i'm ryan hughes. i will explain coming up. doug: today's cold front will drop temperatures mid-morning. frost advisory in effect. freeze warning for tomorrow. we're looking for something that's comfortable but yet durable, and that's going to last us a really long time. i don't want to buy new furniture every couple of years. it's custom made so you know it's good quality. announcer: you're watching "abc7 news at 6:00". on your side. maureen: the family of a murdered arlington woman is speaking about the loss of the daughter and sister. bonnie black mother and sister sat down this morning exclusively with abc7 news. black was found stabbed to played outside. months later her husband david was charged with her murder. they were about to file a contentious divorce including a custody dispute. black's sister is sharing the story to stop domestic violence. >> even if one family, one woman that she is not m it's worth it. this week, david black was found murder of first-degree murder. coming up -- erin: coming up in sports how does

ryan hughes is live in this morning. ryan, is this even legally possible? >>> good morning, once again city leaders say it is an they put a temporary hillsborough into place so they can look at the issue further and determine where dispensaries should be built. the ordinance was just past but the hillsborough to stay in place for more than a year . marijuana supporters about this calling it a health issue seeing some people are just -- are in dire need of marijuana. city leaders say they are just being careful because they don't want dispensaries opening your schools and churches. some experts don't like it. >> the citizens of the state of florida, 70 percent of those voted for amendment 2. they have also spoken so it is very difficult to say a local over we're not going to do this and >> reporter: this isn't the only place where the hillsborough has happened. trent -- . >>> the manatee county's sheriffs office needs your help to find a missing teenager. this is the picture of the 15- year-old. she is believed to have run away from her home without medicati

in arlington, ryan hughes, abc7 news. jonathan: baltimore teacher has been fired after a racial outburst that left her classroom absolutely stunned. watch. >> idiot. >> trying to get an education. we're going to get shot. jonathan: we bleeped that out but the teacher used n-word yesterdaying at the students at a harlem park middle school tuesday in science class. the school system is not identifying the teacher but the school system says it's unacceptable and she has been fired. maureen: maryla general brian frosh launching hate crime hotline. he says reports of the hate crime against women, minorities and lgbt community have increased. they could face criminal prosecution under the law. jonathan: they are supposed to be dream homes but they are damaged dreams. people left with new homes literally falling apart around taylor shows you the serious problems that the homeowners are facing. a homers pert says it is a -- homee, pert says it's a -- home expert says it's a smurf bomb. each problem marked with blue tape. but home

ryan hughes is live at emily arena. this race kicks off soon you have our permission to participate. >> reporter: i can't wait. participants will hit the road. they begin here in downtown tampa and snakes through the streets of the city. this is the 2nd annual race. you are looking at video from last year's goody-goody turkey gobble 5k. most popular running holiday of the year. the number of runners participate in a 5k has gone up by a percent on thanksgiving over other holidays. it is a good way to burn off those calories likely to be packed on during dinner later in the day. a few moments ago we talked to the race spokeswoman in this is what she had to say. >> everyone who registered gets a finisher medal and then we award first place overall male/female for youth as well as individual age categories. this is a look at one of those metals that every single participant of this race will receive. a lot of people are looking forward to it. sign-up is happening right now. race gets underway at 7:00 so there is still time.

ryan hughes, news channel 8 . >> but camera technology detect potholes? anyway, this test project was funded by the u.s. department of transportation to find more about the connected car technology and how it works, we have an interactive explainer on www.wfla.com and today is given tuesday. holiday season. find these toys for tots donation stations at toys "r" us stores all over the bay area. this particular one in citrus park. just pick up an extra point while you are shopping and drop it in the bin. or better yet, come see us at news channel 8, the station that is always on your side. for kindness day. toys for tots is just one of many great causes you can support next friday, december 9. you can drop off a teddy bear for the rough riders, donate food or even give blood. kindness day is south parker street from 6 am to 7 pm. >>> now, max defender 8, the world's most powerful radar and your storm team 8 forecast with chief meteorologist steve jerve. >> i talked about that southeast flow helping to lift low lever moisture -- low-level moisture but it has

news channel 8's ryan hughes is live along the alafia river. so, ryan, what's the latest? >>reporter: good morning once again. the river behind me is the last place where the dad and son something bizarre happened. crews scoured the area last night, unfortunately to no avail. now, this is video of the 3- year-old wrapped in a blanket after he was rescued from an island known by locals as island 75 and the alafia river. as i mentioned, he was all alone and managed to answer a facetime call from his mom on his dad's cell phone. the man has been identified by authorities as william george morris, 38 years old of riverview. a passerby noticed the child alone on the island and stayed with the the jet ski was located on the south side of the island, pulled up on a bank with an adult life jacket on the jet ski. hillsborough deputies got a call around 6:00 last night when the dad and son failed to return home after a jet skiing trip, and that's when they began their search. neighbors were sad, of course, to hear the news. listen here. >> i know she's very heartbroken. i mean, she

