. >> my name is james robertson.6 years old and live in detroit. >> like so many americans, he gets up every morning to go to work. his commute, on foot, more than ten miles each way. 21 miles. >> i walk 21 miles every day to get to the job i love. >> a factory worker, he's never missed a day of work. in his 13 years there. >> we're like a second family. >> a family worth walking to, ever since his car broke down more than a decade ago. >> i bought a 1988 honda for $500 and it only lasted about three, four months. >> he said he could never afford a new car. over time, a detroit banker noticed something. >> i saw this man walking down the road at all different points, in all types of weather. >> one day, he offers him a ride, and a friendship develops. >> his commute is just astonishing to me. >> he tells the newspaper and the article. then a 19-year-old college student reads it. >> i read in the comments, people were asking how to donate. this inspired me to create the go fund me page. >> the goal, to raise $5,000 to

it is the story of factory worker james robertson's daily 46-mile commute to work.hat commute he does on foot. since then his story has gone viral, inspiring people from all over to pitch in and help. we have the details now from willie geist. >> no matter how tough things are, i like to stick it out. >> reporter: 56-year-old james robertson has spirit that makes people want to go the extra smile. as part of his eight-hour roundtrip commute to work he walks 21 miles every day. >> i do this five days a week. five days a week. >> reporter: since his car broke down a decade ago. his shift starts at 2:00 but eelz always early and has a perfect attendance record. >> didn't want to end up doing nothing. did you know how long it took me to find this job. >> reporter: once he punches out at 10:00 p.m. it's time for the trip home. this time in the dark with an added five-mile walk because of late night bus route changes. >> you're physically drained but you have to pull something zra out. >> reporter: he returns home at 4:00 a.m. to catch a few hours of sleep before his alar

. >> reporter: james robertson's walking to work days are over. >> (cheering and applause). >> reporterithout knowing that a 2015 taurus belongs to him. >> pretty much started crying in the car and then i was like, you can't do that. you're going to make me cry too. >> reporter: his old car broke down 10 years ago. he never missed day of work. >> what do you think about being able to drive to work every day? >> you know -- that's a good question. every time i step into this -- whenever i step into it, it will remind me of where i'm going. >> reporter: this is on top of $311,000 given to him through go fund me. a student evan started it. >> james asked for advice with putting into a trust fund and that's all in the works next week. >> reporter: the campaign will close sunday. robertson is given a great gift in return. a story of resilience and dependability. >> anybody knows roller coasters go up and down. it's been up up up up up. >> reporter: blake pollack helped spring today's surprise. he first spotted him walking and shared the story. >> i don't think he wants to have a changed life

his name's james robertson said last 10 years taking a bus and walking every single day 21 mi.. ut some compassion exchanges a helpmate robertson's level whole lot easier x. >> reporter: jim morrison's walking work days are over. kantor for the suburban highs without knowing to the 15th or store belongs to him concerned crying in the car a leg as he can do that and maybe try to again tenures ago as all car broke down. and on he never missed a day of work. airline we think about being able to drive to work every day ever tossed up and us and will close sunday robertson has a great gift in return store resilience and dependability story to lift the fall as. >> : thus it up up and up and up like hot spring to his surprise and he's the man whose first roberson walking sure the store with a bill wagner the detroit free press. >> : but felix were live san people at his work and want to do this thing and get douroucoulis your tree >> : check next storm to hit the bay area level august from tracker the timing for you when kron 4 >> avery's dad has big dreams for his son. he wants avery t

can stay friends. >> i think that would be a great idea. >> blake, call shotgun right now. >> james robertsonollack joining us from detroit where james is going to get a car. they make a lot of good ones. >>> thank you for being such wonderful americans. are you a mom-to-be? do you want free diapers? all you have to be is a smoker. a surprising new policy next. >> the president planning to give tax breaks to the middle class paid for with hikes on the wealthy. his latest attempt at class warfare and why judge napolitano says it could be illegal. ♪ boy: once upon a time, there was a nice house that lived with a family. one day, it started to rain. the house tried to keep out all the water, but water got inside and ruined everybody's everythings. the house thought she let the family down. they just didn't think it could happen. they told the house they would take better care of her... always. announcer: protect what matters. get flood insurance. >>> quick look at your headlines. crime pays off in portland, oregon. the mayor just announced a new program that would give local businesses a $5,000

james robertson has walked 21 miles to work and back every day since his car died six years ago.never missed a day. his story as you can imagine now making headlines around the country. so now his community has raised more than $200,000 to buy him new car. fox's -- fox news has the story. >> reporter: james robertson's work day starts with a stroll through his detroit neighborhood to bus stop on woodward to the ddot transit center to bus stop at the somerset mall. then he walks several miles to walk at shane mold in rochester hills. >> i just can't imagine. >> the trip home involves more walking because there aren't as many buses running at night. james figures he walks about 20 miles day monday through friday. >> doesn't usually set in about wednesday night or thursday morning, you know, it takes -- it takes a very toll on you. >> this has been james' routine for the past five or sick years since his car died. but a chance meeting with blake pollock is about to change all of that. >> i noticed james walking up and down crooks road quite a bit for months. >> reporter: one day abo

. >> reporter: james robertson's walking to work days are over. [ applause ] >> reporter: he entered ford of sterling heights without knowing that a 2015 taurus belongs to him. >> when james started crying -- pretty much started crying in the car, i was like james, you can't do that you're going to make me cry, too. >> reporter: the 21 miles a day on foot began ten years ago when his old car broke down. still, robertson never missed a day of work. >> what do you think about being able to drive to work every day? >> you know that's a good question. you know -- every time i step into this, whenever i step into it it reminds me of where i've been and where i'm going. >> reporter: the taurus donation is top of over $311,000 through gofundme. a wayne state student started it. >> asked for advice with handling the money and putting it into a trust fund. that is in the works next week. >> reporter: the campaign will close sunday. robertson has given a great gift in return. a story of resilience and depend able. a story to lift us all. >> anybody who's been on that roller coaster knows it goe

james robertson looks as though he might cry as he checks out his new car. suburban ford in sterling. >> robertson hit the lottery and the whole world and the whole neighborhood knew it because robertson was electron fid because robertson is now cruising detroit in a bright red car. the only thing missing is the big white bulls eye. >> god knows i don't belong there. because i'm -- i'm different from the rest of of the people. >> james walked about 20 miles a day monday through friday. the very day his story was pinking around the world an old man was found stabbed to death in the basement of an abandoned house in detroit. the old man was rumored to have hit the lottery. people started hitting up robertson for money. they wanted to take the new car for spin. then robertson clipped neighbor's house with the new red car and the neighbor wants to get paid, too. robertson started to worry. his friends called the cops. then his friend called mow and i called the local police captain. >> you got a cruiser going by every night to make sure that red car is still sitt

and think your commute is bad try walking in james robertson's shoe, he walked 21 miles to and from work each day. check those out at 6abc.com/distraction. >> and david murphy has another check of the forecast before we shove off. >> chilly and on the breezy side. the northern and western suburbs, this afternoon we go for highs in the low 20s in allentown and kutztown and it could get into the upper 20s, farther south on or about the freezing mark philadelphia stuck in the upper 20s, winds running 6 to 18 miles per hour and southern delaware and a lot of temperatures around the freezing mark chilly and breezy the rest of the way. >> a look at stories coming up at 4:00, it could change the way the internet works the new plan that is just unveiled today. >> and she wrote one of the most iconic books in history and now they are publishing a sequel for harper lee. >> don't forget no join us for "action news" at 4:00, 5:00 and 6:00. for david murphy and sara bloomquist and the entire "action news" team i'm rick williams stay warm. we'll see you tonight. puffs knows winter is hard on your face

an online effort has raised more than $100,000 for james robertson. his car broke down about 10 years ago. bus service is limited. most of his trip to work is on foot. a total stranger caught wind of his story and set up a gofundme page and james and evan leedy met up for the first time yesterday and leedy said he was pleasantly surprised at the kindness of others. >> most of the donations have been probably 20, 25 bucks. i've had a lot of comments this is all i have. i wish i could buy more. >> james said he needs to do stop research on what to get and how to insure that car. >>> boston and a whole lot of the northeast frozen and buried under tons of snow and keeping in mind this could have been us. the snow and cold are taking a toll on the boston transit system. as of now the city urges riders find another way to get to and from work. earlier today the mayor announced he's dispatching inspectors through town to make sure residents aren't throwing their shoveled snow into the streets. >> if you see somebody who is shoveling snow in we ask you to tak

james robertson of michigan used to walk 21 miles round-trip to his manufacturing job. the commute took them six hours every single day. his story got the attention of the community. they started a go fund me page. today, robertson was presented with a fully loaded 2015 ford taurus. he was moved to tears enjoy. >> -- and joy. >> it has been mostly up, up, up, up. >> robertson gets to keep the $316,000 that was raised and that should pay for lots of years of car insurance and pothole repair. >> a nice garage.s ome c -- some car washes. good for him. it is so nice to see the community >> a nice weekend. >> temperatures in the lower 50's tomorrow. and by sunday, a good deal of sunshine. upper 50's. sunday -- some may touch the 60 degree mark. monday, we started with a few scattered showers. may and with a wintry mix by tuesday and wednesday. middle 40's. another cool down on thursday next friday only 28 degrees. >> sunday is going to feel like a sauna. awesome. >> looking forward to it. >> "jimmy kimmel live" is coming up next. >> have a great weekend. >> dicky: from holly

james robertson is abc's "person of interest" the 56-year-old factory worker is featured on "world news tonight," along with a college student who raised hundreds of thousands on his behalf and the man who discovered his discovery tonight at 5:30 right here on abc7. >> going to look good in snow tires. >> the head of san francisco's catholic archdiocese defends the controversial land regarding the personal lives of church schoolteachers. >> california drought gets more attention from washington with a pitch the governor will make for more federal aid. stay tuned. this is an allen family production. and here's why we love chex. one, we love choices like chocolate, vanilla and honey nut. two, we don't love artificial colors or flavors. does anybody? and three...it's gluten free. chex. full of what you love. free of what you don't. have you tried gluten free chex oatmeal and new chex granola mix? two more delicious reasons to love chex.

james robertson has been walking to work for ten years and he never missed one day. today a local car dealership surprised him with a new ford taurus when he climbed in the driver's seat he literally broke down in tears. >> whenever i step into it i will remember where i've been and where i'm going. >> how about that for great guy. in addition to new cargo fund me account raiseded more than 311,000 for him. but his friends say the donations really won't change his life. he takes it where he lives and works. what a good motivated. >> there's good people out there f you're sick of the wiptser coats sgle if you like to walk maybe not 21 miles but it will be nice, mild weather. >> stormtracker 6 double scan showing dry conditions tonight and it's clear and calm and cool. but not outrageously cold. the action cam looking at the kimle center tonight and skies cleared out and winds light currently out of northwest at 3 miles an hour. philadelphia 26 degrees down from high of 32. 10 below normal. allentown dropped down to 15. wilmington 5. trenton 20. sheltered in millville

so far more than $100,000 has been raised to help james robertson get transportation.ears despite having no car. a college student launched a go fund me page after a newspaper reported on robertson's daily trek. >>> when we return it's the super bowl play everyone's still talking about. a record number of viewers watched the patriots' game-winning interception including dave letterman who has a few thoughts for pete carroll. i took mucinex dm for my phlegmy cough. yeah...but what about mike? (cough!) it works on his cough too. mucinex dm relieves wet and dry coughs for 12 hours. let's end this. >>> here is a look at today's forecast in some cities around the country. >>> in sports the longest winning streak in the nba this season is over. the new orleans pelicans hand the atlanta hawks their first loss since december 26th. pelicans forward anthony davis scores 29 points in 115-110 victory ending atlanta's string of 19 straight wins. >>> cleveland browns quarterback johnny manziel is trying to change his hard partying lifestyle. the former heisman trophy winner announce

so far more than $100,000 has been raised to help james robertson get transportation.ears despite having a college student launched a go fund me page after a newspaper reported on robertson's daily trek. >>> when we return it's the super bowl play everyone's still talking about. a record number of viewers watched the patriots' game-winning interception including dave letterman who has a few thoughts for pete carroll. i took mucinex dm for my phlegmy cough. yeah...but what about mike? (cough!) it works on his cough too. mucinex dm relieves wet and dry coughs for 12 hours. let's end this. >>> here is a look at today's forecast in some cities around the country. >>> in sports the longest winning streak in the nba this season is over. the new orleans pelicans hand the atlanta hawks their first loss since december 26th. pelicans forward anthony davis scores 29 points in 115-110 victory ending atlanta's string of 19 straight wins. >>> cleveland browns quarterback johnny manziel is trying to change his hard partying lifestyle. the former heisman trophy winner announced monday

and online campaign to raise more than $300,000 for james robertson.n the middle of a media frenzy. now suburban ford in sterling heights in michigan is giving robertson a loaded 2015 taurus. the manager says there's no one that deserves it more than robertson. >>> coming up on wusa9, electronic cigarettes, are they a healthy alternative to the real thing? i'll be joined by a local lawmakers postwho posing -- who's proposing e-cigarette legislation. many people clean their dentures with toothpaste or plain water. and even though their dentures look clean, in reality they're not. if a denture were to be put under a microscope we can see all the bacteria that still exists on the denture and that bacteria multiplies very rapidly. that's why dentists recommend cleaning with polident everyday. polident's unique micro clean formula works in just 3 minutes, killing 99.99% of odor causing bacteria. for a cleaner, fresher brighter denture everyday. >>> it's february in this month and family health we're focusing on the heart. today is national wear red day and

>>reporter: james robertson has been walking his route because buses don't cover the entire trip to workcar quit on him back in 2005 and he couldn't toofrd buy a new one. inspired by his story, a college student set up a go fund me page to raise $5,000. right now, it's up to $248 ,000. >> most of the donations have been 20, $25. i've had a lot of people comment and say, this is all i have, i wish i could give more. >> the two men met for the first time this week in addition to the go fund me page, a local dealership is working on giving robertson a free car. >> wow. >>> well, the super bowl mvp has a special gift for its teammate his he roik efforts to win the game. patriots defensive back, malcolm butler made the game, saving the interception in the final minutes of the super bowl. tom brady got a chevy colorado pick up for mvp, but brady says he wants to give the truck to butler. brady says he will do everything he can to see that he gets it. >> because two guys who most need a free truck. >> yeah. >> are introul winners. >> -- super bowl winners. >> there's no money in that game. >> a

so far more than $100,000 has been raised to help james robertson get transportation.ears despite having no car. a college student launched a go fund me page after a newspaper reported on robertson's daily trek. >>> when we return it's the super bowl play everyone's still talking about. a record number of viewers watched the patriots' game-winning interception including late show host david letterman with a few thoughts for seahawks coach pete carroll. o has a few thoughts for pete carroll. i took mucinex dm for my phlegmy cough. yeah...but what about mike? (cough!) it works on his cough too. mucinex dm relieves wet and dry coughs for 12 hours. let's end this. why police say they need it..to keep emergency responsers safe. a bay area refinery is virtually shut down. why there's a good chance you're gonna pay the consequences. the measles is spreading fast. the new ultimatum in in one bay area city.. for parents who refuse to vaccinate their kids. join us for kpix 5 news this morning... beginning at 4:30. >>> here is a look at toy's >>> here is a look at today's forecas

james robertson calls his full-time job at a detroit factory a labor of love.ed a single day. >> i was told once that in order to get something you got go through something, you know and this is what i'm going through, you know. but i do go through it with a smile on my face. >> so, a coworker saw robertson walking one day gave him a ride. they now carpool. the local newspaper reported on james' daily grind to the gig and when that story got out, a college student launched a go fund me page to buy him a car. the site has raised more than $90,000 for a vehicle and insurance coverage. >> if you have a goal and you tell yourself it may be too hard. let that be sine inspiration. >>> a whole barrel of bourbon is headed to washington, d.c. in hopes it will spark some conversation and maybe little compromise. >> a gun wielding woman turns a jewelry store into the wild west. david. >> if you're dressing the kids bundle them up good as we have wind chills in the single digits this morning and probably no better than the teens and low 20's this afternoon. i'll have your

james robertson says he hasn't been able to afford a car since 1988 when his car died. he leaves the house at 8:00 a.m. to start his long walk to the engineering building where he works. his shift starts at 2:00 in the afternoon. then when he's off at 10:00 at night, he takes the same walk home. >> five days a week. i usual lip don't get any sleep until the weekend. so i can't imagine not working. i don't want to end up doing nothing. did you know how long it took me to find a job? >> after his story got out, a college student set up a gofundme page and in one day people have donated up to $130,000. >> he should be able to buy a pretty good ride with that. that's amazing. >> and he has not missed a day of work except yesterday he was not at work because they closed because of all the snow they had is there. he hasn't missed a day of work. he's walking to work every day. >> remarkable. >>> you're watching "nbc 10 news today" starting right now at 5:00 a.m. a chase that brought itself to the police station. we are live from the scene as police piece this one together. >>>

. >> reporter: it provided an unexpected day off of work for james robertson, one less day the 56-year-oldk the more than 20 miles part of his daily commute from his home in detroit to his factory job with an industrial manufacturing company in rochester, hills. for the past decade through the snow and everything else he's made the demanding journey that takes him hours. >> i was told once that in order to get something you got to go through something. this is what i'm going through, you know. but i do go through it with a smile on my face. >> reporter: blake pollack works in finance. he has befriended james giving him rides regularly for the past year after seeing him walk every day along crooks road. >> he is an inspiring person and his attitude is really what's more amazing than the number of miles that he walks to work every day. >> reporter: evan is a 19-year-old student at wayne state studying computer science. he read the story detailing the daily commute james makes to his job and was moved to do something. evan created a gofundme page to help buy him a car and people began respond

>>reporter: were talking about james robertson a 56 year-old from detroit walked 21 mi.s part of his daily commute. his walk 21 mi. because he has replaced his old haunt this is the died a decade ago he makes 1055 an hour at this manufacturing plant. >>: been allotted >>reporter: so a college kid started young of go find me effort and the goal of $25,000 a day and should be getting some whales a college kid was to help out (male announcer) in the criminal justice system, sexually based offenses are considered especially heinous. in new york city, the dedicated detectives who investigate these vicious felonies are members of an elite squad known as the special victims unit. these are their stories. welcome to happiburger. may i take your order? what you can take is a mop and a bucket to the ladies' room. poor kid's tossin' her cookies in there. thank you for your excellent feedback. and you have a happiburger day. joel, we got a barfer in the bathroom. gee, thanks. highlight of my day. "joel, we got a barfer in the bathroom." welcome to happiburger. would you like e. coli

. >> james robertson's car broke down more than ten years ago.hasn't been able to save enough money for a new one. so people in the community have started a gofundme page to get him a new car. we just checked the page and it's collected more than $140,000 in less than two days. he'll get a nice set of wheels. >> that's enough more more than one car or a lamborghini. >>> a string of violent home invasions have neighbors in san francisco planning for their safety. >>> coming up, what one person wants to do before the criminals struck again. >>> what's next for the former stanford swimmer accused of rape? we'll have much more. >>> oakland versus the federal government, the fight over a bay area pot club heads to court today. >>> plus a possible solution to a long-term fight over traffic and parking in a peninsula neighborhood. what one private school is now proposing. >>> good morning, i'm meteorologist christina loren. another spare the air day. however, big changes, warm and hazy and first significant rainfall in san francisco in over six weeks. w

fifty-six year old james robertson takes the bus part the way still winds up treking 7 miles to the factorynearby rochester hills in about 14 miles home. robertson says he doesn't mind the commute. as he puts it, if someone wants to get somewhere, they have to go through something. >> i can't imagine not working. you know? i didn't want to end up, you know doing nothing. did you know how long it took knee find this job? >> robertson's story caught the attention of local college students, on sunday, lead i started a go fund me campaign to get robertson a car. okay that was sunday. as of this morning, it is raised more than $130,000. >> going to make such a wonderful difference in his life. >> in doubt about. that will you hear stories like, that people come forward. that's great. that's great. >> and you love hearing hey you know how long this took me to find this job in happy to do it. >> before you walk out the door, another check of the frigid forecast when we do traffic and weather together on the three's. >> and slow and steady winds why less is actually more when it comes to a certain

james robertson calls his full-time job at a factory a labor of love.s never missed a day of work. >> i was told once in order to get something you got to go through something, you know, and this is what i'm going through, you know. but i do go through it with a smile on my face. >> a coworker saw robertson walking one day and gave him a ride. they now carpool. the detroit free press reported on robertson's daily grind to the gig and when the story got out a college student launched a go fund me page to try to buy him a car. the site has now raised more than $90,000 for a vehicle and insurance coverage. >> paying it forward baby. good stuff. >>> 4:54 now. coming up on "action news" at 5:00 a.m., a 13-year-old who is one of several suspects in a double shooting in the city's tioga nicetown section. >> a north dakota man a under arrest for allegedly driving a zamboni while intoxicated. alfonso salpingdis can appreciate a simple name. that's why he likes pick 4 from the pennsylvania lottery, they've given all your favorite numbers games new, simpler names.

those days are over for james robertson. a car dealership gave him a new candy-red ford taurus. a gofundme site raised more than $300 afternoon. >>> i would like to thank all of the people who made the contributions. you know, you guys are the real heroes as far as i'm concern. >> robertson says whenever he steps into his new car will will remind him where he has been and where he is going. >> great story. >>> the luxury crews linear queen mary is docked in the pier in san francisco. >> 35:00 we boarded the tugboat owe delta katherine" as they helped to guide the ship into the bay. the water perfectly king5. we're right next to the golden gate bridge and beyond us is the queen elizabeth. the ship you can see there with flashes light lighted that are passengers on board who have gotten up early and snapping photos as the ship prepares to pass underneath the golden gate bridge. the tugboat was there as a precaution and the ship's captain was able to pilot the boat with no problem. clark has been a captain for nearly four decades and says moments like the one this morning never los

we told you about james robertson yesterday. his car broke down about ten years ago.nearly $150,000 to get him off his feet. good morning. >> just days ago the detroit free press shined the spot light on james robertson. now the 56-year-old has seen donations pouring in. >> you are used to something you go through it and you think about there are brighter days ahead. >> reporter: he says his commute is physically and mentally grueling. >> you have to really get yourself up to do it. >> reporter: buses don't cover his entire 23-mile route to work so he is forced to fill in the gaps. he walks about 21 miles a day and has been doing it five days a week since his car quit in 2005. in order to make his 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. shift robertson says he leaves his detroit home at 8:00 a.m. all told he walks about eight miles to work and about 13 miles home. >> if you want something you got to go out and get it. >> reporter: a motor city native robertson says he gets home at 4:00 a.m. and gets about two hours of sleep before he starts all over again. >> your girlfriend don't wa

. >> reporter: james robertson's walking to workdays are over.enters without knowing a 2 thousand 14 taurus is for him. >> i said you can't cry. you're going to make me cry too. >> reporter: he never missed a day of work. >> what do you think of boeing able to drive to work every day? >> that's a good question. every time i step in to it, it will remind me of where i've been and where i'm going. >> reporter: the donation is on top of money that's given to him by go funds me. >> all that is in the works next week. >> reporter: the gomunld me campaign will close sunday. robertson has been given a gift in return. a story to lift us all. >> everybody knows roller coasters go up and down. it's been mostly up, up, up. >> reporter: he's the man who first spotted robertson walking and shared the story of the detroit free press. >> i don't think he wantses to have a changed life. i think he likes where he liveses and the people in his work. he just wants to do his thing and maybe get to work easier. >> reporter: robertson is all set with insurance and a d

. >> this is a story about james robertson who walked 21 miles to his job for ten years since his cart a lot of attention and a little boy decided to start a fund to help him get a car without his knowledge. a local ford dealership stopped him and said why don't you test drive a car. the car was given to him. the little kid who started this thing go fund me raised $351,000. good for you young man. this is what he had to say in appreciation. >> how do you like it? >> i love it. i would like to thank all of the people who made all of the contributions. you guys really are the real heroes as far as i'm concerned. >> very nice. >> greg? >> i haven't banned anything in a while so let's ban this. the reality is whenever anybody begins a sentence with the reality is chances are it will be followed up with nothing that has anything to do with reality and will be a opinion and most likely the wrong opinion. >> that is the reality. >> the fact of the matter is, the reality is stupid. >> i like it. i will never use it again. >> please don't. >>> this is the cause that is very near and dear to my

james robertson has been walking to work for ten years and never missed a day.terday a local dealership surprised him with a knew ford taurus. when he climbed into the driver's seat robertson broke down in tears. >> every time i step into this whenever i step into this it will remind me of where i've been and where i'm going. >> in addition to the new car a go fund me account raised more than $311,000. but his friends say these donations will not change his life. he likes where he lives and likes where he works. that's a good man. he deserves it we have another hour of "action news" coming up and here are some of the sorrys we're working on for you. britain queen elizabeth sparks a big milestone. plus is your child not getting sleep he or she needs. we'll tell you about a study in philadelphia to help remedy them and get z's. those stories and more are when "action news" continues in a moment s the food that brings us together. and kitchens where every meal is the most important of the day. life's the food that brings us together. and kitchens where every meal i

. >> reporter: james robertson has a spirit that makes people want to go the extra mile. as part of his 8-hour commute to work had had he walks 21 miles every day. >> i do this five days a week. >> reporter: it's a journey he's been making since his car broke down a decade ago. his shift starts at 2:00 p.m., but he's always early and he has a perfect attend know how long it took me to find this job? >> reporter: once he punches out at 10:00 p.m. it's time for the trip home. this time in the dark with an added 5-mile walk because of late night bus route changes. >> you're physically drained, but it's at that moment that we have to pull something extra. >> reporter: he returns home at 4:00 a.m. just in time to catch a couple hours of sleep before his alarm goes off at 6:00 and does it all again. >> faith and determination and a will to go on. >> reporter: after reports of the marathon commute went viral, 19-year-old evan leady decided to set up a website trying to help foot the bill for a new car. >> at first i wanted to figure out how i could help jam to whe he needs to go

james robertson hasn't been able to afford a car since 1988 when his car died. he leaves the house at 8:00 in the morning to start his long walk to the engineering building where he works. his shift starts at 2:00 in the afternoon and then after he gets off at 10:00 p.m. he takes the same walk home. >> i don't usually get any sleep until the weekend. so i can't imagine not working. you know i would end up doing nothing. did you know how long it took me to find a job? >> a funding page was set up to help him buy a car and donations poured in. we just checked and more than $131,000 has been raised. >> it's up to $133,676 now. >> nice. very nice. what an amazing man to do that. >>> let's go now to new york to see what's ahead on the "today" show. >> for that we get a preview from matt lauer and is a thansavannah guthrie. >> took the words out of my mouth. we have a nasty storm that swept across the northern half of the country. guess what? al says another storm is on the way. >>> and with so much snow why are towns banning sledding? seems like fun, right? on rossen

. >> hello i'm james robertson. i'm 56 years old. i live in detroit. before. like so many americans james gets up every morning to go to work. his commute on foot. 21 miles. that's right more than 10 miles each way. >> i walk 21 miles every day. just to get to the job that i love. >> factory worker he infer missed a day of work. 13 years there. >> it its fun. co-workers are second family. >> worth walk to go ever since the car broke down more than a decade ago. >> i bought a 1988 hopped a for 500 dollars. it only lasted about 3 or 4 most? a he said he could never afford a new car. over time driving to work himself detroit banker blake pollack notices something. >> the thing i saw was this man walking down the road all different points on this road in all types of weather. >>reporter: so one day he offers james a ride. friendship soon the. >> commute is astonishing to me. >>reporter: banker tells the newspaper detroit free press then the article then 19-year-old college student reads it. enter he have van. >> i read in the comments that people were asking how th

james robertson looks as though he might cry as he checks out his new car. m suburban ford in sterling heights. >> how do you like it. >> james doesn't just like it. >> i love it. >> reporter: final al ride to and from work for a man whose honda broke down 10 years ago. since then he's been taking buses and using his boots to get to his job in rochester hills from his home in detroit and back again. 20 miles of walking every day. it's ban long time since he's had car. >> put your foot on the brake. >> foot your foot on the brake and push that bout ton. >> reporter: last time james drove cars had keys. as he listens to the prr. engine he's overcome with emotion and gratitude. it's so good to see him smile. >> when we were sitting in the car and almost started to cry. james you can do that you'll make me cry, too. >> it was incredible. iamb started crying but to see some day my goal was to get him working bag back. i had goal of $5,000 to raise. >> instead of he raised more than $300,000 with his gofundme account and the dealership has donated this brand new be

this is james robertson. he makes the 21-mile trek each day.he's been commuting this way since 1998 when his car took the last breath. he said he hasn't been able to save up for a new car. >> five days a week. i don't even get any sleep. i don't get any sleep until the weekends. >>> his story seems to be gathering national attention. people are donating to help him buy a new car. a college student in the detroit area started a go fund me page. it raised more than $130,000. >> robertson is going to be driving a really nice car very soon. >> i bent he won't. i bet he'll have a economical, logical $15,000 and hopefully do good with the money. a lot of people have that situation. >> right. pay it forward. maybe not getting the same kind of attentions. >> exactly. >>> 5:51 is the time now. we saw the snow in the picture. they've been getting it. today for us no snow in the forecast. >> right. the detroit had record snow from the last storm came through. i admire that guy for what he's going through every day. and here if you have a short walk to wor

james robertson looks as though he might cry as he checks out his new car.urban ford. >> reporter: robertson had hit the lottery, and the whole world and the whole neighborhood knew it, because robertson was electronified, because he was now cruising detroit in a bright red car. the only thing missing was the bright white bulls eye. >> god knows i don't belong there. >> reporter: the very day his story was pinging around the world, an old man was found stabbed to death in the basement of an abandoned house in detroit. the old man was rumored to have hit the lottery. people started hitting up robertson for money. they wanted to take the new car for a spin. then robertson clipped the neighbor's house with the new car, and the neighbor wants to get paid too. robertson started to worry. his friends called the cops. then his friend called me, and i called the local police captain. >> you've got a cruiser going by every night to make sure that red car is still sitting there. >> as much as we can. i think it's the right thing to do with the attention given, the sit

have to do it the next day, so i just -- >> i'm sure by now you read or heard about the story of james robertsonworker with a 21 mile round trip commute that he walks, it is going to be a distant memory. a college student heard the story and began a crowdfunding campaign to help him buy a car. that fund stands about $200,000 and counting, god bless both of these guys. >>> a whole lot of younger people than mr. robertson, they've never bothered to get up to work, because they don't have to. the selling must go hand in hand with the victimizer. the latter is the 1%, part of the sales pitch is how the unwittingly accomplish this. ultimately get the entire country to do the right thing. divvy up the cash and we'll live happily ever after. you don't give a damn about the other sex, other races, poor people, those unable to get a slice of the american pie because the deck and, of course, mean people are stacked against them. nicholas kristoff wrote a "new york times" editorial about the death of a friend, 54 years old and service as indictment not a lot of people that suck up government benefits but t

meet james robertson. he makes the 21-mile trek each day.he's been commuting like this since 1998 when his car took the last breathe. he hasn't been able to save enough money for a new car. it seems people are donating to buy him new car. a college student in the detroit area started a go fund me page. we checked it raised more than $132,000. up $2,000 just in the past hour. people are hearing the story inspiring to give more. we expect he'll have a new car soon and won't have to walk the 21-miles. >> as you mentioned before hopefully start to pay it forward. there are at lot of people under the same circumstances that can use a little help. >>> especially in detroit where they have record snow. can you imagine walking through the snow. >>> we had the howling wolf winds yesterday. now the only howling wolf is on my ipad. and muddy waters too. no muddy waters today. we have a dry sky this morning. all good for your drive time weather today. dry pavement the winds blow dried the roads. good for morning, midday and afternoon driving around. dry

the dealership's marching -- james robertson. dealership's manager said there is no one more deserving of the car than robertson. plus the gofundme page for robertson that was started by a college student has now reached over $300,000. >>> if you're going to build your own drone, might as well go all out. >> that's right. >> the star wars fan created this millennium falcon quadcopter. it's a little harder to fly than other drones. i guess a small tradeoff if you're a star wars junky. >> gee, jan, do you spend your time flying drones? >> i wish i could. it's pretty cool. i think it would be fun. >>> in sports to this day it remains one of the most significant games in high school basketball history. dave owens recaps a magical night at coles na rrator: gas prices are down helping middle class families. but now, the white house wants to impose title ii regulations on your internet meaning new government taxes and fees. every month: you'd pay more. 11 billion dollars a year in new taxes and fees. internet freedoms can be protected w

round trip just to get to work, a trip that takes so long, hours even, that was the reality for james robertsoncouldn't afford a car and loved his job and there was no public transportation for the full trip he made it in on time and never missed a day of work, robert levy started a go fund me page to help robertson buy a car and the donations started pouring in. >> it's more than just a car and could help him. >> i feel a great deal of love. this is a labor of love. >> at this hour, people have raised more than $223,000, you could buy more than a dozen cars and robertson says this is a sign i need to start driving again. >> try not to smile at this one. >> beautiful. >> love the dedication a guy that can walk 21 miles to work every day. lets get a check of the roads now. >> matt pellman is in the traffic center with an update for us. >> i walk to work but it's not 21 miles, good afternoon brian and shirleen. we are watching people try to drive home from work on 202 and they are definitely hitting heavy traffic on the southbound side in malvern at 401 sun glare is causing heavy southbound delay

james robertson, the man who walks 21 miles to and from work every day and won the hearts of millions the move on friday he picked up the keys to his own own car given to him by ford and that's not all. a. a picked up the insurance tab and the crowd paid $126,000 in donations which robertson plans to use on home repairs and retirement well deserved. he has not missed a day of work walking to and from his job in rain, snow or shine. isn't that great? >> i love that. >> what an amazing story. 21 miles every single day. >> in all kinds of weather. >> perfect attendance. that alone. >> the shoemakers probably disappointed they couldn't sponsor him. that's fantastic. take you to boston where they need the snow treads. over 50 inches so far this season and more coming. windchills out there right now feels like it is 13 degrees. the bitter cold continues. all right, let's take a look at the other windchills we've got going across much of the northeast. 25 is what it feels like in detroit, 18 -- this is not as bad as yesterday. yesterday the last two days really, really bad so a little bit of

james robertson's daily commute, a test to mental and physical endurance. day. nbc's willie geist has the story. >> no matter how tough things are, i like to stick it out. >> reporter: 56-year-old james robertson has a spirit that makes people want to go the extra mile. >> as part of his eight hour round trip commute to work he walks 21 miles every day. >> i do it five days a week. five days a week. >> reporter: it is a journey he has been making since his car broke down a decade ago. his shift starts at 2:00 p.m., but he is always early, has a perfect attendance record. >> did you know how long it took me to find this job? >> reporter: once he punches out at 10:00 p.m. time for the trip home. this time in the dark. with an added five mile walk because of late night bus route changes. >> you're physically drained, but it is at that moment we have to pull something extra out of it. >> reporter: he finally returns home at 4:00 a.m. just in time to catch a couple hours sleep before his alarm goes off at 6:00 a.m. and he does it all again. >> faith and determin

james robertson's struggle his walk to work is a direct result of policy. so the suburban county where james' job is located opted out of the regional transit system making it impossible for people like james to get to work. this is not just a pattern we see in the detroit metro region why the center for inclusion works. we see this across the country. what's most important is understanding who bears the brunt of these policy decisions and more often than not, it's people of color and low income people. >> it also seems on one hand you have the option for this man. it's unbelievable that he's walking. he also is able bodied and relatively young and able to walk. i guess part of what i was thinking is so what if he is a person who is not able bodied or a person who is elderly or what if he's a person who is a woman who is pregnant in her final trimester. there's a part of the story that distresses me because it's a no barrier can stand in your way story and i'm thinking some barriers can stand in your way. >> it's an ongoing story that if you can be this exc

it's nothing compared to what a man in michigan takes on every single day. 56-year-old james robertson walks 21 miles from his home in detroit to his job in rochester hills and back every day! the whole trip takes about six hours. he says he's been making this walk since 1988 when his car died. >> i can't imagine not working, you know. end up doing nothing. do you know how long it took me to find a job? >> people have been so inspired by robertson, they've started a fundraising fundraising page to pay for a new car for him. they've reached $217,000 in two days. >> he can have a few cars. >> he can have a fleet. fleet of cars or really nice fit bit. >> exactly. that's great that they're helping him out like that. awesome. >> absolutely. absolutely. >> coming up on abc 7 news at 5:00, trapped without a car. and this is because of a dispute with a mechanic. >> that's right. why this woman has spent nearly a year fighting to get her car back long after she paid the bills and what you can do in a similar situation. >> plus which universities will become marion barry university? as one d.c.

james robertson of detroit steps into the cold every day to get to his $10 an hour factory job.us service in detroit has been slashed due to the city's money troubles. so robertson can only take that public transportation for a small portion of his trip and then he's got to walk the rest of the way. after this story ran in the detroit free press there has been an outpouring of support for robertson. by last night people donated more than $35,000 to help him get a new car and pay for insurance. amazing. >> man, that is. >>> coming up tonight at 6:00 a local couple charged with cruelty against a boy with cerebral palsy. >> after the break super bowl commercial controversy, nationwide response to critics who call their ad a real buzz kill. >> winds are still howling. look at the wind chills, the temperature you feel outside, feels like 21 downtown, feels like 12 in gaithersburg, 18 in manassas, feels like it's 7 in hagerstown. we'll come back, talk about when the winds subside and some others. now, americans everywhere are discovering that... spoon after spoon... dish after dish...

. >> soap, james robertson's car broke down about five years ago.ause the buses don't run all the way to his factory job, that forced him to make the long commute on foot every day. fortunately for robertson local banker noticed him walking and eventually offered him a ride. that ride turned into an unlikely friendship. >> i was like aren't you the guy i always see walking up and down crooke road? one day i'll gave you a ride. i guess i met up, not real. >> i black cadillac, came to up me and says, you know, if i want add ride. and i was like, you know, why not? somebody shows you love, accept. there has been a lot of love. >> how cool is this? since this story was first told, a fundraising campaign has raised more than $200,000 to buy him a new car. that is a nice car, $200,000 car, are you kidding me? you can get a lamborgini. robert son says he may just have to pick up his new friend for work if he gets a new car. >> that's awesome. >> come on we're going in style now. here's a little pay back. hey, coming up, calendar controversy. one local scho

the detroit free press and wvidtv introduced us to james robertson because buses don't cover the full route, he walks about 8 miles to work and about 13 miles home from work. that's 21 miles total, five days a week, 105 miles. >> i can't imagine not working, you know. i didn't want to end up, you know, end up, you know, doing nothing. it's, you know, did you know how long it took me to find this job? >> until today, james did not have enough money to fix his car, but thanks to a stranger who started a go fund me page for him, that page has now raised more than $100,000. looks like he's going to be able to have a car and pay the insurance for that car and a little more. >>> up next, paul ryan blames president obama for, what else? income inequality. (announcer) don't settle for 4g lte coverage that's smaller or less reliable when only one network is america's largest and most reliable 4g lte network: verizon. with xlte, our 4g lte bandwidth has doubled in over 400 cities. and now, save without settling. get 2 lines with 10gb of data for just $110... ...or four lines for just $140. and