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Car Fire Spreads Along I-5 in O'side

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Drivers along Interstate 5 north of Oceanside faced delays Thursday after a car fire spread to a hillside between Basilone and Las Pulgas Roads.

According to the California Highway Patrol, someone reported a fire in the bed of a small maroon pickup around 12:20 p.m.

Moments later, they were told it was a vegetation fire and closed several lanes of the highway.

A SigAlert was issued at 12:34 p.m. with the request for closure of all lanes because of the smoke diminishing visibility for highway drivers.

The fire was out about a half hour later but crews were still working on mopping up the area as of 2:00 p.m.

Check our interactive traffic map for highway speeds in the area.
 


$1.4M in Meth, Cocaine Found in Shopping Bags

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On May 21, U.S. Border Patrol agents at the I-5 checkpoint discovered 41 bundles of methamphetamine stashed inside 13 blue shopping bags in the trunk of a car attempting to cross the checkpoint. The meth weighed nearly 60 pounds and had an estimated street value of $1,178,000. The bags also contained nearly 21 pounds of cocaine valued at $227,000. The person driving the smuggling vehicle was a 19-year-old U.S. citizen.

Woman Flips Stolen Car, Hits Pedestrian

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A woman driving a stolen car led police on a pursuit through Mountain View before striking a tree, flipping the vehicle and seriously injuring a pedestrian, San Diego Police Department officials said.

Police say suspect Jasmine Ford, 24, was driving a stolen 2009 Mercedes westbound in the 4100 block of Ocean Boulevard at around 1:15 p.m. with officers in pursuit.

As Ford approached a bend in the roadway at Boundary Street, she lost control of the Mercedes, hit a tree and started to flip over.

As the vehicle was flipping, police say the car struck a 63-year-old pedestrian who was walking along Ocean Boulevard.

The pedestrian suffered serious injuries on both legs. Her name was not released.

Police say Ford sustained some minor injuries in the collision. She was arrested for felony evading and auto theft.

The investigation is ongoing. Check back for updates.
 



Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Dad Slams School for Moving Victim, Not Bully

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A San Diego father says he has exhausted all avenues to protect his daughter from school bullies and fears she may become a statistic.

A paper trail of email and letters to and from the family and school officials spells out the frustration.

The child, who has received counseling, gave her father the permission to talk about the bullying “to help others now, more than herself.” NBC 7 is not revealing the father’s identity in order to protect her.

“There are a couple of girls in her class that would make fun of her, call her names,” he said.

That’s how her father says it all started in third grade. The name calling became more frequent and he says in the fifth grade things got more physical.

“She'll be walking down the hall, and they'll push her against the wall, brush up against her,” he explains. “She's not doing anything to provoke this.”

The father said his daughter was soon hysterical at home and threatened to hurt herself.

“It scares me,” he said. “I don’t want to turn on the news or have people see my daughter either as a victim or the bully because she was pushed to that point.”

The paper trail also shows relentless steps to find a solution. Ultimately, as he puts it, the family gives in to the district’s plan.

As the desperate father describes it, that district plan punishes the daughter for being a victim.

“It’s ignore it, it will go away and if it doesn’t go away we’ll move the victim to another school,” he said describing the district’s position.

He suggested they move the bully and break up the problem.

NBC 7 reached out to the San Diego Unified School District and were told administrators can’t talk specifically about student discipline because of privacy rights. The district would not talk generally about its anti-bullying policy.

The father concedes the district does have a comprehensive policy against bullying but claims administrators don’t stand behind it.

“It’s the whole process, the policies, the procedures, I think they’re severely flawed,” he said adding that he believes the process involved merely “gives the district cover.”

“I think it’s one of those things where they are sweeping it under the carpet. Don’t ask, don’t tell. And if you do ask, they can’t tell you,” he said.

According to the documents provided by the student’s father, the family missed a deadline to have their daughter transferred to a school she preferred.

The father said the district accused the family of complaining in order to skirt around the rules instead of handling the bullying issue at his daughter’s school.

 

Highway 163 Shooter Convicted

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A jury convicted 60-year-old Stephen Dragasits on Thursday for shooting at cars along highway 163 in April 2011.

Dragasits shot a 21-year-old University of San Diego student in the abdomen and while she was traveling on southbound State Route 163 north of Balboa Avenue. Another car was also damaged by the bullets.

Dragasits was arrested more than two weeks after the incident and was identified as a transient that lived in a motor home often parked on Kearny Villa Road.

Last year, jurors could not come to an agreement in the case of Dragasits. He faced six counts including attempted murder, shooting at an occupied vehicle and assault with a firearm.

The case then went to retrial.

