The holidays are a time of cheer but can also be a time of danger. The National Fire Protection Association says December is the leading month for house fires and those holiday decorations you put up could be the cause. NBC10 Responds shares tips on how to protect yourself.
NBC10 Responds: Holiday Hazards
↧
↧
Man Released 39 Years After Wrongful Imprisonment
Nearly 40 years after he was imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit, Elmer Daniels is finally free. Daniels and his attorney met during a chance encounter a few years ago. They both spoke with NBC10 about what's next and why, after all this time, Daniels is not angry.
↧
Tenants of University City Apartment Say They Were Forced Out of Their Homes
People living in a University City apartment building say they were pushed out of their homes and then given only weeks to find a new place to live because of their income. Now they're asking for help.
↧
Police Officers Open Up About Mental Health
The former top cop of Philadelphia, Charles Ramsey, one of the most respected police chiefs in America, talked with NBC10 about the stress of officers killed in the line of duty under his watch, including the one that pushed him to retirement. Other officers also talked about the job and its toll on their mental health, which NBC television stations surveyed nationally over the last year
↧
Swordsman Throws Weed Whacker at Officers, Police Say
A man armed with a sword tried to urinate on officers, threatened to slice off their heads and also tossed several items at them, including a weed whacker and a fiery pillow, during a barricade situation in the Strawberry Mansion section of Philadelphia, investigators said.
Police were called to a home on the 2400 block of Myrtlewood Street shortly after 8 p.m. Monday for a report of a man high on narcotics and in possession of a sword. Responding officers used a Taser on the unidentified man but it had little effect, officials said. The man went inside the home and a barricade situation was declared.
Investigators told NBC10 the man threatened to slice the officers’ heads off. He also cut his own neck with the sword at least twice, causing minor injuries, police said. The man repeatedly told police he wanted to go to the hospital but refused to drop his sword, according to investigators.
The man allegedly threw several items out of a window at police, including furniture, a knife, a door, a large piece of glass, a weed whacker, water and a pillow he had set on fire. Police also said the man tried to urinate out of the window onto the officers.
Police set up a staging area on the 2900 block of York Street and a SWAT team surrounded the home. The man was finally taken into custody around midnight. Police have not yet revealed his identity.
↧
↧
NJ Is Closer to Doubling Number of Marijuana Dispensaries
New Jersey is one step closer to doubling the number of medical marijuana dispensaries, after announcing Monday that six new businesses were selected to apply for permits to grow and sell medical marijuana.
Two applicants were chosen for the northern, two for the central and two for the southern parts of the state, in an attempt for patients to have better access to medical marijuana, according to the state’s Department of Health.
“Six very strong applicants were selected, including minority-owned and women-owned businesses,” Health Commissioner Dr. Shereef Elnahal said. “We will meet with them early next year to refine their timetable for growing product and opening their doors. We are committed to an equitable expansion of supply to meet growing patient demand, and these new locations will reach patients that currently have to travel longer distances to obtain the therapy.”
While the businesses have been selected, they must still pass background checks, provide evidence of a dispensary location and receive municipal approval, as well as comply with all the regulations under the Division of Medical Marijuana, before receiving the state approval to grow and sell medical marijuana.
[[374756761, C]]
In March, Gov. Phil Murphy announced a medical marijuana program overhaul in the state, which included a long list of reforms such as lowering fees for patients and caregivers, adding five approved medical conditions (anxiety, migraines, two forms of chronic pain and Tourette’s Syndrome), allowing and proposing legislation to increase monthly product limit for patients. Patients receiving hospice care would also be eligible for an unlimited supply of cannabis.
Months later, in July, Murphy announced that he was seeking to double the number of dispensaries from six to 12 in an effort to expand access to medical marijuana. The state received 146 applications for the six slots.
Currently, there are six dispensaries operating in the state. These six were not eligible to participate in the application process for the additional slots.
[[502946621, C]]
The latest expansion comes at a time when the state is considering legalizing recreational marijuana.
The six business chosen are:
NORTH
- NETA NJ, LLC – Phillipsburg
- GTI New Jersey, LLC – Paterson
CENTRAL
- Verano NJ LLC – Elizabeth (for the dispensary site) and Rahway (for the cultivation site)
- Justice Grown – Ewing
SOUTH
- MPX New Jersey – Atlantic City (for the dispensary site) and Galloway (for the cultivation site)
- Columbia Care New Jersey – Vineland
There are currently 38,000 patients participating in the state’s medical marijuana program, an expansion of more than 20,000 patients since Governor Phil Murphy took office. Additionally, 1,530 caregivers participating in the program.
[[238427591, C]]
Photo Credit: Getty Images
↧
Drug Pipeline Through NJ Highway Taken Down
A major drug takedown targeted a stretch of I-78 in Newark described as a drug pipeline through New Jersey. Brian Thompson reports.
