With 30,000 LED lights shining bright on the lawn, perfectly synced to holiday tunes, it's clear that one San Diego-based Navy mineman loves Christmas – a trait passed down by his beloved late father.

“When I was a kid, my dad did a Christmas display at our house that you could see across the bay. It was super elaborate and he did it for us and the neighborhood kids,” Santee resident Michael Balazs told NBC 7, referring to his father, Dean Balazs.

Today, the Balazs Christmas spirit has been handed down to Michael, and his own massive lights display shines at his home at 9773 Roe Dr.

For the past five years, the Navy mineman, who is stationed at Naval Base San Diego, puts on a festive lights show on his front lawn for his entire neighborhood to enjoy, complete with different colored lights, spiraling Christmas trees, decorative lawn displays and even holograms of Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus projected on the windows of his home.

The show is synced to eight holiday songs, including “Silent Night,” “Carol of the Bells” and other classics. This year, Michael's lights also dance along to “Let it Go” from the movie “Frozen” – a favorite among young spectators, including his 3-year-old daughter.

Michael runs his show on an FM transmitter, 98.5, so spectators can watch the show and listen to the music from their cars. There's also a speaker in front of the display that plays the show for all to hear.

Though the Christmas show requires year-round preparation and at least one month of set-up, Michael told NBC 7 the effort is worth it, as the show is meant to honor his father, who lost his battle to Ewing's sarcoma on Feb. 11, 2009.

The show is titled “DB Lights” as nod to his father's initials and true love of the holiday season.

“He was one of the greatest people I've ever met,” said Michael, remembering his father, a retired Navy service member who worked as a ship supervisor at a shipyard, among other duties.

The December before his death, as Dean's cancer progressed to stage 4, Michael said his dad watched some YouTube videos of massive, elaborate Christmas light displays and vowed that, if he survived, would do the same on his lawn.

“He told me, 'I will do this, if I make it through,'” Michael recalled.

Dean passed away two months later, and Michael assumed the role of spreading holiday cheer, just as his father always did.

“Christmas was his favorite time of the year, and following his death, I knew this would make him look down and smile.”

Like Dean, Michael does this for his family and for the kids in his community.

“I want them all to come enjoy it,” he added.

Over the span of five years, DB Lights has grown substantially. What started as a 10,000-light show on 32 channels is now a 30,000-light extravaganza running on 478 channels. With the help of about 10 friends, he gets the display up and running at the top of December each year.

In 2012, Michael upgraded to LED lights, something he calls the “best decision ever” for his show.

“I am running the entire display off of two outlets, for safety reasons. It's 11 amps, so it's less than a vacuum cleaner. The whole thing, full power, is 11 amps,” he explained.

And, although it's a whole lot of lights, Michael said his electricity bill is about $70 extra to run the display for the month of December.

While rain and cold weather is trying on his Christmas lights, Michael said, fortunately, he's never experienced any major malfunctions. He said the great thing about his professional quality LED lights is that you don't have to worry about one burned-out bulb ruining the rest of a string.

“When you're dealing with 30,000 lights, one light going out is not what you want to mess with,” he laughed.

While spectators may be floored with the dancing lights that shine in any color of the rainbow and the Santa hologram in the window, other display pieces on his lawn are worth a closer look.

Michael said all of the displays – including Christmas trees loaded with spiraling lights and a sign that lights up the words “CURE” and “HOPE” to bring awareness to cancer research – were handmade by him over the years.

Also, several vintage blow-molds – Santa Claus and some cheery snowmen – hold a very special place in his heart. They come from his father's Christmas collection and remind him of his childhood.

“That Santa Claus sat on the roof of my house when I was a kid. Those snowmen were in the front yard. They're from when I was a little kid,” Michael explained. “They're hand-me-downs from my family, and I'm going to hand them down to my daughter, too.”

Another batch of lights that catches the eye is a giant sign on his neighbor's roof that reads “DITTO,” with an arrow pointing at Michael's epic display.

Michael made the sign for his neighbor himself and his neighbor thought it was hilarious and was happy to put it on his roof.

