530PM NBC2

530PM NBC2

Click here for a text-only version of this page
DIRECTOR PAGE TOSS TO HEATHER-2SHOT
SHOW OPEN-CLIP FAMILY SURVIVES FIRE-PLASMA VO
RETHERFORD KILLED-2SHOT, (4) SS, SOT FAMILY SURVIVES FIRE-PKG
TOSS TO MEAGHAN-VO TOPS FAMILY SURVIVES FIRE-PLASMA MON
STRIANO MURDER FAMILY-CAM99-RTR1 TEASE TWO-ON CAM
STRIANO MURDER FAMILY-PKG TZ2 A) NEW STEM SCHOOLS-VO WIPE
STRIANO MURDER FAMILY-CAM99-RTR1 TZ2 B) ANDY STANDUP TEASE-SOT TOPS
TEASE FOR SIX-ON CAM ROBERT WX OPEN-CLIP
SIKH SHOOTING LATEST-VO FIRST ALERT FORECAST-WXWALL
TWITTER THREAT-VO BRIDGE INVESTIGATION-TRXNATSVO, ON CAM
WALTER REED BOMB SCARE-VO BRIDGE INVESTIGATION-PKG
TOSS TO LAUREN-ON CAM BRIDGE INVESTIGATION-TAG, BANNER
KIDS SEE ONLINE KIDDIE PORN-CAM99-RTR1 NEW STEM SCHOOLS-VO WIPE
KIDS SEE ONLINE KIDDIE PORN-PKG NEW STEM SCHOOLS-SOTVO
KIDS SEE ONLINE KIDDIE PORN-CAM99-RTR1 OLYMPICS SCHEDULE-CG
ANTARTICA RESCUE-VO TEASE THREE-2SHOT
ERNSETO HITS MEXICO-VO TZ3 A) FIREFIGHTER KILLED-VO WIPE
ARTHRITIS TREATMENT-VO WIPE AHEAD AT 6-BANNER
ARTHRITIS TREATMENT-SOTVO A) JUSTICE WORKER THREATENED-VOTOPS
MCGREGOR HYJINKS-VO WIPE CUBAN BOAT ASHORE-VO
MCGREGOR HYJINKS-SOTVO WTC FIRE-VO
TEASE ONE-2SHOT FIREFIGHTER KILLED FOLO-ON CAM
TZ1 A) FAMILY SURVIVES FIRE-VO WIPE FIREFIGHTER KILLED FOLO-PKG
TZ1 B) BRIDGE INVESTIGATION-VO TOPS SELL THE 6PM-2SHOT
TZ1 C) WEATHER TEASE-STC  


DIRECTOR PAGE


Return to index of stories...

SHOW OPEN-CLIP


Return to index of stories...

RETHERFORD KILLED-2SHOT, (4) SS, SOT


A MAN WANTED FOR THE MURDER OF A THREE OAKS WOMAN IS DEAD.

A US MARSHALLS TASK FORCE SHOT AND KILLED BILLY RETHERFORD EARLY THIS MORNING IN A HOME IN NORTH FORT MYERS.

INVESTIGATORS SAY HE AND HIS NEPHEW KILLED DEBRA STRIANO IN HER THREE OAKS HOME LAST MONTH.

RETHERFORD'S NEPHEW--

DUSTIN JAYE--

IS IN JAIL

RETHERFORD IS NOW CONNECTED TO THE MURDER OF A NORTH FORT MYERS MAN WHO WAS KILLED LAST NIGHT -- GREG IMHOFF WAS FOUND DEAD AT A FRIEND'S HOME HE WAS WATCHING.

HIS NEIGHBORS ARE TAKING THE NEWS HARD.

1314 Annette Svevo " he was our best friend, our best neighbor, and we've lost a good person." Return to index of stories...


TOSS TO MEAGHAN-VO TOPS


STRIANO'S FAMILY GOT THE NEWS OF RETHERFORDS DEATH EARLY THIS MONRING.

NBC-2'S MEAGHAN SMITH TALKED TO STRIANO'S MOTHER AND LONG TIME BOYFRIEND.

MEAGHAN IS IN THE NEWSROOM WITH THAT Return to index of stories...


STRIANO MURDER FAMILY-CAM99-RTR1


DEBBIE STRIANO'S FAMILY BURIED HER LAST TUESDAY--

EXACTLY ONE WEEK AFTER HER BRUTAL MURDER.

