The streets of Little Italy resembled a racetrack Saturday for the third annual VanGo! Soap Box Derby and STEAM Festival.
Drivers behind the wheels of 16 soap box cars competed in the derby, zipping down State Street. Thirteen of the derby cars were sponsored by local businesses.
“The idea behind the Soap Box Derby is simple,” said parent volunteer and event organizer William Sieve. “It’s to get kids excited about education.”
Students from Washington Elementary School who competed in Saturday’s race are part of the school’s car club that meets on Wednesday afternoons.
The students worked with a local designer who helped them design and decorate the cars.
“It actually combines all assets of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics),” Sieve said. “From the time they sit down and engineer the car and figure out what [they] are going to put on the car, to the art side to how [they] are going to decorate it,” he said.
Second-grader Zak Adam Stone said he had a lot of fun partaking in the race, even though he didn’t win.
“So I’m the car, and all I’m thinking is ‘have fun, have fun, have fun,’ “ Stone said. “That’s the three rules to what racing takes.”
Stone raced the soap box car sponsored by Greater Good Realty. Stone said this project has made him want to go into a science-related field when he’s older.
“I’m learning about dinosaurs and cars and how they work,” he said.
The VanGo! Soap Box Derby and STEAM Festival was part of a fundraising effort to raise $40,000 for Washington Elementary School’s STEAM-related activities for the 2018 school year. If you’d like to donate, visit this website.
A San Diego woman wounded in a shark attack in late April says she’s focused on healing and reuniting with her children who want to be back with their "mommy."
“My kids have visited me a few times and can’t wait for their mommy to be back home. For now, I need to focus on healing so I can get back to my family as soon as possible,” Leeanne Ericson wrote in an online post on a fundraising page established by her family to help cover her medical expenses.
As of Saturday afternoon, her GoFundMe page had raised just shy of $90,000.
Ericson said in her online post that she was grateful for the generous donations toward her recovery and for the "kind, heartfelt comments" from the community.
"I’m still currently in the hospital recovering the best I can considering the nature of my injuries. Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla has done an amazing job at helping me get my life back," she continued.
Ericson said she's not sure how much longer she will be hospitalized but she's on the path to a "successful recovery." She said she'd like to tell her story once she's in rehabilitation.
A few days ago, Ericson's mother, Christine McKnerney-Leidle, said in an online update that her daughter had started walking, taking 40 steps in the hospital.
“We hope she will be in rehab soon and then home after that,” McKnerney-Leidle's post read. “She is staying strong, and positive she wants to thank all of you for your support and prayers. God bless you all.”
On April 29, Ericson was airlifted to Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla after being attacked by a shark in the waters off San Onofre State Beach, near Camp Pendleton, in San Diego's North County.
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.
The beach was closed to the public for several days following the shark attack. It reopened, but throughout May authorities issued warnings at the beach after reported shark sightings near the same area where Ericson had been attacked.
According to investigators, 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 favorite 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. that evening.
Ericson survived the shark attack, but her road to a full recovery will be painful and lengthy.
In early May, a trauma surgeon treating Ericson gave an update on the woman's condition, saying she was awake and able to answer questions by nodding or shaking her head. At that point, Ericson was still on a breathing tube.
The young mother suffered a significant injury to her right buttocks and upper right leg and significant blood loss, doctors said.
She has had surgeries to clean up the wounds and to control bleeding; in early May, doctors said more operations would be needed.
Doctors had also started the process of reconstructing the victim’s leg.
Ericson works for a local credit union, Pacific Marine Credit Union. The company has opened an account to collect donations to help the victim in her recovery. Donations can be made at any Pacific Marine Credit Union branch, or by mail. Checks can be made payable to:
“Support Leeanne”
C/O Pacific Marine Credit Union
1278 Rocky Point Drive
Oceanside, CA 92056
Her family also continues to run this GoFundMe page, which as of Thursday, had raised nearly $89,000.
Last year, there were an estimated 59 shark attacks across the U.S., according to data collected by scientists at the University of Florida.
On Thursday morning, authorities issued a 24-hour shark advisory at Coronado's Silver Strand State Beach after two surfers spotted a shark, possibly a great white. The shark was said to be non-aggressive and the surfers were not hurt in the encounter.
Two protests, in opposition to each other, were held near the Oceanside Pier on Saturday. An anti-Sharia law protest organized by ACT for America in conjunction with Latinas for Trump and Republican Women of Oceanside, was met in equal measure with an anti-Islamophobia counter protest.
