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Lee County deputies are looking for two men they say stole hundreds of dollars worth of vitamins and probiotics from a south Fort Myers store.

The thefts happened Dec. 13 at the Whole Foods Market on Daniels Parkway.

Deputies say the men stole $1,600 in probiotics and vitamin supplements.

Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers released images Monday of the suspects. If you can identify them or have any information on the case, call Crime Stoppers at 800-780-TIPS, submit a tip online southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or use the P3 Tips mobile app. You will remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000.

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A bomb was set off Christmas Day in Nashville. The suspect has since been found dead. Now, law enforcement is trying to determine what the motive could have been. The problem is, we may never know what the real motive was.

An RV was sitting on a quiet street on Christmas morning. Then, a recorded warning played followed by a huge explosion.

Law enforcement rushed to the scene where the bombing took place. Now, figuring out the why is important in determining if there are any other possible copycats.

Jim Derrane is a retired FBI agent who spent years investigating and researching why people do this.

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As of 2 p.m. Monday, there have been 1,280,177 positive cases of the coronavirus recorded in the state. The case count includes 1,258,315 Florida residents and 21,862 non-Florida residents. There are 21,308 Florida resident deaths reported, 305 non-resident deaths, and 61,663 hospitalizations at some point during illness, according to the Florida Department of Health.

*Numbers are released by the DOH every afternoon.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS

Total number of recorded cases: 1,280,177 (up from 1,271,979)
Florida resident deaths: 21,308 (up from 21,212)
Non-resident deaths: 305 (up from 302)
Total deaths in state (Fla./non-Fla. residents combined): 21,613 (up from 21,514)

  • 8,198 total new cases reported Monday
  • 96 new resident deaths reported Monday
  • 3 new non-resident deaths reported Monday
  • Percent positive for new cases in Fla. residents: 11.08%
    • This percent is the number of people who test PCR- or antigen-positive for the first time divided by all the people tested that day, excluding people who have previously tested positive. 

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA NUMBERS

Total recorded cases in SWFL: 75,304 (up from 74,565)
Deaths: 1,323 (up from 1,320)

  • 739 total new cases reported Monday
  • 3 new deaths reported Monday

Lee County: ​39,332 cases (up from 39,003) – 652 deaths
Collier County: 22,004 (up from 21,683) – 328 deaths (2 new)
Charlotte County: 7,128 (up from 7,065) – 231 deaths (1 new)
DeSoto County: 2,843 (up from 2,839) – 52 deaths
Glades County: 762 (up from 761) – 11 deaths
Hendry County: 3,235 (up from 3,214) – 49 deaths

Click HERE* for a case-by-case breakdown – updated daily.

*If not linked, the final report has not yet been made available.

TESTING DATA

Effective Oct. 27, the Florida Department of Health ceased releasing data showing overall testing numbers. Their statement: “The Florida Department of Health is making adjustments to the COVID-19 dashboard and daily report to provide clear, accurate information for Florida families. Moving forward, the daily report will focus on the number of tests reported to the state by day and the corresponding positivity rate by day. The previously reported cumulative number did not reflect the current status of the pandemic in Florida. This change is in line with the CDC recommendation that calculation of percent positivity [is] applied consistently and with clear communication, will allow public health officials to follow magnitude and trends effectively, and the trends will be useful for local public health decision making.”

RESOURCES

VACCINES: State of Florida’s COVID-19 vaccine reports

NOW HIRING: SWFL companies adding jobs

FOOD PANTRIES: Harry Chapin mobile food pantry schedule, week of Dec. 28

REPORT COVID-19 DIAGNOSIS/TEST: International self-reporting system

IF YOU FEEL SICK:

The Florida Department of Health has a 24-hour COVID-19 Call Center at 1-866-779-6121. Questions may also be emailed to covid-19@flhealth.gov. Email responses will be sent during call center hours.

LINK: Florida Department of Health COVID-19 updates

*The map is best viewed on a desktop computer. If you don’t see the map above tap HERE for a fullscreen version.

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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has reimposed a ban on alcohol sales and ordered the closure of all bars as part of new restrictions to help the country battle a resurgence of the coronavirus, including a new variant.

In a nationwide address Monday night, Ramaphosa also announced the closure of all beaches and public swimming pools in the country’s infection hotspots, which include Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban and several coastal areas.

South Africa will extend its nighttime curfew so all residents must be at home from 9 p.m. until 6 a.m., the president said.

The president said that wearing masks is mandatory and that anyone found not wearing a mask in a public place will be subject to a fine or a criminal charge punishable by a possible jail sentence.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows, below.

