Trump says it anew: blame ‘on both sides’ in Charlottesville

WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump returned insistently Tuesday to his assessment that “there is blame on both sides” after being roundly criticized for such comments following the deadly violence last weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia. Trump’s remarks on his home turf at Trump Tower in New York City followed a more deliberate statement he made Monday […]

Trump’s denouncement disappoints, angers white nationalists

WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump’s condemnation of hate groups – two days after his initially equivocal response to a deadly attack at a rally in Virginia – disappointed and even angered some of the white nationalists, white supremacists and neo-Nazis who supported and felt emboldened by his presidential campaign. Trump initially blamed “many sides” after […]

Diana Alvarez

Man linked to Diana Alvarez faces molestation, battery charges

FORT MYERS, Fla. Jorge Guerrero faces additional charges related to Diana Alvarez, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday. The sheriff’s office is recommending charges of lewd or lascivious molestation and battery of a child for Guerrero, 29, who was sentenced Monday to 40 years for producing and possessing pornographic images of the missing San Carlos Park […]

Port Charlotte man arrested, accused of sex with minor

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. A 54-year-old man was arrested Monday on accusations he had sex with a 17-year-old boy. Richard Thompson Pierce, 54, met the victim through the Grindr app, according to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office. A man who was in a relationship with Pierce and shared an apartment with him found Pierce and the […]

Port Charlotte bicyclist involved in crash gets new set of wheels

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. Theo Campbell is back. Campbell, otherwise known as “bike man,” was hospitalized with serious injuries after being hit by a car in March. The prized bike with speakers he was known for riding around Port Charlotte was destroyed. The streets have gone quiet while Campbell recovers, but one business wants to change […]

Pharmacy near Naples robbed, suspect on loose

NAPLES, Fla. A robbery took place around noon Monday at the CVS Pharmacy on the corner of U.S. 41 and Pine Ridge Road, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office said. Deputies are searching for a suspect. It’s unclear whether the suspect is armed or exactly what the suspect took. Patrol cars and crime scene tape could be […]

Naples girl, 13, killed by boat propeller in Keys

CUDJOE KEY, Fla. A 13-year-old Naples girl was killed by a boat propeller Friday in the Florida Keys, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said Tuesday. Harlie Smith suffered injuries, including a severe laceration to her right leg, and she was taken to Lower Keys Medical Center where she later succumbed to her injuries, […]

Man gets 10 years for Cape home invasion, robbery

CAPE CORAL, Fla. A 21-year-old man was sentenced to 10 years in state prison for a January home invasion and robbery, the Cape Coral Police Department said Tuesday. Cameron Duffy pleaded guilty to his involvement with a home invasion and robbery that happened on Jan. 17, police said. He was arrested on May 26. Sargent […]

Florida ranks among states with highest hate group numbers

MIAMI (AP) The number of active hate groups in Florida ranks second among other states in the nation. The Miami Herald reports that according to the Southern Poverty Law Center, there are more than 60 active hate groups in Florida. The SPLC’s report features a map detailing more than 900 hate groups actively operating across […]