ryan hughes is live. what's the latest on the investigation? . >> well, good morning to you both. once again i talked to the fire marshal who was on scene for around an hour and said the investigation continues. this is the home where the anti-trump message was it indicates burn everything with an arrow pointing to that home and that's the home that area. let's go to some video right now. it shows the message denouns president elect donald trump along with the words i mentioned and says burn everything with that arrow pointing to the vacant mobile home next door. that as well was set on fire. crews got the call around 1:20 this morning. they managed to put it out quickly. neighbors woke up to fire trucks and that message, one woman is quite rattled by all this. listen here. like timber wood and it could have easily went up in smoke and really really really scary to think that, you know, you might wake up every night to that. . >> and behind me you can also see the letters blm which likely indicate black lives matter. this investigation though still underway at this hour. . >> okay

news channel 8 ryan hughes isiv and ryan, still a lot people out there? . >> yeah, there are dozens if not hundred dollars here at this hour. i'll step out of the way and show you a live look at the tampa premium outlet's. this place has been open all night many people here looking for bargains at this point. let's go to eagle 8 hd which is overhead right now. last night lines snake around the place. expected here soon when the sun comes up. we just spoke to 3 family members from hillsborough county. i asked them when they got here this morning and all 3 laughed said they've been shopping since around 9:00 last night. here they are. listen here. . >> when you're really tired the filters come off. so we just laugh have a good time, you know. >> every little thing is a big memory. . >> and back live here at the outlet's this women tell me that they shop every single year on black friday to simply do it as a memory maker and they're also looking for a lot of inexpensive items as well. back to you. >> i know one mother an mother-in-law that might be out there

ryan hughes is live in hillsborough county this morning, and, ryan, what's the latest on the investigation? . >> well, good morning to you both. once again i talked to a fire marshal who was here on scene a couple of hours ago. he said this is all under investigation. this home over my right shoulder separated with a swear word and the word trump, you can likely imagine what it said and right here it says burn everything with an arrow pointing to that mobile home and let's go to video of the scene. it shows the message denouncing president elect donald trump along with the wordy mentioned it says burn everything with that arrow pointing to vacant home next door. that was set on fire. crews got the call around 1:20 in the morning. the fire wasn't too bad and they managed to put it out quickly. neighbors woke up to fire trucks. one woman quite rattled by all like timber wood and it could have went up in smoke and really really really scary to think that, you know, you might wake up every night to that. . >> and behind me you also see 3 letters blm, most likely standing for that group black l

ryan hughes is live in at the museum of science and industry in tampa this morning. rhein, the democrats are trying to gain warm black voter support. >> good morning, once again, that is one demographic the democrats rely heavily on and that is why the vice president of the united states will be here in north tampa later this morning. >> polls conduct that show black voters in 2012. a low black voter turnout could spell disaster for the democrats and that is why the vice president will be here in florida hoping to gain last-minute support. yesterday bill clinton spoke to an enthusiastic crowd state petersburg. hillary clinton rallied supporters and pasco county. she was joined by alicia machado with donald trump dashed after the 2nd presidential debate. she used that as a rallying cry >>> florida can decide who our next president is which will affect the nation and the world. i want to make sure that every voter in florida spends these next 7 days thinking about what is at stake in this election. >>> the vice president of the united states expected to speak here at 1

ryan hughes, abc news. >> prince george's county police say that the victim had a prior sexual relationship and the police say that a neighborhood canvas was unsuccessful. new information about the shooting in northwest cardozo high school football game and was walking back to her car. she realized she had been hit in her forearm. her condition is unknown. big development in the trump transition. he is tapping reince be part of his staff. bannon ran the conservative website, breitbart. this comes before trump's first interview. tonight, he says that he is people who are here illegally. paul ryan said that mass deportation is not the republican focus right now.. paul ryan: we believe that a border security bill is the first priority and that is what we are focused on. >> trump said that part of the wall could include fencing. the new york times lost thousands of subscribers because of inaccurate coverage. the new york times and that the opposite is true and that they have added customers. trump said that he believed that more countries should have nuclear weapons, including japan, to defend

in northwest d.c., ryan hughes, abc7 news. alison: still ahead at 5:00, battleground wi could make a difference a week from today. larry: then a metro station mired for years in the planning stages. >> the fans of the kids terrorize nation capital on halloween. announcer: you're watching "abc7 news at 5:00". on your side. >> a violent halloween night in district included a string of robbery by a pack of teenagers. stephen tschida is live with new information on the developing story. stephen: the most violent incident took place in the heart of georgetown on prospect at 34th street. a student walking open attacked, beaten, robbed by 20 i got off the phone with m.b.d. and this crime is a biased crime. the university says the suspect used homophobic slurs while assaulting that student. police nabbed several suspects in connection with an early morning robbery at wisconsin and chesapeake street in northwest. at least a couple of those apprehended dressed >> i guess they took advantage of the fact that you can wear mask and get awa

and ryan hughes is live in lakeland this morning. school records show young went into data base to change documents incity kate -- documents here indicate that she changed the records of the student who was hit. brenda young told supervisors he was not required to cross the road to get to the bus stop. on the day of the accident, she went in and changed his records. she was suspended without by her home yesterday, listen here. >> reporter: are you fighting for determination? >> yes, aim. >> reporter: do you -- did you not do what they are saying you did? >> i did not do it. >> the superintendent of schools wants brenda young fired, and she will go before the school board at 5:00 don't to fight for her job, gayle. back to you. >> it will be interesting to see how it plays out. thank you, ryan. >>> 6:05 is the time, and a wrong end of the law this morning. her toddler found wandering on the streets by herself, and this is not the first time it has happened. 24-year-old whitney shoemaker is facing charges for putting her 3-year-old todd

