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Rubio's Delegates Are Up for Grabs

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A month after dropping out of the Republican presidential race, Marco Rubio is still third in the hunt for delegates but, according to NBC News, several state parties have decided that Rubio will not get to hold all his delegates.

Only 34 of the 172 delegates Rubio won in the primaries will be immediately up for grabs on the first ballot in Cleveland. That development is opening up a fierce competition to win these lapsed Rubio delegates, which are located in Oklahoma, Minnesota and Louisiana.

"Our state rules say if someone is not on the ballot, they are free to vote for whomever they choose," said Oklahoma GOP chair Pam Pollard, "and I support that."

"We have 12 bound delegates for Rubio," she told NBC News, "so if he is not on the ballot — those 12 delegates are free to vote whatever way they want."



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Bumble Bee Vows to Buy Sustainably Caught Tuna

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Bumble Bee Seafoods on Wednesday said it had signed an agreement to buy "sustainably" caught tuna from a group of mostly island nations in the Pacific.

Bumble Bee made the deal with Pacifical, a marketing company created by eight countries, including Papua New Guina, Tuvalu and the Federal States of Micronesia. The countries are known as Parties to the Nauru Agreement and control about one-quarter of the world’s tuna.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Pacifical said it would give Bumble Bee full “traceability” for the tuna, which will allow it to determine the exact ship, captain, fishing method and catching period associated with the tuna it buys.



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Sanders Under Fire for Supporter's 'Whores' Remarks

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Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has come under fire for remarks his supporter made in a speech at a massive rally in New York City Wednesday night, NBC News reported. 

"Now Secretary Clinton has said that Medicare for all will never happen. Well, I agree with Secretary Clinton that Medicare for all will never happen if we have a president who never aspires for something greater than the status quo," health care activist Dr. Paul Song said. "Medicare for all will never happen if we continue to elect corporate Democratic whores who are beholden to big pharma and the private insurance industry instead of us."

Song quickly apologized and denied that he had Clinton in mind, but his comments drew quick rebukes from Clinton's supporters some of whom viewed it as a sexist attack aimed at the former secretary of state. Sanders responded to the remarks on Twitter on Thursday morning, calling Song's comment "inappropriate and insensitive."

Sanders responded to the remarks on Twitter on Thursday morning, calling Song's comment "inappropriate and insensitive."



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Dairy Queen Plans New California Locations

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A classic fast food brand is eyeing a major expansion in California.

According to San Francisco Business Times, Dairy Queen is plotting as many as 400 new locations in the state that would hire for 50-100 job positions at each location.

A representative for the company told the publications that no specific locations have been approved, but Oakland and San Francisco figure heavily into the plan.

There are approximately a dozen Dairy Queen locations in San Diego Counnty. 

According to Jim Kerr VP of Franchise Development, one to two new locations in our region in the next year or so is a realistic number.



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Closer Look: Dangers and Price of Spice

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San Diego city leaders are sounding the alarm on spice, a synthetic drug that proved deadly in the community as its use on the streets escalates.

Locally, incidents involving spice – including overdoses and reactions to the drug that require emergency medical attention – are happening at an exponential rate.

The Clean and Safe program logged 161 Spice incidents in San Diego from January to March 2016. That’s a 500 percent increase compared to incidents involving the synthetic drug in San Diego in the last three months of 2015.

“That kind of explosion in the community says something bad is happening,” San Diego City Councilman Todd Gloria told NBC 7 on Wednesday.

The spike in spice use sent San Diego's Emergency Medical Services responding to 866 spice incidents from March 2015 to February 2016. Many of those overdoses were on the streets of downtown San Diego.

The drug isn’t only dangerous. It has also cost taxpayers approximately $2.4 million. Now, city leaders are drafting a new, flexible ordinance to help keep up with drug makers trying to stay ahead of the law.

 

Gloria is a strong supporter of that ordinance. He’s urging the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) and the City Attorney's Office to fast-track the ordinance to combat the spice overdoses.

“Every day we wait are more days where neighborhood tax payers and resources are wasted doing medical response calls, and of course, more lives are at risk,” Gloria explained.

Many downtown residents and business also support the move, hoping that taking spice off the streets will make their community safer.

“It’s very bad for the clients that walk around,” explained Allana Zelitsky, who works downtown. “For people who work here and around here, it has to be taken out.”

