robert handa talked with contest surfers who voted today that the waves at half-moon bay just aren't worthy. >> reporter: it almost happened, the jay at maverick big wave invitational. everyone with it's new name as famous with the contest that isn't held until the surf is big enough for the world's top 22 surfers. then those competitors have 45 hours to get their boards to half-moon bay. although many observers said they thought conditions were correct, surfers did not agree. >> are there going to be waves all day long. he might have just been lucky and caught the two waves in the heat. >> reporter: many surf fans say they've been watching the swells too. even though some told us they might hope the contest might be on. they understand why it's not. >> whether or not it happens saturday, i mean it'll happen when it's meant to happen. but i think it's great that the surfers have the call. >> i think the surfers should make the call. they are the ones out there. their the ones that know what they're doing right. >> reporter: surfers say last year's huge wave made it more important to

but let's start with robert handa and how people are dealing with this cold. >> reporter: we're at thece rink in san jose, many people here enjoy or tolerate cold weather but that attitude changes when the chill cuts into their every day lives. temperatures in the 30s and 40s are nice if you like ice. the bocin family says today's temperatures helped keep the ice rink solid and cold. >> we've had to put water on our cars in the morning to start, to get the kids to school. bundle up getting our scarves and hats and warm boots. >> reporter: the most common complain is how frost damages yards and gardens. mat lipo addressed what he calls the most common mistakes such as pruning frozen parts of a plant. >> you need to leave that damaged material on there as an insuelator in case you get further frost. >> reporter: lepo says covering the plants is important. >> if worse comes to worse and you can't get out there and do any of that. you want to go out and ice off the plants. the moisture will actually freeze and create an ice blanket on the leaves. >> reporter: ice can help plants but not ro

you can be a complaint without being involved in the incident. >> reporter: live in san jose, robert handa, ktvu channel 2 news. >>> a man hunt is under way in san francisco for a man suspected in the deadly shooting earlier this week. jonathan walker also known as john john. he has an arrest history in solano county. anyone with information on walker's where abouts is asked to call san francisco police or the anonymous tip line. >>> 82-year-old lowell noble died january 7th, the medical examiner found the pneumonia that caused his death was brought by a swallowing problem from a beating he suffered. >>> and members of the united food commercial handed out flyers that said thank you for shopping at safeway. the demonstrators challenged wal-mart to provide fresh nutritious food once it begins selling groceries in some of the bay area stores. >>> some of the familys in oakland have a hard time making ends meet. and getting welfare sometimes falls by the waist side. rob roth is telling us about a plan that looks to help. >> reporter: this school has a health clinic right on campus. you can se

live in san jose, robert handa, ktvu channel 2 news. >>> also in san jose, police now say the man they shot earlier this week near a grow house robbery was wanted for other crimes. police have arrested two men for tuesday night's robbery on locuest street. officers say they mistook anthony silva as a robbery suspect and shot him in the leg. the driver of the car was also arrested. >>> the alameda county sheriff's department confirms that one of it's off duty deputies died in a car accident early thursday morning. marco ortiz was driving home from san leandro to brentwood when he lost control of his vehicle. the cause of the crash is still under investigation. ortiz was a 10 year veteran of the sheriff's department. he's survived by his wife that is pregnant with the couples first child. >>> it's become as much a part of new year's eve as champane. those dui check points that are out to catch people who shouldn't be behind the wheel. >>> gasia, this is one of the prime times for officers. >> they are not out there dealing with every detail that comes along. they are able to focus on dui

robert handa is live with the dramatic story of how the boy's father saved his life. robert. >> frank, the pit bulls are being held here at the tri cities shelter. the father says that his boy is lucky to be alive, but actually the boy is lucky to have a father brave enough to rescue him. the boy is recovering from his injuries. miguel's father etin caranovin showed us how the attack took place. using a planter, his son climbed a fence to recover a ball. >> i could hear the way he was screaming. daddy, daddy. i said where are you add. he said daddy, dogs are eating me. and i could see one had his head in his mouth. the two are shaking him. >> reporter: he kept hitting the dogs with his fist. then he picked up a wooden plank. >> after i hit him with that, the dog was standing there shaking his head for a few seconds. so i was like, finally something that works. so i started just going nuts with the piece of wood until i got him free. >> reporter: the dog's owners points out that the dogs were in his backyard and points out that he wants to get the dogs back. and etin sa

