>> new this morning we all use it. lighting, heating, air conditioning, but a new initiative is going to help oakland businesses cut costs to try to pay for it all. we'll explain this program that kicks off this morning coming up. >> a uc-berkeley alum's trip to cairo turns terrifying. a father and daughter share their escape from egypt all captured on home video. a pot farm plan up in smoke. why oakland is no longer blazing ahead in the marijuana industry. a live look outside, windy in parts of the bay.

this wednesday, february 2, this is "today in the east bay." >> good morning. i'm scott mcgrew. it's 4:30. let's check a windy but warm east bay forecast with meteorologist christina loren. good morning. >> good morning. the two are directly correlated. we have strong offshore winds. as a result our temperatures are relatively warm. oakland now 50 degrees, 50 in concord, 49 in livermore. it is breezy out there. so you really want to take it easy if you drive a high-profile vehicle, trackers, trailers, suvs, you know the drill. 48 in san jose. they are starting out so warm i think we'll see temperatures climb toward 65 degrees in concord and hayward. we'll talk about why and it's my boss's day, groundhog day so we'll see what the boss las to say about what's to come. you know he knows best.

>> good morning. some if they see their shadow in the traffic center, we'll look at the area in oakland. clearing the roadway as well. caltrans did construction from the coliseum to fruitvale. a traffic break letting loose, they moved the construction equipment. you see some flashing lights so a temporary slowdown past the coliseum. no major issues up flew the area, 880, through downtown oakland smooth drive. 680 slowing, the only thing through sunol is the pot hole repair work. and the volume is light so equipment there as well. >> thank you much. divers say this morning they will not go into a canal to search for jose rodriguez. he allegedly kidnapped a 4-year-old, dumped that body in a canal where sheriff's department confirmed they found the body of young juliani cardenas. he was kidnapped in paterson

last month. his mother went to a candlelight vigil to remember the life of her son. she didn't speak but on her facebook page directed a message at rodriguez, her ex-boyfriend, also the father of her unborn child says i want everyone to pray that jose's body is found is we can know that he's burning in hell and i don't have to worry about him taking my unborn baby girl. deputies say it's a matter of time before rodriguez's body is pulled from the water. >> there are a lot of theories and speculation about how he pulled this offnd pushed the car in the canal and you know, theft little boy to die. we'll find jose in that canal. >> deputies say a water department worker spotted the boy's body in the canal 30 miles south of paterson yesterday morning. >> amazing and bizarre rescue on tape a. woman, her dog and a

sheep stranded over the edge of a 200-foot cliff. it happened in the east bay off 580 on canal boulevard last night. here's the rescue. aerial shots from our chopper, the woman's dog took off after the sheep. both animals fell over the cliff so. the woman tried to rescue the dog by scaling down the side but she did not make it very far. you can see the rough terrain. the fire department rushed to the scene, pulled the three to safety. now, amazingly there were no injuries, the dog named sparkles and the sheep named peter pan are both unharmed. for the woman whose name ironically we did not get, she may be shaken up but is okay. looking to improve the bottom line. businesses trying to seat new initiative energy program that could reduce energy to boost profits as well. "today in the east bay's" christie smith is live there. good morning.

>> reporter: good morning to you, scott. this couldn't come at a better time for oakland businesses. right now energy costs are cheap but you need use it to do business. this initiative kicks off later this morning. what it's going to do is help them find creative ways to use energy, cut back a little and keep more money in their pocket. and maybe even attract more business to downtown oakland. mayor jean quan is going to kick that off later. it's called oakland shines, it's a partnership with a company called quest. they scored $5 million stimulus grant from the california energy commission. that will be applied to businesses in 120 block downtown area that includes jack london square and china town. it offers things like technical assistance and cash rebates to help pay for things like energy efficient lighting, to improve heating and air conditioning and up to 50 to 90% of the cost to