Michael said all of his neighbors are supportive of his project and stop by to check on the progress as he builds the display year after year.

Michael said visitors are very supportive too.

He collects donations for cancer research charities in a box placed near the lights, which is filled by passersby each night. At the end of the season, he gives the donations to charities such as the American Cancer Society and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Spectators can also leave a note for Michael in a guest book laid in front of the lawn – a book he reads each night and saves as a keepsake each year.

Michael said he often likes to come outside and speak with visitors as they enjoy the light show and pass out candy canes. He said seeing the smiles on people's faces makes every last string of worthwhile, and he know his father would feel the same.

The DB Lights show runs every night, from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and through 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. This year, the last show is set for Dec. 27 – the Sunday following Christmas.

Michael invites locals to drop into his cul-de-sac and said seeing the show first-hand is quite the experience.

“Seeing the videos and pictures, literally don't do it justice. It's 100 times better live,” he said. “Please come see it in person and remember, cancer is a horrible, horrible disease and we have to do everything we can to fight it.”

Once the lights are switched off for the season, Michael said it will take him about a week to tear down the displays and another week to store the lights.

He'll begin conceptualizing next year's show shortly after that, waiting like a kid on Christmas morning to see the joy on the faces of spectators once more as the lights sparkle in honor of his dear dad.

To learn more about DB Lights, check out the show's Facebook page and website.

Local Boy Scouts helped lay wreaths at Fort Rosecrans, Miramar National Cemetery, Greenwood Memorial Park and Mountain View Saturday morning.

The ceremony was part of Wreaths Across America’s efforts to honor fallen soldiers during the holiday season.

"We honor the people who fought for our country and we honor soldiers whenever we need to,” Boy Scout Tommy Mansfield said.

The wreaths were laid at 9 a.m. simultaneously with cemeteries across the US. Equivalent ceremonies were held at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia and several thousands other places.

“The purpose of this ceremony is to remember both the sacrifice of veterans who are still alive, the times away from their families, from their schools, from their jobs, from their careers, and also to commemorate the sacrifice of veterans who left us in the service of their country,” Steve Lewandowski of the Veterans Research Alliance Today explained.

Wreaths Across America is a non-profit organization dedicated to “remembering our fallen heroes, honoring those who serve, and teaching our children about the sacrifices made by veterans and their families to preserve our freedoms.”
 

Many expected that the billionaire Paul Singer's public endorsement of Marco Rubio earlier this year would lead to the GOP establishment to mobilize behind the Republican candidate but that hasn't happened, NBC News reported. 

The party remains fractured, with many supporting New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie while others remain undecided, like most U.S. House Republicans and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. 

NBC News looks at some of the reasons -- like inexperience -- why Rubio hasn't gained the backing of more players. 

An investigation by Doctors Without Borders revealed that the death toll was much higher than originally counted from the U.S. airstrike on a medical charity hospital in Afghanistan on Oct. 3, NBC News reported. 

The revised count of 42 people, up from at least 31 civilians, came after two months of an "in-depth investigation" in the Oct. 3 bombing of a trauma center run by Doctors Without Borders, also known by its French name Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).

The U.S. Air Force claimed that an AC-130 gunship attacked the hospital because it mistakenly identified the building for a nearby compound being held by the Taliban. 

An investigation is underway after U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized nearly 20 pounds of cocaine that was concealed inside the cargo hold of a flight from Montego Bay, Jamaica that arrived at Philadelphia International Airport last week.

Customs officers conducted a cabin sweep and a cargo inspection after the flight arrived at Philly International around 6 p.m. on Dec. 5. The officers were examining the cargo hold when they spotted two drawstring backpacks hidden behind an access panel. Investigators say each backpack contained four brick-shaped objects made up of a white, powdery substance that field-tested positive for cocaine.

The cocaine weighed about 19 pounds, 9 ounces and has a street value of approximately $600,000, investigators said.

“Narcotics interdiction remains a CBP enforcement priority, and a mission that we take very seriously. We are pleased that these dangerous drugs will not reach our city’s streets,” said Susan Stranieri, CBP Port Director for the Area Port of Philadelphia. “CBP remains vigilant at our nation’s borders, and we’ll continue to do our part to help keep our communities safe.”

