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County Recognizes Gene Cubbison's Legacy as Journalist

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NBC 7’s Gene Cubbison has been telling other people’s stories for more than four decades but, on Wednesday, the retired reporter gets to add another page to his own story.

The County of San Diego will recognize Cubbison’s long career as a local journalist by announcing a proclamation in his honor at the San Diego County Board of Supervisor’s morning meeting.

Before retiring on Nov. 9, Cubbison had worked as a reporter for more than 45 years, spending 35 of those years at NBC 7. Cubbison was also the host of “Politically Speaking” on NBC 7 and had a knack for explaining local politics in ways anyone could understand.

According to Cubbison, he worked on an average of 200 stories per year.

“There are a lot of tears that have been shed in front of me; some on my shoulder,” said Cubbison, recalling interviews that accompanied those stories.

Over his career as a newsman, Cubbison interviewed three U.S. presidents: the late George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. He also interviewed governors, senators, member of Congress, celebrities and athletes.

But, while reflecting on his career last month, he told NBC 7 his most memorable story was one that he dubbed “Bus Boy.”

In February 1997, Cubbison was assigned to cover a breaking news story in San Diego’s East County, where a man had hijacked an empty transit bus, forced the driver out and was joyriding 67 miles around town.

The man was driving near Fletcher Parkway when he spotted Cubbison, his photographer and the lights as Cubbison was live on the air with NBC 7.

“And, at one point, he stopped in front of us, and I said, ‘What’s going on here?’” Cubbison recounted. “The door opened, and he stumbled out the stairs and came lying at my feet, spread eagle like this.”

A crowd had gathered to watch the police pursuit of the man in the bus and watched him surrender right in front of Cubbison and the rolling cameras. To this day, Cubbison chuckles at how that story ended.

Cubbison will now enjoy his retirement, which will include coffee, plenty of reading and many (winning) rounds of golf.



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

'Small-Format' Target Store Planned for Spring Valley

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The community of Spring Valley in San Diego’s East County will soon be home a new, small Target store.

The retail giant announced plans Tuesday to open a “small-format” store at 935 Sweetwater Road, near the Jamacha Road intersection, in 2020.

This will be the company’s fourth small-format location in the San Diego area, part of the company’s master plan to open these smaller-scale stores in dense urban neighborhoods – namely places where a full-size Target store may not fit. These smaller stores aim to offer an assortment of products that cater specifically to the community in which the store stands.

Small-format Target locations in San Diego County include an existing one in South Park and locations in North Park and Ocean Beach, which will open next year.

In addition to household necessities, the 48,000-square-foot Spring Valley store will offer in-store pick-up for customers who order their things online. Target said it plans to hire approximately 75 employees to staff the location.

These Target store openings have stirred some controversy in San Diego County communities, as some locals worry about competition from the big box retailer impacting small businesses. Residents who support the openings have said they're happy to add a quick, convenient shopping option to their communities.



Photo Credit: Rendering Courtesy of Target
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NY Woman Who Was Unwittingly Used in HIV Ad Awarded $125K

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A New York woman whose photo was used in an ad campaign promoting the rights of HIV-positive people without her knowledge has been awarded $125,000 in damages, NBC News reported.

Avril Nolan — who does not have HIV — sued the state's Division of Human Rights, alleging it had improperly used her photo in a 2013 ad that included the words "I AM POSITIVE" and "I HAVE RIGHTS."

Nolan had posed for the picture for a "street-style" magazine piece in 2011. The picture was later sold to Getty Images, which licensed it to DHR for the ad.

In a ruling made public Tuesday, Justice Thomas Scuccimarra wrote that the ad didn't contain a disclaimer clarifying the person depicted is a model. "Ms. Nolan did not give permission for the use of her photograph, taken in an entirely different context, and apparently thereafter sold," Judge Scuccimarra wrote.

The ad ran in four print publications and three online publications.



Photo Credit: WireImage

Hurricane Florence, Anthony Bourdain Among Most Googled

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It’s been an overall pretty rough year for the United States, if 2018’s top Google searches are any indication.

The county’s top searches this year covered everything from destructive hurricanes to celebrity deaths to mass shootings. Many of this year’s most googled topics in the U.S. were also reflected in the year’s most searched topics globally

Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain made the top 10 most searched topics. Spade was the original creator of the handbag line by the same name, and Bourdain was the host of CNN’s award-winning show “Parts Unknown.” Both reportedly died by suicide.

