NBC10's Matt DeLucia has a bird's-eye view of hard-hit Medford, New Jersey. Trees are down throughout Burlington County and thousands are without power.

Officials in Lehigh Valley are investigating after a teenage girl and an older man went missing together. Now, investigators are trying to figure out how the man was able to sign the girl out from school.

While a lot of the snow and ice in our region melted on Thursday, that melted ice could pose a problem overnight. NBC10 Chief meteorologist Tammie Souza explains the threat of black ice, plus what you can expect in your neighborhood forecast.

While the Super Bowl buzz certainly has not worn off, Eagles fans have something new to celebrate: a new defensive end.

The flickering and popping started sometime around 7 p.m. Wednesday.

After hours of snow, wind and freezing rain, transformers throughout New Jersey’s Cherry Hill neighborhood started to give out.

“It just popped all over the place. It was like fireworks,” Cherry Hill resident Alan Blair said. “It happened so quick.”

His home lost power and the family was forced to sleep huddled beneath layers of blankets just to keep warm through the night.

Down the street, a large tree branch crashed through a neighbor’s skylight. The limb still dangled into Ron Shelling’s living room on Thursday morning, letting in cold air and spreading wood chips onto his furniture and carpet.

"I tried to clean most of it up," he told NBC10.

Even a nearby Wawa closed its doors as volunteer firefighters cleared trees.

Thousands of people throughout the region remained without power Thursday after a late March nor'easter slammed into Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and up through New England. At one point on Wednesday, more than 195,000 customers were in the dark.

Power companies scrambled to meet demand. At least 7,000 of PECO’s outages lingered from the previous nor'easter, which hit our area less than one week ago.

In hard-hit Bucks County, the American Red Cross set up a shelter for people left in the dark at the Middletown Municipal Building in Langhorne.

“I think it’s very likely we’ll be here through the end of the week and then it really just depends on what happens with the weather,” Peter Brown from the American Red Cross said.

Some families weren’t taking any chances. NBC10 reporter Deanna Durante spoke with residents who were packing up the essentials and heading to a hotel.

For residents still living in the dark, NBC10 has some tips on what to do with perishable food:

• Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to keep the items inside cold.
• The fridge will keep items cold for about four hours.
• A full freezer will remain cold for about 48 hours.
• If you are in a pinch, always know the closest supplier of dry or block ice. Dry ice can help save your food, keeping a full freezer cold for up to 48 hours.
• You can always use those coolers you have on hand (or go buy some) where you can keep tightly packed food.
• Check each food item independently for unusual odor, color or texture. If anything seems odd, or the food feels warm, throw it away. NEVER taste food to see if it’s safe.
• Food may be safely refrozen if it still contains ice crystals or is at 40 degrees or below. If any frozen meat, poultry, fish or eggs were exposed to 40 degrees of higher for two hours or more toss it.

And remember: When in doubt, throw it out.

NBC10 Responds has a new twist on how medical debt mounts up so quickly, and, now, we're looking into a possible solution to protect you from "surprise bills."

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney wants to see more parents and educators added to the list of nominees for the city’s new school board of education.

On Thursday, he asked the recently created nominating panel to provide an additional list that “increases the diversity of the nominee pool.”

“I am impressed by the nominees the panel has recommended so far, and would like to consider more names to ensure that I appoint the strongest board possible,” he said.

Last month, the nominating panel presented a list of 27 names to Kenney that had been whittled down from hundreds of applications.

Under new guidelines established after the School Reform Commission (SRC) voted in November to dissolve itself, Kenney would have to chose nine people from that list to comprise the new Philadelphia board of education.

But on Thursday, less than one week after the mayor proposed $900 million in new taxes to help fund schools, Kenney asked for additional names.

The initial list included several people with “professional and government experience,” but not enough parents and educators, Kenney said. Among those nominated are Reading Terminal Market General Manager Anuj Gupta and current SRC board member Joyce Wilkerson.

The nominating panel will hold a public hearing on March 18 to finalize its second round of recommendations. Kenney will then have 20 days to make his appointments.

A New Jersey teacher is recovering at home after being struck by lightning during the rare weather phenomenon known as thundersnow at the height of Wednesday's nor'easter.

Manchester Middle School 8th grade teacher Jessica Geiger was outside on bus duty as the school prepared for dismissal around 2:30 p.m. Suddenly, lightning struck the umbrella she was holding, Manchester Township police and school officials said.

Geiger was standing on the sidewalk in front of the school with other staff members when the strike occurred.

"The staff members in the vicinity were also shaken, however they helped [Geiger] inside the building and the nurse was able to attend to her," Manchester Schools superintendent David Trethaway said in a letter to NBC10.

"She was transported to the hospital where she did undergo some tests and remained overnight for observation."