Currently, it is illegal to sell synthetic drugs in California if they contain one of several banned substances.

The proposed ordinance, according to City Attorney spokesman Gerry Braun, would combine the state's list of illegal substances with the federal list that's more extensive.

It would also allow the San Diego City Council to fast-track making substances illegal to keep up with spice dealers who often change their recipes to circumvent the law.

“Our neighborhoods can’t wait, our businesses can’t wait, our public safety and emergency response folks can’t wait,” said Gloria. “We need some action now.”

Braun says the ordinance should be presented to the council by this summer.



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

Why The 2016 Tax Deadline Isn't April 15

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Most people know April 15 as the deadline for submitting personal tax returns, but that's not the case this year. 

For the 2016 deadline, the Internal Revenue Service has given taxpayers in all but two states until Monday, April 18 to pay their taxes. 

When the date falls on a weekend, it is often moved to the following Monday. But this year, April 15 is a Friday.

Here's what's happening. The IRS is observing a holiday that is usually only observed in Washington, D.C.

Emancipation Day marks the day the Compensated Emancipation Act was signed by President Abraham Lincoln and is observed April 16.

It's a legal holiday in D.C., and public employees are given the day off work. However, because this April 16 falls on a Saturday, it is celebrated on the closest weekday, which is Friday, April 15.

This means public employees such as those who work for the IRS will have April 15 off work, so that pushes the tax deadline to the next business day: Monday, April 18.

For taxpayers who live in Maine or Massachusetts, another holiday pushes their tax deadline back to Tuesday, April 19. This legal holiday is Patriots’ Day, and it is always observed in the two states on the third Monday of April.

However, the first installment for estimated tax payments is due Monday, April 18, whether or not the person lives in Maine or Massachusetts. That's because estimated tax payments are required to be sent to another state that does not observe the holiday.

For full information visit IRS.gov

This article was provided by our partners at moneytips.com
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Chicago PD Lacks 'Humanity': Report

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A 200-page report on police accountability found that 74 percent of people shot by Chicago police over the last eight years were black, prompting the leader of the city’s task force to call the revelations "a day of reckoning for all of us."

Lori Lightfoot, chairwoman of Chicago's Task Force on Police Accountability, called the scathing report a "blueprint for long-lasting change." The findings were announced during a press conference Wednesday.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel appointed a panel to conduct the report amid outrage over the fatal police shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald in October 2014. Video of the shooting was released publicly in December.

Lightfoot said interviews with more than 100 community members, officers and experts in the field, along with members of 95 community organizations, revealed an overwhelming opinion that the department lacks accountability and "humanity."

"One of the consistent themes we heard was that they do not respect their humanity," Lightfoot said.

According to the report, over the past eight years, 74 percent of people shot by Chicago police were black, while only 14 percent were Hispanic and 8 percent white. The report called McDonald’s shooting "the tipping point" in a long history of intimidation.

"The question isn't, 'Do we have racism?'" Emanuel said Wednesday. "The question is, 'What do we do about it?'"

The task force recommended the creation of a Community Safety Oversight Board and suggested replacing the Independent Police Review Authority with a civilian board.

"IPRA is badly broken," it wrote, saying the agency and its companion — Bureau of Internal Affairs — lack true independence and are not held accountable for their work.

In addition, the task force said the department must dismantle its "code of silence," which the authors say is made "official policy" thanks to collective bargaining agreements between police unions and the city.

"There is a clause that an officer has the ability to amend a statement within 24 hours when there is video," said task force member Maurice Claussen. "We don’t know why that should exist."

In a statement Tuesday night, Fraternal Order of Police president Dean Angelo told NBC5, "We are very concerned about that type of language being used by a group that was asked to examine the department. On the surface of what has been shared by the media thus far, it appears that the task force erred in their reporting."

Meanwhile, the city’s policing practices remain under investigation by the U.S. Justice Department.

"It would break our hearts to know that our leaders would only make changes if someone from the outside forced them to do so," said task force member Victor Dickson.



Photo Credit: NBC Chicago

Workers Rally for $15 Minimum Wage Now

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Workers who gathered Thursday in San Diego County as part of a nationwide protest to raise minimum wage say they want to see California implement a $15 minimum wage immediately. 

