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Store Bans "Sex Toys for Filner" Recall Sign

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A San Diego woman has refused to remove her handwritten sign seeking donations of new or used sex toys for embattled Mayor Bob Filner.

“Save the women of S.D. Donate your new + gentley [sic] used sex toys to Filner,” reads the sign posted by Valorie Matthews of Allied Gardens on her petition table in front of a grocery store.

Matthews has been collecting signatures as part of the effort to recall Mayor Filner.

Filner, who has been in mediation with city leaders this week, has been accused of sexual harassment by a former employee, operating “pay to play” schemes involving developers and misusing his city-issued credit card.

More than a dozen women have also spoken publicly about unwanted sexual advances they experienced when meeting Bob Filner at public events or private meetings while he was mayor and congressman.

Matthews has been sitting outside the Albertsons grocery store on Waring and Zion every day since the recall effort kicked off on Sunday.

Her petition stand includes a bucket that reads “Sex Toys for Filner.”

On Tuesday, Matthews was told to stop by Albertsons' corporate attorney.

When NBC 7 News contacted the store, they offered this statement:

“Ms. Matthews has also chosen to put a sign that has an adult theme which is not appropriate for children or our family-friendly environment. We've explained to Ms. Matthews that she can continue to collect petition signatures at our stores if she removes the sign. Unfortunately, she has refused.”

Interactive Timeline: Mayor Under Fire

“This is the United States of America. I can say anything I want, anywhere I want to anyone I want,” Matthews said.

Matthews told NBC 7 she plans on returning Wednesday, signs and all. She also claims she’ll go to jail if necessary.

“I'm the rarest of all women,” Matthews said. “I have a mouth, a brain to back it up and the guts to use both.”

She described herself as a little old lady who’s surviving on Social Security who is hoping to get a good lawyer to offer services pro bono.

So far Matthews has collected 300 signatures for the “Recall Bob Filner” campaign and zero sex toys.
 



Photo Credit: NBC 7 News

Pirates Crush Padres

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It shouldn't be all that surprising the team 23-games over .500 beat the team 14-games under .500.

The Pirates broke open a fairly close game in the seventh inning. Up 3-1 Pittsburgh scored five runs to put this one out of reach. A.J. Burnett (6-8) pitched seven innings for the win. Tyson Ross was not in command of any of his pitches but gutted it out for six-plus innings for the Padres. He took the loss as his record fell to 3-6 on the season.

Jedd Gyorko provided the only Friars run. His 14th homer of the year, a solo shot in the fourth, was all the offense the Padres could muster.

The Pirates go for the series sweep Wednesday afternoon at Petco Park.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Man Beat Girlfriend After Mistaken Release From Jail: Police

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A Chicago man arrested in July for beating his girlfriend attacked her again this week after he was mistakenly released from Cook County Jail, authorities said.

Steven Derkits, 30, of the 4400 block of South Talman Avenue, was taken back into custody Tuesday after police realized their mistake when Derkits failed to show up for a court date.

Cook County Sheriff's Department spokesman Ben Breit said police arrested him less than three hours later.

Derkits was previously arrested on July 9 for alleged domestic battery and aggravated battery to a peace officer among other charges. Five of the six charges were dropped, Breit said, except for battery to the police officer.

Breit said the mistake likely was human error, pointing to sheriff's office staff overlooking the remaining charge.

Derkits is now accused of attacking the woman who filed charges against him in July. He was being held at Sheriff's Police headquarters in Maywood Wednesday before being transferred back to the jail.

Breit said the department is looking into taking disciplinary actions against those involved in the mistaken release.

In a statement, the sheriff's office said the incident points to a larger, systemic problem in an overcrowded jail where more than 1,200 inmates are transported daily from their cells to court hearings.

"Working with more than a thousand paper files each day invites mistakes that can have serious consequences for public safety. There is no excuse for this antiquated system to continue in an electronic age."

Derkits' release marked the second time this year an inmate was mistakenly discharged.



