From March 3 through 7, inspection crews from the City of Sanibel Public Works Utility Division and a city contractor will be conducting a smoke test of sewer lines in neighborhoods throughout the island. This will include a physical survey of the City of Sanibel wastewater collection system, which will involve the opening of manholes in the streets and easements.

The bill that would outlaw abandoning a pet outside during a natural disaster – prompted by a viral video of a bull terrier rescued last year ahead of an approaching hurricane – passed its first hurdle Tuesday in the Legislature with unanimous approval.The Senate Criminal Justice Committee approved the bill 8-0 during a brief hearing in Tallahassee. The bill’s sponsor and his colleagues in the Senate referred to the proposal as “Trooper’s Law,” named after the dog tied to a pole in standing water along Interstate 75 near Tampa before a Florida Highway Patrol trooper saved him.

Seven descendants of former U.S. presidents will speak in front of a live audience at the Harry S. Truman White House in Key West as a part of weekend activities to celebrate the presidency.

A senior Sarasota County staffer called the developer’s proposal ‘insulting’ and urged the county to abandon negotiations.

February is a popular month for marriage licenses and wedding ceremonies at the Lee County Clerk of Court’s office.Couples who would like to learn how to apply for a marriage license are invited to attend a free online class Wednesday, Feb. 12, from 2-3 p.m. The class will be held via the online platform Zoom.

The Hounds on Henry Dog Park in Punta Gorda will reopen Friday with a completely renovated facility from sod to shade. Significant renovations made by the city of Punta Gorda at the park were designed to improve the park’s usability and comfort for pets and their owners.

In alignment with its mission of saving lives, the Sarasota County Fire Department (SCFD) has partnered with SunCoast Blood Centers to implement a groundbreaking prehospital whole blood transfusion program. This initiative aims to provide life-saving blood transfusions to patients suffering from severe bleeding or traumatic injuries before they arrive at the hospital.

United Way of Collier and the Keys is offering free tax assistance for Collier County residents earning 66 thousand dollars or less in 2024 through their Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, or VITA program.

the Law at the Library program, courtesy of Lee County Legal Aid, aims to remove that barrier free of charge. The scope of issues that attorneys in the Lee County Legal Aid's Law at the Library program handle ranges from housing to immigration. Disaster relief and contractor fraud are focused on during the sessions, but attorneys are equipped to help with anything.

Florida announced record tourism numbers for the first quarter of 2024, as totals for international visitors continue to move closer to pre-pandemic levels.Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office said Thursday an estimated 40.6 million people traveled to Florida during the first three months of the year, a 1.2 percent increase from the same period in 2023. The state also issued revisions that increased totals for all of 2023.