5PM NBC2 |
the American people voted for action, not politics as usual. You elected us to focus on your jobs, not ours.
NEXT AT FIVE.
CLIFF HANGER.
THREE DAYS AFTER THE ELECTION -- THE PRESIDENT TALKS COMPROMISE TO AVOID THE SO CALLED FISCAL CLIFF.
Return to index of stories...
FLORIDA'S FOLLY.
STATE AND LOCAL ELECTION OFFICIALS STILL SLOGGING THROUGH THOUSANDS OF BALLOTS WITH A DEADLINE LOOMING.
Return to index of stories...
AND BIGELOW DIGS IN.
THE LEE COUNTY COMMISSIONER SAYS HE'S THE VICTIM OF A SMEAR CAMPAIGN.
THE NEWS AT FIVE STARTS NOW.
Return to index of stories...
BREAKING NEWS RIGHT NOW.
THE STATE OF FLORIDA WANTS SOMEONE TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGES TO THE I-75 DANIELS PARKWAY OVERPASS.
F-DOT SAYS THE DAMAGE TO THE OVERPASS IS ESTIMATED AT THREE QUARTERS OF A MILLION DOLLARS.
EARLIER THIS WEEK A SEMI TRUCK.CARRYING A BOOM CRANE.CRASHED INTO THE OVERPASS.
WE ARE WORKING TO FIND OUT IF THE STATE WILL GO AFTER THE COMPANY --
THE DRIVER --
INSURANCE OR ALL THREE.
WORK IS UNDERWAY TO REPAIR THE BRIDGE AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY EARLY NEXT MONTH.
Return to index of stories...
ALSO BREAKING RIGHT NOW.
C-I-A DIRECTOR DAVID PETRAEUS HAS RESIGNED BECAUSE OF AN EXTRAMARITAL AFFAIR.
THE PRESIDENT ACCEPTED HIS LETTER OF RESIGNATION TODAY.
PETRAEUS SAYS HE SHOWED POOR JUDGEMENT AND HIS BEHAVIOR IS UNACCEPTABLE AS A HUSBAND AND DIRECTOR OF THE C-I-A.
THE FOUR STAR GENERAL SERVED MORE THAN 37 YEARS IN THE U-S ARMY BEFORE BEING APPOINTED AS C-I-A DIRECTOR.
Return to index of stories...
AMERICANS GAVE PRESIDENT OBAMA AND HOUSE REPUBLICANS A SECOND CHANCE TO WORK TOGETHER.
BUT SO FAR.THEY'RE SINGING THE SAME TUNE.
THE ECONOMY STILL A DIVISIVE SUBJECT AMONG THE POWER PLAYERS IN WASHINGTON.
THE PRESIDENT AND HOUSE SPEAKER STILL DON'T SEE EYE TO EYE ON TAXES AND HOW TO KEEP THE ECONOMY GROWING.
N-B-C TWO ANCHOR HEATHER TURCO EXPLAINS WHY BOTH SIDES HAVE TO ACT FAST IF THEY WANT TO AVOID GOING OVER A FISCAL CLIFF.
Return to index of stories...
RAISING TAXES ON THE WEALTHIEST AMERICANS WAS A CENTERPIECE OF PRESIDENT
OBAMA'S RE-ELECTION MESSAGE.
TODAY - IN HIS FIRST PUBLIC APPEARANCE SINCE HIS VICTORY - HE DIDN'T
BACK DOWN.
Return to index of stories...
John Boehner Speaker of the House
on tuesday night, we found out that the majority of americans agree with my
approach/and that means asking the wealthiest americans to pay a little
more in taxes.
BUT THE PRESIDENT PUSHED CONGRESS TO KEEP THE TAX CUTS FOR AMERICANS EARNING
LESS THAN 250-THOUSAND.
fortunately we shouldnt need long negoations or drama to solve that part of
the problem/let's extend the middle class tax cuts right now
THE SO-CALLED FISCAL CLIFF LOOMING AT THE END OF THE YEAR COULD HAVE SERIOUS
RAMIFICATIONS.
650 BILLION IN SPENDING CUTS AND TAX INCREASES WILL GO INTO EFFECT ON
JANUARY FIRST IF THERE'S NO DEAL.
THAT AFFECTS EVERY AMERICAN TAXPAYER.
ALREADY THE FINANCIAL MARKETS HAVE REACTED - THE DOW IS BELOW 13-THOUSAND
FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE SEPTEMBER, AS INVESTORS GROW NERVOUS ABOUT WHAT'S
TO COME
TODAY HOUSE SPEAKER JOHN BOEHNER SAID NEXT YEAR CONGRESS NEEDS TO BEGIN TO
FIX THE DEBT PROBLEM THROUGH TAX REFORM AND ENTITLEMENT REFORM.
everything on the revenue side and on the spending side, has to be looked at
.
BOEHNER PUT THE PRESSURE ON PRESIDENT OBAMA TO TAKE CHARGE OF WHERE THESE
NEGOTAITIONS GO.
I think it's important for us to come to an agreement with the president.
But this is his opportunity to lead.
Return to index of stories...
FLORIDA SENATOR MARCO RUBIO ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT MOMENTS AFTER THE PRESIDENT SPOKE.
WITHOUT A BOLD PLAN TO BRING SPENDING UNDER CONTROL AND GET OUR ECONOMY GROWING, WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK AT THE EDGE OF THIS CLIFF, IN JUST A MATTER OF YEARS.
I AM NOT INTERESTED IN SHORT-TERM POLITICAL DEALS.
WE NEED A LONG-TERM SOLUTION.
PRESIDENT OBAMA SAID TODAY HE INVITED LEADERS FROM BOTH PARTIES TO THE WHITE HOUSE NEXT WEEK TO SIT DOWN AND START HASHING THINGS OUT - TO FIND SOME SORT OF COMPROMISE ON THESE URGENT ISSUES AFFECTING ALL OF US.
Return to index of stories...
BALLOTS ARE STILL BEING COUNTED AS ELECTION OFFICIALS IN FLORIDA WORK AGAINST TOMORROW'S DEADLINE TO TURN-IN RESULTS.
TODAY NBC-2 WAS THERE AS LEE COUNTY'S CANVASSING BOARD THREW OUT 500 BALLOTS IN TUESDAY'S ELECTION.
OUR CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT CHAD OLIVER IS HERE TO EXPLAIN WHY.
Return to index of stories...
KELLIE - RIGHT NOW PRESIDENT OBAMA IS AHEAD BY 60-THOUSAND VOTES.
MORE THAN LIKELY HE WILL END UP WITH FLORIDA'S 29 ELECTORAL VOTES.
PEOPLE MAY SAY - WHY DO WE CARE - THE ELECTION'S FINISHED.
IT MATTERS BECAUSE FLORIDIANS NEED TO KNOW THEIR VOTES HAVE BEEN COUNTED.
Return to index of stories...
THIS MORNING LEE COUNTY'S CANVASSING BOARD REVIEWED MORE THAN 13-HUNDRED PROVISIONAL BALLOTS. SOME FORGOT TO BRING I-D ON ELECTION DAY. OTHERS SIMPLY WEREN'T ON THE VOTING REGISTER.
"So the Canvassing Board has to look at each one of those and determine is that correct information or do we deny that particular ballot."
THEY DECIDED 776 BALLOTS WILL BE ADDED TO THE OVERALL TOTAL. 498 WILL *NOT COUNT. 80 BALLOTS - NEED MORE INFO. ELECTION WORKERS MUST VERIFTY A PERSON HASN'T ALREADY VOTED IN ANOTHER COUNTY.
REASONS VARY FOR THOSE BALLOTS TOSSED ASIDE. SOME WERE FILLED OUT BY CONVICTED FELONS. OTHERS VOTED IN THE WRONG PRECINCT. OR MAYBE THEY WEREN'T EVEN REGISTERED TO VOTE.
PROVISIONAL BALLOTS THAT PASS THE TEST - GET FED THROUGH OPTICAL SCANNERS.
LEE COUNTY'S ABSENTEE BALLOTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN COUNTED AND STACKED. OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE ARE JUST FINISHING. PUTTING PRESSURE ON FLORIDA'S OFFICE OF SECRETARY OF STATE TO ANNOUNCE A WINNER.
"We're not going to call the race until we actually certify the results. We'll keep reporting the results and let the media doing the 'calling of the race.' but I think the best indicator we can give is on Saturday when we order a recount or we don't."
LEE COUNTY'S SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS TOOK THE BLAME FOR LONG LINES ON ELECTION DAY. NOW SHE'S LOOKING TOWARD SOLUTIONS.
"We're not going to wait. We're going to hit the ground running right after we get the final certification in to make sure this doesn't happen, whether we have a city election, gubernatorial election or the very next Presidential election."
Return to index of stories...
HARRINGTON LAID OUT A WISH LIST FOR ME TODAY.
CHANGES SHE THINKS WILL AVOID THE LONG LINES WE SAW TUESDAY AND DURING EARLY VOTING.
I'LL BE BACK AT SIX TO SHARE THOSE WITH YOU.
Return to index of stories...
NEW DETAILS TONIGHT ABOUT A LEE COUNTY COMMISSIONER AT THE CENTER OF A FIRE STORM.
BRIAN BIGELOW SAYS HE'S BEING TARGETED BY THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
BIGELOW RELEASED A STATEMENT DEFENDING HIMSELF.
N-B-C TWO'S MEAGHAN SMITH DETAILS WHAT HE HAD TO SAY.
Return to index of stories...
BIGELOW SAYS HE HE WAS TREATED UNFAIRLY BY DEPUTIES BECAUSE HE AND SHERIFF MIKE SCOTT- WHO HE REFERS TO AS "BOSS MAN" HAVE HAD VERY PUBLIC DIFFERENCES OF OPINION- LIKE THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE BUDGET.
Return to index of stories...
INITIALLY BRIAN BIGELOW TOLD US HE HAD NO COMMENT WHEN WE CAUGHT UP WITH HIM OUTSIDE HIS FORT MYERS HOME.
bigelow 02:01 "I'm going to follow the advice of my lawyer and consult with him until then I guess I'm just not going to make a comment."
BUT NOW - THE LEE COUNTY COMMISSIONER HAS RELEASED A 3 PAGE STATEMENT TO NBC-2.
BIGELOW SAYS THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS LYING ABOUT THE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST HIM AND THE 18 YEAR-OLD HE WAS WITH.
DEPUTIES TELL US WEDNESDAY, THE 2 WERE AT A KNOWN DRUG HOUSE IN TICE-
AND COPS WATCHED AS POSSIBLE DEAL WENT DOWN IN THE DRIVEWAY.
THE DUO WAS PULLED OVER DOWN THE STREET- AND DEPUTIES REPORT SMELLING BURNED MARIJUANA COMING FROM THE CAR-
DETECTIVES STATED THEY FOUND POT IN THE CAR- AND LATER COCAINE ON DAVID HENLEY- WHICH HENLEY CLAIMED BELONGED TO BIGELOW.
THE TEEN'S FAMILY WOULDN'T TELL US WHAT THEIR SON WAS DOING WITH THE 48 YEAR-OLD.
you guys need to leave! why won't you come out and tell us what he was doing with the commissioner?
IN THE 3 PAGE STATEMENT RELEASED TO NBC-2 - THE COMMISSIONER WRITES THAT:
"SHERIFF SCOTT AND STAFF STAND BEHIND THEIR ALLEGATIONS THAT MY RENTAL CAR WAS BEING USED TO COMMIT ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES, I HOWEVER DO NOT. FURTHERMORE, ONCE THE TRUTH IS ALLOWED TO BE DEMONSTRATED IN A COURT OF LAW, IT IS MY STRONG BELIEF THAT THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM WILL NOT UPHOLD THOSE STATEMENTS AS BEING TRUTHFUL."
WHILE THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE ONLY COMMENT TODAY REGARDING BIGELOW'S ACCUSATIONS IS THAT "The probable cause statement speaks for itself."
YESTERDAY-
THEY SAID BIGELOW WAS TREATED JUST LIKE ANYONE ELSE.
17:55 " was he given preferential treatment because of who he is?" " No, he was treated like anyone else would be under those types of circumstances."
Return to index of stories...
THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS SAID ALONG THAT BIGELOW WAS TREATED JUST LIKE ANYONE ELSE IN THAT SITUATION. THEY SAID EVEN THOUGH DRUGS WERE FOUND IN HIS CAR, HE WASN'T ARRESTED BECAUSE HE DIDN'T HAVE ANY DRUGS ON HIM AND THE OTHER PERSON IN THE CAR ADMITTED TO THAT THEY WERE HIS.
Return to index of stories...
A HEARING IS SCHEDULED LATER THIS MONTH, FOR CAPTAIN WALLY WEATHERHOLT.
HE'S THE EVERGLADES AIRBOAT TOUR CAPTAIN WHO LOST HIS HAND TO AN ALLIGATOR.
HE'S ACCUSED OF FEEDING THE GATOR -WHICH IS ILLEGAL.
THIS IS VIDEO SENT TO US BY A VIEWER ON ONE OF HIS BOAT TOURS.
IF CONVICTED WEATHERHOLT FACES A 500 DOLLAR FINE AND 60 DAYS IN JAIL.
Return to index of stories...
SINCE THEN; ANOTHER TOUR BOAT OPERATOR ON THE EAST COAST WAS CITED FOR FEEDING DOG BISCUITS TO GATORS.
WE WANTED TO KNOW WHETHER LOCAL TOUR GUIDES ARE BREAKING THE LAW. AND BAITING ALLIGATORS.
NBC 2 INVESTIGATORS DAVE ELIAS JOINS US NOW WITH A PREVIEW OF HIS EXCLUSIVE INVESTIGATION.
Return to index of stories...
YES KELLIE.
WE WANTED TO FIND OUT WHETHER GATOR FEEDING WAS STILL GOING ON DOWN IN THE EVERGLADES.
SO WE SENT A CREW OF PEOPLE OUT OVER MULTIPLE WEEKS.
ALL EQUIPPED WITH THEIR PHONES TO TAKE VIDEO ON FIVE SEPARATE TOURS.
WE FOUND GUIDES THROWING FISH FOOD IN THE WATER.
AND FEEDING RACOONS.
WE TOOK THE VIDEO TO THE FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION - AND WHILE THEY AREN'T PARTICULARLY FOND OF GUIDES FEEDING ANY WILDLIFE --
THEY TELL ME IT'S NOT ILLEGAL BASED ON THEIR INTERPRETATION OF THE LAW.
Return to index of stories...
AND THAT'S WHAT WE DELVE INTO TONIGHT AT SIX.
YOU'LL SEE MORE OF OUR UNDERCOVER VIDEO AND FIND OUT WHY F-W-C OFFICERS AREN'T CITING TOUR COMPANIES - IN JUST ABOUT AN HOUR.
Return to index of stories...
WE ARE WORKING TO GET MORE DETAILS ABOUT A CRASH IN CAPE CORAL OFF BURNT STORE ROAD INVOLVING A VOLUNTEER WHO WORKS AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
RIGHT NOW WE KNOW THREE CARS WERE INVOLVED.
IT'S NOT CLEAR HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE INVOLVED OR THE EXTENT OF ANY INJURIES.
Return to index of stories...
NEW DETAILS ABOUT A BURGLARY IN FORT MYERS.
POLICE RELEASED THIS SKETCH OF THE SUSPECT THEY BELIEVE ENTERED A HOME IN THE AREA OF VAN BUREN STREET AND PALM BEACH BOULEVARD WEDNESDAY NIGHT.
IF YOU RECOGNIZE THE PERSON OR HAVE ANY INFORMATION YOU ARE ASKED TO CALL POLICE OR CRIME STOPPERS.
Return to index of stories...
IF YOU'RE FREE THIS SUNDAY.THER'ES A BIG EVENT ON SANIBEL YOU MIGHT WANNA CHECK OUT.
THE 31ST ANNUAL TASTE OF THE ISLANDS STARTS AT 12:30 SUNDAY.
YOU CAN SAMPLE FOOD FROM 20 DIFFERENT LOCAL RESTAURANTS AT SANIBEL COMMUNITY PARK.
TICKETS ARE FIVE DOLLARS.
CHILDREN UNDER TEN ARE FREE.
BRING CASH FOR THE FOOD AND DRINK TICKETS.
THE PROCEEDS GO TO CROW.WHICH HELPS REHAB SICK AND INJURED ANIMALS.
Return to index of stories...
A LOCAL TEEN HAS OVERCOME A LOT OF OBSTACLES TO.BE A REGULAR TEEN.
AFTER YEARS OF BEING TOLD HE WOULD NEVER SUCCEED --
THE GRIDIRON TURNED HIS LIFE AROUND.
AND REMEMBER THAT COYOTE WE TOLD YOU ABOUT YESTERDAY, WANDERING NEIGHBORHOODS OFF MCGREGOR BOULEVARD IN FORT MYERS,
WELL TODAY A SAD ENDING.
Return to index of stories...
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.
High pressure will control the weekend weather and it's looking nice for southwest Florida. The high pressure area is centered well north of Florida and the wind circulation around the high will bring a breeze from the northeast tomorrow. Wind speeds will average about 15 mph with a few gusts to 20 mph during the afternoon. Wake up weather on Saturday will be mostly sunny and temperatures will be in the mid 50's. Afternoon highs top out at 80 - 83 both Saturday and Sunday. By the end of the weekend, Sunday, we will probably notice a bit more of the easterly wind and that may push over a few more clouds from the east coast. There could be some light showers on radar by Sunday afternoon … but most of them will not last the trip across the state to our side of Florida.
Looking at the extended forecast, there will be another cold front moving toward the area on Monday evening. The computer guidance is not very impressed with potential rain showers for us as the front goes by. It's possible we will track an isolated shower late Monday or Tuesday but it probably won't be much.
Enjoy a nice, but at times breezy, weekend!
Return to index of stories...
A TRAGIC ENDING TO A STORY WE FIRST BROUGHT YOU YESTERDAY ON THE NEWS A FIVE.
THAT COYOTE ROAMING A NEIGHBORHOOD IN FORT MYERS DIED TODAY AFTER BEING HIT BY A CAR
THE ANIMAL WAS HIT ON GASPARILLA DRIVE --
JUST OFF MCGREGOR BOULEVARD. WILDLIFE OFFICERS HAD TO EUTHANIZE THE COYOTE
N-B-C TWO'S STEVE CAMPION HAS BEEN LOOKING INTO WHETHER THIS ENDING COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED.
Return to index of stories...
NEIGHBORS WARNED THE COYOTE'S DAYS WERE NUMBERED -- PLEADING WITH WILDLIFE OFFICERS TO SIMPLY TRAP HIM.
THEY SAID NO -- THE ANIMAL WASN'T A NUISANCE -- TRY TELLING THAT TO THE MAN WHO PULLED OVER TO HELP THE INJURED AND BLEEDING ANIMAL.
Return to index of stories...
TRT 120
Outcue: unfortunate end
Mike Brandon, Spotted Coyote - 00-07
Tina Tufariello, Saw Coyote 28-34
Joanne Adams, FWC Officer -- 56-101
TAKE PKG
Mike Brandon, tried to save coyote
3757 "I got out of my car, left it running on McGregor an attempt to pick it up because I thought he'd be dead."
MIKE BRANDON THOUGHT A COLLISION AT THESE FORT MYERS CROSS STREETS -- LEFT THIS COYOTE ON DEATH'S DOOR.
AS BRANDON APPROACHED -- THE BLEEDING AND BRUISED ANIMAL -- WENT RUNNING.
Mike Brandon
3804 "I ran and cut him off and kept him corner to one of the homes."
AS THE COYOTE TRIED TO
ESCAPE WILDLIFE OFFICERS WERE SOON CALLED IN.
MOMENTS LATER THOSE ON THE BLOCK -- HEARD GUNFIRE.
Tina Tufariello, saw coyote
2451 "there was a shot in the yard."
AS A CROWDS GATHERED TO CATCH A GLIMPSE OF THE WILD ANIMAL -- SEEN IN THIS VIDEO YESTERDAY -- THEY HOPED HE'D BE ABLE TO HEAL.
Tina Tufariello, Saw coyote
0306 "as he went by, we were looking at him. He kept sitting in his kennel. You could see a lot of blood."
STATE WILDLIFE OFFICERS TELL US -- THE COYOTE'S INJURIES WERE SO SEVERE THEY HAD TO PUT HIM DOWN.
Joanne Adams, FWC officer
3206 "it's natural to see one as long as they behave like they should and run away."
OFFICERS ADAMS -- EXPLAINS COYOTES ARE PART OF FLORIDA'S LANDSCAPE AND THEY DON'T GET TRAP UNLESS THE ANIMAL THREATENS.
SOME TONIGHT SUGGEST THAT STEADFAST PHILOSPHY NEEDS SOME COMMON SENSE.
Mike Brandon,
3857 "the coyote didn't want to be here. I know a lot of people are upset because of their little dogs. If he was trapped we could have avoided an unfortunate end."
Return to index of stories...
TAKE LIVE
AGAIN -- THE COYOTE WAS PUT DOWN SOON AFTER BEING TRAPPED.
WHILE SOME FEEL THINGS SHOULD HAVE ENDED DIFFERENTLY -- OTHERS ARGUE GOOD RIDDANCE.
LIVE IN FORT MYERS, STEVE CAMPION, NBC2
Return to index of stories...
THIS WEEKEND IS SET UP TO BE A GORGEOUS ONE --
SO WHY NOT HEAD OUT TO CAPE CORAL FOR THE ANNUAL COCONUT FESTIVAL.
THERE'S FOOD, FUN AND GAMES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY.
IT ALL STARTS TONIGHT AT FIVE AT SUNSPLASH WATER PARK.
THE GATES OPEN AT NOON TOMORROW AND SUNDAY.
Return to index of stories...
A TEENAGER FINDS HIS NICHE IN LIFE.
"dorian's heart is so big and he loves people and he loves football"
LINDSAY LOGUE SPENT A LOT OF HOURS ON THIS STORY.
HOW FOOTBALL MADE A LOCAL TEEN FEEL NORMAL FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HIS LIFE.
AND ALL NEW AT SIX--
Daniel Rice, pedestrian
"I guess more people have to die"
THE FAMILY OF AN ESTERO TEEN HIT AND KILLED BY A TRUCK AT AN INTERSECTION NEAR THE COCONUT POINT MALL, HAS LOST ITS BATTLE TO GET A TRAFFIC LIGHT INSTALLED.
WHY THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SAID NO, IN A LIVE REPORT.
Return to index of stories...
A LOCAL TEEN, WHO FOR YEARS, WAS TOLD HE WOULD NEVER SUCCEED AT ANYTHING.IS DEFYING THE ODDS.
AND HIS PARENTS SAY IT'S ALL THANKS TO ONE THING: HIS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM.
NBC2 ANCHOR LINDSAY LOGUE IS LIVE IN THE STUDIO WITH THE STORY - LINDSAY?
Return to index of stories...
KELLIE, PETER - I WANT YOU TO MEET DORIAN DURDAK--
A SENIOR AT ESTERO HIGH SCHOOL --
A DEFENSIVE LINEMAN ON THE FOOTBALL TEAM.
AND A BOY WHO FOR YEARS NEVER HAD A FRIEND-- SIMPLY BECAUSE HE HAS AUTISM.
Return to index of stories...
UNDER THE LIGHTS
IN FRONT OF HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE
STANDS A BOY BIG IN STATURE, BIG IN HEART.
A BOY WHO FINALLY BELONGS.
"dorian's heart is so big and he loves people and he loves football"
UNDER THE BLAZING FLORIDA SUN, DORIAN DURDAK WORKS JUST AS HARD AS HIS TEAMMATES.
HE'S ON TIME.
HE DOES WHAT'S ASKED OF HIM. AND MORE.
"and the one thing I tell Dorian is do it at 100 miles per hour so if you do it wrong, at least you're gonna' hit somebody hard"
nats 9:36:05 "tap tap tap that is Dorian"
ALL THIS -- DESPITE YEARS OF DORIAN'S MOM LISTENING TO DOCTORS TELLING HER, HER SON, HER FIRST BORN, WOULD NEVER SUCCEED AT ANYTHING.
"that was back when you didn't say autism"
DORIAN WAS 18-MONTHS OLD WHEN HIS MOTHER FIRST REALIZED SOMETHING WAS WRONG.
"so from there we went to psychologists, psychiatrists, neurologists, he had MRI's and Ct's. He had every test you can imagine."
AND AFTER 8 LONG YEARS. FINALLY A DIAGNOSIS: HIGH-FUNCTIONING AUTISM.
PART OF THE DISORDER -- THAT *TODAY, AFFECTS 11 IN 1,000 CHILDREN BORN IN THE U.S., IS THE LACK OF SOCIAL AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS.
"he's never actually had a friend. he's never spent the night at anyone's house. No one's taken him to a movie"
nats
BUT IF YOU MET HIM TODAY, YOU WOULD NEVER KNOW THAT.
AT THE URGING OF HIS STEP-FATHER, DORIAN STARTED PLAYING FOOTBALL IN SOUTH FLORIDA LAST SPRING -- BEFORE TRANSFERRING TO ESTERO.
LIFE AS HE KNEW IT, CHANGED.
DORIAN STARTED TO BREAK OUT OF HIS SHELL.
AND HE BEGAN TO MAKE FRIENDS.
"dorian is an inspiration"
DURING GAMES, DORIAN STANDS HIP TO HIP WITH HIS COACH -- HE WATCHES EVERY PLAY.
AND DESPITE BEING INCREDIBLY SHY -- DORIAN IS THE FIRST TO CONGRATULATE THE GUYS AFTER A BIG MOMENT--
INSTEAD OF WORDS - A TOUCH CONVEYS HIS ENCOURAGEMENT.
AND WHILE IT'S A THRILL WHEN THE COACH MAKES THE CALL TO SEND HIM IN --
IT'S NOT ABOUT WINNING OR LOSING-- FOR DORIAN, IT'S MUCH MORE.
"football gave him friends and people to talk to and be became part of something
IN THE STANDS ON THE 50 YARD LINE --
DORIAN'S BIGGEST FANS --
"it's a big deal for us, it's a big deal for all of us to get to go and see him do what he loves"
"there's so many losses, you know moments that are important in an adult life and he missed out on a lot of those moments"
BUT LOOK AT WHAT HE'S DOING NOW.
DEFYING THE ODDS. PROVING EVERYONE WRONG.
"there's nothing he can't do"
IT'S DORIAN'S TIME TO SHINE --
AND HE'S NOT LETTING ANYONE DOWN.
Return to index of stories...
AS IF DORIAN'S SUCCESS ON THE FIELD ISN'T ENOUGH --
THIS SPRING HE'S EXPECTED TO GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL WITH A'S AND B'S.
Return to index of stories...
A GENUINE SHOCKER IN WASHINGTON TODAY.
GENERAL DAVID PETRAEUS--
THE DIRECTOR OF THE C-I-A IS STEPPING DOWN AFTER HE ADMITTED TO HAVING AN AFFAIR.
WE'LL TAKE YOU TO WASHINGTON FOR REACTION--
AND WHAT THIS MEANS TO THE ADMINISTRATION.
ARE YOUR ALLERGIES BOTHERING YOU?
IF YOU THINK IT'S BAD NOW--
JUST WAIT!
NBC2 NEWS AT 5:30 IS NEXT!
Return to index of stories...