A North County family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit after their daughter was hit and killed on her birthday by an armored truck in a La Jolla shopping center.

Mikaela Jones died on April 17 as she was crossing the street in La Jolla Village Square when her dog got away from her, San Diego police said.

They say a Garda armored truck came around the corner in the parking lot and ran her over.

Investigators say though the 22-year-old woman's hand was up at the time of the crash. They don't know if she was waving at the armored car to stop or waving at something else.

"When she was struck we were all struck," says her father John. "She's the one that didn't survive. Her pain is our pain."

"She was my mini me...She was all my hopes and dreams," said her mother Kerri, holding back tears as she held a picture of she and her daughter together.

Hoping no one will have to ever endure that pain again, the Rancho Penasquitos parents filed a wrongful death lawsuit.

It accuses Garda, the armored truck driver and La Jolla Village Square of negligence.

"This is a really unsafe area for pedestrians," said plaintiff's attorney Hamilton Arendsen. "There are no stop signs or crosswalks in an extremely high traffic pedestrian area. Essentially the shopping center knows that all these folks need to cross the street to get to all the shops."

The Jones' attorneys claim an unsafe situation led the armored truck to run over Mikaela, dragging her to her death.

"We believe that even when he hit her had he stopped like any reasonable driver would have done, perhaps Mikaela

would have been here today," said plaintiff's attorney Robert Glassman.

As Mikaela's family pushes for safety changes, they cling to the pictures and memories they have.

From their daughter's love of the outdoors, to the many family trips they shared with their water baby to places like Costa Rica.

Despite their loss, Mikaela's family is determined to share their daughter's compassion for the environment, pets and people.

"So I tell people to hold the door open for someone or pet a dog or stop and look at a flower," said Kerri Jones.

Requests for comment from both Garda and La Jolla Village Square have gone unanswered.

A jury Monday heard conflicting versions of a horrific crash in October 2016 that killed four people in Barrio Logan.

In his opening statement, defense attorney Paul Pfingst acknowledged that his client, Richard Sepolio, was going more than 80 miles an hour -- and trying to pass another vehicle -- when his truck spun sideways and hit two concrete barriers before flying off a freeway ramp and crashing into a crowd of people in Barrio Logan on Oct. 15, 2016.

Sepolio was traveling north on Interstate 5 and had exited on the ramp that leads to the Coronado Bridge. That elevated ramp makes a westerly turn above Chicano Park, where Sepolio’s truck landed.

A large group was attending the La Raza Ride motorcycle festival at the park on that day. Cruz Elias Contreras, 52; AnnaMarie Contreras, 50; Andre Christopher Banks, 49; Francine Denise Jimenez, 46, were killed.

Seven others injured on the ground. Sepolio survived significant injuries, and now faces a long list of felony charges, including four counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.

“He chose to drink and get behind the wheel,” Maryann Contreras told reporters outside the courtroom during a break from opening statements. “That's the bottom line. He killed four people.” The victims including Contreras' parents, Cruz and Annamarie.

"Being here is brutal,” Contreras said. “It's hard to hear all the evidence, all the details, knowing the pain that my parents suffered when they were there to celebrate one of the best days that they've had."

“People are traumatized forever,” said Pablo Trevino, who organized the Chicano Park event and witnessed the horrific crash. “They don’t get to come back from that.”

Sepolio’s lawyer, Pfingst, told jurors that the evidence will show his client was not drunk or negligent, even though he did exceed the posted 65 mile per hour speed limit.

Pfingst said multiple tests put Sepolio’s blood alcohol level at below the .08 blood alcohol level limit, and he vigorously questioned the accuracy of what he told jurors was the one test that determined Sepolio had reached the .08 threshold while behind the wheel.

The defense attorney also told jurors that police and prosecutors mishandled a crucial evidence of laboratory evidence that would buttress his claim that Sepolio was not drunk.

"He was involved in an accident that killed four people, and he feels the same way the rest of us would,” Pfingst told the jury. “What a horrible event, what a horrible tragedy it was. But that does not (have) anything to do with alcohol. It doesn't change the fact that he not driving under the influence. And the only greater tragedy would be to convict an innocent man of a crime he didn't commit."

Prosecutor Cally Bright offered a very different version of events.

She said at least one lab test put Sepolio's blood alcohol level above the legal limit.

Bright also told the jury Sepolio was drunk, arguing on his phone and speeding in the moments before the crash. She also described him as "angry, irritated and impaired,” and clearly guilty of all thirteen felony counts, including multiple counts of D-U-I causing injury, and reckless driving resulting in serious injury,

Sepolio was 25 on the day of the crash and was stationed in Coronado.

Sepolio has filed a lawsuit claiming the city and Caltrans should take responsibility for the crash.

“The City does not control or maintain the bridge,” City Attorney Chief of Staff Gerry Braun said. “Mr. Sepolio was drunk, speeding, and texting when he lost control of his truck and flew off the bridge, killing innocent people. He should take responsibility for his behavior.”

