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Rivera Makes Most of Chances

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For a vast majority of major league players, you never know when your next chance at the highest level will be your last.

Nobody understands that better than Padres catcher Rene Rivera, whose journey has criss-crossed the country since getting drafted in the second round by the Seattle Mariners in 2001. He’s seen more minor-league ballparks than Max Patkin.

There’s the Inland Empire 69ers, the San Antonio Missions, the Tacoma Rainiers, the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx, the Jacksonville Suns, Las Vegas 51s, Camden Riversharks and Rochester Red Wings, just to name a few.

Then there was 2010 when, after a stint in the New York Mets organization, Rivera found himself out of the farm system and back in his native Puerto Rico, waiting for the call to get another opportunity.

“I tried to stay in the game,” he said of his time in the Puerto Rican league. “There's a lot of stuff going through your head. I always had hope to go back to the big leagues.”

Fortunately, the call came and he was back in the Yankees’ system, playing for Scranton Wilkes-Barre. A year later, he was back in the bigs with the Minnesota Twins, filling in for injured All-Star Joe Mauer.

“My friends pushed me hard and helped me stay with it,” he said.

Now in his second year with the Padres, Rivera has found himself quite a niche as a sound defensive backstop with a hint of power. In fact, he has already set a career high for home runs this season, even if that number is a mere three.

“You have to see it and react,” he said. “With all the hard work we've been doing, I know if I put hard contact on the ball, it'll go.”

He’s made manager Bud Black’s decision to keep three catchers on the Opening Day roster look like a savvy move. Now, with Nick Hundley traded to the Baltimore Orioles last month, it’s Rivera’s time to shine as he splits time with Yasmandi Grandal.

Black credits Rivera’s hard work and experience as a reason for much of his success this year, although the manager in him is quick to mention Rivera still has room to improve.

“He's done a lot of work with (batting coach) Phil (Plantier),” Black said. “He's got some power. Now for him it's laying off the breaking ball down and away.”

River says he has taken a different approach to hitting as he has matured.

“Being a bit older, I'm more prepared,” he said. “Early in my career, I was trying to hit homers. Now I see and recognize pitches and understand the homers are going to come.”

No matter what he does at the plate, Rivera has cemented his role as a pitcher’s catcher. His work with staff ace Andrew Cashner reflects that. When Cashner threw 10 straight quality starts at the end of last season and start of this one, Rivera was behind the plate for all of them.

The fact that Rivera is getting starts even with Cashner on the disabled list tells how much confidence the rest of the staff has in him calling the pitches.

Rivera takes it all in stride, no matter what his role may be.

“You just gotta be prepared. Come in ready and expect to be in the lineup,” he said. “If not, you learn and take notes and be ready to go in the game.”

If anyone knows how to be prepared for any situation – on any team in any league – it’s definitely Rivera.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Shooting Prompts Lockdown at Granger Junior High

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A middle school was locked down while San Diego County sheriff’s deputies investigated the report of a man armed with a shotgun firing one round and then driving off.

Granger Junior High School was placed on lockdown after the report was called into officials around 12:45 p.m. Wednesday.

Deputies say they searched the area and checked a home on Granger Avenue near Fenton Place.

Officials say they have not located a suspect.

The lockdown has since been lifted. No injuries were reported.

 



Photo Credit: NBCSanDiego

Woman Awakens to Growling, Masked Man in Bedroom

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A transient known to frequent an east San Diego community was arrested Tuesday, accused of breaking into a woman’s home and kneeling next to her bed as she slept in the middle of the night.

Shawn Barton, 23, was arrested in the 9700 block of Winter Gardens Boulevard in Lakeside for residential burglary and assault with intent to commit rape, officials from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department confirmed.

On Saturday, just before 3 a.m., deputies were called to woman’s home on Providence Bay Court to investigate a bizarre break-in. According to investigators, the woman was sleeping in her bedroom when she was awakened by an unknown masked intruder kneeling next to her bed.

As the frightened woman yelled at the intruder, he stood up, made some type of “growling” noise and fled the home, investigators said. The victim was not harmed.

Deputies searched for the suspect right after the break-in, but were unable to immediately locate him. Various items of evidence were left behind at the scene and detectives used to items to begin their investigation.

On Monday, detectives identified Barton as a suspect in the case. Barton – a known transient in the Lakeside area – was arrested for being drunk in public that day and detectives realized he matched the description of the man involved in the hot prowl burglary a couple days earlier.

