July 4th Holiday

Twenty-five competitors chowed down on the Florida Keys’ signature dessert July 4 in Key West -- without using their hands -- but no one did it faster than Joshua Mogle, a 38-year-old tire manufacturing manager from Altoona, Iowa.

There are still plenty of fireworks shows around Southwest Florida despite some being cancelled due to damnage friom Huyrricane Ian.

Fourth of July fireworks add sparks of excitement to Independence Day festivities. With the holiday coming up next Monday, Southwest Florida residents should consider firework safety for their celebrations.

State health officials reported 6,563 new cases of COVID-19, Wednesday, marking the eighth consecutive day of single-day increases topping 5,000.The total number of cases statewide now stands at 158,997 and that total has more than doubled since Phase two of Governor Ron DeSantis's reopening plan went into effect June 5.

State health officials reported 5,266 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, Monday, bringing the statewide total to 146,341 cases. June 29 marked the sixth consecutive day that the number of new cases counted in a single day topped 5,000.This past Saturday marked a new daily record with 9,585 cases reported. Florida's coronavirus caseload has more than doubled since phase two of Gov. Ron DeSantis' reopening plan went into effect June 5.

State health officials reported 1,317 new cases of COVID-19, Wednesday, raising the statewide total to 58,764 confirmed cases marking the highest single-day increase in cases April 17.The Florida Department of Health reported 36 new coronavirus-related deaths, Wednesday, for a total of 2,566 fatalities including 1,306 deaths in long-term care facilities.Of the 1,081,825 COVID-19 tests that have been performed in Florida so far, 5.4 percent have been positive for the virus.

As residents and visitors flock to Florida beaches over the long Fourth of July holiday weekend, wildlife officials and advocates are urging beachgoers to…