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Sheriff Sgt. Thrown Like 'Projectile' in CJC Elevator Crash

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An elevator malfunction at Philadelphia's Criminal Justice Center sent one car crashing through the shaft's ceiling Thursday morning, critically injuring a Philadelphia Sheriff's sergeant.

The impact caused concrete and debris to fall onto another car sitting more than 100 feet below, injuring a rider inside that elevator, authorities said.

The incident happened just after 10 a.m. at the building at 13th and Filbert streets in Center City, which serves as Philadelphia's courthouse.

Sheriff's Sgt. Paul Owens, 48, was in a staff elevator on his way to collect a jury when an elevator mechanism broke, Sheriff Jewell Williams said. The car shot upward into the ceiling of the building's penthouse and into elevator machine room, officials said.

Owens, a 20-year veteran of the office, flew through the car "like a projectile," Williams said, causing him to break several bones in his back. The man was being taken into surgery at Hahnemann University Hospital Thursday afternoon.

"He's in a lot of pain. His family is there with him, his mother and his wife who is a former deputy also," Williams said.

Thursday evening, a spokeswoman for the sheriff's office said Owens' surgery went well and that he was in a medically-induced coma following the procedure. He's expected to be under heavy sedation for the next three to four days.

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A woman in an elevator in the CJC's basement at the time also went to a local hospital by ambulance for observation. Fire officials said debris from the elevator that Owens was traveling in crashed onto the roof of her car.

The woman, Beverly Smith, told NBC10 as medics loaded her into an ambulance that it appeared to her that something "fell down on top of the elevator." She described hearing an explosion.

Smith, a clerk in the First District Office of Judicial Records, was alert and did not appear badly injured. Williams said she was sad to hear of Owens' injuries.

The CJC closed Thursday after the accident and will remain closed Friday as the investigation continues. Jurors serving in a trial should report on Monday, unless otherwise notified, court officials said.

Court hearings being held at Philadelphia City Hall will continue as scheduled.

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A sheriff at the CJC said that officers inside the building "heard a loud boom" and went to see what happened, then found the woman inside the elevator asking for help.

Williams said they may not have known Owens had been trapped if the debris had not damaged the second elevator car. The sergeant was overseeing a hearing for Monsignor William Lynn, the priest accused of shielding pedophile clergymen, when the incident happened.

Alarms sounded when the elevator crashed and officers evacuated people from the building, authorities said.

What caused the elevator to break remains under investigation. Government records show all of the building's elevators passed inspection in June.

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A spokeswoman for the city Department of Licenses & Inspections said her office would be involved with the investigation as well because of the damage the falling elevator caused to the building. L&I does not inspect elevators, she said, but will ensure that repairs are made properly.

"The roof of the elevator cab punched through the concrete floor of the elevator control tower at the top of the elevator shaft, breaking concrete and creating a large hole," the spokeswoman wrote in an email to NBC10. "L&I will require that this unsafe condition be repaired and that the elevator be re-certified as safe before this elevator bank can go back into operation."



Photo Credit: NBC10
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Local Republican Leaders Turning Away from Trump

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Several Trump allies say it’s time for the Republican nominee to refocus his attacks on Hillary Clinton. NBC10’s Deanna Durante spoke to several local GOP leaders who are turning away from Donald Trump.

NBC10 First Alert Weather: Rain Then More Sun

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NBC10’s Chief Meteorologist Glenn “Hurricane” Schwartz tells us we have showers and possible thunderstorms to contend with before returning to nice weather. .

$465K Cost Prices NJ Teen with Autism Out of Treatment

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Laura Morgan feels she has one chance to give her son Jackson a normal life.

The 14-year-old, who she lovingly refers to as Jack, has been battling a complex case of Autism where he injures himself, sometimes severely, with bruises, black eyes and internal bleeding. He was diagnosed as a toddler and as the teen has aged, he’s become more of a danger to himself, Morgan said.

“My husband works a day job, I work nights and weekends to make things meet,” Morgan said. “But, we advocate for our children because Jack is a very complex case and we need to make sure he is safe.”

The Princeton, New Jersey mother has tried for years to get him the best help possible, but the current treatment program he attends is no longer working.

Recently, Jack was offered admittance into a highly-regarded program at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. KKI, as it’s known, has an 80 percent success rate with treating cases similar to Jack’s, Morgan said.

"If Jack got into KKI, it would be the first day of his life," Morgan said, fighting back tears. "[After treatment] he would come back to me, he would live here, in my home, and maybe we could go to the beach or the park or the store… That’s our plan."

Jack could’ve started the program already, but hasn’t because the family can’t pay the $465,000 bill for the standard four to six months of treatment. Morgan said her insurance only covers a fraction of the cost.

