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14 Dead After 6.4-Magnitude Quake Rattles Taiwan

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A powerful earthquake struck southern Taiwan Saturday, toppling buildings, killing at least 14 people dead and leaving hundreds more injured, officials said, NBC News reported.

The 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck about 30 miles east of Tainan, a city of around 2 million, just before 4 a.m. local time (3 p.m. Friday E.T.), the U.S. Geological Survey said. At least 484 people were hurt, Taiwan's Central Emergency Operation Center said.

Nine building collapsed in the temblor, which also caused at least five to tilt at alarming angles. Eight people were still missing, Taiwan's National Fire Agency said.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Councilman: City Should Spend $500K on Review Board

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San Diego City Councilman Todd Gloria is recommending that the city of San Diego spend half a million dollars to help revamp the citizens board tasked with reviewing police behavior.

In the memo to the city’s budget analyst Andrea Tevlin, Gloria said, “Public trust between law enforcement and members of the community is critical to allow our officers to keep San Diego safe.”

The 3rd District councilman added, “funding reforms for the Citizens' Review Board on Police Practices are investments in oversight and accountability to foster that trust."

In December, an NBC 7 Investigates story revealed how two former Citizens Review Board (CRB) members, Lucy Pearson and Benetta Buell-Wilson, said they think the board has a “fixed” and ineffective review process. According to the women, the process subverts the board's intent, something that’s detrimental not just for citizens but for San Diego Police Department (SDPD) officers as well.

Click here to see the complete investigation.

Women Occupy San Diego submitted a ballot proposal last month calling for changes to the review board. The women are advocating for the proposal to be included on the November ballot.

City Councilwoman Marti Emerald told NBC 7 Investigates she asked the budget analyst to provide a cost estimate to set up a board like the city’s ethics commission. It has independent staff investigators and an independent legal counsel.

Currently, the CRB receives its legal advice from the San Diego City Attorney’s Office and only reviews reports submitted to them by the SDPD’s Internal Affairs Division.

Ethics Commission members are appointed by the mayor, but unlike the review board, the list for appointees are chosen through candidates picked by the city attorney and city council.

Emerald said the city council’s Public Safety Committee will be discussing the possible options and ideas for changing or replacing the current model at their next meeting March 2.

Gloria said he wants the review board reforms implemented by fiscal year 2017.
 

6 Hometown Buffets Abruptly Close in San Diego

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Six Hometown Buffets in San Diego closed abruptly Thursday after “ongoing assessments of individual restaurants,” according to a statement by the company.

Across the country 74 Old Country Buffet, Hometown Buffet, Ryan’s, Fire Mountain and Country Buffet restaurants closed permanently Thursday.

“While we cannot predict future market conditions, the plan is to continue operating the remaining Ovation Brands’ restaurants as they are financially viable,” Peter Donbavand, Vice President of Business Development said in the statement.

The statement also said employees of closed restaurants would be able to apply for positions at operating stores.

Many upset employees and customers complained on Hometown Buffet’s Facebook page saying the company had not sufficiently warned employees of the closures. They were referred by the company to their contact page.

The Santee, El Cajon, San Marcos, Oceanside and two San Diego locations were among the restaurants closed. The Chula Vista, National City and south San Diego restaurants are still open.
 



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FBI: Michigan Man Planned Attack on Church in Support of ISIS

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Federal authorities have arrested a Michigan man they say is an ISIS supporter who wanted to carry out an attack on a 6,000-member Detroit church, NBC News reported.

Khalil Abu-Rayyan, 21, of Dearborn Heights, allegedly had guns and a large knife and told an undercover FBI agent that he "tried to shoot up a church one day."

"I bought a bunch of bullets. I practiced reloading and unloading," he said in an online conversation, according to a criminal complaint unsealed Thursday in U.S. District Court.

Investigators did not specify which church Abu-Rayyan allegedly was eyeing but the FBI had been monitoring him for months because of his "increasingly violent threats" about committing acts of terror and martyrdom against churchgoers and police officers on behalf of ISIS.



Photo Credit: @khalilray21

Madeleine Albright Slams Sanders on Foreign Policy

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Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright slammed Bernie Sanders on Saturday, expressing concerns over the Democratic presidential contender's "lack of knowledge" about foreign policy.

"I've been very concerned about his lack of knowledge," Albright said, citing his answer to a question about which country poses the biggest threat to the U.S. right now.

"We have to have a president that is ready on Day 1 to deal with problems," she told NBC News in an exclusive interview. "I have never seen such a complicated international situation, and we can't afford learning on the job."



