ABC 7 O'CLOCK NEWS |
ABC 7 O'CLOCK NEWS |
THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM. ISN'T SO CALM.
HOW EACH COUNTY IS PREPARING FOR TROPICAL STORM ISAAC AND WHICH ITEMS YOU'LL NEED TO GET EARLY.
A SHOOTING OUTSIDE THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING RESULTS IN TWO DEATHS.
HOW A CITIZEN HELPED POLICE CATCH UP TO THE GUNMAN.
AND A THIEF STEALS A CAR FROM A COLLIER COUNTY GARAGE.
WHY POLICE SAY THE OWNER MAY SHARE THE BLAME.
THE NEWS AT 7 STARTS NOW.
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HERE'S HOW THE DIFFERENT COUNTIES ARE PREPARING FOR ISAAC--
AGENCIES ACROSS LEE COUNTY ARE ON STANDBY AS THEY WAIT FOR THE STORM TO HIT.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL SAY RESIDENTS SHOULD NOT WAIT TO GET PREPARED FOR HEAVY RAIN AND FLOODING
MOST DECISIONS ABOUT WHETHER SHELTERS WILL OPEN AND IF ISLANDS WILL BE EVACUATED WILL COME *SUNDAY.
TODAY THE EOC WILL BE CALLING THEIR VOLUNTEER LIST TO SEE WHO IS AVAILABLE TO WORK THE SHELTERS IF EMERGENCY OFFICIALS DECIDE TO OPEN THEM.
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AS WE CONTINUE WATCHING ISAAC --
WE'RE ALSO KEEPING AN EYE ON EMERGENCY SUPPlY LEVELS AROUND SOUTHEAST FLORIDA.
ALONG WITH CANDLES, FLASHLIGHTS, AND WATER, ONE ITEM YOU MIGHT NOT WANT TO WAIT TO BUY: GENERATORS.
I didn't really feel the pressure til today cause its getting closer and you gotta get thing while supplies last
ONE HARDWARE STORE A-B-C 7 STOPPED AT TELLS US THEY SOLD MORE THAN A DOZEN GENERATORS IN UNDER TWO HOURS TODAY.
THEY HAVE ALREADY REQUESTED ADDITIONAL SHIPMENTS.
GENERATORS CAN COST ANYWHERE FROM 300 TO ONE-THOUSAND DOLLARS.
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THE RED CROSS REGIONAL DISASTER OPERATIONS CENTER IS NOW ACTIVATED.
THE HEADQUARTERS IN NAPLES WILL BE THE HUB FOR ALL RED CROSS OPEARTIONS ACROSS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.
STAFF SPENT THE DAY PREPARING--
TRUCKS AND SUPPLIES ARE IN FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO DEAL WITH POSSIBLE INJURY AND DAMAGE FROM FLOODING AND HIGH WINDS.
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"We've got supplies positioned in different parts of the counties so that if it hits say collier county that lee county's got stuff able to bring in quickly, making sure were as mobile as possible."
VOLUNTEERS HAVE EVERYTHING THEY NEED TO RESPOND TO AFFECTED AREAS AT A MOMENTS NOTICE.
THEY'RE ALSO EQUIPPED TO OPEN SHELTERS IF NECESSARY.
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IN CHARLOTTE COUNTY, PEOPLE THERE KNOW ALL TOO WELL THE POWER OF A HURRICANE.
AFTER CHARLEY HIT LAND IN 2004, SOME RESIDENTS AREN'T TAKING ANY CHANCES WITH ISAAC.
THE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IN PUNTA GORDA IS ABOUT TO TURN 100 YEARS OLD.
MEMBERS WANT TO MAKE SURE IT REACHES THAT MILESTONE.
TODAY, EMPLOYEES STARTED FILLING AND PLACING SANDBAGS AROUND BUILDINGS ON THE CAMPUS.
SOME BUILDINGS FLOODED BACK IN 2004 AND OFFICIALS SAY THEY'RE LEARNING FROM THE PAST.
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we don't want to rely on the insurance company, we want to rely on our own intuition and God-given brains to do what we think is right to prepare
THE CITY OF PUNTA GORDA AND CHARLOTTE COUNTY HAVE BOTH DECLARED STATES OF EMERGENCY.
