Officials have voted to ban smoking on the Wildwood boardwalk next year.
The ban would take effect on Jan. 1, but officials plan to ask people to refrain from smoking this year.
Mayor Ernie Troiano tells The Press of Atlantic City the boardwalk is susceptible to fires. Officials also raised concerns about secondhand smoke.
Ocean City banned smoking on its boardwalk three years ago. [[422983184, C]]
Vanessa Vitolo, a former heroin addict seen in opioid abuse ads, has graduated from drug court and has a job offer to work at a rehab center. Wale Aliyu reports.
Police in Delaware reached out to the public to help find the parents of a child found wandering around Wilmington Thursday morning.
Luckily, the boy was reunited with his family before noon, police said.
Police found the boy – believed to be around 2 years old – in the area of 5th and Lombard streets around 9:10 a.m.
The child had wandered from his home, police said. No word on exactly how he got out.
"The Wilmington Police Department would like to thank the media and citizens for their assistance in quickly helping us locate the family," police said in a Nixle alert.
A medical helicopter crashed in Delaware Thursday killing the only person on board.
The Eurocopter twin-engine helicopter went down shortly before noon off of Route 13 near Frenchtown Road short of the runway of the New Castle Airport, said Delaware River and Bay Authority, which manages the airport.
The pilot was the only person on board and died, police said. No injuries were reported on the ground.
Black smoke could be seen pouring into the air off Quigley Boulevard near the post office facility. The wreck caused minor damage to buildings, police said.
Some choppers weren't flying on Thursday due to cloud cover that caused a low ceiling.
The chopper wasn't headed to or from an emergency at the time it went down, authorities said.
Delaware State Police waited for the owner of the chopper to arrive before they could figure out why the aircraft was in the air.
The NTSB reports that there have been four helicopter crashes in Delaware over the last decade -- one fatal -- and none involved a Eurocopter.
NBC10 and Telemundo62 are No. 1 at 11 p.m. thanks to you, our viewers.
WCAU’s NBC10 News at 11 p.m. was the most-watched late newscast among adults 25 to 54 years old in the Philadelphia television market during May 2017, according to Nielsen. The newscast’s 1.9 rating was a 19 percent increase over May 2016.
Additionally, Telemundo62 / WWSI’s Noticiero Telemundo62 at 11 p.m. was the most-watched Spanish language late news in May 2017 among adults 18 to 49 (a 54 percent increase year over year) and adults 25 to 54 (a 31 percent increase). Telemundo62’s ratings grew from May 2016 in both demographics – by 54 percent among Adults 18 to 49, and by 31 percent among Adults 25 to 54.
"Reaching and serving our audience on-air, online, onsite and on-demand makes NBC10 and Telemundo62 a vital part of the community," Ric Harris, president and general manager of NBC10 and Telemundo62, said. "We’re proud of the teamwork and passion that goes into serving our audience every day. Our goal is to deliver the best content, promotion, and showcasing in every newscast across all platforms. To do that on both stations, in English and in Spanish, is a huge win for us and the community."
This marks the first time since 2004 that NBC10 ranked No. 1 at 11 in the highly-competitive May sweeps and the first time at No. 1 during a non-Olympic sweep since February of 2005.
Additionally to being Philly’s news leader at 11 p.m., NBC10 Weekday Mornings from 4:30 to 6 a.m. and NBC10 Weekdays from 4 to 6 p.m. remained No. 2 among adults 25 to 54.
Noticiero Telemundo62 at 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. came in at No. 1 in the market for Spanish-language broadcasts.
Congratulations to the entire NBC10 and Telemundo62 teams and thanks to you, our loyal viewers.
Organizers of the Devon Horse Show are no strangers to dealing with bad weather. NBC10's Pamela Osborne has the details on how the rain won't dampen festivities.
SEPTA is getting millions to extend regional rail service into Delaware County.
The $5.8 million in federal funds will restore the Media Elwyn Line about 3 miles further to Wawa, Pennsylvania, and implement and maintain positive train control (PTC), U.S. Rep. Patrick Meehan, R-Pa., and U.S. Senator Bob Casey, D-Pa., said in separate news releases.
“Passenger safety is the top priority of any transit system, and investments into state-of-the-art safety technologies can reduce accidents and make our families’ commutes to work and school safer,” Meehan said.
