closer to 50 degrees for the load tonight in downtown baltimore. there you see the beautiful weather pattern on the satellite imagery. the low pressure getting farther offshore and away from us. a front slicing through chicago and back toward the plains states and into the southern rockies divides spring from winter. it is a cold and snowy and wintry final day of winter across the central plains into the front range of the rockies in colorado. 29 degrees right now in colorado springs. snow stretches all along the cold side of that fraud into western kansas and colorado. -- of that front. it will be slowly moving in our direction as the weekend moves along. temperatures back up around 70 tomorrow. a few more clouds on sunday, and there may be a few light showers and sprinkles as we get into sunday night. during the day, it will be a beautiful first full day of spring on sunday. then the front off to the west moves closer. rate is likely on monday, probably for the morning rush- hour. some of the showers may linger into tuesday. we have one more pict

. >> a bus accident in downtown baltimore. baltimore. we will have the latest host: could switching to geico really save you 15% or more on car insurance? host: did the waltons take way too long to say goodnight? mom: g'night john boy. g'night mary ellen. mary ellen: g'night mama. g'night erin. elizabeth: g'night john boy. jim bob: g'night grandpa. elizabeth: g'night ben. jim bob:'night. elizabeth: g'night jim bob. jim bob: g'night everybody, grandpa: g'night everybody. jim bob: g'night daddy. vo: geico. 15 minutes could save you 15% or more. i make my efforts count... so i switched to the freestyle promise® program... a unique program that gives me... the support i need, free. free access to a certified diabetes educator... so i can ask about diet and the insulin i use. i got a free meter. and test strip discounts. so i can spend more on what i really want. i count on the freestyle promise® program. make it count for you! only the freestyle program gives you discounts, support, and more. enroll today. >> welcome back. all is quiet on th

. >> reporter: good morning, i'm kelly mcpherson in downtown baltimore. health care reform bill is finally being voted on this weekend. we'll talk to marylanders about the bill. >>> spring will be sprung and how you can get your hands dirty planting a garden. ,,,,,,, >>> they closed out as the fans hoped. here's mark viviano with more. >> good morning, it was a final game to tip off in the first round. would the terps be weary, or maybe a case of saving the best for last. the latter would be better. gary williams facing aubrey coalman. they took it with 26 points. that's his average and you can't make it all, coleman missed the ability to run and williams will finish with a jam. the freshman has 17 rebounds and adrian buoy hit the big three buoy and they beat houston, 9 -- 89-77. >> he's a good player and he draws a lot of attention from the other team. i finished tonight. >> it will be maryland and michigan state in round two tomorrow afternoon. the terps and spartans started one year ago. >>> well, it was a big let down for the morgan state bears. this

. >> in downtown baltimore. joy lepola, fox 45 news at 10:00. >> all three cult members are sentence order may 18. >> the shooting of a gas station owner is now a murder investigation. 49-year-old william porter died at shock trauma. shot at his store monday morning. gunman still on the loose. >> there is a $22,000 reward offered for information that solves the murder of a security guard. 38-year-old james ball was killed february 20. while trying to breakup an argument by the bank of america building downtown. you if you have any information whatsoever you are asked to call crime stoppers at 1-866-7-lockup. >> a pub crawl in federal hill ends with violence. two women accused oftage to murder a football player. jeff abell stands by live in federal hill with the latest. what can you tell us? >> group of friends came to this neighborhood this weekend to raise money for their flag football team. but tonight, one of the players is recovering from what was almost a deadly attack. >> when i was in the hospital i didn'

looking at 60 degrees right now in downtown baltimore. 56 in d.c. 45 in salisbury.ghtly cooler out in western maryland at 46. it looks like for tomorrow. expect to see the clouds gathering through the mid-morning hours into the afternoon. breezy. and we will get the temperatures in the mid 60s and then the rain moves in late in the evening and then it will be for part of the weekend. not all the weekend. details in that coming up in the forecast. >> thank you, vytas. you can inner harbour charge of your own personalized forecast. i-radar is available at foxbaltimore.com. use the interactive tools to track coming storms down to your street. go to foxbaltimore.com/i-radar. >> and when it comes to news, in your neighborhood, see it, shoot it, send it. you can upload pictures and videos to our website. go to foxbaltimore.com and click on the see it, shoot it, send it icon. you can also send pictures directly from your cell phone to pics@foxbaltimore.com. >> a man was killed last night, in northeast baltimore, it happened near pilgrim road and rose lawn avenue. the man w

