you're watching nbc 4, washington's news leader. now, live in hd, this is news4 at 6:00. out with the old and in with the new. a live look at the celebration in berlin, where the year 2012 is arriving as we speak. good evening, everyone. i'm angie. the new year is just seconds old, but here in d.c. we're still about six hours away. it looks like even mother nature's not in the mood to party. kim, december had one day to redeem itself. what's going on? >> we want to rush in this new year on the heels of our

southerly winds, angie. i can't wait to tell you about this forecast tonight. first of all, look at the numbers. 53 at reagan national. it's 52 at leesberg right now. even in our cooler locations it's 46. the fireworks tonight, we have several locations. national harbor, 45 at midnight, partly cloudy. annapolis, the weather there is looking good, too, we'll have temperatures in the middle 40s as well. i have more about this forecast and what we are expecting into next week. get ready. mother nature's a bit bipolar this week. i'll tell you all about it in just a bit. alexandria is getting ready for a big new year's eve party. there won't be fireworks this year but there will be a special ball dropped tonight. it's not the kind you see in times square. darcy spencer joins us live from alexandria with more. this is going to be a very big ball drop, darcy. >> reporter: it certainly will. first, a little bit about the weather. they're saying because it's so

mild out, officials are expecting this to be the biggest crowd ever. more than 8,000 people, because it's going to be such a nice evening. with the fireworks, there's a lot of disappointment. but they say they're going to do something extra special. new york has nothing on alexandria. new york has one ball, they're going to drop thousands of these balls at the stroke of midnight. it's new year's eve, and in sab alexandria, they're already getting ready for the first night celebration. by the look of the ticket sales, officials say it's going to be a big night. >> the weather's nice, warm, no rain, no snow. that promises for a good first night here in alexandria. >> reporter: the event features 18 different entertainment spots throughout old town, including music, dance and plenty of fun for kids. it's an alcohol-free event that started with a scavenger hunt. >> it was hard. but then it was also fun at the same time, because you had to go like 17 blocks. and it was confusing. but it was fun.

>> reporter: dozens of volunteers are helping to make first night a success. >> tell us why you're volunteering for the event? >> it's a fun event. it's a great day. it's going to be a great event. >> reporter: the big event won't happen until midnight, that's when there will be a laser light show. first night can no longer set off fireworks because of a change of virginia law. new this year, 6,000 of these white ping-pong balls will be shot out of cannons on the lawn. >> new york will drop one ball at midnight, we're going to drop 6,000 balls. on the crowd at the masonic temple at the stroke of midnight. we're excited about it. >> reporter: glen harmon and his daughter are here from florida just for the first night event. >> we were looking forward to the fireworks at the masonic temple, but we're looking forward to ping-pong balls now. >> reporter: a lot of people looking forward to that. if you're planning to come to alexandria for the event, you need this badge to get you into the event, it costs $20 per person.

also, you'll need a map to guide you around to the various activities. there will be a lot of activities also happening at the temple. when everyone comes outside at midnight for the big event. very interesting and creative this year, angie. >> darcy spencer reporting live. looks like a whole lot of fun. a local nonprofit organization wants to make sure you get home safe tonight. the washington regional alcohol program is bringing back the sober ride program this year. you can get a free cab ride from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. the fares are good for up to $30. just call 1-800-200-taxi for your ride. a live look at times square tonight where the crowds are growing, and anticipation is building for that big ball drop at midnight. nbc's wendy gillette is right in the thick of it with a preview of all the festivities. >> reporter: hundreds of thousands of new year's eve

revellers started arriving in times square hours ago, ready to say good-bye to 2011. >> of course we are. >> you have to do it once in your life. >> to say i've been here to watch it. >> 2012! >> reporter: they're waiting all day and into the night for the world-famous ball drop. but at least they're enjoying mild temperatures. unless you've been sitting outside all night long. >> you look freezing. >> i know. it's really cold. we've been here since 10:00 p.m. last night. so it's been an experience, though. >> reporter: why are you waiting so long? >> we're waiting for lady gaga. >> reporter: lady gaga is the one to see as she headlines the night's entertainment. but the younger set may argue about who's the real star as justin bieber takes the stage. >> justin bieber. >> oh, yeah. >> what do you like about him? >> his beautiful face. >> everything. >> reporter: one of the biggest concerns for those waiting in times square is not being able to leave to use the bathroom. if you do, you risk losing your

coveted spot. this couple from north carolina has a solution. >> last night i had my last coke, giving it a last hurrah, and we woke up this morning, a bunch of us come out here from north carolina, on my way to hawaii. here to see the show, 2012. >> hoping not to go to the bathroom for 20 hours? >> you do what you've got to do. >> reporter: we're right in front of the main stage where pit bull finished performing. thrilling the crowd here. on a serious note, security is extremely tight tonight here in times square. our media credentials were checked a handful of times coming up to the risers and everyone here in times square was checked. still not too late to figure out your plans for new year's eve. visit nbc washington.com for a list of events throughout our area. if you want to celebrate at home, don't miss nbc's new year's eve with carson daly. the festivities kick off live from times square at 10:00.

