As a community still in mourning approaches the day when Poway teen Chelsea King disappeared, a local teacher is planning out a month that will celebrate the teen’s positive impact.

Teacher Jen Strachan’s “Chelsea Challenge” is a list of positive daily actions to celebrate Chelsea’s life. The 17-year-old was kidnapped, raped and murdered three years ago while running around Lake Hodges.

Friday, the “challenge” is to smile – not too difficult, but it’s one of the things family and friends most loved about Chelsea, Strachan said.

Saturday, Strachan and other teachers and students in Poway will be making someone laugh. The next day, they’ll thank someone for making a difference.

In the years since the tragedy, Chelsea’s family has been actively working to promote a positive message in Chelsea’s honor. In speaking events at schools, Brent King, Chelsea’s father, tells young students about the pleasant lessons he learned from his daughter, and avoids dwelling on the details of her murder.

Strachan, who also works with the Chelsea’s Light Foundation, came up with the idea to commemorate each day leading up to the three-year anniversary of Chelsea’s death with a positive act. She ran it by Chelsea’s parents, who helped brainstorm the 28 challenges.

“Everything that happened to Chelsea was so negative that her parents wanted to do something to make it positive,” said Strachan, who also teaches at Bernardo Heights Middle School. “We could mourn the loss, but that’s not she was about. This list is about remembering what she brought to our lives.”

Strachan’s hope is that students who participate will learn a little more about Chelsea and the kind of person she was.

The “Chelsea Challenge” leads up to the Finish Chelsea’s Run 5K Run/Walk. Click here for more information.

Here’s the “Chelsea Challenge:”

1. Smile
2. Make someone laugh
3. Tell someone thank you for making a difference
4. Ask someone how their day is & really mean it
5. Perform a random act of kindness
6. Recycle
7. Learn something new
8. Say hi to someone you don’t know
9. Make a list of the people you are thankful for & why
10. Open the door for someone
11. Eat lunch with someone new
12. Tell your parents thank you
13. Pick up trash that is not yours
14. Forget Hallmark. Do something nice for someone who doesn’t have a “Valentine!”
15. Fist bump someone new with a smile
16. Thank the custodians for doing what they do
17. Try something new
18. Learn to say hello friend in another language
19. Tell someone you love them & mean it
20. Give a high five
21. Ask a teacher how their day is or if you can help them
22. Hug your brother or sister or a family member
23. Stay healthy...no junk food
24. Listen to a new type of music & find someone who likes it
25. Exercise
26. Watch NBC/BBC/CSPAN news hour to see a global perspective
27. Give a friend a note that compliments them on a positive attribute
28. Create your own make a difference list for March

The defunct South Bay Power Plant in Chula Vista is set to be demolished in a single implosion Saturday morning, but now controversy over what will happen to the land surrounding the power plant is kicking up some dust.

Plans had been made to turn the South Bay space into parks, trails and scenic promenades. The 556-acre land-use plan, which is set to span four phases over the 24 years, would add open space and habitat protection in place of the power plant.

However, San Diego Gas and Electric says that was never the case.

On Friday, officials from SDG&E said the company plans to build a new substation about a half-mile from the original site of the South Bay Power Plant.

In a statement released Friday, SDG&E said:

“The City of Chula Vista and the Port of San Diego support the relocation of the substation -- and the new state of the art structure still allows the waterfront land to be open to the public.”

However, John Moot, an attorney who represents the land owner, says the plan violates size requirements and the city’s master plan for the area.

“We all understand the need for power -- everybody knows that. But these types of projects have to fit into the community. SDG&E [needs] to be a good community partner and recognize this is an area residents are going to enjoy for 50 years or more and they have to build this project right,” said Moot.

Meanwhile, Saturday’s highly-anticipated power plant demolition is set for 7 a.m. City officials have set up a viewing area along Marine Way, just across the bay from where the plant is located, so locals can watch the implosion live.

The map below outlines where public parking and that viewing area will be located:
 

The thieves that stole iPads at 11 schools throughout San Diego County were part of a gang, prosecutors said in court on Friday.

