NAPLES Veterans hit the water in Naples Every September, a local group of captains and anglers hosts an event to take soldiers on the water. More than 130 troops and 65 captains were at the Naples Take a Soldier Fishing event.
Collier County teachers reach contract agreement Collier County teachers have come to an agreement with the school district in their contract negotiations.
NORTH PORT North Port Police searching for man who struck officer with car The North Port Police Department is on the search for a man who committed battery on an officer, among other charges.
FORT MYERS Victim of childhood sexual abuse speaks out after abuser receives 3 life sentences A survivor of childhood sexual abuse finally feels free after her abuser receives three life sentences.
No bond for Tice man accused of kidnaping and sexual assault A man accused of kidnapping and sexual assault will be held without bond.
CAPE CORAL 13th annual 239 Fest to showcase 16 local punk, ska and reggae bands The 13th edition of 239 Fest is coming next month and will feature 16 local punk, ska and reggae bands.
FORT MYERS BEACH Witnesses react to boat getting stuck under Matanzas Pass Bridge While the boat has since gotten out from underneath the bridge, it’s raised some questions about safety for onlookers.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Splash the otter, the unlikely hero bringing families closure Mike Hadsell has trained many animals in his lifetime, but the newest member of Peace River K9 Search and Rescue dive team, Splash the Asian small-clawed otter, is a first, even for him.
FORT MYERS Scrolling on your cell phone may be bad for your health; FGCU professor weighs in Scrolling through your phone might seem like a fun way to pass the time, but new research shows it can actually make you feel even more bored and unhappy.
WEST PALM BEACH DeSantis launches investigation into 2nd assassination attempt on Trump Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he will personally oversee the investigation into the second assassination attempt on former President Trump.
FHP reveals details behind crash that killed 4 young people A mangled car is all that remains from a crash that took the lives of four young people.
FORT MYERS 2 fires in 24 hours displace families in Fort Myers Two vicious fires left families’ homes and lives in ruins. Now, we are learning what help they are getting until their lives can be put back together.
Trump assassination attempt suspect removed serial number from gun Law enforcement is holding a press conference on the attempt of former President Donald Trump’s life at his West Palm Beach golf course.
FORT MYERS BEACH Matanzas Pass Bridge reopens after boat crashes into it, closing it for hours The Matanzas Pass Bridge has reopened to traffic after it was shut down for hours when a boat crashed into it.
MATLACHA Little Pine Island Bridge in Matlacha to temporarily close The Florida Department of Transportation has announced the temporary closure of the Little Pine Island Bridge.
NAPLES Veterans hit the water in Naples Every September, a local group of captains and anglers hosts an event to take soldiers on the water. More than 130 troops and 65 captains were at the Naples Take a Soldier Fishing event.
Collier County teachers reach contract agreement Collier County teachers have come to an agreement with the school district in their contract negotiations.
NORTH PORT North Port Police searching for man who struck officer with car The North Port Police Department is on the search for a man who committed battery on an officer, among other charges.
FORT MYERS Victim of childhood sexual abuse speaks out after abuser receives 3 life sentences A survivor of childhood sexual abuse finally feels free after her abuser receives three life sentences.
No bond for Tice man accused of kidnaping and sexual assault A man accused of kidnapping and sexual assault will be held without bond.
CAPE CORAL 13th annual 239 Fest to showcase 16 local punk, ska and reggae bands The 13th edition of 239 Fest is coming next month and will feature 16 local punk, ska and reggae bands.
FORT MYERS BEACH Witnesses react to boat getting stuck under Matanzas Pass Bridge While the boat has since gotten out from underneath the bridge, it’s raised some questions about safety for onlookers.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Splash the otter, the unlikely hero bringing families closure Mike Hadsell has trained many animals in his lifetime, but the newest member of Peace River K9 Search and Rescue dive team, Splash the Asian small-clawed otter, is a first, even for him.
FORT MYERS Scrolling on your cell phone may be bad for your health; FGCU professor weighs in Scrolling through your phone might seem like a fun way to pass the time, but new research shows it can actually make you feel even more bored and unhappy.
