yesterday. those are all areas we'll be watching as these storms continue to move right on down the corridor. we'll continue to keep you posted. and again, severe thunderstorm warnings in effect for washington and frederick county. we'll continue to keep you posted. the other big story tonight, tragedy in western maryland. four people were killed when a helicopter crashed near a highway and exploded into flames. tonight, the focus is on finding a cause. eyewitness news has been following this story since it first broke. alex demetrick is live with the latest. >> reporter: well, denise, this helicopter was flying under visual flight rules, not instruments. and not being able to see what was up ahead may have caused this crash. >> reporter: the helicopter went down in the median of the eastbound lanes of i-70, about 10:30 last night, along a stretch of south mountain, near smith burg. all four people were killed either in the crash or the fire that followed. there had been storms earlier. but visibility may still have been an issue. >> there was some limited visibility, due to the moisture and some of the fog, per se, in the area. you know, especially around the upper levels of south mountain. >> reporter: and a briefing at the airport in hagerstown, the national transportation safety board said weather would be examined, as well as power overlines. >> the helicopters flying east over interstate 70, it impacted power lines that i understand were about 70 feet above the ground. before hitting the ground. witnesses report that the aircraft was flying very low. that they saw sparks. flying before the aircraft hit the ground. and then there was a post-crash fire. >> the four-seat helicopter that crashed is an r-44. part of a fleet owned by advanced helicopter concepts. killed were kim felix and three employees. neil booth, along with the others, flew to raise money fora charity. >> we just got done from flying to mick rag wa to -- nicaragua to help out there. according to has son and friends, a man who loved flying. >> his faith, his sons and aviation were his loves. >> it's definitely a trying time for the family. we're not really sure where to go from here. but, you know, we'll find a way. as for finding a cause, wreckage will go to a facility in delaware for detailed examination, along with the helicopter's maintenance records. >> ntsb investigators will not release the name of the pilot but did say he had 630 hours of experience. passed a recent medical exam and held a commercial pilot's license. there were some storms in the area where the helicopter crashed last night. let's check in with meteorologist tim williams with more on that severe weather. tim? >> reporter: vic, as we were just showing you, you see how these storms are popping up. there were storms reported in hagerstown. hagerstown regional airport, reported those storms last night. severe thunderstorms in the area, with visibility issues. now, if you take a look at hagerstown, just to the north of your screen, top of your screen, you see how one wave moved through around 10:30 last night. then as the night progressed, from about 10:00 to 10:30. another storm system ballooned with strong storms and gusty winds. and very heavy rains, right there. that's what happened last night, right around 10:30. again, it's the same type of scenario we have developing here this evening. we'll continue to keep you updated on the cause of this storm, should that be involved in this investigation. vic? >> okay, tim. thank you very much. wjz 13 is always on. check in with eyewitness news for complete coverage of this deadly helicopter crash. for the latest on this investigation and additional video from the crash scene, log onto wjz.com. heartbreak for a family of a maryland teenager presumed drowned in south carolina. >> reporter: denise, the rescue has turned into a recovery for 13-year-old lonnie hill. he traveled to myrtle beach to play in a baseball tournament at the ripken complex. >> reporter: 13-year-old lonnie hill was with his teammates yesterday when they decided to take a break from baseball and cool off at the beach. the victim went under the water and never came back up. >> saw some guys run out there. then saw somebody go out there in the water. and these guys came back in, grabbed boogie boards. and then i cut off my radio and went straight out there. >> reporter: hundreds of volunteers joined the coast guard for the massive search in the water and from the air but so far been unable to locate the team. >> usually, if you don't find the person within about the first hour, they're submerged. and he could be in, probably, say 10 feet of water. he might be 3 feet off the bottom of the ocean. or he could be in an inshore hole, and you know, we done everything yesterday possible. we had more assets than i've ever been accustomed to. >> reporter: swimmers had been experiencing rough surf and rip currents in the area. a spokesman for