN SAYS HE IS EXCITED TO WELCOME THE COMMUNITY ONTO THE BASE.

>> THEY ARE GOING TO SEE SOME THINGS THAT WILL HOPEFULLY KNOCK THEIR SOCKS OFF.

THE AERIAL PERFORMERS, BOTH CIVILIAN AND MILITARY.

>> Reporter: THE NAVY'S BLUE ANGELS FIGHT -- FLIGHT TEAM, HERMAN SAYS IT IS THE MARINE AIR GROUND TASK FORCE ADMINISTRATION HE IS EXCITED ABOUT THE >> IT IS INCREDIBLE.

SO, YOU WILL SEE EVERY COMPLEMENT OF AIRCRAFT THAT WE FLY AS MARINES.

YOU WILL SEE THE HORNET, YOU WILL SEE THE F-35, TO SEE OUR COBRAS AND HUMANS, OUR OSPREYS AND 53 NEWS.

>> Reporter: THE SHOW IS BILLED AS THE LARGEST MILITARY AIR SHOW AROUND THE WORLD, AND LOOKING AROUND THE FLIGHTLINE, IT IS HARD TO DISPUTE THAT.

HERMAN SAYS PLANNING FOR AN EVENT OF THIS SIZE TAKES ALL YOUR.

AS SOON AS THE SHOW ENDS SUNDAY, THEY WILL START PLANNING THE NEXT ONE.

HE SAYS THE MARINES PUT IN A LOT OF WORK TO MAKE THIS WEEKEND HAPPENED.

>> REMEMBER, THIS IS A WORKING MILITARY AIR STATION, SO THE AIRCRAFT WING IS EXECUTING TRAINING MISSIONS ALL THE WAY UP UNTIL THE AIR SHOW ACTUALLY KICKS OFF, AND SO, WE TRY VERY, VERY HARD TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL THE LOGISTICAL EXPERTS THAT GO TO SET THIS WHOLE THING UP DON'T INTRUDE ON OUR ABILITY TO BE READY WHEN THE NATION'S LEAST READY.

>> IS GOING TO BE SUNNY AND IT IS GOING TO BE LOUD, SO I RECOMMEND SUNSCREEN AND EARPLUGS.

THE MARINES SAY EVERYTHING ELSE YOU NEED TO KNOW IS ON THE AIR SHOWS WEBSITE.

THE SHOW RUNS FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY, AND ADMISSION IS FREE.

ANDREW DYER, KPBS NEWS.

>>> TONIGHT ON THE NEWS HOUR, FLORIDA BRACES FOR IMPACT FROM HURRICANE HELENE.

THAT IS COMING UP AT 7:00 AFTER EVENING EDITION ON KPBS.

X [ MUSIC ] >>> UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODOMYR ZELENSKYY IS IN WASHINGTON TO APPEAL FOR HELP COUNTERING RUSSIA'S INVASION, WITH NOVEMBER'S ELECTION QUICKLY APPROACHING.

JULIA PEMBROKE REPORTS THIS COULD BE HIS FINAL CHANCE TO CONVINCE A PERCEPTIVE AMERICAN PRESIDENT OF HIS COUNTRY'S WAR AIMS.

>> Reporter: UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODOMYR ZELENSKYY SITTING DOWN WITH PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN.

>> RUSSIA WILL NOT PREVAIL, UKRAINE WILL PREVAIL.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO STAND BY YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.

>> Reporter: AND MEETING WITH VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS TO PRESENT WHAT HE REFERS TO AS A VICTORY PLAN.

>> TO BE SAFE, SECURE, AND PROSPEROUS, THE UNITED STATES MUST CONTINUE TO FULFILL OUR LONG-STANDING ROLE OF GLOBAL LEADERSHIP.

WE MUST STAND WITH OUR ALLIES AND OUR PARTNERS.

WE MUST DEFEND OUR DEMOCRATIC VALUES AND STAND UP TO AGGRESSORS.