No arrests have been made. Officials continue to investigate.
 

After the San Bernardino terror attacks gun dealers in San Diego have seen a sharp increase in sales.

At the gun show at the Del Mar fairgrounds Saturday and Sunday gun buyers said they feel a stronger need to protect themselves after the attacks and are worried about any efforts to take their guns away. While others say these attacks highlight the need to keep guns out of the wrong hands.

It only takes one shot to start a massacre or according to Bob Templeton – to end it.

“The only thing that stops bad people with guns like the ones in San Bernardino were, is a good person with a gun," Bob Templeton said at the gun show Saturday.

His sentiment is shared by the thousands who packed into Crossroads Gun Show just a week after the terror attacks in San Bernardino.

“It’s scary, I mean people are losing their family members over nothing it's ridiculous. Makes me glad that I, myself, am protected,” gun owner Amanda Edwards said.

It seems others want to be protected too. Dealers at the gun show said their guns and ammunition sales have doubled, and many have seen first time gun buyers come through.

But Vicki Sheppard of the Brady Campaign told NBC7 there are cracks in the system. The Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives confirmed the shooter Syed Rizwan Farook bought a 9mm pistol legally at a gun store in San Diego.

“It doesn't help me feel safer that other people have guns," Sheppard explained. “In California there is still a thriving gun industry we just would like to make sure that the people buying guns are responsible and will use them responsibly.”

Still, gun owners in Del Mar told NBC7 new gun laws will target the wrong people.

According to Bob Templeton new laws will be used to “further restrict our second amendment rights and that's why we're so resistant to it."

The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence is also holding a rally and vigil for victims of gun violence Sunday.

A Miami Lawyer was arrested last Friday after carrying a concealed firearm into Disney World with an expired permit, Orange County Sheriff's Office said.

According to a police report, 36-year-old Andrew John Gerson was attempting to walk in to the Magic Kingdom when a security officer noticed a bulge in his waist. The officer then attempted to make contact with Gerson.

"After about 100 yards, the white male turned and made eye contact with me," the report reads. "Once he turned back around, he pulled out his phone, placed it to his ear and started to run. I then drew my firearm and ordered him to stop and after about two times, the subject stopped."

Officers found a silver revolver in Gerson's possession. After checking his Florida concealed weapon permit, it was revealed that his permit expired in 2005.

Gerson reportedly told officers that the gun was left in his bag and he didn't know it was there, and that he was only attempting to leave the park.

Gerson was ordered held on $2,500 bond.

It is unclear if Gerson has hired an attorney.
 

Justin Bieber may be singing a new "sorry" tune if San Francisco residents have anything to say about it.

In a case of guerrilla marketing gone wrong, Bieber and his publicity team have apparently defaced San Francisco sidewalks to advertise the pop singer’s latest album -- and some city taxpayers are not pleased.

The graffiti, which reads "Justin Bieber," "Purpose," and "#Nov13," has been appearing on sidewalks in the city’s Mission District, as well as areas of SoMa and Haight-Ashbury.

Though the white lettering appears to be written in chalk, some Redditors claim to have tried wiping it off but to no avail.

San Francisco natives have been taking to social media to vent their frustrations with the ad gimmick. Many residents are concerned that taxpayers will be left to foot the bill for Bieber’s alleged sidewalk promotion, which has also appeared in Brooklyn, New York and has been a theme throughout the album's promotional campaign. 

San Francisco has long struggled with graffiti, annually spending more than $20 million in taxpayer dollars on clean up initiatives, according to the San Francisco’s public works department. Def Jam Records has not returned requests for comment regarding the graffiti's removal.

Despite the ill-advised marketing campaign, Bieber’s album has received stellar reviews and sold more than 500,000 albums in its first week alone.

.@sf311 pls fine Justin Bieber for this graffiti pic.twitter.com/7darWpoOuj

— suldrew (@suldrew) November 20, 2015

Republican candidate U.S. SenatorTed Cruz has expanded his campaign efforts in Iowa and a poll reflects this push, putting him ahead of all the other candidates in his party. 

