. >> i'm rob roblin. america's tall ships. this is baltimore. that story coming up. >> in this morning's medical alert, children who go to bed early and wake up early. a study finds that early to bed, early to rise kids weigh less and exercise more as opposed to those that go to bed late and wake up late, even though they got the same total amount of sleep. kids spend more time in doors. they found that night owls were less active and spent more time on the old couch. >> when it comes to getting -- researchers found that most school lunch rooms are sold in metal trays and bowls or inconvenient locations. for an entire semester they conducted an experiment. fruit was placed in colorful bowls at the front of the line. when they compared sales, sales sky rocketed by more than 100%. >> researchers at children's hospital in philadelphia are closer to discovering a genetic cause of type i peetsbeets. they analyzed the genes of three patients. they found three genetic mutations never identified before. but they say there is still more work to be done b

. >> i am rob roblin. st. mary's college is turning a st.ary's college is turning a cruise >> the prince george's county mall will soon be facing the wrecking ball. it will be worked into a town center. residents have complained that the mall is a community eyesore. the new one would serve people also in neighboring counties. there is no word on exactly which stores would be setting up shop in the area, but developers are so for calling them anchor tenants. >> breast cancer experts have thought that women are automatically added increased risk for breast cancer if they have a mother or sister or and -- have a certain gene. it increases the risk by about 20 times. family members who are carriers should follow the same mammogram recommend -- mammogram recommendations. you can get more tips from dr. oz. go to the web site and click on breast cancer." you may be wondering how much caffeine is too much and if it could be hurting your health. how much caffeine should you have today? and some of its effects on your body. >> margaret tries to avoid

rob roblin, wbal-tv 11 news. >> that is so incredible. >> it is great.d a loved one over there, it is wonderful to get to see them. >> i wonder if they will get a -- >> 6:55. 33 degrees on tv hill. >> every 35 minutes a senior dies from a fall. a report on fall prevention. >> dogs in our studio. the best casting for your four-legged friends at 7:24. >> a book that will hook every kid on reading. >> it's not quite the hatfields and mccoys, but the study of merging university of maryland college park with university of maryland has incited that kind of passion and debate debate. forget the alump nuss, the proposed merger has the potential to pit baltimore city leaders against state senate president mike miller. it was miller who proposed the idea of the merger study. that has some arguing he has a bias interest in the campus. with u.m.v. as a major city employer, it can create a jobs deaf stith sit in baltimore city, and that's something no politicians wants been on his or her watch. there is no question a combined campus could create more hest prestige fo

rob roblin, wbal-tv 11 news. >> i give just got a lot of credit. what is coming up new at 6:00. >> crooks posing as cops in baltimore city. i am all melser with the latest coming up. >> an exclusive interview with the baltimore county superintendent about his plans. i am tim to live in towson. >> police investigating the sexual assault of a student near the johns hopkins campus. i am very simms with the details ahead. [captioning made possible by constellation energy group] captioned by the national captioning institute --www.ncicap.org-- >> a good evening, everyone. the big story, after 12 years as baltimore superintendent could joe be on his way out? >> tim tooten is live with more on that story. what did you find out? >> dr. hairston denies whether or not he has made plans to stay on. hairston is one of the largest -- longest serving baltimoschoor intendents. no talking how long until he leaves.

. >> funeral services or halted for patricia modell and rob roblin has the details. >> actress, wife, mother, and friend. friends and family came to date paid respect for pat modell. married in 1969 and give up her acting career to devote herself to her family and community. "she cared about this state, this city, and about children. >> they cared about the people in the community and they devoted a big part of their lives to being charitable. quads for current and former members of the ravens, pat was a special lady. >> she made it different. you look around this city and there are so many charities and everything they have had their hands in glee. >> it is awesome to come out here and be able to support art because patricia was such a great lady. >> we wanted to make to the players would be here to let it are now how much they mean to rest. >> it is a sad moment of celebration for a life. >> a woman who had meant so much for so many people. >> it was like losing my second mother. she would always greets me with a kiss and tell me how much she loved me. >> your 11 insta-weather + for

regardless of what their record is. >> rob roblin, the bb ltv 11 days. one of the people killed in a car crash last night was a student at morgan state university. julia bentsen was traveling east along -- julia benson . 11 news has confirmed she wasshsupposed to graduate in december. >> the man accused of his murder is awaiting extradition back to maryland. larry horton is nhl and alabama right now. he killed 18-year-old ryan at jackson and dumped the body in south baltimore. they found a blood evidence as well as the wallet and murder weapons stashed inside horton's home. 11 news was confirmed the person discovered dead wednesday evening. anybody with any information on the case is asked to call crime stoppers. 1-866-7-lockup. police say justin morgan broke into a good college dorm on thursday. according to witnesses, he made his way into a woman's bathroom. police were on campus already investigating a theft when people called them to the door. they found a morgan leaving the building. he was arrested and then let go of $25,000 bond. >> cool temperatu

