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Victims' Family Never Saw Suspect's Violent Side

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If murder and kidnapping suspect James Lee DiMaggio had a violent side, Hannah Anderson’s relatives never saw it.

DiMaggio lived for two years with Hannah Anderson’s paternal grandmother Bernice Anderson in El Cajon.

“This was a good friend of ours,” she said of DiMaggio. “I loved him a lot. He helped me a lot. I had just lost my husband and he helped me through some stuff with my home. This is a shock to me.”

Bernice Anderson said she and her family were elated when they learned the 16-year-old El Capitan High School student was recovered alive from the Idaho wilderness Saturday in a hostage rescue team operation.

“It's a wonderful, wonderful thing my granddaughter's going to be coming home soon,” Bernice Anderson said in an exclusive interview Sunday.

“I'm excited for my son who gets to have her at least he lost his wife and my beautiful, handsome grandson.”

Federal agents located and moved in on the campsite near Morehead Lake where the pair were spotted from the air hours earlier.

DiMaggio was shot and killed. Agents successfully removed Hannah from the area.

She described DiMaggio as a nice guy and said she loved him.

“I keep asking myself and all of us, all of us who knew him and loved him are saying the same thing. How does this happen? What happened? What caused this to happen? We don’t’ know and if we ever will know we’re not sure,” she said.

“Maybe it was always there and we never saw it,” she added.

Bernice’s son Brett has seen Hannah but few details about the reunion were shared.

“All I can say is that he’s looking forward to coming home,” Bernice Anderson said.

The grandmother said she’s not sure what Hannah knows or witnessed by said no matter what, her family will be there for her.

Psychologist George Pratt says the days ahead will be difficult.

“There's something called survivor guilt. Even if she had nothing to do with it that sense of loss and her survival which is common in let's say other serious circumstances, can just be very powerful and she's going to need help with that.

Pratt says the most important thing she can have is a supportive family that will take care of her.

And all signs point to her having loving arms to come home to ready to work through anything.

“I have got some help coming to help me learn how to talk to my granddaughter and my son and how to deal with it myself,” Bernice Anderson said. “And so with that help we'll deal with it.”
 



Photo Credit: AP

Filner Out of Therapy, In Trouble?

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Is San Diego’s ‘mayor under fire’ now working on a letter of resignation?
           
Or determined to stay in office, and merely drafting a formal response to a recall notice?

For the better part of Monday, Bob Filner has been off media radar, after a purported two weeks in behavior therapy that's raised questions about exactly where and when it took place.
           
Was all that to dodge a deposition?
           
The mayor’s attorneys have journalists that he's taking "personal time" this week, and unavailable for comment.
           
Whatever the case, angry constituents hope he doesn't return to City Hall --  and dozens bashed the longtime public servant in a noontime public spectacle dubbed a “Not Welcome Back, Bob” rally on Civic Center Plaza.

"Two weeks is not a cure, two weeks is not enough for us to forget!” shouted small business owner Ben Katz, as a battery of reporters and television photographers recorded the event.

“We are not going to forget, and we are not going away!  And we will keep repeating: "Bob must go!  Bob must go!"

Frances Barraza, executive director of the Republican Party of San Diego County, said Filner’s widely cited mistreatment of women is typical of all too many male bosses.

"They do it in public, when they make you turn around and spank your butt,” Barraza declared.  “That is an absolute blow to your desire to want to continue working for the cause that you worked for."

Meantime, word on Twitter -- attributed to "a source close to him" -- says rumors that Filner would step down Monday are "untrue".
           
Filner is facing a recall campaign with a midnight deadline to issue a response, limited to 300 words, to the published recall notice -- but doesn't have to.
           
Organizers are raising money and recruiting signature gathers to circulate petitions starting next week.
           
The mayor's mistreatment of women and dealings with developers are targets of several investigations and civil legal action.
           
Next month, the City Council's Audit Committee will focus on his controversial June trip to Paris, which cost taxpayers $21,000 for his two-man security detail.
           
It’ll cost him more than $9,000 -- after a stink over original sponsorship, by Iranian dissidents he's met there in the past, prompted him to pick up the tab personally.
           
Filner's claim of promoting economic development during a nearby side trip doesn't impress the Audit Committee chairman.