ripken baseball says the entire ripken baseball is deeply concerned for lonnie and the hill family. we remain hopeful that electriciany will be found. and we're doing whatever we can as an organization to assist them at this very difficult time. >> reporter: lonnie hill's parents went down yesterday after hearing about the tragic accident. the swine flu has claimed the life of another marylander. the fourth in the state to die from the virus. the maryland department of health says the person lives on the eastern shore. and unlike the first three victims, this person did not have any underlying health conditions. the health department says people should take swine flu seriously, until a vaccine is developed. a last-ditch effort to keep towson catholic high school open, fails. just a short time ago, they would enforce the school to stay open. eyewitness news is live in circuit court. jessica kartalija has reaction to that emotional ruling. >> reporter: just three weeks ago, they told students, staff and alumni, that the students are out of money and they would be forced to close. today, many of them convened here in towson, where they went in to circuit court as a last- ditch effort. that effort failed. >> reporter: pep rallies, fundraiseers, and now this. >> two sets of families going there. >> i'm hoping we get the injunction. and we can prove to the towson catholic community and the ics community that we are a great school, we are a great alumni. and we can reopen. >> reporter: a last-ditch effort to save towson catholic proves unsuccessful. >> the court decided not to grant the relief we were requesting for a temporary restraining order. >> we're very disappointing. towson catholic has always been a great school. it was like the little engine that could. >> i think it's ridiculous. >> in there, it was just like i didn't understand until like the end, when she was just like, we deny it. and i was just like, how can you not have sympathy for all of these people who don't have a school? >> reporter: staff are now unemployed. students forced to attend new schools in the fall. >> i just like had such a bond with, like the people there, and the teachers and the assistant principals and the principal like i mean, it's been tough. but i just wish we could have come out and saved this school. >> our kids are going to be great friends. and tc and blue and gold forever. >> reporter: that attorney representing the students, staff and alumni says he's going to take a couple of days, meet with everyone and regroup and of course, determine where they're going to go from here. we're live in circuit court. i'm jessica kartalija, wjz eyewitness news. >> okay, jessica. thank you very much. towson catholic has been open for almost 90 years. a baltimore police officer forced to open fire. tonight, there is new information on the string of events that led to the gunfire. kai is in the newsroom with details. police have charged the 17- year-old as an adult with the attempted robbery of the off- duty officer. it happened near this bus stop in south baltimore yesterday morning. police say officer michael gold was waiting for a ride when three youths approached him and ordered him to hand over money. when one suspect pulled out a gun, goal tried to flee but tripped. that's when gold i'veed himself as -- identified himself as a police officer. one suspect was hit in the forearm. that 18-year-old will be charged when he is released from the hospital. denise? >> thank you, kai. officer gold was not hurt in the robbery attempt. is there is a lot of excitement about the government's cash for clunkers program. car buyers could get as much as $4500 for fuel for a vehicle. political reporter pat warren explains how this will impact the dealers. >> reporter: ruth and pat's dodge caravan is about to get them a very good deal on a car. >> what kind of mileage did you get? >> we got, on average, well, when we go on a trip, we get maybe 22 miles per gallon. >> reporter: just what the government is looking for. cars that average 18 miles per gallon or less, are less than 25 years old, and registered and insured for a full year prior to trade. buyers get a discount of $2400 to $4500. you have between july and november, or until the billion- dollar funding runs out. >> i think the freshman should -- program should be successful. probably will run out of money soon. >> that's our concern. that they might run out of money. so that's why we're here. but we weren't going to start looking for a car until september. so this did accelerate it. >> in fact, it's been pedal to the medal at bob bell automotive. >> we can't even keep up with it. >> reporter: but if every silver lining has a cloud, it's figuring out all of the government regulation. >> i guess it's the salvage part, how we're going to dispose of the vehicles and so forth. and how much we're going to get for salvage to the customers and so forth. other than that, we're