After being questioned, Barton was positively linked to the case and booked into jail. His bail was set at $1 million. Inmate records indicate he’s scheduled to appear in court Thursday.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information on this case should contact San Diego County Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
 



Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Small Brush Fires Burn in Chula Vista

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Firefighters responded to two small brush fires in Chula Vista Wednesday, which sparked within 20 minutes of one another.

First, at around 1 p.m., crews were called to the corner of 3rd Avenue and L Street, near the golf course at the San Diego Country Club, where a fire had burned approximately a quarter of an acre and was said to have a slow rate of spread.

No injuries were reported and no evacuations were ordered.

At 2:15 p.m., the Chula Vista Police Department said the fire was fully contained. Road closures remained in place as fire crews entered the clean-up phase, including closures in the 900 block of 3rd Avenue, between L and Moss streets, and the 300 block of L Street, between 3rd and 4th avenues.

Drivers were urged to avoid the area.

Police said parents picking up students at nearby Rice Elementary School were being directed to the west side of the school, on 4th Avenue.

Meanwhile, at around 1:20 p.m., firefighters were called to a blaze at Judson Way and East Prospect Street. The small brush fire was burning on a hillside next to a field near Castle Park High School, officials said.

That hillside is backed up against homes, though no evacuations were ordered.

The fire was knocked down a few minutes later. No one was injured.

The causes of both fires are under investigation.
 



Photo Credit: Jeff Herrera

Pot Found in Cop's Storage Unit: PD

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A 20-year veteran of the San Jose Police Department has been arrested after a large amount of marijuana was found inside a storage unit he was renting, police say.

Police say the manager of the Public Storage facility at 475 Tully Road in San Jose contacted authorities on Tuesday about a strong marijuana odor emanating from the storage unit of a customer who wasn’t paying rent.

The storage facility manager called police, who discovered the weed, then found out the storage unit belonged to one of their own, 42-year-old San Jose Police Officer Son Vu. One source tells NBC Bay Area that officers found about 20 pounds of marijuana inside the storage unit.

“That’s a lot of dope,” said Bob Cooke, former South Bay special agent in charge of the California Department of Justice's Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement.

Vu was arrested for felony charges related to the possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and booked into the Santa Clara County Jail, according to San Jose Police Sgt. Heather Randol. Vu has been placed on paid administrative leave.

"We will not tolerate such conduct, especially criminal conduct, and we will hold those responsible for their actions," San Jose Police Chief Larry Esquivel said in a statement. "We are working closely with the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office to ensure this investigation is thorough and complete."

The Public Storage facility manager had no comment.

Vu is the second San Jose police officer arrested this year.

Geoffrey Graves, 38, is accused of raping a woman he had placed in a motel room to remove her from a domestic violence situation while on duty last year.

Graves pleaded not guilty to the charges in April. Prosecutors last month added charges that he assaulted an ex-girlfriend at least twice prior to the alleged rape.

 

Bay City News contributed to this report.



Photo Credit: Damian Trujillo

June Events in North San Diego

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With summertime around the corner, June is when fun events in San Diego really pick up speed. There is so much to do: from the thrill of the Polo Fields to the rush of the rides at the San Diego County Fair in Del Mar, you won’t want to miss any of the action.

The Fab Fair (San Diego County Fair 2014, Del Mar; June 7 through July 6)
Starting this Saturday, June 7, and continuing through Sunday, July 6, (closed Mondays and the first two Tuesdays), the much-anticipated San Diego County Fair is themed around the 50th anniversary of The Beatles' first visit to the United States (Get it? The “Fab Four”). This year, the fair’s Summer Concert Series features bands like REO Speedwagon and Third Eye Blind. Plus, the fair food will have you stuffed with gloriously unhealthy treats such as Smoked Jack Daniels Bacon-Wrapped Churros, Triple-Decker Krispy Kreme Cheeseburgers, and Grilled Cream Cheese Hot Dogs. Don’t forget the rides, animals and exhibits, too, which make this event fun for the entire family.

3rd Annual MusicFest & Kansas City BBQ Cookoff (Bates Nut Farm, June 7)
A hefty cash prize is up for grabs with more than 30 BBQ teams spending up to 24 hours smokin' their meats in this head-to-head blind taste competition. Tastings will be available for purchase starting at noon; there will be live music all day on three stages and an incredible silent auction. Spend the day enjoying a good vibe under a shady tree or visit the vendor and craft booths. There will be something for everyone to enjoy, including the Bates farm animals and kids' activities. Admission and parking are free. Note: no outside food or drink allowed. There is, however, a beer and wine garden for those 21 and older.

