5PM NBC2 |
5PM NBC2 |
THE EMPTY CHAIR WAS HARD TO MISS.
DID THE LEE COUNTY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT DODGE A SPECIAL BOARD MEETING THIS AFTERNOON BECAUSE HE WAS GOING TO BE IN THE HOT SEAT?
AND POLICE SAY A CAPE CORAL HUSBAND TRIED TO KILL HIS WIFE, BUT SLAMMING HIS MINI-VAN INTO HER BEDROOM WHILE SHE SLEPT.
PLUS
"Somebody's calling!"
THE UNEXPECTED CALL THAT CAUGHT EVERYONE OFF GUARD DURING OUR GOVERNOR'S STATE OF THE STATE SPEECH.
THE NEWS AT FIVE.STARTS NOW.
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5PM OPEN
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BREAKING NEWS AT FIVE -
ON THE DAY THE LEE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD TAKES UP ALLEGATIONS OF MISCONDUCT AGAINST IT'S SUPERINTENDENT;
HE TAKES A PERSONAL DAY.
THAT'S HIS EMPTY CHAIR THERE.
THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WANTS TO KNOW WHETHER
DOCTOR BURKE STOPPED AN ACTIVE INVESTIGATION INTO ONE OF HIS TOP EMPLOYEES;
WHETHER HE MOVED 1.6 MILLION DOLLARS IN GRANT MONEY TO ANOTHER FUND WITHOUT THE BOARD'S CONSENT;
AND IF HE USED 293,000 DOLLARS FOR TOP ADMINISTRATORS RATHER THAN IN THE CLASSROOM.
THE BOARD MADE THE DECISION ON HOW TO RESPOND LATE THIS AFTERNOON -
NBC-2'S KIM BROWN WAS AT THE MEETING AND JOINS US NOW WITH DEVELOPING DETAILS.
KIM -
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THE BOARD ULTIMATELY VOTED 3-2 TO RESPOND TO THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S LETTER - SENDING THE AGENCY A LETTER BASICALLY SAYING THE SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS ALREADY RESOLVED THESE ISSUES.
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BUT MOST OF TODAY'S DISCUSSION CENTERED AROUND AN ALLEGATION THAT TOP ADMINISTRATOR - DR. DEEDRARA HICKS - REPORTED TO WORK INTOXICATED - AND THAT BURKE SUSPENDED AN ACTIVE INVESTIGATION INTO HER ACTIONS.
THAT HAD TWO BOARD MEMBERS CALLING FOR AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION INTO THE SUPERINTENDENT'S ACTION.
BUT, THAT MOTION FAILED THREE TO TWO - WITH BOARD MEMBERS MARY FISCHER, DON ARMSTRONG AND TOM SCOTT VOTING NO.
HOWEVER, ONE OF THEM TOLD ME THEY MAY CHANGE THEIR MIND.
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SOT FROM Fischer // kim could you support an outside investigation later after you review the documents. Fischer - that's a possibility.
Sot from Armstrong // The attorney has made a recommendation. I think it sounds justifiable. There's no reason why this board needs to continue to spin the wheels that a year ago we already looked at.
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ONCE THE LETTER IS SENT TO THE STATE THE BOARD WILL WAIT TO SEE IF THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION NEEDS ANY MORE INFORMATION- AND WILL RESPOND AT THAT TIME.
LIVE IN FORT MYERS KIM BROWN NBC2.
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TERRIFYING MOMENTS IN A CAPE CORAL NEIGHBORHOOD.
A WOMAN SERIOUSLY INJURED WHEN HER HUSBAND CRASHED HIS MINI-VAN INTO THEIR BEDROOM. AND POLICE SAY HE DID IT ON PURPOSE
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IT HAPPENED ON THE 300 BLOCK OF SOUTHWEST 16TH TERRACE THIS MORNING.
NBC-2'S SARA MILES IS THERE LIVE. SARA I UNDERSTAND YOU CAN STILL SEE THE TIRE TRACKS.
SARA -
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take a look at the damage done by 41 year old jose acevedo -- there is still a gaping hole in the back of his cape coral home.
police say acevedo drove his van into his house because he wanted to kill his wife.
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i heard screaming a woman screaming a lot" PAT TOWNSAND
IT WAS AN EMOTIONAL SCENE ALONG SOUTHWEST 16TH TERRACE THIS MORNING --
"he said come over because i already killed your cousin" NO NAME
AS FAMILY AND POLICE ARRIVE AT THIS CAPE CORAL HOME WHERE OFFICERS SAY JOSE LUIS ACEVEDO TRIED TO KILL HIS WIFE -- YOLIMA PAPA-SANCHEZ.
