Many federal employees will get a small Christmas gift from President Barack Obama.

Obama authorized a 2.1 percent pay raise for civilian agency employees so their raise will match that of Defense Department employees. Obama said in August that these workers would get a 1.6 percent raise but opted on Thursday to boost the amount by 0.5 percent.

The president said he reconsidered the raise — which follows a three-year pay freeze — in part due to "current and projected economic conditions."

"In light of the decision of Congress to provide a 2.1 percent pay increase for military personnel in 2017 and reconsideration of current and projected economic conditions, I have concluded it would be appropriate to revise my original alternative plan," he wrote in a letter submitted to the House and Senate and published by Federal News Radio.

An employee making $75,000 will see a $1,575 boost before taxes.

The nation's largest federal employee union, the American Federation of Government Employees, applauded Obama's decision.

“Federal employees certainly deserve this modest boost in their pay, following years of pay freezes and miniscule increases that have left them worse off today than they were at the start of the decade,” union president J. David Cox Sr. said in a statement. “This pay adjustment will help employees pay their bills, reduce their debts, and cover the everyday costs facing working-class Americans.”

The raise will take effect in January.

San Diego Fire Rescue has extricated a driver from a wreck after they drove into a canyon in Torrey Highlands Park.

Witnesses say that the car drove off of a private road connected to Lansdale Drive that leads to a dog park at around 4:30 p.m.

The vehicle came to rest on an embankment about 30 feet below the road, SD Fire Captain Joe Amadour said.

One passenger was removed from the vehicle and taken to Scripps Memorial Hospital with minor injuries.

San Diego Bishop Robert McElroy joined hands with faith communities and immigrant rights organizations on Saturday, Human Rights Day, for the 23rd annual Posada Without Borders celebration at the U.S.-Mexico Border.

In the U.S., participants gathered at Friendship Park within Border Field State Park while those in Mexico convened at the lighthouse at Playas de Tijuana. The two congregations, with only the border fence in between, sang and prayed in unison for peace and security for displaced refugees and immigrants worldwide.

“The [Posada Without Borders] is a tradition that occurs every year in which we come together and pray within the Hispanic community,” Bishop McElroy said. “It’s a way of anticipating Christmas and preparing our hearts and souls for Christmas.”

The event also celebrated the Christmas Eve nativity story of Mary and Joseph and the moments leading up to the birth of Christ.

Bishop McElroy and Tijuana Archbishop Francisco Moreno Barron led the gathering in bilingual prayer.

“In this particular moment in our political history, [the event] is a time of great hope and prayer for us, but also a time of great challenge and suffering,” McElroy added.

A carjacking and hit-and-run suspect is on the loose in Chula Vista after evading police by hiding in a small canyon.

The initial collision happened at around 7:30 p.m. a few blocks away from the Terranova Plaza shopping center on E. H Street east of Interstate 805, according to the Chula Vista Police Department (CVPD).

After the suspect fled the scene in his vehicle, the victim called police and followed him into an apartment complex.

The victim told CVPD that the suspect got out of the car and said that he couldn’t stop because the car was stolen. He then fled the complex on foot toward the shopping center and entered a small canyon in between the plaza and the freeway.

At least seven CVPD units responded and attempted to surround the canyon and box in the suspect. A helicopter was dispatched to aid in the search but was unable to locate the suspect with its infrared cameras, police said.

Police later recovered the vehicle involved in the collision and confirmed it was stolen.

Nearly 1,000 flights were canceled at Chicago's O'Hare airport Sunday as a winter storm swept through the Midwest on its way east, threatening to bring more snow to parts of Ohio.

The Chicago Department of Aviation said on its website just after midnight Sunday that 955 flights were canceled — about half arrivals and half departures.

The smaller Midway airport announced earlier Saturday afternoon that all Southwest flights would be canceled into Sunday morning due to the winter storm.

Chicago could see a total of 7 to 12 inches of snow, the National Weather Service said. The region was under a winter storm warning through Sunday night.

