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Spring Snow in Northeast Expected

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After a comfortable St. Patrick's Day with some spotty showers, tri-state residents should expect a colder weekend with some possible showers and even snow, Storm Team 4 says. 

Friday will start partly sunny and a few pop-up showers are possible as cooler air from the northwest dives down. It will be a cooler and breezy day with highs only in the 50s.

The weekend will begin on a bright and brisk note, but Storm Team 4 is keeping a close watch on a potential coastal storm that could bring snow. 

The two major models are both showing snow falling by Sunday afternoon, but that's where the similaries end:

The American model shows a track that is more offshore, by hundreds of miles, which has a few consequences: not as much precipitation, a faster storm track arriving Sunday morning and less wind and storm surge. 

The European model shows a track right along the coast, with the rain/snow line right along the I-95 corridor. This would mean a mix of rain and wet snowflakes for the city, heavy precipitation at times and minimal accumulation on Long Island. 

The closer storm track would also lead to a stronger onshore flow, which could cause beach erosion Sunday night.

The exact track of this storm remains uncertain at this time, so follow Storm Team 4 on air and online with the latest updates and information regarding the storm.

After the storm exits Monday morning, temperatures will quickly moderate. It'll be near 50 on Tuesday, then into the 60s on Wednesday. 

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Photo Credit: Getty Images
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More Free Chipotle Burritos

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Chipotle is still fighting to get its customers back.

The burrito chain, which announced earlier this week its first-ever quarterly loss, is trying to make a comeback from the E.Coli outbreak that occurred last fall. Although the virus only hit a few dozen stores, the result of lost customers hit nationwide.

To aid its revival, Chipotle tested out in February a free burrito promotional strategy. Turns out people like anything labeled free, so the company has decided to extend the promotion.

Chipotle announced Wednesday its second effort to bring customers back with a plan to send out 21 million direct-mail free burritos vouchers, according to Eater. The coupon for free food will be good until May 15 and consumers should receive them in the next coming weeks.

“Free burritos – turns out it works. It brings people into the restaurants,” Chipotle CFO Jack Hartung in an industry conference Wednesday, according to the report.

In the first promotional try in February, about 5.3 million people reportedly downloaded the coupons and around 2.5 million redeemed them. Although sales still declined, the number of sales and transactions were up in relation to January.

The purpose of the promotion is more focused on getting customers back into the outlets and into the routine of eating at Chipotle, rather than increasing revenue, officials said.

If the first two promotional attempts do not work as well as planned, Chipotle will still continue with the strategy to see the return of customers, the company said.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

SeaWorld to End Orca Breeding

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SeaWorld announced Thursday it will end orca breeding at all three parks and said killer whales currently in the company's care will be the last generation of orcas at SeaWorld.

The changes will start in the San Diego park in 2017, followed by San Antonio and Orlando in 2019.

In a news release, SeaWorld announced that all orcas currently in captivity — including Tilikum, whose life was chronicled in the controversial documentary "Blackfish" — will live out their lives at the company's park habitats.

The animals will receive care based on the latest advances in marine veterinary medicine, science and zoological best practices, SeaWorld said Thursday.

SeaWorld San Diego's president as well as California lawmakers held a news conference Thursday to address the reasons for the shift.

Saying it was "not an easy decision," President John Reilly said the change was made in response to a growing concern of whales in captivity.

"This is about doing the best thing for our whales, our guests, our employees and SeaWorld," he said. "We love our whales."

Reilly also said the park has launched a partnership with the Humane Society of the United States in sea life conservation efforts.

"We are working toward new ways to deliver on our purpose," Reilly said.

The park's decision was met with praise.

"Today's announcement by SeaWorld that they will end their captive breeding program for orcas is a huge step in the right direction," said South Florida Veterinarian Dr. Ian Kupkee.

Visitors will still be able to see the orcas through new educational encounters and in viewing areas within their existing habitats.

SeaWorld officials said they haven't collected an orca from the wild in nearly 40 years, and that the orcas at SeaWorld were all either born there or have spent almost their entire lives there being cared for by humans.

They said the orcas wouldn't survive in the wild.

"Orcas are highly intelligent, socially complex creatures that swim between 75-100 miles per day in the wild. The family units with which they spend their entire lives, are arguably more functional than those of humans. Such conditions could never be replicated in captivity," Kupkee said.

