here's sherrie johnson, tell us the rules. >> reporter: good morning, jamie. listen, all is quiet right now at the best buy in timonium, but later this morning, it's going to get busy over here. a new rebate program kicks off right here. cash for appliances kicks off this afternoon in conjunction with earth day, as a matter of fact. basically this program is designed to stimulate the economy while encouraging consumers to save energy with more efficient appliances. the cash for appliances program kicks off today with earth day. now this is a government-federal cash for appliances economic incentive program. and right now, we have jeanine nichols joining us live. she's a shopper going to cash in on this rebate. you're out here bright and early. the store opens at 6:00 a.m., you're ready to go. >> i was here at 5:15. i wanted to beat the crowd, i think i did. >> reporter: you did. early bird gets the worm. what are you shopping for? >> a front-loading washing machine. my washer broke a few weeks ago. it stopped working. i'm really here because i need a new washi

sherrie johnson is here. we are getting limited information on this. we understand the headline. >> that's exactly right. the health department provided limited information right now but we do know that another person from maryland has died as a result of the h1n1 virus or better known as the swine flu. the only information that's been released about the victim is that it was an adult from the baltimore area. h1n1 is still around and still very much dangerous. experts say even though the swine flu may not be the pandemic predicting, it is clearly not over yet. >> i can't emphasize strongly enough they run 2-3 years. this has only been year one. >> 45 people have died from h1n1 in maryland. the state is offering more than 153 vaccination clinics next week at local health departments to see the list log on to abc2news.com. click on the slide show. sherrie johnson, abc 2 news. >>> according to the national centers for disease control, 80 million americans have been vaccinated since october. rhode island had the highest rate of 39% followed by five other s

sherrie johnson, abc2 news. >>> 5:47.there's controversy surrounding a maryland police department in what appears to be a beating caught on tape. on the video university of maryland student john mckenna is singing a cheer, celebrating maryland's basketball win over duke. when he comes face-to-face with the park police mounted officer. he stops and actually backs up. from this tape it appears he was knocked unconscious by prince george's county police officers. mcken why's lawyer says there's only one way to characterize what happened. >> this is police brutality, pure and simple. >> however, charges against mckenna alleges an assault against a police officer and disorderly conduct. it claims mckenna was kicked by the horses and sustained minor injuries. prince george's county says their office will begin an immediate investigation into the video and what happened. >> there are things in the video that concern me, brad. we're going to take a look at it. >> federal investigators will also be looking at the tape to determine

sherrie johnson joins us live in the studio more. >> we have more information on the three victims of the fire we brought as breaking news last night at 11:00. this is new video we have of the scene. an elderly woman in serious condition this morning. a firefighter burned both of his hands and fell out of a second story window while trying to help the elderly woman. the fire started on the third floor of a brick apartment building last night on liberty heights avenue. medics took a third victim to the hospital for smoke inhalation. >> unfortunately it appears that as many as four apartments suffered fire and smoke damage. we'll be work waeg ing with the management as well as the red cross to accommodate those that are just a result of the fire. >> investigators aren't sure what caused the fire. authorities say the victims injuries aren't life threatening. in the studio, sherrie johnson, abc2 news. >>> baltimore county police are asking your help to find a man who is accused of sexually assaulting a woman. take a look at this sketch. from a person that police say a 19-year-old woman wa

here's abc2 news sherrie johnson, like a game show. how are you? >> reporter: good morning, jamie, i'm excited. they opened the doors and let me inside here. so i'm not standing outside anymore. this is great. we're here at the best buy in timonium for the cash for appliances rebate. take a look at this. look at all of these appliances here. this is the kind of thing you can cash in on. nine states, including maryland will begin the program today in conjunction with earth day. now the government's federal cash for appliances economic incentive rebate, this program was modeled after the cash for clunkers program. basically the programs are funded by $300 million in federal stimulus money. you know what? the program kicks off today. this is a good time for people po take advantage of it. ruth is joining me live with bge. tell bhae how this qualified with some of your other programs. how this works in conjunction with other programs that bge has. >> this appliance rebate program supplements other programs we have. we have a complete portfolio of energ

