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Cancer Patient Watches Son Wed in Hospital Ceremony

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Catherine Holm had bought a shimmering dress and a plane ticket to her son's wedding in Puerto Rico before doctors gave her the bad news: she couldn't travel from New York because she was suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia. 

Flying would be too much of a risk for her compromised immune system from the cancer, doctors told the 58-year-old woman from Long Island's North Babylon when she was diagnosed in March.  

But nurses at the bone marrow transplant unit at Stony Brook University Hospital, where she'd spend weeks, decided the party would go on, so they organized a wedding in the hospital's chapel.

"I'm overwhelmed, that people would do things like this," Holm said in tears Monday. "I'll never forget what they've done for me and my family." 

Christina Wood, a fellow patient, served as unofficial wedding planner.

"I think it's absolutely amazing that they got to have the wedding here because there was no other option," she said. 

Mark Jr. and Joanna said their vows in a small ceremony. 

There were no wedding gifts, only a request from the family: for people to get tested and join the bone-marrow registry, a simple process that could keep this family together in sickness and in health. 

"Only 2 percent of our nation is on the registry right now, and it's incredibly for us to join in," said nurse Maggie Knight.

Each year, about 6,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with ALL, a fast-growing cancer of a type of white blood cells, according to Stony Brook University Hospital. It's the most common type of leukemia in children under 15, but it can affect people of any age. Only 3 in 10 patients get a bone marrow transplant that could save their lives.

Without a match, the Holm family knows the odds are not on her side. 

"My mom means a lot," Mark said while overcome with emotion. 

To find out more on how to be a bone marrow donor, visit deletebloodcancer.org.



Photo Credit: NBC 4 NY

#LaughingWhileBlack Settlement

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A group of mostly black women who were booted off the popular Napa Valley Wine Train for laughing loudly have settled a racial discrimination lawsuit against the train company for an undisclosed amount, their attorney said Monday. 

The women, all members of a book club, filed an $11 million lawsuit in federal court last October after cellphone video of the incident went viral. One of the women documented her experience on Facebook, prompting the hashtag #LaughingWhileBlack.  

High-profile civil rights attorney Waukeen McCoy, who is representing the group, called the settlement — which is pending approval by the Wine Train Board — "amicable." McCoy said the board could vote on it as early as Monday. 

The Napa Valley Wine Train could not be reached for comment at the time of publication.

 

The Wine Train’s CEO, Tony Giaccio, previously apologized to the women. He offered them a chance to be his guests on the train along with their friends and family and promised more diversity training for his staff. 

The apology didn’t help, with many saying they would boycott the train for what they claimed was racist behavior. 

The Napa Valley Wine Train was sold last September by the family of wine train founder Vincent Michael DeDomenico. Noble House Hotels & Resorts, a collection of luxury hotels and resorts, partnered with California-based real estate development and investment company Brooks Street to make the purchase. 



Photo Credit: Lisa Renee Johnson
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Last Boston Marathon Runner, 72, Has Raced in Every State

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Tens of thousands of participants crossed the 2016 Boston Marathon finish line Monday, many of them with crowds cheering.

But hours after the crowds left, one woman continued to push along to complete her 77th marathon.

At 6:30 Monday night, 72-year-old Fran Drozdz was just hitting "Heartbreak Hill."

She finally crossed the finish line at 8:45 p.m.

Drozdz qualified through Dana Farber Foundation and tried for three years to get on the team.

She ran in honor of her husband Stan, who is fighting cancer for the third time. He waited all day for her at the finish line and guided her through the grandstand to cross the finish.

Stan said he was concerned she was injured or had gotten lost and even ended up calling Boston Police.

He said, "She's 72 years old and she's down 77 marathons. I'm one year older and I've done no marathon, so of course I'm proud of her."

Fran Drozdz has completed a marathon in every state, but decided to do a second round of all of the states.



Photo Credit: necn

Stolen Turkey Found Reeking of Beer

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"Tim the turkey" reeked of beer and was missing some tail feathers after two college students allegedly "bird-napped" him from a high school in Southern California, the school said Monday.

