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Baseball's Love Affair With Food

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What would baseball be like without the food?

"It wouldn't be baseball," said Padre fan Rick Arballo, who says he always buys a hot dog or sausage at the game smothered with bell peppers and onions.

Sagen Sauvageau drove to the San Diego Padre home opener at Petco Park from Temecula and said one of the appeals of the game is always the food. 

"I don't know if I'd be at the baseball game without munchies," Sauvageau said.

Baseball is a game that is identified with food. We even sing about it at every ball park during the seventh inning stretch: "...Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks..."

So why is it that baseball is so identified with the hunger of the fans? 

"I think food is a huge part of the whole fan experience," said Keven Sheehan with Phil's BBQ.  The popular local restaurant is new to the ballpark this year along with Wings N Things.

"BBQ is the new peanuts and popcorn," Sheehan said.

But not long ago, traditionalists fought against the expansion of the ballpark menu. When Jack Murphy Stadium started selling fish tacos at the games in the 1980s, newspaper columnists criticized the team for its baseball food. Now, teams around the country sell similar exotic food.

But the old favorites still do extremely well. For Tom Albright and his son Robbie, it's all about eating old school.

"Hot dogs, nachos, all the junk," said Tom.

For penny pinchers, Petco Park has an advantage for hungry fans. The team has a liberal policy for bringing food into the stadium. Fans are allowed to bring in a soft cooler as long as it fits under the seats. That cooler can be filled with sandwiches, popcorn, fruit, anything except for bottles and can drinks. Families can bring in box fruit drinks and water bottles smaller than 20 ounces.


Padres 'Rocked' at Home

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There's been a lot of money thrown at starting pitchers lately. $180 million for Justin Verlander, $175 million for Felix Hernandez, $147 million for Zack Greinke.

I've heard folks say that seems like an awful lot for a guy who only plays every 5th day. But, the impact of an "ace" in the rotation is incalculable.

Guys like Verlander prevent long losing streaks. They're like instant shots of confidence that can keep a little skid from turning in to a massive slide.

The Padres are in dire need of that kind of guy. San Diego lost to the Rockies 9-5 at PETCO Park on Saturday night. Edinson Volquez, the opening day starter (you know, that guy who traditionally is the best pitcher on the team), got shelled again.

Volquez gave up seven runs (six earned) in just 3.1 innings to take his 3rd straight loss. Volquez saw his ERA balloon to 11.68. He hasn't made it out of the 4th inning in two of his three starts.

For some reason, when the Rockies face the Padres, Colorado turns in to the 1927 Yankees. Wilin Rosario and Michael Cuddyer hit long home runs for the Rocks, who have outscored the Padres 36-16 in five games this year (all Colorado wins).

The lone bit of excitement for Padres fans came from SS Everth Cabrera, who came to the plate in the 9th inning needing a double to hit for the first cycle in franchise history. Cabrera singled up the middle for his 4th hit of the night, which is a great day at the plate. But the way things have gone for the Padres so far, it's easy to see why fans would take it as just one more disappointment.

The 2-9 Friars try to avoid getting swept on Sunday with Clayton Richard on the mound against Jorge De La Rosa.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Adult Store Employee, Patrons Robbed at Gunpoint

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An employee and some patrons at an adult store in San Diego’s Midway District were robbed at gunpoint overnight, police confirmed.

According to the San Diego Police Department, the armed robbery happened just after 4 a.m. at the Adult Depot store located in the 3400 block of Kurtz Street.

Police say two men wearing brightly colored masks entered the shop armed with a handgun. They then ordered patrons to get down on the floor and demanded money from a store employee.

The suspects also stole a wallet from one patron in the store. No one was injured in the robbery.

Police say the men, only described as a black male and a white male, fled the store on foot with an undetermined amount of cash.

The incident is under investigation. Anyone with information on this case should contact the San Diego Police Department.

This marks the second armed robbery at a local adult store in just two days.

Early on Saturday morning, an unknown masked man wielding a handgun robbed the Mercury Adult Bookstore in Kearny Mesa, demanding money from an employee. No one was injured in that robbery.

