33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee CountyCool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon
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.
LABELLE City of LaBelle under precautionary boil water notice A water main break has the City of Labelle under a precautionary boil water notice.
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.
LABELLE City of LaBelle under precautionary boil water notice A water main break has the City of Labelle under a precautionary boil water notice.
LPGA golfers, from left, Sung Hyun Park, So Yeon Ryu, Lexi Thompson, Shanshan Feng and Brooke Henderson pose before a glass case, Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017, reflecting the $1 million cash bonus up for grabs this week at the CME Group Tour Championship golf tournament at Tiburón Golf Club in North Naples, Fla. (AP Photo/Doug Ferguson) NORTH NAPLES, Fla. (AP) Shanshan Feng could think of no better way to celebrate. Her second straight victory before a home crowd in China at the Blue Bay LPGA meant she was projected to rise to No. 1 in the world for the first time. She had to wait for it to become official, and she had a plane to catch. The news arrived as she was in a Dallas airport waiting for her connecting flight to Southwest Florida. LINK: Live scoring “I was really, really excited,” Feng said Wednesday. “I was by myself at the Dallas airport and I went into Friday’s and I ordered a steak for myself. I mean, I was trying to celebrate a little bit with a steak. I took a picture of it and sent it to my dad and mom. I was like, ‘I’m here celebrating.'” She didn’t send a screen shot of the women’s world ranking. She sent a picture of the steak. More than just the No. 1 ranking is on the line this week at the CME Group Tour Championship. The LPGA Tour finale is so compelling that it could offer something to everyone or everything to one player. Feng is among five players who only have to win the tournament to capture the $1 million bonus for the Race to the CME Globe. She is among four players still in the running for LPGA player of the year. Also up for grabs among three players is the Vare Trophy for lowest scoring average, while two players can win the money title. MORE: Tiburón scrambled to prep course for LPGA after Irma So if Feng celebrated with a steak for reaching No. 1 in the world, what does she do for player of the year? “Maybe a bigger steak,” she said with a laugh. “Normally when I celebrate, there are two things. One is food, of course. I don’t know what food yet, but I can tell you I’m going to have some good food and share the happiness with my parents. Second thing is, I’m going to buy myself presents.” She prefers handbags, and a $1 million can buy a lot of those. Those decisions are still four days away. MORE: Topgolf to build driving range in Fort Myers The drama began Thursday morning at Tiburón Golf Club and concludes with what could be the most dynamic conclusion to an LPGA season. Lexi Thompson, Sung Hyun Park, Feng, So Yeon Ryu and Brooke Henderson only have to win the tournament to claim the $1 million bonus. All but Henderson have to win the Tour Championship to be awarded LPGA Tour player of the year. Thompson, Park and In Gee Chun are still in the mix for the Vare Trophy. The money title comes down to Park and Ryu. The majors are over. But with so much at stake, it feels like one. “Feels like definitely one of the highlights for the year,” Ryu said. “Yeah, without major title, this one feels like a major.” Feng arrived in North Naples as the hottest player on the LPGA Tour. She was runner-up in Malaysia, and then won in Japan and China to become the fifth player this year to occupy the No. 1 ranking, a record for the men’s or women’s world ranking in a calendar year. Ryu hasn’t won since June and has been coping with a sore right shoulder that has tempered her expectations and left her wondering how much she can rely on her long game. Thompson remains somewhat a sympathetic figure from a tough year on and off the golf course. She learned two months ago that her mother is cancer-free. The biggest trial was overcoming her playoff loss at the ANA Inspiration, where she was penalized four shots late in the final round for incorrectly marking her ball on the green in the third round. That’s a two-shot penalty, but because the violation was not reported until Sunday, she was docked another two shots for signing an incorrect scorecard. She rallied to get into a playoff, where Ryu beat her on the first extra hole. “I think it’s pretty obvious what tested me the most this year,” she said. “I believe everything, I guess, happens for a reason. I don’t know why exactly, but it has made me so much stronger as a person on and off the golf course.” Asked if she thinks much about it, Thompson looked away and said tersely, “No.” The most intriguing figure of the bunch is Park, the LPGA Tour rookie who can leave Southwest Florida with all the goods. She already has won LPGA rookie of the year. By winning the tournament, she can sweep all the awards. Nancy Lopez in 1978 was the only other woman to win LPGA player of the year, rookie of the year, Vare Trophy and the money title. “This year coming in, my goal was to just win one tournament and potentially win rookie of the year,” Park said. “Having now achieved both of those and being in reach of some of the other titles, I certainly feel a little more pressure to chase those. … At the same time, I know I’m not the only one in the chase,” Park said. “I know all the other competitors are feeling the same pressure.”