Man Charged With Starting Fire that Killed His Mother

October 19, 2018, 3:45 pm

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A man has been charged with starting a fire that killed his mother and her companion inside their South Jersey home.

Kurt Smith, 59, was charged Friday with two counts of aggravated manslaughter and one count of arson after prosecutors say he started the deadly house fire in Browns Mills.

• 2 Dead, 1 Injured in New Jersey House Fire

Smith, who lived in the house on the 500 block of Willow Boulevard, "acted in a reckless manner" when he used a cigarette lighter to ignite flammable material in the house's garage on Oct. 16, Burlington County Prosecutor's Office spokesman Joel Bewley said in a news release.

Prosecutors say Smith tried to put out the fire, but it quickly spread when the garage door was opened.

His mother, 92-year-old Lore Smith, and her companion George Pikunis, also 92, died from smoke inhalation and burns sustained in the flames, Bewley said.

At least five police officers were treated for mild smoke inhalation while trying to rescue the family, while one sustained a shoulder injury, according to Pemberton Police Chief David Jantas.

Smith was flown to Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia to be treated for smoke inhalation. Prosecutors say that once he is discharged, he will be extradited back to New Jersey.

Photo Credit: Burlington County Prosecutor's Office

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19-Year-Old Identified in Police-Involved Shooting

October 19, 2018, 2:54 pm

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Authorities have identified 19-year-old Jacob Servais as the suspect shot and killed by detectives outside of a Vineland car rental business on Thursday. Still, questions remain about why Cape May County officers were there to arrest the suspect.

New Witches and Wizards Festival

October 19, 2018, 3:12 pm

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While the name of a popular festival has changed, you can still celebrate all things magical at the Witches and Wizards Festival in Chestnut Hill. And, don't worry, you'll still see plenty of people dressed up at the festival.

This Pa. Town Is 1st to Pass a Plastic Bag & Straw Law

October 19, 2018, 6:18 pm

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Narberth is the first town in Pennsylvania to pass a bill restricting the use of single-use plastic straws at eateries and the handing out of plastic bags at stores.

The rule — passed this week — will go into effect in 60 days. Once enacted, shoppers who request a plastic bag at stores and grocers in the Montgomery County town will be charged 10 cents per bag.

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Restaurants will also be barred from handing out plastic straws with beverages, unless one is asked for. Straws will not be taxed since some people with disabilities may require one to drink.

"Just makes people stop and think: Do I really need it?" Narberth mayor Andrea Deutsch said Friday.

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The ordinance follows trends in other municipalities to limit single-use plastics. Several Jersey Shore towns recently added a plastic bag fee while Atlantic County, New Jersey, bars visitors to its parks from using plastic straws or bags. Cities like San Francisco, California, and Seattle, Washington, have banned plastic drinking straws and other take out containers. The bans come amid growing concern about plastic pollution in creeks, rivers, and the ocean.

Narberth's plastic prohibition has caught the attention of two state lawmakers who'd like to expand part of the measure statewide.

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State Sen. Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery/Delaware) and Rep. Mary Jo Daley (D-Montgomery) said Friday they've introduced legislation to prohibit Pennsylvania businesses and restaurants from handing out single-use plastic straws without a customer's request.

If it were to become law, businesses could face fines up to $2,000 for three or more violations.

Photo Credit: NBC10

Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivor Calls Fed Probe 'Vindication'

October 19, 2018, 7:50 pm

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For survivors of sexual abuse at the hands of Catholic clergy, news that the Justice Department is investigating the atrocities is welcomed after years of being brushed aside.

Billion Dollar Dreams as Mega Millions Fever Takes Over

October 19, 2018, 8:44 pm

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The winning numbers have been drawn, but is anyone taking home the billion dollar jackpot? We asked people what they'd do if they won the grand prize.

Vernick Coffee Bar Opens at Comcast Technology Center

October 19, 2018, 9:00 pm

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James Beard award-winning Philadelphia chef Greg Vernick has some sweet and savory treats for Philly foodies. His new coffee bar is open to the public now in the lobby of the Comcast Technology Center.

