HL1) WOMAN HIT BY TIRE-SOTVOTOPS

I haven't stopped thinking about it since it happened, I have goosebumps I hope that she's ok I hope that her child is ok

NOW ON NBC2 NEWS TODAY-

FIGHTING TO SURVIVE-

A FREAK ACCIDENT PUTS AN EIGHT-MONTH PREGNANT WOMAN IN A COMA.

HL2) FORECAST-TRX-WX GFX

HL3) TAX FREE WEEKEND-TRX-VOTOPS

PLUS-

IT'S THE SECOND DAY OF THE SALES TAX HOLIDAY WEEKEND-

NEWS TODAY OPEN-CLIP

GOOD MORNING-OC-OMNI-ANIBOXES

GOOD MORNING!

IT'S SATURDAY, AUGUST 4TH.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON NBC2 NEWS TODAY-

I'M KELLY CRESWELL.

TAKE A LOOK AT THIS-

THERE ARE NOT ONE, BUT THREE TROPICAL SYSTEMS OUR NBC2 METEOROLOGISTS ARE TRACKING THIS MORNING-

FOR WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW, WE TURN NOW TO NBC2 METEOROLOGIST JASON DUNNING-

HE'S IN THE FIRST ALERT HURRICANE TRACKING CENTER-

6:02 FIRST ALERT FORECAST ON THE 2'S-WX WALL

THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE NBC2 WEATHER STAFF.

IT IS NOT A VERBATIM OF WHAT IS BEING SAID, BUT IS THE FORECAST FOR OUR AREA.

Our weekend weather will get a little more interesting as we watch a tropical wave meandering off the east coast of Florida near the Bahamas. This disturbance has a slim chance of organizing into a tropical system, but it's proximity to Southwest Florida means we'll likely see an uptick in afternoon showers and storms.

Despite the better chance of rain through the weekend, our Saturday morning will be mainly sunny and dry with very warm temperatures in the 70s and 80s, but clouds will continue to build in through the afternoon eventually leading to scattered showers and storms. The chance of getting wet today will be close to 50%, and the storm cell movement will mostly be from east to west. Today's storms will also have the capability of producing very heavy rain and frequent, intense lightning.

By sunset tonight, most of the rain will fade as our sky becomes partly cloudy.

On Sunday, it's possible to start the day with a few morning showers on the radar, but most of us will be in store for a mix of sun and clouds and very warm conditions. By midday Sunday, the rain machine will get going again, and we'll see more scattered showers and thunderstorms.

In the tropics, Ernesto is gradually strengthening in the eastern Caribbean. The storm will likely continue its strengthening trend while it moves west, staying south of the island chain from Cuba to Puerto Rico. There appears to be two main scenarios with Ernesto: one, the storm tracks farther south and heads for Central America, or two, Ernesto finds a weakness in the ridge and moves toward the Yucatan and the northern Gulf. Both scenarios keep this storm away from Southwest Florida.

WOMAN HIT BY TIRE-ONCAM

TOPPING OUR NEWS THIS MORNING-

A FREAK ACCIDENT HAS A NEW MOTHER IN A COMA-

AND HER PREMATURE BABY, ALSO FIGHTING TO SURVIVE.

THE WOMAN WAS KNOCKED TO THE GROUND EARLIER THIS WEEK BY A FLYING TIRE THAT CAME LOOSE FROM A PASSING CAR.

AT 8-MONTHS PREGNANT. IT LANDED ON HER STOMACH.

WOMAN HIT BY TIRE-PKG

ALREADY A SURVIVOR --

THIS PRECIOUS BABY BOY WAS BORN PREMATURE.

HE WEIGHS JUST THREE POUNDS.

"He is so gorgeous and I think he is truly a blessing and for him to survive and right now he's breathing he's strong I think that's just incredible and I think he's a miracle baby."

ON TUESDAY 19-YEAR OLD LESLY COLEY-- WAS WALKING ON THE SIDEWALK AT AIRPORT PULLING ROAD NEAR FRANCIS AVENUE IN NAPLES WHEN A TIRE CAME OFF A JEEP, BOUNCED OVER THE MEDIAN, AND ACROSS THE ROAD--- KNOCKING LESLEY FACE FIRST INTO THE GROUND.

"She got struck in the back of the head, fell forward landed on the concrete and she landed on her belly on the baby."

2:15 this woman was laying on the ground gasping for breath 8months pregnant 20--- 3:36 I haven't stopped thinking about it since it happened, I have goosebumps I hope that she's ok I hope that her child is ok 42

LESLEY SUFFERED BRAIN TRAUMA AND WAS RUSHED TO LEE MEMORIAL HOSIPITAL.

SHE'S IN A MEDICALLY INDUCED COMA, IN CRITICAL CONDITION--

HER MIRACLE BABY WAS DELIVERED THROUGH AN EMERGENCY C-SECTION.

"I feel angry but then I feel depressed all emotions in one, I'm still in shock right now."

IN SHOCK AND WAITING. HOPING AND PRAYING THAT LESLEY WAKES UP.

THAT SHE SURVIVES.

AND THAT THIS TINY NEW BABY BOY CAN HANG ON TOO.

WOMAN HIT BY TIRE-ONCAM

LINDSAY LOGUE REPORTING.

THE NEWBORN HASN'T BEEN NAMED. WE'RE TOLD FAMILY IS WAITING FOR LESLIE TO RECOVER.

SWFL EARLY VOTING-CLIP-VIDBOX

DECISION 2012-

THE PRIMARY ELECTION IS THIS MONTH-

BUT, IF YOU WANT TO VOTE EARLY, NBC2 HAS YOU COVERED WITH WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW.

IN CHARLOTTE COUNTY.

YOU CAN VOTE EARLY -- STARTING TODAY THROUGH AUGUST 11TH.

THE POLLS WILL BE OPEN FROM SEVEN TO SEVEN.

