53 Rodents With Hantavirus Found in County in 2011

Hantavirus in San Diego County

Hantavirus was found in 53 rodents around San Diego County in 2011, including two deer mice discovered in Carlsbad last week, the county Department of Environmental Health reported Thursday.

The total was more than double the 21 mice and voles discovered with the potentially fatal disease in 2010, the DEH reported.

"This record-high number of positive rodents is most likely due to two years of ample rain," said DEH Director Jack Miller. "The rain increases vegetation which provides plenty of food and shelter for the rodents to breed and multiply."

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Son of Actor Ryan O'Neal Jailed

Actor Ryan O'Neal's oldest son, already facing possible prison time for a DUI crash near San Diego Safari Park, was arrested on New Year's Eve for allegedly battering his wife at their Ramona home, officials confirmed today.

Griffin Patrick O'Neal, 47, remains in custody—in lieu of $10,000 bail—at the San Diego Central Jail on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic violence.

Shortly after 4 p.m. Saturday, a family member made an emergency call to report a disturbance involving someone "drinking too much" at the O'Neal home in the 2400 block of Garnet Mine Trail, according to sheriff's spokeswoman Melissa Aquino.

"Upon further investigation and through witness statements, it was determined that Griffin O'Neal was being aggressive towards his spouse," Aquino said.

It was unclear if the one-time B-movie actor's latest arrest would delay or otherwise affect his sentencing -- set for next Thursday -- stemming from the head-on collision he was involved in last summer.

O'Neal pleaded guilty to DUI causing injury and being a felon in possession of a gun in connection with the Aug. 2 wreck.

USS Reagan to Depart

The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan is scheduled to depart Friday for a year-long overhaul in Bremerton, Wash.

"Maintaining the ship's material condition is an important part of ensuring that Ronald Reagan reaches its 50-year life cycle," said the carrier's commander, Capt. Thom Burke. "The next year will help us remain a fully-capable war-fighting vessel."

The ship, based in San Diego since 2004, has been deployed five times in the last six years.

It returned in September from its most recent cruise, in which its crew conducted relief efforts following Japan's devastating earthquake and tsunami. The sailors, Marines and airmen also supported operations in the Middle East.