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

AHEAD ON YOUR *ONLY LOCAL NEWS AT NINE --

ABC7 GOES INSIDE THE COURTROOM.

AS OLYMPIAN OSCAR PISTORIUS FACED A JUDGE AGAIN.

CHARGED IN HIS GIRLFRIEND'S MURDER.

WHAT HAPPENED AT THAT BAIL HEARING.

PLUS NEW CHILLING DETAILS --- ON THE SANDY HOOK SHOOTING.

THE POSSIBLE MOTIVE BEHIND ADAM LANZA'S HORRIFIC ACT.

AND THE CONNECTION TO *ANOTHER MASS MURDER.

AND FLU SEASON NEARS IT'S END.

BUT BAD NEWS.

NOW THERE'S A NEW VIRUS.

THAT COULD BE STRONGER THAN THE SARS.

HL1) PISTORIUS-VO-WIPE

HL2) SANDY HOOK-VO-WIPE

HL3) NEW SARS-VOTOPS

WX HL-WX WALL

1. Not as cold this morning - 50s in town/40s inland

2. Partly sunny and warmer today - near 80°

NEWS AT 9:00 OPEN-CLIPTOPS

TOSS TO CLIFTON-CLIP-VOTOPS

ABC7 IS ON THE SCENE OF BREAKING NEWS IN LEE COUNTY--

A CAR HIT A BICYCLIST THIS MORNING,

ALONG SHELL POINT BOULEVARD.

THAT IS THE ROAD LEADING INTO --- THE SHELL POINT RETIREMENT COMMUNITY.

ABC7'S CLIFTON FRENCH IS LIVE ON SCENE.

WITH NEW INFORMATION ON WHAT HAPPENED.

SHELL POINT BICYCLIST HIT-REMLIVE

SHELL POINT BICYCLIST HIT-TBD

SHELL POINT BICYCLIST HIT-REMLIVE

PISTORIUS HEARING-2 SHOT

WE BEGIN AT NINE WITH DEVELOPING NEWS --

SOUTH AFRICAN OLYMPIAN OSCAR PISTORIUS -- WAS *BACK IN COURT THIS MORNING.

AS THE WORLD *WAITED. TO SEE IF HE'D BE SET FREE ON BAIL.

THIS MORNING --

PROSECUTERS OFFICIALLY CHARGED HIM WITH *PRE-MEDITATED MURDER.

IN THE SHOOTING DEATH OF HIS GIRLFRIEND.

AND ABC'S TAHMAN BRADLEY DESCRIBES WHAT ELSE HAPPENED --

PISTORIUS HEARING-PKG

Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius appeared in court this morning for a

bail hearing.

With his family looking on, Pistorius heard prosecutors charge him with

premeditated murder in the death of his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp,

on Valentine's Day.

Pastor Olga Booysen prayed with Pistorius while visiting him in jail.

SOT Pastor Olga Booysen

"I SAW HIM AS A VERY, VERY LONELY YOUNG MAN, STANDING THERE VERY HEARTBROKEN

AND SAD."

Prosecutors say Pistorius fired into the door of a bathroom where his

girlfriend was hiding after a shouting match..

Pistorius's family and friends insist the shooting was an accident, that he

mistook his girlfriend for an intruder.

But new details about the case might make it difficult to prove self-defense

.

According to a published report, Pistorius applied for six separate firearms

licenses just last month.

And another report cites police sources saying that a bloody cricket

bat is a key piece of evidence, possibly used in an argument before the

shooting.

Meanwhile, Steenkamp's loved ones gathered today for a private memorial.

SOT Adam Steenkamp, Reeva's Brother

"IT'S FAMILY COMING TOGETHER AND THE ONE PERSON WHO WOULD BE THE STRONGEST,

WHO HELD US ALL TOGETHER, UNFORTUNATELY IS NOT HERE ANYMORE, AND THAT'S MY

SISTER."

A reality show featuring Steenkamp, now airing on national TV in South

Africa, includes these words.

SOT Steenkamp

PISTORIUS HEARING-OC

TWO OF PISTORIUS' MAJOR SPONSORS, OAKLEY AND NIKE,

HAVE DISTANCED THEMSELVES FROM PISTORIUS.

STEENKAMP FUNERAL-SOTVO

MEANWHILE.

STEENKAMP WAS LAID TO REST TODAY.

A LAW SCHOOL GRADUATE AND MODEL.

STEENKAMP HAD BEEN DATING PISTORIUS FOR A YEAR.

BEFORE SHE WAS SHOT DEAD.

AFTER THE FUNERAL.

HER BROTHER SAID -- THE FAMILY WILL CARRY ON HER LEGACY.

Everyone is sad, understandably. But at certain points we were smiling whilst remembering Reeva, because we only have good memories of her, and I think that's what we were all thinking.

IN COURT TODAY.

PISTORIUS' LAWYER DENIED -- CALLED THE SHOOTING AN ACCIDENT.

STAY WITH US.

SANDY HOOK DETAILS-VO

CHILLING NEW DETAILS *JUST RELEASED --

IN THE TRAGIC SANDY HOOK SCHOOL SHOOTING.

THIS MORNING, WE MAY HAVE A POSSIBLE MOTIVE.

C-B-S NEWS REPORTS --

THAT SHOOTER ADAM LANZA WANTED TO KILL MORE PEOPLE THAN ANDERS BREIVIK.

BREIVIK KILLED 77 PEOPLE IN A BOMB ATTACK AND GUN RAMPAGE,

IN NORWAY IN 2011.

C-B-S ALSO SAYS LANZA WAS OBSESSED WITH VIOLENT VIDEO GAMES.

BUT CONNECTICUT POLICE HAVE *NOT COMMENTED ON A MOTIVE.

AND SAID THE C-B-S STORY WAS *NOT ACCURATE.

THIS IS VIDEO FROM THE DAY LANZA SHOT HIMSELF,

AFTER KILLING 27 PEOPLE --

INCLUDING 20 CHILDREN --

RISE IN GAS PRICES-2 SHOT VO

GAS PRICES WENT UP *AGAIN OVERNIGHT.

CONTINUING A TREND FROM THE PAST MONTH.

THE NATIONAL AVERAGE IS NOW THREE-73 A GALLON.

AND RIGHT HERE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA GAS -- IS $3.87.

THAT'S UP THREE CENTS FROM LAST NIGHT.

AND 17 CENTS FROM LAST WEEK.

AROUND CHRISTMAS TIME, WE WERE PAYING 3-25 A GALLON.

SO GAS HAS JUMPED CLOSE TO 50 CENTS.