Photo Credit: Cook County Sheriff's Department

CHP Arrests Driver in High-Speed Pursuit

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This is scene video captured after the CHP arrested a wanted parolee after a high-speed chase across the county. The pursuit started early Wednesday in El Cajon, where sheriff's deputies spotted him and chased the car at high speeds. The driver jumped onto Interstate 8. After switching between several freeways, they finally exited the 163 at 38th street in Shelltown. The chase then turned into a foot pursuit, and the suspect was spotted with the help of a helicopter around 1 a.m. No word from the Sheriff's department on the suspect's identity.

Antibiotics Defeat Brain-Eating Infection in Boy

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Antibiotics administered to a 12-year-old Florida boy have defeated a rare brain-eating infection and now his family is praying for brain activity, Zachary Reyna's dad said Wednesday.

"Extensive damage was done to his brain and we need to pray for any form of activity to come from his brain. I feel like Zac was in a slump, all ball players go through them. We all do," said Jesse Reyna, through a Facebook page for the boy. "As his Dad and Coach I do all I can to help him get out of it by giving him extra training and making adjustments to his swing. We all go through tough times and we need to find God and prayer to get through theses slumps of life."

The family continues to hold hope and pray for the boy’s condition, a rare brain infection known as PAM, which stands for primary amebic meningoencephalitis.  Tests showed negative activity from the amoeba, Jesse Reyna said.

 

"God has sent Zac an army of coaches and through prayers Zac is ready. He's ready to battle now. His slump is over. We will battle together with Zac and know that we are prepared for God's decision. A victory is coming. Zac I love you and I know you are doing your best. Leave it all on the field son. I'm proud of you. We all are," he wrote.

Zachary Reyna is in the intensive care unit after being transferred there from Glades County, where they believe the boy was infected with the amoeba.

His family says Zachary had been knee boarding in a water-filled ditch by his home. Then he became very ill.

The brain-eating amoeba that causes this infection is commonly found in warm fresh water such as lakes, rivers, canals and ponds. This is the middle of the peak season, which runs from July through September.

The amoeba can enter through the nose into the brain. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from 2003 to 2012 there have been 31 reported cases of PAM. Of those, 28 have been linked to recreational water, three from nose irrigation with contaminated water. These infections are more likely in Southern states but are extremely rare.

Nevertheless the CDC says you should assume the amoeba is present in warm fresh bodies of water.

“Please pray for Zac and pray that God continues to give us strength these last few days of treatment,” Jesse Reyna wrote. “The enemy is trying to make us lose hope and we need your prayers.”
 



Photo Credit: NBC 6 South Florida

Surgeon Pleads Not Guilty to Liposuction Death

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A former Southern California cosmetic surgeon has been charged with involuntary manslaughter after allegedly giving a deadly cocktail of drugs during a liposuction procedure, authorities said.

Ehab Aly Mohamed, 46, was also charged with elder abuse in a separate incident involving a different patient. Mohamed is already jailed on previous burglary and forgery convictions, according to a Los Angeles County District Attorney's office statement.

Mohamed pleaded not guilty Wednesday to all charges and denied any and all special circumstances, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 6.

Mohamed's involuntary manslaughter stems from the Aug. 21, 2010 death of Sharon Carpenter. Carpenter, 61, died in Mohamed's Encino office after a 10-hour liposuction procedure.

During the surgery, she was given a combination of liocaine, fentanyl and oxycodone. She died in Mohamed's office after midnight, according to the statement.

LAPD Detective Joel Price told NBC4 that Mohamed never showed any signs of remorse for his patient's death.

And the detective offered another bizarre detail about the case.

"He was, in fact, performing medical procedures on himself," adding that when police officers arrested Mohamed, the surgeon was hospitalized and "in bad shape."

On May 21, 2010, a 77-year-old patient of Mohamed's passed out during a liposuction procedure and still suffers from related health problems, according to the District Attorney's statement.

Mohamed faces up to 10 years in prison if he's convicted.

