this washington-area food kitchen. >> thank you, sir. have a blessed thanksgiving. >> reporter: charities may be running short on food and money, but this year there is an unexpected bounty of volunteers. it didn't take a bad economy to bring out the best in 14-year-old cory warner. he has been running his own food bank since he was 11. >> this year was the roughest year ever. i haven't had this much trouble. >> reporter: thanks to one teen, 500 families will have a meal and reason to give thanks. brian mooar, washington. stay with us. news 4 continues at 5:00. jail cell suicide, police say a man accused in a highly publicized murder case has apparently killed himself. investigators want to know how that could have happened. mr. and mrs. salahi. >> the guest list was a who's who. who are they? how a local couple crashed the president's state dinner. and it's a day for giving thanks and for giving back. and you're looking live for the volunteers up very bright and early to do some good. good morning, welcome to news 4 today. i'm joe krebs. happy thanksgiving to you. >> and i'm kimberly suitors in for barbara harrison. thursday, november 26th. just about time to put the turkeys in the oven. outside, it's really misty and traffic is heavier than we're used to seeing at 5:00 in the morning. here is tom kieran with a look at the forecast. >> if you are expecting an interstate traveler to arrive, they may be delayed by fog. dense fog around the region. temperatures in the low and mid 40s from the shenandoah valley and as we look at visibilities, down to around a tenth of a mile. and farther to the west, blueridge and shenandoah valley, near zero. and we have a clearing sky. as soon as the fog breaks up, we'll have sunshine breaking out this afternoon, with highs near 60 degrees. sunrise, 7:03. and this evening, late, we may have a passing showers, and then partly cloudy by dawn. windy and chilly, and a small uár'g shower in the 40s. sunny, saturday and sunday. how is the traffic? a live look. things will be tough this morning. interstate 66. the volume not our concern. the concern is the fog if you can postpone your travels until some of the fog burns out it would be to your advantage. some locations, visibility is almost zero. south of town, same story there. travel lanes open. be careful if you are headed out this morning. >> thanks, jerry. it is thanksgiving day, and while many are home cooking turkeys, many others are getting ready to volunteer their time. >> food and friends provide meals for those with life-challenging illnesses. and they plan to serve a ju 3,500 people. volunteers are already beginning arrive. good morning, tracy. >> reporter: good morning, joe. they have not only already arrived, but they are already being put to work here this morning, doing a lot to help out folks in the washington area. you can see volunteers beginning wrap up the turkeys going out to folks as you said. 3,500 people will be getting a thanks giving dinner. here is what it will look like let me tell you, 8,400 pounds of turkey. more than 1,000 pounds of potatoes, 2,600 dinner rolls, and green beans, collard greens, corn, sweet potatoes, fresh fruit and pies. a fantastic thanksgiving for folks living with life-changing illnesses, that don't allow them to get out and celebrate thanksgiving the way they would like to. a lot of people are out here making sure they can do just that. today, they have all of the volunteers they need. and we expect people to come in and help out. the county executive of prince georges county. but other days of the year, they need volunteers. more about that coming up. tracy wilkins live. back to you in the stio. >> thank you very much. if you are traveling today, you should have an easier time than yesterday. we talked to a number of people fly in and out, and many flights were delayed because of fog and bad weather in other parts of the cotry this morning, not any major issues. aaa estimates 16% of the washington pulation will travel more than 50 miles over the long holiday weekend. and if you're staying home and can't wait to start your holiday shopping, do not wait until tomorrow. many stores are actually open today. most walmarts open at 6:00 a.m. or earlier. old navy clothing stores will open from noon until 5:00 p.m., and gap and banana republic stores. toys r us and many stores at tysons corner center will open at midnight tonight into tomorrow. police on the hunt for robbers involved in a violent home invasion in gaithersburg. it happened around 8:30 on crestwood drive. the crooks broke into a home. when the resident returned, the thieves fled, and he chased them away. neighbors heard shots fired on lee street. the 25-year-old victim was grazed by a bullet. treated and released from the hospital. the suspects were last seen running toward north summit avenue. police investigating a death at the d.c. jail. the suspect in the shooting death of a 9-year-old boy found