alex demetrick, wjz eyewitness news. >> ooh, i remember what that felt like. to better understand winter patterns, nasa is launching a satellite that will track snow formation to the moment we shovel it. >> at least, it's making your job real easy this winter. hasn't it, bob? >> unbelievable. even the snow events we've seen have been so minor. >> yeah. >> we've had less than an inch and a half officially at the airport. remarkable. >>> let's take a look at temps. very warm night. 60 degrees. west/northwest winds at 5. it will begin to cool down just a tad. we'll have numbers after this. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, >>> pretty amazing stuff. we've had things of crocus. daffodils. southern exposure. unbuildingably -- unbelievably warm. very, very confusing. especially for animals, birds, and i'm not sure what season it is. 60 right now. 65 in washington. 50 out in oakland. 57, cumberland. the dew point comes up a little bit. it will get somewhat more moist overnight. maybe a little rain after midnight, morning hours. chances aren't that great now. 58 up in westminster. we

. >>> i'm alex demetrick. coming up, frederick county has a new law, making english the official language. that story as eyewitness news continues. >>> warm weather spreads across maryland. how long will it last? >> and there is our top story on wjz.com. for instant updates and first warning weather all the time, click wjz.com. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, >>> a picture of the key bridge there, mr. williams and ms. bubala. >> as the anchor team, here's a question for you. >> oh, no. >> i got to meet a great group of kids today. >> okay. >> overwhelming sentiment was that they still wanted snow. my question to you is, have you given up on the hope yet? >> no. i think that we could have a march storm. >> oh, mary. >> i do. it will be gone quickly. >> our producer says she hasn't given up on it. >> she hasn't given up. well, she's still hoping. >> let me just say to you that we spring ahead in three weeks. spring begins in four. four weeks from yesterday. >> wow. >> that window, my friends, is closing. very quickly. so we'r

. >>> i'm alex demetrick.ing up, a closer look at what could be a new look for maryland's travel plaza. that story as eyewitness news continues. >>> a messy mix of snow and rain could be moving this way. not going to dampen lacrosse, though. stick around for the updated first warning weather forecast. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, >>> this next story deals with the racial slur, something so offensive, we will not say the word. as mike schuh reports, it was said in open session, by one of the councilmembers. >> reporter: just what does this word mean? miriam websters says it's slang. the meaning a nonwhite, or nonamerican person, specifically asian. korean american lisa wang knows the word. >> do you know the word? >> very offensive. very appalling. >> reporter: so it's not the kind of word expect to hear from a councilman. dick lad used it wednesday night. >> lad hopes people will see the context of how he used it and how it came to pass. they were interviewing candidates. the candidate was also a former military man. and

. >> i'm alex demetrick. coming up, moving may be a loss for baltimore. find out why it may be a plus for the hospital ship comfort. that story as eyewitness news continues. >>> building bigger, better schools in baltimore. the grass roots move that is throwing its support behind the city's plan for more construction. >> i'm gigi barnett. that story is next. ♪ [ music ] ♪ i'm every woman >> the family makes accommodations for fans who ,,nt to pay their respects to mine was earned over the south pacific in 1943. vietnam, 1967. i got mine in iraq, 2003. usaa auto insurance is often handed down from generation to generation. because it offers a superior level of protection, and because usaa's commitment to serve the military, veterans and their families is without equal. begin your legacy, get an auto insurance quote. >>> it is 6:30. 44 degrees and cloudy. good evening, everyone. thanks for staying with wjz. here are some of the stories people are talking about tonight. around the world, the lesions -- legions of fans of whitney houston will be able to watch

. >>> i'm alex demetrick. economic up, leading the future one crab at a time. that story as eyewitness news continues. >>> get ready for another brief taste of winter. stick around for the updated first warning forecast coming up ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, >>> a maryland appeals court deals a blow to the people in baltimore county. mike schuh reports, the state's second highest court knocked about $70 million off exxon's bill. >> reporter: a baltimore count i jury -- county jury told exxon, the cost of this station, polluting the drinking water to homes is $2 french million. -- $247 million. money if to make up the lost value in those homes and the distress. this court of special appeals sides with exxon and throws out much of the monitoring and emotional distress. >> the property damage aspect of this decision has been affirmed. >> reporter: meaning the money to restore a home's lost value is safe. schneider won the war but so far has lost this battle. he points to a statement exxon made at the opening of the trial. the exxon attorney says, we at exxon mobil are respons

