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HEADLINES-------------

:59 "we went down pretty quickly."

2:03:00 "I was absolutely terrified."

THE PILOT TOLD THEM --

PUT YOUR HANDS AT YOUR SIDES AND GO LIMP ON IMPACT!

PEOPLE HEADED TO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA GOT READY FOR A CRASH LANDING TODAY.

HOW THEY SURVIVED AND WHAT THEY HEARD AND FELT ON-BOARD.

PLUS --

A-B-C 7 IS THERE AS FORT MYERS COPS CHASE DOWN SUSPECTED CRIMINALS.

WE HAVE THE ACTION-PACKED VIDEO --

AS WE RIDE ALONG TODAY WITH THE CITY'S FINEST.

SHE TOOK HER PARENTS TO COURT.AND WON!

THE MANY WAYS THEY LITERALLY *STALKED* HER WHEN SHE WENT AWAY TO COLLEGE.

"this pet may be depressed"

YES, EVEN DOGS GET DOWN IN THE DUMPS.

BUT NEXT AT FIVE --

THE NEW TREATMENT TO HELP FIDO HAVE FUN AGAIN!

HL1) ALLEGIANT EMERGENCY LANDING-SOTVO

HL2) FMPD COCAINE BUS RIDEALONG-VOTOPS

HL3) PARENT STALKER-VOTOPS

HL4) DOG THERAPY-SOTVO

STORMWARN-CLIP

FIRST WEATHER-WX WALL

SHOWERS ON AND OFF

Tonight and again tomorrow afternoon we will see a few showers across southwest Florida. The favored areas for seeing rain tonight will be along and north of the Caloosahatchee River … especially in Charlotte county. Temperatures tonight will be very mild compared to last night and we will only drop into the 60's this evening. A breeze from the southwest will help keep the temperatures from dropping off tonight and will also help warm us back to 77 - 80 degrees tomorrow afternoon. A cold front is expected to cross the area in the late afternoon tomorrow. In advance of the front we will see variable clouds with showers and/or a thunderstorm arrive in the late afternoon. It will also be windy tomorrow with southwest winds at 15 - 20 and gusty throughout the day.

BREAKING-CLIP

ALLEGIANT EMERGENCY LANDING-SSTOPS-SS

NOW TO BREAKING NEWS --

A PLANE HEADED TO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING THIS AFTERNOON.

THAT ALLEGIANT FLIGHT LEFT SOUTH BEND, INDIANA AFTER NOON.

IT WAS HEADING TO PUNTA GORDA.

BUT DURING THE FLIGHT --

THE CARGO-AREA FIRE INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON.

ALLEGIANT EMERGENCY LANDING-SOTVO

:52 "they told us to relax on impact. When we landed, we went down pretty quickly."

THAT'S THE VOICE OF KATIE FRENCH.

SHE'S MARRIED TO A-B-C 7 REPORTER CLIFTON FRENCH.

SHE WAS ON THAT FLIGHT.

THE PILOT TOLD THEM TO GO LIMP.

THEY WERE GETTING READY FOR A CRASH LANDING.

ALLEGIANT EMERGENCY LANDING-SOTVO

i was terrified.absolutely terrified

THEY HAD TO USE EMERGENCY SLIDERS TO GET OFF THE FLIGHT.

NOW THEY'RE STUCK AT THE AIRPORT IN FORT WAYNE, WONDERING WHEN THEY CAN GET DOWN TO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

BREAKING-CLIP

NY FIRE SHOOTING ARREST-VO

ALSO BREAKING RIGHT NOW,

A 24-YEAR-OLD WOMAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE GUNS USED IN AN AMBUSH OF FIREFIGHTERS.

IT HAPPENED THIS WEEK IN WEBSTER -- NEW YORK.

DAWN NGUYEN FACES FEDERAL CHARGES OF KNOWINGLY MAKING A FALSE STATEMENT.

THE CHARGE IS CONNECTED TO THE PURCHASE OF A SEMIAUTOMATIC RIFLE AND A 12-GAUGE SHOTGUN BY WILLIAM SPENGLER.

SPENGLER SHOT AND KILLED 2 FIREFIGHTERS AND WOUNDED 2 OTHERS ON MONDAY AS THEY WERE RESPONDING TO A HOUSE FIRE.

DEVELOPING-CLIP

FM HOMICIDE-SS-VO.WIPE

FORT MYERS POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING THE 23-RD MURDER OF THE YEAR.

THE MOST VIOLENT YEAR IN THE CITY'S HISTORY CONTINUES.

ROBERT RAYBON WAS SHOT OUTSIDE A HOUSE EARLY THIS MORNING.

THE SHOOTING HAPPENED ON BERT DRIVE OFF VERONICA SHOEMAKER BOULEWARD.

POLICE ARE CALLING THIS AN "ISOLATED" INCIDENT.

FM HOMICIDE-SOT-OC

1540 "if somebody knows something, I suggest they say something because there are a lot of unsolved murders going around here."

FORT MYERS POLICE OFFICERS TELL US THEIR BIGGEST CHALLENGE IN SOLVING MURDERS IN THE AREA -- IS PEOPLE ARE NOT WILLING TO TALK TO DETECTIVES.

IN 20-10 THERE WERE 7 MURDERS IN FORT MYERS.

IN 2011 THERE WERE 20.

FMPD COCAINE BUS RIDE ALONG-SS VO.WIPE

FORT MYERS POLICE ARE MAKING DOZENS OF ARRESTS.

IT'S A PART OF A GUN AND DRUG SWEEP.

IT'S TAKEN 3 MONTHS--TO GATHER INFORMATION ON 22 PEOPLE.

THEY WERE ARRESTED IN THE CENTRAL AND DUNBAR AREAS OF FORT MYERS.

THEY'RE ACCUSED OF SELLING DRUGS NEAR SCHOOLS, DAY CARES AND CHURCHES.

ON THURSDAY- 10 OF THEM WERE ARRESTED.

THESE 8 PLUS 2 OTHERS.

ABC7 WENT ALONG FOR THE RIDE TODAY AS OFFICERS SEARCHED FOR OTHER SUSPECTS.

WITH CAMERAS IN THE CAR---POLICE GOT A TIP THAT SOME BOYS ON DAVIS COURT WERE WALKING AROUND WITH GUNS.

WHEN POLICE ARRIVED- A PURSUIT BEGAN.