Rapper Mac Miller and singer Demi Lovato were also frequently searched about this year. Miller reportedly died from a drug overdose in September. Lovato’s struggles with drug addiction also made headlines when she was hospitalized following an apparent overdose in August.

People connected to the #MeToo movement, a campaign started on social media fighting for justice for sexual assault survivors, also made the list .

Justice Brett Kavanaugh, the Supreme Court’s newest addition, faced a contentious nomination battle that captivated the nation after Dr. Christine Blasey Ford accused him of sexually assaulting her when they were in high school. Kavanaugh denied the allegations. He was sworn in as the 114th justice of U.S. Supreme Court on Oct. 6.

Former NBC “Today” show host Matt Lauer made 2017’s top Google searches list after he was accused of and fired for sexually harassing female colleagues.

Just as with last year’s top Google searches, another mass shooting made the list. Twelve people were killed in a bar in Thousand Oaks, California, in November after a former Marine Corps veteran opened fire on them. Many of the victims were in their early 20s.

In October 2017, 58 people were killed and hundred more injured when a gunman shot into a crowd of 22,000 concertgoers at the Route 91 Harvest Festival. The Las Vegas Shooting was one of the most googled news events in 2017.

In 2016, the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando left 49 people dead and dozens injured, with the majority of the victims and survivors being members of the LGBTQ community. The Orlando shooting made the most searched news events list in 2016.

But not all the searches were depressing.

The World Cup was this year’s most searched topic.

The Marvel Studios film “Black Panther” was the sixth most searched topic this year. The super hero flick and its notably diverse cast made history when the movie became the first Marvel film to receive a Golden Globe nomination.

Duchess of Sussex and former “Suits” actress Meghan Markle made the list for the most searched people of 2018. Markle also made the list last year. Her royal wedding also made the most searched news list. Markle captured American and U.K. hearts alike as the world followed her engagement to the Britain's Prince Harry.

Arguably, the real winner for 2018’s top Google searches was the Mega Millions jackpot lottery results, which had much of the country hoping they’d wake up with $1.6 billion in their pocket. It was the first time in Mega Millions history and the second time in U.S. lottery history that the possible winnings reached 10 figures.

Hopefully next year’s top Google searches will be richer than this year’s.



Photo Credit: Getty Images
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PICS: Tony Bennett at Pechanga Theater

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'I left my heart in San Diego': Tony Bennett crooned his way through a packed Pechanga Resort Casino Theater recently.

Photo Credit: Connie Bolger

5 People Have Died in San Diego County This Flu Season

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Three more people died last week from complications of the flu, raising the number of fatalities to five for this flu season, San Diego County health officials reported Wednesday.

There were four flu-related deaths as of the same date last season.

A 77-year-old woman died on Dec. 1 from influenza B, officials with the County Health and Human Services Agency reported on Wednesday.

A 49-year-old man died from complications of H1N1 (influenza A) on Dec. 4, according to the agency. 

Also, officials received a delayed report regarding an 80-year-old woman who died on Oct. 15 from influenza B.  

Officials said all had underlying medical conditions and had not received a flu shot before the season began.

For the week ending Dec. 8, three percent of all visits to local emergency rooms were for influenza-like illnesses, the agency said. 

Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer advises residents to get vaccinated to protect themselves from the flu.

“Influenza deaths are very unfortunate but serve as a reminder that the flu can be deadly, especially for at-risk populations,” she said. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu shot every year. The vaccine is safe and effective. It takes two weeks for immunity to develop.

In San Diego County, 342 residents died of flu-related causes in the 2017 to 2018 flu season.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Surfer Rescued After Spotted Unconscious, Floating Face Down

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A woman was rescued from a beach near La Jolla and Pacific Beach after she was discovered unconscious, floating face down out from shore Wednesday morning.

Lifeguards with the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department were notified of the fallen surfer at the Tourmaline Surfing Park at around 8:10 a.m.

She was found in the “zone of the surf,” said Monica Munoz, a representative with SDFD. This area is where the waves break and approach the shoreline. The water here is usually greater than 15 feet deep.

A bystander pulled her out of the water and began performing CPR, Munoz said.

