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Best Theaters in North San Diego

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Maybe you're caught up in the buzz of Oscar-nominated films, or perhaps live theater is your thing. Either way, pull up a chair and settle in for some showbiz at local joints in the North County featuring quality on the big screen or stage. Yelp has the behind the scenes scoop, so snag a seat and let someone else pop the popcorn – we promise you’ll be entertained!

New Village Arts Theater (Carlsbad)
Twelve years running, this local production company and theater has won a multitude of awards. With only 90 seats, be sure to grab your tickets for upcoming shows at this intimate venue ASAP. "Circle Mirror Transformation" is currently on the stage and opening night for "To Kill a Mockingbird" is on Apr. 12. Tickets are reasonable at around $30 per show and if you’d really like to love on the arts, attend the upcoming Gala at the newly opened Green Dragon Tavern & Museum on Mar. 15.

La Paloma Theater (Encinitas)
The 1927 opening of this beloved local theater brought everything from vaudeville to the pipe organ to Encinitas. Nowadays, you’ll find a traditional Friday night showing of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” Oscar-nominated films, poetry slams and concerts on the regular here. In honor of the San Diego Italian Film Festival, this theater also runs monthly showings of popular foreign films, in Italian with English subtitles, through July. Backstage tip: the box office is cash only.

North Coast Repertory Theater (Solana Beach)
This 30-year-old non-profit not only brings highly-acclaimed theater to North County but also reaches out to the community with a theater school. Not to mention, the intimate setting of only 194 seats is perfection for live theater. On the main stage you’ll find talented actors in noteworthy productions such as "The School for Lies" (running through Mar. 16) by Tony-nominated David Ives and the upcoming world premier of "Mandate Memories."

California Center for the Arts (Escondido)
Hosting the acclaimed "Shen Yun 2014” starting Feb. 26, this gem venue in North SD connects the community to art, music, theater and more. Beyond amazing performances, you’ll find educational series and family events like the "Second Saturdays Family Art Discovery,” a few hours of free art with materials supplied. Speaking of the kids, don’t miss out on the magical, Dr. Seuss-inspired musical extravaganza, “Seussical,” which starts on Mar. 20.

Cinepolis Luxury Cinemas (Carlsbad & Del Mar)
Once you experience 7 feet of personal space, reclining seats set in twos, advance reserved seating and chair-side service you’ll find it tough to return to average movie going. Popular and comfortable, these high-end theaters offer upscale menus served right at your seat and some 21+ screening rooms with bar services. Grab your tickets, at about $20 per person, online a day or two in advance. Most shows get sold out, especially on weekends, so plan ahead.

 

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.


Coach Burns Sues SDSU

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San Diego State University is being sued by former women’s basketball coach Beth Burns who claims she was fired in retaliation for demanding equal treatment of women’s athletics programs.

Burns left SDSU abruptly in April after a 27-win season and with more wins than any coach in the history of San Diego State University women’s basketball.

She claims she was told she must either resign, retire or be fired due to an alleged workplace violence incident caught on videotape but the lawsuit claims her termination was retaliation for complaining about unfair treatment between men’s and women’s athletics at the Division I school.

At an April 16, 2013 meeting, Burns says she was pressured to retire for allegedly striking a subordinate.

The alleged incident was captured on video in February 2013 during a game against Colorado State. Burns can be seen twice making contact with assistant coach Adam Barrett. The first time, she appears to hit a clipboard Barrett was holding. Later, she appears to hit the coach in the shoulder.

Burns, who argues she did not strike anyone intentionally, opted to retire to save her pension, the lawsuit claims.

After the university made the announcement, neither side said much about the decision despite repeated requests from NBC 7.

Now, in a lawsuit filed Wednesday claiming breach of contract, Burns claims that SDSU officials fired her as retaliation for her complaints.

Burns attorneys claim their client “refused to remain silent” and “regularly complained” about the differences in support for housing, facilities, staffing and equipment between the men’s and women’s basketball programs.

Not only does Burns say she spent her thousands of her own money to help support staff and the team,  she also makes the allegation that SDSU forced the team to count male practice players as female participants in the university’s annual mandatory gender equity report.

