Transcripts For KGO ABC7 News 600PM 20140328

Cover agent. The complaint states they expanded into drugs and bun running. San franciscos mayor says he has looked at the 137page complaint. Theyre like reading it from some kind of a mystery novel, someone had written. That strange to see allegations but they were verified. The complaint states senator yee told them, under cover agents that the arms dealer has things you guys want. Senator yee cautioned doing business with people like the arms dealer was not easy and told him, one agent this was not a business for the faint of heart. The senators home in Sacramento Office were searched yesterday. His long political career is now in ruins. His attorney announced yees november run for secretary of state is off. Its a very personal choice. And so, that is the choice he has made without any political implications. Its the personal thing he wanted to do. Others wanted him out of politics altogether. Now, for his part yees gone into hiding since release from custody last night. Hes looking at probably losing his job as early as tomorrow. Abc7 News Reporter Leanne Melendez is live with that part of the story. Leanne . Reporter state senator leland yee has not left the house. There has been food delivery but today, he wrote this letter very brief letter, announcing he would no longer run for secretary of state, and tomorrow, he may also be suspended from the senate. Some in sacramento say state senator yee deserves his day in court. Others like senator mark leno are calling for his resignation. If he does not, the president pro tem announced that well be voting ot floor tomorrow to suspend him. So leland yee will not be on the floor of the senate again. Two others have been suspended ron calderon and rod wright. Both are on paid leave meaning each receives a salary, if yee goes on paid leave the total amount picked up by taxpayers for the senators is 285,000. Since his arrest, the issue of how special Interest Groups influenced lawmakers in sacramento has resurfaced it seems yee is no different from other politicians map light is a web site collecting and reports data on campaign contributions. Most of the heavy donors are unions. Solution is not just kicking out the people who actually broke the law, the solution is for all of the current lawmakers to get behind money and politics reforms. Don is a political consultant working in the senate 40 years ago, talking about how lawmakers are tempted to take money from special Interest Groups because many are left owing a lot of money following a race well, its like a mortgage on the house you have to pay the bill. I think officials like others are tempted to cross the line they shouldnt cross. Yee had a debt from when he ran for the San Francisco mayoral race. California two senators in washington issued statements today on senator yees arrest. San francisco democrat feinstein called allegations shocking and says for the good of the constituents he should step down. Senator boxer called allegations beyond outrageous and went on to say there is no place in public life for criminals that violate public trust. Our reporting continues now on twitter. Follow us on abc7 news bay area. Weve posted the complaint against state senator yee on abc7 news. Com. Moving on for just a moment. Pg e will likely face charges in connection to the deadly san bruno pipeline blast reporting that they expect charges related to the Pipeline Safety act will soon be filed. The 2010 blast killed eight people, destroying 38 homes. San brunos mayor today said charges will hopefully help bring closure and hold pg e accountable, and responsible for this devastating tragedy. In a statement, the ceo said weve learned the tragic lesson of san bruno. We have more work to do and intend to do it right. But pg es plan to remove trees is meeting with opposition in the east bay. The company says trees blocking access to nearly 7,000 miles of natural gas lines from bakersfield to eureka. Walnut creek is leading a fight where leaders are questioning whether this is about safety or convenience. Abc7 news is there for us. Laura . Reporter this story story proves public outcry can make a difference. In this case the mayor pushed back with a petition and others say it was Just Community outrage. Like many bay area cities, walnut creek downtown is enriched by treelined streets. Which is why the mayor, and residents, fought hard to keep it from turning into this. This is what pg e rest in its wake in duck pond park this month. Part of the pipeline Pathways Program designed to remove obstructions from 6700 miles of pipeline in northern california. Concord has been a tree city usa for 33 years. City leaders in places like concord learned what pg e had in mind for their town they had issues. This is a difference between matter of safety and convenience. Pg e has not been able to show there is a matter of safety but more a matter of convenience. Now, pg e says theyll pause the program for now. Its nice to see pg e responded to the public. And hopefully, theyll listen. And there can be good this petition collected 2300 signatures. In deciding to stop, the spokesman told abc7 news quote, we have paused a program. Were not removing any trees until we reach a shared solution. Pg e now says it will meet with city leaders from walnut creek and other communities in the east bay to address concerns before removing any trees. In walnut creek, abc7 news. River more police are looking for a man who held up a woman in an atm armed with a baseball bat. Security cameras captured this last night the robber is described as a man in his 30s approaching the woman ask demanded money. The robber also took her cell phone he was last seen driving away in a red sedan. A man accused of killing a fremont marine driving drunk appeared inside of a courtroom today. 