as zachary kiesch reports they are hopeful this weekend's push will help boost the bottom line. >> able to create environment where you can get luxury things for half. >> four years ago alexa johnson was just getting her luxury consignment shop off the ground. now they are experiencing the fruit of starting a small business because of loyal customers. >> they know their clientele. it is more like shopping at a friend's place than a store. >> reporter: today marks five years of small business saturday highlighting an important component of the busy holiday shopping season. >> fabric for our community and neighborhoods. >> american express marked the anniversary by helping a handful of small businesses dress up their curb side appeal. >> last year consumers spent $5.7 million on small businesses on small business saturday. >> reporter: today is about drumming up support for the small businesses. the folks i talked to said what you get in return often times is an experience you can't get at the big box stores. at baked and wired they say days like these are appreciated. >> we don't do the

zachary kiesch spoke with a neighbor very worried about his safety. >> me and my wife just got home from a party. just talking to her and heard five shots. my wife thought it was somebody hanging up pictures with a ham ir. i was like, no, that's a gunshot. >> the apartments are quiet. it's a working class family oriented community. the kind of place daryl bullock wanted for his wife and son. >> for the most part, everyone knows each other. we help each other when it snows shoveling cars out. >> last night a different scene. five shots and one dead. it happened just before 10:30. >> so called the police and next thing you know, an rothey showe. >> reporter: as daryl came down the stairs he saw a woman here crying and learned the shooting happened right over here. not a lot of space between apartments here and certainly as a husband, as a father, daryl is concerned. >> close to your own opaapartme? >> right underneath it. >> the victim, avilar, is a 37-year-old man with a hayetsville address. i went to the apartment complex but nobody swrd. in laurel, anaronda police posted outside the apa

news 4's zachary kiesch joins us live right now with the very latest. good morning, zach. >> good morning, an jeel. a beautiful sunday morning in laurel. it's quiet. family oriented. residents say that's why they call this place home. everyone is waking up this morning with the same question. they want to know about the five shots and one man dead. i've been out here all morning long talking to residents as have detectives. i have some new information. i talked to the neighbor who lives drektly above where this all happened last night. he said he got home about 10:00. shortly before 10:30 he heard those shots and called police. when he walked outside he saw a woman crying downstairs. again, this all hapt used below him. detectives with anne arundel county have been here all night, the entire night. the victim has been id'd. his name is alvarado aguillar, 37 years old from hyattsville. what happened inside that apartment or if there are suspects in the case is still not known. the gentleman i spoke to thought it was an isolated incident. but still too cl

zachary kiesch reporting live in northeast d.c. >> thank you for the update. >>> well we're watching the skies and the roads right now. today expected to be one of the busiest travel days of the year. let's take a look at pictures of ronald reagan washington national a and 270. we don't have them for your right now. traffic is moving. take our word for it. no major airline delays today. more than 26 million people are flying this weekend. there's at least another 20 million on the roads. that's the highest number in seven years. gas prices dramatically lower. the national average for a gallon of regular right now 50 sense lower this year than the same time a year ago. and this morning a man is waking up in jail charged with killing a college student from montgomery county. police say shannon jones' boyfriend 32-year-old benjamin strangled her on thanksgiving. he's charged with second-degree murder. >> december starts tomorrow. you can believe it? which means we're only weeks away from the new i-95 express lanes. they are opening sometime next month. you're going to have to pay to use

i'm zachary kiesch reporting live in northeast d.c. back to you guys in the studio. >>> well right now might be the best time to get out the door. today is one of the biggest travel days of the year as everyone comes home from the thanksgiving break. right now there are no major airport delays and hardly any cars on i-66. that's amazing. we're watching everything and be sure to let you know how bad traffic is when it builds. a covereding to aaa 46 million americans are traveling this weekend. that's the highest number since 2007. gas prices are a major part of the change. today the national average for a gallon of regular is 50 cents lower than this time a year ago. >> this morning a man is wake up in jail charged with killing a college student from montgomery county. police say shannon jones' boyfriend 32-year-old benjamin strangled her on thanksgiving. he's charged with second-degree murder. jones was a senior at cornell and graduated from winston churchill high school in potomac. >> ferguson police officer who has shot and killed mi

