Savannah Bananas at JetBlue Park this weekendPunta Gorda Historic District home set for demolition, rebuild
FORT MYERS Savannah Bananas at JetBlue Park this weekend Are you heading out to watch the Savannah Bananas this weekend? This is what you need to know.
Punta Gorda Historic District home set for demolition, rebuild When builder T.J. Thornberry was hired by clients to demolish and build two new homes on their Chasteen Street properties within the Punta Gorda Historic District, little did he realize he would be embarking on an odyssey laden with roadblocks lasting nearly three months.
PORT CHARLOTTE Rays begin Spring Training ahead of season away from home The Charlotte Sports Park is home to the Tampa Bay Rays for the next six weeks for, but after that they don’t actually get to go home.
Eligible taxpayers in Florida file for free with IRS Direct File The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers in Florida they can file their taxes for free with the agency using IRS Direct File.
Tallahassee Gov. DeSantis to hold news conference at Florida Capitol Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is set to hold a news conference at the state capitol building.
Registration for Lee County Parks and Recreation Summer Camp to open Lee County Parks and Recreation Summer Camp has announced that registration will open to the public in two weeks.
Collier Sheriff speaks on high-tech tools stopping criminals before they act According to Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk, Southwest Florida is seen as an easy target for criminals; however, law enforcement has begun to incorporate cutting-edge technology to prevent future crimes from happening.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral to host two German Culture Biergarten The German American Social Club of Cape Coral will host the first of two Biergarten in the Bavarian Garden to celebrate its German heritage.
Execution of Charlotte County killer James Ford set for tonight A convicted killer on death row since 1999 is scheduled to be executed tonight for the murder of a couple in Charlotte County.
NORTH PORT Citywide burn ban in effect for North Port The North Port Fire Rescue has enacted a citywide outdoor burn ban due to extreme drought conditions and an increased wildfire threat.
cape coral Minor hospitalized with gunshot wound; 2 people in custody The Cape Coral Police Department is actively investigating a scene located on Skyline Boulevard.
the weather authority Near-record heat with isolated rain this Thursday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking near-record heat this Thursday, along with isolated rain throughout the afternoon.
Lee County School District sets town hall meeting Spring schedule The Lee County School District has released its Spring town hall schedule, during which parents and community members can voice their opinions regarding their children’s education.
SANIBEL Sanibel teen gearing up to reopen popular food truck The Sanibel Sprout, a beloved local spot, is gearing up for a hopeful reopening in mid-March after two years of rebuilding.
FORT MYERS Man arrested for prowling and enticing a child in Fort Myers A concerned citizen flagged down Florida Highway Patrol state troopers in Fort Myers to report an adult man was harassing his daughter, according to authorities.
FORT MYERS Savannah Bananas at JetBlue Park this weekend Are you heading out to watch the Savannah Bananas this weekend? This is what you need to know.
Punta Gorda Historic District home set for demolition, rebuild When builder T.J. Thornberry was hired by clients to demolish and build two new homes on their Chasteen Street properties within the Punta Gorda Historic District, little did he realize he would be embarking on an odyssey laden with roadblocks lasting nearly three months.
PORT CHARLOTTE Rays begin Spring Training ahead of season away from home The Charlotte Sports Park is home to the Tampa Bay Rays for the next six weeks for, but after that they don’t actually get to go home.
Eligible taxpayers in Florida file for free with IRS Direct File The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers in Florida they can file their taxes for free with the agency using IRS Direct File.
Tallahassee Gov. DeSantis to hold news conference at Florida Capitol Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is set to hold a news conference at the state capitol building.
Registration for Lee County Parks and Recreation Summer Camp to open Lee County Parks and Recreation Summer Camp has announced that registration will open to the public in two weeks.
Collier Sheriff speaks on high-tech tools stopping criminals before they act According to Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk, Southwest Florida is seen as an easy target for criminals; however, law enforcement has begun to incorporate cutting-edge technology to prevent future crimes from happening.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral to host two German Culture Biergarten The German American Social Club of Cape Coral will host the first of two Biergarten in the Bavarian Garden to celebrate its German heritage.
Execution of Charlotte County killer James Ford set for tonight A convicted killer on death row since 1999 is scheduled to be executed tonight for the murder of a couple in Charlotte County.
