Prescription drugs should only be a last resort as a treatment for lower back pain, a leading doctors' group said Monday.

NBC News reported on the new guidance from the American College of Physicians, which says doctors should tell patients to try heat wraps and exercise first, then over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen (Tylenol has been shown to do little for back pain), before they prescribe opioids.

"Given that most patients with acute or subacute low back pain improve over time regardless of treatment, clinicians and patients should select nonpharmacologic treatment with superficial heat massage, acupuncture, or spinal manipulation," the group says in its new guidance, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Among the therapies that may help and have little risk of harm are tai chi, yoga and cognitive behavioral therapy, the group said.

Former President Barack Obama has received 269,000 hearts (and counting) this Valentine's Day.

He shared a special Valentine's Day message to his wife, former first lady Michelle Obama, on Twitter.  

"Happy Valentine’s Day, @michelleobama! Almost 28 years with you, but it always feels new," Obama tweeted.

Michelle Obama followed up with an affectionate tweet of her own.

She posted a photo of their feet in the sand captioned with: "Happy Valentine's Day to the love of my life and favorite island mate, @BarackObama. #valentines."

The Obamas vacationed in the British Virgin Islands with billionaire Richard Branson this month. Barack Obama was photographed on the water, enjoying retirement and trying out kitesurfing with Branson.

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Obama has tweeted just a handful of times since his presidency ended. 

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As the Department of Homeland Security announced 680 arrests in roundups last week targeting immigrants living illegally in the United States, local immigration attorneys are uncertain about the role local law enforcement agencies will play in the enforcement of federal immigration laws.

However, in statements to NBC 7, the California Highway Patrol, the San Diego Police Department and the San Diego County Sheriff's Department have said their officers and deputies will not stop and arrest individuals based on immigration law.

Details of who was arrested in last week's federal raids were not made available, but the arrests and rumors about other raids sparked fear and confusion among immigrants.

President Donald J. Trump issued an executive order on Jan. 25 authorizing local law enforcement agencies to deport undocumented immigrants who have criminal records.

Weeks later, while addressing law enforcement chiefs and sheriffs at a national meeting, the president directed them to identify the "bad ones" to DHS for deportation.

NBC 7 asked the San Diego County Sheriff's Department if its policy regarding undocumented immigrants would change in light of the new executive order.

Being in the country without documentation is not a criminal act the sheriff's department will actively enforce, according to an official statement.

"Deputies will not stop or detain a subject to check their documentation or immigration status based on the appearance of foreign ancestry alone," the statement reads. "Whether they are a victim or a witness to a crime, we do not want our immigrant residents to be afraid to call the Sheriff’s Department."

However, deputies will continue to cooperate with federal authorities and with regards to undocumented immigrants with criminal records. Read the full statement at the bottom of the article. 

Maricela Amezola, an immigration rights lawyer with Amezola Legal Group, said that going forward, the situation will be "a clash of laws."

“It’s going to be really interesting to see how we have the federal law coming in and we have the state law saying we’re going to protect individuals already here, what’s going to trump what,” Amezola said.

On Friday, DHS Secretary John Kelly visited the San Ysidro Port of Entry and met with federal and local law enforcement officers to discuss security along the border.  San Diego Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman and Sheriff Bill Gore attended the briefing. 

At one point, the new DHS Secretary said he couldn't define a sanctuary city, which the president has targeted for withdrawal of federal funding for refusing to cooperate with immigration authorities.

"I don't have a clue," Kelly told Chief Zimmerman when she asked for a definition.

The blunt-spoken, retired four-star general went on to say it was inconceivable why any jurisdiction wouldn't want criminals removed from their communities. "I'm stunned when people say, 'Well, we're not going to cooperate with you even in the event of convicted criminals," he said.

Kelly said it would be difficult to justify immigration enforcement grants to cities that refuse to cooperate.

"I promise you we'll work with you and will make no Draconian moves until I fully understand what a given locale might be doing or not doing," he told Zimmerman and other local police chiefs and sheriffs.