reporting live in montgomery mall, zachary kiesch, news4. >> thanks, zachary. you tell those guys to hang in there. almost over. >>> holiday crime fighters. >> neighbors are helping police. we'll show how some people are taking matters into their own hands as holiday gifts disappear off door steps. >> this is what democracy looks like! >>> not everyone is happy about stores being open through the thanksgiving holiday. we'll explain what some local walmart employees decided not to show up at work. >>> a black friday bust. a popular website shut down for hours on one of the busiest shopping d a secure retirement. a new home. earning your diploma. providing for your family. real associates, using walmart's benefits to build better lives for their families. opportunity. that's the real walmart. >>> you're watching news4 at 5:00. >>> so you never want this to happen to you. you are eagerly awaiting for a gift to arrive only to have it not arrive. >> we're working with you for this safe and secure crime alert. darcy spencer reports now, some are caught taking pages r

. >> we begin with zachary kiesch live outside montgomery mall. hi, zack. >> reporter: actually, erika, i'm here in the middle of the mix at montgomery mall. they actually closed the doors last night at midnight and turned around and opened back up this morning at about 6:00 a.m., and the numbers don't lie mu. the numbers from last night, up 40% from where they were last year and good reason why. lots of activities going on at the mall today. of course, you've got santa and all of the helpers. but also a bunch of new additions here. over $100 million in additions here over the course of the last year. you're talking about a new cinema, new food court. i mentioned santa and his helpers and a couple new stores. check out the mike soft store, a hot ticket all day long. and so i had to ask some folks, is there really something to this black friday or is it all hype? >> yes! absolutely, it's worth it. and we got very lucky. there was a parking spot right there. and so we didn't have to fight. it was wonderful. >> reporter: some good deals out here? >>

chesley swan. >> reporter: reporting in northwest d.c., i'm zash re zachary kiesch, news4. >>> from theports to the roads, an approaching winter storm now that is thanksgiving travelers changing their plans. >> ferguson fallout. protesters in prince george's county prove they will not take the grand jury decision lying down. >>> and just last hour, we told you about assault charges against a former redskins player. now at 5:00 tonight, hear from the woman who made the accusations against fred smoot. the. >>> we have a winter storm on our heels. and before we can even see the first set of flakes, we are already seeing the impact right now at 5:00. >> yep, we're under a winter storm warning, folks. and we have live team coverage for you from the holiday scramble on the roads, at the airports, to the time line of how fast this storm will roll in. we've got you covered. >> let's start with you, doug. how is it looking? >> well, right now, guys, still on the mild side as temperatures are still in the 50s. and it's really hard to believe that we have this snow making its way toward the region

news4's zachary kiesch joins us live with a different perspective on the black friday rush. hey, zac. >> reporter: hey, doreen. you know, i have friends, but never as many friends as when the camera is out. i've been hanging out with my friends here at montgomery mall all day long. i have this feeling that only a live shot has the ability to kind of put a hiccup in the shopping going on here, unless, of course, you are one of the few that got dragged out of the house and had no intention of shopping. as a matter of fact, i see one of them sitting right over here. behind the hum of shoppers, there are an army of quiet and patient folks who just came along for the ride. >> every day after thanksgiving, i get all the girls together, give them each a couple hundred bucks and let them go. >> reporter: in the middle of the chaos, tim schwartz. his fix, coffee and a good book. >> last year, i was sitting at this very table at this very time. it's like dejavu all over again. >> reporter: the sound of cash registers and well practiced demos, we know a couple things. 140 million ameri

news4's zachary kiesch explains the proposals from the university of maryland. >> i usually walk homep. and i went to self defense class when i entered college in case i ever needed to use it. >> reporter: sophomore kathryn swanson chose the university of maryland because of the diversity on campus and the honors program. but she and her parents were also concerned about a problem on many college campuses. sexual assaults. >> that definitely does strike some fear in me. and i think every other young woman in this country. >> reporter: today attorney general doug antsler released a new report aimed at reducing sexual assaults on college campuses across the state of maryland. according to the report, one in five women will be assaulted while in college. 1 in 16 men will also be victims. in many cases, they go unreported. >> again, it's the very first part of this report sets forward what the requirements are. >> reporter: the report gives recommendations for other colleges, like increased bystander interventions, educating and training university employees and improved public awareness.