It is unknown if these two incidents are in any way related to one another, as both are still under investigation.
 

Legal Marijuana School Reopens

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A local marijuana school has reopened after being forced to close its doors when dispensaries were shut down. NBC 7 s Brandi Powell reports on why this is critical timing for the Legal Cannibus Institute with Mayor Bob Filner set to present a new medical marijuana ordinance to the City Council next week.

Graffiti Forces Closure of Joshua Tree Park Sites

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Acts of graffiti have become so pervasive at Joshua Tree National Park's most popular hiking spots that officials have had to close them to the public, and they blame the big bump in vandalism on social media.

Rangers said they've found graffiti spray painted on 17 sites, including the famous rock formations and historic Native American sites, at the Southern California park's Rattlesnake Canyon.

They put historic Barker Dam off limits after vandals carved their names into the cement of the Old West landmark.

National Parks officials said the graffiti started with just a few markings, but quickly spread.

They blame vandals who posted pictures of their handiwork on social media sites such as Facebook, which enticed others to the same spot and leave their own illicit marks.

“I've worked at six national parks, and this is the most extensive I've seen in 20 years,” ranger Pat Pilcher told reporters this week during a tour of some of the damage.

For visitors who cherish the isolation of this harsh desert terrain about 140 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, the graffiti are an unwelcome reminder of city blight.

“You kind of feel like you're alone. In ancient times. There's nothing like this place,” Butch Wood, 51, a visitor from North Aurora, Ill. told the Los Angeles Times.

“You don't like to see the modern world intruding on history. It's a shame.”

Pilcher said park service law enforcement officers are investigating the vandalism. If caught and convicted, vandals could face up to $5,000 in fines and six months in jail. He said the penalty could be stiffer for those convicted of defacing a historic Native American site.

Meanwhile, the San Bernardino County Sun reports that officials are closing 308 acres of the canyon until April 30 while volunteers from the Urban School of San Francisco help scrub the graffiti off the giant granite boulders.

It wasn't clear how the park service will repair the damage at Barker Dam.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Man Diagnosed With Cancer Blogs About Personal Experience

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Getting diagnosed with cancer can be devastating, but one local man living with cancer is determined to stay positive by posting a candid, online journal of his journey.

Scripps Ranch resident Craig Blower, 60, is the Chief Operating Officer at Balboa Park’s Reuben H. Fleet Science Center. Two months ago Blower unexpectedly discovered he had lung cancer, and that the cancer had spread to his brain and spine.

Blower told NBC 7 he heard the news this past February after getting an X-ray that revealed a small mass in his chest. Right away, he could tell this was serious.

“My doctor didn’t have a nice smiley face like he usually does. He was pretty grim,” recalled Blower.

He’s never smoked a day in his life, but suddenly Blower had lung cancer.

He told his family, friends and co-workers.

To keep them updated – and keep himself positive – Blower decided to start an online blog to let everyone know how he was doing, in case they were afraid to ask.

The blog, much like his personality, is filled with humor, as well as personal photographs, musings and information about the things he’s experiencing with cancer.

For instance, one post is titled “To Benign or Not to Benign: No Longer the Question,” while another is titled “Can a Mole Get a Sunburn?”

Blower says the blog is a way for him to put into words what he’s going through from week to week. He got the idea to blog from local TV personality Loren Nancarrow, who began writing about his own struggles with cancer after he was diagnosed in January.

“I’m not trying to be Mr. Inspirational, but people have told that’s how the blog comes across,” said Blower. “I infuse it with a lot of humor because that’s just who I am.”

He says he’s very fortunate to have a genetic marker allowing him to take a pill that seems to be holding the cancer back.

He's feeling better, playing golf and softball, and is still doing his job at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.

“Physically I've been fine to be able to go to work on a full-time basis and I plan to do this as long as possible,” said Blower.

As for a prognosis and how long he may have to live or how many people with his condition die, Blower says he’s simply not interested in seeing those numbers.

Instead, he chooses to live his life to the fullest every day.