here's sherrie johnson. live and let's make a deal, sherrie. >> reporter: i feel like i'm on the game show let's make a deal. some people could come down here and make a good deal with the cash for appliances rebate. take a look at this stuff. state-of-the-art equipment here. look at these washers and dryers. all in an effort to save you money. it's in conjunction with earth day. so far about 35 states have launched this program. it's designed to stimulate the economy while encouraging consumers to save energy with more efficient appliances. and right now i have met dawson with best buy stories here. good morning. >> good morning. >> what do you think about this rebate program? >> i think it's a great program to help our customers save additional money on energy efficient products and really get them into the new saving mode with these appliances. >> reporter: we talked to jeanine earlier. she was here bright and early. she said she got a good deal on a washer. what are you offering consumers to save? >> most

sherrie johnson with what is happening there. >> reporter: this morning baltimore city police are look for suspects in connections to two murders in the waverly area, authorities say a fight out at a carry out restaurant at 33 r street on saturday afternoon when the victim left the shooter followed him and he was gunned down. now this was the second murder within days, a vietnam veteran was shot and killed while picking up food ton way to work. >> we do to do a better job of being consistent of keeping that crime prevention mode first and foremost. >> now police are out of the krierses and walking around the -- cruiser and walking around the area. sherrie johnson, abc 2 news. >>> last week, airlines wants to charge you for carry ons starting in august as much 45z dollars one way for the overhead bin but they urge government regulators to prevent these for carry on bags. >> let me just say passengers are hit a breaking point ton fees being imposed month after month exam year after year. it seeps every time you buy a ticket there's new you are being charged for. the airline is fog to add

in the studio, sherrie johnson, abc2 news. >>> the president broke with 25 years of government policyg he will allow more offshore drilling for oil which includes the mid-atlantic coast. the current ban has been allowed on the gulf of mexico. >> given our energy needs, in order to sustain energy growth, produce jobs and stay competitive, we'll need to harness traditional sources of fuel even as we ramp up renewable sources of homegrown energy. >> the president is laying down the foundation for republican support of future legislation. in a new poll last month, nearly 2/3 of americans say they favor allowing more offshore drilling for oil and gas. >>> 11 minutes before 7:00. you know there's a ban on the books there should be no drilling on the bay, but what about off the coast of ocean city? what will we see first? oil rigs or wind mills? linda sow with reaction this morning. >> looks like you'll see oil rigs. the president wants to expand offshore drilling all along the east coast. it's a decision upsetting environmentalists in management -- management -- maryland. will baker says a

this morning they don't have to be sherrie johnson joins us from timonium. >> reporter: good morning, that's right. in these tough economic times, here's a way to save some money. the top swap consignment sale kicks off this morning at the timonium fairgrounds in the 4h building. that starts at 9:00 this morning. this is the largest consignment sale in maryland and they have everything from baby items, toys, clothes, games, anything for babies, kids and teenagers. right now i have robin rut land joining me live ky you talk to me a little bit, explain the consignment process. how does this work? >> families have an opportunity to sell their gently-used merchandise. go totswap.net. bring your items and we sell them for you throughout the weekend. it's too late to consign now for this sale, but shopping is going on this weekend. >> reporter: what do you have to offer shoppers if they turn out this weekend? >> anything and everything for kids up to teenagers. clothing, toys, baby equipment, books, videos, dvds and it goes on and on. >> reporter: what other locations do you have? >> we hav