Yelp Rocks the Boat (Hornblower Inspiration, June 18)
If you’re 21+ with a Yelp account you’re invited to RSVP to Yelp’s next open party. Yelpers from all over San Diego will take over the Hornblower Inspiration to get down on the high seas! Gear up in your finest nautical-inspired outfit, come aboard and enjoy a medley of noshes, sapid spirits, live entertainment, spectacular views and more. Never taken an offshore selfie? This is one profile pic opportunity you’re not going to want to miss. For more information and to RSVP (it's not first come first serve, and you must get approved through the RSVP system), check out Yelp Events. See you there, matey.

The 2014 San Diego Polo Club Season (Rancho Santa Fe, every Sunday)
Grab your sundresses and hats – no need to wait for the races to begin! The SD Polo club kicked off its 2014 season on June 1 and matches will be played every Sunday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The club is located on 60 acres in beautiful Rancho Santa Fe, with five world-class fields on-site. There are ticket options to satisfy any group, from individual entries to VIP tables and tailgating spots. Each Sunday Funday event features an intermission exhibit, like the Power Paragliders (June 8) or Antique Bi-planes (June 15). It’s a San Diego tradition that shouldn’t be missed.

Country Run 5K (Del Mar, June 21)
Break out your short jean shorts, plaid shirts, over-sized belt buckles and chaps if you have 'em,: this County Western-themed run through the Del Mar Fairgrounds is going to have you yelling “yew-haw!” Registrants get a whole bushel of benefits, including a free cowboy hat, free ticket to the SD County Fair, free beer after the race, a concert by a Country cover band and the chance to play games like cornhole and horseshoes. There will be some of the best BBQ in town available for purchase after you work up an appetite and plenty of cool sponsors’ perks on site as well. It’s bound to sell out so register ASAP.
 

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: Getty Images

Barrio Logan Rezoning Plan Rejected by Voters

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Voters rejected the San Diego City Council's rezoning plan for the Barrio Logan waterfront.

San Diego City Council first approved the plan in a 5-4 vote last September. However, opponents launched an aggressive referendum drive, collecting enough signatures to get the issue on the June ballot.

With all precincts reporting, the San Diego County Registrar's office shows Propositions B & C earned close to 40 precent of the vote, not enough to pass.

The ongoing debate is between community activists and the maritime industry over the Barrio Logan waterfront. The plan proposed in the ballot measures would create a buffer zone between homes and the shipyards.

Supporters say the buffer would protect the community from pollution. But opponents, who have spent more than $1 million on their campaign, say the plan is bad for business and would put thousands of jobs on the line.

For California Marine Cleaning owner Matt Carr, city leaders’ attempt at rezoning was not a cure.

He has been involved in the process for six years and feels it has been biased against businesses since the beginning.

“The problems with the community plan still need to be worked out,” Carr said.

Now that Props B and C have been rejected, the Barrio Logan community plan would be thrown out and zoning changes could not be resubmitted to council for one year.

Students Exposed to Pepper Spray

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Two dozen students were taken to hospitals as a precaution after a substance believed to be pepper spray was released in a classroom at a New Jersey school Wednesday morning, officials say.

According to Maryann Dickar, chief of staff of Jersey City Public Schools, students in a classroom at PS 11 on Bergen Avenue noticed a smell around 9:45 a.m. and began coughing. The school was evacuated and fire and hazardous materials crews responded, along with police. 

Dickar said the investigation is ongoing, but at this time authorities believe pepper spray was released in the classroom. Hazmat crews checked out the building, determined the odor was isolated to that single classroom, and, within an hour, said it was safe for students to return to the building.

One security guard was treated at the scene and released. 

Parents were informed of the evacuation at the school, which serves children in kindergarten through eighth grade. 


Photo Credit: NBC 4 New York

What Is Slender Man? Meme's Possible Role in Stabbing

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For years, a tall, faceless being in a black suit has lurked in dark corners of the Internet. 

The story of Slender Man, a fictional character notorious for stalking and terrorizing children, has provided spooks and thrills for legions of online readers, inspiring a series of videos and once earning the moniker of "the Internet's monster."

But this week, that meme was thrust tragically into the spotlight, as reports surfaced that two 12-year-olds who authorities say lured a friend into the woods and stabbed her more than a dozen times may have been inspired to commit the brutal crime by the modern-day ghost story. 

