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Cannon Fires Cans of Marijuana Into U.S.

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Over 30 cans of marijuana were shot across the Mexican border into the United States by cannon, Customs and Border Protection officials said Tuesday.

The suspicious cans were discovered near the Colorado River in Yuma, Ariz. on Friday.

Border Patrol agents said the discovery was "another unique but unsuccessful attempt" to smuggle drugs into the U.S.

An investigation of the area determined that the cans were fired from about 500 feet away with a pneumatic-powered cannon. A carbon-dioxide tank was found nearby. 

Mexican authorities are also looking into the incident. 

The marijuana weighed 85 pounds and was valued at $42,500. It will be destroyed, according to a statement from the agency.  



Photo Credit: US Customs and Border Protection

Fire Breaks Out Near Plant Nursery

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Trees and bamboo plants caught fire near an Otay Mesa plant nursery Wednesday morning, fire officials said. 

A helicopter was called to the scene in the 2300 block of Palm Avenue just before 6 a.m. Wednesday, according to the San Diego Fire Department. 

The area is located near a riverbed and some trolley tracks, but no structures were threatened. Trolley service was not interrupted. 

Fire crews knocked the fire down shortly upon arriving to the scene, though smoke could still be seen from the vegetation Wednesday morning. 

 

 



Photo Credit: NBC San Diego

Fairgrounds Fix Moves Forward

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 A master plan for renovations at the Del Mar Fairgrounds is moving forward.

On Tuesday, a settlement was reached in a lawsuit between the fairgrounds, Solana Beach, Del Mar and the San Dieguito River Park Joint Powers Authority.

Officials estimate it will take several months to get renovation projects rolling. Those projects are expected to create new jobs in our region, giving the local economy a boost.

"The number one, two and three priority projects is a replacement of the old outdated exhibit halls," said Adam Day, 22nd District Agricultural Association Board President.

"Those halls need updating for building codes, safety codes. They need to be more efficient as far as allowing event planners to host events there."

The highlights of the deal say the fairgrounds will not build a hotel within the next five years.

An electronic reader board will not be placed overlooking Interstate 5. Road improvements will also be looked into. They will also study the impacts the fairgrounds has on the broader region.

More than 1.5 million people attended the San Diego County Fair held at the fairgrounds in June 2012. That was an increase from the approximate 1.4 million people who attended the previous year.

 


 

 



Photo Credit: San Diego County Fair

One Dead After Motorcycle Crash

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A person died on Wednesday morning following a motorcycle accident on Interstate 15, according to California Highway Patrol.

The motorbike and semi truck collided shortly before 8 a.m. between Interstate 805 and University Avenue.

Officers and medics are on the scene.

SigAlert has issued a warning that the first two lanes of traffic are blocked and delays are expected up to 20 minutes.

Check back for updates on this story.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Crash at Balboa, I-805 Causes Delays

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A two-vehicle accident caused slowing along northbound Interstate 805 at Balboa Avenue early Wednesday.

The crash prompted a closure to the slow lane around 6:30 a.m.

Authorities said a truck carrying a trailer broke down, but the driver had no momentum to pull over. When he got out of his car, another car struck the trailer. 

The impact of the collision caused the driver to sustain a broken arm. He was transported to the hospital. 

CHP officials said the driver of the car who hit the trailer may not have had his lights on. 

Debris was scattered across the freeway after the collision. 

Even though the accident was cleared quickly, drivers heading north from the South Bay faced a delay into Mission Valley according to NBC 7’s Whitney Southwick.

Early reports from CHP stated that three cars were involved. It appeared only two cars were involved. 

 

Real-Life Grinch Steals Charity Money

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A Bonita man is furious after someone stole Christmas donations from a holiday block party.

Last year he raised over $2,000 for Rady Children's Hospital. This year he was looking to surpass that number -- until someone took the money.

Ron Komendera, 77, lives for this time of year. For ten years, he has worked to perfect all 36,000 Christmas lights on display in the front yard of his Cienega Drive home. But this year, what’s being called a real life Grinch stole his Christmas joy.

"I emotionally, literally broke down. I work on this display all year. It takes me three weeks to put it up,” Komendera explained.

About four years ago, Ron decided to use the display as a chance to give back. He leaves a jar for visitors, asking them to donate to Rady Children’s Hospital. Saturday, during his annual Grand lighting, hundreds of people came to his neighborhood. As in year’s past, he says the donation jar was full.

