Hiker Rescue Caught on Tape

A female hiker clung to the side of a rock 500-feet above the canyon floor of Topanga State Park for two hours Thursday evening before a rescue helicopter pulled her to safety.

The 24-year-old woman and her male climbing partner had climbed down what's known as "Eagle Rock" but quickly realized they were unprepared for such a dangerous climb.

The man climbed back to the top and made a safety line for the woman to hold while she waited for help.

A Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department rescue helicopter arrived, placed the woman into a harness and lifted her to safety.

"She had a death grip on the ledge and I told her she had to let go," Deputy Mark Desmarteau said in a news release. "I had to pry her fingers off of the rock."

The woman escaped the ordeal with just minor injuries.

When she was safely in the helicopter, the woman thanked deputies and gave them each a big hug.

Lightning Sparks Fires in the Antelope Valley

Dry lightning strikes sparked two fires in the Antelope Valley area Friday afternoon, a county fire official said.

The National Weather Service describes dry lightning as cloud-to-ground lightning without any rain nearby.

The first fire was reported at 3:35 p.m. in the 12000 block of West  Avenue D at 125th Street West, Capt. Mark Savage of the Los Angeles County Fire Department said.

Five acres of medium brush had burned by 4 p.m., Savage said.

   

A second fire was reported at 4 p.m. at Avenue J and 110th Street West, he said.

"They said there would be some dry lightning strikes that could cause some problems, and we're seeing that is what is happening," Savage said.

No structures were threatened by either of the fires.

Driver in Fatal Crash Had 7 Suspensions

Records show the driver of a vehicle that struck and killed a pedestrian in south Jersey has had his license suspended seven times.

Twenty-five-year-old Robert Kusznikow lost his license three times for driving while intoxicated.

Kusznikow's father is president of the Stafford Township Council.

Authorities say Kusznikow struck and killed 76-year-old Michael Grosso Jr. and hit a parked car in the township on Wednesday morning. Authorities are awaiting results of a blood analysis.

Court and motor vehicle records examined by the Asbury Park Press show Kusznikow was 15 when he was issued a summonses in 2002 on charges of driving a mo-ped while under the influence.

Kusznikow's driver's license was suspended for 210 days in 2004 for driving under the influence, again underage.

   

 

3 Men Terrorize, Rob, Assault Neighbors: Cops

Three men have been arrested on charges that range from home invasion, robbery and sexual assault in a crime spree that terrorized people that lived in their own neighborhood of Olney in Philadelphia.

Mathew Fletcher, 19, Dwight Stubbs, 25, and Lamar Stansbury, 21, all of the same residence on the 5800 block of North Hope Street, were arrested in connection to five crimes: a burglary, a store robbery, two home invasion robberies at the same house at different times, and the sexual assault of the homeowner, police say.

In an exclusive interview, the owner of a corner store that the trio robbed on Sept. 2 said that he re-lives the robbery every day.

“I didn’t pray what happened to me to happen to anybody because I could’ve been a dead person by now,” he said. He didn’t want to be identified.

On Sept. 6, the three men robbed a family in their home, only to return two days later to rob the same family and sexually assault a 58-year-old woman, police say.

Neighbors say that they are relieved to know that the three men are now in custody.

Emergency Shelter Closed in Prince William Co.

An emergency shelter set up for residents in Prince William County closed Friday at 5 p.m.  

The shelter at the First Mount Zion Baptist Church was for those displaced by recent flooding.  Originally, they were sheltered at the Dale City Rec Center, but last week those who still needed assistance were moved to the church.

More than 70 people were displaced after high water from Tropical Storm Lee damaged the Holly Acres Mobile Home Park.

The Red Cross said everyone who was using the shelter has found temporary or permanent housing.

Most of NJ Placed Under Flood Warning

All of New Jersey has been placed under flood warnings or advisories.

The National Weather Service says streams and small rivers are likely to overflow their banks.

The warnings, which cover nearly all of the state, are to expire between 10:30 p.m. Friday and early Saturday morning. But a flood watch remains across the state through Saturday afternoon.

Heavy rain fell in many areas throughout Thursday and Friday and was expected to continue off and on through the weekend.

Some parts of New Jersey are still cleaning up from flooding over the past month caused by Hurricane Irene and remnants of Tropical Storm Lee.

Forecasters say the ground remains soggy and is unable to absorb much more water.

 

Deputy Uses Cruiser to Stop Runaway Car

It began in La Crescenta on Friday morning, when deputies tried to stop a driver to issue a citation. 

Instead of stopping, she continued to speed away.

Judging by the way she was waving frantically to them, they realized that she was in an out-of-control car without brakes. The road she was on -- Pennsylvania Avenue -- was all downhill.

As the Ford Focus accelerated to 60 mph, it ran several red lights.

 

Sheriff's deputy Marcelo Ruiz happened to see the out-of-control car. He sped his squad car past the Ford Focus, then slowed down as fast as he safely could, using his car as the brake.

He was able to bring both vehicles to a stop at Mills Avenue.

 

Good thing, too, because had she gone farther, she would have hit a guardrail and injured herself.

 

"At the speed she was going, there was no way she could have made that turn where Pennsylvania Avenue curves," said Sgt. Gary Ogurek from the Crescenta Valley Sheriff's station.

 

Deputies said an empty brake fluid reservoir may have been caused the breaks to go out.

 

Ruiz managed to stop the car with very little damage to either car, just some chips and scratches on the bumpers.

Turns out, he was the right man for the job.

 

"He was a truck driver before becoming a deputy sheriff and he happened to have the driving skill to do that," Ogurek said.

Horses Seized From Riverside County Property

Authorities seized more than a dozen emaciated horses from a property in unincorporated La Cresta on Thursday, according to Riverside County Department of Animal Services.

"Over the last several weeks, the horses had been deteriorating and deteriorating and the sergeant said nothing's going to improve here. She made the decision to seize the horses," said the department's John Welsh.

Janice Deutsch, 46, said the horses' weight loss was due to a strangles outbreak last year.

"Some of the horses dropped weight because of it and are too skinny, but we have been working to get them back up," she said.

The animals don't have diseases; they just need more food, said veterinarian Allan Drusys.

"They were about 150-200 pounds under weight. For a 1,000 pound horse, that's a considerable amount," Drusys said.

The horses were placed in protective custody in an undisclosed location and are now eating three times a day.

Deutsch said her feed bills prove she's never dropped the horses' feed levels during the last eight years.

"I was showing the feed bills to one of the deputies," Deutsch said in a phone interview with NBC LA. "He said something to me like, 'It's irrelevant.' And I said, 'how can it be irrelevant when it's hard evidence?'"

The district attorney will decide if charges will be filed against Deutsch.

Life After "All My Children"

The very sophisticated Erica Kane has been married 11 times. She has been stabbed, choked and kidnapped. She in turn, has stabbed a few folks, blackmailed even more and impersonated a nun.

It has been quite a ride for Erica Kane, played by actress Susan Lucci.

Friday afternoon, after a run of more than 40 years, ABC aired its final episode of "All My Children." But all soap opera fans know -- it's not that easy to stop Erica Kane.

Erica always comes back.

ABC has licensed the story to a small production company named Prospect Park, which hopes to continue "All my Children" online beginning next year.

The company has announced that Cameron Mathison, who plays Ryan Lavery, and Lindsay Hartley, who portrays Dr. Cara Castillo Martin, have already agreed to continue playing their roles.

Lucci has not yet announced if she will return.