in old town, ryan hughes, abc7 news. alison: wow! jonathan: amazing. all that stuff, in the nondescript building up for auction. alison: collectors can't wait for that. alison: staying with the modern day politics, a look at the political campaign of donald trump and hillary clinton. they have produced controversy. we know that. but they have consumed a lot of cash. just like every other part of the 2016 campaign the money trail is anything but politics as usual. hillary clinton's biggest outside dollars came from wall street. for trump, his biggest source of donors came from the retirees and real estate businesses. the political action committees. >> there is a super p.a.c. priorities usa action that is the super pac backinghill -- hillary clinton. this one is totally devoted to get her elected. priorities usa action raised a lot of money. >> trump has a couple of the super p.a.c.'s backing him. favored super p.a.c. donors don't know who to give to. alison: to find out more on who paid what to elect the next president watch the report this sunday on "

. >> we are your vote 2016 and ryan hughes. they are watching social media and are out in the community talking to voters this morning. after a historic event. we will look at how donald trump secured the 270 electoral votes required to win the presidency. >> it is all said and done. when he reached 270, he secured the presidency. what did he have to do? h with 29 electoral votes. also he took pennsylvania's 20 electoral votes and north carolina's 15. ohio, that gave trump another 18. adding wisconsin with ten. and then iowa with six. all of that helped give donald trump the presidency. as you can see -- read throughout most of the states. traditionally go to the democrats. that is what happened here. there has been a lot of talk on social media. the number one thing you will see today is that donald trump has already changed his twitter feed. it now reads, president-elect of the united states. >> new title, new profile. >> a lot of changes. wall street is bracing for volatility after the election. >> futures had plummeted over

ryan hughes joins us like. flights are supposed to start heading to havana to tampa in a few weeks but could this change with donald trump being the president elect? >> good morning. as you mentioned that is uncertain just as that first southwest airlines flight is expected to go from tampa international airport and head to havana. as well. listen here. >> i think you go there and families reconnecting and organizations and groups reconnecting and that's how the people will rise up. >> mario nunez can trace cuban roots back more than one hundred years and fears that donald trump could reverse that. he would like to see open others worry that president obama's oversures to cuba gave us nothing in return and castro's measures were not harsh and not relaxed rules. that is all unknown and as you know people are really looking forward to that daily service from tampa to havana. >>> it will be interesting to see how it plays out with donald trump being a businessman of course you have a lot of companies and a lot of

ryan hughes monitoring the developments from the live desk. ryan: we learned that the school bus driver glenn chappell operating the school bus on a suspended commercial driver's license. abc7 obtained these two letters from the m.t.a. sent to chappell in july and the other in september warning certificate was about to expire. the video is horrific. the school bus hit a car, crashed into a pillar and barreled into the m.t.a. bus. six peak were killed -- six people were killed. every driver must have a medical examine certificate on file. it's a requirement to make sure you are fit to drive. the m.t.a. says chappell e 31. today we are hearing from chappell's daughter who says she does not want to speculate about exactly what happened. but talk about of her dad's driving history makes this more painful. >> if this was a medical emergency we will find out. if he passed out, then his foot accelerated on the pedal. it could happen to anybody. results. before investigators determine what caused the crash. today we reached out to the bus contractor t

ryan hughes shows us how people now are preparing. ryan: shoppers are filling up the grocery cart and getting ready to host family for dinner. his parents are conservative and he and his siblings don't share the same political views. >> politics should be left at the door. everyone should focus on just getting back involved with election, that still has a lot of people upset, families are telling the loved ones to take the political talk off the menu. karen french is hoping her familiar keeps the comments to themselves. everyone voted for president-elect trump but her. >> a lot of people feel strongly. i feel strongly. it could get ugly. >> a coun lel somewhere specializing in family matters is offering up food for thought. to keep the peace, keep the conversation fun and friendly. >> think of the discussing things that are deeper and more meaningful about how they have been doing, how is the >> be mindful of how you act and put family first. jonathan: president-elect trump released a video with the thanksgiving message for the nation

in arlington, ryan hughes, abc7 news. alison: tonight, a crime inside a restaurant that will make parents shutter. a bathroom assault. and there is more than one victim. area students join the anti-trump movement. first amendment express or unexcused absence? metro riders could face week. >> with "7 on your side," i see they solve problems. alison: we are ill proving the price -- we are improving the price on home improvement. announcer: now "abc7 news at 5:00". on your side. alison: police say he followed them to the bathroom and held them against their will and he is now charged with sexual assaulting two children inside a popular restaurant where he worked. this stephen tschida has the latest. stephen: this incident took place at a fast food restaurant behind me at a shopping center. we are in the heart of ashburn. this area is dotted with the fast food restaurants. it's all across the area. the one here has an area for small children to play. this incident involving a registered a sex offender at a fast food restauran