robert handa, ktvu channel two news. >>> san jose says a drive by shooting took the life of a 20- year-old man. it happened last night in a strip mall parking lot near hopkins way. his identity at this point has not been released. witnesses saw a vehicle leaving the area but so far there is no word on whether there have been any arrests in the case. san jose police say the shooting appears to be gang related. >>> in san francisco, police say they have the gunman who opened fire in broad daylight in a busy city street today. it happened around 9:40 this morning at the intersection of 16 and fulsome. investigators said two men got off a car and then got into a confrontation with another man. one man was hit. with the help of officers police found the two men and arrested a 16-year-old from hayward for the shooting. >>> by this time tomorrow, there could be a vote on repealing the health care reform law. today debate got under way with both sides digging in their heels. >> it's the battle over health care round two. now in the majority house republicans began their push today to overturn the

robert handa is telling us how this will work and how fans are feeling about this. >> reporter: we'ree to a venue that will beshowing the competition live. but will fans come to theater and stay away from the beach? the view of mavericks shows why surfers are still waiting for the contest. when the waves get big enough. competitors will have hours to arrive. but now at spectators will not be allowed on the beach some fans are upset. >> i don't agree with it. i'm going to show up. i know a lot of people are going to show up no matter what. >> reporter: the city has set up several venues to show the competition live. including the fox theater in redwood city. the fox owners acknowledge the challenge of setting up in a 48 hour notice but says that the theater has an advantage to the beach. >> we have a extra large viewing screen for people, we're going to have coffee, tea and drinks for people. >> a lot warmer here, then. >> definitely a lot warmer. >> reporter: coastal agencies can restrict access because of possible hazard such as last year's rogue waves. >> we want to protect the spec

robert handa is live to explain. >> reporter: we're at a homeless shelter where many homeless have come this evening to try to escape the cold and rain. but some families, some with children could literally be left outside in the cold. near by the homeless kindell family, mike, karen and their grandson must find their own protection because most shelters can't find children. this last week they stayed in door ways and abandoned buildings. >> the lord has been blessing us where it's nice that we don't have to worry about the weather. >> now that the rain is coming what are you going to do? >> now that the rain is coming, i'm worried. >> reporter: agencies can't afford the insurance to protect children. >> as soon as they see me and my wife it's fine, but once they find out they see we have a 3-year-old, they say, we really can't take you. >> in emergency situations we take families in for one night, two nights at a time till we can figure out the right placement for them. >> reporter: wet weather presents problems. mike makes minimum wage as a mover and is trying to save for subsidized h

at nasa ames, robert handa, ktvu channel 2 news. >>> nancy pelosi was in san francisco checking on aroject funded by $54 million from the stimulus act. she said it is all about the future. >> creating jobs, growing our economy, reducing our deficit and taking us to a better place. >> the project in question is the conversion of the tenderloin ymca at golden gate avenue into housing for the chronically homeless. it will have 170 units and services for the homeless. >>> state investigator and the secret service are trying to figure out how thieves are stealing from debit cards in the homeless service. six families lost their balance this month. sonoma county human services workers noticed the problem when families called saying their accounts were empty. >> we started noticing a pattern. >> reporter: it left some families without benefits for the month. the benefits have been reinstated. the state department of social services is taking steps to address the problem. >>> working in state hospitals for the mentally ill is one of the most dangerous jobs in the state. workers want a collea

at nasa ames, robert handa, ktvu channel 2 news. >>> nancy pelosi was in san francisco checking on aoject funded by $54 million from the stimulus act. she said it is all about the future. >> creating jobs, growing our economy, reducing our deficit and taking us to a better place. >> the project in question is the conversion of the tenderloin ymca at golden gate avenue into housing for the chronically homeless. it will have 170 units and services for the homeless. >>> state investigator and the secret service are trying to figure out how thieves are stealing from debit cards in the homeless service. six families lost their balance this month. sonoma county human services workers noticed the problem when families called saying their accounts were empty. >> we started noticing a pattern. >> reporter: it left some families without benefits for the month. the benefits have been reinstated. the state department of social services is taking steps to address the problem. >>> working in state hospitals for the mentally ill is one of the most dangerous jobs in the state. workers want a colleag

live in belmont, robert handa. >> if you're interesting in watching the entire interview, you can go to our website ktvu.com and find the clicks in the video player on our home page. >> in just the last hour, the sonoma county sheriff's office has released the surveillance photo of an armed robbery suspect. investigators say this man came into the bank of the west around noon. when officers arrived he was gone with an undisclosed amount of cash. unnamed authorities tell the local newspaper that the customers and employees were found locked in the bank vault. no one was hurt. >>> police say they terrorized family after family. armed gunmen taking over homes and stealing what they could. tonight oakland police say they have arrested the people responsible but they still have questions about why the three suspects targeted certain people in oakland. christien kafton has been following the story. >> reporter: late this afternoon, i got this 132 count charges of two suspects that terrorized families. the suspects targeted neighborhoods like this one at 21st avenue and 25th street. neighbo

rob roth is live now with the -- robert handa is live now with the latest on the situation. >> reporter: we're going to show you some video, took place in the turbulent waters. the philly jay ran aground with its crew. >> it could have been worse. but thank god all three are safe. they were able to get off before it capsized. >> right now we're worried about the component, the diesel fuel. >> reporter: heavy machinery was used to remove sand, then a large tow rope was attached. after several tries, workers worked on trying to stabilize the boat. >> reporter: the most dangerous thing you hear is when we start moving the vessel, we don't want it to be fatigued from all it's banging on the water and maybe break in half. so we're going slowly and safely. >> reporter: after about half an hour, the boat was up righted with no apparent leaks in sight. >> if they can't get it out there, they have to destroy the boat in the water. that wouldn't be good at all. having it up right, they'll be able to get it out. >> reporter: everybody is happy as can be expected. >> it was a good ending, yes. >> r

robert handa is in mountain view with the lasting effect in california. >> reporter: today was a day to look back and travel forward. the sense of awe visitors experience at the exploration had a ting of sadness today as visitors recalled the explosion of the challenger. >> we did not expect accidents to happen. >>> and those on the ill faded 2003 shuttle columbia mission. one columbia astronaut shaula served at nasa aims. >> she challenged us to be our best as she always challenged herself to be the best. what we look back is at the risk some people took they did that on behalf of the nation and of mankind. >> reporter: the kids focus on different images. >> one of the rovers landing on mars. and how it uses solar energy to charge it and stuff. and i think it's pretty cool. >>> an oak ridge elementary school teacher says the program must work through disaster because exploration inspires young people. >> if we get these kids inspired, then they're going to be looking for ways to light a similar fire in the generations that come down the line. >>> officials say that's a big step for

today she says she's recovered enough to talk about her life or death decision with ktvu's robert handaobert is live now to tell us her story, robert. >> reporter: frank, while invest investigators try to determine what caused the fire, the mother to be who made the courageous leap is just happy to be alive. tonight her and her husband talk to me about her rescue. >> all i saw was the concrete parking lot. >> reporter: the fire roared through the building thursday morning. paul mesa and wife alyssa were trapped in their second story home. >> i could see the smoke coming into our building and i was really scared. >> reporter: paul looked for a way out and alicia went to the window to get r

robert handa, ktvu news. >>> the santa clara valley water district have placed new provisions.it comes from the underlying creek bed. that could make the dam vulnerable during an earthquake. >>> the owner of a residential hotel in oakland has been charged with conspiring it to have it burned down to get the money from the insurance. singer allegedly offered $65,000 for the job. he is currently being held without bail pending a hearing on thursday. >>> if you've ever heard to wait for weeks to see a doctor. new rules now in place put a limit on your wait. for example, a patient must see a doctor for urgent care within two weeks. an allergy specialist told ktvu that hmos need more doctors. >> i think the hmos are being unrealistic if they don't offer more doctors. >> eventually health care providers could be fined for not meeting the new provisions. >>> and i have fog right now in napa and in santa rosa. here's the big area of fog. the san joaquin valley, that fog is going to work it's way north ward tonight. it's not going to be that extensive. we're not going to see just that m

robert handa, ktvu news. >>> the santa clara valley water district have placed new provisions.it comes from the underlying creek bed. that could make the dam vulnerable during an earthquake. >>> the owner of a residential hotel in oakland has been charged with conspiring it to have it burned down to get the money from the insurance. singer allegedly offered $65,000 for the job. he is currently being held without bail pending a hearing on thursday. >>> if you've ever heard to wait for weeks to see a doctor. new rules now in place put a limit on your wait. for example, a patient must see a doctor for urgent care within two weeks. an allergy specialist told ktvu that hmos need more doctors. >> i think the hmos are being unrealistic if they don't offer more doctors. >> eventually health care providers could be fined for not meeting the new provisions. >>> and i have fog right now in napa and in santa rosa. here's the big area of fog. the san joaquin valley, that fog is going to work it's way north ward tonight. it's not going to be that extensive. we're not going to see just that m

in san jose, robert handa. >>> the federal aviation administration reported dozens of laser strikes. there were 80 at san jose airport tieing it for the third most in the country. oakland airport had 55 laser strikes. and san francisco airport reported 39. it's a violation of federal law to shine a laser at a plane. some cities and states have their own laws. >>> employees at napa state hospital are demanding money secure working conditions. >> what do we need? >> reporter: about 300 workers master bedroomed workers marched in front of the psychiatric hospital tonight. workers say there have been more attacks and that the state hasn't tackled the most pressing security needs. >> there's only cosmetic changes. nothing has happened that's drastically will affect the safety for this place. >> reporter: some of the workers we spoke to today want the most violent patients sent back to prison. the department of mental health which operates the hospital says it is working on the problem. >>> a new kind of blood bank in san francisco received it's first donation today of cord blood. a couple

in san jose, robert handa. >>> the federal aviation administration reported dozens of laser strikes.there were 80 at san jose airport tieing it for the third most in the country. oakland airport had 55 laser strikes. and san francisco airport reported 39. it's a violation of federal law to shine a laser at a plane. some cities and states have their own laws. >>> employees at napa state hospital are demanding money secure working conditions. >> what do we need? >> reporter: about 300 workers master bedroomed workers marched in front of the psychiatric hospital tonight. workers say there have been more attacks and that the state hasn't tackled the most pressing security needs. >> there's only cosmetic changes. nothing has happened that's drastically will affect the safety for this place. >> reporter: some of the workers we spoke to today want the most violent patients sent back to prison. the department of mental health which operates the hospital says it is working on the problem. >>> a new kind of blood bank in san francisco received it's first donation today of cord blood. a couple

robert handa has our report. >> reporter: the drama began early this morning, as you can see from newschopper 2, it took place near south beach. the crew members got off the boat safely much to the relief of the owner and friends. >> it could have been worse. but thank god all three are safe. and the crew got out. >> at this point we're concerned about the environment component. the diesel that's left inside the fuel tanks on the vessel itself. >> reporter: the coast guard said about 2,000-gallons of fuel needed to be pumped out. the first step was heavy machinery used to remove sand from around the boat. then a large tow boat was attached to try to get the boat up right. >> when we start moving the vessel we don't want it to be be fatigued from all it's banging in the water and maybe break in half. so we're going slowly and safely. >> reporter: after about half an hour, the boat was up righted with no apparent leaks in sight. >> if they couldn't get it out. they would have to destroy the boat out in the beach. that wouldn't have been good at all. having it up right with the tide comin

robert handa is live at the usgs now in minlow park. bert. >> reporter: we know you've been giving a lot of information about this earthquake. we're going to give you the latest up to date information as well as confirm the statistics given out. joining me is tom broker, he is the head of the usgs earthquake science center: tom thanks for joining us in such short notice. did you feel the earthquake and what did it feel like to you? >> i did feel it. it's been the strongest earthquake that i've felt in this area since the latest earthquake which was three years ago. the day before halloween, it was a magnitude 5.0 and this was a 4.1. the last earthquake i was at home. >> how did this feel to you? >> this is one of those earthquakes where you would say, that's an earthquake and it kept going on which caught my attention. >> does that tell you about what kind of earthquake it is? >> not so much but it could tell you that it could potentially be a big earthquake. and it was a bigger earthquake far away. >> can use show us a little bit about

robert handa has our report. >> reporter: the drama began early this morning, as you can see from newschopper 2, it took place near south beach. the crew members got off the boat safely much to the relief of the owner and friends. >> it could have been worse. but thank god all three are safe. and the crew got out. >> at this point we're concerned about the environment component. the diesel that's left inside the fuel tanks on the vessel itself. >> reporter: the coast guard said about 2,000-gallons of fuel needed to be pumped out. the first step was heavy machinery used to remove sand from around the boat. then a large tow boat was attached to try to get the boat up right. >> when we start moving the vessel we don't want it to be be fatigued from all it's banging in the water and maybe break in half. so we're going slowly and safely. >> reporter: after about half an hour, the boat was up righted with no apparent leaks in sight. >> if they couldn't get it out. they would have to destroy the boat out in the beach. that wouldn't have been good at all. having it up right with the tide comin