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

3 Kids Hurt in I-15 Crash

0
0

Three children were hurt in a Friday afternoon crash on Interstate 15 north of State Route 52, the California Highway Patrol reported.

Officers say a 32-year-old man was driving a Toyota 4Runner south on I-15 when he felt the right rear of his vehicle sink. The Toyota then entered the center median where it crashed into the center divider wall and rolled onto its roof, according to a CHP news release.

Three children in the Toyota were hurt – a 9-year-old girl, 5-year-old girl and 6-year-old girl. All kids are from Escondido. They were taken to Rady's Children's Hospital; their conditions Friday evening were not known.

Officers say they are investigating what caused the crash. Any witnesses should call Officer Lowry at 619-220-5492.


Baby Gorilla Hitches Ride on Mom

0
0

Every kid enjoys a good piggyback ride on mom once in a while – even a baby gorilla.

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s youngest gorilla – three-month-old Joanne – was spotted doing just that on Thursday, enjoying a ride on her mother Imani’s back.

According to zookeepers, this adorable balance act is a skill tiny Joanne recently mastered.

Keepers said the baby gorilla has been growing and gaining some independence over the last few months, reaching big milestones like riding on her mom’s back and crawling. She’s said to be right on track with her development for her age.

Joanne was born at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park on March 12 via rare emergency C-section. Two days later, she suffered a collapsed lung and had to undergo treatment. She received around-the-clock care until she made a full recovery.

Since then, she’s been growing stronger by the day, getting to know other members of the gorilla troop and sharing important bonding time with her mother.

Joanne – named in honor of Joanne Warren, the first chairwoman of the Foundation of San Diego Zoo Global – was Imani’s first baby and the 17th gorilla to be born at Safari Park. The facility currently houses eight gorillas. Two male gorillas in the troop, Monroe and Frank, were also born in San Diego in 2011 and 2008, respectively.
 



Photo Credit: Ken Bohn

New Wave of Undocumented Children to Arrive

0
0

News that another group of undocumented immigrants is scheduled to arrive in Southern California Friday brought out crowds of protesters and immigrant rights supporters outside the U.S. Customs and Border Protection station in Murrieta overnight. 

The undocumented families and minors from Central America will be flown to San Diego for processing as part of a federal government plan to address the nation's border crisis.

Border patrol agents set up cones and a stop sign along a road in the city of Murrieta, about 80 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles, as a crowd of protesters camped out.

Many opponents of the transfer carried anti-immigration signs and American flags.

Protesters blocked buses that were supposed to arrive at a Murrieta facility on Tuesday, forcing federal authorities to send the passengers to smaller centers in Chula Vista, Imperial Beach and Otay Mesa.

As of Friday morning, it remained unclear what time the immigrants would arrive. Protesters said they plan a repeat of Tuesday's events.

"When the buses come, you are going to see Americans that are willing to throw themselves under the bus, that's what you are going to see," demostrator Greg Allison said ahead of the migrants' arrival. "I don't care if I lose a limb. Even if the buses get past me and I lose a limb, guess what? The rest of the country is going to take notice."

Tim Donnelly said he was there in opposition. He's concerned the undocumented children will be released to coyotes and drug traffickers, with American authorities making the process easier.

"I have a huge concern over whether our government is being made complicit in completing the trafficking circle. We could have sworn law enforcement actually completing the work of the cartels and coyotes by handing children over to a trafficker," Donnelly told NBC 7.

“I believe our government is being used and everyone is overwhelmed,” he added.

Tess Stein also came out to protest the way the immigrants made their way into the U.S.

“I’m trying to make sense of what’s going on. I don’t understand where all these people are supposed to go. Why were they shipped here? It doesn’t make any sense. If someone wants to be in America, they should do it legally,” said Stein.

Orly Caitz agreed: “This nation is being flooded. This has to end.”

Among the protesters were pro-immigrant supporters, including one person holding a sign written in Spanish that read, "No tengan miedo," which translates to "don't be scared."

"I hope they know that there are people supporting them," demonstrator Briana Trejo said.

Another one of those supporters was Jasmine Vitele, who plans to volunteer as a translator for the immigrant women and children.

“I believe it’s important to be supporting the women and children coming on those buses that don’t have voices. They can’t speak for themselves,” said Vitele. “This isn’t a race issue. It’s about children and humanity.”