23yearold waived a formal reading of the charges against him. Now, fell knee vehicular man slaughter and hit and run. I hope that guy gets justice that andrew deserves. Yan was arrested for suspicion of dui tuesday after police say he struck, and killed a 23yearold. Silva, on his motorcycle was part of a Marine Reserve unit in san jose. Members of his family stood vigil since tuesday. We have a lot of moms coming out. A lot of former marines a lot of vietnam vets. A lot of people showing up. Its been great. Corporal silva and his wife have a 2yearold son he had been back in the bay area res than a month, only recently returning from afghanistan. Fremont bank established a Memorial Fund and we have information if youd like to help on abc7 news. Com. Well, fastmoving fire swept through a building as firefighters pounded on doors, waking up people. Everybody out, now. The cell phone video shows how intense flames were burst from two upstairs units. He hid for a while after the fire before telling firefighters that he was hurt. Everybody out of here. Now. The manager explained hed been drinking so perhaps something in the unit started this fire he might have been burned and gotten scareed and ran off. Eight apartments were damaged and investigators believe that this fire was accidental. You can feel the heat. Yes. Still ahead tonight would you know what to do in the event of a tsunami alert . And a story of a 6yearold who has become an international inspiration. Hes just learned to walk. Now, he wants david louies job. A woman reschedules a flight to get to her mothers funeral then gets hit with a change fee. Why the airline gave her the money back. A dry day but some wet weather coming our way ferociously. Ill have the accuweather forecast coming up. 50 years ago today alaska was rocked by the larmest earthquake that ever hit the united states. They call it 1964 earthquake. 131 people were killed most died in the tsunamis it triggered. So, are you ready for a tsunami . We may not like to dwell on it, todays drill was the first of several along the coast and with good reason. Anyone who has seen a sue namy does not take it lightly. This was a little one. March 11, 2011, a final act hitting the home front. A dozen harbors suffered damage. That just one back drop for the drill this morning. Im going to be in a dead zone now. And not able to reach that zone. Residents supposed to take part in the drill. Those that want to purchase it. Most did not. Does the same Crescent City come to mind . A quake generated a tsunami that hit along the california coast. The 21 foot wave killed 11 people, and in the bay area, these are scenes from san rafael. Nobody knew what to suspect. They hoped for a view of the wave knowing little of the danger today they knew the story. I understand why people might want to do that. They want them to go to tune in radios and news. And get more information about what they should do. In worst cases a tsunami looks like this. 19,000 people died if you assume were imkwun, look where we live. It glows red there. Is it sobering . It should be. And what is what anniversaries are for. And how history repeats itself. A south bay boy who suffered an injury is inspiring other families facing similar situations the hope going global. Abc7 News Reporter david louie introduces us to a young man named abdul. That smile on this yearold reflects his positive spirit. An accident that claimed his mothers life. Doctors didnt expect him to live. He did. He didnt walk until he was four and a half. This is video shot by his therapist his father doesnt know why he gets his self determination. He dont like nobody to do anything for him. Doesnt matter how long. What is your favorite thing in the world . My friends i have 21 friends. He inspired family and friends to establish a foundation baring his name. The initial focus will be sierra leone. Where the cost of care is prohibitive. In europe and around the world, dont have the kind of opportunity he had. His physical therapist dont believe his limb dayings will keep him from his goals. Do you want to be a channel 7 News Reporter . Yes. Can you say abc7 . Abc7 we think he could be president of the u. S. In san jose, abc7 news how did i do . Good. Yes. He did good. If youd like to volunteer go to abc7 news. Com wonderful kid. Yes. Lovely story. Yes. Couldnt we all use to one friends . Yes. Absolutely. Well, our weather about to take a turn for unfriendly, though there is in moisture but most will see is a couple isolated showers. Here is a live view over the bay under partly cloudy skies. 