a.j. ross has more. but first meteorologist lee goldberg is outside our studios on the upper west side. lee. >> the overcoat is overkill. it's like an october night. we're actually up two degrees to 55. look at the daytime highs. 60 in many spots. the average high is 45 degrees. we're more than 15 degrees above average. 55 in new york city, even our coolest suburbs are in the 20s earlier in the week are around 40 degrees. it is amazing to think last nor'easter. pattern. the jet stream has lifted to the north. the cold air can't come east. it is a classic el nio pattern. for tomorrow mild out the door around 50. low 40s in the coolest spots with the help of sunshine we're back to sunshine. weekend. coming up we talk record highs, raising temperatures over the weekend and the latest on the timing for the rainfall next week. take from the an ivy league student, andrew goes to columbia, this is the smart way to dress tonight on the upper west side. >> we'll sigh in a few minutes. we do joke about to warm wea

eyewitness news reporter a.j. ross is in midtown at st. patrick's cathedral where people are already gathering. a.j., they want to make sure they get those seats. >> reporter: they certainly do. beyond the bright holiday lights is a timeless and precious story that speaks to the faith of millions around the world. gathered to celebrate the birth of christ. lifting their voices and hearts in unison, nearly every pew was full with people from all walks of life joining together in prayer, song, and a common belief in the miraculous birth of jesus. >> it's very, very blessed and peaceful. >> is it's a beautiful thing, i think, to come together and celebrate jesus' birth. >> reporter: it's a timeless story that's been told many different ways. family and children enjoyed a special nativity play. >> it brings you closer to god. i feel special that i can perform in the play. >> like my brother, it brings i prefer this church because they have doughnuts. >> reporter: meanwhile where many gathered for midnight reflection. >> the meaning of is chris

live on the east side, a.j. ross, channel 7 eyewitness news. >> a.j., thank you. island tonight. two cars crashing and then careening out of control. newscopter 7 over the scene in the dongan hills section. two people were taken to the hospital with serious injuries. >>> we have new details about a scary encounter between a long island mother and stranger who she says tried to take her baby. police tonight releasing a description of the. she says the suspect approached her, said, give me the baby, and grabbed his arm. it happened in a bathroom at a kohl's in valley stream. the mother pushed her away. police say the suspect is 5' 5" with long blond hair. she was wearing a multicolored skirt. >>> another politician in new york now a federal felon. dean skelos. he and his son convicted for a bribery scheme uncovered of corruption in albany. the elder skelos using his influence to strong arm a $300,000 salary and other benefits for his son adam. this follows a conviction last month of sheldon silver. >>> the hard drive of killers. one of the many things divers are searching for in th

eyewitness news reporter a.j. ross joins us with more on what happened. a.j. >> reporter: people who live and work in this area say they still cannot shake the disturbing images from their minds. according to police a woman who lived on the of this first avenue apartment jumped from her window and walking along the sidewalk, forever changing both their lives. >> i heard a man scream, and as soon as i turned -- >> reporter: it happened so fast. and before anyone could think or even react eyewitnesses say they were helpless. >> i was literally about 10 feet away from the woman when she hit the ground. , andre was riding his bike near east 51st street and first avenue just before 3:00 friday when he heard someone scream. what he saw next was horrifying. according to police a 56-year- old woman jumped from her third floor apartment window and fell on top of another 71- year-old woman walking down the street. eyewitnesses say the jumper's husband and several others quickly rushed outside to help. >> i jumped into action. i was actually the person what called t

merry christmas. >> i'm a.j. ross, channel 7 eyewitness news. >> now that's a traffic stop. as we continue with eyewitness news at 6:00 on this christmas eve, a fast thinking doctor saves the career of a teenager who needed surgery. it's an eyewitness news exclusive. and giants quarterback eli >>> tonight an eyewitness news exclusive. a fast thinking doctor and creative surgeon saved a teenager's singing career. [ music ] >> reporter: she wants to sing for a living, but she has what could be a career ending problem with her tongue. an artery and tongue tangle that makes it hard to sing or talk. >> it's amazing to come back from the first surgery and know that i can eat and drink and sing. there's a good chance it won't blade. >> reporter: earlier this week a neurologist did a procedure he had pioneered, snaking a catheter through her groin, up an artery to find and plug the leaking blood using a sort of crazy glue. >> here's the artery. it is no longer coming in. this is the glue. this is the picture before. we reversed. here comes the injection of the dye, and it's no longe

