Atlantic County Freeholder John Carman is facing backlash for a photo he posted on Facebook that addressed the historic Women’s March on Washington over the weekend.
The meme, which has since been removed from Carman’s Facebook page, stated, “Will the woman’s protest be over in time for them to cook dinner?”
Carman’s post drew criticism from state politicians and local women, many of whom attended the Freeholder meeting Tuesday at 4 p.m. at the Stillwater Building in Northfield, New Jersey to voice their concerns.
“As a taxpaying resident I expect representation that would be not so misogynistic and to focus on the rights of all of his constituents,” said Kristin Lis of Atlantic County. “And he can make his own dinner.”
Carman spoke to the women during the meeting.
“Why did you post that?” one woman asked.
“Did you read it?” Carman replied.
“I did read it,” she said.
“Why were you offended by it?” Carman asked.
Carman insisted he respects women, is not a misogynist and was merely joking around.
“I really hope they come to realize it is what it was,” Carman told NBC10. “It was a joke. Bad taste? Absolutely. But that’s all it was. Nothing more.”
Carman also said the community had other important issues that deserved equal passion. Some of the women who attended the meeting were not satisfied with his explanation however and ultimately walked out.
A firefighter suffered minor injuries after a car carrier caught fire on the New Jersey Turnpike in Mercer County, New Jersey Tuesday night.
The fire started in the southbound lanes of the Turnpike in Robbinsville near milepost 62. Firefighters were able to bring the flames under control. One firefighter suffered a minor shoulder injury. No one else was hurt.
All but one of the southbound lanes were closed at the scene of the fire. They were later reopened.
Officials have not yet revealed the cause.
Here are the 10 things you need to know to start your day from your friends at NBC10.
TODAY'S TOP STORY
Trump to Attend GOP Policy Retreat in Philly: President Donald Trump will be in Philadelphia Thursday for the annual Republican policy retreat. Trump will meet with Republican lawmakers to work out more details on moving a legislative agenda through Congress this year and revamping the nation’s health care system. Former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning will also attend the retreat to give a motivational speech. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., calls the two-time Super Bowl winner a longtime friend and is scheduled to introduce him to colleagues Thursday evening. The retreat will take place at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel on 1200 Market Street Thursday. Road closures will be in place from 8 a.m. Thursday to at least 6 p.m.
YOUR FIRST ALERT FORECAST
Wednesday is expected to be sunny with temperatures in the 50s. Thursday is expected to be mostly sunny with a chance of showers and wind. But temperatures are expected to stay in the 50s. Temperatures are expected to drop back to the 40s for Friday and Saturday. But it is expected to stay dry. Saturday, Sunday and Monday are expected to be cold. High Temp: 54 Degrees. Get your full NBC10 First Alert forecast here.
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WHAT YOU MISSED YESTERDAY
Social Media Posts Could Play Role in Rape-Murder Case: Old social media postings could play a role in the case against a woman accused of helping her boyfriend kill her adopted daughter in a rape and murder fantasy. Sara Packer and her boyfriend Jacob Sullivan are both in jail and awaiting a preliminary hearing in the rape and murder of Grace Packer, 14. The couple allegedly beat, raped and killed Grace in their rented home in Quakertown last year and left her in the attic for months before eventually dumping her body in a wooded area of Luzerne County, according to authorities. They were arrested earlier this month and charged with criminal homicide, rape, kidnapping and other related offenses. As the investigation into Grace’s murder continues, NBC10 obtained Sara Packer’s old posts on social media. In one long entry, posted by Packer in September of 2009, she talks about Grace, Grace’s brother, and two other foster children. She complains that one of the children ran away. She also wrote that after she called police the child was “nice and safe in the psych ward for a couple of days.”
AROUND THE WORLD
Trump to Move Forward with Border Wall: President Donald Trump will begin rolling out executive actions on immigration Wednesday, beginning with steps to build his proposed wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, according to two administration officials. He's also expected to target so-called sanctuary cities and is reviewing proposals that would restrict the flow of refugees to the United States. The president is expected to sign the first actions — including the measure to jumpstart construction of the wall — Wednesday during a trip to the Department of Homeland Security. Additional actions will be announced out over the next few days, according to one official.