Deputy District Attorney Brendan McHugh said three suspect, Trevor Williams, Thomas Burleson and Eyon Zimmerman are known gang members from Riverside County and have been connected to seven school burglaries at six different schools dating back to last November. He said all three have extensive juvenile records.

Thefts include 29 iPads, an iMac computer and an Epson projector. The items stolen are worth approximately $250,000 combined. McHugh did not elaborate on what they were doing with the stolen merchandise and did not say whether the series is connected to organized gang activity.

The three were arrested Wednesday at the border checkpoint, with a pair of bolt cutters found in their vehicle. Prosecutor would not comment on what led officers to stop the vehicle.

Burleson, 21, is connected to all seven burglaries. The prosecutor says he is tied to the school sites using phone records. He would not elaborate or give any details on how that connection has been made.

Williams, 21, is connected to one of the cases. He is also awaiting trial for a separate North County burglary case.  And the third suspect, 19-year-old Zimmerman, is connected to one of the cases, according to the district attorney’s office.

All three pleaded not guilty at their arraignment through a public defender. They have been ordered held on $300,000 bail each. A preliminary hearing is set for February 15.

The prosecutors gave very little information on Friday, other than to say they could be connected to other similar burglaries here in San Diego, Santa Barbara, Riverside, Orange and Los Angeles. The suspects have no known connection to San Diego.

McHugh also said the suspects are a flight risk and threat to the community.

The Computer and Technology Crime High-Tech Response Team (CATCH) helped to investigate the series of school robberies. CATCH is a multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional group that focuses on computer crimes. 

Devices were stolen from Del Mar Heights Elementary, El Camino Creek Elementary, Cardiff Elementary, Lakeside Middle School, Lakeside Farms School and Lakeside Elementary School.

Steve Walker with the District Attorney’s office said there have been several other school break-ins that are not connected to Williams, Burleson and Zimmerman. Burke said that 123 iPads and 115 Apple laptops have been stolen dating back to November 2012.

A woman died and a toddler was injured after a car struck a stroller near Rancho Santa Fe on Friday, according to police.

The incident happened shortly before noon at the intersection of Camino Del Sur and Via Verrazzano.

The woman was in her 40s and worked as the child's nanny. She was transported to Scripps La Jolla Hospital and did not survive her injuries.

The 13-month-old boy was transported to Rady Children's Hospital with critical injuries.

The boy's mother told NBC 7 San Diego that the boy is in the Intensive Care Unit and could get surgery. He has a shattered spleen, pelvic fracture, broken rib and a skull fracture. She said the boy is turning 14 months on Saturday and the family is shocked by this accident.

Aerial view of the scene shows a dark SUV with a large indent on its hood. The stroller had been knocked over half-way on its side and was trapped underneath the hood of the car.

Police said the woman was crossing the road with the child when a female driver struck the pair. The woman has been questioned by authorities and they are investigating the incident.

Witness Iraj Karimi told NBC 7 San Diego that a female bicyclist pulled the toddler out from under the stroller. Karimi also said the driver was screaming following the accident.

Officials are investigating whether or not the woman was crossing against the WALK sign.

Police shut down the intersection while they investigated.

Late Friday night the Medical Examiner's office identified the nanny killed in this collision as 41-year-old San Diego resident Monserrat Mendez. The ME's report said the vehicle that fatally struck Mendez as she was walking with the stroller had ran a red light at the intersection of the accident.

Check back for more information.

Worshippers coming to Mass in Catholic churches throughout the Archdiocese of Los Angeles on Sunday are hearing extraordinary words of apology for decades of child sexual abuse.

At every church, priests are reading a letter from Archbishop José H. Gomez that denounces the abuse as “evil” and apologized for both the molestation and for the church’s failure to expunge pedophile priests from its ranks.

More: Read Archbishop Gomez' letter

“There is no excuse, no explaining away what happened to these children,” Gomez wrote in the letter, which was originally released Jan. 31. “The priests involved had the duty to be their spiritual fathers and they failed.”

The letter that priests are reading is the same one in which Gomez late Thursday announced that he had removed his predecessor, retired Cardinal Roger Mahony, from all administrative and public duties. Gomez also relieved Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Curry from his position as Regional Bishop of Santa Barbara.