. >>> i'm alex demetrick. coming up, baltimore will lose the hospital ship comfort. that story as eyewitness news continues. >>> and midweek weather. but another storm is coming. bob has more on what to expect in the updated first warning forecast. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, >>> investigators take new steps to figure out how whitney houston died. today, they have orders for subpoenas and -- subpoenas for the medical and pharmacy records. >> reporter: a fence outside the new hope baptist church in newark, has turned into a giant shrine to whitney houston. >> right now, it hurts me because you know, she's a great person. she is also a great singer. and nobody can be like her. >> we know we won't be able to be here on saturday. but we want to make this a tribute to her today. >> reporter: houston's family has chosen to keep saturday's funeral services private. long-time family friend and gospel singer marvin winans will deliver the eulogy at the church where houston sang as a child. >> she wore fame and she was wonderful in it. but she was always that little girl from new j

alex demetrick reports. maryland's two travel plazas on i-95, are only one vote away from a $65 million do-over. >> >> an island carved out of northbound and southbound lanes i-95, sit maryland's only two travel plazas. offering food, fuel and rest rooms. what they don't offer is new. so they're coming down. >> using terazzo floor, wood, color, indoor planting. we're creating a vibrant, light, airy spaces. >> this is outdated. but if it's going to cost the state a lot of money, a lot of taxpayers money, then i think we could deal with this one. >> reporter: but a proposal on track would cost taxpayers no dollars. money comes from spanish developer arios. >> we have created 160 facilities like this one in other parts of the world. >> reporter: under the plaza proposal, arios would spend $65 million in construction. under the deal, the state would sign a six-year deal, giving arios control of the plazas. arios would give the state 10% of the profits. >> reporter: if the board of public works approves this prop

. >>> i'm alex demetrick. coming up, imagine needing a drug to stay alive and not being able to afford it. that story as eyewitness news continues. >>> cars going green in more ways than one. i'm jessica kartalija. here at the convention center. why marylanders are looking to go more green. that story next. >>> clear skies tonight. could we have, though, another light snowfall for the weekend? bob will have more in the updated forecast. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, >>> a birth control battle is brewing in the nation's capital. conservative politicians say a new white house policy on birth control are violating rights. >> reporter: conservatives gather in washington for their annual convention, are rallying against a new white house policy on birth control. >> one thing is certain, this attack on religious freedom cannot and will not stand. >> reporter: under the president's healthcare reform law, church-affiliated schools, hospitals and charities that provide insurance to their employees must cover the cost of contrac

>>> i'm alex demetrick. coming up, keeping milk say in maryland. that story as eyewitness news continues. >>> more on the mix of snow and rain falling across the region. stick around for more on the winter weather advisory in your updated first warning forecast. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, >>> we have breaking news to report to you right now. let's go to sky eye chopper 13 and captain mike perry with more. what's going on? >> a really nasty accident, kai. pretty much the same as it was yesterday. this is northbound bel air road, just north of forage road. a two-car collision, a head-on crash. one person remains trapped. and that person is critically injured, according to firefighters. medivac helicopter, likely not going to be called to the scene here because the weather is just too bad to fly on the east side here anyway. we do have two vehicles completely closing north and southbound bel air road. fire officials are on the scene at this point, like we say. one person has been rescued. the other person remains trap inside the car. and we'll continue to

. >>> i'm alex demetrick. coming up, what scientists say about our warm winter. that story as eyewitness news continues. >>> bob turk. first warning weather center. when will it cool down? i'll have the exclusive first warning five-day forecast. >>> here's today's report from wall street. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, >>> a warm day in february might be a rare gift. but for scientists, it's one day of weather patterns. alex demetrick reports, why it's feeling like the winter that wasn't. >>> daffodils, already blooming in baltimore. people walking, unbundled in february. >> it's amazing weather. >> it's beautiful. feels like spring time out here. >> i do like it. yeah. i don't like the cold weather. >> so far this winter, there's only been one day with any real snow. and it wasn't much. here's why. >> this year, we're in a la ninnia stage. which means there is not enough moisture over the continental u.s. >> reporter: gayle's specialty is snow. at nasa, all the variables that make up weather become computer data to make it better work. one of those is off the north atlanti