Life@50+ Comes to LA

Perhaps it's the best kept secret. Folks 50 and older? They like to have a good time.

"One of the ways I describe the event, I call it the summer camp that you don't want to tell your kids about," says Jason Weinstein, Director of the AARP National Event.

20,000 people are expected to make there way through the convention doors this weekend, and with about 3 million AARP members in California, most of the registrants are from the Golden State.

"It's a opportunity to showcase Los Angeles, as much as it is an opportunity to showcase AARP," according to Weinstein.

Beyond the medical screenings that you'd expect, attendees can also take part in activities like guitar lessons, simulated race car driving, tracing family roots and learning the latest technology.

"You get to meet new people and learn new things," says Roberta Fredericks, from East Northport, New York.

"We did learn something more are about computers, and the pads, tablets," according to Bill Fredericks, also from East Northport, NY.

For companies with exhibits, the convention offers an opportunity to connect with a seasoned audience.

Score Association is looking to recruit volunteers with business backgrounds.

"They can pass it on to the people who need it, the next generation coming up. We know that coming here we're going to meet that type of person," says Blake Welch, Score association, Regional Director for the Western US.

Mod Hatter Opens Fairfax District Boutique

Heads up. Hats are in again thanks to the Royal Wedding this summer and the unusual head gear on the guests.

The phenomenon prompted Susan Murphy to open the Millinery Guild at 7767 Beverly Blvd.

She admitted the London influence on some of her styles.

“It had a lot of influence. You see more people wearing head pieces with feathers,” she said.

Murphy has been making hats for 20 years, but now she is cashing in on the craze.

Her boutique specializes in handmade, one of a kind creations and she is also encouraging the creativity of others. The Millinery Guild is offering workshops to anyone interested in learning the art of hat making.

 

TB Testing Round Two at Ennis High School

Some parents say the Ennis Independent School District is doing a poor job of answering questions about the tuberculosis testing the state is conducting.

The Texas Department of Health Services conducted a second round of testing on students at Ennis High School where 80 students have tested positive for exposure to tuberculosis.

The initial round of testing was conducted because a teacher who is now on medical leave was diagnosed with the bacterial infection before the start of the school year.

Veronica Valdez, whose son tested positive for exposure to tuberculosis in the first round of testing, went to the Ennis ISD administration building to ask about her son's health, the risks for the rest of her family and if the school is medically safe.

"They don't care about the community at all," she said. "Beyond, beyond frustration -- this ... is insane."

Valdez said school officials told her to contact the State Department of Health Services. But because of federal guidelines on the release of medical information, the state agency cannot say much, if anything, over the phone about a specific individual's medical test.

Some parents say it's the school district's responsibility to answer questions because exposure most likely occurred at the high school. But an Ennis ISD spokesperson said the district can't comment on the testing because it's a state investigation and because student confidentiality prevents it.

Medical experts say a positive skin test does not mean the patient has tuberculosis; a positive test just means the person has been exposed to it.

But Valdez said it just raises more concerns about the health of her son and family.

"It's horrifying," she said. "It's frustrating, and I'm upset, and it's like our hands are tied. We don't have any rights."

Her son begins nine months of medication on Monday to make sure he doesn't develop tuberculosis.

---

Previous Coverage:

• Dozens Test Positive for Exposure to Tuberculosis

Vince Young Impostor Suspect Arrested

A Maryland man was arrested on D.C. fraud charges in the Vince Young impostor case, police said.

Police suspect Stephan Pittman, of Fort Washington, of posing as the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback and accepting money to make appearances.

The impostor made several appearances in the past week or so, according to the Vince Young Foundation. He said he was accepting money for that non-profit.

The case dates to at least spring, when Young filed a complaint in Houston saying a man was using his name to make money in D.C. and Maryland.

The Washington Examiner gossip blog Yeas and Nays ran a picture identifying Young at a Georgetown party for model Jana Sedlakova that was also attended by former heavyweight champ Riddick Bowe in early September, but that, too, was an impostor.

Prince George’s County police arrested Pittman Friday afternoon.

As for Young it looks like he will be watching the Eagles take on the Giants from the sideline since starting QB Michael Vick appears ready to return from his concussion.

Free E-Books Available Through Libraries

Readers can now mark up, highlight, and save passages in their library books as they choose.

E-Books are available for download to Kindle devices in Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, and San Bernadino counties.

Libraries subscribe to programs such as OverDrive, a lender of e-Books, to purchase books for the public, according to Nancy Kerr, Valencia Public Library Branch library manager.

"We purchase the rights to do this so the library patrons can do it for free," Kerr said.

Libraries purchase these e-Books with funds from their book budgets, Kerr said. Some e-books end up being cheaper than print books, while some libraries purchase both a print and digital copy, she said.

"The (budget) includes print books, e-Books, and online databases," Kerr said. "We juggle the demand and find what people are asking for. We are compiling statistics and looking at the patterns."

Customers interested in this service can go to their local library website, browse through their digital book collections, log in with their library card, and download their selections to their device via Wi-Fi or can transfer with a USB.

Compatible devices include any generation Kindle or the free Kindle app for Android, iPad, iPod, PC, Mac, BlackBerry or Windows phone. Readers can also access books in their web browsers with Kindle Cloud Reader.

The length of time the reader can retain access is determined by the library.  A notice is sent to the reader three days before the subscription ends.

"We have 1,500 copies available," Kerr said. "We can also set it up to repurchase a certain amount."

Readers can use features such as Whispersync technology that will synchronize notes, highlighted material and the last page read. If the reader checks out the books again, all their annotations will be saved.

The Real Page Numbers let readers refer to the print edition easily. Customers can also share their favorite passages on Facebook and Twitter.

Bob Stein, director of the Institute for the Future of the Book, said the use of library books on Kindle will have no effect on the literacy level of the public.

"It's irrelevant," Stein said. "Those who are not literate do not own kindles."

He said the new service won't affect libraries as much as "discontinued support from government" will.

 The Ventura County Library system first began offering downloadable books in August 2010, Dale Redfield, acting deputy director, said in an email statement.

Last year the system spent about $25,000 on titles from OverDrive, which amounted to about 8 percent of its $311,00 book budget, Redfield said.

Tighter budgets mean less for digital books. Even so, the system is hoping to spend $20,000 on OverDrive titles with the Kindle partnership.

Facebook users at NBC LA had mixed feelings about the partnership.

"I think it’s a great idea!" Jeanne Fraga wrote. "I have been checking out digital books from other libraries and it would be nice to expand the options by adding the LA library system.

Carmen Nino worried about the impact of digital books on the viability of bricks-and-mortar libraries. "A lot of our nearby branches are closing," Nino wrote.

"Book renting is a big business," Damien Ross wrote. "Someone will create a Netflix for books and libraries will be done."

Clara Campbell was ambivalent.

"I mourn the time when books (you know, paper, print,etc) go out of style- I like the smell of them, the feel of having a book in my hands, and losing myself in the story," she wrote. "But I'm glad people are still reading, so I guess it is the book of the future."

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Bagel Bandit Wanted for Robbery Series

San Diego police are offering up a reward to anyone with information leading to the arrest of a suspect connected to a robbery series at three bagel stores around the county.

The bandit is wanted for at least five different armed robberies all of which took place at local Einstein Bros. Bagel stores over the past three months, said Officer James Johnson in a media release.

No injuries have been reported during the robbery series, though in the most recent incident, on Sept. 13, the suspect shot a security guard who was inside the store, Johnson said.

The suspect allegedly kicked and shoved an employee as well during a robbery on June 16.