"This was clearly a junket -- the mayor had no business going to Paris as the mayor of the city of San Diego,”  Councilman Kevin Faulconer said Monday. 

"I have no idea why the mayor would say he went to Paris trying to generate jobs,” Faulconer continued in an interview with NBC 7.  “We had no follow-up; there was no -- in terms of staff reports -- backup of what he did and didn't.  That makes no sense at all.”

Faulconer said the mayor, his staffers and others will be summoned before the Audit Committee after the Council returns from its summer legislative recess next month.

"We've heard conflicting stories out of the mayor's office for weeks and weeks,” he added.  “I'm going to get to the bottom of this.  And I'm going to make sure taxpayer dollars are protected and that proper procedures and approvals were followed.  And if they weren't followed, I'm going to find out why."

One of the investigations targeting Filner involves the County Grand Jury.
           
Before them is a complaint listing numerous claims of "malfeasance" that, if upheld, could lead to his removal under the state Government Code, without the need for a criminal conviction.
           
Given the expenses reimbursing the city for the Paris trip,  bankrolling two weeks of therapy, paying front-end costs for lawyers, and exposure to civil damages, political observers predict that money may become a key factor in Filner's decision-making.
           
They say he's well-enough off -- but not exactly wealthy.
           
At this point, Filner's only significant base of support is organized labor.
           
Union leaders are saying he should be allowed "due process" before judgments are rendered.
           
Their money might be helpful to him if there's a recall election.

Teacher Sentenced for Bringing Gun to School

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A San Diego teacher who admitted to bringing a loaded gun to school will spend three years on probation.

A judge sentenced Ned Walker on Monday. The Farb Middle School teacher had faced more than five years in prison.

Instead, Walker received 90 days in custody, but that sentence is stayed if he completes probation. Walker must also do 25 days of work service and take a gun safety course.

Back in February, Walker was arrested in the school parking lot for having a .380 loaded semi-automatic handgun with a 7-round magazine, as well as a 2.5 inch locking blade knife in his car.

Walker initially pleaded not guilty to possession of a firearm on school property and possession of a knife with locking blade. He later changed his plea to guilty, and the knife charge was dropped.

Walker has been an English teacher at Farb Middle School in Tierrasanta since 2006.
 



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

Sandy Victim Living in Backyard 10 Months After Storm

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A Long Island man is living in his backyard, 10 months after Sandy flooded him out of his home and federal aid has expired. 

Chuck Burgio's backyard in Lindenhurst, N.Y., is outfitted with an air mattress, a gym and a patio table. It's home for now, since his actual house is gutted -- there's no floor, just standing two-by-fours and exposed piping. 

"I've been in the backyard right here, getting bit up by mosquitoes and gnats," he said. 

Sandy dumped four feet of water in the area and devastated much of the area. While Burgio's neighbors have rebuilt, he's been left in the cold.

"Where am I going to go? I have no money," he said. 

Up until a week ago, Burgio was living in local motels, but then federal aid ran dry. So now Burgio says he's making the best of the situation, accepting food from charities, going to the bathroom at a nearby diner and letting neighbors lend a helping hand. 

John Warry, one neighbor, said he was worried for Burgio when it rained Monday morning.

"We tried to wake him, and we weren't sure if he was alive," he said. "He's not moving, we're getting worried. We can't have that." 

But things seem to looking up. NBC 4 New York was there Monday evening when a good Samaritan dropped by. 

"He just came here and put $500 in my hand and told me he's going to do this whole house for nothing," said a stunned Burgio. "I'm going to have a heart attack." 

One non-profit offered to put him in another hotel until his home is rebuilt. Burgio planned to sleep in his backyard again Monday night, but plans to take the group up on their offer. 

Recall Effort Faces Uphill Battle

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Signature drives are complicated, time-consuming and darn near impossible.

And that's when there are deep pockets to fund the effort.

The recall drive to remove Mayor Bob Filner from office is being led by an organized group of some of San Diego's political elite, and it is fueled by a passionate, near-consensus that the mayor is no longer fit to lead amid troubling accusations.

But, it lacks funding - a necessity in a successful petition equation, according to several local experts on the topic.