"I said 'my God are they throwing money in there?' Because all I could see were $10 and $20s.”

Komendera says he thought about emptying the jar but before he had a chance to, someone else did.

"I dont know how long it was, approximately 30 minutes later maybe. I looked over here and the money was down to here," he said, pointing to the bottom of the jar.

Ron says someone took between $500 to $1,000 from the donation jar. It was enough for him to consider cancelling Christmas.

"I wanted to immediately start taking down the display. I was hurt that much. I did all I could do, they had to hold me back because I said I'm taking this down right now."

Now Ron says he's fighting back, spreading the word about what happened and hoping to have an ending just like the famous Christmas story.

“For God's sake if you got any honesty in your bones bring the money back. Secretly. Anyway. Just bring the money back,”

Komendera says he is working to find someone to make him a metal donation box he can mount to his mailbox. He has surveillance cameras around his home but they did not capture who was responsible.

San Diego County Sheriff's Deputies are now investigating.

Whitney Houston, "Gangnam Style" Top 2012 Google Searches

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Whitney Houston led Google’s list of top searches for 2012, according to the search engine’s end-of-the-year “zeitgeist” report.

Coming in second place in overall search was Psy's k-pop video "Gangnam Style," which has surpassed 900 million views on YouTube. Rounding out the top five searches were Hurricane Sandy, iPad 2 and Diablo 3.

This year’s results were the most global to date, Google said. There are a total of 838 lists from 55 countries. The 2012 Zeitgeist website also includes an interactive map that illustrate where the trends occurred around the world. There will also be a Google Zeitgeist Android app launching later today, followed by an iOS version.

The list is also broken down by categories. While some Olympic athletes trended in the top 10, it was Jeremy Lin who topped the athlete's list at No. 1 for his seven-game winning streak with the New York Knicks.

Boy band sensation One Direction was No.1 in Google Image searches and "The Hunger Games" was the most search movie. Fan-fiction-turned-bestseller "Fifty Shades of Grey" was the most searched book.

Google's list also tells a story of a politically charged election year. People searched for a range of political and legislative topics that include SOPA, ACTA, election candidates, issues and political gaffes like Big Bird and binders full of women.

Google analyzed an aggregation of over one trillion searches that users typed into Google Search to compile the list. Data came from Google Trends and other internal data tools.

Rival search engine Bing released its own top search list last month. Kim Kardashian was the most searched person of the year, while the iPhone 5 was the most searched news story.
 



Photo Credit: gawker.com

No Medal of Honor for Fallen Marine

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A local Congressman confirms the Department of Defense will not award the Medal of Honor to a fallen San Diego Marine who some say used his own body to shield fellow troops from a grenade.

Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta died eight years ago when he was caught in crossfire during an assault in Fallujah, Iraq.

He was honored with the Navy Cross but was denied the Medal of Honor because a previous Defense Secretary cited forensic evidence that Peralta was not conscious when he smothered a grenade with his body in Iraq in 2004, saving the lives of other Marines.

The case was reopened earlier this year after U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter obtained a video of the battle action and a newly released report by a forensic pathologist that the lawmaker says prove
Peralta was conscious and his actions intentional.

One week ago, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus said he was recommending that the Defense Department upgrade Peralta's award.

However, on Wednesday, the General Counsel of the Department of Defense, Jeh Johnson informed Hunter that there would be no Medal of Honor for Peralta.

Among the reasons for his decision, Johnson said he questioned eyewitness accounts and felt the 2008 forensic review was still reliable.

More information will be released in the coming days according to a spokesperson for Rep. Hunter.
 

 

 


12: It's a Romantic Number

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Over 150 couples got married at the San Diego County Administration Building on Wednesday, 12/12/12.

Mall Shooting Victims Have San Diego Ties

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Two people killed in a random shooting at a crowded Oregon mall have connections to San Diego.

A gunman, identified Wednesday as 22-year-old Jacob Tyler Roberts, went on a shooting rampage at the mall outside Portland Tuesday.

Roberts had armed himself with an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle and had several fully loaded magazines. He later shot and killed himself.

Investigators released new information about the shooting at the same time they named the victims in what's being called a random attack.

Cindy Ann Yuille, 54, of northeast Portland died in the shooting.  A former Grossmont High School classmate remembers her by her maiden name - Cindy Waddell. Her friend said Yuille was active in the El Cajon school’s theater when she attended.

