Robert Marchetti assumed it was a mistake when the cashier quoted a higher price than normal for a soda he bought at a Wendy’s restaurant in Ridley Park, Delaware County Monday.

“That’s what I thought at first,” Marchetti told NBC10. “Or maybe they upped their prices a little bit. But I wasn’t quite sure.”

As Marchetti looked at his receipt more closely he noticed something else; a line for the ‘Philadelphia Beverage Surcharge’ charging him 45 cents, even though the Ridley Park Wendy’s is located three and a half miles outside Philadelphia city limits.

“Well we’re not in Philadelphia,” Marchetti said. “So why are we being charged for it?”

A spokesperson for Wendy’s told NBC10 the soda tax charges were a “programming error that was quickly identified and corrected yesterday only.”

The spokesperson said the Ridley Park Wendy’s had been miscoded in corporate computers as being within the city of Philadelphia and that for several hours Monday, every customer who bought a soda there was charged with the penny-and-a-half per ounce tax. The spokesperson said that all the customers who were charged are eligible for a refund and a free drink.

“I’m not worried about the 45 cents,” Marchetti said. “It’s the principle of the fact that, putting a new charge. A Philadelphia beverage charge? This isn’t Philadelphia."

The spokesperson did not reveal exactly how many customers were impacted by the mistake. In addition to offering refunds however, Wendy’s also promised to donate all the money it incorrectly collected to the “Boys and Girls Club.”

Butterfly rays are turning up along the coast of the Jersey Shore. They can measure up to seven feet wide but should swimmers be worried about them? NBC10's Jersey Shore bureau reporter Ted Greenberg has the answers.

You have two chances this week at winning hundreds of millions of dollars. NBC10's Tim Furlong spoke with people buying tickets and testing their luck in tonight's Mega Millions and tomorrow's Powerball.

An investigation is underway after a person was found dead while another was found injured inside an Atlantic City hotel Tuesday.

Police say both victims were found inside a room at the Tropicana Atlantic City on the 2800 block of Pacific Avenue. One victim was pronounced dead while the second was sent to the Atlantic City Medical Center where he or she is being treated for burns to the neck and hair.

Police have not yet determined a cause of death or released the identity of the victim.

This story is developing. Check back for updates.

EUROPEAN VS. USA- HERE WE GO AGAIN

By now, you’ve surely heard about the ongoing battle between the extended weather models, the GFS from the USA, and the EUROPEAN (from guess where?). There are many people who haven’t, but I doubt that they are reading this. As we’ve written before, there are technical reasons why the EURO is better overall.

The biggest EURO “victory” was their forecast for “Superstorm” Sandy in 2012. The EURO predicted the rare left turn at the same time the GFS predicted it going far out to sea. That’s when articles about the EURO superiority spread. Here’s one.

Scientific American had a good story on the model battle when the GFS suggested Hurricane Joaquin would hit the U.S., while the EURO suggested a miss.

Guess where Joaquin went? Yup, you’re right. Harmlessly out to sea.
Of course, the GFS wins sometimes. If it didn’t, why would we bother looking at it? I will say, though, that WAAAY too many U.S. forecasters put WAAAY too much faith in the GFS. I’ve seen this for the 20+ years that we’ve been able to see the EURO. The EURO doesn’t make it easy for us in the states. They charge huge amounts of money for access to all but the most basic of their products.

ANOTHER HUGE “BATTLE”

As a highly competitive person myself (just ask my wife about our ping-pong matches), I am drawn to competitions of all types. And, as a meteorologist for decades, comparing one computer model to another has been a daily challenge. We often see significant differences between the GFS and the EURO (and other models, too). But the current “battle” is astonishing.

We are now getting into the historical peak part of hurricane season, and we look to the Tropical Atlantic for signs of storm formation. When the National Hurricane Center (NHC) sees a cluster of thunderstorms that might develop, it gives it a number. The system we’re focusing on now is called “Invest 99L”-the LOW on the right side of the image below (if it becomes a Tropical Storm, its name will be Gert). It just happens to be in a location where a lot of August storms tend to form:

It’s not exactly a surprise that the EURO predicts Invest 99L to track along one of the “most likely” zones in the above graphic. The GFS? Very different.

THE EUROPEAN-NOT FAR OFF THE U.S. EAST COAST

The Tuesday model run of the EURO is very similar to the previous two. In fact, all three are practically identical. That’s enough to raise your eyebrows. Here is the forecast for Sunday 8 a.m. and Monday 8 a.m.:

That’s a little too close for comfort. I will not show the forecast maps beyond Monday. As I posted in an earlier blog, tropical forecasts out to a week or more are worthless-at best. But the overall pattern would favor a hurricane in the Monday position to curve off the East Coast due to strong upper-air westerly winds.

The EURO ensembles are even more impressive. The EURO is run 51 times with slightly different initial conditions. Our confidence grows with each solution showing a similar forecast. This time, EVERY ONE of the 51 ensemble “members” shows some sort of LOW within a couple hundred miles of the maps above. As a result, the “ensemble average” is not only close to the above forecast, but it shows a very strong LOW for an average of 51 forecasts SIX days in the future. That is amazing!

BUT THE GFS HAS A FAR DIFFERENT IDEA

The GFS and its ensembles are in the same boat. They all predict Invest 99L to stay weak and move toward the SOUTHWEST-many have it hit South America.

Could we actually be talking about the same storm? Yup. Interestingly, the Canadian model ensembles are split between solutions close to the GFS and EURO.

WHY ARE THE MODELS SO DIFFERENT?

My theory is that it is about “initialization”-the exact pressures, winds, location of the center, etc. It’s that old saying: “garbage in-garbage out." If you read any of the three articles at the beginning of this blog, you’d know that the EURO does a better job of initialization. This is especially important in weak, poorly organized systems. The level of detail needed to capture the initial conditions accurately is simply better with the EURO.

Now let’s see what happens.

A man is in the hospital after he was shot in the stomach by a teenager who was playing with a gun in North Philadelphia Tuesday, according to investigators.

Investigators say a teen was playing with a handgun on the 1200 block of W. Tioga Street at 5:05 p.m. and accidentally fired the weapon. A 64-year-old man who lives in a nearby boarding house was struck once in the stomach and slumped to the ground.

“I sat here and I looked over there,” a witness told NBC10. “He stood up and blood started gushing out.”

The man was taken to Temple University Hospital where he is currently in critical condition but expected to survive.

Police say the gunman handed the weapon to an 18-year-old man who threw it in a vacant lot and stayed at the scene. Police took the 18-year-old into custody but are still searching for the gunman.

“We don’t think that that male we have in custody was the actual shooter,” said Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small. “But we believe he was with the shooter and knows who the shooter is.”

Police say the 18-year-old could still end up being charged however because he had the handgun.

As the search for the gunman continues, friends of the victim are hoping he recovers.

“We’re all just praying that he’s okay,” said Patricia Debraganza. “But things happen. But you don’t expect it to happen where you live and to people that you know.”

Pennsylvania’s first probable human case of the West Nile Virus infection in 2017 was detected in a Montgomery County resident, the Pennsylvania Department of Health announced Tuesday. They have not revealed which Montgomery County town the person resides in. 

“Detecting the first human case of West Nile Virus this year serves as a great reminder for Pennsylvanians to take the proper precautions when they are outside or near areas where mosquitoes are prevalent,” Acting Secretary of Health and Physician General Dr. Rachel Levine said. “There are some simple steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones from mosquito-related diseases.”

Officials say mosquitoes that transmit the West Nile Virus are most active at dawn and dusk. People outdoors can avoid mosquito bites by properly and consistently using DEET-containing insect repellants and covering any exposed skin with lightweight clothing. Homeowners are also advised to make sure their window and door screens are in place and in good condition to keep mosquitoes from coming inside.

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regularly manages mosquito populations around the state. So far the DEP has detected West Nile Virus-infected mosquitoes in 36 Pennsylvania counties. They will continue surveying affected communities and monitor mosquito activity until October.

“DEP monitors the mosquito population across Pennsylvania,” said Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “Today’s announcement serves as a reminder that all Pennsylvanians should take precautions to protect against mosquitoes. Using a personal insect repellant or staying indoors during dawn and dusk will help prevent exposure to mosquitoes.”

Mosquitoes that transmit the West Nile Virus breed in areas with standing and stagnant water including urban catch basins, clogged gutters, discarded tires, poorly maintained swimming pools, flower pots and other types of plastic containers.

Officials recommend taking the following steps to eliminate standing water around the home:

• Remove tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots, discarded tires or any object that could collect standing water.
  

• Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers left outdoors.

• Have roof gutters cleaned every year, particularly if the leaves from nearby trees have a tendency to clog the drains.

• Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.

• Do not let water stagnate in birdbaths.

• Aerate ornamental pools, or stock them with fish.

• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, and remove standing water from pool covers.

• Use landscaping to eliminate standing water that collects on your property.

• Treat standing water that cannot be eliminated with Bti products which are sold at outdoor supply, home improvement and other stores. Bti is a natural product that kills mosquito larvae, but is safe for people, pets, aquatic life and plants.

Learn more about the West Nile Virus and its symptoms here.

Here are the 10 things you need to know to start your day from your friends at NBC10.

TODAY'S TOP STORY 

4 Suspects Arrested After SWAT Standoff: Four men were arrested Tuesday morning following a tense standoff with a Montgomery County SWAT team in Plymouth Township, Pennsylvania. Police said the men broke into a house and threatened the homeowner with a gun, shoving the firearm into his mouth. Authorities credit the watchful eye of a neighbor with alerting them to the escalating situation. The ordeal unfolded around 8:20 a.m. when longtime Cambridge Road resident Carol Bergman was watching TV with her husband and noticed someone across the street exit a truck wearing a mask and hooded sweatshirt. Two men approached the home, knocking first on the front door and then the back door. When no one answered, two more suspects jumped out of the truck, opened a window to the home and climbed inside, police said. Bergman called 911.

• MORE ON THE STANDOFF
  

YOUR FIRST ALERT FORECAST  

Wednesday and Thursday are expected to be sunny with temperatures in the mid-80s. The rain could return on Friday. Get your full NBC10 First Alert forecast here.

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WHAT YOU MISSED YESTERDAY

West Goshen Man Faces Murder Charges in Shooting Death of Neighbor: A long-running dispute between two Chester County neighbors came to a head overnight Tuesday when one man gunned down the other in the victim's front lawn, prosecutors said. Clayton Carter, 51, was charged Tuesday with first-degree murder and related offenses. The shooting happened at 1 a.m. along the 300 block of Box Elder Drive in West Goshen, Pennsylvania. Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan said Carter shot his neighbor, Brooks Jennings, two times in the head. Carter stood over his neighbor and delivered the second shot as Jennings' wife watched from a nearby window, Hogan said. Jennings died at the scene. Tuesday's deadly shooting was not the first time these feuding neighbors resorted to gunplay, Hogan said. Carter previously pulled a gun on Jennings.

• MORE ON THE SHOOTING
  

AROUND THE WORLD

Guam's Worries Grow as Tensions Rise Between US, North Korea: Residents of the tiny Pacific island of Guam say they're afraid of being caught in the middle of escalating tensions between the U.S. and North Korea after Pyongyang announced it was examining plans for attacking the strategically important U.S. territory. Though local officials downplayed any threat, people who live and work on the island, which serves as a launching pad for the U.S. military, said Wednesday they could no longer shrug off the idea of being a potential target. Guam is used to the threats from North Korea but advances in the country's nuclear program paired with fiery rhetoric from President Donald Trump has raised the already high animosity and heightened worries that a miscalculation might spark conflict between the nuclear-armed nations.

• MORE ON THE TENSIONS
  

How Old Will You Be During the Next Solar Eclipse: A total solar eclipse is when the moon completely covers the sun, casting a shadow that brings temporary darkness on Earth. It only occurs along what's called the path of totality, and the last time this path landed in the United States was 1979. Only a few states experienced totality that year, but a majority of the surrounding states still experienced a partial eclipse. Seeing this state of totality is such a rare occurrence that some consider it a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

• MORE ON THE ECLIPSE
  

SPORTS SPOT

Phillies Beat the Braves: The Phillies won 5 to 2 against the Atlanta Braves. 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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@kiingshoota captured this cool image of an old car.

Have an awesome Instagram photo you'd like to share? Tag it with #NBC10Buzz.

TODAY'S VIRAL VIDEO

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Check out these facts that you may not have known about Canada: Click here to watch.

6 Months to Winter Olympics: In just six months, snowboarders, slalom skiers, speed skaters and others will arrive at PyeongChang in pursuit of Olympic gold. We’ll watch as athletes from around the world compete in 15 winter sports, catching their dreams or seeing them dashed on the mountains of South Korea during the 2018 Winter Games. 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. 

Temperatures will be in the mid 80's. Lots of sunshine today with clear skies. Rain is on the way. NBC10's First Alert meteorologist Bill Henley has your accurate forecast.

A loggerhead sea turtle that was rescued in Virginia has been released back into the ocean after undergoing rehabilitation in New Jersey.

Humphrey flapped its flippers and headed into the surf in Point Pleasant Beach on Tuesday.

The turtle was found suffering from a lung infection in Virginia on Christmas Eve. It was transferred to New Jersey's Sea Turtle Recovery in Essex County in May and is the first turtle treated there.

No one is sure whether Humphrey is a male or female because it hasn't matured enough.

The recovery center tagged Humphrey so it can keep track of its whereabouts.

Police credit a Montgomery County woman with likely saving the life of her neighbor when she saw the four men enter the home and immediately calling 911. Police say four men burst into a home on Cambridge Road in Plymouth Township yesterday morning. The 70-year-old victim managed to escape with minor injuries.

A man shot three times died at Temple University Hospital Tuesday night. The shooting happened near the intersection of Garnet and York streets in North Philadelphia. So far no arrests.

The Margate debate is moving to federal court. The battle centers on a beach projection project that is causing bacteria-filled standing water to build up. NBC10's Matt Delucia tells us what this means in the fight to stop that project.

A man attempted to conceal stolen merchandise in his pants before threatening to stab a Center City security guard, Philadelphia police said.

A security guard noticed the suspect attempting to leave the store with what appeared to be a jacket inside his pants. When he tried to leave, a security officer approachesd the suspect. A struggle ensued before the suspect threatened to stab the security guard, police said.

The robbery happened Monday at 12:14 p.m. at a Uniqlo store located on 1608 West Chestnut Street, according to police. 

After destroying some merchandise in the fight, the man was able to flee the store with other unpaid items. He was last seen on Chestnut Street on a black mountain bike.

The suspect is described as a black male, around 40 years old, 5-foot-8 inches tall, with a beard and mustache. He was wearing a blue bucket hat, white shirt, blue jean shorts, and white shoes.

Anyone with information regarding this incident should contact the Central Detective Division at 215-686-3013.

Tensions are high this morning because the U.S. territory Guam is getting caught in threats between North Korea and the U.S. NBC10 National Reporter Tracy Pott's explains.

A woman abandoned her son with special needs in the woods. NBC10 knocked on her door to get her side of the story. Those who know her said this is unexpected.

After a man-hunt, authorities arrested a man who slammed his BMW into soldiers in Paris.

Today is going to be a "very nice summer day." Similar temperatures will remain for the next few days.

Cradles to Crayons and United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey are stuffing backpacks for the Backpack-A-Thon.