25 October 2011

Truck Lifted Out of C&O Canal

A man is facing charges after his pickup truck crashed into the C&O Canal.

The man was driving along a canal tow path Monday night when he drove into the canal near Fox Hall Road NW and Canal Road NW in Georgetown, authorities said.

The driver was not hurt in the crash, authorities said, but they believe he was drunk.

U.S. Park Police arrested the man, who was not identified, and charged him with DWI.

It took an extensive amount of time to get the truck lifted out of the canal Tuesday morning. Authorities said the removal was complicated by the wall along the canal and the location of the crash.

From Beverly Hills to Westchester: Housewives Make Waves

“The “Real Housewives” reality show franchise is either a must-see, a secret guilty pleasure or a sure sign of the downfall of civilization as we know it.

There are “The Real Housewives” of Beverly Hills, Orange County, Atlanta, New York, New Jersey and Westchester. Wait. Westchester? Yes, Westchester, as in out by LAX-Westchester.

This send-up of the Bravo TV franchise was produced for the Westchester Lutheran school by KCET producer Karen Foshay Kolesnikow and some of the mothers of students there.

It takes some direct shots at all of the high drama from those "other" housewives with one exception: these situations don't even pretend to be based in reality.

This scripted 20-minute video  was made for fun and as a fundraiser for the school. Parents had to pay $50 to view the spoof of the hyper-local rivalries.

"It was really fun. Well, we're fans of the show," said Cindy Widmer, a Westchester housewife.

Since there is drinking in the spoof send-up -- as there is in all of the "housewives" shows, the spoof received mixed reviews from the Lutheran congregation.

The director of the Lutheran school said she didn't know anything about the project until it was finished.

Westchester can now be known as the home of the "Not-So-Real Housewives" and they can be found at a website near you.

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Some Call for Regulation of Sperm Banks

Some Call for Regulation of Sperm Banks

News reports of a sperm donor with 150 offspring have prompted discussions on how to better regulate the sperm bank industry.

Every year, tens of thousands of children are born though the use of donor sperm. North Texas families looking to conceive must go online because Texas does not have a sperm bank.

"You order online, and you can have it shipped to your home or doctor's office and go from there," said Shannon Carrigan, who used a sperm donor to conceive her daughter, Kate.

Carrigan, of Dallas, has connected with five other families that used the same donor.

Some of the children look alike. Many have blond hair and blue eyes, and some share a similar jawline.

She shares stories and pictures in a Facebook group with the other parents.

"I do believe there are a few more out there that aren't in contact with us yet," she said.

The New York Times reported last month on a group of 150 half-siblings conceived with sperm from the same donor.

Some have called for tighter regulation of the industry, citing health concerns.

"If you have a donor who has 150, 200 children, you may have 100 with kidney disease or Huntington's chorea [disease]," said Dr. Kevin Doody, a fertility expert at the Center for Assisted Reproduction in North Texas.

Advocates for regulation also say they are worried about potential incest among adults who do not know they are half-siblings.

Doody said recent revelations about donors who have 50 to 150 offspring have him taking a closer look at the sperm banks he refers to his patients. His patients use a number of sperm banks across the country.

Carrigan recently watched a documentary about children conceived using donor sperm that featured a man who had 70 offspring.

"I just hope they regulate the industry better, because that's just too much," she said.

Other countries, such as Britain and France, restrict how many times an individual donor's sperm can be used. The United States does not have limits, although the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reproductive medicine, has guidelines.

"So we don't know how many kids are born for any one donor, who they are, where they are, if they have any sicknesses, any genetic illnesses," said Wendy Kramer, the founder of the Donor Sibling Registry. "There's no way to upload and share medical information amongst people who have used the same donor."

She has run the Donor Sibling Registry for 11 years. It has connected more than 9,000 donor offspring with their half-siblings or donors.

In the United States, sperm donors are paid for their donations. Men can donate at more than one sperm bank, and there is not a national system to cross-check if a donor has donated elsewhere.

"The problems are, the sperm banking industry is not keeping accurate records, so you can't limit the number of offspring until you actually keep track of how many offspring there are for any one given donor," Kramer said.

Kramer, an advocate for more regulation of the industry, said profit is a big reason why sperm banks allow repeat sales.

Sperm banks largely work online. Some banks say they cap numbers on donors above what is recommended by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

"We take a more conservative approach than what is suggested by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine," said Tammy Zimmer, managing director of NW Cryobank. "The ASRM recommends no more than 25 pregnancies per 800,000 populous. We limit our donors to no more than 25 reported pregnancies regardless of geography. "

One of the largest sperm banks in the country, California Cryobank, has stepped up its methods to limit donor offspring to 25 to 30 families.

Spokesman Scott Brown said it did so because births to the bank were being under-reported or not reported in a timely manner.

"We limit the [sperm] vials we distribute as an additional method of controlling the number of donor conceived children," he said. "Every donor is re-evaluated every six months for donor eligibility, where reported pregnancies are also considered."

The bank contacts patients who have bought sperm if the bank hasn't heard from the patient in three months.

California Cryobank has also made changes to its website so it's easier for families to report pregnancies and births.

The term "families" refers to an individual purchasing sperm to conceive a child. Though the limit is 25 to 30, a "family" can purchase multiple vials from the same donor and have several children.

Despite the controversy, Carrigan said she is at peace with her decision to use donor sperm.

"If I ever envisioned what being a single mom is like, this is it -- the good, the bad, the ugly -- but I wouldn't change it for anything," she said.

Carrigan said she does not have a problem with the fact that her daughter has genetic half-siblings across the United States. She said she doesn't consider them actual brothers or sisters but is open to her daughter connecting with them as she grows older.

Carrigan said the sperm donor she used originally wrote on his profile that he was open to meeting offspring when they became adults but has since changed his mind.

"It could be the recent publicity about this issue, or that he's learned he has many offspring, or it could be he's just in a relationship," she said.

Car Wash Workers Win Union Contract in Santa Monica

They are believed to be the first car wash workers in the nation to unionize and negotiate a contract with their employer.

The Sikder family, owners of Bonus Hand Wash & Auto Spa in Santa Monica, signed a contract with the union that represents 30 workers and calls for modest 2 percent pay increases.

Chloe Osmer of the CLEAN Car Wash Campaign (Community Labor Environmental Action Network), which organized the union, calls it a landmark move for an industry historically accused of abusing its employees.

“The (car wash) industry is so far below even minimum legal standards,” Osmer said.

She said the contract requires the owners to abide by state labor law, providing work breaks and a hearing process for worker grievances.

Car wash workers say it is a common practice in the industry for workers to be fired if they ask for a break or ask for the money owed them.

“Bonus” managers say the contract also benefits the company. As part of the agreement, it will open another car wash in Venice and will employ another 30 workers.

“We’re not going to raise our prices because of the union contract. That won’t be an issue,” said manager, Mike Watson.

Customer Jessica Begum said car wash workers deserve better treatment.

“I think it’s a good thing,” Begum said. “I think these workers deserve to be paid – paid well.”

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VIDEO: Teen in Elevator is Astoria Shooting Suspect

Police are seeking a male teenager in connection with a shooting outside an Astoria, Queens apartment building Monday.

The suspect shot a 26-year-old man in front of Astoria Houses at 3-04 27th Ave. just before 8 p.m., according to police. The victim was shot once in the right leg and once in the left foot.

The suspect was then seen in an elevator inside the building, holding a handgun, shortly after the shooting.

He was last seen wearing a green jacket, red backpack, dark jeans and brown shoes.

The victim was taken to Cornell Hospital in stable condition.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS or at usa-local-news.blogspot.com.

