And the Staggering Amount its worth. All those stories and much more ahead tonight we begin with allegations of firefighter fraud. Good evening im ukee washington. Hi, everyone im jessica dean. Camden county firefighter caught on camera doing martial arts while on disability. He says there was an explanation but Eyewitness News reporter david spunt shows us a jury saw it differently. Reporter in this 2010 Youtube Video from grant pers request former camden firefighter shaken streeter is seen on camera taking part in a competitive fight. While the fight was going on streeter admits he was collecting a state disability pension for two on the job minor Car Accidents he claims happened when he was a firefighter. Hes now convicted of fraud. Do you regret doing the tournament. Yes, diary get it a lot. But i feel like theres something to fight for and i feel like im fighting for every person thats really disable. Reporter jury didnt see it that way. And convicted streeter of fraudulently collecting 82,000 from the board of police and fire mans retirement system while working on his martial arts. A doctor concluded his injuries were not work related. Did you take advantage of the system . No, i didnt take advantage of the system in any way. Reporter streeter has since left the Camden Fire Department and could face between five and 10 years behind bars. He may have to pay up to 150,000. Multiple times during our interview, streeter insisted the jury got things wrong. He says the Marshall Arts was to help heal his body. People think im faking im not faking it. You know, i worked out. I trained to make myself better. I wouldnt do anything to to jeopardize my health. Reporter the acting new jersey attorney general said in a statement his ploy to steal pension benefits was a slap in the face of the honest firefighters and officers who continue to serve the public bravely and who are counting on that pension fund for their retirement. Streeter says, his pain is real. Today i can feel fine. Tomorrow i can wake up and barely be able to climb up the steps. You know, thats just how serious the condition is. Reporter shaken streeter plans to appeal the jurys verdict. He will be sentenced on may 20th were live in the sat center tonight, david spunt cbs3 Eyewitness News. All right, david, thank you. Verizon says its strike Readiness Team has been activated and it is preparing for strike as soon as tomorrow morning. Nearly 40,000o coast verizon land line phone and cable workers are set to go on strike at 6am Union Members have been without a contract since augus august 2015. They say verizon wants to freeze pensions, make layoffs easier and rely more on contract workers. Verizon says nonunion workers will fill in if that strike takes place. New tonight residents speak out on the proposed soda tax in philadelphia. Many turn out at a public hearing on mayor kenneys budget in hunting park. The mayor has proposed a 3 cents per ounce tax increase on sugar added beverages in order to fund universal pre k. Some of the room held signs condemning that proposed tax. The Pennsylvania Senate has passed medical marijuana legislation for the second time in 11 months. The amended bill passed in a 42seven vote it now heads back to the house. Governor wolf has said hell sign the bill if it goes to his desk. Patients would be able to take the drug in pill or, oil or liquid form but cannot legally obtain marijuana to smoke or grow on their own. The last time the bill went through the house it became bogged down with amendments and changes. Mayfair woman receives an non muss letter criticizing her for her behavior of her son who as autism. The letter was written by a neighbor and refers to the threeyearold as a wild animal and a brat. Bonnie has had difficult moments with her son in public setting but this situation was something entirely different. I dont care if its the way you raise your child or if hes retarded. That hurt. To single out child and call him names such horrible names. I cant even find the words cause there isnt any. She posted the letter on a neighborhood Facebook Page and she says she has received an outpouring of support and now has a number of play dates lined up for her son. Tonight Philadelphia Police are looking for the suspects who pulled off a strange theft. They stole the doors right off mausoleum at the Laurel Hill Cemetery it happened early monday morning and right now the vault entrance is boarded up. Police say those doors are valued at 25,000. A once empty building at the Willow Grove Naval air station is home to large scale military drone operation. Highly trained military pilots sit in control room like this one flying drones that are in the air on the other side of the world. The pilots are flying both intelligence gathering and attack drones. It gives great capability to minimize any risk should we be required to attack a target. Residents locally will not see the drones. They are reserved for conflict zones. These days it seems like many drivers are texting and talking inside focusing on the road and now theres an up tick in traffic tickets for distrac distracted drivers. Eyewitness News Reporter greg argos is live in Spring Garden tonight with more on this crack down. Greg. Reporter jessica, good evening. For some drivers the first thing thats done when they enter their vehicle isnt just to put on their seat belt, for instance, rather its to pick up their cell phone. But it appears the state is cracking down