we have an accident downtown baltimore calvert street northbound at eager street. want to take a look out for that. also, an earlier incident at west lafayette, pearl street. two left lanes get by in that area. >>> would you raise taxes or cut 600 jobs? >> mayor stephanie rawlings blake has made the decision, let's go live to linda sow, live outside of city hall with where the cuts are going to hurt. >> reporter: the mayor has made it very clear. these cuts are going to be painful, but they are necessary to balance the books. the baltimore city fire department and police department make up about half of the city's budget. if there's major cutting to be done, that's where much of it will come from. the mayor's proposal includes getting rid of about 200 police officers and 100 firefighters. more than half of the city's rec centers will close and the city's bulk trash pick-up program will be no more. >> could end up in allies, street corners. they can't trace them back. >> reporter: now we should learn more about the proposed budget cuts coming up at the next city cou

reporting live in downtown baltimore, sherrie johnson, abc2 news. >>> it's now six after 6:00. you have a child in towson in elementary school you may take them to a new school this year, a unanimous decision the baltimore county board of education voted for the proposed boundary changes involving rogers forge and riderwood elementary schools. next year students within the selected boundary lines will be able to attend rogers forge, riderwood or west towson elementary school. school officials say the proposal should be a win-win for everybody. >> fortunately on the committee there was no way to create a situation that was going to make everyone, i think after time. most parents will be happy with the result. >> and the new west towson elementary school is scheduled to open next fall. >>> the possibility that a school in northern harford county might be closed has a will of parents concerned this morning. northville elementary was designed for about 250 students but right now it only has 170. last night officials from the school system met with parents and said the enrollment num

reporting live in downtown baltimore tonight, fox 45 news at 5:30. >>> couldn't jury deadlocked on most serious charges against the man accused in the death of 8 people at street race. 20-year-old taylor of driving in illegal street race and reckless driver but after deliberating for 15 hours over the course of two days, jurors could not reach a verdict on 8 counts of vehicular manslaughter. the lawyers say he was not racing. >> search is on foreperson who stabbed a man during a bar crawl in federal hill. live in south baltimore where the attack happened. jeff. >>reporter: for seven years now a group of friends have been coming here to federal hill for a pub crawl to raise money for the flag football team. but tonight one of the players is recovering from what was almost a deadly attack. plus say these 2 women jennifer sanford and kimberly fleming along with a male suspect jumped the players leaving the event saturday night. michael cruise says his stab wounds are so severe he is lucky to be alive. >> i got to the point to where i couldn't open my eyes. could barely move. i was shaking

> for the second time in three days, a suspicious package arrives at mitchell courthouse in downtown baltimore. wjz is live at the courthouse right now. derek valcourt has more on the scare on what police found inside this package. derek? >> reporter: just like the incidents earlier this week. this package today contained a bullet and a powdery substance. >> reporter: hazmat teams race to the second floor of the baltimore county courthouse, where people called 911. a large envelope, containing a bullet, and a powdery substance was found in one of the judge's chambers. though a spokesperson told wjz, the envelope was not addressed to any particular judge. authorities did not evacuate the building, instead isolated the one room where the package was found. while police secured the entrances. >> we were told at one point not to leave. and if anybody left out, to come back in. >> reporter: hazmat teams quickly tested the substance found nothing dangerous and reopened the building. >> reporter: the pag they -- package they found here, similar to five other packages. police are investigating. >> tha

. >> an accident involving the mta bus in downtown baltimore. it is blocking the right lane. two lanes are getting by. if you want to take an alternate, it is auburn street. things are moving fine on the areas that are surrounding. here is a live look at the beltway. no delays to report. 83 north of the beltway, no problems. that is the latest. over to you. >> we are taking a look and some of our top stories this morning. california highways are known as a parking lot for cars not planes. a single engine aircraft was having trouble making it to the air poured. it had to land on a freeway. -- making it to the airport. it had to land on a freeway. no one was injured. and 142 kilos were seized of cocaine yesterday. it is worth $70 million. it was packed in a man's vehicle. there were weapons as well as cash. he is a notorious member of one of the dangerous gangs. a kansas high school student is almost a share in for his most likely to succeed award. he scored a perfect 36 on his testing. he is not just a bookworm. he participants in the band, student council, forensics debate, a