“Strong rail infrastructure keeps people safe and helps grow the economy,” Casey said. “Residents in Southeastern PA depend on SEPTA for reliable and safe service. This PTC grant will help the installation of the PTC safety technology and will help improve mapping software to make the regional rail fleet run more efficiently.”
PTC is an automated feature that slows speeding trains. It was not in place during the deadly derailment of Amtrak 188 in Philadelphia in May 2015.
“As the tragic 2015 crash of Amtrak Train 188 in Northeast Philadelphia showed, Positive Train Control is a system that can quite literally save lives. I’m pleased to see the federal government doing its part to support implementation of this system as SEPTA extends a commuter rail line that already carries more than 10,000 riders per day.”
SEPTA Board Chairman Pasquale Deon Sr. praised the expansion of PTC throughout the tri-state regional rail system.
"All 13 Regional Rail Lines are operating under PTC, and the PTC Grant will allow SEPTA to enhance the performance of the existing system,” Deon said. “Additionally, the grant ensures that this critical safety technology will be installed as part of the Elwyn to Wawa service restoration project. We are grateful to the members of our Congressional delegation for making sure this funding was included in the FY 17 appropriations bill."
Something else SEPTA is hoping to implement in the next fiscal year is solar technology. The Board unanimously approved installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems at four SEPTA bus and rail shops.
Vendor SunVest Solar, Inc. will own, install and maintain the roof-mounted solar panels for the next 20 years at 2nd & Wyoming (bus maintenance, print & sign shop), Fern Rock (Broad Street Line rail shop), Callowhill (bus maintenance) and Roberts (regional railcars shop), SEPTA said.
“SEPTA is proud to step into a position of leadership among Philadelphia businesses in the strategic deployment of renewable energy on our system,” Deon said. “This project thoughtfully leverages an existing asset – roof space at maintenance facilities – to make SEPTA’s ongoing operations cleaner and more efficient.”
SEPTA’s goal is to reduce emissions by 20 percent by 2020.
“SEPTA’s award-winning Sustainability Program is taking yet another important step forward with the approval of this solar project,” SEPTA General Manager Jeff Knueppel said. “For years, SEPTA has been reducing energy consumption and emissions through initiatives such as hybrid-electric bus acquisition and LED lighting installation. This solar project, along with other exciting new initiatives such as a new fleet of battery-electric buses to arrive this fall, demonstrates SEPTA’s enduring commitment to environmental improvement.”
Ten-year-old Malik Kelly loved reading, listening to music and playing with his dinosaurs. He was a quiet boy with a head for entrepreneurship. Recently, Kelly used birthday money to invest in his favorite stocks — Nike, Microsoft and Amazon.
“He was always thinking of ways to make money or raise money to give back to his family and his community. His ideas ranged from feeding the homeless, to building a shelter for women and children,” according to his obituary.
Two weeks ago, Kelly killed himself after school.
"He came home ... and he told me that today was the worst day ever. And I just want to know what made yesterday the worst day ever for my child," his mother, Tynisha Kelly, told reporters outside a vigil for the little boy.
The elder Kelly said her son, a former student at Samuel Pennypacker Elementary School in the West Oak Lane section of Philadelphia, turned to suicide after being bullied. She told reporters her son left a note naming the students who harassed him.
"I don't want another parent to ever, ever endure what I'm going through right now. These kids are hurting," Kelly said.
Just two days after Kelly took his own life, two more Philadelphia-area students also killed themselves, the Philadelphia School District said in a joint statement with the city.
A 14-year-old female student from a Northwest charter school died by suicide on May 14. On May 17, an 18-year-old student from Howard Horace Furness High School in South Philadelphia also killed himself.
“Anytime we lose a child in this city to suicide, we all mourn,” the school district said. “We must ensure that all young people, no matter their circumstances, know that there are people and resources to help them in times of despair.”
Suicide is the third-leading cause of death among people between the ages of 10 and 14, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is the second-leading cause of death for people between the ages of 15 and 34.
Overall, more than 1 million Americans attempt to take their life every year, the CDC says.
The school district did not disclose how many students die each year by suicide, but did say it has communicated with principals, counselors, teachers and parents about how to address intimidation and depression in young people.
The city’s Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services (DBHIDS) is also providing consultation and support to students and staff.
Parents concerned about their child's well-being should look for signs like withdrawing, giving things away or saying goodbye. Mental health experts recommend asking direct questions about how they're feeling and say not to be afraid to ask whether they're feeling suicidal.
For those who need immediate help, text 'HOME' to 741741 or call 800-273-TALK (8255).
NBC10 will be unveiling a special series on suicide prevention and awareness starting June 6.
An arrest warrant was issued Thursday for a man caught on camera mocking and sucker punching a person with cerebral palsy outside a West Chester 7-Eleven store, prosecutors announced.
Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan announced the active bench warrant for Barry Baker for violating parole and failing to appear for a separate domestic relations matter Thursday.
"The defendant should turn himself in immediately to address these warrants," Hogan said in a statement, " We will not quit until we find him."
Police say Barry Baker, 29, formerly of Coatesville who police say now lives in Delaware, was with his friends at a 7-Eleven store on 200 South High Street in West Chester back on May 10 around 2:30 a.m. At the same time a 22-year-old man with cerebral palsy drove into the parking lot of the store and parked his vehicle. As he got out and went into the 7-Eleven, Baker began making fun of him and mocking how he walked, investigators said. When the victim got back out of the store, Baker mocked him again and began to imitate how he moved, according to police.
As the victim stood in front of his vehicle, Baker sucker punched him in the face, according to police. He then fled around the corner of the store. Police say the entire ordeal was captured on surveillance video.
“The defendant’s actions in this case are appalling,” West Chester Police Chief Scott Bohn said. “You wonder what would make an individual treat somebody like that.”
The victim called police and Baker was later arrested and charged with simple assault and other related offenses. His bail was set at 10% of $25,000 and his preliminary hearing was scheduled for May 30.
“This defendant is a bully. Every decent citizen should be outraged by the defendant’s conduct,” Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan said. “The victim is to be commended for keeping his cool and notifying the police.”
West Chester Police continue to investigate the incident. If you have any information, please call them at 610-696-2600.
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Baker should also call police.
A candlelight vigil is taking place Thursday in Ambler in reaction to racist and anti-Semitic fliers and graffiti bubbling up.
The Wissahickon Faith Community Association, made up of various religious clergy, members of the public and elected officials in Montgomery County, are gathering "to represent our commonality instead of our differences," Rabbi Gregory Marx of Congregation Beth Or in Upper Dublin said.
Several unsettling incidents have occurred in and around Upper Dublin recently, including last week in the Maple Glen neighborhood where Ku Klux Klan fliers were distributed to houses.
Police did not reveal what specifically was on the fliers, but said they were similar to the KKK recruitment fliers that were distributed in Cinnaminson, New Jersey back on February 12.
Graffiti spray-painted in the area of some trails and wooded paths in the area also occurred recently.
"As a Jew, I believe when things like this happen, you can't turn away and hope it goes away quietly," Marx said. "You have to stand up. I was raised on that phrase, 'Never again.'"
The vigil will be held 7:30 p.m. at Ambler Church of the Brethren, 351 E. Butler Ave. All are welcome.
Is your grill ready for the holiday weekend? Are your decorations, supplies, and everything else you need ready to go? NBC10's Rosemary Connors checks some local hotspots to see if the shelves are stocked for you.
Have some outside plans for the holiday weekend? NBC10 has you covered with the ten day forecast.
As Congress grapples with the implications of the House Republicans' American Health Care Act (AHCA), Pennsylvania advocates are hunkering down and preparing for a prolonged battle.
On Thursday, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney convened a panel of 13 elected women leaders to hear from experts and members of the public on how repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) could impact the local community.
“The AHCA is the worst women’s health legislation in a generation,” said Dayle Steinberg, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Southeastern Pennsylvania.
A recent analysis by the Congressional Budget Office estimated that the AHCA would leave approximately 23 million more Americans without health coverage.
People with pre-existing medical conditions and others who were seriously ill "would ultimately be unable to purchase" comprehensive coverage at premiums comparable to today's prices, "if they could purchase at all," the report said.
The report also said older people with lower incomes would disproportionately lose coverage. Over half of those becoming uninsured, 14 million people would come from the bill's $834 billion in cuts to Medicaid, which provides health coverage to poor and disabled people.
“The proposal that is on the table right now is not only greedy, it’s mean-spirited and insulting in terms of how these people in government feel about women and children, poor people and people who do not have access to affordable healthcare,” said Jovida Hill, executive director of the Philadelphia Commission for Women.
Katherine Miller was still covered through her parents’ health insurance when her menstrual cycle became unbearable. She spent her 26th birthday undergoing surgery for painful cysts that caused to her to miss several days of work every month.
One day after the surgery, she lost health insurance under former the ACA. Miller thought her doctor — who also treated other members of her family — would continue to treat her despite the lapse in coverage.
She was wrong.
“As soon as I told them my health insurance had changed, they told me they couldn’t see me anymore,” she said.
Despite her college degree, Miller could not find full-time work in the years following graduation. She struggled to pay bills and could not afford her longtime doctor. Broke, Miller qualified for Medicaid, which has been expanded under the ACA.
Hoping to see her doctor once again, Miller contacted the office only to be turned away. They did not accept Medicaid.
“It didn’t matter that I had been seeing the same doctor for five years. It didn’t matter that they were the practice that diagnosed my condition, that performed my surgery. None of that mattered,” she said.
Eventually Miller turned to Planned Parenthood for follow-up care. She was able to receive a prescription for birth control — not to prevent pregnancy but to prevent the cysts from coming back.
Without Medicaid, that prescription would have cost her $24 per month, Miller said. It would have been the difference between a monthly bus pass and taking her medication. She credits Planned Parenthood with providing a place to seek medical help without the extra burden of being judged.
“It was the first time … in my life that I had a conversation with an adult about my reproductive healthcare. It was the first time I had a conversation about birth control. It was the first time I had a conversation about safe sex,” Miller said.
Planned Parenthood stands to lose funding under the AHCA, which could directly impact the 40 percent of patients in Pennsylvania who are on Medicaid, Steinberg said. Her organization does not have contingency plans in place should Congress cut dollars from Planned Parenthood.
“It’s basically the government telling patients where they can and cannot get health care,” Steinberg said. “We’re going to continue to provide services no matter what, but it’s going to be very difficult.”
Warning signs have popped up along several locations in Wildwood, warning beach-goers of dangerous drop offs in the water. But, some say the signs are not enough.
Are you scared of roller coasters? These grandparents aren't! Some of them jumped onto coasters in New Jersey to take the rides for a test run.
Memorial Day Weekend marks the second largest beer sale holiday, and new reports show that beer sales benefit the local economy. NBC10's Randy Gyllenhaal has the story.
The woman who was pulled from the rubble of a collapsed Salvation Army building in Center City after 13 hours has been awarded $95.6 million of a $227 million settlement in the case.
The $227 million settlement was announced in February following a nearly five-month civil trial in the 2013 Market Street collapse that left seven dead and 12 injured, according to plaintiffs' attorneys.
Mariya Plekan, who lost both of her legs due to the collapse, was awarded the largest portion of the settlement. In fact, "the award is the largest recovery for an injured person in Pennsylvania history," her lawyers said in a statement Thursday.
Nineteen plaintiffs, including the families of the seven killed in the June 5, 2013, collapse, sued six defendants, including the owner of a construction project undergoing demolition and the Salvation Army, whose store was flattened by a fourth-story wall of brick and mortar.
One of the lead plaintiffs' attorneys, Robert Mongeluzzi, said in a statement when the original settlement was announced that the settlement is "epic in dimension, fair, just, and, most importantly, a powerful deterrant to all those in any business or organization, at any level, whether they wear a suit or a uniform, who try to cut corners, save a buck, shove safety aside and put human life at risk."
The Salvation Army also issued a statement at the time: "Our deepest sympathy remains with the victims and their families through this extremely difficult time. We pray for the healing of our community. The Salvation Army continues to serve those in need, with compassion, as we have for more than 137 years in Philadelphia."
Some severe storms whipped through the area Thursday, but the rain will move out making Friday and Saturday your best days for weather this holiday weekend. NBC10 First Alert meteorologist Tammie Souza has your neighborhood forecast.
Here are the 10 things you need to know to start your day from your friends at NBC10.
TODAY'S TOP STORY
Pilot Killed in Medical Helicopter Crash: A medical helicopter crashed in Delaware Thursday, killing the only person on board, pilot Michael Murphy of Franklinville, New Jersey. The Eurocopter twin-engine helicopter went down into a drainage ditch shortly before noon off Route 13 near Frenchtown Road short of the runway of the New Castle Airport, according to Delaware River and Bay Authority, which manages the airport. The helicopter was operated by Metro Aviation, which provides services for PennStar, the medical helicopter service for University of Pennsylvania Health System, according to officials from Penn Medicine. It was training in inclement weather, to prepare for emergency situations. Murphy had flown from Atlantic City and was conducting "approach training," police announced Thursday evening. No injuries were reported on the ground.
YOUR FIRST ALERT FORECAST
Friday is expected to be dry and partly sunny. Saturday is expected to be sunny temperatures in the high 70s. But late Sunday could see showers and thunderstorms that could move into Monday. Tuesday and Wednesday are expected to be dry. High Temp: 72 degrees. Get your full NBC10 First Alert forecast here.
[[424560054, C]]
WHAT YOU MISSED YESTERDAY
KKK Fliers, Graffiti Prompt Montco Peace Gathering: A candlelight vigil is taking place Thursday in Ambler in reaction to racist and anti-Semitic fliers and graffiti bubbling up. The Wissahickon Faith Community Association, made up of various religious clergy, members of the public and elected officials in Montgomery County, are gathering "to represent our commonality instead of our differences," Rabbi Gregory Marx of Congregation Beth Or in Upper Dublin said. Several unsettling incidents have occurred in and around Upper Dublin recently, including last week in the Maple Glen neighborhood where Ku Klux Klan fliers were distributed to houses. Police did not reveal what specifically was on the fliers, but said they were similar to the KKK recruitment fliers that were distributed in Cinnaminson, New Jersey back on February 12.
AROUND THE WORLD
Jared Kushner Under Scrunity in Russia Probe: Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law and one of his senior advisers, has come under FBI scrutiny in the Russia investigation, multiple U.S. officials told NBC News. Investigators believe Kushner has significant information relevant to their inquiry, officials said. That does not mean they suspect him of a crime or intend to charge him. The FBI's scrutiny of Kushner places the bureau's sprawling counterintelligence and criminal investigation not only on the doorstep of the White House, but the Trump family circle. The Washington Post first reported last week that a senior White House official close to Trump was a "person of interest," but did not name the person. The term "person of interest" has no legal meaning. The officials said Kushner is in a different category from former Trump aides Paul Manafort and Michael Flynn, who are formally considered subjects of the investigation. According to the Justice Department's U.S. Attorneys' Manual, "A 'subject' of an investigation is a person whose conduct is within the scope of the grand jury's investigation."
Market Street Collapse Survivor Awarded $96.5M: The woman who was pulled from the rubble of a collapsed Salvation Army building in Center City after 13 hours has been awarded $95.6 million of a $227 million settlement in the case. The $227 million settlement was announced in February following a nearly five-month civil trial in the 2013 Market Street collapse that left seven dead and 12 injured, according to plaintiffs' attorneys. Mariya Plekan, who lost both of her legs due to the collapse, was awarded the largest portion of the settlement. In fact, "the award is the largest recovery for an injured person in Pennsylvania history," her lawyers said in a statement Thursday. Nineteen plaintiffs, including the families of the seven killed in the June 5, 2013, collapse, sued six defendants, including the owner of a construction project undergoing demolition and the Salvation Army, whose store was flattened by a fourth-story wall of brick and mortar.
SPORTS SPOT
Phillies Beat the Rockies: The Phillies won 2 to 1 against the Colorado Rockies. Get your full sports news at CSNPhilly.
[[272720951, C]]
PHOTO OF THE DAY
[[272042651, C]]
See more Top News Photos here.
THROUGH IGER'S EYES
[[272042161, C]]
@goliveyourstory captured this cool photo at the Kimpton Hotel in Philadelphia.
Have an awesome Instagram photo you'd like to share? Tag it with #NBC10Buzz.
TODAY'S VIRAL VIDEO
[[272722101, C]]
Frankenstein gets a friend. Watch more here.
Beer Sales Benefit Local Economy: Memorial Day Weekend marks the second largest beer sale holiday, and new reports show that beer sales benefit the local economy. 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.
New Brunswick Fire Director Robert Rawls has quite the driving record. News 4 has reported that he has been in 19 accidents and had 18 license suspensions over the years. He was barred from driving city vehicles after an accident injured children. Recently, he was allowed to drive them again. Then came accident 20. Brian Thompson reports.
