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New Imperial Beach Library Opens

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San Diego County opened its newest branch library on Saturday, this time in Imperial Beach.

With a ribbon cutting ceremony that included library souvenirs for visitors, local leaders, including County Supervisor Greg Cox, Imperial Beach Mayor Serge Dedina, and County Library Director Migell Acosta, proudly opened the new Imperial Beach Library at 810 Imperial Beach Blvd.

The new library was designed to blend in with the Imperial Beach’s small beach town feel. This includes design elements mimicking waves, an exterior beach cottage look and a replica Woody station wagon in the children’s section.

The 14,800-square-foot facility features an expanded materials collection, a large children and family area and a teen space with study rooms.

A large community room for events and meetings and a Friends of the Library bookstore were also added to the new digs.

The library is open Monday through Saturday and closed on Sundays. Hours on Monday and Thursday are from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.



Photo Credit: SDCL Imperial Beach/Facebook
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Free Easter Egg Hunts in San Diego

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In celebration of Easter, several communities across San Diego County will host free egg hunts. Here's a look at a dozen of those events that you can hop on over to with the family this weekend. Don't forget to bring your own basket.

Saturday, April 15

Poway Easter Egg Hunt
8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Poway Community Park
Living Way Church will host Poway's annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday at Poway Community Park. The half-hour egg hunts, divided by age, will be as follows: 9:30 a.m. for age 3; 10 a.m. for age 4; 10:30 a.m. for age 5; 11 a.m. for age 6; 11:30 a.m. for ages 7-8; 12 p.m. for ages 9-10. Festivities will also include a fun zone, free arts and crafts, and the chance to take a photo with not one but two Easter bunnies: Benny and Bonnie. Parking at Poway Community Park is limited; additional parking can be found at City Hall (13325 Civic Center Drive); the Boys And Girls Club (12988 Bowron Road); and the Tarascan parking lot (across the street from Taco Bell).

Santee Spring Eggstravaganza
9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Santee Lakes
Bring the whole family out to Santee Lakes on Saturday for the community's 14th Annual Eggstravaganza, which runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event, which goes down at Lake 5, features lots of egg hunts for kids ages 8 and younger, plus crafts, carnival and pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting and more. Admission is free but tickets for activities, including the egg hunts, start at $1. Parking is $10; a free shuttle service will drop attendees off right at the festival

Carmel Valley Spring Egg Hunt
9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Carmel Valley Community Park
Carmel Valley Community Park will be filled with colorful eggs for this hunt Saturday, open to children up to age 12. Egg hunts are broken up by age groups and last about a half-hour each throughout the morning. The community event will also include arts and craft, prizes, jumpy houses and photos with the Easter Bunny. The event is free.

Annual Spring Egg Hunt in Encinitas
10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Encinitas Community Park
On Saturday, at Encinitas Community Park, a whopping 20,000 eggs up will be up for grabs during the annual Spring Egg Hunt. Egg hunt times are at 10:15 a.m., 11 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. -- broken up by ages (4 and under and 5 and up). The event will also feature entertainment and free children's activities hosted by the City of Encinitas Parks and Recreation Department. Parking is limited at the park; if you can't find a spot there try parking at the Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas north parking lot off of Devonshire Drive.

Rancho Bernardo Easter Egg Hunt
10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Existence Church in Rancho Bernardo
Hop around in bounce houses and strike pose with the Easter Bunny at the Rancho Bernardo Easter Egg Hunt hosted by Existence Church located at 10960 Via Frontera. The event is free; egg hunts divided by age group -- starting with the littlest hunters -- are at 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

Oceanside Easter Egg Hunts
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Mance Buchanon Park and Balderrama Park
Oceanside will host free Easter Egg Hunts at two locations on Saturday starting at 10 a.m.: Mance Buchanon Park (425 College Blvd.) and Balderrama Park (709 San Diego St.). At Mance Buchanon Park, attendees can make their way through four egg hunt areas and try to win prizes. Food vendors will be on-hand, too, plus a fire engine that the kids can tour. A magic show tops off that free family-friendly event. The Balderrama Park egg hunt includes prizes, too, and a cameo from the Easter Bunny. Egg hunts there are broken up into age groups: ages2 to 4; ages 5 to 6; ages 7 to 8; ages 9 to 11.

Easter in the Courtyard
10 a.m. to 1 p.m., El Cajon
Foothills Christian Church in El Cajon will host its annual Easter in the Courtyard on Saturday which includes an egg hunt boasting 14,000 Easter eggs. Also on the agenda: jumpy houses, carnival games, a shop-and-swap zone and food for sale from Ray's BBQ.