59 in San Francisco. 62 in oakland. Low 60s in san jose. How about this dramatic looking dry. Clouds and levels of the atmosphere temperatures upper 50s now. 61 in fairfield. 61 livermore. One more live view for you from our camera of a mixed sky. Partly to mostly cloudy skies. There is a chance of showers overnight. Rain developing tomorrow afternoon by tomorrow afternoon. Into Early Saturday Morning were going to get a drenching from the storm. Weve got systems and an active appearing weather coming our way. Next storm arrives saturday morning. At that point in other locations. Later in the evening, 6 00 saturday evening, looking at heavy rain that will sweep through into early sunday morning. By 9 00 rainfall totals into lower elevations its a good soaking. In the sierra, a winter storm watch is in forecast. 6 to 12 inches of snow will be in highest peeks. Lots of clouds gathering here and there. Low temperatures from upper 50s to 50s. Its going to start to get wet. Highs up to 70 degrees around the bay and inland. And low 60s on the coast. Here is the accuweather forecast. So monday looks like trailing showers tuesday, april 1st but no jokes here. And then, drying out more on wednesday but this pattern of a break and more rain continues into the week. Good. Thank you im sure we can count on you. Yes. Ill wait until next weekend. Thank you. Just ahead a looming deadline for obamacare the grace period for getting started. And we want to thank you for helping us surpass 200,000 likes on our Facebook Page today if you hadnt had a chance to like it yet, you can do it now. Well be right back. [doorbell rings] hey. Hey. Whats this . Its uverse live tv. With at t uverse. You can watch live tv from your device. Hey. Hey. Anywhere in your home. [doorbell rings] hey. Hey. So you wont miss a minute of ncaa march madness. Call now to get a uverse bundle for the same great price for 2 years. Guaranteed. An important deadline approaching for millions of californians who have yet to sign up for obamacare you have until 11 chn 59 to apply and those who start by the deadline will get time, until april 15th, to finish it. A Million People have bought it so far. If you dont sign up now, you may be subject to a penalty. Irs will levy a penalty on those that dont get insured 1 of your income. Nationally the Obama Administration says more than 6 million americans signed up through health care. Gov. Turns out not just tech that is booming in San Francisco, so is tourism. Nearly 17 million visitors came to San Francisco last year. That is a report. That translates to hundreds of millions in tax revenue. Tech companies are being credited for attracting global attention. Were doing well because people believe, like 1849 gold rush there is gold here in San Francisco. Just different gold the city says major investment needs to be named to attract visitors but 17 billion. Wow. Just ahead findings on governor christies role in the George Washington bridge scandal also sh a massive mudslide in Washington State. A community finds dozens of people listed as missing and an invitation so yso you can happily let the grlife get in the way, while planning for tomorrow. So you can finish the Great American novel banking for the life you have investing for the life you want chase. So you can little black holes. Never. Ever. Stick even your pinky finger into one of them. Yay tillamook cheese slices, tastes better because its made better. So i was basically uninsurable. Now that ive got coverage, my doctor is a phone call or an email away. Im in. [ female announcer ] everyone deserves health insurance. Are you in . Find free, confidential, local help at coveredca. Com. Good evening a development tonight in the George Washington bridge lane closure scandal in new jersey raft year. Did governor Chris Christie have a hand in it . The state panel issues its investigation the internal review of the plot to create gridlock exonerates governor christie. There is not a shred of hard evidence that the governor did anything other than what he has said. It happened without the governors knowledge, orchestrated by two close christy allies investigators said both had an unknown ulterior motive. Christy sat down with diane sawyer. That is aides and appointees would have a personal annoyance and shut down the biggest bridge in the world i said this cant be true. Sometimes people do stupid things. Critics say the Million Dollar report is biased and full of holes. All of he the key figures refused to be interviewed. Thises a very extensive, dog did eat my home work report. I think all of the important questions will be answered. Todays report recommends appointing an ethics tsar to the ofgs. And search efforts underway in Washington State a community was just devastated by the mudslide over the weekend. 25 people were killed and Authorities Say the number is skekted to climb. 