OFFICIALS AREN'T SETTING UP SHELTERS YET, BUT WARN RESIDENTS IN LOW-LYING AREAS TO PREPARE FOR FLOODING.
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CHARLOTTE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO DELCARE A LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY.
THIS IS A PROCEDURAL TASK ALMOST ALWAYS TAKEN BEFORE A STORM ARRIVES.
IT ALLOWS EMERGENCY MANAGERS TO MAKE DECISIONS AND PURCHASES WITHOUT COMMISSIONER APPROVAL.
AT THIS AFTERNOON'S MEETING, THE COUNTY SAYS IT HAS NO PLANS TO SET UP SHELTERS OR ISSUE ERVACUATIONS.
OFFICIALS WANT TO WARN PEOPLE LIVING IN FLOOD PRONE AREAS, THAT THIS STORM WILL LIKELY CAUSE FLOODING.
GOVERNMENT OFFICES WILL BE OPEN MONDAY IN CHARLOTTE COUNTY.
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A SHOOTING IN FRONT OF THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING LEFT TWO PEOPLE DEAD AND NINE OTHERS INJURED TONIGHT.
POLICE IDENTIFIED THE SUSPECTED GUNMAN AS JEFFERY JOHNSON.
HE'S A FORMER CLOTHING DESIGNER WHO HAD BEEN LAID OFF FROM HAZAN IMPORTS A YEAR AGO.
TODAY, JOHNSON IS SUSPECTING OF GOING BACK BACK TO CONFRONT HIS OLD EMPLOYER.. POLICE SAY HE TOOK OUT A GUN AND SHOT A FORMER COLLEAGUE THREE TIMES, THEN TURNED AND RAN AWAY DOWN 5TH AVENUE
A CONSTRUCTION WORKER NEARBY FOLLOWED HIM AND ALERTED POLICE, WHO SHOT AND KILLED JOHNSON AFTER HE TURNED HIS GUN ON THEM
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Everyday, our police officers put their lives on the line to protect us. They did so again today, responding immediately. And they were joined by a number of civilians whose bravery and assistance probably also saved lives.
BUT, WITHIN THE LAST HALF-HOUR, WE LEARNED INVESTIGATORS ARE SAYING THERE'S NO EVIDENCE THE SHOOTER FIRED ANY SHOTS AT POLICE OFFICES.
THE BYSTANDERS THAT WERE HIT IN THE CROSSFIRE ARE ALL EXPECTED TO
SURVIVE.
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IN THE WHISKEY CREEK NEIGHBORHOOD,
A BURGLAR BROKE INTO A HOME AND STOLE A CAR RIGHT OUT OF THE GARAGE.
DEPUTIES SAY CHRISTIAN ARANDA GOT A LITTLE HELP FROM SOMETHING LEFT INSIDE THE FAMILY'S OTHER CAR, WHICH WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY.
THEY TELL US THE TEEN USED THEIR GARAGE DOOR OPENER TO MAKE HIS WAY INSIDE.
THEN, HE STOLE THE CAR.
THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS THE LESSON HERE IS NOT TO LEAVE YOUR GARAGE DOOR OPENER IN YOUR CAR.
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the ideal thing would be if people would take their garage door opener in with them when they took their keys into the house with them
ARANDA WAS CAUGHT AND ARRESTED AFTER ON-STAR, WHICH THE CAR WAS EQUIPPED WITH, REPORTEDLY LED DEPUTIES RIGHT TO HIM.
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A FRIGHTENING SITUATION FOR TWO EMPLOYEES.
AS A MASKED ARMED SUSPECT ROBBED AN ICE CREAM SHOP IN COLLIER COUNTY.
IT HAPPENED AT RITAS ITALIAN ICE IN NAPLES--
TWO YOUNG EMPLOYEES WERE CLOSING UP THE STORE WHEN A MAN WEARING A GRAY SKI MASK AND ARMED WITH A SUB-MACHINE TYPE GUN FORCED HIS WAY IN THROUGH THE BACK DOOR.
INVESTIGATORS SAY THE MAN POINTED THE GUN AT THE EMPLOYEES AND ASKED FOR THE COMBINATION TO THE STORES SAFE.
