Coast Guard: Missing Family Could Be Clinging to Life Ring, Cooler

ABC News(SAN FRANCISCO) -- The U.S. Coast Guard intensified its search Monday for a family of four, including two young children, who may be clinging to a life ring and a cooler off the Northern California coast after their sailboat took on water.

A distress call came into the Coast Guard Sunday afternoon that the 29-foot vessel, believed to be named Charmblow, was sinking in choppy waters.

The sailboat's failing electronics system was unable to provide the Coast Guard with clues to its exact location, which rescuers initially believed was 65 miles from Pillar Point, just south of San Francisco, Lt. Heather Lampert said.

After reviewing radio tapes and making new calculations, Lampert said the search effort Monday has been shifted slightly south to 65 miles off the coast of Monterey Bay.

The names of those on board and their destination were unknown, however the missing are believed to include a man and a woman, their 4-year-old son, and his cousin, Lampert said.

A National Weather Service advisory warning of strong winds and choppy waters in the San Francisco Bay Area had been in effect Sunday afternoon when the boat's operator first radioed the Coast Guard.

Lampert said the captain indicated at 4:20 p.m. that the sailboat was "taking on water" and the electronics system was failing.

At 5:30 p.m., the operator reported they were abandoning the sailboat, Lampert said.

After losing communication with the vessel, the Coast Guard sent an urgent broadcast to boaters in the area to be on the lookout.

Crews searched overnight by air and by sea, however they found no signs of the missing family.

"[There were] pretty rough conditions, especially without any lifesaving equipment," Lampert said.

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Politician Seeking to Rename San Francisco Airport for Harvey Milk

Comstock/Thinkstock(SAN FRANCISCO) -- If six of the 11 San Francisco Board of Supervisors sign off on a ballot initiative to rename the city's current airport to the Harvey Milk San Francisco International Airport, they could be making history.

"We have not found any legislation nor was there ever an actual naming of an openly gay official for an airport," said Stuart Milk, Harvey Milk's nephew.  "Harvey never had a citywide election because he was elected to a supervisory district, so this has a real synergy to it that the people of San Francisco are going to be voting for Harvey Milk.  I think he would have loved that."

Harvey Milk was the city's first openly gay elected politician and a champion of gay and civil rights in the 1960s and '70s.  After serving for a mere 11 months as District 5 supervisor, former supervisor Dan White shot and killed Harvey and Mayor George Mascone on May 27, 1978, inside San Francisco City Hall.

As of Jan. 16, District 9 supervisor David Campos had the support of five from the Board of Supervisors, including his own.  Campos needs the support of one more to qualify for the majority six signatures needed to push the initiative onto the November ballot.  The legislation would be voted on as a charter amendment since the San Francisco Airport, more commonly known as SFO, is referenced within the charter of the city.

Campos said in the U.S. alone there are over eight airports named after individuals, and many more throughout the world.  But when he realized none of those airports featured the name of an LGBT person, he decided to act.

On Jan. 15, he formally introduced the initiative to the board, and the response was "very well received."  If the initiative passes in November, it will not only be a professional success but a personal victory for Campos.

"I believe as an openly gay man that we, as a community, have made contributions to a community like anyone else -- that someone, somewhere name an airport after someone in this community," said Campos.  "It seemed to me that San Francisco would be the right place.  If not in San Francisco, then where?"

SFO acting airport spokesman Doug Yakel said, "From the perspective of the airport, we don't have an opinion on the matter."

Yakel told ABC News during an SFO airport commission meeting on Jan. 15, that commissioner members said it was "an issue that requires careful consideration; it requires a thorough understanding of the financial impact, meaning, What does it cost to rename an airport?  And there are many individuals who have made a contribution to San Francisco from a political perspective that warrants consideration."

Campos said this initiative is a process and would not be "something that would happen automatically."

"Nothing has been easy in the fight for LGBT rights or in Harvey's life," said Campos.  "I'm hoping to have a dialogue and I think there's some resistance from people who don't want to see change.  We just hope to engage in a dialogue with people, and so I'm optimistic."