a.j. ross is in queens. sade, two post office employees were in court one admitting he threw away nearly 1,000 pieces of mail, another confessing he stole dozens of letters and cards, shocking allegations people here say are hard to believe. >> it's really surprising that something like this actually happened. >> reporter: they were entrusted to deliver countless personal and business items through the mail, but instead federal authorities say these two mail men not ole failed to deliver on the job, they broke the law. a customer complaint about a missing $10 0 visa called mailed to brooklyn first tipped authorities to james hayden back in august. hayden was allegedly observed in his postal uniform making purchases with the stolen card. investigators say hayden also ordered items on-line with stolen cards and even had some of his purchases shipped to the very post office he works at. when finally confronted by authorities hayden allegedly stolen nearly 50 gift cards amounting to $1,000 over the past year. >>

a.j. ross in baltimore with the latest. >> reporter: bill, no justice, no peace, a slogan that has been repeated by protesters here. after today's mistrial many are wondering if there can be justice or peace in freddie gray's case. there were demonstrations earlier met by a very large police presence and while there's stale possible tea officer william port can be tried again this case as well as in the rest in this city is far from over. >> no justice, no peace! >> reporter: freddie gray's mysterious death following his arrest by baltimore police in april became a lightning rod for protests and riots. vivid scenes and images officials as well as gray's family are praying will not happen again following mas trial with the first of six officers to be tried for his death. >> we are prepared to respond. we will protect our residents. >> reporter: still deadlocked could not reach a verdict on any of the charges. prosecutors along porter ignored gray's cries for help and refused to put a seatbe

. >> a.j. ross at the scene as police try to figure out what really happened. a.j. >> reporter: sade, bill, investigators still after very large perimeter of this stretch of avenue b blocked off as they continue to search for a suspect and more clues. as i mentioned one suspect is in custody at this hour. unfortunately no officers or by standers were hurt especially considering this all happened just a block away from an elementary school. police say two narcotics officers were initially called here to east 92nd and avenue b around 6:00 p.m. on a report of shots fired. when the officers arrived and tried to exit their car one of a gun at the pair prompting them to return fire. exactly how many shots were discharged is still investigation but fortunately neither officer was injured. a 24-year-old male suspect was taken into custody but investigators say the other suspect with the gun fled the scene. for the past several hours teams have been aggressively searching this entire area for the remaining suspect in addition to collecting shell casings and other eviden

eyewitness news reporter a.j. ross at the scene. nature there has been an outpouring here with family, friends, even strangers paying their respects to the 17-year- old. there are some candles, handwritten notes, even pictures. it's been just over 24 hours since his life was tragically taken by a hit-and-run driver. his loved ones are praying the person responsible will step forward. >> someone who destroyed a family like this, it's sad. >> it's crazy because like he just wept away like that. >> reporter: loved ones say this small memorial appeals in comparison to the light the 17- year-old reflected into so many lives before his life was tragically taken by a hit-and- run driver tuesday night. >> he was a really good person to a lot of people. >> he was just starting. it was just the beginning of his life. it wasn't tending. he didn't did he serve it. family members say he was walking home from a funeral when he was struck by a black toyota camry just before 11:00 p.m. while some witnesses say he was crossing against the light poli

a.j. ross talking to those what saw it. she's at a theater near you, if you happen to be in paramus, is new jersey. a.j. a.j. >> reporter: bill, you are right, for so many this is more than a movie. it's a force, an event, an experience shared for generations. scar wars has captured countless hearts and imaginations. right now even at this amc theater at garden state mall, long time fans are anxious for this next chapter. the wait is finally over. awakened at a theater near you. >> i have finished what you started. >> reporter: marking the 7th installment in an epic series that has become a cultural global phenomenon. >> i was born in '37, so i'm like a little kid again. >> reporter: from character inspired costume and festive attire, fans packed this theater to get the first glimpse of the long awaited film. >> i just can't imagine life without it. i've instilled it in my sons. >> it's an experience that you can never, never get by yourself. it's something that's community, and i'm so happy. >> reporter: without giving any