“To every victim of child sexual abuse by a member of our Church: I want to help you in your healing,” Gomez wrote. “I am profoundly sorry for these sins against you.”
 

A woman was beaten during an overnight carjacking in Oak Park, police said.

The incident happened just past 1 a.m. in the 1800 block of Bayview Heights Drive.

According to investigators, a woman in her 40s had met a man in Tina’s Bar earlier in the night. The man asked the woman for a ride home, and she agreed.

During the ride, police say the man made unwanted physical advances toward the woman, but she refused his advances.

That’s when the man punched the woman and forced her out of her vehicle.

After pulling her out of her car, police say the suspect drove away. The victim sustained minor injuries.

Police say the stolen vehicle is a black, four-door 2012 Chrysler.

The suspect is described as a black male in his 20s to early 30s, 5-foot-11, with a thin build. He was wearing a gray shirt and jeans at the time of the carjacking.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to contact police.
 

A vegetation fire sparked in Chollas Creek Sunday morning, authorities said.

The blaze began around 10:15 a.m. in the 5000 block of Wightman Street, near 50th Street.

Firefighters responded quickly and were able to knock down the fire within 10 minutes thanks to help from multiple brush fire units.

No injuries were reported.
 

Strong rip currents and elevated surf slammed into beaches across San Diego County Sunday.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the hazardous rip currents will stick around through Monday morning thanks to a northwest swell generated over the western Pacific.

Surfing is possible during this time, but the NWS and local lifeguards urge surfers to take extra caution in the water.

The strong rip currents and elevated surf increase the danger to swimmers as well, so it’s important to pay attention to flags and signs posted on beaches by local lifeguards.

The NWS says waves are expected to reach four to six feet in San Diego County, with some wave sets reaching up to eight feet just south of Encinitas.

The persistent rip currents and high surf should decrease by Monday and Tuesday. The NWS says similar surf conditions may kick up again Friday. The elevated seas could cause some minor beach erosion, tidal overflow and minor coastal flooding.

Rip currents occur most often at low spots or breaks in the sandbar, often near jetties and piers. If you become caught in a rip current, experts recommend swimming parallel to shore and not directly against the current, as this can quickly exhaust even the most experienced of swimmers.

On Sunday morning, San Diego Lifeguard Lt. Andy Lerum said no major incidents related to the local strong rip currents had yet been reported.

For much of the night, it seemed like Super Bowl XLVII would be remembered as the night the lights went out in New Orleans. But it will also be remembered for Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, who responded to questions about whether he's an elite QB by winning the Super Bowl MVP.

The 34-minute power outage in the third quarter at the Superdome may have been the most surreal moment in the history of our country's biggest spectacle. With the Ravens up 28-6 at that point and doing absolutely nothing wrong, it seemed like the only thing anyone would be talking about was who to blame for a embarrassment of epic proportions for the league and the city. 

We'll never forget seeing the stadium going dark, but the way the game unfolded from that point guarantees that we'll be thinking of it for a lot more than the blackout. The Ravens' 34-31 win was chockful of storylines that will make for good fodder in our football-less future. 

The 49ers rattled off 17 points in just over four minutes after the blackout, their offense finally coming to life after a sloppy first half that featured two turnovers. What looked like the first Super Bowl rout in a long time turned into an incredible game. A bad punt and a Ray Rice fumble helped the 49ers turn the tables.

Colin Kaepernick fulfilled the hype during the second half comeback, finishing the day with 302 passing yards and rushing for 62 yards and a touchdown to nearly bring the 49ers all the way back. The delay from the blackout might have sapped some energy from the Ravens' legs, but we've seen Kaepernick do this enough in his first 10 games to know that it can't take all the blame. 

One of the things we'll wonder about the most is why Jim Harbaugh chose not to have his quarterback run on any of the team's four plays inside the Ravens' 7-yard line as with time running out in the fourth quarter. Kaepernick wound up throwing incomplete to Michael Crabtree on fourth down as Harbaugh screamed for a holding flag that would not come. 

