The California Department of Motor Vehicles says one of its San Diego field offices will remain mostly closed through the weekend for cleanup and repair of vandalism.

The break-in occurred at the San Ysidro office before dawn Wednesday and responding police officers took into custody a man who was acting strangely and spraying a fire extinguisher.

The DMV says there was considerable damage to interior office walls and equipment.

The Business Center Court location, considered one of the busiest DMV locations in the state, is less than five miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border.

Outdoor services such as driving tests and vehicle verifications are continuing but the office is not expected to resume full service until April 24.

Customers are being directed to four other San Diego-area offices.

The San Ysidro DMV office is located north of Interstate 905 and east of Interstate 805.

San Diego State University's mascot scored a huge win Wednesday night.

Members of the Associated Student Council voted 14 to 12, with one abstention, against a resolution that would have retired the Aztec mascot and moniker.

The decision sparked outrage as several students took to a podium after the vote, shouting at the council.

One student said, “ I resign from my position.” Another shouted “ Please do your jobs.”

Raelynn Bichitty is part of the Native American Student Alliance (NASA) on campus. They stood united during the vote hoping the resolution to change the mascot would pass.

“For me, this Aztec is encouraging cultural appropriation. It’s saying it’s okay to use people as mascots. It’s okay to dehumanize them because they’re not on our level," said Bichitty.

The decision to keep the mascot came after at least four hours of a fiery debate.

Josh Skolnick was among the 14 councilmembers who voted to keep the Aztec warrior, noting the name is a tribute to the tribe's courage and bravery.

Like others who voted against the resolution, he said doing away with the name would erase tradition and wouldn’t be financially prudent.

“Fiscally this would be a nightmare, losing hundreds of millions of dollars and a loss of our brand as a whole. And a huge disrespect to Aztec alumni,” said Skolnick.

“There are councilmembers here that are talking about finance. And I don’t understand why that’s more important than the psychological image it has on Native American students," Councilmember Asha Abdirahim argued.

This is not the first time there has been a failed effort to retire the mascot.

NASA's president said it won't be the last if there's not change before she graduates.

“There’s  going to be a clear path for people who do come in to take this by the reigns and tear this beast down. This is a racial sickness. A sickness,” said Marissa Mendoza.

University officials issued a statement after the vote that, read, in part: “A similar resolution has also been proposed to the University Senate and is expected to go through its own policy discussion process in the fall.”

Tesla is voluntarily recalling 53,000 Model S and Model X vehicles over a potential issue that could prevent the parking brake from releasing, CNBC reported.

The company issued an update Thursday saying electric parking brakes installed on Model S and Model X vehicles built between February and October 2016 "may contain a small gear that could have been manufactured improperly by our third-party supplier."

"We do not believe this issue could ever lead to a safety concern for our customers, and we have not seen a single accident or injury relating to it," said Tesla on its website Thursday. "However, in order to be overly cautious, we are going to be proactively replacing these parts to ensure that no issues arise."

Tesla estimates that only 5 percent of the cars it is recalling will be affected and that the replacement will take about 45 minutes.

The stunning suicide of Aaron Hernandez led to another surprising turn -- a fight over his brain.

Hernandez's family wants his brain to be studied by the Boston University CTE Center for a brain disease found in some football players. While state officials have now said they would release the brain to the family, that announcement wasn't made until after accusations from the former New England Patriots tight end's lawyer.

"It is our position that they are holding Aaron Hernandez's brain illegally," attorney Jose Baez said.

Baez added that BU's CTE Center is "the finest lab in the country," and said medical examiner's office does not have the same level of expertise.

BU's CTE Center refused to comment on the matter Thursday.

"If it's not preserved properly, they won't be able to take proper specimens and we won't be able to get the information and the knowledge we want," said Baez. "It is literally a destruction of evidence issue."

The Medical Examiner's office released a statement saying the brain was being kept because it was part of the investigation into Hernandez's death and could require further analysis. But just hours later, just as quickly as the tension escalated, it seemed to come to an end.

When the Worcester County District Attorney's Office announced that Hernandez's death had officially been ruled a suicide, it added that the state would do as the family asked.

"Now that the cause and manner of death have been determined, the brain will be released to Boston University’s Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center as Mr. Hernandez’s family wishes," DA Joseph Early Jr. said in a statement.

Baez says the family hopes the brain can be examined to help future athletes, and to shed any more light on his client's death.

"We need to specifically do everything possible to find out what happened," Baez said. "Why not? Doesn't everyone want to know?"

Based on his amended contract, Bill O'Reilly could receive up to one year’s salary after being ousted by Fox News, a person familiar with the matter told CNBC Thursday.

His annual salary is worth about $25 million, NBC News reported, citing a person with direct knowledge of O’Reilly’s contract. 21st Century Fox said Wednesday O'Reilly would not be returning to Fox News following a New York Times report that O’Reilly and Fox had settled five cases of sexual harassment allegations for about $13 million.

In an internal memo, Fox said the decision to remove him was made with outside counsel. 

If you're a regular theme park guest, you know that in addition to the all of the neon signs and murals and furry characters and frosting-laden treats you're sure to come across, you're also going to encounter, quite often, the following: tarps and beige walls and "excuse our mess" signs and re-route walkways and the other signals that a new attraction is on the way.

