are badly shaken. >> this place is suppose to be safe. >> reporter: investigators scoured this scene with a tracking dog and two cars were towed. one car belonged to the victim whose girlfriend lives here in the apartment complex. his death has caused fans to fled social media with tributes. police at the scene announced no motive and no suspects. >> right now we can't rule out that it wasn't random. but investigators are working every angle of the investigation right now. they can't focus on one thing or another. >> what are your thoughts on all of this? >> how soon can i move? >> reporter: neighbors are anxious to learn whether or not this was a tarted attack or -- targeted attack or a robbery despite the criminal background of the victim. police are not willing to say or speculate at this time what it was all about. reporting live, scott broom, 9news now. >> okay, scott, thank you. security has been stepped

up in minneapolis after these areas caught on tape. one shopper posted this video on youtube as you can see teenagers are throwing chairs and fists at each other. it took police an hour to bring that situation where a total of nine people were arrested. police don't know what sparked it, but there are reports that it could have started after these rumors would be at the mall. well, sears is going to close down between 100 to 120 sears and k-mart stores. basically because of the holiday sales, they were

terrible. k-mart's declining sales are being blamed for consumer electronic sales. it stems from dropping electronic sales and home appliance sales. sears has more than 40,000 stores in this country and canada. with no word yet on which of those stores will be closing down, anita. >> yes, we do know when that basement will close its doors for good. this is the last week to hunt at the bargain. we have a live look outside the basement in northwest d.c. with more. this is the bummer. >> reporter: yes, a huge bummer. i'll go back to the basement here in my childhood. i'm from massachusetts, shopped in boston at the basement. still remember my favorite dress that i still have 11 years later that i bought at this place. and so you know it is a huge bummer. a great story to do. actually, i got some deals today too. now, let's get to the story. you say it's a famous discounter.

it's the original. it marked it down in boston first in 1909. earlier today, we know it rained a whole lot, but it did not stop shoppers from heading to the basement here on wisconsin avenue. and for some last-minute deals. now, there are only three days left. everything must go. but we took a look inside and mostly everything has finally. the basement, famous for the annual running of the bride. filed for bankruptcy twice before. in 2009 it was brought up by sims, which just november filed for chapter 11 citing competition and the weak economy. >> it's very scary. it really is. because it does not go well for our economy. now when we look at the big picture, it's very disturbing. >> it's special. it has that cachet that you really love the hunt. when you found it, it was a jewel to find. a real treasure. >> reporter: she has great

stories about shopping in her basement back in boston when she was young. we'll hear more from her and plus, an employee who as of thursday will be out of a job. we'll have their stories coming up at 6:00. so many women have the same reaction. i remember that handbag from years ago i found. thank you so much, we'll see you at 6:00. this video from downtown d.c. where they made getting around just a little trickier than what it usually is. folks have the umbrellas out. the lights are all going on. if you weren't ready, then you saw that it was damp on out there. okay, we're hoping it's a very temporary situation? >> yes, it is. the rain is moving on out of here, drying out in the district. the rain now is pushing on out towards the east and north of us. so this is actually moving a little faster than what the models are anticipating. you can see it's raining on out

to the east. we'll zoom out if you are heading basically to the eastern shore. you'll be impacted by the rain for your evening commute. around the shady side here, north beach, chester, you're still seeing some showers as well. but you can see around the district, it has dried out quite nicely here. as of now, you can see it clear out just a little bit. how much rain did we get? well, we're expecting about half an inch to an inch. a lot of us did get more than half an inch. getting about .6 inches. national right at half an inch and baltimore getting half an inch z a well. i'll talk about the windy conditions we're going to see especially tomorrow and talk about the gusts and also take a peak at your -- peek at your new year's eve forecast. >> looking forward to it, anny. the presidential candidates are still out there crossing the state trying to win over the folks who have not made up their minds now.