A SHOCK TO PEOPLE LIVING NEARBY.
'they're very very nice people, very quiet very nice." PAT TOWNSAND
CAPE CORAL POLICE SAY THEY RECIEVED A CALL AROUND 6:30 THIS MORNING THAT A VAN HAD CRASHED INTO A HOME.
ONCE ON SCENE --
OFFICERS FOUND PAPA-SANCHEZ SERIOUSLY INJURED.
INVESTIGATORS SAY AFTER DRIVING THE VAN INTO THE HOME, ACEVEDO HIT HIS WIFE MULTIPLE TIMES WITH A BASEBALL BAT -- ATTEMPTING TO KILL HER.
RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEIR 7 YR OLD SON.
"i didnt see that coming i mean they have problems obviously." RICKY MICHELENA
RICKY MICHELENA HAS KNOWN THE FAMILY FOR ABOUT THREE YEARS.
HE NOTICED ACEVEDO DID HAVE A BIT OF A TEMPER ALTHOUGH THEY RARELY ARGUED AROUND HIM.
"this baffles me whats going on i mean why he do? and the way he do wasnt smart either." RICKY MICHELENA
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PAPA-SANCHEZ IS AT LEE MEMORIAL WITH SERIOUS INJURIES TO HER SKULL AND BODY. SHE'S EXPECTED TO SURVIVE.
THEIR SON WASN'T INJURED.
HE'S STAYING WITH FAMILY.
ACEVEDO REMAINS IN THE LEE COUNTY JAIL.
LIVE IN CC -
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INCREDIBLE IMAGES SHOW A CAR SLICED IN TWO AFTER COLLIDING WITH A GARBAGE TRUCK.
EVEN MORE INCREDIBLE -- THE TWO PEOPLE RUSHED TO THE HOSPTIAL, ONLY HAD MINOR INJURIES.
IT HAPPENED AT COLONIAL BOULEVARD AND ORTIZ AVENUE IN FORT MYERS.
THE DRIVER OF THE CAR ADMITTED TO RUNNING A THE RED LIGHT IN FRONT OF THE GARBAGE TRUCK -- SAYING HE DID SO BECAUSE ANOTHER CAR PULLED UP BESIDE HIM AND THE DRIVER THREATENED HIM.
THE DRIVER OF THE GARBAGE TRUCK WAS NOT HURT.
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Venezuelan Vice President Nicolas Maduro says President Hugo Chavez has died.
Chavez, 58, has held office since 1999. Venezuela's oil wealth-its proven oil reserves are the largest in the world,
hasn’t been seen in months.
said to
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DEVELOPING RIGHT NOW - A JURY IS DECIDING IF THIS LEE COUNTY BABY WAS MURDERED BY HIS OWN FATHER.
RYAN COSTELLO TOLD JURY MEMBERS HE FOUGHT WITH HIS FIANCÉ AND FELL WHILE HOLDING THE BABY.
NBC-2'S MATT WRIGHT JOINS US LIVE FROM OUTSIDE THE COURT HOUSE.
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RYAN COSTELLO'S FATE IS NOW IN THE HANDS OF A JURY.
THEY'VE BEEN DELIBERATING FOR ## HOURS AS THEY DECIDE WHETHER TO CONVICT HIM ON FIVE COUNTS.
ANONG THEM: MURDER. CHILD NEGLECT AND TAMPERING WITH EVIDENCE.
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Carrie pollock /prosecutor
:11
Wilbur smith/defense attorney
:57-1:01
Carrie Pollock -- prosecutor
8:43:41 we're here for Darwin Costello 43
THE STATE BEGAN ITS FINAL PLEA TO JURORS BY REMINDING THEM OF THE YOUNG VICTIM. DARWIN COSTELLO. WHOSE LIFE WAS CUT SHORT.
Carrie Pollock -- prosecutor
8:44:05 Darwin Costello never saw his first birthday, he never had a party with his brother and family around him to celebrate him turning one 14
PROSECUTORS SAY DARWIN'S MASSIVE HEAD INJURIES WERE THE RESULT OF AN INTENTIONAL ACT BY THE BOY'S FATHER. RYAN COSTELLO.
