Driving rain and wind socked the Inland Empire Tuesday afternoon, flooding streets, school buildings, a school track and a general aviation airport and causing havoc for drivers.

It rained up to 30 minutes in neighborhood Canyon Lake, just east of Lake Elsinore.

The rain flooded roadways in minutes.

Some roads were nearly covered in water, making driving conditions extremely dangerous.

At Elsinore High School in Wildomar, about 20 classrooms suffered water damage. Crews were working late into the night Tuesday to remove water, but the school has implemented a contingency plan and reassigned classrooms for Wednesday.

Heavy winds also caused damage. An outhouse was blown apart and exploded onto the track at Elsinore High School.

Wind knocked down power lines and trees.

Karen Fisher was getting gas for her generator because her power was out.

"It was hot, really hot out," Fisher said. "All of a sudden, it came in like crazy. It just started raining ... like little droplets. And it looks like everything is flooding right now."

A large limb knocked out power for several hours in the area. 

"It looked like a tornado," said Crystal Tibideau. "The winds got really, really strong. We had our trash cans that blew all the way across the parking lot. It's zero visibility. It was really crazy."

Gadi Schwartz contributed to this report.

With its waterfront location and wealth of exhibits, San Diego’s USS Midway Museum has just been ranked among the best museums in the United States, according to TripAdvisor.

The popular travel website announced its “Travelers’ Choice” awards for museums across the U.S. and the world, as ranked and reviewed by jet-setters.

The USS Midway Museum landed the No. 7 spot in the Top 10 Travelers’ Choice Museums in the U.S.
San Diego’s iconic floating maritime museum is moored at the Navy Pier in downtown San Diego, with a waterfront view that’s hard to beat.

The museum – set aboard one of America’s longest-serving aircraft carriers – boasts 60 exhibits and also houses 29 restored aircraft.

Guests can explore the engine room, the ship’s jail and “take to the sky” aboard one of two flight simulators, among many activities designed to help visitors feel what it was really like to be one of the 225,000 Midway sailors who served the U.S.

The USS Midway Museum currently has more than 6,650 reviews on TripAdvisor, with a 4.5-star rating.

As one reviewer notes, “This ship is still grand and gives those of us who did not serve in the Navy an up close view of what life is like on a carrier.”

The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission tickets cost $20 for adults, $10 for kids ages 6 to 12 and $10 for retired military with a valid ID. Children under 5 get in free. Active-duty military personnel can also visit for free, with a valid ID.

According to TripAdvisor, other top-notch museums in the U.S. that made Travelers’ Choice list this year include, in order:

• Art Institute of Chicago
• The Getty Center in Los Angeles
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City
• New Orleans’ National WWII Museum
• National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.
• Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum also in D.C.
• Chihuly Garden and Glass in Seattle
• The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson, Arizona
• Newseum in Washington, D.C.

The read the full list, click here.

The rankings were based on millions of reviews and opinions from TripAdvisor travelers. TripAdvisor said award winners were determined using an “algorithm that took into account the quantity and quality of reviews for museums worldwide, gathered over a 12-month period."

Allegations over stolen water led county officials to dissolve the San Pasqual Volunteer Fire Department with a unanimous vote Tuesday.

“The decision to use a fire apparatus to take water not just once but several times from a neighboring city for a private well is not just inexcusable, in fact it’s theft,” said San Diego County Supervisor Diane Jacob.

An investigation by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and the San Diego County Fire Authority (SDCFA) uncovered a series of violations of law and of the contract with the county, officials said at Tuesday’s board meeting.

The results of the investigation have been forwarded to the District Attorney for review.

“The leadership broke down,” San Pasqual Fire board member Chuck Dilts told the board Tuesday.

Dilts took supervisors through the events that led up to an alleged theft of water from the City of Poway that he claims was an honest mistake.

When a friend approached him looking for water to fill his well, Dilts said it sounded like it could be a good way to raise money for the department.