we are live in des moines talking to the undecided voters. danielle? >> reporter: well derek, the candidates have packed their calendars with the event around iowa this week, but it still may not be enough. the voters i spoke with today said at this point all the candidates sound the same. >> thank you. >> thank you. >> reporter: steve britain is ringing up customers and keeping his restaurant running while he tries to figure out who he'll pick next tuesday. >> this will be a last-minute decision for you? >> oh absolutely. >> reporter: the machine shed restaurant in urbandale is a popular stop for the candidates. still, many are not sure who they will support. >> it will help the unemployment, get people back to work, and cut the government spending. >> i think a lot of it is just really hard finding out what they actually truly stand for. there are so many negative ads on out there. >> reporter: they are flooding the residents with mailers, phone calls, and tv ads. hoping their campaigns could

pick up the undecided voters and gain some steam heading into next tuesday. now, they are also making as many face-to-face pitches as they can. newt gingrich, michele bachmann, rick perry kicked off bus tours to win over voters. >> this is an election where you got a choice. i'm the limited government conservative in this campaign that will be giving washington a complete overall. >> reporter: the voters in iowa say that they are listening. >> and what is your claim as to why i should vote for you. >> reporter: candidates have just one week to do that before they lead off the caucuses. ron paul is emerging as a candidate to beat in this race where he is very organized here in iowa. he has a big following. he'll join the other candidates on the campaign trail in this state tomorrow. live in des moines, iowa. danielle noddingham, back to you, derek. >> all right, as always, we'll be watching.

anita? it is nothing new to learn that taxpayer dollars can be wasted on pet projects. one sight of the so-called wasteful project lives right here in columbia heights. waste can be a matter of an opinion. >> reporter: this ihop has found itself on a congressional hit list. it's been called out on the republican senator's 2011 waste book. a list of 100 projects around the country that some see as a waste of taxpayer dollars. >> unfortunately they have subsidized directly or indirectly. not only the flat jacks, but the grass-fed cow butter, beef jerky, and the mushroom pizzas after a menu like that. it's the taxpayers reaching for that. >> reporter: $756,000 in government revitalization money helped rebuild them in the area once shot down by crime and vacant lots. now it stands in a diverse neighborhood that still offers the subsidized housing along

with the luxury apartments. a one-bedroom apartment across the street from ihop could cost as much as $2,700 a month. some people have taken to calling this the pancakes for yuppies. your reactions? >> i don't know about that. there are all kinds of people that eat there. i don't know if it is for yuppies or not. >> reporter: they created 150 jobs in columbia heights. 95% of it went to d.c. residents. the opinions were mix if it was worth the revitalization dollars in a community that has already come a long way. do you think that's a waste of taxpayers money? >> yes, absolutely. why would you go there? that will bring in more revenue, but it's not fixing the problems. so i think it was a waste of money. >> wasteful? no, not at all. it helps the neighborhood, this neighborhood is still elias abuelazam involving and changing and i think it's -- is still evolving and changing and i think it's a good thing. >> no, i hope that other people that are not making decisions for us in d.c., we need to have more rules. they need to mind their own

business. >> reporter: is it a waste to spend taxpayers revitalization dollars to build a ihop in columbia heights? one thing for certain, the e debate is as -- the debate is as hot as the pancake. jessica doyle, 9news now. >> along with the ihop. other projects labeled as wasteful included $10 million to fund a pakistani version of sesame street and $113,000 for a video game preservation center. in total it adds up to $6.5 billion in taxpayers subsidies. well, there's a push now to build a national world war i memorial on pennsylvania avenue. a bill before the congress seeks to designate the district's world war i memorial on the national mall as a national memorial. but the washington examiner reports that members of the association of the oldest argue that world war i is the only major 20th century complex that

does not have a memorial right here in d.c. well still ahead tonight, a community on edge. investigators still searching for the cause of two garage fires that broke out just minutes and blocks from each other. also ahead, the high-tech equipment used to save thousands of people overcome every year by carbon monoxide poisoning. i'll have some important information about what you should do to hang on to your job when you're socializing and hanging out with some of your co-workers. i'll have that story coming up.

we have an update on the richmond man accused of killing

two people abducting a 2-year- old on christmas eve. an amber alert. he was arraigned today via the video conference. facing abduction, robbery, gun charges. police say he will be seeking additional charges that are related to the shooting death of the 50-year-old. after one day shooting the couple, stealing the running suv with the toddler in the backseat. the little boy was found a few hours later and reunited with his family. we do have new information for you tonight on the christmas day fire that killed three children and the grandparents. the mayor says that foul play has been ruled out, which that fire appears to have been a tragic accident. investigators believe that the fire was caused by the fireplace embers left too close to the home. the newark executive manager says they were able to get on out of there alive. her three daughters were not so

fortunate. the 90-year-old husband spent about four nights there after having heart surgery for a blocked artery. they waved as they joined them in eastern england. he missed some of the royal holiday celebrations, including christmas morning church service. but he had plenty of company as he got better. and his grandchildren, they all stopped by to wish him well. and the queen and her four children also visited on christmas eve. there are some dos and don'ts.