"SeaWorld has introduced more than 400 million guests to orcas, and we are proud of our part in contributing to the human understanding of these animals," said SeaWorld CEO Joel Manby in a statement. "As society’s understanding of orcas continues to change, SeaWorld is changing with it. By making this the last generation of orcas in our care and reimagining how guests will encounter these beautiful animals, we are fulfilling our mission of providing visitors to our parks with experiences that matter."

"Public opinion has been loud and clear on this issue for several years. Theme park attendees have been voting with their feet. Investors have been voting with their wallets," Kupkee said. "SeaWorld CEO Joel Manby stated 'Society is changing.' Thank you, Mr. Manby for hearing us, and for taking this bold step towards creating a better future for this species."

The park is also pledging $50 million over the next five years to advocate for the end of commercial killing of whales and seals and to end shark finning.

Tilikum has been at SeaWorld Orlando for 23 years and has been used many times for the park's breeding program.

In 2010, he grabbed trainer Dawn Brancheau after a "Dine with Shamu" show and pulled her into a pool, killing her. He was also involved in the deaths of two others.

Officials announced last Monday that Tilikum is very sick from a bacterial infection that may eventually kill him.

Stay with NBC 6 for updates.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Fire Destroys Detached Home in Carlsbad

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Fire destroyed a granny flat and garage located on the property of a vacant home in Carlsbad Thursday.

The fire started at 1:20 a.m. along Chinquapin Avenue west of Interstate 5.

One man who lives next door to the home told NBC 7 the flames got a little too close to his home.

"I thought my house was next," Robert Freeman said. "We have some stuff on the side of the yard so we just cleared that all away so there wouldn't be any fuel." 

He said flames were just one bush away from spreading onto his property.

Fire crews extinguished the fire fast enough to avoid any other property damage.

Fire investigators say they found where the fire started but have not determined a cause or who started the fire.

The home was vacant and was set to be developed so there was no electrical or power at the home that could have started the fire.

Neighbors say a group of homeless people come and go from the home regularly and have actually started smaller fires here before.

Shannon Aganza said news of the fire was devastating but not surprising.

"We've seen little fires and we've called the police. We've been working with the city to try and have the situation remedied," Aganza said. 

Fire officials have turned over the investigation to Carlsbad Police. 

Mira Mesa Kohl's Store Among 18 Set to Close Nationwide

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The Mira Mesa Kohl’s store is one of 18 nationwide and nine in just California that the company plans to close in June.

The retailer’s local at 8140 Mira Mesa Blvd. will be closed by June 19, the company said.

Kohl’s Corp. announced last month that it was closing 18 brick-and-mortar stores across the country. CEO Kevin Mansell said the stores to be closed account for less than 1 percent of the company's sales.

In total, nine stores will close in California, and eight other stores in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, New Jersey and Wisconsin will also close.

The closures are a shift away from the retailer’s aggressive expansion of stores in recent years across the country.

“While the decision to close stores is a difficult one, we evaluated all of the elements that contribute to making a store successful, and we were thoughtful and strategic in our approach. We are committed to leveraging our resources on our more productive assets,” Mansell said in a statement.

Kohl’s will also make its first entry into the outlet space in the coming year, with plans to open 12 FILA outlet stores.

The Wisconsin-based retail chain reported fiscal fourth-quarter earnings of $296 million Thursday on net income of $1.58 per share. The results exceeded Wall Street expectations. The department store operator posted revenue of $6.4 billion for the quarter.
 

Crash Kills Toddler and Father: CHP

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A man and and his toddler son died Thursday after a traffic collision near Escondido, California Highway Patrol officers confirmed.

A 2006 SAAB 97X SUV crashed at 8:50 a.m. while traveling westbound on Bear Valley Parkway near San Pasqual Valley Road. 

CHP investigators say it appears the car lost control and slammed into a tree. One witness said the driver did not apply the brakes when veering to the right.

The driver, identified by CHP as 37-year-old Arthur Walker of Escondido, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of a car directly behind the SUV tried to move the driver but when he couldn't, he switched his efforts to rescuing a two-year-old boy strapped in a car seat, according to CHP officials.

Once the child was away from the SUV, the vehicle burst into flames, officials said.

The toddler died en route to Palomar Medical Center.

