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Pursuit Ends in Arrest

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A driver faces charges of felony evading and driving under the influence after a high-speed pursuit that began in Carlsbad and ended more than 25 miles away.

The suspect drove to a home on 49th Street in Webster, the address on the car’s registration, officers said.

However, the suspect is not the registered owner of the vehicle.

Around 1 a.m. Thursday, a California Highway Patrol officer spotted a Dodge truck traveling southbound at about 110 mph on Interstate 5 in the Carlsbad area.

After the officer pulled over the driver near La Costa, he got out of his car to talk with the driver. That’s when the suspect sped off.

The CHP officer pursued the driver.

Other law enforcement officers attempted to stop the pursuit using spike strips but that didn't work.

When the vehicle arrived in Webster, a K-9 unit stopped the driver from going any farther. He was taken into custody and the residents of the home were interviewed by police.
 


Officer Shoots Suspect Near Point Loma Hotel

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A suspect was shot several times in the torso after he attempted to run over a law enforcement officer in Point Loma Wednesday. 

Four deputy U.S. Marshals and a San Diego police officer were injured while taking part in an undercover operation on Garrison Street around 8 p.m.

The U.S. Marshal task force was looking for a wanted fugitive known to have weapons and narcotics.

One of the officers came face-to-face with that suspect, a 28-year-old man, and that's when the fugitive got into a white Volkswagen Jetta and tried to back up, officials said.

He rammed two unmarked police vehicles and a marked patrol vehicle, police said.

When the driver was ordered to stop, he instead drove forward and struck one of the officers in the leg, according to investigators.

At that point the officer fired several rounds, hitting the suspect in the torso.

“It was bang, bang, bang, bang, that was it, it didn’t sound like two and two, it sounded like four and the one gun,” said witness Frank Brenha.

Andie Isaacson said when she ran outside to see what was happening there were already cops on scene.

“And someone wailing, screaming, you know, moaning, just sounded very frantic and scared,” Isaacson said.

The suspect was taken to a local hospital following the shooting. The police officer and deputy marshals suffered minor injuries.

The business was roped off as police launched an investigation at the scene.

The officer involved in the shooting is a five-year veteran of the Department.

 

Chicago-Based Calumet Photographic Shutters U.S. Stores

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A Chicago-based photography store has closed its doors and filed for Chapter 7 liquidation.

Calumet Photographic, which sells and rents photography equipment and supplies, announced on its Facebook page Thursday that it will immediately close its stores in the United States.

“After 75 years of business it is with a heavy heart that we announce our immediate closing in the United States (our European stores will continue),” the company wrote. “It has been a joy to share our passion for photography with you all of these years. We'll miss each other and we'll miss all of our customers. Thank you for everything.”

At the same time, the company's website and Twitter pages both disappeared.

The company listed between $50 million and $100 million in assets and between $10 million and $50 million in liabilities, according to court documents filed Wednesday.

While some commenters responded to the "goodbye post" with sympathy and sadness, others claimed employees and customers were not told of the news until after the stores closed.

“So my wife is just told NOT to come to work.. she's out of a job.. NO HR mention, NO mention of final paycheck, NO mention of what to do about insurance? NOTHING?! Really???” one commenter posted.

“Calumet didn't have the decency to tell there [sic] employees what was happening they had to show up at work to find out it was closed. How about treating your employees with respect,” another said.

Some customers were questioning how they can retrieve equipment left at the store for repairs or be refunded for recent purchases.

“So I have an outstanding order will I be receiving it or be getting a refund, would be kind of nice for the people who did support the business to know!?” one commenter posted.

“I still have a camera in the repair shop there. How will I get it back?” another commenter wrote.

A few hours after their original Facebook post, the company said they were exploring opportunities to reopen “select locations.”

Police Pursuit Ends in Multi-Car Crash

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A high-speed pursuit in Mira Mesa sent several people to the hospital Wednesday night.

The chase ended in an accident around 10:30 p.m. in the 8200 block of Mira Mesa Boulevard.

According to San Diego police, a driver in a stolen car ran a red light and collided with three other vehicles.

One victim became trapped inside his car. The impact was so forceful, it took three firefighters to pry off the crumpled driver’s side door to free him.

The suspect was driving a silver Honda sedan with Pacific Honda plates. Officials have not released that person’s name.
 

Marijuana-Themed Clothing Targeted

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Clothing retailer Tilly’s has reportedly agreed to remove marijuana-themed items from its Huntington Beach store after a parent’s organization complained about some of the store’s merchandise.

