Local:
Cape Coral Oktoberfest is in Full Swing Despite Recent Storms
The 39th annual Cape Coral Oktoberfest has kicked off after the area was battered by Hurricanes Milton and Helene.
The event has been held by the Cape Coral German American Club since 1986. The event was only canceled once when Hurricane Ian devastated the area in 2022.
The event also brings business to local hotels and other establishments as many vendors and performers come from out of state and some from out of country according to Wink News.
The event has its last weekend on Oct. 25-27 and more information can be found here on the official website.
State:
Tampa Bay’s ‘Lieutenant Dan’ Arrested
Joseph Malinowski, the 54-year-old sailor who rode out Hurricane Milton on his sailboat has been arrested.
Malinowski was arrested by the Tampa police on outstanding warrants including failure to appear in court according to NBC News. This comes as concerns have been raised due to Malinowski’s boat having no way of disposing waste, the boat is also unregistered.
As Hurricane Milton approached landfall in Tampa, many on social media flocked to the story of Malinowski, a rogue sailor who refused to abandon his craft despite requests from local police. However, it would soon come out that Malinowski had a criminal past, dozens of arrests pepper his history and once this came out, many online personas who were supportive of Malinowski quickly distanced themselves from the sailor.
Malinowski is being held in the Hillsborough County Jail and his vessel has been impounded.
National:
First Tribal Marine Sanctuary Approved in California
California has just approved a tribal marine sanctuary protecting 4,543 square miles of ocean and 116 miles of coastline.
The marine sanctuary was campaigned for by the Chumash tribe. The tribe cited the area’s rich population of kelp forests, sea otters and whales as reasons to establish the sanctuary.
The area protected by the sanctuary includes the planned site for an offshore wind farm which the tribe was concerned would generate noise pollution harmful to local marine life.
The proposal must go through a statutory final review before US Congress and then will go into effect on Dec. 15 according to The Guardian.
