18 October 2011

Plano School District Realigns Schools -- Again

For the second time in two years, the Plano school district has changed where students from one middle school will attend high school.

The Plano Independent School District board took another look at a contentious redistricting plan that was approved in December 2009.

The Plano ISD board voted 6-1 for a plan that would send all students at Schimelpfenig Middle School to Plano Senior High School, reducing the future population at Plano West High School.

Previously, students at Schimelpfenig Middle School in Plano had two options of where they would graduate high school.

The compromise plan from 2009, which was reached after months of open hostility, would have increased the size of Plano West High School over time to 3,400 students.

Plano West, now the district's smallest high school, would have taken students from the Eastside, which has seen intense growth. The school's population would grow up by to 50 percent.

Board members said the student population at Plano West is booming and on track to hit 3,400 students in the next few years.

But Plano parents say the redistricting vote two years ago divided their community and the school board's Tuesday night vote did it again.

"It felt very hurtful," parent Cleo Marchese said.

Marchese said her son will no longer attend Plano West.

"People just wanted to the best option for their child, and when you move right next to a school and your child can walk to that school within one mile, you kind of have the expectation that you're going to be able to continue to use that school," she said.

But other parents, such as John Donovan, said they were pleased with the board's decision to limit the student population at Plano West.

"I'd rather see my daughter, who's in sixth grade now, graduated in a class of 1,100 or 1,200 instead of in a class of 1,500 or 1,600 students," he said.

Board members said they considered several options to fix the population problem, including building an expansion at Plano West. However, they said realignment was the best solution.

Police Release Surveillance Photo of Suspected Robber

Police Release Surveillance Photo of Suspected Robber

A convenience store robber suspected of almost 20 holdups in Tarrant County continued his crime spree over the weekend by hitting a Hurst store, police said Monday.

The gunman, who wears a white baseball cap during the holdups, took an undisclosed amount of money from the convenience store Sunday night.

Hurst police believe the weekend holdup was the gunman's third in their city.

Fort Worth police have said that the same man could be responsible for as many as 15 robberies in their city and that each time he was armed with a gun.

Bedford police said the bandit is a suspect in one holdup there.

The one-man crime wave began about nine weeks ago, with the gunman always targeting area convenience stores.

"He's doing the same thing, again and again," Hurst police Sgt. Craig Teague said Monday.

Authorities have released the photograph above in an attempt to identify the man.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 817-469-8477.

Va. Police Trooper Wrecks During Obama Motorcade

Va. Police Trooper Wrecks During Obama Motorcade

A Virginia State Police trooper riding a motorcycle as part of President Barack Obama's motorcade wrecked in southern Virginia.

State police spokeswoman Michelle Anaya said Sgt. J.L. Kirkpatrick slid off the side of an exit ramp as the motorcade was traveling south on Interstate 95 about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. The president was headed to Emporia.

Kirkpatrick suffered some cuts.

Obama was in town as part of his three-day swing through North Carolina and Virginia to push his jobs plan.

91 Freeway in Corona Shut Down After Gunfire

91 Freeway in Corona Shut Down After Gunfire

The 91 Freeway running through Corona was shut down Tuesday night as police investigated a bizarre freeway shooting that may have left one person dead.

Shortly after 8 p.m. firefighters were called to an accident scene on the eastbound lanes of 91 Freeway just east of Main Street.  Moments later, firefighters heard gunfire and fled with one of the car accident victims.

An initial report stated firefighters told law enforcement they were being shot at as they escaped.

It is unclear what happened at the scene after the firefighters retreated.

A police source told NBC4, one person on the freeway was wounded.   “A rifle was found near the person who was down on the freeway,” the source said.

Images from a news helicopter showed firefighters and police officers trying to revive a wounded person. That person was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital. How that person was wounded was unclear.

It was also unclear if the incident Tuesday evening was related to a rash of freeway robberies stretching back to September.

"Occupy LAUSD" March Hits Downtown LA

Hundreds of parents and teachers marched to the Los Angeles Unified School District headquarters in downtown Los Angeles Tuesday demanding an end to budget cuts and for shuttered school libraries to be reopened.

The march, coined “Occupy LAUSD,” was not officially endorsed by the United Teachers of Los Angeles.

“What is happening right now is the underfunding of our schools is a deliberate effort to label our schools as failures, and to give them to corporate charters,” said demonstrator Marcy Winograd. It’s a slippery slope.”

In line with the Occupy Wall Street movement’s criticism of the wealthy, Occupy LAUSD followers say public education is being damaged by billionaire reformers like Eli Broad and Bill Gates.

The Broad Superintendents Academy was founded in 2002 to educate and train superintendents for several U.S. school districts.

Since then, the school has come under criticism by educators who say the academy’s graduates use corporate-management techniques to consolidate power in schools, as was reported in the Christian Science Monitor.

Philanthropist Bill Gates was equally criticized for his thoughts on teacher pay and class size in a Washington Post education blog -- one being that teachers with masters degrees should not be paid more than those without them.

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Preparing For The Big One

Experts say a 6.7 magnitude or larger earthquake is expected on the southern San Andreas fault sometime in the next 3 decades. That means, it's important to be prepared: at home and on the road.

If you're at home and you start to feel some shaking, it's important to protect your head and neck.

"Get under something if you can," said Kate Long, research specialist with Cal Emergency Management Agency. " Get next to something sturdy if you can't get under something. You're really trying to protect yourself from some of the stuff inside your house."

When an earthquake hits, there's no time to run and the ground is moving, so your traction is off.

"There's all kinds of debris that's fallen off of your shelves and people slip on that," said Long. "That's another reason people injure themselves."

Long also said that it's unlikely that your house will collapse, but you do need to worry about falling items.

"If I'm next to something that I think is dangerous, like let's say I have grandma's china on the top shelf, I'm going to try to move, but I'm going to try to move from my low position," said Long.

You may also want to keep some items close to your bed, so that you can get out of your house safely after a devastating earthquake.

"I have a little bag by my bed and it has shoes, a flashlight in one shoe and the batteries in the other shoe so that the batteries will last longer," said Long. "I have a whistle. I have my car keys. I have an extra pair of glasses."

She said Californians may have a false sense of security since the small earthquakes we usually experience don't shake that much.

And, if you're not at home, you need to make a plan for where you spend most of your time, including in your car.

"It is going to be harder to tell what's going on. You might think you have a flat tire. You want to pull over as quickly as you can, set the parking brake and stay in the car," said Long.

If you are in an office environment, go for cover under your desk.

"That's a nice sturdy piece of furniture. If you work in another environment, look around you and see what might fall on you and make a plan for how you drop, cover and hold on," said Long.

And, if you are outside, you should still drop to the ground and cover your head and neck.

"I'm going to try to make sure I'm not near power lines or overhead obstacles. You really may not be able to move very far, but you are looking for an open area if you can," she said.

And, what if you're asleep?

"If you're in bed, stay in bed and put a pillow over your head."

 

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Charlie Davies Suing Nightclub, Red Bull for $20 Million

Charlie Davies Suing Nightclub, Red Bull for $20 Million

D.C. United’s Charlie Davies is suing a nightclub owner and Red Bull in connection with a fatal crash in which he suffered several injuries, The Washington Post reported.

The $20 million lawsuit alleges Maria Espinoza, the driver in the crash, was over served at a Red Bull-sponsored party.

The suit, filed in D.C. Superior Court last week, names Das Enterprises, which operates Shadow Room, and Red Bull North America, the host of the private event on Oct. 12, 2009, at the K Street establishment.

Prosecutors said Espinoza was legally intoxicated as she drove Davies and Ashley Roberta on the George Washington Parkway on their way back to Davies' hotel early Oct. 13, 2009. As she fiddled with her GPS system to navigate the unfamiliar road, she drove off the parkway and crashed with such force that her Infiniti sedan split in two. Roberta was pronounced dead at the scene. Davies was pinned in the rear passenger seat.

Davies missed the 2010 World Cup as he recovered from his injuries, which included a ruptured bladder, a broken, leg, arm and ribs as well as facial fractures.