In Dec. 2017, a local judge removed the city of San Diego from a lawsuit from one woman who was injured in the crash. She said the city should be responsible for protecting the public from vehicles driving off the Coronado Bay Bridge.

Sepolio has been in custody since Oct. 2016. In the following month, a judge denied Pfingst’s request to have his client released into the care of the U.S. military and set Sepolio’s bail at $2 million.

If convicted on all counts, he could face a maximum sentence of 23 years in prison.

"For just the people that have died, they're looking at two years for each additional victim, so for the four people that are killed, that max amount of time a judge can impose is 16 years," Bright said.

The additional seven years would be for those injured in the crash, according to Bright.

“The only greater tragedy would be to convict an innocent man of a crime he didn't commit," Pfingst told the jury.

The presiding judge ordered that no videos or photos be taken of the witnesses, jury, or the gallery for the ongoing trial.

British lawmakers are set to vote Tuesday on whether to approve Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal that would take the country out of the European Union.

Whatever the outcome, the world's fifth-largest economy is set to take a massive hit — and so could the U.S., NBC News reported.

Brexit has already proven its potential to upset other economies. "With the original referendum with respect to Brexit … if you look at the Dow, there was a tremendous drop post the vote," said Tifphani White-King at Mazars USA.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 608 points, or almost 3.4 percent, the day after the vote — and the pain didn't stop there. Global markets lost $2 trillion in value. The U.S. dollar increased in value, and "that's not always a good thing," White-King said. A higher dollar makes U.S. exports more expensive for buyers in other countries. It also means stocks and U.S. investments are more expensive for international buyers.

TGI Weekend! The next few days in San Diego have it all: from art, live music and unique movie-going experiences to a travel expo, monster trucks, craft brews, food and sporting events. Just remember: Get up. Get out. Play!

Thursday, Jan. 17

North Park Thursday Market
3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., North Park Way & Granada Avenue (North Park)
North Park is known for its interesting small businesses and, on Thursdays year-round, local vendors and artisans are showcased at this popular farmers market located on the corner of North Park Way and 29th Street. On the shopping list: farm-fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, eggs, sauces, bread and even handcrafted gifts from local, small businesses. The free event also features live music.

High-Tech Fair 2019: Family Night
5 p.m. to 8 p.m., The Fleet Science Center
The High Tech Fair invites students in grades 7 to 12 to learn about future career opportunities in scientific fields, from aerospace and defense to biotech, energy and technology. Interactive, STEM-centric activities and more than 30 exhibitor booths will line The Fleet in Balboa Park so young minds can explore those fields first-hand and speak to professionals about their work. The High-Tech Fair is free. Thursday is Family Night, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.; the fair returns Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Oceanside Sunset Market
5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Main Street Oceanside
Each Thursday, the Oceanside Sunset Market brings about 200 local merchants together for this sunset marketplace spanning four blocks in downtown Oceanside. Shoppers can expect vendors showcasing homemade goods and tasty grub, plus live music and, of course, an incredible ocean view. The free market is located on Pier View Way; rain may cancel the event, so check the weather before making your plans.

A Star is Born: Moving Screening
6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Theatre Box San Diego
Downtown San Diego’s swanky new movie theater, Theatre Box, hosts a special screening of the Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga-driven flick, “A Star is Born.” The evening includes a pre-reception with hosted drinks, a 7 p.m. screening of the movie, a Q&A session with producer Billy Gerber and a 9:30 p.m. dessert reception at Sugar Factory, the on-site restaurant. Tickets cost $30.

Craft Workshop: Macrame Hoop Wall Hanging
6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Embarcadero Brewing (National City)
Get your craft on at this workshop at Embarcadero Brewing in National City where students will learn to make a macramé wall hanging from pro crafters. The $40 class includes step-by-step instructions, all of the supplies to make the décor, and a draft brew of your choice. No previous experience in macramé is required to join this class – all are welcome.

Hello, Dolly!
7:30 p.m., San Diego Civic Theatre
The touring, four-time Tony Award-winning production, “Hello, Dolly!” takes the stage at the San Diego Civic Theatre Jan. 15 to Jan. 17. The musical revival, starring Broadway legend Betty Buckley, is known for its colorful costumes, comedic storyline, and way in which it pays tribute to the original work of Gower Champion. The plot follows Dolly Gallagher Levi, a widow, matchmaker and professional meddler. Thursday’s performance is at 7:30 p.m.; tickets start at $27.50. The play returns to the venue Friday (8 p.m.), Saturday (2 p.m. and 8 p.m.) and Sunday (1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.).

‘Mean Girls’ Trivia Night
7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Goodbar
This is so fetch. Goodbar on Rosecrans Street in Point Loma invites fans of the 2004 flick, “Mean Girls,” to bring their knowledge to this trivia night competition. Teams can have a total of five players and prizes will be awarded to the team who becomes Queen Bee. Tickets cost $18; only one ticket needs to be purchased per team. Good luck!