90 people are still missing the community is involved in the search. They say they are not giving up hope. Not changing gears or the pace of this. And are going to exhaust all options. Not very pretty. We have to look for them. The president ordering the federal government to assist efforts the search for missing Malaysia Flight 370 just resumed must Images Released show fields of debris near where the plane is believed to have gone down but searchers were called off because of bad weather. Weather wasnt very good for the search. And the swell as high as well you know this will be a difficult mission. Crews have not found physical evidence to prove the plane crashed the search heads underwater with ships towing to listen for pings from the black boxes disturbing news for anyone who has flown to Los Angeles International airport. Police arrested four people hoping to end a culture of thiefry at lax. Several officers went under cover after a strong of reported hefts at Los Angeles International airport. We believe there has been a culture of being able to take property that wasnt theirs. The suspects still wearing vests led out of the airport then processed in a mobile command center. Police say most are emmoi yeez or former employees of independent Contracting Companies hired to handle luggage at lax they dont work the for the airport itself. Officials say the expects underwent background checks and most Police Activity was at the Tom Bradley International terminal and terminal officials hope to return items tototheir rightful owners president obama says it was a great honor meeting for the first time. President obama ended the meeting inviting the holy father to the white house. Afterwards, taking a tour of the coliseum in rome he leaves tomorrow for a visit to saudi arabia, the final stop on a weeklong trip overseas coming up next from mac world in San Francisco, office on your ipad. Shotgun wedding of rivals at Kaiser Permanente weve reduced serious heart attacks by 62 , which makes days with grandpa jack 100 more possible. Join us at kp. Org and thrive. To dinner. T impossible to get them to sit down thats why we have. Kfc dipems a kfc dipems bucket, 20 extra crispy tenders. 6 awesome sauces. I mean hes sitting still, this is kind of miraculous. On this first full day of mac world a big announcement from a big company. Were not. Its something apple user rz been waiting for, for a very long time. Murky blue depths of a fish tank sits an iphone, recording video of a reporter you might recognize. Just one of the projects its been years since the ceo did take the stage. If i only had the real office. I can get more done well, turns out as of today sh you do. If you want to create documents its 99 a year. Power was only on windows tablets the ship sailed on its just one more generation of apps. They call it applelooza. They do chores to ones that analyze menus we rate the food red, yellow, grown. There is an app for selling your app at a conference. There is information captured off of that. I dont think were going to have an Apple Official present. In this case with built in plugs, you might want to keep away from that fish tank. Getting a bereavement can get a hassle. How an airline are you a frequent flyer who dreads fees . One woman was upset when her mother dieed and she had to reschedule her flight. What a tough situation. Aussie airlines will give you a break if there is a death in the family. In this case the airline did promise to waive the fee but it just never happened. Bernadette was looking forward to seeing her mom in england. I was set to have a wonderful visit. However, the happy event never happened. Came as a terrible shock. Her mom died weeks before the reunion she had to get to england right away she called Virgin Atlantic airways. They said there would be no problem but there would be a fee. However, virgin said it would refund after filling out a form. I did on my return. That is when problems began. Problems she says went on for months. She mailed in the form with the death certificate. Virgin did in the refund the money. Virnlin said it needed more documents. They required not just a death certificate, but a death certificate and a marriage certificate to prove i was related to my mother. She mailed those in, too. Another month went by i tried to get hold of someone. And was hold i can no longer help you. Virgin said it didnt receive them. I must have sent that death certificate in five times the marriage certificates and other certificates. Next time, she used certified mail, still, no luck. The same story over and over. We need more documents bernadette didnt give up. Saying the airline promised no penalty. If it had been Something Else i wont have felt it so deeply. I just wanted to have it done right. She contacted 7 on your side. We contacted Virgin Atlantic. It acted quickly, found documents, termed they were in order and refunded the money telling us unfortunately, there is a delay in refund as correct documentation was not received first. Virgin atlantic worked closely to ensure the correct paper work was filed. Im grateful. Virgin