ross spoke to the victim. five month old puppy is so much more than a pet. >> he means everything to us. >> the newest member of our family. >> when he was viciously attacked by a pit bull, tim didn't hesitate to jump inbetween. >> absolutely, just pull and i just dive over him to get him out. my hands were inside the pit bull. >> during the commotion, the pit bull's owner stood by helpless. chased the terrified pup down the street. >> he just bolted all the way back home and i just ran after him and caught up with him. by that time, the owners had gone away. >> thankfully, the dog didn't break any of tim's fingers, but we have had to go get rabies shots because we don't know who the owner is. >> has three fractures in his front paw and isn't capable of walking for a month. meanwhile, tim suffered 23 puncture wounds to his hands. and the medical and vet bills between the two are mounting. >> this dog is still out there and so it's scary. >> tim and christine are hoping the pill bull's owner will do the right t

live in corona, queens, a.j. ross. >>> businesses on the upper east side near the scene of brick facade collapse are reopening tonight. reopen after workers dismantled the remaining bricks in the facade. a large section of the bricks fell from a high-rise on 64th street no. one was hurt. >>> an apology and a promise for police reform apparently not enough to stop the calls for the resignation of the mayor of chicago. tonight a state lawmaker has introduced a proposal to have the mayor recalled. protesters clashed with police on the streets today. they say the mayor tried to withhold video of the shooting of a black teen. >>> donald trump today here in our studio refusing to back down on his plan to ban all muslims from entering the united states. the republican presidential front runner insisting such a ban is necessary, especially after the recent terror attack in san bernardino. >> you have to say it. look, we're a country of laws. we're a country where you have to behave. you can't knock down buildings. you ca

eyewitness news reporter a.j. ross is in new brunswick with new details. a.j. >> reporter: sandra, ken, three robberies in just a couple of hours now has students and police on heightened alert. the university of devoting additional patrols to different areas while they're encouraging students to take precautions. >> it's kind of scary when you're living off campus. >> kind of freaky. doesn't make you feel that safe. series of crimes targeting victims around the university campus that now have police on the lookout. according to investigators, three armed robberies occurred around the outskirts of campus in a span of just two hours early saturday. and now detectives are trying to determine if these crimes are connected. >> it seems kind of like a trend, especially for one night. i don't know if the robberies are related but it's definitely really freaky. >> reporter: police say the first incident occurred just after 1:00 where the victim was walking alone. he says he was con troptd by two suspect, one armed with a gun who demanded everything he had before

eyewitness news reporter a.j. ross is on the scene. a.j. >> reporter: sade, talk about a shocking and freightenning seen, police tell us a 56-year- old woman lived here on the third floor of this apartment building. she jumped from that third floor here on first avenue and fell on top of an elderly woman walk here along the sidewalk. now, take a look at this video taken shortly after police arrived on scene. investigators say the 71-year- old victim walking along the sidewalk near first avenue and east 51st street was seriously injured and taken to nearby with non life threatening injuries. authorities say the jumper was rushed to bellevue hospital where she later passed away from her injuries. we spoke with an eyewitness news what didn't want to show his face but says he quickly called for help and tended to the women until medics arrived. >> this old lady, she was on the stairs, bleeding from her head. she was totally messed up. and i was trying to stop the bleeding, and when i did, she gave like two last breaths, then she passed awa

eyewitness news reporter a.j. ross is there this evening. a.j.? >> reporter: sandra, holiday music was interrupted by alarming calls to evacuate shoppers and workers at the shops at riverside after a message in a lower level shut down the mall for several hours. this is a different seen from earlier today shortly after 1:00 this afternoon the entire mall was empty as police, canine and bomb squad units performed a thorough search of every inch of this property. according to hackensack police, security officers discovered a graffiti message inside one of the bass rooms that suggested a bomb threat. they decided to evacuate everyone inside. the bomb squad and canine units were brought in. after a thorough sweep that took several hoursed ma'am was deemed safe. >> i heard that a note was placed in the rest room and that's as much as i know. >> that's scary. you don't know if if it's people trying to scare threat. >> reporter: people were since then we have noticed a few police patrol cars going around the perimeter along with mall security. there was

