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.
Part of east Lee County is slated to become a 10,000-home development between Corkscrew Road and State Road 82, which could affect Florida panthers living in the area. This project is known as the Kingston development in East Lee County. Sunday is the U.S. Corps of Army Engineer’s public comment deadline for the Kingston development project. The proposed development in East Lee County would include as many as 10,000 homes, but endangered Florida panthers already call this place home. The Conservancy of Southwest Florida staunchly opposes the project and is calling on the public to oppose the Kingston development too. “The 7,000 acres (of the Kingston development project) includes primary and secondary panther habitat. And the US Fish and Wildlife Service has estimated that the traffic costs for this development could kill up to 22 panthers every year,” said Julianne Thomas, the senior environmental planning specialist at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. Florida panther standing outside of a wildlife crossing. CREDIT: florida-panther-east-collier.jpg, fStop Foundation, Copyrighted, All Rights Reserved – Used by Permission, https://www.fws.gov/banner/florida-panther-east-collierjpg Florida Fish and Wildlife reports that vehicle collisions are the number one cause of death for the Florida panther. “If this project goes through any panthers that are using the land, and we think there could be as many as seven panthers that use this property based on past telemetry that has been collected by FWC, they’re going to have to use other areas that are available,” said Thomas. “That could cause interspecies aggression, which could end up with moving additional panthers.” RELATED: 16th Florida panther death of 2024, struck by vehicle in Collier County RELATED: Endangered Florida panther deaths surpass 2023 total in 5 months But, Joe Cameratta, the CEO of the company overseeing the Kingston project, Cameratta Companies, has heard the concerns of panther advocates. He says the biggest issue facing the species is feline leukomyelopathy, also known as FLM. “As far as the Panthers are concerned, the number one concern that it’s out there today, is this feline disease (FLM). They gotta get that under control, and our dollars that we’re using in mitigation, we’ll go for research for that feline disease,” said Cameratta. Florida Fish and Wildlife says that Wildlife Crossings are beneficial to panthers. Wildlife Crossings and bridges can be installed in an area that helps wildlife stay out of harm’s way and navigate safely across a road without getting close to any cars. Vehicle strike statistics for Florida panthers. CREDIT: FWC Examples of highway crossings and bridges built for Florida panthers to use. CREDIT: FWC Cameratta plans to have Wildlife Crossings around the construction project if it does go through. “We’re paying a prop share to the county. And that includes monies that they’re going to use in that area to install Wildlife Crossings. Plus, we’re paying for our own Wildlife Crossings, east of the project that was recommended by the Wildlife Federation that connects the project and those properties to CREW,” said Cameratta. “We’re also installing about a dozen small and larger Wildlife Crossings throughout the new road that’s going to be used for hurricane evacuation. Estimates by the National Wildlife Federation put the current Florida panther population at slightly more than 200. To learn more about the Conservancy of Southwest Florida’s opposition to the Kingston Development project, click here. Click here to learn about Cameratta Companies, the company overseeing the Kingston project. Florida panthers have been endangered since 1967. Then in 1982, the Florida panther became the official state animal of Florida.