He resumed his pro career this year.

Espinoza was sentenced to two years in prison in March.

"Occupy LAUSD" March Hits Downtown LA

Hundreds of parents and teachers marched to the Los Angeles Unified School District headquarters in downtown Los Angeles Tuesday demanding an end to budget cuts and for shuttered school libraries to be reopened.

The march, coined “Occupy LAUSD,” was not officially endorsed by the United Teachers of Los Angeles.

“What is happening right now is the underfunding of our schools is a deliberate effort to label our schools as failures, and to give them to corporate charters,” said demonstrator Marcy Winograd. It’s a slippery slope.”

In line with the Occupy Wall Street movement’s criticism of the wealthy, Occupy LAUSD followers say public education is being damaged by billionaire reformers like Eli Broad and Bill Gates.

The Broad Superintendents Academy was founded in 2002 to educate and train superintendents for several U.S. school districts.

Since then, the school has come under criticism by educators who say the academy’s graduates use corporate-management techniques to consolidate power in schools, as was reported in the Christian Science Monitor.

Philanthropist Bill Gates was equally criticized for his thoughts on teacher pay and class size in a Washington Post education blog -- one being that teachers with masters degrees should not be paid more than those without them.

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Slain Virginia Tech Student's Mom Sues Security Company

Slain Virginia Tech Student's Mom Sues Security Company

The mother of a Virginia Tech student who was killed after she attended a Metallica concert at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville is suing a security company.

Gil Harrington filed the $3.5 million lawsuit last week in Roanoke County Circuit Court against Regional Marketing Concepts Inc., doing business as RMC Events. RMC provided security at the Oct. 17, 2009, concert.

Morgan Harrington, 20, disappeared after she left the John Paul Jones Arena and was denied re-entry. Her remains were found in January 2010 in a hayfield in Albemarle County.

RMC Events President Dan Schmitt told The Roanoke Times >

Manhattan Beach Considers RV Parking Restrictions

Manhattan Beach Considers RV Parking Restrictions

Manhattan Beach leaders were scheduled to consider new rules for RV and oversized vehicle parking on local streets at their council meeting Tuesday night.

 

If the new guidelines are approved, the city will join Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Torrance, Rancho Palos Verdes, Hawthorne, Culver City, Santa Monica and other neighboring beach communities that have passed restrictions ranging from no oversized vehicle parking around schools and other designated areas, to stricter rules of no oversized vehicle parking anywhere, at any time without a permit.

 

One of five options Manhattan Beach is considering is similar to a city law Redondo Beach began enforcing in June.

 

RV owners who don’t live in the city cannot park their RVs anywhere in the city between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m., according to city law. RV owners who are residents of Redondo Beach can park their oversized vehicles on the street during those hours, but they have to pay $20 to $30 for an overnight permit Tuesday through Friday.

 

The proposed restrictions come after the city council, police and city staff members said they received complaints from Manhattan Beach residents about oversized vehicles taking up valuable parking spaces, blocking line of sight of approaching traffic and overall visual blight, according to the agenda item posted on the city’s website.

Venice Beach leaders heard similar complaints from their residents, prompting them to pass an ordinance that allows RV dwellers to park overnight at designated lots in Venice, but only if they participate in a pilot program that seeks to provide them with housing.

Neighborhoods in the Venice area can also request for signs to be put up that restrict oversized vehicle parking on their streets.

Manhattan city council members were also expected to consider approving $20,000 in general funds to pay for signage, which is required to be posted at all city entrances for most parking restrictions.

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FBI Nabs Mr. Magoo Bandit

FBI Nabs Mr. Magoo Bandit

The bank robber dubbed the "Mr. Magoo Bandit" linked to a dozen robberies throughout California is under arrest, according to the FBI.

   

The FBI office in San Diego said Scott Jame Larson turned himself in Monday without incident. Larson surrendered to agents after he was advised he was a suspect in a string of bank robberies.

According to the complaint filed with the U.S. District Court, Southern District of California, Larson confessed to robbing a US Bank in San Diego, on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2011. 



In describing the "Mr. Magoo Bandit" investigators said  he uses a note to demand cash from tellers and, in some instances, has even thanked his victims.

He is much younger than the Mr. Magoo cartoon but he does wear prescription glasses. He's in his 40s, bald with a little short dirty blond hair. The man makes no attempt to disguise himself, according to the FBI.

Investigators said he robbed a Chase Bank in South San Francisco on Sept. 17 and a U.S. Bank in Novato in late August.

Here's the entire list of banks he is suspected of robbing:

  1. 11/23/10           Wells Fargo Bank, 1350 Fashion Valley Road, San Diego, CA.      
  2.  06//10/11         Wells Fargo Bank, 1350 Fashion Valley Road, San Diego, CA.
  3.  07/12/11          US Bank, 1331 Rosecrans, San Diego, CA.
  4.  07/27/11          US Bank, 3201 University, San Diego, CA.
  5.  08/10/11          US Bank, 1331 Rosecrans, San Diego, CA.
  6.  08/19/11          Chase Bank, 1000 North Green Valley Parkway, Henderson, NV.
  7.  08/29/11          US Bank, 1711 Grant Avenue, Novato, CA.
  8.  09/07/11          US Bank, 3201 University Avenue, San Diego, CA.
  9.  09/17/11          Chase Bank, 101 Mc Clellan Drive, South San Francisco, CA.
  10.  09/27/11          Chase Bank, 5291 Mission Oaks Blvd., Camarillo, CA.
  11. 10/04/11          Chase Bank, 255 King Street, San Francisco, CA.
  12. 10/08/11          Chase Bank, 148 West Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA.

Radnor Rash of 'Smash and Grab' Vehicle Break-ins

Radnor Rash of 'Smash and Grab' Vehicle Break-ins

There has been a rash of "smash and grab" vehicle break-ins in two sections of Radnor, Delaware County.

At least seven recent incidents are reported in Wayne and St. Davids.  Thieves have broken windows to get into parked cars and steal valuables.

Radnor Township police are warning residents to lock their vehicles and keep valuables out of sight.

According to the Delaware County Times, the break-ins are happening between 5 and 10 p.m. to vehicles parked at restaurants and hotels.

Incidents are reported on October 10 and 16 at Georges and White Dog Cafe and the Radnor and Wayne Hotels, according to the Times.

Police have extra patrols out in the Wayne and St. Davids sections of Radnor Township.

Judge Orders Accused Syrian Spy Free on Bail

Judge Orders Accused Syrian Spy Free on Bail

A judge agreed to let a suspected Syrian spy serve home detention while he awaits trial, despite government concerns the man is a flight risk.

Also on Tuesday, the suspect's lawyer rescinded an assertion that 47-year-old Mohamad Soueid traveled to Syria as part of a delegation led by Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio. The lawyer now says Soueid was part of a different delegation.

Soueid, of Leesburg, Va., is charged with illegally monitoring the activities of Syrian dissidents in the U.S. who oppose the regime of President Bashar Assad.

The federal judge's ruling Tuesday does not mean that Soueid will immediately go free. Prosecutors said they will appeal, and a final ruling on Soueid's detention will be made by a district court judge.

Amputee Soccer Players Team Up With Wounded Warriors

Amputee Soccer Players Team Up With Wounded Warriors

Wounded soldiers return from war with a long road ahead of them.  Many have lost limbs or have other serious, life-changing physical wounds, and emotional scars that go along with them.  On Tuesday, a group of those American heroes got some special encouragement from a group that knows what it’s like to overcome adversity.

The Haitian Amputee Soccer Team visited Washington and held a clinic for those soldiers at RFK Stadium.  Made up primarily of men and women who lost a limb in the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti last year, the soccer team is visiting America for the first time.

Their goal is to spread hope and inspiration, and today they did just that — by holding a clinic to teach wounded warriors to play the game they love.

They showed the wounded warriors that physical injuries don’t have to restrict activity.

“You don’t need to let the loss of a limb, an amputation, slow you down,” Pat Korten from the Knights of Columbus told News4. “It’s possible to play soccer — and play at a very high level.”

