Dan Gross: 6ABC's Dave Roberts to retire

VETERAN 6ABC weather anchor Dave Roberts announced his retirement during last night's 11 o'clock broadcast. Roberts, 73, will give his last forecast Dec. 11.

He joined WPVI in 1978 and started as co-host of the station's "AM Philadelphia" and as afternoon weather anchor. He joined the evening newscasts after the skydiving death of his friend and colleague Jim O'Brien in 1983. Roberts, also known as the father of actor David Boreanaz, has spent 56 years in TV news.

In a statement last night, Roberts said, "My family and I are most grateful to all the viewers for their kindness over so many years. I have also been blessed to work with the wonderful people at WPVI - my 6ABC family.

"Their support and caring continue to guide me. My wife, Patti, and I approach the future with the same excitement and hope which we had when we arrived here 31 years ago.

"Thanks for all the memories as those memories are now treasures which will be stored in our hearts forever. Laughter, a smile and a kind word will always fill your day with sunshine."

Roberts and Patti toasted his retirement with another couple Tuesday night over dinner at Scannicchio's (Broad & Porter).

WYSP DJ in car dispute

The former fiance of 94 WYSP's Jennifer Reed told Dallas police that the afternoon-drive host stole his car on Nov. 9. However, Reed's lawyer, David Henry, says that his client is "the true owner of the subject vehicle and contends that it was improperly taken out of state without her consent or knowledge."

Randall Janak, 35, who had been with Reed for about three years and moved with her from Texas to radio gigs in Atlanta, Memphis and then Philadelphia, reported a black Range Rover stolen last week and told police that he believed that Reed took it.

"Ms. Reed purchased the subject vehicle, has made all payments solely out of her funds, is named on the title and registration, and is the only person insured to drive the car," Henry told us last night. "Ms. Reed expressly states that she has not done anything improper. She is not named in any police report."

Janak did not return several phone messages. A friend of Janak's says that the couple purchased the car together, and his name is also on the title.

We're told that when they broke up early last month, Janak took only his clothes and the car and drove from their Philadelphia home to Texas and has been staying with a friend. After a failed attempt at reconciliation, Janak decided to stay in Texas and look for work.

Reed last week flew to Dallas, and it was during that trip that she is alleged to have taken the car, which Janak's friend believes that she stashed at a friend's place.

Derek Gaines has 'Got Jokes'

Northeast-native comedian Derek Gaines is among the semi-finalists on TV One's "Who's Got Jokes?" hosted by Bill Bellamy.

Gaines, who moved to South Jersey at 14 and graduated Overbrook Regional, in Pine Hill, has been doing stand-up for about six years, regularly performing at the Laff House (221 South) and other area clubs. The show airs at 10 p.m. Saturdays. Gaines, who plays Rutgers University tomorrow night, says that he tries to learn from bad gigs, and he's had a few.

"I bombed at a church show in Camden," he told us. "They threw pennies at me from the balcony."

Gaines says that the TV show has already opened doors for him, and he hopes to embark on a national tour, and start acting and producing for TV and film.

Erickson's pet-adoption book

CBS 3 reporter Carol Erickson has written a children's book supporting pet adoption called "Not a Used Dog At All." Illustrations are by CBS 3 graphic designer Jeff McCloskey. It's available at authorhouse.com. Erickson says that she'll donate sale proceeds to animal-welfare groups. It's been endorsed by the Pennsylvania SPCA, which has honored Erickson for her animal efforts.

Matthews at Tribune gala

MSNBC's Chris Matthews will deliver the keynote address Saturday night at the 125th anniversary gala of the Philadelphia Tribune, the nation's oldest African-American newspaper. Nicetown/Somerton raised Matthews joins Tribune Publisher Robert W. Bogle and more than 1,000 guests at the Pennsylvania Convention Center party.

Visit PhillyGossip.com for Dan's latest updates or follow PhillyGossip on Twitter. Have a tip? Call 215-854-5963, or e-mail grossd@phillynews.com. For recent columns, visit go.philly.com/dangross.