“Our hearts certainly go out to the family and the good Samaritan who was on scene who had to witness something that they did not think they would witness,” said CHP Officer Jim Bettencourt. 

A GoFundMe page has been started to help the family.



Photo Credit: Artie Ojeda, NBC 7

'UberPassport' Service Offers Rides from San Diego to Tijuana

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Uber unveiled a new feature of its popular ride service in San Diego Thursday: the company will offer one-way rides across the U.S.-Mexico border, from San Diego to Tijuana.

The service is called UberPASSPORT and promises to make that trip to Mexico “hassle-free.”

The company says it chose to launch the service in San Diego due to the city’s proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border and the frequent use of the border crossing.

The service officially launches on Friday, March 18.

While the Passport service is not round-trip and doesn't offer direct rides from Tijuana back into San Diego, those visiting Tijuana can use Uber to get a ride to the international border, where they can walk across the pedestrian lane and back into the United States.

Uber’s Head of Global Operations, San Diego native Ryan Graves, talked about the product launch Thursday in San Diego at a waterfront press conference. He was joined by Christopher Ballard, general manager for Uber Southern California, as well as San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer and representatives from the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce.

"This is the first time an Uber trip will cross an international border," Graves said. "That's an amazing thing to experience."

"At Uber we celebrate cities," Graves added. "Today, we have the opportunity to bring two amazing cities together in San Diego and Tijuana together, even closer."

“UberPassport is a new way to facilitate cross-border opportunities by providing reliable and accessible transportation from San Diego to Tijuana,” Ballard said. “Heading to Baja has never been more attainable.”

Ballard noted that since Uber launched in San Diego four years ago, there are now 450,000 riders using the service across San Diego County, and 12,000 driver partners locally.

The company says Passport works via the Uber app. Customers can open the Uber app, select Passport within the vehicle menu and tap to request the ride. Riders must bring all required documentation to cross the border, including a U.S. passport.

UberPASSPORT vehicles seat up to four passengers. The company says the base fare is $4, plus $0.30 per minute and $2.35 per mile. There is an additional $20 border crossing fee for passengers.

That means a trip from North Park to central Tijuana runs about $90, while a trip from downtown San Diego to the TIJ Airport runs about $100. A ride from Pacific Beach to Rosarito would ring in at around $160.

To avoid a language barrier, riders can request to be paired up with an English-speaking driver within Tijuana via the company’s UberENGLISH feature.

Passport service is one-way only, so the return trip from Tijuana to San Diego is not included. Asked why the service doesn't return to San Diego, an Uber representative noted that this is a pilot launch and that the company hopes to develop the product further to perhaps include a round-trip option in the future. 

Instead, to return to the U.S., riders can request an Uber to the international border via the company’s local service in Tijuana. Riders can request a ride from their location in Tijuana, and then enter “TJ Border Pickup” as the drop-off destination in their request.

The Uber will drop the rider off at the San Ysidro International Border Crossing. From there, travelers can use the pedestrian lane to cross back into the U.S. on foot. Once on the U.S. side, riders can request an Uber in San Diego to travel to their final destination, the company says.

There are obvious “logistical challenges” in crossing to San Diego from Mexico that don't present themselves when going southbound, according to spokeswoman Tatiana Winograd.

Uber said Passport riders should remember that certain items can’t be brought into Mexico, including alcohol, drugs, firearms, fireworks, fish and wildlife, prepared food products, meat, fruits and vegetables, gold and plants. There are also some restrictions on the value of purchased goods that passengers are allowed to bring into Mexico, as seen in this Customs Declarations form.

The company plans to make further announcements on its Passport service on social media via its Twitter accounts @uber_SD and @uber_tijuana.

Faulconer said San Diego is excited to be the first-ever “cross-border Uber city.”

“I think the launch of this new option is going to pay tremendous dividends to San Diegans and for our families and for our economy," he said. "This highlights the best of what San Diego has to offer by using one the world’s most innovative apps to bridge countries, businesses and families in a way that has never been done before."

Graves says Uber operates in nearly 400 cities and 70 countries worldwide.



Photo Credit: File – Getty Images

Chicken of the Sea Tuna Recalled

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Tri-Union Seafoods is recalling 107,280 cans of its Chicken of the Sea tuna over concerns that the fish may be spoiled.

The company is recalling 2,745 cases in total. 