According to the Oregonian Newspaper, Yuille was a hospice nurse who earned her degree from San Diego State University. She moved to Portland from California in the early 1990s. She has a 23-year-old daughter and a 13-year-old stepson.

Her family released a statement Wednesday saying Yuille was “everybody’s friend, a wonderful person who was very caring and put others first.”

Her family was told she was struck by a stray bullet. Click here for the full article on Yuille

They have said they want to grieve privately and may speak at a later time.

Steven Forsyth, 45, of West Linn was also killed in the shooting. On his LinkedIn page, the business owner mentions attending University San Diego and majoring in business administration with a minor in political science.

A statement from the university said Forsyth was an active member of several student clubs and organizations.

"Our prayers go out to Mr. Forsyth's family and friends as well as all of victims of yesterday's senseless act of violence," the statement read.

His family said Forsyth had a great sense of humor and a zest for life. They described him as “a loving husband, father of two children, son, brother, uncle, longtime youth sports coach and a friend to the many people who had a privilege to meet him.”

Thousands of people were evacuated from the mall moments after police were called to the shopping center.

Another shooting victim, Kristina Shevchenko, whose age could not be confirmed, was wounded and in serious condition on Wednesday.



Photo Credit: AP

Golden Globes: 20 Years of Winning Movie Actresses

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From Meryl Streep to Michelle Williams, take a look back at the last two decades of Golden Globe-winning movie actresses. The Golden Globes return Jan. 13, 2013.

Cops: OC Doc Had 1,000 Child Porn Images

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A Santa Ana physician was arrested Tuesday on a warrant accusing him of possessing about 1,000 images of child pornography on a work computer.

Pete Thomas, DPM, of Coastline Podiatry in Santa Ana turned himself in to a judge when an arrest warrant was issued for him, Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said.

The judge sent Thomas to police, where he surrendered himself and was booked on one county of felony possession of child pornography, Bertagna said. He was out on $50,000 bail Tuesday night.

Thomas, 58, of Long Beach, came under suspicion when a computer technician spotted the questionable material on his computer while installing new printing software on the office's system, Bertagna said.

Some images allegedly depict children from 7 years old to their early teens engaging in sex acts with other minors or adults, Bertagna said.

Police don't believe Thomas had any contact with the children in the photos.

Rain, Snow to Hit San Diego County

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Bundle up, San Diego: Cold, wet weather is on the way.

The National Weather Service issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Wednesday night into Friday morning, saying rain and snow is possible in San Diego County.

Thunderstorms are also a possibility on Thursday and showers could linger into the weekend, according to NWS. Hail, gusty winds and lightning could also be a result of the thunderstorms.

There is also a coastal flood advisory because of King Tides on Thursday morning. The "astronomically high" tides could cause erosion and flooding in Point Loma, San Diego Bay and Imperial Beach.

Click here for our interactive radar

Temperatures will also be 10-15 degrees cooler than seasonal average.

Several inches of snow are expected in mountain areas above 5,000 feet and lighter snow is expected in lower elevations as well.

NWS said travelers should be wary of slippery roads and limited visibility.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Shooting Victim Found Buried in Clutter: Cops

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The body of a Carlsbad high school teacher was discovered buried under piles of clutter an investigator testified Tuesday.

Jason Harper, 39, was found shot to death Aug. 7 in his home in a gated community on Badger Lane east of the Rancho Carlsbad Golf Course.

Julie Harper, 39, a former real estate agent, faces first degree murder charges in his death.

Julie, who'd filed for divorce days before Jason was found dead, was with him in their bedroom on the morning when their two oldest kids, ages 6 and 8, told police they heard a loud thud and their dad screaming.

When the kids went upstairs investigators said they weren't allowed in and were told by their mom: dad fell from a chair and is now sleeping.

Carlsbad police Lt. Bruce May drove to the couple’s address after he received a call from Julie Harper’s defense attorney Paul Pfingst urging them to do a welfare check on the home.

May testified Wednesday at a pre-trial hearing Wednesday and described images showing Jason Harper’s body buried under a pile of belongings in the couple’s master bedroom.

“It appeared to be a large object in the center of the room,” he said. “It was large enough we thought it was probably a body underneath it. “

He nudged it a few times with a flashlight and didn’t get a response.