Spring Creek Trail Gaining Opposition

The city of Garland is running into opposition to a plan to build a nature trail through the Spring Creek Nature Preserve.

The city wants more people to use the nature preserve, and wants to start by building a connector trail three-quarters of a mile long through the forest.

Right now, the city is finalizing a near-$600,000 construction bid to build the trail.

“The trail provides connection to more sidewalks, along where you have connections to destinations where people go for shopping, schools, recreation, home, so it actually allows for the public to enjoy natural resources," said Ann McGinnes, Garland senior park.

The trail will be 12 feet wide.

However, the Preservation Society for Spring Creek Forest said it wants to maintain the pristine bottomland forest on the edge of North Garland.

“Either decrease the scale of the project or cancel the trail project so the preserve stays as wild and as pristine as possible,” said Matt Mortimer, president of the preservation society.

The trail is the first phase of a bigger plan to build a 3.5-mile-long trail around the preserve that has been in the planning stages since 1992.

Hiker Tram Tran, who regularly visits the nature preserve, said she believes the price of nature is priceless.

"A bigger trail would mean more people, less nature, that’s what they say,” Tran said. “But I think everyone deserves to have access to nature, even if it's just a little amount."

The first phase of the trail will be finished in September.

The final phase will be finished toward the end of 2013. The final phase of the trail is still not funded.

3 Sought for Intimidating Woman at Zuccotti Park

Police are searching for three men accused of intimidating a woman at Zuccotti Park Monday, threatening to kill her for a complaint she filed with police, resulting in the arrest of a friend of the suspects.

The 24-year-old woman filed a complaint for an Oct. 11 incident in which she and her friends were assaulted inside Zuccotti Park, according to police. The complaint led to an arrest.

Three friends of the person arrested approached the woman at Zuccotti Park Monday morning, and one verbally threatened to kill her for having filed the complaint.

The suspects were described as: a male about 16 to 18 years old, last seen wearing a brown hat with a white shirt that said "Stone Harbor" across the front; a man about 18 to 20 years old with dreadlocks with red streaks, last seen wearing a black leather coat and red pants; and a man about 18 to 20 years old, with a black beard, last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt.

Anyone with information is asked to contact NYPD Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS or at usa-local-news.blogspot.com.

Occupy Fort Worth Reaches Out to City

Occupy Fort Worth is working to improving relations with the city.

In recent weeks, police have made several misdemeanor arrests, but the group wants to avoid such charges and educate and inform city leaders.

On Tuesday morning, a small contingent of occupiers, as they call themselves, introduced themselves to the City Council.

Jo Jones, who was one of those arrested Oct. 15, said it was a peaceful arrest. She said Fort Worth police have been good to the protesters but she would still like to improve relations so that the protests can grow.

"We are not as fortunate as other Occupy movements," Jones said. "I think other cities and Occupy movements have recognized the right to a peaceful assemble and also the material needed for the right to peaceful assemble."

The Fort Worth demonstrators stick to the sidewalks around Burnett Park these days, partly to avoid arrest.

Fort Worth police say protesters are free to enter the park to demonstrate but could face arrest if they violate city ordinances. Camping is prohibited in parks and on sidewalks in Fort Worth, and obstructing a sidewalk is also prohibited.

On Oct. 15, five protesters were arrested for having a tent on the sidewalk.

Burnett Park also has a curfew that starts at 10 p.m. The protesters say they respect that restriction but will continue to occupy the area. A portable toilet has been removed, and Occupy Fort Worth said it is denied access to the electricity in the park. But participants said they won't let it get them off their message.

They said they encourage people to come and talk to them about the issues, such as opposition to corporate greed and the influence of money in politics.

Occupy Fort Worth said it also wants to reach out to the city to help get its message out and fix stereotypes and preconceived notions about their reasons for being there.

"We understand that we need to have a working relationship not only with the City Council but with city officials," Jones said.

The group, in the meantime, said isn't leaving Burnett Park. Group members said they want to change opinions one at a time.

"Lacey's Law" Tightens Teen Driver Rules

Teenage drivers will face more training and new rules under Lacey’s law in Pennsylvania.

The new law limiting how many passengers that teen drivers can have and increasing the number of hours of behind-the-wheel experience required for a junior license was signed Tuesday by Gov. Tom Corbett.

Corbett told students at Harrisburg High School that he hopes it will save lives.

“You think we're picking on you? We are, we really are,” Corbett said. “We singled you out because we want you here a long time from now.”

The legislation is named for Lacey Gallagher, 18, from Philadelphia, who was killed in car crash on April 28, 2007. She was a passenger in an SUV with six other teenagers. All of the other teens were injured; none wore seat belts.

For six months, teens without a parent in the vehicle will not be allowed to have more than one friend or similar person under 18, who is not a member of their household, as a passenger. If they haven't caused an accident after six months, the teen driver could carry three such passengers.

It makes failure to wear seat belts a primary offense, so police can stop drivers under age 18 if they or their passengers are not wearing seat belts. Violations carry a $75 fine.

Corbett said questions about how police officers will know the age of drivers on sight is something to worry about in the future.

“It will all get litigated,” he said.

The law also requires teens with learner's permits to have 65 hours of driving experience to get a junior license, up from 50 hours. Teens can get a junior license starting at age 16. There is also a new requirement of five hours of bad-weather driving and 10 hours of night driving.

The signing came with bills pending in the state House to address distracted driving among all drivers.

“I want that bill passed,” Corbett said.

Read more about Lacey’s law here.

Laundry Machine Bandits Caught on Video

Two burglars -- believed to be lovers -- were caught on video breaking into washers and dryers, and now police are looking for help nabbing these so-called "Laundry Machine Bandits."

In the video, released Tuesday, a man and woman enter a laundry room in an apartment located in the 400 block of South Hoover Street in Koreatown on Sept. 18.

"Once inside, the male suspect pried open the coin-operated washers and dryers, while the female suspect acted as a lookout," said police in a statement. "The male emptied the coin trays into the female's purse then carefully replaced the tray back into the units."

The Laundry Machine Bandits are suspected in at least three similar burglaries in the Palms and Koreatown areas of Los Angeles, according to police. The thieves are responsible for taking "several hundred dollars in quarters," according to the LAPD.

Police described the first burglar as a Hispanic or Armenian man, 18 to 25 years old, with black hair, between 5 feet 7 inches and 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing between 160 to 170 pounds.

His accomplice was described as a Hispanic woman, between 18 to 25 years old, with black hair, between 5 feet 3 inches and 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing between 160 to 170 pounds.

The thieves are believed to be boyfriend and girlfriend, said police.

Anyone with information about the case can contact police at 213-484-3486.

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Rubber-Masked Man Holds Up Fairfax County Bank

Rubber-Masked Man Holds Up Fairfax County Bank

Fairfax County police are investigating a bank robbery at the Main Street Bank in McLean, Va., Tuesday morning.

A man wearing a rubber mask, leather trenchcoat and blue jeans entered the bank at 6832 Old Dominion Drive about 10:10 a.m., according to police. He implied that he had a gun and demanded money from a teller, who is seen holding his hands straight up in the air in surveillance pictures.

The suspect fled with an undisclosed amount of cash. Anyone with information is asked to contact Fairfax County Crime Solvers.

Ex-Goldman Sachs Executive to Surrender on Federal Charges

Ex-Goldman Sachs Executive to Surrender on Federal Charges

A former Goldman Sachs board member is expected to surrender to the FBI and appear in federal court Wednesday on federal criminal charges, USA LOCAL NEWS has learned.

US Attorney Preet Bharara has been investigating Rajat Gupta, 62, in part as to whether he leaked confidential information to Raj Rajaratnam, the former Galleon Group billionaire sentenced earlier this month to 11 years in prison for insider trading.