JOHANNESBURG (AP) – With a new surge pushing South Africa’s cumulative virus cases above 1 million, the country’s doctors are urging the government to return to tighter restrictions on social gatherings and the sales of alcohol to slow the spread of the disease.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has held an emergency meeting of the National Coronavirus Command Council and has announced he will speak to the nation Monday night.

The country surpassed the 1 million mark on Sunday night when it reported 1,004,413 cumulative cases of COVID-19, including 26,735 deaths.

South Africa is battling a variant of COVID-19 that is more infectious and has become dominant in many parts of the country, according to experts.

The South African Medical Association, representing the country’s doctors, nurses and health workers, warned on Monday that the health system is on the verge of being overwhelmed by the combination of higher numbers of people with COVID-19 and people needing urgent care from alcohol-related incidents. Many festive gatherings during the holidays involve high levels of alcohol consumption, which in turn often lead to increased trauma cases.

“To alleviate the pressure on the system during this time of the year, where we only have skeleton staff working, especially in the public sector, as well as in the private sector, we are asking for stricter restrictions regarding social gatherings,” Angelique Coetzee, chairwoman of the medical association told The Associated Press.

“South Africa has got a history of very high alcohol abuse and binge drinking, especially over the weekends. In certain areas that leads to a lot of trauma cases, assaults, motor vehicle accidents and domestic violence,” she said.

The organization has called on the government to impose stricter restrictions on the sale of alcohol, especially where large gatherings are concerned.

When South Africa had a total ban on liquor sales, trauma cases in hospitals dropped by as much as 60%, according to government statistics. When the ban on alcohol sales was lifted, the trauma cases went back up to previous levels.

Seeing a resurgence of the disease in early December, South Africa limited sales of alcohol to Monday through Thursday between the hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The country also has a nighttime curfew between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m.

Various alcohol traders have pleaded with the government to avoid a total ban on alcohol sales, citing the economic damage it would cause. South Africa’s alcohol industry was among those hardest hit when the country imposed a hard lockdown during the months of April and May, banning all liquor sales.

South Africa’s 7-day rolling average of daily new cases has risen over the past two weeks from 11.18 new cases per 100,000 people on Dec. 13 to 19.87 new cases per 100,000 people on Dec. 27.

The 7-day rolling average of daily deaths in the country has risen over the past two weeks from 0.26 deaths per 100,000 people on Dec. 13 to 0.49 deaths per 100,000 people on Dec. 27.

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A pedestrian who was struck Dec. 28 by a Collier County Sheriff’s Office patrol car after he walked into the road died a few days later, according to Florida Highway Patrol.

Troopers say the deputy was headed north on Collier Boulevard when a 70-year-old man walked into the path of his SUV north of Tree Farm Road. It happened at about 6:20 a.m.

“Traffic is heavy,” David Strah said. “I would be hesitant to walk across Collier Boulevard.”

Some neighbors we spoke to said they were not surprised the pedestrian crash happened on this road. Others went as far as saying it needs improvements to become more pedestrian friendly.

“I don’t think people are brave enough to cross Collier Boulevard very often,” Lannie Stegall said.

According to FHP, the man was airlifted to Lee Memorial Hospital with serious injuries and died Jan. 2. The deputy was not injured.

“I am surprised that a deputy would hit someone because they are probably the best drivers in our fleet,” Stegall said.

Russell Valentine lives near Collier Blvd. He says he sees pedestrians walking along the busy road often.

“There are walkways along the road, but to cross the road, there’s not that many locations yet,” Valentine said. “And that’s probably one of the bigger problems.”

Valentine brought up a idea that might mitigate future incidents like this one.

“One solution might be to do the overpasses where you walk up the steps and go over,” said. “It’s always terrible when anyone is injured by anyone, by anyone that’s driving an automobile.”

Collier County Sheriff’s Office said the deputy involved in the crash with the pedestrian is on administrative leave as part of CCSO’s policy.

FHP continues to investigate the crash, and CCSO’s professional responsibility bureau will conduct a policy review of the crash as well.

The Florida Highway Patrol no longer releases the names of those involved in crashes, citing Marsy’s Law.

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A 15-year-old Lehigh Acres girl was arrested Monday and faces charges in a deadly November crash.

Florida Highway Patrol says the girl was driving when an 18-year-old woman was riding atop the car and fell off. She later died at the hospital.

The crash happened the evening of Nov. 11 on Maple Avenue North near E. Penn Road.

Car involved in crash along Maple Avenue North near E. Penn Road. in Lehigh Acres Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020. Credit: Florida Highway Patrol.

A 17-year-old passenger inside the car was not injured.

