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K-9 Unit Shows Off Skills on Obstacle Course in Miramar

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Two K-9's from the San Diego County Sheriff's Department (SDSO) showed off their skills on the obstacle course at the MCAS Miramar training range Tuesday.

Rafa, a 2-year-old dog, was shown off by his owner, Deputy Olivia Steinmeyer while Car, an 8-year-old dog was brought out by his owner, Deputy Kirsten Racine.

Steinmeyer and Rafa patrol the Valley Center area and also support the Sheriff's stations in the North County.

“Knowing that I have a dog is the best feeling because I know he’s there to protect me and the public," said Steinmeyer.

Steinmeyer and Racine are the only female K-9 handlers out of 30 for the department.

“I think in this job we all have human partners but especially as women, we love animals," Racine told NBC 7.

Racine and Car are in charge of security at the Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility in Santee. 

After two years as a deputy, anyone in the department can apply to be a K-9 handler.

The Sheriff's Department is hoping to recruit women through a Women's Expo and Career Fair that will take place Saturday, May 13 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the San Diego County Operations Center.



Photo Credit: NBC 7

Trump, Tillerson Meeting Russian Foreign Minister at WH Wed.

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President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson are expected to meet with Vladimir Putin’s top diplomat at the White House on Wednesday in what will be the highest level, face-to-face contact with Russia of the American leader’s young presidency, NBC News reported.

The meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was announced last week, but it comes during a time when U.S.-Russia relations are, Tillerson said, "at a low point."

And tensions surrounding Russia's involvement in the U.S. election remain high. Tuesday evening, Trump fired FBI Director James Comey, ostensibly for his handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation. But many question whether the dismissal had anything to do with Comey being in charge of the investigation into the Trump campaign's ties to Russia.

The State Department says Tillerson and Lavrov are expected to discuss ongoing violence in Syria and Ukraine.



Photo Credit: AP, Files

San Diego Facing Another Lawsuit Over Sidewalk Injury

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The City of San Diego is facing another lawsuit from a defendant claiming serious injury caused by a damaged sidewalk.

According to the complaint issued on May 4, Van Nguyen was seriously injured when he was thrown off his bike due to an uneven sidewalk near 4272 College Ave.

Nguyen's lawsuit against the city states: "Defendant [the city of San Diego) knew or, through the exercise of reasonable care, should have known about it. Defendant failed to repair the condition, protect against harm from the condition, or give adequate warning of the condition."

He is now asking for at least $25,000 from the city.

This comes just after the city settled a lawsuit in March which claimed Clifford Brown was seriously injured when he was riding his bike along a damaged sidewalk on College Avenue in 2014.

The City of San Diego has paid Brown $4.85 million. 

"Until we make the repairs that are necessary to the most dangerous conditions, we're going to continue to see lawsuits filed," said personal injury lawyer William Berman.

According to Berman, who represented Brown in the lawsuit against San Diego, the city knew the sidewalk was in dire need of repairs prior to Brown's accident.

Cynthia Hedgecock, wife of former San Diego mayor and conservative radio talk-show host Roger Hedgecock also sued the city after she tripped on a "poorly maintained" public sidewalk and allegedly ruptured her breast implants.

"I'm not surprised when I hear about these cases," Berman told NBC 7. "The city is going to continue to pay out money for lawsuits, when that money could be used to fix and repair the problem."

However, the city said it is addressing the issue, but it's not an easy fix.

Data sent to NBC 7 showed they have spent millions to repair sidewalks. In 2014 roughly $7.4 million dollars were budgeted and in 2015, almost $10 million, followed by $11 million in 2016.

For this year, San Diego has budgeted $13.3 million for sidewalk repairs.

But critics argue the problem is as open as some of the city's sidewalks.

"It's certainly going to take money and it certainly is going to take time to make all the corrections," said Berman. "It would be in everyone's best interest if the city were to put the money toward making structural repairs other than fighting and paying out large lawsuits."

The Office of San Diego's City Attorney declined to comment on Mr. Nguyen's complaint.

