A group of local Girl Scouts spent Saturday morning rebuilding the 27 lily pond boxes that were destroyed in a rowdy water fight at Balboa Park back in August.

On August 12 a midnight, flash mob-style water fight with an estimated 1,500 to 2,000 participants wreaked havoc on the iconic Balboa Park lily pond, causing thousands of dollars of damage.

In the water fight, participants broke a piece of piping in the pond, destroyed the lily boxes and trampled plants. The suspects also left behind water guns and remnants of water balloons around the area. Later, Matthew Hardick came forward as one of the organizers of the event and apologized for the destruction.

San Diegans were outraged by the vandalism, including then-mayor Jerry Sanders who released a statement saying he was appalled at the damage done by people he called “delinquents.”

The event raised security concerns regarding Balboa Park and became a hot-button topic during San Diego’s mayoral race.

Since then, money has been raised to repair the pond – including $13,000 in donations raised by the non-profit group Friends of Balboa Park – and local volunteers have stepped up to fix the damages.

Now, nearly four months after the incident, the Girl Scouts of San Diego are doing their part to restore the “Crown Jewel of San Diego.”

From the Girl Scouts Headquarters at 1231 Upas Avenue in Balboa Park, the group spent Saturday repairing and reconstructing the lily pond boxes using materials donated by Lowe’s Home Improvement. A group of Lowe’s employees also helped in restoring the boxes.

Friends of Balboa Park chairman of the board Jim Hughes was there as well.

A tow truck and train collided in Encinitas Saturday afternoon, officials confirmed.

The crash happened around 2:35 p.m. at Chesterfield Drive and South Coast Highway 101.

It is unclear how the crash happened or how many people were involved. Details on potential injuries have not yet been released.

Sheriffs deputies are currently at the scene investigating the crash.

At around 3:35 p.m., North County Transit took to their Twitter page and also confirmed the collision, tweeting: "Due to an incident on the tracks involving Amtrak, COASTER may experience a delay."

One witness told NBC 7 that a tow truck was crossing the train tracks but, for unknown reasons, stopped. The witness said the gate then came down on the flatbed tow truck, which was hauling a white suburban, and an oncoming train hit the truck.

Another resident who lives near the site of the crash told NBC 7 that the impact from the collision shook his whole house. The resident said the driver of the tow truck was ejected from his vehicle, landing about 100 yards from the intersection.

Pieces of the tow truck were strewn around the train tracks for hundreds of yards after the crash.

Check back for updates on this developing story.

The megastore Macy's will be open for a straight 48 hours the weekend before Christmas.

Black Friday sales started earlier and earlier this year and now last minute shoppers have their own special shopping spree.

Marketing expert Bernhard Schroeder from San Diego State said this move for a non-stop shopping weekend may give Macy's an edge with last minute shoppers.  And is bound to get the attention of other retail competitors.

"While there is one part of me that says, 'Wow, what is our society heading into?' the marketing side of me says, 'Game on.'"

NBC 7 asked some shoppers if they would make purchases in the middle of the night. It was a mixed response.

"No, I'll be asleep at that time," said one shopper.

Another said she'd take advantage of the unusual time.

"If there's less people out, why not?" said another shopper.

It could help Macy's compete against online retailers, according to Schroeder.

Macy's hopes they can create a sort of Black Friday buzz for bargain shoppers and procrastinators.  But the question still remains: Who will end up shopping in the middle of the night?

I'm sure, at some point in your life, you've hunted for the perfect holiday gift.

What would you do if you could give someone just that? It's true.

The gift of lasting good health is something we can all give a local high school student, plus get something pretty darn cool in return.

Brittany Wnek is a junior at Christian High School in El Cajon. When she was 12 years old, she was diagnosed with Mastocytosis, which causes cells to collect and form tumors on her skull, spine and pelvis.

Over the last five years, Brittany has been through an awful lot.

"She's had more than 10 surgeries," said her mom, Barbara Wnek. "Chemotherapy, 13 different types, plus radiation. She's on a plan now. We have a new drug that our doctor at Rady Children's Hospital was able to get for her, so we just started that a week ago."

