DIRECTORS PAGE

HLA KERN PLEA DEAL-TRX-VOTOPS

NEXT AT FIVE.

HLA KERN PLEA DEAL-SOTVO

44:53 it will never close i not only have two empty chairs for holidays birthdays.

WHY SHE SAYS SHE WANTED HER GRANDSON TO MAKE SUCH A REVEALING ADMISSION --

HLB COLLIER DEATH INVESTIGATION ARREST-TRX-VOTOPS

A QUITE GATED NEIGHBORHOOD IS AT THE CENTER OF A MURDER INVESTIGATION TONIGHT.

HLC UNCLAIMED LOTTERY TICKET-TRX-VOTPS

AND THE MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION.

DID ANYONE CLAIM A WINNING POWERBALL TICKET PURCHASED IN LEE COUNTY BEFORE IT WAS TOO LATE?

5PM OPEN-CLIP

ALVA BRUSH FIRE-TRX-SSTOPS-REM-LIVE

BREAKING NEWS AT FIVE --

THERE IS A SMALL BRUSH FIRE BURNING NEAR THE RIVER HALL NEIGHBORHOOD IN ALVA.

FLORIDA FOREST SERVICE TELLS US THEY AND TWO OTHER AGENCIES ARE RESPONDING.

YOU ARE LOOKING LIVE FROM OUR TOWER CAM --

YOU CAN SEE THE FAINT SMOKE IN THE DISTANCE.

IT'S UNCLEAR IF THERE ARE ANY HOMES IN DANGER.

KERN PLEA DEAL-VO IN PLASMA-SS

A TWIST OF EVENTS IN A LEE COUNTY COURTROOM TODAY --

THIS MAN GARRETT KERN ACCEPTED A PLEA DEAL --

AND ADMITTED TO STRANGLING HIS GRANDFATHER TO DEATH BACK IN OCTOBER OF 20-11.

DETAILING THE WAY HE KILLED JAMES ARTHUR --

KERN PLEA DEAL-SOT-OC

46:41 i don't forgive you garrett for what you did but i do love you

SALLY ARTHUR --

THE EMOTION STILL AS RAW AS THE DAY HER HUSBAND DISAPPEARED NEARLY TWO YEARS AGO.

N-B-C TWO'S SARA MILES HAS FOLLOWED THIS STORY FROM THE BEGINNING --

KERN PLEA DEAL-PKG-BNR

44:53 it will never close i not only have two empty chairs for holidays birthdays.

TEARS FALL DOWN SALLY ARTHUR'S FACE JUST LIKE THE DAY HER HUSBAND WAS FOUND.

45:39 what gives you closure when someone is murdered:42

IN COURT TODAY -- SALLY FINALLY HEARS HER GRANDSON GARRETT KERN'S OWN EXPLAINATION OF WHAT HAPPENED IN OCTOBER 2011.

48:24 i think probably jim said to garrett you gotta get your life straightened up and that just ticked him off i think:33

KERN TOLD THE JUDGE THE CHAIN OF EVENTS.

HE ADMITTED CHOKING JAMES ARTHUR TO DEATH IN AN ARBY'S PARKING LOT AFTER THE TWO GOT INTO AN ARGUMENT.

THEN HE SAYS HE DUMPED HIS GRANDFATHERS BODY IN A WOODED AREA OFF OLD BURNT STORE ROAD IN CAPE CORAL.

AFTER THAT HE CLAIMS HE WENT TO HUSTLER'S BAR AND GRILL--

AND THEN TOOK HIS GRANDFATHER'S CAR AND DROVE TO ILLINOIS.

49:17 in this particular case only he and god knew what happened:19

BY ENTERING A PLEA OF NO CONTEST TO THE SECOND DEGREE MURDER AND GRAND THEFT CHARGE.

THE PROSECUTOR MADE HIM TELL THE COURT WHAT HE DID AS PART OF HIS PLEA AGREEMENT.

49:48 he manned up by doing plea agreement today we do love him and appreciate not dragging my mom and myself through a lengthy trial:55

KERN WILL SERVE 38 YEARS IN PRISION FOR THE DEATH OF HIS GRANDFATHER, STEALING HIS CAR AND VIOLATING PROBATION.