2 MEN AND 2 JUVENILE BOYS WERE ARRESTED FOR RESISTING AN OFFICER WITHOUT VIOLENCE.

FMPD COCAINE BUS RIDE ALONG-SOTVO

22:03:15 without us getting these guns off the street there's going to be ore shootings, more murders. We need to keep going 22

POLICE ARE STILL LOOKING FOR THE 12 ADDITIONAL SUSPECTS.

GGE HOME INVASION 911 CALL-VO.WIPE

NEW AT 5 --

WE HAVE THE 911 CALL A COLLIER COUNTY WOMAN MADE MINUTES AFTER SHE WAS TIED UP AND ROBBED AT GUNPOINT.

IT HAPPENED AT HER HOUSE ON 11TH STREET SOUTHWEST IN GOLDEN GATE ESTATES.

THE WOMAN SAYS FOUR MEN DRAGGED HER AND HER HOUSE-MATE ACROSS THE LAWN AND INTO THE HOME.

GGE HOME INVASION 911 CALL-SOTVO

"1:00 they robbed my house they tied us up and told us to just keep quiet and not move. Dragged me across the lawn."

THE MEN RANSACKED THE HOUSE--STEALING MONEY AND JEWELRY.

DEPUTIES ARE STILL SEARCHING FOR THE MEN.

CAPE CAR INTO HOME-SS-VO.WIPE

A FORD PICKUP TRUCK CRASHES INTO A HOME IN CAPE CORAL.

LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT.

DETECTIVES TELL US 34-YEAR-OLD KARI ASSAID WAS BEHIND THE WHEEL.

THEY ARRESTED HER FOR DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE AND SLAMMING INTO THE HOME ALONG EL DORADO PARKWAY WEST.. IT HAPPENED JUST BEFORE TEN LAST NIGHT.

A MARRIED COUPLE AND THEIR 15 YEAR OLD SON WAS IN THE HOME AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH.

CAPE CAR INTO HOME-SOTVO

1036 "it was a loud crash. I heard a loud crash. I didn't know what it was. The lights went out and I was in a little bit of shock."

DETECTIVES SAY ASSAID BLEW A POINT ONE THREE.

NFM FIRE-SS-VO

A NORTH FORT MYERS FAMILY IS SAFE TONIGHT AFTER A FIRE.

FLAMES TORE THROUGH A MOBILE HOME ALONG MARX DRIVE EARLY THIS MORNING.

WE'RE TOLD THE FAMILY WAS INSIDE WHEN THE FIRE ERUPTED BUT MANAGED TO ESCAPE SAFELY.

THE AMERICAN RED CROSS IS HELPING THE FAMILY OUT TONIGHT.

CAPE HOUSE FIRE-VOTOPS

A HOUSE FIRE IN NORTHWEST CAPE CORAL IS RULED AN ACCIDENT.

FIRE OFFICIALS SAY IT WAS ELECTRICIAL.

IT BROKE OUT EARLY THIS MORNING ON NORTHWEST 43RD AVENUE.

NO ONE WAS HURT.

NO PORT STRIKE-VO

NO STRIKE!

DOCK WORKERS ON THE EAST COAST AND GULF COAST PORTS WON'T WALK OFF THE JOB THIS WEEKEND.

LONGSHOREMEN HAD THREATENED A POSSIBLE STRIKE ON SUNDAY THAT COULD HAVE SHUT DOWN THOSE PORTS.

BUT NOW, AN EXPIRED CONTRACT FOR WORKERS HAS BEEN EXTENDED FOR ANOTHER 30 DAYS WHILE NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE.

FISCAL CLIFF-OC

PRESIDENT OBAMA MET WITH KEY CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS DURING AN 11TH HOUR MEETING AT THE WHITE HOUSE TODAY.

IT'S A LAST DITCH EFFORT TO STOP THE NATION FROM FALLING OFF THE SO-CALLED FISCAL CLIFF.

FISCAL CLIFF-PKG

President Obama summoned Congressional leaders to the White House today.

hoping to strike a deal to avoid the fiscal cliff.

The power brokers have just four days before the government starts slashing

military and domestic spending as most Americans get hit with tax hikes.

Reporter: Any word about a mini deal?

Boehner:

President Obama is pushing for a stop-gap measure that would AT LEAST avoid

tax increases on people earning less than $250,000, and extend long-term

unemployment benefits.

On Capitol Hill, frustration is growing.with both Republicans and

Democrats sounding like they've given up.

Lamar Alexander-SOT-

THEY ARE SITTING DOWN AT THE WHITE HOUSE, LIKE A HARVARD LAW REVIEW MEETING

.

Outside the Capitol, Democrats hauled out a Times Square ball prop with the

message "don't drop the ball."

Tom Harkin -SOT-

THIS IS A MANUFACTURED CRISIS. IT'S NOT A REAL CRISIS. /IT IS MANUFACTURED

BY THE REPUBLICANS WHO REFUSE TO ASK THOSE WHO HAVE THE MOST TO GIVE MORE.

A stop-gap measure that would avoid tax hikes on 98 percent of Americans--

which looks like the only thing possible before the New Year -- is much

smaller than many in Washington and Wall Street had hoped for.

Republicans blame President Obama for the collapse of a bigger deal that

would have cut spending and reduce the country's debt.

Bob Corker -SOT-

IT IS THE PRESIDENT'S RESPONSIBITY TO LAY OUT A PLAN AND BRING PEOPLE

TOGETHER, BUT IT IS A TOTAL DERELICTION OF DUTY, AND CANDIDLY A LACK OF

COURAGE TO DEAL WITH THESE ISSUES.

O/C Close:

"THE LEGISLATIVE PATH FORWARD RESTS IN THE HANDS OF THE SENATESINCE HOUSE

MEMBERS DON'T GET BACK TO WASHINGTON UNTIL SUNDAY NIGHT. Tahman Bradley, ABC

SCHWARZKOPF TRIBUTES-VO

TRIBUTES ARE STILL POURING IN TONIGHT FOR GENERAL NORMAN SCHWARZKOPF.

"STORMIN' NORMAN," AS HE BECAME KNOWN DURING THE FIRST GULF WAR. DIED YESTERDAY IN TAMPA OF COMPLICATIONS FROM PNEUMONIA.

HE WAS 78 YEARS OLD.

SCHWARZKOPF DROVE IRAQI FORCES OUT OF KUWAIT IN 1991 DURING OPERATION DESERT STORM.

FORMER PRESIDENT GEORGE H.W. BUSH ISSUED A STATEMENT FROM HIS HOSPITAL BED CALLING SCHWARZKOPF "A GOOD AND DECENT MAN."