Geiger was shaken and in pain but conscious throughout the ordeal, Trethaway said.

She was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and was home resting Thursday, according to Trethaway.

He praised the actions of staff members who divided up to tend to Geiger while also ensuring the safety of students.

On Thursday, several of them wrote cards expressing good wishes to their teacher.

"[Geiger] is an excellent teacher who is well respected and loved by the staff and students and we are all very happy that she is going to have a full recovery," Trethaway said.

There were reports of thundersnow in Manchester Township around the same time the lightning struck, NBC10 First Alert Weather chief meteorologist Tammie Souza said. There were more than 30 reports of lightning strikes across the region as a major March nor'easter battered towns in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware on Wednesday.

Tammie described thundersnow as a "thunderstorm in winter conditions."

"Instead of a quick burst of heavy rain that you would get, you get a quick burst of extremely heavy snow — maybe 2 or 3 inches an hour," she said. "You get the lightning, you get the thunder and you might get some gusty winds."

Rain and flooding is leading to deteriorating roads and sidewalks in Atlantic City, as well as loss of soil. Officials are working on other flood prevention measures across the city.

The St. Patrick's Day Parade, a Philadelphia tradition that dates back to 1771, will take place in the city on Sunday, March 11.

The parade will begin at 11:15 a.m. at 16th Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard and head eastbound to Penn's Landing.

Due to the parade, there will be some road closures, parking restrictions and SEPTA bus detours throughout the day.

More information on the parade can be found at phillyparade.com.

Road closed from 5:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Market Street between 6th Street and 5th Street
  

• John F. Kennedy Boulevard between 20th Street and 15th Street
• 20th Street between Market Street and Arch Street
• 19th Street between Market Street and Arch Street
• 18th Street between Market Street and Arch Street
• 17th Street between Market Street and Arch Street
• 16th Street between Market Street and Arch Street
• 15th Street between Market Street and Arch Street

• North Penn Square between 15th Street and Juniper Street
• East Penn Square between John F. Kennedy Blvd. and Market Street
• Market Street between East Penn Square and Front Street
• All cross streets on Market Street from 13th Street to Front Street, from Chestnut Street to Arch Street
• Front Street between Market Street and Chestnut Street

• 1500-2000 block of John F. Kennedy Boulevard

An accomplice believed to have aided in the beating, rape and robbery of a woman in Center City was arrested near the scene of the crime, Philadelphia police said.

Kenneth Faixmel, a 38-year-old who also goes by the name Rashawn Spann, is charged with a “litany of offenses,” including rape, robbery, theft, aggravated assault, involuntary deviant sexual intercourse, unlaw restraint and receiving stolen property, among other charges, according to police.

Faixmel is not the primary suspect. Most of these charges against him are related to conspiracy, Philadelphia police Capt. Sekou Kinebrew said. Police believe he acted as a look-out for another man who commited those crimes.

“When two people conspire to commit one crime, crimes that unfold during that crime, they both will be charged,” Kinebrew explained.

Faixmel was arrested Thursday morning around the same time and in the same vicinity where the attack happened Sunday. He was walking on the 1300 block of Locust Street when police recognized him from surveillance video released earlier this week. Faixmel was arrested on the spot.

That same video showed the victim walking on the 1300 block of Lombard Street Sunday morning around 5:30 a.m. A man walking in the opposite direction suddenly grabbed her by the neck and dragged her onto South Watts Street. There, she was repeatedly punched in the head and face while being sexually assaulted.

Faixmel acted as a look-out and helped steal her backpack, police said.

Detectives are still looking for the primary suspect. His name is Archie Swinson or Archie Moore. He is 44 years old and has been seen on the 1200 block of Ludlow, 5600 block of Rodman Street and at a homeless shelter on South Broad Street. He will be charged with the same offenses as Faixmel.

“We know they know each other,” Kinebrew said. “To what extent, we don’t know.”

Faixmel has 41 prior arrests, mostly for theft and drug-related offenses, according to police. Swinson has 18 prior arrests.

Anyone who spots Swinson should call 911, Kinebrew said.

Wilmington University's president is making history on International Women's Day, and inciting hope in her students.

Here are the top news stories you need to know to start your day from your friends at NBC10.

TODAY'S TOP STORY 

Man Signed Teen Out of School 10 Times, Both Now Missing: A 45-year-old man managed to sign a 16-year-old girl out of her Pennsylvania school 10 times in the last few months and now the two are missing, police said. Allentown police issued a missing person alert Wednesday for Kevin Esterly and Amy Yu. They say the duo was last seen on Monday. Police filed a warrant for Esterly's arrest for interference with the custody of a child, an Allentown police spokesman confirmed. According to the warrant, Esterly signed Yu out of school 10 times between Nov. 13 and Feb. 9 without her parents' permission. Police said Yu's mother called Feb. 9 to report Esterly had signed her child out of Lehigh Valley Academy earlier that day. A school spokesperson said they could not confirm whether Esterly was on a list of adults approved to sign out the girl. On Feb. 15, records show police told Esterly to stay away from the teen's home.

