A San Diego County doctor who pleaded guilty to illegally and fraudulently prescribing painkillers has given up his medical license and practice, his attorney told NBC 7 Friday.

Naga Raja Thota, M.D., 62, pleaded guilty Wednesday to seven counts three months after he was arrested at the Pain Management Center located at 2732 Navajo Rd. in El Cajon during a raid by federal authorities.

According to the criminal complaint filed after Thota's arrest in August, the doctor was accused of writing prescriptions for 1,460 Oxycodone pills and 660 tablets of Hydrocodone over a six-week period in 2013.

In a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney's Office, Thota admitted to writing seven fraudulent prescriptions to three different people several years ago, according to his attorney Robert Schlein.

“Dr. Thota has never denied any of the actions he did with regard to those seven prescriptions or that he had a personal relationship with one of the patients,” Schlein said.

Thota’s relationship with the patient lasted several months, Schlein said.

According to U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy’s office, Thota pleaded guilty to seven counts of, “superseding information.” He admitted to illegally prescribing patients with oxycodone and hydrocodone tablets, sometimes writing the prescription under the names of a brother and father of one patient.

Federal agents served search warrants on Thota's medical practice on Navajo Road on May 27, 2015. The doctor was interviewed by investigators at the U.S. Attorney's Office in San Diego on June 4, 2015, mainly about prescriptions he wrote for patients mentioned in the complaint. He met again with the feds on Dec. 15, 2015, while in the presence of his defense attorney, the complaint says.

Search warrants were then served on Thota's medical practice on Navajo Road on March 16, 2016.

After Thota’s August 31 arrest, more than two dozen people accused him of prescribing painkillers to them in exchange for sex, according to Amy Roderick with the DEA, who spoke with NBC 7 in September.

Schlein said the charges have to be put into context. His client began practicing medicine in 1979 and moved his practice to California in 1995.

“The government has decided to go after doctors who have had prescribing problems,” the attorney said.

The result of Thota’s arrest has been “catastrophic” according to Schlein.

“He has paid a heavy price for it but he’s accepted responsibility for it,” he said.

Schlein said his client hopes for leniency when he’s sentenced for the seven counts in February 2017.

Thota's maximum exposure for the seven counts is 20 years in prison, $1 million fine and life-term of supervised release.

Dozens of people appeared before a San Diego judge Friday to face charges related to a massive car theft ring.

A 10-month undercover operation resulted in the indictment of 42 individuals. Six of the defendants are women, 36 are men.

Prosecutors allege the defendants sold stolen vehicles to a place to be broken up into small pieces. The storefront was operated by undercover officers from various law enforcement agencies.

More than 100 stolen vehicles were seized in the operation. They were held by the detectives for a short period of time and then returned to the victims.

“It involved victims from throughout the county many of whom came from very disadvantaged neighborhoods,” said Deputy District Attorney Matthew Brower.

“This is not just a property crime. This is a crime that affects people’s lives and can affect their employment status,” Brower said.

Thirty-two people were on the court docket Friday. Of those, 29 were arraigned and pleaded not guilty to various charges.

Several are incarcerated and will need to be transferred in order to appear before a judge in this case. One defendant failed to appear.

Three defendants posted bail.

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If anyone has information on 10 suspects still at large, they can contact RATT at (888) 835-5728.

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As thousands of people file into Balboa Park this weekend for December Nights, parking for the large-scale event and security will likely be top of mind for many.

About 350,000 visitors are expected over the course of the two-day holiday festival, which runs from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday. It’s the year’s largest free community festival in San Diego.

That being said, parking and traffic around Balboa Park during December Nights is always a challenge. Attendees are urged to use free shuttles to get into the event or take public transportation.

Organizers say commuters should avoid the southbound 163 between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. on both days, as that freeway is always backed up during the holiday event.

Free shuttles for December Nights will run from 3 p.m. to midnight Friday and from 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday. The final shuttles depart toward the park at 8:30 p.m. on both nights. The last shuttle from the park back to the parking areas leaves at 11:45 p.m.

Free parking, with shuttle service, can be found in the City College parking lots between 16th Avenue and B and C streets. The shuttle will drop off passengers at 6th Avenue and Laurel Street, right outside Balboa Park. People can also walk from City College to Balboa Park, which is about a quarter-mile. To get to the City College lots while bypassing that busy SR-163, drivers should use Interstate 5 and exit at B Street.

Organizers say there are also several $5 parking lots in downtown San Diego, on Ash Street between 5th and 6th avenues. There’s also free street parking in that area after 6 p.m. The free shuttle will also take passengers from those lots and drop them off at 6th Avenue and Laurel Street throughout December Nights.

Visitors should note that there is no free shuttle from Petco Park this year. Also, by 1 p.m. Friday, the parking lot at the nearby San Diego Zoo was nearly full, and the same was expected for that lot on Saturday.

Balboa Parks December Nights has partnered with LYFT this year, so if you use the ride-sharing service to get and from Balboa Park during the festival, you can get a 20 percent off discount for up to two rides, with up to $5 off per ride. The code is BPDN50.

NBC 7 spoke to festival organizers Friday about security measures in place this year during the big event.

Tomas Herrera-Mishler, Executive Director-Chief and Executive Officer for the Balboa Park Conservancy, said security for December Nights last year was increased by 20 percent from 2014. This year, security remains the same. He said organizers are given security recommendations by the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) on how much security to staff for the event and they stick to that recommendation.