in northwest d.c., ryan hughes, abc7 news. larry: a volunteer filled assembly line w morning. for 32nd year the knights of columbus in arlington did their part to deliver turkey dinners for people who otherwise wouldn't have it. it's down to exact science. turning 400 donated turkeys and the pounds and pounds of fixing into 1700 meals for meals on wheels. as we enter the holiday season think about showing generosity with the toys for tots. join us for a toy drive at national harbor next saturday september 3. we will be there collecting toys between 11:00 a.m. and first family spending this thanksgiving in florida. trump's club in palm beach, florida. no public events today. before leaving for florida the president elect recorded a video calling for unity after what he called a bruising election. vice president-elect mike pence and his family are spending the day in mississippi. that is where pence's son, a marine, is training to become a pilot. in morning the governor tweeted out a message wishing everyone a happy thanksgiving. larry: coming up, the close finish to the turkey

ryan hughes is live in opponent plays this morning. ryan, what were their main concerns. >> things seem to run smoothly but some voters were concerned that their votes were not tallied. we were at this precinct on election da technicians were roaming the county to replace or fix any ballot machines that malfunctioned. elections workers assured voters they could come back to watch the count after the polls closed at 7. >> i can trust people like this . again, they may be honest people, but how do you know? >> i want to see my vocal through the machine. >> all at all, minor issues report. we're told nearly 600,000 voters hit the polls here in this county alone yesterday. >>> let's get you out the door this morning. >> we will have extra clouds around through the day today. more clouds, 69 am. 75 by noon. i'm even adding in a slim rain chance or couple of sprinkles as a cold front comes through with a high of 70 degrees. we are also drier this morning. we are 2 to 4 degrees warmer right now than this time yesterday. clouds especially nort

ryan hughes joins us live from outside the white house with the work already underway. hey, ryan. ryan: hey, larry. you may have noticed the workers building the platform at the capitol. workers are building the reviewing stand on the other side of the fence outside the now more than two months away. >> it is a choice between division or unity. >> on november 8, we are going to do something so special. >> hillary clinton and donald trump are making closing arguments the final hours of the campaign. tomorrow, america will decide who will be moving in the white house. but preparations are already made for inauguration day. >> the secret facebook and fema are the three event sharers for the planning for this. >> chain link fence now stands in front of the north side in front of the white house to block off pennsylvania avenue and lafayette square. inside the perimeter, the workers are building the reviewing stand for the parade. >> even though we haven't got to elections yet we have to prepare because there will be a president elected in the white house. might as well get everything

in jail or the morgue. >> in clarksburg, ryan hughes, abc7 news. >> covering metro now. orange and the silver line trains are single tracking between the westfalls church and the east falls church station. they will be doing so until december 21. as a result, the metro latest safetrack surge has the potential to be one of the most disruptive so far. bad news. orange and the silver line be more crowded than usual. >> time for a check of the roads. >> jamie sullivan is on traffic watch. so far so good or backups? jamie: backups. last tame we had a closure on 270. it's roped but still bumper to bumper heading north to clarksburg. this is near father hurley boulevard. through gaitr volume. this is a good idea. this is northbound. southbound is flowing well. but northbound is seeing the bumper to bumper traffic. that is what will happen when you have a crash. in the middle of rush hour where we see the slowing. there slowing. in virginia -- beltway. you can see the volume. continuing north to cross the american legion bridge, the same thing. a lot of slowing. earlier crash on

ryan hughes is in kettering with more. what can you tell us? police tape. we are told the spire started in the basement and it spread to the first floor. kettering middle school, on election day this is used as a polling location. volunteers in the parking lot say a woman came staggering across the street asking for help. she said she was set on fire. this looks to be re domestic argument. they wrapped her in a blanket until the officers got on the scene. listen to the volunteer describing the moment. >> please call me, call 911. my husband set me on fire. i look at her and from head to toe she was completely burned. it was horrible. ryan: a man was rescued from the home. condition. a firefighter sustained injuries and was taken to the hospital. but we are told he is expected to be okay. again, the cause of the fire is still undetermined now but it's related to a domestic argument. it's under investigation by both the prince george's county fire department and the police department. that is the latest in kettering, ryan hughes, abc7 news. joth explosive pro

news channel 8's ryan hughes is live in polk county. ryan, fichter will go before the same judge that sentenced her? >> reporter: exactly. good morning, gayle. she will be at the courthouse for a sentence reduction by the same judge who sentenced her to 22 years in state prison. in court, jennifer fichter admitted to having sex with three teenage boys. the judge called the central florida aerospace academy english teacher a predator. she was remorseful but still given a harsh sentence. today she plans to ask for a significant reduction. listen to the judge admonishing her in court last year. >> you have a long time to let your faith work in your life so that when you come out you are a different person. >> reporter: detectives said the former teacher had sex with one student 20 to 30 times in the back of her pickup truck. news channel 8 will have a crew in the courtroom when the ar >> a lot of folks will be watching this one. thanks, ryan. >>> federal investigators are trying to figure out why an ohio state university student went on a

