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Santee Residents Fighting to Change Gillespie Flight Patterns

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A deadly plane crash in a Santee neighborhood right after takeoff from Gillespie Field is a tragic reminder of what one group of homeowners has been hoping to avoid.

A Piper Cherokee carrying a flight instructor and student crashed onto a driveway Thursday, killing both men aboard the plane.

Advocates for Safe Airport Policies (ASAP) member Sue Strom shared some of the concerns raised by residents living hear the small airport who have been fighting to get flight patterns changed.

“When you have the density and intensity of flight training over neighborhoods then I think you're putting people at risk. Pilots and homes - it’s almost like Russian roulette,” explained Strom.

No one on the ground was injured when the plane fell out of the sky, clipped a roof and mangled two vehicles before coming to rest upside down in a driveway.

For at least three years ASAP members say they've been concerned about airplane crashes like Thursday’s because of what they believe is increasing flight school traffic over their Fletcher Hills homes.

The increase in flights, they argue, puts residents living near Gillespie Field at risk.

Though over the past seven years, Gillespie Field’s website shows more than 199,000 last year, the number of flight operations is substantially lower than the height in 2008.

Despite the numbers, 53 Fletcher Hills residents have decided to pursue a lawsuit.

Their concerns include noise and lead pollution as well as potential safety hazards presented by flight patterns.

“Unless [a plane] goes down as its traversing perpendicular across airport it’s going to go into residential area,” explained resident Chris Dean.

According to the county's director of airports, a 2012 air traffic pattern study showed Gillespie’s operations fit the facility and local environment.

Supervisor Dianne Jacob issued a statement reading in part:

“My heart goes out to the families of the two individuals that were on the plane. It would be premature to speculate on what happened, but I will be closely monitoring the details when they are available."

“Irrespective of engine failure or pilot error the end result is the same it came down in a residential area,” said Dean. “Something needs to be done to protect us the people in Santee."


Dad in Desperate Search for Missing Boys

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A Washington-based family is calling on San Diegans to help keep an eye out for two boys believed to be abducted by their mother one week ago at Los Angeles International Airport.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputies believe 41-year-old Faye Ku, abducted her sons 14-year-old Sage Cook and 9-year-old Isaac Cook on August 28.

The boys’ father has family in Carlsbad and Encinitas and says his ex-wife has friends in San Diego.

“We don’t know where the boys went so we’re trying to cast as wide as net as possible,” David Cook told NBC 7 via Skype Friday.

Authorities said Ku had recently submitted documents to help grant her supervised visits. Investigators believe the documents are fake. Cook says his ex-wife forged a supervisor’s signature.

“In this case the supervisor on the documents did not know about this. He did not know he was meant to supervise the kids. He only thought he was supposed to pick up the kids and then take off,” Cook said. “There was a signature, address and phone number, and they were all incorrect.”

When asked if he believes his sons’ safety are at risk, Cook said their mother loves the boys very much but he’s concerned her erratic behavior may indirectly harm them.

Cook says this isn’t the first time he desperately searched for his sons.

Two years ago, he says he and his current wife stopped Ku at an airport with Isaac and Sage. She had one-way tickets to Taiwan.

Sheriff’s officials say Ku may also be traveling with a toddler, the missing boys’ half-brother.

A $25,000 is being offered for information leading to the boys.

If you have information, contact Lakewood Sheriff’s Station, specifically Lt. Dinh, Sgt. Seelhorst or Det. Hernandez at 562-623-3500.
 

40th Sky Show to Rock Qualcomm

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The 40th Annual Sky Show planned for Saturday at Qualcomm Stadium promises to be bigger and better than ever.

Classic rock station KGB runs the show at the Q.

Many San Diegans have seen it at least once - rock songsar set to a pyrotechnics show.

This Saturday's show will follow the football game between San Diego State University and University of San Diego. It's the season opener for the Aztecs.

Organizers are hoping for a smooth show for this 40th anniversary.

“Fans of the show who have come many years know we can continuously one up ourselves,” said Paul Souza with 101-KGB. “We've taken this to heart and this year's show proves to be bigger and badder than in previous years.”

This year's show will showcase what KGB calls the 40 greatest classic rock songs of all time.

Get information on the show here.



Photo Credit: Stephanie C.

Will Drought Mean Less Greenery Going to Landfill?

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Some California cities have reported a drop in greenery going to the landfill because of the statewide drought. That's not happening here in San Diego, according to one city official.