get those improvements done. the city is also looking to try and grab new which is and get them interested in coming to the city. if it works, the businesses could see a 20% drop in their energy use, businesses can go and apply for this right now. it is up on line. you can go to the website oakland shines.com. that's the latest from here. live in oakland, christie smith, "today in the east bay." >> thank you very much. let's turn to weather. it is a strange story across the country. a tale of two cities. let's check in with christina. >> it is. it's really abnormal to see such warm temperatures for us on the west coast and all of the heavy snow and bitter cold on the east coast. but our atmosphere and the earth is trying to reach equal lip brie yum. 50 degrees in oakland. i talk about temperatures warmer

than normal that's going to -- temperatures back up at 70 degrees, today some places will hit 70 because we're starting warm. the biggest concern in the east bay are the breezy conditions. you want to take it easy, watch out for loose debris on the highway and really want to stay alert. but the good news is all of that wind is keeping the fog from developing so we don't have dense fog. we could lose the wind f. that happens we'll see dense fog. 48 in san jose right now, 49 in livermore and 50 in concord. this afternoon temperatures are probably going to jump up to 65 in the east bay. more mild on the peninsula if you are headed to san francisco this morning. you do want to take it easy along the bridges because of the winds, right, mike. >> right. first the update we saw construction. the live shot coming fast coliseum, everything is spread out as it should be. construction cleared up heading up to fruitvale. you might see crews into

downtown as they move the equipment. back out to the bridges that you are talking about with. the benicia bridge has a wind advisory. keep in mind the carquinez likely to get a gust or two. the fog is blown out of the area. we'll see antioch, and a clearer view than yesterday at this time. >> mike, thank you much. rage and revolution under way in egypt. this morning in cairo thousands remain in the street, despite president mubarak's decision not to run for re-election. we're just getting word people on both sides are clashing in the square you saw last night as well. this is new video this morning, though not live. an associated press reporter says many people injured right now, people have started hitting each other with sticks, the two sides, the square has been the

rallying point for those protesting against the president. this is video of the start after massive rally captured bybay area man on vacation with his daughter in their hotel in the middle of this revolution. this morning he is back in the united states sharing his story with us. george kiriyama has more on the man who escaped from cairo. >> reporter: they were right in the middle of it shooting home video, witnessing history. >> probably tens of thousands of protesters coming across the bridge and the police on the same side of the bridge that we were on trying to prevent the protesters from coming across. >> reporter: george and his daughter heather had a bird's-eye view of the chaos. >> there was a tug of war or maybe a push of war of the protesters and the police going back and forth. one would have an advantage, then the other would. >> reporter: they decided to move to a different hotel

because they felt it would be the safe thing to do. while driving to the next place they knew they made the right decision. >> they were blocking lanes and saw people standing outside some of the police stations and holding revolvers, clearly they weren't -- >> reporter: they were disconnected from the outside world. no internet, no facebook. that night fear crept in. >> we were very nervous. there were a lot of gun shots outside and explosions. one point in the middle of the night we believed that they were tanks going by and just probably about two or three minutes. >> reporter: by sunday morning they were at the airport in cairo. despite craziness in the terminal of people trying to get out, they managed to get on a plane. they were going home. >> we got a seat on the plane and thought we're out. >> there is much more coming up

"today in the east bay." it's groundhog day. what did punxsutawney phil predict? is there an tend to the weather in the west? a live report. and will conflict in cairo put pressure on. how protests could affect how much you pay for gas. gl's he's single, he's great looking and i'm going to introduce you in two weeks. he's a dentist so whiten your teeth. no coffee, no espresso. mm-hmm. ♪ [ female announcer ] crest 3d white toothpaste. the remarkable toothpaste that removes up to 80% of surface stains in just two weeks... hi. i'm paul. [ female announcer ] for a noticeably whiter smile in just two weeks crest 3d white toothpaste. also try crest 3d white rinse. ♪