“I have two options: focus on the positive or the negative. The negative doesn’t do me or anybody else any good, so I’d rather stay on the positive side as much as possible and hope that’s forever,” said Blower.

To read about Blower’s experience, visit his blog here.
 



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

Mother Hosts MADD Fundraiser for Alpine Crash Victim

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A community fundraiser was held in Alpine on Sunday in honor of a UCSD student who was killed in a crash on Interstate 8 last summer, just days before her college graduation.

Angela August, 25, was killed on Interstate 8 in June 2012. For unknown reasons, August’s vehicle had rolled over and become disabled on the highway.

Shortly after that, El Cajon resident Sunny Hall crashed her car into August’s vehicle, killing August and El Centro teacher Jimmy Arrevalo, 59, who had pulled over on the side of highway to help August get out of her disabled vehicle.

Investigators suspected Hall was driving under the influence of alcohol when she came upon the site of the rollover and fatally slammed into August and Arrevalo. Hall would later plead not guilty to the charges filed against her in the deadly suspected DUI crash.

On Sunday, more than 10 months after the collision, dozens of people gathered at the Alpine Woman’s Club on Alpine Boulevard to remember August and raise money for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

August’s mother, Dawn August, planned and attended Sunday’s fundraiser.

Dawn told NBC 7 she had been organizing the community event for months in her daughter’s honor.

“I wanted to do something positive after what happened to our family, and the loss of my daughter,” she said. “Losing her was devastating. I don't want her death to be in vain.”

Dawn says her family wanted to raise money for MADD because the organization has been endlessly supporting them since her daughter's death.

Every time she attends a court hearing for Hall, someone from MADD is in the courtroom, right by Dawn’s side. She says the organization has truly been there for her through the toughest time of her life.

“We don’t wish this on any parent. Nobody wants to bury one of their children. It’s hard – every day it’s hard,” she said. “Now we just want to take something horrible and make it into something good.”

Dawn said she's been overcome by the ongoing, genuine support from the San Diego community for her family over the past 10 months.

“It’s touching. The community, friends, family; it’s heartfelt,” she added. “I’m amazed there are so many people here for Angela [at today's fundraiser]. It’s uplifting. The whole thing has been uplifting.”

Dawn says her daughter would've been celebrating her 26th birthday this month.

For those who may have missed Sunday's fundraiser, donations are still being accepted in August’s memory for MADD's through the San Diego branch. Donations can be made out MADD and sent to the following address:

10731 Treena Street, Suite #100
San Diego, CA, 92131



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

Space Mountain Closed as Disneyland Reviews Employee Safety

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Two rides at Disneyland, including the popular Space Mountain roller coaster, are temporarily closed as the company faces more than $200,000 in fines related to employee safety.

Disneyland Resorts received citations Friday from the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) related to an incident in November when a contracted worker was injured while performing maintenance on Space Mountain.

The closures Saturday of Space Mountain, the Matterhorn Bobsleds and Soarin' Over California were voluntary and made out of an abundance of caution, said Suzi Brown, spokeswoman for Disneyland Resorts.

Documents: Read Cal/OSHA's Citation Notice to Disneyland

"We constantly strive to maintain a safe work environment for our cast members and contractors — and we are reviewing certain protocols," Brown said in a statement given to NBC4.

The Matterhorn reopened Sunday. Brown said it is unclear how long the other two rides will remain closed.

The park has until April 22 to fix what Cal/OSHA deemed to be unsafe ladders used to reach exterior platforms on Space Mountain, and to install guard rails and fall protection for employees scaling ride to perform maintenance, such as changing light bulbs.

A contracted worker suffered serious injuries when he fell down the exterior of the ride on Nov. 21, 2012. State regulators said the anchor holding ropes to the man’s harness failed, a violation cited in the documents.

Six citations against the iconic Anaheim theme park total $234,850 in penalties, and are due by May 3 unless the resort contests the citations, according to Cal/OSHA documents.

Two of the citations related to annual inspections of portable fire extinguishers – one of which was last checked in November 2006 – have been corrected, the documents show.