Such as been the case at Disney California Adventure since the fall of 2016. The tallest structure in the park, the former The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror drop ride, donned a sheath of tarps and coverings as crews transformed it into its next incarnation: The Collector's Fortress, the new centerpiece to Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: BREAKOUT!

The opening date for the ride is on the near horizon — May 27, 2017 — and the coverings have recently been removed from the multi-story building, revealing a series of hue-bright pipes and metallic details. Inside? The "...enigmatic building is home to the soon-to-be-unveiled Tivan Collection, where guests will view the rare items in Taneleer Tivan's extensive holdings, including his newest acquisitions: The Guardians of the Galaxy."

While guests at Disney California Adventure can see the exterior of the building in person now (and it is also visible from far outside the park, too), people who aren't near Anaheim can get a "first look" at the structure on the Disneyland Resort blog, which posted a couple of photos of the just-revealed exterior on Thursday, April 20. 

The ride's opening is part of the larger "Summer of Heroes" experience at the park, which will run from May 27 through Sept. 10.

Superhero Encounters, including cameos by Groot and Captain America, are part of the party, as well as an Avengers Training Initiative, a Heroic Encounter with Black Widow, and limited-time merchandise themed to superheroes (as well as eats, too).

The woman once named as a suspect in the high-profile death inside a Coronado mansion spoke with NBC 7 exclusively Thursday, saying she feels vindicated now that her name has been removed from a wrongful death lawsuit.

"It's been a surreal nightmare for us," Dina Shacknai said.

Her son, Max, 6 died following a fall inside his father Jonah Shacknai's home, the Spreckels Mansion in Coronado. Max was just 6 years old on the day he fell - July 11, 2011.

Inside the home at the time of the fall was Jonah's girlfriend, Rebecca Zahau.

Two days after Max's fall, Zahau was found nude, bound and hanging from the mansion's second-story balcony.

A $10 million civil lawsuit filed in 2014 claimed Zahau’s death was a murder, not a suicide as the San Diego County Sheriff's Department investigation concluded.

The lawsuit alleged Zahau was beaten, gagged and strangled before she was pushed off a balcony. The original suit named Dina Shacknai, her sister Nina Romero and Jonah's brother, Adam Shacknai, as defendants.

This week, the attorney for the Zahau family announced he was removing Dina Shacknai and Nina Romero from the suit based on images from security surveillance video that shows the women at a hospital at the time investigators determined Zahau died.

On Thursday, Dina Shacknai said she does not believe Zahau committed suicide. However, she's relieved that she has been exonerated.

“There’s relief, there’s overwhelming emotion, there is obviously a drive to move forward and a need to process what’s happened to us to include grieving for Max,” she said.

To those who may still question the death of Rebecca Zahau, she said she agrees more investigation should be done.

“If I were their family I would want those answers also,” she said. “Those pictures, it’s really hard to confirm or agree with the pronouncements made by the various agencies.”

She suggested the public ask questions of the Coronado Police Department, the Department of Justice and the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

Those agencies, "are a really good start because I don't know if we have all of the information," she explained.

"I never thought it would happen to me so we should all be concerned for this, how this transpired," Shacknai said.

Thousands of public records about animal welfare have vanished from the internet, part of a government database that included atrocious puppy mill conditions, improper veterinary care and other mistreatment of animals. Now activists are hitting back at the USDA in the courtroom and by posting deleted records online.

The United States' Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS) cited ongoing litigation and privacy concerns as the reason for its database's removal two months ago.

APHIS, an agency under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), previously hosted open records on its website pertaining to the administration of the Animal Welfare Act. The law regulates the treatment of animals in research facilities, maintains a minimum standard of care for warm-blooded animals and requires cats and dogs to be held in pounds for five days before being released to dealers. Included in the records are inspection reports, research facility reports and enforcement actions. The documents provide information on animal experiments, puppy mill conditions and the treatment of animals at circuses, among other things.

APHIS' explanation for the documents' removal wasn't sufficient for those passionate about animal rights, or defenders of public information. They say the information is crucial for public oversight, and that it takes away animal-rights groups' ability to ensure the law is being enforced. 

One man took it upon himself to collect and post thousands of the deleted documents using his website The Memory Hole.

"When I first heard that the database had been pulled offline, I remember I proactively grabbed some of those documents," said Russ Kick, a writer and editor who runs the site.

While some of the records were the result of his own research, many have been sent to him by others who have also taken interest in the deletion of APHIS' database.

Talk of scrubbing the database began before President Donald Trump's administration took office in January. Former Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told the Washington Post in February the department responsible for enforcing the Horse Protection and Animal Welfare acts had recommended removing the database from the web and making the documents available through a Freedom of Information Act request. He said he did not act on the recommendation because he did not have enough time left to review it before leaving his job. 

The documents were removed from the department's website in early February, and only some have been returned since. Some enforcement records are also available on the Office of Administrative Law Judges' website. 

Delcianna Winders, an academic fellow in the Animal Law and Policy Program at Harvard Law School, said that no new enforcement records had been posted online since 2016. 

