melissa marino joins us live from the q p down. >>reporter: these flowers here a heartbreaking reminder what happened that night. two weeks later and his wife and police are still searching for answers. a tearful plea for justice. the past two weeks have been nothing short of misery for the wife of murdered store clerk. the couple had been married for 12 years and had two daughters. >> toughest question that she when is dad coming home. >>reporter: mystery still surrounds his death. seconds after closing up the q p muhammad was gunned down. when he didn't come home that morning. she went to the gas station and saw crime tape. >> i think something wrong with my husband i feel it you know. something wrong with my husband. i feel it. >>reporter: then the heartbreaking news. >> he is no more. >>reporter: gas station surveillance shows two suspects wearing hoodies running off after the encounters. bliss believe they confronted muhammad took his pants and belongings and one shot him. they found his phone but haven't been able to track do

we will update you on the latest in lake wales, melissa marino news channel 8 still to come tonight, cruise enthusiasts have a brand-new way to travel from port tampa bay. >> which cruise line is adding a new ship to the port and the ecstatic -- exotic destinations bob buesing... on the record. he sues tax payers to cover the outrageous cost of a lavish courthouse. ical to seniors. his law firm is accused of running up costs on a school district at the expense of our kids. trailing in the polls, buesing attacks dana young. for things she never did. so we ask... mr. buesing, will you do anything to win? >>> four dogs and 17 cats seized from a home in spring hill are in good condition and ready to find their forever homes. officers with pasco county animal control were notified about a possible hoarding situation. when they arrived at the home, the homeowner willingly surrendered the animals, saying the pet owner was fined for not having all the cats and dogs up to date on vaccines. >>> tampa bay is about to get a new cruise ship setting sail to the caribbean. the carnival miracle is c

melissa marino joins us live in lakeland. and that's where investigators spent much of the night searching. >>reporter: that's right. good evening. they found that stolen truck right over here across the street near this sam's club. so then they scoured a nearby neighborhood. i spoke with neighbors there blocked. >>reporter: she got caught in the middle of the manhunt. deputies looked in her car for the suspect joseph flanagin. >> he looked in my back seat i had my brother back there. we had to turn around. >>reporter: this is hd video of that search near flanagin's last known address. deputies finally found him this morning a few miles away in north lakeland. court documents show flanagin was arrested in september for petit theft. his third conviction. he was granted trus this allowed him to work outside under supervision. but it turns out this trustee wasn't so trustworthy. around 3:30 yesterday his supervisor noticed he was missing from the bartow maintenance facility. he had stolen a fleet truck and took off. soy was it t

melissa marino is joining us with this story and these scams are probably going to try this somewhere else. >> reporter: that's right. the couple found an add about a unavailable home. they thought they did everything right but got scammed. kassidy got the keys to her new home and couldn't wait to move in. >> 650 -- $650 a month for this property and $550 if you can pay the property yourself.>> reporter: the winter haven address was listed for sale or free on a facebook yard sale >> we came to the property and met her here. she had a lease written up with a fake lawyer. anything that would make it look legit. she asked for proof of income, ids, like it seemed unreal. truck turns out it was too good to be true. >> after i came here with my stuff i was told by the back neighbor that she actually got evicted three days ago. >> reporter: the unit was actually owned by this man, i'm near -- a me >> so they did this he legally. >> yes, this is my house. >> reporter: now the bogus seller is nowhere to be found. so how can you avoid getting scammed? research on property appraisers can help yo

that is where melissa marino joins us live and we understand that employee could be fired for what she did right after the accident. >> reporter: that's right. the employee we are told lied and said the student was no street and then we're told she tried to cover up for that live. 8 on your side went to brenda young's house. >> brenda? wondering if you wanted to talk to news channel 8 about what happened. >> reporter: she wouldn't open the door but talked to me through the window.>> [ indiscernible -- low volume ] >> reporter: according to school records, the day of the accident, young, the transportation manager, told road to get to his bus stop. ater that day, kirk's. was changed in the system. school officials determined that young was the only one that could have done this. >> so this was all you're doing?>> [ indiscernible -- low volume ] i will comment after the hearing tomorrow. >> reporter: documents show that young admitted to changing the bus routes the day of the crash and says she did this to create a safer bus stop for other students, not to cover anything up. young has be