Members of Youth Matters, a 4-year-old committee within the Parent Teacher Student Assn. at Edison High School in Huntington Beach, sent letters to the store requesting the removal of some of the items because they desensitized youth to drugs and alcohol.

"There’s leggings, there’s a bandeau top, there’s a bathing suit… there’s quite a few items," Youth Matters Chair Kim Greene said. "The more (kids) see (marijuana) and the more it’s in their face and the more it’s normalized, the less likely they will be to be shocked."

Greene said that in an email conversation with Tilly’s that the store has agreed to remove items from their Huntington Beach store. She said that the store had mentioned removing the items from all its stores in Orange and Riverside counties.

"We said 'Here’s why we’re concerned, we do shop there…plenty of parents in this community shop there and we want to keep shopping there and we will come back to shopping there when (the items) are removed," Greene said.

Greene said that Tilly’s responded within a few days and agreed to remove the items.

Greene added that a partnership may be possible with Youth Matters and Tilly’s in the future, as Tilly’s is involved in a community outreach program aimed at 12 to 18 year olds.

"They’re doing things we’re sort of already doing as well," Greene said.

It is unclear whether Tilly’s will pull the marijuana-themed clothing from stores nationwide.

As of Thursday morning, the items could no longer be found on the Tilly’s website.

Accused Theater Shooter Texted: Doc

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A former police officer accused of killing a man in a movie theater during a dispute over texting had used his own phone to send a message to his son minutes before the shooting, according to documents released Thursday by Florida prosecutors.

Curtis Reeves' son, Matthew Reeves, told detectives that his father texted him at 1:04 p.m. Jan. 13, the documents show. Curtis Reeves told his son he was already seated inside the theater. Matthew Reeves, who is a Tampa police officer, made plans to meet his parents at the theater for the 1:20 p.m. showing of "Lone Survivor" but was late because he stopped to wash his truck, he told detectives.

Matthew Reeves said he had walked into the dark theater while the previews were playing and looked around for his parents. It was then, investigators said, that Reeves shot 43-year-old Chad Oulson.

"Matthew said he did not see the shot directly, but the noise and light drew his attention to the top row of seats," Pasco County Sheriff's detective Aaron Smith wrote.

Matthew Reeves tried to help Oulson by pressing a stranger's T-shirt against Oulson's bleeding chest wound.

Curtis Reeves, 71, was charged with second-degree murder. He also was charged with aggravated battery; authorities say the bullet that struck and killed Oulson also struck Oulson's wife, Nicole, in the finger as she tried to shield her husband.

Reeves has pleaded not guilty to both counts. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum of 25 years in prison.

Reeves is being held without bail in the Pasco County Jail. His attorneys say Reeves acted in self-defense. Reeves told police that Oulson hit him in the face, possibly with a cellphone. Other witnesses, including Reeves' wife, say they never saw Oulson strike Reeves.

Reeves' attorneys did not immediately return a call for comment regarding the hundreds of pages of newly released discovery evidence documents. A judge ruled Wednesday that the documents could be released publicly.

In early February, the evidence was sealed from the public for 30 days so Reeves' attorneys could review it and perhaps challenge all or parts of its release to the public. They had no challenges Wednesday, largely because much of the information was released during a two-day bond hearing.

A chunk of the documents are from Reeves' personnel file from his decades as a Tampa police officer. Reeves regularly received outstanding evaluations and numerous letters of commendation for leadership skills and for training he led on gun safety and other topics. He retired in 1993.

The file also contains an interview with Jamira Dixon, a 35-year-old woman who said that in December, Reeves became upset with her because she was texting in the same movie theater. During the incident, she said, Reeves complained to a manager, then continued to stare at her throughout the movie and made her feel uncomfortable.

The documents also offer witness interviews of the Jan. 13 shooting. They reveal the chaos and confusion in the theater when Oulson was shot.

Edward McFadden, 76, told Pasco County Sheriff's detective Matthew Myers that he was seated in the theater and heard a loud noise behind him.

"He told me it sounded like a gunshot, but he wasn't sure if it was real or from the previews because they had just shown a preview for 'Robocop,' which had a lot of gunshots in it."

Gadgets Aim for Spring Break Safety

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Spring break season is finally here, and thousands of college students are swapping their down jackets for bikinis and heading to resort spots.

Amid the crush of alcohol-fueled beach parties, it might be easy to forget about staying safe. Here's a list of easy-to-use gadgets and apps that aim to help you have fun and be safe.

