DIRECTOR PAGE

SHOW OPEN-CLIP

FISCAL CLIFF TALKS-2SHOT, VOWIPE

SMALL SIGNS OF COMPROMISE LATE THIS AFTERNOON--

ON TALKS TO AVOID THE FISCAL CLIFF.

HOUSE SPEAKER JOHN BOEHNER SAYS REPUBLICANS ARE WILLING TO *INCREASE* THE ELIGIBILITY AGE FOR MEDICARE--

AND *LOWER* COST OF LIVING INCREASES IN SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS.

BUT THE G-O-P STILL WANTS TO KEEP BUSH TAX CUTS IN PLACE.

THE WHITE HOUSE ISN'T BUDGING--

FISCAL CLIFF TALKS-SOTVO

The obstacle remains, at this point, the refusal to acknowledge, by Republican leaders, that there is no deal that achieves the kind of balance that is necessary without raising rates on the top 2 percent wealthiest

Americans. The math simply does not add up.

REPUBLICANS HOPE TO HAVE A RESPONSE FROM THE WHITE HOUSE *SOON*.

THE PRESIDENT CONTINUES TO TAKE HIS CASE DIRECTLY TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE--

TOSS TO JENNIFER-2 SHOT

FALLING OFF THE FISCAL CLIFF--

COULD HAVE A DEVASTATING IMPACT ON FLORIDA.

NBC2's JENNIFER TRAMMELL IS IN THE STUDIO WITH A LOOK AT HOW WE WOULD BE HURT--

FL FISCAL CLIFF IMPACT-CKW

SOME OF THE INFORMATION WE FOUND IS TEDIOUS--

AND INVOLVES A LOT OF NUMBERS.

BUT IT REALLY UNDERSCORES HOW BAD IT COULD BE IN FLORIDA.

FL FISCAL CLIFF IMPACT-CG

WITHOUT A DEAL--

ECONOMISTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA SAY THE COMBINATION OF TAX HIKES AND SPENDING CUTS--

WOULD REDUCE FLORIDA'S ECONOMIC OUTPUT BY *16* BILLION DOLLARS!

AND THAT'S JUST IN THE FIRST QUARTER.

IT WOULD ALSO COST 130-THOUSAND FLORIDIANS THEIR JOBS.

THE BIGGEST BLOW WOULD HIT DEFENSE CONTRACTORS--

AND THOUSANDS OF SMALL BUSINESSES THAT SUPPLY THEM.

IN ESSENCE 42-THOUSAND JOBS IN THAT SECTOR ALONE!

OTHER EMPLOYERS WOULD NEED TO REDUCE SALARIES.

THE WHITE HOUSE ESTIMATES--

THAT UNLESS TAX BREAKS FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS ARE EXTENDED--

A FLORIDA FAMILY OF FOUR EARNING 64-THOUSAND DOLLARS--

WOULD PAY 22-HUNDRED DOLLARS MORE EACH YEAR IN TAXES.

NOW TO THOSE IN FLORIDA ON SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE.

THAT'S SOME THREE AND A HALF MILLION PEOPLE.

EVEN THOUGH THOSE PROGRAMS WOULD REMAIN SOLVENT--

ANY FUTURE *INCREASES* WOULD BE ELIMINATED.

TWO MORE FACTORS--

FIRST CONSUMER CONFIDENCE.

EXPERTS AT FLORIDA STATE SAY FAILURE TO MAKE A DEAL--

WOULD PUT THE BRAKES ON CONSUMER SPENDING.

THAT COULD DEVASTATE RETAIL STORES AND THE TOURISM INDUSTRY.

AND FINALLY--

FALLING OFF THE FISCAL CLIFF--

WOULD END SPECIAL UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS FOR THOUSANDS OF FLORIDIANS.

FL FISCAL CLIFF IMPACT-CKW

REMEMBER--

THE TAX INCREASES TAKE EFFECT JANUARY FIRST.

ALL OF THE BUDGET CUTS BEGIN JANUARY SECOND.

WESTERN FLOODING-ON CAM

WHAT A MESS OUT WEST!

YET ANOTHER STORM SYSTEM SLAMMED INTO THE WEST COAST LAST NIGHT.

IT TRIGGERED MUDSLIDES--

FLOODED CREEKS AND RIVERS--

AND WINDS KNOCKED OUT POWER TO THOUSANDS.

PLUS MORE RAIN IS MOVING IN TOMORROW!

WESTERN FLOODING-PKG

NATS -- Water rushing

AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF DRENCHING RAIN.

DOWNED TREES.

FLOODING.

AND ROCK SLIDES.

FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THE WEST ARE FINALLY GETTING A BREAK IN THE SEVERE

WEATHER TO CLEAN-UP.

SOT - / "I am just about on the edge. of yeah.

being done." 4

THREE STORMS HAVE SLAMMED THROUGH THE REGION IN LESS THAN A WEEK -- DUMPING

UP TO A FOOT OF RAIN IN SOME AREAS.

WASHING OUT ENTIRE ROADS.

AND EVEN CREATING THIS 20-FOOT SINK-HOLE IN LAFAYETTE, CALIFORNIA.

SOT - KGO 11a

THE OTHER BIG DANGER.

LARGE TREES CONTINUE TO FALL FROM THE SATURATED GROUND.

THIS ONE NEARLY CRUSHED A MAN.

SOT - / "How close did this come to you? Within feet

of my truck." 3

SLICK ROADS. HAVE ALSO LED TO SEVERAL MAJOR CRASHES.

SOT - / "Especially right around here. there's been a

couple of big accidents." 4

THIS BIG RIG JACK-KNIFED. SHUTTING DOWN A MAJOR L-A INTERSECTION MONDAY.

AND THE SOAKING ISN'T OVER YET.

SOT -- GMA SAM

NATS --

THAT'S WHY UTILITY CREWS ARE TRYING TO CLEAN UP AS MUCH DEBRIS AS THEY CAN.

.

NATS full for:01

WESTERN FLOODING-TAG

BRANDI HITT REPORTING.

THERE IS A BIT OF GOOD NEWS.

ONCE TUESDAY'S STORM PASSES--

MARCO PD IA REPORT-ON CAM

WE'RE GETTING OUR FIRST LOOK TONIGHT AT AN INTERNAL AFFAIRS INVESTIGATION AT THE MARCO POLICE DEPARTMENT.

IT INVOLVED FORMER LIEUTENANT PETE BEUCLER.

BEUCLER WAS ACCUSED OF SENDING "IMPROER IMAGES" OF HIMSELF TO A FEMALE CO-WORKER.

HE RESIGNED BUT THE CITY *REHIRED* HIM IN A *CIVILIAN* POSITION.

ROBBERY SUSPECT-SSX2

THE LEE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE NEEDS HELP FINDING A ROBBER.

THESE PICTURES WERE TAKEN OFF A SURVEILLANCE CAMERA.

DEPUTIES SAY THIS GUY ROBBED THE HESS ON PALM BEACH BOULEVARD.

HE TOOK OFF IN A METALLIC OR SILVER FOUR DOOR SEDAN.

IF YOU KNOW ANYTHING--

ATLANTA SCHOOL EVAC-VO

DOZENS OF STUDENTS REMAIN IN THE HOSPITAL TONIGHT--

AFTER CARBON MONOXIDE FUMES FORCED AUTHORITIES TO EVACUATE AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN ATLANTA.

43-STUDENTS AND 5-TEACHERS WERE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL--

SUFFERING FROM MILD AND MODERATE SYMPTOMS OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING.

TESTS INDICATED "HIGH AND UNSAFE" LEVELS OF THE GAS.

BUSH SR STILL IN HOSPITAL-VO

FORMER PRESIDENT GEORGE H.W. BUSH REMAINS IN A HOUSTON HOSPITAL.

DOCTORS ARE TREATING THE 88 YEAR OLD--

FOR A LINGERING COUGH RELATED TO BRONCHITIS.

HE WAS ADMITTED LAST THURSDAY.

AIDES THOUGHT HE WOULD BE RELEASED OVER THE WEEKEND.

MARS ROVER UPDATE-VO

RESEARCHERS REVEALED A LITTLE MORE TODAY ABOUT THE MARS ROVER "CURIOSITY".

SOME SCIENTISTS EXPECTED NEWS ABOUT THE DISCOVERY OF "CARBON BASED" LIFE--

BUT THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

THE ROVER HAS HOWEVER FINISHED ITS FIRST CHEMICAL TESTS ON SOIL SAMPLES--

RED SOX TICKET LINE-PLASMA VO

IT'S NOT EVEN WINTER.AND DIE HARD RED SOX FANS ARE ALREADY LINING UP FOR SPRING TRAINING TICKETS.

GAME TICKETS GO ON SALE SATURDAY!

AND TENTS ARE ALREADY LINED UP NEAR THE TICKET OFFICE AT JET BLU PARK.

RED SOX TICKET LINE-PKG

Nats

die hard Red Sox fans have been counting down the days for this ---

Take sound Derek DeArmond "All year long everybody is working but this

us like a week long tailgate party for us."

Derek DeArmond of Lehigh acres claimed his number one spot in line

for

2013 spring training a week early.

Take sound

Derek

We checked with the people here and they said have at it.

And that's what derek and his buddies are doing. For the next week

fans will gather at jet blue park---a new chapter for the Red Sox nation.

Last year tickets were sold at the city of palms because jet blue was

still under construction.

Nats

With a new camping spot, there will be some new events for when

tickets will be sold on Saturday--including raffles and giveaways for

the loyal fans who waited in line for days.

Take sound

Katie Haas

"The other cool thing is if you haven't taken your holiday card yet

we're going to set up the green monster to say happy holidays so you

and your family can go and stand in front of the green monster and

take your pictures. You don't have to buy tickets to take advantage of that."

But what you can't take advantage of--DeArmond says---is waiting in

line. There's an unofficial four hour rule so you can go home shower,

eat, then---come back.

Take sound

Derek

We just don't want you coming here putting up your tent or chairs and

leave for a couple if days and come back that's not fair to everybody.

And just how long this line will get for Red Sox spring training

tickets is anyone's guess Take sound Katie haas Only time will tell.

But we already have our faithful campers out here so in sure the line

will just grow from here.

SPRING TRAINING DATES-SS TOPS

AGAIN--

RED SOX TICKETS GO ON SALE SATURDAY.

SINGLE GAME TICKETS FOR THE TWINS GO ON SALE JANUARY 12TH.

TEASE ONE-2SHOT

SOME CROOKS TRIED TO ROB A HOME IN LEHIGH ACRES.

BUT THEY WEREN'T EXPECTING THE HOMEOWNER TO COME AT THEM WITH HIS GUN!

WE'LL TALK TO THE FORMER MARINE ABOUT PROTECTING HIS FORT.

AND KATE MIDDLETON IS IN THE HOSPITAL!

SHE'S SUFFERING FROM A SEVERE CASE OF "MORNING SICKNESS"!

NEW DETAILS ABOUT THE BABY ON THE WAY--

TZ1 A) BURGLARS CHASED-VO WIPE

TZ1 B) ROYALS PREGNANT-VO TOPS

TZ1 C) WEATHER TEASE-STC

ROYALS PREGNANT-ON CAM

THE DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE IS PREGNANT!

THE ROYAL FAMILY RELEASED THE NEWS TODAY.

BUT THE NEWS ISN'T ALL GOOD.

THE FUTURE QUEEN OF ENGLAND IS IN THE HOSPITAL--

WITH A RARE AND ACUTE FORM OF MORNING SICKNESS.

ROYALS PREGNANT-PKG

BABY WATCH - IS OVER

30-YEAR-OLD KATE MIDDLETON, AKA THE FUTURE QUEEN OF ENGLAND IS ABOUT 2

MONTHS PREGNANT

THE DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE'S COUNTRYMEN AND WOMEN ALL SENT THEIR WELL WISHES

SOT DAVID CAMERON / PRIME MINISTER, UNITED KINGDOM

This is wonderful news. I'm delighted for them. I'm sure they'll make

absolutely brilliant parents.

MOS

1733

I'm really happy for them! It's about time we got a little Prince or

Princess for the UK!

Vo-royal wedding on balcony

WELL, IT'S ONLY BEEN 19 MONTHS SINCE THAT KISS BUT FROM THE VERY BEGINNING,

THE WORLD HAS BEEN WATCHING FOR A BUMP WHEN SHE SKIPPED THE PEANUT BUTTER

WHEN SHE TOASTED WITH WATER AND MAYBE A LITTLE HINT LAST WEEK, WHEN WILLIAM

ACCEPTED A ONESIE

William NATS here

WILLIAM HAS MADE IT NO SECRET THIS IS WHAT HE WANTED -AS HE TOLD ABC'S KATIE

COURIC LAST MAY

WILLIAM SOT / KATIE COURIC SPECIAL

I'm just very keen to have a family and both Catherine and I are looking

forward to having a family in the future

BUT KATE'S PREGNANCY HASN'T BEEN EASY, AND IT APPEARS THE COUPLE WENT PUBLIC

EARLIER THAN PLANNED.

SHE IS IN THIS LONDON HOSPITAL WITH HIGH-pur-EM-i-sis grav-id-DAIR-umm, A

RARE CONDITION THAT CAUSES SEVERE VOMITING DURING PREGNANCY.

STANDUP TO BE SHOT/NICK SCHIFRIN/ABC NEWS/LONDON

But Kate is expected to recover and it will be a historic pregnancy because,

for the first time, there's no law that restricts succession to boys. If

Kate gives birth to a girl, she will be third in line to the throne

MOS

1645 Nick off camera: And what do you think is in the future for a royal

baby like this?

ROYALS PREGNANT-TAG

NICK SCHIFRIN REPORTING.

THE COUPLE IS THE FUTURE OF THE ROYAL FAMILY.

AND NOW THEIR BABY--

TEASE TWO-ON CAM

A LOT OF PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT

H-C-G.

A HORMONE PRODUCED BY WOMEN WHEN THEIR PREGNANT, that's HELPING SOME PEOPLE LOSE WEIGHT.

NBC2 SEPARATES FACT FROM FICTION--

NEXT.

TZ2 A) HCG WEIGHT LOSS-VO WIPE

TZ2 B) FGCU FINGERPRINTING-VO TOPS

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.

WARM START TO DECEMBER

Is it actually December? Just curious because it sure doesn't feel like it! We've had a nice string of 80°+ weather, and with no cold fronts headed toward Southwest Florida this week, the warmer than normal weather will be here to stay for a while.

Daytime highs today will be a few notches above average with most places warming up into the low to mid 80s Tuesday afternoon. That comes after waking up to temperatures in the lower 60s.

Like the last few days, winds will be pretty swift out of the east from 5-15 mph with the occasional gust up to 20 mph. Winds should begin to relax a little by Tuesday, so conditions won't be quite as breezy starting tomorrow.

Thus, with a mostly clear sky, light winds, and cool temperatures - expect patchy fog in the morning.

Our sky will stay mostly sunny through the day with some clouds mixing in with the sunshine during the afternoon. Moisture will be very limited, so rain chances will be slim at best.

HCG WEIGHT LOSS-ON CAM

IT''S A CONTROVERSIAL WAY TO LOSE WEIGHT -- BUT SOME PEOPLE ARE SWEARING BY IT.

H-C-G IS A HORMONE THAT HAS OFTEN BEEN USED TO TREAT FERTILITY ISSUES

BUT NOW -- SOME DOCTORS ARE PRESCRIBING IT TO HELP PATIENTS WIN THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE -- DESPITE AN F-D-A WARNING.

HCG WEIGHT LOSS-PKG

nats.

i've been dieting all my life

CHANCES ARE -- MILAGROS GARCIA'S IS ONE LIKE MANY OTHERS.

it just wasn't happening; I didn't like myself of course

SHE STRUGGLED FOR YEARS TO SLIM DOWN --CLIMBING TO 220 POUNDS AT HER HEAVIEST.

BUT IN FEBRUARY -- SHE FOUND WHAT SHE CALLS A BREAKTRHOUGH.

i'm down to a Size 8 from a Size 18!

SHE CREDITS AN 800-CALORIE A DAY DIET.

EXERCISE.

AND INJECTIONS OF THIS --

HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPIN OR "HCG." -- A HORMONE WOMEN PRODUCE DURING PREGNANCY.

I see the results, day in and day out

DR. BRIAN BOZZA IS A MEDICAL CONSULTANT FOR NUVIVA WEIGHT LOSS -- A GROUP OF CLINICS HERE IN FLORIDA THAT PRESCRIBES THE HORMONE TO OVERWEIGHT WOMEN -- AND EVEN MEN.

it's been the best thing I've ever done for my patients to help them lose weight

IN PREGNANT WOMEN.

HCG HELPS NOURISH THE FETUS BY ACCESSING STORED FAT DEPOSITS IN THE BODY.

DR. BOZZA SAYS THE HORMONE ALLOWS THE BODIES OF NON-PREGNANT PEOPLE TO CONVERT STORED FAT INTO CLAORIES THAT CAN BE BURNED OFF.

if you were to go on a very low-calorie diet like we prescribe, you would lose weight, but the weight would come from your muscle store as opposed to the stored fat. You'd be tired, irritable, hungry

BUT THIS DIET PLAN DOESN'T COME WITHOUT CONTROVERSY.

THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION RECENTLY RELEASED A STATEMENT, SAYING QUOTE:

"HCG has not been demonstrated to be effective adjunctive therapy in the treatment of obesity. There is no substantial evidence that it increases weight loss beyond that resulting from caloric restriction.

BUT MILAGROS STANDS BY THE HORMONE INJECTIONS.

THIS YEAR -- SHE'S LOST MORE THAN 50 POUNDS -- ALL WITHOUT REPORTING ANY MAJOR SIDE EFFECTS.

it's been the best decision I've ever made

IN COLLIER COUNTY.

NICK CILETTI.

HCG WEIGHT LOSS-CG, OC BNR

NBC-2 REACHED OUT TO NUVIVA FOR A RESPONSE TO THE F-D-A STATEMENT.

THE COMPANY SAYS QUOTE --

"DESPITE THE CURRENT STANCE OF THE FDA ON HCG -- IT IS STILL WIDELY UTILIZED IN MANY WEIGHT LOSS CLINICS,

WITH SIGNIFICANT SUCCESS.

THROUGH OUR MEDICAL EXPERIENCE -- WE DO NOT BELIEVE THAT PATIENTS

UNDERGOING H-C-G TREATMENT FOR WEIGHT LOSS WERE SIMPLY EXPERIENCING THE PLACEBO EFFECT."

FGCU FINGERPRINTING-ON CAM

ALL NEW AT 5-30.

STALEMATE ON THE CAMPUS OF FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY.

ALL OVER FINGERPRINTS FOR BACKGROUND CHECKS.

FGCU FINGERPRINTING-PKG

TAKING A FINGERPRINT.

NATS

COULD BECOME STANDARD PROCEDURE FOR NEW AND CURRENT EMPLOYEES AT FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY.

I think as a university employee it just says that employees have passed background checks and we don't have any volatile people here.

DOCTOR SHAWN FELTON, DIRECTOR OF CLINICAL EDUCATION, IS ONE OF A FEW WHO SUPPORT AN ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY REQUIRING BACKGROUND CHECKS AND FINGERPRINTS FOR ALL EMPLOYEES.

STUDENTS IN FELTON'S PROGRAM ALREADY HAVE TO GET THEM.

For us to ask something from our students that were not doing is kind of unheard of.

THE UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES ADOPTED A NEW RULE IN SEPTEMBER REQUIRING BACKGROUND CHECKS WITH FINGERPRINTS.

RIGHT NOW, ONLY SOME EMPLOYEES ARE REQUIRED TO GET THEM.

THE UNIVERISTY BEGAN LOOKING AT MAKING SURE ITS DOING EVEYTHING TO ENSURE SAFETY ON CAMPUS AFTER THE JERRY SANDUSKY CASE.

On Friday, the faculty senate voted not to support the policy. But that vote was not unanimous.

I think background checks are a good idea. I think spending 100k on fingerprinting everybody is a bad idea.

PROFESSOR EDWIN EVERHAM SAYS HE DOESN'T LIKE THE FINGERPRINTING ASPECT; SAYING IT WOULD COST TOO MUCH AND WOULDN'T ADD ANYTHING MORE TO A STANDARD BACKGROUND CHECK.

IT'S UNCLEAR IF THE FACULTY SENATE WILL SEE ANOTHER LOOK AT THE POLICY TO GIVE FEEDBACK.

It might get more contentious if we don't work together to resolve the differences and they just go forward with what we see as a flawed policy.

UN OUT OF SYRIA-VO

THE UNITED NATIONS IS PULLING OUT ALL "NON- ESSENTIAL" PERSONNEL OUT OF SYRIA.

THE U-N SAYS THE GROWING UNREST AND VIOLENCE--

HAS BECOME SO VOLATILE--

IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO "PROTECT" THE ENTIRE STAFF.

THE U-N ALSO BANNED "TRIPS" OUTSIDE DAMASCUS--

JAPAN TUNNEL FOLO-VO

INVESTIGATORS BELIEVE A RUSTED BOLT--

CAUSED THIS WEEKEND'S DEADLY TUNNEL COLLAPSE IN JAPAN.

THE TUNNEL CONNECTS TOKYO TO CENTRAL JAPAN.

NINE PEOPLE DIED AND AT LEAST TWO MORE REMAIN IN SERIOUS CONDITION.

A 360 FOOT SECTION OF THE TUNNEL'S CONCRETE CEILING PANELS--

FELL ONTO CARS WHILE THEY WERE DRIVING THROUGH.

POPE ON TWITTER-VO

JUST CALL HIM AT-BENEDICT THE 16TH.

THE POPE IS ON TWITTER.

WITHIN MINUTES OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT--

THE POPE AMASSED TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FOLLOWERS.

THE POPE HASN'T TWEETED YET--

BUT PLANS TO BY THE END OF THE WEEK.

THE PONTIFF IS *NOT* EXPECTED TO WRITE HIS OWN TWEETS--

FIRST TEXT 20 YEARS AGO-VO

OMG.

20 YEARS AGO TODAY--

NEIL PAPWORTH SENT THE *FIRST* TEXT MESSAGE.

HE USED A COMPUTER TERMINAL--

TO SEND THE MESSAGE TO A COLLEAGUE'S CELL PHONE.

HIS TEXT--

"MERRY CHRISTMAS".

BELIEVE IT OR NOT--

"TEXTING" STARTED SLOWLY--

TEASE THREE-2SHOT

A 70-YEAR OLD LEHIGH MAN HEARD NOISES COMING FROM OUTSIDE HIS HOUSE.

SO HE WENT TO INVESTIGATE--

BUT NOT BEFORE HE GRABBED HIS GUN!

HE FINDS THEM--

TELLS THEM TO "FREEZE"--

UP NEXT--

WHAT HAPPENED!

AND ALL NEW AT SIX--

TZ3 A) BURGLARS CHASED-VO WIPE

AHEAD AT 6-BANNER

A) DAVE STANDUP TEASE-SOT

GIVING TREE-SS TOPS

NBC 2 IS PROUD TO CONTINUE THE GIVING TREE TRADITION.

WE'VE JOINED FORCES WITH THE FORT MYERS EDISON KIWANIS CLUB--

TO MAKE THE HOLIDAYS A LITTLE BRIGHTER FOR 6-THOUSAND SENIORS LIVING IN NURSING HOMES.

PLEASE GO TO ANY PERKINS IN LEE, COLLIER AND CHARLOTTE COUNTY--

SELECT A TAG, PURCHASE THE GIFT, WRAP AND RETURN IT TO PERKINS BY DECEMBER 7TH.

FM HOLIDAY DESTINATION-HALF GFX

APPARENTLY THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE FORT MYERS FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

ORBITZ JUST RANKED FORT MYERS AS ONE OF THE TOP TEN PLACES TO VISIT OVER CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS.

ORBITS ANALYZED HOTEL AND FLIGHT INFORMATION--

AND RANKED FORT MYERS SEVENTH.

THE CITY EVEN TOPPED SUCH POPULAR WINTER DESTINATIONS AS CANCUN--

BURGLARS CHASED-2 SHOT

A LEHIGH ACRES HOMEOWNER SHOT AT TWO MEN WHO TRIED TO STEAL HIS WATER FILTRATION SYSTEM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.

AS NBC-2'S MEAGHAN SMITH EXPLAINS,

BURGLARS CHASED-PKG

MEET 70 YEAR-OLD GERRY FUNCKE.

Nat

HE'S A FORMER MARINE-

WHO MEANS BUSINESS.

4:45 "i said- that aint right. i'm an old marine, you know."

2 BURGLARS WERE ABOUT TO LEARN-

THAT THIS SENIOR CITIZEN AND HIS PISTOL, WEREN'T GOING TO ALLOW THEM TO STEAL FROM HIS LEHIGH ACRES HOME.

5:08 "i sneaked out the side and there they were."

FRIDAY NIGHT-

THE FORMER MARINE HEARD A NOISE ON THE SIDE OF HIS HOUSE.

HE WOKE HIS WIFE AND GAVE HER SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS.

4:54 "don't turn any lights on- don't make any noise- there's somebody outside, on the side of the house- i'm going out.'

GERRY GRABBED HIS GUN-

A 380 PISTOL,

AND HEADED OUT TO THE SIDE OF HIS HOUSE.

AT HIS WATER FILTRATION SYSTEM-

HE CAME FACE TO FACE WITH 2 THIEVES.

ONE HAD A WEAPON OF HIS OWN-

5:12 "i told him to freeze and a few choice words but he stood up and had a knife in his hand."

INSTEAD-

THAT BURGLAR TOOK OFF RUNNING DOWN THE STREET.

THE OTHER STARTED WAVING A PIPE.

5:36 "i had the gun on him right about where your chest is right now.""

GERRY TELLS US HE DIDN'T WANT TO SHOOT THEM-

SO, HE FIRED AT THEIR TIRES IN HOPES OF DISABLING THEIR GETAWAY CAR AS THE OTHER CROOK TRIED TO DRIVE IT AWAY.

6:06 "i ran up and shot his front tire out. then, i shot his back tire out, and then i unloaded about 4 more shells in his truck."

SOMEHOW-

IT DROVE AWAY.

LEE COUNTY DEPUTIES SEARCHED THE AREA, BUT DIDN'T CATCH THE BURGLARS.

GERRY HOPES HE TAUGHT THEM A LESSON-

ABOUT STEALING FROM OTHERS.

6:21 "i hope he went to church sunday morning."

SELL THE 6PM-2SHOT

AHEAD AT SIX--

A HOSPITAL CHAIN BASE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IS TRYING TO RESTORE ITS IMAGE-- AFTER A SCATHING TV REPORT.

AND REPORT CARDS FOR YOUR CHILD'S SCHOOL ARE ALMOST FINISHED.