New bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashesNew leash on life; Cape Coral shelter dog beats cancer with drug being tested for humans
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA New bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes There could be new detectives on the block, located in your nearest auto shop. A new state bill aims at trying to stop hit-and-run drivers from getting away.
CAPE CORAL New leash on life; Cape Coral shelter dog beats cancer with drug being tested for humans A drug now being studied in human trials to kill cancerous tumors, is already approved and helping animals.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral planning a new interchange with I-75 The city of Cape Coral is in the early stages of planning a new interchange with I-75, an idea that has been discussed for more than a decade.
Tracking invasive species after hurricanes Hurricanes Helene and Milton didn’t just bring wind and rain, they brought new threats to southwest Florida’s ecosystem.
PUNTA GORDA Woman in Punta Gorda shooting charged with 2nd degree murder A woman in a homicide investigation on Nasturtium Drive in Punta Gorda has been charged with 2nd-degree murder.
Lee County mother continuing fight to get children a bus stop The school district already told her she lives too close to the school to qualify for a bus route but she has not given up.
NORTH NAPLES Grant Thornton Invitational returns to Tiburon Golf Club Stars on the PGA and LPGA Tours are back in Southwest Florida for the Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburon Golf Club.
FORT MYERS Black Flag brings classic punk energy to The Ranch in Fort Myers Legendary punk band Black Flag made their mark in Southwest Florida during the Fort Myers stop of their “First Four Years” tour.
Charlotte Technical College breaks ground on aviation facility The Charlotte County School District is flying high and keeping its “Space Academy” designation with a new aviation training facility for students.
CAPE CORAL Man arrested in connection with Cape Coral home invasion The Cape Coral Police Department has announced the arrest of one of three men suspected in a home invasion that took place earlier this month.
16 transported after 2 airboats crash in Collier County According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, two airboats crashed south of U.S. 41 east between mile markers 74 and 75, leaving well over a dozen people injured.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral residents react to $100M North Cape land deal The city of Cape Coral is seeing two projects that will change the city. One is called one of the most lucrative deals in county history.
Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association breaks ground on new Fort Myers headquarters As Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association’s president pointed out, about 1,000 people are still moving to Florida every day, and many of them are finding their way to Southwest Florida.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte County drug trafficker sentenced to 10 years A Charlotte County man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for drug trafficking.
lehigh acres ‘How to sign away parental rights?’; Lehigh Acres woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA New bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes There could be new detectives on the block, located in your nearest auto shop. A new state bill aims at trying to stop hit-and-run drivers from getting away.
CAPE CORAL New leash on life; Cape Coral shelter dog beats cancer with drug being tested for humans A drug now being studied in human trials to kill cancerous tumors, is already approved and helping animals.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral planning a new interchange with I-75 The city of Cape Coral is in the early stages of planning a new interchange with I-75, an idea that has been discussed for more than a decade.
Tracking invasive species after hurricanes Hurricanes Helene and Milton didn’t just bring wind and rain, they brought new threats to southwest Florida’s ecosystem.
PUNTA GORDA Woman in Punta Gorda shooting charged with 2nd degree murder A woman in a homicide investigation on Nasturtium Drive in Punta Gorda has been charged with 2nd-degree murder.
Lee County mother continuing fight to get children a bus stop The school district already told her she lives too close to the school to qualify for a bus route but she has not given up.
NORTH NAPLES Grant Thornton Invitational returns to Tiburon Golf Club Stars on the PGA and LPGA Tours are back in Southwest Florida for the Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburon Golf Club.
FORT MYERS Black Flag brings classic punk energy to The Ranch in Fort Myers Legendary punk band Black Flag made their mark in Southwest Florida during the Fort Myers stop of their “First Four Years” tour.
Charlotte Technical College breaks ground on aviation facility The Charlotte County School District is flying high and keeping its “Space Academy” designation with a new aviation training facility for students.
CAPE CORAL Man arrested in connection with Cape Coral home invasion The Cape Coral Police Department has announced the arrest of one of three men suspected in a home invasion that took place earlier this month.
16 transported after 2 airboats crash in Collier County According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, two airboats crashed south of U.S. 41 east between mile markers 74 and 75, leaving well over a dozen people injured.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral residents react to $100M North Cape land deal The city of Cape Coral is seeing two projects that will change the city. One is called one of the most lucrative deals in county history.
Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association breaks ground on new Fort Myers headquarters As Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association’s president pointed out, about 1,000 people are still moving to Florida every day, and many of them are finding their way to Southwest Florida.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte County drug trafficker sentenced to 10 years A Charlotte County man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for drug trafficking.
lehigh acres ‘How to sign away parental rights?’; Lehigh Acres woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby.
Pelican released back into the wild. CREDIT: PAUL DOLAN A pelican is back in the wild where it belongs after recovering from injuries it sustained when it was ensnared in fishing wire. The Peace River Wildlife Center released a fully recovered pelican at Laishley Park late Wednesday morning. The pelican wasted little time when the cage door opened. Quickly stretching its wings out and flying up into the sky to check out its new surroundings. Pelican begins flying after getting released. CREDIT: PAUL DOLAN According to the Peace River Wildlife Center, the pelican was injured off a pier where it was found tangled in a fishing line. “They make it worse by pulling it tighter trying to get it off, and it cuts into the skin,” said Robin Jenkins, the director of veterinary services at the Peace River Wildlife Center. Those at the Peace River Wildlife Center are keenly aware of the constant danger brought on by tossing fishing lines or nets into the water. These are hazards for all wildlife, not just pelicans. For animals impacted by these hazards, recovery can take a long time, as Cassie Tessier, the center’s rehabilitation manager, knows all too well. Moments before the pelican flew away. CREDIT: PAUL DOLAN “Sometimes when they’re grounded, they’ve been grounded for a while and have lost muscle mass, so once they’re eating on their own and they’re feisty, it’s usually a good sign they’re ready to go,” said Tessier. Jenkins and Tessier know how lucky the released pelican was. Unfortunately, not all are as lucky since wildlife is hurt in similar ways all the time. The Peace River Wildlife Center saw dozens of injured pelicans in 2023. “Sixty-four pelicans last year; I would say the preponderance are fishing line injuries,” said Jenkins. “It’s fishing line, fishing hooks, car accidents,” said the center’s executive director, Tricia LaPointe. After much hard work, time and dedication, the fully recovered pelican gets a fresh start. The pelican flying away. CREDIT: PAUL DOLAN He’s back in a 17-acre home with miles of water all around, giving the bird a bountiful source to get meal after meal for his long life ahead. For LaPointe, that means mission accomplished. “The goal is rescue, rehab and then ultimately release,” said LaPointe. “We want to get as many animals back into their native habitat as possible.” Rehabilitated pelican released back into the wild. CREDIT: PAUL DOLAN While fishing, it’s important to remember to properly discard left-over fishing lines, hooks and netting. Also, do not cut the line if you get a bird on your fishing hook. “Get an extra person to help. Wear eye protection (sunglasses) if available. Slowly reel the bird in, cover its eyes, carefully remove the hook and release the bird,” said the Peace River Wildlife Center. These are simple steps everyone can abide by to help birds fly free and stay healthy across Southwest Florida. Watch the full pelican release at the top of the article. Click here to learn more about the Peace River Wildlife Center. Click here to learn more about what to do if you find or accidentally injure a pelican. Click here to learn more about what to do if you find injured wildlife.