NAPLES Veterans hit the water in Naples Every September, a local group of captains and anglers hosts an event to take soldiers on the water. More than 130 troops and 65 captains were at the Naples Take a Soldier Fishing event.
Collier County teachers reach contract agreement Collier County teachers have come to an agreement with the school district in their contract negotiations.
NORTH PORT North Port Police searching for man who struck officer with car The North Port Police Department is on the search for a man who committed battery on an officer, among other charges.
FORT MYERS Victim of childhood sexual abuse speaks out after abuser receives 3 life sentences A survivor of childhood sexual abuse finally feels free after her abuser receives three life sentences.
No bond for Tice man accused of kidnaping and sexual assault A man accused of kidnapping and sexual assault will be held without bond.
CAPE CORAL 13th annual 239 Fest to showcase 16 local punk, ska and reggae bands The 13th edition of 239 Fest is coming next month and will feature 16 local punk, ska and reggae bands.
FORT MYERS BEACH Witnesses react to boat getting stuck under Matanzas Pass Bridge While the boat has since gotten out from underneath the bridge, it’s raised some questions about safety for onlookers.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Splash the otter, the unlikely hero bringing families closure Mike Hadsell has trained many animals in his lifetime, but the newest member of Peace River K9 Search and Rescue dive team, Splash the Asian small-clawed otter, is a first, even for him.
FORT MYERS Scrolling on your cell phone may be bad for your health; FGCU professor weighs in Scrolling through your phone might seem like a fun way to pass the time, but new research shows it can actually make you feel even more bored and unhappy.
WEST PALM BEACH DeSantis launches investigation into 2nd assassination attempt on Trump Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he will personally oversee the investigation into the second assassination attempt on former President Trump.
FHP reveals details behind crash that killed 4 young people A mangled car is all that remains from a crash that took the lives of four young people.
FORT MYERS 2 fires in 24 hours displace families in Fort Myers Two vicious fires left families’ homes and lives in ruins. Now, we are learning what help they are getting until their lives can be put back together.
Trump assassination attempt suspect removed serial number from gun Law enforcement is holding a press conference on the attempt of former President Donald Trump’s life at his West Palm Beach golf course.
FORT MYERS BEACH Matanzas Pass Bridge reopens after boat crashes into it, closing it for hours The Matanzas Pass Bridge has reopened to traffic after it was shut down for hours when a boat crashed into it.
MATLACHA Little Pine Island Bridge in Matlacha to temporarily close The Florida Department of Transportation has announced the temporary closure of the Little Pine Island Bridge.
NAPLES Veterans hit the water in Naples Every September, a local group of captains and anglers hosts an event to take soldiers on the water. More than 130 troops and 65 captains were at the Naples Take a Soldier Fishing event.
Collier County teachers reach contract agreement Collier County teachers have come to an agreement with the school district in their contract negotiations.
NORTH PORT North Port Police searching for man who struck officer with car The North Port Police Department is on the search for a man who committed battery on an officer, among other charges.
FORT MYERS Victim of childhood sexual abuse speaks out after abuser receives 3 life sentences A survivor of childhood sexual abuse finally feels free after her abuser receives three life sentences.
No bond for Tice man accused of kidnaping and sexual assault A man accused of kidnapping and sexual assault will be held without bond.
CAPE CORAL 13th annual 239 Fest to showcase 16 local punk, ska and reggae bands The 13th edition of 239 Fest is coming next month and will feature 16 local punk, ska and reggae bands.
FORT MYERS BEACH Witnesses react to boat getting stuck under Matanzas Pass Bridge While the boat has since gotten out from underneath the bridge, it’s raised some questions about safety for onlookers.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Splash the otter, the unlikely hero bringing families closure Mike Hadsell has trained many animals in his lifetime, but the newest member of Peace River K9 Search and Rescue dive team, Splash the Asian small-clawed otter, is a first, even for him.
FORT MYERS Scrolling on your cell phone may be bad for your health; FGCU professor weighs in Scrolling through your phone might seem like a fun way to pass the time, but new research shows it can actually make you feel even more bored and unhappy.
WEST PALM BEACH DeSantis launches investigation into 2nd assassination attempt on Trump Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he will personally oversee the investigation into the second assassination attempt on former President Trump.
FHP reveals details behind crash that killed 4 young people A mangled car is all that remains from a crash that took the lives of four young people.