Through it all, Brittany has shown an amazing and inspiring strength.

"She's so sweet to everyone," said Brittany's friend and volleyball team mate Gaby Grabowski. "Through everything that God has put her through, she's still so much joy. Our whole team cares for her and her family."

Gaby's mom, Gabriela, is the owner of Aztecas Design, Inc. in El Cajon, a company that provides hand-blown, custom-made glassware to restaurants across the country.

On Saturday, December 8, Aztecas Design is hosting a Holiday Craft Fair, offering its products to the public.

But, here's the great part: every cent that's brought in goes directly to Brittany to help pay for her treatments.

"That was amazing!" said Brittany. "When my mom told me about it, I was surprised at how big they wanted to make it, and do all this stuff for our family."

Here's what you can get some amazing, unique Christmas gifts while helping out Brittany:

• The Holiday Craft Fair is Saturday, Dec. 8, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Aztecas Design, located at 435 Bradley Ave. in El Cajon, just west off the 67 freeway.
• Gift bags start at $25.
• 100% percent of the money raised is going to Brittany, no costs held back for materials or production.

Talk about a win-win, this is it!

San Diego Police Department detectives are searching for three suspects who allegedly robbed and assaulted a victim at gunpoint inside of a Mission Valley hotel room last month.

According to police, the assault happened on November 21 at around 5 a.m. at the Mission Valley Resort located at 875 Hotel Circle South.

An adult male victim had called several acquaintances to meet him at the hotel, including a woman known as “Jewell,” police said.

Jewell arrived at the man’s hotel room to hang out and told the victim her sister was on her way over too. Minutes later, police said Jewell walked over to the door and two unknown male suspects entered the hotel room.

One of the men pulled a handgun out and put the weapon in the victim’s face, demanding his money and property. Jewell told the victim to cooperate.

Police said the victim refused and a struggle ensued between the two men. During their fight, the victim was shot by the suspect.

Jewell and the two other male suspects then fled the hotel in a dark-colored, two-door compact car, possibly a Honda.

The victim was treated at a hospital and is expected to recover.

On Friday, SDPD investigators released composite sketches of both Jewell and the male suspect who shot the victim.

Detectives describe the woman as a white female, approximately 50 to 60 years old, 5-foot-8 with a heavy build. She has bleached reddish hair and light green eyes.

The male suspect is described as Hispanic, between 23 and 27 years old, 5-foot-4 to 5-foot-5, with a slender build. He has black hair, brown eyes and slight facial hair stubble.

The third suspect is described as a white male, between 30 to 35 years old, 6-foot, with a heavy/fat build.

Police are asking anyone with information on this case to contact the SDPD at (619) 692-4820 or Crims Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
 

 The Chargers left on Friday to travel to Pittsburgh. Their game against the Steelers Sunday is projected to be a chilly 50 degrees, rainy, and windy.

Sound familiar?

The Pittsburgh forecast for this weekend is almost identical to the forecast six weeks ago in Cleveland.

In Cleveland, San Diego couldn’t manage to score one touchdown.

Right now, the Bolts are in a six-quarter touchdown drought.

Sometimes, in the middle of a streak, even the slightest thing, like a change in temperature, can affect a team’s mentality.

Head coach Norv Turner says the forecast is a little more promising than when they played in Cleveland.

“It doesn’t sound to me like it’s going to be as windy [as the Cleveland game],” Turner said. “So I don’t think it will be the same issue.”

While the players are spoiled by playing eight of their games this season in almost guaranteed sunshine, they say the more times you see this type of weather, the better.

“After playing in it once you kind of know what to expect,” special teams captain Darrell Stuckey said. “And it doesn’t catch you off-guard.”

Kicker Nick Novak has to take the weather into consideration not only in the force he puts behind the ball, but also in his approach.

“The only thing for me,” Novak said. “Is just to have a really good tempo to the ball and really make sure that I have good ball contact when I strike it. You can’t attack the ball too hard when the ground’s wet.”