Both Zimmerman and Gore have said their officers and deputies would not act as federal agents when investigating crimes. 

"It is important that all residents in our jurisdiction, whether here legally or not, feel safe when they report crime and that there is a clear separation between our duties and those of immigration authorities," the sheriff's department statement reads.

Esther Valdes, an attorney specializing in immigration with Valdes and Associates, says the executive order and its enforcement could lead to confusion. 

“Sheriffs don’t know if they’re going to be sued for civil rights violations in light of the new executive order asking them to, in effect, be deputized and assist immigration officers," Valdes said. "Sheriffs don’t know if they should comply, and if they comply, will they be sued?”

She and Amezola differ on whether the presidential order creates a moral dilemma for law eforcement officers and agencies.

“It’s never a moral judgment when you put on the badge, when you put on the badge and the uniform you represent all of us, you vow to protect and serve all of us, whether documented or undocumented," Valdes said. 

Through spokesperson Lt. Scott Wahl, the San Diego Police Department said its policy regarding immigration enforcement has not changed.

The SDPD "recognizes and values diversity of the community it serves. The department focuses primarily on crime prevention and enforcing local laws," Wahl said in a written statement.

"Once a suspect is arrested and booked into the San Diego County Jail, the primary responsibility for the enforcement of federal immigration laws rests with the United States Customs and Border Protection Services," the statement continued. "The San Diego Police Department does not check the immigration status of victims and witnesses of crimes to encourage all people to come forward, confident in the knowledge their report will be investigated thoroughly and professionally."

A spokesperson for the California Highway Patrol told NBC 7 Friday the agency "does not stop motorists or take enforcement actions based on someone’s immigration status.”

Amezola said that in light of the president's executive order, she has seen humanitarian factors involved diminish. 

“What we’ve seen is that the humanitarian factor has been lifted, taken away from a lot of these agencies that they had before," she said. "Which is a contrast between the Obama administration and the new administration; the law is still the same, it hasn’t changed, but there were more humanitarian factors that were allowed to weed out the good from the bad.”

So what does all this mean for undocumented immigrants with and without criminal records in San Diego?

Amezola explained that when people are apprehended by immigration officials, they have rights, like asking for some type of relief in immigration court. 

“Other people have the ability to adjust their status and they might not even know it," said Amezola. "At this point it’s no longer feasible for people to stand by and wait to see what happens, they have to more proactive."

“Criminal illegal aliens wreak havoc in some of our communities, we have to balance that with the need to have victims and community members cooperate with law enforcement agencies," Valdes said. "I think America functions best when we all perform jobs and our duties correctly to maintain and uphold our laws.”

Both Valdes and Amezola come from immigrant families, and both are experts on the law, but in this uncertain time, they are not sure how local law enforcement will proceed.

Both attorneys have very different views on what may be ahead in enforcing the president's order.

“There was some type of discretion allowed to say yes to these immigrants and no to these -- that is (now) gone,” said Amezola.

Valdes said immigrants “come here because we want to be safe."

"I come from an immigrant family myself, I came here when I was 5 years old, we come here because the nations we come from don’t uphold the laws and we like law and order just like anybody else,” she said. 

Read the full statement from the SDSO: 

"On January 25, 2017, President Trump signed two Executive Orders dealing with the issue of immigration enforcement. Those orders discussed a number of actions including one directing the Secretary of Homeland Security, with the consent of State or local officials, to authorize State and local law enforcement to perform the functions of immigration officers in relation to the investigation, apprehension, or detention of aliens in the United States.

"Federal immigration law governs legal and illegal immigration into the United States, including how long a person can stay, and when they must leave. Federal immigration agencies and officials have primary jurisdiction and responsibility for the enforcement of immigration laws in San Diego County.

"The Sheriff’s Department has a long history of working in cooperation with Federal authorities both in our law enforcement practices and in our jails. Sheriff’s Department personnel work hand in hand in Task Force settings with Federal agencies including Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol. For a number of years we have also shared information related to criminal immigrants in our jails.

