First the pope, now Phil Jackson.

The legendary coach has taken to Twitter, and following an introduction to the Twitterverse by his fiancee (and Lakers executive vice president) Jeanie Buss, he's now 60,000 followers richer and counting.

But that's just the first step. The next may be for the retired coach — né of the Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls — to learn how to type.

His first tweet:

11 champ;ipnsikp[ ringhs

— Phil Jackson (@PhilJackson11) March 27, 2013

That likely meant 11 championship rings — the number pictured on his Twitter feed's page, one for each of the NBA titles he has won as a coach. (Not coincidentally, Jackson's book "Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success" is out in May.)

But the Twitterverse was split over whether the mysterious tweet were evidence that Jackson could use some typing lessons or, as ESPN LA's Lakers writer Dave McMenamin theorized, testament to a wry sense of humor.

Heard that PJax's first tweet was an intentional blunder. There is a video to follow with him having trouble typing with rings on

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) March 27, 2013

It's hard to type with that many rings on RT @deadspin1mPhil Jackson's first tweet did not go so well: deadsp.in/d4FcBSx

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) March 27, 2013

Other fans weren't so sure and instead chalked up the garbled tweet to the fact that Jackson may not yet have his Twitter sea legs.

Phil's still figuring Twitter out evidently... RT @philjackson11 11 champ;ipnsikp[ ringhs

— Peggy G (@PeggyBball) March 27, 2013

Word to the wise, drinking & tweeting is a dangerous practice. Welcome to Twitter. RT @philjackson11 11 champ;ipnsikp[ ringhs

— Not Bill Walton (@NotBillWalton) March 27, 2013

0 typing champ;ipnsikp[ ringhs RT @philjackson11: 11 champ;ipnsikp[ ringhs

— HuffPost Media (@HuffPostMedia) March 27, 2013

What's really funny about this is that Twitter asks me if I want to translate the tweet RT @philjackson11 11 champ;ipnsikp[ ringhs

— Brian Clarke(y) (@Clarrkey) March 27, 2013

The Los Angeles Police Department on Tuesday said it remained "committed" to doling out the $1.2 million reward offered during the manhunt for rogue ex-LAPD officer Christopher Dorner, one day after the city of Riverside pulled its $100,000 pledge.

The city of Riverside announced it is withdrawing its $100,000 pledge offered during the frantic manhunt that left four people, including Riverside police officer Michael Crain, dead.

Representatives for the Los Angeles Police Protective League, which donated an undisclosed amount to the reward pot, said the organization does not believe the criteria for the reward was met, but is waiting on more information from LAPD to make a final decision on the reward.

Dorner died from an apparent suicide while cornered in a burning cabin near Big Bear last month. The city of Riverside cited this as its reason to rescind its $100,000, which was contingent on Dorner's arrest and conviction.

Angelenos urged LAPD to keep its promise during Tuesday’s police commission meeting.

"I need to know that my LAPD is good for its word," a citizen said.

Twenty-seven organizations and businesses contributed to the reward, offered while Dorner carried out a revenge-motivated killing spree in what he called an attempt to clear his name after being fired from the force.

The FBI and Staples Center owner Anschutz Entertainment Group are among the donors. Neither entity would comment Tuesday on whether their pledges were still intact.

The city of Irvine, where a former LAPD captain's daughter and her fiancé were killed by Dorner, said on Tuesday their pledge of $100,000 remains. And Riverside County's $100,000, separate from the $1.2 million reward pot, is still posted.

Police Chief Charlie Beck said the department is working with those entities to decide who will receive the reward.

"We’ll be able to dispatch what reward remains and I know that the mayor is committed and so am I," Beck said.

Two claims have been made on the money – one by a couple held captive by Dorner and the other by a man who was carjacked by the fugitive.

Both incidents happened in the hours leading up to Dorner's final standoff, and both parties called authorities to report encountering a man who looked like Dorner.

The rogue ex-officer meticulously bound Karen and Jim Reynolds in their Big Bear cabin before stealing their car.

"Karen Reynolds freed herself in a matter of minutes after Mr. Dorner left the cabin and called 911 and really did that even though she was creating a much greater risk to her," said Kirk Hallam, the attorney for the Reynoldses.

LA City Councilmember and former LAPD officer Dennis Zine said LA cannot back out on its $100,000 pledge, on a technicality.

"Clearly we made the commitment. We need to live up to our commitment," Zine said. "The commitment was we’re going to give a reward and we’re going to do that."

