It may be time for us to cash in all of the many gift cards that were received during the holiday season. In some cases, getting the most out of your gift card is time sensitive. NBC10 Responds explains.

In three days there have been 180 arrests and thousands of dollars of drugs off of the streets of Philadelphia. It's all part of the latest operation by Philadelphia Police to combat crimes in hot spots. For the first time, investigators tried something new in their drug blitz and round up.

Delaware has the most cases of Triple Negative Breast Cancer in the country. Triple Negative Breast Cancer often spreads quickly and has fewer treatment options, especially among women in the African American and Hispanic communities. Doctors are trying to find out why.

In just a few minutes Center City Philadelphia went from sunny skies to whiteout conditions. A snow squall barreled through the Philadelphia region at 50 mph on Wednesday. NBC10 First Alert Weather meteorologist Steve Sosna was in the middle of the squall to illustrate just how quickly conditions can change.

Bucks County District Attorney Matthew Weintraub is warning the public about a man who allegedly prostituted himself while knowing he had HIV.

Mark Andrew Kernan, 57, was arrested and charged with prostitution, possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine and criminal use of a communication facility.

Investigators believe Kernan had used his home on Yardley Commons in Yardley as a house of prostitution since at least Dec. 2017. They also say he previously lived in Philadelphia.

Kernan indicated to police that he knew he had HIV while prostituting himself, according to an affidavit of probable cause. Investigators also said it was not immediately clear how long he has been living with the virus.

“This is a public health issue,” Weintraub said. “We are not making morality judgments here. If you’ve had sexual contact with this man, seek a medical evaluation immediately."

Kernan posted on the website doublelist.com and advertised an “erotic male massage” in the Philadelphia area, investigators said.

The charges against Kernan stem from an incident that took place earlier in January, according to officials. Police say a man responded to one of Kernan’s posts and met him at his home. The man told investigators that Kernan provided him with drinks and narcotics that made him highly intoxicated, according to the criminal complaint. The man said he then engaged in sex acts with Kernan and an unknown third person while impaired.

Under the direction of investigators, the man continued to communicate with Kernan who solicited him for a paid sexual encounter, officials said. Kernan allegedly agreed to provide several services, including sex and methamphetamine for $575.

Kernan was arraigned Wednesday with bail set at $500,000 unsecured.

Johnny Doc’s the guy in the Mayor’s Reception Room at Philadelphia City Hall in construction boots and cargo shorts. He lets the suits do the talking.

In the neighborhoods, he's the guy who's not afraid to confront non-union contractors. He lets his fists do the talking.

Whether or not you know who John Dougherty is, if you live in the greater Philadelphia area, the head of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 98 has had an effect on your life.

Here are some of the biggest impacts Dougherty has made, even if you’re not a IBEW dues-paying member, before he was federally indicted Jan. 30 on corruption and tax fraud charges.

- Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation: Look no further to see the scope of Johnny Doc’s power than the state’s current delegation serving in Washington D.C. The dots aren’t even that hard to connect. A.) John Dougherty’s union spends hundreds of thousands of dollars through political action committees on the 2015 campaign of his brother Kevin Dougherty. B.) Kevin, a Democrat, is elected to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in an election that gives Democrats a 5-2 advantage on the state’s highest bench. C.) The court rules that the Republican-majority Legislature’s congressional map is unconstitutional, and must be redrawn. Eventually, it redraws the map itself. D.) Democrats rejoice, then take nine seats in the 2018 midterm election.

- The cost of soda in Philly: Fellow indictee, Councilman Bobby Henon, was the promoter of a soda tax back in 2015, even before Jim Kenney was elected mayor and ushered through what became Kenney’s defining legislation: the sugary beverage tax. It is helping pay for universal pre-K and a $500 million initiative called Rebuild, which is dedicated to renovating city rec centers and libraries and involves lots of union labor. Henon sits on the Rebuild board.

- Blue-Collar pay: Johnny Doc is not only in charge of IBEW Local 98. He also sits atop the Philadelphia Building Trades Council, an umbrella group for dozens of labor unions. Whether it’s strong-arm tactics, ratmobiles, or behind-the-scenes legislative efforts, Johnny Doc has kept developers and big corporations from subverting organized labor’s wages with non-union workers.

