Crews removing derelict boats from Gilchrist Park33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee County
PUNTA GORDA Crews removing derelict boats from Gilchrist Park Crews are working to remove derelict boats from Gilchrist Park after several of them washed ashore during Hurricane Milton in October.
33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee County Another Florida panther has been 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.
PUNTA GORDA Crews removing derelict boats from Gilchrist Park Crews are working to remove derelict boats from Gilchrist Park after several of them washed ashore during Hurricane Milton in October.
33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee County Another Florida panther has been 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.
For months, the internet has been filled with offers of PPE that turns out to be counterfeit and COVID tests that are actually phony, as well as ads for under-the-table miracle virus cures. Now, reports CBS Chicago, “dark-web” digital sellers are moving into a new territory — marketing COVID-19 vaccines, capitalizing on fear and scarcity across the globe. The dark web is meant to connect unidentified buyers with anonymous sellers. With millions of people hoping to get a precious COVID-19 vaccine, there’s something new lurking in this often seedy space. “It’s very, very specific type of vaccine and getting something ahead of time … skipping the line and getting to the front” is a big draw, Mark Ostrowski, head of engineering for the cyber security company, Check Point, told CBS Chicago. His team has found that in just the last six weeks, the number of vaccine ads on the dark web has exploded. The asking prices have doubled or even quadrupled. Search results tease potential buyers with language like “available now” and “going fast!” One offer — $300 for 14 doses — looks like a steal, $200 below the $500 original price. This seller even offered a 100% refund if the vaccine failed to arrive. Or there’s another seller — who offered to ship to the United Kingdom, the United States and Spain. The best method of correspondence? Encrypted messaging services like WhatsApp or Telegram. That’s where the Check Point team started messaging these sellers to try to learn more. They found another offer, a bulk discount: 10,000 bottles of the COVID vaccine for $30,000. One dark web seller even messaged a picture of a “sample” bottle of vaccine with a December expiration date. Another wanted $1,500 for four doses of a “Chinese vaccine.” The Check Point team even sent a seller the Bitcoin payment to see what they would get in return. “Our expectations were low, and, of course, they weren’t met,” said Ostrowski. A few days after the Bitcoin transaction, Check Point received a message from the vendor saying the vaccine had been shipped. Then a few days later, that vendor’s account completely disappeared from the site. And then — you guessed it — Check Point never got anything in the mail. And it’s not just vaccine that’s being peddled. The Check Point team also found ads for the malaria medication hydroxychloroquine, once falsely touted by former President Trump to treat COVID-19. All clinical trials conducted during 2020 found hydroxychloroquine was ineffective against COVID. As far as Ostrowski can tell, none of these sellers really has any of the COVID-19 vaccines. But as time goes by, and more people get access to legitimate doses, there’s always the possibility that some of that real product could make its way onto the dark web. “So that’s how these … things [typically] work, where goods are being offered, money is transferred and then, poof, these go away,” said Ostrowski. “That’s what makes it really dangerous because you really don’t know what you’re getting. So you’re putting not only yourself at risk if something like this happens, but if you’re getting multiple doses and trying to resell it, the risk is so huge.” Back in December, INTERPOL saw this coming. It issued a global alert to law enforcement across 194 countries warning them about organized crime networks targeting COVID-19 vaccines, both physically and online.