Landscaper Mitch Mims stopped by Miramar Landfill Friday to fill up plastic bags with compost.

The compost is a combination of garden greenery and food waste.  

After three months at the landfill the combination is turned into a rich soil that Mims uses on gardens.

"This is going to go into planter beds and going to help retain moisture," said Mims.

But making the compost could be a problem in the future.  

With the drought, homeowners are using less water and that means fewer plants and lawns and ultimately less greenery heading to the landfill.  

It's already been a problem in parts of central and northern California.  But what about in San Diego?

City recycling specialist Renee Robertson told NBC 7 the we are not seeing the big drop.

"We haven't seen any indication that's going to happen yet on a massive scale in San Diego," said Robertson.

She says homeowners have been cutting back on watering for a few years and many are using drought-tolerant landscaping.  

"I know some other regions have seen that impact but we're still seeing the tonage come right in through landscapers and city collecton trucks," said Robertson.

So for now the city landfill is able to keep up their supply of compost.  The compost and mulch is free to San Diego residents.



Photo Credit: NBC 7

Documented Use of Force at SDPD Increasing Data Shows

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The number of times San Diego Police Department officers reported using force has increased since 2012, according to data obtained by NBC 7 Investigates.

The biggest increase occurred between 2012 and 2013, when the number of incidents reported went up by 6,053. The number continued to increase the following year in 2014 and an analysis of data available for 2015 indicates the increase will continue.

The force reported ranges from pointing a firearm and using a taser to using physical strength or a control hold. So far this year, officers reported using physical strength the most and the foam baton the least.

The documents also detail whether or not the force option used was effective. Since 2012 the effectiveness of force used has remained steady at about 90%, according to the data. The effectiveness, according to SDPD spokesman Lt. Scott Wahl is assessed by the officers.

According to the data, the total number of times officers reported using force in 2012 was 10,604. The next year, in 2013, the number reported jumped to 16,657. It continued to increase last year, but not by as much. The total reported in 2014 was 17,679. From January 1 to July 31, 2015 officers reported using force 10,690 times.

Click here to see the complete data from SDPD.

Wahl told NBC 7 Investigates there are many factors that could explain the increase over the years and right now the department is reviewing the data trying to pinpoint exactly what they are.

Brian Marvel, President of the San Diego Police Officers Association, said one reason could be an overall increase in the number of people with mental health issues.

“There are a lot more people out there we are dealing with mental health issues,” Marvel said. “What you are also seeing is with the advent of body worn cameras coming into play officers are doing a much better job of actually keeping track of what type of force is being used.”

Both Marvel and Wahl told NBC 7 Investigates SDPD officers use force in less than 1% of total incidents. San Diego police receive nearly a million calls for service a year and dispatch officers to at least half of those calls.

NBC 7 Investigates obtained the data through the a California Public Records Act request. In response to the request, SDPD provided a document called “Force Options Used and Their Effectiveness.” Information, such as where these incidents occurred, injuries and surrounding circumstances, are not legally required to be disclosed because of the "investigations" exemption under the state open records act, according to SDPD.

Wahl told NBC 7 Investigates the document was not intended to keep track of how often force is used by SDPD officers. He said the data was collected for training purposes to help gauge how effective force options are.

Click here to read more about reported use of force by SDPD officers in 2014.

Wahl also said the department is working on a one-year analysis of how body cameras, use of force and public complaints relate to one another. That analysis is expected to be released sometime next week.


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Hillcrest Hydrant Struck by FedEx Truck

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A broken fire hydrant caused a mess near 1st and Robinson Avenues in Hillcrest Friday. Officials say a FedEx truck hit the hydrant, sending water shooting up in the air. No injuries were reported.

Lawmakers Mull $65/Year Drivers' Fee

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California's governor is proposing a "transportation package" that would include an increase in gas taxes and a $65 annual fee for drivers.

There's a $60 billion backlog of deferred maintenance to the state's transportation "infrastructure." Fuel taxes haven't been raised in two decades. So the time has come to pay the piper and the tune's about to be called in Sacramento.

The numbers being crunched right now are an additional six cents a gallon for gas, 11 cents for diesel, which would go up with inflation.

But Gov. Jerry Brown doesn't yet have the two-thirds majority votes needed in each house of the legislature for tax hikes, even from Democrats.

