Soldier surprised daughter at school for Hero Day

CLEWISTON, Fla. — A soldier returned from Afghanistan and surprised his daughter on Wednesday for Hero Day at Eastside Elementary School.

Mia Hawkins started kindergarten this year and the school held an assembly to welcome home Mia’s father, First Class Sergeant Jarrod Hawkins, who was gone for the last five months.

Local Headlines

Mild and humid Friday morning ahead of a hot afternoon

The Weather Authority is tracking a mild and humid Friday morning start, with sun and clouds expected for the afternoon.

The “addicting” pickleball lifestyle, The US Open Pickleball Championship

The new owner wants to keep the ‘Pickleball Capital of the World’ simple, including bringing in all players from around the world and at all levels.

Community unites to honor Matlacha victim with memorial garden

A community is coming together to create a memorial garden for Mary-Lou Sharp, the 80-year-old woman who was killed after a driver barreled through the outdoor seating area of That BBQ Place

Two injured in Charlotte Harbor crash

At least two people are injured after a crash on Tamiami Trail before 8 p.m. on Thursday evening.

Local postal workers union raises alarm over mail delivery delays

President Sam Wood and Vice President Danny Carinci of the southwest Florida area local American postal workers union are voicing significant concerns regarding mail delivery delays in our region.