On its website, APHIS said it decided to make adjustments to posting the records before the change of administration. 

"In addition, APHIS is currently involved in litigation concerning, among other issues, information posted on the agency's website," the agency said on its site. 

Though APHIS said it is defending against the litigation, its statement added, "in an abundance of caution, the agency is taking additional measures to protect individual privacy."

Kick, with The Memory Hole, isn't alone in his effort to share the documents with the public.

Winders, who uses the documents for her own work at Harvard, sent thousands of the records she's saved to Kick to publish on his site.

"The impact is huge, I don’t think it can be overstated," she said of the documents' removal.

Numerous groups use the records regularly in order to ensure that the agency is complying with the Animal Welfare Act, she added. 

"Those laws have basically become unenforceable now," she said.

She isn’t the only one who feels that way.

"Animals across the country are in jeopardy so long as the USDA's illegal deletion of records continues," said Brittany Peet, the director of captive animal law enforcement for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

She said PETA is part of a coalition that has filed a lawsuit against the USDA to force them to restore the documents. Winders is a plaintiff in the same lawsuit, according to the complaint.

PETA has also made available through a Dropbox over 21,000 of its own copies of the deleted records, which Kick also said he linked to on his site.

APHIS has restored some of the deleted documents, but the amount is a far cry from the volume that had been maintained online for years, experts say.

In a statement to NBC, APHIS spokesperson Tanya Espinosa said the agency began reposting some information online on Feb. 17. The statement added that people can submit FOIA requests for the records.

"If the same records are frequently requested via the Freedom of Information Act process, APHIS may post the appropriately redacted versions to its website," Espinosa said.

Kathleen Conlee, vice president of Animal Research Issues at the Humane Society of the U.S., said her organization won’t stop working until all of the information is restored. 

"[This] has a major impact on the public and consumers and it spans a wide avenue of animal issues," Conlee told NBC.

Peet echoed Conlee’s sentiment, saying, "This isn’t just about animal welfare. The Animal Welfare Act also regulates important human safety issues."

Some of these issues include being able to find out about diseases at zoos, or attacks by dangerous, captive animals, she said.

This isn't the first time animal rights groups have had to battle it out with the USDA.

In the early 2000’s, Conlee said, the same information was inaccessible for a short time. The organization filed a lawsuit, which resulted in a settlement that compelled APHIS to make documents public.

All annual reports, including pain and distress information, had to be made available to the public electronically. The USDA was also forced to indicate on its site which facilities didn't submit annual reports. 

The Humane Society issued a notice of violation of court order and intent to enforce or reopen the lawsuit in February shortly after the documents were removed from the internet. The notice states that the USDA violated the terms of the 2009 agreement.

APHIS hasn’t always received a gold star for its enforcement of the law, either — something experts were quick to point out.

In a 2014 report, the Office of the Inspector General "cites specific examples of enforcement deficiencies, poor oversight, inadequate penalties, lack of deterrence, and many examples of animals suffering and dying," according to the Animal Welfare Institute.

Politicians are also backing efforts to get the records fully restored through legislation to compel the agency to make the documents public.

Peet said public scrutiny has been the primary thing holding the agency's feet to the fire when it comes to ensuring that basic animal welfare standards are upheld.

"And that's been taken away," she said. 

From free, outdoor concerts and a colorful art village, to a stroll down one of Balboa Park’s many trails, there are so many ways to enjoy the historic urban park.

Spanning nearly 1,200 acres, Balboa Park is one of San Diego’s most recognizable landmarks. Here’s a look at some things to do if you’re visiting the attraction.

Free Ranger-Led Tours

If you want to get a lay of the land under the guidance of experts, take one of Balboa Park’s free ranger-led tours. The one-hour excursions meet at 11 a.m. every Tuesday and Sunday at the Visitor Center (1549 El Prado), tucked inside the House of Hospitality.

“There are a wide range of tours that you can join, for free,” Tomas Herrera-Mishler, CEO and president of the Balboa Park Conservancy told NBC 7. “Some are led by rangers; some are led by Subject Matter Specialists; that’s a really fancy way to say people who really know what they’re talking about.”

Rangers will talk about the history of Balboa Park, its unique buildings and architecture, the landmark’s botanical treasures, and the importance of conserving San Diego’s crown jewel.

“It’s an opportunity to see some of the park, from an expert’s view point,” Herrera-Mishler added.

Spreckels Organ Pavilion Sunday Concerts

At the heart of Balboa Park stands the Spreckels Organ Pavilion. The site houses the Spreckels Organ, which boasts more than 5,000 pipes – varying in lengths, from the size of a pencil to 32-feet – making it the largest outdoor pipe organ in the world. The organ is kept inside a vaulted structure; the sounds of the pipes can often be heard reverberating through the center of Balboa Park.

Since 1917, San Diego has invited civic organists to perform weekly at the pavilion. The free concerts are at 2 p.m., every Sunday. Herrera-Mishler said this tradition is a favorite among locals and visitors alike.

“On Sundays, at 2 p.m., there’s a wonderful series of concerts where you can come and hear our 5,000 pipes being played – not all at once – by wonderful, expert, local organists,” he explained.

