Confusion over whether PECO Energy would be forced to put rolling blackouts into effect because of high power demand from extreme cold has the energy company trying to set the record straight.

PJM Interconnect, a Valley Forge, Pa. based company that manages the energy grid for all or part of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, issued a warning that the system could be overtaxed if energy demand was too high during sub-freezing temperatures on Tuesday. They issued a followup statement Tuesday night, asking their customers to conserve electricity into Wednesday.

PJM's initial warning prompted Delaware County Emergency Management to issue its own advisory that rolling power outages could be expected throughout the county.

Towns, like Radnor Township, then notified citizens about the power loss possibility/.

"There is a distinct possibility of random thirty minute power shut downs during the day to conserve energy usage," read one email message sent by Radnor Township and obtained by NBC10. "Exemptions will be for critical care facilities such as hospitals and nursing homes. All others will be randomly affected by the shut downs with no prior notification from PECO."

However, PECO Energy spokeswoman Kathy Engel Menedez says that is not the case.

"We have not been ordered or asked to do rolling blackouts," she said. 

Engel Mendez says rolling blackouts is a last resort and would only be put into effect if PJM ordered the energy company and its counterparts to do so. 

Ed Truett, Emergency Management Director for Delaware County, said he issued the warning based off of PJM's advisory. He said PECO has asked him to recall the county-wide message.

PJM Interconnect, which supplies wholesale energy to 61 million people in 13 states, says it experienced record winter demand on Tuesday morning. According to officials, PJM set a new winter peak Tuesday morning of 138,600 megawatts. To put that in perspective, one megawatt is enough electricity to power 1,000 homes. Officials say that record is expected to be broken by later tonight as the grid operator projected a demand for electricity of about 140,000 megawatts.

The grid supplier originally asked customers in its service area to conserve energy from 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Tuesday and advised power companies to be prepared to supply emergency electricity. Tuesday night, PJM sent out another appeal, asking consumers to conserve electricity into Wednesday morning, especially from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.

If the energy demand should get too high, PJM would first cut power to so-called "interruptable customers," according to PECO. These customers have an agreement with power suppliers to turn off their electricity service when needed -- in exchange for a reduced rate. Lowering the voltage being sent to customers is another action.

PECO serves 1.6 million customers in the Philadelphia region. As of Tuesday afternoon, there were no power outages related to weather, Engel Menedez said.

"Our system is performing extremely well," she said adding that the company always supports energy efficiency.

PSE&G, the main energy supplier in New Jersey, also urged its customers to reduce usage Tuesday afternoon and evening.

PJM officials gave the following tips to customers for conserving energy.

• Set thermostats lower than usual, if health permits
• Postpone using major electric appliances such as stoves, dishwashers and clothes dryers until mid-day or after 9 p.m., when the demand for electricity decreases
• Turn off electric lights and appliances that you do not need or are not using

Contact Vince Lattanzio at 610.668.5532, vince.lattanzio@nbcuni.com or follow @VinceLattanzio on Twitter.

The flu has claimed the lives of three Philadelphians as the number of infections have begun to climb in the city, heath officials confirm to NBC10.

Philadelphia Health Department spokesman Jeff Moran says the department had just been notified of the deaths, but could not yet say when they succumbed to the virus. He also did not immediately have information on their identity, age, what part of the city they lived and whether they had other health conditions.

So far this flu season, which runs from Sept. 20 to May 18, 66 cases of the influenza virus have been confirmed in Philadelphia, Moran said. He says the number of infections are starting to trend upwards, but remain around normal levels for this time of year.

Statewide, there are 3,800 confirmed cases of flu and six people have died, Pennsylvania Department of Health officials said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says over the past 31 years, flu activity nationwide most often peaks in February.

In a state-by-state breakdown, the agency says the flu is currently widespread in Pa. In New Jersey,  infections are restricted to regional areas and local areas in Delaware.

The map below shows the current spread of influenza:

Click to enlarge

The National Weather Service is warning much of the country about the polar vortex, an arctic air mass that is pushing much of the eastern and central U.S. down to record cold temperatures.

During this wave, workers are at increased risk of cold stress. Increased wind speeds can cause the air temperature to feel even colder, further increasing the risk of cold stress of those working outdoors, such as:

• Snow cleanup crews
• Construction workers
• Recreational workers
• Postal workers
• Police officers
• Firefighters
• Miners
• Baggage handlers
• Landscapers
• Support workers for oil and gas operations

When the body is unable to warm itself, cold-related stress may result in tissue damage and possibly death. Four factors contribute to cold stress: cold air temperatures, high velocity air movement, dampness of the air, and contact with cold water or surfaces.