Semi-Truck Catches Fire on Westbound SR-52 in Scripps Ranch

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Crews responded to report of a semi-truck fully engulfed in flames on the State Route 52 in Scripps RanchTuesday night.

The fire was reported at 10:28 p.m., according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), on the westbound SR-52, just east of Interstate 15.

Around 10:54, the fire was knocked down, according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department (SDFD).

There are no reports of injuries at this time, fire officials said.

CHP told NBC 7, the fire may be related to a collision on the freeway.

No other information was available.

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



Photo Credit: NBC 7

Family Displaced in La Presa House Fire

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Three adults and three children were displaced after a house fire in the La Presa area, near Spring Valley Tuesday night.

The fire began around 7:50 p.m. on the 1100 block of Grand Avenue near Jamacha Road.

It is unknown what caused the fire, according to Cal Fire Department officials.

No injuries were reported. The fire was knocked down around 8:15 p.m..

The San Diego American Red Cross was called to assist the family, officials said.

No other information was available.



Photo Credit: NBC 7

Republicans Divided Over Dismissal of FBI Director

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After President Donald Trump fired FBI Director James Comey, fellow Republicans spoke out about the sudden decision, with some welcoming Comey's dismissal and others showing concern about how it affects the FBI's investigation into possible ties between Trump and Russia.

Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina released a statement supporting the firing.

"Given the recent controversies surrounding the director, I believe a fresh start will serve the FBI and the nation well," Graham said. "I encourage the President to select the most qualified professional available who will serve our nation's interests."

Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri agreed with Graham, saying Comey served the country well, but "many, including myself, have questioned his actions more than once over the past year. I believe new leadership at the FBI will restore confidence in the organization and among the people who do the hard work to carry out its mission."

Sen. John McCain of Arizona said Congress must form a special committee to investigate Russia's interference in the election.

"I regret that that took place," McCain said of Comey's firing. However, he added that he respects Trump's authority to dismiss the FBI director.

"I am troubled by the timing and reasoning of Director Comey’s termination,” Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina said in a statement to Twitter. “His dismissal further confuses an already difficult investigation by the Committee… Director Comey has been more forthcoming with information that any FBI Director I can recall… His dismissal, I believe, is a loss for the Bureau and the nation.”

Meanwhile, many Congressional Democrats voiced their own concern about Comey's firing and made impassioned calls as well to appoint a special prosecutor to the Russia investigation.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.



Photo Credit: Win McNamee/ Getty Images, File
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Fight on Southwest Airlines Flight Caught on Video

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Passengers aboard a flight that landed in Los Angeles swung punches in a caught-on-camera brawl, Southwest Airlines confirmed Tuesday.

A fellow passenger, Michael Krause, caught the ugly fight on his cellphone on the Sunday flight from Dallas to Burbank. 

Screams can be heard in the video as one woman shouts, "What's wrong with you?"

Southwest said the fight began on flight 2530 when passengers began to get off the plane.

The flight landed safely from Dallas before the fight broke out.

One of the brawling passengers, Chaze Mickalo Cable, 37, of Lancaster, was arrested on suspicion of battery by Burbank police, Burbank Airport police Sgt. Steve Saucedo said.

The other passenger, whose name was not released, suffered a contusion and swelling of left eye, a small cut on left side of his nose, and a chipped tooth.

According to the victim's account in the police report, the whole incident began when Cable turned around in his seat during the flight and made a comment about the woman seated behind him "messing with his chair."

Once everyone began to deplane, the victim stepped into the aisle to help the woman get off the aircraft, the report said.

That's when Cable allegedly sucker-punched the victim, the report said.

The fight ensued as a flight attendant tried to break it up.

The flight attendant lost her footing, and at that point the victim, flight attendant and Cable all fell. Another passenger then came from back of the plane to separate everyone, the report said.

Krause, whose broken hand prevented him from intervening, described the scene as "total chaos."

He described the stewardess as the "hero" of the ordeal.

"We're grateful to our employees who quickly reacted to break up a fight involving three customers," a Southwest Airlines spokeswoman said. "Our Employees are our everyday heroes and are trained to de-escalate conflict while delivering heartfelt hospitality."