'N Word' Debated at Cherry Hill High School: Community members debated whether students at Cherry Hill High School East should be able to use a racial slur while performing the Broadway musical "Ragtime." Most of the students, both black and white, said they wanted to be able to use the word in the play. Some adults who spoke at a community meeting disagreed however.
SPORTS SPOT
Sixers Beat Clippers: The Sixers won 121 to 110 against the Los Angeles Clippers. Get your full sports news at CSNPhilly.
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PHOTO OF THE DAY
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See more Top News Photos here.
THROUGH IGER'S EYES
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@knowandseek captured this cool photo of an old Philadelphia door.
Have an awesome Instagram photo you'd like to share? Tag it with #NBC10Buzz.
TODAY'S VIRAL VIDEO
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Check out this 12 course dinner in Japan. Watch more here.
Rare Lion, Tiger Cub Litter Celebrate Birthday: An extremely rare litter of big cats just celebrated its first birthday at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey, the park says. For the first time in history, the Six Flag's animal care team is raising Siberian tiger cub Nadya and African lion cub Zuri as “sisters,” despite the fact the species would typically never cross paths in the wild. Ken Keiffer, a Six Flags veterinarian, said an African lion and a Siberian tiger gave birth, each to a single female cub, within a week last year. The two fuzzy cubs weighed about 3 pounds at birth, and now tip the scales at 150 pounds each. Nadya was the first tiger birth at the safari in 13 years. Siberian tigers are endangered and rank as the largest cats in the world. Nadya is expected to reach a weight of 400 lbs. African lions are the second largest cats in the world, protected by the endangered species act, and females like Zuri are expected to reach 280 pounds. Read more.
That's what you need to know. We've got more stories worthy of your time in the Breakfast Buzz section. Click here to check them out.
A large sinkhole opened up overnight in the middle of a Montgomery County community, gobbling up the yards of at least two homes and leaving a pickup truck on the edge.
The sinkhole opened up along Brooke Road near Argyle Road in Glenside, Cheltenham Township before 4 a.m. Wednesday.
No injuries were reported, county dispatchers said.
As SkyForce10 hovered overhead, crews could be seen responding to the hole, and what appeared to be a white pickup truck teetering into it, holding on by only a few branches. The hole takes up at least two yards and part of the street.
Church Road and Station Avenue can be used as alternate routes.
NBC10 has crews headed to the scene.
This sinkhole comes about two weeks after a sinkhole swallowed up cars and impacted utilities along a Philadelphia street.
The economic impact on the homeowners wasn't immediately clear, but insurer Esurance says that sinkhole damage is often not covered by standard homeowners insurance coverages, only if you have a "ground movement" add-on.
New Jerseyans looking forward to their state income tax refunds will have to wait a little longer this year.
The Department of the Treasury announced on its website a delay in 2016 refunds for early filers.
The agency said they are “using additional tools to protect New Jersey taxpayers from refund fraud and identity theft.”
The increased efforts mean refunds will not be issued until as early as March 1.
Early filers won’t be the only ones affected by the increased security measures.
The statement says returns filed electronically may take a minimum of four weeks to process and returns filed on paper may take a minimum of 12 weeks to process.
“Processing returns and distributing refunds safely and efficiently is a key goal for the Division,” the agency said in the statement. “We appreciate your patience.”
A Philadelphia college student left a voice message for her friend as masked men tried to abduct her at the edge of St. Joseph’s University Tuesday.
The woman had just gotten off a SEPTA train and was walking along Overbrook Avenue near N 58th Street in Overbrook shortly before 9 p.m. when two men – one armed – in ski masks approached her, the victim told Philadelphia Police. The men pushed her behind a nearby church.
The student, who wished not to be identified, told NBC10 that she was too upset to talk about the incident on camera but she did talk to Philadelphia Police Special Victims Unit investigators overnight.
Her friend, Sharif Sawyer, said he heard part of the struggle over his voicemail -- he said he was trying to get a hold of her at the time. He could hear her pleading with someone not to do this.
"She started to fight and scream," said Sawyer. "She tried to get away from one guy, the other guy grabbed her, pulled a gun on her, put it to her head and told her that if she didn’t shut up he was going to shoot her. He loaded the weapon."
Something – possibly people coming up the street – spooked off the attackers, said police. They made off with nothing, said the university. The woman didn't appear to hurt.