. >>> a survey of downtown baltimore this weekend could cause a few traffic delays, but will bring theity closer to landing a high-profile grand prix race. baltimore racing development hopes to bring a 3 to 4-day indy racing event to baltimore in august 2011. an arial and ground survey is needed to help seal the deal and to get the job done parking was prohibited along certain streets between 10 and 1:00. >> it will give us basically exact plans for the existing continue and grades of the roads. that will allow us to develop design plans for the work that has to happen to accommodate the indy car race, should it come to baltimore. >> hopes are to wrap up an agreement this month and the league's decision on giving baltimore a franchise could come within weeks. >>> the first elephant born at maryland zoo in baltimore celebrates his second birthday today. sampson had all the makings of a great party. his birthday cake and lots of singing too. the zoo has a heard of elephants now. >>> when it comes to news in your neighborhood, see it, shoot it, send it. upload photos and videos to our web

in downtown baltimore. joy lepola, fox 45 news at 10:00. >> and jurors are set to be back in court tomorrow morning for the closing arguments. >> the n.t.s.b. is looking into a weekend plane crash in arundel county that left one man dead. joseph kelly of annapolis piloting the single engine plane when it went down in edgewater saturday, he was apparently trying to get back to the airport. but something went wrong, and he crashed into a yard there. he was the only person on board. >> a major crackdown on some limousine shuttle drivers at bwi thurgood marshall airport. leads to some fiery debate tonight. kathleen cairns reports now. 12 drivers went to jail for failure to have a proper permit. >> bob cresey works behind the wheel. and said he always he obeys the law. >> when i first applied for coach and courier, there wasn't anything, not even a speeding ticket o my record. i was surprised. they thought maybe i didn't have a complete record because there wasn't anything on it. >> last week when he pulled over

downtown baltimore, pretty hefty rain showers and thunderstorms coming through. this afternoon. 63, 56 and showers. >> speeds are down all the way around the area. only one cash remains. >> that's all you have got? >> that's it. >> thank you so much for joining us, don't forget about good morning maryland at 9:00. you can expect to see this. justin with his cornell hat. >>> have a great day, everybody. hi. i'm jim perdue. in case of everyday emergencies... guys, go get changed! ...or soccer practice, it's important to be prepared for dinner. that's why i've prepared my perdue perfect portions fresh chicken breasts. they're individually wrapped, so you can cook what you need and store what you don't. we're not playing helicopter now. ready when you are, they're trimmed of fat and consistently sized to cook in just 10 minutes. life's not perfect. that's why there's perdue perfect portions. [ male announcer ] perdue perfect portions. ready when you are. and this is the warm fresh baked taste... of a strawberry toaster strudel. see the difference? pillsbury toaster s

ocean city is at 65 and downtown baltimore is at 66. clouds moving in tonight, and thursday morning is likely to be mostly cloudy if not overcasts. around 50, but the winds will diminish to less than of miles an hour overnight. -- less than 5 miles an hour overnight. as a news or other way, we will see the winds diminishing here. the next storm in the middle of the country is heading this way. on the tail end of it, more snow is falling in the colorado rockies. thunderstorms down near the gulf. that will track through tomorrow night and friday morning. clouds during the day tomorrow. clouds may break out tomorrow evening, but that will be spotty until thursday night in to friday morning where we may get moderate to heavy rain in time for the friday morning rush hour. knowed this ribbon of changing precipitation to the north and west. some of the western fringe of this rainmaker changeover to wet snow or sleet as it drags the colder air through here friday afternoon and heading off the coast saturday morning. saturday looks like the best

you can see 49 downtown baltimore. looking at 50 in d.c. 48 in hagerstown.older out there in western maryland at 34. and some 50s south of us. so by tomorrow, looks like as the clouds break, we get sunshine out there. helps to warm up the atmosphere. it will feel good. you can see the remaining clouds making the way out of the state. few showers that were around the area. around seven, 8:00, but you can see over northern virginia and parts of west virginia, breaks in the clouds will continue to move our way. and they will allow for us to get clearing tomorrow morning. by the time the morning commute, probably sun out there. so take the sunglass you with you. and it looks like 63 degrees, on the eastern shore. for tomorrow. around the central portion of the state. looking at plenty of sunshine. around 63 for the high. and with the west wind at 10 to 20. so breezy still. but nonetheless, it will feel good. 60 degrees out in western maryland, with plenty of sunshine as well. high pressure continues to build in. that area of low pressure leaves us. stay dry for

downtown, 32 degrees in south ryan virginia. 28 degrees, andrews air force base. 31 degrees, downtown baltimore. bright and sunny. very chilly. only 50 degrees for a high today. anything you want to do associated with the beginning of the national cherry blossom festival, bundle up, stay in the sunshine and out of the breeze. you'll be all right. the smithsonian kite flying festival is today. good weather for anything you want to do outside. bundle up a little. >> thank you, chuck. >>> it is official. gilbert arenas will not do any jail time. the wizards star was sentenced on felony gun charges which stem from a locr room confrontation in december. here is a look at how his sentence breaks down. 30 days, halfway house, two years probation and 400 hours of community service. he must also pay a $5,000 fine to the victims assistance fund. news 4's jackie bensen reports on what may have kept him out of jail. >> reporter: gilbert arenas can be assigned to serve his 30-day sentence at a halfway house in the district or in virginia where he lives. neither arenas nor his defense attorney spoke to repor