>> Reporter: PEOPLE FAMILIAR WITH THE PLAN SAY IT ACCENTS ZELENSKYY IS GROWING WEARINESS BUT IT MAKES THE CASE THAT UKRAINE CAN STILL WIN AND DOES NOT NEED TO SEE IS RUSSIA'S TERRITORY FOR THE FIGHTING TO END IF ASSISTANCE IS RUSTON.

HIS VISIT COMES JUST WEEKS AHEAD OF WHAT IS EXPECTED TO BE A CLOSE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION BETWEEN HARRIS AND FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

IF TRUMP WINS, MANY OFFICIALS BELIEVE THERE COULD BE A MAJOR CHANGE IN THE AMERICAN APPROACH TO THE WAR.

HAS CLAIMED HE WILL BE ABLE TO "SETTLE THE WAR," UPON TAKING OFFICE, AND HAS SUGGESTED HE WILL END SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE'S EFFORTS.

>> THOUGH CITIES ARE GONE, THEY ARE GONE.

AND WE CONTINUE TO GIVE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO A MAN WHO REFUSES TO MAKE A DEAL.

ZELENSKYY.

>> BIDEN RECENTLY ORDERED A SURGE OF ASSISTANCE TO UKRAINE, DIRECTING THE PENTAGON TO ALLOCATE ANY MONEY ALREADY APPROVED BEFORE HE LEAVES OFFICE.

REPORTING IN WASHINGTON, I AM JULIA BENBROOK.

>> Reporter: AS THE COST OF LIVING IN SAN DIEGO CONTINUES TO STRAIN FAMILIES BUDGETS, SCHOOLS ARE LOOKING FOR WAYS TO HELP FEED STUDENTS AT HOME.

KPBS REPORTER KATIE ANASTAS VISITED HANCOCK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WHERE A NEW FOOD PANTRY IS SERVING MILITARY FAMILIES.

>> Reporter: BREANNA VAN AND HER FAMILY MOVED TO SAN DIEGO FROM TEXAS.

SHE SAYS THE MOVE CAME WITH SOME STICKER SHOCK.

>> A LITTLE CAESARS PIZZA HERE IS $11.47, AND IN TEXAS, IT WAS SIX DOLLARS.

>> Reporter: VAN SUPERVISES RECESS AND LUNCH AT HANCOCK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

HER HUSBAND IS IN THE NAVY.

>> THIS SCHOOL COMMUNITY HAS BEEN THERE FOR US FOR LOTS OF DIFFERENT HARDSHIPS.

>> Reporter: NOW THE SCHOOL HAS ANOTHER WAY TO SUPPORT THEM, A FOOD PANTRY.

WEDNESDAY MARKED ITS SECOND FOOD DISTRIBUTION.

>> IT WAS AMAZING, IT WASN'T JUST A BUNCH OF CANNED GOODS THROWN IN A BAG.

THAT'S USUALLY WHAT WE END UP FINDING AT DIFFERENT FOOD RESOURCES THROUGHOUT SAN DIEGO.

THIS TIME IT WAS GREAT, BECAUSE IT WAS A MIX OF THINGS THAT KIDS ACTUALLY EAT AND WANT TO EAT.

>> HANCOCK ELEMENTARY IS ONE OF THE LATEST SCHOOLS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY TO GET OFF FEEDING SAN DIEGO'S WAITLIST FOR A SCHOOL PANTRY.

NEARLY ALL OF THE STUDENTS THERE HAVE A PARENT IN THE MILITARY.

>> WE DID AN ASSESSMENT ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO AND WE FOUND THAT A LOT OF OUR FAMILIES FOUND FOOD SECURITY TO BE DIFFICULT.

SO, THEY WANTED MORE SNACKS IN THE CLASSROOM AND THEY WANTED FOOD RESOURCES FOR THEM TO USE AT HOME.

>> MILITARY MEMBERS HOUSING ALLOWANCE [ INAUDIBLE ] THE SAN DIEGO HUNGER COALITION HAS CALLED FOR IT TO BE EXEMPT FROM INCOME, SO THAT MORE MILITARY FAMILIES CAN ACCESS THAT BENEFIT.

FEEDING SAN DIEGO'S STAFF SAY SCHOOL PANTRIES CAN REDUCE THE STIGMA OF SEEKING FOOD ASSISTANCE, BY BRINGING IT TO A FAMILIAR, TRUSTED PLACE.