The suspect is considered armed and dangerous, Johnson added.

Detectives said the robberies all occurred in the morning hours around 5 a.m. and surveillance tapes helped capture his moves during some of the incidents.

The man is described as 5 foot 7 to 6 feet tall, with a medium build.

He reportedly wore varied clothing during the spree but usually was seen in a hooded sweatshirt or hooded jacket, blue jean pants, and a bandana or ski mask to cover his face.

What the suspect took in each robbery was not immediately known.

A $1,000 reward is offered and anyone with information in the case is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477 or send email and text messages via their website.

 

 

 

Lighting Causes Small Fire in Rancho Santa Fe

Lighting caused a small vegetation fire inside a vacant lot in Rancho Santa Fe, Friday afternoon, according to fire officials.

Officials with the Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District reported the 20 by 20 foot fire in a lot near Paseo Delicias and the 7000 block of La Palma at about 4 p.m.

No homes were damaged or threatened by the flames and the fire was put out shortly after it began, officials said.

 

Vandenberg Tracking Falling Satellite

Officials reported Friday that people in San Diego will get a glimpse of a falling satellite as it returns to the atmosphere.

The research satellite, which weighs nearly six tons, is on its way back to earth, the hard way, via an uncontrolled re-entry and will pass over the United States in the evening, officials said.

San Diegans will be the first in the country to see the satellite at around 7:45 p.m.

After passing the city, it will move to Colorado, Minnesota, and New York.

NBCSanDiego was told that the average person will be able to see a fire ball and hear the satellite racing because it may only be as high as 50 miles up.

Earlier, experts at the Vandenberg Air Force Base and NASA predicted that the now defunct Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite, or UARS, would land Friday.

Along with them were officials at the Aerospace Corporation, who predicted that re-entry would occur over the Pacific early Friday afternoon, give or take 14 hours.

Most of the satellite is expected to burn up in the atmosphere, but an estimated 26 pieces, that's about 1,200 pounds, could survive and hit the earth.

Since nearly three-quarters of the world is covered with water, NASA is anticipating a splashdown rather than a landing.

NASA puts the chances at 1 in 3,200 that someone, somewhere will be hit.

The 20-year-old Upper Research Atmosphere Satellite will be the biggest NASA spacecraft to fall uncontrolled from the sky in 32 years.

In 1979 Skylab, America's first space station, fell to Earth sending pieces crashing onto Australia and into the ocean.

Three more satellites are poised to make uncontrolled entries into our atmosphere, with the next free fall expected in April of 2014.

D.C. Man Sentenced in Bus Stop Murder

A Washington, D.C., man was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the murder of a man at a bus stop.

Jeffrey Britt, 19, pleaded guilty earlier this year in the murder of 21-year-old George Rawlings.

Prosecutors say Rawlings had just left the funeral of a childhood friend on November 11, 2009, when he encountered Britt and several other men.

The group followed Rawlings to a Metro bus stop and approached him as he boarded a bus.

Britt and another man fired on Rawlings, hitting him 11 times.

He later died from his injuries.

Britt pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence.

He was sentenced to 20 years for the murder and five years for the firearm offense, to be served concurrently.

Two other men involved in the crime, Javorick Moore, 19, of Washington, and D'Angelo Edwards, 21, of Landover, Md., have also pleaded guilty to second-degree murder charges and are awaiting sentencing.

Eagle Scout Granted Bail in Fatal Crash

A judge granted a fatal hit-and-run suspect bail Friday because he was an Eagle Scout.

Michael Dalton, 22, drove the Buick that struck a scooter, sending its driver into the windshield of the car, and then drove about a mile before police stopped him, prosecutors said.

The victim of the hit-and-run Thursday morning on Rockville Pike at Edmonston, 30-year-old Roberto Nassar, later died at a hospital.

Prosecutors said Dalton dragged the scooter lodged under the front of the car for about a mile, with sparks flying. Police managed to stop Dalton by getting in front of him and showing a gun. When they did stop him, he reeked of alcohol, failed a field sobriety test and refused a breath test, police said. At the station, he asked where in Pennsylvania he was.

A recent graduate of Drexel, he’d moved to the area about two months ago for a job as a computer programmer at Johns Hopkins University. In court Friday, his family pleaded for his release so he could keep the job.

The defense described Dalton as an honor student who’d never before been in trouble with the law. The judge granted $15,000 bail because Dalton had been an Eagle Scout.

Dalton is charged with failure to stop at the scene of a fatal accident, failure to return and remain at the scene of a fatal accident, and failure to report a fatal accident to the nearest police. He has not been charged with driving under the influence. The investigation continues.

Philly Chiropractor Penetrates Woman During Massage: DA

A Northeast Philadelphia chiropractor is facing felony charges after he allegedly penetrated a 69-year-old patient with his fingers while giving her a massage, the District Attorney says.

Chiropractor Christopher Walcott, 43, has been charged with aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault and simple assault.

The female patient told authorities that Walcott digitally penetrated her during a massage. No one else was in Walcott’s office at the time of the massage, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

According to his website, Advanced Wellness Center of PA, Walcott opened his center in 2000 and "the personalized and focused care and exceptional results seen in patients treated by Dr. Walcott has been recognized by local and national media."

A video of Walcott demonstrating a do-it-yourself headache remedy is also on his website (see below).

The District Attorney is concerned that there may be more victims and is encouraging anyone with information to contact the Philadelphia Police Department at 215.685.3251.

 

Modano Resigns With Stars, Retires from NHL

The Dallas Stars resigned center Mike Modano to a one-day contract Friday, allowing him to enter retirement as a Dallas Star.

Modano, 41, was first introduced by TV analyst Ralph Strangis, who was followed by a short film highlighting some of the All-Star center's finest moments on and off the ice.

Modano then signed his ceremonial one-day contract before giving an emotional, stirring speech  where he thanked everyone for their support over his 22-year NHL career.

"I think it was unique getting a call from Joe [Nieuwendyk] asking if I wanted to make an announcement of this sort and making it official -- retiring as a Dallas Star," Modano said, immediately getting choked up. "I thought I'd get through the first sentence. It looks easy on paper. You wonder what this day would be like and it does feel pretty overwhelming."

Watch all three parts of Modano's retirement speech in the player above and in the two pieces below, left.

Modano is expected to file his retirement paperwork with the NHL. The amount listed on the contract will be $999,999 in honor of his No. 9 jersey.

“This is a special day for all of us,” said Nieuwendyk. “Mike Modano will always be the face of this franchise. He means so much to our organization and all of our fans. We wanted to give him the opportunity to retire as a Dallas Star. Mike has given his heart and soul to this game for over 30 years. On behalf of the entire organization and the National Hockey League, we would like to thank him for his dedication.”

Modano played for the Stars since before they were the Stars, moving with the team to Dallas from Minnesota in the early 90s.

He has long been the face of the franchise and is credited with helping the Stars establish a presence in a city dominated by football.

Last year, the Stars released the All-Star center and he signed a one-year deal with the Red Wings.

Federal Judge Tosses 7 WTC Lawsuit

A federal judge has tossed out a lawsuit over the destruction Tower 7 of the World Trade Center during the Sept. 11 attacks, saying the "strange, improbable" events could not be foreseen.

Judge Alvin Hellerstein issued an order late Friday ending a lawsuit brought by the Consolidated Edison Co. of New York Inc. against Citigroup Inc. and a company created by Larry Silverstein. The judge says the negligence claim brought after Tower 7 collapsed after 5 p.m. on Sept. 11, 2001, was "too farfetched and tenuous" to survive as a lawsuit.