How cold is too cold?

A cold environment forces the body to work harder to maintain its temperature. Cold air, water and snow all draw heat from the body. The most common problems faced in the cold are hypothermia, frostbite, and trench foot.

What preventive measures should I take?

Plan for work in cold weather. Wearing appropriate clothing and being aware of how your body is reacting to the cold are important to preventing cold stress. Avoiding alcohol, certain medications and smoking can also help minimize the risk.

Protective Clothing is the most important way to avoid cold stress. The type of fabric even makes a difference. Cotton loses its insulation value when it becomes wet. Wool, silk and most synthetics, on the other hand, retain their insulation even when wet. Here are some clothing recommendations for working in cold environments:
 

• Wear at least three layers of clothing. An inner layer of wool, silk or synthetic to wick moisture away from the body. A middle layer of wool or synthetic to provide insulation even when wet. An outer wind and rain protection layer that allows some ventilation to prevent overheating. Layering provides better insulation. Do not wear tight fitting clothing.
• Wear a hat or hood to help keep your whole body warmer. Hats reduce the amount of body heat that escapes from your head.
• Wear insulated boots or other footwear.
• Keep extra clothing (including underwear) handy in case you get wet and need to change.
• Do not underestimate the wetting effects of perspiration. Oftentimes wicking and venting of the body’s sweat and heat are more important than protecting from rain or snow.

With proper planning and training, employers can keep their employees safe during winter work. For more life-saving tips and information, check out our winter weather resource page. Additional information on cold stress is available from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and those involved in mining operations should view this winter alert from the Mine Safety and Health Administration.

 

Cab driver Abu Bakarr Saccoh wanted to stand out in a crowd of potential employees on the hunt for a new job. So, instead of sticking to traditional methods of resume posting, Saccoh decided to try something new.

Saccoh posted his resume in the passenger cabin of his taxi cab.

"The first thing I do when I jump in my cab -- after I put my certificate up and get everything in order -- I immediately put my resume up," Saccoh said. "In my cab, you never know who you're gonna run in to. It's all about increasing your chances."

That has been Soccoh's routine for a year-and-a-half now, along with having his resume posted on nearly every major job search website.

Saccoh, 43, came to the United States from Sierra Leone, West Africa in 2001, and has been driving for Freedom Taxi Company for nearly two years. While he says he enjoys his current job, he also has a strong desire to pursue a career in accounting.

His passion for accounting is accompanied by a desire to help other West African natives who may have trouble understanding the tax filing process.

"Many of my people are very scared about taxes or they don't understand it. They need somebody they can talk to in their own language, that will tell them how to do it. So, maybe I can have a tax business and do their taxes. That is where I think I will add value, not only to a company but to my community. That is what is important," he said.

Saccoh says he has obtained numerous degrees in the field. Before coming to the States, Saccoh said he obtained a bachelor's degree in accounting and finance from the University of Sierra Leone in 2001. In 2006, Saccoh obtained a second bachelor's degree, this time in computer technology, from Drexel University. In 2011, he earned a master's degree in accounting and controllership from Strayer University.

While his approach to a job search may seem unusual to some, Saccoh says he's had nothing but positive responses from his patrons.

"Every single person that jumps in my cab and sees my resume, you can tell they want to do anything they can do to help. People offer different things, they offer to edit my resume to make it look better or to forward it to other people. People are willing and prepared to help in a lot of different ways," he said.

Flaster Greenberg attorney Abbe Fletman says she rode in Saccoh's cab earlier this year, and the two wound up discussing everything from previous trips to Africa to Saccoh's difficulty finding a job in accounting. Fletman was so impressed with Saccoh's credentials, she offered to assist him with his search by passing his resume on to someone she knew in the accounting field. While her referral did not lead to a job, Fletman said Saccoh's taxi cab resume posting is a good way to reach potential employers.

"I think it’s a fine idea for him to post his resume in the cab," Fletman said. "While there, of course, is dignity and value in driving a cab, he has the educational background for a career in accounting.  You never know who might enter his cab and be able to help him on the way to pursue his chosen career."

Another patron, William Gullan, was so impressed by the resume posting, that he tweeted his followers about it, calling Saccoh's effort an example of "strong personal marketing."

"I thought it was just a really impressive way to take advantage if the many people that he meets everyday," Gullan said. "He seems like a really smart, energetic, optimistic kind of guy. I really hope it works out for him. He's just the kind of guy you really want to root for."