San Diego and Pittsburgh will square off Sunday morning at 10 AM PST.

A deputy pursuit that began in Spring Valley Friday afternoon ended in a watery crash in Lemon Grove, officials said.

According to sheriff’s department officials, deputies tried to pull over a reported stolen car, but the driver failed to stop and sped off.

Deputies pursued the vehicle until the driver hit a fire hydrant at Central Avenue and New Jersey Avenue in Lemon Grove at around 4:45 p.m.

Sheriff’s officials said the driver fled the scene on foot. Deputies immediately secured the area and began searching for the suspect.

Fire officials responded to the scene to handle the damaged hydrant.

No further information has been released. Check back for updates.
 

 A San Diego woman killed by a Border Patrol agent in September had methamphetamine in her system, according to a new report from the county Medical Examiner.

The 20-page report reveals that Valeria Tachiquin-Alvarado had a methamphetamine level of .10 in blood.

No evidence of alcohol, marijuana or other drugs was found.

The autopsy report also confirms earlier information about the shooting and gives new details about how Alvarado died.

According to the report, Alvarado hit an unnamed border patrol agent with her car and then tried to drive away with him clinging to the hood after she allegedly disobeyed a police order and tried to flee from an enforcement operation on Moss Street, in Chula Vista.

The Medical Examiner’s report says the agent held onto the the car, drew his Smith and Wesson pistol, and fired the 10 shots into the vehicle.

According to the report, Alvarado was hit in the right hand, arm, abdomen and chest, and died from bullet wounds to her heart, aorta, lungs and other vital organs. 

Attorney Eugene Iredale, who represents the Alvarado family, said although the methamphetamine found in Tachiquin-Alvarado’s system was a significant amount, it may have been the result of diet medications or supplements. Iredale also acknowledged that Alvarado did have a “substance-abuse problem,” which could account for the drug finding.

But Iredale says the new information about the ten bullets, which caused 14 separate wounds, is more important.

He says details about the angle of travel of those bullets reveals that the agent shot Alvarado while standing in front of her car, not while he was being carried along on the hood of the vehicle.

Authorities with the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol did not respond to requests for comment. 

The battle over nativity scenes in Santa Monica – the subject of a federal court ruling last month – took a new turn Saturday when a group staged a reenactment from scenes of Bethlehem with live participants.

The "living nativity" scene was meant to skirt a city ban on private winter displays in Palisades Park. The prohition enacted this past summer followed controversy that arose last year when atheist groups began competing for display space with Christian organizations.

So, on Saturday, in the clifftop park overlooking the Pacific Ocean, a group of Christians reenacted the scene of Jesus' birth in the open.

Costumed, arrayed on hay bales and surrounding a wooden manger, they sang Christmas carols, including "O Come, All Ye Faithful."

The City Council's vote in June to ban seasonal displays in the park (PDF) was upheld by a U.S. District Court judge in November after a challenge by a Christian group.

Rev. Patrick Mahoney, director of the Washington-based Christian Defense Coalition, said the living nativity was strategic.

"We noticed that all the bans were for unattended displays, so we thought, what about a live nativity? What about having people there?" said Mahoney, a Christian conservative activist who was joined by believers from across the Southern California region, including children.

"The season really isn't about the fight," said Jeff McCulty, pastor of the Church on Pearl in Santa Monica. "The season is all about the glory of God."

Before the fight over the displays last year, the city had allowed nativity scenes in Palisades Park for nearly six decades.

Last year, atheist groups used a new lottery system that granted access to the park displays to erect signs that stated "Happy Solstice" or asked questions about religious "myths." The atheist signs far outnumbered the religious displays, and there were many complaints about the displays, according to the city's ordinance banning them.

A group that has fought to keep nativity displays in Palisades Park said it intended to appeal the federal judge's ruling.

Meanwhile, a lighted nativity scene is set to be opened to the public on Sunday at 2700 Ocean Park Boulevard – a location that is private property.

Two motorcyclists were injured in a crash on the Coronado Bridge Sunday afternoon.

The collision happened at around 2:20 p.m.

The motorcyclists were part of a group Christmas ride along the bridge that included approximately 40 to 50 riders.

For unknown reasons, two of the motorcycles lost control on the bridge, crashing in the eastbound lanes.

A Good Samaritan came to the aid of the riders, while another called 911. Traffic on the bridge was temporarily halted.

When emergency crews arrived, one rider was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. The second victim sustained minor injuries, officials said.

Witnesses told NBC 7 the group of motorcyclists was seen doing tricks on their bikes on the bridge prior to the accident.

CHP officials said Coronado police also received reports of a large group of motorcyclists doing tricks and riding up the Strand in Coronado right before the crash.

A fire sparked outside a La Mesa restaurant early Sunday morning after several propane gas tanks exploded, fire officials said.

The loud explosion and subsequent fire happened just before 6 a.m. in the 8300 block of Allison Avenue near La Mesa Boulevard, just outside Gingham restaurant and the adjacent McCrea Music Company store.

Heartland Fire officials first responded to the scene for what they believed was a rubbish fire outside the restaurant.

When crews arrived, they found 10-foot-tall flames shooting from an outdoor storage area and heard explosions from propane tanks, Sonny Saghera of Heartland Fire & Rescue said.

Firefighters called for backup and three more engines arrived to help tackle the flames. While crews were on scene, approximately six additional propane gas tanks exploded.

Firefighters were able to quickly contain and extinguish the blaze in the storage area and cool the remaining propane tanks. The fire did not spread any further.

Officials said the exteriors of Ginham restaurant and McCrea’s Music store sustained minor damages, estimated at $50,000.

No injuries were reported.

In all, the outdoor storage area contained approximately 35 propane tanks, Saghera said. Eight to 10 of those tanks were ruptured and five to six tanks fully exploded.

According to Saghera, the cause of the fire was determined to be oily rags bunched together that were stored in a bin near the propane tanks.

Saghera said organic materials from oil in rags can build up heat over time and spontaneously ignite, as in this case.

“Rags or towels that are used to clean any type of oil or grease should not be contained in a ball but rather laid out to dry before being stored in a properly approved container,” he added.

A man accused of having ties to the deadly attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, has been taken into custody in Egypt and is being questioned for his suspected involvement.

Four Americans were killed in that September 11 attack in Benghazi, including U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three men from San Diego: diplomat Sean Smith, 34, and former Navy SEALS Glen Doherty and Tyrone “Ty” Woods.

Doherty and Woods were working as security contractors in Libya.

On Saturday, authorities took suspect Mohammed Abu Jamal Ahmed into custody in Egypt. Two intelligence sources in Cairo tell NBC News that Ahmed is also accused of transporting weapons from Libya to Egypt.

He's described as in his late 30s, and is known among Egyptian intelligence officials for his involvement with radical militant groups in Egypt, Libya, Afghanistan and Iraq.

Ahmed was in prison in Egypt before the uprising there, but escaped after the country's revolution.

He has not been formally charged but is being questioned about his involvement in the attack in Benghazi.

NBC 7 spoke with defense strategist Glen Irvine about this potential break in the case. Irvine said it's important that U.S. Intelligence be involved in questioning Ahmed.

"The real important thing is, can we get in the room with Egypt officials to interrogate as much information as we can from him, to really get a good grip of what actually happened in Benghazi [and see] if he was involved? More importantly, what is the spread of these terrorist groups?" said Irvine.

At this point, it is unclear exactly what role Ahmed may have played in the attack in Libya, but his arrest may lead to some answers for the families of those Americans killed in the attack.

On Sunday, friends of Ty Woods held a fundraiser in San Diego for Woods’ family at the JBA Speed Shop on Kearny Villa Road.
 

A flashy billboard in Barrio Logan purchased by a La Jolla millionaire looking for love was completely taken down over the weekend.

On Thursday, local millionaire Marc Paskin, 62, bought a billboard on I-5 and 28th Street that state, “All I want for Christmas is a Latina Girlfriend.”

The billboard featured a photo of Paskin, as well as his email address, presumably for prospective love interests to reach out to him directly.

