they are open to continuing the race, but will be more careful next time. >> there facing a dozen lawsuits and they are 12 million in debt and now the city terminated the five-year contract with the raising development. the mayor said that they owe the city 950,000 for services. 487971 in taxes and a 250,000- dollar raising event fee. the problems have been frustrating to the city leaders, many that backed the race full force. >> they have not been able to pay the bills, particularly the taxpayer and that is my number one concern, how do the taxpayers get paid. >> with the corporate officers and managers paying forward,

the media partner, the baltimore sun, said it is under new control, but that is probably too late too late. the state has a tax lien. >> when they owe money to the tax man, they are in trouble. >> that with the millions in the bumps in the road, has the grand prix hit a dead end? the race brought in $47 million to the city, but we have not been able to get contact with the raising developer. -- we will follow the breaking developments at wjz.com. more breaking news, part of route 50 is shut down and we have our chopper over the scene. captain mike, what is happening there? >> it happen about an hour and a half ago, east bound i-50, a

truck, tractor trailer pulled over to the side of the road, it was filling from the rear some type of chemical that was on board. there are poison stickers on board and the maryland police have closed down east bound route 50 as the fire officials and haz-mat is trying to figure out what this chemical is. the road is closed and the back up is back to the indianapolis area. expect delays if you are heading towards the bridge. >> the cars are stopped there. that is unbelievable. another update in a few minutes. the big story tonight, baltimore and if you have not heard, they are getting ready to celebrate new year's eve. tens of thousands will head downtown, the fireworks show is said to be one that will be better than ever.

we are heading behind the scenes for more. >> well, if you are ringing in the new year here, you know it will be a big show and the designers of the fireworks said it is actually the biggest display ever. >> it is called the spectacular, it is for a reason. it is so amazing, lighting up everything at night and you are overwhelmed by the 4r50eu9s -- this baltimore woman never misses the show, but the sky lines that look like this, the crews have to set up thousands of shelves where the magic will happen. >> it is a lot of work, dirty work, but it is fun. >> this year the celebration is the biggest ever. it will have some 2,000 special effects that will coordinate with the music.

>> it will be much bigger than ever. >> at event, i will have a front row seat. it would be nice if i could get down here. >> he will have to fight for a prime spot. tens of thousandses are expected to attend and this is the 12 year old that wanted to show off his home town. >> some say that baltimore is not a nice city, but i tell them to look at the fireworks and see how nice it is. >> in the past, visitors spent about $2 million on shopping and entertainment. >> it is wrapping up the year on a super high note, high in the sky, 800 feet high to be exact. the mayor's got a count down going, but the party will start at 9:00 with a live band. you better bring your dancing shoes down here. we are live, wjz, eyewitness

news. you made your statement, okay. >> yell. , yam. we will be there. we are continuing with our weather, what will the weather be like for the show? >> we had some rough years, but this year is looking good. in the national picture, not just here but around the country. in the northeast, there could be some showers in the day and this storm is a weak one, but should be out of here by tomorrow night and the breeze will die down. there is the cooler air coming, we will deal with that later. as far as the temperatures, we will have more on that coming up. nice on the sea board, when we see what we are dealing with tomorrow, the day high about 54, we will drop with partly

cloudy skies and around midnight, no precipitation around and 36 around the time that the fireworks go up. chilly, but nice on the water. we will have the forecast for the weekend coming up through new years and the first cool down we have of 2012 when we come inside. if you celebrate at home, watch the new year's special with the coverage of the fireworks from the harbor. see everything right here on wjz at 11:00 on saturday night. two firefighters were hurt in a house fire, it took two hours to put out the fire and one firefighter wept to the hospital with cardiac arrest and another had smoke inhalation. it was $35,000 in damage. two abortion doctors are facing murder charges after a 16-month investigation after a

botched abortion. we have more on the case that is making national headlines. >> there is a bit of mystery around the murder charges. the officials will not identify the victims, but say there is a freezer full of fetuses, some are almost full term. two doctors that performed late- term abortions are facing murder charges and the police investigation started last year when the police said that the two doctors performed part of an abortion in new jersey and transferred the patient to maryland to finish it. the 18-year-old woman had complications and was taken to the hospital and then the police searched the clinic to look for her medical records, but they found something else in the freezer. >> i contained the fetuses, about 35 and some appeared to be close to full term. >> the doctor live in utah and is facing first and second- degree murder and the other is facing five counts of murder.

this indictment is sealed and they will not tell us if the victims are the fetuses in the freezer. late-term abortions are legal in maryland, but there is a law that has only been used with homicides and pregnant women. the abortion clinic is closed, but following up that investigation, there is already a change in the state's abortion regulations. >> we have the least strict laws here in our state than anywhere in the country. >> after working with the maryland health clinic, they worked to help with oversights. >> this is a great start, i think it will save lives and maybe it will make people more aware that this was going. >> tonight both doctors are in custody out of state and

waiting to be brought back here to town. >> more details will be available in court documents that could be made public next week. maryland had their deadliest year on the water since 1992. 25 people died in boating accidents, the highest number in two decades. even with the safety methods and campaigns on the water, including chess peek bay, the boating season started earlier than unusual because of the warmer weather in may. a woman pretendd to have cancer to scam people from their hard-earned money. they said they raised $10,000 for a co-worker that said she had cancer. more from the investigators on this case at 5:30. >> the seasonal flu is in maryland. the first confirmed case has been diagnosed in an adult in the baltimore area. this isolater than last year, when the first case was reported in october.

the state's health officials have told everybody to get vaccinated. the raven's secured a playoff spot, but a win in cincinnati could make the road to the super bowl a bit easier. more on this from the panel of experts. >> simply stated, a victory in cincinnati will bring the ravens the north division title and the critical extra benefit. >> the ravens won the playoff games in the last three seasons, it was done the hard way, going on the road and never able to enjoy an off week, but this game would earn them a week off and the home field. >> people are dealing with injuries and if you could get a full week's rest and not have to play a game? that is huge! >> how does our panel of experts see this playing out?

>> the ravens are no question about it a better team than the bengals, but they are different when they play on the road and they will have to show that i'm wrong, i think that the bengals will win it 20-17. >> the raven's road struggles are well documented, but they go on the road to cincinnati and get the home playoff came advantage and beat the bengals 13-10. >> this is going to mean a lot for both teams. the ravens are a better team, but this is on the road without a lot of conviction. i would say 23-20 ravens. it will be a tough one. >> the fans think that the ravens will come home a winner, 17-16. as for what i predict? i will go against them for the first time this season. they will lose a 31-24 dog

fight, but maybe this will be out of their system in time for a serious playoff run. get it out of the way. that is the same score that they defeated the ravens by in their game when they last played. put it out there. we respect that. remember, you can watch the ravens play the bengals, the coverage will start at 4:00. >> i could never be a sports reporter. i have too much by as for the teams. >> they have to be a journalist, not a cheerleader. (laughs). more on eyewitness news at 5:00, students and cheating on the sat tests. pilots have concerns after more on a business deal that caused safety problems. hollywood is on alert, a series of fires destroyed homes and cars and the police think

it is the work of an arsonist. more on the new year's eve forecast coming up. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

. on track for a record number of murders. we went one on one with the commissioner with the highs and lows. >> crime is always a hot topic and the commissioner said he is still in the fight with no plan to step down. >> this is what i do. i still love to do that. >> 2011 saw many officers in trouble, it was a towing scam that played on the public. >> it was stunning it was such a large network -- the commissioner said more

corruption cases are brought because his department is doing a better job of policing itself. >> this department has clearly demonstrated our personal willingness to get these guys out. >> it talked about how they deal with what happen outside a club shooting and the murder is down significantly from last year and continuing with that trend? >> we thought what no one could be done in this city. >> no arrests or riots with occupy protesters, but there was heartbreak. >> my daughter will not have a dad. >> the killing of a girl at the fourth of july fireworkses and the finding of a detective found dead after a long search. for all that happen, the police have one goal in mind for the future. >> until people can look out their window and from the mace

where they live and feel that sense of security, we have not gotten the job done. the commissioner said that the number of murders is at the lowest number of murders since the 1970s. part of route 50 is shut down and there are major delays. let's check with traffic control. >> what a mess out there. we have that accident, sky chopper is over the scene. we had a tractor trailer leaking fluids and it is shut down, but the delay as you can see is well back into indianapolis to 97. we expect that to be died up for some time. it is an hour to 45 minutes to get through. we will continue to bring you up to date on that. south bound 95, we have delays there from river side park way to 152, north bound 95 and also

from 32 to the beltway and the southwest side and the accident on the northeast side, that is right there on the shoulder at 95 and the west side loop slowing down as you make your approach to security boulevard. and liberty road at washington avenue and also south at washington street in baltimore. there is part of the delay because of the accident at white hall road. this is a traffic report brought to you by the pizza that is new york style at a home town price. a large cheese is only $9. . tomorrow night more police officers will be on patrol to ring in the new year, but one officer will start 2012 not in

uniform. >> it is all hands on deck for the police officers, if you are a city police, you are expected to work. this is the union president for the last four years -- do you ever do what is considered normal police work? >> no, you are not assignd to a post card. >> he does not have to work holidays. >> swop that keeps their own hours, but you do 50 to 60 hours per week, you are not on the holiday days? >> no. >> he is a police officer were with full and complete orders, but most of the time he is here in a suit and collar and ready for the holidays. >> the public will see how much this sacrifice these guys are making. son saturday night, he will

take a patrol ship to the western area. >> i will be able to send home an officer for the night for new year's eve. he does not really know the person he is working for, the major chose the one that had a great record for making gun arrests. >> i'm trying to make sure that they have done a from job. i'm a cop first, not just a union president. >> when asked if he was working the shift, he said that the other 2800 officers are wondering why they were not picked. >> wonder why! a loft them at the inner harbor where it looks like the weather will not hold on. >> tomorrow in the day, we may have some showers, but that should be out for tomorrow

night. it is 46 and that is a bit of breeze and we will have more on that forecast when we return. ,,

. the temperatures have been nice for the standards of december. where did we top out today? our numbers came in in the 50s out there. 42 is the ample, above that, for most of the weekend, we will be above average. we are 46 in baltimore. in the mountains, in the ocean, hanging onto 50 in washed washed and 50 for west minister and else where, we were in the 40s. a bit of a breeze from the southeast. that is about it. not a lot happening with that. that will pick up tonight and tomorrow as this storm is moving our way and this storm is not a lot to it. it looks large, but not that strong. on this southern side, everything that is trying to form is shut off. if it passes by our direction,

there is a chance, it is not a big storm. it will move out and then a round of really cold air will come our way early in the week. we are not there yet. there is the storming and that will pass by and not a lot on the southern side and it will move out and then sunday the prees. here is that cold front and sunday night and monday, then it will kick up the winds from the west and north west and bring in the colder air. we will have the numbers and then before we get to that, on the waters, we will have the small craft advisory in effect and many people like to go out in the boat to track the fireworkses and we will have a breeze in the day and that will die down during the night. we will go down to 37, there is the chance for showers tonight and tomorrow. then that will move out for tomorrow night. i thought we had a 56-degrees tomorrow, above average and then for tomorrow night, it looks like that is gone and we

will have the great time down at the harbor. it will be fun for everybody. coming up on eye witness at 5:00, the last-minute votes, the final count down for the republican caucuses. who is in the lead. charged for paying their bills, how the angry customers fought back and won. cond by a co-workers, the scam that a hartford employee used ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

. we have an update on that breaking news with the i-50 portion of the highway shut down. if you are considering taking 50 east bound, you probably want to reconsider it. there is part of the delay. it was at 50 east bound, a tractor trailer is leaking fluid and it is shut down and right now, the delays well back to 97, at least 30 minutes to get by and we will continue to bring you up to date on that situation and hope to get this taken care of as quickly as possible. back to you. >> thank you. the potential cancer scam is

being investigated in hartford county. at an elementary school, they may have been trickd into thinking that their co-worker was dying and may have been scammed from thousands of dollars. >> the school is closed for the holidays, but when school opens next week, a worker will face a fraud investigation. the sheriff's office said between january 2010 and this summer, the unidentified worker told others that she had cancer and the co-workers helped to pay for rent, groceries and even plane tickets to treatment centers. >> they were trying to help their co-worker that they thought she was in need, but one worker was suspicious, she told workers that it was a stage four and was in her lungs and she had a 15% chance of surviving and they sprung into

action, they had a fundraiser and raised $10 million. >> it was said to the sheriff's office from the victim that this was happening to help raise money for a co-worker that said she had cancer. >> that is not something to play about. >> this is a former student at baker field. >> i'm surprised, but people do a lot to get money these days. >> the police are in an early investigation, no charges have been filed yet. >> the police are releasing the identity of the suspect because the charges are pending. a new bill would make it illegal not to report dead or missing children. this is after the law that is to remember kayly anthony.

the florida girl that died. and we have more on the development in a case. >> he would not go to court, he was read his charges in prison today. the 39-year-old is charged with murder and abuse of a corpse. he said he beat the girl with a brick and cutting up her body with a hacksaw. said to be a trusted neighbor, he looked after the girl and two sisters because the mother was sick. that happen in western maryland and she went to winter street elementary. >> the washington cool grief counseling is there for people that knew lemon. the gop front runners are crossing over undecided voters days before the caucus.

>> they came bundled up in the chill to hear a candidate with a campaign that is heating up. >> it is not just about replacing president obama, as important as that is, it is also a race of saving the soul of america. >> mitt romney brought in a powerful al lie, chris countries tea is that star among conservatives. newt gingrich broke down and had memories of his mother. >> i would say to her that i will do everything i can as a candidate to be worthy. >> this brought applause for a crowd that is mostly mothers. and then, just a handful of people were for michelle book man. >> we were just dropping in. it was not a tiptroke typical

year, this has driven the polls, but the handshakes are all that is left before tuesday night. after the pour showing in 2008, mitt romney is pushing to finish strong. i cannot remember the last time i went out of my way to see a political candidate -- but the numbers are close. this campaigning has to pay off some way. rick perry is holding a number of meeting events and now newt gingrich is in the last spot. and after being charged with fraud in iraq, he said he posed as 20 other students to take the college exams for them. in the first speaker view that

the high marks he has said that they could help students get in to college and change the whole face of the military. >> a kid who has a horrible grade point average and no matter thousand much he is studying, by giving him an amazing store, i am giving them a new chance at life. >> that show will be right here on news 17. more on the merger between mobile and continental may be to blame. >> when you feet on the plane, the best hope is the pilot's

training. it is as good as it could be. >> if you have asked the crews today, you might not get what you are locking for. >> it is where you practice it and sitting around in you are homes doing this. >> but to fly some of of the world's easiest routes, this is a new training practice for the unprepared. >> it is a lot of learning and retraining and that will rewire a row hues program. there is concern that too much is relyd on simulators. >> nothing like doing this over and other and it will be part

of your routine. >> there were so many things, the new techniques, forgetting to put down the landing year for one. -- the procedures i have seen s have changed big time. >> they said that this is baseless and are trying to raise money for a contractor who has focus them on safety. the next big step is to combine the carrier's complex and work on the reservation services. widespread has called for the on line petition already at

57, they wanted to charge $2 a month for anybody that paid over the phone or on line. they hoped to seat people up for the dib bit card. more on the local stories of 20811 and feet tips on something to do before the clock strikes midnight and how will the ravens stop baltimore? >> here is the first morning weather team. >> as we say good-bye to one year and rush in another one, many make plans. you could initial your goals if they are realistic. >> the sun is quick will he going down. people in maryland and it is not just about the best party, but how to improve themselves.

>> it is the new start u it is wiping the slate clean. some may try to stop smoking, others will try to eat better and some to exercise. >> i want to do my part, i want a super bowl game. one psychologist said that the new year's celebrating should be able to understand it. >> as far as the crime fighting? >> if some people can look out their window and feel that sense of security, we have not gotten the job done. >> i would not call it a resolution, but in the new year, i want to take advantage of a great day like this.

who needs a coat and gloves now? hold the mic for me. . i'm set and ready to go. some how it does not last after two years. if you are watching, be sure to watch from the harbor area right here on wjz starting at 11:00. any resolutions for you? >> same one every year, eat healthier. always! always. i tell myself that at the end of year each with the hope that something will change. coming up tonight on wjz, hunting for an arsonist, the

massive fires ripped through hollywood. do they have clues. >> the disaster that is having hundreds of graves redug. more on the forecast for the new year coming up. ,,,,,,,,,,,,

. the sun is out. what about the weather for the weekend? >> a little mild, temperatures up about 54 and the temperatures will drop in the day and we will have partly cloudy skies and then clearing about midnight, the temperatures in the mid 30s and for the five-day forecast, back inside. >> that smart forecast, maybe a shower in the day, but not that much going on.

the night will be beautiful. looking at the next few days. sunday at 57, then a strong cold front will move through and that will move out and look behind that. 44 on monday. the temperatures fell with the winds up and tuesday and 30s also on wednesday. there is colder air coming our way for the middle of the week. we will have the check of the energy saver with tim. this is me. i'm sorry about this. the energy saver, clean or replace filthers as needed and clean the base board heaters and radiators as needed and make sure that they are not blocked by furniture, carpeting or drapes. on how to be an energy saver, come on down to the right side of the page and click on that special section. >> i would have done it for you. i promise. the police are on high alert after a string of arsons

on west hollywood. 19 vehicle fires overnight. no one was hurt, the l.a. fire department has doubled the calls and there are tapes or clues. >> the firefighters in connecticut are releasing new audio tapes that showed a struggle as they tried to put out that fire on christmas day. we have the tense moments for wjz. >> the loss of participates and children have overwhelmingtroked madonna. she spent the last few days being streetd for trauma. >> she is like any other mother and she was a really good mother to the children, right? then, you know, i cannot even get my head around what she is going through. she lost her whole family, no one is left. >> the family has new pictures,

including this one. it is four days after this was taken that the badger girls were gone. grace, sarah, lillie, seen here with their father. his girl friend said that these were three of the happiest girls that the world can find. we know that some place they are painting the heavens. innocence lost in the christmas morning fire. >> the tapes, grandpa was a santa for hire. >> we have a report from the victim, we are going to need some protection up there. >> i hear you. we have to get in there. >> as the woman screamed to save her babies, they went into the burning home to look for victims until the flames and

danger overwhelmed them. >> heavy fire right over your head. back out. on the interior, back out. the lack of success is haunting to the people that tried to help. >> they think that the ash from the fireplace sparked the fire when it was placed outside. >> check in at 6:00 for these stories and more coming up. more from baltimore city, the city that yankd the contract from the group and what is next for the ravens. the count down for the new year and more on the event at the harbor and the breaking news at 6:00. in times square, they are putting on the finishing touches, that is the final seconds of 2011 and we have

more from new york. >> the new year's eve ball was put up for a practice run. it is 32,000 light itself and 2600 crystal triangles were tested. what is a party without balloons. they are blowing up 25,000 here, one at a time. >> i was here all day yesterday for ten hours and we have been here all day long today. >> they are overworking to make ten thousand pace trees and the party and getting ready a stone's throw outside. >> we start to plan a day after new year's eve for the next

year. >> the only thing missing, the 1 million people that will fill up the square and have the biggest celebration of the year. >> i came here from california and we want to spend new year's at times square. >> new york is the place to be, i'm so excited to see how that is set up and l.a. does not compare to this. >> it may be new york's party, but the whole world is invited. those that are wanting to come down will be lining up early. up next on eyewitness news, the lucky break for a man that fell asleep in a bu,,,,,,,,,,,,,

. soccer fans and the fans tore down the fences and attacked the police spot. they tried to help with the water cannons, but 140 people were arrested. >> at a pennsylvania grave yard, officials said at a cemetery in allen town, there was a court order to to dig up dozens of graves as the sink hole is spreading. it is about 50 feet long and 30 feet in diameter and hundreds of graves go back to the 1800s and many are civil war vets. a michigan man was asleep behind the wheel of a burning car. he probably fell asleep with his foot on the gas. a responding police officer got there in time to pull the man out and then he was arrested and charged with driving under the influence -- coming up next,

the ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

. get ready for baltimore

bringing in the new year. more on a frozer full of fetuses and the charges at an abortion clinic. more on eyewitness news at 6:00, starting now. >> this is wjz television -- -- the city has yankd a contract on a company that generated millions for the city. here is what people are talking