“Code Blue issued across Philadelphia area due to frigid temperatures”

A Code Blue has been issued for Philadelphia, Montgomery and Bucks counties due to the frigid temperatures forecast over the next few days. Philadelphia's Office of Homeless Services has declared the second Code Blue of the winter season, effective Wednesday at 6 p.m. through next Wednesday, Dec. 21, at 6 a.m., in an effort to prevent weather-related deaths among people experiencing homelessness during dangerously cold temperatures. When temperatures plummet, Kanika Stewart-Jones and Loretta Fox take on the often difficult task of convincing the city's homeless to head to a warming shelter. "It's like second nature to me. I know that when the cold comes I need to be out here basically saving lives," said Stewart-Jones. "I have plenty of blankets and jackets. I'll be warm enough. I'll be alright. Thanks," said Patrick, homeless. "I love the cold," said Anthony, homeless. After seven years on the job, Stewart-Jones says the "No's" are still hard to accept. "Because it makes you say, 'If he doesn't come in, what's going to happen?'" said Stewart-Jones. The chronically homeless can be the most difficult to convince.

In Other News The toll of the wildfires that ravaged Gatlinburg,Tennessee, in recent weeks is staggering: 14 people dead, another 175 injured, and more than 2,400 houses, businesses and other structures destroyed. Sevier County Mayor estimates the damage to be more than $500 million. The federal government says nearly 20,000 acres of Great Smoky Mountains National Park have been scorched. As the full extent of the catastrophic damage reveals itself, authorities said the blaze was man-made. Two Tennessee youths are sitting in a Sevier County detention center. If convicted of aggravated arson, they could go to prison for 60 years. If more serious charges, including first-degree murder, are levied against them and they are convicted, they could spend the rest of their lives in prison. Yahoo has announced another huge security breach, leaving its users fretting once again about their personal information. The latest data theft affected more than one billion accounts. That's roughly double the number involved in the cybersecurity incident it announced in September, which is believed to be separate. But there are still several ways to make your information secure. http://money.cnn.com/2016/12/15/technology/yahoo-security-breach-billion-users/index.html