Prosecutors said Rajaratnam, 54, made over $50 million in profits from the illegal trades.

Gupta was previously accused of insider trading by the Securities and Exchange Commission, who hit him with civil charges in March.

The SEC said Gupta was an investor in some of the Galleon hedge funds when he passed the information along, and he had other business interests with Rajaratnam that were potentially lucrative.

Gupta sued the SEC in response, denying allegations of wrongdoing and said he stood "ready to mount a defense against each and every one of the commission's charges.

The SEC dropped its case but maintained the right to bring an action in federal court.

Gupta's attorney, Gary Naftalis, had no comment on news of his client's plans to surrender, saying only in a statement to USA LOCAL NEWS, "As we have stated from the outset, any allegation that Rajat Gupta engaged in any unlawful conduct is totally baseless."

Naftalis continued, "There were legitimate reasons for any communications between Mr. Gupta and Mr. Rajaratnam – not the least of which was Mr. Gupta’s attempt to obtain information regarding his $10 million investment in the GB Voyager fund managed by Mr. Rajaratnam.

"In fact, Mr. Gupta lost his entire investment in the fund at the time of the events in question, negating any motive to deviate from a lifetime of probity and distinguished service," Naftalis said.

An FBI spokesman in New York declined comment as did a US attorney spokeswoman and Justice Department spokesman in Washington.

Falls Church Child Center Out of Jeopardy

Falls Church Child Center Out of Jeopardy

There’s relief for parents of special needs children in Falls Church, Va., where a child care center was in danger of closing.

Easter Seals and the Falls Church City Council reached a deal Monday night to allow the Child Development Center to continue operating on the city-owned property for two more years.

A new lease extension will raise the rent from $30 a month to $3,000 a month.

Falls Church had originally asked for a new lease at $120,000 a year. Easter Seals had said it could not afford to operate at that price.

Parents with special needs children at the center were worried about finding other affordable care at such a short notice if the center had to close.

Marines Plan Quantico Brig Closure Dec. 31

Marines Plan Quantico Brig Closure Dec. 31

The Marine Corps is proposing a year-end date for closing the brig at its base in Quantico, Va.

The move is part of a consolidation of military confinement facilities recommended by the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission.

The Marine Corps notified the Defense Department of the date in a memo obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press.

Prisoners previously held in pretrial confinement at Quantico would be held instead at a regional military correctional facility in Chesapeake, Va.

The Quantico brig was the home for nine months to Army Pfc. Bradley Manning, the soldier suspected of passing classified documents to the anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks. He was moved to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, in April. He is still awaiting trial.

Food Fight: Neediest Residents Win A Battle

"This is a blessing," said Serida Jones, of Woodbridge, Va.

She is happy about a food pantry reopening sooner than expected.

The Action in Community Through Service Food Pantry in Dumfries, known as ACTS, ran out of food on October 18.

Its director, Rebekah McGee, thought it would have to stay closed until November 1.

But word of the pantry's plight got out, and the community responded with 30,000 pounds of food and thousands of dollars in cash donations.

"We are just really excited we will be able to give out groceries again," McGee told insidenova.com.

"If it wasn't for the pantry, I'd have nothing," Jones said. She lost her job two years ago.

"We always hear about the bad things, so it's great to see everyone help out," Jones said.

ACTS is the largest food pantry in eastern Prince William County, serving about 4,000 people.

“I don’t think people were aware of the extent of the services we provide. They didn’t understand there were that many people in need,” McGee said.

“This is something people can easily relate to and it’s easily fixed.”

The pantry is located at 3900 Acts Lane in Dumfries.

Donations can be made at >

No Crackdown on Protesters in D.C.

No Crackdown on Protesters in D.C.

While police and neighbors in some cities are losing patience with anti-Wall Street protests, demonstrators in the nation's capital are continuing to expand their tent cities with little interference.

Authorities in several cities have started arresting or threatening to evict demonstrators, in part because of concerns about noise, sanitation and health.

But in Washington, a city accustomed to protests, relations between police and participants in two similar, open-ended demonstrations have been largely peaceful. McPherson Square was packed with more than 100 tents Tuesday, and there were more than 60 tents in Freedom Plaza a few blocks away.

At McPherson Square, Wes Kirkpatrick of the Occupy D.C. movement was hanging leaflets Tuesday afternoon with information about arrests and confrontations between police and protesters in other cities. U.S. Park Police are patrolling the square twice daily but have done little else, and officers have given no indication they plan to start arresting or evicting the protesters, said Kirkpatrick, 27.

Police are arresting protesters “everywhere but here, essentially,” Kirkpatrick said. He said he believed Occupy D.C. was benefiting from its location just blocks from the White House and said he did not expect the federal government to crack down on the demonstration.

Assemblies in McPherson Square don't require permits as long as they don't exceed 500 people, but people are barred from camping or cooking there, and the demonstrators are doing both in plain view of police.

McPherson Square is surrounded by businesses, including banks, restaurants and law firms, but Kirkpatrick said there had been few if any confrontations with local merchants and residents. Bill Line, a National Park Service spokesman, said the park service decided recently to start picking up trash twice a day in the square because of concerns about buildup. He also said police were counting the protesters and would take action if their numbers exceeded 500.

Patrick Segui, who owns a hair salon on McPherson Square, said the demonstration hasn't harmed his business.

“There hasn't been any trouble. As far as protesting, that's the way to do it. They're very clean,” Segui said. “Politically, it's a different story, but we don't need to go there.”

Ayanna Brown, general manager of the popular restaurant Georgia Brown's, said the protesters and the restaurant have coexisted peacefully, and she noted that most of the staff supports them.

“They don't even come in and ask to use the restroom,” Brown said. “We were concerned mostly about trash. We can get rats if we don't maintain a certain level of cleanliness, and they have done that.”

The demonstrators in Freedom Plaza have a permit that runs through Dec. 30, but they are also camping and cooking in defiance of park service rules. Kevin Zeese, an organizer of the October 2011 Stop the Machine demonstration, said officers patrolling the plaza have told him ”they're getting pressure to evict us.” But he said demonstrators would return if they were kicked out.

The park service was planning to hand out leaflets to the Freedom Plaza protesters addressing health and safety matters that they're expected to abide by, Line said.

Freedom Plaza is bordered by local and federal government buildings, the National Theater and a Marriott hotel. Zeese said he hasn't heard any complaints from neighbors.

“I would guess the Marriott's $500-a-night rooms aren't too happy, but they haven't said anything to us,” he said.

Arrest Made in Herndon Sex Assaults

Arrest Made in Herndon Sex Assaults

A man has been charged with impersonating a police officer and sexually assaulting two women within hours of each other, according to Herndon police.

Thomas Kim, 31, of Herndon, was arrested Monday and is being held without bond.

About 3:45 p.m. on Oct. 11, Kim allegedly approached a teenage girl and told her he was a police officer. He then sexually assaulted her in the 1200 block of Magnolia Lane before driving away, police said.

Then about 7 p.m. on the same day, Kim allegedly targeted another woman at the Herndon Shopping Center on Elden Street. He once again claimed to be a police officer before forcing the victim into his car and sexually assaulting her, according to police.  

Harlem Woman Found Dead With Feet Bound by Scarf

Harlem Woman Found Dead With Feet Bound by Scarf

A 73-year-old woman was found dead in her Harlem apartment Tuesday evening with a plastic bag over her head and her feet bound with a scarf.

The elderly woman was found dead inside her apartment at 445 E. 120th St. by her daughter, who went to check on her mother when she did not hear from her in some time, according to sources.

