DIRECTORS PAGE

SHOW OPEN-CLIP

FIREWORKS SETUP-VIDBOX RVL

FOURTH OF JULY ISN'T UNTIL TOMORROW, BUT THE PARTY IS STARTING TONIGHT!

YOU CAN CATCH FIREWORKS AT TWO SPOTS IN LEE COUNTY.

THE SHOW AT THE MIROMAR OUTLETS SHOULD START AT 9-30.

THE FORT MYERS MIRACLE WILL START THEIR DISPLAY AFTER TONIGHT'S BASEBALL GAME.

TOSS TO JP-2 SHOT PUSH

GOOD EVENING, IT'S TUESDAY JULY THIRD.

WE HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR "THE FOURTH."

I'M JEFF BUTERA.

AND I'M COURTNEY ROBINSON.

FIRST WX FIREWORKS FORECAST-WALL

FIRST WEATHERAFTERNOON STORMS FOR THE 4TH

It's a great time of year in southwest Florida and our weather forecast is as predictable as the heat that you should be expecting. Tropical moisture continues to move across south Florida and the afternoon high temperatures will warm to 93 - 95 degrees for the rest of the week. As the daytime heating works on lifting the tropical moisture, our afternoon thunderstorms will develop again tomorrow. Some thunderstorms will feature very heavy rain, wind gusts over 40 mph and frequent lightning. You can expect this same, basic forecast through the weekend.

Remember that our daily storms are a part of life during the summer and there will be a different, but subtle, change to the intensity and location of the storms each afternoon. Some days may appear stormier than others but all of southwest Florida will continue to see at least a 50/50 chance for rain in the afternoon through this weekend.

The tropics remain quiet and there are no developing storms in the Gulf, Caribbean or Atlantic today. The National Hurricane Center does not predict development through the end of the week.

TEAM COVERAGE-CLIP

FMB JULY 4TH BIZ-VO IN TC MON

OUR TEAM COVERAGE CONTINUES WITH A LOOK AT HOW SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IS CELEBRATING INDEPENDENCE DAY.

THE TIMING OF THE HOLIDAY IS INTERESTING.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FIVE YEARS JULY FOURTH FALLS MID WEEK.

FMB JULY 4TH BIZ-PKG

take pkg

nats hammer 08:29

CREWS IN CHARGE OF SETTING OFF FORT MYERS BEACH FIREWORKS TOOK OVER THE PIER TUESDAY.

nats 09 58 five thousand bombs, 20 minute show

PREPARING FOR THAT 20 MINUTE DISPLAY, JOE MALLON SAYS, TAKES AT LEAST 2 DAYS.

nats 11:17 ready to rock and roll, almost

ALMOST READY, FOR THE THOUSANDS EXPECTED TO TURN OUT.

nats 1832 we'll get the little guy here

MATT SCHREINER AND HIS FIANCE MEGAN ADKINS, VISITING FROM OHIO, SAY THEY WOULDN'T MISS THE SHOW.

take sot

Megan Adkins, visiting from Ohio

14:16 oh yeah, absolutely we will be here we've been waiting for that" 1420

WHEN THEY REALIZED INDEPENDENCE DAY LANDED MID WEEK, ADKINS SAYS THEY DECIDED TO TAKE OFF WORK, FOR AN 8-DAY VACATION.

take sot

Matt Schreiner, visiting from Ohio

12:56 we love to go fishing, hit the beach, go parasailing 13:00

IT SEEMS MANY OTHERS HAD THE SAME IDEA.

Megan Adkins, visiting from Ohio

13:45-13:53

"it seems definitely like much more crowded, which is a good thing, lots of families here lots of activities to do on the beach"

BUT IF MORE CROWDS HAVE FLOCKED TO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA'S SHORES THIS HOLIDAY.

nats beach

TIMES SQUARE RESTAURANTS TELL NBC2, THEY HAVEN'T FELT THE DIFFERENCE-- SEEING THE SAME NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS THEY TYPICALLY DO DURING SLOWER SUMMER MONTHS.

nats cash register 20:19

MANGO BAY BEACH AND SURF COMPANY REPORTS THEY HAVE INCREASED SALES.

nats customer says thanks 20:52

AS THE HOLIDAY APPROACHES, THE LINE TO PURCHASE SOUVENIERS WRAPPED AROUND THE STORE.

take sot Megan

14:02 - 14:11

"i like it more time off work it's kinda nice because you have the weekends things to do and then during the week its another celebration"

FOR THOSE LOOKING TO RELAX, OR COUNTING ON VACATION SPENDERS, RARE MID-WEEK HOLIDAY GIVES SOME REASON TO CELEBRATE.