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"They went to leave out the back door and a guy in a mask and gloves completely covered grabbed one of my employees and forces them both inside, forced one of them to open the safe."
THE ROBBER TOOK OFF WITH MONEY, NO ONE WAS HURT.
IF YOU KNOW ANYTHING CALL NAPLES POLICE.
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NEXT AT 7 OPEN
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ABC 7 IS GETTING NEW INFORMATION TONIGHT ABOUT SCHOOL CLOSINGS DUE TO TROPICAL STORM ISSAC.
THOSE DETAILS AHEAD.
AND ALL EYES ARE ON TAMPA AND THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION.
WHY ORGANIZERS SAY THE SHOW WILL GO ON EVEN WITH ISSAC.
WEATHER TEASE
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THE LOOMING THREAT OF ISAAC WILL NOT SPOIL MITT ROMNEY'S REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION.
THAT'S ACCORDING TO ORGANIZERS OF NEXT WEEK'S REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION IN TAMPA.
FLORIDA GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT SAYS PEOPLE CAN EXPECT A GOOD, SAFE TIME.
at this point, everybody is comfortable. we're going to have a great convention. the delegates that are coming down are going to have a great experience. they're going to see a little bit of rain and a little bit of wind in florida. but they're going to see how nice people are in florida and have a great convention
WITH UP TO 50-THOUSAND PEOPLE EXPECTED TO DESCEND ON THE CITY FOR THE CONVENTION, AIRLINES AND THE CITY'S AIRPORT ARE CLOSELY FOLLOWING ISAAC'S TRACK.
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A NAPLES BASED BUSINESS IS HELPING AMPUTEES WHO HAVE LOST THEIR FINGERS, WITH SOMETHING CALLED, THE X-FINGER.
THE PROSTHETIC FINGER IS THE FIRST OF IT'S KIND.
THE CREATOR SAYS HE WANTED TO CREATE SOMETHING FOR PEOPLE WHO MAY HAVE LOST A FINGER OR TWO.
HE SAYS HE HAD MORE PEOPLE WANTING TO ORDER THE X-FINGER BUT DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO MEET THE NEED.
NOW HE'S BEEN GIVEN A TWO-HUNDRED-FIFTY-THOUSAND DOLLAR GRANT FROM CHASE BANK AND LIVING SOCIAL TO HELP HIM HELP OTHERS.
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WE GET TO PUT IT TOWARDS SOMETHING WE KNOW IS GOING TO HELP A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS WE'VE DEVELOPED THE FIRST FUNCTIONAL FINGER FOR AMPUTEES.
CHASE EXECUTIVES SAY THE GRANT WAS CREATED FOR THEIR INITIATIVE TO SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES.
THE BANK AND ITS PARTNERS ARE OFFERING THREE MILLION DOLLARS IN GRANTS TO SMALL BUSINESSES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
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IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, AT LEAST THREE PEOPLE ARE IN CUSTODY FOLLOWING A HIGH SPEED CHASE.
IT BEGAN AROUND ONE P-M AS POLICE FOLLOWED A SILVER MERCEDES FOR SEVERAL MILES.
THE CAR WENT THE WRONG WAY THROUGH A BUSY INTERSECTION AND NARROWLY AVOIDED THE BACK END OF A BOX TRUCK BEFORE CRASHING INTO A FENCE.
OFFICERS SHOT THE GROUND AS THE DRIVER FLED THE CAR AND JUMPED A FENCE.
THREE PEOPLE WERE THEN PULLED FROM THE VEHICLE.
THE DRIVER WAS TAKEN BY AMBULANCE, NO WORD ON HIS CONDITION.
NO WORD ON WHAT CHARGES THE SUSPECTS MAY FACE.
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NEXT AT 7 OPEN
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TROPICAL STORMS AND HURRICANES OFTEN KNOCK THE POWER OUT.
WE'LL TELL YOU WHOSE POWER THE ELECTRIC COMPANY WILL TRY TO GET BACK ON FIRST.
PLUS, A BOULDER SMASHED THROUGH THEIR WINDSHIELD.
HOW THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER ESCAPED THE ROCK -- AND THE SHATTERED GLASS!
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ALL EYES ON ISAAC
Tropical Storm Isaac has started its path to the northwest.