The woman had a plastic bag over her head, and her feet were bound by a scarf, sources said.

A television appeared to be missing from the apartment.

It was unclear how long the woman had been dead.

Police are investigating.

Sulaimon Brown Pleads Not Guilty to Traffic Charge

Sulaimon Brown Pleads Not Guilty to Traffic Charge

A former minor District of Columbia mayoral candidate pleaded not guilty to a charge of driving without a valid license.

Sulaimon Brown entered the plea Tuesday and requested to go to trial. He was ordered to return to court on Nov. 14.

Brown lives in Washington but has a Maryland driver's license he claims is valid. Judge Richard Ringell advised him to obtain a D.C. license before he returns to court and said he could be jailed if he's caught driving again without a valid license.

A charge of failure to obey stemming from his September arrest was dropped.

Brown has accused aides to Mayor Vincent Gray of paying him and promising him a job during last year's campaign to disparage then-Mayor Adrian Fenty. Federal authorities are investigating those claims.

Judge Limits Photos Prosecution Can Use in Lululemon Opening Statement

A judge limited the use of graphic photographs that prosecutors may show in opening statements in the trial of a woman charged with killing a co-worker at a yoga clothing shop in suburban Washington.

The jury pool in the Lululemon murder trial is down to 65 from 149, News4’s Chris Gordon reported. The final selection begins Wednesday morning, when prosecutors can strike or remove 10 people and the defense can eliminate 20.

It should take no more than half an hour to select 12 jurors and five alternates at this point, Judge Robert Greenberg said. Opening statements will follow.

Lawyers disagree about what the jury will see, though.

At the crime scene at the Bethesda Row Lululemon Athletica store last March, victim Jayna Murray was found with gruesome head wounds inflicted with a hammer and a knife. She had been beaten with a display rack and there was a rope around her neck.

Lawyers for defendant Brittany Norwood asked the judge to prohibit prosecutors from using the graphic images in its opening statement, because the pictures could be more prejudicial than probative.

Other pictures, including one showing Norwood as she was found inside the shop after police were called, were permissible, the Associated Press reported.

Ivy Huang, Jayna Murray's former roommate at George Washington University, went to court Tuesday to watch the proceedings.

"My hope is a fair trial and that there will be closure for my friend’s family,” she said.

Denton Welcomes New Police Chief

Tuesday marks a milestone for the City of Denton after swearing the new police chief, Lee Howell. A nation-wide search led the city right back to the home-town candidate.

Howell was born and raised in Denton, and his career kept him close to home. He worked for the Denton Police Department for 24 years before serving as the Denton County sheriff's Chief Deputy. The role of police chief brings him full circle.

"It's like returning home after a long absence and coming back to the place where I grew up," Howell said.

A lot has changed as his home town grows.  The police department is working to keep up with the rapid growth of the city. Howell said the growth may be one of the biggest challenges ahead.

"Anytime you have to continue to do more and more with less and less resources, it's a challenge. So, that's something a lot of police departments are facing," Howell said, "We will make the best of what we can to keep the community safe."

City leaders have confidence Howell is the right one for the job.

"Finding the right person that has the support of the community, the council, and the administration is critically important," Denton City Manager George Campbell said. "He simply stood out, and I think was an incredibly good choice."

Formula 1 NJ Race Course Coming to NJ in 2013

New Jersey will host its first-ever Formula One Grand Prix race in 2013 on a course that winds along the Hudson River waterfront and offers striking views of the Manhattan skyline.

Auto racing officials and Gov. Chris Christie on Tuesday announced a ten-year agreement to hold the race at a news conference in front of the Port Imperial ferry terminal, which will serve both as entry point for race-goers coming from New York and as the start-finish line for competitors.

The 3.2-mile course will run along the river through the towns of Weehawken and West New York, then climb uphill before looping back around in front of the ferry terminal. It features one hairpin turn and several other 90-degree turns. Promoters estimated drivers will reach speeds up to 200 miles per hour on the course's straightaways and about 60 to 80 mph on the turns.

Steve Matchett, a commentator on Formula One races for the SPEED network, called the course layout and views "absolutely staggering" and compared it to the famed Monte Carlo course for its proximity to water and its steep climb.

Leo Hindery, a founding chairman and former CEO of the YES Network who is promoting the race, said that aside from a pit area being constructed in front of the terminal, only temporary structures such as bleachers, 10- to 12-foot-high fences and concrete barriers will be erected and then removed after the race. Work will begin next year to resurface the road along the course, he said.

No public funds will be used to stage the race, Christie said.

"Once again, this proves to everyone that the New Jersey comeback continues at full tilt," he said. The state hosted an NCAA regional basketball final this year, and will host the Ironman triathlon competition next year and the Super Bowl in 2014.

West New York Mayor Felix Roque called the awarding of the race "the second miracle on the Hudson" in reference to the safe landing of a US Airways jet on the river in 2009, and said the race would bring worldwide attention and economic growth to the region.

Race officials expect more than 100,000 people to attend each session of the three-day race weekend, though an economic impact study has yet to be completed.

Hindery said that access to a handful of houses along the Palisades on the course's upper portion, could potentially be affected but that steps would be taken to ensure residents would be able to get in and out.

"There won't be one individual who won't be able to get to his or her house on the three race days," Hindery said.

Formula One racing returns to the U.S. after a five-year absence next year with a race in Austin, Texas. Indianapolis last hosted a race in 2007; before that, Phoenix hosted three grand prix from 1989 to 1991, while Watkins Glen in upstate New York hosted the F1 from 1961 to 1980.

Red McCombs, former owner of the San Antonio Spurs and Minnesota Vikings and one of the chief financial backers of the race in Austin, said the U.S. should be able to support two races after the five-year drought.

"We think that's good. I don't think it will compete with us at all," he said, referring to the New Jersey race. "They're coming in 2013 and we'll be a year ahead of them. It just gives more focus on the sport."

Only 1 Southbound Lane of Beltway Open Around Tysons Overnight

Only 1 Southbound Lane of Beltway Open Around Tysons Overnight

Three southbound lanes of Interstate 495 will be closed overnight from Old Dominion Drive to Route 123 near Tysons Corner.

Only one southbound traffic lane will be open from 11 p.m. until 5 a.m.

The road closures are for the Dulles Metrorail Project.

Drivers should be careful because of workers in the area and should plan for longer trips.

House Burns in Point Loma

House Burns in Point Loma

A house is burning on the 300 block of Udall Street in Point Loma, according to San Diego Fire Department.

Firefighters are working to extinguish the flames.

Check back for updates on this story.

10 Vehicle Crash Idles I-35 in Waco

10 Vehicle Crash Idles I-35 in Waco

Police say a 10-vehicle wreck on Interstate 35 in Central Texas happened when a truck driver stopped because his oversize load was too big to fit under an overpass.

Waco police say one other person was injured in the accident Tuesday morning that tied up northbound traffic for nearly two hours.

Investigators say the driver of the 18-wheeler, hauling a tank-like container, was either stopped in the two outside lanes or was backing up when the other vehicles could not brake in time. Eight smaller vehicles and two trucks piled up, but did not hit the original rig.

Texas troopers are investigating whether the driver with the oversize load had violated any traffic laws.

Further details on the injured person weren't immediately released.

Occupy SD Disrupts City Council Meeting

Occupy SD Disrupts City Council Meeting

Occupy San Diego protesters forced the City Council meeting to adjourn early on Tuesday morning to ask for a resolution supporting their movement.

More than 20 Occupy SD activists gathered during the meeting, according to Jill Esterbrooks, communication director for Council President Tony Young.

