Crews removing derelict boats from Gilchrist Park33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee County
PUNTA GORDA Crews removing derelict boats from Gilchrist Park Crews are working to remove derelict boats from Gilchrist Park after several of them washed ashore during Hurricane Milton in October.
33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee County Another Florida panther has been killed by a vehicle, this time in Hardee County, increasing the death toll of the endangered species to 33 for 2024.
the weather authority Cool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking cold morning conditions before temperatures warm up to the low 70s this Thursday.
Students react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs Elementary School’s demolition plans There’s a new lesson plan at Bonita Springs Elementary School: Demolition 101. The school is set to be knocked down, and there’s good reason.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island Councilmember’s dogs allegedly attack 13-year-old girl Councilor Tamara Goehler is coming under fire after her dogs allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl and the girl’s five-month-old puppy.
PUNTA GORDA Gilchrist Park’s future brightens as boat cleanup commences The boats blocking Gilchrist Park are ready to be moved two years after Hurricane Milton.
Lee County Department of Health issues red tide alert for Bowman’s Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Bowman’s Beach.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral working on project to address canal safety An older Cape Coral couple drove into a canal last year. Neighbors are now saying something needs to be done about canal safety.
NAPLES Collier County mental health center receives $4 million donation A giant donation is dedicated to providing people with better mental health care in southwest Florida.
PUNTA GORDA Crews removing derelict boats from Gilchrist Park Crews are working to remove derelict boats from Gilchrist Park after several of them washed ashore during Hurricane Milton in October.
33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee County Another Florida panther has been killed by a vehicle, this time in Hardee County, increasing the death toll of the endangered species to 33 for 2024.
the weather authority Cool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking cold morning conditions before temperatures warm up to the low 70s this Thursday.
Students react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs Elementary School’s demolition plans There’s a new lesson plan at Bonita Springs Elementary School: Demolition 101. The school is set to be knocked down, and there’s good reason.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island Councilmember’s dogs allegedly attack 13-year-old girl Councilor Tamara Goehler is coming under fire after her dogs allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl and the girl’s five-month-old puppy.
PUNTA GORDA Gilchrist Park’s future brightens as boat cleanup commences The boats blocking Gilchrist Park are ready to be moved two years after Hurricane Milton.
Lee County Department of Health issues red tide alert for Bowman’s Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Bowman’s Beach.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral working on project to address canal safety An older Cape Coral couple drove into a canal last year. Neighbors are now saying something needs to be done about canal safety.
NAPLES Collier County mental health center receives $4 million donation A giant donation is dedicated to providing people with better mental health care in southwest Florida.
MIAMI (AP) – The 15-year-old son of a Canadian diplomat pleaded not guilty Monday to murder and other charges in a drug-related shootout that killed his older brother and another teenager. Curt Obront, attorney for Marc Wabafiyebazu, entered the plea Monday on his behalf to felony first-degree murder, attempted murder and other charges. The teen is charged as an adult. Wabafiyebazu waived his appearance at the hearing, although he briefly showed up in court to meet with Obront. “We look forward to our day in court,” Obront said. Wabafiyebazu is the son of Roxanne Dube, a veteran diplomat who is now the Canadian consul general in Miami. Her other son, 17-year-old Jean Wabafiyebazu, was fatally shot in the March 30 confrontation over a marijuana deal that also left 17-year-old Joshua Wright dead. Dube, who was in the courtroom Monday, waved and smiled when her shackled younger son walked through. Circuit Judge Richard Hersch set a tentative July 20 trial date, which would be extremely quick for a murder case to go before a jury. “I recognize that might not be realistic,” Hersch said. A hearing will be held next week on Obront’s attempt to get Marc Wabafiyebazu released on bail. In general, it is difficult for people charged with murder in Florida to get bail, but under certain circumstances it can happen. In a motion filed Monday seeking bail, Obront said police have surveillance video showing that Marc Wabafiyebazu stayed in his mother’s car while his brother went inside to the drug meeting. The video, the motion says, shows that Marc Wabafiyebazu went inside only after hearing gunshots and does not show him shooting at anyone. “This highly publicized case involves a 15-year-old boy who did nothing more than sit in a car while his brother made a series of bad decisions which cost him his life,” Obront said in the motion. “Marc did not participate, in any way, in the attempted armed robbery.” Two other young men – Anthony Rodriguez, 19, and Johann Ruiz-Perez, 21 – also pleaded not guilty Monday in the case. They face felony murder charges based on their roles in the underlying drug deal, which involved about two pounds of marijuana. Police say the gunfire erupted after the Wabafiyebazu brothers tried to rob the drug dealers, with Jean Wabafiyebazu and Wright fatally shooting each other. Marc Wabafiyebazu allegedly shot at Rodriguez, who had been wounded by Jean Wabafiyebazu, according to an indictment. The shootout happened only a few weeks after the brothers relocated from their father’s home in Ottawa, Canada, to join their mother in Miami. They used their mother’s personal car, which has diplomatic plates, but authorities say Marc Wabafiyebazu is not protected by diplomatic immunity. Under Florida law, a person can be charged with murder for participating in another crime, such as armed robbery, that leads to someone’s slaying.