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Former Mission Beach School Sold for $18.5M

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McKellar McGowan LLC of La Jolla has purchased a former school property in Mission Beach for $18.5 million, with plans to develop a residential project, according to brokerage company Colliers International.

Colliers represented the buyer in the transaction. The seller was the San Diego Unified School District, which represented itself.

The 2.23-acre property, known as Mission Beach Center at 818 and 825 Santa Barbara Place, is a former elementary school that was vacated in 1996.
 

 

The Business Journal is the premier business publication in San Diego. Every day online and each Monday in print, the Business Journal reports on how local business operate and why businesses leaders make the decisions they do. Every story is a dose of insight into how to run a better, more efficient, more profitable business.



Photo Credit: Google Maps

Polar Vortex: What We've Learned

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The big freeze resulting from an Arctic weather phenomenon known as the polar vortex has affected 187 million Americans — more than half the country's population. It was loosening its grip Wednesday, but was sure to leave a lasting mark.

Freezing temperatures hit all 50 states and 26 states recorded sub-zero temperatures due to the vortex, which scientists described as a moving pool of extremely cold air tens of thousands of feet in the earth’s atmosphere.

The record-shattering system pushed as far south as Georgia and Alabama and was blamed for at least 17 deaths, according to counts by NBC News and The Weather Channel.

Here’s what we’ve learned as a result of the rare chill:

The polar vortex exposed vulnerabilities in the U.S. economy -- and pipes everywhere

The vortex could cost up to $5 billion, NBC News reported.  Why the huge price tag? Millions of Americans haven’t been able to travel to work, go shopping or vacation. Many may also have to pay more for their heating bill. 

Blood supplies were at critical levels, The American Red Cross said, because about 240 blood drives had to be canceled in 23 states by Tuesday afternoon due to severe weather.

The bitter cold created some serious plumbing problems. It caused water pipes to burst Tuesday at Washington-Reagan National Airport, spilling into the baggage area. Pipes also burst at George Washington University Hospital, flooding 33 patients’ rooms, NBC Washington reported.

The deep freeze caused problems in the air, too. An American Airlines flight from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport to Baltimore Washington International made an emergency landing Tuesday afternoon after a water pipe in the lavatory burst mid-flight, soaking some of the flight's 140 passengers.

Even polar bears found it too cold

Chicago was so frigid Monday, that the city’s Lincoln Park Zoo kept its polar bear Anana indoors, NBC Chicago reported. A zoo spokeswoman said that while the below-zero weather might be similar to what polar bears experience in the wild, Anana doesn't have a thick layer of fat that bears typically get from eating seals and whale carcasses.

The sub-zero temperatures proved deadly for a peacock that spent 90 minutes outside after escaping a suburban Chicago zoo. It flew out of his heated pen and rescuers found the peacock's feet frozen to a nearby tree branch.

But a couple of snow leopard cubs caught on camera playing in the snow at New York City's Central Park Zoo Friday didn't seem to mind the frigid air.

It only takes a few minutes to get frostbite

With -5 Fahrenheit and a wind speed of 35 mph making it feel like -34 Fahrenheit, it only takes about 10 minutes for exposed skin to get frostbitten, according to the National Weather Service. That can lead to amputations.

Hypothermia, when a person's total body temperature gets below 96 degrees Fahrenheit, can lead to unconsciousness or cardiac arrest. People were warned to watch out for signs of hypothermia, including uncontrollable shivering, weak pulse, disorientation, incoherence and drowsiness, and frostbite, including gray, white or yellow skin discoloration, numbness and waxy feeling skin.

Experts say a hat, face protection, mittens rather than gloves, layers of dry clothing are required to effectively guard against the intense cold.

The freezing conditions in Kentucky led an escaped prisoner to turn himself in on Monday. Robert Vick escaped from a minimum security facility in Lexington on Sunday, according to The Associated Press, but as the temperatures plunged to single digits the next day, he walked into a motel and asked the clerk to call the police because he wanted to get out of the cold. He was wearing only his prison-issued khaki pants, shorts and jacket when he escaped.

