Live, late breaking, investigative. CBS 5 News at 6.30 starts right now.
Good evening. We begin tonight at 6.30 with breaking news. A child was airlifted to a valley hospital after being injured when part of a cinder block wall fell on top of him.
Investigators believe the child is about seven years old. NewsHawk 5 was over the scene at the home south of Queen Creek as Cruz treated the boy.
He suffered injuries to his head. We have a crew at the hospital right now and we'll have much more on this story tonight on CBS 5 News at 10.
Also tonight, a dog attack, but it's two people who are accused of severely beating a pit bull.
The Humane Society says it was retaliation after a pit bull went after their family pet.
CBS 5's Jennifer Parks is live near 70th Avenue and Roma where this attack occurred.
Can a pit bull somehow escape from this yard, we're told by police, and went after a pug dog.
Afterwards, the owner of that pug dog took her animal to the vet.
But police say she sent her son and her daughter back over here and they're accused of beating up that pit bull.
Now we warn you, these are difficult pictures to look at. The pit bull is alive but in bad shape.
It was beat at least 20 to 30 times with a baseball bat.
A 17-year-old and 20-year-old are accused of also stabbing and trying to slice the animal's neck.
The 20-year-old is facing misdemeanor animal cruelty charges.
The Humane Society says this was a clear case of retaliation.
The animal was not just stabbed once or hit in the bat once.
The animal was stabbed repeatedly, beaten with a bat repeatedly.
And if anything, that is the most disturbing aspect of the case.
And this pit bull is named Comanche. Coming up at 10 tonight, you're going to hear the emotional reaction from the dog's owner.
Reporting live in Phoenix, Jennifer Park, CBS 5 News.
Sheriff's deputies are investigating after a body was found near I-17 and Table Mesa Road.
NewSoc 5 was over this scene a few hours ago. The body was found lying on the side of the road.
We will have much more on this story tonight at 10.
A pickup truck rammed into the back of this semi this morning at 55th Avenue and McDowell.
Take a look. You can see the cab of that pickup is smashed in.
One person had to be pulled from the truck. He was taken to the hospital in serious condition.
The Maricopa County attorney has filed charges against two Valley middle school students.
This is the latest in a school sex scandal story. We first brought you in January.
CBS 5's Omadeli Nelson has more from Desert Arroyo Middle School.
These two middle school boys now face serious criminal charges for their alleged conduct in a classroom here at Desert Arroyo Middle School.
The charges include sexual abuse, child molestation and indecent exposure.
County attorney Andrew Thomas made the announcement today and said the boys accused were both 13 years old at the time.
He says the alleged acts happened during school hours from April to October of last year.
The victims, 12 and 13 year old girls.
Cave Creek Unified School District says it has cooperated with police and conducted its own investigation.
Parents are still wondering how did it get this far?
I think it's absolutely tragic that these kids are going to have to deal with this for a long time.
And of course their parents and you know it's a really bad situation.
I feel awful for them but by the same token they made choices and they behaved in such a way that got them there.
The district says the two students have been expelled and the teacher in the classroom where the incidents occurred is no longer employed by the district.
In Scottsdale, Omadeli Nelson, CBS 5 News.
A Tempe police officer has been suspended for an incident that happened more than a year ago.
Officer Bill Cullens will start serving his suspension Thursday for his role in a deadly wreck that killed a man crossing the street.
An internal affairs report says Cullens was going 95 miles an hour when he hit and killed 24 year old Kyle Barker.
Barker's family is suing the city of Tempe for 23 million dollars.
A young boy who was pulled from a Tempe pond over the weekend is awake and alert tonight.
We're told Salvador Dwegna is doing well.
The one year old was at a birthday party at Kiwanis Park in Tempe on Saturday.
He wandered away and was found in a nearby pond.
Doctors say he is doing better but he is not completely out of the woods.
The streets of downtown Phoenix were converted into a makeshift raceway today to make sure you and your family stay safe.
Sheriff Joe Arpaio was concerned that an upcoming street race would affect his 911 call center so organizers decided to set up a test run.
CBS5's Jason Barry is live in downtown Phoenix tonight to tell us how it all went.
Jason?
The four professional race cars went roaring through downtown streets today but the focus wasn't on speed, it was on sound and safety.
Organizers of the Champ Car World Series are planning a big event here in November but Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio had concerns that the noise from the race would cause problems at his nearby 911 center.
He was worried that dispatchers would be distracted by all the engine sounds and that could put all of us at risk.
Today's test race was set up as a way to test the noise.
