wjz and mike schuh are live to explain. good morning, mike. >> reporter: good morning, don, and good morning, everyone. near that man's body from lutherville there was also a body of a woman from south carolina. police believe they climbed aboard a coal hopper car, possibly in indiana, for their journey, which ended in florida. 25-year-old christopher artist lived in lutherville. now they are trying to figure out how he got here. >> this is the first i have heard of this happening. >> he was found dead in a pile of coal alongside a 22-year-old woman. it is believed they hitched a ride on the train somewhere between the starting point of indiana and its stop in florida, then died as the coal was being unloaded. >> as the coal cars come in they open up, the bottom of the floor of the coal cars and drop the coal into these big piles you see. >> autopsies show artist died of asphyxiation, while hindershot died of blunt force trauma. a neighbor says they are distraught but could not provide more information. police say the two w

we join wjz and mike schuh life live downtown. good morning. >> reporter: good morning. for 4 hours that was locked down. we have just moved and right across the park where sanitation workers are dismantling what is left of occupy baltimore. this morning police, many in riot gear moved in. all along the mayor said it was illegal and she reserved the right to act. >> we informed them that camping is prohibited with hopes we will have resolution to that issue. >> reporter: with no resolution reached around 3:00 this morning police moved in. the city grew tired with the end campment, which a couple of weeks ago was the scene of three assaults, including two stabbings. >> these were arguments, petty arguments that took place over, 1 was a cat, the other an argument over food and officers swiftly took action. >> reporter: protesters maintain that violence was not part of their demonstration. >> we have doctors, nurses, we have two attorneys that stay overnight here. >> it is hard. every day i want to like give up at some point during the day but then i power through. >> with

mike. >> thank you, mike schuh, reporting live. there is a band performing tonight. >> right. >>> still to come on eyewitness news -- ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, >>> well, today, temperatures going up to around 50 degrees. 57 tomorrow and parts of the area will hit 60 south of the metro and then 44 on monday and 34 on tuesday and wednesday and the lows in the teens and 20s. a warmup to temperatures closer to seasonably average highs. >>> as crews prepare the inner harb far tonight's new year's eve party. tonight's main entertainment is getting ready to hit the stage. >> here is more on what to expect. ♪[ music ] >> reporter: their sound is a mix of everything that makes you feel good. >> we remain a funk, soul. >> reporter: in 2007 kevin started his band. ♪[ music ] >> reporter: an eight piece horn and funk group from annapolis. >> i play the sax. so, i'm a horn section leader. >> reporter: in a couple of days on new year's eve as the fireworks light up the skies. they will be blowing up baltimore's new year's eve bash. ♪ [ music ]

mike schuh, wjz eyewitness news, back to you on tv hill. >> police and the mta are still investigating a woman hit by the light rail train yet morning in lutherville. the still unidentified woman was hit crossing the tracks not near a light rail stop at the time. >>> a truck driver is facing charges after what he was hauling crashed into any overpass along the southbound lanes of the beltway. a backhoe hit one of the bridge support biems, a highway sign was also damaged, traffic was backed up for hours. stay with wj >>> welcome back to "the early show." i'm rebecca jarvis with jeff glor. >> good morning. >> good morning and good morning to you. coming up former vice president dick cheney is here with us. >> a lot to talk about, including the u.s. troops pulling out of iraq this month. there he is. and the republican race for the white house. >> but first, a new hazing case has surfaced involving florida a&m university's marching back three weeks after hazing allegedly led to a drum major's death. >>> and last night, there was an arrest beating of a young woman. >> reporter: investigato

i am mike schuh reporting. back to you. >> the parents of a special needs student say their son was bullied by classmates at two schools and have gone to court to fight it. they say their son was bullied at those elementaries and filed a lawsuit claiming school officials failed to keep their child safe. no comment from the system this morning. stay with wjz 13, up next a look at new, exciting and eye catch eye-catching signs in new york city. the golden globe [ male announcer ] are you paying more and more for cable and enjoying it less and less? upgrade to verizon fios and get tv, internet and phone for our best price online -- just $79.99 a month for two years with a 2 year agreement. this holiday deal is only for a limited time. so don't wait. get fios at this great price. act now and we'll add a special bonus -- $300 back. hurry, go to verizon.com/greatdeal. fios. a network ahead. contact the verizon center for customers with disabilities at 800-974-6006 tty/v. ♪ >>> welcome back to "the early show." the

