DeSantis’ new Boater Freedom Initiative would end random FWC boat safety inspectionsCouple celebrates their lifelong love on 62nd Valentine’s Day together
FORT MYERS DeSantis’ new Boater Freedom Initiative would end random FWC boat safety inspections Florida Governor Ron DeSantis says the new Boater Freedom Initiative, proposed and announced on Wednesday, will protect Sunshine State residents’ right to boat.
CAPE CORAL Couple celebrates their lifelong love on 62nd Valentine’s Day together Hollis and Linda Nash might be living proof that love doesn’t fade with age.
PUNTA GORDA CROW rescues, rehabilitates 2 orphaned baby River Otters Two orphaned baby North American River Otters were rescued by the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife.
FORT MYERS Southwest Florida Reading Festival brings bestselling authors Romance is in the air this Valentine’s Day as we look forward to the Southwest Florida Reading Festival taking place in March.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers Florist offers lower prices on roses for Valentine’s Day Valentine’s Day is the busiest day of the year for florists in Southwest Florida, and one florist is offering lower prices on roses.
Tim Aten Knows: Landert Bread rolling out local retail store Landert Bread’s European rolls, bread, cakes and pastries will be available to more Naples area residents starting this month. A wholesale operation for more than 12 years, Naples-based Landert is launching a retail store in Collier County.
the weather authority Isolated rain can impact your Valentine’s Day evening plans The Weather Authority is tracking isolated rain that may impact your Friday or Valentine’s Day outdoor plans.
Ponte Vedra Beach Gov. DeSantis holds news conference in Ponte Vedra Beach Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is set to hold a news conference in Ponte Vedra Beach.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte woman accused of running over man after vandalizing his car with condiments A Port Charlotte woman is accused of vandalizing her ex-boyfriend’s car by throwing eggs and condiments and then running him over with her car.
FORT MYERS Dog rescue in Fort Myers holds fundraiser as founder fights cancer A beloved dog rescue service in Fort Myers is facing uncertainty as its founder, Carey Kendzior, battles cancer.
Woman arrested for stealing $3,400 in goods from Target in Collier County More than 150 items worth thousands of dollars were reportedly stolen from a Target in Collier County. Deputies arrested Kimberly McDonnell, 36, on charges of grand theft.
Egg prices leading to some locals raising their own chickens High egg prices have some people considering raising their own chickens, but it’s not as simple as it sounds.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach Library to reopen following Hurricane Ian The Fort Myers Beach Library plans to reopen its doors to the public on March 16.
FORT MYERS Save This Life pet microchips closes down For many, protecting your pet is as important as keeping your kids safe.
FORT MYERS DeSantis’ new Boater Freedom Initiative would end random FWC boat safety inspections Florida Governor Ron DeSantis says the new Boater Freedom Initiative, proposed and announced on Wednesday, will protect Sunshine State residents’ right to boat.
CAPE CORAL Couple celebrates their lifelong love on 62nd Valentine’s Day together Hollis and Linda Nash might be living proof that love doesn’t fade with age.
PUNTA GORDA CROW rescues, rehabilitates 2 orphaned baby River Otters Two orphaned baby North American River Otters were rescued by the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife.
FORT MYERS Southwest Florida Reading Festival brings bestselling authors Romance is in the air this Valentine’s Day as we look forward to the Southwest Florida Reading Festival taking place in March.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers Florist offers lower prices on roses for Valentine’s Day Valentine’s Day is the busiest day of the year for florists in Southwest Florida, and one florist is offering lower prices on roses.
Tim Aten Knows: Landert Bread rolling out local retail store Landert Bread’s European rolls, bread, cakes and pastries will be available to more Naples area residents starting this month. A wholesale operation for more than 12 years, Naples-based Landert is launching a retail store in Collier County.
the weather authority Isolated rain can impact your Valentine’s Day evening plans The Weather Authority is tracking isolated rain that may impact your Friday or Valentine’s Day outdoor plans.
Ponte Vedra Beach Gov. DeSantis holds news conference in Ponte Vedra Beach Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is set to hold a news conference in Ponte Vedra Beach.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte woman accused of running over man after vandalizing his car with condiments A Port Charlotte woman is accused of vandalizing her ex-boyfriend’s car by throwing eggs and condiments and then running him over with her car.
FORT MYERS Dog rescue in Fort Myers holds fundraiser as founder fights cancer A beloved dog rescue service in Fort Myers is facing uncertainty as its founder, Carey Kendzior, battles cancer.
Woman arrested for stealing $3,400 in goods from Target in Collier County More than 150 items worth thousands of dollars were reportedly stolen from a Target in Collier County. Deputies arrested Kimberly McDonnell, 36, on charges of grand theft.
Egg prices leading to some locals raising their own chickens High egg prices have some people considering raising their own chickens, but it’s not as simple as it sounds.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach Library to reopen following Hurricane Ian The Fort Myers Beach Library plans to reopen its doors to the public on March 16.
FORT MYERS Save This Life pet microchips closes down For many, protecting your pet is as important as keeping your kids safe.
Florida Panther. Credit: FWC The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recently paused a plan to remove a panther that was targeting livestock at an Immokalee ranch after an outcry from environmental groups. In a letter submitted by the Center for Biological Diversity, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida and the Sierra Club on March 1, they said removing an adult male panther from the wild would only further the species’ vulnerability, especially when seven panthers have already been lost to vehicle strikes just in 2022. Although Panther FP260 has killed livestock from a nearby ranch, leaders with the Conservancy of Southwest Florida says its removal from the wild would be unlawful because it does not pose a threat to human safety. “They’re critically endangered, and we need every individual panther to remain in the wild,” said Amber Crooks, environmental policy manager at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. “Once a panther is removed, the population becomes more imperiled genetically. And there’s no scientific or legal justification that we have seen for removing this panther based on these depredations… this whole situation is very novel, we have not seen this before. That’s why it sets such a dangerous precedent.” There are several programs in place that give ranchers money for livestock that is killed, but losing calves, among other animals, to panthers still has an impact on their livelihood. “Those people who don’t wanna remove it: Let me just come and take $900 out of your pocket every other day,” said Immokalee rancher Jack Johnson. “It becomes more important when it’s your money.” “One of the things that we have stated to the agencies… it’s very clear in the public record, at least the public record that we have access to, that the experts are not seeing that this panther is meeting the qualifications, the law and the guidance for removal from the wild for depredations,” Crooks said. Despite plans to remove the panther being paused, leaders with the Conservancy of Southwest Florida say they still have concerns and have requested a meeting with FWC and FWS at their earliest convenience.