>>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

OVER THE NEXT HALF HOUR WE WILL SHOWCASE SOME OF THE BEST ORIGINAL REPORTING FROM KPBS NEWS.

WE'LL TAKE YOU TO THE BORDER WHERE WORK IS JUST GETTING STARTED ON A BRAND NEW PORT OF ENTRY IN OTAY MESA.

SEE HOW THIS WILL MAKE THINGS EASIER FOR BORDER CROSS WAIT TIMES.

WE CATCH UP WITH SOME OF OUR MEDICAL LEADERS, HEAR WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THE LESSONS THEY LEARNED DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>>> THE 4th OF JULY PLANS IN LA JOLLA THAT HAS RESIDENTS ASKING FOR A CHANGE.

>>> WE START WITH A MILITARY STORY FROM SAN DIEGO.

U.S.

TROOPS HANDED OVER CONTROL.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN ANNOUNCED TROOPS WOULD FULLY WITHDRAWAL BY SEPTEMBER.

MANY AFGHANS FEAR A RESURGENCE OF THE TALIBAN NOW THAT THE U.S. IS LEAVING.

SOME WHO WORKED WITH U.S.

SOLDIERS ENDED UP MOVING TO AMERICA DUE TO RETRIBUTION.

REPORTER JOE WALSH SAYS A SPECIAL PROGRAM DESIGNED TO HELP THESE WORKERS IS SEVERELY BACKLOGGED.

>>> BEFORE COMING TO SAN DIEGO IN 2017, ALI BASULI WAS A TRANSLATOR WORKING WITH SPECIAL FORCE OPERATIONS OUTSIDE OF KABUL.

A RISKY JOB THAT MADE HIM A TARGET OF THE TALIBAN.

THOUGH HE LEFT THE JOB TO TAKE A JOB AS A CONTRACTOR HE STILL FELT THREATENED.

>> IN TWO OCCASIONS TWO PEOPLE CAME TO ME AND SAID, I KNOW YOU FROM SOME WHERE.

>> Reporter: HE DENIED BEING AN INTERPRETER BUT AFTER HE WAS APPROACHED A SECOND TIME.

>> THE SAME NIGHT WE MOVED.

I QUIT MY JOB AND I CALLED MY EMPLOYER SERGEANT AND SAID LOOK I WORK FOR THIS COMPANY, I HAVE PERSONAL ISSUES.

EVEN THE EMPLOYER DIDN'T KNOW I WORKED FOR THE U.S. >> Reporter: NOW THAT THE U.S. IS PREPARING TO WITHDRAWAL, HE SAYS HE FEELS BETRAYED.

HE STILL HAS FAMILY IN AFGHAN.

>> THERE'S 300 COMMANDOS.

>> EVERY DAY HE WATCHES VIDEO OF THE TALIBAN DRIVING UNOPPOSED INTO THE CITY.

>> IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE TO ME AT ALL.

ABSOLUTELY.

THIS IS WRONG.

THEY SHOULDN'T LEAVE THE COUNTRY UNTIL WE HAVE A RATIONAL PEACE AT LEAST.

>> Reporter: BASULI WAS ALLOWANCED TO COME TO THE U.S.

THROUGH A SPECIAL VISA PROGRAM.

VISAS SET ASIDE FOR PEOPLE WHO WORKED WITH THE U.S. GOVERNMENT.

COBURN SAYS THE U.S.

DEPENDS ON LOCAL CONTRACTORS IN AFGHANISTAN BUT HAS NEVER REALLY HAD A PLAN TO HANDLE THE FALL OUT WHEN THEIR LIVES ARE THREATENED.

>> THAT'S VERY MUCH A PART IN WHICH I THINK THE U.S. VIEWS THESE GLOBAL ENTANGLEMENTS.

TRYING TO KEEP THEM ECONOMICAL BUT NOT THINKING OF WHAT THE LONG TERM REPERCUSSIONS ARE.