HIS FAMILY SAYS THEY ARE SATISFIED WITH THE OUTCOME.

KERN PLEA DEAL-CAM 99

SINCE KERN ENTERED A PLEA OF NO CONTEST - THERE WON'T BE A TRIAL.

BUT IF THERE WAS, AND KERN WAS CONVICTED.

HE COULD HAVE GONE TO PRISON FOR LIFE.

COLLIER DEATH INVESTIGATION ARREST-SS-BOXES

A CALL TO AUTHORITIES FROM A CONCERNED FAMILY MEMBER --

LAUNCHED A MURDER INVESTIGATION IN EAST NAPLES.

DEPUTIES ARRIVED AT A HOME IN THE GATED COMMUNITY OF GLEN EAGLE -- AT COUNTY BARN ROAD AND DAVIS BOULEVARD.

THEY FOUND 68 YEARS OLD HELEN JOHNS INSIDE ALONG WITH THE BODY OF HER HUSBAND JACK. JOHNS TONIGHT IS ACCUSED OF GUNNING DOWN HER HUSBAND

N-B-C TWO'S RICK RITTER IS LIVE FROM OUR COLLIER COUNTY MOBILE NEWS ROOM WITH UNCOVERING NEW INFORMATION TONIGHT.

COLLIER DEATH INVESTIGATION ARREST-REM-LIVE

COLLIER DEATH INVESTIGATION ARREST-TRX-PKG

TRT = 1:11

Lois Bournstine/Neighbor = 0:50

TAKE PKG

TONIGHT THIS WOMAN IS BEHIND BARS- 68-YEAR OLD HELEN HOPE JOHNS - SHE'S ACCUSED OF MURDERING HER HUSBAND ON MONDAY NIGHT.

Rolan Cumor/Glen Eagle resident/1:22 "Oh my god shocked, terribly shocked."

INVESTIGATORS SAY HELEN CALLED AN OUT OF STATE RELATIVE - SAYING "THERE WAS A DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE" AND THAT SHE WAS ARMED WITH A GUN.

WHEN DEPUTIES ARRIVED - THEY LOCATED 72-YEAR OLD JACK JOHNS DEAD ON THE FLOOR INSIDE, WITH A BULLET WOUND TO THE CHEST -WHILE HELEN WAS SITTING ON THE FRONT PORCH.

INVESTIGATORS SAY THE 72-YEAR MAN OLD WAS SHOT BY HELEN IN THE LIVING ROOM - AND THAT MULTIPLE BULLET HOLES WERE FOUND INSIDE THE HOME, WHILE THE GUN WAS SITTING NEXT TO A HOSPITAL STYLE BED.

HELEN JOHNS WAS BOOKED INTO COLLIER COUNTY JAIL THIS MORNING ON A CHARGE OF SECOND-DEGREE MURDER.

NEIGHBORS WE SPOKE WITH WERE STUNNED - SAYING JACK WAS AN EX-MARINE WHO SUFFERED FROM A LEG INFECTION - AND HASN'T WALKED IN NEARLY THRE YEARS.

Lois Bournstine/Neighbor/14:18 "They're great people, we've lived here for 5 years and as long as we've known him, he's been in a c hair."

THEY DESCRIBE HELEN AS A DEVOTED WIFE - SOMEONE WHO TOOK CARE OF JACK AT ALL HOURS OF THE DAY - AND THAT THE TWO WERE KNOWN AS A LOVING COUPLE THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.

COLLIER DEATH INVESTIGATION ARREST-REM-LIVE

RICK LIVE

ONE INTERESTING NOTE - THE INCIDENT REPORT SAYS HELEN REQUESTED TO HAVE HER BLOOD DRAWN MULTIPLE TIMES AT THE JAIL CENTER.

COMING UP AT 6 - I'LL TELL YOU HOW THIS ISN'T HELEN JOHN'S FIRST RUN IN WITH DEPUTIES.