The Haitian team members are grateful for the help American relief groups brought to their country in their time of need; in fact, Project MediShare fitted many of them with prosthetics in the weeks following the earthquake.  They said they are happy to show their thanks by helping American service members. 

To see the team in action, click here.

'Occupy' Movement Spreads to Denton

The "occupy" movement that began in New York City has moved into another North Texas city.

The Occupy Denton demonstration may not be as large as protests in other cities, but the protesters' purpose is clear.

"No one city is more important than any other," demonstrator Garrett Graham said. "We live in a profoundly undemocratic society in every community in our nation. I think there needs to be an occupation in every hometown."

Graham helped kick-start the movement in Denton. The majority of the demonstrators are college students, and they occupy a piece of the University of North Texas campus.

"We may just be one tiny little Occupy Denton, but if you look at us and every city that is doing it, it's a huge movement," Sara Moran said.

Occupy Denton is part of the nationwide movement, but Denton protesters are also working on a mission of their own.

"A lot of people are concerned with the occupation of public space, like the Denton Square, where people are no longer allowed to be after midnight," Graham said. "Also, people are really concerned about the explosion of natural gas drilling going on in the North Texas community."

"I care about students loans, things like that," protester Annalisa Vargas said.

The number of protesters has reached 60, and they said they are willing to stay for a while.

"It could be months," Vargas said. "It could be -- a year would be great."

The Occupy Denton demonstrators said the community they're creating is more than a one-time demonstration.

Lawmakers Blast Staten Island Mall for Bringing in Snooki

Lawmakers Blast Staten Island Mall for Bringing in Snooki

A state senator and an assemblywoman from Staten Island are blasting Staten Island Mall officials for arranging a public appearance featuring reality show star Snooki this weekend.

The "Jersey Shore" star's appearance is on a mall tour to promote her new line of sunglasses, and Staten Island Mall is a scheduled stop.

Snooki, whose real name is Nicole Polizzi, is scheduled to arrive at noon at the center court, according to Staten Island Advance. Her "handlers" told the paper a large crowd is expected.

Senator Diane Savino and Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis issued a statement Tuesday saying Snooki's appearance is "offensive to all women" because it attempts to legitimize her as a role model.

"While we understand the notion that promotion is an essential part of business, especially during these tough economic times, we are dismayed by the message that this event sends to young women all over Staten Island and beyond," the statement said. "The actions set forth by Snooki in her reality show 'Jersey Shore' should be neither emulated nor celebrated."

A message was left with the manager's office at the mall.

Self-Defense Training Uses Real-Life Scenarios

A self-defense technique used in police and fire academies is gaining popularity n Mesquite.

Combat Objective Battle Ready Application, or COBRA, uses real-life training scenarios that place students in mock situations such as home invasions, ATM holdups, assault and vehicle abductions.

The technique originated in Florida.

One of the most important aspects of COBRA is teaching the student to be aware of his or her surroundings and how to recognize potentially dangerous situations and individuals that may pose a threat.

Ultimately, the technique teaches survival.

"We tell our students that you basically have three options when confronted with an attacker: You can fight, you can flee, or you can comply," instructor Keith Gorham said. "If you make the wrong decision, you could die. If you make the right decision, you live."

Such scenario training taps into the primal fear and adrenal stress that a person experiences in a real situation. The same approach is used in police academies, firefighters academies and the military.

Patricia Giddings said she lost her sense of security as well as her money when she was robbed at gun- and knifepoint.

"Something really bad could have happened to me and right there in the middle of everybody," she said. "I could have been dead."

She said she was taking the class with her daughter in hopes that self-defense techniques she didn't know when she was robbed would help her daughter now and in the future.

"She'll be going away to college soon, and I wanted her to be in a situation where she felt confident and empowered to be able to protect herself and be aware of her surroundings," Giddings said.

According to Mesquite police records, there were 1,048 burglaries as of this time last year. So far this year, burglaries have increased to 1,283.

Residents such as Mindy Pickleman take these figures seriously.

"You never know what's going to happen when you get in certain situations or how to avoid them, so I've really learned how to stay aware, how to stay out of situations," she said. "But if I do end up in one, I feel like I have the confidence to get out of that situation."

The 10-week training academy costs $349.

Pot Dispensaries Not Permitted in SD: Judge

Pot Dispensaries Not Permitted in SD: Judge

A San Diego court has ruled that marijuana dispensaries are not permitted within the city limits.

“The municipal code does not permit the operation of marijuana dispensaries in any zone in the City of San Diego,” wrote Judge Ronald Prager.

Judge Prager said last week local zoning laws are not preempted by state medical marijuana laws.

“I think it is clear that building owners and dispensaries that don’t voluntarily close their doors will be held accountable for violations of the law,” said City Attorney Jan Goldsmith said in a media release. “We are obligated to enforce the law and we will do so.”

FBI Nabs Mr. Magoo Bandit

FBI Nabs Mr. Magoo Bandit

The bank robber dubbed the "Mr. Magoo Bandit" and linked to a dozen robberies throughout California is under arrest, according to the FBI.

   

The FBI office in San Diego said Scott Jame Larson turned himself in Monday without incident. Larson surrendered to agents after he was advised he was a suspect in a string of bank robberies.

According to the complaint filed with the U.S. District Court, Southern District of California, Larson confessed to robbing a US Bank in San Diego, on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2011. 



In describing the "Mr. Magoo Bandit" investigators said  he uses a note to demand cash from tellers and, in some instances, has even thanked his victims.

He is much younger than the Mr. Magoo cartoon but he does wear prescription glasses. He's in his 40s, bald with a little short dirty blond hair. The man makes no attempt to disguise himself, according to the FBI.

Investigators said he robbed a Chase Bank in South San Francisco on Sept 17 and a U.S. Bank in Novato in late August.

Here's the entire list of banks he is suspected of robbing:

  1. 11/23/10           Wells Fargo Bank, 1350 Fashion Valley Road, San Diego, CA.      
  2.  06//10/11         Wells Fargo Bank, 1350 Fashion Valley Road, San Diego, CA.
  3.  07/12/11          US Bank, 1331 Rosecrans, San Diego, CA.
  4.  07/27/11          US Bank, 3201 University, San Diego, CA.
  5.  08/10/11          US Bank, 1331 Rosecrans, San Diego, CA.
  6.  08/19/11          Chase Bank, 1000 North Green Valley Parkway, Henderson, NV.
  7.  08/29/11          US Bank, 1711 Grant Avenue, Novato, CA.
  8.  09/07/11          US Bank, 3201 University Avenue, San Diego, CA.
  9.  09/17/11          Chase Bank, 101 Mc Clellan Drive, South San Francisco, CA.
  10.  09/27/11          Chase Bank, 5291 Mission Oaks Blvd., Camarillo, CA.
  11. 10/04/11          Chase Bank, 255 King Street, San Francisco, CA.
  12. 10/08/11          Chase Bank, 148 West Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA.

The Largest Earthquake Drill Ever

The Largest Earthquake Drill Ever

Nearly 10 million businesses, schools, organizations and neighborhoods will participate in the largest earthquake drill ever.

On November 20, the Great California ShakeOut will take place at 10:20 a.m. The annual event offers individuals an opportunity to learn and prepare for the next earthquake.

"The best way to instinctively and immediately do the right thing when the shaking begins is to practice," according to Mark Benthien, Communications Director of the Southern California Earthquake Center at the University of Southern California.

The shakeout.org website includes guidelines for what to do before, during and after an earthquake. The goal the organizers say is to make sure everyone has a plan.

The organizers of the event include several government organizations like the U.S.G.S. and other organizations like the American Red Cross.

 

Sewer Bills Could More Than Double

Sewer Bills Could More Than Double

Los Angeles families could see their sewer bills increase by as much as 77 percent over the next ten years if the Los Angeles City Council approves a new fee increase Wednesday.

The proposal, unanimously approved Monday by the Budget and Finance Committee, seeks to raise $2 billion in revenue to improve the city's aging 6700 mile sewer system and water treatment plants.

