33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee CountyCool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon
33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee County Another Florida panther was 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.
LABELLE City of LaBelle under precautionary boil water notice A water main break has the City of Labelle under a precautionary boil water notice.
33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee County Another Florida panther was 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.
LABELLE City of LaBelle under precautionary boil water notice A water main break has the City of Labelle under a precautionary boil water notice.
Danielle Ripley-Burgess is a two-time survivor of colorectal cancer. (Image via Danielle Ripley-Burgess) It’s estimated one out of every 20 people will develop colorectal cancer in their lifetime. If that number isn’t startling enough, a new study finds this may become the No. 1 cancer-related death for younger people. The problem? The disease often goes undiagnosed until it’s too late. Danielle Ripley-Burgess hid her symptoms for a long time. “I was probably in eighth grade when I started seeing blood in the stool, and it got worse and worse.” She finally spoke up at 17, and despite her age, her doctor didn’t rule out colorectal cancer. “I showed up, 17 years old, with rectal bleeding, and my GI didn’t hesitate to say, ‘Well, she needs a colonoscopy ASAP,'” she said. “I look back and think his decision helped save my life.” Most young colorectal patients aren’t so fortunate – and the delay can be deadly. “It really lights a fire under me, because this is a preventable cancer,” Ripley-Burgess said. “It’s a nasty disease, especially when you catch it late. And so I wish it works that way – younger, healthier people can have a better chance at survivorship. But that’s just not exactly been what we see.” New research finds youth is no longer something doctors should overlook when it comes to colorectal cancer. “It’s often misdiagnosed for so long, a lot of early age onset patients are diagnosed at a later stage when the disease is much more difficult to treat,” said Molly McDonnell, Fight Colorectal Cancer’s director of advocacy. A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association predicts it will be the leading cause of cancer-related deaths for people ages 20 to 49 in less than a decade. “It’s often looked at as something that is kind of an old man’s disease. And clearly, that’s not the case anymore,” McDonnell said. “This is just probably the starkest indication that we’ve had to date that more and more young people are getting colorectal cancer, and that we have to do more.” McDonnel said research into why this is happening and how to stop it needs funding now. Her group said the Department of Defense can get it done. “A lot of people don’t realize that the Department of Defense does medical research as well, but they conduct a lot of medical research through their congressionally directed medical research program.” The group is asking for $20 million for colorectal cancer research that could answer questions, like those Ripley-Burgess has, and save lives. “Why did I get cancer so young? And what’s going on? And what can I do so that this doesn’t happen again?” Colorectal cancer symptoms include blood in your stool, persistent abdominal discomfort like cramps, gas or pain, or unexplained weight loss. It can be diagnosed with a colonoscopy or a stool-based test you can do at home.