Port Charlotte Girl Scout earns Gold Award for pet care projectFort Myers couple’s love grows stronger despite Alzheimer’s diagnosis
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte Girl Scout earns Gold Award for pet care project A Port Charlotte teenager has earned the prestigious Gold Girl Scout Award.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers couple’s love grows stronger despite Alzheimer’s diagnosis Jeff and Bunny Edwards of Fort Myers celebrated their 41st anniversary, showcasing a love that has grown stronger over the years.
BONITA SPRINGS Harry Chapin Food Bank volunteers deliver food and a smile Food distributions seem so simple but go a long way in changing people’s lives. In Southwest Florida, the need for food is everywhere.
NAPLES Naples man arrested for cocaine trafficking A Naples man is facing a narcotics trafficking charge after deputies say he pitched cocaine out of his vehicle while trying to elude deputies.
SANIBEL Sanibel’s new rangers educate cyclists on path rules and e-bike limits Sanibel is a popular destination for biking enthusiasts, especially during the busy winter season. With over 26 miles of paved paths, the island offers stunning scenery for cyclists.
Cape Coral residents voice concerns over rental noise and rule-breaking Cape Coral is once again buzzing with discussions on short-term rentals.
Exclusive: Collier County Sheriff’s Office using tech to fight traffic congestion Naples is turning to technology to tackle traffic troubles.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers charity loses donation pod after complaint from local realtor Doug Miller and Amy Eldridge watched as their storage pod was towed away, marking the end of an era for their charitable efforts.
dunbar Dunbar’s Southward Village set for affordable housing transformation Southward Village is set to become a new hub for affordable housing as companies prepare to build on the now-empty site.
BABCOCK RANCH Babcock Ranch showcases cutting-edge robot in home construction Neighbors, friends, and students gathered Wednesday morning to witness a groundbreaking event in their community.
FORT MYERS Lee County schools expand garden program to 14 schools The Lee County School District is expanding its farm-to-school garden program to 14 schools, providing fresh ingredients for cafeteria meals.
SANIBEL Gulf dredging raises questions about red tide and beach conditions The beaches of Southwest Florida are a major attraction and a key reason why many visit or move to the area. However, a recent look at the Gulf waters shows a concerning change.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Most Wanted Wednesday: Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for February 12, 2025 Here are some of Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for Wednesday, February 12, 2025.
Charlotte County faces drought, Punta Gorda limits lawn watering Charlotte County is feeling the heat as it grapples with a significant drought.
LEE COUNTY Red Sox pitchers and catchers return to SWFL Boston Red Sox pitchers and catchers report to JetBlue Park for the first workout of the Spring Training season.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte Girl Scout earns Gold Award for pet care project A Port Charlotte teenager has earned the prestigious Gold Girl Scout Award.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers couple’s love grows stronger despite Alzheimer’s diagnosis Jeff and Bunny Edwards of Fort Myers celebrated their 41st anniversary, showcasing a love that has grown stronger over the years.
BONITA SPRINGS Harry Chapin Food Bank volunteers deliver food and a smile Food distributions seem so simple but go a long way in changing people’s lives. In Southwest Florida, the need for food is everywhere.
NAPLES Naples man arrested for cocaine trafficking A Naples man is facing a narcotics trafficking charge after deputies say he pitched cocaine out of his vehicle while trying to elude deputies.
SANIBEL Sanibel’s new rangers educate cyclists on path rules and e-bike limits Sanibel is a popular destination for biking enthusiasts, especially during the busy winter season. With over 26 miles of paved paths, the island offers stunning scenery for cyclists.
Cape Coral residents voice concerns over rental noise and rule-breaking Cape Coral is once again buzzing with discussions on short-term rentals.
Exclusive: Collier County Sheriff’s Office using tech to fight traffic congestion Naples is turning to technology to tackle traffic troubles.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers charity loses donation pod after complaint from local realtor Doug Miller and Amy Eldridge watched as their storage pod was towed away, marking the end of an era for their charitable efforts.
dunbar Dunbar’s Southward Village set for affordable housing transformation Southward Village is set to become a new hub for affordable housing as companies prepare to build on the now-empty site.
BABCOCK RANCH Babcock Ranch showcases cutting-edge robot in home construction Neighbors, friends, and students gathered Wednesday morning to witness a groundbreaking event in their community.
FORT MYERS Lee County schools expand garden program to 14 schools The Lee County School District is expanding its farm-to-school garden program to 14 schools, providing fresh ingredients for cafeteria meals.
SANIBEL Gulf dredging raises questions about red tide and beach conditions The beaches of Southwest Florida are a major attraction and a key reason why many visit or move to the area. However, a recent look at the Gulf waters shows a concerning change.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Most Wanted Wednesday: Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for February 12, 2025 Here are some of Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for Wednesday, February 12, 2025.
Charlotte County faces drought, Punta Gorda limits lawn watering Charlotte County is feeling the heat as it grapples with a significant drought.
LEE COUNTY Red Sox pitchers and catchers return to SWFL Boston Red Sox pitchers and catchers report to JetBlue Park for the first workout of the Spring Training season.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon) The White House expects up to 10% of federal employees to quit in September in a program meant to end work-from-home practices, senior administration officials told CBS News. A government-wide email President Trump’s aides planned to send Tuesday says employees have until Feb. 6 to decide whether to participate in a “deferred resignation program,” which would give federal employees the ability to decide now that they will resign in September. “If you resign under this program, you will retain all pay and benefits regardless of your daily workload and will be exempted from all applicable in-person work requirements until September 30, 2025 (or earlier if you choose to accelerate your resignation for any reason),” the email states. Only about 6% of federal employees work full-time in office, administration officials said. There are about 2 million federal government employees across the country, which means that the administration expects that as many as 200,000 may take the government’s offer. Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff for policy, said Tuesday on CNN, “The 2 million employees in the federal government are overwhelmingly left of center.” Because Mr. Trump was elected, “it is essential for him to get control of government,” establish a process for political appointees and review discretionary spending grants, Miller said. Federal workers at the State Department and USAID said they had received the email by around 6:40 p.m. ET. The American Federation of Government Employees, the largest federal employee union, criticized the program. “Purging the federal government of dedicated career civil servants will have vast, unintended consequences that will cause chaos for the Americans who depend on a functioning federal government,” said AFGE National President Everett Kelley. “This offer should not be viewed as voluntary. Between the flurry of anti-worker executive orders and policies, it is clear that the Trump administration’s goal is to turn the federal government into a toxic environment where workers cannot stay even if they want to.” The voluntary program won’t be available to personnel in the military, the U.S. Postal Service, immigration enforcement and national security or any positions specifically excluded by their agency, the email says. Those who take the government’s offer would be exempt from any “return to office” requirements but would continue their current work arrangements, get their current pay and existing benefits until their final resignation date. The email also describes some of the Trump administration’s planned reforms and their effects on the federal workforce. “The substantial majority of federal employees” working remotely since the pandemic “will be required to return to their physical offices five days a week,” the email says, adding that there were plans for “meaningful consolidation” that could result in office relocations for “a number of federal workers.” The message to government workers also said that while some agencies and parts of the military were likely to be expanded, “the majority of federal agencies are likely to be downsized through restructurings, realignments, and reductions in force.” As a result, a number of federal employees could be subject to furloughs and reclassification as at-will workers. OPM told government workers who’d like to remain in their positions, “At this time, we cannot give you full assurance regarding the certainty of your position or agency but should your position be eliminated you will be treated with dignity and will be afforded the protections in place for such positions.” The government’s personnel office also gave workers the option to send a deferred resignation form letter by replying to its message. Employees must agree to a “smooth transition” during their remaining time in government, the emails says.