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Balboa Park Centennial Updates

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The future of the Balboa Park Centennial celebration was scheduled to be discussed at a San Diego City Council Committee meeting on Wednesday as the city and organizers grapple with the event’s downsized budget.

Wednesday’s meeting comes as planning of 2015’s Balboa Park Centennial celebration was transferred from non-profit group Balboa Park Celebration Incorporated to the city after it was discovered a large portion of the almost $3 million budget had already been spent.

In early March, BCPI reported having just $553,911 cash on hand.

The money spent thus far, according to BCPI, went toward consulting, marketing and media groups.

Although, BCPI said it was creating much smaller and less expensive events instead of one grand celebration, the planning group later disbanded and handed the Balboa Park Centennial project back to the city.

At Wednesday’s meeting, Mayor Kevin Faulconer’s office has been asked to give an update on where the Balboa Centennial project stands after a request was made by councilmember David Alavrez.

Faulconer, who once criticized BCPI for refusing to disclose its financial information, has said that he will look into getting back the millions of dollars that the planning group spent.

“We need to make sure that we have a celebration that the community gets behind, that works for Balboa Park, that is open, that is transparent and has both the park and community support that we need," Faulconer said earlier this month.

Wednesday’s council meeting is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at the City Administration Building.


TSA Report Recommends Changes

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The Transportation Security Administration is recommending that armed law enforcement be present at airport security checkpoints during peak hours after conducting a nationwide review in response to a shooting at Los Angeles International Airport last fall.

The TSA report is being released to Congress, which will consider the recommendations.

The recommendations come more than four months after a TSA officer was shot and killed when a gunman entered LAX Terminal 3 and opened fire. Two other TSA officers and an airport traveler were wounded in the Nov. 1 shooting rampage.

The shooting prompted the TSA to conduct its own review of security at nearly 450 airports nationwide.

Changes specific to LAX were recommended in a Los Angeles International Airport after-action report released earlier this month that was requested by the Aiport Commission. The report, which focused on the emegency response, cited weak links in emergency communications, problem involving care for travelers and training for employees.

That review was conducted by airport staff and an outside contractor included interviews with airport staff, law enforcement and first responders, reviews of camera footage, dispatch logs and 911 calls.

TSA officer Gerardo Hernandez, a father of two, was killed in the rampage.

The alleged gunman, 24-year-old Paul Ciancia, was shot and killed inside the terminal. He pleaded not guilty to 11 federal charges, including murder of a federal officer.

Ciancia left a note indicating he intended to kill TSA officers, authorities said.
 



Photo Credit: AP

Locals Push for Flight Memorial

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For San Diegan Michael Bagnas, Sept. 25, 1978, is a date forever etched in his mind. It’s the day he witnessed PSA Flight 182 collide midair with a single-engine Cessna over San Diego’s North Park community, causing the deadliest aircraft disaster to date in California’s history.

“It was in slow motion. I remember turning around and looking and saying, ‘It looks like they’re filming a movie,’ because you couldn’t believe what you were seeing was for real,” Bagnas told NBC 7 on Tuesday, recalling the deadly, unforgettable crash.

The reality is that 144 people lost their lives in that horrific aircraft collision – 135 people onboard PSA Flight 182, two men on the Cessna and seven people on the ground. A total of 22 homes in the surrounding North Park area were destroyed or damaged.

The wreckage came to rest along Dwight and Nile streets.

San Diego resident Myrna Pelowski’s 18-year-old brother, Michael Sulit, was on board Flight 182 and died in the disaster. She said the shock of losing her brother was overwhelming.

"I still didn’t believe it was real because I’d just seen him that morning," she recalled.

Thirty-five years after the disaster, the closest memorial to the crash site is a plaque beneath a tree at the North Park library.

However, Bagnas and Pelowski hope to change that.

The two are part of the PSA Flight 182 committee that’s proposing a new, privately-funded memorial a block from the crash site, at the intersection of Boundary and Felton streets.

For Pelowski, having a new memorial in North Park will help her keep the memory of her brother alive.

“I feel this is a place I can be close to him, here, and I feel that would be the same feeling for others,” she said.

Bagnas also believes the memorial is an important way to pay tribute to the 144 lives lost in the tragedy – and to never forget.

“It’s was too tragic of a day, too much history to be forgotten with that many souls,” said Bagnas.

An informational meeting on the proposed memorial is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday at St. Patrick’s Church at 3585 30th St. in North Park. The PSA Flight 182 committee is hoping to use the meeting to get input, ideas and concerns on the memorial from community members.

Last September, during the 35th anniversary of the deadly disaster, San Diegans gathered near the crash site and set up a makeshift memorial that included candles, flowers, newspaper clippings from 1978 and photos of the victims killed in the plane crash. The names of the victims were etched in chalk along the sidewalk.
 