EARLY THIS MORNING, HER MOTHER AND HER LONGTIME, LIVE-IN BOYFRIEND GOT THE CALLS THEY'D BEEN WAITING FOR. Return to index of stories...


STRIANO MURDER FAMILY-PKG


RIGHT NOW,

NOTHING CAN EASE ROSE STRIANO'S PAIN-

THE HEARTBREAK OF LOSING HER CHILD TO MURDER.

48:38 "i love her so much. she didn't deserve a death like this. she didn't."

BUT THE EARLY MORNING CALL FROM DETECTIVES-

THAT SUSPECTED KILLER-

BILLY RETHERFORD HAD FINALLY BEEN CAUGHT AND KILLED AFTER ALMOST 2 WEEKS ON THE RUN,

DOES HELP.

45:02 "he said to me- they caught him and they had to kill him. so, i said break out the champagne."

THE OTHER MAN ACCUSED OF MURDERING AND ROBBING DEBBIE STRIANO-

DUSTIN JAYE, IS IN JAIL.

45:50 "and i'm talking to debbie. i said- we got him deb, we got him."

RUSSELL MYERS-

DEBBIE'S LIVE-IN BOYFRIEND OF MORE THAN A DECADE IS RELIEVED.

56:40 "Then immediately afterwards- sadness. everything that can't be undone."

RUSSELL IS THE ONE WHO CAME HOME TO FIND THE LOVE OF HIS LIFE DEAD-

WITH HER THROAT SLIT.

58:52 "i don't think i'll ever really feel like i got closure from this."

FOR ALL OF DEBBIE'S LOVED ONES-

THEY JUST HOPE NOW THEY CAN BEGIN TO HEAL,

SINCE RETHERFORD IS NO LONGER A THREAT.

47:42 "he was a killer. just taking a life like that i how could he break up a family you know. i still can't get over it." Return to index of stories...


STRIANO MURDER FAMILY-CAM99-RTR1


THE COUPLE'S BORDER COLLIE- SCRUFFY- WAS STABBED WHILE TRYING TO PROTECT DEBBIE FROM HER KILLERS.

HE IS DOING MUCH BETTER NOW.

HE JUST GOT HIS STITCHES OUT AND IS EXPECTED TO BE OK. Return to index of stories...


TEASE FOR SIX-ON CAM


DEPUTIES TRACKED DOWN RETHERFORD THROUGH A CRIME STOPPERS TIP --

HIS FAMILY TELLS NBC2 INVESTIGATORS QUESTIONED RETHERFORD ABOUT THE CRIME DAYS AGO. AND LET HIM GO.

IN THIRTY MINUTES--

NBC2 INVESTIGATOR KARLA RAY DIGS INTO WHY HE wasn’t ARRESTED THEN AND RETHERFORD'S CRIMINAL HISTORY. Return to index of stories...


SIKH SHOOTING LATEST-VO


NEW INFORMATION TONIGHT ABOUT THE DEADLY SHOOTING AT A SIKH TEMPLE IN WISCONSIN.

THE F-B-I SAID TODAY THAT THE SUSPECT--

WADE MICHAEL PAGE WAS *NOT* KILLED BY POLICE--

INSTEAD PAGE KILLED HIMSELF.

THE F-B-I IS LOOKING DEEPER INTO HIS TIES TO WHITE SUPREMACIST GROUPS.

CRIMINOLOGIST PETE SIMI INTERVIEWED PAGE FOR A VIDEO.

SIMI CLAIMS PAGE TOLD HIM HE DEVELOPED HIS "NEO NAZI" BELIEFS WHILE IN THE ARMY. Return to index of stories...


TWITTER THREAT-VO


NEW YORK POLICE HAVE SUBPOENAED TWITTER--

IN HOPES OF IDENTIFYING THE PERSON WHO THREATENED THE BROADWAY THEATER.

WHERE FORMER BOXER MIKE TYSON IS PERFORMING.

SPIKE LEE IS DIRECTING THE SHOW-- AT THE LONGACRE THEATER--

HE HOPES THE THREAT DOESN'T TURN AWAY TICKET HOLDERS.

AS OF NOW--

TWITTER EXECUTIVES ARE REFUSING TO RELEASE PRIVATE INFORMATION ABOUT WHO MADE THE THREAT. Return to index of stories...