it's a story you are only going to see on news channel 8 and melissa marino joins us from the police department. what a great gesture from this young man. >> reporter: absolutely and he paddington here but he wanted to give it all away. ethan chatman wanted two things for his birthday: a glow-in-the- dark rollerskating party. >> i got to wear white stuff and i had to things that glowed in the dark. >> reporter: and you can probably guess what else made the top of his wish list, toys. a whole lot of them. truck that is so many. but is that? >> paddington. >> reporter: but not for himself. >> i have too much toys. >> reporter: you have to many? >> and stuffed animals. >> reporter: he decided to give all of his birthday kids -- birthday gifts to other kids. >> reporter: what kind of kids? >> kids that don't have any toys.. surprised? ethan's mom isn't. >> he has got a big heart. >> reporter: ethan had all of toys and he got some pretty cool stuff. >> reporter: is it hard to give away these ties? >> yeah. >> reporter: he proudly marched all of it to the lakeland police department for the

melissa marino was in the courtroom and joins us now. a whole lot of emotions on this day. >> reporter: today really ripped open old wounds for aerospace academy. this is where she was an english teacher and where she lured in her victims. >> you don't know. you don't know. >> reporter: an explosion of emotions. >> stop it. >> reporter: outside the courtroom, a heated exchange between the parents of one of the victims and jennifer fichter's family. persons life and i did because your daughter put us in that predicament. >> the testimony was that -- broke -- >> reporter: this after the famous teacher put a judge behind bars for having sex with multiple teenage boys, ruled she must continue serving her entire 22 year sentence. >> the sentence will remain as it is. >> reporter: victor -- factor's attorney argued the boys were willing participants. a psychologist took the stand. >> she must have had some need >> reporter: painting the picture of a depressed woman looking for validation. >> so she had three victims. we know that. we know all

melissa marino continues our coverage live from lakeland. we both live in polk county. it's important to both camps for a variety of reasons. >> reporter: political analysts tell me the way polk county votes will likely be the way the i-4 corrider goes and away florida goes. polk county is virtually split democrats, republicans, and independence. historically, polk county has favored the republican candidate. in recent years, candidates one by a on average of 5% here but it will all come down to turnout. we spoke with one voter who decided to cross party lines. >> i just kind of went on, do i want business as normal or do i want to shake it up and i actually for the first time broke from party lines everywheus >> reporter: more than 170,000 people voted early or by mail in polk county and those voters, virtually split 50-50 between republicans and democrats. a must watch here in polk county. >> looking forward to it. melissa marino for us. >> while most of the attention will go to the top of the ticket, there are several local >> reporter: we are talking about the big m

melissa marino sat down with an expert to find out what the industry could look like. >> is it going to be strict? conservative? more liberal? >> that's a very good question and i don't know that anyone has a crystal ball for sure. >> reporter: attorney richard blau focuses on the laws for heavily regulated products representing one of the state's six licensees currently distributing medical marijuana in florida. see how this all unfolds. >> you do have major stakeholders interested. >> we are telling clients, many of the answers you seek are going to be answered not today, not tomorrow, but in 2017 when the legislature debates these issues. >> how easy is it for the average person to get involved? >> this is not where you quit your day job and jump in with both feet. >> reporter: from how to tax it to strict he says the protocols will be many. >> if it was easy, it would be cheese or shoes and marijuana is neither of those. >> reporter: and polk county, melissa marino news channel 8. >>> one airline has found a way to make flying cheaper and even more miserable. that story coming up

melissa marino confronted the employee who may be fired over the incident. >> reporter: 8 on your side went to brenda young's house to get answers.>> brenda? wondering if you wanted to talk to news channel 8 about what happened.>> reporter: she didn't open the door but talk t according to school records, the day of the accident, young, the transportation manager, told her supervisors that kirk was not recovered -- required to cross clubhouse road to get to his bust up. later that day, his bus assignment was changed in the computer system. young was the only one who could have done this. >> this was all you're doing?>> no comment. i will comment after the hearing. decision tomorrow during that meeting. melissa marino, news channel 8 . >>> a group of good samaritans help save a family trapped on a burning boat yesterday afternoon off cooking a beach in manatee county. the engine compartment on the book caught fire while a family was on board. thankfully, heather whitner spotted them and quick me as quickly came by. heather and her family got the people out re >> it's kind of a water cour

