>> and i'm kristen sze. thanks for joining us. a family from charlotte, north carolina is visiting the bay area to spread their loved one's ashes. yesterday while visiting fisherman's wharf, someone broke into their rental car and took them. abc 7 news reporter melanie woodrow is live ourt side the parking garage where this happened. melanie, today would have been the loved one's birthday. >> reporter: yeah, absolutely, kristen and dan. this would have been joe wilkinson's 57th birthday. car break ins here on fisherman's wharf are nothin new. it seems this family attempted to do everything right, including not leaving anything in plain view in this rental vehicle. tonight they are hopeful that san francisco police can help them recover their loved one's remains. mary wilkinson and her daughter julia came to fisherman's wharf to honor joe wilkinson's life and love of crab before spreading his ashes. but in the few hours they had here before their room was ready, someone broke into their

rental car trunk stealing a suitcase, mary's wallet and joe's remains. >> and now i feel like i wasn't even responsible to keep him safe. just knowing that they took my dad, they probably don't know what it is. it has no value to them. they just throw it in the trash. he deserves more. >> reporter: the wilkinsons say they called san francisco police. they were told to fill out an online report even after they explained what was stolen. >> that's serious. that's something that is priceless. >> reporter: so, the family contacted reporters hopeful someone would see their story and possibly recognize the case. car break ins around fisherman's wharf are nothing new. filling out an online report is standard protocol. but san francisco police say in special circumstances like this one, they will investigate further.

after we called police, officers met the wilkinsons at the garage today. s.f.p.d. says anyone who feels they need more of a response from police after a car break-in can go to any police station and ask to speak with officers directly to explain. it's something the wilkinsons didn't know before today. >> they've taken every bit of information, you know. unfortunately a day late. >> reporter: hopeful others will learn from their story and that they'll have the chance to spread joe's ashes before they return home in a few days. in san francisco, melanie woodrow, abc 7 news. >> and it's worth noting that just this week san francisco supervisors introduced legislation requiring rental car companies to hide advertising and bar codes, anything that draws attention to vehicles. nearly 25,000 auto burglaries in san francisco in 2015. that's about 70 a day. >> it's just a staggering problem. and we're about to show you an example of just how bold car burglars can be in this

right around the corner from our abc 7 studios on vallejo and front street, police say they broke into a tourist's rental van and stole their suitcase. they captured an under cover police officer chasing one of them. officers arrested both men after a short chase. the officers happened to be working under cover stopping car break ins around this area. the tourists are grateful to get their stuff back. >> >> thank you to the police. >> yeah. >> the family was on their way out of the bay area today to continue their california trip. so, police got there just in time and they have all of their belongings. an early morning fire at a homeless encampment in oakland illustrates the dangers of that city's growing number of tent cities. maybe you've seen them. like san francisco, oakland has several large encampments like this. this one is at east 12th street

and 23rd avenue under a bridge. and that's where abc 7 news reporter laura anthony is live with the story tonight. laura? >> reporter: hi, dan. well, for those who lived in the tents or the rubble as we have it now behind us, this is everything they had. we've seen some of these folks actually going through the rubble trying to find anything salvageable. in the meantime this city faced with more and more of these encampments is trying to figure out how to make them at least a little safer. >> everything. >> reporter: as oakland's james moore told us, it's hard enough living like this. but even worse to have it all go up in flames like it did this morning on east 12th street. when a fast-moving fire killed a dog and destroyed five tents. >> it burned our clothes, everything. as it is, this is the best environment to have to begin with, but it's what we have. >> reporter: fire officials believe it started with someone cooking just outside a tent and spread quickly.

>> we can't just shut down an encampment and expect everyone to disappear. >> reporter: he heads up oakland's official effort to deal with the homeless population. many live in tent cities just like this one. >> we're looking at garbage issues, sanitation, potable water, things like that, as we also realize the ultimate solution to the homeless problem is housing. >> reporter: oakland is experimenting with sanctioned camps like this one on magnolia. here the city has provided k rail port a potties and bar gaj service. some residents say it's not enough. >> i think the mayor needs to do more. you feel what i'm saying? it's a lot of warehouses that's abandoned, there's a lot of houses that's abandoned. they can put them up. >> reporter: city officials are hoping to set up a more permanent sanctioned encampment in west oakland within the next six weeks. in oakland, laura anthony, abc 7 news. >> b.a.r.t. says it will not be cutting back its early morning

service to close an $18 million budget shortfall. but the agency may impose a 50 cent surcharge on paper tickets. that's because b.a.r.t. really wants all riders to get a clipper card. another consideration is to make kids under age 12 pay a little more. b.a.r.t.'s budget deficit was bigger, but the passage of the governor's tax tax cut it nearly in half. a mechanical issue in oakland has been fixed. the main entrance to the rock ridge station was closed for some 18 hours due to an electrical issue that prevented the security gate or grill from being used. riders were forced to use the entrance across busy college avenue. >> there is no danger to passengers. it's just a malfunctioning grill. some folks were having to go across the street and there was concern about jay walking, but our employees were telling folks, you know, obey the law, be safe, cross at the designated crossing areas. >> b.a.r.t. says the contractor who installed the gorilla riechld first thing this morning and got it fixed.