NBC4's Toni Guinyard and Robert Kovacik contributed to this report.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article erroneously reported that the surgeon's arraignment was delayed until Sept. 6. The surgeon entered a not guilty plea Wednesday, and is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on that date.

More Southern California Stories:

 

Man Attacks Neighbor With Chainsaw During Fight

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Two neighbors got into a fight early Wednesday morning on Chicago's South Side, police said, and one man attacked the other with a chainsaw.

The attack happened just before 2 a.m. in the backyard of a home on the 1000 block of West 103rd Street in the Washington Heights neighborhood.

Police said Preston Smith and his neighbor were hanging out late into the night when they got into some sort of altercation. The neighbor pulled out a chainsaw and wound up slicing Smith's neck and hands, nearly slicing off some of the man's fingers.

Smith, 55, was rushed to Advocated Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn where he was listed Wednesday morning in stable condition. Police News Affairs said his fingers were still attached but dangling.

The neighbor wasn't in police custody by late morning, but officers said they know exactly who they are looking for.

Family and authorities said the two have been friends for a long time and the altercation was likely the result of a drunken fight.

Police called it an isolated incident between acquaintances and said the neighbor is not a danger to the community.



Photo Credit: NBCChicago.com

Newtown Dad: Georgia Case "Frighteningly Similar"

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Eight months after the horrific school shooting in Newtown, Conn., parents in Georgia rushed to reunite with their children after a man with an AK-47 rifle walked into an Atlanta-area elementary school Tuesday.

The man surrendered peacefully, according to reports, and Georgia officials said they are “lucky” no one was killed in the school, according to NBC News.

Wednesday morning, the father of a little boy killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School was on the "Today" show and called the two incidents “frighteningly similar.”

Mark Barden’s 7-year-old son, Daniel, was killed in the Newtown shooting. The little boy who dreamed of becoming a firefighter was one of 20 first graders and six staff members killed in the shooting.

“It is frighteningly similar, and I just feel so deeply for those parents and those children who had to endure that horrific scenario, and we’re just so thankful that everybody emerged OK from that,” Mark Barden told Savannah Guthrie.

Officials have identified the suspect in the Georgia case as Michael Brandon Hill, 20.

When asked whether the incident and the images of children running in terror brought up feelings of fear, sorrow or anger, Barden said he feels like he needs to keep going. 

After the shooting, Barden joined several other families affected by the tragedy and became a voice for gun control legislation, both the state and national level. 

“For me, I feel I need to really keep going. There are so many … issues that need to be addressed. You know, this is an epidemic and it’s a huge problem here in our culture. We need to address a lot of different items, holistically,” Barden said.

He said this includes addressing mental health issues and the need for better access to mental health care, firearms safety issues, legislation and community outreach.

“We just need to look at our society as a whole and evolve from this place,” Barden said.

When asked if things have changed, or whether the moment of Newtown has passed, Barden said he does not think the moment has passed.

“I continue to speak to people and people are still very touched and very aware of what happened in Newtown and unfortunately, there are situations that continue to happen, so I think people are aware of this epidemic,” Barden said.

He added that organizations, including Sandy Hook Promise and Americans for Responsible Solutions, are doing great work.

 


Kook Dressed Up as Mayor Bob Filner

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All of the costumes that have adorned the so-called "Cardiff Kook" over the years. All in one place!

La Jolla Woman Claims San Diego Mayor Touched Her

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A La Jolla woman has accused San Diego Mayor Bob Filner of touching her inappropriately.

Dianne York is a businesswoman in San Diego who owns a mineral make-up company and she is the latest in a string of women who've come forward claiming Filner was inappropriate toward them.

Special Section: Mayor Under Fire

York told NBC 7 that she met with Mayor Filner three months ago. She wanted to meet with him to discuss concerns about a predatory loan and foreclosure.

She claimed it was at that meeting when Filner put his hand on her buttocks when she asked to take a photo with him. York said the mayor's representatives were present in the room, when he inappropriately touched her.

"I was startled at the time," York said at a press conference on Wednesday.

She has since filed a report with the sheriff's department and said it took a lot of courage to speak up.