. >> as mike schuh reports. for some the present came this week. >> reporter: long before santa arrives. the bp d scouted the routes. [ applause ] >> at this target a staff ready for shop with a cop. >> give him a high-five. >> reporter: this officer supports a ravens' hat and her badge is on this 4th grader. janelle. >> i think because you are special and love what you're doing. so, keep up the great work. [ applause ] >> with a quick picture, they are off to the races with a budget of $100. the kids can get anything that they want. >> beep, beep, women shopping. >> reporter: but you know where they end up. at the toy aisle. janelle knows what she wants after a monster doll. >> very popular. okay. show the camera. >> reporter: 21 kids with great grade, but a financial need picked by their principles. >> they are top children in their school and children in need. >> reporter: back to janelle. she decides to give some of her gifts to her family. >> i'm going to get this for me. high cousin, let's see what else yo

wjz and mike schuh are live downtown right now. good afternoon. >> reporter: good afternoon, don, good afternoon, everyone. it has been more than two months since the square has looked this way. starting at 3:00 in the morning city police and work crews have cleared it out and cleaned it up. >>> these are among the latest images of occupy baltimore before the square is cleared. at 3:00 a.m. police shut down a six to 8 block area, a police commander trailed by a photographer begins the eviction but backed up by 100 officer whose arrive in full riot gear. >> there was a lot of confusion. >> i was asleep and got woken up by people shouting the police had arrived. >> they in circled the encampment and built a perimeter around the park, one set of officers shoulder to shoulder, others going to tent to tent. >> those seemed friendly or polite. >> others without things leave quickly, the others are given time to get their things together. >> we were suiting up preparing for the best but expecting the worst. >> protesters praised police, m

mike schuh joins us. bundled up this morning. how are you pal? good morning. >> speaking of uncomfortable. >> mike schuh. >> yes, it is cold out so be prepared, there is not that wind you talked about, but, boy, it is cold. so you want to be -- i guess it would not be a broad broadcast. you want to be an announcer? you got 180 days to spare? because that is what is going to take maybe for many years to come, the orioles maybe have a job opening maybe for you, we job opening maybe for you, we will tell ,,,,,,,,,,,, >>> hi, good morning, wjz. >> all right, good morning, matt, thanks for being with us, 25 now, 74% humidity, calm winds that barometer has moved up from yesterday's 29.59, to 30.04, high pressure has wedged in, we have lost the pressure gradient, a very very pretty day start, looks like a bad day, clouds move in later, that is warm air pressing in, we will talk about it in a second. those are your currents in those areas. so here is this big dome of high pressure running the show. it is going to start funneling mild air up the corridor,

mike schuh has their story. >> reporter: good morning. police are still touchy as we were ordered off the sidewalk there. protesters were cleared off the square. last night they reassembled saying the mayor opened a can of worms by moving them. their plan is to occupy vacant houses. the mayor says she supports it but the square had to be cleared. a permit has been issued for the all menorah lighting ceremony to be held here next week. reporting from the square, mike schuh, wjz eyewitness news, back to you. >> the staff and students at a high school are hoping for a more normal day after more than a dozen students went to the hospital yesterday. a police officer sprayed pepper spray to break up a fight. >>> dna evidence has helped them solve a crime. he robbed them at gunpoint and stole their car along with cash and credit cards his dna was later recovered at the scene. it is the biggest day some college students could imagine, singing at the white house, 20 of the 95 members are set to give two performances today although the president wo

mike schuh tells us about a once in a lifetime chance. >> reporter: rex barney, the voice of the orioles after his death in 1997 -- >> good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls and welcome to oriole park at camden yards. >> reporter: david mcgowen won an open audition 14 years ago, but for most folks being the p.a. announcer doesn't pay enough for it to be their only job. >> it is an hourly position, so it is not something you are going to retire off of. >> reporter: so recently mcgowen changed jobs from being a sales man with very flexible hours to a 9:00 to 5:00 job and reluctanctly resigned the coveted post. now the best seat in the house is empty. >> we need a new public announcer. >> reporter: but many might want to pass on this opportunity. >> this is a traditional ballpark and we want to keep that atmosphere here and we want someone who complements the ballpark rather than someone who is trying to set the tone. >> reporter: if you want to be heard here, you have to log on. the first cut comes after an audition at the baltimore website. >> ultimately they will try out he

