A magnitude-4.0 earthquake Wednesday morning in the mountains east of Los Angeles sent a jolt through the region that could be felt throughout Southern California.

Did You Feel It?: Let Us Know

The quake, initially reported with a magnitude of 4.5, occurred at 9:10 a.m., just southeast of Big Bear Lake in the mountains of San Bernardino County.

Weak shaking was reported in Yucaipa, Cabazon, Redlands, Loma Linda, Riverside and Palm Springs. Residents described the shaking as nothing more than a sharp jolt.

"Felt small amount of rolling then a very hard jolt in Hesperia," said NBCLA Facebook visitor Kathy Adams Bajek.

There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, according to the San Bernardino County Fire Department.

The mountain community and surrounding desert region mark the site of one of California's largest magnitude quakes. In 1992, the magnitude-7.3 Landers earthquake led to one fatality in Yucca Valley, located in the desert southeast of Big Bear Lake. About 400 people were injured and several structures were damaged during the main seismic event.

A magnitude-6.5 aftershock caused substantial damage and landslides in the Big Bear Lake area. The quake caused shaking throughout Southern California and as far north as Boise, Idaho.

M4.5 Big Bear EQ close to San Andreas, but preliminary focal mechanism shows oblique normal faulting, not SAF type. http://t.co/gSZQl3pUjd

— Dr. Lucy Jones (@DrLucyJones) September 16, 2015

Jurors did not reach a verdict in the case of a former East County elementary school teacher accused of molesting students in his classroom.

Eight women have come forward to accuse Robert Anderson, a former teacher at Dehesa Elementary School in El Cajon, California.

The alleged incidents took place over a decade beginning in 2003, when Anderson was teaching fifth and sixth grades.

The former students, who are now in their 20s, claim Anderson would choose someone in the classroom to sit on his lap and the children considered it an honor. However they said the teacher would put his hands on their privates while other students were in the room.

Anderson pleaded not guilty to 13 counts of committing a lewd act on a child. His defense attorney Kerry Armstrong has argued that details in the victims' stories have changed over the years.

When the jurors were polled Tuesday, they reported split verdicts on most counts with the majority of the group voting to acquit, according to the San Diego County District Attorney's office.

A status conference is scheduled for October 9 at 8:30 a.m.

Police in Quincy, Massachusetts, recovered a stolen 2004 Red Sox World Series ring while searching a home as part of an on-going distribution of Oxycodone investigation.

According to police, the Quincy Police Drug Control Unit conducted a search of Dennis Leclair's house at 97 Hall Place. Upon arrival, Leclair allegedly was conducting a drug transaction with James White of Quincy and George Green of Dorchester. Both individuals were stopped and Oxycodone was recovered.

Through the search, police recovered Oxycodone tablets, a stolen World Series ring, multiple police scanners, a money counting machine, and over $9,000 cash.

Leclair was charged with two counts of distribution of a Class B drug, possession with intent to distribute a Class B drug, conspiracy to violate the drug law, and receiving stolen property.

In addition, White was charged with possession with intent to distribute a Class B drug, conspiracy to violate the drug laws, stop sign violation, and operating a vehicle after suspension. Green was charged with possession of a Class B drug and conspiracy to violate the drug laws.  

 Friends and coworkers of a man stabbed and killed in front of a motorcycle club after a brawl are remembering the father of four they say always had a bright outlook and smile on his face. 

Michael Raymond Brown, 26, died after the fight outside the Stray Dogs motorcycle club at approximately 2:51 a.m. Saturday in unincorporated El Cajon. The San Diego County Medical Examiner's office ruled his death as a homicide, but will not release an official cause of death. 

Bobby Lewis, Brown's friend and coworker, said Mikey had four boys that often played with his children. 

He worked at Alpine Fence day and night to support his family, Lewis said, since he was 16. 

Brown coached Little League, helped his children with wrestling and went camping with them out in the desert. He had just returned from a romantic getaway in Hawaii with his wife. 

Many considered him a wonderful father.

"Very positive...He seemed kind of invincible, that's why we all had a really hard time believing he lost his life. Just a very good character." 

The 26-year old was stabbed during the fight and was taken to the hospital, but later died. Several other men involved were also treated for non-life threatening injuries.