On Thursday, Dragasits was convicted of two counts of shooting at an occupied car and assault with a firearm. But jurors were undecided on the attempted murder charge.

“As a survivor of this unthinkable act of gun violence, I'm disappointed that this criminal wasn't convicted on all counts – but I'm relieved to know that he will likely be locked away for the remainder of his life," said victim Ashley Simmons in a prepared statement.

Dragasits could be sentenced anywhere from 36 years and 8 months to life in prison, according to the district attorney’s office. Sentencing will be held at a later date.

Controlled SR-78 Burn Leads to Large Brush Fire

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A controlled burn near Highway 78 and the S2 marker spread beyond the prescribed plan Thursday, leading to a large fire, Cal Fire officials confirmed.

The fire sparked near the San Felipe area, east of Julian. California Highway Patrol officials say the S2/S22 is about eight miles from the fire.

By 5 p.m., Cal Fire officials said the blaze had scorched 550 acres and was 30 percent contained. Approximately 500 acres are outside the prescribed burn lines.

Officials immediately called for additional resources to assist with the increased acreage, including air tankers and helicopters.

Lakeside Fire and Heartand Fire were among the agencies sending crews to help battle the San Felipe blaze.

Four additional water tenders were also requested. The water district opened the well on Highway 79 to fire crews for water supply.

CHP officials have shut down S2 and Highway 78. Officials say smoke is visible from the Shelter Valley and Julian area. At this point, no structures are threatened.

Officials say there is currently a wind advisory in effect for the fire area, with west winds 20 to 30 mph and gusts up to 45 mph. Stronger winds are expected late this afternoon through the evening.

Cal Fire officials said a major unexpected wind shift caused the Felipe Fire to burn outside the containment boundaries.

Check back for updates.



Photo Credit: Brandi Powell

Cicadas Surprise Reporter

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Cicadas have emerged from the ground in North Branford, Connecticut. One family found them in their backyard and our reporter gets a close-up look at the critters.

Oklahoma Pets Rescued

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Many animals orphaned by this week's storms in Oklahoma are bound for PAWS Chicago, where they'll be nurtured back to good health and put in the agency's adoption network.

Principal Warns Parents Against Social Media Site

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A local middle school principal is putting out a blunt warning to parents to be on the lookout for a social media website gaining popularity with students called Ask.fm.

The site, said Standley Middle School principal Heidi Lyon, has no safeguards against "highly sexualized, abusive, and downright nasty messages."      

An 11-year-old girl said that someone on the Ask.fm site posted a message that said she should kill herself.

“All of the people that I hung out with don't like me, and they all hated me and I should kill myself,” said sixth grader Allison Rose.

Rose said it made her feel sad and her parents said the anonymous post was painfully mean-spirited.

“It's horrible to think that somebody could feel that angry towards your child and that somebody would say things and would want them to kill themselves, that's the worst thing you could imagine,” said her mother Elizabeth Rose.

The premise of the website is pretty simple. Users sign up and ask others any question they want.

Pictures and video messages go uncensored.

“Very hateful comments are made, highly sexualized comments are made, students are told to kill themself, to commit suicide, the world doesn't want them,” said Lyon.

The Standley Middle School principal sent out a strongly worded letter to parents about social media. She said parents may be aware of Facebook and Twitter, but she wants parents to be aware of sites like Ask.fm where messages are posted anonymously.

Lyon also asked students to close their accounts.

“When it comes to the internet, when it comes to on-line behavior, many of our parents don't know and understand the dangers because they aren't on there themselves,” she said.

Allison says she was confused by the post and doesn't know why anyone would want to say such mean things to her.

“I felt bad for the person because they obviously have some problems and I don't know anyone that hates me that much,” she said.

Ask.fm has not yet responded to an NBC 7 email about this story,

The site does list safety tips asking users to tell adults if you're being targeted and a warning that they have the option to report abuse and identifying information to law enforcement if necessary.

But users have found that it does not stop many troubling posts.

Memorial Day Travel Tips

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NBC 7 reporter Elena Gomez talks about ways to make traveling easier this Memorial Day weekend.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Yelp Methods, Practices Garner Negative Reviews

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The high-profile local search site Yelp.com is a widely used online resource for small businesses looking to expand their clientele and customer bases.

But some object to its digital methods and promotional practices, which the internet powerhouse vigorously defends.

Here in San Diego, a Liberty Station law firm that used to advertise on the Yelp site has just gotten major exposure in the Wall Street Journal after winning a small-claims court judgment against the company.

And operators of a Clairemont electronics repair shop are questioning Yelp’s good faith in the marketplace.