Photo Credit:

Take a Walk in the Park

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This Sunday is national “Take a Walk in the Park Day,” which means you should get out there and enjoy a local park or two. Luckily, San Diego has a bounty of pristine parks from which to choose, as seen in these open-air locations reviewed and frequently visited by Yelp users.

So, put on some comfy clothes, grab the kids and the dog and take a turn on the trails.

Self Realization Fellowship Meditation Garden (Encinitas)
This trail through the greenery and cliff-side is worth making yourself mute. In fact, silence is requested on site at the Self Realization Fellowship Meditation Garden in Encinitas. Here, you’ll find a gentle uphill climb covered in foliage and ancient looking pools filled with koi. At the top, the cliff overlooks the ocean and there are plenty of benches to sit and center yourself. Consider a small donation to the center on your way out (appreciated, but not required). Street parking is free.

Fletcher Cove Park (Solana Beach)

Strolling along the beach is a staple of the SoCal life and this neighborhood park in Solana Beach has the perfect set up. With a playground for the kids, as well as bathrooms and lifeguards on hand, it’s a great place to get outdoors. Fletcher Cove Park is perched on the seaside, so wait for low tide and then head through the facility and down the ramp to skip along the sand. The seawalls tower up on one side, while on the other side, it is surfer city. These views can’t be beat. Parking is free.

Del Mar Dog Beach (Del Mar)

What’s a walk without man’s best friend? Take you four-legged pal to hang out with other pups at this popular dog beach in Del Mar. You can through the sand to get to the shoreline and then you’re officially in doggy territory. Get your heart rate up by playing fetch with your furry friend or tiptoe through the waves. Though there’s plenty of space to roam around here but the volleyball courts do get busy on the weekends, so plan accordingly. Paid parking is available along Camino Del Mar where the driver parks, pays and displays a receipt on their dashboard.

Harveston Lake Park (Temecula)

Located in the center of Temecula is this respite from the hustle and bustle. The walk around this manmade lake is an easy, family friendly path that’s perfect for both people and pets. Sunsets are particularly pretty and you’ll find tables and picnic opportunities throughout the 17-acre plot. The kiddies can enjoy the playground, and if you’re feeling more water than land, paddleboats are for rent onsite year-round.

Lake Poway Park (Poway)

If you want that new Potato Chip Rock profile picture, this is the gateway! Pull in and park ($5 for non-Poway residents) and explore the beautiful grounds before you head up the Mount Woodson Trail on your way to that legendary rock that’s shaped like a potato chip. Once you get to the top, you might quickly realize you’re not alone. More often than not, there’s a line at Potato Chip Rock of people waiting for their chance to snap a photo of themselves on the famous formation. If you’re planning to skip that 4-mile uphill climb, there are plenty of other trails to meander through, as well as picnic tables and grassy areas to relax in. There’s a recreation area with gazebos, fishing and boating too.
 

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



Photo Credit: melvillemedia/Instagram

CA State Senator Arrested

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California state Sen. Leland Yee has been arrested on public corruption charges as part of several arrests made by the FBI Wednesday morning during a massive FBI sting, the FBI told NBC Bay Area.

Sources had originally told NBC Bay Area bribery charges were also involved, but that remains unconfirmed.

The FBI office in San Francisco said that those arrrested in Wednesday's sweep, including Yee, will appear before Federal Magistrate Judge Nathaniel Cousins in San Francisco at 1:30 p.m for arraignment.

One of the places the FBI searched Wednesday was at the San Francisco Chinatown office of the Ghee Kung Tong Free Masons at 36 Spofford St., where Raymond "Shrimp Boy" Chow, a notorious former Chinatown gangster, conducts business. Chow was also arrested during the raid.

Firefighters were seen going inside with a circular saw and later said they had cracked a safe.

The FBI also arrested Keith Jackson, a well-known political consultant in San Francisco who is on the board of the Hunters Point Boys and Girls Club.

"The FBI executed multiple search warrants in the city and beyond," FBI spokesperson Peter Lee said, adding that the agency is not giving out detailed information at the moment because they are concerned about officer safety.

Yee, who has served in the state Legislature for more than a decade, was elected to the State Senate in November 2006 and represents District 8, which includes San Francisco and San Mateo County. The former San Francisco supervisor and 2011 mayoral candidate is currently running for secretary of state.

Yee has promised to "increase government transparency, support small businesses, reform campaign financing and protect the most vulnerable," as a candidate.

Sources told NBC Bay Area that Yee faces corruption charges in relation to his work as a state senator as well as his campaign for secretary of state.

Sources also told NBC Bay Area that some of the complaints against Yee may be related to medical marijuana and martial arts companies.

Yee is best known publicly for his efforts to strengthen open records, government transparency and whistleblower protection laws, including legislation to close a loophole in state public records laws after the CSU Stanislaus Foundation refused to release its $75,000 speaking contract with former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin in 2010.

Chow ran a Chinese criminal organization with ties to Hong Kong and was convicted of gun charges. But he had recently been held up as an example of successful rehabilitation and was praised for his work in the community.

