Daily Business Report — Jan. 3, 2012

Daily Business Report — Jan. 3, 2012

Reward Offered for Church Arson Fires

A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for tips that lead to the arrest of a person or persons responsible for arson fires Dec. 20 and Dec. 30 — and another arson attempt at 12:30 a.m. today — at the Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Hall on Adams Avenue, near Florida Street, in University Heights. The reward is being offered by Crime Stoppers and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. A reward of up to $1,000 is offered for information leading to an arrest and an additional reward of up to $9,000 is offered on conviction. Crime Stoppers hosts both the Hate Crime Reward Fund and the Arson Reward Fund that may be used to increase the reward.

“San Diegans must stand together against these senseless acts,” said Councilman Todd Gloria, who represents the area. “I encourage anyone with information about the crimes to tell the authorities.”

The Metro Arson Strike Team is investigating. Anyone with information related to these crimes is asked to call arson investigators at (619) 236-6815, or to remain anonymous, calls can be made to San Diego County Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477 or send an anonymous text or web tip at sdcrimestoppers.com.

SAIC Awarded Instrument Landing System Contract

Science Applications International Corporation has been awarded a contract by the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center to provide Instrument Landing System modernization services in support of the U.S. Air Force. The contract has a one year base period of performance, four one-year options, and a total contract value of more than $22 million, if all options are exercised. Work will be performed in San Diego, Overland Park, Kan. and at Air Force bases around the world.

Canyon Terrace Industrial Property Sold for $2.9 Million

Prinbo LLC has purchased Canyon Terrace, a 28,444-square-foot industrial property in San Diego where it intends to move its company, Swagelok, which designs and manufactures fluid system products. The $2.9 million sale was handled by Voit Real Estate Service’s San Diego office. Swagelok’s products are delivered locally through a network of more than 200 authorized sales and service centers that support customers in 57 countries on six continents. This single-story, flex building includes single and multi-tenant space ranging from 4,274 square feet to 28,444 square feet, according to Randy LaChance, vice president of Voit. LaChance worked with Jon Danton, an associate in Voit’s San Diego office, to represent the seller, LMC Camino Santa Fe LLC. The buyer was represented by Glenn Arnold of Cassidy Turley.

Sempra Energy Subsidiary to Purchase Natural Gas Company

Sempra U.S. Gas & Power, a subsidiary of Sempra Energy, has agreed to purchase Hattiesburg, Miss.-based Willmut Gas & Oil Company. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. The privately-held natural gas utility provides service to about 20,000 customers in greater Hattiesburg as well as portions of Covington, Jones, Rankin and Simpson Counties, and has operated for more than 75 years. The acquisition expands Sempra U.S. Gas & Power’s natural gas footprint in the Southeast U.S. The company owns Mobile Gas, a natural gas distribution utility that serves approximately 90,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Mobile, Ala., along with several natural gas storage and pipeline assets in Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama.The transaction requires approval by the Mississippi Public Service Commission.

Health Agency Manager to Speak on Obesity Program

WalkSanDiego will feature Dr. Tracy Delaney, manager of chronic disease and health disparities with the county Health and Human Services Agency, at its next “Visioning San Diego Lunch Forum” on Jan. 20. Delaney served as the principal investigator for a grant proposal to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Communities Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW) program that brought more than $16 million to the county to fight obesity. Delaney will provide an overview and report on the accomplishments of the program, which is locally called Healthy Works. The forum, which takes place at the Downtown Information Center at Horton Plaza, begins at noon. Tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the door. Lunch is provided. Call (619) 544.9255 for reservations.

Higgs Fletcher & Mack Adds Partner

Gary Barthel has been named a partner in the San Diego law firm Higgs Fletcher & Mack. The selection brings the number of firm partners to 44. Barthel joined the firm in 2003 after 20 years in the Marine Corps. He has expertise in military law and civil litigation. Barthel received his law degree from the Whittier College School of Law in 1986 and his Masters in Law degree from The U.S. Army’s Judge Advocate General’s School in 1999.