Local:
Botana Plans Referendum to Merge Fire and Mosquito Department Districts
State Representative Adam Botana plans to have a referendum on the proposed idea to combine the Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District and Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District. He also has plans to combine the Beach Mosquito Control District and Lee County Mosquito Control District. According to Fort Myers Beach News, For the merger to take place, a study and local referendum need to be conducted before districts can be involuntarily merged. The requirements also include Gov. Desantis signing a bill to pass it and a vote by state legislation. “The district and community were blindsided by the idea of this merger. Representative Botana at no time communicated with our board or the community his thoughts on why and how this would happen. I am curious as to how this came about.” Fort Myers Beach Board of Fire Commissioners Chair John Bennett said.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade Adds Three Southwest Florida Band Directors
The Macy’s Day parade plans to include three Southwest Florida band directors; Jose Lopez, Kay Dubbert and Thomas Dubbert. These three will be joining the ranks of 400 band directors who were selected nationwide to be included in the parade. According to NBC2, the entry of saluting America’s band directors will highlight the theme in this year’s parade, “America’s Band Directors: We teach music. We teach life.” Micheal D. Sewell is sponsoring the project and widely-known band director Jon Waters will lead the band. The Memorial Foundation is an honor to the late Mike Sewell and the years of community he spent in the schools and music programs.
Colonial Boulevard Construction 10 Months Behind, Citizens Want Answers
The long stretch of Colonial Boulevard between The Forum and Six-Mile Cypress has been under construction for several months and many are wondering why it is not done yet. According to Wink News, the project consists of several projects including the diverging diamond interchange at Colonial and Interstate 75, the displaced left turn at Colonial and Six-Mile Cypress and the restricted crossing U-turn near Forum Boulevard. Many citizens are frustrated with the long wait and want to see a change. Marlena Gore, Interstate construction manager, said things like COVID-19, the freeze in Texas, Hurricane Ian and material and labor shortages have prolonged the battles with this never-ending traffic.
Bald Eagles Nesting In SWFL Cell Towers
Around 100 bald eagles have been spotted building their nests in cell towers leaving many concerned for the safety of these national birds. One nest in particular has been spotted atop a cell tower in Cape Coral near Andalusia Boulevard and Kismet Parkway. Many are wondering if this is safe for the birds and if they are in danger living near the high-powered radio equipment. According to NBC2, Cape Coral Resident Alex Baker spotted one bird while using his drone equipment. According to FGCU studies, the answer to why these birds are moving to places like cell towers is still unknown.
State:
22-Year-Old Charged After Shooting in Tampa
A 22-year-old was charged and arrested for second-degree murder after the shooting that took place early Sunday morning in a crowded street in Tampa. The shooting left 18 injured and two dead. Bars and nightclubs in Tampa’s Ybor City neighborhood were starting to clear out when the incident took place around 3 a.m. A dispute between two groups led to the attack leading to the death of a 14-year-old boy and a 22-year-old man. According to CNN, ”Many of the additional victims, who ranged in age from 18-27 years old, have been medically treated and released from the hospital. Five remain in the hospital, recovering from their injuries,” the statement from Tampa police said.
“Booty Patrol” Truck Leaves Concern From Deputies, Florida Community Isn’t Worried
A truck painted similar to Border Patrol is going around Desoto County with “Booty Patrol” painted on it. According to the Miami Herald, the Desoto County Sheriff’s Office put up an announcement saying not to pull over a vehicle that has red and blue lights impersonating law enforcement. The vehicle owner has made several posts about the truck online saying that he has done no wrong. “I only have my lights at shows and on private property and I have never pulled anyone over,” Gabriel Luviano told McClatchy News in text messages. Others have made statements on Facebook enjoying the presence of the truck, being able to tell the difference between that and law enforcement.
Pilot Rescued After Small Plane Crashes in Everglades
Video footage has been released of a man standing on the wings of his recently crashed plane as he waited to be rescued Tuesday. Footage from Chopper 6 shows the man waiting on the wing after several hours, being saved from the Everglades. According to NBC6, “The single-engine Cessna 172M crashed around 2:20 a.m. Tuesday, but the Broward Sheriff’s Office said they didn’t receive reports about an aircraft down until about 10 a.m.” The plane had crash-landed in a very secluded part of the Everglades that was only accessible by specialized assets and required the Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue airboat and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue’s aviation unit.
Florida Sen. Rick Scott Endorses Trump Over Desantis
Florida Senator Rick Scott supported Donald Trump over Ron Desantis for Republicans to support during the 2024 campaign. According to CNN, “I support my friend President Donald J. Trump to be the 47th president of the United States and encourage every Republican to unite behind his efforts to win back the White House,” Scott said in an op-ed published in Newsweek. This isn’t the first time Scott has supported Trump, in 2016 with Marco Rubio and Jeb Bush seeking the presidency Rick Scott made statements supporting Trump knowing the struggles of Americans. After this announcement, Scott follows the lead of many within the Florida House Delegation supporting the former president over Desantis.
National:
Head of FTX Sam Bankman-Fried Found Guilty Of Charges
Sam Bankman-Fried, former head of cryptocurrency exchange company FTX, has been found guilty and has plummeted from his genius image to a now criminal. According to NPR, charges including wire fraud, money laundering, and securities fraud leave Banmkan-Fried looking at multiple decades in prison. “We respect the jury’s decision. But we are very disappointed with the result. Mr. Bankman Fried maintains his innocence and will continue to vigorously fight the charges against him,” Mark Cohen, Bankman-Fried’s lawyer, said in a statement. It is likely the millionaire will try to appeal the case.
FDA Proposes Ban On Harmful Ingredients In Some Sodas
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is proposing to get rid of brominated vegetable oil being added to soda. According to CNN, “The agency concluded that the intended use of BVO in food is no longer considered safe after the results of studies conducted in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health … found the potential for adverse health effects in humans,” said James Jones, the FDA’s deputy commissioner for human foods. Brominated vegetable oil has been linked to several health concerns like headaches, fatigue, loss of muscle coordination, and much more. The oil is able to build up within your body and cause problems over time.
Biden Signs Expansive AI Executive Order
President Biden signed an AI executive order Monday. According to the Washington Post, “One thing is clear: To realize the promise of AI and avoid the risk, we need to govern this technology,” Biden said during a White House address. The order follows with policymakers and regulators considering measures to overlook the technology development and to pass AI legislation in Congress. The order requires those using AI technology to have to go through proper safety tests and notify the government before proceeding to use the technology for their companies. Biden said he plans to, “Use the same authority to make companies prove that their most powerful systems are safe before allowing them to be used.”
Biden Paying Respect to Victims in the Maine Shooting
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden plan to visit the families and victims of the mass shooting that took place in Lewiston, Maine. Biden continues his efforts to support those suffering through traumatic experiences, just two weeks before visiting those suffering from the Hamas attacks. According to Reuters, “On Oct. 25, a gunman opened fire on people at a bowling alley and a bar in Lewiston, killing 18 people, injuring 13, and sending shock waves through the rural community.” The Bidens plan to meet with those affected and will make remarks about the topic at 4:15 p.m. “Recovering from this attack will be long and difficult, and President Biden is committed to marshaling resources from across the federal government to support Lewiston every step of the way,” Stefanie Feldman, director of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, said.