THAT'S FOR A LOT OF FAMILIES, IT IS ALREADY ON THEIR DAY-TO- DAY PATH, AND SO, IT MAKES THE FOOD A LOT MORE ACCESSIBLE AND JUST A LOT MORE CONVENIENT.

>> FEEDING SAN DIEGO NOW DISTRIBUTES FOOD AT 44 SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTY.

MORE THAN 30 OTHERS ARE ON THE WAITLIST.

THE ORGANIZATION SAYS IT COSTS ABOUT $30,000 TO RUN A SCHOOL PANTRY FOR A YEAR.

THEY NEED NEARLY $700,000 EACH YEAR TO TAKE THE REMAINING SCHOOLS OFF THE WAITLIST.

KATIE ANASTAS, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE RUSH TO COMPLETE FLOATS FOR THE WORLD-FAMOUS PASADENA ROSE PARADE IS ON, EVEN WITH A FEW MONTHS UNTIL THE ACTUAL EVENT.

JASMINE TAKES A LOOK AT THE BEHIND-THE-SCENES ACTION.

>> Reporter: THERE IS NO JOB TOO SMALL OR BIG FOR WORKERS INSIDE THIS WAREHOUSE.

THE 22-YEAR-OLD ALEX GOODMAN IS ONE OF THE DOZENS OF EMPLOYEES WITH ARTISTIC ENTERTAINMENT SERVICES, RUSHING TO MEET A VERY IMPORTANT DEADLINE.

>> YEAH, IT'S GO TIME FOR US.

IT >> Reporter: HE IS HELPING BUILD 15 OF THE FLOATS FOR PASADENA'S LONG-RUNNING ROSE PARADE.

>> IT IS HERE, ESPECIALLY WITH MORE FOLKS THAN WE HAD IN PREVIOUS YEARS, WE ARE ALREADY BUSY.

[ INAUDIBLE ] A MONTH OR SO.

>> THIS IS THE SAN DIEGO ZOO.

THIS ONE HERE IS THE U.P.S.

STORE.

>> AAS OWNER CRAIG TOOK ON MORE FLOATS THIS YEAR AFTER ONE OF THE OTHER FLOAT BUILDERS LOST THE PARADE AUTHORIZATION.

HE IS TRYING TO FINISH AND MOVE SEVERAL OF THESE FLOATS OUT OF THE WAREHOUSE BY THE END OF OCTOBER, BUT IT TAKES TIME BEFORE THEY CAN BE TUCKED AWAY BENEATH FLOWERS AND SEEDS.

>> LOUISIANA HAS A HOUSE ON IT AND IT IS ACTUALLY SITTING ON TOP OF A LARGE CROCODILE, AND THE CROCODILE WILL BE ANIMATED, HERE IS THE TAIL.

>> CRAIG HAS BEEN BUILDING FLOATS FOR THE ROSE PARADE FOR DECADES, SINCE THE 1980s, AND ONCE AGAIN, HIS FLOATS AND MANY OTHERS WILL BE ROAMING DOWN ORANGE BOULEVARD TO COLORADO 8:00 A.M. ON JANUARY 1st.

>> IT IS COOL TO SEE ON TV, COOL TO BE A PART OF IT.

SOMETHING I GREW UP WATCHING AND I GET TO BE HANDS ON WITH EACH AND EVERY FLOW.

>> Reporter: AS MILLIONS OF PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD WILL ALSO WATCH AS THE FLOATS FLY PAST ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, BUT NOT NEARLY AS MANY SEE THE WORK THAT GOES INTO TRANSFORMING THESE ARTISTIC VISIONS INTO REALITY.

>> AND IT IS TIME NOW TO MEET A SAN DIEGO MAN WHO HAS TRANSFORMED HIS FRONT YARD INTO SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY.

HE DECIDED TO DO SOMETHING BIG, BUT IN A SMALL WAY.

AS KEN KRAMER SHOWS US IN THE STORY ABOUT SAN DIEGO, THE RESULT IS A LITTLE BIT AMAZING.

