ALVA Woodpeckers build home in Alva woman’s house You may have heard of squatters, but this woman is dealing with squawkers. Who needs a rooster to wake up when you have woodpeckers?
FORT MYERS Man claims he was trapped in a high-rise for 5 days A 77-year-old man wants justice after he claims he spent days trapped on the 24th floor of a high-rise apartment building.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte Correctional prisoner arrested for death of another inmate State Attorney Amira Fox convened a grand jury, which decided to move forward with a case against a Charlotte Correctional inmate.
SANIBEL Construction near Dairy Queen eagle nest on Sanibel raises concerns While many eagle nests may be a bit difficult to see, one nest has always been a favorite for Sanibel residents and tourists.
The environmental effects of artificial sweeteners Experts are studying how the foods we eat affect the environment, especially after we flush our waste down the toilet.
Victim reacts to man exposing himself to her Ring camera You get a notification on your phone from your ring camera app that someone is at the door, only to find out it is someone exposing themselves. It’s the last thing victim Maria Kivi wanted or expected to see last week.
LEE COUNTY The art of capturing your eye and drawing you in How do you capture young, hip, trendy, fun, movers and shakers, all in a pose? We take you behind the scenes of a Gulfshore Life cover shoot.
FORT MYERS The lives of two SJC Boxers changed in the ring Two SJC Boxers, Mario Nunez and Arbon Kurtishi, help each other in the ring as each of them had their lives changed because of boxing.
FORT MYERS Chlamydia cases rising sharply in Lee County If you think about a crowded space- something with more than 250 people- if it’s in Lee county, statistically one person has chlamydia.
SANIBEL Sanibel resort day passes hope to get more business on the island A pass will allow vacationers to hang out at a Sanibel beach club for a day in hopes of drumming up some business.
Voting equipment tested ahead of Lee County elections Voting equipment is being tested in Lee County. This is to ensure all ballots are printed and counted correctly for the upcoming election.
Collier County teen assaulted after leaving party The teen has been charged and the sheriff’s office said they’re aware that many believe felony charges are in order, but under Florida law, there are very specific criteria that must be met for felony charges to be filed.
WINK weather team watching tropical wave over Atlantic Ocean The Weather Authority is watching a tropical disturbance over the Central Atlantic Ocean.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral drug bust leads investigators to fake fentanyl, cash and guns Cape Coral man arrest on drug charges. Investigators said they found, guns, drugs, and more than $32,000 in Richard Riley’s home.
NAPLES Naples youth flag football team to compete in Ohio tournament This weekend, the Naples Lunatics Green will compete in the Superhero Sports tournament in Canton, Ohio.
ALVA Woodpeckers build home in Alva woman’s house You may have heard of squatters, but this woman is dealing with squawkers. Who needs a rooster to wake up when you have woodpeckers?
FORT MYERS Man claims he was trapped in a high-rise for 5 days A 77-year-old man wants justice after he claims he spent days trapped on the 24th floor of a high-rise apartment building.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte Correctional prisoner arrested for death of another inmate State Attorney Amira Fox convened a grand jury, which decided to move forward with a case against a Charlotte Correctional inmate.
SANIBEL Construction near Dairy Queen eagle nest on Sanibel raises concerns While many eagle nests may be a bit difficult to see, one nest has always been a favorite for Sanibel residents and tourists.
The environmental effects of artificial sweeteners Experts are studying how the foods we eat affect the environment, especially after we flush our waste down the toilet.
Victim reacts to man exposing himself to her Ring camera You get a notification on your phone from your ring camera app that someone is at the door, only to find out it is someone exposing themselves. It’s the last thing victim Maria Kivi wanted or expected to see last week.
LEE COUNTY The art of capturing your eye and drawing you in How do you capture young, hip, trendy, fun, movers and shakers, all in a pose? We take you behind the scenes of a Gulfshore Life cover shoot.
FORT MYERS The lives of two SJC Boxers changed in the ring Two SJC Boxers, Mario Nunez and Arbon Kurtishi, help each other in the ring as each of them had their lives changed because of boxing.
FORT MYERS Chlamydia cases rising sharply in Lee County If you think about a crowded space- something with more than 250 people- if it’s in Lee county, statistically one person has chlamydia.
