NEWS AT 6PM HEADLINES-SOTTOPS

DEATH INVESTIGATION ON FORT MYERS BEACH

RIGHT NOW:TWO MEN FOUND DEAD IN THE BUCKET OF A RENTED LIFT TRUCK.

WE'RE LIVE ON THE SCENE WITH THE LATEST DETAILS.

MEDSTAR CONTROVERSY

PLUS: FALLOUT FROM AN NBC2 INVESTIGATION THAT EXPOSED MEDSTAR IMPROPERLY BILLING PATIENTS AND THE GOVERNMENT.

DEAD MANATEE FOUND IN THE CALOOSAHATCHEE

NEW TONIGHT: WE HEAR FROM THE WOMAN WHO FOUND A DEAD MANATEE IN THE CALOOSAHATCHEE.

31:48 i was in shock when I saw that and my heart just dropped.

NEWS AT 6PM OPEN-CLIP

MEDSTAR COMMISSIONERS AND EMAILS-VOTOPS 2 SHOT PUS

LEE COUNTY'S ONLY MEDICAL HELICOPTER IS GROUNDED AFTER OVERBILLING PATIENTS AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT NEARLY 3-MILLION DOLLARS --

THE NBC2 INVESTIGATORS BROKE THE STORY EXCLUSIVELY LAST NIGHT AT SIX.

SINCE THEN, MORE THAN 200 EMAILS HAVE FLOODED INTO COMMISSIONERS OFFICES.

AND ANGER IS GROWING.

MEDSTAR COMMISSIONERS AND EMAILS-TRX PKG

it shouldn't have been allowed to fester and get to this point.

LEE COUNTY COMMISSIONER FRANK MANN HAS BEEN AROUND THE BLOCK -

I haven't been this upset about anything in Lee County Government since I got here.

UPSET OVER E-M-S'S DECISION TO PULL THE PLUG ON THE COUNTY'S MEDSTAR PROGRAM-

THEN FIRE ITS PILOTS IN THE NAME OF A VOLUNTARY NATIONAL ACCREDITATION.

we have millions invested in this program. And they shut it down? It makes no sense at all.

THE NBC2 INVESTIGATORS UNCOVERED THE PROGRAM IMPROPERLY BILLED PATIENTS - AND THE GOVERNMENT - NEARLY 3 MILLION DOLLARS.

COLLECTING MORE THAN 3 HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS - IT WILL NOW HAVE TO PAY BACK.

WITH THE COUNTY ALREADY FACING A 30 MILLION DOLLAR DEFICIT-

MANN WANTS ANSWERS.

what is staff going to recommend to get out of this. It's a disaster.

ASSISTANT COUNTY MANAGER HOLLY SCHWARTZ WOULDN'T SPEAK WITH US ON CAMERA-

BUT TELLS ME HER OFFICE HAS ORDERED AN AUDIT OF THE MEDFLIGHT PROGRAM.

THE GOAL - PINPOINT WHO ALLOWED THE IMPROPER BILLING TO HAPPEN.

EMS OFFICIALS EXPECT MEDSTAR TO BE SHUT DOWN FOR AT LEAST 6 MONTHS.

IN THE MEANTIME - IT HAS BROUGHT IN ANOTHER COMPANY TO SERVICE LEE COUNTY.

MEDSTAR BILLING INVESTIGATION-TRX OC DBX

OUR TEAM COVERAGE CONTINUES WITH THE NBC 2 INVESTIGATORS, WHO FIRST UNCOVERED THIS STORY.

INVESTIGATOR DAVE ELIAS IS DIGGING DEEPER TONIGHT;

UNCOVERING WHO KNEW WHAT AND WHEN THEY KNEW IT.

MEDSTAR BILLING INVESTIGATION-NR INTRO

THE PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT IS CALLING IT "INADVERTENT BILLING" THAT WENT ON DURING A THREE MONTH PERIOD.

MEDSTAR BILLING INVESTIGATION-PKG

THIS MAN, MAC McCALLISTER, A FORMER PILOT WITH MEDSTAR.DROPPING A BOMB SHELL TODAY.