FORT MYERS 2 fires in 24 hours displace families in Fort Myers Two vicious fires left families’ homes and lives in ruins. Now, we are learning what help they are getting until their lives can be put back together.
Trump assassination attempt suspect removed serial number from gun Law enforcement is holding a press conference on the attempt of former President Donald Trump’s life at his West Palm Beach golf course.
FORT MYERS BEACH Matanzas Pass Bridge reopens after boat crashes into it, closing it for hours The Matanzas Pass Bridge has reopened to traffic after it was shut down for hours when a boat crashed into it.
MATLACHA Little Pine Island Bridge in Matlacha to temporarily close The Florida Department of Transportation has announced the temporary closure of the Little Pine Island Bridge.
Florida panther CREDIT WINK News For the 13th time in 2023, an endangered Florida panther was struck and killed by a vehicle. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Panther Pulse, a 5-year-old male panther, identified as UCFP449, was struck by a vehicle on U.S. Highway 27, south of State Road 17 in Glades County on Sunday. Panthers out in wild. CREDIT: WINK News. November has been the deadliest month for the Florida panther in 2023. Dead panthers were discovered on Nov. 6 and 7. Then, two dead panthers were found on the same day on Nov. 12. This is the fifth dead panther discovered in November. No other month this year has had more than two deaths reported. Until Sept. 17, there were seven Florida panther deaths in 2023. Since then, six more dead panthers were discovered in a period of less than three months. Still image of a female Florida panther captured on FWC video surveillance in Charlotte County. Experts believe she likely lives in the are; although, it is uncommon for Florida panthers to be spotted north of the Caloosahatchee River. Credit: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Vehicle collisions have been the reported cause of every Florida panther death recorded by FWC in 2023. This could be the first year since Panther Pulse records began in 2014 that every reported death has been unnatural: caused by vehicle collisions. RELATED: 2 dead endangered Florida panthers found on the same day, first time since 2021 RELATED: 3-month-old Florida panther dies from car crash in Collier County Florida Panther Deaths Below is the amount of dead Florida panthers that were found in specific counties in 2023. Glades County – 2 Hendry County – 3 Collier County – 8 Seven of the 13 dead pathers discovered were males. Despite the low total number of deaths reported, it’s unclear to experts if this is a concerning trend. Cimarron, the Florida Panther at the Shy Wolf Sanctuary. CREDIT: Paul Dolan At five years old, this latest panther death may be of the oldest dead Florida panther discovered this year. Interestingly, on Nov. 7, a dead female panther was found in Glades County between 3 and 5 years old, too. While most panther sightings are in Collier County, the two oldest dead panthers discovered in 2023 may have been in Glades County. Deadliest Florida Panther Months Below is a list of any month with five or more Florida panther deaths since 2014, with April 2016 marking the deadliest of all months. November 2023 – five deaths May 2022 – six deaths January 2022 – five deaths January 2020 – six deaths November 2019 – five deaths October 2018 – five deaths February 2018 – seven deaths October 2016 – five deaths April 2016 – nine deaths February 2016 – five deaths December 2015 – six deaths July 2015 – five deaths March 2015 – five deaths January 2015 – five deaths December 2014 – six deaths August 2014 – five deaths April 2014 – five deaths Helping Endangered Florida Panthers Panther Crossing is an organization efforting Florida panther safety on the roads. When you see a Panther Crossing sign on the road drivers should reduce their speed to 45 mph. Driving 45 mph should give motorists more time to react should they see a panther on the road. Panther Crossing sign as a reminder to drive 45 mph is designated zones. CREDIT: WINK News In a three-mile-long panther crossing zone, reducing your speed from 60 to 45 mph only adds a minute to your commute. Those 60 seconds added to your drive could mean a lifetime for any panther. RELATED: Florida Panther Conservation: Protecting the State Animal of Florida Getting a panther plate from The Florida Panther Research and Management Trust Fund is another way to help the endangered species. The license plate costs $25 annually, and every dollar goes to helping the endangered species. You can also directly donate to the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida’s Florida Panther Fund. Click here to learn more about the Florida Panther Fund. Click here to learn more from FWC about living with Florida panthers and ways to help protect them. There were 27 reported Florida panther deaths in 2022, 2021, and 2019. There were 22 reported deaths in 2020. FWC says there are between 120 and 230 adult Florida panthers left in the wild.