A Con Edison power station beneath the 47-story building was crushed when the tower fell.

A message for comment left with Con Edison wasn't immediately returned.

Rainy Week Worries Homeowners Near Collapsed Wall

About two dozen homes were evacuated due to a collapsed retaining wall, and some are concerned because of the rainy weather.

Rain caused the wall behind condos on Breezy Ridge Way in Woodbridge, Va., to shift.

People who are still there fear they'll be forced to pick up and leave soon.

Rockwall ISD Encourages Students to "Bring Your Own Technology"

Rockwall school district officials are testing a pilot program that allows students to bring gadgets that were once banned to class.

Under BYOT, or Bring Your Own Technology, high school students can bring electronic devices to class.

The district surveyed parents and students, and 70 percent supported the idea.

"We realized the potential of having the Internet in their pocket," said Donna Fisher of the Rockwall Independent School District. "If they are in class and asked to research something or asked to look something up, instead of discouraging them, we want to encourage them to use that to support their own learning."

But students will not be able to visit any website they want. They will log onto Rockwall ISD's wireless network as guests and be limited to school-appropriate sites.

Students who can't afford to bring their own gadgets can use school-funded laptops.

The district will survey teachers in December to see what worked and what didn't.

3rd Suspect in AC Casino Carjacking Slay Arrested

A fugitive task force arrested the third suspect Friday afternoon in the fatal carjacking of a Middlesex County man from an Atlantic City casino parking garage.

Raheem Simmons, 18, of Camden, was arrested at an apartment complex in his hometown shortly before 4 p.m. without incident.

Atlantic County Prosecutor Theodore Housel again thanked the public for an unusual level of help in identifying and locating the suspects.

"This was a very swift-moving and arduous investigation, and it would not have been possible without the assistance of citizens, people, civilians coming forward and letting us know information, whether it was the person from Bally's parking garage who saw them at 4 a.m., to people in Camden who let us know who the individuals were on the videotapes," Housel said. "I am so thrilled that the three individuals who participated in the carjacking and murder are behind bars."

Simmons' arrest came hours after a second suspect, 20-year-old Eric Darden, was ordered held on $1 million bail during a brief appearance in state Superior Court in Mays Landing. He had surrendered to Haddon Heights police on Thursday with his lawyer.

Another 20-year-old from Camden, Phillip Byrd, was arrested Tuesday evening.

All three are charged with murder, carjacking and other offenses stemming from Sunday's shooting death of 28-year-old Sunil Rattu of Old Bridge, and the of wounding 24-year-old Radha Ghetia of Sayreville. The victims were robbed of a small amount of cash in the Trump Taj Mahal parking garage, then forced into their vehicle and made to drive to a nearby alley, where both were shot.

Rattu died from two gunshot wounds to the head. Ghetia was shot in the upper body but survived.

Authorities say the suspects stalked two other casinos — Bally's Atlantic City and ACH, the casino formerly known as the Atlantic City Hilton — looking for potential victims before attacking the couple at the Taj Mahal around 8 a.m. Sunday. A Bally's employee told authorities the three approached him, leading him to get in his car and quickly drive away before anything could happen.

The fatal carjacking was the second in little over a year that originated in the Taj Mahal parking garage. In May 2010, Martin Caballero of North Bergen was carjacked after dropping off his family at the casino's main entrance and leaving to park the car.

He was carjacked, forced to drive from the garage and stabbed elsewhere. A man and a woman are awaiting trial in that killing.

Simmons is expected to make an initial court appearance on Monday. He was being held on an initial bail of $1 million cash, the same as the other two suspects.

Denton to Host Its First Komen Race for the Cure

Another North Texas city will be racing for the cure this weekend.

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure is being hosted in Denton for the first time.

"I think we have tapped an untapped market here in Denton," said Mary Frances Hoover, executive director of Susan G. Komen for the Cure North Texas.

Breast cancer survivor Bethany Winsor said she is thrilled the race will be in her hometown Saturday.

She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008 at age 27 and was treated in Denton.

"I think everyone wonders initially, 'Why me?' But, why not me?" Winsor said. "People with cancer are usually thought of as older or pediatrics. I was in graduate school and just really starting out my life."

Today, she is cancer-free. Winsor said early detection saved her life and credits the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation for that awareness.

"It's not the big 'C' word anymore," Winsor said. "When my grandmother was young, people didn't speak about cancer. I think Komen has done so much; it's indescribable."

She will be surrounded by thousands of women supporting the cause on Saturday. The majority of the money raised will go back to the North Texas breast cancer community.

"Up to 75 percent of net proceeds that we raise through the course of the year stays locally," Hoover said.

"It was a good moment to know that finally in my community, we were going to come together," Winsor said.

Starving Horses, Donkeys Seized in Kaufman County

The SPCA of Texas seized eight starving animals from two Kaufman County properties Wednesday night and early Thursday morning.

The SPCA seized one starving, emaciated horse Wednesday night that was found astray in Terrell.  The police contacted the owner and told him the horse needed to see a vet immediately.  The owner said he would pick up the horse, but never came.  The police turned the horse over to the SPCA.

The horse's owner may face charges.

On Thursday morning, the SPCA seized five horses and two donkeys from a residence in Kemp.  The animals were all abandoned, without appropriate food, water or care.  Four of the horses are underweight and one is emaciated.

The SPCA seized the animals under the authority of the Kaufman County Sheriff's Department.  The donkeys are in fair condition.

Neighbors reported that the property owners had moved out some time ago and had not been seen caring for the horses since their departure.

An SPCA of Texas investigator left a tags on the front gate on separate visits, asking the animal owners to contact them regarding the animals welfare.

Eventually the SPCA visited the property with a sheriff's deputy who agreed the animals should be seized immediately. The animals were all transported to the SPCA of Texas' Perry Animal Care Center at 8411 Stacy Road in McKinney.

"There is no excuse for abandoning your livestock animals," said Art Muñoz, Senior Investigator for the SPCA of Texas. "Ask friends and neighbors for help, ask your veterinarian, ask your local law enforcement or call the SPCA of Texas for possible resources if you are no longer able to care for your animals."

The animals will remain under the care of the SPCA until custody hearings can be held.

Camels, Ostriches to Hit Home Stretch

Bruce Felps owns and operates East Dallas Times, an online community news outlet serving the White Rock Lake area. He has a photo of his mom, who passed away six years ago yesterday, aboard a camel. That is one photo he never expected to see.

The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of NBC, NBC 5, NBCDFW.com or its employees.

Airports to Continue Offering Vaccinations

On Friday, officials with the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority reported that they would continue offering seasonal flu and travel vaccinations to passengers and employees.

Working alongside the Pacifica Medical organization, the SCRAA officials said for the third year in a row it would provide influenza, Tdap and other CDC recommended vaccinations free of charge.

The vaccinations take place, post security, in the Terminal 1 East and West rotundas from 7 a.m. until 3.

The SCRAA said they’ll offer centers until November 28.

Major vaccines offered include the H1N1, the two most prevalent strains of influenza and travel related vaccines such as Hepatitis A and B, officials said.

 

Family of Girl Shot on Staten Island Fears Returning Home

The 1-year-old girl shot in the face last week as she sat in her stroller has left the hospital, but her family says they are too afraid to return to their home in the Staten Island apartment complex where she was hit by gunfire.