"I did this for the people of San Diego," York said.

National Women's Veterans Association of America President Tara Jones also appeared at the press conference, and said that York is brave for speaking out.

"There's a lot of other women out there, we want you to come forward," Jones said.

Recall effort leader Michael Pallamary also appeared alongside York, saying she should be applauded for her courage. York is also participating in the recall effort, she said Wednesday.

According to York's website, she is the owner of a La Jolla spa that specializes in mineral makeup. She was named Woman of the Year by the National Association of Professional Women.

Filner has not commented on any of the accusations made against him.


Jones, York and John Cox stand together at the news conference.

"Bored" Teen Kills Kittens, Posts Photos Online: Cops

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An Indiana teen was charged with animal cruelty Tuesday after he admitted to killing kittens in an alley, then posting the photos to Facebook.

The Lake County Sheriff's Department said the 17-year-old confessed to investigators that he used a compound bow and arrows to “hunt” kittens living in the alley behind his home in East Chicago, Ind.

Police said the teen told them he shot the animals the week of Aug. 4 because he felt bored. Three kittens were killed, police said, one of them speared through the head.

Police said the teen then posted gruesome photos of himself with the dead kittens on Facebook.  Facebook eventually removed the photos, the Lake County Sheriff’s Department said, because of their objectionable nature.

The teen was charged with killing a domestic animal and torturing or mutilating a domestic animal.
 

Public Meeting to Focus on SR-67 Improvements

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A public meeting is slated for Thursday evening in Ramona to discuss potential improvements for a portion of State Route 67, Caltrans officials announced.

The public scoping meeting will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Olive Pierce Middle School located at 1521 Hanson Lane.

Caltrans says the meeting is the very first phase in open community discussions regarding possible improvements for the stretch of SR-67 that spans between Willow Road and Shady Oaks Drive.

Special displays at the meeting will depict what is being proposed for the stretch of roadway. Potential improvements include various types of median barriers designed to reduce the number of accidents on SR-67.

A comment table will be set up at the meeting so the public can voice their opinions.

Caltrans says comments on this potential project can also be mailed to the Caltrans District Office at the following address:

4050 Taylor Street MS-121
San Diego, CA 92110

Comments may also be emailed to: ct.public.information.d11@dot.ca.gov



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Man's Last Wish Was to Make It Rain Money

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Leonard Maull liked to hang out with friends at the Lewes Harbor Marina in Delaware. Now, a year after his death, he has many more friends and has become the talk of the town.

"He had some surprises up his sleeve," said Joe Morris, of Lewes, who knew Leonard and was at the marina when it started to rain money last Saturday.

$10,000, to be exact, was tossed from a helicopter as part of Maull's last wish he noted in his will before he died.

"It was kind of hovering over the parking lot, and my boss and I walked down the stairwell to see what was going on, and we see, like, stuff coming out of it," said Dana Smith, general manager at Irish Eyes.

Smith says at first she thought it was coupons falling from the sky.

"My boss said, 'Wouldn't that be crazy if it were money?' And one of the other managers took off," said Smith, who admits she kind of froze.

"I'm standing there, thinking it's coupons still, with my mouth wide open, like, 'This isn't happening,'" said Smith.

Morris says he was too busy working, but he describes watching people make a dash for cash.

"It was pretty wild," said Morris. "It scattered all across yard, into the marsh surrounding it, and some ended up in canal and across on the other side on the marsh next to the ball field."

A group of kids were definitely in the right place at the right time. They had just arrived back to the harbor from a pirate boat tour when they got their hands on some real-life "booty."

"From what I understand, there was a 5-year-old that got more than $500," said Smith. "They made out good."

The Irish Eyes manager, Kara Miele, who did take off running for cash, ended up collecting $170. Smith didn't collect anything, but maybe some regrets. "I have a lot of them," she said with a laugh.

As for the man at the center of it all, Leonard Maull, he was fairly well known around town. He owned Henlopen Bait & Tackle for 25 years before selling it in 2000. After that, he enjoyed hanging out at the marina with the local fishermen.