Union, fast food, home care, child care and other workers met at San Diego State University. 

California is one of two states in the U.S. with a $10 minimum wage. State lawmakers joined New York legislators in being the first to approve a statewide $15 minimum wage to be phased in over the next few years. 

However, the group that gathered at SDSU said they want to see the $15 minimum wage implemented now. 

Owners of small businesses say they are considering cutting staff or raising prices to help cope with labor cost increases.

Low wages force workers to rely on public assistance which costs taxpayers $7 billion a year, protestors claim. 



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Sex Crime Arrest Is 3rd Tied to Mar Vista HS

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Officials with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department (SDSO) have announced a third arrest at Mar Vista High School, this time a tutor charged with sex crimes against a minor.

The arrest is the third sex crimes arrest in three days involving adults with ties to the Imperial Beach-area school. 

Alejandro Rodriguez, 20, is charged with four felony counts of oral copulation and one count of sodomy of a person under 18 years of age. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison.

Officials said Rodriguez was arrested on March 9 and arraigned on March 11. School officials did not notify parents of his arrest. 

Sheriff's authorities said they were not able to discuss the facts or evidence of the case as it is pending. It is unclear if the minor is a student at the school, though the victim was male. 

Rodriguez posted $60,000 bail and is out of custody, officials said. He is being represented by a public defender. 

Students at Mar Vista HS said they were shocked to hear about the arrest. 

"Students are kind of, they're very shocked, because they didn’t know this was going to happen, and some of them are kind of scared because they're thinking if these teachers go as far to reach out to kids for stuff like this, what if they force themselves upon other students?" student Teri Monte said. 

Rodriguez's arrest marks the third case NBC 7 San Diego has learned about that is tied to Mar Vista High School in three days. 

Tuesday, a walk-on assistant football coach with Mar Vista High School was arrested on suspicion of engaging in an ongoing sexual relationship with a freshman. Edward Aaron Mendoza, 27, is accused of having an "ongoing inappropriate relationship" with a 9th grade student, San Diego County Sheriff’s officials said Tuesday.

"Detectives discovered Mendoza had fostered an ongoing relationship with the victim and engaged in sexual activity with her at school over a period of about six months," the department said in a statement.

Child Abuse Detectives filed multiple counts of child molestation against Mendoza. 

Monday, news broke of the arrest of a NJROTC instructor at the same school on similar allegations. Martin Albert Gallegos, 48, a Navy Junior ROTC instructor at the Imperial Beach high school, was arrested Friday. Gallegos was booked into San Diego Central Jail on five counts of sexual conduct with a minor, deputies said.

Authorities said there does not appear to be a nexus in that arrest and Tuesday's arrest. 

Investigators said that relationship had allegedly been going on for months and did not include intercourse.

Anyone with information about these cases is asked to call the Sheriff's Child Abuse Unit at 858-974-2310. If you wish to remain anonymous call Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477 with information. You may be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to a felony arrest.



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Kobe Bryant Ends His Career in Triumphant Fashion

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Kobe himself couldn't write a better ending. In triumphant fashion, Kobe Bryant puts a monumental cherry on top of his epic career with a win against the Utah Jazz. Mamba finished with 60 points on the night, scoring 17 straight in the final minutes of the game. It was an incredible night in the sports world from the start.

Magic Johnson gave Bryant a great introduction and a giant hug before he took the floor taking Lakers fans back a couple decades. A tribute video featuring Kobe’s former teammates and greats from around the league played on the big screen as the sold out crowd watched on. Then it was time for Kobe Bryant to do what Kobe Bryant does best, for the very last time.

In the first three quarters the Lakers trailed the Utah Jazz. Bryant had 22 first half points in his final game; but let’s fast forward to when things got really exciting.

The Lakers trailed by 10 points with just over two minutes to play, but true to form, Kobe refused to lose. Bryant nailed a huge three pointer to cut the Jazz lead to one. The crowd went crazy, including long time loyal Laker fan Jack Nicholson who was courtside (naturally).

On the Lakers next possession Kobe went to his patented two-point jump shot and drilled it in to give Los Angeles the lead. At this point Kobe is a mere two points away from another NBA record.

Kobe finished with 60 points becoming the only NBA player to do that in his final game.