melissa marino is in polk county with the winning from police to be on alert. >> reporter: talk about the worst of the worst. police say this trio is targeting the most vulnerable elderly women for some easy cash. police believe these three are grocery store predators. in the past few weeks, stealing from three elderly women shopping at publix stores in plant city. i'm not sure of what their roles are, within their actions. >> reporter: they prey on unsuspecting shoppers. one of them distracts the victim, asking where to find a grocery item while another moves in on their wallet. the thieves then cash in at a nearby cvs. so far, using the stolen credit cards to buy at least $1000 in gift cards. >> i think that's awful. it's deplorable. >> reporter: crooks like this are the >> i usually keep my a person very close to me. >> reporter: police say you should do the same. also, make your wallet hard-to- find. >> a presumptive thief would have to work to get it. >> reporter: with the holiday season approaching, count on one thing, thieves will be prowling. >> the goal is to make your self a

melissa marino spoke to the man who happened to find her and help save her life. >>reporter: at first michael thought it was a joke until he got closer. >> she was laying in the bushes tangled up. >>reporter: in the woods across his house lay a small girl which ashore risk tale to tell. >> her she has no shoes on she's really dirty she says she from. >>reporter: chris and melissa peters are behind bars accused of some of the worst abuse and neglect inside this home in dundee. >> it has shaken our most experienced detectives to the soul. >>reporter: according to court documents the 17-year-old girl was badly beaten and only wade 86 pounds. >> you guys were here for a reason. >> we were. definitely were for a reason. definitely saved her life. >>reporter: in polk county melissa marino news channel 8. >> it will be months before a tampa boy can walk again. 12-year-old darryle ortega pushed a friend out of the way just before a driver hit him last thursday along east hannah avenue in past that driver then left the scene. ortega has several broken bones and his mother

melissa marino jones us live in lakeland where that search continues. >>reporter: what's really scary police tell me this was completely random. i spoke with this couple they are thankful they only lost possessions. claudia citizen ten was in her doorway when the terror began. >> the doorbell rings at 0 a prank but when she opened the door four men ambushed her. one put a gun to her head and tied her up with a table runner. claudia's screams woke her husband charles he wrap to help but was stopped by the barrel of a gun. >> pointed a couple of inches from my head and pushed me back into the germ. >>reporter: the couple says one of the suspects did all of the caulk talking. >> he then started screaming didn't give him more money. he also started shouting at the rest of the people in the house. well get the tvs. >>reporter: after 30 minutes the suspects made off with electronics, cash, the couple's car and even an urn with their dog's ashes. 45 minutes later officers spotted a different stolen car crashed in the ditch. 3 of the then there's 19-year-old is

melissa marino joins us from you can't really slip by these red light cameras to easily . >> reporter: they take a picture of your vehicle if you run a red light this is undeniable evidence that has this officer scolding himself.>> he can request that he only pay one amount for the court hearing . >> reporter: officer tim glover is used to writing red light tickets. >> it shows the vehicle behind the stop bar. is. >> family members, neighbors, police officers . >> reporter: recently when reviewing footage, he noticed a patrol car running a red light. >> when i first saw those like i'm going to have to issue one of my coworkers a ticket. and i'm not going to be mr. popularity . >> reporter: until he looked closer. i was like that kind of looks like my tag number. that looks like my unit number. i walked out to the parking lot after seeing that and it was. >> i walked back into my boss's office and i said just to let you know i ran a red light. >> reporter: you could have pretended like it didn't happen. >> yes ma'am, i could have hit the reject button but i wouldn't have been able to l

the officer ran a red light and melissa marino shows us what he did about it. >> he can request that he only pay one amount for the court hearing . >> reporter: officer tim glover is used to writing red light tickets. no matter who it is. >> family members, neighbors, police officers . >> reporter: recently, when reviewing footage, he noticed a patrol car running a red light. another one of my coworkers a ticket. i'm not going to be mr. popularity . >> reporter: that is until he looked a little closer. >> i said that kind of looks like my tag number and my unit number. so then i walked out to the parking lot after seeing that. it was. >> reporter: you could have pretended like it didn't happen. >> yes, ma'am. i could have easily hit the reject button. live with myself if i had . >> reporter: officer glover paid the nearly $170 ticket and received a written reprimand but was later commended for honesty. and polk county, melissa marino news channel 8. >>> if you want to teach our kids to read, you might as well teach them to chat. the new app that contains -- combines the two. >>> and