Carrie Pollock -- prosecutor
8:49:27 that happened with the anger, the rage, the pent up frustration of one man being all being taken out on the tiny body of an eleven week old baby 40
THEY SAY COSTELLO BEAT HIS CHILD. THEN DROPPED HIM OFF AT A HOSPITAL. STAYING LESS THAN A MINUTE.
Carrie Pollock -- prosecutor
9:09:23 as those seconds ticked away Ryan Costello got out of there 9:09:30
AS FOR THE DEFENSE.
Wilbur smith/defense attorney
9:59:06 we don't know what happened and that alone is enough for reasonable doubt
IT POINTED OUT THE STATE'S KEY WITNESS. WHITNEY SIMONSEN. CONSISTENTLY CHANGED HER STORY ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED THAT NIGHT.
SIMONSEN IS COSTELLO'S EX. DARWIN'S MOTHER. AND WAS DEALING PAINKILLERS AT THE TIME.
Wilbur smith/defense attorney
10:00:20 she was wasted, you bet she doesn't have a good memory. 10:00:25
THE DEFENSE STANDS BY WHAT COSTELLO SAID ON THE STAND. THAT SIMONSEN THREW A BABY SWING AT HIM. KNOCKING HIM DOWN WHILE HE HELD THEIR CHILD.
THEY SAY THERE'S NO PROOF COSTELLO INTENTIONALLY KILLED DARWIN.
Wilbur smith/defense attorney
11:53:47 is that the kind of man that would go into a homicidal rage and annihilate his child? 11:53:55
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COSTELLO FACES 15 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON IF CONVICTED.
LIVE IN DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS MATT WRIGHT NBC 2.
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TODAY GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT GAVE HIS ANNUAL STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.
HE PROMISED BIG MONEY FOR TWO INDUSTRIES HE SEES AS CRITICAL TO CREATING MORE JOBS.
ALONG WITH THE USUAL POLICY TALK. THERE WAS ONE MOMENT THAT CAUGHT EVERYONE IN THE CHAMBER BY SURPRISE.
NBC-2 CHAD OLIVER'S IS HERE TO BREAK-DOWN ALL THINGS 'STATE OF THE STATE'.
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GOVERNOR SCOTT HAS SOME MONEY TO SPREAD AROUND.
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FIVE YEARS - FLORIDA LAWMAKERS ACTUALLY HAVE A BUDGET SURPLUS.
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"Let the Governor be received."
GOVERNOR SCOTT ARRIVED IN PREDICTABLE FASHION. GREETING REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS ON HIS WAY TO THE STAGE. YET MOMENT'S INTO HIS SPEECH - THIS SURPRISE.
"Somebody's calling!"
A PHONE NEXT TO THE PODIUM STARTED RINGING. AFTER LIKELY CHECKING THEIR OWN PHONES - LAWMAKERS HEARD THE GOVERNOR'S WISH LIST.
"We need to level the playing field to compete for manufacturing jobs."
GOVERNOR SCOTT ADMITTED FLORIDA LAGS BEHIND THE NATION WHEN IT COMES TO MANUFACTURING JOBS.
HE WANTS TO GIVE COMPANIES INCENTIVE TO EXPAND.
BY REMOVING SALES TAX ON NEW EQUIPMENT.
THE GOVERNOR'S OTHER MAIN PRIORITY: EDUCATION.
HE SAID PERFORMANCE-PAY FOR TEACHERS WILL BE IN PLACE BY NEXT YEAR.
SCOTT WANTS TO INCREASE SPENDING PER STUDENT BY 4-HUNDRED DOLLARS.
AND GIVE TEACHERS A 25-HUNDRED DOLLAR PAY RAISE.
"We don't want a war on teachers; we want a war on failure."
DEMOCRATS FIRED BACK WITH THIS RESPONSE.
"Well, let me remind you, you started the war, with your $1.3 Billion dollar cut to education."
THAT'S A REFERENCE TO TWO YEARS AGO WHEN SCOTT TOOK OFFICE. THEN. HE OPPOSED ALL PARTS OF 'OBAMACARE.' NOW. HE'S ALLOWING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO EXPAND MEDICAID IN FLORIDA.
"I cannot in good conscious, deny the uninsured access to care."
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GOVERNOR'S SCOTT'S COMPROMISE ON OBAMACARE HAS ANGERED SOME IN HIS OWN PARTY - INCLUDING THE SPEAKER OF THE FLORIDA HOUSE.
