eastbound towards the eastern shore. also, you can see that the lanes are shifted. that's two way traffic. it's dangerous and can result in accidents. you can bet that the backup extends far down route 50. that's the live look at the bay bridge right now. we haven't hit the holiday weekend yet and maryland has more boating fatalities than all of last year. these are the reasons why the coast guard is getting the stories out. >> reporter: this is a story we tell you every summer. were the number of fair -- with the numbers of fatalities already high, there's a warning. >> reporter: this owner likes to watch the boats go out and come back in. >> this weekend, the boaters got to pay attention more.

you'll see the boaters out there more for the weekend. whatever you do, keep the fireworks off of the boats. pay attention to a little bit of safety this weekend. >> reporter: this weekend, it's one of the busiest on the waterways. >> making for the president of an equally as busy weekend at the coast guard command center. this is the room where the coast guard monitors the bay. so far, this year, maryland has had 13 boating fatal ties. that's one more than all of last year. the numbers beg precaution. >> the water environment gets very treacherous very fast. you're in an area if you're swimming, there may be fuel or debris, it happens quickly and the reaction time is critical. >> reporter: the coast guard is

urging boaters of all ages to wear life jackets and drink responsibly. let others know of your plans. they'll have extra boats in the water also. they cannot be everywhere at once. hoping boaters take it upon themselves to heed the annual warning and avoid becoming a part of the troubling statistic. >> another boat, not paying attention. you can be in the good and it could be someone else's fault. >> the coast guard says that the victims of 80% of boating fatalities weren't wearing life jackets. brian, thank you. we're working to keep you safe on the water. we have a list of tips on the website at abc2news.com. check it out. go to the spotlight section on the right side of the home page. with many families celebrating the 4th of july, they'll use

fireworks. three were killed and 8600 people went to the er because of legal and illegal fireworks. we're working with you to give you tips to keep you safe. avoid buying fireworks packaged in brown packaging. have an adult supervisor and don't allow children to play with fireworks. for you're leaving the fireworks to professionals, go to abc2news.com. we have a list of firework shows all over the area. there's certainly one in your area. that's on the 4th of july section. now, for a check of the forecast, we'll send it up to wyatt everhart. he was on the go tonight. 88 miles in hershey park. it looks great out there!

>> reporter: well, at the top of the hour, we had 84 degrees. 88 miles north of baltimore, it's a quick drive here. we're live on the heels of a huge weekend here. i said hershey park. when you come here, you have to run into these guys. we have bar here. we have reese. this is going to be a great 4th of july weekend. show me. this is great stuff. we'll get you a quick look at the forecast. the current conditions at, again, we're talking about the 80s and the humidity is comfortable. hour by hour, the temperatures will be dropping off. we'll get into the 60s in most spots overnight tonight. it will be a hot, sunny, fantastic weekend. you know, we love the beach and let's get a view of the people out there. everyone wave high. this is the view, we're getting the weekend started. and it's just a great time to

be up here. coming up in a few minutes, we'll talk about the big rides. we went on them and we'll show them to you live in a few minutes. we'll head back 88 miles south in a minute. >> lots to do, looks like a great day. thank you. the case of dominique strauss-kahn, the man was expected to be france's next president and he was taken down by new york accusation. prosecutors now say that the rock solid case may be falling apart because of questions about his accuser. here's the latest. >> reporter: dominique strauss- kahn walked out of court free after prosecutors said they had reason to reassess the strength of the case. >> it's clear that the strength of the case has been affected by the credibility issues relating to the witnesses, we're not moving to dismiss the

case at this time. >> reporter: part of the reason for the doubt is that the investigators uncovered records that could link the maid to criminal activity. there's a bomb shell that could unravel the case. dominique strauss-kahn has been under house arrest and 24 hour surveillance. that was also lifted during the court hearing and his lawyer was thrilled. it's kind of appropriate that on the eve of independence day, we get to celebrate for dominique strauss-kahn and his family. >> reporter: the lawyer of the victim who was an immigrant is out raged. the only defense that dominique strauss-kahn has is that this sexual encounter was consensual. that's a lie. >> our prosecutors from the da's office will continue their