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

San Francisco Cop’s 100 MPH Ride Video Probed

Jupiterimages/Thinkstock(SAN FRANCISCO) -- San Francisco police are investigating a video posted on Facebook by one of its police sergeants showing what could have been the officer and his friends traveling through the city's Broadway Tunnel at 100 mph.

The video, posted in September, was removed  Wednesday along with the Facebook page of a police sergeant whose legal name is Carl T. The video showed a driver stepping on the gas from the Larkin Street stop at the Russian Hill side of the tunnel, zooming through it toward Chinatown at almost 100 miles per hour in an 35 miles per hour zone.

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San Francisco police were still confirming whether or not Sgt. T was the driver, whether he was on duty at the time, and driving under the influence.

“This case is still under review …  Any time we have a possible violation or any type of misconduct by our staff it is protocol to refer the matter to administrative investigation,” Officer Carlos Manfredi, spokesperson from the San Francisco Police Department told ABC News. “We have no further results on the investigation yet and Sgt. T is still on staff.”

The “SFist” blog carried the news of the video in September and extracted comments from T’s Facebook post which gathered 31 likes and 19 comments. Carl T’s posting read, “Broadway tunnel. 100 Miles per hour in the Lambo.”

Carl T. recently made news for legally changing his last name from Tannenbaum to T so his entire name would not be put on his badge.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Storms Slam Northern California

iStockphoto/Thinkstock(SAN FRANCISCO) -- The first of three powerful storms is hitting Northern California, where travelers are feeling the strongest impact.

The winds are causing flights to be delayed and canceled in San Francisco and Oakland. Heavy rain has been falling, making freeways crawl. And if that's not enough, there are big concerns about possible mudslides. A wildfire burned close to some homes, making the soil very unsteady.

The rain is expected to continue through Sunday. In total, up to 10 inches of rain could fall in some areas north of San Francisco.

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San Francisco Bares the Truth, Announces Ban on Public Nudity

iStockphoto/Thinkstock(SAN FRANCISCO) – These days, in the city of the Golden Gate Bridge, your birthday suit better mean a nice outfit from Brooks Brothers. The Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to ban public nudity in the streets.

The legislation prohibits genital exposure on all city sidewalks, plazas, parklets, streets, and public transit. However, nudity in private areas and special events is exempt, and the new law also does not apply to children under the age of 5.

Mayor Ed Lee is among those in support of the ban.

“For exhibitionists, I think that's what the word is expressed that way, that's different than people's first amendment rights,” he said.

Supervisor Scott Wiener agrees. “We're a city that believes in freedom and we've always believed in freedom and free expression. But taking your pants off at Castro and Market and displaying your genitals to everyone, that's not free expression,” he said.

Those opposed to the passage have already filed a lawsuit, and is now pending. Attorney Christina DiEdoardo is representing the opposition, strongly supports their right to disrobe.

“Is the first amendment more powerful and more important than the passions of an intolerant mob? And the ambitions of one or more city supervisors? We would contend that it is and that's what our case is based upon,” she said.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Public Nudity Ban Considered in San Francisco

iStockphoto/Thinkstock(SAN FRANCISCO) -- San Franciscans may be forced to wear clothes outside of their homes and some nude activists aren’t pleased.

City lawmakers are scheduled to vote Tuesday on an ordinance that, if passed, would make it illegal for anyone over the age of 5 to expose their genitals in public.  Exemptions will be made for parades and festivals held under a city permit, according to the ordinance.

A group of activists filed a federal lawsuit against the city last Wednesday, asking that a judge issue a temporary restraining order to stop the vote on Tuesday and provide the court enough time to determine the merits of the case.

One of the plaintiffs, Mitch Hightower, has organized an annual “nude-in” demonstration over the past several years.

“The ‘Nude In’ is intended to promote a spirit of tolerance, peace and fellowship among the attendees,” the lawsuit said, claiming that if enacted, the ordinance would violate the constitutional right of free speech.

“It attempts to criminalize nudity even when engaged in for the purpose of political advocacy,” the lawsuit said.

George Davis, who ran for mayor in 2007 and District 6 supervisor in 2010, both times as the “nude candidate,” joined the suit, claiming he uses nudity “as part of his political expression.”