Friday, Jan. 18

Little Saigon Stories
4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Fair at 44 (4350 El Cajon Blvd.)
This free community event will showcase a collection of stories, through photography and film, honoring Vietnamese refugees and descendants living and working in San Diego’s Little Saigon District on El Cajon Boulevard. This marks the first-ever installment of “Little Saigon Stories.” The event will feature food vendors, live entertainment, raffles, arts and crafts and “Storyteller’s Booth,” all at Fair at 44 between Fairmount Avenue and 44th Street.

San Diego Seals vs. Calgary Roughnecks
7 p.m., Pechanga Arena San Diego
Love lacrosse? The San Diego Seals kicked off their inaugural season last weekend and this Friday, the team returns to Pechanga Arena San Diego to play the Calgary Roughnecks. Tickets start at $15; face-off is at 7 p.m.

Laugh Outside: Live Comedy
7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Quartyard
Laughter is medicine and there will be plenty of it at the first-ever “Laugh Outside: Live Comedy” at the Quartyard in downtown San Diego (1301 Market St.). Stand-up acts include Matt Stanton, Raul Zambrano, Jay Light and Jordan Coburn. The all-age, dog-friendly show is free before 8 p.m. with an RSVP ahead of time, or $5 after 8 p.m. 

Iliza Shlesinger: Elder Millennial Tour
7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., Balboa Theatre
Netflix recently premiered comic Iliza Shlesinger’s newest stand-up special, “Elder Millennial,” and now she’s bringing her comedy tour of the same name to San Diego. Shlesinger will reminisce about the late ‘90s and early 2000s on the Balboa Theatre stage twice Friday night: at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Tickets start at $35.

Noche de Rock en Espanol
7 p.m., House of Blues San Diego
Revolucion de Amor headlines this night of rock in Spanish, paying tribute to Mana and Caifanes. The 18+ show starts at 8 p.m.; tickets range from $15 to $30.

Hops on the Harbor: Fall Brewing
7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Flagship Cruises & Events
This month's "Hops on the Harbor," a craft beer dinner cruise around the San Diego Bay paired with suds from local breweries, highlights Fall Brewing in North Park. Fall Brewing is known for its Green Hat IPA and award-winning brews. The menu from this installment of "Hops on the Harbor" includes four 6-ounce, beer tastings expertly paired with courses. For instance, Fall’s Green Hat IPA will be accompanied by Crispy Fried Pork Belly in spicy plum sauce, Soba noodles and stir-fried long beans. Also on the beer list: Fall’s Plenty for All Pilsner, Pigeon Hole (Belgian Pale Wheat) and Crystal Mess (Hoppy American Pale Ale). The dinner cruise boards at 7 p.m. from 990 North Harbor Dr. and sails past the San Diego skyline, USS Midway, Star of India and other Maritime Museum ships and the Coronado Bay Bridge. Tickets cost $79.50 for adults and $47.70 for children ages 4 to 12; kids 3 and under are free. Reservations are recommended.

The Young Romantics
8 p.m., Copley Symphony Hall
The San Diego Symphony presents this Jacobs Masterworks Concert led by conductor Michael Francis. Rising star pianist Rodolfo Leone will lend his talents to perform these works from 1830: Mendelssohn’s “Hebrides Overture,” Liszt’s “Piano Concerto No. 1,” and Berlioz’s “Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14.” Balcony tickets start at $26. “The Young Romantics” returns Sunday to the same venue with a 2 p.m. concert. 

Casablanca
8 p.m. (Friday, Saturday and Sunday), Cinema Under the Stars
Here’s looking at you, kid. The 1942 classic, “Casablanca,” is the film filling the big screen this weekend at Cinema Under the Stars. The Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman flick will play at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and again at 7 p.m. Sunday. The outdoor theater on Goldfinch Street recently kicked off its winter/spring screening season, and since it’s chilly out, the theater offers blankets, space heaters and other amenities to keep patrons warm and cozy. Admission is $18 at the box office, or you can reserve your seat in advance for $20.

Saturday, Jan. 19

9th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration & Sportsfest
8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Martin Luther King Memorial Park
Celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at this free community event at Martin Luther King Memorial Park on Skyline Drive. Attendees can enjoy a kids zone, live entertainment, basketball, vendor booths and photo booths. NBC 7 and Telemundo 20 will be at this event; drop by our booth to say hello and for a chance to play games and win prizes.

City Heights Health Fair
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Copley-Price Family YMCA
MEMO at UC San Diego hosts this free health fair at the Copley-Price Family YMCA in City Heights. Here, families will be able to seek out local health providers and health-related services, plus receive free services such as flu shots and screenings. The event is open to all. NBC 7 and Telemundo 20 will host at booth at this event; come by and say hello!

San Diego Whale Watching Tours
9:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m., Flagship Cruises & Events
Whale watching season in San Diego typically runs from December to April, when approximately 20,000 gray whales migrate along our coast. Flagship offers daily whale watching tours to catch a glimpse of the magnificent giants of the sea, led by marine experts from Birch Aquarium, who will explain the intricacies of the ocean ecosystem. The tours are aboard the two-story yacht, the Marietta, and last about three-and-a-half hours. Weekend prices cost $48 for adults and $24 for children ages 4 to 12. Check the Flagship website for departure times, depending on the day you choose to cruise.

