Crews removing derelict boats from Gilchrist Park33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee County
PUNTA GORDA Crews removing derelict boats from Gilchrist Park Crews are working to remove derelict boats from Gilchrist Park after several of them washed ashore during Hurricane Milton in October.
33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee County Another Florida panther was killed by a vehicle, this time in Hardee County, increasing the death toll of the endangered species to 33 for 2024.
the weather authority Cool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking cold morning conditions before temperatures warm up to the low 70s this Thursday.
Students react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs Elementary School’s demolition plans There’s a new lesson plan at Bonita Springs Elementary School: Demolition 101. The school is set to be knocked down, and there’s good reason.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island Councilmember’s dogs allegedly attack 13-year-old girl Councilor Tamara Goehler is coming under fire after her dogs allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl and the girl’s five-month-old puppy.
PUNTA GORDA Gilchrist Park’s future brightens as boat cleanup commences The boats blocking Gilchrist Park are ready to be moved two years after Hurricane Milton.
Lee County Department of Health issues red tide alert for Bowman’s Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Bowman’s Beach.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral working on project to address canal safety An older Cape Coral couple drove into a canal last year. Neighbors are now saying something needs to be done about canal safety.
NAPLES Collier County mental health center receives $4 million donation A giant donation is dedicated to providing people with better mental health care in southwest Florida.
PUNTA GORDA Crews removing derelict boats from Gilchrist Park Crews are working to remove derelict boats from Gilchrist Park after several of them washed ashore during Hurricane Milton in October.
33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee County Another Florida panther was killed by a vehicle, this time in Hardee County, increasing the death toll of the endangered species to 33 for 2024.
the weather authority Cool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking cold morning conditions before temperatures warm up to the low 70s this Thursday.
Students react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs Elementary School’s demolition plans There’s a new lesson plan at Bonita Springs Elementary School: Demolition 101. The school is set to be knocked down, and there’s good reason.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island Councilmember’s dogs allegedly attack 13-year-old girl Councilor Tamara Goehler is coming under fire after her dogs allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl and the girl’s five-month-old puppy.
PUNTA GORDA Gilchrist Park’s future brightens as boat cleanup commences The boats blocking Gilchrist Park are ready to be moved two years after Hurricane Milton.
Lee County Department of Health issues red tide alert for Bowman’s Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Bowman’s Beach.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral working on project to address canal safety An older Cape Coral couple drove into a canal last year. Neighbors are now saying something needs to be done about canal safety.
NAPLES Collier County mental health center receives $4 million donation A giant donation is dedicated to providing people with better mental health care in southwest Florida.
A trailer is destroyed from a fallen tree in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew at Hilton Head, S.C., on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016. Matthew plowed north along the Atlantic coast, flooding towns and gouging out roads in its path. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins) HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (AP) — Whether it was an exhilarating night of watching nature’s wonder or one of the most frightening experiences of their lives, people on Hilton Head Island felt the same way Saturday — happy to be alive — hours after Hurricane Matthew moved past. Hilton Head Island — the popular resort along coastal South Carolina — belonged to those who stayed Saturday morning. Emergency officials left Friday afternoon and didn’t return until a few hours after sunrise Saturday as the winds and rains died down. Most of the 40,000 residents of this island where the median home price is nearly $450,000 left, and Gov. Nikki Haley said they may not be able to return for at least two days. Ellis Clemons walked down the middle of Hilton Head Island’s main road, dogging tree branches and giant puddles with his arms raised high, singing and yelling. “The wind was howling, the rain was falling sideways — and then, boom, the power went out,” Clemons said. “I never felt in danger. I just enjoyed it. How many times can you say you made it through a hurricane?” For Clemons, the number is two. He survived Hurricane Hugo in 1989, which came ashore about 60 miles north near Charleston. Clemons said Matthew was worse. Russ Johnson survived Matthew on the island, too. He thought it wasn’t going to be so bad until about 4:30 a.m. Saturday when some of the storm’s strongest winds in the eyewall began slamming the island as the hurricane’s eye slipped about 20 miles offshore. “The power went out. The wind was howling. You couldn’t see anything. That was pretty scary,” said Johnson, who moved to the island earlier this year. Johnson lost part of his roof, but saved his boat. There was no way to assess damage Saturday because many of the smaller roads leading to neighborhood still had a few feet of water and fallen trees blocking them. A few nervous residents who evacuated and dodged the downed trees to get back to the island tried several different ways to get to their homes with no luck. “I think we’re going to have a pine tree splitting our house,” said Chandler Brunson as she and her fiance turned around to try one more way to get to their home.
For Clemons, the number is two. He survived Hurricane Hugo in 1989, which came ashore about 60 miles north near Charleston. Clemons said Matthew was worse. Russ Johnson survived Matthew on the island, too. He thought it wasn’t going to be so bad until about 4:30 a.m. Saturday when some of the storm’s strongest winds in the eyewall began slamming the island as the hurricane’s eye slipped about 20 miles offshore. “The power went out. The wind was howling. You couldn’t see anything. That was pretty scary,” said Johnson, who moved to the island earlier this year. Johnson lost part of his roof, but saved his boat. There was no way to assess damage Saturday because many of the smaller roads leading to neighborhood still had a few feet of water and fallen trees blocking them. A few nervous residents who evacuated and dodged the downed trees to get back to the island tried several different ways to get to their homes with no luck. “I think we’re going to have a pine tree splitting our house,” said Chandler Brunson as she and her fiance turned around to try one more way to get to their home.