DIRECTORS PAGE

HEADLINES-SOTTOPS

RIGHT NOW AT FIVE.

RED TIDE'S FAR REACHING EFFECTS.

THE TOXIC BLOOM BECOMING MORE SEVERE --

KILLING NUMEROUS MANATEES, SEA TURTLES AND HURTING BUSINESSES.

A MOTHER BREAKS DOWN ON THE STAND AS SHE RECOUNTS HOW HER BABY BOY DIED.

I tried to wake him up and he wasn't so I started screaming what have you done 58 and Ryan was nowhere to be found.60

WE'RE LIVE WITH THE EMOTIONAL TESTIMONY IN THE MURDER TRIAL AGAINST BABY'S FATHER.

FUNDING SPRING TRAINING--

FLORIDA'S GOVERNOR DEVOTES BIG BUCKS TO KEEP BASEBALL TEAMS COMING BACK TO FLORIDA.

WEATHER HEADLINE-TRX-ANIBOX

5PM OPEN-CLIP

MARKET CLOSE-TRX-CGTOPS

THE DOW HIT A NEW FIVE YEAR HIGH TODAY--

THE DOW CLIMBED 175 POINTS --

THE NASDAQ WAS UP 32 -

75 TROOPER CRASH FOLO-VO

A NEW REPORT ABOUT A CRASH ON I75 INVOLVING A FLORIDA HIGHWAY TROOPER FOUND THE TROOPER WAS NEGLIGENT, AND DISTRACTED, WHEN HE CRASHED INTO A FAMILY ON I-75 KILLING AN UNBORN BABY.

TROOPER GUSTAVO REYES IS ON DESK DUTY, DURING WHAT IS NOW A HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION.

REYES CLIPPED THE BACK OF THE MCCLURE FAMILY'S JEEP BETWEEN COLONIAL AND DANIELS IN LEE COUNTY ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO.

INVESTIGATORS OPEN-CLIP

FTC TAX ID THEFT-2SH

MANY PEOPLE IN FLORIDA ARE SITTING DOWN TO THEIR COMPUTERS TO FILE THEIR TAXES.

ONLY TO DISCOVER THAT SOMEONE ALREADY BEAT THEM TO IT.

IT'S BEING DESCRIBED AS A TSUNAMI OF TAX FRAUD IN OUR PART OF THE STATE.

NBC 2 INVESTIGATOR DAVE ELIAS JUST GOT HIS HANDS ON SOME NEW

FTC TAX ID THEFT-CKW

TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA HOW OUT OF CONTROL THIS IS. THE FEDERAL TRADE

COMMISSION JUST RELEASED IT'S ANNUAL REPORT ON IDENTITY THEFT

FTC TAX ID THEFT-PKG

kathy Castor/Congresswoman / 10:50:54 The tax refund fraud tied to ID theft is

an epidemic right now and Florida is ground zero. 10:51:01

PROOF SUPPORTED BY THE FTC's NEW NUMBERS THAT SHOW FOUR

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA CITIES IN THE TOP FIV WHEN IT COMES TO IDENTITY

THEFT COMPLAINTS.

NAPLES-MARO ISLAND RANKS NUMBER TWO WITH MORE THAN 12-HUNDRED CASES.

CAPE CORAL FORT MYERS RANKS NUMBER FOUR WITH 18-HUNDRED CASES.

ALL OF THE TOP FIVE CITIES IN FLORIDA.

Lt. Pete Hedrick/Lee Co. / 1:10 It's a crime that can impact hundreds of thousands of people

with just a computer, they don't have to rob a bank. 1:18

INSTEAD CRIMINALS SIMPLY TELL THE IRS TO PUT THE PHONY RETURN ONTO A DEBIT CARD, A

CONVENIENT TOOL FOR THIEVES BECAUSE IT MAKES THE CRIME DIFFICULT TO TRACK.

kathy Castor / 10;52:55 The IRS was not on top of it, but hopefully now they will see more

FTC TAX ID THEFT-CKW

COMING UP TONIGHT AT 6. WE DIG DEEPER.EXPOSING JUST WHO'S BEHIND THE CRIME AND HOW OUR AREA PLAYS INTO

WHAT COULD BECOME THE LARGEST SCAM IN HISTORY.