AND IN LEE COUNTY.

EARLY VOTING KICKS OFF TODAY AND GOES TO AUGUST 11TH -- FROM 9 TO 5 ON WEEKENDS.

AND 10 TO 6 ON WEEKDAYS.

REMEMBER THE PRIMARY ELECTION ITSELF IS AUGUST 14TH.

TAX FREE WEEKEND-VO-BNR

TODAY IS THE SECOND DAY OF THE TAX FREE WEEKEND-

IT LASTS THROUGH SUNDAY, AND YOU CAN SAVE 6 PERCENT ON ITEMS LIKE CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND SOME ACCESSORIES THAT COST 75-DOLLARS OR LESS.

ALSO CERTAIN SCHOOL SUPPLIES PRICED AT 15 DOLLARS OR LESS.

WHAT EXACTLY DOES COUNT AS 'TAX EXEMPT' CAN BE A LITTLE CONFUSING-- SO WE PUT THE ENTIRE LIST ON OUR WEBSITE

CAR IN CANAL-VO

IN COLLIER COUNTY-

DEPUTIES ARE STILL WORKING TO FIGURE OUT WHO DUMPED A CAR IN CANAL NEAR GOODLAND.

TAKE A LOOK AT THIS VIDEO.

YOU CAN SEE THE TRUNK OF A CAR BARELY STICKING OUT OF THIS CANAL.

DEPUTIES SAY A DRIVER PASSING BY NOTICED IT AND CALLED 911.

CAR IN CANAL-SOTVO

01:00:21 Lt. Chad Parker CCSO

We'll be looking at indicators to see if they're were indications that this car was insurance fraud. We'll be interrogating the key lock. Was it a manufactures key used to start the at? Does the victim have possession of the key? Was it a forces start? Was it hot wired?

DEPUTIES SAY THEY USUALLY SEE A RASH OF SUBMERGED CARS ONCE THE WATER IN THE CANALS RECEDE.

STRIANO 911 CALLS-TRX-OC-SS-OC-SOTVO

ONE OF THE TWO MEN LEE COUNTY DEPUTIES SAY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR KILLING DEBRA STRIANO ALMOST TWO WEEKS AGO INSIDE HER THREE OAKS HOME IS STILL ON THE RUN THIS MORNING-

DEPUTIES ARE STILL LOOKING FOR BILLY RETHERFORD.

THEY ALSO SAY RETHERFORD IS CONSIDERED DANGEROUS.

AND NOW, WE ARE HEARING THE CHILLING 9-1-1 CALLS THE NIGHT STRIANO WAS KILLED.

TAKE A LISTEN.

Dispatcher: "911, what is your emergency?" Russell: "My girlfriend's been murdered."

Russell: "They almost cut her head off. No, no. Oh my God. I'll never forget this happening as long as I live"

THE THREE OAKS WOMAN WAS FOUND MURDERED IN THE MASTER BEDROOM BY HER LONGTIME BOYFRIEND, RUSSELL MYERS.

HE HAD RUN OUT TO GET GROCERIES.

STRIANO 911 CALLS-SOTVO-SS

Dispatcher: "I need you to take a deep breath and stay on the line for the ambulance." Russell: "I have to, I guess, please."

Russell: "There are lights on all over where they must have run around the house looking for money."

THE COUPLE'S DOG WAS ALSO STABBED.

HE'S RECOVERING, AND EXPECTED TO BE OK.

DETECTIVES ARRESTED DUSTIN JAYE FOR DEBBIE'S MURDER.

AND AS WE JUST TOLD YOU, DEPUTIES ARE STILL LOOKING FOR JAYE'S UNCLE, BILLY RETHERFORD.

MOTORCYCLE HIT AND RUN-OC-SOTVO

THIS MORNING, A BIKER IS CONTINUING TO RECOVER FROM A HIT AND RUN CRASH IN CAPE CORAL-

AND HE SHARES HIS HORRIFYING STORY OF WHAT HAPPENED THAT NIGHT WITH NBC2.

I was pleading for someone to come help me

My left foot is broken, my ankle I got severe gash in my knee there, left arm all road rash, across shoulder and back, broken finger."

WAYNE CERRA WAS RIDING HIS MOTORCYCLE ON SKYLINE BOULEVARD.

A PICK-UP TRUCK PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF HIM AND RAN INTO HIM.

AND WHAT'S WORSE,

THE DRIVER JUST TOOK OFF, WITH CERRA LYING IN THE ROAD.

POLICE ARE LOOKING FOR A DARK GREEN OR BLACK TRUCK WITH SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE REAR.

BACK TO SCHOOL CHANGES-VBX-RVL

THE COUNTDOWN IS ON TO THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS FOR STUDENTS IN LEE COUNTY-

AND THERE ARE SOME MAJOR CHANGES PARENTS AND STUDENTS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT.

THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IS CHANGING BELL TIMES FOR ALL STUDENTS--

HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL WILL START 10 MINUTES EARLIER AND GET OUT 10 MINUTES EARLIER--

HALF OF ALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS WILL START AND END FIVE MINUTES EARLIER--

THE OTHER HALF.20 MINUTES EARLIER.

BACK TO SCHOOL CHANGES-SOT-OC-BNR

It's a win win for both sides. We save money financially. The students are not on the bus as long and to further emphasize how good it is the routes are safer.

THE CHANGE IN BELL SCHEDULES WILL ALSO IMPACT BUS TIMES.

WE'VE POSTED THE NEW SCHEDULE AND BUS TIMES ON OUR WEBSITE--

NBC DASH TWO DOT COM.

THINGS 2 DO~TOSS TO BREAK-CG-OC

LOOKING FOR A WAY TO SPEND YOUR SATURDAY

WE HAVE SOME OPTIONS FOR YOU IN THIS WEEK'S THINGS TO DO.