CLAIMING PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICIALS KNEW ALL ALONG THAT THE AGENCY WAS NOT CERTIFIED TO BILL THE PATIENTS BEING TRANSPORTED.

Mac McAllister / Former Pilot /// 01:01 We've brought this issue up to them two years ago since they purchased the aircraft two years ago. -- butt to -- 02:57 We brought this out in numerous staff meetings. There first reaction was that it was none of our concern. 03:04

ANOTHER CLOSE TO THE SITUATION AND SPEAKING ANONYMOUSLY SUPPORTS THE CLAIMS.

SOT IN:13:08 the truth needs to come out and the truth is that it's been years of corruption and lies and mismanagement from EMS administration, the county officials and county commissioners. :22

PIECING TOGETHER THE TIMELINE; THE NBC2 INVESTIGATORS LEARNED THAT

THE CHOPPER GOT FAA CERTIFICATION AND STARTED FLYING ON FEBRUARY 8TH, 2012.

ON FEBRUARY 9TH MEDSTAR STARTED BILLING.

IT BILLED PATIENTS FOR AIR TRANSPORTS RATHER THAN GROUND TRANSPORTS - AND THAT'S THE ISSUE.

THE CHOPPER WASN'T CERTIFIED BY THE F-A-A TO BILL FOR AIR TRANSPORTS.

BUT IT DID SO ANYWAY - CHARGING NEARLY THREE MILLION DOLLARS.

ON MAY 25TH 2012 MEDSTAR FIRED IT'S CHIEF PILOT; WITHOUT HIM MEDSTAR WASN'T CERTIFIED SO IT STOPPED BILLING.

IN JUNE MEDSTAR BEGAN FLYING AGAIN.

THEN, AUGUST 21ST THE HAMMER DROPPED AND THE COUNTY GROUNDED THE CHOPPER; FIRING IT'S EMPLOYEES.

THAT DAY WE STARTED GETTING TIPS ABOUT FAA CERTIFICATION AND IMPROPERT BILLING.

WE STARTED ASKING QUESTIONS.

MEDSTAR BILLING INVESTIGATION-NR TAG

AS TO WHETHER THIS INCIDENT IMPACTS EMS'S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID IN ANYWAY; THE COUNTY SAYS NO NEGATIVE IMPACT IS ANTICIPATED.

REFUNDS TO THAT AGENCY STARTED PROCESSING YESTERDAY.

ANCHOR WRAP-1-SHOT

THANKS DAVID.

BREAKING NEWS-CLIP

TOSS TO LAUREN-VOTOPS MAPFLY

WE'RE LEARNING MORE ABOUT A TRAGIC ACCIDENT ON FORT MYERS BEACH.

TWO MEN APPARENTLY ELECTROCUTED IN A CHERRY PICKER.

NEAR THE BELLA LAGO COMMUNITY ON THE SOUTHERN END OF ESTERO BOULEVARD.

NBC 2'S LAUREN DISPIRITO IS LIVE ON THE SCENE, WITH DETAILS.

DEATH INVESTIGATION ON FMB-REM 26

DEATH INVESTIGATION ON FMB-SS VO WIPE

LCSO STILL INVESTIGATING, BUT SAYS ALL INDICATION IS IT WAS ACCIDENT, THAT 2 MEN, 31 YEAR OLD DUSTIN MANNING OF BRADENTON AND THIS MAN,

JUAN BOCANEGRA, 37, WHO LIVED IN FORT MYERS, WERE KILLED, WHEN THE BUCKET OF THE CHERRY PICKER TRUCK THEY WERE INSIDE STRUK A POWER LINE HERE AT BELLA LAGO CONDOS ON FMB.

ACCORDING TO INVESTIGATORS, THEY WORKED FOR SEPARATE COMPANIES HIRED TO HANDLE A BIRD PROBLEM IN THE BUILDINGS MOLDING.

THOSE COMPANIES ARE CUTTING EDGE MOLDING AND J. BALLER CONSTRUCTION.