Travel & Adventure Show
10 a.m. to 5 p.m., San Diego Convention Center
Discover the world in one weekend, under one roof. The annual Travel & Adventure Show returns to the San Diego Convention Center this weekend, where those with wanderlust can draw inspiration for their next vacation. More than 200 destinations from around the globe will be showcased at the event, and attendees can tap travel experts for advice to help plan that perfect trip. The expo includes educational travel seminars, song and dance performances from around the world, interactive, family-friendly activities and meet-and-greets with travel celebrities like Josh Gates, Pauline Frommer and Peter Greenberg. The Travel & Adventure Show runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. One-day adult admission costs $11; a two-day pass is $18. Children age 16 and under – and accompanied by an adult – get in free.

Women’s March San Diego 2019
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Waterfront Park
Part of a nationwide series of peaceful demonstrations, the 3rd Annual Woman’s March San Diego takes place at Waterfront Park this Saturday. Speakers and music will join in on the march, which unifies those in support of women’s rights, civil rights, LGBTQ rights and more.

Kombucha Workshop
10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., The Homebrewer
Learn to make kombucha – the trendy, fermented tea beverage – at this workshop at The Homebrewer in North Park. The $50 class includes all of the necessary supplies to make a bottle of kombucha that will be ready to sip within days. For $40, students can keep a complete kit to make kombucha at home.

Tea by the Sea
11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., The Marine Room
St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center, a local organization that serves adults with developmental disabilities, will host its annual Tea by the Sea fundraiser at The Marine Room in La Jolla. The event includes a signature cocktail, hors-d'oeuvres, and a silent auction, with all proceeds supporting the organization’s continued work.

Taste of Happy Hour
12 p.m. to 4 p.m.,Taste & Thirst
This self-guided tour in downtown San Diego invites foodies to sample bites and drinks from the area’s hottest Happy Hour spots. A $10 tickets gets you tastings at these places: El Chingon; Havana 1920; Meze Greek Fusion; Monkey King; Prohibition Bar & Lounge; Sushi Lounge on Market; Tacos El Cabron; Taste & Thirst. Check-in starts at noon at Taste & Thirst. The tour was inspired by the King of Happy Hour website, dedicated to tracking the best places to snag a Happy Hour deal.

Sushi & Beer Pairing
1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Societe Brewing Company
Societe Brewing Company is teaming up with the culinary team at Good Seed Food Co. for a night of sushi and suds. An $18 ticket gets you a four-course, five-beer pairing that includes mouthwatering match-ups like The Mistress Hoppy Pilsner paired with a Crab & Avocado California Roll with Watercress. The brewery says ticket-holding attendees can show up at the tasting room on Clairemont Mesa Boulevard anytime between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to enjoy the pairings.

Margarita Madness 5K
4 p.m., East Mission Bay Park
This unique nighttime 5K run and after-party invites all runners, joggers and walkers to take part in the casual course at East Mission Bay Park. The first wave of participants hit the pavement at 4 p.m.; after the run, stay for the after-party, which includes a DJ, dancing and, of course, margaritas. The registration fee is $30.

Monster Jam
7 p.m., Petco Park
It’s back! The action-packed, high-octane “Monster Jam” show returns to Petco Park with all of its star players – including “Grave Digger” – performing jaw-dropping stunts and tricks. Tickets start at $25. If you miss Monster Jam this weekend, it returns to Petco Park on Jan. 26.

Sunday, Jan. 20

Guided Nature Walk
9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., Mission Trails Regional Park
Start your Sunday with a little nature walk at Mission Trails Regional Park. A trail guide will take visitors through one of three trails -- the Oak Grove Loop, the Visitor Center Loop or the Riverside Grinding Rocks -- while talking about the plants, animals, geology, history, and ecology of the park. These weekly guided walks are free and open to the public and begin at the Visitor Center. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water, a hat and sunscreen. Rain cancels the walk.

Gaslamp Artisan Market
10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Gaslamp Quarter (Fifth Avenue)
Peruse more than 30 local artisans offering carefully-curated, handmade products at this weekly outdoor market in the Gaslamp Quarter. The Gaslamp Artisan Market sets up shop every Sunday on Fifth Avenue, between Market Street and Island Avenue.

Hoppy Yoga
10:30 a.m., Second Chance Beer Co. (North Park)
Second Chance Beer Co.’s North Park location hosts this sudsy Sunday session that includes an instructor-led yoga class and one house brew. Classes cost $25 per person and are usually held on the first and third Sunday of the month here.

San Diego Restaurant Week
Times Vary, Locations Vary
Foodies, you'll really savor this one: San Diego Restaurant Week is back! The first round of the 2019 edition of the beloved dining event kicks off this Sunday and runs through Jan. 27. The lineup includes more than 180 participating eateries spanning more than a dozen neighborhoods in San Diego County, North to South and East to West. Restaurants will offer special prix fixe lunch and/or dinner menus featuring two to three courses, priced at $10 to $50. It's a good opportunity to try some of those places on your San Diego dining bucket list. Treat yourself.