NBC4's Robert Kovacik and Adrian Arambulo contributed to this report.



Photo Credit: Twitter user @NickKrause08

1 Hurt in Report of Shots Fired in Southcrest

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One person was injured in a shooting in Southcrest Wednesday, San Diego police confirmed.

Someone called 911 just before 6 a.m. reporting five to six gunshots near Keeler Avenue and S 43rd Street.

Officers arrived and found one person injured approximately a block away.

No other information was available.

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



Photo Credit: NBC 7

Wife of ESPN Broadcaster Chris Berman Killed in Crash

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The wife of long-time ESPN broadcaster Chris Berman was one of two people killed in a two-vehicle crash in Woodbury, Connecticut, Tuesday afternoon. 

The crash happened on Route 64 near Tuttle Road at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday after a Lexus SC 430 driven by 67-year-old Katherine Berman, of Cheshire, and a Ford Escape, driven by Edward Bertulis, 87, of Waterbury, collided, according to state police. 

"This is a devastating tragedy and difficult to comprehend," ESPN President John Skipper said in a statement. "Chris is beloved by all his ESPN colleagues and for good reason; he has a huge heart and has given so much to so many over the years. We know how much his family means to him and all we can do at a moment like this is give him all the love and support he will surely need at this hour."

State police said both vehicles were traveling east on Route 64 when the Lexus rear-ended the Ford, which veered right off the road, hit a utility pole, and landed upside down.

The Lexus also veered right, crashed off the road and down an embankment into a body of water, according to police.

The crash remains under investigation.

The crash happened the day before Chris Berman's 62nd birthday.

Chris Berman joined the network in 1979 and married Kathy four years later, according to ESPN. He stepped down in January from his role as host of "Sunday NFL Countdown" after 31 seasons, but is still with the network, according to ESPN.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Chris, Meredith, Doug and his entire family," the statement from Skipper says. 

Kathy Berman, a teacher, was married to Chris for 33 years, and she was the mother of two, according to ESPN.

Chris Berman's colleagues have been expressing condolences on social media.

"Our hearts are heavy at ESPN as we report the tragic news that Kathy Berman, wife of Chris Berman, was killed in a car accident Tuesday," Adam Schefter wrote on Facebook.

Before joining ESPN, Chris Berman was a weekend sports anchor at NBC Connecticut.


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Ambulance Carrying Patient Rolls Over in Grantville

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An ambulance carrying a patient rolled onto its side while traveling in Grantville Wednesday.

EMTs were transporting a patient in the ambulance at approximately 4 a.m. when the vehicle rolled onto its side on Friars and Mission Gorge roads. The location of the crash was east of Interstate 15 and north of Interstate 8.

We don’t know the condition of the patient who was being transported before the collision.

One person suffered minor injuries.

The vehicle was operated by the United Ambulance Company.

When NBC 7 contacted the company, we were told the company's employees are ok. We were told to call back later in the day for more information regarding the collision.




Photo Credit: NBC 7

St. Louis Cardinals Slammed For Tweet About Women Fans

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The St. Louis Cardinals are in the midst of a celebration of their 1967 World Series championship this season, but they stepped into a firestorm of controversy thanks to a tweet about an upcoming promotion that some fans viewed as sexist.

That tweet, which contained a ticket offer for the team’s May 17 game against the Boston Red Sox, referenced the replica championship rings that they will be giving away that day, but unfortunately for the Cardinals, it also included an inference that women attending the game would be more interested in the jewelry than what happened on the diamond.

Here is the (since deleted) tweet:

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Naturally, opposing fans handled it with quiet understanding and reflection (okay, so they actually made fun of the Cardinals mercilessly):

[[421879273, C]]

After the storm of controversy, the Cardinals issued an apology for the tweet:

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Cubs fans looking to have some fun at the Cardinals’ expense won’t have to wait long, as the two teams will play each other this weekend at Busch Stadium, with the first game scheduled for Friday night. 



Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Comey Had Asked for More Funds for Russia Probe: Source

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Former FBI Director James Comey briefed Congress days before he was fired that he had requested more staff and money for the Russia investigation from Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, a senior Congressional official with direct knowledge told NBC News.

It sharpens questions about whether Comey's termination as FBI director on Tuesday was intended to quash the investigation into possible links between the Trump presidential campaign and Russia, NBC News reported.

Comey's request was first reported by the New York Times. A Justice Department spokeswoman told the newspaper that "the idea that he asked for more funding” for the Russia investigation was "totally false" and did not elaborate.

White House officials have disputed that President Donald Trump's firing of Comey had anything to do with the Russia investigation, insisting that Comey's handling of the Clinton email investigation was the reason he was fired.



Photo Credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images, File
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14-Year-Old Earns Physics Degree From Texas University

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Carson Huey-You took his last final exam at Texas Christian University on Tuesday. Saturday, he will graduate with a degree in physics and double minor in math and Chinese.

It's a commendable accomplishment for any student, made more impressive by the fact that Huey-You is just 14 years old.

"It didn't come easily. It really didn't," Huey-You insisted. "I knew I wanted to do physics when I was in high school, but then quantum physics was the one that stood out to me, because it was abstract. You can't actually see what's going on, so you have to sort of rely on the mathematics to work everything out."

Huey-You first showed an interest in math at the age of 3.

"He asked me if he could learn calculus and I thought, hmm, Okay" his mother, Claretta Kimp, recalled.

Kimp took her precocious toddler to a public school and learned Huey-You had an eighth grade comprehension of math, "too advanced" for his age group. He ended up skipping several grades and graduating high school at 10 years old. By 11, he was a freshman at TSU.

Kimp's other son, 11-year-old Cannan, will start classes at TCU in the fall and plans to major in astrophysics and engineering. He said he wants to one day be an astronaut.

Both brothers work with their mentor, Dr. Magnus Rittby, a professor at the school who took Huey-You under his wings.

"It was challenging enough with one of them," Rittby said. "As I grow older, I want to tell people that age is not what people tend to think it is, and the same is for young people. I think you can take young people very seriously."

Rittby says he has strived to not put Huey-You in a cocoon where he only learns quantum mechanics and fails to develop as a human in other aspects.

"Just give him as many tools as possible to do good in the world," Rittby said. "His potential is enormous to be able to do things nobody else has done."

Kimps joked that people think she has a "magic pill," insisting there is nothing special in the water at the brothers' house. 

"I would hope what's in everybody else's water," Kimp explained. "A lot of love and patience and understanding and commitment."




Photo Credit: NBC 5 News

PICS: New Del Mar Fairgrounds Live-Music Venue Planned

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An architecture firm hired by Del Mar Fairgrounds owner/operators have revealed designs for a new 1,900-seat music venue at the site.

AstroPrint Kickstarter Campaign Raises Goal in 3 Hours

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San Diego-based AstroPrint embarked May 9 on its second Kickstarter campaign in two years.

The business plans to bring out its AstroBox Touch, a touchscreen controller that is compatible with an estimated 80 percent of desktop 3-D printers.

The business is also releasing several new software applications for 3-D printing.

Three hours into its campaign, AstroPrint reported it had reached its $10,000 goal for AstroBox Touch, with 29½ days left to go.

AstroPrint — a graduate of the EvoNexus incubator — offers hardware, software, cloud services and an app marketplace for 3-D printing.

The proposed AstroBox Touch controller will have a 3.5-inch touchscreen. The company is promising people who pledge $100 an early version of the controller as well as lifetime access to its cloud services. The first shipment of controllers is expected in October.

AstroPrint estimates the 3-D printing market is worth $5 billion.



Photo Credit: Astroprint
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Senate Intelligence Committee Invites Comey to Testify Next Tuesday

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Ousted FBI Director James Comey has been invited by the Senate Intelligence Committee to meet in closed session on Tuesday, a committee aide confirms to NBC News.

Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) told News4 he and the committee chairman, Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), sent Comey a letter requesting he appear before the committee Tuesday or as soon as possible.

“I would hope he would want to tell his side of the story, and I think Jim Comey could be absolutely central to where this whole investigation heads now,” Warner said.

President Donald Trump abruptly fired Comey Tuesday in the midst of an FBI investigation into whether Trump's campaign had ties to Russia's meddling in the election that sent him to the White House.

“I thought I’d gotten to the point where this administration, the president, couldn’t surprise me,” Warner said. “Well, yesterday, they surprised me. I felt this was totally unexpected. I think, candidly, the president’s actions were outrageous. His rationale from the current attorney general and the deputy attorney general doesn’t pass any smell tests.”

Before the president fired him, Comey was scheduled to be questioned by the Senate Intelligence Committee Thursday.

“I am troubled by the timing and reasoning of Director Comey’s termination," Burr said in a statement Tuesday. "I have found Director Comey to be a public servant of the highest order, and his dismissal further confuses an already difficult investigation by the committee."

Burr called Comey's dismissal a "loss for the bureau and the nation," calling Comey the most forthcoming FBI director he had ever worked with during his tenure on congressional committees.  

In a letter to Comey, Trump said the firing was necessary to restore "public trust and confidence" in the FBI.

Comey has come under intense scrutiny from both sides of the political aisle, most notably for his public comments on an investigation into Democrat Hillary Clinton's email practices, including a pair of letters he sent to Congress on the matter in the closing days of last year's presidential campaign.

“We’re going to have sort through all of this, and make sure on a going forward basis there’s not going to be further political interference from the White House into this investigation,” Warner said.



Photo Credit: Eric Thayer/Getty Images

FBI Firing Fallout: 6 Things to Know About Rod Rosenstein

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President Trump is using a memo written by the newly confirmed deputy attorney general, Rod Rosenstein, to justify his firing of the FBI director, putting an unusual spotlight on Rosenstein. Though little known until now, Rosenstein is a veteran government attorney who has worked for both Democrats and Republicans and has been widely praised for being professional and non-partisan.

But despite his straight-and-narrow reputation, he earned criticism from Democrats during his confirmation hearing when he refused to commit to a special prosecutor to investigate Russian meddling in last year's presidential election.

In his memo to the attorney general, Rosenstein criticized James Comey's handling of the conclusion of his investigation of Hillary Clinton's emails and his refusal to accept what Rosenstein described as the "nearly universal judgment" that he had been wrong. The FBI's reputation and credibility have suffered substantial damage, Rosenstein wrote.

The deputy press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, said after Comey's firing that the administration had complete confidence in Rosenstein.

Asked about a special prosecutor on Wednesday, she said, "We don't think it's necessary."

But Democrats are rejecting the idea that Trump jettisoned Comey over how he had treated Clinton and are using the dismissal to renew calls for a special prosecutor.

As the crisis over Comey's firing plays out, here are five things to know about Rosenstein.

New to the Job
Rosenstein was confirmed in his job by a 94-6 U.S. Senate vote only two weeks ago, promoted from within the Justice Department. His hearing focused on the investigation into Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election, which Rosenstein now heads because U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself over contacts with the Russian ambassador to the United States. 

Authority to Appoint Special Prosecutor
Rosenstein has the authority to appoint an independent special prosecutor to investigate Russia’s actions during the 2016 election, as Democrats and some Republicans are calling for. At his confirmation hearing, he said he was "not in a position to answer" the question of whether he would name a special prosecutor because he had not read a report on the alleged meddling. He said that if he thought officials were wrong he would "overrule them." Some Democrats found his answer inadequate and demanded he commit to a special prosecutor.

Experience with Special Prosecutors
As a young Justice Department lawyer, Rosenstein was part of Kenneth Starr's Whitewater investigation into Bill and Hillary Clinton's real estate dealings, according to reports. The Harvard Law School graduate has worked for the DOJ for 26 years. He served in the tax and the public integrity divisions and as an assistant U.S. attorney in Maryland before becoming the state's U.S. attorney. He was appointed in 2005 by former President George W. Bush, confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate and kept on by President Barack Obama. 