>> Reporter: AND THEN IN VALENCIA PARK ON BONITA DRIVE, HOPKINS SAYS ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS LOOK OVER THE FENCE, AND THEN?

>> OH.

IT IS A WHOLE CITY DOWN THERE.

>> Reporter: THE CITY OF BONITA DRIVE, HE CALLS IT.

A TOWN IN HIS FRONT YARD.

STREETS, HOMES, BUSINESSES, ALL IN MINIATURE.

>> IN THE BEGINNING, I WAS NOT EXPECTING THIS, THIS WAS JUST FOR FUN.

>> IT ALL STARTED, HE SAYS, WITH HIS WORK.

HE IS A DJ KNOWN AS SCORPIO IN SAN DIEGO, BUT BETWEEN GIGS, THE DOSE CONSTRUCTION AND HAUL AWAY.

AND THE THINGS PEOPLE WERE THROWING OUT TO BE HAULED AWAY FIRED HIS CREATIVE IMAGINATION.

A COUPLE OF LITTLE FIRETRUCKS AND NOBODY WANTED AND SOME SCRAP WOOD, AND THE TOWN HAS A FIRE STATION.

A CAST OFF TOY SEMI, THERE IS YOUR POSTAL DELIVERY DEPOT.

THE SIDEWALKS CAME FROM OLD BED BOARDS AND BASEBOARDS.

SO THIS PLACE WAS ONCE PART OF A DRESSER.

>> I CUT THAT IN HALF AND MADE IT THE ROOFTOP.

>> Reporter:'S TINY CITY KEPT EXPANDING.

NOW THE WORD RETAIL OUTLETS, RESTAURANTS.

HE HAD TO COME UP WITH NAMES FOR ALL OF THEM.

HE STARTED WITH RELATIVES.

>> COUSINS, UNCLES, NIECES, BROTHERS, SISTERS, MY KIDS, MY WIFE'S SIDE OF THE FAMILY.

>> Reporter: BUT IT DIDN'T STOP THERE, THERE WERE STREETS TO BE NAMED AND SCHOOLS.

>> AND SO, MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL, OF COURSE WE KNOW WHAT YOU DID.

MALCOLM X COLLEGE, WE KNOW WHAT HE DID.

HARRIET TUBMAN, WE KNOW WHAT SHE DID.

>> Reporter: SOON, THIS CITY OF HIS CREATION HAD GROWN TO WHERE IT TOOK OVER MOST OF HIS FRONT YARD, AND BEGAN TO TAKE ON ITS OWN PERSONALITY.

LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO EAT?

X0, WELL, THERE ARE SEVERAL PLACES YOU CAN GET A PLACE TO EAT.

FRIED CHICKEN, SOUL FOOD, PIZZERIA, TACO SHOP.

SALLY AND BOB'S GRILL AND GO.

>> AND WHO WOULD BE THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF BONITA DRIVE?

XI GUESS I AM THE MAYOR.

[ LAUGHTER ] I AM THE MAYOR, I AM THE GIANT OF THE CITY, SO YEAH, YOU KNOW.

>> Reporter: AND AS MAYOR, HE HAS PRETTY MUCH PROCLAIMED THE WHOLE TOWN TO BE A PLACE OF HARMONY.

YES, PLEASE, EVERYBODY GETS ALONG HERE, THERE IS NO TROUBLE.

IT IS A LITTLE COMMUNITY WHERE EVERYONE IS KIND, NOBODY GOES HUNGRY, AND EVERYBODY HAS A PARKING SPACE.

>> EVERYTHING IS COOL, IT'S LAID-BACK, AND EVERYBODY IS JUST IN GOOD SPIRITS.

>> Reporter: FASHION FROM THINGS THAT OTHERWISE WOULD HAVE JUST BEEN TOSSED AWAY, IT IS HIS GIFT TO ANYONE IN THE 5600 BLOCK OF BONITA DRIVE WHO WILL TAKE THE TIME TO LOOK.

>> I HAVE HEARD, WELL, THIS IS REALLY COOL, THIS IS LIKE LEGOLAND.