'Tis the season for twinkling lights and, in San Diego, there's no shortage of neighborhoods spreading the holiday cheer. Here's a look at some of those standout streets filled with beautiful holiday light displays.

Belardo Lights
Tierrasanta
"Belardo Lights", tucked in Tierrasanta, off Via Valarta at Via Playa De Cortes, includes a dazzling display of more than 100,000 lights and decorations, animated to music. You can listen from inside your warm car as you slowly drive through this neighborhood. The lights are up nightly through Dec. 26, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Jingle Bell Hill
Santee
"Jingle Bell Hill," formally known as Pepper Drive, is also a good stop for holiday lights. Located in Santee, off State Route 67 and Bradley Avenue, these merry and bright lights run through Dec. 26, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

Christmas Card Lane
Rancho Penasquitos
A San Diego favorite, Christmas Card Lane, located in Rancho Penasquitos off Black Mountain Road on Oviedo Street, runs through New Year's Eve, from dusck until 10 p.m. daily. Details on the holiday magic happening in this neck of the woods can be seen here.

Christmas Circle
Chula Vista
The glimmering lights shine bright in Chula Vista, in the community's "Christmas Circle," which is celebrating its 59th year of decking out more than 55 homes between First and Second avenues, off H Street and 1st Avenue. The lights are up Dec. 10 through Dec. 26, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Fairway Village
Carmel Mountain Ranch
Carmel Mountain Ranch is also spreading some holiday magic of its own through Fairway Village, on the east and west sides of Stoney Gate Plaza. There, 80 homes are decked out in Christmas spirit from Dec. 10 through New Year's Day, with the lights on from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily. For more on all the fun happening in Fairway Village click here.

Candy Cane Courts
Poway
From Hickory to Butterwood courts and Rockrose Court, the culdesacs in this community are something to see. Off Twin Peaks Road & Silverset Street, this display runs from Dec. 10 to Christmas Eve, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

Starlight Circle
Santee
In the East County, this massive lights display known as Starlight Circle draws crowds year after year. Located on Tomel Court, off Magnolia Avenue, visitors can see elaborate, handmade Christmas displays spanning dozens of homes. Sometimes the residents will sell hot cocoa and other holiday treats for visitors to enjoy as they stroll the neighborhood. This show runs Dec. 17 to Dec. 26, from dusk until 10 p.m.

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Christmas Display in Carlsbad
Carlsbad
In the North County, head over to the 6600 block Elegant Tern Plain for a night of lights, treats and Santa’s mailbox where Santa will write back a free personalized letter to each child. The fun runs through Christmas Day, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The Forward House
Bankers Hill
Built in 1905 for Mayor John Forward Sr., The Forward House lets you experience all the sights and sounds of the holiday season. Located on First Avenue and Ivy in Bankers Hill, the decorations are up through New Year's Even, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Garrison Street Lights
Point Loma
“Garrison Street Lights” are another San Diego favorite. Located off Rosecrans and Garrison streets, the entire block is filled with lights. This display runs through New Year's Eve, from dusk until 10 p.m.

This is just a sampling of some of the holiday light displays in San Diego County. Share details of your favorite neighborhood for these kinds of displays in the comments section below.

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City leaders, the Rock Church and thousands of volunteers united Saturday to spread the holiday cheer: giving toys to thousands of San Diego children.

The efforts were all part of the Rock Church’s 20th annual “Toys for Joy” drive, which has been collecting donations for families in need.

At Lincoln High School on Saturday those donations – toys, meals and clothing – were distributed to about 23,000 local kids and their families.

“We have thousands of people helping thousands of people. [It’s a] symbol of the unity that can happen when people work together to serve other people,” Pastor Miles McPherson, of The Rock Church, told NBC 7.

McPherson said he’s grateful for the generous donations from San Diegans that make this event possible year after year. The Rock Church partners with local schools, businesses, community organizations and thousands of volunteers to make Toys for Joys happen.