"Task Force operations in San Diego combine Federal agents and local law enforcement officers in the same work space with the same mission and goals. This cooperation and coordination is a highly effective way to share resources and information which has proven to be the best way to fight gangs, drugs, violence, human trafficking, cyber-crime and a number of other sophisticated operations.

"In a similar way, agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office of Detention and Removal (ICE/DRO) are assigned to Sheriff’s booking facilities for the purpose of conducting screenings and interviews of those suspected of violating Federal Immigration laws. These are criminal aliens who have committed serious crimes.

"When agents from ICE/DRO identify a Sheriff’s inmate that they would like to deport for violations of Federal Immigration law; they notify our detentions staff. By law the Sheriff’s Department cannot hold an inmate past the time that their State crime violation permits without a court order or warrant. However, we do notify ICE/DRO of release information in order for that agency to take custody of the person. That inmate is also notified of the Sheriff’s intent to comply with the ICE/DRO request.

"The Sheriff’s Department is not responsible nor do we have the authority or manpower to enforce immigration law. It is important that all residents in our jurisdiction, whether here legally or not, feel safe when they report crime and that there is a clear separation between our duties and those of immigration authorities. Sheriff’s deputies will not stop or detain a subject to check their documentation or immigration status based on the appearance of foreign ancestry alone. Whether they are a victim or a witness to a crime, we do not want our immigrant residents to be afraid to call the Sheriff’s Department.

"The Sheriff’s Department will continue to cooperate and collaborate in regional task forces operations and by allowing Federal authorities into our jails as it complies with existing state and federal law. We will also continue to separate ourselves from immigration enforcement which in the larger picture helps to keep our communities safer by allowing victims and witnesses to come forward without fear of deportation.

A series of airstrikes targeting ISIS commanders at a meeting in Iraq has killed scores of militants, including several senior figures, the country's military has said, NBC News reported. 

The strikes, carried out Feb. 11 by an Iraqi F16, resulted in the death of 77 extremists, including 13 senior commanders, in Anbar province near the border with Syria, the Iraqi military said in a statement on Monday.

One of the airstrikes also targeted the terror group's supreme commander, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi — but officials have been unable to verify if he was at the location at the time of the attack and there was conflicting information about his status.

Two senior Iraqi military officials told NBC News that they were sure al-Baghdadi was in one of the locations that was bombed but had been unable to confirm if he escaped or had been injured or killed.

Looks like the Grammys were just an appetizer: Chance the Rapper, three-time award-winner at this year’s gala, is coming to San Diego!

On April 24, the Chicago born-and-raised hip-hop star will stop in at Valley View Casino Center -- and if his spirited performance at Sunday night’s 59th annual Grammy Awards were any indication, we’re in for a real treat.

Chance, born Chancellor Johnathan Bennett -- who took home gold phonograph trophies this year for Best New Artist, Best Rap Performance, and Best Rap Album -- has been steadily on the rise since the 2012 release of his first mixtape “10 Day,” and its 2013 follow-up, “Acid Rap." He’s also made waves in the music industry by staying fiercely independent, refusing to sign with a major label to distribute his music. The fact that he’s one of biggest stars today is a testament to his work ethic and incredible music.

His third mixtape, “Coloring Book,” was released in 2016 to universal critical and fan acclaim and became the first streaming-only album to ever receive a Grammy nomination (and subsequent win).

You might remember that Chance the Rapper began his “Magnificent Coloring World Tour” last year right here in San Diego at SDSU’s Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre on Sept. 15 -- and we’re stoked to have him back so soon. Tickets are on sale today (Feb. 14) at 4 p.m. PST right here.

In addition to Chance’s April tour stop, San Diego music fans can also look forward to more big shows coming our way that were just announced: Metal legends (who also performed at the 2017 Grammys) Metallica are set to stop in town on Aug. 6 at Petco Park with Avenged Sevenfold and Gojira -- and we’re giving away FOUR floor tickets to one lucky winner (that’s a $1,000 value!)! Enter for your chance to win now. Or if you’d rather snatch up tickets when they go on sale, head here at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 17.