Haiti is not hindering Isaac at all, and that leaves a window for further strengthening before hitting Cuba. Isaac's maturing will indeed be tampered by Cuba, but the question is how much?
We do know one thing - once it hits the Florida Straits and the Gulf of Mexico - it will regain strength. Could we be dealing with a CAT 1 hurricane by early next week? Yes.
Models have been trending to the west with Isaac's track, but today they have shifted east considerably. Four reliable models bring Isaac very close to southwest Florida and each model only differs within 50 miles of one another. It bears watching.
Don't let your guard down. Impacts of a tropical system can be felt up to 200 miles from the center.
If you do not have a plan… The time to make one is now. You can't wait until Sunday.
Our weather tomorrow will be fine, a decent amount of sunshine and a couple of stray showers.
The changes begin Sunday.
The clouds will increase, the winds will become more brisk, and, come the evening hours, we're seeing outer rain bands.
Isaac will be felt from Sunday night into Monday night.
It's a process, and again, do not focus on the "center."
Things can change, and this system needs to be monitored closely.
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POWER COMPANIES ARE OFFICIALLY IN STORM MODE.
THE LEE COUNTY ELECTRIC CO-OP IS DOUBLING ITS LINE CREW.
THEY HAVE WORKERS DRIVING IN FROM OUT OF STATE.
FLORIDA POWER AND LIGHT IS ALSO BRINING IN MORE MAN POWER.
DURING A LARGE OUTAGE, F-P-L AND L-C-E-C WILL FIRST RESTORE ESSENTIAL SERVICES, LIKE HOSPITALS, POLICE AND FIRE STATIONS, AND TRAFFIC SIGNALS.
NEXT, THEY'LL RESTORE MAJOR BUSINESS AREAS THAT HAVE GAS STATIONS AND GROCERY STORES BEFORE MOVING TO RESIDENTIAL AREAS.
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what we do is we look for the areas that are the hardest hit that we can get the most people on at ounce, so we get the big groups where we can, then we go out into the field and get the onsies, twosies
A MAJOR FACTOR IN CAUSING POWER OUTAGES IS DEBRIS HITTING LINES.
OFFICAILS SAY PICK UP ANYTHING THAT COULD BE THROWN AROUND BY THE WIND
AND STAY AWAY FROM DOWNED LINES.
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CONSTRUCTION CREWS ARE RUSHING TO SECURE SITES AROUND SOUTHWEST FLORIDA AHEAD OF ISAAC.
WE CAUGHT UP WITH WORKERS IN CAPE CORAL TODAY.
THEY'RE FASTENING DOWN AND FINISHING OUT ROOFS, WALLS, AND EQUIPMENT.
ON THESE JOB SITES -- THEY'RE ARE PLENTY OF POTENTIAL PROJECTILES IF TROPICAL STORMS WINDS IMPACT OUR AREA.
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Joseph Franciono, Castle Harbor Homes
5202 "any loose debris is going to be removed from the job site, our dumpsters are going to be employed and pulled, our job signage and boards will be secured or pulled out."
CREWS AT THIS CAPE CORAL PROJECT PLAN TO REMAIN ON SITE THROUGHOUT MUCH OF THE NIGHT AND ALL DAY TOMORROW.
THEY HOPE BY SUNDAY TO FINISH NAILING ALL THE PLYWOOD ON TOP OF THIS ROOF.
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TROPICAL STORM ISAAC IS FORCING SCHOOL OFFICIALS TO CANCEL CLASSES.
BOTH FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY AND EDISON STATE COLLEGE ARE CLOSING THE CAMPUS STARTING AT FOUR SUNDAY NIGHT AND ALL OF MONDAY.
CLASSES WILL RESUME AT 8 TUESDAY MORNING.
IN NAPLES, THE PRIVATE SCHOOL ROYAL PARK ACADEMY WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY.
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AS FOR THE DORMS
AT EDISON
THEY'RE BRAND NEW.
AND WITH 'ISAAC' ON THE MOVE. THE SCHOOL IS WORKING WITH AN UPDATED STORM PLAN.
THEY'RE PREPPING THE COLLEGE BY CHECKING GENERATORS AND CLEARING THE CAMPUS OF POTENTIAL PROJECTILES.