CAPE FIRE INVESTIGATION-TRX-SS-BOXES

BREAKING NEWS AT FIVE --

CAPE CORAL POLICE ARE ON THE SCENE OF A DEATH INVESTIGATION ON SOUTHEAST 13TH AVENUE --

THAT'S JUST EAST OF DEL PRADO AND NORTH OF CORONADO.

N-B-C TWO'S GEORGE SOLIS IS THERE LIVE WITH THE LATEST DETAILS.

CAPE FIRE INVESTIGATION-REM-LIVE

CAPE FIRE INVESTIGATION-VO

CAPE FIRE INVESTIGATION-REM-LIVE

SUNSHINE PHARMACY CLOSURES-TRX-VO

NEW DEVELOPMENTS TONIGHT IN INVESTIGATION IN A COLLIER COUNTY PHARMACY RAIDED BY FEDERAL AGENTS.

THE N-B-C TWO INVESTIGATORS DISCOVERED THE SUNSHINE PHARMACY ON DAVIS BOULEVARD CLOSED TODAY.

AND THE PRODUCTS INSIDE HAVE BEEN REMOVED.

D-E-A AGENTS RAIDED THE STORE ON RATTLESNAKE-HAMMOCK ROAD BACK IN JANUARY.

THAT STORE AND ANOTHER ALONG U.S. 41 REMAIN OPEN TODAY.

CAPE BARRIER STUDY-VO-SS-MAPFLY

NEW DETAILS ABOUT A DANGEROUS CURVE IN THE CAPE WHERE A WOMAN DIED LAST YEAR.

ALEXIE KRILL DROWNED AFTER CRASHING HER CAR INTO A CANAL

AT THE CORNER OF BEACH PARKWAY AND SURFSIDE BOULEVARD.

SOON AFTER THE ACCIDENT.THE CITY REQUESTED AN IN DEPTH REPORT TO PREVENT A SIMILAR SITUATION --

N-B-C TWO'S STEVE CAMPION IS THE ONLY REPORTER TO GET HIS HANDS ON THE THREE NEW OPTIONS --

CAPE BARRIER STUDY-REM-LIVE

A MEMORIAL STILL MARKS -- THE PLACE WHERE THE YOUNG WOMAN LOST HER LIFE.

YOU CAN SEE THE SHAMROCK MARKS ST PATTYS DAY.

POLICE OFFICERS SAY SHE DROVE PAST A STOP SIGN AND LANDED IN THIS WATER -- A 25 FOOT DROP WHERE THEY SAY SHE DROWNED INSIDE HER CAR.

CAPE BARRIER STUDY-PKG-BNR

TRT 114

Chris Chulakes-Leetz, Cape Coral Council Member - 27

TAKE PKG

Peggy Gallant, Lives nearby the intersection

5649 "It is a pretty good 90 degree turn. It's a sharp turn."

CALL BEACH PARKWAY AND SURFSIDE BOULEVARD IN SOUTHWEST CAPE CORAL -- AN INTENSE INTERSECTION.

Gallant

5552 "If you're carrying on at a good speed, you could easily fly right in."

THE CROSS STREETS CLAIMED TWO LIVES -- SINCE 2005 -- INCLUDING 24 YEAR OLD ALEXIE KRILL JUST LAST YEAR.

Gallant 5509 "there's not much of a barrier."

MISS THIS TURN AND IT'S A 25 FOOT DROP --INTO THIS CANAL.

Chris Chulakes-Leetz

0416 "Signs don't keep cars on the road. Barriers do."

COUNCIL MEMVER CHRIS CHULAKES-LEEZS WANTS A GUARDRAIL INSTALLED ALONG THE ROAD.

THE CITY'S CONSULTANT OUTLINED THREE OPTIONS FOR THE THE JUNCTION -- TWO INCLUDE A PERMANENT BARRIER WITH UPWARD COSTS OF FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS.

OTHER INCLUDES MORE SIGNAGE AND INDICATORS -- BUT NO GUARD.

Leetz 0533 "what is the life of your friend? Your loved one worth?"

COUNCIL MEMBER CHULAKES-LEETZ SAYS NO MATTER THE COST -- A BARRIER NEEDS TO BE ERECTED.

