FORT MYERS Cross-country star with bright future The Bishop Verot Catholic High School senior won a state championship last year. Now, she’s committed to running at the University of Florida.
DeSantis fights back on Amendment 4 Florida may not be the swing state it used to be, but we’ll be on the map and certainly making headlines for at least one big reason this year: Abortion.
The do’s and don’ts of ATV’s An investigation is underway after a car crashed into an ATV with six people, including children, on it. Concerns are now being raised over the rules and regulations of ATVs.
SANIBEL Sanibel city council votes on E-bike limits The Sanibel City Council has voted to set new speed limits for e-bikes and whether they can ride on the island’s bike paths.
NORTH FORT MYERS Child shoots themselves in foot at youth football game, later arrested There was a frenzy on the field as parents and kids rushed to shelter in a concession building after hearing a gunshot fired during a youth football game.
Miracle Moment: Horsepower drives healing A horse gave a young girl the motivation she needed to fight an aggressive cancer.
Former LCSO deputy pleads not guilty to jewelry store shooting A former Lee County deputy has been caught on the wrong side of the law twice now, but he says he is innocent.
LEE COUNTY East Lee County football off to best start in school history There’s a new energy in the halls of East Lee County High School, because a 3-0 start is a first for Jaguar football.
RSV vaccine for mothers can help baby Now, a new FDA-approved vaccine can protect your baby, even before the little one is born.
Harris’ past debates: A prosecutor’s style with narrative flair but risks in a matchup with Trump Harris faces former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, who will participate in his seventh general election debate since 2016 for an event that will be seen by tens of millions of viewers just as early voting in November’s election starts around the country.
Collier commissioners approve tax rates, consider repaying Conservation Collier Collier County commissioners on Sept. 5 tentatively approved the $2.98 billion 2024-25 budget, but didn’t resolve whether to repay $29.6 million they took from Conservation Collier to help cover a more than $60 million shortfall last year.
LEE COUNTY Jury finds man guilty of molesting child in Lee County A jury has found a Lehigh Acres man guilty of sending inappropriate messages and molesting a child following a three-day trial.
CAPE CORAL 2 teens plead not guilty in murder of 15-year-old Cape Coral girl Two teens accused of murdering a 15-year-old girl in Cape Coral have both entered a plea of not guilty.
lehigh acres Man arrested for fatal hit-and-run in Lehigh Acres The Florida Highway Patrol has arrested a man accused of a fatal hit-and-run crash in Lehigh Acres.
LABELLE 2 teens accused of shooting threats at LaBelle Middle School, high school Two juveniles have been arrested after allegedly posting shooting threats toward LaBelle Middle School and LaBelle High School.
FORT MYERS Cross-country star with bright future The Bishop Verot Catholic High School senior won a state championship last year. Now, she’s committed to running at the University of Florida.
DeSantis fights back on Amendment 4 Florida may not be the swing state it used to be, but we’ll be on the map and certainly making headlines for at least one big reason this year: Abortion.
The do’s and don’ts of ATV’s An investigation is underway after a car crashed into an ATV with six people, including children, on it. Concerns are now being raised over the rules and regulations of ATVs.
SANIBEL Sanibel city council votes on E-bike limits The Sanibel City Council has voted to set new speed limits for e-bikes and whether they can ride on the island’s bike paths.
NORTH FORT MYERS Child shoots themselves in foot at youth football game, later arrested There was a frenzy on the field as parents and kids rushed to shelter in a concession building after hearing a gunshot fired during a youth football game.
Miracle Moment: Horsepower drives healing A horse gave a young girl the motivation she needed to fight an aggressive cancer.
Former LCSO deputy pleads not guilty to jewelry store shooting A former Lee County deputy has been caught on the wrong side of the law twice now, but he says he is innocent.
LEE COUNTY East Lee County football off to best start in school history There’s a new energy in the halls of East Lee County High School, because a 3-0 start is a first for Jaguar football.
RSV vaccine for mothers can help baby Now, a new FDA-approved vaccine can protect your baby, even before the little one is born.
Harris’ past debates: A prosecutor’s style with narrative flair but risks in a matchup with Trump Harris faces former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, who will participate in his seventh general election debate since 2016 for an event that will be seen by tens of millions of viewers just as early voting in November’s election starts around the country.
Collier commissioners approve tax rates, consider repaying Conservation Collier Collier County commissioners on Sept. 5 tentatively approved the $2.98 billion 2024-25 budget, but didn’t resolve whether to repay $29.6 million they took from Conservation Collier to help cover a more than $60 million shortfall last year.
LEE COUNTY Jury finds man guilty of molesting child in Lee County A jury has found a Lehigh Acres man guilty of sending inappropriate messages and molesting a child following a three-day trial.
CAPE CORAL 2 teens plead not guilty in murder of 15-year-old Cape Coral girl Two teens accused of murdering a 15-year-old girl in Cape Coral have both entered a plea of not guilty.
lehigh acres Man arrested for fatal hit-and-run in Lehigh Acres The Florida Highway Patrol has arrested a man accused of a fatal hit-and-run crash in Lehigh Acres.
LABELLE 2 teens accused of shooting threats at LaBelle Middle School, high school Two juveniles have been arrested after allegedly posting shooting threats toward LaBelle Middle School and LaBelle High School.
A general view of the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee. (Photo: AP) An anti-riot bill would increase penalties for crimes during protests in Florida. HB 1: Combating Public Disorder was first proposed in the state after the summer 2020 protests over racial injustice. HB 1 passed the first stop in the legislative process recently, but there are concerns the bill is too partisan. Long before the riot at the U.S. Capitol, Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida Republican lawmakers introduced legislation to bring the hammer down on protest organizers if those protests turn violent. “Basically, the penalty now is serve you with some papers; you’ll get out of jail; and maybe an hour later, you can go do it again,” said State Rep. Bob Rommel (R) of Naples. “With this bill, that will not.” Rommel likes the bill. State Rep. Michael Greico (D) does not support it. He is the top-ranking Democrat on the Florida House criminal justice subcommittee. “It essentially calls for increased penalties for a slew of activity that is already illegal,” Greico said. “But it expands definitions of things like riots, aggravated riots, mob intimidation.” Greico said the measure is a setback for people trying to make their voices heard. “Any major movement in this country has been a result of protesting,” Greico said. “We wouldn’t have the weekend. We wouldn’t have unions if it weren’t for protests.” While Greico said the first solution is to listen to why the rioters are upset, Rommel told us it’s too late for that. “Ask them nicely doesn’t seem to have worked so far,” Rommel said. Rommell told us he doesn’t know a logical person who would not support this bill. It goes to a Florida Senate subcommittee chaired by a Democrat next. Florida Sen. Jason Pizzo (D), who might run for governor, could kill the bill simply by refusing to hear it, but Republicans believe he will hold hearings. Some of the changes in the proposed bill: Anyone who is arrested at a riot automatically spends a night in jail Assault on an officer equals six months behind bars Destroying a monument equals a minimum of 15 years incarcerated