CHARCO RED TIDE-VO.WIPE

IT'S BEEN GONE FOR TWO MONTHS---

NOW RED TIDE IS BACK.

IT'S PLAGUING THE BEACHES OF SARASOTA AND CHARLOTTE COUNTIES.

THIS IS VIDEO FROM STUMP PASS STATE PARK

DEAD FISH LITTER THE SAND, PILING UP AS THE WAVES COME CRASHING IN.

A RED TIDE BLOOM FIRST HIT THIS AREA IN OCTOBER.

NOW OFFICIALS SAY THE CONCENTRATION HAS PICKED UP ALONG THE COAST PARTICULARLY IN SARASOTA AND CHARLOTTE COUNTIES.

CHARCO RED TIDE-SOTVO

brea Oliver, New York

"I was really surprised I was shocked they were here and no body was cleaning them up and that there were so many.'

Ashley Law, New York

"I knew the red rude was here so u knew there'd be some dead fish. It was more than I expected. "

NEXT AT 5:00 OPEN-CLIP

TEASE ONE------------

TONIGHT A RECALL TO TELL YOU ABOUT.

YOU'RE BABIES JEANS MAY NOT BE SAFE.

MORE THAN 100-THOUSAND PAIRS ARE BEING RECALLED.

WE'LL TELL YOU WHY THE PANTS ARE A CHOKING HAZARD.

AND --

CAN YOU AFFORD IT?

PRICES KEEP GOING UP --

IN ABC7'S SMART SHOPPER --WE'LL TELL YOU 5 THINGS THAT WILL COST YOU MORE IN 2013.

TZ1A) JEANS RECALL-VOTOPS

TZ1B) PRICE HIKE 2013-VOTOPS

ARKANSAS SNOW-VOTOPS

POWER COULD BE OUT IN PARTS OF ARKANSAS UNTIL AFTER THE START OF THE NEW YEAR AFTER A WINTER STORM THIS WEEK.

A CHRISTMAS DAY BLIZZARD DUMPED MORE THAN 15 INCHES OF SNOW.

STORMWARN OPEN-CLIP

FORECAST-PHC

THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE ABC7 WEATHER STAFF.

FORECAST-WXWALL

SHOWERS ON AND OFF

Tonight and again tomorrow afternoon we will see a few showers across southwest Florida. The favored areas for seeing rain tonight will be along and north of the Caloosahatchee River … especially in Charlotte county. Temperatures tonight will be very mild compared to last night and we will only drop into the 60's this evening. A breeze from the southwest will help keep the temperatures from dropping off tonight and will also help warm us back to 77 - 80 degrees tomorrow afternoon. A cold front is expected to cross the area in the late afternoon tomorrow. In advance of the front we will see variable clouds with showers and/or a thunderstorm arrive in the late afternoon. It will also be windy tomorrow with southwest winds at 15 - 20 and gusty throughout the day.

TOSS TO NINA-OC

WE DON'T WANT TO PUT A DAMPER ON THE NEW YEAR'S EXCITEMENT-

BUT THERE ARE MANY ITEMS EXPECTED TO COST YOU MORE IN 2013-

ABC 7 SMART SHOPPER NINA MOINI IS HERE TO PREPARE YOU FOR FIVE THINGS YOU CAN EXPECT TO PAY MORE FOR.

PRICE HIKES 2013-TC MON

FIRST UP - YOU CAN EXPECT TO PAY MORE FOR YOUR SMARTPHONE-

SUBSIDIES FOR SMARTPHONES ARE ON THE WAY OUT.

PROVIDERS HAVE LONG OFFERED PHONES FOR REDUCED PRICES IF YOU SIGN A LONG-TERM CONTRACT.

PRICE HIKES 2013-PKG

GFX 2.5% TO 3.5%

FINANCIAL EXPERTS AT DEALNEWS SAY COPPER PRICES COULD ALSO BE ON THE RISE 2 POINT FIVE TO THREE POINT FIVE PERCENT AFTER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION APPROVED A FUND TO TRADE THE METAL.

LIKE GOLD - THIS COULD LEAD TO LESS OF IT AND HIGHER PRICES.

BUT THE DIFFERENCE - COPPER IS USED IN PLENTY OF POPULAR CONSUMER ITEMS LIKE POTS, KETTLES AND EVEN EQUIPMENT FOR BREWING BEER, DISTILLING LIQOUR AND MAKING CANDY.

MEANING YOUR FAVORITE DRINKS COULD COST MORE.

GFX 4%

GROCERY PRICES FOR EVERYTHING FROM MEAT, TO DAIRY TO GRAINS WILL INCREASE BY AS MUCH AS FOUR PERCENT BECAUSE OF THIS PAST SUMMER'S DROUGHT.

"That means a family of four that spends 700 dollars a month on groceries can expect to spend about 28 extra dollars a month come 2013."

GFX 4.5% TO 4.9%

SHIPPING COSTS ARE SET TO SPIKE BY ALMOST 5 PERCENT.

FEDEX IS SLATED TO RAISE RATES STARTING JANUARY SEVENTH.

UPS AND OTHER SHIPPING GIANTS WILL LIKELY FOLLOW SOON AFTER.

PRICE HIKES 2013-TC MON

AND DAILY DEAL SITES LIKE GROUPON AND LIVINGSOCIAL ARE CUTTING BACK ON DISCOUNTS, TOO.

THE MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR WORLD WIDE INDUSTRY IS FACING TOO MANY COMPETITIORS AND NOT ENOUGH PROFITS.

JEANS RECALL-VID BOX

WE HAVE A RECALL ALERT FOR YOU TONIGHT INVOLVING CHILDREN'S CLOTHING.

ALMOST 150 THOUSAND "FALLS CREEK" INFANT AND TODDLER DENIM JEANS ARE BEING RECALLED.

IT TURNS OUT THE SNAP ON THE FRONT OF THE JEANS CAN COME "OFF."

THAT POSES A CHOKING HAZARD.

YOU CAN BRING THE JEANS BACK TO THE STORE YOU BOUGHT IT FROM.

TOP COMPLAINTS IN 2012-CG REVEAL

WHEN I WAS A KID, MY MOM USED TO SAY "I'LL GIVE YOU SOMETHING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT."

WELL, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT WHAT PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT.

WE HAVE THE LIST OF THE TOP 10 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS IN FLORIDA THIS YEAR.