Leak Investigation
Rosenstein has experience in another area of interest to Trump: leaks. Former U.S. Attorney Eric Holder named Rosenstein as one of two U.S. attorneys to investigate the leaking of classified national security information in 2012, according to The Washington Post. As a result, a former vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. James Cartwright, pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI.

"Straight Shooter"
Rosenstein has been described as a non-partisan, straight shooter who has worked for both Democratic and Republican presidents, according to NBC News and The Guardian.  A former boss in the Clinton Justice Department, Philip Heymann, told The Guardian that he was surprised Trump had not chosen someone more partisan. The Baltimore Sun says Rosenstein has a reputation for putting the law over politics. Democrats are now appealing to him to restore faith in the U.S. criminal justice system. "The American people’s trust in the criminal justice system is in Mr. Rosenstein's hands," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said.

How the Memo Came About

A senior administration official told NBC News that Rosenstein and Sessions met with Trump on Monday at the White House to talk about Comey's leadership of the FBI. When Trump said that he had some concerns about Comey, Rosenstein said that he did, too, the official said. "Both had reached the same conclusion about Comey," the official said. Trump asked the men to put their thoughts on paper, which led to the memo.



Photo Credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images

Meb Keflezighi Honored as 'Outstanding American by Choice'

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Olympian and marathon icon Meb Keflezighi has won many titles but on Wednesday, he was awarded an honor very close to his heart: “Outstanding American by Choice.”

At a naturalization ceremony for 50 new U.S. citizens at Gompers Preparatory Academy in San Diego, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will recognize Keflezighi with the award, which recognizes the achievements of naturalized U.S. citizens.

Since 2006, the USCIS has given the “Outstanding American by Choice” award to about 130 people from more than 50 countries. Keflezighi is the second honoree in San Diego.

“It means a lot to me because coming here to the United States was my parents’ dream, for educational opportunities,” he told NBC 7. “And for me, my siblings and I have accomplished a lot in the U.S. but my running kind of has excelled to the expectation.”

Keflezighi is a two-time Olympian who won a silver medal for the U.S. in Athens in 2004, the first Olympic marathon medal for an American man since 1976. In 2012, he finished in fourth place at the London Olympics. In 2016, at the age of 41, he made history at the Rio Olympics as the oldest U.S. Olympic runner of all time.

In 2009 he won the New York City Marathon and in 2014 he won the Boston Marathon – titles that made history for the U.S. as he ended the dry spells by becoming the first U.S. citizen to win each race since the early 1980s.

His emotional and inspirational victory at the 2014 Boston Marathon – one year after the deadly bombings at the race – is one for the books. He crossed that finish line with the names of the bombing victims scrolled on his bib; chants of “USA! USA! USA!” reverberated in the sea of spectators.

Keflezighi, who was born in Eritrea, moved to the U.S. with his family in the late 1980s. He was naturalized nearly 19 years ago, on July 2, 1998.

For him, Wednesday’s award means the world.

It reminds him of the most important route he’s ever paced – the route of his life – and the opportunities he’s been given in the U.S. to succeed.

“My opportunity that the U.S. has provided for me is limitless,” the Olympian said. “My life would’ve been completely different if I were in Eritrea, where I was born. I would’ve been a farmer, a lot of cattle, hopefully.”

Keflezighi attended Roosevelt Middle School in San Diego and graduated from San Diego High School in 1994. He went on to graduate from the University of California Los Angeles. In America’s Finest City, he’s an athletics legend.

In 1988, Keflezighi said his 7th grade Physical Education teacher told him that one day he would compete in the Olympics. When he got home from school that day, Keflezighi ran to his father to ask him what the word “Olympics” meant.

New to the U.S., the family was still in the process of learning English.

“When we first came here, my parents and siblings and I didn’t have the language,” he recalled.

Keflezighi’s father would wake up at 4:30 a.m. every day to learn English, before the kids went to school at 7:30 a.m.

“That’s how it worked out,” he added, with a grin.