If the ordinance is enacted, first time offenders would be fined $100.  The fine increases to $200 if it’s the second offense within 12 months.  The third time a nudist is caught, they could be slapped with a $500 fine and potentially charged with a misdemeanor.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Why Is PETA Fighting Program Pairing Panhandlers with Dogs?

Goodshoot/Thinkstock(SAN FRANCISCO) -- Animal rights organization PETA is fighting against the launch of San Francisco’s Wonderful Opportunities for Occupants and Fidos (WOOF) program, which will pay previously homeless people now living in sponsored public housing to foster dogs that are at risk of being euthanized.

PETA has offered to give $10,000 to the program if they leave animals out of it.

Teresa Chagrin, PETA’s animal care and control specialist, calls the program, “A lure to keep people from panhandling. Many chronic panhandlers battle with addiction issues. These animals are supposedly not adoptable. Putting these two troubled populations together is very likely to result in disaster.”

Bevan Dufty, director of San Francisco’s Housing Opportunities, Partnership, and Engagement (HOPE) initiative, said that while some of the housing residents do resort to panhandling, they should not be labeled as panhandlers, but as people trying to get their lives back on track, and are fully able to care for pets.

“These are individuals who have been through job readiness programs, who live in our buildings. They were individually interviewed, went through orientation, and have gotten a gold star of approval,” Dufty said.

San Francisco’s Animal Care & Control, HOPE’s partner in launching the program, also said that PETA’s claims are unfounded.

“You have this image of us pulling up in a van full of dogs handing them out to people,” ACC director Rebecca Katz said. “We would not be putting animals at risk. Our job is to investigate animal abuse and neglect. We are going to have a lot more oversight during this fostering program than if they were to just adopt dogs on their own.”

ACC’s involvement, however, does not lessen PETA’s concerns.

“I don’t believe that people at Animal Care & Control have a lot of experience dealing with people with mental health and addiction issues,” Chagrin said. “You can’t put dogs with people who are battling their own demons.”

PETA’s protests have not slowed WOOF down, which begins its first trial in August with 10 individuals working in pairs with five dogs.

Both Dufty and Katz said they believe PETA’s objections highlight the extreme negative prejudice faced by the homeless, making this program even more important.

“I’m pretty horrified by some of the criticism I’ve seen. They believe anybody who has ever been on the street has mental and addiction issues,” Katz said.

Dufty echoed Katz’s attitude, “In order to be effective in responding to homelessness, you can’t ignore the humanity of people. Ultimately this program is about giving dogs and people a second chance, and I don’t see how you can argue against that.”

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

California Couple Pleads Not Guilty on Charges They Shot and Killed Daughter's Pimp

Brand X Pictures/Thinkstock(SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.) -- A San Francisco couple accused of murdering the man they say pimped their teenage daughter could face the death penalty if they're found guilty.

Barry Gilton, 38, and Lupe Mercado, 37, pleaded not guilty Friday, as friends and family members packed the courtroom to support them. Because the couple allegedly planned what District Attorney George Gascon called a "vigilante murder," they are eligible for the death penalty, according to KGO-TV, ABC's San Francisco station.

Gilton's and Mercado's defense lawyer said he thinks prosecutors are making a "big mistake."

"This case is getting more ridiculous by the day if they go after our clients with the death penalty," Tony Tamburello, the defense attorney, told KGO-TV.

The parents allegedly shot and killed Calvin Sneed, 22, close to their Bayview home on June 4. They had also allegedly followed him to North Hollywood just days before, and shot at his car but failed to fatally wound him.

The couple had tried to get their daughter to come home, without success, and sought help from San Francisco police as well, filing a missing persons and abuse report, Eric Safire, Gilton's attorney, said.

The DA acknowledged that Gilton and Mercado were also victims, because they were trying to get their 17-year-old-daughter back, but "murder is murder."

"Basically, what we have is we have the parents who become the judge, the jury and executioners," Gascon told KGO-TV.

"The death penalty is not a tool that I am in favor of," Gascon said. "But, again, in order for us to seek other remedies, we have to use special circumstances that were appropriate in this case."

