Splash the otter, the unlikely hero bringing families closureScrolling on your cell phone may be bad for your health; FGCU professor weighs in
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.
Collier County teachers reach contract agreement Collier County teachers have come to an agreement with the school district in their contract negotiations.
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.
Lee County man receives 3 life sentences for molesting child On Monday, a man was found guilty and given three life sentences for molesting a child between 2013 and 2019.
NORTH FORT MYERS Shell Factory & Nature Park to permanently close, land to be sold The Shell Factory & Nature Park has announced its plans to close permanently after 86 years.
WEST PALM BEACH (AP) Suspect in apparent assassination attempt on Trump was near golf course for 12 hours, records show A man suspected in an apparent assassination attempt targeting former President Donald Trump was charged with federal gun crimes.
ESTERO 3 women wanted in Estero for stealing nearly $900 in liquor Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is seeking information on three women wanted for stealing nearly $900 in liquor from an Estero Publix.
NAPLES Man accused of taking photos of minor in bathroom stall at Naples mall A man has been arrested after allegedly taking photos of an underaged girl from underneath a bathroom stall at a Naples mall.
TICE Fort Myers man accused of kidnapping, sexually assaulting girl to appear in court The Fort Myers man arrested for allegedly kidnapping a young girl and sexually assaulting her at knifepoint is scheduled in court.
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.
Collier County teachers reach contract agreement Collier County teachers have come to an agreement with the school district in their contract negotiations.
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.
Lee County man receives 3 life sentences for molesting child On Monday, a man was found guilty and given three life sentences for molesting a child between 2013 and 2019.
NORTH FORT MYERS Shell Factory & Nature Park to permanently close, land to be sold The Shell Factory & Nature Park has announced its plans to close permanently after 86 years.
WEST PALM BEACH (AP) Suspect in apparent assassination attempt on Trump was near golf course for 12 hours, records show A man suspected in an apparent assassination attempt targeting former President Donald Trump was charged with federal gun crimes.
ESTERO 3 women wanted in Estero for stealing nearly $900 in liquor Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is seeking information on three women wanted for stealing nearly $900 in liquor from an Estero Publix.
NAPLES Man accused of taking photos of minor in bathroom stall at Naples mall A man has been arrested after allegedly taking photos of an underaged girl from underneath a bathroom stall at a Naples mall.
TICE Fort Myers man accused of kidnapping, sexually assaulting girl to appear in court The Fort Myers man arrested for allegedly kidnapping a young girl and sexually assaulting her at knifepoint is scheduled in court.
A lifetime of blood, sweat and tears went into Isaiah Austin’s basketball career. Every sacrifice leading to the NBA. Until a stress test at the 2014 NBA Combine lead to a Marfan Syndrome diagnosis, shattering the Baylor star’s NBA dream. “It was tough,” Austin said. “It’s kind of like you’re losing a close family member. Basketball has been with me for my whole life.” The 7’1″ center’s growing aortic valve ended his professional career before it even started. “You think that you’re at the end of the road and you’re going to finally cross the finish line and then circumstances that are out of your control just happen.” No one saw it coming. He never showed any signs and he was on everyone’s radar since high school. He won the City of Palms Classic with the Grace Prep Lions back in 2011. What the world didn’t know then is that he is blind in one eye. “We actually didn’t make it public until after my freshman year of college, we let the whole nation know that I’ve been blind in my right eye since I believe the end of my freshman year of high school.” With one eye only, Austin became a McDonald’s All-American, Division I player and top NBA draft prospect so when Marfan Syndrome took away his dream of playing in the league it was hard to accept, but he knew how to overcome adversity. “Try to think of ways that you can grow from the situation instead of just drowning yourself more, because it’s easier to pull yourself into the sinking hole than to pull yourself out.” And he did. Austin was medically cleared to play pro overseas before coming home to play in the BIG3 and work for the NBA. What really keeps him going, is giving back to the game so this summer he joined Florida Atlantic University as an assistant men’s basketball coach. “I wanted to place myself in a position to be able to help other men get to the level that I wasn’t able to get to.” Make no mistake he wants this team to win so he pushes them hard, but that’s not his main goal. “I just want players to realize that basketball is a privilege and to enjoy it while it lasts, because we all started playing this game just for the love of the game.” To Austin, the mindset of a great pro is that basketball is fun, so when he’s tough on the Owls in practice it’s because he wants them to enjoy the game for as long as they can.