dead in his cell. josue pena was found dead. he is accused of killing a 9-year-old boy in his cumbia heights apartment. jackie benson has the story. >> reporter: detectives and crime scene investigators called to the d.c. jail where a murder suspect, josue pena found hanging in his cell. he was an ms 13 gang associate when he was arrested last week for a shocking crime. the murder of 9-year-old oscar fuentes it happeneli november 1 at a columbia road northwest apartment building. some boys relatives ran into an apartment to escape an armed robber and moments later, while young oscar looked through the peephole, a shot was fired through the door, killing oscar. there was reaction to the news of the suspect's death. >> i only hope the family can accept that, because they didn't get to go through a trial and see him pay for what he did, and i don't think that he could -- maybe he couldn't stand what he did. that's a possibility. >> reporter: the d.c. department of corrections released a statement that said that mr. pena was in the special management unit of the d.c. jail. they require segregation from the general population for security purposes. all high-profile inmates are evaluated through mental health professionals through unity health care. ward one council member jim graham released a statement that urged a full investigation and noted this may be justice served for the family of oscar fuentes. >> pena had been held without bail since his arrest. utility workers in arlington county are remembering a coworker that was electrocuted near the scene of a water main break. he died yesterday while working on the scene on glebe road. a second man was critically injured. they were taking down lights that had been set up for overnight crews working to fix the water main break, when their metal ladder came in contact with a live power line. utility cruiews tell us he was long-time employee of the county. >> remember the folks who are providing service that people don't think about. >> that water main broke on monday and is still not fully repaired. arlington county is asking residents to conserve water until crews finish the repairs, which could take several more days. they posed with the political elite. one problem. they weren't invited. the fallout after a local couple crashes the president's state dinner. and if you want to spoil the fun and watch what you eat today, pick your plate wisely, what a new study says about controlling portions. after a foggy start, how about the sun to be thankful for. tom's thanksgiving forecast, coming up good morning. time for weather and traffic now at 5:11. temperatures around the region with dense fog, down into the 40s around the metro area. 30s in the shenandoah valley and visibility, it has improved a bit in washington. but other locations near zero visibility. and in the mountains, temperatures in the mid 30s. near 50 on the eastern shore and after the fog dissipes, sunshine back with highs near 60 degrees. could have a shower, windy and chilly tomorrow. sunny in the 50s. jerry, how is the traffic? believe it or not, this is interstate 66 in vienna. you can see a few folks out. extra travel time. can't stress it enough, because of conditions this morning. take extra time and extra caution. one accident, authorities dealing with. northbound route 210 at livingston. other than that, we're okay. just about everywhere, i did notice a couple of spots in the district. more protected areas where fog is not an issue. but just about everywhe it will be a tough one if you have to head out, be very careful. >> jerry, i honked all the way in so the deer knew what i was coming. not sure what the neighbors thought. >> i think they all want to talk to you now. >> the geese talk back. >> right. >> than, jerry. 5:13 right now. smaller and slower, those are the supped keys. >> on a day synonymous with eating, some tips to keep your waistline in check. and we're live from new york with what's in store for the macy's thanksgiving day parade. rar rar they weren't on the guest list. how did they get in? the secret service is welcome back. how did a couple from northern virginia manage to crash the white house dinner on tuesday night? that's what the secret svice is trying to figure out. tareq and michaele salahi posted pictures on their face bobook p. the first couple was never in any danger according to the secret service, because they went through the same security checkpoint as invited guests. the secret service is looking into its own security procedures, though. the giant balanloons are i natured and santa is on his way for the annual macy's thanksgiving day parade. the festivities get under way later this morning. the macy's parade is 83 years in the making. it will feature a new parade route and a new sleigh for st. nick. michelle franzsen live with more. how does 5:15 a.m. feel in downtown manhattan? >> reporter: well, certainly the parade route will be changing