Lakers won 101 to 96. The entire Lakers team rushed ran to embrace him. He chuckled after hugging an all-star lineup of former teammates. Every person in the crowd was on their feet as Kobe addressed an ocean of fans for the last time in his number 24 jersey. He thanked his wife Vanessa and their daughters, then turned to crowd and ended it by saying, “You guys will always be in my heart. I sincerely appreciate it. No words can describe how I feel about you guys. I love you, guys. I love you, guys! What can I say? Mamba out!”

Just like the trending hash tag, I also want to say thank you, Kobe. For the years of debates and memories I had with my dad while watching you play, and for a night in sports history that I’ll never forget.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Grisly Killing Suspect 'Not a Murderer': Atty.

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An attorney for the man accused in the grisly slaying of a young San Diego woman whose body was found stuffed in a suitcase claims the suspect was the victim’s friend, not her killer.

San Diego County Deputy Public Defender Katie Belisle released a statement to NBC 7 Wednesday about suspect Joshua Palmer, 32, who is charged with first-degree murder in the killing of his co-worker, Shauna Haynes, 21.

“Mr. Palmer, Miss Haynes, and their friends worked in the bar and restaurant industry here in San Diego. A group familiar with each other, who worked together into the wee hours of the morning and socialized together after work,” Belisle said. “Mr. Palmer was a friend of Miss Haynes - not her murderer.”

Palmer was arrested on April 8 in San Diego on suspicion of first-degree murder in connection with Haynes’ death. At his arraignment Tuesday, Palmer pleaded not guilty. His bail was set at $2 million.

Prosecutors alleged Palmer – who worked with Haynes at the Old Spaghetti Factory restaurant in downtown San Diego – went out one night last week with Haynes.

Prosecutors said the pair went to Palmer’s home after that outing. There, Palmer allegedly beat and strangled Haynes and then stuffed her body into a suitcase.

He allegedly dumped the luggage near some trash bins behind his apartment complex in the 1300 block of 7th Avenue and A Street in downtown San Diego.

A resident discovered the suitcase on April 6 – with Haynes’ lifeless body inside – and homicide detectives with the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) launched an investigation into the gruesome crime.

At Palmer’s arraignment, San Diego County Deputy District Attorney Martin Doyle said the suspect attempted to cover Haynes’ murder by cleaning his home and sending messages from the victim’s phone.

“He wiped down his apartment, gathered the bedding and clothing,” San Diego County Deputy District Attorney Martin Doyle said. “[He] made a number of misleading text messages from the victim’s phone to family members in an effort to disguise what he had done.”

The motive for the killing has yet to be disclosed by investigators. Prosecutors confirmed Palmer and Haynes worked together at the Old Spaghetti Factory in downtown's Gaslamp Quarter – not far from where Haynes was found dead.

They were platonic friends, prosecutors said.

According to court records, Palmer has no criminal history in San Diego County.

Records show Palmer did have some run-ins with the law in two cities where he once resided: Webster in Harris County, Texas, and Yorba Linda in Orange County, California.

Court records say that in 2006 Harris County prosecutors filed a charge for a fraudulent check against Palmer. The amount stolen was less than $500. In 2010, Harris County courts dismissed the case after no arrest was made.

In 2012, Palmer pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor DUI charge in Orange County. He was sentenced to two days in jail and informal probation in connection with that case, along with court fines. Records indicate he may have had some sort of probation violation in 2015, leading to his probation being extended to 54 months, but details of that violation were not available.

Palmer is scheduled to appear in court again on April 28. Booking records indicate his preliminary hearing has been tentatively scheduled for June 13.

Haynes was a 2013 graduate of Grossmont High School in San Diego's East County.

Haynes’ friends held a tearful vigil for the young woman Sunday at the site where the suitcase was found. They described Haynes as a vibrant, caring person with a warm demeanor.

Meanwhile, NBC 7 spoke with an acquaintance of Palmer’s Wednesday, who wished to remain anonymous.

The suspect’s acquaintance said he met Palmer through classes at Landmark, an institution that offers training and development programs. 

He said Landmark cut ties with Palmer after he made some disturbing statements.

"He had the most intense eyes ever," the suspect’s acquaintance told NBC 7. "You look at him and you wonder what’s going on in his head. There [are] some things he said that gave people the heebie-jeebies."