ACT for America, the largest grassroots anti-Muslim group in the U.S., according to the Southern Poverty Law Center, organized similar rallies across the country.
Protesters shouted at each other from opposite sides of the street while police stood in between to keep the peace.
“This is a movement that opposes Sharia Law and oppression and is for human rights,” says Ximena Barreto, who says she organized the march in conjunction with Latinas for Trump and ACT for America and Republican Woman of Oceanside.
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“Now San Diego Unified in conjunction with CARE is putting a Sharia-compliant curriculum in our schools, so we’re opposing that. There is separation of church and state so I think no religions should be involved in our schools,” Berreto tells NBC 7.
The school board described the initiative as an anti-bullying effort aimed at teaching kids about Islam to create understanding. The school board says they are hoping for a safe environment for all students.
Berreto has a six-year-old daughter and says she won’t let her be oppressed. “I refuse to let my country go the way Europe is going.”
“They call it an anti-Sharia rally but it’s actually disguised as … an anti-Muslim rally,” Mustafa Nizam, who took part in the counter protest says. “They’re against Islam. They’re against Muslims. They don’t want us in their country. So when they say they’re standing up for their constitution they’re actually infringing on our First Amendment rights of freedom of religion.”
He says the counter protests stand together against hate, injustice and bigotry. “Sharia Law has nothing to do with the country. It’s not trying to infringe on the Constitution,” Nizam tells NBC 7. “We’re not a threat.”
One person was taken into custody.
From lead contamination to sewage spills, concerned neighbors say they are fed up with water problems in San Diego.
And they took their frustrations straight to the source.
Dozens packed the California regional water quality control board with what they say needs to fixed.
Several neighbors took to the open mic to raise issues over industrial waste, toxic medical waste and sewage contaminating local waterways.
State and local representatives spoke and listened to those concerned about industrial pollution of the San Diego bay.
Other neighbors say they are worried about at least 17 schools testing positive for lead contamination.
Some neighbors were still angry about millions of gallons of sewage pumping in from Mexico spills and forcing the closure of local beaches.
Still local leaders say some progress to clean up some of these messes have been made.
“We removed over 140,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment,” says San Diego Port Commissioner Rafael Castellanos. “One of the largest clean-ups in the history of the California coast. That’s a major success story. Thank you so much for working with us. We have more work to do.”
Now. these board members and neighbors are taking notes, names, and circulating petitions.
They're urging their neighbors and local leaders to figure out ways to fix these problems before they get any worse.
“This is a world issue,” says concerned resident Baron Partlow. “This needs to be solved by world-thinking solutions.”
Law enforcement officers from around San Diego County, put on boxing gloves and punched heavy bags today for a special cause. The local non-profit, ABC Youth Foundation, is in the middle of their fundraiser called, “1,000,000 Punches From the Heart.”
The goal of ABC is to punch out “racism, violence and mistrust of police.”
San Diego Police Chief Shelly Zimmerman participated in today’s fundraiser.
“We’re punching out everything that divides us and what we’re doing is that we’re embracing everything that brings us together,” said Zimmerman.
For five decades, ABC Youth Foundation has been providing San Diego children with alternatives to gangs. The group offers programs including boxing, after school tutoring, and professional mentoring.
“We go into schools and we catch our kids as young as seven years old, and we teach them the fundamentals of the things to do in life, and the things not to do in life,” said ABC President Billy Moore.
One of the students in ABC is 14-year-old Malik Jones. He got into legal trouble when he was younger, and knows he was at risk of falling into a life of crime. Now he wants to grow up and work in law enforcement.
“There was a chance I could not even be right here right now, but through instructor Moore, my Uncle Billy, it helped me change to become a better person,” said Jones.
The program is also helping students like Lizzette Corrales. She lives in City Heights, and takes the bus to La Jolla High School at 6:10 am.
“I’ve been training for four years at ABC and I enjoy the rush of punching someone in the face, and hitting the bag it’s really fun,” said Corrales.
16-year-old Lizzette also likes to hit the books.
“I’m taking all honors and AP classes right now so I have a 5.0 GPA,” said Corrales.
It’s that type of success that keeps Billy Moore going.
“The things that we want them to become is a champion at life,” said Moore.
A Lynwood man who spent 20 years in prison after being wrongly convicted of murder has announced his campaign to represent California's 51st Assembly District.
Francisco "Franky" Carrillo said in a statement Thursday that he aims to fill the seat formerly occupied by Jimmy Gomez, who was elected to Congress Tuesday. California Governor Jerry Brown has yet to set a date for the special election, NBC4's media partner KPCC reports.