FMB JULY 4TH BIZ-ONCAM

THE FIREWORKS SHOW IS SET FOR TOMORROW NIGHT, ONCE IT GETS DARK.

THE MATANZAS BRIDGE TO FORT MYERS BEACH CLOSES AT NINE A-M TOMORROW.

RED WHITE AND BOOM-VO IN POP

RED WHITE AND BOOM-SOTVO

NAPLES FIREWORKS-VO CG

NAPLES IS READY TO CELEBRATE THE FOURTH OF JULY.

THE END OF THE PIER IS COVERED IN EXPLOSIVES!

CREWS ARE SETTING UP HUNDREDS OF FIREWORKS FOR THE BIG INDEPENDENCE DAY SHOW.

HALF OF THE PIER IS CLOSED OFF TODAY FOR SAFETY, THE OTHER HALF WILL SHUT DOWN TOMORROW.

TEAM COVERAGE-CLIP

TOSS TO CHAD-FDOT TOPS DBX

OUR TEAM COVERAGE CONTINUES AT I-75 AND CORKSCREW ROAD IN LEE COUNTY.

AS FIREWORKS FROM THE MIROMAR OUTLETS LIGHT UP THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SKY TONIGHT, TROOPERS WILL BE OUT TO MAKE SURE DRIVERS DON'T STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO WATCH.

NBC-2'S CHAD OLIVER JOINS US LIVE FROM THE MALL, WHERE THEY ARE ORGANIZING A PARTY FOR 20-THOUSAND PEOPLE.

MIROMAR FIREWORKS-REM 26

- SETUP UNDERWAY.

- T-MINUS 4 AND A HALF HOURS UNTIL LAUNCH TIME.

MIROMAR FIREWORKS-VOTOPS WIPE

THEY WILL LAUNCH LAKE-SIDE BETWEEN GERMAN ARENA FROM MIRAMAR OUTLETS.

ORGANIZERS ARE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT CLEAR SKIES.

ANYWHERE AROUND THE RIM OF THE LAKE IS A PRIME SPOT TO WATCH.

THIS AFTERNOON WE'VE ALREADY SEEN PEOPLE BRINGING THEIR CHAIRS.

I SPOKE WITH A WOMAN WHO WORKS NEARBY AND DOESN'T EVEN PLAN ON GOING HOME AFTER WORK.

MIROMAR FIREWORKS-SOTVO

:08:54:06 -12 TRT: 06 SECS

"We're trying to beat the crowds. By the time we get out of work, get home and get back. No sense in leaving. Hey - it's fourth of July."

`PARKING IS FREE BUT THE SPACES WILL GO FAST.

HERE ARE YOUR BEST OPTIONS.

MIROMAR FIREWORKS-REM 26

THIS IS THE 13TH YEAR FOR THIS FIREWORKS SHOW.

ORGANIZERS LEARNED FROM PAST EXPERIENCE THEY NEED TROOPERS NEARBY ALONG I-75 OTHERWISE DRIVERS WILL SIMPLY PULL OVER AND WATCH THE SHOW.

GAS PRICES & TRAVEL-CG VO

IF YOU'RE DRIVING THIS FOURTH OF JULY, THE FALLING GAS PRICES WILL MAKE YOU TRIP A LOT MORE ENJOYABLE.

THE AVERAGE NATIONAL PRICE, ACCORDING TO TRIPLE-A, IS 3-33.

THE STATEWIDE AVERAGE IS 3-18.

EVEN CHEAPER IN THE CAPE CORAL FORT MYERS AREA: 3-17.

TRIPLE-A IS PREDICTING MORE THAN 42 MILLION AMERICANS WILL TRAVEL THIS FOURTH OF JULY.

SECURITY ALERT-VO WIPE

NATIONAL SECURITY EXPERTS AREN'T AWARE OF ANY SPECIFIC TERROR PLOTS THIS HOLIDAY WEEK.

BUT LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN MAJOR U-S CITIES ARE READY FOR A NEW ROUND OF THREATS.

INTELLIGENCE SOURCES TELL ABC NEWS IT'S LIKELY YOU'LL SEE A STRONGER SECURITY PRESENCE

SECURITY ALERT-SOTVO

Brad Garrett SOT -- "There's always a concern during national holidays in

the United States for the following reasons. It's symbolic to extremists

groups.To launch an attack and in particular to be successful on that

date would be a big deal for them."