. >>> i'm alex demetrick, a violation has now jumped to turtles. >>> and valentines day is tomorrow. so how much are we expected to spend on average? find out next. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,, mine was earned over the south pacific in 1943. vietnam, 1967. i got mine in iraq, 2003. usaa auto insurance is often handed down from generation to generation. because it offers a superior level of protection, and because usaa's commitment to serve the military, veterans and their families is without equal. begin your legacy, get an auto insurance quote. usaa. we know what it means to serve. >>> baltimore's mayor outlined aggressive goals. live now at city hall with more on the mayor's remarks, derek valcourt. >> reporter: the mayor wants to lower property taxes and increase funding for school construction all in an effort to bring 18,000 new families into baltimore city over the next 10 years. >> need to get baltimore growing again. >> reporter: mayor stephanie blake says it's time to cut property taxes by 10% of home values. the 18 year plan means the average homeowner would see a $40 reduction by next y

i'm alex demetrick, indiana jones would be proud of uncle sam. find out why as eye witness news continues. >> the port of baltimore, the people in that tent are responsible for bringing 600 new high paying jobs to baltimore. how they are doing it when eye witness news continues. >>> wild weather, what should we expect for the weekend? bob will have an update if the full weather forecast. mine was earned over the south pacific in 1943. vietnam, 1967. i got mine in iraq, 2003. usaa auto insurance is often handed down from generation to generation. because it offers a superior level of protection, and because usaa's commitment to serve the military, veterans and their families is without equal. begin your legacy, get an auto insurance quote. ????????? you keep your receipts in plastic baggies? what are your monthly seriously? [ announcer ] get it done and get it off your mind with quickbooks. organize your small business finances all in one place. quickbooks, guaranteed easy or your money back. learn more at quickbooks.com. >>> didn't take

. >>> i'm alex demetrick. coming up, the costly invasion of asian stink bugs may have finally turned a corner in our favor. that story as eyewitness news continues. >>> and will the rest of the week be as pleasant as today. don't miss the updated first warning weather forecast. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, >>> healthy smile, healthy kids. maryland lawmakers are on capitol hill. the push for improved care comes years after a maryland child dies from a tooth infection. >> reporter: two years ago this month, then 12-year-old diam ante driver died from an abscessed tooth. now, maryland lawmakers are kicking off national children's dental health month, in an effort to raise awareness of the importance of oral hygiene. >> making sure that we are doing everything we can to extend oral coverage or oral health services to more and more children. >> reporter: a met life study just released finds that parents aren't swashing or brushing their children's teeth properly. and approximately 23% of those parents have been cold thchild

. >>> i'm alex demetrick. coming up, imagine needing a drug to stay alive and not being able to afford it. that story as eyewitness news continues. >>> in the national spotlight, stunning abuse allegations rock a california community, and now students return amid ,,,,,,,,,,, >>> it's 6:30. 39 degrees and clear. good evening, everyone. thanks for staying with wjz. here are some of the stories people are talking about tonight. a brewing battle, involving the freedom of religion and first- amendment rights. church groups are vowing to turn over the mandate for birth control. >> reporter: conservatives gathered in washington for their annual convention are rallying against a new white house policy on birth control. >> one thing is for certain. this attack on religious freedom cannot and will not stand. >> reporter: under the president's healthcare reform law, church-affiliated schools, hospitals and charities that provide insurance to their employees must cover the cost of contraceptives. gop leaders call that a v

. >>> i'm alex demetrick.g up, finally positive signs, for the chesapeake's troubled oyster population. that story as eyewitness news continues. >>> nearly before winter weather to celebrate valentine's day. what is in store for tomorrow? we'll tell you. ,,,, there he is, poised to discover plum amazins, the amazing alternative to raisins and cranberries with more fiber, less sugar, and a way better glycemic index. he's clearly enjoying one of the planet's most amazing superfruits. hey, keep it down mate, you'll wake the kids. plum amazins. new, from sunsweet. >>> a kentucky man is facing charges, after police say he was going to let a 12-year-old drive him home. >> he's doing what? >> he's all over the road. in the 3 lane, before we hit the 2 lane, he was swerving back and forth, into all three lanes. >> reporter: now, police say the man was pulled over and behind the wheel. when he got pulled over, he told his 12-year-old passenger to get into the driver's seat. the young boy told police the man asked him to