And if metal and/or hip-hop ain’t exactly your thing, another big show was announced Tuesday with a more retro-pop style: Straight No Chaser and Postmodern Jukebox are set to headline SDSU’s Open Air Theatre on Aug. 13, with tickets going on sale here on Saturday, Feb. 18 at 10 a.m. PST. The two “classic-meets-contemporary sensations, both of whom mash up classic pop stylings and modern pop hits in their own unique fashions” are the perfect pairing and the show should be simply incredible.

KCRA helicopter reporter describes what has happened overnight as state officials and crews work to repair the Oroville Dam Spillway on Tuesday, February 14.

Two American Red Cross volunteers from San Diego traveled to Northern California Tuesday to assist in evacuation efforts following concerns the Oroville Dam’s emergency spillway might fail.

Nearly 200,000 people have been forced out of their homes because state water officials fear the dam's emergency spillway could release a large amount of water, flooding communities south of the state's tallest dam.

But this trip is personal for Red Cross volunteer Jeff Richardson. His brother was one of the evacuated residents.

“He got caught in the massive traffic gridlock getting out of town,” said Richardson. “It’s tough. But he’s safe. Has a cabin in the mountains.”

Tuesday morning Richardson and fellow volunteer Ron Clagette loaded up a vehicle headed for Yuba City.

“To give food, shelter, a little love and compassion and a hug goes a long way when people are in need,” said Clagette.

The volunteers said there are about four thousand people currently displaced in shelters. Their main job will be delving food and supplies. Richardson and Clagette don’t expect to be gone more than two weeks.

NBC 7's Artie Ojeda is in Yuba City reporting on the evacuation and repair efforts. Follow him on Facebook or check out his reports tonight on NBC 7 News at 4, 5, and 6 p.m.

A homeless Pacific Beach man who accused police of harassment and improper arrests will receive $7,500 in a settlement with the City of San Diego, the City Attorney's office has confirmed. 

Zack Green has lived on the streets of Pacific Beach for years.

In his initial complaint, Green sought $1 million in damages from the City of San Diego. 

In his settlement, Green will get $7,500 and his lawyers will collect $7,500 in legal fees and other costs, according to the City Attorney's office. He approved the settlement last month. 

The settlement was approved by a judge on Monday, according to the City Attorney's office. 

The Chargers have announced season ticket prices for their return to Los Angeles, where they will play the next two years at 30,000-seat StubHub Center in Carson.

The team said Tuesday that prices for season tickets range from $70 to $375 per game depending on seating locations. Season tickets to all home games range from $700 to $3,750.

Next season's NFL schedule will be released in April, but the Chargers will host Philadelphia, Washington, Buffalo, Cleveland, Miami, Kansas City, Oakland and Denver.

The Chargers are calling StubHub Center "the NFL's most intimate venue."

Fans can join the waitlist for season tickets by placing a fully refundable $100 deposit at FightForLA.com. The deposit grants priority status to buy season tickets for games in Carson as well as for the new stadium in Inglewood, which the Chargers will share with the Rams starting in 2019.

The San Diego City Council voted 8-1 Tuesday to file a brief in support of the state of Washington in its lawsuit over President Donald Trump's recent executive order on immigration.

Councilman Scott Sherman cast the dissenting vote.

San Diego's leaders considered a suggestion that they join the amicus curiae brief in State of Washington vs. Donald Trump.

A letter signed by 30 local organizations and individuals urged councilmembers to support the suit.

"Many of our nation’s big-city mayors are speaking out against this executive order. Mayors in Boston, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle, among others, have issued statements and joined protests to denounce the order and to support immigrants and refugees," the letter reads.

The president's executive order temporarily suspended the nation's refugee program and immigration from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Sudan and Yemen. The action sparked protests at airports around the country including San Diego International Airport and launched a legal challenge.

