so severe they have -- went to. the injuries are so severe they have requested assistance. >> the big story tonight at 5:00 p.m., one of two teenagers charged in the death of 14-year- old christopher jones had his day in court. i>> he is not admitting guilt, but admitted that prosecutors do have enough evidence to convict him. >> honestly, i know that he killed my son and i know he played a big part in his death, but he is still a child and i feel for him inside. i really do hope that one day i can forgive him. >> joan atkins, christopher's mom still sleeps with her sons pillow to smell his cent. she cannot bring yourself to wash the clothes and your last war. christopher dodd make -- died may 30 this year as he rode home.

a group of five boys in a gang stopped him 15-year-old trade robinson and joe vel george -- javel georgie confronted him and directly accused trey of disrespecting javel george. both boys struck him in the face. the medical examiner ruled his death of homicide. trey robbinston admitted -- entered a out -- entered an alford plea in court. the state may send him to an out-of-state facility. >> the juvenile could not have foreseen the outcome of what he did, but when you do something of this nature, you ought to except the series, but that -- consequences that flow from -- the serious consequences that

flow from it. >> he said "i never intended for it to be like this and i pray for your forgiveness. i am sorry." and it meant a little bit to me, but honestly i think he had of a pressure from the judge. it is pretty easy to apologize right before your being sentenced. >> securing is being held -- a hearing is being held by the this month to decide which facility and for how long. >> tonight, baltimore city police are looking for the man they say is behind two robberies. investigators say the suspect rob a woman who with -- who was withdrawing cash at an atm. another woman was in her car at the bank's director when the suspect walked up to the

driver's side, demanded to be that in and give him money and then told her to drive off. he then sexually assaulting her. he then went to another location. anyone with information is asked to call baltimore county police. >> also in baltimore county, police are looking for a man who shot and killed a man outside his home. he was unloading his car just after 7:00 last night when he was approached by a group of menu opened fire. he died about 30 minutes later at st. agnes hospital. if you have information, call baltimore county police. >> democrats are killing -- gearing up for the health-care debate when they return from their august recess later this month -- their august recess this month. 11 news reporter joints as in

west baltimore. >> you know the saying kamal " all politics are local"? well today, i was like all the talk -- it was more like all politics are personal. >> i have not had insurance since 2004. >> it is not a luxury to get radiation treatment. you either get it or you are not alive. >> i am having back problems and it i need x-rays, but cannot afford them. >> people are suffering, according to the congressman, under the current system. >> their voices have been subtly drawn down. i want peoplç to hear their stories. >> and so, emotional arguments in favor of change from a small- business owner, emergency room nurse, and free patients who each lost their insurance in a

layoff -- three patients who lost their insurance in a layoff. >> we are having a hard time and we that are limited income. it has gone up so high i am afraid i will lose my house. i guess i am living like a time bomb. >> congressman cummings believes the house commerce committee plan will support the one-third of americans he estimates are uninsured or underinsured. but opponents say the plants are too vague and too expensive. >> we are trying to fix a giant problem with a giant bill and it is too complex to be fixed in one shot. >> a different take on the issue from former republican senator bob dole in an op-ed piece, he suggested a fresh start when lawmakers return in september. >> meanwhile, today president obama got an update on u.s. preparations to combat the

spread of the h1n1 flu virus. it is expected that up to 50% of americans will come down with these fine flu and thousands could die. -- with the swine flu and thousands could die. >> this wine flu outbreak did not wait until fall in some places. 80 cases are reported. >> i wash my hands before everything i do and i'm using him sanitizer, too. >> president obama said his swine flu team is ready. job one -- >> developing an h1n1 flu vaccine and we expect that the shots will begin soon. >> actually, not until mid october. that is when the first doses will be ready. a study done on ferrets like these found that those infected with the flu found out that most ended up with h1n1, showing that

the swine flu is stronger. that is what most people will catch this straw -- this fall. >> unlike the seasonal flu, we think it will be much more prevalent among the young. >> schools are not hot -- ahman island are telling kids not to hug, hold hands -- schools on long islander telling kids not to hug, hold hands or high five. >> school closure will not result if -- you know, just because someone is reported with h1n1. >> preparation, not panic, and a touch of humor. here is a finalist in the swine flu video contest. >> ♪ >> dr. clark is his name. do not worry, he has a day job,