WELL, MY KIDS ARE REALLY APPRECIATING THAT YOU GOT THIS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> Reporter: AND IN CASE YOU'RE WONDERING, ALL THE CARS ARE PERSONAL TOUCH.

HE WILL EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE BY A FEW AND ADD THEM TO THE TOWN.

PEOPLE HAVE TO GET AROUND, YOU KNOW.

DAY AND NIGHT.

IT EXISTS PURELY BECAUSE IN LOTS OF LITTLE WAYS, IT MAKES PEOPLE HAPPY, AND THAT IS REASON ENOUGH.

FOR JUST OVER THE FENCE IN THE CITY OF BENITA DRIVE IN VALENCIA PARK, USA, THE MAYOR WOULD HAVE IT NO OTHER WAY.

X [ MUSIC ] >>> AND IF YOU WANT TO SEE MORE OF KEN KRAMER'S STORIES ABOUT SAN DIEGO, HIS HALF HOUR SHOW CAN BE SEEN TONIGHT AND EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT AT 8:00 HERE ON KPBS.

>> [ MUSIC ] >>> AND BREAKING IT DOWN WITH OUR WEATHER HEADLINES, WE WILL BE WATCHING A GRADUAL WARMING TREND.

SOME OF US, THE HOTTEST TEMPERATURES THROUGH SATURDAY.

OTHERS, IT PEAKS ON TUESDAY.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO WATCH THOSE NIGHT AND MORNING COASTAL CLOUDS, BUT WE WILL BE TRACKING A COOLING TREND AS WE HEAD LATER INTO NEXT WEEK.

THE FIRST FEW DAYS OF OCTOBER.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK THROUGH OUR SAN DIEGO COUNTY TEMPERATURES TONIGHT.

DOWN TO 74.

MOUNT LAGUNA, 62.

OCEANSIDE, 60 DEGREES.

WATCH THOSE CLOUDS MOVE IN SAN DIEGO, TEMPERATURES DOWN TO THE LOWER 60s.

THE HEAT REALLY BUILDS THROUGHOUT THE DESERT AS WE HEAD INTO THE DAY ON FRIDAY.

STILL DECENT HERE.

ALONG THE COAST, EVEN A LITTLE BIT FURTHER INLAND, TEMPERATURES WILL BE AROUND 73 TOMORROW IN SAN DIEGO AND OCEANSIDE, TO THE LOWER 70s.

ABOUT 74.

LOOK AT THE HEAT THE BUILDING WITH A HIGH OF 108.

THAT IS THE REASON FOR THE EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNINGS FOR THE LOWER DESERTS THROUGH SATURDAY, SO PLEASE STAY INSIDE IN AIR- CONDITIONING IF YOU CAN, AS THE HEAT WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE US THROUGH THE WEEKEND AS HOT TEMPERATURES SPREAD EVEN A LITTLE BIT FURTHER CLOSER TO THE COAST.

WE WILL BE TRACKING THIS SUMMERLIKE PATTERN EVEN AFTER TUESDAY, WHERE HIGH TEMPERATURES WILL BE TOPPING OUT ANYWHERE FROM SIX TO 12 DEGREES ABOVE THE HISTORICAL AVERAGE, EATING US DRY.

THE EXTENDED FORECAST THROUGH THE COAST, NOTICE HOW OUR TEMPERATURES WILL BE WARMEST AS WE HEAD INTO THE DAY ON TUESDAY WITH A HIGH OF 79 DEGREES.

WHEN WE LOOK FURTHER INLAND, THERE IS THAT GRADUAL WARMING TREND, LOW 80s BEFORE THE UPPER 80s RETURN AS WE HEAD INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK.

FOR THE MOUNTAINS, WE WILL KEEP OUR TEMPERATURES INTO THE MID- 70s, BUT COOLER WEATHER MOVES IN ON SUNDAY BEFORE TEMPERATURES MORE BACKUP ON TUESDAY, AND IN THE DESERT, SOME OF OUR HOTTEST TEMPERATURES ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY.

THEY WILL COME DOWN A BIT SUNDAY AND MONDAY.

THEN BACK UP.

I AM ARIELLE SCALISE.

