jeff hager, abc2 news. >> animal activists gathered for a peaceful protest. charm city pitbull project is asking for lawmakers to battle the courts right now and not wait until later this summer. they say it's unfair to labor their pets as dangerous. we'll have much more coming up tonight at 6:00. >> they have made some decisions that will affect all marylanders. >> the senate passed its version tend would raise taxes. >> some senators were vocal about remember that votes. >> we will pay a large, large price in the future of the state of maryland if we do not have an adequate excellent public education system from k through graduate school. it with raise taxes for individuals making more than $100,000 or couples making more than 150,000. the senator said the tax increase and the economy are hitting taxpayers from all sides. >> they're getting squeezed. their income isn't going up. at the same time additional expenses, whether it's gas expenses, taxes or et cetera. the governor and the interest groups said not enough. >> it's now up to the house to discuss and

jeff hager joins us with the latest. jeff, what do you have? >> reporter: the term smash and grab may suggest that it's random. they knew what they were doing and they've done it before. they moved indiscriminately door to door, smashing the glass and looking for cash. this is the third time in the past year burglars have hit the qdoba restaurant. a hair salon, tanning salon and boxing club. they let six others in the wee hours of the morning. >> they canvassed other business. >> reporter: most of the businesses have security systems but we're told surveillance video from one store showed the burglars strategically breaking in, crawling on the floor to reach the cash register without sounding the alarm. >> they break the glass. we're going to follow-up to put sensors on this stuff. >> reporter: we're told that same security footage revealed the burglars wearing hoods and surgical gloves on their hands to keep from leaving fingerprints. >> broke the register open, took cash, was pretty good. didn't leave a trail. >> police is asking anyone with

abc2's jeff hager has more. opponents are lining up against them. >> reporter: in the near future baltimore gas and electric said the old analog meters like this one will join rotary telephones as a thing of the past. many culls merls -- customers say they're in favor of it. >> i would like to see it automated. my bill is over $1100 and i have a one bedroom. >> why wouldn't i want a new needer to keep our gas and electric down. >> reporter: the company told regulators the replacement meters, which they have started install cog save customers money on their bill. >> it would let us know when there's an outage. we will know and be able to do remote turn ons and turnoffs. all of these operational savings will be passed on to you and me has scuse meres. >> mer -- customers. >> reporter: but john na thin libbers said there's nothing smart about digital meters. >> people who have them will have huge amounts of radiation coming into their homes. there's the potential for fishings interference of medical devices. >> rep

jeff hager joins us with the details. >> reporter: four people from pasadena were on the boat trying to make their way home when they struck pilings. >> may day, may day. >> reporter: a late night distress call from the darkened waters of the patapsco water. >> i had a 40-foot sea ray hit it. >> reporter: lt. randall brown said a pair of fishermen cast line on one point of the sparrows point pier when the boat crash into the other side. >> the good samaritan who called in on channel 16 happened to be in the area and heard it as it occurred and respond absolutely valiantly to say the least. they immediately called the coast guard and started to render assistance to the people on the boat. >> i have two male patients. one is having a hard time breathing. >> the coast guard deployed it from station curtis bay and arrived within 1 poz of the call before transporting them to a waiting ambulance on the shore. while night fall, cloud cover and rain all may have made it difficult to spot the pier, brown says it appeared on all of the nautical charts and the accident underscored the need for

jeff hager, abc2 news. >>> don't miss this sunday's square off, moved to 10:00 a.m. (inaudible.) [overlapping speakers] >>> update, to a story our investigators have been following for months now. a driveway paver with a history of saming elderly homeowners is accused of preying on people in north carolina despite a court order from june of 2010 banning clack from offering services in the state, he has continued to do so. last month a judge cited him for contempt and entered an order for his arrest. man who says he killed a 6-year- old boy more than 3 decades ago is in custody as scott goldberg reports after leads and squashed hopes, the confession of a new jersey man may end one of the most baffling missing person's cases. >> reporter: 33 years ago, pates convinced his mom to let him walk to the bus alone for the first time. 51-year-old hernandez seen here in pictures obtained by inside edition, lured the boy in to the corner store with the promise of a soda. he led him in to the basement, choked him there, and disposed of the body by putting it in to a plastic bag and placing i

jeff hager has more on the bust and the threats these people pose to national security. >> reporter: they will casualties of the struggling construction industry. baltimore's immigrants, struggling to make a buck. tim says undocumented workers learned they could change that for a price. >> how much would it cost? >> 50, $70. >> reporter: agents shut down an operation that targeted immigrants here along south broadway in fells point for over 2 years, flooding the streets with fake ids of every kind. including green cards, social security cards, and driver's licenses. >> the scope of the enterprise is remarkable. there were thousands of fraudulent identification cards created by the group of 9 individuals, they generated $1.7 million in profits, they did that by charging each customer $160 each. >> reporter: immigrants seeking the high quality space could order up in the morning and pick them up in the afternoon. immigration and customs enforcement or ice, rounds up people in this country illegally, special agent in charge, william, says this operation raised the stakes. posing a poten

jeff hager, abc2 news. >>> after three days lawmakers in annapolis finished up business. law enforcements voted to raise the income taxes on individuals making more than 100,000 a year and couples who make more than $150,000 it. would shift the pension cost of teachers over to the county. >> i'm very proud of the work. i wish we had done more in terms of the deficit we'll face next year but as far as this year, i'm very satisfied. the bill heads to governor martin o'malley's desk. at 6:00 weal' hear from the neighbor -- we'll hear from the neighbors, those affected by it. >>> we've seen some improvements. no rain coming down on maryland's most powerful radar. we have cloud cover, an interesting feature, but on the whole a mix of sun and clouds. some spots we're seeing more sunshine. frederick 84. 80 in d.c. humidity is still high from baltimore south and east, but we've got drier air working in from the are in the and the west. that's going to men a more refreshing kind of scenario. this evening 70s and generally dry. >>> now to a developing story, drivers in mississippi

jeff hager has more. >> reporter: the suspect in this case, a 30-year-old law enforcement man -- laurelchooled himself in growing pot. this town house on cross timbers

abc2's jeff hager has more. >> reporter: they keep it under lock and key, and why not? since westminster's public water supply has historically been in short supply. in the summer of 2002 the city swent -- spent a quarter of million dollar mishauling water to the reservoir. the city didn't have enough water to supply more homes. >> our demand -- we're on a decreasing trend over the last three years or so. some of that is attributed to our increasing rates that we've had. that's two years ago we had quite a jump. we're happy to see the demand did down. >> reporter: the city spent almost $5 million to build a quarry. you can call it insurance in one of the state's dryest counties. >> we did make some huge investments. it was needed and i think the citizens know they -- even though they don't like the high cost, it's comforting to know we can flip a switch instead of hiring haulers. >> reporter: the cities will adoesn'ted an aggressive conservation program. even offering rebates to replace outdated water dpuzling -- guzzling toilets. >> during this drought watch the state

jeff hager, abc2 news. >>> on this memorial day we not only remember those who served and gave theirives, we also help those who have returned home and have no place to call home. >>> plus, another reason to watch your weight a new study shows a link between kidney stones and obesity just ahead. >>> for some members of the military coming back from the war can take a toll. memories are fresh and it's tough transitioning into society. doctors who deal with returning veterans say there are things we can do to help. first, never assume you know what they've gone through. therapists warn don't pile on the flattery. know that some soldiers come home embittered by their speerns they may in the know yet how they feel about their country, the military, the war. they're still figuring it out. don't assume. >> try to understand even if the vet doesn't have much to sai. actions are different for every person. be patient and just listen. many times veterans can work out issues for themselves and get back into the lives they left behind. >>> a new study linked kidney stones to obesity. researcher

jeff hager is back from forest him and joins us with more on the fire. >> reporter: if a-- it appears three generations of the family lived under one roof. it's lucky they escaped with their lives. heavy smoke filled the neighborhoods surrounding disc sip lane as -- dixie lane as firefighters battled the flames. >> the reports indicated there were personnel trapped inside. >> reporter: fortunately, by the time the fire trucks pulled up the family had made it out. the homeowner was awakened at 4:30 in the morning. when he went outside to investigate he saw the glow from the fire. he was able to alert his wife, children and extended family to get out just in time. >> there were five adults and two children under the age of three displaced as a result of the fire. >> reporter: they discover add fired balloon. >> it could easily fall through and fall to the ground, combustibles. >> this could have started the fire. the fire marshal had already picked up one beside the house. >> the state fire marshal on the scene said it's doubtful it caused the fire. nor is there a sign of arson. unfortu

. >> reporter: in dundalk, jeff hager, abc2 news. >> she said her son's names appeared on a waiting list for almost 10 years before money came through for the well chair ramp. >>> if you had to deal with the delays on the jones falls expressway, we have good news. the city said the project is ahead of schedule. it could be finished in the first woke of june. the left lanes on both sides near 28th street have been closed off for three weeks for repairs under the roadway. the city said great weather during that time has actually allowed the work to move along. >> we're a little ahead of the game. we're working 12-hour shifts, 24 hours as we can. it as given us the tonight to a nowmp around a lot bet are with no cars in the roadway. >> the city says they know this has been an inconvenience. on a typical day 120,000 cars use the jfx to get to and from downtown. >>> we've all done it -- walking while texting, now one city in new jersey will fine you. fort lee has started handing out $80 texts for the first offense. >>> after the prosecution rested last week, john edwards' team began making hi

jeff hager, abc2 news. >>> there may still be a referendum about same-sex marriage in our future. for now those couples candy voars even though the marriages are not legal. the court of appeals allows same sex couples from another estate to divorce here like others. >>> many people face charges in a weed spread murder and drug conspiracy case. the city's state attorney announced it. >> reporter: 14 people hot city are calling with violent records are locked up. there was a murder and several nonfatal shootings in retal's of another murder last year. part of the groups will face federal drug charges for running a drug syndicate around north avenue in east baltimore. it took six months, but the city's state's attorney said these are repeat violent offend pers. >> this case should serve notice to those who endanger the public through violent criminal activity, that there is a new parra dime in law enforcement, a new way of doing business. >> reporter: and that new way of doing business is targeting the most viep also criminals in baltimore in -- violent criminals in baltimore. we'll

jeff hager. >>> n--- if you get your internet from your cable your access will become more mobile. companies including comcast will open up their combined 50,000 wi -- wi-fi hot spots. customers will be able to that into any hot spots in these locations for free. users can log in under the cable wi-fi. >>> you know, you think you know about the drugs your kids might be tempted with but that's in the always the case. it's legal but that does not mean it's safe. joce sterman is here to explain. >> reporter: since the start of 2011, more than 200 calls have been made to the maryland poison control about synthetic pot. tonight at 11 we'll introduce you to two local families who discovered the hard way just how big an impact this man made marijuana can have it. is sold legally in maryland. once they take it, experts say it can do deaf stating things to their body. >> you see a child with a great potential, a very sweet kind gentle good looking boy. now he's, you know, looks at you as if -- what do i do? why mi going through this -- am i going through this. >> reporter: tonight at 11 we'

political fire storm which has developed over a proposed commission is about to dom a head as abc2 news jeff hager tells us. later this week he plans to issue an executive order that could open the door to career firefighters. >> reporter: when the call comes out for a fire, volunteers spring into action in harford county. the county's top executive says he has no intention of eliminating them. but he's also in no mood to negotiate the proposed commission that would oversee firefighting operations throughout the county. >> i'm glad they were not allowed in 1776 or they would have amend the declaration of independence. >> reporter: it came up with 130 recommendations to help improve it. while an association monitors the 12 different fire companies today, some have more equipment, more training and more money than others. a commission was proposed to help guide it into the future but the association president said the fire systems are so complex there was concern over putting too many civilians in charge. >> we wanted more control over who was on the commission and we wanted to remove -- there was a

jeff hager joins us with the details. >> the drought watch extends to harford county as well as baltimore and it isn't the big drought like 10 years ago with water restrictions and fines. the department of environment expanded it based on ground and surface water levels along with rainfall totals that will come up short like we saw in nearby westminster. >> since january we're down about five inches of rain. the biggest loss was in the month of march. >> while many of us celebrated a snowless winter, it robbed the area of the precipitation it needs. the state wants you to cut back on usage wherever you can. only running the dish or clothe watcher -- wash are when you can. >>> can truck 1 be safe from budget cuts in the city. today there was a meeting to see what could be done. jamie costello has more. >> reporter: if you go back in history truck 10 goes back to the turn of the century and now sits on lafayette. it could be sitting idle due to budget cuts. there's an allout effort to save this fire house from closing. today there was a meeting at harlem park. it was confusing because we we

abc2's jeff hager joins us with more. >> reporter: one moment the mother and son were talking on their front porch and the next she was crying out for help behind closed doors. >> my wife heard someone yelling "help me, help me help me." >> reporter: mark weaver had no idea what he was getting himself into when he tried to go to his neighbor's rescue. >> i stood out here and rang the doorbell. any given moment i would have took off and running. i didn't know if he had a gun or what. it was a shocker. let's put it that way. >> reporter: within minutes police awifed and weaver learn -- arrived and weaver learned he may have saved the life. >> she was found unconscious suffering from multiple stab wounds. also in the house was are rick glean who surrendered. >> reporter: he had already handcuffed himself when deputies arrived and was still holding the bloody knife. a search have his social networking pages show he calls himself the red neck gangster. >> he had a picture with a knife to the throat. just kids. you don't know what to think about it. >> reporter: she remains in critical condi

jeff hager, abc2 news. >>> another man was charged with impers nateing an officer, but this was in anne arundel county. the man pulled up to a man and a woman at a buffalo wild wing and showed a back. the suspect demand the victims show their i.d. and had one person do some field sobriety test tests. he was later arrested. >>> all right. we've got pop-ups, garden variety. we have a large thunderstorm cluster. you're watching from caroline county, probably hearing the rumble of thunder and the easton hear getting it, oxford toward st. michaels and centerville and a cluster coming out of d.c. this will track north toward damascus. also, one storm over the bay headed toward perryman. don't be surprised if you see a storm there in the next 10 to 15 minutes. you can see widely scattered pop-up storms. muggy, in the 70s. will this thunderstorm chance continue into the weekend? we talk about that and a lot of hot hair coming our way. it's straight ahead. >>> thank last lot. baltimore city wants to raise your water rates again. the drmt of wart works is asking for an increase, the third time in

jeff hager, abc2 news. >>> meteorologist wyatt everhart has a look at the first forecast. tell us what kind of weather are we looking at for the rest of the night and is the weekend going to be rained out? >> i don't think we'll be rained out. there's a chance of a pop-up shower. we had a chance this afternoon, maybe one of the reasons we decided to head indoors. we're at the edge of ocean city at the casino at ocean downs. this is joe, the general manager. i have to say my first time back in ocean downs since we have renovated this place to the hit. tell us about what's available for people coming down to ocean city. >> we've been open about a year now. this building that we're standing in takes the place of the old grandstands. if you used to come down to the tracks, we're right in the grandstands that used to be there. we have 800 of the hottest spots, fine dining as well as blackjack, roulette and poker. 10 minutes outside of ocean city, maryland, right off the beach, great place to be. >> reporter: we will be talking to you a a lot more -- to you a lot more. we have p

jeff hager. >> all right. two students injuried in a school bus crash right along with the bus driver. the police say the bus ended up in a crash in the 9800 block of lyon's mill. both drivers and the students were taken to the hospital with nonlife threatening injuries. >>> federal authorities say the raid on a flea marketta mounted to the largest seizure ever. agents raided on april 22nd after two and a half years of investigating. they took nearly 220,000 fake items including fake designer clothes, shoes and bags, and all of it was about $47 million worth of items according to the suggested retail price force the items. in addition that five people were charged with selling them >>> let's take a like look at harbor camas we get ready for a thursday night. a nice day. it's maryland and of course now with the weekend coming in, let's check in with wyatt, with your first forecast . >> not a bad way to get a thursday going. sun coming out through the day. we are up into the mid70's at least in the central part

jeff hager is live at the cathedral of mary our queen. >>> the ads for skecher shapeups claiming the shoes con give you curves like kim kardashian, but some people gained weight. >>> we start with a break back update. arrests were made in connection with the timonium pill mill that we first told you about last night. healthy life medical group on york road was laided last night by the dea and police. joce sterman joins us with the very latest. >> reporter: police will not confirm who was taken into custody as part of that raid last night but we now know a lot more about the operation happening right

jeff hager has more. >> reporter: it says age does not discriminate. police say the

jeff hager. >> live report for us. devastating news from the baltimore ravens tonight. fan favorite, tarell suggs was hurt in arizona and may miss the season. jamie is live with more. >> reporter: all right. as a fan you don't want to believe it and he doesn't want to either. he promised to be back by october at earliest, november at the latest. just in time to face big ben and the steelers twice. he tore his achilles in arizona. doctors need to see if it's a full tear or partial. he has missed one game his last nine years and through the twitter he said he can't wait to run out of the tunnel and prove everybody wrong. he went to doctor -- we went to a doctor today with this kind of injury. will he make it back this season? >> my suspicious is that it's possible to safely go back late in the season meaning his chance of reinjury is not so great at that point, that it's safe to go back. my -- the other thing i would say is that he probably won't be at full capacity until 2013 i would guess. >> reporter: he is coming off his best year many he got to the quarterback, he ma

i'm jeff hager. i'll have the details. >>> and is it a rip-off or a very good keel.when you should and when you shouldn't get one of those extended warranties. those stories and a lot more all coming up brand new at cuff. now a preview of what's ahead on world news at 6:30. >>> coming up here on world news, those dramatic final moments as two little girls held by one of the most wanted tpaoupblg differs in america. how were they rescued? the mother behind this controversial photo breast feeding her 3rd .5-year-old right here. the threat she is receiving. and maid in america for moms. [ female announcer ] with xfinity, you can always expect more. like more on demand shows and movies than ever. and more ways to discover them too. plus more speed from america's fastest internet provider. so you can run more devices at the same time. ♪ feel a firework [ female announcer ] and best of all, it keeps getting better. no wonder more people choose xfinity over any other provider. ♪ love can be so mystical ♪ >>> stocks closed lower after the bank -- the dow jones industrial ave

jeff hager joins us with more on the fake cop. >> reporter: we're told the man started off as a teencipating in the explorer program but