A COUPLE PERFORMANCES TO TELL YOU ABOUT

FIRST -- ONE FOR THE KIDS.

THE CENTER FOR THE ARTS YOUTH THEATER PRESENTS -- STUART LITTLE!

THAT'S IN BONITA SPRINGS AT THE PROMENADE AT BONITA BAY.

THE SHOW RUNS FROM TWO TO FOUR.

AND THE COST IS FIVE DOLLARS.

AND ONE FOR THE THE ADULTS.

FOR A MAJESTIC EVENING.

HEAD TO CAPTIVA. AND ENJOY A SUNSET SERENADE CRUISE.

YOU CAN HAVE A COCKTAIL, LISTEN TO LIVE MUSIC. AND WATCH THE SUN SET INTO THE GULF.

IT'S AT MCCARTHYS MARINA FROM 7:30 TO 9PM.

COST IS THIRTY DOLLARS FOR ADULTS AND TWENTY FOR CHILDREN.

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED. SO CALL AND RESERVE A SPOT THIS MORNING!.

BREAK ONE AT 6:09:30

6:12 FIRST ALERT FORECAST ON THE 2'S-CLIP

CROSS TALK-2SHOT

6:12 FIRST ALERT FORECAST ON THE 2'S-WX WALL

THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE NBC2 WEATHER STAFF.

IT IS NOT A VERBATIM OF WHAT IS BEING SAID, BUT IS THE FORECAST FOR OUR AREA.

Our weekend weather will get a little more interesting as we watch a tropical wave meandering off the east coast of Florida near the Bahamas. This disturbance has a slim chance of organizing into a tropical system, but it's proximity to Southwest Florida means we'll likely see an uptick in afternoon showers and storms.

Despite the better chance of rain through the weekend, our Saturday morning will be mainly sunny and dry with very warm temperatures in the 70s and 80s, but clouds will continue to build in through the afternoon eventually leading to scattered showers and storms. The chance of getting wet today will be close to 50%, and the storm cell movement will mostly be from east to west. Today's storms will also have the capability of producing very heavy rain and frequent, intense lightning.

By sunset tonight, most of the rain will fade as our sky becomes partly cloudy.

On Sunday, it's possible to start the day with a few morning showers on the radar, but most of us will be in store for a mix of sun and clouds and very warm conditions. By midday Sunday, the rain machine will get going again, and we'll see more scattered showers and thunderstorms.

In the tropics, Ernesto is gradually strengthening in the eastern Caribbean. The storm will likely continue its strengthening trend while it moves west, staying south of the island chain from Cuba to Puerto Rico. There appears to be two main scenarios with Ernesto: one, the storm tracks farther south and heads for Central America, or two, Ernesto finds a weakness in the ridge and moves toward the Yucatan and the northern Gulf. Both scenarios keep this storm away from Southwest Florida.

SPORTS WRAP-PKG

MR. GREENTHUMB-PKG

BREAK TWO AT 6:19:30

6:22 FIRST ALERT FORECAST ON THE 2'S-CLIP

6:22 FIRST ALERT FORECAST ON THE 2'S-WX WALL

THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE NBC2 WEATHER STAFF.

IT IS NOT A VERBATIM OF WHAT IS BEING SAID, BUT IS THE FORECAST FOR OUR AREA.

Our weekend weather will get a little more interesting as we watch a tropical wave meandering off the east coast of Florida near the Bahamas. This disturbance has a slim chance of organizing into a tropical system, but it's proximity to Southwest Florida means we'll likely see an uptick in afternoon showers and storms.

Despite the better chance of rain through the weekend, our Saturday morning will be mainly sunny and dry with very warm temperatures in the 70s and 80s, but clouds will continue to build in through the afternoon eventually leading to scattered showers and storms. The chance of getting wet today will be close to 50%, and the storm cell movement will mostly be from east to west. Today's storms will also have the capability of producing very heavy rain and frequent, intense lightning.

By sunset tonight, most of the rain will fade as our sky becomes partly cloudy.

On Sunday, it's possible to start the day with a few morning showers on the radar, but most of us will be in store for a mix of sun and clouds and very warm conditions. By midday Sunday, the rain machine will get going again, and we'll see more scattered showers and thunderstorms.

In the tropics, Ernesto is gradually strengthening in the eastern Caribbean. The storm will likely continue its strengthening trend while it moves west, staying south of the island chain from Cuba to Puerto Rico. There appears to be two main scenarios with Ernesto: one, the storm tracks farther south and heads for Central America, or two, Ernesto finds a weakness in the ridge and moves toward the Yucatan and the northern Gulf. Both scenarios keep this storm away from Southwest Florida.

OBESE KIDNEY SURGERY-CLIP-PLASMA

ON THE HEALTH BEAT-

AN OVERWEIGHT MAN WAS TOLD HE COULDN'T GET A KIDNEY TRANSPLANT BECAUSE HE TIPPED THE SCALES AT 300 POUNDS AND HE HAD TO LOSE THE WEIGHT TO SAVE HIS LIFE.

EVENTUALLY DOCTORS IN CINCINNATI CAME UP WITH A RADICAL SOLUTION. THEY PERFORMED WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY FIRST.

OBESE KIDNEY SURGERY-PKG

"How you doing? I'm good, how are you?"

THEY MAY BE FRIENDS - BUT LARRY AND MERRY CONSIDER EACH OTHER FAMILY. THEY ALSO FOUND OUT THEY WERE A PERFECT MATCH.

"The Lord had a lot to do with it."

"When I met Larry and found out about his health issues over time he mentioned that he was needing a donor and I said well I would be willing to do that."

HOWEVER GETTING THE TRANSPLANT WASN'T AS EASY. LARRY TOPPED 3-HUNDRED POUNDS AND DOCTORS SAID HE WAS TOO OVERWEIGHT.

"Being obese has a significant increase risk of cardiovascular death renal failure has an ever greater risk of cardiovascular death and our thoughts were lets take a disease management approach to this."