Despite general acceptance of the practice among Saccoh's patrons, Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) spokesman Marty O'Rourke says drivers who post unauthorized materials in their cabs could face a penalty from the PPA. According to O'Rourke, only official notices -- rules, regulations, licenses, etc. -- are permitted to be posted in the city's taxi cabs. Saccoh's resume does not fit that description.

If seen by an inspector, a taxi cab driver in Philadelphia could be cited for having an unauthorized posting in the vehicle, and could be ordered to pay a $100 fine. If the driver agrees to remove the posting, however, O'Rourke says the fine would be reduced to $25.

Saccoh says, if he were to be cited or fined it would be well worth the extra exposure.

"I wake up every morning thinking I’m gonna hit my defining moment today, you know," he said. "I am very, very hopeful that the opportunity will come at any moment; maybe from someone who gets in my cab."

A loss of steam at the Paulsboro Refinery led to a shutdown and the sight of black smoke which alarmed residents who live nearby.

Black smoke rose from the PBF refinery Monday morning on the 800 block of Clonmell Road. Residents reported the smoke and several nearby schools, including Nehaunsey Middle School in Greenwich Township, went into a lockdown around 3 p.m. as a precaution.

The office of Emergency Management later lifted the lockdown for Nehaunsey around 3:40 p.m.

NBC10 contacted Mike Karlovich, the spokesman for PBF Energy, the company which owns the refinery.

“We had a loss of steam this morning at the Paulsboro refinery which resulted in the controlled orderly shutdown of the refinery,” Karlovich said.

Due to the loss of steam, Karlovich says the refinery’s safety system went into effect and flaring occurred as a flame at the top of the tower began to burn, leading to the black smoke. 

“The flaring is part of the inherent safety system in the refinery,” Karlovich said. “They help to relieve pressure.”

No one was injured during the incident and all personnel are safe and accounted for, according to Karlovich.

The refinery, which produces 180,000 barrels of oil a day, is still shut down. At this point, Karlovich says it's uncertain if the shutdown will impact gas prices. Officials are still investigating the cause of the loss of steam though Karlovich refuted reports that it was caused by a power surge.

“We’re still assessing what the loss of steam could be from,” Karlovich said. “We notified the proper government agencies and we’re assessing the impact.”

The South Jersey Times reports that the Department of Environmental Protection sent air monitors to Paulsboro to test the air quality.

Stay with NBC10.com for more information on this developing story.
 

Upper Providence Township officials and community members upset over Montgomery County’s sale of Parkhouse Providence Pointe and its more than 200 acres of surrounding land plan to stage a third protest opposing the deal Saturday.  But county officials say the suburban municipality’s objections are unfounded.

"How does anybody in Montgomery County know that the next time they get into a budget crunch," asked Upper Providence Township supervisor Lisa Mossie, "they aren't going to sell off open space to help?"

The county is selling the geriatric nursing facility and the nearly 288 acres it sits on for $39 million to Mid-Atlantic Health Care LLC. 

"It wasn't sold in a fire sale because we needed the money," said Frank Custer, county spokesman.

Fewer and fewer counties in Pennsylvania own and operate nursing care facilities.  The sale rids the county of a money-losing enterprise, while turning the facility over to an entity that specializes in senior care, Custer said.

Montgomery County announced the Timonium, Md.-based company as the winning bidder in October 2013 after it initially posted an admittedly vague request for information in February 2013. 

"The county would consider including part, or all, of the vacant land in any proposal," it read. 

Meeting minutes indicate $3 million of the sale price was put towards the land acquisition.

But community members say they were blindsided by the sale of the "open space," which has operated as a public park for years.

"The inclusion of the land is unnecessary and it is an egregious breach of the community’s trust," said Mossie, who added that the process lacked transparency.

County officials, on the other hand, say the land was never designated as open space despite community members using it as such without repercussions.

"It is not a public park," Custer said.

The term open space doesn’t simply refer to undeveloped land, he added. The county must designate the land to be permanently preserved, which isn’t the case for the acreage surrounding Parkhouse.

"The county maps, including the official county map, clearly denote this property as government use, institutional use," added Lee Soltysiak, MontCo’s Deputy Chief Operating Officer.

Upper Providence plans, which were approved by the county and designate the land as open space, would not override the county's denotation.

Soltysiak goes on to ask why the township didn’t express their concerns in the eight month period between when the county suggested Parkhouse’s sale and the announcement of the final bid."

