NAPLES Naples Cars on Fifth event fuels $2M for local charity efforts For over two decades, car enthusiasts in Southwest Florida have gathered on Fifth Avenue in Naples.
MARCO ISLAND Caxambas Park boat ramp on Marco Island set to reopen Collier County announced the reopening of the Caxambas Park boat ramp on Marco Island.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral Animal Shelter to host Puppy Bowl 3 ahead of big game Ahead of the big game on Sunday, Cape Coral Animal Shelter will be featuring its very own Puppy Bowl III.
FORT MYERS From the ballpark to the beach: the Minnesota Twins are back for Spring Training 1700 miles later the Twins truck is here and the team from Minnesota is ready to spend the next six weeks here in Fort Myers.
the weather authority Warm stretch continues throughout this weekend The Weather Authority says if you are a fan of the warmer weather, you are going to love this weekend.
SANIBEL Sanibel’s red tide raises health alerts and wildlife concerns With great weather in the forecast, it’s shaping up to be a perfect beach weekend. However, visitors to the barrier islands should exercise caution.
NAPLES Naples Automotive Experience raises funds for St. Matthew’s House The Naples Automotive Experience brought excitement and philanthropy to the community, raising money for St. Matthew’s House.
MATLACHA Little Pine Island bridge work causes delays, FDOT promises progress Construction on the Little Pine Island Bridge has narrowed traffic to one lane, causing significant delays for drivers.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Support women’s heart health on National Wear Red Day The first Friday in February marks National Wear Red Day!
Ongoing repairs following Naples plane crash A deadly plane crash that occurred one year ago in Naples, Florida continues to impact lives in Southwest Florida. The tragic event involved two pilots who lost their lives on Interstate 75.
Naples jet crash, one year later: new details on emergency response Sunday marks one year since a jet crashed after its pilots attempted an emergency landing on I-75 just outside of Naples. “Your mind goes back to everything that happened that day,” said Heather Mazurkiewicz, public information officer with the North Collier Fire Rescue. “I think about the fact that there weren’t more lives lost.” At […]
LCSO cutting down law enforcement response times The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is gearing up to implement “Prepared 9-1-1,” a new tool designed to enhance emergency response times.
How Harry Chapin Food Bank supports struggling families In the heart of Dunbar, a neighborhood in Fort Myers, the STARS Complex becomes a place of hope as the Harry Chapin Food Bank supports families in need.
MOORE HAVEN African American family breaking barriers in Moore Haven politics Breaking barriers is a family tradition for Rashondra Croskey and her godmother, Gloria Reese.
NAPLES Naples Cars on Fifth event fuels $2M for local charity efforts For over two decades, car enthusiasts in Southwest Florida have gathered on Fifth Avenue in Naples.
MARCO ISLAND Caxambas Park boat ramp on Marco Island set to reopen Collier County announced the reopening of the Caxambas Park boat ramp on Marco Island.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral Animal Shelter to host Puppy Bowl 3 ahead of big game Ahead of the big game on Sunday, Cape Coral Animal Shelter will be featuring its very own Puppy Bowl III.
FORT MYERS From the ballpark to the beach: the Minnesota Twins are back for Spring Training 1700 miles later the Twins truck is here and the team from Minnesota is ready to spend the next six weeks here in Fort Myers.
the weather authority Warm stretch continues throughout this weekend The Weather Authority says if you are a fan of the warmer weather, you are going to love this weekend.
SANIBEL Sanibel’s red tide raises health alerts and wildlife concerns With great weather in the forecast, it’s shaping up to be a perfect beach weekend. However, visitors to the barrier islands should exercise caution.
NAPLES Naples Automotive Experience raises funds for St. Matthew’s House The Naples Automotive Experience brought excitement and philanthropy to the community, raising money for St. Matthew’s House.
MATLACHA Little Pine Island bridge work causes delays, FDOT promises progress Construction on the Little Pine Island Bridge has narrowed traffic to one lane, causing significant delays for drivers.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Support women’s heart health on National Wear Red Day The first Friday in February marks National Wear Red Day!
Ongoing repairs following Naples plane crash A deadly plane crash that occurred one year ago in Naples, Florida continues to impact lives in Southwest Florida. The tragic event involved two pilots who lost their lives on Interstate 75.
Naples jet crash, one year later: new details on emergency response Sunday marks one year since a jet crashed after its pilots attempted an emergency landing on I-75 just outside of Naples. “Your mind goes back to everything that happened that day,” said Heather Mazurkiewicz, public information officer with the North Collier Fire Rescue. “I think about the fact that there weren’t more lives lost.” At […]
LCSO cutting down law enforcement response times The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is gearing up to implement “Prepared 9-1-1,” a new tool designed to enhance emergency response times.
How Harry Chapin Food Bank supports struggling families In the heart of Dunbar, a neighborhood in Fort Myers, the STARS Complex becomes a place of hope as the Harry Chapin Food Bank supports families in need.
MOORE HAVEN African American family breaking barriers in Moore Haven politics Breaking barriers is a family tradition for Rashondra Croskey and her godmother, Gloria Reese.
(Credit: Jessi Lynn Gerhart) A 14-year-old is in the hospital fighting against venom after being bitten by a rattlesnake near Burnt Store Road and Rio Togas Road in Charlotte County. The family of the teen, who goes by JJ, said he has been in the ICU since Monday. His grandmother said he has undergone many procedures and has received around 30 vials of anti-venom. In the family’s most recent update, they said JJ was receiving a blood transfusion, and even though his battle is not over, they remain cautiously optimistic. JJ loves the outdoors and loves to fish. “He takes his (fishing) pole everywhere,” said JJ’s grandmother Tammy Gerhart. Gerhart said JJ was walking through an overgrown lot on Monday afternoon to fish at a nearby pond when he was bitten by a rattlesnake. “He was taking a shortcut, and he had stepped into a ditch. And he never heard a rattle. He didn’t hear anything. He just felt something hit his leg,” said Gerhart. After the bite, JJ managed to make his way out to the road. “JJ did tell me several people passed him. Nobody would stop and help,” Gerhart said. Finally, a couple riding their golf cart spotted JJ and rushed to help. The husband said he also saw multiple people drive right by. “Grateful for the people that stopped and cared enough to see what was even going on. In today’s world, a lot of people don’t stop,” said Gerhart. JJ is now being treated at Golisano Children’s Hospital. “He’s incredibly swollen and bruised, like all over. It does crazy things to your bloodwork,” said Gerhart. It is rattlesnake mating season, which runs from October through April. FGCU’s Matthew Metcalf, a biological sciences instructor and a rattlesnake researcher, told us what you should do if you’re ever bitten by a snake. “There’s lots of very similar-looking snakes, so getting an accurate photo, particularly of the face of that snake, is probably the best way to go. That way, you can bring that photo in and show the medical staff,” said Metcalf. Identifying the snake that bit you can mean you get the proper treatment faster. As for JJ, “Thank you, guys, for praying for me while I’m in here. It really helps,” JJ said. He knew exactly what bit him. “We want to say he’s tougher than a rattlesnake, so we’ve got to get him through it,” said Gerhart. JJ’s family wants to thank the community for their prayers and asks that the prayers continue. They also want to thank their family friend, Katie Johnson, for rushing here and donating blood if JJ needs it. Metcalf said rattlesnakes prefer to be left alone and said if you see one, give them space and a clear exit. He also said never to try and handle a rattlesnake on your own and instead recommended calling an expert to deal with the snake.