on this issuing more tickets for distracted driving than ever before. You may have seen this. In fact you may have been one. Were talking about distracted drivers and those being ticked for it increasing throughout our state. According to the Administrative Office for pennsylvania courts tickets up 43 from 1,998 in 2014 to 2857 last year. And more than two out of three citations, 67 in fact given to male drivers. Its a habit. Its really a habit. You pull it out any time anywhere it doesnt. Everybody pulls it out. Even while youre driving. Even when youre driving. When i drive i pull it out sometimes. I put my phone on airplane mode. You actual dollar that. I actual dollar it sometimes. Its about the battery life. I got to preserve that. The girls hit me up. Almost getting ready to have an accident right there. Reporter driving instructor al wilson has been in the profession for 10 years and says the smart phone is now one of the dumbest items to have on while driving. When im training them, they phone be going off while were in the car 59 to tell them hey you got to turn that off. Reporter its become such a problem his first rule get in and turn off. I think its really big serious issue. Reporter student Samantha Rodriguez set to take her driving test wednesday and even knowing the dangers she struggles with leaving her phone alone. Its almost like an you were. Lining i have to respond to that person or like i just i just have to. Reporter wilson says be patient. That a alert message or text can simply wait. You larry a text just wait until you get home. Wait until you get to your destination. Reporter so how much will it cost if your youre caught sending that text message or check your email . Right now the fine set at 50. Were live here at Spring Garden, im greg argos, cbs3 Eyewitness News. It can be so dangerous. Greg, thanks so much. Experts are warning drivers to brace for higher gas prices during the summer season. Prices usually climb in the spring as refineries switch to summer blend of gas that analysts say is more expensive to produce but reduces pollution. Another factor in rising prices increased demand. Right now in our area gallon of regular unleaded is averaging 2. 22 in the state of pennsylvania. New jersey a buck 90 and in delaware, its 1. 96. You saw new jersey has the lowest gas prices in our area. Some would argue that they have the best Customer Service as well. And tonight it brings up a good question. Why is it only full service in the garden state . Nicole brewer put her pedal to the metal and went looking for answers. Nicole. But first i filled up in new jersey. Why not . Yes, you did. Chopper, they do it for you. Heres the deal. All gas stations started out as full Service Operations and these days only new jersey and oregon do it the oldfashioned way. So that left viewers nicole congo, dawn and kim harper all wondering, why dont you pump your own gas in the garden state . Its a good question, ladies, that often fuels the fire for debate. Why do you think people in new jersey dont have to pump their gas . I think its just convenient. Were lazy in new jerseyan. Not an convenience for me. I actually have no idea. We dont like to pump our own gas. Its the law. Its been the law. New Jersey Assembly woman Patricia Egan jones is referring to the retail gasoline dispensing safety act. It was a safety issue. We werent going to allow ordinary folks to get out of their cars and pump gas. That was back in 1949. Two years after the countrys first self service station opened. Do you think its still applies. It can be safety issue. Ive seen people pull away with nozzles in their car. Its not a pretty sight. No more dangerous in pennsylvania than in new jersey. When its raining and its snowing and its cold outside. You can just pull up you dont have to get out of your car especially at night. I actually love new jersey because you dont have to get out of your car. There are some who oppose it. I believe it drives the price up. Critics say drivers in new jersey could save anywhere from five to 7 cents a gallon if they pumped their own gas. We might save but in the long run it would affect their economy because people may not have jobs. With some of the lowest gas prices in the country, egan jones says its best to leave well enough alone. You get more bank for your buck devil. We have a lot of things we complain about in new jersey. This is not one of them. Now some legislators have tried to change the law in new jersey. But at this point, all of the attempts have backfired. People like their gas being pumped for them. When its really cold outside. I know. Or the really windy, rain coming down isnt im with you. Sometimes i feel like giving a tip afterwards. Such a great service. I can just sit here in the car and youll pump pipe gas . Incredible. Good stuff. Thanks nicole. Whats your good question . Log on to cbsphilly. Com good question to let us know. You can also tweet us using hash tag cbs3 good question. Nicole will be here every night with the answer on Eyewitness News at 11 00 oclock torments night a new study thats sure to have you checking your refrigerator. Coming up, a just released list reveals what could be lurking on your fruits and vegetables and weve got a top five list you will want to know about. And hail of a tale in texas. As this storm wasnt enough, wait until you see the afterma aftermath. Justin . We had the rain this morning but thats now gone back to clearing skies. This