BEFORE DOCTOR STEVE WOODLE COULD OPERATE, DOCTOR TAYYAB DIWAN HAD TO PERFORM LAPROSCOPIC SLEEVE GASTRECTOMY.

"This part of the stomach is removed. And what they're left with is this. This is the staple line and what they're left with is a little tube of stomach, which is like a sleeve."

WITHIN 4 MONTHS LARRY DROPPED ALMOST 100 POUNDS. HE'S NOW PART OF A NEW WEIGHT LOSS-TRANSPLANT EFFORT AT UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL.

"As far as kidney transplant programs in the United States, we're the only one I know of right now that has a dedicated global approach. programmatic approach to this."

AS FOR LARRY, THIS NEW APPROACH GAVE HIM A NEW LIFE.

OBESE KIDNEY SURGERY-PLASMA

ALISON MONTOYA REPORTING-

KOMEN ACCUSED OF MISLEADING MAMMOGRAM-VO

THE BREAST CANCER CHARITY GROUP SUSAN G. KOMEN FOR THE CURE IS BEING ACCUSED OF USING MISLEADING STATISTICS TO CONVINCE WOMEN TO HAVE MAMMOGRAMS.

KOMEN SAYS 98-PERCENT OF WOMEN SURVIVE FIVE YEARS WHEN THE DISEASE IS DIAGNOSED EARLY, VERSUS 23-PERCENT WHEN IT'S NOT.

BUT, A NEW STUDY SAYS THOSE STATISTICS ARE MEANINGLESS OUT OF CONTEXT.

TOSS TO BREAK-1SHOT

YOU ARE WATCHING NBC TWO NEWS TODAY.

STRAIGHT AHEAD, YOUR TOP STORIES AND BREAKING NEWS OVERNIGHT.

BREAK THREE AT 6:27:15

HL1) ILLEGAL GUN SALES-VOTOPS

NOW AT 6:30-

THREE MEN ARE IN HOT WATER THIS MORNING FOR SELLING SOME ITEMS AT A NAPLES ANTIQUE STORE.

HL2) FORECAST-TRX-WX GFX

HL3) CHILD FOUND DEAD IN CAR-TRX-VOTOPS

AND-

IT'S A CASE WE HEAR TOO OFTEN IN FLORIDA---

A YOUNG BOY DIES AFTER BEING LEFT IN A HOT VAN WHILE UNDER THE WATCH OF HIS DAYCARE.

NEWS TODAY OPEN-CLIP

GOOD MORNING-1SHOT-OMNI-CG ANIBOXES

GOOD MORNING!

IT'S SATURDAY, AUGUST 4TH.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THE SECOND HALF HOUR OF NBC2 NEWS TODAY-

I'M KELLY CRESWELL.

TROPICAL TROUBLE-

NBC2 METEOROLOGISTS ARE WATCHING THREE TROPICAL SYSTEMS THIS MORNING-

NBC2 METEOROLOGIST JASON DUNNING IS TRACKING IT ALL-

HE'S IN THE FIRST ALERT HURRICANE TRACKING CENTER WITH WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW-

6:32 FIRST ALERT FORECAST ON THE 2'S-WX WALL

THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE NBC2 WEATHER STAFF.

IT IS NOT A VERBATIM OF WHAT IS BEING SAID, BUT IS THE FORECAST FOR OUR AREA.

Our weekend weather will get a little more interesting as we watch a tropical wave meandering off the east coast of Florida near the Bahamas. This disturbance has a slim chance of organizing into a tropical system, but it's proximity to Southwest Florida means we'll likely see an uptick in afternoon showers and storms.

Despite the better chance of rain through the weekend, our Saturday morning will be mainly sunny and dry with very warm temperatures in the 70s and 80s, but clouds will continue to build in through the afternoon eventually leading to scattered showers and storms. The chance of getting wet today will be close to 50%, and the storm cell movement will mostly be from east to west. Today's storms will also have the capability of producing very heavy rain and frequent, intense lightning.

By sunset tonight, most of the rain will fade as our sky becomes partly cloudy.

On Sunday, it's possible to start the day with a few morning showers on the radar, but most of us will be in store for a mix of sun and clouds and very warm conditions. By midday Sunday, the rain machine will get going again, and we'll see more scattered showers and thunderstorms.

In the tropics, Ernesto is gradually strengthening in the eastern Caribbean. The storm will likely continue its strengthening trend while it moves west, staying south of the island chain from Cuba to Puerto Rico. There appears to be two main scenarios with Ernesto: one, the storm tracks farther south and heads for Central America, or two, Ernesto finds a weakness in the ridge and moves toward the Yucatan and the northern Gulf. Both scenarios keep this storm away from Southwest Florida.

ILLEGAL GUN SALES-ONCAM

THREE MEN ARE FACING SOME SERIOUS CHARGES THIS MORNING-

OF ILLEGALLY SELLING UNLICENSED FIREARMS FROM A MILITARY AND ANTIQUE STORE IN NAPLES.

CUSTOMERS SAY THEY NEVER SAW ANYTHING ILLEGAL-

BUT, DOCUMENTS OBTAINED BY NBC2 SHOW OTHERWISE-

INCLUDING HOW AGENTS WERE SUCCESSFULLY ABLE TO PURCHASE GUNS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS FROM THESE UNLICENSED DEALERS.

ILLEGAL GUN SALES-PKG

3:28 he's into helping the community and helping the vets in the community.

VIETNAM VETERAN MICHAEL D. WITT HAS NOTHING BUT PRAISE FOR 68 YEAR OLD HOMER HELTER.

5:04 hes a great person def a great person

BUT ALSO A PERSON WHO IS CHARGED WITH CONSPIRACY TO UNLAWFULLY DEAL FIREARMS WITHOUT A LICENSE FROM HIS STORE -- HOMER HELTERS MILITARY AND ANTIQUE MALL IN NAPLES.