Brown said the resort is working with state regulators to review the citations.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.



Photo Credit: Matthew Simmons/Getty Images

Suspected Drunken Pedestrian Hit by Train

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A 23-year-old pedestrian suspected of being under the influence of alcohol was struck by a train in Carlsbad overnight, officials confirmed.

According to the sheriff’s department, the intoxicated man was hit by a southbound train at around 12:05 a.m. near Carlsbad Village Drive.

Investigators say the man ignored the flashing crossing lights and crossing arms near the train tracks and attempted to cross as a train was traveling towards him.

When deputies from the San Diego Sheriff’s Rail Enforcement Unit arrived, they found the impact from the train had thrown the man about 20 feet away from the track, but he had survived the collision.

He sustained scrapes and bruises and was taken to Scripps La Jolla Hospital.

There were some passengers on the train at the time of the collision. No one else was injured.
 



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Quentin's 8-Game Suspension Effective Immediately

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Padres outfielder Carlos Quentin dropped the appeal of this 8-game suspension on Sunday. He'll begin serving it immediately.

Quentin was given the suspension by the MLB on Friday, one day after charging the mound against the Dodgers and breaking Zack Greinke's collarbone in an all-out, on-field baseball brawl.

San Diego starts a 3-game series in Los Angeles on Monday.

Several Dodgers players have hinted it would be in Quentin's best interest to not be in the lineup, a not-so-veiled threat of retaliation.

On Friday Quentin said he'd like to be with his teammates on the field because they were there for him.

The Padres recalled OF Kyle Blanks from AAA Tucson and optioned RHP Thad Weber back to Tucson.

After the 3-game series in LA, the Padres will take one day off and then head to San Francisco for a 3-game series against the Giants. This means Quentin will miss seven consecutive games in the division.
 



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Cops Probe Panhandler Firebomb Retaliation Motive

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Detectives are investigating whether a homeless man who had been panhandling outside a Long Beach 7-Eleven retaliated against a man who declined to give him money by firebombing his SUV, police said on Sunday.

The attack, caught on cellphone video, occurred Friday as a man in an SUV was parked outside the convenience store near Pacific Coast Highway and Clark Avenue in Long Beach, police said. Horrified witnesses used water bottles to try to douse the victim who was in flames as he staggered out of his burning vehicle.

The unidentified victim was in critical condition. Police are withholding his name because he is the victim of a violent crime.

Police arrested Raymond Sean Clark in connection with the attack. He was being held on an attempted murder charge and misdemeanor warrants at the Los Angeles County Jail. Police this week expect to file their case with prosecutors who will decide whether to charge Clark.

Detectives don't believe the two men know each other and they are trying to figure out what led up to the firebombing.

"At this point we do not know what occurred before the crime, so we cannot say if the suspect asked for money," said Long Beach Sgt. Aaron Eaton, a department spokesman. "The victim has been unable to speak to us. So we are not sure what he has to say.

A business owner said she has seen the man police say is the suspect hanging around in the area and has reported him to police for loitering.

A store customer told NBC4 that he had been approached by the suspect for money before his own car was engulfed in flames while he was inside getting coffee.

SDPD Officer Involved in Fiery Crash

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An on-duty San Diego Police Department officer was involved in a fiery crash early Sunday morning in San Diego's Nestor community.

According multiple emergency agencies, the crash happened around 5:20 a.m. on southbound Interstate 5 near Palm Avenue.

A SDFD dispatcher was unable to confirm how many cars were involved in the accident or which vehicle caught fire. However, video obtained from the scene shows a smashed, scorched police cruiser and grey vehicle near one another.

According to scene video, it appears that at least two vehicles were involved in the fiery collision. A TSA officer was also injured in the crash, possibly driving the second vehicle involved in the accident.

SDPD Officer Dan Lasher confirmed that the policeman was able to escape the flames and get out of his cruiser safely.

"He was conscious and talking at the scene, but they were talking about a possible head injury, so he was taken to a local hospital to be checked out," Lasher said.

