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Saturday, May 18, 2013.

Note: Because breaking news happens fast, you may find typographic errors within news scripts. Odd punctuation, visual cues, anchor and producer notes may also appear with the scripts since these are the actual files that the news anchors present to you on Eyewitness News.
Tonight on
Eyewitness News at 6 PM
Eyewitness News at 6 PM
Reporting Today: Dave Benton
Brandon Stover is in the Weather Center
and Josh Lewis has Sports
Produced by: Dave Benton
Directed by: Bill Sigler


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Eyewitness News at 11 PM






6PM PRE-PRO COLD OPEN ONCAM
    COMING UP ON EYEWITNESS NEWS.......

    A SUSPICIOUS FIRE DESTROYS A TRAILER

    PAUSE

    POLICE NEED YOUR HELP TO FIND THE ARSONIST.

    PAUSE

    ARE ODDS IN YOUR FAVOR... THE LARGEST JACKPOT IS UP FOR GRABS TONIGHT!

    PAUSE

    BLUES ON THE LEVEE... WE GO TO THE CHARLIE WEST BLUES FEST.

    BRANDON AD LIB

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WELCOME
    CAMERA 1 PUSH

    GOOD EVENING, I'M DAVE BENTON

    THIS IS EYEWITNESS NEWS.

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BELLE ARSON
    A FIRE DESTROYS A TRAILER IN BELLE...AND INVESTIGATORS SAY IT APPEARS TO BE ARSON.

    EYEWITNESS NEWS REPORTER DAN MATICS IS ON SCENE, WHERE NEIGHBORS ARE WONDERING WHAT'S NEXT?,,,,AFTER SEVERAL REPORTS OF SUSPICIOUS FIRES IN THEIR AREA. DAN?

    Dave this is the scene of the fire, it started around 10 last night here in Simmons Creek road near belle.

    VO

    This is an abandoned house.

    And Neighbors reported an explosion from something inside then called 911.

    Right now theyre saying it appears to be an arson.

    Neighbors say this is one of several abandoned homes to go up in flames on they're road and are concerned.

    SOT

    "this has been going on like this for years. drugs mostly,"

    NO SUPER

    it's sad to think that at any time a house can catch on fire. it does not make you feel safe in your neighborhood."

    VOCONTINUES

    The state fire Marshals office will be here on Monday combing through the inside to figure out a cause.

    DANOC

    MORE TONIGHT.

    DAN MATICS

    EWN.

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EMBASSY SUITES ROBBERY
    POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING A ROBBERY AT THE EMBASSY SUITES IN CHARLESTON.

    DISPATCHERS SAY A MAN WALKED UP TO ANOTHER MAN AT THE HOTEL AND DEMANDED HIS CELL PHONE.

    THE SUSPECT TOLD THE VICTIM HE WAS NOT AFRAID TO SHOOT HIM, BUT DID NOT ACTUALLY SHOW A WEAPON.

    THE MAN THEN TOOK OFF WITH THE VICTIM'S CELL PHONE.

    ANYBODY WITH INFORMATION ON THE ROBBERY SHOULD CALL CHARLESTON POLICE.

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KY METH BUSTS
    ONE PERSON IS BEHIND BARS AND ANOTHER POSSIBLY HEADED TO JAIL AFTER BOYD COUNTY DEPUTIES BUST NINE METH LABS...EIGHT OF THOSE IN ONE HOME.

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G DWAYNE HATTEN
    DEPUTIES SAY THEY GOT A TIP DWAYNE HATTEN WAS MAKING METH IN HIS OHIO STREET HOME IN ASHLAND.

    THEY SAY THEY FOUND EIGHT TOTAL METH LABS INSIDE, ONE OF WHICH WAS ACTIVE.

    HATTEN IS CHARGED WITH MANUFACTURING METH AND POSSESSION.

    OTHER CHARGES ARE PENDING. HATTEN IS CURRENTLY IN THE BOYD COUNTY DENTENTION CENTER.

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RICHARD SMITH
    DEPUTIES ALSO BUSTED A METH LAB AT A HOME ON DIXON STREET.

    THEY SAY THEY FOUND ONE ACTIVE LAB.

    THE PERSON LIVING IN THE HOME...RICHARD SMITH...HAS NOT YET BEEN ARRESTED...BUT DEPUTIES SAY CHARGES ARE PENDING.

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KANAWHA INDICTMENTS
    KANAWHA COUNTY'S GRAND JURY RELEASED THEIR INDICTIMENTS FOR THIS MONTH... A TOTAL OF 78 PEOPLE WERE INDICTED.

