PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ENCINITAS, CA 92024 PERMIT NO. 94
THE COAST NEWS
.com MAKING WAVES IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
VOL. 37, N0. 10
MARCH 10, 2023
Janks gets 25 .com to life SAN MARCOS -NEWS
INLAND BIG TOP
THE
Solana Beach VISTA NEWS woman eligible for parole in 2048
.com
Circus Vargas, a two-hour event suitable for all ages, runs through March 20 at North County Mall in Escondido. Story on 15.
By Laura Place
VISTA — Jade Janks of Solana Beach was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 25 years on Monday for the 2020 murder of Thomas RANCHO Merriman, her former stepfather SFNEWS and founder of the Butterfly Farms in Encinitas. Judge Robert J. Kearney handed down the sentence at the Vista courthouse after hearing statements from Janks, 39, and impact statements from friends and family of both Janks and Merriman, who was 64 when he was killed. Three of Merriman’s brothers and three friends, including Butterfly Farms co-founder Pat Flanagan, pleaded with the judge to hand down the maximum sentence of 25 years to life. “We respectfully ask you to help us deliver justice and do what is good and right for Tom,” Merriman’s older brother Tim wrote. “There should be no leniency for the convicted’s selfish, planned and brutal act. We ask for the maximum sentence that the law provides.” Janks was convicted of first-degree murder for the killing of Merriman following a 10-day trial in December. Prosecutors Teresa Pham and Jorge Del Portillo argued that the So-
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Teen hospitalized after e-bike, vehicle collision By Steve Puterski
This Sunday, clocks spring forward for daylight saving. After a fire destroyed the Leucadia cafe, Peace Pies is preparing its return. 7
CARLSBAD — A 14-year-old girl is recovering from injuries after she was struck by a vehicle while riding her electric bicycle on March 1 on Tamarack Avenue, according to the Carlsbad Police Department. The incident occurred at 6:05 p.m. when a vehicle turned left onto James Drive off Tamarack Avenue before colliding with the e-bike, Lt. Alonzo Delevasco said. The case remains under investigation.
According to other sources, the girl suffered a fractured skull, concussion and several broken teeth. She was transported to a local hospital and released later that night, Delevasco said. Law enforcement did not disclose the young cyclist’s name. “They were turning into James Drive, making a left turn and collided,” he said. “We’re still trying to interview some witnesses.” The collision is at least TURN TO E-BIKE ON 6
LAS ABEJAS PARK OPENS
Families and San Marcos officials gathered on Woodhaven Road on Monday to celebrate the opening of Las Abejas Park, the city’s newest park built to serve the new San Marcos Highlands community. The park is located in the future Ridgeview neighborhood, one of two planned communities within the Highlands project in Santa Fe Hills. Photo by Laura Place
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