“The object had a bunch of clothes and boxes on it so Sgt. Chapman moved a box, pulled a blanket back and we discovered a deceased male under the blanket.”

There was so much clutter in the room that there was no clear path to move around May said.

The bulk of testimony Tuesday came from Jason Harper's mother who talked about her son's failing marriage and the growing distrust she had for her daughter in law now accused of murder.

Included in Lina Harper's so called "Mom's list of concerns" were the cluttered home, the bottles of valium and painkillers littering the bathroom, extreme retaliation and revenge and even the book her daughter-in-law was reading about how in-laws ruin a marriage.

She also read out loud to the court parts of Julie's resume, "It says military training, martial arts, weapons handling, and shooting and in parenthesis small arms, semi-automatic carbines and rifles," Lina Harper testified.

Investigators say they haven't recovered the gun used in the shooting.

More testimony is expected in the preliminary hearing Wednesday.

 

Mysterious Chemicals Prompt Building Evacuation

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A HAZMAT team was dispatched to Poway Wednesday afternoon after a box full of mysterious chemicals was discovered in a building.

Containers full of unknown substances were found on the 12000-block of Crosthwaite Circle around 4 p.m., according to Poway Fire Department.

Officials have set up a perimeter around the area. The building was evacuated as a precaution.

Check back for updates on this story.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Stolen Car Chase Ends in Crash

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A driver was arrested after stealing a car and leading police on a chase through downtown San Diego, according to police.

Officers noticed the stolen vehicle and attempted to stop the driver around 5 p.m. on Wednesday, but then the driver allegedly sped through downtown. The car then crashed on 10th Avenue, which is when the driver fled on foot.

The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

San Diego Ranks Third Highest for Homeless

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San Diego has just attained a third-place national ranking – a distant third, to be sure.
           
Not for something cool, heroic or lofty.

It’s for the size of its homeless population -- just over 10,000 county-wide -- which is outranked only by those of New York and Los Angeles -- both four to six times larger -- according to a report just issued by the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development.

While the HUD report doesn't say why this has come about, a visit to the San Diego’s 200-bunk emergency winter shelter in Barrio Logan -- operated by the nonprofit Alpha Project for the Homeless – yields some theories, if not quantifiable answers.
           
"There's a lot of resources here in San Diego,” says Janis Phillips, a shelter resident who is expected to be among more than 800 street people served by the shelter during its four-month run.

"They help us out,” Phillips adds.  “We have this tent from Alpha Project. I feel we've got more of these going on than other places that could help the homeless. If you don't want to see us out in the street, help us."

Bob McElroy, the Alpha Project's founder, president and CEO, says this area's battle against homelessness has become a lot less uphill, thanks to increasingly enlightened local governments agencies, nonprofits and charity groups.

And, says McElroy: “Hey, it’s San Diego”, citing a moderate, year-round climate and mellow urban scene that make the city relatively accommodating to life on the streets.

But only up to a point.

"It is a retirement community; it's extremely expensive to live here,” says shelter resident Paula Meador.  “You have to have money and you have to be productive."

And given that San Diego County is home to a large military community, the influx of down-on-their luck veterans is a big part of the growing homeless numbers, up 6 percent over last year.

"This is the only shelter for female veterans,” McElroy points out.  “We have everything from Vietnam veterans, we have World War Two veterans in here.  And we also have Iraq and Afghanistan veterans over here.  These kids -- that's going to be an issue for decades to come."

But McElroy says he’s more optimistic about getting a good handle on homelessness that at any time in the Alpha Project’s quarter-century history of addressing the various problems.

"Compared to these other cities, we have a solvable issue here,” McElroy says.  “ It just takes the political will to do it.  That's the thing, and I'm hopeful for the first time in decades that the political will is there."
Next month, a year-round residential and treatment facility for 150 chronic cases will open in downtown's financial district.

But McElroy emphasizes that there are countless obstacles to overcoming all the financial and societal roadblocks.

The state's raid on San Diego's redevelopment money, he said,  has taken 243 units of affordable housing for low-income people out of the picture.

Still, shelter resident Josh Holland -- who says he’s spent life on the streets in Miami, New Orleans and Los Angeles -- says San Diego is much more advanced in its investments and approaches than other cities.

