Some San Diegans are pushing for a resolution to bring more Iraqi refugees to the U.S.

Since 2003, The United States has accepted more than 74,000 Iraqi refugees and a local businessman right here in San Diego will have a conference call with the White House this Tuesday to urge leaders to accept even more.

Many Iraqi refugees who have gone through the refugee process are now living in El Cajon. One of them, Wafa Hazim, says she left Iraq after receiving threatening letters from terrorists.

“The message was telling them just like you know, go out of Iraq or you guys get killed,” Hazim said through a translator. “You will be killed. Just leave the country."

She took her five daughters and husband and fled to Syria but after the civil war broke out there they had to flee again. This time they moved to Jordan to seek asylum through the U.N for refugee status in the U.S.

“It was so scary," Hazim said. "We are all very worried about our families."

Haiman Estayfan and his family lived in Mosul when a car bomb exploded outside a police station near their home. He said the incident injured his father and traumatized his sister. The danger was what prompted them to leave the region.

"Terrifying, yea, 'cause you never know if someone can come to your house and kill you. They can do anything you know,” Estayfan said.

Both families finally made their way to El Cajon, waiting for others like them to do the same.

Local businessman Mark Arabo said he has a growing list of 70,000 Iraqis waiting for refugee status in the U.S.

After a meeting with the U.N., he said he's already secured refugee spots in Australia, France and Sweden.

A man brandishing and firing a gun was detained and questioned by Secret Service agents Monday morning within the compound of the Ethiopian Embassy in northwest Washington, D.C.

In video provided to News4 by ESAT TV, the man can be seen holding the gun in the air, as people around him on a plaza inside the Embassy gates attempt to talk him down.

At one point, the man lowers the gun and a shot is heard. However, police said no one was hurt in the incident.

The report of shots fired came in at 12:15 p.m. Uniformed officers from the Secret Service responded and detained a person they said was "believed to be the shooter." The individual works at the embassy.

News4's Darcy Spencer spoke with a man who was among the dozen or so protesters outside the embassy at the time, who said he was scared for his life, but isn't deterred from protesting again.

"It never stops because when our relatives and families are killed, how could you sleep?" Shimeles Bekele said.

It is unknown if the gunman will face any charges or if he'll face any sort of diplomatic immunity as an employee of the embassy.

D.C.'s Metropolitan Police and the State Department also responded to the scene.

Copyright Associated Press / NBC 7 San Diego

A two-year, multi-million dollar project to repave sections of Interstate 5 north of San Diego County begins construction Tuesday.

To complete the work, Caltrans will be shutting down three of the four lanes of I-5 from Oceanside to Orange County at different times of the day and night. Construction was originally slated to start on Monday, but materials did not arrive on time, Caltrans says, so they pushed it back a day.

Those lane closures will happen between 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. during the week and on several weekends over the next couple years.

Northbound lanes will be affected for the first two months, according to a Caltrans release. The operation will also take over the southbound lanes along the same section from Oct. 6 to Oct. 10, though construction crews may work on both sides of the freeway simultaneously.

Commuters can check the Caltrans Quick Map for exact locations of closures or call (800) 427-7623 for road conditions.

The Ocean View Rehab Project will cost an estimated $43 million dollars to repair damage done by heavy use, including commercial truck traffic, along the I-5 corridor.

The largest passenger jet in the world, the Airbus A380, landed Monday at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, completing the longest currently flown nonstop route in the world.

The 8,600-mile flight was the first of what will be six weekly, nonstop flights on Australia's Qantas Airways between Sydney's Kingsford Smith International Airport and DFW.  The flights will depart and arrive every day but Tuesday and are expected to take just under 15 hours to DFW and 15 hours and 30 minutes to Australia.

"It's very appropriate that the longest flight in commercial aviation, Sydney to Dallas-Fort Worth, now has the largest airplane flying it," said Sean Donohue, the CEO of DFW International Airport.

In honor of the inaugural flight, the airline added a bit of flair to their kangaroo livery — including a cowboy hat and bandanna.