A spokesperson for Landmark confirmed Palmer took some classes there in 2015, but hasn't participated in the program since September 2015.

The Landmark spokesperson released this statement to NBC 7 Wednesday:

"He made a disturbing statement about his past military service, which we reported to the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), which informed us that there was no basis for what Mr. Palmer had said, and that he had been dismissed from the United States Marines after three months of boot camp."

At that point, Landmark told Palmer he was no longer welcome to participate in its programs.

This was concerning to at least one person who knew him.

"Landmark was his life. He was there all the time," Palmer’s acquaintance explained. "I was concerned about his well-being when they kicked him out."

NBC 7 reached out the Old Spaghetti Factory again on Wednesday and a spokesperson for the eatery said the company did not want to comment on the relationship between Haynes and Palmer.

Instead, a company spokesperson said the restaurant is focused on supporting Haynes’ family and helping employees cope with her tragic death.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information on this case can call the SDPD’S Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.



Photo Credit: Facebook

6 Kids Injured After Truck Crashes Into Bus Stop in Wash.

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A man in a pickup truck apparently lost control of his vehicle and smashed into a school bus stop in Washington on Thursday, injuring six children, NBC News reported. 

Kent Regional Fire Authority Spokesman Capt. Kyle Ohashi told NBC News the truck struck a mailbox before crashing into the bus stop, hitting four boys — critically injuring two. Ohashi said two others were injured by debris from the mailbox. 

The truck’s driver hit a tree after hitting the boys and was found unconscious at the wheel. His foot was still on the gas, the sheriff’s office said in a statement. 

The 19-year-old driver, who was driving with a suspended license, was arrested for multiple counts and is believed to have suffered a medical issue prior to the crash, according to the statement.



Photo Credit: Kings County Sheriff's Office

Mom Will Wait to Learn Fate in Tot's Death

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A San Diego mother convicted of killing her 3-year-old daughter in a crash while high on methadone will have to wait to learn her fate, as her sentencing was continued Thursday.

Brandy Teague, 32, was convicted last month in the April 4, 2015, DUI death of her toddler, Carlee Ramirez.

Teague was supposed to be sentenced Thursday in an El Cajon courtroom but her defense attorney requested more time to review documents from Child Protective Services for what he says are inaccuracies. A judge granted the request and continued Teague’s sentencing to June 17.

Though a frustrating situation for the prosecution, San Diego County Deputy District Attorney Aimee McLeod said Teague’s day of sentencing will come.

A jury found Teague guilty of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence of drugs, child abuse and possession of methamphetamine.

According to McLeod, Teague’s toddler, Carlee, was not properly buckled into her car seat at the time of the deadly crash on Broadway in El Cajon. Teague’s two sons, Brandon and Christopher, were also in the car. The boys were hurt but survived.

McLeod said the fathers of two of the children – Carlee’s father and Christopher’s father – were in court Thursday.

A judge let Christopher’s father, Enrique Robles, deliver his impact statement to the court because Robles will not be able to return to court for Teague’s sentencing in June.

“For Christopher’s father, if he doesn’t work, he doesn’t get paid. For him to come back is a financial hardship,” McLeod explained.

As Robles addressed the court, he said he wants justice. Robles said Teague has caused him and his son a lot of suffering. One year after the crash, Robles said Christopher still has problems with his leg and needs physical, speech and hearing therapy.

McLeod said Robles’ impact statement was added to the record and will be taken into consideration by the judge at Teague’s sentencing.

The prosecutor said Carlee’s father will be able to return for the June sentencing and will make his own impact statement to the court at that time.

Teague faces 16 years and four months in state prison, McLeod said.

According to investigators, Carlee was sitting in a booster seat in the left rear passenger side of Teague’s car when her mother veered off the road and plowed the car into a power pole. While Carlee’s lap belt was secure, the shoulder belt was behind the back of the seat, according to a report from the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s (ME) office.

Although emergency crews performed CPR on Carlee and rushed her to Rady Children’s Hospital, she died soon after. Her cause of death was blunt force injuries to her head and a neck fracture, the ME report noted, and her manner of death was categorized as accidental.

During Teague’s preliminary hearing, El Cajon Police Department Officer Jeremy Fisher testified, saying he interviewed the defendant's young son, Brandon, in the minutes after the crash.