1. Drinking responsibly.
College students can unfortunately be pretty immune to the idea of doing anything responsibly or in moderation, especially when alcohol is involved. But a high blood alcohol content (BAC) level could result in a DUI or worse.

Super tech-savvy drinkers may want to check out Breathometer, the world's first smartphone breathalyzer. (CEO and founder Charles Yim got over $1 million in funding from his appearance on the show Shark Tank and from an Indiegogo campaign.) The breathalyzer plugs straight into your iPhone or Android's headphone jack, and is priced at $49.

Other options that don't require a separate device are smartphone apps. If you're an Android user, AlcoDroid can help you keep track of all the drinks you've consumed – if you choose to log them, that is. iPhone users can download Last Call, a blood alcohol level calculator that also lets you call a taxi, or a local lawyer if you need one.

Although the results from BAC calculators are only estimates, they'll be able to help you pace your drinking and figure out whether or not you should get behind the wheel. (You probably shouldn't.)

2. Buddy system apps.
Whether it's checking out a bar or even hitting the restrooms, it's great to have someone with you to watch your back.

Cyber buddies are better than none: Circle of 6 is an app for iPhone and Android users that lets you message your six close friends if you feel like you're in trouble. You can send your GPS location with just a tap, ask a friend to pick you up or send a text that says "Call and pretend you need me. I need an interruption."

Another good app to check out is SafeKidZone, which features include a panic button and a GPS tracking system for everyone in your family.

3. Testing for drugs in your drink.
It's a lot easier for someone to slip a drug into your drink than you might think.

To combat that possibility, several companies have crafted pocket-sized coasters that can test for the presence of incapacitating drugs in your drink. Just a drop of your drink on these coasters will tell you if your drink has been drugged. Texas State Technical College recently handed out 10,000 of these coasters to its students, just in time for spring break.

DrinkSavvy's drug-detecting cups and straws are also starting to make their presence known, starting in Massachusetts. These special cups and straws look and function just like normal drinkware, but they'll instantly change color if they detect such a drug in your drink.

4. Drunk text prevention.
Waking up to a slew of drunken texts after a night you can't remember is embarrassing and all too common. Good thing there are a bunch of self-censoring apps we can use.

Drunk Text Savior for iPhones will analyze your text message for spelling mistakes and swear words. A warning meter will let you know if you should click send, and a save option will let you save the message for later.

Stupid Phonecalls Blocker for Android users will only block one number, but it will block all incoming and outgoing calls, and incoming texts.

5. Getting home safe.
If you're looking for a designated driver, look no further than your smartphone.

StearClear (for iPhone and Android) and BeMyDD (for Android only) both provide pickup services: if you've already driven your car out that night, the app will dispatch two drivers to take you and your car home. BeMyDD also offers personal driver services that will drive you wherever you want, in your own car, at an hourly rate.

You can also rely on Uber to connect with drivers in the area. It's an on-demand service, which means you don't need to make a reservation, and you get picked up within minutes. Depending on which city you're in, you'll have different options for rates and vehicles.



Photo Credit: Getty Images/Vetta

Survivor: Flying Pianos Saved Me

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A piano technician working in the basement of one of the buildings that exploded in Manhattan, killing at least seven people, says he was probably saved by the musical instruments that fell around him and shielded him from the rubble.

Colin Patterson was in the Park Avenue piano store, Absolute Piano, Wednesday morning when he heard "a huge bang."

"The building fell on me, and I got just one scratch," he said.

Patterson said he is having a hard time understanding how he escaped unscathed, but credits the pianos that fell around him.

"Pianos all over me," he recalled. "The pianos flew out, off the ground ... that probably helped me too."

Patterson said he climbed out a back window.

"It was just there, and I managed to get out," he said.

Seven people have been confirmed dead and others are still missing in the rubble. More than 70 were hurt.

Most of the people who were injured are expected to survive. At Harlem Hospital, where more than a dozen people were treated, one man who suffered from smoke inhalation described passing out as he ran from falling debris.

"I just kept on going, just trying to get away," he said.

Another man was driving a cab near the Metro-North tracks when he felt the blast.

"He thought the train was falling on top of him, but that wasn't true," his son said. "His car got shattered but he's OK. He's shaken up." 



Photo Credit: AP

Dog Survives Clairemont Mesa House Fire

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A Clairemont Mesa home went up in flames Wednesday night but a family dog managed to survive the fire, officials said.