A GoFundMe to help benefit the family has set up to help Brown's widow and his four boys. To donate, click here. 

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Homicide Detail at (858) 974-2321/after hours at (858) 565-5200.

Homicide investigators say a man named as a "person of interest" in the deaths of two women whose bodies were found inside a Hemet home early Wednesday may be heading to Mexico.

Officers conducting a welfare check just before 5 a.m. discovered the bodies at the Pepper Tree Villas townhouse in the 1200 block of South Buena Vista Street, the Hemet Police Department said. A cause of death has not been released.

Investigators want to question 37-year-old Elisha Samson Chiles. Authorities in San Diego have been alerted that Chiles could be on his way to the U.S.-Mexico border.

The names of the women have not been released. Neighbors worry that the victims are Chiles' mother and grandmother. Some of them said they heard a loud commotion coming from the home about 9 p.m.

"I heard screaming of an adult female," neighbor Dolores Smales said.

Chiles was previously convicted on assault charges, including one against a police officer, in Oklahoma. He was given a suspended sentence.

Chiles is believed to be driving a 2015 charcoal grey-colored Dodge Caravan with Oklahoma license plate 471 LIV.

Beekeeping in San Diego County got a boost Wednesday with new rules that allow hives closer to road, property lines and homes in unincorporated areas.

The County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a “tiered” beekeeping ordinance that changes where hobbyists and businesses can keep bees, while still keeping the public safe, officials said.

Since 2006, bee populations worldwide have been disappearing, raising concerns about the future of farming that depends on bee pollination to thrive. The supervisors supported the new ordinance to promote more beekeeping and agriculture in the county.

The rules dictate where three types of beekeepers — hobbyists, small commercial companies and large commercial companies — can keep their hives.

Under current county regulations, all beekeepers must keep their insects 100 feet from roads and 600 feet from homes.

Now, hobbyists can raise bees in two hives within 25 feet of roads and property lines, 35 feet of neighboring homes and 150 feet from sensitive sites, which are places where small children, elderly individuals, confined and animals and other physically challenged people.

For small commercial bee companies, up to 20 hives can be kept within 50 feet of roads and property lines, 100 feet of homes and between 150 and 300 feet from sensitive sites, depending on how many hives they have.

Large companies can have an unlimited number of hives within 100 feet of roads, 300 feet of homes and 450 feet of sensitive sites.

All beekeepers must register as such and own only docile European bees. The County’s Department of Agriculture, Weight and Measures, the San Diego Beekeeping Society, the San Diego County Farm and Home Advisor and commercial beekeepers will also team up to educate people about the craft.

Commercial beekeeping helps to pollinate almond, avocado, broccoli, onion, fruit and seed crops in the county.

The ordinance will go before the board of supervisors again on Sept. 30 for a second reading. If approved, it will go into effect in 30 days.
 

Haggen is finding a first impression is hard to change.

When the Bellingham, Washington grocery chain went from 18 supermarkets to more than 160, it was accused of upping its prices. Company officials admitted there was a pricing problem at the beginning, but from my experience interviewing shoppers, people are slow to forget.

So now that Haggen has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and is closing stores, it might be a good time to check prices. Are they still high?  

I randomly selected 30 items at a Haggen store in Clairemont, mostly staples like bread, milk, flour and cereal. I also included items like dog food, produce, juice and cookies. After taking down the prices, I check the exact same items at a Vons supermarket just a block away. Vons is owned by Safeway, and Albertsons and Safeway recently merged, which is why so many market locations were available for Haggen buy.

Haggen and Albertsons each have a lawsuit pending against the other.

When comparing prices and totaling up the groceries, the Haggen basket came to $107.87. The Vons basket came to $112.97. That's a difference of $5.10.

Haggen was not cheaper on all items. It was cheaper on Cheerios Honey Nut cereal by 50¢, cheaper on whole milk by 30¢ and cheaper on Fig Newtons by $1. Many items were the same price, like a dozen Cage Free Eggs and Quaker Oats.

But when you compare Haggen prices with Vons Club Card prices, it tells a different story.  The Club prices totalled $101.95.  That would make Vons cheaper than Haggen by $5.92. For instance Simply Orange was $4.99 at Haggen, but the club price at Vons was $4.79. It was a bigger difference in ice cream; Dryer's Grand Ice Cream sold for $6.29 at Haggen but only $3.49 at Vons.