>>> FOR SOME PEOPLE, CREATING NIGHTMARES IS ACTUALLY A DREAM JOB.

KPBS ARTS REPORTER BETH WANTS TO KICK OFF THE FALL SEASON BY INTRODUCING YOU TO A GUY WHO SCARES PEOPLE FOR A LIVING.

>> GREG AND I JUST BONDED OVER MAKING PEOPLE THEIR PANTS.

>> THAT IS AN EMOTIONAL RESPONSE YOU'RE GETTING.

THAT IS THE CROWNED JEWEL.

>> Reporter: IF WE BOTH RUN HAUNTED HOUSES, I AM A HOME HUNTER, AND HE HAS BEEN RUNNING THE EPIC HAUNTED TRAIL AT BALBOA PARK FOR 25 TERRIFYING YEARS.

>> SOMETIMES I WILL BE IN MY OFFICE, HIT THE TRAIL, AND I'M JUST LISTENING, AND YOU CAN JUST HEAR GROUPS SCREAMING.

AND THEN LAUGHTER.

>> IT IS SIMPLY THE BEST.

I AM WALKING AROUND THE TRAIL BEFORE IT IS OPEN, IT MAKES ME GIDDY WITH DELIGHT, LIKE SNEAKING INTO A TOY STORE.

HE HAS CREATED 2000 SCARE ROOMS OVER THE YEARS, AND HE HAS PASSED ON HIS LOVE OF HAUNTING TO HIS SON, DYLAN.

>> I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF EXPERIENCING THE SOUND, LIGHTS, AIR, POWER, FRONT OF HOUSE, BACK OF HOUSE, TECH, EVERYTHING, AND I HAVE HAD GROWN MEN PASSOUT IN MY ARMS FROM THE ANTICIPATION.

>> YOU WON'T FIND ME PASSING OUT AT A MONT, BUT YOU WILL FIND ME GLEEFULLY APPRECIATING ALL THE WORK AND CREATIVITY THAT GOES INTO THEM.

I LOVE THAT GREG LETS ME SEE HIS HAUNT, NOT JUST IN PROGRESS, BUT ALSO IN BROAD DAYLIGHT.

>> EVERYTHING IS SO BRIGHT RIGHT NOW, IT DOESN'T FEEL SCARY.

AT NIGHT, THIS WHOLE AREA IS REALLY DARK, SO WE CAN JUST SHOW YOU WHAT WE WANT YOU TO SEE, AND IT MAKES A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE.

THE HAUNTED TRAIL IS A MILE- LONG, AND THIS IS JUST ONE OF PROBABLY 20 DIFFERENT SCENES THAT WE BUILD.

WE HAVE ABOUT 21 DAYS TO BUILD THE TRAIL.

WE DO REBUILD ALL YEAR ROUND, BUT WHEN YOU GET HERE, THAT'S WHEN THE MAGIC STARTS TO HAPPEN.

WE TRY AND FIGURE OUT WHAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE, AND THEN WE BUILD ON THAT.

>> Reporter: NEW THIS YEAR IS THE MINESHAFT WITH A GREAT SOUNDSCAPE.

AND OPPORTUNITIES.

>> WE CAN SCARE FROM ABOVE, WE CAN SCARE FROM ALL OVER.

>> WHAT WE TRY TO DO IS IN AN AREA WHERE WE WANT TO SCARE SOMEONE, AT LEAST GET TWO GOOD SCARES OUT OF THEM, WE WILL BUILD SIX ELEMENTS IN IT, MAYBE THEY THOUGHT SCARE TWO AND FOUR, BUT ONE AND THREE IS GOING TO REALLY GET THEM.

>> Reporter: DYLAN WAS BORN INTO HAUNTING, SO HE IS WELL- VERSED IN SCARE TACTICS.

X FROM DESIGNING SO MANY ROOMS OVER THE YEARS, YOU START TO REALIZE WHERE YOU NEED YOUR DISTRACTIONS, YOU NEED A SPOT FOR YOUR AFTER TO BE ABLE TO DISAPPEAR IN THE RIGHT MOMENTS, AND THEN REVEAL FOR A SCARE OR SOMETHING.