“We have 24,000 toys, we have a bag of food for every person that walks out – clothes they can take home as well,” he added. “We’re also going to feed them and bless them –bless every part of their life.”

The festive event was attended by many city leaders, including Mayor Kevin Faulconer and San Diego Police Department Chief Shelley Zimmerman. They both manned a table full of toys and distributed the gifts to children.

“It’s great to be out here – to see the smiles on the children’s faces,” said Faulconer.

“This is the best day,” added Zimmerman. “All the community members coming together to make Christmas for so many families that probably wouldn’t have one – this is what it’s all about.”

When a driver plowed into a home in Chula Vista Saturday morning, the family inside thought there had been some sort of blast in their house.

"It sounded like an explosion," said Ellis Shurn, who was visiting his brother, homeowner LeRay Shurn.

"At the time the accident happened, my brother was actually walking to the front of the house. It was devastating for him because, as I said, it sounded like a bomb went off,” Ellis added.

Just before 10 a.m., Chula Vista Fire Department (CVFD) Capt. Bill Nigh said a woman was driving her Mercedes westbound in the 1600 block of Colusa Street when, for unknown reasons, she lost control. 

Her car went airborne, narrowly missing two large palm trees a front yard before slamming into LeRay's house. Though LeRay and several family members were inside the home when the car came barreling in, no one was hit.

"If anybody was in that front room it could have been a casualty," a rattled Ellis told NBC 7.

In the path of the car, shattered glass, debris and mangled Christmas decorations were left behind. Nigh said the crash caused “significant damage” to the home; investigators believe the driver was traveling at a high speed.

Neighbors told NBC 7 they heard a loud boom and when they walked outside, they saw the wreckage at the home on Colusa Street.

City building inspectors were called out to check the integrity of the house. Soon, a towing company arrived to help remove the Mercedes, which was partially wedged in the home.

As the vehicle was towed out, the sounds of more glass shattering could be heard. Rocks from the landscape shifted, and small pieces of the wall hit in the crash fell to the ground. Neighbors gathered to watch the commotion.

Nigh said the homeowner and driver were both taken to a local hospital, as they were both suffering from shock and stress-related medical issues stemming from the jarring incident.

Ellis said LeRay is a 63-year-old U.S. military veteran who worked as a drill instructor for the U.S. Marine Corps and then in civil defense for the U.S. Navy.

LeRay is suffering from lung cancer and had been recently released from the hospital, Ellis said.

"Me, my uncle my dad, we flew in from out of state to help him deal with what he’s going through," said Ellis.

Following the crash, Ellis said his brother was feeling short of breath and was taken back to the hospital. Ellis said the family is worried that the stress of this accident will worsen LeRay's condition.

At this point, the crash is under investigation and officials have not determined if drugs or alcohol played a factor. No further details were immediately released. Cleanup efforts continued for several hours after the crash.

SDPD first received calls of a man screaming and breaking things inside of his home at around 1:35 p.m. on the 3400 block of Jemez Drive near Moraga Avenue.

According to SDPD Lt. Dan Grubbs, officers determined that the man, identified as Eric, was alone inside of the home and attempts to communicate with the man were unsuccessful and they left the home.

Shortly after, SDPD was called back to the home after receiving reports that the man grabbed hold of his mother outside of their duplex and wouldn't let go. A neighbor rushed over to help free the woman and that's when the man retrieved a weapon from inside and began threatening the neighbor, SDPD said.

The mother told police that the suspect has a history of mental instability. Police say they have come to the house several times in the past but up until now the man hasn't committed any crimes.

Police tried talking with the suspect for a moment before he went back inside of the house. SDPD says it was at that time the man barricaded himself inside and refused to come out.

Additional officers, including SWAT units, called to the scene surrounded the home just after 3 p.m.

A SDPD negotiating team tried to communicate with the man via loudspeaker throughout the night. Lt. Grubbs said that the totality of the crime did not warrant forcible entry into the home, but police did deploy a flash bang at around 8:30 to try and persuade the man to come out.