>> Reporter: THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WILL TRY TO EVACUATE THE FAMILIES TO ANOTHER COUNTRY WHILE THEY WAIT FOR THEIR VISAS.

BUT THE WAIT IS SO LONG SOME HAVE GIVEN UP.

>> IF I HAVE A THREAT THAT'S IMMINENT, I WILL NOT BE GOING TO APPLY FOR THIS.

I'VE TALKED TO SOME FOLKS WHO HAVE FORGONE THE PROGRAM.

>> Reporter: THE AREA TOOK IN TENS OF THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES AT THE END OF THE VIETNAM WAR.

CARCAR WAS A MEDICAL INTERPRETER BEFORE HE CAME TO THE U.S.

HE NOW WORKS WITH JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES IN SAN DIEGO.

COUNSELING OTHER IMMIGRANTS FROM AFGHANISTAN.

>> BECAUSE THEY'RE COMING HERE, THEY'RE THINKING WHEN I GO EVERYTHING WILL BE EASY FOR ME IN AMERICA.

BUT THE FIRST YEAR IS DIFFICULT FOR ME.

>> Reporter: STILL IT'S BEEN WORTH IT HE SAYS BACK IN AFGHANISTAN, WORKING WITH THE AMERICANS WAS NEARLY THE ONLY OPTION FOR THOUSANDS OF AFGHANS BUT FOR MANY THAT OPTION ENDED WHEN THEY WERE THREATENED BY TH TALIBAN.

>> THE ONLY WAY IS IF PEACE COMES, THAT WILL BRING A SOLUTION.

>> Reporter: AT THE MOMENT, ALMOST NO AFGHANS ARE COMING INTO SAN DIEGO.

A COMBINATION OF THE VISA PROCESS BEING SLOWED UNDER THE LAST ADMINISTRATION AND MORE RECENTLY COMPLICATIONS CAUSED BY COVID.

IN THE U.S., GROUPS WHO WERE SETTLED AFGHANS IN AMERICA WAIT FOR A REBOOT WAITING FOR EVERYTHING TO SETTLE DOWN.

>>> SO MUCH OF THE NEWS WE HEAR FROM THE BORDER HAS TO DO WITH IMMIGRATION BUT IT'S ALSO A HUGE ECONOMIC DRIVER FOR SAN DIEGO.

NOW WORK IS UNDER WAY TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR CROSS BORDER BUSINESS.

ALEJANDRA RANGEL WAS THERE FOR AN ANNOUNCEMENT OF A NEW PORT OF ENTRY.

>> Reporter: WE'RE RIGHT HERE IN FRONT OF A BORDER FENCE, RIGHT BEHIND ME ARE TRUCKS LAYING DOWN THE FOUNDATION FOR WHAT WILL BE THE MESA PORT OF ENTRY WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE RUNNING BY 2024.

>> IT'S ALSO A FUTURE FOR MEXICO AND THE UNITED STATES.

>> Reporter: LOCAL AND FEDERAL AGENCIES SIGNED A MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDING OF THE PORT OF ENTRY IN OTAY MESA.

COMMERCIAL AND PASSENGER VEHICLES WILL PAY A FEE TO ACCESS STATE ROUTE 11 UPON CROSSING FROM MEXICO.

CALIFORNIA'S TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY DAVID KIM SAYS THE NEW ENTRY WILL HAVE AN AVERAGE WAIT TIME OF 20 MINUTES.

>> WHEN OTAY MESA EAST IS COMPLETE.

PEAK WAIT TIMES AT EXISTING PORTS OF ENTRY WILL BE REDUCED BY 50% ON OPENING DAY.

>> Reporter: ON AVERAGE, KIM SAYS BORDERS CROSSERS WAIT 1 TO 2 HOURS IN LIME WHILE COMMERCIAL DRIVERS WAIT UP TO 6 HOURS TO CROSS THE BORDER.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA KUNILAKIS SAYS BORDER WAIT TIMES ARE THE BIGGEST BARRIERS COMMERCE FACES.

