5PM NBC2 |
WICKED WEATHER MOVING ACROSS THE COUNTRY IS ABOUT TO SHARPLY DROP TEMPERATURES HERE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.
WE ARE TRACKING TWO SYSTEMS --
AND HOW IT WILL AFFECT YOUR CHRISTMAS TRAVEL PLANS.
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A LEE COUNTY WOMAN. ARRESTED. FOR LEAVING HER SICK DOG TO DIE IN A KENNEL OUTSIDE HER HOME.
NBC 2 IS BREAKING DETAILS ON A CRACKDOWN ON PET OWNERS IN EAST FORT MYERS.
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5217 "it's hard to tell if we can salvage anything. Everything looks so broken."
A FIRE POSSIBLY SPARKED BY HOLIDAY DECORATIONS HAS TURNED CHRISTMAS CHEER INTO TEARS AT A SMALL restaurant IN CAPE CORAL.
THE NEWS AT FIVE STARTS NOW.
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5PM OPEN
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A COLD FRONT MOVING ITS WAY INTO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA HAS ALREADY CAUSED DAMAGE ALONG THE GULF COAST.
THAT SYSTEM WILL BRING SOME RAIN TONIGHT AND MUCH COOLER TEMPERATURES BEHIND IT.
N-B-C TWO SENIOR CHIEF METEOROLOGIST ROBERT VAN WINKLE HAS THE LATEST TRACK.
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A COLD BLAST FROM THE PAST
Our weather on Thursday was rather quiet, but if you traveled to North Florida - you encountered some wicked storms. They experienced damaging wind, heavy rain, and even a few tornados. Their severe activity was instigated by a strong cold front that will soon bring us rain, and yes, cold temperatures.
So let me set the stage for you. Our arctic cold front is pushing through the Deep South right now, and its ETA for Southwest Florida is early Friday morning. The front will first bring with it added clouds and a line of rain. Once it pushes through we'll see the skies begin to clear.
… The sunshine will not help us warm up.
We're expecting highs for Friday to be around 65, and from there they get even colder! A cold air mass will funnel into the area in the wake of this cold front, and morning lows on Saturday and Sunday will be in the lower 40s. If you live deeper inland, you may even see some mid to upper 30s. The afternoon temperatures will rebound, but still stay cold. They'll continue to linger in the 60s.
The last time we saw temperatures this cold was last winter. So get ready for the cold blast from the past!
Along with the cold we'll see a deep blue sky above, and a brisk wind coming from the north.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are in view, and both days look nice. However, they'll jump start a warming trend for us. Lows will be around 60 with highs near 80 under mostly sunny skies.
Enjoy!
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SEVERE WEATHER STRETCHING ACROSS AMERICA RIGHT NOW.
THIS IS DAMAGE FROM THE SYSTEM ROBERT JUST TOLD YOU ABOUT AS IT RIPPED THROUGH MOBILE, ALABAMA.
AN ESTIMATED 18 THOUSAND PEOPLE LOST POWER THROUGHOUT THE STATE.
MEANWHILE.PARTS OF WISCONSIN UNDER EIGHT INCHES OF SNOW --
FLIGHTS ARE BACKED UP IN THE MIDWEST -- AND IN A MOMENT WE'LL TELL YOU HOW IT'S AFFECTING AIR TRAFFIC IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.
AND TEXAS IS DEALING WITH DUSTSTORMS.
ONE BEING BLAMED FOR THIS DEADLY PILE-UP.
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A WOMAN IN LEE COUNTY IS FACING CRIMINAL CHARGES TONIGHT.
LEE COUNTY DEPUTIES SAY ANA TORRES KNOWINGLY LEFT HER INJURED YORKSHIRE TERRIER TO DIE INSIDE A KENNEL.
THEY ARRESTED TORRES DURING AN OPERATION WITH ANIMAL SERVICES, TARGEING BAD PET OWNERS IN TICE.