After nearly seven hours of negotiation, the man has yet to give himself up to authorities.

As of 10:30 p.m., SDPD officials made the decision to pull the majority of officers out of the area, leaving some at the property in case the suspect decides to come out, Lt. Grubbs said.

"We're still going to follow up with investigators for the crimes that were committed," Lt. Grubbs said. "We're going to get a warrant for arrest and come back and execute that order at a time when it's going to be safer for the subject, our officers, his mother and all of the neighbors."

SDPD officials consulted with the family about the option to forcibly remove the suspect, but the family preferred a more passive approach which led to the strategy now in place.

All you need to know about the day the Chargers had against the Panthers in Charlotte you can find in their first six offensive possessions. They went a little something like this:

Punt
Fumble
Punt
Interception
Punt
Fumble

Annnnnnnnnd ... scene.

San Diego fell behind 23-0 and against a good Panthers defense that is too big of a hole to dig out of. Carolina ensured the Chargers will not have a winning season with a 28-16 win at Bank of America Stadium.

San Diego committed five turnovers, all by quarterback Philip Rivers (two lost fumbles, three interceptions) and did not move the ball past midfield until there were less than two minutes to play in the first half.

It did not help matters that running back Melvin Gordon, the NFL's 4th-leading rusher, left with a hip injury midway through the 1st quarter. The Bolts also lost left guard Orlando Franklin to an injury and defensive starters in Craig Mager (elbow) and Joey Bosa (neck, concussion).

Rivers was able to throw a pair of touchdown passes and amazingly the San Diego defense played well enough to overcome most of the miscues and keep the game from getting completely out of hand. In the 4th quarter defensive back Trovon Reed picked off Cam Newton at the three yard line and appeared to return it 97 yards for a score that would have changed the game.

However, replay showed Reed was down by contact and a few plays later Rivers was sacked in the end zone for a safety that really put the game out of reach.

The Bolts fall to 5-8 and with three games left to play are assured of finishing no better than .500. They come home next week to host the division-rival Oakland Raiders.

Authorities are responding to the scene of a wrong way crash involving a car and two motorcycles, California Highway Patrol (CHP) officials have confirmed. 

The crash happened at approximately 11:50 a.m. Sunday on State Route 94 and Harris Ranch Road, in the community of Dogpatch near Potrero. 

The details of the crash are unclear, but at least one person involved suffered some type of injury, CHP officers said. 

No further information was available. 

Check back for updates on this breaking news story. 

Here’s a look at what is going on in San Diego sports for the week of December 12^th-18^th.

GULLS: There are plenty of opportunities to catch the Gulls at the Valley View Casino Center this week. Tuesday they host the Ontario Reign before the Stockton Heat come to town Friday and Saturday. Friday is Gulliver’s Birthday and Saturday is Teddy Bear Toss night. Bring a new teddy bear to throw on the ice when the Gulls score their first goal. The bears go to the San Diego Regional Law Enforcement Teddy Bear Drive benefitting Rady Children’s Hospital. Puck drops 7 p.m. all three nights.

CHARGERS: The Bolts are also home this week. Sunday they host the Raiders 1:25 p.m. at Qualcomm Stadium.

UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO TOREROS:

-WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Monday vs. Seattle University 6 p.m. at the Jenny Craig Pavilion.

-MEN’S BASKETBALL: Saturday vs Bethesda 6 p.m. at the Jenny Craig Pavilion.

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN DIEGO TRITONS:

-MEN’S BASKETBALL: Monday vs. Western Washington 7 p.m. and Friday vs. Cal State San Bernardino 7:30 p.m. both nights at UCSD.

-WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Friday vs. Cal State San Bernardino 5:30 p.m. at UCSD.

-SWIMMING AND DIVING: Friday vs. Cal State East Bay 2 p.m. at UCSD.

SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY AZTECS:

-MEN’S BASKETBALL: Monday vs. Alabama State 7 p.m. at Viejas Arena.

