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Fall Pumpkin Patches in San Diego

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With autumn in full swing, it’s time to start thinking about picking that perfect pumpkin. Mostly open through Halloween, there are plenty of patches in San Diego where families can feel festive this fall in their all-important search for a gourd to call their own.

Bates Nut Farm
15954 Woods Valley Rd., Valley Center; (760) 749-3333
For more than 50 years, locals have considered a visit to this North County farm a fall tradition, including its famed Pumpkin Patch. Grab a wheelbarrow and take your pick: from Big Macs, Ghost, Cinderella and Jack O’ Lantern pumpkins to minis, squash and other gourds. On the weekends, the patch features live entertainment from noon to 3 p.m., plus BBQ, food trucks and other fun, family-friendly activities, including pony and tractor rides – definitely enough to do to make a full day of it. Parking is $5 on the weekends in October. The Bates pumpkin patch is open through Oct. 31.

The Farm Stand West
2115 Miller Ave. & 1980 Summit Dr., Escondido; (760) 738-9014
The Farm Stand West and Fran’s Original Farm Stand in Escondido both boast a Pick-It-Yourself Pumpkin Patch, with lots of gorgeous gourds from which to choose at both locations. These patches are open daily, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Pumpkin Stations by Pinery Farms
Various locations; (858) 566-7466
This particular Pumpkin Station is up and running at five different locations throughout San Diego County through Oct. 31: Del Mar; Rancho Bernardo; Mission Valley; National City; and Bonita. Besides pumpkin picking, each site offers rides, giant slides, inflatable play centers, petting zoos and game zones for kids. Party packages and school tours are also available at these sites.

Peltzer Farms
39925 Calle Contento, Temecula; (951) 695-1115
This authentic pumpkin farm in Temecula is open daily all month, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and boasts all kinds of fun attractions, including a railroad ride on a 12-passenger train through the pumpkin patch and pig races.

Oma’s Pumpkin Patch
14950 El Monte Rd., Lakeside; (619) 390-2929
For a $10 admission fee, child visitors to this East County pumpkin patch receive a Jack Patch Pumpkin and access to all attractions and games, including a playground, petting corral, hay bale maze and covered hay rides around the farm. Adult admission (age 13 and up) is $5 and doesn’t include the pumpkin. This season, Oma's is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. It's closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Mountain Valley Ranch
842 Highway 78, Ramona; (760) 788-8703
Meander through fields of colorful pumpkins and pick out your perfect match. Mountain Valley Ranch also offers hay rides, a petting zoo and pony rides, plus a huge corn maze with the opportunity to purchase Indian corn and popping corn grown fresh on the farm. This place is open daily this season from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Suzie’s Farm
2570 Sunset Ave., South Bay; (619) 662-1780
This 120-acre farm will host Pumpkin Palooza on three Saturdays this month -- Oct. 8; Oct. 15; Oct. 22 -- entire days dedicated to pumpkin picking on an organic, two-acre patch. This event, held on those dates from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., is free and open to the public. Pumpkins are priced by size, ranging from $3 to $50.

Julian Mining Company
4444 State Hwy 78, Wynola/Julian; (951) 313-0166
Get your gourds at this Julian patch. While you’re there, you might enjoy picking your own apples as well, or panning for gold – a popular activity in the town of Julian.

Summers Past Farms
15602 Olde Highway 80, El Cajon; (619) 390-1523
Take a stroll through the pumpkin patch this month and pick your winner. Weekends are especially lively here, with a jump house, popcorn, corndogs and other snacks in the country setting.

Cannon Stand Carlsbad Pumpkin Patch
1050 Cannon Rd., Carlsbad; (760) 603-9608
The Cannon Stand in Carlsbad is known for its juicy strawberries but this month, it’s all about the pumpkins. A patch is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., offering gourds for days. This spot also features a corn maze, which is $5 to $7 a pop for kids and adults.