SANIBEL Sanibel resort day passes hope to get more business on the island A pass will allow vacationers to hang out at a Sanibel beach club for a day in hopes of drumming up some business.
Voting equipment tested ahead of Lee County elections Voting equipment is being tested in Lee County. This is to ensure all ballots are printed and counted correctly for the upcoming election.
Collier County teen assaulted after leaving party The teen has been charged and the sheriff’s office said they’re aware that many believe felony charges are in order, but under Florida law, there are very specific criteria that must be met for felony charges to be filed.
WINK weather team watching tropical wave over Atlantic Ocean The Weather Authority is watching a tropical disturbance over the Central Atlantic Ocean.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral drug bust leads investigators to fake fentanyl, cash and guns Cape Coral man arrest on drug charges. Investigators said they found, guns, drugs, and more than $32,000 in Richard Riley’s home.
NAPLES Naples youth flag football team to compete in Ohio tournament This weekend, the Naples Lunatics Green will compete in the Superhero Sports tournament in Canton, Ohio.
The Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee. (Credit: Florida Channel) After nearly 14 months of being closed to the public, the Florida Capitol will reopen this week ahead of a special legislative session on gambling. Senate President Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, made the announcement Monday, but it’s not clear if other parts of state government will follow a public-health advisory by Florida Surgeon General Scott Rivkees to open back up as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Simpson’s office sent out a memo that said the Capitol will be open to the public Friday, one week after lawmakers finished the regular 60-day legislative session. That means members of the public can enter the building without first getting tested for COVID-19 or showing proof of vaccination. The special session on a proposed gambling deal, known as a “compact,” between the state and the Seminole Tribe of Florida is scheduled to be held the week of May 17. Democratic critics asserted that the public’s lack of access to the building during the regular session made it easier for the Republican-controlled Legislature to pass controversial bills. “It allowed the conditions to be there to get bills passed faster and with less controversy, which makes the process less deliberate,” Rep. Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa, told reporters Monday. “There probably were some big bills where we should have been more deliberate, should have slowed down and taken in more public comment.” Rep. Evan Jenne, D-Dania Beach, said gambling is largely an issue for Capitol insiders. He said members of religious groups that oppose gambling might get engaged during the special session. But mostly, Jenne predicted that reopening the Capitol means a return of face-to-face lobbying. “I think you’re going to see a whole lot of Gucci loafing lobbyists walking through those doors who haven’t for the last couple months, and that’s where you’re going to see that,” he said. “You’re going to see a lot more lobbyists in the building, but I don’t think you’re going to see this grand outcry from the people about the intricacies of the gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe.” Meanwhile, with about 9 million people vaccinated in the state, Rivkees wants government agencies that closed their doors during the COVID-19 pandemic to reopen. But it’s not clear that government agencies are following Rivkees’ advisory. Public access to government buildings and properties remains limited. For example, the website for The Grove Museum in Tallahassee has a message that reads: “We prioritize the health and safety of the public and our employees. After careful consideration, The Grove Museum will be closed to the public until further notice. Previously scheduled events that would have otherwise included the public will be either cancelled or rescheduled for a later date.” The top of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities website has a message that says: “IMPORTANT: All administrative APD buildings remain closed to the public.” And the Public Service Commission will hold online meetings Tuesday, with topics including proposed changes to base electric rates for Duke Energy Florida. When asked about resuming face-to-face meetings, commission spokeswoman Cindy Muir said, “We follow the directives from DMS (the Department of Management Services).” The Department of Management Services administers and maintains the state’s buildings and contracts. But it’s not clear what — if anything — the department has told agencies. Department spokeswoman Rose Hebert did not provide answers to written questions submitted by The News Service of Florida. The Florida Supreme Court will hear two cases this week, including one involving a “stand your ground” self-defense issue, but the cases will be argued in a video conference. Paul Flemming, public information officer for the Office of State Courts Administrator, said the court is “keenly aware of these changing circumstances.” The court’s policies have been guided by what’s called the Court Continuity Workgroup, which has met throughout the pandemic to look at procedures. Rivkees issued the public health advisory Thursday. He rescinded all previously issued public health advisories, officially making vaccines available to everyone who qualifies under emergency-use authorizations and recommending that fully vaccinated people no longer wear face coverings. Rivkees’ advisory also said government offices should “be conducting in-person operations to carry out their duties and better serve Floridians.”