live from the kgo-tv broadcast center this is abc7 news. tree experts using a break in the weather to clean up downed trees from the last storm while they prepare for more rain, more saturated ground, and more weakened trees. good morning, i am kristen sze. >> i am eric thomas. the bay area may see some sun and blue skies later this afternoon. there is more rain around the corner. that means many of us who don't have to clean up now may have to clean up after the next storm. nick is in san francisco in the dime heights neighbor. i can tell you that the home owner here love their monterey pine but it comes at a price.

over the last year and the last storm season, we didn't have a whole lot of rain and this area we are hit hard. >> business is billioning. >> a lot of free failures and branch failures and here an entire tree falling and mostly because of the storm. >> he is seeing a record number of trees like this six-year-old monterey pine coming down. jeff as a homeowner had one thought: thank god for gravity. when the strong winds come, the roots can not stay firmly laboratoried in the ground. >> we lick the trees. they create the atmosphere for us. we like being on the edge of the canyon but we have been concerned about these particular trees. >> this we have a lot of end weight where the wretches -- branches are mostly on one side. >> they are pore like throw come over.

>> homeowners must take the time to inspect the trees. >> if you notice something going on with the tree jump on it right away. >> older trees are a problem and heavy tears a problem. they have given us a list of things to do as a homeowner to make sure your tree is not in danger of coming down in your home and we posted that list on our website at abc7news.com. you still have a little bit of time to get ready for the next round of rain. >> a look from the golden gate bridge camera you can see the clouds still handing over the span and that is the way it is across the bay area and the rain let up and here is meteorologist mike nicco with when the wet weather returns. >> looking good, good morning from the to which the news broadcast center. have the umbrella handy with more yet weather on the way and we are getting a break and seeing break in the cloud cover not so thick as they were the last couple of days.

good news on our drought front, we drop from 55 percent to 32 percent in the exceptional drought the highest category mostly because of the rain in the north bay. in the south bay, 7.45" in san jose, the second wettest december ever. we have to get around 9.25" to tie the 1955 record. in san francisco we are well, 10.10" so we are in 11th place. we need to reach 15.25" to break that record. live doppler hd shows how quiet it is. you will remain quiet null are in the clouds because the storm system is to the west 425 miles away and it is coming into our neighborhood tonight. so, a dry evening commute and a wet morning commute tomorrow, light-to-moderate rain, wind, no storm tonight and that means minor rock slides and urban flooding and wind damage like we had last night which wasn't much. after that, we should be out of

it but for one chance in the north bay this weekend. that is. coming up. you can see what is showing up on live doppler hd any time with the weather app free on apple app and google play and we also have more information at abc7news.com/apps. if you have weather happening where you live, we want to see it, e-mail your photos are video to us at ureport@kgo-tv.com and share them with us on twitter@abcnews. ago ago. >> commuters can breathe easier because expensive repair on the eastern span may not be necessary after all. a committee says that 2,200 bolts and rods will not fail with proper maintenance. transit agencies launched an investigation after 32 of the rods cracked last area. they are support rods for the eastern span and the chronicle reports the committee voted

replacing them was too costly and a full bridge panel will consider that tomorrow. >> lawyer for the boston marathon bumming suspect will file a mention to delay the start of the trial. here's sketches from this morning when the 21-year-old appeared in federal court for the first time in a year and a half. he is charged with the twin bombings that killed three and wounded more than 260 others in april of 2013. the trial is scheduled to begin next month. if convicted he could face the death penalty. the city at root of nationwide protests over police brutality is taking a step to normalcy in ferguson, missouri, the state of emergency is lifted. the declaration was in effect for a month after the shooting death of michael brown. the governor praised the national guard trap -- troops for contain tabling the protests without any deaths.