Lifeguards continued life-saving measures when they arrived shortly after, according to SDFD.

"From what I heard from the lifeguards and first responders, there was a return of heartbeat and spontaneous breathing," a man who said he knows the victim told NBC 7.

Munoz described the woman as in her 30s.

The man said she had been surfing in the area for about a year.

He said the woman is an experienced surfer from Central California and is used to riding big waves.

She was taken to Scripps Memorial Hospital for treatment, according to Munoz.

Local Wineries Try to Become Profitable as Industry Grows

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For the first time ever, California legislators recently gathered in downtown San Diego to talk about the state's wine industry.

Their visit signified the increasing importance of local wineries to the state’s overall production.

“The recognition that they want to listen is really important to us as an industry,” said Ed Embly, president of the San Diego County Vintners Association and owner of Hungry Hawk Vineyards and Winery in Escondido.

San Diego County is now home to about 115 wineries, including about 30 urban wineries.

“We'll never be on the scale of Napa, but we'd like to be recognized. We have some great winemakers down here that really care about their craft,” Embly said.

The wine industry is showing tremendous growth in the county with 26 million dollars in sales in 2017.

Yet most wineries are still in the red.

“There are probably are a few that are making a profit, but in most cases, we're still grasping for that,” said Embly.

The initial cost needed to start a winery business can also be prohibitive.

Embly and his wife Jeannine planted their first grapevines at Hungry Hawk Vineyards and Winery in 2009. They opened a wine tasting room in 2014.

“If you're very lucky, a seven year rule after getting into the business might be where you can expect some profits,” he added. “But you might never be profitable.”

While San Diego's craft beer industry has developed into an economic powerhouse, the boutique wine industry is still in its infancy.

“[Brewers] have a turnaround of three to six months on their product,” explained Embly. “Our product is eight months to three years, and so we have a huge cost of inventory.”

And with their proximity to neighbors, boutique wineries face strict county regulations, which include limits on the size of the tasting room, patios, tables and chairs.

“We would like a little bit of leeway so we can do things that suit the area, that suit the situation and just have some flexibility,” said Embly.

Most winery owners in San Diego generate revenue through wine tastings and wine clubs.

Embly explains that while they want to maintain the one-on-one interaction with customers, many of them would like to expand by also hosting small business events that do not disturb their neighbors.

Currently, expanding upon the county's boutique winery ordinance means applying for an administrative permit.

“The big hurdle there is cost,” added Embly. “We're looking at probably a $75,000 up-front fee to go through that process, and you never really know if you're going to succeed or not and most of the winery owners, we really can't afford that.

Many local wineries produce less than one thousand cases of wine a year.

But vintners have a wide range of grapes to choose from to create their unique blends. About 45 varietals are grown in the area.

“We're a very passionate group of winemaker and entrepreneurs and we know the whole basis of our industry is quality,” said Embly.

Embly said there's a misconception that San Diego's climate is too hot to grow the grapes needed for white wine. However, those grapes can thrive depending on how they're cultivated.

“There are many micro-climates in the county that lend itself to a great variety of types of wine,” he added.

But it's cultivating customers that'll fortify the success of local wineries.

“You mention the name Napa and the first thing that's going to pop in your mind is wine,” said Embly. “San Diego, you mention that to somebody outside the area and it's probably the climate. We want them to say, ‘Well the climate is just great for wine.’”



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Smucker Recalls 9Lives Canned Cat Food Products

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The J.M. Smucker Company is voluntarily recalling specific lots of 9Lives Protein Plus wet canned cat food due to possible low levels of thiamine, an essential vitamin for cats, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

The FDA said no illnesses related to this issue have been reported and the products are being recalled "out of an abundance of caution." 

The products impacted by the recall are as follows:

 

  • 9Lives Protein Plus with Tuna and Chicken, 4-pack cans (5.5 oz. each can), UPC: 7910021549, Best if Used by Date: Mar. 27, 2020 - Nov. 14 2020)
  • 9Lives Protein Plus with Tuna and Liver 4-pack cans (5.5 oz. each can), UPC: 7910021748, Best if Used by Date: Apr. 17, 2020 - Sept. 14, 2020)
The FDA said the products were sold to a variety of retailers nationwide.
No other 9Lives or J.M. Smucker Company products are impacted by this recall, the agency said. 
Cats fed diets low in thiamine, also known as Vitamin B1, over the course of several weeks may be at risk for developing a thiamine deficiency, according to the FDA. The agency said symptoms include decreased appetite, salivation, vomiting, failure to grow and weight loss. In advanced cases of thiamine deficiency, neurological signs can develop, including ventroflexion of the neck (bending towards the floor), mental dullness, blindness, wobbly walking, circling, falling, seizures and sudden death.
If your cat is displaying any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately. Thiamine deficiency is typically reversible if treated promptly.