- Semi-dark money in local elections: Dougherty deploys political action committees, ie PACs, as conduits for donations to candidates across the spectrum, whether it’s for mayor, congress, or even district attorney.

A seven-alarm fire tore through a New Jersey paper mill Wednesday, sending smoke and flames billowing into the air, authorities said.

The fire broke out inside a warehouse building at Marcal Paper Mills, on Market Street in Elmwood Park around 5 p.m. Wednesday, officials said. 

The building houses a number of paper products, including large paper rolls, Elmwood Park Police Chief Michael Foligno said at a press conference. The roof of the building collapsed not long after the fire started, he added. 

No injuries had been reported as of Wednesday night, but firefighters were struggling to put out the flames due to the cold weather and visibility issues caused by the smoke, Foligno said. 

"The wind is not helping, and the cold is causing the fire to spread rapidly," he said. “The cold slows you down, and it causes it to be more difficult to fight the fire."

As of Wednesday evening, the fire was contained to a single building, Foligno said. 

Embers were traveling in the direction of some homes and businesses to the east of the mill, but Foligno noted that fire crews were monitoring the area. 

The fire forced several businesses in the area to close early due to safety concerns. 

When temps dip below freezing (or even below zero) certain challenges occur.

Here's how you can minimize the misery and stay safe:

1. Bundle Up (and Swap Out the Leggings)

It might seem obvious, but piling on a few extra layers is a great way to stay warm, especially if you have to be outside. Keeping your core warm is especially important when temperatures dip below freezing, so try wearing an extra shirt or two under your coat.

Worried about looking bulky? Many sporting goods companies make cold-weather gear that is slim enough to be worn even under work clothes.

For ladies who love wearing leggings, try swapping them out for long underwear. Several hiking-gear companies make long underwear that has the same look as leggings and will help keep you warm. A bonus: Most long underwear is meant to dry quickly, so leftover snow and slush won't leave your legs damp.

2. Indulge in Foods That Help You Keep Warm

You already know that eating well in the winter could help you stay healthy, but did you know it might help keep you warm, too? Eating extra, healthy fats during the winter can help rev up metabolism, which in turn heats the body, according to Columbia Health.

If your New Year's resolution was to drop a few pounds, don't worry -- you can always skip the extra fat and try eating warmer foods and drinks. Try soups, spicy foods, hot coffee and teas to reverse the chill!

3. We're Sorry: Alcohol Decreases Core Temperatures 

Although alcoholic beverages might make you feel warm, they actually decrease your core temperature and can be dangerous during winter months. 

According to The New York Times and a study by Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, alcohol reverses some reflexes that control body temperature, especially the body's ability to shiver. Alcohol can also make you sweat, even when it is cold, which can lower core temperatures even more. 

4. Keep Your Toes Toasty

Hypothermia is most likely to begin in extremities like your hands and feet, so keeping your toes warm is important. Whether you're walking to work or just around the block, make sure to wear sturdy, insulated shoes that will help prevent slips on slick surfaces and keep your feet dry.

Looking for a pair? Try a good pair of hiking books or, for the fashionista, this article from Glamour offers boots that are cozy and cute. Also, consider wearing an extra pair of socks (here's a helpful article to help you choose the right pair). 

5. Sunglasses... Even in the Winter

If you're walking in the snow during the day, wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the glare.

If you are walking at night, make sure to dress in colors other than white and to wear something reflective on your person to alert drivers to your presence. 

Avoid walking too close to roadways, especially near icy areas where drivers may lose control of their vehicle. 

6. Remember the "Three-Feet Rule"

Space heaters are a great way to add extra heat to colder rooms, but always remember to keep anything flammable at least three feet away from the heater at all times.

Flammable items include clothing, rugs, bedding and curtains. Also remember to place the heater on a hard, non-flammable, stable surface and to turn it off completely before leaving the house. Set a reminder on your phone if you're afraid you'll forget.

7. Watch Out for Furry Friends

You might be jealous of your dog or cat's fur coat when temperatures drop, but they need to be kept warm, too. 