In response to my price check, Carlos Unworthy with Vons said this by email:

"We are focused on overall value, which combines superior quality and selection at competitive prices.  Because our typical Southern California store has more than 40,000 products for sale, it is difficult to do a definitive or meaningful price comparison with a very small number of items."

While the rain is gone, the mess left behind is still a big concern for those in San Diego’s Midway District, which deals with repeated flooding when there’s heavy precipitation.

This week’s September storms brought more than an inch of rain to businesses on Pacific Highway in a short time Tuesday. Business owner Kevin Otsuka described the rainfall as a lake pooling near his work.

In that area, which is known to flood, a pump operated by the city of San Diego is supposed to clear out water. But as the water began to rise, Otsuka started phoning the city to make sure the pump was turned on.

“We actually called the city I know from our phones at least five times,” he said.

Drew Kleis with San Diego’s Stormwater Division told NBC 7 on Wednesday that the pump was turned on before it even started raining. The equipment had recently been replaced and was in good working condition.

The problem, Kleis said, is that when San Diego gets a lot of rain in a short time and there is a high tide, the storm drain’s capacity is limited; the pumps don’t always work.

"They are not designed to capture and pump down huge amounts of volumes of rain that can fall in a very short and intense period of time,” said Kleis.

Otsuka finds that fact surprising and alarming since the region is projected to have a wet winter.

"If they're saying that what they have now is the best it's gonna be, what happens if the El Nino that they're talking about coming comes to fruition here?” he asked. “This whole two blocks is going to be underwater. I'll be out of business along with everybody else here."

Otsuka had to shut down business for almost a week last December when a storm caused $35,000 in damage to his building.

According to the city, it is up to business owners to prepare for flooding, but Otsuka said he has tried.

They have piled three rows of sandbags on top of each other in front of the side doors and front door, but it did not stop water from coming in.
 

One person is dead after a rollover on Interstate 5 Wednesday night, according to California Highway Patrol.

A driver lost control while heading south on I-5 near SR-52, rolling on the freeway at 8:10 p.m.

The car came to a stop on its side, and another vehicle soon collided with it.

A person involved in the crash was killed, and another was taken to Scripps Memorial Hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Check back here for more on this breaking news story.

Carly Fiorina, who has been surging in recent polls, drew wild applause at the second Republican presidential debate for her response to a Donald Trump remark that seemed to undercut her physical appearance.

"I think women all over this country heard very clearly what Mr. Trump said," Fiorina said.

Trump told Rolling Stone magazine, "Look at that face! Would anyone vote for that? Can you imagine that, the face of our next president?"

The real estate mogul later said his comments were in reference to Fiorina's persona, not her attractiveness.

"I think she's got a beautiful face and I think she's a beautiful woman," Trump said after Fiorina's response Wednesday.

The aide to Gov. Cuomo who was hospitalized for more than a week after being shot in the head during festivities leading up to the West Indian Day Parade in Brooklyn has died, police said. 

Carey Gabay, a first deputy general counsel at the Empire State Development Corporation, succumbed to his injuries Wednesday night at Kings County Hospital, according to the NYPD. 

Gabay had been hospitalized for more than a week while in a coma, and his family said earlier Wednesday he was brain dead.

Gabay was caught in the crossfire between two gangs around 3:40 a.m. Sept. 7 near the parade route in Brooklyn as more than two dozen shots from up to three guns were fired, authorities have said. The NYPD has released surveillance video of two men wanted for questioning in the case and authorities are offering a $12,500 reward for information leading to an arrest. 

Gabay, a 43-year-old Harvard-educated lawyer and Bronx native, joined Cuomo's administration in 2011. The governor said in a statement Wednesday night he learned of Gabay's death "with profound sadness." 

“Carey was the epitome of an outstanding public servant. He held a tremendous commitment to his community, and he chose to use his many talents to better the lives of others. New York is undeniably a better place today because of his service," Cuomo said. "He was also a friend and role model to the many people who were blessed to have known him, and he will be greatly missed." 

Gabay had been "fighting bravely surrounded by the loved ones to whom he has brought so much joy with his jovial nature, generosity of spirit and enduring smile," his family said in a statement earlier Wednesday, before he died.  