TRIPLE-A EXPECTS PRICES WILL CLIMB TO 4-BUCKS-A-GALLON,

DIAMOND HEIST-2 SHOT

QUITE THE STORY --- COMING OUT OF BELGIUM THIS MORNING.

THIEVES STOLE NEARLY 50 MILLION DOLLARS -- WORTH OF DIAMONDS.

THE DIAMONDS WERE BEING LOADED ONTO A PLANE AT BRUSSELS AIRPORT.

WHEN ARMED MEN SUDDENLY BROKE THROUGH A FENCE.

DIAMOND HEIST-PKG

heist movie

IT SOUNDS LIKE A SCENE RIPPED STRAIGHT FROM A HOLLYWOOD HEIST MOVIE.

OVERNIGHT, EIGHT MASKED AND ARMED MEN BREAKING ONTO THE TARMAC AT BRUSSELS

AIRPORT. AMBUSHING THIS SWISS PASSENGER PLANE JUST LOADED WITH TENS OF

MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF DIAMONDS.

ACCORDING TO BELIGIAN TV REPORTS, THE BRAZEN THIEVES CUT A HOLE THROUGH THIS

SECURITY FENCE AND DROVE ONTO THE TARMAC.MAKING OFF WITH MORE THAN 50

MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF ROUGH DIAMONDS IN A MATTER OF MINUTES.

OFFICIALS ARE NOW SAYING THIS COULD BE ONE OF THE BIGGEST DIAMOND HEISTS OF

ALL TIME.

BACK IN NOVEMBER, THESE BOLD, LEATHER-CLAD BURGLARS RODE MOTORCYCLES INTO

THIS LONDON MALL. A STUNNING SMASH AND GRAB CAUGHT ON CAMERA

SOT - CLAIRE SMALLEY - MALL EMPLOYEE

093048 IT WAS REALLY SCARY /

THE 6 ROBBERS MADE OFF WITH HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS IN DIAMOND-CRUSTED CARTIER

AND ROLEX WATCHES.

BUT- THIS MORNING- BELGIAN AUTHORITIES ARE HOT ON THE TRAIL OF THE EIGHT

MEN WHO LEFT ONLY THIS BURNED OUT GET-AWAY VAN BEHIND. GETTING AWAY WITH

DIAMOND HEIST-OC

ROB NELSON REPORTING.

AN AIRPORT SPOKESPERSON SAYS THE ROBBERS PULLED IT ALL OFF.

WITHOUT FIRING A SHOT.

INCREDIBLY, AIR TRANSPORT FOR PRECIOUS CARGO LIKE THIS --

NEW SARS LIKE VIRUS-VO

AN UPDATE NOW -

ON A MYSTERIOUS AND DANGEROUS NEW VIRUS.

THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION SAYS AT LEAST A DOZEN PEOPLE HAVE BECOME SICK --

WITH A NEW VIRUS CALLED N-COV OR NOVEL CORO-NA-VIRUS.

THIS POTENTIALLY FATAL S.A.R.S.-LIKE VIRUS.

WAS FIRST IDENTIFIED IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR.

SYMPTOMS INCLUDE AN ACUTE RESPIRATORY INFECTION, FEVER AND COUGH.

OTHERS HAVE SUFFERED PNEUMONIA AND KIDNEY FAILURE.

SO FAR, IT HAS ONLY SHOWED UP ABROAD.

STOLEN AK47-VO WIPE

A HANDGUN AND AN A-K-47. ON THE STREETS. ILLEGALLY.

STOLEN FROM THE CLOSET -- OF A LEHIGH ACRES HOUSE.

THE MAN WHO LEGALLY OWNED THEM. REPORTED THEM STOLEN.

HE SAYS HIS FATHER GAVE THE A-K TO HIM AS A GIFT.

HE DID NOT LOCK THEM UP,

BUT KEPT THEM HIDDEN IN A CLOSET.

ACCORDING TO DEPUTIES,

ON FRIDAY THIEVES BROKE INTO HIS HOUSE ON FIFTH STREET WEST.

THEY RANSACKED THE PLACE --

STOLEN AK47-SOTVO

LEO KLEINMANN, VICTIM: the AK47 was a gift from my dad he just got back into town and said hey this is yours take good care of it.20:04-08 he said I told you this would happen you needed to get a safe

LEO KLEINMAN TELLS A-B-C 7 --

HE WOULD NOT PRESS CHARGES IF THE BURGLARS BROUGHT THE GUNS BACK.

HE IS WORKING TO GET DEPUTIES THE SERIAL NUMBER,

FM MURDER ARREST-(2)SS-VO

FORT MYERS POLICE SAY THEY'VE SOLVED --

ONE OF THE CITY'S UNSOLVED MURDERS FROM LAST YEAR.

ANTAWONE JAMES -- IS CHARGED WITH SECOND DEGREE MURDER.

OFFICERS SAY THEY FOUND EVIDENCE.

THAT HE ROBBED AND KILLED -- ARMANDO PAGAN BACK IN DECEMBER.

IT HAPPENED AT THE PALM VISTA APARTMENTS,

ON CENTRAL AVENUE.

POLICE SAY PAGAN WAS FOUND DEAD,

BIGELOW CHARGES DROPPED-OC-SS

FORMER LEE COUNTY COMMISSIONER BRIAN BIGELOW WILL HAVE TO COMPLETE --

AN IN-PATIENT TREATMENT PROGRAM.

BIGELOW WAS ARRESTED EARLIER THIS MONTH --

FOR VIOLATING PROBATION, BY FAILING A DRUG TEST.

TWO WEEKS BEFORE --

INVESTIGATORS SAY THEY FOUND TEN BAGGIES OF COCAINE IN HIS POCKET.

PROSECUTORS ALSO *DROPPED THE MISDEMEANOR LOITERING, PROWLING AND DRUG PARAPHERNALIA CHARGES.

AIR AMBULANCE COSTS-(2)CG OC

THE FUTURE OF AIR AMBULANCE SERVICE IN LEE COUNTY--

WILL BE A BIG TOPIC FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TODAY.

THEY PLAN TO PICK THEIR *FINAL PRIVATE COMPANY TO NEGOTIATE WITH.

TO REPLACE THE COUNTY'S GROUNDED MEDSTAR PROGRAM.

WE LEARNED THE TOP CHOICE -- AIR METHODS -- WOULD CHARGE 13-THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A PICK UP.

AND 135 DOLLARS PER MILE.

MEDSTAR CHARGED 85-HUNDRED TO TRANSPORT PATIENTS.

AND 90 PER MILE.

BUT THE SERVICE WAS SUBSIDIZED BY TAXPAYER MONEY.