WALTER REED BOMB SCARE-VO


PATIENTS ARE BACK IN THEIR ROOMS--

AFTER AUTHORITIES EVACUATED PARTS OF WALTER REED MILITARY HOSPITAL.

POLICE SAY THEY RECEIVED A CALL ABOUT A BOMB IN ONE OF THE BUILDINGS.

SO THEY EVACUATED SEVERAL BUILDINGS--

AND CANCELLED SOME SURGICAL PROCEDURES WHILE BOMB SNIFFING DOGS SEARCHED AROUND.

BUT THEY NEVER FOUND ANYTHING. Return to index of stories...


TOSS TO LAUREN-ON CAM


SOUTHWEST FLORIDA TEENS SURFING THE WEB--

STUMBLE UPON A HEINOUS VIDEO.

IT SHOWS A MAN ENGAGED IN SEX ACTS WITH A SMALL CHILD.

NBC2's LAUREN DISPIRITO JOINS US LIVE FROM THE NEWSROOM-- WITH MORE ON HORRIFIC DISCOVERY

LAUREN. Return to index of stories...


KIDS SEE ONLINE KIDDIE PORN-CAM99-RTR1


THE INVESTIGATORS I SPOKE WITH TODAY CALLED THE VIDEO VILE*

NOW THEY'RE RUSHING TO FIND ANY INFORMATION THAT COULD HELP THEM STOP THE APPARENT SEX ASSAULT---

INCLUDING WHERE IT HAPPENED AND WHETHER THE VIDEO IS PART OF A LARGER, PERHAPS INTERNATIONAL CHILD PORNOGRPAHY RING. Return to index of stories...


KIDS SEE ONLINE KIDDIE PORN-PKG


we had people in our community that were exposed to this heinous vile video and we take that very seriously

DETAILS WITHIN THE LEE COUNTY'S SHERIFF'S OFFICE REPORT ARE DIFFICULT TO READ.

LIVE INTERNET STREAMING OF APPARENT SEXUAL CRIMES AGAINST A GIRL WHO IS JUST THREE OR FOUR YEARS OLD.

they were teenagers that brought this forward

LEUITENANT RYAN BELL SAYS THIS WEEK, TWO WOMEN CHECKING OUT ONLINE CHAT ROOMS CAME ACROSS A LIVE WEBCAM --

ONE THAT ACCORDING TO DEPUTIES SHOWS A YOUNG FEMALE CHILD PERFORMING ORAL SEX ON A MAN.

Grfx

THE TEENS THEN RECORDED WHAT THEY WERE SEEING ON THE COMPUTER SCREEN, AND TURNED IT IN TO DEPUTIES, THE REPORT SAYS.

AND INVESTIGATORS DON'T YET KNOW WHERE THIS ALLEGED CRIME IS HAPPENING.

Nats we need to catch this guy

FGCU PROFESSOR DOCTOR DUANE DOBBERT IS ONE OF THE NATION'S LEADING EXPERTS ON CHILD SEX PREDATORS.

HE SAYS DISCOVERIES LIKE THIS ARE RARE, EVEN IF SUCH VIDEOS ARE NOT.

there's a very significant underground network of predators who are passing things back and forth

TO PROTECT YOUR CHILDREN AND TEENS, HE URGES PARENTS TO KEEP COMPUTERS IN THE OPEN.

we are doing a diservice to our children when we give them a computer and put that computer in their bedroom

AND HE SAYS THAT EVEN THOUGH THE VIDEO MAY NOT HAVE ORIGINATED FROM SOUTHWEST FLORIDA -- IT IS SOMETHING WE ALL NEED TO BE AWARE OF, SINCE ANYONE COULD ACCESS IT. Return to index of stories...


KIDS SEE ONLINE KIDDIE PORN-CAM99-RTR1


WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR TEENAGER OR CHILD'S PHONE OR IPAD-- TECHNOLOGY YOUR KIDS MAY BE USING AWAY FROM YOUR VIEW--

DOBBERT SUGGESTS TAKING IT AT THE END OF NIGHT AND TRACKING WEBSITE THEY VISIT. THAT WILL HELP YOU KEEP YOUR KIDS FROM COMING ACROSS VIDEO YOU don’t WANT THEM SEEING. Return to index of stories...