"Here, they honestly baby (the homeless).  They throw them Christmas parties,” Holland declared.  “Dude, it's good  here!  I mean, I'm a homeless man -- and I like it."
           
Although armchair critics may see that as part of the problem, experts on homelessness say money spent to address the issues saves taxpayers much more, in what otherwise would be un-recouped public and private costs, from crime and punishment to medical care.
 



Photo Credit: Getty Images

McAfee on Coming to U.S.: "I Had No Choice"

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Internet entrepreneur John McAfee – wanted for questioning by Belizean officials in the slaying of an American expatriate – told reporters in South Beach Wednesday night that he will speak with police in Belize if they come to the U.S.

"If they want to come here and talk to me, I’d be more than happy to talk to them, yes," he said outside the Beacon Hotel, where he is staying.

McAfee posted a message on his blog at 1:15 a.m. Thursday asking the media to respect his privacy. He also had dinner in South Beach before returning to the hotel around 2:30 a.m.

Miami International Airport spokesman Greg Chin said the American Airlines commercial jet carrying McAfee landed shortly before 7 p.m. Wednesday.

McAfee confirmed that he was taken off the plane before everyone else.

"They stopped the airplane before it reached the gate. They had everybody sit down and then they said 'Is John McAfee on the plane, please come forward,'" said the 67-year-old creator of the McAfee antivirus program. "And there were a whole bunch of officers. I thought, gee, this is continuing. And they said, 'Well, we’re here to help you sir, please come with us.' And they whisked me away from you people."

McAfee was released from detention in Guatemala earlier in the day, the Department of Immigration in Guatemala told NBC News.

He said he had no choice about coming to Miami.

"I said, sir, I had no choice. They put me on an airplane. I am here," he said.

As McAfee was escorted by Guatemalan immigration officials to the Guatemala City airport, he said, "I'm free. I'm going to America."

Chin said that McAfee would not exit from Immigration and Customs to the public area of the airport. "His exit will be handled post-security by federal authorities," Chin said.

Nestor Yglesias, a spokesman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations in Miami, said he did not know about any special procedures in place for McAfee’s arrival.

McAfee went on the run last month after Belizean officials tried to question him about Gregory Viant Faull, who was shot to death in early November.

McAfee acknowledges that his dogs were bothersome and that Faull had complained about them, but denies killing Faull.

Faull's home was a couple of houses down from McAfee's compound in Ambergris Caye, off Belize's Caribbean coast.

McAfee said in South Beach that he's "not worried at all" about being extradited to Belize.

"If I’m in front of a court, there’s nothing in the world they will do to send me back. They have no evidence, I have tons of evidence about the corruption, the harassment, beginning with the attack on my property in April," he said. "I mean, of course I’m not worried. I’d be happy to go in front of a judge – just not one in Belize.”

McAfee had been detained last week for immigration violations after he sneaked into Guatemala from neighboring Belize. But Wednesday, Guatemalan immigration service spokesman Fernando Lucero said McAfee was being expelled from the country.

"McAfee entered the country illegally," Lucero said. "Guatemala is expelling him. Since his country of origin is the United States, Guatemala is expelling him to the United States."

As McAfee was expelled from the country, he told Bloomberg Television in a phone exchange that he was “perfectly happy with the decision.”

Belizean authorities had been urging McAfee to show up for questioning in the killing, but have not lodged any formal charges against him.

McAfee said he feared he would be killed if he turned himself in to Belizean authorities. In the interview with Bloomberg on Wednesday, McAfee said he has offered to talk to the police "numerous times on the phone."

But "it's not an issue of talking about a murder," he said. "It's an issue of putting their hands on my person."

McAfee's escort to the Guatemala City airport marked the latest chapter for McAfee's strange, monthlong odyssey to avoid police questioning about the killing.

In one of the most highly publicized flights from police questioning since O.J. Simpson led police on televised low-speed car chase, McAfee constantly blogged and spoke with reporters about his life on the lam.

Bystanders in Guatemala City stopped to stare at the passing police convoy, and people at the airport massed around the immigration truck carrying McAfee, straining to take pictures of him with their cell phones.

McAfee suggested his weeklong detention in Guatemala for entering the country clandestinely had taken its toll on him.

"All I can tell you is I'm 10 years older, and I don't know what I'm doing. I'm just going to Miami," he said.

His 20-year-old Belizean girlfriend who has accompanied him since he went on the run was not with him on the ride to the airport. She was last seen early Wednesday leaving the detention facility crying, after bringing McAfee breakfast.