Gabriella Lopez felt the same way.

“We’re all immigrants. We’re all from different place – it’s what makes America what it is,” she added.

Despite the massive crowds on both sides of the debate, the Murrieta Police Department said they could not confirm whether additional busloads of immigrants would arrive in their community Friday.

In a media release, the department did say the U.S. Border Patrol had originally reported buses of undocumented immigrants could be transported to the Murrieta CBP station every third day beginning on July 1. The department said the Border Patrol would ultimately have the final say on whether or not to keep using the Murrieta station as a facility to process the immigrants from Central America.

The police department also noted that officers have been assigned outside the facility to “maintain the peace, order and safety of demonstrators.”

The department said officers arrested one protester Friday morning for disobeying an officer. He was booked and later released. Another five prostesters were arrested in Murrieta throughout the day during the demonstrations.

The undocumented families and children will be released from CBP to Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officials for additional processing.

The priority is to reunite the immigrants with families members currently in the U.S., officials said.

They will be given a scheduled date for an immigration hearing and will be expected to return.

Undocumented immigrants are typically released in anywhere from eight to 36 hours after detainment, officials said.



Photo Credit: Travis MacKenzie

San Diegans Celebrate 4th of July

0
0

San Diegans flocked to beaches and hosted outdoor BBQs in celebration of the 4th of July.

Locals Flock to Beaches for the 4th

0
0

San Diegans got up bright and early Friday morning in order to secure prime spots at local beaches for their 4th of July celebrations.

By 6 a.m., some areas were already crowded, including Mission Beach, where it was becoming increasingly difficult to even find a parking space.

One San Diegan and his family managed to snag one of the last spots on the grass near the Mission Beach boardwalk. The family happily set up their canopy, tables, chairs and food for their gathering.

But getting that prime beachside spot didn’t come easy. The family said they arrived at the beach at 2 a.m. to claim the area.

“We’re really happy to be here. If this was a ‘Monopoly’ board game, this would be Park Place and Boardwalk – we have the best real estate,” said the father. “We’re just happy to celebrate the 4th of July.”

Meanwhile, more canopies and daytime campsites popped up all along the grass and sand as locals brought their towels, boogie boards and chairs out to the beach for a day of festive fun.

And the crowds were expected to grow throughout the day.

By 9:15 a.m., the San Diego Police Department tweeted that the parking lots at the beaches were at full capacity.

According to San Diego Lifeguards, the 4th of July weekend is traditionally the busiest weekend of the year across local beaches and Mission Bay Park. In 2013, more than one million people visited the beaches and San Diego Lifeguards conducted 423 water rescues.

This year, lifeguards said elevated surf is expected, as well as strong rip currents throughout the weekend. Officials warn beachgoers to take precautions and listen to lifeguards if they plan on swimming. Beachgoers should also obey all posted signs and warning flags.
 



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

Banner Fire Victim Revisits Ruins of Home

0
0

After a fast-moving fire destroyed John Raifsnider’s home Thursday in Whispering Pines, he returned home to see what was left.

“Whew. My first impression so far is ‘wasteland,’” Raifsnider said.

Gone was his collection of more than 5,000 books, including some rare first editions. Even his car was reduced to a melted hulk of metal.

But Raifsnider was surprisingly composed as he stopped Friday to thank firefighters for saving what was most important: lives in the Whispering Pines neighborhood near Julian as well as 200 other homes.

He lived in the home surrounded by wildlife and privy to beautiful sunrises for nine years.

“It was a very large house. It had three levels,” he said. “It was very tall. It was up in the trees.”

Raifsnider recalled Friday how the flames swept up the canyon that fronts his property.

"The sound of it was a roaring sound, and it caused a wind, and the heat, you could feel if you stayed here too long, your skin would blister off,” he said.

Once he was alerted that Cal Fire was ordering an evacuation because of the Banner fire’s threat, Raifsnider managed to escape safely with his two pet cats, laptop, phone and iPad.

Other than that, all he had were the clothes on his back. He said that the fire taught him that physical possessions are not what’s most important in life.

"We're all hunkered down in our secure place you know. We try to protect our little world, but it's so precarious, because we all know, this could be anyone, any time,” he said.

Raifsnider has insurance on his house, though he’s not yet sure he’ll rebuild on his current property. Amid the destruction, he knows nature will recover – and he will, too.