DEATH INVESTIGATION ON FMB-SOTVO

sgt. eller, lcso

runs=

DEATH INVESTIGATION ON FMB-REM 26

OSHA AND LCSO TO CONTINUE INVESTIGATING.

TOSS TO MEAGHAN-PLASMA-VO

A LEHIGH ACRES COUPLE IS ACCUSED OF STEALING MONEY MEANT TO HELP FAMILIES WITH SICK CHILDREN.

THE PAIR RIPPED THE DONATION BOX FROM THE COUNTER OF A MCDONALD'S IN LEHIGH ACRES,

CHARITY BOX SWIPED-PKG

THE DONATION BOX FOR THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE IS RIPPED FROM THE COUNTER.

ALL THE MONEY IS USED TO HELP FAMILIES WITH SERIOUSLY ILL CHILDREN IS STOLEN.

43:05 "the male took the charity box and ran out."

IT HAPPENED AT THE LEHIGH ACRES MCDONALD'S,

RIGHT ON HOMESTEAD,

LEE COUNTY DEPUTIES SAY BLAKE ALBRITTON AND KAYLA CORTEZ,

WALKED INSIDE THE FAST FOOD RESTAURANT TO STEAL.

43:02 "the man and woman that went into the business had tried to order some food as the employee turned around to get their food.

SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS CAPTURED THE CRIME.

DETECTIVES SAY THAT'S ALBRITTON STEALING THE CHARITY BOX, ALONG WITH A CREDIT CARD READER.

AS THEY TOOK OFF OUT OF MCDONALD'S-

A LEE COUNTY DEPUTY JUST SO HAPPENED TO BE RIGHT NEAR THE PARKING LOT.

42:37 "as the call was coming out was able to see the vehicle flee from the parking lot."

DEPUTIES REPORT THAT RIGHT AFTER CORTEZ PEELED OUT-

SHE QUICKLY LOST CONTROL AND SPUN INTO A DITCH.

BOTH SHE AND ALBRITTON WERE TAKEN OUT OF THE CAR,

AND ARRESTED.

WE WENT TO THEIR LEHIGH ACRES DUPLEX-

46:52 " have they ever stolen from charity before? i don't know. i don't know anything about it."

DEPUTIES FOUND THE DONATION BOX INSIDE THE CAR-

WITH THE LOCK STILL ON IT,

AND THE MONEY, STILL INSIDE.

43:37 "we were able to return the box."

THE COUPLE WAS SERVED UP FELONIES,

INSTEAD OF A BIG MAC AND FRIES.

TOSS TO GABY-OC SS DBX

FRIENDS AND FAMILY PLAN A SPECIAL MEMORIAL TONIGHT FOR A 16-YEAR-OLD COLLIER COUNTY GIRL WHO DIED THIS WEEK.

DIANA ZULIAN - A GULF COAST HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT AND CHEERLEADER - NEVER RECOVERED AFTER DOCTORS THINK SHE BECAME ILL WITH VIRAL ENCEPHILITIS.

NBC2'S GABY FLEISCHMAN SPOKE WITH THOSE WHO KNEW DIANA WELL.

16 YEAR OLD ENCEPHALITIS DEATH-REM 26

16 YEAR OLD ENCEPHALITIS DEATH-PKG

A LIFE GONE TOO SOON--

32:34 great sorrow everybody here 42 something had been taken from 33:05 the feeling here was that something had been taken from the youth, from our community, from our home."

A SMILE AND SPIRIT THAT WILL LIVE ON FOREVER.

36:52 ill always see her smile, she's so full of life 09

16 year old diana zulian is described as a beacon of light. A thoughtful teenager whose personality drew people in.

Nats- reading note

Her youth leader at VANDERBILT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH in naples is holding on to zulians memory through these notes.

"that she's really excited and looking forward to the year."

Zulian was about to start her junior year at gulf coast high school when she got sick two months ago.

SHE PASSED AWAY EARLIER THIS WEEK FROM WHAT DOCTORS THINK IS A VIRAL CASE OF ENCEPHALITIS.

