Students react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast UniversityMissing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres
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 Ian.
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.
ESTERO FGCU student wins ice dancing national championship FGCU sophomore Lucas Appel wins his second US Senior Solo Dance National Championship in three years.
Lee County Sheriff’s Office: Parent brings weapon to Lehigh Acres school According to a Lee County Sheriff’s Office report, there is probable cause to believe a woman unintentionally brought a firearm to school.
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 Ian.
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.
ESTERO FGCU student wins ice dancing national championship FGCU sophomore Lucas Appel wins his second US Senior Solo Dance National Championship in three years.
Lee County Sheriff’s Office: Parent brings weapon to Lehigh Acres school According to a Lee County Sheriff’s Office report, there is probable cause to believe a woman unintentionally brought a firearm to school.
(AP Photo/John Antczak, File) Take a look at your electric bill. If it’s higher than usual, you’re not alone. Hundreds of people have told us they paying more in August and don’t know why. We spoke to several people who said they haven’t done anything differently. Crystal Baxter in Arcadia doesn’t understand why she has a bill that says she owes $300 to Florida Power & Light. “We’re not working from home,” Baxter said. “My kids went to day care for the summer, so they weren’t even home this summer. So if anything, I was expecting it to go down.” Instead, her bill is up more than a $100 compared to this time last year. “We haven’t been home,” Baxter said. “We haven’t done anything different.” Baxter has a lot of company in this particular situation. We asked people on Facebook about their energy bills. Nearly 1,000 Facebook users commented on the post. Joey Amico in Cape Coral was among commenters. He is a customer of Lee County Electric Cooperative. “I looked at my bill around this time last year for August and I paid $175,” Amico said. “This year, I just got a bill two days ago for $330.” Both LCEC and FPL told us their rates are the same. As for the higher bills, that could be explained a number of ways. “The main factor being that temperatures are so high right now, and anytime it’s hot outside, it’s going to cause your air conditioner to run a lot more,” said Karen Ryan with LCEC. “People are spending more time at home, and people are cooking meals at home.” Ways to lower your bill You can track your energy use online for starters. “The number one thing is not to put your air conditioner below 78 degrees,” Ryan said. “For each degree below 78, it adds 8% to your cooling costs.” That’s not exactly what Baxter wanted to hear. “That’s too hot,” Baxter said. “With two little toddlers, they’re going to be hot and cranky.” And Baxter said she sets her thermostats to 76 degrees normally. More tips from electric companies FPL TIPS There are several tips that FPL recommend customers can take advantage of to manage their energy usage: Change the filter on the air conditioner each month Keep interior doors open so the air circulates and the AC works efficiently Raise the temperature on the AC thermometer (each degree you raise the thermometer can save up to 5% on your energy bill) Use ceiling fans to keep cool, but remember to turn them off when you leave the room Customers can activate the FPL “Energy Analyzer” and find more tools to manage their energy usage. This data-driven tool breaks down customer’s actual energy usage and offers personalized energy saving tools. MORE: FPL – Energy Analyzer FPL – Top Energy Saving Tips LCEC TIPS LCEC offers customers its free SmartHub app, so they can manage electric accounts safely and securely online or from a mobile device. MORE: LCEC – General Green Tips LCEC – Ways to save on your electric bill this summer