. >> rob roblin has that story. ♪ >> carroll county regional airport this afternoon.e folks, most in their 80's, got a chance to go back to when they were young. planes that flew over 60 years ago and helped win world war ii will be on display at the airport. william myers now 89 wept when he saw his old b-24 bomber come in today. williams was a tailrunner. what do you think? >> beautiful. >> oh, my! it brings back memories. >> collins foundation owns these aircraft. they fly them all across the country, bringing their history to the people. >> these bombers represent a whole generation of folks in the 40's. that really want a -- won a dangerous turning point in the war. >> for many of these men, the times they served were some of the best times in their lives. >> it was good to see them flying. it brings back a lot of memories. >> five of us went in together, and with 35% combat losses in our fighter group, all five of us returned safely. i'm one of two still remaining. >> starting this afternoon you will be able to go aboard some of the old planes. if you are willin

rob roblin will bring us more on patricia modell's funeral at 11 news at 5:00. covering the nation this afternoon, thousands of racing fans are mourning the death of danny wheldon. the two-time indianapolis 500 winners was killed in one of the worst car accidents during the loss biggest 300 leaving fire, smoke, and metal scattered across the track. >> without a doubt the worst thing i have ever seen. >> one of my best friends and a great teammate. >> the rest of the race canceled than they did a five lap salute in his honor. he leaves behind a wife and two young children. he was 33. enrollment season and we do not mean school. what to watch out for when choosing your health benefits package. >> the stigma that it is wrong to be single. i can see why someone would want to have this service. >> no time to find a girlfriend? no problem. it makes you seem like you are off the market. >> the last of the clouds and sprinkles are moving offshore. sunshine in place across baltimore. how long will this last? details coming up. i live look at ocean city. check out those w

. >> i am rob roblin, this is a marathon tomorrow. the runners are getting ready. >> it is hard to imagine with the new terp has a to say about hearing on the maryland a tradition. >> we have some sun and the picture for the weekend. details just ahead. bge's instant discounts got our homeowner to switch to energy star® cfl bulbs. 3-way cfls really click with my style. learn to speak the language of energy efficiency at bgesmartenergy.com. >> 11 news reporter is live along the route. >> the beautiful scenery for the runners to borrow as they run the marathon to the city of baltimore. it will be really nice for the rest. about 25,000 people will be participating. it lot of them were registering today at the convention center. >> at the convention center, if you are running, it was a runner's paradise. all kinds of merchandise was for sale for the serious runners per >> these are suspension insoles design for the runner to take them out of a probation position. it puts them into a neutral of linemen so that you don't have any compensati

. >> rob roblin, wbal tv 11 news. >> stay with us. there is more news ahead on 11 news at 6:00, including popular politicians helping soldiers get home to their families. coming up, an effort to expand the program. >> over arizona. do not go looking for a speech of the century as the reason for a comeback. >> hd doppler shows some rain. we will check out the 7-day forecast and it -- [ male announcer ] dandruff, meet micro-beads. any last wishes? new selsun blue deep cleansing micro-bead scrub goes to the source wiping out flakes before they flake. new selsun blue deep cleansing. ♪ [ male announcer ] combine a pnc cashbuilder visa credit card with a pnc performance select checking account and get up to 1.75% cash back for just about every purchase. learn more and apply today at pnc.com/cashbuilder. pnc bank. for the achiever in you. >> tonight, a program where people can donate their frequent-flier miles to military members is expanding. the program is administered by a nonprofit foundation. the foundation says it has provided more tha