NBC-2'S MEAGHAN SMITH IS LIVE IN THE STUDIO WITH WHAT THEY FOUND
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DEPUTIES SAY TORRES ADMITTED TO LEAVING HER SICK AND INJURED DOG- BECAUSE SHE HAD TO GO TO WORK AND DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO TAKE IT TO THE VET. INSTEAD- THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS SHE JUST PUT THE YORKIE IN A CAGE OUT BEHIND HER HOME.
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A YORKIE NAMED RICO-
DIED IN THIS CAGE.
40:19 "he was laying on a pad she had placed under him that was stained with blood."
HIS OWNER,
ANA TORRES- REPORTEDLY TOLD LEE COUNTY DEPUTIES THAT THE DOG HAD BEEN HIT BY A CAR.
BUT INSTEAD OF TAKING HIM TO THE VET-
SHE ALLEGEDLY SAID SHE PUT HIM BACK IN HIS CAGE BECAUSE SHE HAD TO GO TO WORK.
34:53 "she loved the dog- she loves anything- she loves everybody- she's not a bad person."
AT THE TICE HOME ON SOUTH GALAXY DRIVE-
TORRES' DAUGHTER SAID HER MOTHER DIDN'T REALIZE HOW INJURED THE YORKIE WAS.
35:14 "she's a very caring person- things just happen."
LEE COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES MADE THE GRUESOME DISCOVERY WHILE WORKING WITH OTHER AGENCIES-
CRACKING DOWN ON ANIMAL AND CODE VIOLATIONS.
THEY KNOCKED ON TORRES' DOOR-
40:01 "we had asked ms torres if she had any pets and she said no- but there was obviously barking coming from her back yard."
INVESTIGATORS SAY SHE EVENTUALLY ADMITTED TO HAVING ANIMALS-
THAT'S WHEN THEY FOUND THE DEAD YORKIE-
AND GOT STORY ABOUT HOW HE WOULD UP THIS WAY.
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THE DOG'S BODY WAS SENT OFF GOT FOR FURTHER EXAMINATION TO INVESTIGATORS CAN DETERMINE THE EXACT CAUSE OF DEATH.
IF CONVICTED- TORRES COULD RECEIVE UP TO $10,000 IN FINES AND/OR UP TO FIVE YEARS BEHIND BARS.
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A POMPANO BEACH MAN IS BEHIND BARS --
ACCUSED OF STABBING A PET SNAKE 19 TIMES.
HE'S CHARGED WITH CAUSING A CRUEL DEATH TO HIS FRIENDS BALL PYTHON.
HE LEFT THE KNIFE IN THE SNAKE BECAUSE HE SAYS THE SNAKE WAS EVIL.
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THERE IS A NATIONWIDE POLICE SEARCH UNDERWAY FOR A WOMAN SEEN ON VIDEO FORCING A CHILD INTO PORNOGRAPHY.
N-B-C TWO ANCHOR LINDSAY LOGUE IS LIVE IN THE STUDIO WITH THE DETAILS.LINDSAY.
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THIS IS A TRULY DISTURBING CASE -- AND AUTHORITIES THINK THERE'S TIME TO SAVE THE CHILD FROM A LIFE OF HORROR.
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THIS IS THE WOMAN AUTHORITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE LOOKING FOR.
THEY SAY THERE IS AT LEAST ONE VIDEO THAT SHOWS HER ENGAGING IN SEX ACTS WITH A FOUR TO FIVE YEAR OLD CHILD.
INVESTIGATORS SAY THE VIDEO APPEARED ON THE INTERNET ABOUT A MONTH AGO -- THAT'S WHY THEY THINK THE CHILD IS STILL WITH HER.
LAW ENFORCEMENT IN DENMARK DISCOVERED THE FILM AND ALERTED AUTHORITIES IN THE U-S -- THEY BELIEVE SHE'S IN THIS COUNTRY.
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME AN ALERT LIKE THIS HAS BEEN MADE.
IN SEPTEMBER, AUTHORITIES ARRESTED THE FIRST JANE DOE SUSPECT WITH HER HUSBAND IN OREGON.
MICHELLE AND MICHAEL FREEMAN TURNED THEMSELVES IN TO LOCAL POLICE AFTER TIPS LED INVESTIGATORS TO THEM.
THE COUPLE IS ACCUSED OF FILMING TWO GIRLS UNDER THE AGE OF TEN BEING SEXUALLY VICTIMIZED.
THEY ARE STILL AWAITING TRIAL.
IF CONVICTED THEY FACE 15 TO 30 YEARS IN PRISON.
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BACK TO THE CURRENT CASE -- THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR MISSING & EXPLOITED CHILDREN SAYS THE VICTIM HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED.
ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL ICE'S TIP LINE AT 866-347-2423.
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AND IN SARASOTA COUNTY.DEPUTIES ARRESTED A DAD FOR A HORRIFYING CASE OF CHILD ABUSE.
INVESTIGATORS SAY KENNETH STODDARD KILLED HIS 11-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER HIS DAUGHTER BY DEPRIVING HER OF OXYGEN.
STODDARD ALLEGEDLY TIED UP THE GIRL ON A REGULAR BASIS AND COVERED HER MOUTH WITH DUCT TAPE.
THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES HAS TAKEN CUSTODY OF THE FIVE OTHER CHILDREN WHO ALSO LIVED IN THE HOME.
DEPUTIES ARRESTED HER FATHER KENNETH STODDARD ON AGGRAVATED CHILD ABUSE CHARGES.
INVESTIGATORS SAY HIS DAUGHTER MELISSA DIED FROM A LACK OF OXYGEN AND WAS DETERMINED TO BE BRAIN DEAD.
DEPUTIES SAY STODDARD TIED UP THE YOUNG GIRL ON A REGULAR BASIS AND COVERED HER MOUTH WITH DUCT TAPE.
THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES HAS TAKEN CUSTODY OF THE FIVE OTHER CHILDREN WHO ALSO LIVED IN THE HOME, SOME OF WHOM DESCRIBED HOW THE PARENTS RESTRAINED MELISSA.
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THE HUNT IS ON FOR A BANK ROBBER IN SOUTH FORT MYERS.
HE HIT THE SUNTRUST ON THE WAY TO FORT MYERS BEACH NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF SUMMERLIN AND SAN CARLOS BOULEVARD.
THESE ARE PICTURES OF THE MAN INSIDE THE BANK. HE TOLD TELLERS HE HAD A GUN AND WANTED MONEY.
NO ONE WAS HURT.
DEPUTIES SEARCHED BY LAND AND AIR LATE THIS MORNING. IN NEIGHBORHOODS NEAR THE BANK.
ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL CRIME STOPPERS.
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AN ARSONIST COULD BE RUNNING AROUND LEHIGH ACRES RIGHT NOW.
POLICE SAY SOMEONE SET FIRE TO A DUPLEX THIS MORNING ON 28TH STREET SOUTHWEST AND ROBIN AVENUE.
ONE UNIT IS GUTTED.
THE OTHER SEVERELY DAMAGED.
WE'RE TOLD BOTH SIDES OF THE BUILDING HAVE BEEN VACANT FOR SOME TIME.
THE WINDOWS AND DOORS WERE BOARDED UP.
ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL CRIME STOPPERS.
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CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS ARE BEING BLAMED FOR STARTING A FIRE AT A SMALL BUSINESS IN CAPE CORAL.
IT HAPPENED AT THE TEA ON THE PORCH RESTAURANT ON CAPE CORAL PARKWAY EARLY THIS MORNING.
N-B-C TWO'S STEVE CAMPION IS LIVE AT THE BUSINESS.AND STEVE THEY WERE ABOUT TO CELEBRATE THEIR FIRST ANNIVERSARY, RIGHT?