THE COUNTY ESTIMATES--

CRUISE SHIP FIRE-VO

WE NOW KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE --

THAT CRIPPLED THE CARNIVAL CRUISE SHIP "TRIUMPH."

IT APPARENTLY STARTED WITH A LEAK IN A FUEL-OIL RETURN LINE.

AUTHORITIES SAY THE FUEL LINE WAS CONNECTED --

TO ONE OF THE SHIP'S GENERATORS.

IT WAS LEAKING OIL AND HIT A HOT SURFACE,

STARTING THE FIRE.

MORE THAN FOUR-THOUSAND PASSENGERS AND CREW --

WERE STRANDED OFF THE COAST OF MEXICO FOR FIVE DAYS LAST WEEK.

BUS 41 EXPANSION-OC-VO-CG

THIS AFTERNOON --

YOU CAN LEARN ABOUT A NEW ROAD PROJECT IN THE WORKS IN LEE COUNTY.

THE PLAN IS TO WIDEN BUSINESS 41 TO FOUR LANES,

FROM LITTLETON ROAD TO U-S 41.

CREWS WILL ALSO ADD HIGHWAY LIGHTING, SIDEWALK AND BIKE LANES TO THE ROAD.

THE PROJECT IS SLATED TO START THIS FALL.

THE PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING TAKES PLACE TONIGHT --

FROM 5 TO 6-30 P-M,

VACANT LOT REGISTRY-VO

TODAY LEE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

WILL LOOK AT APPROVING A NEW TOOL --- TO KEEP TRACK OF VACANT PROPERTIES.

THE ORDINANCE WOULD CREATE A VACANT PROPERTY REGISTRY.

BANKS WOULD HAVE TO PAY A 2-HUNDRED DOLLAR FEE -- TO REGISTER FORECLOSED HOMES.

THE COUNTY WOULD HOLD BANKS RESPONSIBLE FOR THINGS LIKE.

CHARLOTTE SEWER TESTING-VO

A SMOKE ALERT IN CHARLOTTE COUNTY.

IF YOU SEE SMOKE COMING FROM THE SEWERS IN DEEP CREEK STARTING TODAY.

DON'T BE ALARMED.

CHARLOTTE COUNTY UTILITIES WILL BE TESTING THE SEWERS -- TRYING TO LOCATE ANY PROBLEMS.

WE'RE TOLD THE SMOKE ISN'T HARMFUL -- BUT HAS A DISTINCT, NOT UNPLEASANT ODOR.

WALMART WORSE SALES-OC OTS

ALL NEW THIS MORNING--

WALMART WOES.

THE WORLD'S LARGEST RETAILER ENDURES THE *WORST SALES START. IN SEVEN YEARS.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO *LEAKED EMAILS FROM TOP WALMART EXECUTIVES.

WHO CALLED FEBRUARY SALES, QUOTE, "A TOTAL DISASTER."

TEASE ONE-2-SHOT

ABC7 WATCHES *YOUR MONEY.

WHAT ARE YOUR BANKS. *NOT TELLING YOU??

WE SORT THROUGH ALL THOSE LITTLE FEES.

THAT ADD UP TO A BIG CHUCK OUT OF YOUR SAVINGS.

PLUS ITS AN UNEXPECTED SIDE-EFFECT OF THE SEQUESTER BUDGET CUTS.

THAT COULD AFFECT THE WAY YOU EAT.

CAUSING YOU TO LIMIT YOUR FOOD SUPPLY.

TZ1 A BANK FEE-VOTOPS

TZ1 B MEAT SEQUESTER-VOTOPS

WEATHER TEASE-WX ID

BLOOMBERG TEASE-SOT

BLOOMBERG BUSINESS REPORT-PKG TOPS

STORMWARN GENERIC CLIP-CLIP

CROSSTALK INTO WX-CAM 9 WX EST

FORECAST-WXWALL

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.

Temperatures are on the rise"

Our cold snap is quickly fading and the mercury will be on the rise throughout the rest of the week. Heading out the door this morning you'll need the sweaters as temperatures are cool, but not quite as cold as yesterday. We'll start the day in the lower 50s along the urban corridor with our inland and northern cool spots into the 40s.

Plenty of sunshine will quickly melt any chill in the air and by mid day we're talking about temperatures in the middle 70s. High pressure will continue to move eastbound providing us with a southeasterly wind, which will increase our humidity and push our afternoon highs into the upper 70s to 80° under partly sunny skies.

Tonight, a few clouds will pass by from time to time as overnight lows settle into the low 60s. We may even see a few patches of fog develop by sunrise tomorrow.

On Wednesday, we'll be watching a cold front that's currently making its way across the Mississippi River. It will sink south across the peninsula in a weakened state and will more than likely not have any impact on our weather here in Southwest Florida. At most we'll see a few extra clouds early in the day with a sprinkle or two.

BANK FEE FRENZY -OC

NEW BANK FEES POP UP EVERY DAY.

SOME. YOU MAY NOT EVEN BE AWARE OF.

SO DO YOU KNOW *EXACTLY WHAT YOUR BANK IS CHARGING YOU?

LIZ CRENSHAW GOES OVER SOME RECENT CHANGES.

BANK FEE FRENZY -PKG

SOT: SUSAN CAPUANO, CUSTOMER

"I'm just glad that i found out about it before the account went down to zero

SUSAN CAPUANO /CAP-U-ANNO/ STARTED A MONEY MARKET ACCOUNT WITH HOPES TO EARN INTEREST. BUT INSTEAD SHE SAW SHE WAS LOSING MONEY EVERY MONTH.

"since July they've been deducting a 15-dollar maintenance fee every month and I'm like oh my gosh."

CAPUANO NOTICED THE 15-DOLLAR FEE OVER A SIX-MONTH PERIOD.

90-DOLLARS IN FEES. CAPUANO SAYS THE CHARGES STARTED AFTER SHE TRANSFERRED 25-HUNDRED DOLLARS FROM HER MONEY MARKET ACCOUNT TO HER CHECKING ACCOUNT.

"I was told that um i didn't maintain a certain balance and that was the reason the fee was triggered."

BANK FEES ARE POPPING UP IN ALL KINDS OF BANK ACCOUNTS. EVEN EVERYDAY CHECKING.

"fees for various things that consumers don't really understand"

KATHLEEN DAY. A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE CENTER OF RESPONSIBLE LENDING. SAYS THE NON-PROFIT RECEIVES A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT NEW BANKING FEES.