:55 big surprise because that would be completely out of his character:58

WITT SHOPS AT HELTER'S STORE ON A REGULAR BASIS --

AND DURING THOSE VISITS HE SAYS HE'S NEVER SEEN ANYONE EVEN HANDLE A GUN.

4:48 he has some antique guns in there some old mousers and german things pretty much they are just display:54

BUT ACCORDING TO A CRIMINAL COMPLAINT --

UNDERCOVER AGENTS VISITED HIS STORE MORE THAN TEN TIMES SINCE AUGUST 2011.

IT STATES THAT HELTER, 59 YEAR OLD DENNIS JARSTAD AND 61 YEAR OLD JAMES KASSEL DID SELL GUNS TO THE UNDERCOVER OFFICERS.

14 HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR A GLOCK 9MM SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOL.

A.38 TAURUS REVOLVER FOR 350 DOLLARS.

HE HAS BEEN WARNED TWICE BEFORE THAT HE NEEDED A LICENSE TO SELL FIREARMS.

nat door

WE WENT TO HELTER'S NAPLES HOME FOR A COMMENT -- NO ONE WAS THERE.

nats motorcycle

THE ONLY COMMENTS WERE FROM ACQUAINTANCES AT A NEARBY RESTAURANT.

SACH DRAFFEN WAS SHOCKED WHEN WE TOLD HIM ABOUT THE CHARGES.

11:07 hes one of the best guys in town - so this is outrageous:10

DRAFFEN HAS KNOWN HELTER FOR NEARLY 20 YEARS --

THE VET SAYS HE'S JUST A GUY WHO LOVES THE MILITARY.

ILLEGAL GUN SALES-ONCAM

SARA MILES REPORTING.

JARSTAD AND KASSEL BOTH WORKED PART TIME IN THE MILITARY MEMORIBILA AND FIREARM SECTION --

THEY COULDN'T BE REACHED FOR COMMENT EITHER.

DIVER RESCUED-VO-SS

A DIVER IS COUNTING HER BLESSINGS THIS MORNING, AFTER HAVING TO BE RESCUED WHEN SHE GOT LOST IN THE GULF.

HERE'S VIDEO OF THE WOMAN AFTER SHE WAS BROUGHT TO SHORE.

SHE WAS WITH HER HUSBAND AND SON DIVING AT THE CUBAN WRECK SITE OFF GORDON PASS.

WHEN SHE DIDN'T RESURFACE FOR MORE THAN AN HOUR HER FAMILY CALLED 911.

THIS IS A PICTURE FROM OUR NEWS PARTNERS AT THE NAPLES DAILY NEWS.

IT SHOWS THE WOMAN HUGGING HER SON AFTER HER RESCUE.

MOVE PEOPLE ARRESTED-trxSS-VO

THREE PEOPLE ARE IN TROUBLE THIS MORNING AFTER WITNESSES SAY A FAMILY WHO WAS MOVING FROM OHIO TO FORT MYERS, LOCKED THEM IN THE BACK OF THE MOVING TRUCK!

DEPUTIES STOPPED THE TRUCK IN TENNESSEE A FEW DAYS AGO AND ARRESTED THESE THREE.

WATER WINGS DROWNING DANGER-VO-WIPE

A WARNING FOR PARENTS THIS MORNING, ABOUT FLOATATION DEVICES CHILDREN USE IN POOLS.

IT FOLLOWS THE DEATH OF A TODDLER EARLIER THIS WEEK.

POLICE THINK THE BOY MAY HAVE SLIPPED OUT OF HIS WATER WINGS BEFORE JUMPING INTO A POOL ON SANIBEL.

NANCY APPERSON IS THE SUPERVISOR FOR LEE COUNTY AQUATICS.

SHE SAYS FLOATIES - OR WATER WINGS - GIVE KIDS AND PARENTS A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY.

WATER WINGS DROWNING DANGER-SOTVO

51:42-48 "Drowning is the leading cause of death for children under the age of 4 in the state of Florida."

"There is nothing, nothing better than parental of adult supervision."

APPERSON SAYS YOU SHOULD ONLY ALLOW YOUR CHILD TO WEAR COAST GUARD APPROVED LIFE-VESTS.

CHILD FOUND DEAD IN CAR-ONCAM

AN INVESTIGATION IS UNDERWAY IN TAMARAC, FLORIDA----WHICH IS NEAR FORT LAUDERDALE, AFTER A FOUR-YEAR-OLD BOY WAS FOUND UNCONSCIOUS IN HIS DAYCARE PROVIDER'S VAN.

THAT CHILD DIED A SHORT TIME LATER AT A HOSPITAL.

CHILD FOUND DEAD IN CAR-PKG

I think it's just extremely tragic you know that, you know, I'm sorry. That something like that can happen to a child.

MIYOSHI AGNEW CLEARLY UPSET AFTER TRYING TO SAVE A FOUR-YEAR-OLD BOY FROM DYING.

I felt his neck and I'm like no he doesn't have a pulse.

THE BOY SHE SAYS FOUND IN THE PARKING LOT OF HER CONDO COMPLEX. HE WAS INSIDE HIS DAYCARE VAN. SHE SAYS SHE TRIED C-P-R ALONG WITH A NEIGHBOR.

He was just laying there just completely out, completely out. His skin felt a little, you know a little slimy like he was hot, but it was hot. It was in the 90's so I was just thinking that he was hot and he had a whole bunch of saliva in his mouth.

