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NEWS OPEN-CLIP

LIVE DOPPLER-DOPPLER

HL1 EMERGENCY LANDING-VOTOPS-WIPE

ALL NEW THIS MORNING

A PLANE BOUND FOR CHARLOTE COUNTY IS FORCED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING -

ABC-7 WAS THERE WHEN THE PASSENGERS FINALLY MADE IT BACK TO CHARLOTTE COUNTY.

HL2) WEATHER-WX CENTER

HL3) FISCAL CLIFF-SOTVO

"And so we'll be working hard to try to see if we can get there in the next 24 hours. And so I am hopeful, and optimistic."

THE CLOCK IS TICKING.

PRESIDENT OBAMA AND OTHER LAWMAKERS STILL SCRAMBLING TO COME TO AN AGREEMENT.

HELLO-1SHOT PUSH

GOOD MORNING SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

TODAY IS SATURDAY DECEMBER 29TH.

I'M JOE ROETZ

FIRST WEATHER-WX CTR

THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE ABC7 WEATHER STAFF.

IT IS NOT A VERBATIM OF WHAT IS BEING SAID, BUT IS THE FORECAST FOR OUR AREA.

You'll need the umbrellas today, sweaters tomorrow"

If you like the colder weather, hopefully you soaked up every last minute of it yesterday morning as lows dropped into the 40s. Our warming trend that began yesterday, continues today ahead of a cold front that will bring us another cool down by Sunday.

Thermometer readings this morning are running near 20° warmer with many locations in the upper 60s to low 70s. We may even see some low clouds and patchy fog, especially in the areas that received rain late yesterday evening. Skies through the day will stay mostly cloudy, however we may be able to see a few holes in the clouds revealing a few rays of sunshine through the mid day hours. A south and southwesterly wind flow this afternoon will fuel in some warmer air as highs quickly rise into the upper 70s to 80° with a boost in our humidity levels as well.

Another potent two sided storm system will continue to develop across our northern Gulf coast states with moderate to heavy rain through the Florida Panhandle to wintry weather including more snow moving up across the mid - Atlantic and northeast states today.

PLANE EMERGENCY LANDING-CLIP

PLANE EMERGENCY LANDING-VO

PASSENGERS ABOARD A PUNTA GORDA BOUND PLANE THAT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING YESTERDAY HAVE FINALLY MADE IT BACK TO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SAFELY.

THEY ARRIVED AT THE PUNTA GORDA AIRPORT AROUND 4 THIS MORNING.

ALLEGIANT AIR FLIGHT 959 TOOK OFF FROM SOUTH BEND INDIANA.

THE PLANE WAS ONLY IN THE AIR FOR ABOUT AN HOUR BEFORE OFFICIALS SAY THE CARGO FIRE LIGHT CAME ON.

THAT FORCED AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN FORT WAYNE.

PLANE EMERGENCY LANDING-SOTVO

mary ellen mount/ passenger

35:08 - 35:25 the rest of the day we waited to get on a plane but we were stuck because of the snow stoem. So after all this time we finally arrived and we're thankful to be alive and made it through

FIRE FIGHTERS SAY THERE WAS NO PHYSICAL FIRE ONBOARD.

FM MURDER-VO

CHILLING NUMBERS THIS MORNING --

WE DISCOVERED THERE WERE MORE MURDERS IN FORT MYERS THIS YEAR THAN ANY YEAR BEFORE.

THE LATEST VICTIM -- THE CITY'S 23RD -- WAS 35-YEAR-OLD ROBERT RAYBON.

HE WAS FOUND DEAD FROM A GUNSHOT WOUND EARLY YESTERDAY MORNING.

IT HAPPENED AT THE END OF HIS FAMILY'S DRIVEWAY, JUST EAST OF DOWNTOWN.

COCAINE SWEEP-NATVO SS

OUR CAMERAS WERE ROLLING AS FORT MYERS POLICE MADE A SWEEP OF THE CITY -- LOOKING FOR DRUGS AND GUNS.

natpop from top of pkg

OFFICERS MADE MORE THAN A DOZEN ARRESTS.

THEY ARRESTED FOUR PEOPLE, TWO MEN AND TWO JUVENILES.

THEY ARE CHARGED WITH RESISTING AN OFFICER.

ON THURSDAY OFFICERS ARRESTED 10 OTHERS.

THESE EIGHT -- PLUS TWO OTHERS.

THE SWEEP COMES AFTER A THREE MONTH LONG UNDERCOVER INVESTIGATION.

LEHIGH HOUSE FIRE-VO

A LEHIGH ACRES FAMILY IS HOMELESS THIS MORNING AFTER A FIRE DESTROYS THEIR HOME.

INVESTIGATORS SAY THE FAMILY AND MOST OF THEIR PETS MADE IT TO SAFETY BEFORE THE FIRE SWEPT THROUGH THE HOUSE.

2 CATS REMAIN UNACCOUNTED FOR.

LEHIGH HOUSE FIRE-SOTVO

"When we arrived there was too much fire to make an offensive attack so we made a defensive attack from the outside. We didn't put any firefighters in danger, just a lot of water."

BOIL WATER NOTICE LIFTED-SS

GOOD NEWS FOR HUNDREDS OF CAPE CORAL RESIDENTS.

A BOIL WATER NOTICE HAS BEEN LIFTED.

IT WAS FOR AREAS AROUND SANTA BARBARA BOULEVARD.

THIS IS A MAP OF HOMES AND BUSINESSES THAT WERE AFFECTED.

EARLIER THIS MONTH ---THERE WAS A WATER MAIN BREAK.

THE UTILITIES COMPANY HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM.

CAR THEFT RING-SS (3)

A POSSIBLE CAR THEFT RING IS UNDER INVESTIGATION IN CHARLOTTE COUNTY.