is going to allow for cold air were talking about a freeze warning for parts of the area tonight. Ill show when you in eyewitness weather. Also, hes a National Champion but more to fencing than a swift sword. The skills hes teaching local students and our Vittoria Woodill takes a stab at it next. This is cbs3 Eyewitness News with ukee washington, jessica dean, kate bilo and don bell. Dangerous weather hammers the dallas, texas area. Hail was so big it broke the windows of homes and cars. This is just up credible. Take a look at this video from a home in wiley texas you hear the glass shattering as hail the size of golf balls went through the windows. Photographer jake shannon from our sister station ktv in dallas took this home video. Winds gusted up to 70 miles per hour. Looked um and thats when i started to seat blinds just start to shake and i said thats kind of thinking thats weird, and then more blinds and more blinds and thats when i started to film and was you can hear the glass just shattering, and the blinds were being shredded and ripped and theres nothing you can do. You just watch it. To make things even more unsettling there were also tornado warnings at to time. Many homeowners are now cleaning up the mess. And countless cars also suffered expensive hail damage. Well theres new fruit at the top of the most contaminated produce list. Strawberries now contain the highest level mess toy tied residue according new report from the environmental working group. The group analyzed 35,000 samples. 98 of the strawberry samples had the pesticide res duce. Apples got knocked down in second brace. Nectar replies were third with peaches in fourth and coming in at fifth place the most contaminated produce celery. Avocados ranked at the top of the list for clean produce. A National Champion right here in our area and this time were not talking about villanova. The sport is fencing and this world renowned swords man is teaching his craft to local ki kids. Our vittoria woodil wood head to west couldnt chock ken to fine out whats the point. Welcome to the Delaware Valley fencing club a place to take a stab at something knew and fun. Why do you like fencing so much. Because its super fun you and get to hit people. Whats the most difficult part about fencing. Your knees are always bent. To help you find your stride point your attention over to yugolav yann National Champion mill lows, not only does he proudly represent his country much serbia in the us world cup of fencing but he takes just as much pride in instructing his students in west conshohocken. Just the sense of accomplishment when you see a person achieve a certain goal they have set for themselves. Fencing is really fast sport. You have to be able to react in fraction of a second. Fencers know its not all about the physical. Thats a word thats been going around for a long long time. We take pride in it. It doesnt matter what age you start at because half the game is thinking. Meet Lindsay Stapleton assistant coach of the club who good give us the break down. One action beats another action. Defensive action with the blade im preventing you from hitting me and repose which i hit the person. Three different weapons, saber ing. I will be fighting using the saber since im using the saber, that will be my target area. It before i begin, one more question. Do you have a live insurance policy . Thats a good question. Ill have to call my hr department. Lets hope so. Ready, fence. laughter . You got a point that time. Approach and hit me. laughter . Look at you. Look at you. I wasnt very good. Thats all right. You tried it. You gave eight try. I tried my best. I tried my best. Well theres some more fun facts about coach. The he has been a member of the ukee laugh yann and Serbian National team since 1993 and hes a National Referee in all three weapons in both serbia and the us. Delaware valley fencing club also offers classes starting age eight all the way up to adults and in indication all us would like to you were quick on the draw. You thought so. I did. Not bad at all. Not bad. He got me in the noggin. Im quicker with a fork and 95. My man jd talk bout sun shin shine. Knees warning in some spots. Get ready for nice consistent wither typical mid april temperatures coming at us. This morning rough where we had the rain come through. This is time lapse shot from the Global Leadership academy West Philadelphia start you off at 7 00 this morning. You see the clouds and off and on showers with low visible in the afternoon that cold front moved through back to sunshine warmed us up into the 60s where we should be for this time of year. Now its cooling down again. 45 degrees in West Philadelphia. 49 at the airport. 38 already in allentown. So the suburbs starting to drop off right now with the clear skies. 43 in doylestown. 41 quakertown because of the clear skies and the calmer winds tonight, freeze warning goes in effect between two and 8am wednesday morning. Montgomery, bucks county into northern and western Chester County up through berks and Lehigh Valley these areas have a shot getting close to the 32degree mark it wont be a hard freeze like we had a few days ago. We were down to the 20s. But each day does get warmer. 