Stehly Farms Organics
12630 Santa Catalina Rd., Valley Center; (760) 742-1186
For one day only -- Oct. 9, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., this farm in Valley Center will host a family-friendly pumpkin picking day, complete with tractor rides. Admission is $7 per person, while kids ages 4 and under are free. Everyone gets a pumpkin with paid admission.



Photo Credit: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images

Former Adviser: Trump Didn't Know Tax Codes

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Contrary to Donald Trump’s claims that he understands the tax code “better than anyone,” an attorney who worked with the Republican presidential candidate said he had little interest in the laws, NBC News reported.

Jack Mitnick, a former tax advisor for Trump, said Trump had no time nor patience to learn the tax codes during the time he worked with the billionaire, through late 1996. Mitnick oversaw the 1995 tax filing, protion of which was published by The New York Ties, showing a $916 million loss. He claimed that Trump had no involvement in the filing. 

 

detailing a $916 million loss. He claimed that Trump had no involvement in the filing.detailing a $916 million loss. He claimed that Trump had no involvement in the filing. 

 

"He was interested in the bottom line, not the detail," Mitnick said on NBC's "Today" show. "Staff under my supervision did his returns - he had no involvement in the preparation."

It is still unclear whether Trump used his 1995 filing to avoid paying any federal income taxes. Mitnick could not comment.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Driver, 23, Killed in I-8 Rollover

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A 23-year-old driver was killed in Mission Valley early Wednesday after he lost control of his pickup truck on Interstate 8, plowing into a center median, authorities said.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) said the driver crashed and overturned his truck at around 1:30 a.m. on eastbound I-8, just west of Interstate 15. CHP officials said the man was alone in the vehicle.

The San Diego County Medical Examiner's (ME) office the driver was rushed to a local hospital where he died about 40 minutes later.

The ME said the driver was wearing his seat belt. He was traveling at a high speed and, while trying to negotiate a curve, lost control of his truck.

The truck slammed into a center divider on the freeway and overturned. The driver had to be pulled from the wreckage and was critically injured, the ME said.

The man's name has not yet been released. He was a resident of San Diego.

Mourners Honor 'Extraordinary' Marine Shot While on Leave

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Sandra Lopez wiped away tears Wednesday as she spoke at her 19-year-old son's funeral about the day he decided to join the Marines.

The two had talked two days earlier about his options, including military service, school and other possible paths to pursue after high school.

"He said, 'I'm going to join the Marine Corps," Lopez said. "I came along with him to the Marine Corps office. I picked up my pen and I said, 'Carlos, I will sign if you ask me to.' He said, 'Yes, ma'am.' 

"I thank God for giving me such a wonderful son. Now my job is to keep his memory alive."

Lance Cpl. Carlos Segovia Lopez, described by family and friends as a loving person dedicated to serving his community and country, was found Sept. 16 slumped over in his car in South Los Angeles. He died four days later at a hospital.

No arrests have been reported in the case.

The funeral mass at Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles included eulogies by Lopez's mother, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, friend Claudia Perez, Lt. Col. Cory Quinn and friend Lance Cpl. Joseph Solorio.

"To join the Marines at a time of war, to join as an infantryman, is an extraordinary emotional and intellectual decision," said Lt. Colonel Quinn. "You can see how important it was to him. You learn what it is to defend, what it is to stick up for others. And, that's why he joined."

He told mourners about a water training exercise in which Segovia Lopez displayed his grit.

"He was suffering as much as any of them, but he would focus on them," Quinn said. "To be honest, this is bizarre to me. As he would be ingesting water, spitting the water out, the way he got through it would be by focusing on the other Marines. What an extraordinary young man."

Marines in uniform filled several rows of the Cathedral to hear about the young man who showed a desire to serve his community during his teen years. Claudia Perez, founderof LA on Cloud 9, was described as a second mother to Carlos, who volunteered with the community group.