"This plan will allow us to ensure that the city's aging sewer system gets the critical upgrades it needs while also easing the impact to ratepayers over a longer period of time,'' Councilman Tony Cardenas said.

Under the proposal, the city would raise fees by 4.5 percent a year from 2012 to 2015, and an additional 6.5 percent in 2016 and 2017.

That would raise the monthly sanitation bill for the average family from about $30 to more than $53 after 10 years.

About 2260 miles of the city's sewer pipes are 80-years-old and near the end of their lifespan, according to Councilman Cardenas' office.

Bureau of Sanitation Director Enrique Zaldivar said the system's outlook would be "very bleak" if more money was not allocated for repairs.

In the 1980s and '90s, the city had an average of two sewage spills a day, creating severe public health hazards and at times necessitating the closure of public beaches. As part of a series of lawsuit settlements brought by environmental organizations, the EPA, and others, the city was ordered to redo its sewer system, Zaldivar said.

Heal the Bay Water Quality Director Kirsten James said the Bureau of Sanitation had radically improved its performance since then. Today there are about two per week.

Over the past 20 years, the city has kept customer rates mostly flat, borrowing to fund improvements and emergency repairs. It receives more than $1 billion in federal clean-water grants to help cover the rising cost of infrastructure repairs to sewers and water treatment plants.

The proposed rate increase would also create a fund to help property owners fix unexpected sewer system breaks by offering low interest loans to offset costs.

Property owners are responsible for sewer lines between homes and the main line, and the fund would help cover those costs, which can run upwards of $20,000 in some cases.

The city's sewer service rates put it at the low end of California municipalities, behind San Francisco, which charges $85 per month, and San Diego, which charges about $47 per month, according to a Bureau of Sanitation report.

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Unruly Passenger Diverts Southwest Plane

Unruly Passenger Diverts Southwest Plane

A Southwest Airlines flight was diverted to Amarillo after a passenger became unruly.

Transportation Security Administration spokeswoman Sarah Horowitz says information was still being gathered on the incident.

Amarillo Aviation Director Patrick Rhodes tells the Amarillo Globe-News that the flight crew asked for emergency clearance to land about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Rhodes said the crew reported the flight was interrupted when a male passenger became unruly.

Rhodes also said earlier reports of the man attempting to break into the cockpit were erroneous.

He provided no other details, but he said Amarillo police arrested the man and turned him over to federal officials for questioning.

The plan has since been swept by security and is continuing on to it's final destination.

The Black Hole of School Fraud

The Black Hole of School Fraud

The state is finally cracking down on the practice of teachers grading their own students’ standardized tests. The state Board of Regents, the supreme authority in education, will not permit this practice to continue beginning in the 2012-13 school year.

One can’t help wondering: What took them so long?

Audits by the state comptroller for the last two decades have shown, The New York Times points out, that schools give better grades to their own students on state Regents exams than do teams of expert scorers. It’s well known that many more students score just above a passing grade than just below a passing grade -- showing, experts say, that teachers have given them a special push over the bar.

It is sad that the whole concept of No Child Left Behind, the federal policy that has been the foundation stone of national educational policy, has been corrupted. In an effort to show that they are doing a good job, some teachers and principals and education officials have taken extreme steps to improve student test scores. This enables them to advance their careers, at the expense of the children.

Leonie Haimson of Class Size Matters, a parent advocate, told me: "It’s no surprise that there have been fraudulent practices. When you threaten to close schools and discipline or fire teachers and principals, you can hardly expect to keep the system honest. You put the teachers and supervisors in an untenable position. Schools shouldn’t be closed or teachers fired because of test scores."

Haimson also laced into the city’s Department of Education over allegations made by Richard Condon, the city’s special commissioner of investigation for schools.

He submitted a report about how teachers and even a principal have cheated to enable children to score higher on tests. But Condon has been able to investigate only a handful of 1,250 allegations of test tampering. The Department of Education has refused to make the details available, insisting on investigating most of the charges itself. It declines to make the results public.

This seems like an outrageous breach of responsibility to the parents of 1.1 million school children.

Haimson says: "It’s like there’s a black hole into which these charges of cheating disappear."

Ten years after education was centralized under City Hall’s leadership, the suspicion grows that there has been no substantial improvement. Indeed, by a slavish dependence on numbers as a measure of academic achievement, the system seems to have deteriorated.

It‘s little comfort to know that there have been cheating scandals in other cities like Atlanta and Washington. The scandals in our city are bad enough, like the assistant principal who erased hundreds of answers on an algebra exam and the educators at the High School for Youth and Community Development in Brooklyn who engaged in a "herculean and dishonest" effort to give students answers before a biology Regents exam.

Perhaps we need a special remedial course in ethics for the test givers and the educators who administer the system. Maybe a similar course should be required for the politicians who sit astride the educational bureaucracy. Many would surely get bad grades.

Plano Neighborhood Fights Potential Walking Trail

Plano Parks and Recreation officials say there is a huge demand in the city for new walking trails.

However, residents in the Chase Oaks Homeowners Association are fighting back against a plan to add a public trail adjacent to their backyards.

"It's right outside my back door,” said Brian Bullock.

The city plans to extend a walking path about twelve feet from Bullock’s back gate into a full-fledged trail during the time Chase Oaks Golf Course is closed for renovations.

It’s part of a city plan to better connect its 70 miles of public trail space.

"We just need to get from point A to point B. We need some way to connect this trail," said chief park planner Robin Reeves.

The city expects between 50 and 100 people will use the trail every day once it’s completed.

However, homeowners are uncomfortable by the idea of pedestrians in such proximity to their property.

"I don't know how many people would be excited about having strangers, essentially, walking through their back yard,” said Bullock.

The city, however, addresses those safety concerns with what it calls success in other similar developments.

"What we hear from other homeowners is that they actually like having the trail behind their home once they have it,” said Reeves.

“The extra traffic tends to discourage unwanted activity, so ultimately, and there is some national research to support that trails actually decrease crime."

The Chase Oaks homeowners are also worried that the loss of privacy will negatively impact property values for the 19 homes that border the golf course.

They also voice concern over pedestrian safety so close to flying golf balls.

"The proposed trail location is very close to the golf course fairway,” said Bullock. "An errant golf ball will hit a pedestrian sooner than later."

The Plano Parks and Recreation Department will address these concerns on November 8.

Reeves says they are open to suggestions of alternate paths for the project.

Stepfather Arrested in Death of Maryland 12-Year-Old Girl

Stepfather Arrested in Death of Maryland 12-Year-Old Girl

Police arrested a man on a first-degree murder warrant in connection with the death of his stepdaughter.

Police responding to a report of an injured child found 12-year-old Jessica Nguyen dead in the basement of her family’s home in the 700 block of Raven Avenue in Gaithersburg, Md., May 31.

The medical examiner ruled Jessica’s death a homicide caused by cutting and stabbing.

David Rich Hang, 42, of the 17100 block of Queen Victoria Court, was arrested Tuesday.

Jessica was a sixth-grade student at Gaithersburg Middle School.

Officer Shoots Bank Robbery Suspect

Police say an officer shot a bank robbery suspect in Midlothian.

The bank robbery happened in Cedar Hill then officers chased the suspect into Midlothian.

Police say the armed suspect got out of the vehicle and charged on an officer, who fired and hit the suspect.

The suspect's injuries are not expected to be life-threatening.

More information is expected from Cedar Hill PD shortly.

Pumpkin Grower Competes for County Record

Pumpkin Grower Competes for County Record

A San Diego man is hoping to grow the county’s largest pumpkin this year.

How large? The over sized vegetable is estimated to weigh around 900 pounds, according to grower Jim Fredricks.

Fredricks has been growing pumpkins for the last 10 years, and he’s hoping this will be his biggest one yet.

“My ultimate goal is to have a thousand-pounder,” he said.

He has been growing his current pumpkin for the last five months in a specialized patch. Fredricks tends to the gigantic gourd with great care, keeping it covered under a tarp and using a misting system to keep it hydrated. The pumpkin has also grown without any pesticides.