COSTELLO TRIAL DAY THREE-OC-TURN-BOXES

AN EMOTIONAL DAY IN A LEE COUNTY COURTROOM AS THE KEY WITNESS IN THE CASE AGAINST AN ACCUSED BABY KILLER TAKES THE STAND. THE BABY'S MOTHER.

COSTELLO TRIAL DAY THREE-REM-LIVE

LIVE

THE STATES KEY WITNESS IS COSTELLO'S FIANCÉ AT THE TIME. AND MOTHER OF THE BABY WHO DIED.

COSTELLO TRIAL DAY THREE-PKG

PKG

WITNESSES TESTIFIED THAT RYAN COSTELLO AND WHITNEY SIMONSEN WENT OUT FOR HER BIRTHDAY IN JUNE OF 2010. AND RYAN WENT HOME EARLY.

WHEN A FRIEND DROVE HER BACK TO THE SOUTH FORT MYERS HOME SHE SHARED WITH COSTELLO,. SIMONSEN SAID HE STARTED ATTACKING HER. AND THE FIGHT MOVED INSIDE.

11:43:13 he was on top of me and hitting my head against the floor. What did you do? 20. I faked being unconcious so he would stop. 25

WHEN SHE WOKE UP SHE SAID. RYAN HANDED HER THEIR UNRESPONSIVE SON -- 4 month old Darwin.

11:45:42 he felt really heavy and he was kind of wheezing I tried to wake him up and he wasn't so I started screaming what have you done 58 and Ryan was nowhere to be found 11:46:02

SHE SAYS SHE STARTED RUNNING WITH THE BABY TO NEARBY HEALTHPARK HOSPITAL. BEFORE RYAN PICKED THEM UP IN HIS CAR.

11:55 Did you contact the police? No

Why didn't you contact police? Because there was drugs INTHE house

Is it fair to say at that point in time you were a drug dealer? Yes

THE PROSECUTION'S KEY WITNESS ADMITTED TO SELLING OXYCODONE FROM THE HOUSE. AND USING DRUGS.

THESE PICTURES SHOW SOME OF THE TWENTY MARIJUANA PLANTS IN A DESIGNATED GROW ROOM INSIDE.

ALL RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO A BEDROOM THE COUPLE'S TWO YOUNG CHILDREN SHARED.

AND THERE'S THIS PICTURE OF COSTELLO WITH OLDER SON KINGSTON. AND WHAT SIMONSEN SAYS IS A MARIJUANA WATER PIPE IN THE BACKGROUND.

THE DEFENSE GRILLED SIMONSEN ABOUT HER TESTIMONY AND STATEMENTS TO INVESTIGATORS FOR HOURS.

Sot It's getting clearer and clearer to me.

COSTELLO TRIAL DAY THREE-REM-LIVE

THE JURY WILL ULTIMATELY DECIDE IF THEY THINK SIMONSEN IS TELLING THE TRUTH.

SHE AGREED TO TESTIFY IN THIS CASE AS A RESULT OF A PLEA DEAL ON DRUG CHARGES.

SHE'S SERVING OUT A TEN YEAR SENTENCE.

FM TOOTHLESS ROBBER-TRX-SS

MOST CRIMINALS LEAVE SOMETHING BEHIND AT A CRIME SCENE --

FORT MYERS POLICE SAY ONE ROBBERY SUSPECT FORGOT TO BRING SOMETHING --

HER TEETH.

POLICE SAY THIS WOMAN ROBBED THE PUBLIX AT THE CORNER OF SUMMERLIN ROAD AND COLONIAL BOULEVARD YESTERDAY.

DURING THE ROBBERY --

POLICE SAY THE WOMAN HELD HER AND OVER HER MOUTH AND TOLD THE CLERK I FORGOT MY TEETH TODAY.

LEE CO ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS-CG

THE NEXT LEE COUNTY SCHOOLS PUBLIC MEETING IS SET FOR TOMORROW NIGHT.

DISTRICT LEADERS WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU ON WHAT YOU THINK THEIR GOALS AND PRIORITIES SHOULD BE.

TOMORROW'S MEETING IS AT NORTH FORT MYERS HIGH AT SIX P-M.