He’s grateful for the path he’s been able to take as an American.

“I have to pinch myself sometimes, ‘Is this really happening?’ Thank you to my parents and many of the great citizens of the U.S. who helped me maximize my potential,” he told NBC 7.

Keflezighi also said although he excels in a solo sport, it’s a team effort.

“I would not have done it without the support of the people that have been involved in my life. I may run the marathon, but there’s a team behind the team that’s very deep that help me achieve my accolades,” he added.

Keflezighi ran his first New York City Marathon in 2002. He said that first marathon was so painful, he swore he’d never run one again.

He didn’t follow the plan.

“I’m going back to New York to do my 26th and final marathon on November 5,” he said. “I’m looking forward to closing up my athletic career. It’s been very rewarding; God has blessed me more than I could’ve ever imagined.”

Keflezighi turned 42 last week. He said running the 2017 Boston Marathon a few weeks ago proved tough on his body.

“It was really challenging,” he said. “My body was pretty beat up.”

Throughout his long career, Keflezighi said he’s keep this mantra top of mind: “Always, at the finish line, one race is the beginning of another.”

Keflezighi plans to run the 2017 Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Half Marathon on June 4, likely helping runners keep pace on the route. 

When he’s not hitting the pavement, Keflezighi runs the MEB Foundation – “Maintaining. Excellent. Balance” – an organization that promotes youth health, education and fitness.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Officer Pulls Dog Out of Concrete Storm Drain in Lakeside

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A Pit bull found in a concrete Lakeside storm drain is recovering after he suffered multiple cuts, puncture wounds and other injuries, County animal officials said. 

The dog, a two-year-old male Pit bull, was first found along El Monte Road, east of Lake Jennings Park Road, when a concerned citizen called the County of San Diego's Department of Animal Services Monday. 

County animal officials found the pup at the bottom of a concrete storm drain in Lakeside and worked to rescue him. 

The dog suffered multiple cuts and puncture wounds. The Pit bull was also limping on both rear legs. A vet said the wounds are mostly superficial; the dog did not suffer any broken bones. 

Because of his injuries, officials transported him to an emergency veterinary hospital for overnight treatment. He has since been released. 

At this point, this is not a criminal investigation. Officials say they cannot assume the dog was abused and dumped on the road, as there are too many possibilities for what could have happened. 

The dog did not have a dog license or microchip. County animal officials are asking the owner to come forward and claim the dog. 

The owner has until 5:30 p.m. on Friday to claim the dog. 



Photo Credit: BILLY ORTIZ

Shark Warning at San Onofre, Location of Previous Attack

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Camp Pendleton authorities have issued a 48-hour shark warning for the church surf break near San Onofre State Beach, the same location of a recent shark attack

The shark was displaying aggressive behavior on Wednesday, officials said. 

The church surf break is where a San Diego woman was critically wounded in a recent shark attack on April 29. The shark attack took place at San Onofre State Beach, located off Interstate 5 at Basilone Road, about 3 miles south of San Clemente, California, and 58 miles north of downtown San Diego. 

According to authorities, Ericson was camping with her boyfriend when the couple decided to go in the water on the evening of April 29. Ericson swam while her boyfriend surfed next to her at a well-known spot at the beach.

The victim’s mother, Christine McKnerney-Leidle, said the couple saw a seal in the water and Ericson’s boyfriend turned to swim out to a wave. Just then, Ericson disappeared from the water’s surface.

The woman was attacked by a shark approximately 10 feet in length who ripped through the back of Ericson’s leg, tearing out all the muscle from her knee to her hip. The shark just missed the victim’s major arteries, McKnerney-Leidle said on Facebook.

As Ericson was dragged into the water, her lungs filled with foam and debris. She was airlifted to Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla just before 6:30 p.m.

Ericson survived the shark attack, but her road to a full recovery will be painful and lengthy.

Doctors are now starting the process of reconstructing the victim’s leg.

Last year, there were an estimated 59 shark attacks across the U.S., according to data collected by scientists at the University of Florida.



Photo Credit: NBC 7
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