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Border Patrol Agents Find Narcotics Inside a Car Battery

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Nearly $50,000 worth of methamphetamine and heroin was found inside a car battery at a Border Patrol checkpoint on Highway 86 on Tuesday.

The man, identified to be 27-years old, was arrested at approximately 1 p.m. by El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents.

Agents discovered the narcotics when a canine alerted them to the suspect's vehicle. After an inspection, agents found a compartment inside the battery of his vehicle.

The narcotics were discovered inside a smaller battery hidden inside the compartment.

According to Border Patrol, the methamphetamine and heroin were worth approximately $49,970.

The suspect had claimed to be a citizen of Mexico and showed a resident card, Border Patrol said.



Photo Credit: U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Two-Vehicle Crash Knocks Over Fire Hydrant

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A two vehicle collision knocked over a fire hydrant in the Paradise Hills neighborhood of San Diego on Tuesday.

According to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department (SDFD), the incident started at approximately 5:15 p.m. on the 6200 block of Parkside Avenue. 

The water department was called out and the water was turned off just after 6 p.m.

There was no damage to any homes in the area, homeowners told NBC 7.

Officials said there were no reports of any injuries.

No other information was available.



Photo Credit: NBC 7

Tips on How to Buy the Best Luggage

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If you’re heading out of town for the holidays, make sure you’ve got a suitcase that can handle the job. Consumer Reports surveyed 65,000 readers and combined their satisfaction scores with research to help make shopping for your next piece of luggage an open and shut case.

The experts at Consumer Reports say considering several key factors can put you ahead of the pack when you’re shopping for luggage. The material is the first decision you need to make, and you have two choices: hard-side or soft. Nothing beats hard-shell suitcases to keep fragile items safe or clothes from being creased.

Aluminum weighs a little more but it’s probably the most durable. Newer plastics can be both rigid and lightweight. Soft-sided bags are lighter, still, and compress more easily to fit into overhead bins.

One way to gauge durability is to give the handle a good shake. You want to make sure that it feels solid, that it doesn’t jiggle around. You also want to make sure that it telescopes up and down really smoothly. And last, you want to make sure that it telescopes flush into the case, so that you can fit it in the overhead very easily.

Next, deal with the wheels. Four-wheel spinner bags are easier on your back and let you maneuver through crowds regardless of what else you’re carrying. Dragging a two-wheeler can be less ergonomically sound and awkward to navigate through tight places. But two-wheel bags do have an advantage in clearing curbs and being easy to pull over uneven surfaces, like cobblestone streets in Europe.

And consider color; it’s helpful to find your bag in a sea of black.

Consumer Reports also warns against relying on size claims on the label if you’re looking for a carry-on bag. Instead, take a measuring tape to the store to verify the dimensions yourself, making sure to include the wheels, outer pouches, and any handles that stick out.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Ex-Marine to Stand Trial in Grisly Killing of Army Reservist

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A former Camp Pendleton-based Marine was ordered to stand trial in the gruesome killing of an Army reservist whose body was found in the trunk of a vehicle at a Fallbrook shopping center.

Kevin Coset was found competent to stand trial at a mental competency hearing Monday.

Coset was arrested and charged three years ago in the stabbing death of Alvin Bulaoro. He has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder with a special circumstance allegation of lying in wait.

The body of the 24-year-old Army reservist was found zipped up in a sleeping bag inside a 1997 Toyota 4Runner on January 3, 2013. He had suffered two gunshot wounds to the head, 44 stab wounds and his throat was slit almost from ear-to-ear according to the San Diego County Medical Examiner.

Detectives said Coset and victim exchanged a phone call and 29 text messages between Dec. 20 and Dec. 21, 2012. Bulaoro was reported missing on Dec. 23.

The device Coset was allegedly using to contact Bulaoro was a “pay as you go” phone purchased on Dec. 19, according to detectives. Investigators saw that Coset was one of the last numbers Bulaoro had contacted, which led to his arrest on Feb. 22 at Camp Pendleton.

Evidence in the preliminary hearing revealed Coset had a journal, in which he allegedly wrote about the killing.

NCIS detective Jason Keller read the following excerpt from Coset's diary at a pre-trial hearing:

"Tonight I had to kill for the third time. It was a guy named Alvin Bulaoro in Fallbrook. It was definitely a him or me situation. I find no joy in killing but must survive in my fight against the evil Musgrove organization.They have been plotting against me for years now as well as entering my mind and stealing my intelligence."