↧
Higher Standards Required in New Jersey After Deadly School Bus Crash
Gov. Phil Murphy will sign a new bill on Tuesday that requires higher standards for bus drivers in New Jersey. The new standard was ignited by the deadly school bus crash that killed a student and a teacher back in May of this year.
↧
Christmas in the Castle
The Glencairn Museum is offering 45-minute guided tours that include more than 30 nativity scenes from all over the world. NBC10's Miguel Martinez-Valle gives you a look inside the Bryn Athyn castle.
Photo Credit: NBC10
↧
↧
Experts Give Tips to Ease Holiday Stress
The holidays can be very stressful for many and tough to manage. Psychology experts have advice to keep your calm during the stress and chaos that the holidays can bring.
↧
Veteran Officer to Learn Future After Deadly Shooting
During a confrontation over the summer, Philadelphia Police Officer Richard Nicoletti shot and killed Jeffrey Dennis. The attorney general's office decided they would not file charges, but a hearing Tuesday will decide if Officer Nicoletti will be allowed to keep his job.
Photo Credit: Surveillance Image
↧
Save These Dates: 2018 Holiday Shipping Deadlines
Want to make sure your holiday cards and gifts arrive in time for Christmas? Save these dates, and keep in mind there may be extra surcharges for rush delivery during the holiday season.
United States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service said cards and packages need to be mailed no later than these dates for an expected delivery by Dec. 25:
Dec. 4: Air/Army Post Office/Fleet Post Office/Diplomatic Post Office (ZIP Code 093 only) Priority Mail and First-Class Mail
Dec. 11: APO/FPO/DPO (all other ZIP Codes) Priority Mail and First-Class Mail
Dec. 14: USPS Retail Ground
Dec. 18: APO/FPO/DPO (except ZIP Code 093) USPS Priority Mail Express
Dec. 20: First-Class Mail (including greeting cards)
Dec. 20: First-Class packages (up to 15.99 ounces)
Dec. 20: Hawaii to mainland Priority Mail and First-Class Mail
Dec. 20: Priority Mail
Dec. 20: Alaska to mainland Priority Mail and First-Class Mail
Dec. 22: Alaska to mainland Priority Mail Express
Dec. 22: Hawaii to mainland Priority Mail Express
Dec. 22: Priority Mail Express
UPS
For more information on UPS schedules and pricing, click here.
Dec. 18: UPS 3 Day Select
Dec. 20: UPS 2nd Day Air
Dec. 21: UPS Next Day Air
FedEx
These services and dates are based on shipping from one U.S. location to another, excluding Puerto Rico. For more information and details on international shipments, click here.
Dec. 10: FedEx SmartPost
Dec. 17: FedEx Home Delivery and FedEx Ground
Dec. 19: FedEx Express Saver from one U.S. location to another
Dec. 20: FedEx 2Day and FedEx 2Day A.M. from one U.S. location to another
Dec 21: FedEx Standard Overnight, FedEx Priority Overnight and FedEx First Overnight from one U.S. location to another
Amazon
These services and dates apply only to the contiguous U.S. states and varies by item. Learn more about Amazon's holiday delivery calendar here.
Dec. 19: Amazon announced Tuesday it was extending the last day for free standard shipping for all customers to Wednesday.
Dec. 19: Last day for standard shipping, free for Prime members on qualifying orders.
Dec. 22: Last day for two-day shipping, free for Prime members.
Dec. 23: Last day for one-day shipping, free for Prime members in eligible areas.
Dec. 24: Last day for same-day delivery, free for Prime members in eligible areas (order by 9:30 a.m. local time or earlier). Last day for Prime Now offers free two-hour delivery windows, reserved exclusively for Prime members in eligible areas (order by 9:15 p.m. local time or earlier. Find out if free same-day delivery is available in your city at amazon.com/sameday.
Photo Credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images
↧
NYPD: Woman Dies After Receiving Cosmetic Butt Injections
The case of a woman from Philadelphia who died after receiving cosmetic butt injections in New York City in June has been ruled a homicide.
The Office of Chief Medical Examiner of New York City determined that 48-year-old Lesbia Ayala died of systemic silicone embolism syndrome due to cosmetic silicone injections of the buttocks and thighs, declaring it a homicide.
On June 17, police responded to a call of an aided female inside 2219 Seward Avenue. When police arrived at the address, they observed Ayala in cardiac arrest.
EMS transported Ayala to Jacobi Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
There are no arrests and the investigation remains ongoing, according to police.