Amanda davis, gulf coast student

"52:30 those who were involved with her just miss having her around bc she was just a positive person, and fun to be around and just one of those people you want to have in your life 43"

Zulian left a lasting impression on the people around her. Her smile and spirit will live on forever through the memories of those she touched.

16 YEAR OLD ENCEPHALITIS DEATH-REM 26

ENCEPHALITIS TAG-ONCAM

THE COLLIER HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAYS VIRAL ENCEPHALITIS IS NOT CONTAGIOUS AND COMMUNITY HAS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT.

BRIAN CASEY PLEA DEAL-VO;SS

A CONVICTED KILLER ALREADY SERVING TWO LIFE SENTENCES FOR MURDER TOOK A PLEA DEAL TODAY.

THESE ARE PICTURES OF BRIAN CASEY -- SLAPPING HIS LAWYER DURING A PREVIOUS TRIAL.

TODAY HE PLEADED NO CONTEST TO MANSLAUGHTER FOR HIS ROLE IN THE OCTOBER 20-10 DEATH OF

LARRICK SIKES, HIS CHILDHOOD FRIEND.

CASEY SAID TODAY HE DIDN'T INTEND FOR HIS CHILDHOOD FRIEND TO DIE, WHEN HE HIRED AN OTHER MAN- TO USE ZIP TIES TO BIND SIKES AND DUMP HIM SOMEWHERE.

SIKES WAS FOUND IN OCTOBER 20-10 STRANGLED AND BURNED ON A LEE OCUNTY ROAD.

BRIAN CASEY PLEA DEAL-SOTVO

"It's kind of like closure. We don't have to see him and we don't have to. I think he uses these court hearing and court cases as a way to promote himself. and his promotion days have come to an end"

AS PART OF THE PLEA - CASEY WILL SERVE 14 YEARS IN PRISON AND TEN YEARS IN PROBATION.

TEASE ONE-ONCAM

ANOTHER MANATEE DIED IN LEE COUNTY WATERS THIS WEEK.

TURNS OUT, IT HAPPENS QUITE OFTEN IN OUR AREA.

WE ASKED THE F-W-C WHY.

PLUS: IT'S BEEN A BIG QUESTION IN CAPE CORAL FOR YEARS.

WHEN CREWS HAVE TO MOVE POWER LINES, WHO PAYS FOR IT, THE CITY OR THE POWER COMPANY?

TONIGHT WE'RE ONE STEP CLOSER TO AN ANSWER.

TZ1 A) MANATEE DEATH-VO WIPE

TZ1 B) CAPE LCEC MONEY-VOTOPS

TZ1 C) FORECAST TEASE-STC

ROBERT VAN WINKLE FORECAST OPEN-CLIP

FIRST ALERT FORECAST-WXWALL

THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE NBC2 WEATHER STAFF.

MANATEE DEATH-SOTTOPS 2 SHOT

31:26 they were all jumping up and down, their fins were going and their tails

A FORT MYERS WOMAN DISCOVERED AN 11 FOOT MANATEE DEAD THIS WEEK IN THE CALOOSAHATCHE RIVER.

WE FOUND OUT MORE MANATEES ARE DYING HERE.THAN ALMOST ANY OTHER PART OF THE STATE.

MANATEE DEATH-PKG

IT'S A PEACEFUL MORNING ALONG THE CALOOSAHATCHE RIVER.

BUT FOR BONI RAITT - SHE CAN'T GET HER MIND OFF WHAT SHE WITNESSED YESTERDAY.

boni raitt

31:20 I walked over here with my dog and there were about 4-5 manatees. 31:26 they were jumping around, having a lot of fun. 33:11 I never see manatees

RAITT SNAPPED THESE PICTURES OF THE ENDANGERED MAMMMALS PLAYING NEAR HER FORT MYERS HOME.

THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN --

34:04 from something joyful to something tragic. It was heartbreaking

RAITT SAW AN 11 FOOT MANATEE -- FLOATING IN THE WATER -- DEAD.