"Seeds will begin shooting up from here, and I will be spouting somewhere myself," he said.



Photo Credit: John Raifsnider

Lifeguards Search for Child Who Fell Off Jet Ski

0
0

San Diego Lifeguards launched a search in the waters off Ski Beach and Crown Point in Mission Bay Friday after a child reportedly fell off a jet ski, officials said.

According to a report from witnesses, a jet ski had been towing the child, who was on a tube, when the child fell off the floatation device and into the water. Lifeguards were called around 4:45 p.m. and were unable to immediately locate the child or the jet ski in the water.

San Diego Lifeguards sent divers into the bay. A helicopter also scoured the area overhead.
As of 6 p.m. the child had not been located and witnesses were still being interviewed.

Check back for updates on this developing story.
 



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

Sailor Surprises Family at July 4th Parade

0
0

A US Navy sailor on leave surprised his unsuspecting parents along the Arlington 4th of July parade route.

Photo Credit: Tim Ciesco, NBC 5 News

37 Shot, 3 Fatally, in Chicago

0
0

A surge of overnight violence struck Chicago on the Fourth of July with at least 22 people shot overnight, bringing the total number of people shot since the long holiday weekend began to 37.

The holiday’s latest homicide involved a young man who was killed late Friday night after being shot by police officers in the Portage Park neighborhood.

Police said officers approached the man just before 10 p.m. in the 3800 block of North Cicero Avenue when they saw “an object protruding from his waistband” and tried to stop him. The man fled the scene and pointed a “large revolver” at pursuing officers, according to a statement from Chicago police.

“He takes his left hand and pulls something out from under his arm, put it in his right hand and starts to turn,” said Fraternal Order of Police spokesman Pat Camden. “He’s got a .44 magnum with a 8- to 10-inch barrel.”

Police then fired shots, fatally striking the man.

According to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office, the man is believed to be in his late teens or early 20s.

The shooting marked the third police-involved shooting in 18 hours.

At least two others have been killed in shootings since Thursday.

The first homicide took place shortly after 4 p.m. Thursday in the 3800 block of West Monroe Street when two women were shot in the East Garfield Park neighborhood on the city’s West Side.

One woman, 21, was shot in the head and pronounced dead at the scene, police said. The second person, also 21, was shot in the arm, police said.

On Friday, a man was killed and another man was wounded in a shooting at a strip mall at 63rd Street and Damen Avenue.

Police said the men were standing outside a building when a black vehicle pulled up and someone inside the vehicle opened fire, striking both men.

A 34-year-old man was taken to Holy Cross Hospital and later pronounced dead. A 35-year-old man was taken to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County in critical condition, according to Chicago Police News Affairs Officer Janel Sedevic.

Area South detectives are investigating the shooting, police said.

At least 21 others were wounded in Fourth of July shootings Friday night through early Saturday morning.

