DIRECTORS PAGE

HLA RED TIDE SWFL FISH KILL-TRX-VO

A MAJOR FISH KILL OFF THE COAST OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, BLAMED ON A RED TIDE BLOOM.

HLBCDC FLU REPORT-TRX-VO

A JUST-RELEASED REPORT FROM THE C-D-C SHOWS THE FLU HAS REACHED EPIDEMIC PROPORTIONS.

HLC MOTORCYCLE SAFETY STUDY-TRX-NATSVO

vroom

AND TONIGHT ONLY ON NBC2 -- HOW CAMERAS ALL OVER A SOUTHWEST FLORIDA MAN'S MOTORCYCLE.MAY BE THE KEY THE SAVING LIVES.

5PM OPEN-CLIP

COLLIER COUNTY MISSING MEN-f

BREAKING NEWS AT FIVE -- NBC2 HAS JUST CONFIRMED COLLIER COUNTY DEPUTIES ARE INVESTIGATING A *SECOND TIP IN A DECADE-OLD COLD CASE THAT GOT A JOLT OF NEW ATTENTION THANKS TO A HOLLYWOOD STAR.

SOMEONE HAS REPORTED SEEING FELIPE SANTOS ALIVE -- HE'S ONE OF THE TWO MEN LAST SEEN YEARS AGO WITH A COLLIER COUNTY DEPUTY.

THIS CASE IS BACK IN THE NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT AFTER ACTOR TYLER PERRY AND THE REVEREND AL SHARPTON CAME TO NAPLES OFFERED A 100-THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR INFORMATION.

COLLIER COUNTY MISSING MEN-SOTVO

SOT

DURATION = 0:11

Harold Weeks/President, Collier County NAACP

"Let's hope that its on the level that it'll produce something concrete - something you can get your teeth in and hopefully turn this thing around."

THE LAST PERSON ON RECORD TO SEE THE MEN WAS FORMER COLLIER COUNTY DEPUTY STEVEN CALKINS -

HE WAS FIRED FOR NOT COOPERATING WITH THE INVESTIGATION.

SWFL CRIMESTOPPERS UPS ANTE-OC, CG, VO

MEANWHILE FORT MYERS POLICE AND CRIME STOPPERS ARE UPPING THE ANTE WHEN IT COMES TO CALLING IN CRIME TIPS THAT LEAD TO ARRESTS.

AN ANONYMOUS TIP FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS AN ILLEGAL GUN WILL GET YOU FIVE GRAND.

KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT A MURDER?

TIPSTERS CAN GET 25 THOUSAND DOLLARS.

THIS COMES AFTER ONE OF THE WORST YEARS ON RECORD WHEN THE CITY SAW 24 HOMICIDES IN 2012.

THERE IS ALREADY ONE UNSOLVED MURDER IN FORT MYERS THIS YEAR.

CDC FLU REPORT-OC

AND IT'S BECOMING AN UPHILL BATTLE ACROSS THE NATION AS EACH DAY GOES BY.

SOME PARTS OF THE COUNTRY ARE DEALING WITH A SHORTAGE OF FLU VACCINES --

AS A HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS STOMACH BUG IS SPREADING FAST.

N-B-C TWO ANCHOR HEATHER TURCO IS LIVE IN THE STUDIO WITH LATEST.

CDC FLU REPORT-PLASMA

THE C-D-C SAYS THE FLU IS SO WIDE-SPREAD IT IS NOW CONSIDERED AN EPIDEMIC.

THE GOOD NEWS IS VISITS TO THE DOCTOR FOR FLU-LIKE ILLNESS ARE DOWN --

ESPECIALLY IN THE SOUTHEAST.

MORE GOOD NEWS --

CDC FLU REPORT-PKG

SCRIPT:

EVERYDAY A NEW ENEMY EMERGES IN THE NATIONS FIGHT AGAINST THE FLU.

HOSPITALS, CLINICS AND DR.S OFFICES NOW RUNNING LOW ON VACCINES - EVEN

THOUGH 128 MILLION DOSES HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED.

sot cheryl fattibene, r.n. mph,/cvs minuteclinics

"today, we could be getting 30 doses in, and that could be sufficient, but

that can be gone in 20 minutes."

PHARMACIES ARE HAVING HARD TIME KEEPING UP WITH PRESCRIPTION DRUG ORDERS.

sot andy komuves, pharmacist

"each day / we're getting 24 boxes of tamiflu capsules. but / we're

getting 40 or 50 prescriptions for them every day."

DOCTORS ALONG WITH THEIR PATIENTS ARE WEARING MASKS IN EMERGENCY ROOMS TO

AVOID GETTING SICK.

IN NEW JERSEY'S HOLY NAME HOSPITAL ONE DR HAS RESORTED TO SIMPLY TREATING

PATIENTS AND IS NO LONGER ADMINISTERING FLU TESTS.

dr. randy tartakoff

a lot of what we do is simple supportive care. making them feel better

AT LEAST 20 CHILDREN ARE NOW DEAD. BUT THIS STRAIN IS KILLING EVEN THE

HEALTHIEST AMONG US.

LIKE AMELIA PERRY OF OHIO.

sot unidentified green county, oh health practitioner

"no chronic medical conditions. didn't take any medications. / she was a

healthy 22 year old."

HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS ARE OUT SICK IN SCHOOLS AROUND THE COUNTRY. ONE

OKLAHOMA SCHOOL FORCED TO CLOSE AFTER A QUATER OF ITS STUDENT BODY STAYED

HOME THIS WEEK.

AND ADDING TO THE MISERY. A HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS STOMACH BUG IS MAKING ITS

ROUNDS IN E-R'S NATIONWIDE CALLED THE NOROVIRUS.

besser: if you were healthy before you had the flu and you're doing well

with the flu, don't rush into the emergency room or your doctor's office,

CDC FLU REPORT-PLASMA

AND THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING.

THE C-D-C SAYS THE PEAK OF FLU SEASON ISN'T FOR A FEW MORE WEEKS.

RED TIDE SWFL FISH KILL-TRX-VOTOPS-2SH-TFC-SS-DISS

ANOTHER BIG STORY WE'RE FOLLOWING TONIGHT --

DEAD FISH -- DOZENS OF THEM -- DRIFTING TOWARDS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SHORES.

JUST AS WE ENTER ONE OF THE BEST BEACH WEEKENDS IN WEEKS -- A TOXIC RED TIDE BLOOM IS BASICALLY SPOONING OUR SHORELINE -- THIS IS A SATELLITE IMAGE OF THE LEE-CHARLOTTE COUNTY LINE -- ALL THE GREEN AND YELLOW YOU SEE THERE IS RED TIDE -- THE PIN POINTS SHOW THE AREAS WITH THE HEAVIEST CONCENTRATION.

NBC2S JOELLE PARKS WENT OUT INTO THE GULF TODAY. TO LOOK FOR WHATS HAEDED OUR WAY.

SHE JOINS US I'VE FROM BOCA GRANDE.

RED TIDE SWFL FISH KILL-REM 2 - LIVE

THIS IS WHERE THE BOAT PICKED US UP AND RIGHT AWAY-

YOU CAN SEE THE EVIDENCE OF RED TIDE.

TAKE A LOOK AT THESE FISH WASHED UP ON SHORE.

RED TIDE SWFL FISH KILL-PKG

Kathleen Casey has seen the effects of red tide.

Sot Kathleen Casey, punta Gorda resident

"It was really awful."

But today on boca grandes beaches- no dead fish.

Sot Kathleen

" I haven't seen anything it's just been really nice."

The lastest Florida fish and wildlife conservation commission report shows the highest concentration of the toxic algae 5-10 miles west of bocas coast.

Sot mark liberman, capt. Action charters

" the red tide came into our area in early October and it was mainy across the beaches and in and around the inlet and it could come and go."

captain mark liberman brought us offshore-

Nate boat

Fwc searched reported a significant fish kill in this area.

But when we were out-

Sot mark

" I haven't seen any dead fish at all."

the fish likely moved with the wind,

Right now away from shore.

Like red tide- fish kills are patchy.

The best advice?

Sot mark

" just don't go to that spot."

Right now that spot is the back bays of boca.

Nat boat

But the toxic algae is luring right here."

Sot Kathleen

RED TIDE SWFL FISH KILL-REM 2 - LIVE

IF YOU FEEL THAT THROAT IRRITATION OR SEE DEAD FISH- JUST GO SOMEWHERE ELSE, AS ITS NOT FATAL TO H ,AND.

TONIGHT AT 6 WE'LL GO IN DEPTH AND SHOW YOU THE CONCENTRATIONS ALL OVER SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

SWFL FLU SPREADING-OC-VIDBOX

TONIGHT THE C-D-C CONFIRMED THE SPREAD OF THE FLU IS NOW A NATIONAL EPIDEMIC.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IS SEEING A SIMILAR TREND WHEN IT COMES TO THE FLU THIS YEAR.

HOSPITALS AND HEALTH CLINICS TELL N-B-C TWO THEY ARE PACKED WITH PEOPLE.

AND DOCTOR'S OFFICES TOLD US TODAY THEY ARE SEEING MORE PEOPLE THAN USUAL GETTING THE VACCINE.

WE FIRST REPORTED LAST NIGHT -- ONE MAN AT A LEE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL DIED FROM COMPLICATIONS WITH THE FLU --

LEE CO GRAND THEFT-TRX-VO

SURVEILLANCE VIDEO JUST RELEASED TO NBC2 SHOWS THREE PEOPLE STEALING A HUGE CACHE OF GUNS.

LEE COUNTY DEPUTIES SAY JOSEPH RIVERA --

MARQUIS KITCHEN AND FELIX GARCIA WERE THE MEN CAPTURED ON HOME SURVEILLANCE VIDEO STEALING THE GUNS BACK IN DECEMBER.

CCSO HIT AND RUN ARREST-SSTOPS

IN CHARLOTTE COUNTY --

INVESTIGATORS SAY RONALD PEYTON IS ONE OF TWO MEN INVOLVED IN A STABBING AND HIT AND RUN AT A GAS STATION IN PORT CHARLOTTE YESTERDAY.

AUTHORITIES ARE STILL SEARCHING FOR RICHARD FOIST.

EARLY VOTING INVESTIGATION-OC

LEE COUNTY IS ONE OF A HANDFUL AT THE CENTER OF A STATE HEARING IN TALLAHASSEE TO DETERMINE WHAT WENT WRONG ON ELECTION DAY.

SHARON HARRINGTON WILLTESTIFY BEFORE THE ETHICS AND ELECTIONS COMMITTEE.

NBC2 INVESTIGATOR DAVE ELIAS WILL BE THERE TOO - BUT IS HERE FIRST WITH THE TOPICS THAT WILL MOST LIKELY COME UP.

EARLY VOTING INVESTIGATION-TFC

HERE IN LEE COUNTY LONG LINES WERE THE PROBLEMS.

IT SEEMS THERE WERE THREE MAIN REASONS FOR THAT.

EARLY VOTING INVESTIGATION-VO

SHARON HARRINGTON AND THE NINE OTHER ELECTION SUPERVISORS EXPECTED TO TESTIFY ON MONDAY SAY THEY WANT MORE FLEXIBILITY TO CHOOSE THE NUMBER OF EARLY VOTING DAYS.

THEY ALSO WANT MORE SAY IN WHERE THOSE POLLING PLACES ARE LOCATED.

EARLY VOTING INVESTIGATION-SOTVO

We think that they should certainly be able to operate within the 75 word limit and not have these excessively long ballots that we had in the most recent election.

THEY SAY THEY'LL PUSH FOR THESE CHANGES TO FLORIDA'S ELECTION LAW

EARLY VOTING INVESTIGATION-TFC

TESTIMONY BEGINS MONDAY MORNING AT 10AM.

EARLY VOTING INVESTIGATION-OCTAG-SS

THANKS DAVE.

AND YOU CAN COUNT ON N-B-C TWO TO BE IN TALLAHASSEE FOR THOSE MEETINGS.

N-B-C TWO INVESTIGATOR DAVE ELIAS WILL BE DIGGING FOR ANSWERS --

SRO CAPE CHARTER SCHOOLS-VO

LEE CO PRESCRIBED BURN-SS

IF YOU SEE SMOKE IN SOUTH LEE COUNTY IN THE NEXT FEW MINUTES, THIS IS PROBABLY WHY:

A 19 ACRES PRESCRIBED BURN IN THE GATOR HOLE PRESERVE IN ESTERO OFF CORKSCREW ROAD.

AIRPORT 75 INTERCHANGE CONSTRUCTION-VO

A MAJOR ROAD PROJECT TO CONNECT INTERSTATE 75 TO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IS ON TRACK.

IF YOU HAVE BEEN IN THE AREA LATELY --

YOU'VE NOTICED CREWS ARE CLEARING OUT LAND EAST OF 75 TO TREELINE.