Samyah Bailey and her family are staying with relatives in the meantime. The little girl lost an eye in the shooting, for which police have arrested a suspect.

Jayvon Williams, a friend of the Bailey family, also lives in the Arlington Terrace Apartments.

"It's an unsafe facility. We don't want to live here," Williams said. "I understand why that man doesn't want to be here. His daughter was shot in the face."

The complex does have security, but many people who live there say it does little good.

Another resident, Ada, who has lived there for more than 10 years, says the security that works there rarely intervenes.

"It's to my understanding, in terms of security, if they see an incident take place they can't intervene, they can only call 911. And with that said, if they can't intervene, they shouldn't be here, " she said.

The spokesman for the Staten Island District Attorney says they are working to help relocate the Bailey family as quickly as possible, and in the meantime taking steps to keep them safe.

Va. to Seek No Child Left Behind Waiver

Virginia education officials plan to seek a waiver to the federal No Child Left Behind law, now that President Barack Obama is allowing states to waive basic elements of the Bush-era school reform act.

Superintendent of Public Instruction Patricia Wright said Friday that Virginia expects to seek exemptions from certain aspects of the federal law but that the state already has high standards. Wright said the waiver application will likely be submitted in February.

Under Obama's plan, states can ask the Education Department to be exempted from some of the conditions of the federal law, including a requirement that all children show they are proficient in reading and math by 2014. States would need to meet conditions such as setting standards to prepare students for college and careers.

Sewage Spill Closes San Onofre Beach

San Onofre Beach was closed Friday after officials said a blockage caused  thousands of gallons of sewage to spill into the water on Thursday.

An estimated 7,000 gallons made it's way into waters at the San Onofre Plant at 5000 Pacific Coast Highway, starting at about 9 a.m. , according to a media release.

An initial estimate said as much as 26,000 gallons may have wasted, officials reported.

Officials blame the spill on a blockage in the line which resulted in an accidental bypass of sewage to the outfall that discharges 3000 feet out from the shore line.

The spill didn't end until 4 p.m. and maintenance crews were able to clear the blockage shortly before 10 p.m., officials said.

Contamination signs were posted from 1/4 mile north and 1/4 south of the San Onofre State Beach and are expected to remain there until samples confirm the water is safe.

West Nile Virus Cases on the Rise

Public health officials fear West Nile virus cases may reach epidemic proportions in the San Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys.

Already, the number of cases reported this year in Los Angeles County is seven times the number from last year with the vast majority of the cases in the San Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys

Figures released this week by the county’s Public Health Department’s Acute Communicable Disease Control show 28 cases of West Nile virus have been diagnosed Los Angeles county.

Sixteen of those cases are in the San Fernando Valley.

Orange County has reported three cases of WNV diagnosed in humans and 24 cases diagnosed in birds this year.

It has been more than a decade since the first WNV case was diagnosed in the United States and eight years since health officials identified the virus in dead birds in Los Angeles County.

The disease is transmitted by mosquitos. Most people who get the disease will not actually get sick, but those who do often suffer flu-like symptoms.

Los Angeles County Vector Control officials who are responsible for mosquito abatement said the hot spots for the WNV mosquitos were Studio City, Encino, Burbank and Van Nuys.

Already some 350 mosquitos countywide have tested positive for the virus and around 170 birds have also been found infected with the disease.  These figures compare to those of last year when only 47 infected mosquitos were found and only 29 infected birds were located.

What’s different this year?

L.A. County officials are blaming a combination of increased rainfall and abandoned homes.

Some of these homes have standing water in their swimming pools which serve as a breeding ground for mosquitos.

Public health officials have advised local residents to keep their mosquito repellent handy.

 

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Vince Young Impostor Suspect Arrested

A Maryland man was arrested on D.C. fraud charges in the Vince Young impostor case, police said.

Police suspect Stephan Pittman, of Fort Washington, of posing as the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback and accepting money to make appearances.

The impostor made several appearances in the past week or so, according to the Vince Young Foundation. He said he was accepting money for that non-profit.

The case dates to at least spring, when Young filed a complaint in Houston saying a man was using his name to make money in D.C. and Maryland.

The Washington Examiner gossip blog Yeas and Nays ran a picture identifying Young at a Georgetown party for model Jana Sedlakova that was also attended by former heavyweight champ Riddick Bowe in early September, but that, too, was an impostor.

Prince George’s County police arrested Pittman Friday afternoon.

3rd Suspect in Taj Carjacking Murder in Custody

The third and final suspect in the carjacking and murder of a nursing graduate from the Trump Taj Mahal parking garage was apprehended Friday, police say.

Raheem Simmons, 18, of Camden is now under arrest.

This means that all three suspects are in police custody in the case of the carjacking 28-year-old Sunil Rattu of Old Bridge, N.J. and 24-year-old Radha Ghetia of Parlin, N.J., Sunday morning and then shooting both – killing Rattu.

Eric Darden, 20, of Camden, N.J., surrendered to police Thursday and 20-year-old Phillip Byrd was arrested at a Camden home Tuesday night.

Simmons, Darden and Byrd were caught on surveillance camera at about 8 a.m. Sunday just before they approached Rattu and Ghetia in the Taj Mahal parking garage and forced them at gunpoint into a vehicle, police say.

The three men then forced Ghetia to drive several blocks to an alley. They then shot both Ghetia and Rattu, killing Rattu, police say.

Ghetia, the girlfriend of the victim, is expected to make a full recovery.

Rattu and Ghetia were in Atlantic City to celebrate their graduation from nursing school, Rattu’s family told USA LOCAL NEWS.

Darden and Byrd are both being held on $1 million cash bail. It is not yet known what Simmons terms are.

 

Fort Worth Police Searching for Missing Teen

The Fort Worth Police Department is asking the public to keep an eye out for a missing teen.

Ronny Howard, 16, went missing Thursday at about 7 p.m. near the 800 block of Cross Timbers.

Howard was last seen wearing dark blue shorts, a tan shirt and brown hiking boots.  He is about 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs about 100 pounds.  He has brown hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information about Howard's location should contact the Fort Worth Police Department at 817-335-4222.

Md. Lawmaker Accused of Using Campaign Funds for Wedding

A Maryland state lawmaker and a Prince George's County Council candidate were indicted on theft charges.

The State Prosecutor's Office on Friday accused Delegate Tiffany Alston, who represents Prince George's County, of using $3,560 in campaign funds to cover wedding expenses in December 2010. She's also accused of putting $660 in campaign funds toward the salary of an employee at her law firm.

The two checks from the campaign account written to cover wedding expenses bounced.

Alston, a Democrat, joined the General Assembly in January.

She did not immediately return calls left at her Statehouse office or at her law office. It was not immediately clear if she had a lawyer.

Darrell Miller, a candidate for the Prince George's County Council, was accused of improper use of campaign funds, including at least $1,000 in personal expenses.

Police Investigate Suspicious Device at Stadium

Police are investigating a suspicious device at Qualcomm Stadium after someone spotted it in the west parking lot.

The item appears to be a blue ice chest with several wires sticking out the sides, officers said. A passerby noticed the ice chest and flagged down police.

The ice chest was found about 100 yards east of the fire department located in the stadium parking lot, next to a cement barrier.

The fire department's Metro Arson Strike Team is en route to investigate the device.

This is the second suspicious device to be investigated Friday. The team was called out earlier in the morning to the airport to investigate an abandoned suitcase.