>> oakland police did not know that plain clothes officers were dressed as demonstrators during a protest last week. one was pointing a gun at officers try to protect his partner who is next to him on the ground who was being attacked. c.h.p. insists they got permission to place the officers among the demonstrators but oakland police say they were not informed. >> two separate demonstrations will kickoff at noon, public defenders in san francisco and contra costa county are joining with allies no a handsup don't shoot demonstration. the protests show solidarity with ongoing rallies in other major united states cities. >> in southern california two more people have dried after a driver plowed into a crowd at a christmas celebration in redondo beach. eight adult including the driver and five children were hurt and a child and adult are in critical condition. the crash happened as families left a school concert at a

church last night. police say a 56-year-old woman is under arrest on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. san jose police continue to investigate a rape allegation involving now former 49er star ray mcdonald release him from the team yesterday less than an hour after learning of the investigation. police served a search warrant at his home on tuesday but he has not been arrested. on tuesday a local hospital called police to report a woman may have been sexually assaulted. she said she was at his house on monday. last month, a domestic violence investigation involving mcdonald's pregnant fiance was dropped. >> the under of an era: the chief regulator of utilities in california is now presiding over his last meeting after controversial reign that included the deadly san bruno explosion. amy? what a contrast.

some are begging him not do retire and some are thrilled to see him go. [ inaudible ] >> some call it corrupt and say he failed to protect the citizens of california especially those who died in the san bruno explosion. inside, the meeting is full of praise. more than a dozen people have been speaking out in favor of him complimenting his work during the energy crisis and his push for using alternative energy. supporters called him a man of courage and vision. former governors even sent letters to be read open his behalf. >> under your leadership, this commission displayed uncommon value -- valor over climate change. he'll be remembered as the quiet hero who got it down. i am proud to is served with you. sincerely, arnold schwarzenegger

>> the victory we won we are honored to take action in the memory our citizens who lost their lives as a result of the many failures of pg&e and the cpuc that was supposeed to protect them and other citizens. >> his critics call for better oversite over the cpuc and new leadership and legislation to make sure the commission's role is better beginned and -- better regulated. people are still speaking inside on behalf of him. [ inaudible ] >> that was amy hollyfield reporting from san francisco. staying younger longer. the answer to the quest for eternal youth could already be in your medicine cabinet. new proof that a popular pain reliever could hold the key. >> a texas-sized manhunt after a gunman attacked a tv personality and the community is showing support and will tell you

>> the search continues for the person accused of shooting a television meteorologist in texas shot yesterday while walking to his car in the station parking lot. he works for nbc affiliate kcen. shooter exchange words with crawford and opened fire using a semi-automatic handgun. crawford drove away and managed to flag down a construction worker for help we have no word on his condition but he is

"stable." friends and co-workers are lighting up social media with # oursuperman. it is a show of support. >> the national highway traffic safety administration demands a recall across the nation after finding driver-side airbags in 500,000 fords can explode with too much force. they have been shown to spew shrapnel into drivers and others in the car. the air bags are made by takata corporation. the ford recall covers mustangs and sports cars with a move putting pressure on bmw and chrysler to follow suit. so far they are the only two that have not agreed to national recalls. are you tired of spending money on antiaiming creams? a new study from the buck institutes foe research on aging shows aspirin can slow the aging process extending the life spans

of worms and flies by 15 percent and appeared to be more healthy. >> some families received a holiday surprise, the fire department and hook-and-ladder truck escorted 33 frozen turkey are given to family in need by sacred heart. they will give out 3,200 in all along with 1,700 toys. they have served san jose for the past 50 years in san jose. meteorologist mike nicco is straight ahead with the forecast. plus, two scrooges try to steal christmas and fail. how the thieves outed their own plan without knowing it. >> in the name of knock mcjokes. >> getting laughter in the christmas rush where you can

kickback in "explore where you

covering santa clara, san francisco, east bay, and all the bay area, this is abc7 news. >> a shoplifting plan in florida lap as pair of thieves in the slammer, and deputies say a man faked a heart attack to create a diversion while his friend walked out of wal-mart with a cart full of stolen items. what they were after was a barbie power wheels car. wal-mart caught on when they reviewed security camera footage and alerted police and had in trouble finding the men who have

long arrest records. now a check with mike and the forecast. what is going on, mike? >> we have a camera here and it is showing cloudy conditions but a bit of a break in the rain. let me show you one of the advisories out for the next storm and it comes tomorrow afternoon at 3:00 through saturday at 3:00 so 24 hours of high surf along the north bay coast and we could get breakers at 20' and dangerous rip currents and each -- beach erosion. as far at what we are looking at, right new, we are...let me show you the drought monitor. compared to last weak we are 55 percent exceptional drought. in most of the bay area, it is now mostly in the southern part of the industrial valley where it is going to stay because we have another storm system coming our way. lack at live doppler hd very dry and a lot of cloud cover with