so, both entrances are now open. >> our weather is causing more problems. the cross that topped saint joseph's brazil ka in alameda is now gone. you can see the image opt right. the image on the left shows what it looked like originally. saint joe's as most people know it is on chestnut not far from grand street. that's where abc 7 reporter eric thomas is with more. >> reporter: you can see it from another viewpoint. you can see it's missing on top of the dome. that's where the cross sat for the past 90 years. but it became unstable, and during the storms we had with the high winds, they took it down to be safe rather than sorry. for the time being, the rugged old cross sits just inside the doors of saint joseph's brazil ka its normal place a phoenix open the dome currently empty. >> it with stood l elements the last 930 years so pretty good. >> reporter: two weeks ago it

became clear the cross was beginning to tilt and began to sway from side to side in the wind. >> we weren't allowed to go around it because they thought it might fall on us. >> reporter: saint joseph's is also home to a middle school with total enrollment of 700 students. that's why it became imperative to take it down. trevor went up 100 feet on a lift to take down the cross and he shot this cell phone video. >> i was the one that just put the straps on and at that time it seemed to have released itself and came right out. >> reporter: a closer insperks found dry rot at the base of the cross. that's the bad news. the good news, the very moment the cross came loose, church bells began to ring. father george captured it on his cell phone. >> i took it as a sign from god that god is with us, god is protecting us. >> reporter: so for now the cross is out of the elements and

sits where parishioners can see it as they file in. they are still deciding whether it can be repaired and put back or will need to be replaced. >> i want it to be back up there so it looks like a normal church. >> reporter: in alameda, eric thomas, abc 7 news. >> as many as ten teenage boys and girls robbed a woman in san francisco last night. she was on the bus at fill more and mcallister. that's the intersection you see here behind me. when one of them started to grab her stuff. the tussle continued as the two got off. that's when the other teenagers showed up. one of them punched the woman. the group took her phone, wallet and also bag of clothes. she's okay. no one has yet been arrested. >> milpitas police are asking for help identifying a man suspected of stealing a jerry rice ought grafred football at a charity event. police say video appears to capture him. take a look. stealing that ball during a fund-raiser benefiting special needs children at an orphan in china. organizers say the winning bid for the football was $3,500.

they posted pictures of the man on our website, abc 7 news.com as well as the way to contact police if you do recognize him. >> well, flying high, the san jose airport is turning into a big engine of an economic development. >> looming, building boom, bay area home buyers are going in search of a price tag. >> also ahead the bay area company headed today world's most prestigious film festival. >> from newspapers to dogs and books, ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ to take advantage of this offer on a volvo s90, visit your local dealer.

well, goodth news for travelers in the south bay. part of mineta san jose international airport has expanded to accommodate the growth the airport is experiencing these days. abc 7 news reporter jeannine de la vega is live from san jose to explain more about it. jeannine? >> reporter: dan, we are told that the airport experienced 48

straight months of increased traffic. that's a sign of the economic health here in the silicon valley. it's a welcome addition to mineta san jose international airport. more space. this lobby in the international terminal didn't exist before. the waiting area for passeners was outside. the baggage claim area here is also bigger. now that they've added another care sell. >> it is great. i love it. >> reporter: the airport has experienced a surge in growth and administrators said the $8.2 million expansion project was needed to keep up with the demand from travelers. two years ago there were just three international carriers that flew out of san jose. >> we are now up to eight carriers with international routes and we're adding another 9th carrier july 1st which will be air mexico. >> uber all the time, uber over here and don't have to go anywhere. it will be easier just to be closer to home instead of having to go to san francisco. >> reporter: popular international flights go to london and beijing, but city officials say they are constantly working on attracting

more business. >> i just got back from shing du. i went to three conferences in china to bring in flights. >> reporter: council man is the chairman of the economic development commission for the city. he says all the increased traffic shows san jose is being recognized internationally as a destination. he says hotels are full and convention centers booked on a regular basis. it's all resulting in new revenue for the city and businesses here. in san jose, jeannine de la vega, abc 7 news. >> as the economy grows people are moving here and looking to buy a home. but because of bay area home prices, some are now looking in the central valley city of loss banos about an hour and a half drive east of san jose. more than 300 resiential permits were issued in los banos last year. one developer has 5,000 more homes built within the next decade. >> most of the homes being bought are people from hollister, morgan hill, san jose