Plant-Based Cooking Class
12 p.m. to 2 p.m., South Bay 7th Day Adventist
This free cooking demo at South Bay 7th Day Adventist on Avenida del Mexico is all about making a plant-based meal. Attendees will learn to make a homemade vegan burger and sides, and will get to eat the meal. They’ll also be sent home with a bag of ingredients to recreate the dish. Only 55 seats are available for this event, so register ahead of time to snag a spot.

Live Music: The Counterfeits
1 p.m., Liberty Public Market
Local band The Counterfeits perform this free lunchtime concert on the patio at Liberty Public Market Sunday. The band specializes in feel-good originals, plus covers of beloved Top 40s hits. To make a day of it, patrons might want to grab a bite from one of the vendors inside Liberty Public Market, take their food to the patio and eat while enjoying the live music.

Free or Cheap Things to Do in San Diego
Times and locations vary

Looking to save some cash, but still enjoy the city? In San Diego, there are still plenty of activities to enjoy for free or on the cheap. Go for a hike at Torrey Pines State Park or Cowles Mountain, stroll Balboa Park, try a new craft brewery, admire the murals of Chicano Park or read a book at a downtown park. Get out there and explore America’s Finest City.

Do you love the weekend in San Diego? Are you looking for things to do? Join our Facebook group, Your San Diego Weekend. We're sharing weekend events, things to do with the whole family, weather, the newest restaurant openings and more! Click here. 

San Diego's mountains were topped with an inch of fresh snow while inland areas were drenched with up to 1.5 inches of rain on Monday from a powerful winter storm that would continue to sprinkle rain on the region for a few more days. 

Pockets of light rain were falling across San Diego County Tuesday morning and would continue through at least Wednesday before another storm system brings more widespread and heavy rainfall, like the showers seen on Monday, according to NBC 7 Meteorologist Sheena Parveen. 

San Diego started the week with powerful downpours that had the potential to spark flash floods.

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While a San Diego Fire-Rescue swift water rescue team was at the ready during a flash flood watch issued by the National Weather Service, no major incidents were reported. 

The storm did flood roads in North County San Diego. One road, in particular, Country Club Drive, crosses over the Escondido Creek. By 4 p.m., the street was shut down from overflowing water.

“If you see water flowing across the road, don’t drive. Find another route,” said Captain Correy Cooper with the Rancho Santa Fe Fire Department.

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Julian received the most rain in San Diego County, topping more than 1.5 inches. Inland valleys like Ramona and Santee received just under an inch of rain. Alpine, El Cajon and Poway narrowly reached over a half-inch of rain. Meanwhile, coastal areas were met with anywhere from a quarter-inch to half-inch of rain. 

Riverside's mountains received inches of fresh powder; five inches of rain fell in Big Bear and six inches of rain were recorded at Mountain High. San Diego's Mount Laguna, with an elevation of 6,000 feet, recorded an inch of fresh snow. 

See more rainfall totals through 4:45 a.m. from the National Weather Service: 

• Julian: 1.55 inches
• Palomar: 1.41 inches
• Mt. Laguna: 1.15 inches
• Ramona Airport: .94 inches
• Santee: .81 inches
• Descanso: .77 inches
• Escondido: .66 inches
• Alpine: .58 inches
• El Cajon: .54 inches
• Poway: .54 inches
• Kearny Mesa: .47 inches
• San Ysidro: .47 inches
• Chula Vista: .45 inches
• Fallbrook: .42 inches

Residents in San Diego’s burn areas, like in Alpine following the West Fire in July 2018, braced for mudslides following the expected ongoing showers.

“You just have to prep for it, I mean – especially with like, the mudslides and things like that and the water just overflowing,” said Alpine resident Alfredo Zermeno.

Homeowners in the area have been placing straw waddles and sandbags around houses and at the top of hills to prevent water from washing away the delicate landscapes.

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The county provided the straw waddles and the Alpine Fire Protection District provided the sandbags, all for free.

The current storm marks the fourth for San Diego since the new year began. Most recently, a storm brought more than a half-inch of rain over the weekend.

Starting Jan. 29, a number of airlines at San Diego International Airport will move their terminal operations. According to a news release, this is due to the airport's expansion plans.

Alaska Airlines, which operates more than 45 daily departures from Terminals one and two, will consolidate and operate solely from Terminal Two East. Spirit Airlines, Allegiant Airlines and Sun Country Airlines will move from Terminal Two to Terminal One, utilizing gates 11 to 18.

Located between Terminal One and Two will be a host of other options, including dining and shopping venues like Jack in the Box, Peet's Coffee and Tea and Be Relax Spa.

The San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, a public agency that runs the airport, hopes the $3 billion construction of the new terminal will begin as soon as 2020 and be fully operating by late 2023 or early 2024. The upgrades include replacement of the Terminal One building, construction of a new road onto and off the property, more parking and an additional taxiway for commercial airliners, as well as a new administration building.

The new Terminal 1 will complement the renovation and expansion of Terminal 2, a $900 million project completed in 2013.