news4's zachary kiesch introduces us to a local radio personality who says that program allowed her to chase her dreams. >> we all remember the life of our mayor for life, mr. marion barry jr., who passed away over the weekend. share your thoughts with us, 877-955-5267. >> reporter: marion barry had flaws. but he also had a positive impact on a lot of people. his legacy for many washingtonians is a guy who cared, the one who gave them a shot in the summer youth employment program. wpgc's deejay heat is one of them. >> i couldn't wait until i turned 13, because i get to sign up for the summer job program. >> reporter: for three years, she was in the program, working as a teacher's assistant for summer school students. it wasn't a career for heat. it was the foundation, though. it's where she learned the value of earning a paycheck and setting goals. >> it was just something about to have pride and having a paycheck and having a job, and walking into a bank, you know, with my mom. i didn't spend not one paycheck. i cashed my check and i put my money aside, because i wanted to buy some de

zachary kiesch is live in one of the best spots to do just that. zach? >> reporter: hey, dafbvid. i was at the mall yesterday. the focus was about the big box stores. today, as you mentioned, the focus is small businesses. a small business doing big things. i'm here with a small business administration, administrator maria contrera sweet who will tell us more about why this day is so important. maria? >> we are here to make small business a really big deal. today's economy is so strong. we have now created over 10 million jobs in the last few years. two out of three new jobs are being created by small businesses. we've had 56 months of consecutive job growth. so, this is why we're celebrating small businesses, because they've created all this job growth. two out of three new jobs being created by small business? that's unbelievable. >> the time is now to get out and do some shopping. you mentioned to me that this is a fairly new concept. only about five years this has been going on. is that right? >> that's right. it's already organic. people just instinctively want to celebrate s

bureau reporter zachary kiesch went to the museum today to find out why. >> national harbor is growingday the children's museum announced they will no longer be a part of that growth. >> lack of affordable expansion space is inhibiting our ability to serve the number of kids and families we think we can serve. we're very excited about the move. >> reporter: ross hessinger is chairman of the board. >> we're at 17,000 square feet of space and we are looking to double that space. >> reporter: he says the move-out date hasn't been set but metro access and more space are top priorities. >> we have been very successful at prince george's county, serving a quarter million kids and families since we opened in december 2012. but the opportunity makes sense to do a better job at attracting kids from all areas of the washington metropolitan area. >> reporter: reporting in prince george's county, zachary kiesch, news4. >>> one attraction moves out, a true sign of the holiday season moves into national harbor. ice. that popular winter attraction has returned to the gaylord. it opened at 1:00 this a

reporting in northwest d.c., zachary kiesch, news4. >>> a look back now to 2004 for a happy update onhis little girl. >> aww. >> the girl in pink featured on wednesday's child here on nbc 4 a decade ago. aniyha is 14. tomorrow her sister will adopt her on the 28th annual national adoption day. our barbara harrison will be there when a record number of our wednesday's children will have their adoptions finalized in d.c. superior court tomorrow. >>> and a publicist for marion barry says he is recognizing comfortably in the hospital, doing well, and he hopes to go home later tonight. the d.c. council member and former mayor went to the hospital yesterday complaining of a urinary tract infection. they hospitalized him as a precaution. this is a similar problem that sent him to the hospital earlier this year. barry's annual turkey give-away is this tuesday. >>> a texas family's dream vacation ended in tragedy this week. >> they were on their way to disney world, and their 16-year-old was driving when their vehicle wound up rolling through a highway median strip and five of them were killed

. >> reporting in northeast d.c., zachary kiesch, news 4. >>> new at 6:00, he was shot and killed a month ago right outside his doorway. surveillance video reveals how he may have unknowingly let his killer in. tonight johnson's family is holding a vigil in chill 'em where derrick ward is live tonight. are there any detectives there as well? >> reporter: they are indeed here. they've been keeping close contact with the family there. back here in the crowd of 2 dozen family members and friends of the victim who gathered, as you said, for this vigil. i want you to take a look at surveillance video. this is taken from the door. police believe that's the killer seen going into the building and running out a short time later. there's footage of a car driving away. police believe that's the get away vehicle. this all happened on monday, october 27th at 11:23 p.m. police say that this was probably the person who murdered 36-year-old hollis johnson. he died shortly after being shot in the hallway just outside his apartment door. police search for a motive and suspects and they say nothing could b