There are concerns that the tuna may be undercooked due to an equipment malfunction that was uncovered during an inspection.

Undercooked tuna can lead to spoilage, which could cause life-threatening illness if the product is consumed, the company said. The recall is voluntary and there have been no reported illnesses in connection with the affected tuna cans, according to the company.

The specific product being recalled is Chicken of the Sea’s 5oz cans of Chunk Light Tuna in Oil and 5oz cans of Chunk Light Tuna in Water.

The cans of tuna in oil have a UPC code of 0 4800000195 5 and were sold between Feb. 10 and March 16 of this year.

The cans of tuna in water have a UPC code of 0 4800000245 7 and were sold between Feb. 18 and March 16 of this year.

For a full list of best by dates and lot codes associated with the recalled cans of tuna, visit this FDA.gov page. Consumers can return the product to the store where they purchased it for a full refund or contact: 866-600-2681.

Earlier this week, Bumble Bee Foods recalled some of its canned tuna over possible contamination that could lead to life-threatening illness.


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Man Killed in Belgium Terror Raid Matches ISIS File

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The name and other personal details of an Algerian man killed during a police raid in Belgium this week match those of an ISIS fighter who wanted to be suicide attacker, according to documents obtained by NBC News.

Mohamed Belkaid, 35, died during a shootout with French and Belgian police at an apartment in Brussels, prosecutors said.

The raid targeted people suspected of helping those responsible for the Nov. 13 Paris terror attacks. 

Belkaid's name and other details match those on a 2014 recruitment form obtained by NBC News from a Syrian man who claims to have stolen them from ISIS. Meanwhile, Belgian prosecutors said they had found the fingerprints of fugitive Paris attacker Salah Abdelsam at the scene of the raid.



Photo Credit: AFP/Getty Images

2 Dead in Fiery Tampa Plane Crash

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Two people are dead after a twin-engine Cessna burst into flames and crashed at an airport near downtown Tampa Friday morning, officials said.

Fire crews found the victims among the charred wreckage, according to Tampa Fire Rescue. The victims' genders and ages are unknown.

Fire officials said crews rushed to Peter O. Knight Airport just after 11:30 a.m. Friday after receiving the report of an aircraft burning on the ground. Footage from the scene captured by NBC affiliate WFLA in Tampa shows smoke and flames pouring from the downed plane.

Airport officials would not comment during when asked during a news conference Friday if more than one plane may have been involved. They did say, however, the wreckage is from only one aircraft.

Tampa International Airport also confirmed news of the crash on Twitter, saying Peter O. Knight Airport was closed. The small airport is located on Davis Islands, located just a few minutes from downtown Tampa.

The FAA and NTSB will investigate the cause of the crash, authorities said.

Keep refreshing this page for the latest updates.



Photo Credit: WFLA
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Springtime Activities in Sunny San Diego

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Fields of flowers, the San Diego Padres and pretty much perfect weather could only mean one thing: it’s springtime in San Diego. Here are some ways to celebrate the season and frolic in America’s Finest City.

Carlsbad Flower Fields
Nothing says spring quite like a visit to the Carlsbad Flower Fields on Paseo Del Norte in San Diego’s North County. Open now through May 8, guests can enjoy the blooms daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $14 for adults, $13 for seniors and $7 for kids three to 10 years old. Children under 2 get in free. Besides a walk along the fields and endless photo opportunities, visitors can enjoy snacks from vendors and shopping at the on-site store and nursery. The Flower Fields also hosts a bunch of events each spring, including a special kid’s day, live music and a Mother’s Day celebration.

Balboa Park Botanical Building
Sure, it’s open year-round, but Balboa Park’s Botanical Building in the spring is truly a spectacular sight. The 100-year-old historic building is one of the largest lath structures in the world, not to mention one of the most photographed spots in Balboa Park. There are more than 2,100 permanent plants inside including cynads, ferns, orchids, palms and other tropical plants. The iconic Lily Pond is also right in front of the Botanical Building, which makes this the perfect springtime stop. It’s free to enter and open Friday through Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bonus: on the third Friday of each month, at 11 a.m., the San Diego Floral Association gives a free tour of the site. Tours leave from the south end of the Lily Pond and are open to the public.