Read the full complaint

An SDSU spokesperson refused to comment on the details of the suit saying the university doesn't comment on pending litigation.

Burns filed a contract extension in July 2012 with an annual salary of $220,000.

The suit claims she not only lost $880,000 in earnings but has been unable to get employment elsewhere based on damage done to her professional reputation.

Court documents show Burns filed claims with the Department of Fair Employment & Housing in October and against the California State University Systemwide Risk Management Office in November.

Burns helped the Aztecs make seven NCAA appearances during her career, including a Sweet 16 appearance in 2010. She also led her team to six regular-season conference championships and four league tournament titles.

She was named the Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year for her last two seasons with the team.

A settlement obtained by NBC 7 in July shows SDSU paid Barrett and his attorney a total of $250,000 over Barrett’s contract not being renewed.

Stacie Terry from Louisiana State University has been hired as the new head coach of SDSU women’s basketball.
 

8 New Flu Deaths Reported in San Diego

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County health officials say eight more people have died from complications of the flu in San Diego County but despite those latest stats, it appears local influenza activity is decreasing.

According to the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), these latest flu-related deaths for the week ending on Feb. 15 make for a total of 43 influenza deaths to date this season in San Diego.

However, health officials say the number of total lab-confirmed flu cases in the region have continued to drop with 196 cases reported for the week compared to 297 the previous week.

The percentage of patients who went to an emergency room with influenza-like illness also dropped, the HHSA confirmed.

“Influenza activity in the region appears to be winding down and that is definitely a good sign,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer.

According to the HHSA, flu season typically ends in April but it’s not too late to get a flu shot to avoid getting sick.

Last month, Wooten said Pandemic H1N1 is the prevalent strain circulating this flu season, and current vaccines offer protection against the H1N1 strain, as well as Influenza A H3N1 and Influenza B strains. More information about vaccinations is available here.

In addition to getting vaccinated, the HHSA says frequent, thorough hand washing and the use of hand sanitizer can prevent the flu from spreading.

The San Diego residents who have died from influenza this season ranged in age from 26 to 100 and almost all had underlying medical conditions, according to the HHSA.

Last year, a total of 65 flu-related deaths were reported in the county.

U.Md. Data Breach Affects 300K

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The records of more than 300,000 faculty members and students dating back to 1998 have been compromised following a data breach at the University of Maryland.

According to a letter from UMD President Wallace Loh, the 309,079 records include full names, social security numbers, dates of birth and university ID numbers of staff members and students affiliated with the university's College Park and Shady Grove campuses.

Loh says the data breach did not include financial, academic, health or contact information.

Federal and state law enforcement agencies are investigating the matter, which Loh says he learned of Tuesday evening.

"We recently doubled the number of our IT security engineers and analysts. We also doubled our investment in top-end security tools. Obviously, we need to do more and better, and we will," Loh wrote. 

The university is offering free credit monitoring to all affected persons.

If you have any questions about the breach, you're asked to call 301-405-4440 or email datasecurity@umd.edu. 


 



Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Boy Made to Clean Urinal With Hands

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A South Florida teacher has been arrested after police said she forced a 10-year-old to unclog a urinal with his bare hands.

Jennifer Forshey, 58, was charged with battery of a child by exposure to urine, according to a Coral Springs arrest report.

Forshey was booked into jail Wednesday and later released on $1,000 bond.

"I did not do anything illegal," Forshey said as she left the jail.

Police said Forshey, a teacher at Broward Community Charter School, accused the boy of clogging the urinal with paper towels. She then ordered him to use his hands and a paper towel to remove all the paper from the drain, the report said.

Officials noted the boy's hands were saturated in "what smelled like urine" from the urinal and that the bathroom had no soap in it.

Forshey did not give the child safety equipment to clean the urinal, police said.

The boy told police the urine was not his and that he did not know who had clogged the urinal.

Forshey admitted to making the boy clean the urine, but she only thought what she did was wrong because she got in trouble, authorities said in the report.

Broward Community Charter School issued a statement saying it acknowledges what occurred and that Forshey was reprimanded.

