Quantcast
Channel: NBC 7 San Diego - Top Stories
Viewing all 60603 articles
Browse latest View live

Marine Moved to "Safer" Tecate Prison, Release Effort Grows

0
0

A U.S. Marine veteran jailed in Mexico on a weapons charge has been moved to a new location in the prison system as the efforts to release him grow. 

Marine Reservist Andrew Tahmooressi, 25, is now in the El Hongo II penitentiary, about 40 minutes east of Tijuana.

His mother Jill told NBC 7 that the Tecate prison is safer for him. He is in a private cell -- unshackled -- and has a 24/7 armed guard protecting him. She added that her son is thankful for all the support he's been given. 

Some of that support continues to come from Congressman Duncan Hunter, who most recently sent a letter to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel. 

In it, Hunter requests that the U.S. suspend cooperation with the Mexican military until Tahmooressi is freed.

About 7,700 people are following his Facebook Page, "Free USMC Sgt. Tahmooressi from Mexican Jail."

The Marine veteran also met with members of the Baja Image Committee a couple days before his move.

Daniel Torres with the committee says Tahmooressi is optimistic about his case.

"He has good hopes because him and his family are working with local attorneys, and they have given them basically good news as to this," said Torres in a phone interview.

Jill said she ends each call with her son with a prayer for his expeditious return to freedom.

Tahmooressi was arrested on April 1 after driving his truck into Tijuana at the San Ysidro Port of Entry. 

He says he got lost and accidentally crossed the border with three guns in his truck. Mexican authorities arrested him for bringing firearms into the country.

While in Tijuana jail, Tahmooressi reportedly was shackled to a cot with his limbs restrained following an escape attempt and suffered a knife wound to the neck. 

His first court hearing is scheduled for May 28. 

 



Photo Credit: Baja Image Committee

Truck Rams into Maryland TV Station

0
0

A man armed with a golf club and believed to be mentally ill is in custody after police say he rammed a stolen truck into a Baltimore TV station and then, claiming he was God, forced his way into the building, according to witnesses.

The man was taken into custody shortly after 4:30 p.m. after crashing through the entrance of the ABC2 station in Towson, prompting a heavy police response and five-hour search for the suspect.

The man was found armed with a golf club, Baltimore County Police Chief Jim Johnson said. He was taken to a hospital for treatment.

All employees have been accounted for, several station sources told News4. No injuries were reported.

Around 11:45 a.m. Tuesday, the man began banging on the door of the station in Towson, Baltimore County. The man demanded to be let in, cursing and claiming that he was God, according to witnesses.

"I heard a loud sound, rattling," said Michael Marion, a commercial producer at the station who has an office just off the lobby. "It sounded like someone had dropped something metal. Then I heard someone yelling 'Let me in, let me in.'"

When he was not allowed in, he got into a large truck — which was reportedly stolen from a Maryland landscaping company — and rammed it into the building at least three times, witnesses said. He hit a railing and the door, and then rammed his way into the building.

The news director rushed through the newsroom and helped evacuate the staff. After the evacuation, the intruder made his way to the second floor of the building.

ABC2 meteorologist Mike Masco wrote on Twitter about 12:20 p.m. Tuesday that police found weapons in the vehicle.

Two people who work in the building told News4's Tisha Thompson that they heard the crash and ran out the back doors to the parking lot.

Marion described the man as a young black man with a light complexion, wearing a light blue oxford-style shirt and carrying a black satchel over his shoulder.

After the man was taken into custody, police said there was no threat to neighboring buildings, but during the standoff, a gas station directly across the street from the station was shut down, and the nearby St. Pius X School went on lockdown, with a large number of officers present. Students were released to parents this afternoon.

News Director Kelly Groft said on Twitter around 12:15 p.m. that the truck remains lodged in the lobby, and employees are being kept away from the building. She thanked Baltimore County officers for keeping them safe.

The truck driven into the building was stolen from a job site on Interstate 695 near the Towson area, according to a statement from Ashton Manor Environmental, a landscaping company. Jeff Schwartz, president of the company, said Ashton Manor is cooperating with police.

ABC2, an ABC affiliate, is located in Towson, Maryland, and covers Baltimore news. The station's call letters are WMAR.

Stay with News4 and NBCWashington.com for more on this breaking story.



Photo Credit: Christian Keller

Balboa Park Vehicle Issues Unsettled, Settlement Due

0
0

 There's a new twist in the long-running civic drama surrounding Balboa Park -- a pricey legal settlement for the city of San Diego.

But no clear answers are being given to endless questions about traffic and parking problems there.