DEPUTIES ARRESTED TWO MEN YESTERDAY --

LINKED TO FOUR STOLEN CARS.

DEPUTIES SAY THIS MAN, JOHNNY TILLMAN, 14-YEAR-OLD DEONTE MITCHELL, AND THREE OTHER MEN --

BROKE INTO A SERIES OF CARS AT THE "BUY HERE, PAY HERE" CAR LOT IN PUNTA GORDA.

DEPUTIES SAY THE GROUP DROVE UP TO THE LOT IN TWO STOLEN CARS.

THEY STOLE TWO MORE.

THEN THEY SPLIT UP.

DEPUTIES SAW ONE OF THE CARS -- A DODGE INTREPID -- DRIVING IN THE AREA WITH ITS LIGHTS OFF.

THEY TRIED TO STOP IT.

THE DRIVER SPED OFF.

THEY FOUND THAT CAR *ABANDONED NEARBY.

THEN, A K-9 UNIT FOUND THE TWO MEN WALKING OUT OF A WOODED AREA.

THEY FACE GRAND THEFT AUTO CHARGES.

NEW FAMU REPORT-VO

FLORIDA A-AND-M UNIVERSITY HAS 15 DAYS TO RESPOND TO A NEW REPORT OUT ABOUT LAST YEAR'S HAZING DEATH.

A REPORT WAS RELEASED TO FRIDAY.

THE FLORIDA BOARD OF GOVERNORS SAYS THERE WEREN'T ENOUGH SAFEGUARDS AGAINST HAZING LEADING UP TO ROBERT CHAMPION'S DEATH.

THERE WERE REPORTS THAT UNIVERSITY LEADERS IGNORED CALLS FOR ACTION.

BUT THE REPORT SHOWS THOSE CAN'T BE PROVEN.

THE BAND IS STILL SUSPENDED.

FISCAL CLIFF UPDATE-INTRO

THE NATION'S LEADERS ONLY HAVE A FEW DAYS TO REACH A DEAL THAT WOULD AVOID AUTOMATIC TAX INCREASES FOR EVERY AMERICAN AS WELL AS DRASTIC SPENDING CUTS.

THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS MET AT THE WHITE HOUSE IN AN EFFORT TO HAMMER OUT A DEAL.

FISCAL CLIFF UPDATE-PKG

PRESIDENT OBAMA SAYS BOTH HE AND THE NATION ARE OUT OF PATIENCE.AND HE IS URGING CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS TO DO THEIR JOB.

"If an agreement isn't reached in time, between Senator Reid and Senator McConnell, then I will urge Senator Reid to bring forth a package for a basic up or down vote. One that protects the middle class from an income tax hike."

FOLLOWING A HIGH-STAKES WHITE HOUSE MEETING FRIDAY, SENATE LEADERS APPEAR POISED TO WORK TOWARD A SOLUTION.

"And so we'll be working hard to try to see if we can get there in the next 24 hours. And so I am hopeful, and optimistic."

"I am going to do everything that I can and I'm confident Senator McConnell will do the same. But everybody, whatever we come up with is going to be imperfect. Some people aren't going to like it, some people will like it less. But that's where we are."

SENATE MAJORITY LEADER REID CALLED FOR THE SENATE NOT TO MEET ON SATURDAY WHILE LEADERS NEGOTIATE.

HOUSE SPEAKER JOHN BOEHNER HAS SAID HE WILL NOT BRING ANYTHING TO A VOTE IN THE HOUSE UNTIL IT HAS PASSED THE SENATE.

IF BOTH CHAMBERS FAIL TO ACT, NEARLY EVERY AMERICAN WILL SEE A TAX INCREASE STARTING JANUARY FIRST, AND UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS WILL EXPIRE FOR MILLIONS.

FISCAL CLIFF UPDATE-TAG-VO

THAT WAS STACEY COHAN REPORTING.

FINDING FUN IN A SERIOUS ISSUES.

SOME OREGON RESIDENTS MADE LIGHT OF THE RAPIDLY APPROACHING FISCAL CLIFF DEADLINE.

THIS ROAD SIGN IN NORTH PORTLAND LOOKS LIKE SOMEBODY HACKED INTO IT.

FIREFIGHTER SLAYING-VOTOPS

A WOMAN FROM GREECE WAS ARRESTED FRIDAY.

POLICE SAY SHE PLAYED A ROLE IN THE AMBUSH OF FIREFIGHTERS ON CHRISTMAS EVE.

DETECTIVES SAY WILLIAM SPENGLER SET A FIRE ON PURPOSE, THEN SHOT AND KILLED TWO FIREFIGHTERS WHO CAME TO FIGHT IT.

DAWN NGUYEN USED TO BE SPENGLER'S NEIGHBOR.

SHE'S NOW CHARGED WITH FILING A FALSE RECORD.

SPENGLER WAS A CONVICTED FELON WHO WASN'T SUPPOSED TO HAVE ACCESS TO GUNS.

INVESTIGATORS SAY NGUYEN BOUGHT HIM A SEMI-AUTOMATIC RIFLE AND A 12-GAUGE SHOTGUN.

SHE CLAIMED THEY WERE FOR HER.

CRUISE SICKNESS-ONCAM

WITH MILLIONS ON VACATION THIS HOLIDAY --

AN UNWELCOME HEADLINE -- FOR HUNDREDS OF PASSENGERS ON TWO SEPARATE CRUISE SHIPS.

THEIR HOLIDAY TRIPS -- TURNED INTO A NIGHTMARE-- WHEN SO MANY OF THEM BECAME VERY SICK.

CRUISE SICKNESS-PKG

IT ADVERTIZES COMFORT, LUXURY AND HAUTE CUISINE

Nats ad: "now sailing on the grandest ocean liner ever. The queen mary 2.