On Thursday, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously ruled against reinstating the executive order.

The justices said the argument that the ban targets Muslims raised "serious allegations" and presented "significant constitutional questions," and they agreed that courts could consider statements by Trump and his advisers about wishing to enact such a ban.

President Trump immediately vowed to challenge the appeals court decision in court but since then, some legal analysts have said the Republican administration may consider rescinding the order and rewriting it.

No other information was available.

Check back for updates on this breaking news.

A suspect accused of striking an 80-year-old pedestrian in a fatal National City hit-and-run has turned himself in, police say. 

The crash happened Monday evening at 4th and V Avenues in National City, police said. 

The victim, who has not been identified by the Medical Examiner, was crossing the street in front of his home when a dark colored sedan hit him, police said. The driver fled the scene. 

"He was thrown into a parked vehicle about roughly 20 feet," Sgt. Dennis Leach said. "It would be tough for a 20-year-old to survive that kind of crash, let alone an 80-year-old."

A friend of the victim said the man was walking his dogs when he was struck. 

The friend said he heard a loud noise, walked outside of the home and the victim's dogs ran back inside the house.

The victim succumbed to his injuries early Tuesday morning. 

The victim had been a part of the neighborhood for years and was often seen out walking his dogs, according to neighbors.

No further details were available. 

Kandy Millspaugh and her husband Rick only see problems when they look at their newly installed shutters. 

“They have a lot of marks, nicks, paint splatter and those scratches on the side,” Kandy said. 

The couple said they ordered the shutters from Danmer Shutters but each time they arrived, the shutters were damaged. After the third time, they said they wanted a refund and turned to NBC 7 Responds for help. 

“They were dented; the front of the louvers, almost every last one of them had a dent in it,” Rick said. 

He said they ordered shutters from Danmer Shutters three years ago and they were awesome. So, when the couple needed new shutters this time, they decided to go with the company again but Rick said things didn’t go smoothly this time around. 

“About ten weeks after we first signed the contract, they scheduled to install the shutters,” Rick said. 

According to Rick, that was a month after the promised deadline and after he and his wife rejected the first set of shutters, due to damage. When the second set of shutters arrived, the couple said they rejected them again for scratches and dents requiring them to order one more set. 

Due to the difficulties and damaged product, Rick said he wanted his $500 deposit back. 

“Somebody from the office called and said the owner of the company decided he was not going to give us a refund,” Rick said. 

NBC 7 Responds reached out to Danmer Shutters and the next day, Jim Tortorelli, the President and CEO of Danmer Shutters, told us he personally called Rick and would issue him a full cash refund. 

In an email, Tortorelli sent a statement that said, "We tried several times to fix the problems, however, if it is not acceptable to the homeowner, then we understand and will take responsibility for it. We have been in business for 40 years, and at the end of the day, we always act in the best interest of the customer."

Parents of a North County woman brutally killed on Valentine's Day ten years ago are hoping a new composite of a possible suspect built with cutting-edge DNA technology will lead to closure in the cold case. 

Jodi Serrin, 39, was found in her Carlsbad condo raped, beaten and strangled on Feb. 14, 2007. Serrin was a highly functioning mentally disabled woman. 

Serrin's parents, Arthur and Lois Serrin, actually stumbled on the crime when it happened but, thinking they had interrupted their daughter with her boyfriend, had no idea the suspect in the crime would escape right under their noses.

When her parents walked into their daughter's apartment to check in on her, Jodine would not open her bedroom door. 

Arthur saw a man in that dimly lit room and immediately thought he had accidentally caught his daughter in a private moment with her boyfriend.

So he told the man to get his pants on and get out.

Believing they had stepped into an embarrassing situation, Arthur and Lois waited in another room for Jodi and the man to come out.

It's something both parents still think about to this day. 

"It was just an awful experience," Lois said. "And it was one for which I blame myself for not being more aware."