He said, as always, safety is the No. 1 priority at December Nights.

Herrera-Mishler said additional SDPD officers will be on hand at Balboa Park starting Friday afternoon, as well as extra crews from the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department (SDFD).

He said organizers will also have 20 “Zone Ambassadors” scattered around Balboa Park during the event, assigned to oversee designated areas of the festival. Those ambassadors are all connected to a phone system with one another so they can notify each other in case they spot any suspicious activity in their zones. They are also meant to act as resources for December Nights attendees who may have questions as they make their way through the event.

For tips on what to see and do once you get to December Nights, click here. For a fun look at the festival by the numbers, and exactly what it takes to put on December Nights year after year, click here.

A group formed by families who lost children in the Sandy Hook school shooting has started a new public service campaign designed to teach people to recognize the warning signs of someone who may be contemplating gun violence.

The Know the Signs campaign from Sandy Hook Promise includes the launch on Friday of a new 2 ½-minute video public service announcement designed to show how easy it is to overlook at-risk behavior.

The group's founders include Nicole Hockley and Mark Barden. Both had 6-year-old sons who were among the 26 people killed by a gunman inside the Sandy Hook Elementary School on Dec. 14, 2012.

The PSA can be viewed on YouTube.

Some people steal sports cars when they want to joyride. Others boost a motorcycle.

Nickolas Ellias allegedly prefers the bus. 

Police said they arrested Ellias, 24, of Staten Island, for stealing an MTA bus from the Staten Island Ferry Terminal in St. George sometime between midnight and 3 a.m.

He was spotted driving the bus and later arrested.

Ellias was caught doing the same thing in June 2014 and arrested then as well. At the time, his foster father reportedly said the young man was obsessed with buses. 

He is facing charges of grand larceny auto and criminal mischief in the current case. 

Ellias's case recalls another, more famous New York City transit thief - Darius McCollum, 51, who has been arrested more than 30 times for stealing buses and trains. 

Astronaut Buzz Aldrin, who was medically evacuated from the South Pole earlier this week, is continuing to recover in a New Zealand hospital — and is in good spirits thanks to a visit from a friend, NBC News reported.

"I had a surprise visitor this morning," the 86-year-old rocket man tweeted from his hospital bed Saturday, along with photos of himself and NASA Deputy Administrator Dr. Dava Newman.

The tweet called Newman a "longtime friend."

Aldrin had been on a tourism adventure to Antarctica when "his condition deteriorated," according to White Desert, which organizes luxury tourism trips to the icy continent. He was evacuated on the first flight out as a precaution and transferred to a hospital in Christchurch, New Zealand, where doctors determined he had fluid in his lungs and prescribed him antibiotics.

A 104-year-old San Diego resident known as the oldest survivor of Pearl Harbor boarded a flight to Honolulu Saturday, where he will be honored at a ceremony.

Ray Chavez, who lives in Poway, will serve as a special guest of the 75th anniversary commemorative ceremonies on Dec. 7. Seaman 1st Class Chavez was assigned to the USS Condor. On Dec. 7, 1941, he was asleep at home after a minesweeping mission during which his crew helped in sinking an enemy submarine. His wife woke him up with word of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Chavez raced to the burning Pearl Harbor and did not leave for a week. Today, he is the oldest known living U.S. military veteran of the bombing raid that killed thousands and sparked WWII.

“I never will forget [Pearl Harbor] as long as I live,” Chavez said before boarding his flight at the San Diego International Airport Saturday.

Alaska Airlines flew Chavez and his daughter, Kathleen – a retired U.S. Navy veteran – first class.

“He’s the oldest, and there’s not too many of them left anymore,” his daughter said.

San Diego firefighter Mitch Mendler and retired New York firefighter Joe Torillo, who survived the 9/11 attacks, accompanied Chavez on the flight as honorary escorts. 

A special TSA line awaited Chavez at the airport, giving him his screening. And, as he made his way to his gate, stranger after stranger stopped him to take photos with him, shake his hand and thank him for his service.

Chavez said he’s humbled by the attention.

“Well, I’m not exactly a hero, because there were thousands of other heroes, too. But I’m very proud of the honor bestowed on me,” he added.

MCAS Miramar Bomb Disposal safely removed a live munition from a home in Point Loma Saturday afternoon.

The 105-millimeter artillery smoke round-bomb was found while the house, at the corner of Willow and Canon, was being remodeled.

The owners found the bomb underneath a bed and after some research called the bomb squad.

The bomb contains smoke canisters, which emit a colored smoke upon ejection. They are used for screening, spotting or signaling purposes.

They can explode and cause serious injuries to people nearby, which is why the bomb disposal was very careful as they removed it from the home.

Neighbors were asked to leave their homes and the streets were closed off during the disposal. The whole process took about three hours.

It is now determined to be safe in the area, according to San Diego Fire.

Frank Schmidt, the oldest San Diego Police Department retiree and first officer to make it to 100 years old, died Friday at the age of 103.

Several officers, including SDPD Chief Shelley Zimmerman, shared their memories of of the 22-year veteran on Twitter.

Schmidt applied to the police department in 1945 at 31 years old. Out of 50 applicants, Schmidt was only one of five who passed. His six-week training period consisted of 12-hour days and no overtime. During his career he worked in Downtown, Ocean Beach and La Jolla, and was recognized by his supervisor as the top DUI officer in the Accident Investigation Bureau.

