DIRECTORS PAGE

TRACKING SHOWERS-trxWX ANIBOX

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.

RAIN AND WIND MOVING IN

We are tracking a line of heavy downpours and gusty winds this afternoon and evening. The lack of significant lightning with the weather coming in from the west would tend to indicate that our chance for severe weather is relatively low; however, some of the downpours will be accompanied by wind gusts over 45 mph and there is a chance for brief, but weak, tornadoes early on. The tornado watch issued for the area is mainly a precaution because a water spout did touch down in Tampa at 11:43 this morning. The event caused some damage around the Westin Hotel near downtown Tampa.

Looking ahead to the forecast tonight, we will continue to track the rain moving east at 20 - 25 mph. Inland counties can expect the rain shortly after sunset. Temperatures tonight will drop back into the 60's and it will still be windy through the night.

TOSS TO JULIAN-trxREM1-LIVE

BREAKING NEWS IN FORT MYERS--

VERONICA SHOEMAKER BOULEVARD IS SHUT DOWN BETWEEN CANAL AND HANSON BECAUSE OF THIS CRASH BETWEEN A CAR AND AN AMBULANCE.

LET'S GET RIGHT TO NBC2'S JULIAN JOHNSON.

AMBULANCE CRASH-REM1-LIVE

TOSS TO LAUREN-trxVOTOPS-OBX

TONIGHT, THOUSANDS OF DEAD FISH ARE WASHING ASHORE IN LEE COUNTY.

THE WORST AFFECTS OF RED TIDE IN YEARS-- AND IT COULDN'T COME AT A WORSE TIME-- DURING SEASON.

FOR THE PAST FIVE DAYS--

THE WIND HAS PUSHED THE TOXIC ALGAE BLOOM ONTO THE BEACHES OF FORT MYERS AND SANIBEL ISLAND.

NBC2'S LAUREN DiSPIRITO IS LIVE ON SANIBEL WITH A CLOSER LOOK TONIGHT.

FMB FISH KILL FOLO-CELL REM

FMB FISH KILL FOLO-BNR-PKG

Nats on beach

EVEN PEOPLE FAMILIAR WITH WHAT RED TIDE CAN DO SAY THEY'VE NEVER SEEN FISH KILLS LIKE THOSE PLAGUING LEE COUNTY'S BEACHES.

sot

Kevin Roalson, visiting Sanibel from Wisconsin

45:33 today when I came here, about 5:30 the beach was covered in shrimp, I have not seen shrimp on this beach ever, in 20 years 45:38

sot

00:50 its just not the beach that I remember and love 00:54

SCIENTISTS SAY A TOXIC ALGAL BLOOM OFFSHORE--120 MILES LONG-- CAUSES FISH KILLS.

MORE THAN A WEEK AGO, WINDS SHIFTED, SENDING ITS AFFECTS, ONSHORE.

sot

Kevin Roalson

45:09 the eel started yesterday massive eels, just up and down the beach 45:12

ON SANIBEL, BIOLOGISTS ARE STUDYING WHAT'S LIKELY THE BLOOM'S LARGEST VICTIM SO FAR-- A DOLPHIN THAT WASHED UP THURSDAY.

Nats clean up

ON FORT MYERS BEACH, IN FIVE HOURS TIME, CREWS PICKED UP MORE THAN 10 THOUSAND DEAD FISH.

sot

super = John Ellison, FMB Public Works

16:40:32 to 16:40:39

"it doesn't seem to be bringing in as many fish as it has been, so hopefully we're over the worst of it, but you never know"

MARINE AND WILDLIFE EXPERTS ACROSS THE STATE ARE COLLECTING THE LARGEST SPECIES TO WASH UP, AS SANIBEL STAFF URGE PEOPLE TO STAY AWAY FROM DECOMPOSING FISH, AND THE BACTERIA THEY CARRY.

Sot

Mike Eakins

FMB FISH KILL FOLO-CELL REM

WHAT WASHES ASHORE HERE FROM RED TIDE ALL DEPENDS ON THE WIND.

WE NEED EASTERLY WINDS, TO LESSEN AFFECTS ON LEE COUNTY.

BUT OUR NBC2 METEOROLOGISTS TELL ME WE'LL ONLY GET A BRIEF PERIOD OF EASTERLY WINDS NEXT WEEK.

FMB FISH KILL FOLO-ONCAM

TOSS TO JOE-2SH-OBX

TONIGHT, A SOUTHWEST FLORIDA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT IS SUING HER SCHOOL DISTRICT.

THE 16-YEAR-OLD, WHO IS OPENLY GAY, CLAIMS HER PRINCIPAL AND THE SUPERINTENDENT THREATENED HER BECAUSE SHE WANTED TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT BULLYING.

NBC2'S JOE ROETZ SPOKE TO THE TEEN A SHORT TIME AGO.

HE'S LIVE AT DESOTO COUNTY HIGH.

STUDENT SUES SCHOOL DISTRICT-REM7-LIVE

THIS STARTED WITH A NATIONAL DAY OF SILENCE - A DAY AIMED AT RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT BULLYING AND THE GAY COMMUNITY.

STUDENT SUES SCHOOL DISTRICT-BNR-PKG

It's hard enough to be a teenager in high school.

the homework, the schedules, the bullying

Take Sot

Amber Hatcher

Sophomore

6 seconds

It's something you see all the time and you become desensitized to it.

For Amber Hatcher it can be more difficult.

The openly gay Desoto High School student works hard to spread her message of anti-hate and anti-bullying.

But says last year - she was the victim.

Take Sot

6 seconds

I was upset because they were trying to take away our individuality and our rights with it.

Hatcher claims she tried talking her former principal and superintendent into participating in a National Day of Silence- a day aimed at bringing awareness to anti bullying efforts.

Take Sot

7 seconds

Hatcher

Kind of lend a hand of support to people I know have to be quiet about themselves who are bullied every day.

In a federal lawsuit filed today -

hatcher claims Desoto High School principal Shannon Fusco

Take SS

Refused to let her participate without disciplinary consequences.

The lawsuit goes on to say amber was told that

Take SS

Peaceful protests are against district policy.

But Amber did it anyway - wearing a shirt, and remaining silent in the halls.

An act she says got her suspended and sent home from school.

Take Sot

10 seconds

It was more disappointment. It wasn't anger. It wasn't wanting to get bck at them. It was the fact they could be hat terrible to other people.

Students tell NBC 2 bullying *in general* is a problem that should be addressed

Take Sot

3 seconds

It is a big deal but not all for being gay - a lot of other reasons too.

Take Sot

4 seconds

There's a lot of writing in the bathrooms and stuff.

While Amber's lawsuit doesn't say how much money she is seeking - she sasy she simply wants the school and the district to respect her rights

Take Sot

Amber

5 seconds

STUDENT SUES SCHOOL DISTRICT-REM7-LIVE

THE HIGH SCHOOL'S PRINCIPAL WAS REMOVED A FEW WEEKS AGO AS PART OF AN INVESTIGATION. NO WORD ON IF IT IS RELATED TO THIS LAWSUIT.

THE DISTRICT HAS A NEW SUPERINTENDENT AFTER THE LAST ONE, ADRIAN CLINE LOST HIS SEAT IN AN ELECTION- WE WERE THE FIRST TO TELL HIM ABOUT THIS LAWSUIT TODAY. HE HAD NO IMMEDIATE COMMENT.

THE DISTRICT'S NEW SUPERINTENDENT ISN'T COMMENTING UNTIL SHE GETS MORE INFORMATION.

TOSS TO RICK-OC-SOT-OC-DBX

TONIGHT, GROWING CONCERN BLACK BEARS ARE TOO COMFORTABLE IN A COLLIER COUNTY NEIGHBORHOOD.

"What do we have to wait for somebody to get mulled and killed before we get help with this bear problem?"

THAT MAN LIVES IN THE MARCO SHORES COMMUNITY OF EAST NAPLES.

HE'S FRUSTRATED WILDLIFE OFFICERS ARE NOT HELPING.

NBC2'S RICK RITTER IS THERE LIVE.

