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The University of Florida international student arrested near campus and sent to an immigration detention center has returned to Colombia, according to a new statement from his mother there.Felipe Zapata Velásquez, 27, was arrested March 28 for driving with a U.S. driver’s license that had been suspended since January 2024 and with an outdated vehicle registration. He was taken to Jacksonville by federal immigration agents after his arrest and told he could await his case’s resolution in jail in the United States or sign his self-deportation and return to Colombia, according to an interview on April 2 with his mother, Claudia Velásquez, by NTN24. The University of Florida international student arrested near campus and sent to an immigration detention center has returned to Colombia, according to a new statement from his mother there.Felipe Zapata Velásquez, 27, was arrested March 28 for driving with a U.S. driver’s license that had been suspended since January 2024 and with an outdated vehicle registration. He was taken to Jacksonville by federal immigration agents after his arrest and told he could await his case’s resolution in jail in the United States or sign his self-deportation and return to Colombia, according to an interview on April 2 with his mother, Claudia Velásquez, by NTN24. -
File/Lee Ann Anderson/Fresh Take FloridaA new cell phone ban could go into effect at the start of the next school year should the Lee County school board give an expected nod to the proposal when it meets Tuesday evening. -
In this installment from the StoryCorps Mobile Tour visit to Fort Myers in 2024, we hear Finzo Hall and his mother Marcia Robinson talk about immigrating from Jamaica to the U.S, Finzo’s determination to follow his dream of becoming a pilot, and helping other young people achieve their dreams through the powers of faith and resiliency. -
Lee high school graduation rates up, but still lagging; Gov. DeSantis declares school choice successThe School District of Lee County is proud to announce the graduation rate for the class of 2024 rose to 85.8%, setting a record high for the School District since new graduation standards were implemented in 2022. The 2019-2020 graduation rate was artificially inflated by the exemption for seniors from statewide, standardized assessment requirements stipulated in state law due to the COVID pandemic.
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This teacher's seriously positive vibes are inspiring his students inside & outside of the classroomA high school teacher in Fort Myers is motivating and uplifting his students using the power of positive thinking. Visit Cypress Lake High School and the classroom of teacher, football coach, and self-published children’s book author, T.J. Nelson. -
The College Board could lose more than a political fight with Florida over an Advanced Placement African American Studies course as Gov. Ron DeSantis suggests the state seek alternatives. -
School threats were top law enforcement news Wednesday as the Lee County Sheriff's Office announced the expansion of its school threat enforcement team and Cape Coral police said they arrested a 13-year-old private school student for making a threat. -
Gov. Ron DeSantis' office is scrutinizing diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at Florida's universities, as part of a campaign to root out what they claim is "indoctrination". But a top official overseeing the schools says some of the programs should continue. -
Lee County Schools Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier, Board members and District staff surprised 2023 Teacher of the Year Steven McGinley Friday morning during a school staff meeting with his award. -
Are the days of scrolling TikTok on Florida’s college campuses over? The University of Florida is warning about what it called a “strong possibility” it might ban the popular social media app on university devices and WiFi networks. The state’s flagship university calls TikTok – operated in the U.S. by a subsidiary of a China-based company – a “national security concern” and discourages the campus community from using the app on their personal devices. It’s also going further, banning any future academic research projects that involve accessing TikTok. Officials at other Florida universities say they are considering similar action against TikTok, but none has officially followed UF’s lead yet. TikTok says it’s trying to convince federal national security experts that its app is safe. -
DeSantis' administration has blocked a new Advanced Placement course on African-American studies from being taught in high schools, saying the class violates state law and that it is historically inaccurate. -
Three search firms will be interviewed; Search committee to clarify if a candidate found independent of a firm could be acceptable. -
Pre-registration started late due to the hurricane and in an effort to ensure that every family with incoming kindergartners gets a chance to register early the deadline to register has been extended to January 27. -
Three SWFL districts getting a portion of $2.7 million earmarked for career and technical education programs. -
Students returning to school have lost out on weeks of instruction, putting them behind on the year’s planned curriculum. But more serious, say some experts, are long-term effects on a student’s physical and emotional health. -
Students at Canterbury School of Fort Myers made contact with the International Space Station. Canterbury is one of eight schools in the world to have this opportunity right now.