Celebrating the inaugural A380 from SYD to DFW with special livery. Let us know if you spot the roo! #qantas2dfw pic.twitter.com/c2N8ns0CRs

• Suspected Drunk Driver Rear-Ends J.Lo, Leah Remini

— Qantas Airways USA (@QantasUSA) September 29, 2014

Additionally, travelers were offered the option of a Texas-inspired menu including barbecue sliders, Dr Pepper, rib-eye steaks and chipotle pork tacos.

After crossing the Pacific Ocean and Mexico, Qantas Flight 7 lumbered along on final approach before touching down about 25 minutes early Monday afternoon. After which, the travelers were greeted with a celebratory water cannon salute before coming to a stop at a specially-modified gate at Terminal D.

Actor John Travolta, who serves as the airline's ambassador, helped welcome the first flight to DFW.

"That was the happiest group of passengers and crew I have ever seen get off a 15-hour flight," said Travolta.

The Qantas A380 seats 484 passengers, including 14 First Class Suites, 64 Business Class seats, 35 Premium Economy seats and 371 Economy Class seats with room for four crew rest areas.

On Wednesday, Emirates Airlines joins Qantas as the second airline flying the superjumbo passenger jet into DFW; Emirates flights will be direct to and from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

DFW Airport has been preparing for its newest arrival for years. A decade ago, Terminal D was designed with the European-built A380 in mind.

“It always was the dream for this particular terminal to have A380 service,” said Perfecto Solis, vice president for airport development and engineering.

Consider the stats for the double-decker behemoth:

• 500+ passengers
• 261 foot wingspan
• 79 feet tall

The plane is so large that workers at DFW painted its outline on the tarmac to see exactly how much space it would need.  They also used 3-D computer models to see how the A380 would fit in at DFW.

Despite years of advance planning, DFW still had to make $4.5 million in tweaks to accommodate the A380. Taxiways have been widened, and hundreds of seats have been added inside the terminal for waiting passengers.

But the most visible changes are at the gate.  The A380 will occupy two gates at once — D15 and D16.  Passengers will use three jet bridges, one of which rises more than 30 feet off the ground to reach the plane's upper deck.

With the arrival of the A380, DFW joins the ranks of cities like London and New York, where the A380 is a regular sight.

“I think it speaks directly to the fact that the international community sees DFW as an international powerhouse,” said Solis.

Airline officials say the new addition will have a $200 million economic impact on North Texas.

"This is a huge boost of confidence for Dallas-Fort Worth Airport and the community," said Qantas Senior Executive Vice President Vanessa Hudson.

NBC 5's Johnny Archer contributed to this report.

Santa Ana conditions expected for Southern Califonria this week will be weak, according to the National Weather Service, but Cal Fire still lists an increased risk of a damaging wildfire 

High pressure will build on Thursday, strengthen on Friday and peak on Saturday.

As a result, San Diego will experience another round of hot weather with temperatures reaching into the upper 90s for the inland valleys and mile to upper 80s along the coast by the end of the week.

Santa Anas are expected each morning but the weather service says it will be a weak event, with winds of just 15 mph to 25 mph.

Forecasters say they'll keep a close eye on the winds in case they increase.

A new online tool provided by Cal Fire suggests the risk of a wildfire from this Santa Ana wind event will be marginal in San Diego on Thursday.

The Santa Ana Wildfire Threat Index, a classification system that analyzes the fire threat potential of the powerful Santa Ana winds, was rolled out in September to help homeowners and fire officials prepare.

San Diego County officials urge residents to download the free emergency smart phone application SDEmergency and follow three key steps.

GET READY: Do your 100-foot defensible space in advance
GET SET: Have an emergency plan. Pack your car when Santa Anas arrive.
GO: When told to leave, leave.

An accident in Barrio Logan between a motorist, a San Diego Police officer and eight cyclists sent five people to the hospital Sunday.

The officer was responding to a domestic violence call, traveling southbound on Cesar Chavez at 4:30 p.m. when the officer's car collided with a convertible traveling east on Harbor Drive.

Scott and Camille Martin of San Carlos were in the convertible with the hard top down. Both suffered multiple injuries ranging from bumps and bruises to broken bones.

"It was a split second," Scott said. "The car appeared right in front of me. I just stomped on the brakes but we were already it seemed like a few feet from each other."