BUT SCOTT SAYS SINCE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS PAYING 100-PERCENT OF THE COST FOR THE FIRST THREE YEARS - IT'S A MOVE HE HAD TO MAKE.
KEEP IN MIND THE POLITICS AT PLAY HERE.
SCOTT'S APPROVAL RATINGS HAVE BEEN LAGGING UNDER 50-PERCENT.
HE'S UP FOR RE-ELECTION IN 20-14.
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THE STATE OF THE STATE SPEECH MEANS FLORIDA LAWMAKERS ARE NOW OFFICIALLY IN SESSION.
REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS ARE ALREADY RAISING QUESTIONS ABOUT PAY RAISES FOR TEACHERS.
OVER THE NEXT 60 DAYS, LEADERS WILL TACKLE OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES LIKE THE BUDGET AND HEALTH CARE.
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INVESTORS RESPONDED BIG TODAY ON WALL STREET - BREAKING THE ALL TIME HIGH FOR TRADING.
THE DOW JONES JUMPED 126 POINTS TODAY - BEATING ITS OLD RECORD BY 89 POINTS.
THE RECORD WAS SET IN OCTOBER OF 2007
TODAY'S CLOSING ERASES LOSSES FROM THE GREAT RECESSION.
HERE'S A LOOK AT FINAL TRADING TODAY.
THE DOW CLOSED JUST ABOVE 14 THOUSAND 2-HUNDRED.
BOTH THE NASDAQ AND S AND P HAD DOUBLE-DIGIT GAINS.
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AN ACCIDENT ON I-75 CAUSED A HUGE TRAFFIC BACKUP THIS AFTERNOON.
CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO FROM OUR F-DOT CAMERAS.
THE SOUTHBOUND LANES WERE SHUT DOWN NEAR THE IMMOKALEE ROAD EXIT.
WE DID SEE A TRAUMA HELICOPTER LAND ON THE HIGHWAY AND TAKE SOMEONE AWAY.
SOME DRIVERS LOST PATIENCE AND BEGAN CUTTING ACROSS THE MEDIAN
WE'RE WORKING TO FIND OUT DETAILS ABOUT THE CRASH.
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ONE OF NAPLES ICONIC RESORTS IS CLOSING IT'S DOORS THIS SUMMER.
THE RITZ-CARLTON BEACH RESORT WILL SHUT DOWN FOR SIXTY-SIX DAYS COME JULY FOR RENOVATIONS.
THE LAST TIME THE RESORT CLOSED WAS BACK IN 2005 BECAUSE OF HURRICANE WILMA.
WORK STARTS JULY TWENTY-FIFTH AND THE RESORT WILL RE-OPEN ON OCTOBER FIRST.
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THE NEXT CAPE CORAL FIRE CHIEF WILL START AT THE HIGHEST SALARY POSSIBLE.
COUNCIL APPROVED TO PAY AROUND 130-THOUSAND DOLLARS WITH FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS IN MOVING EXPENSES TO THE TOP CANDIDATE FOR CHIEF.
JOHN SZERLAG NARROWED DOWN THE LIST OF CANDIDATES FROM FIVE TO TWO.
HE'S EXPECTED TO MAKE AN OFFER SOON.
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FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW, A BLACK MARK TAINTS THE FUTURE OF A POTENTIAL MAJOR LEAGUE PLAYER.
A BOSTON RED SOX PLAYER ACCUSED OF DRIVING DRUNK IN LEE COUNTY, PUSHING THE SPEEDOMETER PAST 100 MILES AN HOUR BEFORE CRASHING.
PLUS - A NEW CROSSWALK IN PUNTA GORDA IS SUPPOSED TO WALKING SAFER.
BUT THE MAYOR SAYS IT'S CAUSING HIS OFFICE BIG HEADACHES.
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BREAKING NEWS:
A 15-YEAR-OLD BOY WITH A VIOLENT CRIMINAL HISTORY WHO ESCAPED FROM STATE CUSTODY AT THE COLLIER HEALTH DEPARTMENT TODAY.
CRISTIAN ARRIOLA DISAPPEARED AROUND 2 O'CLOCK. HE LIVING A JUVENILE JUSTICE FACILITY IN OCHOPEE.
HE'S ABOUT 5'7, WHITE, 145 POUNDS -- BLACK HAIR AND BROWN EYES -- AND HAS TATOOS ON BOTH FOREARMS - A SKULL ON ONE AND AN EXPLETIVE ON THE OTHER.
DEPUTIES ARE CAUTIONING THE PUBLIC NOT TO APPROACH ARRIOLA BUT IF YOU SEE HIM, CALL AUTHORITIES.
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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.
BRIEF COOL DOWN TOMORROW
Just like we anticipated Tuesday was sunny, dry, and warmer. That explains our week ahead pretty well, but there will be a couple speed bumps along the way.
The main speed bump will be felt by early Wednesday, as a few light showers will be possible as our next cool front slides through Southwest Florida around 7:30 AM.
The timing of the rain will be close to sunrise Wednesday, but the showers should be gone by the mid-morning hours, leaving us with sunny skies for the remainder of the day. Once the front clears the area, temperatures will stay fairly cool through the day as winds become more northerly behind the front; most areas should only reach the low 70s for daytime highs.
By Wednesday night into Thursday morning, we'll have another round of temperatures in the mid 40s across the urban corridor and even some mid to upper 30s deeper inland.
Thursday will be another cool day with highs only reaching the low 70s under full sunshine, and then we'll spend another night in the 40s and 50s as we head into your Friday morning.
Temperatures will be on the rebound again as we approach the upcoming weekend, and by Sunday afternoon, daytime highs will be back in the 80s. The weekend outlook looks phenomenal, too, with comfortable humidity and rain staying out of our forecast.
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DEVELOPING RIGHT NOW - THE BOSTON RED SOX ARE ON DAMAGE CONTROL TODAY.
THIS LEFT-HANDED PITCHER WAS ARRESTED FOR BEING DRUNK AND DRIVING HIS CAR MORE THAN 100 MILES PER HOUR BEFORE HE CRASHED.
NBC-2'S JOE ROETZ JOINS US LIVE IN THE NEWSROOM WITH NEW DETAILS.
JOE -
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IN BASEBALL - DRAKE BRITTON IS A RELATIVELY UNKNOWN PLAYER.
HE WAS HOPING TO LAND A SPOT ON THE RED SOX THIS YEAR.
INSTEAD - THE YOUNG PITCHING PROSPECT IS MAKING HEADLINES - NOT FOR HIS TALENTS - BUT FOR DRIVING DRUNK.
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A PITCHER WITH A 95 MILE PER HOUR FASTBALL -
AND AN EVEN FASTER TRUCK.
fortunately in this case no one was injured but the bottom line is it is a very serious issue.
A LEE COUNTY DEPUTY SAYS HE SPOTTED RED SOX PROSPECT PITCHER DRAKE BRITTON SPEEDING DOWN ESTERO PARKWAY EARLY SATURDAY MORNING.
HE STARTED FOLLOWING THE 23 YEAR OLD-
WHO ALLEGEDLY BEGAN SWERVING IN AND OUT OF TRAFFIC AND TOPPED OUT AT 111 MILES PER HOUR.
A MILE LATER -
THE DEPUTY SAYS BRITTON BARRELED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION OF BEN HILL GRIFFIN PARKWAY -
SLAMMING INTO A FENCE BEFORE COMING TO A STOP.
when he caught up to him he noticed bloodshot watery eyes and a dazed look and he performed DUI tests.
THE DEPUTY SAYS BRITTON REFUSED TO TAKE A BREATHALYZER TEST.
WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE PITCHER AT TODAY'S ONE ON ONE WITH THE PRESS - RED SOX MANAGER JOHN FARRELL SAYS.
in this case with Drake it is still being addressed. We are still getting information and facts of what transpired.
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BRITTON IS CHARGED WITH D-U-I, DAMAGING PROPERTY, AND RECKLESS DRIVING.
HE WAS RELEASED ON 22-HUNDRED DOLLARS BOND AND IS SCHEDULED TO BE BACK IN COURT ON MARCH 18TH.
LIVE IN THE NEWSROOM - JOE ROETZ, NBC 2
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THIS IS THE SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR A PLAYER HAS GOTTEN IN TROUBLE WHILE SPRING TRAINING IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.
LAST MARCH, TAMPA BAY RAYS MINOR LEAGUER, MATT BUSH, CAUSED WAS DRIVING AN S-U-V AND DROVE INTO MOTORCYCLIST, TONY TUFANO.
BUSH TOOK A PLEA DEAL IN DECEMBER.
TUFANO SUFFERRED SERIOUS INJURIES AND SPENT WEEKS IN THE HOSPITAL RECOVERING.
HIS FAMILY FILED A CIVIL SUIT TO COVER MEDICAL EXPENSES.