On the City Council’s Tuesday afternoon agenda is a resolution – recommended for approval by the city attorney’s office – to pay a $355,000 claim for opposing attorneys’ fees and court costs in a case that derailed a proposed $40 million makeover of Plaza de Panama -- known as the Jacobs Plan -- in the heart of the park.

That litigation, filed by a Northern California law firm on behalf of the historic preservation group Save Our Heritage Organisation, prevailed in both trial and state appellate court proceedings.

“City Attorney Jan Goldsmith, after we filed the lawsuit, said that it was ‘frivolous,’” recalled David Lundin, a local attorney who assisted in preparing the legal challenge. “Three hundred fifty-five thousand dollars later, we were right and he was wrong.”

Lundin said that kind of money would be a big help in making Balboa Park more accessible and approachable.

He points to new 12-minute, round-trip tram service centered in Plaza de Panama, where billionaire Qualcomm cofounder Irwin Jacobs was raising money to build a bypass bridge from the Cabrillo Bridge south and west to a $25 million, subterranean, paid-parking structure on the current surface- parking site lot behind the Spreckels Organ Pavilion.

But the tram doesn't serve visitors at the Organ Pavilion parking lot or a smaller, 100-space lot south of Alcazar Garden that also offers 14 handicapped spaces somewhat closer to Plaza de Panama -- where, 11 months ago, then-mayor Bob Filner ordered the eviction of parking altogether.

While the cleared-out plaza is now pedestrian and cycle-friendly, it’s still too far away from parking for elderly and wheelchair-users who patronize the Balboa Park’s institutional stakeholders.

"We took away (handicapped parking) spots that were near the museums,” says Mike Kelly, president of the Balboa Park Committee of 100. “We sort of promised them we would have transportation through shuttle or something to get them around to the Museum of Man, to the Old Globe. That hasn't happened."

Parking also can be an approach-avoidance challenge even for the young and fully able-bodied.

"I don't know what they're going to do about parking because we had a challenge finding parking today -- and there's no one here. It's quite quiet today. ” said LasVegas resident Jamie Henderson, interviewed Tuesday on the plaza while visiting the park with a friend. “We did get a spot on the street, which is fantastic. But how are they going to handle 100,000 visitors?"

Good question for whoever stages whatever events finally become part of the park’s Centennial celebration, an undertaking that a nonprofit organizing committee has abandoned after spending nearly $3 million in public funds.

Said Lundin, a leading critic of that committee and the city’s efforts to re-establish Centennial planning under another nonprofit: "There are plenty of spaces in the park. The difficulty is convenient access and the tram system. That's a difficulty that's easy to fix, and very inexpensive … probably one or two more trams that'll cost $100,000 apiece. Two more drivers, you're good to go."

Meantime, at the west end of the park, repairs are still under way on Cabrillo Bridge, closed to vehicles for months now.

And it seems museums and other venues that dreaded the shutdown are coping rather nicely.

"What happened is, their paid admissions went up 25 percent,” said Lundin. “They've fallen in love with the fact it's pedestrian-only traffic at the west end of the park. People are circulating, having a good time. People now want to open a cafe and coffee shop in what used to be a street."

Kelly echoes growing sentiment to keep the bridge traffic-free permanently once upgrades are completed.

"It'd be a wonderful pedestrian space,” he said. “Be great for bicycles and it would bring -- allow us to bring -- the shuttle all around the plaza to drop people off at the Timken, at the Museum of Art, the Old Globe, the Museum of Man, go all the way across the bridge, drop people there, turn around and pick people up and do the same."

This, despite hopes that the Jacobs Plan could pave the way for a blockbuster celebration of the park's Centennial next year.

As for the much maligned Centennial organizing committee – Balboa Park Celebration, Inc. – its agreement with the city is the subject of a termination resolution on Tuesday’s Council agenda.
Lundin calls the action “premature,” citing a pending investigation of the group by the city auditor that may not conclude until late May or early June.



Photo Credit: NBC 7 News

Out-of-Control Driver Causes Ramona Power Outage

0
0

An out-of-control car crashed in Ramona, knocking out power to thousands of customers overnight.

A male driver survived the rollover crash that happened around 2 a.m. on Barnett Road, east of San Vicente Road.

CHP officers responded to the scene and discovered the 30-year-old driver who they say admitted he was traveling too fast.

The driver told them his backend got away from him while going around the corner. The car caught a guide wire off a utility pole and flipped on its side, officials said.

San Diego Gas & Electric, Cox and AT&T were expected to return during the day to patch the damage done.