The incident played out on the edge of St. Joe’s campus – not far from a public safety emergency call box.
In a public safety advisory, St. Joe's described the attackers -- one standing around 6-foot, 3-inches tall in dark clothing and the other wearing bright red sneakers.
"As always, the University’s top priority is the safety of all students, faculty, staff and visitors," said the public safety advisory. "All are advised to be aware of their surroundings, on-campus or off, walk in groups and park in well-lit areas.
"To report crimes in progress or other emergencies, contact police fist by dialing 9-1-1. Then notify SJU Public Safety via an Emergency Blue Light Phone or by dialing 610-660-1111."
The university’s Public Safety office offers escorts, says the SJU.edu website.
Suspects went through the pockets of a man who lay dying after he was gunned down on the 500 block of West Luray Street in Hunting Park Tuesday night, police said.
The 33-year-old victim was from the Philadelphia suburb of Horsham in Montgomery County, police said. He died a short time later at Temple University Hospital. His name was not immediately released.
The man was shot once in the left side of the chest and once in the left arm before at least two people were seen going through his pockets as he lay in the street around 8:30 p.m., police said. Investigators haven't confirmed that those people were also the shooters.
Witnesses told police they saw "two males reaching over [the victim], reaching into his pockets. This is clearly a robbery," said Chief Inspector Scott Small.
Those two men were seen leaving the scene in a white car, Small said. Police do not know what, if anything, was taken from the victim.
Small added that much of the incident was caught on cameras registered to the police department. Businesses with these cameras installed frequently turn over footage to police during investigations, he said.
Investigators found identification dropped by someone at the scene, and said it doesn't belong to the victim. The ID belongs to someone from West Philadelphia, prompting police to look for suspects in that area. No arrests were announced.
Homicides in Philadelphia are up 35 percent from this time last year, according to the Philadelphia Police Department's crime map. Less than one month into the New Year, there have already been 26 deaths by homicide compared to 17 in 2016.
Across the city in West Philadelphia, a 24-year-old male was shot while walking with a friend near 46th Street and Girard Avenue just before midnight Tuesday night, police said.
The victim was shot in the lower back after getting into an argument with an unnamed suspect on the sidewalk. He ran one block west to a BP gas station to get help. The victim was taken to a nearby hospital in stable condition.
Investigators found a shell casing near the shooting. Police said the suspect is in his 20s and wore a dark jacket.
Philadelphia Police tracked down a suspect accused of breaking into a Chestnut Hill home over the weekend and sexually assaulting a woman in front of her husband, police said.
James Bradley, 20 of Quincy Street was charged Tuesday with sexual assault, robbery, burglary and related charges stemming from Saturday morning's attack in the bedroom of a house on East Chestnut Hill Avenue, said police.
Following the attack, investigators said an armed attacker entered the couple's room and forced the woman out of the bed.
He ordered the woman's husband, who was sleeping in the bed, not to move while he sexually assaulted his wife, police said. At some point, the attacker put down the gun and the woman grabbed it, according to investigators. She tried to shoot it, but it didn't fire. Officials said it was actually a fake gun.
The woman's husband then called police to report a rape in progress. That's when the attacker fled the house. He took the couple's new car as well as wallets and a cellphone, police said.
Police didn't reveal what led them to Bradley. A judge arraigned the 20-year-old Wednesday and sent him to jail on $1 million bail. No attorney is listed for him.
The Cooper River is welcoming the return of some of the largest national rowing events in the country this spring.
An underwater makeover of the Cooper River in Pennsauken, New Jersey is being finalized before more than 12 regattas return for competitions in 2017. Camden County announced that a dredging project has removed more than 115,000 cubic yards of sediment from the river bed, which will allow recreational and competitive rowing to begin on the river in the upcoming months.
“Every day we are getting closer to an improved and enhanced version of one of Camden County’s great public spaces,” said Freeholder Jeff Nash, liaison to the Camden County Parks Department. “The dredging of the Cooper River is nearing completion as Cooper River Park is being expanded and reimagined to benefit generations of Camden County residents.”