alex demetrick eyewitness news. >> those supporting the ban say watermen can use other types to catch striped bass. >>> time now for a look at the baltimore sun. more on the federal indictment, unsealed in baltimore against the popular sports betting site, bodog. >>> a preview of tomorrow's terps basketball game. >>> and top area bartenders offer tips on how to jazz up your cocktails. for these stories and more, read the baltimore sun. and remember to look for the updated forecast from wjz first warning weather team. >>> it is often hidden behind closed doors. but millions of people are driven to collect things most of us would consider junk. they are compulsive hoarders. and tonight, derek valcourt discovers in some cases, hoarding is in your genes. >> reporter: imagine living like this. >> oh, my god. >> reporter: clutter, trash, filth. in some cases, rodent infestation. these are the homes of hoarders, as seen on popular tv shows. tons of clutter that can fuel a small fire into a raging inferno like it did inside this phoenix home. in minneapolis, this woman barely escaped her clut

. >>> i'm alex alex demetrick., finally, some positive signs for the chesapeake's troubled oyster population. that story as eyewitness ,,,,,,, mine was earned over the south pacific in 1943. vietnam, 1967. i got mine in iraq, 2003. usaa auto insurance is often handed down from generation to generation. because it offers a superior level of protection, and because usaa's commitment to serve the military, veterans is without equal. begin your legacy, get an auto insurance quote. usaa. we know what it means to serve. >>> a searchof a recycling center turns up more information about josh powell. volunteers found a document with powell's name on it, a testament. some books with his wife's name on it and a utah map. powell dropped off those items before he killed himself and his sons in an explosive fire. he was the person of interest in the disappearance of his wife susan. >>> there is a glimmer of hope on the half shell. the oyster survival rate is the highest it's been in 16 years. >> reporter: for the first time sinc

. >>> i'm alex demetrick. coming up, last summer's east coast earthquake left a baltimore landmark condemned. see the joyous reopening as eyewitness news continues. >>> lives are lost and livelihoods ruin said. today, a judge decides who is responsible for destroying the gulf waters in the oil spill. >>> and i think it is safe to say. winter days don't get much better than this. don't miss bob's updated first warning weather forecast. >>> a propane tank explodes near washington state, injuring 5. it was being loaded onto the construction site in edmonds when it blew up this afternoon. five people were rushed to the hospital with injuries. no word yet on what caused the explosion. >>> police are looking for the men who robbed a tucson mcdonald's in broad daylight. surveillance tape shows two armed gunman, hitting the store manager and forcing her to get away. police think the robbery may be related to other crimes in that area. cleanup efforts are under way now after strong winds whipped through georgia. the st

. >>> i'm alex demetrick. coming up, baltimore is losing the hospital ship comfort.t story as eyewitness news continues. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, >>> it is now 6:30. mainly clear. thanks for staying with wjz. >>> new details are emerging about the funeral services for legendary whitney houston. we now know that who will give the eulogy. >> reporter: a fence outside the new hopebaptist church in newark, new jersey, has turn said into a giant shrine to whitney houston. >> right now, it hurts me. she's a great person. she's also a great singerrer. and nobody can be like her. >> we know we won't be able to be here on saturday. but we want to make this a tribute to her today. >> reporter: houston's family has chosen to keep saturday's funeral service private. long-time friend, gospel singer marvin winans. >> she wore -- she wore fame and she was wonderful in it. but she was always that little girl from new jersey. >> reporter: a number of celebrities, including whitney's godmother, aretha franklin, are expected to attend the invitation-only services. >> reporter: the 48-year-ol

alex demetrick reports, maryland's two travel plans are only one vote away from a $65 million do-over. >> reporter: northbound and southbound lanes of i-95, sit maryland's only two travel plazas, offering fuel, food and rest rooms. what they don't offer is new. so they're coming down. >> using terazzo floor, wood, color, indoor planting. we're creating vibrant, light, airy spaces. >> this is outdated. you know? but if it's going to cost the state a lot of taxpayers money, then i think we could deal with this one. >> reporter: but a proposal on track for approval would cost no tax dollars. the plazas would be built and operated with money being invested by the spanish development company, arios. >> we have 360 facilities like this one in other parts of the world. >> reporter: under the plaza proposal, arios would spend $65 million this construction. -- in construction. in return, the state would give them control of the plazas. maryland would receive 10% of the profit, estimated over $440 million over the life of the contract. >> reporter: if the board of public works agrees to this, i