The victim's mother, Jenay Roberts, did not want to provide a statement Thursday, but attorney Joshua Hertz released the following statement on her behalf:

"The only reason we are bringing this story to the public is to find out if any other child has been treated in this way before. We want to protect this child and possibly any other children that may have been subjected to this form or corporal and unmoral punishment. My client wants to find out why a teacher would allow this to happen. She also asks for her and her son's privacy to be respected and wants her son to retain a normal life back at the school."

Word of Forshey's release did not set well with some parents dropping their children off at the school Thursday morning.

"That teacher should go back to jail. That's not cool," said parent Mark Henrice.

Others believe it was a bad call made by an otherwise good teacher.

"She used really bad judgement, but it's a really good school. I hope it doesn't reflect on the school," parent George Vitieri said.

At Forshey's home Wednesday night, a close family friend and co-worker said Forshey was like a mentor to her.

The woman, who only wanted to be identified as Debbie, said she loved walking into Forshey's classroom because it was so cozy. She also talked about her dedication to teaching.

"She would literally spends nights at the library finding things to do, you know, fun things to do to interact, not just your boring way of teaching," she said.

What Debbie heard on the news came as a shock. She said it's out of character for a woman who does so much for her students, including spend her own money.

"She buys curriculum, she buys games. I mean, I've been with her when she buys all these incentives for the children," she said. "She was actually the main one to get us to like, you know, more positive reinforcement things like that."



Photo Credit: NBC6.com

Girl's Teeth Yanked Out at School

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Harmani Osbi still holds her three front baby teeth in her hand after they came out on Tuesday. There’s only one problem. They weren’t supposed to come out anytime soon. According to the girl’s mother, they were yanked out by a worker at her school.

“She should be getting the support that she needs,” said Harmani’s mother, Tomeka Speller. “Not getting attacked in the classroom.”

Harmani, 7, attends a class for children with behavioral issues at the Solis Cohen Elementary School in Northeast Philadelphia. Speller says her daughter was chewing on her sweater and refused to stop when a specially trained school therapeutic worker told her to. Speller says the worker then forcefully pulled out the sweater, yanking out the girl’s three front teeth.

“She used excessive force,” Speller said. “She just said, ‘I’m not having this today' and she yanked it out. Just because you’re having a bad day does not mean you’re going to mistreat my child!”

School district officials reviewed witness statements and are now filing a complaint with police and the Department of Human Services.

“It’s a shocking incident,” said Philadelphia School District spokesman Fernando Gallard. “Now we have to make sure that it never happens again. We expect much more than this from a professional.”

A spokesperson for the Children's Crisis Treatment Center, where the worker was contracted and employed, released a statement on the alleged incident.

"At CCTC we take pride in providing a safe environment in which the health and well-being of our children is the top priority," said the spokesperson. "As is our policy, the individual has been suspended pending an investigation." 

Speller wants the worker gone from the school for good however.

“I want her fired,” she said. “She does not need to be working with children.”

 



Photo Credit: NBC10.com

CVS Roof Caves Under Snow in NYC

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A CVS in the Bronx was evacuated Wednesday after heavy snow caused the roof to collapse.

The FDNY responded to the store on Burke Avenue in Williamsbridge at about 1:45 p.m.

As the roof caved in, water sprinklers in the ceiling burst, flooding the store. 

No injuries were reported. Eighty percent of the roof is a total loss, firefighters said, and the building will have to be demolished.

The heavy, unrelenting snow has caused a number of structural issues throughout the region in recent days. 

Several schools in Sparta, N.J., were dismissed early Tuesday after officials became concerned about heavy snow on rooftops.

Roof collapses were also reported across the tri-state last Friday, including at numerous homes, a tennis center in Rockland County, a restaurant in Yonkers and an elementary school in Wallington, N.J., police say. No injuries were reported.
 
Roofing experts say other buildings face similar dangers. As the days warm slightly, snow has no place to go and turns to even heavier ice overnight as temperatures plummet back down. 

"Melting snow is going to make it worse, especially if the drains on a lot of these commercial structures are not clear," said Michael Johannes of Nations Roof. 

Johannes says concerned homeowners shouldn't try to go up on the roof themselves. 

"You need to have someone that understands it, and has their safety in mind," he said. 

--Michael George contributed to this report. 