The blaze began around 6:30 p.m. at a three-unit house in the 4400-block of Bannock Avenue.

San Diego Fire-Rescue Battalion Chief John Fisher said an off-duty battalion chief was driving home in the area when he noticed smoke and called for crews. By the time firefighters arrived, the first story of the house was fully-involved in flames.

Fisher said 25 firefighters aggressively attacked the fire, knocking it out within 15 minutes.

While scouring the home, firefighter’s found a pet dog – a one-year-old lab – severely injured. Fisher said paramedics tended to the dog and gave it oxygen. The pet was revived enough to go with Animal Control veterinarians for further treatment.

The battalion chief said the surviving pooch was expected to be okay.

No one else was home at the time of the fire, which officials believe began somewhere in the back of the house, possibly in the kitchen or living room area. The cause remains under investigation.

Fire officials said at least three residents were displaced by the fire, including two adults and one child. Red Cross was called out to assist the family.
 



Photo Credit: Omari Fleming

Cops Surround Motel in Pacific Beach

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San Diego police officers wearing gas masks and with guns drawn surrounded a Pacific Beach motel Thursday night where a woman said a man was holding her hostage.

The woman called police to the Mission Bay Motel on Mission Boulevard near Pacific Beach Drive around 8 p.m.

She claimed she was being held against her will in Room 120. The woman managed to escape the room safely.

Officers used a bullhorn to try and draw out the male suspect who refused to leave the room. With a stick, they broke out the window in the front of the room and then fired pepper spray inside.

Several hours into the standoff, things escalated and officers sent a K-9 unit into the room.

They say the man fought with officers once they were inside. An officer was injured by a dog bite during the scuffle.

The suspect was brought out of the motel room in handcuffs.

He will likely face an injury to officer charge because and a violation of probation charge, officials said.
 

US Airways Jet Evacuated on Runway

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Passengers ran from a US Airways flight that was forced to abort takeoff on its way from Philadelphia to Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Thursday evening.

"There was a lot of screaming and crying," passenger Dennis Fee said.

As quickly as US Airways Flight 1702 lifted off around 6:25, it came crashing back down.

"As we first hit the ground, flight attendants were yelling to keep our heads down," says Fee as he recalls the scary landing.

The A320 Airbus was leaving from Philadelphia International Airport when the aircraft experienced a mechanical failure that forced the nose of the plane into the ground, according to airline officials.

I just sort of held onto the seat and tried not to panic," Fee said.

According to other passengers on the flight, the front wheel of the aircraft blew out, causing the front of the plane to crash.

Another passenger, Rachel Silverman, described the scary ordeal to her mother.

"She smelled gas and was very nervous," said the mom of the 23-year-old passenger. "She thought the plane was going to explode."

Emergency crews were able to evacuate the plane safely through traditional and emergency exits.

One person on the grounded flight suffered minor injuries in the emergency. That person has been treated and released.

At the time of the emergency evacuation, 149 passengers were aboard, according to airport officials.


Silverman, who was flying solo to a wedding in Florida, is unsure if she feels comfortable flying out right now, but Fee is looking forward to making his way to the Sunshine State with friends.

"I think as we make our way down the runway, I'll be a little worried, but once we're up, I'll be fine. I'm just excited to get to Florida."

Flights at Philly International were temporarily grounded, but resumed shortly all passenger were safe inside the terminal.



Photo Credit: Facebook/Dennis Fee

RAW: Plane Evacuated in Philly

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Passengers were forced to flee a US Airways flight at Philadelphia International Airport after a mechanical failure.

Lot to Be Turned Into Unique Space

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A small, plain parking lot in downtown San Diego’s East Village community will soon be transformed into a creative urban space with the help of some ideas from locals.

Right now, the parking lot at 13th Avenue and J Street is nothing really special (pictured below). However, a bright blue idea board might just change that. Recently, a sign was put up on the parking lot gate asking: “What Do You Want Here?”

In dozens of blank spots below, local residents have answered that question, suggesting everything from a pop-up park or dog park to a children’s play area.

The community project is spearheaded by Downtown San Diego Partnership in conjunction with the East Village Association, RAD Lab and HP Investors. It’s part of Downtown San Diego Partnership’s larger “urban placemaking” initiative, which looks to transform spaces throughout downtown San Diego into lively, engaging, urban areas.

“In dense urban neighborhoods like Downtown San Diego, space is at a premium,” said Kris Michell, president and CEO of the Downtown Partnership, in a press release Thursday. “We need to look at public and private spaces in new ways and find innovative solutions that serve the community and create excitement about the Downtown experience. Where others see asphalt, we see opportunity.”