Yee's arrest came as a shock to Chinese-Americans who see the senator as a pioneering leader in the community and a mainstay of San Francisco politics, said David Lee, director of the Chinese American Voters Education Committee.

"People are waiting to see what happens, and they are hoping for the best, that the charges turn out not to be true," said Lee, whose organization just held a get-out-the-vote event with Yee and other Chinese-American elected officials last week.

For his efforts to uphold the California Public Records Act, Yee was honored last week by the Northern California chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, which awarded him its public official citation for his efforts last year to maintain the requirements of the California Public Records Act.

Yee has at times clashed with fellow Democrats for casting votes of conscience, refusing to support the Democratic budget proposal in 2011 because of its deep cuts to education, social services and education. He also opposed legislation by a fellow Democrat, Assemblyman Paul Fong of Cupertino, that banned the sale of shark fins used for Chinese shark fin soup, saying that it unfairly targeted the Chinese-American community.

Officers from the California Highway Patrol and Sergeant at Arms were stationed outside Yee's state Capitol office in Sacramento Wednesday morning, where the FBI agents conducted a raid, taking computers and other documents, according to KCRA-TV.

The FBI confirmed to KCRA-TV that it had raided homes and businesses in the Bay Area and Sacramento Wednesday morning, issuing multiple search warrants and making arrests.

State Senator Yee was arrested Wednesday morning on bribery charges. (Photo: Diane Dwyer)

Sources told NBC Bay Area that the FBI investigation dates back years. NBC Bay Area has learned that the FBI is making a number of arrests connected to the investigation.

Yee’s press secretary, Dan Lieberman, declined to comment when contacted by NBC Bay Area. An official statement would be released sometime Wednesday afternoon, he said.

Yee's arrest would make him the third Democratic state senator fighting charges this year.

His arrest comes just one month after prosecutors announced federal bribery and corruption charges filed against state Sen. Ron Calderon.

Prosecutors say the Los Angeles-area Democrat accepted about $100,000 in cash bribes and other perks in exchange for his supporting or opposing bills. Calderon has pleaded not guilty.

Earlier in the year, Democratic Sen. Rod Wright was found guilty of multiple charges that stemmed from accusations he did not actually live in the Southern California district he represents. Wright is appealing the conviction.

Both Wright and Calderon have taken a leave of absence from the state Senate.

Democrat Derek Cressman, who is one of several candidates also running for secretary of state, released the folowing statement:

"Coming on the heels of the corruption charges of Senator Calderon and the conviction of Senator Wright, today's actions need to be a wake up call. We are clearly beyond the point of looking at one bad apple and instead looking at a corrupt institution in the California senate," Cressman said. "The constant begging for campaign cash clearly has a corrosive effect on a person's soul and the only solution is to get big money out of our politics once and for all."

San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee said that he was shocked and disapppointed by the news.

"Leland Yee has been a part of public service for a long time, sorry to see that tainted by these allegations," Lee said.

A man was charged last year for threatening Yee over legislation that he proposed to limit rapid reloading of assault weapons.

In 1992, Chow was among more than two-dozen people indicted on racketeering charges for their alleged involvement in crimes ranging from teenage prostitution to an international drug trade mostly involving heroin.

He was later convicted of gun charges and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. He spent 11 years in prison and was released in 2003 after he cut a deal with the government to testify against another high-ranking associate, Peter Chong. Chong was later convicted of racketeering.

On what appears to be Raymond Chow's Facebook page, Chow displayed a picture of a certificate of honor presented to him by Lee that honored him "for his tenacity and willingness to give back to the community and working 'in the trenches' as a change agent."

Chow also appears to have been tweeting from the Twitter handle @RaymondChow10, using hashtags that included "sunoftheunderworld," "mafia." and "chinatown." His last tweet was on Nov. 17, which shows him at his sister's birthday, enjoying a glass of red wine.

Chow has also posted pictures of him with other notable public figures and local business owners, including former San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, and a picture of another certificate of recognition from state Assemblyman Tom Ammiano.

Yee is the first Chinese American ever elected to the California State Senate. He emigrated to San Francisco from China at age 3. Yee graduated from the University of California at Berkeley and receieved a master's degree from San Francisco State University. Yee and his wife Maxine have four children.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.



Photo Credit: Diane Dwyer

Rattlesnake Warning for SoCal

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Southern Californians are being warned to look out for rattlesnakes after a man was seriously hurt from a snake bite.

One particular type of rattlesnake that is native to California and has highly toxic venom is causing concern for Inland Empire residents: the Southern Pacific rattlesnake.

Its venom is so toxic, it requires more antivenin than other types of rattlesnakes and packs a potentially lethal punch.

"Personally, I consider it the most dangerous rattlesnake we have here in Southern California," snake expert Joel Almquist told NBC4.

The Southern Pacific rattlesnake is the same type and about the same size of the rattlesnake that bit a man on Monday as he was working around a woodpile in Cajon Valley.