The alleged attackers, who have been charged as adults, had encountered the tale of Slender Man online and "wanted to prove the skeptics wrong," according to details of a criminal complaint reported by The Associated Press. Possibly under the belief that they had to "physically kill someone" to become a "proxy of Slender," the girls plotted for months to kill their friend, according to the complaint. The victim survived the attack and is in the hospital in stable condition. 

Slender Man first surfaced in 2009, when a user on an online forum called Something Awful posted a doctored photo and fictional article in response to a call for fake supernatural images, according to the site KnowYourMeme.com and an expert who has studied the evolution of the Slender Man myth. While such creations aren't uncommon, Slender Man struck a nerve. Soon, users were contributing their own visions of the monster and versions of the terror he'd inflict on unsuspecting school children and others. 

“That particular forum just went wild with it," said Shira Chess, an assistant professor at the University of Georgia's Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication who has written about Slender Man. "They thought it was a compelling villain and so everybody just jumped on and started defining it in different ways."

In variations of the legend, Slender Man was said to "cause memory loss, insomnia, paranoia, coughing fits," according to Know Your Meme. His narrow frame was accented by tentacles or arms that could stretch and retract in some accounts.

Eric Knudsen, the man who takes credit for creating Slender Man and has reportedly since copyrighted the concept, said in an interview earlier this year that he sees the character as a creature whose "body can morph."

"I like the concept of a monster, a creature that causes general unease and terror," he said on a podcast for the program "On the Media." "Its methods are strange, its motives are completely inscrutable. So what is it doing? Why is it here? Is it taking people?"

The story spread, inspiring a spin off online video series, video games and threads on various message boards and sites dedicated to scary folklore. It has since become a popular topic on the site Creepypasta, where the two girls charged with the attack reportedly told authorities they encountered the tale. 

It's not clear what could have made the alleged attackers believe they needed to kill in name of the Slender Man. An attorney for one of the girls charged in the case says his client showed signs of mental illness. Both suspects have reportedly expressed remorse for their actions. 

Chess, the assistant professor of mass media arts, said she has not come across any iterations of the Slender Man story that invoked violence on the part of believers. She said the tragic case may highlight the need to teach youth media literacy skills that can help them sort out fact from fiction online.  

“It’s been out there for five years. They’re just looking at the fact that they see Slender Man everywhere on the Internet," she said. "If you do a search for Slender Man on the Internet, you’ll see content everywhere and it looks like it exists. There’s no disclaimer on the Internet.”

A self-described administrator of Creepypasta published a lengthy post defending the site and its signature genre, saying "placing blame solely on an interest in reading/writing about horror, paranormal, myths, urban legends, etc. for a tragedy would be off the mark." The site, the user wrote, has tried to keep mentions of Slender Man limited as that story is not its only focus. Creepypasta, the admin added, was created to cater to users in high school and older. 

"[For] the really young kids… while I don’t believe that creepy stories will cause them to become evil or sick, I do think it could scare them and/or make them very anxious!" the administrator wrote. "And if your child has issues with violent or destructive or depressive issues, it’s really important to make sure that they’re not interacting with things that will exacerbate that."

Knudsen issued a statement Wednesday saying he is "deeply saddened by the tragedy in Wisconsin and my heart goes out to the families of those affected by this terrible act." In the podcast posted earlier this year, Knudsen said he was surprised to see how far his creation had traveled online. The transformative nature of the Internet, he said, has caused him to feel less like the creator of Slender Man and more like the manager of the essence of the character. Some fans, he said, don't even believe he was the man behind the myth. 

"It's kind of a double-edged sword, the fact that as an urban legend, we seek to obscure its own past to make it seem more real. But that also makes it seem like it's something that's always been there, rather than something that's fairly recently created," he said.

"Certain people just don't want to believe that it's fiction," he added, "because it's obviously much scarier that way." 

 



Photo Credit: Flickr: mdl70

New Details in Bernardo Fire Cause

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After an extensive investigation, the San Diego City Metro Arson Strike Team (MAST) released new details Tuesday on the cause and origin of San Diego’s Bernardo Fire, including the name of the company responsible for the construction work that sparked the blaze on May 13.

According to officials, construction work – specifically flames sparked at an excavation site – caused the fire, which started off Nighthawk Lane, southwest of Rancho Bernardo.

The fast-spreading fire scorched 1,548 acres in San Diego’s North County and forced thousands of evacuations. It was fully contained many days later, on May 17, amid the firestorm that raged in the county.