THE PROJECT IS ALSO EXPECTED TO REDUCE POLLUTION ALONG THE BORDER.

>> THE WAIT TIMES FOR TRUCKS AND PRIVATE VEHICLES AS THEY CROSS, THEIR ENGINES ARE GOING, THEIR MOTORS ARE STILL GOING SO THEY'RE STILL SPEWING OUT GREENHOUSE GAS.

THE MORE EFFICIENT WE CAN MAKE THE CROSSING BE THE THE LESS POLLUTION THERE IS.

>> Reporter: THEY'RE STILL WORKING TO FIGURE OUT HOW MUCH IT WILL COST FOR DRIVERS TO ACCESS THE TOLL ROAD.

ALEJANDRA RANGEL, KPBS NEWS.

>> THE LATEST EPISODE OF CROSSING SOUTH A TRIP TO A TIJUANA RESTAURANT THAT REALLY STANDS OUT.

>> Reporter: IN THE MIDDLE OF AGUA CALIENTE BOULEVARD IN TIJUANA, THERE'S A RESTAURANT SHAPED LIKE A SOMBRERO, IT'S CALLED EL POTRERO.

THE EXTERIOR SEEMS VERY UNASSUMING.

HOWEVER AS SOON AS YOU WALK IN, YOU REALIZE HOW UNDER RATED IT IS.

THE DECOR IS SPECTACULAR.

IT'S HISTORICAL, AND IT DOES CULTURE WITH CLASS.

>> THERE ARE MANY THEORIES AS TO WHERE THE NAME TIJUANA CAME FROM.

SOME THINK IT'S BECAUSE OF JUAN, OTHERS THINK IT'S BECAUSE OF TIA JUANA.

IF THAT'S IT, THIS IS PROBABLY THE PICTURE OF THAT LADY.

>> Reporter: YOU CAN STREAM THE PODCAST ON OUR YOU TUBE PAGE.

OF COURSE ORIGINAL REPORTING FROM KPBS NEWS AND FULL EPISODES OF KPBS EVENING EDITION.

>>> IT'S BEEN A BUSY WEEK AND THESE ARE THE STORIES THAT RESINATE THE MOST WITH READERS ON OUR WEBSITE KPBS.ORG.

CONSEQUENCES FOR THE TORTILLA GROWING INCIDENT AT CORONADO HIGH SCHOOL.

AN OCEANSIDE WOMAN RUNS AND FUNDS A MOTEL SHELTER FOR THE HOMELESS.

WE'LL HAVE THIS STORY A BIT LATER ON THIS FORECAST.

>>> IT'S RARE BUT COVID-19 IS STILL A RISK EVEN FOR THE VACCINATED WITH REPORTS OF THREE LOCAL DEATHS.

>>> THAT'S JUST ONE OF THE LESSONS THAT WE LEARNED FROM THE PANDEMIC WHICH REVEALED SOME OF THE GAPS THAT ALREADY EXISTED IN OUR PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM.

THIS WEEK KPBS HEALTH REPORTER MATT HOFFMAN THE TALKS TO THOSE WHO LED US THROUGH THIS CRISIS AND WHAT THEY ARE SEEING MOVING FORWARD.

>> THE TOPIC OF THE UNDER FUNDING OF PUBLIC HEALTH JURISDICTION IS DECADES OLD.

>> Reporter: DR. WILMA WOOTEN SAYS LONG TERM WELLNESS HAS LACKED FUNDING AND NOW IS THE TIME TO CHANGE THAT.

>> ABSOLUTELY WE NEED IT.

>> Reporter: HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY DIRECTOR SAYS FUNDING FROM THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS TYPICALLY REACTIVE.

>> WHEN THERE'S A CRISIS, THEN FUNDING WILL FLOW.

