530PM NBC2 |
LAST MINUTE PREPS ARE HAPPENING RIGHT NOW BEFORE BARACK OBAMA AND MITT ROMNEY FACE OFF TONIGHT ON THE SAME STAGE.
IT COULD BE THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT EVENT OF THE ELECTION.
TONIGHT MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WILL WATCH.AND COMPARE THE MEN SIDE-BY-SIDE.
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THE LATEST NBC NEWS POLL SHOWS THE RACE TIGHTENING IN SEVERAL KEY BATTLEGROUND STATES, INCLUDING FLORIDA.
NBC'S STEVE HANDLESMAN IS AT DEBATE HEADQUARTERS IN DENVER.
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MORE THAN 60 MILLION AMERICANS COULD WATCH TONIGHT'S DEBATE.
I've made up my mind but I'd still like to see both candidates sweat a little bit
PRESIDENT OBAMA LOOKED RELAXED THIS WEEK
MITT ROMNEY TOO, BUT HE KNOWS HE HAS TO CHANGE PERCEPTIONS TONIGHT.
MORE VOTERS NOW SEE ROMNEY NEGATIVELY THAN SEE HIM POSITIVELY. AND THAT LOSES ELECTIONS.
Only two presidential candidates in the last 20 yrs. of the Wall Street Journal-NBC polling have had a net negative image at this point, and one of them lost, George H. W. Bush. Romney needs to improve that dynamic.
ROMNEY GOT GOOD NEWS FROM 3 BATTLEGROUNDS:
IN FLORIDA HE'S NOW BEHIND BY JUST 1 POINT
STILL WAY DOWN IN OHIO
BUT IN VIRGINIA, ROMNEY'S DOWN BY JUST 2.
WITH A LOT ON THE LINE, IN PAST DEBATES, ROMNEY'S DONE WELL.
former Presidential Candidate :50 -:58
"going up against mitt romney is not a fun thing. He has the facts, he drills you, he's tenacious"
AND SOMETIMES AGGRESSIVE
Presidential Nominee 1:00 - 1:04
the idea that i'm anti immigrant is repulsive. don't use a term like that.
AIDES ADMIT, BARACK OBAMA, IN DEBATES, CAN SOUND LIKE A PROFESSORIAL KNOW-IT ALL
TONIGHT'S FORMAT IS FROM 2008. TWO PODIUMS. MODERATOR JIM LERHER. 90 MINUTES. NO BREAKS.
A BACK AND FORTH ON DOMESTIC ISSUES WITH POSSIBLE FIREWORKS.
I think you're gonna see both them be actually more aggressive than either of their campaigns have predicted because the stakes are pretty high.
THE CONTEST COULD GET EVEN TIGHTER
AFTER THE CLASH TONIGHT.
I'm Steve Handelsman, NBC News
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THE DEBATE AIRS TONIGHT AT 9 O'CLOCK RIGHT HERE ON NBC2.
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THREE E-M-S CAPTAINS ARE SUING LEE COUNTY.CLAIMING THEY'RE OWED *THOUSANDS IN OVERTIME PAY.
NBC2'S JENNIFER TRAMMELL UNCOVERED JUST HOW MUCH THEY'RE AFTER.
SHE JOINS US LIVE IN THE STUDIO.
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THE THREE CAPTAINS CLAIM THE COUNTY *CHEATED THEM OUT OF ALMOST 120-THOUSAND DOLLARS IN OVERTIME PAY.AND THEY'RE READY TO FIGHT FOR THE MONEY WITH A LAWSUIT.
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SHOW DOCUMENT VO, PULL QUOTE
ACCORDING TO COURT DOCUMENTS -- THIS GOES BACK TO 2008.WHEN THE COUNTY SUDDENLY CHANGED E-M-S CAPTAINS FROM "NON-EXEMPT" STATUS - TO EXEMPT.
THAT MEANS THEY *DON'T QUALIFY FOR OVERTIME PAY.
my status was changed from "non-exempt" to "exempt" by the County
BULLET POINT LIST, REVEAL
THE CAPTAINS RACKED UP OVERTIME WHEN THEY WERE ASKED TO STAY LATE AND COME IN WHEN THEY WERE OFF-DUTY FOR MEETINGS AND TRAINING.
BUT THE BIGGEST REASON FOR OVERTIME IS THE SCHEDULE.
THE CAPTAINS WORK ON ROTATING 12-HOUR SHIFTS.