"He reached into the woodpile and he felt a burning sensation to his left arm," San Bernardino Fire Capt. Jay Hausman said.

Paramedics rushed the victim, a man in his 30s, to a hospital where he underwent emergency treatment to prevent severe tissue damage and death.

"(The venom) is basically attacking the whole circulatory system and the tissues of the skin of the body," Hausman said.

While the Southern Pacific rattlesnake is already common in Southern California, the warm winter means they're even more likely to turn up looking for food and hiding in places where people often put their hands.

"I always tell people up here, (make) firewood piles," Almquist said. "You always want those 12 to 16 inches above the ground. It doesn't give a place for the snakes to hide."

If a rattlesnake bites, panicking will only increase blood flow and spread the venom, he said.

"And it's hard to tell a person who's been bitten by a rattlesnake to relax," Almquist said. "But you want to try to stay as relaxed as possible, and get medical attention as quick as possible."

The man who was bitten Monday is expected to make a full recovery, officials said.

Locals to Receive Tsunami Risk Mailers

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Local residents who live in areas that would be at risk in the event of a tsunami will receive warning mailers as part of Tsunami Preparedness Week, according to an announcement made by city officials Wednesday.

At an tsunami awareness event held at La Jolla Shores, city emergency preparedness staff and a representative from the California Geological Survey detailed the several areas in San Diego that were at risk should a tsunami hit San Diego.

According to officials, they were able to target specific addresses that were at risk by using new maps developed by state experts.

Although tsunamis might not be the first natural disaster that springs to mind for locals, the danger is real, according to officials.

Experts say a tsunami in San Diego could be caused by a strong local or miles away earthquake or offshore landslide. This would in turn harm beaches, bays, and coastal communities.

“Clearly we have bigger risks with earthquakes, storms, and fires in San Diego County," said CGS expert Rick Wilson, "but if you understand what a tsunami can do and what you should do during a tsunami, it will save your life in the future."

Mailers to residents will include information that details the danger tsunamis pose, evacuation routes, and other information about what to do in the event of a tsunami.

To demonstrate tsunami evacuation routes at La Jolla Shores Wednesday, eighth graders from the Old Town Academy and representatives from the region's coastal cities took part in an evacuation drill, walking to higher ground from La Jolla Shores to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

San Diego lifeguards, firefighters and members of police department's Critical Incident Management Unit were also on hand to go over beach evacuation notification procedures.

Tsunami Preparedness Week began on March 23 and lasts until the 29th.

For more information on tsunami preparedness in San Diego and to view maps, visit this website.

Wanted: Store Display Phone Burglar

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Police are searching for a burglary suspect accused of stealing display iPhones from several Radio Shack stores in San Diego.

According to investigators, the suspect’s modus operandi is the same in each case: He walks into the store and asks a salesperson to show him a “demo” iPhone that’s already on display. When he sees the salesperson is distracted, he steals the pricey phone and flees the store.

Detectives believe the phone thief is responsible for at least three burglaries at local Radio Shack stores and one failed attempt. The burglaries all happened between Feb. 16, 2014, and Mar. 11, 2014.

On Feb. 16, at around 5 p.m., the man – pictured above in images caught on surveillance tape – stole an iPhone on display at a Radio Shack located at 6551 Mission Gorge Rd.

On Feb. 21, investigators say the thief struck again, this time at a Radio Shack at 3312 University Ave. He asked a salesperson for a “demo” phone. When the salesperson wasn’t looking, he made off with the stolen iPhone. In this incident, investigators say the suspect was parked a block away from the store and fled the scene in a white, newer-model sedan. He was last seen driving westbound on University Avenue.

The next day, on Feb. 22, the suspect was at it again. At around 6 p.m., he pulled the same scam at a Radio Shack at 662 Dennery Road and asked to see a display phone, stealing it and running off when the salesperson was distracted.

Finally, on Mar. 11, at around 6:30 p.m., investigators say the suspect went into a Radio Shack at 4223 Genesee Ave. and tried his trick again.

However, this time, it didn’t work.

The manager asked to see the suspect’s ID and the man left the business with nothing.

As of Wednesday, the Radio Shack demo phone bandit remains outstanding. Anyone with information on the burglary series or the suspect should contact SDPD Mid-City Division detectives at (619) 516-3000 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.

Police say the three iPhones stolen by the suspect were each valued at about $600.



Photo Credit: SDPD

$832K in Restitution Paid to Swindled Seniors

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Some senior citizens who fell victim to an insurance scam are getting their money back.

On Wednesday, San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis announced that her office was distributing an additional $832,000 to California seniors, bringing the total restitution paid in this case to more than $1.5 million.

In June 2013, Michael Woodward pleaded guilty to selling phony insurance plans and was sentenced to 11 years in prison. His wife Melissa received probation for her role in the crime. Both were ordered to pay $3 million in restitution to their victims.