fighting swine flu this fall. >> the h1n1 vaccination program will be voluntary, but strongly recommended. >> unusually cool weather across the region today as we kick off the month of september, giving much like fall which is still three months away. -- which is still a month away. the record low is 53. we got close to it. not quite an official record low. winds are light and temperatures are mostly in the 70's. a record low tonight, 50 degrees and that goes all the way back to 8092. we could threaten that record

again tomorrow morning. temperatures for the labor day weekend is -- or coming up. -- are coming out. >> parts of baja, california are already feeling the effects of effectsjimena. it is an extremely dangerous category four storm carrying winds up over 150 miles per hour. çforecasters expected to dump 5 to 10 inches on baja. >> meanwhile, one of several wildfires in southern california has doubled in size. it at least seven active fires are burning in a different parts of the state. two in los angeles and two in san bernard viggo counties.

here is the so-called station fire. firefighters are trying to contain the 190 square mile wildfire that has already destroyed 53 homes and is threatening thousands more. >> raging flames continue to rip through the hills along the northern heels of los angeles. >> we cannot predict where it is going. correct and so far, they have not been able to stop it either. -- >> and so far, they have not been able to stop it either. it has burned more than 120,000 acres, more than 70 homes and buildings and is still growing. more than 3600 firefighters continue to work the front lines, struggling to protect whatever they can, including mount wilson, home to a vital emergency communication center, more than 20 television transmission towers and an historic observatory. >> we have that as one of our

targets where we are focusing resources to try to protect the equipment and important infrastructure that is on mount wilson. >> but the flames are less than a quarter of a mile away now and moving in. the fiery closing in on neighborhoods as well. -- the fire is closing in on the growth as well. >> we're doing everything we can to help and save lives and property and your memories. >> more than 10,000 homes are still in jeopardy, including the house used in the classic hollywood film, "et." >> it has really become an inferno here. >> an inferno that shows no signs of letting up and -- or slowing down. >> it could take two weeks to get control of the place. -- of the blaze.

>> here at home, investigators in baltimore county say a two- alarm fire was an accident. firefighters said the fire started with the stove. the flames then spread to all three floors and damaged a connecting townhome. no one was hurt. the fire caused about $125,000 in damage. >> up next, why banks may soon increase their fees. >> and federal transportation officials are making demands after dozens of deaths on medical helicopters. >> and about five under thousand americans will lose their unemployment benefits -- 500,000 americans will lose their unemployment benefits at the end of this month. >> and a nation struggling with a child obesity epidemic. what local governments can do to ensure smart food choices for kids. >> the suspension bridge used to >> the suspension bridge used to be over the gun carter

karl, don't you have friends coming over? yeah, so? it stinks in here! have you smelled this chair? or these curtains? you've gotta wash this whole room! are you kidding? wash it?! let's wash it with febreze! whoa! [ sniffs ] hey mrs. weber. [ sniffs ] hey, it smells nice in here. you know, i like to keep things fresh. helps me concentrate. [ male announcer ] for all the things that you can't wash, wash it with febreze.

>> the ntsb is calling for changes when it comes to medical helicopters. officials want better training and more sophisticated equipment. they also recommend limiting medicare payments for emergency flights to operators to meet new safety standards. the faa requires operators and

helicopters to of install automatic pilots, use awareness launchers and night vision systems. the recommendations come after nine deadly clashes between 2007 and 2008. one was last september in prince george's county. >> in tonight's medical alert, can where you live make your child fat? some experts are linking where kids live to higher rates of obesity. they're calling on the nation to take the sebec actions to prevent obesity in children. one suggestion, getting more healthy food in the schools encourage resource, especially in underserved areas. >> in this neighborhood, grocery shopper and -- shopping sources are limited. kenyons often wins. >> sometimes -- convenience

often wins. >> sometimes we have to stop at the cbs. >> where you live might well affect your child's waistline. >> government, including local government, has made the default choice the and healthy choice. >> we want the healthy choice to be the easy choice. >> the institute of medicine is advising local governments on how to fight fat, using taxes and zoning laws to keep fast food away from schools and pushing the supermarkets and help the restaurant to make better choices easier. >> new york has launched an ad campaign targeting soft drinks. chicago has just hiked taxes on soft drink and candies. some have built more bike paths and parks, making it easier for residents to exercise.

>> we have gotten ourselves into a culture that is instant gratification and lack of physical activity. >> this massachusetts mayors as government has been part of the problem. >> you look at places that do not have access to open space, do not have access to mass transit. that is a failure of policy. >> the bottom line, the changing environment may change young lives for the better >> the authors say state and federal government have important roles to play, too. >> and if you're feeling of -- and a feeling of insecurity about your job could prevent -- could promote poor health. a survey of nearly 2000 adults over a 10-year timeframe, at any given time, many felt insecure about their jobs. that increases stress levels and

can lead to various health problems. the information was collected in 2005, but the results likely apply to people working today. >> now the insta-weather + forecast with tom tasselmyer. ç>> high-pressure firmly in control of our weather. it will last into the labor day weekend? very nice late summer weather. it did not feel very much like summer at all this morning. it was unseasonably cool. cloud cover is well off the map -- the mid-atlantic coast. this high-pressure sella's firmly in control and bring in the cool, fall--- high-pressure cell is firmly in control and routing in the cool, fall-like air. 57 our official low at dieterle -- dwi marshall. the record low is 53.

49 in lancaster. the 48 in frederick. temperatures and below 40's of west. oakland at 42 degrees in the mountains of deroche county. at the naval academy, 62. much warmer around the shore of the bay, contrasting that to inland locations, even if you get in and around caroline county. temperatures are still running ibelow normal. quite cool and comfortable tonight. the second day of september is forecasted -- has a record low of 50 degrees. 30's in the outlying suburbs. 52 nir 60 in downtown baltimore. our official record is kept at b.w.i. marshall. if we did below the record low,

we could break a record that was set back in the 1800's. this high pressure will hang around for the next couple of days. bright sunshine tomorrow, maybe a couple of degrees warmer in the afternoon. in northwest breeze at 6-10 miles per hour. westbound through the cohocton and the allegheny mountains -- they may be in the 30's tomorrow morning before it warms up. the 77 and sunshine around the bay. another breezy day with northeast winds coming in at 8- 20 miles per hour. out in the atlantic, the fifth tropical storm of the season has developed. this is tropical storm erika. it is looking really well defined on the satellite imagery. it is taking in north-northwest,

north of the caribbean and pr, probably. we will see of this strengthens into a hurricane or a fax these coast of the u.s. -- or effects of the hoscoast. >> that looks nice. still ahead, more good news about the economy. the housing market is showing signs of bouncing back. >> and free checking used to be a very common perk at banks. it is becoming harder to find. >> and there is a rush to get more 4-year-old in school at baltimore city. -- in baltimore city. coming up, cause of concern for administrators.

>> they are not your everyday kercher backers. -- a grocery baggers. it was all part of a fund-raiser for a good cause. there were talking with customers and backing baas. -- backing bags.

5% of today's net sales of at -- at whole foods will go to a pediatric hospital. >> a growing number of 4-year- old are showing up in school in baltimore city this year because the district has increased the number of spaces it has for pre-kindergarten students, which is great news. but with the progress, comes another challenge. >> year is the issue. the district has added almost 1000 pre-k seats this year, but there's a good chance that may not be enough and that has left some parents of bit on edge. >> there are more than two wondered pre-k programs throughout the city, serving over -- than 200 pre kate programs throughout the city, serving over 5000 students. in one school, they went from 20 to 40 seats this year. barbara brown showed up to try

to enroll her at 2 -- four-year- old grandson's. >> we do not have enough seats to bring in every single 4-year- old in the city. and by law, we have to offer the seats to the lower income parent to before the other parents. >> i get 20 meals a day from angry parents to a i have to explain to my story, until we know for sure that an eligible parent is not going to say i want this seat, i cannot offer it to you. >> they may not have the final pre-k numbers until late september. in the meantime, parents said they will take their chances.