VERSUS USING OUR PREVENTION INVESTING THE DOLLARS AND BUILDING THE INFRASTRUCTURE.

I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY COMMUNITY ACROSS THIS COUNTRY THAT THEY SAY THEY HAVE AN ADEQUACY OF THEIR PUBLIC HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> Reporter: THE PUBLIC DEPARTMENT DOUBLED THEIR BUDGET AND DOUBLED STAFFING.

>> THAT WAS JUST COVID-19.

WHAT'S ON OUR PLATE FOR PUBLIC HEALTH?

HOMELESS, GETTING TO 0 HIV AND HEPATITIS.

IT'S MALNUTRITION, IT'S ALL THOSE THINGS.

HAVE WE DOUBLED OURSELVES FOR ALL THOSE THINGS?

NO.

TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, DO WE NEED MORE RESOURCES, ABSOLUTELY YES.

>> Reporter: THE PANDEMIC COULD BE THE EYE OPENER.

>> THINK ABOUT HOW SECURITY AND HOW THE AIRPORTS CHANGED AND JUST A WHOLE NATURE OF AWARENESS.

THE PANDEMIC WORLD AND COVID-19 HAS DONE AND WILL DO THE SAME FOR US IN THIS COUNTRY.

AND WE HOPE IT'S FOR THE GOOD.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE PANDEMIC WILL OPEN THE WAY THAT PEOPLE GET RESOURCES.

>> WE'RE ENDING THE PANDEMIC FOR COVID-19 BUT THERE'S A PANDEMIC FOR THE EMPHASIS.

AND IT IS A PANDEMIC.

COVID-19 JUST PUT A SHINE THE LIGHT ON IT.

TO SEE HOW DIFFERENT PARTS OF OUR COUNTRY, PARTS OF OUR STATE AND NATION ARE LIVE IN.

IT'S NO SURPRISE, WHEN YOU HAVE OVER CROWDING, OF PEOPLE THAT WILL NOT IN ANY TYPE OF SHELTER, IT WAS NO SURPRISE WHEN PEOPLE DID NOT HAVE FOOD SECURITY OR A JOB AND THEREFOR IF THEY HAD TO GO TO WORK OR WERE FORCED TO GO TO WORK BECAUSE THEY HAD NO ABILITY TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR FAMILIES.

AND THOSE WERE ENABLERS, UNFORTUNATELY HAVE SPREAD THE VIRUS SPREAD.

>> Reporter: THE COUNTY MADE EARLY INVESTMENTS IN PROGRAMS TO HOLD TRUSTS WITH COMMUNITIES THEY WEREN'T CONNECTING WITH.

THEY HIRED PROMOTORRES TO PUT THE WORD OUT THROUGH THE LATINO COMMUNITY.

>> WE CONTRACT, PUT OUR MONEY WHERE OUR MOUTH IS AND PROVIDED THOSE CONTRACTS SO THAT COMMUNITIES WOULD HAVE INDIVIDUALS THAT LOOKED LIKE THEM GOING OUT AND CONDUCTING THAT OUTREACH.

>> THEY WERE A GAME CHANGER.

THEY BECAME EXTENDERS OF OUR NURSES.

>> Reporter: THE STATE LATER PROVIDED ONE TIME GRANTS FOR SIMILAR OUTREACH PROGRAMS BUT OFFICIALS WANT TO KEEP THEM GOING LONG TERM ESPECIALLY IF ANOTHER CRISIS HAPPENS.

IN GENERAL, ROOT ISSUES NEED TO BE ADDRESSED NOT JUST BE REACTIVE TO SITUATIONS LIKE THE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS AND LARGER NUMBER OF ENCAMPMENTS IN SAN DIEGO STREETS.

>> IT'S HOUSING, IT'S HELPING PEOPLE WITH JOBS.

IT IS INFACT THAT LEADERSHIP WHICH IS THAT TRAINING OF BRINGING FOLKS FORWARD.