 

Pet owners should stop feeding the recalled products to their cats and throw it out, the FDA said.  Customers who would like a refund or coupon for a replacement product should contact the company by filling out this form or calling 1-888-569-6828, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m ET and 6:00 p.m ET.



Photo Credit: FDA

National Enquirer Publisher Admits Paying Hush Money

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The company that publishes the National Enquirer admitted that it paid $150,000 in hush money to silence alleged mistresses of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump prior to the 2016 election, prosecutors said Wednesday. 

The publisher, American Media Inc., will avoid prosecution by stipulating that it worked with Trump's campaign to buy the silence of women — who have identified themselves as adult film actress Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal — ahead of the vote two years ago, prosecutors said. 

The agreement between prosecutors and AMI was signed and dated Sept. 21, NBC News reported. A representative for AMI and the company's CEO, David Pecker, a long-time ally of Trump's, declined comment on Wednesday.

The announcement comes the same day Trump's former lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen was sentenced to three years in prison for lying to investigators about the hush-money operation.



Photo Credit: AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File

PG&E: Worn Hook on Tower Apparently Failed Before Camp Fire

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PG&E acknowledged late Tuesday that a worn hook on a transmission tower apparently failed before the massive Camp Fire -- as first reported by NBC Bay Area last week -- and ordered inspections of 5,500 miles of its electrical transmission network in fire-prone areas.

The company also suggested a second, lesser fire may have been the result of someone shooting into the line near the town of Concow. But the utility also said it found downed trees atop power lines in the same area.

In a 20-day supplemental report about both fires sent to state regulators with the Public Utilities Commission, the company identified the problem with a so-called C-hook that had secured a part of the 115,000-volt Caribou Palermo line to one of its transmission towers.

While noting its findings were "preliminary," the company identified what it called a flash mark on the tower where the line freed by the broken hook may have contacted the structure.

Subsequent inspection found unspecified signs of "wear" where the hook was connected to a series of discs that served as an insulator between the line and the tower structure. The company did not elaborate.

At the next-door tower, meanwhile, the company found an anchor for its insulator to the line had come loose.

As for the second, Concow fire nearby, the company said crews checking near where it started discovered a pole and other equipment "on the ground with bullets and bullet holes at the break point of the pole and on the equipment."

That discovery was on Nov. 9, a day after the fire started. Three days later, another patrol of PG&E found downed wires and poles, as well as several snapped trees, including some on top of downed wires. The company did not say whether the apparent gunfire or the downed wires touched off the fire.

"These incidents remain under investigation, and this information is preliminary,” the company stressed. "The causes may not be fully understood until additional information is available, including information that can only be obtained through examination and testing of the equipment retained by Cal Fire. PG&E is cooperating with Cal Fire."

On Monday, the company announced it was expanding inspections to 5,500 miles of its transmission system in fire prone areas, climbing or aerially inspecting some 50,000 poles and towers. The company announced it was bolstering weather monitoring and installing 600 new high-definition cameras to cover about 90 percent of fire threatened service territory.

In a statement, the company said: “The loss of life, homes and businesses in the Camp Fire is truly devastating. Our focus continues to be on assessing our infrastructure to further enhance safety, restoring electric and gas service where possible, and helping customers begin to recover and rebuild. Throughout our service area, we are committed to doing everything we can to further reduce the risk of wildfire.”



Photo Credit: NBC Bay Area

Man Charged in Deadly Throat-Cutting of 3-Year-Old Niece

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33-year-old Emanuel Fluter appeared in court Wednesday to face murder charges after allegedly slashing his three-year-old niece's throat over the weekend, killing her. Josephine Bulubenchi, the victim, was asleep at the time of the attack. A plea of not guilty was entered on Fluter's behalf.