Chapman University students Steven Koressel and Richard Melbye were booked into Orange County jail in connection with the theft and animal cruelty investigation, according to police, who announced their arrests Monday evening.

Tim, a 5-year-old American heritage slate turkey, disappeared around 5 p.m. Saturday from the Panther Farm at Orange High School. The farm, which houses 60 animals, is considered a "living laboratory" where students learn veterinary skills.

When Tim vanished, Jake — another turkey at the school — was untouched.

"There's not a feather out of place. Of course, there are feathers — little feathers everywhere from both of them and the chickens — but not those feathers," said Patti Williams, an agriculture teacher at the school.

Tim can't fly, so teachers knew he hadn't escaped on his own. They came to the conclusion that he had been stolen.

None of the locks were broken. None of the fences were compromised. The remaining animals were all accounted for, Williams said.

School officials got a break in the case nearly 24 hours later.

A woman living on Center Street near Chapman University snapped a photo of the bird, saying she found him in her neighbor's backyard.

The 40-pound bird had broken tail feathers, trouble breathing and was reportedly having a tough time regaining his alpha position on the farm.

Williams said he also reeked of booze.

"He smelled like he had beer on him," Williams said.

Tim will visit a veterinarian for X-rays of his foot and chest.

"And he's not an 'eating' turkey — he's our pet. He's our mascot," Williams said.

It wasn't immediately clear if Koressel and Melbye have hired attorneys.

Chapman University said in a statement the school would "undertake the appropriate disciplinary actions" according to its student conduct code.

"Due to federal student privacy laws (FERPA), the University cannot identify the students or reveal details of the institution’s disciplinary actions – however, the University will not tolerate any instances of theft, animal abuse or cruelty, is appalled by this behavior, and takes this issue extremely seriously," school officials said in the statement.



Photo Credit: KNBC-TV

Utah Declares Porn Public Health Hazard

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Utah Gov. Gary Herbert signed a resolution Tuesday that calls for increased "education, prevention, research, and policy change at the community and societal level" to combat pornography — but sets aside no money to combat the supposed social scourge.

Last month, the state legislature passed a resolution that calls for increased "education, prevention, research, and policy change" to combat pornography. It is a non-binding resolution that makes no attempt to shut down porn sites.

The resolution is the brainchild of another Republican politician in Utah, State Sen. Todd Weiler. He had told NBC News that he was not trying to ban pornography, but would like to see default settings on the internet changed to make access to pornography more difficult.

"If this moral plague could catch our imagination the way a medical epidemic does, we would be calling out every available member of the health care industry," Elder Jeffrey Holland of the the Mormon church-backed Utah Coalition Against Pornography wrote on the group's website last month.



Photo Credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images

Ecuador Quake: Death Toll Climbs to Nearly 500

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Rescuers in Ecuador's port city of Manta Tuesday managed to free eight people trapped for more than 32 hours in the rubble of a shopping center as the death toll from Saturday's earthquake climbed to nearly 500 on Tuesday, NBC News reported.

The first person who was rescued emerged from a 2.5-foot hole cut through concrete and steel. She was caked in dust and complaining of pain but was otherwise okay.

In nearby Portoviejo, a cellphone call to a relative from underneath a collapsed hotel led searchers to Pablo Cordova, the hotel's administrator.

Officials said Tuesday the number of dead rose to 480 with about 2,560 people injured. Among the dead have been an American and two Canadians. Dozens remain missing.



Photo Credit: AP

7-Time Mayoral Candidate Crashes into Bicyclist: PD

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An Ocean Beach cyclist had a close encounter of the bizarre kind with seven- time San Diego mayoral candidate Loch David Crane Monday. 

Crane is a bit of a fixture in the area; Those who don't know him from his political ambitions, likely recognize the three-wheeled motorcycle he calls  "Star Trike".

Unlike Star Trek, the episode Monday night did not have a Hollywood ending.

“The guy just shot straight across the intersection at me,” Crane said.

Crane said the accident was the cyclist’s fault. The former mayoral candidate was driving his homemade and self-styled tri-bike southbound on Sunset Cliff's Boulevard.

Crane turned left onto Point Loma Ave when the northbound cyclist collided with the stainless steel Starship Enterprise replica mounted over the front wheel.