Polar Vortex really exists

Conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh made headlines Monday when he called the phenomenon a "hoax" and accused the media of making it up to promote the left's global warming agenda.

Real estate mogul Donald Trump also inserted himself into the polar vortex debate, tweeting, "Record snowfall & freezing temps throughout the country. Where is Global Warming when you need it?!"

But meteorologists said the polar vortex, which normally sits over the North Pole, is a real phenomenon that has been around for years (It’s also known as a polar cyclone, polar low, frigid twister, or a circumpolar whirl). Meorologists also said global warming and climate change were never used to  explain the polar vortex, but climate experts argue the phenomenon may be a counterintuitive example of global warming in action.

Hell really has frozen over

The small town of Hell, Michigan, that is. Located 60 miles west of Detroit, the town, which received its moniker on Oct. 13, 1841, was hit hard by the vortex. The official temperature on Tuesday was -4 Fahrenheit, but to one long-time resident, it felt like -30 below. Even eggs froze in the nests of backyard chicken coops, clickondetroit.com reported. 

Polar Vortex didn't stop people from having fun in the cold 

As much as we want it gone, the polar vortex wasn’t all misery. Some people had fun in the freezing outdooors, including one teen who jumped on a frozen trampoline. Reporters, eager to demonstrate how cold it was, performed on-air experiments. One test showed how long it took for a wet T-shirt to freeze. On average, it took about 12 minutes.

But there were also those who engaged in a riskier experiment, tossing boiling water in the cold air and watching it freeze. The Los Angeles Times counted at least 50 people on social media who reported burning themselves or their friends after trying to turn scalding water into snow. There were also several reports of people going to the hospital to receive treatment for burns.

The polar vortex has also produced some stunning photos of ice-covered Lake Michigan in Chicago  as well as a striking NASA image showing the blowing snow and intensely cold air that created dangerous “white-out” conditions throughout the Midwest.

And if you ever wondered what a water gun fight looks like when it's -22 Fahrenheit outside, take a look at the video below:
 

 



Photo Credit: AP

Man Behind Pursuit That Closed Border Arraigned

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The man at the center of a dramatic freeway pursuit had his first court date Tuesday.

Carlos Romero, 30, is charged with three counts of assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, one count of auto theft, one count of felony evading and one count of assault with a deadly weapon.

Romero pleaded not guilty.

The ordeal began Thursday night when police tried to pull over a pickup truck that had been reported stolen. The driver sped off, heading south on Interstate 5 toward the San Ysidro border, according to San Diego police.

Police said the driver encountered heavy traffic near the border crossing. He reportedly rammed two patrol cars and a Border Patrol vehicle, before making a U-turn and driving the opposite direction up southbound I-5.

Police said an officer and a Border Patrol agent fired their weapons because they thought the suspect could injure them.

Officers finally cornered the suspect on Dairy Mart Road. He was taken to the hospital with a gunshot wound to the leg.

The San Ysidro border crossing was closed during the high-speed pursuit.

Romero’s bail was set at $250,000. He faces 10 years in prison if convicted.

A readiness conference is set for Jan. 16, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 21.

Sharp's Top Baby Names of 2013

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The top baby names in San Diego in 2013 seem to mirror the rest of the country, with a few exceptions.

According to the Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women and Newborns, Alexander was the top name for boys and Olivia the top name for girls last year.

Girls Born at Sharp in 2013

  1. Olivia
  2. Mia
  3. Sophia
  4. Isabella
  5. Emma
  6. Sofia
  7. Emily
  8. Zoe
  9. Ava
  10. Charlotte

Boys Born at Sharp in 2013

  1. Alexander
  2. Jacob
  3. Ethan
  4. Mason
  5. Matthew
  6. Liam
  7. Sebastian
  8. Noah
  9. Daniel
  10. Benjamin

The girls list almost mirrored the national baby name list, complied by BabyCenter. The national list ranks Olivia as the third most popular name for girls.