"Many have come to know Carey through professional life, but he is also a kind-hearted and selfless soul who has touched the spirit of everyone he's met," the family said.

"Our family is grieving that a man in the prime of his life who has impacted so many lives could be struck down by such a callous act," the family's earlier statement said. "Carey embodies the American story. A son of Jamaican immigrants, he rose from Bronx public housing to earn an undergraduate and law degree from Harvard and then went on to a distinguished career as a lawyer in private practice and well-respected public servant."

The shooting was one of several outbursts of violence in the neighborhoods surrounding the parade. A 24-year-old man was fatally stabbed near Grand Army Plaza.

Bloodshed before or after the West Indian Day celebration has become a sadly familiar part of the parade routine. Last year, a recent parolee opened fire into a crowd of revelers, killing one man and wounding several others. And in 2013, a 1-year-old boy sitting in his stroller was killed by a bullet meant for his father.

Asked about the future of the parade, Police Commissioner Bill Bratton said last week, "The political leadership, the community leadership, the communities themselves want that celebration. They've made that quite clear. ... So we will work to the best of our ability to deal with the elements in that community that engage in that violence."

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Crime Stopper at 800-577-TIPS.

Fishing line, hooks, nets – many things threaten sea lions in our ocean, but bullets?

That's what Carole Baker believes killed one sea lion that washed up dead on Silver Strand State Beach, just north of the trailer campground, on Tuesday around 3 p.m. 

Photos she took of the animal appear to show a gunshot wound to its back.

Baker, who works as a nurse, said she's confident what she saw was a gunshot wound.

“Oh, I was sad. I was sad,” Baker said. “Clear, round puncture wound and there was no other devices attached to it, like an arrow or a spear. It was actively bleeding from the site even though the animal was clearly dead.”

NBC 7 sent Baker’s photos to several agencies. State beach rangers photographed the dead sea lion Wednesday, then forwarded the case to NOAA fisheries.

“The wound appears as if it could have been a result of a being shot,” County Animal Services Deputy Director Dan DeSousa wrote.

SeaWorld’s spokesman had their lead veterinarian look at the pictures, and that person said the wound was suspicious. He added they’ve seen similar cases before.

Last year, according to SeaWorld, San Diego saw a spike in sea lion shootings. There were around 10 cases, according to officials, one of which involved an animal riddled with gunshot wounds. So far in 2015, there have been a half dozen sea lion shootings reported.

Often times these cases are hard to investigate. There’s usually little evidence, no witnesses and by the time the animal is found, it’s typically too late. One state beach ranger told NBC 7 sometimes the tide brings in shot sea lions from Mexico.

“It was very disturbing to me,” Baker said, describing looking at the sea lion’s wound.

State beach rangers say a necropsy has not be conducted.

Harming a sea lion is a violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Violators can receive civil fines of up to $11,000 or criminal penalties of up to $100,000 and jail time.
 

The landscape of the San Diego food scene is ever-changing. As the seasons shift, brand-new eateries launch throughout the county, including these latest new kids on the block. This week, we take a look at some newly-minted neighborhood gems gaining popularity among Yelp foodies. The lights are on, the doors are open and these spots are ready to serve.

Café Gratitude (Little Italy)
This 100 percent organic, plant-based café has been open for less than two months, but it has already racked up over 100 highly-rated reviews on Yelp. So far, customers seem to love the flavorful, nutritional cuisine and products. The sister restaurant to Gracias Madre, Café Gratitude is committed to a business concept dubbed “Sacred Commerce,” which includes providing inspired, honest service while expressing gratitude for life. True to this spot’s name, items on the menu prepared by executive chef Dreux Ellis are named after positive affirmations, including “Liberated,” an entrée consisting of marinated pesto kelp noodles, heirloom cherry tomatoes, local black and green olives, wild arugula, basil hempseed pesto, cashew ricotta and brazil nut parmesan.

Flying Pig Pub and Kitchen (Vista)
This extremely popular gastropub recently opened its second North County location, sister to the original joint in Oceanside. The menu boasts over 32 taps and some serious eats such as the Roasted HeartBrand Akaushi, all-natural tri-tip marinated in sherry and mushrooms with a choice of smoked mashed potatoes or the famous creamy polenta. Don’t skip dessert: the Mason Jar of vanilla custard with chocolate ganache and Tahitian vanilla bean whipped cream is a must-have.

