Warmer with sun and clouds for your Friday plansFDOT to open all lanes of Caloosahatchee Bridge year ahead of construction schedule
the weather authority Warmer with sun and clouds for your Friday plans The Weather Authority is tracking a warmer day ahead, with a mixture of sun and clouds expected this Friday afternoon.
FDOT to open all lanes of Caloosahatchee Bridge year ahead of construction schedule The Florida Department of Transportation announced it will open all lanes of the Caloosahatchee Bridge a year ahead of its pedestrian sidewalk project.
NAPLES 12-year-old collecting donations for the needy during the holidays A 12-year-old Naples boy isn’t worried about what he’s getting for Christmas. Instead, he’s working on his 6th annual “Holiday Sock Drive.”
Fort Myers man facing homelessness before the holidays A 75-year-old man is on the brink of homelessness despite working over 80 hours a week.
NAPLES Adoptee uses non-profit to provide suitcases for foster children This holiday season, a Naples woman is on a mission to bring foster children something many take for granted: a suitcase filled with dignity.
MARCO ISLAND City of Marco Island discusses lead awareness during city council meeting The city of Marco Island sent out 4900 letters to residents warning them that their pipes could contain plastic or lead.
NAPLES The future of electric planes in Southwest Florida Features of living near an airport include persistent headache-inducing engine rumbles and foul-smelling jet fuel, but electric planes could play a part in the solution.
PORT CHARLOTTE Neighbors awaiting answers on Port Charlotte Beach Park repairs Neighbors said a contractor hired by the Florida Division of Emergency Management mishandled the boats at Port Charlotte Beach Park.
FGCU introduces new technology for cognitive health screenings Ten minutes. That’s all it takes for doctors to assess how well you remember, how quickly you learn things, and how your brain is working overall.
WINK Investigates: Disgraced contractor faces new lawsuits and allegations Paul Beattie, a disgraced home builder is back doing business but legal challenges continue as another one of his businesses gets sued. Former employees of Beattie speak out, only to WINK.
SWFL reacts to UNC hiring Bill Belichick Southwest Florida reacts to North Carolina hiring Bill Belichick as its new head football coach and how that could impact the decisions of local recruits.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Some Floridians want more alone time during the holidays The holidays are all about spending time with family and friends, but nearly half of Americans say they really want more alone time during the holiday.
LABELLE Hendry County rolls out cameras for school speed zones The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office has rolled out a new way of enforcing school zone speed limits by using cameras that will target drivers traveling over a certain speed in a school zone.
Aggressive driving concerns on the rise in Southwest Florida The arrest of a man who, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office said, killed a motorcyclist after crashing into him on purpose is raising concerns over aggressive driving in Southwest Florida.
SANIBEL Sanibel School students prepare for community Christmas performance The school that has had to claw and fight its way back more than once to reopen is getting the chance to celebrate.
the weather authority Warmer with sun and clouds for your Friday plans The Weather Authority is tracking a warmer day ahead, with a mixture of sun and clouds expected this Friday afternoon.
FDOT to open all lanes of Caloosahatchee Bridge year ahead of construction schedule The Florida Department of Transportation announced it will open all lanes of the Caloosahatchee Bridge a year ahead of its pedestrian sidewalk project.
NAPLES 12-year-old collecting donations for the needy during the holidays A 12-year-old Naples boy isn’t worried about what he’s getting for Christmas. Instead, he’s working on his 6th annual “Holiday Sock Drive.”
Fort Myers man facing homelessness before the holidays A 75-year-old man is on the brink of homelessness despite working over 80 hours a week.
NAPLES Adoptee uses non-profit to provide suitcases for foster children This holiday season, a Naples woman is on a mission to bring foster children something many take for granted: a suitcase filled with dignity.
MARCO ISLAND City of Marco Island discusses lead awareness during city council meeting The city of Marco Island sent out 4900 letters to residents warning them that their pipes could contain plastic or lead.
NAPLES The future of electric planes in Southwest Florida Features of living near an airport include persistent headache-inducing engine rumbles and foul-smelling jet fuel, but electric planes could play a part in the solution.