Another unknown patient was transported from the scene with possible life-threatening injuries, according to the San Diego Fire Department. Further details have not yet been released.

Witness Vanessa Madrigal and her family live near the site of the crash. Madrigal says she called 911 to report the collision after she was woken from her sleep by the loud sounds of the crash.

Madrigal says she was shocked to see the police car on fire, as well as another vehicle in bad shape. She ran out of her home and closer to the crash scene so she could give dispatchers more information about the accident.

California Highway Patrol is investigating to determine what caused the accident.

The names of the SDPD officer or additional victim involved in the crash have not been released.

Check back for updates for this developing story.



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

Shooting Standoff Ends; Officer OK

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A man accused of shooting and killing his pregnant former girlfriend before shooting a Dallas police officer during a chase Monday afternoon is now in police custody.

Dallas police said Tyrone Christopher Allen is charged with capital murder and aggravated assault on a police officer.

Allen is suspected in the fatal shooting of Breshuana Jackson. Jackson, 28, a mother of six children between the ages of 2 and 10, was killed along with her unborn child Monday morning in a shooting on the 12300 block of Hoblitzelle Drive.

According to police, Jackson was shot at about 10:15 a.m. She screamed out the name of her attacker, a witness said. The witness saw the gunman drive away from the residence and was able to provide police with a description of the getaway vehicle.

After the shooting, nearby Hamilton Park Pacesetter Magnet Elementary School was locked down as a precaution.

At about 11:53 a.m., police spotted a vehicle matching the witnesses' description. Officers tried to make a stop, but Allen refused and led police up and down Central Expressway.

Allen then pulled into the same Hamilton Park neighborhood where Jackson was shot earlier in the morning. As the driver sped through the neighborhood trying to elude police, he began taking shots at police officers, striking Officer Daniel Malouf once in the lower abdomen.

Malouf, who was wearing a bulletproof vest, was transported to Medical City Dallas. He was released and was recovering at home, Police Chief David Brown said Monday night.

Malouf has been with the department for five years and served in in the Army in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan, police said.

Chopper 5 captured video of Allen stopping at one home and then people outside the running for cover as if they were being fired upon. The driver then again sped off down the road.

With his getaway car showing signs of damage, Allen then crashed, got out of the car and took off on foot. He then entered a house on Galva Drive, where he remained holed up until the standoff was brought to a close shortly before 4:30 p.m.

Allen was taken into custody without incident, police said.

During the standoff, SWAT was called to the scene and nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution.

The standoff was located about a block from the elementary school.  The school, which had been on lock down since 10:45 a.m., dismissed on time Monday -- more on that can be read here.

NBC 5''s Eric King and Omar Villafranca contributed to this story.



Photo Credit: NBC 5

CHP Reveals Cause of I-5 Police Car Crash

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Investigators have released new information on Sunday's fiery crash involving a San Diego police patrol car.

According to California Highway Patrol investigators, the crash occurred after a police officer traveling south on Interstate 5 near Palm Avenue drifted onto the right shoulder and struck a sign.

The on-duty officer then turned to the left, hitting a gray Dodge Challenger according to the CHP.

The force of the impact pushed both cars into the center divide.

The patrol car burst into flames. Both drivers were able to get out of their vehicles and were treated for minor injuries officials said. 

The names of the SDPD officer or additional victim involved in the crash have not been released. SDPD Officer Dan Lasher gave some details about the officer's condition to NBC 7 San Diego Sunday.

"He was conscious and talking at the scene, but they were talking about a possible head injury, so he was taken to a local hospital to be checked out," Lasher said.

CHP investigators said it's not known why the patrol car drifted onto the right shoulder.



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

Investigators Silent on Texas DA Murder Investigations

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County investigators will not confirm what a relative of former Texas judge Eric Williams told NBC 5 DFW over the weekend — that Williams is the FBI's prime suspect in the fatal shooting of a district attorney and his wife and that he could be charged with murder as early as Tuesday.

Williams, who is in custody after being arrested over the weekend and charged with making a terroristic threat, refused NBC 5 DFW's request to talk to him in jail on Monday.