Local boy names were slightly different from the rest of the country. Alexander ranked Number 17 on the national list. Also, Sebastian, Number 7 at Sharp, only ranked 51st nationwide.

BabyCenter compiled its annual list based on the names of 555,000 babies born in 2013 registered on the BabyCenter website.

Sharp Nursery Numbers

  • 9,179 babies born in 2013, which includes: 
  • 264 sets of twins
  • 6 sets of triplets
  • 1 set of quadruplets
  • 52% boys
  • 48% girls

(Source: Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women and Newborns)

Former South Bay College Admin Sentenced

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A judge sentenced a former Southwestern College administrator John Wilson to 20 days of roadside Public Works service and $7,994 in fines on Tuesday.

Wilson, the former Director of Business Services at Southwestern College, earlier entered a guilty plea to a felony charge of aiding in the commission of a felony. The charge was related to Wilson accepting gifts over the legal limit from a single source and not reporting them on state-mandated forms.

Prosecutors said Wilson attended expensive dinners at restaurants such as Baci's and Flemming's while he steered multi-million dollar construction contracts to the companies that were 'wining and dining' him. 

After South County voters approved a $389 million bond measure in 2008 for construction at Southwestern College, Wilson helped direct that bond money to a company he later went to work for, according to court documents. 

He originally faced more than a dozen felony and misdemeanor corruption charges, including felony conflict of interest and receiving a bribe. The charges stemmed partly from gifts accepted from a business development executive, Henry Amigable, who helped secure contracts at two South County school districts. Amigable accepted a plea deal and agreed to cooperate with the District Attorney's office in 2012.

Wilson's factual statement admitted in court: "Henry Amigable committed a felony, i.e., he gave me a thing of value to influence my official decision. I was aware that Henry Amigable committed a felony. After Henry Amigable committed the felony I concealed his conduct, in that I was required to file a Form 700 under the Political Reform Act."

Judge Ana Espana granted a defense motion to reduce the felony plea to a misdemeanor, citing Wilson's work with a non-profit and his role in the community. Prosecutors opposed the motion and argued it in court.

Dr. Carla Kirkwood of Southwestern College opposed to the judge's decision, saying the punishment was not harsh enough and that whistleblowers would be discouraged from coming forward in the future.

Judge Espana said that she thought the case was important and that it had a tremendous impact on the community. She encouraged future whisteblowers to come forward.

The case has garnered the attention of at least one local lawmaker. Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez has introduced legislation that would prevent school and college district superintendents and administrators from raising campaign cash for the board members that they serve.

Six defendants remain in what District Attorney called the worst public corruption case her office had ever prosecuted. So far, none have been convicted of accepting a bribe in exchange for their votes.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

1 Dead in Navy Chopper Crash Off VA

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One person has died after a U.S. Navy helicopter crashed off the Virginia coast Wednesday. Three others are injured, and a fifth person remained missing as day turned to night.

The helicopter -- a MH-53E Sea Dragon -- sent a distress call around 10:45 a.m. while on a training mission about 18 miles off the Virginia Beach coast. It crashed several minutes later with five people aboard.

The Navy described the incident as "an emergency water landing."

Four people were able to surface and were pulled from the frigid water by rescue choppers before being airlifted to a local hospital. One later died of his injuries.

His identity will not be released until 24 hours after his family is notified, the Navy said.

The Navy, the Coast Guard and local fire and rescue crews are continuing to search for the fifth person.

The water in the area is 41 degrees, reports NBC Washington's Storm Team 4 Meteorologist Veronica Johnson. Hypothermia generally sets in after about 10 to 20 minutes in water that cold.

"One sailor has died as a result of this morning's crash," Navy Captain Todd Flannery said during a press conference Wednesday afternoon. "Three sailors are being treated at Sentara General [Hospital] in Norfolk; two of those crewmembers are in stable condition. The remaining crewmembers is or soon will be in surgery."