THE FOUR-YEAR-OLD BOY, A CAMPER AT 3C'S DAY ACADEMY, WHICH IS RUN OUT OF THIS SUNRISE HOME. THIS WOMAN CAME OUT BUT TELLS 7 NEWS SHE'S NOT PART OF THE INVESTIGATION. ACCORDING TO THIS PAPERWORK THE BUSINESS OWNER, CECILY ROBERTS, HAS BEEN INVESTIGATED BEFORE. ONE FOR LEAVING HER UNDER AGE DAUGHTER IN CHARGE AND SHE'S BEEN CITED SEVERAL TIMES FOR HAVING TOO MANY KIDS AT THE HOME. THE MAX WAS SUPPOSED TO BE 6, SO WHAT WERE 8 CHILDREN DOING AT THE TAMARAC APARTMENT COMPLEX WEDNESDAY?

The lady wasn't supposed to have kids at the home so the daughter took the kids and brought them over here, but left one of them in the car.

THE DAYCARE DIRECTOR'S DAUGHTER IS 20 YEARS OLD.

She was rambling. She was very, very nervous, very frantic, crying in my arms.

She asked one of the kids where the other was and one of the kids told her 'in the car still.'

MIYOSHI SAYS THE YOUNG CAREGIVER TOLD HER THE KID WAS WALKING AND HE JUST PASSED OUT BUT BROWARD SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS INVESTIGATING A POSSIBLE HOMICIDE.

CHILD FOUND DEAD IN CAR-ONCAM

THE BROWARD COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS IT WILL WAIT FOR A RULING ON EXACTLY HOW THE BOY DIED, THEN DECIDE IF CHARGES WILL BE FILED.

CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES HAS ALSO LAUNCHED AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE THE SAFETY OF THE OTHER CHILDREN AT THE DAY CARE CENTER.

FORECAST WHAT'S TRENDING-WX GFX

DEATH INVESTIGATION BREAKING

NBC-2 IS FOLLOWING BREAKING NEWS OUT OF COLLIER COUNTY THIS MORNING.

INVESTIGATORS ARE ON SCENE AT A HOME ON 54TH TERRACE SOUTHWEST IN NAPLES.

WE'RE TOLD THIS IS A DEATH INVESTIGATION.

THE CALL CAME IN JUST BEFORE FIVE THIS MORNING.

THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TELLS US THE DEATH APPEARS TO BE SUSPICIOUS.

BREAK FOUR AT 6:39:30

6:42 FIRST ALERT FORECAST ON THE 2'S-CLIP

CROSS TALK-2SHOT

6:42 FIRST ALERT FORECAST ON THE 2'S-WX WALL

THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE NBC2 WEATHER STAFF.

IT IS NOT A VERBATIM OF WHAT IS BEING SAID, BUT IS THE FORECAST FOR OUR AREA.

Our weekend weather will get a little more interesting as we watch a tropical wave meandering off the east coast of Florida near the Bahamas. This disturbance has a slim chance of organizing into a tropical system, but it's proximity to Southwest Florida means we'll likely see an uptick in afternoon showers and storms.

Despite the better chance of rain through the weekend, our Saturday morning will be mainly sunny and dry with very warm temperatures in the 70s and 80s, but clouds will continue to build in through the afternoon eventually leading to scattered showers and storms. The chance of getting wet today will be close to 50%, and the storm cell movement will mostly be from east to west. Today's storms will also have the capability of producing very heavy rain and frequent, intense lightning.

By sunset tonight, most of the rain will fade as our sky becomes partly cloudy.

On Sunday, it's possible to start the day with a few morning showers on the radar, but most of us will be in store for a mix of sun and clouds and very warm conditions. By midday Sunday, the rain machine will get going again, and we'll see more scattered showers and thunderstorms.

In the tropics, Ernesto is gradually strengthening in the eastern Caribbean. The storm will likely continue its strengthening trend while it moves west, staying south of the island chain from Cuba to Puerto Rico. There appears to be two main scenarios with Ernesto: one, the storm tracks farther south and heads for Central America, or two, Ernesto finds a weakness in the ridge and moves toward the Yucatan and the northern Gulf. Both scenarios keep this storm away from Southwest Florida.

WHALE SHARK NEAR USS MOHAWK-VOTOPS-OC

AMAZING PICTURES OF MARINE LIFE OFF THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA COAST.

THIS IS A 20 FOOT WHALE SHARK SWIMMING AROUND THE U-S-S MOHAWK.

RAYS AND STARFISH ARE NEARBY TOO -- LESS THAN A MONTH AFTER CREWS SANK THE SHIP, TO TURN IT INTO AN ARTIFICIAL REEF.

WHALE SHARK NEAR USS MOHAWK-PKG

ONCE A SYMBOL OF STRENGTH SITTING ABOVE WATER.

NATS - EXPLODE

THE USS MOHAWK SLIPPED INTO THE GULF FOREVER ONE MONTH AGO

TO ACT AS A SALUTE TO VETERANS AND AN ARTIFICAL REEF - SHARING SOME OF THAT BATTLING SPIRIT WITH UNDERWATER LIFE.

17:58:45 3

"It was meant to enhance marine life here in Lee County."

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED AND A RATE PROJECT MANAGER MIKE CAMPBELL NEVER EXPECTED.

17:57:35 5

""We had our first fish and divers there on the first day so it's doing very well."

THE 165 FOOT HUB FOR LIFE ONLY GREW FROM THERE - HELPING NEARBY UNDERWATER BUSINESSES TOO.

18:02:12 6

""As someone in the scuba businesses this has been amazing."

CAPTAIN PETE WILLIAMSON SAYS IT'S BEEN TOUGH KEEPING UP WITH ALL THE CUSTOMERS WAITING TO SEE THE USS MOHAWK.

THEN - ON SUNDAY -ALMOST A MONTH TO THE DAY THE SHIP SANK - THE MOST EXCITING SIGNS OF GROWTH YET.

CAPTAIN PETE AND EVERYONE ON HIS TOUR SAW SOMETHING HE NEVER THOUGHT HE'D SEE IN THESE PARTS.

17:59:15 6

"A lot of people put on bucket list to see neat able to do here."

THE LARGEST SHARK AND FISH IN THE WORLD - A WHALE SHARK.