But now the colossal ocean liner is one of three cruises *just this week* to

be rocked by MASS OUTBREAKS OF THE STOMACH FLU.

194 Queen Mary passengers reported contracting the bug.BELIEVED TO BE THE

highly contagious NOROVIRUS.

Sot from doc:

"It can even resist most of the disinfectants used to clean environmental

surfaces.

Mg: you can just touch somethiong like this and put it in your mouth and get

the virus?

Doc: yes.

Some Passengers on the queen mary say the captain suggested they steer clear

of the buffet.

And Tonight the CDC is investigating why nearly 200 people were stricken

aboard another ship: the EMERALD PRINCESS, which docked in fort Lauderdale

yesterday. One of those passengers was Sue Hayes, who posted on facebook:

Gfx: the staff can't keep up with what they have to do for those who are

sick.

16 SHIPS REPORTED stomach flu OUTBREAKS THIS YEAR - cruiselines point out

only a tiny fraction of their passengers are affected. Small comfort for

TEASE ONE-VO

THE LIST IS OUT AND THE TALLIES FOR THE COUNTRY'S BEST COLLEGES ARE IN.

TZ 1A BEST PUBLIC COLLEGE-VO-WIPE

STORMWARN CLIP-CLIPTOPS

WEATHER

THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE ABC7 WEATHER STAFF.

IT IS NOT A VERBATIM OF WHAT IS BEING SAID, BUT IS THE FORECAST FOR OUR AREA.

You'll need the umbrellas today, sweaters tomorrow"

If you like the colder weather, hopefully you soaked up every last minute of it yesterday morning as lows dropped into the 40s. Our warming trend that began yesterday, continues today ahead of a cold front that will bring us another cool down by Sunday.

Thermometer readings this morning are running near 20° warmer with many locations in the upper 60s to low 70s. We may even see some low clouds and patchy fog, especially in the areas that received rain late yesterday evening. Skies through the day will stay mostly cloudy, however we may be able to see a few holes in the clouds revealing a few rays of sunshine through the mid day hours. A south and southwesterly wind flow this afternoon will fuel in some warmer air as highs quickly rise into the upper 70s to 80° with a boost in our humidity levels as well.

Another potent two sided storm system will continue to develop across our northern Gulf coast states with moderate to heavy rain through the Florida Panhandle to wintry weather including more snow moving up across the mid - Atlantic and northeast states today.

RED TIDES-VO

IT'S BACK.

OFFICIALS FOUND RED TIDE ALGAE IN CONCENTRATION OFF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA AND IS KILLING FISH.

THIS IS VIDEO FROM STUMP PASS STATE PARK IN CHARLOTTE COUNTY.

BEACH GOERS SAY THE MULLET STARTED WASHING UP WEDNESDAY.

THE BLOOM STRETCHES FROM SAINT PETERSBURG TO NAPLES, WITH THE HIGHEST LEVELS IN SARASOTA COUNTY ACCORDING F-W-C.

JEANS RECALL-VO

A WARNING FOR PARENTS THIS MORNING-

MORE THAN A HUNDRED AND 40 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", POSING A CHOKING HAZARD.

THE JEANS WERE SOLD AT STORES NATIONWIDE FROM JUNE THROUGH NOVEMBER FOR ABOUT 12 DOLLARS.

DESIGNS INCLUDE A STAR OR HEART GRAPHIC, REGULAR FIT AND CARGO.

BEST PUBLIC COLLEGES-VO

KIPLINGER IS OUT WITH ITS LIST OF THE BEST VALUES IN PUBLIC COLLEGES.

ANALYSTS MEASURE THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION AGAINST THE ECONOMIC VALUE.

TOP HONORS GO TO THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL. WHICH HAS HELD THE TOP SPOT SINCE THE LIST DEBUTED IN 19-98.

IT'S FOLLOWED BY UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA.

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA,

COLLEGE OF WILLIAM AND MARY,

SPORTS PKG-PKG

THINGS TO DO-CLIP

THINGS TO DO-CGTOPS (2) BNR

IF YOU STILL HAVE FAMILY IN TOWN AND NEED SOME ENTERTAINMENT THIS WEEKEND, WE FOUND A COUPLE OF THINGS TO DO.

YOU CAN HEAD TO THE ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW AT EAGLE CREEK IN NAPLES FOR SOME SHOPPING.

IT'S TODAY AND SUNDAY.

IT'S FREE TO GET IN.

OR YOU CAN HEAD OVER TO THE THIRD STREET FARMERS MARKET TODAY.

THAT'S ALSO IN NAPLES.

AND THE EVENT IS FREE AND AGE FRIENDLY.

FOR MORE THINGS TO DO -- HEAD ON OVER TO OUR WEBSITE

TEASE TWO-OC

YOUR NEVER TOO YOUNG TO MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD.

THAT'S WHAT ONE VICTIM OF THE CONNECTICUT SHOOTING IS DOING.

TZ2 A (SIX YEAR OLD TO SUE)-VO-WIPE

6 YEAR OLD TO SUE-1SHOT POP

A SIX YEAR OLD WHO SURVIVED THE SANDY HOOK ELEMENTARY MASSACRE WANTS TO SUE THE STATE.

FOR 100 MILLION DOLLARS!

HER ATTORNEY SAYS WHILE SHE MADE IT OUT SAFELY.

SHE'S TRAUMATIZED AFTER HEARING THE SCREAMING, CURSING, GUNSHOTS, AND LOSS OF HER FRIENDS.

6 YEAR OLD TO SUE-PKG

"She lost a lot of friends that were killed and she really suffered through the horrors of listening to this."

AND THAT'S THE MAIN REASON WHY NEW HAVEN ATTORNEY IRV PINSKY IS TAKING THE FIRST STEPS TO FILE A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE STATE.