>> YOU CAN REALLY FIND INSPIRATION ANYWHERE, AND WORKING THROUGH THAT TO FIND YOUR HORROR PRODUCT IS GOING TO HAVE REPEATABILITY EVERY NIGHT.

IT'S GOING TO HAVE SOME WOW FACTOR TO IT, AND IT IS GOING TO WORK WITH THE ACTORS.

>> YOU'RE GOING TO LOVE THE NEXT ONE.

>> Reporter: DYLAN ALSO KNOWS THE PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF BEING A SCARE CHARACTER.

>> THE NEXT DAY, IT IS HARD TO GET OUT OF BED, YOUR SORE, WHY DID I JUMP OUT OF THAT TRASH CAN 453 TIMES LAST NIGHT?

OR WHY WAS I HOLDING THE CHAINSAW AND WEEPING OVER THAT BARREL?

>> Reporter: BUT IT ALWAYS SCARES EAGER APPLICANTS.

>> FIRST OF ALL, WE TRY AND FIND PEOPLE THAT CAN JUST ABANDON THEIR NORMAL INTERVIEW.

WHEN I SAY GO, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE YOU GUYS DO YOUR BEST RAGE ZOMBIE.

GO.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR IS ENERGY AND CREATIVITY.

>> HIS DESIRE TO ALWAYS IMPROVE THE TRAIL.

>> WE ARE CONSTANTLY GOING THROUGH THE ROOMS TO SEE, DO WE NEED TO ADD SOMETHING?

IT IS ALWAYS A WORK IN PROGRESS.

I DON'T CARE IF ON THE LAST NIGHT WE ARE STILL TWEAKING THINGS.

>> Reporter: EVEN ICONIC FAVORITES LIKE THE SCHOOL BUS AND GET TWEAKED.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE EVER INCORPORATED IT INTO A ROOM.

>> Reporter: BUT YOU HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL TOMORROW NIGHT TO FIND OUT EXACTLY WHAT THAT MEANS, AND HOPEFULLY, YOU WILL LET OUT A SCREAM TO SHOW YOUR APPRECIATION.

>> I DON'T THINK I WILL EVER STOP RUNNING THE TRAIL, BECAUSE I JUST LOVE IT SO MUCH.

AND YOU NEVER KNOW IF IT IS GOING TO WORK UNTIL YOU ARE TESTING IT LIVE ON PEOPLE THAT ARE PAYING YOU.

>> Reporter: CREATING NIGHTMARES CAN BE A DREAM JOB.

>> Reporter: FROM MY HAPPY PLACE, I AM BEST FOR KPBS NEWS.

>> WHAT A FUN STORY.

AND THE HAUNTED TRAIL OPENS TOMORROW IN BUFFALO PARK AND WILL BE SCARING VISITORS THROUGH NOVEMBER 2nd.

THERE IS A LOOK AT WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON FOR TOMORROW IN THE KPBS NEWSROOM.

>>> THE SAN DIEGO PADRES HAVE SECURED A SPOT IN THE PLAYOFFS.

KPBS ROUNDTABLE IS TALKING TO LOCAL SPORTS JOURNALISTS ABOUT THE TEAM'S CHANCES, AND CHECK OUT THE SAN DIEGO NEWS NOW PODCAST, THIS MONTH WE ARE HIGHLIGHTING OKTOBERFEST EVENTS HAPPENING THROUGHOUT SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

THE PODCAST GOES LIVE MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY AND YOU CAN FIND IT ANYWHERE YOU LISTEN TO YOUR PODCASTS.

>>> YOU CAN FIND SOME MORE STORIES ON OUR WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG.

THANKS FOR JOINING US, I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

GOOD NIGHT.

>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING EDITION HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY BILL FAMILY OF COMPANIES, PROVIDING SAN DIEGO WITH PLUMBING, HEATING, AND AIR RESTORATION, FLOOD AND REMODELING SERVICES FOR OVER 40 YEARS.

CALL ONE 800 BILL HOWE OR VISIT HOWE.COM.

>>> AND BY THE CONRAD FOUNDATION.

DARLENE MARCO SHYLY, AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.