The Martins say they had the green light and didn't hear a siren prior to the crash.

"At the very last second, I saw him and then, the impact and then spun. Horrible," Camille recalls.

It's not clear whether the officer was driving with lights activated.  The officer was a block away from the call at the time of the crash.

The collision spun the officer’s car up on to the sidewalk and into eight cyclists.

All eight crash victims were visitors from Brazil in town for a four day convention. They were riding on bicycles they had rented to tour the city.

The rear window of the patrol car was shattered. One bike ended up underneath the patrol car.

The Martins feel the San Diego Police Department needs to reexamine its policy on responding to calls.

“My concern is I’ve seen it more than once where [police cruisers are] blowing through intersections at red lights. They often don’t use their sirens to clear the intersection like you typically would see with other emergency vehicles and I think that endangers everybody including the officer,” said Scott Martin.

Scott Martin said he spoke with investigators and was not cited. He and his wife are grateful to the EMTs for their care and help in the moments after their crash.

They also credit the car's airbags and seat belts for saving them from greater harm.

“Obviously it is a scary sight anytime you have a vehicle that collides with a pedestrian on foot or on a bike it is a dangerous situation. Fortunately all the cyclists had helmets on and I think that prevented serious injuries in this case,” Lt. Paul Connelly said.

The police officer was one of the five transported to the hospital. He has not been identified.

The intersection was closed for three hours afterward.

When NBC 7 asked for comment and a copy of possible video from the accident, the SDPD said its traffic division is conducting a thorough investigation of the incident and no further information is available at this time.

A man accused of trying to start a fire in a Normal Heights neighborhood was found hiding under a bush about a block away, police officers said Monday.

Neighbors reported seeing a man trying to start a fire between two homes near Hawley Boulevard and North Mountain Road at approximately 2 a.m.

One resident told police he stepped outside his home and confronted the man. At that point, the man ran toward the street, got on a scooter and fled northbound on Hawley, police said.

After searching yard to yard, police found a man laying down behind some bushes near Hawley and Cromwell Court.

He was found to be in possession of a small butane torch and some disposable water bottles filled with some type of liquid as well as a scooter.

The man, seen in video handcuffed and bleeding, was detained by San Diego police. He was taken to a nearby hospital with an injury to his hand, police said.

The MAST unit is investigating to see if this suspect is connected to this morning’s fire and other arson incidents reported recently in the City Heights area of San Diego.
 

A freeway on-ramp in La Mesa was closed for two hours Monday after a suspicious device was spotted in the area.

Yellow caution tape blocked off the ramp from Grossmont Center Drive to eastbound Interstate 8.

The device was reported just before 10:30 a.m. Bomb technicians sent a robot to investigate the object around 11:30 a.m., which turned out to be two pipes wrapped in duct tape, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Authorities determined the object was safe and reopened the ramp just after 12:30 p.m.

No evacuations were issued, and no injuries were reported.

The Chargers are 3-1, all alone in first place in the AFC West. Through those first four games, Philip Rivers has been arguably the best quarterback in football. So, all is well is Chargers Land, right?

Not exactly. Rivers has had to be as good as he's been because the Chargers running game is borderline non-existent.

"The big negative, obviously, is the running game," said Chargers head coach Mike McCoy on Monday, a day after his team beat Jacksonville 33-14 despite rushing for only 42 yards on 20 carries. "It's nowhere near where it needs to be."

The Bolts are the only team in football averaging less than three yards a carry (2.4 to be exact).

"We should run the football better," said McCoy. "I've seen it done with the guys we have."

However, they don't currently have some of the guys they have. Injuries to Ryan Mathews and Danny Woodhead are tough to overcome. Could it simply be the Chargers don't have enough talent right now to run the ball?

"No, we have plenty of talent here," said McCoy. "We have plenty of talent to run the ball. It's execution. We have to execute it better."

If it's not talent, then let's look at other factors. They have played some dominant defenses. The Bills, Cardinals and Seahawks are ranked 3rd, 4th and 5th, respectively, against the run. It's too early in the season to tell if the Chargers are not running well because the teams they've faced are really good, or if the teams they've faced are really good because they've played the Chargers. It's probably a bit of both.