Big Eagles Fan? There Are Apps For That

 

The Philadelphia Eagles are stepping up their digital game, making it easier for fans to follow the team however they decide. Already active on Twitter with the @Eagles and @EaglesInsider accounts and with over 1.3 million fans on the team’s official Facebook page, the team is now taking to the mobile space.  They launched a free new application for iPhone and Android devices earlier this month and plan to roll out a cheerleader swimsuit calendar app later this fall.

The Eagles Official Mobile App, developed by Pittsburgh-based Yinzcam, Inc., which creates in-game technology for sports franchises, received nearly 40,000 downloads in its first 10 days and is available in iTunes and the Android Market.

App features include real-time breaking news, video-on-demand clips of player and coach press conferences, photo galleries, podcasts, real-time stats, standings, a depth chart, a customized fantasy tracker, stadium concessions maps and more. For the social media crowd, “the app links to various social networking sites, such as the Eagles aggregated Twitter feed, one-click tweeting, Facebook posting, and game day check-ins with Foursquare and Gowalla,” according to the official release.

Meanwhile, the cheerleaders are also going mobile. In early November, they will become the first squad in the NFL to launch a Swimsuit Calendar Mobile App. As posted on PhiladelphiaEagles.com, “this app takes the gorgeous Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders off the football field and puts them right into your hands…in bikinis! The cost is only $1.99 and includes a 12-month calendar, January 2012 – December 2012, with sexy bikini images and videos of all thirty-eight beautiful cheerleaders.”

Crowd Protests NJ Police Shooting

Family and friends of a man gunned down by police in New Jersey Thursday morning are calling for a federal investigation into the fatal shooting.

Barry Deloatch, 47, was shot dead at 12:12 a.m. after two police officers chased him into an alley off Throop Avenue and Handy Street.

Bennie Deloatch claims his brother was unarmed when police pursued him.

Protesters gathered at City Hall Friday and chanted "Justice for Barry, justice for all," while New Brunswick Mayor James Cahill asked for patience as the Middlesex County prosecutors office investigates.

“It’s fully understandable that people want, demand answers to numerous question that arise. I think that we need to be patient to make sure the answers that are given are accurate,” said the mayor.

According to prosecutors, police were trying to talk with Deloatch when he ran. It's still unclear what caused the two officers to open fire.

While sources say Deloatch was armed with a stick and hitting the officers, Deloatch’s family says that's not true.

Police would not comment on the open investigation.

Less Sand Expected on City Beaches: Officials

Oceanside will not be getting as much sand out of a regional plan to add sand to eroded beaches, according to the North County Times.

After struggling through serve summer storms and being left in a worse shape than it already was, a change to a beach project by the San Diego Association of Governments will mean 36,000 cubic feet less sand than expected, said harbor and beaches coordinator Frank Quan, in an interview with the NCT Thursday.

"I thought it was bad two years ago. It's worse," Quan said. "Even Harbor Beach is smaller than it was."

City officials were hoping that the $24 million project would provide 264,000 cubic feet of new sand, however the mobilizing and demobilizing projections will exceed original estimates, the NCT reported.

This means less money for dredging and spreading said, Quan said.

The cost issues prompted SANDAG officials to cut 20 percent of the amount of new sand from each city within the project, Quan said.

Back in June, Oceanside, among other spots, was selected to receive more sand by state officials.

For more information, head over to our media partner, the North County Times.

 

Police Blotter: Officer Hits Pedestrian

Here's a list of recent activities drawing the attention of North Texas law enforcement. List compiled on Sept. 22, 2011.

DPD Officer Hits Pedestrian

A Dallas police car struck a pedestrian Thursday night as the person crossed the 5500 block of Gaston Avenue.  The pedestrian was transported to Baylor Medical Center in Dallas with non life-threatening injuries. Witnesses said the man was dressed in dark-colored clothing and was nearly struck by two other cars as he crossed the eastbond lanes before the officer struck him in the westbound lanes. The officer was on routine patrol at the time and was not injured.  The crash is under investigation.

Highway Worker Hit By Car

A highway construction worker was hit by a car when the driver drove through a coned-off area of the eastbound lanes of Interstate 30 near St. Francis at about 3 a.m. Friday. The impact threw the construction worker into the air and caused serious injury. The driver was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving and faces a charge of intoxication assault.

Teen Killed in Car Crash

A teenager was killed in a car crash in Azle Thursday.  Stephen Wright, 18, died in the crash along the 1800 block of Farm-to-Market Road 730 at about 1:45 p.m.  Wright was pronounced dead at the scene while a second person was transported by CareFlite to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth. Details of the crash have not yet been revealed.

30 Rifles Bound for Mexico Seized

Customs officers found 30 assault rifles and 39 magazines bound for Mexico in a car driven by an 18-year-old U.S. citizen. The woman, who hasn't been identified, was from Eagle Pass.  The seizure took place at the Del Rio to Brownsville port of entry.  The car was turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for investigation.  The seizure is the largest at that port.

Washington Monument Repairs Could Last Into Winter

The reopening of the Washington Monument remains undetermined.

The iconic stone obelisk was damaged by the earthquake that hit our region Aug. 23. The quake cracked four stones near the top of the 555-foot monument. Days later, Hurricane Irene lashed the monument with strong winds and heavy rain. More cracks became apparent, and there was some interior flooding.

The engineers coordinating the repair completed their assessment and are putting together a report, WTOP News reported Friday.

"We're now planning what the next stage will be," National Park Service spokesperson Carol Johnson told

WTOP

. "As of now we do not have a reopening date."

 

One of the next steps will be to winterize the monument, Johnson said.

"There's concern if it sits over the winter there'd be sheets of ice, which would cause more damage to the stones," Johnson told WTOP.

The National Park Service and the engineers will update the public on the monument’s status Monday.

A Decision This Mother Never Wanted to Make

Lisa Mendez faced a heartbreaking decision.

She had lost her home, and her options were to either bring her son with her to sleep on the streets, or to give him up to foster care and be separated from him. She worried she might never get him back.

Mendez decided to put her 10-year-old son Hunter into foster care.

How did she get here?

Mendez is a young mother, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and a college graduate with two degrees.

But Mendez is also HIV positive. With her diagnosis came the unraveling of her life. Friends were suddenly unavailable. Parents stopped bringing their kids over to play with Hunter. 

Soon the ravages of the disease took over. She was too sick to work. She had exhausted her bank account. Then she faced eviction.

She was devastated. 

She needed help. 

Then Mendez learned about AIDS Project Los Angeles. Its mission is "to improve the lives of people affected by HIV disease; reduce the incidence of HIV infection; and advocate for fair and effective HIV-related public policy."

Mendez got the help she so desperately needed.

ALPA was able to provide groceries for her. They arranged a bus pass so she could get to her doctor's appointments. ALPA helped her find an affordable and safe home.

A home where she now lives again, with her son Hunter.

The AIDS Walk Los Angeles is scheduled for Oct. 16, 2011. The money raised from the event helps people like Lisa Mendez.

Kidnap Suspect Declared Competent

The woman accused of kidnapping an infant, while posing as a daycare worker has been declared competent to stand trial.

During Talia Gore's preliminary hearing on July 27, Gore became upset and started shouting "It's not true -- It's all lies," which prompted the judge to suspend the hearing and order a mental competency exam.

During the same hearing Gore's attorney had described her client as "fragile" to the judge.

Gore was arrested May 4 at a South Bay trolley station - miles from San Diego City College where she originally met a teenager mother and her then-2-month-old baby, according to police.

Gore identified herself as a San Diego City College Child Development Center employee, the mother told police.