>> people have their conditions, you know? and they would just, you know, they would act inappropriately. >> people are making out the tendency together. so you know, yeah. >> to get drunk and dance on the table. [ laughter ] get drunk and dance on the table. that's about it. >> reporter: the founder and president of the head hunter company called cmi. he is also seeing his share of the table dancers. he calls one fellow that he played at one of the top clients. everyone was wearing suits and ties. >> by the end of the night, he had off his coat tie, shirt, everything from the waste up -- waist up. we thought for sure he was going to get fired. he is now an ordain minister. you should go. but if you're a party animal and you can't handle hanging out, we're told maybe you

should consider staying home. >> there were problems there. he walked up, introducing to himself and said hey, it's the big cheese. can i call you cheesy for short? >> in short, he said don't expect anyone on out here for the behavior, just because, you know, it's the holiday season. 9news now. >> oh, that looks rough out there. all right, the head hunter says if you can't read your environment very well, then remember it is better to be the quiet person at the party than the loud obnoxious one. also adding if you are uncertain about the dress code. always better to overdress than underdress. i'm sure that someone will listen and someone will not. >> yeah. [ laughter ] tonight, guys, you need to

have an umbrella out there. it was crazy. >> yeah, a very soggy day today. but we are seeing the rain pull away to the west of us. now, we are talking about some partial clearing, but yeah, take a look at this video taken here earlier today. everyone, they definitely need their umbrellas, rain boots. that rain is really coming down. it is still coming down though, to the areas around the east of southern maryland. here is a look at the live doppler 9000 hd. you can see it around the beltway. it's dry. in fact, that rain is well out to annapolis. i'll zoom on in here where you can still see the yellows, the reds. that's where we're seeing pretty good amounts of rain still falling. well, actually at the water. but st. leonard. you probably saw some really good downpours just a few minutes ago. this event is heading out to cambridge. be careful, you could still be finding yourself in pretty goodcells. here is a good look at the

wider view of doppler radar. you can see we're on the edge of this system, pulling north and east, heading out towards philadelphia, new york city, and plenty of flash flooding concerns in new york city. you might see a little bit of the snowfalling west of the divide overnight. not a whole lot of the accumulation though. right now, temperatures, they are in the lower 50s downtown. annapolis, well, 57. and it feels mild out towards the bay. 46 for you in fredericksburg. 45 in manassas. kind of bringing in your cool down to 37 degrees. now, we've got the rain ending here. it should be a fairly weather pattern setting up. breezy and clearing tonight. windy and colder for wednesday. thursday is chilly. a dry new year's eve weekend for you. we'll talk about that in our seven-day forecast. here is the future cast. the showers are pulling away through the east of us. they will be quiet overnight. but you'll definitely hear the winds pick up overnight, especially for wednesday as that settles back in. you'll see the drier conditions for the next few days here. here is a look at how your forecast is shaping up. we are talking about, well,

mostly cloudy conditions, breezy with the rain ending. not as cool. lows getting down to the 30s. the upper 30s downtown. even 40s in annapolis. tomorrow morning, you want to hang on to your hats. gusts are up to 35 miles per hour. you, you factor in that northwest breeze. and 15 to 25 miles per hour. sustained winds. here is a look out your high. temperatures around the low to mid-40s. 42 in d.c.. here is a look at your seven- day forecast. temperatures will be a little better. then look at friday into the 50s. and 54 for you, in fact. on saturday, in the lower 50s. new year's eve is looking dry. derek, you're asking me how the weekend forecast looks. well, i've got a couple upper level disturbances. but right now, i think that, well, the chance of a new shower are still minimal and i kept them off. but you know, they keep coming back. we'll update you then. >> yes, look at that dry new

year's eve. that would be good. still ahead, investigators are looking for a possible link between the two garage fires that broke out within minutes and blocks apart. and the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and how to treat it. i'm sandra hughs in los angeles. i'll have that story coming up.