AUTHORITIES ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE AL QAEDA AFFILIATE IN YEMEN, WHICH RECENTLY PLANNED A NEW UNDERWEAR BOMB THREAT.

THEY ARE PARTICULARLY CONCERNED ABOUT "LONE WOLVES."

HEAT WAVE AND STORMS-VO

IF YOU'RE GOING UP TO THE MID-ATLANTIC OR THE MIDWEST, YOU COULD RUN INTO WARMER TEMPERATURES THAN WE HAVE HERE.

AND YOU MAY NOT HAVE AIR CONDITIONING.

MORE THAN A MILLION AMERICANS IN THE EASTERN U-S ARE OUT OF POWER FROM LAST FRIDAY'S STORMS.

MANY COMMUNITIES ARE CANCELING JULY 4TH FIREWORKS AND PARADES, WITH OUTAGES AND

CO WILDFIRE UPDATE-VO

THE WALDO CANYON FIRE IN COLORADO SPRINGS IS 70 PERCENT CONTAINED.

FIREFIGHTERS EXPECT TO HAVE IT COMPLETELY UNDER CONTROL IN A COUPLE WEEKS.

BUT IT DOESN'T MATTER TO PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN NEIGHBORHOODS, DESTROYED BY THE FLAMES.

THEIR COMMUNITIES LOOK LIKE WAR ZONES.

STEALING FROM DAYCARE-ONCAM

A LEE COUNTY PRESCHOOL IS MISSING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.

DEPUTIES THINK IT WAS AN INSIDE JOB.

THEY ACCUSE A BOOK KEEPER AT PEPPERMINT TREE PRESCHOOL OF STEALING THE MONEY.

THEY TELL ABC SEVEN'S MEAGHAN SMITH, WHEN A PARENT WOULD PAY THEIR CHILD'S BILL, THE BOOK KEEPER WOULD POCKET THE CASH.

STEALING FROM DAYCARE-PKG

A BOOK KEEPER-

BUSTED.

cover 13:14 "she wasn't doing what she was supposed to do."

AT PEPPERMINT TREE PRESCHOOL IN SAN CARLOS PARK-

nat

LEE COUNTY DEPUTIES SAY KATHRYN SWAFFORD STOLE 20-THOUSAND DOLLARS-

USING HER ROLE AT THE BUSINESS'S BOOK KEEPER.

HERE SHE IS LAST YEAR-

DOING A STORY WITH US ABOUT SOME OF THE PRESCHOOL'S KIDS SENDING LETTERS TO OUR TROOPS OVERSEAS.

"they don't get a grasp on what's going on."

DURING THAT TIME,

AND FOR ALMOST A YEAR-

IS WHEN DETECTIVES SAY SWAFFORD KEPT CASH PAYMENTS FROM PARENTS WHO HAD THEIR CHILDREN ENROLLED IN THE SCHOOL.

13:17 "she embezzled some of the funds, the funds weren't being turned over to the owners."

LEE COUNTY DEPUTIES STATE THAT SWAFFORD WOULD TAKE THE MONEY FROM PARENTS-

ENTER IT INTO THE COMPUTER,

GIVE OUT A RECEIPT,

THEN DELETE THE PAYMENT AND POCKET THE CASH.

13:26 "she was clearly using some of the money for her personal use and that's what we have as of right now."

DEPUTIES ARRESTED THE BOOK KEEPER-

SHE'S SINCE BONDED OUT OF JAIL

nat- knocking

BUT ISN'T ANSWERING THE DOOR AT HER BOKEELIA HOME.

13:37 "it's unethical. everybody in today's economy in struggling to make ends meet. this was a business owner who was basically defrauded out of money that was for his business."

STEALING FROM DAYCARE-ONCAM

SWAFFORD IS FACING 2 FELONY CHARGES.

ANDY GRIFFITH DIES-VO

A CLASSIC T-V LEGEND PASSED AWAY THIS MORNING.

ANDY GRIFFITH DIED IN HIS HOME STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA.

HE WAS 86.

GENERATIONS OF AMERICAN FAMILIES REMEMBER WATCHING HIM.

THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW WAS ONE OF THE TOP HITS OF THE 1960S.

FANS STILL ENJOY THE RE-RUNS.