ANTARTICA RESCUE-VO


A DARING MEDICAL RESCUE IS UNDERWAY IN *ANTARTICA*!

SCIENTISTS AT THE McMURDO STATION--

SAY ONE OF THEIR WORKERS NEEDS TO BE AIRLIFTED TO A HOSPITAL IMMEDIATELY.

WE KNOW LITTLE ABOUT THE PERSON AND THEIR CONDITION--

OTHER THAN THEY'RE AMERICAN.

ANTARTICA IS IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER AND IT'S 6-MONTHS WITH *NO* LIGHT. Return to index of stories...


ERNSETO HITS MEXICO-VO


THERE ARE NO EARLY REPORTS OF MAJOR DAMAGE FROM HURRICANE ERNESTO.

THE STORM HIT MEXICO'S YUCATAN PENINSULA EARLY TODAY.

IT'S NOW A TROPICAL STORM--

BUT COULD REGAIN SOME STRENGTH AS IT MOVES BACK OVER WATER.

THOUSANDS OF TOURISTS EVACUATED RESORTS. Return to index of stories...


ARTHRITIS TREATMENT-VO WIPE


THERE IS A LOT OF HOPE TONIGHT ABOUT A NEW ARTHRITIS DRUG.

IT'S CALLED "TO-FA-CI-TI-NIB"

TESTS SHOW IT CAN NOT ONLY RELIEVE PAIN--

BUT IMPROVES PHYSICAL FUNCTION!

THIS IS A FIRST-OF-ITS KIND ARTHRITIS DRUG--

WHICH DOCTORS ALSO CLAIM IT CAN ATTACK THE DISEASE ITSELF.

IT'S ALSO IN A TOTALLY DIFFERENT CLASS OF DRUGS THAN PAIN MEDICATIONS LIKE VIOXX--

WHICH CAUSES NUMEROUS SIDE-EFFECTS. Return to index of stories...


ARTHRITIS TREATMENT-SOTVO


"Addressing the longer term issues and experience with the clinician are still going to have to occur before we understand the long-term side effect profile of this drug."

ADVISORS TO THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDED APPROVAL OF THE DRUG EARLIER THIS YEAR.

A FINAL DECISION IS EXPECTED SOMETIME THIS MONTH. Return to index of stories...


MCGREGOR HYJINKS-VO WIPE


IF YOU WERE DRIVING DOWN MCGREGOR THIS MORNING--

YOU MAY HAVE SEEN SOME TEMPORARY DECORATIONS.

THE STATUE FOUNTAIN KNOWN AS RACHAEL--

THAT SITS AT THE ENTRANCE TO EDISON PARK--

WAS GIVEN SOME BATH BUBBLES.

AND SOMEONE TOSSED TOILET PAPER OVER TREES IN THE MEDIAN NEAR COCONUT ROAD.

PEOPLE IN THE AREA SAY THE PRANKS MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL. Return to index of stories...


MCGREGOR HYJINKS-SOTVO


Kim Gaide, Community Watch at Edison Park 47:20-27 "During homecoming and other various activities in the community she seems to get bubbled."

IN CASE YOU'RE CURIOUS.THE BUBBLES WON'T HARM THE FOUNTAIN-- Return to index of stories...


TEASE ONE-2SHOT


COMING UP NEXT IS A TRULY AMAZING STORY OF SURVIVAL.

A FATHER AND SON--

TRAPPED BY FLAMES FROM A FAST GROWING WILDFIRE--

DO SOMETHING OUT OF THE MOVIES TO STAY ALIVE!

PLUS--

NBC2 INVESTIGATORS UNCOVER *HUNDREDS* OF OLD BRIDGES IN DESPERATE NEED OF REPAIR--

BUT THE STATE SAYS THEY'RE SAFE! Return to index of stories...


TZ1 A) FAMILY SURVIVES FIRE-VO WIPE


Return to index of stories...

TZ1 B) BRIDGE INVESTIGATION-VO TOPS


Return to index of stories...

TZ1 C) WEATHER TEASE-STC


Return to index of stories...

TOSS TO HEATHER-2SHOT


THIS IS REALLY AN INCREDIBLE STORY.

A FATHER AND SON IN OKLAHOMA ARE ALIVE--

THANKS TO SOME QUICK THINKING.

THEY WAITED TOO LONG TO EVACUATE THEIR FARM.