ACCORDING TO THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER SERVICES --

VIOLATING THE DO-NOT-CALL LIST TOPS THE LIST.

THEY FIELDED MORE THAN 17 THOUSAND COMPLAINTS.

IN SECOND --

TELEMARKETING.

MORE THAN FOUR THOUSAND COMPLAINTS.

COMMUNICATION ISSUES --

LANDLORD/TENANT ISSUES --

AND PROBLEMS WITH PEOPLE SELLING SOMETHING RELATED TO TRAVEL FOUND OUT THE TOP FIVE.

ALSO IRRITATING PEOPLE THIS YEAR --

CIRCUS SETTLEMENT-VO

THE PRODUCERS OF RINGLING BROTHERS AND BARNUM AND BAILEY CIRCUS IS GETTING 9 MILLION DOLLARS.

ITS WHAT AN ANIAL RIGHTS GROUP HAS TO PAY THEM.

FELD ENTERTAINMENT WHICH IS BASED IN TAMPA ACCUSED THE A-S-P-C-A OF BRINGING FALSE LAWSUITS AGAINST THEM RELATED TO ALLEGED ABUSE OF THEIR ELEPHANTS.

NEW AT 5:00 OPEN-CLIP

TEASE TWO------------

POLICE RESPOND TO AN EMERGENCY CALL AT THEIR OWN STATION.

THIS AFTER A MAN IN CUSTODY --GRABS A GUN --AND OPENS FIRE.

HOW HE GOT THE WEAPON.

AND HOW POLICE TOOK HIM DOWN.

PLUS--

GUNS IN CLASSROOMS.

ONE STATE --WANTS IT TO HAPPEN.

EVEN OFFERING TEACHERS FREE TRAINING CLASSES.

THE ONE STATE THAT THINKS IT COULD BE THE ONLY WAY TO PREVENT SCHOOL SHOOTINGS.

TZ2A) NJ POLICE STATION SHOOT-SOTVO-WIPE

TZ2A) UTAH TEACHERS GUN TRAINING-VOTOPS

BUMP SHOT-BUMP IN

UTAH TEACHERS GUN TRAINING-VO IN POP

THE DEBATE'S BEEN INTENSE AFTER THE SCHOOL SHOOTING.

SOME WANT MORE GUNS IN SCHOOLS.

OTHERS SAY KEEP THEM ALL OUT.

TONIGHT --

A DIFFERENT APPROACH FROM UTAH.

UTAH TEACHERS GUN TRAINING-PKG

THERE IS JUST ONE THING ON THE LESSON PLAN FOR THESE UTAH TEACHERS: HOW TO

PACK HEAT. ON THE JOB.

SOT

to have them, handle them and know how to use them and to be able to use

them appropriately is really, quite, high-priority for me.

WHILE THIS GUN MAY BE FAKE MANY FEAR THE THREATS FACING SCHOOL

CLASSROOMS ARE VERY REAL.

AND SO 200 TEACHERS MET OVER THE HOLIDAY BREAK TO BECOME STUDENTS THEMSELVES

. LEARNING HOW TO PROTECT THEIR CLASSROOMS FROM AN ARMED INTRUDER.

SOT -- 16;33;39;02

we'll never know how many lives could've been saved at Sandy Hook Elementary

if someone had a firearm.

SINCE THAT SHOOTING AT SANDY HOOK, MORE AND MORE STATES ARE LOOKING TO ADD

THEIR NAMES TO THE FEW THAT ALREADY ALLOW GUNS IN SOME FORM IN PUBLIC

SCHOOLS.

APPLICATIONS AT ONE OHIO SHOOTING CLASS ARE UP 20 PERCENT. AND IT'S

EVERYONE FROM TEACHERS TO BUS DRIVERS TO JANITORS WANTING TO LEARN HOW TO

ARM THEMSELVES ON CAMPUS.

SOT

The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun

SOT

The NRA's blanket call to arm our schools is really nothing more than a

distraction.

AS THE DEBATE IN WASHINGTON RAGES ON.SO DO THE CLASSES ON HOW TO ARM

TEACHERS IN UTAH.

SOT

we just want to make sure people have the tools at their disposal to

mitigate risk and save lives at the end of the day

THIS TRAINING WAS SO POPULAR. THERE'S ALREADY ANOTHER ONE PLANNED FOR THE

NEXT SCHOOL BREAK.

NATS -- TRAINING

TEASE THREE

PASSENGERS USING EMERGENCY SLIDES TO ESCAPE.

TONIGHT THOSE ON BOARD TELL US WHAT WENT WRONG---ON THE PUNTA GORDA BOUND FLIGHT.

PLUS--

SHOTS FIRED IN A NEW JERSEY POLICE STATION.

HOW AN ACCUSED CRIMINAL GOT HOLD OF A GUN WHILE IN CUSTODY.

AND --

AN UNSUSPECTED RUN IN --IN EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK.

A FAMILY STUMBLES INTO A PYTHONS PATH.

TZ3A) ALLEGIANT EMERGENCY LAND-SOTVO-WIPE

TZ3B) NJ POLICE STATION SHOOT-VOTOPS-WIPE

TZ3C) FL GIANT SNAKE-VOTOPS

BUMP SHOT-BUMP OUT

STORMWARN-CLIP

FIRST WX-WXWALL

SHOWERS ON AND OFF

Tonight and again tomorrow afternoon we will see a few showers across southwest Florida. The favored areas for seeing rain tonight will be along and north of the Caloosahatchee River … especially in Charlotte county. Temperatures tonight will be very mild compared to last night and we will only drop into the 60's this evening. A breeze from the southwest will help keep the temperatures from dropping off tonight and will also help warm us back to 77 - 80 degrees tomorrow afternoon. A cold front is expected to cross the area in the late afternoon tomorrow. In advance of the front we will see variable clouds with showers and/or a thunderstorm arrive in the late afternoon. It will also be windy tomorrow with southwest winds at 15 - 20 and gusty throughout the day.

FISCAL CLIFF-VO

BREAKING NEWS,

PRESIDENT OBAMA IS EXPECTED TO MAKE A STATEMENT ON THE FISCAL CLIFF IN ABOUT 15 MINUTES.

THIS IS FOLLOWING A MEETING WITH CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS.

THE PRESIDENT MET FOR ABOUT AN HOUR TODAY WITH HOUSE SPEAKER JOHN BOEHNER, SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER MITCH MCCONNELL, SENATE MAJORITY LEADER HARRY REID AND HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADER NANCY PELOSI.