 

Death Investigation Underway in San Marcos

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Deputies from the San Diego County Sheriff's Department were called to a gated community in San Marcos Wednesday night to investigate a death, officials confirmed.

The investigation was launched at a home in the 1700-block of Victoria Way in the Victoria Ranch complex.

Officials initally reported the case as a homicide investigation.

A news release with more details is expected Thursday.

Check back for updates.



Photo Credit: Shutterstock

$400M Lotto Ticket Sold in Calif.

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A winning Powerball lottery ticket that hit a $400 million jackpot was sold in California, according to lottery officials.

The ticket was purchased at a gas station in Milpitas, California, located in the Bay Area. It successfully matched the numbers 17, 49, 54, 35, 1 and the Powerball number 34.

Dixon Landing Chevron, the gas station, will receive a $1 million bonus for selling the winning ticket, officials said.

A tweet from the California Lottery Twitter account claimed that the ticket was the only jackpot winner sold.

The South Bay is no stranger to selling jackpot-winning lottery tickets.

In December, a small San Jose gift shop sold a $324 million Mega Millions ticket. It was one of two big tickets. The other was sold in Georgia.

Check back for updates.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Jahi McMath's Mother Speaks Out

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The mother of a 13-year-old California girl who was declared brain dead after suffering complications from sleep apnea surgery is speaking out several weeks after taking her daughter out of a hospital.

Nailah Winkfield says in a letter that appeared Wednesday on Facebook and Twitter that she believes her daughter is "much better physically'' since she was removed from Children's Hospital Oakland last month.

MORE: Friends Believe Jahi McMath, "Quiet Leader," is Alive

The letter doesn't specify Jahi's condition or say where she is being kept. Her family says Jahi is at an undisclosed location and has been given feeding and breathing tubes while remaining on a ventilator.

Family attorney Christopher Dolan says the letter is meant for those supporting Jahi and her family.

Jahi underwent tonsil surgery Dec. 9 and began bleeding heavily before going into cardiac arrest and being declared brain dead Dec. 12.

MORE: Catholic Group Says Jahi McMath "With Jesus Christ"

Here's the letter as posted to a Facebook page dedicated to Jahi: 

A letter from Nailah;

It has been over a month since I have spoken about my life with Jahi to anyone outside a very small circle of family and friends. So many people have asked how we are doing and if Jahi is alive. This has and continues to be an unbelievably difficult time for me as a mother and for us as a family. I have withdrawn for reasons of safety and privacy and to focus on my daughter and my role as her mother. However, I have not been alone. I have been surrounded by the love, support and prayers of so many kind people. Despite what people say about my daughter being dead and how I must be ignorant not to get that, I can tell you that she is much better physically since she has left Children's Hospital and I see changes that give me hope.

As I prayed today, I felt called to express to people that I am truly grateful for the amount of love and support my daughter Jahi McMath and I have received from people all over the world. We feel your prayer and support. Because of your unselfish generosity I was able to do what I was afraid I would never be able to do, move my daughter from Children's Hospital Oakland before they removed her from her ventilator and stopped her heart. This was itself a miracle. Please know that all of the support we received has been used towards helping Jahi. If I had it my way, I would say thank you to each and every person in their native language so they could understand how much I appreciate them for all their support and, most importantly, prayers. It is my belief that faith in God, your prayers, and the incredible kindness of good hearted medical professionals, are the main reasons my daughter is alive today. I know people are concerned and I want to make sure you know that Jahi is not suffering, she is surrounded by love. I will never let her suffer.

On the long hard days when I'm feeling down I think about all the people who are praying for me and Jahi and I feel so much better. I want you to know that I'm praying for you as well.

Thank you to all of the people who view my daughter as the sweet, innocent, 13 year old girl that she is and not a dead body or a corpse, I deeply appreciate that. Thank you to everyone who hasn't forgot how my daughter got into this situation in the first place. No one should have to go through this.

I would like to thank all of the people who have reached out to me and shared their stories of their family members. Some have been heartbreaking, some have given me hope. All have helped me feel that I am not the only person who has had this struggle. Some of you have shared how you fought for your loved ones and they got better, some of you have shared your regret with not fighting more and some shared with me the incredibly difficult decisions you made to let go. I have prayed for you as you have for me. Sadly I can say I know how you feel.

I also want to thank those who felt the need to go public with their opinions about me and my daughter, positive and even negative. It is because of you that my daughter's experience is so relevant and that people all over the world know who Jahi Mcmath is. What you may not know is that her name, Jahi, means one who is known by many. Hopefully my daughter can
change some of the ways brain death is viewed in today's society. Honestly, I think she already has.

Finally, thank you for all the love, support and prayers you give Jahi every day. I am certain that she knows you are praying for her. I feel the support from your prayer all the time. I don't think I or Jahi would be here today without you. May God bless all who have shown love and
compassion as well as those who have expressed their contempt. All are deserving of God's grace and love. For those who believe, please, keep praying for Jahi. God can overcome all things and I believe that his will has yet to be fully revealed. I love Jahi and where there is love, there is hope.

Nailah Winkfield , Jahi's mom
 



Photo Credit: NBC Bay Area

Police Activity Closes Hillcrest Streets

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Several streets in San Diego’s Hillcrest neighborhood were closed because of police activity Wednesday evening.

According to officials, police received a call from someone acting suicidal at 4:45 p.m.

Officers surrounded a residence in the 3600 block of 3rd Avenue with their weapons drawn.

Police took the subject into custody just before 6:15 p.m.

No evacuations were ordered.

Dolphins Fire Turner and O'Neill

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The Miami Dolphins fired offensive line coach Jim Turner and longtime head trainer Kevin O'Neill on Wednesday for their roles in the team's bullying scandal.

Both men were part of the recent Ted Wells report on the Jonathan Martin and Richie Incognito bullying saga. Last week's report said that Turner not only knew about taunts in the locker room but also participated at one point, according to the Miami Herald. The newspaper reported that it was likely Turner would face the axe in the near future – and it came swinging on Wednesday.

Turner did not accompany the team to Indianapolis for the NFL combine and was informed of the decision from afar. 

"The language and behavior as described in the Ted Wells report are against the core values of our organization," Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said in a statement.

Incognito and two teammates engaged in a pattern of harassment directed at Martin, another offensive lineman and an assistant trainer, Wells said when his report was released last week.

Martin left the team at midseason, and Incognito was suspended.

As for O'Neill, he too was mentioned in the Wells report. It said that O'Neill was aware of misconduct from players including Incognito towards one of his assistants, but did nothing about it. The report went on to say that O'Neill even laughed at some of the comments which were racial in nature. O'Neill was in Indianapolis with the team at the time of his firing.

"After receiving the report, I conducted my own internal review of the facts to determine the appropriate steps for our organization. Jim Turner and Kevin O'Neill are good people who care a great deal about their profession and the players whom they serve, but both exhibited poor judgment at times which led me to this conclusion," Ross continued in his statement.

O'Neill was the Dolphins' head trainer for 18 years. Turner was the team's offensive line coach the past two seasons.

John Benton, who was recently hired by the Dolphins as their assistant offensive line coach, is a possible candidate to replace Turner.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Subject of Escondido Search Says She Was Never Lost

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A woman reported missing Wednesday was found hours later and claims she was never lost.

According to Escondido Police, the 40-year-old woman was last seen near Dixon Lake around 4 p.m.

The woman’s boyfriend told police that he went down the mountain to check on his bicycle. When he came back, he couldn’t find the woman and called for help.

Concerns grew as the night became colder and darker. A command post was set up in the 3400 block of East Valley Parkway.

Search and rescue teams from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department joined the search.

Just after midnight, the woman was discovered walking near Valley Parkway and Ash. She told deputies she was never lost but had just gotten separated from her boyfriend.

 

Memorial Set for Meningitis Victim

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Plans are now in place for a memorial service for a San Diego-area high school student who died Feb. 13 from a suspected meningococcal bacterial infection, more commonly known as meningitis.

Jewelean “Jewel” Pimentel, 14, a freshman at Patrick Henry High School, fell suddenly ill after attending school on Feb. 11, her family said in a statement Saturday.

From there, the teenager's illness moved devastatingly quickly. By Wednesday morning, Jewel had been admitted to the hospital. Her parents said she succumbed to her illness Thursday night.

A family spokesperson said a memorial will be held for Jewel on Friday at 2 p.m. at St. Therese Catholic Church located at 6016 Camino Rico in San Carlos.

A memorial fund has been established in Jewel's honor, which will help her family cover memorial and funeral expenses. To donate, click here.

Currently, the “Do it for Jewel” fund has raised more than $23,000 for the family in just under three days. The goal amount is $30,000.

In the meantime, county health officials are still trying to determine if meningitis was definitely the cause of Jewel's death, as suspected. Those test results are expected soon.

Last week, San Diego County Deputy Public Health Officer Eric McDonald said friends and family who had been in close contact with Jewel had been given antibiotics to prevent getting the infection themselves. When asked how many people were exposed to her, McDonald estimated less than 100.

Patrick Henry High School faculty sent home letters to parents last week warning them to be on the lookout for signs of meningitis in their children.

Symptoms of the disease include fever, intense headaches, lethargy and stiff neck. The disease can also cause purple rashes that don’t change color when you press on them, and McDonald said Jewel had that rash.

Meningococcal bacteria can infect the blood or cause inflammation of tissues covering the brain and spinal cord, according to health officials.

The disease is spread through close contact, including sharing food, drinks, chapstick or by living in the same household with someone who's infected. Symptoms could take up to 10 days to surface.

On Monday, a Santee woman also died suddenly of suspected meningitis.

Jackie Lerma Billings, 52, known to friends as “Jappy,” showed strains of meningitis in her system at the time of her unexpected death, according to the San Diego County Medical Examiner's office.

Billings worked as a barista at a Starbucks in Santee, where she was loved by many.



Photo Credit: Facebook

Figure Skating Judging Explained

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Olympic women’s figure skating began Wednesday night.

Each athlete has talent and grace. So what exactly are the judges looking for?

Special Section: Sochi 2014

Competitive figure skater Chris Caluza, who trains at the San Diego Ice Arena, says the short program requires seven elements of jumps, spins and footwork.

There are six kinds of jumps: Axel, salchow, toe-loop, loop, flip and lutz.

Caluza says a skater can gain more points by doing one after another, such as a triple axel.

He also says the ladies must execute each element perfectly to score high enough to carry them to the next round.

Results: Ladies' Short Program

"The way they skate on the ice, how big their patterns can be, how they cover the ice, how much speed they carry," Caluza said. "And the judges are also the audience, so you have to connect to judges as well."

Caluza says he trains with Olympic skater Gracie Gold at least once a week.

 



Photo Credit: Getty Images

RAW VIDEO: New Officer Facing Allegations

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On Wednesday, San Diego Police Chief William Lansdowne fielded questions from reporters about a second police officer facing allegations of sexual misconduct. This comes on the heels of former Officer Chris Hays’ resignation amid similar accusations.

Ex-Anchor Arrested in DUI

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A former TV news anchor at CBS was arrested on suspicion of driving drunk, Anaheim police said.

Bree Walker, a radio talk show host, actress, and disability-rights activist, was taken into custody after a traffic stop for a red-light violation at 12:30 a.m. near South Beach Boulevard and West Ball Road, said Lt. Tim Schmidt, a spokesman with the Anaheim Police Department.

She failed a field sobriety test after police smelled what they believed to be alcohol and noticed she appeared "disheveled," Schmidt said.

A pit bull inside her vehicle was taken by Orange County Animal Control, officials said. Walker was due in court in about a month.

Walker, 61, worked as a news anchor and reporter in San Diego, New York City, and Los Angeles.

Walker, of Venice, inherited ectrodactyly, a rare genetic condition, resulting in missing fingers and toes and syndactyly resulting in fingers and toes being fused together.

Established and well into her career at the ABC affiliate KGTV Channel 10 in San Diego, Walker decided to go public with her ectrodactyly after previously keeping her hands hidden inside a pair of glove-like prosthetic hands.

She went into rehab for alcohol dependency in 2007, according to news reports.

Soldier Can't Wear Uniform in Court

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A U.S. Army staff sergeant defending himself in a traffic accident case cannot wear his uniform in the courtroom because of a ruling by a San Diego judge.

