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 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.
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 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.
John Read. Credit: DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office Charges have been added for a man in DeSoto County already facing a host of child sex crime charges and drug possession. He remains behind bars. On March 14, the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office arrested John Marshall Read, 31, for 10 charges of sex crimes and drug possession. As detectives continued to investigate, Read now faces 11 more charges, including three counts of sexual assault and one count of possession of child pornography. According to DCSO, these charges have been added due to “his long list of crimes involving inappropriate acts with children.” The list of charges goes on and on. Read now faces 21 charges since victims continued to come forward. Trish Routte is the Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers coordinator. “The fact that we got this many victims so far is very disturbing,” Routte said. “A guy like this doesn’t just wake up in the morning come at one act, and it never crosses his mind again,” said Routte. Detectives say Read used a fake Instagram and Snapchat to contact teenage girls. When they searched his phone, they discovered girls as young as 14 sent him nude pictures. When one of the girls he met online refused to meet with him in person, Read threatened to make the private pictures public. “That [was an] unnecessary unwarranted guilt trip on victims. But that’s how perpetrators like that rule,” Routte said. “Predators so often put that guilt on these young kids and they don’t tell anybody. That’s an awful thing for an adult to do to each child,” said Routte. DCSO said Read convinced some of the girls to meet up with him. And he touched some of them inappropriately. Crime Stoppers still fears that there are more victims out there. So, they want everyone in SWFL to take a good long look at Read’s mugshot. “This guy clearly has some issue, he has a pattern of very disgusting and vile behavior, and we want to make sure that every victim that’s out there gets the help that they need and that read and turn this charged accordingly,” Routte said. DeSoto County deputies also believe there are more victims in Read’s past and want to continue their investigation. If you have any information to feel compelled to come forward, you can do so by calling DCSO at (863) 993-4700. Deputies want every possible victim to tell detectives their stories for two reasons: one so that victims can get the help they need, and two, so detectives can build a complete case against John Read. The sheriff’s office says this is an ongoing investigation, and no one will talk publicly due to the sensitive nature of the case. “He’s off the streets and so as long as he’s behind bars he’s not able to touch another child and appropriately and destroy their lives. So hopefully the justice system will do what we hope it will,” said Routte. Read’s bond is totaling well over $1 million.