Leetz

0751 "we owe it to everyone of Cape Coral to not have a hazardous situation. Now that we are aware, let's fix it."

A SOLUTION -- THOSE WHO LIVE NEARBY -- CALL POTENTIALLY LIFE SAVING.

CAPE BARRIER STUDY-REM-LIVE

TAKE LIVE

THE CITY'S TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE PLANS TO MAKE A DECISION TOMORROW MORNING -- THEIR RECOMMENDATION WOULD GO TO COUNCIL IN THE FUTURE.

ALEXIE KRILL'S FAMILY TELLS US -- THEY PLAN TO BE THERE FOR TOMORROW'S MEETING AND WANT THE COMMITTEE TO VOTE FOR A BARRIER.

COUNT ON US TO LET YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENS.

TWISTEE TREAT ROBBERY-TRX-SS-VO

A VIOLENT THIEF ROBBED A LEE COUNTY ICE CREAM SHOP.

THE OWNER OF THE TWISTEE TREAT ON PINE ISLAND ROAD IN NORTH FORT MYERS.

WAS BEATEN BY AN ARMED ROBBER AS HE CLOSED UP LATE LAST NIGHT.

WE ARE WORKING TO FIND OUT THE EXTENT OF HIS INJURIES.

CHAR CO BANK ROBBERY-SSTOPS-VO

WE JUST GOT NEW PICTURES OF THE MAN CHARLOTTE COUNTY DEPUTIES SAY ROBBED A BANK TODAY.

INVESTIGATORS SAY HE WALKED UP TO A TELLER

AT THE CEE ONE BANK ON TAMIAMI TRIAL IN PORT CHARLOTTE AND DEMANDED CASH.

THE CALL CAME IN AROUND 12-30 THIS AFTERNOON --

CHAR CO BANK ROBBERY-SOT-SS

Bob Carpenter, Charlotte Co. Sheriff's Office.

12 seconds

"It makes no difference. The guy could be volatile, he could have a bomb, there could be any factors involved and we have to go out and caution what this man may have had on him or not. So right now he's a bank robber and we're looking for him."

BONITA THEIF WANTED-SSTOPS

IN LEE COUNTY --

DEPUTIES SAY THIS THIEF MADE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN PURCHASES ON SOMEONE ELSE'S CREDIT CARD.

WE'RE TOLD HE BOUGHT ALCOHOL --

FOOD --

AND CAR PARTS FROM DIFFERENT STORES IN BONITA SPRINGS.

UHAUL DRIVER DISCHARGED-SSTOPS-VO

AND WE HAVE LEARNED THIS MAN --

BRADFORD TANNER IS OUT OF THE HOSPITAL TODAY.

CAPE CORAL POLICE SAY HE WAS UNDER THE INFLUENCE WHEN HE FAILED TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT AND SLAMMED A U-HAUL TRUCK INTO A SCHOOL BUS LAST MONTH.

TWO STUDENTS ON THE BUS WERE INJURED.

IMPACT FEES TRANSFER-VO-WIPE

AN UPDATE TO A TWO MILLION DOLLAR MISTAKE BY LEE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WITH TAX PAYER MONEY.

COMMISSIONERS VOTED TO TRANSFER NEARLY TWO MILLION DOLLARS FROM UNINCORPORATED LEE COUNTY TAXPAYER RESERVES AND PUT IT BACK INTO THE LEIGH ACRES IMPACT FEE DISTRICT.

CENTRAL PARK SOLD-VOTOPS

It's crunchtime for Paul Arsenault and Neville Williams who want to turn the recently sold Grand Central Station property downtown into a park.

Arsenault and Williams still have hopes of buying all or part of the property from its new owners before a development is built.

The pair needs to drum up support for their idea before the end of season. If they gain enough attention, they'll also ask for help from The Trust for Public Land, a national nonprofit specializing in the preservation of green space and other natural lands for public use.

For weeks Arsenault and Williams have waited to see the 19-acre property sold and to learn what intentions a buyer had for its development.

On Friday, Connecticut-based investors Wheelock Street Capital closed on the property for an undisclosed amount of money and announced a partnership with an East Naples developer, The Ronto Group. They have loose plans to create a mixed-up complex with both residential and commercial buildings.

"We are very glad that we now have the name of the buyers," Arsenault said. "We have two weeks before Easter when people start leaving to inform everyone of the misnomer of all this green space."

Arsenault said that he does not think the city has used its green space properly and does not have enough, like some say.

"We want to build a fund immediately to guide whatever happens to this legacy tract of land in the future," he said, adding that support for the idea continues to grow. Those in favor of a park met Monday for an update after the property was sold last week.

John Garrison, Senior Project Manager for The Trust for Public Land in Sarasota County, visited with Arsenault and Neville in Naples recently.

He said The Trust for Public Land would step in to help if it's what the citizens of Naples want.

"At this time, I just can't speak for the citizens of Naples and what they would find most desirable," Garrison said, adding that he's waiting for a cue from Arsenault and Williams.

If they can find people willing to donate, The Trust for Public Land can acquire the property through a mix of public and private money, Garrison said. The Trust for Public Land does not keep properties it purchases, Garrison said, and ultimately looks for ways for cities and counties to own and maintain land.

Donations are 100 percent tax deductible, arsenault said.

Garrison and The Trust for Public Land have worked on a few projects in the Naples area including the Naples Zoo, which faced closure in 2005 before the trust was able to sell some parcels to private buyers.

MCGREGOR CRASH-VO

A SERIOUS CRASH IN FORT MYERS BROUGHT TRAFFIC TO A STANDSTILL TODAY.

A CAR TURNING ONTO COLLEGE PARKWAY FROM MCGREGOR SLAMMED INTO A CAR --

AND WAS SENT ONTO A MEDIAN AND TOOK OUT A TRAFFIC SIGN.

THE DRIVER FROM CANADA WAS SITED FOR TURNING LEFT ON A RED LIGHT.

NO ONE SUFFERED ANY SERIOUS INJURIES.

TEASE ONE-2SHOT

EVERY YEAR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS SPEND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON FUEL.

WITH MONEY TIGHT --

SOME LOCAL LEADERS ARE LOOKING TO MAKE CUTS.

"it's good for the citizens that we look into this because ultimately will save tax payer dollars and protect the environment, so really it's a win win."

WHERE THEY WANT TO MAKE THE CUTS --

AND HOW CONVERTING AN ENTIRE FLEET TO NATURAL GAS IS ONE OPTION ON THE TABLE.

PLUS --

THEY'RE BIG --

MEAN AND GREEN -

AND LOOKING TO TAKE OVER SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

TZ1 A) CHAR CO CONVERTING FLEET-SOTVOWIPE

TZ1 B) RESEARCHING GREEN MUSSELS-VOTOPS

TZ1 C) WEATHER TEASE-STC

MARKET CLOSE-CGTOPS

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S&P 500

1,548.34

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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 a mostly cloudy start to the day, the clouds are gradually fading this afternoon as sunshine starts to become more prevalent across Southwest Florida.

Look for daytime temperatures to quickly warm into the low to mid 80s as the sun heats us up, and this daytime heating might also lead to some isolated showers as we close out the afternoon. The highest risk for a passing shower will be over the interior and east of the interstate, but a spotty shower can't be ruled out for those of us closer to the coast.

As we head through tonight, our sky should stay pretty quiet. Some lingering cloud cover will keep conditions partly cloudy, and we may even get some developing fog late tonight into early Wednesday morning.

Once the fog lifts away early Wednesday, we'll likely squeeze in some sunny spells through the first half of the before our weather becomes more unsettled by the afternoon and evening. Through the afternoon tomorrow, a cool front will slide in from the north, which will bring in more clouds along with some scattered rain and storms. The rain will likely linger through the evening and the first part of the night before pushing to our south by Thursday.

Thursday will be the sunniest and most pleasant day of the week. Temperatures and humidity levels will also drop off in the wake of Wednesday's cool front, so daytime highs should warm comfortably into the mid to upper 70s.

We'll even spend a couple nights in the 50s. Overnight lows by early Thursday will start off in the mid to upper 50s, and Friday morning should be a few points cooler with temperatures starting out in the low to mid 50s.