'I Would Hug Them': Owners on Racial Slur Left at Barbershop

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The owners of a barbershop in Normal Heights arrived at work Wednesday to find a racial slur written on the sidewalk in front of their business. Seeing those hateful words stirred every emotion – from anger to fear – but, mostly, they felt sadness for whoever wrote the message.

“I would just hug them,” said Melissa Cage, co-owner of the Originality Barber Salon, referring to what she would say to the person who wrote the slur. “You must just have something going on with you – some demons – so I would just hug them.”

“I would shake his hand and say, ‘Thanks for the motivation,’” added co-owner Christopher Cage. “Thanks for the motivation.”

The Cages showed up at work Wednesday like any normal day when they noticed a neighbor looking closely at the ground in front of their barbershop on 30th Street.

Melissa looked down and saw a hateful phrase scrolled on the ground in front of their small business.

“I was mad. I almost started crying,” she told NBC 7. “I was like, ‘You know what? I can’t let this get to me. I’m just going to finish my day, clean it up, and go about my business.’”

The Cages recorded video of the slur on their phones to show police and began trying to remove the graffiti before any of their clients arrived at the salon. They called the police and filed a report.

They’re hoping investigators are able to catch the vandal but wonder why anyone would do this.

The Cages have been in business for about a year. They’re not sure if their barbershop was specifically targeted but they think it’s possible.

“It’s kind of weird for that to happen over here,” said Christopher. “I feel threatened; I feel like now, we have to protect ourselves. We gotta watch out.”

Melissa said Originality Barber Salon serves a diverse clientele.

“Everyone is welcome,” states the website for the barbershop. “You can come and feel at home away from home.”

“We get [clients] of all colors, religions, sex, everything – so it really doesn’t make sense of why they would do that over here,” Christopher added.

The barbershop is not equipped with security cameras but, after this incident, the Cages plan to install cameras.

They also plan to stay in business and say this won’t derail their goals of success.

“You didn’t push us away; we’re here to stay,” said Melissa. “We’re going to continue to cut everybody’s hair. This is who we are. We can’t change our skin color. We’re here to stay.”

The Cages hope police add more patrols to the neighborhood to keep this type of thing from happening to other business owners or residents.



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego
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Lead in Your Water Lines? San Diego Says It Doesn't Know

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The City of San Diego told state regulators it does not know what two-thirds of the city’s water lines are made of, this as concerns have mounted over the past year over whether there are high levels of lead in local drinking water

New data released by the state reveals that officials from San Diego’s Water Department told state regulators that they are unsure what material was used to make 192,000 of the city’s 285,000 service lines. Those lines deliver water directly to homes in the city. 

The newly released data conflicts with past statements the city provided to NBC 7 Investigates and its media partner Voice of San Diego when responding to concerns of high lead amounts found in drinking water in public schools throughout the city. 

“We have no lead pipes in our distribution system,” Senior Chemist Doug Campbell told NBC 7 and Voice of San Diego by email in April 2017. 

Now, the city says it does not know what two-thirds of the pipes are made of. 

The city was required to provide the data after a state law was passed last year. The law requires water agencies to complete inventories of partial or total lead service lines and report those inventories to the California Water Resources Control Board by July 1, 2018. Those submissions were made public last week. 

After reviewing the state water board’s data release, showing 2,900 water agencies across the state, NBC 7 and Voice of San Diego found no other major California city has a gap in recordkeeping as large as San Diego’s. 

The City of San Jose, which is comparable to San Diego in population and the total number of service lines, can’t identify what 3-percent of its lines are made of. 

On the other hand, the City of Los Angeles reported it knows what 99-percent of its service lines are made of. Los Angeles has nearly three times as many service lines as San Diego. 

There are some smaller California cities in the same boat as San Diego. The City of San Luis Obispo on the Central Coast reported it does not know what 98-percent of its services lines are made of, however, the city has only a small fraction of the number of lines compared to San Diego. 

In the City of Palos Verdes, the California Water Services Company reported it does not know what 88-percent of its nearly 24,000 water services lines are made of. 

“Wow, that is a lot,” said Kurt Souza, the state Water Resources Control Board’s assistant deputy director for drinking water operations in Southern California when shown San Diego’s numbers. 

