Students react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast UniversityMissing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres
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 Ian.
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.
LABELLE City of LaBelle under precautionary boil water notice A water main break has the City of Labelle under a precautionary boil water notice.
ESTERO FGCU student wins ice dancing national championship FGCU sophomore Lucas Appel wins his second US Senior Solo Dance National Championship in three years.
Lee County Sheriff’s Office: Parent brings weapon to Lehigh Acres school According to a Lee County Sheriff’s Office report, there is probable cause to believe a woman unintentionally brought a firearm to school.
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 Ian.
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.
LABELLE City of LaBelle under precautionary boil water notice A water main break has the City of Labelle under a precautionary boil water notice.
ESTERO FGCU student wins ice dancing national championship FGCU sophomore Lucas Appel wins his second US Senior Solo Dance National Championship in three years.
Lee County Sheriff’s Office: Parent brings weapon to Lehigh Acres school According to a Lee County Sheriff’s Office report, there is probable cause to believe a woman unintentionally brought a firearm to school.
Lake Okeechobee. CREDIT: WINK News The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said human life is its number one priority. The Corps is in charge of keeping the water level on Lake Okeechobee at a manageable level so that if a storm comes, the lake can handle the extra water. In February, the Corps implemented releases to the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie Estuary to bring lake levels down ahead of the 2024 hurricane season, which is already forecasted to be “extremely active.” The plan worked. Evaporation and those releases brought the lake down two and a half feet. As of Wednesday, May 15, 2024, Lake Okeechobee stands at 13.73 feet. Here is where you can check water levels for yourself. Thankfully, we did not have any major releases after Ian and Nicole because the lake was low enough before those storms. RELATED: Learn more about the Herbert Hoover Dike But this year, since we saw a good amount of rain in what would normally be considered our dry season, the lake rose at a time when it would normally recede, leading to those earlier releases. The Corps said we are in a good spot right now as we begin the rainy season. Now, they will monitor the timing of tropical activity near and over Lake O. “If we got that hurricane early in the season, we would be less prone to have to go to higher level releases. But if you’re late in the season, you’re almost assured that we’re going to take that rainfall and have to move that water off,” said Colonel James Booth, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The reason is that tropical activity combined with the rainy season can increase water levels. Another big concern is back-to-back or late season storms. Booth continued, “It’s not just because of that hurricane and that water sitting there; it’s moving the water off the lake in case there is another storm that comes in behind it.” Many of the same concerns that exist along the Gulf and our rivers exist on Lake O. It can experience storm surge and flooding. The Corps spent $2 billion on improvements to Herbert Hoover Dike in the past two decades. The 143-mile earthen dam system encircles Lake Okeechobee and is routinely inspected. It reduces impacts from flooding as a result of high lake levels for a large area of south Florida. Booth said the Dike is in better shape than it’s ever been. Still, when the lake reaches dangerously high levels, the Corps must release water to the estuaries. Historical perspective Historically, hurricanes have been an issue for the area. September 17, 1928, a hurricane crossed over Lake O. The scene was one of unimaginable loss. 2,500 people were killed. Dike after the 1928 hurricane. CREDIT: Florida Memory archives Pictured above are makeshift coffins stacked alongside the road between Belle Glade and Pahokee following the hurricane. 1947 – A major hurricane caused flooding, prompting Congress to authorize the widening and raising of existing levees and the construction of an additional 59 miles of levee. 1960 – The levees are renamed the Herbert Hoover Dike. On the cusp of this hurricane season, the Corps is prepared for it. Colorado State University forecasts 23 named storms, 11 hurricanes, and five major hurricanes. The Army Corps uses CSU’s predictions to prepare.