During the public comment period of the meeting, a woman spoke longer than the allotted time. When the next speaker began talking, protesters started chanting “We are the 99 percent,” and “support us now.”

Council members then left the meeting.

“We want to make sure we can allow people to speak and protest, but the city also needs to conduct business,” Esterbrooks said. “We need people to be respectful of the system in the process,”

The afternoon meeting reconvened at 2 p.m.

About 100 Occupy SD activists remain at the Civic Center, without tents, nearly two weeks after the initial protest began.

Dad Told Son Killed by 'Friendly Fire' in Afghanistan: Report

Dad Told Son Killed by 'Friendly Fire' in Afghanistan: Report

The father of a Camp Pendleton Marine believes his son died in a “friendly fire” incident, according to a published report. The Marine Corps told NBC San Diego the incident is still under investigation.

“I've been kicked in the gut again,” Dr. David Schmidt told the San Antonio Express-News.

Lance Cpl. Benjamin Whetstone Schmidt , 24, of San Antonio, Texas died Oct. 6 while conducting combat operations in Afghanistan, according to the U.S. Marine Corps.

Schmidt told the paper he was contacted by a Marine who said his son died during a firefight on a ridge in the Helmand province.

“What I've been told is that a tank platoon came upon them, mistook them for the bad guys and opened fire on the entire platoon. And that's how Benjamin died,” Schmidt told the paper.

Moments later he says he received another call.

This time from a reporter with the Wall Street Journal who had attended his son's memorial service in Afghanistan. The reporter conveyed a similar story, according to the paper.

A public affairs spokesman from Camp Pendleton said he was aware of the report in the San Antonio Express-News, but that the investigation was ongoing.

Schmidt told the paper that he doesn't think the military is trying to cover anything up.

“War is hell,” he said.

LAPD Officer Suspected of Mentone Burglary

LAPD Officer Suspected of Mentone Burglary

A burglary suspect who was hit with pepper spray by a homeowner and later crashed his car has been identified as a Los Angeles Police Department sergeant, police confirmed Tuesday.

Lucien Daigle, 44, was booked on suspicion of burglary. The Highland resident was held on $125,000 bail and was scheduled to appear in court Tuesday.

Daigle is an 18-veteran of the LAPD, according to police.

The alleged incident happened in the 8900 block of Tres Lagos Drive in Mentone, Calif., on Sunday about 6:20 p.m., according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

A homeowner said when she returned home from walking her dogs, she discovered the back door of her house was left open. Once inside, she encountered an intruder, according to the sheriff's department.

"She advised the deputies that she had sprayed the intruder with bear/pepper spray. The subject immediately ran from the residence leaving in a vehicle that she believed had been parked in front of her gate," according to a statement from the sheriff's department.

Minutes later, deputies responded to reports of a nearby traffic collision.

"As deputies were approaching the vehicle they detected a strong odor believed to be pepper spray," according to deputies.

The driver was identified as Daigle.

He is currently on administrative leave, pending the criminal and administrative investigations, according to the LAPD.

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Couple That Abducted Their 8 Kids Faces 90-Day Jail Sentence

Couple That Abducted Their 8 Kids Faces 90-Day Jail Sentence

A husband and wife who kidnapped their eight children from foster care last month pleaded guilty to second-degree custodial interference on Tuesday.

A Queens Criminal Court judge indicated she would sentence Shanel Nadal and Nephra Payne each to 90 days in jail and three years' probation.

Nadal and Payne were arrested in Harrisburg, Pa., last month after Nadal, 28, slipped out of a supervised visited at a Queens foster care agency with her seven sons and infant daughter, and then left town with her 34-year-old husband. The family was found a week later safe in their van in Pennsylvania. The children were unharmed.

“Today’s guilty plea is a just and fair disposition of this case," Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said. "The defendants are held accountable for their actions and the children will be spared having to testify against their parents at trial.”

An attorney for the couple did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

The children — seven boys named Nephra, who have different middle names, and an infant daughter, Nefertiti — range in age from 11 months to 12 years, according to the police complaint in Harrisburg. They were returned to New York City and are again under the care of the Administration for Children's Services. It's not clear if they were placed in the same homes.

Man, 76, Arrested in Shooting Death of Woman, 65

Man, 76, Arrested in Shooting Death of Woman, 65

Police say they've made an arrest in the deadly shooting of a 65-year-old woman on a Brooklyn street last Thursday.

Dimitry Kamenev, 76, of  Brooklyn, was arrested Tuesday on charges of murder and criminal use of a firearm in connection with the shooting of 65-year-old Alla Kamenev.

Alla Kamenev was shot several times just before noon in the area of West 2nd and Sea Breeze avenues on Oct. 20, according to police.

Responding officers found Alla Kamenev lying on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds to her torso.

Alla Kamenev was taken to Coney Island Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Police said afterward the suspect was seen on video riding a girl's bicycle with a red basket moments before the homicide.

It wasn't immediately clear how Dimitry Kamanev knew his victim.

Baxter No Longer With Trojans

Baxter No Longer With Trojans

Former Mission Bay High School football star Dillon Baxter is no longer part of Southern California's football team.

USC coach Lane Kiffin wouldn’t explain the reason for Baxter's separation on Tuesday, but he did refuse to call it a suspension or a dismissal.

"There was no word in there (like) suspension," Kiffin said after Tuesday's practice, referring to the school's brief statement about Baxter.

Baxter is still enrolled at USC, and will focus on academics for the rest of the year, according to Kiffin.

"We're done talking about it. ... This is all about no distractions, so it's why we're not answering questions. We don't want our players or our coaches dealing with it. Our team has had great focus over the last couple of weeks on the road, and the last thing we want to do is get distracted," Kiffin said.

Baxter was among the nation's most coveted recruits two years ago out of high school in San Diego.

But Baxter's USC career has been rocky since his first training camp under Kiffin, when he was suspended for last year's season opener for undisclosed disciplinary problems.

 

Andy Rooney Suffers “Serious Complications” in Surgery: CBS

Andy Rooney Suffers “Serious Complications” in Surgery: CBS

Andy Rooney suffered “serious complications” from what was supposed to be minor surgery last week, CBS News said on Tuesday.

The 92-year-old veteran TV commentator and journalist remains hospitalized in stable condition and the Rooney family has asked for privacy, CBS said.

Rooney’s health scare comes nearly a month since he signed off from “60 Minutes” on CBS after delivering 1,097 essays.

Check back for more as this story develops.

Selected Reading: CBS, Newsday

 

East Stroudsburg University Rapes

East Stroudsburg University Rapes

Students are on edge on the campus of East Stroudsburg University, after a major spike in crime this year.  Police call it the most violent year ever for the university, and say students have become targets for criminals.

A female student reported being raped last Friday while walking near campus, according to school police. She told police a man jumped out of an S-U-V and pulled her inside the vehicle. A few weeks ago, another female student reported being raped between two parked cars as she left her dorm room.

Other crimes include armed robbery, attempted armed robbery and assault. Campus Police Chief Robin Olson says the crimes are happening both on and off campus, and that both male and female students are being targeted. While he doesn't believe any incidents are connected, he says the one common factor is that all students who were targeted, were alone at the time.

Olson says the university has stepped up patrols, including undercover officers on campus.  He's urging students to walk in groups, use the campus shuttle or a police escort, especially at night.

Montgomery County Troubleshoots Bethesda Metro Escalators

Montgomery County Troubleshoots Bethesda Metro Escalators

The Montgomery County Council is looking at ways to prevent escalator breakdowns at the Bethesda Metro station.

On Friday, all the escalators at the Bethesda station were out of service the same time, and the County Council's transportation subcommittee is holding a hearing Tuesday night to talk about how to avoid similar incidents in the future. 