we are live downtown tonight, ryan hughes, abc 7 news. kimberly: thank you, brian. -- ryan. green party candidate jill stein campaigned in college park earlier in the day. she will hold another event at the university of mary washington in fredericksburg coming up at 7:00. former vice president al gore hits the campaign trail for hillary clinton tomorrow. to address the urgent threat of climate change and layout of the high-stakes of the selection. -- this election. today is the final day of early voting in most states. 42 million americans have cast ballots. and fairfax county, 115,000 people voted absentee this election. the elections office must receive mailing absentee balance by p.m. election day, the same time the polls close. abc 7 and news channel 8 are you are home for complete coverage of campaign 2016 p or we will be all across our area tuesday, reporters with the trump and clinton campaign. many of sunshine to enjoy everyday. even if it got darker sooner. is the great weather going to stick around? meteorologist josh knight has a first look of your forecast. litt

ryan hughes is live in temp international airport this morning. ryan, southwest airline flight to havana begins next month. is that in jeopardy? >> reporter: good morning to you, that of course is a big there is a large cuban-american population here in the bay area and will restrictions rolled back the ease of traveling between the 2 countries? that is unknown. many people in the bay area can trace their cuban roots back decades and with donald trump changing that with the simple stroke of a pen could cause troubles. others also save overtures with cuba give us nothing in return. >> they never gave anything up in exchange for what they got. you don't reward bad behavior. >> reporter: again, at this point that is all unknown right now. many people looking forward to the southwest airline flight >>> you're looking at a live picture from canonsburg pennsylvania. this is live picture outside of the police department there. we have just learned 2 of the city's police officers have been shot, not at this location, at a different team, but they have swa

ryan hughes is live this morning. ryan, eat is this even legally -- is this even legally possible ? >> reporter: good morning, city leaders here in zephyrhills say it is. they put a temporary and -- into it further and determine where dispensaries can be built. the band can stay in place for a year -- ban can stay in place for year. supporters say it is a health issue in summary need of miracle wanna -- marijuana use . >> the citizens of the state of florida were have also spoken. it is a big thing for them to, and say trying to come in and say we're not going to do this and ignore with the stay put into law. >> this is the only city. hillsboro county -- hillsborough county has just presented a six-month and -- ban. >> a lot of people will be watching this one. thank you. office needs your help to find a missing teenager. she is 15 years old and believed to have run away from her home without medication monday. if you have seen her or know where she is, please, contact the manatee county sheriffs office. >>> new information on a stabbing death in plant city. 31-year-old rocio was st

that's where we find news channel 8 ryan hughes this morning. investigators tell you the victim died as a result of they're saying right now. so of course the information is quite vague at this hour. the man was found unconscious here at this gas station with what's being describe as upper body trauma. this is video taken from the scene. you can see the parking lot and gas pumps roped off by yellow crime scene tape. the call for help came in around 7 last night. police arrived and found the man suffering from some sort of injury to his upper body. he was taken hospital where he later tied. investigators tell us he was murdered and don't have a motive and haven't identified any suspects. we're still waiting for the name of the victim as well. >>> well, the time right now is just seconds away from 6:38 on this friday, veterans day, a lot of folks off work and school today. it's going to be beautiful. >> it really is. in fact, it's begins to come up over the horizon. clear, crisp, fall-like. this is the veterans ford camera on this veterans day, 57

ryan hughes is joining airport. line, there are many flights that are supposed to start going from tampa to havana. could donald trump presidency change all of this? >> reporter: good morning to you, all of that is uncertain right now. it comes at a time when the southwest airline flight is expected to take off for the first time in cuba, december 12 . someone open relations to the castro regime. >> i think you go there and families a reconnecting, people, organizations and groups are reconnecting, that is file -- how the people roll rise up . >> reporter: you can traces cuban roots back more than 100 years. he fears donald trump could reverse the recent changes with the simple stroke of a pen. you like to see open relations continue however others we overtures to cuba give us nothing and can turn -- return . many people are looking forward to that flight that leaves from here in december. >>> it will be difficult situation for donald trump because it's hard to be the president who watches business interest be the p

ryan hughes joins us from there live this morning. it's just before thanksgiving and even though that small town was lashed by hermine many have a lot to be thankful for. >> good morning. they do, many homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed by the storm. some people are even preparing to put their homes on after water got inside. everyone here has pulled together to recover and rebuild quickly. . >> there are plenty of signs that show how a small town can rebound after a trying time. >> tore off the back wall and we got 4 feet of water in the store. >> market at cedar key was one of the hardest hit businesses when hurricane hermine battered the island in early september. >> i was told the fruit was the water. >> the market is back in business just in time for the busy holiday season. >> everything from this point right here out was all blown out in the street. >> hermine caused roughly half a million dollars in damage at the beach front motel a 9-foot storm surge battered the buildings, we rode out part of the storm on the sec

ryan hughes joins police officers searched this area near a sam's club in lakeland overnight but i just checked and still no sign of the suspect. a polk county sheriffs spokeswoman tells news channel 8 that flanagin took off from a county fleet management facility in a pickup truck around 3:30 yesterday afternoon. the truck was later found abandoned that's when the all-out search began. this is video of the search from eagle 8 hd. deputies drove around in cars and used k-9 units hopin lakeland officers tell us they'll continue searching until he's back behind bars. now, here's another look at the 45-year old flanagin. court documents show he was arrested in september for theft, his third conviction of that -- on that charge rather. flanagin was set to be released in march just a few months from now. he was grand trustee status for good behavior which allowed him to work outside under supervision. now, if caught he'll face new theft and if we get any new details on the search for the suspect well certainly let you know. >> he was almost out of there, march just a few months away and now