The cyclist went airborne for about eight feet. He was taken to a hospital, but the injuries were not considered serious. Crane was not injured and said his "Star Trike" is perfectly safe.

“The windshield is all clear. The headlights light up the road well in front of me. He had no lights and he came through right opposite me,” Crane said.

The accident happened around dusk, and the intersection at Point Loma and Sunset Cliffs was blocked for over an hour while San Diego police investigated.

Crane was released after a vehicle inspection. The "Star Trike" captain was not issued a citation.



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

Brush Fire Near Linda Vista Homes Knocked Down

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Fire crews have knocked down a brush fire that burned through a canyon near a community of Linda Vista homes, San Diego Fire-Rescue (SDFD) Capt. Amador said. 

The fire started just after 5 p.m. Monday at Genesee Avenue and Osler Street, sending thick white smoke through the air. Crews knocked it out at approximately 6:10 p.m. 

The flames scorched nearly an acre of land near Linda Vista Community Park, Amador said. The blaze moved at a slow rate of speed. 

Crews are expected to work throughout the night on mopping up the fire. 

It is unclear what started the fire, Amador said. No injuries have been reported and no evacuations were issued. 

There is no word on the cause of the fire



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

DA Declines to File Charges Against Supe. Dave Roberts

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San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis has declined to file charges against County Supervisor Dave Roberts, her office confirmed to NBC 7 San Diego Monday in a statement. 

The news ends a months-long investigation into complaints alleging criminal misconduct by Roberts; the news comes amid an election year in which Roberts is running for re-election on June 7. 

"Supervisor Dave Roberts violated county and civil workplace policies, which are civil matters where the burden of proof is a preponderance of the evidence, a lower threshold," the statement reads. "These violations have been addressed by the County and with the aggrieved parties, which resulted in a civil settlement."

In September 2015, the county agreed to pay over $300,000 to settle claims filed by former employees of the supervisor. A series of payments, which Roberts did not support.

Roberts' former Chief of Staff Glynnis Vaughan, ex-scheduler Diane Porter and ex-staffer Lindsey Masukawa received the settlements.

In their claims, the women said Roberts misused County funds, practiced favoritism and in one case, attempted to bribe one of the former employees with a higher position if she lied to County Human Resources.

He was also accused of instructing county employees to do his personal errands and for working on his campaign while they were on county time.

Roberts denies all of the accusations.

The three women were among eight staffers in Roberts' office who resigned last year.

Read our series of investigative reports here.

As he opened his re-election campaign, he told NBC 7 San Diego, “Last year was a great lesson for me, in that we have to put the strictest ethical standards in place and that’s really what we’ve done to make sure that everyone involved in my office follows those rules.”

Roberts told NBC7 he created over 5,000 new jobs, preserved 1,200 acres of open space, and strengthened fire protection.

Robert's is being challenged by two Republicans, Escondido Mayor Sam Abed and Encinitas Mayor Kristin Gaspar.

23 Dogs Rescued From Hot Car at Border

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Nearly two dozen puppies were found unresponsive inside an SUV at the U.S.-Mexico Border Saturday, San Diego County Animal Services said.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers found 23 dogs -- 20 of them puppies -- unresponsive inside a hot and humid vehicle at the San Ysidro Border Crossing, authorities said.

Officers feared the animals were dead when they first discovered them because they weren’t moving.

Once their crates were moved into the fresh air, many of the dogs seemed to wake up, but two weren’t responding, so animal control officers took them to an emergency veterinary facility.

The driver of the SUV, identified as Daniel Canedo, told animal control officers the dogs had last been given water five and a half hours before he was stopped at the border.

“The driver said he picked up the dogs in Tijuana and was taking them to Los Angeles, but we don’t know what the final outcome of these animals would have been,” said County Animal Services Director Dawn Danielson in a statement. “Under federal regulations, it’s illegal to import animals under six months old for resale.”

The puppies are currently being cared for at the County’s Bonita shelter.

The two dogs taken to the emergency veterinary hospital were treated and reunited with the other puppies in Bonita Sunday.

