by the end of thmorning commute the rain is moving offshore the visibility is another factor that we have to keep an eye on. 3/4 of a mile in plymouth. that will be coming down in places overnight. here's something to look forward to. a mini-thaw late tomorrow morning into the afternoon and then we'll talk about new year's eve and day more. >> cosby arrested, free on $1 million bail after being charged in a 2004 sexual assault. >> look at his mug shot. more than 40 women have come forward to publicly accuse him of assaulting him over four decades but this is the first criminal charge against him. john atwater is following the developments. reporter: the statute of limitations for so many have run out but in this case, it's something that he said under oath that drew scrutiny of prosecutors. >> the 78-year-old comedian appeared frail, stumbling as he

holding on for balance as he left. inside courtroom for the first time, he faced felony charges accused of sexually assaulting a woman he used to mentor. >> mr. cosby urged her to take bills. that he provided to her. and to drink wine. the effect of which rendered her unable to move and respond to his advances. >> prosecutors moved forward with the charges only after a stunning admission the comedian only recently became public. the accuse so filed a civil suit and under oath he admitted to giving quaaludes to at least one woman. with the statute of limitations running out, prosecutors jump and filed aggravated indecent assault charges. martha says cosby's long legal battle is reminiscent of the priest sex abuse scandal here in boston. >> this was a defendant, many of

fight the civil suit, to claim that they weren't guilty, and to fight any kind of criminal charges for long periods of time. >> and again, cosby, if he's convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison. live at the break news desk. >> cosby has lived in the sleepy western massachusetts village of shelbourne falls since the early 1970s. neighbors expressing their disappointment. pam is there live. pam? >> a few now wish their most well known citizen wasn't quite so famous. many are following the latest news and hoping the focus goes elsewhere. >> bill cosby's home posted to keep outsiders out. for the last two years, cosby's name has been publicly linked to allegations of sex abuse. today, a formal charges. >> i think it's about time.

disappointed by the icon she once adored. >> i'm upset that the statute of limitations is so short because there are women that go back reporter: the prosecutor have been invalid in january when the statute of limitations out. >> the evidence is strong and sufficient to proceed at this point, and we're proceeding with the charge of aggravated, indecent assault. reporter: a few whispered support for the entertainer but wouldn't talk on camera. others not reluctant. >> there is something there, there is clearly something there. -- been great friend of our community. so it's heartbreaking to see this happen to the family. >> for someone in as much light as he is, you need to be careful about what you do and how you handle yourself in public. >> that should be a big lesson for people like that. reporter: cosby and his family

here for 45 years. some say it's time for the legal system to decide. pam cross, wcvb, newscenter 5. >> at least eight women have filed suit here in massachusetts claiming they have been defamed by cosby. they say he allowed his lawyers, his representatives to brand them as liars, as they began coming forward in recent years with their accusations. cosby has filed a counterclaim of defamation against at least seven of those women. >> the driver blamed in a deadly crash involving secret service agents in new hampshire should not have been behind the wheel. it happened on route 16 in wakefield around 7:00 last night. the four at were driving south when a car crossed did center line and hit them head on. the driver at fault, 45-year-old bruce danforth died at the scene. investigators say he did not have a valid driver's license. two passengers suffered serious injuries. the four at are being treated for serious but nonlife-threatening injuries. >> both vehicles sustained

end because it was essentially a head-on collision. fire and rescue did have to remove -- cut vehicles to get them out as quickly as possible. >> at that time were part of the protected detail for presidential candidate hillary clinton. she held a campaign event in new hampshire last night. >> the disappearance of an avon man may have been solved but there are still some pretty big questions about what happened to him. this morning prosecutors announced that the human remains found by a hunter saturday in the woods in upton are those of james robertson. the 37-year-old father of two was kidnapped from his parent's home in avon on new year's day 2014. four men have been charged in connection with that kidnapping, but prosecutors say it's too early to say if and when homicide charges will be filed. >> we have to follow the evidence and the evidence is still actively being gathered and continuing to work. >> prosecutors are not commenting on a motive. the medical examiner is working

>> new at 6:00, a fire truck catches fire inside the firehouse. the fire start on the engine compartment of ladder 28 and flames rolled out of the grill and up to the windshield. the truck was towed out where the fire was knocked down. the building sustained significant smoke damage. the chief says the station will not be used until it is fully cleaned up. >> boston hosts the oldest first night celebration in the country. but there are some new changes this year. newscenter 5 is life in the square. one thing that's not changing, 4 high security. >> not at all. crowds will fill the square. you can see preparations are under way. they are carving out one of the many ice sculptures that everyone will see tomorrow night and revelers will also see an increased security presence. >> we'll have plenty of officers out there. we'll have, you know, dogs and everything possible that we can