in timonium, sherrie johnson, abc2 news. >> 35 states are launched the appliance rebate program. nine states including maryland launched their programs just today. >>> consolation energy has added a hands-on activity to take your child to work today. more than 150 children of the employees helped put together bags for the needy at port discovery. they included toothbrushes to socks. >> we felt it was really important to have part of the day a community service project to teach kids how easy it is to help in the community as well as why they should help. >> the children were able to give back to their community in addition to helping their parents at work. constellation also gave each child a tree to plant in honor of earth day. >>> and even the u.s. navy is going green. they are testing a fighter jet that uses biofuel. the fa18 superhorn net dubbed the green horn net -- the navy says it expects to see no difference between th green hornet's performance and jet fuel. it's aimed at creating a great careen fleet -- great green fleet by 2016. >>> here's a few ways you can help keep t

reporting live in timonium, sherrie johnson, abc2 news. >>> 6:07. an emotional plea from a woman whose puppy was stolen from her home. this woman says she bought an american bully, a puppy from a breeder in wisconsin for $4,000. the dog arrived at her cherry hill home last week. the next day someone broke in and stole it. police have arrested an intruder but they've not found the puppy. >> all i'm asking is whoever has him, i'm not going to ask any questions. that is not my purpose. do i want anybody arrested? do i want anybody locked up? no. i want an apology and i would like my dog back. >> anyone with information is asked to please call city police. >>> people in six states are cleaning up after tornadoes. people took cover in basements, bathrooms to avoid the storms. when they died down there was major damage. some people compared it to hurricane katrina. >> in the bathtub. we had blankets and things. i got in there just in time. >> when it hit the building it literally was an explosion. it was gone immediately. >> if you're counting 61 tornadoe

. >>> let's go right now over to sherrie johnson. >> thank you. one of the most popular and talked about shows on cable premieres its sixth season tonight. coming up, we chat live with one of the iconic captains from "deadliest catch" and he wrote a book about it. and his memories of a good friend who gave his all to the profession. and "dancing with the stars" is heating up on the dance floor. what is happening off the dance floor? that's getting more headlines. and we show you a few places in maryland where you can get away and enjoy some relaxation with your girlfriends. all coming up. >> 9:34. 51 degrees. we've got clouds, light rain. even heavier rain and just north of the beltway. it's going to be a cool wet day. we'll talk more about that and a little warming trend as well. with a look at maryland's most powerful doppler radar. your complete forecast coming up. [ male announcer ] are you watching cable? here's what you should be watching: your cable bill, because you could be paying way too much. stop spending more for second best. upgrade

sherrie johnson joins us live from overlea with a preview on how he plans to help. >> reporter: gooding. that's right. congressman dutch ruppersberger is doing his part to help people in this area, basically he's holding a foreclosure prevention workshop tonight. right here at overly lee high school. the goal, to help maryland families keep their homes. according to a california-based research firm, home foreclosures in maryland are up 80% from last year. foreclosures in the rest of the country have actually stablized. the struggling economy has been tough on maryland families, now tech receive much--- now they can receive much-needed help. it's a sitdown one-on-one with mortgage lenders, housing counselors and others to discuss their options to keep their homes. >> we've had some of the most serious economic times we've faced since the great depression. one of the areas that we are still having serious problems with is foreclosures of peoples' homes. we are also having a serious problem within our own baltimore region. >> reporter: that foreclosure prevention workshop kicks off at 6

sherrie johnson, abc 2 news. >> we checked in with greg, and did he finish the marathon. we want to let you know that he did injure himself during the race, but we understand he will be okay. he's considering possibly running the boston marathon again next year. he is a role model for all of us. >>> and we -- i wish we could put today on a postcard. >> nice day with temperatures pushing 70 out there. one silver lining, people aren't happy about the wet weather pattern but no big time cold snaps. if you like to warm, you get that just a few showers. >> all right. we can't have it all. >> it is spring. we don't want to dry out too fast this summer, all right? let's look at the inner harbor. temperature-wise, not bad. we're sitting at 66 right now. humidity 32%, winds calm and barometer 29.990 holding steady. wanted to show you first off through the day today and we started off with plenty of sunshine. then the clouds, the clod deck comes in. that kind of is the prelude to a little more active weather coming our way tomorrow. mount airy similar story, carroll county where i