Catherine Blake, owner of Make My Day, Please dog walking services suggests dog walks should be limited to 10 minutes.

"You also have to be careful of ice in their paws because it can act like little daggers," Blake said.

Always remember to bring pets inside when temperatures begin to drop. If they can't come inside, provide enough bedding and insulated shelter for them to keep warm. If temperatures are below freezing, remember to check pets' water and replace it if it has frozen.

8. Monitor Fires

It's easy to snooze in front of a roaring fire, but always make sure that fireplace embers are completely out before going to bed for the night. 

Wood fireplaces should always have a glass or metal fire screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs. 

9. Don't Warm Up Your Car While It's Unattended

Although letting your car heat up before you hop in can be tempting, leaving your car running when you're not around offers the perfect opportunity for thieves to steal it. 

Instead, have a family member wait inside it while you finish getting ready, and then switch "shifts" with them when you have finished. Alternate who goes first to keep it fair.

10. Assemble a Car Emergency Kit

Check the CDC's car emergency checklist to ensure you are prepared in case you have a roadside emergency during inclement weather. 

11. Keep Heat Constant

Setting your thermostat at the same temperature day and night will help prevent your pipes from freezing and bursting. While avoiding a high heating bill might be tempting, you could be protecting yourself from costly repairs from frozen or burst pipes. 

If you are going to be away from home for an extended period of time, don't lower heat below 55 degrees. 

12. Protect Pipes

Keeping the heat on isn't the only thing you can do to protect pipes from freezing. 

State Farm suggests letting your hot and cold faucets drip overnight and opening cabinet doors to allow heat to get to uninsulated pipes under sinks and on exterior walls.

Locate the water shut-off valve in your home in advance of a water emergency, so you know where to go if a pipe bursts, one local water agency spokesperson advises.

13. Watch Out for Antifreeze

People often use antifreeze on sidewalks and paths to melt ice and snow, but the dangers to humans and pets if it is ingested are serious. 

Know the symptoms of antifreeze poisoning in humans and monitor children who are behaving oddly after returning from playing outside. 

Wipe down pets' paws, stomachs and tails when they come inside so they do not ingest antifreeze when licking themselves. Check symptoms of antifreeze poisoning in animals to ensure you are prepared in case they become sick.

14. Know the Terms

Familiarize yourself with government terms for winter weather emergencies: 

• Freezing Rain - Rain that freezes when it hits the ground, creating a coating of ice on roads, walkways, trees and power lines.

• Sleet - Rain that turns to ice pellets before reaching the ground. Sleet also causes moisture on roads to freeze and become slippery.

• Winter Weather Advisory - Winter weather conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences and may be hazardous. When caution is used, these situations should not be life threatening.

• Winter Storm Watch - A winter storm is possible in your area. Tune in to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for more information.

• Winter Storm Warning - A winter storm is occurring or will soon occur in your area.

• Blizzard Warning - Sustained winds or frequent gusts to 35 miles per hour or greater and considerable amounts of falling or blowing snow (reducing visibility to less than a quarter mile) are expected to prevail for a period of three hours or longer.

• Frost/Freeze Warning - Below freezing temperatures are expected.

15. Make Sure Roads Are Safe Before Driving

Online snow plow trackers make it easy to check when roads in your area are clear and safe to drive after snowfall. 

16. Write Down Important Utility Numbers

Heavy snow and ice can settle on power lines and cause power outages. Write down utility numbers and have them handy during a storm in case you need to report an outage or incident.

17. Watch for Signs of Hypothermia 

Prolonged exposure to cold temperatures can result in hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature. A body temperature that's too low can affect the brain, which makes hypothermia particularly dangerous because the victim may not know it is happening. 

Hypothermia is most likely at very cold temperatures, but it can occur even at merely cool temperatures (above 40°F) if a person becomes chilled from rain, sweat or submersion in cold water.

Check the CDC's guide for recognizing hypothermia to prepare yourself to help someone suffering from the condition. 

18. Help the Homeless

Be on the lookout for homeless people who could get hypothermia as temperatures dip into the teens overnight. If you see someone  who needs shelter or warmer clothing, call your local shelter hot line or authorities.