THOSE ARE THINGS WE DON'T THINK ABOUT IN THE REALM OF PUBLIC HEALTH BUT IF YOU WERE TO ADDRESS THAT YOU WOULD REALLY IMPROVE THE PUBLIC HEALTH.

>> Reporter: THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT NEEDS TO MAINTAIN A TRAINED WORK FORCE AND HAVE THE RIGHT INFRASTRUCTURE TO BE COMPLETELY EFFECTIVE AND NIMBLE.

>> IT'S OUR REGISTRY, OUR IMMUNIZATION REGISTRY OR OUR SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM AND OUR LABORATORY SYSTEM.

ALL OF THOSE OUR IT SYSTEMS THAT WE ARE LOOKING TO IMPROVE UPON.

SO THAT'S NOT A SMALL DOLLAR AMOUNT.

>> Reporter: THE PANDEMIC IS WINDING DOWN BUT NOT THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

OFFICIALS ARE REALLOCATING RESOURCES TO ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES AND PEOPLE LIVING ON THE STREET.

>> THERE'S OTHER NEEDS WE PUT ON PAUSE AND OTHER THINGS THAT ARE BEGINNING TO RISE UNFORTUNATELY.

SO WE'RE AGAIN, WHERE PUBLIC HEALTH GOES INTO ACTION IS WHERE THE NEED IS REALLY SHIFTING THOSE RESOURCES.

>> Reporter: OFFICIALS FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE IDENTIFY THAT NEEDS HAVE INCREASED AND THEY'RE CURRENTLY LOOKING AT GAPS AND WILL BE ADDRESSED IN THE 2022 BUDGET.

MATT HOFFMAN KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE CONTINUE TO TRACK THE LOCAL COVID-19 SITUATION DAILY AT KPBS.ORG.

YOU CAN FIND THE LATEST NUMBERS ON SAN DIEGO'S CASES AND WHERE TO FIND VACCINES.

TO GET THERE JUST CLICK ON THE VACCINES LINK ON OUR HOME PAGE.

>>> HOMELESSNESS IS ONE OF THE MANY SOCIAL PROBLEMS AMPLIFIED BY THE PANDEMIC.

KPBS NORTH COUNTY HAS THE STORY OF A WOMAN WHO IS RUNNING A SHELTER.

IT ALL STARTED WITH AN ACT OF KINDNESS.

>> Reporter: VANESSA GRATZIANO DIDN'T EXPECT TO BE RUNNING A SHELTER.

SHE STARTS EACH MORNING AT THE MOTEL WHERE ONE OF THE ROOM SERVES AS AN INTAKE OFFICE.

>> WE HAVE DINNER BEING PROVIDED FROM JEWISH COLLABORATIVE SERVICES THEY CAN DO IT EVERY MONDAY AND THEY'VE BEEN DOING IT FOR SIX MONTHS.

>> Reporter: THIS IS ALSO WHERE SHE MEETS THE PEOPLE WHO ARE STAYING AT THE SHELTER TO TALK ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON IN THEIR LIVES.

>> DEPENDING ON WHAT THEY NEED.

WE GET TO FIGURE OUT WHO THEY ARE AND LEARN THEIR STORY.

>> Reporter: THAT'S WHEN SHE DECIDED TO PAY FOR A MOTEL FOR A FAMILY THAT ACT OF KINDNESS GREW INTO THE ORGANIZATION.

>> WE STARTED THIS EMERGENCY COVID SHELTER WHICH ABSOLUTELY GREW.

>> Reporter: THE ONE MOTEL ROOM GREW TO 15 ROOMS THAT HELPED HOUSE 35 PEOPLE INCLUDING 14 CHILDREN.

>> ALL THE PEOPLE HERE ARE ABSOLUTELY MOVING FORWARD.