Badge number 373, Schmidt patrolled San Diego until his retirement in 1967. 

He had three children, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Third grader Jorge Vasquez says he’s never been on a shopping spree like this before.

On Saturday, Vasquez and hundreds of other deserving San Diego kids got to “shop with a cop”.

“This is one of my special days today to shop with a cop,” Vasquez tells NBC 7. He bought an Xbox and a super hero video game. He says he was really surprised when his teacher told him he was going shopping with a cop and his parents “got really happy.”

After having breakfast with the cops at Sea World, then there was a full police escort to Target where each child was given a $150 gift card to go shopping.

The kids shopped with officers from three dozen law enforcement agencies.

They bought clothes and toys for themselves and gifts for their families.

“I think they're amazing and they're really awesome,” Vasquez says. “They support the country and help the country.”

Sergeant Esmeralda Tagaband, who shopped with Vasquez, says it’s a special day for her too.

“We don’t always get to see the best side of people, but this today is like really, really nice because we actually get to put a smile on someone’s face,” she says.

Tagabond says shopping with the kids gives all the officers that warm and fuzzy feeling inside and it “creates a greater bond between us all.”

Vasquez, for his part, advises everyone to not be mean and cruel but to be kind to each other.

The annual holiday event brings together officers and underprivileged children for a day of Christmas shopping and learning about law enforcement.

The first baby born at the new birth center at Palomar Medical Center in Escondido arrived just before 6 p.m. Thursday, just four hours after the center opened.

The baby girl, Gretsch, born to Alpine and William of Escondido, was six pounds, five ounces.

The couple was presented with a special gift basket from the hospital, marking the milestone at the center.

The birth center has 33 private labor, delivery and post-partum rooms, each with its own dedicated family areas.

This new center will replace the birth center at Palomar Medical Center Downtown Escondido, which operated for decades before the downtown location closed.

The shift to the new location is expected to be complete by the end of the year.

Palomar Health plans to open a dedicated women's and children's unit at the new medical center in the future.

Balboa Park’s December Nights organizers say they have surpassed the 350,000 people they expected for the two-night extravaganza.

Around 160,000 visitors came out Friday night, while 200,000 people found their way to the park Saturday.

"It’s just an incredible gift that the city of San Diego and the Balboa Park Conservancy gives to the people of San Diego,” Tomas Herrera-Mishler of the Balboa Park Conservancy tells NBC 7.

More than 100 free performances on nine different stages across the park and dozens of food vendors offering delights from all over the world helped bring in the large crowds.

Sue Nicolette and Patricia King brave the crowds every year for to help kick off the holiday season.

"There’s a lot of people when you come in that's pretty hard to maneuver around but once you get in here, it's not bad,” King says.

This year, more shuttles and parking options were added to help get into the park.

Some of the organizers met Saturday evening to go over ideas for next year already since next year will be December Nights’ fortieth university. They say they're looking at ways to spread the celebration out over the whole month of December with different light displays.

The San Diego Aztecs have earned their second consecutive title as the top football team in the Mountain West Conference by defeating the cold weather and the Cowboys with a 27-24 victory over Wyoming.  

It was similar score to last year’s Mountain West Conference Championship game, where the Aztecs defeated Air Force 27-24.

It looks like 27 is the Aztecs lucky number or maybe its 19?  Number 19, and the pride of SDSU’s Donnel Pumphrey finished the night with 110 yards, rushed 25 times and had one touchdown, to help lead the Aztecs to their victory.

It wasn’t all Pumphrey though; the Aztecs found a lucky penny in the third quarter. Rashad Penny ran in two six yard touchdowns to put the Aztecs up 24-10.

Penny rushed for a total of 117 yards, marking is fifth 100-yard rushing game. He finished the night with 13 receiving yards and 243 all-purpose yards for SDSU. Fortunately for Aztec fans Penny still has another year with San Diego State, being that he is only in his junior year.

While the Aztecs offense had an explosive night their defense was on their A game as well. Forcing three Cowboys turnovers and racking up 6 sacks.  In addition they were able to hold the Wyoming offense to 0-3 on fourth down.

San Diego State has now earned their third title in five years, their twenty-first overall league championship in program history, and they are the first road team to win the Mountain West Championship since 2013 when the league moved to division play.

Welcome to December, San Diego! From holiday lighting ceremonies and community parades to seasonal entertainment, these events will surely get you into the holiday spirit this weekend.

Thursday, Dec. 1

SOLD Screening With U.S. Attorney Laura E. Duffy
5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., San Diego Central Library
U.S. Attorney Laura E. Duffy will speak at this screening of “SOLD” at the San Diego Central Library Thursday night, a movie about the link between sex tourism and human trafficking. This event is free and open to the public; it’s aimed at spreading awareness of trafficking crimes impacting San Diego.

Tree Lighting and Holiday Open House at the Cape
5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Cape Rey Carlsbad
Ring in the holidays at this tree lighting ceremony at the Cape Rey Carlsbad Hilton resort (1 Ponto Rd.). The evening will include live music, photos with Santa, crafts, cookie decorating, a Christmas tree lighting ceremony and lots of local vendors selling cool, unique gifts. This event is free and open to all; attendees are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy to donate to the Toys for Tots Foundation.