Photo Credit: NBC News
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Building Begins for Double Amputee Marine's New Home

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A United States Marine—who lost both legs in combat—will soon be getting a new, custom-built home in Valley Center. 

Homes for Our Troops (HFOT) broke ground Saturday on a custom built home for veteran Toran Gaal, the San Diego-area man who lost both his legs while fighting in Afghanistan. Gaal stepped on a 12-pound pressure IED blew up causing him to not only lose his legs but also 30 percent of his brain.

The new home will feature more than 40 major special adaptations for Gaal, including widened doorways for wheelchair access, a roll-in shower and multiple kitchen amenities. Navigating a wheel chair through hallways will also be easier with this home

"Once I have the house or, excuse me, the home, I'll feel comfortable and I can breath, and know that there's not a piece of the house that I cannot get to," Gaal said. 

In August, Gaal and his support van driver, Brian Riley, another injured Marine, traveled more than 3,000 miles across the country to support The Semper Fi Fund. The organization provides financial assistance to wounded Marines and their families while they recover. The Fund assisted his own family in the years following his injury during his third deployment in 2011. 

Homes for our troops has build more than 200 houses for injured veterans. More than 65 homes are in the process of being completed and all all of them have been completely free for the injured veteran. The cost of the home will be covered by Homes for Our Troops. 

Donations for the project can be made in person at the event or online by clicking here.



Photo Credit: NBC 7

Bond Set for $1M for Brittany Harper of Crime-Spree Duo

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The girlfriend in the “modern-day Bonnie and Clyde” duo is being held on a bond worth more than $1 million, NBC News reported.

Brittany Nicole Harper was taken into custody early Friday in Escambia County, Florida, after a confrontation with police. She is charged with robbery, home invasion robbery, false imprisonment and grand theft auto.

Officers shot and killed her boyfriend, Blake Edward Fitzgerald, in the shootout, after he used her as a human shield when police opened fire, according to officials.

Authorities say the two went on a multi-state crime spree that may have started a week ago. They are suspected of multiple kidnappings and robberies.  



Photo Credit: AP

Santee Clears Storm-Damaged Trees

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It’s been one week since a powerful, windy El Niño storm swept San Diego County, but crews in some cities, including Santee, are still cleaning up the aftermath.

Workers are busy clearing away trees knocked over in the fierce Jan. 31 wind storm, and removing tree stumps and roots.

“It was the worst wind event the city has ever had,” Annette Saul, the city’s Parks and Landscape supervisor, told NBC 7.

The 50 mph wind gusts knocked down 35 trees and damaged about 20 trees in Santee.

"It's the most trees we've ever lost in one day," said Saul.

Many of the trees that fell were eucalyptus trees, along with some pine trees. Because they're evergreen trees, they have a lot of weight, and can't handle the kind of force the wind storm created.

Saul said most of the trees fell in roadway medians, right of ways and in community parks.

One tree fell on a family's van in the Walmart parking lot. The parents in the front seat were treated at the hospital for minor injuries. Luckily, the couple's young children in the back seat were uninjured.

The cleanup crews are expected to finish clearing the tree damage in Santee within the next week.

In the spring, Santee will begin replacing every single tree lost in the storm. The new trees will possibly be placed in other areas of the community, and different types may be chosen.

"We'll look at planting more native trees, like oaks and California sycamores. We know those trees do better. We want to make sure we have the right tree, in the right place,” said Saul.

But the fallen trees will also get new life, in the form of recycling, as cleanup crews use special equipment to turn the debris from the chopped up trees into wood chips. Those wood chips will be brought back to the city’s operations center where they will be turned into mulch to be reused around Santee.

The mulch helps to prevent weeds, improve the soil and conserve water. At Town Center Community Park – in the heart of Santee – the mulch is used for the landscape.

The efforts centered around saving and reusing trees is a top priority for the Santee community. In 2001, Santee became one of several cities in San Diego County to earn the designation “Tree City USA.”

"What that means is the city makes trees a priority. So we have an Arbor Day celebration every year called the River Park Festival," said Saul.

To be dubbed a Tree City USA, a community must meet four requirements set by the National Arbor Day Foundation, including creating a public tree care ordinance.

"Santee is deficient in tree cover. So we need more trees in residential parkways. We need more trees along streets. We need more shade. We need to improve our air quality. So we want to keep moving towards that goal. And we don't want to let storm damage stop us from doing that," said Saul.

The city has also to set aside a certain amount of money in its budget to protect and maintain all of its trees.

"That's one of our goals- to keep the tree canopy and to grow the tree canopy," Saul added.

The City of Santee currently has nearly 9,000 trees.

“Just as buildings and roads are assets, the trees are also an asset to the community. The biggest thing is air quality, shade, beautification, enhancing property values," said Saul.



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

Lawyer Offers $1M in Kids' Tuition

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Awe-struck parents of kindergartners at a Southern California elementary school were stunned to learn a stranger planned to pay for their children's college tuition. 

Fullerton lawyer Marty Burbank and his wife offered to pay the college tuition of 26 kindergarten students at Rio Vista Elementary School. Parents of students at the Anaheim school said they could not believe their children had been given the gift of a lifetime.

"I just can't believe it. I can't" said Maria Rodriguez, the mother of a student. "I don't believe someone would be this interested in paying the tuition of this many kids."

Burbank said he had considered buying himself a boat. He then decided there was more value in removing the financial burden that could have kept these children from attending college.

So, he decided to give them the guarantee of an education instead.

"Buying a boat was a very selfish thing for me, and I can do so much more to impact the lives of these kids," he said.

Burbank promised to pay each child's tuition, starting in 2032. He told the Orange County Register the tuition will probably amount to about $1 million, factoring in inflation rates. 

Virdiana Ortiz, another mother, was one of the many overwhelmed with gratitude toward Burbank for his generosity.

"I had never heard of him," she said. "For someone to do something like that..."

So, what's the catch? It's simple, if not beneficiary. Each year, the students must submit an essay or photo explaining what they would like to do when they grow up.

Some, like Rio Vista's Jonathan Juarez, seem to already have a plan.

Said Juarez: "I want to be a firefighter."



Photo Credit: KVEA

Poway Library Celebrates Renovation

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The Poway Community Library held a rededication ribbon cutting ceremony Saturday morning to celebrate its recent remodel.

The ceremony honored the completion of a large scale remodeling project at the branch located at 13137 Poway Road.

The renovation included new carpeting, lighting, furniture, an updated computer lab with Wi-Fi throughout the building, more study rooms for students, an area for teens, an expanded bookstore and an automated book sorting system.

"This newly upgraded facility will offer even greater access to portals of information for inspiring civic education, conversation and engagement among our citizens regardless of their ages," said Deputy Director Susan Moore.

The celebration included a performance by the Twin Peaks Middle School Jazz Band, story time, crafts and refreshments.

The library’s renovation began in October of 2014.

 


 



Photo Credit: NBC 7

Ben Carson Waits in the Wings in Debate Introduction

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The Republican debate in Manchester, New Hampshire, got off to a bit of an awkward start on Saturday.

It began on a high note, when ABC moderator David Muir introduced New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. 

Ben Carson's name, drowned out by applause, was called second. But instead of making his way onto the stage, he stood off to the side as the moderators continued on down the candidate list. 

Carson then started to make his way out, but suddenly stopped short when the moderators called out Ted Cruz’s name. 

Someone from backstage, who popped his head out from behind the curtain, tried shooing Carson to walk out, but to no avail. 

Donald Trump appeared in the wings after his name was called, but instead of coming to the stage, he stood back with Carson. Marco Rubio barreled past the two other candidates, smiling as he walked past them. Next came former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who gave the two a quizzical look before leaving Carson and Trump behind.

Social media lit up with reaction to Carson’s late entry onto the stage.

Others were more sympathetic to the GOP candidate and laid the blame elsewhere. 

But it didn't end there. Muir could faintly be heard calling out Ohio Gov. John Kasich's name, but that too, was drowned out by applause. Both Muir and fellow moderator, Martha Raddatz, who had their backs to the stage, then realized they were missing and gave Carson and Trump another call to the stage.

“Dr. Ben Carson, please come out on the stage, he’s standing there as well,” Muir said.

“And Donald Trump,” Raddatz said.

As the moderators took their seats, Kasich was still missing.

“Where’s Kasich?” someone could be heard saying.

“Yes, yes, we’re going to introduce Ohio Gov. John Kasich.” 



Photo Credit: AP
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Police, Community Celebrate 'Better Block Party'

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Mayor Kevin Faulconer, Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman and other city officials  helped Lincoln Park celebrate 'One San Diego' Saturday.

"I think the police department has done a fantastic job, but it's not just the work of our law enforcement, it's the community, it's the people themselves that have really grabbed hold of this community,” Former Charger, Pastor Terrell Fletcher, said.

The third annual ‘Better Block Party’ brought together police officers and members of the community to bring positivity to the relationship between law enforcement and young people.

Lincoln High School students painted a street mural during the event, which included food and entertainment.

"It's about the kids and Lincoln community together, and we're so proud of every neighborhood in this great city and that's what, that's what we're here celebrating today.”



Photo Credit: NBC 7

Downtown Celebrates Mardi Gras

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San Diegans flocked to the Gaslamp Saturday night to eat, drink, listen to music and get beads.

Photo Credit: NBC 7

18-Year-Old Pedestrian Killed in Escondido Crash

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An 18-year-old pedestrian has died after a crash in Escondido, Escondido Police Lt. Mike Kearney confirmed to NBC 7 San Diego. 

The incident happened at approximately 8:50 p.m. Saturday at the intersection of Oakhill Drive and San Pasqual Valley Road. Officers responded to a call of an injured person in the road. 

A gold 2008 Toyota Corolla driven by an 86-year-old Escondido resident was heading north on San Pasqual Valley Road when the woman crashed into the pedestrian, officials determined from witness statements on scene. 

When officers arrived at the scene, they discovered an 18-year-old had been hit by a car and suffered major injuries to his head. Despite lifesaving measures, the boy died at the scene. Police are not identifying the boy until next-of-kin are notified. 

Police questioned a driver at the scene after the body was found.

Alcohol does not seem to be a factor in the crash. The cause of the crash is still under investigation. 

Anyone wth information on this crash is asked to call Officer Tyler Songer of the Traffic Division at (760) 839-4454, or make an unidentified call to the Anonymous Tip Line at 760-743-TIPS (8477).

No other information was immediately available.

Check back for updates on this breaking story.



Photo Credit: NBC7

"She Was Beautiful": Friends Pay Tribute to Late Musician

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With tears in their eyes, friends, family and musicians held a memorial service Saturday for a San Diego artist killed by a falling tree in Pacific Beach during a strong El Niño storm.

“She was beautiful. She was fun; amazing. She was very, very talented – at everything she did," said Deborah Deroscher-Gil, referring to her beloved friend, Nicki Carano. "She was always fun to be with. She was always laughing. I will miss her laugh. I will hear it for a long time.”

On Jan. 31, at around 3 p.m., as heavy rain and strong winds plowed San Diego County, Carano -- a professional drummer, vocalist and dance -- was on her way to a live music gig, set to perform with her bands.

As Carano drove on Ingraham Street near Crown Point, a huge tree at least eight feet in diameter came crashing down on the street, falling across the entire roadway. The tree toppled on Carano’s car, crushing the vehicle and killing her.

Emergency responders said there was likely not much Carano could’ve done as the massive tree came barreling down.

Her death – and life – left an indelible mark on her loved ones, who are struggling with the sudden and painful loss.

NBC 7 spoke to fellow musician and friend, Stellita Porter, who said she was always taken aback by Carano’s determination and talent.

“It’s been a while since Nicki and I worked together but when we did, it was just amazing,” Porter said. “There was nothing she couldn’t do. She was always, ‘I can do it. I can do it.’ And she just had so many talents. She could sing, she could dance, she could just do it all.”

On Saturday, between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., loved ones gathered at Kate Sessions Park in Pacific Beach to share stories and memories of Carano.

Veronica Guzman, a friend of Carano's brother, said she'll never forget Carano's "mesmerizing" eyes and demeanor and memorable musical abilities.

"She will be surely missed by everybody," said Guzman.

Some of Carano's young drumming students also attended the memorial. They were saddened by their instructor's untimely passing and said they would always remember her as a nice, fun, caring person. Carano had been their instructor for the past four years.

"Nicki Carano wasn't only a drum teacher, she was also a friend," one boy said. "She taught me everything I needed to know to be a good drummer."

"Nicki was the best drummer I've ever met," another boy added.

All of Carano's students promised they would continue to pursue drumming with the skills she had taught them.

Earlier this week, Carano’s brother, David, told NBC 7 his older sister as the glue that held their family together. He described her as a compassionate, funny “firecracker.”

Her bandmate, Matt Silvia, of the Christopher Dale Trio said Carano was one of the best musicians he had ever seen and a very sweet, kind person. Silvia said he didn’t know how he and his bandmate, Christopher Dale, would move on without her.

On Thursday, Dale posted information about Carano’s memorial service on his Facebook page, along with a video clip showing the band – including Carano rocking the drums – during a performance last December.

