FORT MYERS, Fla. Southwest Florida teachers and parents are mixed on Marion County’s effort to replace daily homework for elementary students with mandatory reading time at home along with occasional projects and papers.
Stories you need to know

Video catches Collier County manatee with newborn
A new video of a manatee mother and newborn calf recently appeared in a Collier County canal.

Lee County deputy restrains alligator found in Village Walk
A seven-foot-long alligator was found in Village Walk by Lee County deputies. They jumped into action to ‘arrest’ the scaly suspect.

Lee County Officer of the Year finalists: Deputy Michelle Wilson
One of five finalists for Lee County Officer of the Year is a deputy who was thrown into the worst kind of violence before she had even finished training.

Rollover crash on I-75 in Lee County leaves 1 dead
A single vehicle rollover crash occurred on Southbound I-75, north of State Road 82, in Lee County on Tuesday evening.
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Push to get evidence thrown out in Jorge Guerrero trial
The man accused of a disturbing crime is trying to get evidence thrown out, but investigators said there is enough cell phone evidence gathered against Jorge Guerrero when it comes to the kidnapping and death of 9-year-old Diana Alvarez.

Cypress Lake High school bathroom fire causes evacuation
Students at Cypress Lake High School had to be evacuated after someone started a fire in the bathroom.

Pregnant woman allegedly stabbed in Lehigh Acres
A woman was arrested after deputies said she stabbed a woman who is seven months pregnant in Lehigh Acres on Tuesday.

‘Maximum results with minimal treatment’: new disc sealant for chronic back pain
A controversial approach has been found for chronic back pain without involving surgery. A Naples doctor uses new disc sealant on patients.