"I’m running because I believe that every family deserves an advocate who is dedicated to helping them triumph over the challenges and unfairness in their lives," Carrillo told KPCC reporter Matt Bloom. "I believe I will serve as a beacon of hope and optimism, but even more importantly, I will serve as a fighter for fairness and justice."
Carrillo's decision to run for office comes nearly a year after receiving a $10.1 million payout from L.A. County for his wrongful conviction for the 1991 drive-by shooting of Donald Sarpy.
In 2011, Carillo's conviction for Sarpy's murder was reversed by a judge after he had served 20 years in state prison, according to Carrillo's spokesperson Roy Behr.
Behr added that after a five-year investigation, witnesses of the 1991 murder admitted that they had been coerced to falsely accuse Carrillo.
After the new evidence was presented in court, a judge dismissed all charges against Carrillo and released him at the request of the prosecutors, Behr said.
Carrillo was initially arrested at the young age of 16 and later convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the Lynwood murder.
While incarcerated, Carrillo taught himself law and maintained his innocence, Behr said.
According to Carrillo's statement, after coming home, he earned a college degree, started a family and became an advocate for justice and equal opportunity.
"Because of my experience, I am uniquely positioned to represent families who are struggling to earn a living, find good schools for their children, and maintain faith in the face of adversity," Carrillo told Bloom. "I know firsthand what it means to face hardship, and how important it is to know you have an advocate in your corner.”
The U.S.S. Gabrielle Giffords, the Navy’s newest Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) will soon be on its way to San Diego.
The ship, named after the former Democratic Arizona congresswoman was commissioned in Galveston, Texas Saturday afternoon. Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton were among those who attended.
"The U.S.S. Gabrielle Giffords is strong and tough, just like her crew. We ask so much of you, [and] despite danger, you say yes. You make me proud; you make America proud,” Giffords said during the ceremony.
The Navy said it named the ship after Giffords because of the perseverance she showed after an assassination attempt in 2011. Six people were killed in the shooting near Tucson where she was meeting with constituents.
The U.S.S. Giffords will be homeported in San Diego.
A San Diego County man was arrested Saturday in Oxnard after allegedly kidnapping and smuggling a woman into the country from Mexico and demanding money from the victim's husband.
Cesar Solis, 36, was arrested for several felony charges including extortion, criminal threats and kidnapping.
At approximately 4:19 a.m. on Saturday, authorities received a call about a kidnapping. Solis allegedly called the victim and stated that the victim’s wife had been kidnapped and smuggled into the U.S. from Mexico, according to the Oxnard Police Department.
The suspect then told the victim he would release his wife in Oxnard in exchange for an undisclosed amount of cash.
As the husband was being interviewed by officers, he received several updates from the suspect regarding his wife's location. The suspect ultimately gave the victim a vehicle description and a location to meet.
Officers responded to the location and found a vehicle that matched the description. Officers located the woman and the suspect. She was not injured, but she said the suspect threatened to kill her if her husband did not arrive with the money.
Solis was arrested and also charged with possession of heroin and drug paraphernalia. He has a prior robbery conviction out of San Diego County, police said.
Police are investigating a shooting in Southcrest after 13 shell casings were found outside an apartment complex Sunday around 5 p.m.
Investigators are trying to piece together what happened in the 4300 block of Delta Street. So far they haven’t found any suspects of victims.
Puerto Rico residents head to the polls Sunday to vote on whether the island should become the 51st U.S. state, a prospect that the island’s pro-statehood governor has been promoting as a solution to the island’s debt crisis.
Gov. Ricardo Rosselló from the New Progressive Party and his government have been pushing for statehood on the non-binding referendum, NBC News reported.
But the endeavor faces an uphill battle. The U.S. territory has been shuttering schools and cutting pensions, while its residents flee to the U.S. in search of work.
The Puerto Rican government is wrestling with a formidable $73 billion debt and is currently in the courts under a U.S. federal district judge trying to negotiate a form of bankruptcy process. As a U.S. territory and not a state, the island cannot file for bankruptcy like other states and municipalities.
Protesters forced the Capital Pride parade onto a different route Saturday afternoon, as the official events of a political, pride-filled weekend kicked off in D.C.
The protesters stopped the parade at 15th and P streets before 6 p.m. In a press release, a group called No Justice, No Pride claimed credit.