San Diego Padres at Petco Park
Spring means baseball season! Head over to Petco Park in downtown San Diego and catch a Padres game. The Padres Home Opener lands on April 4 this year against the Dodgers. Check out the team’s full schedule here. Most single-game tickets start at $15 per person.

Mission Beach Boardwalk
Take advantage of our gorgeous weather and visit the iconic boardwalk at Mission Beach. The boardwalk is currently undergoing massive renovations to restore the landmark to how it looked when it first debuted in the 1920s. The restoration project should be completed by Memorial Day. For now, some parts of the boardwalk and seawall remain open and construction-free. Soon, however, as spring turns to summer, it'll be ready for strolling. On any given day – especially when the temps are practically perfect – dozens of people can be seen walking, jogging and bicycling along the boardwalk. The exercise is great, but the clear view of the ocean is even better.

Picnic at a Local Lake
Get in touch with nature by having yourself a good old-fashioned picnic at one of our many local lakes. East County spots include Santee Lakes, Lake Murray and Lake Jennings. There’s also Dixon Lake in Escondido, Lake Miramar, Lake Morena and Chollas Lake, to name a few more.

Whale Watching (Yes, even in the spring)
Traditionally a winter activity, whale watching in San Diego has now become a year-round activity. Joe Terzi, president and CEO of the San Diego Tourism Authority, said last year that San Diego should be considered the world's No. 1 destination for whale watching. Around this time in 2015, Flagship Cruises said gray whale sightings were on the rise in San Diego, with more than 200 spotted off our shores over the first few months of the year.
 

What kind of springtime activities do you enjoy as a San Diego resident or visitor? Share in the comments section below.



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

San Diego Explained: Challenges Facing Massive Fish Farm Project

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The Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute is working with a private equity firm to raise 11 million pounds of fish in cages about four and a half miles off of San Diego, California.

It’s the most ambitious aqua-culture project of its kind in the United States.

Project managers of Rose Canyon Fisheries told the San Diego Business Journal that permitting to place submersible cages 4.5 miles west of Mission Beach will take 12 to 18 months to complete.

The vast majority of seafood Americans eat comes from another country. This project, and others like it, could help Americans decrease their reliance on foreign fish and provide local jobs.

But the project is facing criticism.

The San Diego water department is worried about the amount of waste created by millions of fish and how that waste might impact its efforts to monitor water quality near a sewage treatment plant in Point Loma.

The U.S. Navy has said it’s concerned about the fish farm interfering with operations.

There are other problems, too: Hubbs has a much smaller fish breeding operation in Carlsbad and some fish spawned as part of that effort have horns, deformed hearts or are blind.

On this week’s San Diego Explained, Voice of San Diego and NBC 7 San Diego dive into the massive fish farm project and the challenges it’s facing.



Photo Credit: NOAA Fisheries

Domino's New Zealand Debuts Pizza Delivery by Robot

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Domino's New Zealand has introduced the world's first pizza delivery droid. The 3-foot-tall pepperoni purveyor delivers "piping hot meals" and has a "cheeky personality," the company said.

Developed in Australia, the "autonomous delivery vehicle" is half Wall-E, half baby carriage, with a sprinkling of R2-D2, CNBC reported.

Known as DRU (Domino's Robotic Unit), the robot can hold up to 10 pizzas in a heated compartment that each customer unlocks with a unique code.



Photo Credit: Domino's Pizza

Winning Lotto Tickets Sold in San Jose, San Diego

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Someone won the SuperLotto Plus Jackpot of $9 million Wednesday night after buying a ticket at a San Jose gas station, lottery officials said.

The ticket was sold at Valero's Capitol Service Center station at 3939 Snell Ave. The player matched the winning numbers of 15, 19, 37, 22, 46 and the Mega number 10.

Someone also got lucky in San Diego -- but it wasn't quite the same payoff. A ticket sold at the CVS pharmacy in Serra Mesa at 332 Sandrock Road matched five of the numbers and is worth $33,786.

In San Jose, the owner of the gas station will receive $45,000 for selling the winning ticket, lottery officials said.

The winner of the $9 million prize has not come forward yet.

The winner can opt to receive $9 million paid out monthly over 30 years or a one-time payment of $5.9 million paid out immediately, according to lottery officials.

Both prize amounts are before federal taxes are taken out.

Lottery officials encourage the winner to immediately sign the back of their ticket, keep it in a safe place and get to one of nine lottery offices within 180 days from the date of the drawing to claim their prize.