-FOOTBALL: Saturday vs. Houston 12:30 p.m. in the Las Vegas Bowl.

POINT LOMA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY SEA LIONS:

-WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Wednesday vs. Antelope Valley (exhibition) 7 p.m. and Saturday vs. Holy Names 2 p.m.

-MEN’S BASKETBALL: Saturday vs. Holy Names 4 p.m.

Mayor Kevin Faulconer will be sworn in for his second term as mayor of San Diego in a Monday inauguration ceremony at Balboa Theatre.

Five City Council members and City Attorney-elect Mara Elliot will also take the oath of office at the ceremony starting at 10 a.m.

Faulconer took office as San Diego’s 36th mayor in March of 2014 and embarks on his second term after winning reelection by a favorable margin in the June primary election.

In a press release sent out Sunday, the mayor's office lists pension reform, workforce growth, and neighborhood and infrastructure investments as a few of the mayor's first-term highlights.

Millions across the Northeast were bracing Monday for a snowstorm churning east from the Plains and Great Lakes that canceled more than 1,400 flights in Chicago and sent a plane sliding off an icy Detroit runway.

The storm’s nearly week-long cross-country push is likely to end Monday and could dump 3 inches to a foot of snow across large swaths of the Northeast, NBC News reported.

The worst is expected to remain north of Interstate 80, according to The Weather Channel, with parts of New York State, New Hampshire, Vermont and much of Maine forecast to be hardest-hit.

The sisters of a man who died last week when he fell off of an Interstate 15 overpass shared a wisdom-filled message to people who may one day decide to get behind the wheel after drinking.

“If you’re going to drink, be responsible about it. Don’t act like you’re invincible because you’re not.”

Vanessa Vargas and Christina Barajas are the older sisters of Pablo Barajas, the 22-year-old man who fell to his death Wednesday morning after he and his friends pulled over on the side of I-15 to relieve themselves.

Pablo, and another 22-year-old man now at the hospital in critical condition, went over the K-rail, possibly thinking there was level ground on the other side, and fell 35 feet, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Vanessa, the oldest of the three siblings, said that her family is upset that the party of five decided to act irresponsibly. She added that while they don’t feel any resentment toward the man who was behind the wheel, they recognize that Pablo would still be here had they not been drinking.

“The message that I would like to give, to not just the driver, but to all the people out there who think that they can drink and drive, or think that it’s ok just because they had one beer that it’s ok to drive because it’s not,” Vanessa said. “You can hurt yourself. You can hurt other people.“

The sisters say that the family is heartbroken that its baby is gone and that the past few days have been very hard.

They want people to remember for his sense of humor and for his kindness, and for how he always put others before himself.

“It’s like a nightmare to think that our brother, the funny guy that always made us laugh is not here,” Christina said about her brother and best friend.

The family has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for his unexpected passing. You can donate here.

One person has died after a collision on State Route 94 sent his convertible over the railing and onto Spring Street, California Highway Patrol (CHP) confirmed.

The crash happened at around 8:14 p.m. when a man, 24, traveling westbound on a SR-94 overpass near the SR-125 interchange side swiped a sedan as he attempted to switch lanes, CHP said.

The convertible, a red Chevy Corvette, went over the railing and landed on its roof on Spring Street nearly 70 feet below, CHP said.

The driver of the other vehicle involved called 911 and stayed at the scene.

Spring Street will be closed in the area for the next two or three hours, CHP said.

The westbound SR-94 off ramp at Spring Street is closed. Meanwhile the on and off ramps between Spring Street and southbound SR-125 have reopened, per Caltrans.

Check back for updates on this breaking news story.

An arrest has been made in connection with a man found dead Sunday morning in Oceanside.

Oceanside Police (OPD) and the Oceanside Fire Department (OFD) responded to the 300 block of S. Horne Street at 6 a.m. to find a man with no obvious signs of traumatic injury not breathing.

Life-saving measures were initiated but were ultimately unsuccessful and the man was pronounced dead at the scene, OPD said.

