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Local Officer Accused of Misusing Firefighter Funds

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A Lower Southampton Township Police Officer has been arrested on charges of theft and tampering with public records while involved with the Feasterville Volunteer Firefighters Relief Association (VFRA). 

Brian Walter, who is 33 years old and a 10-year veteran of the force, was taken into custody after a Bucks County Grand Jury found him responsible for misappropriating more than $51,000 belonging to the VFRA. 

According to the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office, while serving different roles within the association, including Vice President and Treasurer, Walton mishandled the funds by making improper loans to himself and five other Feasterville Fire Company members.

The office says Walter misdirected the funds by writing seven unauthorized checks for loans. In amounts ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, the loans were used to pay for two weddings, tuition bills, and a down payment on a house, among other expenses, according to investigators.

Walter then allegedly fabricated fraudulent loan documents and submitted them to the Auditor General, giving the appearance he was accurately tracking and collecting loan payments.

VFRA expenditures are approved with majority vote in the fire company’s membership. However, none of the seven checks that Walton used were brought before members. The report states Walter hid all the activity from the department.

The Feasterville VFRA receives funds from the Auditor General every year, and are restricted to how they can use the funds. Personal loans like Walter’s are not permitted.

“While the VFRA executive board was supposed to be a recommending body subject to the will of the entire membership, it was perverted into a secret society for Brian Walter to pay himself, his family and a privileged few,” the grand jury presentment said.

The association’s funds are intended for the benefit of volunteer firefighters, and help provide relief or volunteers injured or killed while on duty.

Despite the other volunteers’ involvement, the Bucks County Investigating Grand Jury found Walter to be the only one at fault because he had full control over the VFRA Executive Board.

Walter’s bail is set at $100,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 7th, but that date could change.



Photo Credit: Lower Southampton Township Police

AG: Trump Suggested 'Reverse' May be True for JCC Threats

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President Donald Trump’s reported comments to Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro about the recent threats against Jewish Community Centers have sparked controversy.

Shapiro, who is a democrat, was among the many state attorneys general from across the country who met with President Trump at the White House Tuesday. Shapiro told NBC10 he asked Trump about the recent threats against minority communities, including threats on Jewish Community Centers that prompted evacuations in the Philadelphia area and South Jersey.

“The President first condemned the threats and intimidation then also suggested the “reverse” may be true and that he planned to address the matter in his remarks tonight,” Shapiro said. “I don’t know what the President meant by that statement but I am grateful that the President took the time to meet with the attorneys general and was willing to take questions from us. I asked my question because we need a strong commitment that the U.S. Department of Justice will work with the states to help find and prosecute the individuals for these acts of hate.”

Shapiro’s summary of his conversation with the president sparked controversy with some expressing confusion while others went so far as to accuse Trump of suggesting that the threats were made to frame his supporters.

Jonathan Greenblatt, the CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, told BuzzFeed News they were “astonished by what the President reportedly said.”

“It is incumbent upon the White House to immediately clarify these remarks,” Greenblatt said.

Trump directly addressed the incidents at the beginning of his first presidential address to Congress Tuesday night.

"Recent threats targeting Jewish Community Centers and vandalism of Jewish cemeteries, as well as last week's shooting in Kansas City, remind us that while we may be a nation divided on policies, we are a country that stands united in condemning hate and evil in all its forms," Trump said. 

"Each American generation passes the torch of truth, liberty and justice - in an unbroken chain all the way down to the present. That torch is now in our hands, and we will use it to light up the world."

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February Was the Warmest on Record

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WE DIDN’T JUST BREAK THE RECORD-WE SMASHED IT!
I’m still having a hard time getting used to “the new normal” of temperature records. Having worked as a meteorologist for 45 years (yes, I’m older than I look), I’m used to seeing daily records broken by one degree-maybe two. After all, we’re talking about more than 140 years of official records in Philadelphia. It’s always been a big deal to set a record for the high temperature for a given day. As for monthly records, we usually break them by one tenth of a degree, or maybe a little more. Those days are over.

We didn’t just break the record for warmest February on record. We beat it by what used to be an unheard of amount.

44.2 degrees        2017
42.2                    1925
41.8                    1998
41.4                    1890
41.3                    1909

IT’S NOT JUST IN PHILLY
The final numbers aren’t in yet, but many other U.S. cities have also set records for February warmth. The latest data showed more than 3000 record high temperatures were set in February, compared to only 27 record lows. That is a ratio of 116 highs for every low. In a stable climate, the ratio should be close to 1 to 1 over a long period of time. The February ratio is the most extreme we’ve seen by far!