The puppies range in age from six months to two years old. They are various breeds and mixes, including shepherds, Labradors, Chihuahua, hounds and terrier blends.

The department’s rescue partners are taking some of the puppies. The rest of the puppies, including three adult dogs, will be available for adoption starting Tuesday.

Canedo was charged with 23 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. If found guilty, he could face six months in county jail, a $1,000 fine or both for each count.



Photo Credit: County Animal Services

Inner-Tube Party Trashes Miami

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It may mean the end for Floatopia after attendees littered Miami Beach this weekend with enough trash to fill nine giant dumpsters, city officials said.

The annual event drew 100,000 people with rafts and inner tubes to South Florida on Saturday. According to its website, Floatopia was founded in 2012 "to provide something different to Miami and its amazing people."

What the people provided to Miami, however, were the remnants of their party. From South Point to 10th Street, the beach was cluttered with floats and debris. The city said it took hours to haul it all away, filling nine oversized dumpsters with trash.

"Particularly large floats. They were huge that people brought and they were all over the beach. So because they ran because of the rain, they didn't take the time to pick up after themselves," said City Manager Jimmy Morales.

Commissioner Michael Grieco expressed his frustration on Facebook.

"This is an absolute travesty and this is me making a commitment to everyone that is going to watch this. Floatopia will never happen in Miami Beach again," he wrote.

Mayor Philip Levine also took to social media, slamming Floatopia attendees who failed to clean up after themselves. The mayor said he planned to work with the commission to "STOP this event from happening on our beaches going forward."

Levine posted a photo of Floatopia on Facebook with the words "never again." [[376229011, C]]

Attendance at Floatopia has inflated over the years from 25,000 to 100,000. Trash wasn't the only problem this weekend; traffic and public safety were also impacted.

"You're talking about quality of life for the people who live south of 5th that were completely disrupted, fire trucks not being able to get to their rounds and all the traffic," Grieco said.

"It's not my job as a commissioner or as a human being to clean up after other human beings. It's not that complicated. Whatever you bring to the beach, you take it home with you or you consume it," he added.

On Facebook, the Floatopia organizer — who has remained anonymous — implied he or she will not enable the event in the future.

"We always believed in doing something beautiful for our community. ... Protect the beach is the only thing we ever asked. ... The level of disrespect was unimaginable. ... We refuse to be associated with this type of behavior," the organizer wrote. [[376228701, C]]

City leaders will give official recommendations about Floatopia at a meeting at the end of April.

[[238427591, C]]



Photo Credit: NBC6.com
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3 Local Sport Chalet Stores to Close

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Three San Diego locations of Sport Chalet are slated to close, following an announcement by Vestis Retail Group that it is shutting all 47 U.S. locations of the sporting goods chain.

The closings are part of an April 18 Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing by Connecticut-based Vestis. The local stores are at Westfield Mission Valley, Westfield UTC and Point Loma Plaza in the Midway district.

A posting on the Sport Chalet website said the retailer on April 16 began the process of closing all of its stores and stopped selling merchandise online. The stores will remain open for several weeks as merchandise is sold off, and Sport Chalet gift cards, reward certificates and store credits will be honored through April 29.

Sport Chalet was started in 1959 in the Los Angeles area, and the bulk of its current stores are in California.

Specialty sporting goods chains have been struggling in the face of competition from discount general merchandise stores and online shopping options. Sports Authority of Colorado recently announced that three San Diego County stores – in Escondido, La Mesa and Rancho San Diego -- were among 140 nationwide that it planned to close as part of a Chapter 11 filing, with six other local stores in the running to be sold off to other retailers or liquidators. 


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Student Expelled Over Racist Video

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Social media video of a teen's expletive-laden racial remarks has ignited a firestorm at the Maryland private school he attended.

The video — recorded at a party Saturday night and posted on Twitter — divided the Bullis School community in Potomac and raised questions about racism.

"It’s 'cause you’re [racial slur]. What up [slur]? I’m a [expletive] lynch your [expletive]," the student says in the video. "You’re my [expletive] slaves. I’m going to get my dogs to beat your [expletive]."