concerned about how we're going to get our money. >> reporter: keep in mind, it's the dealers, not the customers, who have to be sure to follow all of the rulesful. >> reporter: they're supposedly working all that -- of that out so you guys don't get stuck after thissa all over. they say that. but have you ever seen anything work that way through the government? [ laughter ] >> reporter: now, remember, just because your car is old doesn't mean she qualifies. at 38, this 1971 only oldsmobile cutlass isn't a clumplegger -- clunker, she's a classic. >> you can find out more about cash for clunkers on the government website, cars.gov. tonight, americans working for minimum wage are making more than they did just yesterday. minimum wage went up 70 cents today. backers of the increase say it's long overdue for millions of the nation's working poor. but some economists say it could prolong the recession, by forcing businesses to lay people off. one of president barack obama's campaign promises included raising the minimum wage to $9.15 an hour by the year 2011. for the firsttime, we are seeing brand-new pictures from the brand new hubble space telescope. take a look at the planet jupiter. the spot is twice the length of the united states. that's a big planet. as you can recall, a shuttle crew repaired hubble in may, preserving hundreds of jobs at the space telescope institute here in chicago. >> that puts in perspective, the suicide of that planet. >> un -- size of that planet. still to come tonight on wjz eyewitness news. congestive heart failure. it affects affects thousands of americans a year. in healthwatch, a potential stem cell breakthrough. death investigation. police and federal agents could be close to arresting michael jackson's personal doctor. storms. stick around. the final fall for michael jackson could come. texas personal doctor continues to be investigated with possible manslaughter in the singer's death. a warrant reveals that he is is. the search warrant shows investigators were looking for evidence of whether murray committed manslaughter. los angeles police is federal drug agents carried out tablets of a weight loss drug and muscle relaxant. they executed a second warrant at a storage unit murray rented. at jackson's rented l.a. mansion, investigators found the powerful anesthetic, propofol, also known as diprivan. >> reporter: they say that was based on a preliminary autopsy finding that points to diprivan as the possible cause of jackson's death. >> when i see a conductor that is close. dr. murray has not specifically denied giving jackson the drug. i'm not under investigation. i knew they were coming. >> police also interviewed jackson's former nurse. she says the pop star begged her for diprivan. >> he really suffered from a really bad case of insomnia. and was told that this medication, diprivan, would really help him to sleep. >> the coroner won't officially rule on the death until toxicology reports come back. that will be next week. just a short time ago, lawyers for jackson say they have recovered millions in cash and property from former advisers and say they expect to recover even more. hit with the four major professional sports leagues, as well as the ncaa. the leagues want to block the state from legalized sports betting at places like dover downs. they hope to help solve a budget shortfall. the groups are suing, claiming legalized sports betting would raise questions about the integrity of honest athletic competition. in less than two hours, it will be in front of m&t bank stadium. fans begin pouring in for a showdown between two well-known international soccer clue clubs. eyewitness news is live there now. weijia jiang has more. >> reporter: this is absolutely the place to be. tailgaters have been parked out here all day. there is no question they are pumped for the game. hours before two of the biggest soccer games in the world. downtown baltimore is already transformed into a european football-loving haven. >> it's definitely huge. two of the top teams in europe, playing together. you know, both teams are doing really, really well in their respective leagues. it's a common thing for those. it's the first major soccer match to take place here. and even though the 171,000 fans who were lucky enough to split tickets. >> they agree it's a huge deal for baltimore to host the show. law enforcement agencies are preparing to control the massive crowds. as you can tell by the swarms of soccer fans walking around downtown baltimore, the game is completely sold out. and so is every hotel room in baltimore. and that translates into millions of dollars pouring into the city. yeah, if you look at army notre dame, it's probably a $20 million economic -- this may be 25 or 30. >> talking about using restaurants. people spending money. and just to put in a perspective. now, we are live at m&t bank stadium, counting down to 8:00. weijia jiang, wjz eyewitness news. >> real