So advocates for business and transportation interests are calling on lawmakers to reach compromises before a large number of substandard freeways and bridges start to fail and threaten the state's "economic competitiveness."

With gas prices hovering under $4 a gallon, the fuel hikes alone apparently aren't a major sticking point.

For most motorists interviewed Friday by NBC 7, it's a proposed $65 annual driver's fee.

“Registration fees change every year,” said Paradise Hills resident Melissa Moreno. “And $65 more, not everyone can afford that."

Said Oak Park resident Mike Mitchell: “The guys that make all the big money -- they don't care."

Less concerned was North Park resident Xan Robinson.

"In the long run, $65 a year isn't that bad,” she shrugged. “I mean, you spend $65 on a purse, on shoes. You might as well put it toward your community."

Next Friday is the deadline for measures to get passed in Sacramento.

Republican lawmakers don't like the governor's approach. Enough Democrats don't, so as to keep him from getting two-thirds majorities in both houses needed to raise taxes.

Business and transportation groups are calling on the two sides to work out a compromise.



Photo Credit: Getty Images/OJO Images

'Gate Greaser' Caught on Cam in Santee

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Some Santee homeowners don't know what to make of the suspicious man seen on security video spraying grease on their front gates.

Is it an act of kindness or something more sinister?

If the intruder wished to walk the Johnson property on Bella Vista Street unnoticed, he failed to spot the Silver Strand Technologies security cameras at the entrance and side of the house.

Jeremy Johnson doesn't just own the cameras but also the company and says he has a pretty good idea why the man was here to grease this gate.

“He's clean cut. His shirt is tucked in. There is nothing scary about this man but what you typically find is this is his research,” Johnson said.

After nearly a decade in the security business Johnson finds this type of stranger visit fairly typical in the days leading up to a break in.

“In my industry this gentlemen is going to do some damage in this neighborhood. I just pray that it's not my house,” Johnson said.

Johnson's cameras weren’t the only ones rolling at 1 p.m. Wednesday. From a home up the hill another neighbor recorded the stranger walking up to every house on Bella Vista Street.

“He's going to each entry to your home except your front door and he is doing something that allows him to see inside of your property behind the gate.

The stranger came unannounced at a time of day when most residents of the Sky Ranch community are at work. He had a rag in one hand and a spray can of WD-40 in the other. At each home Johnson says the intruder greased every gate hinge.

“We've put it on Facebook are neighbors are aware it's on the news,” Johnson said.

From up the hill you see the stranger confronted by one home owner in the white truck. Johnson says the intruder claimed he didn't understand the questions and left the neighborhood.

If he comes back, Sky Ranch is ready.

“Yeah, I really do think he will come back. I think what will help is having everybody on alert though and I think he will be caught actually," Johnson said..

He and others in the neighborhood are sending out the video, still pictures and information on Facebook and the Sky Ranch Next Door internet site.

It has also been reported to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department which patrols Santee.


Weekend Events: Sept. 3-7

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Happy Labor Day weekend, San Diego! The long, holiday weekend brings with it many fun events, from an epic sand sculpting competition to a sailing festival, both with unbeatable views of the bay that can only be seen in America’s Finest City.

Thursday, Sept. 3

Beer, Bacon and More Beer
7:30 p.m., Quad AleHouse (Gaslamp Quarter)
This tasting event includes a crisp lineup of Firestone Walker brews paired with a sizzling lineup of bacon-centric courses, including Fig-Basted Pork Belly, Bacon Pate and, believe it or not, Orange Blossom Honey-Infused Goat Cheese Ice Cream with a Bacon Swirl. Buy your ticket ($50) to this early, as space is limited. 

Friday, Sept. 4

Musica En La Plaza
7 p.m., California Center for the Arts (Escondido)
Bring your dancing shoes for this free event at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido happening every Friday in September at Lyric Court. This particular installment will feature live music by Los Montaño and the Manny Cepeda Orchestra Quartet. Besides the lively Latin tunes, attendees will also get to enjoy tacos, tequila and, of course, good company, under the stars.

Saturday, Sept. 5

Spartyka Wounded Warrior 5K 
Registration opens at 7:30 a.m., race begins at 9 a.m., Prebble Field at NTC Park in San Diego
Raise money for a good cause and get in some early morning exercise with this annual 5K. Runners will be raising awareness for the men and women of the U.S. Military and proceeds will go to the Wounded Warrior Project. It costs $30 to pre-register and run in the race.