S/ Irv Pinsky/ Attorney:14 -:18

"They didn't protect her or them and they could have. They could have done better."

PINSKY'S SIX-YEAR-OLD CLIENT SURVIVED THE SHOOTING AT SANDY HOOK ELEMENTARY. BUT HEARD THE HORRIFIC EVENTS OVER THE SCHOOL'S LOUDSPEAKER.

HE'S FILED A 100 MILLION DOLLAR CLAIM WITH THE STATE CLAIMS COMMISSIONER. A STEP THAT HAS TO HAPPEN BEFORE YOU CAN SUE THE STATE.

JEFF:

"What good does it do to sue the state, when no one really anticipated a tragedy like this happening?"

S/ Irv Pinsky/ Attorney:40 -:48 NOTE: LAST PART OF THE SOT IS COVERED BY VIDEO

"We knew it was gonna happen again and we know it's gonna happen again now. We have to push the states to make their actions work. We have to compensate those who were victims."

PINSKY HOPES TO REVIEW THE EVIDENCE IN THE CASE.

HE SAYS THERE ARE THINGS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DONE TO STOP IT.

S/ Irv Pinsky/ Attorney:56 - 1:01

"The state could have, there's a whole lot of architectural designs they can use in schools to make it much harder to happen."

BOTTOM LINE. HE SAYS. IS THAT THE VICTIMS. CAN'T SIT BY AND DO NOTHING.

HE SAYS ACTION NEEDS TO BE TAKEN.

S/ Irv Pinsky/ Attorney 1:07 - 1:11

6 YEAR OLD TO SUE-ON CAM TAG

THE ATTORNEY IS NOT RELEASING THE NAME OF HIS CLIENT.

NEWTON THERAPY HORSES-VO

TRAINED THERAPY MINIATURE HORSES ARE HOOFING IT NORTH TO HELP NEWTOWN, CONNECTICUT HEAL FROM THIS MONTH'S ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SHOOTING.

A FLORIDA NON-PROFIT GROUP SAYS FAMILIES AND ORGANIZATIONS IN NEWTOWN ASKED THEM TO VISIT.

CHILDREN CAN PET THE SMALL HORSES AND GET THEIR PICTURE TAKEN WITH THEM.

NEWTON THERAPY HORSES-SOTVO

"It's going to be challenging for all of us. I think just to get through that and try to be happy and be positive and bring miniature horses and not monsters into their school and just brighten it up

THE GROUP LEAVES THIS WEEKEND FOR CONNECTICUT AND PLANS TO STAY FOR ONE WEEK.

SEVERAL TRAINED GOLDEN RETRIEVERS WERE BROUGHT IN THE DAYS AFTER THE DECEMBER 14TH ATTACK,

TEASE THREE-VO-WIPE

AN EMERGENCY FLIGHT TRAVELING BACK TO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA LANDS IN INDIANA LEAVING MANY LOCAL PASSENGERS AFRAID AND WORRIED.

ABC 7 CAMERAS WERE THERE AS THE FLIGHT FINALLY MADE IT BACK HOME SAFE THIS MORNING.

WE HAVE NEW DETAILS NEXT.

PLUS IT'S A CELEBRATION FOR SOME HAPPY COUPLES IN THE COUNTRY.

TZ3 B (MAINE GAY MARRIAGE)-VOTOPS

NEWS OPEN-CLIP

LIVE DOPPLER-DOPPLER

TS1) LEHIGH FIRE-VO-TRX

A LEHIGH ACRES FAMILY IS HOMELESS THIS MORNING AFTER A FIRE DESTROYED THEIR HOME.

INVESTIGATORS SAY THE FAMILY AND MOST OF THEIR PETS MADE IT TO SAFETY BEFORE THE FIRE TORE THROUGH THEIR HOME

FIRE OFFICIALS SAY THE FAMILY WILL BE GETTING HELP FROM

TS 2) FM MURDER NUMBERS-VO-TRX

THERE WERE MORE MURDERS IN FORT MYERS THIS YEAR THAN ANY YEAR BEFORE.

THE LATEST VICTIM -- THE CITY'S 23RD -- WAS 35-YEAR-OLD ROBERT RAYBON.

HE WAS FOUND DEAD FROM A GUNSHOT WOUND EARLY YESTERDAY MORNING.

IT HAPPENED AT THE END OF HIS FAMILY'S DRIVEWAY, JUST EAST OF DOWNTOWN.

TS 3) FISCAL CLIFF-VO-TRX

SENATE LEADERS ARE RUSHING TO ASSEMBLE A LAST-DITCH AGREEMENT TO AVOID A FISCAL CLIFF

HELLO-1SHOT PUSH

GOOD MORNING SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

TODAY IS SATURDAY DECEMBER 29TH.

I'M JOE ROETZ

WEATHER-WX CTR

THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE ABC7 WEATHER STAFF.

IT IS NOT A VERBATIM OF WHAT IS BEING SAID, BUT IS THE FORECAST FOR OUR AREA.

You'll need the umbrellas today, sweaters tomorrow"

If you like the colder weather, hopefully you soaked up every last minute of it yesterday morning as lows dropped into the 40s. Our warming trend that began yesterday, continues today ahead of a cold front that will bring us another cool down by Sunday.

Thermometer readings this morning are running near 20° warmer with many locations in the upper 60s to low 70s. We may even see some low clouds and patchy fog, especially in the areas that received rain late yesterday evening. Skies through the day will stay mostly cloudy, however we may be able to see a few holes in the clouds revealing a few rays of sunshine through the mid day hours. A south and southwesterly wind flow this afternoon will fuel in some warmer air as highs quickly rise into the upper 70s to 80° with a boost in our humidity levels as well.