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ARMED FORCES DAY
    IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY..TAKE A MINUTE AND THANK OUR MEN AND WOMEN OF THE ARMED FORCES....BECAUSE TODAY IS ARMED FORCES DAY...

    EYEWITNESS NEWS REPORTER KATY BROWN WAS IN SOUTH CHARLESTON TODAY WHERE MANY OF OUR OWN WERE HONORED AND NOW JOINS US IN THE STUDIO WITH STUDIO... HI KATY.

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KATY@KIOSK
    AND LOCALLY IN SOUTH CHARLESTON...HUNDREDS TURNED OUT TO HONOR OUR OWN WEST VIRGINIA ARMED FORCES...

    NAT: "USA, USA...."

    KIDS...ADULTS..AND EVEN FOUR-LEGGED FURRY FRIENDS... CAME OUT TO SOUTH CHARLESTON TO CELEBRATE THE ARMED FORCES DAY PARADE AND HONOR OUR UNIFORMED MEN AND WOMEN..

    "IT IS ONE OF THE MOST PATRICOTIC COMMUNITIES YOU CAN FIND IN AMERICA. THERE'S JUST NO PLACE LIKE IT."

    FROM POLICE...TO FIREFIGHTERS...TO MILITARY MOTHERS...NO ONE WAS LEFT OUT

    THE 54TH ANNUAL PARADE HAD SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE.

    "I ALWAYS LOVE A SOUTH CHARLESTON PARADE..."

    BUT CARR...ALONG WITH MANY OTHERS...ENJOYED THIS YEAR'S PARADE A LITTLE MORE THAN LAST YEARS...

    BECAUSE MR LAS VEGAS HIMSELF BECAME MR SOUTH CHARLESTON...

    "WITH WAYNE NEWTOWN HERE IT'S JUST MAKES IT EVEN BETTER. IT'S JSUT THE THRILL TO SEE HIM HERE IN SOUTH CHARLESTON AND TO WAVE TO HIM."

    A THRILL FOR FANS...AND AN HONOR FOR NEWTON...

    "IT IS REALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO ARTICULATE HOW PROUD I AM BECAUSE MY MOTHER WAS ALWAYS SO PROUD OF WEST VIRGINIA AND HER ROOTS HERE."

    AND REGARLDESS OF THE CELEBRITY HYPE AND EXCITE.MENT..NEWTON MADE SURE EVERYONE KNEW WHO THE TRUE CELEBRITIES WERE...

    NEWTON

    "I THINK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART FOR WHAT YOU HAVE GIVEN OUR COUNTRY AND WHAT YOU ARE GIVING OUR COUNTRY AND WITH YOU OUT THERE, I DON'T CARE WHO THE BAD PEOPLE SEND AT US WE'LL GET EM."

    HOWEVER LAWSON FREEMAN, A MARINE CORPS VETERAN WHO IS ACTUALLY FROM SOUTH CHARLESTON HIMSELF, WAS TODAY'S PARADE MARSHAL

    REPORTING LIVE IN THE STUDIO KATY BROWN EYEWITNESS NEWS.

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NITRO ARMED FORCES DAY
    AND OVER IN NITRO.. PEOPLE CAME OUT TO HONOR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN...

    TODAY'S FESTIVITIES HONORED THOSE IN SERVICE WITH A PRESENTATION OF COLORS BY THE ST ALBANS HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR ROTC..

    ALSO SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER STAFF SERGEANT ERICK MILLETTE SPOKE TO THE CROWD ABOUT HIS EXPERIENCE IN THE ARMED FORCES...

    THE CEREMONY TOOK PLACE AT THE HALLEY BROOKE SMITH MEMORIAL GAZEBO AT RIDENOUR LAKE..

    THE CEREMONY TOOK PLACE AT THE HALLEY BROOKE SMITH MEMORIAL GAZEBO AT RIDENOUR LAKE..

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ANTI BLANKENSHIP BOOK
    A NEW BOOK IS TAKING AIM AT FORMER MASSEY ENERGY C-E-O DON BLANKENSHIP..... AND HIS TIME AS THE FORMER HEAD OF THE COAL COMPANY..

    AUTHOR LAWRENCE LEAMER IS IN CHARLESTON TO PROMOTE HIS NEW BOOK "THE PURSUIT OF JUSTICE," WHICH DETAILS THE MANY LEGAL CONTROVERSIES MASSEY ENERGY WAS INVOLVED IN WHILE BLANKENSHIP WAS CEO.