None of the four major political groups that could feasibly fund a petition drive are stepping forward with the money. The San Diego County Democratic Party, the Republican Party of San Diego County, and the Lincoln Club have called upon the mayor to resign, but all have said they will not be funding a recall effort.

The Labor Council has not called on Filner, facing a barrage of almost daily, new accusations that he harassed and groped women, to step down.

"The Lincoln Club is supportive of the recall effort, but it is not financially committed," said Tony Manolatos, a spokesperson for the group. He added that the organization is prioritizing upcoming San Diego City Council races.

"We continue to believe that the best path forward for San Diegans, and especially victims, is for Mayor Filner to resign," Manolatos said.

Francine Busby, chair of the local Democratic Party, concurred.

"We are focusing on asking the mayor to resign because that is the most efficient way to deal with this," Busby said. "He needs to take personal responsibility and not force an extremely difficult, labor-intensive and costly process on San Diegans."

The organizers are facing an expedited process with - at most - 69 days to gather signatures from 15 percent of registered voters. The clock starts ticking August 19 and the group estimates it needs to gather at least 2,600 signatures a day.

The number of signatures required is larger, based on turnout at the last election.

On top of a higher turnout during the presidential election, successful petition drives typically collect between 1.5 and 1.8 times the needed signatures to make up for duplicates or misinformation in the voter registration.

Francis Barraza, Executive Director of the Republican Party of San Diego County, has helped lead successful petition drives in the past. She estimated this drive may cost more than a million dollars.

"The risk is that at any point the recall will be over if Bob Filner decides to resign. So, once he resigns, what happens to all the money that was invested into it? I'm not sure they'll be able to get it back. What if it's already spent? It's a really high risk for our donors," Barraza said.

To add another challenge, Filner supporters may try to thwart the process by either intentionally adding duplicate signatures into a batch that is verified by sample, or by standing near signature-gatherers and verbally discouraging people from signing the petition.

Recall spokesperson Rachel Laing said the group is actively seeking large donors.

"We are well aware of the costs," Laing said. "That's why we have some of the most successful fundraisers in our city working on this and we've had a tremendous number of small donors."

Bill Baber, who serves as general counsel to the Republican Party and has been instrumental in getting proposed measures before city voters in the past, said the drive is definitely facing an uphill battle that includes a time-crunch, lack of funding, and inexperienced volunteers.

"Having said all that, sometimes democracy surprises you. If there's anything that can break the rules, it's Filner," he said. "There's so much awareness of this and so much anger, that it is possible it can be done."

Man Falls in Harbor

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A man fell in the San Diego harbor on Monday afternoon, according to officials.

The incident happened around 3:30 p.m. at 2320 N Harbor Dr. at the Embarcadero near the Coast Guard station.

Medics responded to the scene for the victim. His condition is unknown at this time.

Check back for updates on this story.



Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Opponents Protest San Diego Mayor’s Return from Rehab

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Opponents of San Diego Mayor Bob Filner say he’s not welcome back in San Diego, even if he has been to rehab.

Protesters gathered Monday afternoon at Civic Center Plaza downtown. They held signs with messages like “Get Out” and “Bye Bye Bob.”

Speakers from both the Democratic and Republican parties addressed the crowd, in between chants of “Bob Must Go.”

“We’re not turning against Bob Filner. Bob turned against us,” City Council candidate Dwayne Crenshaw said during his turn at the podium.

Filner’s former communications director has filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against him. Multiple other women have also come forward, reporting unwanted advances by the mayor.

Timeline: Mayor Under Fire

“He has turned his back on values like equality for women, basic human dignity,” said Ashley Harrington, secretary for the Democratic Party of San Diego County.

Filner’s lawyers confirmed that he completed a behavior therapy program over the weekend, one week earlier than anticipated. The protesters say rehab is not enough.

“We will do whatever it takes, within our legal measures, to remove Bob Filner from office,” Hillcrest Town Councilmember Dave McCulloch said.

However, Francis Barraza, Executive Director of the Republican Party of San Diego County, said a recall is a big challenge.

“It’s going to take probably up to a million dollars," Barraza said.

“The recall will be over if Bob Filner resigns,” she added. “If he resigns, what happens to all the money that was invested into it?"

So far, the mayor has refused to resign, saying due process will reveal the truth about the allegations.