Another potent two sided storm system will continue to develop across our northern Gulf coast states with moderate to heavy rain through the Florida Panhandle to wintry weather including more snow moving up across the mid - Atlantic and northeast states today.

PLANE EMERGENCY LANDING-CLIP

PLANE EMERGENCY LANDING-VO

PASSENGERS ABOARD A PUNTA GORDA BOUND PLANE THAT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING YESTERDAY HAVE FINALLY MADE IT BACK TO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SAFELY.

THEY ARRIVED AT THE PUNTA GORDA AIRPORT AROUND 4 THIS MORNING.

ALLEGIANT AIR FLIGHT 959 TOOK OFF FROM SOUTH BEND INDIANA.

THE PLANE WAS ONLY IN THE AIR FOR ABOUT AN HOUR BEFORE OFFICIALS SAY THE CARGO FIRE LIGHT CAME ON.

THAT FORCED AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN FORT WAYNE.

PLANE EMERGENCY LANDING-SOTVO

mary ellen mount/ passenger

35:08 - 35:25 the rest of the day we waited to get on a plane but we were stuck because of the snow stoem. So after all this time we finally arrived and we're thankful to be alive and made it through

FIRE FIGHTERS SAY THERE WAS NO PHYSICAL FIRE ONBOARD.

MAINE GAY MARRIAGE TAKES EFFECT-BNR-VO

NEW DEVELOPMENTS THIS MORNING.

MAINE'S GAY MARRIAGE LAW HAS TAKEN EFFECT, AND SOME COUPLES TOOK ADVANTAGE OF IT RIGHT AWAY.

THE LAW WENT INTO EFFECT TODAY A MINUTE AFTER MIDNIGHT.

SOME CITIES AND TOWNS HELD SPECIAL HOURS TO ISSUE MARRIAGE LICENSES, WITH SOME GRANTED IN THE WEE HOURS OF THE DAY.

COLLIER MOM ARRESTED-VO SS

THIS MORNING A COLLIER COUNTY MOTHER IS NO LONGER IN JAIL.

DEPUTIES SAY 51- YEAR OLD KAREN SHOTWELL WAS ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY THREATENING HER SON WITH A GUN--

BUT WHEN CLARK SHOTWELL SPOKE EXCLUSIVELY TO ABC-7.HE SAID HE'S THE ONE WHO FEELS BAD.

CLARK SAYS HE WAS PLAYING LITTLE WAYNE RAP MUSIC IN HIS MOTHERS BEDROOM

COLLIER MOM ARRESTED-SOTVO

"It was too loud and she doesn't like loud noise. I talked back and then she made a comment that I don't care about anybody except myself and that made me upset."

CLARK SAYS HIS MOM NEVER ACTUALLY THREATENED HIM WITH THE GUN.

LOCAL SENIORS AND FISCAL CLIFF-OC-SOTVO

IF A FISCAL CLIFF DEAL ISN'T REACHED BY MONDAY, THOUSANDS OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SENIORS COULD GO HUNGRY.

FOOD PROGRAMS FUNDED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WOULD BE CUT, INCLUDING ONE PROVIDED BY SENIOR FRIENDSHIP CENTERS OF LEE COUNTY.

NANCY green-Irwin/ exec dir. Senior friendship centers of lee county

18:02 185 seniors are on a waiting list right now for home delivery meals and that's going to grow if there's a problem with cuts

IF CUTS HAPPEN--

THAT WOULD MEAN 28-THOUSAND MEALS HANDED OUT TO THE ELDERY ACROSS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WOULD BE ELIMINATED.

SUPERSTORM SANDY MONEY APPROVED-VO

THE U.S. SENATE HAS PASSED 60-BILLION DOLLARS IN DISASTER AID FOR VICTIMS OF SUPERSTORM SANDY.

THE FUNDING REQUEST WAS MADE EARLIER BY THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION TO HELP CLEAN UP AND REBUILD PARTS OF THE NORTHEAST.

GOLDEN FATE FIRE CHIEF RESIGNS-TRX-OC-VO-OC

THE GOLDEN GATE FIRE CHIEF HAS ANNOUNCED HIS SUDDEN RESIGNATION.

CHIEF ROBERT METZGER SAID HIS LAST DAY WITH THE DEPARTMENT WILL BE FEBRUARY 10TH.

METZGER HAS BEEN ON THE JOB FOR FIVE YEARS.

LONGSHOREMAN DEAL-VO

THE NATION'S PORTS WILL STAY OPEN -- AT LEAST FOR NOW.

THE U-S MARTIME ALLIANCE AND SOME 14THOUSAND LONGSHOREMAN STRUCK A DEAL YESTERDAY.

THIS AVOIDS A STRIKE AT MAJOR PORTS ON THE EAST COAST AND THE GULF COAST.

THAT INCLUDES FLORIDA.

BOTH SIDES WILL NOW HAVE ABOUT A MONTH TO AGREE ON A NEW CONTRACT.

THIS DEAL AVOIDS A WORK STOPPAGE THAT WOULD HAVE CRIPPLED OPERATIONS AT THE COUNTRY'S PORTS.

GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE DEATH-VO

TWO PEOPLE HAVE DIED AFTER BEING SWEPT INTO THE WATER NEAR THE NORTH TOWER

OF THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE FRIDAY EVENING.

AN ADULT AND A JUVENILE, BOTH MALE, REPORTEDLY ENTERED THE WATER NEAR POINT

BONITA FRIDAY AFTERNOON.

THEY WERE SWEPT INTO THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY BEFORE BEING PULLED FROMTHE WATER BY A FIRE BOAT AND TAKEN TO A COAST GUARD STATION.