NOAA also reports 248 monthly record highs for February (Philly is only one of 248-WOW again). And the number of monthly record lows: ZERO.

Chicago set an all-time record with NO measurable snow during the January-February period. Nothing. In Chicago. In the middle of winter!

Along the Gulf Coast, Galveston, Texas has set more than 30 heat records since November 1. That’s more than two records a week. Miami has not had a single temperature below 50 degrees all winter (a record, of course). The record warm Gulf of Mexico is surely a factor in these records.

YET ANOTHER MONTHLY TEMPERATURE RECORD
This isn’t the only recent month where Philadelphia has broken (or smashed) monthly records for warmth. We had our record warmest December in 2015, and that beat the old record by an amazing SEVEN DEGREES! That’s not seven tenths of a degree-it’s ten times that number! It makes this month’s record-breaking of about two full degrees seem small. But it’s not small-it’s huge! (How many exclamation marks do I need in this blog? Apparently, a lot.)

Until 2015, we didn’t set a monthly record for the period of November through March since 1932! In other words, we went more than 80 years without a record warm November, December, January, or February. That’s hard to believe. How did we do that?

Here’s my theory: the official Philadelphia observation has only been taken at the airport since 1940. Before that it was taken in Center City. So, even though it was a smaller city back then, there was still an “urban heat island” in the middle of the city that kept temperatures warmer than they would have been away from the downtown areas (such as Philadelphia International Airport).

Another possibility is the instrument itself. We obviously don’t use the same type of thermometer today that was used 100 years ago. Perhaps the older thermometers ran a bit higher than today’s. Technicians try to even this out when instruments change, but can’t be too precise.

So, the warmest January was in 1932, the warmest February (until now) in 1925, the warmest March in 1921, the warmest November in 1931, and the warmest December (until 2015) in 1931. Do you think it’s a coincidence that all of those years were when the official instrument was in Center City?

HAS GLOBAL WARMING CAUGHT UP TO THE “HEAT ISLAND?"
It’s taken more than 80 years to overcome the “bias” of the urban heat island of Philadelphia. Now that we’ve smashed a couple of cold season records, and come in 2nd place in another (November), the overall warming of the earth seems to have caught up with the change in the instrument location.

If my theory is right, we can expect more record warmth in the cold season months in the future.

By the way, for those who think this moving instrument is proof that any global warming statistics are flawed, think again. It’s not just that one location is trivial when looking at global (or even U.S.) temperatures. I’m sure there are many other cities where the instruments have moved to places like airports outside the downtown areas. But here’s the deal: a move to a more rural location should result in COOLER temperatures! That means a bias toward cooling, not warming. So, the actual warming of the country (and beyond), if anything, is MORE than current calculations.

This is of less interest to climate scientists because they deal mostly with temperature CHANGES, not the absolute numbers. That’s why the “urban heat island effect” isn’t a big deal. They study temperature changes all over the world, in big cities and tiny rural locations by the thousands. It’s all about how much we’ve warmed-not the absolute average temperature. And questionable data from individual cities is thrown out.

WHAT ABOUT THE WARM SEASON (SUMMER)?
The overall warming of this area has obviously had more of an impact in the summer months. Our record warm June, July, and August have all occurred since 2010. And this is despite the added heat that Center City provided before 1940. So, global warming seemingly caught up with summer temperatures in Philadelphia in the past decade. And more records for summer warmth are surely on the way. But we can’t assume that just because we had record warmth in February that we’ll have a scorching summer.


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NBC10 Investigators: LGBT Hate Crime Bills

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In an NBC10 Exclusive, George Spencer asks why bills classifying attacks against the LGBT community as hate crimes have not made it through the state capitol.

Man Accused of Shooting, Killing Aunt in Port Richmond

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A man and his girlfriend were arrested for allegedly murdering his aunt in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia.

On Friday shortly after 4 p.m. police responded to a home on the 3200 block of Mercer Street. When they arrived they found 57-year-old Virginia Cruttenden lying in a pool of blood and suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

After an investigation, police identified Cruttenden’s nephew Andrew Cruttenden, 26, as the suspect. Police say his motive was robbery. Andrew Cruttenden and his girlfriend, Michelle Waclawski, were both arrested Monday, Philadelphia Police said.

Neighbor Timothy Johnson told NBC10 Virginia Cruttenden used to work at the now-closed Aramingo Diner and lived on the block for more than 30 years.

"Quiet woman, very friendly, very nice woman," he said. "I had known her a long time."

Cruttenden faces murder and burglary charges while Waclawski faces burglary and criminal conspiracy charges.