wjz and mike schuh are on that story and live again. good morning. >> reporter: good morning, one occupier put it quite simply, the mayor has opened a can of worms by kicking them out of mcelden square. at this time yesterday and earlier police moved in dismantling the tent city in just under two hours. >> re-opening for public use. >> you don't know. >> you don't know. it is a public square. >> last night a crowd of 100 gathers in front of city hall to set a new plan of action. >> there is a bunch of abandoned businesses and businesses in need. now is time to truly occupy baltimore and not the square. >> the new idea fill vacant houses. >> you are going to see more organizing and this movement continue to grow. this is not the end. this is the beginning. >> the mayor long said she supports the message but not did not support camping out in a public space. >> was given a warning the tents were not permitted, said it repeatedly and we would remove it at a time of our choose in and did it in a respectful way. >> the mayor and her represen

. >>> i'm mike schuh. the ceremonial ball being run to the site of the army-navy game. watch when it happens when eyewitness news continues. >>> bob will tell us what to expect for the weekend in your updated first warning forecast. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, >>> as we'll tells you, it's been a chaotic 24 hours at virginia tech. the campus is locked down after a police officer is shot and killed in a murder-suicide. among those caught up in the terrifying situation at the campus, many students, students who are here from maryland. wjz is live. >> police confirmed that the shooter was not enrolled at virginia tech university. and that has many vtu students relieved tonight. >> virginia tech police and students spent the last 24 hours on high alert. after a gunman shot and killed one of their own and threw the campus into chaos. final exams were set to start today. now, they're on hold. >> it makes me really angry that someone would come on our campus and give us that name again. give us that name that our campus is unsafe. >> reporter: lindsey tinkersly is a junior. she talk

in sykesville, mike schuh, eyewitness news. back to you on tv hill. >>> in addition to the four state police dogs, prince george's and baltimore county had dogs and handlers who also graduated today. >> every time there a story reported, it's always easy to see the updates by the animals. >>> still to come on eyewitness news. a new role for a dentist that goes beyond fillings and cleanings. details in healthwatch. >>> university in crisis. why dozens ever angry students at florida a&m took their protest to the door of the governor. >>> bob turk. first warning weather center. looks like a pretty normal weekend headed our way. we'll have a look at the first warning five-day forecast coming up. >>> and wjz is always on. here are the top stories. for updates on the day's news, log onto weenl.com. ,, at progressive, you can bundle your home and auto policies and save. don't worry, tiny people. flo is a gentle giant. bundle home and auto at progressive.com. >>> five people are found dead. and the person responsible is among those kil

mike schuh, wjz eyewitness news. back to you on tv hill. >> nice dogs. >>> in addition to the four state police dogs, prince george's, and baltimore county had dogs and handlers who graduated today. >> they're such great help to the police force. incredible. >>> straight ahead on wjz eyewitness news at 4:00. his daring crime spree brought him online notoriety. and the nickname, the barefoot bandit. >>> a prank gone wrong. the practical joke that has some minnesota parents and teachers in hot water. >>> it's cooling off a bit toward the weekend. bob lets us know if temperatures will continue to drop in your complete first warning weather forecast. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, >>> soldiers storm an anti- military protest camp, beating women with sticks and hurling chunks of concrete in egypt. two protestors were shot and killed in the clashes. the turmoil comes after millions voted. the assault was an attempt to clear out voters who camped out for three weeks. it's not clear how many remain in custody. >>> colton harris moore,

i'm mike schuh, we'll talk to his dad when we return. >>> we'll take a look at the forecast, when eye witness news returns. >>> complete coverage continues with denise koch, vic carter, kai jackson, and first warning weather with bob turk and sports with mark viviano. with mark viviano. it's wjz,, so, if the mint makes this hot chocolate cool, does the mint hot chocolate make me cool? not really. the new mint hot chocolate from dunkin' donuts. grab the cool sensation of mint today. ♪ oh, what fun it is to... get in the spirit with dunkin's holiday coffees and lattes. try peppermint mocha, gingerbread, or new cinnamon swirl today. >>> it is 45 degrees and cloudy in central maryland right now. the complete forecast is coming up. >>> a deadly snowstorm has blanketed several states including kansas and colorado. more than 150-miles of interstates had to be closed because of the blizzard. the oklahoma panhandle has been one of the hardest hit area. more than a foot of snow has fallen there. >>> weather may have been a factor of a single engine plane crash on a new jersey avenue. all five