The new state law requires that agencies replace any service lines that are made of lead. It also requires water agencies to replace any lines that they are unsure of what material was used. There is no deadline for completing this but Souza said each service line replacement could potentially cost between $1,000 and $5,000 to replace. For San Diego, that could mean as much as $960 million to replace services lines where its materials cannot be identified. 

In response to NBC 7 and Voice of San Diego’s questions about the records, Arian Collins, a spokesperson for the water department, said, “The Public Utilities Department is currently working on a plan for the City to be in full compliance with the state requirements,” Collins said by email. 

That deadline is set for July 1, 2020.

North County Family to Ring Bell for Red Kettle for 24 Hours

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December is known as the month of giving, and one North County family plans to give out their time to be bell ringers for the Salvation Army for 24 hours.

Captain Emily Jones, along with her four sons, will ring the bell for red kettle donations nonstop all-day Wednesday at the Walmart in Poway, to help raise money for those in need in North County.

This holiday season they haven't raised enough money in the red kettles that they hoped. So that's why they decided to be bell ringers for a full 24 hours in hopes to raise some extra money. 

“Our kettles have been down a little bit this year,” Said Isaac, Emily's son. “But one positive about that is it gives us an opportunity to be able to gather around the community and ask for some support."

Unfortunately, Ben, Emily's husband, who is known as the kettle ‘guru’ was officially diagnosed with lymphoma this past July and hasn't been able to work this holiday season.

“My dad is sad that he can't be here physically but he is here with us in spirit,” Said Isaac. “He is very proud of what we’re doing here.”

Emily and Ben, along with their four sons, run the Salvation Army’s Escondido Corps. Along with other services offered at their Salvation Army location, they provide nearly 9,000 meals a month from their food pantry.

They say they have an air mattress in the back of their minivan, which they will take turns resting in between their shifts. They will be at the Walmart until Thursday, 9 a.m. 


SDSU Star Jalen McDaniels Sued for Allegedly Sharing Sex Videos

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Jalen McDaniels, a sophomore forward on the San Diego State basketball team, has been accused by two women of recording them performing sex acts and distributing the video through social media.

A civil suit has been filed on behalf of one of the women Wednesday in a King County Superior Court in Washington.  The filming of the sexual acts allegedly occurred in 2016 when McDaniels was a student at Federal Way High School.

The suit was filed by attorney Joan Mell. According to a report in the USA Today Mell said she also plans to file a second invasion of privacy suit next week on behalf of the second woman against McDaniels and the school district, after the school's basketball coach was allegedly told about the incident but failed to report it.

Gwen Gabert, now 20, said McDaniels used his cell phone without her permission to record her performing a sex act on him. She told police in April 2016, but no charges were filed.

Federal Way police investigated the case again this fall and recommended two counts of voyeurism against McDaniels. However, the King County prosecutor's office chose not to press charges.

Gabert went public with her allegations in October and November without specifically identifying McDaniels. That changed Wednesday with the filing of the civil suit.

San Diego State University issued a statement after the suit was filed. 

"San Diego State University and SDSU Athletics takes all allegations of misconduct seriously. First and foremost, we recognize that this is a difficult time for the individuals and loved ones of all of those involved. The University is committed to helping students make the best possible decisions. Cultivating a campus culture that promotes human dignity, civility, and mutual respect is foundational to the University’s values, and all student are held to that high standard. An investigation completed by local municipal authorities in Washington state concerning the events that preceded the current student-athlete’s enrollment at the University resulted in no charges. At this time, there will be no change in the individual’s status at the University. The University will continue to monitor the situation."

McDaniel is expected to play Wednesday night when the Aztecs hosts Cal State Dominguez Hills.  McDaniels is a potential NBA lottery talent and  is the Aztecs' No. 2 scorer this season, averaging 14.9 points per game.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Three Missing in West Virginia Mine Found Alive

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Three people missing in an inactive coal mine in West Virginia were found alive Wednesday after being reported missing four days ago, authorities said.

The three had been trapped in the Rock House Powellton mine in Clear Creek, NBC News reports

"Efforts are underway now to bring the individuals to the surface, where they will be transported for medical treatment," said Samantha Smith, a spokeswoman for the West Virginia Department of Commerce.

The discovery was made on the fourth day of the search. One of four people who initially went into the mine and managed to get out late Monday told authorities the rest were alive and provided information on their location, state officials said.