"what's happening. banks are making less money on some things"

THE REASON: NEW FEDERAL REGULATIONS HAVE REDUCED BANK REVENUES FROM OVERDRAFT FEES AND DEBIT CARD SWIPE FEES. SO MANY BANKS ARE CHANGING THE RULES ON WHEN YOU GET HIT WITH A FEE.

FOR EXAMPLE: IF YOU DON'T DIRECT DEPOSIT YOUR PAYCHECK, YOU MAY GET HIT WITH A FEE.

IF YOUR BALANCE FALLS BELOW A CERTAIN MINIMUM, YOU MAY GET HIT WITH A FEE.

AND THAT MINIMUM BALANCE HAS GONE UP FOR SOME. A BANKRATEDOTCOM SURVEY SAYS THE AVERAGE MINIMUM CHECKING ACCOUNT BALANCE TO AVOID A FEE IS NOW 723-DOLLARS.

THE AMERICAN BANKERS ASSOCIATION SAYS MOST FEES CAN BE AVOIDED BUT ADDS

". MANY BANKS HAVE FOUND IT NECESSARY TO RECOUP COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH CHECKING ACCOUNTS DUE TO MASSIVE NEW LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY BURDENS."

SO WHAT'S A BANK CUSTOMER TO DO? CHECK YOUR BANK STATEMENT AND WEBSITE AND KNOW WHAT FEES YOU ARE PAYING.

CAPUANO'S /CAP-U-ANNO'S/ ASKED HER BANK FOR A REFUND. BUT IT WOULD NOT GIVE HER BACK THE 90-DOLLARS IT DEDUCTED IN FEES.

SO SHE TOOK ACTION ON HER ACCOUNT.

BANK FEE FRENZY -OC

THAT WAS LIZ CRENSHAW REPORTING.

IT'S ALSO RECCOMMENDED THAT YOU DO SOME RESEARCH --

TO FIND OUT THE DIFFERENT FEES BANKS CHARGE.

SEQUESTER MEAT SHORTAGE-VO

THE SEQUESTER BUDGET CUTS -- ARE SET TO TAKE EFFECT ON MARCH FIRST.

BUT THOSE BUDGET CUTS WON'T ONLY AFFECT THE PENTAGON.

YOU MIGHT FEEL THE EFFECT AS WELL.

U-S-D-A INSPECTORS COULD BE FURLOUGHED FOR UP TO 15 DAYS.

THAT MEANS A FORCE SHUTDOWNS IN THE MEAT INDUSTRY, LIMITING SUPPLY AND RAISING PRICES AT YOUR LOCAL SUPERMARKET.

SEQUESTER MEAT SHORTAGE-SOTVO

"If they cut us back 15 days straight that we can't do that.

because there's a lot of meat products that you have to do

something with.

IN A MEMO, THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS.

THE MOVE WOULD PUT FAMILIES AT RISK.

TEASE 2-2 SHOT

YOUR TIME RIGHT NOW--

IT'S PAINFUL, MYSTERIOUS -- AND KICKS YOU WHEN YOU'RE DOWN.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SHINGLES.

AND ITS ON THE RISE

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO PROTECT YOUR SELF.

PLUS -- NO SMOKING.

LAWMAKERS WANT TO BAN CIGARETTE USE. WHILE DRIVING.

TZ2 A SHINGLES-VO-WIPE

TZ2 B SMOKING IN CAR-VOTOPS

SHINGLES ON THE RISE-VO

IT'S A DISEASE THAT PLAGUES THE ELDERLY.

BUT NOW IT'S EXPLODING ACROSS ALL AGE GROUPS.

SHINGLES.

AND DOCTORS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO STOP IT.

CASES ARE UP SIX FOLD -- ACROSS ALL AGE GROUPS.

INCLUDING TWENTY AND THIRTY-SOMETHINGS.

MEDICAL EXPERTS DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT THE SHINGLES VIRUS.

SHINGLES ON THE RISE-SOTVO

"If you got your first at 80 its not very long till you won't have to worry about it. But if you get your first episode of shingles at 18 or 20, you've got another 60-70 years that you're at risk

THERE IS A VACCINE.

BUT RIGHT NOW IT CAN ONLY BE USED --- ON PEOPLE WHO ARE 50 PLUS.

RESEARCHERS ARE WORKING TO HELP THE YOUNGER AGE GROUP.

BUT IT COULD TAKE YEARS.

A SIDE NOT.

SMOKING IN CARS-VO

IN CONNECTICUT --

LAWMAKERS WANT TO *BAN SMOKING. IN CARS.

WHEN A CHILD UNDER SEVEN YEARS OLD IS THERE.

LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WOULD TREAT THE BAN LIKE THE SEAT BELT LAW.

IF THEY SEE SOMEONE SMOKING AND A CHILD INSIDE --

SMOKING IN CARS-(2) SOTVO

SOT / Rep. Henry Genga / 10th District

"When you put a child in you have a responsibility, you have a right and the right thing to do is to take care of that child."

SOT / Patrick

"I don't like it because if you're in the car and you breathe it in you could really hurt yourself."

A 2006 HARVARD UNIVERSITY STUDY SHOWS --

EVEN WITH THE WINDOWS SLIGHTLY OPENED.

HIP REPLACEMENT-VO

NEW RESEARCH INDICATES.

*WOMEN ARE MORE LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE -- HIP IMPLANT FAILURE.

A STUDY FINDS --- WOMEN ARE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE LIKELY TO NEED A REVISION WITHIN THREE YEARS OF SURGERY.

COFFEE AND PREGNANCY-VO

WE HAVE IMPORTANT HEALTH NEWS FOR PREGNANT WOMEN.

DRINING COFFEE DURING PREGNANCY.

COULD RESULT IN A SMALL BABY, WHO IS BORN LATE.

A SWEDISH STUDY COMPARED A WOMAN'S DIET. TO HER CHILD'S WEIGHT AT BIRTH.

AND THE LENGTH OF HER PREGNANCY.

THEY FOUND AN ASSOCIATION --

BETWEEN CAFFEINE AND LOW BIRTH WEIGHT.

TEASE THREE-2-SHOT

STILL AHEAD IN OUR NEXT HALF HOUR --

THE LATEST ON THE TRAGIC DEATH OF COUNTRY SINGER MINDY MCCREADY.

SHE OPENLY BATTLED ADDICTION ON REALITY SHOW "CELEBRITY REHAB."

THIS MORNING, NEW REPORTS --

THAT THE SHOW ACTUALLY *HURT HER RECOVERY,

INSTEAD OF HELPED IT.

PLUS FACEBOOK BANKED ABOUT ONE POINT ONE *BILLION -- IN PROFITS LAST YEAR.

BUT IT PAID NO FEDERAL OR STATE TAXES.