“Thank you all for your love and support during this very difficult time,” Dale wrote. See the clip below:
 


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Sanders Defends His Foreign Policy Credentials

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Senator Bernie Sanders defended himself Sunday against criticism that he does not have sufficient depth or interest in foreign policy matters.

"Let me reassure the American people…it goes without saying that a president must be well-versed in foreign policy, must have a foreign policy position. And I will of course do that," Sanders said on NBC's "Meet the Press" in response to criticism by some of his debate performance Thursday on the issue of foreign policy.

Sanders has faced intense scrutiny during his presidential campaign for not being as comfortable or fluent as former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton when discussing foreign affairs.

"It is not just experience that matters, it is judgment," argued the Vermont senator.



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1 Killed, 3 Hospitalized After Chula Vista Rollover Crash

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 One person died and two were taken to the hospital following a rollover crash in Chula Vista early Sunday morning, Chula Vista Police said.

The crash happened at 12:53 a.m. Sunday at East H Street and Del Rey Boulevard when a Lexus driving west on East H Street lost control, police said.

The Lexus hit the center divide and drove into oncoming traffic, police said. The car swerved and flipped over, landing on the sidewalk south of the street.

The roof of the car completely collapsed onto the driver of the car, killing him. Two passengers were taken to UC San Diego Medical Center and a third was taken to Scripps Mercy Hospital.

A Sig Alert was issued for H Street and Del Rey Boulevard until 11 a.m. as officials continue their investigation.

No further information was immediately available.

Refresh this page for updates on this breaking news story.



Photo Credit: NBC 7

National City’s Machete Beer House Celebrates 1st Anniversary

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This is certainly worth a toast: a popular beer house in San Diego’s South Bay celebrated its first anniversary Saturday with plenty of craft brews to go ‘round.

Machete Beer House, located at 2325 Highland Ave. in National City, is the first craft beer room to open in the South Bay.

The small business first opened in February 2015 with craft beer enthusiasts Eddie Trejo and JoAnn Cornejo at the helm. The tap list includes a variety of craft beers from local breweries and even some international brews from Mexico and Belgium.

The taps change constantly – many times rotating brews suggested by patrons – giving beer-lovers in the region lots of choices.

The brewery’s birthday celebration on Saturday included food, cake and, of course, a special tap list. The beer house also rang in its anniversary Friday night with a full house and lots of glass-clinking, giving this shout-out on its Facebook page:



Photo Credit: Machete Beer House/Facebook
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'The New Bob Hope' Comes to San Diego

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Gary Sinise, who has supported veteran’s causes since Vietnam, performed with his band for a festival at Naval Medical Center Saturday.

Sinise plays guitar in the Lt. Dan Band, named for his role in the 1994 movie Forrest Gump. The band plays at three of four military festivals every year.

"I was making a patient visit, which I do quite often at our hospitals, and I was standing outside and I was about to get in the car to take off and I said to the admiral, you know, I bet we could put a stage right here,” Sinise said about the inception of the festival. “We could bring some food in, kind of get everyone out of the hospital and have some fun and do something, and he loved the idea, so we put that together and that began this festival circuit we're on."

Thousands of wounded vets and their families gathered for the fourth annual Invincible Spirit Festival for a day of music, food, and inspiration.

“Lots of people having fun and enjoying themselves,” Sinise said of the festival. “That’s what it’s all about just making sure our military knows we appreciate them we’re not forgetting what they’re going through and we want to give them a good time.”
Sinise and celebrity chef Robert Irvine hosted the event honoring the work of the navy medical staff for wounded service members.

“Naval Medical Center is a wonderful hospital. The military hospitals that I’ve been to, and I’ve been to many of them, that medical system is doing very well by our wounded. If I was hurt I’d want to be in one of our military medical centers.”
Sinise, who began working with veterans in the ‘70s during Vietnam, said after service members started coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan it brought back memories of the hostile way soldiers were treated when they returned from Vietnam, reinforcing his interest in making sure that never happened again.

“Thankfully the hospitals have fewer that are coming in fresh off the battlefield the way it used to be, but there are ongoing residual effects that our wounded are going to be facing for many, many years to come.”
For his active involvement with wounded troops and the USO, some have called "The New Bob
Hope.

“For me, military, I’ve just been around it my whole life. I have military in my family,” said said about why veteran’s causes are so important to him. “Some of our military has just seen some things you and I will never see.”
 