PORT CHARLOTTE Neighbors awaiting answers on Port Charlotte Beach Park repairs Neighbors said a contractor hired by the Florida Division of Emergency Management mishandled the boats at Port Charlotte Beach Park.
FGCU introduces new technology for cognitive health screenings Ten minutes. That’s all it takes for doctors to assess how well you remember, how quickly you learn things, and how your brain is working overall.
WINK Investigates: Disgraced contractor faces new lawsuits and allegations Paul Beattie, a disgraced home builder is back doing business but legal challenges continue as another one of his businesses gets sued. Former employees of Beattie speak out, only to WINK.
SWFL reacts to UNC hiring Bill Belichick Southwest Florida reacts to North Carolina hiring Bill Belichick as its new head football coach and how that could impact the decisions of local recruits.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Some Floridians want more alone time during the holidays The holidays are all about spending time with family and friends, but nearly half of Americans say they really want more alone time during the holiday.
LABELLE Hendry County rolls out cameras for school speed zones The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office has rolled out a new way of enforcing school zone speed limits by using cameras that will target drivers traveling over a certain speed in a school zone.
Aggressive driving concerns on the rise in Southwest Florida The arrest of a man who, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office said, killed a motorcyclist after crashing into him on purpose is raising concerns over aggressive driving in Southwest Florida.
SANIBEL Sanibel School students prepare for community Christmas performance The school that has had to claw and fight its way back more than once to reopen is getting the chance to celebrate.
Roaming black bear. (Credit: FWC) Black bears are on the move in Southwest Florida, roaming the peninsula in search of high-calorie food to pack on weight for the coming lean winter months. It’s not that black bears here have to hibernate to avoid the cold, but they do go into a lethargic state — mostly because there is less food in the winter to fill their massive bellies. Experts say a 700-pound bear can eat as much as 20,000 calories a day, which is enough for several human adults. Yes, they can get that big, though black bears in Florida typically range from 250 to 450 pounds for males and 125 to 250 pounds for females. And they’re roaming the landscape now that fall is here and winter is approaching. “This is generally the time when bears become more active in Florida,” said Carli Segelson, spokeswoman for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, or FWC. FWC is in charge of protecting and managing Florida’s black bears. The agency estimates that there are just over 4,000 bears in the Sunshine State, with most bears living in clusters on wild lands like Big Cypress National Preserve or Ocala National Forest. Road kills are the No. 1 documented cause of death for black bears in Florida, with 241 vehicle deaths in 2018, according to FWC records. More than 300 bears were killed during a 2015 hunt, which drew international attention and gave the tourism-based state a black eye in public. The hunt came after FWC held several public meetings around the state to take public input on how to better control bear numbers. FWC is again considering the future management of black bears and reached out to the public earlier this week for input on how to best handle a growing bear population. More bears mean more road kills and chance encounters in the wild or even a neighborhood preserve. So what should you do if you see a bear? “If you see a bear in the wild, enjoy the experience, but keep your distance and don’t approach any closer,” said FWC bear biologist Sarah Barrett. “You should allow the bear the chance to continue its path, but if your presence changes the bear’s behavior, you should back away slowly. “It is always a good idea to carry bear spray when in bear country, but be sure it is somewhere you can easily grab it if needed, and pay attention to wind direction.” FWC breaks up bear territories into seven different populations — Lee and Collier counties are in the south region. Bear calls to FWC have also increased over the past decade, ranging from 97 in the south region in 2010 to 920 in 2018. It is illegal to intentionally feed bears. To keep bears away from your home, follow these FWC tips: —Secure household garbage in a sturdy shed, garage or a wildlife-resistant container. —Put household garbage out on the morning of pickup rather than the night before. —Secure commercial garbage in bear-resistant dumpsters. —Protect gardens, bee yards, compost and livestock with electric fencing. —Encourage your homeowner’s association or local government to institute ordinances to require trash be secured from bears. —Feed pets indoors or bring the dishes in after feeding. —Clean grills and store them in a secure place. —Pick ripe fruit from trees and remove fallen fruit from the ground. Information from:The News-Press.