in decision 2012, four republican presidential candidates are joining rick perry's lawsuit to try to get on the ballot in the virginia primary. perry, michele bachmann, newt gingrich huntsman and santorum failed to get the 10,000 signatures that were required. the lawsuit says virginia's requirements are unconstitutional. most of the candidates are in iowa today. with just three days left before the caucus. polls show perry is in third. >> what was so important that senator santorum felt compelled to add greater debt. was it the bridge to nowhere that he voted for? was it the montana sheep institute? was it the iowa indoor rain forest? >> the current leaders amongst iowa voters were absent from the hawkeye state today. mitt romney spent the day campaigning in new hampshire,

while ron paul is spending the holiday weekend with his family in texas. meanwhile, a man in texas was detained today for taking military-grade explosives into an airport. it happened at the midland international airport just before 9:30 this morning. a city spokesperson said the explosives were found as a man was going into the terminal. the fbi took the man into custody but would not make any further comments. a sweep of the airport was performed and all operations are back normal tonight. still ahead, why it's about to get more expensive to go shopping in montgomery county. plus, the rush is on. why you might call this super saturday for thrift stores. taking a look at the new year's celebration in sydney, australia. fireworks lit up the sky over the famous sydney opera house and sydney bridge. [ monica ] i'm away on a movie shoot

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welcome back. the new year will usher in some added expenses, starting tomorrow it's going to cost you an extra 25 cents to travel the dulles toll road. tolls on the main line will now be $1.50, on and off ramp tolls will not change. it will help fund the dulles rail project. it will also cost you more to bag your groceries in montgomery county. it's modeled after the one implemented in the district two

years ago. the tax will apply to both paper and plastic bags. you can avoid the added charge by shopping with reusable bags. you'll be digging for extra change if you need long-term parking in silver spring. the new year is bringing a parking rate hike. it's going to cost an extra 10 cents an hour to feed a meter that runs more than four hours. drivers will now pay a total of 60 cents an hour for long-term parking. still ahead, 2011 leaves us with beautiful weather. but you'll want to hear kim's forecast for t

it's already 2012 in tokyo, japan. this was the scene as thousands of people celebrated the new year with a massive balloon drop. nice way to welcome 2012. now, closer to home, if you're still looking for a 2011 tax break, and want to help the less fortunate, you still have a few hours left to do both. news4 derrick ward is showing the last-minute rush to make the donations before the clock strikes midnight. >> reporter: the line started forming early in the day at the salvation army collection center on little river turnpike. car after carloaded with donations. >> coats, you know, shirts, pants and some shoes. >> a bike. >> reporter: they devised a

system to handle their year-end rush. receipts at one location, drop-offs at another. >> we get tons of donations. >> reporter: that's not just how it works behind the scenes in the warehouse area, it requires more heavy lifting than usual as the clock ticks toward midnight. >> give them a receipt, and that's how the process goes. >> reporter: regular retailers, we talk about this being the busy season starting with black friday, super saturday, cyber monday, but for this industry, this is their busy season. you might say this year it's like super saturday in reverse. >> it's all in the motivation, it's a tax deduction for donations, but it's not the only motivation. >> that was not really the motivating factor. get the tax deduction and help somebody who may be able to use these things. >> just not at the end of the year. it's during the year as well. >> reporter: many of these items will be up for sale soon out in the store. where do the proceeds go? >> we have 109-bed facility that house men who need help coming

off of drugs and alcohol, helps them to be reconciled back with their families and children. >> reporter: derrick ward, news4. the salvation army center on little river turnpike will be accepting donations until 10:00 p.m. tonight. kim, you were saying there's one salvation army in the area, stay in the car, you're going to get yelled at. they appreciate the donations. remember to itemize it. >> don't be so quick to give away your sweaters today, because you'll need them for sure, angie. highs in the 60s this afternoon. >> people are walking around without their sweaters. >> put your shirts on, runners. i'm just kidding. it's great to see you on this new year's eve. we have wacky weather to talk about. today we were in the 50s and 60s at reagan national. even at this hour we're still in the 50s. it's a gorgeous night. a few sprinkles this morning, but they've since gone away. the weather will be going downhill quickly starting sunday night and right into your monday, tuesday, wednesday time

frame. a look at the washington monument shows we're in good shape. just a couple clouds floating by. they'll probably be decreasing as we head through the later evening in time for the fireworks. 53 as i mentioned, north-to-northwest wind at 6 miles an hour. look at the 50s. this is just above average for sure. 40s north and west. out here, western maryland, you've been waiting for snow. ski resorts, this is going to be your week coming up big-time. but first we have to talk about the fireworks forecast. we're ringing in the new year with middle 40s, partly cloudy skies. you won't need the heavy coat tonight. it is going to be that warm out. annapolis, we're in good shape with temperatures in the middle 40s as well. under partly cloudy skies. so if you're headed down to fredericksburg for the forecast, that is also going to be in pretty good shape. we're looking at some middle 40s there. and we are also looking to keep things looking good right through the beginning part of tomorrow. but then after that, we're going