According to Fisher, the boy told him that his mom had been falling asleep at the wheel before the family arrived at a local fast food restaurant for dinner. The boy said he told his mom that they shouldn't be driving.

Brandon suffered a gash to his left eye, felt sore in his chest and arm, and told Fisher he was having trouble breathing following the crash.



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

Planning Commission Rejects TWC Facility

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The San Diego Planning Commission unanimously sided with a Kearny Mesa neighborhood, rejecting the construction of a proposed Time Warner Cable (TWC) facility. 

TWC proposed building a 6,200 square foot communication switching station on Convoy Street. The facility would be critical to offering faster internet services for businesses to connect with customers, planners say.

The project was supported by the San Diego City Council and city planners and a conditional use permit was granted.  

However, the decision was appealed for several reasons. 

Opponents felt the development was not consistent with the Community Plan, did not comply with city codes and would negatively impact the character of the neighborhood. 

The Save Convoy Campaign collected more than 1,000 signatures opposing the project. 

The asked the SD Planning Commission to uphold the appeal to give them a larger window to work with Time Warner to find a compromise proposal. 

"I think it’s unconscionable to see a project like this built in the middle of Little Italy or the Gaslamp District," said Vince Vasquez with Save Convoy Campaign.

"Just as folks in those communities would be up in arms and upset about a development project like this, we’re upset." 

The planning commission upheld the appeal sending TWC back to drawing board. 

Proponents argued TWC has been working with the community to change some aesthetics of the building and make it blend in with the area.

“If we continue to postpone it, nothing good will come from that vacant spot. That actually probably doesn’t have very much retail value at the moment anyway,” said Stefanie Benvenuto, Policy Manager, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. 

“This is a good use of land that, right now, is sitting vacant that is blighted,” she added.



Photo Credit: NBC 7

Kasich Won't Advocate For Ban on Same-Sex Marriage

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Republican presidential candidate John Kasich told MSNBC’s Chris Matthews he would not advocate for a ban on same-sex marriage, despite his traditional beliefs, NBC News reported.

"There could be an effort to pass a Constitutional Amendment. I'm not for doing it. I'm for moving on," the Republican presidential hopeful said Thursday in a town hall airing on MSNBC at 7 p.m. ET.

Kasich told Matthews even though he believes marriage should remain between a man and a woman, everyone should be “a little more tolerant.”

The Supreme Court ruled same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry last year.



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Armed Teachers at Calif. School

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A high school near Fresno, California, will allow some of its staff members to carry concealed weapons, a decision the school’s superintendent said will create "a safe environment for students and staff members."

The controversial policy underwent months of review before being approved 5-0 by the Kingsburg Joint Union High School District Board of Trustees Monday, making the district the second in California to allow staff members to carry concealed weapons on campus, reported NBC affiliate KSEE in Central Valley.

Folsom Cordova Unified, near Sacramento, has also allowed some employees to carry guns at school.

The policy will allow up to five staff members with concealed-carry permits to carry guns at school after going through an application process and having their discipline records and school conduct evaluated. The staff will also have to undergo firearms training, held by the school district twice a year. Nobody on campus will know who is selected to carry the guns.

"It’s unfortunate we live in a society where we have to even consider these measures," district Superintendent Randy Morris told KSEE. "But the reality is we do."

Morris said state law allows him to permit concealed-carry permit holders to have firearms on campus.

"It’s an opportunity to put our kids and staff in a better position," he said.

It comes more than three years after 20 first-graders and six staff members were killed in a massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. The rampage prompted schools across the U.S. to take another look at campus safety and security, with many carrying out drills, bolstering security staff and even installing bulletproof whiteboards in classrooms.

Kingsbury district officials said the Sandy Hook shooting — along with other recent school shootings and terror attacks — prompted them to put the policy in place.

"During Sandy Hook, six staff members died, 20 children died, and it lasted less than five minutes, so that’s about one death every twelve seconds — imagine if one of those teachers was also armed," said Kingsburg police Chief Neil Dadian.

Dadian told KSEE he supports the new policy.

"If a staff member wants to put themselves at risk like that I am all for that — I will support them in any way I can," Dadian said.

Not everybody is happy about the new policy, however, with some even comparing it to the Wild West. Opponents said a fence around campus and even a security guard are better options.