researchers found toddlers with a pure relationship with their moms are likely to be obese when they turn 15. at least finding previous studies who found toddlers with no close emotional ties were likely to be obese, that is, by age 4.5. some kids might begin to use food as a source of emotional comfort. the study appears in the january issue of the journal's pediatrics. now, we all know about the dangers of carbon monoxide. and winter could be especially hazardous as homeowners fire up

their furnaces. sandra hughs talks to one woman who is lucky to be alive. >> ready, go. >> reporter: when she came home for college break last year. she stayed in her parents guest house. >> i knew it was going to be freezing. so i called my mom and said please turn on the room heater. >> that was a mistake that almost killed her. the wall heater clogged with leaves, filling the air with carbon monoxide. her mom found her the next morning. >> i went to her bed and i asked her again, shaking her a little bit. and there was no answer. the gas left her in a coma. >> we were afraid that it was irreversible. >> reporter: the only hope, the chambers at the university of california's medical center. >> they are wail wearing this hood, breathing pure oxygen. and the tank is taken to the level of 66 feet below sea level.

the pressure forces more oxygen in and carbon monoxide out. doctors also used hypothermia to try to protect her brain. >> reporter: to avoid poisoning, experts warn to get your heating checked annually to have that detector and change the batteries regularly. she was lucky. >> i can do everything i did before. >> reporter: and more. she is telling everyone she knows about the dangers of carbon monoxide. >> that is an amazing outcome. now, they are easy to find. they are not all as reliable as the smoke detectors. nothing can replace the regular checks and upkeeps of your furnace. they got a lot more than just cash when he tried to hold up a gold store. coming up, catching a clerk here as he goes all batman on this guy. what a move. we'll see it when we come back.

i'm kristin fisher at the house here. laurel, for the special holiday classic, it is a two-day tournament for kids with special needs. i'll take you inside their locker rooms coming up. two garages, they catch fire at about the same time in this same neighborhood. i'm lindsey mastis, that story is coming up.

victims are wondering if vandals are responsible for setting two detached garages on fire. >> the emergency crews have responded to the fires at about 10:45 last night. both happening in two blocks of each other. lindsey mastis has the full story for you. >> reporter: the family was home when their garage on addison road caught fire. everything inside of it was destroyed. two cars burned up in the fire. >> and i'm coming back when i see that, i was on fire. >> reporter: when he drove around to his street, he noticed his garage was on fire too. >> it's dark. you know, screaming on out there. the garage is on fire. >> reporter: he quickly got his mom out of the house and then waited for the firefighters.

>> the fire looked like it was coming towards us because of the fence. >> reporter: he is extremely lucky because he often sits in the car in the garage and listens to his favorite music. now, instead, he was out. and so was his jeep. the only stuff left in the garage? >> the fire investigators say there is $130,000 worth of damage to both garages. >> no one was, in fact, hurt. investigators are asking anyone with information to call 301- 600-6876. well now that christmas day is over and done, a lot of you might be thinking about taking down that tree. most area governments, they will now recycle your tree after this. just bring your tree to any identify the three county

facilities in the district to put your christmas tree out between january 2 and 9 and any trees picked up by the 14th will be recycled. now, do not put it in a plastic bag. and in maryland, the county will be hitting your tree through january 14. all free of charge. there are 11 recycling sites. go to wusa9.com if you need details on those or any other places around our region, anita? playing a team sport could be incredibly intimidating for kids with autism and another disorder, unless it's a team of kids with special needs. and today, four d.c. area teams got together for the first ever special holiday classic. we've got the story from the garden's ice house in laurel.