31:48 i was in shock when I saw that and my heart just dropped.

Leigh

FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE PICKED UP THE MANATEE

AND SENT IT TO A MARINE LABORATORY IN ST. PETERSBURG.

A TEAM OF BIOLOGISTS CAN'T SAY FOR SURE WHAT KILLED THE MANATEE.

FROM JANUARY TO AUGUST OF THIS YEAR -- THERE WERE 51 REPORTED MANATEE DEATHS IN LEE COUNTY

THAT'S UP 9 FROM 2011 ACCORDING TO FWC.

RIGHT NOW - LEE HAS THE SECOND HIGHEST NUMBER OF DEATHS IN THE STATE, AFTER BREVARD COUNTY.

FWC CITES SEVERAL REASONS WHY.

- A HIGH MANATEE POPULATION

- LOTS OF WATERCRAFT CRASHES

- AND BECAUSE PEOPLE KEEP AN EYE ON THE WATER.

PHONER: Martine Dewit/vet/FWC/ 48:54

it could be they are just more prone to be reported to us compared to other places that are more remote

MEANTIME -- RAITT -- PLANS ON WALKING THIS DOCK MORE OFTEN FROM NOW ON.

HOPING TO GET ANOTHER GLIMPSE OF * LIVELY MANATEES.

CAPE LCEC MONEY-VO WIPE

BILLED AS A "LAWSUIT BETWEEN FRIENDS" -- CAPE CORAL LEADERS CAUTIOUSLY CELEBRATE A WIN AGAINST L-C-E-C TONIGHT.

THE POWER CO-OP MUST DECIDE WHETHER TO ASK FLORIDA'S SUPREME COURT TO WEIGH IN ON WHICH ENTITY SHOULD PAY TO MOVE POWER LINES DURING ROAD PROJECTS.

AN APPEALS COURT JUDGE SIDED WITH THE CITY RULING L-C-E-C MUST PAY UP -- WHICH COULD MEAN UPWARDS OF THREE AND AN HALF MILLION DOLLARS.

CAPE LCEC MONEY-SOTVO

4343 "if we have costs to pay, we will find another way to pay them. It may mean we cut back in other areas. But we will find another way so our customers don't have increased rates in the future."

3816 "it will mean those road dollars that were supposed to into black top instead of moving utilities lines will go into blacktop."

DECISION 2012 CLIP-CLIP

OBAMA IN ST PETE TONIGHT-VO

BOTH POLITICAL CONVENTIONS ARE OVER -- NOW IT'S TIME FOR THE CANDIDATES TO GET BACK TO CAMPAIGNING --

PRESIDENT OBAMA VISITED NEW HAMPSHIRE THIS MORNING

JUST AFTER THE RELEASE OF NEW UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBERS -- THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FELL TO 8.1 PERCENT.BUT EMPLOYERS ADDED ONLY 96,000 JOBS LAST MONTH.FEWER THAN EXPECTED.

ROMNEY ON MEET THE PRESS-VO

REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE MITT ROMNEY IS TRAVELING TODAY IN IOWA -- AND IS PREPARING FOR A SIT DOWN INTERVIEW WITH DAVID GREGORY ON NBC'2 MEET THE PRESS SUNDAY -- YOU CAN BET THOSE UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBERS WILL BE A TOPIC.

NAPLES WATER FLOW FIRE PROBLEMS-VO WIPE

HOMES IN NAPLES ARE GETTING LARGER BUT THE PIPES USED TO PUMP OUT WATER TO FIGHT FIRES ARE NOT.

A PROBLEM THE STATE SAYS THE CITY HAS TO CHANGE-FAST.

STARTING JANUARY FIRST, CITIES ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF GALLONS OF WATER PER MINUTE PUMPING OUT-DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OF THE PROPERTY.

NAPLES CITY LEADERS SAY THE AVERAGE HOME SIZE HAS INCREASED OVER THE YEARS.

NAPLES WATER FLOW FIRE PROBLEMS-SOTVO

It's not the whole city. it's not like we have an epidemic here. we have a few areas that have some problems where they can use a little more fire and water flow.