"Their families are with them at the hospital, as well as support personnel from the squadron," he said.

A witness said a rescue chopper land at the hospital.

"I saw a big helicopter land here [at the hospital], and it landed really quick and fast," said Chris Goetz. "They took two guys in on the stretchers. It immediately took back off and came back maybe five minutes later and had two more guys all on the stretcher."

The helicopter that crashed was based out of at Naval Station Norfolk Chambers Field and had been flying with another MH-53E on the training mission.

Shortly after the crash, the Navy identified the aircraft as a CH-53E Super Stallion before issuing a correction.

Sea Dragons (pictured right in Getty Images file photo) are 99 feet long and weigh about 69,750 pounds. They are capable of speeds up to 172 mph.

This isn't the only Navy crash in the Virginia Beach area in recent memory. In April 2012, a Navy jet crashed into a Virginia Beach apartment complex during a training mission. Seven people were injured in that crash, which occurred due to a rare dual-engine malfunction, the Navy said.

The cause of Wednesday's crash is under investigation.



Photo Credit: U.S. Navy

Van, Vehicles Collide on SR-76

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A van and several vehicles collided in Oceanside Wednesday, resulting in some injuries and heavy traffic in the area amid the early morning commute.

According to the Oceanside Fire Department, the traffic accident happened just before 6 a.m. on westbound State Route 76 between Benet and Airport roads. For unknown reasons, a van and four cars crashed into one another.

Officials said a total of nine people were involved in the collision and assessed by paramedics at the scene. Two sustained minor injuries but neither required hospitalization. Everyone involved was treated and released at the scene.

Smoke could be seen stemming from the site of the crash but Oceanside officials said the smoke was from hot brake fluid that spread all over one of the vehicles on the roadway.

California Highway Patrol officials blocked all lanes of traffic in both directions on SR-76 immediately following the collision. At one point, commuter speeds in the area slowed to about 20 mph.

Crews stayed on scene for about an hour-and-a-half while vehicles and debris were removed from the roadway. As of 7:30 a.m., CHP officials said the scene had been cleared and the SigAlert had been lifted.

The cause of the crash is under investigation. Get traffic updates here.

Dozens of iPhones Stolen in Heist

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Poway sheriff’s deputies are looking for the man who robbed a Sprint store in Poway Tuesday night.

The robbery happened at a shopping center in the 13500 block of Poway Rd.

An official on scene says the robber stole around 30 or 40 Apple iPhones.

According to sheriff’s officials, the suspect threatened two employees with a gun. The workers locked themselves in the bathroom while he ransacked the store.

“They (the employees) are safe. That’s one of our main concerns,” Sergeant Buck Ward said.

Authorities searched a nearby neighborhood using the ASTREA helicopter and a K9 unit, but did not find the suspect.

The robber had a bandana covering his face, so his description is limited. He is about 6-foot tall and wore a black hoodie, according to officials.

Josh Churchill, who works at another business in the plaza, says he was shocked to hear about the armed robbery.

“You’ve got two stores that are open right here. We didn’t hear a thing. No screaming or anything like that,” Churchill said. “We had no idea it had taken place until the officers showed up with their guns.”

Churchill said an incident like this is rare in the area.

“Normally what we get is rowdy teenagers at most,” he said.

Deputies are interviewing the Sprint employees and will review surveillance video.


View Sprint Store by Wireless Choice in a larger map



Photo Credit: NBC 7

‘99-Cents Only’ Store Causes Controversy in Escondido

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The City of Escondido has denied plans for a new “99-Cents Only” store in the community’s downtown area, limiting the amount of discount shopping choices for residents.

The city council argues that Escondido should boast a nice mix of high-end, middle-income and discount stores, and adding one more 99-cent store would offset that balance.

The decision has created controversy among some residents who say the government has gone too far by limiting their shopping choices.

Some Escondido residents, including April Puda, say they enjoy the merchandise – and bargains – the 99-Cents Only chain has to offer.