San Diego Teen Found Safe "Victim of a Horrific Crime"

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The father of a San Diego teenage girl who was missing for nearly a week said the healing process will be slow for his daughter Hannah.

"No one should have to do this," said Brett Anderson, who just returned from Cascade, Idaho, where 16-year-old Hannah was being held against her will by 40-year-old arson and murder suspect James DiMaggio.

Anderson thanked multiple law enforcement agencies for the safe return of his daughter, and said that the widespread use of social media and media coverage played a part in finding his daughter.

"This did make a difference," he said Monday.

San Diego Sheriff Bill Gore also spoke, saying that Hannah is a victim of a "horrific" crime.

"During our law enforcement interviews with Hannah, it became very clear to us that she is a victim in every sense of the word in this horrific crime," Gore said. "She was not a willing participant. She was in extreme duress from the time she was taken from Boulevard to the time she was rescued in Idaho."

Officials would not answer specific questions about the investigation, saying that they still had to interview people and check areas of the crime scene.

Officials said that DiMaggio burned his own home on Aug. 4 in Boulevard, Calif., killing Hannah’s mother and 8-year-old brother.

A widespread Amber Alert was set for Hannah and her brother Ethan while authorities searched for DiMaggio. It was later revealed that Ethan had died in the house fire, and DiMaggio was traveling with Hannah alone.

Timeline: Searching for Hannah Anderson

While the nationwide manhunt for DiMaggio was in place, Anderson publicly spoke and said, “Hannah, we all love you very much. If you have a chance, you take it. You run. You’ll be found.”

DiMaggio took Hannah to a rural part of Idaho, hid his car and spent multiple days in the woods camping with the teen before authorities fatally shot him

Anderson was able to reunite with his daughter in an Idaho hospital before taking her home to San Diego. 


Couple Recounts Being Held Hostage During Hialeah Rampage

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The husband and wife who survived last month's shooting rampage at a Hialeah, Fla., apartment building spoke for the first time following a memorial mass for the victims Monday night.

Zoeb and Sarrida Nek attended the mass at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, where they said they're grateful to have survived the July 26 shooting just outside Miami that claimed the lives of six people and the gunman.

"Somebody helped me and I just thank God for this, that's I'm still alive, my wife is still alive," Zoeb Noek said.

Gunman Called 911 Hours Before Hialeah Shooting

Police say Pedro Vargas, 42, shot and killed six people and held the Neks hostage, and opened fire on police officers before he was killed by SWAT team members during a violent standoff at an apartment building in the 1400 block of West 46th Street.

Italo Pisciotti, 79, and Samira Pisciotti, 69, the husband and wife who managed the building where Vargas lived with his 83-year-old mother for the last 12 years, were killed, as were neighbor 17-year-old Priscilla Perez, her mother Merly Niebles and stepfather Patricio Simono, and Carlos Gavilanes, who was killed across the street.

Hialeah Shooter "Took His Motives to the Grave"

"We lost not only our neighbors, our friends, they were just like a family to us," Zoeb Nek said. "And it's their time, I don't think, I'm just lucky to be alive."

The couple, who are natives of Pakistan, have been married for 33 years and spent the past 27 living in the building, raising all of their children there.

They thanked the Hialeah SWAT team for saving them and said praying helped them get through their ordeal.

Gov. Scott Honors Hialeah Police for Shooting Response

"Prayers, it helped me during my time when I was held hostage, prayers has helped me after that, it's all prayers, it's all miracles, it's all God," Zoeb Nek said.

Sarrida Nek said she was scared but never asked Vargas to spare her life.

"I would never beg anybody except my God, I was praying to my God," she said. "I was at peace."



Photo Credit: NBC6.com

Michelle Obama Launching Hip-Hop Album

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First lady Michelle Obama is getting some help from big names in hip-hop to motivate kids into healthy eating.

Her anti-obesity program "Let's Move!" will reportedly launch a 19-song album in September featuring Jordin Sparks, Ashanti and Run DMC singing and rapping about eating vegetables and staying positive. Even Dr. Oz got in on the action with a cameo appearance in the video for the first single "Everybody." He rapped about exercise with a little help from Doug E. Fresh.

Ten music videos released with the album will be distributed to New York City Schools before hitting other major cities, Politico reported.

The album was a collaborative effort between Let's Move and Partnership for a Healthier America.

