Where to look this October for tropical trouble
In October, we’re distracted by all the trappings of fall – football and the race for the pennant, pumpkin spice everything, and maybe that first real cold front to kick off dry season. Anything but hurricanes. But like baseball and politics, October is a month of surprises when it comes to hurricane season.
Gas station stores in Lee, Collier counties become havens amid Hurricane Ian’s havoc
Hurricane Ian’s aftermath in Lee and Collier counties means driving through inundated streets despite a gas shortage, shopping only with cash at the few stores open, staying away from damaged electric poles, and finding boats stuck in unlikely areas.
Florida man pleads guilty to $2.6M COVID-19 relief fraud
Daniel Joseph Tisone, 35, of Naples, pleaded guilty Monday in Fort Myers federal court to wire fraud, bank fraud, illegal monetary transaction and possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, court documents show. He faces up to 60 years in federal prison at a hearing scheduled for Dec. 5.
Popular Canes fan fatally stabs neighbor, deputies say
The news is spreading on Twitter. People are simply in disbelief. “My heart breaks for my brother,” said one tweet. It was just one of many from people who know Lazaro Arribas. Another tweet expressed the love for a man who is known as the “ultimate University of Miami fan.”
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Officials: Florida panther struck and killed by vehicle
FORT MYERS, Fla. – An endangered Florida panther has died after being struck by a vehicle. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says it’s the fourth panther death attributed to fatal collisions, out of six total deaths this year. Wildlife officials say the remains of the 7-year-old female panther were found Saturday in Lee County on a rural road near Wild Turkey Strand Preserve. Florida panthers once roamed the entire Southeast, but now their habitat mostly is confined to a small region of Florida along the Gulf of Mexico. Up to 230 Florida panthers remain in the wild.
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Officials: Florida panther struck and killed by vehicle
FORT MYERS, Fla. – An endangered Florida panther has died after being struck by a vehicle. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says it’s the third panther death attributed to fatal collisions, out of four total deaths this year. Wildlife officials say the remains of the 2-year-old male panther were found Thursday in Lee County on a rural road near Wild Turkey Strand Preserve. Florida panthers once roamed the entire Southeast, but now their habitat mostly is confined to a small region of Florida along the Gulf of Mexico. Up to 230 Florida panthers remain in the wild.
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WATCH: Florida pet owner rescues his puppy from jaws of alligator
ESTERO, Fla. – A heroic rescue was captured on video after an Estero retiree volunteered to have cameras put in his backyard. What the Florida Wildlife Federation and the fStop Foundation didn’t expect to capture from the video project, called Sharing the Landscape, was Richard Wilbanks prying his 3-month-old puppy from the jaws of an alligator. Wilbanks, 74, said he was out walking the Cavalier King Charles spaniel by the pond near the back of his house. The owner jumped into action and into the water to grab the puppy. The idea of the video project involves residents who live in areas that border wild habitat in Lee County.
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Public health officials report Florida’s first 2 COVID-19 deaths
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The first two Florida COVID-19 patients to die were from Santa Rosa and Lee counties, the Florida Department of Health announced on Friday night. State public health officials reported the Lee County patient who died was a presumptive positive case. Officials also announced the first two presumptive positive COVID-19 cases in South Florida are in Broward County. As of Saturday morning, there are 278 people “currently being monitored” for COVID-19 symptoms in Florida, according to the Florida Department of Health. Florida public health officials are also reporting 12 positive cases: Six are Florida residents, 5 are Florida cases repatriated and one is a non-Florida resident.
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2 men isolated as ‘presumptive positive’ COVID-19 cases in Broward County, authorities say
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Florida Department of Health announced on Friday night there are two presumptive positive cases of the coronavirus in Broward County and two COVID-19 patients who died in Lee and Santa Rosa counties. The two Broward County patients are in isolation, authorities said. Broward County authorities ask residents not to 'overreact' to COVID-19 fearsOn Friday afternoon, Broward County authorities met at the area’s emergency center to ask the public not to panic or overreact as officials are prepared for the threat. Florida public health officials are also reporting 12 positive cases: Six are Florida residents, 5 are Florida cases repatriated and one is a non-Florida resident. For more information about the cases, the Florida Department of Health’s COVID-19 call center is available 24-hours a day at 1-866-779-6121.

Family of Florida boy says he was wrongfully arrested
Family and attorneys of local boy say he was wrongfully arrested. A Lee County Sheriff's Office report says just after 11PM on July 26th, they responded to a call from a Bluebird Taxi driver. His family and attorneys exclusively providing FOX 4 with screenshots of the home surveillance video. We reached out to the Lee County Sheriff's Office. Levaris' attorneys say they're seeking civil action against Bluebird Taxi and the Lee County Sheriff's Office.