A THIRD PERSON ALSO FELL INTO THE WATER BUT WAS ABLE TO PULL THEMSELVES OUT

ARMY DAYCARE ABUSE-INTRO

THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT HAS ORDERED A GLOBAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE HIRING PRACTICES AT ALL U-S MILITARY DAY CARE FACILITIES.

THE REVIEW COMES AS TWO CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES AT A DAY CARE IN WASHINGTON FACE CHARGES OF ASSAULT AGAINST SMALL CHILDREN IN THEIR CARE.

ARMY DAYCARE ABUSE-PKG

THIS LITTLE BOY WAS SUPPOSED TO BE SAFE AT AN ARMY DAY CARE CENTER.

"This happened to military families a stone's throw away from the Pentagon. If it could happen here it could happen anywhere."

THIS MILITARY WIFE AND MOTHER OF TWO DOESN'T WANT HER FACE SHOWN. CNN HAS AGREED TO NOT SHOW HER CHILDRENS' FACES OR IDENTIFY THEM BY AGE.

"Obviously, Barbara, I am concerned about the privacy of my children and then there's always the possibility of retaliation against my husband."

ITS EVERY PARENT'S NIGHTMARE. FINDING OUT HER TODDLER WAS PHYSICALLY ASSAULTED BY CHILDCARE WORKERS AT THE FORT MYER ARMY DAYCARE CENTER. THE SCANDAL GREW TO THE POINT PRESIDENT OBAMA MADE AN UNPRECEDENTED PHONE CALL TO ARMY SECRETARY JOHN MCHUGH TO EXPRESS HIS CONCERN. ACCORDING TO THIS FBI AFFIDAVIT, THIS LITTLE BOY AND OTHERS WERE PUNCHED AND SLAPPED. ONE CHILD WAS DRAGGED ACROSS THE FLOOR.

"We thought of all the different options putting them in a childcare facility during the day that was on a military base that was pretty well staffed would be the safest most secure environment for them."

IT ALL BEGAN BACK ON SEPTEMBER 26 WHEN A PARENT REPORTED MISCONDUCT. THE ARMY QUICKLY REVIEWED SURVEILLANCE VIDEO AND FOUND SEVERAL YOUNG CHILDREN--ALL UNDER THE AGE OF FIVE--WERE PHYSICALLY ABUSED. CHARGES OF SIMPLE ASSAULT CHARGES WERE FILED. BUT PARENTS ARE STILL IN THE DARK. TWO DAYS LATER ON SEPTEMBER 28 THEY ARE HANDED A LETTER SAYING ONLY THERE IS A REPORT OF ALLEGED MISTREATMENT AND INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR BY STAFF.

"All along this first week when we were being given piecemeal information, denied access to the video tapes we were also being asked if we wanted to seek medical care for our child."

"For what, obviously we wanted to understand and see with our own eyes since that evidence was available."

SHE WAS HORRIFIED WHEN SHE FINALLY SAW THE SURVEILLANCE TAPE OF HER CHILD.

"Obviously you don't ever want to see your child subjected to that kind of assault from the caregivers we entrusted them to every morning."

ON NOVEMBER 7, THE ARMY STARTS CHECKING OTHER EMPLOYEE RECORDS AND FINDS BACKGROUNDS INCLUDING CHARGES OF SEXUAL ABUSE OF A MINOR, ASSAULT AND DRUG CHARGES. ON DECEMBER 14, 30 WORKERS ARE SUSPENDED. BUT PARENTS ARE STILL NOT TOLD ABOUT THOSE FAULTY BACKGROUND CHECKS. THIS MOTHER SAYS SHE MOVED HER CHILDREN OUT OF THE FORT MYER CENTER.

ARMY DAYCARE ABUSE-TAG

THAT WAS BARBARA STARR REPORTING.

WHAT NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW RIGHT NOW IS WHY IT TOOK NEARLY TWO MONTHS FOR ARMY SECRETARY JOHN MCHUGH AND DEFENSE SECRETARY LEON PANETTA TO BECOME FULLY-INFORMED ABOUT THE PROBLEM.

TEASE FOUR-OC

FROM TRASH TO TREASURE.

ONE WOMAN IS MAKING USE OF SOME OF THE LEFT OVER DEBRIS FROM THE CHRISTMAS STORM.

HEAR ABOUT THE SYMBOLS SHE'S MAKING THAT HAS SUCH A POWERFUL MEANING.

TZ 4A (CROSSES FOR A CAUSE)-VO-WIPE

LOTTERY NUMBERS-CG

CROSSES FOR A CAUSE-INTRO

AN ALABAMA ARTIST IS TURNING DEBRIS FROM SOMETHING TRAGIC. INTO RELIEF FOR STORM VICTIMS.

CAREY ARENSBERG HAS BEEN COLLECTING WOOD FROM DAMAGED HOMES, BUSINESSES AND CHURCHES.

AND MAKING CROSSES TO SELL FOR PROFIT.

THAT PROFIT WILL ALL GO BACK TO FOLKS WHO LOST THEIR HOMES AND BELONGINGS IN THE CHRISTMAS DAY TORNADO.

CROSSES FOR A CAUSE-PKG

WITH EVERY STROKE OF HER PAINTBRUSH

S/ Carrie Arensberg / Artist

"It's my way of helping out."

CAREY ARENSBERG IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF HER FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS WHO LOST SO MUCH IN THE CHRISTMAS DAY TORNADO.

S/ Carrie Arensberg / Artist:13-:19

"I wanted to make something out of it that would give people a memory of rebuilding midtown."

LITERALLY CRAFTED FROM THE DESTRUCTION --- THE CRISES CROSSES --- COME IN ALL SHAPES, SIZES AND COLORS --- BUT ALL HAVE THE SAME POWERFUL MESSAGE.

S/ Carrie Arensberg / Artist:29-:35

"The cross gives people a little bit of hope. That everything is going to be ok."

