mike schuh wjz eyewitness news. >>> if you like to hear more about the elevation, go ,,,,,,,, >>> takeook at this dramatic fire that broke out at washington state's largest oil refinery. it ignited when crude oil leaked between a healer and vacuum unit. no one was seriously hurt and both federal and state agencies are investigator. >>> a man is evicting his elderly mother from her home home in connecticut. an evaluation proved the woman is competent, but technically the house is under her son's name. the man hasn't seen his mother in eight months and he says she is worried about her safety. >> i don't like the way she is living there. at her age, at 98 i'm sure she should be with people of her peers. she should have her measles on time. >> the family plans to settle their feud in court. >>> it's a terrifying rescue mission in denver when a puply flips through thin ice. firefighters managed to pull the dog from the freezing water. it's not clear how the dog ended up in the lake. oh, there he goes. officials are investigating and looking for ,,,,,,,,,, . >>> now first in weather, the for

reporting live in cambridge, mike schuh, wjz eyewitness news. back to you on tv hill. >> mike, thank you. the bullet passed through the injured officer's left shoulder and he was taken to a salisbury hospital. doctors considered his injuries nonlife-threatening. >>> a graduate of owings mills high school pleads guilty to terror charges at guantanamo bay. denise is in the newsroom to explain why this is important to the federal government. >> reporter: the former government man is considered high value. majid kahn pleaded guilty today to planning attacks on gas stations in the united states. and conspiring to kill pakistani residents pervez musharraf. he graduated from owings mills high school in 1999. as part of the deal with the government, he is expected to testify with other guantanamo detainees, including the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks. mary? >> denise, thank you. wjz speaks to homeland security about the significance of kahn's conviction. coming up all new at 6:00. >>> a baltimore city father is behind bars, accuse of killing his 5-year-

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

i'm mike schuh, the story when we return. >>> nice weekend ahead.ck around for the updated first warning weather forecast. >>> a man convicted of murdering a maryland correctional officer will soon find out if he will be put to death. mike schuh has been in court all day. >> reporter: new rules from maryland's highest court means that it is difficult to sentence someone to death. but inmates and the killer of a prison guard,, lee stevens, meets those criteria. >> reporter: a jury will soon decide if two-time murderer lee stevens will be allowed to live. nearly six years ago, in jessop, stevens stabbed to death correctional officer, david mcgwynn. since then, the court of appeals changed the rules in death penalty cases. now, besides all the evidence needed to convict, prosecutors have to clear two more hurdles. is the murderer over 18? is it proven he committed the murder? and is there a dna link to the murder? steves was in prison because he killed a man in an eastern shore nightclub in 1997. now guilty of killing corporal mcgwynn, the jury is left

i'm mike schuh, how it could affect you when eyewitness news continues. >>> and rain is on the way. and we actually need it, believe it or not. stick around for the updated first warning forecast. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, >>> easing congestion on one of maryland's most heavily traveled roadways. the state had hoped by now to have special express lanes open from the city to past whitemarsh. now, as mike schuh reports, the final project allowing these new toll plain -- lanes to open has begun. >> the scream drowns out what they want to crow about. construction here and around. here the state is beginning a project that should have been done by now. but a few years ago, work slowed to a trickle. >> the recent weakened economy means they didn't collect as much tolls and they didn't have as much revenue. >> contractors began offering better deals. >> a lot of the bids are coming in lower than expected which has freed up a portion of money. >> enough so that in two years, it will have opened. soon they will have ramps connected down to the toll, being built where the median used to be. yes, tolli

i'm mike schuh, how it could affect you when eyewitness news continues. >>> i'm ron matz, in northwest baltimore. and this is the new children's hospital at sinai. we'll take you on a tour of this amazing new building, coming up here on wjz. ,,,,,,,,, >>> it is 5:30. 53 degrees and partly cloudy. good evening, everybody. thank you for staying with wjz, eyewitness news. here are some of the stories people are talking about tonight. easing congestion on one of maryland's most heavily- traveled roadways. the state had hoped by now to have special express lanes open on i-45 from the-- i-95 in the city to past whitemarsh. as mike schuh reports, the construction has finally begun. >> reporter: the scream of 95 drowns out what the state wants to crow about. construction here. but on the other side, and all around whitemarsh boulevard. here, the state is beginning a project that should have been done by now. but a few years ago, worked slow to a trickle. >> reporter: the reason the weak economy means that the tollauthority hasn't been collecting as many tolls. >> reporter: but with fewer road