"Thank you for sharing your son with us," Perez said at the funeral mass, speaking to Carlos' mother. "He was just so dedicated, very passionate in helping others. Carlos was already ready to anything. I can still here him tell me, 'Just say the word, Claudia. We got this.'

"This kid inspired me." 

He worked closely with the homeless community through Cloud 9. His compassion even extended to animals living in the homeless encampments.

"When we visited every homeless encampment, he had to, and I say had to, feed the animals, as well," Perez said. "I know they will miss him tremendously. It's hard now when we visit the homeless encampments and we known Carlos is missing."

The organization plans to name a teen program after Segovia Lopez.

The Los Angeles Police Department announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in Lopez's killing. The most promising clue so far is a phone call that gave detectives a glimpse into the young Marine's last moments. Segovia Lopez was having a cellphone conversation when it appeared he became aware of something suspicious going on nearby, and then the line went silent, according to Capt. Peter Whittingham, commander of the LAPD Criminal Gang Homicide section.

"It is very possible that he might have seen some suspicious activity or maybe even a crime in progress," Whittingham said.

He had just left the home of his girlfriend's family when he was fatally wounded with a single shot to the head, police said. A vehicle pulled up beside the Marine's car, and at least one person opened fire, striking him once in the head, police said.

He was not in uniform.

Lopez was born in El Salvador and came to the U.S. with his mother. He was known for his volunteer work in high school, a commitment to community service that eventually led to his enlistment in the military. He began volunteering as a teen for a number of non-profit causes, including LA on Cloud 9, which aids the homeless. After graduating from Foshay Learning Center last year, he enlisted in the Marine Corps, but during leave time continued to volunteer, said Perez, the organization's founder.

"He was more than a brother. He was my hero," said his sister, Cynthia, 13. "Now I want to finish his dreams."

A statement from the School of Infantry-West and USMC Training Command echoed those sentiments: "In a very short time, Lance Cpl. Segovia Lopez deeply impacted those who came to know him and his unselfish and honorable legacy will live on in our Corps. Once a Marine, always a Marine."

Anyone with information on the case was asked to contact detectives directly at 323-786-5110.



Photo Credit: Claudia Perez

Man Stabs Police Dog With BBQ Fork: SDPD

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A man suspected of being under the influence of drugs stabbed a K9 officer with a BBQ fork as police tried to arrest him early Wednesday, authorities said. 

The violent attack on the police dog, whose name is Mickey, happened just before 1 a.m. in the 700 block of 16th Street in San Diego’s Egger Highlands community.

According to the San Diego Police Department (SDPD), the man’s family called authorities to report that he was acting erratically and possibly on a controlled substance. The family was concerned about his well-being and wanted him evaluated.

As police arrived at the man’s home on Coronado Avenue, he ran away, armed with a BBQ fork.

A couple of hours later he returned home and began banging on the doors and windows, the SDPD said. Officers were once again called to the area and the man, once again, ran away.

Half an hour later, police tracked down the man on 16th Street. He was still wielding the BBQ fork, police said, and refused to follow orders from officers.

The SDPD said a K9 officer was deployed to help apprehend the man. As the dog approached, the man stabbed the K9 twice with the BBQ fork, once in the neck and once on his backside.

Officers Tasered the man and took him into custody. No other officers were injured.

The police dog was taken to a local animal hospital but is expected to survive. Officials said Mickey was home with his handler Wednesday morning, resting and recovering.

Mickey is a Belgian Malinois who has been with the SDPD for a year-and-a-half. He came to the police department when he was four years old, after beibng trained in Europe.

The incident is under investigation; the man’s name was not released.



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

Witness Accounts, Blood Evidence Examined in Woman's Killing

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A home in Santee turned into a large crime scene overnight after a woman was found dead in a case being investigated as a homicide.

The San Diego County Sheriff's Department (SDSO), said the woman's roommate came home to their residence in 8800 block of Mission Greens Road, near Mission Gorge, Tuesday at around 10:40 p.m. to find the woman unconscious on the floor, critically injured.

