Fighting Fire With Fire – Escondido Bomb House Destroyed
ESCONDIDO bomb house - Credit: Reuters
Fire flames and solid, grey smoke billowed from the one-story, wooden-framed “bomb house” as the long-planned controlled incineration began shortly before 11 a. m. local time. The structure was engulfed within moments, as a couple of gunshot-like bangs rang out, accompanied by intermittent, noisy popping sounds.
Firefighters previously had sliced holes in the roofing to boost air flow for the blaze, and sprayed fire-reducing substance on homes nearest to the burn area as a preventative measure.
By seven a. m. local time, an evacuation of at minimum 60 homes closest to the “bomb house” was completed, and the California Highway Patrol shut down a portion of an interstate highway, I-15, that runs within two hundred feet of the condemned dwelling.
The home, located in a middle-class community of the town of Escondido, about 25 kilometers north of San Diego, had been populated for approximately four years by George Jakubec, 54, an unemployed software engineer now in federal hands.
Personnel from some fifty agencies were taking part in the burn operation, including hazardous materials teams, firefighters, bomb squad technicians and members of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.
Authorities did not disclose how they set the house ablaze, other than to say they ignited the fire by remote-control.
A final legal hurdle to the burning was cleared on Wednesday when a federal judge denied a request by lawyers for “bomb house” suspect George Jakubec, 54, to delay the incineration. His attorneys had argued that the demolition would destroy documents and other evidence needed to defend their client.
But the judge sided with FBI bomb experts who said the house was too dangerous to clear out and process as a crime scene, leaving authorities no alternative but to burn it down.
Jakubec is a local of Serbia who has been in the United States more than twenty years, was arrested last month after police found his house loaded from floor to ceiling with high explosives, bomb-making materials, handmade grenades and guns mixed in with heaps of paper and other debris.
San Diego County prosecutor Terri Perez has called it “the largest quantity of these types of homemade explosives (ever found) at one place in the United States. ”
Jakubec was charged last week in an eight-count federal indictment with three bank robberies and one attempted bank holdup. He also is accused of one count of possessing explosive devices, one count of illegal manufacture of explosives and two counts of brandishing a firearm during a robbery.
Now in U.S. prison without bond, Jakubec pleaded not guilty on Monday to each of the eight charges, which hold a highest possible penalty of 20 years in prison.
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger recently issued an emergency declaration freeing the state of liability for destroying the house, owned by a San Francisco Bay-area woman, according to county property records.
The house came under overview on November eighteenth when a gardener working on the premises was injured by an detonation there.
Jamie McCourt Rejects Proposed Divorce Settlement
Intended for nearly 1 year now, Jamie plus Frank McCourt are airing the personal as well as professional grievances for those to hear as they dispute through ownership with the Los Angeles Dodgers. It’s as a real-life “The War of the Roses” – though it’s possible to only anticipate an impressive ending affecting a chandelier is often avoided.
At Tuesday, a ascertain found your marital house agreement signed with the McCourts inside 2004 to become invalid, thereby denying Frank McCourt exclusive ownership with the ball club and rendering it a possibility that the team might be shared by the exes within the express of California’s local community property regulations. After the particular ruling, Frank McCourt’s camp claimed the particular judge’s decision will never affect his ownership from the team knowing that they want to use additional legal procedures to disprove Jamie McCourt’s boasts of co-ownership.
Yes, doesn’t seem like a resolution is going to be reached anytime soon, which brings us to the real winners in case so much: the legal professionals. This “Dodger Divorce” possesses already expense over $20 k in suitable fees — inside baseball stipulations, that’s a couple of Rafael Furcals, personal trainer Matt Kemps or a monstrous 50 Carlos Monasterioses. Of course 20 mil ain’t much for a couple of which spent over $74 zillion on FOUR mansions inside a 10-mile radius with L. YOUR.,and as well own some sort of $4. HALF A DOZEN million ton in Cabo San Lucas, your $6 thousand condo with Vail, your $7. 7 million residence in Montana along with a 100-acre Cape Cod mansion, now available for $50 mil.