Dilts then described how he went with the volunteers to his friend’s home and pointed to a nearby fire hydrant.

“I don’t know what the fire hydrant rules are. I’m not a fireman,” Dilts explained.

The City of Poway reportedly sent a $1,000 bill to the fire department for the water.

“We apologized to the City of Poway. We didn’t know what we were doing,” Dilts said. “It was an honest mistake by everybody involved. Nobody meant to break the law.”

With a unanimous vote, citing this investigation and the sale of a department Suburban to the former chief for $1, the supervisors voted to dissolve the department.

Effective Tuesday, the SDCFA will take over operations.

“Essentially it’s the same firefighters doing the same work under new management,” said San Diego County Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Ron Lane.

Another member of the San Pasqual board wanted to postpone any decision for 90 days until after fire season to avoid any disruption in service.

However, Cal Fire San Diego Unit Chief Tony Mecham said he’s already met with the volunteers with the department. He said the men and women have agreed to continue to serve under the new management.

County-owned equipment has already been moved into the fire station to replace the trucks owned by the now-defunct volunteer department.

“I do not anticipate any interruption in services,” Mecham said adding that fire service in the area would be closely monitored.

“Should we have any gap in coverage I am prepared to move a career-staffed engine from the Mount Woodson fire station into San Pasqual.”

Tourists stranded in Cabo San Lucas and La Paz by Hurricane Odile are getting some help from the Mexican military and private aircraft to escape the now flood-damaged and wind-torn cities.

Ten Air Force planes and two Marine planes are flying people from the hardest hit locations to Tijuana, UniradioInfroma.com reports, citing General Gabriel Garcia Rincon.

Some 30,000 tourists -- about 26,000 from outside the country -- are trying to escape the aftermath of one of the most powerful hurricanes to ever strike Baja California, according to NBC News.

From the Tijuana Air Force base, tourists will have the choice to fly home from the commercial airport or be transported to another area of Tijuana. City buses are working with the military to transport people where they need to go.

Private security at the U.S.-Mexico border says several Americans coming from Cabo have already passed through the San Ysidro Port of Entry Tuesday.

Among the saved passengers was a bachelor party with a very grateful groom-to-be.

East Los Angeles resident Paul Yap and nine friends literally threw caution to the wind as they braved the storm for a last bash in Cabo. They were supposed to return Sunday, but their trip was extended when all flights were canceled.

They instead sought shelter at a Best Western hotel and rode out a rocky two days.

"It tore up the building pretty good outside. It blew out some windows, rooms got messed up," said Yap. "We were all huddled in the hallways. Flooding on the first floor, it was a nightmare. It was crazy." 

Odile grew to a Category 3 storm as it hit land on Sunday and Monday, bringing 125 mph winds. No deaths have been reported as of Monday afternoon, but at least 135 people were treated for injuries.

The resulting floods and damage prompted officials to close airports in Cabo, La Paz, San Jose del Cabo and Loreto.

San Diego couple Craig and Jill Newell, caught in Cabo during their honeymoon, described it as “being in an earthquake in a wind storm.”

They say roads were washed out, boats were sunk in the marina and roofs were ripped from buildings.

On Tuesday, Odile was downgraded to a tropical storm, and it is bringing rain to the Southwest U.S., including San Diego.

Police have arrested three men in connection to a deadly shooting that happened just feet from the entrance of a local grocery store.

Escondido resident Miguel Pedroza Fuentes, 38, was killed outside Vons at 330 West Felicita on July 30, according to police. Two other men were shot but survived their injuries.

More than a month later, police have made three arrests in the case: 25-year-old Hector Ortiz, 21-year-old Omar Magadan and 20-year-old Eric Nieto, all of Escondido. They are each charged with one count of murder, two counts of attempted murder and various other offenses, according to police.