Officials have liquidated the Woodwards’ estate to come up with the money, selling their Las Vegas home, condo, expensive jewelry, fine artwork, sports memorabilia and more.

The DA’s Office said the Woodwards have scammed hundreds of elderly people across the country since 2006. The bogus policies were sold under the names Secure Tomorrows, Home Health America, Secure Care, Americare and U.S. Home Health.

More than 230 seniors in San Diego alone were cheated about of more than $1.9 million in insurance premiums, according to the DA.



Photo Credit: San Diego District Attorney

Court Warns of Missed Jury Duty Phone Call Scam

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The San Diego County Superior Court is warning the public about a reoccurring scam wherein phony court officials call people and claim they owe hundreds of dollars for situations like failing to appear for jury duty.

The warning, which was made Wednesday, came after court officials received several complaints related to the scam.

In one case, officials say a scam artist posed as a court officer when calling a man and told him that he had failed to appear for jury duty and owed the court $300 for missing the date and another $485 for contempt of court.

The phony officer claimed that if the man failed to pay he would be arrested.

Taking the scheme a step further, the scam artist then gave the man another date to appear for jury duty, but required that he first pay his fake fine. The man was told the court does not take cash and he must purchase a money order at a convenience store and then meet the phony court officer at the courthouse.

In another scam, someone claimed to be a court clerk calling a would-be victim to inform them that they had an outstanding warrant fine that had to be paid in cash.

Officials said neither of the victims in these cases fell for the scam, but officials wanted to warn the public to be on alert.

“People need to know that the court will not call someone on the phone to remedy a court issue or fine,” said Michael Roddy, Executive Officer of the San Diego Superior Court.

Roddy added that the court will send you a written notice and won't call you asking for money. Furthermore, the court does accept checks and credit cards.

Officials advised anyone who got a call similar to the scam to hang up and contact law enforcement if the caller persisted.



Photo Credit: AP

Reward Doubled in Stolen Bulldog Case

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A San Marcos doggy daycare is offering $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest in the case of a stolen English bulldog, bringing the total reward to $2,000.

On March 19, Schroeder escaped from his San Marcos home by sneaking under the fence, according to his owners Michelle and MariaElena Hinojos.

Someone spotted the 5-month-old puppy on San Marcos Boulevard and took him to Dogtopia, which is coincidentally next door to Schroeder’s house.

About a half hour later, a man walked into the doggy daycare and asked to pick up the dog.

The business said it released the bulldog because he wasn’t a client.

“A person showed up and said, ‘I hear you have my lost puppy’ and was able to carefully identify the animal. So we said, ‘that’s fantastic,’” Dogtopia spokesperson Drew Boomer said in an interview with NBC 7 last Thursday.

However, the pet parents tell the story a little differently.

“The guy who went in to claim the dog didn’t even say it was his dog. He told them it was his buddy’s dog, and they handed it over to him,” Michelle said Thursday.

The suspect was captured on surveillance video. He has black hair and a mustache and was wearing gray pants and a black long sleeve shirt.

The purebred English bulldog cost $4,000.

Anyone with information is asked to call the San Marcos sheriff’s station at 760-510-5200 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.



Photo Credit: San Diego County Sheriff's Dept.

Can Ecstasy Treat PTSD?

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It is being called a growing epidemic by the National Institutes of Health: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Now, there's growing debate over the use of an illegal drug to treat PTSD that some say is working with good success.

Estimates are that 30 percent of all Vietnam veterans, 20 percent of Iraq veterans and 10 percent of Afghanistan veterans have PTSD.

Some get better with a variety of treatments by therapists. But others like Daniel Somers do not.

Somers’ family believes in cases like his, the drug ecstasy may be the difference between life and death.

MDMA, known on the street as ecstasy, has been banned by the federal government and classified as a dangerous drug with no medicinal value.

But more studies appear to show it could it help veterans suffering with PTSD.

Somers, a veteran who served in the Army National Guard in Iraq as a machine gunner, was blown from a Humvee. He was diagnosed with PTSD-- a traumatic brain injury-- and other ailments. Medication and therapy did not seem to ease his mental or physical pain.

“He had literally, I'm not kidding you, a drawer that was this wide and this deep full of prescription bottles,” his mother Jean Somers described during an interview with NBC 7.

He eventually took his own life. Now, his parents wonder if treatments with MDMA could have saved him.

“If it's something that will starve a suicide, that will hold that off, then it's worth it,” Jean said.

A group of non-profit researchers think it's worth it. They have clinical trials underway approved by federal drug authorities. Still, there are no large trials.

Dr. Farris Tuma with the National Institute of Mental Health says the agency supports more experimental medication, but has concerns with MDMA.

“The challenge I have with it at this point is we can't narrow it down. (I) haven't seen the data to suggest here is the mechanism and the way we think the drug is going to work,” Tuma said.

The Somers say veterans like Daniel who fought for our freedom should have the freedom to do whatever it takes to get well.

