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HLA RETHERFORD KILLED FOLO-TRX-VOTOPS

RIGHT NOW AT FIVE.

HLB NFM SABAL SPRINGS MURDER-SOTVO

1030 Barney "I'm glad he was shot. It will save us a lot of money trying to defend him."

BUT IT APPEARS AUTHORITES CAUGHT UP WITH RETHERFORD TOO LATE FOR A NORTH FORT MYERS MAN.

5PM OPEN-CLIP

RETHERFORD KILLED FOLO-2SH-ANIMAP-SS-BOXES

A US MARSHALL'S TASK FORCE STORMED A HOUSE IN NORTH FORT MYERS. TAKING OUT BILLY RETHERFORD - A MAN WANTED FOR ONE MURDER AND CONNECTED TO A SECOND.

GOOD EVENING I'M KELLIE BURNS.

AND I'M PETER BUSCH.

THE MARSHALLS KILLED RETHERFORD IN A HOME ON LAUREL DRIVE IN NORTH FORT MYERS.

HE WAS WANTED FOR THE MURDER OF DEBRA STRIANO IN HER THREE OAKS HOME.

AND RETHERFORD IS NOW TIED TO THE MURDER OF THIS MAN --

GREG IMHOFF. A HANDYMAN, KILLED WHILE CHECKING ON A FRIEND'S HOME.

RETHERFORD KILLED FOLO-REM-LIVE

THIS IS THE HOME WHERE ACCUSED MURDERER BILLY RETHERFORD GOT INTO A SHOOT OUT WITH COPS.

NBC2 SPOKE EXCLUSIVELY WITH A MAN WHO SAYS HE WAS INSIDE JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT WHEN THAT HAPPENED.

RETHERFORD KILLED FOLO-trx-PKG

PKG

OVERNIGHT -- A VIOLENT SHOOTOUT ENDED A TWO-WEEK MAN HUNT FOR BILLY RETHERFORD.

MIKE SCOTT

FOURTH BITE ON TIMELINE 2

these people aren't the smartest people in the world. they're able to lay low. it's a big community, there's a lot of hiding places. but at the end of the day they left some calling cards behind

RETHERFORD HAS BEEN ON THE RUN SINCE THE JULY 24TH MURDER OF DEBBIE STRIANO.

LAST NIGHT -- DEPUTIES TRACKED HIM TO THIS LAUREL DRIVE HOME.

IT'S NOT THE FIRST TIME A TIP LED THEM HERE --

LAST THURSDAY, ONLY NBC2'S CAMERAS WERE ROLLING WHEN U-S MARSHALS AND LEE COUNTY DEPUTIES SEARCHED THE HOME.

WHEN SHOTS RANG OUT LAST NIGHT --

REBEKAH BOWSER THOUGHT SHE WAS JUST HEARING HER FAMILY'S VIDEO GAME.

REBEKAH BOWSER

NEIGHBOR

21:28:42 then we heard i'd say 10-15 gunshots but we thought it was on blackops 48

BUT BEHIND HER HOME --

A VERY *REAL SHOOT OUT WAS HAPPENING.

REBEKAH BOWSER

NEIGHBOR

21:28:51 all of a sudden we came out here about 15 minutes later and there's lights from cops, flying down the road 59

A MAN WHO SAYS HE WAS INSIDE THE HOUSE -- TOLD NBC2 HE BELIEVES WHEN RETHERFORD SHOWED UP, SOMEONE CALLED CRIMESTOPPERS.

THE MAN SAYS HE SAW RETHERFORD PULL HIS GUN -- BUT HE COULDN'T TELL IF THE ACCUSED MURDERER GOT ANY SHOTS OFF BEFORE DEPUTIES SHOT AND KILLED HIM.

MIKE SCOTT

THIRD BITE ON TIMELINE 2

three times to prison, most of his life has been spent incarcerated, institutionalized and tonight he went out the way he operated which was violent.

AND DEPUTIES COULDN'T TAKE RETHERFORD OUT BEFORE HE HURT SOMEONE ELSE.THIS TIME IN THE SABAL SPRINGS NEIGHBORHOOD.

RETHERFORD KILLED FOLO-REM-LIVE

JEN

AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS CONFIRMING TONIGHT A CRIMESTOPPERS TIP *DID LEAD THEM HERE.

NFM SABAL SPRINGS MURDER-OC-SS-SS-MAPFLY

INVESTIGATORS SAY RETHERFORD MAY HAVE COMMITTED ANOTHER MURDER WHILE ON THE RUN IN NORTH FORT MYERS.

NEIGHBORS SAY EVERYONE KNEW THE VICTIM GREG IMHOFF AS A JOKESTER WITH A BIG HEART.

DEPUTIES FOUND IMHOFF DEAD INSIDE A HOME ON SABAL SPRINGS BOULEVARD LAST NIGHT.

NFM SABAL SPRINGS MURDER-REM-LIVE

Take live

People inside this heavily gated community tell us Greg Imhoff's murder shatters their sense of security.

Without fail, they explain he and his dog Sophie traveled these streets in a golf cart. Lending a hand whenever he could.

NFM SABAL SPRINGS MURDER-PKG-BNR

Take PKG

Annette Svevo, neighbor 1314 "He was our best friend, our best neighbor, ad we've lost a good person."

Emotions overflow today -- as news spreads a killer ended this huge hearted handyman's life inside a Sabal springs home last night.

Svevo, neighbor 0816 "anytime you called him, he would be there, do it, and not charge a thing. Everything was from his heart."

The golfer's friends and neighbors explain Imhoff watches seasonal residents homes, helps with yard work, and works on almost anything in need of a fix.

Lee county county detectives wont elaborate on how or who killed Imhoff -- only saying its connected to the two week hunt for fugitive billy Retherford.

Neighbors believe Retherford wanted for debbie striano's brutal killing was hiding out in the home -- Imhoff was watching inside the north fort Myers community.

Doris Barney, neighbor

1100 "for him to kill one person and come back and hide out here is unbelievable. It shakes all of our security at Sabal springs. We all are kinda of nervous now before we felt so safe."

A lee county deputy shot and killed Retherford in a standoff at a house on laurel drive -- just hours after deputies found imhoff's body in the Sabal springs home a couple miles away.

Barney 1050 "I'm glad he was shot. It will save us a lot of money trying to defend him."

And for these neighbors who describe Imhoff as happy go lucky, full of life, and the kindest man on the block -- they only wish they got the chance to say goodbye.

NFM SABAL SPRINGS MURDER-REM-LIVE

Take live

As this community mourns tonight, many wonder how Retherford got in.

A neighbor who deputies interviewed told us the fugitive must have scaled part of this tall fence in a conversation area behind the home where imhoff was discovered dead.

MYERS STRIANO FAMILY REAX-VO

DEBBIE STRIANO'S FAMILY GOT THE CALL THEY'VE BEEN WAITING FOR EARLY THIS MORNING.

HER MOTHER AND LONG TIME BOYFRIEND BURIED DEBBIE ONE WEEKS AGO.

MYERS STRIANO FAMILY REAX-SOTVO

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."

STRIANOS DOG-

WAS STABBED WHILE TRYING TO PROTECT DEBBIE FROM HER KILLERS.

RETHERFORD WRAP UP-OC

THIS CASE IS RAISING SERIOUS QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HANDLED IT.

RETHERFORD HAS A VIOLENT PAST AND HIS FAMILY HAS TOLD US DEPUTIES HAD HIM FOR QUESTIONING THEN LET HIM GO.

TONIGHT AT SIX --

COLLIER HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION-ANIMAP-BOXES

WE ARE BREAKING NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE MURDER OF A WOMEN IN NORTH NAPLES.

THE THIRD MURDER IN COLLIER COUNTY THIS WEEK.

DEPUTIES JUST NAMED A PERSON OF INTEREST IN THE CRIME AFTER.

AFTER A WOMAN'S BODY WAS FOUND ON THE PORCH OF HER HOME ON FLAME VINE DRIVE IN NORTH NAPLES.

N-B-C TWO'S GABY FLEISCHMAN IS BREAKING THE NEW DETAILS.

COLLIER HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION-REM-LIVE

COLLIER HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION-VO-SS

Some neighbors reported hearing shots around 1:30 am but no one called 911.

more than 5 hours later, about 6:45 this morning-- a family member found 44 year old concetta bedell dead on her porch.

That's when crime scene investigators got here and started looking for evidence, talking to neighbors. Based on what theyve gathered they now have a person of interest--

COLLIER HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION-SOTVO

Sot captain Chris Roberts collier county sheriffs office

COLLIER HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION-REM-LIVE

Live:

COLLIER HOMICIDE FOLO-TRX-SS-VO

WE ARE GETTING NEW DETAILS IN THE MURDER OF A 25 YEAR OLD COLLIER COUNTY MAN.

DEPUTIES TELL NBC 2 THEY HAVE A PERSON OF INTEREST IN CUSTODY IN THE DEATH OF ERNEST TORRES.

GOLDEN GATE HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION-SSTOPS-VO

ALSO NEW BREAKING DETAILS IN THE MURDER INVESTIGATION OF JOSEPH GODCHARLES. THE COLLIER COUNTY MAN FOUND DEAD IN HIS HOME LAST WEEK.

DEPUTIES NOW BELIEVE IT WAS NOT A RANDOM CRIME AND GODCHARELES LIKELY KNEW HIS KILLER.

THE SUSPECT DIDN'T FORCE THEIR WAY INTO HIS HOME IN THE KEY ROYAL COMMUNITY IN GOLDEN GATE LAST WEEK.

WE KNOW THAT INVESTIGATORS FOUND A WEAPON --

PROCESS SERVER THREATENED-OC

FOR AT LEAST THE THIRD TIME IN TWO WEEKS --

SOMEONE JUST DOING THEIR JOB IN LEE COUNTY WAS THREATENED AT GUN POINT.

PROCESS SERVER THREATENED-trx-PKG

SECURITY AT SOUTH FLORIDA LEGAL SERVICES IS A LITTLE TIGHTER TODAY. THE BLINDS ARE KEPT CLOSED, THE DOOR - LOCKED.

-Tonesa Olivo/victim's sister-"It's very dangerous.a dangerous situation."

"A DANGEROUS SITUATION" INVOLVING ONE OF THE COMPANY'S PROCESS SERVERS - TELINA CAMPOS.

THE 33-YEAR OLD WENT TO THIS LEE COUNTY HOME YESTERDAY, TRYING TO SERVE THE HOMEOWNERS WITH SOME LEGAL PAPERS.

-Olivo-"We're basically the delivery person but they don't look at it like that."

DAVID GOULD ALLEGEDLY TOLD CAMPOS TO GET OFF HIS PROPERTY.

-Olivo-"She turned around and proceeded to her vehicle and she turned back around he was coming at her with a shotgun."

THAT "SHOTGUN" TURNED OUT TO BE A LOADED RIFLE. ACCORDING TO THE INCIDENT REPORT, GOULD TOLD CAMPOS TO "PULL OUT OR DIE." THEN SCREAMED YOU'RE "GONNA DIE."

-According to the victim's sister, telina was trying to serve foreclosure papers when the incident happened."

WE TRIED TALKING TO GOULD'S FAMILY ABOUT THE INCIDENT.

-me knocking on door

BUT NO ONE CAME TO THE DOOR. GOULD'S NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR SURPISED BY HIS ARREST.

-neighbor-"It's not like his character as far as you know? Not that I know of no. How do you know him as? friendly, always spoke politely to me."

A STARK CONTRAST TO CAMPOS' CONFRONTATION.

-Olivo-"Some people sick their dogs on you, some people put their hands on you, some people will shoot at you."

PROCESS SERVER THREATENED-OC-ANIBOX

IT HAS BEEN DANGEROUS LATELY AROUND SOUTHWEST FLORIDA FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO GO DOOR-TO-DOOR.

CAPE CORAL POLICE SAY NICHOLAS RAINEY WAS SELLING MEAT WHEN A HOMEOWNER SHOT AND KILLED HIM.

THEN MONDAY --

CAPE POLICE SAY A MAN THREATENED TWO CENTURY LINK REPAIRMEN AT GUN POINT AFTER THEY KNOCKED ON HIS DOOR.

AND THEN YESTERDAY --

PROCESS SERVER THREATENED-vo-rainey death

PROCESS SERVER THREATENED-vo-century link workers

PROCESS SERVER THREATENED-vo-justice worker

DAVIES PLEA DEAL-VO

THE TEEN ACCUSED OF MAKING THREATS AGAINST THE PRESIDENT FROM HIS LEE COUNTY JAIL CELL TOOK A PLEA DEAL TODAY.

CHRISTOPHER DAVIES PLEADED NO CONTEST TO A CRIMINAL MISCHIEF CHARGE -- TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR DAMAGE TO THIS NORTH FORT MYERS A-T-M IN MAY.

WHILE IN JAIL HE'S ACCUSED OF THREATENING TO KILL PRESIDENT OBAMA --

A CHARGE FOR WHICH HE STILL FACES UP TO FIVE YEARS IN A FEDERAL PRISON IF CONVICTED.

DAVIES RECEIVED CREDIT FOR THE 77 DAYS HE'S SPENT IN THE LEE COUNTY JAIL.

CANTRELL IN COURT-VOTOPS

ALSO IN COURT TODAY-

THE MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING HIS SEVEN WEEK BABY GIRL TOLD THE COURT HE IS COMPETENT TO STAND TRIAL.

STEVEN CANTRELL IS ACCUSED OF SEVERELY BEATING HIS SEVEN WEEK OLD JADA.

OLYMPICS TONIGHT-SS-CG

DAY 12 OF THE LONDON OLYMPICS --

AND SOME BIG EVENTS TONIGHT IN PRIME TIME ON N-B-C TWO.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO TELL YOU WHO WON TODAY.BUT WE WILL SHOW THE UPDATED MEDAL COUNT IN JUST A MINUTE.

SO LOOK AWAY IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW.

TONIGHT, THE WOMEN FROM THE U-S-A TRACK AND FIELD TEAM TAKE ON JAMAICA'S SUPER STARS IN A RACE FOR GOLD.

AND IT'S AN ALL-AMERICAN FINAL ON THE BEACH AS MISTY MAY-TREANOR AND KERRI WALSH JENNINGS LOOK TO CONTINUE THEIR OLYMIPC DOMINANCE IN WHAT COULD BE THEIR FINAL MATCH TOGETHER.

TEASE ONE-2SHOT

YOU SEE ALL THE SCHOOL BUSES OUT THERE TODAY?

WELL.AS SCHOOL STARTS UP, PARENTS ARE FILLING THE LEE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO GET THEIR KIDS IMMUNIZED.

TZ1 A) LEE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IMMUNIZATIONS-VO-WIPE

TZ1 B) WOMEN FOR MITT-VOTOPS

TZ1 C) WEATHER TEASE-STC

MARKET CLOSE-CGTOPS

ROBERT WX OPEN-CLIP

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.

LEE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IMMUNIZATIONS-2SH-TURN-OC

BACK TO SCHOOL MEANS BOOKS.PENCILS.AND FOR SOME FAMILIES, IT MEANS VACCINES.

EVERY YEAR STUDENTS ARE TURNED AWAY FROM SCHOOL BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE PROPER IMMUNIZATIONS.

AS NBC 2'S KIM BROWN REPORTS.

LEE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IMMUNIZATIONS-PKG-BNR

IT'S WALL TO WALL FAMILIES INSIDE THE LOBBY AT THE LEE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

AS KIDS HEAD BACK TO SCHOOL, SOME ARE SENT RIGHT BACK HOME SINCE THEY DON'T HAVE ALL THE PROPER IMMUNIZATIONS.

I pretty much expected this many people, I actually expected more.

YVETTE MARTIN BROUGHT HER DAUGHTER IN FOR 7TH GRADE SHOTS.

SHE DIDN'T REALIZE UNTIL NOW THEY WERE MISSING ONE.

THIS RUSH FOR IMMUNIZATIONS HAPPENS EVERY YEAR.

We are seeing a lot of 7th grade immunizations for 'TDAP' which would be Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis - Pertussis is the whooping cough.

DIANE HOLM WITH THE LEE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAYS THEY'RE SEEING MORE MIDDLE SCHOOLERS THAN USUAL.

SINCE IN RECENT YEARS THOSE STUDENTS NEED AN ADDITIONAL WHOOPING COUGH VACCINE BEYOND WHAT THEY RECEIVED AS BABIES.

BUT OVERALL, THEY'RE SEEING FEWER FAMILIES THAN PREVIOUS YEARS BECAUSE THE DEPARTMENT EXTENDED HOURS FOR THE PAST TWO WEEKS.

Apparently, our experiment to expand our hours has helped some. We want to get it to the point where we don't have any backup.

USUALLY THEY SEE ABOUT 200 FAMILIES ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL EVERY YEAR.

AND AS SOON AS THEY'RE DONE, STUDENTS GET TO GO RIGHT BACK TO SCHOOL.

Once she gets the shot she should be able to get right into school and start her year off. So I think it's going to go pretty quickly.

LEE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IMMUNIZATIONS-OCTAG

CHAR CO JAIL GARDEN EXPANSION-VO

THEY'RE EATING HEALTHIER THAN EVER AT THE CHARLOTTE COUNTY JAIL.

AND TAXPAYERS.SHOULD BE HAPPY.

THE HYDROPONIC VEGETABLE GARDEN JUST MOVED INTO A NEW GREENHOUSE AND WE'RE TOLD THE JAIL IS PRODUCING TEN TIMES MORE LETTUCE THAN WHEN IT STARTED, WHICH SAVES BETWEEN TWO AND SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS A MONTH.

CHAR CO JAIL GARDEN EXPANSION-SOTVO

i've learned a lot about how to grow stuff with the vertigrow system. Plus, it feels cool to be the guy who feeds the jail. Every time we get lettuce on the trays, I take credit for that.

THE JAIL HAS RECENTLY STARTED RAISING EARTH-WORMS.

SUPERVISORS SAY THE WORMS ADD A NATURAL FERTILIZER AND PESTICIDE TO THE GARDEN SOIL.

FMB AMERICAN SANDSCULPTING-VO-CG

THE 26TH ANNUAL AMERICAN SAND SCULPTING CHAMPIONSHIPS WILL TAKE PLACE THIS NOVEMBER.

THIS IS VIDEO FROM LAST YEAR WHEN 16 SCULPTORS COMPETED ON FORT MYERS BEACH.

THIS YEAR --

FOR TEN DAYS.MASTER SAND SCULPTORS WILL WORK BEHIND THE HOLIDAY INN TO SHOWCASE THEIR SKILLS.

TEASE TWO-2SHOT

DOZENS OF FLORIDA WOMEN COME OUT IN SUPPORT FOR REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE MITT ROMNEY.

I just really believe in what Mitt Romney stands for and I also am not happy with the direction the county

WOMEN WHO KNOW THE ROMNEY FAMILY --

PAST AND PRESENT RALLIED IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN HOPES TO PICK UP VOTES.

AND ALL NEW AT SIX--

TZ2 A) WOMEN FOR MITT-SOTVO

TZ2 B) COULD MURDER HAVE BEEN PREVENTED-BNR-SSTOPS

WOMEN FOR MITT-2SHOT

POLLS SHOW THAT MOST WOMEN PLAN TO VOTE FOR PRESIDENT OBAMA OVER MITT ROMNEY.BUT A GROUP OF COLLIER COUNTY WOMEN IS DOING THEIR PART TO CHANGE THAT.

SUPPORTERS SAY THEY BELIEVE IN MITT.

BUT SOME ARE FIRING BACK ON THE IDEA OF ROMNEY AS PRESIDENT.

WOMEN FOR MITT-PKG

Shirley Pointer says there's no doubt who she'll be voting for on election day.

I'm for Mitt and I hope everyone else is.

She says it's partially because of the long history she has with the Romney family.

Consider dumping the Wisconsin/president history part and get right into the what and where of the event

Nats would be a great filler

Did they have signs? Wearing t-shirts? How are they showing that they support Romney aside from just a few statements.

That history and the belief Mitt Romney will bring change in Washington, is why Pointer and thousands of other women across the country are kicking off the first ever women for Mitt movement.

Dozens showed up in Collier County.

we want to show that women in the United states in particular the state of Florida are fully behind Mitt Romney.

I just really believe in what Mitt Romney stands for and I also am not happy with the direction the county.

But democratic women are firing back.

I think the president is doing a fantastic job. I'm very pleased.

I think Romney would definitely drag us back.

Attacks ads like these are running in key battleground states across the u.s. and they claim a Romney president wouldn't be good for women.

A lot of things with women is setting us back. Back to the 60's. Trying to get rid of Roe V. Wade. The thing is, no one likes abortion. No one does but that is a woman's choice.

Women for Mitt and the Romney campaign say it's not so much about social issues, it's about women getting back to work.

Whether democratic or republican-both sides agree they want a stronger economy and they're convinced their candidate will get the country there-but not without the women vote.

NEW AT 530-BNR-2SHOT

A LEE COUNTY MURDER SUSPECT IS DEAD--

BUT NOT BEFORE BILLY RETHERFORD HAD THE CHANCE TO KILL AGAIN.

TONIGHT--

NBC2 IS TALKING TO THE FAMILY OF ONE OF HIS VICTIMS.

AND NBC 2 INVESTIGATORS FOUND HUNDREDS OF BRIDGES IN FLORIDA ARE IN DESPERATE NEED OF REPAIR.

SO WHY DOES THE STATE TELL US "THEY'RE SAFE"!

A) STRIANO MURDER FAMILY-VO-WIPE

B) BRIDGE INVESTIGATION-VOTOPS

RECORD HEAT-2SH

IF YOU THOUGH LAST MONTH WAS A LITTLE HOTTER THAN USUAL.NOT JUST HERE.BUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

YOU WERE RIGHT.

SCIENTISTS AT THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION SAY IT WAS A RECORD MONTH BECAUSE IT'S BEEN A RECORD YEAR FOR HEAT.

RECORD HEAT-PKG

NOAA SCIENTISTS SAY JULY WAS THE HOTTEST MONTH EVER IN THE LOWER 48.

.BECAUSE FOR MUCH OF THE COUNTRY. IT WAS ALSO THE DRIEST MONTH EVER.

"Temperatures are warmer, it dries the soil, worsening the drought and the drought, in turn, increases the temperatures"

TRIPLE DIGIT HEAT WAS COMMONPLACE IN EVEN MORE PLACES.

.CONTRIBUTING TO THE DROUGHT THAT'S BECOME THE LARGEST NATURAL DISASTER EVER.COVERING 63-PERCENT OF THE CONTIGUOUS U-S.

.DRAINING LAKES AND RIVERS NATIONWIDE.

"We're losing about a foot a day"

"We really did not expect that we'd be out of business by the end of July this year"

THEY SAY IT WAS THE HEAT, MORE SO THAN THE DROUGHT. THAT FUELED WILDFIRES THAT CONSUMED TWO MILLION ACRES IN JULY.

WHILE AGRICULTURE CONTINUES TO SUFFER THE MOST.

ANALYSTS EXPECT THE SMALLEST CORN CROP IN YEARS.

"we've had drought before but not this much heat"

WAYNE BRAY'S CROP IN VIRGINIA STARTED OUT PROMISING. BUT LOOKS LIKE THIS NOW.

"the heat came at a time when the stalks were green and they were starting to pollinate.and the heat kind of shut the pollination down on the corn and it pretty much baked the corn"

JULY WAS THE 14TH STRAIGHT MONTH OF ABOVE AVERAGE TEMPERATURES. WHICH IS ANOTHER RECORD.

"That stretch, that long of a stretch of months has not happened in our period of record of having temperatures this warm for this long of a period"

FORECASTERS PREDICT THE HEAT WILL REMAIN ON FOR AT LEAST AUGUST. AND PROBABLY BEYOND.