CORRECTION: NBC4 erroneously reported that the Los Angeles Police Protective League was pulling its reward pledge. Eric Rose, president of the union, said the organization does not believe at this time that the criteria was met but is waiting for more information from LAPD before making a decision about its pledge.

More Coverage:

Dorner Carjack Victim Seeks $1.2M Reward

Map: Locations in Alleged LAPD Revenge Plot

Timeline: Revenge Plot Events

Couple Held Captive in Dorner Manhunt Seeks Reward

City Pays $40K in Mistaken ID Dorner Manhunt Shooting

A man was fatally shot at close range by a semi-automatic assault rifle Saturday evening outside a fast food restaurant, authorities confirmed.

The shooting happened at around 5:30 p.m. in the parking lot of a Carls' Jr. on Sweetwater Road in National City. The gunman fled the scene after fatally injuring a male victim.

The victim was shot approximately 10 times from a distance of about 10 to 15 feet, according to Lt. Robert Rounds. When police arrived, the victim was lying on the ground in critical condition.

He was transported to UCSD Medical Center, but died a short time later.

Police immediately began searching the area for the suspect, who fled the parking lot in an orange and white 1970's Ford pickup truck.

Investigators roped off the parking lot in the Sweetwater Town and Country Shopping Center with crime scene tape as they canvassed the area for bullet casings.

Witnesses Muhammed Camran and Michael Ybarra told NBC 7 San Diego that they were right across the street at the time of the shooting, playing golf at a nearby golf course.

The sudden sounds of gunfire shocked both of them.

“We were over here at the golf course just hitting some balls and we hear a loud ‘boom.’ The first one was really distinctive like ‘boom-boom-boom-boom’ and we kind of ducked because it was out of nowhere,” recalled Camran.

A witness said he was going about his day when he heard shots fired.

“All of a sudden we heard all of the gunshot. Then I went out and thought it could have been someone's backfire from a truck, but I didn’t think that much, and then I looked further away and there was a guy just lying there,” he explained.

He said he saw the suspect speeding away in an orange and white truck.

“It had a little bit of speed on it and it went away a little quick, and that’s how I knew it was that truck that did the shooting,” he added.

Police say witnesses describe the suspect as a Hispanic male wearing a black-hooded sweatshirt. He was last seen driving east on Sweetwater Road in the distinctive truck.

The Medical Examiner later identified the shooting victim as 43-year-old National City resident Jesus Degalilea Pena.

The shooting suspect remains at large.

On Wednesday, Sgt. Matt Smith the the National City Police Department released a photo of the orange and white suspect pickup truck captured on surveillance video (see photo below).

Officials are asking anyone with information on this shooting to contact the police department.

As if Padres Opening Day weren’t exciting enough for baseball fans, downtown’s lively East Village neighborhood is celebrating the big day with a block party.

The East Village Opening Day Block Party runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Apr. 9. The all-ages event is free to the public and will be held on J Street, between 7th and 10th Avenues (see map below).

The block party is organized by the East Village Association and will feature live entertainment from local bands and DJs, bites from local restaurants and food trucks, a micro-brew beer garden from Stone Brewing Co., a professional motorcross exhibition and an interactive game zone.

The outdoor bash is designed to bring together Padres fans in support of the team as they hit off baseball season in their home opener against the Dodgers.

An estimated 8,000 fans are expected to attend the block party.

For more details on the event, visit this website.

St. Patrick's Day may be March's most famous night of partying, but it won't be the biggest.

Our next SoundDiego LIVE event will be held Thursday at El Dorado. The downtown bar is known for its craft cocktails and happening late-night scene.

March's event will be hosted by FM 94/9's Tim Pyles and feature performances by Family Wagon and Crash & the Burns.

CLICK HERE TO GET ON THE GUEST LIST

According to Pyles, Family Wagon caught his eye (and ear) by reminding him of another local act.

"Family Wagon owes a debt of gratitude to a group like the defunct local band Dirty Sweet, playing a similar style of rock & roll," Pyles said. "Lead singer Calen has the fire and vibe of a great frontman, not to mention the hair that he whips around like a whirling dervish. Gareth the bass player of the band has the best hair, if you ask me!  But it's not the hair that makes them -- they rock!" 

Pyles has had plenty of opportunities to see Family Wagon lately.

"The band just finished a month-long residency at the Casbah, packing the club for every show, and it was on Mondays!" Pyles said. "They play a high-energy style of rock & roll that touches on the classics but is their own. Think AC/DC to Faster Pussycat to the Band."

The connection to Dirty Sweet continues with Crash & the Burns.