A man was caught on surveillance video tossing a firebomb into a truck belonging to a Philadelphia business. Now the owner is speaking out as police search for the suspect.

The dangerously cold temperatures are putting the city's homeless at risk. That's why local groups are lending a helping hand.

NBC10 First Alert Weather meteorologist Brittney Shipp is showing you how cold it is by freezing a wet Gritty shirt.

If battling the flames isn't already dangerous when you add freezing temperatures it makes the job much harder. Camden firefighters battled a blaze on Chestnut Street early Thursday that started in one unit and spread to another. 

A raging inferno engulfed more than a dozen cars in a Newark Airport parking lot early Thursday, spewing thick black smoke into the air as high-powered flames turned vehicles into charred carcasses.

It wasn't immediately clear what sparked the fire. Chopper 4 over the scene showed firefighters standing near the flaming vehicles, trying to battle the blaze in wind chills as low as -15 degrees. The Port Authority said the lot involved in the fire was regular parking at Terminal C, not long-term.

It also said no injuries were reported and airport operations were not affected.

Fires also tore through buildings in Brooklyn and the Bronx early Thursday. In Brooklyn, huge flames devoured a one-story vacant warehouse on Vernon Avenue shortly before 4 a.m., sending thick smoke across the neighborhood and into nearby homes, witnesses told News 4.

About 170 firefighting personnel responded to the five-alarm scene near the elevated subway tracks. Train service wasn't affected, but the smoke rose all the way to the rails. Nearby apartments were not evacuated. 

Witnesses described a stench that made them feel as if they were in the middle of a bonfire. 

Less than a half-hour after the Brooklyn fire erupted, firefighters got a call about a two-alarm fire at a Richman Plaza high-rise in the Bronx's Morris Heights neighborhood. Emergency transmissions indicated the fire broke out on the fifth floor of a 46-story mixed-occupancy building.

No injuries were immediately reported in either of the New York City fires, causes of which were under investigation.

Meanwhile, a seven-alarm inferno that ripped through a paper mill in New Jersey's Elmwood Park on Wednesday continued to burn early Thursday, more than 12 hours after it started spewing smoke that was seen miles away.

Firefighters encountered difficult conditions as water they tried to use to douse the flames turned to ice in the sub-zero wind chills. About 200 employees were working at the facility of the time, authorities said; no one was hurt in that case either. 

The Delaware River Dredging Project is almost complete. For almost a decade crews have been using a massive hammer to deepen the river, to allow cargo ships access to the port in Philadelphia. The project is estimated to boost the economy by $13 million.

SEPTA is taking extra precautions to make sure commuters are safe while waiting for their train or bus during a bitter cold Thursday morning. The transit company also made sure to keep tracks warm and gave drivers speed restrictions in caution of the black ice.

The greater Philadelphia region is reeling from a cold winter snap that has made temperatures plummet into the single-digits and feel like they're in the negatives.

While the area is not as cold as say Chicago, where it's colder than some parts of Siberia and Antarctica, the temperatures closer to home still pose a very real danger. Given that the bitter weather is here to stay until at least Friday, it's best to know how to deal with that cold until then.

Here's what you should know:

Protecting Yourself:

The best thing to do when temperatures hit freezing is to stay indoors and try to stay warm.

If you have to go outside, be careful not just driving but walking; the arctic blast in the region has caused icing on some sidewalks that could make you slip and fall. The best thing to do, believe it or not, is walk like a penguin.

When outdoors, layer up and cover all exposed skin as frostbite can set in quickly. Because it causes numbness, frostbite can hit you without you even knowing it, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Watch for other signs like skin that looks red or grayish-yellow, or feels hard or waxy. What you don't want to do, though, is start massaging the area, since this can cause more damage. Instead, the CDC recommends ditching any wet clothes, getting into a warm room, tucking yourself under layers of blankets, placing any affected skin in warm-to-touch water and of course seeking medical help.

It's also important to watch for hypothermia, whose signs include shivering, exhaustion, confusion, slurred speech and drowsiness. If you have a baby, watch for bright red and cold skin and low energy.