WEST PALM BEACH DeSantis launches investigation into 2nd assassination attempt on Trump Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he will personally oversee the investigation into the second assassination attempt on former President Trump.
FHP reveals details behind crash that killed 4 young people A mangled car is all that remains from a crash that took the lives of four young people.
FORT MYERS 2 fires in 24 hours displace families in Fort Myers Two vicious fires left families’ homes and lives in ruins. Now, we are learning what help they are getting until their lives can be put back together.
Trump assassination attempt suspect removed serial number from gun Law enforcement is holding a press conference on the attempt of former President Donald Trump’s life at his West Palm Beach golf course.
FORT MYERS BEACH Matanzas Pass Bridge reopens after boat crashes into it, closing it for hours The Matanzas Pass Bridge has reopened to traffic after it was shut down for hours when a boat crashed into it.
MATLACHA Little Pine Island Bridge in Matlacha to temporarily close The Florida Department of Transportation has announced the temporary closure of the Little Pine Island Bridge.
Mexico Beach, Florida after Hurricane Michael. Credit: Chris O’Mera AP The death toll from Hurricane Michael has jumped to at least 12, and FEMA Administrator Brock Long said he expects that number to continue to rise. As of Friday morning, more than 1.4 million utility customers from Florida to Virginia were without power. “We’re still in life-safety mode,” Long told CBS News. “We’re not even close to having discussions on rebuilding yet.” Mexico Beach, Florida, was one of the hardest-hit areas. Entire blocks of homes were obliterated in the small Panhandle community. Thousands of National Guard troops and emergency workers are helping the survivors. On Friday morning, Michael’s remnants were over the Atlantic Ocean, lashing the New England coast with strong winds and heavy rain. MORE: Tips when donating to a charity after a disaster | Where to donate Follow Hurricane Michael updates below Passenger killed when tree falls on vehicle A tree fell on top of a vehicle and killed a passenger in North Carolina, the state’s Emergency Management agency confirmed to CBS News on Friday morning. It’s second-known death in the state caused by Hurricane Michael and the 12th nationwide. Emergency Management spokesman Keith Acree said the accident happened in Marion, which is northeast of Asheville. North Carolina gov.: Strong riptides at the beach North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper urged people not to swim along the state’s coastline this weekend because of strong riptides and heavy surf caused by Michael, which has moved into the Atlantic. “It’ll be a beautiful weekend at the beach, but it’s not a time to go in swimming,” Cooper said during a press conference Friday morning. Hundreds of roads were closed across the state, many of them blocked by trees, Cooper said. Some roads were washed out. Cooper urged motorists not to drive around barricades. “Those roads are closed for a reason,” he said. A Virginia firefighter died while responding to a crash north of Richmond as Michael lashed the state. The Hanover County Fire-EMS Department said Fire Lt. Brad Clark died when a tractor-trailer struck his fire engine at the scene of a two-vehicle crash around 9 p.m. Thursday. The department said that the fire engine had its lights and other emergency equipment activated but roads were slick and storm conditions were heavy. The state medical examiner’s office has ruled that Clark’s death was among five storm-related fatalities in the state. Authorities said two others in Clark’s crew were seriously injured. The truck driver had to be extricated and also suffered serious injuries. FEMA chief: “Not safe to return” to hardest-hit areas FEMA Administrator Brock Long warned people Friday not to go back to the areas that Hurricane Michael hit the hardest. “It’s still not safe to return, particularly to Bay County, Florida,” Long said. Mexico Beach, which officials have called “ground zero” for hurricane damage, and Panama City are in Bay County. Tyndall Air Force Base, which the Air Force has said was severely damaged in the storm, is also in the county. “There’s no infrastructure there to support you, and quite honestly it’s a dangerous area to go back into,” Long said during a press conference Friday morning. “When you have this type of destruction, there’s gas lines that are there, there’s power lines that are down. In doing so, you’re putting your life in danger, and we ask you to be patient.” Destruction in Panhandle stretches for miles Entire cities along Florida’s Panhandle are unrecognizable, CBS News correspondent Omar Villafranca reports from Mexico Beach. Homes and businesses were ripped from their foundations, trailers were split open and tossed aside