Nationwide, Yelp's critics in the small business community have said in court cases that the company fails to deliver on contractual promises.

There are widespread complaints that Yelp downgrades their visibility and customer reviews when they refuse to advertise.

"Here we are, number 19 with 177 five-star reviews. I don't see the logic in that,” Mario Leon said Thursday, as he scrolled through his local trade group’s listings on Yelp. "We've asked them numerous times why that's happening. And they say that's just the way the filter works."

Leon and his uncle John Goodman service iPhone, iPads and iPods at SD iRepairs.

He says he doesn't want to bite the hand that feeds him, because Yelp has steered a lot of customers to their shop on Clairemont Drive.

But he wonders why the firm's rankings drop, good reviews fall off and bad ones creep in after they rejected requests for ad buys from Yelp’s sales force.

"You'll drop off a couple four or five star reviews, then you'll see a two, three, four star jump up in there,” he noted. “We ask them 'Okay, what are the specifics?' And they can never give you a straight answer or exactly why it's actually happening. But they want to call and ask for a payment from you."

Meantime, across town in Liberty Station, consumer bankruptcy attorney Julian McMillan says what’s happening to SD iRepairs is no coincidence.

McMillan recently was awarded a $2,700 small-claims judgment against Yelp over issues relating to his advertising contract.

The judge in the case, Peter Doft, characterized Yelp's actions as “the modern day version of the Mafia going to stores and saying ‘You wanna not be bothered … you wanna not have incidents in your store? Pay us protection money’.”

Yelp is appealing his findings to the Superior Court.

McMillan’s take?

"Oh, there's no question that they're abusing their power as an internet giant to basically -- as the judge put it -- extort money from small business,” he said in an interview Thursday at his Roosevelt Road office, adding that he’ll be pursuing how Yelp’s digital filters and algorithms operate in a separate Superior Court action.

"I'm going to find out everything everybody wants to know about this filter soon enough, and then I'll be able to answer that question,” McMillan added. “I'm not the techno-geek. But I'm going to get him in here, get him into the courtroom, and I'm going to get him to explain it to everybody."

McMillan also has filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.

"If you're a small mom and pop restaurant or shop and you have one or two negative reviews on Yelp, that can be crushing to you,” he added.

In an extensive phone conversation Thursday from Yelp’s headquarters in San Francisco, the firm’s vice president of corporate communications, Vincent Sollitto, strenuously denied that the company extorts businesses or manipulates its rankings and reviews.

He explained that Yelp’s reviews and listings rise and fall by way of a "living algorithm", and cited an independent study by Harvard and Yale business professors concluding that "Yelp does not seem to favor advertisers -- at least by selective filtering."

A recent blog on Yelp’s site tells skeptics: “A simple Google test debunks the conspiracy," and suggests how to proceed.

Sollitto also said Yelp “busted” McMillan's firm for posting "fake reviews”.

McMillan disputes that, saying he'll be happy to introduce Sollitto the actual clients: “All he needs do is fly down to San Diego and he can shake their hands.”



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

Mexican Mafia Boss Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking, Extortion

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The leader of a Mexican Mafia that operated in San Diego’s North County pleaded guilty to conspiracy and drug trafficking charges on Thursday, the office of U.S. Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced.

Rudy “Crazy” Espudo, 40, pleaded guilty to multiple counts of a superseding indictment including conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity and knowingly and intentionally brandishing a firearm during crimes of violence or drug trafficking.

According to the indictment, Espudo was the leader of a Mexican Mafia group, overseeing the group’s activities in the North County.

He admitted to engaging in drug trafficking and extortion, and profiting from the criminal activity of gang members who worked under his so-called “protection.”

Investigators say Espudo pledged to “protect” these criminals as long as they paid "taxes" to the Mexican Mafia. The extortion payments were supposedly given to a Mexican Mafia member for the right to conduct illegal activities free from interference.

Drug dealers who paid these taxes were responsible for distributing meth, cocaine, heroin and other drugs on the streets of San Diego.

The indictment revealed that in once instance, Espudo admitted to ordering a robbery – at gunpoint – of a drug dealer who refused to make the tax payments. Espudo also confessed he had authority over several Mexican Mafia associates who collected the taxes on his behalf.

Espudo has been in custody since January 2012, when “Operation Notorious County,” led by multiple law enforcement agencies, resulted in eight indictments charging dozens of gang members and alleged criminals in a federal racketeering influenced and corrupt organization (RICO) conspiracy.

Espudo’s sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 7. If convicted, he faces life in prison.
 



Photo Credit: Getty Images

1 Killed, Others Injured in Encinitas Crash

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One person was killed and several others were injured in a two-vehicle crash in Encinitas Thursday night, sheriff's department officials confirmed.