melissa marino has the latest. >> reporter: we've learned that a tip came into crimestoppers about a blue pick up truck. you see all the damage on the front end. all these white stickers are evidence markers. this spot down here tested positive for human blood. we have learned the suspect is 71 year old charles charlie road. this is just east of where the hit-and-run happened. lewis admitted to the hit-and- run and said he was drinking that night. >> he also admitted later that he knew he hit something, but he never saw any people. he's painted himself in the right light in his opinion. in the proper light, in his opinion, but he did admit that he did exactly what we suspected him of. >> reporter: lewis will be booked in the polk overnight and is expected to have first appears tomorrow. in lake wales, melissa marino, news channel 8. >>> pasco county animal control officers are investigating a hoarding case in spring hill. they ceased more than two dozen cats and dogs. these animals are actually up for adoption now; right? >> reporter: you're absolutely right. this wasn't a case where

. >> reporter: melissa marino news channel 8. >>> usually, if the truck is broken, we can blame our photojournalist but he conveniently made sure there were other suspects. did that roseville errors -- video through the bay area -- beam video throughout the bay area. courtney dempsey took some time to talk at the tampa day school in citrus park today. >>> chief meteorologist steve jerve joins us now. do you see that amazing sunset? that was taken about -- that one with the sun setting.>> and that's the sun studying. >> shot by paul in eagle 8 hd. we were hazing him on tv. >> the kids look like they had a great day. that is a great shot. think the sunset is 5:37 pm. we were watching this live and i looked at the recorded time. abr perspective was different. >> we should be outside. >> we are on tv right now. >> there is that. >> the weekend forecast, 70 degrees for saturday, 68 on sunday. cool air is going to surgeon. = will change things but won't bring much in the way of precipitation, maybe a few extra clouds. this is exciting for us becaus goes our satellite -- gosar satellite. we will be at the

melissa marino news channel 8. >>> a jacksonville's man appeal for killing a teenager over loud music was denied. he appealed the 2014 conviction in the death of jordan davis and was tried in 2013 and convicted on three a car of unarmed teenagers. the original jury could not agree on the first-degree murder charge.>>> a fort myers middle school student is in big trouble for pulling out a pellet gun on the school bus and scaring classmates out of their wits. eight students from cypress lake middle school were forced off the bus for safety. no one was hurt but kids and parents were shaken up and the street had to be closed. >>> the business of medical marijuana is getting ready to bloom with the passage of >> reporter: florida's future cash crop could be medical marijuana. researchers with new frontier data, a cannabis market research company, our high on cash projections for cannabis. jeff sharkey and taylor beale, founders of the medical marijuana business association, are not surprised now that amendment 2 passed. >> business is becoming real. >> reporter: the new frontier study says

. >> melissa marino live in lakeland. thanks for the information. >>> now, max defender 8, the world's most powerful radar and your storm team 8 forecast with chief meteorologist steve jerve. >> max defender 8 picking up a few showers in the inland areas, specifically polk county and also down to highlands lifting rapidly to the north. might still pick up a few light showers if you live down in sebring or lake placid or eventually frostproof or the eastern sections up polk county. if you haven't seen this in a while, this is actually rain and this is rod carter. he shot this video of a downpour in tampa this afternoon. it has been an extremely dry november for tampa bay. actually, one of the driest months on record. this afternoon, brief showers were needed and welcome. 72 degrees, no official rainfall at this location but very pleasant temperatures. haze in the air atmosphere at the lakeland automall. feeding tampa bay is going to be around as well as toys for tots and for the rough riders to collect teddy bears friday,

as melissa marino shows us, polk county is right in the middle of the fight >> if my person doesn't win, i can only say u paul casts ballots early. they know just how important their votes are in this election. >> i think this is probably the most important election we have had in my lifetime. >> reporter: the entire i-4 corrider will play a vital role and polk county is in the middle of the political ring. >> and polk county, we are evenly divided. we have 37% democrats, 36% republicans and 27% of our makes polk county a prime political target and a must watch. >> we are truly unpredictable on the i-4 corrider. >> reporter: florida southern college, political science professor bruce anderson says polk county voters will play a major role.>> we are out the vortex in the center of the i-4 corrider. the way polk county goes is the way that the i-4 will go is the way florida will go. it could not be more important for polk county to turn out. >> reporter: so far, they are doing that. >> we are approaching 60,000 early voting and another 65,000 or more. -- 65,000 or more by mail. >> reporte