THEY'RE DIGGING RETENTION PONDS AND BUILDING A FENCE.

AS SOON AS THIS MONTH YOU COULD SEE THE BRIDGE OVER THE INTERSTATE START TAKING SHAPE.

BY FEBRUARY CREWS WILL BEGIN TO WORK ON BUILDING ROADS.

OBAMA KARZAI MEETING-OC

U-S FORCES IN AFGHANISTAN WILL TURN OVER MOST COMBAT LEADERSHIP TO AFGHAN FORCES SOONER THAN EXPECTED.

THE PRESIDENT ANNOUNCED A NEW TIMELINE TODAY -- SPRING.

OBAMA KARZAI MEETING-PKG

AFTER 11-AND-A-HALF YEARS.THE WAR IN AFGHANISTAN IS AMERICA'S LONGEST WAR.

AND TODAY PRESIDENT OBAMA AND AFGHAN PRESIDENT HAMID KARZAI ANNOUNCED AN

ACCELERATED TIMELINE FOR AFGHAN FORCES TO TAKE THE LEAD ON SECURITY.

Starting this spring, our troops will have a different mission -- training,

advising, assisting Afghan forces.

the American forces will be no longer present in Afghan villages;

BY THE END OF 2014AFGHAN FORCES WILL BE EXPECTED TO TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY

FOR THEIR NATION'S SECURITY.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THAT IS STILL UP IN THE AIR.

66-THOUSAND US TROOPS REMAIN IN AFGHANISTANAND PRESIDENT OBAMA SAID TODAY

THEY'LL FIGHT ALONG SIDE AFGHAN FORCES AS NEEDED.

BUT HIS ADMINISTRATION HAS MADE IT CLEAR IT WANTS TO GET OUT AS QUICKLY AS

POSSIBLE.

TODAY MR OBAMA SAID THE TWO KEY GOALS AT THE END OF 2014 WILL BE.

-TRAINING AND ASSISITING AFGHAN FORCES

-AND TARGETED COUNTERTERRORISM MISSIONS AGAINST AL QAEDA.

US AND AFGHAN OFFICIALS ARE IN ONGOING DISCUSSIONS ABOUT HOW TO COORDINATE

ON THAT. WHILE MAINTAINING AFGHAN AUTHORITY.

OBAMA KARZAI MEETING-OCTAG

KAREN TRAVERS REPORTING.

THERE ARE STICKING POINTS - INCLUDING PRESIDENT OBAMA's INSISTENCE ON AN IMMUNITY AGREEMENT, WHICH SAYS THAT U-S TROOPS ARE NOT SUBJECT TO AFGHAN LAW.

CHAR CO GATOR ON RUNWAY-SS

HERE'S THE STORY OF THE DAY:

A SEVE-FOOT GATOR WRESTLED AWAY FROM THE RUNWAY AT THE PUNTA GORDA AIRPORT.

DEPUTIES SAY THIS GATOR STARTED TO WALK TOWARD THE RUNWAY ON NEW YEAR'S EVE.

A PLANE WAS ABOUT TO LAND -- AND THE CONCERN WAS THE SEVEN FOOTER COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS PROBLEM.

TEASE ONE-2SHOT

THE GUN CONTROL DEBATE TAKES A DEFINITE TURN TODAY -- TO WHAT YOUR KIDS ARE DOING IN THEIR SPARE TIME.

NEXT AT FIVE -- ARE THE VIDEO GAMES YOUR CHILDREN PLAY TOO VIOLENT -- THAT'S PART OF THE PUZZLE BEING PIECED TOGETHER BY THE VICE-PRESIDENT BEFORE HE MAKES HIS RECOMMENDATIONS NEXT WEEK.

PLUS --

VROOM

REVVING UP SAFETY ON THE STREETS BY CATCHING CARELESS DRIVERS ON CAMERA.

TZ1 A) NATIONAL GUN CONTROL-VO-WIPE

TZ1 B) MOTORCYCLE SAFETY STUDY-NATSFULLVO

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.

NICE WEEKEND AHEAD

High pressure remains firmly in control of our weather and it looks like we are in for a really nice weekend. The winds will continue from the east/southeast this weekend at 10 - 15 with an occasional higher gust. This should be a nice weekend for boating in our Gulf of Mexico waters with a 2 - 3 foot sea off shore. The water temperature is still in the lower 70's and with plenty of sunshine it will be a nice weekend to hit the beach. Rain showers remain few and far between across Florida and I anticipate more of the same tomorrow. The weather pattern set up for our area is a mainly dry pattern.

Temperatures will drop to the mid and lower 60's again this evening and daytime highs on Saturday and Sunday will be back in the 80's.

NATIONAL GUN CONTROL-OC

VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN SAT DOWN WITH THE VIDEO GAME INDUSTRY TO TALK ABOUT GUN VIOLENCE.

HE'S TASKED WITH MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE PRESIDENT FOR CURBING GUN VIOLENCE EARLY NEXT WEEK.

NATIONAL GUN CONTROL-PKG

VIOLENCE IN VIDEO GAMES WAS THE FOCUS

AS VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN SAT DOWN WITH INDUSTRY LEADERS TO TALK ABOUT REDUCING GUN VIOLENCE.

IN A LETTER TO BIDEN. THE GAMING INDUSTRY ARGUED VIOLENT GAMES AREN'T THE PROBLEM.

BUT "COULD BE PART OF THE SOLUTION."

THE SCIENCE BEHIND WHETHER VIOLENT GAMES LEAD TO VIOLENT BEHAVIORS IS MIXED.

BIDEN

15:05:19 we know there is no single answer.

ON GUN REFORM, THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION APPEARS COMMITTED TO SEEKING UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS, LIMITS ON HIGH CAPACITY MAGAZINES AND A BAN ON ASSAULT WEAPONS.

BUT WILL IT PASS CONGRESS?

FORMER HOMELAND SECURITY SECURITY TOM RIDGE IS HOPEFUL.

NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT DAVID KEENE IS PROMISING A FIGHT.

"I do not think that there's going to be a ban on so called assault weapons passed by the congress."

HE SAYS YESTERDAY'S MEETING WITH BIDEN LEFT THEM FAR APART ON A SOLUTION TO THE VIOLENCE.

EVEN AS ANOTHER SCHOOL SHOOTING OCCURRED THIS TIME AT A HIGH SCHOOL IN RURAL CALIFORNIA.

THE DIVIDE ENSURES A TOUGH ROAD AHEAD.

NRA MEMBERSHIP UP-VO

AND AS THE GUN CONTROL DEBATE RAGES ON --

THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION IS SEEING A SPIKE IN MEMBERSHIP.

THE GUN RIGHTS GROUP NOW BOASTS FOUR POINT TWO MILLION MEMBERS.

UP 100 THOUSAND MEMBERS SINCE THE SANDY HOOK SHOOTING LAST MONTH.

TWINS TICKETS ON SALE-SS

A QUICK REMINDER.

SINGLE GAME SPRING TRAINING TICKETS FOR THE MINNESOTA TWINS GO ON SALE TOMORROW MORNING.

YOU CAN PICK THEM UP AT HAMMOND STADIUM AT THE LEE COUNTY SPORTS COMPLEX STARTING AT NINE.

THE TWINS OPEN THE SPRING SEASON FEBRUARY 24TH AGAINST THE TAMPA BAY RAYS.

BY THE WAY --

EDISON PARADE-VOTOPS

AND IF YOU'VE LIVED IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA LONG ENOUGH --

YOU KNOW WHAT SPRAY PAINT AND RIBBONS ALONG U-S 41 IN FORT MYERS MEANS.

THE EDISON FESTIVAL OF LIGHT GRAND PARADE IS APPROACHING.

OUR CAMERAS FOUND PEOPLE STAKING OUT THEIR SPOTS A MONTH AHEAD OF TIME.

TEASE TWO-2SHOT

A LOT OF PEOPLE RIDING MOTORCYLES FOR A FEELING OF FREEDOM.

TZ2 A) MOTORCYCLE SAFETY STUDY

TZ2 B) NEW AT 6 TEASE-VOTOPS

MOTORCYCLE CRASH UPDATE-VO

WE HAVE AN UPDATE NOW, ON THE MAN INJURED IN A MOTORCYCLE CRASH IN LEHIGH ACRES.

MARK CLARK REMAINS IN SERIOUS CONDITION TONIGHT.

DEPUTIES SAY CLARK WAS RIDING HIS MOTORCYCLE ALONG ALABAMA ROAD WHEN HE CLIPPED A CAR AND WAS THROWN INTO THE STREET.

ANOTHER CAR THEN PINNED HIM TO THE GROUND.

MOTORCYCLE SAFETY STUDY-2SHOT

TONIGHT, WE'RE LEARNING MORE ABOUT A PUSH TO COMBAT SIMILAR CRASHES INVOLVING MOTORCYCLES.

A GROWING PROBLEM HERE IN FLORIDA.

A NEW STUDY TRACKS THE DRIVING HABITS OF MOTORCYCLE DRIVERS.

AND NBC-2'S MATT WRIGHT GOT A FIRST-HAND LOOK.

MOTORCYCLE SAFETY STUDY-PLASMA

A SAFETY STUDY MIGHT SOUND A LITTLE BORING. BUT WE FOUND THIS ONE IS ANYTHING BUT.

1-HUNDRED MOTORCYCLISTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE TAKING PART IN IT.

MOTORCYCLE SAFETY STUDY-PKG-BNR

MIKE GINOCCHI ISN'T A WEEKEND WARRIOR.

HE LOGS 20-THOUSAND MILES A YEAR ON HIS MOTORCYCLE.

AND HE KNOWS THE DANGERS.

HE SAYS DRIVERS OFTEN PULL RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM.

MORE BIKERS ARE GETTING HURT.

FLORIDA MOTORCYCLE CRASHES WERE UP FIFTEEN PERCENT BETWEEN 2010 AND 2011-- THE MOST RECENT YEAR DATA IS AVAILABLE.

THE NUMBER OF MOTORCYCLISTS KILLED ROSE EIGHTEEN PERCENT TO 413.

MIKE'S A RETIRED CRASH INVESTIGATOR. AND HE'S NOW PART OF A STUDY TO REVERSE THOSE NUMBERS.

IT KEEPS A WATCHFUL EYE ON DRIVERS.

MIKE'S BIKE IS WIRED. HIS EVERY MOVEMENT RECORDED WHEN HE HITS THE ROAD.

AFTER A YEAR. HIS DRIVING HABITS WILL BE ANALYZED.

THE FOUNDATION BEHIND THE STUDY WILL TRACK HOW MIKE AVOIDS CRASHES.

ALL TO IMPROVE TRAINING FOR FUTURE MOTORCYLE DRIVERS.

MOTORCYCLE SAFETY STUDY-PLASMA

THE STUDY IS BEING DONE BY THE VIRGINIA TECH TRANSPORTATION INSTITUTE.

DATA FROM THOUSANDS OF MOTORCYLE TRIPS WILL BE ANALYZED BEGINNING EARLY NEXT YEAR.

IT WILL THEN BE COMPILED INTO A REPORT.

NEW AT 530-BNR-2SHOT

WE'RE NOT EVEN AT THE PEAK OF THE THE FLU SEASON.

AND IT'S ALREADY ONE FOR THE RECORD BOOKS.

WE TOLD YOU AT THE TOP OF THE FIVE ABOUT THE NATIONAL EPIDEMIC --

AHEAD AT FIVE-30 WE LOOK AT THE EFFECT THE FLU IS HAVING ON HOSPITALS IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

5604 "It was too late. He shot her twice in the throat and side of the neck."

A FAMILIES DOG IS SHOT AND KILLED.

A) FLU UPDATE SWFL-VO-WIPE

B) OFF DUTY DOG SHOOTING-SOTVO

SHOW OPEN-CLIP

TOP STORIES-HLFRVL

GOOD EVENING I'M PETER BUSCH.

HERE IS A QUICK LOOK AT SOME OF THE STORIES WE'RE FOLLOWING FOR YOU AT FIVE.

RED TIDE IS BACK.KILLING FISH IN THE GULF OF MEXICO --

AND THEY'RE WASHING UP ON BEACHES FROM CHARLOTTE TO COLLIER COUNTY.

INVESTIGATORS SAY THEY GOT JUST A NEW TIP ABOUT A COLD CASE THAT'S NEARLY A DECADE OLD.

THIS AFTER HOLLYWOOD STAR TYLER PERRY OFFERED A HUNDRED K REWARD.

AND A NATIONWIDE FLU EPIDEMIC IS GETTING WORSE BY THE DAY.

MORE THAN 20 PEOPLE ARE DEAD --

FLU UPDATE SWFL-TFC-DISSOLVE LIVE IN TFC

WE BEGIN TONIGHT WITH THAT FLU EPIDEMIC SWEEPING THE NATION AND CLOGGING HOSPITALS AND HEALTH CLINICS IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

N-B-C TWO'S SARA MILES IS LIVE AT LEE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL TRACKING THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS ON HOW THE SITUATION IS SHAPING UP HERE.

FLU UPDATE SWFL-REM-LIVE

HEALTH OFFICIALS TELL ME ALL THE NEWS OF PEOPLE GETTING SICK FROM THE FLU IS REALLY WHATS DRIVING PEOPLE INTO THEIR OFFICES.

FLU UPDATE SWFL-TRX-PKG

TAKE PKG --

5:51 "news travels fast" dan cundiff - vna president

THIS TIME OF YEAR ITS TYPICALLY SLOW FOR DAN CUNDIFF AT THE VISITING NURSES ASSOCIATION.

5:24 "we has 18 walk ins yesterday 3 in the first five minutes today." cundiff

BUT 2013 HAS STARTED OFF AT A FAST PACE.

5:31 expect to do 15 to 20 a day until things slow down - cundiff

MORE THAN A DOZEN PEOPLE WALKING IN TO GET A FLU SHOT AT THEIR OFFICE OFF CENTRAL AVENUE IN FORT MYERS.

5:38 "they are seeing the news they are seeing that the cdc has put florida in the highest level of possible incidents." cundiff

INTERNAL MEDICINE ASSOCIATES OFFICES ARE SEEING AN UPTICK IN PATIENTS AS WELL.

18:44 we have seen volumes almost double since the media has attention on the flu and the cautions patients should be taking.

mike biel - administrator ima

IMA ADMINISTRATOR MIKE BIEL SAYS EVEN THEIR OWN DOCTORS AND EMPLOYEES HAVE GOTTEN SICK WITH THE FLU.

20:00 its the speed at which the flu is being passed around is a lot different than it used to be:10 BIEL

TO HELP PREVENT IT FROM SPREADING--

THEY ARE OFFERING MASKS AND HAND SANITIZER TO PEOPLE WHO HAVENT CONTRACTED IT.

BUT PERHAPS THE BEST PREVENTION IS THE SHOT ITSELF.

1:10:14 "2 out of the 3 strains that the cdc is reporting is in the vaccine." cundiff.

THE LEE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT TELLS ME THEY HAVEN'T HEARD OF ANY SHORTAGES OF THE FLU VACCINE -- BUT IT COULD HAPPEN.

IT'S WHEN THAT WE DONT KNOW.

20:38 "if they dont have the flu now they probably its a good time to get the vaccine for anyone." BIEL

FLU UPDATE SWFL-REM-LIVE

A

SOMETHING INTERESTING I LEARNED TODAY THE CONTACT ZONE TO CATCH ANY GERMS IS WITHIN SIX FEET.

AND COMING UP AT SIX ON NBC 2 I'LL TAKE YOU THOUGH ALL THE THINGS YOU TOUCH IN A DAY THAT COULD MAKE YOU SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE FLU VIRUS.

BOEING FAA MEETING-OC-VIDBO-OC

BOEING'S NEWEST PLANE --

THE DREAM LINER --

IS PROMPTING THE F-A-A TO CONDUCT A REVIEW OF THE 7-87'S CRITICAL SYSTEMS.

TODAY --

A THREE FOOT WIDE CRACK APPEARED IN THE COCKPIT WINDOW OF A PLANE IN JAPAN.

A FLIGHT WAS DELAYED EARLIER THIS WEEK DUE TO A FUEL LEAK.

AND ON MONDAY IN BOSTON.A FIRE BROKE OUT IN A CARGO COMPARTMENT.

BOEING FAA MEETING-PKG

IT HAS THE MOST CUTTING EDGE TECHNOLOGY IN THE SKY.

BUT SERIOUS MECHANICAL PROBLEMS HAVE RAISED WARNING FLAGS ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE NEW BOEING DREAMLINER.

TODAY, FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION OFFICIALS ANNOUNCED A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW:

this review will cover the critical systems of the aircraft - design, manuf

and assembly

THE DREAMLINER IS MADE WITH CARBON FIBER INSTEAD OF ALUMINUM, WHICH ALLOWS IT TO GET

BETTER FUEL MILEAGE.

THE 3-FOOT LONG CRACK IN THE COCKPIT OF ONE OF THE JETS.AND THE FUEL LEAK THAT DELAYED A FLIGHT OUT OF BOSTON WILL BE PART OF THE INVESTIGATION.

BUT IT'S THE ISSUES WITH THE SOPHISTICATED ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAT HAVE

RAISED THE MOST CONCERNS.

ON MONDAY, A FIRE BROKE OUT IN THE BATTERY PACK OF A POWER UNIT OF A JAPAN

AIRLINES PLANE ON THE TARMAC AT BOSTON'S LOGAN AIRPORT.

this is a newer type of a battery that hasn't been, basically, looked at in

any terms of faults. it's a very good battery and we're not sure what

happened there.

SOME EXPERTS SAID A BIG ISSUE FOR BOEING IS THAT IT OUTSOURCED MORE OF THE

DREAMLINER'S MANUFACTURING PROCESS THAN IT HAS FOR OTHER PARTS OF ITS FLEET.

not an issue

DURING THE REVIEW, THE DREAMLINER CAN CONTINUE TO FLY.

BOEING FAA MEETING-TAG

THERE ARE MORE THAN 150 DREAMLINER FLIGHTS A DAY.

UNITED AIRLINES --

JAMES HOLMES ARRAIGNMENT-VO

THE MAN ACCUSED OF A SHOOTING MASSACRE INSIDE A MOVIE THEATER IN COLORADO ENTER A PLEA UNTIL MARCH.

A JUDGE GRANTED A DEFENSE MOTION FOR THE DELAY.

ALTHOUGH ATTORNEY'S FOR JAMES HOLMES DIDN'T GIVE A REASON --

IT COULD BE TO GET A MENTAL EVALUATION FROM A DOCTOR OF THEIR CHOOSING.

IF THEY ENTERED AN INSANITY PLEA TODAY --

CO SCHOOL THREAT-VOTOPS

A COLORADO SCHOOL CLOSED TODAY AFTER AUTHORITIES DISCOVERED THREATS TO STUDENTS AND THE SCHOOL.

INVESTIGATORS FOUND A NOTE THAT INCLUDED 30 NAMES AND SAID THE SCHOOL WAS "GOING TO BLOW UP ON THE 11TH."