OB Holiday Auction
5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., Sunshine Company
Longtime Ocean Beach watering hole, the Sunshine Company, will host the OB Holiday Auction Thursday night, featuring cool prizes and exciting auctioneers. This event is 21+, with ID

Popovich Comedy Pet Theater
7 p.m., Poway Center for the Performing Arts Foundation
Popovich, a fifth generation circus performer, will bring his pet circus act to Poway on Thursday for this fun, family-friendly affair. Most of the furry, four-legged performers were rescued from shelters all over the country and transformed into circus stars. Popovich and his pets were once finalists on “America’s Got Talent,” and have also been guests on the late-night talk show circuit. Tickets start at $25 for adults; $17 for children ages 14 and under.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch
7:30 p.m., San Diego Civic Theatre
The gender-bending, fourth-wall-smashing Broadway rock musical, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, will play through Dec. 4 at the San Diego Civic Theatre, bringing with it a pulsing score and unique characters. The production is directed by Tony Award winner Michael Mayer, known for hits like “Spring Awakening” and “American Idiot.” The show is for mature audiences; tickets start at $22.50.

Bobby Lee Sketch Comedy
8 p.m., The American Comedy Co.
Known for his sketch specials on Comedy Central and as an opener for comics like Pauly Shore, funnyman Bobby Lee will perform this weekend at The American Comedy Co. in downtown San Diego. Before breaking into comedy, Lee worked in restaurants and coffee shops in the San Diego area, and briefly attended Palomar College. Tickets to Lee’s show are $22 per person; he performs again on Saturday and Sunday, with two shows each night, at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 2

Mikan Zlatkovich Performs at Airport
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., San Diego International Airport (Terminal 2)
Traveling on Friday? Once you pass security, head over to Sunset Cove at Terminal 2 West for a performance by pianist Mikan Zlatkovich. The show is free, and a nice, soothing way to pass the time before your flight.

Balboa Park December Nights
3 p.m. to 11 p.m., Balboa Park
Balboa Park’s biggest event of the year returns this weekend, kicking off the holiday season with food, live music, dancing, shopping and free admission to museums. December Nights runs for two nights – Dec. 2 and Dec. 3 – from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. and 12 p.m. to 11 p.m., respectively. Museums are open and free both nights, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The event draws a massive crowd; plan ahead and, if you can, take public transit to Balboa Park. Here’s a rundown of what to expect at this year’s December Nights.

“Aglow With Color” Opening Reception
5 p.m. to 8 p.m., The San Diego Watercolor Society
The San Diego Watercolor Society at the Arts District at Liberty Station (2825 Dewey Rd., Bldg. #202) will host an opening reception Friday night for its new exhibition, “Aglow with Color,” juried by artist Drew Brandish. The free reception includes wine, food and mingling with other art enthusiasts, plus around 100 original, ready-to-hang paintings for sale. The exhibition will remain on display through Dec. 28.

“Home Alone”: Movie & Live Music
8 p.m., Copley Symphony Hall
Where’s Kevin?! Watch the classic 1990 Christmas movie, “Home Alone,” like you’ve never seen it before – with a full orchestra playing the soundtrack live. The San Diego Symphony will screen “Home Alone” Friday night at Copley Symphony Hall, as the Symphony orchestra – conducted by Constantine Kitsopoulos – performs the soundtrack live while the movie plays. The unique experience will certainly get you into the holiday spirit.

San Diego Musical Theatre: White Christmas
8 p.m., Spreckels Theatre
The classic holiday movie, “White Christmas,” comes to life at the Spreckels Theatre in downtown San Diego with this musical adaptation on the stage featuring 17 Irving Berlin songs. The production’s opening night is Friday, and the show runs through Dec. 4.

Saturday, Dec. 3

DayBreak
8 a.m., Del Mar Racetrack
It can be difficult to wake up early on a Saturday morning. But here’s something to help get you out of bed this Saturday morning: DayBreak at the racetrack. Grab some breakfast while watching morning workouts at the racetrack. Horse racing fanatics will also be able to pick the brain of former jockey and event announcer Jeff Bloom. Bloom will be there answering questions. Tickets cost $10.

USO Giving Tree
12 p.m. to 4 p.m., The Headquarters at Seaport
The Headquarters at Seaport will celebrate the season with live entertainment and the spirit of giving Saturday, during this USO Giving Tree event. Attendees are invited to donate to the Giving Tree, which benefits USO San Diego, an organization that helps keep U.S. military service members connected to their families, home and country. Saturday’s entertainment includes a performance by students from Valhalla High School’s Quintet and Quartet from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., and a show from the 3D Marine Aircraft Wing Jazz Combo from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Encinitas Holiday Parade
5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Coast Highway 101
Floats, bands and lots of participants will march down Coast Highway 101 in Encinitas Thursday evening for the community’s Holiday Parade. Spectators are welcome to line the streets and enjoy the show. There will be free parking shuttles running from Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas off Santa Fe Drive and from the YMCA/Ecke Sports Park on Saxony Road, dropping spectators off every 20 minutes at the NCTD bus station on Vulcan Avenue near the parade route.

Amy Schumer Live
8 p.m., Valley View Casino Center
Popular comic Amy Schumer will bring her live show to San Diego Saturday night, hitting the stage at the Valley View Casino Center on Sports Arena Boulevard. Tickets range from $39 to $125.