A born-and-bred East Bay Gymnast is hoping to be the spark that helps Mexico qualify a gymnastics team to the Olympic games for the first time ever.

Seventeen year old Frida Esparza has dual citizenship in the U.S. and Mexico which has allowed her to climb the ladder to become Mexico’s top gymnast — an ascent that has turned heads.

Last summer, the Pittsburg-raised gymnast surprised the 2018 Mexican National Championships by claiming the All-Around category as well as the title on Uneven Bars. A couple months later at the 2018 Pan American Gymnastics Championships in Lima, Peru, she helped the Mexico team take another step toward qualifying a team for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. Mexico has never qualified a gymnastics team to the Olympics.

“I can help the team be more like, out there,” Esparza said of the Mexico squad. “The girls are really good, they work hard but they don’t get much attention.”

Esparza trains some 30 hours a week at Head Over Heels Athletic Arts in Emeryville where the daily regimen includes a demanding mix of strength building and honing of routines. The demands aren’t foreign to Esparza who has been in gymnastics since she was a kid.

“I’m an only child so my mom wanted me to be around other kids my own age,” Esparza said, “so when I was like two she put me in a Mommy and Me class.”

The gymnastics bug bit and Esparza stuck with it — accepting the sometimes-grueling nature of endless training while skipping many normal teenage activities.

“There’s a lot of people that are like, ‘oh they are very lucky they got to do this and that,’” Esparza said before beginning of a recent day’s training session. “But they don’t see how hard they train every day — that they wake up and they can barely move because they’re so sore.”

With so much life devoted to the gym, Esparza even does much of her schooling there through the San Francisco-based online K12 International Academy, with teachers just a phone call, email or Skype session away.

“They’re very flexible so it’s allowed me to do homework before and after practice,” said Esparza who has pledged to attend UCLA for the 2019-2020 school year.

Esparza’s parents hail from Mexico and have encouraged her every step of her journey though they have never pressured her to continue.

“My mom doesn’t really mind what I do,” Esparza said. “She’s like, ‘you can keep going or you can just quit, it doesn’t matter.’”

Esparza’s decision to compete for Mexico rather than the U.S. was a simple choice of strategy. With a large pool of competition in the U.S., Esparza’s chances of making an impact on the Mexico team were much higher. Her coach said the decision to compete for Mexico has afforded her many opportunities she wouldn’t otherwise have had.

“With Frida competing in Mexico the world gets to see her gymnastics,” said Esparza’s coach Katreece Stone. “We wanted Frida to be a part of a team and to make a big difference, and for the first time be a part of history essentially.”

If the Mexico gymnastics team can crack the top 12 in the next World Championships, it will qualify its first team to the Olympics rather than just being allowed to send a pair of gymnasts as it’s done in the past. A trip to Tokyo would fulfill a dream Esparza has chased since she first stepped onto a mat.

“When I was three I was watching the Olympics,” Esparza recalled. “I was like, ‘I want to do that. I have no idea what that is but i want to do it.”

These days she has a clear idea of the commitments, the sacrifices as well as the sense of what victory feels like. While the choice to represent Mexico has opened doors, her coach said it doesn’t account for all her success.

“She has a lot of talent to back up the hard work,” Stone said, “and that’s why she’s in the position she’s in now.”

A South Bay man is paying $1,500 a month to rent a studio in San Jose's Willow Glen neighborhood — for his cats.

It's rare to get that same price tag in the high-priced Silicon Valley. But felines named Tina and Louise can afford it. Their owner, David Callisch, pays the bargain to house his cats in the apartment.

"It's something I didn't plan for," Callisch said. "But you know money doesn't discriminate between sex, race, or even species, especially in the Valley."

Callisch said he is in and out of town and his daughter went away to college. Family members drop by to feed and keep the cats company. They never want for anything since they have a TV equipped with Netflix, as well as a refrigerator.

"It's great. They can't mess with any of it because they don't have opposable thumbs," Callisch joked. Callisch said the animals are easier to rent to than people -- at least so far.

A local real estate agent, Sophia Delacotte, says that it's a "clever and creative" approach from a real estate point of view. 

The studio's market value could for as much as $1,900 a month, according to local real estate agents.

World Series MVP pitcher John Wetteland is out on bond, accused in North Texas of continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14.

Wetteland, 52, who now lives in Trophy Club, was booked into the Denton County Jail Monday and posted a $25,000 bond the same day.

In a probable cause affidavit filed Jan. 15, the victim alleged that while between the ages of 4 and 6, from October 2004 to October 2006, three separate assaults took place. NBC 5 has a policy of protecting the identities of sexual assault victims, so the affidavit and further details about the allegations are not included in this article.

The former major leaguer has not issued a statement and it's not clear if he's obtained an attorney.

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Wetteland played 12 seasons in the majors for the Rangers, Yankees, Expos and Dodgers before retiring in 2000. After winning a World Series in New York in 1996, where he was named the series MVP, he landed in Arlington where he spent the final four years of his career setting a team record of 150 saves.

His final game was on Sept. 20, 2000; at age 33, after his Rangers contract expired during the offseason, he retired from baseball. Wetteland was later inducted into the team's Hall of Fame in 2005.