18:02:54 8

"australia honduras known for whale shark now here we re in our own backyard and theres a whale shark."

A WHALE SHARK CAN BE FORTY FEET LONG- THIS ONE WAS ABOUT 20.

AND WITH THAT MASSIVE SURPRISE - IT'S CLEAR THE USS MOHAWK ACCOMPLISHED ONE LAST MISSION.

18:03:33 8

WHALE SHARK NEAR USS MOHAWK-ONCAM

NBC2'S NINA MOINI REPORTING.

NO ONE EXPECTED THE USS MOHAWK WOULD ATTRACT THIS TYPE OF MARINE LIFE SO SOON-

BISTRO SET RECALL-TRX-VO-BNR

NOW TO A NBC2, CONSUMER ALERT-

MORE THAN 16-THOUSAND PATIO BISTRO SETS ARE BEING RECALLED.

PEOPLE ARE FALLING FROM THE CHAIRS WHEN THE SUPPORT BAR IS NOT FULLY ENGAGED.

THE "GARDEN TREASURES" SETS WERE SOLD AT LOWE'S, FROM AUGUST 2011 THROUGH FEBRUARY, FOR ABOUT 98 DOLLARS.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, WE HAVE A LINK UP ON OUR WEBSITE-

HOOTERS TRYING TO REACH WOMEN-VOTOPS

HOOTERS SPREADS IT WINGS, TARGETING FEMALE CUSTOMERS.

THE CHAIN IS ROLLING OUT NEW ADS, AND NEW MENU ITEMS, TO APPEAL TO A BROADER, YOUNGER AUDIENCE. INCLUDING WOMEN.

NEW MENU ITEMS INCLUDE SALADS, BURGERS, AND MORE VARIETIES OF CHICKEN WINGS.

BIZ WEEK IN REVIEW-ONCAM

BIZ WEEK IN REVIEW-PKG

163-THOUSAND NEW JOBS WERE ADDED TO THE ECONOMY LAST MONTH, MUCH MORE THAN EXPECTED. BUT THE NATION'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE TICKED A NOTCH HIGHER TO EIGHT-POINT-THREE PERCENT. THAT'S BECAUSE SO MANY AMERICANS WHO HAD GIVEN UP ON FINDING A JOB STARTED LOOKING AGAIN.

A CAUTIOUS FEDERAL RESERVE SAID THE U-S ECONOMY HAS LOST STEAM, AND THAT UNEMPLOYMENT IS STILL TOO HIGH. BUT THE CENTRAL BANK ANNOUNCED NO NEW STIMULUS ACTIONS TO BOOST THE ECONOMY, SAYING ONLY THAT IT'S READY WITH MORE STEPS IF THINGS GET WORSE.

MEANTIME THE HEAD OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK TURNED OUT TO BE A LOT OF TALK. BUT NOT A LOT OF ACTION ALSO ANNOUNCING NO CONCRETE STEPS TO EASE THE AREA'S DEBT CRISIS AFTER VOWING TO DO EVERYTHING HE CAN TO KEEP THE EURO INTACT.

THE HOTTEST JULY IN FIFTY YEARS, ALONG WITH DEEP DISCOUNTS ON SUMMER CLOTHING HELPED DRIVE MORE SHOPPERS INTO THE NATION'S MALLS LAST MONTH. OVERALL RETAIL SALES IN JULY ROSE FOUR-AND-A-HALF PERCENT.

JULY AUTO SALES WERE STRONG TOO.AND FEATURED A BIG COMEBACK FOR JAPAN'S AUTOMAKERS. AS FOR DETROIT'S BIG THREE, G-M AND FORD SALES WERE LOWER, BUT CHRYSLER SALES ROSE 16 PERCENT.

AND THE AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT HAS CLASSIFIED MORE THAN HALF OF ALL COUNTIES IN THE U-S AS NATURAL DISASTER AREAS, MOSTLY BECAUSE OF THIS SUMMER'S SEVERE DROUGHT, MAKING THOUSANDS OF FARMERS AND RANCHERS ELIGIBLE FOR FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID AND EMERGENCY LOANS.

MARS ROVER LANDING-VO

BY THE TIME YOU GO BACK TO WORK ON MONDAY, NASA SCIENTISTS COULD ALREADY BE LEARNING NEW THINGS ABOUT MARS.

THEY EXPECT THE CURIOSITY ROVER TO LAND ON THE RED PLANET AT 1-30 A-M MONDAY.

IT WILL MARK THE START OF A TWO YEAR SEARCH FOR SIGNS OF LIFE.

MATTRESS STACK RECORD-VO

IT SEEMS TO BE A STRANGE WAY OF SETTING A WORLD RECORD.STACKING MATTRESSES THAT IS.

BUT THAT'S JUST WHAT ONE FURNITURE STORE IN MICHIGAN DID TO GET INTO THE GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS.

WITH STEADY HANDS AND A FORK LIFT, A TEAM OF WORKERS HOISTED ONE MATTRESS AT A TIME UNTIL THE STACK MEASURED FOURTEEN-AND-A-HALF FEET.

TOSS TO BREAK-1SHOT

YOUR TIME RIGHT NOW--

AN UPDATE TO YOUR FIRST ALERT FORECAST ON THE TWOS IS STRAIGHT AHEAD AT 6-52.

BREAK FIVE AT 6:49:45

6:52 FIRST ALERT FORECAST ON THE 2'S-CLIP

6:52 FIRST ALERT FORECAST ON THE 2'S-WX WALL

THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE NBC2 WEATHER STAFF.

IT IS NOT A VERBATIM OF WHAT IS BEING SAID, BUT IS THE FORECAST FOR OUR AREA.

Our weekend weather will get a little more interesting as we watch a tropical wave meandering off the east coast of Florida near the Bahamas. This disturbance has a slim chance of organizing into a tropical system, but it's proximity to Southwest Florida means we'll likely see an uptick in afternoon showers and storms.