“These guys are suffering so, so badly,” his father Howard Somers said. “Why don't we do whatever we can to help?"

Some therapists in Northern California are reportedly using MDMA in their practice even though it is illegal. Several therapists in San Diego told NBC 7 the drug is not being used here to their knowledge.

Victims in Luxury Car Scam Get Money Back

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Thousands of dollars is being returned to several victims who lost money and exotic cars in transactions with a local dealer.

The San Diego District Attorney announced Wednesday that a plea agreement had been reached with former car broker John Mussari who court documents say scammed his victims out of hundreds of thousands of dollars in bad car deals.

NBC 7 Investigates broke the story in 2011 which brought to light the allegations of fraud and later encouraged multiple victims to come forward.

If signed next month, Mussari’s plea bargain will result in jail time and hundreds of thousands of dollars in restitution.

For car collector Dave Baker, who is said to be one of Mussari’s victims, this day has been a long time coming.

“I wasn't sure if I was going to see any of this money,” said Baker. “I almost kissed it all off.”

Baker said he paid Mussari $60,000 for a 2004 Lamborghini. Baker was buying the car with Mussari who agreed to pay another $6,000 to purchase the vehicle.

When Baker received the vehicle he realized it had electrical problems. Mussari then took possession of the car, promising to fix the issues.

However, Baker said he never saw the car again. He added that he has been waiting for his money for three years.

On Wednesday morning, Deputy District Attorney Luis Mendez personally handed Baker a $25,000 check.

“I'm relieved to finally see some closure,” Baker said.

Mendez said he also distributed another $57,500 to three other of Mussari’s victims.

“Whatever money he cannot come up with immediately will be ordered as part of his probation conditions, but he has to pay all of the victims ultimately,” Mendez said.

In total, Mussari bilked a total of $217, 000 out of 14 people who entered into exotic car deals with him, according to Mendez.

Mendez said the restitution is part of a plea bargain scheduled to take place on April 3.

The Deputy DA said Mussari will plead guilty to eight counts of grand theft and what's called a "white collar crime enhancement of over $100,000.”

The penalties include full restitution and one year in prison.

According to Mendez, if Mussari pays another $30,000 in restitution before the plea, he can argue for work privileges during his one year of incarceration.

"The restitution is a good faith effort to make the alleged victims whole again,” Mussari’s attorney Anthony Colombo told NBC 7 Investigates in a phone interview.

When asked about the plea Colombo said, "I don't want to speak about specifics of the agreement until after the court appearance."

For Baker, Mussari’s sentence is not nearly enough.

“I don't think it is long enough in my opinion, for as many victims involved here and as much money we are talking about,” he said.



Photo Credit: NBC 7

Stabbing Victim Stumbles Into Barber Shop

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A man suffering from stab wounds stumbled into a San Diego barber shop Thursday morning, authorities said.

San Diego Police said 22-year-old David Mongero tried to take a backpack from one of two women waiting for a trolley in Encanto around 9:25 a.m. 

The women tried to stop Mongero, so he pulled out a knife and threatened them, police say.

One of the women pulled a knife as well. As the two tried to stab each other, the other woman grabbed Mongero's skateboard and hit him in the head with it. 

The woman with the knife then stabbed Mongero in the neck, according to police. 

Mongero ran to a local barber shop in the 6200 block of Imperial Ave., where officers eventually took him into custody. 

He was taken to a nearby hospital to be treated for a small laceration to the back of his neck, and then he was booked into jail for robbery. 

 



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

Brush Fire Burns in Clairemont

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Firefighters battled a brush fire in the Clairemont area Thursday morning.

The fire started around 10:30 a.m. on eastbound State Route 52 near Genesee Avenue.

The fire brought traffic on 52 eastbound to a halt, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Fire officials said the small brush fire started on the right shoulder of the road. No one was injured, and no structures were threatened by the blaze.

There is no word yet on what caused the fire.
 



Photo Credit: Getty Images

DC Park Search in Missing Girl Case

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A man being sought in the disappearance of 8-year-old Relisha Rudd bought contractor-sized trash bags and spent considerable time in a large wooded park in northeast D.C. after the last known sighting of the girl, D.C.'s police chief said Thursday.

Cathy Lanier said police are still actively searching for any sign of Relisha and for Kahlil Tatum, the 51-year-old janitor she was believed to be with.

But, Lanier added, "We cannot ignore the possibility that he may have killed her."

"Given the circumstances right now, we are fearful of leaving any stones unturned," Lanier continued.

Rudd's mother knew her daughter was with Tatum, Lanier said. Surveillance video had captured the two in a D.C. hotel on Feb. 26, Lanier said.

The last time anyone else is known to have seen Rudd was March 1, and she was in the presence of Tatum. Lanier did not say where the two were seen, only that it was "in the District of Columbia."

On March 2, Tatum bought contractor-sized trash bags and spent considerable time in Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens, Lanier said.