He immediately called 911. SDSO deputies were dispatched to the scene and when they arrived, the woman was confirmed dead.

SDSO Lt. Kenneth Nelson said homicide detectives took over the investigation and cordoned the area. By 6:30 a.m., deputies had obtained a warrant to search the back of the home. Nelson said detectives would remain at the scene for many hours Wednesday combing through the property for evidence and keeping the scene secure to preserve any clues.

Officials could be seen swabbing the door of the home and collecting items. Another crime scene team collected evidence from a car parked nearby.

Nelson said the scene spans a large area because detectives want to make sure they don't miss any key evidence.

"In a homicide [investigation], we have one chance to get it right," Nelson told reporters at an 11:15 a.m. briefing.

He said "blood evidence" was found in the street near the woman's home, although detectives have not yet determined if the blood belongs to the victim or to the suspect or suspects.

Nelson said detectives are also trying to figure out where the actual attack took place -- whether it was on the street or inside the home.

The lieutenant said no arrests have been made and detectives are actively pursuing a number of leads.

Nelson couldn't confirm the nature of the woman's injuries and said the San Diego County Medical Examiner's office will conduct an autopsy Thursday morning to determine the cause and manner of her death. At that time, the ME is also expected to formally identify the victim.

Nelson said detective have interviewed many residents and witnesses who reported seeing people leaving the area at the time of the crime. He said those witness statements are still being vetted.

At this point, detectives have not yet determined a motive for the killing.

Nelson said the woman's roommate is a witness at this point, not a suspect in the homicide investigation. He said the roommate is traumatized.

Neighbors told deputies they heard some noises coming from the home at around 8 p.m. Tuesday.

One neighbor, who did not want to be identified, told NBC 7 he was outside smoking a cigarette at around 8:15 p.m. Tuesday when he heard a loud bang that sounded like a firecracker. The witness said he then saw a man leaving from the home where the woman was found dead.

Officials have not identified the woman by name, but said she’s between 25 and 35 years old. 

Meanwhile, the woman's family waited outside the home all morning, hugging one another. They were visibly shaken; many sobbed while they waited for answers. Nelson said a crisis team was en route to help the family.

Neighbor Deanne Medina told NBC 7 she was shocked by the case.

"I'm really surprised to see something like this happen. A lot of times, if we have a sick neighbor, we'll go and check on them, just to see how they're doing. So I'm really surprised by this and saddened by this," said Medina.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information on this case can reach out to the SDSO’s Homicide Detail at (858) 974-2321 or (858) 565-5200, or San Diego County Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

WATCH: Chargers Lose Verrett For the Rest of the Season

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If it wasn’t for bad luck the San Diego Chargers would not have any luck at all.

Four games ... four key players lost to season-ending injuries. On Wednesday the Bolts lost Pro Bowl cornerback Jason Verrett for the remainder of the 2016 season with a partially torn ACL. Verrett discussed his injury with NBC 7 SportsWrap:

Jason says he felt discomfort after the Jacksonville game and again after the trip to Indianapolis but it got progressively worse after the loss to the Saints so he decided to get the knee looked at. That’s when tests revealed the tear.

It’s more than likely that he played at least a pair of NFL games with a severe knee injury. When Verrett was drafted he was lauded for his toughness but enduring that kind of injury takes his pain tolerance to a whole new level. He joins Keenan Allen, Danny Woodhead, Manti Te’o, and (going back to the preseason) Branden Oliver, Donavon Clark and Jeff Cumberland on the list of players who suffered season-ending injuries.

To take Verrett’s spot in the secondary the Chargers re-signed cornerback Stevie Williams, who was drafted by the Bolts in 2014 and spent the first two years of his career in San Diego. Williams was cut at the end of the preseason and spent a few weeks with the Los Angeles Rams before re-joining the Chargers.

The Chargers also waived defensive tackle Ryan Carrethers. The timing there is interesting because defensive end Joey Bosa, the third overall pick in the NFL Draft, finally took part in a full practice with no limitations on Wednesday.