Boardwalk Craft Market 
8 a.m., Old Poway Park
Along the tracks of the Poway Midland Railroad, you’ll find this storied craft market. Browse through hand-crafted goods by artists working with traditional arts and crafts. Look through a mix of both beautiful and useful items and talk with the artists that made the work.

International Bacon Day: San Diego BaconFest
1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Liberty Station & NTC Park
So. Much. Bacon. San Diego will celebrate International Bacon Day with BaconFest, a 21+, all-day event featuring the best in bacon bites, beer, spirits and live music. Entry to this pig out party includes unlimited food from more than 30 booths and unlimited beverage tastings. Thanks to the location at Liberty Station and NTC Park (2600 Cushing Rd.), parking is free. So far, local eateries participating in BaconFest 2015 include Cork & Craft, Crazee Burger, Saltbox, Slater’s 50/50 and The Whole Hog, just to namedrop. Craft breweries pouring sudsy sips include Belching Beaver, Alpine Beer Company, Green Flash and Twisted Manzanita, also just to name a few. General admission tickets cost $60 per person, while VIP tickets run for $100.

September Sessions With Saint Archer Brewing Company
7 p.m., Hotel La Jolla’s Hiatus Lounge
Love craft beer? Learn about four brews made by Saint Archer Brewing Company at this tasting event, and how they pair with certain plates. On tap: Saint Archer White, Blonde, Pale Ale and IPA beers, all introduced by a well-versed Saint Archer host who will offer informative insight on the brewing process. Small bites will be whipped up by Chef Donald Lockhart, and at 8 p.m., patrons can also enjoy a surf movie in the Hiatus lounge. This event costs $25 per person.

Sunday, Sept. 6

Road to Rio Tour 
11 a.m., B Street Pier on North Harbor Drive
Get excited for next year’s Olympics when the Road to Rio tour comes to America’s Finest City! On this leg of the tour, meet with athletes, including Olympic Gymnastics Champion Nastia Liukin and eight other Team USA athletes, try your skills with the long jump, high jump and high dive in addition to virtual reality experiences. Don’t miss this tour, which only stops in nine cities nationwide. Get more details on the event here

Labor Day Weekend Pool Party at LOUNGEsix
12 p.m. to 8 p.m., LOUNGEsix
Another way to beat the heat and take in the holiday weekend, this time at the LOUNGEsix pool at downtown San Diego’s Hotel Solamar. This party will include music, fashion and art. Pre-sale tickets are $20 per person, with some proceeds benefitting interBLOK, a non-profit focused on rebuilding orphanages internationally.

Hard Rock Hotel’s Labor Day Bash
5:45 p.m. to 10 p.m., Hard Rock Hotel San Diego
Celebrate Labor Day weekend poolside at Hard Rock Hotel San Diego’s Float lounge. The party includes poolside cocktails, music and more. This is definitely not a bad way to relax on a Sunday in sunny San Diego.

Monday, Sept. 7: Labor Day 2015

U.S. Sand Sculpting Competition
9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, Sept. 4-7, B Street Cruise Ship Terminal at Big Bay
Each year, this Labor Day event turns San Diego into SAND-iego, bringing masterful sculptors to the bay to compete in arguably the most creative sand sculpting challenge in the land. This 4-day event showcases incredibly detailed 3D art sculpted in sand. This family-friendly event includes live entertainment, a sand box and rides of kids, dozens of gourmet food trucks and, most importantly, a breathtaking view of the bay that only be seen in San Diego. Passes range from $5 to $19, depending on which days you visit. Toddlers in strollers are free.

Festival of Sail
Sept. 5-7, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday. 
Land ho! This festival, the largest of its kind on the West Coast, will come coasting into town for Labor Day weekend, starting Saturday. The San Salvador will be on hand and wil make her grand appeance on Friday during the precursor event, Parade of Sail. Parents and their children can purchase tickets for sails aboard ships and various tours by clicking here. Admission is free for Maritime Museum members with their ID and membership card. Ticket prices vary depending on the package you buy, but start around $14. 

That’s a wrap for Labor Day weekend, San Diego. As a reminder, NBC 7 publishes a round-up of fun, local weekend events every week, so keep checking in to add to your social calendar. Get the latest news on what’s happening in San Diego by subscribing to NBC 7’s “The Scene” newsletter here.