INSTEAD THE GOVERNMENT -- OWES *THEM MONEY.

TZ3A ) MINDY MCCREADY-VO-WIPE

TZ3 B FACEBOOK-VOTOPS-WIPE

TZ3 C SKINNY MODEL BAN-VOTOPS

CROSSTALK WX TEASE-2SH-WX GFX

NEWS AT 9:00 OPEN-CLIP

NY STOCK EXCHANGE OPEN-SAT 3 TOPS

ABC SEVEN IS LIVE AT THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE.

TODAY IS EXPECTED TO BE PRETTY QUIET.

FUTURES ARE *BARELY HIGHER -- as investors remain cautious ahead of a series of reports about the housing sector.

THOSE COME OUT AT 10 A.M.

BUILDER CONFIDENCE IS EXPECTED -- TO HIT A SIX YEAR HIGH.

MEANWHILE, WITH MERGER TALKS.

TOP STORIES-CLIP

TS1) OSCAR PISTOURIS-VOTOPS

OLYMPIC TRACK STAR OSCAR PISTORIUS --

JUST RELEASED A STATEMENT.

DENYING HE HAD "ANY INTENTION" TO KILL HIS GIRLFRIEND REEVA STEENKAMP.

HE SAYS HE THOUGHT SHE WAS A BURGLAR.

TODAY IN COURT -- PROSECUTERS CHARGED THE ATHLETE WITH *PRE-MEDITATED MURDER.

HE WILL SPEND THE NIGHT IN JAIL,

AWAITING A BAIL DECISION BY THE COURT.

TS2) SHELL POINT PEDS HIT-VOTOPS

WE'RE WORKING ON A BREAKING STORY.

RIGHT NOW A LOCAL MAN IS IN THE HOSPITAL.

HE WAS HIT BY CAR WHILE RIDING HIS BIKE.

IT HAPPENED AT THE ENTRANCE OF SHELL POINT.

THE MANS NAME HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED.

HE HAS A HEAD AND LEG INJURY IN CRITICAL CONDITION AT LEE MEMORIAL

TS3)GAS PRICES-VOTOPS

GAS PRICES HIT A RECORD HIGH FOR FEBRUARY.

IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA -- THE AVERAGE IS THREE-87 A GALLON.

THAT'S UP THREE CENTS FROM OVERNIGHT.

AND IT'S *MORE THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE --

OF THREE-75.

BUT BAD NEWS, DRIVERS --

DON'T EXPECT ANY RELIEF.

IN APRIL, PRICES COULD REACH FOUR DOLLARS.

MINDY MCREADY-2 SHOT

MANY QUESTIONS STILL SURROUND THE APPARENT SUICIDE --

OF COUNTRY MUSIC STAR MINDY MCCREADY.

THE 37-YEAR-OLD WAS THE *FIFTH STAR OF "CELEBRITY REHAB". TO DIE RECENTLY.

SO DID THE SHOW. HURT THE RECOVERY PROCESS?

MINDY MCREADY-PKG

music full

The song is called, "I'll See You Yesterday" -

posted by a friend on YOUTUBE.

McCready was reportedly working

on it in the days before her death, Sunday.

_______________________________________

________________________________________

Overnight, appearing on HLN's

DR. DREW show, McCready's friend -

Danno Hanks - played this recorded

phone call of the country star in

crisis - apparently talking about

her boyfriend's DEATH, just two

weeks ago.

_________________________________

VOICE OF MINDY MCCREADY:

"It was the cruelest, most awful

situation I've ever seen."

___________________________________

Dr. Drew Pinsky, who worked with

McCready on his VH1 reality series,

"CELEBRITY REHAB", told CNN overnight

she had recently returned to treatment -

something he discussed with her,

just two weeks ago.

________________________________________

DR. DREW PINSKY:

"A lot of my conversation with her

was about how to keep it CONFIDENTIAL and

- lo and behold - the press got out with

it and ATTACKED her. She left. She's

DEAD, because of it."

_________________________________________

But, this morning, many are asking how

ANOTHER star - who had sought help

so PUBLICLY - could, once again, lose

her battle.

_____________________________________

McCready is now the FIFTH cast member

from "CELEBRITY REHAB" to die.

Most died after suffering relapses,

leaving some to wonder if treatment -

played out on television - does more

harm than good.

_____________________________________

DR. JENNIFER ASHTON,

ABC News senior medical contributor

"Rehabilitation from addiction -

that is a LIFELONG PROCESS.

That doesn't END when the

cameras stop rolling.

That definitely can make it

harder for an individual

who's going through WHATEVER

it is in the public eye."

__________________________________

Actress and singer Mackenzie Phillips

knows how tough it is. She was

McCready's co-star on "CELEBRITY REHAB".

Monday, she spoke to TMZ.

MINDY MCREADY-OC

THAT WAS GIO BENITEZ REPORTING.

EXPERTS ADMIT BEATING ADDICTION IS DIFFICULT ---- ON OR OFF CAMERA.

SPENDING CUTS DEADLINE-OC

WITH THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND BEHIND US --

THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESSIONAL STAFFERS GET BACK TO WORK THIS MORNING.

BUT THE ONE GROUP MISSING FROM THIS EQUATION.

IS LAWMAKERS.

THEY'RE IN RECESS ALL WEEK.

EVEN THOUGH A *BIG DEADLINE IS LOOMING.

SPENDING CUTS DEADLINE-PKG

PRESIDENT OBAMA IS BACK AT THE WHITE HOUSE- AFTER A WEEKEND GOLFING IN FLORIDA-

BUT CONGRESS IS STILL AWAY ON RECESS- TAKING A BREAK ANNOUNCED MONTHS AGO.

VOTERS VISITING THE CAPITOL. ARE UPSET LAWMAKERS ACTUALLY WENT HOME.

too quick to chyron!

"I'd be hard at work"

CONGRESS HAS JUST OVER A WEEK TO AVOID SELF IMPOSED- ACROSS THE BOARD SPENDING CUTS-

"So it is alarming that they are not paying attention to that it is less than a few weeks away"

"In the past they have shown the will bring things down to the wire but they have been able to figure things out."

LAWMAKERS AREN'T ENTIRELY ON VACATION- THEY'RE BACK IN THEIR DISTRICTS TALKING ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THE SEQUESTER.

IN BOSTON- FUNDING FOR HEALTH RESEARCH WOULD BE REDUCED.

Massachusetts:39-:45

"We've got to stop the sequestration cuts we cant strand our researchers."

IN INDIANA- MEAT INSPECTOR FURLOUGHS COULD SLOW PRODUCTION DRIVING UP THE COST OF YOUR MAIN COURSE.