Queen Bee Market
4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Industrial Warehouse
The urban-style handmade market Queen Bee is hosting their largest event of the holiday season this weekend. Stop by the industrial warehouse in Vista on Specialty Drive to browse through more than 85 local and national vendors. Attendees will be able to shop vintage and homemade products as they listen to live music. Plus, there will be food and drinks available for purchase for those who want a snack. The entrance fee is $5. Children under the age of 12 and military personnel are free.

Helen Woodward’s Frosty Farm
9 a.m., Helen Woodward Animal Center
Alpacas, chinchillas, doves, chickens – even Blitzen? Stop by this Frosty Farm for some early Christmas cheer. There will be cookie decorating, face painting, faux snow, a hot chocolate station and, of course, animal encounters. Attendees will even get a chance to take a photo with Santa and his polar dog. Tickets cost $9.99 for adults and $19.99 for children.

Lions, Tigers & Bears Christmas Festival Fundraiser
12 p.m., Lions, Tigers and Bears in Alpine
Bring the whole family out to the Lions, Tigers and Bears sanctuary in Alpine for a fun and festive afternoon watching all your favorite animal friends. Local vendors will be on site to help you get some holiday shopping done. When you get hungry, take a second and grab some food. Plus, there will be entertainment and a special appearance from the man in red! Tickets start at $15. VIP tickets include a special reception, holiday drink and a Feed a Wild One experience.

Carols and Barrels: A Holiday Beer and Wine Festival
2 p.m., The Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier
At this holiday festival, attendees will sample more than 200 beers and wines from more than 50 breweries and wineries across Southern California. Pair your sips with a tasty bite from some of San Diego’s favorite restaurants, which will be offering sample holiday treats. Plus, enjoy caroling, ugly holiday sweaters, and – of course – Buddy the Elf! Tickets start at $45 and vary depending on when the purchase is made and what tier of ticket you purchase.

18th Annual Little Italy Tree Lighting and Christmas Village
4 p.m., India Street in Little Italy
For the first time, India Street will be shut down for two tree lightings in the neighborhood: a 25 foot tower of more than 1,000 poinsettias in the middle of Piazza Basilone, and a brand new 25 inch tree in front of Piazza Della Famiglia. Bring your whole family and find Santa in the crowd – he will be taking photos with children. Plus, seasonal vendors and holiday Little Italy Mercato vendors will be set up along the street, selling gifts perfect for stocking stuffers, as well as festive treats, holiday décor and more. The tree lighting ceremony will take place at 5:30 p.m.

Family Festival at Village Walk
12 p.m. to 3 p.m., Village Walk at EastLake in Chula Vista
Get in the holiday spirit with a free family festival in Chula Vista starting this Saturday. Bring your kids and hop on a train for a free ride, enjoy some arts and crafts, or take a photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Daytime snow will fall at 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. The event is free.

Sunday, Dec. 4

Who Dunnit? Seaport Village Scavenger Hunt
1 p.m., Seaport Village
If you’ve ever dreamed of being a detective, today is your day to shine. Seaport Village’s Murder Mystery Adventure, a scavenger hunt style game, will take you through the iconic seaside destination in a two-hour adventure as you solve a murder mystery. Tickets cost $25.

Taste of the Turf Club
11 a.m., Del Mar Racetrack
The opening weekend of the Del Mar Racetrack’s fall season is filled with goodies and fun activities! This Sunday, take a taste of a special menu as you dine at the exclusive Turf Club in Del Mar. Chef Brian Malarkey, one of the city’s most celebrated chefs, will prepare the menu for the morning. Tables are limited. Your $100 ticket will get you turf club admission for the day, a choice of an appetizer, entrée, dessert and bottomless mimosas or champagne. Attendees must comply with Turf Club Dress Code.

Sunday Brunch with Santa
9:30 a.m., Hotel Del Coronado
Kids of all ages will get a chance to have breakfast with jolly St. Nick at this festive brunch on Sunday. The brunch will be held in the Crown Room. Parents: don’t forget your camera to capture the magical moment! Tickets start at $23. Tickets must be reserved in advance.

SoNo Fest and Chili Cook-Off
11 a.m., SoNo Fest at 32nd Street and Thorn Street
More than 40 local restaurants will offer up some of their tastiest – and most creative – chili for this 6th annual cook-off! The all-volunteer event raises money for art, music and language programs at McKinley Elementary School. Plus, local brewers will serve up some of the county’s best craft beer. The event is free to attend. If you’d like to try some chili, $20 will get you a handmade ceramic bowl and five two oz. restaurant chili tastes. You can also bring your own bowl and buy tastes for $15.

San Diego Made Holiday Market
11 a.m., Lafayette Hotel in University Heights
If you’re looking for the perfect holiday gift, you may want to start here. This unique market, now in its third year, puts 50 local artists, craftsmen, makers, craft cocktails, and so much more, under one roof for holiday shoppers to explore. As you shop, enjoy live music. The first 75 people through the door will score a free grab bag with goodies. The entrance fee is a $5 at the door, and the first 100 people will receive a complimentary San Diego Made grab bag.

The Local Bazaar 
11:30 a.m., BRICK in Liberty Station
Start your holiday shopping adventure at this curated holiday market. Scout out local fashion finds, handmade holiday gifts and vintage goodies. The family friendly event also features activities for the kids, food and drink trucks as well as festive choir singing and more!