After several searches this weekend, it appears Kaufman County investigators have turned their focus to Williams. Agents gathered evidence from Williams' Kaufman home as well as the home of his in-laws.

On Saturday night, agents searched a storage facility in Seagoville and towed away a white Crown Victoria. So far, investigators haven't revealed any connection between Williams and the storage unit or car.

The sheriff's department has not named any suspects in the murders of Mike McLelland and his wife, Cynthia, who were both found shot to death in their Forney home March 30. That came two months after one of McLelland's prosecutors, Mark Hasse, was gunned down near the Kaufman courthouse.

Both McLelland and Hasse had led the charge to convict Williams of stealing three computer monitors from the county last year. Williams lost his job. Both prosecutors criticized Williams' character.

Sheriff David Byrnes and the department remain tight-lipped about Williams arrest, claiming the case is under investigation. A spokesperson said more information should come out in arrest records, expected to be filed with the court on Monday.

NBC 5 DFW's Ray Villeda contributed to this report.


Barriers to Be Added to I-805

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Changes are coming for those commuters who use Interstate 805 between State Route 52 and La Jolla Village Drive.

You can expect to see construction crews installing concrete barriers along the media in both directions this week.

The barriers will be in place for two years while crews work to add express lanes to the busy section of I-805.

“Initially it’s going to be just one HOV lane from SR 52 to Mira Mesa Boulevard,” said Caltrans I-805 Corridor Director Gustavo Dallarda. “Ultimately we will be adding an additional two lanes for a total of four.”

The express lanes will be free for carpoolers or van poolers but Caltrans plans to add a toll option similar to what exists currently on I-15 in the North County.

This is the first phase of the $587 million I-805 North Express Lanes Project.

The carpool lanes are scheduled to open in winter 2015.

During construction, commuters may experience temporary lane closures, reduced shoulder and lane widths, and equipment along the freeway median according to Caltrans.

Keep up to date on the project here.
 

Dramatic Photos: Boston Marathon Blasts

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Bombs blew up seconds apart at the finish line of the Boston Marathon leaving the streets spattered with blood and glass, three dead and more than 140 wounded. Here a Boston police officer stands guard after the blast. Click to see dramatic photos from the scene and aftermath.

Feds Call on CA to Strengthen Refinery Oversight

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Federal investigators on Monday called on California to strengthen oversight of refineries after a probe into the cause of an intense fire at Chevron Corp.'s Richmond refinery found numerous company and regulatory lapses that, if reversed, could have averted the accident.

The U.S. Chemical Safety Board released an interim investigative report of the Aug. 6 refinery fire, which was caused by a corroded pipe that failed and released massive vapor cloud that engulfed 19 employees. While it was a close call, none were seriously injured.

Still, the resulting black plume of smoke drifted over nearby neighborhoods and sent 15,000 residents into hospitals seeking treatment for breathing problems and eye irritation, 20 of whom were admitted for treatment, the CSB said.

Raw Video: Chevron Refinery Erupts in Fire

The board's investigation found that Chevron's own technical staff made at least six recommendations since 2002 to increase inspections or upgrade equipment in the crude unit containing the 1970s-era pipe that eventually failed.

Still, as Chevron's own investigation of the incident found, the company neglected its own internal recommendations and failed to replace the pipe.

 ``Chevron failed to replace critical sections of piping at the crude oil unit over a 10-year period,'' Rafael Moure-Eraso, chairman of the chemical board, said. ``The company was aware of sulfur corrosion ... and risk of catastrophic failure.''

Company spokeswoman Melissa Ritchie did not return a request for comment, but the company has said it is now inspecting the entire unit for corrosion and putting in place new safety standards that it hoped would prevent future accidents.

The CSB's report says Chevron and the entire industry knew that the increased use of crude oils with higher sulfur content would cause higher rates of corrosion in their old pipes.
 
But neither state nor federal regulations required the company to replace the old pipes with more sulfur-resistant materials.

California and federal governments should create new regulations that require companies to use the ``safest feasible technologies and materials,'' the investigators said. 
 