The man was later identified as 22-year-old Ade Perdue.

After multiple interviews and crime scene processing, investigators determined that Perdue’s death was the result of a homicide.

OPD announced at 8:25 p.m. that it had a taken Pablo Mendoza, 24, into custody on first-degree murder charges. Mendoza was booked at the Vista Detention Facility just before 7 p.m.

A Chula Vista homeowner who was injured when an out-of-control car plowed into his house is asking the community for help with Christmas gifts for his family.

LeRay Shurn, 63, is a 10-year United States Marine Corps veteran in the midst of a tough fight with lung cancer and says that “things are really tight” financially.

In addition to the financial burden of providing a memorable Christmas for his three sons and family, Shurn’s health has sent him back and forth to the hospital in recent months preventing him from getting out to stores to buy gifts.

Now he has $40,000 worth of damage to his home and the front of his house is being shielded from the elements only by plywood.

“It’s been a big headache and now I’ve got this on my hands,” Shurn said. “How am I going to get my house fixed, how am I going to be here, how am I going to make my house payment and so forth?”

That’s why Shurn is asking for the community’s help so that his family can have gifts to open on Christmas morning.

The family is inviting good doers to drop off gifts at the home at 1617 Colusa Street.

Shurn has three sons ages 7, 10 and 18, and says that gifts like clothes and games would be fine, but the family would be appreciative of anything the community can offer.

Federal investigators from the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms announced Sunday they have completed their work at the so-called Ghost Ship warehouse in Oakland, where 36 people died in a fire Dec. 2.

The ATF left the scene of the country's deadliest building fire in more than 13 years, but the agency made a point of saying its investigation is far from over.

Officials will hold a news conference Tuesday to provide updates.

As Oakland police were removing barriers from the site, people continued gathering to mourn.

One group of family and friends moved in to get a closer look, and many who converged along 31st Avenue helped move flowers and candles from a massive makeshift memorial and placed them in front of a fence that surrounds what’s left of the burned building.

Across the bay, at the Mezzanine in San Francisco, family and friends of victims, along with many in the arts communities in Oakland and San Francisco, attended the Oakland Fire Relief benefit concert featuring Moby.

Those in attendance said they're trying to make it to as many victims' benefits as possible. Tayler Williams, who works in music, came early to line up for the show.

"A lot people foster their creativity in this community so it's definitely really important for us to show our support," Williams said.

The parents of victim Joseph Matlock, who goes by Joey Casio, said he had a love of music and a kind heart. He was an electronic musician who was scheduled to perform that night. They remember a song called "Share the Cup."

"This was Joey, that he would share anything and he looked out for others. First others, then himself," John Matlock said about his son. "Spare the sword. Joey was a peacemaker. He would look for consideration instead of hostility in every environment he was in, and that song to us really epitomizes the personality of the son we have left."

The Matlocks hail from Washington state. They said they’re happy to discover a whole new community of people, fabulous artists, who loved their son.

Severe weather on the East Coast has canceled and delayed some flights coming in and out of San Diego. 

More than 1,000 flights were canceled at Chicago's O'Hare airport Sunday as a winter storm swept through the Midwest on its way east, threatening to bring more snow to parts of Ohio, NBC News reported.

At the San Diego International Airport, at least three departing flights have been canceled and six flights coming in from Chicago have been canceled.

Sara Morledge flew in from Billings, Montana, and said she could not sleep on the first plane because she was worried they would miss their next plane due to weather. 

"(We) had to run though the airport, we had 15 minutes to get there, and we made it," Morledge said.

Melvin Auza recommended checking in with the airline and checking in about any possible compensation. 

"If you get delayed, they might be able to put you up in a hotel, but definitely see what type of compensation they can provide you," he said.

To check the status of your flight at San Diego International Airport, click here. 

Chicago could see a total of 7 to 12 inches of snow, the National Weather Service said. The region was under a winter storm warning through Sunday night.