The three victims were sitting inside a car when three suspects came approached the car and starting arguing. Someone fired several shots into the car, and the suspects ran away, according to officials. Police said the victims did not return gunfire.

The shooting happened around 8:30 p.m. when the shopping center was still bustling with customers.

The Escondido Police Department Robbery-Homicide and Gang Units conducted the investigation.

Sudden, heavy rains and strong winds like "a tornado and hurricane all at once" created some major damage Montgomery Field Tuesday evening, flipping over several small planes and trapping one person inside a vehicle as waters rose.

The chaos started as winds blew over a hangar and turned over small planes at the airport around 6 p.m. 

Duane Arena's plane flipped after breaking free from its chain-linked tie.

"They come and say your plane just flew. It's upside down. I thought they were joking," Arena said.

But when he looked at the damage, he realized it was all too real, with the chains hooked to a tie down "bent straight from the wind," he said.

A witness named Michael said it was the most insane storm he's seen in San Diego.

"It was like a tornado and a hurricane all at once," he said.

One experimental plane flew off the tarmac, over an 8-foot fence and on top of two cars.

One of the vehicle belonged to Michael Evans.

"I was just really shocked, shocked for a long time," said Evans.

Six small aircraft were damaged by the winds, fire officials say.

Hazmat crews were called to the area as planes began leaking fuel all over the runway. They wanted to make sure no harmful liquid got into storm drains.

No injuries have been reported, though there's no official word on the cost of damage. Some of the aircraft cost around $300,000, so the damage could top $1 million.

Not long before the plane devastation, a person became trapped in a car surrounded by three to four feet of water. It happened around 5:50 p.m. in the 8600 block of Gibbs Drive,

After some work, San Diego Fire crews were able to free the person. It’s unclear if the victim was injured or if there were others in the vehicle.

The wild winds were part of a larger storm that killed power to thousands of customers across San Diego and sent trees crashing down onto major roads.

San Diego County valleys and coasts were under a flood advisory, which expired at 8:45 p.m.

The National Weather Service warned residents to watch out for rainfall that could cause higher water levels in creeks and streams, as well as deep pooling on highways, streets and other areas with poor drainage.

Cleanup begins in San Diego where sudden winds and rain tore through the county Tuesday bringing with them flooding, downed trees, power outages and winds powerful enough to overturn 10 planes at a small airport.

"It was like a tornado and a hurricane all at once," said Michael who witnessed the damage. He called the sudden microburst the most insane storm he's seen in San Diego.

The "pop-up" thunderstorms occurred Tuesday afternoon first in the Spring Valley and the Rancho San Diego area and then hours later in Mission Valley and Kearny Mesa area.

These kind of storms form and die in place but can bring significant damage.

Tree removal service workers are in Rancho San Diego trying to clear large trees that fell near the shopping center on Avocado just off State Route 94.

In Mission Valley, huge trees fell across cars and the sidewalk at Camino de la Reina and Mission Center Road.

Sudden winds knocked down several eucalyptus trees that blocked traffic along State Route 163 in the evening commute Tuesday.

At Montgomery Field, six small planes flipped over despite being chained to the ground. One plane was pushed over a fence and onto two cars. 

A 40-foot hangar was moved 50 yards in the storm.

Damage estimate was $800,000 but taking into consideration the cost of each plane involved, the total  could top $1 million.

There is currently a flash flood watch issued for the region with temperatures approximately 10 degrees cooler than yesterday in the inland valleys.

“It’s going to feel like 100 because of all that humidity,” said NBC 7’s Whitney Southwick.

There's lingering subtropical moisture and the atmosphere will become increasingly unstable with daytime heating, according to the National Weather Service.

So there is still a chance we could see another storm microburst like the ones that struck in Rancho San Diego and Kearny Mesa Tuesday. 

San Diego Gas & Electric crews are working to restore power to hundreds of customers in different sections of the county.