According to the arrest warrant, Bulaoro and Coset had met up in an Albertson's parking lot in Fallbrook. Detectives said surveillance video shows that the suspect parked his car in the lot, got into the victim's Toyota 4Runner, and the two men drove away.

The arrest warrant also quoted the victim's brother telling investigators that his brother was gay, and may have been headed for a popular San Diego gay bar when he was first reported missing on Dec. 23.

If found guilty, Coset could face the death penalty or life in prison.

Tunnel Crossed into US: Mexican Authorities

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One of two tunnels uncovered last week in Tijuana reached the U.S., Mexican authorities said Tuesday. 

A poster that reads "secured" was on a fenced-off building about a block or so away from the border on Fray Mayorga in an industrial area of Tijuana.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials were notified by Mexican officials Thursday, December 8 of the discovery near the Otay Mesa Port of Entry. 

There was no indication at the time that the tunnels reach the U.S. Now, it appears one of the tunnels was finished, according to officials in Mexico.

Mexican officials issued a news release saying one of the tunnels was used to transport drugs from the Sinaloa Cartel.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesperson Lauren Mack would not comment on the information released by Mexican authorities.

In late October of this year, a cross-border tunnel was discovered at an Otay Mesa warehouse leading to a business near the Tijuana airport.



Photo Credit: Procuraduria General de la Republica

15-year-old Raises Nearly $3,000 for Syrian Children

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A local high school student has raised nearly $3,000 to donate to children in Syria, and it all began as part of a school project.

Katie Meitchik said her interest in Syria first started because of a routine school assignment.

“We always start off class with local news and global news,” she said.

She tells NBC 7 that hearing about war-torn Syria prompted her to act.

“I just had to ask 'what can I do to help,'" said Meitchik. “That's just kind of where my mind goes.”

The school helped Meitchik connect with Syrian artist, Massa Abujeib. The two decided to put on an art auction to raise money for homeless refugee children in Syria.

By the time the last piece sold, they had raised more than $2,700.

“It was nowhere near what I was expecting,” Meitchik said. “ I wasn't even expecting as many people to come as they did.”

Meitchik believes the money certainly helps, but the conversations the auction started are just as valuable.

“A bunch of my classmates came. It’s not like they’re going to be able to spend a lot of money on artwork,” she said. “I think that was really impactful and just a way to raise awareness is doing things like this.”

Katie received seed money through a program at her school. Her classmates and even a teacher have now hopped on board. She said they will continue to raise money for the people of Syria.

Congressional Republicans Begin to Buck Trump on Russia

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Congressional Republicans have largely sought to minimize differences between President-elect Donald Trump and GOP establishment orthodoxy on a variety of issues, but signs of tension have begun to emerge over U.S. relations with Russia. 

Over two days, Republicans in the Senate have publicly disagreed with or questioned decisions and statements made by Trump amidst rising tensions and allegations of Russian interference with the U.S. presidential election. 

It's a different tact than Republicans have taken on disagreements over domestic policy. Elected officials in Congress have either downplayed division or stayed silent on issues of infrastructure spending, trade and entitlement reform.

But since Trump's announcement of his intention to appoint ExxonMobile CEO Rex Tillerson to be secretary of State, at least four Senate Republicans have indicated that Tillerson should have to answer tough questions about his views on Russia and what is considered to be his close relationship with President Vladimir Putin.



Photo Credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Neighbor Speaks Out on Violent Standoff in Clairemont

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A neighbor says the suspect arrested for allegedly punching two officers in the face during a standoff in Clairemont had always been a good neighbor.

Rob Agnew and his wife live just across the street from where the standoff occurred on Monday night.

San Diego Police (SDPD) responded to reports of a domestic disturbance on Mount St. Helens Drive just after 9:30 p.m. When officers arrived on scene, the suspect, identified to be 33-year old Hayden Gerson did not comply.

According to police, Gerson punched two officers in the face and attempted to choke another. 

Officers retreated and called for backup, leading to a hours long standoff with Gerson.

Multiple shots were fired while officers surrounded the home, police said.

Officers also fired approximately 15 rounds in the direction of gunfire coming from inside the home.