Special Section: San Diego Military News

Staff Sgt. Aaron Trompeter and his wife are defendants in a lawsuit prompted by a two-car collision in El Cajon.

Trompeter is on active jury, but the judge ordered him to wear civilian clothes, so the jury doesn't give him special consideration for his military service.

Before the trial started, the plaintiffs made an interesting request of the judge. They asked that Trompeter not be allowed to wear his uniform or discuss his military service.

They claimed it could prejudice the jury in his favor.

Trompeter's lawyer disagreed, saying jurors are smart enough not to judge anyone's credibility by the uniform they're wearing.

But Judge John Meyer sided with the plaintiff and ordered Trompeter to wear civilian dress in the courtroom.

Trompeter and lawyers on both sides declined our request for an interview.

Download NBC 7 Free App

One prominent San Diego attorney who is also a military veteran, told NBC 7 he disagrees with the ruling.

Dan White argues that active-duty military wearing their uniform in such a case is no different from a physician describing their background.

“What is the difference practically speaking between that and some young man coming in and wearing his uniform? I see none,” White said.

"He's 24/7, and this is what he does. It's no different than me showing up in the suit that I'm wearing today," White said. "This is his uniform, it's his duty uniform. It’s what he does. It’s who he’s all about."

“He has the right, and indeed, the obligation to wear that.”

In court papers, the plaintiffs argued "... it would be improper and prejudicial to permit the defendants to influence the jury by 'waving the flag,' as a result of having Mr.Trompeter appear at trial in his U.S. Army uniform..."

The judge did allow testimony about Trompeter's occupation, so the jury knows he's on active duty as an Army staff sergeant. 

Timeline: SDPD Officers Accused

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The San Diego police department is dealing with a scandal involving officers accused of preying on women who they came in contact with while in uniform and on duty.

First, former officer Anthony Arevalos is serving an eight year sentence for molesting female drivers during traffic stops in the Gaslamp quarter from 2009 to 2011.

As a result, Chief William Lansdowne implemented changes within the department to help uncover the potential for other rogue officers to go unnoticed.

Then, on Feb. 9, Officer Christopher Hays was booked on criminal charges in connection with inappropriate pat downs that prosecutors allege were done for his sexual gratification.

In the process of the Hays investigation, another unidentified officer was accused of exposing himself and in appropriately touching a female in custody.

The department launched a new policy requiring two officers to accompany females in custody.

Here's a timeline of events:

Oct. 30, 2013: Woman identified as "Jane Doe 1" was frisked by Officer Hays. She is later named in a criminal complaint alleging false imprisonment and sexual battery.

Nov. 10, 2013: Hays allegedly committed sexual battery in an incident involving a woman identified as “Jane Doe 2”, according to a criminal complaint filed against Hays on February 18. 

Dec. 23, 2013: Hays is accused of sexual battery involving a woman identified as Jane Doe 3 according to a criminal complaint filed following his arrest.

Dec. 24, 2013: A fourth incident allegedly occurred this time involving false imprisonment of a woman identified as Jane Doe 4, prosecutors allege.

December 2013: After a woman contacted SDPD complaining about Hays' behavior during a "pat down," an internal affairs investigation was launched.

January 2014: Case was handed over to the San Diego District Attorney's Office for investigation.

Feb. 6: Chief Lansdowne confirms an officer is under investigation for sexual misconduct involving four women.

Feb. 7: Attorney Dan Gilleon claims a fifth woman has come forward with allegations that are more severe than what the victims before her may have alleged. His client claims she was coerced into giving Hays oral sex in exchange for her freedom in October 2012. She claims she contacted SDPD but did not receive a call back.

Feb 9: Officer Hays was booked into San Diego County Jail on charges of false imprisonment and sexual battery.

Feb. 9: Chief Lansdowne confirms five alleged victims had contacted the police to accuse Hays of improper pat downs and the sixth woman had gone to Gilleon.

Feb. 14: Attorney Brian Watkins said he represents a seventh alleged victim who claims Hays touched her breasts, "caressed her crotch, caressed her buttocks and then grabbed her wrist and put her hand on his crotch" during a pat down in October 2013. His client did not report the incident to police.