"The township isn’t in the business of providing health care services, so we would never had made a bid on that,” said Mossie, before adding that the township would be willing to fork over $3 million to buy the vacant property that sits alongside the nursing home.

She also adds the information the county provided to the township "did not include a map of the property, nor what lands would or would not be included."

But, according to Custer, separate offers for portions of the property were not entertained once the county determined selling the five-building geriatric care facility in conjunction with the land was the best option.

Plus the $3 million listed as the cost of the land is not the true sale price of the approximately 220 acres, but simply how the buyer decided to break down the items for its own accounting purposes, said Montgomery County’s First Assistant Solicitor Josh Stein.  As far as the county is concerned, the entire property cost $39 million, he said.

“We bought what was offered,” said Dr. Scott Rifkin of Mid-Atlantic Health Care, which has been put squarely in the middle of the township’s fight against the county.

“We have no particular plans for the land,” Rifkin said.  “We obviously want to use it as open space. If they can figure out the liability issues, we will leave the land open to be used.”

The township has yet to see that promise in writing and would still remain skeptical of the intentions of a private owner, Mossie said.

“We are still concerned that once it is out of public hands, there is no control over what happens,” said Barbara Flynn, who created a MoveOn.org petition against the sale that already has more than 1,400 signatures.  “They could decide they don’t want public access altogether. They could re-subdivide it and sell it to another developer.”

Rifkin insists that he wants to work with the community to find the best possible use for the land.

“We have no plans to sell the land, we  have no plans to develop the land and we are happy to sit down with the community to discuss how the land will be used,” he said.

MontCo officials say the Save Parkhouse group can continue to express their disagreement, even though they will likely get what they want.

The township successfully changed the land’s zoning, which will prevent any development from happening on the land without township approval, and the county is working to subdivide 70 acres of land from the entire parcel so it can be permanently preserved as open space, Soltysiak said.

“They are going to end up with exactly what they are proposing,” he said.

Mossie questions the efforts to portray the county's request for a subdivision as a way to protect and preserve land that is part of the Upper Schuylkill Valley Park.

"The implication is that if Upper Providence Township does not grant the subdivision, the lands of the upper Schuylkill valley Park would be included in the sale," she said. "The only threat to this land is from the county itself."

The next protest is slated for Jan. 11 and will begin with a gathering at the Dunkin’ Donuts at 1882 Markley St., Norristown at noon on before moving to a yet-to-be-determined rally site, according to the Save Parkhouse Rally Facebook page.

“We are going to continue to raise awareness,” Flynn said. “What do they need the property for?”

Philadelphia's homeless outreach organizations pushed their efforts into overdrive to assist hundreds of homeless persons seeking shelter and warmth as record cold temperatures and negative wind chills moved into the region overnight and remained throughout the day.

Perhaps the city's most used resource for homeless shelter referrals during extreme weather is the Project HOME Homeless Outreach Hotline.

Last night, as temperatures plunged to single digits, Project HOME Director of Advocacy and Public Policy Jennine Miller said the hotline--which people are encouraged to use if they see anyone out on the street that may need shelter--received three times as many calls as it sees on an average day of operation.

"Our call volume has been triple our average day. Last night was 51 calls. Our average day is 10 to 15 calls," Miller said.

According to Miller, a high volume of calls continued this morning, and the hotline had received as many as 26 phone calls before noon today.

To keep up with the volume, Miller says the outreach center has upped its number of dispatch teams from its usual 7 or 8 teams to 12 teams.

While a Code Blue emergency warning remains in effect in the city, Project HOME will provide 24-hour outreach, special access to emergency shelter placements, and a court order will be in place for police to transport any homeless persons who refuse to accept shelter.

The Project HOME Homeless Outreach Hotline can be reached 24/7 at 215-232-1984.

Workers at the Bethesda Project's Winter Café also put in some extra hours to keep homeless persons out of the cold. The Winter Café, which normally serves as an overnight drop-in center for chronically street homeless persons, will remain open all day today and through tomorrow morning due to the Code Blue warning.

Executive Director of the Philadelphia Veterans Multi-Service Center Tim Meserve said its staff will also be putting in extra hours to help keep homeless veterans out of the cold.

"We do van runs between the VA, the shelters, and here. We're doing extra runs today to try to get these veterans out of the cold," Meserve said.

"The ones that don't want to come, we're trying to entice them to do that. And if they refuse, we have blankets, gloves and hats that we're giving to the ones that are just adamant and won't come in."