SPORTS OPEN-CLIP

NFL SUSPENSIONS-VO OFF TOP

A THREE-MEMBER PANEL HAS OVER-TURNED THE SUSPENSIONS TO THE FOUR PLAYERS INVOLVED IN THE SAINTS "BOUNTY GATE" SCANDAL.

SAINTS LINEBACKER JONATHAN VILMA.DEFENSIVE LINEMAN WILL SMITH.AND FORMER SAINT AND CURRENT CLEVELAND BROWN LINEBACKER SCOTT FUJITA CAN NOW PLAY.

HARGROVE REAX-ON CAM

IMMOKALEE NAPLES-ON CAM

IMMOKALEE NAPLES-CG-VOBOX

WHY THE HYPE.

BOTH ARE RANKED IN THE TOP-10 IN THE STATE.IN THEIR RESPECTIVE CLASSES.

THE INDIANS HAVE A BONAFIDE TEN PLAYERS ON THEIR ROSTER BEING RECRUITED TO PLAY D-ONE COLLEGE FOOTBALL.

AND MANNY MORGAN.NAPLES STARTING RUNNING BACK HAD THE BEST NIGHT ON ANY BACK IN THE STATE LAST WEEK. WHEN HE RAN FOR 278 YARDS.

IMMOKALEE NAPLES-SOT

WEEK 2 GAMES-CGTOPS

HERE ARE SOME OF THE OTHER WEEK TWO GAMES WE WILL BE IT.

CHARLOTTE AND RIVERDALE HAVE THEIR ANNUAL MEETING.

BRAGGING RIGHTS ON THE CAPE.

SOUTH FORT MYERS AND DUNBAR ARE BOTH RANKED THIS WEEK.

WEEK 2 SCORES-ON CAM

YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOUR SCHOOLS SCORE GETS ON AT 11.

YOU CAN POST THE SCORE ON THE NBC FACE-BOOK PAGE.

GRIDIRON 2DAY-SSTOPS

WE ARE HERE LATE IN FRIDAY NIGHT.

THEN UP WITH YOU EARLY SATURDAY MORNING.

20 MINUTES OF GRIDIRON 2-DAY.

STARTS AN HOUR EARLIER TOMORROW.JUST AFTER 9-AM.

PGA GOLF-VOTOPS

SECOND ROUND OF THE B-M-W CHAMPIONSHIP.AND THE SCORES ON FRIDAY.JUST AS LOW AS YESTERDAY.

OLDEST GUY AMONG THE TOP 70 PLAYERS.49-YEAR OLD VIJAY SINGH. 6-UNDER PAR 66. LEADS AT 13 UNDER PAR.

US OPEN RESULTS-ON CAM

YOU WILL SEE THE THIRD AND FINAL ROUNDS OF THE B-M-W.RIGHT HERE ON NBC-2 SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

AT TENNIS' U-S OPEN. BOB AND MIKE BRYAN WON THEIR RECORD 12-TH GRAND SLAM TITLE BY TAKING THE MENS DOUBLES TITLE IN STRAIGHT SETS.

DRIVER'S LICENSE OFFICES CLOSED-OC

IF YOU NEED TO USE THE D-M-V, YOU'RE OUT OF LUCK.

THE DEPARTMENT IS MOVING IT'S TALLAHASSEE HEADQUARTERS TO A DIFFERENT BUILDING.

FROM TONIGHT, TO MONDAY MORNING, ANY ONLINE SERVICE TIED TO THE D-M-V WILL BE SHUT DOWN.

SEINFELD AT BARBARA B MANN-SS

IF YOU LOVE THE SITCOM SEINFELD.YOU'RE GOING TO LOVE THIS NEWS.

JERRY SEINFELD WILL BE AT THE BARBARA B MANN PERFORMING ARTS HALL IN SOUTH FORT MYERS IN NOVEMBER.

TICKETS GO ON SALE NEXT FRIDAY AT 10 A-M.

CLOSE-4SHOT