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THE FIRE SCORCHED -- THE BIGGEST WEEK OF SALES -- FOR THIS CAPE CORAL COUNTRY STORE -- YOU CAN SEE THE FRONT DOOR REMAINS BOARDED UP.
THIS PORCH TYPICALLY A PLACE FOR LAUGHTER AND GOSSIP -- TRANSFORMED TODAY INTO A GATHERING SPOT FOR TEARFUL HUGS.
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TRT 130
16 - Donna Freeman, Owner
35 - Jeanette Rainey, Employee
TAKE PKG
Donna Freeman, owner
5433 "it's so hard for me, so hard for me."
DONNA FREEMAN'S TEARS FOLLOW A FIRE'S DEVASTATING FLAMES.
TAKE NATS
AN EARLY MORNING BLAZE BLEW THROUGH HER QUAINT COUNTRY STORE OFF CAPE CORAL PARKWAY -- BURNING OR MELTING ALMOST EVERYTHING INSIDE.
Freeman
5217 "it's hard to tell if we can salvage anything. Everything looks so broken to me."
AMONG THE FIRST TO THE FIRE -- WAS FREEMAN'S FRIEND JEANETTE RAINEY.
Take nats
THE TWO A-M SCENE ALMOST TOOK HER DOWN.
Jeanette Rainey, employee
2747 "like that country song I was weak in the knees. I couldn't breathe this place is everything to me."
AFTER FIREFIGHTERS LEFT -- RAINEY AND OTHERS RALLIED AROUND FREEMAN -- OFFERING UP THEIR LOVE AND SUPPORT -- TO EASE HER HOLIDAY HEARTBREAK.
Rainey, employee
2855 "we will be back. We will be back."
WITH 200-THOUSAND DOLLARS WORTH OF DAMAGE TO "RUSTIC GATHERINGS" AND "A TEA AT THE PORCH" -- HELP IS THE ONLY THING TO POUR.
Rainey, employee
2833 "everything is just like the firemen said toast, black."
Just days before christmas -- ONE THING RAISING FOR THE DUST -- IS A COMMUNITY'S SENSE OF GIVING.
LEAVING THIS OWNER CRYING TEARS OF JOYS -- NOT SADDNESS IN SPITE OF HER SUDDEN LOSS.
Freeman,
5708 "it makes me cry. I love that. I just never will be able to repay that kindness."
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TAKE LIVE
YOU CAN THE CLOSED SIGN NOW HANGS UP -- FREEMAN TELLS US SHE WILL REOPEN. AS SOON AS SHE CAN.
INVESTIGATORS TELL US AN ELECTRIC PLUG SPARKED THE FLAMES.
Live in Cape Coral, Steve Campion, NBc2
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THIS UNFOURTUNATE FIRE HIGHLIGHTS THE DANGERS OF YOUR HOLIDAY DECORATIONS.
COMING UP AT SIX --
WE'VE TALKED TO THE EXPERTS ABOUT THE BEST WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY THIS TIME OF YEAR.
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NOW TO THE LATEST FROM THE SCHOOL SHOOTING IN NEW TOWN.
THE GOVERNOR OF CONNECTICUT IS CALLING FOR A NATIONAL MOMENT OF SILENCE TO HONOR THE 26 VICTIMS TOMORROW MORNING.
THE TWO SURVIVORS OF THE SHOOTING WHO WERE HOSPITALIZED ARE NOW TALKING TO INVESTIGATORS.
AS AUTHORITIES LOOK FOR CLUES --
THOUSANDS OF GRIEVING PEOPLE ARE STILL TRAVELING TO SANDY HOOK.
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SOT/TWO WOMAN CRYING/EMOTIONAL
"there should be no reason for a coffin that small really. and i think that
you just have to come and say goodbye."
U-S ATTORNEY GENERAL - ERIC HOLDER IS EXPECTED TO VISIT NEWTON AS WELL TO MEET WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT.
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MEANWHILE THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU WANTS EVERYONE TO BE ON GUARD WHEN IT COMES TO DONATING TO THE VICTIMS OF THE SANDY HOOK TRAGEDY.
CON ARTISTS ARE PREYING ON THE NATION'S GENEROSITY.
TWO OF THE MOST COMMON SCAMS ARE FALSE WEBSITES AND PHONE CALLS SOLICITING MONEY FOR THE VICTIMS.
EXPERTS SAY DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE DONATING TO ANY ORGANIZATION.
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A HIGH school student BROUGHT A GUN TO HIS SCHOOL IN TALLAHASSEE TODAY.
ANOTHER STUDENT SPOTTED THE 25 CALIBER SEMI AUTOMATIC HANDGUN AND ALERTED TEACHERS.
POLICE ARRESTED HIM.
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A TWO MONTH INVESTIGATION IN CHARLOTTE COUNTY NABBED THREE PEOPLE SUSPECTED IN A POT GROWING OPERATION.
DEPUTIES RAIDED A HOME ON WATERSIDE STREET, IN PORT CHARLOTTE.
WHEN THEY GOT INSIDE, THEY SAY THEY DISCOVERED POT PLANTS AND AN ELABORATE GROW HOUSE OPERATION-- EQUIPPED WITH A-C UNITS, PIPES AND PUMPS.
THEY ALSO FOUND SEVERAL GUNS AND AMMUNITION.
THESE TWO MEN WERE ARRESTED.
THE THIRD MAN'S MUG SHOT ISN'T AVAILABLE.
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TONIGHT WE KNOW THE NAME OF THE PERSON WHO DIED IN A CRASH IN BONITA SPRINGS YESTERDAY.
TWO CARS CRASHED ON BONITA BEACH ROAD AND MICHIGAN STREET NEAR OLD 41.
TROOPERS SAY 57 LEONARD RATZ WAS NOT WEARING HIS SEATBELT AND DIED AT THE SCENE.
THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES.
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SOMETHING WAS MISSING FROM THIS SCENE IN FORT MYERS.
POLICE SAY A CAR CRASHED INTO A HOUSE ON BROOKHILL DRIVE OFF VERONICA SHOEMAKER EARLY THIS MORNING.
BUT THE DRIVER WAS GONE WHEN OFFICERS GOT THERE.
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A WINTER STORM IS DUMPING SNOW AND SNARLING TRAFFIC.
SOME AIRLINES HAVE ALREADY STARTED CANCELLING FLIGHTS --
WE ARE LIVE AT R-S-W TO SEE HOW THINGS ARE SHAPING UP HERE.
PLUS A FIRST OF ITS KIND PHOTO IS SENDING WAVES OF HOPE THROUGH SCIENTISTS FOR THE FUTURE OF THE ENDANGERED FLORIDA PANTHER.
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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.
A COLD BLAST FROM THE PAST
Our weather on Thursday was rather quiet, but if you traveled to North Florida - you encountered some wicked storms. They experienced damaging wind, heavy rain, and even a few tornados. Their severe activity was instigated by a strong cold front that will soon bring us rain, and yes, cold temperatures.
So let me set the stage for you. Our arctic cold front is pushing through the Deep South right now, and its ETA for Southwest Florida is early Friday morning. The front will first bring with it added clouds and a line of rain. Once it pushes through we'll see the skies begin to clear.
… The sunshine will not help us warm up.
We're expecting highs for Friday to be around 65, and from there they get even colder! A cold air mass will funnel into the area in the wake of this cold front, and morning lows on Saturday and Sunday will be in the lower 40s. If you live deeper inland, you may even see some mid to upper 30s. The afternoon temperatures will rebound, but still stay cold. They'll continue to linger in the 60s.
The last time we saw temperatures this cold was last winter. So get ready for the cold blast from the past!
Along with the cold we'll see a deep blue sky above, and a brisk wind coming from the north.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are in view, and both days look nice. However, they'll jump start a warming trend for us. Lows will be around 60 with highs near 80 under mostly sunny skies.
Enjoy!
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AS ROBERT JUST TOLD YOU --
MUCH OF THE COUNTRY IS EXPERIENCING SOME WICKED WEATHER.
AND THAT IS AFFECTING CHRISTMAS TRAVEL PLANS.
IN FACT SOME AIRLINES ARE ALREADY CANCELLING FLIGHTS.
N-B-C TWO'S JOELLE PARKS IS LIVE AT SOUTHWEST FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL TO SEE HOW ITS SHAPING UP SO FAR.
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Take live
If you're waiting for loved ones to land here- you're in luck the weather is beautiful here in swfl. But if you are going anywhere near Chicago- today is not your day.
the weather has caused nearly a dozen cancellations already to chicago midway and Milwaukee Mitchell field. AirTran- has cancelled all its flights today.
And while this airline has the most cancellations, it's not the only one.
Take vo
United, American and spirit have also canceled flights to Chicago Ohara airport.
'most of these flights were cancelled so early that people got text and email alerts on their phones, so they didn't have to come all the way here to find out the bad news.
Tomorrows flights are still scheduled as normal but agents tell us the more snow, the more cancellations.
Take live
And tomorrows flights are already completely booked on this airline.
If you're traveling anywhere else this holiday- for now you're still good to go.
There's no other delays or cancellations being reported yet except for Chicago and Milwaukee.
To double check your flight status- we've attached a link to our web site.
Nbc-2.com.
Click on newslinks.
Reporting live Jp.
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PEOPLE ARE FLOCKING TO FLORIDA.
ACCORDING TO THE CENSUS BUREAU THE SUNSHINE STATE RANKS THIRD IN THE NATION FOR POPULATION GROWTH.
FLORIDA NOW HAS AN ESTIMATED 19 POINT THREE MILLION RESIDENTS.
NORTH DAKOTA IS NATION'S FASTEST-GROWING STATE.
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A NEW GOODWILL STORE IS GOING UP IN LEHIGH ACRES.
LEADERS WITH GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SAY THE OLD STORE OFF OF LEE BOULEVARD AND HOMESTEAD ROAD HAS OUTGROWN ITS SPACE.
THE NEW STORE WILL BE BUILT RIGHT ON LEE BLVD.
A MODEL HOME CURRENTLY SITS ON THE PROPERTY THAT WILL BE DEMOLISHED.
THEY EXPECT TO BREAK GROUND IN EARLY JANUARY AND THINK THE NEW STORE WILL BRING 40 MORE JOBS TO THE AREA.
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ONE ORGANIZATION IS BRINGING A SMILE TO FACES ACROSS COLLIER COUNTY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.
THE SALVATION ARMY STARTED DISTRIBUTING THOUSANDS OF GIFTS IN NAPLES ON THURSDAY TO THOSE FAMILIES WHO PRE-REGISTERED.
LAST HOLIDAY SEASON--OVER TEN THOUSAND INDIVIDUALS RECEIVED GIFTS AND FOOD FROM THE SALVATION ARMY.
OFFICIALS SAY THIS SEASON HAS A SPECIAL MEANING AFTER LAST WEEK'S TRAGIC SHOOTING IN CONNECTICUT.
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TAKE SOT
DURATION = 0:08
Maria Ramos/The Salvation Army
"I had a women drop in and she handed a bicycle to me and said I can't help the children in Connecticut but maybe I can do something here at home---that really touched us all a lot."
THOSE WHO PRE-REGISTERED CAN PICK UP THEIR ITEMS FROM NINE A-M TO FOUR P-M THROUGH SUNDAY.
THE PICKUP LOCATION IS AT THE TEMPORARY TOY STORE OFF OF TRADE CENTER WAY IN NAPLES.
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A ONCE IN A LIFETIME MOMENT CAPTURED IN A PICTURE.
A MAMA PANTHER ON THE MOVE CARRYING SOMETHING SPECIAL--
WHAT EXPERTS HOPE THIS PHOTO MEANS FOR THE ENDANGERED CAT.
AND ALL NEW AT SIX--
Hi I'm gf coming up were going jetpacking in naples you don't want to miss it.
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TAKE A LOOK AT THIS --
THESE ARE HISTORIC PHOTOS OF AN UNCOLLARED FEMALE PANTHER MOVING HER KITTENS TO A NEW DEN.
THE PHOTO WAS CAPTURED AT THE FLORIDA PANTHER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE.
BIOLOGISTS HOPE THIS IS A SIGN THAT THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ARE EXPANDING.
N-B-C TWO'S RICK RITTER HAS THE STORY.
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HE'S SPENT YEARS STUDYING PANTHERS AS A PROJECT LEADER.
Kevin Godsea/Project leader, Southwest Florida Gulf Coast Refuge Complex/5:27:39 "When you come out here, all of these images, you really see some cool pictures."
BUT KEVIN GODSEA'S NEVER SEEN SNAPSHOTS LIKE THESE.
Kevin Godsea/5:29:03 "To capture them on film and capture their kittens on film is pretty rare.'
THESE ARE PHOTOS TAKEN OVER A ONE-MONTH PERIOD AT THE REFUGE COMPLEX IN COLLIER COUNTY.
IMAGES OF AN UNCOLLARED FEMALE PANTHER MOVING HER KITTENS TO ANOTHER DEN.
BIOLOGISTS BELIEVE ITS THE FIRST TIME THAT THESE TYPES OF PHOTOS HAVE EVER BEEN CAPTURED.
Kevin Godsea/5:27:54 "That's really the first time we know if that it's been caught on camera."
JUST MONTHS LATER---THE CAMERA CAUGHT THAT SAME FEMALE PANTHER WALKING BY.
LOOKING CLOSELY--YOU CAN SEE ALL THREE KITTENS RIGHT BEHIND HER.
Kevin Godsea/5:30:22 "We know from these photos that the uncollared cats are also having kittens."
Rick Ritter/News at 5:00/5:36:40 "This is exactly where biologists caught the mother moving her kittens---thanks to this camera here, one of sixty-one randomly placed throughout thousands of acres--which caught the images of a lifetime."
Kevin Godsea/5:28:09 "We know that panthers will move their dens for a variety of reasons but we've never caught it on camera before."
EVEN THOUGH IT'S BEEN THE DEADLIEST YEAR ON RECORD FOR THE ENDANGERED SPECIES--BIOLOGISTS SAY THESE PICTURES REVEAL THE POSITIVE SIDE OF WHAT'S BEEN A BANNER YEAR FOR REPRODUCTION.
Kevin Godsea/5:30:50 "Potentially that's offsetting and outpacing the mortalities so that's the encouraging part."
AS FAR AS SEEING PHOTOS LIKE THESE AGAIN.GODSEA WOULDN'T BANK ON IT.
Kevin Godsea/5:31:32 "I'm not holding my breath.especially with a panther carrying her kittens."
IN CC, RR, NBC2
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WINTER IS RIGHT ON CUE!
IT OFFICIALLY STARTS TOMORROW--
AND OLD MAN WINTER IS WALLOPING NEARLY HALF THE U-S!
WE'LL SHOW YOU THE SNOW AND STORM DAMAGE FROM CHICAGO TO ALABAMA!
AND RIGHT NOW WE'RE MONITORING THE CONGRESSIONAL DEBATE ON "PLAN *B*".
THAT'S THE REPUBLICAN PLAN TO AVOID THE FISCAL CLIFF!
AND WE'VE GOT THE LATEST ON "EAGLE CAM"!
OZZIE AND HARRIET ARE DAYS AWAY FROM BECOMING PARENTS!
NBC2 NEWS AT 5:30 IS NEXT.
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