IMMOKALEE FARM WORKERS-VO

FARM WORKERS IN IMMOKALEE ARE MARCHING 200 MILES TO DEMAND FAIR PAY --

THEY WILL PROTEST AT THE PUBLIX HEADQUARTERS IN LAKELAND.

THEY'RE ASKING FOR 1 CENT MORE PER BUCKET OF PRODUCE PICKED -- A 64% INCREASE IN PAY.

AT THE SYDNEY BERN DAVIS ART CENTER IN DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS --

THEY SET UP 132 BUCKETS --

IMMOKALEE FARM WORKERS-SOTVO

GERARDO REYES IMMOKALEE FARMWORKERS

it's time for them to use their power to pay a little bit more to protect the rights and dignity of the workers.

SUNDAY THE MARCHERS WILL WALK FROM FROM TERRY PARK IN EAST FORT MYERS TO THE PUBLIX ON MCGREGOR BOULEVARD DOWNTOWN--

THEN CONTINUE ON TO LAKELAND.

WE REACHED OUT TO PUBLIX.

CAPE BIZ BOOM-VO

CAPE CORAL CITY LEADERS HOPE TO RE-ENERGIZE BUSINESS IN THE NORTHEAST PART OF THE CITY.

THEY PLAN TO SELL A VISION TOMORROW NIGHT - FOR THE AREA NICKNAMED THE VETERANS' INVESTMENT ZONE.

THAT'S THE AREA RIGHT NEXT TO THE NEWLY BUILT V-A CLINIC OFF DIPLOMAT PARKWAY.

MCGRAIL REELECTION-VOTOPS-OCTAG

MEANWHILE --

CAPE COUNCIL MEMBER KEVIN MCGRAIL TELLS N-B-C TWO HE WANTS A SECOND TERM.

MCGRAIL SPEARHEADED EFFORTS TO BRING AN R-V PARK TO BURNT STORE ROAD --

AND WORKED TO EXPAND PINE ISLAND ROAD --

CHOPPERS OVER SWFL-OC

VIEWERS HAVE BEEN CONTACTING US ABOUT HELICOPTERS FLYING LOW OVER PARTS OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

THE NAVAL AIR STATION IN KEY WEST TELLS US-- THEY ARE FROM MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IN NORTH CAROLINA.

THEY WERE ON THE WAY TO KEY WEST FOR A PILOT TRAINING MISSION. THEY TYPICALLY FLY AT 500 TO 1000 FEET --

BUT TODAY HAD TO HOVER OVER OUR AREA TO AVOID SOME WEATHER.

TEASE ONE-2SHOT

GOVERNOR SCOTT WANTS TO INVEST HEAVILY IN SPRING TRAINING.

SCOTT SAYS THE STATE WILL HAVE TO PAY UP TO KEEP TEAMS IN FLORIDA.

COMING UP.WE FIND OUT WHAT HIS PLAN COULD MEAN IN THE EFFORT TO LURE ANOTHER TEAM TO LEE COUNTY --

AND FILL AN EMPTY STADIUM.

PLUS --

"He walked into the room, caught my eye and said hi daddy. I'm glad I was sitting down because I would have fallen down." 8 seconds

TZ1 A) FL GOV MONEY FOR SPRING TRAINING-VO-WIPE

TZ1 B) GABE HOMECOMING-SOTVO

TZ1 C) WEATHER TEASE-STC

RED TIDE DEAD MANATEE-VOTOPS-2SH-VO IN TFC- DISSOL

NEW VIDEO TONIGHT FROM HIGH ABOVE THE GULF --

A DRAMATIC VIEW FROM SKY TWO OF A TOXIC ALGAE BLOOM A MILE OFF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA'S COAST.

AND NEW INFORMATION TONIGHT ABOUT THE BLOOM'S DEVASTATION.

F-W-C TELLING US RED TIDE HAS KILLED NEARLY A HUNDRED MANATEES SO FAR THIS YEAR --

THAT'S THREE TIMES AS MANY AS ALL OF LAST YEAR.