PULL QUOTE
THAT MEANS EVERY OTHER WEEK - THEY WORK *48 HOURS.
THE CAPTAINS SAY THEY WERE ONLY PAID FOR 40.
I was regularly scheduled to work 48 hours but paid for only 40 regular hours
PULL QUOTE
THEY HAVE BEEN GETTING COMP TIME, AT THEIR REGULAR HOURLY RATE INSTEAD OF TIME AND A HALF.
accept compensatory time in lieu of overtime compensation
PULL QUOTE
AND IN A DEPOSITION - THE CAPTAINS CLAIM THEY BROUGHT THE COMPLAINTS TO EMS CHIEF KIM DICKERSON BACK IN 2009.
complained to EMS Chief Kim Dickerson
FULLSCREEN QUOTE
JIM BRANTLEY IS REPRESENTING THE CAPTAINS.
ON THE PHONE TODAY HE TOLD ME "While we were not able to get the matter resolved before filing suit we remain optimistic that we will be able to ultimately resolve this matter with the county."
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BRANTLEY SAYS THEY'RE STILL TRYING TO NEGOTIATE A SETTLEMENT.
THE E-M-S *LIEUTENANTS FILED A SIMILAR LAWSUIT.AND IN JANUARY 2010, THE COUNTY SETTLED WITH THE LIEUTENANTS.AND MOVED THEM BACK TO NON-EXEMPT STATUS, SO THEY CAN COLLECT OVERTIME.
WE REACHED OUT TO COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS TO FIND OUT WHY THE "NON EXEMPT" STATUS CHANGED IN THE FIRST PLACE.
WE HAVE NOT HEARD BACK.BRANTLEY BELIEVES IT WAS A MOVE TO SAVE MONEY.
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NEW DETAILS AT 5:30 ON A STORY SOME OF YOU WITNESSED FIRST HAND LAST NIGHT.
A CAR CHASE THROUGH A QUIET SOUTH FORT MYERS NEIGHBORHOOD.
-- IF YOU LIVE IN THE TANGLEWOOD AREA, YOU PROBABLY SAW LOTS OF FLASHING LIGHTS AND EVEN A HELICOPTER IN THE AIR LAST NIGHT.
NBC-2'S ELIZABETH BILLINGSLEY FOUND OUT HOW IT ALL STARTED.
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"we heard helicopters circling our house and so we went out and looked down our street and there were 2 or 3 cops parked and then we heard lots of cards racing down Tanglewood."
MICHELLE HAMSTRA RECOUNTS THE SCENE LAST NIGHT ON EAST COVINGTON CIRCLE IN SOUTH FORT MYERS.
"it was exciting for Tanglewood."
NOT THAT SHE WANTS THIS TO BECOME A REGULAR THING.
HAMSTRA IS JUST GLAD NO ONE WAS WALKING AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD AS THE CARS RACED BY.
"the helicopter kept shining their light in our backyard which was really scary, and especially with my one year old here we just kind of locked down."
THE HELICOPTER SCOURED FOR THREE PEOPLE IN A STOLEN CAR WHO RAN FROM A LEE COUNTY SHERIFF'S DETECTIVE -
LEAVING THE CAR KEYS IN THE IGNITION.
"it all started around 9:30 last night. The Lee County Sheriff's Auto Theft Unit was out here conducting an operation , looking for stolen vehicles. That's when a blue Hyundai Elantra drove by, and it's plates dinged as stolen out of Collier County."
THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS THE UNIT WAS DOING ROUTINE INVESTIGATIVE WORK - TARGETING APARTMENT COMPLEXES.
THE DETECTIVE SPOTTED THREE PEOPLE IN THE STOLEN ELANTRA AND FOLLOWED THE CAR - WHIZZING THROUGH BUSY STREETS. PICKING UP SPEED AS IT TURNED ONTO TANGLEWOOD -- LOSING THE DETECTIVE.
HE CALLED FOR THE HELICOPTER - BUT BY THE TIME THE DETECTIVE CAUGHT UP TO THE CAR - THERE WAS NO SIGN OF THE PEOPLE -- ONLY THREE OPEN CAR DOORS.
"I'm sure they're probably far away from here because there were enough cops, that probably scared them away hopefully."
TODAY - IT'S CALM IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
MICHELLE HAMSTRA HAS HAD ENOUGH EXCITEMENT TO LAST HER AWHILE.
IN SOUTH FORT MYERS, ELIZABETH BILLINGSLEY, NBC-2.
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A SAINT PETERSBURG MAN IS ACCUSED OF BRINGING CRYSTAL METH INTO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.
LEE COUNTY DETECTIVES STOPPED A CAR ON I-75, NEAR BAYSHORE ROAD.
AND INSIDE THEY FOUND 12 GRAMS OF HIGH QUALITY CRYSTAL METH,
WORTH ABOUT 33 HUNDRED DOLLARS.
DETECTIVES THINK THE DRIVER, 48 YEAR OLD JEFFERY LIMON WAS DRIVING TO NORTH FORT MYERS TO DELIVER THE DRUGS.
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A LEE COUNTY BUSINESS IS CELEBRATING TONIGHT, FINISHING A MAJOR EXPANSION PROJECT AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.
ALGENOL -- A RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, WILL BEGIN COMMERICAL PRODUCTION EARLY NEXT YEAR.
NBC-2'S LEIGH DANA EXPLAINS HOW THIS COULD BRING THOUSANDS OF JOBS TO THE AREA.
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TESTING A NEW SOURCE
OF ENERGY -
CHERIE SUKOVICH / TEACHER
20:31 they're using algae to make fuel for our vehicles. That is the coolest thing ever.
BY TURNING ALGAE INTO ETHANOL AT A DOLLAR A GALLON.
paul woods/algenol, ceo
24:42 if I can save the cost 20,30,40 cents at the pump, there's a benefit for the customer.
THE COMPANY-- ALGENOL-- GOT OFF THE GROUND IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN 2006.
2 YEARS AGO - LEE COUNTY GAVE ALEGENOL 10 MILLION DOLLARS TO EXPAND.
IF IT AGREED TO BRING IN MORE THAN A HUNDRED HIGH WAGE JOBS AND BUILD A NEW FACILITY.
WHICH IT DID.
,JENNIFER BERG/ LEE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICE
34:24 it's a real catalyst for our community. It's wonderful to see that it's moving forward and there are people hired -- 120-- moving forward with exciting research.
ALGENOL IS STILL IN ITS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PHASE.
BUT HAS SEEN A LOT OF ADVANCEMENTS OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS
AND IS NOW AHEAD OF ITS PRODUCTION SCHEDULE.
leigh dana
"By March 2013, Algenol should be poised to begin commercial activities. The company still would need to build the plant and hire thousands of employees."
paul woods/algenol, ceo
31:07 we start putting commercial facilities up here and employing 2,3,4-thousand people per facility, we really could have a big impact across Florida.
THE GOAL BY THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR IS TO HAVE FUEL GRADE ETHANOL AVAILABLE ON SITE.
AND EVENTUALLY BECOME ONE OF FLORIDA'S LARGEST EMPLOYERS.
IN LEE COUNTY, LEIGH DANA, NBC2
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THE POPE'S PERSONAL BUTLER IS ON TRIAL, ACCUSED OF STEALING SENSITIVE DOCUMENTS.
PAOLO GABRIELE ADMITTED TO TAKING THE DOCUMENTS.SAYING HE DID IT TO EXPOSE CORRUPTION IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.
BUT TESTIFIED HE DOESN'T FEEL GUILTY OF A CRIME, ONLY OF BETRAYING THE TRUST OF POPE BENEDICT.
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"He was a known and trusted person and so he spoke to many people about many different issues of concern, that he said they came to him with."
THE TRIBUNAL WILL DECIDE GABRIELE'S FATE SATURDAY.
HE COULD FACE FOUR YEARS IN PRISON.
EVERYONE IN ROME EXPECTS THE POPE TO PARDON HIM.
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PARENTS ON THE EAST COAST ARE OUTRAGED AFTER SIXTH GRADE GIRLS FOUND A HIDDEN CAMERA IN THEIR LOCKER ROOM.
IT HAPPENED AT A PRIVATE SCHOOL IN STUART.
THE GIRLS FOUND IT IN THE CEILING.
THEY TURNED IT OVER TO A SCHOOL EMPLOYEE, WHO FAILED TO TURN IT OVER TO AN ADMINISTRATOR.
THE EMPLOYEE IS NOW ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE.
THE SCHOOL HASN'T FIGURED OUT WHO PUT THE CAMERA THERE.
POLICE HAVE NOT SAID IF ANYTHING WAS RECORDED.
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ALARMING NEWS FOR PEOPLE WHO TAKE SUPPLEMENTS.
A GOVERNMENT REPORT, OUT TODAY, SHOWS
DOZENS THAT PROMISE TO HELP YOU LOSE WEIGHT, AND HELP YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM, ARE PUSHING EMPTY PROMISES.
PLUS: IMAGINE SEEING *THIS WHEN YOU'RE FISHING OFF THE FLORIDA COAST.
THESE GUYS HAVE A SHARK TALE TO TELL, AND THE VIDEO TO PROVE IT.
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A SHOCKING REPORT RELEASED TODAY TARGETS THE MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR SUPPLEMENT INDUSTRY.
SOME OF THE PILLS AND POTIONS ARE BEING SOLD ILLEGALLY, AND ARE DOWNRIGHT
DANGEROUS FOR YOUR HEALTH.
T-J WINICK EXPLAINS.
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It is a $20 billion industry.but dozens of weight loss and immune system
supplements have illegal labels and lack scientific evidence to back up
their health claims.
This according to a government report out today.
SOT DR. RICHARD BESSER/ABC NEWS
"It is really an unregulated wild west. People are taking these for all
kinds of conditions and there is no evidence that they work."
The report, released by the Department of Health and Human Services, found
that 20 percent of the 127 weight loss and immune-boosting supplements
investigators purchased online and in retail stores across the country
carried labels that made illegal and unsubstantiated claims to cure or treat
disease.
MOS
"I'm not surprised that the labels are misleading."
MOS
"Corporations would say anything to sell, they would lie."
Some products even claimed to cure or prevent diabetes or cancer, or that
they could help people with HIV or AIDS.strictly prohibited under federal
law.
SOT DR. RICHARD BESSER/ABC NEWS
Taking a supplement instead of a drug that is proven to work that can have
big time consequences for their health.
The Department's inspector general ruled.
"Supplements that make disease claims could mislead consumers into using
them as replacements for prescription drugs or other treatments for medical
conditions, with potentially dangerous results."
SOT DIETITIAN LAURA JEFFERS/CLEVELAND CLINIC
"This isn't very shocking to us."
For a drug to be marketed, it has to prove its claim.
Vitamins and supplements: all companies have to do is say that it is safe.
SOT DIETITIAN LAURA JEFFERS/CLEVELAND CLINIC
"It's really important that consumers do a lot of research but then are
upfront with their physicians on everything that they're taking."
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T-J WINICK REPORTING.
THE FDA SAYS THE AGENCY WILL CONSIDER AND ADDRESS THE REPORT'S RECOMMENDATIONS AS ITS. QUOTE. RESOURCES AND PRIORITIES ALLOW.
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INTERNATIONAL "WALK TO SCHOOL DAY" IS TAKING ON A BIGGER MEANING IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.
FIVE KIDS HAVE BEEN HIT BY CARS, ON THEIR WAY TO CLASS OR THE BUS STOP, IN 2012.
TODAY WE FOUND OUT WHAT THE COMMUNITY IS DOING TO PREVENT ANOTHER ACCIDENT.
PLUS: ANOTHER BLOW FOR THE FAMILY OF THE YOUNGEST VICTIM IN THE COLORADO SHOOTING MASSACRE.
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WE ARE GETTING NEW DETAILS ON BREAKING NEWS.
A STUDENT AT SOUTHWEST FLORIDA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY. HIT BY LIGHTENING.
THE PASTOR TELLING US IT HAPPENED DURING FOOTBALL PRACTICE.
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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.AFTERNOON DOWNPOURS CONTINUE
Over the next few days we will continue to track lots of sunshine - and - the afternoon round of downpours or thunderstorms in some places. High pressure is building back over Florida and will turn the wind flow around to a general easterly direction. This wind flow, in combination with our afternoon sea breeze, will spell the return of afternoon rain through the weekend. It certainly doesn't look like completely washed-out weather for the next few days, but some places along the I-75 corridor will continue to get wet in the afternoon for several more days.
The long-range forecast calls for a little drier and even 'cooler' weather next week. At this point I think it would be most noticeable in the mornings next week as the humidity drops off and temperatures cool into the 60's. Afternoon weather will still be warm next week, but those morning lows in the 60's might be something you'll want to look forward to …. about a week from today!
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A COUPLE OF FISHERMEN GOT *THIS CLOSE TO A WHALE SHARK OFF THE COAST OF THE PANHANDLE.
THE 25-FOOT FISH ENJOYED THE COMPANY.
IT SWAM AROUND THE BOAT FOR ABOUT AN HOUR.
THE WHALE SHARK IS THE LARGEST FISH SPECIES.
IT'S CURRENTLY LISTED AS A VULNERABLE SPECIES.
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SO FAR IN 2012, 5 KIDS IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA HAVE BEEN HIT BY CARS ON THEIR WAY TO SCHOOL OR THE BUS STOP.
JUST 2 WEEKS AGO-
12-YEAR OLD DEVON ROJAS WAS HIT ON 68TH STREET WEST IN LEHIGH ACRES.
THE SAME WEEK-
AN S-U-V HIT 14 YEAR OLD GIOVANY RICHARD NEAR HIS BUS STOP IN SAN CARLOS PARK.
EARLY IN SEPTEMBER ALSO IN SAN CARLOS PARK --
A DRIVER HIT 17-YEAR-OLD KEISHA BEIN-AIME.
SHE'S STILL RECOVERING FROM INJURIES.
IN JUNE --
12-YEAR-OLD ESTERSON CELESTIN WAS STRUCK,
WHILE RIDING HIS BIKE ON 8TH STREET SOUTHWEST IN LEHIGH ACRES.
AND IN APRIL --
JUST BLOCKS AWAY ON THE SAME STREET --
NINE-YEAR-OLD BRYSON COVEY WAS HIT WHILE RUNNING TO CATCH HIS BUS.
IN FOUR OF THE 5 INCIDENTS,
THE CHILD- NOT THE DRIVER- WAS AT FAULT.
AND NOW- THE COMMUNITY IS RALLYING TOGETHER TO STOP MORE KIDS FROM GETTING HURT.
NBC2's JOELLE PARKS SHOW US HOW THEY'RE RAISING AWARENESS ON INTERNATIONAL WALK TO SCHOOL DAY.
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AN EARLY MORNING-
FILLED WITH LESSONS FOR AN EARLY AGE.
to hold my moms hand
7 YEAR OLD NADIA VILLANUEVA AND HER OLDER BROTHER OSCAR-
JUST TWO OF THOUSANDS OF LEE COUNTY KIDS THAT SOMETIMES WALK TO SCHOOL OR THE BUS STOP.
cars come by really fast and if you don't be careful they can come and hit you
WHILE THEY KNOW WHAT THEY'RE *SUPPOSED TO DO,
DOING IT- ISN'T ALWAYS EASY.
kids are kids and it's hard to keep their mind set on not running around laying tag, or hide and seek or whatever they might play in that couple of seconds before the bus, they get a little overwhelmed or carried away and they don't pay attention.
THAT'S WHY THESE ADULTS ARE WALKING WITH STUDENTS TO BONITA SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ON INTERNATIONAL WALK TO SCHOOL DAY.
we want to teach children how to walk safely, that they need to walk to the left, face traffic walk in the sidewalks if possible, if not if they can't, let's move all the way over to the left as far as we can so that way we can be safe when we're walking
EDUCATION - THE STRONGEST DEFENSE.
this way we can reduce any pedestrian related injuries or fatalities
THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR HEALTH STATISTICS CITES ROAD TRAFFIC INJURIES AS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH AMONG CHILDREN AGES 3 TO 14.
bus stops are scary bc a lot of people don't look for little kids
ARMED WITH REFLECTORS AND SIGNS,
THIS GROUP REMINDS DRIVERS TO SLOW DOWN,
honk
AND GENTLY EXPLAINS TO KIDS WHAT COULD HAPPEN.
you could end up in the hospital with serious injuries
A SITUATION THAT NO CHILD,
OR PARENT WANTS TO FACE.
honk
IN BONITA SPRINGS JP.
mom Kissing kid goodbye, have a good day goodbye
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SOMEONE MADE A DISTURBING DISCOVERY IN A SOUTHWEST CAPE CORAL CANAL.
WE WANT TO WARN YOU, THE IMAGES MAY BE TOUGH TO LOOK AT.
TWO ALLIGATOR CARCASSES FLOATING IN THE WATER, WITH NO HEADS OR TAILS.
COMING UP, WE HEAR FROM THE STUDENT WHO FOUND THEM.
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HEARTBREAKING NEWS FOR THE FAMILY OF THE YOUNGEST THEATER SHOOTING VICTIM IN COLORADO.
A CAMERA AND A MEMORY CARD WITH THE LAST KNOWN PHOTOS OF SIX-YEAR-OLD VERONICA MOSER-SULLIVAN, ARE NOW GONE, AFTER A THIEF BROKE INTO THE FAMILY HOME.