"Yeah, there are some good defenses, but we've got a good offense," said McCoy. "I know we can run the football better. We will run the football better. We have to run the football better."

The Bolts may have a solution. Rookie Branden Oliver showed enough against the Jaguars (nine carries for 23 yards) to provide a glimmer of hope, especially if the guys up front get just a couple more blocks.

"He did a great job," said McCoy. "He's just going to get better with time. If we get him a few more creases, there are going to be some explosive plays."

The Chargers could use a few of those next Sunday against the Jets. New York comes to Qualcomm Stadium with the NFL's #1 run defense.

It’s the first weekend of October. Even though it's almost Halloween, don’t be afraid: There are still plenty of fun events happening in San Diego.

Thursday, Oct. 2

SoCal Style Runway Show
6 p.m. – 10 p.m. at the Port Pavilion
The Golden State definitely has its own sense of style. Watch models strike a pose in fashions created exclusively by California designers. Come early for a live performance by pop-soul singer Aquile from “The Voice.” It’s all part of Fashion Week San Diego 2014, which runs through Sunday.

Chew the Scene
6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. at McMillin Event Center in Liberty Station
One ride down Convoy Street and it’s clear that San Diego has a vibrant Asian food scene. Sample bites from more than a dozen restaurants and sip sake and soju. You can meet food guru Sam the Cooking Guy and “Top Chef” finalist Beverly Kim. It’s also the first public sneak peek of this year's San Diego Asian Film Festival. (Note: This event is now sold out.)

Friday, Oct. 3

La Mesa Oktoberfest 2014
10 a.m. – 9 p.m. in La Mesa
Raise your beer stein to this popular event in downtown La Mesa. More than 200,000 people are expected to attend this three-day fest, which features German food, live entertainment and activities for the kids. Admission is free. (Lederhosen are optional.)

Saturday, Oct. 4

Pacific Beachfest 5K, sponsored by Xterra Boards
Starts at 9 a.m. in Pacific Beach
If you only run one 5K this year, make it the Pacific Beachfest 5K. It’s got everything: Sandy beaches, ocean views and a killer after party.

The Grand Woofstock Pet Festival
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Grape Day Park in Escondido
Do you have the grooviest dog around? Then don’t miss the Grand Woofstock Pet Festival where your pooch can compete in costume, dance and agility contests. The fest also features a Blessing of the Dogs, pet parade, pet photos and more. It’s going to be far out.

Opera-Singing Chef
1 p.m. at St. Timothy’s in Rancho Peñasquitos
Here's a treat for both your earbuds and your taste buds. The Opera-Singing Chef Elizabeth Podsiadlo will teach you how to cook with garden fresh ingredients. (So it makes sense proceeds will benefit the community garden at St. Tim’s.)

South Park Fall Walkabout
6 p.m. – 10 p.m. in South Park
It may not look like fall in San Diego, but it will definitely taste like it this weekend in South Park. Participating restaurants will serve seasonal cuisine for just $5. So, come on down to South Park.

Sunday, Oct. 5

San Marcos ArtWalk
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. in San Marcos
From Chinese to Italian, from steak to seafood, everyone can find something to whet their palette on Old California Restaurant Row in San Marcos. On Sunday, the area will showcase more than 30 North County artists. Pick up a unique piece for your home or take part in the all-ages mural project.

Taste and Art Stroll
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. in Del Mar Village
What’s the tastiest restaurant in Del Mar Village? Vote for your favorite as more than two dozen eateries compete at the Taste and Art Stroll. Savoring delicious food, listening to live music, strolling past art vendors…what better way to spend a Sunday afternoon?

Two police motorcycles collided on the only route into Coronado from Imperial Beach early Monday, causing delays for morning commuters.

The crash happened just before 8 a.m. along Silver Strand Boulevard just two blocks south of Hotel del Coronado.

Two San Diego police motorcycle officers were taking part in a VIP motorcade when one motorcycle hit the tail end of the second motorcycle. Both officers were transported to UCSD with minor injuries.

“It’s a little more personal. They’re like family to us. So it’s a little harder coming to a collision involving your own guys,” said SDPD Sgt. Victoria Houseman.