. >>> i'm alex demetrick. coming up, moving may be a loss for baltimore. find out why it may be a plus for the hospital ship comfort. that story as eyewitness news that story as eyewitness news contin,,,,,,,,,, >>> it is 5:30. 45 degrees with rain in parts of maryland tonight. good evening, everybody. thank you for staying with wjz eyewitness news. here are some of the stories people are talking about tonight. baltimore is bringing back the grand prix. and although it is still months away, race cars are already taking over the streets. weijia jiang takes us inside the driver's seat. >> reporter: baltimore grand pree organizers hope this unveiling will shift the focus away from the business bumps in the road to what really matters to them, the racing. >> reporter: even a black cover can't hide its shape. >> you typically don't get the opportunity to see a car like this. it's like right in front of your face. >> reporter: not only did a crowd see this year's indy lotus car. they watched it being revealed for the first time ever, a major event. to promote the

alex demetrick reports, both elements came together today at baltimore's port. >> there are two of thearitime administration's largest ships. immense cargo carriers, used in war and disaster relief. and occasionally, recruiting. today, maryland high school students were welcomed aboard. >> to show younger generation what it is that the maritime industry does. >> reporter: civilians run the government ships and took questions, ranging from technical operations to sea stories. radar can't compete with pirates. >> i've beginning through pirate waters and heard confrontation on the radio, where i heard machine guns in the background. >> reporter: students worked enough to form strong first impressions. >> just a lot of technology. >> i've been on a ship, but not like this. >> what's the difference between the one you were on before and this one? >> the one -- this is like that military stuff. the one i went on was a cruise. >> reporter: but this brief exposure to a different way of living and working is what the tour is all about. >> if we provide the information to the bulk of these guys

. >>> i'm alex demetrick. coming up, last summer's east coast earthquake left a baltimore landmark condemned. see its joyous reopening as eyewitness news continues. >>> big weather changes in the forecast. bob will have more on the rain and cooler air coming our way. ,,,, today my journey continues across the golden state, ,,,, where everyone has been unbelievably nice. mornin'. i guess i'm helping them save hundreds on car insurance. it probably also doesn't hurt that i'm a world-famous advertising icon. cheers! i mean, who wouldn't want a piece of that? geico. ah... fifteen minutes could save you fifteen percent oh dear... or more on car insurance. >>> anne arundel county jurors hold a man's life in their hands as they decide whether lee stevens should be put to death for killing a corrections officer. weijia jiang has the last- minute plea for mercy from the defense. weijia? >> kai, first thing today, the defense requested a mistrial, which was rejected. so the jury continued to deliberate for several hours

. >>> i'm alex demetrick. coming up, the maryland national guard's newest planes. and why the air force is taking them away. that story when eyewitness news continues. >>> get ready for a dose of spring. how warm will it get this week? bob will have the update in the full forecast. mine was earned over the south pacific in 1943. vietnam, 1967. i got mine in iraq, 2003. usaa auto insurance is often handed down from generation to generation. because it offers a superior level of protection, and because usaa's commitment to serve the military, veterans and their families is without equal. begin your legacy, get an auto insurance quote. >>> hundreds gather to show support for disability funding in downtown annapolis. monique griego has more. >> reporter: hundreds of people make a call for action to help the developmentally-disabled in downtown annapolis. >> they're begging for a chance to have life. >> reporter: crystal holman was part of a crowd that marched to lawyers' mall. her son suffers from severe autism and spent years on the list waiting for services. >> there

. >>> i'm alex demetrick coming up. the costly invasion of asian stink bugs may have finally turned a corner in our direction. >>> intentional explosion. tonight, police reveal more information about the death of josh powell and his children. >>> and are cool temperatures coming our way? bob is updating your full forecast. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, >>> a man suspected in his wife's disappearance, dies in a house explosion with his two sons. and tonight, we're learning more about how and why it happened. duarte geraldino reports for wjz. a medical examiner is now performing autopsies on josh powell and his children. >> reporter: cell phone video shows flames raging through a home, after it blew up in graham, washington. inside, police found the husband and two sons ever a missing utah woman. police say josh powell planned the explosion and may have used accelerants to fuel the flames. >> the information that we've gathered and the actions of josh and how fast this fire has burnt, we believe this was intentional. >> reporter

