Even our four-legged, furry, black-and-white friends are getting in on the latest soccer craze.

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park shared this video of a 6-year-old honey badger playing with a favorite toy, a soccer ball.

The “soccer ball” was actually a piñata that Benzy the badger played with until it popped and she could dig inside it.

Zoo staffers said zoo want to give animals a variety of enrichment items that would show play behaviors in the wild.

Venture capitalist Tim Draper and his supporters this weekend will attempt to collect more than 800,000 valid signatures for his ballot proposal to divide California into six states.

With California home to 38 million people and the nation's most populated state, Draper said the state has become ungovernable and can no longer meet the needs of its citizens.

Draper has invested $2 million into his efforts to get California split into six states:

• Northern, rural California would become the State of Jefferson
• Area from Wine Country and Sacramento to Lake Tahoe would become North California
• The State of Silicon Valley would run from San Francisco to Santa Clara County
• Much of the state's Central Valley would become Central California
• The Los Angeles County basin would be called West California
• The area from San Diego to the desert in the east would become South California

You could soon whiz across the city -- from downtown San Diego to Balboa Park -- from above.

It’s part of a plan passed Tuesday by the county’s board of supervisors to bringa gondola, or sky tram, to San Diego, connecting downtown near the Convention Center to Balboa Park near the Organ Pavilion.

County Supervisor Ron Roberts said now that the board has passed the proposal, the next step is to conduct a feasibility study to determine how – and if – to move forward.

The county allocated $75,000 to the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) to complete or find an expert to complete the analysis.

The goal is not only to provide another transit link, but to add to San Diego’s burgeoning tourism industry.

It’s “not only a transit link, but something that is fun,” Roberts said.

We asked several tourists what they thought of the idea and it was seemingly a hit.

“I think having a gondola down here would be a great time,” said Phoenix, Arizona, resident Chris Bustelik. “For tourists, we would enjoy ourselves, spend a little extra on it, take a ride off our feet. We’d do that.”

“I think that’s something pretty innovative,” echoed Oklahoma City resident Kurt Foreman. “I think a lot of cities don’t have that so a lot of places are trying to have different things and make it innovative. I would use it.”

Roberts hopes the feasibility study will be completed by the end of the year.

They’re calling it the worst kept secret in Del Mar Racing history: after months of rumors and speculation the Breeders' Cup has chosen Del Mar racetrack as the host site for the prestigious horse race in 2017.

The Breeders' Cup organization made the official announcement on Tuesday, confirming that the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club will host the 2017 Breeder’s Cup World Championships on Nov. 3 and Nov. 4, 2017. This will be the first time Del Mar has ever hosted the event.

The selection committee said it chose Del Mar because of its "reputation for outstanding racing, entertainment and first class hospitality."

Also, an improved track, luxury boxes and San Diego as a top travel destination were also important factors in the grand decision.

The president and general manager of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club said improvements to the track and the turf club were added with the Breeder’s Cup in mind.

Last September, a $5 million project began to expand the turf course at the track. This included widening the green to 80 feet with 10.7 acres of grass to allow for 14 horses, four more than the course previously allowed.

Along with a first-class track, the Breeders' Cup recognized the San Diego market as a top luxury and travel destination for the wealthy participants often associated with the race. That being said, the city chosen to host the event needed to have enough accommodations for travelers, something San Diego definitely has covered.

San Diego has at least 50,000 hotel rooms, 30,000 of which are within minutes of the Del Mar racetrack.

Del Mar Racing estimates that the 2017 Breeders' Cup will bring about $70 million in revenue for San Diego.

City leaders said they’re thrilled to welcome the event to America’s Finest City. San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer released the following statement Tuesday:

“I’m proud that one of our region’s most iconic entertainment venues – the Del Mar racetrack – has been chosen to host the Breeders’ Cup in 2017. San Diego County provides a world-class setting for this world-class event to unfold. I’m looking forward to this being the first of many Breeders’ Cups in the San Diego region for years to come.”

Meanwhile, City of Del Mar Mayor Lee Haydu also said Del Mar was thrilled to be chosen as a host site.

“As the premier racetrack on the West Coast that brings together the fun and excitement of horse racing and the natural beauty of the Pacific Ocean and the protected lagoon, the city is well‑prepared to welcome the expected high volume of attendees to this exciting event,” said Haydu.

Craig Fravel, President and CEO of Breeders’ Cup Ltd. also agreed that Del Mar was the right choice for the 2017 event.

“Over the years, Del Mar has established an extraordinary reputation for outstanding racing, entertainment and first-class hospitality. We are excited by the energy and support of the local San Diego community and their efforts to make the 2017 World Championships one of
most successful in our history,” he said.

By the way, the 2014 Del Mar Racing season begins next month and runs from July 17 through Sept. 3. A second racing season returns Nov. 7 through Nov. 30.

A police chase Tuesday afternoon on Interstate 15 north of Escondido ended in a crash, officials said.

Sheriff's deputies were chasing the vehicle at about 3:50 p.m. until the collision happened near State Route 76.

Two people were arrested, deputies said.

Sheriff’s deputies said the vehicle was originally heading south on I-15, but then got off the freeway in Rancho Bernardo, took side streets and then got back on the freeway heading north.

A Sig Alert was issued, closing Northbound I-15 to State Route 76.

It wasn’t immediately clear the circumstances surrounding the chase.

Check back here for details.

Despite pleading guilty in a corruption case involving South Bay school officials, supporters of Bertha Lopez packed the courtroom during her sentencing Tuesday.

The Sweetwater trustee was among multiple school administrators and contractors indicted in December 2012. Prosecutors say the school officials traded their votes on multi-million dollar construction contracts for gifts and other favors.

Judge Ana Espana sentenced Lopez to three years of probation as well as community service and a fine, even though her supporters asked the judge to remove the misdemeanor charge. They say she helped bring the scandal to light.

“You have no idea how courageous Bertha Lopez has been in her fight to end the corruption in our district,” retired teacher Fran Brinkman said, shaking with anger.

Despite the mark on her record, Lopez said she would do it again.

“We’re the people who went to the district attorney at the very beginning. I also went along with them, and I’m glad that I did,” she said.

“I feel that was the most important thing to do as a school board member.”

Judge Espana agreed that Lopez was among the least culpable defendants in the case and did not impose California Government Code 91002, which states no one convicted of a misdemeanor can run for elected office for four years.

“If I would consider to run again, I would run again for Sweetwater,” Lopez said. “My job is not over yet. There a lot of things that are going on, and I feel I have to finish that job in the school district.”

Former San Ysidro Superintendent Manuel Paul did not appear in court Tuesday, but was sentenced to probation, community service and a fine after also taking a plea deal.

Whole Foods Market Inc. must pay $800,000 in penalties after a judge found that stores in Southern California, including San Diego, were overcharging customers.

Whole Foods will pay $630,000 in civil penalties, $68,394 in investigative costs and $100,000 in restitution to settle the consumer protection lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court.

The case concerns stores in San Diego, Santa Monica and Los Angeles.

The lawsuit accused the popular market chain of charging more at the time of checkout for several items then what was advertised in the store. Whole Foods cashiers also failed to deduct the weight of containers when ringing up customers for self-serve items and had products that weighed less than the label. Cashiers also sold kebabs and other deli foods by the piece instead of by the pound, as required by law.

In the lawsuit, prosecutors charged Whole Foods with violating consumer protection laws prohibiting false advertising and unfair competition.

The owners of Whole Foods Inc. agreed to pay the civil penalty and agreed to be audited to ensure that all 74 Whole Foods stores in California are not committing the violations.

There are four Whole Foods stores in San Diego County: in Hillcrest, La Jolla, Del Mar and Encinitas.

Authorities are looking for a woman who pepper-sprayed workers who tried to stop her after she stole hundreds of dollars worth of designer watches from a South Florida mall.

The incident, which was caught on video, happened Monday at Bloomingdale's at the Sawgrass Mills Mall.

The video showed loss prevention workers approach the woman, who authorities said stole $1,700 worth of Michael Kors watches.

• Gator Bites Sheriff's Office Cadet During Training

The woman pulled out the pepper spray and sprayed the workers in their faces before running out the door.

Anyone with information is asked to call Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.

• Teen Killed Grandma, Drove Body Around: Police

A Kansas City teenager suffering from a painful disease posted a Facebook video expressing support for his mother after he was placed into protective custody.

Michelle Rider took her 16-year-old son, Isaiah, to Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago after doctors in three other cities were unable to effectively treat his neurofibromatosis -- a painful condition that causes tumors to grow on his nerves.

But Lurie officials -- citing Michelle Rider's requests for stronger medications -- told a Cook County Court that it was best that Isaiah be taken into temporary protective custody, saying the boy's symptoms appeared to improve when his mother was not around.

• Mother Fights Hospital for Custody of Sick Son

"She didn't do anything wrong at all. She's been there since day one," Isaiah Rider said in the video.

"They told me I wasn't able to see my mother and I was shocked, I was shocked by it."

Michelle Rider appeared in Cook County Juvenile Court Tuesday in an effort to regain custody of her son, but a decision on his status has not been made. She has not been charged with any wrongdoing in the case and the hearing will be continued July 2.

"I feel they took me away from my mom and now I'm living here in foster care with some person I barely know," Isaiah said in the video.

Hospital officials have said they cannot comment on the case because of privacy concerns.

A senior couple involved in a non-injury rollover crash last week on a Bel Air, California, street posed for pictures as neighbors and firefighters responded to help free the trapped driver.

The pictures show the woman still inside the blue Honda, which rolled onto its driver's side door. Her husband climbed out of the passenger's side door and held her purse.

• Top World Cup Scandals and Shockers
  

The couple appeared to be in good spirits, according to Los Angeles police. The woman even asked her husband for her purse so she could take a picture of herself, police said.

Firefighters helped free the trapped driver.

• Read: Sinatra Driver's License for Sale

Details regarding the Friday afternoon crash on Linda Flora Drive were not immediately available.

 

Fast food just got a little faster for McDonald’s fans.

The fast-food chain is secretly serving up a new app that will allow customers to order and pay for their meals on their phones.

The McD Ordering app is currently only available in the Columbus, Georgia, area and has not yet been publicly announced.

According to the app’s description, users select the restaurant they want to purchase from, pick the food items they want, note how they want them prepared and then scan the QR code inside the location they chose or at the drive-through.

“It’s as easy as pick it, scan it, go,” the description reads.

The Georgia pilot is the first McDonald’s-branded mobile payment app to debut in the U.S., though the company has previously used similar apps in foreign markets, according to Business Insider.

A separate app, called the “McD App,” is also available in certain markets in the U.S. and provides customers with access to special deals and coupons.

The news comes days after McDonald’s was ranked as America’s least favorite fast-food chain in terms of customer satisfaction.

After nearly 20 days on the lam, a woman has been arrested in connection with the killing of her wife, who was found dead in a San Carlos apartment earlier this month.

Tiffany Nowden-Vale, 39, was booked into the Las Colinas Detention Facility Tuesday night on a first-degree murder charge, San Diego police confirmed.

U.S. Marshals found Nowden-Vale at a home on Market Street after searching for her for the past three weeks – since her wife was found dead. Police have considered Nowden-Vale a person of interest-turned-suspect in the case.

On June 5, at around 6 p.m., Nowden-Vale’s wife, Russina Vale, 38, was found dead inside an apartment unit at the Villa De Flores complex in the 7700 block of Mission Gorge Road.

Investigators said Vale had suffered stab wounds to her upper body and was not able to survive her injuries.

Following the grim discovery, police immediately began looking for Nowden-Vale so they could question her in connection with Russina’s death. However, she was nowhere to be found and remained at large until her arrest Tuesday.

Neighbors said Nowden called Vale her wife. Nowden's Facebook page even notes she had gotten married in December. Some neighbors told NBC 7 that two women lived together in the San Carlos apartment, but had recently been fighting and had broken up.

However, other neighbors said the women were quiet and mostly kept to themselves. They were often seen walking their dogs.

Nowden-Vale was arraigned Wednesday.

Prosecutor Lindsey Carinci said Russina was found naked and dead in her bed on the day of her murder. She had suffered two stab wounds, one to the stomach and the other to the upper right arm and chest, which proved fatal.

Carinci said police searched for Nowden-Vale following the killing, but she, along with some of her personal belongings from the San Carlos apartment, were gone. She had also removed the battery from her cell phone, according to investigators, so she couldn't be traced.

Carinci argued that Nowden-Vale is considered a flight risk, and ask a judge to set bail at $2 million.

The case remains under investigation.

Carinci said the pair had gotten into a heated argument at Nowden-Vale's place of employment, Barona Casino, shortly before the deadly stabbing. Nowden-Vale was escorted off the property.

After that, the prosecutor said Russina had sent emails to friends and family saying her relationship with Nowden-Vale was over and that she planned to seek a divorce. Carinci said the relationship woes shed light into the possible motive for the murder.

If convicted, Nowden-Vale faces 56 years to life in prison.

Nowden-Vale is due back in court on July 3.

Dallas and Cleveland were named finalists to host the Republican National Committee's 2016 presidential nominating convention.

The committee will announce where it's holding the convention in August.

After Wednesday's meeting, Enid Mickelson, chairwoman of the Republican National Committee site-selection committee released a statement commending the two cities for their "ability to hold a phenomenal convention."

Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings said his city provides superior features.

“I believe we get some of the best score across all the aspects,” Rawlings said. “We’re strong in almost every one -- money, safety, amenities, the hotels, the convenience, our airports.”

In addition to Cleveland, Dallas was up against Denver and Kansas City, Missouri.

Earlier Wednesday morning, KUSA-TV reported Wednesday that sources closed to Denver's efforts to win the convention said the GOP would announce Dallas as its pick or that Dallas and Denver are the only cities still in the running. National officials with the RNC reportedly disputed that claim and said the venue decision had not been made.

Mayor Rawlings declined to comment on those early reports.

"Until I get a call from my customer that says we want to go with you, I don’t consider anything done," he said.

• Republican National Convention Site Choice Officials Visit Dallas

Dallas rolled out the red carpet for members of the site-selection committee two weeks ago, it was the GOP's final stop in the selection process.

Dallas leaders took members on a tour through Victory Plaza and the American Airlines Center, the arena that would serve as the convention site if Dallas' bid is successful.

Organizers wanted to show the committee how excited Dallas would be to host the convention and played up the AAC's proximity to hotels.

Mayor Rawlings said Dallas would benefit from the national attention of a political convention.

He said visitors at the U.S. Conference of Mayors Convention last weekend were impressed with the new Dallas.

“People get to experience it in a new way, and they go, ‘Wow, you’ve really improved this city immensely.’, ” Rawlings said.

Mickelson said that party officials had already ruled out AT&T Stadium, the Dallas Cowboy's home venue in Arlington, because it's too remote from convention hotels and support resources in Dallas.

Mayor Rawlings said Dallas will continue working to impress the Republican decision makers until the final selection is made.

“I love people coming, spending money, being in our hotels. Forget about the party. This is a nonpartisan issue to sell Dallas,” Rawlings said.

Past Associated Press articles were used for this report.

NBC 5's Ken Kalthoff contributed to this report.

A Long Island dad is accused of hitting a teenage boy in the head with a crowbar as a melee erupted when his daughter tried to fight with another teen girl, police said.

The 45-year-old father arrived at a Hicksville park at about 1 a.m. June 18 with his 17-year-old daughter and three of her female friends.

Police say the daughter got out of the car and approached a group of youths, trying to fight with another girl.

When a teenage boy stepped in to intervene, police say the father struck him on the head with the crowbar. He had a large gash on his head and was taken to the hospital.

The father and three girls fled the scene, police say.

He was arrested Tuesday and charged with second-degree assault. His attorney said the other group of kids made up the story, and that the girl was actually lured to the park and met by a mob, so her father stepped in to help her.

Last week, another Long Island parent was accused of driving her daughter to a park to fight another teen, and then joining in the scuffle.

• Mom Drives Daughter to Fight, Pushes Other Teen: Police

An electrical fire sparked at a taco shop in City Heights Wednesday morning, badly damaging the kitchen and dining area, officials said.

The blaze began just after 7 a.m. at the Tacos Si Señor shop at 4909 El Cajon Blvd. The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department said firefighters could see heavy smoke stemming from the building upon arrival.

Officials said the fire started at the back of the eatery, near an electrical panel. Firefighters had a difficult time getting inside the taco shop because it was locked up.

No one was inside the eatery at the time the fire broke out.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, but officials said it doesn't appear suspicious. The taco shop sustained approximately $100,000 in damage.

Fire crews were able to knock out the blaze before it could spread to any nearby businesses.

Many Escondido residents celebrated a victory Tuesday night after a commission unanimously voted against turning an old nursing home into a care facility for immigrant children in a residential neighborhood.

Southwest Key, a contractor with the Department of Health and Human Services, proposed a plan to convert Escondido’s Palomar Continuing Care Center – which shut down last year – into a 24-hour, 96-bed facility housing immigrant children ages 6 to 17.

The facility would be located in the 1800 block of Avenida Del Diablo. Many residents opposed the plan, fearing the facility would become more of a detention center and pose safety concerns.

The plan went to a vote Tuesday night and The City Planning Commission unanimously voted against the immigration facility.

Commissioners noted some of the same concerns residents had: inappropriate and too intensive a land use, traffic, noise and safety.

But before commissioners came to their decision after a roughly three-hour public comment session, residents gave them a mouthful.

Many residents were furious at city leaders for even considering the plan.

"It's outrageous. I'm appalled they even considered putting it there," gasped Robert Zebuda.

"It may be humane to rehabilitate these people but not in Escondido," said Thomas Goddard, president of a neighboring homeowners association.

But not everyone opposed the plan, including a retired military U.S. service member who voiced his support for the facility, much to the disapproval of most of the others at the marathon meeting, which was standing room only.

"One of these children could be the next mayor of our city. If we don’t pass this, Escondido will be the armpit of immigration on the west coast," he said as the crowd erupted into boos.

Homeowners voiced health and safety concerns with having the immigrant children near their schools and homes.

"This is a residential community. There are homes schools. It's the safety. I'm not saying these kids are bad in any way. I'd be happy to go out for free and find a proper location," noted Douglass Cummings.

Southwest Key, contracted by the federal government to run the facility, is spearheading the project. They say since October 2013 more than 15,400 illegal immigrants have come through their nationwide facilities, including shelters in Lemon Grove and El Cajon.

During that time they say only eight immigrants have run.

Tom Sutton owns the property where thee facility would be housed.

"These kids are not here to run away. They're here to be reunited with their families. They're not criminals or gang members. I visited a site,” he explained.

After Tuesday night’s vote, Southwest Key could appeal the decision within 10 days of the commission’s July 22 meeting. If that happens, the issue will be sent to a vote of city council.

San Francisco Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum threw a no-hitter against the Padres for the second time in two years, allowing just one walk in a 4-0 win Thursday afternoon at AT&T Park.

The only baserunner Lincecum (6-5) allowed was a second-inning walk to Chase Headley. He retired the final 23 batters in an effort that took 113 pitches.

Lincecum is only the second pitcher in Major League history to throw two no-hitters against the same team (Cleveland’s Addie Joss tossed no-no's against the Chicago White Sox in 1908 and 1910).

Last year's no-hitter came on July 13 at Petco Park, a 9-0 Giants win. Lincecum wasn't nearly as sharp in that game, striking out 13 but walking four and hitting a batter while throwing 148 pitches.

Today he was in control the entire game, not really needing any great plays from his defense. He put down the Padres quietly in order in the ninth inning with a strikeout and a pair of weak groundouts.

Will Venable's grounder to second sealed the deal as Lincecum's teammates celebrated around him.

"He had great concentration, great focus," said Giants manager Bruce Bochy. "Rarely you say that, but it's the third inning and I said, 'Son of a gun, this guy is really, really locked in.' You see those great athletes, when they get in that zone, and he just looked like he was in that zone early in the ball game."

Lincecum finished with six strikeouts. As if that wasn't impressive enough, he had a pair of hits at the plate.

A two-time Cy Young Award winner, Lincecum has struggled this season. He came into the game with a 4.90 ERA, allowing opponents to hit .273 on the season. But against a Padres team that is dead last in baseball in runs scored, batting average and sluggin percentage, his effort was more than enough.

"I think his secondary stuff was outstanding," Padres manager Bud Black said. "We couldn't be patient enough on some pitches, but he threw a great game."

Padres starter Ian Kennedy (5-9) took the loss, allowing four runs on nine hits in 6 2/3 innings. Buster Posey's two-run double in the seventh inning broke the game open for the Giants. Kennedy struck out eight.

Despite the loss, the Padres still won two of three games against the first-place Giants. They have a day off before hosting the Arizona Diamondbacks this weekend.

Shots were reportedly fired Wednesday afternoon in the Spring Valley area.

Sheriff's deputies believe they resulted from a gunfight between two cars full of people. Witnesses said numerous shots were fired and car windows were shot out.

No one was injured.

Several residents reported hearing shots fired in the 700 block of Grand Avenue. Deputies were searching for suspects just before 4 p.m. No one was in custody.
 

A San Diego police officer was killed in a dirt bike accident in Oregon this past weekend, officials said Wednesday.

Officer Matthew Button was on vacation in Baker City, which is in Eastern Oregon, when he was killed in the accident on Sunday, said San Diego police Lt. Kevin Mayer.

Button, 38, had been with San Diego police since 2007. He worked patrol and on the Neighborhood Resource Team in the department’s central division and had just transferred to the northeastern division.

Further details on the circumstances surrounding his death weren’t immediately released.