Up to 2,000 people were without power for about an hour, officials said.

The driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.
 



Photo Credit: Adam White

Series Preview: Padres vs. Cincinnati Reds

0
0

Now that’s more like it. The Padres hit the road this week riding a three-game win streak for the first time all season after taking a weekend series from the Miami Marlins.

After a day off, the Friars head to Cincinnati to face a Reds squad with a similar profile: Solid pitching, not a lot of pop in the lineup and an inability to get above the .500 mark.

With slugger Carlos Quentin joining the team for the first time this season, is there a possibility of some sustai

Matchups:
Tuesday, 4:10 p.m.: Andrew Cashner (2-5, 2.86) vs. Mike Leake (2-3, 3.40)
Cashner has been pitching like a staff ace, even if the record doesn’t show it. He tries to snap a four-game losing streak. Leake has gone at least seven innings in four straight starts, yet hasn’t won any of them.

Wednesday, 4:10 p.m.: Ian Kennedy (2-4, 3.12) vs. Johnny Cueto (3-2, 1.43)
Kennedy has given up just one run in three of his last four starts. Cueto has thrown a quality start in all eight of his outings this year. He hasn’t lost since April 11.

Thursday, 9:35 a.m.: Tyson Ross (4-3, 3.02) vs. Alfredo Simon (4-2, 2.89)
Ross is the only Padres starter with a winning record and has allowed just two runs in his last two starts. Simon failed to make it six innings for the first time all season in his last start.

What’s at stake: Is that the .500 mark we see looming in the distance? A sweep here would pull the Padres (18-21) even for the first time since they were 9-9. Of course, the Reds (17-19) are thinking the same thing and are just a half game out of second place in the NL Central.

Who to watch: Congrats to Seth Smith for receiving a much-deserved National League Player of the Week honor. He had nine hits and seven RBIs in the Marlins series and now has an eight-game hit streak that has boosted his average to .330 on the year – good for fifth in the NL.

Quentin was just called up from his rehab assignment and will make his first big-league appearance this season.

Cameron Maybin is swinging a hot stick since coming off the disabled list. He has hits in seven straight games, even if he has yet to drive in a run on the season.

Chris Denorfia’s average is at an even .300 for the year as he has hits in each of his last five starts.

For the Reds, Todd Frazier has been a surprising source of power. He hit a pair of homers over the weekend and now has seven. Joey Votto also hit two long balls this weekend, pushing him to six on the season. He hasn’t done much else, though, hitting .258 and driving in just 12 runs.

That sound you just heard was Billy Hamilton stealing another base. The young speedster has 12 on the season, putting him in the top five in the league.

Cincy will be without slugger Jay Bruce, who had knee surgery earlier this month.

What’s next: After the stop in the Queen City, it’s off to Denver for a three-game weekend set with the division rival Colorado Rockies. They are a surprising 23-17 and just 2 ½ games behind the San Francisco Giants. The Padres return home on May 20 when the Minnesota Twins come to town for a pair of games, followed by a four-game weekend series with the Chicago Cubs.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

DA: SDPD Officer Won’t Face Domestic Violence Charges

0
0

A San Diego police officer arrested twice for domestic violence will not face charges, according to the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office.

Officer Gilbert A. Lorenzo, 31, was arrested on April 22 and May 5, and was released from custody both times.

“When we decline a case, all we can say is that it is for insufficiency of evidence. We can only file charges when we believe we can prove them beyond a reasonable doubt. That's out legal and ethical duty,” Steve Walker with the DA’s office said in a statement Monday.

Lorenzo’s wife Tanya spoke publicly against her husband, describing a violent argument between the two. In a court document, Lorenzo said his wife is bipolar and has abused drugs and alcohol.

San Diego Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman was quick to announce the first allegations against Lorenzo amid allegations of misconduct within the department.

Officer Lorenzo is a seven-year veteran of the department and works for SDPD's Northern Division. He was suspended without pay during the investigation, according to police officials.

When asked about the future of Lorenzo's employment with the department, Lt. Kevin Mayer said in an email statement: "The San Diego Police Department is handling the administrative employer/employee aspect of this process which is confidential and protected from disclosure by law."

On Monday, Tanya Lorenzo told NBC 7 she had no comment about her husband not facing criminal charges.



Photo Credit: NBC 7

Stranger Offers Ride, Ice Cream to Teen Boy: Report

0
0

San Diego police are investigating a report that a strange man tried to lure a teen into his vehicle near Taft Middle School in the Serra Mesa area.