In the summer, typically on Monday evenings, Balboa Park invites internationally-renowned organists to play at the pavilion, too.

Herrera-Mishler said the venue is made to hold a large crowd (it’s also used as the center of Balboa Park’s large-scale, annual holiday event, December Nights). The more, the merrier.

“There’s a lot of space; I think there’s seating for about 3,000 people,” he explained. “It’s very family-friendly. There’s plenty of parking adjacent to the pavilion, or you can park at Inspiration Point and take a free shuttle.”

A little history: the Spreckels organ and pavilion were donated to the City of San Diego on Jan. 1, 1915, by brothers John D. and Adolph B. Spreckels, ahead of the Panama-California Exposition. Today, a large plaque can be seen on the pavilion stage, bearing the proclamation of the brothers’ donation.

Panama 66 All-Ages Jazz Concerts

Located at the San Diego Museum of Art (1450 El Prado) in the Plaza de Panama is Panama 66, a hip eatery with views of the museum’s May S. Macy Sculpture Garden. In addition to tasty farm-to-table dishes, craft brews on tap and cocktails inspired by the museum’s exhibitions, Panama 66 hosts all-ages jazz concerts in its courtyard, typically on Wednesdays, from 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Herrera-Mishler said he often attends those concerts with his family or friends.

“[It’s] just an amazing ambiance. You go and your drinks or your food and they bring it right to your table. It is a wonderful way to spend an evening in Balboa Park,” he said.

He said listening to the smooth sounds outside, set against the backdrop of the San Diego landmark, is a truly “incomparable setting.”

Spanish Village

Truly a hidden gem of Balboa Park is the Spanish Village Art Center (1770 Village Place), a space filled with quaint studios occupied by working artists.

The Spanish Village was built in 1935 for the park’s California Pacific International Exposition, and designed to resemble an old village in Spain. During WWII, the U.S. Army used the area for temporary barracks. In 1947, it was reclaimed by artists.

Today, Herrera-Mishler said it’s supported by 200 artists.

“It’s just so charming,” he said. “There are all these working artists there and you can come see them doing sculptures, pottery, painting – you name it, we’ve got it there. It’s an incredible place.”

Visitors can enjoy daily art demonstrations in the colorful courtyard, and also take part in classes and workshops throughout the year. Special events are held here, too, including art sales. Musicians are often heard performing in the Spanish Village on weekends.

Herrera-Mishler said there’s a great coffee cart there, too, if you need a little pick-me-up during your visit.

The Spanish Village is located near the giant Moreton Bay fig tree on Village Place; it’s to your left if you’re traveling down Park Boulevard, just before the San Diego Zoo parking lot. Admission is free.

Botanical Building

One of the most photographed spots in Balboa Park is the Botanical Building and its lily pond and lagoon. Also built for the 1915 Exposition, the historic building is one of the largest lath structures in the world. Inside, the building boasts more than 2,100 plants – from cycads and ferns, to orchids, palms and everything in between.

“We have a wonderful collection of orchids that we cycle through there, so there’s always something in bloom to enjoy in that amazing space,” said Herrera-Mishler. “If you need somewhere to go and relax, and get some oxygen and cool off, that’s a wonderful retreat.”

The Botanical Building is open, free of charge, every day except Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It’s flanked by some grassy areas that could make an excellent spot for a break or picnic, too. If you hang around long enough, you may even see a duck or two waddling on the lawn.

“The Botanical Building is basically synonymous with Balboa Park,” Herrera-Mishler added. “It is so gorgeous.”

Bonus: Picture Perfect Picnics & Scenic Strolls

Of course, Balboa Park is also a great place to enjoy a relaxing picnic or take a scenic stroll.

Herrera-Mishler said there are plenty of good spots for those activities, including picnicking in the stunning, award-winning Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden located on the east side of Park Boulevard, across the pedestrian bridge adjacent to the San Diego Natural History Museum.

“[It has] all of these beautiful roses in bloom. It’s one of the top rose gardens in the world,” said Herrera-Mishler. “Bring your picnic, bring your family.”

The Rose Garden features about 1,600 roses of more than 130 varieties, making for a truly sensational sensory experience. The garden is in bloom from March through December, with roses at their peak in April and May. The Rose Garden is maintained by a dedicated group of volunteers who tend to each and every bloom on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.

Herrera-Mishler said another prime picnic area is Pepper Tree Playground, located behind the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.

“It’s an incredible spot to come and hang out with the family. There’s parking right next to the playground and plenty of lawn space to spread out and have a picnic – dinner or lunch with your family,” he added.

As for walks in the park, there are dozens upon dozens of trails at Balboa Park.

“There are 65 miles of pathways and trails in this park,” said Herrera-Mishler.

There are trails for all fitness and skill levels. Over in the west mesa, adventure seekers can hike down into the canyons. In the east mesa, there’s a jogging trail that leads to Florida Canyon, which I makes for a great workout. On top of the mesa, there are nice, smooth pathways fit for everyone. Or, you can stroll through one of Balboa Park’s 20 gorgeous gardens. Trail and garden maps are available at the Visitors Center.