MATT FLENER SPOKE WITH THE YOUNG GIRL'S DEVASTATED GRANDFATHER.
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"I've felt numb all day, I felt sick."
NO GRANDFATHER HAS EVER HAD THE TASK OF TELLING THE PUBLIC HEALING IS EASY AFTER YOU LOSE A GRANDDAUGHTER.
"It's all I can do to be out here talking to you."
SO CREDIT THE GRANDFATHER OF SIX YEAR OLD THEATER SHOOTING VICTIM VERONICA MOSER SULLIVAN, FOR STANDING UP FOR HIS FAMILY AFTER LEARNING THAT SOMEONE HAD BROKEN INTO HIS HOME.
"I don't know if the people were aware."
HE'S HERE, NOT ONLY BECAUSE BURGLARS TOOK JEWELRY AND CASH, BUT A SIMPLE BLUE AND RED MEMORY CARD.
"There were four cameras, one that had the memory card."
THE MEMORY CARD THAT HAD THIS PICTURE OF A DAY BACK IN MAY, WHEN VERONICA MOSER SULLIVAN HAD COMPLETED KINDERGARTEN.
"And after that was over, took her out for ice cream."
AND THIS WAS ONE OF THE ONLY PICTURES ROBERT SULLIVAN HAD DOWNLOADED OFF THAT MEMORY CARD.
"Finally, Veronica is going to have her funeral service, I have my own tribute that I wanted to put in the funeral service for her."
PLEASE GIVE THAT MEMORY CARD BACK, GIVE THIS FAMILY SOME PEACE SO THEY CAN CONTINUE TO HEAL.
"I'm not sure what the future holds but I keep hoping things will get better."
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MATT FLENER REPORTING.
JAMES HOLMES IS ACCUSED OF KILLING 12 PEOPLE AND WOUNDING 58 MORE IN THE ATTACK.
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TWO DEAD GATORS DISCOVERED IN A CAPE CORAL CANAL.
BOTH WITH THE HEAD AND TAIL CUT OFF.
A STUDENT HEADING HOME FROM HIS BUS STOP MADE the GRUESOME DISCOVERY.
NBC2'S KELLY CRESWELL HAS THE STORY, AND WE WANT TO WARN YOU, SOME OF THE IMAGES MAY BE DISTURBING.
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WALKING HOME FROM THE BUS STOP, ON A WARM, HUMID DAY---A DISTINCT SMELL TOOK OVER THE CORNER OF SOUTHWEST 20TH AVE AND SOUTHWEST 25TH STREET.
rotten flesh and bodies.
CHANDLER SEMRICK HEADED TOWARD THE TERRIBLE ODOR---AND DISCOVERED TWO DEAD GATORS, BUT SOMETHING WAS MISSING.
it's head and tail was gone, it was very odd.
WHAT ELSE WAS ODD---JUST YESTERDAY THE CAPE CORAL POLICE DEPARTMENT CONTACTED WASTE PRO TO REMOVE TWO SMALLER GATORS FROM THIS VACANT LOT AROUND THE CORNER.
we are contracted to remove all dead animals from the roadway and on the curb. We do that, but from in the middle of a canal, we usually don't do that. But this time, we took care of the Cape Coral residents.
ROTTING IN THE HOT FLORIDA SUN, NO ONE KNOWS HOW THE GATORS SURFACED.
BUT THE STRONG STENCH COULDN'T HIDE BEHIND THE TALL GRASS AND TREES.
WASTE PRO CREWS FISHED OUT THE CARCASSES AND GOT RID OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD NUISANCE.
THEY'RE USED TO PICKING UP A DEAD GATOR ONCE EVERY FEW MONTHS---BUT FOUR IN TWO DAYS---TROY GOSS SAYS SEEMS A LITTLE STRANGE.
if they have a license, please dispose of the carcass the right way. Just don't throw it in the canal. It's a real nuisance for the neighborhood, the smell, it's just nasty.
if someone is caught illegally hunting gators, they could face a second degree misdemeanor or third degree felony. If anyone knows any information about this incident, they can call FWC's wildlife hotline at 888-404-3922. They can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward. Reporting in Cape Coral, Kelly Creswell, NBC2.
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OUR COVERAGE OF BREAKING NEWS CONTINUES NEXT.
AN UPDATE ON A CHILD STRUCK BY LIGHTNING AT FOOTBALL PRACTICE.
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