i'm mike schuh. the story is next. >>> honoring a baltimore civil rights leader. why a new film about walter carter may never reach large audiences. >>> i'm gigi barnett at the university of maryland school of medicine. that story is coming up. >>> and another mild february evening. stick around for the updated first warning forecast coming up. okay, that looks great. were you profitable last month? how much money is in your checking account? have the browns paid you for their addition yet? your finances are scattered all over the place. mm-hmm. what are your monthly expenses? you keep your receipts in plastic baggies? seriously? [ announcer ] get it done and get it off your mind with quickbooks. organize your small business finances all in one place, even online banking. and now your business can be at your fingertips, anywhere. quickbooks, guaranteed easy or your money back. learn more at quickbooks.com. is there a prize in there? oh, there's a prize, all right. is it a robot? no. is it a jet plane? nope. is it a dinosaur? [ laughs ] [ male announcer ] inside ev

i'm mike schuh. the story is next. >>> i'm ron matz, at the homes of bergeres cookies, where there is a new twist on this baltimore classic. the story coming up here on wjz. >>> the weekend is one day closer. can we expect more warm weather? bob has more on the updated forecast. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, >>> when constellation energy and exelon merge, their combined corporate headquarters will be in chicago. but some of their business will remain in baltimore. as mike schuh reports, not everyone is happy with their new building within the location of the city. >> reporter: the key to having more workers anywhere here in baltimore begins in annapolis. merger approval from the state was granted only after exelon promised to build a headquarters for its training operations in baltimore. >> well, first of all, we were excited that they were staying in the city and staying doubt. >> reporter: of the five possible sites, two like this one at the visitor's center and this one, across the world trade center, ar

i'm mike schuh live in the patterson park ice rink. a beautiful place.e're going to be talking to the greatest li'l germs linn of baltimore. as a special program to teach girls in baltimore how to skate is live on eyewitness news, join us. >>> all right. mike on the ice, right? >> that's going to be interesting. >> well, good morning, to welcome to eyewitness news saturday morning. it is 7:02. i'm gigi barnett. >> i'm tim williams. temperatures just arm 40 degrees area wide. the winds are kicking up a windy night so far, but not so cold. so, we're having the winds move through the region. they will be with us through the evening, but the temperatures are going to be moderate. so, not a wind chill necessarily, but the winds are definitely going to get your attention outside. a wind advisory for all of the areas in the brown shading there. a winter weather advisory in affect for far western maryland. it is in effect from 8:00 through 6:00 p.m. the winds up to 60 miles per hour. 46 degrees today, windy, more sun than clouds. lows around 29 degrees. and tomo

. >> reporter: i am mike schuh live with raft abouts that areaboard the lady maryland.e will tell you why the tag line is save the lady maryland when "eyewitness news" continues. >> this is wjz-tv, wjzhd and wjz.com. baltimore. >> from the city, to the counties to your neighborhood. now, it's complete coverage. it's wjz maryland's news station. >>> good morning and welcome to "eyewitness news" this saturday. i am gigi barnett. >> and i am tim william. temperatures are in the 30s across the area. a gorgeous start to what's going to be a very nice day. we are watching the sun coming up now. hard lay cloud anywhere to be found. much like yesterday, the temperatures are going to be in the low to mid-50s unlike yesterday we will have less wind. yesterday, the breeze was substantial at parts through the day. today, there's hardly no breeze. it will be a still and calm day and a gorgeous day to do anything you want to do outside. a little cool to start. temperatures are changing with the 7:00 temperatures around the state. 30 is pretty must average around most of the area. hig

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

i'm mike schuh at the great walks museum down here in baltimore. is one of our great cultural institutions. it is black history month. what they are going on, when eyewitness news continues. >>> good morning. welcome to eyewitness news saturday morning -- i'm gigi barnett. >> i'm tim williams. the temperatures hovering around freezing this morning. we have been looking outside and the horizon is bright. a mostly sunny start. the sun this morning will give away to the clouds across the board. we expect to see a mixed bag of precipitation moving on through the region. the clouds are interesting right now and fiery with the sun behind them. right now, temperatures around 33 at bwi marshall. our forecast for the day starts off with sun, clouds will thicken through the afternoon. then watching the system that brought a ton of snow. 2 feet of snow in part of the colorado area, denver in specifically. it is moving our way. we will talk about how it will impact us coming up in your first warning weather forecast. >> thank you, tim. >>> here is what people

