Punta Gorda imposes moratorium on car washes, storage facilitiesStephen Deutsch, Charlotte County commissioner, accused of using racial slur
Punta Gorda imposes moratorium on car washes, storage facilities Approvals for new car washes and storage facilities in Punta Gorda will be put on pause for a period of 180 days during a moratorium begininng after the next City Council meeting Feb. 19.
Stephen Deutsch, Charlotte County commissioner, accused of using racial slur A Charlotte County commissioner is involved in an investigation after being accused of using a racial slur.
SANIBEL Sanibel Recreation Center to host pickleball tournament In celebration of Healthy Heart Month, Sanibel Recreation Center invites the public to the Cupid’s Court Indoor Pickleball Tournament.
cape coral Nurse accused of intentionally starving child with severe medical conditions The Cape Coral Police Department has arrested a woman accused of child neglect while working as a licensed practical nurse.
City Council again rejects outdoor dining for Olde Naples Building Naples City Council rejected an outdoor dining proposal for the historic Olde Naples Building on Third Street South.
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers advocate against youth gun violence Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is campaigning against youth gun violence with a new Public Service Announcement.
78-acre prescribed burn planned in Collier County The South Florida Water Management District plans to conduct a 78-acre prescribed burn on Thursday in Collier County.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers man accused of stabbing 3 men at Gentleman’s club The Fort Myers Police Department has arrested a man accused of stabbing three men at the Allure Gentleman’s Club.
NAPLES Naples Automotive Experience 2025 begins, benefiting St. Matthew’s House The Naples Chapter of the Ferrari Club of America presents the Naples Automotive Experience 2025, benefiting St. Matthew’s House.
Police report released for Fort Myers child abduction, search for suspect ongoing A mother chased down the man who kidnapped her toddler in Fort Myers. This dramatic event is part of the ongoing investigation into the Amber Alert issued earlier this week.
FORT MYERS Spring training kicks off as Boston Red Sox truck arrives in Fort Myers Baseball fans in Fort Myers are eagerly anticipating the arrival of the Boston Red Sox equipment truck.
the weather authority Warm and dry for your Thursday plans The Weather Authority is tracking a continuing warm stretch, as we can expect dry conditions along with plenty of sun this Thursday.
LABELLE 17-year-old arrested after deputies respond to gunshots at LaBelle Dollar General According to the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office, there is a large presence of law enforcement in the area of Cowboy Way and Collinswood Parkway in LaBelle.
GOLDEN GATE Golden Gate love triangle turns violent with screwdriver attack A screwdriver became the weapon of choice in a dramatic altercation between an ex-lover and a current partner in Golden Gate, leaving one man injured.
CHARLOTTE HARBOR Charlotte County’s Sunseeker Resort sale sparks community discussion Big changes could be on the horizon for the Sunseeker Resort in Charlotte Harbor; the company that owns the resort recently announced plans to sell it.
Punta Gorda imposes moratorium on car washes, storage facilities Approvals for new car washes and storage facilities in Punta Gorda will be put on pause for a period of 180 days during a moratorium begininng after the next City Council meeting Feb. 19.
Stephen Deutsch, Charlotte County commissioner, accused of using racial slur A Charlotte County commissioner is involved in an investigation after being accused of using a racial slur.
SANIBEL Sanibel Recreation Center to host pickleball tournament In celebration of Healthy Heart Month, Sanibel Recreation Center invites the public to the Cupid’s Court Indoor Pickleball Tournament.
cape coral Nurse accused of intentionally starving child with severe medical conditions The Cape Coral Police Department has arrested a woman accused of child neglect while working as a licensed practical nurse.
City Council again rejects outdoor dining for Olde Naples Building Naples City Council rejected an outdoor dining proposal for the historic Olde Naples Building on Third Street South.
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers advocate against youth gun violence Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is campaigning against youth gun violence with a new Public Service Announcement.