rob roblin has details. >> last night's game is the top of the town. ravens fans are disappointed. >> i cannot believe they got beat that that from one week to the next. >> that is a wait a lot of folks here fell. >> it was the worst game they have ever played. >> i like this so much, i went over and watched the world series. at least they had two teams there that were role-playing. >> it seems like everything that should have gone right went wrong for the ravens last night. all the breaks seems to go to jacksonville. >> that a bad record, but they are still a good team. >> they were overconfident. they lost five in a row, and blew it on national tv. >> there is a big joke flacco on the wall at sport clips. >> they lost yesterday. they don't even want to see the rerun. it is always better when the wind. >> for minivans, it is not losing the game, it is losing on monday night football that is embarrassing. >> a little bit embarrassing agreed to jacksonville? come on. >> for all the disappointment, there are some vans that take it all in stride. >> you n

rob roblin has the details. >> of marchetti police said the victim told them that two men forced their way -- baltimore county police say the victim told them that two men forced their way into her home and assaulted her. news of this morning's home invasion is frightening to neighbors. >> it worries me. i live across the streets. >> it is shocking. i don't know if there has been a spike in crime in the area. usually we receive a call saying something is going on in the area. this will be the second incident like this since i have lived here. >> sometime before 8:00 a.m., police say two men forced their way into this town house, assaulting a woman who was the only person in the house at the time. >> they forced their way into the home and there's a confrontation inside the home. the victim did suffer injuries and she was transferred to shock trauma. >> according to a neighbor, the woman was able to get away from the assailants on enough to jump out of a second story window, injuring her ankle in the process. she knocked on her neighbor's door asking for help. >> the young lady knocked

rob roblin has more. >> it is a pledge to go soda-free for 30 days. it was kicked off today here at talbot springs elementary school. how hard would it be for you to give up soda for 30 days? these fourth and fifth graders at talbot springs elementary school are going to give it a try. >> for the next 30 days, we are not going to drink any soda. whose going to join with me in that pledge and that challenge? wow, look at that! >> the reason this is so important is that obesity has either doubled among adults or up to quintupled in certain areas of charne. not being overweight, but obese. >> today the students i talked with are confident. >> it is good not to drink foo much soda. >> and you are not going to drink soda for 30 days? >> yes. >> is it going to be hard? >> i don't think so that much. >> i don't drink soda that often. it is also bad for you because it can rot your teeth if you drink too much. >> this is part of a program to encourage all the citizens in howard county to live a healthier lifestyle. >> we are encouraging everyone to take a 30-d

rob lot -- rob roblin has details from north baltimore. >> in talking to real estate agents today, they say homes are selling, but they have to be fixed up and priced right. >> you are calling about 205 campbell road? let me get that information for you. >> over 70 agents work out of this real estate office, and they will say in real estate right now, it is a buyer's market. >> all the buyers across the board want everything in a house. they want it completely done. they want all the newest, trendy kind of materials, and they want it for 2005 prices. >> agents say buyers want the perfect house at the right price, or they are not willing to buy. >> years ago at the height of all this, you took the house and ran. >> now they are taking a little bit more time and they want to make sure the price is right where they want it, so if a person is selling it a little too high, the buyers are hesitating. >> the buyers want to come in at the bottom price and they want a cadillac for a volkswagen price. >> homes of the street three or four years ago sold for one amount. >> karen ford had her house

>> i'm rob roblin. the maryland lottery teams up with the maryland state police.ain we are talking about rain showers across the baltimore area. how long will it last and is [ female announcer ] having grands! biscuits in the morning is easy. just pop 'em in... then go about your business... and in just 15 minutes, your family can enjoy warm fresh from the oven biscuits. grands! warm ideas made easy. ♪ start your morning a whole new way! ♪ ♪ pillsbury grands! biscuits ♪ filled with breakfast ingredients ♪ ♪ ready in minutes! ♪ you gotta taste...mmmm a brand new morning ♪ [ female announcer ] new pillsbury grands! biscuit sandwiches. >> good morning. the sun won't be coming up for another hour and a half. it is 50 degrees at the inner harbor. humidity at 93%. that's out at the airport. elsewhere, it is at 100%, including tv hill. as we start off this morning, in may be areas of fog and maybe drizzle within that. overall we've seen the bulk of the showers end across baltimore as we head into the morning hours. here's a look at last couple hours on h.d. doppler. can

we want to send it out to rob roblin. no animals for you, rob. i know you are having a good time. >> well, there are a couple animals out here, ken brown senior and my elf -- self. runners will run through the under armour campus. it is windy out here, but a little bit more windy than yesterday morning. we will be waiting for runners to show up here. shouldn't be long. the elite runners move, and the baltimore guy is still in the lead, is that right, kate? >> that's right, a local guy, 30-year-old dave berdan. there is a way you can participate. you can go online and help raise money for a good cause. it is all from our own producer, greg wood. it is called 5-k for 5-g's. helping motivate greg hood. he's commit today doing a 5-k to raise money for local charity. greg is a high school athlete who admit today letting himself go of late. he elicited the help of kadre ismail. he wanted to be not just fit, but understand how his body works. >> i want my body to fumpings properly. >> if he gets 5,000 lights on his facebook page, m & t bank will donate