“I’ve got a baby, so I wanted to keep it organic,” Fredricks said. “It’s more work, but it works well.”

One of Frederick’s best pals provides him with some friendly rivalry since he also grows the massive pumpkins. The friend already lost one pumpkin to rot this year, but has a second one growing that’s estimated at 600 pounds.

On Sunday, Oct. 23 Fredricks will be driving his pumpkin up to Temecula to Peltzer Farm’s for Pumpkinmania —the annual pumpkin contest. Competition categories include heaviest, best color, funniest shape and unluckiest pumpkin grower. The winner of the heaviest gets $1,000.

In order to weigh the giant pumpkin, between 10 and 12 people will have to roll it onto a sling that helps measure it. Fredricks said he will weigh it before the contest so he has a better idea of the exact number.

“It could go heavy, or it could be light,” he said. “We won’t know until we weight it.”

Fredricks said the possible prize is exciting, but what he really wants is to have a record-breaking pumpkin. He’s hoping this year’s will break the San Diego record for heaviest pumpkin in the county.

The Guinness World Record for the heaviest pumpkin weighed in at nearly double the size of Fredricks' at 1,810 pounds in 2010.

 

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NYPD Inspector Broke Pepper Spray Rule: Report

NYPD Inspector Broke Pepper Spray Rule: Report

A person with knowledge of the investigation says a New York City police deputy inspector violated department guidelines when he used pepper spray on Occupy Wall Street protesters last month.

The person had direct knowledge of the review but was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on Tuesday on condition of anonymity.

The video from the Sept. 24 incident shows Deputy Inspector Anthony Bologna blasting a cluster of women with pepper spray. Two of the women crumple on the sidewalk in pain. One screams.

The person says an internal New York Police Department review found that Bologna violated department standards on pepper spray use. He faces internal discipline of a loss of vacation time. He may choose to appeal the decision.

Pepper spray victim Kaylee Dedrick has said she wants the police officer who she says sprayed her to be prosecuted.

"It's sad that it happened, it's shocking," said Dedrick. "I hope something good happens. I hope something happens."

SD Marine in Brig for Sham Marriage

SD Marine in Brig for Sham Marriage

A San Diego Marine corporal is in the brig after being discharged for bad conduct after admitting she faked her marriage to receive housing allowances.

Two other marine corporals have also been discharged for bad conduct in connection to the case.

Cpl. Ashley Vice, who is a lesbian, and her girlfriend, civilian Jaime Murphy, pretended to be married to two male Marines, Cpl. Jeremiah Griffin and Cpl. Joseph Garner.

According to Vice, in previous media coverage, that she and her partner were forced to enter sham marriages because they couldn't afford to live off base without the extra money.

"So they still gave me a bad conduct discharge, but I got 3 months in the brig, so I’ll be out 2 1/2 months with good behavior," Vice said on her Facebook page. "Can't really complain lol. Thank you everybody for your prayers and support, love you all!"

As a result of their scheme, they got a $1,200 monthly housing stipend meant for married Marines to live off base.

All three Marines pleaded guilty to stealing from the government through fraud at a special court martial, 1st Lt. Maureen Dooley, a Marine spokeswoman, said Monday.

The military doesn't provide allowances for unmarried couples, Vice said.

Despite the repeal of the military's ban against openly gay or lesbian members, same-sex couples, even if married, would not be eligible for benefits because federal law defines marriage as between a man and a woman.

The three Marines were assigned to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at Camp Pendleton. In addition to bad conduct discharges, reduction in rank to E-1's, they face $5,000 in fines. The three will serve three months in the brig.

Ex-NYPD Cop Pleads Guilty in Attempt to Steal $900,000

Ex-NYPD Cop Pleads Guilty in Attempt to Steal $900,000

A former New York City police officer has pleaded guilty to attempted burglary and conspiracy in a plan to steal $900,000 in cash.

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance announced the guilty plea of 43-year-old former officer Shawn Jenkins on Tuesday.

Prosecutors say Jenkins planned to break into an apartment in upper Manhattan to steal $900,000 that he believed to be hidden beneath the floorboards of a closet. The money was supposedly hidden by a reported drug dealer.

Prosecutors say Jenkins planned to steal the money after immobilizing the tenant with a Taser gun and securing him with handcuffs.

The plan was thwarted by the Police Department's Internal Affairs Bureau and members of a Drug Enforcement Administration task force.

Jenkins was arrested on May 13, 2009 and suspended from the department.

High Winds, Heavy Rain Expected Wednesday

High Winds, Heavy Rain Expected Wednesday

Heavy rains and high winds are expected to slam the tri-state on Wednesday.

The worst of the rough weather will come around midday.

There will be pockets of heavy rain, strong winds and minor tidal flooding at high tide.

The area is expected to get 1-2 inches of rain, with up to 3 inches possible in spots. Flash flooding is a concern.

Wind gusts are predicted to surge past 30 mph, and could reach 40 mph.

Stay ahead of the storm with our interactive radar, and follow us on Twitter @NBCNewYork and at Facebook/NBCNewYork.

Lockdown Lifted at Denton Hospital

Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Denton is open after an afternoon lockdown due to an armed suicidal man in the parking lot.

Police were not allowing anyone in or out of the hospital while they dealt with the situation.

The suicidal man reportedly send text messages to his friends saying he wanted to kill himself and donate his organs.

Police successfully talked the man into surrendering to authorities. He was taken in handcuffs into a police vehicle.

Six Arrested in Nadirah Ruffin Kidnapping and Murder

Six Arrested in Nadirah Ruffin Kidnapping and Murder

Six people are now under arrest in connection with the kidnapping and murder of a 20-year old Egg Harbor Township woman.

A team of more than 50 law enforcement officers made the arrests early Tuesday morning

Nadirah Ruffin was taken at gunpoint from her cousin’s home on the 800 block of N. Maryland Avenue in Atlantic City during a violent home invasion on March 26.

She remained missing until her body was found in the Schuylkill River in Fairmount Park in Philadelphia nearly a month later. Ruffin was shot to death. Her body was found duct-taped and handcuffed.

Three of the six arrested face federal kidnapping and weapons charges, while three others are accused of witness tampering or making false statements.

 

Boy, 12, Charged With Throwing Molotov Cocktail in Street

Boy, 12, Charged With Throwing Molotov Cocktail in Street

A 12-year-old Joliet boy has been charged with a felony after neighbors reported seeing him throw a Molotov cocktail into the street in front of his home.

The boy's mother said her son has never been in trouble with the law but said the incident happened on Saturday when her son was hanging out in the backyard of their home, in the 500 block of Elmwood  Avenue.

The group of friends broke into the locked garage behind the home, the mother said. Inside, she said they found a bottle, gasoline and a utility bill with the home's address on it but with the names of previous tenants.

The boy used the bill as the wick to the gas-filled jar, walked to the front of the house with a friend and threw the jar into the street, the mother said.

Someone called police, and when they arrived the mother said her son lied to them. She said her son and a friend told police that two other teens were walking down the street with the Molotov cocktail, but the police had witnesses who ID'd the woman's son.

The pre-teen has been charged with felony possession of an incendiary device. Other charges are possible, police said.

The boy is currently being held at the River Valley Juvenile Detention Center and has a court appearance scheduled for Thursday.

In August, a Molotov cocktail was thrown toward the deli department inside Joe Caputo & Sons Fruit Market in Algonquin.

 

Montgomery County Woman Gets 1st Case of Listeria Via Cantaloupe in Pa.

Montgomery County Woman Gets 1st Case of Listeria Via Cantaloupe in Pa.

Health officials in Pennsylvania say a suburban Philadelphia woman is the state's first reported case of someone becoming ill after eating a cantaloupe tainted with listeria.

The Pennsylvania Health Department said Tuesday the elderly woman from Montgomery County was hospitalized in early September, but has since recovered.

Listeria infections can kill young children or frail people.

Symptoms include fever, headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

It's the state's first case linked to the multi-state outbreak of listeria linked to a Colorado farm.