SANIBEL BEAR CAUGHT-VO

STATE WILDLIFE OFFICERS PLAN TO TAKE THE "SANIBEAR" UP TO THE PANHANDLE, AFTER CATCHING IT IN TAMPA TODAY.

THEY FOUND IT IN A TREE NEAR BUSCH GARDENS AND TRANQUILIZED IT.

THEY FIGURED OUT IT'S THE SAME BEAR THAT WAS WALKING AROUND SANIBEL.

F-W-C OFFICERS TRANQUILIZED IT LAST MONTH, AND TOOK IT ABOUT 60 MILES AWAY FROM TAMPA.

THEY THINK IT WANDERED INTO THE CITY.

RETIRING CHEETAS-VO WIPE

AN OLDER "CHEETAH COUPLE" IS RETIRING TO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

THE 12 AND 13 YEAR OLD CATS JUST MOVED IN TO THEIR NEW HABITAT AT THE NAPLES ZOO.

THEY WERE RAISED TOGETHER IN CAPTIVITY AS PART OF A CHEETAH BREEDING PROGRAM.

THE FEMALE IS FROM THE NETHERLANDS AND HER KEEPERS TELL US SHE HAS A SASSY PERSONALITY.

WHILE THE MALE, BORN IN SOUTH AFRICA IS MORE LAID BACK.

RETIRING CHEETAS-SOTVO

"They are very different but they get along great. they groom each other, they lay together."

YOU CAN SEE THE ANIMALS SATURDAY, WHEN THE CHEETAH EXHIBIT PENS TO THE PUBLIC.

NEXT AT 6 OPEN-CLIP

TEASE ONE-NO SHOT

A TRIP TO THE BEACH IS A GREAT WAY TO SPEND A SUMMER DAY, AND COOL OFF, BUT GOING IN THE GULF CAN GIVE YOUR CHILD A BAD INFECTION.

IT'S CALLED SWIMMER'S EAR.

WE'LL TELL YOU HOW TO PREVENT IT.

TZ1 A SWIMMER'S EAR-VOTOPS

JP STORMWARN OPEN-CLIP

WEATHER-PWC

AFTERNOON STORMS FOR THE 4TH

It's a great time of year in southwest Florida and our weather forecast is as predictable as the heat that you should be expecting. Tropical moisture continues to move across south Florida and the afternoon high temperatures will warm to 93 - 95 degrees for the rest of the week. As the daytime heating works on lifting the tropical moisture, our afternoon thunderstorms will develop again tomorrow. Some thunderstorms will feature very heavy rain, wind gusts over 40 mph and frequent lightning. You can expect this same, basic forecast through the weekend.

Remember that our daily storms are a part of life during the summer and there will be a different, but subtle, change to the intensity and location of the storms each afternoon. Some days may appear stormier than others but all of southwest Florida will continue to see at least a 50/50 chance for rain in the afternoon through this weekend.

The tropics remain quiet and there are no developing storms in the Gulf, Caribbean or Atlantic today. The National Hurricane Center does not predict development through the end of the week.

SWIMMER'S EAR-VO IN TC MON

IF YOU'RE TAKING CHILDREN TO THE GULF OF MEXICO SOON, YOU NEED TO WATCH THEIR EARS.

DOCTORS SAY THIS IS THE MOST COMMON TIME OF YEAR FOR SWIMMER'S EAR - AN EXTREMELY PAINFUL INFECTION.

IT'S MOST COMMON IN FIVE TO SEVEN YEAR OLDS BUT ANYONE CAN GET IT AFTER JUST ONE DAY AT THE BEACH OR IN ANY WATER THAT ISN'T CHLORINATED.

SWIMMER'S EAR-PKG

NATS - WAVES

ON A TYPICAL BEACH DAY.

NATS - SHELLS CUTE KIDS

THERE ARE MORE THEN A FEW THINGS YOU NEED TO PROTECT THE KIDS.

06:16:14 7

"Everything you could imagine, towels extra sun block for the lips, a lot of people forget about the lips."

BUT KIERA DUNLAP HAS NEVER CONSIDERED WHAT MIGHT BE HAPPENENING INSIDE HER KIDS EARS WHILE THEY SPLASH ALONG THE SHORE.

NATS- SPLASH

BACTERIA FROM THE GULF WATERS COULD CAUSE SWIMMER'S EAR.

AN INFECTION INSIDE THE EAR CANAL - THAT CAUSES PAINFUL REDNESS AND SWELLING.