The 14-year-old boy told officers he was walking home around 4:45 p.m. Monday in the 9100 block of Gramercy Drive when a man in his 30s drove up beside him in a red car.

The boy says the stranger asked him if he needed a ride and offered to buy him some ice cream or a snack.

Feeling scared, the boy refused and called police. The suspect soon drove off.

The only description officials have right now is a man in his 30s or 40s, wearing a brown San Diego shirt, driving a faded red Toyota Corolla or Camry.

The suspect’s attempted luring was especially bold because it happened less than a mile from a police station.

Even so, parents of students at Taft Middle School said the idea of someone attempting to lure a child into a car was worrisome.

“Oh! Absolutely it spooks me,” exclaimed parent Jamie Bryant. “My daughter is 12."

The heartache of potentially losing her daughter, Becca, is the reason why she taught her how to protect herself at an early age.

"I'm one of those believers in teaching self-defense,” she said.“Get to the nearest safe place. If she's in a residential area get to a neighbor she knows and make as much noise as possible.“

Magic: I'll Pray for Sterling

0
0

Magic Johnson will pray for Donald Sterling, he said Tuesday, a day after the embattled Los Angeles Clippers owner made derogatory remarks about him in a televised interview, saying the NBA legend "should be ashamed of himself."

"I'm not a guy who holds grudges and all that. Yes, am I upset? Of course!" Johnson told CNN's Anderson Cooper, in an interview set to air Tuesday night. "But at the same time, I'm a God-fearing man, and I'm going to pray for him and hope things work out for him.”

Sterling had told Cooper on Monday, in his first interview since the NBA banned him for his taped racist comments, that Johnson is not a good role model and has done nothing for black people.

"What kind of a guy goes to every city, has sex with every girl, then he catches HIV? Is that someone we want to respect and tell our kids about?" Sterling asked. "I think he should go into the background. But what does he do for the black people? He doesn't do anything."

Sterling also blamed Johnson for his own delayed apology for the racist remarks he was recorded making in a conversation with his girlfriend, saying he held off because the legendary NBA player told him to remain silent.

Sterling said he respects and admires Johnson, and that the Hall of Famer's role in the scandal is "irrelevant."

In the recorded phone conversation that first sparked the Sterling scandal, published last month by TMZ Sports, Sterling can be heard criticizing girlfriend V. Stiviano for posting online about bringing black friends to Clippers games. He is also heard chastising her for posting a photo on Instagram with Johnson.

"I'd rather be talking about these great NBA Playoffs than Donald Sterling's interview," Johnson tweeted Monday night. "After this week, no more Sterling talk. Just the NBA Playoffs, my @Dodgers and my @LA_Sparks!" he added.

In response to Sterling's interview, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver released a statement reiterating that the league was moving swiftly to remove Sterling as owner of the Clippers.

"While Magic Johnson doesn't need me to, I feel compelled on behalf of the NBA family to apologize to him that he continues to be dragged into this situation and be degraded by such a malicious and personal attack," Silver's statement said in part.

Reacting to the recording in the immediate aftermath, Johnson had said Sterling's comments about black people were damaging to the NBA.

"I'm disappointed, I'm hurt, I'm outraged, I'm everything," Johnson said. "First, my name being associated, he singled me out personally. Then he singled out African-Americans. Again, I'm always gonna fight for myself as well as my people."

Silver banned Sterling, fined him $2.5 million and urged owners to force him to sell the team.

--Additional reporting by Will Avila and Marcus Riley


Woman Trapped in Fire Inside Cluttered Home

0
0

Firefighters rushing to rescue a woman trapped inside a condo fire Tuesday were blocked from getting inside, officials said.

One woman died when fire broke out inside the condominium in the 3200 block of Via Alicante of La Jolla.

When fire crews arrived just after 5 a.m. smoke and fire were showing from the first floor of the living portion of the three-story building.

Once firefighters headed inside the condo, they were blocked from entry.

“There was a lot of material in the unit and we had trouble navigating around it and getting through there,” said San Diego Fire-Rescue spokesperson Lee Swanson.

Officials said stacks of paper and other items cluttered the garage and first floor of the condo "making access difficult and requiring considerable overhaul to assure all embers and fire is extinguished."

The woman who lived alone in the condo was found deceased on the first floor.

No other units were damaged in the fire.

There were no other injuries. 



Photo Credit: NBC 7

Winds Down Power Lines, Spark Fire: Cal Fire

0
0

High winds knocked down power lines and sparked a fire in Dulzura Tuesday, witnesses told Cal Fire officials. 

The brush fire was first reported just before 9 a.m. along Campo Road in the East County.