Nearly half an inch of rain fell in Mission Valley and Kearny Mesa with Montgomery Field reporting more than an inch of rain Tuesday evening.

Rancho San Diego recorded .52 inches of precipitation while Rainbow Camp reported .63 inches. Areas near Fallbrook and Bonsall measured close to .20 inches of rain. 

As part of an ongoing effort to make North Park safer, surveillance cameras will be added to Alba High School in the uptown neighborhood to give police a view of the area around the school.

The cameras will be installed this month by the San Diego Unified School District and police will have access to them when needed. Beyond that, there aren’t any larger plans to bring more cameras to the rest of the neighborhood, though it’s an idea being discussed.

A push for enhanced policing came in response to a string of assaults on women this summer that left many shaken. A 23-year-old man, David Angelo Drake, was arrested earlier this month in connection to many of them. However, police say another suspect is still on the loose.

We spoke with several women in North Park, some of whom liked the idea of surveillance cameras.

“Absolutely. All the way,” one woman said. “That would even make us more confident. More safe (so) you know we could walk around with fear.”

The city’s tried installing cameras in the past as a crime deterrent, when two college girls were raped in Mission Beach in 2007. Police installed the cameras near Belmont Park. They were supposed to be manned by officers 24 hours a day.

But within three years, police stopped controlling the cameras and currently they are no longer operating.

That stymied plan has some questioning whether it would be effective in North Park.

“If that didn’t make a difference, why would it make a difference here,” one woman said.

That's one thing to take into account, officials say, as they consider public safety options for North Park.

Whether it’s pounding a pint before kick off or sporting a lucky jersey or bolo tie, everyone has a game day tradition. In San Diego, there are plenty of winning sports bars where football fanatics can meet to cheer on the Chargers or their team of choice. Win or lose, these businesses – highly rated on Yelp – are worth a toast.

High Dive Bar and Grill (Bay Park)
Bring your face paint, jersey and hunger to High Dive and you’re sure to leave full and happy. This bar and grill features generous portions to serve any game day craving. If you’re really feeling festive, try their Kraken Burger: a 2/3-pounder loaded with onions, bacon and cheese sandwiched between two toasted peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Unleash the Kraken on your game day tradition.

Irina’s Bar and Grill (Oceanside)
Is a traditional pint not cutting it for you on game day? Head into Irina’s for 60-ounce options on select beers. Pair that with some juicy bratwursts and house-made sauerkraut and you’ll be ready for kick off in no time. Between its NFL Game Day Specials, an extensive beer list and its delicious German and American dishes, you’ll never want game day to end at this North County spot.

Cali Comfort BBQ (Spring Valley)
If there’s one thing that goes with football and beer, it’s barbecue. Cali Comfort slow cooks all its meat for up to 14 hours and seasons it with homemade dry rub. With this much commitment to every meal, it’s no wonder this BBQ joint is considered a high-quality San Diego hotspot. By the way, Cali Comfort is sponsoring a 4th annual Spring Valley Tailgate and BBQ Festival on Oct. 26. Click here for details.

Añejo Bar and Grill (Escondido)
If you’re looking to add a little spice to your season, stop by Añejo and enjoy some authentic Mexican food and drinks with the game. We recommend the Abujas En Salsa Molcajete, a dish of grilled short ribs covered in a unique, fire-roasted salsa. Paired with one of the nine different margarita selections on the menu, Añejo is a touchdown for your taste buds.

Endzone Pub and Grill (North Park)
Names don’t lie, and Endzone is definitely a score in the sports bar department. This bar boasts more than 50 beers and $4 pints of some of San Diego’s locally brewed favorites during Happy Hour, plus great deals on wings, nachos, ceviche and other bar food. With every seat in viewing range of a TV, you’ll never miss a play.

