3 3 because of the low temperatures expected... low temperatures because of the & because of the low temperatures expected... baltimore city is declaring a code blue for today.that means shelters will be open for exptended hours... and emergency workers will check on the elderly.to find out ways to keep your self safe during the code blue weather al. alert.find the link on our website... at fox baltimore ddt com... slash newslinks. 3 we have a couple of school closings to pass along to you this morning.garrett county schools are closed. closed.havre de grace elementary school in harford

county is closed because of pipe repairs. 3 3 3

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fighting back against an arsonist in essex.baltimore county police say someone out there is settinggother people's property on fire... leaving a trail of destruction. megan gilliland is live from one of the homes targeted. targeted.good morning patrice, we're live along 700 block of mansfield road here in essex. where police believe a fire that sparked in the back allely this week was no acciden. accident.it happened just before one o'clock wednesday morning.officials say someone set fire to a large pile of trash bags the family set out the day before. ashley 42:22 it's crazy. cause if you notice, there's a wood shed right next to us if that would've lit on fire it could've easily led up to the houses 29 29after that - 7 more arsons

were reported - involving sheds, cars and dumpsters. investigators the cars and sheds targeted were all unlocked.allowing the arsonist to set fire inside.again, police believe these fires are all related. but so far, nvestigators have no suspects or leads. anyone with information, is asked to call police.live in essex, megan gilliland, fox45 morning news. we want to know... how are áyouá fighting back against crime? tell us what you're doing in your community... to clean up the streets. call 410-662-1456. a man remains in critical condition this morning...after he was shot in southwest baltimore.it happened just after one o'clock thursday afternoon... n edgewood near franklin street.police were on the scene searching for clues . right now there are no suspects or a motive.the

identity of the victim has not has been released. 3 3 more backlash to a suggestion by more backlash to more backlash to a suggestion by governor o'malley to raise the state's sales tax. senate president mike miller says a hike in the sales tax won't happen.he says it sends the wrong message that lawmakers can only balance the budget by raising taxes. meanwhile ...the governor downplayed his remarks...while speaking with reporters. (governor) "i haven't made that proposal but you all love to jump up and down about these things, so f i said corporate tax, you all would do a headline saying 'o'malley suggests!'... you know, whatever you all knock yourself out, roll around in it" it." in a rrdio interview wednesday...the governor said he would rather raise the sales tax... than increase the gasoline tax.he says it would give the state more flexibility to help balance the budget. if the gas tax increase passes it can't be challenged because it's an appropriations bill.

americans for prosperity began a petition drive so marylanders can let their lawmakers know what they think of the proposed increase.see the petition at foxbaltimore dot com.look for "stop the gas tax" under "hot topics." he was acquitted of bribery charges... but a state senator still faces ethics charges. charges.ulysess currie was accused of failing to disclose a consulting job he had with áshoppers foodá warehouse. thursday a house senate ethics committee held its first meeting to consider sanctions against the senator from prince george's county. (miller) "i'm convinced that he didn't do it intentionally....are not going to be tolerated." tolerated."currie could be currie could be reprimanded or censured a new product on the market allows you to get your caffeine fix.. a different way. way.nats of inhaler. inhaler. these caffeine innalers hit the market this month.they contain as much caffeine as a

large cup of coffee.but inhaling the substance produces quicker results.at least one u-s senator is calling on the f-d-a to investigate. 3 (9:50) "we've never seen it so easily marketed where you need nothing but the pure product and thats where the tendency is if 'one' works then 2-3 will be better...." better...."too much caffeine can cause your heart rate and blood pressure to rise. 3 3 we've waited for two weeks to see the ravenssplay again... and it's been 5 years since we've had a home playoff game! is it any wonder the town is about to explodee with purple pride? joel d. smith is live in north baltimore where the purple caravan is rallying fans all day long. good morning joel d.

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3 the italian government... which is currently in need of a fiscal bailout... could soon be turning to the mob.a new report estimates the mafia rakes in more than 180-billion dollars a year.that's more than 7-percent of italy's gross dooestic product... and way more than any bank holds. plus... it's all tax-free... since the mob doesn't bother paying taxes.the country's financial crisis is causing banks to cut back on lending... forcing more people to turn to loan sharks for money. it's friday and that means it's your turn to sound off on

our facebook page about anything you want. want.let us know what's on your mind-- and your response could air in our "facebook feedback" segmmnt. segment.just go to facebookk dot com slash foxbaltimore to become a fan and join the conversation. coming up on the early edition... relief for commuters? commuters?we both need each other and we don't need to exchange any further compensati" compensation...."the way some drivers cut the time of their ástrangersáhalf......using ástrá ((break 1)) [ male announcer ] get ready for some deli-style delic-ious-ity:

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it's time to actually experience the subway big hot pastrami melt, built by the sandwich experts the way you love -- to per-fec-tion. subway. eat fresh. ((bump in)) ((ad lib meteorologist))

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3 3 3 3 &p the holidays are over... summer is still months away.. woulln't it be nice to sneak away for a quick vacation? vacation? we say "go vacation"! we are giving away a trip for two to anywhere southwest

airlines flies.. courtesy of namco bandai games.today is your last day to enter! watch fox45 morning news for each day's codeword. enter the correct codeword on our facebook page. each day... we'll draw a name. that person gets a "go vacation" game for the wii.. and will be entered for the grand prize drawing. stay tuned coming up... how long is your c? commute?my commute was averaging an hour and a half..." half..."the unconventional way some drivers are saving time. and later in sports...houston knows how difficult it is to win in baltimore...hear from the enemy sideline befooe they head to charm city. ((bump out)) ((break 2)) 3

experts have tried for years to reduce the gridlock on this country's roadways...but despite their efforts, drivers complain their daily commute is getting longer.in the washington suburbs ... thousands of commuters are convinced they have the answer. in our cover story, jeff abell examines, what, some drivers are calling, the people's transit. transit. 3 3 3 3 3 3 its a few minutes after breakfast..... (7:10:33) "i need two riders...." and for hundreds of washiington commuters.... the race is on.... (7:38:40) "we're heading down to downtown d-c..." (7:43:00) (audio) "union station...." (7:18:47) "7'th and d, l'enfant...."

this is the carpool staging area in springfield, virginia....where, if you need a free ride.....there's always a free seatt.. (7:17:35) "we're all complete strangers. sometimes we'll come across the same people..." some ten-thousand commuters in the washington suburbs are slugging their way into the city each day. from springfield...its a 12-mile commute... but at rush hour.....it can take more than an hour. (7:44:44) (terri moore) "and when the commute became absolutely unbearable, i said, well, i'll just try it....." it took terri moore six years of commuting, beforr she mustered the courage to steer toward the slug-line. this home-grown ride share system matches those looking for rides, known as slugs,.....with drivers willing to give them a ride. (7:45:14) "it was being a midwesttgirl who thinks its nuts to invite two complete strangers into your vehicle." (7:46:14) "union station or l'enfant? l'enfant is good. okay jump in...." but with passengers come privileges. vehicles with at least three people, can access the hov lanes..... where the road is

clear....and commuting is aa breeze. (7:47:50) "so my commute was averaging an hour and a half..." (7:47:57) "with slugs and getting on the hov, its usually about 20-minutes...." moore now zips by the traffic which, for years, had delayed her. (7:52:55) "this is actually a good day for 395...." the savings is worth the sacrifice of riding to work with strangers. (8:12:46) "there really haven't been issues. people are respectful of each other and its usually working folks who are looking for a way into the city." (7:56:13) (bruce kaplan) "its the ultimate example of a symbiotic relationship where we both need each other and we don't need to exchange any further compensation...." (8:46:45) (abell) "the slug lines have been around since the 70's when those hov lanes first hit the highway...." (8:49:14) "but their numbers have grown so rapidly that, here in springfield, they have their own carpool lot where every spot is filled by eight..." (7:18:37) "therees more line of cars than people waiting to go...." there are now 14 of these pick-up points around washington where slug-lines now form. there are other points in the city for the return trip home.

(7:38:11) "and the big thing is, it works...." (7:23:20) (walks to car) "good morning, how are you.....see like say we love each other...." it may not be a lesson in carpooling..... as much as it is a lesson in trust....among strangers. (7:23:33) "good luck. bye, bye..." (8:14:20) "it, at least, should inspire some confidence that people will figure it out when the syytem hasn't....." after years of delays....terri moore took the road less traveled..... and wound up in the fast lane.... (8:01:28) "bye, bye! have a good day. have fun baltimore...." (door slams) jeff abell, fox 45, news at ten. coming up.... up....ravens defensive coordinator chuck pagano is very familiar with the texans q-b.find out what áheá thinks .. next in sports. ((break 3))

3 bruce cunningham has fox 45 morning sports. sports. 3 3sports. sports.fox 45 morning sports. sports. and thanks to kristi for sending and thanks to kristi for sending in this

picture of her daughters... ava... and kenzie... in their ravens gear. show us your purple pride. you can upload photos and videos to us through purple -at -fox baltimore -dot- coo. and you can see those pictures on our "see it shoot it send it" page at foxbaltimore dot com. or you can go to our facebook page.. facebook dot com slash foxbaltimore... click on "iiside fox45" on the left sideeof the screen. coming up in our 6 o'clock hour... all this .. for aa iphone? iphone?riot nats nnts find out the decison apple

made concerning the sale of the phone in china... after these riots broke out. out.