Want to see Dr. Oz rap? Check out the video for "Everybody," the first single off the "Songs for a Healthier America" album.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Silver Fire Reaches Full Containment

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Firefighters battling the nearly 32-square-mile Silver Fire fully contained the massive blaze Monday evening, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

The 20,292-acre blaze in Riverside County injured 12 firefighters and one civilian. The civilian suffered severe burn injuries from head to toe, authorities said.

One of the 12 injured firefighters was hurt on the blaze's last day, fire officials said Monday.

Some 48 structures were destroyed, including 26 homes, one commercial building and 21 outbuildings.

Eight other buildings were damaged, including two homes and six outbuildings.

All evacuation orders were lifted Monday, but road damage forced Highway 243 to remain closed north of Twin Pines Road to Wesley Street in Banning as of Tuesday morning. Evacuation centers for residents and their animals closed Sunday afternoon.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

The Silver Fire broke out on Aug. 7 off Highway 243 south of Banning, 90 miles east of Los Angeles.

FIrefighters also brought two other smaller fires in Southern California to a close.

The Sharp Fire in the mountain community of Wrightwood scorched 163 acres and was 95 percent contained. Two firefighters suffered minor injuries and evacuations were ordered for some areas.

A fire that scorched about 100 acres in Santa Clarita near Bee Canyon, close to where the Powerhouse Fire burned earlier this summer, was 100 percent contained Monday night, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

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CA Lets Drivers Park at Broken Meters

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It might just get a little easier to find a parking spot in California.

Gov. Jerry Brown Monday signed into law a bill that would make it illegal to ticket drivers parked at broken meters.

An NBC4 investigation in 2010 showed the city of Los Angeles had written more than 17,000 tickets to drivers parked at malfunctioning meters. Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D- Burbank) cited the NBC4 investigation as the inspiration for his bill.

In a statement, Gatto said taxpayers already foot the bill for the maintenance of the parking meters.

"Local governments should take responsibility and keep parking meters in good working order, not squeeze a double-penalty out of cash-strapped citizens."

Los Angeles City Councilmembers acknowledged tickets from broken meters brought in millions of dollars in revenue, but they also argued the ticketing was a way to keep meter vandalism in check.

Led by newly elected councilman Mike Bonin, the city reversed its position on July 31, voting to allow parking at damaged meters, for a period of six months.

The Gatto bill extends that time indefinitely, and would also apply statewide. Read the text for AB61

Drivers should still be wary of other parking restrictions, like time limits or street cleaning notifications. If drivers violate those, they might still find a ticket on their windshields, whether they're parked at a busted meter or not.

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Padres Stumble In Colorado

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The game the Padres played against the Rockies on August 12, 2013, just might have a place in the pantheon of the worst games this franchise has ever been a part of.

They committed four errors (and a 5th that was not ruled because the official scorer may have been asleep at the time). Their starting pitcher, Edinson Volquez, gave up 8 earned runs in 4.1 innings. They only got six hits, going 0-5 with runners in scoring position.

It all led to a 14-2 loss that was made all the more miserable by a 63-minute rain delay in the 8th inning, with the Padres already down 8-1. When the inning resumed, the Rockies scored six more times, seemingly intent on prolonging San Diego's misery as long as possible.

The 14 runs are a season-high for the Rockies.

Had it not been for rookie OF Jaff (pronounced "Jeff") Decker getting his first MLB hit, a solo homer in the 7th inning, and Jedd Gyorko going 2-4 with a solo homer, it would have been a completely useless night for the Padres.

On Tuesday they send Eric Stults to the mound against Jeff Manship. The good news is, that one can't possibly end as poorly as Monday night's did.

Can it?



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Chargers Lose Another WR

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At the start of training camp, the Chargers deepest position group was wide receiver. Then last week they lost Danario Alexander for the season with a torn ACL.

Monday they got one heck of a scare when it looked like Malcom Floyd had suffered the same injury.

Floyd was running a drill against CB Shareece Wright (who was also involved in the Alexander injury) when the two collided.

Floyd collapsed with a right knee injury and had to be carted off the field, leaving the team fearing the worst ... a torn knee ligament, which almost always results in the loss of an entire season.

However, the Chargers got what's probably the best news possible on Monday night.