>> Reporter: ORIGINALLY SHE RAN OUT OF A MOTEL BUT THAT FORCED HER TO LOOK FOR MORE AFFORDABLE.

>> IT'S JUST THROUGH ME, PUBLIC FUNDING, CHURCHES, WE'VE HAD A FEW GRANTS HERE AND THERE FROM PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS.

BUT HONESTLY, IT TAKES $1,000 A DAY TO KEEP EVERYONE HERE SAFE.

>> Reporter: SHAUNA HAS BEEN AT THE MOTEL FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS AFTER BEING HOMELESS FOR YEARS.

SHE NEEDED STABILITY.

>> WHEN YOU'RE ON THE STREET YOU CAN'T BE STABLE.

THEY KICK YOU OUT.

I WAS SLEEPING ON THE BENCHES AT THE HARBOR, I GOT KICKED OUT.

YOU CAN'T.

>> Reporter: THE MOTEL HAS GIVEN HER A SEMI PERMANENT ADDRESS THAT HELPED HER GET A JOB.

SHE STARTED LAST WEEK.

DESERAE STARTED LIVING AT THE SHELTER ALSO.

>> IT'S HARD TO GET A JOB OR EVEN PUT THEM INTO A SCHOOL.

>> Reporter: GRACIANO SAYS SHE LISTENS TO HER CLIENTS NEEDS BUT THERE ARE RULES THEY HAVE TO FOLLOW.

>> IT IS A COME AS YOU ARE PROGRAM.

BUT WE'RE VERY, LIKE IF YOU'RE ON DRUGS WE REALLY WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND YOU CAN BE HERE SAFE BUT WE'RE GOING TO GET YOU INTO DETOX AND RECOVERY BECAUSE THAT'S THE NEXT STEP.

>> Reporter: A NONPROFIT HAS BEEN ABLE TO MOVE CLIENTS INTO THE NONPROFIT.

SHE ALSO TRANSFERS CLASSES TO GET THEM INTO JOBS.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT, IT IS.

IT'S GRASS ROOTS.

IT'S PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY SAYING I WANT TO DO SOMETHING MORE IN MY COMMUNITY.

THERE'S JUST NOT ENOUGH RESOURCES.

>> Reporter: MIRANDA CHAVEZ WORKS WITH DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS.

>> THE LARGER AN ORGANIZATION IS, AND THE MORE INVOLVED GOVERNMENT IS, PEOPLE ARE WEARY OF IT.

>> Reporter: GRAZIANO SAYS HER CLIENTS TRUST HER BECAUSE SHE'S BEEN HOMELESS.

>> OH I HAD LIVED PRETTY SUCCESSFUL LIFE IN MARRIAGE AND I GOT DIVORCED AND I STUMBLED ON TO DRUGS.

BEING ABLE TO COME ON THE OTHER SIDE OF IT AND HAVING THAT LIVED EXPERIENCE, I DO BELIEVE MY VOICE IS VALUABLE, INCREDIBLE TODAY.

>> Reporter: GRAZIANO SAYS SHE'S BEEN CLEAN THE LAST SIX YEARS.

HER JOB IS TO GET HER CLIENTS INTO A STABLE LIVING TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES.

>>> ORGANIZERS SAY THEY COULDN'T GET THE PERMITS IN TIME FOR THE COVE 4th OF JULY.

ERIC ANDERSON EXPLAINS WHY ANIMAL ADVOCATES WANTED THE CELEBRATION MOVED.

>> Reporter: LA JOLLA PINT IS ONE OF THOSE RARE PLACES WHERE NATURE OFFICERS PEOPLE A LIFE TYPICALLY TUCKED OUT OF VIEW.

SEA LIONS ARE CONFIDENTIAL ENOUGH HERE TO GIVE BIRTH AND RAISE THEIR YOUNG.

PUPS DON'T SWIM RIGHT AFTER BIRTH AND THEY DON'T DO SO FOR SEVERAL MONTHS BUT THEY ARE SEEN SNUGGLING ON THE SAND WITH MOM.