The protesters were wearing shirts that read "Say Their Names" as they appeared with "No Pride" banner before the D.C. police branch that includes the special liason to the gay community.
On a loudspeaker, one protester shouted, "We are here today because Capital Pride refuses to end their dangerous relationship with the police, to stop supporting Wells Fargo."
The press release says the group opposes Capital Pride sponsors including Wells Fargo and Northrop Grumman.
Police chief Peter Newsham said the protest had been anticipated.
"We had an anticipated demonstration here on the street and so we had a plan to reroute the parade," Newsham said. "Everybody is still having a very good time, the crowd has been very cooperative."
The parade rerouted to 16th street to avoid the protest.
Cathy Renna of the Capital Pride said the parade organizers have had a series of conversations over several weeks with the protesters.
"It's unfortunate that we've got several hundred thousand people that are now not able to see the parade unless they are moved by the police, which kind of breaks my heart," Renna said.
"We are all here as those who are willing to get in the streets for our community," she said. "I just don't know that doing it against our own community is a productive way to go."
Late Saturday, Capital Pride issued a statement that said, "We encourage a robust, civil, and healthy conversation within the community about all of the issues that impact us and look forward to having a mutually respectful conversation in the days, weeks, and months ahead."
The Capital Pride parade is one of the biggest events of Pride weekend.
This year, the theme of Saturday's parade and Sunday's festival is "Unapologetically Proud." And on Sunday, participants in the Equality March for Unity and Pride will take their voices past the White House and to the National Mall.
Capital Pride and the march aren't officially affiliated, but they support each other, and have worked together so that participants in one can join the other.
Read on for the schedule of major events:
Capital Pride Festival & Concert: Sunday
The Capital Pride Festival will take over Pennsylvania Avenue this Sunday, bringing live music and dance performances to three stages. Miley Cyrus, Tinashe, the Pointer Sisters and VASSY will headline at the Capitol Concert Stage in front of the U.S. Capitol.
Attendees can explore 300 exhibitors, including restaurants and food vendors, local businesses and community groups, national sponsors and more. You can also check out the Family and Educational Activity Area and Fun Zone.
The street festival will run noon to 7 p.m., with the concert set for 2 to 8 p.m.; a sunset dance party will happen 8 to 10 p.m. See complete schedules here.
While attendance is free for the public, the Capital Pride Alliance encourages donations. For those who want an enhanced festival experience, tickets are available online. The VIP Festival Experience is $200 with an $11.50 service fee, and the Pride Concert Pit Pass for all ages is $35 with a $3.26 service fee. The Pride Concert Pit Pass (Beverage Garden) tickets are currently unavailable.
Pets are requested to stay home due to large crowds and the hot weather that's expected. Capital Pride Alliance recommends bringing refillable water bottles and sunscreen.
Equality March for Unity and Pride: Sunday
The march aims to address the current political climate and voice concerns of the LGBTQ+ community, organizers say. The march is not directly affiliated with the Celebration of Pride, but the Capital Pride Alliance supports it.
Participants will start lining up at 9 a.m. on I Street NW between 14th and 17th streets, with the march set to begin at 10 a.m. Marchers will start off down 17th Street and will pass the White House before ending at the National Mall at 3rd Street and Madison Drive NW. You can see the march route here.
Planners say speakers will include:
NBC Washington is a partner of Capital Pride.
On this week's "Today" show, NBC’s Gabe Gutierrez visited the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, one year after a mass shooting left 49 dead. He meets with four people who lived through the horror and explain how their lives have changed.
A Special Olympics Illinois athlete suffered a medical emergency while competing in the State Summer Games and died on Saturday, the organization announced.
The athlete suffered a medical emergency during a swimming competition at the event, which took place in Normal. Lifeguards and EMT’s, who were already on scene in accordance with event protocols, immediately came to the athlete’s aid, according to a press release issued by Special Olympics Illinois.
The athlete, who is not being identified out of respect for the family’s privacy according to Special Olympics, was taken to Advocate Bromenn Hospital in Normal, where they were pronounced dead.
A cause of death was not announced by Special Olympics Illinois.
According to WRPW in Normal, the family of the athlete asked that the other athletes involved in the State Summer Games be allowed to continue competing.
One person was killed and a second injured in a midnight shooting at San Diego's popular shopping complex, Horton Plaza, downtown, San Diego police (SDPD) said.
The shooting happened at approximately 11:46 p.m. Saturday on the seventh floor of Horton Plaza, on Broadway, an outdoor mall, SDPD Lieutenant Mike Holden said.