“I have actually found some great, great deals there. And I think in today's economy, people have got to shop around. They have to look at different choices," said Puda.

However, some residents argue that putting the bargain store in a downtown shopping center – in place of an Old Navy Outlet slated to close soon – isn’t appealing.

“I think it downgrades the neighborhood and hurts other businesses,” said resident David Martin.

Currently, there are other discount shopping choices near the proposed site of the new 99-Cents Only store, including DD’s Discounts a few doors down and a Dollar Tree a few blocks away.

“We only need three. What more can we support?” said one resident.

“I think there’s enough [discount shopping]. I really do,” added another woman.

But critics say those shoppers, and the city council, have the wrong idea about the quality of merchandise, and the shopper, at a 99-Cents Only store.

"They're fixating on what they may have been 10, 15, 20 years ago. And that's not what they are anymore,” said Kevin Cassidy of Cassidy/Turley Real Estate, who’s trying to negotiate the lease for the proposed new store.

Cassidy says consumers love the chain's brand name products, sold at deep discounts.

“[This chain has stores] from Beverly Hills to Vista – and there’s a reason. The consumer really wants them and really likes them," he said.

Puda says that at the end of the day, the choice on where to shop should be solely left up to the consumer.

“If people want to go to Nordstrom, they go to Nordstrom. If they go to Kohl's, they go to Kohl's. I just believe the free market will work itself out," she added.

For now, the 99-Cents Store and the Escondido shopping center aren’t giving up the fight. Proponents want the Escondido planning commission to override the city's decision and issue a permit.

A public hearing on the matter is scheduled for Jan. 14 at Escondido City Hall.
 



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

Calif. Man's Close Whale Encounter

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One San Diego man’s New Year’s resolution to “be more active” led him to an encounter he never expected.

Reef Mowers  said he was alone in his kayak about four miles off the coast of Bird Rock Monday afternoon when “I heard the noise. I thought it was some dolphins or a sea lion, which I usually see and is fairly common. Turned out to be a nice surprise.”

That “nice surprise” was the size of a school bus: a whale coming closer and closer.

“I was a little worried. I thought if this whale came up underneath me, it might be a different story, especially with no one out there to look after me” Mowers said.

At one point, the whale emerged roughly 15 to 20 feet from his kayak.

“I just sat there. I didn’t paddle,” Mowers said “I just let him make his choices where he wanted to go.”

Mowers caught his whale encounter on camera. He's now encouraging others to join him in following their New Year's resolutions.

According to the Gray Whale Census and Behavior Project, a record was set last month for the number of gray whales spotted along the California coast during the annual southern migration. The census report counted 368 gray whale sightings – blasting the December 2012 record of 182 out of the water.

Researchers say most of the whales were swimming from the Bering Sea to Baja California in Mexico. Every year more than 20,000 gray whales swim to Baja to mate and give birth.

Last January, the largest pod of gray whales in 30 years was spotted off the coast of Southern California, near Palos Verdes.

Man Accused of Shooting at Acquaintance During Argument

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Police officers arrested an armed man in City Heights Wednesday morning after he allegedly fired shots in the direction of an acquaintance during an argument, officials confirmed.

San Diego Police Department Lt. Darryl Hoover said officers received a phone call from a man around 10:30 a.m. who claimed he had been shot at by an acquaintance in the 4100-block of 43rd Street when a verbal altercation between them escalated.

When officers arrived at the scene, they discovered the 38-year-old victim. Lt. Hoover said the man was shaken up but not injured. The suspect had allegedly fired a round in his direction, but not at him.

Lt. Hoover said officers found the 39-year-old armed suspect inside a home and took him into custody without incident. Officers also found a firearm in the home.

According to Lt. Hoover, the weapon showed evidence of discharge.

No one was injured in the incident. The names of the men involved were not released.
 



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

Chargers Tickets Available, But Not Cheap

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Tickets for Sunday's Chargers NFL playoff game at the Denver Broncos are available, but they're going to cost you.

