Va. Governor Bob McDonnell Seeks Federal Aid for Tropical Storm Damage

Gov. Bob McDonnell is seeking federal disaster aid for residents in Fairfax and Prince William counties affected by the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee.

“The heavy rain from Tropical Storm Lee caused catastrophic damage to neighborhoods and businesses in Fairfax and Prince William counties,” said Governor McDonnell in a release.  “Federal assistance is critical in helping people who suffered significant losses.”

McDonnell said Monday that heavy rains and flooding destroyed or caused major damage to more than 100 homes and businesses in the two counties. He has requested a federal disaster declaration to help residents recover from the damage.

McDonnell also is seeking federal aid to help all Virginia localities reduce the impact of future disasters.

Two Arrested After Robbery at La Mesa Park

San Diego police reported that two male transients were arrested after robbing a man inside a park in La Mesa, Saturday night.

John Allen Bass and Jamar Brown, both 24-years-old, were taken into custody and booked on charges related to a robbery that occurred inside Collier Park, located at 4401 Palm Avenue, police said.

The incident happened at about 7:40 p.m. when the male victim was sitting on a park bench and was approached by the suspects, according to a media release.

One suspect reportedly sat down next to the victim and demanded his backpack. When the victim refused, the suspect attempted to take the item, police said.

A struggle ensued, though the victim was able to keep his property away from the suspects.

As the victim attempted to leave the park, the second suspect allegedly demanded the victim’s cell phone, at which point the suspect pulled the victim's bike away from him.

After the second suspect threatened the victim, the man left the park and called police.

Responding officers found both suspects near the park a short time later and the victim identified the two before receiving his property.

The victim wasn't injured during the incident.

 

Jerry Brown Bans Automatic Alcohol Sales

Starting next year, buying alcohol in California will no longer be a passive affair.

Gov. Jerry Brown signed a law Sunday banning alcohol sales at automated checkout counters.

Starting Jan. 1, 2012, all alcohol sales in California must go through a human cashier. The thought is the measure will cut down illegal alcohol sales to underage buyers.

The measure has the full backing of Mothers Against Drunk Driving and by law enforcement groups.

But the bill has also come under criticism by some groups who say it is just a push by grocery workers' unions to protect their jobs.

 

Quinn Breaks Ground on Englewood Rail Flyover

One of the region's worst rail bottlenecks is getting a makeover.

Gov. Pat Quinn broke ground Monday on the Englewood Flyover, a $133 million project that is expected to reduce commuter delays and create nearly 1,500 jobs.

The flyover will create tracks for the 78 daily Metra Rock Island District commuter trains and more than a dozen Amtrak trains, separating them from the numerous freight trains that pass slowly through the pinch point every day.

Metra says the current conflict creates 7,500 hours of delay for Metra passengers every year.

Quinn was joined by U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin to break ground at the project made possible by the governor's Illinois Jobs Now! program and the federal recovery act.

 

The Game of the Week for Oct. 14 Is...

After hundreds of votes, the teams who will be featured in NBC 7 San Diego's Game of the Week this week are Steele Canyon and Granite HIlls!

NBC 7 San Diego's Megan Tevrizian will show us what makes the two schools special when she profiles the competitors each Thursday and Friday on NBC 7 San Diego News in the Morning.

Then, the night of the game, we’ll feature the action on NBC 7 San Diego News at 11.

Congratulations to both teams!

Click here to see the choices for our Game of the Week on Oct. 21.

Each week, we'll post a poll with three potential high school matchups from around the county to determine the NBC 7 San Diego Game of the Week.

Beginning Monday morning at 6 a.m. you can vote for the game you'd like to see featured on NBC 7 San Diego News at 11.

The winning school will be announced on NBC 7 San Diego News in the Morning the following Monday.

Participants can vote once a day and can share the poll with friends through Facebook.

Voting closes each Sunday at 11:59 p.m.

PETA Protesters Take on Army at Washington Convention Center

PETA protesters are taking on the armed forces this week at the Washington Convention Center.

Wearing monkey masks, the Virginia-based animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is taking a stand against what they call cruel procedures involving primates conducted by the U.S. Army.

"We're here to urge the military and particularly the Army to stop poisoning monkeys," said Justin Goodman, a PETA spokesperson.

According to PETA, the Army injects monkeys with a chemical overdose as part of a training lesson demonstrating the effects of a nerve agent attack.  PETA says that in most countries, other militaries use a human simulator for the demonstration.  The animal rights group said that it is only at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland where monkeys are still used for this purpose.

This week, the Association of the United States Army holds its annual meeting at the Washington Convention center.  Thousands of personnel will be in attendance, and PETA hopes to grab their attention.  The group says that several retired service members have pledged support for their campaign.

AUSA spokesperson told News4's Tracee Wilkins that the organization supports PETA's right to free speech.  The AUSA did not offer a specific response to PETA's claims.

However, regarding PETA's claims of animal cruelty, AUSA did not have any comment.

 

D.C. Hosts World Chili Eating Championship

The Taste of D.C. festival offered the best food the District has to offer.

People could enjoy burgers, hot dogs, beer, or anything else to satisfy their rumbling stomachs.

But some wanted to eat chili. Lots and lots of chili.

Sunday was the 2011 World Chili Eating Championship, and the best competitive eaters in the world gathered to see who could eat the most chili in six minutes.

Joey “Jaws” Chestnut was the winner, eating more than two gallons and establishing a new world record.

Alexandria’s own Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas placed fourth in the competition.  She only ate 10 pounds of chili, a little more than a gallon.

Ben’s Chili Bowl sponsored the event, cooking more than 30 pounds of chili for each contestant.