mike schuh is at the hampton mansion with an old friend. hi, mike. >> reporter: hi, please come join me, let's have holiday dinner shall we? vince is going to belong and we will show you how they lived and boy they seemed to live well for a while. we are going to have that when ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, [ male announcer ] it's a rule of nature. you don't decide when vegetables reach the peak of perfection. the vegetables do. at green giant, we pick vegetables only when they're perfect. then freeze them fast so they're are as nutritious as fresh. [ green giant ] ho ho ho. ♪ green giant fantastic! pro-gresso ] they fit! okay-y... okay??? i've been eating progresso and now my favorite old jeans...fit. okay is there a woman i can talk to? [ male announcer ] progresso. 40 soups 100 calories or less. >>> hi, i am megan, happy holidays to wjz. >> good morning, megan. done doc, santa and the little guy, i guess he was getting his first wish with santa. we are looking at very almost north pole like weather, 28 degrees right now, chilly out there to start,

jessica and marty back over to you guys. >> all right and let's go over to mike schuh. mike, i think this is a really large story -- >> -- yeah -- >> -- pal -- >> -- for the city and i think what is interesting, is jay cart, you, me, we are all transplants here so we have some perspective that maybe some baltimoreans don't have, which is we have big things like that but yet we are small enough when cool things happen collectively we can appreciate it. he gave me a tour and we saw an unbelievable painting. let me show it to you now. inside here true treasures, his collection, a gift to baltimore and tucked away here is the one he valued the most. >> dear to all of our hearts and henry walters favorite painting. >> his favorite. >> it was his favorite. >> painted in 1513, once owned by napoleon's brother, he bought it and in its day it made headlines. >> it was the first to come into the united states and created a stir. >> a dozen year across go the cardinal used this image for his christmas cards. >> in 1999 as i recall it at least the cardinal said he had an in with th

i am going to throw it to mike schuh. i am going to get that -- it is really -- as a matter of fact you -- >> -- that -- >> -- shirts -- >> -- yes -- >> -- break -- >> -- trust for my kid and there is this poster sitting there while i am waiting around and it was amazing in that it is a picture of the ravens team but not in their jerseys, instead in the jerseys from the college that they graduated or t-shirts and i thought wow, that is spectacular because you always see the team as a team but you never see them as an inspiration. i just thought it was neat so i brought one for my kid and the other kid i know at the station, martin j bass, so he is going to show you this and i am going to show you this, which is we are down pat the power plant. it is rocking. we are going to have a new new , >>> hi, happy holidays, wjz. >> we are going to be talking a lot about that background, megan, good morning, thanks for being with us, 40 degrees, 72% humidity, southerly breeze at 5, barometer 30.10, one degree cooler than yesterday.

mike schuh has more on the mayor's decision to evict the protestors. >> these are among the last images before the square is cleared. at 3:00 p.m., police shut down an area. they begin the eviction. but he's backed up by 100 officers who arrive in full riot gear, helmets, face shields. long batons. >> there was a lot of confusion. >> i was asleep. i got woken up by people shouting. >> reporter: other city workers with barricades are robbed. and build a metal perimeter around the park. with one set of officers shoulder to shoulder. another goes tent to tent. >> those speaking with us seem very friendly, or not friendly, but polite. >> reporter: those with little to carry leave quickly. others are given more time to dismantle their homes. >> we had the gas mask, the riot gear. we were suiting up, praying for the best, expecting the worst. >> no arrests were made. downtown shut down for four hours. protestors praised police. and as backup should the peace not hold. and at the direction of bleary- eyed commanders, police searched the tents, collapsing them as they went. with the commissione