Sound barriers were put up inside and out and dispatchers tell us it was surprisingly quiet.
We were really worried about it but when they went by this morning and all day it's been very minimal so we're pretty happy actually about the result.
It was a pretty extensive operation to try and make that 911 center soundproof.
They put up big barriers outside the building, they had insulation and from the sound of it, it all paid off.
Reporting live in downtown Phoenix, Jason Barry, CBS5 News.
A young boy remains in the hospital tonight after his bedroom caught fire overnight.
Flames broke out in the Mesa home at about 11 o'clock last night.
The father heard the smoke detectors go off and woke up.
That's when he found his seven-year-old's bedroom on fire.
The boy was burned on his arms and his hands.
The fire is under investigation.
It cost about $30,000 in damage to the home.
A lawsuit has been filed against the federal government over a new rule that makes it tougher to get medical coverage for infants born in the U.S. to illegal immigrants.
The state of Washington filed a lawsuit saying the policy is immoral, adds to the cost of medical care and clearly violates the infant's constitutional rights.
The target of the state's lawsuit is the Department of Health and Human Services.
A U.S. Airways jet was diverted to Las Vegas today because of a security breach in Los Angeles.
153 people were on board the flight from LA to Philadelphia.
The plane was kept away from the terminals at the airport in Las Vegas until it could be searched.
This started when a man who was supposed to be on that flight was stopped at a screening checkpoint for carrying a suspicious item.
The bomb squad was called out.
They haven't said yet though what the item was. No one was hurt.
And things are getting back to normal for U.S. Airways passengers after computer problems caused delays for two days.
Still, it never hurts to check on your flights before you go to the airport.
Just log on to our website at kpho.com for information on your flight.
Seen McLaughlin is still changing diapers, therefore.
And blogging about it.
Yes.
Therefore, Steve Gehry is here to tell us what the weather is going to be like for the next couple of days.
Nice today. Warm.
It was. It warmed up into the 80s around the valley.
Yes, up to the 80 degree mark officially in town.
I want to show you our time lapse from the past about 30 minutes as you look out to the west.
A beautiful sunset with those high clouds out there and a couple of jets streaking across in the upper levels of the atmosphere.
Way up there, about 25,000 feet above the valley floor.
Right now outside live, you can see the sun is set in just a deck of high clouds over the valley.
And they'll continue to stream up out of the southwest.
Now, the question is, are we going to see any rain in those clouds right now?
No.
You see live five radar showing no showers coming up from the southwest.
The heights of those clouds, it's way too high, over 20 to 25,000 feet over the valley floor.
Therefore, there is no moisture on the surface.
Now, coming up in weather, we're going to talk about the weekend.
How warm will it be for this upcoming weekend?
All the details on that in the complete forecast in just a few minutes.
Catherine.
Thank you.
A smoking ban goes into effect in just a couple of weeks.
But today, debate over what should happen in veterans clubs.
A gunman takes people hostages and ends up in a shootout with police, and it's all caught on tape.
And plans for a mega park to keep you cool in the hot desert sun.
You'll see what it should look like coming up next.
This is the valley's only live 630 Newscast.
CBS5 News at 630.
With Kent Dana.
Catherine Anaya.
Weather with chief meteorologist Seen McLaughlin.
Live, late breaking, investigative, CBS5 News.
This is CBS5 News at 630.
Well, now is your chance to voice your opinion on a smoking ban restrictions that start May 1st.
This is the first of three hearings being held in Phoenix,
and the Arizona Department of Health Services wants your input.
But some veterans are upset because originally the ban didn't apply to their clubs.
And if the term opened to the public sticks,
bingo and fish fry nights for nonmembers will mean a smoking ban for everyone.
And I think that's why most of us are hurt really bad by the statute.
It seemed to just encringe a little bit more on our rights than it should.
The state health department says after today's turnout,
it is clear that a better definition of open to the public is necessary.
Developers of a $250 million sport theme park have chosen a site in Mesa for its future home.
The location rests in the southeast quadrant where the loops 101 and 202 intersect.
A golf course and city park now occupy the 125 acre plot of land.
Wave yard would offer white water rafting, kayaking, surfing, scuba and many other water sports.
The developers say it's a cross between Disneyland and Water World, and then some.
They like to refer to it as an adventure park.
It's the first one in the world that will literally offer you the opportunity to come and practice skilled sports.
This isn't about plastic slides and roller coasters and cotton candy.
The land purchase price is $30 million.
The developers will pay $10 million up front with tax incentives to help pay off the rest.