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>> devastating and debilitatind, historic, describing the worst winter storm in history, a blizzard gripping parts of the country. dangerous icy rain falling in other, ironically our kristen dahlgren is tracking it all from the location of punxsutawney, pennsylvania where it's groundhog day. we know that phil picked the steelers to win the super bowl. what about the winter weather? >> reporter: hey there, scott. i know it looks like phil had an unfortunate accident after he gave us the wrong answer, but not goofiest one in the crowd. this is what some other people have been wearing. so i think i'm looking stylish. it's just been a party out here. there were thousands of people waiting to see what phil would

say. what a day to do with it this massive storm moving through about a third of the country. phil did come out a short time ago and i have spectacular news, he did not see his shadow, so that means that it is going to be an early spring, no more winter. when they brought up the possibility if he saw the shadow, six more weeks of winter, the crowd booed so they are excited about the possibility. i have to tell you, though, phil has been wrong more than right. so, not everybody is thinking that this is a done deal and we're going to get warmer temperatures. in this area it's going to be getting worse as we go through the day today. not expecting too much snow but ice is the problem. it's going to get worse as the massive storm, chicago has seen record breaking snowfall. it's one-day total. so they are bracing for it here. the big problem is going to be ice building up on power lines,

on trees, we'll see power outages. the thousands are now getting out of here as quickly as they can. and getting into some warmth now that they have their prediction from phil. back to you. >> kristen dahlgren in pennsylvania. i was going to ask her, i don't think she'd hear me, the dripping the irony that punxsutawney phil predicts spring and most of the united states is absolutely under blizzard conditions. >> there's a lot of irony in a groundhog predicting the weather in general. let's face it. >> point well taken. >> she has no college education, yet we take his word each and every year. thanks a lot, phil, now we know what's to come and now that you have blown my forecast. get back in there, buddy. things are looking pretty good for us, spring is going to be near for us in the bay area. today we'll have a spring-like day. 48 in hayward, 50 in concord, turning over to the mid-60s as we head throughout afternoon, 65

degrees is the forecast high in oakland today. that's actually about 5 to 10 degrees above average for this time of year. december, january, and february are the coldest months in the bay area. not this year. this is what's happening. we have a big strong ridge of high pressure in place and a trough trying to make its way in. the trough is going to have a hard time nudging this ridge of high pressure firmly set up. it will keep our temperatures a little on the cool side. 61 in los gatos, 65 degrees in oakland. and temperatures are going to remain warm all the way throughout the extended period. 70 degrees in oakland tomorrow. let's find out about your drive in the east bay with mike. >> good morning. wind breaker as you talked about. we need that break from the wind. if you come across the benicia bridge. you won't get that this morning. overnight and through this morning, 680, gusts of winds across the benicia bridge. we extend that note to folks

across 80. westbound, the toll plaza, talking about debris, also highway 13 the on ramp garden debris, perhaps off the back of a truck. a live look at the toll plaza, the camera shakes but the volume of traffic is very light. >> mike, thank you. news to the bottom line t dow closing over 12,000, thanks in part to strong news on manufacturing. for more on that and news before the bell let's turn to nicole at the headquarters. good morning. >> reporter: good morning. we don't have wall street. we may see a little bit after pull back from yesterday's rally. the dow closing above the 12,000 mark for the first time since june of '08. the broader s&p 500 closing above 1300 for the first time since august of '08. the markets boosted from reports of strong manufacturing and

better than expected earnings from the likes of shipping giant and bellwether ups. asian markets rose and europe is slightly higher. we have a key jobs report in about a half hour. the nasdaq composite up 51 to 2751. one month into the new year and americans are as you can see, feeling more optimistic about the economy. also their personal finances. there is a new survey out from citibank that finds 63% believe that local business conditions are improving. or at least will improve over next year. 11% up from the previous poll that was taken in september. still most rank current conditions as fair to poor. the top pry sopriority is reducg

debt. this morning news corp. also taking the wraps off the n digil newspaper. the daily will reportedly cost 99 kents a week and sold for the ipad through the music store. new issues will be delivered each morning, news corp. hired about 100 people to work on the people including veterans from the new yorker, from forbes and from "the new york post." more tech news out this morning, t mobile wanting to capitalize. the company will start selling a tablet device that can also shoot 3d video. there is no specific launch date. it has 9-inch screen, you're good that the techie stuff, two cameras on the back that capture the video, the device will have