S/ Christian Jennings, Reporting:36-:44

BEFORE CAREY CAN CREATE A CRISIS CROSS, SHE HAS TO FIND THE WOOD TO MAKE THEM. SO EACH MORNING SHE TRAVELS NEIGHBORHOOD TO NEIGHBORHOOD, LOOKING FOR DEBRIS.

HER MORNING STOP WAS AT TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH WHERE SHE WAS ABLE TO FIND A FEW PIECES TO WORK WITH.

S/ Carrie Arensberg / Artist

"Each piece is tagged with which street it came from, this one says murphy high school. So there all a piece of somebody's home."

nat sot

"WE HAVE A LOT FROM YOUR STREET THOUGH."

SAM KEARNS LIVES IN MIDTOWN MOBILE. HE STOPPED BY TO MAKE A PURCHASE FOR HIS MOTHER.

S/ Sam Kearns / Neighbor 1:06-1:13

"To me it represents how much god is looking over us, that no one was seriously injured or died in this."

nat sot

"WE JUST GOT FIVE MORE ORDERS."

TO CAREY'S SURPRISE --- THE ARTWORK HAS BEEN EXCEPTIONALLY POPULAR. IN THE FIRST 24 HOURS -- SHE MADE 1200 DOLLARS -- ALL TO GIVE BACK TO TORNADO VICTIMS.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR FAMILIES WHO MAYBE DIDN'T HAVE WIND INSURANCE , WHO MAYBE LOST A LOT.

S/ Carrie Arensberg / Artist

"Some will go to trinity, it's just for families and churches that need our help."

STORMWARN OPEN-CLIPTOPS

MAIN WEATHER-2SHOT

MAIN WEATHER

THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE ABC7 WEATHER STAFF.

IT IS NOT A VERBATIM OF WHAT IS BEING SAID, BUT IS THE FORECAST FOR OUR AREA.

You'll need the umbrellas today, sweaters tomorrow"

If you like the colder weather, hopefully you soaked up every last minute of it yesterday morning as lows dropped into the 40s. Our warming trend that began yesterday, continues today ahead of a cold front that will bring us another cool down by Sunday.

Thermometer readings this morning are running near 20° warmer with many locations in the upper 60s to low 70s. We may even see some low clouds and patchy fog, especially in the areas that received rain late yesterday evening. Skies through the day will stay mostly cloudy, however we may be able to see a few holes in the clouds revealing a few rays of sunshine through the mid day hours. A south and southwesterly wind flow this afternoon will fuel in some warmer air as highs quickly rise into the upper 70s to 80° with a boost in our humidity levels as well.

Another potent two sided storm system will continue to develop across our northern Gulf coast states with moderate to heavy rain through the Florida Panhandle to wintry weather including more snow moving up across the mid - Atlantic and northeast states today.

CIRCUS SETTLEMENT-VO

THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS MUST PAY MORE THAN 9-MILLION DOLLARS TO THE PRODUCERS OF RINGLING BROTHERS AND BARNUM AND BAILEY CIRCUS FOR FALSELY ACCUSING THE CIRCUS OF ELEPHANT ABUSE.

FELD ENTERTAINMENT, BASED IN TAMPA PRODUCES WHAT THEY MARKET AS "THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH" - AND ACCUSED THE A-S-P-C-A OF BRINGING FALSE LAWSUITS AGAINST THEM RELATED TO ALLEGED ABUSE OF THEIR ELEPHANTS.

SHUTTLE ATLANTIS IS SHRINK WRAPPED-VO

THE SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS IS UNDER WRAPS AT THE KENNEDY SPACE CENTER.

NASA PUT 16-THOUSAND SQUARE FEET OF SHRINK-WRAP AROUND THE SPACECRAFT WHILE CREWS BUILD A MUSEUM AROUND IT.

THE SHUTTLE IS GOING TO BE THE CENTERPIECE EXHIBIT, BUT NASA WANTS TO MAKE SURE IT ISN'T DAMAGED DURING CONSTRUCTION.

ATLANTIS' 2011 MISSION MARKED THE END OF THE SHUTTLE PROGRAM.

IT COMPLETED 33 MISSIONS WHILE IN SERVICE.

UT FOOTBALL PLAYERS SUSPENDED-VO

TWO UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS FOOTBALL PLAYERS ARE HEADING HOME EARLY FROM SAN ANTONIO, ACCUSED OF SEXUALLY ASSAULTING A WOMAN AT A HOTEL.

THE TEAM IS IN TOWN TO PLAY OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY IN THE ALAMO BOWL SATURDAY.

IN A PRESS CONFERENCE FOR THE GAME, HEAD COACH MACK BROWN SAID THE TWO PLAYERS HAD BEEN SUSPENDED FROM THE TEAM AND SENT HOME.

THE WOMAN ALLEGEDLY TOLD OFFICERS SHE WENT TO THE HOTEL BAR WITH THE MEN, AND THEN INVITED THEM BACK TO HER ROOM, WHERE SHE SAYS THEY ATTACKED HER.

TEASE FIVE-ON CAM

TIS THE SEASON TO BE MERRY, EAT AND DRINK!

BUT FOR THOSE WHO MAY CONSUME A LITTLE TOO MUCH ALCOHOL,

YOU MAY WANT TO LISTEN UP!

TZ 5A (HOLIDAY HANGOVER)-VO

HOLIDAY HANGOVER CURE-TC MON

TOO MANY CHAMPAGNE TOASTS ON NEW YEAR'S EVE COULD LEAVE YOU FEELING CRUMMY THE NEXT MORNING.

DON'T START 20-13 WITH A HEADACHE.

HOLIDAY HANGOVER CURE-PKG

"The reason why we have hang overs is because our body is having a hard time dealing with all of the toxins from the alcohol."