NORTH PORT Citywide burn ban in effect for North Port The North Port Fire Rescue has enacted a citywide outdoor burn ban due to extreme drought conditions and an increased wildfire threat.
cape coral Minor hospitalized with gunshot wound; 2 people in custody The Cape Coral Police Department is actively investigating a scene located on Skyline Boulevard.
the weather authority Near-record heat with isolated rain this Thursday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking near-record heat this Thursday, along with isolated rain throughout the afternoon.
Lee County School District sets town hall meeting Spring schedule The Lee County School District has released its Spring town hall schedule, during which parents and community members can voice their opinions regarding their children’s education.
SANIBEL Sanibel teen gearing up to reopen popular food truck The Sanibel Sprout, a beloved local spot, is gearing up for a hopeful reopening in mid-March after two years of rebuilding.
FORT MYERS Man arrested for prowling and enticing a child in Fort Myers A concerned citizen flagged down Florida Highway Patrol state troopers in Fort Myers to report an adult man was harassing his daughter, according to authorities.
Shot from a CCSO video of a deputy’s panther sighting. Credit: Collier County Sheriff’s Office The Collier County Sheriff’s Department posted a video to its official Twitter account of one of its personnel, community service deputy Brandi Ahrens, recording a very close sighting of a Florida panther. CCSO Community Service Deputy Brandi Ahrens had a close encounter of the panther kind this morning. https://t.co/8xutAaf7g4 pic.twitter.com/LHflDRhLKT — CollierCountySheriff (@CollierSheriff) April 9, 2021 The endangered felines have been in the news often recently, usually due to being killed in traffic or dwelling in areas threatened by planned development. ”Usually, you only see them if you’re really far from people and out in the middle of nowhere,” Dorian Munk said. “I might have turned, tailed and run on that one,” Ben Gray said. We showed the video to families hiking the trail. “That’s pretty crazy to have it that close to the vehicle with obviously people in it,” Munk said. “During the day, and I wouldn’t think of that happening,” Gray said. It’s an eye-opening experience after a panther spotted was also spotted at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary a few weeks ago east of Bonita Springs. “They’re definitely in the area,” Munk said. “Keep little kids close. Don’t let them go wandering off alone because that’s when you run into problems.” Chances of seeing a panther are slim, but to stay safe if you ever encounter the wild animal, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says don’t run, give them plenty of space, and making big gestures or noises will likely scare the panther off. Experts say about 130 Florida panthers are left in Florida. FWC tips for Florida panther encounters The Florida panther moves primarily at night. The chances of seeing a panther are slim. But if you live in Florida panther country, you need to know what to do if you see one. Keep children within sight and close to you. Pick up any small children so they don’t panic and run. Try to do this without bending over or turning away from the Florida panther. Give them space. Florida panthers typically will avoid a confrontation. Give them a way to escape. Do not run. Running may stimulate a panther’s instinct to chase. Stand and face the animal. Make eye contact to let the panther know you are aware of its presence. Avoid crouching or bending over. Squatting or bending makes you look smaller, resembling a prey-sized animal. Appear larger. Make gestures that indicate you are not prey and that you may be a danger to the panther. Raise your arms. Open your jacket. Throw stones, branches or whatever you can reach without crouching or turning your back. Wave your arms slowly and speak firmly in a loud voice. Fight back if attacked. There has never been a reported panther attack in Florida. In western states, where attacks by cougars have occurred very rarely, potential victims have fought back successfully with rocks, sticks, caps, jackets, garden tools and their bare hands. Since large cats usually try to bite the head or neck, try to remain standing and face the animal. There are several things people can do to help Florida panthers: Slow down when you are driving along rural highways, especially where panther crossings are identified. It is especially important to slow down and keep a careful lookout at dawn or dusk, when panthers are most likely to be on the move. Scan the road and shoulder ahead. If you see a panther cross the road ahead of you, slow down, there could be others Report sightings of injured or dead panthers by calling the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) or #FWC or *FWC on a cell phone. Another option is texting Tip@MyFWC.com Florida residents can support panther conservation efforts by purchasing a Protect the Panther license plate. Learn more at BuyAPlate.com. Fees from license plate sales are the primary funding source for the FWC’s research and management of Florida panthers People can help with panther research by reporting sightings at MyFWC.com/Panther. Reporting your observations can help FWC biologists address panther conservation needs by identifying the areas used by these large cats