Game of the Week: George Washington vs. Mastbuam

October 19, 2018, 9:04 pm

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Mastbuam's defense was strong, but not strong enough to shut down George Washington.

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Mega Millions Still Open for the Taking

October 20, 2018, 4:31 am

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As of Saturday morning, no one has claimed the Mega Millions jackpot.

High School Blitz 2018: Week 7

October 19, 2018, 9:03 pm

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Lots of big plays from many big games under the Friday night lights. Here's this week's blitz.

2 Men Shot Outside Feltonville Bar

October 20, 2018, 5:46 am

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In Philadelphia's Feltonville neighborhood, two men were shot during a robbery outside a bar at Rising Sun Avenue and East Eleanor Street. Both men are in critical condition.

Cape May County Detective Shoots Teen

October 20, 2018, 6:15 am

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A Cape May County detective opened fire on Jacob Servais Thursday while trying to serve a warrant. Witnesses say the 19-year-old didn't obey police commands and they are now calling for a thorough investigation.

Thousands of Migrants Head to U.S. and Possibly Philly

October 20, 2018, 7:20 am

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Around 4,000 migrants are on a trek to the United States. The majority of them are from Honduras and they are heading to Texas hoping to find a better life. Some could end up at Philadelphia's Vision Quest facility, but the center's reputation is far from stellar.

Victim, Would-Be Robber Shot During Tussle Outside Bar

October 20, 2018, 8:33 am

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A would be robber and his alleged victim wound up shot outside of a Philadelphia bar early Saturday morning.

The violent incident played out around 1 a.m. at the corner of East Eleanor Street and Rising Sun Avenue in the Feltonville neighborhood.

• Cape May County Detective Shoots Teen

The suspect tried robbing a 27-year-old man outside of the bar and a struggle broke out for the robber’s gun, Philadelphia police said. During the tussle, the robber shot the man once in the chest.

A security guard with a permit to carry a gun then came outside and shot the robber once in the back, police said.

• Man Charged With Starting Fire that Killed His Mother

Both the robber and robbery victim were rushed to the hospital in critical condition.

It wasn’t clear if the guard was on duty at the bar, which has no name on the facade, at the time, investigators said.

No charges were immediately filed and the investigation continued Saturday.

Photo Credit: NBC10

Atlantic City Marathon Kicks Off 60th Year This Weekend

October 20, 2018, 9:06 am

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The Atlantic City Marathon is happening this weekend. This is the 60th year for the event, which makes it the third oldest marathon in the country.

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The $500M School Funding Question Facing NJ Voters

October 20, 2018, 11:41 am

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New Jersey voters, in addition to deciding competitive Senate and House races, will also decide the fate of $500 million in bonds that would be used for a host of school-related initiatives.

At the top of the ticket is the Senate race, with Republican Bob Hugin as Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez' top opponent. There are six other candidates running on third-party slogans, including Green Party candidate Madelyn Hoffman and Libertarian Murray Sabrin.

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All 12 of the state's House seats are on the ballot. Democrats currently control seven and Republicans occupy five. State offices are not on the ballot this year.

The only question on the ballot on Nov. 6 asks voters whether to approve the $500 million in new debt for school security, county colleges, vocational schools and water infrastructure. The constitution requires that new debts obtain voter approval.

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Specifically, $350 million would be used to provide grants to county vocational school districts and school security projects. Also, $50 million would go to county college projects and $100 million would go to support water infrastructure projects across the state's more than 600 school districts.

The Democrat-led Legislature and Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy approved the bipartisan measure to get the question on the ballot, but not without a disagreement over how much the bonds should be.

Murphy halved the legislative proposal from $1 billion to $500 million, citing the state's already heavy debt load. Debt service in the current fiscal year tops $4 billion, and New Jersey ranks in the Top 5 states for tax-supported debt.

Murphy estimated the total debt payments on the initial proposal would range from $1.7 billion to $2.2 billion over 30 years, depending on interest and other factors.

