29 October 2011

Boil Water Advisory for Section of Allentown

Boil Water Advisory for Section of Allentown

A boil water advisory is in effect for around 45 customers in Allentown.

The advisory is for residents living in the 19th Ward area of the city including the 2500 blocks of South Carbon and South Lumber streets and the 800 block of Margaret Street.

The city claims certain customers experienced a disruption in water service or loss of pressure while the local power supply was interrupted on Saturday.

Affected customers are advised to conserve and boil their water until further notice.

Allentown says the Water Resource Department may not be able to properly disinfect the water system of the affected customers and that there is an increased chance their water may contain disease-causing organisms. The advisory will stay in effect until further water quality tests have been completed to ensure no contamination has occurred.

Check the city of Allentown website for further information.

 

Tulsa Routs SMU

Tulsa Routs SMU

Tulsa utility back Willie Carter set career highs with 13 receptions for 173 yards, including a 40-yard touchdown, as Tulsa turned an expected dogfight with rival Southern Methodist into a 38-7 rout Saturday.

Carter, lined up in the slot, continued to develop his chemistry with quarterback G.J. Kinne by exceeding his personal career highs of nine catches for 160 yards last week against Rice.

"Willie is fast, strong, he has great hands and he creates a lot of mismatches," said Kinne, who threw for 274 yards and ran for 39 yards, including a rushing touchdown.

Tulsa (5-3, 4-0 Conference USA) amassed 477 yards despite completing only two passes of 10 yards or more to a wide receiver in what was a very effective day for its offense.

Alex Singleton rushed for three short-yardage touchdowns and Milton Howell had three first-half interceptions as the Hurricane remained undefeated in Conference USA play to keep pace with unbeaten and nationally ranked Houston. Singleton accounted for all 20 yards of Tulsa's first touchdown drive on five straight rushes.

"We had been hearing all week about how great their defensive front was and our offensive line dominated them," Kinne said. "We had this game circled."

Tulsa led 24-0 at the half en route to winning its ninth consecutive conference game.

SMU (5-3, 3-2) sputtered offensively as Tulsa held them to a season-low 265 yards of offense. Zach Line, the conference's leading rusher, ran for 118 yards on 22 carries, including a 17-yard run for SMU's only score. Quarterback J.J. McDermott completed 17 of 37 passes for 180 yards with four interceptions.

"The passion defensively was just incredible," Tulsa coach Bill Blankenship said. "I thought we got good pressure on the quarterback and it got where he was never comfortable. Even though we weren't always sacking him, we forced some hurries and that was really important."

SMU coach June Jones was critical of his team's inconsistency.

"We haven't played well for six quarters now," he said, referring to last week's 27-3 loss at Southern Miss. "I haven't been through a stretch like this in a long time. The wind affected the play calling because we couldn't be as aggressive as we would have liked. We did some good things, but we had a lot of mistakes."

Line's touchdown run for SMU's lone score cut Tulsa's lead to 24-7 early in the second half, but the Hurricane responded with a 14-play, 74-yard drive capped by Singleton's third touchdown to make it 31-7. After forcing a punt on the ensuing possession, Kinne found Carter open for a 40-yard scoring strike.

Passengers Grounded for Hours With No Bathrooms or Water

Passengers Grounded for Hours With No Bathrooms or Water

For seven hours, the passengers on JetBlue flight 504 have been grounded at Bradley Airport, with no bathrooms and no water, according to passengers on the plane who are Tweeting and others who contacted NBC Connecticut.

The passengers left Ft. Lauderdale, Florida just after 10 a.m., heading for Newark, but the flight was diverted to Bradley, where it had been since 1:30 p.m.

A paraplegic on the flight had a medical issue, and about seven hours after the plane landed, firefighters are taking people off the plane on a ladder, one passenger said.

“Still on the plane. We haven't moved. Now EWR closed. Getting ugly in here. People yelling wanting to get off,” Andrew Carter said via Twitter just before 6 p.m.

JetBlue Flight 1013 from Boston to New York has also been grounded for hours and they ran out of water, @HedgeyeENERGY tweets. A vehicle will be towing them to one of the gates.

The airline released a statement Saturday night.

"JetBlue is doing everything possible to ensure our customers affected by today's unusual combination of weather and infrastructure issues are being well cared for," said Victoria Lucia, JetBlue spokesperson.  "We apologize for the experience."

Conn. Governor Declares State of Emergency

Conn. Governor Declares State of Emergency

 A nor'easter delivered an early blast of wet, heavy snow Saturday that snapped tree limbs, forced road closings and knocked out power to more than half a million customers in Connecticut. The storm was blamed for one death in the state.

    
The storm, which caused more power outages than Hurricane Gloria in the 1980s, was also on its way to shattering October snowfall records across southern New England.
    
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy declared a state of emergency as he urged residents to show patience with utilities that would likely take days to restore electricity. He said one person was killed in a traffic accident blamed on slippery conditions in Colchester and a state trooper was injured in a separate accident.
    
"We would like people to stay off the roads as much as possible," said Malloy, who signed an order earlier Saturday banning non emergency vehicles on the Wilbur Cross and Merritt Parkways because of dangerous driving conditions.
    
The storm was forecast to bring up to a foot or more to central and western parts of the state before tapering off Sunday morning.
    
In Danbury, a fire department dispatcher said crews were responding to calls about trees that fell onto two houses, but no injuries were reported. Mayor Mark Boughton ordered all drivers off local roads as of 4 p.m. due to downed limbs and dangerous conditions. He said only emergency vehicles were allowed out on the roads.
 
 

Snow-Covered Tree Falls, Kills Elderly Man

Snow-Covered Tree Falls, Kills Elderly Man

An elderly man was killed on Saturday while sleeping in his Berks County home.

It happened on Skyline Drive in Temple around 2:20 p.m.

Police say Charles Loder, 84, was napping in his recliner when a large tree with accumulated snow fell on top of his house, striking him and killing him instantly.

Loder died from massive blunt force trauma, according to investigators.

Police say it took rescue crews two hours to remove Loder from the home as trees were falling in the area after the incident.

 

Gov. Christie Declares State of Emergency in NJ

Gov. Christie Declares State of Emergency in NJ

In New Jersey, even the governor couldn't escape the October snowstorm.

    
Gov. Chris Christie lost power to his Mendham home about 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon and, like the half-million other residents in the state without power, was waiting at home for the utilities to come back on. 
 
The storm spurred Christie to declare a statewide state of emergency Saturday night. He expects the number of outages to grow as the snow tapers off and winds pick up, blowing heavy branches with leaves still on them to break.
 
Gov. Christie told USA LOCAL NEWS that the hardest-hit parts of the state were in the northern part of the state, including Sussex, Essex, Morris, and Bergen Counties. He urged residents to stay off the roads, which will allow power companies to restore power much quicker.
 
"If you have power count your blessings," he told USA LOCAL NEWS. "and if you don't, find a place to stay warm."
    
Christie said the storm arrived sooner and hit harder than expected, with northern counties possibly seeing up to 14 inches, but that the state was prepared.
    
The governor said there were 25 fully closed roads in the state and another 60 partial closures.

Occupy San Diego Organizer Plans to Sue City Over Arrests

Occupy San Diego Organizer Plans to Sue City Over Arrests

One day after San Diego police arrested 51 people during a raid on Occupy San Diego at the Civic Center, an official within the group said she has plans to sue the city.

 
Posted Saturday on Occupy San Diego's Facebook page, event organizer, Kayla Ward, announced said she will sue the city for the SDPD's alleged use of excessive force during a sweep of the protesters' unauthorized camp site.
 
 As the protest against perceived political and financial wrongdoing entered its 23rd day, 53 people were arrested for suspicion of offenses including unlawful assembly, with one person taken into custody for battery and another for assault after the raid. 
 
Late Friday night the demonstrators re-grouped with the help of faith leaders and the San Diego Council union and plans to gather money for jailed protesters were set in place.

 

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



 

Dallas ISD Helps Struggling Black Female Students

The Dallas school district is taking action to tackle under-performing students.

The district launched a program Saturday to help black girls struggling in class or at home and held a kickoff event at The Black Academy of Arts and Letters in downtown Dallas.

Students revealed what holds them back.

"They don't have role models to tell them, 'Hey, I was good at math. I was good at science,'" said one girl at an open microphone in the auditorium.

"Some teachers don't want us in their class because they don't understand where we come from and the way that we live," said another girl.

Raj Evans, a fifth-grader at Blanton Elementary School, said friends, a bad focus and parents who don't teach them at home also can hold students back.

The Dallas Independent School District said black girls in its schools lag behind other groups and are not improving fast enough.

Because of that, the district started the African-American Female Success Initiative, modeled after the program for black boys.

Teachers and counselors will work with girls in the fourth through 12th grades to help them succeed. Mentors will take the girls on field trips to museums and colleges and to watch plays, as well as give back to the community through volunteering.

"We are told that, 'You can't do it,'" said Staci Brundage, a senior at Lincoln High School. "To have something that's empowering and encouraging for us is really great."

The kickoff event aimed to get the girls motivated through song and dance and encouragement.

"I encourage you to keep trying just like I did, because you can achieve it," said Ocielia Gibson, Miss Black USA.

Next April, the girls will present results from their service projects at the festival for Earth Day Dallas, the main sponsor of the new initiative.

State of Emergency Declared for NJ

State of Emergency Declared for NJ

Gov. Chris Christie has declared a statewide state of emergency in New Jersey as a strong nor'easter continues to batter the state with snow, heavy rains and strong winds.

The governor is also among more than 500,000 utility customers who have no power.

Also affected are two northern New Jersey hospitals that have been operating on generators since early Saturday afternoon.

Northern Jersey has been the hardest hit area, with more than 4 inches of snow reported in some spots. And forecasters say the area could see up to a foot of snow by late Saturday night, with 2 to 6 inches expected in central Jersey.

       

 

Long Beach Nurses May Walk

Long Beach Nurses May Walk

Negotiations are set to resume on Tuesday between union nurses and hospital officials at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center.

Members of the California Nurses Assn. have vowed to strike if the hospital doesn't pull back on a demand that they pay more for health care. Tension has also grown between the two sides over complaints by the nurses that the hospital does not keep enough nurses working at any given time to meet state requirements for patient care.

Coronary care nurse Margie Keenan, who serves on the union's negotiating committee, said her biggest concern is that nurses are frequently not able to take breaks on their long shifts because state law requires that at least one nurse be on duty for every five patients – at all times.

At Long Beach Memorial, Keenan complained, so few nurses are on duty at any one time that there is frequently no one to cover for a nurse who needs to take a break. That can be dangerous for patient care, she said, because nurses frequently work 12-hour shifts, and they can be fatigued if they can't take a break.

“ I cannot go on a break unless I have someone to relieve me,” Keenan said. “That’s the law.”

Myra Gregorian, vice president for human resources at Long Beach Memorial, disputed the contention that the hospital was not scheduling enough nurses to take proper care of patients.

"We take patient care seriously, and we do not feel that it’s in any way compromised," Gregorian said. 

While it's true that sometimes the demands of the job mean that a nurse will miss his or her meal break, the hospital always pays a form of overtime called a meal penalty when that happens.

"Meal periods are always offered," Gregorian said. "But we work in a hospital, in a setting where patient needs dictate the course of the day. The breaks and meal periods are always scheduled... and there's a process in place in which to someone was able to say, 'Hey, I wasn't able to take a break.'"

In addition to the issue of breaks, nurses have complained that the hospital is asking them to contribute too much for their own health care premiums. In the past, said Keenan, it was agreed that premiums were not to increase by more than 5% - and the hospital wants nurses to pay more than that.

Gregorian, of the hospital, confirmed that some nurses will have a higher increase in their health care premiums, up to a maximum of an $18 increase per pay period. But she said others will pay less, depending on the type of coverage that they choose.

Gregorian said the hospital was offering the nurses a 3% pay increase. 

On Thursday, the 1900-member union, part of the California Nurses Association, voted overwhelmingly to authorize its leaders to call a strike if they feel negotiations are not succeeding. The union's contract with the hospital expired at the end of September.

If the union does decide to strike, it will give the hospital ten day's notice, Keenan said.

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Where to Find Your Last Minute Halloween Gear

Where to Find Your Last Minute Halloween Gear

As the hours tick closer and closer to Halloween 2011, some may still need to get last minute items for the spooky night.

Here are some places that are open and full of Halloween gear.

  • Halloween Adventure Costume Superstore has two locations open year-round in Sherman Oaks and Canoga Park. With 15 locations around the Southland, customers can shop for costumes, wigs, props, decorations and hats. Jim McDevitt, corporate manager of Halloween Adventure, said they probably will not be getting any new shipments before Monday, but the stores are still fully stocked and have plenty of costumes for the public to choose from.
  • Halloween Express of Ventura County is still full of Halloween goodies. At this store, the public can choose from over 10,000 costumes and try them on in the dressing rooms before purchasing.
  • Stu Miller’s Pumpkin Patch has one location in Moorpark in addition to 15 locations from Southern California to Nevada. Each lot has pumpkins, inflatable jumpers and bungee jumps.
  • Pa’s Pumpkin Patch in Long Beach will be open Halloween weekend from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Halloween day 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. for those who still need to search for the perfect pumpkin. This pumpkin patch also offers harvest items such as ornamental corn, gourds and hay.
  • Halloween Town has expanded their location to offer more stock to those craving the best costumes. Located in Burbank, Halloween Town offers a variety of Halloween memorabilia. In addition to selling the essential items, this store sells Halloween-themed toys, action figures and lunch boxes.
  • Grocery stores such as Vons, Albertsons and Ralphs all have seasonal sections entirely devoted to shelves upon shelves loaded with all types and sizes of candy bags for Halloween trick-or-treaters.
  • Another store that has many locations is Spirit Halloween. Some locations include Huntington Beach, Northridge, Riverside and Anaheim. Spirit stores sell a large selection of Halloween decorations to make your house haunted.
  • Trying to create the most realistic haunted house possible? Take a trip to Dapper Cadaver in Sun Valley. “We’ve been crazy busy," Owner BJ Winslow said. “(Products) are dwindling, but we still have a lot of stuff.” Dapper Cadaver will be open until 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29 so get there as soon as possible.
  • Halloween Bootique has 10 locations including Irvine, Mission Vieo and Costa Mesa. They have costumes for the whole family along with props, make-up and decorations.
  • Party City has extended their hours at 30 locations in the Los Angeles area. “Things are flying fast, but we still have plenty of Disney princesses, zombie and pirate costumes," said Ressa Tomkiewicz, Party City spokesperson. The stores will be open Saturday starting at 8 a.m. until midnight, Sunday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Monday from 7 a.m. until 8:30 p.m.

Woman Found Dead Inside Car

Woman Found Dead Inside Car

Police are investigating the mysterious death of a woman in Lower Pottsgrove.

Her body was discovered inside a car on the 1900 block of Quail Lane around 8:55 a.m. on Saturday.

Police say the 24-year-old woman was found dead standing upright and reaching towards the backseat, with half of her body inside the car and the other half outside of it.

If you have any information on this incident, please call Lower Pottsgrove Police at 610-326-1508. 

 

Emanuel Criticized by Chief of Staff Successor

Emanuel Criticized by Chief of Staff Successor

When he worked in The White House, Rahm Emanuel was a prolific leaker of information who wasn't as well-liked as people now say.

That's the criticism from current White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley in a published interview with Politico.

Daley said Emanuel was using the job in the West Wing as a stepping stone to something else:

"I’m not reflecting on Rahm, but I’m not angling for something else, you know? Rahm is a lot younger], and he knew he was going to be doing something else in two years or four years or eight years, and I’m in a different stage. I’m not going to become the leaker in chief."

Indeed, after two years as Chief of Staff, Emanuel resigned from the post and was later elected mayor of Chicago.

Daley didn't mince words when Politico's Roger Simon mentioned talk that Emanuel was a better Chief of Staff to the president.

"It’s pathetic, isn’t it?” Daley responds, laughing.

Rahm wouldn’t say it, said Simon.

"Rahm would say it!” Daley says. "Maybe I missed it — I wasn’t here the first two years — but I don’t think Rahm was as beloved (as people now say.)"

Read the full interview for Daley's thoughts on Obama being a one-term president and his ongoing battles with Congress.

8-Year-Old Boy Struck by Car in Front of School

An 8-year-old boy was recovering Saturday after being struck by a passing car in front of an elementary school in Lincoln Park on Friday afternoon, police said.

At about 3:30 p.m., the boy walked out in front of Porter Porter Elementary South Campus located at 4800 T street as a BMW was headed south, near South 48th Street, said Officer David Cali with SDPD.

The BMW struck the boy and he sustained a fracture to his left foot and was taken to an area hospital, Cali said.

Police said the car was driven by a 53-year-old woman who stayed on the scene after the accident.

Alcohol was not a factor in the accident, according to Cali.

Pot Candy Threat Overblown?

Pot Candy Threat Overblown?

L.A. County Narcotics Detectives say candy tainted by marijuana can look a lot like regular Halloween candy. It's being packaged in attractive ways, for legal sale, at least as far as the State is concerned.

And that's the problem.

 "This is potentially dangerous to any child that is ingesting this," says Sgt. Glenn Walsh of the L.A. County Sheriff's Dept. "We have no idea how much THC this contains. We have no idea the potency."

But some advocates of medical marijuana distribution, like Allison Margolin, say the problem is being overstated. And she has a surprising rationale. Money.

"As we know, people don’t give things away for free that are worthwhile to them," says Margolin.  "Chocolates, rice krispie treats, all these sorts of things, go for five to 15 dollars apiece."

And while most Americans don't mind passing out snack-sized Snickers and such, tossing in a few "reefer" bars, could send you to the poorhouse before it got you to prison. Or so goes Margolin's logic.

Some parents agree that the threat is being overblown.

"I don’t understand why somebody would do that anyway," said Lee Barron

Still, even dispensary advocates like Margolin agree that parents should make sure their kids get safe candy.

Sherry Heasley, a grandparent who has a lot of Halloween experience, outlined her time-tested procedure.

"I check the candy very good," says Heasley. "If it's unwrapped or it looks like it's been tampered with in any way, we throw it out. First thing we do when we come  home is we throw it on the bed and we go through all the candy."

Man to Be Charged with DUI After Crash: Sorrento Valley

A 23-year-old man who was injured when he lost control of his car during a crash in Sorrento Valley will be charged with suspicion of drunken driving, San Diego police reported Saturday.

The man, whose name was not immediately released, was driving a 2000 Toyota west on Miramar Way, at about 2 a.m. Friday, when he lost control and struck a curb, according to Officer Frank Cali with SDPD.

The car went over an embankment and landed on its side on the train tracks, Cali said.

The driver sustained a broken hip and ankle, and was taken to a trauma center; however, police did not believe the man's injuries to be life-threatening.



 

Reward Increased in Teen's Fatal Stabbing

eward has grown to $20,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction of whoever killed a 14-year-old Indian Head Park girl.

Police confirmed Saturday that one man was in custody and being questioned, but not regarding the Thursday afternoon slaying. Instead, he was being questioned in connection with a rash of home invasion burglaries from over the summer.

"Somebody's out there that did this," Indian Head Park Police Chief Frank Alonzo said Saturday.

Still, he didn't completely rule out a possible connection between the man in custody and the death of 14-year-old Kelli O'Laughlin.

"It's still under investigation," he said.

Authorities said O'Laughlin was stabbed to death Thursday in her home in the 6300 block of Keokuk Road, east of Interstate 294 and south of Plainfield Road, possibly when she came upon a burglar in her home.

Photos of the only thing that was noticed to be taken from the home -- a collection of gold coins -- were released. Investigators are asking the public and pawn shops to be on the lookout for someone trying to get rid of them.

Police also circulated flyers with a suspect's description: a black man who stands about 5'8" or 5'9" tall between the ages of 25 and 35 with a medium build and wearing a dark hoodie.

Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call the Village of Indian Head Park Police Department at 708-246-4534.







>
Police released this sketch of a man with whom they'd like to speak.

Report: Most '10 LIRR Retirees Got Disabled Pay

Report: Most '10 LIRR Retirees Got Disabled Pay

A new report says more than half the Long Island Rail Road workers who retired last year claimed they were disabled on the job and were thereby entitled to a bigger pension.

    
The New York Times reports that nearly all those claims were approved. That rate is much higher than in any other U.S. railroad system.
    
Federal prosecutors charged 11 people on Thursday with conspiracy in a decade-long fraud that authorities say poisoned the pension system used by employees of the nation's largest commuter railroad. Authorities say some employees paid off doctors to say they couldn't work.
    
The FBI says the fraud could cost more than $1 billion.
    
The investigation was opened after The Times reported in 2008 that almost all LIRR workers were being declared disabled upon retirement.
 

Controlled Burns Scheduled for Sunday at MCAS Miramar

On Sunday, some San Diego motorists may notice smoke from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar due to a controlled burn, according to officials.

The exercise is for military firefighters who will take part in routine controlled burns to clear brush on the base, officials said.

The training fires are scheduled to start about 9 a.m. Sunday and continue for roughly three hours, according to the base public affairs office.

The operation is not expected to cause any visibility problems for motorists on nearby Interstate 15, state Route 163 and surrounding city streets, officials said.

 

Home Invader Targets Elderly Woman: Cops

Home Invader Targets Elderly Woman: Cops

Police are investigating a home invasion robbery of an elderly woman.

It happened early Saturday morning at a home on Crafton Drive in Bensalem. Police arrived at the home around 2:15 a.m.

The victim, an 83-year-old woman, told police she was sleeping in her bed when a man forced his way into her house, held a knife to her and demanded money. The suspect then allegedly tied the woman’s arms and legs to a nightstand.

Police say the woman faked a heart attack, causing the suspect to turn on a ceiling fan and check her pulse. The man then allegedly cut the woman’s phone lines, found her debit card and then fled the scene. The man went to a nearby bank and withdrew money from the woman’s account, according to investigators.

Police say the woman was able to free herself around an hour later by cutting the rope with her teeth. She then called police.

The suspect is described as thin black male standing 6-feet in his late 20s to 30s with a thick beard and mustache. He was last seen wearing a brown-hooded jacket, tan cargo pants and was carrying a black Tommy Hilfiger shoulder bag.

Police consider the suspect armed and dangerous and say he may be in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. If you have any information on this incident, please call Bensalem Police at 215-633-3719.

 

Police: Man Uses Gunfire to Break Up Fight at Church

Police: Man Uses Gunfire to Break Up Fight at Church

Police said a 22-year-old man fired a gun inside a Richardson church to break up a fight.

No one was injured.

The Dallas Morning News reported that a group of people had gathered at Solomon's Porch on Friday night when some others arrived around 10 p.m.

Richardson police spokesman Kevin Perlich said the groups began fighting and one man who had been at the church pulled out a gun and fired several times into the air.

The groups dispersed.

Officers arrested the man, who was charged with discharging a weapon in a public place, a Class B misdemeanor.

Perlich, who said the man had no intention of shooting anyone, called the gunfire "effective, but it was a poor decision."

Public Safety Possibly at Risk by State Budget Cuts

The state budget woes aren't just affecting your kid's schools, it's also affecting public safety.

New cuts to California's budgets could change the level at which sex offenders are monitored within the state, according to details obtained by NBCSanDiego.

The Department of Justice is facing budget cuts all around, including agencies such as the one that controls the Megan’s Law website, a site that informs citizens about sex offenders in their neighborhood.

Furthermore, it’s possible more than 50 percent of the workforce could lose their jobs.

The state is reportedly cutting $71 million from the DOJ and the cuts only affect law enforcement units. This means about 200 out of the 300 agents could lose their jobs.

"It's critical," said Special Agent Supervisor, Ernie Limon, during an exclusive interview with NBCSanDiego.

Limon said agents fill in the gaps between local law enforcement agencies -- but that's not their only job.

"Our department has the Megan's Law database so it's easy for us to look at that database, coordinate cross jurisdictional crimes, monitor these sex offenders and run that sex offender team," said Limon.

A spokesperson for the state's Department of Finance said don't blame Gov. Jerry Brown, blame legislators.

“The governor was very explicit back when he revised his budget in May,” said H.D. Palmer, Deputy Director of Finance. “He said if we have to go to an all cuts budget in May, and we don't extend the revenues, then a number of additional cuts are going to have to go on the table,” Palmer said.

Special Agent Limon said it's unfair that state agents are taking the brunt of the cuts. The legislature didn't listen and the DOJ is paying the price, according to Limon.

"Public safety is at risk,"Limon added.

The union is now trying to persuade Gov. Brown and lawmakers to allow the Attorney General to divide the cuts across all divisions of the DOJ, instead of only targeting the law enforcement divisions.

 

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

Sheen is out, Angry Birds in for Halloween

Sheen is out, Angry Birds in for Halloween

With just a few days left to buy that perfect Halloween costume, perennial favorites like “Caspar the Friendly Ghost” and the “Wicked Witch of the West” continue to lose out to the newest celebrity lookalikes and stars of best-selling movies and videogames - with a little TV fantasy thrown in.

Think "Captain America," retailers told NBC LA, and not so much "Toy Story 3."

Kids are flocking to Angry Bird costumes - based on characters in a smartphone app - according to Sunny Kohli, manager of Aahs! Halloween store in Sherman Oaks.

“The Angry Bird costume is brand new and in high demand,” he said.

Many bite-sized trick-or-treaters, he said, are also donning the mustache, plump nose and baggy overalls of the Mario Brothers of videogame fame.

When it comes to teenage girls, Kohli said, there seems to be a real hunger for the fright-tights favored by teenage ghouls on the web hit, “Monster High,” which prides itself on being the place “where freaky just got fabulous!”

As for adults, many are borrowing their preferred rags from the “Walking Dead” of AMC’s hit zombie series, according to retailers, or are squeezing into the hip-hugging uniforms of the high-flying blue belles on ABC’s “Pan Am.”

Captain America’s star-spangled duds are also very popular this year.

Some retailers had sought to capitalize on a particularly well-known "warlock" this year, stocking racks of Charlie Sheen masks and tee-shirts. But that's been kind of a bust.

“The entire Charlie Sheen section isn’t doing so well,” said Jack Conway, manager of the Spirit store at Glendale Market Place.

Instead, many would-be bad boys are decking themselves out as less scandalous hellraisers - like those who haunt MTV’s Jersey Shore, according to Conway. Sheen, he said, is being upstaged as a Halloween doppelganger precisely because his real-like persona has become so weird.

“Our buyer didn’t even think it was a good idea to order Sheen’s costume,” said Robert Golden, manager at Halloween Adventure in Sherman Oaks.

Despite the apparent rejection of Sheen as a costume idol, consumers still seem to be gravitating toward outfits that relfect pop culture and celebrities. The top getups from last year included Lady Gaga, characters from the movie "Avatar," and singer Katie Perry.

Why is this happening?

“It’s just what kids and teens are exposed to,” Golden said. “Everyone has a smart phone or computer these days so flocking to the pop-culture craz comes naturally.”

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Hawks Face Blue Jackets Saturday

Hawks Face Blue Jackets Saturday

Sometimes the NHL schedule does you a favor, like Saturday when the Hawks get an immediate chance to make amends for wasting our and their time the night before in Carolina. And they get to do it against the league's worst team at home.

You can't ask for a curveball that's hanging more than this.

Columbus has had a woeful start to the season. They're 1-8-1. They can't score, they can't stop goals, their power play is just about as bad as the Hawks', and their penalty kill is something the Annoyance Theater wishes it could put on.

The team has given up 12 goals in just 34 attempts to kill off a penalty. If the Hawks can't manage a goal against this outfit, then the problems will be a lot deeper than ones that are solved with a smattering of caulk and a couple traps here and there.

It's been especially disheartening for Jackets fans, because this was the rare season they came in with some hope. Columbus made some big splashes in the summer. They signed former Hawks defenseman James Wisniewski to a contract that might go down as the ninth wonder of the world. They traded for Flyers center Jeff Carter. While Carter would be an odd-fit for winger Rick Nash, the team's unquestioned star, he does at least bring top-level offensive talent to Ohio. And the Jackets have been short on that for their entire existence.

But nothing's worked. Wisniewski got himself suspended for the season's first eight games with a hit to the head in the preseason. Carter is currently hurt. And no one else is doing much of anything.

Now the team is starting to panic on the ice and behind the bench. They're shooting from everywhere, rarely when it's a good idea. They're shortening their bench and tiring players out. The coaches have tried everything, and they must know that the knives is dropping closer and closer to their head.

The Hawks can be sure they'll see a desperate team. They can also be sure they'll see a physical one. The Jackets do lead the league in hits. They'll spend all night putting the puck behind the Hawks D, and then trying to atom-smash them beneath the goal line to cause turnovers and get the puck out to their point men. From their, Columbus just tries to get the puck on net as quick as possible, and crash the crease. The Hawks can't get jumpy when they start to get bruised, or that will give the Jackets life.

Ray Emery gets his second start of the season, and because the Jackets will struggle to move him side to side due to their lackluster puck movement, this should be a challenge he can handle. The fact that Columbus couldn't hit a bull in the behind with a show shovel won't hurt either. Steve Mason in goal for the BJs is having another middling start to the season, and the Hawks have generally had their way with him the past couple years.

You would hope the Hawks come out firing to make up for last night. No one thought that performance was acceptable, and they'll do their best to turn it on its head tonight. Or they should. If they do, the Jackets should be swatted aside with ease.

SoberRide Offers A Safe Trip Home

Going to a Halloween party tonight? Sure that you or your loved one will have a little too much along the way?

Well, thanks to the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP)'s SoberRide program, you can worry a little less. As it has done since 1993, the program will offer cab rides to revelers around the Washington area between 10 p.m. Saturday night and 6 a.m. Sunday morning.

Here's how the program works: between the above hours, partygoers can call 1-800-200-8294 on any phone or #8294 on an AT&T wireless phone.  A SoberRide operator will direct your call to the appropriate participating cab company.

There are a few caveats. You can't book a ride in advance; you have to call between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. to use SoberRide. Also, the SoberRide program will only cover fares up to $30; any cost beyond the $30 ceiling must be paid by the rider. Also, you must be at least 21 to use the service and all calls must originate in the following areas:

Montgomery and Prince George's Counties in Maryland; the Cities of Rockville, Bowie, College Park, Gaithersburg, Greenbelt and Takoma Park in Maryland; the District of Columbia; Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William and Eastern Loudoun Counties in Virginia; and the Cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax, Manassas and Manassas Park in Virginia.

A full list of the participating cab companies are below. Be sure to use the cab company that services your area:

Alexandria Yellow Cab (Alexandria)

Barwood, Inc. (Montgomery County)

Fairfax Yellow Cab (Fairfax County)

Loudoun Yellow Cab (Eastern Loudoun County)

Manassas Cab Company (Prince William County)

Red Top Cab Company (Arlington County)

Silver Cab of Prince George's County (Prince George's County)

Yellow Cab of District of Columbia (District of Columbia)

Yellow Cab of Prince William County (Prince William County)

Kurt Erickson, executive director of SoberRide (which also offers rides during the holiday season, on St. Patrick's Day and Independence Day) joined John Schriffen and Angie Goff on "News4 Today" Saturday morning to further discuss the program.

Three Attempted Bank Robberies in Fairfax Co.

Three Attempted Bank Robberies in Fairfax Co.

Fairfax County Police are looking for the perpetrators of a string of bank robberies this weekend.

Police say that three bank robberies were attempted, and one successfully carried out, at three separate locations on Richmond High during the midday hours Saturday.

At around 11 a.m., police say an unarmed woman walked into the SunTrust Bank branch at 5922 Richmond Highway and unsuccessfully attempted to rob the bank before leaving.

Sometime between 11 a.m. and 12:22 p.m., investigators say a man and a woman entered the Wells Fargo branch at 6300 Richmond Highway and unsuccessfully attempted to rob the bank. Neither person was armed.

The third, successful robbery took place at the BB&T branch at 6618 Richmond Highway. Police say that robbery was executed by one man. It is unclear at this point whether the robberies are connected.

"The Wall" May Take to Wrigley Field

The epic rock opera "The Wall Live" may be returning to Chicago next summer.

Concert promoter Live Nation has scheduled a press event for next Tuesday, and it's expected to announce that Roger Waters and his crew will bring the massive production to Wrigley Field next summer.

The show, touted as "one of the most ambitious and complex rock shows ever staged," by the Daily Mail, could be booked for the Friendly Confines on June 8 or June 9 -- possibly both. The Chicago Cubs are out of town those dates.

Waters recently told Rolling Stone that he'd already conducted lighting tests at Wrigley Field, among other stadiums.

The Wall was last in Chicago in September 2010, when it was setup in the United Center. Former Beatle Paul McCartney brought his show to Wrigley Field for two nights earlier this year.

October Snow Totals

October Snow Totals

Here are some of the snow totals from throughout the area as an unusual October snowstorm hit the Philadelphia region.

PENNSYLVANIA:

  Snow Totals (Inches)
Philadelphia Airport 0.2
Dublin (Bucks) 5.5
Emmaus 5.5
Exton 3.0
Kutztown 5.5
Martins Creek (Northampton) 0.3
Royersford 3.0
Souderton 6.5
Springtown 8.5
Trappe 1.8

NEWJERSEY:

  Snow Totals (Inches)
Ewing 2.2
Mount Laurel 0.5
Mount Holley 0.5
Phillipsburg 1.3

DELAWARE:

  Snow Totals (Inches)
Newark 0.1
Wilmington Trace

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Seeking Information on Motorcycle Death

Seeking Information on Motorcycle Death

Police are still investigating the cause of a crash that killed a motorcyclist after he collided wtih a with a big rig truck on the San Diego (405) freeway in Westwood.

The crash occurred on the northbound side of the freeway near Sunset Boulevard and was reported at 6:14 p.m. Friday, said Officer Krystal Carter with California Highway Patrol.

Portions of the freeway were closed for hours around the scene, snarling traffic for miles. The lanes re-opened at about 11 p.m., but police had still not released the name of the motorcyclist by Saturday morning.

California Highway Patrol released a 2-hour SIG alert at 7:35 p.m. and closed the four right lanes, backing up traffic to Highway 90.

No details have emerged about the motorists involved and the accident is under investigation.

It was the second time in a week that a motorcycle collided with a big truck on a local freeway.

Last Sunday, Romarino Zeri and his passenger Julie Anne Cameron died after their motorcycle hit a truck on the I-5. The crash brought a tragic note to the annual "Love Ride," an annual charity fundraiser that this year was to benefit research and treatment for people with autism.

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Man Rescued After Boat Capsizes

Man Rescued After Boat Capsizes

An unidentified man was pulled out of the Potomac River near Quantico Saturday after the fishing boat he was aboard capsized Saturday morning.

The Coast Guard received a call from a member of Prince William County's emergency dispatch reporting a man in the river at 9:45 a.m.  A 25-foot rescue boat was launched by the Coast Guard, while Charles County Fire and Rescue launched a rescue boatcrew of their own.

The Charles County crew reached the man first and delivered him to emergency personnel waiting onshore. His medical condition is unknown at this time.

Construction on Lake Shore Drive Begins Monday

A word of caution for Monday morning commuters: construction wil begin on two median openings along North Lake Shore Drive designed to provide turnaround access during emergency situations.

It's all in the name of preventing a snow fiasco like the one that happened last February, when hundreds of cars were trapped on the thoroughfare from the wind-blown snow coming off Lake Michigan.

The inside lanes of Lake Shore Drive between Armitage and Goethe will be closed in both directions during construction, which is scheduled to last through November.

Three lanes will remain open in each direction.

The openings, located at Armitage and at Schiller, will provide turnaround ability to north- and southbound lanes in an emergency situation.

Movable concrete barrier sections that physically resemble the existing barrier wall will be used. The barriers will would remain closed at all times, opened only during extreme weather events or emergency situations.

A truck or other heavy-duty vehicle would be used to open the turn-arounds, which will be large enough for buses, emergency vehicles and cars to pass through, the release said.

The locations were selected because they are prone to snow drifting and have limited emergency access, CDOT officials said.

The work is just one of several steps the city is taking to prepare for Mother Nature.

Missing Woman Found Safe

Missing Woman Found Safe

The daughter of a woman who disappeared early Tuesday morning said her mother has been located.

Angela Renee Yancey, 46, disappeared shortly after midnight in the 8900 block of Randol Mill Road, where her apartment complex is.

Fort Worth police confirmed on Sunday that Yancey had returned home.

Yancey's two children found her purse and belongings on the welcome mat outside their front door.

Body Found in Vacant Gloucester County House Fire

The badly-burned body of an unidentified male was discovered Friday night after a vacant house caught fire in Washington Township.

The fire at 133 Berlin-Cross-Keys Road was reported to authorities by a driving passerby shortly before 9:30 p.m. and was brought under control about half an hour later, though not before the trash-filled house suffered heavy damage.

The cause of the fire has not yet burned determined and an autopsy will take place Saturday afternoon. Authorities said that the house has been vacant for more than 10 years and become a favorite spot of squatters, who have drawn several police complaints.

The owner of the house reportedly lives in Florida.

Great Pumpkin Sails in Backyard Pool: Oceanside

Great Pumpkin Sails in Backyard Pool: Oceanside

With squeals of joy and amid cheers from onlookers, an Oceanside woman climbed into a hollowed-out giant pumpkin Friday and made a successful launch in her next-door neighbors' swimming pool, reports the North County Times.

"It's working," yelled a delighted Norma Bachert as she paddled her pumpkin around the pool in the Grace Street yard of Rocky and Kathy Magerkurth.

"I'm not taking on any water and I thought it would tip over," she hollered.

Read more on this story with our media partner, the North County Times.

 

Two Men Arrested After Robbery Spree: Oak Park

Two Men Arrested After Robbery Spree: Oak Park

Two men were in custody Saturday after police said they carjacked a man, robbed a store and crashed a car in the Oak Park area on Friday evening.

San Diego police said the series of crimes began at the address of 5400 Bay Heights when the two suspects tried to break into a car at about 11:32 p.m., said Officer David Stafford with SDPD.

As they did this, the pair spotted a 21-year-old man who was getting into his 2004 Chevy Monte Carlo, Stafford said.

The two suspects allegedly carjacked the man by threatening him with an airsoft handgun and then drove off in the victim’s car heading to an AM/PM store in Spring Valley.

Once at the store, located at 9600 Campo Rd., the suspects robbed it and fled the scene onto Interstate 94 where they were later found by La Mesa police, Stafford said.

Officers took the suspects into custody after the two men reportedly crashed the Monte Carlo they had taken from the victim earlier in the evening.

Both men resisted arrest according to Stafford and one of them had to be tased.

No injuries were reported during any of the incidents and the Robbery Unit is investigating.

 

TCU Holds Off BYU

TCU Holds Off BYU

TCU quarterback Casey Pachall threw for two touchdowns and the Horned Frogs capitalized on two special teams plays to build a big first-half lead over BYU and then held on for a 38-28 win on Friday night.

The Horned Frogs (6-2) beat BYU (6-3) for the fourth-straight year, although the teams were playing each other in a non-conference game for the first time after facing off as rivals for the last six seasons in the Mountain West Conference. BYU is in its first season as an independent in football, while TCU will join the Big 12 Conference next season after seven seasons in the MWC.

Pachall completed 13 of 23 passes for 147 yards with the two touchdowns and no interceptions, and the TCU defense forced three turnovers, two inside BYU territory.

BYU had won five in a row and outgained TCU 218-191 yards in the first half, but TCU's defense and special teams helped the Horned Frogs tame the Cougars and shorten the field for four quick drives in the first half.

After Pachall hit a wide-open Skye Dawson for a 48-yard touchdown pass on the second play of the game at Cowboys Stadium, a low, rolling snap to BYU punter Riley Stephenson resulted in an illegal kick and TCU started its second possession with a first-and-goal at BYU's 4-yard line.

Backup quarterback and goal-line run specialist Matt Brown came in on the second play of that drive and scrambled up the middle for a 6-yard touchdown and a 14-0 lead just five minutes into the game.

TCU was leading 14-10 in the second quarter when Greg Burks partially blocked a BYU punt, setting up the Horned Frogs at BYU's 30-yard line. Brown ran for a 2-yard touchdown on the third play of that drive, giving TCU a 21-10 lead. TCU extended its lead to 28-10 after Pachall and Josh Boyce connected on a 33-yard touchdown pass 36 seconds before halftime.

BYU misfired on two scoring opportunities in last six minutes of the first half.

After a 52-yard kickoff return by Cody Hoffman for BYU, the Cougars drove to the TCU 9-yard line, where BYU quarterback Riley Nelson was heavily pressured as he tried to throw into the end zone. Tight end Austin Holt tipped Nelson's pass and TCU linebacker Kenny Cain tiptoed the end line for an interception.

When BYU took over with 29 seconds to go before the break, the Cougars drove to the TCU 33, but BYU kicker Justin Sorensen slipped as he attempted a 50-yard field goal and the ball bounced into the end zone.

The Horned Frogs picked up where they left off in the second half, taking over at the BYU 37-yard line on their first possession after BYU's Stephenson dropped the snap on another attempted punt. This drive took four plays, and Waymon James scored on a 4-yard run for a 35-10 lead.

A field goal and a punt return for a touchdown got BYU within 35-20, but a fumble recovery by TCU's Jon Koontz on a lateral by BYU at the start the fourth squelched another Cougars drive inside TCU territory. BYU would go on to score and convert the two-point conversion with 2 minutes left in the game, but it wasn't enough.

Announced attendance for the game was 50,094, even with the game competing against the Texas Rangers playing in Game 7 of the World Series at the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Horned Frogs and Cougars played at Cowboys Stadium while TCU's home Amon G. Carter Stadium undergoes a $164 million renovation. Both teams had played in the Cowboys stadium before. BYU played in the first collegiate football game at Cowboys Stadium in 2009, knocking off No. 3 Oklahoma 14-13. TCU beat Oregon State 30-21 in last season's opener at Cowboys Stadium.

iPhone 4S Low Battery Life Stumps Apple

iPhone 4S Low Battery Life Stumps Apple

Many owners of the iPhone 4S are complaining about very short battery life, with their fancy new smartphones sucking down the juice like it's going out of style. The good news is that Apple is aware of the problem. The bad news is that they have no idea what's causing it.

Apple engineers have been getting in touch with people who have reported the battery issue, asking them for details and data from their phone and having them install a diagnostic file that sends extra info back to Cupertino. But apparently the engineers there are still pretty stumped as to what's causing it.

Is it a reason to not buy the phone? Not really, as I'm sure they'll figure it out and fix it before too long. Just carry a charger around with you for the time being.

Guardian via Gizmodo

For the latest tech stories, follow us on Twitter at @dvice

Bills, Fitzpatrick Provide Blueprint for Redskins

Bills, Fitzpatrick Provide Blueprint for Redskins

The Redskins might want to take a few notes during Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills. Both franchises haven't been relevant since the nineties, but it's small-market Buffalo who might finally be back on the winning track thanks to Ryan Fitzpatrick.

The Bills are obviously convinced Fitzpatrick is a franchise quarterback as the one-time journeyman signed a six-year, $59 million deal to stay in Buffalo and help it revert to the glory days of the 90’s.

For the Redskins it’s a lesson that a savior can come from an unlikely source. No one predicted Fitzpatrick would take the reins in Buffalo in 2009 and secure himself a multi-million dollar extension by 2011. Yet the Harvard graduate has surpassed all expectations after living through five seasons of NFL anonymity.

Fitzpatrick has completed a staggering 66.3 percent of his passes this season and has a touchdown-to-interception ratio of two-to-one. He’s been sacked just six times and has given a long-suffering fan base reason to believe again.

“We’ve all had to work so hard to be given this opportunity,” he said in a conference call with reporters. “I think these guys now understand that being undrafted, being a seventh-round pick, being the lowest guy on the totem pole for so long, these opportunities don’t come by every day.”

In Washington, fans are hoping for a similar turnaround, but for that to happen they’ll need their own Fitzpatrick. John Beck will do his best impersonation on Sunday, but the real key lies in stopping Buffalo's signal-caller.

Fitzpatrick isn’t Michael Vick or Cam Newton, but that doesn’t make life any easier for a Redskins defense struggling to maintain the pace they set out of the gate.

Washington's defense hasn’t maintained the level of play that made it a top five unit early in the season. They gave up 24 second half points to Newton and the Panthers on Sunday and 192 rushing yards to the Eagles two weeks ago.

“I have to do a better job of making sure that we’re better prepared during the week because our defense is too physical and too good,” Mike Shanahan said. “I have to make sure that I put them in situations more times than not to make sure that they feel very comfortable in every look that they see.”

A big reason the Redskins had issues defensively was the mobility of Newton and Vick. Washington is still transitioning to a 3-4 defense and the added dimension of a scrambling quarterback put them at a disadvantage. Though Fitzpatrick isn’t statuesque in the pocket, he doesn’t pose the same match-up problems Newton or Vick do so Jim Haslett will be able to take a more straightforward approach.

But the Bills have playmakers. Running back Fred Jackson drew high praise from Haslett this week and Steve Johnson has shown big-play capabilities at receiver. And of course there’s also Fitzpatrick who’s made it all tick.

“Perseverance is a character trait that you wish a lot of people have,” said Bills head coach Chan Gailey. “There are a lot of people out in this world right now giving up because things don’t go their way and [Fitzpatrick] didn’t do that. We have a bunch of players on our football team that are like that. They just didn’t give up.”

Perhaps it’s a lesson the Redskins can learn from. Neither of these teams have been successful in over a decade, but this year the Bills are proving the culture can be changed. All it takes is a little hope and a few wins to start believing again.

Weekend Rail Closures Continue

For the second weekend in a row, rail service downtown and along the North County coastline will be interrupted to accommodate construction crews.

The San Diego trolley will not run between the Old Town Transit Center and City College until Monday morning. Workers are replacing tracks, raising platforms and installing new overhead electrical wires.

Signs with information on alternate bus service are posted at all of the affected stations.

The work will also result in the closure of Broadway between Kettner Boulevard and Pacific Highway; and Kettner Boulevard between Broadway and A Street.

In the North County, a second track is being installed to increase the number of trains that can run and improve safety.

Amtrak service will be interrupted from Irvine to San Diego, with passengers being placed on buses.

Coaster train service operated by the North County Transit District is not expected to be impacted, but the Metrolink will not offer trains to Oceanside.

 

Arrests Made in Stolen SWAT Weapons Case

Arrests Made in Stolen SWAT Weapons Case

Five suspects were arrested Friday in connection with the October burglary of 30 modified submachine guns and handguns from a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) training facility, LAPD confirmed.

The suspects -- Richard Velasco, 29; Gilbert Salcedo, 41; Gerardo Vasquez, 24; William Vasquez, 28; and Mauricio Hernandez, 31 – were booked at Metro Jail Station.

Due to significant leads during the investigation, police obtained search warrants for multiple locations, one of which led to the recovery of three of the stolen weapons, police said.

One of the retrieved guns was not listed as having been stolen during the burglary.

The 15 MP-5 submachine guns and 15 colt .45 handguns, originally inventoried as stolen, were modified to fire small plastic bullets. The modified weapons would need extensive modifications to be converted back to lethal use.

LAPD said it is conducting a physical inventory of all weapons assigned to Metropolitan Division to ensure all weapons are accounted for.

During the investigation, LAPD’s commercial crimes detectives concluded that the involved suspects initially targeted the downtown Los Angeles facility to steal the building’s electrical wiring.

The stolen weapons were originally placed in a locked box on Oct. 12 in the multi-story training facility on 14th and San Pedro streets in preparation for an upcoming training. They were noticed missing by a police officer the following day.

A series of doors were broken into and police reported that the burglars seemed to abandon the scene prematurely since electrical equipment was left stacked near a back door.

An internal investigation by the department’s Professional Standards Bureau into personnel issues that may have led to the break-in is ongoing.

Detectives are continuing their search for the outstanding weapons and ask that anyone with information contact Detective John Clark at 213-486-6940.

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Vehicle Engulfed in Flames Causes Small Brush Fire on 805

California Highway Patrol reported Saturday that a vehicle involved in a car accident sparked a small brush on Interstate 805 in National City in the early morning.

The incident was reported at about 3:54 a.m. near the southbound I-805 and eastbound State Route 54.

A person in a sedan was driving on their rims when the vehicle hit a center divide, according to officials.

The vehicle was reportedly engulfed in flames and later started a brush fire.

Heartland Fire responded to the scene and put out the flames a short time later.

The driver fled the vehicle and it was not immediately known whether they were injured during the incident.

 

Occupy SD Re-Invigorated After Arrests

Late Friday, as Occupy San Diego demonstrators regrouped after 53 people were arrested, the protesters were re-invigorated with the help of a few local organizations.

The San Diego Labor Council joined the protesters in the evening to help bring the Occupy SD movement back to their original underlying theme, “We Are the 99%”.

“Everybody who wants to have a job and everybody who has a job should have a living wage job with benefits and that's why we're here tonight,” said Labor Council official Lorena Gonzalez.

Along with the labor union were faith leaders.

“We have come to offer words of support, words of encouragement,” said one leader who added that he and many others showed solidarity for the movement which has spread across the nation.

As speeches by the union and faith leaders wrapped up, Occupy SD received 400 more visitors when members of a Critical Mass bike group rode into the protests.

“We just wanted to support Occupy and just show them that they're not alone in the fight,” said Brian Carson, one of the riders.

San Diego police said a total of 53 people were arrested Friday, many of which were taken in during an early morning raid.

Raw Video: SDPD Occupy Raid (Warning Graphic Language)

Police said the protesters were charged with illegal assembly and obstructing police officers.

SDPD confirmed that later in the day two more protesters were arrested.

One person was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon after police said the person threw a can at a Sgt., hitting them in the face. The Sgt. was not injured.

Another person was arrested for battery.

Protesters said they were beginning to raise money in order to bail out their fellow demonstrators.

 

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

Woman Attacked in Frederick

Woman Attacked in Frederick

Frederick Police are looking for two men who allegedly assaulted a woman early Saturday morning in the 1800 block of Beaver Creek Lane.

Police say that the woman went out to retrieve some belongings from her car when she was attacked by two men who attempted to restrain her. The woman was able to free herself from her attackers after a struggle and ran inside the house.

The woman has described both men as black and standing between 6 feet and 6 feet, 2 inches tall. They were dressed in black clothing and had their faces covered.

Police say the woman is not from the area and was visiting friends at the time of the incident. As a result, the woman is apparently unfamiliar with her attackers.

US-Israeli Student Accused of Spying Returns to NY

US-Israeli Student Accused of Spying Returns to NY

A U.S.-Israeli citizen imprisoned in Egypt for four months on allegations he spied for Israel has returned home to New York after gaining his freedom in a prisoner swap.

    
Emory University law student Ilan Grapel arrived at Kennedy Airport on Saturday morning, looking tired and thin but wearing a huge smile.
    
The 27-year-old says he was arrested while attending a demonstration in Cairo's Tahrir Square on June 12. He says that after spending the summer in an Egyptian jail, he has a new appreciation for the American legal system.
    
He was released Thursday in a deal that also freed 25 Egyptians held in Israeli jails.
    
Israel has denied that Grapel is a spy. He had been volunteering at a legal aid group in Cairo when he was arrested.
 

Global Tree Disease Began in California

Global Tree Disease Began in California

Cypress trees are dying in Tuscany.

Blame California.

A deadly fungus that has felled up to 95 percent of the cypress trees in forests and timber plantations around the world originated in California, according to the Bay Citizen.



Researchers have traced the fungus, Seiridum, to the Monterey cypresses which dot coastal areas in California, and are prevalent in Golden Gate Park and the Presidio.

The trees are native to the area, but about 100 years ago, the wide-canopied trees were planted in the Central Valley and in Europe, where they brought the fungus with them. Trees not infected became susceptible to infection, the Bay Citizen reported, and the fungus spread to other cypresses.

The disease is attacking cypress trees on all six continents were trees can grow (you are safe in Antarctica). Climate change is also helping the fungus along, the Bay Citizen reported: changes in temperatures can weaken trees, making them more susceptible to the disease, which in turn ensures the disease spreads.

This means there could soon be no shade under that Tuscan sun.

Chargers Likely Without Phillips, Tolbert

Chargers Likely Without Phillips, Tolbert

Malcom Floyd ran a drag route, caught a pass, swung his body to the left and sprinted upfield at the start of Friday afternoon's Chargers practice.

It was an encouraging sight for the wide receiver, who suffered a hip injury Sunday against the New York Jets.

Less than encouraging: his missing teammates.

Running back Mike Tolbert (hamstring, hand) and outside linebacker Shaun Phillips (foot) sat out their third straight practice and are not expected to play Monday night against the Kansas City Chiefs.

From the start of the week, coach Norv Turner has played the team's health issues close to the chest. Of the 11 players on the injury report, only two — defensive end Luis Castillo (tibia) and left guard Kris Dielman (concussion) — were confirmed to miss the division road game.

On Friday, Turner conceded he was "not real hopeful" on Tolbert and "not real hopeful" on Phillips, the strength of a so-far very weak pass rush.

Curtis Brinkley and Jacob Hester may see added touches in Tolbert's absence. Outside linebackers Antwan Barnes and rookie Darryl Gamble will see heavy snaps for a unit already without Larry English, placed on injury reserve earlier in the week. Tyronne Green will start in place of Dielman.

Phillips has started 61 consecutive regular-season games since 2007.

Antonio Gates rested his plantar fascia injury during Friday's padded practice. With the tight end having participated the past two days in full, his absence was  part of the usual plan to build him up toward game day.

He is expected to practice Saturday.

Floyd and safety Darrell Stuckey (groin) were limited practice participants.

"I was excited to see (Floyd) be able to go out and do what he could do," Turner said. "Hopefully he can practice tomorrow."

Police Say More Killings Linked to Grim Sleeper Suspect

Police Say More Killings Linked to Grim Sleeper Suspect

Police have linked the man charged with 10 murders in LA's "Grim Sleeper'' serial killings to a number of other deaths, a law enforcement official said Friday.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing, did not specify how many more deaths police have connected to Lonnie Franklin Jr.

The Los Angeles Times reported the number as six, bringing to 16 the total number of killings authorities have linked to Franklin.

Franklin's attorney, Louisa Pensanti, said the new allegations are false and authorities are making the allegations public in an attempt to infect the jury pool.

Police are "making sure that the Los Angeles County jury pool has a belief in their mind that any unsolved murder that the police bring into our case was done by Lonnie Franklin Jr.,'' she said.

Franklin has pleaded not guilty to 10 murders and one count of attempted murder. Most of the victims linked to the "Grim Sleeper'' were found in alleyways within a few miles of Franklin's home.

Franklin, a mechanic, was arrested in July 2010. The Grim Sleeper killings got their name because of an apparent long gap between some of the deaths, which began in the 1980s and extended into the 2000s.

Police however now believe there was never a break in the killings.

The Times reported that three of the additional deaths were linked to Franklin through DNA or ballistic evidence and the other three were based more on circumstantial evidence, including detectives finding their belongings in Franklin's home.

The newspaper reported that police will not immediately seek additional charges in the other killings because they don't want to complicate the case against Franklin as it moves slowly toward trial.

District attorney spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons declined to comment.

 

Shootings Since Friday Afternoon Kill 1, Injure 17

One man was shot dead and at least 17 others were wounded by gunfire across the city Friday afternoon and early Saturday, police said.

A 50-year-old man was killed and a 29-year-old man seriously wounded during a Friday night home invasion in the 7800 block of South Yates Boulevard, police said.

Three males entered the home at 10:07 p.m. Friday and demanded money, police said. During the robbery, both men were shot.

The older man -- identified by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office as 50-year-old Issac Dotson -- was shot in the abdomen area, police said. The 29-year-old was taken in serious condition to Northwestern Memorial Hospital with a gunshot wound to the back.

The medical examiner’s office said Dotson lived at the residence and was dead on the scene.

The violence began at about 4 p.m. Friday when a teenage boy was shot in the head while standing in the 3100 block of West 63rd Street, police News Affairs Officer Daniel O’Brien said.

The boy, believed to be 17 or 18 years old, was taken in critical condition to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, O’Brien said.

About 90 minutes later, a 35-year-old man was shot multiple times following an argument in the 8200 block of South East End Avenue, police said. The man had recently been in an argument with the gunman, who shot him as he drove past in an alley.

The man was shot in the legs and taken in “stable” condition to Northwestern Hospital.

At about 7:30, a 17-year-old boy was shot in the 9900 block of South Bensley Avenue and taken in stable condition to Advocate Trinity Hospital with a gunshot wound to the right arm, according to police.

At about 9:20 p.m., a 16-year-old girl sitting inside a vehicle in the 2400 block of West 56th Street was shot in the left side of the head and taken in serious condition to Mount Sinai Hospital, police said.

A male approached the vehicle, which police said had several people inside, pulled a gun and fired numerous shots. Nobody else inside the vehicle was wounded.

Minutes later, an 18-year-old man was sitting in a vehicle in the 6700 block of South St. Lawrence Avenue when someone in a passing white sedan fired shots, hitting him in the chest, police said. He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in serious condition.

At 9:44 p.m. Friday, a 30-year-old woman and 19-year-old man walking with a group of people on a sidewalk in the 6700 block of South East End Avenue were shot by gunman who fired from across the street, police said.

The woman was shot in the buttocks and taken in good condition to University of Chicago Medical Center and the man drove himself to Jackson Park Hospital, where he was listed in good condition with a gunshot wound to the thigh, police said.

About an hour later, two women standing on the sidewalk in the 2100 block of South Washtenaw Avenue were wounded when a gunman opened fire from down the street, police said.

A 39-year-old woman was shot in the side and was taken in critical condition to Mount Sinai Hospital, police said. A 30-year-old woman was shot in the elbow and taken in “stable” condition to Mount Sinai Hospital.

About 11 p.m., a 29-year-old man was walking in the 6600 block of South Union Avenue when he heard shots and realized he’d been shot in the chest, police said. He was taken to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County in serious condition.

About 15 minutes later, an 18-year-old man was shot in the chest in the 5500 block of West Corcoran Place, police said. He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in serious condition.

At 11:37 p.m., a 19- and a 21-year-old man were standing on a porch in the 6800 block of South Normal Boulevard when they were shot by an another male, police said.

The 19-year-old was hit in the back, ankle and ear and was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in stable condition, police said. The 21-year-old was hit in the elbow and was listed in good condition at Saint Bernard Hospital and Health Care Center.

A 23-year-old woman was standing on the sidewalk in the 5900 block of South Paulina Street at 3:56 a.m. when a masked male approached and demanded money, police said. He then fired a shot, hitting her in the thigh.

The woman was taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition, police said.

The two men were shot about 6 a.m. in the 1500 block of South Harding Avenue, police News Affairs Officer John Mirabelli said, citing preliminary information. One man was shot in the face, and is in “extremely critical” condition, and the other was shot in the leg and is in serious condition. Both are at Mount Sinai Hospital, Mirabelli said.

Their exact ages are not yet known.

Nobody is in custody for any of the shootings early Saturday.

Trick or Sleet! October Storm on the Way

The tri-state will have more slick streets than tricks and treats this weekend as an unusual October storm will bring heavy rain, snow, wind and some coastal flooding throughout the area Saturday.

A winter storm warning is now in effect for counties in our area, including northern Westchester, Rockland, Passaic, Orange and Putnam counties. See the latest warnings and watches here. Up to 10 inches is expected in some parts of the area, while New York City is predicted to see less than 1 inch. Winds will become fierce later in the day, gusting up to 60 miles per hour in spots along the coast.  The combination of wind and snow covered trees presents a high risk for power outages.  

Check out the predicted snowfall amounts for your region here.

A winter storm warning indicates heavy wet snow that may be mixed with rain. Travel could be dangerous, and motorists who must travel are advised to keep a flashlight, food and blankets in their cars.

Heavy snow is also expected to weigh down trees, many of which still have leaves on them, which could lead to downed trees and power outages.

The New York City Sanitation Department said the October storm is forcing it to ready salt spreaders, plows and snow staff earlier in the season than it has in 40 years.

The department, which famously had trouble plowing streets during last year's Christmas weekend blizzard, also has some new mini-plows, designed to more easily navigate smaller streets.

Some spots around the tri-state will receive their first significant accumulating snowfall of the season. Other areas along the coast will experience a heavy windswept rain that will cause localized flooding.

Coastal areas are also prone to minor to moderate coastal flooding during times of high tide.

A high wind warning is also in effect for Nassau and Suffolk counties, and a wind advisory is in effect in coastal areas.

Rain will push into central New Jersey Saturday morning. The damp weather will continue advancing north towards the city by late morning and into the Hudson Valley by early afternoon.

The storm will begin with a chilly rain in most places, but as colder air works into the area, rain will switch to snow, from northwest to southeast.

Snow will likely be flying on a line from northwest New Jersey to Orange County and points north and west between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday.

Col. Rick Fuentes, superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, said motorists should drive carefully.

"There is also the potential for downed trees and wires because of wind conditions," he said.

Between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., the rain/snow line will move through the city and onto parts of Long Island.

By midnight, most of the rain over Long Island should change over to snow. The storm will depart very quickly. All snow should stop across the area shortly before sunrise Sunday.

Stay ahead of the storm with our interactive radar.

Trick or Sleet! October Storm Hits Tri-State

A powerful Nor’easter makes for a tricky Halloween weekend as a fast moving storm is expected to bring a slew of weather problems for the tri-state.

A winter storm warning is now in effect for counties in our area, including northern Westchester, Rockland, Passaic, Orange and Putnam counties. See the latest warnings and watches here. Up to 10 inches is expected in some parts of the area, while New York City is predicted to see less than 1 inch. Winds will become fierce later in the day, gusting up to 60 miles per hour in spots along the coast.  The combination of wind and snow covered trees presents a high risk for power outages.  

Check out the predicted snowfall amounts for your region here.

 

A winter storm warning indicates heavy wet snow that may be mixed with rain. Heavy snow is also expected to weigh down trees -- many of which still have leaves on them -- which could lead to downed trees and power outages.

 

The New York City Sanitation Department said the October storm is forcing it to ready salt spreaders, plows and snow staff earlier in the season than it has in 40 years.

The department, which famously had trouble plowing streets during last year's Christmas weekend blizzard, also has some new mini-plows, designed to more easily navigate smaller streets.

Some spots around the tri-state will receive their first significant accumulating snowfall of the season. Other areas along the coast will experience a heavy windswept rain that will cause localized flooding.

Coastal areas are also prone to minor to moderate coastal flooding during times of high tide.

A high wind warning is also in effect for Nassau and Suffolk counties, and a wind advisory is in effect in coastal areas.

Rain will push into central New Jersey Saturday morning. The damp weather will continue advancing north towards the city by late morning and into the Hudson Valley by early afternoon.

The storm will begin with a chilly rain in most places, but as colder air works into the area, rain will switch to snow, from northwest to southeast.

Snow will likely be flying on a line from northwest New Jersey to Orange County and points north and west between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday.

Col. Rick Fuentes, superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, said motorists should drive carefully.

"There is also the potential for downed trees and wires because of wind conditions," he said.

Between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., the rain/snow line will move through the city and onto parts of Long Island.

By midnight, most of the rain over Long Island should change over to snow. The storm will depart very quickly. All snow should stop across the area shortly before sunrise Sunday.

Stay ahead of the storm with our interactive radar.

Winter Storm Arrives in Area

A winter storm that could dump several inches of snow on parts of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia began affecting the region late Friday night and is expected to continue through most of Saturday.

Winter storm warnings remain in effect through 6 p.m. Saturday for western and northern Maryland, the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia and parts of West Virginia. The warning covers the following counties:

Maryland

Frederick County

Carroll County

Washington County

Extreme Western Allegany County

Central and Eastern Allegany County

Virginia

Madison County

Rappahannock County

Loudoun County

Northern Fauquier County

Shenandoah County

Frederick County

Page County

Warren County

Clarke County

West Virginia

Hampshire County

Morgan County

Berkeley County

Jefferson County

Hardy County

Western Grant County

Eastern Grant County

Western Mineral County

Eastern Mineral County

In addition, the following areas are under a winter weather advisory until 8 p.m. Saturday:

Maryland

Howard County

Montgomery County

Virginia

Fairfax County

Prince William County

Southern Fauquier County

The latest forecast calls for between 4 and 6 inches of snow to fall in Frederick, Carroll, Madison, Rappahannock, and Northern Fauquier Counties, with 6 to 10 inches expected to fall in the other counties covered by the winter storm warning.

It is expected that a mixture of snow and rain will fall throughout the morning and change to snow during the course of Saturday afternoon. According to News4 meteorologist Chuck Bell, much of the significant snow and rain should remain to the north and northwest of the Beltway.

Those in the areas affected by this storm should prepare for possible power outages and significant travel disruptions and are urged not to travel unless it is absolutely necessary.



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Man Charged With Killing of Howard Student

Prince George's County Police have charged a 20-year-old D.C. man with the murder of a Howard University student.

William Knight of Northeast was charged with first-degree murder in the death of Alonzo Guyton, 24.

Police discovered Guyton suffering from gunshot wounds shortly after midnight Tuesday in the 4200 block of Kaywood Drive in Mount Rainier. Guyton, a former Marine and freshman music major at the University, was pronounced dead at a local hospital a short time later.

The arrest warrant was served to Knight at the D.C. Jail on Friday. Knight was being held at the jail on a separate, undisclosed charge.

Two Plead Guilty in Probe of New Jersey Port Union

Two Plead Guilty in Probe of New Jersey Port Union

Two New Jersey men arrested as part of a probe into the International Longshoremen's Association have pleaded guilty to money laundering and loan sharking.

    
Joseph Queli of Wall and Nicholas Bergamotto of Newark pleaded guilty Friday in Monmouth County.
    
Queli admitted loaning money to members of the longshoremen's union at a rate of over 50 percent per year. Bergamotto acknowledged collecting payments on the loans.
 
The state Attorney General's Office is seeking a seven-year sentence for Queli and probation for Bergamotto.
    
The men were charged last year as part of an investigation into an alleged criminal enterprise operating at the New Jersey waterfront that is accused of extorting payments from dock workers for better jobs and pay. Cases against several other defendants are pending.

Protesters to Call for 'Robin Hood' Tax

 Protesters to Call for 'Robin Hood' Tax

“Occupy D.C.” protesters are invoking a medieval folk hero and the specter of financial history for their latest demonstration.

On Saturday, protesters are planning to take part in a march on the U.S. Treasury to demand the implementation of a so-called "Robin Hood" tax.

The D.C. march is part of global protests that have been called for Saturday by the Canadian anti-capitalist group Adbusters. The group is asking governments of the Group of 20 (G20) nations to impose a 1 percent tax on financial transactions and currency trades.

The march also marks the 82nd anniversary of the Wall Street Crash of 1929 that marked the beginning of the Great Depression.

Protesters say that money raised by the tax could then be used to increase investment in public services and create more jobs

The protest begins at 2 p.m. at McPherson Square.