EDISON STATE'S OFFICIALS SAY THEY *MIGHT EVACUATE THE DORMS IF THE STORM CHANGES DIRECTION, BECOMES A HURRICANE, AND PUBLIC SHELTERS ARE OPENED.
AGAIN, EDISON STATE AND FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY WILL CLOSE SUNDAY STARTING AT 4 THROUGH MONDAY WHILE THE DORMS AT BOTH SCHOOLS ARE OPEN FOR NOW.
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TWO MEN GOT A MUCH CLOSER LOOK OF THE SCENERY THAN THEY WERE HOPING FOR IN ARIZONA.
THE MEN WERE NEARLY CRUSHED WHEN A BOULDER CAME CRASHING THROUGH THEIR WINDSHIELD.
Out of nowhere, a huge explosion. White glass coming right at us. Did not know what happened.
THEY'RE NOW SHARING THEIR PICTURES OF THE ACCIDENT.
TAKE A LOOK AT THE DAMAGE.
AMAZINGLY, THE BOULDER LANDED IN BETWEEN THEM, THEN ROLLED ONTO THE PASSENGER'S LAP. BOTH MEN ONLY SUFFERED MINOR CUTS.
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IF THEY WEREN'T AFRAID OF HEIGHTS BEFORE, THEY MORE THAN LIKELY ARE NOW.
FOR THE SECOND DAY IN A ROW, MINNESOTA STATE FAIRGOERS WERE STRANDED MORE THAN 100 FEET IN THE AIR WHEN A RIDE MALFUNCTIONED.
ABOUT 24 PEOPLE WERE ON THE RIDE TODAY WHEN IT STOPPED IN MID-AIR.
THE STRATOSPHERE, SAID TO BE THE TALLEST PORTABLE SWING IN THE WORLD, EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM FOR THE SECOND DAY IN A ROW.
THURSDAY, THE RIDE WAS STUCK TWO-THIRDS OF THE WAY UP TO ITS 200-FOOT PEAK FOR ABOUT 40 MINUTES.
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TODAY'S KIDS ARE EARNING MORE ALLOWANCE.
BUT STILL HAVE LITTLE TO SHOW FOR IT.
AN AMERICAN INSTITUE OF CERTIFED FINANCIAL PLANNERS SURVEY SHOWS THE AVERAGE ALLOWNACE IS SEVEN-HUNDRED-EIGHTY BUCKS A YEAR!
BUT ONLY ONE-PERCENT OF PARENTS SAY THEIR CHILD EVER SAVES ANY OF IT.
ACCORDING TO THE SURVEY, DISCUSSIONS ABOUT GOOD MANNERS, EATING HABITS, AND GRADES TEND TO COME IN FAR AHEAD OF MONEY MANAGEMENT.
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HAITI HAS SEEN IT'S FAIR SHARE OF DISASTER AND NOW THE COUNTRY IS BEING THREATENED BY TROPICAL STORM ISAAC.
HOPE FOR HAITI VOLUNTEERS IN NAPLES SAY THEY HAVE PEOPLE ON THE GROUND IN HAITI TRYING TO PREPARE FOR THE STORM.
THE GROUP IS GIVING FAMILIES EMERGENCY SURVIVAL KITS.
THE KITS INCLUDE FOOD, HYGIENE PRODUCTS AND FIRST AIDE KITS.
VOLUNTEERS SAY ONE OF THEIR BIGGEST CHALLENGES, IS GETTING THE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE STILL LIVING IN TENTS TO SAFE LOCATIONS.
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TIGER WOODS MAKING A MOVE TODAY. FLOIRDA GATORS CAN'T DECIDED ON A STARTING QUARTERBACK
PLUS A BIG SHAKE UP IN BOSTON. WHICH RED SOX ARE ON THE MOVE? DETAILS NEXT IN SPORTS
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TONIGHT AT 11 OPEN
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we're going to be here through the november election and we are here to win
RE-AFFIRMING HIS STAYIG IN RACE
WHAT ELSE DID CONGRESMAN TODD AKIN SAY TODAY?
THE CONTROVERSIAL SENATE CANDIDATE'S COMMENTS AT 11.
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PLUS,
BREAKING NEWS HAPPENS RIGHT BEHIND A LIVE REPORTER --
YOU HAVE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.
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ADLIB POINTS
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