Fort Myers gears up for Edison Festival of Light with safety in focusByron Donalds accused of voter fraud
FORT MYERS Fort Myers gears up for Edison Festival of Light with safety in focus The parade will begin at Fort Myers High School, travel up U.S. Highway 41, and conclude in downtown Fort Myers.
Byron Donalds accused of voter fraud U.S. Congressman Byron Donalds is being accused of voter fraud. A fellow lawmaker on Capitol Hill is making the allegations.
NAPLES FWC seeks Naples community’s help for derelict boat removal The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is searching for derelict boats in Southwest Florida and is asking for community assistance.
FORT MYERS Red dye ban and Valentine’s Day Red is synonymous with Valentine’s Day, seen in everything from roses to candy. However, some red sweets may not be as appealing this year due to a recent ban on a common dye linked to cancer risks.
FORT MYERS Savannah Bananas at JetBlue Park this weekend Are you heading out to watch the Savannah Bananas this weekend? This is what you need to know.
Punta Gorda Historic District home set for demolition, rebuild When builder T.J. Thornberry was hired by clients to demolish and build two new homes on their Chasteen Street properties within the Punta Gorda Historic District, little did he realize he would be embarking on an odyssey laden with roadblocks lasting nearly three months.
PORT CHARLOTTE Rays begin Spring Training ahead of season away from home The Charlotte Sports Park is home to the Tampa Bay Rays for the next six weeks for, but after that they don’t actually get to go home.
Eligible taxpayers in Florida file for free with IRS Direct File The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers in Florida they can file their taxes for free with the agency using IRS Direct File.
TALLAHASSEE (AP) DeSantis signs sweeping immigration bills after a feud with Florida Republicans Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis approved a package of sweeping immigration bills.
Registration for Lee County Parks and Recreation Summer Camp to open Lee County Parks and Recreation Summer Camp has announced that registration will open to the public in two weeks.
Collier Sheriff speaks on high-tech tools stopping criminals before they act According to Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk, Southwest Florida is seen as an easy target for criminals; however, law enforcement has begun to incorporate cutting-edge technology to prevent future crimes from happening.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral to host two German Culture Biergarten The German American Social Club of Cape Coral will host the first of two Biergarten in the Bavarian Garden to celebrate its German heritage.
Execution of Charlotte County killer James Ford set for tonight A convicted killer on death row since 1999 is scheduled to be executed tonight for the murder of a couple in Charlotte County.
NORTH PORT Citywide burn ban in effect for North Port The North Port Fire Rescue has enacted a citywide outdoor burn ban due to extreme drought conditions and an increased wildfire threat.
cape coral Minor hospitalized with gunshot wound; 2 people in custody The Cape Coral Police Department is actively investigating a scene located on Skyline Boulevard.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers gears up for Edison Festival of Light with safety in focus The parade will begin at Fort Myers High School, travel up U.S. Highway 41, and conclude in downtown Fort Myers.
Byron Donalds accused of voter fraud U.S. Congressman Byron Donalds is being accused of voter fraud. A fellow lawmaker on Capitol Hill is making the allegations.
NAPLES FWC seeks Naples community’s help for derelict boat removal The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is searching for derelict boats in Southwest Florida and is asking for community assistance.
FORT MYERS Red dye ban and Valentine’s Day Red is synonymous with Valentine’s Day, seen in everything from roses to candy. However, some red sweets may not be as appealing this year due to a recent ban on a common dye linked to cancer risks.
FORT MYERS Savannah Bananas at JetBlue Park this weekend Are you heading out to watch the Savannah Bananas this weekend? This is what you need to know.
Punta Gorda Historic District home set for demolition, rebuild When builder T.J. Thornberry was hired by clients to demolish and build two new homes on their Chasteen Street properties within the Punta Gorda Historic District, little did he realize he would be embarking on an odyssey laden with roadblocks lasting nearly three months.
PORT CHARLOTTE Rays begin Spring Training ahead of season away from home The Charlotte Sports Park is home to the Tampa Bay Rays for the next six weeks for, but after that they don’t actually get to go home.
Eligible taxpayers in Florida file for free with IRS Direct File The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers in Florida they can file their taxes for free with the agency using IRS Direct File.
TALLAHASSEE (AP) DeSantis signs sweeping immigration bills after a feud with Florida Republicans Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis approved a package of sweeping immigration bills.
Registration for Lee County Parks and Recreation Summer Camp to open Lee County Parks and Recreation Summer Camp has announced that registration will open to the public in two weeks.
Collier Sheriff speaks on high-tech tools stopping criminals before they act According to Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk, Southwest Florida is seen as an easy target for criminals; however, law enforcement has begun to incorporate cutting-edge technology to prevent future crimes from happening.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral to host two German Culture Biergarten The German American Social Club of Cape Coral will host the first of two Biergarten in the Bavarian Garden to celebrate its German heritage.
Execution of Charlotte County killer James Ford set for tonight A convicted killer on death row since 1999 is scheduled to be executed tonight for the murder of a couple in Charlotte County.
NORTH PORT Citywide burn ban in effect for North Port The North Port Fire Rescue has enacted a citywide outdoor burn ban due to extreme drought conditions and an increased wildfire threat.
cape coral Minor hospitalized with gunshot wound; 2 people in custody The Cape Coral Police Department is actively investigating a scene located on Skyline Boulevard.
MGN Online GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) – Investigations into a fraternity whose members are accused of mistreating wounded veterans while at a Florida Panhandle hotel have not found malicious intent, but instead a rash of bad behavior that disrupted the soldiers’ retreat. The Panama City Beach police investigation into the April incidents at the Laketown Wharf Resort found no criminal wrongdoing against Zeta Beta Tau members from the University of Florida or Emory University. But police and other investigations did find the Warrior Beach Retreat group was subjected to frat members urinating and vomiting off of balconies. In addition, bottles and other objects were thrown from the hotel’s balconies. “It has been made apparent that certain (ZBT) members’ conduct during their stay … was inexcusable,” Panama City Beach police Sgt. Eusebio Talamantez wrote in his report. “(But) it would be unfair to cast blame on the entire organization when the … actions were perpetrated by a small group of isolated unknown individuals.” Three members of the Florida chapter were expelled from ZBT after the incidents, and both universities’ chapters were suspended. UF’s chapter has since been closed after threats were made following the widely publicized incident. While UF has not released its investigation, a copy was obtained by The Associated Press. The school interviewed about a dozen of the veterans, most of whom described a scene of debauchery that ruined their retreat. UF would not comment on the investigation because it is holding a hearing this summer. Veterans told investigators that students stole American flags, threw bottles and in one instance spilled champagne off a balcony onto a veteran’s pregnant wife, the documents show. Students apologized for the champagne, but the veterans say the weekend grew more raucous nonetheless – and that urine, beer and vomit rained down on them. A fraternity brother vomited off of a balcony “but didn’t think anyone was below him,” one anonymous member of ZBT’s UF told the fraternity’s investigator. Another admitted urinating off of his balcony “for two seconds” before another student told him to stop after noticing there were people “in the distance” below them. Another ZBT member who attended the weekend told the investigator that someone from the Emory chapter saw a fellow ZBT brother vomit off a balcony onto a veteran’s wife. The fraternity and Panama City Beach police said there was evidence to suggest bottles were thrown from a room belonging to Emory students. One veteran sought to press criminal charges, saying the bottles landed near him. Talamantez asked Emory’s police department to interview the students, but it never happened. “The investigation was severely hindered when the Emory University Police Department failed to cooperate,” Talamantez wrote in his report. A spokeswoman at Emory did not return a call or email seeking comment. The fraternity said in a statement that it is working to talk with the Emory students. “We are committed to holding them accountable if we determine they were involved in this dangerous behavior,” the fraternity said said. Linda Cope, who founded the warrior group after her son lost both legs in Iraq in 2006, said she has been pleased with the fraternity and the University of Florida’s actions since the incident. Cope said she would not comment on whether she believes the fraternity members specifically targeted the veterans. She said ZBT has since donated money to her group, and its members are volunteering at the next retreat in September. “These are all fine young men, and I trust the judgment of ZBT and the college on what to do,” she said. “I’m glad no one was arrested. That was not in my heart, but I am glad that this was a life lesson being taken to heart.”