63 our average tomorrow probably going to be shy of that but by the end of the week into the weekend were going back above average it will start feeling more like may. Look at the storm scan3 nothing happening protected by High Pressure over the hoy valley will move eastward. So a lot of sun in our forecast. Outdoor plans its a go. Wednesday near 60. Low 60s on thursday. High pressure still in control for friday. Even warmer into the upper 60s then we head into the weekend the jet stream takes a crazy little dive northward here. And it looks like the greek letter omega we call this omega block once were in this pattern consistent weather High Pressure over us that means sunshine early april the sun is strong well warm up. 40 degrees tonight. Chilly for the city. Colder in the suburbs pleasant tomorrow 60 degrees unthe sunshine. Heres the extended forecast. No storms to tuck about with this pattern. Each day little bit warmer 62 thursday. 64 friday. Above average for the weekend. Into the upper 60s on saturday. Then the 70s return on sunday into next week and again no major storms nice and dry, get outside, enjoy it. Allergy sufferers thats not the best forecast. Yeah. Pollen will be blowing arou around. You still got to give it up. I do what i can. Lots of sunshine. I take full credit. Leslie is here. Whats coming up next in sports. The playoffs about to begin and the flyers relish the role of underdog. The phillies going for the first home win of the season. Sports is next. There are two democratic visions for regulating wall street. One says its okay to take millions from big banks and then tell them what to do. My plan break up the big banks, close the tax loopholes, and make them pay their fair share. Then we can expand health care to all, and provide universal college education. Will they like me . No. Will they begin to play by the rules if im president . You Better Believe it. Im Bernie Sanders and i approve this message. All right. Lesley the phillies back in south philly to night. It didnt feel like baseball weather tonight. A little chilly. Game two between the padres and phillies. Fightings looking for that first home win of the see. Morton struggle in his last start. Pitched well going six and twothirds inning. Seven strike outs. No score bottom of the six. Harrara with the fly ball that will drop in for a hit and roll on into the corner. Tyler goodell will score from second and the phils take the lead. Eighth inning basi basis load fo with a grounder to short. It should be a double play. The throw to third base wide. Phillies tack on two wins and get that first home win three to nothing the final. Sixers season almost over. Game 81 tonight in toronto against the raptors. It was a homecoming for sixers guard nick sal tis who grew up outside of toronto. In the second goes to the basket delivered that one handed dunk and he was not done. Later on in the corner. Nick with the two hand follow slam off of Robert Covingtons miss. Sixer fivepoint half time lead. And then in the third raptors took over. Kyle lowry knocking down the three. Raptors win it 12298. Final game of the season tomorrow in chicago. Flyers getting in one more practice before heading off to d. C. For game one of the stanley cup playoffs against washington. Caps have the best record in the league. Theyre led by Alex Ovechkin and scored 50 goals tops in the league. The flyers splitly Season Series again the caps. Las vegas giving flyers the worst odds winning the cup. They dont mind being the underdog. From the start of the season i dont think very many people gave us a chance to make the playoffs. Thats what i think drove all us year long. Were the underdog. No different going into the playoffs. It doesnt really phase us. It is what it is. Were going to worry about our game and right now our next goal is to beat the Washington Capitals and well have to do a lot of good things out there to be able to make that happen. They like being the underdog. Good theory. Underdog is good. Neutralize we got a shot. Neutralize. Im with you. Lesley, thanks. Appreciate it. Coming up a rescue it could possibly be the best looking rescue ever. Police and firefighters flocked together teaming up to pull several ducklings from storm drain on route 38 near larchmont boulevard. Crews were able to save the get the ducks out and then ship them to a wildlife refuge away from the busy high wage much better place for young ducklings. Much better indeed. Well be right back. Be sure to watch the new Eyewitness News this morning jim donovan, brook thomas, Katie Fehlinger and Meisha Johnson with traffic, katie has got your weather. 4 30 to 7am. Everyone has heard those stories about firefighters having to rescue cat from a tr tree. But in nebraska it wasnt a frightened feel line. Cora 120pound great dane volunteer department had to rescue from 20 feet up in a tree. She jumped a fire foot fence and then somehow climbed the tree. Cora won butch so crews had to go up and get her. Her owners dont even know, no clue how she got up there and hope it never happens again. Cora stay away from the trees. Cora. For lesley, justin everybody here im ukee washington. Im jessica dean. Were always on at cbsphilly. C cbsphilly. Com. The lay show with Stephen Colbert is neck. Good night. Colbert is neck. Good night. Sleep wel announcer if youre looking to make more money and take control of your personal and financial future, then get ready, because than merrill, the star of a es hit tv show flip this house, one of the most successful realestate investors in the country and americas numberone realestateinvesting expert has one heck of an opportunity for you. 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