RICK I UNDERSTAND A BEAR DESTROYED A WOMANS LANAI.

MARCO SHORES BEAR ENCOUNTER-REM26-LIVE

MARCO SHORES BEAR ENCOUNTER-BNR-PKG

SCREENS RIPPED TO SHREDS - WINDOWS BROKEN - AND TRASH THROWN EVERYWHERE - ALL THE AFTERMATH OF ANOTHER BEAR ENCOUNTER IN EAST NAPLES.

Lois Martin/Lanai destroyed by bear/4:39 "I was so surprised.I just broke down."

IT HAPPENED AROUND 4:00 TUESDAY MORNING - THE ANIMAL CAME THROUGH THE MARCO SHORE ESTATES- TEARING DOWN A 90-YEAR OLD WOMANS LANAI AND CAUSING OVER A THOUSAND DOLLARS IN DAMAGE.

06 "Collier County Sheriff's Office, this line is recorded how may I help you?"

0:16 "Two big 400 pound bears came and tore her whole back of the house up."

THIS BEAR INCIDENT IS THE SECOND IN LESS THAN A WEEK - IN A COMMUNITY THAT'S ON EDGE AFTER CALLING FOR HELP.

Lois Martin/Bear broken into her lanai 5:08 "I was upset - I'm 90-years old and I was upset when I saw it cause nothing has ever happened like this to me."

A BEAR BIOLOGIST VISITED MARCO SHORE ESTATE JUST DAYS AGO - LOOKING TO GIVE TIPS ON HOW PEOPLE CAN HELP KEEP THE ANIMALS AWAY.

TONIGHT - NEIGHBORS SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH - AND THEY NEED MORE THAN JUST HELP.

John Delorenzo/14:02 "What do we have to wait for someone to get mulled and killed before we get help with this problem."

WE REACHED OUT TO F-W-C OFFICIALS - THEY SAY EVEN AFTER THIS ATTACK - THEY STILL DON'T CONSIDER THESE BEARS "AGGRESSIVE".

Carli Segelson/FWC 2:05 "This really isn't an aggressive matter - just a bear seeing an opportunity to get some food and unfortunately he did some damage to somebody's house."

AND THAT THERE MAY BE NUMEROUS BEARS NEAR THE COMMUNITY.

"Carli Segelson/FWC/2:56 "There's potential that the population is on the rise in those areas."

BUT THE ONLY THING THEY CAN DO RIGHT NOW IS MAKE SURE ALL RESIDENTS ARE KEEPING THEIR TRASH INSIDE - THAT INCLUDES, AWAY FROM THEIR LANAIS.

MARCO SHORES BEAR ENCOUNTER-REM26-LIVE

MARCO 2ND AMENDMENT VOTE-NATVO-WIPE

A PREEMPTIVE STRIKE AGAINST GUN CONTROL TODAY IN COLLIER COUNTY--

AS COMMISSIONERS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED A RESOLUTION THAT SUPPORTS SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS.

cheering nats

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE WORRIED THAT THE FEDS WILL PASS GUN CONTROL LEGISLATION.

MARCO 2ND AMENDMENT VOTE-SOTVO

"I have a duty to protect me and my family. thankfully today I can continue to do that and send a strong message not only to the governor but to take it forward to the fed government and tell them enough with their tyranny 41 stop taking our rights away

MCCREADY FUNERAL-VO-WIPE

AN EMOTIONAL FUNERAL TODAY FOR LOCAL COUNTRY MUSIC SINGER MINDY MCCREADY.

THE COFFIN OF THE NORTH FORT MYERS NATIVE WAS DRAPED IN FLOWERS INSIDE CROSSROADS BAPTIST CHURCH THIS AFTERNOON.

FAMILY AND FRIENDS INSIDE FOCUSED ON THE SINGER'S BEST DAYS RATHER THAN HER PERSONAL STRUGGLES.

MCCREADY SHOT AND KILLED HERSELF ON HER ARKANSAS FRONT PORCH LAST WEEK.

MCCREADY FUNERAL-SOTVO

Gayle Inge, McCready's Mom "Her favorite last words were I miss you, love you, and mean it. I'm her biggest fan and will miss her love her, and I mean it."

THE 37-YEAR OLD MCCREADY LEAVES BEHIND TWO YOUNG SONS -- ZANDER AND ZANE -- CURRENTLY IN FOSTER CARE IN ARKANSAS.

COSTELLO TRIAL-VO-WIPE

COSTELLO TRIAL-SOTVO

TOSS TO CHRISTINA-trxVOTOPS-OC

NEW AT SIX--

WHITE FLY INFESTATIONS ARE SPREADING ACROSS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

EXTERMINATORS SAY THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF WHITE FLY

WHITE FLIES INVADE NEW TREES-BNR-PKG

15:15 we get about half a dozen to a dozen calls a day 15:18 people wanting us to come out and inspect their property 15:22

THEY'RE HARD TO SEE --BUT THE DEVASTATION EASY TO FIND.

EXTERMINATORS SAY THE WHITE FLY POPULATION IS SPIRALING OUT OF CONTROL ACROSS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

16:16 they're sucking the nutrients out of the tree itself 16:18

THE DEVASTATION--WITHIN ARMS REACH.

THERE ARE TWO KINDS--THE SPIRALING WHITE FLY --THAT MAKES TREES LOOK SICKLY.

AND THE FIG WHITE FLY--THAT KILLS BUSHES AND PLANTS--STRIPPING THE LEAVES.

THIS NAPLES HOME --HAS BOTH.

THE OWNER--ASKING PEST CONTROL TO INSPECT AND EXTERMINATE THE PROBLEM.

15:59 within a matter of months it can move up to 3 or 4 different houses if its not treated16:05

DOWN THE STREET --THE WHITE FLY INFESTATION --PROMPTS A SIGH FROM LAKEVIEW VILLAS.

26:17 i spotted them right away and was like ohhh no 26:22

THE FLIES --TURNED HER COMPLEX'S GREEN PLANTS --BLACK--LEAVING BEHIND THEIR MOLD A FEW MONTHS BACK.

27:33 i was surprised to see them here at all and sooty mold i've never seen it before 27:42

AND NOW A FEW DOORS DOWN --THE WHITE FLIES ARE BACK--FEEDING ON NEARLY EVERY PLANT IN THIS YARD.

18:19 put chemical down and around and it will get into the root itself 18:24

A $300 TO $500 PROBLEM --TO EXTERMINATE.

TEASE ONE-ONCAM

IT IS THE MUST-SEE STORY AT SIX. YOU WON'T BELIEVE WHAT PEOPLE TRIED TO GET THROUGH SECURITY WITH AT R-S-W, IN JUST THE PAST WEEK ALONE.

It's not a question of most interesting, is a question of most dangerous."

WE'RE TALKING KNIVES, CHLORINE, AND EVEN A FREDDY KRUGER HAND.

WE GRANT YOU SPECIAL ACCESS AT THE T-S-A'S FINDINGS. NEXT.

TZ1 A) TSA FINDINGS-SOTVO

TZ1 C) FORECAST TEASE-RADAR TOPS

STOCKS BUMP-CGTOPS

ROBERT VAN WINKLE FORECAST 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.

RAIN AND WIND MOVING IN

We are tracking a line of heavy downpours and gusty winds this afternoon and evening. The lack of significant lightning with the weather coming in from the west would tend to indicate that our chance for severe weather is relatively low; however, some of the downpours will be accompanied by wind gusts over 45 mph and there is a chance for brief, but weak, tornadoes early on. The tornado watch issued for the area is mainly a precaution because a water spout did touch down in Tampa at 11:43 this morning. The event caused some damage around the Westin Hotel near downtown Tampa.

Looking ahead to the forecast tonight, we will continue to track the rain moving east at 20 - 25 mph. Inland counties can expect the rain shortly after sunset. Temperatures tonight will drop back into the 60's and it will still be windy through the night.

TSA FINDINGS-PLASMA

INTENTIONAL OR ACCIDENTAL.

THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE.

GUNS, KNIVES, GARDENING TOOLS, AND YES.EVEN A FREDDY KRUGER HAND.

ALL OF THAT IS JUST SOME OF THE WEIRD.AND DANGEROUS ITEMS CONFISCATED AT R-S-W WITHIN THE PAST WEEK ALONE!

TODAY, THE T-S-A GRANTED US SPECIAL ACCESS TODAY TO THE ROOM WHERE THEY KEEP IT ALL.

TSA FINDINGS-BNR-PKG

take joelle

" Every week passengers have to leave behind thousands of items that are intercepted by tsa because they are prohibited to be in carry on luggage. It includes all this and weapons. When it comes to knives, it doesn't matter what size they are."

Nats

Taser

Tasers.

Kitchen utensils,

Even tools.

All on this list on things passengers tried to carry on to planes this week.

Nats

Why somebody would need to take this in a carrying On i don't know."

The most unique item?

Sot Robert Cohen

It's not a question of most interesting, is a question of most dangerous."

So far at rsw this year - 12- hundred knives have been intercepted.

2 loaded guns have also been found.

Sot Sydney albertson, traveler

It's just scary to think we about to go on a plane and people tried to bring guns on."

Robert Cohen

TSA Federal Security Director

" that's what keeps me awake at night that we get those guns and we make sure that we keep a safe aircrafts and make passenger feel confident that tsa is on top of everything."

All this despite the pending sequester.

Sot Robert

"We don't know if there any impact because we've gotten no definitive guide so we don't know if well be affected at all so as far as we're concerned we're going to continue to push, do our jobs the best we can, as efficient as we can and maintain our security posture."

To do that- takes times.

Sot Cheryl hill, traveler

Every time you got to the airport you have to stand in those big long lines."

Each time a prohibited item is found, there's a hold up of 3-4 minutes in that line.

To help everyone get to their place faster-

Follow the 311 rule.

Nat Robert

3.4 oz or less, 1 bag, 1 quart size or less what you can out in there are toiletries and articles for your trip."

Sot joelle

IMMOKALEE PARKS & REC FRAUD-ONCAM

NEGLIGENCE AND FRAUD--

THAT'S WHAT THE COLLIER COUNTY CLERK OF COURTS SAYS IS HAPPENING AT THE IMMOKALEE PARKS AND REC OFFICE.

AN AUDIT OF SPENDING FOUND SUPERVISORS STEALING MONEY--

PRETENDING EMPLOYEES WORKED WHEN THEY DIDN'T, THEN CASHING AND POCKETING THEIR PAYCHECKS.

THE AUDIT ALSO FOUND A MISSING CASH REGISTER--

AND NEARLY 30 PERCENT OF PAYROLL DOCUMENTS ARE GONE.

LEE HOMESTEAD FOR LOW INCOME SENIORS-ONCAM

LOW INCOME SENIORS HAVE A CHANCE TO SAVE MONEY ON THEIR PROPERTY TAXES.

TODAY, LEE COUNTY APPROVED AN ORDINANCE THAT ALLOWS HOMEOWNERS OVER THE AGE OF 65 TO APPLY FOR AN ADDITIONAL HOMESTEAD OF UP TO 50 THOUSAND DOLLARS.

PROPERTY APPRAISER KEN WILKINSON ESTIMATES MORE THAN 10-THOUSAND PEOPLE CAN BENEFIT.

SPORTS OPEN-CLIP

IMMOKALEE ESTERO-VOTOPS

THIS IS THE MESSAGE BOARD.ON THE FRONT OF THE IMMOKALEE HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS.

THE INDIANS.LAST FALL'S CLASS 5-A FOOTBALL STATE RUNNER-UP. HAVE A NEW HEAD FOOTBALL COACH.

IMMOKALEE DOMBROSKI-ON CAM

YOU HEARD IT FIRST ON NBC-2 NEWS AT NOON.

IMMOKALEE DOMBROSKI-VOTOPS-WIPE

FOLLOWING ACKLEY'S RESIGNATION IN JANUARY.THE SCHOOL HAD 55 APPLICANTS.AND INTERVIEWED 10 CANDIDATES FOR THE JOB.

WHAT DOMBROSKI HAS DONE AT ESTERO.MADE HIM THE CHOICE OF THE ADMINISTRATION.

FIVE YEARS AGO.HE TOOK OVER AN ESTERO HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM THAT WENT WINLESS THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

IMMOKALEE DOMBROSKI-VIDBX RVL

IN THE 5 YEARS THAT DOMBROSKI WAS AT ESTERO HIGH.THEY TURNED THE WILDCATS FOOTBALL PROGRAM AROUND!!!

THEY LOST 19 OF HIS FIRST 20 GAMES.

THEN IN 2010.STARTED TO MAKE THE TURN-AROUND.

ESTERO FOOTBALL-ON CAM

DOMBROSKI LEAVES A PRETTY GOOD JOB AT ESTERO HIGH.

NEXT FALL.THEY MOVE INTO THE NEW DISTRICT WITH NAPLES, BARRON COLLIER, GULF COAST AND PALMETTO RIDGE HIGH SCHOOLS.

ESTERO ATHLETIC DIRECTOR.COACH JEFF SOMMER TOLD ME TODAY HE HAS 3 OR 4 INTERNAL APPLICANTS THAT WILL GET AN INTERVIEW.

THEY WILL ALSO ADVERTISE THE JOB STATE-WIDE.

RAYS ASTROS-VOTOPS-WIPE

THE RAYS HAD DAVID PRICE ON THE MOUND.EVAN LONGORIA IN THE LINE-UP.AS THEY HOSTED A SPLIT SQUAD OF THE HOUSTON ASTROS.

PRICE WORKED THE FIRST.THIS GROUNDER WENT OFF HIS WRIST. HE GOT OUT OF THE INNING AFTER 19 PITCHES.

LONGORIA HAD TWO HITS,

RAYS POST-SOT-WIPE

RED SOX CARDINALS-VOTOPS

RED SOX HOSTED THE ST. LOUIS CARDINALS.

GUSTY WINDS MAKING THINGS TOUGH FOR THE PLAYERS.

JOSE IGLESIAS POP-UP. RONNY CEDENO HAS ALL KINDS OF TROUBLE TRACKING IT. DOES MAKE THE CATCH. SAVES A RUN.

TWINS AT JAYS-ON CAM

SPRING TRAINING TODAY.

SPORTS TOSS-ON CAM

THE TOP-25 F-G-C-U BASEBALL TEAM.IN ACTION TONIGHT IN BOCA RATON.VS. FLORIDA ATLANTIC.

TELL YOU AT 11.HOW THE EAGLES TOO.

OR YOU CAN FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER.AT B-COLLERAN-NBC2.

BEST PLACES TO RETIRE-(2)CG

THIS MAY NOT BE SURPRISING TO ANY OF YOU, BUT SEVERAL SOUTHWEST FLORIDA CITIES ARE ON A NEW LIST OF THE BEST PLACES TO RETIRE.

ACCORDING TO A MARKET-WATCH REPORT--

SARASOTA IS THE SECOND BEST PLACE IN THE COUNTRY TO SPEND YOUR GOLDEN YEARS.

VENICE, FLORIDA IS THIRD.

NAPLES IS SEVENTH-- AND FORT MYERS IS 8TH.

SUSAN G. KOMEN RACE FOR THE CURE-SS-OC-BNR

IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS--

HELP FIGHT CANCER AND TAKE PART IN THE SUSAN G. KOMEN RACE FOR THE CURE.

N-B-C TWO IS A PROUD SPONSOR OF THE RACE, WHICH IS SET FOR SATURDAY, MARCH 9TH AT COCONUT POINT MALL IN ESTERO.

YOU CAN REGISTER AS AN INDIVIDUAL, START A TEAM, OR JOIN AN EXISTING TEAM.

CAPE MONEY TO HOMEOWNERS-ONCAM

19-MILLION DOLLARS IS GOING TO PROPERTY OWNERS IN CAPE CORAL.

THE CITY SAYS THE COST OF THE ORIGINAL UTILITES PROJECT FROM THE 19-90'S WAS FAR LESS THAN EXPECTED-- SO THE CASH IS BEING RETURNED.

CLOSE-4SHOT