Federal officials say an outbreak of listeria in cantaloupe is now linked to 116 illnesses and 23 deaths nationwide, making it the deadliest known outbreak of foodborne illness in the U.S. in a quarter century.

Virginia Man Held in Philadelphia Basement With 3 Others

Virginia Man Held in Philadelphia Basement With 3 Others

One of the four mentally disabled adults authorities said were locked in a Philadelphia basement has been identified as a Norfolk, Va. resident.

Last week, a landlord discovered the four weak and malnourished victims locked behind a steel door in the basement of a northeast Philadelphia apartment.  Authorities believe the four were being held captive in a fraud scheme to steal the victim's Social Security checks.

The family of Norfolk man Herbert Knowles, age 40, says he has been missing for three years.  His relatives told News4's sister station WAVY that he disappeared after moving in with his girlfriend and her mother.

Knowles was found in the cramped sub-basement of a Philadelphia apartment building, held with three other in a room too small for an adult to stand up in.  One person had been chained to a boiler.  After an initial investigation, police believe the four had been held there between 1 to 2 weeks.

Law enforcement identified the other victims as 41-year-old Derwin McLemire of Florida, 29-year-old Tamara Breeden and 31-year-old Edwin Sanabria, both from Philadelphia.

Three have been charged with kidnapping and false imprisonment: a homeless man, 49-year-old Eddie Wright, and Linda Ann Weston, 51 and Gregory Thomas, 47, both of Philadelphia.

NBC10 in Philadelphia reports that one of the suspects, Linda Ann Weston, has a previous conviction for starving a man to death 30 years ago.

 

Man Slaps Hester in Des Plaines Casino: Police

Man Slaps Hester in Des Plaines Casino: Police

There's sometimes some butt-slappin' on the football field, but that's a sign of camaraderie between players and friends.

Imagine Wide Receiver Devin Hester's surprise when a man allegedly walked up and slapped No. 23 in the back of the head as he waited in the cashier line at an area casino.

The incident happened last Friday night at the Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, according to The Chicago Tribune.

A 52-year-old Mount Prospect man, Daniel Rago, was arrested and charged with one count of misdemeanor battery, police said. He posted a small bond -- $100 -- and is scheduled to make a court appearance on Dec. 1.

Hester's agent said Hester remained calm and was "very professional."

Two days later he delivered his 16th combined kick return for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier field.

Gas Heating Bills Expected to Drop, Con Ed Says

Gas Heating Bills Expected to Drop, Con Ed Says

Con Ed says it expects residential customers' gas heating bills to drop 3.8 percent this winter compared to last year.

The utility company says the 2011-2012 average gas-heating customer residential winter bill from November to March is expected to about $350 per month, down from $364 last year.

That's because of lower fuel prices, Con Ed says.

The company says customers can take advantage of energy efficiency programs to additionally save money on their heating bills this winter.

"Replacing older equipment with high-efficiency technology can cut heating costs dramatically," said a press release from Con Ed Tuesday.

An eligible customer in a one-to-four family home could qualify for a Con Ed rebate of up to $1,000 for an energy-efficient furnace, boiler or hot water heater that uses natural gas.

For more information on Con Ed's energy efficiency programs, visit ConEd.com/greenteam.

The company has 1.1 million customers in Manhattan, the Bronx, Westchester County and parts of Queens. About 279,000 of them use gas for heating in their homes.

High School Football Coach Collapses, Dies

High School Football Coach Collapses, Dies

A school official says a 29-year-old Texas high school football coach has died at a hospital after collapsing.

Mansfield school district spokesman Richie Escovedo said Tuesday the cause of death was pending for Timberview High School offensive coordinator Cody McCarty.

Escovedo said the former TCU player and son of Super Bowl winner Mickey McCarty died Sunday. The elder McCarty was a heart transplant recipient who had a stroke at age 35 and died of pancreatic cancer last year.

Cody McCarty followed his father at TCU, where he was a tight end from 2000 to 2004. He joined the Timberview coaching staff in 2009 after a stint as an assistant at Trinity Valley Community College.

Mickey McCarty won a Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1969. 

Local Lawyer Wants Off Facebook Case

Local Lawyer Wants Off Facebook Case

The latest lawyer to represent a New York man who claims part ownership of Facebook wants off the case.

San Diego attorney Jeffrey Lake has asked a federal judge in Buffalo to halt Paul Ceglia's court proceedings for three weeks to give a new lawyer time to get up to speed following his withdrawal.

On Tuesday, the judge gave Facebook until Thursday to respond.

Lake's filing didn't give a reason for leaving. Before him, lawyers from three other firms left Ceglia's defense team. Hornell attorney Paul Argentieri remains lead counsel.

Ceglia's lawsuit claims he's entitled to half of Facebook because of a 2003 deal he made with the social networking site's founder, Mark Zuckerberg, when the two worked on another project.

Palo Alto, Calif.-based Facebook says the claim is baseless.

Let us know what you think. Comment below, send us your thoughts via Twitter @nbcsandiego or add your comment to our Facebook page.

No Video Camera Found from Boat Collision

No Video Camera Found from Boat Collision

Divers were unable to find a video camera that could have provided clues in a crash between a motor boat and a jet ski that killed three women at the Puddingstone Reservoir in San Dimas.

A 21-foot long speedboat and a Sea Doo watercraft carrying the women collided Saturday when both were making a turn on the lake, a lifeguard said. The occupants of the Sea Doo-- Maricon Abello, 34; Aurora Yeso, 53; and Anesia Bautista, 47-- were killed.

Abello, an Escondido resident, Aurora Yeso of San Dimas and Anesia Bautista of Glendora were all members of the same family.

The driver of the speedboat and three occupants suffered moderate injuries and were taken to the hospital.

Sherriff's Divers along with Los Angeles County Lifeguard divers searched lake for a video camera that was mounted on the front of the Sea Doo.

Sheriff's Lt. Mike Rosson said divers found the hood of the Sea-Doo, but not the camera.

The investigation was still continuing but officials said earlier the driver of the speedboat was not intoxicated. It was not known if the women riding the Sea Doo were inebriated.

Puddingstone Reservoir, which was closed following the accident, was expected to reopen Tuesday.

 

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Brooklyn Burglary Crew Inspired by Affleck Movie

Brooklyn Burglary Crew Inspired by Affleck Movie

Police say a prolific burglary crew in New York City took cues from the bank heist drama "The Town."

Police say the burglars splashed bleach on ATMs and cash drawers to try to destroy DNA evidence.

They also cut power to their target locations and used miners' headlamps to see what they were doing in the dark.

An NYPD spokesman said Tuesday that the suspects told detectives they'd watched the bad guys in the Ben Affleck-directed film do the same thing.

The 2010 movie, which also stars Affleck, portrays the FBI's pursuit of four friends responsible for a string of bank and armored truck holdups.

The real bandits started burglarizing businesses in August 2010, beginning at a discount store in Sunset Park. Most recently, they raided a candy store in Astoria, on Oct. 10. It was the only Queens burglary in the pattern, police said.

The men are suspected in 62 burglaries at delis, discount stores and pizzerias in Brooklyn and Queens. Police say they made off with $217,000.

Four suspects were awaiting arraignment Tuesday. A fifth was already behind bars on an unrelated weapons charge.

LISTEN: Killer on 911 Call: "I Just Killed Someone"

LISTEN: Killer on 911 Call:

The man's voice is eerily matter-of-fact as he answers questions from the 911 operator.

"911, where's your emergency?"

"Uh, I just killed someone. 100 Route 46."

"What do you mean, you just killed someone?"

"Exactly what I said. I'm armed and dangerous."

So begins a chilling exchange that lasted about 4½ minutes on Friday afternoon in the moments after police say 39-year-old Leonardo Parera shot and killed colleague Christine King at a realty office in Mountain Lakes, N.J., about 20 miles from New York, where both worked.

Listen to the 911 call here.

The Morris County Prosecutor's Office on Tuesday released the 911 recording, on which the unidentified operator calmly keeps Parera talking and providing information on his location and what type of weapon he has.