The physical activities world features seen it has the fair talk about of pricey, messy divorce cases (Michael Jordan and also Tiger, any person? ) though the McCourts’ event is unique in this perhaps the little one most hurt by the split definitely won’t be any of the couple’s three sons, nevertheless rather the particular big infant they’re arguing over, the actual Dodgers corporation. Sometimes the relationship closes amicably; you possibly can share your family members, your hangouts and also maybe even your efforts. Other moments, well I do believe everyone believes how ugly it might get if bitter girlfriends are forced to talk about and nurture some thing — a new dog, possibly — although simultaneously plotting each other’s ruin. Let’s expect everyone’s sake which the case with Frank and Jamie McCourt as well as Los Angeles Dodgers doesn’t in the end get a cautionary saga (narrated through Danny Devito, natch) the la in which ill-fated small number in “The War of the Roses. “.
Elizabeth Edwards Dies at Age 61
Elizabeth Edwards, this estranged wife of ex – presidential pick John Edwards, died currently after a good battle together with breast cancer malignancy. She has been 61.
Edwards passed away at the woman’s family house in Church Hill, North Carolina, reported by a statement released from the family.
“Today we have lost the comfort involving Elizabeth’s presence but the lady remains the heart of this family, ” this statement explained. “We adore her and definately will never find out anyone much more inspiring or brimming with life. ”
Edwards seemed to be a mommy, author plus supporter regarding her partner through his / her two were unable presidential goes. She in addition had to deal with his extramarital matter with an old campaign videographer Rielle Hunter. Eventually your dog admitted he or she fathered a kid with Rogue, after vehemently denying this allegation intended for months.
Even yesterday, the Edwards friends and family released a new statement nevertheless she would undergo anylonger cancer therapies because it becomes unproductive.
Van der Sloot Confession!!
Joran Van der Sloot, who has long been implicated in the Natalie Holloway murder, is now facing murders charges in Peru. Van der Sloot was seen on security tape entering a hotel room with Stephany Flores Ramirez, who was later found dead. Van der Sloot fled to a neighboring country but was almost immediately extradited back to the Peruvian capitol of Lima to face investigators.
During more than 10 hours of interrogation, Van der Sloot reportedly told investigators “I did not want to do it.” and that he had killed Miss Ramirez because she had uncovered some delicate information on his personal computer. Van der Sloot reportedly had an attorney present during the confession. No news has been released on the contents of the alleged information, but many speculate it could be linked to his recent extortion attempt on Natalie Holloway’s family.
Van der Sloot faces up to 35 years in Peruvian jail if convicted. Upon his release, he will be immediately extradited to the United States to face extortion charges.
Obama unveils $250 million math, science program
Washington (CNN) – President Barack Obama announced Wednesday a $250 million public-private initiative designed to improve national math and science education.
Specifically, the money will be used to promote five new partnerships intended to help train over 10,000 new math and science teachers over the next five years. It will also be used to support the professional development of more than 100,000 current math, science, technology and engineering teachers, according to the White House.
The new funding builds on Obama’s math and science “Educate to Innovate Campaign,” which was announced last November. Several large companies, including Intel, Xerox, Kodak and Time Warner Cable have already pledged $260 million to the effort.
American students, Obama noted, currently rank 21st in science and 25th in math compared with students around the world, putting the United States at a disadvantage on vital issues such as medicine, energy and security.
The administration, Obama said Wednesday, is committed to moving the United States “from the middle to the top of the pack.”
The president handed out awards to over 100 math and science teachers after making the announcement.
Last year, Obama unveiled a $4.35 billion “Race to the Top” fund to offer competitive grants to states pursuing creative strategies for recruiting, training and retaining teachers.
House Democrat passes on Senate bid
(CNN) – North Dakota Rep. Earl Pomeroy will not run for the Senate in 2010, two Democratic congressional leadership sources tell CNN.
Pomeroy will make the announcement this afternoon that he will not seek to succeed retiring Sen. Byron Dorgan, a fellow Democrat. A Senate Democratic leadership source noted that national Democrats are eyeing former state Attorney General Heidi Heitkamp as a possible candidate to run for the seat.
MSNBC talk show host Ed Schultz said in an interview on the cable network Wednesday that a state Democratic leader has reached out asking him to consider running for Dorgan’s seat.
