LivingSocial Says Customer Accounts Hacked

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LivingSocial, the D.C.-based daily deals site, says more than 50 million customer accounts may have been compromised by a cyberattack.

Customers' names, email addresses, dates of birth and encrypted passwords stored on the company's servers may have been accessed, a company spokesman confirmed in an email to NBCWashington.

The first news of the hacking was reported by All Things Digital.

Credit card information was not accessed or affected, according to the company. Nor was merchants' financial or banking information.

LivingSocial suggests all customers change their passwords on their accounts. The company is in the process of emailing the customers who were affected to help them reset their passwords.

They are also working with law enforcement to investigate the breach.

"The security of our customer and merchant information is our priority," said LivingSocial CEO Tim O'Shaughnessy in the email to customers. "We always strive to ensure the security of our customer information, and we are redoubling efforts to prevent any issues in the future."

Here is the email that LivingSocial is sending to affected customers:

Subject: An important update on your LivingSocial.com account

LivingSocial recently experienced a cyber-attack on our computer systems that resulted in unauthorized access to some customer data from our servers. We are actively working with law enforcement to investigate this issue.

The information accessed includes names, email addresses, date of birth for some users, and encrypted passwords -- technically 'hashed' and 'salted' passwords. We never store passwords in plain text.

The database that stores customer credit card information was not affected or accessed.

Although your LivingSocial password would be difficult to decode, we want to take every precaution to ensure that your account is secure, so we are expiring your old password and requesting that you create a new one.

For your security, please create a new password for your <<email_address>> account by following the instructions below.
1. Visit LivingSocial.com
2. Click on the "Create a New Password" button (top right corner of the homepage)
3. Follow the steps to finish
We also encourage you, for your own personal data security, to consider changing password(s) on any other sites on which you use the same or similar password(s).

The security of your information is our priority. We always strive to ensure the security of our customer information, and we are redoubling efforts to prevent any issues in the future.

Please note that LivingSocial will never ask you directly for personal or account information in an email. We will always direct you to the LivingSocial website – and require you to login – before making any changes to your account. Please disregard any emails claiming to be from LivingSocial that request such information or direct you to a different website that asks for such information.

If you have additional questions about this process, the "Create a New Password" button on LivingSocial.com will direct you to a page that has instructions on creating a new password and answers to frequently asked questions.

We are sorry this incident occurred, and we look forward to continuing to introduce you to new and exciting things to do in your community.

Tim O'Shaughnessy
CEO, LivingSocial
 

 

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New Bridge to Ease Traffic, Spark Development

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A major part of the historic, 165-year-old Edwards Ranch in Fort Worth is about to change forever.

The changes have been in the works for decades but can finally happen after a major bridge project opened on Friday.

The Clearfork Main Street bridge connects Hulen Street and Bryant Irvin Road, making it a major arterial street in the heart of the city.

City officials cut the ribbon at a ceremony on Friday morning, and traffic was allowed over by early afternoon.

"It gives us another way to get between Bryant Irvin Road and Hulen, instead of just Vickery or I-30 right now, and you know what that's like," City Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem Zim Zimmerman .

The bridge is actually a twin set of spans that cross the Trinity River with a pedestrian bridge below.

"As you come across the Hulen bridge, this will be a major asset," Mayor Betsy Price said.

More importantly the bridge, coupled with the nearby Chisholm Trail Parkway, means development of the Clearfork section of Edwards Ranch can get started.

"This truly was the main piece that we needed to begin development, because it's really the first connection into the property," said Paxton Motheral, Cassco Development Co. vice president.

Cassco, owned by the Edwards family, plans on developing 270 acres of property, mostly south of the new toll road. The project will feature apartments, townhomes, retail and green space.

Infrastructure work on the project has been underway for the last seven years with help from the city but, in September, the first phase will begin. Construction on a 50-acre portion of the site should be completed by the end of 2014.

The project is one of many in the city's core, as development is just as important inside Loop 820 as it is outside.

"You never want a city to die from within. You never want all the development to be on the edges; you certainly want to keep your core city vibrant and strong," Price said.

"There's a lot of land yet to be developed inside the loop, and we're starting to try and focus on that before we really try to jump to the outskirts," Zimmerman said.