. >> he brought his show to baltimore yesterday and rob roblin was there. ♪ >> he is a world renownedubble artist. over 600 children and their families impacted by autism got a special show. there's something about these bubbles floating through the air that is a fascinating. >> . exultation and excitement. >> there have been many shows and you think, i don't know how much he is getting. but when he's in that bubble show, he gets every single minute. he gets the music, the lights, bobbles. >> there were bubbles of all shapes, colors, and all sizes. this is the kind of audience and he loves to entertain. >> it is an honor to do witit. i think that there's something different, something that makes people have become especially these children. i think it will remember. >> these special shows are a privileged to put on. >> we have a commitment to helping families impacted by autism, this is one more example. ♪ >> on broadway, the show is called "the peace zillion bubble show -- "the gazillion bubble show." for these kids, this is something that will be remembered for a long time. >> that

rob roblin spoke to some of those who attended her funeral today. >> she was a world renowned actor is and in 1969 she married art modell. today, family and friends came here to the basilica to say goodbye. hours before the service, friends and family gathered here at the basilica to pay respects to a generous and loving woman when she was a great humanitarian and we will all miss her. we already do. >> stew was such a caring person. she cared deeply about our nation. quite she married art modell in 1969 leaving her acting career behind while devoting herself to her family and helping others. >> it is sad for their community. they devoted a good part of their life to being charitable. >> the modell's brought the ball back to baltimore and players and coaches who knew and loved pat came to honor her. >> charming, devastatingly beautiful, and had honest opinions about football. >> we want to let our know how much he and his family means to was. without art, none of us would be here. his wife is a special lady and we want to support him. and >> a positive personality. loved anyone to came

rob roblin has the story. >> this is the 24th annual baby boomers senior expo, and every year it justeeps getting bigger and bigger. an hour after the opening this morning, the place was packed, as seniors from throughout the area came to one of the largest events of its kind. >> this the 24th annual year for this event. we are proud to have expanded to this capacity this year. >> everything from home safety, how to eat better, take better care of yourself, how to stay independent and in your own home. >> this is a place to get information. some were here to find out how to get health insurance. >> i am looking to change by medicare plan this year. the one i am in is not one that is going to make me happy. >> they can sit down and take all the time they need and have someone go through all the different options. >> for others, a chance to get some medical tests done for free. betty was here to get in older sound on her carotid artery. >> we are looking -- to get an ultrasound on her carotid artery. >> we are looking for any kind of blockage patients can have in their legs. >> you are

rob roblin joins us live with more on the preparations for the marathon. >> hello. i will tell you what, the runners will be able to see all of baltimore going through many of our neighborhoods. they are going to have a nice day i understand as far as the weather is concerned. a clear out this afternoon. some of the elite runners had a chance to go and visit some of our school students. >> the 6, 7, and eighth graders got a chance to learn something about running. and something about life in kenya. >> you can line up and spend almost half of a day with about 20 liters of water. >> they were at the school to meet the students and just talk about anything. >> hearing about canyon water supply and the lack of daily items that we have and how it can still turn out and be a great runner is inspiring. >> he was asked how he was able to run so fast and so far. >> you keep on pushing on -- and running, it is just the normal running. you won't be able to make it to the finish. >> for the students and the faculty, meeting these marathon runners from kenya was quite an experie

rob roblin was there. >> that have been gone for almost a year. today, they finally came home. hours before the maryland soldiers were due to arrive, their families came here to the armory at edgewood to wait. it is been a long your -- id has been a long year. >> my dad is coming home today. i feel so happy, because now that year is over and he is finally getting off the bus and coming home. >> about 2:00 in the morning i woke up and thought, he is really coming home. he is on the way. >> i am happy, ready, nervous. it has been a long year. has been rough. >> i cannot wait until all of our boys come home. >> these national guard soldiers have been in afghanistan, iraq, and kuwait. members of a net aviation battalion, they were there to perform maintenance and repairs on army helicopters. -- members of an aviation battalion. at around 10:30, the families went outside in the rain to wait for the buses. they were bringing their loved one's home. a few minutes later, the doors to the armory opened, and a year of worry was over. they were finally home. [cheering] >> it is good to be