NATS- SHELLS

IT'S PAIN ENOUGH TO TURN THE EXCITEMENT OF FINDING THE PERFECT SHELL INTO A DAY OF SCRAMBLING TO A DOCTOR'S OFFICE.

06:16:40

"We are fortunate I've heard about it but it's never happened to us."

BUT EAR NOSE AND THROAT DOCTOR VIEN PHOMMACHANH SAYS IT COULD HAPPEN TO ANYONE AFTER JUST ONE DIP IN THE WATER.

06:30:29 7

"The moisture from the water and the heat can cause an infection in the ear."

HE SAYS IT'S MORE COMMON IN PEOPLE WHO PRODUCE MORE THAN AVERAGE EAR WAX - OR WHO HAVE NARROW EAR CANALS LIKE KIDS DO.

IT REQUIRES ANTIBIOTICS TO TREAT.

06:31:49 6

"It can cause complete blockage of the ear canal because it can swell shut."

NATS - JUMPING

BUT DON'T JUMP OUT OF THE WATER FOR GOOD.

THERE ARE INEXPENSIVE STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO PREVENT AN INFECTION -

"There are over the counter that are vinegar-based treatments to avoid swimmer's ear."

BUT THE DOCTOR WARNS THESE ARE NOT TO CURE AN INFECTION THAT'S ALREADY DEVELOPED.

HE SAYS THE BEST WAY TO AVOID THE PAIN AND SWELLING IS PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE INSIDE OF YOUR LITTLE SWIMMERS' EARS.

SWIMMER'S EAR-ONCAM

THE DOCTOR SAYS A LOT OF PARENTS ARE QUICK TO REACH FOR A Q-TIP RIGHT AFTER A SWIM BUT HE SAYS TO AVOID THAT.

TEASE TWO-POP

SOME SURPRISING NEWS FROM THE MIAMI HEAT. WE'RE DOWN TO ONE AMERICAN AT WIMBLEDON.

TZ2 A SPORTS TEASE-VO

FIREWORKS SCROLL-CGTOPS

WORLD NEWS TEASE-BLK-SOT

TONIGHT AT 7 OPEN-CLIP

10 COMMANDMENTS-VOTOPS

CHEETAH RETIREES-VOTOPS

SPORTS OPEN-CLIP

MIKE ZUNINO-POPMON

MIKE ZUNINO-VOTOPS

TODAY. MIKE WAS INTRODUCED AS THE NEWEST MARINER.

HE WAS SEATTLE'S FIRST PICK IN LAST MONTH'S DRAFT. AND 3RD OVERALL.

MIKE ZUNINO-SOTTOPS

BOBBY JENKS-VOTOPS

THE RED SOX AND PITCHER BOBBY JENKS ARE PARTING WAYS.

TODAY BOTH SIDES REACHED A CONTRACT TERMINATION AGREMENT.

LIGHTING CAMP-VOTOPS

A FEW EVERBLADES. ARE GETTING THE OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME.

OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS. 3 BLADES PLAYERS ARE TAKING PART IN THE TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING DEVELOPMENT CAMP.

LIGHTING CAMP-SOTTOPS

MIAMI HEAT-POMON

MIAMI HEAT-VOTOPS

SPEAKING OF THE HEAT. CELTICS GUARD RAY ALLEN IS EXPECTED TO VISIT MIAMI ON THURSDAY.

THE HEAT CAN OFFER HIM. A ONE YEAR DEAL WORTH 3-MILLION DOLLAR CONTRACT.

WIMBLEDON-VOTOPS

LET'S PLAY SOME TENNIS.

SERENA WILLIAMS SEEMS TO BE ON A MISSION. TODAY SHE TOOK DOWN THE DEFENDING CHAMP. PETRA KVITOVAH. IN STRAIGHT SET.

TOUR DE FRANCE-VOTOPS

FROM ENGLAND TO THE TOUR DE FRANCE.

TODAY WAS THE 3RD STAGE OF THIS GRUELING RACE.

PETER TOOK THE STAGE.

HOTDOGS-VOTOPS

LET'S EAT SOME HOTDOGS. A LOT OF HOTDOGS.

NATHAN'S FAMOUS HOTDOG EATING CONTEST RETURNS CONEY ISLAND ON WEDNESDAY.

5-TIME CHAMPION. JOEY CHESTNUT WILL LOOK TO DEFEND HIS TITLE.

GOODBYE-4SHOT