Dozens of homes in the area were evacuated during the standoff.

But Agnew said since his home was not in the line of fire, he and his family were able to stay inside.

He says he watched the incident unfold from across the street in their living room, along with his wife.

"I didn't get the impression the police were expecting that. I thought...I don't want to say they were caught off guard because they were definitely in position," Agnew said.

He told NBC 7 that he watched in amazement as Gerson later walked out of his house, without a scratch and still wanting to fight with police.

"He was yelling at them violently with his hands up. You could see nothing was in his hands and police did not shoot. I was happy to see he wasn't killed," Agnew said.

When officers used other non-lethal weapons and a K-9, Gerson fought with the K-9 and attempted to choke the police dog.

Agnew told NBC 7 that Gerson races motorcycles and participates in mixed martial arts. He also owns part of a San Diego-based solar company.

He added that for the past 18 months, Gerson has lived peacefully among his neighbors.

"He was a good neighbor and it was shocking for us," Agnew said.

Gerson was taken into custody and transported to a hospital to be treated for his injuries.

He faces three counts of attempted murder of a police officer, according to SDPD.

Two officers were also taken to the hospital for injuries but were expected to recover. The K-9 is also expected to be okay.


Grieving Family Says Seatbelt Could Have Saved Mother of 4

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The family of a woman is grieving the loss of the mother of four, killed in a rollover crash in Spring Valley last week.

Rocio Garcia, 34, leaves behind her husband Jason and their four children, the family says.

“I just want to wake up, that’s all I want to do,” Jason Garcia told NBC 7.

He says these the past couple of days have been a nightmare.

Garcia died after her vehicle crashed and rolled over the northbound State Route 125 to the east bound 54 freeway connector.

The crash occurred on Dec. 6 at approximately 8:57 p.m., the California Highway Patrol (CHP) said.

Officials said Garcia was not wearing her seat belt prior to the crash.

“I was told that she lost control of her car,” her husband says. “She got ejected from her car.”

He tells NBC 7 that on the day of the crash, the family were going to get a Christmas tree.

“My kids will not get to do that with her again,” he said, as he looked down at a picture of the family.

Jason Garcia says he has a message he wants people to take away from his family’s tragedy—to never forget to wear your seat belt.

“That is always the first thing we tell the kids when they get in the car,” he said.

He added that doctors told him if his wife would have been protected by the seat belt: “The outcome would have been different.”

A GoFundMe page has been set up for the family.

Trump Feud Over Russia Intel Raises Deeper Concerns: Experts

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President-elect Donald Trump’s tensions with U.S. intelligence agencies over the alleged Russian hacking is unsettling to national security experts, NBC News reported.

Some feel that a strained relationship between Trump and intelligence agencies could affect his ability to lead the country. Trump was critical of the CIA after they concluded Russia was involved in the leaked Democratic emails, calling the CIA “the same people that said Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction.”

The CIA’s assessment that Russia not only interfered in the election but did so to help Trump win has triggered bipartisan calls for a Congressional intervention.

Some national security veterans are also troubled by Trump’s announcement that he would not take daily intelligence briefings. He told Fox News, “I don’t have to be told the same thing in the same words every single day for the next eight years.”



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Where You Live Determines What Kills You

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A new analysis by the Journal of the American Medical Association shows a county-by-county breakdown of what kills people in the U.S., NBC News reported.

Drug overdoses shot up 1,000 percent since 1980 in counties in Kentucky, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, western Pennsylvania and east-central Missouri. Diabetes-related deaths are more prevalent in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Suicides and homicides were most prevalent in the western states.

Meanwhile, heart disease, is particularly high in the southeast of the United States, blamed on poor diet, a lack of exercise and less access to good medical care. 

"We found huge variation in all the leading causes of death," said Dr. Christopher Murray at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Seattle.



Photo Credit: Getty Images/Ikon Images

Letter on Qualcomm Stadium Deal Sent to San Diego Chargers

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A letter offering to lease the current 166 acre Qualcomm Stadium site in Mission Valley for $1 a year for 99 years has been sent to Chargers chairman Dean Spanos and the NFL.

The letter is signed by council members Scott Sherman, Chris Cate and Lorie Zapf, all of whom opposed Measure C, and council President Myrtle Cole. The letter is an effort to get the Chargers back to the bargaining table. The team can exercise a right to move to Los Angeles on June 15.