In the new Des Moines Register/Bloomberg Politics poll, Cruz, considered the new evangelical favorite, rocketed past Donald Trump, another candidate. Unlike most of the other candidates, Cruz has avoided criticizing Trump at every turn.

Voters in Iowa will get the first chance at picking the Republican nominee at the caucuses in less than two months on February 1.

Crowds began to gather and shout "no justice, no peace" after a suspected armed 28-year-old man was shot and killed in a deputy-involved shooting in Lynwood Saturday that was captured on cell phone video.

The man's family identified him as Nicholas Robertson, a 28-year-old father of three. 

At one point, the crowd tore away "caution" tape and deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department had to hold it up. 

The sheriff's department was at the ready with tear gas and helmets in case the rally got out of hand.

The shooting occurred around 11:00 a.m. near the area of Long Beach Boulevard and Magnolia Avenue after deputies received word of a man with a gun, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

"We're going off brief witness statements [from those] that were standing right next to, or close proximity to, the suspect that say the suspect raised the gun and turned toward the deputies," Lt. Eddie Hernandez said.

The suspect was struck by deputies' gunfire and was pronounced dead at the scene, the sheriff's department said.

"I've seen it to a point. I don't want to watch it because that's my friend -- I don't want to see my friend die," William Winston, friend of the suspect, said referencing the cell phone video.

A loaded .45-caliber handgun was recovered from the scene, LASD said.

No deputies were injured during the shooting.

It is unknown exactly what led to the incident, but the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department told NBC4 that the man fired shots into the air before deputies fired at him.

The shooting was under investigation.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department announced it would address the shooting at a news conference on Sunday. 

"I want to assure the public that the Sheriff’s Department takes deputy involved shootings very seriously and that this investigation will be handled with the utmost professionalism and integrity," Sheriff Jim McDonnell said in a statement. 

McDonnell also said the investigation would be thorough. 

"In this modern age of cell phone video and instant analysis on the internet, I would ask that we keep in mind that a thorough and comprehensive investigation is detailed and time intensive. It will involve, not just one source of information, but numerous sources, potentially including multiple videos, physical evidence and eyewitness accounts," McDonnell said in the statement.

Spurred on by a rash of nationwide mass shootings, the most recent of which claimed 14 lives in San Bernardino, Bay Area residents took a stand against gun violence Saturday.

In Walnut Creek, nearly 150 people joined Moms Demand Action in an Orange Walk, as it is called, to commemorate the upcoming third anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting on Dec. 14.

"We don’t just need another moment of silence. We need a moment of action,” the organization’s website stressed.

Meanwhile, the San Francisco Police Department teamed up with local anti-violence group United Playaz for a gun buyback program with a "no questions asked" policy.

People dropping off guns at United Playaz' headquarters at 1038 Howard St., were offered $100 for a handgun and $200 for assault weapons.

According to city police, nearly 950 guns have been taken off the streets since gun buybacks were launched in 2011.

A "Stand United Against All Violence" rally was also presented between 12 and 2 p.m. at the United Nations Plaza with Rep. Jackie Speier, Senator Mark Leno, Supervisor London Breed and others expected to speak.

University of North Texas police said a man is dead after an officer-involved shooting of a man wielding an axe.

UNT Police said they were called out around 1 a.m. Sunday for person knocking out car windows.

The officer arrived at the scene at Fry and Oak Street and said he found a man, with an axe in his hand.

The officer said the man was still holding the axe when he moved toward the officer. UNT said the officer fired at the man, killing him.

On Sunday, North Texas Daily, the university's student newspaper, released video it received that appeared to show the man walking through a parking garage before the shooting.

NBC DFW viewer Bink Ruckthongsook snapped a picture of paramedics tending to the man lying in the street.

Ruckthongsook said he heard three gun shots.

The shooting took place near an apartment complex where students live.  Several restaurants and bars are located in the vicinity.

"All of a sudden we heard four shots go pop, pop, pop, pop," said business owner Steve Marks.  "Everyone was having fun, drinking and then all of a sudden everyone just scattered."