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A CAPE CORAL WOMAN -- THOUGHT HER HOUSE WAS GOING UP IN FLAMES THIS MORNING.
THIS STORY SERVES AS A WARNING FOR ANYBODY THINKING ABOUT TURNING ON YOUR HEATER.
JUST AFTER TEN -- SMOKE FILLED THE DUPLEX OFF SOUTHEAST 24TH AVENUE.
THE HOMEOWNER TELLS NBC-2 SHE TURNED ON HER HEAT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A WHILE. DUST ON THE COILS CAN CAUSE A LOT OF SMOKE
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TAKE SOT
Rosemary Whipple, Homeowner
4132 "it started to smell like it was burning so I went to check in the attic and smoke was pouring out so I called 911."
A FIRE CHIEF SAYS EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE HEATERS INSPECTED AND CLEANED.
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THE PUNTA GORDA MAYOR SAYS A FLASHING LIGHT AT A CROSSWALK IS CAUSING BIG CONFUSION.
COMPLAINTS FLOODED THE MAYOR'S OFFICE ABOUT THIS - A FLASHING LIGHT AT A NEW CROSSWALK.
STRAIGHT AHEAD - THE CONTROVERSY OVER THE SIGN.
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A SIMPLE FLASHING LIGHT IS CAUSING A LOT OF CONFUSION IN PUNTA GORDA.
THE SIGN IS SUPPOSED TO MAKE A CROSSWALK SAFER FOR PEDESTRIANS -
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BUT THE MAYOR SAYS HIS OFFICE IS BEING FLOODED WITH COMPLAINTS.
NBC-2'S CHARLIE KEEGAN INVESTIGATES.
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Nats: vroom
OLYMPIA AVENUE ISN'T THE BUSIEST STREET IN PUNTA GORDA
Vroom.
THAT DOESN'T MEAN IT'S EASY TO CROSS. JUST ASK PATTY HIGGINSON WHO CONSTANTLY WAITS FOR TRAFFIC TO STOP BEFORE SHE STROLLS THROUGH THE CROSSWALK.
"These crosswalks are dangerous bc cars don't stop. Even though there's a warning sign, cars do not yield to the pedestrians or bike riders." Patti Hugginson, Walker
THE CITY INSTALLED THIS CROSSWALK LAST MONTH AS PART OF A NEW WALKING PATH.
IT ALSO INSTALLED A BLINKING LIGHT, WARNING DRIVERS TO LOOK OUT FOR PEDESTRIANS.
"it hasn't done any good at all. I haven't noticed a difference." Leslie Ryan, Bicyclist
DRIVERS AND PEDESTRIANS SAY IT'S NOT WORKING.
LESLIE RYAN SAYS DRIVERS DON'T STOP AND THE MAYOR IS GETTING CALLS ABOUT THE CROSSWALK CONFUSION
"People approach the intersection and the bikes and the walkers don't know what to do. There have been a lot of close calls and screeching brakes." Mayor Bill Albers, Punta Gorda
STANDUP "at crosswalks, the Punta Gorda Police Department says it's drivers who should stop and wait for pedestrians to cross the street."
WEDNESDAY, CITY COUNCIL WILL DISCUSS THE ISSUE.
THE MAYOR WANTS TO TAKE DOWN THE BLINKING SIGNS HERE AND ON SHREVE STREET AND REPLACE THEM WITH STOP SIGNS FOR PEDESTRIANS.
Nats
OTHERS SAY IT'S TOO SOON TO GIVE UP ON THE BLINKING SIGNS.
"We're very impressed with it. We think it's a matter of education and eventually the drivers will pay attention to us." Ken Brunini, Bicyclist
LIKE SO MANY OTHERS, KEN BRUMINI JUST WANTS TO CROSS THE STREET SAFELY.
IN PUNTA GORDA CHARLIE KEEGAN NBC-2
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THE FAA ANNOUNCED *NEW* RULES FOR CARRY-ON ITEMS!
SO WHY NOW. DOES THE T-S-A SAY ITS OK TO BRING KNIVES ON PLANES.
WE'RE LIVE WITH PASSENGER REACTION FROM SOUTHWEST FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL.
AND LEADERS FROM BONITA SPRINGS ARE IN TALLAHASSEE--
PUSHING LAWMAKERS TO APPROVE *SLOTS* AT THE GREYHOUND TRACK!
BUT THEY HAVE TWEAKED THEIR PROPOSAL.
THE NEWS AT 5:30 IS NEXT.
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