Lemonade (Hillcrest)
The Los Angeles-based, “California comfort food” concept has expanded into San Diego’s hip Hillcrest neighborhood, as well as a second location at Westfield UTC La Jolla. At Lemonade, fresh, regional dishes are served in a cafeteria-style setting – on a tray, of course – reminiscent of those days when you picked out your lunch in the school cafeteria and grabbed a seat with friends. Menu options include Red Miso Beef Short Ribs and Sweet Corn, Kale and cheddar cheese Soufflé. So far, the fast casual eatery seems to be winning over the time-strapped lunch crowd in this neighborhood.

Ohana Cupcakes (Oceanside)
This “create, bake and take” cupcake concept has the crowds cheering for more! After a stint living in Hawaii, owners Mark and Susan McKenna have brought the Aloha spirit to the mainland with a family-friendly bakery focused on hands-on fun. Here, customers of all ages get to become the baker and mix, decorate, bake and take their treats home. The bakery has dedicated stations for every step of the sweet process – from a mixing bar to a decorating area that includes a variety of candy toppings. Of course, Ohana Cupcakes also offers baked and ready-to-eat options, too, no work required.

Chi Extraordinary Kitchen (University Heights)
This place is the self-proclaimed only pescatarian Thai eatery in San Diego and the owner, Patty, is passionate about the healthy cuisine. The menu features delicious combinations like Po Tak: mixed seafood stew in a light spicy broth with flavors of lime, lemongrass, basil and kaffir. Choose from a variety of noodle dishes, curries and special creations in the relaxing and authentic atmosphere.

Swell Café (Del Mar)
Another local business extends its reach into northern San Diego with a second location. Swell Coffee Company surfs a little Mission Beach into the Flower Hill shopping Center with this new eatery, located on the second story. The menu boasts delicious coffee drinks created with sustainably-sourced beans, plus plenty of bites like fresh acai bowls and sandwiches. Need a sweet treat? Check out the selection of smoothies packed with fruit.

Why are military tanks rolling through one Pacific Beach neighborhood?

Several residents took to social media, questioning why they spotted light armored vehicles come through the area, particularly Pico Street off of Garnet Avenue.

“I was headed back to a different location and I see these tanks parked over here in the street,” said Frank Cantu, a postal worker. “There was at least six or eight of them.”

NBC 7 reached out MCAS Miramar and the Marine Corps Recruiting Depot and officials at both places said they didn’t use those vehicles.

Officials at Camp Pendleton and 29 Palms couldn’t be immediately reached for this story. Military officials told NBC 7 the tanks do look like Marine vehicles.

Residents reported seeing a line of tanks roll through their neighborhood over the past week and a half.

“For a minute, I was a little stunned,” said PB resident Donald Chambers.

Some are speculating the tanks could be part of a military exercise taking place in several states over the last couple of months.

 A San Diego firefighter was injured Wednesday after he fell through a roof in Paradise Hills, fire officials said.

The injury happened at approximately 11:40 a.m. on the 2100 block of Calle Tortuosa, San Diego Fire-Rescue officials said.

A Fire Captain on scene said the crew was responding to a smoke check call when he fell through a roof near some skylights.

The firefighter was taken to a nearby hospital as a precaution.

No further information was immediately available. 

Refresh this page for updates on this breaking news story. 

After a Chula Vista woman was killed in a suspected DUI crash, her family has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the driver accused in her death.

On July 22, Enid Diane Mayer-Sheaf, 61, was driving on Carmel Valley Road when Anthony Rodriguez, heading the opposite way, crossed over the center divider and slammed into Mayer-Sheaf’s car, according to police. The woman died at the scene.

Prosecutors say Rodriguez, 30, had spent the day at a Padres game and two bars before getting behind the wheel with a blood alcohol level of more than twice the legal limit.

That makes Rodriguez directly responsible for Mayer-Sheaf’s death, according to the lawsuit filed by the firm CaseyGerry on behalf of the victim’s family.

The suit claims Rodriguez drove “with wanton, willful and conscious disregard for the safety of others.”

“Because of this alleged malicious act,” attorney Frederick Schenk said in a release, “his family has suffered tremendously and will seek punitive damages in addition to general damages.”