Loved ones surrounding the family are now asking strangers for help as time is running out to get Jack into KKI. A friend created a GoFundMe page to raise the cash for Jack’s treatment. More than $39,000 has been raised in just three days, but that’s very far from the goal.

Morgan said she’s already overwhelmed by the number of people interested in helping her and her son.

"Even just that people that I don’t know, would even care about me, it blows my mind… There are no words to describe it,” Morgan said.

Jackson last guaranteed chance to join KKI’s program was last Thursday. Morgan said a call could come at any moment letting them know the space has been filled. The family is hoping they can raise the money in time.

No money has been collected from the GoFundMe yet, and won’t be unless the goal is reached. To contribute, go to Jackson’s GoFundMe page.



Photo Credit: Laura Morgan/GoFundMe

Cape May County Situation Simulator Revolutionizing Police Training

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For police officers, practice could save lives. Now, in Cape May County officers have a new tool to help with their training. NBC10’s Ted Greenberg tries it out.

Trump Campaign Turmoil

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Sources tell NBC News that prominent Republicans plan to have an intervention with Donald Trump over his recent behavior during the presidential campaign. NBC10's Denise Nakano spoke to Republican stategist Jeff Jubelirer about Trump's troubles.

Photo Credit: AP

Back with a 'Blur': Pro Racers Return for Montco Bike Race

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When the Philadelphia International Bike Race moved its finish line to the Manayunk Wall a few years ago, longtime enthusiast Jason Mangler said the competition became "a climber's race."

The Ambler Bike Race, which Mangler helped start last year, is the quintessential "sprinter's race."

"It's the NASCAR of bike races," he said Thursday outside Ambler Theater on East Butler Road, where the start and finish line for the second annual race Aug. 13.

Professional riders from all over the world -- the men's winner in the featured race last year is from New Zealand -- will become blurs around the tiny borough's race route. That route is roughly one mile and the top tier of male and female riders will do it 40 times. Mangler said the best times will likely be under 90 minutes.

"One of the great things about this race is the wind you'll feel as the group goes by you," said Travis Geiser, sports sales director for the Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board who rode the course Thursday with Ambler Mayor Jeanne Sorg. "That's one of the coolest feelings, the wind created by the race."

"They go by as a blur," Geiser added.

Proceeds from the race go to the local fire department and Ambler Main Street, the borough's business corridor association. Sorg, a 16-year resident who has been mayor for three years, said the entire borough transforms into a world-class race track.

"It's a wonderful showcase for what a great place Ambler is," she said.

Races will take place all day on Aug. 13, starting in the morning with amateur bike riders who will do the course five times. The beginners give way to semi-professional and professional riders who are separated into five categories of skill-level. Races will be spread out so each class of riders is given its time on the mile track. 

The world-class group of Category 1 female riders will begin at 1:45 p.m. followed by the Category 1 male riders at 3:15 p.m. Numerous top-tier riders have already registered, Mangler said.

Races will also have cash prizes for winners. Mangler touted the competition's equal prize money for both men's and women's races.

The technical term for this type of sprint race is "criterium," Mangler said. He said fans who come to watch will also be fascinated by in-race "primes," which are declared by race officials and give winners of certain laps smaller prizes.

"You'll hear a bell ring and that means a 'prime' has been declared," Mangler said. The word is French and pronounced "preem."

Last year, the race raised more than $9,000 in sponsorship money that went to the local non-profits. This year, Mangler said they have already raised $12,000.

Mangler rides with a local group called Zen Masters Racing, which is based in Philadelphia. The group, Mangler said, has been instrumental in organizing the race and helping run it.

A lot of work, after all, goes into turning borough streets into a high-speed race course. Rails are erected along the entire route and a huge race clock stretches over East Butler Street at the start/finish line. Local police and firefighters also lend a big hand, and restaurants and businesses open their doors for the hundreds of spectators, Sorg said.

"It really brings the whole community together," she said.

"That's why we came out here today to ride the course and show support. Ambler is a microcosm of everything that's great about Montgomery County," Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board spokesman Dan Weckerly said prior to joining Sorg on her promotional bike ride Thursday.

Could East Butler Street become the next Manayunk Wall -- sans the beer kegs and the huge hill?

"We're certainly trying to bring that Philly race feel here," Mangler said.

For more information about the Aug. 13 race, and day-of registration details, check out this flyer. Or go to Zen Masters Racing's website, where a map of the course can be found.


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Clinton Leads Trump by 11 Points in Pa.: New Poll

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Coming off of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia and a weekend bus tour through the state, a new poll shows Hillary Clinton is besting Donald Trump by nearly a dozen points in Pennsylvania.

The poll conducted by Franklin & Marshall College immediately after the DNC shows Clinton leading Trump by 11 points -- 49 percent to 38 percent -- among likely voters.