There were initially three large hot spots according to Cal Fire however the strong winds helped keep it from spreading by blowing the fire back into itself.

A Cal Fire spokesperson said the fire was contained to a third of an acre on the property of the Dulzura Vineyard and Winery.

A witness says the wind knocked down a power line and it sparked, starting a fire.

At the time the flames broke out, winds were measured at 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 60 mph according to firefighters.

San Diego County was under a high wind warning and a red flag warning Tuesday with record heat expected.

“It's dry, hot, and windy which means we will be at risk of fires pretty much through Thursday,” said NBC 7 Meteorologist Greg Bledsoe.

Firefighters worked on the flames from the air and the ground.

San Diego Gas & Electric sent crews to repair the downed power lines.

An SDG&E spokesperson said the company's crews were in the area for the safety of Cal Fire crews.

The utility company said there was a wire down in the area but told NBC 7 there was no information connecting the downed power line to the start of the fire.

As of 9:30 a.m., the SDG&E power outage map showed 10 different outages affecting 10,695 customers. The biggest single outage was in San Ysidro.

For the most part, the cause says “SDG&E is assessing the outage to determine the cause.” But the one affecting Dulzura, Potrero, Campo says “We have determined that power in your area has been shut-off for safety reasons while repairs are being made.”

Check back for updates on this developing story.

 

1 Mobile Home Destroyed in Campo Fire

0
0

Two structures have been destroyed and evacuations ordered in a fire that grew to four acres in Campo Monday, according to Cal Fire. 

The blaze sparked near Campo Road -- also known as State Route 94 -- at La Posta Road around 10:30 a.m. 

The area is near Shockey Truck Trail. 

Officials say crews stopped the fire's growth at four acres, but not before it fully engulfed one mobile home.

Four homes were also evacuated, and residents were told to go to Mt. Empire Community Center as a  temporary evacuation point.

Around 1 p.m., fire crews had the fire 80 percent contained. 

The man who lost his home told NBC 7 that he had built it back in the 1980s and now will have to rebuild it. Unfortunately, he does not have any insurance, he says. He hopes that his safe inside the mobile home did not burn with the rest of his belongings.

Earlier Monday, high winds knocked down power lines and caused another fire in the Dulzura area along Campo Road, to the west of this new fire. 

Check back for more details on this developing story. 

If you have breaking news pictures, send them to isee@nbcsandiego.com or tag with #nbc7breaking on Instagram.

Fire Rages Through North County

0
0

A brush fire started near Del Norte High School in 4S Ranch on Tuesday, May 13, 2014.

WATCH: Raw Aerials of Bernardo Fire

0
0

Watch raw aerial video of the fire burning in San Diego's North County.

For NBC 7 live coverage and updated information, click here.

Bernardo Fire Burns 700 Acres, Prompts Evacuations

0
0

A rapidly spreading brush fire, fueled by dry conditions and high winds, threatened homes in San Diego’s North County Tuesday and prompted evacuations for a number of communities and schools.

Large plumes of smoke could be seen over the exclusive community of Santaluz and as far west as Interstate 5 after the Bernardo Fire sparked around 11 a.m. near Black Mountain Road west of Interstate 15.

As of 4 p.m., the fire had scorched 700 acres and sent thousands of families either heading to safer ground or preparing their homes for the possibility of evacuation.

No homes have burned and fire crews estimate approximately 5 percent containment.

Flames jumped over Camino del Sur at the same time school buses were carrying students from nearby elementary schools out of the area.

Around 2 p.m., flames estimated to be 7 to 8 feet high were marching west burning heavy brush in canyon areas just east of San Dieguito Road. 

Residents watched as fire crews from all across the county organized an attack on the brush fire from the ground and the air.

Santaluz resident Chuck Dawson said he watched as flames threaten his home.

“The heat is ferocious as you get close to it. In fact, it probably came within 25 feet of our house. Luckily we had about 30 firemen who barricaded it and it burned all the way around, but we’re safe," he said.

San Diego police officers have closed roads and are helping with evacuations. 

New mandatory evacuations were announced for Fairbanks Ranch, Fairbanks Country Club and Rancho Santa Fe.

Areas under evacuation:

  • Fairbanks Country Club
  • Circa Del Norte
  • Northern Lights Road
  • Black Mountain Park
  • Fairbanks Ranch
  • Artesian Road
  • Avenida del Terrance
  • San Dieguito/Montien Road area
  • Entrada de luz East
  • Run of the Knolls
  • Black Mountain Ranch
  • Santaluz

Evacuation centers have been established at Torrey Pines High School, Poway High School and Rancho Bernardo High School. Officials said they expect to shut down all evacuation centers and use RB High School for most of those affected.