↧
↧
Police Officers Open Up About Mental Health
The former top cop of Philadelphia, Charles Ramsey, one of the most respected police chiefs in America, talked with NBC10 about the stress of officers killed in the line of duty under his watch, including the one that pushed him to retirement. Other officers also talked about the job and its toll on their mental health, which NBC television stations surveyed nationally over the last year
↧
Local Man’s Future Caught in the Middle of the Showdown in DC
The clock is ticking down to a possible partial government shutdown. Both Republicans and Democrats are in a showdown over spending for border security. President Trump said last week, that he would be "proud" to shut down part of the government Friday, in order for congress to give him the $5 billion he wants for his promised border wall. On Tuesday however, the White House announced he might be wiling to negotiate. NBC10 spoke with a local man whose future is caught in the middle of the showdown in Washington.
↧
Popular Jewelry Store Closes
A Delaware jewelry store that dates back to World War II is about to close its doors for good. The owners of "House of Watches" in Wilmington say it's time to move on. NBC10 spoke with customers who visited the store to say goodbye.
↧
Drug-Related Slayings Fuel 10-Year High in Philly Homicides
In 2017, as slayings in Philadelphia passed 300 for the first time in five years, city police were not yet ready to declare drugs as the driving motive behind the increase — despite a conclusive study.
As 2018 comes to a close, and the homicide total hit the highest number in more than a decade, police Commissioner Richard Ross has come to terms with the link between slayings and the opioid epidemic.
"We got a 93-percent increase in motives that are related to drugs in homicide," Ross said in an interview Tuesday as the number of killings reached 333, the highest since 2007. "That's significant. And so clearly for us, that's probably the biggest problem."
New York and Los Angeles, with populations much larger than Philadelphia's 1.5 million, have fewer homicides this year. As of Dec. 9, New York City had seen 273 homicides; as of Dec. 8, Los Angeles had 243.
In September, Mayor Jim Kenney ordered his staff to come up with strategies to tackle the crisis like a public health emergency.
He said in an interview that the availability of guns and the high rate of poverty also are contributing factors to Philadelphia's homicide total.
"The homicide rate is disturbing. It's higher than it was over the last 10 years, but you go back to the former administrations, we were in the 500s," Kenney said. "We're doing our best to keep it down, and to address the symptoms, to address the issues that caused the problem in the first place. And that's poverty and lack of education and jobs."
The city, he added, will release a plan in January to address a rise in violence.
[[503029581, C]]
Among the most high-profile cases was the death of a high school track star who was about to start Penn State and was shot and killed when he confronted two teens trying to break into his family's house in August. In another, four people were shot in the head in the basement of a home in November. On Friday, a new mom was shot and killed inside her house while her 5-day-old daughter slept in a crib steps away.
This year has also been particularly deadly for young people.
Ross said some of the shooters don't even recall what the initial beef is about.
"They don't have conflict resolution skills and resort to gun violence," Ross said.
[[502984401, C]]
Vanessa Garrett Harley, who heads up the city's criminal justice and public safety agency, is leading the group tasked with developing a plan to tackle the violence. They're starting with an audit of community-based violence prevention programs around the city, figuring out which programs are working and which aren't. They've also held meetings in communities struggling with gun violence to get input from residents on the front lines, she said.
"Just to hear an older woman say she's scared to come off her porch, it sickens me," said Shondell Revell, a city employee who is helping develop the strategic plan. "How do we give her that assurance that the city is there for her and we're dealing with the issues that are happening?"
Last year, the Pew Charitable Trusts analyzed the motives for every homicide in Philadelphia from 2012 to 2016.
Their analysis found that four of the five leading motives for slayings — arguments, domestic violence, street robberies and retaliation — decreased over that period, while drugs were the lone motive to increase.
"Drugs appeared to be driving the murder rate over that period, with police statistics showing that the percentages for other top causes declined during that time," the analysis said.
However, the police department told Pew in a statement that it was not yet clear if the increase in drug-related homicides comprised a grim trend.
"The Philadelphia Police Department said it was too soon to know whether the data from the past few years represent a trend—and did not speculate on what may be driving the increases," according to the analysis.
Ross now believes drugs are a driving factor in a second straight year of 300-plus homicides.
"We know that part of the reason that the spike is happening is becausing of the opioid crisis," he said.
Photo Credit: Matt Rourke/AP
↧
↧
NBC10 Responds: 'Your Grandchild is in Trouble' Scam Targets Grandparents
Officials are issuing a warning about a scam targeting grandparents that happens more during the holiday season. It all begins with a phone call claiming that your grandchild is in trouble and in need of your help.
↧
One on One With Steve Carell
"Welcome to Marwen" actor Steve Carell takes on a "new dimension" in his latest film with famed director Robert Zemeckis -- known for hits like "Back to the Future" and "Forrest Gump." NBC10 spoke to Carell and Zemeckis who are in Philadelphia to promote the movie.
↧
Smash and Grab Thieves Target Burlington County Stores, Police Say
Police are searching for two suspects who are wanted in connection to smash and grab incidents in Burlington County, New Jersey.
↧
More Pages to Explore .....