At one point, however, Parera appears to get impatient with the questions.

"You know what, I'm armed and dangerous," he says. "Send the cops out. I'm in a parking lot. I can see from every angle. I will shoot at anyone who approaches the car."

County authorities have said Parera came into the office and shot King while she was sitting at her desk and then called 911 at about 4:45 p.m. It was unclear what relationship, if any, existed between Parera and the 47-year-old King, a mother of two from Jefferson Township, beyond that of co-worker. Capt. Jeffrey Paul, a spokesman for the prosecutor's office, said Tuesday the investigation was continuing.

As the conversation on the 911 call winds down, the tone takes a dark turn, though Parera doesn't sound agitated.

"You know what, I need to make some calls and let people know, you know, I'm going to be dead now," Parera tells the operator.

"I'd appreciate that you stay on the line with me. I'd rather you not kill yourself or anybody else."

"I need to call and tell them I'm going to be dead."

"You don't have to go anywhere; you can stay on the phone with me, sir," the operator says. "We can de-escalate this and make things better."

"We're not going to de-escalate this," Parera responds. "I'm looking to escalate."

Parera hangs up, and the 911 call center dials his number at the realty office and gets his voicemail.

"You've reached the desk of Leonardo Parera. Please leave a number and I will call you back as soon as possible."

Not long after the call, police descended on a parking lot where Parera sat in his Honda Civic and killed him after a shootout.

No officers were injured in the shootout, according to Morris County Prosecutor Robert Bianchi, and no other employees or customers were injured in the three-building complex that houses the Exit Realty Gold Service office. Several people barricaded themselves in their offices after hearing shots, Bianchi said Friday.

6 Held in Fatal Kidnapping of Atlantic City Woman

6 Held in Fatal Kidnapping of Atlantic City Woman

Authorities have arrested six people in the fatal kidnapping of a young woman from a house in Atlantic City in March.

A team of more than 50 law enforcement officers made the arrests early Tuesday morning in connection with the death of 20-year-old Nadirah Ruffin.

She was taken at gunpoint by robbers, and remained missing until her body was found in the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia nearly a month later.

Ruffin had been shot to death, but no state-level homicide charges have been filed in her case.

A team of more than 50 federal, state, county and local law enforcement officers executed a series of federal arrest warrants early Tuesday morning in connection with the kidnapping and murder of Ruffin.

Three of those arrested face federal kidnapping and weapons charges, while three others are accused of witness tampering or making false statements.

Less Rain Than Normal in San Diego?

Less Rain Than Normal in San Diego?

San Diegans could see a dry winter this year as forecasters expect La Niña conditions to return.

“La Niña is when the ocean temperature is colder than usual in the tropical pacific and that’s a long way from San Diego,” said David Pierce, a climate researcher at Scripps Institute of Oceanography. "When the water is cold there, it changes the weather patterns for the whole northern hemisphere and we tend to be drier here in San Diego.”

With emphasis on the “tend.”

Last year was a La Niña year, but you wouldn’t have guessed it looking at the figures.

“That was the wettest La Niña winter we’ve had in 60 years,” said Pierce.

But he says that was an unusual circumstance.

“It’s like loaded dice. Last year was a perfect example, the dice were loaded but we came out with a snake eyes,” said Pierce.

Right now, the temperatures in the tropical pacific are 1.5 degrees lower than normal.

“That’s about a moderate sized La Niña. It’s not the biggest one we’ve had by any means .The last time we had one bigger than this was 10 years ago,” said Pierce.

Normally in a La Niña year we get about seven inches of rain compared to 10 inches a year in a normal year.

“One of the reasons it affects us here, La Niña typically makes the whole southwestern United States dry and we import half our water from the Colorado river, so that’s important to us,” said Pierce.

Another concern is fire danger.

“When we’ve got these dry conditions, fires can be worse. What affects fires is more than how much rain falls this year, they’re also influenced by how much rain fell last year because that’s what makes bushes and trees grow,” said Pierce.

Ex-Gov. Paterson to Host SNL Actor Who Mocked Him

Ex-Gov. Paterson to Host SNL Actor Who Mocked Him

Former governor David Paterson will be hosting on his radio show Tuesday the man who's relentlessly mocked him for years on "Saturday Night Live."

Fred Armisen will be a guest on Paterson's radio show on WOR-AM in New York City at 4 p.m. The show streams live at wor710.com.

Armisen has spoofed the former governor several times on the sketch show, most notably highlighting Paterson's blindness.

Paterson slammed Armisen in 2009 for the portrayal, saying the show's continued parodies hurt disabled people not in a position to fight back.

But Paterson was able to get in a jab of his own in September 2010, when he made a surprise appearance on the show's "Weekend Update" segment. He interrupted cast member Fred Armisen, who was in character as the governor, and joked that being governor is a lot like "Saturday Night Live."

He said "there are a lot of characters, it's funny for 10 minutes and then you just want it to be over." After his cameo on the show, he said that he has a good sense of humor but jokes about the disabled are "sophomoric and stupid."

Armisen has backed off the Paterson parodies since the governor left office but the political sketches haven't stopped: in last week's episode of "SNL," Armisen impersonated Mayor Bloomberg, touting the Occupy Wall Street protest gatherings as a perfect opportunity for tourists to visit.

Indiana Soldier Slain in U.S. Apparently Murdered

A soldier from Indiana who completed two tours of duty in Iraq was killed Friday in Kansas in an apparent murder.

Ronald Evans Taylor, 28, a U.S. Army sergeant from Wheatfield, Ind., was back in the states seeking medical discharge after he was injured during his second tour, according to the Northwest Indiana Times.

Riley County Police said they received a 911 call at 10:27 p.m. Friday for an automobile accident. Taylor was found shot twice and passed out in a car that crashed into a house. He was killed about a block or two from his off-base home in Ogden, according to the Post-Tribune.

Taylor's brother, Alex, said he looked like he was "trying to get away from whoever was trying to hurt him." After worrying about his brother for years overseas, Alex Taylor said it's unexpected he would be killed at home.

Police continue to investigate leads. Funeral arrangements are still pending.

Taylor, a graduate from Kankakee Valley High School in 2001 and a combat medic outside of Baghdad, leaves behind a wife and 5-year-old son.

Greyhound Bus Station Set to Move

Greyhound Bus Station Set to Move

The Greyhound bus station is getting ready to pack up and move from central downtown to the Eastside.

The station will soon be housed next to the downtown transit center at 1313 National Ave. in East Village, after being in its current location since the 1930's.

The company hopes to move into the new location by the first week of November, according to station manager Bonita Flores.

The location on National Ave. will serve as a temporary location for the next three years, Flores said.

By then, Flores says the bus company hopes to have found a more permanent space.

The bus company says it does not expect an interruption in service during the move.

 

3 Plead Guilty in Fatal Ballpark Beating

3 Plead Guilty in Fatal Ballpark Beating

The three men accused of beating a man to death in a fight outside Citizens Bank Park in July 2009 pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and conspiracy charges.

The three men could be sentenced to 40 years in prison and fined $50,000, Common Please Judge Shelley Robins said after accepting the “open” guilty pleas Tuesday.

The guilty pleas were unexpected, as a mistrial was declared for all three last month.

David Sale, 22, was beaten to death while attending a friend’s bachelor party inside the ballpark. A fight broke out in a parking lot, over a spilled beer, between the members of the bachelor party and a group that was part of a bar tour from Fishtown.

Frank Kirchner, 28, Charles Bowers, 35, and James Groves, 45, were charged with Sale's death. Sale was held down and Kirchner allegedly took a running start to land the final blow to David Sale’s limp and bleeding body.

The mistrial was declared in September after a prosecution witness and friend of the victim “blurted out” that 30-year-old defendant Frances Kirchner as the person who delivered the fatal blow. The witness was not technically an “identity witness” for the trial.

Sentencing for Kirchner, Bowers and Groves is set for Dec. 20.