we expect storms this afternoon but we get the benefit of a sunny morning in downtown baltimore.the north side of the city represented by the gilman school. the storm center weathernet temperature 46 degrees. winds are light right now. they will pick up and could get gusty this afternoon. currently 47 in fallston. 43 westminister. wrapping around the low pressure system we have ourselves carved out clear skies. the clouds will fill back in. this afternoon showers, maybe a thunderstorm and small hail with highs about 57 degrees. let's get a check on traffic now. here is kim brown. >> thanks, justin. traffic is slowing -- not too fel well around the area. slow on the top side of the beltway between harper up to providence. very slow as well on the west side down from 795 to route 70. looking here, traffic better at wilkins heading to 95. a peek at the maps, a couple of incidents, a crash approaching white marsh boulevard in the southbound lanes of 95. another accident southbound 95 at the ramp to the outer loop. give yourself a few extra minutes. crash gilford at east fayette and a

baltimore. live here downtown joel d smith fox 45 early edition. >>> rising costs and lowering enrollment could force some schools to close their doors. costs have gone up over that time. as a result, the archdiocese is expected to close some schools and merge others. on wednesday, after th archdiocs to tell parents, schools and teachers about plans to reorganize their system and how they will be affected. >> that would be a sad day when that happens. if that happens. >> since 2002, the archdiocese has closed 16 schools. 227,000 baltimore students are educated in the catholic school system. >>> baltimore city is finally getting back to its normal trash collection. after last month's snowstorm pickup resumed in some locations but beginning tomorrow trash will be collected at all regular locations. recycling pickups will resume. >>> baltimore area business owners are left picking up the pieces as a federal report reveals what all of them already knew. the record snow storms led to a drop off in business activity. the data comes from a survey of 150 companies. some retailers and restaurants estima

looking pretty good as with you make your way off 395 and 95 headed towards downtown, no problems to let you know about within baltimore city. >>> march 1st and that means time to say happy birthday. the banana boat man singer is turning 83 today. happy birthday to him. former growing pains actor 66 and russell long turns 47. if you're having a birthday, we want to know about it. send a picture and a little bit of info and we'll give you a little first day shoutout we ask that you give us a day or so-so we can pretty up the picture and get it on the air. abc2news.com is where you want to send it. >>> entertainment news right now. it was a winning night for precious. >> and the award goes to monique. >> no surprise there was. it was a winning night for precious at the 41st naaca image awards. monique picked up prizes for her emotional performance in the movie. the movie itself took the outstanding motion picture prize. >>> and it doesn't get any better for legendary director and his star. the thriller shutter island remain the number one film for the second straight weekend, bringing in 22 million in sales. leo nar doe

baltimore county. we are talking about they're still in the juices series. that is coming up. >> we will update you on a >> good morning. current temperature downtown is 48 degrees. it is chillier out here in baltimore county. i am at the vineyards. this is a great weekend for summerasome wine. the stew in the juices the event is this weekend. they have traditional stews paired with some of their wine from the new year. you can get a tour of the vineyards when you come out here. this is the oldest family-owned vineyards established in 1945. it is in the was in baltimore county. it is a different world out here. tickets are $12. it is cheaper for children. let's talk about our weather today. a major system in colorado giving them some snow. rain thursday into friday is expected. they have great wines out here. it is a nice trip. it is not very far. >> it is one of the hidden treasures in maryland. you picked a good spot. thanks. we will talk to you in the next half hour. it is pretty quiet for us. it will take a while to get here. the storm did give us the rain yesterday has cleared out. temperatures are in the chilly side. we will get into the 60's

downtown. if you have any information about this case, please call metro crime stoppers at 866-7-lockup. >> baltimore city's homicide rate is down from this time last year. as of tonight, 24 murders fired 37 last year at this time. police credit their hard work for the decrease. and say the snow was not a factor whatsoever. >> montgomery county police have arrested three men accused of human trafficking for prostitution. police say these men, black mailed some victims, some of them minors to take part in sex for money organizations. in the last three weeks police have shut down three operations, all doing business at hotels in our area. investigators say the men used craigslist, to advertise for clients. they say one used facebook to lure one of his victims. >> the internet now allows people to never leave their room and engage in this illegal activity. >> investigators say in one case, a 15-year-old girl was lured to maryland from new york. with dreams of becoming a model. >> state lawmakers are currently looking to a measure that targets traffic courts no shows. people citeded h have to why a trial