As of Wednesday morning tickets on StubHub.com, a national online ticket marketplace owned by eBay, more than 3,800 tickets are available. The average ticket price on the site is around $250, according to StubHub spokesperson Cameron Papp.

"It's right around where we would expect," he said. "It's a little higher than Denver's (playoff) game last year against the ravens. That's to be expected because it's a division game."

The cheapest goes for $110.90, but that's a single seat in the 30th row of the 500 level. The cheapest pair is $126, also in the 500 level. The most expensive ticket on the site is a sideline club seat running $9,905.

"I would expect the price to go down a little bit," he said. "We generally see that with playoff games when you only have a week to sell the game."

Papp said about 25 percent of StubHub's sales for the game are coming from the state of California. "That is a pretty high number for a visiting team," he said, adding that only about 3 percent of tickets for the San Francisco 49ers game at the Carolina Panthers are from the state.

According to Connor Gregoire at SeatGeek.com, Sunday's game is the most in-demand Chargers game -- home or away -- since 2009. Ticket prices are well exceeding those for last Sunday's game in Cincinnati, where the Bengals had trouble selling out the game.

"What's really driving demand is Chargers fans," he said. "We don't see those numbers from a visiting fan base."

The Chargers offered a number of travel packages to the game, which include airfare, hotel, a club seat ticket to the game and food deal for $1,650 per person. Those packages sold out quickly.

"It's done," said Gil Saidy, president of AER Travel, which was offering the packages. "Every time the Chargers make the playoffs, the city goes bonkers. They sell their first born. They want to go. It's complete insanity."

He said the company sold 70 travel packages, but could have sold around 300 if they had more inventory. "We didn't have many tickets, that's the thing."

He said there will be a similar offer for next Sunday's conference championship game if the Chargers win this week. That game will be played in either Boston or Indianapolis. Gregoire added that tickets for that game -- in either city -- are starting at around $240.

For those going to the game in Denver, the place to be is Jackson's bar, right next to Coors Field. There will be a party for Chargers fans on Saturday night.

Beer and Wine at Denny's?

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A Denny’s diner in Pacific Beach wants to add alcoholic beverages to its menu but one group is actively opposing the liquor license at the family restaurant

The drink debate involves a Denny’s restaurant located in the 800-block of Garnet Avenue and Mission Boulevard, a high-traffic part of PB lined with bars.

The Denny’s has traditionally been an oasis among a sea of liquor establishments but if it were up to the management that would change. The diner is seeking a license to serve beer and wine to patrons.

While the eatery is a 24-hour business, proponents of the plan say adult beverage sales would stop by 10 p.m. each night.

However, not everyone is sold on the plan.

The North City Prevention coalition opposes the idea, arguing that Pacific Beach has 22 times more alcohol-related arrests than any other neighborhood in the community and adding another bar to the mix won’t help.

An administrative law judge will conduct a public hearing on the issue Wednesday morning at the Merrill Lynch building in downtown San Diego. The coalition expects a dozen of more protesters to attend the hearing to fight against the request.

The liquor license for the PB Denny’s has already been denied once.
 



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

Murder Suspect Shot by Police Arraigned

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A murder suspect shot by U.S. Marshals in Point Loma last month made his first court appearance Wednesday.

Joseph Anthony Hill, 44, was shot multiple times by the Marshal's Fugitive Task Force Team when he allegedly tried to flee on Dec. 30. As he drove away, the Marshalls say Hill struck an officer with his car and pinned him against a parked vehicle.

The team was trying to arrest Hill in connection with the death of Linda Vista man Sean O'Toole.

"What we understand to be a confrontation between the defendant Mr. Hill and Sean O'Toole, to which the defendant pulled out a gun and shot him in the chest," deputy district attorney Joe McLaughlin said at the arraignment, where bond was set at $2 million.

The normal prison length for the charges are 50 years to life, but McLaughlin said it could be longer because of Hill's six previous felonies.

Woman Punched in Los Gatos May Be Related to "Knockout Game"

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Police are investigating whether an incident involving a man punching a woman in the face for no apparent reason is related to the "Knockout Game."

Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department said just after 4:30 p.m. Monday officers responded to a call of an assault and battery in the 14000 block of Blossom Hill Road. Witnesses told police a man confronted a woman in a strip mall parking lot and struck her in the face with a single closed fist.

The victim fell to the ground and sustained non-life threatening injuries.

Manny Singh, who owns the nearby Los Gatos Pizza, said he saw the victim after the incident.

"She was crying. She was crying really bad," he said. "She said she didn't do anything wrong. I don't know what happened to her."

The suspect ran away after the incident and before officers arrived on scene, police said.

Some people at a dance studio located near where the crime occurred are concerned that the attack is connected to a national phenomenon called the "Knockout Game."

The game involves people attempting to knock out unsuspecting victims with a single sucker punch for amusement purposes, according to police. Investigators, however, said they do not have enough evidence to connect the crime to the game.

"There is no specific indication that it is part of the Knockout Game, but again we're not ruling out any of those motives," Sgt. Clinton Tada said.

The suspect is described as an African American adult in his early- to mid-20s, 5 foot 9 inches to 6 feet tall, slender build and short, brown hair. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt, blue jeans and a white baseball cap backwards.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department at 408-354-8600.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

San Diego Hotspots Top ‘Best Beer Bars’ List

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It’s no secret that craft beer culture runs deeps in San Diego. Now, a new list of the best beer bars in the nation is tapping into that famed brew culture and highlighting some of the best local spots for suds.

“Draft Magazine” recently compiled its 2014 list of “America’s 100 Best Beer Bars,” with selections spanning the West, Midwest, South and Northeast.

San Diego dominates the West category on the list, with six bars making the cut – including Tiger!Tiger! in North Park, which tops the list.

The list praises the popular pub on El Cajon Boulevard for its new IPA bar, “a bar-within-the-bar for the hop-obsessed” and for its selection of delicious craft brews.

Other local bars that made the list include:


According to the magazine, criteria used to build the list included places with thoughtfully selected brews, lots of variety, a comfortable atmosphere and employee with a genuine knowledge and passion for beer. To read the full list, click here.



Photo Credit: Zoran Milich/Getty Images

New Year, New Restaurants

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New year, new resolutions, new restaurants! North San Diego is kicking 2014 off right with a heaping helping of shiny, new businesses. This month, indulge your inner foodie and check out these recently-opened hotspots via Yelp.
 

ZigZag Pizza Pie: 333 N Myers St. (Oceanside)
The newest addition to the Cohn Restaurant Group boasts over 50 craft brews and a pizza and salads production that’ll rock your socks off. The menu is jammed with classic rock-themed options like the “Hotel California” salad, featuring an acai yogurt vinaigrette. There’s also a pie dubbed “Light My Fire,” created with mozzarella, cotija cheese, red onions, jalapenos, black olives, black beans, chipotle sour cream and a mango habanero salsa.
 

Fish District: 2675 Gateway Rd. (Carlsbad)
This local eatery is bringing the sea to your plate in so many ways it’s dizzying. In addition to poke, ceviches, chowders and choppino the menu offers up traditional items like fish & chips, steamed mussels and tuna melts. Patrons can also choose their own seaside adventure by building a customized combo with a sandwich, wrap, taco or fish. Side dishes like ratatouille and cauliflower make an appearance, and we can’t wait to try the shrimp corndogs.
 

Blaze Pizza: 5620 Paseo Del Norte, Suite 126A (Carlsbad)
Is that the fire of a thousand suns? Nope, that’s just their oven, reaching highs of up to 900 degrees and cooking your pizza in a hot 180 seconds! Pizza lovers will find this new eatery located in the Carlsbad Outlets. The business is proud of its fresh handmade dough that turns into the perfect crust in rapid succession. Diners can choose from signature selections on the menu or create a customized pie with unlimited toppings. For dessert, Yelpers love the s’more pie. The menu also boasts salads and a gluten-free crust option.
 