So while the bridge leads to very little right now, that won't always be the case.

"We want the city of Fort Worth to be proud of what's happening out here on the property," Motheral said.

The first residential phase will feature 398 units of townhomes, contemporary lofts and upscale apartments. The pedestrian bridge is set to open later this spring.

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Family Wants Charges in Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting

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The family of a man who was shot and killed by Dallas police officer is asking the department to take another look at the case.

Clinton Allen, 25, was killed March 10 during a disturbance call at an apartment complex in the 3300 block of Southern Oaks Boulevard.

"I am outraged that this policeman that has no respect for human life is back on the streets of Dallas with a gun again, and you should be outraged," said Allen's mother, Collette Flannagan.

She and the group Justice Seekers Texas say the police account of the shooting does not match up with the autopsy and toxicology reports.

They said that police initially said Allen was high on drugs. The toxicology report shows that the PCP and marijuana in his system was likely smoked two or three days before the shooting, Justice Seekers Texas said.

"Everybody was under the assumption that this was one of those cases where one of these young men were on drugs and they attacked a police officer but, from the information that we have and the witnesses, that is not true. That is a lie," said the Rev. Ronald Wright, director of Justice Seekers Texas.

Police said Allen was knocking on the door of a female resident and threatening her. He also sent her numerous text messages threatening to kick in her door, investigators said.

Officer Clark Staller responded after the woman, who knew Allen through mutual friends, called 911.

Police said Staller pulled his weapon and shouted at Allen to show his hands after he saw the man jump over a fence. Staller put his gun away and pulled out his stun gun when Allen complied, but Allen grabbed Staller collar, police said.

Staller shocked Allen twice during the ensuing scuffle, but the officer said it had no effect, police said. Staller said Allen began choking him and, in fear of his life, he pulled out his gun and fired, according to Dallas police.

The autopsy report shows that Allen was shot seven times four times in the chest, once in the abdomen, once in the arm and once in the back, his family said.

"Executed like a rabid animal. Who does that to another human being?" Flannagan said. "You can't even shoot an animal seven times and not go to jail."

His family said Allen was the father of twins younger than 2 years old.

Wright said Justice Seekers Texas has new witness affidavits from people who were in the area at the time of the shooting. He said he has forwarded the affidavits and the toxicology and autopsy reports to police department's internal investigations unit.

Wright said the group's next move would be to try to schedule a meeting with the district attorney in the hopes of getting the case in front of a grand jury.

"It was a grievous murder, and it's unfortunate this family has to go through this," he said.
Dallas police said the shooting is under investigation. When the investigation is concluded, the case will be forwarded to the district attorney's office for presentation to a grand jury.

Staller, who has been with the Dallas Police Department for nearly five years, has returned to his regular duties.

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Funeral Services Held for Dallas Firefighter Killed in West

Lindsay Wilcox, NBC 5 News

Dallas Fire-Rescue Capt. Kenneth Harris, the first of ten firefighters killed in the West fertilizer plant explosion, was laid to rest Wednesday.

Dallas Fire Capt. Kenneth Harris Laid...

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Harris Family Remembers His Legacy

Dallas Fire-Rescue Capt. Kenny Harris died in the West fertilizer plant explosion, his wife and three sons spoke to NBC about the legacy he leaves behind.

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A Dallas firefighter was laid to rest Wednesday in the first of 10 funerals for the firefighters that were killed in the West fertilizer plant explosion.

Capt. Kenneth Harris, who was known to most in West simply as "Luckey," was remembered as a man who loved God, his family, firefighting and fishing.

In a comment that drew a much-needed laugh from the congregation, his pastor revealed that Harris also liked the occasional Keystone Light.

The service was held at the biggest church in West, and the sanctuary was full, with many of the pews lined with fellow firefighters.

Harris graduated from the Dallas fire academy in 1982 and rose to the rank of captain during his 30 years serving the city.

He was off-duty in West on April 17 when he learned the fertilizer plant was on fire. He wasn't a member of the West fire department, but raced to help anyway.

"During the course of your career, you'll face a situation at some point where a determination will be made whether this job is just a paycheck or is it a passion," Dallas Fire Chief Louie Bright III said. "And on April 17th, Capt. Harris demonstrated passion not only for his profession, but for his community."

