Man dies in construction-related accident in Hendry CountyPrecautionary boil water notice in effect for Fort Myers Beach
HENDRY COUNTY Man dies in construction-related accident in Hendry County A man has died after a construction-related accident early this morning at a South Florida Water Management project area in Hendry County.
FORT MYERS BEACH Precautionary boil water notice in effect for Fort Myers Beach A Precautionary boil water notice is in effect for all residents of Fort Myers Beach due to a water main break on Estero Boulevard.
LEE COUNTY Lee Commissioners accept $22.7M state grant for water management project at Larry Kiker Preserve The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted on Tuesday to accept a $22.7 million Resilient Florida Grant for a water management project.
LEE COUNTY Lee Commissioners vote to adopt Lee County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted Tuesday to approve a resolution adopting the Lee County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan.
FORT MYERS Accused prowler arrested after deputies find cell phone and ID at Lee County crime scene Deputies have arrested a man after discovering his cell phone and driver’s license at the scene where they responded to calls about a suspicious person.
FORT MYERS Precautionary lockdowns for 2 Fort Myers schools have been lifted The Lee County School District has lifted its precautionary lockdowns on two Fort Myers schools early Tuesday morning.
Car engulfed in flames on West Villages Parkway in Sarasota A head-on collision that ended in a fire occurred on River Road, south of West Villages Parkway, in Sarasota County.
Caloosahatchee Bridge faces traffic delays due to FDOT project Motorists on the Caloosahatchee Bridge in Fort Myers faced severe traffic delays due to the Florida Department of Transportation pedestrian walkway project.
31 endangered Florida panthers killed in 2024; breaks record for most deaths in a year A grim record has been broken, as another endangered Florida panther has been slain by a vehicle on Interstate 75 in Collier County.
CAPE CORAL “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign underway in Cape Coral The Cape Coral Fire Department has launched its 12th annual “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign.
the weather authority Cool weather with abundant sunshine this Tuesday The Weather Authority is tracking cooler temperatures, with abundant sunshine expected this Tuesday afternoon.
Better Business Bureau alerts public to rise in fake pet ads The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers about the rise of fraudulent pet adoption schemes during the holiday season.
FORT MYERS Boy with autism drowns in Fort Myers pond A Fort Myers family is heartbroken they will never get see their little boy running around smiling again after he drowned in Lee County.
NAPLES Man arrested for sex crimes with underage girl on Naples Pier A Naples man has been arrested for allegedly having sex with a minor on the Naples Pier.
Page Field Opportunities await in Lee County’s Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program Lee County will soon have a new civil air patrol squadron, but they need people interested in joining to make this happen.
HENDRY COUNTY Man dies in construction-related accident in Hendry County A man has died after a construction-related accident early this morning at a South Florida Water Management project area in Hendry County.
FORT MYERS BEACH Precautionary boil water notice in effect for Fort Myers Beach A Precautionary boil water notice is in effect for all residents of Fort Myers Beach due to a water main break on Estero Boulevard.
LEE COUNTY Lee Commissioners accept $22.7M state grant for water management project at Larry Kiker Preserve The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted on Tuesday to accept a $22.7 million Resilient Florida Grant for a water management project.
LEE COUNTY Lee Commissioners vote to adopt Lee County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted Tuesday to approve a resolution adopting the Lee County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan.
FORT MYERS Accused prowler arrested after deputies find cell phone and ID at Lee County crime scene Deputies have arrested a man after discovering his cell phone and driver’s license at the scene where they responded to calls about a suspicious person.
FORT MYERS Precautionary lockdowns for 2 Fort Myers schools have been lifted The Lee County School District has lifted its precautionary lockdowns on two Fort Myers schools early Tuesday morning.
Car engulfed in flames on West Villages Parkway in Sarasota A head-on collision that ended in a fire occurred on River Road, south of West Villages Parkway, in Sarasota County.
Caloosahatchee Bridge faces traffic delays due to FDOT project Motorists on the Caloosahatchee Bridge in Fort Myers faced severe traffic delays due to the Florida Department of Transportation pedestrian walkway project.
31 endangered Florida panthers killed in 2024; breaks record for most deaths in a year A grim record has been broken, as another endangered Florida panther has been slain by a vehicle on Interstate 75 in Collier County.
