Port Charlotte woman accused of running over ex-boyfriend after condiment vandalismDog rescue in Fort Myers holds fundraiser as founder fights cancer
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte woman accused of running over ex-boyfriend after condiment vandalism A Port Charlotte woman is accused of vandalizing her ex-boyfriend’s car by throwing eggs and condiments and then running him over with her car.
FORT MYERS Dog rescue in Fort Myers holds fundraiser as founder fights cancer A beloved dog rescue service in Fort Myers is facing uncertainty as its founder, Carey Kendzior, battles cancer.
Woman arrested for stealing $3,400 in goods from Target in Collier County More than 150 items worth thousands of dollars were reportedly stolen from a Target in Collier County. Deputies arrested Kimberly McDonnell, 36, on charges of grand theft.
Egg prices leading to some locals raising their own chickens High egg prices have some people considering raising their own chickens, but it’s not as simple as it sounds.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach Library to reopen following Hurricane Ian The Fort Myers Beach Library plans to reopen its doors to the public on March 16.
FORT MYERS Save This Life pet microchips closes down For many, protecting your pet is as important as keeping your kids safe.
Rosie, dog lost during I-75 crash, back home with family New information has been released about Rosie, the dog that went missing in a car crash last weekend and was found Wednesday.
Gatorama owner loses finger at feeding show The owner of Gatorama in Palmdale was bitten by one of his gators during a feeding show over the weekend and lost a finger.
WWII Veteran hits 100th birthday milestone Hundreds of people came to celebrate WWII veteran Vernon Nelson’s 100th birthday.
FORT MYERS Volunteers boost Harry Chapin Food Bank’s reach The Harry Chapin Food Bank relies heavily on its volunteers to make a significant impact in the community.
SOUTH FORT MYERS Twins’ superfan attends Spring Training for more than two decades Twins’ superfan Neil Pierce lives more than one thousand miles away from Hammond Stadium and never misses a game in Lee County.
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.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte woman accused of running over ex-boyfriend after condiment vandalism A Port Charlotte woman is accused of vandalizing her ex-boyfriend’s car by throwing eggs and condiments and then running him over with her car.
FORT MYERS Dog rescue in Fort Myers holds fundraiser as founder fights cancer A beloved dog rescue service in Fort Myers is facing uncertainty as its founder, Carey Kendzior, battles cancer.
Woman arrested for stealing $3,400 in goods from Target in Collier County More than 150 items worth thousands of dollars were reportedly stolen from a Target in Collier County. Deputies arrested Kimberly McDonnell, 36, on charges of grand theft.
Egg prices leading to some locals raising their own chickens High egg prices have some people considering raising their own chickens, but it’s not as simple as it sounds.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach Library to reopen following Hurricane Ian The Fort Myers Beach Library plans to reopen its doors to the public on March 16.
FORT MYERS Save This Life pet microchips closes down For many, protecting your pet is as important as keeping your kids safe.
Rosie, dog lost during I-75 crash, back home with family New information has been released about Rosie, the dog that went missing in a car crash last weekend and was found Wednesday.
Gatorama owner loses finger at feeding show The owner of Gatorama in Palmdale was bitten by one of his gators during a feeding show over the weekend and lost a finger.
WWII Veteran hits 100th birthday milestone Hundreds of people came to celebrate WWII veteran Vernon Nelson’s 100th birthday.
FORT MYERS Volunteers boost Harry Chapin Food Bank’s reach The Harry Chapin Food Bank relies heavily on its volunteers to make a significant impact in the community.
SOUTH FORT MYERS Twins’ superfan attends Spring Training for more than two decades Twins’ superfan Neil Pierce lives more than one thousand miles away from Hammond Stadium and never misses a game in Lee County.
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.
FILE Photo of Mark Sievers mugshot from 2016 – Photo courtesy of Lee County Sheriff’s Office. FORT MYERS, Fla. – The lack of resources versus financial motivation was the focus of a bond hearing for Mark Sievers on Thursday, where for the first time, investigators detailed information from a key witness that led to his arrest. Despite claims of “limited to no financial resources,” Lee County Circuit Court Judge Bruce Kyle denied a $4.43 million to $250,000 bond reduction for Sievers. Lee County Sheriff’s Office Det. Sgt. Michael Downs, the lead investigator on the Sievers murder case, testified that the insurance policies Sievers and his wife, Dr. Teresa Sievers, had together were a “relevant factor” for the killing. “It was the motivation for Curtis Wayne Wright,” Downs said. Wright, Sievers’ childhood friend, told investigators under oath that the pair discussed receiving payment from the policies “specifically for the murder of Mr. Sievers’ wife,” Downs said. Investigators initially theorized that the killing was related to the insurance policies. Downs’ statement was the first time investigators disclosed what Wright told them. Charged with second-degree murder, Wright accepted a 25-year prison sentence in exchange for his statement and testifying against Sievers and Jimmy Ray Rodgers, who is also charged with second-degree murder in the case. Mark Sievers was arrested about a week after Wright talked with detectives. Thursday’s hearing also focused on Mark Sievers’ ability to receive any payout from the insurance policies, the amount of which was the basis for his bond. His attorney, Michael Mummert, argued that state law prevents him from receiving any life insurance payments unless he is acquitted, adding that the insurance companies wouldn’t make any payouts until the conclusion of the case. “This idea that the life insurance policies are burning a hole in the insurance companies’ pockets, it’s absurd,” he said. “They are large corporations that operate in 50 states. They have no desire to part with the money before they absolutely have to.” Assistant State Attorney Hamid Hunter argued Mummert’s interpretation of the law, stating there is nothing preventing an insurance company from paying out to someone accused of murder. During his testimony, Downs said Sievers had previously filed claims on the policies. “There’s not consequence at all for an insurance company if they choose to pay the claim,” Hunter said. “The issue is the other beneficiaries on the life insurance policies are individual people Sievers has control over, is trying to get control over or will get control over.” Mummert further attempted to substantiate a bond reduction by having Sievers answer questions about his finances (he’s unemployed, can’t sell his home or take out an additional mortgage and is underwater on his condo in Missouri), connection to the area (has lived in Lee County for about 10 years, along with his mother and daughters being in the area), not having any criminal history and remaining in the area since his wife’s killing. If granted the bond reduction, Sievers said his mother and brother would “pool their resources and see what they can come up with.” “My client has been declared indigent,” Mummert said. “He has no assets of value.” Hunter argued that Sievers has “substantial contacts” in Missouri, adding that the same points brought up in Thursday’s hearing were also considered during his first appearance, where the bond was set. “The defense has to overcome the presumptive correctness of the court’s ruling,” he said. Mark Sievers is charged with second-degree murder in the death of his wife, who was found bludgeoned to death inside the kitchen of the couple’s Jarvis Road home in June 2015. Investigators believe Mark Sievers, who pleaded not guilty, planned the killing and promised his childhood friend payment for carrying out the plan. Thursday’s judgment was another legal setback for Mark Sievers since his arrest in February. Along with Wright’s plea agreement, Sievers’ two daughters, ages 9 and 11, were placed in the custody of his mother-in-law on April 8 against his wishes. His mother, Bonnie, will argue for custody on May 11.