78-acre prescribed burn planned in Collier County The South Florida Water Management District plans to conduct a 78-acre prescribed burn on Thursday in Collier County.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers man accused of stabbing 3 men at Gentleman’s club The Fort Myers Police Department has arrested a man accused of stabbing three men at the Allure Gentleman’s Club.
NAPLES Naples Automotive Experience 2025 begins, benefiting St. Matthew’s House The Naples Chapter of the Ferrari Club of America presents the Naples Automotive Experience 2025, benefiting St. Matthew’s House.
Police report released for Fort Myers child abduction, search for suspect ongoing A mother chased down the man who kidnapped her toddler in Fort Myers. This dramatic event is part of the ongoing investigation into the Amber Alert issued earlier this week.
FORT MYERS Spring training kicks off as Boston Red Sox truck arrives in Fort Myers Baseball fans in Fort Myers are eagerly anticipating the arrival of the Boston Red Sox equipment truck.
the weather authority Warm and dry for your Thursday plans The Weather Authority is tracking a continuing warm stretch, as we can expect dry conditions along with plenty of sun this Thursday.
LABELLE 17-year-old arrested after deputies respond to gunshots at LaBelle Dollar General According to the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office, there is a large presence of law enforcement in the area of Cowboy Way and Collinswood Parkway in LaBelle.
GOLDEN GATE Golden Gate love triangle turns violent with screwdriver attack A screwdriver became the weapon of choice in a dramatic altercation between an ex-lover and a current partner in Golden Gate, leaving one man injured.
CHARLOTTE HARBOR Charlotte County’s Sunseeker Resort sale sparks community discussion Big changes could be on the horizon for the Sunseeker Resort in Charlotte Harbor; the company that owns the resort recently announced plans to sell it.
MGN FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) – Gov. Rick Scott is targeting health insurers participating in the state Medicaid program, accusing them of negotiating hospital rates that are too high, which he says is the reason the new managed care program is not generating enough savings. Scott instructed state health officials in a letter Monday to examine hospital contracts, warning that those with rates higher than 120 percent of the Medicaid cap will be subject to an “immediate corrective action plan” that could nullify the contracts and kick insurers out of the Medicaid program. “Let’s never forget that all Medicaid payments are paid for by taxpayers of our state,” Scott wrote in the letter. His administration recently asked insurers to prove that their contracts meet the state statute and ordered the Agency for Health Care Administration to audit all hospital and insurance company contracts that didn’t prove they were in compliance by Aug. 1. Hospital documents show that less than a dozen seemed to have contracts with rates higher than 120 percent. Scott and the insurers are locked in intense negotiations that could undermine the fledgling program that gives federal funds to private health insurance companies to oversee medical care for poor and disabled people instead of reimbursing doctors and hospitals for each service. After federal hospital funds were cut, lawmakers took $400 million from the state budget to bump up Medicaid reimbursement rates. That put Scott on the defensive against hospitals because he doesn’t want any more state revenue going into the Medicaid program. But insurers have lost $542 million through 2014 and say they can’t sustain further losses. They’re asking the state for a $400 million raise and a 12 percent increase for rates that would go into effect Sept. 1. State health officials warn that a rate hike would undo the 5 percent savings the program has generated. Hospital officials say the governor’s latest allegation – that the Medicaid program is not saving more money because of the hospital contract – is misdirected. “The state has challenges controlling the cost of the program and they’ll eventually effectively figure out how to deal with that, but (saying hospitals are paid too much) is not the way,” Florida Hospital Association President Bruce Rueben said. Insurers say higher than expected usage rates, pent-up demand among the more than 3 million Medicaid enrollees and expensive drugs costs contributed to the losses. The state requires insurers to include certain hospitals, like children’s hospitals, on their plans to ensure patient access. That gives some hospitals extra leverage to demand higher rates, according to insurers. At the same time, hospitals say, the Medicaid reimbursement rate is very low and 120 percent reimbursement rates still don’t cover their total cost. “What we’re hearing from the hospitals is that they feel they are in compliance with the law,” Rueben said.