"Now we are going to add something else for the teachers to think about — shooting people, really?" Mary Lou Swenning, whose grandchildren are enrolled in the district, told KSEE.



Photo Credit: KSEE

Crime Rate Rises in San Diego County

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The overall crime rate in San Diego County increased in 2015 by six percent although the region’s violent crime rate was the second lowest since 1980. 

A new report released Wednesday by the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) focused on crime trends. 

The report, Thirty-Six Years of Crime in the San Diego Region: 1980 Through 2015, includes a breakdown of crime statistics by community. 

More than 74,000 violent and property crimes were reported in 2015. That averages out to just more than 200 crimes per day. 

Of those, 85 percent were property crimes. 

San Diego County's violent crime rate was the second lowest it’s been since 1980. 

There were 10,938 violent crimes in 2015 including reports of homicide, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. 

"Despite this year's uptick, the crime rate was still the second lowest since 1980," Dr. Cynthia Burke, director of SANDAG's Criminal Justice Research Division said in the agency's news release. "And the region still has one of lowest crime rates in the nation."

Read the report here.

SANDAG works to develop transportation, housing, open space, energy, public safety, and binational projects.


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Fundraiser to Help Family of Women Found in Suitcase

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Co-workers of the young woman found dead in a suitcase last week will hold a fundraiser in downtown San Diego Thursday. 

Shauna Haynes was found April 6 stuffed in a suitcase left near some trash bins behind an apartment complex near 7th Avenue and A Street. 

Investigators arrested a co-worker of Haynes in the crime but have not disclosed a motive. 

Joshua Palmer, 32, is being held on $2 million bail while he faces first-degree murder charges in connection with Haynes’ death. 

Prosecutors said the pair went to Palmer’s home where Palmer allegedly beat and strangled Haynes and then stuffed her body into a suitcase.

Palmer has pleaded not guilty to the charges. 

His attorney, San Diego County Deputy Public Defender Katie Belisle, said Haynes, Palmer and a group of people who worked together would socialize after work.

"Mr. Palmer was a friend of Miss Haynes - not her murderer," Belisle said. 

While the investigation continues, the Old Spaghetti Factory restaurant is focused on supporting Haynes’ family and helping employees cope with her tragic death.

A fundraiser will run from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Old Spaghetti Factory restaurant on 275 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101. Twenty-five percent of the proceeds from the fundraiser will go to Haynes' family.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information on this case can call the SDPD’S Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.



Photo Credit: Courtesy GoFundMe page

Trump Aide Corey Lewandowski Won't Be Prosecuted

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Florida authorities will not prosecute Donald Trump’s campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, citing insufficient evidence for attacking a reporter at a rally last month, according to court documents, NBC News reported. 

On Thursday, Palm Beach County prosecutors said while Lewandowski had grabbed Fields, the evidence wasn't strong enough to support a criminal prosecution. 

Lewandowski, who was charged with simple battery after Breitbart reporter Michelle Fields accused him of grabbing her at a March 8 rally in Jupiter, initially said he didn't touch her. Video released by police showed he did make contact with her. 

State Attorney David Aronberg said in a news conference that the video "undermined" Lewandowski's defense but "did not outweigh" his claim of innocence. 

"The evidence cannot prove all required elements of the crime alleged and is insufficient to support a criminal prosecution," court documents said. 



Photo Credit: File/AP

High Wind Warning Issued for San Diego County

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A high wind warning was issued Thursday for San Diego mountains and deserts. A wind warning is issued when there are winds at speeds of at least 40 mph or gusts of 58 mph or more.

According to NBC 7 Meteorologist Jodi Kodesh, sustained westerly winds of 20-35 mph, with gusts to 60 mph are possible, in the wind-prone mountain passes, peaks and desert slopes.

Winds are expected to increase throughout the day, peaking Thursday afternoon and evening, Kodesh said. Driving conditions on Interstate 8, State Routes 79 and 78 could be hazardous.

Winds will lessen slightly Friday, though a wind advisory will remain in effect until 11 am Saturday.

Temperatures Thursday should be in the mid-60s along the coast, low 70s in the valleys and mid to upper 50s in the mountain areas. The deserts could see temperatures in the mid-80s.

It will be sunny, and much warmer, this weekend.



Photo Credit: Getty Images
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