According to new information released by investigators on Tuesday, the fire occurred at a construction site known as the “Camelot Site,” which was in the early stage of development.

GEOCON Incorporated was conducting soil testing on the site by digging a series of small trenches. Observers on that survey crew included a biologist, geologist, archaeologist and a Native American Preservation Specialist, investigators said.

The small trenches were dug by a backhoe operator subcontracted with Hillside Excavating.

After digging and covering one of the trenches, investigators said the survey crew started moving onto the next excavation location. As they walked away, they noticed smoke and flames stemming from the excavated trench.

The backhoe operator and construction crew attempted to extinguish the flames, to no avail.

Investigators said the blaze spread rapidly throughout the dry brush at the site. The construction crew was forced to flee to safety.

Based on witness statements and evidence, MAST investigators determined the cause of the Bernardo Fire was accidental.

While MAST has concluded its investigation, officials said the case will be reviewed by the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office and City Attorney’s Office “to ensure no laws or regulations were violated by Hillside Excavating.”

NBC 7 reached out to GEOCON on Wednesday, but a company spokesperson said the company had no comment at this time.

A public information officer for the District Attorney's office told NBC 7 that the investigation on this case is under review, and officials could not comment any further at this point.

Residents in the path of the fire praised the efforts of firefighters in controlling the Bernardo Fire, which winded its way through canyons and burned just feet from backyards and buildings.

This blaze was the first in a long line of fires that ripped through San Diego County in mid-May, primarily in the North County.

Lewis Katz Memorial Service

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Both tears and laughter filled the Temple Performing Arts Center as nearly 1,400 mourners gathered for an emotional memorial service honoring philanthropist and Philadelphia Inquirer co-owner Lewis Katz.

Heartfelt memories from family members and recollections of a benevolent and determined leader from dignitaries, like former President Bill Clinton, shed light on the life of the successful businessman who overcame a childhood spent living in poverty. 

“Once in awhile, altogether too rarely in life, someone lives and just exudes…such good will and energy and joy that they create this magnetic field that draws all the rest of us in,” Clinton said, describing 72-year-old Katz, who died after his private jet crashed during takeoff in Bedford, Mass. late Saturday night.

Clinton was one of more than a dozen speakers who honored Katz during the approximately two-hour long ceremony at Temple University, the man’s alma mater, in North Philadelphia on Wednesday, revealing a portrait of a good-humored and ambitious man who led by example.  

His children, Melissa Silver and Drew Katz, reminisced about their father, often holding back tears while addressing the crowd.

“He would kiss me goodbye through the spokes of our staircase,” said Melissa, recalling her earliest memory of her dad. “I would climb step by step to kiss my daddy goodbye.”

Katz’s 14-year-old grandson, Ethan Silver – his hands buried in the pockets of his gray suit – also took to the stage to describe his “best friend” as he swayed back and forth behind the podium.

“A couple years ago, my Poppy walked into a pet shop and he walked out with a chocolate-covered dog bone,” said Ethan, recounting a light-hearted family moment. “Of course, he thought it was a delicious Italian bakery. My Poppy loved to cheat on his diet. He ate the whole bone.”

The well-spoken teen's heartfelt speech brought about the only standing ovation from the packed house, who heard more playful memories about Katz from speakers like former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell and Democratic U.S. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey.

Wearing a kippuh in Katz’s honor, Booker described the businessman’s mischievous side.

“One of my favorite stories is how Lewis Katz on a receiving line for a president of the United States,” he continued, “made a bet with his friend that he could tell the president a dirty joke and get away with it.”

“He whispered it into Jimmy Carter’s ear, at which point, the Secret Service grabbed him and very unceremoniously kicked him out,” he said. “I don’t think there has ever been in the history of the United States, someone who was grabbed by the Secret Service and kicked out of an establishment who was laughing and smiling the entire way.”

An emotional Rendell, who spent many Sunday mornings with Katz at Bob’s Grill along the Ocean City, N.J. boardwalk, recalled Katz’s generosity.

“After we finished, they’d give us a check and Lewis would put a $100 bill on the check,” he said. “But they never knew his name and they never knew whether the check came from him or me.”

“He was a champion for thousands who never knew his name, doing things that would never make the paper,” continued Rendell, who highlighted times that Katz gave money to a disabled person on the streets of New York, provided financial aid to a student unable to pay for her final year of college, and presented gifts to a cancer patient and his family, among others instances of kindess. “He was all our champions.”

Rabbi Aaron Krupnick, who is the current leader of Congregation Beth El where Katz was a member since childhood, explained that following the Camden native’s example was the best way to honor his life.

“Temple took a chance on Lewis and that inspired him to take a chance on a lot more people,” said Rabbi Krupnick, who called a scholarship that led Katz to attend Temple as “dollar for dollar…probably the best investment Temple has ever made.”

“Do what he did and promise yourself here and now that you’ll take a chance on someone else,” Rabbi Krupnick said. “Extend a helping hand to somebody who is forgotten and disillusioned and living without hope because those people are around us all the time and the problem is we don’t see them. But Lewis did.”

Booker reiterated the religious leader’s sentiments. “Something about the pain of his childhood, something about the death and struggle that he faced did not reduce him to be selfish and angry or full of spite,” he said. “It made him more magnanimous and loving.”

Clinton and comedian Bill Cosby, a fellow Temple University trustee and Katz's undergrad classmate, also implored the audience to take action in their own communities.

“If more of us acted on our better impulses and then kept our commitments on our better impulses,” Clinton said, “think what a different world we’d be living in today.”

“You don’t wait for people to come along and do it,” added Cosby, who donned sweatpants and a T-shirt that harkened to Katz's "self made, Philly made, Temple made" success. “You do it.”

His own relatives vowed to live up to the example the family patriarch set.

“I will do everything I can to teach you everything he taught me,” Drew told his nephew Ethan.

The 14-year-old made his own pledge.

“For as long as I live, Poppy Lewis will be in my heart,” Ethan said. “I know life without him won’t be the same, but I promise his legacy will live forever.”


Contact Alison Burdo at 610.668.5635, alison.burdo@nbcuni.com or follow @NewsBurd on Twitter.

Sterling Agrees to Sell Clippers

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Donald Sterling officially announced Wednesday that he, the NBA and his estranged wife Shelly have agreed to sell the Los Angeles Clippers to Steve Ballmer for $2 billion and various additional benefits, Sterling's lawyer told NBC News.

All disputes and outstanding issues have been resolved, and the $1 billion lawsuit against the NBA Sterling filed last week has been dropped, Sterling's lawyer Bobby Samini told NBC News.

Sterling told NBC4 in an exclusive interview on Tuesday he was ready to "move on" from the team.

"I feel fabulous, I feel very good. Everything is just the way it should be, really. It may have worked out differently, but it's good. It's all good," Sterling said.

A vote by the NBA Board of Governors will be needed to finalize the sale.

Last week, the league announced that it had canceled a hearing to oust Sterling, instead moving forward to vote on the deal negotiated by his wife to sell the team. The move came on the same day Sterling's attorneys filed suit in a Los Angeles federal court against the NBA and Silver, asking for damages in excess of $1 billion.

Silver fined Sterling $2.5 million and banned him for life from the league after an audio recording surfaced in which Sterling told companion V. Stiviano not to bring black people to Clippers games.



Photo Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS

First Lady Issues Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness

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First Lady Michelle Obama has issued a challenge to mayors across the country to help the White House reach its goal of ending homelessness among U.S. military veterans by 2015. NBC 7’s Bridget Naso has details on where San Diego stands in that challenge.

Manhole Cover Blast Kills NY Driver

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A truck driver was killed Wednesday morning after a manhole cover exploded on the Cross Bronx Expressway and flew through the truck's windshield, hitting the driver in the head, police say.

The 35-year-old tractor-trailer driver was going westbound in the middle lane of the Cross Bronx Expressway near Jerome Avenue at about 5:30 a.m., according to police. A manhole cover went through the front windshield and hit him in the head. 

The truck collided with another tractor-trailer in the lane to its left, police said. The driver of that truck was not hurt. 

The driver struck by the manhole cover, identified as Jose Duran of Springfield, Massachusetts, was pinned inside and removed by NYPD's Emergency Service Unit. He was taken to Lincoln Hospital, where he later died, police said.

It's not clear what caused the manhole cover to explode. A message has been left with the Department of Transportation. 



Photo Credit: NBC 4 New York

Arrest in Stabbings of NYC Kids

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Police have arrested a 27-year-old man on parole for assault for allegedly stabbing two children in a Brooklyn elevator, killing one of them and critically injuring the other, a law enforcement official says. 

Daniel St. Hubert was arrested in the Ozone Park section of Queens shortly after police identified him as a suspect in the Brooklyn stabbings at a news conference Wednesday evening, according to the official.

Investigators had received a tip about a cell phone St. Hubert had that enabled them to track the phone's pings, the official said. That in part led police to start staking out a home of a known associate of St. Hubert.