NBC 7 has reached out to Rodriguez's attorney about the suit, but we have not heard back.

Rodriguez faces criminal charges of DUI causing death, gross vehicular manslaughter and having a blood alcohol level in excess of 0.08 causing injury.

Prosecutors estimated the defendant had close to ten drinks at the game, a bar downtown and a bar in Pacific Beach before the deadly crash.

Just before her death, Mayer-Sheaf had left the hospital where her mother-in-law died the same day. Mayer-Sheaf’s husband, Danny, called their deaths a “double whammy” that left his family devastated.

A former football standout accused of killing a young dad in a suspected DUI crash apologized to the victim's family prior to his arraignment Wednesday. 

"Sorry to the family," accused drunk driver Reginald Grigsby said before the arraignment began, from behind frosted glass. "If you're here, I'm sorry." 

Grigsby, 31, sat handcuffed behind a glass screen in a Vista courtroom Wednesday during his arraignment, looking down at the ground. He is accused of driving under the influence in a rollover crash that killed a Caltrans contractor and father repairing sprinklers along the northbound Interstate 15 center divide. 

As the car overturned, it hit Leonardo Sandoval, 21, of Murrieta, a Caltrans contractor who was repairing sprinklers on the roadside. Sandoval was killed instantly, officials say.

His family told NBC 7 Sandoval was engaged to be married next spring and had a 1-year-old son. Family of Sandoval's fiance, Marissa, told NBC7 Marissa is inconsolable and that Grigsby ruined their family. 

"[Sandoval] loved my daughter, took care of her and my grandson," said James Sanchez, stepdad of the victim's fiance. "It's a shame that one dispicable man can change all that for a ton of people. I hope justice does what it's supposed to do." 

The Deputy DA said at the time of the crash, Grisgby was under the influence of some kind of central nervous system depressant, but wouldn't elaborate on what that depressant was.

Prosecutors argued Grigsby was a danger to the public and the judge agreed, raising his bail to $750,000.

Grigsby faces two felony charges, including a vehicular menslaughter charge, and if convicted could face up to ten years in prison. 

Sandoval was a sub-contractor from the Pacific Restoration Group, hired by Caltrans to landscape portions of the 15 freeway. His boss described him as an "awesome kid."

His family told NBC 7 he was a loving and caring father.

"He was the type of dad that was always smiling from ear to ear...seeing how much they loved that baby, I've never seenanything like that," said Luisa Quevedo, a family member. 

They say he loved music and would play his guitar while singing to his son every night after work. They never thought that music would come to such a sudden stop.

“This is a stark reminder of the dangers of working along the highway. I am asking motorists to limit distractions and drive with care, especially when highway workers are present,” said Caltrans District Director Laurie Berman in a statement.

Grigsby, a former San Diego State football player, has a history with law enforcement. In 2009, he went to his parents' house and attacked his mother, choking her until she passed out, prosecutors said.

His father, who was an Oceanside police captain at the time, shot his own son to stop him. That felony conviction was later expunged in 2014. Investigators said Grigsby has struggles with mental health problems. 

Three off-campus houses where around 20 Yale University students live were intentionally set ablaze early Thursday in New Haven, according to fire investigators, and police are trying to determine whether the students were targeted.

Officials said an accelerant was used to set three fires just before 3 a.m. at houses on Crown Street between Park and Howe where Yale law students, medical students, members of the men's swim team and the fraternity Alpha Epsilon Pi live.

Yale law and medical school students living at 401 Crown St. smelled smoke and gasoline around 2:40 a.m., rushed outside to find fire in the area of the front porch and quickly put out the flames.

Then they noticed fires at 395 Crown Street, where Alpha Epsilon Pi lives, and at 397 Crown Streets, where members of the men's swim team live, and ran to alert students living there.

Everyone was able to get out of all three homes safely and no injuries have been reported. 

New Haven Fire Marshal Robert Doyle said the fires were all similar. They were set outside and did not extend inside the buildings.

State Police have been called in to help with the Crown Street investigation.

A State Police Fire K-9 also responded to a fire on Osborne Avenue at a building that houses University of New Haven students. A chair on a back deck on Osbourne Avenue caught fire and there was minimal damage.