kimberly: that was ryan hughes reporting. the wind fueled this party -- this fire in damascus. this comes to us from fire and rescue. the flames spread from a barn to the woods and brush. no one was hurt. crews plan to stay on the scene for several hours to watch for gusty winds snapped a power pole in kensington, knocking out power to the kensington house apartments. 140 apartments are without power at this time you're in the emergency lights are on. a street is also closed in the area. coming up next, more big names roll into donald trump's golf course. you love all-day breakfast. but you don't love that you can't get all your favorites. but now you can get more of what you love. so you can find something else to not love. like hearing the sound of your own voice. (softly) like hearing the sound of your own voice. >> you are watching abc 7 news at 6:30, on your side. kimberly: firefighters in fairfax county battled to house fires, one broke out in a home on villa lane in falls church around 6:00 a.m.. smoke and materials in the home library ignited combustible the house. the

that mailman talked to ryan hughes about the horrifying ordeal. he joins us live with the details. do we know what they were after? ryan: we can tell you they were after money, not the mail. the victim is out of the hospital after getting three stitches in his four head. cell phone, even his shoes and pants. the victim is speaking out, because he says he wants to protect his coworkers. >> as soon as i laid down, i started to get kicked in the head. i got pistol whipped. ryan: bruised, battered, and fearing for his life, this postal carrier asked that we hide his face after he was attacked and robbed on the job. >> i am trying to support my ryan: police are back at the scene this afternoon in the 2000 block of second street north east, searching through the grass and looking for evidence. investigators say the mail carrier was headed back to his truck saturday evening when he ran into two men sitting on the sidewalk. >> one of them put a gun to my four head, and told me to lay on the ground. ryan: did as he was told, but the suspects grew angrier when they found out he didn't have a

live in the satellite center, ryan hughes, abc7 news. michelle: the idea of a gondola over the potomac river could be a reality. gondola to connect georgetown to rosalyn is feasible. it would cost $80 to $90 million and take two years to build. public meeting will be held tonight at 6:00 at the georgetown theater in northwest. jonathan: it's funny when they say it's feasible. if we can paut man on the moon we can make a gondola. michelle: next at 4:00 -- alison: "7 on your side" with jonathan: then there is this. >> cubs win the world series. jonathan: "cubs" and "win the world series" hasn't been used in the same sentence in a hundred years. next for us the celebrations planned in chicago. the a-list invite. there is a planned celebration in d.c. >> park police respond to an officer down. he was air lifted to the hospital. on the issues, barbara comstock and donald trump are the same. comstock and trump promote deportation and reject any comprehensive immigration reform. both oppose background checks that keep guns from suspected terror

ryan hughes joins us live from the hillsborough county shares . they call it car hopping apparently a pastime investigators here at the hillsborough county sheriffs office call a crime. check out these mugshots the show 14 people arrested for stealing dozens of vehicles in riverview. investigators tell us they are mostly 15 to 20 years old. they would hit neighborhoods at night going from car to car hoping the vehicles were unlocked. they stole everything inside and take the car as well. we spoke to alex cost of woke up and found his car gone. >> they don't think that far ahead of what the consequences are. a lot of times they see some exciting because you're not supposed to do it. >> reporter: lesson learned here . make sure you lock your vehicles now that the holidays are upon us. visitors will be in town so you will want to watch their vehicles as well. >> you have to lock your car your teens. this is not a game. >>> in the fight against the zika virus, the florida department of health has lifted part of the zika virus own in miami beach. over

ryan hughes is live in zephyrhills saw orion, kansas city do this even though it was voted into law. >>> at this point they can for now. city leaders don't want the dispensaries in certain areas. they just passed an to been dispensaries from opening in the city. the behnken same place for a year. medical marijuana supporters are upset about this calling it a health issue sing some people are in desperate need of marijuana to deal with illnesses. city leaders claim they are being proactive and don't want dispensaries in places like churches and schools due to safety concerns. >> we're not against the idea, it is state law sure before someone comes in and sarah one open a dispensary that we are ready to. >> zephyrhills isn't the only city with the band -- been. hillsboro -- ban hillsborough also is considering a ban. the front door of a gun store in in just minutes thieves made off with dozens of firearms. agents are offering a big ward to get these thieves and guns they stole -- reward to get these thieves and guns they stole off the streets. this is a frightening story because this a

ryan hughes is live outside the polk county courthouse this morning. why is fichter asking for a lighter sentence? >> reporter: reports show she wants a sentence reduction were willing participants and she thinks she can find more suitable treatment options outside of prison. last year jennifer fichter was sentenced to more than 20 years in prison for having sex with three teenage boys. in court the judge called her a predator. she was remorseful but still given a harsh sentence. today she plans to ask for a significant reduction. more details will come out in court. here is fichter last year when inaudible ]. >> detectives said fichter had sex with one student 20 to 30 times in the back of her pickup truck. we will have a crew in the courtroom when this hearing gets underway at 8:30 this morning. >> a lot of folks are watching this case. thanks, ryan. charges. ammit santiago is accused of molesting a girl in 2014. the incident happened before he worked at eisenhower middle school. he has since resigned from his job at the gibsonton school. >>> in cuba