The fatal collision happened around 7 p.m. at Leucadia Boulevard and Garden View Road.

Emergency crews were called to the scene for multiple patients, two of whom were trapped inside a vehicle. Crews from Mercy Air were also requested.

Officials confirmed one person was killed in the crash.

Sheriff’s deputies are providing traffic control in the area while officials investigate.

According to a witness who knew the victim of the crash, the victim was a man in his 20s who was from Portugal and new to the U.S.

The witness told NBC 7 they were in a golf academy together and the victim was heading home for the day, driving east on Leucadia.

The witness saw the victim's car hit the center curb, jump into oncoming traffic and crash into a pickup truck head-on.



Photo Credit: Nicole Gonzales

Lockdown Lifted at Chula Vista HS

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A lockdown at Chula Vista High School has been lifted, according to police.

The lockdown started shortly before 9 a.m. when a suspended student was spotted on campus at 820 Fourth Ave. riding a bicycle.

The student had been suspended for sending a threatening letter to a teacher, according to Chula Vista police.

Law enforcement officers searched the campus for the student while the campus was on lockdown.

Students and teachers saw the student, according to Sweetwater Union School District spokesperson Manuel Rubio.


View Chula Vista High School in a larger map



Photo Credit: Jeff Herrera

Power Out for Eastlake Residents

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Nearly 330 customers in Eastlake are without power, according to San Diego Gas & Electric.

The outage began around 10 a.m. and is affecting people in Rancho Del Rey, Eastlake and Otay reservoir.

SDG&E has a crew at the scene and expects power to be restored around 12:30 p.m.

Check back for updates on this story.



Photo Credit: Instagram

New Memorial Unveiled in OB

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A new memorial was unveiled in Ocean Beach Friday morning, honoring the San Diego lifeguards that keep local beaches safe.

The bronze statue stands at 6 feet and represents the sacrifices lifeguards make each day to keep us and our beaches safe. It also honors the 13 victims drowned in 1918 during an unusual rip current near Mission Bay.

A former Point Loma high school student, Richard Arnold, designed the statue.

Next to the statue stands a large plaque, describing the history of rescues by local lifeguards and it's located by the Santa Monica Avenue lifeguard tower.

200-Pound Pig Runs Through Vista

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A 200-pound pig escaped from her home in Vista on Friday morning.

"Miss Piggy," a 4-year-old pig, wandered out of her home around 6 a.m. this morning when the gate was found unhinged.

The pig wandered about a quarter-mile away from her Vista home, and the owners were able to corral her shortly before 6:30 a.m.

Miss Piggy was then picked up by owner Brianna Hockenberry and her boyfriend, and driven back home in a pickup truck.

Hockenberry said that this has happened before.

Watch the 4 p.m. newscast of NBC 7 San Diego for the full story.



Photo Credit: Artie Ojeda

Suspect Wears Spiderman Mask During Robbery

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A man wearing a Spiderman mask robbed a gas station at gunpoint on Friday morning, according to police.

The suspect went to the AM-PM gas station at 201 Broadway in El Cajon around 1:30 a.m. and carried a semi-automatic handgun. The robber entered the store, then told the clerk to lie on the floor and began kicking him, according to officers.

The suspect demanded money from the clerk and was last seen running northbound on La Mesa Boulevard with approximately $300. Police said a helicopter was used to search for him, but he remains outstanding.

The suspect was described as a man wearing a red and blue Spiderman mask, a gray t-shirt with white text on the front and dark jeans. He stands around 5-foot-8 with a stocky build between 25 and 30 years old.
 
Anyone with information is asked to call the La Mesa Police Department at 619-667-1400.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

'Anchorman 2' Filming in San Diego

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"Anchorman 2" is filming at SeaWorld on Friday, which can only mean one thing: Ron Burgundy is in town.

Park officials confirmed that Will Ferrell and co. are filming at the popular San Diego tourist destination. No area of the park is closed off, so the likelihood of you seeing some of the cast is very high.

Earlier this month, there was an "Anchorman 2" casting call for local residents. Naturally, thousands of people showed up to audition.

NBC 7 reporter Steven Luke saw some filming on Thursday night at Harbor Island, check out the cool pic of the 70s cars below.

If you see the Channel 4 News Team filming around town, make sure to send us photos at isee@nbcsandiego.com.

In the meantime, you stay classy San Diego.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

PHOTOS: Suspect Fatally Shot in SWAT Search

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A SWAT situation ended in a suspect being fatally shot in Bay Terraces on Friday afternoon.

Photo Credit: Spencer Thornburg
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