UNT public information officer Margarita Venegas told NBC DFW the shooting happened off campus but that the university's police officers sometimes patrol near the campus.

The Tarrant County Medical Examiner's office identified the man killed as Ryan McMillan, he had just turned 21 on Saturday. UNT President Neal Smatresk confirmed McMillan was a student at the university.

"This is a tragic event that saddens us as a university community. We offer our condolences to the individuals, their families and all involved," Smatresk said in a statement Sunday.

The university said McMillan, a sophomore pre-hospitality major,  had transferred to UNT from Weatherford College this fall.

Smatresk said the officer involved is on administrative duty pending the outcome of the investigation.

At least seven vehicles were damaged in the parking garage. It's not clear when the cars will be fixed or when the damage will be cleaned up.

"Winshields are smashed, windows are smashed," said resident Benjamin Agrisano. "There are axe markings all over the cars. It was pretty crazy. It looked like something out of a horror movie."

UNT says the university's police department is cooperating with the investigation being conducted by the Texas Rangers and the Denton Police Department.

Whether or not McMillan was the under the influence of drugs or alcohol is under investigation.

Republican presidential candidate Sen. Marco Rubio said Donald Trump has "touched on some issues that people are concerned about," but dismissed his proposal to ban all Muslims from entering the U.S. as "attempting to recapture the limelight."

"If you look at the statements he made this week, obviously I think he made them partially to recapture the limelight after having lost it," he told NBC's "Meet the Press."

And on that issue, Rubio drew a stark contrast with Trump, saying that officials have to work with Muslims to combat "homegrown violent extremism," because "they may very well be the first ones to see it."

Saudi Arabia said on Sunday that at least two women were elected to public office in the conservative Islamic kingdom after winning seats on municipal councils in Mecca and al-Jawf in Saturday's election.

The preliminary results were announced by local districts and published on the official Saudi Press Agency.

The election was the first in which women could vote and run as candidates, a landmark step in a country where women are barred from driving and are legally dependent on a male relative to approve almost all their major life decisions. 

It's possible that going forward, social media posts will be scrutinized in the process of vetting people for U.S. visas, Secretary of State John Kerry said in an interview on "Meet the Press" Sunday.

"We need to look at whether there are meetings and whether we should be and how we can do it," Kerry said. "But clearly the social media has placed a whole new burden and a whole new set of questions."

The discussion around eliminating what Kerry called a "loophole" in U.S. visa vetting comes just weeks after a terrorist attack in San Bernardino, Calif. claimed 14 lives. It was subsequently reported that one of the terrorists had been communicating her radical beliefs on social media prior to applying for what is colloquially known as a fiancée visa. 

 Firefighters battling a fire at a North Park home had a difficult time entering the home because of the many possessions inside. 

The fire started just before 1:15 a.m. Sunday on the 2000 block of Dale Street between Redwood Street and Palm Street.

San Diego Fire-Rescue Investigators said they had to take a back door to get into the house. 

Firefighters got a handle on the flames and extinguished the fire 20 minutes after they arrived on scene. 

Neighbor Gene Bianchi said the woman had many items inside the house. 

"She was a hoarder as far as persay....the house was pretty much full of...well, all our cats live there," Bianchi said. 

No other homes in the area were damaged.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. 

No further information was immediately available. 

Heavy snow, downpours, twisters and record-breaking warmth — the country has seen it all this weekend.

Back-to-back storm systems Sunday will keep a week-long deluge of rain going strong on the West Coast and continue to blanket the Northwest and Rockies with snow, according to the National Weather Service.

Sunday's snow targeting Oregon, Washington and the Rockies could linger until Monday, according to Weather.com.

Another storm system that delivered tornadoes to Texas Saturday, leaving 50 homes damaged, was winding down, but the Southwest was still at a small risk of seeing some tornado activity, according to the Weather Channel's Dr. Greg Forbes.

Meanwhile, a good part of the country is seeing anything but typical holiday weather. Arctic air that has been locked up in Canada isn't budging, making for record-high temperatures from the South, through the Plains and into the Northeast. 