. >>> i'm alex demetrick. coming up, keeping milk safe in maryland. that story as eyewitness news continues. >>> and we could be in store for a nasty night. first warning weather coverage of this system continues after this. ,,,,,,,,,, >>> it is just after 6:30. 35 degrees with snow in the region. good evening. thanks for staying with wjz. here are some of the stories people are, indeed talking about right now. much of the region is getting hit by a blow of winter weather. road crews hard at work, staying ahead of this system. first warning weather coverage continues with meteorologist bernadette woods who is outside tracking the system right now. bern? >> we still have that snow coming down here. our roads are still wet in tv hill. and want to note that on some of the trees, it is starting to accumulate just slightly. and on some of the cars that haven't moved in a while, also seeing that white on the top level. this is what we have going on. first doppler radar. this storm is starting to break apart. it will be leaving in the next couple of hours. t

. >>> i'm alex demetrick. coming up, last summer's east coast earthquake left a baltimore landmark condemned. see its joyous reopening as eyewitness news continues. >>> a community shocked after a young child is literally run into her own death. the people being charged tonight. >>> building baltimore schools. why students are joining in on the debate to raise the bottle tax. i'm gigi barnett. that story is just ahead. >>> and ready for the weekend. will this spectacular weather hold out? don't miss the updated first warning weather forecast coming up. ,,,,,,,, >>> broken doors, hot classrooms and cracked doors. it's what baltimore teachers and studentses say they deal with every day. but the city's proposed bottle tax increase could change that. and gigi barnett explains, students plan to take their requests to lawmakers in annapolis. >>> on an unseasonably warm winter day at patterson high school in southeast baltimore, this is the cooling system. that is just one problem with the 50-year-old building. >> it

. >>> i'm alex demetrick. coming up. frederick county has a new law, making english the official language. that story as eyewitness news continues. >>> should he live? or should he die? i'm weijia jiang in annapolis. where a jury is deciding just that for a man convicted of killing a prison guard. the latest next. >>> anguish in argentina. after ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, >>> it is 6:30. cloudy and 59 degrees. thanks for staying with wjz. >>> the lawsuiter in syria takes another tragic turn. dozens more are killed by government forces, including a veteran american war correspondent. tina kraus reports from london. >> reporter: they killed an american reporter. 57-year-old marie colvin was a veteran correspondent for a british newspaper. the new york native lost an eye, covering another war more than a decade ago. >> this is a desperately sad reminder of the risk that journalists take to inform the world of what is happening and the dreadful events in syria. >> reporter: just a day before she died, colvin was on tv, calling the

alex demetrick has a look at numbers and a proposal that could eliminate those auto tickets. >> reporter: it's a question of timing and whether it's fair to keep the cameras clicking around the clock. >> reporter: state highways moved its speed cameras from work zone to work zone. go 12 miles over the posted limit. you get a ticket. >> on the beltway, 695. hate them. absolutely hate them. >> reporter: according to triple a, last year, almost half a million drivers were nabbed by the cameras, generating $19 million in fines. altogether, nearly 1 million tickets have gone out since the program began in 2009. state highway says it's about worker safety, but not money. but when the worker goes home -- >> shouldn't be on at night, when there's nobody on, nobody is working in the area. that's what doesn't make sense. >> reporter: according to an earlier study, 63% of the work zone tickets were issued when nobody was working. >> i'm not crazy about speed ticket cameras. but i do understand when there is active construction, you should have it there. >> reporter: state brogin will introduce legi