The discussion will include Metro officials and is expected to cover plans to replace the escalators and to build a new entrance to the station on Elm Street. The meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Service Center

Metro has been dealing with numerous escalator outages in recent years as equipment ages. As of Tuesday morning, about 20 percent of the system's escalators were out of service for scheduled or unscheduled maintenance. And just in time for the council meeting, power went out at Bethesda again Tuesday morning, knocking out escalator service for more than an hour just after the morning rush.

Occupy Wall Street Inspires Halloween Costumes

Occupy Wall Street Inspires Halloween Costumes

Dressed as protesters, complete with toy megaphone, Mitch Robinson and his wife unrolled a sleeping bag and "occupied" their friends' Halloween party. Unlike the real-life

Occupy Wall Street

demonstrators, they had a detailed, numbered list of demands for their hosts.

Among them: Equal time on the karaoke machine, more meat on the grill and extra alcohol in the drinks.

So went the party in Tacoma, Wash., last Saturday night — Robinson in jeans, flannel shirt and a "Live Free or Die" cap and wife Mary Boone in beret, baggy sweater and a "Peace, Love Bieber" button.

"We were a big hit," said Robinson, 48, a marketing executive. "We tried to incite the other partygoers. Plus I loved that basically what I wore was perfect for raking leaves the next day."

Among the self-proclaimed 99 percent, the anti-Wall Street protests that began in New York and spread across the country are inspiring lots of costume ideas this Halloween.

"We're ready to go," said Kris Ruby in Greenwich, Conn. She is dressing her 7-year-old golden retriever, Morgan Stanley, as a 1 percenter in business suit, red tie and tweed hat. "My dad works for Morgan Stanley."

Ricky's NYC, with an online shop and 56 stores throughout the city, stocked up on extra "V for Vendetta" masks, those plastic faces popping up on protesters around the world. The company iParty reports an uptick in requests for dollar-sign jewelry, play money, suspenders and glasses among young people looking to go as bankers and CEOs.

Actual protesters have been invited to take part in the huge Greenwich Village Halloween parade, not far from their home base in Zuccotti Park. Occupy Wall Streeters have set up a website with some costume ideas for the parade, calling on supporters to dress as Wall Street zombies, corporate vampires, "laissez fairies," unemployed superheroes, or the top-hatted plutocrat from Monopoly, Rich Uncle Pennybags.

"Occupy Halloween," the site urges. "Because the top 1 percent shouldn't get all the candy."

Ellen Freudenheim, a blogger and About.com specialist on Brooklyn, suggests cheap and easy costumes ripped from the headlines. Times are tough — duh — so tape a dollar bill to your mouth as actual protesters have done, paired with a hand-scrawled "End Corporate Greed" cardboard sign, she said.

Or, she added, don a dark sweatsuit and plaster yourself with slogans, such as "Do You Feel It Trickle Down?"

Will the revelers be mocking the protesters? Or expressing their sympathy for the movement?

"I think it could be all of the above," Freudenheim said. "I think people who would never, ever in their wildest dreams be caught in Zuccotti Park will dress up."

Jen Doll, a blogger at the Village Voice, suggests dressing up as Deputy Inspector Anthony Bologna, the white-shirt New York cop disciplined for allegedly pepper-spraying some penned-in protesters.

"Alternatively, you could be a slightly less demonized member of the force, put on a blue shirt and go around saying, 'My little nightstick's gonna get a workout tonight,'" she wrote. "Add a gleeful laugh and you're in." The remark, by a real NYPD officer as he put up barricades, is making the rounds in a YouTube video.

If all of that sounds too in-the-box for Halloween, Doll suggested, dress up as pepper spray.

With Halloween less than a week away, the V masks ranked No. 2 on Amazon's list of best-selling novelty clothing, behind a "Where's Waldo" outfit for adults. The mask was used by the shadowy revolutionary V of comic book and movie fame, and is based on Guy Fawkes, the 17th-century Englishman who tried to blow up Parliament.

Josh Paz, a sophomore and economics major at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C., thinks he might "zombie-fy" his look when he pairs a Fawkes mask with a business suit on Halloween.

"I was planning on purchasing a few stacks of fake hundred-dollar bills and proceed to bribe people for candy and drinks," he said.

Freudenheim thinks Occupy Wall Street will be a big Halloween theme in Park Slope, her liberal, socially conscious neighborhood in Brooklyn.

But "I don't know what people will do in Greenwich, or wherever," she said, referring to the rich Connecticut town that is home to investment bankers and hedge fund managers. "I guess they'll just ignore it, I suppose. Or be a clown or a witch or something."

Of course, the real 1 percenters could put on a business suit, carry a briefcase and "shout things about smelly hippies," Doll said.

BK Officials Walk With Protesters Across Brooklyn Bridge

Several hundred people marched across the Brooklyn Bridge early Tuesday evening, led by local officials and union members in a rally to support the Occupy Wall Street protests.

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and Assemblyman Vito Lopez began the march at Brooklyn Borough Hall, and headed toward Zuccotti Park, where protesters are camped out.

About 100 to 200 people walked up the median pedestrian walkway.

The march did not affect vehicle traffic.

Hitler's Parents Claim Judge Found No Abuse of Little Adolf, Aryan Nation

Hitler's Parents Claim Judge Found No Abuse of Little Adolf, Aryan Nation

Heath and Deborah Campbell, who named two of their children Adolf Hitler and JoyceLynn Aryan Nation, are claiming that a court vindicated them of all abuse allegations last month. But after 33 months in foster care, the children are still not home.

New Jersey Family Court officials had no comment Tuesday.

“Actually, the judge and DYFS told us that there was no evidence of abuse and that it was the names! They were taken over the childrens’ names,” Heath Campbell told NBC 10 Tuesday.

Court records last year stated that the children were not removed from the home because of their names, but because of tangible evidence of abuse or neglect.

Protesting the fact that they still don't have their kids, the Campbells picketed with three other people outside of child services offices in Flemington, N.J. Tuesday. The couple spoke exclusively to NBC 10, saying that the state has no right to keep their children away from them now that the court allegedly ruled that the kids were taken away without cause.

“I don’t sleep, I don’t eat much. I miss my kids. Miss their pitter patters on the floor,” Heath Campbell told NBC 10’s Doug Shimell. “It’s hard. I fall asleep with their pictures.”

The Campbell’s three small children were removed from their Holland Township home by the state in January 2009 after they asked a grocery store in Greenwich, N.J., to write “Adolf Hitler” on their son’s birthday cake.

Though a local Wal-Mart honored the birthday cake request, Adolf Hitler Campbell and siblings JoyceLynn Aryan Nation Campbell and Honszlynn Hinler Jeannie Campbell were put into foster care.

“They beg to come home all of the time,” Deborah told NBC 10 Tuesday. “They beg to see their dad, they want to see their dad all the time.”

While the Campbells maintained from the beginning that the only reason their children were taken away is because of their given names, New Jersey court documents stated last year that there was alleged abuse and parental incompetence.

A New Jersey appeals court ruled in August 2010 that there was sufficient evidence of abuse or neglect because of domestic violence in the home, and though there was a gag order for both parties in the case (which the Campbells have broken multiple times to deny the allegations), authorities have stated in the past that putting the children into the foster system had nothing to do with their names.

Court records stated last year that both parents were victims of childhood abuse and both were unemployed and suffering from unspecified physical and psychological disabilities.

The Campbells say that a judge will decide by early December if the kids will come home.

"Can't wait for the decision," Heath Campbell said Tuesday. "Can't wait for them to come home."

USS Iowa Begins Trek to Richmond for Transformation

USS Iowa Begins Trek to Richmond for Transformation

The USS Iowa will begin its trek to Richmond Thursday where the initial restoration of the ship will begin before it becomes an interactive museum at the Port of LA.

The battleship will be towed from Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet to the Benecia Car Dock. The ship will then be moved at 9 a.m. Friday to Richmond Pier 3.

The ship will stay there for three months for refurbishment until moving to Los Angeles. Its final home will be in San Pedro.

“We are bringing it back to life,” Pacific Battleship Center spokesman David Oates said. “We are honoring the sailors and the impact of the ship.”

The U.S. Navy awarded the USS Iowa to the Pacific Battleship Center, a non-profit organization based in Los Angeles, in September.

"It is an incredible honor that the Navy has entrusted us (with the USS IOWA),” Oates said.

It is an honor to be trusted with the memories of those who have sacrificed in the 50 years of its work, Oates said.

Congresswoman Janice Hahn (CA-36) was invovled in bringing the USS Iowa to San Pedro.

"Restoration work on the USS Iowa will begin this week, bringing us another step closer to having this remarkable piece of history in the Los Angeles area," said Hahn. "Not only will the ship educate thousands of visitors each year, it will spark local business creating new jobs.”

Once it is in Los Angeles, the ship will undergo additional refurbishment to bring it to the state of an interactive experience for guests. The opening is scheduled for July 4, 2012, but to meet that deadline the center is in need of more funds.

Center officials are hoping receive more donations to fully restore the ship to its original state. The center has already received 10 million from various groups such as the state of Iowa, Torrey Pines Bank, the USS Iowa Veteran’s Association and business and civic leaders

The center is calling on "plank owners” to make a donation of $25.

“Plank owners were the first crew of a new ship,” Oates said.

These members will receive special insights and behind the scene access of the ship before the general public.

The USS Iowa was commissioned in 1943 and served in battles dating from World War II to Desert Storm in the early 1990s.

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Board OKs Increase in Hollywood Bowl Ticket Prices

Board OKs Increase in Hollywood Bowl Ticket Prices

An increase in prices for Hollywood Bowl tickets was approved Tuesday by the LA County Board of Supervisors.

Price increases for the 2012 season will range from $1 to $6 per ticket. Most of the increases will be at the lower end of the ticket price range.

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, which leases the Bowl from the county, said the new levels are necessary to cover the expenses of producing and marketing shows, including artists' fees. The association, which last sought a price increase two years ago, said the new prices would still be competitive with other venues.

The cost of parking will not change.

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Sorority Issues Warning on Sexual Assaults

Sorority Issues Warning on Sexual Assaults

A sorority is warning members in North Texas to hide their ties to the national organization after a recent string of assualts.

The Delta Sigma Theta sorority is warning members to take precautionary measures including removing sorority paraphernalia from vehicles, key chains, homes and offices. Additionally, the sorority says members should refrain from wearing clothing that identifies them as members of the sorority as well as removing personal information from social media websites like Facebook and Twitter.

“Since receiving news of these incidents, our primary concern has been the safety of our members,” said Cynthia M. A. Butler-McIntyre, National President of the public service organization. “While it is not yet confirmed that these victims were targeted because of their affiliation with the sorority, we are erring on the side of caution and are advising our members in the Dallas area to take the necessary precautionary measures. We encourage members to be alert, remain aware of their surroundings and to call the police if they see anything suspicious or feel threatened.”

Four North Texas women, all alumnae of the sorority, have been sexually assaulted since April.  All were between the ages of 50 and 60 years old and were alone in their homes at the time of the attack.  All of the women gave a similar description of their attacker.

A video of a person police say matches that description was released last week by the Plano Police Department.

Arlington Pigeon Racers Cry Foul at Proposed Ordinance

Arlington Pigeon Racers Cry Foul at Proposed Ordinance

Some North Texans who race pigeon's aren't happy with the city of Arlington and its proposed changes to an animal control ordinance.

The City Council said it is looking at revisions in the ordinance which they say are designed to protect animals and those who may come into contact with them.

But according to the Star-Telegram, a number of racing enthusiasts claim the proposal to restrict the number of birds they can keep would affect their ability to compete in long-distance races.

In some cases these competitors own more than 200 birds and they would now be required to obtain a permit for the pigeons and reduce their flock to 25 birds or even fewer.

Those who race said they have invested thousands of dollars in the sport and the limits would prevent them from competing in long-distance races.

The city said the permit would allow for annual inspections to make sure the birds are taken care of and kept in sanitary conditions.

The Star-Telegram reports some neighbors have complained about the birds saying there is a problem with waste and the birds not flying back to their coops.

An Arlington council committee is expected to take up the discussion Tuesday night.

Dallas Zoo Chimp Sedated After Escape

Dallas Zoo Chimp Sedated After Escape

A chimpanzee at the Dallas Zoo has been sedated after briefly escaping from her enclosure but staying in an area not open to the public.

Sr. Cpl. Sherri Jeffrey says police were summoned around 10:20 a.m. Tuesday by zoo officials who said a large adult female chimpanzee had gotten loose.

Authorities closed the Wilds of Africa exhibit and moved visitors elsewhere in the complex as zoo workers quickly reached the chimp, in a building, and tranquilized the animal.

Nobody was hurt.

The zoo's deputy director, Lynn Kramer, says the chimp is fine and officials are trying to determine how she escaped her enclosure.

In 2004, a male gorilla at the Dallas Zoo cleared a 14-foot wall and mauled three people. The animal was killed by police.

Chicken Pox Outbreak at Bryn Mawr Daycare

Chicken Pox Outbreak at Bryn Mawr Daycare

The Montgomery County Health Department is reporting a chicken pox outbreak at the Cambridge School on Baldwin's campus in Bryn Mawr. Five infants, under the age of 12 months, have been identified as having chicken pox, according to health department spokeswoman Harriet Morton.

Chicken pox vaccines are for kids 12 months or older, and administered in a series of two shots.  There are eleven babies at the school, under the age of one, that haven't gotten the vaccine yet, according to Cambridge School officials. The school says no older kids have been affected.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, complications from chicken pox include bacterial infection of the skin, swelling of the brain, and pneumonia.

The Cambridge School is in the process of notifying parents.

Metrobus Slaying Suspects Caught in Florida

Metrobus Slaying Suspects Caught in Florida

D.C. police caught two suspects in last week’s fatal shooting aboard a Metrobus in Orlando, Fla., Tuesday afternoon.

Vincent Gray, 21, and Delron Atchison, 22, were arrested on a second-degree murder while armed warrant. They both face extradition.

Demetrius Emmanuel Thompson, 22, was shot in the face just after midnight Thursday on a W4 bus at the stop at Alabama Avenue and 23rd Street in Southeast.

He died at a nearby hospital.

Ex-Cop Flirted, Implied Favors: Alleged Victim

Ex-Cop Flirted, Implied Favors: Alleged Victim

A woman testified she believed a former San Diego police officer wanted sexual favors in exchange for not charging her with a DUI.

Melissa R. took the stand Tuesday in the sex assault trial involving former SDPD officer Anthony Arevalos.

Arevalos, an 18-year veteran with the department, was fired in March after his arrest.

Prosecutors claim Arevalos preyed on the women he stopped for suspicion of DUI and at times molested them while they were in his custody. He faces 21 felony charges, including assault under color of authority.

In the trial's second full day of testimony, Melissa R. described what happened when she drove her car the wrong way down a one-way street. Her vehicle registration had expired and she admitted to the then-officer that she had been drinking at her place of employment, a Gaslamp bar and restaurant.

Melissa R. testified Arevalos put her in the back of his patrol car and drove her onto San Diego police department property to administer a breathalyzer test.