• MORE ON THE MISSING TEEN
  

WHAT YOU MISSED YESTERDAY

Allentown Mayor to Resign After Corruption Conviction: Ed Pawlowski, the longtime mayor of Allentown, is resigning from office following his conviction earlier this month on dozens of federal corruption charges. At a Thursday afternoon news conference Pawlowski announced he will resign from office effective at 5 p.m. Friday. Allentown's city charter requires that an elected official found guilty of a 2nd degree misdemeanor or felony must relinquish his or her office. Prosecutors successfully argued Pawlowski strong-armed city vendors for campaign cash in a wide-ranging scheme meant to fuel his political ambitions for statewide office. A federal jury convicted him on 47 of 52 charges, including conspiracy, bribery, fraud, attempted extortion and lying to the FBI. Sentencing has not been scheduled.

• MORE ON THE RESIGNATION
  

YOUR FIRST ALERT FORECAST  

Light snow flurries are possible for Friday but temperatures are expected to be in the 40s. Friday is expected to be windy. Saturday and Sunday are expected to be partly sunny with temperatures in the 40s. Monday could see a wintry mix of snow and rain. Tuesday is expected to be windy with temperatures in the 40s. Get your full NBC10 First Alert forecast here.

Las Vegas Sands to Sell Lehigh Valley Casino: Las Vegas Sands Corp. is selling its Pennsylvania casino to an American Indian tribe from Alabama for $1.3 billion, the company announced Thursday. Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem opened in 2009 on the site of Bethlehem Steel's former headquarters plant, transforming what was then the nation's largest abandoned industrial complex into an $800 million destination that lured gamblers from New York and New Jersey. Sands later added a shopping mall, performing arts venue and 300-room hotel. "Sands Bethlehem has become one of the leading regional entertainment and gaming destinations in the United States and we are extremely proud of the positive contributions the property has made for Bethlehem ... and eastern Pennsylvania," Sheldon Adelson, the billionaire mogul who leads Sands, said in a statement. Though it raked in nearly $550 million from slot machines and table games last year — second among Pennsylvania's 12 casinos — the casino is the smallest in Sands' portfolio, which includes The Venetian in Las Vegas and resorts in Macau and Singapore.

• MORE ON THE CASINO
  

AROUND THE WORLD

Trump Plans to Meet Kim Jong Un for Nuke Talks: North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump plan to meet in May for nuclear disarmament talks, a whiplash development that would put two leaders who've repeatedly insulted, threatened and dismissed each other in the same room, possibly in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang. It would have been an unthinkable suggestion just a few months ago, when the insults were at their peak — Trump was a "senile dotard" and Kim was "Little Rocket Man" — and the North was snapping off regular weapons tests in a dogged march toward its goal of a viable nuclear arsenal that can threaten the U.S. mainland. Liberal South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who some believe has maneuvered the two leaders to this position, reflected the hope and relief many here feel about the planned summit when he declared Friday that it will be a "historical milestone" that will put the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula "really on track." But there's also considerable skepticism.

• MORE ON THE TALKS
  

That's what you need to know to Catch Up Quickly, but we've got more stories worthy of your time. Click here to check them out. 

Police in Montgomery County spent the overnight hours searching for clues behind an auto body shop that is less than a block from a police station after gunfire rang out nearby.

The shooting happened around midnight along E High Street in Pottstown.

Pottstown police could be seen investigating through the early hours of Friday.

NBC10 has in calls with Pottstown police and the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office to find out the circumstances around the shooting and if anyone was shot.

Toys R Us is considering liquidating its operations in the United States, sources told CNBC.

But the situation remains fluid, according to one of the sources.

In September, the popular toy retailer filed for bankruptcy with nearly $5 billion in debt. But in February, after a disappointing holiday season, CNBC reported that it was at risk of breaching the covenant on a $3.1 billion loan.

Shares of Hasbro and Mattel, which hold debt in Toys R Us, dropped in after-hours trading Thursday.

U.S. clocks will "spring forward" again on March 11 to make room for an extra hour of sunlight in the evenings as winter fades away.

Daylight saving time officially starts at 2 a.m. Sunday, when clocks are pushed forward one hour to 3 a.m.

When you go to bed on Saturday night, don’t forget to turn your watches, alarms and microwaves forward an hour. Electronic devices, like cellphones, by default are set to automatically update the time as it changes.

In observance of the biannual switch in time, here are some things you may not have known about this event.

It Has an Impact on Your Health
Switching into and out of daylight saving can disturb people’s sleeping routines, making them more restless at night, according to U.S. News and World Report. However, morning people tend to be less bothered by the changes. Studies have shown that during the first week of daylight saving time there is a spike in the number of reported heart attacks. Some experts suggest, according to the report, that the loss of an hour’s rest may make people more vulnerable to an attack. Nonetheless, when people get an extra hour in the fall, the incidents of heart attacks are less than usual.

When Was DST Implemented
Before President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Uniform Time Act in 1966, which established a uniform daylight saving time, local governments could start and end daylight saving time as they desired. For five weeks a year Boston, New York and Philadelphia were not on the same time as Washington, D.C., Cleveland or Baltimore. Different daylight saving times also caused confusion for travelers going from the Midwest to Northeast.

In 2005, President George W. Bush extended the daylight saving time for an extra four weeks through an energy bill. Since 2007, daylight saving time has begun on the second Sunday of March, ending on the first Sunday of November.

Not All States Observe DST
Arizona and Hawaii are currently the only two states that do not observe daylight saving time. Indiana did not observe the practice until 2005. The American territories of American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands also do not participate.

Several states have tried to end the tradition of re-setting the time twice a year, but haven't been successful. In the last few months alone, at least four states have attempted to eliminate daylight saving time. Montana, Oklahoma and Utah failed to pass bills that would keep their states on standard time year round. In Florida, the State Senate on Tuesday approved a bill to forgo the twice annual time change. The Sunshine Protection Act is headed to Gov. Rick Scott's desk for his signature or veto.

A Founding Father Did Not Come Up with DST
According to the History Channel, Benjamin Franklin did not come up with the idea of daylight saving time; he only suggested a change in sleep schedules.

Englishman William Willett is the one who suggested in 1905 that the United Kingdom move its clocks forward by 80 minutes between April and October, so people could enjoy the sunlight. He published "The Waste of Daylight" and spent much of his fortune and time promoting the idea.

Confirm Your Phone's Automatic Time Changes
It's good to confirm if your phone or other electronic devices have changed to the correct time. In 2013, iPhone customers experienced a daylight saving time bug. Some users saw two different times displayed on their calendar app, which was apparently caused by a change that moved daylight saving time back a week in 2007. In 2010 iPhones had another problem in which the phones did not correctly change alarm schedules when daylight saving time ended, causing some European iPhone users to wake up late for work, while Australians were woken up early.

DST is Singular Not Plural
By the way, it's "daylight saving time," not "daylight savings time."

Fire broke out in a maintenance building at New Jersey Department of Transportation Headquarters early Friday.

No one was hurt during the blaze at the NJDOT building at 1035 Parkway Avenue in Ewing Township, Mercer County dispatchers said.

Firefighters could be seen entering the rear of the building but there were no flames visible around 7 a.m.

No word yet on the extent of damage.

Mayor Jim Kenney is urging neighbor to help make the city more beautiful with the 2018 Philly Spring Cleanup.

A man accused of beating, raping and robbing a woman in Center City is under arrest and will face charges, Philadelphia police said.

Philadelphia Police arrested Archie Swinson, 44, late Thursday night along the 1200 block of Ludlow Street, not far from City Hall. He is accused of attacking the woman along the 400 block of South Watts Street Sunday morning.

He will face charges including rape, aggravated assault, unlawful restraint and related counts, Philadelphia police said Friday morning.

Swinson was arrested 18 times previously for robbery, drugs and assault, police said.

Kenneth Faixmel, a 38-year-old who also goes by the name Rashawn Spann, is also charged with a “litany of offenses,” including rape, robbery, theft, aggravated assault, involuntary deviant sexual intercourse, unlawful restraint and receiving stolen property, among other charges, according to police.

Faixmel is not the primary suspect. Most of these charges against him are related to conspiracy, Philadelphia police Capt. Sekou Kinebrew said. Police believe he acted as Swinson's lookout.

“When two people conspire to commit one crime, crimes that unfold during that crime, they both will be charged,” Kinebrew explained.

Faixmel was arrested Thursday morning around the same time and in the same vicinity where the attack happened Sunday. He was walking on the 1300 block of Locust Street when police recognized him from surveillance video released earlier this week.

That same video showed the victim walking on the 1300 block of Lombard Street Sunday morning around 5:30 a.m. A man walking in the opposite direction suddenly grabbed her by the neck and dragged her onto Watts Street. There, she was repeatedly punched in the head and face while being sexually assaulted.

Faixmel helped steal her backpack, police said. He remained jailed on $750,000 bail Friday. Online court records don't list an attorney who could comment on Faixmel's behalf.