Despite the better chance of rain through the weekend, our Saturday morning will be mainly sunny and dry with very warm temperatures in the 70s and 80s, but clouds will continue to build in through the afternoon eventually leading to scattered showers and storms. The chance of getting wet today will be close to 50%, and the storm cell movement will mostly be from east to west. Today's storms will also have the capability of producing very heavy rain and frequent, intense lightning.

By sunset tonight, most of the rain will fade as our sky becomes partly cloudy.

On Sunday, it's possible to start the day with a few morning showers on the radar, but most of us will be in store for a mix of sun and clouds and very warm conditions. By midday Sunday, the rain machine will get going again, and we'll see more scattered showers and thunderstorms.

In the tropics, Ernesto is gradually strengthening in the eastern Caribbean. The storm will likely continue its strengthening trend while it moves west, staying south of the island chain from Cuba to Puerto Rico. There appears to be two main scenarios with Ernesto: one, the storm tracks farther south and heads for Central America, or two, Ernesto finds a weakness in the ridge and moves toward the Yucatan and the northern Gulf. Both scenarios keep this storm away from Southwest Florida.

NOW SHOWING-ONCAM

NEED TO SPEND A LITTLE TIME IN THE AC THIS WEEK TO ESCAPE THE HEAT?

HEAD TO THE MOVIES.

THE REMAKE OF "TOTAL RECALL" HITS THE BIG SCREEN THIS WEEKEND.

PLUS, YOUR KIDS WILL BE BEGGING TO SEE THE LATEST FLICK FROM THE "WIMPY KID" SERIES.

NOW SHOWING-PKG

IT'S A NEW TWIST ON A MOVIE CLASSIC.

"TOTAL RECALL" IS BACK.

COLIN FARRELL PLAYS A FACTORY WORKER WHOSE LIFE TAKES A DRAMATIC TWIST WHEN HE IS IMPLANTED WITH FAKE MEMORIES.

SUDDENLY FARRELL THINKS HE'S A SPY ON THE RUN AND CAN'T TELL WHAT'S REAL AND WHAT'S NOT.

HE HAS NO IDEA WHO HE CAN TRUST.

ALSO STARRING KATE BECKINSALE, "TOTAL RECALL" IS RATED PG-13.

BUT IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO ENTERTAIN A YOUNGER CROWD THIS WEEKEND.CHECK OUT "DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: DOG DAYS".

IT'S THE LATEST MOVIE BASED ON THE POPULAR BOOK SERIES.

THE PRE-TEEN AUDIENCE WILL BE ABLE TO RELATE TO GREG AND HIS FRIENDS AND THEIR ANNUAL DILEMMA.SCHOOL'S OUT, SO NOW WHAT?

"DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: DOG DAYS" IS RATED PG.

BREAKING NEWS-CLIP-OC-MITTO

NBC2, CONTINUING TO FOLLOW BREAKING NEWS OUT OF COLLIER COUNTY-

SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES TELL US THEY ARE ON THE SCENE RIGHT NOW OF A DEATH INVESTIGATION.

THIS IS HAPPENING AT A HOME IN THE 22 HUNDRED BLOCK OF 54TH TERRACE IN NAPLES.

THE CALL CAME IN JUST BEFORE FIVE THIS MORNING.

THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TELLS US THE DEATH APPEARS TO BE SUSPICIOUS.

TOP STORIES OPEN-CLIP

TS1) SWFL EARLY VOTING-VOTOPS

YOUR TIME NOW IS--

LET'S GET YOU UP TO SPEED WITH THIS MORNING'S TOP STORIES.

EARLY VOTING STARTS TODAY IN LEE AND CHARLOTTE COUNTIES.

IN CHARLOTTE COUNTY, YOU CAN START VOTING IN JUST A FEW MINUTES, AT 7.

IT RUNS UNTIL 7 AT NIGHT, NOW TO AUGUST 11TH.

IN LEE COUNTY, EARLY VOTING STARTS AT 9 THIS MORNING AND GOES TO 5 IN THE EVENING WEEKENDS.

TS2) SALES TAX FREE WEEKEND-VOTOPS-BNR

IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO SAVE SOME CASH, TODAY IS THE SECOND DAY OF THE TAX FREE WEEKEND.

ALL WEEKEND LONG, YOU CAN SAVE 6 PERCENT ON ITEMS LIKE CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND SOME ACCESSORIES THAT COST 75-DOLLARS OR LESS.

ALSO CERTAIN SCHOOL SUPPLIES PRICED AT 15 DOLLARS OR LESS.

TS3) CAR IN CANAL-VOTOPS

DEPUTIES IN COLLIER COUNTY ARE LOOKING FOR WHOEVER DUMPED A CAR IN A CANAL NEAR GOODLAND.

DEPUTIES TELL NBC2, SOMEONE SPOTTED THE CAR, AND CALLED 9-1-1.

IT TURNS OUT, THE CAR WAS EMPTY, AND SOMEONE HAD REPORTED IT STOLEN ON THURSDAY.

TS4) ILLEGAL GUN SALES-VOTOPS

THREE MEN ARE CHARGED WITH ILLEGALLY SELLING UNLICENSED FIREARMS FROM A MILITARY AND ANTIQUE STORE IN NAPLES --

ACCORDING TO DOCUMENTS-

UNDERCOVER AGENTS VISITED HOMER HELTERS MILITARY AND ANTIQUE MALL IN NAPLES MORE THAN TEN TIMES SINCE AUGUST 2011.

IT STATES THAT THE MEN SOLD GUNS TO THE UNDERCOVER OFFICERS.

FINAL FORECAST-WX GFX

GOODBYE-2SHOT

REMEMBER FOR BREAKING NEWS, WEATHER INFORMATION AND NEWS ONLINE, 24-HOURS A DAY, HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE--