DIRECTORS PAGE

HLA CAPE UEP VOTE-TRX-VOTOPS

RIGHT NOW AT FIVE.

CAPE CORAL CITY LEADERS WILL FINALLY DECIDE WHETHER TO MOVE FORWARD WITH A CONTROVERSIAL PROJECT.

HLB MATLACHA BRIDGE POWERLINES-TRX-VOTOPS

AFTER A SERIES OF HICCUPS --

ANOTHER PIECE OF THE MATLACHA BRIDGE PROJECT IS GOING UP.

BUT ENGINEERS STILL HAVE TO FIX A PROBLEM BEFORE THE BRIDGE CAN BE USED --

HLC VOTER FRAUD INVESTIGATION-TRX-VOTOPS

VOTER REGISTRATION UNDER THE MICROSCOPE.

AFTER AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED FRAUDULENT REGISTRATION FORMS --

HL D FIRST WEATHER-TRX-HTC

5PM OPEN-CLIP

FIRST WEATHER-ANIBOXES-OMNI

NUMEROUS SHOWERS TO START OCTOBER

October traditionally brings a little cooler and drier weather. At least that's what the minds of many want to believe. This week will prove that statement to be false.

Deep tropical moisture is invading the state from the Gulf and Caribbean. It gave us mostly cloudy skies on Monday, and those same skies will become nearly overcast on Tuesday and Wednesday. But wait - that's not all! Our rain chances are also increasing Tuesday and Wednesday as well.

This is all pushing in due to two systems I've been talking about for days now. First is a low pressure swinging through the Deep South, and it's giving them several inches of rain. Secondly an area of high pressure sits in the Atlantic. Due to the way winds circulate around low's and high's… They're grabbing whatever moisture or energy sit in the tropics, and steamrolling it into southwest Florida.

We'll wake up to some coastal Tuesday morning showers like Monday. Those will push inland, but we'll see more rain bubble up across the Gulf and push onshore through the day.

Ditto for Wednesday.

This will not be a complete rain event. There will be periods of dry weather, rain, and possibly even a quick glimpse of sunshine, too. However, the potential for hefty rainfall totals is there.

We'll see a return to near normal conditions during the Thursday-Sunday time frame. It will not be totally dry, scattered downpours are expected for the end of the period, too. The muggy tropical air doesn't want to leave!

CAPE UEP VOTE-2SH-SS-BOXES

HAPPENING RIGHT NOW --

CITY LEADERS IN CAPE CORAL WERE EXPECTED TO VOTE ON WHETHER TO GREEN LIGHT THE CONTROVERSIAL UTILITIES EXPANSION PROJECT.

GOOD EVENING I'M PETER BUSCH.

AND I'M KELLIE BURNS.

THE PROJECT CAME TO A GRINDING HALT AFTER PROPERTY OWNERS OBJECTED TO THE COST OF BRINGING WATER AND SEWER SERVICES TO HOMES IN THE SOUTHWEST PART OF THE CITY.

N-B-C TWO'S STEVE CAMPION IS LIVE OUTSIDE COUNCIL CHAMBERS --

CAPE UEP VOTE-REM-LIVE

A difficult decision faces city leaders tonight with very personal ramifications for anyone living in this city.

CAPE UEP VOTE-TRX-PKG

TAKE PKG

Take water nats

Water wars in Cape Coral boil over into David Plummer's backyard.

David Plummer, Lives in SW 6 and 7

3532 "Right now, everybody isn't doing well. Look at my street. It's the perfect example."

Plummer tells us his house is already underwater -- on this big corner lot near Trafalgar parkway and Chiquita boulevard.

He's not convinced -- restarting the utilities expansion project in the area known as SW 6 and 7 is a smart idea.

Plummer, lives in SW 6 and 7

3555 "this is a necessity they think I need. I don't think I do."

Some city leaders disagree -- arguing the goal to bring city water and sewer service to all of Cape Coral is a top priority.

Rana Erbrick, Cape Coral Council member

2942 "this is our economic future we're looking at."

Council member Rana Erbrick explains city leaders must decide whether to hire engineering firm Tetra Tech.

In an almost 7.7 million dollar deal -- the firm would review THE old UEP plans AND MAKE corrections if NECESSARY.

Erbrick

3107 "this is one of those things we're starting back up. We've got to get this right. We have got to do our best to get this right."

If approved, Erbrick says the city would hire a UEP project manager to oversee the expansion.

For one homeowner -- he says times are still too tough AND HE'S MAKING THIS PLEA.

Plummer

CAPE UEP VOTE-REM-LIVE

TAKE LIVE

Now city leaders are inside council chambers discussing this.

They've only had THE contract in hand for 5 days --- many were still going through it this morning.

Count on us to let you know what happens.

CAPE LAND SCAM ALERT-OC

CAPE CORAL CITY LEADERS ARE WARNING ABOUT A SCAM TIED TO THE UTILITIES PROJECT.

PROPERTY OWNERS SHOULD IGNORE A POSTCARD FROM A LOCAL LAND BUYER WHO WARNS HOMEOWNERS IF THEY DON'T PAY A 20 THOUSAND DOLLAR ASSESSMENTS THEY WILL LOSE THEIR LAND.

COMING UP AT SIX --

MATLACHA BRIDGE POWERLINES-SS-MAPFLY

NEW POWER LINES ARE GOING UP ALONG THE ROAD TO MATLACHA.

THE WORK ALONG PINE ISLAND ROAD WILL SHUT DOWN ONE LANE THIS WEEK.

MATLACHA BRIDGE POWERLINES-REM-LIVE

JEN

AS THE BRIDGE IS DEMOLISHED -- THE POWER LINES ARE GOING WITH IT.

CREWS WERE OUT HERE TODAY WORKING TO RE-ENERGIZE THE WAY TO MATLACHA.

MATLACHA BRIDGE POWERLINES-PKG-BNR

:32

Daniel Post

Matlacha Resident

NAT

HIGH VOLTAGE.AND HIGHLY IMPORTANT.

THESE CREWS, HIRED BY L-C-E-C, ARE PUTTING UP *NEW LINES THAT WILL BRING POWER ACROSS THE *NEW BRIDGE.

TODAY -- WORKERS SET TWO, 60-FOOT POLES TO TIE IN WITH THE ONGOING CONSTRUCTION.

THE WORK FORCED CREWS TO SHUT DOWN ONE LANE OF PINE ISLAND ROAD.

WHILE THE AVERAGE DRIVER MIGHT BE ANNOYED WITH THE TRAFFIC TIE UP -- DANIEL POST SEES THE BRIDGE PROJECT DIFFERENTLY.

17:24:29 oh it's just a fascinating thing

DAN'S A RETIRED DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION WORKER.

HE SPENT SIX YEARS WITH LEE COUNTY D-O-T.ANOTHER NINE WITH F-DOT.

17:24;42 I was in planning we were doing all the design work - preliminary design, permit getting that sort of thing 50

THE LONG-TIME MATLACHA RESIDENT -- HAS BEEN WATCHING THE PLANS ON PAPER COME TO LIFE.

17:27:16 cross it every day

BUT THE 5.6 MILLION DOLLAR PROJECT MIGHT GO ON LONGER THAN ANYONE ANTICIPATED -- AFTER A HICCUP LAST WEEK.

A SQUEAKY WHEEL IS CAUSING SOME PROBLEMS.

CREWS FOUND THE MECHANISM THAT OPENS AND CLOSES THE DRAW BRIDGE ISN'T WORKING PROPERLY.

THE MANUFACTURER HAS PROVIDED SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR A FIX.

NOW, THE ENGINEER IS LOOKING OVER THOSE AND SHOULD FIGURE OUT A WAY TO MOVE FORWARD LATER THIS WEEK.

MATLACHA BRIDGE POWERLINES-REM-LIVE

JEN

SO WHEN WILL ALL OF THIS WRAP UP?

THE BRIDGE PROJECT MANAGER TELLS ME THE PROJECTED END DATE IS NOW SOMETIME IN JANUARY.

INVESTIGATORS OPEN-CLIP

MEDSTAR ADVISEMENT-OC-TURN-BOXES

A FORMER MANAGER AT LEE COUNTY E-M-S, WHO WAS PUT ON ADMINSTRATIVE LEAVE BY HIS FORMER BOSS, NOW WANTS THE TOP JOB.

JAY STAKENBERG IS THROWING HIS NAME OUT OFFERING TO HELP RESTRUCTURE E-M-S AND FIX THE MEDSTAR MESS.

MEDSTAR ADVISEMENT-CAM 99

JAY STAKENBURG WAS THE CHIEF OF OPERATIONS FOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT FROM JANUARY 2007 UNTIL EARLIER THIS YEAR--

HE RESIGNED FROM THE COUNTY AFTER BEING PUT ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE FOR POOR PERFORMANCE BY JOHN WILSON-- THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SAFETY WHO RETIRED ON FRIDAY.

MEDSTAR ADVISEMENT-VO

STAKENBURG SAYS MEDSTAR IS THE PUBLIC PROBLEM WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY--

BUT THERE ARE BEHIND THE SCENES ISSUES THAT ONLY A CULTURE CHANGE WILL SOLVE.

MEDSTAR ADVISEMENT-SOTVO

J.A. STAKENBURG 54:04 I think all of the departments within the division of public safety needs some attention it's been in my personal opinion poorly managed for a very long time so there are divisions throughout. :14

MEDSTAR ADVISEMENT-CAM 99

AND THEY TELL ME THEY *DO PLAN TO REACH OUT TO HIM TO SEE WHAT INFORMATION HE HAS.

MEANWHILE- COUNTY MANAGER KAREN HAWES WILL PRESENT A WEEKLY MEDSTAR REPORT TO COMMISSIONERS AT TOMORROW'S MEETING--

WE WILL BE THERE AND LET YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENS.

FWC SHOOTS BEAR IN AVE MARIA-OC

STATE WILDLIFE OFFICERS SHOT AND KILLED A BEAR RUNNING THROUGH A NEIGHBORHOOD IN THE AVE MARIA COMMUNITY.

WE ARE TOLD THE BEAR WAS GOING HOUSE TO HOUSE ON MILANO STREET SUNDAY EVENING.

THE BEAR EVENTUALLY BECAME AGGRESSIVE AND CHARGED THE RESPONDING OFFICER WHO WAS FORCED TO SHOOT IT.

COLLIER DEPUTY COURT DATE-VO

A TRIAL DATE HAS BEEN SET FOR A FORMER COLLIER COUNTY DEPUTY ACCUSED OF PERFORMING SEX ACTS ON A BOY IN A MALL BATHROOM.

CHARLES BULLOCK IS ACCUSED OF MOLESTING A BOY IN THE COASTLAND CENTER MALL IN 2010.

SURVEILLANCE VIDEO SHOWS BULLOCK GOING INTO THE MALL BATHROOM DOZENS OF TIMES IN TWO MONTHS--

SPENDING HOURS AT A TIME INSIDE.

BULLOCK WAS FIRED FROM THE SHERIFFS OFFICE AFTER HIS ARREST--

HE COULD FACE UP TO 20 YEARS IN PRISON IF CONVICTED.

CAPE EOC BUILDING FUNDS-VO

CAPE CORAL'S FIRE CHIEF IS ASKING COUNCIL FOR MORE THAN A MILLION DOLLARS.

BILL VAN HELDEN WANTS THE MONEY TO ADD FOUR THOUSAND SQUARE FEET TO THE EXISTING EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER.

HE SAYS SEVERAL STAFF MEMBERS CURRENTLY WORK IN SPACES DESIGNED AS CLOSETS AND PANTRIES.

COMING UP AT SIX --

NJ MAN CAUGHT IN SWFL-SSTOPS

A SEX OFFENDER ON THE RUN FOR *SIX* YEARS --

IS BACK IN JAIL.

JOSE COREA WAS WANTED IN NEW JERSEY --

ON CHARGES OF AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ASSAULT AND ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A CHILD.

AUTHORITIES RECEIVED A TIP --

THAT HE WAS LIVING IN CAPE CORAL UNDER A NEW IDENTITY--

ANGEL GARCIA.

CHAR CO BUTCHER SHOP FIRE-TRX-VO

CHARLOTTE COUNTY DETECTIVES TELL NBC 2 THEY'VE IDENTIFIED ALL *FOUR* BOYS SHOWN ON SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS NEAR A SUSPICIOUS FIRE.

WE FIRST SHOWED YOU THE FOOTAGE YESTERDAY. AND INVESTIGATORS GOT A TIP THAT LED THEM TO THE BOYS.

DETECTIVES WANTED TO TALK TO THEM ABOUT A FIRE AT THE KALLIS GERMAN BUTCHER SHOP IN PORT CHARLOTTE OVER THE WEEKEND.

THE SHOP IS EXPECTED TO REOPEN TOMORROW.

THE BOYS WERE INTERVIEWED AND RELEASED TO THEIR PARENTS.

DECISION 2012 OPEN-CLIP

VOTER FRAUD INVESTIGATION-OC

A COMPANY PAID BY THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO REGISTER VOTERS IS NOW UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR FRAUD.

THE CONTROVERSY COMES AS NEW REPUBLICAN BACKED VOTING REQUIREMENTS TO PREVENT FRAUD FACE LEGAL CHALLENGES.

VOTER FRAUD INVESTIGATION-PKG

THESE ARE THE MORE THAN 100 VOTER REGISTRATION APPLICATIONS FROM PALM BEACH COUNTY FLORIDA.

ALL OF THEM SUSPICIOUS.

AND HANDED IN BY A CONSULTING FIRM. PAID BY THE NATIONAL REPUBLICAN PARTY.

"There were a lot of signatures that appeared to be - possibly - common and there was a lot of missing information."

THE STATE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IS NOW INVESTIGATING STRATEGIC ALLIED CONSULTING.

THE FIRM HAS REPLACED ITS WEBSITE WITH A STATEMENT. INDICATING THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE HAS BEEN FIRED.

AND WITH A LINK TO THEIR EMPLOYEE TRAINING VIDEO.

"You may NOT modify voter registration forms"

ACCORDING TO THE FIRM- IT'S HELD VOTER DRIVES IN 40 DIFFERENT STATES.

KEY HERE. FIVE BATTLEGROUND STATES- FLORIDA, NORTH CAROLINA COLORADO, NEVADA AND VIRGINIA. WHERE THE REPUBLICAN PARTY PAID THE COMPANY NEARLY 3 MILLION DOLLARS TO REGISTER VOTERS.

"Republicans do have some egg on their face. They fired this organization as soon as these allegations came to light.so they are obviously sensitive to the fact they have made similar allegations against the democrats."

RECENTLY REPUBLICANS HAVE PASSED LAWS IN MORE THAN A DOZEN STATES TO COMBAT FRAUD AT THE BALLOTS.

"Register to vote!"

IN PENNSYLVANIA, A JUDGE HAS LESS THAN 24 HOURS TO DECIDE WHETHER TO UPHOLD A LAW REQUIRING VOTERS TO HAVE PHOTO I-D'S THIS ELECTION.

"It's pretty hard to detect impersonation fraud - when you don't have a tool in place for voter id - to detect it."

"The important thing - this is what the Pennsylvania supreme court says - is you have to have a law that's NOT going to disenfranchise any voters."

A KEY QUESTION. WITH JUST WEEKS. BEFORE THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

JOHN BOEHNER IN NAPLES-CG

HOUSE SPEAKER JOHN BOEHNER WILL BE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA TOMORROW.

IF YOU WANT TO HEAR HIM SPEAK, BOEHNER WILL BE AT MITT ROMNEY'S VICTORY OFFICE IN NAPLES.

THAT'S AT TAMIAMI TRAIL AND 26TH AVENUE NORTH.

COLLIER FATAL HIT AND RUN-VO

IN COLLIER COUNTY --

AUTHORITIES ARE SEARCHING FOR THE DRIVER OF A CAR WHO HIT AND KILLED A WOMAN ON HER BIKE IN EAST NAPLES.

ROBIN WALLACE DIED SATURDAY, AFTER A CAR HIT HER AS SHE RODE ALONG ESTEY AVENUE.

WALLACE'S HUSBAND TELLS US SHE WORKED AT MCDONALDS AND LOVED TO VOLUNTEER.

CAPT WALLY IN COURT-VO

THE AIRBOAT CAPTAIN ACCUSED OF FEEDING A GATOR IN COLLIER COUNTY RECEIVED A CONTINUANCE TODAY IN COURT.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE'VE SEEN CAPTAIN WALLY WEATHERHOLT SINCE HE LOST HIS HAND TO AN ALLIGATOR BACK IN JUNE.

HIS ATTORNEYS SAY THEY NEED MORE TIME TO GATHER EVIDENCE.

THE JUDGE SET A NEW HEARING FOR OCTOBER 31ST.

TEASE ONE-2SHOT

STUDENT GOVERNMENT AT F-G-C-U IS DOING ALL IT CAN TO GET STATE LEADERS TO PAY ATTENTION.

06.09.38 We're sending a message to the state that we have been impacted by these cuts and in the future we can't have these cuts.

THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN BUDGET CUTS, ARE CUTTING INTO LIBRARY HOURS, NOW STUDENTS ARE TAKING THEIR FIGHT TO TALLAHASSEE.

TZ1 A) FGCU BUDGET PETITION-SOTVO-WIPE

TZ1 B) MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE-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.

NUMEROUS SHOWERS TO START OCTOBER

October traditionally brings a little cooler and drier weather. At least that's what the minds of many want to believe. This week will prove that statement to be false.

Deep tropical moisture is invading the state from the Gulf and Caribbean. It gave us mostly cloudy skies on Monday, and those same skies will become nearly overcast on Tuesday and Wednesday. But wait - that's not all! Our rain chances are also increasing Tuesday and Wednesday as well.

This is all pushing in due to two systems I've been talking about for days now. First is a low pressure swinging through the Deep South, and it's giving them several inches of rain. Secondly an area of high pressure sits in the Atlantic. Due to the way winds circulate around low's and high's… They're grabbing whatever moisture or energy sit in the tropics, and steamrolling it into southwest Florida.

We'll wake up to some coastal Tuesday morning showers like Monday. Those will push inland, but we'll see more rain bubble up across the Gulf and push onshore through the day.

Ditto for Wednesday.

This will not be a complete rain event. There will be periods of dry weather, rain, and possibly even a quick glimpse of sunshine, too. However, the potential for hefty rainfall totals is there.

We'll see a return to near normal conditions during the Thursday-Sunday time frame. It will not be totally dry, scattered downpours are expected for the end of the period, too. The muggy tropical air doesn't want to leave!

FGCU BUDGET PETITION-2SH-TURN

FOR SIX STRAIGHT YEARS, THE STATE SLASHED FUNDING FOR FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY.

NOW STUDENTS ARE FIGHTING BACK, TRYING TO MAKE SURE IT WON'T BE SEVEN.

THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT IS TRYING TO GATHER THREE-THOUSAND SIGNATURES TO SEND TO LAWMAKERS IN TALLAHASSEE.

AS N-B-C TWO'S KELLY CRESWELL DISCOVERED --

FGCU BUDGET PETITION-PKG

HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS WALK THROUGH THESE DOORS EVERY DAY.

especially for group projects, it's easiest to meet on the weekends so when you have Saturday to meet at the library, it's good to have.

BUT SATURDAY---THE LIBRARY ON FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY'S CAMPUS IS CLOSED.

DURING THE WEEK, THE LIGHTS ARE TURNED OFF AND DOORS ARE LOCKED A FEW HOURS EARLIER.

AND STUDENTS AREN'T HAPPY ABOUT IT.

it's a school, it's a library, we have finals, and classes and tests everyday, it's nutty.

BUT IT WAS NECESSARY, THE SCHOOL SAYS, TO SUSTAIN THE SIXTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR OF BUDGET CUTS FROM THE STATE.

THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT HAS HAD ENOUGH.

we're sending a message to the state that we have been impacted by these cuts and in the future we can't have these cuts.

THREE THOUSAND SIGNATURES WILL BE SENT TO LAWMAKERS TO SHOW HOW ARE MISSING OUT ON IMPORTANT STUDY HOURS.

KNOWING THAT THE STATE PROBABLY WON'T DO ANYTHING, THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT IS LOOKING AT USING ITS OWN MONEY TO KEEP THE LIGHTS ON--AND THE DOORS UNLOCKED.

we have a reserve account that we use to cover any emergencies and we see this as an emergency. So we're more than likely going to have to cover the cost of reopening the library through student government emergency fund.

THE VICE PRESIDENT OF STUDENT AFFAIRS HAS MET WITH STUDENT GOVERNMENT PRESIDENT PETER CUDERMAN AND SAYS HE IS PLEASED TO KNOW THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT WILL CONSIDER USING ITS OWN RESOURCES TO RESTORE SOME, IF NOT ALL OF THE LIBRARY HOURS THAT HAVE BEEN REDUCED.

WHILE THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT BELIEVES THE CUTS NEGATIVELY AFFECT STUDENTS, SOME SEE THIS EFFORT AS A POSITIVE.

it makes it like we're a unified campus and that's really exciting because i'm a freshman, so it's good to see.

BOCA GRANDE TOLL CHANGE-OC

STARTING TODAY, IT WILL COST YOU AN EXTRA DOLLAR TO GET TO BOCA GRANDE.

THE GASPARILLA ISLAND BRIDGE AUTHORITY IS RAISING THE TOLL TO SIX DOLLARS.

GATOR FRED FUNDRAISER-VIDBOX

REMEMBER GATOR FRED?

HIS FRIENDS AND FAMILY ARE PLANNING A FUNDRAISER FOR THE GOOD-SPIRITED TEEN FROM MOORE HAVEN WHO LOST HIS ARM TO A GATOR.

PROCEEDS WILL GO TO PAY FOR FRED LANGDALE'S RECOVERY.LIKE PHYSICAL THERAPY.

IT WILL TAKE PLACE AT CHALONITKA GROUNDS IN MOORE HAVEN THIS SATURDAY.

THERE WILL BE A FIVE K RUN AT SEVEN A-M AND THEN SEVERAL ACTIVITIES ALL DAY BEGINNING AT TEN A-M.

POST YOUR PINK-SS

OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH.

N-B-C TWO IS A SUPPORTER OF THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA AFFILIATE OF SUSAN G KOMEN FOR THE CURE.

SO WE ARE ASKING OUR VIEWERS TO "GET YOUR PINK ON" THIS MONTH, POST YOUR PICTURE ON OUR WEBSITE - AND you MAY BE FEATURED ON ONE OF OUR NEWSCASTS.

UPLOAD YOUR PICTURES TO NBC-2.COM AND CLICK ON SEE-SHOOT-SEND.

TEASE TWO-2SHOT

STUDENTS FIND A BOTTLE ON SANIBEL ISLAND. SENT OUT YEARS AGO. BY A 12 year OLD GIRL.

THE MESSAGE INSIDE TALKS ABOUT THE FUTURE --

BUT ONE LOCAL TEACHER IS USING IT AS A LESSON FOR THE PRESENT.

AND FIGHTING VOTER FATIGUE--

INSTEAD OF HEADING TO THE POLLS, CASTING A BALLOT CAN BE AS EASY AS A WALK TO THE MAILBOX.

TZ2 A) MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE-VO

TZ2 B) COLLIER ABSENTEE BALLOTS-BNR-VOTOPS

MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE-2SHOT-TURN-OC

A BEACH CLEAN UP ON SANIBEL TURNS UP AN INTERESTING FIND.

A MESSAGE IN A PLASTIC BOTTLE IS TEACHING AN IMPORTANT LESSON AT CANTERBURY SCHOOL IN SOUTH FORT MYERS.

THE BOTTLE FLOATED AROUND IN THE GULF FOR FOUR YEARS --

AND WASHED ASHORE CLOSE TO THE SAME PLACE IT STARTED THE JOURNEY.

MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE-PKG

NATS

STUDENTS IN CARL MELAMET'S SCIENCE CLASS JUST GOT A RARE ASSIGNMENT.

THEY'RE FIGURING OUT HOW A MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE SURVIVED FOUR YEARS IN THE GULF OF MEXICO.

NATS

WEATHERING STORMS, SEA CREATURES, EVEN THE OIL SPILL.

I think it's pretty cool how it was in there for four years and it just kept circulating around and then it finally came back to one spot.

TWO CANTERBURY SCHOOL STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN A COASTAL CLEANUP ON SANIBEL ISLAND DISCOVERED THE BOTTLE NEAR BOWMAN'S BEACH LAST MONTH.

When you discover something like that on the beach it brings up a lot of questions.

SO MANY QUESTIONS IN FACT.

THIS MESSAGE - HANDWRITTTEN ON A PIECE OF NOTEBOOK PAPER - IS ALL THE CLASS HAS TO GO BY.

NATS "dear someone in the future."

WRITTEN BY A 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL VACATIONING ON SANIBEL IN 2008.

NATS hoping to make contact.

HER WISH - GRANTED.

NATS "Love Bri."

BUT THE WRITER PROBABLY NEVER IMAGINED HER MESSAGE WOULD TURN INTO A LESSON.

MELAMET IS USING IT TO HELP STUDENTS UNDERSTAND CURRENTS AND PLASTIC POLLUTION.

If the ocean hands me a bottle like this with a dated note in it, then you just take it and run with it.

SOME IN THE CLASS FIND IT ODD THAT THE BOTTLE CAME BACK TO THE SAME AREA.

BUT EVEN MELAMET HIMSELF DOESN'T KNOW HOW IT STAYED TOGETHER OR WHERE IT WENT.

It's hard to say where she lost it or where she tossed it out.

BUT ONE THING IS CLEAR. IT'S TURNED INTO A LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR ALL.

I think it's helpful for the course to learn about the way the ocean moves, how it carries things.

BRI MAY NEVER KNOW HER MESSAGE WAS FOUND --

OR THE STUDENTS SHE WAS ABLE TO REACH.

NEW AT 530-BNR-2SHOT

NEW AT 5:30 -- ANOTHER YOUNG MAN GUNNED DOWN ON THE STREETS OF FORT MYERS --

HE HAS JUST GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL, AND MENTORS SAY HE HAD A PROMISING FUTURE AHEAD OF HIM.

SO WHAT HAPPENED, AND WHO SHOT HIM?

A) fort myers homicide-VO-WIPE

B) boy joy ride-VOTOPS

911 ABUSE ARREST

ANOTHER PERSON IS IN JAIL ACCUSED OF ABUSING THE EMERGENCY CALL SYSTEM.

LEE COUNTY DEPUTIES ARRESTED THIS MAN AFTER THEY SAY HE CALLED 9-1-1 THREE TIMES IN ABOUT SIX.

DEPUTIES SAY HE CALLED DISPATCHERS AND SAID SOME ONE HARRASSED HIM AT A STOP SIGN --

THEN THE NEXT TIME TOLD DEPUTIES SOMEONE STOLE HIS WALLET -

WHICH WAS IN HIS BACK POCKET.

AND ON THE THIRD CALL ASKED FOR HIS PASSPORT NUMBER.

no he didn't phiscally hurt me it was just his words.