Debating whether or not that was a foul could take a whole blackout, but Harbaugh's usage of Kaepernick is a more interesting question. Harbaugh chose not to run Kaepernick on a two-point conversion earlier in the fourth and Ravens safety Ed Reed blew up the play with an unmolested rush into the backfield to force an incompletion. 

Kaepernick's ability to make plays with his feet helped the 49ers get back into the game and the coach will have plenty of people wondering why he didn't let him do it in some of the biggest spots.

John Harbaugh won't have to answer any such questions. 

Joe Flacco's been doubted an awful lot over the years, but the team put the game into his hands on a crucial third-and-one with 6:30 to play and a two-point lead to protect. Flacco audibled into a pass and found Anquan Boldin, who fought off good coverage to catch the ball and keep the drive alive long enough for a field goal that proved essential. 

It wasn't the greatest throw you'll ever see. Neither was the 56-yard lollipop to Jacoby Jones for a second quarter touchdown. Flacco made them and two other touchdown passes without throwing an interception for the fourth time in four playoff tries, though, and that counts for a lot. 

There are things to pick apart about Flacco, but at some point you have to surrender to the record and his is sparkling. Five playoff trips, three trips to the AFC title game and, now, a Super Bowl MVP earned when it looked like the lights had gone out on the Ravens when they went out in the dome. 

That's what you want when you talk about a franchise quarterback and it's why Flacco is going to cash in handsomely when the Ravens sign the impending free agent before he can even speak to another team.

There will still be those that argue Flacco isn't elite, but it's a moot point when you're a winner, and that's pretty much the final word on the referendum about Flacco's standing in the league.

On a night when Ray Lewis went out a winner, Kaepernick made us wonder what he'll do for an encore and the biggest show in America was plunged into darkness, Flacco's confirmation wound up as the biggest story of all. 

Josh Alper is also a writer for Pro Football Talk. You can follow him on Twitter.

Eight people were killed and 38 people were injured on Sunday when a tour bus that apparently had brake problems collided with a truck and a second vehicle on a mountain road 80 miles east of Los Angeles.

Firefighters from multiple agencies responded to Highway 38 near Bryant Street in Mentone (MAP) about 6:30 p.m. The road is used to travel to and from the mountain resort of Big Bear.

Passengers told NBC4 that they were coming down the mountain from a day of skiing and snowboarding in Big Bear when the driver said something to the effect that the brakes were out.

The passengers heard noises they thought were brakes and smelled something burning and then watched in horror as the bus weaved in and out of traffic for up to three minutes, trying to avoid cars.

The bus hit a car, then flipped.

Some riders blacked out only to awaken up to 20 feet away from the bus.

They said the driver was stuck under a rock, but he survived.

CHP Officer Mario Lopez told the Associated Press that eight people were confirmed dead and 38 were injured.

Lopez said the bus driver reported having brake problems as it came down the mountain, rear-ending a sedan then flipping over and hitting a pickup truck that was pulling a trailer.

There were 39 people aboard the bus. Four other people in two other vehicles were involved in the crash.

The bus rolled at least once, said Ronald Walls, a battalion chief at the San Bernardino County Fire Department. It had significant damage to the passenger's side, he said.

Terri Kasinga of Caltrans described the crash as the worst she's seen in 23 years working for the agency.

The bus was from Tijuana headed back from Big Bear, she said. A member of the Mexican Consulate was at the scene.

It was a chaotic scene as firefighters worked to extricate people from the bus and emergency crews set up triage areas in a "mass casualty" situation, said Eric Sherwin, with the San Bernardino County Fire Department.

People were being extricated from the bus more than an hour after the crash on the two-lane highway. Rescuers were still searching the wreckage for victims hours later. Television footage showed the bus sitting upright but turned sideways on the road.

Firefighters called a network of doctors and nurses to poll hospitals on bed availability, Sherwin said.

Arrowhead Regional Medical Center said four women had been admitted from the crash and their conditions were still being determined. Redland Community Hospital said it received one person in critical condition and one with minor injuries, while two more were en route with minor injuries.

Community Hospital of San Bernardino said it had received one patient with undetermined injuries, while St. Bernadine Medical Center said it had two patients, whose injuries were being assessed.

Witnesses said a bus hit a truck and rolled down an embankment, possibly clipping other cars.

Highway 38 was closed in both directions while emergency crews worked the scene.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

View Larger Map

San Francisco police reported minor flare-ups of violence as disappointed San Francisco 49ers fans reacted to their team's loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday during the Super Bowl.

Fans threw bottles at police officers in the Mission District following the 49ers 34-31  loss, according to Officer Carlos Manfredi. And as of 10 p.m., police had arrested  25 people, mostly for being drunk.

Police were doing their best to prevent more major calamities as they shut down parts of the Mission to stop cars from cruising and parking while street sweepers cleaned up any potential fire hazards.

"I think they're doing a great job," said Shanah Ucan of San Francisco. "People are safe, people who want to come out and enjoy what's happening."

The city was much calmer than when the San Francisco Giants won the World Series in October when several vandals took to the streets, setting fires, breaking windows and torching a Muni bus.

For full U.S. news coverage, visit NBCNews.com.

For the Super Bowl, Mayor Ed Lee had worked with police, fire and bar owners to prevent such mayhem from happening on the streets in San Francisco, even asking patrons to not serve hard alcohol and cut customers off if they were getting too drunk.

"It's nowhere compared to the Giants," Manfredi said.

At Pete's Tavern in San Francisco, the mood was definitely somber, as fans clapped their hands to the heads as the Niners lost the game. Still, many said they were proud of their hometown team.

Elsewhere in the city, in neighborhoods such as the Haight  Ashbury, fans reported a somber mood but no violence. Although in some part of the city, residents felt the need to set off some fireworks, despite the loss.

Lee congratulated the 49ers for their "spectacular  performance" despite the 34-31 defeat.

"The entire team demonstrated what you can accomplish with enough  perseverance and teamwork," Lee said in a statement. "The journey of the 49ers in their 'Quest for Six' reinvigorated  San Francisco Bay Area football fans in a way unseen for nearly two decades."

The Boy Scouts of America begin debating their anti-gay policy on Monday.

The new policy under discussion would be up to individual troops to allow gay members.

The Boy Scouts expect to announce a decision after this week's board meeting.

Several groups plan to rally near the national headquarters in Irving, Texas, both for and against a possible change in policy.

President Barack Obama weighed in on the matter in an interview that aired Sunday just before the Super Bowl, saying he wants the Boy Scouts to allow gays and lesbians to join.

The president called the Scouts "a great institution" that promotes young people and said "no one should be barred from that."

President Obama also called out the Scouts during last year's presidential campaign, saying he opposed the long-standing policy of excluding gays as members.

But Texas Gov. Rick Perry, speaking Saturday to an annual gathering of Scouts from around Texas, discussed his own experiences in scouting and made it clear he's against changing the Scouts' controversial policy.

"Scouting is about teaching a substantial amount of life lessons," Perry said. "Sexuality is not one of them. Never has been and doesn't need to be."

The Boy Scouts have previously reviewed their policy on not accepting gays as members. Last year, after a two-year review of the rule, the Scouts reaffirmed their longstanding policy as it has been a continual target of numerous protest campaigns.

In recent months, some corporate sponsors, including pharmaceutical giant Merck, had pulled funding from the organization due to the exclusionary rule.

James Turley, the chairman of Ernst & Young, and Randall Stephenson, CEO of AT&T, vowed in 2012 to work together to change the Boy Scouts' policy after a den leader in Ohio was ousted from her position due to her sexual orientation.

The number of gray whales passing through San Diego waters in January broke records, according to experts.

Last year, whale experts saw an increase in the amount of whales migrating, but this year is proving to be even larger. Data shows that there are 15 more whales traveling per day than a decade ago.

This migration is a yearly event for these whales but this time around they are traveling in much larger numbers.

The gray whales are making their long migration from Alaska to their final destination in Baja, and San Diego is one of those stops along the way where we can see the whales up close.

The whales travel near the coastline so they can navigate where they are going – if the shore is on the left, they know they are heading south.

One whale expert says the number of whales seen in San Diego waters has increased by 30-percent this year. A couple of years ago people would typically see 1-3 whales, whereas now groups up 5-10 whales are being spotted.

Professional whale watchers said it could be because of more polar ice in Alaska forcing the whales to leave earlier on their migration toward warmer waters.

No matter the reason, whale watching groups say it’s been great for business.

“People will come in and say, ‘We gotta see the whales!’ makes it better for us,” said Russell Moore who owns charter company Xplore Offshore. “There are always dolphins but to have consistent whale trips we can count on seeing whales, guests have more fun.”

Two dogs were killed when a fatal fire broke out aboard a sail boat docked at Shelter Island Saturday night, officials confirmed.

The boat blaze began around 10:15 p.m. at the Heisey Field Dock.

San Diego Harbor Police Lt. John Reilly said the owner of the boat was not on board at the time of the fire, but his four dogs were inside the boat.

Officials worked to extinguish the fire and pull the pets out. Sadly, Lt. Reilly said two of the dogs did not survive the flames.

The other two dogs were rescued and treated for smoke inhalation.

As San Diego Fire Department crews and Harbor Police officials were working, the owner of the boat approached the scene and allegedly tried to get onto the boat to save his dogs.

“Firefighters were working on the vessel and due to his emotional level, [the boat owner] tried to gain entrance to the vessel,” said Lt. Reilly.

Authorities had to tackle and restrain the distraught boat owner.

He was temporarily arrested for allegedly attempting to fight the firefighters, but later calmed down, Lt. Reilly said. Officials said the boat owner was not facing charges.

As of Sunday morning, officials said the cause of the boat fire was still under investigation. The blaze caused an estimated $25,000 worth of damages to the boat and its contents.

Check back for updates.
 

Hours after a deadly tour bus crash on a mountain road east of Los Angeles, family members of passengers were searching for their loved ones.

About 40 passengers were aboard the bus when it began swerving and crashed about 6:30 p.m. Sunday on Highway 38 near Mentone.

The California Highway Patrol said at least 8 and up to 10 people were killed in the crash.

Flowers and candles were brought to Loma Linda Medical Center where five victims were hospitalized.

Two of the victims at the hospital were in critical condition, two were in fair condition and another victim was in serious condition Monday morning.

Michael Guluster, of San Diego, said his 60-year-old sister-in-law, Guadalupe Olivas, was killed in the crash. He was attempting to locate a niece who was aboard the bus.

"We called all the hospitals, nobody knows about them," said Guluster.

He said many of the passengers were medical students from Tijuana, Mexico. They were returning from a skiing and snowboarding trip in Big Bear.

Arrowhead Regional Medical Center said four women had been admitted from the crash and their conditions were still being determined late Sunday.

Redlands Community Hospital said it received one person in critical condition and one with minor injuries, while two more were en route with minor injuries.

Community Hospital of San Bernardino said it had received one patient with undetermined injuries, while St. Bernadine Medical Center said it had two patients, whose injuries were being assessed.

Crash investigators plan to retrieve a passenger list from inside the bus early Monday before they confirm the identities and number of victims.

"We've been unable to go inside the bus," said California Highway Patrol Officer Mario Lopez. "Once we can do that, we can identify the individuals involved in this."

Passengers and another driver told NBC Los Angeles the bus swerved for about three minutes and the driver reported brake problems before the bus crashed into two vehicles and flipped.

Some passengers were ejected from the bus, other were extricated from the wreckage on the two-lane highway.

A Caltrans officials described the crash as the worst she has seen in 23 years working for the agency.

The U.S. Navy relieved the executive officer of a San Diego-based guided missile frigate citing offensive behavior toward the crew.

According to the Navy’s website, Cmdr. James "Slim" Pickens was temporarily relieved of his position aboard USS Gary February 3.

Pickens was removed based on “loss of confidence because of offensive comments and behavior” according to the military news website.

No other details on the behavior or the comments were given.

While Pickens has been reassigned to a staff position within the Commander of Destroyer Squadron 1, Lt. Andrew J. Greenlees has assumed the duties of acting executive officer.

The crew of 13 officers and 287 enlisted is currently deployed to Central and South America in support of Operation Martillo and U.S. 4th Fleet's mission, Southern Seas 2012.