Preparations are also underway for Thursday's public memorial in Waco. Because President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are attending, security for the event is even tighter than it would have been.

The service starts at 2 p.m. at the Ferrell Center at Baylor University.

Police say attendees should arrive at noon and park at the Baylor football stadium. From there, buses will shuttle people to the service.

Attendees should also anticipate possible lines at the security checkpoint at the entrance to the Ferrell Center.

Baylor police said 300 fire apparatus and 1,000 firefighters will walking in a procession Thursday that starts at 11 a.m. at the corner of La Salle Avenue and University Parks Drive.

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Memorial Service to Honor Victims of West Explosion

Pool photo

Not Pictured -- Kevin Sanders, 33, a West EMS worker and Adolph Lander, 96, a resident of West Rest Haven nursing home who died within hours of the blast.

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A memorial service is planned Thursday in Waco to honor the first responders who died in last week's explosion in West.

President Obama will fly to Waco for the service after attending the dedication of the George W. Bush presidential library in Dallas.

Gov. Rick Perry, Sen. John Cornyn and other public officials also plan to be there.

It is set to start at 2 p.m. at the Ferrell Center at Baylor University, but officials urged people to arrive early because of the extraordinary security.

The event is organized by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and Texas Line of Duty Death Task Force.

Fifteen people died in the explosion. At least 10 of them were first responders.

It was the largest life of first responders in Texas in recent memory.

"Patience is a wonderful thing and we encourage a heavy dose of it," said Baylor University police chief Jim Doak. "But the program -- I've seen what they are going to do -- it will be well worth the wait. The firefighters who are putting this on have put a lot of thought into it, a lot of emotion. There are some real heavy hearts."

A number of fire departments from North Texas are participating in the service, including Irving, Lewisville, Coppell and Red Oak.

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Amputee Skateboarder Hopes to Inspire Others

Christine Lee, NBC 5 Irving Reporter

Jon Comer, a professional skateboarder who lost his leg as a child, inspires others to push the limits no matter what their disabilities.

Professional Skateboarder Inspires Others

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For the second year, RISE Adaptive Sports and the city of Irving are hosting an adaptive skate event for disabled children, adults and veterans.

Among the participants is Jon Comer, a professional skateboarder who lost his leg when he was four years old. Comer said his physical disability didn't keep him from pursuing his passion, and on Saturday he will be inspiring others to do the same. 

"I got hit by a car when I was four years old and then lost my foot when I was seven just due to complications from that," said Comer.

Since he was 10 years old, skateboarding became a passion and Comer never saw his amputation as a disability and has been a professional skateboarder since 1997. He's hoping to inspire the kids to push the limits no matter what their disabilities are. 

"I would destroy my prosthetics all the time," said Comer. "And I'd go in and I'd get fixed up so I can get back out there and skate some more."

Nonprofit Rise Adaptive Sports is working with the city of Irving for the second year to help raise awareness and inspiration. 

"We want people to realize that we have a diverse population, which includes people with physical and mental disabilities, and we ought to be providing services for them as well," said Joseph Moses, city of Irving recreation superintendent.

Chris Goad, executive director of Rise Adaptive Sports, hopes the event inspires those reaching for their dreams, like Comer. 

"Doing something like this really helps with self-esteem and confidence," said Goad. "And especially if we can get kids in the fold at an early age, it helps them with school, knowing that they can accomplish things despite disabilities."

The event begins at 10 a.m. at the Lively Pointe Skate Park on Saturday, April 27.

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14 Killed in West Blast; 1 Dead After Blast

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Fifteen people died after last week's deadly blast at the West Fertilizer Co., including a nursing home resident who died hours after the explosion.

West Mayor Tommy Muska has said that 10 of the 14 who died in in the blast were first responders.

After learning of the explosion, Louise Mills drove to West from Ennis to check on her brother, Morris Bridges, who is a firefighter, she said last week.

"He was the first respond for the West fire department, and we haven't heard from him since, and everybody is gone from the fire station and his car is still sitting there. We went to all the hospitals; he's not at any of the hospitals," Mills said. "I'm thinking he's died a hero; I really do."