Otherwise, the winnings will help California public schools, lottery officials said.



Photo Credit: NBC Bay Area

Car Plows Through Trump Sign in Viral Video

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While some conservative leaders met privately this week to find a way to stop Donald Trump from securing the GOP nomination, a North Carolina man took matters into his own hands — or wheels, according to a video posted on Facebook. 

The 10-second video posted by 20-year-old Julien Schuessler on Tuesday allegedly shows him driving down a city street, veering off the side of the road and plowing through a Trump campaign sign posted in the grass.

Once the deed is done, the driver maneuvers the vehicle back onto the road, but not without briefly losing control of the camera. 

"I love having a jeep sometimes," the video’s caption reads.

The footage has been shared almost 123,000 times and has accrued more than 5.6 million views.

Unfortunately for Schuessler, the viral video also caught the attention of the Wilmington Police Department. Police tweeted about it Wednesday, saying they were award of the video and "investigating this incident."

Schuessler was charged Wednesday with hit and run, reckless driving and failing to maintain lane control. He was later released on citation, police said on Facebook.

In an email to NBC, Schuessler confirmed he was the driver in the video. 

"It was an impulsive act of kindness," Schuessler said in the email. He said police only gave him a "ticket for reckless driving and a 'fleeing the scene of an accident' charge."



Photo Credit: Facebook/Julien Schuessler
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MTS Announces $108M in Projects

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Big improvements are on their way for San Diego’s transit system in 2017.

Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) announced their plans for a $108 million Capital Improvement Program (CIP) on Friday.

The money will go toward improving San Diego’s transit system to provide better services to riders. The most funded projects include new low-floor trolleys, more compressed natural gas and near-zero emission paratransit buses, a new transit facility and a Courthouse Trolley Station on C Street between State and Union street.

MTS was in the news just over a week ago when San Diego officials called on MTS to change the Compass Card, the current ticketing system for San Diego transit. Such changes are already being discussed and hope to be completed by August of this year, according to Rob Schupp, director of marketing and communications for MTS

One idea being considered is a mobile app that would allows riders to maintain both MTS and North County Transit District (NCTD) tickets in one place, according to Schupp. In addition, the app would help patrons utilize alternative methods of transportation such as bike sharing and Car2Go.

"Recognizing that we need to invest in the next generation fare collection system, last year’s CIP had $6 million set aside, we’re applying for a $10 million Cap and Trade grant, and we’re projecting $10 million in the 2018 and 2019 CIPs, all for fare collection improvements," explained Schupp.

The current CIP began in Oct. 2015 when MTS asked departments to submit project requests. The CIP review committee then determined which projects were most important to financial support at this time.

MTS currently operates 95 bus routes and three trolley lines which are used by more than 300,000 passengers every weekday.

For more information on the project, click here.

General information about San Diego’s MTS can be found here.



Photo Credit: Eric S. Page

Eater SD: La Mesa Scores Arcade Bar & Tap Room

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Eater San Diego shares the top stories of the week from San Diego’s food and drink scene, including word on a new arcade game and beer bar in East County, a preview of THE LOT in Liberty Station and Little Italy's new wine bar and bottle shop.

COIN HAUS Arcade Bar & Tap Room Slots Into La Mesa
Coming this summer to downtown La Mesa is COIN HAUS, a new bar concept from the Cohn Restaurant Group that will open behind BO-beau kitchen + garden. The space, designed with an industrial look and feel, will hold retro arcade games and a shipping container-turned-self-serve beer bar.

THE LOT Luxury Cinema Expands to Liberty Station
Set to premiere this May in Liberty Station is THE LOT, which opened its first location in La Jolla last fall. The luxury movie theater, which offers seat-side food and beverage service in its auditoriums, will screen first-run blockbusters and art house films. It also includes a cafe, restaurant and bar serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Bottlecraft Opens New Wine Bar & Bottleshop in Little Italy
Bottlecraft, which operates beer tasting bars and stores in Little Italy, North Park and soon Liberty Station, branches out into wine with Vino Carta, the newly-launched wine bar on India Street that now offers wine by the glass or half-glass, plus a large retail assortment of boutique wine from all over the globe.