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego
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Migrants and Refugees Arrive in Austria, Germany

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Germany anticipates up to 7,000 people pouring across its borders from Hungary over a 48-hour span, authorities told NBC News — a final stop for asylum seekers fleeing war and poverty in their homelands.

Neighboring Austria said it received at least 6,500 refugees and migrants who flooded across the Hungarian border Saturday, where charity workers provided hospitality and much-needed bedding and food.

Hungarian authorities had spent most of the week trying to force those crossing into the country to report to government-run refugee centers to apply for asylum in their initial European Union entry point as the 28-nation bloc's rules require.

But thousands refused — some expressing fears that Hungary would deport or detain them indefinitely — and demanded free passage overwhelmingly to Germany. 



Photo Credit: AP

Skydiver Knocked Unconscious

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Two skydivers collided Saturday over Long Island, New York, rendering one unconscious and grateful for an automatically activated reserve parachute.

Patricia Baronowski, 46, took a knee to the head from fellow skydiver Kevin Arcamona, 29, during their free fall over Calverton, Riverhead police said.

Baronowski, of East Farmingdale, was knocked unconscious and descended into a tree after her reserve parachute opened. She was suspended about 15 feet from the ground until retrieved and taken to Stony Brook University Hospital, where she was treated for a head injury.

Arcamona, of Island Park, was taken to the same hospital with a leg injury, police said.

The accident occurred at about 12:30 p.m. 



Photo Credit: Photo courtesy of Riverhead News-Review/Grant Parpan

Several Injured After Car Drives into Laundromat

San Diegans Climb Stairs to Honor Fallen

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San Diegans climbed 110 stairs at the Hilton Bayfront to honor fallen first responders killed during 9/11 attacks.

Photo Credit: NBC 7

Teen Dies at Soccer Sleepover

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Friends and family of a 14-year-old South Jersey teen are mourning her passing at a sleepover with her soccer team.

Kara Lemanowicz was found dead Saturday morning at a home along the 200 block of Barnsboro Road in Mantua Township, police told NBC10. She and teammates from her soccer club had spent the night at the home.

Jamie McGroarty, head coach of the Eastern High School girls soccer team, knew Lemanowicz since she was a child. He called her death "a heart wrenching blow to all that knew her."

"She was a goofy, fun-loving kid who always was smiling," he said. Lemanowicz was set to play on the high school team as a freshman.

"She always played the game with a fun loving attitude and absolutely loved the game," McGroarty said.

Police said the death did not appear to be suspicious and believe was caused by a medical condition. The investigation is ongoing.

Lemanowicz was being remembered by friends as an "angel" in social media posts. A tweet from the Eastern Girls Soccer team said she "went to sleep with a smile and among friends."

Lemanowicz's teammates plan to hold an 8 p.m. candlelight vigil at Giangiulio Field in Voorhees Township.



Photo Credit: NBC10

New Traffic Signal Coming to Santee High School

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The installation of a traffic signal at the western exit from West Hills High School in Santee is nearing completion, according to Pardee Homes, the developer of a nearby residential community and the City of Santee.

The traffic signal improvement project began as a response to the tragic death of a high school student last May. West Hills High School student Ryan Willweber, 17, died on May 1 when his car was T-boned as he tried to turn left out of the campus onto Mast Boulevard.

Two signs prohibiting left turns were already installed at the high school driveway back in May. 

“This traffic signal will be a tremendous benefit to our City, and ensure the safety of our families and children,” said Santee Mayor Randy Voepel in a statement. “We are thankful for Pardee Home’s assistance in coordinating the advanced installation of the signal at this critical intersection.”

Traffic signal poles are expected to be delivered by mid-September followed by signal testing and road striping.

No road closures are expected. The project is expected to be finished by October.


 


Orphaned Tiger Cub Resting at Alpine Sanctuary

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A Bengal-Siberian tiger cub found roaming the streets of Hemet near Los Angeles has arrived at an animal sanctuary in San Diego County and is sleeping, officials said. 

A woman turned the cub in to a humane society in San Jacinto County. She said she found the 3-month-old cub wandering her neighborhood on Thursday. Officials say the woman would not give her name.

The abandoned animal was being cared for at an animal shelter in Phelan before it was transferred to San Diego’s Lions Tigers & Bears in the East County.

It is being housed in isolation while the cub sleeps. The cub will have its blood samples taken over the next few days to ensure it is healthy before it is moved to the general population. 