What happened before or after the video is unclear, but the teen's parent told News4 the student was studying Civil War racism and quoting "horrible language" from the movie "Django Unchained."

The student, a senior, released a statement saying he was unaware he was being recorded and that his words were taken out of context.

"I have to tell you though that while I admit that my words were disgusting and offensive they were not my words in that I was attempting to portray parts of a movie and replicate their language," the statement reads.

Bullis School dismissed the student, but he has the right to appeal for reinstatement.

"I was disappointed for what was said. I was disappointed for the situation my colleague was put in," said fellow Bullis student Robert Washington. "I feel bad for what has to happen or this path that has been changed for him."

A protest was held on campus Thursday night. A second protest scheduled for Friday was canceled and instead, the school called 18 student leaders together to discuss a plan of action.

"It’s been an unfortunate incident, and now we’re trying to bring the community back," senior Doris Lu said.

The students will bring about change on campus, according to Head of School Gerald Boarman.

"We have student-led organizations that are developing focus groups, opportunities for the students to express themselves," Boarman said. "This is a situation that has been hurtful."



Photo Credit: NBCWashington

Fitbit Shows Woman Lied About Sexual Assault

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A Pennsylvania woman is now on probation after her fitness tracker's information proved she was awake and walking around at a time she claimed to have been sexually assaulted.

The woman made a false police report saying she was pulled out of bed and sexually assaulted, but her Fitbit showed otherwise, according to NBC's "Today" show.

That evidence "sealed the deal" for prosecutors, Lancaster County District Attorney Craig Stedman told "Today."

Law enforcement can use a warrant to obtain information from fitness trackers, many of which include GPS devices.



Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Amid Hot, Dry Weather Officials Prepare for Fire Season

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Hot, dry weather and a series of brush fires across the county have authorities concerned about fire danger heading into summer.

While the recent El Nino rains have made much of San Diego greener lately, fire officials say that could actually lead to more problems.

All of the extra grass we have across San Diego county will eventually die and turn into fuel for fires as we head into the warmer and drier months Calfire authorities explained. 

Peak fire season begins next month and Calfire is already ramping up their stations by bringing back seasonal firefighters and rehires.

The National Weather Service (NWS) said over the last two years San Diego's seen record breaking heat and 2016 likely will as well.

Since January it's rained less than five inches, which is more than last year around this time but still well below average.

The rain has been spaced out though keeping things a little bit greener for a little bit longer.

“But inevitably come June, July, bone dry...hills, and that brush that is taller than it has been over the past few years, weeds, brush, native stuff, whatever it might be, grasses, that all acts as kind of the conveyor belt to allow the fires to spread,” meteorologist Alex Tardy with NWS told NBC 7.

Officials are saying homeowners should start preparing their houses for fire season now by trimming back brush.



Photo Credit: NBC 7

Police Arrest Suspect Accused of Setting Man on Fire

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Police have arrested a suspect accused of setting a man on fire in San Diego's Oak Park neighborhood. 

Monday morning at approximately 10:15 a.m., police arrested 26-year-old Jose Ricardo Garibay after they saw him in a car on the 6200 block of Estrella Avenue in San Diego. 

Garibay, who had two outstanding misdemeanor warrants, was booked into San Diego County Jail at 6:46 p.m. on an attempted murder charge and his outstanding warrants, Acting Homicide Lieutenant Manny Del Toro said. 

SDPD officers say Garibay lured 39-year-old Julio Caesar Edeza to his truck, doused him in a flammable liquid and lit him on fire. The incident happened at noon Sunday on Pentecost Way in San Diego's Oak Park neighborhood near a Rite Aid, just north of State Route 94, officers said.  

The suspect fled the scene.

Details of the crime were released and, on Monday, Del Toro said a resident in Allied Gardens noticed a car matching a photo of the suspect's vehicle on Estrella Avenue. That resident called 911 and police were able to track down Garibay in the area.

Garibay was wanted on two misdemeanor warrants, possibly battery-related, and detectives arrested him on those warrants on the spot, Del Toro said.

Garibay was questioned by detectives who determined he was the suspect in the crime against Edeza. Del Toro said the suspect was very "matter of fact" and cooperative when asked about his involvement in the case.