    LEAMER SAID HE FEELS THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE UPPER BIG BRANCH MINE DISASTER , WHICH KILLED 29 MINERS, ON APRIL 5TH THREE YEAR AGO... HAS BEEN SOLID AND THAT AN INDICTMENT OF BLANKENSHIP COULD BE POSSIBLE.

    THE DISASTER IS THE WORST MINING ACCIDENT IN THE U-S IN 40 YEARS.

    "Oh, I think if Blankenship was indicted and convicted, and sent to prison it would be the most positive thing that has happened in this political system in years. There is something wrong with political system from the top to bottom."

    TO VIEW EYEWITNESS NEWS CONTRIBUTOR HEATH HARRISON'S INTERVIEW WITH LEAMER, VISIT THE "RAW NEWS" SECTION OF OUR WEBSITE.

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GESTAMP EXPANSION
    WEST VIRGINIA OFFICIALS ARE MOVING FORWARD WITH A BOND SALE TO HELP EXPAND AN AUTO PARTS STAMPING PLANT IN SOUTH CHARLESTON.

    THE WEST VIRGINIA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ON THURSDAY AUTHORIZED UP TO $150 MILLION IN BONDS THAT WILL BE USED TO PURCHASE EQUIPMENT FOR THE GESTAMP PLANT OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

    THE SPANISH-OWNED AUTOMOTIVE COMPANY ANNOUNCED LAST YEAR THAT IT WOULD INVEST A MINIMUM OF $100 MILLION IN THE FACILITY OVER THE NEXT FIVE TO SEVEN YEARS, CREATING UP TO 700 JOBS.

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POWERBALL $600 MILL
    IT'S ALL ABOUT THE ODDS! THE POWERBALL JACKPOT IS NOW UP TO 600 MILLION DOLLARS.

    WITH THE MAJORITY OF POSSIBLE COMBINATIONS OF POWERBALL NUMBERS IN PLAY, SOMEONE IS ALMOST SURE TO WIN ONE OF THE HIGHEST JACKPOTS TONIGHT, A WINDFALL OF HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS -- AND THAT'S AFTER TAXES.

    THE PROBLEM, OF COURSE, IS THOSE SAME ODDS JUST ABOUT GUARANTEE THE LUCKY PERSON WON'T BE YOU. THE CHANCES OF WINNING THE $600 MILLION PRIZE REMAIN ASTRONOMICALLY HIGH: 1 IN 175.2 MILLION. WE CAUGHT UP WITH SOME POWER BALL TICKET BUYERS THIS AFTERNOON.

    HEY IF I WIN IT I'LL PROBABLY STAY LOW KEY FOR A LITTLE WHILE. I'LL PAY OFF MY FAMALIES DEBT. PAY OFF A SMALL LOAN TO MAY GRANDMOTHER. FINISH BUILDING MY HOUSE THAT I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON FOR A COUPLE YEARS WITH THE HELP OF MY FATHER. JUST ENJOY LIFE

    PAY ALL MY BILLS. GO TO JAMACA SIT ON THE BEACH WITH AN UMBRELLA DRINK AND SAY "WHAT YA KNOW MAN"

    BUY A HOUSE. MAYBE A COUPLE HOUSES. PROBABLY BUY SOMWHERE ON A PRIVATE BEACH

    AFTER I PAYED ALL MY BILLS I'D PROBABLY OPEN UP A GOLF COURSE AROUND HERE, SOMEHTING REALLY NICE. AND JUST WORK AT MY OWN GOLF COURSE THAT WOULD BE MY JOB AND JUST PLAY GOLF ALL THE TIME THAT'S PRETTY MUCH IT.

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SHARE THE JACKPOT
    AND IF WE WIN THE POWERBALL -

    WE WANT TO SHARE THE CASH WITH YOU!

    JUST STOP BY OUR FACEBOOK PAGE - CLICK THE EYEWITNESS INSIDER TAB AND FIND THE SHARE THE JACKPOT GRAPHIC TO ENTER!

    IF WE WIN ... WE'LL RANDOMLY SELECT EIGHT ADULTS TO SPLIT THE CASH WITH US!

    HURRY - YOU'VE GOT UNTI L TOMORROW EVENING AT TEN.

    FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF RULES ... LOG ON TO OUR WEBSITE ... WCHS TV dot COM.

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WHAT YOU THINK GRX
    WHAT WOULD YOU BUY IF YOU WON THE POWERBALL TONIGHT?

