Travelers and cross-border commuters who applied for low-cost U.S. “passport cards” earlier this year will soon be receiving them, the U.S. State Department said.
Federal officials announced Tuesday that the wallet-sized cards are in production and that those who preapplied for them starting in February should be receiving theirs by Sept. 30. More than 350,000 people have ordered passport cards and at least 7,600 have been mailed, according to the State Department.
The passport card may be used for land and sea travel between the United States and Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean and Bermuda. Unlike a traditional passport, it cannot be used for international travel by air, but it is relatively inexpensive: $45 for first-time adult applicants, compared with $100 for a traditional passport. Those who hold valid passports may apply by mail to receive a passport card for $20.
Information on how to apply for a passport or a passport card may be obtained at travel.state.gov.
– L.B.
Boil-water order issued after bacteria discovery
RAMONA: Customers of the Rancho Santa Teresa Mutual Water Co. were warned yesterday to boil their water until further notice.
The county Department of Environmental Health issued the order after total coliform bacteria was found in the company's water system. A spokesman said the bacteria can come from soil and other environmental sources.
The boil-water order is to remain in effect until the water company's distribution system is disinfected and shows no further evidence of bacteria.
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–P.R.
Camp Pendleton to close bike path during training
CAMP PENDLETON: The Marines have temporarily closed the Old Highway 101 bike path through Camp Pendleton so they can conduct training.
The path is closed from Las Pulgas Road to Basilone Road. It will reopen Wednesday.
Caltrans, which maintains 101 in the area, said it is allowing cyclists to use the shoulders of Interstate 5 in both directions between the roads.
–A.V.
E-waste collection set for Lemon Grove
LEMON GROVE: The San Diego-based Electronic Disposal Group, a state-approved collector of e-waste, has one more free drop-off event scheduled for this month.
Accepted items include computers, TVs, phones, wires and radios.
The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Lemon Grove Christian Church, 6970 San Miguel Ave.
For more details, including updates on future e-waste recycling events, visit electronicdisposalgroup.com.
–M.L.
Staff writers Leslie Berestein, Pauline Repard, Adrian Vore and Mike Lee contributed to this report.