ryan hughes is live in lakeland. school records show young went into the data base and changed things? >> reporter: and gayle, good morning. documents indicate she altered the records on the student who was hit and killed right here as he simply tried to cross the street on the way stop. she told supervisors kirk was not required to cross the street. she went in and changed the records, and she said it was to create a new bus stop for students, not to hide anything. we stopped by her home yesterday. listen here. are you fighting your determination? >> yes, i am. >> reporter: do you -- did you did? >> i did not do it. . >> reporter: and the superintendent of the schools wants brenda young fired. she will go before the school board at 5:00 tonight and fight for her job. the latest throughout the day, gayle, back to you. >> thank you, ryan. >>> a tampa man is now enjoying when he shot a tampa mother in the face. he was sentenced to life in 2010. when the supreme court threw out life sentences for juveniles, his sentence

ryan hughes is live downtown. tens of thousands of people are expected -- we can call them this morning. >> good morning and happy thanksgiving to you. will many will sit around the dinner table and splurge more than 3000 people will hit the road for the turkey gobble. if you take a look behind me you can see set up is underway right now. this is the 2nd annual race. you are looking at video from last year's goody-goody turkey gobble. roughly 2000 runners took to the streets of downtown chama -- tampa. it takes people from emily over the bridge and then back to. it is a good way to break -- burn off those calories later to be packed on. we just folks -- spoke to the councilmember and they said it is supposed to top last year. >> very impressed with numbers this year. last year we had about 25 we are really excited about those numbers. >> reporter: at thing, all proceeds go to the live strong program which helps people diagnosed with cancer. everyone who participates, even those who don't come in first place get th

hughes is live there this morning. good morning, it's just before thanksgiving an even though that small town was lot to be thankful for. >> reporter: good morning. they do. many homes and businee damaged or destroyed by the hurricane. some are now preparing to put their home on stilts. you see this home lifted off the ground after water got inside after the hurricane. everyone has pulled together and tried to recover and build quickly. there are plenty of signs that show how a small town can rebound after got 4 feet of water in the store. >> reporter: the market was one of the hardest hit businesses when the hurricane battered the island in early september. >> the fruit was all over the floor and floating in the water. >> the market is back in business just in time for the busy holiday season. >> everything from this point right here out was all blown out in the street. >> hermine caused roughly half a surge battered the buildings. we rode out part of the storm on the second floor. every piece of furniture was ruined.

ryan hughes is in zephyrhills this morning which just put a ban on suspend trees for year. >> reporter: good morning, city leaders here don't want dispensaries in certain areas. they just put an ordinance in place to keep them away for now. that ordinance was just past to temporarily ban is dispensaries from opening in the city. the ban can stay in place for a year . supporters are upset calling it a health issue saying some people are in desperate need of marijuana to deal with in this illnesses. leaders say they are being proactive and don't want dispensaries opening your places like churches and schools due to safety concerns. >> we are not against the idea , it is state law. we just want to be sure before someone comes in and says i want to open up a dispensaries here, that we are ready for where here will be. >> reporter: backslide this isn't the only place for ban. approved a 6 month ban. >> i know it has to be frustrating for people that need the medication. >>> a truck rammed through the front window of a tampa gun store and within minutes a gang of thieves made off with dozens

. >> as you heard from ryan hughes: donald trump will be in orlando, miami, and pensacola today to spread his message. the ticket argues that increased competition between the big insurance companies will provide that are coverage options that obama care, but since florida governor with scott -- rick ot proposed participating in the affordable care act, it is unclear what kind of impact those changes will have here. donald trump will be back in florida again tomorrow visiting jacksonville on the same day that president obama himself will be in town rallying voters for hillary clinton. >>> healthcare coverage definitely one of those issues that affect millions of americans if not all of us when we are another. candidates . >>> this morning, new numbers on how many people are taking advantage of early voting. nearly 32 percent of registered voters in the state have already voted early or mailed in a valid. that translate to more than 4 million people. republicans have a slight lead, 1.6 5 million votes have come from republicans compared to 1.6 3 million votes of the democrats. nearly 700,0

ryan hughes, news channel 8. >>> is the highest civilian honor in our nation. >>> which of your favorite stars will take home the medal of freedom? >>> the last time our team of the week went undefeated in the regular season, it was 1970 and the beatles had announced their breakup. i will introduce you to these pinellis county rock stars near 80 degrees again today but it will be a cooler evening. big changes for the weekend. we will have that forecast shortly. >> that and more coming up. you are watching news channel 8, the station that's always on your side. >>> better call behnken has done it again. reuniting tampa bay viewers with $2.3 million in unclaimed cash. >> shannon behnken is live at our phone bank. >> we had a $20,000 claim out >> reporter: shannon behnken was on your side all night helping you cash in on money you never knew was yours. >> we help viewers reunite with $1.7 million. >> reporter: now there are over $2 million to choose the station that's always on your side. hey! is this enough? a little more... grandma! there's no more room. oh look who's here! i know i had o