investigation into the alleged crimes. >> reporter: her allocations ended dominique strauss-kahn's career as head of the imf and put his presidential ambitionings on hold. the prosecutors have evidence of a sexual encounter. they haven't moved to dismiss the charges. the defense attorneys call this a very good day. abc news, new york. well, a lot of families are heading to the nation's capital. some visiting washington monument didn't get the hope they were hoping for. 16 people were stuck in an elevator. visitors had to walk all the way down. no injuries were reported. marylander elevators are expect -- are said to be inspected every two years.

go to abc2news.com and click on the investigator's section to check on your elevators. exxon is ordered to pay $1.5 billion in damages to 156 businesses and families affected by a gas leak. the jury awarded 1 million in punitive damages in jacksonville. the underground pipe burst and exxon mobile is planning on appealing. the rhetoric over the debt ceiling negotiations is getting nasty. president obama called for congress to buckle down and get an agreement on the senate. here's more on why the white house wants the deal done. >> after weeks of tense

negotiations over the debt ceiling, the trash talking and finger pointing have exploded. the republicans have slammed the president for not taking a more active role. >> take a valium and calm down and talk to us. he's played dozens of rounds of golf with fundraisers. he's been awall on the issue. >> the democrats threw it right back. >> it seems like the leaders are tanking the economy for the sake of protecting tax breaks for oil companies and yachts and corporate jets. >> reporter: august 2nd is the dead line. the white house wants this wrapped up before so congress can pass it. the white house has zeroed in on reductions and budget cuts and $400 billion in tax increases. democratic officials say that the reductions would show

agencies, there's political will in washington. >> we spent a lot of money that we don't have. >> reporter: adding to the drama, bloomberg reported that tim geithner is thinking about leaving his position after an agreement is reached. secretary geithner thinks there could be a window for him to leave if the economy continues to improve and if president obama approves his departure. that's too early though and that's a lot of if's, they say. are you trying to throw hotdogs and burgers on the grill? we have apps to help your 4th of july sizzle. >> move over kid's menus. new items at fast food restaurants are for adults only. also, we'll talk about sprucing up your home without

breaking the bank. we'll be back.

tonight, if your goal for the weekend is to grill the perfect steak or burger, your smart phone may be the best help. we have grilling apps that really sizzle. >> reporter: summertime and the grilling is easy. that's if you use these apps. before you get the fire going, the ask the butcher app helps explain which cut is which. from the big grill maker, the weber app highlights hundreds of websites in addition to marinades and rubs. they also tell you which

groceries to buy. grill it, an android app lets you breeze res -- you browse recipes from beef and steak and poultry. omaha steaks also has a great app. the steak time app has a knowing grill how for the novice and for the more ambitious cookers. you can have the steaks cooked right for each of the guests praising you for a job well done. you're now clicked in. and the next time you belly up to the bar, you may be at a fast food counter. more are serving alcohol. some burger king locations are selling beer. sonic is also selling beer and wine in mow -- miami and wine is on the menu at starbucks in

seattle. it's a beautiful day for getting together with friends and family. up in hershey park in pennsylvania, that's where wyatt everhart is. how's it going? >> reporter: christian, it's amazing when you get up here. it's just 88 miles north and the air's fresher, you knee what i -- know what i'm talking about. we're giving you a nice view. a lot of people are out tonight. it's going to be a huge weekend at the park and rides are front and center. laura, you're in charge of all of the rides here. you're the expert. what can people expect? >> one of the first things you'll notice when you come to the park is we have rides for everyone. if you have little ones and big ones and thrill seekers, we