The blunt billboard stirred up some controversy in the neighborhood. While some residents found it lighthearted and comical, others thought it was slightly offensive.

By Friday, Paskin’s billboard had already been damaged. His email address was peeled off, but the rest of the message – including his wish for a “Latina Girlfriend” – remained intact.

Employees who work below the billboard told NBC 7 they had arrived at work Friday to find the billboard was half missing. They believed kids wanting to vandalize may have been responsible.

By the weekend, the millionaire’s entire massive message was gone, and the billboard space was completely stripped down to nothing.

At this point, there is no explanation as to why the billboard has disappeared.

Paskin, a real estate investor, was featured on an episode of “Secret Millionaire” last year when he spent a week living on less than $50 a day.

The auto community rallied together Sunday morning support the family of Tyrone “Ty” Woods, one of two former Navy SEALS killed in the September 11 attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya.

Dozens gathered at JBA Auto Shop in Kearny Mesa to remember Woods, in a sport that he loved to do.

"Ty was basically a sports driver. He loved going to the track, competing. He was a very competitive guy", said J.Bittle, owner of JBA Auto Shop.

But Saturday’s fundraiser was meant to support the true legacy Woods leaves behind: his beloved four-month-old son, Kai.

"When they told me they wanted me to be Kai's godfather. I was trying to figure out what I was supposed to do with that responsibility," said best friend, Matt Grenfell.

Grenfell was one of Woods’ best "civilian" friends, as Ty would call him.

Grenfell felt that he needed to find a way to give Kai everything he needed to grow up the way his dad would have wanted.

"You see a lot of Ty in Kai. He's a very happy baby, always has a smile on his face. A lot of his features are just like Ty. I think Ty's wife looks at Kai and sees Ty in her son," said Grenfell.

For Kai, Saturday's event already proves that he will have many mentors in his life. They will be there to help him grow and teach him who his dad was, a true hero.

"He'll know all about his father. I think that's important that his son knows what Ty believed in. He believed in this country, hard work and being strong mentally," said Grenfell.

Already, supporters have raised $450,000 for little Kai’s fund. If you would like to contribute, click here.

A Florida church service ended in tragedy Sunday afternoon when outside the church building, a man shot a woman multiple times, then killed himself, authorities and witnesses say.

Hundreds of congregants were exiting the sanctuary at Faith Center Church in Sunrise, Fla., just before 1 p.m., when the man began opening fire at the woman, possibly his ex-girlfriend, Sunrise police said.

"It was crazy. We just started running because a stray bullet doesn't know anyone," said witness and congregant Herrietha Gary. "I've never been so scared in all the days in my life — just frantic."

Even though the armed assailant shot the woman several times, she managed to drive away, according to Sunrise police spokeswoman Officer Michelle Eddy. The shooting victim drove around the parking lot, where others found her, police said.

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Also inside the vehicle was her 12-year-old daughter, but the girl was unharmed, police said.

The armed man shot himself at the crime scene, police said. He was taken to Broward Health Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, Eddy said. The wounded woman was taken to Broward Health, police said. Her latest condition wasn’t available.

Their names haven’t been released.

During the shooting, church leaders were ordering congregants back inside the church building, witnesses said. Other congregants already were in the parking lot.

Gary, the witness, said she thought she was hearing firecrackers, but a couple hiding behind a car warned her about the danger, she said. Gary said she was with her grandchild at the time.

"They were saying, 'Get down! Get down! There are gunshots!'" Gary said. "And I started hysterically screaming and running with my grandbaby."

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Gary and her grandchild found shelter in her car and were unhurt, she said.

Congregant Daron Thompson said the shooting was "kind of strange."

"You think to yourself, 'Wow!' You know? I mean, you don't expect something like this to happen at church," Thompson said.

Faith Center Church, also known as Faith Center Ministries, drew a large turnout Sunday with a special guest speaker, congregants said. The church has a sprawling 75,000-foot facility, formerly known as Sunrise Theatre, according to its website.

Police still are investigating the shooting.
 
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