Detectives believe the crime was random, as it doesn't appear Garibay and Edeza knew one another.

Edeza's family, including his two sisters, have been with him at the hospital. They said he is a loving, funny, generous man and although he didn't have much he shared what he could. 

Edeza's cousin and niece said Edeza has a 14-year old son and family was the most important thing to him. He's a religious man and loves to cook and has a culinary certification. 

Edeza's niece, Erika Jasso, told NBC 7 his family is devastated.

"For him to get treated like that -- it's not fair. No person deserves to get treated the way he did," Jasso said, sobbing. "It hurts me because he's a loving person."

Edeza suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to UC San Diego's Burn Center, police said. 

Edeza has third-degree burns to 85 percent of his body and is in a medically-induced coma according to his family. Police say he is not expected to survive. 

Del Toro said the case, described as "horrific," is being forwarded to the San Diego County District Attorney's office. Police are recommending Garibay be charged with attempted murder.

Detectives have yet to identify what type of liquid the victim was doused with before he was lit on fire.

Anyone with any information on the location or possible owner of this vehicle can notify the San Diego Police Department (619) 531-2000, Homicide Team 5.  Witnesses with information wishing to remain anonymous can also contact Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.



Photo Credit: NBC 7

Lawsuit Over Public Urinal

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A "pissoir" might be commonplace in France — but it's shameful and degrading to a group of Christians and neighbors in San Francisco, who sued the city last week in an unprecedented move.

The heated debate revolves around a European-style public urinal in Dolores Park, located near the city's colorful, predominantly gay Castro neighborhood. The $40,000 pissoir (Piss-WAH) was erected at the corner of 20th and Church streets after neighbors demanded something be done about public urination.

According to plaintiff attorney and Pacific Justice Institute president Brad Dacus, it's the only pissoir in the country, and therefore the first lawsuit of its kind.

Dacus said the open urinal is a "slap in the face" to passersby who have public urination "thrust upon them." He vowed to take the issue to the Supreme Court if need be.

"The open-air urination hole violates the privacy of those who need to use the restroom but would be required to expose their bodies and suffer the shame and degradation of urinating in public view," the lawsuit states. "Seclusion in bodily evacuation is a societal norm and constitutes one of the most basic expectations for privacy."

It also calls the pissoir "indecent," "offensive to the senses," "grossly unseemly" and "offensive to manners and morals."

Dacus' institute filed the suit April 14 in San Francisco Superior Court along with Oakland-based attorneys Kevin Snider and Michael Peffer of the Pacific Justice Institute and Conrad Reynoldson of Seattle's Washington Civil and Disability Advocate.

Plaintiffs include the San Francisco Chinese Christian Union, Richard Lam, Peggy Lam, Patrick Sullivan and Sylvia Terpstra, all of whom either use the park, live near the park, or take the J-Church Muni bus there.

They claim the pissoir is a health hazard that violates the city's plumbing code and discriminates against women and the disabled. But Supervisor Scott Wiener said those arguments are thin: There are 26 other traditional toilets elsewhere in the park for women and those in wheelchairs.

He said Recreation and Parks Department leaders feel the urinal is working, but conceded that more screening will be added to the open-air bathroom.

The pissoir was part of a $20 million park renovation stemming from a year's worth of community meetings — at least 50 — which included talks about a new kind of toilet in Wiener's district.

"The community wanted to try a pissoir in the southwest corner of the park near 'gay beach,' to take the pressure off the rest of the bathrooms," Wiener said. "It's mostly males who are there anyway, it wasn't expensive and it can be easily removed if it doesn't work out."

Neighbor Cheryl LaBrecque said she isn't personally offended by the pissoir but can sympathize with families who have small children.

"I might be bothered by it," she said.

Holly Greenberg, formerly of Manhattan, said it's nothing to get flustered about.

"I can ignore it," said Greenberg. "I'm from New York."

For its part, the city of San Francisco issued a snarky, unabashedly left-leaning press release titled "Ain't that a pissoir?!" In it, the city calls the Pacific Justice Institute a bunch of "religious conservatives" represented by a legal foundation that the Southern Poverty Law Center identifies as an "anti-LGBT hate group."