>> i went to mark the third king elementary glad they did not have any pre-k seats open. -- martin luther king elementary school and they did not have any pre-kasey to open. >> even though the city has room for 4804-year-old, there are more than 11,000 living -- 4800 of 4-year-olds, there are more than 11,000 setting it -- living in the city. >> a scam that ended in murder. and who police have arrested. >> you can see some of the damage caused by a flash flood an acre steenkamp in carroll county. that story, coming out. >> we will let youç know what s >> we will let youç know what s

diabetes and cancer. and they've heard that biomedical research offers hope, that it could control, maybe even cure, their disease. senator barbara mikulski understands the importance of innovative biomedical research, for patients, their families, and our economy here in maryland. call senator mikulski today. tell her, thanks for protecting the promise of biomedical research and the maryland jobs it provides. it's not just the future, it's life.

>> flash floods seriously damaged a non-denominational christian camp in carroll county. it has been in existence for 50 years, but last friday's flash flooding caused over two under thousand dollars in damage. the volunteers have been showing up in great numbers to help out. >> river valley met -- ranch started in 1952 as a nondenominational christian camp. it was last friday night when a flash flood rolled through the camp. you can see the results. bridges were damaged or destroyed, over $200,000 in damage was done by the flooding

waters. >> it is always interesting to see something that are full, the hand of god at work, but to know how much work it was going to take to put it all back together and how much money, it really hit you >> this camp was started by john's grandfather over 50 years ago. >> my grandfather came answer to this camp. the was a minister in the inner city and notice of lot of kids walking around with not much to do it, so we came out to the country and start of this camp for kids. the crowds we're just back to give to them -- >> we are just glad to give back to them >> at the people all come together and work together and it does not seem like work. my daughter was here and get it made a tremendous positive difference in her life. >> for those who are willing to come to the camp and for those who were here, this is a special place.

>> the kids to come out here are not used to coming to the country and they do not see wars is or cows and we tell them about god's love for them -- sea horses or cows and we tell them about god's love for them. >> to get back where it was, the camp needs money, building materials and people with building skills. for more information, go to wbaltv.com. >> the teenager accused in the may 30 beating death of a 14- year-old grafton boy has accepted an offer it leave -- and alford plea. he is not accepting guilt, but acknowledges that prosecutors have enough evidence to convict him. the 16-year-old café is facing adult charges. -- the 16-year-old boy is facing

adult charges. and a plea of guilty in a violent escape from a juvenile detention center, a 17-year-old carl griffin jr. is charged with attacking the guard at the center before escaping back in may. he told the judge he grabbed handcuffs from a staffer to help one of his accused accomplices, but did not intend for anyone to be heard. he has been sentenced to 18 months in an adult detention center. a part-time deli clerk, gail brown, claim to that mars would notç hire her as a meat cutter because she was a woman. in a settlement, mars agreed to give her 180-$118,000 as well as attorneys' fees -- to give her $118,000 as well as attorneys' fees. he has been ordered to train

managers and offer jobs to any woman denied a meat cutters position. >> sales of preowned homes have hit a high in the month of july. combine that with a better month for rosales and analysts say it offers a broadening picture that the u.s. economy may be on the road to a lasting recovery. but consumer confidence is still mixed. >> eight sectors of the economy showed the strength in august and july, more signs that a strengthening economy could be on the way. positive territory, but analysts are not saying the recession is over. >> it sustainability is an issue, whether we can sustain that into the year-end and going into 2010, but that is the question.

>> the taxpayer credit program, cash for clunkers, is now in the review and dealers are looking at a drop-off in sales for the rest of the year. >> we have a cancer that is flat on its back. >> consumer spending, still the driving force of the economy and it is mixed. home sales reached a two-year high the. construction of homes and apartments also edged up in july, but overall, construction spending was down. the ups and downs of an economy trying to bounce back and taken to avert looking to gain confidence. -- and a consumer looking to gain confidence. >> amtrak will get $2 million

for its inauguration expenses. >> and still to come, time to go into emergency money mode as the recession continues. unemployment benefits run out, my tips to keep money flowing while still looking for a job. >>

fax a frightening moment for university of miami student after a police officer pulled a gun on him. the officer confused a student -- the student with a man trying to steal a--- a motorcycle, but it was a case of mistaken identity. it took a full 10 minutes for them to realize they had the wrong person. officers are taught to use their own discretion when it comes to pulling out their weapons. >> what would you think if bill

cosby show up at your front door? he is going door-to-door in detroit in dredging parents -- encouraging parents to keep their kids in school. >> there is a time that we have to sever up and take these things upon ourselves and fight. >> this morning, he spoke at a press conference in the motor city where enrollment has dropped below 100,000 last year. he is now visiting with parents in their homes and asking them to be enrolled their kids in public schools. >> that would be a shock, bill cosby at your door. >> a pc owners that is being linked to -- a pizza owner's death is being linked to immigration scams in arizona. the cracks and some of the incentives being offered in consumer alerts. -- >> and some incentives being offered in consumer others.

>> right now, a live view of the maryland state fair. [ female announcer ] there are few guarantees in life. here's one for your skin that's clinically proven. olay professional pro-x wrinkle protocol is as effective as the leading wrinkle prescription brand at reducing the look of wrinkles. that's because olay has teamed with a highly specialized group of dermatologists and created a wrinkle protocol that gives you the results of the leading wrinkle prescription brand,

without a prescription. olay professional pro-x. this is a guarantee you're guaranteed to love. >> here is what we're working on for the 11 news tonight at 6:00 p.m. new at 6:00, the changes maryland officials have observed about speed cameras and the long-term impact they could have on safety. and the teenager accused of beating a 14-year-old to death as he rode his bicycle on made a plea today in court. plea today in court.

>> police in washington d.c. are blinking the death of a pizzeria owner to an immigration scam. a 44-year-old man and reneged on a deldeal to marry a woman and y came after him. >> revelations from court papers indicate that the murder victim, aged 44, not only knew the woman arrested in this case, but was paying her $500 per week in exchange for marean his brother said that he could get a green card and u.s. citizenship. when the deal soured, that woman got two men who came to the p. demarco, rob and beat him to death. -- to the pizzeria, robbed and beat him to death. a person told police that the

killers world in the hostage and reportedly escaped from this house. he said robinson and the man took a borrowed car from here to northeast d.c.. robinson led the two men in, and robbed the pizzeria owner of cash and begin and some even said they signed -- saw them try to let the body on fire. -- like the body on fire. according to a witness, when the killers returned from d.c., at least one was wearing no clothing. the witnesses said that robinson told them she burned their clothing in a grelle at the backyard of -- in a grill in the backyard of a home because the clothing was so bloody. >> now your forecast for tanto to meijer.

-- tom tasselmyer. >> readings are about seven degrees below what is normal for this time of year. normal for this time of year, 82, and we only had 75 earlier today. some of the outlying areas north and west of town britney 40's this morning. 46 in westminster and york, frederick at 48 degrees. almost in the 30's out in western maryland. the widespread of temperatures is from 42 degrees to 62. gegner the warmer waters this time of year and the temperatures are much more mild. low to mid 70's from the coast to the bay. in the 60's from the western maryland mountains. clear skies will continue with light winds.

it is 50 degrees, the record low that goes all the way back to 8092. -- 1892. we're certainly within range of that record low tomorrow morning. this high pressure will stick around through most of the day tomorrow and the work week. it may brush the coastal areas. we will see that developing down to our southwest. for most areas across maryland, sunny skies and clear nights for the next couple of days. a bit of rain in just off the coast thursday afternoon. here in baltimore, partly cloudy skies and sunny out in the western mountains. this will maybe bring a sprinkle of clouds during the holiday

weekend. erika will have to be watched. it shouldç not impact our weatr for the labor day weekend. it is going to impact the east coast, it would be next week sometime. a well-defined cloud pattern and it looks like the storm will continue on the west-northwest track and get stronger. the forecast will see those wins coming up to 70 miles per hour as it passes through pr late friday morning. the east coast of the u.s. might be affected by erika sometime next week if it does not make that turn to the north soon enough. that is something that we will worry about after the labor day weekend. 80 on thursday. below 80's for friday, saturday and sunday. it is beautifully wet-september

weather pattern. -- beautiful early september weather pattern. >> wal-mart is expanding a recall of duran did dvd players to include more than 4 million devices. it has received seven reports of products over heating that led to fires and property damage. they sold the dvd players from january 2006 through july of this year. they previously recalled more than 1 million silver dvd players at that has expanded to include pink and purple players. for more information go to wbaltv.com. the private workers advocacy group says that more than 25,000 people will lose unemployment benefits in our state by the end of the year.

>> millions of americans have been able to take advantage of the extension of unemployment benefits from 26 weeks to as long as 79 weeks in many states. as the recession continues, around 1.5 million americans are going to exhaust benefits before the end of this year before finding full-time work. additional stimulus may take time or not pass. if you find yourself as one of the 1.5 million or even a few that many more months ago, is time to go into emergency money mode. first, check with your local unemployment office to make sure that you do not qualify for additional benefits. what adjustments we ought to make when the checks stop? if you depend on them, pursue part-time work as soon as possible to replace it so you can maintain your household at a minimum. do your best to stay out of debt.

try to survive month-to-month or week to week without that check. preparing for that senate -- scenario now will set you up well for what lies ahead. for more information, go online to your state's labor department or had to the office of social security ssa.gov. >> free checking formerly a common perk at banks is now getting harder to find. banks such as chase, bank of america and others are starting to requires a monthly fee or another condition. analysts say you can expect a slow transition away from free checking as banks figure out how to make money off of checks without angering customers. as one feature becomes more expensive, banks are working to make another feature easier to use. they're starting their reward -- debit card reward programs.

that the cards offer banks money on transaction and overdraft fees that are lucrative. according to research group npd, stores are offering healthier choices for kids and families. i hop and bahaulah fresh have the -- baja frasher have three kids and dining night. >> for more on it deals and meals go to our websites wbaltv.com. gov. malley is open to collect millions from taxpayers by keon operation amnesty. ç-- kicking in operation amnes.

and you will love the rest of the events going on this summer. we posted them under entertainment. someone somewhere needs donna's help and the e-mail's her about it. she read that result -- to read that question and her reply, go to wbaltv.com. it a baltimore -- >> a baltimore votel has one of the best. today, the tremont hotel has won the first runner-up award. it was nominated to receive the best actor accolades come u. it did not win, but it is getting high accolades. >> if you do not keep the rest room clean, you wonder what the rest of the house is like. >> organizers of the contest

said the bathroom at the tremont was so inaccurate and impressive that it simply had to be recognized. -- was so immaculate and impressive that it simply had to be recognized. >> still ahead, speak out -- cameras are coming to baltimore counties -- speed cameras are coming to baltimore county. >> the maryland food bank is desperately in need of their agents. and we will let you know

they have alzheimer's and heart disease,

diabetes and cancer. and they've heard that biomedical research offers hope, that it could control, maybe even cure, their disease. senator barbara mikulski understands the importance of innovative biomedical research, for patients, their families, and our economy here in maryland. call senator mikulski today. tell her, thanks for protecting the promise of biomedical research and the maryland jobs it provides. it's not just the future, it's life.

>> september is under action mount all across look nation. -- hundred action month all across the nation. >> it could not have come at a better time. >> donations and supplies are dipping dangerously low. it is a good thing that september is hunker action month. >> people see it as the beginning of the year because it is the beginning of the school year and people start to think about the needy because vacations wind down. >> their parting with local businesses to solicit donations of food and kick off federal and state fund-raising campaigns. >> perhaps the mostç exciting event will come on september 15, when they will break ground right here for their new commander in the kitchen. >> this -- new community kitchen. >> this will enable us to

prepare meals and put them on their menus so we can get meals ready to serve directly from us. >> that will virtually end having to throw out food that has gone bad and go along way in making sure more people get the food they need. donations are down and the need is up thanks to the economy >> it now affects middle class people who have lost their jobs and now need assistance to feed their families. it can affect the working poor. >> for more information, go to our website wbaltv.com. >> let's hope everyone makes the effort to help out. >> that is all for us. >> here's a look at what is coming up at 6:00. >> speed cameras in baltimore county, can they change driving the years and the latest on where they will go -- can a

change driving behavior is? and the latest on where they will go. >> a teenager enters a plea in connection with the death of another teenager. with the victims mom has to say about that may break your heart. >> this is wbal tv 11 news at 6:00 p.m. in hd. >> after an all-day work session at the baltimore county council, speed cameras could soon be coming to a neighborhood near you. that is our big story tonight at 6:00 p.m. if approved, they will be in school and construction areas. >> there are many who support them and just as many you do not. >> baltimore county's police chief says this is all about changing driver behavior and are you got to do it fofor perth isk at the red light cameras. a -- for proof is look at the ac