Investigators said that fire seems similar to the Crown Street fires, but there is no connection between the two.

New Haven firefighters also found a fire on the front porch of the house at 21 Pendleton Street at  5:30 a.m.

On Wednesday night, firefighters responded to a two-alarm fire at 39 Fairfield Street. A tweet from the New Haven Fire Department said there was smoke from the back porch. 

Caltrans will soon use San Diego to test out a new program aimed at preventing wrong-way drivers from entering local freeways.

The city is no stranger to wrong-way drivers that have caused deadly crashes, tearing families apart. In most cases, drugs or alcohol were involved.

“The overwhelming majority of wrong-way drivers are impaired and not in a condition to be driving in the first place,” explained Caltrans Media Information Officer Edward Cartagena. “Caltrans is developing a pilot study for enhancements aimed at deterring wrong-way drivers at the offramps on select freeways in San Diego and Sacramento.”

Interstate 15 between the 805 and State Route 78 would get the new technology, including alerts triggered by radars and sensors that tell Caltrans a wrong way driver is on the freeway.

Flashing lights on wrong-way signs would try to deter the driver, and cameras snap pictures of the offender, sending it to Caltrans and the Highway Patrol dispatch in Kearney Mesa.

Will Cunningham knows the kind of pain a wrong-way driver can cause. His wife Alisa and three daughters were injured in 2013 when a man who CHP said was under the influence drove the wrong way on State Route 52 and collided with them.

The wrong-way driver died. Cunningham’s family survived but still dealing with injuries.

Commenting on the proposed technology, Cunningham said, “It certainly seems like that would be a benefit. Then you could at least get folks out there early, and while it may or may not prevent something, it certainly alerts people and can let them know where to be, go and hopefully keep something terrible from happening.”

Cartagena said installation of the new technology should happen later this year.

“Information from the study will be collected over time and reviewed to determine the effectiveness of reducing wrong-way incidents,” explained Cartagena.

Cunningham hopes it can reduce wrong-way crashes like the one in May on SR-163 that took the lives of two UCSD medical students.

He wants no one else to feel the pain he and other victims have felt.

“The quicker you can implement it, the better you have a chance to see if it works, which is going to save who knows how many people,” he said.
 

A New York man is facing terrorism charges after he allegedly tried multiple times to get on a plane to the Middle East to join ISIS and posted on Twitter that he was "ready to die for the Caliphate," according to federal authorities. 

Ali Saleh, 22, of Queens, was arrested Thursday at his home on charges that he provided material support to the terrorist organization, according to the U.S. Attorney's office. He appeared in federal court Thursday and ordered held without bail. He declined to speak or answer questions from the judge. 

Authorities allege Saleh contacted ISIS facilitators about joining the organization and tried several times to board planes to the Middle East between Aug. 2014 and September of this year. 

In his first attempt, authorities allege Saleh tried to get on a plane from John F. Kennedy International Airport for a flight to Istanbul, Turkey. A few days before the flight, authorities say, he allegedly tweeted "I'm ready to die for the Caliphate, prison is nothing."

ISIS, which is also sometimes refered to as ISIL or the Islamic State, declared last year that it was attempting to restore a Caliphate, an Islamic form of governance led by a religious leader known as a caliph. 

Saleh allegedly tried on several other occasions to make it to the Middle East, once tweeting with an ISIS facilitator before a scheduled flight to Cairo, Egypt. He traveled to Newark, Philadelphia and Cleveland in attempts to get out of the country, but wasn't allowed on planes or trains out of the country. 

U.S. attorneys say that Saleh indicated in an interview with authorities that he would have kept trying to get out of the country had he not been arrested.

NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton said that Saleh was arrested thanks to the good work of the department and the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force.

“By his own words, Ali Saleh was willing to pledge allegiance to, and die for ISIL, an organization that has called for terrorist attacks against the United States,” said Commissioner Bratton. “Saleh’s attempts to travel to Syria and ISIL’s battlefields were halted by good intelligence and smart law enforcement.

Saleh is the latest in a string of men and women to be accused of attempting to join or support ISIS. It's not clear if his attempt is tied to any of the other suspects. 

An attorney for Saleh only said after his court appearance, "I for one was thrilled that after all these months, he figured out that he should remain silent, which he did."