to see everything crash. we're going to have our numbers go from the 60s, we're going to be again tomorrow right down into the 40s. and then 30s for the high temperature when we think about tuesday and wednesday. clearly on storm 4, we don't have to worry about rain in this forecast. but we do have to talk about very cold weather coming in. look at these highs tomorrow in the 50s, near 60 degrees. look what happens to the west. the mother lode of cold air desends upon us. this is really going to change things. if you are going to be going skiing off to the west, pay attention to my forecast, because there's some concerns that i have for you. this arctic air is going to drop on down, and there's already winter storm watches in effect for the ski resorts out to the west, out by deep creek. out here we're going to have six inches or more tuesday and wednesday. windchills around zero. yeah, that's a big change here. weather mostly cloudy, coming up by the morning we'll be in the

30s and 40s. tomorrow is looking good. as we extend the forecast, though, it's tomorrow night, and into the rest of the week that the wind is cold and whipping around. highs on tuesday, wednesday and thursday, in the 30s, angie. it's going to be cold here. >> basically we need to enjoy this balmy weather while it lasts. >> you got it. >> thank you, kim. coming up in sports, a busy day in college hoops. it may have been

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welcome back, everybody. the georgetown hoyas are hot. >> looking pretty good. they surprised a lot of people this year. looking pretty good going into 2012. that's when you want to be good heading into march madness. georgetown rode a 12-game win streak against providence. the hoyas fresh off a huge win over number four louisville on wednesday. we're looking at what could be a top ten ranking come monday. but first, they would have to stave off an unranked providence team looking to make some noise in the big east. looking to make it six straight over the fryers in the first half. georgetown up 7. moving the ball around the perimeter. ends up with jason clark, who buries the three from the corner. part of an 18-16 hoyas run. georgetown would lead by eight at the half. providence on the break.

coleman, easy lay-in. we've got ourselves a game here, folks. tied game now at 35. georgetown looking to the big man henry sims. throws it up and misses. jason clark, though, with the tough offensive rebound. he lays it in for two. clark saves the ball from going out of bounds and gets the hoop. clark had a game high 16 points. later, under six to go. hoyas up four. sims drives, throws it up. misses. stays with it, though. he gets the putback. sims just 2 of 13. but gets the big hustle play in crunch time. hoyas shoot just 30%. but they hang on to win 49-40. georgetown improved to 12-1, and wins its tenth straight. >> all we're concerned with is accumulating wins. and we just want to keep accumulating wins. some nights it's going to be pretty, a lot of nights it's not going to be pretty.

it's not just putting the ball in the basket. it's the deflection, the rebound, the communication on defense, it's the attentiveness when we need to be attentive. i think we have done a decent job of that this year, and that should get you into conference play. that determines what wins and loses. >> we felt good. we got two good wins. both games were tough games to play in. i think that we've just got to keep getting better. i think, you know, we've got to focus on our wins. as long as we keep winning, we're feeling good. >> georgetown making noise in the big east conference. a tough conference this year, though. further north, it was a new year's eve matinee in college park. terps had a good week with the return of howard. and the much-awaited debut of the 7'1" center alex lynn. there's no doubt maryland is a deeper team heading into 2012. today it showed as they closed out 2011 with a dominating outing over sanford. mark's crew looking for their

sixth win in a row. howard in transition. pass to alex. finishes with the slam. lynn with 13 points in his second game with the terps. looking good. later in the half, maryland up 5-4. nice ball handling. drives the lay-in. gets a tough hoop to fall. 15 of his game high 24 points in the first. terps up 13 at the break. second half now, stoegland turns it over on the travel. at this point in the game, mark not happy at all with the flow. he subs out all of the starters, except for howard. and it would provide a spark. the spark in the form of a 10-2 run wrapped up by this play. check out the hustle by michael harper. terps headed the other way. spots up and drains the three. that was three of his 13 points. maryland wins 75-63. their sixth straight victory. terps are now 9-3 on the season.

gw was in action today as well. 77-59. moving to the nba, the wizards are off to an 0-3 start after last night's loss to the milwaukee bucs. first, it was andre blotch after the season opener, calling out his team and his coaches on twitter. then last night, there was a roster snafu that forced roger mason to leave the game early. even though he was healthy. tough night for flip saunders and the wiz. not been a pretty season thus far. roger mason pops out, turns, drains the jumper. wizards are within six. but mason doesn't get the credit for the bucket. here's why. look at the active roster for the wizards. somehow mason's name is not on it. coach flip saunders said it was his fault. he didn't catch the mission and signed off on the roster. so mason was ineligible for the game. the wizards receive a technical

foul because of the mix-up. mason can't believe it. wizards still get the point but the basket is credited to rashard lewis. mason would have to leave the game early. oh, by the way, the wiz go on to lose by 21 points. so pretty -- one final note, after last night's win against buffalo, caps are back at it on the road in columbus to face the blue jackets. in the world of basketball, a good day for college, but not so good yesterday for the wiz. >> i know. let's hope they improve. that's the news for now. "nightly news" is up next.