Sumeet Parekh, principal of HP Investors and owner of the property said he’s looking forward to revitalizing the space in a project that’s been in the making since last year.

“In evaluating different options to enhance this property, we recognized an opportunity to do something unique and cool that would also create a neighborhood amenity,” said Parekh.

“This is part of an international trend to transform urban spaces quickly and cost-effectively so you can eliminate blight and improve the quality of place for a community,” added David Loewenstein, chief operating officer of RAD Lab.

Over the next few months, the groups will work with the East Village Association to incorporate community feedback to produce a unique space that’s fun and useful to locals.

HP Investors will fund the improvements at the parking lot, while Downtown San Diego Partnership’s Clean and Safe program has agreed to help supervise the site.

In the future, the Downtown Partnership will continue to look for new spaces to transform in downtown San Diego.
 

Vigil Set for 1967 Cold Case Victim

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Family, friends and former classmates will gather Thursday evening to take part in a candlelight vigil for the victim of an unsolved murder case that happened nearly 47 years ago in San Diego’s Poway community.

The vigil will honor Nikki Benedict, a 14-year-old who was killed while walking home from a friend’s house on May 1, 1967.

According to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, during the early hours of that day, the teenage girl was stabbed in the neck and chest, and left to die on a dirt trail in the 12700-block of Poway Road.

At around 6:30 p.m., an 11-year-old boy discovered Benedict lying on the dirt path, critically injured. The boy ran to tell his father about the lifeless teen, and deputies and emergency crews responded to the scene.

Benedict was taken to Palomar Medical Center but she was pronounced dead upon arrival.

According to investigators, the scene showed evidence of a struggle near the location where the teenager was found. Despite an extensive investigation, officials said detectives were never able to determine a motive for the killing or identify any viable suspects.

To this day – nearly five decades later – Benedict’s slaying remains unsolved. Cold case detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the teen’s murder.

Meanwhile, the reward for information on this case has increased to $6,000, with San Diego County Crime Stoppers offering $1,000 and one of Benedict’s childhood friends adding $5,000.

Thursday’s vigil – open to the public and set for 6 p.m. at Poway Community Park at 13094 Civic Center Dr. – is aimed to bring attention back to the cold case. Benedict’s loved ones will be remembering her life and also celebrating what would’ve been her 61st birthday.

Benedict’s sister, Marianna Benedict Bacilla, said that for the last 47 years, her family has wanted nothing more than to solve the case. By shedding light once again on the mystery of her sister’s killing, the family is hoping someone, somewhere, comes forward with new information.

"The idea of finding out who did this, it would be a pretty amazing thing to finally know. But I don't know if we'll ever know. I certainly hope somebody speaks up,” Bacilla told NBC 7.

Bacilla said detectives re-opened her sister’s case about 13 years ago and ran DNA tests. However, the tests turned up no answers.

Today, anyone with information on this cold case should contact the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Unit at (858) 974-2321. Anonymous tips can also be called into Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477 or submitted via this online tip form.

Benedict's family has kept her memory alive through a memorial photo album on Facebook, which can be seen here.



Photo Credit: San Diego County Sheriff's Department

FBI Standoff Suspect Pleads Not Guilty

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The man accused of breaking into the FBI’s San Diego headquarters and damaging a government vehicle has pleaded not guilty in the incident.

Lakeside resident Richard William Durant III made his first appearance in federal court Thursday afternoon after he was appointed federal defenders.

The prosecution requested that Durant stay in detention because they say he is a flight risk and a danger to the community.

The 36-year-old Durant was arrested Sunday after a nearly six-hour standoff with police.

The FBI alleges that Durant jumped over a fence at the agency’s Sorrento Valley facility, broke off a U-shaped door handle and smashed a government vehicle’s window with it.

The suspect then climbed onto the roof of a one-story annex, where he stayed for hours.

Toward the end of the incident, agents said Durant started a fire in the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning unit that connects to the FBI’s main building. Soon after, he was taken into custody and taken to the Alvarado Parkway Institute for evaluation.

Durant has been charged with one count of destruction of government property, according to an FBI complaint. He has since been booked into the Metropolitan Correctional Center.

He will appear in court on Tuesday afternoon for a detention hearing.


Trees on Fire Impacting Mt. Hope Traffic

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Streets were shut down in the Mt. Hood area as firefighters work to put out a brush fire. 