He was carrying another kitchen knife with him when he was found, the official said.

It wasn't immediately known whether he had an attorney. 

St. Hubert was paroled on May 23 for domestic assault, and has a violent past that includes attacks on a corrections officer and a police officer, authorities said at a news conference Wednesday evening. Police say he's been arrested nine times in the past.

Law enforcement sources told NBC 4 New York earlier Wednesday that police made a preliminary DNA match on the knife used in the attack on 6-year-old Prince Joshua Avitto and his 7-year-old playmate Mikayla Capers. The boy was killed in the brutal stabbing and the girl was critically injured. 

Police Commissioner Bill Bratton would only say that police had forensic evidence linking St. Hubert to the crime.

Investigators have said the attack appeared to be random, and may be linked to the deadly stabbing of a teen blocks away two days earlier.

The suspect attacked the children with a steak knife in the building on Schenck Avenue in East New York, police said. They were both stabbed in the torso, and were believed to be on their way to get frozen treats.

The little girl has a collapsed lung and is fighting for her life, her family said.

Dozens of officers have been assigned to the corner of Schenck and Stanley avenues in one of New York's most violent neighborhoods as part of the investigation. 

It does not appear St. Hubert is homeless, as Avitto's father originally believed

-- Andrew Siff, Marc Santia and Gus Rosendale contributed to this report. 


Tilting Span of Delaware Highway Taken Off Google Maps

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One of the East Coast’s major interstate connectors has disappeared from the map -- literally.

Internet giant Google eliminated a portion of Interstate 495 in Delaware from its iPhone and Android map apps and online maps after a bridge along the highway was closed because it was tilting. The road which snakes along the Delaware River in Wilmington is used as a fast bypass of Interstate 95, the major East Coast artery.

Looking at the map Wednesday morning, I-495 ends at Exit 2 (Terminal Avenue) going northbound and Exit 3 (E 12th Street) going southbound leaving about a 1.5-mile gap on the map. (Google's satellite image continued to show the roadway.)

The highway nightmare was described by officials as a "Defcon 5" situation as crews warned motorists the tilting road will be closed indefinitely.

Officials closed the span, which carries an average of 90,000 vehicles around downtown Wilmington and to the Port of Wilmington, on Monday night after officials discovered the leaning. The worst of the four piers, support 12, is tilted 2 feet to the side, engineers found.

It’s not clear why Google decided to eliminate the highway on its map despite the roadway still standing. NBC10 contacted Google for comment.



Photo Credit: Google Maps

Kids Find Dead Couple

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A young husband and wife were found dead in their home at 73 Henderson Street in Bristol on Wednesday morning in a murder-suicide.

Authorities said children discovered the bodies of 26-year-old Alexander Ryng and his wife, 27-year-old Kyla Ryng and alerted neighbors.

The medical examiner determined that Kyla's death a homicide. She had been shot in the head. Alexander's death was ruled a suicide. He also died of a gunshot to the head, according to the medical examiner.

Kyla Ryng filed for divorce May 30, according to state court records.

The couple's three children – ages 4 years, 3 years and 20 months – were home at the time and were not injured.

A neighbor called police to report the incident around 7:14 a.m. after getting a visit from one of the youngsters.

During a news conference late on Wednesday afternoon, Bristol police Chief Thomas Grimaldi said Alexander Ryng legally purchased the weapon used in the shooting.

He did not identify Alexander and Kyla Ryng by name, but confirmed the shooting was a "domestic violence situation."

According to the U.S. Army National Guard, Ryng was a member of the Connecticut Army National Guard and was based in New London.

"We extend our sincere sympathy and condolences to the families and friends of Alex and Kyla Ryng," said Col. John T. Wiltse, director of public affairs for the Connecticut National Guard, in a statement Wednesday. "This is a tragedy that affects many communities, including our Guard. We mourn their loss. The Ryng family will remain in our thoughts and prayers."

A neighbor who did not want to appear on camera said the three children are with their grandmother. According to police, the Department of Children and Families has been notified.

Residents of the quiet neighborhood said they were shocked.

"This is a very quiet neighborhood," said neighbor Brenton Eckstrom. "I grew up here; I bought the house from my parents. That's the reason I bought it: it's always quiet."

Special Ed Teacher Accused of Having Sex With Her Student

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A Northeast Philadelphia middle school teacher turned herself in on Wednesday after she allegedly had "consensual" sex with one of her special education students several times.