Officials have established a command post at Del Norte High School.

A reverse 911 notification was sent to 1000 homes from the 4S Ranch, Rancho Bernardo, Ranch Penasquitos area as a warning, not a call to evacuate according to San Diego County sheriff's deputies.

An NBC 7 News crew reports that high tension wires are preventing aircraft from making drops close to the ground on the west side of Camino Del Sur.

The fire started around 11 a.m. Tuesday at Nighthawk Lane and Camino San Bernardo, near Del Norte High School.

Lee Swanson, spokesperson for San Diego-Fire Rescue, said the fire started in an area cleared for new construction.

Residents were lined up along fences watching as fire crews hosed down the brush close to their backyards.

In southeastern Rancho Santa Fe near Zumaque Street, north of the fire, residents remember the 2007 Firestorm when seven or eight homes burned.

While they have not yet been evacuated, residents say they will be ready to go if ordered to do so.

Resident of 4S Ranch Yvonne Leijen said she heard the alarms, saw the firefighters and immediately recalled a devastating brush fire that threatened the area years ago.

“It reminded me so much of the big fire in 2007,” Leijen told NBC 7.

She said she went to the gas station and filled up her car, checked on her son’s school and then returned to see how fire crews were handling the flames

“I thought, should I be smart? What should I do?” she said. “I hope the winds will die down soon.”

Crews from the San Diego Fire Department, the Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District, the Poway Fire Department and the San Pasqual Fire Department have responded to the two-alarm fire.

Two helicopters were dropping water from Santaluz Golf Club onto the flames. Earlier in the day, air tankers were using fire retardant to try and direct the flames into the open space and away from the multi-million dollar homes in the gated communities to the west.

No injuries have been reported. There is no word yet what caused the fire.

Around 900 students at Willow Grove Elementary have been evacuated - some to Torrey Pines and others to Westview High School. Students at Stone Ranch Elementary were sent to Ranch Bernardo High School, according to the Poway Unified School District. There were 700 students evacuated from Del Sur Elementary School. Oak Valley Middle School and Del Norte High School were not evacuated.

Once evacuations of the school affected are complete, the buses will be used to transport students not near the fire threat. Because delays could be hours, district officials suggest parents pick their children up for school.

As of 2 p.m. Tuesday, temperatures in 4S Ranch were 89 degrees with 11 percent relative humidity and wind gusts averaging 22 mph, according to NBC 7's Whitney Southwick.

Air support is critical now since some of the terrain is inaccessible, Southwick said.

Also, keep in mind that flames typically gain momentum as they race uphill.

As one firefighter told NBC 7, "The wind is taking it and it's gonna make it a couple a day project here."

Around 3:30 p.m., NBC 7's Dagmar Midcap said winds were measuring 10 to -15 mph. But with sea breezes coming in, Midcap said that will begin to change the wind from the east/northeast.

The Helen Woodward Animal Center was preparing to evacuate and requested people with horse trailers, who may be able to assist with horses & large animals, email social@animalcenter.org.

Refresh this link for updates.

If you have breaking news pictures, send them to isee@nbcsandiego.com or tag with #nbc7breaking on Instagram.



Photo Credit: Lauren Lee

Zuckerberg Sued By Real Estate Developer

0
0

The developer didn't build it -- and help from Mark Zuckerberg never came.

That's what one Palo Alto real estate developer claims.

So the developer, Mircea Voskerician, is suing the Facebook CEO, claiming that Zuckerberg reneged on a promise to send Voskerician business after Voskerician agreed to sell the tech titan a key piece of property, according to reports.

It all began when Zuckerberg set about buying $43 million worth of real estate in a preservation-minded spending spree, the San Jose Mercury News reported

Zuckerberg was troubled by the idea of new homes near his Crescent Park spread in 2012 and 2013, and wanted to buy up the empty lots to keep them empty.

Voskerician agreed to sell to Zuckerberg a Hamilton Avenue property for $1.7 million, agreeing that Zuckerberg would in exchange help steer other real estate business Voskerician's way, according to the lawsuit.

Voskerician says that the $1.7 million bill was a "discount," the newspaper reported, and that Zuckerberg "blew him off'" after the sale was done.

An attorney for the tech mogul says that Zuckerberg had no such deal in place and that the lawsuit is "just meritless."