RED TIDE DEAD MANATEE-CELL-REM

take lauren live

WE'RE DEALING WITH A DEVASTATING COMBINATION:

RED TIDE DEAD MANATEE-TRX-PKG

1:19

00: 19

GARRET DAVENPORT, PINE ISLAND

00: 46

MARTINE DeWITT, FWC

take pkg

JUST TWO MONTHS INTO THE YEAR, AND SCIENTISTS SAY WE'VE ALREADY TRIPLED LAST YEAR'S NUMBER OF MANATEE DEATHS FROM TOXIC ALGAE.

sot

Richard Lauzon, visiting from Montreal

03:18 astonished astonished because we love manatee 03:23

sot

Garret Davenport, 12:27 wow that really brings it to light 12:30

GARRET DAVENPORT SAW A DEAD MANATEE BOATERS BROUGHT INTO THE PINE ISLAND CO OP MARINA.

sot

11:28 the smell was terrible, I've seen 2 now in the past week 11:41

THE FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION SAYS ITS RESCUED FIVE MANATEES SUFFERING FROM RED TIDE SO FAR THIS YEAR, BUT 96 DIED BEFORE THEY COULD BE SAVED-- INGESTING THE TOXIN STUCK ON SEA GRASSES THEY EAT.

VETERINARIANS SAY THE TOXIN PARALYZES AND SUFFOCATED THE ANMIAL.

sot

phoner

Martine DeWit, FWC

24:52 its sad these are charasmatic animals they long live, you see these large numbers, taking away healthy animals 2504

THE BLOOM OFFSHORE IS BECOMING MORE SEVERE, AS MORE MANATEES ARE ARRIVING HERE DURING THEIR WINTER MIGRATION.

FWC SAYS THEY HAVENT SEEN THIS MANY MANATEE RED TIDE DEATHS SINCE 1996, AND IT WILL BE YEARS BEFORE THEY KNOW THE EFFECTS OF ANOTHER LARGE KILL ON AND ENDANGERED POPULATION.

take sot

Garret Davenport

RED TIDE DEAD MANATEE-CELL-REM

take live tag

F-W-C SAYS THEY NEED YOUR HELP GETTING TO MANATEE THAT MAY BE SUFFERING FROM RED TIDE.

BONITA TURTLE DEATH-VO

MANATEES AND FISH AREN'T THE ONLY VICTIMS --

SO FAR THIS YEAR --

EXPERTS SAY 13 TURTLES HAVE DIED FROM RED TIDE.

THAT'S COMPARED TO JUST TWO AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR.

AND TODAY FOR THE FIRST TIME A LARGE LOGGERHEAD TURTLE IS ON THE LIST.

BOATERS FOUND IT IN A FISH TRAP IN A BAY JUST OFF BONITA BEACH.

BONITA TURTLE DEATH-SOTVO

Take sot

9 sec

Bob Wasno

FGCU Vester Marine Field Station Facilities Manager

"When we got to it it's head was up on the beach, it's head was up and it just looked very lethargic but unfortunately it had already expired by the time we got up there."

TEASE TO GQ-OC

SO WE KNOW THAT RED TIDE CAN EFFECT PEOPLE'S RESPIRATORY SYSTEM --

SO WE WANTED TO KNOW --

CAN IT CAUSE LONG TERM HEALTH PROBLEMS.

CHAD OLIVER SET OUT TO ANSWER THAT GOOD QUESTION --

DEPUTY INVOLVED SHOOTING BREAKING

BREAKING NEWS IN THE INVESTIGATION INTO A DEADLY DEPUTY INVOLVED SHOOTING.

INVESTIGATORS SAY LEE COUNTY DEPUTIES FRANK TRESTKA AND DAN COTE SHOT AND KILLED CARLOS JOSEPH CHARLES ALONG I-75 IN LEE COUNTY LAST JUNE.

YESTERDAY THE STATE ATTORNEY SAID HIS OFFICE WILL NOT FILE ANY CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST THE DEPUITES.

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.

After seven straight days of highs in the 80s, cooler weather will be moving into Southwest Florida over the next couple of days and into the weekend. Yesterday's cold front didn't bring much rain with it, but it did bring cloudy periods to the area this afternoon as it has stalled out across the southern portion of our viewing area.

Temperatures today were a bit cooler as they climbed into the middle and upper 70s and we did see a slight drop in the humidity due to a light northerly breeze. For the remainder of our Wednesday afternoon, expect mostly cloudy skies and couple of showers mainly south of the Caloosahatchee River as they roll in from the southwest off the Gulf of Mexico. Through the evening, expect a few of these showers to linger across the area as temperatures fall into the upper 60s to low 70s.

Tonight, the clouds should begin to break up across Southwest Florida with partly cloudy skies overnight. Temperatures will also be cooler as they drop into the upper 50s with a few spots reaching the middle 50s by morning.

By Thursday, we should manage to squeeze out more sunshine and daytime highs will remain on a cooling trend as they top out in the middle 70s. As another system passes across the state, Friday and into the weekend we'll notice our skies beginning to cloud up and temperatures will take a tumble. By Saturday we're looking at highs in the 60s with a pretty good chance of a few scattered showers to develop during the afternoon and into Sunday. Overnight lows will drop into the 40s through Tuesday morning with 30s deeper inland.

FL GOV MONEY FOR SPRING TRAINING-2SH

GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT WANTS TO SPEND FIVE MILLION DOLLARS TO RENOVATE SPRING TRAINING STADIUMS IN FLORIDA.

BUT DOES THIS MEAN ANYTHING FOR OUR THREE STADIUMS WE HAVE IN LEE COUNTY?

NBC 2'S SARA MILES JOINS US IN THE STUDIO WITH THE DETAILS. Today, Governor Rick Scott participated in the 16th "Let's Get to Work Day" at Joker Merchant Stadium and announced that he will work to provide $5 million annually to be used only for spring training facilities. During the workday, the Governor participated in daily operations for the Detroit Tigers Baseball team, including working at the concession stands, managing equipment and working with the grounds crew.

Governor Scott said, "My top priority is growing jobs for Florida families - and spring training has provided families in Florida with countless job opportunities since the 1800s. It's my job as Governor to make sure Florida remains the number one destination for spring training and that is why we will work to provide $5 million annually to only be used for spring training facilities. We must protect and enhance this vital business for Florida families."

While current law provides some ability for local governments to incentivize spring training baseball, there is no predictability or a regular funding stream for spring training in Florida. That means if teams need renovations to their facilities, they must begin at square-one to secure funding and planning from the state and from local governments. Currently, 15 teams use Florida facilities for spring training, three teams' leases come up for renewal in 2016, and two come up for renewal in 2017.

Under the initiative, local governments will be required to match at least 50 percent of project costs. State contributions for each project would be capped at $20 million and the Department of Economic Opportunity would review and approve the match to ensure it provides a return on investment for taxpayers.

More than 1.5 million fans attend spring training games annually, and provide a $750 million benefit to the state each year. Since the 2000 season, more than 20 million fans have passed through the turnstiles at Florida stadiums.

Governor Scott continued, "We must provide teams a predicable landscape, with an identified funding stream that allows local governments to make targeted investments to keep teams in their communities."

Senator Jack Latvala said, "Spring training pays huge dividends for our communities. The more we support baseball in Florida, the more opportunities will be expanded for our residents. This $5 million, recurring investment by Gov. Scott will support jobs across our state."

David Dombrowski, President, CEO and General Manager of the Detroit Tigers said, "Florida has a long-standing tradition with the Detroit Tigers and Major League Baseball Clubs," Dombrowski said. "The Grapefruit League plays a significant role in the teams' preparation for each season as well as the development of their players. For 77 years the Tigers' organization has enjoyed an outstanding relationship with the City of Lakeland calling Joker Marchant Stadium and the complex their "Winter Home. We are excited and appreciative that the Great State of Florida is doing all it can to continue this partnership for many years to come."

Frank Coonelly, President of the Pittsburgh Pirates said, "The Pittsburgh Pirates this year celebrate our 45th spring in Bradenton, Florida. The bond between the organization and the Bradenton community runs deep and strong. We have been fortunate to have been able to forge meaningful public/private partnerships that have allowed us to build and update outstanding Major League facilities in Bradenton which we use for the year-round development of our Major League and Minor League players and staff. Each of the two major projects that we completed over the last six years was done primarily with local companies and local workers and resulted in other economic development in the community. It is critical as we move forward that resources are available at the state level that will allow Clubs to make the necessary capital improvements in their Florida spring training facilities so that the state can retain its 15 Major League Clubs and attract new Clubs to the Grapefruit League. The Pirates' relationship with Bradenton is an outstanding example of the type of win-win partnership that state resources can help replicate in other Florida communities."