and silicon valley. home prices just across the hill in hollister about $200,000 or more for the same home. >> los banos schools are seeing a lot of new students because of the building boom. the district is working on expansion plans. >> interior secretary met with governor brown today in sacramento. he says it was a great conversation and the para greed to work together across the board. the 55-year-old did find some time to get to know brown's famous dog kalusa. after the meeting zinke tweeted a photo of him and mcclintock on a trip to yosemite park. they are in charge of all national parks. >> the safety of homes, the older we get, there is a higher risk of falling down. >> sure, and there are easy ways to prevent problems. abc 7 michael finney is here with that story. >> every year one in four older adults fall at about 20% of those that fall are seriously

injured. the consumer reports have some simple fixes to help keep you from tripping up. as a former p.e. teacher howy knows the importance of staying in shape. but at 72, he also knows the realities of aging and has already made changes in some habits to prevent a fall at home. >> rather than picking up the laundry basket two hands and walking down without holding on, i take the laundry basket and i walk holding on backwards and pull it down the stairs one step at a time. >> reporter: his concerns about falling are real. the cdc says falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries among older adults. but experts at consumer reports say many falls are preventable by making a few easy changes around your house. >> start by arranging the furniture so it's not blocking any of the pathways you typically use to walk through your home. >> reporter: look at the path

from your bed to the door of the bedroom. if there is something in the way move it. find a place for things like pet bowls and electric cords along the walls. and get piles of papers off the ground. >> looking around and moving anything somebody might trip over. >> reporter: bet rid of throw rugs which can skid or keep them in place with carpet tacks or double-sided carpet tape. wall to wall carpeting is really your safest bet. finally, in the bathroom, put a rubber matt or non-slip strips in the tub. install grab bars. as how ee weiss knows firsthand, a few changes can go a long way. consumer reports suggests placing a lamp within easy reach of your bed and putting night lights in the bathroom, hallways and kitchen and of course good lighting on stairs is particularly important. so, install light switches on both the top and bottom of the stairway. finally, keep a flashlight handy in case of a power outage.

that that's always a good idea. >> good tips. >> thanks, michael, very much. >> tonight the oakland library has announced the winners of its library card design contest. >> they had the competition for all age groups. this is the children's winner, designed by sophia. >> take a look at this impressive design by hannah, the winner in the teenage group. and this raven is the adult winner. >> isn't that great? if you want to swap your card for any of these ones, visit your local oakland library branch. >> announcer: now your accuweather forecast with sands i can't patel. >> if you're visiting the library, you can put the um umbrellas away. the rain is gone. it is the wet est year on record. we go back to 1982, '83 when 89.5 inches fell. this year 89.7 inches. one for the record books. if you thought it has been snowing just indefinitely, you're not imagining things. it is still snowing right now in the sierra nevada. chain controls on all roads

leading up to tahoe and winter weather advisory is in effect right now until 8:00 p.m. moderate to heavy snow will continue. expecting 3 to 8 inches additional inches above 4,000 feet. do expect travel delays at least through this evening. right now live doppler 7 showing you a real quiet picture. we were did have isolated showers in the south bay this afternoon but they're gone as well. rainfall totals, take a look for yourself. almost an inch and a half in the santa cruz mountains. santa rosa almost 6/10 of an inch of rain. this is in the last 24 hours. it is gusty out there so definitely sweater weather out there. northwesterly wind. 33 in novato right now. a lovely look from our lake tahoe camera where they are actually seeing the powder on the ground. some resorts reporting over a foot of snow so far and still counting. mid to upper 50s for san francisco to oakland, san jose 61 degrees. here's a live look from our east bay hills camera. you do see some blue sky through

the skies. if you are stepping out definitely bundle up. one picture from mount tamme camera, blue skies mixing in with the clouds. you'll be seeing more of this over the next couple of days. evening planner looks like the sun goes down at 7 t 7 t 7 t 7 t temperatures will drop in the latter part of the meeting. it will be a bright night. sunny and milder the next two days and rain does return on easter. i'll show you the time line in a moment. tomorrow morning when you get going, the coldest spots will be down into the upper 30tion. wind sheltered valleys possibly down to mid 30s so definitely cold enough to war you need that jacket or that sweater. tomorrow afternoon it's sunny, it's milder upper 50s to the mid 60s and then the storm impact scale comes back into play on sunday. a 1, we have a light system with light rain by noontime. rainfall less than half an inch for most of you and the winds won't be that much of an issue. 20 miles an hour at best. sunlight service time 6:00 a.m., you're looking at just clouds if

you are heading to east ray hunts in the morning. most will be okay. rain in the north bay starts to spread by noontime. afternoon egg hunts can't say the same about. you will need rain gear through the evening hours and then the system winds down. here is your hour by hour planner for easter sunday. sunrise is at 6:34. it is going to be cloudy. mid 40s to the low 50s. light rain 1 on our impact storm at noon. it is a rainy afternoon but won't be a big storm. diminishing showers by the evening hours. you have yourself a break, well deserved one. mid 50s to mid 60s with a bright skies tomorrow. warmer afternoon saturday, 70s showing up, feeling like spring. just as you get used to the idea, easter rain coming in. one on the storm i78 pact scale for sunday. another sims tem monday into tuesday, also a 1. slight chance lingering through wednesday before we dried out on thursday. download the abc 7 news app comes in handy every time. >> especially with the showers. >> and the time line keeps changing.