  • Just before 10:30 a.m., a 33-year-old man was shot in the leg and abdomen in the 8700 block of South Houston Avenue, police said. The man was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in serious condition.
  • A 26-year-old man was shot in the buttocks in the 9600 block of South Avenue L around 5:20 a.m. Saturday. He was taken to Trinity Hospital in good condition, according to police.
  • Around 5 a.m., a 33-year-old man was shot in the 5200 block of W. Washington Boulevard. The man, who police said was highly intoxicated and uncooperative, was shot in the right leg and taken to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County in good condition. Police were still attempting to located the crime scene Saturday morning.
  • A 33-year-old man was shot in the city’s Austin neighborhood around 3 a.m. The man was listed in guarded condition at Stroger Hospital with wounds to the back and neck after being shot in the 700 block of North Lavergne Avenue, according to authorities. Police say he was involved in a verbal altercation with a group of people in a van. During the argument, the people exited the van and one person punched the victim before another fired shots at him. The offenders then fled northbound on Lavergne Avenue.
  • About two hours earlier, a 35-year-old man suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the body in an apparent drive-by shooting in the 2800 block of South Homan Avenue, police said. The man was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition.
  • In another possible drive-by shooting, a 31-year-old man was shot in the shoulder around 1:10 a.m. in the 1800 block of South Allport Avenue in the Pilsen neighborhood. The man transported himself to Stroger Hospital in good condition.
  • Two people were shot just before 1 a.m. in the city’s Englewood. Two suburban teens were driving near 58th and Laflin streets when gang members opened fire on their car, according to Chicago Police News Affairs Officer Janel Sedevic. A 16-year-old boy was shot in the shoulder and taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in good condition and a 17-year-old suffered a graze wound to the arm and was taken to Saint Bernard Hospital and Healthcare Center in good condition. Police believe the teens were mistaken for rival gang members. Area South detectives are investigating.
  • Around the same time, a 30-year-old man was shot in the parking lot of a Walgreen’s at 63rd Street and Austin Avenue. Police said the man was standing in the parking lot when someone approached him and opened fire. The victim is a documented gang member, police said.
  • Around 12:30 a.m., a 17-year-old boy was shot in the ankle after someone fired shots from a passing vehicle. The teen was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in good condition, police said.
  • At about 11:40 p.m. a 26-year-old man was shot while celebrating with relatives in the 7600 block of South Oglesby Avenue. Police said the man was in the front of a residence talking with relatives when two offenders wearing dark-colored hoodies walked up and began firing handguns. The victim was struck in the right arm and torso and taken to South Shore Hospital in stable condition.
  • Twenty minutes earlier, a 26-year-old man was shot twice in the leg in the 5100 block of West Wabansia Avenue in the North Austin neighborhood. He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in good condition.
  • Just before 11 p.m., two people were shot during an argument in the 11700 block of South Union Avenue. Police said a 23-year-old woman was driving with her brother when she got into an argument with a 22-year-old man in another vehicle. The 22-year-old man fired at the woman, striking her in the arm and her brother then shot the man two times in the torso. Both the woman and man were transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center in stable condition. Charges are pending against the brother and the 22-year-old offender, police said.
  • Around the same time, three people were shot at a party in the Altgeld Gardens neighborhood. Police said a large party was being held in the area when shots were fired into the crowd. A 24-year-old man was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center with a wound to the buttocks along with a 26-year-old man who was shot in the head. Another 24-year-old man was shot in the back and taken by someone at the scene to Roseland Community Hospital but he was later transferred to Advocate Christ Medical Center, police said. All three were listed in stable condition.
  • Around 10:30 p.m. a 34-year-old woman was shot near 71st Street and Carpenter Avenue after she told police four or five men fired a gun in her direction. She was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center with a wound to the leg and was listed in good condition.
  • Just before 10 p.m., a 26-year-old man shot himself in the leg in the 700 block of North Christiana Avenue in the East Garfield Park neighborhood. The man was taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition.
  • Around 9:15 p.m., a 40-year-old man was wounded by a falling bullet while drinking with friends in the 5000 block of North Kildare Avenue. The man was treated and released from a nearby hospital.
  • An 18-year-old man was shot in the stomach at about 6:35 p.m. in the 6700 block of South Wolcott Avenue, police said. He was taken to Stroger Hospital in serious condition. Details surrounding the shooting were not immediately available.

At least 11 other people have been shot since Thursday afternoon.



Photo Credit: NVP/NBCChicago

Fourth of July House Fire Sparked by Fireworks: Officials

0
0

Officials believe a fire at a suburban Illinois home Friday night was sparked by fireworks.

Firefighters with the Orland Fire Protection District responded to the 11200 block of Poplar Creek Lane in Orland Park around 9 p.m. Friday, just minutes before the city’s official Fourth of July fireworks display was set to begin, after neighbors spotted flames on the roof of a home in the area, according to Town of Cicero spokesman Ray Hanania.

Officials said the flames were confined to an attached garage with a cedar-covered roof.

The cause of the fire was determined to be fireworks used by someone in the area and the Orland Park Police Department was questioning one person in connection with the incident as of Saturday morning, officials said.

“People watch as fireworks shoot up into the sky, and when done professionally, it is fun. But when it is done individually, the individuals forget that’s sometimes the fireworks can come back down and cause damage to property,” said OFPD Chief Ken Brucki. “Fortunately, this home fire, which we believe was caused by the use of fireworks, did not result in any injuries but it did cause what could have been a major fire that would have changed the lives of the people living in the home.”

Brucki said several other fires caused by fireworks were reported in the area but were considered “outdoor situations.”

Police were on alert for fireworks Friday and Brucki said they will continue to be on alert through the holiday weekend.

“This is another reason why we constantly urge the public to leave the fireworks to the professionals,” said OFPD Board President Jim Hickey. “They look beautiful when they are fired into the sky at night but no one thinks about the consequences of when the fireworks come down on property. You need professionals there to manage the fireworks and professional firefighters on standby to respond to any injuries or fires.”



Photo Credit: Ray Hanania/NBCChicago

Shark Bites Man off LA Beach

0
0

A long-distance swimmer was in stable condition after being bitten by a white shark near Manhattan Beach Pier on Saturday.

The 7-foot juvenile shark bit the 40-year-old man about 9:30 a.m., the Los Angeles County Fire Department said. The incident took place several hundred yards from the pier near a buoy.

Officials said the shark was hooked to a fisherman's line and the swimmer got too close. The swimmer was injured when the shark tried to bite through the line and ended up biting him under his arm.

Witnesses said the shark, which will become what is commonly known as a great white once it matures, appeared agitated prior to biting the swimmer, fire officials said. It continued to follow the victim after the bite.

A lifeguard placed the victim on a rescue paddle board and several people rushed to help bring the victim out of the water.

"He was laying on it holding his chest," said witness Justin Hoot. "He had some large lacerations on his side muscle showing."

"A lot of screaming and yelling," said another witness. "It was horrible. I couldn’t even watch it."

The Manhattan Beach Fire Department, who also were called to the scene, took the victim to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. The swimmer was awake and talking to paramedics. He was expected to survive.

"It wasn't a full-size bite," said Capt. Tracy Lizotte of the LACFD. "It didn't seem to be a large bite."

Some witnesses said a group of three fishermen attracted the shark by throwing bait into the water. The fishermen were questioned, but were not cited.

A fisherman who was with the group that hooked the shark said they were looking to catch and release bat rays and tiger sharks. He said they kept the shark on the fishing line because they did not want to release it near people in the water.

As a precaution, officials closed the beach for several hours about 1 mile north and south of the Manhattan Beach Pier. It was reopened about 3 p.m.

Manhattan Beach police said fishing will not be allowed on the pier until Tuesday, July 8.

Shark sightings off the coast of Manhattan Beach have become a daily occurrence, officials said.

Marla Fain, Kate Larsen and Willian Avila contributed to this report.



Photo Credit: Mimi Miller

4 Killed in 4th of July Crash

0
0

Family members are mourning a couple killed in a car crash while traveling to a Fourth of July barbecue with their 13-year-old son.

The couple was among four people killed Friday in a head-on collision in southwest suburban Bridgeview, in a crash that witnesses say stemmed from a street racing incident.

Police, citing preliminary information, said a 2010 Camaro, driven by 21-year-old Aiman Salen, was traveling northbound on Harlem Avenue when the vehicle collided head-on with a Dakota pickup truck traveling southbound.

The driver of the pickup, Hector Gonzalez, 48, of Chicago, and his wife Maria Gonzalez, 52, of Chicago were pronounced dead at the scene.

Salem, of Worth, and a passenger in the Camaro, identified as Alaa Mustafa Alkhatib, 24, of Palos Hills, were also killed in the crash.

A juvenile passenger in the pickup, which family members said was the Gonzalez's 13-year-old son, was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries, according to police.

"I'm going to miss [my dad] a lot," said the couple's son Martin Gonzalez, who was not involved in the crash. "And there are people who know him that are going to miss him a lot too."

Witnesses said it appeared the Camaro was racing another car on the street before the crash.

"It didn't have to happen," said witness Lorie Heklowski. "It's sad that the white pickup and their family are suffering because somebody chose to, you know, race drag down the street."

Heklowski said witnesses found the teen alive in the pickup truck after the crash and cut him out of his seatbelt.

"I was by [the witnesses], talking to [the boy], trying to tell him to stay calm, stay down because he kept trying to get up," she said.

Police could not confirm details on what caused the crash and would not say whether street racing was involved, but said the incident remains under investigation.

"Four people lost their lives because of stupidity," said witness Debbie Heradia. "It is a shame."

Four red hearts with each of the victims' names sit at the scene of the crash.

"No child deserves to lose both parents," said neighbor Sonja Clincy. "It's sad."

Top Sunscreen Choices for Kids Explained

0
0

Should your children use the same sunscreen that you use? NBC 7’s Consumer Bob reports on the tricks for warding off the rays.

Photo Credit: Bob Hansen

4.6-Magnitude Quake Near Big Bear Lake

0
0

A 4.6-magnitude earthquake was reported near Big Bear Lake Saturday morning, according to the US Geological Survey.

The first quake was reported at 9:59 a.m. about seven miles from the lake. An aftershock, a magnitude-2.7, was reported within about two minutes of the original temblor.

No damage had been reported as of 10:10 a.m., according to the San Bernardino County Fire Department.

A SigAlert was issued for all lanes of the 18 Freeway near Big Bear Lake after reports of rock slides about a half hour after the earthquake. It was unclear whether the quake and SigAlert were connected.

Several people had called NBC4 in Los Angeles to report feeling the quake. People on Facebook reported feeling the temblor in Palm Springs area, Huntington Beach, Covina, Murrieta and Anaheim.

Meanwhile, in San Diego, some residents across the county also reported feeling the earthquake.
 



Photo Credit: USGS

EXCLUSIVE: Undocumented Immigrant Mother Shares Story

0
0

The release process has begun for the undocumented immigrant families flown from Texas to San Diego as part of the federal government’s plan to address the nation’s border crisis, including one young mother who said she fled her country due to escalating violence.

On Saturday, NBC 7 spoke with a 26-year-old undocumented immigrant mother outside the federal building in downtown San Diego. The mother, who asked to remain anonymous, was there with her three children, ages 10, 9 and 4.

According to the woman, who hails from Honduras, she brought her children to America due to the violence in their country, which she said includes the kidnapping and killing of young children. She said her husband is a police officer in Honduras who had received threats against their children.

"In our country, you can't have kids, you can't be an honest person," the mother said in Spanish, fighting back tears. "If you are, the gangs will kill you."

She saw no way out but to flee to America -- even if she had to do it illegally. She has a brother in Oklahoma with whom she'll soon be reunited. On Sunday, she said he was on his way to pick her and the kids up.

The mother said she’s unsure what her future holds in America. She said she’ll have to wait and see what an immigration judge has to say about the fates of herself and her children.

Sitting on a bench next to her was another undocumented immigrant mother and her two children from El Salvador. She chose not to speak to NBC 7 but did say there were a dozen more immigrant families inside the federal building being processed.

Both mothers said they arrived to San Diego on a plane from Texas on July 1. They both said that plane was filled with all mothers and children together and no unaccompanied minors.

Despite the release of these families, just as in recent days, a spokesperson from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) told NBC 7 she had no information regarding how many of these families had been released in San Diego.

She said officials would not be providing that information for security reasons.

The spokesperson also said the wave of undocumented immigrants tranferred to San Diego this week included either children with a parent, children with a relative and adults. She said ICE is not handling unaccompanied undocumented minors.

Two rounds of undocumented immigrants have been flown to San Diego this week – one group on Tuesday and the other group on the 4th of July.

After disembarking a charted aircraft at the San Diego International Airport, Tuesday’s group of approximately 140 undocumented immigrant mothers and children were transferred onto Homeland Security buses and driven to Murrieta, bound for a U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility.

However, heated protesters in Murrieta blocked the buses from entering, forcing federal authorities to send the passengers to smaller processing centers throughout San Diego County, including Chula Vista, Imperial Beach and Otay Mesa.

Friday’s group was also expected to be shuttled to Murrieta, but that never happened. Instead, they were bussed to a San Ysidro processing station and an immigration office in downtown San Diego.

According to federal authorities, the undocumented families and children will be released from CBP to ICE officials for additional processing. However, the timeline for all of this remains unclear.

Officials said the priority is to reunite the immigrants with family members currently living in the U.S.

They will be given a scheduled date for an immigration hearing and will be expected to return to federal authorities. Undocumented immigrants are typically released in anywhere from eight to 36 hours after detainment, officials said.
 



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

Toddler Missing in NYC Park Drowned

0
0

The lifeless body of a 2-year-old girl who had been reported missing in Brooklyn's Prospect Park on Saturday was found in a section of the park's lake.

Ruhshona Kurbonova was retrieved from the lake in early evening after she was reported missing at around 1:10 p.m. near the park's boathouse, police said.

Police SCUBA divers searched the lake for the toddler and found her at around 6 p.m.

Ruhshona had been with her 3-year-old brother, who was found soaking wet by a person who called 911 and notified the child's parents. Ruhshona's mother then realized her daughter was missing, police say.

The toddler had been attending a family barbecue in the park.

Onlookers said the girl's mother had to be taken out of the park on a stretcher because she was so distraught upon learning that her daughter was dead.

 

Stolen Sept. 11 Flag Returned

0
0

An American flag that flew over the World Trade Center ruins and was given to the sister of a fallen firefighter has been returned after it was stolen last week.

The flag showed up back on Melissa Brengel's Long Island porch Thursday. 

The person who took it returned it to the Huntington home with a note that said, "I am so sorry, I had no idea."

The flag is particularly special to Brengel and was given to her by the September 11th Families Association.

"We put it out during certain times of the year just to remember," she said.

Brengel's brother Jonathan Ielpi was a 29-year-old FDNY firefighter working out of Squad 288 in Queens when he died on Sept. 11.
 

Illegal Fireworks Cost Man Hands

0
0

An accident involving illegal fireworks has cost a South Bay man both of his hands.

The accident happened Friday night in San Jose near Cassel Park, while the man and his family were celebrating the Fourth of July.

The victim had his right hand amputated, and on his left hand, doctors were able to save two of his fingers.

Family members said he is a construction worker, and this accident most certainly cost him his job.

Forty-year-old Alazar Ortiz was lighting what family members described as a professional grade explosive, the kind used in large fireworks displays, when it prematurely exploded.

Ortiz was lighting that device in his mother’s driveway on Leeward Drive just before 10 p.m. Friday, as his family watched.

On Saturday, family members said they are heartbroken. And they said they have a message they want others to hear about the danger of buying and lighting illegal fireworks.

"So what we’re trying to do is to get those fireworks out of the streets, and especially, from that store," Ortiz's nephew Luis said. "For $50, he blows his two hands."

Family members say Ortiz bought the explosive device at a market in San Jose, and police are now investigating that store.

In addition to losing his hands, Ortiz also suffered burns on his face and ears.

His mother said she just thanks God that he is alive.

OTL Will Go On, Booze Permitted

0
0

San Diego’s famous Over the Line Tournament (OTL) will go on as planned this month and participants will be allowed to bring their own alcohol to the bayside event, city leaders announced Wednesday.

The City of San Diego has granted a special events permit that allows for all ages attendance to the 61st annual event hosted by the Old Mission Beach Athletic Club (OMBAC), as well as permission for the public to bring booze to the event – the same rules as in years past.

San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer said not making any changes to the iconic summer event is the way to go.

“For the past six decades, Over the Line has become part of the fabric of San Diego. This announcement means thousands of San Diegans and visitors from across the world will be playing Over the Line on the sands of Fiesta Island just like they have since 1954,” said Faulconer.

This year the tournament is scheduled for the weekends of July 12-13 and July 19-20 on Fiesta Island in Mission Bay. The rowdy beach baseball tournament involves spirited teams – often in silly costumes with equally colorful team names – whose primary objective is to hit the ball “over the line” about 55 feet in front of the batter.

According to OMBAC, the tournament was the target of a lawsuit last year that nearly resulted in its cancellation. With the threat of litigation looming over this year’s event as well, OMBAC had planned to modify this year’s event with additional restrictions on alcohol sales.

However, in the end, OMBAC revised its permit application to reflect the tournament’s original, traditional plan and the city approved it earlier this week, so the sandy show will go on.

In a statement released Wednesday, City Attorney Jan Goldsmith said leaders stand by their decision.

“Over The Line is a San Diego tradition that the City welcomes. There was no legal basis for last year’s lawsuit seeking to cancel OTL and we are prepared to defend the City’s permission for the event, again, if necessary,” said Goldsmith.

In addition, San Diego Police Department Chief Shelley Zimmerman had this to say about the approved permit for OTL: “The San Diego Police Department has had a long standing, collaborative and successful relationship with OMBAC. We appreciate everything OMBAC has done to ensure the Over the Line tournament is enjoyable and safe for all.”

By the way, in order to enjoy OTL safely and responsibly, event rules prohibit attendees and participants from bringing glass containers to Fiesta Island.

Besides bottles, there are no bicycles, dogs, babies and fighting allowed at OTL. Public displays of nudity or violations of San Diego Municipal Code will not be tolerated.

According to event organizers, OTL began 61 years ago when three guys couldn’t snag a volleyball court and instead came up with the bat-and-ball game to play in the sand.

Since then, it has grown exponentially into a two-weekend summer event featuring sports, food, entertainment and more than 1,200 three-person teams from all over the world vying for trophies awarded across 10 divisions.

For complete details on OTL, visit the event website.
 



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

OB Marshmallow War Mellows Out

0
0

When fireworks ended in Ocean Beach on the 4th of July, the annual marshmallow fight began – only this time, it was considerably mellower.

Instead of a full-out war like last year, revelers – still enthusiastic and in patriotic spirits – threw some of the treats back and forth and played a bit, but refrained from getting too swept up in the action.

The marshmallow war had been on the minds of OB residents for many months leading up to Friday, especially OB Town Council leaders who urged people not to participate this year.

Opponents argued the event has gotten out of hand in recent years, creating a dangerous atmosphere and gooey, sticky mess around the small seaside community.

Last year, OB leaders received reports of people throwing flaming and frozen marshmallows at one another, leading to some children and elderly passersby being hurt by the flying sweets. Leaders even heard of someone putting batteries inside a marshmallow before hurling it into the air.

Business owners and residents also had to deal with a lot sticky aftermath last year and tedious clean-up efforts.

As a result, the OB Town Council launched its “Mallow Out on the 4th” campaign this year asking revelers to skip the marshmallow fight and find other ways to entertain themselves.

OB businesses were asked to monitor how many bags of marshmallows they were selling, while San Diego police officers helped patrol the streets in an effort to keep the marshmallow madness to a minimum.

Steve Grosch, an OB business owner and member of the town council said the “Mallow Out” campaign had received positive feedback.

“People understand our message and that [the marshmallow fight] has done a lot of damage to our community,” he said. “It costs the business district thousands and thousands to clean up. It’s literally volunteers on their hands and knees scraping the marshmallow goo off the sidewalks.”

In the hours leading up to the event, Grosch and other town council members spent time talking with beachgoers and doing a bit of friendly bartering.

In exchange for their bags of marshmallows, Grosch gave beachgoers a “Respect OB” sticker or “Mallow Out” T-shirt.

Grosch said scaling down the marshmallow fight is in the best interest of the community, as what began as a fun, light-hearted event has really changed.

Grosch said the marshmallow fight began in the 1980s when two OB families – including his father – tossed the treats at one another in good fun. It grew more and more from there and became a July 4th tradition.

“It was a lot of fun for a lot of years and the tradition remained family friendly, but then in the last few years it jumped into the street and turned into something completely different,” he said. “It turned from family friendly into something kind of dangerous down here and not only that, but the cleanup afterwards is just horrific.”

On Friday night, as the marshmallows began to fly, some beachgoers took part while others chose to depart.

Mother Beth Viquesney said she’s been watching the fireworks in Ocean Beach for the past 10 years, but leaves right after to avoid getting her family caught in the marshmallow fight.

“It’s gotten pretty violent, which can be uncomfortable with little kids around. Every year, we turn the car around,” Viquesney told NBC 7. “I’m not taking any chances with little ones.”

Meanwhile, others said the event was harmless.

“There’s good fun to it as well,” said Katarina London.

Val Orloff said he was just there to have a good time, not to cause trouble.

“[We’re here] just to throw them. People have fun. These are soft – I don’t want to hurt anybody,” Orloff said.

“It’s just the build-up and it’s just crazy. People do it every year and that’s all it is. It’s all fun,” said another attendee. “People are going to do it no matter what. The more you tell people not to do it, the more they’re going to want to do it.”

According to police, no one was arrested in connection with the marshmallow war this year.

OB Town Council members and volunteers coordinated a beach clean-up Saturday along with the San Diego Surfrider Foundation to pick up the post-4th mess along local beaches, including any wayward marshmallows.

By midday, the Surfrider Foundation reported that nearly 650 volunteers had combed four local beaches collecting 1,410 pounds of trash and 326 pounds of recycling. This included 489 plastic bags, 983 pieces of styrofoam and 14,796 cigarette butts.

The foundation said this was a significant decrease in the amount of post-4th trash collected at beaches in recent years, perhaps due to the mellowing out of the marshmallow fight, at least in OB.



Photo Credit: kawaiicookie/Instagram
Viewing all 60603 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images