>> and yes, i went to school today. about 20. that's a lot. >> reporter: she is lacing up her 7-year-old son in the locker room for -- locker room of the cheetahs. >> reporter: her 14-year-old, duke, also on the team has been diagnosed with high functioning autism. right or left? >> i feel like i need that for six hours. >> today is a special day for all the local special needs hockey teams. >> reporter: he's the head coach for the montgomery cheetah and has a special needs son on the team as well. >> i want my son to have the same opportunities that i had, the love of the game. and all the lessons that will come with playing the game of hockey.

we learned how to teach our kids on the ice. passing is a simple thing for you. and you know for the special needs child, passing is sharing. and sometimes, you know, that's a very hard thing to learn. >> reporter: the only thing that is really different about this hockey game is the fact that the score is always tied. these kids are still learning how to win and how to lose and still be a good sport about it. >> everyone has a bad day, but that's okay. >> yes, playing a team together is to be heros. >> reporter: in laurel, kristin fisher, 9news now. >> if you would like to know how your child can join the cheetahs, we'll have the information on our website at wusa9.com. welcoming up, the family that just couldn't get their christmas house guest to leave. find out how this deer gave them a holiday that they will never forget. it's not one of santa's reindeers either. but up next, the clerk gives an armed robber more than

just a good when he tries to hold up the store. calling the crusader. we'll talk about it here coming up. don't forget we are always on wusa9.com. stay with us. we'll be right back.

caught on tape with the store clerk that takes matters into their own hands. we first told you about the wood-be robber who walked into a gold store and walked out with a broken nose. but now, we've got the surveillance video to prove it. check them out here. the store clerk acted like he was cooperating with the man. then he quickly turned the tables. >> he had a bag, and i kind of handed it to him and said hey, take it, take it.

and he would take it. when he took it, i kind of just, you know, i came in and hit him. i started cleaning it up. i was laughing the whole time. and they put the 25-year-old under arrest, not only charged with armed robbery, but check out the embarrassing picture of his broken nose. >> yikes. a utah family hoping for santa's reindeer, but they got a five-foot buck stuck in their house trampling all over their house. >> they were putting their kids to bed when the deer tripped and fell into the basement window. then they realized that he was inside their home. >> my husband, he came in and ran downstairs opening up the

doors. >> they are laughing that there is a deer in the house and i'm freaking out. i had all of christmas down in that bedroom. all organized, all prepared. a mom would understand that. i would freak out too. and the wildlife officers had to put the deer down to get him out of the house. the gift boxes were crushed, but the presents inside weren't damage. listen to this coincidence, later that night he was driving down the street from his house when another deer jumped in front of him and collided with the car. >> wow. >> grandma got run over by a reindeer. >> you did hear that. the redskins head coach now admits the e rebuilding project he took on is more difficult than what he thought it would be. really mike? coming up, our redskins insiders are breaking down what the team is even doing following last week's shootout loss to the vikings. anny? hey, the rain is moving on out of here, but the winds are starting to pick up. take a look at your almanac for

this soggy day. temperatures got pretty toasty. the average high is 44. and also when we come back, some beautiful rainbow pictures. but up next, some of the most talented people in the world are honored at the kennedy center and you have a front row seat tonight.

the online sale spiked up to 16% compared to last year. and your iphones and youripods

to help drive up the numbers. in the meantime, the box office will be going down as a bust for 2011. only a few days left for the new year. and they reported it running at $20 billion. that's $500 million behind last year. too many family films and not enough star power at the box office. and tonight, it is right here on wusa9. >> did we forget anybody? >> no. we've got the highlights from the star-studded event. >> reporter: the national's capitol glittered with stars. >> it is very important for our country. >> it's a great honor. >> reporter: a salute to the 2011 kennedy center hon rhee for the lifetime a-- honoreis

in thelife -- honorees in the life. never duplicated. diamond has been captivating audiences for five decades. this hit name for the carolyn kennedy has become a national anthem for the boston red sox. >> it's an inspirational time. it wants me to go and write beautiful songs. that's where i will tune in next. >> reporter: self-described cellist is among the most versatile and classical musical performers in the world. in 1962, a 7-year-old mott dazzled president kennedy at the white house. tonight, it's full circle. >> it's like i cut off all different pieces of my life to have it come together for this event. that's just incredibly moving.