>> PEOPLE ARE OFTEN MOSTLY SURPRISED THAT THERE'S SO LITTLE GUIDANCE AND THERE'S SO LITTLE OVERSIGHT OF THIS AREA.

>> Reporter: CARA TOYA IS ENCOURAGED OF A MORE VISIBLE RANGER PRESENCE BUT THE SIERRA CLUB WORRIES ABOUT ANOTHER THREAT.

>> WE'RE GREATLY ALARMED ABOUT THE FIREWORKS.

>> Reporter: LOCAL BOOSTEST BOOSTERS WANT TO BRING BACK A 4th OF JULY FIREWORKS SHOW, SOMETHING THAT USED TO BE A STAPLE.

THOSE FIREWORKS WILL BE ALONG THE BLUFF.

>> THERE'S THE OPPORTUNITY THAT WE LOSE AN ENTIRE GENERATION OF SEA LIONS JUST FROM HAVING FIREWORKS HERE.

>> Reporter: BUT LA JOLLA BOOSTER SAYS THE CONCERNS ARE UNFOUNDED.

DEBORA MORANGA SAYS THE FIREWORKS DISPLAY IS AN IMPORTANT COMMUNITY BUILDING EVENT.

>> EVERYONE HERE IN LA JOLLA LOVES WHERE WE LIVE, OUR COMMUNITY, OUR ENVIRONMENT.

IF WE EVER THOUGHT WE WERE DOING ANY TYPE OF HARM BY CELEBRATING OUR INDEPENDENCE DAY BY SHOOTING OFF FIREWORKS, THAT SHOW WOULD NOT GO ON.

>> Reporter: BUT THE SHOW HASN'T ACTUALLY HAPPENED IN LA JOLLA SINCE 2017.

HER GROUP FOUGHT OFF LEGAL CHALLENGES IN 2010 AND 2014, AND RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THE SHOW.

>> THERE WAS REALLY NO MERIT.

THERE WAS NO PROOF THAT THE FIREWORKS THAT HAPPENS ONE DAY A YEAR ON JULY 4th AND IT'S A 25 MINUTE SHOW REALLY HAS EVER CAUSED ANY HARM.

>> Reporter: THE LAWSUITS NEVER CANCELED THE CLAIM BUT THERE WAS SIMPLY NO MONEY FOR THE SHOW IN 2018 AND 2019.

>> SOME MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WANTED TO BRING IT BACK FOR 2020.

AND WE HAD BEEN WORKING ON FUND RAISING AND WE WERE READY TO GO WITH THE 2020 SHOW THEN THE PANDEMIC HIT.

>> Reporter: MORENGO SAYS THE SHOW IS UNDER FIRE FROM ANOTHER LAWSUIT THAT SHE SAYS IS THE SAME AS EARLIER CHALLENGES.

BUT THE ANIMAL PROTECTION AND RESCUE GROUP SEES IT DIFFERENTLY ATTORNEY RYAN PEACE WHO SITS ON THE GROUP'S BOARD FILED SUIT ON SUPERIOR COURT.

>> THERE'S A MARINE MAMMAL RIGHT THERE WHICH HAS ONLY BEEN SINCE 2019 TO EXIST.

PRIOR IT WASN'T THE SAME LANDSCAPE.

SO NOW WE HAVE THE FISHERY SERVICES GOING TO ENFORCE THAT OR NOT, I DON'T KNOW.

BUT THE MARINE MAMMAL PROTECTION ACT DOES NOT HAVE A PRIVATE RIGHT OF ACTION.

>> Reporter: VIOLATING A FEDERAL LAW IS SEEN AS AN UNFAIR BUSINESS PRACTICE IN CALIFORNIA.

AND THAT'S THE LEGAL AVENUE THEY'RE PURSUING.