Photo Credit: Philadelphia Police

Severe Storms to Hit Our Area Wednesday

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CHICAGO GOT THEM TUESDAY-OUR TURN WEDNESDAY
It’s no coincidence that record warmth in February has led to unusually early-in-the-season severe weather. We had some storm damage in the Philadelphia area Saturday, and there were even tornadoes reported in Pennsylvania and Maryland. The latest round of severe thunderstorms is even more widespread.

Tuesday evening featured Tornado Watches from Chicago through nearly all of Missouri and Arkansas (outlined in red).

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The general area of severe thunderstorms will shift eastward for Wednesday. March 1 is pretty early in the year to get severe weather this far north, but it’s also pretty early in the year to get temperatures well into the 70s. If you get May-like weather conditions, you can get May-like severe weather.

Here is the general outlook for severe storms Wednesday from the Storm Prediction Center:

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The severe storms are most likely in the orange area from Ohio to Alabama. But all of our area is in the “Slight Risk” region. As I’ve said before, I don’t like the term ‘slight risk”. That sounds pretty trivial compared to the actual threat SPC means when they use that term.

Damaging winds are considered to be the main threat. Very strong winds are blowing just a few thousand feet above the ground, and any thunderstorm that moves through can bring some of those strong winds down to the surface.

As for timing, here is a high-resolution computer model, valid at 4pm Wednesday. A clear line of thunderstorms is moving through the Philadelphia area:

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We’ve issued a FIRST ALERT for this severe storm threat. And warnings are likely for at least part of our area. It will be a day when you should find a way to keep up-to-date on the rapidly changing weather. Our APP is one way, of course.

Stay with the NBC10 First Alert Weather team for the latest updates, alerts and videos.

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Traffic Backs Up After Truck Falls on NJ Turnpike

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An overturned truck has caused a large spill on the New Jersey Turnpike, backing up traffic behind it.

Chopper 4 was over the scene of the accident, which happened about midday Tuesday on the I-95 in Carteret.

A truck, carrying what looked like dirt, had toppled on its side near the center of the turnpike, sending its contents spilling all over the road.

Traffic was backed up behind the overturned truck as a digger attempted to clean up the mess. 

The New Jersey Turnpike Authority put out a notification at 1.17 p.m. saying the accident was still blocking the road.

It said the exact location was on the New Jersey Turnpike outer roadway southbound, exiting at Interchange 12 - Carteret-Rahway in Carteret, and right lanes were blocked.

President Trump Addresses Congress With Softer Tone

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President Trump’s address to Congress Tuesday night had a noticeably softer tone and he offered a mixed message on signature issues. NBC10’s Matt DeLucia is in our Digital Operations Center with more on the president’s speech and reaction its getting.


NJ Nurse, Cancer Survivor Stuns Judges on 'The Voice'

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A New Jersey native is gaining attention after her audition on season 12 of NBC's "The Voice."

Felicia Temple, a 28-year-old from Teaneck, blew “The Voice” judges away Monday night with her rendition of Etta James' ballad "All I Could Do Was Cry" during the show’s season premiere.

After the Holy Name Hospital nurse performed, three of the four judges on the show were vying for her to join their team.

Temple joined Alicia Keys’ team after the two performed Keys' hit song “Fallin'” together, which brought all of the judges to their feet.

“My name was ‘Felicia Keys’ because I played all the Alicia Keys songs at the talent shows,” Temple said during her audition.

“I still can’t believe this happened to me. Alicia Keys is the reason I play piano!Now she's my coach!!” Temple said on Twitter.

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Temple is no stranger to the music industry. Her bio on the show's website says he dad has toured with iconinc New Jersey hip-hop group, The Sugarhill Gang, for as long as she can remember.

Temple's bio also reveals that she was diagnosed with cancer last June.

"After completing six rounds of chemo, Felicia feels this is her moment," Temple's bio says.



Photo Credit: Getty Images
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NBC10 Responds: Plane Ticket Refund

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A change of plans left Myrta Delgado with airline credit she doesn’t want or need. When the company wouldn’t budge on a refund, she called Ines Ferre and NBC10 Responds.

Get Fit: Rejuvenate With Nidra Yoga

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NBC10’s Tracy Davidson and Vai Sikahema continue their efforts to help you get your body in tip top shape for summer with some rest and rejuvenation. The two show us it’s not always about pushing your body to the limit when they try Nidra Yoga.

Pair of Philly Homicides Latest as Killings Continue to Rise

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Gun violence claimed two lives in Philadelphia overnight as the city continues to battle with an increase in killings so far in 2017.

Philadelphia Police responded to Rising Sun Avenue near Rockland Street in Feltonville around 2:25 a.m. Wednesday to find a 24-year-old man shot outside a building. Officers rushed the man to Temple University Hospital where he died a short time later, police said.

About 20 minutes later, officers responded to Bonsall Street near Lehigh Avenue in North Philadelphia to find a body on the street. Bullets struck the 31-year-old man in the head, chest, back and neck. Medics pronounced the man dead a short time later. 

Investigators didn’t immediately identify the victims or any suspects in either shooting.

Philadelphia Police also called the possible shooting death of a 77-year-old man on the 5900 block of Windsor Street Tuesday night suspicious and said homicide detectives were investigating.

As of Tuesday, 48 people were killed in Philadelphia, up from 35 last year and the highest total through the first two months of the year since there were 61 murders in 2011, according to Philadelphia Police crime statistics.



Photo Credit: NBC10

Philadelphia Officers Hope to Gain Insight at Holocaust Museum

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President Donald Trump denounced the recent threats against Jewish community centers and cemetery vandalism across the country during his address, which included a Northeast Philadelphia cemetery that was vandalized in Wissinoming over the weekend. NBC10’s Pamela Osborne is at the Philadelphia Police Academy in Northeast Philadelphia where officers are heading to the Holocaust Memorial Museum Wednesday hoping to get added sensitivity during this time.



Photo Credit: NBC10

Philly Zoo Closes for Day for Annual Clean-Up

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Visitors will have to take a day off from the zoo Wednesday as a cleanup effort gets underway.

The Philadelphia Zoo will be closed to the public on March 1 for a campus-wide clean up effort. The project will focus on preparing the gardens as the busy spring and summer seasons approach.

Visitors won’t be barred for long- the zoo will resume their normal business hours (9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.) on Thursday, March 2.



Photo Credit: Matt Rourke/AP

Lunch Lady Gets Huge Send-Off After 40 Years on Job

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A much loved member of the lunch team at a Delaware County school is enjoying her first day of retirement. After over four decades on the job, students at Cardinal John Foley Regional Catholic School in Havertown, Pennsylvania gave Vera Nilsson a huge send-off.


Fashion on the Go: Retail Store Sells Clothes Out of Truck

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Old City Philadelphia's Smak Parlour found a new and inventive way to spread its brand to customers. NBC10’s Katy Zachry tells us how this retail store has gone mobile.

Death of 77-Year-Old Man Suspicious: Police

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Philadelphia Police called the death of a 77-year-old man inside a Philadelphia home suspicious.

Officers found the man’s decomposing body in a home on Windsor Street near 59th Street in Southwest Philadelphia around 6 p.m. Tuesday, police said.

Upon examination at the Medical Examiner’s Office, the ME found possible gunshot wounds to the man’s back and chest, police said.

No word yet on how long the man was dead before he was found.

Homicide detectives handled the case. Investigators released no motive and announced no suspects in the case.



Photo Credit: Google Earth

Dow Reaches New Heights After Trump Speech

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The Dow Jones industrial average climbed above 21,000 Wednesday morning, a new record high that comes after President Donald Trump's first speech to Congress, CNBC reported.

The Dow leapt up more than 200 points, trading up about 1 percent. It's been just over a month since the index broke the 20,000-point mark. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq were up about 0.85 percent soon after the market opened.

Trump's speech was praised for its positive tone but he didn't give many specifics about tax reform and deregulation, two key components of the market's post-election rally.

Quincy Krosby, market strategist at Prudential Financial, told CNBC the speech's tone "has gone a long way for the market" as it "assuaged fears that his agenda was not going to be able to be passed."



Photo Credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images, File

Wawa 'Rewards' Customers With 'Free Coffee Fridays'

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Wawa is rewarding its most loyal customers with "Free Coffee Friday" throughout March.

The Philadelphia-area convenience store chain announced Wednesday that the free (any size) cup o' Joe promotion will be offered to anyone using the Wawa Rewards app, Wawa said.

"We are thrilled to bring back 'Free Coffee Fridays' building on the success of the fall program," Wawa manager of relationship marketing Dena Pizzutti said. "Our members love the variety of our rewards, but coffee is definitely the favorite."

In the fall, Wawa says gave away more than 10 million freebies to Wawa Rewards members.

The Wawa Rewards app is free to download and can be used to pay in-store, earn rewards, check in and occasionally play games.

"We are delighted to continue to thank our Wawa Rewards members with great savings," Pizzutti said. "In 2016, more than ten million rewards were distributed to our members, saving them millions of dollars by using Wawa
Rewards, and we expect 2017 to be an even bigger, more rewarding year."



Photo Credit: NBC10 - Dan Stamm

Following Severe Storms

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NBC10’s Pamela Osborne surveys rain ahead of potential severe storms in Lansdale, Montgomery County.

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