near towson, mike schuh, wjz eyewitness news. >> and a live look outside right now.lmost all of that snow that fell yesterday has now melted. wjz is live with first warning weather coverage. meteorologist tim williams and bob turk are updating the first warning forecast first. here's tim. >>> definitely a chilly night tonight. but seasonably so. we go down tonight to 28 degrees or so. and that's where we start tomorrow, just around 30 degrees with sunshine. clouds will increase through the day. and by overnight hours with a daytime high of about 48, we will drop down into the 20s. and we could see some rain changing to snow early in the morning for saturday morning. for the next five days, we send it in to bob. >>> a little more rain could mix with a change, briefly to some snow showers on saturday, as the cold air moves in. still up to 44 but way down to 18 and breezy. wind chills down to single digits on saturday night. be careful about that. 36, breezy and cold on sunday. 22 at night. warming up already, 44. and then 50, with partly cloudy skies on tuesday. so two

. >>> i'm mike schuh. baltimore county's new 911 center. what will $seventy mill -- $70 million buy you? the story next. >>> i'm bob turk in the first warning weather center. dry, mild end to the week. and a look at the weekend. i'll have the exclusive first warning five-day forecast. >>> here's a look at today's >>> here's a look at today's report from wall street. ,,,,,,, mid grade >>> here's a look at today's report from wall street. ,,,,,,, dark roast forest fresh full tank brain freeze cake donettes rolling hot dogs bag of ice anti-freeze wash and dry diesel self-serve fix a flat jumper cables 5% cashback right now, get 5% cashback at gas stations. it pays to discover. >>> the rain has moved through the baltimore region for the most part. looks like we'll start seeing some clearing tonight. temperatures back in the 30s tomorrow. looks like a great, really nice day. it will be in the 50s by the afternoon. probably as high as low to mid- 50s again. similar to a couple of days we saw earlier this week. now, the weekend could pose some pro

in annapolis, mike schuh, wjz eyewitness news.ack to you on tv hill. >> that vote will be held in council chambers, march 5th, at 7:00 p.m. >>> police in frederick are looking for a suspect behind a clever theft. police say the suspect stole a car from a repair shop. then rammed it into an atm machine in an attempt to break inside. no word if the suspect did get away with any cash. >>> new orleans is covered in purple, green and gold tonight. as the annual mardi gras cell wraigz rose -- celebration rose. >> i said, happy thanksgiving. >> it's mardi gras in the french quarter. and the party is just beginning for diane olson. >> it makes my spirit lift up, honey. i feel like a bird. >> reporter: an orleans native moved to florida after hurricane katrina destroyed her home five years ago. but she comes back for the bourbon street celebration every year. >> once it's in your heart, you gotta keep it there. >> an estimated 1 million people are partying in the city. pouring about $3 million into the local economy. >> definitely good tim

mike schuh is there for the reason and the people behind the event. >> follow me. back to the camera, we have folks who help put on the ride across maryland including the dick gelfman and you are telling people to sign up now. >> go to ride across maryland. you can donate on line and the cause is breast cancer. >> honestly, one of the cofounders here. the person who also shares the same last name of gelfen, evidently. judge gelfen has a first name. >> lenore. >> how do you honestly put up with dick. >> it is not that hard. >> i am such a nice guy. >> it as number of years. so i am used to it. and number of experiences. it is a true adventure of over the years, all kidding aside. it is wonderful. >> we are long time howard county residents and we give back to the community. our children and dick and i decided to do something that was valuable and we started with ride across maryland. >> now, look who we are surrounded with. >> a whole bunch of bikers who have hearts of gold. >> poem say. how come you are so successful. >> they realize bikers are the most generous pe

. >> reporter: in anne arundel county, mike schuh, wjz eyewitness news.ack to you on tv hill. >> it's still not clear exactly when the homeowners will begin to receive that financial aid. >>> we have a lot more to come. demanding peace for syria as the violence there continues. protestors are speaking out. how they're making their voices heard. it's a copy catastrophe. a tax preparer in hot water after admitting he spiked his coffee water with an illegal and highly toxic drug. plus, dangerous weather conditions. stay with us. ,,,,,,,, what's the matter? uh, trouble with a car insurance claim. ah, claim trouble. [ dennis ] you should just switch to allstate, and get their new claim satisfaction guarantee. hey, he's right man. [ dennis ] only allstate puts their money where their mouth is. yup. [ dennis ] claim service so good, it's guaranteed. [ foreman ] so i can always count on them. unlike randy over there. that's one dumb dude. ♪ the new claim satisfaction guarantee. dollar for dollar, nobody protects you like allstate. >>> protestors around the world