Police first responded to the area after receiving a call for a shooting on the seventh floor of the mall.
When officers arrived, they found two men with gunshot wounds.
The preliminary investigation has revealed that the victims were confronted by two men for unknown reasons just before the shooting, Holden said. During the confrontation, a suspect opened fire and shot both victims.
The first victim - a 43-year-old San Diego resident - was shot in his chest and taken to UC San Diego Medical Center. Despite life-saving measures, the man was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The second victim, a 29-year-old Riverside resident, was shot in the leg. He is expected to survive.
Both victims have been identified. The 43-year-old's identity is being withheld as police notify his family, Holden said.
The suspects ran north through Horton Plaza after the shooting.
No arrests have been made.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
No further information was available.
President Donald Trump called James Comey “cowardly” and said he thought any leaked information coming from the former FBI director could be “far more prevalent” than believed in his latest early morning Twitter jab, NBC News reported.
“I believe the James Comey leaks will be far more prevalent than anyone ever thought possible. Totally illegal? Very 'cowardly!'” Trump tweeted Sunday morning.
The tweet was the second social media lash out from Trump towards the fired FBI director since Comey’s dramatic testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday.
It comes a day after U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said in a letter that he would be appearing before the committee on Tuesday to answer questions raised by Comey’s recent testimony.
Two La Jolla Playhouse-born productions will compete for theater's highest honor in one of the show's most competitive years on Sunday.
The heartfelt 9-11 musical "Come From Away" and Paul Vogel's play "Indecent", which both premiered at the Playhouse in 2015, received a combined 10 Tony Award nominations.
"Come From Away", with book, music, and lyrics by David Hein and Irene Sankoff, was one of four nominated for Best Musical in the most competitive year for musicals since the early 80s. The musical received a combined seven nominations, including Best Musical, Best Book, and Best Score.
Playhouse Artistic Director Christopher Ashley, who directed "Come from Away", was nominated for Best Direction of a Musical. He is currently directing the world premiere of "Escape to Margaritaville" at the Playhouse.
The show was also nominated for Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score Written for the Theatre, Best Choreography, Best Lighting Design of a Musical and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (for Jenn Colella).
"Come From Away" had its world premiere at the Playhouse in 2015, where it won six San Diego Critics' Circle Awards. The show then went on to Seattle, DC, Toronto and opened at Broadway's Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre in March.
"Indecent", a new play by Paula Vogel, received three Tony Award nominations.
The play, co-produced with the Yale Repertory Theatre, played its world premiere at the Playhouse in 2015.
It later opened for an Off-Broadway run at the Vineyard Theatre and in April, opened at Broadway's Cort Theatre.
The play received nominations for Best Play, Best Direction of a Play and Best Lighting Design of a Play.
"Indecent" marks the La Jolla Playhouse's 28th production to transfer to Broadway.
Both pieces have been nominated for numerous Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, Drama League Award and Lucille Lortel Award nominations as well.
A man who attempted to break into a Carlsbad home fled the scene and hid in a nearby home's attic, prompting a large police response, Carlsbad Police Lieutenant Jeffrey Smith said.
Police first responded to the home on the 4500 block of Cove Drive on Saturday around 4:50 p.m. when a citizen flagged down a nearby officer. The man said he had just interrupted a suspect trying to break into a nearby home.
Pritchett lives in the home on Cove Drive and got a call from his roommate about the attempted burglary.
"one of our roommates was here, in her room, we were on the far side of the lagoon playing boche ball, going, cops on the road, streets blocked off, can't get into the house," said Tyler Pritchett, a Carlsbad resident.
After a brief physical altercation, the suspect - identified as 38-year-old Kai Sells, of Carlsbad - fled the scene, Smith said.
Sells ran into a nearby home, where he barricaded himself in the attic, Smith said.
When officers responded, they set up a perimeter around the home and entered.
Officers searched the home, with the help of the San Diego County Sheriff's Department's helicopter, and found the man.
Sells was arrested and charged with felony violation of attempted burglary, burglary, as well as misdemeanor violation, vandalism, and battery. He has been booked into the Vista Detention Facility.
No further information was available.
Here is a look at what is going on in San Diego sports for the week of June12th-18th.
PADRES: The Friars are going to get to know the National League Central this week. Monday-Wednesday the Cincinnati Reds come to Petco Park. The series features Taco Tuesday and Way Back Wednesday. Thursday is a travel day because the Padres head to Milwaukee to face the Brewers Friday-Sunday.