AFTER THEY REALIZED IT WAS IN THE PATH OF A RAGING WILDFIRE.

HEATHER TURCO JOINS US IN THE STUDIO WITH THEIR REMARKABLE STORY OF SURVIVAL.

HEATHER. Return to index of stories...


FAMILY SURVIVES FIRE-PLASMA VO


THIS BRIGHT ORANGE TIDAL WAVE OF FLAMES SWEPT OVER LUTHER, OKLAHOMA FRIDAY EVENING.

LUTHER IS A TINY TOWN - RIGHT SMACK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STATE.

MOST FAMILIES EVACUATED - TO ESCAPE THE FIRES - BUT JOHN WILSON AND HIS SON THOUGHT THEIR FIVE ACRE FARM WAS SAFE - BUT AS YOU'LL SEE, IT WASN'T. Return to index of stories...


FAMILY SURVIVES FIRE-PKG


"We might have just waited just a little too long."

JOHN AND SON JUSTIN DECIDED TO STAY BACK AND STOMP OUT SOME FLAMES SLOWLY BURNING THEIR WAY ONTO THEIR PROPERTY.

"When we turned around and looked back, there was a wall of fire higher than the house."

WHEN THEY REALIZED THE FIRE WAS BEYOND THEIR CONTROL, AND DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO GET OUT-- THEY FOUND THE THE SAFEST PLACE THEY COULD - AN 8 FOOT DEEP FARM POND A QUARTER MILE AWAY.

IT PROTECTED THEM, *AND A FRIGHTENED BOX TURTLE FROM THE RAINING EMBERS.

"He was hot and he figured he needed water. So he didn't even give us a second thought. He just ran right between us and bailed out in the water. He was like, get over fellas, I need some water too."

JOHN SAYS IT WAS "HELL ON EARTH".

AND THEN, A SURPRISE PHONE CALL FROM A BRAVE NEIGHBOR.

"He says, 'where are you?' I said, 'we're in a pond.' He said, 'well, I'm coming to you.' I said, 'there's fire and flames all over the place, how you going to come here?' He said, 'I'll be there in a minute.'"

THAT NEIGHBOR CUT A PATH THROUGH THOSE FLAMES, RESCUED THE WILSONS AND SPED AWAY.

"We left with what we had on our back. But that's better than nothing."

THE WILSONS RETURNED MONDAY WITH HOPES OF SALVAGING SOMETHING, ANYTHING.

THEY FOUND NOTHING-- BUT THEY DO HAVE FAMILY. AND THEIR FAITH.

"That's what this says right in the bible here, this is from Job 8:7 about your beginnings."

AND A NEW BIBLE FROM THIS OKLAHOMA CHAPLAIN.

"That's the best place to start. Build on this, it'll stand for a long time." Return to index of stories...


FAMILY SURVIVES FIRE-PLASMA MON


RURAL OKLAHOMA IS TIGHT KNIT--

AND NEIGHBORS ARE STEPPING UP TO HELP THE WILSONS.

THE RED CROSS IS ALSO PUTTING THEM UP IN A SHELTER, UNTIL THEY CAN START REBUILDING THEIR LIVES. Return to index of stories...


TEASE TWO-ON CAM


CLASS STARTED TODAY FOR STUDENTS IN LEE COUNTY.

AND TWO BRAND NEW SCHOOLS WELCOMED HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS.

AND GUESS WHAT'S SO COOL ABOUT ONE OF THEM.

*NO* HOMEWORK!!

PLUS--

Cracks in bridges across southwest florida. So why do county officials say they're still safe? I'm nbc2 investigator andy pierrotti, we're going to explain coming up. Return to index of stories...


TZ2 A) NEW STEM SCHOOLS-VO WIPE


Return to index of stories...

TZ2 B) ANDY STANDUP TEASE-SOT TOPS


Return to index of stories...

ROBERT WX OPEN-CLIP


Return to index of stories...

FIRST ALERT FORECAST-WXWALL


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.

It was a pretty nice day across Southwest Florida, that's if you like the heat and humidity. Temperatures today have warmed into the middle 90s under abundant sunshine with just a few fair weather clouds across the area. As of early this afternoon, our radar remains quiet, however we may see one or two isolated showers/storms begin to pop with the vast majority of us staying dry.

Temperatures will be slow to cool tonight as many locations will hold into the lower to middle 80s through midnight, with temperatures dropping off into the upper 70s to near 80° by tomorrow morning.

Our Thursday will start off on the warm side with ample sunshine. Slightly drier air in the middle and upper levels of the atmosphere will keep our rain chances on the lower end for one more day, with a few isolated showers and storms developing during the peak heating of the day.

Highs tomorrow will climb into the middle 90s and with plenty of humidity, the "feels like" temperature will soar well over 100°. If you are going to be outdoors for any lengthy period of time, remember to drink plenty of water, find shade, and take frequent breaks.

Rain prospects will gradually go up beginning on Friday and into the weekend as deeper tropical moisture returns to Southwest Florida. Scattered showers and storms will be a good bet primarily during the afternoon and evening hours as temperatures dip a bit closer to normal for this time of year.

In the tropics, Tropical Storm Ernesto continues to weaken as it heads for the extreme southern Bay of Campeche, before making a second landfall on the central Mexican coastline tomorrow. Elsewhere, we are keeping an eye on the remnants of Florence along with another tropical wave located about 750 miles west of the Cape Verde islands. The National Hurricane Center is giving this a medium chance for development as conditions become a bit more favorable for gradual strengthening. Return to index of stories...


BRIDGE INVESTIGATION-TRXNATSVO, ON CAM


sounds of bridges

DANGEROUS BY DESIGN!

THE NBC2 INVESTIGATORS UNCOVER HUNDREDS OF OLD BRIDGES WITH CRACKS AND HEALTH GRADES--

YOU WOULDN'T WANT ON ANY REPORT CARD.

SO, HOW CAN STATE AND COUNTY OFFICIALS CLAIM THEY'RE SAFE?

NBC2 INVESTIGATOR ANDY PIERROTTI DIGS FOR ANSWERS. Return to index of stories...


BRIDGE INVESTIGATION-PKG


"trying to traverse the bridge and not get run over is a little bit tricky"

INSTEAD OF WRINKLES, THE MIDWAY BRIDGE IN CHARLOTTE COUNTY CRACKS AND BUCKLES AS IT AGES.

"it's just so old."

BUILT MORE THAN 40 YEARS AGO - FRANCIS MORIARTY SAYS THERE'S LITTLE ROOM TO WALK OR DRIVE OVER IT.

your cameraman is vulnerable standing right there…like us right now….yea

FLORIDA'S DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION CONSIDERS IT FUNCTIONALLY OBSOLETE - WITH A 65 PERCENT HEALTH RATING!

Andy: "that's seems unhealthy."

Chuck: "that indicates, like I said before, they do need to be rehabilitated."

"Oh, that makes me feel safe with all of my lawn equipment and everything I got to tow over the bridges."

IT'S ONE OF 21 WE FOUND IN CHARLOTTE COUNTY THE STATE DEEMS OBSOLETE.

DANGEROUS BY DESIGN - BECAUSE THEY WERE BUILT TOO NARROW OR TOO STEEP COMPARED TO TODAY'S STANDARDS.

gfx

THERE ARE MORE THAN 15-HUNDRED OBSOLETE BRIDGES ACROSS FLORIDA

gfx

AND THAT NUMBER INCLUDES NEWER BRIDGES - LIKE THIS COLLIER BRIDGE BUILT LESS THAN 12 YEARS AGO.

EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE OBSOLETE --

"structurally -there's nothing seriously wrong with any of these bridges"

"while engineers say sw florida bridges are safe, that's not the case across the state. There are more than 220 structurally deficient bridges in florida that need to be replaced."

"if a bridge is unsafe, it's not open to traffic"

FLORIDA'S DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DEBBIE TOWER SAYS THE STATE AGGRESSIVELY INSPECTS BRIDGES.

gfx

ACCORDING TO THIS TRANSPORTATION STUDY, FLORIDA HAS THE SECOND LOWEST PERCENTAGE OF STRUCTURALLY DEFICIENT BRIDGES IN THE COUNTRY.

gfx

"as a result of those bridge reports, the state for example we respond very quickly to what's needed"

STRUCTURALLY unSAFE bridges receive the bulk of STATE AND COUNTY Dollars, leaving little left over TO FIX The HUNDREDS OF OBSOLETE BRIDGES - LIKE THE MIDWAY THAT HASN'T SEEN AN UPGRATE IN 25 YEARS.

"I haven't paid attention to the surface as far as all the cracks and everything."

"anytime you put Asphalt on any type of foundation that has movement or cracks in it - in six months to a year, you're gonna start to see those cracks reflect back through it."

NAT POP OF DRIVING OVER BRIDGE

AGING INFRACTURE, NOT GETTING REPLACED ANYTIME SOON. Return to index of stories...


BRIDGE INVESTIGATION-TAG, BANNER


THAT WAS ANDY PIERROTTI.

AGAIN--

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA DOES *NOT* HAVE ANY BRIDGES THE STATE CONSIDERS "STRUCTURALLY UNSAFE"--

BUT THERE ARE PLENTY OF OUTDATED ONES.

TO CHECK OUT THE HEALTH RATING OF A BRIDGE NEAR YOU--

CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE, NBC-2.COM

WE HAVE A COMPLETE LIST OF BRIDGES IN THE STATE. Return to index of stories...


NEW STEM SCHOOLS-VO WIPE


FIRST DAY OF THE SCHOOL YEAR FOR SOME.

AND THE FIRST DAY EVER FOR A COUPLE NEW LEE COUNTY SCHOOLS.

TORTUGA PRESERVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND HARNS MARSH MIDDLE SCHOOL OPENED THEIR DOORS TODAY.

BOTH ARE SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH BASED SCHOOLS--

ALSO KNOWN AS STEM.

AT HARNS MARSH MIDDLE SCHOOL THERE ARE *NO* TEXTBOOKS--

AND IN SOME CLASSES--

NO HOMEWORK! Return to index of stories...


NEW STEM SCHOOLS-SOTVO


"The kids are involved in problem solving projects.following a design process. The kids actually end up teaching."

MR.BERRY ADDS THAT IN HIS ENGINEERING CLASSES--

IT'S ALL HANDS-ON.

ONE CLASS WILL WIND TUNNEL TEST AIR FOILS. Return to index of stories...


OLYMPICS SCHEDULE-CG


THERE IS A *BIG* SLATE OF GOLD MEDAL ACTION TONIGHT IN THE OLYMPICS.

ON THE TRACK--

THE WOMEN GO FOR GOLD IN THE 200 METERS--

400 HURDLES AND THE LONG JUMP.

MEN ALSO SEE ACTION ON THE TRACK AS THEY GO FOR GOLD IN THE 110 METER HURDLES.

THE MEN WILL PLAY IN THE QUARTERFINALS OF VOLLEYBALL.

ON THE BEACH--

IT'S AN ALL U-S FINAL FOR GOLD!

MISTY MAY TRAYNOR AND KERRI WALSH - JENNINGS TAKE ON APRIL ROSS AND JENNIFER KESSY.

IT BEGINS TONIGHT AT EIGHT--

RIGHT HERE ON NBC2. Return to index of stories...


TEASE THREE-2SHOT


NBC2 IS UNCOVERING *NEW* INFORMATION ABOUT THE MURDER OF A CHARLOTTE COUNTY FIREFIGHTER.

WE FOUND OUT THE SUSPECT WAS "WORKING WITH" THE VICTIM'S WIFE--

TO GATHER EVIDENCE IN HER DIVORCE.

TONIGHT--

WE'LL LET YOU KNOW HOW FAR THEY WENT--

AND IF DEPUTIES PLAN TO RECOMMEND CHARGES AGAINST HER!

THE DANGERS OF GOING DOOR-TO-DOOR IN CAPE CORAL.

THREE WORKERS THREATENED AT GUNPOINT IN JUST THE LAST TWO WEEKS.

THE NEWEST CASE. A PROCESS SERVER COMES FACE-TO-FACE WITH A LOADED RIFLE.

WE TALK TO THE HER FAMILY NEXT AT SIX. Return to index of stories...


TZ3 A) FIREFIGHTER KILLED-VO WIPE


Return to index of stories...

AHEAD AT 6-BANNER


Return to index of stories...

A) JUSTICE WORKER THREATENED-VOTOPS


Return to index of stories...

CUBAN BOAT ASHORE-VO


POWERED BY A RUSSIAN CAR ENGINE FROM THE 1950's--

THIS HOMEMADE BOAT MANAGED TO SAFELY CARRY 18 PEOPLE FROM CUBA TO FLORIDA.

BORDER PATROL SPOTTED THE GROUP EARLY THIS MORNING ALONG SINGER ISLAND. THAT IS NEAR MIAMI

THE GROUP LEFT CUBA LAST FRIDAY.

OFFICIALS SAY THE MIGRANTS ALL SEEM HEALTHY.

THEIR NEXT STOP--

A RIVIERA BEACH IMMIGRATION PROCESSING CENTER. Return to index of stories...


WTC FIRE-VO


A FIRE INSIDE ONE WORLD TRADE CENTER IN MANHATTAN WAS QUICKLY CONTAINED THIS MORNING.

A PIECE OF WELDING EQUIPMENT SPARKED THE BLAZE ON THE 88TH FLOOR OF THE NEW BUILDING--

12 CONSTRUCTION WORKERS WERE ON THE FLOOR AT THE TIME--

THEY'RE OK. Return to index of stories...


FIREFIGHTER KILLED FOLO-ON CAM


NBC2 UNCOVERS NEW DETAILS TONIGHT IN THE MURDER OF A CHARLOTTE COUNTY FIRE-FIGHTER.

FROM SPYING TO SECRET ROMANCES--

COURT DOCUMENTS PAINT A VIVID PICTURE OF WHAT LED TO SATURDAY'S SHOOTING.

NBC-2'S CHARLIE KEEGAN HAS THE DETAILS. Return to index of stories...


FIREFIGHTER KILLED FOLO-PKG


AS MICHEAL MINOR SITS BEHING BARS WE'RE LEARNING WHAT HE TOLD SARASOTA COUNTY DETECTIVES AFTER THEY SAY HE SHOT LIETENANT SAM DREHER.

LEGAL FILINGS SAY MINOR WAS IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH DREHER'S WIFE, DANIELLE, FOR FOUR YEARS AND DREHER NEVER MET MINOR.

THE 27-YEAR-OLD MINOR "Admitted to spying on Mr. Dreher for the past few months with Danielle Dreher's assistance" page tear

"they had placed a GPS tracker on his vehicle to record his whereabouts" PHONER Wendy Rose/Sarasota County SO PIO

LAST SATURDAY, MINOR FOLLOWED DREHER, AN 18-YEAR VETERAN WITH THE CHARLOTTE COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT, TO AN APARTMENT IN SARASOTA.

MINOR TOLD INVESTIGATORS, HE LEFT HIS BOOTS AT THE DREHER'S HOUSE AND SAM FOUND THEM.

ARMED WITH A SPARE KEY TO DREHER'S TRUCK AND A GUN "TO SCARE DREHER IF NEEDED" MINOR WENT LOOKING FOR HIS BOOTS.

THE REPORT SAYS DREHER CONFRONTED MINOR, AND THEY ARGUED BEFORE "Mr. Minor closed his eyes and fired his handgun repeatedly"

FOUR SHOTS WERE FIRED, TWO HIT DREHER. HE DIED THE NEXT DAY.

"the investigation is ongoing" PHONER Wendy Rose/Sarasota County SO PIO

THE DOCUMENTS SAY SAM AND DANIELLE WERE WORKING TOWARD A DIVORCE. WE COULDN'T FIND ANY FORMAL FILINGS IN SARASOTA COUNTY. AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE DOESN'T THINK DANIELLE PLAYED A ROLE IN THE MURDER.

"at this point, we have no indication that she was involved or that she had any information about what was about to take place at the apartments in sarasota." PHONER Wendy Rose/Sarasota County SO PIO

WE CONTACTED FAMILY MEMBERS FOR COMMENT, THEY DIDN'T RESPOND.

AT LAST CHECK THERE ARE NO PUBLIC FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE 39-YEAR-OLD FIREFIGHTER.

IN CHARCO, CK NBC 2. Return to index of stories...


SELL THE 6PM-2SHOT


US MARSHALLS GUN DOWN A SUSPECTED KILLER. ENDING A TWO-WEEK MANHUNT -- BUT NOT BEFORE HE MURDERED AGAIN. ACCORDING THE THE SHERIFF. TAKING THE LIFE OF AN INNOCENT BYSTANDER.

NBC 2 IS UNCOVERING THE NEW DETAILS -- PLUS WE'RE ON THE SCENE OF COLLIER COUNTY'S *THIRD MURDER IN A WEEK! -- WE'RE BACK IN 90 SECONDS. Return to index of stories...