California Highway Patrol (CHP) officials said a motorcyclist “didn’t stand a chance” when he was hit by a suspected drunk driver traveling the wrong way on Interstate 5 in San Ysidro Saturday morning.

The CHP said the DUI suspect, in a Mazda 3, was driving northbound in the southbound I-5 lanes north of Dairy Mart Road. The motorcyclist – identified for now only as a 27-year-old man – was traveling the right way. The Mazda collided head-on into the motorcyclist. The motorcyclist died at the scene. 

Officials said the impact of the crash caused the Mazda to spin out on the freeway. Soon after that, a Dodge pickup truck approached the area and clipped the Mazda. There were three people inside the truck; the driver suffered minor injuries and was taken to a hospital. The passengers were not hurt.

The DUI suspect was also taken to the hospital with minor injuries. He will be arrested on suspicion of DUI, officials said. No one else was inside the Mazda.

Southbound I-5 was immediately blocked off to traffic following the deadly crash. At around 7 a.m., one lane was reopened. Officials were working to tow the Mazda and clean up the roadway.

No further details were released, including the names of both the suspect and the victim.

Loved ones of those unaccounted for in the massive Oakland warehouse fire that broke out Friday night took to Facebook Saturday morning to search for them.

Those who knew the nine killed in the fire, posted condolence messages, some from as far away as New Orleans and Montreal.

According to an event page created on Facebook, Los Angeles-based Golden Donna was scheduled to perform at a party the warehouse on 1305 31st Ave. in Oakland, as part of the 100% Silk 2016 West Coast Tour from 9 p.m. Friday to 4 a.m. Saturday.

Oakland Fire spokesperson Johanna Watson said at a press conference the party was attended by young people, most of them in their twenties. Attendees included people from outside the United States. Officials made a plea to the public to remember any distinguising features about those missing, such as a tattoo, that would help to identify them.

The fire broke out at 11:24 p.m., Alameda County fire officials said, adding that it’s estimated dozens were still inside the building when it was engulfed in flames.

On the event Facebook page, people were leaving messages asking about the safety of those missing, as well as notes for those who had lost their lives.

"I'm so sorry to those that lost their lives," Linda Parrett Ryan wrote. "Condolences to their family and friends. This is heart breaking."

San Francisco resident David Marks created a Google document list with names of people still missing.

“PLEASE comment if you know 100% if any of these people are safe,” he wrote. “If you DONT see a name here you KNOW to be missing tell us please. And please only comment here if you know something for sure.”

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A Fire in Oakland Safety Check page has also been created so those who were in the area could also make themselves safe. 

Facebook user Sam Machado wrote that her cousin Madison Machado had attended the party last night, but had yet to let them know she was safe.

“We are the parents of Joey (Joseph) Matlock aka Joey Casio. We were just alerted to this tragedy and that Joey's name is on the missing person list. If anyone has any information about Joey, please contact us. Praying...,” wrote Kathe and John Matloc.

“Prayers for the lost prayers for the survivors,” wrote Nathan Nelson

“Hopes and prayers out for those missing... and also for all the families and friends worried about loved ones... This is awful news, I hope you all can find some solace in these dark times,” wrote Lucas Seymour-Willey

Oakland police said anyone trying to get information about people missing in the fire should contact the Alameda County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Bureau at 510-382-3000.

On social media, people referred to the building as the “Oakland Ghost Ship,” an artist's conclave. According to the Oakland Ghost Ship website, the building is home to Max Ohr’s Deeper Magic Tattoo Studio. 

The building's name has nothing to do with the San Francisco Halloween Ghost Ship party, organizers for that event said.

City of Oakland property records show multiple complaints have been filed against the property's owner, one most recently as Nov. 14 for "housing habitability," involving an illegal interior building structure. City officials were in the process of investigating the complaint when the fire broke out.

A complaint was filed on Nov. 13 for garbage piling up on the property, as well as trash left on the sidewalk, some of which was reportedly hazardous. Records show previous complaints for blight on property as well. 

Property records indicated the building is owned by a trust managed by Chor N. Ng of Oakland.

The Alameda County Sheriff's Office has set up a family assistance center at 2425 E. 12th Street. People can call (510)-382-3000 for help.[[404490006, C]]

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At least nine people were killed and 25 others unaccounted for after a massive blaze ripped through a warehouse party in Oakland late Friday, but officials are preparing for the death toll to rise.

In what is being described as one of the deadliest structure fires in the U.S. in recent history, the fire gutted the 1300 block of 31st Avenue at about 11:30 p.m., Oakland Fire Chief Teresa Deloach Reed said. Officials found no evidence of smoke alarms or sprinklers at the now-destroyed building, where the charred roof collapsed onto the second floor, which in places dropped onto the first floor. 

On social media, people referred to the building as the “Oakland Ghost Ship,” an artist's conclave. City officials described as a “a labyrinth of artist studios."

A Facebook event page indicates that the fire sparked during a Golden Donna show, which was promoted by Los Angeles-based dance label 100% Silk. Bob Mule, a survivor, said the space is also occupied by a 24-hour artist collective that he belongs to. 

Battalion Chief Lisa Baker said the building was "subdivided into other occupancies" and between 50 and 100 people were partying on the upper floor. Mark Hoffman, operations chief at the Oakland Fire Department, described the building as a "labyrinth," dotted with wood workers, sculptors, painters and more.