THE NATIONAL MARINE FISHERY SERVICE HAS NO OPINION ON THE LEGAL ACTION OR THE FIREWORKS SHOW.

COULD BE MANY MONTHS BEFORE THE LAWSUIT IS RESOLVED.

ERIC ANDERSON, KPBS NEWS.

>> FINALLY SENDING HIM OFF IN STYLE.

ONE SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY PUT TOGETHER A SPECIAL GOODBYE TO SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN PART OF THEIR DAILY ROUTINE FOR DECADES.

HERE'S KPBS REPORTER JOHN CAROL.

>> ON THE STREETS OF THE VILLA BARBADOS NEIGHBORHOOD WEDNESDAY, SOMETHING EXTRA.

THERE AMONG THE NEATLY MANICURES LAWNS, THERE WERE THESE LITTLE SIGNS SOME WITH BALLOONS, ALL WITH ONE THING IN COMMON.

A NAME, JOHN.

>> WE'VE BEEN FRIENDS, HE'S BEEN HEREFOR 29 YEARS.

>> I'VE WATCHED HIM AGE AND HE'S WATCHED MY AGE.

>> HE'S BEEN TO WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARIES, BIRTHDAYS.

>> Reporter: THIS IS THE GUY THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT, JOHN PIANTE AND AS YOU PROBABLY HAVE FIGURED OUT, HE'S DELIVERED THE MAIL FOR 29 YEARS.

29 YEARS OF STEADFAST SERVICE.

>> I THOUGHT, WE CAN'T JUST LET HIM GO.

WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING FOR HIM HE'S JUST TOO SPECIAL.

>> Reporter: SO SHE GOT ON THE TIERRA SANTA NEXT DOOR APP, A RETIREMENT CELEBRATION WAS PLANNED.

LATE WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, PEOPLE BEGAN ARRIVING AT THE TIERRA SANTA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PARKING LOT.

THEY BROUGHT FOOD AND GIFTS THEY SIGNED GIANT PICTURES OF THE HONORED GUESTS.

ONE FAMILY SHOWED THEIR APPRECIATION RIGHT ON THEIR CAR.

8-YEAR-OLD TALLY AND HER 10- YEAR-OLD SISTER GRACE CAPTURING THE MOOD OF THE MOMENT.

>> SAD, WE'RE GOING TO MISS HIM.

>> WHEN THE MAN OF THE HOUR HAD CHECKED HIS MAIL TRUCK IN FOR THE LAST TIME HE HEADED STRAIGHT BACK TO TIERRA SANTA TO THE NEIGHBORS WHO LOVE HIM.

NATURALLY THERE WERE LOTS OF HAPPY PICTURES AND HUGS.

>> SO THE NICEST MAILMAN I EVER KNEW.

>> CONGRATULATIONS.

>> A BIT OF HISTORY.

>> MY GRANDFATHER RETIRED FROM POSTAL SERVICE BACK IN BUFFALO NEW YORK.

>> AS NOW THE CAKE SUGGESTS, JOHN WILL BE SPENDING A LOT OF TIME ON THE LINKS BUT NOT BEFORE.

>> IF YOU WERE GOING TO MAKE A GROUP ANNOUNCEMENT TO THESE FOLKS THAT YOU WOULD TELL THEM WHAT WOULD YOU SAY.

>> I WOULD JUST TELL THEM HOW MUCH I LOVE THEM.

THEY'RE MY FAMILY.

THEY'RE MY FRIENDS.

AND I HOLD THEM DEEP IN MY HEART.

IT'S GREAT.

>> IT'S SAFE TO SAY, THE FEELING IS AND ALWAYS WILL BE COMPLETELY MUTUAL.

JOHN CAROL, KPBS NEWS.

>> AND WE HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS LOOK AT SOME OF OUR BEST ORIGINAL REPORTING FROM KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

FOR ALL OF US HERE AT KPBS I'M MIA TROBOSI, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.