AND IN SAN DIEGO- ABOUT 30-THOUSAND MILITARY JOBS WOULD BE IN JEOPARDY.

California:55-:58

"I'm as frustrated as you that they sent us home."

INSIDERS SAY STAFFERS ARE ALSO NEGOTIATING EVEN WITH THEIR BOSSES AWAY.

"I believe at the staff level but also at the member level behind the scenes there is a lot of maneuvering back and forth."

SPENDING CUTS DEADLINE-OC

DANIELLE LEIGH REPORTING.

THE DEADLINE AND CUTS ARE SELF-IMPOSED.

LAWMAKERS AGREED TO THEM --

TO FORCE THE GOVERNMENT TO CUT THE NATION'S THINKING THAT THEY'D COME UP WITH AN ALTERNATIVE PLAN.

DAD FEEDS BABY BLEACH-SOTVO

A FLORIDA MAN --- IS IN A COUNTY JAIL THIS MORNING.

CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED CHILD ABUSE OF A TWO-MONTH OLD.

POLICE SAY.

CARRON WASHINGTON ADMITS HE PUT BLEACH IN HIS BABY'S FORMULA.

AS A HOME REMEDY" TO HELP HER STOP CRYING.

Carron Washington / Victim's Father

"It's probably the dumbest decision I ever made in my life. And I regret it 110%."

DAD FEEDS BABY BLEACH-SOTVO

"I would hope that no one would intentionally try to hurt any child upon the face of this Earth. And what he was trying to do, that is something that I cannot answer."

WASHINGTON WILL BE ARRAIGNED MARCH 19TH.

FHP CRASH UPDATE-OC-SS-VO

THIS MORNING -- A FAMILY OF THREE RECOVERS FROM A CRASH.

CAUSED BY A FLORIDA STATE TROOPER.

CHRIS AND CRYSTAL MCCLURE ARE NOW IN FAIR CONDITION.

THEIR ONE-YEAR-OLD SON CHRISTOPHER ESCAPED FROM THE CRASH WITH MINOR INJURIES.

F-H-P SAYS TROOPER GUSTAVO REYES WAS DRIVING BEHIND THE FAMILY,

ON I-75 FRIDAY NIGHT.

BUT HIS PATROL CAR CLIPPED THE BACK OF THEIR JEEP.

CAUSING IT TO ROLL OVER.

FAMILY FRIENDS TELL US --

CRYSTAL MCCLURE'S UNBORN BABY DID NOT SURVIVE THE CRASH.

THE TROOPER WAS NOT INJURED.

AND IS TAKING PERSONAL TIME OFF.

NJ SCHOOL BUS CRASH-VO

SIX CHILDREN SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES --

AFTER A SCHOOL BUS CRASH IN NEW JERSEY MONDAY AFTERNOON.

ACCORDING TO A STUDENT ON THE BUS --

THE DRIVER SWERVED TO AVOID HITTING A DEER,

THAT DARTED OUT ONTO THE ROADWAY.

THE BUS ENDED UP IN A ROADSIDE DITCH.

THERE WERE SEVEN STUDENTS ON THE BUS AT THE TIME.

MANATEE HARASSMENT-VO

THE PICTURES ARE ALMOST UNBELIEVABLE-

A MAN POSES A TODDLER ON A MANATEE CALF.

AND EVEN LIFTS IT OUT OF THE WATER.

THE MANATEE IS AN ENDANGERED SPECIES.

THIS IS IN SAINT LUCIE COUNTY.

RYAN WATERMAN WAS ARRESTED --- AFTER SOMEONE TIPPED OFF FWC THAT HE'D POSTED THE PICTURES ON HIS FACEBOOK PAGE.

FACEBOOK'S BIG TAX BREAK-VO

FACEBOOK RAKED IN ABOUT A BILLION DOLLARS IN PROFITS LAST YEAR.

BUT ACCORDING TO A TAX WATCHDOG GROUP --

IT PAID NO FEDERAL OR STATE TAXES.

AND THE SOCIAL NETWORK IS DUE A WHOPPING 429-MILLION DOLLAR REFUND.

THANKS TO A MAJOR TAX LOOPHOLE.

THE SOCIAL NETWORK IS CLAIMING A ONE-BILLION DOLLAR TAX DEDUCTION --

FOR "EXCESS BENEFITS FROM STOCK OPTIONS."

WHAT'S THAT MEAN?

THE COMPANY PAID MANY OF ITS EXECUTIVES WITH STOCK OPTIONS.

THESE ARE PROMISES TO BUY SHARES OF THE COMPANY'S STOCK. AT A SET PRICE.

WHEN FACEBOOK WENT PUBLIC LAST YEAR,

IT MEANT THEY COULD EXERCISE THOSE OPTIONS.

MICROSOFT EMAIL-OC

ALL NEW THIS MORNING--

GET READY FOR A MICROSOFT OUTLOOK BLITZ!

MICROSOFT IS *CONFIDENT IT HAS THE INTERNET'S BEST EMAIL SERVICE.

SO IT'S ABOUT TO SPEND AT LEAST 30 MILLION DOLLARS --

TO SEND ITS MESSAGE ACROSS THE U-S.

THE BARRAGE OF ADS ON PRIMETIME T-V, RADIO AND WEBSITES.

BEGINS TODAY.

HUGO CHAVEZ RETURNS-VO

CELEBRATION IN CARACAS.

AFTER VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT HUGO CHAVEZ -- ANNOUNCED BY TWITTER.

HE'S BACK IN THE COUNTRY.

CHAVEZ'S RETURN TO VENEZUELA.

COMES AFTER MORE THAN TWO MONTHS OF TREATMENT IN CUBA -- FOLLOWING CANCER SURGERY.

CHAVEZ SUPPORTERS CELEBRATED IN THE STREETS.

TEASE FOUR-2-SHOT

FASHION COULD GET A WHOLE NEW LOOK.

ONE COUNTRY CONSIDERS *BANNING SKINNY MODELS.

THEY SAY FASHION HAS A DARK SIDE.

AND THAT THE U-S SHOULD FOLLOW SUIT.

PLUS

YOU'VE SEEN THE RED CARPET SEATS -- AT THE OSCARS.

THIS MORNING.

TZ4 A SKINNY MODDEK BAN-VO-WIPE

TZ4 B BLEACHER SEATS-VOTOPS

WEATHER TEASE-WX ID

SKINNY MODELS BAN-2 SHOT

ISRAEL OUTLAWS MODELS -- WHO ARE TOO SKINNY.

