. >> reporter: heather peters bought a 2006 honda civic hybrid expecting to get 50 miles to the gallon as advertised. in real life, she got a lot less. >> but as the time went by, it got worse and worse. and they did a software update that made it even worse. and now i get 28 or 29 max. >> reporter: she joined a class- action lawsuit, but the proposed settlement surprised her. >> and the settlement came out and they are basically offering me $100 to $200 and a coupon towards my next honda. >> reporter: heather is turning down the settlement and is taking her case to small claims court where no lawyers are allowed. she's so sure she'll win, that she started a website encouraging other civic hybrid owners to dot same. the maximum award in small claims court increases to $10,000, but retired judge doris cordel said it is no slam dunk. >> while it is a nice thought to go to small claims court to get a judgment and maybe up to $10,000, it doesn't end there. >> reporter: she said that if honda loses, they can appeal. and the matter then goes to superior court. >> what this means, it is a who

heather peters was originally part of a class action lawsuit against honda. the said sues the company falsely advertised the gas mileage of the hybrids. she is you unhappy with the settlement and is launching an online campaign to reject the offer. >> they are offering me $100 to $200 and a coupon towards my next honda. >> the maximum award in small claims court is now up to $10,000. but if honda does lose it can appeal the case, taking it to superior court. >>> well, we all like to save cash in the new year. cbsmoneywatch editor jill schlesinger is coming up with tips on how to give yourself a little money makeover. >> and the mavericks surf contest no longer free. what it's going to cost to you check this year's show. day of 2012. investors will on the >>> stock futures point to a higher open today for the first trading day of 2012. investors new housing data and the latest jobs numbers this week. unemployment is now at 8.6%. >>> have you made a new year's resolution? a lot of people hoping to spend less and save more. with tips for keeping your financial r

heather peters presented her case yesterday. she claims her honda civic hybrid never came close to getting the advertised 50 miles 50 miles per gallon. the court commissioner is expected to issue his ruling sometime this week. >>> construction is under way on the bart connector to the oakland international airport. concrete columns are going up along hagenburger road. porters say the project will create jobs. critics of the half a billion dollar project say the current shuttle to the airport works just fine and the money could be better spent elsewhere. >>> three san mateo county garbage workers are recovering after a frightening hazardous materials incident. police evacuated the area after the workers got sick. they had been exposed to trash in a dumpster containing acid, ammonia. >> it corrode metal and burn your skin and the resin if you get it on you is an irritant. it would cause reaction similar to a very severe sunburn. >> fortunately the workers were only sick far short time and released from the hospital last night. pol

heather peters says her 2006 honda civic only gets 24 miles to the gallon now. claims she paid $24,000 for the hybrid car that gets the same gas mileage as the $16,000 nonhybrid civic model. she dropped out of a class action lawsuit and took honda to small claims court. honda says the government posts the mileage results, not the companies. peter accused the car maker of false advertising. if honda loses, it could open the flood gates for thousands of other claims. >>> well, we are in the driest winter we have had in more than two decades. don't call it a drought just yet, don't panic. today, a survey of california's snow pack showed that the water content is far below the average at this time of the year. will the lack of rain, will it hurt us as we start a new year? >> it is unlikely that we'll be as full next year as we are now. but we will be in good shape. we won't be in any drought or anything like that. if it goes for another month, two months, then it takes on different shapes and forms. >> last year's record snow and rain helps. reservoirs are healthy.

. >> reporter: but that's exactly what heather peters' fight with honda has become. she loved her 2006 civic hybrid. >> it was green. it helped the environment. you were going to be a good citizen to the world. >> reporter: and it would get 50 miles to the gallon. she says it never did. >> i'm getting 29.3 miles per gallon. >> reporter: she heard about a class action suit by other angry owners, but the payoff, $200 and a discount toward a new honda. >> no! absolutely not. >> reporter: peters, a former lawyer, took the matter to small claims court. >> the second element of fraud -- >> reporter: she's suing honda for the small claim maximum, $10,000. this could be about more than $10,000 if peters is successful. other car owners could follow suit, foregoing class action for thousands of individual cases. tara weingarten, an auto expert, said it's not just honda. she thinks fuel efficiency might be overestimated on most cars. >> the e.p.a. needs to step in and say, let's look at how we evaluate real world driving mileage and figure out a new way to more accurately refle