>> reporter: the fun at the kennedy center is who shows up to celebrate the honorees. it's a secret until the show is underway. >> reporter: the musical theater store barbara cook made her mark on broadway. >> if i had to bring it down to one word, then it's that i feel understood. >> the recipient really kind of gets to feel their life too in some way and probably in a way that they have never been able to witness before. >> reporter: for over 60 years, they have infused his jazz performances with the passion and energy. >> it is tremendously, you know, honoring some great artists. and really, you know, honored to be here for them. >> reporter: and meryl streep now often refer to as the greatest actress of her generation. >> this is being honored by the nation in a way and to be

admitted into a view here of the greatest artists. it's, well, an overwhelming thing. >> it is the most generous thing. >> someone who has spent her life to find the extraordinary self in a beautiful mind to her job. >> reporter: five extraordinary honorees who remain the top of their game. >> that is just a taste at the kennedy center honors. you can see the whole thing tonight 9:00 p.m. right here on wusa9. >> you know if you walked outside today, i looked up thinking what i was going to wear to work today. i said my goodness, hats, coat, everything. >> yes. everything, every sweater. definitely. the good thing is the rain has pushed off to the east. now we're just looking at partial clearing overnight. then look what the beautiful rain here. the beautiful rainbow. look at it leave a rainbow for

d.c. with that sunsetting, the rain pulling away, the clouds are starting to clear up. look at that beautiful picture. we have really nice pictures here for you. and you know, it's just gorgeous. a gorgeous way to end a very stormy and soggy day, isn't it? we actually picked up half an inch of rain. pretty much in one of the locations at reagan national picking up half an inch. dulles picking up almost .7 inches of rain. take a look at what is quiet around the beltway. you can still see the showers out to the east of us. for the eastern shore. we'll zoom in to the heavier amounts. you can see around here, st. mary's city, seeing some more of the intense rainfall for you, which we saw it earlier today in the immediate metro d.c. area. to the north, we all still see the showers. now just pushing out of annapolis. still wet for you. but a lot of this is coming to an end and we'll start to see the winds really pick on up. right now temperatures in the upper 40s to arlington.

52 downtown. 48 for beltsville. davidson at 53 degrees. now, here is what we're expecting for the next few days. the rain is ending in a fairly quiet weather pattern. breezy and clearing tonight. thursday is chilly. and new year's weekend, is it dry? we'll get to that in your seven- day forecast. you can see the rain pushing off to the east. and overnight, we'll see the partial clearing conditions for you. and then high pressure is setting in. tomorrow, wind is the big story. tonight, mostly cloudy, breezy with the rain and not asked cold. those will be in the upper 30s around downtown. even 40 in annapolis. as for the suburbs, 37 and mid- 30s for frederick. all right, for tomorrow morning, bundle up the kids. partly cloudy. windy, chilly. northwest winds will be a 15 to 25 miles per hour. gusting up to 35 to 40 miles per hour in some locations. here is a look at your next seven days. so now chilly and windy tomorrow. thursday, friday, a milder trend. friday, near mid-50s.

right now new year's weekend is looking dry. a couple disturbances. but it won't impact us yet. we'll see how the models will continue to update us. back to you. >> all right, thank you. and one game to go for the redskins. but let's face it, this season is done, over. and there's some surprising news coming out here today. we'll give you the latest on that dave owens. and that will come. >> yes. it will come. >> yes. the double coverage. what's up, derek? >> we'll get to that in just a second. dave. and let's start with yesterday though. mike shanahan admitting that it was a little more pair than when he first -- bare than when he first got here. how surprising was it when you heard that? >> the best part was he made some news. nothing else has happened. >> you're right about that. >> it was a little surprising for him to say why now. you never really know. we've been asking that question all year long. he felt like he had something to say. maybe a little more of an excuse making. going back and forth whether they were rebuilding or not. >> yeah, the dreaded word.