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WV COIN
    TO CELEBRATE WEST VIRGINIA'S 150TH BIRTHDAY THE STATE IS ROLLING OUT A NEW COIN TO COMMEMORATE THE EVENT.

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G WV COIN
    THE COIN WILL BE RELEASED VIA ONLINE STARTING THIS MONDAY...

    BACK IN 1963... THE STATE ALSO ISSUED A COMMEMORATIVE COIN IN 1963, WHEN THE STATE TURNED 100.

    THE NEW COIN DEPICTS THE OFFICIAL SESQUICENTENNIAL LOGO ON ONE SIDE AND A DETAILED ENGRAVING OF THE STATE SEAL ON THE OTHER.

    THE STATE HAS MINTED 18 HUNDRED AND 63 COINS, REFLECTING THE YEAR IT GAINED STATEHOOD.

    THEY SELL FOR $49.99 AND CAN BE FOUND AT W-V150 dot COM

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BEAR SIGHTINGS
    AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR IS KEEPING PEOPLE IN SOUTH CHARLESTON ON EDGE.

    POLICE SAY THEY HAVE RESPONDED TO SEVERAL REPORTS OF A BLACK BEAR IN THE EAST HILLS AREA OF SOUTH CHARLESTON AND ALONG CORRIDOR G.

    THE BEAR IS SAID TO BE THE SIZE OF A LARGE DOG AND WAS SPOTTED IN THE RIVERWALK, ASHTON PLACE, MONTROSE DRIVE AND SPRING STREET AREAS.

    ALTHOUGH BLACK BEAR ATTACKS ARE RARE, POLICE ARE URGING PEOPLE TO USE CAUTION AND NOT TO APPROACH THE ANIMAL.

    YOU SHOULD NEVER FEED A BLACK BEAR AND IF YOU SEE IT, YOU SHOULD CALL 911.

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WEATHER TEASE
    WEATHER ANCHOR PITCHES TO WEATHER GRAPHICS

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WEATHER 3-SHOT
    ANCHORS TOSS TO WEATHER

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FULL WEATHER
    BRANDON PITCHES TO WEATHER GRAPHICS

    Join Brandon Stover and the entire Storm Team at the Weather Center Online for the only regional web site that provides live, local updates, 24 hours a day!
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CHARLIE WEST BLUES FEST
    THE SOUNDS OF BLUES ARE TAKING OVER CHARLESTON'S RIVER FRONT THIS WEEKEND..

    THE 6TH ANNUAL 'CHARLIE WEST BLUES FEST' KICKED OFF LAST NIGHT AT THE AMPHITHEATRE ON THE BOULEVARD.

    THE EVENT...WHICH BROUGHT IN MORE THAN 30,000 PEOPLE LAST YEAR, IS EXPECTED TO BE A BIG DRAW AGAIN THIS YEAR WITH SEVERAL BIG NAMES. NOT ONLY DOES THIS EVENT FEATURE GREAT BLUES MUSIC...BUT SOME DELICIOUS FOOD TOO!

    THE EVENT BENEFITS THE WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT TO HONOR OUR TROOPS.

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BACK TO THE PARK DAY
    ADULTS AND KIDS GOT OUT TODAY AND HEADEDTO THE PARK.

    IT'S WAS ALL PART OF NATIONAL KIDS BACK TO THE PARK DAY.

    SOME FAMILIES STOPPED BY THE DUNBAR WINE CELLAR PARK TODAY. AND LOTS OF ACTIVITIES THERE FOR KIDS AND ADULTS... EVERYTHING FROM A FISHING TOURNAMENT, ARCHERY, FRISBEE GAMES, BIKE SAFETY INSTRUCTION AND EVEN A MEET AND GREET WITH REAL LIFE RESCUE DOGS. ORGANIZERS SAY IT WAS GREAT TO SEE SO MANY FAMILIES ENJOYING THE PARK.

    WE HAVE ALL THESE BEAUTIFUL PARKS HERE JUST HERE IN THE CITY OF DUNBAR, AND WE WANT OUT COMMUNITY TO COME AND AND TO SEE THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE AND TO SEE THE ACTIVITIE WE HAVE. THIS IS A GOOD DAY TO CELEBRATE ALL OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE IN OUR PARKS. TO HAVE THE FAMALIES OUT AND ENJOY IT THAT IS OUR MAIN GOAL.

    THE EVENT WRAPPED UP AROUND 2 O'CLOCK TODAY.