Sneed's father admitted that his son was a pimp, but said he felt his murder was undeserved.

Defense attorneys said Sneed had other enemies who wanted him dead.

The couple's daughter and her siblings are safe and staying with family members, according to KGO-TV.

Gilton, a San Francisco public transit driver who is on disability, and Mercado were both ordered held on $2 million bail. They are scheduled back in court Monday.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Warm Weather Brings Swarm of Bees Early

iStockphoto/Thinkstock(SAN FRANCISCO) -- An unusually high number of bees have been swarming neighborhoods near San Francisco, and experts say the abnormal weather is to blame.

“They’re feeling the joy of spring like we all do,” Mike Stephanos, vice president of community education for the Mt. Diablo Beekeepers Association, told ABC News. “That’s just their natural instinct. They can’t fly when it’s raining, and they don’t like flying when it’s really, really cold.”

Spring came early this year in Concord, like much of the United States, causing the bees to come out of the hives for the longer and warmer days.

In Concord, 30 miles east of San Francisco, thousands of bees swarmed a car until a young boy in a beekeeper suit gathered them. Just last weekend in another part of town, a local beekeeper pulled a whole hive out of a barbeque grill.

Concord resident Shelley Keho told ABC affiliate KGO, "I’m giving them their space, absolutely. I had three of them fly right into my face yesterday at the back of my car, so I said that’s O.K. I got your message.”

Experts say while the early swarming is from the arrival of warm weather, the size of the swarms were mostly caused by the on-and-off-again rain. During the cold months, the queen bee and the colony gather in the hive to lay eggs to expand the population. When warm weather arrives, the queen bee’s natural instinct is to leave with half of the colony to find a new home.

“Sometimes they get so crowded in the hive -- it’s called honey-bound. There’s not enough room for them to grow,” Stephanos told ABC News.

However, the turbulent weather has made the colonies return to their hives more frequently before finding a new home, and as a result, the swarms have grown in size.

“Right after the rain there’s an explosion of swarms because that’s their opportunity,” said Stephanos. “Sometimes they land on cars or any temporary location and send out scout bees for new locations. If there’s a hole that’s comfortable for them to grow, they’ll go in there. You name it.”

Even with the slight increase, Stephanos says there’s no need to worry.

“If you don’t bother them, they don’t bother you.”

Yet, some residents still say 40,000 bees in one swarm is enough to keep them on edge.

“I was painting on the side of a building, and I noticed a lot of bees around the building as I was painting. I don’t like bees. I don’t like anything that can fly and attack me at the same time,” Concord painter Mike Tomasik told ABC affiliate KGO.

Experts say if there’s an unwanted swarm, residents should call a local volunteer, which can be found on the Mt. Diablo Beekeepers Association’s website.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Yacht Race Accident in California Leaves 1 Dead, 4 Missing

Hemera/Thinkstock(SAN FRANCISCO) -- One sailor is dead and four others are missing after a yacht accident during a race off the coast of San Francisco Saturday, according to the Coast Guard.

Eight people were aboard the 38-foot Low Speed Chase, competing in the 2012 Full Crew Farallones Race, when a large wave knocked four of them into the water.

The sailors still on board turned the boat around in an attempt to rescue them, and struck rocks.

Coast Guard Petty Officer Levi Read said three people were rescued, along with the body of a fourth.

“Three people were rescued, two by a Coast Guard helicopter, one by the Air National Guard and the Air National Guard recovered the deceased body,” said Read.

Two Coast Guard Vessels remain on the scene, still searching for those who are missing.

“It is critical to find them as soon as possible due to the weather and the temperature of the water,” said Read.

“Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of the people involved. We want them to know that we are doing everything we can as fast as we can,” Read added.

Read says officials are hopeful those missing will be found alive.

“The Coast Guard always remains optimistic to search for survivors,” Read said.

The Yacht Racing Association of San Francisco Bay expressed its sympathies to the family and friends of the dead crew member.

“We offer our thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of the missing crew in hopes they are returned home safely,” read a statement on the association’s website.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio