there is an end to this and we have been watching it, but the heaviest downpours moving th ugh the i-4 corridor in the last half hour or so and is on top of brevard county. early storm alert 9, everything moving at 35 miles an hour, west melbourne, 20 minutes away. you are kind of in a lull right now but there's rain moving our way, titusville, oak hill, all the way to the north including the west where it is still now, at least green and yellow, indicating a moderate study rain from poinciana to kissimmee, one 192, downtown orlando, drizzly and rainy. then we start to get a little bit of a break here, just west of 75. that is going to be what moves in and gives us a little bit of a freeze here after sunset to nine, but still very heavy rain ran on top of new smyrna beach and more to come. a you take the free weather up along with you, the interactive radar is your great tool as you get out in around. we will see what much more including a big change for tomorrow coming up. big changes are coming for hundreds of thousands of food stamp recipients in florida. >> we found out it is an effort stocked. we're joined now live from the

family headquarters, karla ray, this change involves the day of the month the recipients get their benefits. >> reporter: right now, benefits for the entire state of florida are added to the snap cards within the first 12 days of the month. dcf told us today they are extending that through the first 28 days of the month to try to even things out throughout the month. but, the first month that this happens, it's going to make budget tight for families. a trip to the grocery store would not be possible for hundreds of thousands of floridians without the help of the snap program, better known as food stamps. >> i only get $169 for a family of five. >> reporter: this woman wants to protect her family's identity. she has three kids and her husband can't work due to a disability. and she found out today that come watch their benefits will be spread even more than in an effort to keep shelves fully stocked. >> i think it's a very big shock.

>> reporter: currently, food stamp cards are loaded in the first 12 days of the month but the department of children and families is changing the disbursement to be spread out over 28 days. that means for the month of march, if you are set to receive $100 on the second, you will only get 50. the other half on the loaded to the card until later that month on a newly assigned day. that money will have to be stretched until your next benefit payment, a full month later. >> how can anybody live on half of that? >> reporter: dcf says the goal is to keep her first commonly purchased items available to customers all month long. this mom says the change may help companies that could hurt families like hers. >> is that realistic? >> no. when you've got a 5-year-old and two teenage boys, they eat. there is no way to go about doing that. >> reporter: the total amount that you will receive per month will not change, and this really only impacts the months of march and april. we've put an entire list of frequently asked questions and

just go to www.wftv.com. in orlando, karla ray, channel 9 eyewitness news. medical marijuana will be on the ballot again during the november presidential election. the measure needs 60% of voters pass. distilled by just 2% in 2014. at 5:00 we told you how opponents tightened the wording opponents that they. channel 9's janine reyes is live downtown. us political experts at the change in wording could help get more votes. >> reporter: opponents did spend three times more than supporters of this movement back in 2014, but, with this kind of language in place, this time around, we're asking if some of those opponents may actually become supporters of amendment 2. >> we're talking about the most serious medical conditions out there. we're talking about als, epilepsy, cancer. illnesses and injuries where people are fighting for their lives.

this year amendment 211 for the use of medical marijuana in florida has stronger language that cuts out potential for any abuse. >> the proponents are able to say that they tweaked the legislation that now there is less of a loophole than opponents said that there was before. >> reporter: rick fogelson believes that could make the medical marijuana movement a less enticing endeavor for opponents. especially because it narrowly lost last time by just 2% of the votes needed. at his press conference today, john morgan, who is bankrolling the moment for marijuana again, believes previous opponents like local law enforcement will now become supporters. >> the judge used to say over and over again, we believe and i believe that medical marijuana should be allowed in the state of florida. >> reporter: sheriff grady judd's office did not respond to our inquiry about potential support for amendment 2. morgan says either way he is sparing no expenses and if a stronger

amendment could pass. >> someone with deep pockets will have to step forward for there to be a well-funded opposition campaign. >> reporter: morgan added supreme court did approve the language for this updated amendment to this time around without any resistance from attorney general pam bondi. we're live in orlando tonight, janine reyes, channel 9 eyewitness news. a brevard teenager whose decision to break into a house left him being a paraplegic will now wait to find out how long he will spend in prison. in court today, wheelchair- bound joshua lamb admitted his role in a home burglary and one homeowner returned members, gunfire erupted. the 19-year-old faces a maximum of 20 years in prison. his attorney is hoping he might be sentenced as a juvenile offender.

mistake. unfortunately when you make mistakes it's hard to take them back no matter how hard you want to come it's hard to take it back. >> he will be sentenced in march. you can watch the victim's testimony online by going to www.wftv.com. daytona beach city leaders have hardly touch the issue of the homeless crisis, playing out on beech street, which is now in its 43rd day. but in the past hour, leaders met for a regularly scheduled training meeting. they still say they are working on temporary shelter with 100 beds for these homeless people. who are now camping at the building. deputies and police are keeping watch on the property last night, and for much of the day today, some of the homeless there say they are there because they don't have a choice. and we spoke to some who say they would like to be working for a decent wage. >> believe me, there's a lot of people here who want a job. that there are other people that have come over here to hire us, i will hire you for one day and give you $30, he

break your bad. >> reporter: some county leaders are optimistic about a solution but the city hasn't made any concrete moves. however, it said it would have week. new at 6:00, marion county leaders are reacting to newly released video of former marion county deputies beating a man who was already on the ground. we first showed you this video yesterday of those deputies punching and kicking the guy. in marion county. folks that you talked to praise the sheriff's actions. >> community leaders say that they are pleased with the way the sheriff's office handled this case. they say because the sheriff took swift action, and shows that he does not condone this type of behavior and will put up with it. >> disheartening. so you know, little upsetting., pastor and minutes later doctor hugh brockton the second in describing how he felt when he saw the video showing derek price being punched, kicked, and needs by former marion county deputies trevor

hopple, adam crawford and jesse terrel. price showed up to the gl battered and bruised, show the sheriff's office toward investigating and soon located this video and after seeing it, the sheriff immediately suspended all five individuals without pay. >> i went outside my own policy of suspending these deputies without pay. the reason for that is because of the witness -- independent self luminous on video. >> reporter: the sheriff's office turn it over to the fdle to investigate. so far, four of the deputies pled guilty. walked in set up to the news conference today to hear what the sheriff had to say. he admits this video could have caused the type of outrage that could lead to social unrest cities. >> this could have been very explosive with everything going on in the u.s. it could happen very explosive. >> reporter: he credits the

and unexplained details to them and the actions that he took to punish the deputies after he found out what happened. >> the way he handled it allowed us to make sure those calmness in the community. >> reporter: since 5:00 i talked to the sheriff about the video and he clarified that first half when they turned the copies into fdle, releasing and after that would have been against the law. he says they gave all their copies away and he says that he definitely feels that the community deserve to see this again. he reiterated the fact that that type of behavior won't be tolerated. live in marion county, myrt price, channel 9 eyewitness news. a 28-year-old daytona beach man who attacked a child walking to school will spend the next 25 years in prison. jayzel hendria was accused of claiming an eighth-grade student to the ground and punching her. the school minutes worker solid was happening and scare the man away. and orange county hotel guest says she was robbed after letting somebody use her phone.

afternoon at the quality suites on turkey lake road. detectives say a woman heard a knock at her door so she opened it and agreed to let someone use her phone. that's when the man burst in and rubbed her at gunpoint. that she was not physically hurt. 9 investigates found out a chemical considered highly likely to cause cancer has been detected on property slated for a new habitat for humanity development. we got our hands on emails showing that tce was found on three properties upon glancing the street in the slow. the county director of environmental services has extensive studies are being done to make sure the area is safe, but residents nearby told us they felt the effects of the chemicals. >> the past six months, my fingertips, i don't feel them. was causing it? >> the study should be completed in may and will show what needs to be done before that property is redeveloped. presentations were made this week by developers who

the city is looking for a plan to come up with a plan on what used to be paramore village to create affordable housing. it's part of a plan to revitalize paramore. no developer has done a contract for the property. the council will have to take a look at the different proposals and vote. hard to believe it has been 30 years now but today the country and nasa remember the fallen heroes of the space shuttle challenger disaster. >> the challenger crew and 17 other astronauts who gave their lives to further the exploration of space were honored during a ceremony at the kennedy space center visitor complex. >> their legacy is the challenger center. and, and inspiration that motivates our children to learn to aspire to careers in math, science, and engineering. >> after nasa officials spoke, people walked outside to lay a wreath at the foot of the space near memorial. if you want to see more about the 30th anniversary of the challenger try a good -- tragedy, head over to www.wftv.com. and orlando woman says these changed her dress at the

>> complete shock. complete shock. i can literally change anybody's address, apparently. >> new at 6:00, what she says the safeguards in place to prevent fraud did not work. they've

new at 6:00, 9 investigates claims that a woman's identity was stolen after thieves changed her address. >> on december 20 that the best about the change of address form our north cimmaron boulevard. tim barber asked officials have something like that could happen.

>> reporter: for ruth scholz, fielding been called is like whack a mole. >> every phone number because you don't want to answer because you don't know what it is. >> reporter: she says the nightmare began after someone pulled out a change of address quarter, stole her mail and her identity. >> it is my mail. what can you tell me where it's going? we can't give out that information. >> that's what they told you? >> yes. >> reporter: she says the thieves made the address change december 20 that she did not get a notification in the mail until roughly a month later. the u.s. postal service does order acknowledges they face up to 15 years in prison if they information. >> the shocking thing to me is its 2016, i can literally know your name and address and forward your mail and mess up your whole entire life. >> reporter: central florida is ranked 17 out of hundreds of metropolitan areas for identity fraud in general with more than

across the u.s., less than 4% of victims cited stolen mail as theft. >> my issue is to stop this from happening from other people. if i can help one person i'm good with that. >> reporter: reporting in orlando, tim barber, channel 9 eyewitness news. >> the post office is it handled more than 34 million address changes last year and convenient and safe. to see how you can protect yourself, visit the web links section of www.wftv.com. a stretch of goldenrod has proven dangerous for so many drivers. transportation officials are making changes. fdot says dirty t-bone crashes have been reported at the goldenrod intersection with my typewriter and put up on street in the last four years. the problem is that drivers can legally cut across the busy road, they plan to add medians which would only allow left hand turn to cut down on the problem. lawmakers say red light cameras are affecting the efforts to make school busstop saber across the state. >> six years after everything

you know, just frustrated. >> reporter: don mayer's daughter, gabby, was struck and killed while walking home from her school busstop near debary in 2010. now he wants the state to allow cameras on school buses to catch and find drivers to pass any legally. but, sponsors of a new bill say some lawmakers don't want more surveillance on our roads because of all the red light cameras. a staple that could have a sweeping impact on local schools keeps moving forward in tallahassee. we first told you about the school choice proposal last spring. if approved, it was that parents enrolled children in any public school that had not reached capacity, yet, regardless of county lines. today, that bill was approved by a second senate subcommittee. covering news for you look county by county. in orange county we heard the 911 call as a man spied on a teenager last week. the mother and her daughter stayed home for about 25 minutes as they helped police surround their home and chased on the suspect or police say 22-

looking through the girls window on the 911 call, you can hear what happened. as police moved in. >> you might see an officer, they are here. they are still here. yeah, you're okay. nothing is going to happen to you. i am right outside your door. just relax, it's okay. you are going to be just fine. >> right now, he is still behind bars but could bond out with just $5000. in lake county, commissioners will meet in less than 40 minutes to discuss whether to impose a fire assessment fee that would help fund through glen park's fire department. the fee has not yet been determined, but city officials say they need at least $180,000 to upgrade the department. if approved, the fire assessment vote could come this summer so we will let you know what happens. a social worker and foster children on an 11 day vacation from north carolina were shocked to learn they sold bogus tickets to -- work sold

she does -- summer but tickets to disney but wanted to take the kids to orlando. she searched craigslist and bought tickets for when they got to the park, the tickets in our. kevin towers sold her false tickets and eventually they were able to go to part. tomorrow, the mayor of eatonville says he will unveil plans for in a million-dollar museum. the town says it will be the first national african american museum in florida. the center will collect and preserve heritage and history of florida's african descendents. the mayor hopes the museum will help tourism in edenton. busy day, busy yesterday. hopefully this day will clear up soon and we can talk about sunshine instead. >> i was not in the morning commute yesterday when it looks like this but this is what it was like yesterday and now we have put it ahead 12 hours. very wet, and we continue to see a wet evening and experience logo. if you don't have to get out and about stay right where you

us your photos, blaine tolison for it is wet and cold, this is coming in -- indeed, we have had well over an inch and a half, almost 2 inches of rainfall but we are starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel but still very heavy rain. we have been tracking this for reasons 4:00 moving across to the melbourne palm bay, coming up your in less than 5 to 10 minutes. melbourne beach getting heavy downpours. we've had occasional thunder but not a lot of lighting with this, fortunately. heavy rain from rockwell to cocoa beach and stretching all the way across volusia, flagler county, deltona, lake catherine, umatilla, and just for grins, i put a little mileage about here, 60 miles of study rain moving at about 35 miles an hour. another hour and a half of sewer study rain and then we kind of get into this broken shower activity back to the west. celebration today nearing 3 inches of rainfall, we may be there right now since updating this graphic. lake mary, 2.25, hunters creek, 2.25.

we have had nearly summerlike rainfall totals so far this month for just about everybody, courtesy of el nino, the storm system in the gulf, you can see the driver behind it, pushing all the way through, developing into a big storm off the atlantic and bring us a breezy but drier sunshiny day tomorrow. future track 9:00, back edge of the rain come here we go. 11:00 i will have good news for you. right here with some sunshine on the way for tomorrow. in fact, we will see some sunshine early on in the morning. over by the citrus tower, clairmont, lots of showers to 8:00 tonight. starting to break up after 10:00 and will get to sunshine early in the morning tomorrow. daytime highs still only in the 60s, it will feel a bit cooler with that northwest breeze but we will start to warm up in short order for the weekend. 57 day forecast, weekend always in view, there it is, 80 on tuesday, 69 saturday, we warm

for the rolex 24 over in daytona, also, www.icflorida.com, fire in the park, cook off to cure in avalon park. a lot of details on great event this weekend, www.icflorida.com, we'll be

welcome back. february can't come soon enough for the orlando magic, losing 11 of 12 and generate and close out the month with back-to-back games against one of the hottest teams in the nba. the magic spent the day in boston ahead of tomorrow's showdown with the celtics. boston has won four straight and seven of their last nine. now in november, the rules were essentially reverse, magic throughout the celtics, 110-91, that was the two teams only his

>> there playing different than we played them last time. they are playing much better. and, we are trying to get back to where we were playing at that level. so, it is two different things. >> now on saturday it's the nba on abc, lebron james and san antonio spurs rekindle their rivalry. tipoff in cleveland set for a: 30 right here in channel 9. onto soccer, orlando city is reported one of the most productive players today, signing midfielder darwin soren to two-year infection -- extension. as a defensive midfielder, soren was second on the team in interceptions for match with 2.5. he was also voted major league soccer's latino player of the year. >> it has been absolutely fantastic since the day he came. he believed in what we are trying to do because he came a

>> my family is so happy for these four years, and this city, and this big club. >> reporter: meanwhile, solar bears return to the ice, puck drops at 7:00. >> thank you, christian.