having an overpresence that we intimidate people. there is a lot of undercover officers out there. there is a lot of assets hidden away. >> as the first night celebration takes shape for new year's eve the city is preparing for extra security. >> if you see something, grab a police officer. call 911. we follow up on everything but come into our city. it will be a great night. >> there isn't any specific threat against boston, but since the marathon bombings and with recent terrorist attacks, security is stepped up for all major events. >> for the first time in many years, city is not running -- >> they will produce a family geared celebration and scaled back. the event centered in the square. >> what's important this year about first night is there are no buttons. everything is free. >> they are make great progress on these ice sculptures here in the square. no buttons required for this first night. everything is free. this is the 40th year, their 40th anniversary. also,

after 8:00 p.m. and they will run late trains until 2:00 a.m. for those late night revelers. >> sarah, wcvb. >> there is a new push to ease fears and draw people to downtown brockton. plus -- >> putting their own lives at risk to save others. we're hearing from three heroic police officers. >> more precipitation on the way. it's not going to be -- some areas below freezing. that could pose a problem. that and the new year's forecast straight ahead. >> hi, everybody, i'm mike lynch. welcome to the garden. the lakers are in town and so is kobe bryant. his final appearance in boston. we'll hear from kobe coming up

at 6:00. >> there are some stereotypes it needs to tackle. >> a proposal on how to change people's perceptions of crime in the downtown area. rhondella richardson is there live to explain. reporter: -- give people somebody else to consistently talk about like the amphitheater that opened in the fall to bring concerts to the city, plan is to turn brockton into a destination. reporter: brockton is getting an image makeover. instead of scenes like this brockton wants to be the new restaurant scene. it's part of the downtown action strategy, 10-year plan calls for better street lighting. introduced up sidewalks and even changes that include a hired welcoming committee. >> we think having friendly, helpful people welcoming you to downtown will help improve the perception. now, we have to address the

we have to have people confident that downtown is well it will. it's clean, it's safe. >> the new ambassadors will provide customer service. >> if that's walking them to their car, if that's us picking up litter, if it's just a friendly greeting and a set of directions. >> police have increased patrol and ambassadors are also extra eyes and ears. >> two months ago they tore up a and benches. they want to make the city more walkable with lots of greenways. >> the idea of the restaurant incubator would be to provide a space where people could come in, get accustomed to working in a kitchen. >> and this downtown area is getting back a dedicated police patrol. it was suspended more then a decade ago because of budget cuts. not only is there a homelessness task force, a cultural

live in brockton, rhondella richardson, wcvb, newscenter 5. >> we could certainly see some freezing rain tonight. >> tracking a slight warm-up. plus -- hearing from heros. >> i couldn't breathe so i ran outside to get more air. >> talking about frightening conditions that they face. p on average, it takes three hundred americans working for a solid year, to make as much money as one top ceo. it's called the wage gap. pand the republicans will make it worse by lowering taxes for p those at the top and letting corporations write their own rules. p hillary clinton will work to close the wage gap. equal pay for women to raise incomes for families, a higher minimum wage, lower taxes for the middle class. she gets the job done for us. i'm hillary clinton and i

>> many "boston globe" subscribers are frustrated for not receiving the paper for the last few days. they blamed a change in home delivery vendors the globe is apologizing to subscribers saying the movie will assure a higher level of delivery and customer service over the long term. >> for the first time we're hearing from three police officers who made some dramatic rescues in a fire on monday. introducing us to the heroes who went above and beyond the call of duty.

was, that i was going to die. >> despite danger in front of them, these three webster police officers ran into this burning building on granite street on monday to rescue residents inside. >> as soon as i opened it, i got hit with smoke and heat, and i dropped to the ground. >> the officers say thick black smoke made it nearly impossible to see or breathe. they dropped to their knees to scope around. one victim was found unconscious. >> he was laying on the floor on her back and one leg was wedged behind like the door. so we had to try to get in and get her leg out so we could freer her and once we did that outside. >> the officers ran in several times to free the woman as well as rescue another on the second floor. all despite difficulty breathing. >> i couldn't breathe. i ran outside to get more air. i couldn't even bring myself to speak to tell the officer there was somebody in there. >> you're just going. >> they got everyone out safely

officers did suffer smoke inhalation. today, webster police honor the group with letters of commendation. >> we get paid to take reasonable risks, but these guys went above and beyond. >> you don't think, you just do. i don't like to use the word hero. i think anybody in this police department would have done the same thing. >> despite their efforts one of the two women rescued was critically injured. webster police say at last check she was still in critical condition at the hospital. the cause of the fire is still under investigation. >> sarah, wcvb, newscenter 5. >> i'm so glad we got to hear from those guys. when you hear what they did, just going in there and risking their own lives, they are heroes. >> they should accept the fact we're going to call them that. >> everybody should be a little on guard? >> hopefully, after what happened last night and early

we're still in that situation. until we get to later tomorrow, later in the day. for most of us. some of us are in better shape but the other thing i'm watching is fog. fog around plymouth, worcester county. visibilities are down. that will be a problem. some fog around boston. also, at gillette stadium. 30 degrees the temperature now. it's pretty much holding steady in boston, it will hold steady or inch up a little bit, which would be helpful. areas north and west of boston will probably stay just about where it is. so the official freezing rain advisory, 7:00 p.m. tonight until 3:00 a.m. tomorrow. spotty, freezing mist before we on tonight. until we're through with the threat untreated surfaces can be icy. that means walking and driving on any untreated surfaces can be well. boston. 28 in bedford. 29 in worcester. very uniform.

way to norwood and in northern rhode island, and just above freezing, plymouth to taunton and well above freezing on the hour. temperatures will be either staying steady or inch up later tonight. you look at this and say a lot of the rain looks like it will miss us but we're starting to see more development across pennsylvania and it's the northern part of that area that's developing, that comes across our area later tonight, and then it eastern mass toward midnight and through the wee hours of the morning. exiting. a few breaks in the clouds start to she for the midday and partially clear at least for new year's eve and stay that way for new year's day. we have dry weather for both, new year's up. in terms of temperatures we'll get a little break in that department, too. as boston, and the coastline moves above 40 and the higher terrain inland goes to the upper 30's. a little bit of melting where

ice on the ground. >> temperatures as we approach new year's eve around 6:00 at night, about 34 in worcester and 40 in boston. as we get toward midnight, 11:30 midnight, 10 to 20 mile per hour winds. bait of a wind chill to consider. that's how we start new year's day. it will be about 40 for a high in boston but there will be an active wind to make it feel colder than that. december, okay, normal temperature for the month, 35. this is where we're averaging. there has never been a december since we've been keeping records in the late 1800s even close to being this warm. here's a look at your next seven days. and what we want to focus on with the rain ending by the early tomorrow, is on new year's eve. of course, new year's day and here's the way it looks for new year's eve. 40's as i mentioned and down to the 30's. as we get to new year's day, the winter classic. about 39 degrees but keep in mind it will feel colder than that. 10 to 20 mile per hour wind

so there will be a chill in the air. a seasonably cold weekend and then some very cold air moves in sunday night, monday, monday night and early tuesday, and late sunday night and monday, along the coast, especially on the south shore there could be some ocean effect snow showers or flurries. i'll see with you an update later on tonight. meteorologist, harvey leonard. >> now, sports center five with mike. >> hi, everybody, welcome back to the garden. this is not your ordinary december celtics game before the end of the year. this is a very special night. it will be a very festive occasion. the los angeles lakers are in town. that's always a happening but tonight it will be the final boston appearance of one kobe bryant. he's played many games in this building, but the one you remember most is the championship game in 2008 and 2010, and for kobe bryant, boston will always hold a very special place in his heart. >> because of the history.

really big historian of the game and understanding boston's history, players, the lineage of the players. the championship forum, and so this place was always special to me, from the first time i came into the league, it was special. >> so, you know, the history is what i think makes the city different than all the rest. >> >> down in foxborough, it beginning to look a lot like winter. finally, for the winter classic. they put the ringing down. they have been working on it for over a week and they had a family skate today as well. one of the many activities that are scheduled and planned leading up to the main event which is 1:00 friday afternoon. the bruins and montreal canadiens. >> it's nice, in the last few weeks, we've had a lot of games in front of us. we wanted to stay in the moment and not think too much about it. now we're here and we have two

ready for it which is nice. >> pretty good, yeah. it was good. we've been skating around for an hour. but it's pretty good. >> as the winter classic invades gillette stadium, bill belichick will take his club out of town. tomorrow night after practice, they will head to fort lauderdale. the patriots plan on bringing back the number one seed from miami. >> the patriots were cruising along to the tune of 36 points per game for the first seven weeks. and then a series of unfortunate events. >> you always think he's going to come back. this guy is as tough as they can. his right knee sort of gets ripped, when he's hit. >> how many more injuries can this patriots team suffer? >> you wish you

happen. >> what we can control, guys can do. >> the patriots are down an average about 10 points per game and lost three of their last five, not the kind of december we remember from the patriots super bowl run. yet, they remain the front-runners for the top seed in the afc. >> there is only one team that gets the number one seed. it's great if you're that team because it means you've done things better than anybody else over the course of the season. put ourselves into good position and hopefully we can finish strong. >> the patriots not one for distractions have decided to leave all of this behind. they will fly south for the winter classic. leaving tomorrow and practicing friday at florida atlantic university in boca raton, florida, on new year's day. >> thank you very much. the final act of kobe bryant in boston, we'll hear from him tonight at 11:00. see you then. >> thanks. >> new tonight on newscenter 5 at 11:00, little noah's amazing

important a micropremie back in july, he's going home for the first time. how his family is celebrating tonight at 11:00. >> off the field and on the air. spend the day with wiggins. us home to dorchester plus off time with fan favorites.

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