Photo Credit: yo_co - stock.adobe.com

France Terror Attack Witness Shares Her Story

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The sister of an Oceanside man was among the shoppers in Strasbourg, France when a gunman opened fire at the Christmas Market killing at least two people.

French authorities are still looking for the suspect, who’s been identified as 29-year-old Cherif Chekatt.

Julie Seavello, who is an anesthesiologist at a hospital in Seattle, heard the gunfire and even tried to assist one of the victims of the shooting.

“It was 10-minutes to 8, and I was standing at the stall that I'd been looking at and all of a sudden heard the gunfire. And it was about six or seven shots,” Seavello said.

Seavello says the crowds remained calm at first thinking the shots were fireworks. But soon afterward, police stormed the market and ordered people to leave the area.

“The fright of the people who had been on that street and seeing the gunman as they ran away, I saw their fright, but I didn't feel it myself,” Seavello said.

She attempted to leave the area and happened to pass by the back of a restaurant where the shooter apparently opened fire.

“I looked in, I saw people crouched on the ground and I saw a man on the ground with blood around him and CPR in progress,” she said.

Seavello said the man suffered wounds to the chest and head and was deceased.

“I pray for this fella's family and for the other people involved, and for those who had their lovely evenings marred by a very, very distressing event,” she said.

Authorities say Chekatt has a long criminal history and had been flagged for extremist beliefs and was under watch.

“I really hope that they do not blame this on Muslims or immigrants. They're making a lot of talk about him maybe calling out ‘Allahu Akbar.’ I really hope that doesn't get used as a target for blame. I would hate to see that,” Seavello said.

In a remarkable side story, Julie Seavello was part of another mass shooting. In 2015, she was working at a hospital in Roseburg, Oregon when a student killed nine people at a local community college.

SDPD Patrol Car Involved in Crash in La Jolla

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Medics were called to a La Jolla intersection Wednesday where a San Diego police officer was involved in a crash.

The crash happened at the crossing of Draper Avenue and Pearl Street just before 7:30 p.m.

It is unknown how many officers were in the patrol car involved in the crash, or if any officers or drivers of other cars involved were injured.

No other information was available.

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

San Diego Priest's Accuser Testifies in Court

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An attorney and former U.S. Naval officer who was studying to become a priest accused a San Diego-area priest of grabbing his genitals after a night of drinking in a Carlsbad restaurant and bar.

Rev. Juan Garcia Castillo, a former associate pastor at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Carlsbad,  is accused of misdemeanor sexual battery for the incident that is alleged to have occurred on Feb. 4. 

A 34-year-old man identified as Brad in court testified he was a seminary student when he joined Castillo, 35, and another seminary student for a beer at BJ's in Carlsbad.

Surveillance video shows the three men sitting for more than four hours drinking and talking.

After two hours at the restaurant, the accuser estimated he had finished two and was drinking a third Long Island Iced Teas.

"I was drunk but I knew what was happening," Brad said from the stand.

He testified Castillo kept pushing him to drink. 

"He was almost mocking me," the man testified. "'Come on, you can have another, you're not that drunk.'"

Brad said all the drinking eventually made him sick so he went to the bathroom where he vomited.

"All of the sudden I feel him behind me," Brad said. Brad testified that Castillo began touching him around his thighs and waist as he stood over a toilet.

"All of the sudden the hand very quickly goes directly to my crotch and grabs my [genitals]," he said.

Brad said he immediately turned around and told the defendant to leave him alone. Still feeling sick, Brad said he turned back around to face the toilet thinking he might vomit again.

At that point, Brad said Castillo game back into the stall and groped him a second time. Brad said he again told him to go away.

Brad said he then walked back toward their table in disbelief of what had happened.

"No warning, no sweet talk, no conversation," defense attorney Victor Pippins said, "This is the uncorroborated word of a person who was throwing-up drunk."

"This is a 'he said/he said' where both he’s are drunk and there is no corroborating evidence," Pippins said.

Brad identified himself on the stand as a California attorney who worked as a U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General. He joined the seminary after converting to Catholicism as an adult. 

Castillo was removed from the parish in March and criminally charged with one count of misdemeanor sexual battery in May. If convicted, he faces six months behind bars and a $2,000 fine. 

Castillo was from Honduras had served as an associate pastor at St. Patrick's Parish in Carlsbad since 2011.



Photo Credit: NBC 7
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