have the kiddy rides and the roller coasters. they're all over the park. >> the one behind us here, it's a parachute ride for the kids. there are more extreme rides, too. talk about commit. >> that's one of the classics. it was built in '46 and it's a wonderful ride. you did great bear as well? >> reporter: yes. it's great. your seat dangles. >> reporter: it blows your hair back. storm runner, i like this one. i was nervous getting in the lineup for that one. >> well, that's one of the signature pieces. it will launch you in less than 2 seconds. it's for the biggest thrill seekers. >> reporter: 0-72 miles per hour. if you don't want to go that extreme, you can enjoy yourself

here and we have chocolate world and all of the other things. >> absolutely. we have an 11-acre walk through zoo. that's part of the admission, too. it features over 200 live animals. it's a great place if you need a break from the day. you'll really enjoy it. >> people get hot here. >> reporter: yes, the forecast is going to be hot. we'll have a chance to cool down, too. >> of course, we have the board walk in the middle of the park. there are ten attractions here from the wave pool and lazy river and slides for the eager folks. >> reporter: well, thank you for bringing us up to speed on the rides. we have a quick check of the weather. we want to get to that. it will be perfect park weather. we're in the 80s and the sunshine's out and the humidity is low. it's a little hot this weekend. as we get into the next 24

house and up to 90 tomorrow. we'll roll into the night forecast into the 60s. tomorrow, about 91 degrees or so. we'll get to the seven-day forecast. the weekend, yes, it will be hot. we'll have a slight chance of a storm coming in sunday and monday night in baltimore and hershey. most of the weekend will be what you have now. sunshine and warm. they have the mr.'s here, too? >> yes, we have mr.'s along the midway. >> reporter: they feel good. >> well, there. that's it live from hershey park. we'll see you in a few minutes. a add -- also, adding

siding to your home helps. we'll tell you more in: >> reporter: stan baker is a homeowner. he has siding on the front of his house. the wood deteriorated and the house looked sap by. -- shabby. >> we wanted to get new said and we were concerned about the protection of the house. >> reporter: you have a lot of options if the project is in your future. wood, vinyl and fiber cement are popular. angie's list says that siding can go a long way if you're getting ready to put your home on the market. it's the main line of defense against leather and pests -- weather and pests. it can also lead to problems down the road if you don't take

care of it. >> reporter: the average price can vary. you can expect an 80% return on your invest. >> what i found is you have too many times of the year when homeowners discover they have bad siding. in a spring after a hard winter like we've just experienced or in the fall, the kids see they have a hole in the house. >> reporter: it's time to look for what's right for you. wood is pricey and most prevalent to break down. vinyl is the cost effective and can fade, crack and chip. fiber cement costs the most and lasts the longest. >> you can get more advice on abc2news.com. click on the lifestyle section. when it comes to remembering how something happened. how much is your friend

blurring your -- memory. when you add peer pressure it's different. also, we have tips to keep you from ending up in the emergency room.

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in tonight's health alert, peer pressure can make you change your mind. it proves it can change your memories, too. participants watched a movie and answered questions about the movie a few days later. they were told that other people disagreed, 68% of the time, people changed their

answer and 60% of those changed back after they were told about the trick. when it comes to celebrating the 4th of july or enjoying the summer, there's food, fire and fun in the sun. they can also result in a trip to the emergency room. it's simple, plan ahead and stay healthy. drink water and sip on sports drinks. wash your hands often when preparing meals and put leftovers away as soon as possible. >> refrigerate things often. >> good tip. also, don't forget about too much sun. well, you'll have to pay more for it. you'll have to pay wine from the source and have it shipped -- to your door.

i'm meteorologist wyatt everhart at hershey park hershey statue is behind me. wine lovers have to pay more because of a wine tax. you can get your bottles shipped to your door. the prosecutors begin the rebuttal portion of the casey anthony trial today. the judge called a short recess today. first, it's a good news, bad news scenario. that's if you enjoy drinking wine from maryland. the alcohol tax is going to be bumped up. maryland wineries will be able to ship their products to your home. today, the vineyards were issued the first state permit