Maull was described as an opinionated man who always let people know where they stood with him. Now, after his death, it appears he was making his opinion known one more time, through this surprising gift.

"He had kind of a gruff exterior, so it's just not something you'd expect him to do, but I can see him doing this," said Morris.


Contact Lauren DiSanto at 610.668.5705, lauren.disanto@nbcuni.com



Photo Credit: Irish Eyes/ Facebook Page

Eastlake Preps for Westport

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A group of Little League baseball players from Chula Vista will capture the attention of people all across San Diego County as they play for a shot at the U.S. Championship.

The Eastlake All-Stars will face Westport, Conn. in a semifinal game that will be televised on ESPN beginning at 5 p.m. PT.

Eastlake pitcher Grant Holman, the same player who pitched a no-hitter against Michigan Friday, was expected to start.

“Probably the least healthy at this point are the coaches,” said Doug Holman. “Our arms are hanging off from throwing balls since June 15 and other little maladies but the kids are all good.”

Holman spoke with NBC 7 News Today from Williamsport, Penn as the team finished up breakfast in the mess hall.

The players got together in a group and hollered “hello” into the phone for their fans in San Diego.

Signs have popped up all over Eastlake as businesses rally behind the team that traveled to San Bernardino to win the West Regional tournament and qualified them for the Little League World Series.

The Eastlake Little League is selling West Regional hats, T-shirts and other gear to help raise money for the team’s travel to the World Series.

The parents and families have accompanied the 12-year-olds on the trip east. The mother of player Michah Wiggs said the boys appear to be handling the stress and nerves better than some of the families.

“It’s really exciting. Us moms and some of the dads get real nervous before the games,” said Ronne Pietila-Wiggs.

As the team prepares to face Westport, some analysts are predicting a low-scoring game Wednesday night.

The Connecticut team has played 21 games to get to Williamsport and in 16 of those games, they’ve held their opposition to three runs or less, Coach Holman said.

“If you look on paper it looks like yeah, great pitching,” said Holman.

Check statistical game summary from Westport’s Sunday win here.

On Tuesday, Washington won 6-5 over Tennessee in an elimination game. So the team that loses tonight’s game will meet Washington.

The team that wins in that matchup will face the winner of the Westport v. Eastlake game for the U.S. Championship.



Photo Credit: Eastlake Little League

Police: Lt. Gov. Dewhurst Asked to Get Relative Out of Jail

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Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst personally called police and asked to talk to the highest-ranking officer about getting a relative out of jail, Allen police said.

He also asked for the cellphone numbers of a judge and the Collin County sheriff, which a sergeant declined to give him.

The relative, Ellen Bevers, an Allen elementary school teacher, was jailed on charges of shoplifting at a Kroger’s grocery store on Aug. 3, police said.

Police released an audio recording of the phone call late Wednesday after a request from NBC DFW under the Texas open records law.

"What I would like to do, if you would explain it to me, sergeant, what I need to do is to arrange for getting her out of jail this evening and you can proceed with whatever you think is proper," Dewhurst said on the call.

In the call, Dewhurst described Bevers as his sister-in-law but police said the woman was married to Dewhurst's nephew. In a short statement later Wednesday, Dewhurst referred to her as his niece.

Dewhurst had called the main Allen Police phone number and asked to call to the senior officer. He was connected to the on-duty sergeant, police said.

Dewhurst said he had known Bevers for 30 years and described her as "the sweetest woman in the world."

"Sergeant, you don't know me, but every year I'm the No.1 pick of all the law enforcement agencies in Texas," Dewhurst is heard saying in the recording. "I'm the No. 1 pick and I want you to do whatever is the proper thing."

Dewhurst defended Bevers' character and said the shoplifting charge was a mistake.

"This lady, I know in my heart, was not involved, in the intentional walking out and stealing $57," Dewhurst said.

Dewhurst spokesman Travis Considine released a short statement and said in a later email he would answer no questions about the issue.