BOTH SIDES ARE TRYING TO PREVENT MIDDLE-CLASS TAX INCREASES AND SPENDING CUTS FROM TAKING EFFECT AT THE TURN OF THE NEW YEAR.

TS ALLEGIANT EMERGENCY LANDING-VID BOX

MAKING NEWS RIGHT NOW AT 5-30 --

AN ALLEGIANT AIR FLIGHT HEADED TO PUNTA GORDA HAD TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING TODAY.

THE FLIGHT FROM SOUTH BEND, INDIANA LANDED IN FORT WAYNE AFTER A CARGO-AREA FIRE INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON.

THERE WERE 149 PASSENGERS ON BOARD.

EVERYONE'S O-K.

TS FM HOMICIDE-VID BOX

POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING ANOTHER MURDER IN FORT MYERS.

OFFICERS WERE CALLED TO BERT DRIVE AROUND 5 THIS MORNING FOR SHOTS FIRED.

35 YEAR OLD Robert Raybon WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE.

TS RED TIDE CHARCO CO-VID BOX

RED TIDE IS BACK IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

A RED TIDE BLOOM FIRST HIT IN OCTOBER.

NOW OFFICIALS SAY THE CONCENTRATION HAS PICKED UP ALONG THE COAST PARTICULARLY IN SARASOTA AND CHARLOTTE COUNTIES.

NJ POLICE STATION SHOOTING-VOTOPS-2 SHOT

THREE NEW JERSEY POLICE OFFICERS ARE RECOVERING FROM THEIR INJURIES TONIGHT AFTER A MAN GRABBED A GUN AND OPENED FIRE INSIDE A POLICE STATION.

HI I'M JEFF BUTERA.

AND I'M CHRISTINA LUSBY.

THE GUNMAN WAS SHOT AND KILLED BY POLICE.

NJ POLICE STATION SHOOTING-PKG

POLICE IN GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NEW JERSEY SAY PARAMEDICS RACED TO POLICE

HEADQUARTERS AROUND 5:30 THIS MORNING, RESPONDING TO REPORTS OF GUNFIRE.

AUTHORITIES SAY IT ALL STARTED WHEN A MAN WAS BROUGHT TO THE STATION ON

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CHARGES

Struggled occurred while the suspect was being processed the

suspect. obtained the firearm and fired on our police officers. right

now we have one officer who was shot below his bullet proof vest

THIS WOMAN, WHO LIVES ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE STATION, DESCRIBES THE

EARLY SCENE.

I saw them throw somebody into an ambulance. It was very, very

quick. Police officers jumping into the ambulance.and then taking off very

quick.

THE TWO OTHER WOUNDED OFFICERS WERE GRAZED BY BULLETS, AND WERE ALSO TAKEN

TO THE HOSPITAL.

as a result the officers returned fire and suspect is

deceased at this time in the police station. investigation is being handled

by Camden County prosecutor office with assistance of.

ITS THE LATEST SURPRISE ATTACK ON FIRST RESPONDERS THIS WEEK. ON CHRISTMAS

EVE IN UPSTATE NEW YORK, CONVICTED FELON WILLIAM SPENGLER, LURED VOLUNTEER

FIREFIGHTERS INTO A DEADLY TRAP BY SETTING FIRE TO HIS HOME. BUT ONCE THEY

ARRIVED, HE STARTED SHOOTING AT THEM WITH A HIGH-POWERED RIFLE -KILLING TWO

OF THEM, AND WOUNDING 3 OTHERS.

AUTHORITIES IN THE NEW JESREY SHOOTING HAVE YET TO RELEASE THE NAME OF THE

SUSPECT.

ON CAMERA CLOSE: THE TWO OFFICERS WHO WERE GRAZED BY BULLETS ARE LISTED IN

STABLE CONDITION AND ARE EXPECTED TO BE RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL LATER

NY SUBWAY DEATH-VO

POLICE ARE SEARCHING TONIGHT FOR A WOMAN WHO KILLED A MAN BY PUSHING HIM IN FRONT OF A SUBWAY TRAIN IN NEW YORK.

THIS IS SURVELLIANCE VIDEO OF THE WOMAN RUNNING AWAY FROM THE STATION AFTER THE ATTACK

WITNESSES SAY SHE WALKED UP BEHIND AN UNSUSPECTING MAN AND PUSHED HIM INTO THE PATH OF AN ONCOMING TRAIN AT A QUEENS SUBWAY PLATFORM.

THE MAN DIED AT THE SCENE.

IT IS THE SECOND TIME THIS MONTH THAT A PERSON HAS BEEN SHOVED ONTO SUBWAY TRAIN TRACKS AND KILLED.

COWBOY PLAYER DUI-BNR-VO

ABC7 HAS NEW DETAILS TONIGHT ABOUT THAT DRUNK DRIVING CRASH THAT KILLED A DALLAS COWBOYS FOOTBALL PLAYER.

AUTHORITIES NOW SAY THE DRIVER, COWBOYS NOSE TACKLE JOSH BRENT'S BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL WAS MORE THAN TWICE THE LEGAL LIMIT.

THE DECEMBER 8TH CRASH IN IRVING, TEXAS KILLED COWBOY TEAM MATE JERRY BROWN JUNIOR.

FREE ROOMS FOR NYC FIREFIGHTERS-VO

A WOMAN IS NOW CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH A SHOOTING THAT KILLED 2 FIREFIGHTERS IN NEW YORK THIS WEEK.

DAWN NGUYEN FACES A STATE CHARGE OF FILING A FALSIFIED BUSINESS RECORD.

THE CHARGE IS CONNECTED TO THE PURCHASE OF A SEMIAUTOMATIC RIFLE AND A 12-GAUGE SHOTGUN BY WILLIAM SPENGLER.

SPENGLER SHOT AND KILLED FIREFIGHTERS MIKE CHIAPPERINI AND TOMASZ KACZOWKA ON MONDAY AS THEY WERE RESPONDING TO A HOUSE FIRE.

THEY WILL BE LAID TO REST ON SUNDAY AND MONDAY.

THOUSANDS OF FIREFIGHTERS ARE EXPECTED TO HEAD TO WEBSTER THIS WEEKEND FOR THEIR SERVICES.

THANKS TO MANY GENEROUS DONATIONS, A LOT OF THEM WILL STAY AT THE HAMPTON INN FOR FREE.

JET BLUE IS PAYING FOR AIR FARE FOR SOME OF THEM.