Protecting Your Home:

If you're using a space heater, remember to keep anything flammable at least three feet away so as not to cause a fire. If you're using a kerosene heater or a fireplace, make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working. However, do not use an oven or stove to warm your home.

To avoid frozen pipes, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency says you should wrap exposed pipes and your water meter in insulation. Other tips to prevent freezing pipes include keeping cold water running at a trickle, opening cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing, keeping garage doors closed and setting your thermostat to at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Protecting Your Car:

If you want to make sure your car runs, Ready.gov says you should keep the tank half full to prevent the fuel line from freezing. Also pack a few blankets in case you get stranded and need to stay warm.

Snow squalls can cause whiteout conditions and bad accidents. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation recommends that if you're driving, gradually slow down, stay in your lane, increase your following distance and stay alert for anything that might happen on the road.

Protecting You Pets:

Yes, they may have a thick fur coat, but your pets can still die from the cold and wind. When temperatures dip, bring them inside and make sure they're dry.

If you absolutely can't bring them in, make sure their shelter is adequately insulated to keep them warm. You can even add straw to help with the insulation. If you see a pet that's left outside without adequate shelter, you can report it to ACCT Philly by calling 267-385-3800 and dialing 1.

Your furry pals also burn more calories trying to stay warm in the cold, according to the Humane Society of the United States, so make sure to feed them a little extra to replace the calories.

A New Jersey Girl Scouts troop leader was removed from her position Wednesday after authorities say her previously reported theft of more than $1,000 in cookie money sales inside a Garden State mall earlier this month never actually happened.

Woodbridge Township police concluded their investigation into the alleged theft and found that there was “insufficient evidence to support the theft allegation.”

Girl Scouts of Central and Southern New Jersey said they decided to remove Troop 80062 leader Jessica Medina from her volunteer position.

“We are surprised and very saddened at this turn of events,” the GSCSNJ said in a statement online. “The Girl Scouts of Central and Southern New Jersey expects the highest standards of fiscal responsibility and ethical behavior from our volunteers, in keeping with our mission, our values, and our Girl Scout Promise and Laws.”

It was back on Jan. 18 when Medina told police that two thieves swiped $500 in cash and several checks from a bank envelope left unattended on a table where members of Troop 80062 were making their cookie sales at Woodbridge Center Mall.

The blame was initially pointed at a man, possibly wearing a disguise, and a woman using a red walker, police said. Police later interviewed the duo and eliminated them as suspects while also determining the alleged theft, which was first said to have been recorded on surveillance video in the mall, was in fact never captured on video.

After interviewing parents, troop members and witnesses at the cookie sale event that day, police said the envelope was never on the display table at any time, but rather secured inside a cash box.

When police interviewed Medina again, they claim she changed her story, claiming the missing cash wasn’t from the cookie sale, but instead was “previously submitted by the Girl Scouts to pay for scouting events such as roller skating and the Daddy-Daughter dance,” police said in their statement. Police said she claimed she was planning on taking it to the bank.

On Tuesday, as police were conducting a final interview with Medina, they said they told her there was no evidence the theft actually took place. Police said she agreed with the findings, “speculating that perhaps the envelope containing the money was accidentally discarded with the trash as the scouts cleaned up the area.”

Medina told the New York Post that she never changed her original story and blamed cops of “not doing their job properly.”

“If they’d found them that night they would have been able to arrest them,” Median told the Post. “That person would have had the envelope in their possession that night.”

The GSCSNJ said the main focus now is to help the girls move forward with their cookie season.

“We will continue working closely and cooperating fully with law enforcement concerning this issue and will ensure that all donations made to or for Troop 80062 are handled in a responsible, transparent manner, consistent with our reporting obligations, local law, and Girl Scout guidelines and practices, including returning donations upon request.”

A major decline in student enrollment is taking a toll on Catholic schools. Over the last 15 years the Archdiocese of Philadelphia has closed dozens of Catholic elementary schools. Plans are being utilized to make Catholic schools more marketable.

the Schuylkill Center Wildlife Clinic in Philadelphia will reopen on Saturday. It’s a place that connects people and nature together.