According to a biography published by the Seattle Mariners, Wetteland spent three seasons as a roving pitching coordinator for the Texas Rangers beginning in 2002. In 2006 he worked as a bullpen coach for the Washington Nationals before heading to Seattle for two seasons in 2009 and 2010.

Wetteland was hospitalized in 2009 after reportedly considering suicide, though he later said his hospitalization was due to his elevated blood pressure and heart rate and that it had been addressed.

In between MLB coaching gigs, Wetteland, a longtime born-again Christian, coached baseball and taught Bible studies at Liberty Christian School, in Argyle, from 2007 to 2008, according to a report in The Dallas Morning News. A vice president with the school told the paper Wetteland has had no association with the school since his departure.

Before joining the Rangers as a closer, Wetteland spent two seasons with the New York Yankees and three each with the Expos and Dodgers. The All-Star closed out his career with a record of 48-45, 330 saves, 804 strike-outs and a 2.93 ERA from 1989-2000.

Wetteland and his wife divorced in 2015. They have four children.

Who knew 2019 would peak halfway through January? The City of San Diego officially honored the Casbah -- the world famous rock & roll club currently celebrating its 30th anniversary (read our interview with owner Tim Mays here) -- by proclaiming Jan. 14, 2019 as "Casbah's 30th Anniversary Day."

Unanimously approved on Jan. 8 by the San Diego City Council and Mayor Kevin Faulconer, District 3 Councilmember Chris Ward presented Mays with the honor shortly before the start of Tuesday night's free show featuring the Creepy Creeps, Beehive & the Barracudas, Low Volts and the Loons. [Thanks to SD: Dialed In's Rosemary Bystrak for getting video!]

"I wanted to be here on behalf of my colleagues in the City Council. This is such an institution here in my district, that's been around in the San Diego community for 30 years now -- happy 30th anniversary, Tim!" Ward told the crowd. "You've had some unforgettable acts here, we've had a lot of great music -- but it's really an institution because it caters to local music, because it gives a place for artists to come together here and thrive, and because it gives back to the San Diego community."

"Thank you, Tim, and the entire Casbah family," Ward said before handing the framed proclamation to Mays. "We have a proclamation for your office walls here on your 30th anniversary to recognize today, January 14, 2019, as 'Casbah 30th Anniversary Day' in the City of San Diego!"

It's not the first time the city has honored Mays and the small Kettner Boulevard club -- five years ago, during its 25th anniversary, officials also proclaimed Jan. 14, 2014, as Casbah Day.

To find out more about the Casbah's year-long celebratory shows and what the future holds for the venue, read our recent interview with Mays here.

Roads were closed and residents were evacuated from a neighborhood in Normal Heights Tuesday due to a gas leak, officials confirmed.

Alex Phillipp, a senior public information officer with the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department (SDFD), said a 2-inch gas line was somehow ruptured at around 12:15 p.m. along Hawley Boulevard.

Gas was blowing from the broken line and authorities shut down traffic around the area while crews from San Diego Gas & Electric worked to cap the leak and repair the line.

Some residents in the area were evacuated from their homes.

Billy Hernandez, of the San Diego Police Department (SDPD), said officers were in the area helping with traffic control. Police had received calls reporting a strong smell of gas in the area.

No other information was available.

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

The nation's 42,000 active-duty Coast Guard members missed their scheduled paycheck Tuesday, as the only military branch to work without pay during the government shutdown, NBC News reported.

Because the Coast Guard is under the Department of Homeland Security, it is getting no funding during the shutdown. All other parts of the military are under the still-funded Department of Defense.

A 49-year-old Kentucky man was arrested in Arizona on Sunday for engaging in sexual acts with a teenage boy while in San Diego over the New Year's Eve holiday, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigations. 

Carlie Joe Bentley is being charged with traveling with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct after a 14-year-old boy told his family he was running away with the man, according to a complaint filed in San Diego. 

Bentley met the teenager through a dating app and arranged their travel to San Diego, where he rented a hotel for two days and engaged in sex acts with the child, the complaint said. 

The boy returned home and told others of their encounters, stating he and Bentley had recorded the interactions, according to the FBI agent who was investigating the case.

Two weeks later, the boy left a note to his family explaining that he was running away from home to be with a 49-year-old man, according to the complaint. 

The family immediately contacted law enforcement who traced the pair to Arizona. That's where local law enforcement pulled Bentley over in a rental car.

Local law enforcement told the FBI when Bentley exited the vehicle, his pants were unbuttoned and unzipped. 

When officers took Bentley into custody, he admitted to traveling to San Diego to meet with the 14-year-old boy at a San Diego motel, according to the complaint. 

The minor child was taken into protective custody and has since been reunited with family members, the FBI said.

A five-month-old giraffe was euthanized at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park following a likely attack within its habitat, the park announced Tuesday.

Kumi was found with a “gore wound” to his belly in the early hours of Dec. 29, 2018, the zoo tweeted.

The safari park guessed the attack was from an antelope in the same East Africa field habitat.