The smoke was first reported around 5:30 p.m. near 36th and Market streets, near Interstate 15. 

Firefighters discovered trees and bamboo brush on fire off the side of the road. 

The brush area is not very big, fire officials say, but it is very dense. 

San Diego Police officers are helping to close nearby streets until the fire is out.

Bandit Robs La Mesa Bank

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Suspects in area bank robberies - caught in the act on camera.

Photo Credit: FBI

Blue Angels Ready to Fly after Sequestration

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It's before dawn at Naval Air Facility El Centro, and most of the Blue Angels 100-person support team is already on the flight line. They are inspecting, literally, every inch of the familiar blue F/A-18 Hornet jets, which the elite squadron of pilots will fly in this weekend's air show. There seems to be more urgency and anticipation among the team this year as it prepares for the first air show of its season at its winter training headquarters.

It's also the first performance since the automatic federal budget cuts known as sequestration grounded the planes for much of 2013, cancelling most of the Blue's performances.

Pilot Ryan Chamberlain told NBC 7, "It’s exciting for us to get back. We missed the opportunity to connect with the American public. The Department of Defense saw that Americans like their military. They like to know what their military is doing and connect with their military. We lost that in 2013".

The Navy and Marine Corps have used the Blue Angels as its most glamorous recruiting tool since 1946. But it is pricey public relations. So in 2013 when sequestration kicked in, mandatory cuts required the Navy to slash $4 billion from its budget.

The Blue Angels air shows became a casualty, though the team stayed together. Pilots and support staff continued to practice to remain proficient. Also, team members showed up at 500 public appearances trying to maintain the PR mission. But it wasn't the same as flying for those who are hand-picked to serve on this elite team for a limited time. Enlisted team members stay with the Blues only three years. Officers must rotate out typically after two.

That is another reason everyone is glad to get back into the air for the public this weekend.

On the tarmac of El Centro’s military airfield, Crew Chief Jared Mann stood next to the aircraft he oversees saying, "To be out here, doing this. We are all ramped up ready to go"

The Naval Air Facility El Centro Air Show 2014 featuring the Blue Angels will take place Saturday, March 15. General admission and parking are free.

Tweets Threatened Shooting: Police

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A 20-year-old man was arrested for allegedly using Twitter to make shooting threats, police said.

Dakkari Mcanuff, of Los Angeles, was arrested after police found his alleged Twitter account. The account showed the suspect allegedly displaying an unknown type of rifle pointing in the direction of various Los Angles city streets, police said.

It had captions with the quote, "100 RT's (Re-Tweets) and i'll shoot someone walking."

Police learned of the case on Wednesday.

Officers said they were able to determine the location of the pictures and the identity of the Twitter account user.

Police arrested Mcanuff at his home and recovered an air rifle.

He was booked into jail on a charge of criminal threats.

The suspect's account has since been removed.

Anyone with information regarding this crime is asked to contact LAPD Central Division Detectives at (213) 972-1203. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247).

SDSU Lab Helps Search For Missing Jet

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A San Diego group has joined the search for a missing Malaysian Airlines jetliner that mysteriously disappeared a week ago en route to Beijing.

The San Diego State Visualization Lab, also known as the Viz Lab, is recruiting people to help analyze satellite imagery from NASA and other satellite companies and using their software to detect any hot spots

Viz Lab professor Waldo Kleynhans said they are looking for shapes that are abnormal or dark patches in the ocean, which may identify oil spills from a crashed plane.

“We have a good feel for what certain objects and imagery look like; we can quickly identify areas of interest,” said Kleynhans.

Their fast-processing computers scan the satellite images, and when it detects something unusual, it provides the geographical information. Then, they take a closer look at the images.

Kleynhans is a visiting researcher from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in South Africa.

When he saw images of an oil spill off the southern tip of Vietnam, initially believed to be the possible site of the crash, he immediately knew it wasn't from an airplane.

“Typically, when it’s a plane crash, it doesn’t look like that. With a plane crash, the oil is spread more sporadically from the crash site,” he said.

But Kleynhans said there are some limitations.

“The area you’re trying to cover is extremely large. Even with satellite imagery, if you want high enough resolution, you need to have an idea of where you want to look at,” said Kleynhans.

Anyone can analyze images as Kleynhans does.

Crowdsourcing website Tomnod.com provides satellite images for people to volunteer to look through. As of Wednesday, more than 200,000 people have signed up on the website to help look for the jet.

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