After interviewing the teenage mother, buying her some food and some clothes for the baby, Gore allegedly encouraged the mother to go to the campus of Garfield High School to get some paperwork while she took the baby to the daycare.

The mom went to get some papers to get enrolled into the program and when she returned she realized the gravity of her mistake police said.

It was as the teenager was recalling this part of the story for Gore's preliminary hearing in a downtown courtroom that the defendant interrupted the hearing.

The baby, now 7-months-old, was not injured and was reunited with her mother when Officer Michelle Hansen recognized the baby and the stroller at the Iris Ave trolley station in Otay Mesa and took the suspect into custody.

Gore faces several charges including kidnapping, child abduction and child endangerment.

Plane Hit By Truck Before Takeoff

A US Airways plane waiting for takeoff was hit by a truck at Philadelphia International Airport.

The roof of the track sliced through a wing on the plane.

US Airways flight 3617 was preparing for takeoff at late Friday morning, en route to Richmond, Va.

No passengers or crew were hurt in the collision.

Airport officials have not released details of the accident.

The scheduled 11:40 a.m. flight eventually took off for Virginia at 12:45 p.m.

Dog Trapped in Boulder Rescued

It was a trying day for one pooch that had to be rescued by fire officials after falling, and becoming trapped, between a split boulder early Tuesday morning in Alpine.

Alpine Fire department officials received a call at about 8:26 a.m. that a dog was stuck between rocks in the in the 2600 block of Big Wheel Way, near Big Wagon Road, said Alpine Fire Chief, Bill Paskle.

Once officials arrived on the scene they found a dog unable to free itself from a split boulder measuring approximately 15’ tall and 30’ in diameter.

The dog fell between the rock’s split half after walking on top of it, said Paskle. The animal landed in the rock’s crevasse on the ground and became wedged between the two sections.

After assessing the situation, officials initially used the Jaws of Life in order to create a space to free the dog, however they were unsuccessful after repeated attempts,  Paskle said.

At that point, Viejas Fire Department officials who had responded to the scene tried to use air bags in order to create space, however, their attempts were unsuccessful as well.

Officials finally decided to use poles and ropes to lasso the dog and with a bit of oil for lubrication, they were able to free the animal.

“[The dog] didn’t seem any the worse for wear except covered in vegetable oil and tired, " Paskle said , "but happy to be free and reunited with its owner.”

Red Flag Warnings Issued in SoCal

The potential for lightning combined with brush fire fuel and heavy winds prompted the National Weather Service on Friday to issue several red flag warnings in Southern California.

Weather Page: Extended Forecast, Maps, Video | Send Us Your Weather Photos

The warnings for the Antelope Valley and the mountains of Ventura and Los Angeles counties remain in effect until 11 p.m. Friday.

In Palmdale, there's a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, according to the NWS. Southwest winds in the area could reach up to 15 mph, but the NWS warns that the potential thunderstorms are capable of producing winds of 40 mph.

In Los Angeles, there is a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Skies are expected to be mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Calm winds will remain around 5 mph, according to the NWS. Patchy fog is expected after 11 p.m.

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Banana Man's Suspension Suspended

The final five days of Banana Man Bryan Thompson's 10-day suspension have been suspended.

The 14-year-old, who got in trouble for donning a banana costume and sprinting across the football field during Colonial Forge High School's game last weekend, will return to school Monday and continue to attend class as long as he behaves.

If Colonial Forge's 7:30 p.m. home game isn't rained out, neither Bryan nor Banana Man will attend, but after that, it's time served for Bryan, and retirement for Banana Man.

The legend will live on, though, immortalized in the "Free Banana Man" T-shirts classmates wore to school in support, the "Free Banana Man" hip-hop song Bryan created during his time off and the fabulous YouTube clip of his halftime show. (Warning: Strong language.)

Bryan's mother, Tavia Thompson, appealed the suspension, arguing that her son is autistic.

On Thursday, Bryan said he just wanted to make people happy. Mission accomplished.

National Guardsman Uses 9/11 to Scam NJ Residents: Cops

An Army National Guardsman is charged with impersonation after he allegedly went door to door asking for donations to treat soldiers and assist victims of the 9/11 attacks, Hamilton Township police tell USA LOCAL NEWS.

Scam victims tell police that 24-year-old Timothy Keefe dressed in full military uniform while he visited homes in Mays Landing and Egg Harbor Township under the farse that he was collecting donations for military organizations treating soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress stemming from the 9/11 attacks as well as victims of the attacks.

Authorities have determined that there are no such organizations.

Police say 24-year-old Timothy Keefe pocketed the money, although an exact amount is unknown.

Keefe was arrested on Thursday.

Any victims of the scam are urged to call the Township of Hamilton Police Department at 609-625-2700 ext. 567.

 

OC Woman Accused of Cutting Off Husband's Penis Pleads Not Guilty

An Orange County woman pleaded not guilty to cutting off her estranged husband’s penis and throwing it in a garbage disposal.

Catherine Kieu, 48, entered her plea in Orange County Superior Court Friday on the charges of torture and aggravated mayhem. She also faces sentencing enhancement allegations of inflicting great bodily harm and use of a dangerous or deadly weapon.

Her bail of $1 million was continued, according to the court, and she was served with a protective order directing her to stay away from the victim.

Kieu could be sentenced to life in prison without parole if convicted, according to prosecutors.

Kieu allegedly cut off her 60-year-old husband's penis after the two had an argument about friends staying at his Garden Grove residence.

The man told police that he did not feel well after eating a meal that Kieu had prepared for him. He went to lie down. When he awoke, he found his arms and legs were bound to each corner of the bed. Kieu pulled off his pants and used a 10-inch kitchen knife to remove the penis, according to authorities.

She then threw the penis in a garbage disposal and turned on the disposal, police said.

The husband started divorce proceedings about six months ago, according to police, but he agreed to allow Kieu to stay at his residence because she had nowhere else to go.

She was arrested on July 11 and made her first court appearance July 13, but did not enter a plea. Her arraignment was postponed on July 22 by an OC Superior Court judge who set her bail at $1 million.

FEMA Centers Transform to Help Businesses

Seven of the state’s 11 FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers will soon transition into Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Outreach Centers.

The centers opened in each county in the state to help people who suffered damage and losses from Tropical Storm Irene.

The Danielson, Storrs-Mansfield and Old Saybrook will permanently close because of low volume and the Greenwich DRC will move to a new location in Bridgeport, Gov. Dannel Malloy said.

Homeowners could be eligible for SBA disaster loans up to $200,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed homes and homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

Businesses, on the other hand, may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets.

Malloy said on Thursday that SBA has approved more than $136,000 in low-interest disaster loans to Connecticut residents and businesses that suffered damage from Tropical Storm Irene and FEMA has approved $3.2 million in individual assistance in the state.

At 10 a.m. on Monday, the DRCs in East Haven, Farmington, Guilford, Groton, North Haven, Orange and Torrington will become SBA DLOCs and all will permanently close on Oct. 6, except the center in East Haven, which will remain open through Oct. 13.

The center in Greenwich will move to Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport and will be open on Monday, from noon until 7 p.m. Hours after opening day are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, through Oct. 6.

DRCs in Danielson and Storrs-Mansfield will close at 7 p.m. on Sept. 23, while the Old Saybrook DRC will close at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 27.

The deadline to file an application for physical damage to homes or businesses is Nov. 3. The deadline for businesses with economic injury is June 4, 2012.