as you mentioned, and the crews are just getting ready here. they have been working through the night. in the 83-year history, there have been changes along the way, in addition to new giant balloons this year, there is also a change in the parade route. it is an american tradition. the annual macy's thanksgiving parade. each year, thousands line the parade route to get an up-close look at the balloons, floats, and performers. following last-minute rehearsals and more than a year of planning, all are ready for the march down 34th street. >> one of the most famous streets in the world, because that's where miracles happen. >> reporter: for the first time in the parade's history, the route diverts from broadway, which was made into a pedestrian-only zone earlier this year. it zigzags down seventh and sixth avenues before ending in macy's herald square. on the ooech the parade. new yorkers gathered to get a sneak peek of the parade's cast of characters. slowly to coming to live during the balloon inflation. >> i love them. they look so great. >> reporter: this year, there are four new giant balloons, including spiderman and ronald mcdonald. there are also 24 floats. >> i'm not on the princess float. >> reporter: jimmy fallon joins the parade on one of them. >> i'm so excited. nbc gave me a treat and let me and the roots get our own float. >> reporter: santa is excited too. for the first time in more than 40 years, santa will usher in the season on a new float. and the balloons are in the staging area. crews once again hustling and bustling around here. in a few hours, kimberly, another tradition. the crowds. 3.5 million expected to line the route. and another 50 million will watch from home. happy thanksgiving. >> michelle franzen, thank you. live from new york. 3.5 million. didn't know there were that many. this morning's parade will have a washington flair. the marching knights will be performing. the band is nationally recognized and the subject of a documentary. and tufton's band will also be part of the parade. ailing trees on the national mall will be getting a makeover soon. the national parks service is replacing 270 trees and shrubs hit by diseaseçó or wear and te. pruning to the elm trees is part of the plan this is the first part of the plan to bring a fresh look to the grounds. $56 million of federal stimulus funds is set aside for improvements. capitals thankful for a win this morning. shorthanded, they gutted one out and snapped their losing streak. we have this morning's sports minute. good morning, everybody. your sports minute starts with the capitals, and last night they were missing six players from their opening night roster. but they still battled back to snap a three-game losing streak. alex was later kicked out of the game in the third period. washington clamped down on defense and 25 shots were stopped and the first regular season shutout as the capitals bead the sabers 2-0. terps wrapped up play in maui. they leave withheir second straight loss. this time, the terps couldn't get much going against wisconsin. maryland falls to 4-2 on the season. they fall to wisconsin, 78-69. closer to home, the american eagles searching for their first win of the season. they battled back from an early 13-point deficit to take the halftime lead. and au falls to 0-6 after losing 69-62. that's your sports minute. everybody have a great thanksgiving weekend. well, the turkey, the ham, the sides, the desserts and oh, all the calories. >> worried about packing on extra pounds this thanksgiving day, after the dinner today, here are some tips you can follow. eat slowly and stay away from oversized plates or even normal sized plates. when we eat too quickly, the hormones that tell our brains when we're full are not released quickly enough so we don't feel full and keep on eating. anotherñi study says people eat 20% less food when they use smaller plates. researchers suggest using the half plate rule. fill up half your plate with fruits, vegetables and salad and put whatever you wanton the other half. >> i don't think today is the day for -- do you, for calorie counting? >> one day. >> come on. >> ifxd you're good for the res of the year. be good, though. time is -- 5:21. time for traffic and weather on the ones. >> let's check in with tom kieran in storm center 4. good morning. expecting an out of state traveller this morning? may be running late because we have lot of fog around the entire region. temperatures chilly. 