. >> i am alex demetrick, coming up a virus is deadly to frogs and jump topped turtles in maryland.hat story as "eyewitness news" continues. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, >>> five days first warning weather. today up to 54. tomorrow 42. accumulating snow in the afternoon and evening. 42 so we stay above average and above freezing. 44 on monday. 50 on tuesday. and 56 on wednesday. and thursday. >>> well, it's a terrible way to die and it's killing box turtles here. >> the virus that that -- that infects frogs jumped to turtles with lethal results. >> reporter: you are looking at a box turtle fighting for breath. researchers from towson discovered it dying from an infection. >> it's a long and grueling death for them. >> reporter: several infected turtles were found in preserve cut out for them along the icc highway in montgomery county and they found dead tadpoles and salamanders that normally carry the virus but. >> it apparently jumped from frogs to the box turtles. their eyes get swollen and they get a white plaque in their mouths and it causes problems with the breathing and have problems

alex demetrick is in the newsroom with tonight's wjz pumpwatch report. >>> nationally, gas prices have gone up nearly 20 cents in the last month. and they're not expected to come down any time soon. there is not normally a price increase in the spring. but experts say the cost for a gallon of gas could increase by 60 cents. here in maryland, it's $3.52 a gallon for regular unleaded gas. the same gallon cost $3.26 last month. gas prices haven't been this high since the thanksgiving holiday. >> we're all noticing. thank you, alex. gas prices in western u.s. states could hit $4 a gallon by the first of may. >>> ocean city could soon start cracking down on noise. the town council is scheduled to vote tonight on an ordinance that would toughen up the noise restrictions. if the ordinance passes, ocean city police officers will be in charge of enforcement. violators will be warned, then cited, then could be arrested. >>> jack frost visited maryland this morning. if you hadn't noticed. but the sun melted away any sign that he was here. it's sunny on another mild february day. wjz has weather a

. >>> i'm alex demetrick. coming up.and fines add up find out how much as eyewitness news continues. >>> eyewitness news at 5:00 starts right now. >>> how did it happen? a teen falls out of a car and is run over and

. >> i'm alex demetrick.oming up, the maryland national guard's newest planes and why the air force is taking them away. that story as eyewitness news continues. >>> outrage in afghanistan. >>> i'm bob turk. the first warning weather center. more mild air moving our way. exclusive first warning five- day forecast. >>> and wjz 13 is always on. for updates and all the day's news and the updated forecast any time, log onto wjz.com. ,,,, >>> a public relations nightmare for nato. after reportedly burned copies of the koran outside of a military base. more than 2,000 afghans chanted "death to america," outside bagram air force base. they're blaming nato troops for thoughing away copies of the koran, with a pile of trash. nato's top troops says it was a mistake and has ordered an investigation. >>> a second bailout for greece, boosts stocks today. but the rescue package comes with some consequences. european chiefs finalize the deal. the 172 billion dollar bailout slashes more than 20% off the minimum wage. and one

. >>> i'm alex demetrick. coming up, a move to ban gill net in the bay. and why it's catching controversy. that story as eyewitness news continues. >>> check in for these stories and of course, all the breaking news, coming up all new at 6:00. now, back to kai. >> denise. thank you. >>> you might want to think about breakfast for dinner tonight. that's because it's national pancake day at ihop. stop by any get a free shortstack of pancakes until 10:00 tonight. in return, the chain is asking diners to make a donation to the children's miracle network. ihop has raised money. i love pancakes. and i think shortstack is considered two cakes, right? >> i think so. with lots of butter. >> you could always buy another pancake. >> you can. you have to be patient at ihop tonight. the lines are long. what a great event for restaurant and charity. >>> still to come tonight on wjz eyewitness news. freak accident at the daytona 500. how 200 gallons of jet fuel wound up on the race track. ,,,, >>> we have new details in the murder of i 10-year-old california girl, who d

alex demetrick is there and has the numbers and a proposal that could limit those automated speed ticket cameras. >> well, kai, it's a question of timing. ask and whether it's fair to keep those cameras clicking around the clock. >> reporter: state highways moved cameras from work zone to work zone. go 12 miles over the posted speed limit, you get a ticket. >> on the beltway, 695. hate them. absolutely hate them. >> reporter: according to triple a, last year, almost half a million drivers were snapped nabbed by the drivers, generating $19 million in fines. altogether, nearly 1 million have gone up since the program began in 2009. state highway says it's about worker safety, not money. but when the workers go home. >> shouldn't be on at night, when nobody is on. nobody is working in the area. that's what doesn't make sense. >> reporter: according to an earlier study, 63% of the work zone tickets were issued when no one was working. >> i'm not crazy about speed cameras on highways am but i do understand when there is a construction zone, you should have it there. >> reporter: state senator