ross, channel 7 eyewitness news. >> all right, a.j., thank you. >>> and earlier tonight cardinal dolan celebrated mass with those who otherwise couldn't do to their work protecting new yorkers. the cardinal celebrating at engine 54, ladder 4, battalion 9, one of the firehouses that responds to st. patrick's cathedral. and tens of thousands joined pope francis earlier tonight at the vatican. pope francis celebrated a late- night mass at st. peter's basilica. he spoke against what he called society's intoxication with consumerism and wealth. thousands are expected tomorrow morning to hear the pope's christmas day speech. >>> and in bethlehem in the the church of the nativity. it is built rate at the spot where tradition holds that jesus was born. and thousands of people crowded into manger square for christmas eve festivities. they were not kept away by the recent wave of violence between palestinians and israelis. four palestinians died in attacks across the west bank. and people celebrating christmas in our area won't need a heavy coat or snowshoes. some people spent time today in shor

live in hackensack this evening, a.j. ross, channel 7 eyewitness news. >> thank you. >>> and now to the weather. if you have been outside even for a second today you may be wondering are we actually approaching winter or coming back into consumer. >> people across the tri-state area are out and about enjoying the record warmth in december at the boardwalk in coney island. >> this is lincoln center on the upper west side. the high temps got people asking what happened to winter. >> meteorologist jeff smith has the first look at the accuweather forecast. >> just to put it in perspective, today's high that is typical of a high temperature on april 30th or early october. we are talking spring and midfall. that is what it's middelves 66 a was the high in the park. 66 newark. a record at islip. 68 degrees there. 61 a record at bridgeport, connecticut. unbelievable levels of warmth, especially south of new york city. you actually got into the low 70s in places like belmar and toms river. low 60s on the east end of the island at

ross with that part of our coverage. a.j. >> reporter: bill, 14 lives stolen in a senseless mass shooting so many are still trying to come to terms w. tonight we're learning more about the victims and the precious memories they shared with those closest to them before in the expected happen. >> he was a wonderful man. we met on-line. we've been together for 14 years. >> reporter: anticipating a lifetime together, the waive of new jersey native nicholas thalasinos is now holding on to a hug and kiss good-bye she never thought would be their last. >> i actually got an extra hug and a kiss before he left. so i'm just holding on to that >> reporter: a san bernardino county health inspector, he was one of 14 victims gunned down at the inland regional center. >> he was good person. i loved my father. i always will. >> reporter: it's a gut wrenching void now felt by the loved ones of 37-year-old michael wetzel, a father of six. >> they are very overwhelmed. there's six kids that have lost their father, and renee is a stay-at-ho

ross, channel 7 eyewitness news. >>> a.j., thank you. >>> turning now to weather expect drizzle tomorrow morning but by afternoon expect an all-out downpour. meteorologist lee goldberg at the weather wall. we're definitely going to need that umbrella. >> had some rain a couple days ago, now more rain moving in. wet streets is what will you run into tomorrow morning. clouds and patchy drizzle through early tomorrow the wind is calm and mild temperatures. winds start to move in and work off to the west. drifnl nassau county over the sound. westchester, fairfield, parts of new york city as well. that's through tomorrow morning. this is the steadier rain for tomorrow afternoon, still a ways away. watch the futurecast. just light rain and drizzle tomorrow morning. steadier rain by late morning especially heavy along the coast, south and east of new york city. we will still get rain north and west. this will be with us through taper off. drizzle for your morning commute, steadier rain midday, heaviest along the coast. evening. up to an i remember and a quarter in spots. maybe a few flurries in

a.j. ross is on her way there. you are looking at live pictures where there are some protests after a mistrial was declared this afternoon in the trial of a police officer for the death of freddie gray. a campaign appearance turns dangerous when a man punches the french prime minister. >> that's it for us for now. thanks for watching. >> world news with david muir eyewitness news returns at

live in soho, a.j. ross, channel 7 eyewitness news. >> that ice skating rink looks like a swimming pool. check out our website, abc7ny. we are keeping track up of to and forecasts for every part of the country. >>> more now on the developing story we told you about earlier. the death toll rising tonight after severe storms across the south. four people confirmed dead after spring-like storms in mississippi and arkansas. 17 tornadoes touched down including one that destroyed 20 homes and killed at least two people. two others are missing. in arkansas a tree blew over on a house killing a teen girl. for a playoff spot, but the only spot odell beckham jr. will be vague for will be a comfortable spot on his couch, being suspended for outrageous penalties at the last game. he will be watching from home. later in sports rob powers with beckham's apology. >>> it's not clear tonight if an mta worker will be bus triggered a chain reaction act. the mta says the driver failed to secure the city bus on the upper we