CHAR CO CONVERTING FLEET-2SH

SKYROCKETING GAS PRICES ARE FORCING MANY OF US TO LOOK AT WAYS TO SAVE MONEY,

CHARLOTTE COUNTY LEADERS ARE DOING THE SAME THING.

NBC-2 LOOKED INTO THE DETAILS OF A PROPOSAL TO CONVERT THE COUNTY'S TRUCKS SO THEY RUN ON NATURAL GAS.

CHAR CO CONVERTING FLEET-PKG-BNR

Trt. 1:20

0:09 Alan Holbach, Public Works Director

0:33 Stephen R. Deutsch, Charlotte Co. Commissioner

Nats

EVERY DAY DOZENS OF TRACTOR TRAILERS, PICK-UPS, AND OTHER VEHICLES DRIVE OUT OF THE CHARLOTTE COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS YARD.

"We drive throughout unincorporated Charlotte County: From Englewood out to the east side of the county." Alan Holbach, Public Works Director

FROM ONE PROJECT SITE TO ANOTHER THE TRUCKS RACK UP MILES AND GUZZLE DOWN GAS.

Nats

LAST YEAR, THE COUNTY SPENT NEARLY 1.8 MILLION DOLLARS ON GASOLINE AND DIESEL FOR THE 600 VEHICLES IT OWNS.

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SAY THEY CAN CUT THAT NUMBER IN HALF BY CONVERTING THE FLEET TO RUN ON COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS.

"at this point, it's good for fleets. Whether it's sanitation fleet, the school bus fleet or the sheriff's office, hose are the ones which crank up the miles and keep the vehicles going they're the ones that will see the biggest savings." Stephen R. Deutsch, Charlotte Co. Commissioner

BEFORE IT CAN SAVE ON GAS, THE COUNTY HAS TO CONVERT THE TRUCKS TO RUN ON NATURAL GAS: SOMETHING WHICH COSTS AT LEAST 10-THOSUAND DOLLARS PER VEHICLE.

"conversion is an issue and the cost to convert we believe is going down. But it's good for the citizens that we look into this because ultimately, we will save tax payer dollars." Stephen R. Deutsch, Charlotte Co. Commissioner

THE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT ALSO THINKS THE CONVERSION WOULD SAVE MONEY.

IT'S INVITED COMPANIES TO NEGOTIATE A PILOT PROGRAM TO RUN 20 BUSSES ON AN ALTERNATE FUEL.

THE COUNTY AND THE CITY OF PUNTA GORDA ARE FOLLOWING THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S PROGRESS TO SEE HOW BENEFICIAL A PROGRAM LIKE THIS COULD BE.

POWERBALL TICKET EXPIRED-VO

A MULTI MILLION DOLLAR POWERBALL TICKET PURCHASED AT A STORE IN ALVA. WENT UNCLAIMED.

SOMEONE BOUGHT THE TICKET AT THIS HANDY FOOD STORE ON STATE ROAD 80.

THE NUMBERS EXPIRED LAST THURSDAY AT MIDNIGHT. I HOPE THE PERSON WHO BOUGHT IT, NEVER FINDS OUT.

NOW 80 PERCENT OF THE TWO MILLION WILL GO TO EDUCATION --

CROW INSURANCE-VO

CROW ON SANIBEL ISLAND RE-OPENED ITS VISITOR EDUCATION CENTER TODAY.

A LAPSE IN WORKERS COMPENSATION COVERAGE FORCED THE WILDLIFE REHAB CENTER TO CLOSE TO VISITORS FOR THE PAST WEEK.

CLAM PASS WRAPPING UP-SS-VO

CLAM PASS IS ONCE AGAIN OPEN IN NORTH NAPLES.

CREWS ARE SET TO WRAP UP THE DREDING OF THE WATERWAY TOMORROW.

THE CHANNEL'S BEEN BLOCKED UP SINCE DECEMBER, MANGROVES AND WILDLIFE IN THE BACK BAY WERE BEING CHOCKED BY STAGNANT WATERS. THINGS GOT SO BAD, RESIDENTS GRABBED BUCKETS AND SHOVELS AND STARTED TO DIG.