The gap widens to 14 points among registered voters, with 49 percent saying they'd vote for Clinton and 35 percent for Trump if the presidential election were held today.

The state poll results support a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll that puts Clinton in a 9 point lead nationally. The surveys come on the heels of a series of issues for Trump including his public arguments with a Gold Star family who criticized him.

Pennsylvania is considered a battleground state for the campaigns. Both candidates spent time holding rallies here in the past week.

Clinton visited five cities Friday and Saturday including Philadelphia and Pittsburgh as part of her "Stronger Together" bus tour to talk up her job creation plan.

Trump held a boisterous and strongly attended rally in Mechanicsburg, right outside Harrisburg, on Monday following Clinton's exit from the state for Ohio, another battleground state.

NBC10 digital reporters followed both campaigns through the state. You can see stories from the campaign trail here.

Trump holds a higher lead in Pennsylvania among less educated, white residents and men than Clinton, the poll found. A majority of white women, however, support Clinton.

Among characteristics to be president, Clinton outperforms Trump in areas like experience, foreign policy and character, according to the poll.

Trump nearly ties Clinton among voters asked who is most prepared to fix the country's economic problems. Trump earned 40 percent while Clinton got 43 percent.

Trustworthiness continues to dog both candidates with 31 percent of those surveyed saying neither candidate is more honest than the other. And pollsters note that both candidates have negative favorability ratings.

Read the full results of the Franklin & Marshall poll here.



Photo Credit: AP; Getty Images

Arrow Lands in Philly Bedroom Window, Police Investigating

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Detectives are investigating whether someone intentionally shot an arrow at a home in Philadelphia's Andorra neighborhood.

The arrow hit the Scotia Street home sometime Wednesday and became lodged in a second-floor bedroom window. The window frame stopped the flying weapon.

The homeowner, who asked not to be identified, called the situation scary and said her grandson occasionally sleeps in the room.

She called police and now detectives are looking into the incident trying to determine whether it was an accident.

Neighbors describe the enclave in Northwest Philadelphia as quiet and were shocked to hear about the arrow shooting.

"I don't even know why someone would be shooting a bow and arrow. There's no hunting," neighbor Mary Kasper said Thursday. She lives a block over from where the arrow landed.

Anyone with information is asked to call Philadelphia Police at 215.686.TIPS.



Photo Credit: NBC10

NBC10 First Alert Weather: Heat and Humidity Going Up

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The heat and humidity will rise through the weekend and along with it will come storms. But it won't stick around forever. NBC10 First Alert Meteorologist Sheena Parveen has your forecast.

2 Arrested After Wawa Brawl

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Philadelphia Police have arrested two people following a caught on video fight inside the Wawa along Torresdale Avenue in Northeast Philadelphia Wednesday night. The suspects are accused of throwing food and fighting with employees and customers.

Feds Search Johnny Doc's House, Councilman Henon's Offices

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Federal agents conducted raids Friday across Philadelphia and New Jersey, pulling truckloads of documents and computers from locations that included two rowhouses, a pub, a union hall and the political offices of a City Councilman.

A common link for all the search sites became clear immediately: the city's most influential labor union, IBEW Local 98, and its powerful leader known by the moniker Johnny Doc.

The FBI confirmed by mid-morning that the searches and subsequent seizures of enough boxes to fill an actual rental truck were part of an "ongoing investigation," apparently into the Philadelphia local for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. 

John Dougherty, who played a major role in getting Mayor Jim Kenney elected last year and at the same time helped his brother Kevin win a seat on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, paced outside his home as agents searched inside.

Dougherty declined to discuss the purpose of the search, but told NBC10 he'd been under scrutiny his whole life, perhaps "because I keep winning."

It is the second time in 10 years that federal agents have raided the well-kept rowhouse on East Moyamensing Avenue in South Philadelphia.

His attorney, Hank Hockeimer of Ballard Spahr, was with Dougherty outside his house all morning and the two retreated inside once agents left.

"Nothing has changed inside the house since the last time 10 years ago," Hockeimer said.

Agents left there with several boxes of evidence and a computer after about four hours, then rolled a boxtruck up to the IBEW headquarters and union hall on Spring Garden Street and began loading dozens and dozens of boxes.

The FBI said federal agents searched those locations and Dougherty's pub in the 1800 block of South Second Street called Doc's Union Pub. In all, nine properties were searched throughout the morning and afternoon in connection with the investigation.

Those properties included Councilman Bobby Henon's offices at City Hall and in Northeast Philadelphia. Henon is a former IBEW Local 98 electrician who rose to become the union's political director  before being elected to Council in 2011 with the support of Dougherty. This year, he took over as Council majority leader.