The Veterans Multi-Service Center in South Philadelphia provides hot breakfast and lunch meals for the homeless, six days-a-week. The center also has homeless outreach teams in Chester, Montgomery and Delaware counties, and transitional facilities in Coatesville, Pa.

Yesterday, the Philadelphia center served anywhere from 60 to 100 homeless persons, and had a steady flow of intake throughout the day today.

Here is a list of other organizations that help serve and house the needy during the extreme cold:

Click here for a list of the Code Blue locations throughout New Jersey.

Delaware:

New Castle County
Wilmington
Friendship House has enacted Code Purple for Jan. 6, Tuesday, Jan. 7, and Wednesday, Jan. 8. Volunteers provide soup and sandwiches. Friendship House provides hot beverages, paper and cleaning products. The shelter will be open each day from 2:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. at the Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew, 720 N. Orange St.

For more information about Code Purple nights, call Bill Perkins at (302) 559-5716.
Salvation Army activates Code Purple when necessary. After 8:30 p.m., those at the sanctuary will go to the Salvation Army shelter, 400 N. Orange St. Men will be provided a cot set-up in the gymnasium and women will be provided accommodation in the women’s shelter. An evening snack and continental breakfast will be served before visitors leave the facility.

Newark
Those in the Newark area who are in need of sanctuary from the cold weather are encouraged to call (302) 544-0165, and sign up for services with the Newark Empowerment Center. The center’s office hours are 1 p.m.-4 p.m. The host overnight sanctuary locations for the Newark Empowerment Center are:
(Jan. 6): First Presbyterian Church, 292 W. Main St., Newark. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Tuesday (Jan. 7): St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 701 S. College Ave., Newark. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Wednesday (Jan. 8): Newark United Methodist Church, 69 E. Main St., Newark. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Sussex County:
Jan. 6 through Sunday, Jan. 12: People in need of overnight sanctuary are encouraged to go to Epworth United Methodist Church, 19285 Holland Glade Road, Rehoboth Beach. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. For more information, call Nan Ruhl, director of Immanuel Shelter, at (302) 604-2619.

Kent County:
According to Immanuel Shelter, the overnight sanctuary at Epworth United Methodist Church in Rehoboth Beach would take in people who are homeless in Kent County or elsewhere who can get to the shelter.

Police are investigating the fatal shooting of a man in the East Germantown section of the city.

The 25-year-old man was on the 6300 block of Musgrave Street at 7:46 p.m. Suddenly, police say, a gunman opened fire and the man was struck several times in the abdomen.

The victim was taken to Albert Einstein Hospital. He was pronounced dead at 8:12 p.m.

Police have not yet revealed the victim’s identity or information on any suspects.

Stay with NBC10.com for more details on this developing story.

Also on NBC10.com:

• Man Shot Dead While Sitting on Porch
• Police ID Man Fatally Shot in Crashed Car
• 2 Car Shootings: 1 Man Dead, 1 Shot in Hand

Police have identified a woman whose body was found stuffed inside a suitcase Sunday afternoon.

The body was discovered by Margate Sergeant Mark Ciambrone who was off-duty at the time.

Ciambrone found the body in a wooded area near 9th and Broadway Avenue behind the Shore Mall along Black Horse Pike in Egg Harbor Township, N.J.

Police found tattoos on the woman's right wrist and right foot and later released photos of the tattoos. On Tuesday, investigators identified the woman as 30-year-old Tara Rogers Alicea of Monroeville, New Jersey.

The NJ Medical Examiner's Office ruled her death a homicide. Investigators say she died from asphyxiation with strangulation.

Both the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office and Egg Harbor Township Police Department are investigating Alicea's death.

If you have any information on the case, please call the Major Crimes Unit at 609-909-7666.

Police identified a body found in the Delaware River as a Delaware County man who went missing last November.

William “Bill” Schwenger, 61, went missing on November 27. He was last seen on the unit block of Mill Street in Clifton Heights, Pa.

Schwenger’s family started a Facebook page called Find Bill Schwenger. According to the page Schwenger, who was a father, grandfather, and husband, suffered from depression.

On January 1, shortly before 7:30 p.m., a body was discovered on the banks of the Delaware River near 45 East Delaware Avenue in Marcus Hook, Pa. On Tuesday, police identified the body as Schwenger.

According to investigators, the cause of death was ruled a drowning while the manner of death was ruled a suicide.