"David acted as a concerned family member in an attempt to acquire information on how to post bail for his niece while reiterating multiple times in the full conversation that law enforcement follow their normal protocols and procedures," the statement said.

Dewhurst, a longtime Texas public official, is running for re-election but had no campaign events planned Wednesday.

A police spokesman said Dewhurst is not under investigation and added that the department often gets similar calls from concerned relatives after someone is arrested.

Sgt. Jon Felty of the Allen Police Department says he was surprised when he heard about the call, but says that nothing said was against the law.

"There is nothing criminal here," Felty said. "When I listen to this recording, I hear much of what every family member has when they have a relative incarcerated."

Dewhurst's opponent, Sen. Dan Patrick of Houston, issued a statement late Wednesday blasting the phone call as an abuse of power.

"The fact that David Dewhurst believes he and his family are above the law is the height of arrogance and recklessness," Patrick said. "This blatant abuse of power would be stunning coming from any elected official.  However, it is particularly disturbing coming from the Lieutenant Governor of Texas.”

NBC 5 DFW's Randy McIlwain, Catherine Ross and Julie Fine contributed to this report.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

San Diego Mayor Bob Filner Apppears in Public

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NBC 7 San Diego cameras captured Mayor Bob Filner as he left the City Administration Building on Wednesday afternoon.

Victim Fights Back, Stabs Her Attacker With His Weapon

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A woman approached from behind by a knife-yielding attacker in Washington, D.C. was able to fight back, even stabbing the would-be robber with his own weapon.

The woman was walking in the 6200 block of Second Street NW Tuesday just after 3 p.m. near her place of work when she heard footsteps behind her, getting louder and faster.

“I turned around and…[it's] as if he was trying to grab me from a choke-hold position and he was brandishing a knife," the woman told News4 Washington's Pat Collins.

She said the man told her to give him her cell phone while holding a knife above his head. The woman reached for the knife, and both she and the suspect fell to the ground.

“He was on top of me, the knife just so happened to fall right next to me, right next to my right hand. So I grabbed it with my right hand and just went to work," the victim said.

She stabbed the suspect, a teenager, in the chest and in the leg, and he ran from the scene. He sought medical treatment at a fire station about a mile away, and was immediately arrested.

The woman said she recommends everyone be cognizant of their surroundings.

Rim Fire Threatens 2,500 Structures Near Yosemite

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National Air Guardsmen took off from Moffett Airfield in Mountain View in the hopes of gaining control of several wildfires raging in the Yosemite area - spots that are popular with many Northern California residents trying to enjoy their last week or two of summer vacation.

That crew from the 129th Air Rescue Wing joined other firefighters across the state to battle what's been dubbed the Rim Fire - a wildfire that broke out Saturday in the Stanislaus National Forest area just outside Yosemite. 

It exploded in size overnight. As of Wednesday, the fire was 5 percent contained and had spread to more than 16,000 acres or 25 square miles, which is basically the same size as the city of Gilroy.

An advisory evacuation order was posted for all of Pine Mountain Lake Wednesday afternoon.

Nearly 900 personnel were sent in to battle the blaze.

The destructive wildfire is threatening some 2,500 structures, which forced the shutdown of a highway into Yosemite National Park.

A four mile stretch of State Route 120 is closed  in both directions, blocking traffic in and out of Yosemite on its west side, though the park remains open.

Two homes and seven outbuildings have burned.

Wednesday afternoon update:

The north end of the fire has crossed the Clavey River and is burning in remote and steep terrain. The north end is not threatening any structures at this time. Due to inaccessible, steep terrain and active fire behavior a combination of direct and indirect attack will be used on this incident. The fire burned actively with a southward spread of the fire over Highway 120. Direct line suppression efforts are impeded by difficult access and steep inaccessible terrain. A combination of direct and indirect attack will be used on this incident. Active fire behavior today raises safety concerns for crews adjacent to the fire’s edge. Smoke exposure within the deep drainage of the Clavey River will be an issue for fire crews as well.