A team spokesperson told NBC 7 Floyd has a strained knee, which means the muscles or tendons (or both) around the knee were damaged, but not the all-important ligaments. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, there are three kinds of strains:

Grade 1: This mild strain involves only a few damaged muscle fibers. Recovery time is typically two to three weeks.

Grade 2: In this injury, there is more significant damage but the muscle is not ruptured. Recovery time is typically three to six weeks.

Grade 3: This one is trouble. Usually a muscle is ruptured and requires surgery. Recovery time can be up to three or four months.

Floyd will have more tests done on Tuesday to determine the category of his injury.

Malcom was the team's 2012 Offensive MVP after catching 56 balls for 814 yards and five touchdowns in just 14 games.

In the meantime, the Chargers roster has just two wide receivers who caught passes in 2012.

Eddie Royal had 23 grabs for 234 yards and one touchdown. Robert Meachem caught 14 passes for 207 yards and two scores.

Royal, third-year wideout Vincent Brown (who hasn't played a game since fracturing his leg in the 2012 pre-season), and rookie Keenan Allen were working on the first-team offense after Floyd's departure.

Royal likely has the best grasp of the offensive system, having operated it in Denver when Chargers head coach Mike McCoy was the Broncos' offensive coordinator.

After practice on Monday, Royal was leading the other wideouts in drills. It seems like they all know they have a lot more work to do.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Dive for Megalodon Teeth Also Uncovers WWII Plane

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A North Texas couple hunting for rare shark teeth has made an extra find -- a crashed World War II plane.

Wes and Kerry Kirpach, who are both teachers, regularly travel to Venice, Fla., to scuba dive and search for teeth from extinct sharks. On a recent trip, the couple discovered what they believe is a P-47 Thunderbolt.

"The best we can figure, the pilot that was flying the plane survived the wreckage, and I would imagine he swam to shore, then he continued on," Wes Kirpach said. "He later crashed in the Pacific and survived and, if I'm correct, he passed away in Macon, Ga., at the age of 92 just a couple years ago."

The state of Florida and the Air Force is now investigating the wreckage, the Kirpachs said.

The couple was diving to search for teeth from megalodons, a species of prehistoric sharks.

Megalodons were comparable in size to a modern whale shark and could have measured up to 60 feet long. Scientists believe the species went extinct between 4 million and 20 million years ago.

Finding halves of shark teeth are common, but finding two matching halves is not very common. But luck was on the Kirpachs' side -- they also found two matching halves on the same trip they discovered the downed aircraft.

Wes Kirpach, who teaches Advanced Placement biology in Plano, and Kerry Kirpach, who teaches Advanced Placement art history in Frisco, have been married for nine years.

The couple regularly uses their trips and interests at educational tools in the classroom. Wes Kirpach said his students have discovered new species right outside his Plano West High School classroom.

Pieces of history are all around them, and it helps kids learn, Kerry Kirpach said.



Photo Credit: Wes and Kerry Kirpach

Goats, Sheep Begin Grazing at O'Hare Airport

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O'Hare International Airport finally got its goats.

The city of Chicago on Monday set free a herd of animals to begin "landscaping" 120 acres on O’Hare property. The herd consists of goats, sheep, llamas and burros which will chew through hilly areas of scrub brush that's hard to maintain with regular equipment.

Don't worry about animals on the runway, though. All sites are away from the area or separated by fencing, the city said.

Chicago officials last year put out a bid for at least 25 goats or sheep and a shepherd to trim the grass at O'Hare as part of a pilot program designed to naturally control vegetation and decrease landscaping costs.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel's office announced in May the Chicago Department of Aviation planned to award a contract to Chicago-based Central Commissary Holdings, LLC, to allow animals to graze on airport grounds.

The contract expires at the end of 2014, the city said, and pays a maximum of $100,000.



Photo Credit: Karen Araiza

CA Bill Seeks Parental Rights for Sperm Donors

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California lawmakers will be presented with a controversial bill Tuesday that seeks to give certain sperm donors legal standing to argue for parental rights.

The measure going before the Assembly Judiciary Committee, SB 115, would allow a donor who has acted as a father and cared for a child to claim legal rights and assume the responsibilities associated with being the child's father.