heather peter says her honda civic hybrid didn't get the great gas mileage she was promised. instead of getting 50 miles per gallon, she claimed she got 30. peter said she never would have purchased the car if that was the mileage she'd receive. a technical expert from honda says mileage varies depending on how the car is driven. >>> the alexandria waterfront in old town will hold a support rally. waterfront for all will host the rally at pork barrel at 7:00 tonight. the redevelopment plan was overturned. the longstanding ban on hotels along the waterfront. those against the plan are concerned about the impact of more hotels and housing along the potomac river. the public hearing and possible city council vote is set for january 21st. >>> a longtime music store in dupont circle announced it is closing this year. the owners of melody record shop on connecticut avenue northwest. they say they would love to stay open but changing technology and a difficult economy have taken their toll. they say for the past 34 years melody has adapted from vinyl, to eight track, to cassettes, c

heather peters says her honda, a civic, failed to deliver the promised mileage.urging other hybrid owners to sue individually for $10,000 rather than accept the $200,000 from a class action settlement. that would be for a total settlement. peters says if all honda owners of problem cars would win, it could cost $2 billion. >>> making the bay area proud. three high school students are finalists in one of the oldest and most prestigious science competitions. all three will go to d.c. to compete in the 2012 intel science talent search. the teens were selected based on their original scientific research. the projects are all very impressive. take a listen as finalist from bellerman high explains what he worked on. >> a computer science project on image segmentation. it improves on the previous al go rhythms. it takes an image and once you have all the objects, you can count the number of objects an run data analysis on the objects. >> did you get that? >> of course. i taught him that. >> a total of 40 finalists from across the country will be competing for the covete

heather peters was originally part of a class action lawsuit against the automaker. the suit says the company falsely advertised the gas mileage of its hybrids. she is unhappy with the proposed settlement and launched a campaign online urging people to reject that offer. >> they are basically offering me $100 to $200 and a coupon towards my next honda. >> the maximum award in small claims court is up to $10,000. but if honda does lose it can appeal that case, taking it to superior court. >>> red light cameras will be operating soon at a dangerous intersection in san francisco, the corner of masonic and fell street. 17 injury clashes in three years prompted muni to put in the cameras. finesly $522 for red light runners caught on camera. >>> a nonprofit in santa cruz believes it has a solution to eliminate a massive glob of garbage in the north pacific ocean. all the debris is rumored to be the size of texas. now, the clean oceans project is work on a plan to get rid of all that debris. the idea is to build a boat that can navigate through the junk piles, gobble up the

expected some time this week that accuses honda of making false gas mileage claims. 36-year-old heather peters presented her case in small claims court yesterday. she claims her honda civic hybrid never came close to getting the 50 miles a gallon. if she wins her case the payout could be a lot bigger. her strategy for litigation could become a new trend. >>> 6:18 is the time. back to sal to check on traffic. >> yeah. we are looking at the teleplay -- toll plaza. remember this is the time it gets busy. it hasn't gotten busy yet. in 2011 we would already be full but today it's not quite as bad. perhaps we will have a lighter day. lighter when i say lighter i mean relatively lighter. it's not going to be a walk in the park. let's go out and take a look at 880 north and southbound. a lot of cars here. the fog is not a big issue as it was yesterday for most drivers any way. you might see some on the coast. steve will expand on that. let's move and talk about the south bay. traffic on 280 looks pretty good. 6:19 let's go to steve. >>> thank you, sir. just looking a lot of 30s out there. los gatos a

. >>> reporter: heather peter drove into the parking lot of superior court in her 2006 honda civic hybrid that idles in park when it shouldn't. >> all the hybrid technology is designed to shut the car off completely when it stops. >> reporter: she says her honda hybrid uses as much as a nonhybrid even though she paid much more to get the advertised 50 miles per gallon. >> the car received only 29.3 miles per gallon. they were charging $16,000 for the regular civic. i paid $24,000 for this plus gas. it's cost me about $1,100 to date in excess gas. >> reporter: there is a class action suit against honda because of the same problem peters is having but she opted outgoing solo now which could get her $10,000 in damages if she wins. >> when it's $10,000 or more worth of damages, i'm not going to take $100 or $200 to settle my case and that's the settlement currently on the table on the class action. >> reporter: in small claims court, she faced neil schmidt, a representative for american honda, who pointed out the government not honda posts mileage results with the fine print actual mileage wi

heather peter says her hybrid did not get the great gas mileage promised. a gallon, it only got 30. peter said she never would have purchased the car if she'd known that was the gas mileage she'd get. a technical expert for honda says mileage for hybrids varies depending how the car is driven. >>> if you're looking for a quality education at an affordable price, you don't have to go far. kiplinger is out with the list of the best 100 values across the country. some of the best in our region. university of virginia ranked third. college of william and mary in fourth. university of maryland at college park in the top ten at eight. james madison ranked 28th. and george mason was 50th. the university of north carolina at chapel hill was first on the list for the 11th consecutive time. >>> today maryland's board of public works is expected to decide whether to demolish the president's home on the university of maryland campus. the president does not live in that home. it was built more than a half century go, and it is no longer considered suitable as a home or

this week on a lawsuit that is accusing honda of making false gas mileage claims. 46-year-old heather peters presented her case in small claims court yesterday. she claims her honda civic hybrid never came close to getting the advertised 50 miles a gallon. if she wins her case, the payout be a lot bigger if she was part of a class action lawsuit. some say the litigation strategy could become a new trend. >>> 5:17 is the time. back to sal. any problems sal? >> not a lot. right now traffic is moves along pretty nicely. it is early. obviously we are here watching it all for you. we'll let you know. let's take a look at east shore freeway and the traffic is moving along nicely heading out west. also the morning commute is looking good here at the bay bridge toll plaza with no major problems. if you are driving to the south bay, it looks good. this is a look at contra costa county. traffic is moving along nicely still on highway 4. there is a little bit of slow traffic developing in the construction zone. now 5:17 let's go to steve. >>> while we do have little bit less on the coverage for the fog

heather peters is suing honda saying her 2006 civic hybrid does not get the gas mileage the company advertised it would. peters says she was promised 49 miles to the gallon in the city but the car barely got 40. so, she's suing for $10,000. honda says the sticker on the new car window says the mileage is an average and your results may vary. >> coming up in five minutes, why a woman started getting mail addressed to her dog. and why she actually doesn't want it to stop. >> up next, howard has our bone chilling wednesday forecast. your weather first is straight ahead. right here on 9news now. thanks, mom. who are you calling "mom"? dunkin' sausage pancake bites, delicious like mom's, only easier to carry -- get three for $1.59. >>> it is 17 degrees in washington. wind chills in the single digits. 30 by noon with mostly cloudy skies. chance for a few flurries late this afternoon and this evening. otherwise, mainly dry day with a lot less wind and highs near 35. i'll have the 7-day forecast with warmer temps in the next five. right now, monika is in with timesaver traffic. >> if you're planning t

heather peter says her honda civic hybrid did not get the great mileage she thought she was promised. instead of getting 50 miles per gallon, she claims she barely got 30 miles per gallon. peter says she never would have purchased the car if she'd have known what the gas mileage would be when she purchased it. a technical expert for honda says mileage on hybrids varies depending how the car was driven. >>> and december auto sales will be released today. they're expected to be strong. analysts expect 13 million vehicles sold last month. that would be the third month in a row that sales topped the 13 million mark. >>> insurance costs are expected to rise after tornadoes and hurricanes slammed insurance companies this year. strong storms wreaked havoc on insurance companies, especially firms that might have too many policyholders in the same geographic area. in 2008 the average annual cost of homeowners insurance was $791. the numbers aren't in yet, but insurance experts estimate last year's premium rose 4% to 5%. >>> a music store in dupont circle announced it's closing this year. the o

heather peters says her hybrid battery deteriorated and is get 30g miles a gallon instead of the 50 advertisedthe nonpracticing lawyer says her letters to honda went ignored. wasn't impressed with the class action lawsuit against the company that offered consumers a few hundred bucks. she wants $10,000 for her dribble a trouble and money on gas. if she is successful others could follow, causing a big head a ache for honda and hybrid makers. steve jobs may have been larger than lich in the bay area. now a come of pane is trying to sell a tribute of him. being met with mixed emotions. >> of the group trying to make sure that kim kardashian keeps up with her taxes. >> good evening. i'm jeff ranieri. fog lingering around. temperatures dropping into the 40s from napa to oakland. stl falfo more about ca hre the fall forecast and how cold it will get in minutes. [ male announcer ] southwest makes the call. man: please swipe credit card. what?! you've got to be kidding me?! i am absolutely not paying this fee. [ whistle blows ] whoa, whoa, whoa. break it up! please swipe credit card. i've got roughing

heather peters was originally part of a class action lawsuit against honda. the suit claimed the company falsely advertised gas mileage with its hybrid. unhappy with the settlement, she launched a campaign online urging people to reject the offer. maximum award in small claims court is $10,000. if honda loses it can appeal to the supreme court. -- to the superior court. >>> google hopes to play an even bigger role in the 2012 presidential elections than four years ago. >> kcbs radio's matt bigler has details on a new service launched by the search giant. good morning. >> reporter: good morning. we're talking about google's election website which it just launched in conjunction with the iowa caucuses. it's the power of google search combined with candidates and issues. so if you go to the website on the left-hand side of the screen you will see all the candidates in the 2012 election all the republican candidates and, of course, barack obama. and then under that are the issues that they will be talking about everything from immigration to the economy to social

. >> heather: thank you, peter doocy, reporting from washington. he seemed quiet at political debates. this week on monday, in fact, nbc asked a florida audience to refrain from saying anything as republican candidates duked it out on stage. newt gingrich says in the future, he won't even participate in debates where the audience is banned from speaking. good idea to have the audience cheering and clapping and participating or not? liz is an author, journalist and fox news contributor here with her commentary. liz, what do you think? >> good afternoon, gregg. i think why not? i mean, these debates have gotten really interesting, and it's a momentous chance for the electorate to get a look at these people and see how fast they are on their feet. what it has finally resulted in, however, the controversy and what newt gingrich is talk being is it's become really a fight between cable news and network television. let me read you a quote from the "new york times." cntwork executives from fox and cnn argue that regardless of the occasionally unruly crowd

when heather peters bought this honda civic hybrid in 2006, the sign in the dealership promised 50 milesy she says it got 30 miles a gallon. >> it went from 50 to 40 to 30. and now it's in the 20s. >> reporter: on tuesday this former lawyer went head to head in small claims court with a representative from honda. >> if you think it's not 50, you don't advertise it as 50. >> reporter: who argued the small print on the label clearly stated the mileage is likely to vary. >> if you use the numbers and try to attain the numbers it will be difficult. unless you are driving -- >> reporter: in a statement to abc news, honda said the fuel estimates used for the civic hybrid were generated in strict compliance with fedl the judge is still weighing his decision. if the 200,000 other people who bought a civic hybrid folow lead, it could cost honda $2 billion. transformer her into an anti-corporate crusader, in the same vein of norma rae or erin brokovich. >> if individuals with enough time decide i am going to start suing a big company that could be a big problem for major corporations. >> this is a

instead of joining a class-action lawsuit, heather peters is taking the case to small claims court, wheree is more relaxed. peters wants honda to reimburse her for the gas money she says she spent. >>> now, here's diane sawyer with a preview of tonight's "world news." diane? >> good morning, josh. it's decision day in iowa, as you've been reporting this morning. who is up? who is faltering? tonight, we'll take you through it minute-by-minute. our powerhouse political team on the ground in iowa, bringing everyone the whole picture. that's tonight on "world news." see you then. >>> finally, a woman in britain has been reunited with her beloved e.t. take a look. it's a life-sized replica, made by the woman's daughter. it was stolen, for some reason, during a robbery a year ago. it was just found by the coast guard, when they responded to reports of a body washing up on shore. the owner says that she always knew e.t. -- >> do it. >> -- would return. what do you know? >> you wanted to say come home. >> i wanted you to say it. >> nice. nice. thank you. >>> and the first pop news by you of the n

when heather peters bought this honda hybrid in 2006, the sign in the dealership said it got 50 miles a gallon. but in reality, she says it only gets 30 miles a gallon. >> it went from 50, to 40, to 30. now, is in the 20s. >> reporter: on tuesday, 24 lawyer went head-to-head in small claims court with a representative from honda. who argues the small print on the labor clearly stated the mileage is going to vary. >> it's going to be difficult, unless you drive like the e.p.s. does. >> reporter: honda says the fuel estimates that were used for the civic hybrid were generated in strict compliance with federal regulation. this morning, the judge is still weighing his decision. if the people who also bought a hybrid civic follow her lead, it could cost honda $2 billion. >> if individuals with enough time decide i'm going to start suing a big company, that could be a big problem for a lot of major corporations. >> this is about consumers versus honda. this is about consumers versus corporations. >> reporter: for "good morning america," dan harris, abc news, new york. >> it would be huge if

. >> heather: thank you peter doocy reporting from washington. >> gregg: new developments in italy, changingllowing that horrific cruise ship indent. a number of victims rising. we are also hearing more about the incredible stories of survival. passengers, including many americans, we just talked to one of them, raced to safe their lives, that is coming up. >> heather: remarkable stories. >> take this to the bank, checks signed by some of america's most famous presidents found in a vault, after sitting forgotten for years. these pieces of history, priceless. >> gregg: could 2012 be the year of the bank customer? perhaps. a push for new perks may still end up costing you. >> heather: no, really? that's good morning, veggie style. hmmm. for half the calories plus veggie nutrition. could've had a v8. >> heather: welcome back. time for a quick check of your headlines: five people now dead after two more bodies are pulled from the wreckage of a cruise ship in italy. 15 others still unaccounted for. the ship's captain is being held by police could spend more than a decade behind bars if he is char

>> gregg: peter doocy reporting from washington. thanks. >> heatheri-car accident caught on the surveillance camera of a city bus. check this out. wow. oklahoma city police chasing four burglary suspects. this is wednesday, when the suspects' get away car, you saw it there, was t bone -- t boned a pick up, slamd into a mini van before grind to go a halt right in front of that bus. police say they cannot believe everyone stopped right there, walked away. however, one person was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. three teen-agers in that car, they were arrested. one got away. but i have a feeling not for long. >> gregg: yeah. not for long. i feel badly for the people in the mini van. you're just sitting this minding your own business, suddenly some no goodness runs into you. >> gregg: stunning new information about a missing toddler in maine. the details, little girl's father is giving police about his daughter, we'll tell but it. >> heather: new hampshire getting ready for the nation's first presidential primary. steve brown, battle ground brow

>> heather: in the works about the hunt for osama bin laden picking up a big fuss. film about the terrorist leader is drawing major heat from peterane and he wants to know if the hollywood filmmakers received classified information by navy seals to kill bin laden. he says the defense department and c.i.a. support his call for investigating the leak. let's bring in our power panel, m.k.putting far land, joosz judith miller and list we will. thank you for joining us. k.t., i'll start with you. you were in the pentagon. >> assistant secretary in the reagan administration and hollywood unit reported to me. we cooperated with them. we cooperated with hollywood. we did top gun, one of the most famous movies of all time. if the inspector general and c.i.a. and inspector general and pentagon looking into it there probably is a problem. >> i think the administration was hoping to have a pro obama movie come out before the election. >>> what that tells me, they do see this as political issue. sony did want this to be out in october, not in december but october a month before the election. now, they pulled it back. >> i talked to peter kane