like toys, and a coastline was carved up by relentless, surging waves. “I never in my life would I ever dream that I would go through something like this,” Jackie Grable of Port St. Joe told Villafranca. Just up the coast, officials called Mexico Beach “ground zero” for hurricane damage. The destruction is catastrophic, and it stretches for miles in every direction. Help is arriving. Rescue teams with dogs searched what was left of Mexico Beach on Thursday, combing through piles of debris stacked 20 feet high. “This area is not going to be back to normal for a long time,” said Danny Simon of Louisiana Task Force 1, an emergency response team that just finished a 17-day deployment in North Carolina and South Carolina after Hurricane Florence. Nearly 300 people in the area stayed behind to ride out Wednesday’s storm. Many were still unaccounted for on Friday morning. Michael death toll keeps climbing Five more deaths are being blamed on what was Hurricane Michael, bringing the new death toll to at least 11. Virginia State Police say they were called in Thursday afternoon to help find James E. King Jr., 45, who was swept away from his vehicle by floodwaters. Shortly after 10:30 p.m., special agents with the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation and local volunteer firefighters found King’s body downstream. Four other deaths are being attributed to Michael in Virginia. In addition, authorities say 4 people died from storm-related incidents in Florida and one each in North Carolina and Georgia. The person who died in Georgia was an 11-year-old girl. Michael out to sea but some effects still being felt One-time Category 4 Hurricane Michael was a post-tropical cyclone moving across the Atlantic early Friday, the National Hurricane Center said. But people in the Florida Panhandle were only beginning to deal with the destruction in its wake. As of 5 a.m. Friday, Michael’s core was 85 miles east-northeast of Norfolk, Virginia and 275 miles southwest of Nantucket, Massachusetts, speeding east-northeast at 29 mph, the NHC said. It was still packing 65 mph maximum sustained winds. The hurricane center forecast that, “The center of Michael will move away from the United States today and move rapidly across the open Atlantic Ocean tonight through Sunday. ” … Some additional strengthening is expected today andtonight as the post-tropical cyclone moves across the Atlantic.” Michael’s not done yet The National Hurricane Center said early Friday Michael was getting stronger as it was transitioning into a post-tropical storm. It still had damaging winds and was generating “life-threatening flash flooding … over portions of North Carolina and the southern mid-Atlantic” states, the center said. As of 2 a.m. EDT, Michael’s core was some 65 miles east-northeast of Norfolk, Virginia with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph. It was heading northeast at 25 mph — very fast for a storm. According to the NHC, “On the forecast track, the center of Michael will move away from the coast of the United States during the next few hours and then begin to race east-northeastward across the northwestern Atlantic Ocean. ” … Michael is expected to continue to strengthen while becoming a post-tropical low during the next few hours.” Michael about to move to Atlantic Ocean As of 11 p.m. Thursday, Tropical Storm Michael was poised to move off the Virginia coast and become a post-tropical cyclone, the National Hurricane Center said. Damaging winds and life-threatening flash floods are still occuring in portions of North Carolina and the southern mid-Atlantic states. Michael had maximum sustained winds of 50 mph, and was moving at 25 mph. Tropical storm conditions are occurring over portions of extreme eastern North Carolina, including the Outer Banks. Updated power outage numbers There are over 1.5 million without power in six states as of 10 p.m. Thursday, officials said. A breakdown by state of the power outages. All numbers are approximate: 326,691 customers without power in Florida 37,966 customers without power in Alabama 133,333 customers without power in Georgia 92,000 customers without power in South Carolina 731,596 customers without power in North Carolina 271,487 customers without power in Virginia Some Floridians return to find homes destroyed Deirdre Hawthorne and her family rode out the storm with more than 200 other people in a shelter, CBS News correspondent Nikki Battiste reports. On her way home, she said she was filled with “dread.” She has called Bristol, Florida, home for the last 18 years. CBS News was with her when she saw her house for the first time. Somehow it was still standing beneath a twisted knot of fallen trees. Her daughter Amanda had to find another way into the house. Amanda said she was “devastated, scared, happy.” A tree happened to fall the other way, narrowly missing their home. But not everyone was so lucky.