On the tenth anniversary of Jodine's death, investigators revealed a new website dedicated to the cold case investigation, in addition to new suspect information based on the use of new forensic technology. 

Carlsbad police and San Diego District Attorney's office investigators recently got in touch with Parabon NanoLabs, a DNA technology company the specializes in predicting physical appearance and ancestry from unidentified DNA evidence. 

Law enforcement officials used the company's Snapshot DNA Phenotyping Service to narrow a list of suspect and generate leads. The software used individual predictions to create a composite of what the person of interest may have looked like in 2007. This is the first time DNA phenotyping technology has been used on a case in San Diego County.

The composite shows a man in his 40s with green or blue eyes, blonde or brown hair and some freckles. 

"Just knowing hair color and eye color, for example, could really narrow down the suspect pool," said Tony Johnson, an investigator with the DA's office.

Although the Serrins have to relive the most horrible day of their lives on anniversaries like today, they say catching the person who killed their daughter is what keeps them going.

"We feel that somehow, somewhere, somebody knows something. Whatever that might be it will help," Arthur said.

A combined $52,000 reward is being offered in this case.

Anyone with any information about the murder of Jodine Serrin is asked to visit this site, call the Carlsbad Police Department’s Cold Case Team’s tip line at (760) 931-2225 or the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at (888) 580-8477.

For more than three decades, the California Lottery has sent money to public schools in the state thanks to a ballot proposition approved by voters in 1984.

Every time school districts are facing slashes to their budgets – like the big cuts coming to San Diego Unified and other schools across the county – people often wonder why the lottery money doesn't provide more of a cushion.

San Diego Unified has received about $490 million in total, or close to $16 million per year from the lottery. That may sound like a lot, but the district's general fund revenues this year alone are near $1.3 billion, so it's really just a drop in the bucket.

In this week’s San Diego explained, NBC 7 San Diego's Monica Dean and Voice of San Diego's Ashly McGlone clear up any questions about the lottery money flowing into San Diego schools.

Cell phones and cash was stolen in an armed robbery from a Metro PCS store in the Serra Mesa neighborhood of San Diego Tuesday, the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) confirmed.

This is the 9th reported armed robbery at a Metro PCS store in San Diego.

The robbery occurred around 3:57 p.m. on the 2600 block of Mission Village Drive.

Police have not yet confirmed if this incident was linked to the others.

There were two suspects involved in the robbery--a 28-year old man with a beard, wearing a gray hoodie, shorts and a 25-year old man wearing a gray shirt and pants. 

The 28-year old suspect had been carrying a handgun.

No other information was available.

Check back for updates on this breaking news.

It was a very special Valentine's Day for one San Diego couple, who celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary by renewing their vows on Valentine's Day in Escondido. 

Carol and Joe Allen first met more than 60 years ago on a blind date, set up through mutual friends. 

The couple hit it off and ended up tying the knot after six months. 

"We knew each other for six months when we got married, but you learn a lot about each other in six months," Carol said.

The couple celebrated their anniversary late last week, and the staff at Felicita Vida Senior Living Center in Escondido decided to throw them a party so they could renew their vows.

In just a few days, the team there put together a celebration with friends and family in the living center's courtyard. 

The special Valentine's Day ceremony makes all the Valentine's Day that much more special for the Iowa and Maine natives, Carol said. 

"Who would’ve thought 60 years ago, we’d be sitting here today?" Carol said. "His health isn’t that good, but we’re living with it."

Carol said her husband is a wonderful father and husband. 

"I don’t have any complaints," she said. "I’m happy with my 60 years."

And the secret to making a marriage last for 60 years?

"Commitment," said Carol. "Commitment. Lots of give and take." 

At least five vehicles were involved in a crash in Old Town on Tuesday, blocking off lanes on the freeway, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) confirmed.

The collision occurred at approximately 5:20 p.m. on the connector on the northbound Interstate 5 and Interstate 8.

A motorcyclist was reported to be down, CHP said. The extent of injuries is unknown at this time. 

A Sig alert has been issued.