“I want the Chargers and the NFL especially to know that we have a possibility here. Just come to us and work with us. For the first time, lets sit down face to face, locked in a room and lets hammer something out,” said Sherman.

It would be up to the Chargers to use private money to develop the site. Sherman says the city would reap the tax benefits of the project.

“The current site is equivalent to over 60 downtown blocks that can be transformed from an empty parking lot to a state-of-the-art, one of kind NFL experience,” reads the letter.

The team has long rejected the Mission Valley site for a new stadium and has yet to comment on the letter. Chargers special counsel told NBC 7 he has only heard about the letter through the media and has no comment.

The letter only offers the Chargers a chance to buy the land, but does not discuss any potential stadium project, legalities of the project, or what public input would be.

You can read the full letter here.

“The time is now for us to work with the team. I think the fans deserve it, the taxpayers deserve it, to have an open and honest dialogue between ourselves and the organization,” said Cate.

Sherman says the group also sent the letter to the NFL as a way to put the Chargers on notice.

“We want the ownership of the NFL to know, that you may be getting one side of the story, from dealing with just team ownership. We want to let you know there is a possibility to get something done here. We just need to get people to the table,” said Sherman.

The letter is only signed by four council members. Without a majority vote on the nine member council, the council can not legally move to sell the land.

The 2016 SoundDiego Music Awards

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With the year (thankfully) coming to an end, it's nigh time we look back at the best and brightest in San Diego's music scene -- and dole out our 2016 SoundDiego Music Awards. Our highly scientific voting process (we simply ask our staff members) always ends up with a few curveball winners, and more than one completely-out-of-left-field nominee (Hannah Lott-Schwartz, we're looking at you). Unlike some other award shows, we keep our categories whittled down to the bare essentials and forgo the long-winded, self-congratulatory thank-you speeches completely. Ladies and gentlemen, without further adieu -- the 2016 SoundDiego Music Awards.

Unforgettable Moment of the Year: Unfortunately, 2016 will perhaps be remembered most for the sheer number of music legends we lost. Rest In Peace: David Bowie, Prince, Leonard Cohen, Phife Dawg, Scotty Moore, Sharon Jones, Glenn Frey, Sir George Martin, Merle Haggard, Keith Emerson, Maurice White, Greg Lake, Alan Vega, Leon Russell, and Natalie Cole and Lemmy Kilmister (who technically passed in 2015, but still) and the list sadly goes on.

Breakout Artist of the Year: The Frights. These kids keep getting better and better. They've proven that unrelenting touring and an incessant/hilarious social media presence does wonders (having that ol’ FIDLAR support doesn’t hurt either, amirite?). Can we expect even bigger things in 2017? Who knows but since we're talkin' about 'em -- cue their new Christmas video.

Best Live Act: The Schizophonics. Thanks to Shady Francos' win in this category last year, the Schizos took a year off -- but they're back in the winner's column (nearly unanimous!) and crazier than ever. The trio's unending energy seems to get more and more manic with each show. They're currently over in the UK dousing unsuspecting Brits with a taste of their onstage chaos, and it's only a matter of time before the rest of the world wants a sample of our zaniest rock & roll export.

Concert of the Year: Guns n' Roses at Qualcomm Stadium on Aug. 22. This category was a tough call here at SoundDiego HQ, but after the dust settled, one at-long-last reunited behemoth was left standing. Axl, Slash and Co. surprisingly held their appetites for destruction together long enough to bring their Not in This Lifetime tour through San Diego, and the results were as unforgettable as we'd all hoped. 

Song of the Year: "Chill Bill," by Rob $tone. Written after spending some time in the back of a SDPD cruiser one day, $tone inked a record deal with RCA on the back of this anthem, which samples the famous whistle from Quentin Tarantino's "Kill Bill" films, and has gone on to garner more than 17 million plays on SoundCloud and over 10 million streams on Spotify. He may have flown under the radar here in town but there's simply no denying: Rob $tone had San Diego's song of the year. 

Album of the Year: "For Margaret," by the Verigolds. Who hasn't jumped on this PB foursome's psychedelic bandwagon? No other local album received anywhere close to the number of votes "For Margaret" got in this category despite some staunch competition (cough, Trouble in the Wind, cough). Perhaps SoundDiego associate editor Dustin Lothspeich said it best back in July when he wrote: "On 'For Margaret,' the band takes majestic strides across blissed-out psychedelic landscapes -- in turn fusing the best parts of rock, pop, chillwave and subtle electro together for a Technicolor journey that's nearly impossible not to get lost in." The voters have spoken and "Margaret" takes home the trophy.

Artist of the Year: Andra Day. After her seemingly meteoric rise to mainstream popularity in 2015 -- capped off by a holiday Apple Music commercial with her mentor Stevie Wonder -- Day kept the relentless momentum going this year too. The singer extraordinaire garnered two 2016 Grammy nominations for Best R&B Album (for her debut record "Cheers to the Fall") and Best R&B Performance for her powerhouse single "Rise Up," followed by an in-demand nationwide tour (including a sold-out hometown stop at Humphreys Concert by the Bay). She was most recently seen on Fox's "Taraji's White Hot Holidays" TV show dueting with none other than Alicia Keys on "Someday At Christmas" -- if that ain't star power, we don't know what is.



Photo Credit: Fatima Kelley

Unbundling AT&T Accounts Lead to Extra Charges

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A Oceanside resident was trying to lower her monthly phone, TV and internet bills but after taking the advice of her carrier, her bills increased. 

Cynthia Harmer says she was trying to lower her monthly AT&T bill when she called AT&T representatives. 

“It just seems like the people that you reach [on the phone] have been given a script to just make you go away,” Cynthia said. 

Cynthia paid $153.90 for her phone, internet and DirecTV services, all bundled together. 

Cynthia said the AT&T representatives suggested a plan to save her money that would include unbundling all of her services. 

That’s when Cynthia said she ran into trouble. 

“So when I paid the final bill, they did not pay DirecTV,” Cynthia said. 

Up until then, Cynthia said her AT&T bill included $112 for her DirecTV service but after unbundling her accounts, the satellite company hadn’t received Cynthia’s payment. Cynthia said AT&T told her they could no longer pay her satellite bill since she had unbundled all of her accounts. 

Cynthia had already paid AT&T the DirecTV payment. On top of that, Cynthia said AT&T told her they could not reimburse just the DirecTV payment, they would have to refund the entire amount she had paid for all of the services. 

After receiving the full refund, Cynthia received another bill in the mail. 

“Now they’re saying I owe that whole bill because they reversed it,” Cynthia said. 

Instead of billing Cynthia for the $41 she owed them, the phone company wanted over $300. 

Cynthia tried calling AT&T to straighten the matter out but she said her efforts did not work. That is when she turned to NBC 7 Responds for help. 

AT&T told NBC 7 Responds they would investigate and within a week, Cynthia’s bill was adjusted. In addition to the AT&T bill being fixed, Cynthia said she also received a call from DirecTV and a representative offered her hundreds-of-dollars in service credits for being a “loyal customer”. 

In an email, a representative from AT&T told NBC 7 Responds, “We worked with the customer to resolve the dispute and provide an adjustment.”

CorePower Yoga Founder Found Dead in Sunset Cliffs Home

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A man found dead inside a Sunset Cliffs home was identified Tuesday as the founder of CorePower Yoga and business entrepreneur Trevor Tice.

Tice, 48, was found dead Monday inside a multi-million dollar home along the coast west of downtown San Diego, according to homicide investigators.

In a statement, a spokesperson said the company was deeply saddened by the news.

"Our community is grieving this tragic loss and honoring Trevor’s tremendous legacy," CorePower Yoga spokesperson Christine Turner said.

SDPD officers were called to the home on Cornish Drive as part of a welfare check, homicide investigators confirmed.

Due to suspicious circumstances surrounding Tice's death, homicide detectives were called to the scene and are investigating the incident.

Tice founded CorePower Yoga in 2002 starting with just a few studios and growing it into a company which now includes more than 160 yoga studios across the U.S.

He reportedly removed himself from day-to-day operations within the company earlier this year.

"CorePower is a manifestation of the best Trevor brought to the world: boundless energy, an electric smile, an immutable desire to improve," CEO Eric Kufel said in an email to employees.

"I believe Trevor contributed more to the world than most dare to dream-- and the world will forever be a more joyful, more peaceful, and fundamentally better place because Trevor Tice was part of it," Kufel said.

NBC 7 spoke with one of Tice's students who told us she has been going to the Point Loma location since it opened. 

Ori Ostrowiak says Tice built the buisness from scratch but it wasn't without a struggle.

"In 2008, I did the teacher training and I could see he was under a lot of stress. He was running a yoga business but he was stressed out from the business standpoint. Then all of a sudden, it just mushroomed and took off," Ostrowiak said of the business.

"One day I brought my two little daughters in, Audrey and Maxine, they were about 5 and 6, and he let them use his computer," she added. "They were struggling with it for a little bit and he stopped what he was doing and tried to help them. You would never know he was the big shot in the business. He was so sweet to my daughters, and I thought he was a really good guy. He was very, very charismatic."

Ostrowiak says she is still in shock after learning of his death.

Tice graduated with a degree in Business from the University of Colorado and was a yoga practitioner and teacher, according to a CorePower Yoga media kit.

The Sunset Cliffs home was purchased in January 2016 for $3 million. Neighbors told NBC 7 there has been a lot of activity at the home recently with people appearing to be doing work on the home. 



Photo Credit: Mark Sackett, NBC 7, CorePower Yoga

Amazon Truck Catches Fire, Closes Portion of Interstate 15

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Several lanes of northbound Interstate 15 were closed for several hours on Tuesday afternoon after a semi truck caught fire.

The big rig, identified to be an Amazon truck, was fully engulfed in flames at about 1:30 p.m., officials said. The fire sent thick black smoke billowing overhead the Interstate 15 and State Route 163 split.

The fire happened just north of the split, beneath the Miramar Way exit sign.

No one was hurt.

Officials expect three lanes to be closed for several hours, as of 2 p.m.

By 3 p.m., all lanes of northbound traffic except the express lanes were closed.

Crews spent the afternoon clearing the site of the fire, as traffic backed up to a stand-still during the busy commute.

The freeway was opened to traffic after 6 p.m.

It's still unclear what caused the fire.

Here's a map of where the big rig caught fire:



Photo Credit: Matthew Genovese
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2 Men Stabbed in Pacific Beach

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Two men were hospitalized Wednesday following a stabbing in Pacific Beach and another two men were in police custody.

San Diego Police were called to Garnet Avenue and Cass Street at midnight where four people had been arguing on the sidewalk.

One of the men involved in the argument pulled out a knife and stabbed two people, police said.

A 24-year-old man was stabbed in the neck. The second victim, identified by police as a 25-year-old man, was stabbed in the stomach.

Both victims were expected to survive.

The man accused in the incident ran from the scene.

Officers took two people into custody. One of them was described as a 25-year-old man.

No other information was immediately available.

Check back for updates on this breaking news story. 



Photo Credit: NBC 7

Alfred Olango's Dad Demands Arrest of ECPD Officer in Fatal Shooting

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The father of Alfred Olango joined community members Wednesday as they demanded the arrest of an El Cajon Police Officer involved in the fatal shooting in downtown El Cajon.

The group noted that September shooting death of Olango occurred 78 days ago as they demanded an update from San Diego County District Attorney's Office and the El Cajon Police Department.

"Why is it possible to kill a human and be free," Richard Olango Abuka said of Officer Richard Gonsalves who was on paid adminsitrative leave while an investigation was ongoing.

"A person kills a human being and the person is let free. What is this?" Abuka demanded.

Olango's death sparked protests for weeks that led to dozens of arrests and property damage in the city of about 100,000 people, located approximately 30 miles east of downtown San Diego.

On Wednesday Shane Harris with the National Action Network, community organizer Marquis Parks, Bishop Cornelius Bowser and others stood with Olango's father as they demanded Officer Gonzalves be charged in the crime.

“Shooting somebody five times in the chest - it may not be premeditated but it definitely isn’t accidental,’ Parks said.

Alfred Olango, 38, was first reported to be walking in and out of traffic in the middle of the street and “not acting like himself,” when his sister called officers for help just after 1 p.m. on September 28.

El Cajon Police Department Lt. Rob Ransweiler said two officers first arrived at the scene at approximately 2:10 p.m. Tuesday. The officer-involved shooting happened at 2:11 to 2:12 p.m., between one to two minutes after they arrived.