However, Darin Ranelletti, of the Oakland Planning Department, said the building was only permitted for use as a warehouse. City officials are investigating whether people were living in the warehouse illegally before Friday's lethal fire.

The party that young electronic music fans flocked to, Ranelletti said, "would require a special permit from the city, and such a permit had not been issued." 

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Reed confirmed there were "nine known fatalities" around 7 a.m. Saturday, and that at least 25 others were unaccounted for. Around 9 a.m., Alameda County sheriff's Sgt. JD Nelson said officials are preparing for about 40 deaths based on the number of confirmed fatalities and numerous reports of missing people. 

Six coroners' tents were set up outside the building Saturday, while friends and strangers alike left flowers on a fence near the destroyed building.

Later in the day, Sheriff's spokesman Ray Kelly said nine bodies had been recovered and taken to the coroner's office, but declined to "play the numbers game." Several dozen people initially reported as missing have been located and reunited with their families, but a few dozen more remain unaccounted for, he said. 

While some families' fears were put at ease, others remain in an "unknown stage" and are "grieving," Kelly said.

The inferno reduced the building to a smoldering skeleton, and Kelly said that weakened walls have complicated and delayed the recovery and identification process. Fire crews were forced to withdraw from the unstable structure because it needs to be shored up.

Officials will need to use heavy equipment, including cranes, dump trucks, excavators and bulldozers, to create a safe path into the building. Crews have to work carefully, though, Kelly said, so bodies aren't scooped up with debris. 

It may take "considerable" time before victims are identified, according to Kelly. Investigators will be at the scene through late Sunday, and possibly into early Monday. 

Reed emphasized that just because someone is unaccounted for does not mean the person is dead. Officials are working to determine if attendees had taken themselves to the hospital or simply left the warehouse.

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"One of the issues," Reed said, was that the building had only "one way up and down from the second floor and it’s my understanding that stairwell was kind of like a makeshift, that they put it together with pallets."

When she tried to enter the building, Reed said she was "just able to get in about 10 feet." Kelly added that it has proven "tricky" to maneuver in the building because of debris, downed beams, a collapsed roof and leaking water.

"This is not an easy task by any means," Kelly said.

The victims are primarily people in their 20s and 30s, but some hail from foreign countries, Kelly said.

"It appears that people either made it out or didn’t make it out," he said. "There’s not a lot of other injuries that have been reported to us at this time." 

The first fire crews on the scene "found a building that had smoke and flames coming out of three sides," Baker said. They made an "aggressive" attack to put the fire out, but conditions changed, forcing them to "retreat" from the then-"defensive" blaze.

It took 11 fire engines, three fire trucks and 52 firefighters "four hours to get the fire out," Baker said.

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Reed said that 25 people were killed in the 1991 Oakland Hills fire, but "as a single-structure fire, I don't think Oakland has had a fatality of this magnitude in a while."

"It's going to be a huge impact, not just on the firefighters but on the families, on this community and the city as a whole," she added.

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf said in a statement that the fire was an "immense tragedy" and thanked emergency responders.

"Our focus right now is on the victims and their families and ensuring that we have a full accounting for everyone who was impacted by this tragedy," she said.

The Oakland Athletics tweeted their support for those affected by the fire. "We will work together to heal our community," the team wrote. The A's also sought donations and pledged to match contributions up to $30,000. 

Event organizers have created a list on Facebook to try to figure out who is alive and accounted for. Families and friends took to Facebook and Twitter to express condolences for those who had died in the fire and search for those still missing. Vigils were also held Saturday evening.

But some, like Daniel Vega, who was anxiously awaiting news about his brother, Alexander, questioned those responsible. 

"If there was any kind of things wrong with that building, like maybe it was an old, dilapidated building or something like that, why would somebody have a rave there?" he asked. "And if the rave was there, and it was an underground rave, why did the cops let it happen?"

Oakland property records indicate that the warehouse is owned by the Chor N. Ng trust.

A family member speaking on behalf of Ng said they were "trying to figure out what happened just like everyone else" and were "sorry to hear of [the tragedy] and those injured and killed."

Multiple complaints have been filed against the property's owner, records show. A Housing Habitability Complaint, involving an illegal interior building structure, was filed as recently as Nov. 14. City officials were in the process of investigating the complaint when the fire broke out.

A complaint was also filed on Nov. 13 for garbage piling up on the property, some of which was hazardous, records show. There have also been reports of blight at the building.

On Nov. 17, investigator tried to inspect the building but could not even enter, Ranelletti said.

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However, in its defense, the Ng family said they didn't regularly communicate with the tenants, who had been renting the property for a few years. They also disputed Reed's comments about the makeshift staircase and said it is a full stairway in the back of the building, which was constructed to code.

A neighbor, who asked not to be identified, said the area is home to a mixture of Latinos and artists. When the warehouse first caught fire, many said, "Oh, that must be the hippie house."

It is common knowledge, the neighbor said, that artists lived inside the warehouse and left all sorts of junk — including RVs and odds-and-ends —outside, drawing scavengers. 

An arson task force is investigating the cause of the fire, but there’s no reason to suspect arson at this time, officials say. "We will be at this crime scene for weeks to come," Kelly said.

The Alameda County Sheriff's Office and American Red Cross have set up a family assistance center at 2425 E. 12th St. Grief counselors will be on hand. People can call 510-382-3000 for help.

NBC Bay Area's Liz Wagner contributed to this report.

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A survivor of the deadly fire at an Oakland warehouse said Saturday he's thankful to be alive.

Bob Mule told NBC News he belongs to a 24-hour artist collective occupying the building that burned overnight, leaving at least nine people dead and 25 missing. 

Mule was seen being treated in an ambulance early Saturday. He suffered "pretty gnarly" burns on his arms, hands and shoulder, he said. His vest was charred and appeared to have taken the brunt of the flames.

When the fire broke out, Mule said he was downstairs and about to start painting. But the acrid smell of smoke alerted him and a fellow artist to what exploded into a three-alarm fire.

"We were trying to figure out where the smoke was coming from, and we saw where the fire was, it was on the back left corner of the space," he said. "It all happened really quickly. The fire went up really, really quickly."

When Mule tried to retrieve some personal belongings, he saw that a fellow collective member "had broken his ankle and was calling out for help." Mule tried helping him out, but "there was a lot of stuff in the way and the flames were too much," he said.

"There was too much smoke and ... I had to let him go," Mule said.

Although glad to be alive, he remained worried about his friend.

"I haven't seen him and there've been flames shooting out of the building for the past 30 minutes. ... I hope he's OK," Mule said.

Mule said before the fire broke out, the collective was having an event with some music, art and projections. He said the collective consists of 18 working artists throughout the day.

"It's like a living piece of art; it's always in flux, as far as the space goes," he said. "There's always something being built, being changed or rearranged."

A short standoff in Rancho Santa Fe early Saturday ended with a man being shot by deputies after he stabbed a K9 and forced his way into a man's apartment, taking him hostage.

Deputies with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department (SDSO) Encinitas Station were called to 6012 Paseo Delicias at Via de Santa Fe shortly before 5:30 a.m. to investigate a disturbance in the area. SDSO Lt. Kenneth Nelson said the caller told deputies a man was yelling in the street and possibly slamming or breaking things.

Upon arrival, deputies discovered a man, armed with knife, making loud noises near a staircase on the street. That man has now been identified by officials as Edward Ray Nett, 50.

Deputies approached Nett, ordering him to drop the knife. Nett yelled at deputies that he was going to stab them and refused to drop his weapon. Nelson said deputies deployed pepper balls at the suspect, to no avail.

Deputies deployed a K9. At that point, the SDSO said Nett struggled with the dog and stabbed the K9 under his left eye.

Nett then ran into an apartment complex behind a Wells Fargo bank in a commercial lot on Paseo Delicias.

He forced his way into an apartment and allegedly threatened a man living inside the home with a knife, taking him hostage.

Deputies surrounded the apartment and a short standoff ensued.

Officials said the resident was able to run away from Nett by locking himself inside a bathroom in the apartment during the standoff.

Nett then began yelling that he had allegedly slit the hostage's throat, Nelson said.

Deputies tried to negotiate Nett's surrender. A short time later, the suspect walked out of the apartment and confronted the deputies with his knife.

Nelson said one of the deputies fired four rounds at Nett, wounding him and ending the standoff. Nett was taken to a local hospital just after 6 a.m. Nelson said he did not have an update on the suspect's condition.

No deputies, other than the K9, were hurt.

The resident of the apartment was found in the bathroom, unharmed, the SDSO confirmed.

Nelson said the wounded K9, whose name is Banjer, was taken to an animal hospital where he underwent emergency surgery. Banjer is now resting comfortably and is expected to survive.

The SDSO later posted a photo of the wounded K9 on Twitter and added: "K9 Banjer received stitches for his wound. He will be on light duty and training as he recovers. To all our deputies, stay safe."

Nelson said deputies are in the early stages of the investigation but do not believe Nett knew the victim inside the apartment.

At 1:20 p.m., Nelson confirmed Nett is expected to recover from his shooting wounds. Once he’s released from the hospital, Nett will be booked into jail on multiple felony charges.

Nelson said Nett was on active parole at the time of the shooting, for violently resisting law enforcement officers in 2015. No further details were released.

NBC 7 spoke with some Rancho Santa Fe residents who heard the commotion in the typically quiet neighborhood.

Ed Hanley, who normally partakes in a Saturday morning car club in the area, said that when he arrived, he saw many deputies and crime scene tape blocking off the area.

He said the standoff and shooting all happened very quickly.

"It’s kind of unusual because this is kind of a quiet little town; there’s not much going on here,other than the car club on Saturday and people walking their dogs and stuff," Handley said. "It was kind of a shock when I drove up and saw all of the caution tape."

Hanley said he was saddened to hear about the wounded K9, adding, "That's terrible."

Two other longtime Rancho Santa Fe residents, Joanne Fishman and Barb Resnick, were walking their dogs in the area when they heard what had happened.

Fishman called the stabbing of the K9 simply "sick."

"It's tragic," she added. "We love our dogs and to think this could happen to one of our dogs -- or really any dog -- it's just horrifying. It's shocking."

"This just does not happen in our neighborhood," Resnick added. "It just does not happen."

As of 11 a.m., investigators remained at the scene. The SDSO said road closures would remain in effect until the investigation wrapped, including El Tordo, from La Granada to Avenida De Acacia, and Paseo Delicias from La Granada to Avenida De Acacia.