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JOSH @ KIOSK
    WELCOME BACK TO EYEWITNESS NEWS AT SIX.

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STATE TRACK LEAD IN
    THE STATE TRACK MEET WRAPPED UP FROM UC STADIUM/LAIDLEY FIELD TODAY..

    AND THE ATHLETES HAVE HAD TO BRAVE SOME ELEMENTS...

    WET AND NASTY LAST NIGHT...

    HOT AND MUGGY TODAY...

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STATE TRACK MEET
    -TODAY WOULD BE THE LAST IN THE CAREER OF CABELL MIDLAND'S JACOB BURCHAM...ONE OF THE BEST-EVER IN THE MT. STATE...

    -LET'S BEGIN WITH THE MORNING SESSION AND THE 400 METERS...ROANE COUNTY'S TROY FISHER...JUST A SOPHOMORE...FINISHES OFF A GREAT SEASON WITH THE WIN IN CLASS AA...

    -NEXT IT'S THE CLASS SINGLE-A 1600 METERS...AND BUFFALO'S DYLAN RICH, WHO IS BOUND FOR KENTUCKY, GETS THE VICTORY...ONE OF FOUR TITLES ON THE WEEKEND FOR RICH...

    -A COUPLE OF RACES LATER, IT'S BURCHAM, WHO IS HEADING TO OKLAHOMA TO CONTINUE HIS CAREER, GETTING HIS THIRD CHAMPIONSHIP OF HIS FINAL STATE MEET BY WINNING THE CLASS AAA 1600 METERS...

    -TIME NOW FOR SOME AFTERNOON SPEED...IT'S THE GIRLS CLASS SINGLE-A 100 METER FINAL AND WAHAMA SENIOR KELSEY ZUSPAN WINS ANOTHER CHAMPIONSHIP IN HER CAREER...

    -IN CLASS AA BOYS...CADE SEBASTIAN...ONLY A FRESHMAN...BRINGS HOME A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE WAYNE PIONEEER TRACK AND FIELD PROGRAM...

    -TO THE GIRLS CLASS AAA 800 METERS...AND AS THE SUN BEATS DOWN, WINFIELD'S BARKLEY CASTRO IS GOING TO PULL AWAY FROM THE FIELD FOR THE VICTORY IN HER JUNIOR SEASON...

    -EXCITMENT IN THE AAA BOYS 800 METERS...IT'S BURCHAM'S LAST RACE AND HE'S TRYING TO FEND OFF THE COMPETITION...BUT PT. PLEASANT'S CALEB RIFFLE, WHO WILL RUN AT WEST VIRGINIA WESLEYAN, NIPPING BURCHAM AT THE FINISH LINE FOR THE CROWN...

    -WE CAUGHT UP WITH MANY OF THE CHAMPS, INCLUDING RIFFLE...WHO PRAISED THE CAREER OF JACOB BURCHAM...

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STATE TRACK SOUND
    Riffle: "I think he's done so much for the state of West Virginia and running. It's just an honor to race with him. Man, I'm so excited."

    Rich: "I knew on today's race I'd be basically by myself after that first four. So, I just had to push myself. I wish I could have pushed a little harder. Still got the win."

    Sebastian: "It means the world to me. I've done this ever since Hershey Track and Field meets when I was nice years old. Just going from there to now is unbelievable."

    Castro: "I've been training all year round and this is more than anything I've ever wanted. All I wanted do the whole year was be a state champ. So I just sent all out and ran for my life, pretty much."

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FINAL WEATHER
    FINAL WX

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MILITARY DOG- SURPRISE REUNION
    FINALLY THIS EVENING,

    A MARINE IN IOWA HAD A SURPRISE REUNION WITH THE PARTNER HE SPENT TWENTY-FOUR HOURS A DAY WITH WHILE SERVING IN AFGHANISTAN.

    THAT PARTNER WAS CASEY, A YELLOW LABRADOR THAT HELPED SAVE LIVES BY DETECTING IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICES.

    CASEY WAS ADOPTED BY A FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE IN IOWA AFTER FINISHING HER TOUR IN AFGHANISTAN.

    SERGEANT ROSS GUNDLACH THOUGHT HE WAS COMING TO IOWA TO TRY TO ADOPT THE DOG HIMSELF, BUT HE DIDN'T KNOW IT HAD ALREADY BEEN ARRANGED FOR HIM.

    A DONATION FROM THE IOWA ELKS ASSOCIATION HELPED BUY CASEY'S REPLACEMENT SO SHE COULD GO HOME WITH GUNDLACH.

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