arctic blast invades the region, we're about to be under a winter storm watch. katie will tell us when the snow arrives, and who has the best chance to see it. >> strange sight in the sky goes viral watch flew over our area and it was captured on camera. good morning, today is friday, december 8th. >> hey, guys. tgif. we are so glad it is friday, looking outside at the construction, finally after yesterday was so busy getting little break this morning.

i never thought -- >> i know. knock on wood you. >> know what's funny how crazy busy you were yesterday. i'll literally be running around like a crazy person this morning. things are going off the wall with this forecast. all the sudden winter weather advisory, winter storm watch, not until tonight, but oh. >> so let's take a look, storm scan, very quiet. clouds are starting to build, the chill in place, the ingredients are in short here. >> we will get through the knowledge or at this of the day without problems, expect the clouds to build, expect it will be cold, it is not until late tonight, that any winter weather advisory or winter storm watches start to take effect, it is specific from philly on south and east, we're going to have those alerts taking effect. we'll discuss that in much

more detail as the show progresses but to get you out the door. if you plan to be out for the first half of the day, prepare for wintery chill. currently 37 degrees at the airport, even colder than that in most locations, 35 wilmington, down below freezing, anywhere from allentown, lancaster, reading, mount pocono, you have got maybe ski plans this weekend, you will be in good company it , really looks lick this will end up being great weekends for. that will but yes, there is snow on the way. and again, little later in the show, i'll tell you how much we're talking right now, because this is one, meisha, we always new was going to show its hands at the last second, hours waning, getting interesting. >> it is comingment thank you so much for that heads up. looking outside, looking all right, as you just head out the door. still very early, 4:32 to be exact. construction here on schuylkill eastbound, it is closed between vine and south street. one westbound lane is also compromised right now. just heads up on. that will also, construction 59 north to the off ramp to bridge, that ramp closed.

i'll let you know as soon as it opens, quick peak at the boulevard push in the southbound direction, just couple of your neighbors out there. overall things looking real nice, real calm right now. we do have accident, however, it is out there in harleysville. main street at oklahoma drive, just heads up, probably bridge won't slow you down too much, 422 eastbound closed between ben franklin highway route 100 , so you'll have to use your alternate, route 724 is your best bet, jim, back over to you. >> thank you so much, meisha. we begin this morning with news of burlington county pastor accused of sexually assaulting children for more than a decade. >> pastor harry charged with one count every aggravated sexual assault, three counts of sexual assault, four assaults of endangering children. pastor thomas is now under suspicion from his job at the come alive new testament church in medford. >> while the allegations are unrelated to his roles in these ministries, leadership has determined this to be the proper course of action at

this time until that can be a full investigation. >> burlington county prosecutors asking anyone who may have had inapropriate contact contact local authorities, trang do will have more on the story coming up at 5:00. >> "eyewitness news" in bristol bucks county, as swat broke down door bringing an ends to an hour's long barricade situation. this happened last night near pond and durham streets. police found man and woman in the home, both taken into custody, he was being south by us marshals on parole violation. violations, and also a person in interest in monday's deadly hit-and-run in croyden. >> the first death has been reported in southern california in connection to these ongoing wild fires. yesterday a woman's burned body found next to her car. meanwhile the flames continue to spread as cbs news correspondent danielle nottingham explains, no clear ends in site. >> crews battling the lilac fire in san diego county

trying to minimize the damage, but this house is already gone >> we have crews surrounding this whole area. we're going to make a stand, we'll protect all of the ones that we can. >> officials advising residents in lilac path to be prepared to move. >> we have 20 structures that have been destroyed, i expect that that number will go higher. >> several major wild fires consuming parts of california. flames tore through trees, and brush, on the 101 in ventura county, shutting down stretches of one of the busiest freeways in america. >> it is definitely looks like arm get on. >> mike stevens has been hosing down his home trying to protect it. >> all the embers coming across from the hills, only obvious that it could start, you know, no problem. >> but firefighters are advising residents, not to take matters into their own hands. >> just the whole thing just not safe. >> hundreds of homes have already been lost, and thousands more are in jeopardy

