Here is a quick update.
Had a small time Honda repair shop take a look at the door. Come to find out that the entire exterior door handle has to be replaced. The entire handle is plastic and on the cold morning the plastic arm which triggers the door latch to release snapped. The handle had to be orderd to match my car color. Had to schedule a return visit. The handle cost $50.95 and the labor was $91.64 + $2.66 materials. All in all the total was $147.93. I guess it could have been worse. At least they did not have to break the inner door panel to loosen the door. Now on cold days I'm extra careful when pulling on the door handle. I'm in Virginia so hope this help anyone else who's in the same situation.