Long Island Teen Denies Making Bomb Threat

Long Island Teen Denies Making Bomb Threat

A New York teenager is denying charges she reported a bomb threat at her Long Island high school.

A lawyer for 16-year-old Dominique Best of Lindenhurst said his client is an excellent student who had never been in trouble with law enforcement. She pleaded not guilty at her arraignment Tuesday on a charge of falsely reporting an incident. Bail was set at $5,000.

Her lawyer, Carmelo Garufi said the case is being blown out of proportion.

Suffolk County police say the 11th grader left a threatening message last week, suggesting a bomb would go off at Lindenhurst High School at 7:46 a.m. on Tuesday.

Prosecutors said the threat was left on a school calculator with text capability that was found in a geometry laboratory

Best was arrested on Monday.

Marines to Allow KIA Bracelets for Troops

Marines to Allow KIA Bracelets for Troops

The commandant of the Marine Corps is changing the rule that bans troops from wearing bracelets commemorating friends killed in action, settling a flap that has roiled some in the force.

Marine Corps spokesman Capt. Gregory Wolf says that Marine Gen. James Amos plans to announce on Tuesday that Marines can wear the KIA bracelets, usually thin rubber or metal bands bearing the names of the fallen.

The bracelets technically have been prohibited under uniform regulations that limit the amount and kinds of jewelry that troops can wear while on duty.

Right now, some commanders allow the bracelets and some don't. Wolf says Amos has decided to lift the ban and will put out a statement on it soon.

Copyright NBC San Diego / Associated Press

Disabled Victimized by Theft Scheme: Police

Disabled Victimized by Theft Scheme: Police

A woman convicted in the starvation death of a man nearly 30 years ago is facing charges of kidnapping and false imprisonment for allegedly preying on four mentally disabled adults, locking them in a basement and wresting control of their Social Security disability checks.

Linda Ann Weston was charged Monday with kidnapping, false imprisonment and other offenses, with bail set at $2.5 million after her landlord stumbled upon the four adults, all weak and malnourished, in a dank, foul-smelling boiler room on Saturday.

Also charged were Eddie “the Rev. Ed” Wright, 50, whom Weston described as her boyfriend, and Gregory Thomas, 47.

Detectives found dozens of ID cards, power-of-attorney forms and other documents in the apartment, suggesting the alleged theft scheme involved more than just the four captives.

Weston has a criminal record. In 1983, a 13-year-old Philadelphia boy testified that Weston, his older sister, had beaten another sister's boyfriend with a broomstick and imprisoned him in a closet in 1981 after the man said he would not support the sister's unborn child. The man died of starvation weeks later.

After initially being ruled incompetent to stand trial, Weston began serving time in state prison on a third-degree murder charge on June 7, 1985. She was paroled on Jan. 15, 1987, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections.

She's now behind bars in another heinous scheme that echoes the earlier case.

Police identified the victims as Derwin McLemire, 41, of Florida; Herbert Knowles, 40 of Virginia; and two Philadelphia residents, 29-year-old Tamara Breeden and 31-year-old Edwin Sanabria.

Police suspect Weston, 51, and the other suspects were keeping them in squalor while taking their Social Security checks. One victim said he met Weston through an online dating service.

“That was real dirty of (her). That was wrong,” McLemire told KWY-TV on Monday. “I escaped one time to one of the houses that we used to live in, of hers, and I didn't get away so they got me.”

He and two others told the station they had been on the move for about a year with their alleged captors, traveling from Texas to Florida to Philadelphia.

“They moved them around,” Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey said Monday after examining the boiler room-turned-dungeon inside a small apartment house. “Whenever it looked like people knew what was going on, they moved.”

Landlord Turgut Gozleveli discovered the victims Saturday morning after he heard dogs barking in the area. The door to the basement room was chained shut, but Gozleveli managed to get inside, lifting a pile of blankets to find several sets of eyes staring back at him. One man was chained to the boiler.

The crawlspace reeked of urine and was too shallow for an adult to stand up. There were mattresses, blankets, buckets for using the bathroom, and a container of orange juice. The adults shared their space with three dogs.

Gozleveli called police, suspecting they were squatters, then watched as officers and ambulance workers helped them up the steps to the street in a working-class section of the city's Tacony neighborhood.

The victims had the mental capacity of 10-year-olds, along with some physical disabilities, authorities said. One could barely see.

Philadelphia police soon arrested Weston at her daughter's apartment upstairs, along with the two other men.

“Without a doubt. This is just the beginning of this investigation,” Lt. Ray Evers said Monday. “She's been out of jail for a period of time, and we think she's being doing this for quite some time.”

Exactly how long, how much money the scheme brought in, precisely how the disabled were deceived, and how many people in all were victimized are still unclear, investigators said. The FBI has joined the investigation.

“Talk about preying on the weak and weary,” Evers said.

A Florida girl missing since July 4 from West Palm Beach, where neighbors said the group had come from earlier this month, was also located by Philadelphia police. The mother of 15-year-old Benita Rodriguez told WPTV-TV her daughter had been friends with Thomas' son. Rodriguez was not in the basement with the adults and it wasn't clear how she connects to the case.

As of Monday, the defendants did not appear to have lawyers.

Neighbors said the defendants and their alleged captives had arrived in an SUV from West Palm Beach about two weeks ago, though it does not appear the victims spent the entire time in the basement.

Danyell “Nicky” Tisdale, a block captain in the neighborhood, said that about a week ago, a man and woman and four mentally disabled adults held a yard sale, selling piles of shoes, jackets and other clothing on the sidewalk.

Since the arrests, police have slowly and patiently been trying to elicit information from the alleged captives. All four were treated at hospitals and placed with social service agencies.

Breeden had been reported missing by her family in Philadelphia in 2005, police said. Relatives of McLemire and Sanabria were contacted. Police were having trouble finding family members for Knowles.

According to an investigative report obtained by The Associated Press, Knowles was reported missing in Norfolk, Va., in December 2008 after a mental health case worker couldn't reach him and family members failed to hear from him.

The case worker reported that Knowles' Social Security checks were going to a Philadelphia address. The report said Philadelphia police went by the address and were told no one there had ever heard of Knowles.

Knowles' government benefits were stopped at one point after his mail was forwarded to Philadelphia, but Weston took the man to a Philadelphia social service agency in 2008 and showed identification, and the checks resumed, Norfolk police said.

Norfolk police spokesman Chris Amos said police did not continue looking for Knowles because as an adult he was under no obligation to report to his case worker.

“It's not illegal to be missing,” Amos said. “A lot of people are missing by choice.”

Scam artists can get control of a disabled person's checks by visiting the Social Security office with the victim, who then designates the other person to receive the payments, said Nora J. Baladerian, a clinical psychologist in Los Angeles and advocate for people with disabilities.

Only if there is a report of suspected abuse would social service agencies enter the picture, she said.

The Social Security Administration gave NBC10 this statement on Tuesday afternoon:

 

We are very concerned about this situation.  As this is an ongoing investigation, we can't provide you any details at this time. Despite our limited resources, we have recently strengthened our oversight of organizational payees, such as contracting with protection and advocacy groups to evaluate the performance of representative payees. You may also want to contact the SSA Inspector General's office.

In Florida, Weston and Thomas appeared to live with several disabled adults, including a man and woman who had bruises on their faces, neighbors in a poor section of West Palm Beach said. The woman also had what looked like a large burn mark on her face, neighbor Ronald Bass said.

He said he often heard yelling, apparently from the disabled women, and that police frequently went to the house.

Another neighbor, Sadie Pollard, said she saw bruised lips and other facial injuries on the disabled people, but was told they had been fighting with each other.

Mark Riordan, a spokesman for the Florida Department of Children and Families, said a search of its databases as well as vital statistics and school records, found no record of the alleged perpetrators, the victims, or the children who lived with them.

“This family has clearly led a nomadic lifestyle and had become quite adept living beneath the radar. Until now,” he said.

      

Associated Press Writers Randy Pennell and JoAnn Loviglio in Philadelphia, Dena Potter in Richmond and Matt Sedensky in West Palm Beach contributed to this report.