Harris raised $361 million in August from nearly 3 million donors, campaign saysCity of Cape Coral approves adding speed detection cameras for school zones
WASHINGTON (AP) Harris raised $361 million in August from nearly 3 million donors, campaign says Vice President Kamala Harris raised well more than double what former President Donald Trump took in from donors in August, her campaign announced Friday, saying it raised $361 million from nearly 3 million donors in her first full month as a candidate.
NEW YORK (AP) Judge delays Donald Trump’s sentencing in hush money case until after November election A judge agreed Friday to postpone Donald Trump’s sentencing in his hush money case until after the November election
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral approves adding speed detection cameras for school zones After years of concern from parents and the community in Cape Coral, the city is finally taking action.
New Service of Florida Hurricane season forecast eased On Tuesday, the meteorology company AccuWeather scaled back its forecast for this year’s hurricane season after the Atlantic Ocean was relatively quiet over the Labor Day weekend and had “limited” tropical activity in August.
CHARLOTTE COUNTY Temporary lane closures on Harbor Blvd. in Charlotte County Harbor Boulevard at Kenelm Avenue will have temporary lane closures to repair road damage beginning next week.
CAPE CORAL Man accused of selling meth near school in Cape Coral The Cape Coral Police Department has arrested a man who stands accused of selling meth in the vicinity of a school zone.
Exclusive: Byron Donalds’ spokesperson speaks to ethics complaint against congressman An ethics watchdog has filed a complaint against Florida Congressman Byron Donalds, demanding that the Office of Congressional Ethics investigate him for failing to follow federal law.
Naples City Council approves property tax increase Naples City Council approved a slight tax increase to 1.23 mills to pay for needed resiliency, public safety and quality of life expenditures.
CAPE CORAL Injuries reported following 3 vehicle crash in Cape Coral A crash with injuries involving three vehicles, one of which was an oil tanker, has been cleared in Cape Coral.
Tim Aten Knows: 3 more Chick-fil-A locations planned in Naples area After the Naples Design Review Board sent the architect back to the drawing board this spring, representatives for the Atlanta-based fast-casual chain were back in town Aug. 28 to give the city a second look at its plans for a drive-thru restaurant at the site of the former Red Lobster restaurant at 2355 Ninth St. N.
Charlotte County woman arrested for embezzlement of over $200K The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office arrested a former assistant to Laishley USA, accused of embezzling funds of over $200,000.
the weather authority Rain and storms for your Friday late-afternoon and evening plans The Weather Authority is tracking rain and storms along with high temperatures for your Friday afternoon and evening plans.
FORT MYERS Memorial run held for 21-year-old woman found dead in Caloosahatchee River Runners from Lee County paid tribute 21-year-old Arielle Valdes, who lost her life after being the focus of an extensive search.
FORT MYERS FMPD searching for pet store puppy thief The Fort Myers Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a man wanted for stealing a puppy from Pet Kingdom.
NORTH FORT MYERS Woman attacked by alligator in North Fort Myers The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is on the scene of a wildlife incident involving an alligator.
WASHINGTON (AP) Harris raised $361 million in August from nearly 3 million donors, campaign says Vice President Kamala Harris raised well more than double what former President Donald Trump took in from donors in August, her campaign announced Friday, saying it raised $361 million from nearly 3 million donors in her first full month as a candidate.
NEW YORK (AP) Judge delays Donald Trump’s sentencing in hush money case until after November election A judge agreed Friday to postpone Donald Trump’s sentencing in his hush money case until after the November election
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral approves adding speed detection cameras for school zones After years of concern from parents and the community in Cape Coral, the city is finally taking action.
New Service of Florida Hurricane season forecast eased On Tuesday, the meteorology company AccuWeather scaled back its forecast for this year’s hurricane season after the Atlantic Ocean was relatively quiet over the Labor Day weekend and had “limited” tropical activity in August.
CHARLOTTE COUNTY Temporary lane closures on Harbor Blvd. in Charlotte County Harbor Boulevard at Kenelm Avenue will have temporary lane closures to repair road damage beginning next week.
CAPE CORAL Man accused of selling meth near school in Cape Coral The Cape Coral Police Department has arrested a man who stands accused of selling meth in the vicinity of a school zone.
Exclusive: Byron Donalds’ spokesperson speaks to ethics complaint against congressman An ethics watchdog has filed a complaint against Florida Congressman Byron Donalds, demanding that the Office of Congressional Ethics investigate him for failing to follow federal law.
Naples City Council approves property tax increase Naples City Council approved a slight tax increase to 1.23 mills to pay for needed resiliency, public safety and quality of life expenditures.
CAPE CORAL Injuries reported following 3 vehicle crash in Cape Coral A crash with injuries involving three vehicles, one of which was an oil tanker, has been cleared in Cape Coral.
Tim Aten Knows: 3 more Chick-fil-A locations planned in Naples area After the Naples Design Review Board sent the architect back to the drawing board this spring, representatives for the Atlanta-based fast-casual chain were back in town Aug. 28 to give the city a second look at its plans for a drive-thru restaurant at the site of the former Red Lobster restaurant at 2355 Ninth St. N.
Charlotte County woman arrested for embezzlement of over $200K The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office arrested a former assistant to Laishley USA, accused of embezzling funds of over $200,000.
the weather authority Rain and storms for your Friday late-afternoon and evening plans The Weather Authority is tracking rain and storms along with high temperatures for your Friday afternoon and evening plans.
FORT MYERS Memorial run held for 21-year-old woman found dead in Caloosahatchee River Runners from Lee County paid tribute 21-year-old Arielle Valdes, who lost her life after being the focus of an extensive search.
FORT MYERS FMPD searching for pet store puppy thief The Fort Myers Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a man wanted for stealing a puppy from Pet Kingdom.
NORTH FORT MYERS Woman attacked by alligator in North Fort Myers The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is on the scene of a wildlife incident involving an alligator.
MGN Online DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — President Bashar Assad has traveled to Moscow in his first known trip abroad since war broke out in Syria in 2011, meeting his strongest ally, Russian leader Vladimir Putin. The two leaders stressed that military operations in Syria— in which Moscow is the latest and most powerful addition— must lead to a political process. The surprise visit Tuesday reflects renewed confidence from the embattled Syrian president after Russia and Iran, another staunch ally, dramatically escalated their support recently as Moscow began carrying out airstrikes on Syrian insurgents and Tehran sent hundreds of ground forces. A Syrian official confirmed Wednesday that Assad had returned to Damascus. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media. Putin said he had invited Assad, thanking him for “coming to Moscow despite a tragic situation in your country.” Assad flashed wide smiles as he shook hands with Putin and other officials. “We thank you for standing by Syria’s territorial integrity and its independence,” Assad told Putin. Syria’s conflict began in March 2011 after the government cracked down violently on largely peaceful protests against Assad’s rule. The protests gradually became an armed insurgency and a civil war that has killed a quarter of a million people in the past five years. Moscow, a traditional ally of the Assad family, started an air campaign on Sept. 30 against what it said are terrorist groups threatening Syria and Assad’s rule. It became the latest international power to deepen its involvement into the increasingly intractable conflict that saw a mushrooming of armed groups, including the militant Islamic State group and al-Qaida. Russia says it is targeting militants. But critics, including the U.S., say the Moscow military intervention helps props up Assad and is likely to fan the violence. Putin said that along with fighting militants, Moscow believes that “a long-term settlement can only be achieved as part of a political process with the participation of all political forces, ethnic and religious groups.” “The Syrian people have been putting up a fight against international terrorism effectively on its own for several years, sustaining sizeable losses but it has achieved positive results recently,” Putin said. A statement posted on the Syrian presidency’s official Facebook page said the meetings discussed the continuation of the military operations against terrorism in Syria, calling it the “obstacle” to a political solution. “Terrorism which we see spreading today could have been more widespread and more harmful if it weren’t for your decisions and steps, not only in our region,” Assad told Putin in remarks carried by Arab media. The statement said Assad had three separate meetings in Moscow: talks with Putin and his foreign and defense ministers, a closed-door meeting between the two leaders and a working dinner. Commentators on Syrian TV hailed the visit as endorsement of Assad’s legitimacy, reinforcing the notion that he must be part of a future political solution to the crisis. “This lightning trip is a slap” to Assad’s opponents, Syrian analyst Bassam Abdullah told state television channel Ikhbariyah after the visit, adding that it highlights the need for political meetings not just military action. Abdullah described the meeting as “intimate” and reflecting a common vision and values between the two leaders. “There is a clear strategic shift in the region … and it is happening fast,” he said. Television footage showed footage of Putin and Russia’s foreign and defense ministers meeting with Assad, with the two leaders exchanging warm handshakes and smiles. Syrian government officials didn’t say if anyone traveled with Assad and photos from the meeting didn’t show a delegation accompanying the Syrian leader. Assad said Russia’s intervention was in line with international law and praised it as an effort to rid Syria and the region of terrorism. Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov, in comments carried by Russian news agencies, declined to comment on any specific outcome of the talks. Since June, Russia has played with the idea of a political transition that would envisage setting up some sort of interim government, and has discussed the issue with the U.S., Saudi Arabia, the Syrian opposition and others. Moscow’s diplomatic efforts have brought no visible results so far, but Putin has insisted that a political solution for Syria remains his top goal despite the military action. He recently met with Saudi officials, staunch critics of Assad and supporters of the rebels fighting against him. Moscow also has sought to alleviate the concerns of Turkey, a major economic partner and the second-biggest importer of Russian natural gas, which has been critical of Russia’s intervention in Syria. Ankara also supports rebels fighting Assad. Answering questions about Assad’s visit to Moscow, Turkey’s prime minister took a jab at the Syrian leader, reiterating his country’s position that Assad should not have a role in Syria’s future. “If only he could stay in Moscow longer, to give the people of Syria some relief; in fact he should stay there so the transition can begin,” Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told reporters. Davutoglu insisted that efforts to find a solution to the Syrian crisis should focus “not on a transition with Assad, but on formulas for Assad’s departure.” Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who was present at the talks and dinner with Assad on Tuesday, said in remarks carried by Russian news agencies that Moscow is not going to halt its military operation in Syria. “With our support, Syrian government forces have turned from a retreat to an offensive, liberating a part of their territory from Islamic State militants,” Shoigu said. “We are going to continue rendering the assistance to the legitimate Syrian authorities and create preconditions for a settlement of this conflict.” A week after Russia launched its airstrikes, Syrian ground troops, aided by allied fighters from Iran and Lebanon’s Hezbollah, pushed their way into central and northern Syria in an attempt to drive out rebel and militant groups in control of territories there. So far, Syrian forces have seized a few villages but there has been no strategic victory. Many of the attacks have hit western-backed rebels and al-Qaida’s affiliate in Syria, but not the Islamic State group, with its stronghold in eastern Syria. The Russian airstrikes have allowed Syrian troops and their allies to launch multiple ground offensives in northern, central and southern Syria as well as in the rebel-held suburbs of the capital, Damascus. Dmitry Trenin of the Moscow Carnegie Center said that Putin’s meeting with Assad signals Russia’s willingness to seek a political solution in Syria — but on its own terms. “By summoning Assad to Moscow, Putin seeks to convert an early military success into political capital, by launching a political transition on his terms,” he said. ___ Vasilyeva reported from Moscow. Associated Press writers Sarah El Deeb in Beirut and Kate de Pury in Moscow contributed to this report. ___ This story has been corrected to show that the Syrian conflict began in 2011, not 2001.