A truck driver is dead after colliding with a cargo train carrying hot asphalt in Portland, Oregon, on Sunday morning, authorities said, NBC News reported.

The crash, which occurred in the northwest section of the city, near St. John's Bridge, was reported just before 9 a.m. and sparked a massive fire and a tower of black smoke.

NBC affiliate KGW reported that one train car sustained major damage and appeared to be leaking.

It was unclear what caused the crash. 

 Parts of the San Diego coast could see strong rip currents, high surf and minor flooding during the start of the week, according to several advisories in effect. 

The National Weather Service issued a high surf advisory at 12 p.m. Sunday, in effect until 2 p.m. Tuesday, warning of strong rip currents and dangerous swimming conditions south of Newport Beach. South of Del Mar, expect sets to reach as high as nine feet, with three to five feet elsewhere. 

Low-lying coastal areas, like certain places in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, La Jolla Shores and Sunset Beach, may see minor coastal flooding during high tide. 

A coastal flood advisory was also put into place by the National Weather Service Sunday to 2 p.m. Tuesday. The warning means onshore winds and tides will create flooding along low-lying areas of the shore. 

A San Diego non-profit is raising money to provide a service dog for an 8-year-old boy with autism named Cameron, who lives with his family at Camp Pendleton.

"It's going to change all of our lives for sure," said Cameron's mother, Christine Langager. "I'm still in shock, I still randomly tear up thinking about it."

The charity Good Dog! decided to help the family raise the entire $26,000 that it takes to train a puppy to become a service dog because Cameron's father Thomas has served in the military for 15 years.  Thomas Langager is a Heavy Equipment based at Camp Pendleton, now deployed to the Middle East for another year.

Normally, the charity pays for half of the cost, and families must fund raise the balance. Donations for the family can be made at the You Caring page set up for the family.

Christine Langager said because autism is an invisible disease, having a dog with a service vest will help people show grace and compassion toward Cameron when he struggles with his behavior in public.

"For him, it means the prospect of being more independent, able to be a little more discreet in public," Langager said. "A super white fluffy dog can help distract; people don't see anything besides a cute dog."

Good Dog! founder Laura Sylvester knows the importance of having a service dog.

"It's hard to be an autism parent. There's a lot of negative surrounding it. But there's no denying a dog and a child are all about love, hope," Sylvester said.

She started Good Dog! with her husband Rick almost five years ago, after their son Elliot was denied a service dog by Canine Companions for Independence. CCI provides several kinds of service dogs for free every year, but can only accept a limited number of applications.

On their own, the Sylvester family ended up getting a dog named Orbit, inspired by Elliot's love of all things outer space. They blogged about the experience, and soon other families started contacting them for advice. They eventually decided to start the non-profit Good Dog! to specifically help other children with autism.

The Sylvesters said Orbit has helped now 15-year-old Elliot refocus and remain calm in public.

"Autism is such a misunderstood disease that a lot of times families won't go out, or are misunderstood," Laura Sylvester said. "When you have service dog, it gets noticed first."

"Judgment gets eliminated, turns it on its head," added Rick Sylvester. "It changes that judgment into more of a loving, positive acceptance toward the child."

Good Dog! has placed 20 dogs so far. Laura became emotional when she told NBC7 that for the first time, the organization now has more families applying for a dog than they can accommodate. And although the couple wishes they had a big donor to help more families, they also believe the families begin to heal when they fund raise in their own community.

Cameron's family began the two year process of getting a service dog in early 2015. The Langagers have already raised some money by holding yard sales, bake sales and asking neighbors to collect bottles and cans for them.

His mother said Cameron loves animals. The family already has a cat named Meowna Loa because of his fascination with volcanoes. In fact, Cameron recently sat in on a freshman lecture on volcanoes at SDSU. Afterward, he told his mom he pretty much knew everything already.

"He has a very good memory and he's very great at learning facts," Langager said. "He's voracious about learning and math and science."

Cameron's two-year-old brother William is also in the process of being tested for autism.

Good Dog! is also raising money to provide the Surprise-McCartys family with a service dog.

If you would like to contribute to the efforts of Good Dog! to provide both families with a service dog, click here.