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Hurricane center watching 2 tropical waves. FL to see thunderstorms as tax holiday kicks off
The tropics remained calm as a sales tax holiday for hurricane and other disaster supplies kicked off Saturday, but severe weather could affect portions of Florida over the weekend. Tropical cyclone activity is not expected over the next seven days, the National Hurricane Center reported in its latest update. ...
DeSantis, CFO call for investigation into high spending under ex-UF president Ben Sasse
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A month after the University of Florida’s president abruptly resigned, state officials are now calling for an investigation into allegations of exorbitant spending. Nearly $17 million were spent in 17 months under former UF president Ben Sasse. This has prompted Governor Ron Desantis’ office to investigate the spending. Less than two […]
Investigation underway after dead tortoise found in Cape Coral
CAPE CORAL, Fla. — In Cape Coral, Florida, a neighborhood is dealing with the loss of a beloved gopher tortoise named Toby, who was discovered dead last Sunday. Gene St. Louis, a local resident who had been closely monitoring Toby for the past three years, reported the sad news to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
South Florida felon votes for first time in nearly 30 years
MIAMI — Dwight Spencer has been out of prison since 2017, and he's still having trouble finding steady work. Spencer was convicted of felony drug possession charges in Florida in the 1990s. He was also convicted of federal charges and spent 20 years in federal prison before President Barack Obama commuted his sentence. "I was very happy but still a little weary of coming back to society," Spencer said. He also just got back his right to vote. Florida voters passed Amendment 4 in 2018, which restores a felon's right to vote once they complete all terms of their sentence....
WINK Neighborhood Watch: Traffic stop, spousal shooting and antique theft
This week’s segment of WINK Neighborhood Watch features a trafficking traffic stop, a marital assault, and an antique theft. Matthew Christopher Whited has been arrested after several drugs and guns were allegedly found in his car during a traffic stop in Cape Coral. On Tuesday, Cape Coral police officers...
Edison Ford Estates to temporarily close due to termite infestation
The Edison Ford Estates will shut down for three days after termites were found in a couple of buildings. Officials said they will fumigate before airing out the buildings for a couple of days to kill the insects. The Edison Ford Estates found termites gnawing through the wood at the...
Neighbors upset over overflowing garbage outside foreclosed home in Cape Coral
Things have gotten so bad in one Cape Coral front yard that it looks like a junkyard, and one neighbor is fed up with the garbage. “By the end of the night, there was a pile about the size of the house outside the house,” said Tom Ashton, “and I was like, ‘Wow.'”
Coyote Depredation Rates Down with Additional Treatments
The Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation presented a summary of findings regarding the damage coyotes on the island are doing to the turtle and bird nesting populations. With new programs featuring rebar anchor stakes, caging, and, with permission from the Fish & Wildlife Commission, the use of habanero pepper, the depredation rates are down.
City Council Passes Four Ordinances, Including School Speed Zones
Sanibel City Council on Aug. 20 held four public hearings on ordinances regarding interim City Council appointments, removing a solid waste franchise agreement from the Code, milestone inspections for condominiums, and school speed zones. All four ordinances were approved unanimously by the five-member Council. The ordinance regarding interim City Council...
City Reviews Fiscal Year 2023 Financial Report
Deputy City Manager/CFO Steve Chaipel and auditors Chris Kessler and Rob Willems of CliftonLarsonAllen LLP presented the Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report to Sanibel City Council. They covered the audit scope and process, audit opinions and communications, and insights and emerging issues for 2024. In summary, there were...
City Sets Assessments for Shell Harbor Dredging
In 2011, the Sanibel City Council created an assessment district for canal dredging at the mouth of the canal into the Shell Harbor neighborhood. This fund was established at the request of the Shell Harbor homeowners for the purpose of tracking revenues and expenditures related to the canal dredging project. The assessment does not provide funding for dredging of the internal canal system, which last occurred in the early 1990s. However, the annual assessments include an amount that can be set aside for analysis of interior dredging needs.
Solid Waste Rates To Increase
Annually, the City levies a special assessment to residents for the collection of solid waste, recyclables, and horticultural waste. For fiscal year beginning October 1, 2024, the Solid Waste Cost of $2,017,385 shall be allocated among all parcels of assessed property within the City on a per-dwelling basis. The total...
Sanibel Mayor Awards Two State Leaders With Keys To City
Mayor Richard Johnson presented Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo (R) and State Representative Adam Botana (R) with keys to the City. To Passidomo he said, “Had it not been for your leadership and the determination you had, we would not be where we are today in our community.” Passidomo was instrumental in getting the City $15 million in the first year after Hurricane Ian, as well as a bridge loan and another $9 million this past session. “You were instrumental in allowing us to stand on our own two feet,” Johnson told Passidomo. “Your hand was at play as this was going forward. [This key] is a token that you will always be welcome here on Sanibel.” Passidomo replied, “I do have a heart for Sanibel. We worked together to make sure our communities would get what they needed after Ian. I thank you for this and for all that you do. I do intend to come back here, because I love Sanibel.”
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