``Make no mistake: the ultimate issue here is not corrosion but how to make effective corporate decisions, and regulators need effective tools and resources to encourage companies to make the right choices,'' Moure-Eraso said. He said the state's moves could help strengthen refinery safety nationwide.

The board is also recommended that the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, or Cal/OSHA, hire more technical staff who can help the agency do a better job at refineries.

Some state lawmakers have supported the CSB's call for more intense regulation.

``While Chevron is ultimately responsible for the safety of its workers and the surrounding community, the Chemical Safety Board correctly points out that our existing regulations were not adequate to ensure safe operations,'' Assemblymember Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, said in a statement.
 
``We need to ensure that OSHA has adequate funding and staffing, as well as to enact more precise safeguards so that California's chemical and refinery facilities are not a disaster waiting to happen.'' 



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Online Tools to Connect with Loved Ones at Marathon

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It was difficult to impossible to use mobile phones to check on loved ones in the wake of two explosions that rocked the Boston Marathon Monday afternoon.

Cell phone companies indicated that customers in the Boston area may have been having trouble connecting due to congestion. Earlier, The Associated Press reported that a law enforcement official, citing an intelligence briefing, said that cell phone service had been shut down in parts of Boston to prevent the chance of a remote detonation of another device. But the AP later added that officials with Verizon, Sprint and Nextel said no such requests had been made.

For those who are having trouble connecting by phone with loved ones who may have been near the scene, at least two online tools are available as alternatives.

Google launched a People Finder application where users could list that they are looking for someone or that they have information about someone.

The Red Cross maintains a "Safe and Well" listing for any disaster, natural or man-made.

Those with phone service trying to locate anyone who was at or near the marathon route can call the Boston mayor hotline at 617-635-4500. Those with any tips are being asked to call 1-800-494-TIPS.




Photo Credit: Getty Images

Man: Border Agents Beat Me for No Reason

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A U.S. citizen describes a violent confrontation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the San Ysidro Port of Entry that he says makes him fearful of returning to Mexico.

Francisco Gonzalez, 35, was born in Tijuana and became an American citizen in 1999.

When he appeared in front of the media Monday, Gonzalez had stitches over his left eye and on his chin. He wore a bandage on his right hand.

“I don’t want this to happen to my son, my brother,” he said with his voice quivering. “I want justice.”

Gonzalez described being confronted by a CBP agent Saturday in front of approximately 200 people in the pedestrian area of the POE.

He claims he was taking the pedestrian crossing into the U.S. just before 9 a.m. when he tried to change pedestrian lanes and was approached by border patrol.

The details about the exchange were somewhat unclear but Gonzalez said he didn’t feel he was doing anything wrong and could choose which lane to use.

He alleges the agent grabbed him by the arm and when he told the agent to let go, he was beaten and knocked unconscious.

“That’s what happens when you don’t listen to a Border Patroler whenever they think, you have to do whatever they said,” he said. “I didn’t do nothing bad, I’m not a criminal.”

He said he remembers being thrown to the ground by somebody and regaining consciousness in the ambulance.

“Because they have a badge, they think they’re smarter than you,” he said of the personnel at the border crossing. “They think they can kick your butt.”

“I don’t think they have the training enough to deal with so much people,” he added.

Members of the community group Alliance San Diego said there was video of the incident but they said there has been no apology from the CBP leadership.

The incident adds to nearly a dozen others that the immigrant rights advocates say should be considered while the debate over immigration reform continues.

They also asked members of the public to share any information, photos or video they may have of the confrontation.

As for Gonzales, he received eight stitches and suffered a broken finger. He was released from the hospital Sunday but said he will not be eager to visit friends and family in Mexico any time soon.

“I’m thinking twice before I go to Tijuana again,” he said. “I’m scared now.”

He said he does not plan to seek legal action against CBP.

The agency released a statement that says, "As U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials, it is our pledge to treat all travelers with courtesy, dignity, and respect."

That said, the number of complaints filed represents an extremely small number compared to the overall volume of inspections conducted daily at the San Ysidro POE.

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