Voter approval is required and the issue is expected to be on the November ballot.
After more than a week, the verdict is in and the CIA leaked trial.
Reaction to today's decision against Scooter Libby coming up next.
And a look at tornadoes fury as it is happening.
See the video for yourself coming up.
When will we get rid of these high clouds and what's on the way for your weekend?
Your full Valley forecast is coming up in just seven minutes.
We'll see you then.
Welcome back to CBS 5 News at 630.
Stay with us. NCIS is coming up in just about 14 minutes.
The jury reached a verdict today in the CIA leak trial.
Scooter Libby was convicted for lying and obstructing the investigation into who revealed the identity of Valerie Plain.
Libby was the chief of staff for Vice President Dick Cheney.
It took the jury 10 days of deliberations to reach their final decision.
At issue, whether Libby lied when he said he learned about the former CIA operative's identity from the vice president
and then later forgot about it until he had a conversation with reporters.
The person who worked in the office of vice president obstructed justice and lied under oath.
We wish that had not happened, but it did.
Libby will remain free until his sentencing.
He could face up to 25 years behind bars, but federal sentencing guidelines will likely call for a much shorter sentence.
Libby is the highest ranking White House official to be convicted of a felony since the Iran-Contra scandal.
President Bush is calling on two well-known names to head the investigation into the problems at the nation's military and veterans hospitals.
Former Senator Bob Dole is one and University of Miami President Donna Shalala.
Dole is a wounded World War II veteran who underwent years of treatment before moving into a career as a lawmaker.
And Shalala served in the Clinton administration as the secretary of health and human services.
Bush announced the appointments today in a speech to the American Legion.
The move comes amid reports of substandard conditions for soldiers injured in Iraq and Afghanistan, particularly at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
Bausch & Lomb is pulling thousands of bottles of contact lens solution off the shelves.
The company is recalling renewed multi-plus contact lens solution.
About one and a half million bottles are affected.
The problem is trace amounts of iron that could cause the cleaner to lose effectiveness earlier than normal.
The company has notified the Food and Drug Administration about the recall.
And if you need more information, just log on to our website.
Go to kpho.com, click on the saw it on CBS 5 icon on the right side of your screen.
It turns out the plane that flew into home in Indiana yesterday crashed there on purpose.
The crash killed a man and his eight-year-old daughter.
The man reportedly called his ex-wife and told her she wouldn't be getting the girl back.
The house the plane hit was the man's former mother-in-law.
Police are treating it as a murder-suicide.
A Chicago area family received a rude awakening this morning when a semi plowed into their home.
Three people were inside the home about five o'clock this morning when they heard a loud crash.
One said it sounded like an earthquake and that the entire house started shaking.
The truck slammed into the garage, the driver was taken to the hospital for minor head injuries, and no one inside was hurt.
A shootout in Miami, Florida was all caught on tape.
A man was holding hostages in an apartment building across from an elementary school.
Then check this out. As the officers approach the door, the gunman sticks his arm out and opens fire.
Then he stumbles back into the apartment as officers return fire.
Luckily, no one was hit. The gunman eventually surrendered.
An early morning walk with the dog became a rescue after the Labrador runs into the ice-covered lake and falls through near Denver, Colorado.
You can see the dog struggling to stay above water.
A fireman with a rope and swim fins walked out on the ice.
He fell through and had to crawl on his stomach to reach the dog.
The two made their way back to the shore and, as you might imagine, a happy reunion on shore as the dog met his owner again.
Thank goodness they're both okay. Ice storms are usually dangerous because of the slick roads,
but in Toronto, the chunks of ice falling from buildings is a much bigger concern.
Police had to close several streets after large pieces of ice started falling from the top of the CN Tower.
You can see the sheets of ice falling right there more than a thousand feet and crashing to the ground.
Some of the sheets of ice were four feet by four feet and an inch thick.
Fortunately, though, no one was hurt.
Just from tornadoes that hit a Georgia hospital, surveillance cameras were rolling when the twister hit the building.
This is from the hospital in the town of Americas.
That tornado killed nine people and damaged hundreds of homes and businesses, including the hospital, which was left with some heavy damage.
It's amazing how quickly that thing came in.
Really?
Could have been a lot worse, too.
Absolutely.
And this year, we're measuring tornadoes on a new Fujita scale.
It used to be the old scale. Now it's called the Enhanced Fujita.
So actually, the wind speeds, they may not sound as much as they were, but an F3, an EF3 is about 130 to 160 mile per hour sustained winds.
Can you imagine that?