DEA SECRET SERVICE PROSTITUTE-VO

NEW DETAILS ABOUT A PROSTITUTION SCANDAL INVOLVING THE U-S SECRET SERVICE.

A NEW REPORT SAYS A D-E-A AGENT ARRANGED A MEETING BETWEEN A SECRET SERVICE AGENT AND A PROSTITUTE.

THIS WAS JUST DAYS BEFORE PRESIDENT OBAMA'S VISIT TO COLOMBIA.

METRO PCS ROBBERY-TRX-VO

A PHONE STORE IN FORT MYERS WAS ROBBED THIS MORNING.

POLICE SAY TWO MASKED MEN BURST INTO THE METRO P-C-S ON METRO PARKWAY NEAR WINKLER AND TOOK CASH.

POLICE SAY THEY FOUND THE GET AWAY VEHICLE NEARBY.

PYTHON HUNTING CHALLENGE-VO

IT'S OPEN SEASON --

ON PYTHONS IN FLORIDA.

THE FLORIDA PYTHON CHALLENGE KICKS OFF TOMORROW.

BY SOME ESTIMATES, NEARLY 150-THOUSAND PYTHONS LIVE IN THE FLORIDA EVERGLADES.

SO FAR NEARLY 500 HUNTERS HAVE SIGNED UP FOR THE MONTH LONG CHALLENGE.

AND WE FOUND OUT EVEN SENATOR BILL NELSON PLANS TO TAKE PART IN THE HUNT.

FGCU INNOVATIVE SOLAR ENERGY PROGRAM-OC

STATE LEGISLATORS MAY HOLD THE KEY TO THE FUTURE OF A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR RESEARCH FACILITY IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

IT'S CALLED INNOVATION HUB.

FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY IS TRYING TO BUILD IT.

FGCU INNOVATIVE SOLAR ENERGY PROGRAM-PKG

nats

TREES AND BRUSH COVER THE 241 ACRE SITE OF THE FUTURE FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY INNOVATION HUB.

nats

THAT HUB IS PLANNED TO BE A ONE MILLION SQAURE FOOT STATE OF THE ART RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER LOCATED OFF ALICO AND AIRPORT HAUL ROAD.

THE FOCUS WILL BE ON RENEWABLE ENERGY.

AND STUDENTS GET THE CHANCE TO BE PART OF IT ALL, TOO.

It definitely brings more connections, more networking.

THE UNIVERSITY WILL SPONSOR SEVERAL PROGRAMS THERE DEALING WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF ENERGY AND GREEN TECHNOLOGY.

AND IT'S THE ENGINEERING STUDENTS LIKE ANDERSEN WHO MAY LEARN IN ONE OF THE CENTERS FUTURE CLASSROOMS.

This is just another way for students to get involved in the community working or internships and seeing what's being done in the real world.

BUT THERE'S ONE THING HOLDING IT UP-

MONEY.

Right now, the university has four and half million dollars to start building this project. They need another seven and a half million. The plan is to go the state legislature and ask for that money to start building this fall.

THE PROJECT HAS BEEN IN THE WORKS SINCE 2009.

UNIVERSITY OFFICIALS SAY IF THEY GET THE MONEY TO BUILD, THE CUTTING EDGE TECHNOLOGY INSIDE OF IT WILL ONE DAY GIVE STUDENTS AN EDGE OVER OTHERS IN THE JOB MARKET.

I think there's gonna be a lot of students interested especially something that will be off campus- being able to go there for class and seeing what's being done.

THE UNIVERSITY WILL FIND OUT THE STATUS OF THE MONEY IN APRIL.

TEASE ONE-2SHOT

WE MIGHT BE THE ONLY PLACE IN THE COUNTRY RIGHT NOW WHERE YOU DON'T NEED A JACKET.

EVEN PLACES WHERE WINTERS ARE USUALLY MILD. ARE BRACING FOR A MAJOR WINTER STORM.

COMING UP WE'LL TAKE YOU OUT WEST.WHERE THEY'RE EVEN TALKING SNOW IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

PLUS NBC 2 FOUND THAT A SPIKE IN CANADIANS VISITING SOUTHWEST FLORIDA THIS YEAR.

TZ1 A) WILD WESTERN WEATHER-VO

TZ1 B) CANADIAN SEASONAL RESIDENTS-VOTOPS

WILD WESTERN WEATHER-CKW-OMNI

FROM CALIFORNIA TO MINNESOTA --

15 STATES ARE UNDER A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY TONIGHT.

WILD WESTERN WEATHER-PKG

NATS --Snow, Driving? Stuck?

ROADS ARE CLOSED AND DRIVERS ARE STRANDED.

SOT -- /"We spent half a day waiting." 2

.AS A COLD ARCTIC BLAST MOVES ACROSS THE WEST FROM CALIFORNIA TO MINNESOTA

.

SOT -- David Schab, Utah Driver / "Quite a few cars. skidding off the

road. " 3

THE WHITE-OUT CONDITIONS. EVEN HIT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CATCHING MANY OFF

GUARD.

SOT - / "I'm from California. it doesn't

snow here. You're still in California. Yeah, but not the REAL California.

UGH!" 8

*SO MUCH* SNOW HAS FALLEN. INTERSTATE FIVE HAD TO BE SHUT DOWN FOR THE SECOND TIME THIS WEEK. LEAVING SOME WITH NO OPTIONS.

SOT - Jennifer Brown, Hayward / "Sleeping in the car. piling on the

sweatshirts. and seeing what we can do." 5

THIS ICY STORM IS SWEEPING A LARGE SECTION OF THE COUNTRY. PUTTING 15

STATES UNDER "WINTER WEATHER ADVISORIES". AS IT HEADS NORTH INTO CANADA.

SOT -- Valerie Smock, AccuWeather Broadcaster / "It is actually heading

through the Rockies and into the Northern Plains. where we could see some

very icy mixes across parts of Minnesota and this is going to cause some

blizzard conditions across the Dakotas." 9

NATS - / Snow Plow

AS CREWS NOW DO THEIR BEST. TO CLEAR THE ROADS.

NATS --

.CENTRAL CALIFORNIA FARMERS ARE TRYING TO PROTECT THEIR BILLION DOLLAR

CROPS FROM FREEZING.

SOT -- Marc Woods, Central California Farmer "I can't argue with Mother

Nature."

WILD WESTERN WEATHER-CKW-OMNI

AND THE DANGER IS NOT OVER YET.

THE BITTER COLD BLAST OF AIR IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TO "CHILL" CALIFORNIA

TZ1 C) WEATHER TEASE-2SHSTC-OMNI

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.

NICE WEEKEND AHEAD

High pressure remains firmly in control of our weather and it looks like we are in for a really nice weekend. The winds will continue from the east/southeast this weekend at 10 - 15 with an occasional higher gust. This should be a nice weekend for boating in our Gulf of Mexico waters with a 2 - 3 foot sea off shore. The water temperature is still in the lower 70's and with plenty of sunshine it will be a nice weekend to hit the beach. Rain showers remain few and far between across Florida and I anticipate more of the same tomorrow. The weather pattern set up for our area is a mainly dry pattern.

Temperatures will drop to the mid and lower 60's again this evening and daytime highs on Saturday and Sunday will be back in the 80's.

CANADIAN SEASONAL RESIDENTS-OC

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IS SEEING A SPIKE IN AIR TRAVEL FROM CANADA THIS WINTER.

N-B-C TWO'S LEIGH DANA SHOWS US THE BIG DRAW THAT'S BRINGING THEM HERE.

CANADIAN SEASONAL RESIDENTS-PKG-BNR

WITH THE TEMPERATURE HOOVERING AT OR BELOW ZERO IN SOME PARTS OF CANADA RIGHT NOW --

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IS PARADISE TO MAYO HAWCO.

mayo hawco/ canada

20:15 the weather is fantastic. We hear it is unseasonably warm here. For us, it's great.

THIS WINTER WE ARE SEEING MORE VISITORS FLYING IN FROM CANADA THAN EVER BEFORE.

RSW ADDED AN ADDITIONAL DAILY FLIGHT FROM TORONTO THIS YEAR.

AND JUST LAST MONTH, IT ADDED A WEEKLY FLIGHT TO AND FROM OTTOWA.

23:30 we are seeing a ton of canadians

FROM JANUARY TO NOVEMBER OF 2012 --

MORE THAN 155 THOUSAND PEOPLE FLEW IN ON THE TWO CANADIAN AIRLINES THAT SERVE RSW.

THAT'S UP MORE THAN 20 PERCENT FROM THE SAME TIME IN 2011.

CANADIAN CARRIER FLIGHTS FOR 2012 IS ALSO UP 17 PERCENT.

tamara pigott/

42:53 it's been growing for each of the last 4 years.

leigh dana

in 2011 - the majority of international visitation was from canada. The first time ever it topped the list in lee county.

A BIG DRAW -- REAL ESTATE.

30 PERCENT OF BUSIESS AT MILOFF AUBUCHON IN CAPE CORAL COMES FROM CANADIANS.

DONNA STOUT/ PRES ELECT CAPE CORAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS

13:58 as the exchange rate changes and the availability to get down here, it's been increasing each year.

IN THE LAST YEAR -- LEE COUNTY'S VISITOR AND CONVENTION BUREAU IS STEPPED UP IT'S MARKETING CAMPAIGN IN CANADA.

TAMARA PIGOTT

43:54 next week we'll be hosting glow magazine, a woman's beauty magazine. They are coming to do a photo shoot and write a travel story about our destination

A DESTINATION BECOMING MORE ATTRACTIVE

AS THE AVAILABILITY TO TRAVEL HERE GETS EASIER.

LEE CO AIRPORT NUMBERS-CG

NEW NUMBERS TONIGHT SHOW SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SUGGEST WE'RE HAVING A GREAT TOURIST SESAON SO FAR.

MORE THAN 650 THOUSAND PEOPLE TRAVELED THROUGH R-S-W IN NOVEMBER OF LAST YEAR.

THAT'S UP OVER 7-PERCENT FROM 2011--

MAKING IT THE SECOND BEST NOVEMBER EVER.

AND THE COUNTY COLLECTED MORE THAN A MILLION DOLLARS IN BED TAX DOLLARS IN THE SAME MONTH.

THAT'S UP OVER 6-PERCENT FROM NOVEMBER 2011.

FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR--

CCSO STOLEN DEBIT CARD ARREST-2SH-SS-TURN-OCTAG

A CHARLOTTE COUNTY WOMAN IS ACCUSED OF STEALING A DEBIT CARD AND RACKING UP THE CHARGES.

DETECTIVES SAY TIQUISHA BENNETT STOLE THE CARD FROM A WOMAN SHE KNOWS - SURVEILLANCE FOOTAGE TRACKED HER DOWN.

CCSO STOLEN DEBIT CARD ARREST-PKG-BNR

Trt. 1:20

0:07 Allen Baranski, Deep Creek Barber Shop

0:31 Capt. Les Partington, Charlotte Co. Sheriff's Office

NATS

ALLEN BARANSKI CAN'T IMAGINE RUNNING HIS BARBER SHOP WITHOUT ACCEPTING CREDIT CARDS.

"THESE DAYS IF YOU DON'T TAKE CREDIT FORGET ABOUT IT, GOTTA TAKE IT." ALLEN BARANSKI, DEEP CREEK BARBER SHOP

HE SAYS ABOUT 30-PERCENT OF HIS CUSTOMERS PAY WITH PLASTIC.

OVER THE PAST SEVEN YEARS, HE'S NEVER HAD ONE FALSE CHARGE.

"I ALWAYS CHECK ID WHEN I DON';T KNOW PEOPLE." ALLEN BARANSKI, DEEP CREEK BARBER SHOP

CHARLOTTE COUNTY DEPUTIES SAY THAT'S A GOOD POLICY, BUT IT DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK.

AUTHROITIES ARRESTED 25 YEAR OLD TIQUISHA BENNETT THURSDAY. SHE'S ACCUSED OF STEALING AND USING A FRIEND'S DEBIT CARD.

"IT'S ALL OVER THE PLACE, IT'S A VERY EASY CRIME, USUALLY IT LEAVES A PAPER TRAIL AND WE CAN CATCH THE PEOPLE WHO DO IT." CAPT. LES PARTINGTON, CCSO

CAPTAIN LES PARTINGTON SAYS THE CARD BENNETT USED AT THESE STORES BELONGED TO THE WOMAN WHO IS CARING FOR HER CHILDREN.

ARREST REPORTS SHOW BENNETT'S CHILDREN WERE PLACED WITH A GUARDIAN THROUGH D-C-F. SHE WAS VISITING THEM AFTER CHRISTMAS WHEN DETECTIVES SAY SHE WATCHED THE VICTIM ENTER HER PIN NUMBER AT A STORE, THEN SHE STOLE THE CARD - SPENDING MORE THAN 300 DOLLARS BEFORE SHE WAS CAUGHT.

"OFTEN TIMES THERE WILL BE A FEW PURCHASES MADE BEFORE THE CRIME IS DISCOVERED, BUT THAT BECOMES ONE OF OUR BEST INVESTIGATIVE LEADS." CAPT. LES PARTINGTON, CCSO

BENNETT IS NOW BEHIND BARS FACING 15 CHARGES.

DETECTIVES SAY YOU SHOULD ROUTINELY CHANGE YOUR PIN NUMBER TO AVOID BECOMING THE NEXT VICTIM.

"IT OFFERS BETTER SECURITY, THE MORE OFTEN YOU CAN CHANGE IT THE BETTER." CAPT. LES PARTINGTON, CCSO

TEASE THREE-2SHOT

A FAMILY WANTS ANSWERS --

AND SOMEONE HELD RESPONSIBLE AFTER THEY SAY A NEIGHBOR SHOT THEIR DOG.

TONIGHT -

THEY ARE TALKING EXCLUSIVLY TO N-B-C TWO ABOUT THEIR HEART BREAK --

AND WE FOUND OUT WHY AN OFF DUTY OFFICER WON'T FACE ANY CHARGES IN THE SHOOTING.

AND ALL NEW AT SIX--

TZ3 A) OFF DUTY DOG SHOOTING-VO

AHEAD AT 6-BANNER

A) CHARCO RUNWAY GATOR-VO

POSTAL SERVICE FISCAL CLIFF-VO

THE POSTAL SERVICE IS HEADED TOWARD ITS OWN FISCAL CLIFF.

A NEW REPORT FINDS THAT BY MARCH THE AGENCY WILL HAVE ABOUT A BILLION DOLLARS IN CASH.

THAT'S ENOUGH TO RUN THE AGENCY FOR FOUR DAYS.

IF NOTHING IS DONE --

FORD TO ADD JOBS-VOTOPS

POSSIBLY ANOTHER SIGN THE ECONOMY IS ON THE REBOUND.

FORD IS READY TO ADD 22 HUNDRED SALARIED POSITIONS IN THE U-S THIS YEAR.

THAT'S THE LARGEST HIRING OF WHITE COLLAR WORKERS IN MORE THAN A DECADE.

THE POSITIONS WILL BE IN ENGINEERING, MANUFACTURING AND COMPUTER SOFTWARE.

LUNG CANCER SCREENING-VO

THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY SAYS SMOKERS SHOULD BE SCREENED FOR LUNG CANCER.

EXPERTS BELIEVE C-T SCANS CAN REDUCE LUNG CANCER DEATHS IN HEAVY SMOKERS INCLUDING THOSE WHO QUIT IN THE LAST 15 YEARS.

OFF DUTY DOG SHOOTING-2SHOT

A CAPE CORAL FAMILY UNLEASHES TONIGHT ON AN OFF-DUTY LEE COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPUTY WHO SHOT AND KILLED THEIR PITBULL NAMED "SASSY."

HE'S A CORRECTIONS OFFICER.AND HE TOLD INVESTIGATORS THE DOG CAME AT HIM IN AN AGGRESSIVE MANNER -- BEFORE HE PULLED OUT HIS AGENCY ISSUED GUN AND SHOT HER.

NBC2'S STEVE CAMPION JOINS US LIVE IN THE STUDIO WITH THE STORY.

OFF DUTY DOG SHOOTING-PLASMA

SASSY'S OWNER ADMITS THE DOG WASN'T ON A LEASH BUT SHE SAYS SASSY DIDN'T DESERVE TO DIE.

OFF DUTY DOG SHOOTING-TRX-PKG

5957 "she was the most loving sweet dog anyone can imagine. Just because she's a pit doesn't mean you have a right to shoot her."

TWO SHOTS FROM AN OFF DUTY LEE COUNTY DEPUTY'S GUN -- SILENCED THIS PIT BULL NAMED SASSY -- FOREVER.

5604 "it was too late. He shot her twice in the throat and side of the neck."

OWNER CARISSA CORREIA WALKS US THROUGH YESTERDAY AFTERNOON -- WHEN SHE RAN OUT OF HER HOME -- ONLY TO FIND SASSY -- LIFELESS --- JUST TWO HOUSES DOWN ON HER NORTHWEST CAPE CORAL STREET.

5704 "She was laying on her back. She was gone. There was nothing I could do."

CORREIA TELLS US HER NEIGHBOR JUSTIN STROEDECKE STOOD OVER THE DEAD PITBULL -- OFFERING UP NO EXPLANATION TO HER.

THE LOSS HITS HOME -- FOR CORREIA'S ENTIRE FAMILY.

0525 "I haven't gotten over crying for her. I miss her love. I'm going to miss her love."

CORREIA'S MOTHER MAUREEN -- SAYS 7 YEAR OLD "SASSY" WAS GETTING OLD AND DOESN'T BELIEVE SHE'D EVER ATTACK ANYONE.

0720 "they told me there was absolutely nothing they could do about this because Sassy was not on a leash. That's not right."

ACCORDING TO AN ANIMAL CONTROL REPORT -- THE CORRECTIONS OFFICER TOLD POLICE HE WAS WALKING WITH HIS OWN DOG -- WHEN SASSY CHARGED AT HIM -- HE FIRED FOUR SHOTS INTO HER.

1314 "steve: Will he tell us what happened? Any response? No."

A WOMAN AT THE DEPUTY'S HOME -- TOLD US HE WOULDN'T WALK OUTSIDE TO TELL US HIS SIDE OF THE STORY.

SHE SAID OFF CAMERA IF SASSY WAS ON A LEASH -- CORRIE'S ANIMAL WOULD STILL BE ALIVE.

OFF DUTY DOG SHOOTING-PLASMA

UNDER FLORIDA LAW -- CAPE POLICE SAY THE OFF DUTY DEPUTY FACES NO CHARGES.

HE HAD EVERY RIGHT TO FIRE AND KILL THE ANIMAL -- IF HE TRULY FELT THREATENED.

SELL THE 6PM-2SHOT

THE FORT MYERS POLICE CHIEF TAKES DRASTIC ACTION TO SOLVE THE MOUNTING NUMBER OF MURDERS IN THE CITY--

HE'S OFFERING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN CASH FOR ANY OF YOU WHO CAN HELP CATCH A KILLER.