“There are so many plant collections and opportunities to enjoy gardens here at Balboa Park,” said Herrera-Mishler.

How to Get to Balboa Park: Pro Parking Tips

Public transportation, including the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System’s (MTS) bus routes or trolley lines can help you get close to Balboa Park. To plan your public transit route, check out this MTS map.

If driving, Herrera-Mishler said there are plenty of parking spots in the park. You should keep in mind that Tuesdays are a particularly busy day at Balboa Park, as many museums offer free admission that day.

Still, Herrera-Mishler said parking shouldn’t deter your plans to visit

“Don’t believe the hype that there’s nowhere to park. Okay, so you might have to walk a little bit or take the shuttle if it’s a busy Tuesday,” he said. “Don’t use parking as an excuse not to come to your Balboa Park.”

He recommends parking in the lot behind the San Diego Hall of Champions (2131 Pan American Plaza) or in the lot at Inspiration Point at Park Boulevard off Interstate 5. Free shuttles run at both parking lots, which drop visitors off at Plaza de Panama, in the heart of Balboa Park.

No matter how one chooses to see the beauty of Balboa Park, starting at the Visitors Center will get you where you need to go. The center is open every day of the year and manned by knowledgeable, devoted volunteers who can help you plan your visit.

Herrera-Mishler said the Balboa Park Conservancy will continue to work with the City of San Diego to preserve and develop Balboa Park for generations to come.

"We still have a lot of park to develop, a lot of park to hand off to future generations, in better shape than we inherited it," he added. "San Diego can expect a nice, healthy future for this park."

A homeowner who wants to retrofit their home with green, energy-saving technology usually has to hire inspectors, engineers and contractors — a long and costly process. 

This Earth Day, a green startup is releasing an update to its green retrofitting app that let users' phones scan their property to assess how a feature in their home or business like a boiler can be upgraded, and how much it could save.

It's one of three new features being launched on BlocPower's retrofitting app that crowdsources funding, construction and jobs to retrofit properties across low- to moderate-income communities. The New York-based company's CEO says the updates put the ability to green a property directly into the property owners' hands, to cut out the red tape. 

Green building "is a highly technical and expensive skill set and we at BlocPower are trying to make that available for the common property owner,” said Donnel Baird, BlocPower's co-founder.

Two years old, BlocPower takes on retrofitting projects by invitation and connects home- and propertyowners with investors, local communties or even crowdfunding websites. Among the retrofits it's completed is Trinity United Church of Christ, which Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey have attended, on Chicago's South Side. 

There are a few steps to get through the green process that the app tries to make easy: grouping properties for bigger, more cost-efficient projects; financial analysis; engineering analysis and financing and payment options. After a project is finished, the retrofitted building might have soalr panels, energy-saving windows or a boiler or greener insulation.

Baird grew up in a Brooklyn neighborhood where hearing gunshots and having no heat was normal. His childhood experience pushed him to become a community organizer and he went on to join Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign.

After the elections, he spent a few years as a community organizer in Brooklyn, which led to his role as contact director for Obama For America. He went on to manage a national Laborers' International Union of North America campaign with the Department of Energy to manage energy efficiency financing to create green construction jobs throughout America under the Obama administration’s Better Buildings Initiative.

After working with the White House, he connected with the Washington Interfaith Network to help gain government funding for underserved communities in Washington, D.C.

But for Baird, the initiative, funded by Obama's Great Recession stimulus package, was not cost-effective enough for his community. The missing ingredient gave birth to BlocPower, he said.

“There is an engineering problem, there is a financial problem, there is a customer problem and an acquisition problem — these are all super hard and expensive to solve. We solve that in a transparent way,” Baird said.

The three new mobile features being launched — visual recognition, progress tracking tools for city governments and crowdsourcing for houses of worship or community-based properties — streamline the BlocPower app, said Baird and CEO Tooraj Arvajeh, speaking in Microsoft's tech hub in Manhattan.

"A customer can take photo of a boiler then it goes into our visual recognition technology to find out which boiler it is. We can also recognize building [materials] like brick or stone or concrete," said Tooraj Arvajeh, BlocPower's CEO.

Baird added, "A high-end engineering company might charge $40-50 thousand dollars for doing an analysis for a small building and so we are trying to bring that cost down for free by using machine learning, visual recognition technology and big data. These [services] that can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars for an engineering analysis, we are trying to make that basically a free commodity."

BlocPower is not first tool of its kind but it does have a niche, its community-based resources.

“What is interesting is its crowdsourcing [financial] model,” said Dan Reicher, executive director of the Steyer-Taylor Center for Energy Policy and Finance at Stanford University. “That can help lower the costs, or there won’t be any costs at all.”

Typically there are two ways to finance green building projects, Reicher said, either through investors or taking on loans. Usually investors look at smaller buildings as risky.

Reicher said investors look at credit risk, what kind of building it is and whether the investment would actually improve the value of the property.

Those risk factors make it difficult for community-based organizations to make small but effective changes. For example, BlocPower's New York City pilot program is in the middle of helping the Fordham United Methodist Church in Bronx change its boilers, among other energy-saving features, so it can save money and reinvest back into the community.