Follow Mark Preston on Twitter: @prestoncnn
Initial report on failed plane attack coming out Thursday
Washington (CNN) – The initial report ordered by President Barack Obama on the failed Christmas Day terror attack will be released Thursday, Obama’s spokesman said.
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters Wednesday that the unclassified version of the report by John Brennan, the assistant to the president on homeland security and counterterrorism, would be made public.
Obama ordered a review of security screening and other issues that allowed a Nigerian man to allegedly board a U.S.-bound flight with explosives. The bomb failed to detonate as the flight approached Detroit, Michigan, on December 25.
Lieberman responds to Dodd’s retirement
(CNN) – Sen. Joe Lieberman, Chris Dodd’s fellow Connecticut senator, issued a statement hailing Dodd’s retirement as the end of a “remarkable era of service in the Senate.”
Full statement:
“Chris Dodd has been a genuinely great Senator for our state and country, and a close and valued friend and colleague for me. His retirement ends a remarkable era of service in the Senate by two generations of the Dodd family, beginning with his father Tom who was elected more than a half century ago in 1958.“Chris Dodd has been an unusually skillful and productive legislator and leaves a great legacy of accomplishment that has improved the lives of millions of American families and children. I am sad for our state and country, and for myself frankly, that Chris is leaving the Senate but I am happy for his family that he will have more time to spend with them now. And I know that his service to America and our friendship will continue in different ways in the years ahead.
“Senator Chris Dodd will leave the Senate in January 2011 with the knowledge that he has made a difference that will last in the lives of his constituents and his country. For that, we are all grateful.”
Sen. Chris Dodd announces he won’t seek re-election
(CNN) – Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd, one of the most powerful Democrats on Capitol Hill, announced Wednesday that he will not seek a sixth term in November.
Watch: Dodd says he’s done
Dodd, 65, was first elected to the Senate in 1980.
He had been winning congressional elections in his state since 1974, but he’s recently been considered one of the most vulnerable Democrats seeking re-election in 2010. Dodd has been trailing likely Republican challengers in recent polls, even though Connecticut typically leans Democratic.
Dem officials convinced Dodd race was ‘virtually unwinnable’
Washington (CNN) – A senior Democratic source involved in Chris Dodd’s campaign tells CNN that Democratic party officials had become convinced that Dodd’s Connecticut re-election race was “virtually unwinnable for us.”
Still, while this source and others admit there have been quiet conversations among party officials for some time about Dodd stepping aside, they say it does not appear that party leaders specifically asked him to do so.
“People have too much respect for Chris Dodd to try to get him out of this race,” said the source involved with his campaign. “He had to come to it on his own.”
Another source close to Dodd tells CNN he had been well aware of his uphill battle for months. This source concedes that the political reality was a big part the reason he decided not to seek re-election, but insists “this isn’t a decision forced upon him or by anyone. He was looking at his career, looking at his record of accomplishments over the past 35 years, asking what else is there.”
An internal Dodd campaign poll taken last month showed him trailing the leading Republican contender for his seat, Rob Simmons, 46-51 percent, in the Democratic-leaning state – where the same poll indicates President Obama holds a high favorability rating.
The source close to Dodd says his recent personal tragedies and challenges also weighed heavily in his decision to retire. He was diagnosed and treated with prostate cancer this summer, and also lost his sister and best friend, Ted Kennedy, to cancer in the span of three weeks.
“At a certain point he asked himself ‘Why am I running? Why put myself through this? He looked back and said ‘I’ve already done a hell of a lot,” said the source close to Dodd.
Democratic sources say Dodd began making calls to associates about his decision Tuesday. However, a source with knowledge of the conversation tells CNN that he did not call Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid until after midnight Eastern time, after the news had already been reported.
Despite what many Democratic sources call widespread respect for Dodd, it was hard for party strategists to hide their happiness with his decision, since it clears the way for Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal to run. He is a popular, long-serving figure who Democrats believe has a good chance of keeping the seat in their column.
Related story: GOP FOIAs Blumenthal
“It’s not a cakewalk, but it turns that race from a very uphill – pushing a boulder up a cliff – to a race that is very much winnable,” said a senior Democratic strategist.
At his formal announcement Wednesday, Dodd – whose father, former Connecticut Sen. Thomas Dodd, lost his own re-election bid in 1970 – will have his wife Jackie, children and extended family on hand.