Under current California law, a sperm donor is not regarded as the father of the child he helped conceive through artificial insemination. That is designed to protect both donors and the women who don't want a donor involved in the child's life.

Two years ago, a state law was passed allowing a donor to make a written agreement with the child's mother, which would allow the donor to play a role in the child's life. But that still allowed for a woman to first agree and then change her mind.

The new bill, authored by Sen. Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo), seeks to clarify the 2011 statute so unmarried donors can file paternity claims, with the burden of proving to the court that they have acted as a father to the child.

Actor Jason Patric will testify before the committee Tuesday to support the legislation, NBC News reported.

The “Lost Boys” actor is involved in a heated custody battle with former girlfriend Danielle Schreiber, pictured below, with whom he has a 3-year-old son, Gus, who was conceived using in vitro fertilization.

Patric took his case to state lawmakers after a judge ruled that he was to be classified strictly as a sperm donor and that he had no paternal rights over Gus.

The bill was approved by the California Senate on April 25.

Photo credit: TODAY

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Photo Credit: Getty Images

Gas Line Ruptured in Bonita

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Heartland firefighters were called to a strip mall in Bonita where a large-diameter gas line was ruptured by workers Tuesday morning.

The call came in around 11:40 a.m. in the business plaza located near where Central Avenue meets Bonita Road.

San Diego Gas & Electric workers shut down the leak shortly after 12:45 p.m. officials told NBC 7.

Brush Fire Extinguished in San Ysidro

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A brush fire in San Ysidro was extinguished Tuesday afternoon, according to officials.

The incident happened around 1 p.m. on the hillside of northbound Interstate 805 near San Ysidro Boulevard and a trolley line. An apartment complex is also close to the area.

Fire crews are at the scene and police officers are helping to direct traffic. Firefighters were able to surround the blaze shortly after arriving.



Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Oakland Police ID Body as Slain Federal Investigator

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Oakland police on Tuesday identified the female body found near the base of a tree in Northern California as that of slain federal public defender Sandra Coke.

Most had expected that positive identification after the 50-year-old Oakland woman's body was discovered in Vacaville near Cherry Glen Road off Interstate Highway 80 on Friday. Authorities have still not revealed how she died.

Her family says they are devastated by the news, calling Coke the "shining light" of their family. They also thanked the hundreds of people who helped search for Sandra.

"Those of us who were privileged to know Sandra will remember her as an unusually kind, generous and big-hearted person. She passionately devoted her professional life to helping the poor and those who endured difficult childhoods. All of us will miss Sandra’s beautiful, giving spirit," the family statement read.

After Coke disappeared, police arrested a "person of interest" in the case on a parole violation – a violent sex offender named Randy Alana, who dated Coke 20 years ago.

As of Tuesday, Alana had still not been named as a suspect in her death.

Coke worked at the federal building in Sacramento and was a longtime investigator.

Chief Judge Alex Kozinski of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued the following statement regarding her death: “All of us in the federal court family are deeply saddened by the death of our colleague and co-worker. Sandra Coke was an admired and respected professional working in a highly challenging area of the law. She was passionate about her work, devoted to her clients and colleagues, and performed her duties with fairness and integrity. She will be greatly missed. Our hearts go out to her family.”

Coke had been missing since Aug. 4 when her daughter last saw her about 8:30 p.m. leaving her home in the 600 block of Aileen Street in North Oakland. She had gone to Walgreens, her family said, despite reports that said she had been going to meet with someone about the family's missing dog.

Her car was later found in West Oakland, and one of her cell phones was found in Richmond last week.

A police source told NBC Bay Area Coke's other cell phone was tracked to Solano County. Coke's sister said earlier this week that Coke's teenage daughter used the “Find My iPhone” app Sunday night.

A police source said surveillance cameras captured Coke's car crossing the Carquinez Bridge. The source said another surveillance camera showed Alana gassing up her car and using her ATM card.

The source said Alana, who has been arrested on a parole violation, was found with Coke's keys and her credit card. He also had on muddy boots.  

Alana is a high-risk sex offender with a violent past, including rape and kidnapping convictions. He has been in and out of jail since the 1980s.

Sources confirmed Alana and Coke dated more than 20 years ago. They said she was recently trying to help him turn his life around.

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Photo Credit: NBC Bay Area
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