Cardiff Beach Bar At Tower 13 (Cardiff-by-the-Sea)
Tower 13 plays every game on Sundays, but after the fourth quarter is over the party doesn’t have to stop. Swing by for some post-game festivities, too, including Prime Rib Night, live music and trivia. Don’t forget to taste the amazing Bloody Mary in the menu, homemade-infused vodka and all.
 

Need to go to Target, but don’t have an hour to spare?

The big-box store has announced plans to open a mini Target in San Diego’s South Park neighborhood.

TargetExpress will be located at the corner of Fern Street and Grape Street. Gala Foods currently occupies the space but is set to close Nov. 1, a store employee confirmed to NBC 7.

TargetExpress will carry just the essentials, such as grab and go food, beauty products and household supplies. It will also include a pharmacy.

The store will be about 19,000 square feet, about 14 percent of the size of a regular Target store, according to the company.

San Diego City Council President Todd Gloria said Target hasn't submitted plans to the city, and he has requested a meeting with the company. He wants to make sure the store would fit with the character of the neighborhood.

There is currently one TargetExpress in Minneapolis, where Target is headquartered. The company plans to open three in the Bay Area and one in St. Paul, Minnesota.

The San Diego location is set to open next July.

Chargers tight end Antonio Gates’ impressive three-touchdown performance in Sunday’s win over the Seattle Seahawks is getting the national attention it deserves.

Gates was named the AFC’s Player of the Week after his seven-catch, 96-yard game in the upset at home.

Not surprisingly, the veteran was humble in talking about receiving the award for the first time in his illustrious career.

“Awards don’t tell the tale for what this team is about,” Gates said on Wednesday. “Anytime an individual accepts an award, you have to think about the other guys that helped put him in that place. To me, when we win something we talk about us going out together.”

He now has 90 career touchdown receptions, good for 11th all-time and second only to Tony Gonzalez among tight ends.

“It all comes down to that line protecting Philip,” Gates said, continuing to deflect the credit. “He’s constantly been believing in me over the past 11 years and that was no exception.”

Every touchdown catch on Sunday was of the highlight reel variety, but the third one stood out – not only as the game winner, but as an incredible athletic catch. His thoughts on the play:

“Don’t let 31 hit me. That big ol’ safety coming over the middle, (No. 31 Van) Chancellor,” he said with a smile. “In our terms in the locker room, he can lay the wood. So I wanted to stay away from him as much as possible and make a play on the ball. And it was Philip was being Philip. Having tremendous confidence in me and putting the ball where no other player could get it but me.”

Two friends at a North Texas high school vowed to make up for their classmates' cruel prank by awarding the Grand Prairie High School homecoming crown to one of their best friends.

Lillian Skinner, 17, is described by friends as "just an amazing girl" and "one of the nicest people I've ever met."

"She's so sweet," said 17-year-old Anahi Alvarez, a senior at the North Texas school. "We need people in this world like Lilly."

"My mom tells me, and I remember to tell my friends, 'Look inside [to see what] counts. Not the outside. Look inside your heart,'" Skinner told NBC 5 about her life motto. "If you judge people's skin, that's bad. But look inside their heart, to who they are."

But Skinner's sweet and innocent nature also made her the target of a recent prank in which some unnamed girls told her she had been nominated for the homecoming court alongside her longtime best friends, Alvarez and Naomi Martinez, also a GPHS senior.

After learning of the prank, Alvarez and Martinez, who have been friends with Skinner since 7th grade choir, hatched a plan to pass their crown to Skinner should either of them be named homecoming queen.

"We promised each other and we were like, 'No matter what, no backing down. If one of us wins we're giving Lillian the crown,'" Martinez said.

On Friday night, in front of thousands of friends, family members and fans at the Gopher-Warrior Bowl, that is exactly what happened.

Principal Lorimer Arendse, now in his fourth week at the helm of Grand Prairie High School, was let in on the plan shortly before halftime and the planned announcement of the homecoming winners.

"In all my time in school, this is probably the greatest moment I've ever experienced as a principal," said Arendse, who has five years of prior experience in school administration.

It was Arendse's job to escort Skinner onto the field, under the guise of helping to take pictures of the homecoming court's procession. So Skinner had front row seats for when her friend, Anahi Alvarez, was named 2014 homecoming queen.

"When she won the queen, I took a picture and she told me to come over. And I said, 'It's OK. It's OK. It's your crown,' you know? My name is not on the list,'" Skinner said.

Slowly it dawned on Skinner what was really happening, according to the others in attendance.

"That's when it was just, the moment itself took over," Arendse said, still smiling four days after the fact.

"Seeing the look on her face and the way she reacted toward it, it was priceless," said Martinez. "I knew it was the right decision."

Skinner did not know what to think as Alvarez placed the crown on her head.

"I was like, 'Wow, really? Like, wow! Like, is this a dream or something?'" Skinner said Tuesday, pinching her arm as she did.

As for the girl who got the most votes Friday, she said she would gladly do it all again.

"Well, for me, I want to say, and I always say, Lilly won. I just ran in her place, in her position," Alvarez said. "When they ask me, 'Were you homecoming queen?' I say, 'No, Lilly is homecoming queen.'"

Heavy winds uprooted trees, heavy winds damaged homes and cars were smashed by falling branches. All that happened in just a few hours in San Diego after surprise storms hit the area Tuesday.

But what takes minutes to destroy can takes weeks or months to repair. That's why it is important to understand your insurance policy.

In general, when a wind storm knocks a tree down onto your home, it's your homeowners insurance that will pay the damage.

If rain gets into your home because of the storm and causes more problems, again it's your homeowners insurance that steps up.

But if a tree limb lands on the car in your driveway, does your homeowners policy pay for that? It does not.

For repairs, you need to turn to your car insurance, and in many cases only comprehensive coverage will pay for the damage.

But what if your tree lands on a neighbor's house? State Farm agent Walt Waggener says it's not your problem.

"If it is your tree that falls on a neighbor's house, typically you have no liability if it is a storm that causes the problem," said Waggener.

In that case, your neighbor's homeowners insurance will be responsible.

What if your toppled tree does not land on your car or house or neighbor's house? Will your insurance pay to clean it up? Generally the answer is no.

You will be responsible to clean up the tree yourself; your homeowner's policy will not pay the cost to cut up and remove the tree.

However, if the tree lands on city-owned property, it is the city's problem because storm damage is not your responsibility.

It's important to note that a storm damage claim on your comprehensive policy for your car should not increase the insurance premiums you pay.

But that may not be the case with your homeowners policy. A storm claim could increase future premiums unless the area is declared a state or federal disaster area.

These are general rules, and home and car owners should contact their insurance company for specific details on their policy.

The mother of Ezell Ford, an unarmed black teenager shot and killed by LAPD officers during an altercation, filed a $75 million wrongful death lawsuit against the department Wednesday, arguing her son’s civil rights were violated the night he died.

Ford, 25, was fatally shot Aug. 11 after he allegedly struggled with two Los Angeles police officers from Newton Area Gang Enforcement Detail after he was stopped near 65th and Broadway streets. Police said Ford reached for an officer’s gun when they opened fire.

Family members have contradicted that narrative, and asserted that Ford was mentally ill and the officers should have better known how to deal with him.

“This was a homicide plain and simple,” said Steve Lerman, who is representing Ford’s family. “A disarmed, unarmed, helpless, hapless person who was shot to death for no reason other than two officers were bored on Monday at 8 p.m. and they knew Ezell Ford was handicapped.”

Lerman, who represented Rodney King in his lawsuit against LAPD 22 years ago, did not elaborate on why the family believed the two officers knew Ford was handicapped, but said new evidence and scores of witnesses have come forward in the case who will back up his claims.

Ford’s death has sparked outrage, demonstrations and marches from activists who say they’re fed up with the recurring problem of law enforcement and how they deal with the mentally ill.

Ford battled bipolar and schizophrenia, according to Lerman, the family attorney.

The family’s claim argues officers Sharlton Wampler and Antonio Villegas unjustifiably shot Ford and denied him due process.

LAPD did not comment on the lawsuit because the investigation is ongoing and the department does not comment on pending litigation.

Officials Wednesday confirmed cases of enterovirus EV-D68 in New York City, Long Island, New Jersey and Connecticut as the unusual and potentially severe respiratory illness continues to sweep across the U.S.

Officials said that at least one of the 12 confirmed cases of the virus previously confirmed in New York state is in New York City, and another case is on Long Island. Cases have been reported in more than a dozen states nationwide.

The CDC also confirmed a case in New Jersey on Wednesday. That case was identified from a specimen sent to the CDC from a Philadelphia hospital, the CDC said. The child was discharged from a hospital after their condition improved.

On Long Island, a girl from North Hempstead was hospitalized earlier in the month and is now recovering at home, according to the Nassau County Health Department. 

Connecticut health officials also said that a child in that state also contracted the virus. The child was being treated at Yale-New Haven Hospital, but it's not clear what town that child was from..

Enteroviruses, which usually cause mild cold-like symptoms that last about a week, are common, afflicting up to 15 million people in the U.S. each year, but the CDC says this particular strain of the virus is unusually severe.

Infants and children are at particular risk, and though most affected people recover on their own and have no future problems, those with weakened immune systems or underlying medical conditions such as asthma may need to be hospitalized.

There is no vaccination. Prevention involves hand-washing, disinfecting surfaces and any usual steps to prevent the spread of flu.

There are more than 100 types of enteroviruses. EV-D68 was first identified in California in 1962.

Health officials urge anyone who has trouble breathing, or notices a child does, to call a doctor immediately.  

Copyright Associated Press / NBC 7 San Diego

Multiple hash oil laboratories across the county were raided this week after a year-long undercover operation by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Nine people were arrested Tuesday during Operation Shattered Dreams, when DEA agents served search warrants to a number of locations in San Diego, Spring Valley, Chula Vista and El Cajon.

Inside some of the spots, investigators discovered active, illegal butane hash oil laboratories

Agents seized a large amount of hash oil, $25,000 in cash, an assault rifle, marijuana and hash oil packaged for sale.

Nicknamed “dabs,” “earwax” and “shatter” on the street, hash oil is made from marijuana using flammable butane to extract concentrated levels of THC – the active, mind-altering ingredient in cannabis.

Hash oil has THC levels of between 75 to 85 percent, compared to marijuana’s 23 to 35 percent, the DEA says, and a gram of the oil sells for $40 to $80.

However, using butane makes the production dangerous. Without proper ventilation, butane can explode if something sparks.

The DEA says hash oil labs are to blame for roughly 20 explosions and fires in San Diego County since Oct. 2013.

In many of the incidents, people have been injured and residents displaced.

“The number of explosions and fires that we have had in San Diego County just this year make Hash Oil cases a priority,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge William R. Sherman in a release. “The people who are using dangerous chemicals to extract Hash Oil do so without concern for anything other than making a profit”

San Diego Hazmat teams will now work to clear the busted hash oil labs of dangerous chemicals and equipment.

The nine people arrested face a slew of charges, including manufacturing a controlled substance, cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale, possession of concentrated cannabis, child endangerment and possession of an illegal assault rifle.

A Massachusetts aid worker who contracted Ebola in West Africa is now expected to make a full recovery, according to the doctors treating him at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

Wednesday night, NECN interviewed Dr. Rick Sacra's brother, Doug Sacra of Wayland. Doug says his brother's appetite is starting to come back, he's mentally sharper and more talkative.

"Oh it's great, we are very pleased," said a smiling Doug Sacra.