Crab Hut Launches Third Location in Mira Mesa
Popular Louisiana-inspired seafood restaurant Crab Hut, which currently has eateries in Kearny Mesa and Downtown San Diego, opened in Mira Mesa this week. The new outpost features a new modern design, plus a fresh craft cocktail list and an expanded raw bar featuring oysters and more.

Inside Liberty Public Market's New Restaurant, Mess Hall
San Diego's ambitious new food hall, Liberty Public Market, will soft launch next week. Here's a preview of its in-house restaurant, Mess Hall, which will offer a daily changing menu of dishes made with ingredients sourced directly from the market.



Photo Credit: Cohn Restaurant Group
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Pope Francis Set to Join Instagram Saturday

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Pope Francis will launch his Instagram account Saturday under the handle “Franciscus.”

In an interview with Vatican Radio, Monsignor Dario Vigano, prefect of the Secretariat for Communications, explained that the aim of the photo-sharing site account is to "tell the story of this Pontificate through images allowing people who want to follow or know more about the Pope to see and share his gestures of tenderness and mercy."

The pontiff is no stranger to social media. Pope Francis joined Twitter in February 2012 and his profile, @pontifex, has amassed 8.8 million followers. But he does not have a Facebook account.

The Instagram launch comes a month after a meeting between the pontiff and the social media site's CEO, Kevin Systrom, in Rome. In a post after the encounter, Systrom said they discussed “the power of images to unite people across different cultures and languages.”



Photo Credit: AP
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Adam LaRoche: Retirement Decision 'Was Easy'

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Adam LaRoche has spoken out for the first time since announcing his retirement this week, saying he felt it was "necessary to provide my perspective" after days of controversy surrounding the reason why the first baseman left the Chicago White Sox. 

"Though I clearly indicated to both teams the importance of having my son with me, I also made clear that if there was ever a moment when a teammate, coach or manager was made to feel uncomfortable, then I would immediately address it," he said in a statement released on Twitter Friday. "I realize that this is their office and their career, and it would not be fair to the team if anybody in the clubhouse was unhappy with the situation. Fortunately, that problem never developed."

LaRoche continued to say there were no problems with him or his son during the 2015 season but contradicted statements made by White Sox VP Kenny Williams on the current season.

"With all of this in mind, we move toward the current situation which arose after White Sox VP Ken Williams recently advised me to significantly scale back the time that my son spent in the clubhouse. Later, I was told not to bring him to the ballpark at all," LaRoche said. "Obviously, I expressed my displeasure toward this decision to alter the agreement we had reached before I signed with the White Sox. Upon doing so, I had to make a decision. Do I choose my teammates and my career? Or do I choose my family? The decision was easy, but in no way was it a reflection of how I feel about my teammates, manager, general manager or the club’s owner Jerry Reinsdorf."

The controversy began earlier this week when LaRoche announced that he intended to retire for personal reasons. Over the intervening days, it was revealed that the reason for LaRoche’s decision was that the team, specifically Williams, had asked him to dial back the amount of time the first baseman’s 14-year-old son Drake spent in the clubhouse during the season.

"[Drake is] very welcome just as all our players kids are and always have been, really," Williams told NBC Chicago's Peggy Kusinski Wednesday. "I mean our policy is not changing. The thing I asked for in this particular situation was for it to be not an everyday thing and to dial it back."

Players reportedly were furious with the team’s decision and the process behind it, and star pitcher Chris Sale later went on an expletive-laden tirade against Williams in a closed-door meeting at the clubhouse.

“This isn’t us rebelling against rules," he told reporters in a scathing session Friday. "It’s us rebelling against BS. Plain and simple.”

Sale, standing in front of his locker that contained jerseys for both LaRoche and his son Drake, blasted Williams for his handling of the situation and alleged the players were lied to.

“While we appreciate everyone’s attention and interest, we continue to feel that it would be premature to comment at this time," Reinsdorf said in a statement. "This is an internal issue, and we are in the process of holding a number of discussions with players, staff and the front office. As a result, we do not want to comment until that process is completed. I have instructed members of the organization not to talk about this issue and get our focus back on the field and winning baseball games.”

Williams declined to comment on whether any players had complained about Drake's presence, but said Drake is "loved by everyone around here" and applauded the players for standing behind LaRoche. 

LaRoche said he is certain he would regret not spending enough time with his son. 