mike schuh spoke with two of them today who are still in iraq. >> reporter: when this aviation command unit left maryland on september 1st, they thought the next kiss and cry would be over a year away. >> the last combat aviation brigade in iraq right now. >> and it turns out, they're right. i spoke with two maryland guardsmen near baghdad, now on the verge of leaving iraq. their unit flag is down. their leaving ceremony, completed. >> we're not coming home. we're actually reposturing south of here. >> reporter: byuf moog -- my beautifulling to kuwait, these 150 maryland soldiers will continue to lead a larger force of 2500. >> obviously it's a tough time of year, though, with the holidays around the corner. so you see your friends, your comrades in arms are coming home for the holidays, and we're happy for them, but still, there's that tinge in you that says, man, it would be nice to be coming home for the holiday. >> reporter: at the same time, he adds that these aviation soldiers get something out of staying on deployment, more opportunities to do what they love. >> when you're on t

mike schuh explains how it it all happened. mike? >> police did make a huge drug arrest. but they injured one of their own. and they left behind a big mess inside their home of a woman who was unaware was -- of what was happening on her own front porch. >> the retired neighbor in this house lets her friends send their packages to her door. that's just what happened right before the cops showed up on monday. >> the homeowner tells me, she didn't even think about it, opened the door, signed for a package from the deliveryman like she's always done, didn't even look at the package or who it was from, left it on the stoop and went inside. then 10 minutes later, the police task force arrived with a search warrant. >> inside, andre jackson is arrested as he collects the package, containing reever. officers go inside to check for accomplices. hardly in the front door, an accident. >> there was an accidental weapon discharge by baltimore county police officer, on the task force. the result of that was he struck a baltimore city police officer on the task force. >> reporter: the d

. >>> mike schuh, in towson. vi lent crime, -- violent crime, suicide. linked to holiday stress. linked to holiday stress. what baltimore ,,,,,, >>> it is just before 6:30. cloudy. 48 degrees. good evening. thanks for staying with wjz. here are some of the stories people are talking about tonight. welcome home and thank you. that message from the president and the first lady to u.s. forces in fort bragg. tara mergener reports for wjz, the visit comes as the iraq war enters its final stretch. >>> folders -- soldiers at fort bragg cheered president obama and the first lady as they paid tribute to troops returning from iraq. >> as your commander in chief, and on behalf of a grateful nation, welcome home. [ applause ] welcome home! >> reporter: the last 6,000 u.s. forces are packing up. they'll be out of iraq by the end of this month. it's the final chapter in a nearly nine-year war that has killed nearly 4500 americans and injured tens of thousands more. >> all the fighting and the dying and the bleeding and the training and the partnering, all of it has led to this moment of succes

mike schuh reports that baltimore county is bringing some solutions to your attention. >>> whether it's decorating the house or just shopping, this is a time which brings with it extra stress. >> the pressure that these expectations bring, particularly in a difficult economy, often makes this an emotional -- and economically stressful time for many. >> reporter: so the county is getting the word out about holiday stress and its impacts on two fronts. the first, violent crime. >> i call these unhealthy behaviors, the too much syndrome. too much drinking. too much eating. too much arguing. and too much drugging. >> it's enough to send people over the edge. lisa picknel is here, selling her story. 12 years ago, her husband killed their two kids. she urges families and those in crisis to get more help. >> the more people that reach out, the more willing the victim is to get help. >> reporter: and the second, the holiday is a factor. >> cases of suicide and violence against once another, usually don't occur at spur of the moment. there are months, if not years, leadingun to these tragedies.

wjz is live and mike schuh has more. >> reporter: the 10-year-old suffered a brain injury. he took the stand today telling the jury that he was beat up constantly, everyday. the sign couldn't be clear, no bullying. at hazelwood, the special needs child was repeatedly bullied. called racial names. they point to repeated attempts to get the principals and others to act with no success. the boy's father says all of this bullying fundamentally changed his son. when asked how, he couldn't continue. he buried his hands in his head and sobbed. his son told him, i hate myself and i want to die. it was at this moment, his dad said he checked his son into the psychiatric program at hopkins. they're asking for $1.3 million but say it's not about the money. >> you can't just keep denying that it's happening and expect the problem to go away. >> reporter: named in the case, the principal of his first school, sydney and charlotte williams the principal at his second school. the attorney shows that the sullivans never used these bullying reporting forms. their son is now in a city charter