No word on what caused the crash or if the officer who hit the other could face consequences.

The location of the crash is near Naval Amphibious Base Coronado and north of Silver Strand State Beach.

An accused killer who was extradited from Hawaii to face charges in a San Diego cold case was ordered held on $5 million bail Monday as prosecutors vowed to seek justice for the woman whose body was unearthed in the Anza Borrego Desert.

Anthony Simoneau, 46, appeared in an El Cajon courtroom in a jail uniform for the first time when he faced a judge for his formal arraignment on one count of murder in connection with the death of his wife, Fumiko Ogawa.

Ogawa, 41, was last seen alive on January 4, 2007 near her Point Loma Home. Family members in Japan reported her missing, not her husband, officials said.

A body was uncovered January 20 at the Bow Willow Campground in the desert approximately 100 miles east of downtown San Diego. Officials were unable to identify the body at the time it was discovered.

It wasn’t until June 2011 later that investigators were able to positively identify Fumiko Ogawa as the victim of homicide.

In court Monday, Simoneau appeared alongside public defender Armando Salazar and entered a not guilty plea.

After his arrest in Honolulu, Simoneau said he looked forward to returning to San Diego to clear his name.

He now sits in custody on $5 million bail because prosecutors argued he has no local ties and should be considered a flight risk.

Officials say Simoneau sought for divorce before her death and then changed his mind when she inherited a large amount of money.

Deputy District Attorneys Kurt Mechals and Michelle Ialeggio said the case is mainly circumstantial but that is not unusual in a murder case.

It took investigators a lot longer to piece together the case and to basically connect the dots, Mechals said.

Then, with many witnesses living in Japan, it was challenging to coordinate interviews with the help of the Japanese authorities.

The next step will be a readiness hearing in October. That’s when a date is expected to be set for the preliminary hearing.

If convicted, Simoneau faces a maximum penalty of 25 years to life.
 

Calling all parents! Here’s a fun, free activity you can do with the kids.

For the entire month of October, children 12 and under can get free admission to 40 museums in San Diego County. (Scroll down for a complete list of participating museums.)

To get free admission, you must have a coupon. You can print coupons from the San Diego Museum Council’s website or pick them up at any Time Warner Cable store.

Each coupon is good for two free child tickets with one paid adult ticket. Coupons can’t be combined with other offers and may not include special exhibitions at the museum.

This is the fourth year of the free admission for kids program. Last year, more than 10,000 families participated, according to the museum council.

List of Participating Museums

• Barona Cultural Center & Museum
• Birch Aquarium at Scripps
• Cabrillo National Monument
• California Center for the Arts Museum
• California Surf Museum
• Coronado Museum of History & Art
• Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum
• Gaslamp Museum at William H. Davis House
• Heritage of the Americas Museum
• Japanese Friendship Garden
• La Jolla Historical Society
• Living Coast Discovery Center
• Lux Art Institute
• Marston House Museum and Gardens
• Mingei International Museum
• Museum of Contemporary Art
• Museum of Making Music
• Museum of Photographic Arts
• Oceanside Museum of Art
• Reuben H. Fleet Science Center (galleries only)
• San Diego Air & Space Museum
• San Diego Archaeological Center
• San Diego Automotive Museum
• San Diego Botanic Garden
• San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum
• San Diego Chinese Historical Museum
• San Diego Model Railroad Museum
• San Diego Natural History Museum
• Santa Ysabel General Store
• Serra Museum
• The New Children’s Museum
• The San Diego Museum of Art
• The Water Conservation Garden
• Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center
• Timken Museum of Art
• USS Midway Museum
• Veterans Museum & Memorial Center
• Visions Art Museum
• Warner-Cabrillo Ranch House
• Women’s Museum of California

A limited number of California community colleges can now offer four-year degrees, thanks to a bill signed into law Monday by Gov. Jerry Brown.

Senate Bill 850, introduced by State Senator Marty Block (D-San Diego), allows up to 15 community college districts offer one baccalaureate degree program each in select majors. The pilot program starts on Jan. 1, 2015 and ends July 1, 2023.

The law states California needs to produce one million more bachelor’s degrees than it does now to “remain economically competitive in coming decades.” But many four-year colleges do not offer degrees in disciplines like radiology, respiratory therapy and veterinary technology.