"I will leave you with the same advice that I left my teammates. In life, we’re all faced with difficult decisions and will have a choice to make," he said. "Do we act based on the consequences, or do we act on what we know and believe in our hearts to be right? I choose the latter."

Read his full statement below:

Given the suddenness of my departure and the stir it has caused in both the media and the clubhouse, I feel it’s necessary to provide my perspective.

Over the last five years, with both the Nationals and the White Sox, I have been given the opportunity to have my son with me in the clubhouse. It is a privilege I have greatly valued. I have never taken it for granted, and I feel an enormous amount of gratitude toward both of those organizations.

Though I clearly indicated to both teams the importance of having my son with me, I also made clear that if there was ever a moment when a teammate, coach or manager was made to feel uncomfortable, then I would immediately address it. I realize that this is their office and their career, and it would not be fair to the team if anybody in the clubhouse was unhappy with the situation. Fortunately, that problem never developed. I’m not going to speak about my son Drake’s behavior, his manners, and the quality of person that he is, because everyone knows that I am biased. All of the statements from my teammates, past and present, should say enough. Those comments from all of the people who have interacted with Drake are a testimony to how he carries himself.

Prior to signing with the White Sox, my first question to the club concerned my son’s ability to be a part of the team. After some due diligence on the club’s part, we reached an agreement. The 2015 season presented no problems as far as Drake was concerned. (My bat and our record are another story!)

With all of this in mind, we move toward the current situation which arose after White Sox VP Ken Williams recently advised me to significantly scale back the time that my son spent in the clubhouse. Later, I was told not to bring him to the ballpark at all. Obviously, I expressed my displeasure toward this decision to alter the agreement we had reached before I signed with the White Sox. Upon doing so, I had to make a decision. Do I choose my teammates and my career? Or do I choose my family? The decision was easy, but in no way was it a reflection of how I feel about my teammates, manager, general manager or the club’s owner Jerry Reinsdorf.

The White Sox organization is full of people with strong values and solid character. My decision to walk away was simply the result of a fundamental disagreement between myself and Ken Williams.

I understand that many people will not understand my decision. I respect that, and all I ask is for that same level of respect in return. I live by certain values that are rooted in my faith, and I am grateful to my parents for that. I have tried to set a good example on and off the field and live a life that represents these values. As fathers, we have an opportunity to help mold our kids into men and women of character, with morals and values that can’t be shaken by the world around them. Of one thing I am certain: we will regret NOT spending enough time with our kids, not the other way around.

At every level of my career, the game of baseball has reinforced the importance of family to me. Being at my father’s side when he coached. Playing alongside my brothers as a kid and as an adult in the big leagues.

Likewise, it has been great to have my son by my side to share in this experience as I played.

In each and every instance, baseball has given me some of my life’s greatest memories. This was likely to be the last year of my career, and there’s no way I was going to spend it without my son.

Baseball has taught me countless life lessons. I’ve learned how to face challenges, how to overcome failure, how to maintain humility, and most importantly, to trust that the Lord is in control and that I was put here to do more than play the game of baseball. We are called to live life with an unwavering love for God and love for each other. These are lessons I try to teach my kids every day. I truly am blessed to have been granted each of those experiences.

Thank you to all of my previous managers, past teammates and friends across the league for making these past 12 years such a wonderful journey, and for providing me with memories that I will never forget--especially the ones with my son by my side.

I will leave you with the same advice that I left my teammates. In life, we’re all faced with difficult decisions and will have a choice to make. Do we act based on the consequences, or do we act on what we know and believe in our hearts to be right? I choose the latter.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Abdeslam's Arrest Could Provide Information About ISIS

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The arrest of suspected Paris terror attack plotter Salah Abdeslam could provide U.S. counter-terrorism officials with insight into the inner workings of terror group ISIS.

Officials believe the 26-year-old Islamist extremist has knowledge of how ISIS functions — and that knowledge could help them thwart other terror attacks, NBC News reported.

"His interrogation can also help us understand how ISIS directs and coordinates its attacks on the West," Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) said.

Among other things, experts say authorities will also want to learn how Abdeslam avoided capture for so long and whether the Nov. 13 attacks were planned in Syria or Iraq or somewhere in Europe.

Abdeslam was arrested in a suburb of Molenbeek in Belgium on Friday.  



Photo Credit: AP
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