. >>> i'm mike schuh in towson. one week away from a vote on transgender rights.sed voices, religious and security concerns. what they're saying, only at 6:00. >>> unthinkable crime. police search a landfill on details on why a man killed his two children. what police found. >>> also ahead. we take it for granted, our medicine is there when we need it. what if it's not? maryland coach brenda frese was shocked, her son's medications are not always available to everyone. what is being done so we don't , >>> good evening, everyone. thanks for staying with wjz. here are some of the stories people are talking about tonight. as tributes continue for whitney houston, her funeral plans are finalized. as alison harmelin reports from her hometown of newark, there will not be a public service tonight. >> reporter: whitney houston will's funeral will be at the church why where she started. no wake or public memorial is planned. >> they have shared her, for 30- something years with the city, with the state, with the world. this is their time now. >> reporter: fans of the singe

i'm mike schuh, in ,,,,,,,,,,,,, >>> just after 5:30 right now. 52 degree asks clear. good evening, thank you for staying with wjz eyewitness news. here are some of the stories people are talking about tonight. let's update the breaking news from northwest baltimore. sky eye chopper 13 is over a large fight on bel air road. let's go to captain mike perry with details. mike, i know this is somewhat of an evolving situation. have you learned any more? >> i've learned a little bit, kai. apparently the police helicopter was out here around 4:00 this afternoon. this looks like it's mostly girls, teenage girls. there are some males sprinkled in between. this looks like it started out to be some type of a fight between possibly two different schools or two different groups of teenagers. and has evolved into a very large incident where several people have been arrested. teenagers, mostly. well, what we is have seen since we were on the scene. police, several of them have been caught fighting. so they have been arrested for that. several have assaulted police and been arrested

mike schuh reports from annapolis. >> reporter: let me tell you how 7-year-old shamir hudson and penntate are related. shamir's husband reported the cuts and bruises. 24 times, his adoptive mom was investigated and cleared. >> we knew at that point in time, something horrible was going to happen. i knew one of them was going to die. >> saying she was harassed, the mom put her son in private school. >> instead, mrs. hudson beat shamir to death. >> maryland law didn't force that headmaster to report the abuse. >> because no report was made, these children were sent home, where one one of them was beaten to death. >> reporter: at penn state, alleged abuse was reported but never made it to ladies and legislators. they looked at what happened there and looked at our own abuse reporting laws. >> what we need in maryland is some teeth to that. >> reporter: so today, senator jacobs introduced a bill. if you don't report a crime, it's a crime. a thousand bucks. jew of but these senators don't want to threaten doctors and teachers with jail time. they want to do fines. >> we wanted to do what w

i'm mike schuh, the story next. >>> at any moment, the man convicted of killing a maryland prison guard, could learn whether he'll live or die. i'm weijia jiang, in annapolis, with the latest for his sentencing. coming up. >>> deadly midair collision. several u.s. marines killed. how did it happen? ♪ [ male announcer ] for our families... our neighbors... and our communities... america's beverage companies have created a wide range of new choices. developing smaller portion sizes and more low- & no-calorie beverages... adding clear calorie labels so you know exactly what you're choosing... and in schools, replacing full-calorie soft drinks with lower-calorie options. with more choices and fewer calories, america's beverage companies are delivering. >>> it is just before 6:30. some clouds and 59 degrees. good evening, everyone. thanks for staying with wjz. here are some of the stories people are talking about tonight. seven u.s. marines are dead, after two military helicopters collide during a training exercise. bigat shaban reports for wjz from laz with more. los angeles with more. >>>

but now, as mike schuh reports, stiffer penalties are proposed in annapolis. >>> those who fly these say it's getting worse. lasers, specifically the new green ones. more powerful, much more dangerous. >> it lit up the whole cockpit. once it hits that glass, it will shine across the whole cockpit. >> across the country, hundreds are hit each year. >> 64 times last year in maryland, aircraft were hit by lasers. >> that would be blinding. if he got you in the eyes, that would definitely be blinding. >> reporter: blinding a pilot at night. christopher lovejoy was one of those killed last year. while over mount airy, at night, allowing on instruments to stay in the air. today, he's telling his story in annapolis. because no maryland law directly addresses the problem. those caught are charged with reckless endangerment. this welcomes the law. >> do we need this law? and i think when people find out, well, our current law says maybe a $500 fine. and we're talking about potential death, i think we're finding people are in support of this bill. >> are you reminded that this is one of those