if you were planning for easter, got to have it. >> thanks, sandhya. >> south bay 7 is over cupertino where they are battling a house fire. you can see at least one home has major damage. >> fire fighters say conditions are very windy. you can tell just by the smoke and also the leaves being blown around there. no word of any injuries. that is the good news. but this is on vista avenue and gar dean a avenue. >> now flora vista avenue is closed between gar dean a and greenleaf drive so people are being asked to avoid that area. >> all right. you can call it another overbooking at united. this time by one scorpion. >> that's next. then at 5:30 on world news with david muir. >> tonight the growing showdown with russia and putin. >> right now we're not getting along with russia at all. >> as new questions emerge about former trump campaign advisors possible russian ties. abc's world news tonight with david muir is america's most watched newscast.

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well, as you know it's been a tough week for united airlines. now a man says he was stung by a small scorpion that fell from the overhead bin on his flight. richard bell was flying from houston to calgary on sunday when the venomous little creature landed on his head as he was eating lunch. he said he grabbed it and it stung him. >> it hit my nail more than my skin i think. maybe my thumbnail saved me a little bit. >> it's not clear where that scorpion came from. another passenger stomped on it and it was thrown away. he declined medical treatment when the plane landed. >> honda is expanding beyond vehicles. it will now be known as honda innovations. one of the things honda innovations will do is facilitate discussions to integrate self-driving technology in honda vehicles. the new company will remain

headquartered in mountain view. >> well, for the first time two netflix original films will be included at this year's cann film festival. they are okja from south korean director and the stories starring adam sand letter. the los gatos company has to follow the festival's rules which say it cannot release the films online in france until three years after they have been shown in theaters. >> dalmatian is going up for what everyone is hoping for another deep run in nba playoffs. oakland, san francisco and san jose declared tomorrow blue and gold day in honor of the warriors fight straight appearance or straight appearance the fifth one, that is, in the nba playoffs. >> as the playoffs begin on sunday, i want to encourage all the fans to bring the energy, bring the passion, and help us win. >> and you can catch that game sunday right here on abc 7. if you don't have tickets, no worries, the abc 7 is the only place to watch portland take on

the dubs in game one of their playoffs series. and tip off at oracle arena is 12:30. >> fun times. stay with us. searching beyond earth. >> we just got closer

>> students walk out in protest over rising racial tensions on campus. we will not tolerate racism. >> are the schools handling this the best they can? it's still bad. >> tracking down answers. >> we expect transparency and integrity in our election process. >> telling your stories. >> that one right there. >> abc 7 is right where you've always been. the team you trust, built on the truth. abc 7, news where you live. >> coming up on abc 7 news at 6:00, the bay area county is ready to take a stand against the president's crackdown on sanctuary policies. the evidence local officials say proves the policy makes cities

safer. also, it's the day these people have waited for. work that could potentially save lives at the golden gate bridge. 7 on your size, a flap that left schools empty-handed for months. finally gets resolved. that is all coming up in half an hour on abc 7 news at 6:00. kristen, dan? >> thanks. >> finally the search for alien life outside of our planet is focused on a small moon orbiting saturn. >> that's right. intriguing new findings found by nasa's spacecraft suggests the icy moon may harbor mike robes or some other form of life. the spacecraft sampled water of subsurface water. >> the moon's sea floor has hot fluid vents similar vents on planet earth, of course, are known to team with life. so, even though so far out there, away from the sun, some intriguing possibility.

>> i'm dan ashley. tonight, breaking news. reaction, after the u.s. drops a massive bomb. the largest conventional bomb ever used by the u.s. in combat, dropped in afghanistan. tonight, the pentagon says it was targeting isis. what president trump said late today, it comes just one week after the missile strike in syria. also tonight, fighting back. the passenger dragged from the united flight. for the first time, we hear from his family. they say he suffered a concussion, lost teeth, and a broken nose. their next move. the officer fired tonight. authorities say he attacked a man lying on the ground, who was already handcuffed. the police chief says, the video speaks for itself. the major american city, on the hunt tonight for this wrong-way driver, asking for your help. she escaped police. their crackdown to protect other drivers.