let me turn to you. how much blame does he deserve for this though? they knew they were in the rebuilding mode and finally, i guess yesterday, he was on out there. >> he deserves all the blame. yeah, you need to bring them on out here. he gave $21 million to albert haynesworth. and so you know, he started the coverage. why was he still bringing in hope? >> yeah, donovan mcnabb must have brought that on out here. let's talk about that organization. the guy goes through the rams. now he is lost for the season. what happened to this guy? >> it is really weird. last year, he really ran hard and ran pretty well for the most part. the huge day shows you a great chance to play and then disappeared. he comes up and looks like he has been running in the last game. it looked like he was running strong. >> the whole career has been

injured prone. he's not available. you're not available, then you can't be on the football team. you cannot consistently do it, then you need to be sitting there wondering what you can do. >> yes, to end the season, we know he's not going to play. now, some reports show that you might see this guy. does that make any sense at all? >> not to me. when we see them, what are you proving here? i can't believe that's on his football team last year. it is playing college football right now. >> maybe he's putting outside trade on them. >> yes. wow. i mean if you were listening to us, then someone would need to have that all the time. playing them earlier and they would have that first pick. and you know, if you play him there, it is a little too late to start to lose. that's what i would think. >> yeah. he would say no, no, no. that's what they tell us to wrap it up. we'll see you next week. happy new year. >> all right. >> back to you. >> all right, thank you so much. still to come, wrapping up the inspections after the brake problem causes a little

commuter chaos. what they figured out. up next from snow to tornadoes. it's been a chaotic way for weather. some of the worst when we come back.

a look back at 2011 tonight focuses on the year of the wild weather. the storms where there are historic deadly storms. >> they begin our coverage with the storms that brought the local streets to a standstill.

>> reporter: 2011 started out with a lot of slipping and sliding. a series of snow and ice storms battered the country. in the south east, where the communities are not equipped to handle the wrath of winter, roads went untreated and the air passengers went nowhere. interesting, it was only january. february brought a battery of storms that dumped snow from the plains to maine. >> every time you go out there, it's a couple more inches. so it is not letting up. >> reporter: when all that snow began to melt in the spring rains, which arrived, major rivers in the u.s. were overwhelmed. the mississippi and this area flooded out communities from minnesota to louisiana. flooding concerns lingered through june. the river in dakota crested at historic levels. more than 11,000 people evacuated. many returned to find their homes destroyed. >> just devastating. heartbreaking, heart wrenching. >> reporter: and springtime also ushered in deadly tornadoes. and there were 201 confirmed

twisters over three days in late april. more than 320 people died in six states. >> yeah, we just took a tour for you. and i've got to say that i have never seen the devastation like this. >> reporter: but there will be more devastation to come. the deadliest single tornado in the u.s. touched down in joplin, missouri on may 22. the e-5 killed at least 157 people and decimated the midwest town. were you hot this summer? >> we are sweltering. we are just asking for some relief here. >> reporter: weather experts say it's the hottest in 75 years. texas recorded the hottest summer in any state of the country. the hot dry conditions made the state right for wildfires. more than 1,500 homes were destroyed in early september when hundreds of fires, stood by the tropical winds racing across hundreds of thousands of acres. the hurricane season was quiet until a storm named irene set their sights on the u.s. irene made landfall as a category one

snowfall. some of the worst flooding from irene was much further north here in vermont. she was responsible for more than 40 deaths and more than $1 billion in damages over 12 states. hurricane season was not over yet and parts of the northeast were facing an october snowstorm. and upwards of two feet of snow fell in some areas. in parts of connecticut, power was out for more than a week. >> we have been without that since saturday. the house is, well, it's cold. and where are the trucks? where are they? >> reporter: leaving the frustrated residents anxious about what is ahead in 2012. wow. a rough year on out there. if you want to let us know your favorite or most memorable stories. go to our wusa9 facebook page. tomorrow, we'll look back at the year in social media. from changing habits to changing the economy. the bankruptcy was a frequently heard word in 2011. tonight, we are learning that

another company is about to start shuttering stores. sears announced this morning that holiday sales were not strong enough to save as many as 120 stores in the company's family. and that means some sears and k- mart stores will be closing soon. this 125-year-old company has more than 4,000 locations in the u.s. and canada. tonight, it's not saying exactly which stores will be closing, but there are at least 20 sears and k-mart locations in the greater d.c. area. now last month we learned the company behind the famous running of the brides you see in this area plans to close as well. this is the last week that they will be open. we are live outside the store on wisconsin avenue where folks are searching for some bargains. hopefully you got some too. >> reporter: yeah, i got a few. a dress, which i'm not ashamed to say that was $8.50 to $14. a lot of folks are spending their holiday breaks shopping, getting last-minute deals. three days left to shop