Republicans have consistently called for steeper spending cuts to help the state's strained budget, but expressed frustration that Murphy halved the bond proposal, which nearly all supported.

Republican state Sen. Steve Oroho said in a statement that the smaller bond issuance won't go far enough to address schools' needs. To rein in the state's finances, he suggested overhauling the state's public worker pension and health benefits.

Murphy has shown little interest in pursuing such reforms, which would be likely to entail cuts. Instead he's called for working with organized labor to lower costs.

Photo Credit: NBC News Local

Shooting Breaks Out at Springfield Mall Parking Lot

October 20, 2018, 12:28 pm

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A shooting broke out Saturday afternoon at the Springfield Mall parking lot following an argument inside the busy shopping center.

Springfield Township police said the argument happened between two groups who they believe began shooting at each other. 

• Victim, Would-Be Robber Shot During Tussle Outside Bar

No one was injured in the shooting, which happened just after 1 p.m., police said. The mall, located on Baltimore Pike in Springfield, Delaware County, was evacuated, according to police.

Several suspects fled the scene, police said. Four vehicles were damaged.

Armed guards could be seen clearing the mall as stores closed their doors and shoppers left the building.

The mall is a popular destination in Delaware County and is typically packed with shoppers during the weekends. Several people on Facebook commented about their experience Saturday afternoon. 

"I was there. Never have been so scared in my whole life. Many thanks to the entire Delaware County police force for keeping us safe," Marissa Colmaire wrote on Facebook.

This is not the first shooting at the suburban mall. In 1985, Sylvia Seegrist opened fire, killing two men and a 2-year-old child. Seven others were also injured during the rampage.

This story is developing. Please check back for updates.

Photo Credit: Jason Ryan / NBC10

Clear the Shelters: Florida Pups Need a Forever Home

October 20, 2018, 11:19 am

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A family of puppies is looking for a home after being rescued from Florida. Check out this lovable pack.

Kmart Manager Delivers Emotional Final Intercom Page as Store Shuttered

October 20, 2018, 4:18 pm

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For 18 years, the Kmart in McMurray, Pennsylvania, was like home for Joshua Englert.

He was 16 years old when he first started helping shoppers at the discount retailer's location near Pittsburgh. But last Sunday, the store's BlueLight went dark and the last sale was made.

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To thank shoppers and the staff, Englert, now a store manager, dialed into the intercom one last time and delivered an emotional goodbye.

"I wanted to take this opportunity not to sell you 40-cent plaid skirts or 5-cent panties, but to instead thank you for supporting a lifetime of memories," Englert said as he choked up.

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"I am the man I am today because of the people I have met here at Kmart," he added.

Englert recorded the message on his smartphone and posted the video to facebook. The reaction was huge with the video garnering more than 100,000 views and 1,000 reactions as of Saturday.

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"I did not think I was going to be choked up like that," Englert told NBC News in an interview Saturday.

"I always use the intercom to announce specials and make sales announcement and I’m sort of known for adding some fun to them, so I thought on the last day the associates would appreciate me saying something sentimental. I didn’t know what I was going to say five minutes before I said it," Englert said.

Kmart has battled tectonic changes in the retail landscape over the past two decades. Once the second-largest discount retailer, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2002 and merged with Sears in 2004. The tumult resulted in the shedding of stores like Englert's location.

A second bankruptcy filing this month means even more Kmart and Sears stores are being shuttered.

Englert said while the community is sad to see their local store close, they "understand the business of it all."

As for Englert, he's started looking for a new job, but the people he bonded with at Store #4770 will always have a special place in his heart.

"We were definitely a family," he said. "Those relationships, that’s all what keeps us together is each other."

Photo Credit: Joshua Englert
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Million and Billion Dollar Dreams Over Lottery Jackpots

October 20, 2018, 5:11 pm

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With the Powerball jackpot topping $470 million and the Mega Millions at more than $1.6 billion, people are crossing their fingers and wishing to become instantly rich.