his bond was denied today. >> melissa marino live in polk county. >>> in this election season on the campaign trail tonight. hillary clinton is feeling pressure to lure voters as she wrapped up a rally at el paso -- l pasco state university. former miss universe alicia machado introduced her, detailing her experiences with donald trump, who she says clinton avoided talking about the fbi probe into her emails to focus on trump's comments about women. >> he tried to explain it away as locker room talk. i will tell you what, a lot of professional athletes stood up and said not in our locker rooms. that does not happen. >> former president bill clinton is campaigning for his wife in pinellas county and vice president joe biden will be in tampa tomorrow. >>> florida utility companies are spending millions in support of amendment 1 opponents claim the campaign is deceiving voters. protesters rallied outside duke energy in st. petersburg as part of a statewide rally against amendment 1. backers claim is pro-solar and consumer friendly but environmentalists and consumer advocates say that is

that is where melissa marino joins us live and we understand that employee could be fired for what she did right after the accident. >> reporter: that's right. the employee we are told lied and said the student was no street and then we're told she tried to cover up for that live. 8 on your side went to brenda young's house. >> brenda? wondering if you wanted to talk to news channel 8 about what happened. >> reporter: she wouldn't open the door but talked to me through the window.>> [ indiscernible -- low volume ] >> reporter: according to school records, the day of the accident, young, the transportation manager, told

in orlando, melissa marino news >>> president obama called president-elect trump to congratulate him on the win and invite him for a meeting tomorrow to talk about plans for a smooth transition of power. meanwhile, governor rick scott and pam bondi both played key roles in helping president- elect trump when florida. now, both could be poised to play key roles in washington. we sent mike russell and in for a closer look at this situation. >> reporter: pam bondi endorsed donald trump the day before florida's primary rick scott followed through the day after. scott also ran the rebuild america now pack. he spent $20 million in key battleground states to help trump. >> hillary's priorities are not your priorities. >> reporter: he could likely have any job he wants in dc but says he is counting the days he has left as governor. >> there is a rumor you would be offered health and human and human services secretary. would you take it? >> no. i ran hard to get this job twice. both hard-fought races. i believe in this state. we have the opportunity to get our people jobs, improve education.

news channel 8 got a few answers and melissa marino sat down with an expert to learn more about what the industry could look like. she joins us now live. a big question out here is how this will all play out across the state. what are you hearing?>> this is something we will see in the coming months and years but for those who are trying to make a little cash, this isn't for everyone.>> i've known a few people that are dying from cancer and they can't eat and they can't move. if that makes them move, it's the marijuana. >> reporter: the people of florida have spoken but how will the legal use of medical marijuana bloom in our state? >> if they patrol it good, it will be good but if they don't -- >> that balance is what >> is it going to be strict, conservative? a little more liberal? >> that's a very good question and i don't know that anyone has a crystal ball that can tell you for sure. >> reporter: attorney richard blue focuses on the laws for heavily regulated products representing one of the state's six licensees currently producing and distributing medical marijuana in florida.

. >>> melissa marino tells >> reporter: at afternoon i am standing at the hangar that will be their new home. inside of here they will have offices and operations built. construction has already started . back there will be a brand- new hangar. for months know of's hurricane hunters have been looking for a new hangar to call home. lakeland linder fit the bill. there is enough room for their 9 state-of-the-art aircraft, long enough runway and it is with and 50 miles of mcdill air of mcdill air force base. they will be one if not the biggest tenant at the airport. this means more revenue for the airport and the county for the next 10 years. >> we have turned to this corner and made the airport and economic provider. the goal is to have the movement by may 2017. >>> today is the last day of hurricane season. celebrate. here is our storm team 8 meteorologist. >>> we are grad -- it was a long season. max defender 8 is showing you what we are dealing with, very light rain moving through. you can see these lift from south to north across the tampa bay area. most of the activity in the eastern

melissa marino joins us live in lakeland. and that's where investigators spent much of the night searching. >>reporter: that's right. good evening. they found that stolen truck right over here across the street near this sam's club. so then they scoured a nearby neighborhood. i spoke with neighbors there

melissa marino joins us live from the q p down. >>reporter: these flowers here a heartbreaking reminder what happened that night. two weeks later and his wife and police are still searching for answers. a tearful plea for justice. the past two weeks have been nothing short of misery for the wife of murdered store clerk. the couple had been married for 12 years and had two daughters. >> toughest question that she