atlantic tells us it requires more documents when family members have different last names the airline needed marriage and birth records to show theyre mother and daughter. The poll says seemed harsh but theyre meant to prevent abuse. Thank you, michael. Sure. Look at what sky 7 hd caught a glimpse of today. That is lucille, hanging there. Several officials and athletes repelled 23 stories down the hyatt embarcadero. This is part of Outward Bound californias first city skyline challenge. Do you know who likes heights . Yes. Spencer christian. Hes back. Yes. I love to watch other people with the heights. State wived will be raeny in the bay area, sunny, mild down south. Will start to sweep south ward and eastward overnight into saturday. But before that happens well achieve high temperatures around 70 degrees. Then exhibition baseball at at and t park. Temperatures mid50s and here is the accuweather forecast. Rainy, soggy messy day. Rain again monday have weather next week larry beil is off. Mike shumann is here. Its a sad afternoon yes. Giants hosting as game this evening will have players and managers looking ahe as and giants headed back here to the bay area. Game one tonight at at and t park. After 30 games, down in the desert players are always ready to get back to the comfort zones of their respect rif ballpark asks get the regular season underway. Nothing like coming home with any sport both teams have a final decision to make. This is a good test before the season as is against the local rival and the seal of a regularseason game. You know there are still exhibition games you snow theyre similar to a normal game. And so, helps get two ready for the season. Well be back in the bay area as we tune out for regular season. Iet is. Yes. Its good to get that spring training out of the way. For me big part is to be able to sleep in. 9 30 feeling good its going to be back in this area. Fan interaction going to be fun as well. So expecting good heckling tonight. And just hoping to drive off of that. And confidence off of that highlights at 9 00 and 11 00. Tigers slugger about to get paid. Espn reporting the twotime detending league mvp signed an extension worth close to 300 million covering remaining two years on the contract. The 31yearold won a triple count of 012. The all star becoming the owner of the biggest contract in baseball history. Stanford entered tonights sweet 16 match up against dayton flyers just two wins from final four. Cardinals started slow and closed a gap in the second but dayton just too much theyll advance to elite with 8272 victory. Cardinals back in the sweet 16 ending 2313 the hype hind johnny mansel, through for officials representing 30 teams. President George Hw Bush and his wife on hand. Johnny wore a helmet and pads noted pros wore pads on sundays and wanted to appear bigger. Had a great day, throwing about 65 passes and only two passes hit the ground. Impressing everyone calling them on to the field and thanking them for coming to watch him. And the day was a success. Going for protection. One was on the list a little bit high. Thought it was good. Now there are reports of former jacksonville running back maurice drew visiting raiders this week. Should he sign with oakland it would be a home coming and could help raiders solidify their backfield with the loss of rashshad jennings. The threetime pro bowler turned 29 this week. This sports report brought to you by orchard supply, hardware. I can see him fall down the boards oochl hes only six feet. Yes. Tiny. So they dont even make elevator cleats yes. Funny. Join me tonight at 9 00, 1 nations solution to a low birth rate. Theyre encouraging couples to have babies. Wrong image there. And then at 11 00 startling new statistics out on number of children living with autism, why local scientists believe a common vitamin could hold the key to understanding the disorder. Once upon a time in wonder nd followed by scandal. And remember, its all available on your smart phone, tablet or computer. You can down load the free watch abcapp. Check that out. That is this edition of abc7 news our kuvenlg continues on twitter. This is jeopardy please welcome todays contestants a Library Volunteer coordinator from nashville, tennessee. An aspiring student from bettendorf, iowa. And our returning champion, a University Honors Program Manager from birmingham, alabama. And now here is the host of jeopardy alex tbek thank you, johnny. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to jeopardy the show that could be characterized as different strokes for different folks. Last week, our winners of every game were averaging over 20,000. This week, the average is about 7,000, which is what clay won yesterday. Im hoping we can up that today, cause i love it when players take away a lot of our cash. Emily and amy, welcome aboard. Good luck. Here we go. The categories for the three of you are as follows. Alex clay, where do we start . Nursery rhymes, 200. Clay. What is hey Diddle Diddle . Yes. Nursery rhymes, 400. Emily. What is jump over the candlestick . Right. Nursery rhymes for 600