ALSO ROCHESTER SHUTTLE

FL MAN DOUSED WITH GAS-VO.WIPE

A FLORIDA MAN IS BURNED ON 75 PERCENT OF HIS BODY TONIGHT AFTER HE SET ON FIRE.

IT HAPPENED ON CHRISTMAS DAY IN THE MIAMI AREA.

DARRELL BRACKETT WENT TO A GAS STATION AFTER HIS VAN RAN OUT OF GAS.

HIS GIRLFRIEND SAYS HE WAS CHASED ACROSS THE STREET BY 3 MEN, DOUSED WITH GAS IN THE MEDIAN, AND THEN SET ON FIRE.

FL MAN DOUSED WITH GAS-SOTVO

If there's somebody out there who knows something, there's someone who knows what really happened, the only thing I'm asking is for somebody to just have a little heart. Take a little time, let your conscience be your guide. Come forward, you know.

VT FIRE DESTROYS FARM-VO

A 150 YEAR OLD FAMILY FARM IN VERMONT IS NO MORE AFTER A FIRE.

CHECK OUT THESE STUNNING PICTURES.

FIRE INVESTIGATORS SAY A PIECE OF FARM EQUIPMENT STARTED THE FIRE ON WEDNESDAY.

FLAMES SPREAD QUICKLY THROUGH THE DRY, WOOD STRUCTURES.

THE ENTIRE BARN AND HOUSE WERE ENGULFED IN FLAMES WITHIN MINUTES.

NO FAMILY MEMBERS OR ANIMALS WERE INJURED IN THE FIRE.

CHICAGO MURDERS-VO

IT'S BEEN A DANGEROUS YEAR IN CHICAGO.

THE CITY HAS SEEN 500 MURDERS HAPPEN SO FAR THIS YEAR.

JUST LAST NIGHT A WOMAN WAS SHOT IN THE HEAD.

THE CITY'S HOMICIDE RATE IS UP 17 PERCENT THIS YEAR.

THEY SAY THERE HAVEN'T BEEN THIS MANY MURDERS IN CHICAGO SINCE 2008.

GUN FOUND IN DONATED TOY-VO.WIPE

A WOMAN IN HARLEM, NEW YORK IS UPSET TONIGHT AFTER HER FOSTER CHILD FOUND A GUN IN A DONATED CHRISTMAS TOY.

they call me mommy and I just want to be able to help them that's it

42-YEAR-OLD SHEBA ANDERSON TAKES CARE OF 5 CHILDREN.

ONE OF THEM.AN 8-YEAR OLD GIRL OPENED UP A DONATED GIFT CHRISTMAS MORNING.

INSIDE THE BOX WAS A TEDDY BEAR AND A BLACK REVOLVER.

THE GIFT WAS ALREADY WRAPPED WHEN SHE GOT IT DURING A TOY GIVEAWAY.

GUN FOUND IN DONATED TOY-SOTVO

i'm trying to figure out too i'm still.i just want them to be more careful that's all i'm asking

THE ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN'S

FL GIANT SNAKE-VO

QUITE THE SHOCK FOR A FAMILY VISITING EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK HERE IN FLORIDA.

THEY SAW A 17-FOOT BURMESE PYTHON THERE.

THE FAMILY CAPTURED THE PYTHON ON CAMERA.

IT WAS KILLED BY A PARK RANGER.

FWC WILL HOST A 2013 PYTHON CHALLENGE NEXT MONTH.

THEY HOPE THIS WILL HELP CONTROL THE EXPANDING POPULATION.

A GRAND PRIZE OF 15-HUNDRED DOLLARS WILL GO TO THE PERSON WHO KILLS THE MOST PYTHONS.

PUTIN SIGNS ADOPTION BAN-VO

IT BECAME OFFICIAL TODAY.

RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN SIGNED INTO LAW A BILL THAT BANS ADOPTIONS BY AMERICANS.

THE MEASURE IS IN RETALIATION FOR A NEW U-S LAW IMPOSING SANCTIONS ON RUSSIANS DEEMED TO BE HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATORS.

IT FREEZES THE AMERICAN ASSETS OF RUSSIANS ACCUSED OF ABUSING HUMAN RIGHTS.

CHINA VISIT YOUR PARENTS ORDER-OC

YOU MUST VISIT YOUR PARENTS IN CHINA.

THE NATIONAL LEGISLATURE THERE

AMENDED ITS LAW TODAY.

IT REQUIRES THAT ADULT CHILDREN VISIT THEIR AGED PARENTS "OFTEN" - OR RISK BEING SUED BY THEM.

FOOD CLOCK-VO

IN YOUR ABC7 HEALTHY LIVING TONIGHT.

A WAY TO LOSE ALL THAT HOLIDAY WEIGHT.

RESET YOUR FOOD CLOCK.

RESEARCHERS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN FRANCISCO SAY YOUR BODY HAS A FOOD CLOCK.

IT KEEPS YOUR METABOLISM WORKING AT A CERTAIN PACE.

EXERCISE AND CANCER-VO.WIPE

KEEP WORKING OUT IF YOU DON'T LOSE WEIGHT.

THERE MAY BE ANOTHER HEALTH BENEFIT.

RESEARCHERS SAY REGULAR EXERCISE CAN LOWER YOUR RISK OF CANCER EVEN IF YOU DON'T SHED ANY POUNDS.

THEY FOUND THOSE WHO DO IT HAD

ABOUT A 25 PERCENT DECREASE IN COLON CANCER AND 20 TO 25 PERCENT DECREASE FOR BREAST CANCER.

EXERCISE AND CANCER-SOTVO

"We're not saying you've got to become a marathon runner or a vegetarian you actually here in terms of exercise you actually increasing activity will lower risk of cancer."

EXPERTS RECOMMEND YOU EXERCISE AT LEAST 30 MINUTES OF MODERATE ACTIVITY FIVE OR MORE DAYS OF THE WEEK.

LIGHT LASER DOG THERAPY-OC

THIS TIME OF YEAR MORE PEOPLE ARE DEPRESSED.

IT'S CALLED SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER OR SAD AND USUALLY OCCURS DURING THE COLD, DARK MONTHS OF WINTER.

BUT, HUMANS AREN'T THE ONLY ONES WHO SUFFER FROM IT.

DOGS CAN ALSO BE DEPRESSED.