"QUICKIE CHICK'S GUIDE TO LIFE" AUTHOR LAUREL HOUSE SAYS BEFORE A NIGHT OF PARTYING, EAT A HEARTY MEAL. DRINK LOTS OF WATER. AND.

"Asparagus has also shown to break down alcohol faster. it'll actually help to minimize and then completely help to make your hang over non-existent."

IF YOU DIDN'T PLAN AHEAD, SIP ON SOME FRUIT JUICE IF YOU WAKE UP FEELING SICK!

"One of the things that helps to make hang overs go away faster is fruit juice. Fruit juice is filled with fructose and fructose helps to minimize the hang over by pulling out the toxins faster and processing them through the liver and getting them out of your body."

"Banana is a great hang over food because it's filled with potassium and also electrolytes so when your drinking your pulling the electrolytes out of your body it helps to refill them and refuel you."

COCONUT WATER IS ALSO FULL OF ELECTROLYTES. AND POACHED EGGS ARE A GREAT OPTION FOR PAIN RELIEF!

"Eggs are filled with a chemical called sistine & sistine helps to break down alcohol faster. You don't wanna have eggs that are fried or filled with all different other things. Poached eggs are the cleanest lowest fat & best way to have eggs in the morning."

WHILE AT "THE FOUR SEASONS - LOS ANGELES", LAUREL SHOOTS DOWN SOME HANGOVER CURE MYTHS.

"For some reason people think that having fried fatty food and spicy food actually helps to get rid of their hangover, it doesn't. It's actually going to aggravate your stomach even more. "

"Burnt toast is one of those strange myths people think, I'll have burnt toast it's going to make my hang over go away, it's actually not going to do anything in fact it might actually hurt you because of the burnt charcoal on the toast."

AND THE "HAIR OF THE DOG" THEORY OF DRINKING MORE ALCOHOL TO HELP YOUR HEADACHE IS DECEIVING.

HOLIDAY HANGOVER CURE-TAG

OF COURSE THE ONLY SURE WAY TO PREVENT A HANGOVER. DON'T DRINK!

BUT IF YOU DO IMBIBE THIS NEW YEAR'S.

FOOD CLOCK-VO

LOOKING FOR A WAY TO LOSE THAT HOLIDAY WEIGHT?

YOU MAY NEED TO RESET YOUR FOOD CLOCK.

RESEARCHERS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN FRANCISCO SAY YOUR BODY HAS A FOOD CLOCK THAT KEEPS YOUR METABOLISM WORKING AT A CERTAIN PACE.

WHEN YOU CHANGE THE TYPE OF FOOD YOU EAT AND START EATING AT DIFFERENT TIMES --

LIKE DURING THE HOLIDAYS --

YOUR FOOD CLOCK IS THROWN OFF SCHEDULE --

SAILORS SUE JAPAN FOR LYING ABOUT RADIATION-VO

A GROUP OF AMERICAN SAILORS IS SUING JAPAN'S TOKYO ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY.

THEY'RE SAYING IT LIED TO THEM ABOUT RADIATION DANGERS AFTER THE 2011 TSUNAMI.

THE EIGHT SAILORS SAY THEY'VE BEEN SICKENED BY RADIATION FROM A NUCLEAR PLANT DISASTER.

THEY WERE DELIVERING AID FROM THE U-S-S RONALD REAGAN, OFF THE COAST OF JAPAN.

SAILORS SUE JAPAN FOR LYING ABOUT RADIATION-SOTVO

I just want to get it out. I'm not after this for any financial compensation. I just want the truth to be told, because they were lied to. And that's something you shouldn't lie about. This is peoples' lives. We're not robots on a ship.

AN ATTORNEY FOR THE SAILORS SAY JAPAN SHOULD PAY FOR THE ILLNESSES THE SAILORS ARE DEALING WITH.

TOP STORIES-CLIPTOPS

TS1) EMERGENCY LANDING-VOTOPS

TS2) FISCAL CLIFF-VO-TRX

SENATE LEADERS ARE RUSHING TO ASSEMBLE A LAST-DITCH AGREEMENT TO AVOID A FISCAL CLIFF

TS3) FM MURDERS-VO-TRX

THE CITY OF FORT MYERS IS SEEING MORE MURDERS THEN EVER BEFORE.

THE LATEST VICTIM -- THE CITY'S 23RD -- WAS 35-YEAR-OLD ROBERT RAYBON.

HE WAS FOUND SHOT TO DEATH EARLY YESTERDAY MORNING.

IT HAPPENED AT THE END OF HIS FAMILY'S DRIVEWAY, JUST EAST OF DOWNTOWN.

TS 4) MAINE GAY MARRIAGE-VO-TRX

SAME-SEX COUPLES CAN NOW GET MARRIED IN THE STATE OF MAINE.

THE LAW WENT INTO EFFECT SATURDAY A MINUTE AFTER MIDNIGHT, AND SOME CITIES AND TOWNS HELD SPECIAL HOURS TO ISSUE MARRIAGE LICENSES, WITH SOME GRANTED IN THE WEE HOURS OF THE DAY.

TS5 LEHIGH HOUSE FIRE-VO-TRX

A LEHIGH ACRES FAMILY IS HOMELESS THIS MORNING AFTER A FIRE COMPLETELY DESTROYED THEIR HOME.

INVESTIGATORS SAY THE FAMILY AND MOST OF THEIR PETS MADE IT TO SAFETY BEFORE THE FIRE TORE THROUGH THEIR HOME

FIRE OFFICIALS SAY THE FAMILY WILL BE GETTING HELP FROM

FINAL WEATHER-WXCOMP

THIS WEATHERCAST HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE ABC7 WEATHER STAFF.

END TIME