"Ryan Koontz and Mark Murino have been staples on the local music scene for years," Pyles said. "Some of you may have heard of a little rock & roll band called Dirty Sweet. Dirty Sweet ruled SD for awhile but sort of quietly went away. Well, don't worry 'cause Crash & the Burns are here to fill the gap!" 

Fans of Dirty Sweet's rock-star vibe will find plenty to like in the band.

"Ryan has the swagger of a great frontman, and Mark has the riffs to go with it!" Pyles said. "So what started as a hobby has turned into a full-fledged project adding Christian Schinelli [Pocket, the Price of Dope, Dirty Sweet] and Josh Hermsmeier [the Gregory Page Band]. See them live and judge for yourself!"

Pyles is also excited for SoundDiego LIVE to be held at El Dorado.

"Anybody that has been a dive-bar connoisseur in San Diego will remember El Dorado as Hong Kong Niteclub," Pyles told us. "Hong Kong in its day was a haven for the local sailors that ruled downtown. Cheap beer and stiff drinks, with lovely Asian ladies behind the bar. The only bar that still reflects anything close to that anymore downtown is the Star Bar. Fast-forward and you have El Dorado Cocktail Lounge, a major step forward to today's standards." 

The bar may have lost its Asian vibe, but there's more to love about the place than ever.

"Bands, DJs, art, music, culture and cocktails is what this place is all about," Pyles said. "Far from the Gaslamp, this place is still kind of a 'you have to be in the know' kind of place. The cocktail selection is superb and made with care by the mixologists, so see what they can do with some Jack Daniels, just ask them ..."

Kicking off the March 28 show will be the winner of our monthly Garage 2 Glory contest, an online battle of the bands. Keep an eye out for an announcement of which bands will be competing.

With three bands scheduled to play, you won't go hungry for music, but you still might get thirsty. Don't worry, we've got you covered: Get to El Dorado early and you can enjoy a VIP happy hour presented by Jack Daniel's from 7-8 p.m.

On the off-chance you enjoy all that delicious whiskey a little too much, we've got you covered there, too. The folks from BeMyDD will be on hand to provide three teams for two hours, with drivers waiting on site to drive home as many people and their cars as possible during the two hours at the end of SoundDiego LIVE. Anyone who uses BeMyDD at SoundDiego LIVE will get an annual membership for free (typically, folks get a 30-day trial with a $25 annual membership). Plus, one lucky partygoer will win a free ride to and from November's SoundDiego LIVE, courtesy of BeMyDD.

So get on the guest list now. This is going to be one Thursday night party you don’t want to miss!

SoundDiego associate editor Chris Maroulakos is also the managing editor of the San Diego music blog Owl and Bear.

A Canadian man accused of possessing child pornography and arranging to have sex with a minor was arrested in San Diego Tuesday, officials confirmed.

According to detectives from San Mateo, Calif., and the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, suspect Adam Ouellette, 26, of Calgary, Alberta, had been speaking with a 16-year-old San Mateo girl online and was allegedly planning on meeting the minor for sex.

In an effort to further investigate Oullette, San Mateo detectives began posing undercover as the teenage girl online.

At that point, investigators say Oullette arranged to fly from Canada into the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) on Mar. 19 to meet whom he thought was the underage girl for sex.

San Mateo detectives, assisted by the Calgary Police Service and the Southern Alberta Internet Child Exploitation Team, kept surveillance on Oullette as he boarded the airplane in Calgary.

When he arrived at SFO, Oullette was arrested by officials. He was booked into San Mateo County Jail on charges of statutory rape and arranging to have sex with a minor, officials said, but he ultimately bailed out of jail.

In a follow-up investigation into the suspect, detectives discovered child pornography on an electronic device belonging to Oullette. Detectives then obtained and additional arrest warrant for him for possession of child porn.

With help from the San Diego Police Department, officials located Oullette at a relative’s house in San Diego. He was arrested at the home in Mission Valley on Tuesday evening.

A banner with a large question mark has been placed over the neighborhood sign in Ocean Beach.

It’s not a prank – it’s simply the Ocean Beach Town Council’s way of getting your attention.

The banner seen on Sunset Cliffs Boulevard features a red question mark directing people to the Ocean Beach Town Council website. Once on the site, the group lets you know they're looking for a new design for their entryway.

Next week, the group is holding a special selection for a new sign to the seaside community. Locals submitted ideas and four finalists were selected, with the fifth option being restoration of the original sign.

Only members of the OB Town Council can vote, and the group is encouraging residents of the area to join for a $20 fee.

The deadline to vote is Saturday, March 30 and the winning design will be announced next week.

A man accused of beating and sexually assaulting a woman in Ocean Beach pleaded not guilty in court Wednesday.

At about 10:15 p.m. on Sunday, police officers were called to the 4800 block of Long Branch Avenue to investigate a possible sexual assault. Police say a concerned neighbor called 911 to report a woman screaming, allegedly being attacked in an attempted rape.

Officers arrested suspect Richard Butts, 25, at the scene in connection with the sexual assault. The victim – whose name was not released – was transported to a local hospital wearing a neck brace.

He was booked into the George Bailey Detention Facility on four charges including kidnapping with intent to commit robbery and sexual assault, forcible oral copulation and assault with intent to commit rape.

During an arraignment on Wednesday, Butts pleaded not guilty to the charges.

His bail was set at $300,000, officials confirmed.

Butts is scheduled to appear in court again for a preliminary hearing on Apr. 10. He faces life in prison if convicted.

Big Tex, the towering statue and an iconic symbol of the State Fair of Texas, is getting a new voice.

The State Fair of Texas said that it decided Tuesday to not renew the contract of Bill Bragg, who has been the voice of the of the cowboy figure for 11 years.

"I'm not bitter but, boy, am I broken-hearted," Bragg said.

Bragg says there there had been signs of trouble in the past, but nothing that would have led to this. The primary concern had been over his title, Bragg said.

Fair spokeswoman Sue Gooding said the State Fair intended to bring Bragg back at the end of last year's fair. She declined to discuss the reasons why the contract was not renewed.

Bragg said the end was spelled out long ago.

"You know, today ain't Christmas, but Santa Claus is still around up at the North Pole, and it seems that did not apply at the State Fair," he said.

Bragg said he believes that his decision to do interviews about the electrical fire that destroyed Big Tex in the fall may have been the final straw.

"And everybody lost in this situation," he said. "I lost; the State Fair lost. And the biggest loss is to the people who come to the State Fair, especially the children. For 11 years, they've been used to one voice, and I was prepared to do it until I couldn't do it any long. But, apparently that's not the case."

Big Tex will not switch to prerecorded greetings, Gooding said.

The voicing contract is for a paid position for the 24 days of the fair, Gooding said. A new voice has not yet been selected, she said.

The voice won't be the only change coming for Big Tex after the the official fair greeter burned down last fall. The redesigned version will stand 55 feet tall, three feet taller than the original.

NBC 5's Ben Russell contributed to this report.

Controversial offensive lineman Jared Gaither was released Wednesday by the San Diego Chargers.

Special Section: San Diego Chargers

At 6 feet 9 inches tall, 360 pounds and loaded with talent Gaither appeared to be the perfect left tackle...but like his previous stops in Baltimore and Kansas City, Gaither burned out with the Bolts.

After signing a 4-year $24.5 million free agent contract, Gaither played in just four games last season. He earned $9 million for those four games. Gaither's absence was a big reason for the Chargers O-Line troubles.

Gaither claimed injuries kept him from playing, but inside the Chargers locker room players doubted the seriousness of Gaither's injuries and doubted his commitment to the team.

The Chargers will take a huge $6 million salary cap hit by releasing Gaither. That just hints at how much the new Chargers regime didn't want Gaither around when voluntary workouts start April 1.

Get more on the recent moves by the San Diego Chargers in our special section.

The record number of sea mammals washing ashore on the Southern California coast has marine biologists baffled, and rescue centers beyond capacity.

As of late March, 948 sea mammals, mostly sea lion pups, have left the water for the beach, according to marine biologist Sarah Wilkin with the Long Beach office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Marine mammals have even ventured onto streets and shopping centers several miles from the ocean during the ongoing epidemic.

The pace has continued at such an alarming rate that rescuers can hardly keep up.

Now, beach lifeguards are stepping in to secure the animals until rescuers can reach them.

Lifeguards are sheltering the animals in public restrooms to keep them away from curious beach-goers.

"It's going to keep them safe and keep the people, more importantly, safe from the seals," said Chris Egan, a lifeguard at Huntington Beach. "I think by triage, we're alerting them to the seals that need the most help the quickest. They're prioritizing the seals as to what kind of shape they are in before they come out."

Rescue centers nurse the animals back to health, a process that takes approximately two to four months.

Marine biologists are conducting tests to determine exactly why this crisis is happening so early on in the year. They're trying to figure out why the marine mammals affected are often young sea lion pups born last summer.

Researchers are certain, however, that the pups are moving away from the water to find warmth. All of the animals are starving, and therefore lack the body fat necessary to keep them warm in the water.

While it may be tempting to help the animals, lifeguards warn they are dangerous.

"We post these signs, some do's and don'ts with stranded animals, to ensure the safety of everyone at the park," Egan said.

Jeffrey David, chief lifeguard for the state parks system's Orange Coast North Sector, warned would-be rescuers to leave marine mammals alone.

"Everyone's natural instinct to shoo them back into the water is actually counterproductive and contributing to the animals' demise," David said. "If you see a sea animal, it's still a wild animal. They're protected by state and federal law. Just leave them be."

A youth football coach from Chula Vista will spend eight years in state prison after he admitted to committing lewd acts on a child.

Carlos Ojeda, 20, served as a volunteer coach with the eastern Chula Vista Pop Warner football organization and a contract tutor at Lauderbach Elementary School.

Ojeda was arrested in June on charges of alleged child molestation involving a victim under the age of 14 according to Chula Vista police.

On Wednesday, Ojeda pleaded guilty to committing a lewd act with a 10-year-old relative.

Chula Vista police launched their investigation after the minor disclosed that Ojeda had been molesting them since July 2011.

Detectives said they did not believe there were additional victims.

Ojeda will be sentenced July 16.

A jury awarded $41.7 million to a former prep school student after a tick bite on a school trip to China left her with brain damage, according to reports.

The Bridgeport, Conn., jury deliberated for eight hours on Wednesday before ruling in favor of Cara Munn, 20, in a lawsuit against The Hotchkiss School, an elite 122-year-old private school in Lakeville. Annual tuition at the school can cost up to $46,775, according to the Connecticut Post.

Munn attorney Antonio Ponvert III said her injuries were "easily preventable," The Associated Press reported. He called for schools to check with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for risks before sponsoring trips abroad then properly advising students.

Munn, then age 15, and her classmates arrived in China in 2007, where she contracted tick-borne encephalitis on a hiking trip. She began experiencing symptoms like headaches, seizures and fevers, her lawyers said. The illness left her brain damaged and unable to speak.

The school's attorneys argued that some illnesses are rare and they could not have foreseen a risk. The school plans on appealing the verdict, according to the Connecticut Post.

Jennifer Maldonado came to work on Sunday at a real estate office in Plantation, Fla., to a shocking celebration: the office lottery pool had won and she had not pitched in for the tickets.

Maldonado had only been working in the office for two weeks as an administrative assistant since being laid off from her previous job. The mother of a 4-year-old with autism decided to save her money since she had not yet received her first paycheck, according to NBC's "Today" show. Co-workers offered to pitch in her portion, but she declined.

A group of 12 entered the pool at $20 each and one of their tickets had five of the Powerball numbers, awarding them $1 million. After hearing about their success, Maldonado said, “I was shocked and I definitely had a moment of regret, but it disappeared right away because I was overwhelmed with happiness for my entire group.”

Each of the contributors will take home $83,000 after taxes and have decided to share a portion of the prize with Maldonado. They have not disclosed how much but she'll receive more than $5,000, according to "Today."

“I honestly believe that my group and I are getting more joy than Jennifer is getting just by including her," Finkelstein Reader, the organizer of the office lottery purchase, said during a "Today" appearance with Maldonado.

Hours of playing video games in a Wisconsin basement reportedly saved a man from being deported.

José Muñoz, a 25-year-old living in Milwaukee was brought to America from Mexico City when he was only 1 on his family's visitor's visa, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. After graduating from a local high school with honors in 2005, he fell into depression playing video games with his cousin to pass time since he could not legally obtain a job, according to online gaming journal, Kotaku.

After Obama adopted a new policy allowing young immigrants to temporarily remain in the U.S. and work, Muñoz applied for the program. He had trouble proving that he had lived in the country continuously since 2007 until attorney Davorin Ordcic had a realization: his client's Xbox Live account could be the solution.

Including his address and account information, the record featured proof of downloaded demos and games as well as communication with other users dating back to 2007 as required. After two months of waiting, Muñoz learned that he could remain in the country. Muñoz now has steady employment -- working seven days a week at a factory and a restaurant.

A family pet was rescued when fire broke out inside a Rancho Penasquitos home Wednesday.

“Apparently they found him downstairs under the table,” resident Ollie Neglerio said of the family’s cat.

“I could care less what's inside,” Neglerio said. “He's like family to us, you know.”

Fire forced the family from the home on Maler Road just after 9 p.m.

The fire started in a bedroom on the upper floor, behind the broken window firefighters said.

Crews were able to contain the flames to that one room and save the family cat.

No one was injured in the fire.