MORE: Firefighters Battle Blazes, Remain on High Alert Under Red Flag Warning

There are 10 major wildfires burning in California, and the Rim Fire is among the largest. A total of 22 firefighters from cities in Alameda County were also dispatched on Tuesday from Livermore to help out.

"The weather is not cooperating, and it's relatively unfriendly terrain," said Alameda County Fire Special Operations Chief Rob Schnepp. "This is growing in intensity."

Several camps were evacuated Tuesday as a safety precaution. Those include: San Jose Family Camp,  Berkeley Tuolomne Camp, San Francisco's Mather Camp, and Camp Tawonga. All are within five miles of the Rim Fire.

Camp Tawonga sent out emails and Facebook posts telling people there was no immediate risk to the camp property, where a large black oak tree fell in July and killed a counselor in a separate tragic accident this summer.

MORE: Training Grenade Sparks Brush Fire at Camp Parks in Dublin

And as of Wednesday, none of Camp Tawonga had been burned . Still, the camp directors canceled a family camp program this weekend for safety reasons.

Jessica Cannon of Oakland was set to go to Tawonga this weekend but now, because of the road closure, has made other plans: She and five other families are going camping somewhere else.

Also on Tuesday, about 160 acres burned at the Camp Parks Military Base near Santa Rita Jail in Dublin.

Investigators are looking into what started the Rim Fire.

More Bay Area Stories:



Photo Credit: NBC Bay Area

Mayor Filner Mediation Could Take Weeks: Expert

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Negotiations between San Diego’s mayor and city leaders determined to oust him from office could take several weeks, not days, one expert told NBC 7.

Special Section: Mayor Under Fire

Despite the optimism of some participants, University of San Diego professor Orly Lobel said residents may need to wait weeks to learn the outcome of mediation between Mayor Bob Filner, City Attorney Jan Goldsmith, City Council President Todd Gloria and City Councilmember Kevin Faulconer.

Participants have been unwilling to share details of what's being discussed at the table, citing a request from the mediator, retired federal Judge Lawrence Irving. 

“It's going to be an expensive process,” Lobel predicted. “It's going to be something like half a million dollars.”

While the San Diego City Council has already voted unanimously not to pay for the mayor's defense in a sexual harassment lawsuit brought by a former employee, Lobel suggests that may be where city leaders have to compromise.

“He will want some kind of promise from the city that he will pay possibly attorneys’ fees and possibly any damages,” she said.

Windows at the AT&T building where the negotiation sessions have taken place have been blacked out. But NBC 7 News has learned Filner and Goldsmith, two men who have fought publicly in the last 8 months, were seated on opposite ends of a long conference room table in Monday’s session.

Lobel says this is not how ordinary mediation takes place.

“The sides are caucusing separately in separate rooms so there is probably going to be three different rooms,” she said describing other mediation sessions.

Several experts have predicted that Filner will use his resignation as a bargaining chip.

Filner’s top aide said last week that she expected Filner to return to work Monday after three weeks away from the office.

Staffers and attorneys said Filner completed two weeks of therapy and took one week off of personal time.

Until Monday, Filner hadn't been seen in public since he held a news conference on July 26 announcing he would seek treatment for an undisclosed disorder or behavioral problem.

Interactive Timeline: Mayor Under Fire

NBC 7 News filed a Public Records Act request on July 15 to obtain the mayor’s appointment schedule. The station has made repeated requests to get the information from the mayor’s staff.

On Tuesday, the mayor’s office told an NBC 7 Investigates producer that they could not fulfill the request filed because of the number of media requests for the information.

Filner promised to make his appointment scheduled available online when he campaigned for mayor.



Photo Credit: NBC 7 News

Water Gushes Near Gas Station

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A fire hydrant knocked over in Kearny Mesa prompted water to spew like a geyser next to a gas station Wednesday morning.

The incident happened at 10:30 a.m. near the intersection of Balboa Avenue and Ruffner Road.

Firefighters were seen at the area working to fix the problem. Crews later were able to stop the leak.


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