Clashes between protesters and authorities over the Dakota Access Pipeline escalated Sunday night after an estimated 400 people tried to breach a law enforcement barrier, NBC News reported.

The sheriff's office described the clash as a "riot" prompted by "very aggressive" activists, while protesters said authorities used tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannon in below-freezing temperatures.

In a statement, the sheriff's office said tear gas and other "less than lethal means" were being used after protesters "engaged in organized tactical movement and attempted to flank and attack" a law enforcement line near a bridge.

The clash comes days after organizers held coordinated demonstrations across the country to protest a 1,170-mile oil pipeline that has generated the largest American Indian protest movement in modern history. Thousands of people have flocked to North Dakota, where the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe argues that the proposed pipeline could permanently contaminate its water source, the Missouri River.

Light sprinkles across San Diego County Sunday afternoon turned into heavier rain.

Heading into Sunday night, expect to see steady rain, heavy at times. There's also a possibility of thunder and hail from the coast to the mountains, and snow above The worst of this storm is expected to pass through by sunrise. The Monday morning commute is expected to be wet with a 60 percent chance of scattered showers. The chance for showers does decrease as the day goes on to a 20 percent chance through Monday evening. Daytime highs below normal at 64 degrees at Lindbergh Field.

There are also two weather advisories in effect. A Wind Advisory is in effect for our local mountains and deserts until 8pm Monday. 20 to 30 MPH winds with gusts to 50 MPH and isolated gusts to 60 miles per hour.

At the coast, a High Surf Advisory is in effect for surf five ot eight feet. This advisory expires at 6 p.m. Monday.

A reward of $1,000 has been offered for information leading to an arrest of a suspect wanted for burglary and identity theft in Encinitas, from San Diego County Crime Stoppers.

It happened on Oct. 3, 2016 at about 7:30 a.m., when the suspect broke into a Hyundai Elantra parked at the Ranch Town Center located at 1068 N. El Camino Real, according to Crime Stoppers. 

The suspect took a purse that held the victim's social security card, driver's license and credit card, according to investigators from the North Coastal Sheriff's station. They used the card for several purchases at the Shell gas station, located on 865 Orpheus Avenue.

When the credit card was later declined, the suspect took off in a van with two women.

Crime Stopper officials said the suspect is a white man, age 25 - 30, standing 5'8'' tall and weighing about 145 lbs. He has blonde hair, and was last seen wearing a black baseball-style cap with "Hard Luck" emblazoned in white letters.

The suspect was also wearing a black t-shirt with three words outlined in red, said officials. Two of the words were "built" and "for." It was not clear what the other word may have said. He donned white, plaid shorts and black flip flops.

Another notable detail was a large intricate tattoo on the suspect's lower left arm, according to Crime Stoppers. The women in his van were described as looking white.

Anyone with information about this crime can contact the North Coastal Sheriff's Station at (760) 966-3500 or the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at (888) 580-8477. If a tip helps lead to an arrest, the sender will receive $1,000 from Crime Stoppers.

No further details on the case were currently available.

A woman standing next to her car in Chula Vista was struck and seriously injured by a suspected drunk driver Sunday evening, according to Chula Vista Police (CVPD).

At about 10:05 p.m., the collision happened in the 300 block of Montclair Street, said CVPD officers. 

The victim was placing items into the trunk of her car, when the driver veered off the roadway and collided with her, according to CVPD. Police have arrested the suspect, Sergio Rodriguez, Jr., age 27, on felony DUI charges.

When police arrived on scene they found the victim suffering from severe traumas. Medics were requested and she was taken to the UC San Diego Trauma Center. The driver Rodriguez was not injured in the crash.

An investigation of the incident is currently underway from the Chula Vista Police Traffic Division, according to CVPD. If anyone knows more about the collision, they can call police at (619)691-5151.

No further details on the collision were currently available.

The Department of Environmental Health (DEH) has issued a General Rain Advisory to warn county residents about high bacteria levels in San Diego's beaches from urban runoff and Tijuana river flows.

Swimmers, surfers and other beach goers are warned that the level of hazardous bacteria can rise significantly after rainfall, according to the DEH. The urban runoff contains high amounts of bacteria from a breadth of places, ranging from animal waste, soil and decomposing vegetation.

Due to sewage-contaminated flows entering the United States from Tijuana, a water contact closure was also issued for the ocean shoreline at the Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge and Border Field State Park. The closure extends from the beach-line at the south end of Seacoast Drive to the International Border.

Although there are metal warning signs permanently posted at many coastal storm drains, beach goers should keep in mind that many beaches lacking signs for general advisories are still at risk of high bacteria levels.

DEH officials recommend temporarily avoiding activities such as swimming, surfing and diving in the coastal waters for at least 72 hours after the storm, to minimize exposure to bacteria.