Yeah, can you imagine? That's just incredible.
Well, we don't have any of that to contend with here.
We've got very nice weather and high temperatures today in the 70s, upper 70s, and in fact, low 80s.
At Sky Harbor, we officially in town got up to 80 degrees today.
A little warmer, in fact, over in Buckeye on the west side, 82 for you folks over there in upper 70s in Mesa, Queen Creek, Apache Junction, Gilbert and Chandler.
Outside live right now, you can see our sunset out there.
Pretty nice night with just some high cloudiness over the area.
Above normal temperatures by six degrees, the normal daytime high is 74 for this time of year, record high 92, and last night's low was 51.
OK, a very dry air mass on the surface, only 8 percent, the relative humidity.
The pressure's up there, it's falling just a bit, but with high pressure intensifying, we're expecting a warm up coming up for your weekend.
We're in the 70s on the hour from Mesa to Glendale. Glendale, you're at 75.
OK, what's happening in the atmosphere is we have this area of high pressure that's over us.
Some clouds are coming in around the ridge of high pressure.
Most of the radar returns that you see here, some of that green activity is pretty much high level returns.
That means it's probably Virga, rain that falls doesn't quite reach the ground, and we are not expecting any showers out of this system.
In fact, on futurecast, mainly high cloudiness through tomorrow, Wednesday clears out on Thursday.
So when will we get rid of the high clouds? Tomorrow night into Thursday, we should be rid of that high cloudiness for a while, at least going towards the weekend.
Now, tonight, with the clouds in place, it'll be just a touch warmer than last night in the higher elevations, about 31 for Prescott, 22 in Flagstaff, 37 in Globe, 56 here in the Valley of the Sun.
Forecast highs coming up for tomorrow warmer than yesterday.
Low to mid 80s in the southwestern part of the state, 67 for Winslow, 65 over in Show Low, close to 80 degrees in Safford.
Warming up for you folks over there. How about on the valley floor?
Here are your local overnight lows, forecast lows. Queen Creek will get down to 49 degrees, 51 in Mesa, 53 over in Scottsdale where the warm up to a high of 80 degrees.
We'll call it mostly cloudy tonight, turning partly sunny tomorrow, 52 in Peoria, 52 in Sun City, warming up to a high of 82.
The day planner shapes up like this. Temperatures in the morning hours in the 50s and the 70s by noontime, and the daytime high above normal, as we mentioned, for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, getting up into the upper 80s.
For the weekend, just in time for the Scottsdale Arts Festival, it will be much warmer, close to 90 degrees. Right now it looks like on the tail end of the weekend.
Don't forget, of course, the forecast is always available at kpho.com. Just click on weather now.
That is quite a change from last year. We were talking about how it was raining and attendance was low last year.
Freezing. We caught it on that other cycle. Now we're catching on the upside.
That's why they call it an average. Looking forward to it.
Well, the time now is 6.51.
An update on tonight's top stories when we come back. But right now, here's a look at what's coming up in prime time tonight here on CBS 5.
Tonight's episode of NCIS is just five minutes away.
Right now here are tonight's top stories. Two people are facing misdemeanor charges after severely beating a pit bull.
It all started when the pit bull, not on a leash, attacked a little dog that was being walked by its owner. The female owner and her brother retaliated by brutally attacking the pit bull with a knife and a baseball bat.
The Maricopa County attorney filed charges against two Valley middle school students.
The boys at Desert Arroyo Middle School are accused of sexual abuse, child molestation and indecent exposure.
The alleged acts happened during school hours from April to October of last year.
The students have been expelled.
The streets of downtown Phoenix became a temporary raceway today just to test noise.
The Champ Car World Series will be here in November.
Sheriff Joe Arpaio was concerned that the noise would affect his 911 call center.
Well, it turns out dispatchers say everything was surprisingly quiet.
And tonight, a lot of fun. At 10 o'clock on CBS 5, a Valley legend.
I go one on one with Wallace of Wallace and Ladmo.
He is still just very funny and fun to be with.
Right after 48 hour mystery here on CBS 5 News.
Cloudy tonight, just some high clouds, no rain in the forecast, dry weather into the weekend, warmer with a high of 88 on Sunday.
Oh, welcome back to the warm. That does it for us at 630.
We'll see you tonight at 10. Good night.
For late breaking news anytime, log on to kpho.com.
Thank you for watching CBS 5 News, proudly owned by the Meredith Corporation.
Publishers of Better Homes and Gardens, Ladies Home Journal and more than 170 special interest publications.