“There are many factors that can deter investors: if it is lower quality, less attractive and there are tenants, it’s not an attractive investment,” said UCLA professor Magali Delmas, who has studied Los Angeles green building programs.

"Over $10,000 to $200,000 investment can be a real hurdle for property owners," she said. They "look at the initial investment rather than the long term benefits."

Delmas said upgrading a building or a home really benefit the larger community, not the individual, because it improves the local environment. But it can be difficult to do if a building- or homeowner doesn’t have extensive knowledge of engineering or finances.

In Brooklyn, BlocPower was assigned by the New York City government to help retrofit buildings that were eating up power and led to brown-outs, when lights dim due to ebbing power. Retrofitting buildings prone to brown-outs in the area would help keep the lights on during extreme hot or cold weather.

“We are trying to make that a free commodity so people learn about their buildings and the sustainability opportunity each building has,” Baird said.

Chaparral Elementary School was reportedly on lockdown after a suspicious person possibly jumped the fence onto campus. 

The Poway Unified School District (PUSD) sent parents of Chaparral Elementary en email just after 3 p.m., informing them of the lockdown.

According to the email, the school informed law enforcement and students would not be dismissed until officers give the all clear.

At approximately 3:10 p.m., the lockdown was lifted.

A spokesperson for the district told NBC 7, students saw a man jump the fence onto to campus just after school was dismissed.

The school was put on lockdown as a precaution.

Law enforcement officers searched the campus but did not find anyone.

No other information was available.

The City of Escondido will soon have a new Fire Chief.

Rick Vogt will replace former Chief Russ Knowles, who recently retired. 

"Chief Vogt is the ideal candidate to continue the traditions of excellence, efficiency, integrity and outstanding public service that characterize the Escondido Fire Department," said Interim City Manager Jeffrey Epp.

According to the city, Vogt began working as a volunteer firefighter for the City of Palm Desert 30 years ago and also worked for Temecula/Cal Fire Department.

Before his time in Escondido, Vogt was Station Caption in Riverside County/Cal Fire and served as a Administrative and Field Battalion Chief in San Marcos.

In 2013, he started working as the Division Chief for Training and EMS in Escondido and two years later, was promoted to Deputy Chief of Operations.

The Chula Vista police officer who rescued a driver suffering from a medical emergency said he was grateful to be at the right place at the right time. 

Officer Evan Linney had just started his patrol in the South Bay neighborhood when he noticed a woman swerving near the Chula Vista Police Station, in the area of 200 Broadway, around 8:15 a.m. Wednesday. 

The driver hit a parked vehicle in the area and drove along 4th Avenue. 

Linney tried to get her to pull over as she was driving eastbound on the 300 block of F Street. 

"As she drove past me I had two thoughts. One was medical emergency, the second was possible DUI driver," Linney said.

But despite efforts to pull her over, the driver did not stop: she kept going and crashed into a median on 4th Avenue. 

The driver became high sided, making the car immobile. However, the driver's foot was still on the gas pedal, causing the tires to spin out and, eventually, burn. 

When officers approached the car, they immediately realized the driver was suffering from a medical emergency. 

"We broke the windows out on her car and were able to get her safely out the car and we determined that she was having a medical emergency and we were able to get her treatment from the paramedics," Linney said.

The female driver was taken to the hospital for further evaluation. The officers were treated for glass injuries to the hands and eyes. 

Linney said the entire incident unfolded quickly, at a convenient location: she crashed in front of the police station, across from a fire station, and down the street from a hospital.

"For an incident like this to happen, it couldn’t have happened at a better place, because emergency resources were able to respond very quickly and make the situation safe," Linney said.

He said he was grateful he and his fellow officers could help the woman so quickly, and that no one else was injured. 

"It all happened so quick, I think it was all over within a five minute period," Linney said. "It was pretty amazing and I’m really grateful we were able to safely get her out of the car, and she was not injured, and we only received minor injuries and no other innocent civilians were injured in the entire incident. That’s the most important thing."

Linney wants to warn drivers: if you are not feeling well, or are taking medication that makes it unsafe to drive, stay off the roads to keep yourself and other drivers safe. 

"I’m very glad that there were no terrible consequences in this incident but it does happen, so just be careful," he said.

A man died and a woman was injured when they fell hundreds of feet down a cliff at Torrey Pines Glider Point, a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. 

Firefighters responded to Torrey Pines Scenic Drive near N Torrey Pines Road  Wednesday just before midnight. The area near the Salk Institute is just west of the UC San Diego campus.

Crews said the injured woman was the one who called for help, but her cell phone battery died shortly after the call, complicating the response. 

Firefighters used the GPS in the woman's phone to find her about 75 feet below the edge of the cliff. They repelled down the hill to help the injured woman back up.

A rescue helicopter helped crews find the man she was with, about 125 feet below. By the time crews arrived, he had already died. 

The woman was in the hospital being treating for minor injuries.

Firefighters said the man and woman are 23 years old.

Both are believed to be students at UC San Diego, a spokesperson for the school said. The spokesperson declined to comment further until family can be notified. 

Students at the school said the death of a possible classmate is already having an impact on their decisions at the cliffs. 

"We always warn each other, but we don't actually think it's going to happen, but actually hearing that is just a reality check," said Salomen Ashaq.

The Medical Examiner has not released the name of the man who died. 

No other information was available.

San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis has announced she is resigning to explore the possibility of running for a Board of Supervisors seat, NBC 7 learned Thursday.

The chief prosecutor, who started her career as a clerk typist, said her last day as DA would be Friday, July 7.

Describing the move as a difficult decision, Dumanis said she is resigning so she can explore the potential of running for a seat on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.

Dumanis confirmed to NBC 7 that she has been dealing with some health issues, but said she is currently in good health.

"A lot of people have asked me about my health," Dumanis said. "I did have a bout of breast cancer that was early detected. I had some radiation, had it removed and I am a cancer survivor, cancer free. I'm getting checked up regularly and I'm ready for a lot more years."

She affirmed that her battle with cancer did not play a role in her resignation.

"I'm not leaving because of that," Dumanis added. "I'm leaving because I want to explore other options, including the Board of Supervisors, and I don't want to distract from the important work the DA's office."

Dumanis led the DA's office for 14 years and attempted a run for San Diego mayor. She has also served as a municipal court judge and a superior court judge.

Here is the full text of the letter sent to employees Thursday:

"As you know, I am not seeking re-election and therefore, my time as San Diego County District Attorney is coming to an end. Since I first announced my intentions to you in January, many of you have been asking about my future plans. As I have weighed that future, among the many things I have been encouraged to consider is a run for San Diego County Board of Supervisors.

To be clear, I have not decided if I will be a candidate or not. I believe my experience, and the critical role that the Board plays in public safety and policy issues, would make me an effective member. However, I do not want to create any conflict with, or distraction from the important work of the District Attorney’s Office. Therefore, I feel it’s appropriate for me to resign at this time as I explore my potential candidacy.

As you can imagine, having spent 30 years of my life in this office, this has been a difficult decision. I’ve spent 43 years in public life and it has been my honor to work on behalf of San Diegans rising from an entry-level Clerk Typist, to Investigative Assistant, Deputy District Attorney, Juvenile Court Referee, Municipal Court Judge, Superior Court Judge and elected District Attorney.

As I have considered the choices before me, I have decided my last day on the job will be Friday, July 7, 2017.

As you have heard me say many times before, serving as District Attorney has been an absolute privilege and one of the highest honors of my professional life. Working as DA alongside an incredibly talented group of professionals for nearly 15 years to deliver justice to the people of San Diego has been a richly rewarding experience. Each and every one of you has contributed to public safety in our County and collectively, your dedication continues to make this office among the best in the nation. Together, we have been leaders in change and a voice of justice for so many. I’m very proud of the unparalleled crime prevention and public outreach programs we’ve put in place and your unwavering commitment to supporting victims of crime.

It has not been an easy decision to close this chapter of my career as District Attorney. But knowing I have served with some of the most skilled professionals in the country makes me proud of what we've accomplished together. I believe the office is stronger than it was 14 years ago, that together we've made a difference in the lives of countless crime victims, and that you will no doubt continue to accomplish great things in the years to come."

Check back for updates on this developing story.

A family and their dog has been displaced after a mobile home fire in Spring Valley Thursday evening, Cal Fire officials confirmed.

The fire started around 5 p.m. on the 9900 block of Jamacha Boulevard.

A unit inside the Lakeview Manor Mobile Home Park had caught on fire, fire officials said. 

Two adults, a child and a dog were without a home.

There were no reported injuries.

Fire officials said the American Red Cross in San Diego was asked to assist the family.

No other information was available.

Two people were injured in a head-on collision on Olde Highway 80 in Lakeside, authorities confirmed. 

The collision happened at approximately 5:21 p.m. on Thursday at Oak Creek Road and Olde Highway 80, California Highway Patrol (HP) and Heartland Fire officials said. 

A gold sedan and a suburban SUV collided on the road, CHP officer Catano said.

Two patients were transported with minor injuries. 

No other information was available.

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is warning consumers to avoid using two skin creams sold at flea markets in the state – products that tested positive for high levels of mercury.

The CDPH said this week that there’s a possible health risk associated with two skin care products: La Tía Mána cream, and a second cream that comes in a similar white container as La Tía Mána, only without a label.

According to the warning, the creams – which typically hail from Mexico and are also known as “homemade” creams – contain high levels of mercury, a toxic chemical that, with regular or prolonged exposure, can cause mercury poisoning. The creams were sampled and submitted for analysis by the CDPH, health officials told NBC 7 Wednesday.

Symptoms of mercury poisoning include irritability, depression, nervousness, difficulty concentrating or remembering things, fatigue, tremors, shaking or weakness and tingling or numbness in the hands, feet or around the mouth.

The CDPH said both products were discovered as part of an investigation spearheaded by the department looking into unlawful products being sold by vendors operating at an open-air flea market in Southern California's Ventura County.

The products were both labeled and unlabeled, and according to the CDPH, were packaged "in jars consistent with past products that previously tested positive for elevated mercury content in 2014."