Easter at The Centre
10 a.m. to 1 p.m., The Centre in Escondido
In Escondido, The Centre (1205 Auto Park Way) will host this Easter event on Saturday which includes a 10:30 a.m. egg hunt for kids under 8 in the third level Starlight Terrace and an 11 a.m. egg hunt for kids 8 and older at the first level atrium area. Bonus for adults: “golden eggs” are hidden in The Centre’s 5 Shop Collection locations. The holiday event will also feature photos with the Easter Bunny, free refreshments, live performance painting and cookie decorating. Parking is available on the second and third levels of The Centre’s parking structure. 

Spring Egg Hunt in La Jolla
10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., La Jolla Recreation Center
The La Jolla Recreation Center (615 Prospect St.) will host its annual Spring Egg Hunt from 10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Saturday. For $5, attendees can partake in the egg hunt and other activities like arts and crafts and a meet & greet with Peter Rabbit.

La Mesa Easter Egg Hunt
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Grossmont Center
Grossmont Center mall in La Mesa will host this two-hour, free Easter eggstravaganza Saturday featuring an egg hunt, crafts, activities, balloon artists, face painters and costumed characters, including photos with the Easter Bunny. The egg hunt starts at 11 a.m. in the mall's courtyard.

Pacific Beach Spring Egg Hunt
11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Pacific Beach Recreation Center
The Pacific Beach Rec Center will host its Easter Egg Hunt from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, filled with free activities, arts and crafts and more. Here's the egg hunt times/ages breakdown: 1 p.m. for kids ages 2 and under; 1:15 p.m. for ages 3-4; 1:30 p.m. for ages 5-7; 1:45 p.m. for ages 8-10. 2 p.m. for ages 11-12.

Sunday, April 16

Belmont Park’s Easter Bash
9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Belmont Park
One of San Diego's largest Easter egg hunts returns Sunday to Mission Beach. More than 12,000 eggs will be hidden across the sands in front of Belmont Park. Kids will be let out in waves to hunt for the colorful eggs, filled with candy, vouchers for single rides at Belmont Park and other goodies. The egg hunt starts at 9 a.m. and costs $5 per child; the event typically sells out. If you can't get into the beachfront egg hunt, stick around for the free 1 p.m. Amusement Park Egg Hunt where you can hop around shops at Belmont Park collecting eggs, while supplies last.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Man Dies After Stabbing at Theater

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An employee at a Yonkers movie theater was stabbed to death during an argument early Saturday, police said.

Diaj Asanti Thomas, 19, allegedly got into a fight with the suspect in the theater lobby, then was stabbed in the chest with a knife shortly after midnight, police said.

The suspect fled the Ridge Hill movie theater on Fitzgerald Street. Officers found the knife on the scene, police said. 

Detectives say the men may have known each other.

Thomas was taken to a local hospital in an ambulance, where authorities said he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

Friends and family held a vigil for Thomas on Saturday evening in the family's neighborhood. 

The area surrounding the theater was cordoned off as detectives from the Yonkers Police Department's Major Case Unit and Crime Scene Unit interviewed witnesses and searched the crime scene.

Authorities believe the suspect is about 20 years old and 6 feet tall with a thin build.

Anyone with information regarding the stabbing is asked to call the Yonkers Police Detective Division at (914) 377-7724.



Photo Credit: Landon Browne

DC's Chicken Owners Prepared to Fight Proposed Ban

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Some people living in the District don't own dogs or cats -- but chickens. The law about owning chickens is currently unclear, but D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has proposed banning chickens as pets. News4's Tom Sherwood spoke to chicken owners who say chickens are perfectly safe to keep in the city.

April the Giraffe Gives Birth

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April the pregnant giraffe is pregnant no more — the long-necked beauty has finally given birth to a healthy male calf! 

More than a million viewers tuned into Animal Adventure Park's YouTube live stream to watch the birth of April's fourth calf, which happened within about two hours (WARNING: Some may find the live stream and photos below graphic).

The mom protectively stood over her baby as she licked him lovingly. The calf lay sprawled out on a bed of hay after dropping from his mother's womb minutes before 10 a.m. Oliver peered his head over his pen to catch a glimpse of his son and trotted around as the new dad anxieties began to set in. 

Owner Jordan Patch beamed with pride as he told more than 2 million viewers tuned in to the zoo's Facebook live stream that everything went "absolutely perfect" and the staff "couldn't have planned it better." 

"There you have it guys, we have a baby," he said. "We're going to let mom and baby do their thing for a bit. This is great, awesome, everything went according to plan." 

Patch says the eager-to-nurse calf is already nibbling on his mom.

The calf's spindly legs wobbled as he attempted to stand on its own. But shortly before noon, the zoo shared an adorable photo of April nuzzling him while he stood beneath her trying to nurse. 

"All is well," the caption reads.

The long-necked beauty went into labor shortly before 8 a.m. Saturday. Fans got a sneak preview of the birth through a captionless photo posted to Facebook showing what appeared to be the leg of a giraffe calf.

About an hour after her labor was announced, two little legs and the calf's front hooves were seen dangling from April's backside in a livestream posted to the Harpursville, New York, zoo's Facebook page. Her keepers were all smiles as they anxiously watched from outside her pen.

April has teased her millions of global adorers for weeks now, showing signs of near-but-not-quite labor and otherwise enchanting her audience with cute right-at-the-camera gazes and tongue flicks, snack noshing and nuzzling with her much younger but handsome 5-year-old beau. 

April's pregnancy was catapulted into global headlines in late February after YouTube briefly yanked the zoo's live stream following complaints by animal activists that it violated the site's policies concerning "nudity and sexual content." Thousands upon thousands of commenters voiced their frustration on Facebook and YouTube, and the stream was restored within an hour or so.

Patch says the natural curiosity surrounding giraffes and their birthing process has been a huge factor in drawing crowds. 

"I think the fact that she's a giraffe and she's a neat species that people are interested in, that's fostered a lot of the attention," he said. "The fact that you'll get to witness the miracle of birth from an animal that you really don't get to see give birth — that's neat."

He added that April's pregnancy was more than just live entertainment, but a teachable moment and source for education.



Photo Credit: Animal Adventure Park via AP
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Composite Sketch of College Area Sex Assault Suspect Released

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San Diego police released a composite sketch Saturday of a man who sexually assaulted a woman parked near San Diego State University last week.

The woman, who is not a student, was sitting in her unlocked car Wednesday in the 5700 block of Montezuma around 10:45 a.m. when the suspect entered through the passenger side door. 

"The suspect grabbed the victim and immediately started touching the victim inappropriately,'' Lt. Brent Williams said. "The suspect fled when pedestrians in the area were nearing the parked vehicle.''

The suspect was seen running westbound on Montezuma toward University Towers, Williams said.

The suspect is described as a white man in his 40s, 6 feet tall with brown, wavy hair, a full beard with gray in it and a mole on the left side of his face. He was wearing a black T-shirt with white writing on it.

The SDPD Sex Crimes unit is investigating the incident. Anyone with information was asked to contact the SDPD non-emergency number at (619) 531-2000, the SDPD Sex Crimes unit at (619) 531-2210, or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.



Photo Credit: NBC 7

MTS Redirects Trolley Away From 2-Alarm Logan Heights Fire

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A two-alarm fire has broken out at an auto parts warehouse in Logan Heights, according to San Diego fire officials.

The fire started in an alley way around 5:21 p.m. and spread to the warehouse in the 2800 block of Commercial Street near 28th.

MTS is redirecting the trolley away from the fire.

No other information was available.

Please refresh this page for updates on this story. Details may change as more information becomes available.



Photo Credit: Monica Garske

Palomar Babies Get Giraffes to Commemorate April's Delivery

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“This is my last day and I’m going in to see my last patient,” 34-year veteran nurse Diane Foster says as she carries a stuffed giraffe into the hospital room of new parents Alicia and Nate Keating. Their son Simon was born just before 2 a.m. Saturday Palomar Health Care Center in Poway.

Nurses at Palomar Medical Centers in Poway and Escondido delivered stuffed baby giraffes to all the babies born Saturday to commemorate April the Giraffe’s delivery the same day.

“We kind of had our own drop delivery…he came out so fast!” Alisha Keating laughs, comparing her less than two-hour delivery at Palomar Hospital to April’s quick delivery from six feet up.

The hospital says they anticipate about 10 births Saturday.



Photo Credit: NBC 7

This Week in San Diego’s Scene & Business Spotlight

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NBC 7 takes a look at a few stories from San Diego's Scene and Local Business Spotlight that impacted our community this week.

UC San Diego, BioMed Realty Partner to Build Oncology Center
On April 11, UC San Diego announced its public-private partnership with BioMed Realty to build The Center for Novel Therapeutics, a new home for university and local research organizations as they work to find treatments and potential cures for cancer and other chronic diseases. The project, located at UC San Diego’s campus in La Jolla, includes a 110,000-square-foot research hub, plus a 2,500-bed complex for graduate students.

Behind the Big Bloom at the Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch
Each spring, the 55-acre Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch blossom with spectacular flowers, including the Field’s famed Giant Tecolote Ranunculus. What does it take to tend to this display and keep it a top-notch attraction? Here’s a look at what goes into the bloom. The Flower Fields are open daily, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., through May 14.

New ‘Submarine Quest’ Ride Unveiled at SeaWorld
SeaWorld San Diego unveiled a new ride coming soon to the amusement park: “Submarine Quest,” an addition to SeaWorld’s OceanExplorer area. The ride, designed around digital aspects, takes visitors into the deep sea using SmartPlay technology. SeaWorld officials say it’s a whole new experience for the park. Submarine Quest opens this summer.

NYC’s Beloved ‘The Halal Guys’ Plans San Diego Expansion
We check in on San Diego’s food and drink scene every week with our friends at Eater San Diego and this week, the spotlight was on delicious news: The Halal Guys, a beloved New York City eatery known for its American halal fare, including chicken and rice platters, is planning an expansion into San Diego. Lunch, anyone?

New Hiking Trail Opens in City Heights
On Saturday, a new hiking trail system in City Heights officially opened to the public. Long in the making, the 5-mile loop links several canyons in the urban community, giving locals and visitors a quiet retreat to take in nature within the busy city. Local hikers commonly refer to the area as the “Butterfly Corridors.” The canyons now linked by the trail include the Oiliva/47th Street Canyon, Swan Canyon, Hollywood Canyon and Manzanita Canyon, with a few street connections. The trail is meant for walking, hiking, jogging or bicycling.



Photo Credit: NBC 7

Your #SanDiegoGram Photos

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We want to show off your Instagram pictures. Just include the hashtag #SanDiegoGram.

Photo Credit: Instagram/@Nixietale

New Hiking Trails Open in City Heights

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A new hiking trail system in City Heights officially opened to the public on Saturday: a 5-mile loop linking several canyons in the urban community.

Local hikers commonly refer to the area as the “Butterfly Corridors.” The canyons now linked by the trail include the Oiliva/47th Street Canyon, Swan Canyon, Hollywood Canyon and Manzanita Canyon, with a few street connections.

Envisioned by the community over a decade ago, the loop trail system was designed highlight nature in the urban community through a park-like area that provides locals with access to a place to hike, jog or bicycle.

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Volunteers in partnership with San Diego Canyonlands, a non-profit organization that promotes, protects and restores natural habitats in San Diego County canyons and creeks, helped clear invasive weeds and trash out of the way for the trails to be made.

Assemblymember Todd Gloria (CA-78) and former City Council Member Marti Emerald were on-hand for a ribbon cutting ceremony Saturday celebrating the new trail.

With springtime in full swing, it's a great time in San Diego to get out and explore this new trail and others in our county.

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Photo Credit: Tom Zizzi/NBC 7 San Diego
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Clashes at Trump Berkeley Rallies

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In what has become an eerily familiar scene in Berkeley, supporters and detractors of President Donald Trump on Saturday exchanged blows, burned flags, and set off fireworks at opposing rallies, resulting in at least 21 arrests and 11 injuries, police said.

The political divisiveness reflected across the United States took the form of a makeshift barrier erected between the two equally impassioned factions. The barrier, however, failed to keep the skirmishes at bay

About 200 people gathered at Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park around 10 a.m. on Tax Day as did Berkeley police officers — in riot gear. Police estimate that the crowd swelled to between 300 and 700 people before it dispersed around 4 p.m. 

Early in the day, though, attendees of the "Patriot's Day" rally and Antifa-organized counter protest exchanged heated words and several people started pushing each other. Police quickly arrested one man. Others were arrested as several fistfights broke out. 

Eleven people were injured, one of whom was stabbed amid the bedlam, Berkeley police said. 

Social media posts indicated that Kyle Chapman aka Based StickMan or Alt-Knight was among those who got arrested. The 41-year-old man was also taken into custody at a "March 4 Trump" last month for bashing an Antifa protester in the head with a stick. It's unclear what triggered his arrest Saturday.

Social media posts from the chaotic scenes in Berkeley described a "small blast," the use of tear gas and pepper spray, property damage, fireworks whizzing through crowds, and a man covering his eyes as blood covered his hands and dripped down his face. 

Trump supporter John Beavers from Washington state got smacked in the face.

"We’re over there, shaking a hand, and a bomb went off and they want to hit me," he said.  

Photographs from the scene showed people clad in "Make America Great Again" sweatshirts and flags and others dressed in black with their faces hidden behind helmets and masks. Flags read "Anti-fascist anti-racist," "Defend America," "Free speech" and "Fascist scum your time is done."

"These Trump people are here because they want to start things," Jeff Vernon of Berkeley said.

But Stephanie Edd, also of Berkeley, viewed the protest as an attempt "to co-opt the history of free speech."

By midday, Allston Way between Milvia Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Way was blocked, as protesters moved from the park to the streets, followed closely by officers. Police urged residents to avoid the area of Center and Miliva streets. Soon the warning extended to include Shattuck Avenue and Center Street.

NBC Bay Area's SkyRanger captured people burning flags — with one man posing for a selfie beside the torched cloth — and others punching each other and using helmets and skateboards as weapons. Demonstrators were also seen tipping over a garbage can and igniting its contents. 

In order to prevent a bloody riot, city leaders on Friday had announced that pipes, bats, bricks, rocks, glass bottles, shields, pepper spray, sticks, and other potentially dangerous items were not allowed at the park during the rallies. 

Toward that end, police checked backpacks before allowing them into the park. Even so, they tweeted that officers had confiscated a knife, a stun gun, flagpoles, and other contraband.

Berkeley police were forced to call in Alameda County sheriff's deputies for backup as rocks and bottles were launched at officers and many were assaulted, according to Twitter. 

The downtown Berkeley BART station was also closed.

A weekly farmers market at the Berkeley park was called off amid the scheduled political protests, according to reports.

Saturday's rallies follow a "March 4 Trump" rally and violent protests when controversial speaker Milo Yiannopoulos came to the UC Berkeley campus.

Editor's note: Berkeley police initially reported 15 arrests, but later updated that number to 13. 



Photo Credit: NBC Bay Area
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San Diego Demonstrators Take Part in 'Tax March'

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In line with similar rallies happening across the country on Saturday, activists in San Diego took to the streets for the Tax March, a protest demanding that President Donald Trump release his tax returns.

The local march began at 10 a.m. at the County Administration Center on Pacific Highway in downtown San Diego as demonstrators made their way on Harbor Drive, through downtown before ending at the San Diego Concourse on C Street.

Many demonstrators held signs, some bearing slogans such as “What’s he hiding?” and “Surrender Your Returns.”

For Pat Littel and her 97-year-old mother, was their first ever political protest.

"I think transparency in government should start at the top and President Trump is setting a very poor example," she told NBC 7. "It’s supposed to be government for the people by the people, not by the elite, for the elite, so I think that’s why we’re all here."

Ramona resident Elizabeth Mosser echoed Littell’s concerns about transparency in the White House.

“I don’t know why Mr. Trump isn’t showing his taxes. Evidently, he has something to hide,” said Mosser. “I myself have never been involved in political activism, but this just affects so many people and so many issues, issues that we need to approach and make sure our voices are heard."

“People are looking for the same thing: open government,” added demonstrator Steve Atkins.

During the march in San Diego, a man with a Trump campaign flag mounted to his pickup truck drove by the demonstration to show his support for the president.

Nationwide, Democratic lawmakers and activists hit the streets for this same march, using Tax Day to put pressure on Trump to release his returns, as his recent predecessors have done.

Tax March events were scheduled in nearly 150 cities.

Over the past 40 years, presidents and major party nominees – with the exception of Gerald Ford – have publicly released some of their tax returns.

Those who want Trump to release his returns are concerned about possible conflicts of interest on the documents belonging to the business mogul-turned-Commander-in-Chief. Many have signed an online petition calling on Trump to release the returns.

The POTUS has said an audit is the reason that he won’t release his tax returns. Earlier this year, Kellyanne Conway, counselor to President Trump stated that “People didn’t care” about the president's tax returns.

Another Tax March also took place in Escondido Saturday, at Westfield North County Mall in north San Diego County.



Photo Credit: Ramon Galindo
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CA Gov. Grants Pardon to Deported US Veteran

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A U.S. military veteran deported to his home country of Mexico 13 years ago after serving time for a conviction received a full pardon Saturday from California Gov. Jerry Brown.

Hector Barajas was born in Mexico’s Zacatecas state and crossed the border illegally into the United States at age 7. After growing up in the U.S., he served in the U.S. Army from 1995 to 2001 in the 82nd Airborne Division. 

After an honorable discharge from the Army, Barajas had a difficult time adapting to civilian life. He developed a substance abuse problem. He was in a car when a firearm was discharged and was convicted for the crime of shooting at an inhabited vehicle.

In early July 2002, Barajas was sentenced in the Superior Court of the State of California, in the County of Los Angeles, for the crime. Barajas served just over one year in prison and the same amount of time on parole. He was released on Sept. 2, 2004, after completing his sentence.

Upon his release, Barajas was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and deported to Nogales, in the Mexican state of Sonora.

In an interview with the Associated Press last month, Barajas described feeling “lost” that moment he found himself back in Mexico. Unsure of how to make a living, the military veteran crossed back into the U.S. six months later.

He was deported again in 2010.

At that point, he moved to Tijuana and founded a place called the Deported Veterans Support House – or “The Bunker” – a place where many deported veterans just like Barajas can get a little bit of help adjusting to their new life as deportees. There, Barajas puts veterans in touch with lawyers, psychologist and job counseling programs.

Once settled in Tijuana, Barajas went on to apply for executive clemency in the form of a gubernatorial pardon from the California governor’s office.

Brown granted that pardon on April 15.

“Since his release from custody, [Barajas] has lived an honest and upright life, exhibited good moral character and conducted himself as a law abiding citizen,” the governor’s pardon states. “Indeed, Mr. Barajas served in the United States Army and received the Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, among other awards.”

The pardon also mentions the veteran’s work with the Support House and adds that by completion of his sentence and good conduct, Barajas “has paid his debt to society and earned a full and unconditional pardon.”

With the pardon, Barajas could now apply for re-entry in to the U.S.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of California has served as an advocate for deported U.S. veterans like Barajas. In addition to requesting pardons for deportees, the ACLU is also supporting legislation at the state and federal level aimed at addressing the problems faced by deported veterans.

The group formed the Honorably Discharged, Dishonorably Deported (HDDD) Coalition in September 2016 to advocate for an end to deportations of U.S. veterans and a pathway home for already deported veterans.

Via the ACLU, Barajas released this statement Saturday, following his pardon.

“There are no words to describe the joy I feel today. I thank God for the grace of Governor Jerry Brown and am eternally grateful to all of those who advocated on my behalf. I have dreamed everyday of returning to the country I love. We have taken a big step forward for deported veterans and their families.”

Barajas also posted a short video on his Facebook page in which he thanked Brown and everyone who has advocated for his pardon:

"This is huge," he says in the video, smiling and tearing up. "The process will be easier for me to go home to my family. I'm very thankful. I'm still at a loss for words."

San Diego-based politician Nathan Fletcher appeared alongside Barajas in the video and also praised the pardon.

“This is a significant step forward in our efforts and has the potential to make a life-changing difference for these veterans,” he said in a press release from the ACLU. “However, the sad reality is there are hundreds, possibly thousands of others waiting for help. We are renewing our call on Congress and the President to honor its commitment and ensure every soldier comes home.”

Fletcher took to Twitter Saturday to post a photo of him hugging a smiling Barajas as the deported vet looked at his pardon from the governor:

In the past, Fletcher’s wife – San Diego-based California State Assembly member Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher (D – 80th District) has proposed a legal fund to help deported vets apply for readmission in the U.S.

Gonzalez Fletcher also expressed joy on social media Saturday on the news of Barajas' pardon:

Along with the pardon of Barajas, the HDDD also praised Brown for granting full pardons to two other deported California veterans: former U.S. Marines Erasmo Apodaca and Marco Antonio Chavez Medina.

“Brown’s action is historic and represents the first time that a governor has recognized and taken action to address the injustice of deported veterans of the United States armed forces,” said the HDDD. “These pardons help pave the way for the veterans’ eventual return to the country they took an oath to defend.”

According to this March report by the Associated Press, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said it does not have figures on how many deported veterans have requested naturalization and that it considers each petition individually.



Photo Credit: AP
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Teen With Cancer Gets to Play Baseball With USD Toreros

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For Jake Hernandez the sound of balls and bats replace the sound of medical machines.

The Make A Wish foundation and the University of San Diego Toreros got together to make Hernandez’s dreams come true at Fowler Park Saturday.

“I would’ve never thought any of this would be possible,” the teen beams from center field.

That’s because over the past year, Jake has been in the hospital battling Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

“It’s cancer in the lymph nodes,” he explains. “It attacks the immune system, and through that journey I was able to make new friends and have a new understanding of life.”

Saturday his new friends were the Toreros. They heard Jake loved baseball through the Make A Wish Foundation, so the charity teamed up with NBC 7 to get Jake and his family enough Wishes in Flight miles to send his family to Costa Rica.

The Toreros asked Jake to throw out the first pitch when he came back.

“It’s just incredible to see him on the mound like that and just be a teenager,” Jake’s mom, Marlene Hernandez tells NBC 7.

Jake is now out of the hospital and in remission. He’s determined to forever beat the cancer.

“It felt really good,” Hernandez adds. “I could really feel the adrenaline.”

His family hopes other kids will have the same opportunity Jake did.

“Keep with make a wish,” Marlene Hernandez says. “Keep your donations going because you really have no idea how much impact you can have on a child. “



Photo Credit: NBC 7

Golf Tournament Raises Money for Childhood Cancer Research

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The Kylie Rowand Foundation will host its 4th Annual Prayers for Kylie Golf Tournament at the Steel Canyon Golf Club on Friday, April 21 at 1 p.m. 

Presented by the Wild and Free Project, the event will honor the two-year-old Alpine toddler who lost her battle to neuroblastoma in 2015, and raise funds for childhood cancer research.

"Kylie's cancer was compounded by a condition called NMYC amplified where the body fights the chemotherapy. Unfortunately, many children are victims of this disorder, which lowers their survival rate significantly," shared Kylie's mom, Bree Rowand. "That's why it's crucial to find a cure. This is our biggest fundraising event of the year and it can have a life-changing impact. Last year we surpassed our goal of $50,000 and our goal is to raise $75,000 this year. We invite everyone to join us for this special day as we honor our special angel and raise money to help other children."

Single player cost is $150 and includes golf, cart, lunch, goodie bag, dinner and two drink tickets. In addition, group sign-ups for two, three and four players is available.

"Following the tournament, we'll fly to New York City to present a check to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. The funds we provide are specific to Kylie's research," continued Rowand. "When Kylie passed, the center harvested Kylie's cells, blood and marrow for research, and they're currently working to find a cure. If they had a cure, it would save thousands of children's lives."



Photo Credit: NBC 7

Weekly San Diego Sports Preview

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Here’s a look at what is going on in San Diego sports for the week of April 17th-23rd.

PADRES: It’s a unique week where the Friars are facing three teams. Monday they wrap up a four-game set in Atlanta before heading home. Tuesday-Thursday the Arizona Diamondbacks come to Petco Park for the first time this season. Tuesday is Jackie Robinson Day, Wednesday Padres Estrellas and Thursday College Night. Friday-Sunday it’s the Marlins turn downtown. Friday is Autism Awareness Night, Saturday fans get a Padres Hoodie and Sunday is Padres & Puppies Calendar giveaway.

GULLS: The Gulls start their Calder Cup playoff run this week. Friday they host the Reign before heading to Ontario Saturday. Both games start at 7 p.m.

UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO TOREROS:

-BASEBALL: Tuesday vs. Cal State Fullerton 6 p.m. in Lake Elsinore, Thursday and Friday vs. BYU 6 p.m. and Saturday vs. BYU 1 p.m. at Fowler Park.

-WOMEN’S SWIMMING: Wednesday at San Diego State 2 p.m.

-MEN’S GOLF: Thursday-Saturday at the WCC Championships in Provo, Utah.

-MEN’S TENNIS: Friday vs. San Francisco 10 a.m. and UNLV 2 p.m.

-WOMEN’S TENNIS: Friday at San Francisco 1:30 p.m. and Saturday at Santa Clara 11 a.m.

-WOMEN’S TRACK: Saturday at the Triton Invite at UCSD all day.

-SOFTBALL: Saturday vs. Santa Clara 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. and Sunday at 12 p.m. all at the USD Softball Complex.

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN DIEGO TRITONS:

-BASEBALL: Thursday and Friday vs. Cal State Dominguez Hills 2 p.m. in Carson and Saturday vs. Cal State Dominguez Hills 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. at UCSD.

-TRACK & FIELD: Friday and Saturday they host the Triton Invite.

-WOMEN’S ROWING: Friday vs. San Diego State at Mission Bay 7 a.m.

-SOFTBALL: Friday vs. Cal State Dominguez Hills 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and Saturday vs. Cal State Dominguez Hills 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. all at UCSD.

-MEN’S TENNIS: Saturday at Claremont Mudd-Scripps 1 p.m.

-WOMEN’S WATER POLO: Saturday at San Diego State (Harper Cup) 1 p.m.

SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY AZTECS:

-WOMEN’S GOLF: Monday-Wednesday at the Mountain West Championships in Rancho Mirage, California.

- BASEBALL: Tuesday at UC Riverside 6 p.m., Friday at UC Santa Barbara 3 p.m., Saturday at UCSB 1 p.m. and Sunday vs. UCSB 1 p.m.

-WOMEN’S SWIMMING: Wednesday vs. San Diego Long Course 1:45 p.m. at the Aztec Aquaplex.

-SOFTBALL: Friday and Saturday at Boise State 3 p.m. and Sunday at Boise State 11 a.m.

-WOMEN’S ROWING: Friday at UC San Diego 7 a.m.

-MEN’S TENNIS: Friday vs Santa Clara 2 p.m. and Saturday vs. UNLV 11 a.m. both at the Aztec Tennis Center.

-WOMEN’S LACROSSE: Friday at UC Davis 7 p.m. and Sunday at Stanford 1 p.m.

-WOMEN’S TRACK: Friday and Saturday at the Triton Invitational at UCSD.

-MEN’S GOLF: Friday-Sunday at the Mountain West Championships in Tucson.

POINT LOMA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY SEA LIONS:

-BASEBALL: Monday vs. Hawaii Hilo 12 p.m. and 3 p.m., Friday and Saturday vs. Azusa Pacific 12 p.m. and 3 p.m.

-MEN’S TENNIS: Wednesday-Saturday at the PacWest Championships in Surprise, Arizona 9 a.m.

-WOMEN’S TENNIS: Wednesday-Saturday at the PacWest Championships in Surprise, Arizona 9 a.m.

-TRACK: Friday and Saturday at the Triton Invitational at UCSD 11 a.m.

-MEN’S SOCCER: Saturday vs. UCLA 11 a.m.

North Korea Could Be Trump's First 'Real Test': McCain

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Amid evidence of a failed missile test in North Korea, Sen. John McCain said Sunday morning that "this could be the first test, real test, of the Trump presidency," NBC News reported.

McCain, R-Ariz., said on "Meet the Press" that China's "control over the North Korean economy" will be key in how the world addresses rising tensions with the dictatorship.

"It may be part of the overall new relationship, but China is the key," McCain told Chuck Todd.

North Korea's attempted missile launch failed "almost immediately, U.S military officials told NBC News, but McCain said tensions with the country are nevertheless "very serious."



Photo Credit: AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon

Pence Visits Demilitarized Zone Between North, South Korea

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Vice President Mike Pence paid a visit to the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea Monday morning, part of a 10-day Asia trip, NBC News reported.

Pence's trip comes amid turmoil over North Korea's threats to advance its nuclear and defense capabilities, including a failed missile launch on Sunday.

"The people of North Korea, the military of North Korea, should not mistake the resolve of the United States of America to stand with our allies," he said, speaking only a few yards from the military demarcation line. "The alliance between South Korea and the United States is ironclad."

Pence, whose father was a decorated solider in the Korean War, added that "all options are on the table." But despite the North's provocations, U.S. officials have said the United States doesn't intend to use military force.



Photo Credit: Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images

Only Threat From North Korea Is Losing Control: SDSU Prof.

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The only real threat when it comes to North Korea following the country's recent missile launch - which exploded almost immediately - is the situation spiraling out of control, a San Diego State University (SDSU) professor and expert said. 

"In terms of imminent threat, I really don’t see it that way," said SDSU Public Affairs Professor Ric Epps. 

Epps, who has been following the conflict closely, said the failed launch was likely not planned, and probably an embarrassment to the country's leaders. 

The launch concerned some Americans, Epps said, but the move was likely a way for the country to show off its power than an actual threat, which he said could have serious consequences for the country. 

But Epps views the exploding missile, which was launched Sunday North Korea time, as a veiled threat, not an actual threat. Tensions always rise and fall at certain times, Epps said.

The test was carried out just hours after a large North Korean parade celebrating the birthday of the country’s founder (Kim Jong-un’s grandfather) that showcased the state's military might.

It is believed they used a medium-range or submarine launched ballistic missile. U.S. officials confirmed to NBC News that they detected the launch, and tracked it as it blew up almost immediately.

"It certainly does give people a moment of pause. But I think it’s one of these things, it’s just their way of trying to show their capacity – its like a deterrent to the west, a message," Epps said, adding that he certainly believed the launch was a foreign policy concern. 

There is a chance the situation could escalate, he said, depending on who flinches and who reacts. 

"It doesn’t mean it can’t happen it doesn’t mean you can’t escalate, things can’t escalate out of your control, and all of a sudden you have a bigger problem," he said. "But that means that, it requires, the United States also being very careful in how we conduct our operations there."

One way it could escalate, Epps said, is through what he called a security dilemma. Both sides involved start to escalate the arms race to counter each other, trying to avoid war, but in the quest to avoid each other, one ends up shooting first in the tension. The countries end up in an intended war, he explained. 

“The only real threat is it going out of control,” Epps said of the increased international tension. “You [need to] have both leaders understanding the context and the dynamic."

Epps said the Cuban Missile Crisis was a good example of that.

"You know you have the right players with Kennedy and Khrushchev in place to avoid a nuclear war,” he explained. “If you had the wrong people in place, you could easily wind up in a much more problematic scenario.”

An administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to NBC News, said if it had been a nuclear test the U.S. would have taken other action.

In a statement, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Trump and his military team "are aware of North Korea's most recent unsuccessful missile launch. The president has no further comment."

In the past, North Korea has conducted five nuclear tests, including two last year.



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego
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