Stephanie Amato, an eighth grade special education teacher at Ethan Allen Elementary School, was arrested and charged after prosecutors accused her of carrying on a "consensual" sexual relationship with her student.

Investigators say one of Amato's 14-year-old male students told the school counselor that he had sex with Amato several times at her home and in her car between March and April of this year. School officials then contacted police.

Amato, 30, was immediately removed from the school pending the investigation and was not allowed to have contact with students. She has been suspended with pay.

Amato surrendered to Special Victims Unit detectives on Wednesday and was later arraigned on eight counts including unlawful sexual contact with a minor, child endangerment and indecent exposure. She left custody after posting 10 percent of $125,000 bail, according to court records.

Photos posted Tuesday on Amato's Facebook page show her smiling with a group of teenage boys in her car. NBC10 spoke with two of the teens in that photo who told us they believe she is innocent. 

A letter was also sent home to parents of students at the school alerting them of the situation.

Jet Pilot "Followed Protocol": Military Investigators

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As military officials begin the investigation into what cause a military jet to crash into a rural neighborhood east of San Diego, questions surface about why the jet’s pilot was unable to reach a municipal airport less than 3 miles from the crash site.

The Third Marine Aircraft Wing AV-8B Harrier from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma crashed in a ball of fire around 4:20 p.m. Wednesday, forcing the evacuation of six homes.

Marine officials were on the scene of the crash Thursday picking up debris. Two homes were destroyed and one was heavily damaged in the neighborhood of tract homes surrounded by open fields and farms and located just three miles off Highway 8 in the rural community of Imperial Valley, Calif.

The pilot ejected safely and landed on the paved street near where the aircraft landed at Cross Road & Fonzie Avenue. He has since been released from the hospital and was said to be “doing well” according to Jose Negrete, spokesperson for MCAS Miramar Third MAW.

Officials with Marine Corps Air Station Miramar are working with Navy officials to determine what went wrong as the pilot was on a training flight and traveling to Naval Air Facility El Centro. There was no ordinance onboard at the time of the crash, officials said. 

The Imperial County Airport landing strip is located less than 3 miles west of the crash site.

Negrete told NBC 7 the pilot followed protocol adding that there were too many variables for speculation into what may have caused the crash.

Marines have begun surveying the damage and say they have already submitted paperwork to begin the process of reimbursing the homeowners of the three homes considered “uninhabitable” after the fiery crash.

No one in the neighborhood was hurt.

Marine officials say they offered to put the affected families at local hotels but some opted to stay with family.

Residents of three homes were allowed to return around 1 a.m.

Members of the community who have been directly affected, can contact the Marine Corps Air Station Yuma Staff Judge Advocate at (928) 269-3484 or (928) 269-3433 for assistance.

NBC 7 Coverage:

 

Del Mar Excited for Triple Crown Prospect

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All eyes will be on California Chrome this weekend at Belmont Stakes, vying for the first Triple Crown in 36 years.

Jockey Victor Espinoza has clocked in over 3,000 career wins and hopes to take California Chrome to victory.

Espinoza is a familiar face in the Del Mar racing scene. He has spent the last 12 summers racing at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club.

"Hes only about five foot one and about 110 pounds, but he is strong. Really, really strong, which is why he's terrific on a horse's back," said Mac McBride, director of media at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club.

McBride said Espinoza owns a home in the Del Mar area and lives there from July through early September.

"He likes being here. He likes the weather. He likes the beach. He likes being part of the whole summer environment at Del Mar," McBride said.

California Chrome made it to the winner's circle at the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. If he wins Belmont Stakes on Saturday, he will be the first Triple Crown winner since 1978.

"In the world of horse racing, it does not get any bigger. It’s the biggest prize of all of horse racing," McBride said.

McBride said Espinoza is one of their regular veteran riders.

"He's a funny guy. He likes to laugh, he likes to joke, and yet he’s fiercely competitive. Out on the race track, the jockeys make money if they win races. They need to win races. They need to be competitive to do that, and Victor is as competitive as a rider gets."

Off the track, McBride said Espinoza loves going to the gym and even owns two gyms. He said Espinoza also enjoys watching cartoons like Tom and Jerry.

There's a chance California Chrome will be racing this summer in Del Mar at the Pacific Classic. McBride said if he becomes a Triple Crown winner, this event could bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars and fans from around the world.

"It’ll be good for us. It'll be great for Del Mar. It'll be great for anyone involved in horse racing," he said.



Photo Credit: AP
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