Chargers head coach Mike McCoy would not commit to saying Bosa will be on the field for Sunday’s game in Oakland but if he is able to go full-tilt in practice the remainder of the week it’s a good bet that the rookie will see the first NFL action of his career against the Raiders.

Celebrate Oktoberfest at SD Airport, Win Tickets to Germany

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The San Diego Airport’s Oktoberfest celebration is still flying high.

The Oktoberfest celebration started in late September, introducing the airports’ new service to Frankfurt, Germany on Condor Airlines coming in 2017.

Travelers and airport visitors have been greeted with live musical performances, and treated with special offers on food, beer and apparel from more than 50 participating shops and restaurants. The airport is also giving away two free roundtrip airline tickets to Frankfurt for travel anytime between May 1 and Oct. 5, 2017.

On Thursday, October 6, traditional German accordion players will be preforming from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. There will also be German-themed cutouts for participant to take photos with.

The Oktoberfest event runs until Sunday, October 16.

Check out some other fun Oktoberfest celebrations happening in and around San Diego.



Photo Credit: AP

CAL FIRE Teams Investigate Shrub Dryness, Area Fire Danger

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San Diegans know that wildfires can spark out of nowhere. That’s why CAL FIRE has an investigative team dedicated to assessing fire vulnerability in the backcountry.

Twice a month from May to October firefighters in CAL FIRE’s Pre-Fire/Resource Management Office go out into backcountry areas and report on moisture conditions to try and locate fire fuel.

They look for two types of fuels, live and dead. Live fuels are portions of vegetation that are naturally dry or that have dried out excessively due to heat and drought conditions, but are still alive. The moisture content of live fuel can depend on the plant species, time of year and rainfall, and is one of the biggest factors in the flammability of vegetation.

Once plants get below 65 percent of fuel moisture in the live part of the plant, they are considered “critical” and more likely to catch on fire. Vegetation in San Diego is currently holding in the high 40s to low 50s range, which is 10 percent below its average.

Dead fuels are vegetation that has died over the years but remain in the wild. The moisture content of dead fuels, which is also dependent on weather and rainfall, ranges between 1 and 20 percent.

“Five years of below average rainfall is definitely increasing die-off of our shrubs in the foothills and mountains,” said Eric Just, a CAL FIRE forester. “When you have dead fuels, it will give us more of a fire issue.”

According to Just, dead fuels are the primary culprit that carry a fire from one place to another.

In order to get an idea of moisture content in different areas, Just and other members of the investigative team search for a plant called chamise that is found throughout the state. They clip the plant samples and run them through a live fuel moisture analyzer machine.

The machine first weighs the sample and then uses high heat to evaporate the moisture within the sample before weighing it again. The difference in weight equals the percentage of moisture that was in the sample. The results are then logged into a national database allowing firefighters to compare regions and develop a regional understanding of fire threats.

Just says that San Diego County forestland is still recovering from the catastrophic fires of 2003 and 2007, but dead trees do still pose a fire threat. Some Oak trees in the region have come under attack of beetle infestations, which throws another wrinkle in researchers’ efforts to manage fire danger.

Swarms of goldspotted oak borers have engulfed an estimated 75,000 to 95,000 acres of trees in areas surrounding Julian and Ramona.

“As far as affecting fire behavior, whenever you have dead trees, fires are going to burn much hotter and more intensely in those particular areas,” Just said. “When we are fighting a fire, oak woodlands are actually seen as a place where you can expect fire behavior to moderate because oaks are resistant to burning, humidity is higher and there’s not a lot of surface growth, just grass. But if you remove a woodland area and replace it with brush, then you completely alter the fire ecology of that area.”

So whether dead trees are left in the ground or removed, fire threat remains. But according to Just, removing the dead trees can create more danger.

Just says that the shade from the trees keeps vegetation from growing beneath, and if a dead tree is removed it opens space for more brush to grow making an area more susceptible to fire.

On the other side of all the different fire threats, there will always be one constant: preparedness. Property owners should do their best to manage live and dead vegetation on their land and create a defensible space. Other members of the community should stay ready and have a family evacuation plan at all times.



Photo Credit: CAL FIRE

Local Mom Speaks Out Against Prop 64

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A Ramona mother is sharing the story of her son’s death in a drugged driving crash—speaking out against a measure to legalize recreational marijuana use in California.

Proposition 64 was the center of spotlight at a summit in Los Angeles on Wednesday. The sumit, hosted by the Automobile Club of Southern California brought together experts who discussed the impact of legal and illegal drugs on traffic safety.

Laura Cupples lost her son Ryan six years ago after a crash on San Vicente Road in Ramona. The driver was the brother of Ryan's best friend who had be driving under the influence of marijuana at the time of the crash.

“At about 12:15, they officially declared him brain dead, and when they did that, a part of me died too,” Cupples told NBC 7. “My husband had the horrible task of going out of the ICU to tell our two daughters that their little brother was dead and I can still hear their screams and crying.”

Now, Cupples said she wants to prevent the legalization of recreational marijuana, which she believes will lead to an increase in the number of drug-related crashes and deaths.

If approved, Proposition 64 would allow people over the age of 21 to use marijuana legally, without a prescription. Supporters of the measure say it would raise $1 billion in annual taxes that can fund drug education and treatment programs.

But opponents like the Automobile Club of Southern California, argued that fatal crashes involving drugged drivers have increased.

"Prop 64 is a gamble on the public's safety, which isn't a risk worth taking, especially when drug-impaired driving is on the rise," said Kathy Sieck, Senior Vice President for Public Affairs for the Auto Club.

Jake Nelson, director of AAA Traffic Safety, Advocacy and Research based in Washington, D.C., said that there needs to be more research before states can fully understand the impact of Prop 64.

According to Nelson, research finding by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety showed that fatal crashes involving drugged drivers more than doubled in the state of Washington after recreational marijuana became legal.

“I think we’re playing with fire,” Cupples told NBC 7. “And the casualties are going to be our kids, our family members. And everyone always thinks ‘it’s not going to happen to me’ but in the blink of an eye it does happen to you.”

Cupples says that she’s concerned that passing Prop 64 will make marijuana more available to users—the effects of which could be a rise in drug-related crashes.

“It’s not something that goes away. Six years later, the hurt is just as bad,” she said. “And we’re constantly reminded of the things were missing out on because [Ryan’s] not here.”

Cole Casey, a criminal defense attorney has worked with DUI and drug-related cases for 20 years. He says people are already breaking the law and smoking marijuana for recreational purposes, adding that the measure would not change much.

“The people who want to smoke are already smoking,” Casey said. “What the purpose of this legislation hopefully is, and the state could sure use it, is to regulate it and tax it.”

Casey told NBC 7 that there are not necessarily more drugged drivers on the road but an increase in the number of arrests of those are driving impaired.

“Whether it becomes legal or not is going to have no impact whatsoever on whether or not more people are doing it and then driving under the influence of it,” he added.

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted to stand against Prop 64 on Tuesday but the decision will come down to voters heading to the November ballots.

Reported Brawl Breaks Out Between Two Soccer Teams: SDPD

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A reported brawl broke out between two soccer teams at the Encanto Recreation Center after one parent became upset that a 7-year old child was using his head to hit the ball, San Diego Police (SDPD) officers said. 

The incident happened at 7:45 p.m. Wednesday at the center, located on the 6500 block of Wunderlin Avenue in San Diego's Encanto neighborhood, police said. 

According to SDPD, a parent became angry at a seven-year old, leading to a brawl between parents. Police say one parent was trapped in the brawl and in order to get the person out, another parent used pepper spray.

Children and parents were sprayed.

Police say there were no arrests made.

No other information was immediately available.

Check back for updates on this breaking news story. 



Photo Credit: Getty Images/File

Policy Change Leaves Haitians Caught Between Disaster and Deportation

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A sudden recent shift in American deportation policy may have dire implications for thousands of Haitians, and cause a bleak homecoming for many in the wake of destruction brought by Hurricane Matthew, NBC News reported.

The hurricane was billed as the most powerful storm to touch the Atlantic in nearly a decade as it made landfall in Haiti early Tuesday morning. At least 19 people were confirmed dead by the time the storm passed over the island of Hispaniola.

And thousands more Haitians who are currently in America may soon face fallout from the disaster, all for a new change in United States immigration policies that critics warn is ill-fated and poorly timed.



Photo Credit: AP

No Cameras at Kardashian West Crime Scene: Source

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The Hôtel de Pourtalès in Paris, where Kim Kardashian West was robbed at gunpoint on Monday, was not equipped with security cameras, a high-level judicial source close to the investigation told NBC News on Thursday.

The source said investigators have to use footage from surrounding areas to profile the five criminals. In addition to lack of surveillance, the hotel only had one concierge to monitor threats, making it an easy target.

Information also came to light this week that the security company of Kardashian West's bodyguard filed for bankruptcy just 10 weeks before the robbery. Pascal Duvier's German-based firm, ProtectSecurity, was dissolved on July 28, according to court records from the German city of Heidelberg.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Newer Safer Child Car Seats

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Consumer Reports’ tested 4 infant seats with a safety feature that’s common in Europe but is only now becoming available in the US. It’s called the load leg. It’s a support that extends from the base of the infant seat to the vehicle floor, making the seat more stable and safer for the baby.

The four tested seats with load legs received Consumer Reports’ highest crash performance rating in a simulated 35-mile-per-hour crash test. They are:

  • GB Asana 35 DLX ($250)
  • Nuna Pipa ($300)
  • Cybex Aton 2 ($320)
  • Cybex Aton Q ($370)

In crash tests, seats with the load leg had less forward motion than those without it. And it resulted in almost a 50 percent decrease in head injury risk to the dummy compared with seats without it.

Even though the load leg adds a step to the installation, Consumer Reports found it easy to use. But you will pay a premium for this new feature.

Consumer Reports says that all seats are safe when used and installed correctly, but seats with the load leg feature offer an additional margin of safety.

Consumer Reports warns that not all American cars are designed to work with this new style of car seat. If you’re interested in getting an infant seat with a load leg, be sure to check your vehicle manual for any restrictions.

Study Links Birth Control to Depression, Especially in Teens

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A new study from JAMA Psychiatry discovered a link between birth control use and depression, particularly when it comes to adolescent women.

The study looked at over one million women. When they were prescribed certain forms of hormonal contraceptives, their chance of being diagnosed with depression more than doubled.

However, a psychiatrist specializing in children and teens at Kaiser Permanente spoke with NBC 7, and expressed skepticism towards the study. She said that like most studies it has a flaw because it only looked at the womens' medical records without considering other factors.

"That is the age that incidents of depression significantly increase and so probably that is the reason that we're seeing some correlation, but it's not clear in this study," Dr. Breda Velasquez said.

Dr. Velasquez says not all teens have issues when going through hormonal changes but because the study looks at medical records, it asks more questions than it gives answers.

"This is not a new topic in psychiatry. So there are many other studies that look into (the) relationship just with hormones in general and link to psychiatric disorders," she said.

Data from the study out of the University of Copenhagen does show a distinct link between birth control users and depression. There are various forms of birth control and so the percentages vary for each one.

Dr. Velasquez also says like most studies, you can find a flaw in this particular one in that the study just looked at medical records of women in their teens and twenties and did not look into other reasons that could cause depression.

If you have concerns, Dr. Velasquez says to consult your physician before making any drastic changes.

The study came out just before National Depression Screening Day, which is Thursday, Oct. 6.

Read the full study, including effects of individual forms of birth control, by clicking here.



Photo Credit: UIG via Getty Images

Brain Corp Debuts Self-Driving Floor Cleaning Robotic EMMA

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A self-driving industrial floor cleaner, known as the Enabling Mobile Manufacturing Automation (EMMA) robot, made its debut Wednesday at the Brain Corp Open House in Mira Mesa.

In its new, state-of-the-art production facility and warehouse in Mira Mesa, the company provided a live demonstration of EMMA, a  form of Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) technology.

The robotics company Brain Corp showed a sneak peek of the self-driving, floor cleaning EMMA, as it independently performed complex tasks, said a Brain Corp official. The robot can learn, sense and adapt to its environment.

The cost of labor represents 80 percent of the overall expenses related to daily cleaning, and this is projected to increase 40 percent over the next four years, according to Brain Corp. EMMA is expected to offer a more affordable, sustainable alternative to hiring janitors and cleaning services. 

According to Brain Corp, EMMA automates floor care using pre-existing equipment. The self-driving industrial floor cleaner does not need a human operator. However, when manually controlled, EMMA learns its environment and is able to then navigate complex areas without colliding into obstacles and people.

Brain Corp officials say EMMA will soon be available at major retail chains nationwide. The company plans to continue building the next generation of brains for self-driving vehicles.



Photo Credit: Brain Corp

1 Injured in Carlsbad Jet Ski Crash

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One person was seriously injured in Carlsbad after a jet ski crash, Carlsbad Fire Department officials confirmed to NBC 7 San Diego.

The incident happened Wednesday afternoon in the Carlsbad Lagoon, near California Water Sports. 

Two jet skiers were out having fun when one hit the other from behind, witnesses said. One man, 47, fell off and hit his head on the other jet ski. 

Employees from California Water Sports rushed to save the victim, strapping him to a paddleboard and towing him to land. He suffered a large cut on his head and had to undergo surgery at a local hospital.

He is expected to recover.

Meanwhile, police said the second jet skier fled the scene of the collision, which means this could be considered a hit-and-run. Police said the person on that jet ski could face charges for leaving the scene. That person has not yet been identified.

Investigators say the crash is a dangerous reminder of the dangers of jet skiing and the legalities.

"It is illegal and unsafe to ride up quickly on a jet ski, spin and try and spray your buddies with the jet," said Sergeant Mike Larson with Carlsbad Police.

The incident is under investigation. Police say it is unknown at this time if alcohol or drugs played a role in the crash.

No other information was immediately available.



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

Texas Boy Set on Fire by Other Kids

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Texas family says special-needs 10-year-old boy was intentionally set on fire by two other children.

Photo Credit: WOAI-TV

Emily Blunt Discusses Role in 'The Girl On The Train'

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NASSCO Wins $106.2 Million Navy Contract

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The U.S. Navy said that it awarded General Dynamics NASSCO a $106.2 million contract modification to buy materials for a fifth Expeditionary Mobile Base ship, and to support its construction.

The ship will go together at NASSCO’s Barrio Logan shipyard.

The NASSCO-built ships previously went by the names Mobile Landing Platform and Afloat Forward Staging Base. Planners see the ships as military bases at sea, supporting amphibious landings on hostile shores.

Money will be used to buy long-lead-time material, including unspecified interior components; steel plates; piping; ventilation and machinery insulation; heating, ventilation and air conditioning components; emergency switchboards; piping; valves; steel shapes; a ballast water treatment system; an aqueous film forming system; and a knuckle-boom crane. The sum will also support engineering and non-production support.

Some $82.5 million of the funds came from the 2016 defense budget. The federal government began its 2017 fiscal year on Oct. 1.

Work is expected to be complete by March.

Shares of NASSCO parent General Dynamics trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol GD.

The Naval Sea Systems Command (aka NAVSEA) of Washington, D.C. awarded the deal.



Photo Credit: General Dynamics NASSCO/Facebook
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