Photo Credit: AP

Strangers Pay Autistic Kids' Bill

0
0

A mystery couple treated a group of 25 students with autism and their teachers to lunch last week while they were on a school trip to a restaurant in New Jersey, a gesture made even more significant on Teacher Appreciation Day. 

The special needs students from Matthew Jago School in Sewaren were dining out at Jose Tejas restaurant in Woodbridge to celebrate Cinco de Mayo and to learn how to behave in a social environment, along with 21 teachers, paraprofessionals and speech therapists.

At the end of their meal, the restaurant manager informed the teachers that the check for the whole group was being taken care of. 

"The manager came up to us and said, 'I just want to let you know that a fellow patron wants to pay your bill," said teacher Jeannette Gruskowski. "We were speechless. We were all crying." 

The couple wanted to remain anonymous, but the manager told the teachers they were regulars at the restaurant and had a grandchild with special needs. 

"They wanted to do something nice for the children, which was so touching," said principal Robert Patten.

The anonymous patrons also knew it was national Teacher Appreciation Day and wanted to give the 21 teachers, paraprofessionals and speech therapists a special gift. 

"It was nice to realize that people do such nice things, especially for kids who deserve to have nice things done for them," said Patten. 

Though the couple asked to remain anonymous, the students still wanted to show their appreciation.

When they got back to school, the students created a large card for the mystery couple and had it posted in the restaurant, hoping they will see it.

"There are no words to express how touched and grateful we are to you," the card read. "Your act of generosity will be embedded in our hearts."

The school says because the students didn't have to pay for the meal, they now have extra money for another trip or special party at the end of the year. 

Mom, Daughter Starved Puppies: Cops

0
0

A mother and daughter from Trumbull, Connecticut, have been arrested after an emaciated pit bull and her eight starving puppies were found in an abandoned home, police said.

An United Illuminated Company employee went to 2542 Main Street in October 2013, weeks after the electricity had been turned off, and saw an emaciated dog come to the front door of what appeared to be an abandoned home, police said.

Animal Control Officer Lynn Dellabianca then went to the home, where she found the starving female pit bull and eight undernourished puppies, according to police.

The arrest warrant application says the adult dog was friendly, but emaciated to the point that her ribs and backbone were showing. As officers were putting a leash on her, they heard whimpering from another room. When they went to check on the source, they found the eight extremely emaciated puppies.

The house was in shambles, with no dog food or water in sight, according to police.

The dogs were rescued and hospitalized for several days, where doctors determined that they had eaten a necklace, a pushpin, plastic and some sort of filling material. They have since been adopted.

Police arrested Charlotte Mines on March 13 and Deidra Mines on May 12. Both were charged with nine counts of cruelty to animals.

On Oct. 12, police called Charlotte about the dogs.

“Oh yeah, they all died, huh?” she asked, according to warrant application. When police informed her that the dogs were alive, but near death, she said the dogs belonged to her mother.

She told police that she had gone back to the house a couple times after the electricity was turned off to feed the dogs, but stopped because she did not have any money, the arrest warrant application says.

When police spoke with Deidre Mines, she said she left the dogs in the care of a friend, but then said it was not a good time to talk when police asked which friend was taking care of the dogs, according to police.

In the days that followed, Deidre Mines failed to return messages, according to police.

Had the women reached out to animal control, a shelter or a veterinarians' office. help would have been available.

A hearing was set for today for Charlotte.  Deidre is due in court on June 10.

 



 



Photo Credit: Trumbull Police

California Governor Releases Record-High $108B State Budget

0
0

California tax revenue is running $2.4 billion ahead of expectations, but Gov. Jerry Brown cautioned Tuesday that the windfall would go to offsetting higher-than-expected health care costs and an underfunded teachers' pension system. 

In the revised budget plan that Brown released Tuesday, the governor projected $107.8 billion in spending from the general fund, the state's main account for paying day-to-day operations, bringing total state spending to $156.2 billion for the fiscal year starting July 1. That's $1 billion more than the general fund plan Brown proposed in January.

An increase in tax revenue has Democrats in the Legislature demanding more spending to restore previous funding cuts to social services.

However, Brown said California can expect about $1.2 billion in additional costs this year for Medi-Cal, the state's health insurance program for the poor, which saw 1.4 million more enrollees than the state projected in January. Brown's office said the additional cost will climb to $2.4 billion in the next fiscal year as even more people enroll due to an expansion under the Affordable Care Act.

"People will say, 'You aren't spending enough on this program or that program, or helping low-income people.' California is going the extra mile in terms of health care," Brown said.

The governor also set aside $450 million to help pay for the growing obligation of public school teacher pensions. The state Legislative Analyst's Office has estimated the liability is nearly $74 billion.