Dr. Sacra's wife, Debbie, has been briefing the family from Nebraska, where he's been in isolation since returning from Liberia.

Wednesday, Doug said he spoke with his brother over the phone for a half hour.

"He sounded perfectly normal, Dr. Rick at his best. On the other hand he's just laying there in his bed, so he is totally with it mentally, and now he can talk to you for a while, where a week ago he could talk to you for a minute and a half and then doctor said he has to lay back down."

Just last week, doctors explained how Dr. Sacra has been getting blood transfusions from Dr. Kent Brantley, another Ebola survivor. He's also taking another experimental drug, which doctors refused to identify, saying it's uncharted territory.

Over the past week, Dr. Sacra has done so well that doctors are now working to keep him entertained. They've brought in books, a stationary bike, chess board and Nerf hoop, even Ben and Jerry's chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream.

Doctors are now awaiting results of a second set of blood samples. There must be two negative blood tests done within 24 hours apart for Dr. Sacra to be released.

The Oceanside, California, woman charged with her son’s drowning made the decision to kill him twice, according to the prosecution.

Veronica Rivas, 28, faced a judge for the first time on Wednesday. Rivas pleaded not guilty to premeditated murder and assault on a child under 5 causing death.

Rivas’ son, 21-month-old Elijah, was found dead Sept. 10 at her condo on Woodpark Way. Investigators say during questioning, Rivas confessed to drowning her son.

Rivas shook her head as the prosecutor shared details of that confession.

Rivas told police that she decided earlier in the day that she was going to kill her son, according to prosecutor Claudia Grasso.

“She said, ‘I thought of the tub because it would just be the easiest,’” Grasso said.

Grasso said that Rivas filled the tub and called her son into the bathroom.

“She herself says that she put him in the water face down and held him there,” Grasso said.

According to the prosecutor, when Rivas thought the boy was dead, she took him out of the tub. However, he came to and started crying, coughing and vomiting.

“She made the decision to put him back in the tub,” Grasso said.

The boy’s grandmother came home, discovered Elijah unconscious and called 911. The toddler was pronounced dead at the scene.

Rivas was also found unconscious and was rushed to the hospital. Police say she was treated for a medical emergency but could not say if it was an attempted suicide, as neighbors had speculated. The prosecutor said she had taken Tylenol and alcohol.

Police say Rivas was suffering from depression over a custody battle with her son’s father. The boy’s father was in court Wednesday but did not comment.

Judge William Gentry set Rivas’ bail at $3 million. The prosecution had asked for only $2 million.

A readiness conference is scheduled for Sept. 25, and a preliminary hearing is set for Sept. 30.

Copyright Associated Press / NBC 7 San Diego

It's been a hot, muggy, wild weather week in San Diego, but relief is in sight: The forecast shows temperatures cooling to normal on Thursday.

But before that happens, there's still a chance of thunderstorms.

A day after a wild weather day on Tuesday, folks in East County were on rain watch.

Doppler radar was showing rain in northeast San Diego County on Wednesday afternoon. In Ramona, storm clouds were accumulating, though no rain had fallen there yet.

Temperatures in that area were in the 90s and a flash flood watch was issued for Lake Henshaw, Palomar Mountain and Warner Springs. The advisory is in effect until 8 p.m. Wednesday.

While no rain had yet fallen in Ramona, heat was still monopolizing much of the conversation.

When “it’s the first thing you talk about is the heat or the weather, you know it is small talk,” said Wally Matranga, owner of Alpine Garden and Gifts.

So when are things finally going to cool down in the San Diego region?

NBC 7’s Dagmar Midcap said there’s still a lot of monsoonal moisture in the region, bringing humidity and a chance of thunderstorms in East County in the evening.

The good news that will come with a sigh of relief: Temperatures are gradually cooling and will continue to cool through Wednesday evening. Expect a daytime high on Thursday much more typical for this time of year: 77 degrees.