The trial for a 36-year-old man accused of calling in multiple bomb threats to Palomar College last fall began May 1 in a San Diego Superior Court.

Present realities conflicted with childhood memories as 16 members of the San Marcos business community each paired up with a principal for a tour of the city’s schools in the annual Shadow A Principal Day on April 30.

San Marcos’ natural beauty is one of its trademarks, say City Council members, and they will continue to protect its hills from being marred by development.

Child care courses have been a staple of San Marcos High School since 1961, but they will no longer be offered starting next fall.

More than 100 parents, educators and students gathered April 18 at the County Regional Education Center in San Marcos as part of school board-organized, countywide rally against expected funding cuts.

Peace activist Cindy Sheehan visited Cal State San Marcos to speak on her experiences, first as an anti-war movement leader, and more recently, as a congressional candidate, on April 17. It was her first visit to San Diego in two years.

City Council worked well into the night April 8 revising a battered campaign finance reform ordinance into acceptable condition for adoption.

The sounds of bagpipes, Arabic guitars and Hawaiian drums filled the air April 13 at the annual San Marcos Carnival of Cultures held in the Civic Center courtyard. The one-day event featured displays, dancing, music and food presented by representatives from North County’s ethnic communities.

When the Grand Summer Festival proved too much fun for one season to contain, the San Marcos Chamber created a spring version last year which was an instant success. This year’s second annual San Marcos Grand Spring Festival on April 6 was an even bigger affair with hundreds of vendor booths sprawling along Via Vera Cruz.

San Marcos could be a much less inviting place for students and other renters if a new ordinance goes through, say members of a commission studying the proposed rules.

City leaders are cracking down to make sure rain doesn’t spread pollution, but the mayor says the city needs more money to do it.

Jessica McGilvary, 21, walked away with the crown, the sash and a $750 scholarship after winning the 45th annual Miss San Marcos pageant March 15 at the San Marcos Community Center. Maxine Marshall, 19, and Lisa Manuccia, 22, won the First and Second Princess crowns and $300 scholarships.

Boy Scout Troop 612’s Jeff Nair was honored by the City Council at the March 11 meeting for being the first in his three-year-old troop to achieve the highest rank of Eagle Scout.

In spite of controversy and legal challenges, Wal-Mart will be expanding after all.

San Marcos Fire Station No. 4 will be up and running by the end of March, completing a fire station network that offers firefighters quick access to all parts of the city.