45 at washington and down into the low 40s in the nearby suburbs and across central virginia into the shenandoah valley, in the mid 30s right now. these are the latest visibility in miles. tenth of a mile or less in many western suburbs. mile and a half in washington. half mile in southern maryland. near the bay, around a third of a mile. few isolated locations near zero visibility. fog will dissipate by later on this morning and later on this afternoon, partly sunny and a high near 60. a shower late tonight. partly sunny, windy, chilly. and upper 40s. a slight chance of a rainshower tomorrow afternoon shooting by. a snow shower out of the mountains. sunny, highs in the 50s. morning lows in the 30s and monday might get showers late in the day and dry after that jerry, how is the traffic? >> take a live look on interstate 270. northbound, southbound. light traffic, the fog an issue. no accidents either way between the capital beltway and frederick. heads up. looks like more folks going northbound at this hour than southbound. elsewhere, check things out at the beltway. interstate 66. northbound 95 and 395, same story. on the rails, metrorail traveling on a sunday schedule. no service tay on vre or mark. that's how we're doing right now. 5:23. 46 degrees. track the swine flu on your phone. >> how technology could help you avoid the virus when you're on the go this holiday season. next, a family scare caught on videotape. a father and son separated by a train door, now someone has lost a job because of thi a train operator in oregon who ignored a passenger's calls for help is out of a job this morning. this security video shows how aaron bailey and his 3-year-old son became separated while trying to leave the train station last week. bailey tried ten times to get the operator's attention by using the train's emergency intercom. but there was no response. a woman did take care of the child until bailey could get off at the next stop and hop on another train back. train managers say the decision to ignore the father was "unacceptable." worried about coming down with the swine flu this thanks giving? there is an app for that outbreaks near me is one of several iphone apps helping to track nearby outbreaks. it's free and developed by a nonprofit group called health map. 5:27 on this thanksgiving morning. ahead, metro must pay up. what the agency did that is going to cost them $200,000. and a creative new man to bridge a budget gap. why daredevils will soon flock to san francisco. and a major investigation at the jail. a man accused of killing a 9-year-old b a murder suspect commits suicide. an investigation launched after a man accused of gunning down a little boy is found dead in jail. plus -- >> mr. and mrs. salahi. >> uninvitedñr guests. reality tv hopefuls talk of the town, after crashing the white house state dinner. and volunteers cooking with care this morning, making sure hundreds in our area have a thanksgiving meal to put on the table. good morning, everyone. happy thanksgiving. i'm kimberly suitors in for barbara harrison. >> and i'm joe krebs. thursday, 26th day of november, 2009. here is what it looks like outside. some traffic on the roadways. lot of fog. be careful when you head out. >> meteorologist tom kieran with a look at today's holiday forecast. >> a lot of traffic. a lot of people traveling into washington for visiting or interstate travelers coming through. running into a lot of fog in the metro area. 46 in washington. we're in the low to mid 40s in the nearby suburbs. many locations through central virginia, down into the mid 30s. these are the latest visibilities. .8 around washington. and down .1 or even less in many locations. as well as around the chesapeake bay. fog through mid morning and will be near 50 by noon. mid 50s as sunshine breaks out. highs near 60 by mid afternoon. sunset, 4:44. clouding up this evening. partly cloudy, windy, chilly. friday morning lows in the upper 30s. afternoon highs upper 40s and we might have a passing shower tomorrow afternoon or a snow shower in the mountains. sunny, saturday and sunday. jerry, how is traffic? >> one spot where visibility is not that bad at this hour. 66. approaching the roosevelt bridge. still have fog hanging in there. will be with us for a while and since it's ground level it will make the roads potentially slick. be careful. elsewhere, we'll head on over and check out i-270 as you make the trip through rockville. this morning, i could tell you this was france and you would believe it, because how are you going to bust me on it, right? no accidents or incidentses to report. no trains running yet. everything moving well. metrorail will open th morning at 7:00 this morning. no vre or mark service. back to you. >> kimberly? joe, if you think you're cooking for a lot of people, listen to this. a local charity, food and friends, cooking for nearly 3,500 people today. volunteers are getting ready at the facility in northeast washington. we find tracy wilkins. you had such a beautiful display of food a minute ago. how many would that feed? >> reporter: 3,500 people is what they are looking to feed. and the meals themselves, as many people can get around that can eat those containers of food. they get a big turkey and those sides you saw. they have 700 volunteers between the kitchen and delivery folks. folks want to make it a better thanksgiving for those who can't get out of