"That was a commitment they made years ago, but they didn't pay for it," Brown said.

Brown's record-high spending plan will be debated in the Legislature. While the governor pleads caution with new spending, he has not let up on his campaign to use money from pollution credits to finance the building of the high-speed rail - which some Democrats, led by Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, now oppose.

The budget also adds $142 million to address California's drought for expenses such as firefighting, emergency response, water management, wildlife preservation and food assistance, primarily for farmworkers who lose their jobs.

The debate over spending priorities now starts in earnest, with a spending plan deadline of June 15.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
 



Photo Credit: Getty Images

SWAT Arrests Barricaded Suspect at Chula Vista Motel

0
0

 SWAT teams were called to a Chula Vista motel Tuesday afternoon to deal with a domestic violence suspect who had barricaded himself in a room with a woman and a child.

Chula Vista Police officers originally responded to a domestic violence report around 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Goodnight Inn at 225 Bay Boulevard.

When they pulled up, officers saw a man leave the room where the arguing was heard and walk to his car, but when the suspect saw police, he ran back inside.

The suspect, later identified as 30-year-old Andre Jaques (pictured below), refused to open the door when police knocked. Officers got a pass-key from the motel’s manager and tried to unlock the door, but the entrance was barricaded with furniture inside the room, police said.

The SWAT and Crisis Negotiations Teams were soon called into to help with the situation while several motel rooms were ordered to evacuate.

By 5 p.m., SWAT officers drove their armored vehicle in front of the motel room and, with a bull-horn, demanded the suspect come outside.

It was not until half an hour later that Jaques emerged and surrendered to the police without incident, the CVPD said.

In the room, police discovered an adult woman and a six-month-old child, who were unharmed.

Jaques – who had priors for assault, domestic violence and was on parole – was arrested on a felony robbery warrant, according to police. 

He is now under investigation for other charges, including child endangerment.

Bay Boulevard between E and F streets was also closed from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. due to the incident. 



Photo Credit: CVPD

Chicago Airport Delays Continue

0
0

To the relief of travelers, delays were minimal and lines appeared to be moving fairly swiftly at O'Hare International Airport by midday Wednesday.

The scene was far different than what existed just hours earlier, when thousands of people were either milling about or sleeping on benches, the floor, and baggage claim conveyor belts, victims of an incident at a Federal Aviation Administration radar facility that virtually shut down the local airspace and caused hundreds of flight cancellations.

Some customers told NBC Chicago they'd been told the backlog of flights, which already existed from severe weather earlier in the week, could take another day or two to get cleared up.

"We got here and they told us that we're not flying until the next two days," said Zaid Isho, who was traveling from San Diego, California to Detroit, Michigan.

He and his flight companions ultimately made their way to Midway International Airport to book a car so they could finish their trek but returned to O'Hare because they were unclear if luggage that had been checked through to Detroit would get to the final destination or remain in Chicago.

"It's frustrating. I'm mad, too. But you've got to do what you've got to do," said Isho.

There were just a few flight delays on the board Wednesday morning as airport crews did their best to get operations back to normal.

Inbound and outbound flights slowly began resuming at about 4 p.m. Tuesday at both O'Hare and Midway after smoke inside Chicago Terminal Radar Approach Control halted planes earlier in the day. The FAA building on Bowes Road in Elgin was evacuated of all personnel at about 11:30 a.m. after smoke was seen coming from a vent shaft inside the building, Elgin police Cmdr. Dan O'Shea said.

More than 1,120 flights were canceled between the two Chicago airports, according to the Chicago Department of Aviation. Some planes that were lined up on the tarmac left their place in line and returned to gates to avoid penalties. The U.S. Department of Transportation in December 2009 instituted new rules prohibiting airlines from keeping passengers on an airport tarmac for more than three hours.

FAA.gov: About Air Traffic Control

One traveler trying to make his way from London to San Francisco had a scheduled stop in Chicago. His flight was diverted on the way.

"They diverted us to Detroit. I sat on the ground in Detroit for 11 hours while they tried to get a U.S. Airways plane," said a clearly frustrated Dave Nordell. "I had first class all the way yesterday. Today I don't, and they're unwilling to give me miles or $75 to compensate me. They're going to put me in coach and keep my money."

The nation's TRACON facilities manage the approach and departure of aircraft for a specific airport or a cluster of airports within a defined geographic area. They differ from command centers, which guide planes through large sections of airspace. The towers at airports primarily deal with the movement of planes on the ground.

Viewing all 60603 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images