FL GOV MONEY FOR SPRING TRAINING-PLASMA

IN RECENT YEARS FLORIDA HAS BEEN IN A BATTLE WITH ARIZONA --

FIGHTING TO KEEP TEAMS FROM RELOCATING WEST.

GOVERNOR SCOTT BELIEVES THIS MONEY WILL KEEP AND DRAW TEAMS TO THE STATE.

FL GOV MONEY FOR SPRING TRAINING-TRX-PKG

IT'S A LONG AWAITED ANNOUNCEMENT FOR LEE COUNTY SPORTS AUTHORITY DIRECTOR JEFF MIELKE.

43:58 its something we all as communities have begged for for over a decade 44:01

WHILE WORKING AT THE DETROIT TIGERS FACILITY IN LAKELAND --

TODAY GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT SAYS HE'LL ASK FOR STATE LEGISLATORS TO SET ASIDE FIVE MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR TO IMPROVE OUR STATES SPRING TRAINING FACILITES.

44:04 great for florida gives us a planning tool gives baseball teams a planning tool

SCOTT SAYS HE WANTS THAT MONEY TO **RETAIN** THE 15 MAJOR LEAGUE TEAMS IN THE STATE. **AND** KEEP FLORIDA NUMBER ONE FOR SPRING TRAINING.

44:52 those funds are used to bring teams out of florida back to fl or retain a team that is in a community that doesn't want it anymore:45;04

HERE IN LEE COUNTY -

CONSTRUCTION IS FINISHED FOR THE RED SOX NEW STADIUM AND THE TWINS STADIUM ALREADY HAS 15 MILLION DOLLARS FROM THE STATE.

BUT WHAT ABOUT CITY OF PALMS?

44:20 IT doesn't mean anything in the immediate future.

MIELKE SAYS RIGHT NOW -- THE MONEY WOULDN'T BENEFIT LEE COUNTY.

IT WOULD ONLY HELP IF AN OUT OF STAET TEAMS WANTS TO RELOCATE HERE.

COMMISSIONER CECIL PENDERGRASS THINKS IT COULD HELP THE COUNTY IN THE FUTURE.

42:08 we could use this to lure a team into a vacant stadium - city of palms park - thats one our our main concerns - we have a vacant stadium downtown

MIELKE SAYS THAT TEAM ISN'T LIKELY TO BE THE NATIONALS SINCE THEY'RE ALREADY IN FLORIDA.

BUT HE HOPES THE MONEY WILL INCENTIVIZE ARIZONA TEAMS TO COME TO FLORIDA. ONCE THEY SEE THE STATE IS WILLING TO PAY.

FL GOV MONEY FOR SPRING TRAINING-PLASMA

THE FUNDING SOURCE WOULD BE CAPPED AT 20 MILLION FOR EACH PROJECT AND MATCHED WITH LOCAL DOLLARS.

LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WOULD NEED TO APPLY -

AND RECEIVE FUNDS BASED ON NEED.

FIGHT TO LIVE-VO

ONE CAPE CORAL MOTHER'S MISSION TO HONOR HER SON'S LEGACY -- REIGNITES ON THE SILVER SCREEN IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA'S LARGEST CITY.

IN JANUARY 2011 -- GWYNNE HICKMAN LOST HER SON ERIK METZLER TO A-L-S --

ALSO KNOWN AS LOU GEHRIG'S DISEASE.

THE DUO FOUGHT TO USE EXPERIMENTAL DRUGS TO EXTEND OR SAVE HIS LFE BUT COULDN'T BECAUSE OF CURRENT LAWS.

THEIR STORY ALONG WITH SIMILAR ONES ARE PROFILED IN A DOCUMENTARY DIRECTED BY TWO TIME OSCAR WINNER BARBARA KOPPLE.

FIGHT TO LIVE-SOTVO-BNR

Take Sot

Gwynne Hickman, Cape Coral

03:03 "At some point in time, somebody close to you is going to get gravely I'll. There is so much disease in our society. This is about people getting the help they need. Right now, it's too hard."

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE FILM'S SCREENINGAND HOW TO ATTEND --

TEASE TWO-2SHOT

A FAMILY CELEBRATING TONIGHT --

AFTER THEIR SON MAKES IT HOME AFTER A HORSE RIDING ACCIDENT WHERE HE SUFFERED A SEVERE HEAD INJURY.

He's just really happy that he's still alive and he's really happy to be home and see his horses and his family."

IT'S TURNING OUT TO BE A MIRACULOUS RECOVERY FOR THE TEEN --

NOW HE AND HIS FAMILY ARE TALKING ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF SAFETY EQUIPMENT THAT SAVED HIS LIFE.

AND ALL NEW AT SIX.

TZ2 A) GABE HOMECOMING-SOTVO

TZ2 B) RICK RITTER STANDUP TEASE-SOT

GABE HOMECOMING-VOTOPS-2SH

AFTER 17 DAYS IN THE HOSPITAL RECOVERING FROM A HORSE RIDING ACCIDENT --

THIS 13-YEAR OLD RETURNED HOME TO PUNTA GORDA YESTERDAY.

GABE WELCHMAN SUFFERED A BRAIN INJURY -

BUT DOCTORS SAY HIS HELMET SAVED HIS LIFE.

GABE HOMECOMING-PKG

PKGTrt. 1:25

0:27 Tommy Welchman, Gabe's Father

0:48 Gabe Welchman, Recovering

NATS "here comes Comanche and Abby"

GABE WELCHMAN IS BACK IN A FAMILIAR PLACE: OUT OF THE HOSPITAL AND IN THE PASTURE OUTSIDE HIS CHARLOTTE COUNTY HOME.

HE DOESN'T REMEMBER THE HORSE-BACK RIDING ACCIDENT WHICH LEFT HIM UNCONSCIOUS FOR FOUR DAYS. HIS DAD DOES.

NATS "and collided right about here."

GABE WAS HOSPITALIZED FOR 17 DAYS AFTER HIS HORSE COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER. HE LOST MOST OF HIS ABILITY TO WALK AND TALK. FOR NEARLY TWO WEEKS.

"He walked into the room, caught my eye and said hi daddy. I'm glad I was sitting down because I would have fallen down." Tommy Welchman, Gabe's Father

HIS PARENTS SAY GABE IS A LOT MORE CALM AND QUIET, BUT HE'S THE SAME KID.

OVER THE NEXT YEAR, DOCTORS EXPECT MOST OF HIS PHYSICAL AND MENTAL CAPABILITIES TO COME BACK WITH INTENSIVE THERAPY.

STILL NOTHING SEEMS TO SCARE THIS 13-YEAR-OLD WHO WANTS TO GET RIGHT BACK ON THE SADDLE.

"You're not scared?" Charlie Keegan

"No, no, I'm not scared to get right back up on her." Gabe Welchman, Recovering

DOCTORS SAY HE'LL HAVE TO WAIT A YEAR. ANOTHER BRAIN INJURY SO SOON WOULD BE DEVESTATING.

SO, GABE WILL KEEP DOTING ON HIS HORSES.

HIS PARENTS WILL CONTINUE TO SHARE THEIR SON'S INSPIRATIONAL STORY AND RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF WEARING HELMETS.

"You were wearing a helmet right?" Charlie Keegan

"Yes and that's what saved my life." Gabe Welchman, Recovering

NEW AT 530-BNR-2SHOT

A 19-MILLION DOLLAR REFUND FOR SOME CAPE CORAL PROPERTY OWNERS!

NBC2 IS DIGGING TO FIND OUT WHO WILL GET A CUT-- AND WHEN.

PLUS A DIRE HEALTH WARNING FOR WOMEN UNDER 40.

DOCTORS ARE DIAGNOSING A GROWING NUMBER WITH A DEADLY FORM OF BREAST CANCER!

A) CAPE UTILITIES REFUNDS-VO-WIPE

B) BREAST CANCER DEATHS-VOTOPS