The British-born McAfee has led an eccentric life since he sold his stake in the software company named after him in the early 1990s and moved to Belize about three years ago to lower his taxes.

He told The New York Times in 2009 that he had lost all but $4 million of his $100 million fortune in the U.S. financial crisis. However, a story on the Gizmodo website quoted him as describing that claim as "not very accurate at all."

McAfee is an acknowledged practical joker who has dabbled in yoga, ultra-light aircraft and the production of herbal medications.

On Sunday he said he yearned to be in the United States and "settle down to whatever normal life" he can.

"I simply would like to live comfortably day by day, fish, swim, enjoy my declining years," he said.

But on Wednesday night, he said he doesn't have a plan for what's next.

"I’m here, I’m hungry, I plan to eat. That’s basically it," McAfee said, adding a moment later, "If you’ve ever tasted Guatemalan jail food, it’s not very nice, and I’d like some sushi.”



Photo Credit: NBC 6 South Florida

Bill Could Issue Special Driver's License for Border-Crossers

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Jane Juris and her husband drive down from Los Angeles to visit family in Tijuana every two weeks. However, when it comes to crossing the border, they'd rather walk than drive.

"It takes so long to get through the lanes and especially with all the construction over there, they've shut lanes down. They have lanes open; you don't know what lanes to get into,“ said Juris who lives in the Pasadena community of Los Angeles.

To make things easier local leaders are pushing state lawmakers to pass a bill that would create an enhanced driver’s license to use at California's ports of entry.

“It's a way to utilize an identification that almost everyone has adding on that nationality aspect so that it could be used across the border,“ said Jason Wells, CEO of the San Ysidro Chamber of Commerce.

Wells has helped State Assemblyman Ben Hueso lobby for the special enhanced license, otherwise known as AB-17.

"We're losing 5.3 billion dollars a year in the states and another 3.2 billion in Mexico just by wait times. So anything you can do to reduce that, is going to become cost effective, “explained Wells.

He says the license would be optional and would cost $75.

"I think it will be a lot easier. I had to get a passport and it's pretty pricey,“ said Fermin Iglesias who travels to TJ from Los Angeles to see the dentist.

"It is more convenient because actually I have some friends that don't have a passport, but they do have a driver's license,“ said San Diego resident Alejandra Likes.

For many it could eliminate the need to carry extra documentation while finally reducing border wait times.

"You get your driver's license anyway and so if you're going to come here just get the right kind of documentation and just drive across,” said Juris.

If the bill passes and enough people opt for the enhanced driver's license, Customs and Border Protection would then add more “Ready Lanes” to help expedite border crossing.

Currently, only four states use the enhanced driver's license: Washington, Vermont, Michigan and New York.



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

Suspect in Harry Mathis Violent Home Invasion Sentenced

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The man who brutally beat a former San Diego city councilman during a violent home invasion has been sentenced to 50 years to life in prison, plus 43 more years.

Back in January, Harry Mathis, 78, -- a former city councilman and chairman of the Metropolitan Transit System –- was returning to his University City home with his wife when they were met by two armed men.

A struggle ensued and Mathis was pistol-whipped in the head by the suspects and ordered into his bathroom along with his wife. Mathis sustained head injuries from the attack and the couple's home was ransacked.

One of the suspects in the brutal home invasion, Harvey Duson, 46, was arrested a week later. Duson, a parolee with a violent past, pleaded guilty to 11 counts charged against him in the robbery and beating in October.

According to Duson’s attorney, he pleaded guilty before trial because he wanted to spare his victims from the further pain of having to testify.

On Wednesday, Duson was sentenced in court. Given his age, the sentencing means he will die in prison.

During the sentencing, Mathis took a few minutes to speak directly to Duson. Instead of bitterness and anger toward his assailant, Mathis’ words were full of forgiveness.

He urged Duson to examine his life and pursue a different path in prison.

Mathis said, in part: "You may well be at the most important crossroad in your life. We hope you'll take advantage of it and save yourself in making the right choices, it's not too late. If you decide to take the path to a new life we'll pray for your success and we wish you good luck in your decision.”

Duson looked on as Mathis spoke.

While Duson has been sentenced in Mathis’ home invasion robbery, the other suspect who was with him that night remains at large.
 



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego
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