AND NOW OTHER COUNTRIES. AND AGENCIES. ARE THINKING OF FOLLOWING SUIT.

NOW SOME ISRAELIS LEADING THE CHARGE.

SAY THEY'RE COMING TO NEW YORK IN APRIL.

TO PERSUADE TOP FASHION COMPANIES --

TO BAN SUPER-THIN MODELS HERE AS WELL.

SKINNY MODELS BAN-PKG

Every photo shoot is a personal victory for Israeli model Margaux Stelman.her sister - also a model - died from anorexia, the eating disorder. But Stelman, 21, found out that she can work at the highest level and NOT starve herself.

"I THOUGHT MODELING HAD A VERY SAD THING TO IT, BUT NOW WE'RE BRINGING THE HEALTHY MODELS BACK."

In fact, super-thin models are now ILLEGAL here.Israeli law bans them from working IF their Body Mass Index - or BMI, a combination of height and weight - is LESS than 18.5. That is, less than 118 lbs if you're 5'7".

It also prohibits advertisers from publishing digitally-manipulated images without a clear, written warning that the pictures you are seeing are PhotoShop-ed.

"A CHILD WHO LOOKS AT THE TV AND WANTS TO BE SKINNY WITHOUT ANY REASON, JUST BECAUSE THEY SAW BEAUTIFUL AND SKINNY GIRLS - THAT WE CAN CHANGE."

Adi Barkan was an iconic fashion photographer.until one of his models died in his arms.from anorexia. Shocked, he put down his cameras and reached out to hundreds of sick, young models, offering help.

"I KNOW 60 GIRLS THAT, WITHOUT ME, THEY ARE NOT HERE."

SKINNY MODELS BAN-2 SHOT

THAT WAS JIM MACEDA REPORTING.

BASED ON WHAT THEY'RE SEEING IN LONDON, SUPER-THIN IS SUPER IN.

STORM WARN GENERIC CLIP-CLIP

CROSSTALK-CAM 9 WX EST

FORECAST-WX WALL

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.

Temperatures are on the rise"

Our cold snap is quickly fading and the mercury will be on the rise throughout the rest of the week. Heading out the door this morning you'll need the sweaters as temperatures are cool, but not quite as cold as yesterday. We'll start the day in the lower 50s along the urban corridor with our inland and northern cool spots into the 40s.

Plenty of sunshine will quickly melt any chill in the air and by mid day we're talking about temperatures in the middle 70s. High pressure will continue to move eastbound providing us with a southeasterly wind, which will increase our humidity and push our afternoon highs into the upper 70s to 80° under partly sunny skies.

Tonight, a few clouds will pass by from time to time as overnight lows settle into the low 60s. We may even see a few patches of fog develop by sunrise tomorrow.

On Wednesday, we'll be watching a cold front that's currently making its way across the Mississippi River. It will sink south across the peninsula in a weakened state and will more than likely not have any impact on our weather here in Southwest Florida. At most we'll see a few extra clouds early in the day with a sprinkle or two.

“BLEACHER SEATS”-2 SHOT

YOU'VE SEEN THE PEOPLE WHO SIT IN THE BLEACHERS -- BEFORE THE OSCARS.

AND WONDERED.

HOW DO THEY GET THOSE SEATS?

WE'VE LEARNED --

THE CONTESTANTS HAD TO SEND IN THEIR APPLICATIONS.

PITCHING TO THE ACADEMY ON WHY THEY DESERVE TO BE THERE.

IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN APPLYING,

“BLEACHER SEATS”-PKG

Robert Arsenault / Toronto, Canada Movie Fan

Judy Anglin/ Toronto, Canada Movie Fan

Alana Lang / San Diego, CA Movie Fan

Courtesy: "When Harry Met Sally" / Castle Rock Entertainment

Ben Gleib, Oscar Road Trip Escort

THEY ARE THE *EXCLUSIVE* SEATS ON THE OSCAR RED CARPET THAT GET YOU "UP

CLOSE AND PERSONAL". WITH HOLLYWOOD'S BIGGEST STARS.

BUT THESE 700 TICKETS. ARE VERY HARD TO COME BY.

SOT -- Robert Arsenault, Toronto, Canada, Movie Fan / "I hear her screaming

on her lap top in the other room." 3

JUST ASK MOVIE FAN ROBERT ARSENAULT AND HIS WIFE JUDY.

SOT -- Judy Anglin, Toronto, Canada Movie Fan / "If I get a kiss from

George Clooney. I'm not sharing it with anybody!" 3

THE COUPLE FROM CANADA WON TWO TICKETS TO THE RED CARPET THROUGH THE ACADEMY

'S ONLINE LOTTERY. BEATING OUT *20-THOUSAND* PEOPLE.

THIS IS ALSO ALANA LANG'S LUCKY YEAR.

SOT - Alana Lang, San Diego Movie Fan / "I couldn't believe it. I've never

won anything in my life." 3

SEATS HAVE ALSO BEEN AWARDED TO FANS.

NATS / "You're going to the Oscar red

carpet!" 2

.DURING THE FIRST-EVER "OSCAR ROAD TRIP."

REMEMBER THAT FAMOUS SCENE IN "WHEN HARRY MET SALLY?"

SOT - Film / "When Harry Met Sally", Courtesy: Castle Rock Entertainment /

"Yes! "Yes! Yes!" 2

NATS - Jessica Fee "Yes! Yes." 1

JESSICA FEE REENACTED IT SO WELL IN NEW YORK. FEE AND HER HUSBAND WON

BLEACHER SEATS.

NATS -- / "I can do it." 1

SO DID A LUCKY MOVIE FAN. WHO GAVE HIS BEST "ROCKY" IMPRESSION IN

PHILADELPHIA.

SOT -- Ben Gleib, Oscar Road Trip / "You're going to Hollywood. OH! How

you like that? OH! That's fantastic!" 5

THESE "BLEACHER CREATURES" FROM AROUND THE WORLD. ARE NOW CONNECTING

THROUGH FACEBOOK. AND SHARING THEIR PERSONAL STORIES.

SOT - Alana Lang, San Diego Movie Fan / "I've watched the Oscars as long as

I can remember. My mother was a real movie fan. Somewhere in heaven my

“BLEACHER SEATS”-OC

THAT WAS BRANDI HITT REPORTING.

YOU'LL HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN BLEACHER TICKETS TO NEXT YEAR'S OSCARS.

SEATS BACK UP-PKG

ESTERO BLVD-VO

LOOKING AHEAD --

TOMORROW, THE LEE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WILL MEET WITH FORT MYERS BEACH OFFICIALS.