the storm again and the storm track is going to take it mostly to the north, right now we are quiet around lake tahoe and look what happens when you do not get one day with snow. it actually went down, our percentage from 48 to 47 yesterday. we are still well above 27 percent from last year. ryville you could see the break looking back toward san francisco and as we head inland east bay walnut creek and 680 now, finally dry, and look at sun coming out across san jose and that is going to be an indication of some of the other things that are coming mostly cloudy and seasonal temperatures and another storm arrives tonight and rain is possible mainly across the north bay headed to saturday night into sunday the new wrinkle in the forecast. as far as temperatures, upper 50's to low 60's and tonight you can see the better radar return, futurery car returns, low-to-mid 50's will be mild and wet when

you wake up tomorrow. at look we seeing the drying trend no the afternoon and here is a look at our next storm coming in and it could create like last night's storm medium risk of issue back flooding and slides and risk of downed trees. not powerful but here is how it goes through the afternoon hours we are seeing drying headed to midnight you can see the steady and light to mad rat rain moving in through the morning rush hour and by thing, it is out of here, and it is going to stay out of hire but for the one chance crew the north bay saturday night and up to half an inch in the lower elevation and an inch in our higher elevation by the time all is said and done. the storm track moves to the north in weekend as the high pressure moves back in and the one storm is just close enough that it could sideside the north pay with rain in the dark hours of saturday fit through sunday morning. the daylight hours will be dry and next week traveling last

minute shopping, we are going to have low-to-mid 60's with morning fog and mostly sunny conditions in the afternoon. the last storm of our rain train is not going to be very dangerous but because we have so much saturation in the ground we could have run off tomorrow morning during the commute. are you building a play house? >> something is going on. this weekend is the last one before christmas and if you are done shopping there is plenty to explore where you live. leyla gulen has details. >> the holidays can be stressful we. that is why comic reheave is in order. begging the question: a makes people laugh? you can find out when the "complete history of comedy," is in mill valley. for many of us holidays are not complete without catching charlie brown open tv. this year, they come to life during premiere of a charlie brown christmas live at the

symphony hall in san francisco with live singers, actors and dancers while the orchestra and chorus lead a sing along of christmas carols. adelighting children and adults, oakland ballet is the "nutcracker," ringing in the christmas season. tickets are still available if all three performances this weekend at the historic paramount theater. go to abc7news.com for more information. amazon is offering new delivery obligations for holiday shoppers. new york city customers can test out the most speedy option, rolling out one-hour delivery in manhattan for a shawl fee for prime members. amazon expects today to be the business of the ordering day because tomorrow is the last day for free guarantee christmas delivery. for prime members you have until december 22 for free christmas delivery if you are beyond that you can still get next day or same day delivery for a small

fee. >> fees stop being small after a while. >> by now you probably have seen a silly video showing a dog eating with human hands but next the message behind this twist on the traditional family feast. >> at 3:00 on ray -- rachel ratio serving up cocktail

>> at 4:00, napa's earthquake after slip, the warning scientists giving homeowners four months after the 6.30 earthquake. >> is your car saving you money or throwing it away? at 5:00, "7 on your side" has your best and worst values for values. >> a new video aim at animal lovers is using humor to raise awareness. >> 13 dogs and a cat got together and enjoyed hilariously cute feast with human hands. >> each plays the role of a family figure from the grandfather who drips too much, to a teen texting and the aunt who steals silverware. the animals are rescue pets at the shelter in utah and will pay the adoption fees foe anyone who will give them a forever home. to watch the entire video go to

abc7news.com and look in the "distraction section." this is a distraction. >> how many surgeons did it take? you know, they have such good manners. >> such great manners. >> from all of us at abc7 news, thanks for joining us.

[dramatic music] ♪ >> hey! hey! ha-ha-ha! yes. yes, yes. i'm terry crews, and i'm in the mood to give some money away today on millionaire. [cheers and applause] my returning contestant is an independent filmmaker who's used to yelling, "cut." today i hope it's my turn to cut her a check for $1 million. from brooklyn, new york, please welcome back hallie cooper-novack! [cheers and applause] >> hi. great to be back. thanks. >> welcome, welcome. you are doing so well. >> thank you. >> now, in addition to being a filmmaker, i know that you're