quick, weijia. what do we serve at a tailgate party for a soccer match? >> we have been looking around. pretty much the same thing. a lot of burgers are grilling right now. so people are getting ready for the big game. >> okay, weijia. take napkins. a little ale for chelsea. and a little pasta for milan. hopefully they'll be in condition to run around with all of the heat and humidity we have in this city. i don't know if they're used to it. all choked up. 64 is your dew point. goodness. i am all choked up here. we'll be back with your first warning forecast in a moment. thank you, denise. soccer players are not lining up on tv hill. because tim says he doesn't know if they're used to the humidity. >> we're manly men, tim. manly men. >> not going out there at all. but it the be a very nice night out there. we're talking about a nice forecast, indeed. a little bumpy. let's take a look and give you an idea of what is going on. storms are shaping up out to hagerstown. see a cell moving down toward flint and over toward sabill asville. coming down toward the corridor to frederick. carroll county and northern baltimore county. again, another strong cell. that is what we're dealing with. they've all popped up. very concentrated. and as a result, there is a severe thunderstorm warning in effect for carol -- i'm sorry, for hagerstown, washington county and frederick county, until 6:45. we'll continue to keep you posted. this is one of those storms that could generate a severe thunderstorm warning as it moves on across the state as of right now. concentrated within those two counties. so we'll keep you posted. as of right now, we've coming down from a daytime high of 85 degrees. 88, the average high from this date. didn't quite make it to 97. temperatures are ranging from about 74 to 82 in ocean city. around the immediate metro area, we're seeing 79 in westminster. 82 in columbia. 82 on kent island. 80 in bel air. winds from the southwest bringing us warmer air. that's going to be with us right on through until tomorrow. temperatures really go up. and you can see in areas where the clouds have broken, the sun came through, heated things up. and those storms started to really fire things up in concentrated areas. but what we're going to be seeing is a bit of clearing through tomorrow. we have thunderstorms in the forecast. they're just very stray. we're going to be seeing a good bit of clearing. the humidity stays in place. and the heat is definitely going to get your attention tomorrow as we see temperatures soaring right on up to 90. so the warm air stays in place through saturday. front comes through and gives us a chance of showers on sunday afternoon. then we keep that chance through the weekend. the understand of the weekend and into the beginning of the week. this is how it all shapes up. 8:26, your advisory. and next high tide, fort mchenry, just after 9:00. an evening shower or thunderstorm, just a stray one. 64 degrees. your overnight low, up to 90 tomorrow. sunny, partly cloudy. hot and humid. >> summer! >> yes. still to come tonight on wjz eyewitness news. he took their childhood and exploited their faith. tonight, the verdict in the trial for the evangelist who took children as young as 8, as his wives. i'm suzanne collins in westminster. burglaries in almost every town in carroll county are solved when one married couple is arrested. i'll have that coming up next. the president, the professor and the policeman. the latest twist in a racial it is just before 6:30. 84 degrees with showers in some places. good evening. thanks for staying with eyewitness news. here are some of the stories people are talking about tonight. dramatic new twists and turns in the controversy surrounding a respected harvard police officer, a massachusetts police officer, and the president. as kai jackson explains, now president obama explains he could have used a better choice of words when speaking about the incident. >> reporter: today, a contrite president obama clarifies remarks he made after the arrest of harvard scholar henry louis gates. >> to the extent that my choice of words didn't illuminate. but rather contributed to more media frenzy. i think that was unfortunate. >> reporter: the president even spoke with sergeant james crowley. >> my impression of him was that he was an outstanding police officer. and a good man. and that was confirmed in the phone conversation. >> reporter: now, cambridge law enforcement officers, even the baltimore s.o.p., stand in support of officer james crowley. >> yesterday, we were pleased to learn that after its own intensive investigation, the cambridge police department also expressed its support for sergeant crowley, clearing him of any wrongdoing. >> before the facts are in, kai, i think people need to step back, you know, have a breather, and you know, sort things out. >> reporter: earlier in the week, the president said this about the arrest of gates. >> the