. >>> still ahead on eyewitness news -- >> in south baltimore, i'm mike schuh. after the coolest little business that you've never heard of but seen their work everywhere, their stories when eyewitness news continues. >>> beyond the call of duty. a firefighter springs into action when he saves people trapped in a burning home. >>> and he survived the car in afghanistan only ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, >>> this is wjz tv, wjz hd and wjz.com, baltimore. >> from the city to the counties, to your neighborhood, now it is complete coverage. it is wjz, maryland's news station. >>> just before 6:30, it is 54 degrees with some rain in our region. good evening, thank you for staying with wjz eyewitness news. here are some of the stories people are talking about tonight. a soldier survives a tour of duty in afghanistan only to be shot and paralyzed at his welcome home party. tonight the accused gunman is behind bars. and 22-year-old christopher sullivan is on life support in california. jeff wynn speaks with his heart- broken family. >> i put it on his dog tags because he bought this

day, mike schuh reports from coppin state, where one very large group is trying to make a big difference. >> reporter: at coppin state, the louder the better. the drum beat for a.i.d.s. awareness is heard loud and clear, seen in vivid red on a canvas. >> i am here for people with hiv and a.i.d.s. >> reporter: and standing together to try to form the world's largest living red ribbon. in a city with the fifth worst new infection rate in the country. >> it is totally preventable. >> reporter: the red ribbon, you may remember, is the first of many colored ribbons for a cause. and now, these awareness raisers, hope that renewed focus on the red ribbon will translate into action. >> it matters because every life matters. >> the urgency around it has kind of dissipated a bit. and i think it's important that we keep the awareness and the importance of it, particularly in this community that is so disproportionately impacted alive. >> reporter: the current record is 3,000 89 they were attempting to get -- get 4100. but they're short. but they say it doesn't really matter. >> reporter: trying to

mike schuh reports that it is expected that hundreds of people will take advantage of the tipsy taxi service. >> reporter: last year four maryland motorists died due to alcohol related crashes on new year's day. also 193 motorists in maryland spent the first day of 2011 in jail charged with dui. so when the new year starts with too much alcohol in the system, similar to a program run for other holidays, the idea with tipsy taxi is to get people home safely. >> we're providing free cab ride for anyone drinking in a baltimore city bar or restaurant. obviously it is a program we created to decrease impaired driving on the roadways. >> reporter: if you look at federal figures on average over a 10 year period 142 motorists will die on new years day, making it the 5th most dangerous day of the year for motorists. here is the surprise. the most dangerous day of the year for pedestrians is new year's day, where it is projected that 410 pedestrians will die. tipsy taxi runs through 4:00 a.m. on new year's morning, covering rides up to 50 dollars. in baltimore, mike schuh, wjz eyewitness news.

mike schuh spoke with two of them via the internet today. >> reporter: when this aviation command unit left maryland on september 1st, they thought the next kiss and cry, would be over a year away. >> the last combat aviation brigade in iraq right now. >> and it turns out, they're right. i spoke with two maryland guardsmen, near baghdad, now on the verge of leaving iraq. their unit flag is down. their unit completed. >> we're not coming home. we're actually reposturing south of here. >> reporter: by moving to kuwait, these 150 maryland soldiers will continue to lead a larger force of 2500. >> obviously it's a tough time of year, though, with the holidays around the corner. you see your friends and comrades in arms are coming home for the holidays, and we're happy for them. but still there's that tinge in you that says, man, it would be mice to be -- nice to be coming home for the holidays. >> reporter: at the same time, he adds they get something out of staying on deployment, more time to do what they love. >> when you are deployed, you have more access to more flying hours, more oppor

day, mike schuh reports from coppin state with one large group trying to make a big difference. ♪ [ music ] >> reporter: at coppin state, the louder, the better. the drum beat for a.i.d.s. awareness is heard loud and clear. seen in vivid red on a green canvas. >> i'm here to celebrate. >> and to stand together to raise awareness to try to form the world's largest living red ribbon in a city with the fifth worst new infection rate in the country. >> nobody -- it is totally preventable. >> reporter: the red ribbon, as you may remember, is the first of many ribbons for a cause. and now, these awareness raisers, hope that renewed focus on the red ribbon, will translate into action. >> it matters because every life matters. >> the urgency around it, has kind of dissipated a little bit. i think it's important that we keep the awareness and the importance of it, particularly in this community that is so disproportionately impacted, alive. >> the current record is 3,000. they're attempting to get 4100 out here. they're just a little short. but they say it doesn't really matter. >> a thousand peop

don't forget the lasers. >> reporter: in south baltimore, mike schuh, wjz eyewitness news. back to you on tv hill. >> second time i see it, it is still there. >>> a new year's eve light show will run on the hour starting at 6:00 p.m. and watch the wjz new year's eve spectacular with complete coverage of the fireworks live from baltimore's inner harbor. see all of the festivities here only on wjz starting at 11:00 on saturday night. are you going to be there? >> yes. >> and serving refreshments. >>> okay, we have the rain out there. there is a chance for a few showers on saturday but nothing like what we're seeing today. so let's show you first warning doppler radar. the heaviest trying to make its way out of maryland so almost finished with the storm and we'll have your complete forecast coming up after the break. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, >>> welcome back, everybody. we still have the rain outside. let's start with first warning doppler radar. we're going to take you in on a few areas where we're seeing heavy rain. and this band down in here was thunderstorms. a couple of round

. >>> i'm mike schuh in towson. violent crime. suicide and the link to holiday stress. what baltimore is trying to do about it when we return. >>> coming up, imagine swimming and fishing in the inner harbor. why some big players in baltimore say it isn't far- fetched. that story as eyewitness news continues. >>> unseasonably mild evening. bob will have more on what's in store for the weekend in his forecast. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, >>> well, the holiday season can bring many moments of joy, police see a darker side of these stresses that these times can produce. mike schuh reports that baltimore county is bringing some solutions to your attention. >> reporter: whether it's decorating the house or just shopping, this is eye time -- a time that brings with it, extra stress. >> the pressures that these expecting as bring, particularly in -- these expectations bring, particularly in a difficult economy, often makes this an emotional and economic stressful time for many. >> reporter: the word is getting out about holiday stress and its impacts on two fronts. the first, violent

. >>> i'm mike schuh, and this is hunter. he is trooper hunter, actually. and we are in sykesville. six new police dogs have graduated today. we'll tell you their amazing stories when eyewitness news continues. isn't that right, hunter? [ laug [ female announcer ] at verizonfios.com, you can choose your channel package. ♪ you can choose your own internet speeds. ♪ you can even choose to chat with a live person. ♪ now you can choose to save $35 a month for fios tv, internet and phone for just $79.99 a month, plus get a $300 verizon visa prepaid card with a 2 year agreement. but hurry, offer ends soon only at verizonfios.com. >>> 5:29. 43 degrees and cloudy. good evening. thank you for staying with wjz eyewitness news. here are some of the stories people are talking about tonight. money woes. taxpayers may want to get a grip on their wallets as the government tackles the state's budget deficit. wjz is live. political reporter pat warren has more on what could be in store. good evening, pat. >> reporter: good evening, everybody. it's maryland's annual balancing act, trying to mak

mike schuh is live with more on this investigation. good afternoon, mike. >> reporter: good afternoon, jess, we will show you the pictures police say they have the gift thief on cam remarks they are still though looking for more clues, this is video of a woman stealing the package from a front porch in ellicott city. you see her get out, take the package and throw it in the trunk of their car, neighbors say they are shocked and crimes like this don't happen in their area, police believe more people have been robbed and not even know it. jess, back to you. >> if you recognize the woman in that video you are urged to call police. a good way to protect yourself is to use tracking numbers and try and be home when they arrive. >>> a grandmother beaten with a hammer by her grandson has died. 67-year-old shirley garrett was beaten by her 14-year-old grandson more than eight months ago, she died over the weekend. the boy was charged as a juvenile after telling police he beat her after he became angry about getting ready for school. >>> city sc

mike schuh updates this investigation. >> reporter: the stakeout and arrest by regional narcotics task force went by the book. but the subsequent search of the house we learned tonight, that's when things went wrong. >> reporter: here, near fort meade, so many neighbors worked during the day, that the retired woman in the house lets their friends send packages to their door. that's just what happened when the cops sho -- showed up on monday. >> the homeowner tells me, she didn't even think about it. sign for the door. didn't even look at the package or who it was from, left it on the stoop and went inside. then 10 minutes later, the police task force arrived with a search warrant. >> reporter: outside, a friend of the homeowner, 31-year-old andre jackson is arrested as he collects the package, containing 21 pounds of reefer. jackson also has $twitch,000. -- $25,000. officers go inside to check for accomplices. hardly inside, there was an accident. >> there was an accidental discharge of a weapon from an officer. >> the detective shot starts shooting. >> believing that they were under f

mike schuh, wjz eyewitness news. >> and army and navy go head to head, tomorrow afternoon. and you can see all of the action live here on wjz 13, starting at 2:30. >>> and still to come tonight on wjz's eyewitness news. >> he lost his life doing something he enjoyed, something he loved, his job. >>> massachusetts in mourning. inside the blaze that claimed the firefighter's life. >>> leaking lava. find out about the hawaii town in danger. >>> i'm bob turk. first warning weather center. looking at a very nice, sunny, dry but cooler weekend. i'll have the exclusive first ,, >>> an incredible spectacle, courtesy of the famed kilauea vol taino -- volcano in hawaii take a look at this ocean. travels through a neighborhood, which was pretty much abandoned a year ago. only one resident remains there. he reports it has gone around his house. kilauea has been continuously erupting since 1983. >>> a firefighter is killed in the line of duty after a burning home collapses in massachusetts. john davies rushes into the building to search for the miss person. but moments after they entere

at the target in mondawmin, mike schuh, wjz eyewitness news. >> and target donates the $100 per kid to cost. seven others hosted shop with a cop. >> that's a great program. sure is. >>> still to come tonight. learning a so-called victory about easy victory. >> mark has the latest next in sports. li s id li s m ba llral,was id unl m ba >>> mark spent the afternoon in owings mills. and he's here with the wjz the fan sports report. >> seen that game face earlier today. that's for sure. ravens coach john harbaugh. it could be that he is uneasy with all of this talk that the ravens should destroy the winless indianapolis colts on sunday. no coach likes to hear that when they're trying to prepare their team for what could be a hungry underdog. certainly in tenth and pulling off an upset. the vegas odds makers have them in an overwhelming 16 1/2-point favorite in the nfl. that is unheard of. they get ready for a memory. 2007. the ravens played a hapless miami dolphins who had a record 0-3, but they lost -- 0-13. it ended up being the only one they lost to that year. >> they won that game. but

as mike schuh reports, the line formed early with bargain hunters. >> reporter: the first person prepared here for a 2 1/2-hour wait. the line around the block. people around the battle. >> rather than at dawn, here, these doors to the main branch opened at 10:00. mom might get butted out of the way. in these first few moments, the truly serious impact the staff, securing the best bargains, with a scowl and a scanner, used book prices appear on their screen. aside from the professionals, the genuine book lover is well represented. >> i like the monster type books and the suspense. >> this is the bound volume of a magazine called life illustrated. it's a periodical, life illustrated from the 1850s and 60s. and this is gus right ger, who is a german population. >> you see there's so much interest. >> you see there's a good deal. >> eric carl, always a family favorite. and some other titles that just have really cute illustrations, which is what we're going for now. >> all weekend long, 15,000 items are to be brought out a little at a time. so the good stuff isn't picked over. sunday is call

i'm mike schuh, the homeowner now left with the cleanup costs after six shots are fired. hear from her next. >>> check in for these stories and all the day's breaking news. >> eyewitness news at 5:00 starts now. >>> guilty on all charges. a man accused in the election day robocall. >> reaction from the jurors who convicted bob erlic's former campaign manager. >> i'm kai jackson. >> and i'm mary bubala. here's what people are talking about tonight. he will be punished for the robocall.

. >>> so far this morning mike schuh has imitated an nfl quarterback and the voice of the nfl films, what awaits us now? >> hi michael. >> i am done. did you like it so far? >> yeah there you go. you know what was cool? remember when we played flag football as a kid? you had -- you tucked like a towel -- >> -- yeah -- >> -- then it went velcro, look, new, state-of-the-art, hold this scott. ready? bam they are like these little circles and suction cup things they are cool. >> yeah. >> you will have these available, why? >> we are actually out here, we have resurrected a game we are all used to playing. out in the backyard. we put a little spin to it and made it into a tournament and beyond that festivallized it. >> that is a good word, festivallized it. >> as the director of funds you got to come up with words like that. >> i like that, i will look that up when i get back. how many games, what is the tournament, how many brackets, what is the prize? >> we have teams already registered. >> yes. >> 53 teams. >> wow. >> that incompasses -- >> -- any skill -- >> -- we have -- >> -- oh --