The advisory extends to all coastal beaches, including all of Mission Bay and San Diego Bay, according to the DEH. How long the elevated bacteria levels last will depend on the intensity and possible continuation of the storm.

Part of the Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge and Border Field State Park will remain closed until ocean samples indicate it it safe for beach goers, said DEH officials. Access to Friendship Park may also be affected by closures related to sewage runoff.

Dozens of rescued beagles arrived in San Diego on Monday and will soon be available for adoption.

The dogs, 35 in total, were rescued from a large commercial breeding operation in the central U.S. Eleven of the beagles went to shelters in Las Vegas, while the remaining animals came to San Diego County.

Thirteen beagles were set to undergo health exams and should be available for adoption sometime in the next 10 to 14 days, said John Van Zante, spokesman for the Rancho Coastal Humane Society in Encinitas.

The other beagles were rescued by the San Diego animal rescue group Four Paws.

The rescued dogs were discarded from large-scale breeding operations that focus on producing as many dogs from a certain breed as possible. Once the market is saturated, the breeders switch to a different breed, Van Zante said.

“They come from a situation where there’s no future,” he said.

A sailboat has washed ashore in Coronado near the iconic Hotel Del Coronado. 

The 30-foot sailboat appeared Monday morning after a night of tumultous surf as heavy rain and thunder came through San Diego County. 

The boat is located at the foot of Avenida Del Sol, south of the Hotel Del. 

San Diego is under a high surf and high wind advisory through Monday evening.

Waves of three to five feet with sets reaching five to eight feet are expected in Southern San Diego County, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Those heading into the water are warned as high surf and strong rip currents have created dangerous swimming conditions. The advisory expires at 6 p.m. Monday.

A wind advisory remains in effect until 8 p.m. Monday evening as west winds of 20 to 30 miles, with gusts up to 50 miles per hour and some isolated gusts of 60 miles per hour, cross San Diego County. 

No other information was immediately available.

The turkey grandma is serving at Thanksgiving probably looks — and tastes — far different from what she remembers from her childhood.

But heritage breed turkeys like the Narragansett, which industrial livestock brought to the brink of extinction, are making a comeback, NBC News reports.

They're smaller, leaner, free range, more expensive and can be more challenging to cook, but Anna Dinn of Hamtramck, Michigan, is one of many who has found that the taste and tradition of heritage turkeys made cooking one worth it.

There are over 15,000 heritage turkeys gobbling across the United States, according to the Livestock Conservancy, a 1000 percent boost since 1997, when they were nearly extinct. Of course, commercial farms produce about 280 million each year in North America.

A powerful earthquake off the northeast Japanese shore Tuesday sent residents fleeing to higher ground and prompted worries about the Fukushima nuclear power plant destroyed by a tsunami five year ago. 

Lines of cars were seen snaking away from the coast in the pre-dawn hours after authorities issued a tsunami warning and urged residents to seek higher ground immediately. The warning was lifted nearly four hours later.

The magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck in the same region that was devastated by a tsunami in 2011, killing some 18,000 people. The Japan Meteorological Agency said Tuesday's quake was an aftershock of that magnitude 9.0 earthquake more than five years ago. The agency warned that another large quake could hit in the next few days and urged residents to remain cautious for about a week.

There were reports of minor injuries and damage, Japanese broadcaster NHK said. The earthquake shook buildings in Tokyo, 240 kilometers (150 miles) southwest of the epicenter.

NHK also showed one person's video of water rushing up a river or canal, but well within the height of the embankment. It was eerily reminiscent of the 2011 disaster, when much larger tsunamis rushed up rivers and overflowed, wiping away entire neighborhoods.

On Tuesday, tsunami waves were recorded along the coast. The highest one was 1.4 meters (4.6 feet) in Sendai Bay. A tsunami advisory for waves of up to 1 meter (3 feet) remained in effect along the coast.

The operator of the Fukushima Dai-ichi plant said there were no abnormalities observed at the plant, though a swelling of the tide of up to 1 meter was detected offshore.

The plant was swamped by the 2011 tsunami, sending three reactors into meltdown and leaking radiation into the surrounding area. The plant is being decommissioned but the situation remains serious as the utility figures out how to remove still-radioactive fuel rods and debris and what to do with the melted reactor cores.

Plant operator TEPCO said a pump that supplies cooling water to a spent fuel pool at the nearby Fukushima Dai-ni plant stopped working, but that a backup pump had been launched to restore cooling water to the pool. Both plants are run by Tokyo-based TEPCO.

Naohiro Masuda, head of TEPCO's decommissioning unit, said he believes that the pump was shut off automatically by a safety system as the water in the pool shook.

He said decommissioning work at the destroyed Dai-ichi plant had been temporarily suspended because of the earthquake.

The U.S. Geological Survey measured the magnitude at 6.9.

Palomar Health will be offering free flu-shot clinics across North San Diego County in December and January.

Children ages nine and up and adults can get a flu vaccine at no cost between Dec. 2 and Jan. 12. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control, the vaccine protects against new strains of influenza that are most common in the season. The vaccine takes up to two weeks to develop protection against the virus. 

To find a location to get your free flu shot, click here.

The House of Blues will be offering a free Thanksgiving dinner for those in need at their downtown location in San Diego.

Feed the Souls will host YWCA, Pathways and Feeding San Diego on Thanksgiving Day for a family-style meal.

Mission Bay High School's Jazz Ban will also perform during the dinner.

The House of Blues began Feed the Souls in 1992 at their venue in Cambridge, Massachusetts. 

Kanye West was under observation at a Los Angeles area hospital late Monday after the remaining dates of his national tour were abruptly canceled, multiple authorities familiar with the case told NBC News.

The admission followed a week of bizarre incidents during which the provocative rapper publicly railed against fellow music stars Beyoncé and Jay Z and retroactively endorsed President-elect Donald Trump.

A source familiar with the case said Los Angeles police responded to a medical welfare call about 1:20 p.m. (4:20 p.m. ET). No criminal activity was involved; the decision to hospitalize West was for his own health and safety, the sources said.

A group of Poway residents are fighting to preserve the open space surrounding the popular Twin Peaks Mountain hiking trails.

But they could be in for a tough fight because the land is privately owned and is now being considered for a future housing project.

Poway’s Director of Development services says the property is, in fact, zoned for rural residential single family homes and is owned by DanDeana Larchmont, LLC, out of Marina Del Ray. The group is in the early stages of applying for approval of a project that would include 10 homes over 80 acres of land.

The project would include 58-acres of designated open space.

But a petition called “Preserve Twin Peak” started by residents is attempting to stop the project.

“The point of the petition is to save this open space of Poway,” said Nancy Dannhauser, a 24-year Poway resident who started the petition.

“I’m all for development, I’m all for growth, but there are certain things where there’s a positive impact to the environment, and there’s nothing positive coming out of this offer than somebody make profit out of selling homes,” said Poway resident Victor Ghadban.

City of Poway officials acknowledge the property owner has the right to build, but will make sure any development abides by the city’s General Plan. Officials are encouraging residents to stay pro-active.

“They can submit letters, we will have neighborhood meetings they can attend and bring up issues. Ultimately, we’ll look at all of those issues and try to come up with a project that best fits everyone’s need,” said Bob Manis, the Director of Development Services for Poway.

The State Department on Monday warned Americans traveling to Europe of an increased risk of terrorist attacks, particularly over the holiday season, NBC News reported.

"Credible information indicates the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL the U.S. gov't acronym for ISIS or Da'esh), al-Qaeda, and their affiliates continue to plan terrorist attacks in Europe, with a focus on the upcoming holiday season and associated events," the travel advisory read.

The State Department urged travelers to avoid large crowds and exercise caution at tourist sites, festivals, large holiday events and outdoor markets.  

Terrorists have carried out attacks in Belgium, France, Germany and Turkey this year but the advisory warns of the potential for attacks throughout the continent.

San Diego experienced its first "winter-like" storm of the season on Monday, giving people an excuse to finally bring out the winter sweaters and umbrellas.

San Diego resident Tiffany Epps recently had to purchase a new umbrella because hers broke. 

“I seen they had a pink one and I was like this is perfect. I'm going to grab this one before somebody else does," Epp said.

Rancho Bernardo resident Mandana Soltani, and her young son Nikhal, spent the day at Balboa Park where it rained on and off all day. Soltani says she loves the rain.

“We are waiting for it for a long time, actually," she added.

Many local students have the week off for the Thanksgiving holiday and packed into Balboa Park to spend their free time.

While some enjoyed the weather, while others worried about the safety of drivers.

San Diego resident Chad Gemelli said he though rain is great, if you are not on the roads.

"Everybody drives a little crazy but it's San Diego so it's understandable. Nobody knows how to drive in it," Gemelli said.

A spokesperson for the California Highway Patrol says there were roughly 180 accidents on the roads from midnight until noon on Monday. The average is 140.

Gemelli’s daughter is a fan of the cartoon Peppa Pig, which has an episode on jumping in mud puddles. So that is how he spent the day with his little one, who finally had a reason to wear her rain boots.

"She puts them on even when it's sunny so it's actually appropriate today."

Others told NBC 7 that they were happy the rain is helping the ongoing drought in California.

“Watering plants, it costs a lot of money. And if the rain comes, the rain saves some money,” Balboa Park visitor Olivia said.

San Diego County Sheriff's deputies (SDSO) have arrested a 21-year-old man and continue to look for a possible second suspect in connection with the mysterious October homicide of a woman in Santee. 

Jose Luis Nunez-Torres, 21, of San Diego, was arrested and re-booked on a single count of murder for the Oct. 4 death of Leticia Arroyo inside her Santee townhouse. Nunez-Torres was already in custody at the San Diego Central Jail on unrealted charges. 

Sheriff's deputies said they continue to search for a possible second suspect in the case and the investigation is ongoing. 

In October, Arroyo's roommate came home to their residence in 8800 block of Mission Greens Road, near Mission Gorge, 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.

The victim's sister described Arroyo as a beloved daughter and aunt who made everyone laugh and had an infectious smile.

"She was a beautiful person," said Priscilla, adding that Arroyo was an alumna of Mount Miguel High School, where she excelled as a softball player.

"We want peace, we want closure, we want justice," said Priscilla.

The investigation spanned several blocks in Santee that October as deputies gathered evidence. At this time, deputies said they found "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.

Sheriff's officials have not revealed what happened the day of the homicide. 

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.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Arroyo's family with funeral costs. You can donate to the fund here.

A number of traveling Southern Californians will spend their Thanksgiving in the desert resort cities, soaking up some intense sunbeams and, just perhaps, going for a brow-cooling dip in the nearest pool when the height of the afternoon arrives.

If this is your plan, and you hope to drift in some shimmery body of water for much of the holiday, do spend a moment gazing up at majestic Mount San Jacinto, and consider that there is now snow on the ground near its tippy top.

Just about an inch and a half, to be specific, at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway's Mountain Station, to be specific again. The terminus for "the world's largest rotating tramway" sits some 8,516 feet above the valley floor, meaning that people aren't swimming up there so much as throwing snowballs.

But when exactly snowballs shall be thrown is always a question come autumn. The tramway hosts a "Snow Guessing Contest" to stoke the anticipation, and the question put out to tram fans is this: When will the first measurable inch fall at Mountain Station?

That 2016 moment arrived on Nov. 21, and the snow kept snowing, adding a half inch on top of what was required to win. The ten winners' names have been posted on the tram's social media, and if your name is on the list, meaning you guessed correctly, you'll nab a quartet of admissions to the historic tram (plus "a special gift").

Even if you didn't win, or didn't even enter, or didn't know about the contest, consider this: The tram's Mountain Station, which holds a pair of restaurants laden with views, overlooks Palm Springs. And that's a city which famously keeps a pleasant-to-toasty vibe through much of the year. 

So if you need the briefest break from the desert-style warmth, and the pool, and the floaty foam noodles, consider that you could be frolicking in snow in just under an hour (so leave the swimsuit in your room and find a coat).

The contrast is one of the coolest (literally) pairings in all of the Golden State: The sweet heat of Palm Springs and the tram's snowy ways come late November. 

That they're neighbors, warm and cool, low elevation and high, is another charming feather in this region's cap (or snowflake upon a sweater, if you prefer).

Want to play in the flakes while visiting the desert? Check with the tram to make sure any recent snow has not melted away up the mountain, before you hop that rotating, vista-amazing car.

California Highway Patrol officers rushed to help an unconscious man trapped in his car, reaching in and pulling him out of the wreck just as his vehicle caught fire. 

The crash happened at approximately 3:30 a.m. Thursday when 21-year-old Vista resident Efren Mendoza was behind the wheel of his Volkswagen Jetta, driving west on State Route 78 near Woodland Parkway, at high speeds, officers said. 

He drifted into the center median and collided with the center barrier wall, officers said.

The impact sent his car veering right across all freeway lanes and into a tree, where it overturned and landed on its roof adjacent to the frontage road of Rancheros Drive. 

At the time, officers Gabe Morado and Russ Robertson were driving east of State Route 78 and saw the entire crash as it happened. 

The officers called for medical assistance and turned around to respond to the crash. 

“Had they not acted, had they not been there, had they not been able to respond at the time and manner that they did, this gentlemen could have lost his life,” CHP Spokesman Jim Bettencourt said.

Mendoza suffered severe injuries, including fractures to both legs, the officers discovered when they arrived. 

Shortly after they arrived, the car started to catch fire. 

The officers cut off the man's seat belt and pulled him out of the burning wreckage. 

They provided medical care until paramedics arrived and transported him to Palomar Medical Center in Escondido. 

“These officers were in the right place at the right time,” Bettencourt said.

Mendoza was treated for severe, but not life-threatening injuries. 

He was arrested on suspicion of driving under the combined influence of alcohol and a drug(s), but was released to the hospital for urgent medical care. 

“The second that that bottle touches your lips, your decision making skills go out the window,” Bettencourt said.

The collision remains under investigation.