LIGHT LASER DOG THERAPY-PKG

OF ALL THE ABSURD THINGS WE DO FOR OUR PETS THE MASSAGES. THE THEMED

BIRTHDAY PARTIES. THE TREADMILLS. THE HIGH-END COUTURE. PARIS HILTON'S

$325-THOUSAND DOLLAR DOGHOUSE. WITH CHANDELIERS, AIR CONDITIONING AND

MOULDINGS.

** NATS OF HILTON SHOWING HOUSE TO HARRIS

. OF ALL THE OVER-THE-TOP PAMPERING THIS PICTURE. AT FIRST GLANCE, AT

LEAST. STRUCK ME AS THE APEX OF THIS PARTICULAR BRAND OF MANIA.

THIS DOE-EYED LITTLE POOCH IS STARING INTO AN ARTIFICIAL SUNLIGHT GENERATOR

JUST IN CASE HE'S GETTING DEPRESSED FROM LACK OF SUNLIGHT.

THE THING IS EVEN MADE BY A COMPANY CALLED. PAWSITIVE LIGHTING!

BUT THEN I HEARD ABOUT THE GUY WHO STARTED THE COMPANY. MAX MARVIN. WHO,

NOT LONG AGO, WAS SUFFERING FROM A FIERCE CASE OF INSOMNIA.

MAX'S DOCTOR TOLD HIM TO USE A LIGHT BOX TO BRIGHTEN THE GLOOMY WINTER DAYS

IN PORTLAND, OREGON. AND IT WORKED. NOT ONLY ON MAX. BUT ALSO HIS

GOLDEN RETRIEVER, LUKE.

SOT, Max Marvin/Founder of Pawsitive Lighting

20:00:08- "Luke and I were both basking in the sun every single morning and

I found that he was just completely drawn to the light."

MAX DID SOME RESEARCH. AND IT TURNS OUT LOTS OF VETS THINK PETS *

MIGHT* BE GETTING SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER. A CONDITION THAT CAUSES

DEPRESSION IN HUMANS. AND IN ANIMALS MAY LEAD TO LETHARGY, LACK OF

APPETITE, CLAWING AND INAPPROPRIATE POOPING.

SOT, Dr. Marty Becker/Veterinarian

"Unlike humans, pets don't fake it. They don't say I don't want to show up

to work today so I'll call in sick, right?But if you eliminate all the

other things that are true problems. then you'd have to look

from the fact that this pet may be depressed. "

SOT, Max Marvin/Founder of Pawsitive Lighting

20:02:36- "Luke would just be on his back enjoying the light, happy as can

be."

AT 200 BUCKS. IT'S CHEAPER THAN A DIAMOND-STUDDED COLLAR. / AND WHO

KNOWS. MAYBE AT THE VERY LEAST, IT WILL CHEER UP THE HUMANS IN THE HOUSE.

.

NEW AT 5:00 OPEN-CLIP

TEASE FOUR-2 SHOT

AGAIN, WE ARE EXPECTING PRESIDENT OBAMA TO SPEAK ANY MINUTE ABOUT THE FISCAL CLIFF.

WE WILL BRING THOSE COMMENTS TO YOU LIVE WHEN IT HAPPENS.

TZ4A) PARENT STALKERS-VOTOPS -WIPE

TZ4B) CHARITY REGIFTING-VOTOPS

STORM WARN JP OPEN-CLIP

CROSSTALK-WX EST

FORECAST-PHC

THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE ABC7 WEATHER STAFF.

FORECAST-WXWALL

SHOWERS ON AND OFF

Tonight and again tomorrow afternoon we will see a few showers across southwest Florida. The favored areas for seeing rain tonight will be along and north of the Caloosahatchee River … especially in Charlotte county. Temperatures tonight will be very mild compared to last night and we will only drop into the 60's this evening. A breeze from the southwest will help keep the temperatures from dropping off tonight and will also help warm us back to 77 - 80 degrees tomorrow afternoon. A cold front is expected to cross the area in the late afternoon tomorrow. In advance of the front we will see variable clouds with showers and/or a thunderstorm arrive in the late afternoon. It will also be windy tomorrow with southwest winds at 15 - 20 and gusty throughout the day.

PARENTS STALKERS-OC

A UNIQUE COURT CASE TONIGHT.

A COLLEGE STUDENT SAYS HER OWN PARENTS WERE STALKING HER.

SO SHE WENT TO COURT TO GET A RESTRAINING ORDER AGAINST THEM.

AND.A JUDGE AGREED WITH HER.

PARENTS STALKERS-PKG

NATS Aubrey singing

AUBREY IRELAND IS A GIFTED 21 YEAR OLD THEATRE MAJOR.

often winning major roles in her school's musicals.but her latest win wasn

't

AT her PRESTIGIOUS MUSIC CONSERVATORY. but in court.after she filed

a civil stalking order against her parents.

EARLIER THIS MONTH, a judge RULED in her favor, ordering that her parents

MUST STAY AT LEAST 500 FEET FROM THEIR ONLY CHILD.

Aubrey They basically thought that they were paying for my college tuition

and living expenses

that they could tell me what to do who to hang out with.basically control

all of my daily life.

The dean's list student's COMPLAINTS AGAINST HER PARENTS BEGAN WHEN

SHE realized THEY'D INSTALLED MONITORING SOFTWARE ON HER COMPUTER

AND HER PHONE.MAKING THE SINGING HOPEFUL FEEL LIKE QUOTE

"A DOG WITH A COLLAR."

THEY ALSO PAID UNANNOUCED VISITS TO THEIR LITTLE GIRL.TRAVELING 600

MILES FROM THEIR HOME IN KANSAS.TO MEET WITH AUBREY'S DEPARTMENT

HEAD.ACCUSING THEIR DAUGHTER OF PROMISCUITY, DOING DRUGS, AND HAVING

MENTAL ISSUES TO THE POINT WHERE THEY WERE CONSIDERING GOING TO COURT

TO ORDER THAT SHE GET TREATMENT.

Aubrey My mom has always been very overly involved.

I would have to get on skype all the time to show them that I was in

my dorm room or there were nights I had to leave my skype on all night and

my

mom would watch me basically sleep.

She claims her parents, DAVID AND JULIE IRELAND, have been

diagnosed with co dependency disorder.but *they* say their daughter is

just

a good actor, saying she is lying and calling her "AN ONLY CHILD WHO

HAS BEEN CATERED TO ALL HER LIFE."

BECAUSE AUBREY HAS CUT ALL TIES WITH THEM IN A VERY PUBLIC WAY.