news 4's zachary kiesch is live in laurel. zachary, what have you been able to find out. >> reporter: i can tell you this, angie, detectives are still on the scene here off red clay road in laurel. you can look behind me at this apartment complex. this is where police arrived to last night after they got a call in regards to a shooting. when they arrived they found a man with gunshots. he was determined deceased at the scene. we got the name of the victim, alvarado aguillar. he's 37 years old from hyattsville. we received this video last night. you can see anne arundel county police investigating the scene searching for clues. still no word on the there is a suspect and who that suspect may be. we will continue to give you information as it happens. again, this is a fluid situation here in laurel as detectives are trying to investigate this murder last night. back to you guys. >> zachary keep reporting live in laurel, thanks. >>> a pedestrian is battling life-threatening injuries this morning after being hit by a car in montgom

. >> zachary kiesch spoke with those who decided to put their memories down and tributes to marion barry. >> marion barry thank you for your service to the community and your social activism. >> reporter: they came from diverse background, some were elders representing the clergy and others college students like 19-year-old chessly swan. >> i want to go into public service. >> reporter: the first floor of the wilson building decorated with marion barry's photos, two books, two pens and a lifetime of memories. >> i just liked the man. >> reporter: written in ink and spoken out loud each reflected on how barry had personay touched them. >> like many of us we felt the greatness. he didn't stop. >> marion barry rest in peace. >> reporter: reverend louise battle was a place looking to call home. some used their lunch breaks, others built their day around it. one last note, one last good-bye. remembrance and grant attitude for mr. barry. >> i thank you for using the gifts god gave you. >> reporter: reporting in northwest d.c. i'm zachary kiesch, news4. >> one woman's heroic action in the fergu

reporting live northwest d.c., zachary kiesch, news4. >> thank you. most popular diets fall short. researchers looked at atkins, the zone, weight watchers and south beach diets. they found they do help people lose weight but the weight isn't likely to stay off. the best way to beat the bulge is making broad overall lifestyle changes you can stick with over the long hall. >>> and now what's coming up on "nightly news." >> hey, jim an doreen, good evening, just when we could use promi promising news they manage to land a spacecraft the size of a washing machine on a climate. >>> and on earth, this climate deal reached between the u.s. and china, we'll take a look at that. up here in new york, an am track ride above new york, the drama at the new world trade center as scaffolding comes loose. we'll have all of it for you on nbc "nightly news" at 7:00. >>> thanks. video just coming in of a violent confrontation including service members overseas. >>> the holiday rush already under way. if you wait until black friday for bargains, you might miss out. >> yo

news4's zachary kiesch was at powell elementary for the big reve. >> i did get a big surprise. >> as as secrets go, this one was well-kept. principy she got set up. the secret, d.c.ps principal of the year. >> you will not believe what i thought. joi by mary like muriel bowser, kia henderson, in a classroom of cheering first graders, it was an emotional day. known for increased enrollment, improved test scores and building relat with the communit it does mean a lot to me, because i thi this work is about civil rights and about social justice. >> reporter: the work she has done outside of the school has been equally impressive. she has earned a reputation for going door to door, making parents feel a part of the process, and bringing them in at a time where many children are headin the charter schools. >> people were fleeing this neighborho school and now people are clamoring to it. over 450 families up from 200 families, just three short years ago. some might say it's come with perseverance. th a word they talk a lot about around here. nathaniel is a first-grader. >> you never give u

reporting in prince george's county, zachary kiesch, news 4. >>> in the day ahead volunteers will packthat will go to injured marines. the packing party will begin at 10:00 at the vfw toast 1503 in dale vitti, virginia. more than 9,000 ornament also be packaged and shipped. >>> things are heating up on "the voice." the top 12 showdown begins tomorrow night. virginia native ryan sill is battling with 12 other c contestan he says it means a who to know his hometown of sterling is behind him. >> they've been having viewing parties, making t-shirts. i'm definitely feeling the love. it's well appreciated. >> sill is on team gwenn you can skach him and the rest of the contestants on "the voice." if i remember correctly, he went to jay neal also? >> yes. that's where i went to school, too. >> a whole lot of talent coming out of that school. >> yeah, baby. >> this season ---ive ooi been watching since the beginning and covering it, too, really good. they've been able to scope out nice talent. >> amazing. >>> outside, another cold day. a little milder than yesterday, though? >> a little bit. so