PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ENCINITAS, CA 92024 PERMIT NO. 94
THE COAST NEWS
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LOCAL, INDEPENDENT, TRUSTED
Hero’s welcome
April 17, 2026
SAN Student-athletes MARCOS -NEWS
Secret .com recording alleged Class-action suit .com vs. school sought THE VISTA NEWS
U.S. NAVY divers approach the Artemis II crew module on April 10 to recover the crew of four astronauts after their lunar mission.
By Noah Perkins
SOLANA BEACH — Three high school student-athletes have filed a proposed class-action lawsuit against Santa Fe Christian Schools, alleging the private RANCHO school secretly recorded them while they used a classroom as a SFNEWS temporary locker room during a basketball game this season. The students, all from Francis Parker School, are represented by attorney Ellen Adler. Adler said the students first learned they had been videotaped after Santa Fe Christian contacted Francis Parker’s athletic director and other administrators. The school notified them “that there had been some incident in the choir room that had created a mess and also provided video tape right to them,” Adler said. Francis Parker staff then informed the students, who were “horrified.” Adler added that her firm has not directly contacted Francis Parker’s administrative staff and is unaware of what actions they may have taken, including whether a criminal report was filed. “Our investigation showed that, as the home team for the sporting event, Santa Fe Christian directed the team to a room where they could meet, change, do whatever they need in order to prepare for the game, before, during, and after,” Adler said. “I have not heard from any of my clients or from my investi-
.com
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class David Rowe
All eyes were on San Diego last Friday as NASA’s Artemis II mission splashed down off the coast after going around the moon, traveling farther from Earth than humans ever had before. Page 16.
DA: Man used brick to kill woman By Leo Place
OCEANSIDE — Law enforcement arrested a man last week who is suspected of killing 46-year-old Bethany Whitwer in Oceanside in what appeared to be a violent attack. Police discovered a woman, identified as Whitwer, deceased inside of a home in the 2300 block of Fallingleaf Road on the morning of April 7. Neighbors had called law enforcement after hearing screaming coming from the house, according to news reports. A standoff began when Michael Clarke Topping, 69, barricaded himself inside the house,
where he stayed for over five hours. The standoff ended after he stabbed himself multiple times, Fox 5 San Diego reported, and he was taken to the hospital in Sheriff’s custody. Topping was arraigned in San Diego County Superior Court at the Vista Courthouse on April 9 and pleaded not guilty. He is being held without bail. A criminal complaint from the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office states that Topping used a brick in his attack of Whitwer. Topping has faced other misdemeanor and felony charges over the past few years. In July 2025,
he was charged with assault with a deadly weapon and illegal possession of a firearm, ammunition, and a stun gun, in addition to drug possession, according to court records. He also previously faced charges of driving under the influence and causing a vehicle accident resulting in injury or death. Court records also indicate that Topping has been involved in two domestic violence incidents in the past. The Oceanside Police Department deferred to the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office for other questions regarding the case.
Rural pushback on cannabis plan Unincorporated areas aren’t happy with a sweeping county cannabis program that the supervisors have advanced to address decades of inequity from the War on Drugs. 5
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