Across the river in New Jersey, federal agents raided MJK Electrical in Berlin and the Mt. Laurel home of Brian Burrows, president of Local 98. Pine Hill Police Chief Chris Winters said his officers assisted the FBI in serving the search warrant looking for tax records.

Several firearms and ammunition were seized during the search at MJK Electical unrelated to the FBI search. Winters said the person connected to the weapons was taken into custody. It's not clear why.

Frank Keel, who Dougherty edged out of his position this summer during a union reorganization, was back on the job as IBEW spokesman Friday. Keel said he didn't know anything about the investigation except for media reports of "financial improprieties" involving IBEW, and said the union is regularly audited.

Dougherty last September became head of the Philadelphia Building Trades Council, a few months after his chosen candidate for mayor, Kenney, won the heated Democratic primary. Kenney easily won the general election in November. The two men grew up together in South Philadelphia and were close until a political estrangement last decade. 

Still, when the mayor's race began shaping up last year into a battle between the longtime Councilman Kenney and state Sen. Anthony Williams, of West Philadelphia, Dougherty threw his union's considerable political clout -- and its vast resources -- behind the former South Philly friend.

Local 98's political action committee spent roughly $450,000 during the mayoral campaign last year.

"I know basically what you know," Kenney said when questioned about the raids at an unrelated midday news event. He quickly walked to a waiting vehicle and left without answering questions.

Kenney's spokeswoman Lauren Hitt confirmed no one in the Kenney administration has been approached by the FBI in relation to the investigation.

At the same news event, Councilmen Mark Squilla and Curtis Jones said they knew nothing about the investigation into their Council colleague, Henon.

Jones, the previous majority leader who lost the position to Henon after an internal power struggle on Council last year, brushed aside a question about Henon's reputation after the raids.

Asked if he has faith in Henon to be a leader on Council, Jones said, "I have full faith in me, and I have full faith in my institution, City Council. Totally. And I think the presumption of innocence always has to be there. I take no pleasure at all in anyone else's troubles."

Reporters Rosemary Connors, George Spencer, Mitch Blacher, Matt DeLucia and Drew Smith contributed to this story.



Photo Credit: NBC10
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Michael Nutter Under Consideration for Cabinet Post

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If Hillary Clinton becomes president, former Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter could end up in her cabinet. He is under consideration for "Transportation Secretary" and "Secretary of Housing and Urban Development".

NBC10 Responds: What a Week!

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There were plenty of hugs for Harry Hairston this week, he helped consumers with drone issues and pool problems.

Amtrak Reduces Delays

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Amtrak added about a dozen new trains which has resulted in reducing delays on Northeast Corridor and Keystone Line. Septa now plans to buy parts from the same company.

Tweets as FBI Raids Johnny Dougherty's Home, IBEW

NBC10 Catches Up With 'Today Show' on the Beach in Rio

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"Today Show" hosts Matt Lauer and Hoda Kotb share their excitement with NBC10's Jacqueline London as the morning show broadcasts live from the beach in Rio throughout the Summer Olympics.
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Photo Credit: NBC10

What Goes into the Opening Ceremony?

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Ever wonder what goes into the Olympic Opening Ceremony? Twelve-thousand costumes, 300 dancers, and so much more. NBC10’s Jacqueline London tells us all the details that go into making Friday night’s ceremony so spectacular.
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Photo Credit: Getty Images

Gymnastics Instructor Charged With Sexually Assaulting Child

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A youth gymnastics instructor from Montgomery County has been charged with sexually assaulting a girl over a three year span, prosecutors said.

Daniel Jacob Erb, 33, of Hatboro, was arraigned Friday on 48 counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child and related offenses, court records show.

Prosecutors allege the assault began when the girl was 8 years old and continued until she was 11.

A source with knowledge of the investigation said Erb spent time training children at half a dozen gyms across the Philadelphia area.

Erb most recently worked at Tumble Kids Gymnastics in Wyndmoor, court documents showed. He also spent time at the Newtown Athletic Club at their summer camp, according to a letter posted online. The letter said Erb spent a decade working in the York area before moving into southeastern Pennsylvania.

According to a criminal affidavit, detectives said Erb admitted he would lay in bed with the victim and touch her inappropriately on top of her clothes. The touching eventually moved to skin-on-skin contact, prosecutors said.

Erb told detectives the assault was like a game of "Am I going to get caught," court records show.

Prosecutors believe there may be additional victims and ask anyone with information about the alleged assaults to contact Upper Moreland Township Police at 215.657.5700.

Erb is being held at the county prison on $500,000 cash bail. Court records did not list an attorney for him.



Photo Credit: Montgomery County Prosecutor's Office
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Celebrating Rio: Images from the Opening Ceremony

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Brazil shows off its culture and history during the opening ceremony of the 2016 Olympics.

Photo Credit: Sportsfile via Getty Images
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