Bobbi Brink, with the sanctuary, said she was contacted by California Fish & Wildlife officials Friday afternoon.

The 25-pound cub was found declawed and will need surgery to remove a hernia from his abdomen. But he’ll get a lot of care - with regular bottle feedings, a meat-rich diet and plenty of room to run around.

Delicious Details: Taste of Downtown 2015

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If you’re a foodie with a dining “bucket list,” this year’s Taste of Downtown San Diego will certainly help you take a bite out of those grub goals.

This year, the annual self-guided food tour will feature scrumptious samples from more than 40 participating restaurants sprinkled throughout downtown San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, The Headquarters at Seaport, Financial District and East Village.

Participating eateries include: Don Chido on 5th Avenue; Bub’s at the Ballpark on J Street; Dobson’s Bar & Restaurant on Broadway Circle; Eddy V’s Prime Seafood at The Headquarters; and East Village Tavern + Bowl, just to name a few.

The foodie fiesta runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday (Sept. 10). Tickets cost $30 per person in advance and $35 the day of the event. Tickets can be purchased online and picked up at Florent Restaurant & Lounge on 5th Avenue or purchased in person at Parq Restaurant, Rockin’ Baja Lobster or Quad Alehouse.

For more details, visit this website.
 



Photo Credit: Don Chido/Facebook

Son of 'El Chapo' May Have Tweeted His Location

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A tweet may be a tip for authorities searching for Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, the drug lord who escaped from a high-security prison in Mexico in July via a sophisticated tunnel. 

A Twitter account, unconfirmed by NBC News, belongs to an Alfredo Guzman — the same name as one of the kingpin's sons. On Aug. 31, a tweeted photo shows the young man sitting with two older men at an outdoor restaurant, both faces totally obscured with cartoon emojis. One man's mustache is showing, resembling that of Guzman.

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Twitter's location identifier indicated that the photo was taken in Costa Rica, though that is not confirmed.

While the mustachioed man in the photo may look like Guzman, experts said they would be shocked if Guzman's son actually tweeted a photo of the most wanted man in the world with the location function on.



Photo Credit: AP
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Residents Near Sammy's Asked to Evacuate After Fire

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Some residents have been evacuated and others left homeless after a two-alarm fire at a popular pizza restaurant in La Jolla sent smoke pummeling above a shared building. 

The fire broke out around 6:20 p.m. Saturday at Sammy's Woodfired Pizza on Pearl Street and shortly after the fire, crews requested a second alarm response. As of 9 pm Pearl Street is stil closed.

The restaurant is housed in a mixed commercial and residential building. One apartment in that building on Pearl Street is now uninhabitable and two others sustained minor damage from the fire. 

According to the fire department the restaurant had a fire in the hood system. The place was evacuated after a worker noticed smoke coming out of the vent system, which goes through and behind residential units. Crews had to breach the wall in two apartments.

Ryan hill who owns of Don Carlos taco shop across street said this is a constant concern for restuarant owners. 

"You always fear this...it's something that's in the back of your head 24 hours a day," he said. Hill smelled smoke and walked over to Sammy's to tell the manager. 

"He's like oh no it's the wood burning stove and I'm like no that's not the wood burning stove," said Hill. "He looked up and he's like oh we need to get out of here now."

 

San Diego Police evacuated people near the restaurant during the fire.

When firefighters arrived, they reported seeing heavy smoke coming from the roof. 

"I really have been here ten years and I've never seen that many fire trucks here...I knew it was something more severe," Allison Baher who lives down the street said. "It's one of the original [Sammy's] so it's pretty sad for them."

Police helped control traffic in the area as crews battled the fire and mopped up afterwards. 

According to officials one firefighter sustained a minor injury and they don't know when the restaurant will reopen.

 



Photo Credit: Susan Myrland

Association Slams Kenneth Cole's Gun Control Billboard

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Kenneth Cole's suggested correlation between mental illness and gun control has stirred up backlash from the American Psychiatric Association. 

A billboard from the fashion designer in New York City reads: "Over 40M Americans suffer from mental illness. Some can access care...All can access guns."

Cole "is correct. There are 40 million people that suffer from mental illness," Dr. Renee Binder, the association's president, told NBC News.

But, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has found that only 3 percent to 5 percent of violent acts are linked to individuals with serious mental illnesses. Even more alarming, Binder said, people with severe mental illnesses are more likely to be the victim of a violent crime.



Photo Credit: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
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