The river’s 2,000-meter straightaway was home to numerous world-class regattas in previous years and the Cooper River Boathouse. This spring, the river welcomes the Scholastic Rowing Association of America Regatta, which serves as the national championship for high school rowers and brings in 5,000 competitors and up to 15,000 spectators to the banks of the Cooper River.
“Having the ability and capacity to host some of the largest rowing events in the nation is an economic boom to Camden County,” Nash said. “This body of water is a special place for rowers and outdoor enthusiasts throughout our region and generates countless benefits for residents, businesses and the overall community by drawing out competitors from across the country.”
The total cost of the dredging and water quality project was $12 million. Other scheduled improvements to the Cooper River Park will uncover the park by expanding its river views and addressing access and storm water management, among others.
For more information and a full list of the currently scheduled regattas, visit the Camden County Boathouse website.
HP is recalling about 101,000 laptop batteries due to risk of overheating and causing fires.
The company has expanded the number of recalled batteries to include those shipped with laptops sold between March 2013 and October 2016. A previous battery issue for the same model led to a recall of 40,000 batteries in June 2016.
The defective lithium-ion batteries containing Panasonic cells that are used in HP notebook computers were sold at Best Buy, Walmart, Costco, Sam's Club and authorized dealer dealers nationwide and online at www.hp.com. The batteries were also sold separately for between $50 and $90.
It is compatible with HP, Compaq, HP ProBook, HP ENVY, Compaq Presario and HP Pavilion laptop computers. The batteries that are part of the recall start with the codes: 6BZLU, 6CGFK, 6CGFQ, 6CZMB, 6DEMA, 6DEMH, 6DGAL and 6EBVA.
HP recommends that customers with the potentially defective batteries stop using them completely, remove them from the laptop and contact HP for a free replacement battery. Until a replacement battery is received, HP recommends consumers should use the notebook computer by plugging it into AC power only.
There has been one report of the battery overheating, melting and charring, leading to about $1,000 in property damage.
Customers can call HP Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET at 888-202-4320 on line at www.HP.com for more information.
A new study has found Philadelphia to be one of the least family-friendly cities in the country.
Apartment List, a housing website, released their “2017 Best Cities for Families” list based off of studies done by the FBI, U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Education. The index was calculated based on four factors—safety, housing affordability, education quality and child friendliness.
Philly ranked low in all categories, coming in at number 464 out of 510 and scoring an overall grade of ‘D’.
“Families look for different traits in the communities in which they choose to settle,” writes Apartment List. “Since they tend to have lower rates of mobility, the impact of their choices may be more enduring.”
Philadelphia earned a safety score of 34.7, affordability score of 26.2, education score of 4.5 and a child friendliness score of 31.2, totaling a 24.25 score over all.
As for surrounding cities, only four others made it on to the list-- Bethlehem, Pa. at #272, Trenton, NJ at #335, Wilmington, Del. At #413 and Allentown, Pa. at #422. All fell into the B- to C range.
If this ranking has you considering a move, Flower Mound, Texas came in at #1 with a score of 97.3. The Midwest suburbs dominated the top 10, including places like Franklin, TN and Carmel, IN.
To see the full rankings, visit the Apartment List website.
A 96-year-old woman is in the hospital after she was attacked by two dogs in the Germantown section of Philadelphia Wednesday.
Police say two pit bulls, ages 3 and 10, attacked the woman on the 5800 block of Brush Road around 3:40 p.m. Officers responded to the location and found the woman unresponsive with multiple dog bites on her head, face and arms. She was taken to the hospital where she is currently in critical condition.
Both of the dogs were taken into custody. Police are currently interviewing neighbors to find out what happened. One witness told NBC10 at least one of the dogs belongs to the victim's neighbor.
A man has died from his injuries two weeks after he was struck by a 50-pound dumbbell that crashed through his windshield as he was driving on the New Jersey Turnpike.
Jack DeCarlo, 75, of Hamilton, New Jersey, died from his injuries Tuesday night.
On January 9, DeCarlo was driving his SUV in the southbound lanes of the NJ Turnpike near mile-marker 6 in Oldmans Township, Salem County when the dumbbell flew through his windshield and struck him. DeCarlo was medevaced to the Crozer Chester Medical Center. His wife, who was in the vehicle with him, was not hurt.
State Police still have not determined whether the dumbbell was tossed off an overpass or fell from another vehicle. They continue to investigate.