FBI agents, D.C. police officers and cadets had descended on the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens and Kenilworth-Parkside Community Center and Park Thursday morning in search of evidence.

Investigators say the search could take days or weeks as the park covers 700 acres. The park runs along the Anacostia River and much of it is wooded.

The search comes a day after authorities extended their investigation into Relisha's disappearance into Atlanta, Ga. Tatum, the man believed to be with her, may have connections to the area, according to the FBI.

An Amber Alert for Relisha was issued March 20. Police say she was last seen Feb. 26 at a homeless shelter in southeast D.C., and she may be with Tatum -- who worked as a janitor at the shelter.

Tatum was added to FBI's Wanted List Wednesday -- he is said to be armed and dangerous.

Investigators say Tatum posed as a doctor March 10, telling city officials who were concerned for her safety Relisha was sick with a neurological disorder, and undergoing treatment. When they asked for documents, "Dr. Tatum" said he would leave them behind at the shelter where Relisha and her mother lived.

When officials came to the shelter March 19 to pick up the paperwork, they couldn't find "Dr. Tatum" or Relisha. Shortly after, a missing persons report with D.C. Police was filed.

Tatum is wanted on unlawful flight to avoid prosecution, and murder charges in connection with his wife's shooting death. Andrea Tatum's body was found at an Oxon Hill Red Roof Inn last Thursday during the search for Relisha.

Patrick Kelly believes his cousin was killed because she knew Tatum was with the missing girl. 

"[Andrea] was a beautiful person and she didnt deserve what she got," Kelly said. "He's a wolf walking out here amongst us. He’s a demon. She lost her life by standing up for what she believed in."

Relisha's mother told News4 she, and her daughter, had a trusting friendship with Tatum. Investigators say Relisha's mother gave her daughter to Tatum Feb. 26. The two are seen on surveillance footage walking down a Holiday Inn Express hallway that evening on Bladensburg Road NE.

But Relisha may look very different now, said Derrica Wilson of the Black and Missing Foundation.

"He may have cut her hair, tried to make her look like a little boy," Wilson, a former police officer, told News4. "Time is critical.... Notification must be made as soon as possible," Wilson said.

A $70,000 reward is being offered by the FBI and Prince George's County Police for information leading to Relisha and Tatum. Call 911 if you have seen either of them. 

4th Victim Dies After SXSW Crash

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DeAndre Tatum, the last remaining person hospitalized following a deadly crash in Austin during the South by Southwest Music Festival, has died, Austin police say.

Tatum, 19, was placed in a medically-induced coma after he was run over by a suspected drunken driver who barreled through police barricades and drove down a crowded street in downtown Austin on March 13.

Rashad Owens, 21, of Killeen, was the driver implicated in the crash. Police said Owens was trying to avoid arrest when he crashed into a closed street packed with people. He was charged with capital murder two days after the crash; more charges are likely with Tatum's death. Owens is currently being held on $3 million bond.

Tatum is the fourth person to die following the crash. Also killed were Jamie Ranae West, 27, of Austin; Steven Gerardus Hendrikus Craenmehr, 35, of Amsterdam, Holland, were both killed at the scene; Sandy Le, of Pass Christian, Miss., died of her injuries March 17. Nearly two dozen others were injured.

Tatum and his 18-year-old girlfriend Tish Davis were enjoying spring break in Austin when they were both among the two dozen people run over while walking down the street. Both Davis and Tatum are from Fort Worth; she a current student at Trimble Tech High School and he a recent graduate.

Davis, who was injured in the crash as well, suffered a broken leg and injuries to her face and head before being allowed to return home to Fort Worth.

Davis told NBC 5's Scott Gordon she doesn't remember the crash. Her first memory is waking up in the hospital holding her grandmother's hands.

"We was all walking next to each other and suddenly and all of the sudden we all got split up ... You know who I woke up to? I woke up next to my granny," said  Davis. " She was holding my hands. I was thinking, 'What happened to me? Why am I here?' I just can't believe they would hit me. And I've been through a lot of stuff."

Funeral arrangements for Tatum have not yet been made public.

 NBC 5's Scott Gordon and other NBC 5 staff contributed to this report.

Haircuts, Unicorns, Wild Dogs: North Korea Fact or Fiction?

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A new report says men in North Korea are being forced to cut their hair in the fashion of leader Kim Jong Un, but there's reason for suspicion.

A trio of experts interviewed by the Washington Post said they were skeptical of Wednesday's report, which seems to originate with a Radio Free Asia story that's online only in Korean.

Not only does such a diktat not make much sense, the experts said, but also Kim's haircut — which appears to split the difference between a high-top fade and a fauxhawk — is distinctive in his country.

But such stories' allure just underscores how little reliable information the rest of the world has on the reclusive country.

North Korea's over-the-top reverence for its leaders (where else names flowers after them?) and stranglehold on independent news media leave the country ripe for fantastic rumors and help blur the line between rumor, reporting and state propaganda.

