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Bidens Visit Wounded Marines at Camp Pendleton

Biden says this generation of warriors is the finest the world has ever seen.

Bidens Visit Camp Pendleton

Vice President Joe Biden visited with wounded Marines and their families at the Warrior Hope and Care Center at Camp Pendleton Friday, calling this generation of warriors the finest the world has ever seen.

"It's just astounding, astounding what you do," Biden said. "It takes my breath away. You guys are amazing -- absolutely, positively amazing."

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Biden was joined in the visit by his wife Jill, who arrived at Camp Pendleton before her husband, who stayed behind for events in Los Angeles.

Biden said he and his wife visit service members and their families at every chance they get "to say thank you."

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UCSD to Rename Building in Honor of Geisel

The University House at UC San Diego, which is being renovated, will be named for benefactor Audrey Geisel, the widow of Ted "Dr. Seuss" Geisel, the school announced Friday.

The University House, which sits on seven acres on La Jolla Farms Road, was declared uninhabitable in 2004 because of electrical, plumbing and seismic problems.

The University of California Board of Regents this week approved the second phase of the renovation. The $10.5 million cost is being privately funded.

The school announced the building will formally be called the Audrey Geisel University House, or Geisel House for short.

"Preserving the architectural treasure that is Geisel House is so important and we are most grateful for her generosity and her friendship," UCSD Chancellor Marye Anne Fox said.

A public meeting room in the house will be named the "Rik and Flo Henrikson Commons" to honor their financial support.

Former SD Councilman Must Serve Prison Sentence

A former San Diego city councilman convicted in 2005 of taking bribes from a Las Vegas strip club owner seeking to overturn San Diego's "no-touch" ordinance must begin serving his 21-month prison sentence by the end of the month, a judge ruled Friday.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the appeal of ex-councilman Ralph Inzunza, who was convicted in July 2005 of extortion, wire fraud and conspiracy. He was sentenced five months later by U.S. District Court Judge Jeffrey Miller.

Inzunza has been free for the past 6 1/2 years while appealing his conviction.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Wheat told the judge that Inzunza should start serving his sentence today, but Miller gave Inzunza until Jan. 30 to surrender.

"He was accused and convicted of selling his office," Wheat told reporters outside the federal courthouse.

Inzunza will serve his time at a low-level satellite camp at Atwater Penitentiary in Merced County.

Two other San Diego city councilmen, Michael Zucchet and Charles Lewis, were also indicted in the case, along with Cheetah's strip club owner Michael Galardi and his lobbyist, Lance Malone.

Zucchet was convicted of nine charges for accepting campaign contributions in exchange for repealing the "no-touch" ordinance. Miller eventually threw out seven of Zucchet's convictions and the other two were later dismissed.

Lewis died in August 2004 from a gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

Malone was sentenced to three years in prison and Galardi served 18 months behind bars.

-City News Service


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