the toll hike may force some commuters to turn to other a.j. ross at the holland tunnel. >> reporter: that's right. buckle up commuters and get pockets. beginning sunday it's going to through area bridges and tunnels. here at the holland tunnel we're talking $15. that's a $7 markup from just four years ago. it really is. >> for the drivers it's just unfortunate. >> reporter: it's the last of a series of annual port many drivers are breathing a sigh of relief. >> 20 years ago it was only $3. now i'm paying $15. that's insane and where we are getting? nothing. >> reporter: that's not the sound of mufflers. it's the unique mix of grumbles and curse words expressing how drivers feel about the pending a.m. ez pass customers will pay 12.50 during peak hours and 10.50 during off peaks and those paying cash will fork over 15 bucks at all times. >> people aren't earning enough to afford these hikes, so i think it's nuts. were approved in 2011 for major projects like the world trade center and the lincoln helix. >> it just feels like we can't really do a

live in paramus, new jersey, a.j. ross, channel 7 eyewitness news. >>> things did not go quite as planned as the regal theater in deer park. long island reporter kristin thorne tweeting out video as people were told they wouldn't be able to see the rest of the movie. it stopped playing after 90 minutes. workers weren't able to get it going again before giving tickets for another showing. >>> the city of houston, texas kick off a new safety campaign by releasing this video. it shows a driver being violently attacked by a customer who was asked to lower his voice. being cursed out and spit upon. officials say police patrols have been stepped up. >>> new at 11:00, the acclaimed actor martin sheen pass surgery. sheen's son tweeting this picture of his father touting the success of what he called a proactive procedure. the 75-year-old star of the west wing and apocalypse now out of intensive care. he is expected to be home by christmas. you might recall when sheen was filming apocalypse now he suffered a heart attack on th

a.j. ross is there with new details tonight. a.j. >> reporter: this was a fright linney close call. he is very lucky to be alive tonight. he has three brave scouts to thank for the quick thinking and bravery under immense pressure and adversity. >> we have a gentleman in the cave with a bear. he has been injured by the bear. >> reporter: it was an urgent distress call that quickly brought land and air rescue here to splitrock reservoir monday. when they found themselves face to face with a black bear. >> i heard the sirens. i saw a helicopter. i saw they were looking for something because it was just looking around. >> reporter: according to police the scout leader encountered the bear alone inside a cave off one and when the three scouts outside heard his desperate calls for help they tried to coax the bear out of the cave with food. when that didn't work, their training kicked into gear. >> they had enough press accepts of mind that they were to, besides calling us on the cell phone, they built a signal fire to aid the ground and aerial units in locating them. >> yelling out loud

eyewitness news reporter a.j. ross is live with the details for us. a.j. >> reporter: diana, sade, these are very serious allegations being levied against an officer who has in the only worked here at the orange police department, but the essex county prosecutor's office as well as the patterson police department. earlier today 34-year-old ricardo vazquez was charged with criminal sexual contact and witness tampering. he turned himself in just a short tame ago with his attorney at the ex sex county prosecutor's office. according to prosecutors, he allegedly inappropriately details haven't been released, but arias-vazquez is facing two previous charges. he previously worked from may 2007 to april 2011 before joining the orange police department. he also briefly worked with the essex county prosecutor's office for a year before rejoining orange police in 203. he is set the appear in court december 30th. a.j. rocks channel 7 eyewitness news. >>> lawmakers in the senate have passed a bill that would dismantle the healthcare reform law. the move was largel

a.j. ross has the story from the holland tunnel. >> it's crazy. >> for drivers, it's unfortunate. >> reporter: the last of a toll hikes. not many drivers are breathing a sigh of relief. >> 20 years ago $3. now $15. that's insane. what we are getting, nothing. >> reporter: that's not the sound of muffler, a unique mix of grumble and curse words describing how drivers feel about the mark up sunday at 3:00 a.m. y see pass can expect a 75-cent hike. 12.50 during peak hours. those paying cash fork over 15 bucks at all times. >> people aren't earning enough >> reporter: the increases were approved in 2011. the new changes will affect the lincoln, holland, bee i don't know and goethals as well as the outerbridge crossing. >> this feels like we can't do anything about it which is the sad part. >> a lot of commuters are considering changing driving patterns to offset the commute. >> it will make me less likely to want to go into the city. >> free to go to new jersey. comedians love that. >> always