Here are three other tales of North Korea's leaders that could be too outlandish to be true.

"Unicorn lair"

Remember the report that North Korean archaeologists had claimed had found a unicorn lair? They hadn't found one, obviously — and never really claimed they had, either, despite an odd story from North Korea's state media. File that report under Unfortunate Mistranslations of State Propaganda.

The "unicorn lair" in question was actually a mistranslation of the name of Kiringul, a historical site associated with the founder of an ancient Korean kingdom.

Essentially, experts told both the Guardian and i09, North Korea was claiming to have discovered that ancient site — and suggesting, in true state propaganda fashion, that North Korea might be the inheritor to that ancient kingdom's greatness, as Foreign Policy magazine explained.

Corpse-eating dogs

It was shocking enough that Kim Jong Un had his own uncle Jang Song Thaek executed, so plenty of news outlets — NBC News among them — also cited a report that the purged uncle, once a close advisor, had been fed alive to 120 hungry dogs.

But the story originated with a single Hong Kong-based newspaper, in a report that didn't cite a source, the Washington Post noted. One U.S. official told NBC News at the time that the report wasn't "ringing any bells here."

It was not picked up by the mainstream South Korean news media, which often does report many other stories out of the North, often citing defectors as sources in light of the northern neighbor's media blackout, The New York Times explained in its Lede blog. Chinese media didn't report it, either, despite their relatively close ties with North Korea, the Washington Post added.

How many holes-in-one?

Then there are the supposed claims that Kim Jong Un's late father, former North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, was some kind of golf prodigy — a narrative that news site NK News calls the "granddaddy" of North Korea rumors.

Of all the fabulous claims about the eccentric former leader, the supposed claims about his prowess at golf are some of the hardest to pin down and trace to their origins.

Some reports have North Korea claiming that Kim recorded five holes-in-one on his first-ever round of golf back in 1994. Other reports say it was 11 holes-in-one. Reports of how many under par his country claimed he putted varied widely, too.

The trouble is, none of the mentions seems to cite an actual source. Instead, stories cite each other or else North Korean media generally. Nothing about the late Kim's golf record can be found on state news agency KCNA's website.



Photo Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS

DUI Suspect Crashes, Hides in Bushes

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One person is in the hospital and another is in custody after a car crashed into a gas line in Vista Thursday morning.

Residents near Monte Vista Drive and Buena Creek Road were given a rude awakening after hearing the loud collision at around 2 a.m.

When California Highway Patrol officers got to the scene, they found a woman in the passenger seat in the crashed truck --- but the driver was nowhere to be found.

That is, until officials did a little more searching.

The driver was found in nearby bushes very intoxicated. CHP questioned him and took him into custody. He’s expected to face charges.

The passenger was taken to a nearby hospital to be treated for injuries. Her condition is unknown.

The crash caused a gas leak and San Diego Gas and Electric was called to turn off the leak. No one else was injured and the scene was soon cleared.
 



Photo Credit:

Magazine Makes Fun of Cancer Survivor's Tutu

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A San Diego runner and cancer survivor says she was snubbed by a popular women's magazine that used a photo of her wearing a tutu to make fun of the fitness fashion trend. 

Monika Allen says she was excited to receive an email from SELF magazine asking for permission to use a photo that showed her running the LA marathon dressed as Wonder Woman and wearing a tutu in an upcoming issue.

But when the April issue came out, Allen said she was “stunned and offended.”

The picture appears in a section of the magazine called “The BS Meter," with a caption that refers to a "tutu epidemic" and basically makes fun of the women's outfits, she said.

"A racing tutu epidemic has struck NYC's Central Park, and it's all because people think these froufrou skirts make you run faster," the caption reads. "Now, if you told us they made people run from you faster, maybe we would believe it."

Allen said the photo was "really offensive for a couple of reasons." The marathon came right in the middle of chemotherapy, and she says the outfit gave her motivation.

“The reason we were wearing those outfits is because this was my first marathon running with brain cancer,” Allen explained.

Another reason was that she made the tutu herself. Her company Glam Runners makes them and donates the money to Girls on the Run, a charity that sponsors exercise and confidence-building programs for young girls. She said she's raised about $5,600 for the nonprofit by making about 2,000 tutus over the past three years.

"I feel like we were misled in providing the picture. Had I known how the picture was going to be used, I wouldn't have wanted to send it,” she said.

Allen said she emailed SELF magazine Tuesday night. As of Wednesday afternoon, she had not received a response.

In a statement to NBC 7, SELF apologized "for the association of her picture in any way other than to support her efforts to be healthy."

"Of course if tutus make you run with a smile on your face or with a sense of purpose or community, then they are indeed worth wearing, for any race," the statement read.

This marathoner knows firsthand that a smile can go a long way.

“One little smile or an extra cheer from a stranger can really make things better," Allen said.

There are dozens of messages of support for Allen on the Glam Runner Facebook page. Allen says friends and customers have also sent letters to SELF.

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