Video of the shooting captured Officer Gonsalves approaching Olango in the parking lot of a strip mall in El Cajon, then firing several rounds just moments later.

El Cajon Police Chief Jeff Davis said Olango refused multiple instructions to remove his hand from in his pocket before he pulled out an object and held it in front of him “like he would be firing a gun.” The object was later determined to be a vaping device.

The ECPD said officers called PERT, a psychiatric emergency response team that deals with calls involving subjects in mental distress, to help with Olango before their encounter with him, but that team was not immediately available because it was responding to another call in the area.

El Cajon city officials and the San Diego County District Attorney's Office held a news conference several days after the shooting and announced an investigation into the incident.

Harris argued Wednesdy that the promise of a transparent investigation has not been held.

“Seventy-eight days have gone by and there has been absolutely no response from El Cajon Police Chief Jeff Davis and El Cajon Mayor Wells,” Harris said.

Members of the Olango family have filed claims or have said they plan to file claims against the El Cajon Police Department.

Abuka said Wednesday the department was negligent in how it handled a mentally ill man. Olango's mother Pamela Benge, however, has denied her son was mentally ill. She said he was emotional over the recent death of someone close to him.

Attorney Dan Gilleon has filed a claim against the officer and the ECPD on behalf of Lucy Olango, Alfred Olango's sister.

Attorneys said in November that a claim would be filed on behalf of Olango’s wife, Tania Rozer, and his two daughters. Olango’s father, Richard Olango Abuku, also planned to file a separate claim.

ECPD officials have said responding officers were not aware of Olango's criminal history at the time of the shooting. A refugee who arrived to the U.S. in 1991, Olango had two convictions on his record: one drug conviction and a firearms conviction in 2002 and 2009 respectively.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials tried twice over the years to deport Olango to his native Uganda due to recurring problems with the law.

A spokesperson told NBC 7 Olango had stopped reporting to officers in February 2015.

Bishop Cornelius Bowser spoke Wednesday in support of community members working alongside law enforcement officers to transform the criminal justice system.

“Our cry for justice is not a hatred of law enforcement,” Bowser said.

“We want to work with you in changing how you hire folks,” he said. “We want to work with you in setting up accountability like a citizens’ review board.”



Photo Credit: NBC 7

CEOs of Tesla, Uber and Pepsi Join Trump's Business Council

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The real-life Iron Man has agreed to help Donald Trump.

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX joined the president-elect’s business council on Wednesday, NBC News reported. Two other CEOs, Travis Kalanick of Uber and Indra Nooyi of Pepsi have also joined the council.

Musk, who was critical of Trump during the presidential race, was seen at the president-elect's private meeting with tech titans on Wednesday.

Trump’s Strategic and Policy Forum includes CEOs of some of the country’s largest companies, such as Walt Disney, General Electric, JP Morgan Chase and Wal-Mart. Its purpose is to advise the president-elect on how to create news jobs, according to a press release from Trump’s transition team.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Barons Markets to Morph Into ‘Speakeasies’ for 1 Night

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Barons Market locations in Southern California – including three in San Diego – will transform their loading docks and stockrooms into speakeasy-inspired tasting rooms for a holiday event to help the hungry.

On Wednesday, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Barons Markets will host a holiday version of the small grocery chain’s “Backroom Beer Pairing” event – an evening of seasonal appetizers paired with brews from Alpine Beer Company.

The mouthwatering pairings menu, for example, includes Barons’ spicy shrimp and sausage gumbo paired with Alpine Beer Company’s Hoppy Birthday brew, and Barons’ buffalo rotisserie chicken sliders paired with Alpine Beer’s original single IPA, Duet. On the sweeter side will be

Alpine Beer’s Willy Vanilly wheat ale paired with lemon cake topped blueberry sauce.

The grocer's Backroom Beer Pairings series typically sells out but if you’re still looking to snag a spot, tickets cost $15 per person.

The family-owned grocery company said 100 percent of proceeds from ticket sales across all Barons Market locations will benefit the Jacobs &Cushman San Diego Food Bank so that more locals in need can have food in their bellies this season.

Barons Market currently has six stores in Southern California: Point Loma, Rancho Bernardo and Alpine in San Diego County and locations in Temecula, Wildomar and Murrieta. A store is opening soon in North Park, too.



Photo Credit: Barons Market/NBC 7 San Diego
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