“The Safari Park houses numerous species together that would live together in their native habitats, where inter-species encounters also can happen,” the San Diego Zoo Safari Park said.

Park officials assessed the giraffe’s injuries that morning and said they were not treatable.

“The Safari Park veterinary staff made the difficult decision to euthanize the young giraffe,” the zoo announced.

The park said that Kumi’s herd is “behaving normally” following his death.

Tamandra Michaels has spent her life in a wheelchair due to Spina Bfida and she has been an advocate for spinal cord injuries and conditions since she was a small child - that’s her next to Mary Tyler Moore in a photoshoot for the March of Dimes.

But during the course of the past several months, Michaels was in need of her own advocate. The reason: on May 18, 2018, Michaels, a Normal Heights pet photographer, was walking her dog across El Cajon Boulevard when a driver failed to yield, striking her and sending her flying from her chair and into the road.

Michaels tore her rotator cuff and bruised her ribs. Luckily her dog Justice was unharmed. Her titanium wheelchair, however, was destroyed.

“All of a sudden you’re just, pow,” Michaels told NBC 7 Responds. “It totally obliterated my wheelchair, the wheel was bent and the frame got twisted.”

Michaels filed a claim with the driver’s insurance company, Geico, to replace her wheelchair. But days turned into months and Michaels had not heard anything from Geico.

“They completely dragged their feet on replacing the chair,” said Michaels.

In the meantime, Michaels said she grew frustrated because her back-up chair didn’t provide the same type of mobility, inside and outside of the house.

Then, several months later, she finally heard back.

“After five, almost six months [Geico] said, ‘Well we have found, according to our research, that your chair is worth only 15-hundred dollars,’” said Michaels.

That was a fraction of the $7,200 Michaels said her titanium wheelchair was worth.

“They treated it as some kind of used car or something,” she said. “This is something I need to get around.”

Left without any options, Michaels’ step-dad had a suggestion for her.

“He said, you should call Consumer Bob,” she said. “I thought for a second and I said, ‘Yeah, that’s not a bad idea.”

Michaels contacted NBC 7 Responds and news traveled fast.

“Within a few days, like literally two days after I called NBC 7 Responds, Geico cut a check for the whole price of my chair,” said Michaels.

Michaels says she is grateful for the help and is happy to put the accident behind her.

“I train dogs,” said Michaels. “I am a very active person so it’s a blessing. Thank you so much.”

NBC 7 Responds reached out to Geico for a comment on this story but a representative did not respond.

CalFresh benefits to help low-income families receive food support will be issued early as a precaution during the government shutdown, according to the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency.

“To avoid disruption by the federal government shutdown, February CalFresh benefits for most existing participants will be issued by January 16th,” the agency announced.

For those receiving February benefits early, CalFresh warns to plan accordingly as the next issuance will be in early March.

The early benefits do not apply to new applications. These will be accepted and processed normally, CalFresh said.

CalFresh, known as the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, helps those in need with their food budget, according to its website.

The program’s benefits are accessed by using an Electronic Benefit Transfer card.

To learn more about CalFresh, visit its website.

The ultimate party for your palate is back: San Diego Restaurant Week (SDRW), showcasing mouthwatering meals from more than 180 eateries across our county over the course of eight delicious days.

This edition of SDRW -- its first round of 2019 -- runs from Jan. 20 to Jan. 27. The scrumptious set-up is familiar: participating restaurants will offer special two and three-course, prix fixe menus for lunch and/or dinner. Two-course lunch menus are priced at $10, $15 or $20 per person, while three-course dinner menus are priced at $20, $30, $40 and $50 per person.

The popular culinary event spans eateries across more than a dozen regions in San Diego County: Coronado, downtown San Diego, uptown San Diego, East County, La Jolla, Little Italy, Central San Diego, Mission Bay and Beaches, North County Inland and Coastal, South Bay, Point Loma/Harbor Island, Old Town and Hillcrest.

Cuisine varies, too, with every type of food imaginable on the SDRW menus -- from American and California fare to Argentine, Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, French, Italian, Greek, and even gluten-free options.

As always, no special passes are required to attend SDRW. Just pick the participating restaurant that sounds good to you, go there and ask for the SDRW menu. Really, it’s easy as pie.

A small sampling of eateries in different neighborhoods participating in SDRW 2018 include:

• North Italia (Coronado)
• Eddie V's Prime Seafood (Downtown San Diego)
• Great Maple (Uptown San Diego)
• Bo-Beau Kitchen + Garden (East County)
• Draft Republic (La Jolla)
• Puerto LA Boca Argentinian Restaurant (Little Italy)
• Brooklyn Girl Eatery (Central San Diego)
• Waterbar (Mission Bay and Beaches)
• Flower Child (North County Coastal)
• Vintana Wine + Dine (North County Inland)
• Sea180 Coastal Tavern (South Bay)
• Coasterra (Point Loma/Harbor Island)
• The Cosmopolitan Hotel & Restaurant (Old Town)
• La Bonne Table (Hillcrest)

Here's to hoping you enjoy the week, foodies. Every last bite of it.