No other information was available.

Check back for updates on this breaking news.

A local union donated $10,000 of bottled water to three schools in the San Ysidro School District after water was shut off due to contamination.

Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 230 and Southern California’s Piping Industry Progress and Education donated the water to La Mirda and Smythe Elementary, as well as San Ysidro Middle School.

Last week, lab results of drinking water from La Mirada Elementary School revealed high levels of lead, copper and potentially deadly bacteria. Since then, the water has been shut off at the school.

Water at Smythe Elementary and San Ysidro Middle School was also turned off as a precaution.

“We are truly grateful for this donation and value our strong community partnerships,” said San Ysidro School District Board of Education member Antonio Martinez. “Our ultimate priority is to provide the highest-quality educational programs that prepare our children to achieve their goals.”

The bottled water will be delivered Friday.

The countdown is over!

The San Diego Padres celebrated Valentine’s Day in Peoria, Arizona on Tuesday. Technically only pitchers and catchers were required to dodge cupid’s arrows at the Peoria Sports Complex but a few position players were on deck.

Padres utility player Christian Bethancourt is pulling double (possibly triple) duty. The multipurpose 25-year-old will be working on both his catching and pitching skills this week. Last season he made two appearances on the mound for the Friars. During the off season Bethancourt pitched in the Winter League in his native country of Panama. His versatility is certainly an asset but the layout of his training is still being ironed out.

“For now I’m just going to be, the first few days, doing catching drills and then the third day I’ll be doing pitching stuff,” Bethancourt said of his training schedule for the week. “After that we’ll see how it works, see how it feels and after that we’ll start working from there.”

Bethancourt joked about possibly reporting again on Friday as an outfielder when position players arrive. But he’s not the only one getting a head start. Outfielder Travis Jankowski, and infielders Ryan Schimpf and Cory Spangenberg, who missed the latter part of the 2016 season due to a hamstring injury, both reported to the Peoria Sports Complex on Tuesday.

With the optimism that comes with the start of spring training, so does the hope of a strong young team. We’ll have to see how the players come together this spring as they head into the 2017, but the players are ready to get back at it.

“I am excited and grateful for the opportunity to be back. To me and my family this is a very special place and a special organization” Padres pitcher Clayton Richard said. “There’s an exciting group of guys in the clubhouse and it’s going to be a lot of fun this year to be a part of that.”

The Friars will play their first game, a charity matchup, against the Seattle Mariners on Saturday, Feb. 25 at the Peoria Sports Complex.

Some California middle school and high school students may get a little more sleep under a bill introduced by California Senator Anthony Portantino, D-La Cañada Flintridge.

Portantino introduced SB 328 on Monday, which would require middle schools and high schools in California school districts to start school days no earlier than 8:30 a.m.

"Every year we discuss as parents, educators, and legislators, best practices and interests of the children and education? Well data is clear; starting the school day later improves the quality of education, health and welfare of our children. So let’s do it," Portantino said in a statement.

In a statement Monday, Portantino referenced a policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics from 2014, in which the organization advised school districts to change start times to 8:30 in the morning or later.

The lead author of the statement, pediatrician Judith Owens, said students who get enough sleep are less likely to be overweight, suffer from depression, become involved in car accidents, and are also more likely to experience positive effects including better grades and standardized test scores.

During multiple studies at schools that delayed start times, at least nine benefits were observed, according to the American Psychological Association. Portantino said his favorite benefit was "increase in quality of student-family interaction."

Another one of the benefits observed was increased attendance at schools that made the shift.

Stemming from that observation, Portantino believes later start times will improve attendance at schools, and thus funding for those schools. If the current attendance rate were improved by one percent, the district would gain an added $40 million a year, Portantino said, citing the Los Angeles Unified School District.

It is unclear how the bill could affect zero period classes, classes that meet before a school's typical start time. Portantino said they have not come to a conclusion about zero period, and said it was left out of the bill on purpose because they would like to hear from educators and school districts in the state before a decision is made.