but now officials say they've made good progress here in ventura county. the thomas fire has crept into the national fogless at lover vegetation, the flames will continue to burn. >> estimated 1 million people are affected by the poor air conditions. >> i think safety is always a big challenge. and then the wind, the wind driven fire, it is tremendous. >> officials warn, heavy winds , and dry air, could pull along conditions here for weeks. danielle nottingham, for cbs-3 , "eyewitness news." >> in other news today, minnesota senator al franken vows to pressure announce he will resign in the coming weeks following allegations of sexual misconduct. but the democrats stopped short of apologizing. >> there is some irony in the fact that i am leaving while a man who has bragged on tape about his history of sexual assaults sits in the oval

office and the man who has repeatedly preyed on young girls campaigns for the senate with a full support of his party. >> senator franken was referring to president trump and alabama senate candidate roy moore. >> arizona congressman trent francs also resigning, announcement yesterday comes after the house ethics committee said it would investigate the republican for sexual misconduct. there were complaints that he had asked two female staff members to be a surrogate to bear his child. congressman francs says he and his wife have struggled with infertility. >> there is no government shutdown for now. the senate and the house passed a bill to funds the government through december 22 , that buys time for congress to work out a long-term budget deal. the bill now goes to president trump who is expected to sign it. >> well, the search for motive continues after a gunman opens fire at a high school in new mexico killing two students? this morning, learning those victims are francisco fernandez and casey marquez. the shooting happened

yesterday morning, at aztek high school which is near the colorado border. the gunman identified by authorities as a student also died although it is not clear how. no one else was injured. meanwhile, a former south carolina police officer will spend 20 years in prison for shooting and killing an unarmed black man. federal judge yesterday sentenced michael slager after decide deciding the shooting was second degree murder not manslaughter. the medford new jersey native shot walter scott multiple times in the back as he ran away from a traffic stop back in 2,015, and bystander recorded the confrontation. scott's mother for gave slager in and slager said he's grateful for that forgiveness. >> back here at home, philadelphia rapper meek mill now asking the pennsylvania superior court to revoke his probation and i am post new sentence. philadelphia judge orders erred meek mill to prison for violating probation, and lost motion for bail, they unsuccessfully tried to have the philadelphia judge removed

because they claim she is bias meek mill's legal battle stems from a drug case. >> army navy weekends kicks off this morning, here in philadelphia. >> gets started in just a few hours with the rocky relay at the art museum. the games between the cadets and midshipman, leading up tomorrow's football game. the winners get bragging rights, trophy at half time at the game, competitors this morning, in our 63:00 half hour. and we may even put them up to little challenge. we have to wait for. that will you can see the billing game between the army cadets and the navy midshipmen tomorrow afternoon at 3:00 right here on cbs-3. >> well, it will be cold out there for the game in and our area could also see some snow this weekend. >> katie is back to tell us where we could even see some accumulation. and speaking of snow, early christmas present in one part of the country, where the white stuff made a rare appearance. >> and it is not the grinch but a squirrel who stole christmas. how the unlikely thief was caught in the act. we're back in two minute.

tyson any'tizers and crispy strips. [ sound of sports game ] you help fuel greatness. you'll just have to make the ultimate game day sacrifice... and be eaten.

>> check this out a brilliant fireball lighting up the sky over new jersey, expert say the fireball was a meteorite entering the earth eights atmosphere. hamilton township police sergeant captured the amazing video with his dash cam on december 2nd. >> i didn't hear any noise, which i would have probably associate with it actually striking the ground here. >> i've never seen anything like that before in my entire life. >> now the meteorite was likely thousands of miles away , and fully disintegrated before it hit the earth. well, a different kind of surprise now in the skies for folks in southern texas. >> for the first time in a long time, snow fell in san antonio. they got about two and a half inches, which isn't much, but it was enough for snowball fights, downtown locals flocked to see the snow at the alamo, even santa stopped by to get in on the action. accompanying that snow, unusually frigid temperatures, right now several counties there are under a freeze

warning. the time now 4:42,. >> katie is here. we may be talking about some snow around here soon. >> easily. i think the closer you go to the shore line, more likely that will become. so this as we had been talking about for the last few days, storm would not show it hands until pretty close to the last possible second. sure, that's what happened. i had to be honest, my gut was telling me this was not going to be major deal, and still not major deal. that this would even completely bypass philly. now it is not looking like that will happen. it looks like even here in philly, we end up with at least the possibility of a modest coating on grassy surfaces, so here is the moisture being funneled n it is on the move. the entire day stays dry here locally in the city. you may begin to see some precipitation moving in as early as late this afternoon. here is a look, maybe little tough to tell the monitor that you're using for your television, but purple across southeastern pa, delaware, winter weather advisory, and more of that perry wing he will blue is winter storm watch that goes into effect as

early as late tonight, but specially through the day thomas the moisture gets thrown back on shore with this storm bypassing us, to the south and east. so, we get right on the outskirts of this. future weather, here we go. while this particular model showed absolutely nothing as of yesterday, now it is really jumping on board. the snow bandwagon. so as early as this evening, cape may county, atlantic county, cumberland county, south delaware getting in on some snow. then there may be little lull, into the early morning hours, starts to not only build north , but bring in snow foreplays cents as far northwest as philly. this is likely the cut off. if you go toward the poconos, trying ski this weekend, you both get the nature made stuff up there. you will see snow for good solid say close to 12 hour stretch here. that does mean that you will have a chance to accumulate. now, because the soil is still warm it, will likely only stick to the grass, stick to unpaved surfaces and even the ground, the paved surfaces likely not going to see much accumulation, but can be pretty slushy. how much are we talking?

again, one model interpretation of this, it is looking pretty solid here. i don't think that you're going to see any accumulation this far northwest. but, through south jersey, delaware, there is a possibility that we see at least moisture content worth of three to 6 inches. how much of it actually measures up, remains to be seen, but now you understanded why there is a winter storm watch being issued. again this track is moving inland. that ups the chance for snow, meisha? >> all right, time t pll out my snowmobile, thanks so much, katie. good morning shall everybody, looking outside. we have some construction to talk about. so schuylkill east closed right now between the vine and south street. one westbound lane is also blocked, however, now that i am looking at this, hopefully getting this cleared out of your way, looks like they usually do by 5:00 and making headway on that. construction here 95 north, the off off ramp to bridge street, it is closed and see the marker with the blinking lightsment volume levels looking pretty good southbound side starting to step just a little bit. forty-two freeway at creek

road take this toward 295, this is what you are working with, locking good, you can work with that absolutely. accident in harleysville, 63 at oklahoma street, won't slow you down too much. i always say anyway, just avoid the area if you k construction here that we've been talking about, 422 east closed between ben franklin highway and route 100, so you will have to use this alternate, route 724. it is going to be your best bet. then we also have construction lincoln drive, closed through wissahickon and kelly drive. you have to use an alternate, schoolhouse lane is your best bet there. jim, rahel, back to you. >> meisha, still ahead on " eyewitness news" this morning , starbucks is out with a new drink. >> and while many stores are closing, one retailer is opening up 900 new stores across the us. details ahead in our money watch report.

>> welcome back, trying to keep up with shopping demands, discount chain says it plans to open 900 new stores in 2018 , the company says, by the

end of 2018, more than three and four people will live within 5 miles after dollar general. even selling fresh food and produce at some locations. >> diane king hall joins us live from the new york took stock exchanges, good morning. so, a lot of my friends are talking about there is the digital currency bit coin continues its roller coaster ride. what's the story now? >> right? it has just been wild ride for bit coin. it was down more than 12% early trading today. dropping below the 15,000-dollar level, bit coins surge above $19,000 yesterday. and keep in mind, future trading for bit coin begins next week. so just really been, i mean, has been sky-rocketing higher, dropped down, but, you know, if you're in that one, you have to be ready just for some wild movement, rahel, jim. >> if you haven't bought it yet probably too late, so expensive now. >> i wouldn't get in on that bandwagon now. >> well, if you need a jolt to handle the wild ride, i understanded starbucks out

with yet another new beverage? >> first the unicorn drink, then the halloween ghoulish concoction, now starbucks out with a drink that will have you singing oh, christmas tree , dubbed the christmas tree frappuccino only available until monday, pepper and mocha cream, whip cream tree is what they're calling it, drizzled with carmel, and ornaments, made out of candid cranberry. >> it is a frappuccino. i don't understands the logic of a frappuccino drink in the wintertime. >> oh, people drink it. >> i'm with you. i want a warm drink in the winter. i like the idea of the mocha, gingerbread, mocha, pepper min , something, but i want a warm drink in the winter. >> very pretty, but maybe not for us. >> this one i'll give them. >> thank you. >> well, coming up: holiday treats stolen. >> yes, how a family discovered it was a critter committing the crime next.

>> don't forget you have time to be part of "joy of sharing" toyfest campaign. all do you have do bring new unwrapped toy to the studios at 1555 hamilton street in the city spring garden section, the toys will be donate today children in need, across the region. or you can visit cbsphilly.com/toyfest for complete list of drop off locations and details on upcoming toyfest events around the area. >> you can also bring toy to our holiday fest celebration in chestnut hill today. kate bilo, vet vittoria woodill, will help celebrate right here on cbs-3. >> well, definitely feeng like christmas, figure tiffly speaking but katie might actually start to feel like christmas figure tiffly speak

ing. >> anyone dreaming of white christmas, clearly still several weeks away from the actual date. but that wintery atmosphere absolutely already being felt by the temperatures, but then, we've got this storm system finally showing its hand, and it does lock like, if you're a snow lover, going to really and winter winner for you. take a look, wide zoom, still on the move. moisture strung out, anywhere from all the way down into south texas, straight out toward even the mid-atlantic, north carolina, virginia, starting to see at least signs of life on the radar. that's what's headed our way. but, this really doesn't get underway until later on today, at the absolute earliest, for southern delaware, and then, especially tomorrow. now the lehigh valley, poconos , could stand to see a snow shower, flurry, really however think if you're looking for accumulation, mainly a on unpaved surfaces, and b, you want to go southeast, from the city and out to the northwest most surrounding suburbs talking about coating or zomax, again, slushy, mainly unpaved surface fast cents but you could see 3 r

south and east you go, because it looks lick this could be coming down for awhile through good portion of saturday across south jersey, most of south jersey, not just the shore, and also, south delaware. now looking ahead to our eyewitness weather seven day, this is frigid forecastment look at wednesday next week. probably don't even hit the freezing mark let alone getting into the low 30's here so really cold air settling in , meisha. and again, it looks like we will see the first snow of the season, and quite a good portion of the area, come tomorrow. >> thirty-one, now we're talking, katie. that's the real winter weather and i have to say i'm towelly really hoping for a white christmas this year. looking outside right now at the ben franklin bridge. looking real nice. for those every you jump on the ben, traveling westbound into center city, really where i keep my eye, all the way throughout the morning show. right now still looking good as we make our way toward 5:00 construction, schuylkill eastbound, closed between vine and south street. but it looks like the vine might be clearing. and one westbound lane has already cleared, as well.

construction 95 north, off ramp to bridge street, that ramp is closed, into that marker, and the flashing lights, the arrow, just heads up on that. accident in harleysville out there route 63 main street at oklahoma drive. avoid it if you can. it is probably not going to slow you down too much right now. volume sustained any real slow downs, won't be talking about it and back in a little bit. >> stay updated with katie's forecast on our sister station "kyw news radio" 1060. also, saturday's army navy pre-game g activities will feature massive tailgate party , and fundraiser for disable and displaced veterans the philadelphia mayor's office is expanding early childhood education programs, and officials are taking steps to make sure they have enough teachers to support the program. and work get underway on a key connection along the talcony trail in talcony creek park, check in two, three, four times a day kyw news "kyw news radio" 1060 on your am dial. residents everyone south jersey community are going

nuts over newly-released surveillance video. >> now they are looking for neighborhood, take a look at this video, a squirrel. yes, caught in the act, stealing gourmet chocolates, lip palm -- balance many. left outside forest ex county family by delivery people. they set up surveillance video to see what was going on, they tried to chase the squirrel to see where it was hiding, all of the treats and made a clean get away. tricky little squirrel. >> well, coming up in the next hour of cbs-3 "eyewitness news,a scandal rocking a local community, what police are hoping to find right now. >> and out west, also ahead, wild fires continue to burn in california. we're live on the front lines with a frantic battle to stop them. >> and they say trend happening in some communities, parent hiring drug dogs to sniff their children's rooms. we'll tell you what it cost. we're back at the top of the hour.

do you need the most trusted battery this holiday? maybe not. maybe, you could trust the world would be just as happy without them. (screaming) or, you could just trust duracell. ♪ it's beginning to look a lot like christmas ♪

>> tracking snow in time for this weekend. this is a live look at center city from our cbs-3 studios. waking to up frigid temperatures already. and part of the area will soon be under a winter storm watch. katie is here to time it all out for us. hundreds of homes have been turned to rubble from massive wild fires in southern california. i'm kenneth craig in ventura, with a look at the new areas being hit now. and a betrayal of trust. this morning, south jersey community is coming to grips with accusations against a local pastor. we're live with more on what he it, and what police are now saying about the potential for more victims. >> lots going on today, today is friday, december 8th, good morning, i'm jim donovan.