Also on NBC10.com

• Police ID Body Found in Suitcase
• Delaware County Father Goes Missing
• Body Found in Delaware River

The new year is bringing good news for the city of Philadelphia. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate in Philly dropped to 9.5 percent in November of 2013, the lowest unemployment rate since May of 2009. BLS also reports that the number of jobs in Philly is at its highest level since November of 2008.

“The latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics points to a city economy that continues to grow after the devastation of the Great Recession. We see it in new construction all over the city, the arrival of new businesses in Philadelphia, and the expansion of existing companies,” said Mayor Nutter. “While the indications are positive, we need to keep this modest improvement in context.  There are still far too many unemployed people in this city, especially in the minority communities and among younger Philadelphians, and my Administration remains committed to job creation, workforce development, and expanding opportunities for all people in this city.”

Nutter also urged Congress to extend unemployment benefits which he believes would “help thousands of people in the Philadelphia region.”

“We in Philadelphia need to focus on our tax policies in order to drive increased economic development; we need to invest in workforce development to assist those who want to enter the labor force or to change careers; and at the city and state levels, we need to invest in educating our children,” he said.

Several Philadelphia-based companies, including Urban Outfitters, Beneficial Bank and FMC announced expansion in 2013. Nutter plans to announce new business expansions and companies in Philadelphia later this year.
 

Bundling up was the shared experience for anyone who went outside to brave the sub-zero temperatures in the Philadelphia region today.

• PHOTOS: SUB-ZERO WEATHER PHOTOS

An arctic blast of air moved into the region Tuesday morning, with the coldest temperatures hitting in the 7 a.m. hour. The low at that point in Philadelphia dropped to 4 degrees and winds were around 21 mph with gusts up to 41 mph. So, it felt like -16.

• KEEP YOUR PETS SAFE IN SUB-ZERO TEMPS

Images of covered faces braving the cold from outside on the street to inside cars were prevalent on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Congregants of the Spotlight Deliverance Temple Church in Bristol, Pa. are entering the new year hoping for a miracle.

Spotlight is housed in a 163-year-old building, a historical site that was once a place of reverance.

When more than 70 percent of the church's ceiling and framework caved in on the sanctuary in September, much of the building's historical beauty -- its stained glass windows, chandeliers, and wooden pews --  was damaged or destroyed.

The unexpected collapse forced Spotlight to move its congregants and its worship services from their spacious church home to a cramped room at a nearby hotel.

Spotlight's Executive Administrator Janie Stephens said the move was quite an adjustment for the church's near 200 members.

"In the beginning it was really hard getting used to because you go from this huge building to this room that holds less than 100 people. That's really difficult," Stephens said.

According to Stephens, members of the church administration had noticed a bend in one of the support beams a week before the collapse occurred and they immediately called contractors to evaluate the building. But before they were able to do an assessment, on Sept. 25, the majority of the ceiling collapsed.

Contractors estimate the damages will cost $100,000 to repair.

While the church reportedly pays $12,000 per year in insurance for the building, the insurance company, United National Insurance has refused to cover any of the repairs because they say the collapse was not  a "covered peril."

"As you can imagine, we are devasted by the news," Spotlight trustee board member Janice Washington said.

The church started a fundraiser shortly after the collapse in September. Through generous donations from local partner churches they managed to raise $23,600. This allowed them to hire contractors to secure the remaining parts of the roof and begin removing debris from the building. But church trustee board chairman Vincent Washington says the church is a long way from being fully restored. Simply put, he said, they need a miracle.

"At this point it would be a miracle if somebody, a philanthropist or an organization, would give the rest to us, that would be a miracle from god," he said.

"For us to just keep trying to raise the funds on our own, it could take a couple years for us to raise that kind of money."

Stephens says the church has also applied for several grants on the basis of its building being a historical site and will continue reaching out for donations through its web site www.spotlightdeliverance.com/donate.

Answering a knock at the door left a man fighting for his life and likely paralyzed if he survives.

The 21-year-old victim was shot just before 1 a.m. after he answered the door of his home along the 5300 block of Osage Avenue in West Philadelphia.

When police arrived they found the badly injured man on the front porch.

He was shot multiple times, said Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small.

One bullet hit the man in the shoulder, another in his back and a third bullet grazed his head.

The man was rushed to the Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania in critical condition.

“It’s unknown if he’s going to survive these gunshots,” Small said.

Small said the man likely would be paralyzed if he survives.

The man’s family told police that the man was inside the house when he answered the door and was shot at point-blank range as he stood in the doorway.

After pulling the trigger, the suspect ran away.

Police didn’t release a motive for the shooting.

The victim wasn't cooperating with investigators.