After she blew into the machine a second time, Arevalos told her “’I gotcha. Now we’re going to have to work something out,’” she testified.

“I asked him what the results were but he never gave me the number,” she said.

When Arevalos put her back into the patrol car, she said she had no idea where they were going.

“I felt he was already flirting with me and I had no idea what was coming next,” she said.

She testified that Arevalos kept insisting on quote "favors" for letting her go. He even reminded her that he knew where she worked and would come in there to try and get his “favor” she testified.

As of the day of her testimony, Melissa R. said she still does not know her blood alcohol level from that night.

Under cross-examination, Melissa R. testified Arevalos never said anything directly sexual to her and didn’t touch her physically but did tell defense attorney Jan Ronis, “I know what flirting is.”

The judge has ordered the media not to show the alleged victims' faces or use their full names.

Anthony Arevalos has pleaded not guilty. He faces 19 years in prison if convicted of all charges.

Five more women are expected to be called to testify in the case against him.

Several of those alleged victims have already filed claims or lawsuits against the police department, seeking payment for that alleged sexual abuse.

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Northern Lights Creep Into Texas Skies

Northern Lights Creep Into Texas Skies

Numerous reports were received of strange lights in the sky across North Texas, as well as much of the southeastern United States Monday night, as the Northern Lights made a rare appearance in the southern sky.

A coronal mass ejection on Saturday arrived Monday and, according to a report on SpaceWeather.com, strongly compressed the Earth's magnetic field and sparked an intense geomagnetic storm -- the source of the lights.

Auroras were reported in the common greens but also the more rare reds as far south as Texas and stretching from California to Maine. 

Red auroras occur much higher in the atmosphere, between 180 and 300 miles above the surface.  The normal green auroras occur about 60 miles above the surface.

While the storm is subsiding, it is possible that skywatchers may see more auroras Tuesday night.  Keep looking up.

New Tappan Zee Bridge Opening Scheduled for 2017

New Tappan Zee Bridge Opening Scheduled for 2017

A planning document says a new Tappan Zee Bridge would be built to last more than 100 years.

It also says the bridge would include space that could eventually be used for commuter trains or other mass transit.

The document, from state and federal highway agencies, was posted online in advance of public presentations scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

It predicts a 2017 opening.

The existing 56-year-old bridge, spanning the Hudson River in New York City's suburbs, is overcrowded and deteriorating. A replacement bridge project was boosted earlier this month when President Obama declared it eligible for fast-tracked federal approvals.

The anticipated mass-transit aspects of the new bridge had been dropped to cut costs. But the planning document says a new bridge should not preclude future mass transit.

980-Pound Pumpkin Breaks Record

980-Pound Pumpkin Breaks Record

A San Diego Man broke the county record for heaviest pumpkin this weekend -- just in time for Halloween festivities.

Jim Fredricks brought his home-grown gourd to the pumpkin weigh-off at Peltzer Farms and secured first place for biggest pumpkin at 980 pounds. Fredricks named his winning pumpkin “Joshua" and won the $1,000 grand prize.

The second-place pumpkin was significantly lighter at 829 pounds, giving Fredricks a nearly 150-pound lead.

Fredricks started growing the pumpkin earlier this summer and took special care of it, covering it with a tarp and using organic provisions to grow it to full size.

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

Flirtation Took Violent Turn, NYC Woman Testifies in Trial of Fake TV Journalist

Flirtation Took Violent Turn, NYC Woman Testifies in Trial of Fake TV Journalist

A New York City travel agent says she was flattered when a debonair journalist approached her in Central Park. But she says the flirtation took a violent turn when he forced her to perform a sex act in her apartment building stairwell.

The woman testified Tuesday in Manhattan state Supreme Court in the trial of Ivory Coast native Hugues Akassy.

Akassy is accused of committing crimes including assault against five women. Prosecutors say he wooed them by portraying himself as a French-language TV journalist. He has pleaded not guilty.

The travel agent said Akassy approached her in May 2007 and took her to a bar. She said she refused his advances but continued to see him.

She said she was attacked that November.

Last year, the New York Post's dating columnist aired her own unsettling account of going on a date with Akassy after he approached her in an Apple store in 2007. A stroll in Central Park rapidly disintegrated into unwanted sexual advances, followed by vicious text messages, she said.

"I shudder at how aggressive he was — and I regret not listening to my internal warning bell," columnist Mandy Stadtmiller wrote.

On July 25, 2010, a woman found him on her fire escape. He told her that he was homeless and sleeping on the roof of her Upper West Side building, according to a court complaint outlining some of the trespass charges already lodged against him.

 

Two days later, he raped a woman in nearby Riverside Park, according to another court complaint. He had met the woman, a visitor from Russia, in the Time Warner Center — a popular shopping destination — and then invited her to a nighttime picnic in the park, complete with wine and flowers, Simmons said.

Another woman told police that Akassy approached her and chatted her up on an Upper West Side street in February 2009. After she gave him her e-mail address to get rid of him, he e-mailed her asking for a date and became irate when she had her boyfriend write back telling him to leave her alone, according to yet another court complaint charging him with harassment.

He found her again on the street, yelled and cursed at her, and sent an e-mail calling her "a pathetic, retarded girl ... obnoxious and disgusting," the court document said.

Simmons said Akassy had been acquitted in that case, although electronic court records show it remains open.

In November 2009, Akassy was banned from the entire New York Sports Club chain — and then charged with trespass after continuing to turn up at some of the gyms, according to still another court complaint.

405 Freeway Closure Starts Tuesday Night

405 Freeway Closure Starts Tuesday Night

It isn’t Carmageddon, but a four-night freeway closure on the 405 Freeway between Getty Center Drive and the 101 Freeway, starting Tuesday night, might cause some traffic headaches for drivers travelling from the San Fernando Valley to the Westside.

The closure is part of the massive I-405 Sepulveda Pass Improvement Project, which closed all lanes of the freeway over a weekend in July.

This week’s six-mile closure, which starts on the southbound lanes of the 405 Freeway at 10 p.m. Tuesday, is a directional closure, which means only one direction will be closed at a time, according to Dave Sotero, a Metropolitan Transportation Authority spokesman.

“In Carmageddon, both sides were closed simultaneously,” Sotero said. “The closure like the one tonight has become fairly routine."

Sepulveda Boulevard will be used as a detour route during the closure, according to Sotero.

“I’ve witnessed Sepulveda Boulevard late night with other closures in the past,” Sotero said. “I’d estimate the detour will take drivers about 10 minutes to get through.”

Closures on southbound I-405 will take place Tuesday and Wednesday night between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., according to metro. Closures on the northbound lanes are scheduled to take place on Thursday and Friday between the same hours.

The 405-Sepulveda Pass Improvements Project will add a 10-mile HOV lane and improve supporting infrastructure such as ramps, bridges and sound walls on the San Diego Fwy, according to Metro’s website.

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Cops Kill Hurt Deer on School Campus

Cops Kill Hurt Deer on School Campus

The carcass of a deer, that was killed after prompting a lockdown at a North County school, will be fed to wolves at the California Wolf Center, according to police.

San Pasqual High School in Escondido was briefly put on lockdown after the badly injured deer wandered onto campus near the junior-varsity baseball field at about 8.18 a.m. Tuesday, according to Lt. Craig Carter.

The roughly 100 pound male had been hit by a car, breaking the car’s windshield, police said. The driver was not injured.

The deer suffered a large gash on its chest. The patrol personnel did not believe the deer would survive its injuries.

Officers killed the animal with a single shot on a remote part of the campus, Carter said.

The carcass was being transported to the California Wolf Center in Julian to be fed to the wolves, according to Carter.