COMMISSIONERS DECLARED A STATE OF EMERGENCY TWO WEEKS AGO --

NINA AND PINTA ON THE MOVE-VO

TWO OF CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS' SHIPS ARE ON THE MOVE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

THE NINA AND THE PINTA WILL SAIL FROM TIN CITY IN NAPLES TO CENTENNIAL PARK IN FORT MYERS TOMORROW AND STAY THROUGH THE 27TH.

YOU CAN TOUR THE SHIPS EVERYDAY FROM NINE TO FIVE --

EIGHT DOLLARS FOR ADULTS --

AND SIX DOLLARS FOR STUDENTS FIVE TO 16.

TEASE TWO-2SHOT

THERE ARE SOME UNWELCOME GUESTS MOVING INTO THE WATERS OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA TONIGHT.

21 37 38 21 37 45

The threat of an invasive species coming in and harming those populations is very high on our priority list.

TZ2 A) RESEARCHING GREEN MUSSELS-SOTVO

TZ2 B) NEW AT 6 TEASE-VOTOPS

RESEARCHING GREEN MUSSELS-2SHOT

AN INVASIVE SPECIES CALLED THE GREEN MUSSEL HAS ALREADY DAMAGED PART OF THE ECOSYSTEM IN PARTS OF FLORIDA.

TONIGHT --

AN F-G-C-U STUDENT IS ON A MISSION TO MAKE SURE THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN HERE.

RESEARCHING GREEN MUSSELS-PKG

NATS

EACH TRIP INTO THE ESTERO BAY.

NATS

IS ONE MORE STEP FOR KATIE MCFARLAND'S RESEARCH ON THE GREEN MUSSEL.

NATS

IT'S AN INVASIVE SPECIES THAT IN RECENT YEARS HAS MOVED INTO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

The concern is the oysters.

THAT'S BECAUSE THE GREEN MUSSEL DESTROYED SOME OF THE OYSTER POPULATION NEAR TAMPA BAY.

OYSTER CLUSTERS ARE IMPORTANT.

THEY FORM REEFS TO PROVIDE A HABITAT FOR OTHER SEA LIFE AND PROTECT BEACHES FROM EROSION.

NATS

BUT THERE'S LITTLE INFORMATION ON THE GREEN MUSSELS EFFECTS ON OUR COAST.

Not knowing what their tolerances are to local stressors makes it hard to predict the spread.

EVERY FOUR TO SIX WEEKS,

SHE AND A TEAM MONITOR ITS POPULATION.

A green mussel is about twice the size of the ones you eat on a restaurant. And they were first discovered in Tampa bay in 1999. Now they can be found in different spots all along the Florida coast.

MCFARLAND IS RESEARCHING THE MUSSELS MOVEMENTS IN THE ESTERO BAY.

IT'S PART OF HER FOUR YEAR PROJECT TO GET A DOCTORATE.

Katie is taking it to the next extreme to determine how quickly they grow and what kind of impact they have on other species out here.

THE TEAM CHECKS CLUSTERS BELOW THE WATER.

AT PLACES LIKE BRIDGE PILINGS.

IF IT SPREADS.

They're a very pesky bio-fouling organism. So they'll coat boat hauls, buoys, bridge pilings.

WHILE IT'S LIKELY TO GROW FASTER IN SALTWATER - HER RESEARCH SHOWS. IT'S STAGNANT.

The environments constantly changing so there's constantly new questions arising and field monitoring is a never ending project.

NATS

NEW AT 530-BNR-2SHOT

A FAMILY ICE CREAM SHOP OPENS FOR BUSINESS LESS THAN 24 HOURS AFTER THE OWNER WAS ROUGHED UP DURING A ROBBERY.

STRAIGHT AHEAD, WE TALK WITH THE OWNER'S WIFE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED.

PLUS - MARCH MADNESS SPREADING LIKE WILDFIRE AT F-G-C-U.

A) twistee treat robbery-VO-WIPE

B) fgcu march madness-VOTOPS