baltimore. miles temperatures -- mild temperatures. a high of 67 degrees. we are at the downtown sailing center. they are having a party called socks from the docks. it goes to a great cost. -- cause. >> tradition has it that you take off your socks and burn them because no sailor wilears them. rather than burning, we are asking that to bring new pairs in so we can donate them. >> you got many involved. >> we are trying to help out the neighborhood. we are working with elementary schools having them collect the socks. >> it is fun and easy to do. there will be food and entertainment 3:00 on saturday. the weather will be better than today. up to 70 degrees. high pressure is still holding steady keeping the disturbance to our south east. we will be basking in the sunshine later this afternoon. no good sailor would wear soc ks and flip-flops on the docks. >> maybe i was for them tomorrow morning during the weathercast. thanks. a unique event down there. the weather should hold. it is starting to provide some cloud cover in southern maryland. a chilly morning. 32 degrees in frederick

baltimore. few high clouds moving in western maryland. no threat for rain with those. maryland's radar all clear. 65 degrees right now out of bwi marshall. warmer than that downtown. we find 72 degrees down toward kulpeper, virginia. mighty nice afternoon. this evening low 60s. few clouds. breezy and mild. we'll talk much more about the outlook for the next couple of days here. big swing in the temperatures coming our way. get ready for that. >> thank you. >>> when it comes to our health we want to live a long and healthy life. we'll tell you about the results investigating end of life ex planning. >>> a 20-year-old woman claims ben rothlesberger sexually assaulted her in a georgia night club earlier this month. he has not been charged. >>> in raleigh, north carolina a fire affect more than a dundalk people. firefighters say the flames destroyed three home and damaged three more. strong winds made the fire tough to fight and enabled it to jump to neighboring home. no one was hurt. >>> get ready to be inspired. this year's extreme workover has started. 12 contestants are pumped up. as always you can win thousands of dollar . ask any participants and they'll the you

looking downtown, no real problems through fayette and st. paul street, baltimore city is checking in, no incidents. we'll be right back. >>> good morning. i'm megan pringle. the owner of a gas station remains in critical condition this morning at shock trauma after being shot in an attempted robbery. it happened yesterday morning at the hess gas station on joppa road. police have only a vague description of the suspect but they are asking for your help. if you have any information about this crime please call baltimore county police or metro crime stoppers at 1-866-7-lockup. >>> closing arguments are scheduled today in baltimore in the trial of three people accused of starving a toddler to death as part of a religious cult. the three rested their case yesterday without calling witnesses at the trial for the death of 1-year-old javon thompson. >>> according to police january and february of this year posted the lowest number of murders on record at 24. police receive crime was down in part because of the huge snowstorms that paralyzed the city. early in february. a

downtown capitol hill area. just taking a walk through washington can be pretty nice. >> a great way to experience spring. >> finally, you talk about a trip to baltimore. ecofriendly baltimore. tell us about that. >> when you think of baltimore, you probably don't think green. you think industrial, city. but they are beating washington when it comes to going green. they have added more bike lanes, more trees, and a lot of sustainable businesses are springing up. and so you want to go down to baltimore, you could hit a few great spots. one of them is spoon's coffee cafe where you can have a lae, a great dessert and know you're still doing something good for environment. they use wind power. they are sustainable as a business. and there are great parks like the arboretum, new trails, more gardens, lots to do this and really get a sense of the green environment in baltimore. and finally, the baltimore -- has a green week, april 17th through 24th, and there is a festival during that week. it's all around earth day. >> what kinds of things will they have there? >> they'll have performances and there will be lots of vendors and sort of booths telling you ab

. >>> and i'm joel d smith, live downtown where this is last day on the job for the president of the university of maryland baltimore"p >>> next on fox 45 morning news. >> she was waiting are to the resurrection. >>> more twists in the case of cult leaders accuses of starving a baby to death. what is expected in court today. >>> the president of a local university steps down. the controversy surrounding his departure. >>> if anybody is on the front lines, we are. >> and seeing baltimore's murder rate firsthand. we meet this week's champion of courage. >>> good morning. it's monday, march first. and you're taking a live look at the skies over baltimore and i see some sunshine peeking through those clouds, make that is what this brand new month will bring us. we will have to check in with steve and see. good morning, i'm patrice harris. we want to check in with steve and see if that sunshine is more of what we will see this month or that old snowy weather. >> a little bit of both. we see a little bit of sunshine coming our way. that's a good start. depending on where you are. >> the western part has gotten hit hard. >