Danya Harpster

Ashelba Brown with CASL, spoke to a man who was living in his car, but would not allow them to count him for the PIT. The Point In Time count took place in Lee and Collier Counties. Volunteers walked the parking lots, woods, parks, and even set up a basecamp in areas they know the homeless will be at to get a count on the need in the area. The face of the homeless has changed over the past few years. The first time homeless made mostly up of elderly and single parents with kids are starting to outnumber the chronic homeless.

Human Interest

Collier County's homeless count number dips slightly; that result doesn't call for a celebration

Danya Harpster

The Point-in-Time Count is done annually and tied to federal funding.

Marion County first responders move a victim of a bus crash near Ocala Tuesday morning. The bus was reported to be carrying farmworkers that the Florida Highway patrol said left from the Immokalee area Tuesday morning. Eight on board were killed and more than 40 injured, authorities said.

Agriculture

Eight dead, dozens hurt as farmworkers' bus crashes near Ocala; driver of truck involved arrested

Danya Harpster

The bus was transporting 53 farmworkers shortly after 6:30 a.m. when it collided with a pickup truck in Marion County, about 80 miles north of Orlando, the Florida Highway Patrol said.Then driver of the pickup was later arrested on driving under the influence-manslaughter charges.

Lee County School District Superintendent Christopher Bernier addresses a crowd of more than 100 parents, staff, and community members at the first of three town hall-style events at Caloosa Elementary in Cape Coral on Sept. 1.

Education

Lee ex-school superintendent Christopher Bernier one of two finalists for Duval schools post

Danya Harpster

Former Lee County School superintendent Christopher Bernier is one of two finalists to be Duval County school superintendent.The Jacksonville Florida Times-Union reported Tuesday that Bernier and another finalist would visit Jacksonville next week for job interviews and meetings with school staff and the public.

Joe Frank, an elder in the Seminole tribe, and his wife Ronda Roff, a scientist and passionate about saving the wildlife in Florida, stand next to a wildlife crossing along Immokalee Road, East of Immokalee.

Environment

The changing landscape of eastern Lee and Collier counties and what it means for the panther

Danya Harpster

As agriculture gives way to planned developments, many worry the Florida panther is on a path to doom.Environmentalists say planned communities — Kingston in eastern Lee and Bellmar in eastern Collier and both the size of small cities — could hurtle the Florida panther from the Endangered Species List to extinction.

Lee County's Board of Commissioners met to provide an update Tuesday related to continued discussions with FEMA regarding National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) premiums by retrograding the county’s and four municipalities’ Community Rating System (CRS) classifications.

Hurricane Recovery

Lee County government official: 'There's just not enough bodies'

Danya Harpster

Lee municipalities are hoping additional time to gather paperwork on rebuilding efforts post-Hurricane Ian will put them in the good graces of the federal government

A home under rebuild in Fort Myers Beach. Numerous homes there are being rebuilt after being damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Ian. A decision on federal flood insurance discounts could be coming for Fort Myers Beach and several other communities in Lee County by July 17.

Hurricane Recovery

Feds give local communities a 30-day reprieve on national flood insurance discount decision

Danya Harpster

At stake is tens of million of dollars in flood insurance discounts that policy holders have enjoyed for years.

The Lee County School Board approved a request by Schools Superintendent Christopher Bernie Monday to leave his position as of Tuesday.

Education

Lee superintendent stepping down seven months ahead of partisan vote to select new superintendent

Danya Harpster

Christopher S. Bernier has lead the 9th largest school district in the state since May 2022. Ken Savage is expected to take over as interim superintendent — again.

Photo Caption: Federal agents on recovery teams walk around the Cape Coral Yacht Basin to meet Ohio Task Force One.

Hurricane Recovery

Cape Coral hoping state, federal officials can intervene in FEMA decision on flood discounts

Danya Harpster

FEMA's decision to boot Cape Coral policy holders from the 25% discount program will have an $8 million impact.

More flooding in the San Carlos Estates Water Control District after Hurricane Irma.

Hurricane Recovery

Lee government in a race to try to get decision reversed on federal flood insurance premiums

Danya Harpster

Decision to downgrade unincorporated Lee, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, and Estero's flood rating will prove costly to policy holders.

Hurricane Recovery

Lee County, FEMA at odds over compliance to Hurricane Ian rebuilding work, documentation

Danya Harpster

A flood insurance issue that could end up costing millions for residents in unincorporated Lee County and several of the county's cities will be aired Tuesday at the Board of County Commissioners meeting.At stake is federal flood insurance community ratings in unincorporated Lee County and multiple municipalities in the county. FEMA confirmed Monday that unpermitted work, lack of documentation, and failure to properly monitor the rebuilding of properties in flood hazard areas in the post-Hurricane Ian world is why the federal government has chosen to significantly downgrade those ratings.That means federal flood insurance policy holders — there are more than 51,000 in unincorporated Lee County alone — will lose their 25 percent discounts on flood insurance premiums come Oct. 1. Some 64,000 policy holders in Bonita Springs, Estero and Cape Coral will no longer quality for the discounts until possibly spring 2026.The matter will be discussed in further detail when the Lee County Board of County Commissioners meet for their regular board meeting at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.