According to the state legislature, careers that once required just an associate’s degree or certificate now want prospective employees to have a baccalaureate degree.

"This is landmark legislation that is a game changer for California's higher education system and our workforce preparedness," Block said in a statement. "SB 850 boosts the focus of our community colleges on job training and increasing the accessibility and affordability of our state's higher education system."

Each district that wants to offer a four-year degree will have to identify and document the community’s unmet needs in that subject, and it cannot offer a program already presented by the California State University or University of California.

One district that will most likely enter the running is the San Diego Community College District, whose chancellor, Constance M. Carroll, served on the state’s study group.

"Our entire coalition of supporters is delighted by this good news," said Carroll. "It is imperative for community colleges to ensure that students are well prepared and competitive for the many jobs and careers that now require bachelor's degrees as entry-level preparation.”

She called the bill one of the most significant changes to California’s higher education master plan since its 1960 adoption.

Carroll said four-year programs offered could include dental hygiene, radiologic technology, health information science and automotive technology. Each upper-division class will cost an extra $84 per unit, less than fees paid by CSU students, according to the SDCCD.

Success for the pilot program will depend on completion rates, the costs and funding sources, the impact on underserved and underprepared students and how many districts apply.

The results of an evaluation, due before July 1, 2022, will determine if the program should have a permanent place in the state’s education system.

An 82-year-old man could die after he was struck by a vehicle in the City Heights area Monday evening, San Diego Police say.

The crash happened near University and Winona avenues just after 7 p.m., leaving the pedestrian with serious head injuries. 

San Diego Police say the wounds are life-threatening.

The male driver who hit the man stayed at the scene, and there is no word on if he will face charges.

A Sig Alert has been issued for the 5000 block of University as police investigate, and the alert could stay in effect until 11 p.m.

Check back here for details on this breaking news story.

The dry earth, the raging wildfires and the other symptoms of California's drought are "very likely" linked to human-caused climate change because of the abundance of greenhouse gases created by burning fossil fuels and cutting down forests, according to a new study by Stanford University scientists.

"Our research finds that extreme atmospheric high pressure in this region – which is strongly linked to unusually low precipitation in California – is much more likely to occur today than prior to the human emission of greenhouse gases that began during the Industrial Revolution in the 1800s," Noah Diffenbaugh, an associate professor of environmental Earth system science at Stanford and a senior fellow at the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, said in a statement.

Other scientists have warned that global warming will increase the risk of drought. But this study, published Monday, is one of the most comprehensive studies to connect the current drought, one of the worst in the state's history, to more general climate trends. Diffenbaugh led the team and used computer simulations and statistical techniques to come up with his theory.

Combined with unusually warm temperatures and stagnant air conditions, the lack of rain has triggered a dangerous increase in wildfires and incidents of air pollution across the state, the study noted.

Scientists agree that the immediate cause of the drought is a particularly stubborn "blocking ridge" over the northeastern Pacific – popularly known as the Ridiculously Resilient Ridge, or "Triple R" – that prevented winter storms from reaching California during the 2013 and 2014 rainy seasons.

Scientists compared it to a large boulder that has tumbled into a narrow stream. The "Triple R," they said, diverted the flow of high-speed air currents known as the jet stream far to the north, causing Pacific storms to bypass not only California but also Oregon and Washington. As a result, rain and snow that would normally fall on the West Coast was instead re-routed to Alaska and as far north as the Arctic Circle, the researchers found.

Blocking ridges are regions of high atmospheric pressure that disrupt typical wind patterns in the atmosphere. "Winds respond to the spatial distribution of atmospheric pressure," said Daniel Swain, a graduate student in Diffenbaugh's lab and lead author of the study. "We have seen this amazingly persistent region of high pressure over the northeastern Pacific for many months now, which has substantially altered atmospheric flow and kept California largely dry."

A recent report estimated that the water shortage would result in direct and indirect agricultural losses of at least $2.2 billion and lead to the loss of more than 17,000 seasonal and part-time jobs in 2014 alone.

The research was published as a supplement to the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society.

Copyright Associated Press / NBC 7 San Diego