Weeks later, neighbors who live near where the crash happened will always remember the drive that cost the 18-year-old her life. They told us her family built a memorial near them filled with flowers, balloons, candles and her picture.

Thomas Diaz told us remembers looking out his window and seeing a girl on the trunk with her arms wide opening, laughing.

“Then out of nowhere, I just heard boom. It was really loud,” Diaz said. “So I looked outside of my bedroom window, and that’s when I saw just a body just staying there.”

Diaz says his mom went outside tried to help save the 18-year-old’s life.

“It’s a life lesson that you keep with you like at all times,” Diaz said.

After a lengthy investigation, the 15-year-old accused of being behind the wheel was arrested.

Neighbors feels it’s a tough lesson, but justice was served.

“She passed away in something that was senseless, actually,” Edwin Cintron said.

The 15-year-old is facing charges for vehicular homicide and driving without a license.

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More than 190,000 ceiling fans sold by Home Depot are being recalled because the blades could spin off while in use, possibly injuring those nearby.

The Hampton Bay 54-inch Mara Indoor/Outdoor fans were sold in stores and online from April through October of this year for about $150, according to the recall notice posted by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. About 182,000 of the fans were sold in the U.S. and another 8,800 were sold in Canada, it said.

King of Fans, the Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based distributor of the product — sold exclusively by Home Depot — said it had received 47 reports of the product’s fan blades detaching, with at least two consumers hit by a blade and four instances of property damage.

The recalled fans came in three finishes:

  • matte white (UPC No. 082392519186)
  • matte black (UPC No. 082392519193)
  • black (UPC No. 082392599195)
  • polished nickel UPC No. 082392599188).

Consumers have been urged by the CPSC to stop using the fans immediately, and to check them for signs of defects. Those who notice “blade movement or uneven gaps between the blades and fan body” during inspection should contact King of Fans for a free replacement.

The trouble does not impact all of the China-made Mara 54-inch fans, according to the company, which offered a link to a YouTube video showing consumers how to determine if a fan is defective and needs to be replaced.

Consumers can contact King of Fans for a replacement at (866) 433-1291, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, or by email at MaraRecall@KingofFans.com.

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If you plan to get rid of your Christmas tree soon, the Shy Wolf Sanctuary in Collier County would love to have it.

The sanctuary posted on Facebook, saying pine trees are a great source of enrichment for their animals.

If you do plan on donating your tree, it can’t have any tinsel or spray-on snow.

If you’d like to donate your tree, you can email info@shywolfsanctuary.org.

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Lee County rolled out its COVID-19 vaccine for people aged 65 and older on Monday, and when hundreds lined up to get their shot in Estero, the county doubled the original number of vaccines to be given.

Many of those in line at the Estero Park and Recreation Center for the first round brought a chair because they knew they’d have a long wait. Vaccinations were scheduled to begin at 2 p.m., but due to the long line, they began at noon. The county also initially said it would only vaccinate 300 people at the site, but officials later said they would vaccinate 600, the number of people in line. The county is planning to vaccinate 400 at the other sites this week.

Along with those 65 and over, high-risk frontline health care workers can also get the vaccine at the county sites. The shots are first come, first serve.

“Everyone involved wants to make sure that as many people get vaccinated as possible, but eventually we will get to the one in which we can’t,” County Manager Roger Desjarlais said.

The county learned a few days ago it could start vaccinating people Monday. The demand is so high Florida Department of Health in Lee County is vaccinating more people than originally anticipated. It’s all part of a changing game plan.

County officials addressed a number of concerns during a press conference Monday morning, including how people will get their second dose of the vaccine.

You can watch a replay of the press conference below or by clicking here.

The county said it talked about making vaccinations “appointment only” to avoid the long lines, but it became too complicated.

There were already hundreds lining up hours before the vaccinations were to start. Some people arrived and promptly left once they saw the line. Others wanted to ensure they get their vaccine and showed up Sunday evening to secure their spot. The wait was worth it because to them, the vaccine is a sign of hope.

“It means seeing my grandkids. It means everything. We haven’t seen our kids since January or February,” said David Piwnicki of Bonita Springs.

Piwnicki was one of those who arrived at the site Sunday evening, as did Marie Petitti of Naples.

“He’s over 70, diabetic, and we thought like everyone, this is a life or death vaccine,” Petitti said.

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When Andre Avery drives his commercial truck through Detroit, he keeps his pistol close.

Avery, 57, grew up in the Motor City and is aware that homicides and shootings are surging, even though before the pandemic they were dropping in Detroit and elsewhere. His gun is legal, and he carries it with him for protection.

“I remain extremely alert,” said Avery, who now lives in nearby Belleville. “I’m not in crowds. If something looks a little suspicious, I’m out of there.”

In Detroit, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia and even smaller Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Milwaukee, 2020 has been deadly not only because of the pandemic, but because gun violence is spiking.

Authorities and some experts say there is no one clear-cut reason for the spike. They instead point to social and economic upheaval caused by the COVID-19 virus, public sentiment toward police following George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis police custody and a historic shortage of jobs and resources in poorer communities as contributing factors. It’s happening in cities large and small, Democrat and Republican-led.

Two years ago, Detroit had 261 homicides — the fewest in decades. The tally has hovered around there with about 786 shootings for a city of more than 672,000.

But with only a few days left in 2020, homicides already have topped 300, while non-fatal shootings are up more than 50% at more than 1,124 through the middle of December.

“I think the pandemic — COVID — has had a significant emotional impact on people across the country,” Detroit Police Chief James Craig said. “Individuals are not processing how they manage disputes. Whether domestics, arguments, disputes over drugs, there’s this quickness to use an illegally carried firearm.”

About 7,000 guns had been seized through mid-December in Detroit, with more than 5,500 arrests for illegal guns. There were 2,797 similar arrests last year.

“I’ve not seen a spike like this. But when it’s happening in other cities — some smaller — what do we all have in common?” Craig said of the slayings and shootings. “That’s when you start thinking about COVID.”

Washington, D.C., a city of about 700,000, has seen more than 187 homicides this year, eclipsing last year’s total by more than 20. Among the most horrible: A 15-month-old baby boy was shot to death during a drive-by shooting.

“We’re all sick of the heinous crimes in our city,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser.

Crime in parts of the U.S. dropped during the early weeks of the pandemic when stay-at-home orders closed businesses and forced many people to remain indoors.

University of Pennsylvania economics professor David Abrams said crime began to spike in May and June when initial orders in some states were lifted.

Some people “may have been a little stir crazy,” Abrams said. “At the end of May, George Floyd’s killing led to protests and looting. That led to police reform movements. Any of that could have potentially affected individual behavior and also the police response to that.”

Calls for some cities to reduce funding for police departments may have led some officers to take a less aggressive approach to policing, he added.

What the COVID-19 virus did was exacerbate all of the frustration and anger that some in Black and brown communities already were dealing with, according to retired Michigan State University sociology professor Carl Taylor. The virus has killed more than 300,000 people across the country, with minority communities hardest hit.

“The COVID has been absolutely the trigger of an everlasting bomb that’s exploding in many parts of our community,”

Nowhere is that more true than inside people’s homes. “The COVID crisis and the economic shutdown is forcing people into their homes, creating conditions where people are more volatile,” said Kim Foxx, the top prosecutor in Cook County, which includes Chicago. And the most jarring statistic that illustrates that volatility is this: The number of domestic-related homicides in the nation’s third-largest city are up more than 60% compared with last year.

President Donald Trump claimed spiking crime was somehow related to massive protests over police brutality that swept the nation this year, but the majority of those protests were peaceful. Trump also claimed the crime was concentrated in Democratic-run cities, but there have been spikes in Republican-run cities as well. Federal agents and resources were poured into Detroit and a number of other cities this summer to help local authorities collar the rising crime rates.

By early October, more homicides — 363 — were recorded in Philadelphia than the 356 committed in 2019. There were 354 killings in New York through Oct. 11 — 90 more than at the same time last year.

Between Jan. 1 and Nov. 5, 165 homicides were recorded in Milwaukee, the most since 1991. And in Chicago, after three years of falling homicide numbers, the totals skyrocketed to 739 in mid-December compared with 475 at the same point last year.

Even smaller cities like Grand Rapids are suffering. By mid-December there were 35 homicides compared with 16 through all of 2019 and nine the year before. From this January to October, non-fatal shootings topped 200 in the city, which is home to about 200,000 people. Over the same period last year there were 131 non-fatal shootings.

“This year, is it because of COVID? The political polarization we have seen?” asked Sgt. Dan Adams, spokesman for the Grand Rapids Police Department. “This year has been a year like no other. I don’t think you can point to any one ‘why.’”

It is the same for other mid-sized cities. Last year, there were 18 homicides in Rockford, a city of about 170,000 people in northern Illinois. More than 30 have been killed so far this year, including three Saturday at a bowling alley.

“As we come to the end of this most difficult year and we look ahead at this New Year upon us, we know that this type of violence needs to stop,” Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara said.

___

Associated Press writer Don Babwin contributed to this report from Chicago.

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