On Thursday afternoon, Mills confirmed to NBC 5 that Bridges died in the explosion.

Bridges, 41, had three children ages 2, 17 and 18.

Dallas Fire-Rescue confirmed that Capt. Kenny Harris, 52, was killed in the explosion. Harris lived in West and was off-duty at the time but responded to assist, Dallas Fire-Rescue said.

"I started calling and calling his phone, and his phone would ring, and I thought, 'Well, he's busy. He's helping people,' because I knew they set up a triage area. And I thought, 'I know he's there; he's helping,'" his wife, Holly Harris, said in an exclusive interview with NBC.

Muska delivered the bad news.

Buck Uptmor's brother, Brian, confirmed that he died in the explosion. He was killed while trying to free horses from a nearby barn.

"I guess the good Lord wanted a good cowboy up there," said his mother, Beverly Uptmor.

Uptmor, who just turned 45 the week before the blast, is survived by his wife and three children, including an 18-year-old daughter and two sons ages 12 and 10.

Jerry Chapman, 26, was a member of the neighboring Abbott Volunteer Fire Department. He was taking an emergency medical technician class when the fire broke out. Friends at the Black-Eyed Pea where he worked as a server say they weren't surprised to hear he ran to the fire to help.

Navarro Mills volunteer firefighter Perry Calvin, 37, was in West taking a course to become an emergency medical technician when the call came in. His father is the fire chief at the Navarro Mills Fire Department. He is survived by his wife and two sons, his third child is due in November.

Cyrus Reed, 29, an Abbott volunteer firefighter, also volunteered with West EMS. He graduated from Elsik High School near Houston in 2003.

West volunteer firefighter Joey Pustejovsky, Jr., 29, also served as the city secretary. Pustejovsky, who was married in March 2012, is survived by his wife and four children.

Cody Dragoo, 50, was not only a firefighter in West for 15 years, he worked at the fertilizer plant. He moved to Texas from Montana in 1994. He is survived by his wife.

Brothers Douglas and Robert Snokhous were both longtime West residents and West volunteer firefighters. Together, they responded to the call for help at the fertilizer plant.

Doug Snokhous, 50, is survived by his wife, two daughters, three stepchildren and several grandchildren. Bob Snokhous, 48, is survived by his wife, son, two daughters and two grandchildren.

Kevin Sanders, 33, was an EMT. His family told the Waco Tribune-Herald that he was killed in the explosion after he responded to the fire at the plant. A veterinary technician he is survived by his wife and child, the newspaper reported.

Named an honorary firefighter after having worked on building one of West's fire department trucks, Jimmy Ray Matus, 52, was the owner of Westex Welding and Custom Fire Apparatus in West. His wife preceded him in death in 2001. He is survived by a son, daughter, two stepdaughters and five grandchildren.

According to the Waco Tribune-Herald Judith Monroe, 65, who lived in the apartment complex across from the fertilizer plant was killed in the blast. Monroe, who moved to West in 2001, she is survived by her husband and son and two grandchildren.

The family of Mariano Saldivar, 57, confirmed to NBC 5 he also died in the blast. Saldivar also lived in the apartments destroyed by the explosion. Saldivar is survived by his wife, three sons and a daughter.

Adolph Lander, 96, was a resident of West Rest Haven nursing home. His family tells the Waco Tribune-Herald he was evacuated and died after he was evacuated to the community center. His family is awaiting the results of an autopsy to learn what caused his death.

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Good Samaritan Killed in Hit-and-Run

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Not many people would pull over on a busy highway in the middle of the night to help a complete stranger. Not many people were Michael Anthony Love.

Love pulled over at 1 a.m. on U.S. Highway 67 to help a woman who ran out of gas on the highway.

Love took the time to assist Rishonda King, but before he could pour the gas into her car another driver swerved and hit him. He later died at the hospital.

King says Love threw her out of the way, saving her life before he was killed.

"He says MOVE! He grabs my arm and flung me to the back of my car," said King. 

King's was with her cousin and six sleeping kids in the car.

"He was an angel. My guardian angel," King said.

King says it looked like a truck that hit and killed Love. The truck would have front end damage on the passenger side.

Love's friends and family members told NBC 5 that the 47-year-old was the type of guy that would help anyone.

"He probably saw those kids in the back and said these kids need this mom so, he basically sacrificed himself for her," said Jerome Sheffield, Love's best friend and fraternity brother in Omega Psi Phi at Prairie View A&M University.

"I don't know how the rest of my life is going to be now, from here on out, I don't know," Sheffield said, holding back tears. 

Barbara Pettis, Love's cousin, hopes the driver turns themselves into police.

"I know you're not able to sleep at night. I know this has to be bothering you. So we're asking you, this family, this Love family that you devastated, we're asking that you to do the right thing," Pettis said.

If you might have seen anything, contact the Dallas Police Department.

The family will hold a service for Love at the Living Waters Worship Center of Seventh-day Adventists on Friday, April 26th at 7 p.m.

Love's funeral will be held at the Friendship West Baptist Church on Saturday, April 27th at 11 a.m. 

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McKinney Chiropractor Convicted of Several Sex Charges

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Jurors in Russell Told to Pack a Bag

The judge in Dr. David Russell's sexual misconduct trial told jurors to "pack a bag" in preparation for deliberations.

Jury to Deliberate Chiropractor Charges on Tuesday

A Collin County jury will begin deliberation Tuesday morning on sexual assault charges against a McKinney chiropractor accused of sexually assaulting several of his patients.

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A McKinney chiropractor accused of sexually assaulting several of his patients has been found guilty of charges involving four victims.

The Collin County jury convicted Dr. David Russell of sexual assault, sexual assault of a child and indecency with a child.

Russell was found guilty of sexual assault of a child and indecency with the same child. He was also convicted of another indecency charge related to another child and two sexual assaults of adults.

He was found not guilty on the other charges.

Russell faced up to 12 counts of sexual misconduct related to five female patients, four of them teenagers.

Aggravated sexual assault of a child was the most serious charge, but the jury could consider a charge of indecency with a child by contact if there was not sufficient evidence to support the other charge.

The judge last week tossed out one count of indecency with a child because of insufficient evidence.

The jury began deliberating Tuesday at about 8:30 a.m. and finished at about 11:20 p.m. During their deliberation, the jurors came back and asked a couple of questions related to victim testimony, NBC 5's Randy McIlwain reported Tuesday afternoon.

Jurors were told to come back Wednesday morning for sentencing.

After the verdicts were announced, members of Russell's family appeared visibly shaken, NBC 5's Ray Villeda reported. Sobs from victims seated on the other side of the courtroom could be heard.

During closing arguments, prosecutors argued that the patients' stories are too detailed and similar to simply be made up.

One victim testified that Russell had touched her breasts and commented on her underwear during a treatment session. During another session, he inappropriately touched her private parts, putting a finger inside her vagina, she said.

Another victim shared a similar story.

Also Monday morning, the prosecution introduced three rebuttal witnesses, all adult women who said Russell made inappropriate advances toward them while they were patients in his care.

No charges were filed in those cases because the statute of limitations had expired before they came forward.

Russell and his defense team have denied much of the testimony, adding that it is possible for a chiropractor's hand to make accidental, brushing contact to the area the women described when treating a groin injury.

During closing arguments, the defense said McKinney police made Russell "public enemy No. 1" when he was arrested.

Defense attorney Todd Shapiro said a floodgate of accusers opened up when his client was arrested and his mug shot was released. Shapiro said there is no direct evidence that Russell did anything wrong, saying that only one witness to any alleged misconduct testified during the trial.

Russell did not testify in his own defense.

NBC 5's Catherine Ross, Randy McIlwain and Ray Villeda contributed to this report.

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NRH Police Arrest Man After Bomb Reported in Area

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North Richland Hills police received a call about a man with a bomb Monday night.

Officers called for the bomb squad near the intersection of Fossil Vista and Fossil Creek Boulevard. 

Authorities blocked off portions of an apartment complex while they looked into the potential bomb situation.

The bomb squad checked a car, but it has not been revealed if an explosive device was found.

Authorities took a man into custody at about 7:20 p.m. They do not know if the man planned to blow up himself or something else.

We do not have any additional information at this time.

Stay with NBC 5 News for updates to this story.

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