They now want a refund of the 66 thousand DOLLARS they've already paid

TOWARD HER EDUCATION. HER MOTHER SAYS "WE'RE NOT BOTHERING HER.

WE'RE NOT A PROBLEM."

Aubrey I never wanted this to happen that's the last thing I wanted but.I

wasn't

in control of my life at all anymore.I knew that they were holding me back

emotionally, mentally, and professionally and that it got to the point where

that was basically

my last option.

BEYONCE SUPER BOWL CONTEST-VO

YOU CAN WIN THE CHANCE TO BE ON STAGE WITH BEYONCE DURING THE SUPER BOWL.

STARTING TOMORROW FANS CAN GO TO PEPSI-DOT-COM-SLASH-HALFTIME AND SUBMIT PHOTOS OF THEMSELVES IN VARIOUS POSES SUCH AS HEAD-BOPPING, FEET TAPPING AND HIP SHAKING.

FROM THOSE SUBMISSIONS, 50 WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN.

TOM CRUISE DATING AGAIN-VO

TOM CRUISE IS REPORTEDLY GETTING BACK INTO THE DATING GAME.

6 MONTHS AFTER HIS DIVORCE FROM KATIE HOLMES, THE ACTOR WAS SPOTTED AT NIGHT CLUB WITH 26-YEAR-OLD RESTAURANT MANAGER CYNTHIA JORGE.

JORGE ISN'T THE ONLY RUMORED LOVE INTEREST IN CRUISE'S LIFE.

HE WAS ALSO REPORTELDY SEEN IN SWEDEN EARLIER THIS MONTH-- GETTING COZY WITH JENNIFER ACKERMAN.

SHE IS MALIN ACKERMAN'S SISTER WHO CRUISE STARRED OPPOSITE WITH IN "ROCK OF AGES".

TRAFFIC JAM LOVE-VO

YOU CAN APPARENTLY FIND LOVE ANYWHERE INCLUDING A TRAFFIC JAM.

TATYANA AND MIKHAIL LIVE IN MOSCOW.

THEY MET ONLINE ON A CHAT ROOM WHEN BOTH WERE ASKING FOR ADVICE WHEN STUCK IN TRAFFIC.

MIKHAIL ANSWERED TATYANA'S PLEA FOR ADVICE ON HOW TO AVOID THE GRIDLOCK.

SHE THEN ASKED HIM TO CALL HER AND THE REST IS HISTORY.

CHARITY REGIFTING-VO.WIPE

THERE'S A WAY TO GET RID OF THOSE UNWANTED GIFTS CARDS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON AND HELP THOSE IN NEED.

YOU CAN DONATE THE CARDS OR GIFT CARD BALANCES OF ANY AMOUNT FROM ANY STORE - TO CHARITY.

THE ORGANIZATIONS THEN RE-SELL THE GIFT CARDS ONLINE FOR CASH.

CHARITY REGIFTING-SOTVO

You name it whatever it may be, instead of re-gifting it, gift it to the charity of your choice."

BEFORE YOU DONATE, GO TO CHARITY NAVIGATOR DOT COM.

SANIBEL TOP FL DESTINATION-VO

A SOUTHWEST FLORIDA BEACH TOWN IS IN THE TOP TEN FOR FLORIDA DESTINATIONS.

DR. BEACH WHO IS A PROFESSOR AT FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY AND COASTAL EXPERT STEPHEN P. LEATHERMAN PICKED SANIBEL AS ONE OF THEIR 10 FAVORITES.

USA TODAY WANTS TO KNOW YOUR FAVORITE BEACH DESTINATION.

TO VOTE ONLINE OR ON TWITTER, HEAD TO ABC-7.COM AND CLICK ON SITES ON 7.

TEASE FIVE-ONCAM

TZ5A) MAN AND DOG RESCUED FROM LAKE ERIE-VO

BUMP SHOT-BUMP IN

MAN AND DOG RESCUED FROM LAKE ERIE-OC

A MAN IN MICHIGAN JUMPS INTO A FREEZING LAKE TO RESCUE A DOG.

BUT ENDED UP NEEDING TO BE RESCUED HIMSELF AFTER FALLING THROUGH THE THIN ICE.

MAN AND DOG RESCUED FROM LAKE ERIE-PKG

HE'S AN 11-YEAR-OLD WALKER HOUND NAMED BART, AND IF DOGS COULD TALK HE WOULD HAVE QUITE THE STORY TO TELL.

"I kept my eyes off of him just for a second."

DURING AN AFTERNOON WALK WITH HIS OWNER, HIS HUNTING DOG WANDERED AWAY AND FELL THROUGH THE ICE ON LAKE ERIE. HIS TWO FRONT PAWS KEPT HIM FROM SINKING IN.

"I tried to walk around to him and just too deep, and I just couldn't get to him."

WAIST-DEEP IN THE FREEZING WATER, JIM SWAYZE CALLED 911 AND THEN HE CALLED HIS COUSIN, LANCE WHO ARRIVED FIRST.

"I just wasn't thinking. I just wanted to try to rescue a friend of the family,"

WITH HIS WADERS ON, LANCE VENTURED OUT, TAKING A CHANCE ON EVERY STEP.

"It broke and I fell in, and I was probably about 3 and half foot deep."

HE FINALLY REACHED BART WHO SPENT AN HOUR AND HALF IN THE FRIGID WATER. LANCE HELD HIM CLOSE BEFORE THEY WERE RESCUED.

"I was talking to him, I was trying to keep him warm. I was trying to rub him and get trying to get some blood flowing through his body."

This dog's tale comes with a happy ending.

MAN AND DOG RESCUED FROM LAKE ERIE-OC

BISI ONILE-ERE REPORTING.

NEXT AT 6 OPEN-CLIP

COMING UP AT 6PM-ONCAM

TONIGHT AT SIX.PUTTING INTO PERSPECTIVE THE DEADLIEST YEAR ON RECORD AS POLICE PROCESS THE 23RD MURDER OF 20-12

PLUS.

WHILE STUDETS GET READY TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL, THE LEE SCHOOL BOARD LOOKS AT WAYS TO MAKE CHILDREN FEEL SAFER AFTER THE SANDY HOOK TRAGEDY.

AND.

VLADIMIR SIGNS INTO LAW A BAN ON U-S ADOPTIONS.

TZ 6 1) NFM 23RD MURDER-VOTOPS

TZ 6 2) SCHOOL SECURITY-VOTOPS

TZ 6 3) RUSSIA ADOPTIONS-VOTOPS

CLOSE-2SHOT