. >> ryan hughes is live at west shore plaza in tampa. what's going on out there right now? . >> well this plaza actually closed at 1 a.m., it's set to reopen this morning at 6:00. so roughly one hour from now. you can see right now the parking lot isn't busy but there have been a few people that are showing up at this point ready to get their hands on some bargains here at west shore plaza in tampa friday last year shoppers packed bay area stores everything from target to walmart, local malls and outlet's and hundreds if not thousands waited for good deals like $299 tvs or cheap bicycles for the kids and that's certainly expected to be the case all over the bay area today as people make their way from their homes to these local malls and outlet's to get all of these bargains. here at west shore only set to reopen at 6:00 this morning. many people expected here throughout the day and certainly throughout the weekend as there are roughly what 30 days until christmas? back to you. >> who's counting. a lot starting last night and continuing today. >>> well, many cross items off

. >> thousands of people are expected to pack local stores to get their hand -- bargains and ryan hughes is live at west shore plaza in tampa this leave here a couple of hours ago because west shore plaza behind me closed around 1 a.m. and we also saw a worker here she said good night to the security guard as she left those doors right there. she said to him i'll see you in a few hours so imagine what day lies ahead for many people all over the bay area who have to deal with a lot of these shoppers. let's go to some video that shows the situation st shoppers packed bay area stores from targets and walmarts to local malls. hundreds waited in line for hours to get good deals like $299 tvs or cheap bicycles for the kids. back here live again as i mentioned the doors closed at 1 a.m. only to open again soon at 6 a.m. but you can see the parking lot is dead. we're expecting many people to start showing up here in the next hour or so. information as the doors behind me open again >> the quiet before storm. ryan, thank you. >>> and if you do shop today be careful in those parking lots. thieves

on cedar key, ryan hughes back to you. >> the chief tells us the holdup is insurance related. >>> now to you by your local suncoast hyundai dealers. visit your local hyundai dealer today or visit www.buyahyundai.com. >> we will ?2 of moisture the next couple of days but unlikely to be on max defender 8. precipitation not really building up that much on florida's west coast. we will look for dry conditions to hold up. we can see partially why here on the camera from the lakeland automall in polk county. you can see this great shot. just beautiful weather. it has been lovely under the clear skies on the region. our temperatures will continue to fall throughout the evening. north winds and very light wind conditions overall. a dry atmosphere and easterly breeze as well at veterans ford. expecting more sunshine tomorrow with a possibility of a few extra clouds. as well as the easterly flow moving into tomorrow. the evening will go along but not as cool as last night. it was quite chilly and chilly fast. 69 degrees and then the computer model has a few clouds. we have seen a bit but not mu

ryan hughes joins us now live in polk county where joseph flanagin stole a truck and we leard truck. >> good morning. deputies tell us he jumped into a pickup truck. they later found that truck abandoned. now, the search is onto find joseph flanagin. now, they searched this area near a sam's club in lakeland last night. he took off from a county fleet management building in bartow around 3:30 yesterday afternoon that's when the all-out search began. this is video of the search from eagle 8 hd. deputies drove around in cars and used k-9 units hoping to he's back behind bars. here's another look at 45-year old joseph flanagin. documents show he was arrested in september for theft his third conviction on that kind of charge. he was set to be released in march. he was granted trustee status for good behavior which allowed him to work outside under supervision. now if caught he'll face new theft and escape charges. we will remain here in lakeland if we get any new details on the know. >> needless to say if caught he'll probably be in there for a little longer than march. >> exactly. >>> t

. >> ryan hughes was in cedar key during the storm. he's back there this morning joins us now live. everyone pulled together quickly. >> good morning. they knew they had to course depends greatly on tourism businesses rebuilt homes like this one are being outfitted right now with stilts. many helped each other to try to get back on their feet after the town was badly damaged. sweeping views of the gulf of mexico on a crisp fall day can cause residents and visitors on the key to pause. so can the sights and sounds of the constant construction in the aftermath of hurricane hermine. >> it was pretty bad. i don't >> lynn who didn't want to give her last name lost her house in the hurricane but gained something, faith in her community. . >> and everybody all over the town came together within a week we had the place just wonderful again. >> slowly but surely cedar key is getting back to normal after the hurricane battered the tiny island resorts have been rebuilt, apartments are being restored. city hall is still closed due to water damage. >> this b probably the worst storm we've seen e

ryan hughes is live in lakeland. any sign of this deputies and lakeland police officers they searched this area near a sam's club in lakeland overnight but i just checked and no sign of him so far. a polk county sheriffs office spokeswoman tells us that joseph flanagin took off from a county fleet management facility in bartow in a pickup truck around 3:30 yesterday afternoon. the truck was later found abandoned and that's when the all-out search began. now, this is video of the search from eagle 8 hd. deputies drove around in to find him. deputies and lakeland officers tell us they'll continue searching until he's back behind bars. here's another look at 45 years old joseph flanagin. court documents show he was arrested in september for theft, his third conviction on that kind of charge. flanagin was set to be released in march just a few months from now. he was granted trustee status for good behavior which allowed him to work outside under supervision. now, if caught he'll fac will be here, and the moment we get a