a third camera on the front for videoconferencing. so coming up next week i'll be broadcasting to you via this. >> nicole lappen in 3d. ask any one who has been through a divorce what was once a loving relation can get ugly. add children, the issue of custody can be vicious. one battle has gone global. accusations on both sides. a bay area zad a world away from his son, wondering if he'll ever see him again. >> in a redwood city apartment building you find a bedroom perfect for a 5-year-old boy. there's the sponge bob pillow case, the toys and shelves stocked with happy family pictures. the only thing missing, though, from this picture, is the

5-year-old boy. >> he'll be back. >> george is his father. >> like a nightmare. >> when's the last time you saw him? >> saw him going on nine months. saw him may 1st of 2010. when i gave him to his mother to take to greece for a short visit. >> reporter: he says his ex-wife is guilty of international kidnapping. he has court orders at the state and federal level saying the boy belongs here with him. the problem is his ex-wife has orders from greek courts saying the opposite. >> they have a supreme court order from the greek courts. >> reporter: we spoke with her from her home in greece. >> supreme court says he is here in greece. >> reporter: one thing they agree on it's that trouble in the marriage bedwan in 2005

right around the time the boy was born. he claims she took the boy without intending to return. she denies that and says he then came to greece and guilty of kidnapping and bringing the boy back to the states. so, for the past five years, court hearings have been held on both sides of the atlantic. finally last spring things appear decided in a san jose courtroom. the judge decided the united states is the boy's home and ordered full custody to his father. oh, yeah, he said one more thing as well. that the boy's mother could take her son back to greece for one more visit. >> right away we were up in arms. right away we tried to convince the judge that listen, she's a flight risk, she's done this once before. please don't allow this. >> but the judge did.

and as she left with no intention of coming back. >> yes, i ignored the final order but he ignore everything. >> the case appears to be at a standstill. unfortunately, a growing boy never is. and that's eating away at him. >> i miss my child's first steps. i didn't see him walk. i didn't see the first tooth. i didn't see -- i didn't hear his first words. i don't know so i missed a lot. >> reporter: until the case is resolved his life is on hold. the cafe he bought as a means to support him and the boy has yet to open. it has been tough to focus, he says, on anything but his son. >> i'm asking for help. someone maybe that will hear our story and keep our story in the

forefront. >> reporter: and someone to find a way to reunite this father with his son. garvin thomas, "today in the east bay." >> the boy's mother says the father is welcome any time in greece for supervised visits with the son. the father says he is afraid he'll be arrested on kidnapping charges the minute he steps off the plane. he says he's almost given up on the legal battle hoping political pressure will reunite him with his boy. what's coming up later, we say good morning to laura garcia-cannon. >> good morning everyone. coming up next on today in the bay, shoddy record keeping, pg&e is tracking down missing paperwork. what it could mean for miles of gas line. explosive interview with the new police chief. what he plans to do and how he feels about being the target of controversy. all that and more coming up on

"today in the bay." back to you. >> thank you much. one last look at the forecast. >> good morning, scott. we're looking good in terms of our forecast. especially heading into thursday. today, 65 degrees, still about 5 to 10 degrees above average for this time of year. as we head into turs, friday and the weekend, temperatures climb. take a look at the temperature for sunday. 73 degrees. 68 by monday. warm for tuesday. you probably need that spring gear. this morning grab a jacket and watch for gusty winds through the east bay hills probably for the first part of the morning and this evening as well. back to you. >> coming up we'll continue to follow the unrest in egypt. a former u.s. ambassador says protests could have been prevented if mubarak had taken akarer. 3q

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>> protesters are back on the streets of egypt. the president there says he will not seek re-election. the latest coming up. >> and more problems for pg&e. good morning. i'm marla tellez. an update on the investigation into the deadly san bruno explosion coming up in a live report. >> and free parking. it's more than a space