Feb. 18: District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis announces two charges of felony false imprisonment and three counts of misdemeanor sexual battery were filed against Hays on behalf of four women. 

Feb. 19: Hays officially resigns from the department. His attorney said Hays felt betrayed by his colleagues.

Feb. 19: San Diego Police Chief William Lansdowne announces another officer has been accused of touching a female detainee arrested on suspicion of auto theft. The unidentified officer has not been charged. The alleged victim called to report the incident because she believed he was Hays.

Feb. 19: The department also announced a new policy that two officers would accompany every female detainee or arrestee going forward.

SDPD Investigating 2nd Officer

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The San Diego Police Department is now investigating a second officer accused of misconduct on the job, SDPD Chief William Lansdowne confirmed Wednesday night.

Lansdowne said the department has launched an investigation into a six-year veteran of the SDPD after a woman came forward accusing the officer of "touching and exposure" during an arrest.

TIMELINE: SDPD Officer Christopher Hays Charged with Sex Crimes

The woman originally thought the officer in her alleged encounter was former SDPD Officer Christopher Hays, 30, who's currently under fire for allegations of sexual misconduct involving at least four women.

However, after investigating, Lansdowne said the department determined that this particular case involves a completely different officer. Lansdowne said he can't identify the officer by name at this time, as the investigation is ongoing.

Lansdowne said the woman in this case has a "credible complaint" that involves a very serious allegation.

She told police her encounter with the officer happened during an auto theft arrest last year in the South Bay and involved the officer allegedly touching her inappropriately and exposing himself.

Again, Lansdowne said Hays had nothing to do with this particular incident.

Lansdowne said the officer accused in this case has been suspended from the department pending the investigation. He said no criminal charges have been filed against this officer just yet.

Lansdowne said these recent accusations surrounding SDPD officers have driven him to call for an audit into the police department. He feels an outside review into how the SDPD handles misconduct is crucial at this point.

For now, he said the department will continue to aggressively investigate this second officer as well as the allegations involving Hays.

"We will root out those officers who don't belong in the San Diego Police Department," he said.

Read: Chief Wants to Stay, See Department Through Scandal

Meanwhile, both Lansdowne and SDPD Lt. Kevin Mayer said changes are being made within the department already, including how many officers are required to handle the transport of female detainees.

Lt. Mayer said from this point forward, all female transports "will require the presence of two officers" so that an officer is never completely alone with a detainee or arrestee.

After Lansdowne announced this latest investigation and policy changes, San Diego Mayor-elect Kevin Faulconer released this statement: 

Ensuring confidence and trust in the San Diego Police Department is my top priority. San Diegans will see that this is the immediate focus of my administration when I take office.

Read: Victim's Lawsuit Claims SDPD Failed to Control Crooked Cop

Now, as for Hays, Lt. Mayer announced Wednesday that Hays is no longer employed with the SDPD, effective immediately. No further details were released about his departure from the department.

Hays is accused of misconduct while in uniform which included alleged improper pat downs of at least four women, Chief Lansdowne revealed last week. Since then, three more women have come forward claiming sexual assault at the hands of the officer.

Hays was formally charged with two felony counts of false imprisonment with violence and three misdemeanor counts of sexual battery involving four women on Tuesday. He pleaded not guilty.

Following his arraignment, Hays' attorney, Kerry Armstrong,said the officer planned to resign from the SDPD, due to lack of support from the department.

Armstrong said Hays feels betrayed and, even if acquitted of charges, feels as though his career in law enforcement is over.

“He's extremely upset with the police department for not backing him in this case. It's really hurt him,” said Armstrong on Tuesday, adding that he and his client take issue with the department's investigation into the accusations against Hays.

Since Lansdowne confirmed the ongoing investigation into the officer last week, Hays had been on unpaid leave and relieved of his police duties.

The prosecutor handling the case declined to elaborate on the acts involved in the charges against Hays. On Tuesday, San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis said Hays “abused the public trust.”

Dumanis said the alleged acts involving Hays and the four women happened between Oct. 30 and Dec. 24, 2013.

If convicted on all counts, Hays could face up to three years and eight months in prison. A preliminary hearing in the case is slated for Apr. 22.

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