ON THE AGENDA --

THE LATEST IMPROVEMENTS TO ESTERO BOULEVARD.

FORT MYERS BEACH IS MAKING A NUMBER OF IMPROVEMENTS --

FOR PEDESTRIAN SAFETY.

BUT "BIKE WALK LEE" ALSO WANTS TO MAKE ITS VOICE HEARD.

THEY'RE PUSHING FOR BIKE LANES ON EACH SIDE OF THE ROAD.

A SLOWER 25 MILE PER HOUR SPEED LIMIT.

EDISON SAC REPORT-VO

EDISON STATE COLLEGE IS MOVING FORWARD.

IN THE FIGHT TO GET RE-ACCREDITED.

ADMINISTRATORS SUBMITTED A STATUS REPORT - KNOWN AS A MONITORING REPORT - ON THEIR EFFORTS TO FIX SEVEN AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT.

SOME INCLUDE INTEGRITY, HAVING A FULL TIME FACULTY, AND UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS.

EDISON *IS ACCREDITED RIGHT NOW.

FL HITS TOURISM RECORD-VO

MORE FOLKS ARE ENJOYING FLORIDA.

THE STATE SAYS NEARLY 90-MILLION PEOPLE -- VACATIONED HERE IN 2012.

THAT'S THE HIGHEST EVER.

UP MORE THAN 2-MILLION PEOPLE FROM 2011.

WHICH WAS ALSO A RECORD BREAKING YEAR.

THE HOSPITALITY SECTOR ENDED 2012 -- WITH MORE THAN 30 THOUSAND NEW JOBS.

GOVERNOR SCOTT INCREASED THE TOURISM BUDGET THIS YEAR.

GOOGLE RETAIL STORE-VO

SEARCH GIANT GOOGLE --

MIGHT OPEN RETAIL STORES IN SOME MAJOR CITIES.

REPORTS CLAIM THE STAND ALONE STORES *COULD OPEN,

BY THIS YEAR'S HOLIDAY SEASON.

AND WOULD LET CONSUMERS TEST OUT SOME OF GOOGLE'S PRODUCTS,

BEFORE PURCHASING.

LIKE THE GOOGLE GLASSES.

TEASE FIVE-2-SHOT

ABC7 HAS YOUR TOP TUESDAY STORIES.

PLUS, YOUR STORM WARN 7 FORECAST.

ALSO -- ALEC BALDWIN DEFENDS HIMSELF --

AFTER ANOTHER RUN-IN WITH REPORTERS.

TZ5 A ALEC BALDWIN-VO

FINAL CHECK OF STOCKS-SAT 3 FULL

ALEC BALDWIN DISPUTE-VO

ALEX BALDWIN REPORTEDLY HAS A RUN IN WITH REPORTERS.

ACCORDING TO THE NEW YORK POST -- BALDWIN TOLD ONE OF THEIR REPORTERS, HE WANTED TO CHOKER HER TO DEATH -- AND EVEN USED RACIAL SLURS AGAINST HER PHOTOGRAPHER.

A REP FOR BALDWIN -- CALLED THE ACCUSATIONS "COMPLETELY FALSE."

FERGIE BABY BUMP-WIPE-VOTOPS

POP STAR -- FERGIE, IS HAVING A BABY.

SHE TWEETED ABOUT HER "LOVELY BABY BUMP"=

A REP FOR THE BLACK EYED PEAS SINGER -- CONFIRMS SHE IS EXPECTING HER FIRST CHILD WITH HUSBAND JOSH DUHAMEL.

AT A RECENT MOVIE PREMEIRE.

MEGA DOLPHIN POD-WIPE-VOTOPS

SOME COOL VIDEO THIS MORNING --

A DOLPHIN MEGA-POD!

SWIMMING *RIGHT OFF THE COAST OF SAN DIEGO.

EXPERTS THINK NEARLY ONE-THOUSAND DOLPHINS WERE THERE.

WHICH IS VERY UNUSUAL.

SINCE DOLPHINS NORMALLY TRAVEL IN GROUPS OF 200.

RESEARCHERS SAY THERE *IS A LOT OF FOOD IN THE AREA.

SARDINES, HERRING AND SQUID.

KIM KARDASHIAN MARRIAGE-VO

AND FINALLY, THIS MORNING--

KIM KARDASHIAN'S LAWYERS GO TO COURT THIS WEEK.

THEY WANT AN *EARLY TRIAL DATE --

TO END HER MARRIAGE TO NETS PLAYER KRIS HUMPHRIES.

THE PREGNANT REALITY STAR WANTS THE DIVORCE FINALIZED,

*BEFORE THE BIRTH OF HER BABY WITH RAPPER KANYE WEST.

THEY'RE EXPECTING THE BABY IN JULY.

HUMPHRIES -- WHO'S SEEKING ANNULMENT -- WANTS THE CASE TO STAY ON HOLD,

TOP STORIES OPEN-CLIPTOPS

TS1) PISTOURIS-VOTOPS

OLYMPIC TRACK STAR OSCAR PISTORIUS --

JUST RELEASED A STATEMENT.

DENYING HE HAD "ANY INTENTION" TO KILL HIS GIRLFRIEND REEVA STEENKAMP.

HE SAYS HE THOUGHT SHE WAS A BURGLAR.

TODAY IN COURT -- PROSECUTERS CHARGED THE ATHLETE WITH *PRE-MEDITATED MURDER.

HE WILL SPEND THE NIGHT IN JAIL,

AWAITING A BAIL DECISION BY THE COURT.

TS2) SHELL POINT-VOTOPS

WE'RE WORKING ON A BREAKING STORY.

RIGHT NOW, A LOCAL MAN IS IN THE HOSPITAL.

A CAR HIT HIM, WHILE HE WAS RIDING HIS BIKE.

IT HAPPENED AT THE ENTRANCE OF SHELL POINT.

WE KNOW IT'S AN 87-YEAR-OLDMAN,

BUT HIS NAME HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED..

WE KNOW HE'S IN CRITICAL CONDITION AT LEE MEMORIAL.

WITH HEAD AND LEG INJURIES.

TS3) GAS PRICES-VOTOPS

GAS PRICES HIT A RECORD HIGH FOR FEBRUARY.

IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA -- THE AVERAGE IS THREE-87 A GALLON.

THAT'S UP THREE CENTS FROM OVERNIGHT.

AND IT'S *MORE THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE --

OF THREE-75.

BUT BAD NEWS, DRIVERS --

DON'T EXPECT ANY RELIEF.

IN APRIL, PRICES COULD REACH FOUR DOLLARS.

CLOSE-2SH-AWS ANI

AD LIB GOODBYE

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