Obtain information concerning the SBA by dialing 800-659-2955. For those with speech or hearing disabilities, the TTY number is 800-877-8339.

To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, register with FEMA online anytime at (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 for TTY. These toll-free telephone numbers will operate 7 a.m. through 10 p.m. daily.

These seven FEMA DRCs will become BA DLOCs:

North Haven

Gateway Community College, Room 117- Cafeteria

88 Bassett Road

Transitions to DLOC, Monday, Sept. 26

Open: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday – Friday

Closes: Thursday, Oct. 6

Farmington

Tunxis Community College, Cyber Café

271 Scott Swamp Road

Transitions to DLOC, Monday, Sept. 26

Open: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday – Friday

Closes: Thursday, Oct. 6

Groton

Groton Senior Center

102 Newtown Road

Transitions to DLOC, Monday, Sept. 26

Open: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday – Friday

Closes: Thursday, Oct. 6

Torrington

Meeting Room

111 Water Street

Transitions to DLOC, Monday, Sept. 26

Open: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday- Friday

Closes: Thursday, Oct. 6

Orange

High Plains Community Center, Probate Court hearing room

525 Orange Center Road

Transitions to DLOC, Monday, Sept. 26

Open: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday – Friday

Closes: Thursday, Oct. 6

East Haven

The Beach House, East Haven Town Beach

160 Cosey Beach Avenue

Transitions to DLOC, Monday, Sept. 26

Open: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday – Friday

Closes: Thursday, Oct. 13

Guilford

Guilford Police Department, Community Room

400 Church Street

Transitions to DLOC, Monday, Sept. 26

Open: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday – Friday

Closes: Thursday Oct. 6

Location and hours of the FEMA DRC moving from Greenwich to Bridgeport:

Bridgeport

Housatonic Community College

900 Lafayette Blvd.

Open: Noon – 7 p.m., Monday, Sept. 26

Thereafter open: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday Sept. 27 to Saturday, Oct. 1 and Monday, Oct. 3 through Thursday, Oct. 6

 

Coyote Kills Great Dane

Newington police are warning people to be careful after a Great Dane was killed by a coyote.

A large coyote attacked Zoe, the Great Dane, on Stagecoach Lane on Tuesday morning, police said. She later died at a local veterinary hospital.

"I was focusing on our new puppy and she (Zoe) sort of turned around and looked like she was dragging a back leg and I called her over and when she came over to me she actually had a chunk bitten out of her hind-side," the dog owner said.

The owners of Zoe asked not to be identified. They said this was not the first time they had seen the coyote in their neighborhood. She said she has seen the animal walking down the street during the morning hours.

"I do want people to be cautious because there are so many children in the area, especially in the morning," she added.

Police warn that you should calmly leave the area if a coyote approaches you.

To frighten coyotes, shout, wave your arms and act aggressive, but do not pick up your dog, police warn.

"Letting dogs out at night unsupervised is really a risky proposition even though you may have done it in the past," DEEP Wildlife Biologist Chris Vann said.

In early September Newington Police put a warning out about bobcats after sightings were reported.

If approached by an aggressive or overly-friendly coyote, call DEEP EnCON Police at 860-424-3333 or Newington Police Department at 860-666-8445.

Bear's a Celebrity in Wolcott

Knucklehead the bear is a bit of a celebrity in Wolcott because the 400-pound animal won't stay in the woods where he belongs.

The bear, named for Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield, keeps coming back because people keep putting food out on their decks, officials said.

On Thursday morning, Knucklehead dined on birdseed outside a house on Woodtick Toad and the homeowner, who did not want to be identified, sent in some photos.

Animal Control Officer Joseph Ouimet is familiar with this bear that has been has been appearing in town for several years.

It was trapped three years ago and moved 40 miles away, but found his way back. The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection tagged it -- number 49.

“It started about three years ago. .. Knucklehead began using bird feeders as kind of a drive-thru window,” he said.

Then, 10 days ago, the bear was trapped in Bristol and relocated, but found his way back again.

“We watched him grow up right in front of our own eyes. He's become a little bit of a celebrity in the bear world and he makes his cameos every year, but he does get himself into some trouble,” Ouimet said.

Officials discourage people from feed bears, which should be in the woods and eating things like berries and nuts.

Sean Allen lives nearby and didn't see the bear, but his dog sensed something.

“My dog was barking. She was kind of going crazy and the dog warden pulled up and told me to keep the dog in the house,” Allen said.

As a precaution, he does not often let the dog out at night. If the dog must go out, he takes her for a walk himself.

Black bears are vegetarians and are fattening up for hibernation, Ouimet said. They are typically gentle and will normally run from commotion, but people often get too close to get pictures.

If you see a bear, clapping your hands should be enough to scare them away, he said.

 

Wounded Marine Vows to Race Again

The paddock at Lime Rock Park is full of wheels, some parked, some getting ready to go, but there was only one wheelchair there Thursday afternoon.  In it sat a man who would give anything to be behind a wheel, Sgt. Liam Dwyer.

Last year, he paced the Connecticut Autocross and Rally Team in its time trials at Lime Rock, at 60 seconds flat. This year, he's racing only in spirit.

"It's killing me not to be driving," he said.

An IED almost killed him in Afghanistan in May.  It cost Dwyer his left leg and damaged his right leg and arm.  The Marine Corps gave him his second Purple Heart, in June.  Visiting Lime Rock this week, a driving instructor got a dose of Dwyer's dedication.

"He said,'No, you're not gonna drive manual transmissions,'" Dwyer recalled. "But I looked him dead in the eye and said, 'No, you're wrong, I'm gonna do it.'  Whether it takes me a year, ten years, I'm gonna figure it out and I'm gonna do it," Dwyer said.

People who work at Lime Rock told him there's a prosthetic leg available that can attach to a clutch pedal.  Dwyer will eventually get a prosthetic left leg, but he needs more operations.

For now, his 350Z is in storage.

"Liam's been great competition up here," said Nick Fandacone. "And we miss him out here."

The Autocross team has raised several thousand dollars to help Dwyer during his recovery.

"He makes it easy for us," said Kevin Fitzmaurice. "He didn't have to do what he did.  He was already wounded once in Iraq.  He went back again. And he's like an everyday hero.

Dwyer really just wants to be an everyday guy again.  His immediate goals are simple.

"Just being out of the chair, getting up, walking around...oh yeah, getting married, I guess, too," he said.

Union Case to Reopen Prison Begins

State correction workers have been raising concerns about their safety since the Bergin Correctional Institution in Mansfield was closed and a judge will be hearing those concerns in court on Friday.

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union filed a suit with the hopes that the state will reopen the prison.

The minimum-security prison housed about 900 offenders convicted on drunken driving charges or those who were nearing the end of their sentences.

The state closed the prison earlier this year to balance the budget and the inmates were transferred to other prisons.

Union leaders say that's led to overcrowding, which has created a dangerous situation for state prison workers. Prisoners are sleeping on the floor, in gyms and, in some cases, people's offices, union officials said.

“I was in the department back in the early ‘90s, when we had the riots and a lot of it is due to overcrowding and closing the prisons down, and overcrowding the other prisons is a recipe for disaster,” Luke Leone, of AFSCME Local 1565 said.

Officials from the state Department of Correction previously said the state could absorb the 1,300 inmates from Bergin and the facility Enfield because the state prison population has declined by about 2,300 inmates to about 17,600 since 2008.

The first of many hearings in the case will be held on Friday morning in Hartford Superior Court. The judge will hear arguments around 11:30 a.m.