The products are also known to be sold in California cities through informal networks, at times via social media, often by people who brought the products into the U.S. from Mexico. NBC 7 found several Facebook pages for La Tía Mána cream that claim to be a resource for consumers trying to buy the product. Some of those pages claim to be based out of cities like Fresno and Oxnard, California.

The skin creams claim to serve a variety of uses including to lighten the skin, fade freckles, blemishes and age spots and to treat acne.

The CDPH said there have been no reports of illnesses associated with these particular creams just yet, but similar creams -- the ones that tested positive for mercury in 2014 -- have resulted in health issues nationwide.

Some of those health problems associated with similar products have included poisoning in children and babies who didn’t use the creams, but were exposed to mercury through close contact with family members who used the products.

In some cases, according to this warning issued by the CDPH in May 2014, products contained up to 21 percent mercury – or 210,000 parts per million (ppm). In the U.S., it is illegal to sell skin cream products that contain 1 ppm or more.

Health officials advise consumers to discontinue using these products and check their other skin products for harmful ingredients such as mercury; mercurio; mercurous chloride; cinnabar; calomel. Products packaged without labeling should be avoided too, the CDPH said.

The CDPH said consumers experiencing symptoms of mercury poisoning stemming from use of these products should see a doctor and call the California Poison Control System at (800) 222-1222. Consumers who see these products being sold can also reach out to the CDPH’s Food and Drug Branch complaint hotline at (800) 495-3232.

A jury has found pet retailer Petco not negligent or liable in the case of a 10-year-old boy who died from bacteria carried by his pet rat bought at a San Diego-area Petco store.

The verdict was delivered in a San Diego courtroom Thursday. The jury decided Petco did enough to warn the boy's family of the possible risks and dangers of owning a pet rat, and therefore was not negligent in the boy's death.

A juror spoke to reporters following the verdict, discussing how the jury ultimately came to a decision:

Sharon Pankey, the grandmother of the victim, also spoke with reporters:

"I feel sad," she said. "It took us three months to find out what [Aiden] died of."

The grandmother said the family is glad to have gotten an opportunity to raise awareness about rat bite fever, no matter how rare it may be.

"If you have a rat, be very aware that it not only can, but might, carry bacteria that causes rat bite fever," Sharon added. "Be aware when you go to your doctor."

On June 12, 2013, Aiden Pankey was rushed to a hospital with severe stomach pains. He died hours later.

The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s office ruled the boy’s cause of death was streptobacillus moniliformis, better known as "rat bite fever," contracted from exposure to rats infected with bacteria.

A short time prior to Aiden's death, the boy's family had purchased a pet rat from a Petco store in Carmel Ranch. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) later confirmed the family's pet rat was infected.

In late February 2014, Aiden's father, Andrew Pankey, filed a lawsuit against Petco. Andrew Pankey asked the San Diego-based company for $20 million in damages.

The Pankey family's attorneys, including John Gomez, claim Petco failed to adequately warn the boy’s family about the dangers of rat bite fever, even though they knew many of their rats had the bacteria. Gomez said that in 2013, any rat sold by Petco had a 50/50 chance of carrying the bacteria.

The trial for the rat bite fever case began in late March. After three weeks of testimony, closing arguments were delivered Tuesday. In closing arguments, attorneys representing Petco, including Kimberly Oberrecht, emphasized that rat bite fever is extraordinarily rare and treatable.

"[There is a] very, very, very minimal risk of getting rat bite fever," Oberrecht said in court, adding that of the five million rats sold by Petco, the company has only had 45 claims of people getting sick from bacteria infected rats.

Deliberations continued through Wednesday, with a verdict reached that afternoon and read in court the following day.

Police were responding to a reports of several possible armed robberies across San Diego County Thursday night.

In La Mesa, a suspect attempted to rob a store on the 7700 block of University Avenue around 8:38 p.m.

According to La Mesa police, the suspect walked into the store while the clerk was throwing out the trash. The clerk followed the suspect inside but ran out when the suspect pulled out a handgun.

The suspect fled the scene. 

He was wearing a red bandana over his face, a dark blue or black hood, a black or blue and white plaid shirt, black jeans and black tennis shoes. He was armed with a black semi-automatic handgun.

La Mesa police said there were no injuries and nothing was stolen. They believe the suspect was also involved in two other robbery attempts in Paradise Hills and Spring Valley. 

According to the San Diego Police Department (SDPD), two men attempted to rob Apollo Liquor Store on the 2300 block of Reo Drive in Paradise Hills around 9 p.m.

The suspects walked behind the counter and demanded money from the employee. One suspect had a gun, police said.

For an unknown reason, both suspects ran away towards an alley near the store without taking anything. 

Police said one suspect was describe to be 5-foot 9-inches tall, around 150 pounds with a thin build. He was wearing a blue hoodie, red bandana and dark pants.

The second suspect was approximately 5-feet 6-inches with a thin build. He was wearing a black hoodie, jeans and black and white shoes.

Around 9:32 p.m., the San Diego County Sheriff's Department (SDSO) were responding to a suspected armed robbery on the 8900 block of Jamacha Boulevard in Spring Valley.

La Mesa police told NBC 7, the suspect description for Paradise Hills and Spring Valley was similar to the suspect described in the La Mesa robbery.

No other information was available.

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