CAPE CORAL “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign underway in Cape Coral The Cape Coral Fire Department has launched its 12th annual “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign.
the weather authority Cool weather with abundant sunshine this Tuesday The Weather Authority is tracking cooler temperatures, with abundant sunshine expected this Tuesday afternoon.
Better Business Bureau alerts public to rise in fake pet ads The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers about the rise of fraudulent pet adoption schemes during the holiday season.
FORT MYERS Boy with autism drowns in Fort Myers pond A Fort Myers family is heartbroken they will never get see their little boy running around smiling again after he drowned in Lee County.
NAPLES Man arrested for sex crimes with underage girl on Naples Pier A Naples man has been arrested for allegedly having sex with a minor on the Naples Pier.
Page Field Opportunities await in Lee County’s Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program Lee County will soon have a new civil air patrol squadron, but they need people interested in joining to make this happen.
Burmese python squeezing hunter’s arm. CREDIT: PYTHON COWBOY Since the 2020 Florida Python Challenge, 743 invasive Burmese pythons have been captured and removed from the Florida ecosystem. That is a considerable amount despite not knowing how many are slithering through the Florida Everglades. Nevertheless, hunters are ready to help Florida’s native species fend off an animal they were never supposed to be competing with. Invasive Burmese pythons, beware; the hunters are coming. Friday marks the start of the 2024 Florida Python Challenge. After quickly scaling to the top of the Florida food chain in a few decades, pythons will be in unfamiliar territory starting Friday. For 10 days, hunters will descend into the murky swamp for the annual Florida Python Challenge. “They’re capable of eating just about any native wildlife,” said Mike Kirkland from the South Florida Water Management District. “We are seeing significant declines in native wildlife populations in Everglades National Park and radiating out, in some cases, 90 to 95%.” Biologist Ian Bartoszek, Board Member Jon Kukk and Julie Kukk holding a female Burmese python. CREDIT: CONSERVANCY OF SWFL But if you’ve had the itch to catch some massive serpents, you can participate. That’s because the event is not just for specialized hunters. The Florida Python Challenge is open to everyone as long as you meet certain requirements. RELATED: Hunters prevent 76 Burmese pythons and their 17-foot mother from devastating Everglades ecosystem RELATED: Burmese python hunter gets upper hand on 14-foot snake by sitting on it RELATED: 2024 Florida Python Challenge registration begins In doing so, the event turns local Floridians into environmental heroes. “That is essentially an ecosystem collapse,” said Kirkland. “The Burmese python is safe to say one of the most destructive invasive species in Florida.” Before registering, you must take a required online training course, which is available on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website. Even if you did the online training for the 2023 hunt, you have to take it again for the event this year. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, center, holds a Burmese python at a media event, Thursday, June 16, 2022, where he announced that registration for the 2022 Florida Python Challenge has opened for the annual 10-day event to be held Aug 5-14, , in Miami. The Python Challenge is intended to engage the public in participating in Everglades conservation through invasive species removal of the Burmese python. Also pictured are Ron Bergeron, left, McKayla Spencer, second from left, Rodney Barreto, third from right, and Jan Fore, second from right. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) It’s also important to know the rules for the specific area you are looking for pythons. Rules vary depending on if you are hunting in Big Cypress National Preserve, Southern Glades Wildlife and Environmental Area, or the Everglades and Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area. The people who go out hunting these snakes are why Kirkland has hope for the future of native wildlife in Florida. “I am optimistic for the future. I’m hoping in another 10 or 15 years to start seeing a rebound our native wildlife populations,” said Kirkland. Burmese Python eggs. CREDIT: TheCritterCult The 10-day Florida Python Challenge begins just after midnight on Friday. There is a $10,000 award for whoever catches the most invasive Burmese pythons during the hunt. And while it’s unknown how many invasive pythons plague the Florida ecosystem, it is a reminder that our native species need help. Over the last 24 years, FWC says more than 21,000 Burmese pythons have been removed from the wild and reported to the agency. Click here to learn more about how to register for the Florida Python Challenge. Click here to learn more about Burmese python removal efforts from the South Florida Water Management District. Click here to learn more about Burmese python’s impact on Florida wildlife.