City Attorney Dennis Herrera pointed out Dolores Park is known for its storied "counter culture," which embraces "immodest sunbathers, pot brownie vendors, spectacular city views, and famously irreverent 'Hunky Jesus' contest." Herrera also proudly noted the park — where 5,000 people can gather on a busy weekend day — ranks No. 1 on Yelp among San Francisco's best nude parks.

"If I had to predict the top 100 things in Dolores Park likely to offend these plaintiffs, I wouldn’t have guessed that this would make the cut," city attorney spokesman Matt Dorsey said.

But to Dacus, nipping the pissoir in the bud is important because the moral tone will set a precedent for the entire country.

"We don't have this in the United States," he said. "We don't accept this culturally, morally, and more importantly, we don't accept it legally. The city of San Francisco is obligated to comply with the law. They can't ignore that simply because of their own political desires to placate some group."



Photo Credit: NBC Bay Area

Vote Set for New Name for Robert E. Lee Elementary

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Students, parents and staffers at Robert E. Lee Elementary School in Paradise Hills have narrowed down the school's new name to two choices.

The San Diego Unified School District will vote on whether to rename to school Amelia Earhart Elementary or Pacific View Leadership Academy at a board meeting on May 24.

Those were the two choices that won out in a community-wide survey that started last November.

The issue, simmering for years, became hot-button after the racially motivated church massacre in Charleston, South Carolina, last June.

Since then, questions have arisen about whether the grade school should be named for Confederate General Robert E. Lee.

The votes of the school community -- current staff, families and students of Lee Elementary – were weighted 2 to1 residents in the final tabulation of all votes from within the San Diego Unified District.

Chargers to Host Stadium Initiative Event in East Village

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The Chargers are hosting a signature-gathering campaign on Saturday to garner support for a new stadium in San Diego’s East Village area.

The event will include some big names: the Bolts’ quarterback Philip Rivers, team legend LaDainian Tomlinson and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will all be on hand.

The campaign party will take place at 11 a.m. in the parking lot at 13th and K streets, the site where the team wants to break ground on a new stadium.

The team plans to share more details on its initiative to build a multi-use stadium and convention facility in East Village.

About 67,000 signatures are required for the initiative to qualify for the Nov. 8 ballot.

The event also will include food and live music.



Photo Credit: NBC 7

Shot Fired Into Pacific Beach Home

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Shots were fired into a home on the ground floor of a complex in Pacific Beach overnight in what police believe was a random drive-by shooting.

The San Diego Police Department (SDPD) said officers were called to the 1700 block of Hornblend Street around midnight after a witness reported someone firing shots into a unit on the ground floor of a two-story condominium complex located next to the Pacific Beach Women’s Club.

When officers arrived, one bullet was found inside the home. No one inside the home was injured, police said.

Investigators spent hours at the scene trying to determine how the bullet entered the home or why shots were fired in the first place.

SDPD Lt. Scott Wahl called the incident alarming, and said it's uncharacteristic to the Pacific Beach neighborhood.

NBC 7 spoke with three roommates who live in the condominium where the shots were fired Tuesday. They were very shaken up by the ordeal and told NBC 7 they were home at the time of the shooting. Two of the roommates were inside sleeping, they said, and the other had just gotten home.

According to the residents, the roommate who was coming home arrived to find people hanging out in a carport behind their condo. The roommate asked the group to leave and they told him they had a gun.

The group left and as the suspects drove their car around the front of the home, someone in the car allegedly fired at the roommate and the condo.

Wahl said the suspect who fired the shot yelled something at the resident just before he pulled the trigger. The bullet struck the home, just a few feet away from the resident.

The residents told NBC 7 a bullet flew through the front window screen and past the frame of a door leading to one of the bedrooms where another roommate was sleeping.

Wahl said investigators have not yet determined exactly what type of gun was used in the shooting. 

The suspects remain at large.

Wahl said the suspect who fired the gun is described as a man in his 20s with a buzz cut and dark hair. He was riding with a woman in a newer-model, red, 4-door sedan with paper plates.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information on this incident can call the SDPD.



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego
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