rob roblin, wbal tv news. >> that is all for us tonight at 5:00.ere is what is coming up at 6:00. >> raising the gas tax is linked to job creation. the story straight ahead. >> congressman steny hoyer takes the stand. i will have details on this live report. >> a body found in clarksburg is believed to be a missing 11- year-old boy. we are live with that story next. >> live, local, like to breaking, this is wbal tv 11 news at 6:00. >> the message from annapolis is our big story tonight at 6:00. this was supposed to be a special legislative session on districting. the have added a gas related issue. >> the topic of conversation seems to be about raising a gas tax. they are trying to link it to job creation. david collins is live with the details. >> the

. >> rob roblin, wbal tv 11 news. >> the first big winter storm of the season is moving through coloradorecord-high temperatures earlier this week. they have given way to falling snow. more than 6 inches fell in parts of central colorado. but it is not sticking around long. it was 80 degrees there just a few days ago, so the round is not frozen and the snow is quickly melting. but it is colorado. >> they average about 6 inches of snow in october, so this is normal for them. they actually average two inches of snow in september, so the snow is a bit late. >> wow. >> hunh. >> the system is moving our direction and we will feel any impact from it. maybe not the wintry precipitation. you can see that snow is winding down in the denver area to colorado springs. this has been causing a bit of problems for baseball because they are supposed to be playing the world series in st. louis. the rainshowers have postponed game 6 of the world series in st. louis. they will still try to get that under way tomorrow. light shower activity here. some of the ohio valley rain will work our direction overnigh

this is a test for drive that rob roblin could not pass up. >> this lot in south baltimore was the placehis morning if you or your company is in the market for a hybrid or all electric vehicle. >> years ago, you would not even have a truck maker even say hybrid. now every major drug maker has at least -- truck maker has at least one in production. trex there were 36 vehicles, from automobiles to all types of trucks. they not only help the environment, but save money as well. this truck runs on hydrogen. >> hydrogen is $2.25 per pound, compared to a gallon of diesel, which is like $4 per gallon. >> it is so neat. you do not hear anything. >> this pick up will go for the force -- first 40 miles on batteries before its electrical generator kicks in. >> with fuel savings, this truck comes in at about $700. you're saving $100 per month on his truck. and then you take a $7,500 tax credit off on that. you pay what you pay for a high end suv right now. >> his company was thinking about going all hybrid or all electric. >> the big challenge is getting the cost of the battery's down. so that the p

rob roblin has our project economy update. >> karen ford finally got a contract on her home.en tried to sell her home a year ago, but to get off the market when it did not sell. like many home sellers, karen is finding out that it is a buyer's market. >> reduced the price three times, and we do have a buyer now, but it is a lot less than we really wanted to take. >> over 70 agents work out of this real estate office and they say people are still buying houses, but those buyers are looking for a deal. >> all the buyers across the board want everything in a house. they want it completely done. they want all the newest, trendy kinds of materials, and they want it for 2005 prices. >> new listings for home sales in the baltimore area for september were at the lowest monthly level in 10 years. while those listings might be down, agents say houses are still selling, if the seller is realistic. >> the sellers have to have a home in tiptop condition with all the modern update, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, the microwave, central air throughout. >> when we have reali

rob roblin, wbal-tv 11 news. >> too many numbers. >> a lot. >> coming up this morning, sweet news for the chocaholics out there in our medical alert. >> enrichment for baltimore city school students. i'll explain next. >> first a programming note. stephanie rawlings-blake will be our guest later this morning on 11 news. if you have a question for the mayor, send them in. you can e-mail us at sundayquestions@www.wbaltv.com. >> in medical alert, a show of support for friends and family affected by breast cancer. pink hard hats through the month. 160 workers created a pink ribbon to raise awareness for the disease. this is the third year for the pink hard-hat event. >> cold and flu season is not just tough on kids, it is tough on parents, too, as they fall victim to the germs kids bring home from school. it can take parents weeks to get over the same cold. >> kids in day care and school swap germs as often as they do crayons. germs spread. >> your a parent. your job is to take care of this child, you are going to love them, and in all likelihood you will catch a cold from them. >> there