Photo Credit: NBC 7

GOP Debate in NH: Christie vs. Rubio, More Top Moments

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Donald Trump was back, Carly Fiorina was out, excluded by the rules of the ABC News debate, and Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida was drawing attacks after his strong showing in Iowa.

The GOP presidential candidates were on stage Saturday night for the final debate before the New Hampshire primary, where some of the Republicans must do well if they are to continue. Trump, who finished second behind U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas in the Iowa caucuses, returned after skipping the previous debate. 

Here are some of the liveliest moments of the evening. 

GETTING ON STAGE
The debate got off to an awkward start as Dr. Ben Carson hesitated going onto the stage even as he was waved on. Trump lingered with Carson until they both entered, but then Kasich was left behind. A few minutes later Carson made a reference to expecting to be introduced second.

RUBIO ATTACKED FOR "30-SECOND SPEECH"
Rubio tried to defend his relatively short time in the U.S. Senate by saying if years spent as a senator were the measure of a candidate everyone on the stage should be rallying around Vice President Joe Biden. Biden represented Delaware for 36 years.

But New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie quickly attacked Rubio for failing to make a single decision of consequence in the Senate for which he was held accountable and mocked him for giving his “30-second” prepared speech. Memorized speeches don’t get the snow plowed or help rebuild a state destroyed by superstorm Sandy, he said. And he criticized Rubio for listing the Hezbollah Sanctions Act as an accomplishment but failing to show up for the vote.

“That’s not leadership," Christie said. "That’s truancy.”

Rubio rejoined by telling Christie he had to be shamed into returning to New Jersey from New Hampshire during the recent blizzard. And he brought up New Jersey’s credit rating, downgraded nine times since Christie became governor.

But Rubio also continued to repeat himself several times with the same comments criticizing President Barack Obama.

"You see everybody. I want the people at home to think about this. That's what Washington, D.C., does," Christie rebutted. "The drive-by shot at the beginning with incorrect and incomplete information and then the memorized 25-second speech...Marco, the thing is this: When you're president of the United States, when you're a governor of a state, the memorized 30-second speech where you talk about how great America is at the end of it doesn't solve one problem for one person."

"WASHINGTON ETHICS"
Carson was asked about messages sent by Cruz’s campaign just before the Iowa caucuses, claiming falsely that Carson was leaving the race.

“I’m not going to use this opportunity to savage the reputation of Senator Cruz,” he said.

Carson said he owed it to his volunteers, one of whom died in a traffic accident in Iowa, to stay in the competition. And he added that he was disappointed in the display of what he called “Washington ethics” — doing what is needed to do to win, not what is right.

Cruz apologized, and blamed CNN for reporting that Carson was taking a break from his campaign.

But Carson responded that CNN’s initial tweet was quickly followed by a second one saying he was still in the race. Voters can make their own judgement, he said.

At the end of the debate, Trump got a dig in, saying Cruz had received Carson's votes.

"TOUGH GUY"
Trump and Bush got into a sharp disagreement over eminent domain, the process by which the government can take private property for public good. Trump, who has benefited from it, defended it as a way to build roads and schools.

Bush countered with a jab at Trump's attempt to take a woman’s house in Atlantic City to use as a parking lot for limousines, next to one of his casinos.

"Jeb wants to be a tough guy,” Trump snapped.

The woman went to state court and ended up keeping her home.

TRUMP VERSUS THE CROWD
Trump at one point said his team was unable to get tickets for the audience because they had gone to “donors, special interests, the people who put up the money.”

As the audience booed, he added, “The reason they’re not loving me is I don’t want their money.”

Trump makes a point of saying he is funding his campaign himself.

FEELING LEFT OUT
Carson showed his frustration at not getting as much time as the others.

"I’m not here just to add beauty to the stage," Carson said as he jumped into a discussion about the Middle East.

In his closing remarks he said the media had tried to ignore him

"I’m still here and I’m not going any place either," he said.

HEROIN EPIDEMIC
Cruz, asked about the heroin epidemic in New Hampshire, talked about the death of his half-sister, Miriam, from a drug overdose. He and his father, Rafael, tried to rescue her from a crack house, but failed, he said. After his sister’s death, he put her son, Joey, into a military school with a $20,000 loan on a credit card.

He joins Christie and Fiorina in discussing addictions from the vantage of their families. 

Christie talks about a law school friend who died after injuring his back and becoming addicted to Percocet.

Fiorina's step-daughter, Lori, died at age 35 after a struggle with alcohol and prescription pills.



Photo Credit: AP
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