Betty’s Pie Whole Saloon: 155 Quail Gardens Dr. (Encinitas)
Formerly the location of Elizabethan Desserts (they moved) the remodeled, cowboy-themed digs now claim the best pie in the West. The restaurant features both savory and sweet options – but no slices here! Don’t be shy, though. Y’all know you want the whole thing anyway. But, if ‘yer watching ‘yer figure as part of your New Year’s resolution, don’t fret. Individual-sized menu options are available, but once you take a gander at Mama Jo's Meatball Pot Pie you might just go for the gold.
 

Ocean Fresh Fish & Chips: 30590 Rancho California Rd. (Temecula)
With a focus on a fried-up favorite, and with plenty of other options to choose from, this local inland venture has its nearby neighbors raving. Besides the namesake Fish & Chips (served up in a nostalgic-looking basket, on newspaper, with lemon) you’ll find salads and sandwiches here, as well as excellent chowders. Seasonal specials change regularly and this month’s swordfish special is grilled to perfection.
  

Trish Sanderson is the community manager and marketing director for Yelp North County San Diego. She leads the local community of Yelp reviewers both online and off.



Photo Credit: clipart.com

Body Found in Mission Trails Park

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The body of a man was found off a trail at Mission Trails Regional Park in Mission Trails on Wednesday afternoon.

Police responded to a call regarding the body about 150 yards past the dead end at 9450 Lake Murray Boulevard and confirmed the death on the scene.

Homicide detectives have not been requested.

Tasty Bet Riding on Chargers vs. Broncos Game

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If the Chargers win Sunday’s playoff game against the Broncos, some of Denver’s finest green chili will be making its way to San Diego as part of a tasty bet initiated by leaders of both cities.

San Diego Interim Mayor Todd Gloria has been in talks with Denver Mayor Michael Hancock and the two have placed a friendly wager on the outcome of the big game between the AFC West rivals.

If the Chargers win, Hancock will send Gloria a sampling of the best green chili from Bronco’s country.

If the Bolts lose, Gloria has agreed to send Hancock some San Diego staples: California burritos from Ortiz’s Taco Shop in Ocean Beach, carne asada fries from Lolita’s Taco Shop in Kearny Mesa and deep-fried catfish tacos from Mama Testa Taqueria in Hillcrest.

Gloria has no hesitation betting on the Bolts. Last week for the Chargers vs. Bengals game, Gloria bet some of San Diego’s famous craft beers in a wager with the new mayor of Cincinnati.

He won that bet when the Bolts beat the Bengals and he’s confident he’ll be winning another wager this week.

“Last week I bet some of our city’s finest craft beers. This week I’m betting some of our tastiest Mexican food,” Gloria said on Wednesday. “Given my certainty that we won’t have to pay this bet, I urge Mayor Hancock to try these dishes the next time he visits our great city.”

The two mayors discussed the bet by phone Wednesday afternoon (see photo below). Gloria has been posting updates about the bet on his Twitter page.

In the meantime, Gloria continues to urge Chargers fever among San Diegans in preparation for Sunday’s game. Gloria encourages city employees to wear Chargers gear or blue and gold colors to work on Friday.

Finally, in honor of the Bolts, downtown San Diego’s new Central Library will be lit in Charger Blue and Gold at night.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Warrant Sweep Linked to Major Sex Trafficking Case

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A county-wide warrant sweep netted 24 alleged North Park gang members charged in a racketeering conspiracy as part of a sex trafficking operation that covered 46 cities across 23 states, the U.S. Attorney announced Wednesday afternoon.

The alleged gang members were also arrested for murder, kidnapping, robbery and drug-related crimes.

According to officials, the defendants recruited girls from El Cajon Boulevard and social media sites by showing them glamorous rap videos on YouTube. The allegedly branded the women by tattooing them with gang signs or bar codes.

Officials from the FBI, Homeland Security and the District Attorney's office revealed the details at Wednesday's press conference.

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