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People now have the power to sue local leaders for not stopping the homeless from camping in public if a report is made.
The city of Canals has water problems again!
Sanibel Island is looking much better since Hurricane Ian, but while the lighthouse is standing tall, the pier isn’t doing too well.
Downtown Fort Myers is on higher alert as this weekend’s 4th Annual Fort Myers Seafood & Music Festival is expected to draw large crowds.
Pounds of trash and debris are blowing through a Cape Coral neighborhood, through the streets, into canals and every which way.
More than 3,000 bags of trash, 19 interstate projects, nearly 100 citizen requests and over one hundred truckloads of trash—that’s the work done by nonviolent offenders in Lee County, who are doing their part to make our county more beautiful.
The NCAA will soon send out an instructional video on in-game foreign substance checks for pitchers.
In the new year, there’s a new call to warn Americans about the negative effects of alcohol.
The family of Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sgt. Elio Diaz is breaking their silence.
Flu cases are skyrocketing in Southwest Florida, making this busy season even more challenging.
One of the young women from Fort Myers hurt during the New Orleans New Year’s Eve attack is speaking out for the first time.
HM Restaurant Group, owners the adjacent Doc Ford’s Rum Bar and Grille and Dixie Fish Co. restaurants, has been named as the buyer.
The Naples Zoo is mourning the loss of a beloved male giant anteater who had given nearly 10 years of joy to visitors.
The Charlotte County Property Appraiser is now accepting applications for partial 2024 property tax refunds.
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying two men who stole an electric bike.
People now have the power to sue local leaders for not stopping the homeless from camping in public if a report is made.
The city of Canals has water problems again!
Sanibel Island is looking much better since Hurricane Ian, but while the lighthouse is standing tall, the pier isn’t doing too well.
Downtown Fort Myers is on higher alert as this weekend’s 4th Annual Fort Myers Seafood & Music Festival is expected to draw large crowds.
Pounds of trash and debris are blowing through a Cape Coral neighborhood, through the streets, into canals and every which way.
More than 3,000 bags of trash, 19 interstate projects, nearly 100 citizen requests and over one hundred truckloads of trash—that’s the work done by nonviolent offenders in Lee County, who are doing their part to make our county more beautiful.
The NCAA will soon send out an instructional video on in-game foreign substance checks for pitchers.
In the new year, there’s a new call to warn Americans about the negative effects of alcohol.
The family of Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sgt. Elio Diaz is breaking their silence.
Flu cases are skyrocketing in Southwest Florida, making this busy season even more challenging.
One of the young women from Fort Myers hurt during the New Orleans New Year’s Eve attack is speaking out for the first time.
HM Restaurant Group, owners the adjacent Doc Ford’s Rum Bar and Grille and Dixie Fish Co. restaurants, has been named as the buyer.
The Naples Zoo is mourning the loss of a beloved male giant anteater who had given nearly 10 years of joy to visitors.
The Charlotte County Property Appraiser is now accepting applications for partial 2024 property tax refunds.
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help identifying two men who stole an electric bike.
People now have the power to sue local leaders for not stopping the homeless from camping in public if a report is made.
This is a new provision to a Florida law that first went into effect in October, making it illegal for people to set up shelter on public property.
The city, county or municipality has five days to take action after receiving a written notice of the alleged violation. If it’s not addressed, then they can be sued by any member of the public.
Gov. Ron DeSantis said, “We need to prohibit camping on all city streets and sidewalks and parks. We just can’t live like that in the state of Florida.”
This ban went into effect Oct. 1, and now, as of Jan. 1, if your local jurisdiction is not enforcing that law, you can sue, but it’s not just the city or county that would be impacted homeless people could go to jail.
Mike Nojunas, program director at St. Matthews House, said, “I think the law is going to be a catalyst for those individuals who are maybe hesitant and making changes or seeking help, for them to have to make that choice. Do I want to be in violation of the law, or do I want to reach out and talk to those community services that are already in place and get the help that I need or want?”
Nojunas understands it’s not easy.
“I’m in recovery myself. I know what it’s like to be on the streets, to be homeless. I also know, looking back, that was entirely my decision to make; the help has always been here,” Nojunas said.
A county may designate property owned by the county of a municipality within the boundaries of the county to be used for a continuous period of no longer than 1 year for the purposes of public camping or sleeping.
But again, they don’t have to, and Nojunas doesn’t think it’s necessary
“If you’re willing to enter recovery and remain sober, we have a bed for you. If you need to maintain that as your lifestyle, even those mandated camping areas wouldn’t be the place, because part of that law is it has to have 24/7, security or police presence, so if you’re going to be actively breaking the law, you’re you’re not going to be in that camp anyway,” he said.
We contacted our local cities and counties to find out what they would do if they were served with a written notice or lawsuit. Lee County said they would get back to us on Monday while they process my request.
Any Lee County resident experiencing homelessness can call the county’s coordinated entry hotline 24-7: 239-533-7996.
For more information, click here.
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The end-of-the year goal is to always provide a holiday gift to readers by smoothly wrapping up everything by publishing a succinct list of all of the local restaurants that launched that calendar year.
A panel of five, with the hope of finding solutions for the county’s homeless population, met at Fort Myers High School. An audience of over 100 sat and listened as the panelists discussed the complex issue.
Staying proactive to keep your children safe as the days of unlocked doors and windows at Florida schools are coming to an end.
There’s the new Florida law on the horizon, which limits the power of citizen-run police review boards, which concerns one Fort Myers council member.
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