A former marine wants to make sure local soldiers cherish their two-week leaves from Afghanistan and Iraq. Captain John Bunch, of Saint James City, had an idea: get businesses to donate services… from rounds of golf to fishing trips—even a wedding on the Gulf! Then, let soldiers and their families enjoy themselves. Dubbed “Operation Open Arms,” Captain Bunch says the idea is taking off… more business owners are donating products and services.

“We want to set a model in Lee County as perhaps the best place to be from if you’re an American serviceperson back on a specific leave. When you come home here, you and your family can go to restaurants. All you have to do is show your military ID, your two week specific leave papers, and you’re treated with open arms from all the angels that have involved themselves in this program.”

Captain Bunch is a fishing guide and host of a local fishing television show. The idea for “Operation Open Arms” came to him when a young Army soldier recognized him… and expressed an interest in going fishing while he was home from Iraq. Bunch obliged… then realized the concept had more potential. The concept has apparently caught the attention of Governor Jeb Bush and Congressman Connie Mack. The website—for soldiers and interested businesses—is virtuallyparadise.com.

A crane mounted on a barge collapsed as it was preparing to drive a 165-foot concrete piling into the water off the Sanibel Causeway Monday afternoon. The crane operator was killed, and another construction worker is hospitalized in good condition. Witnesses say the crane toppled after the piling began to crumble and break apart. Sheriff's deputy Angelo Vaughn was on the scene.

"A crane that was unloading 100 footpilings onto a barge - that's on the fort Myers side of the Sanibel causeway - the crane collapsed onto the barge..injuring one man and fatally injuring another man."

Workers and rescue crews dug through rubble to reach 54-year-old Kent Crappell of Louisiana. He was trapped inside the crushed crane cab and was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Work has been halted on the 122 million dollar project to replace the deteriorating causeway. Inspectors from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are expected to arrive today.

One Florida senator is calling on the Department of Veterans Affairs to explain how a costly computer system upgrade is in danger of failure. Our Capitol Hill correspondent Max Cacas reports. (AUDIO)

Efforts to attract high-tech companies to southwest Florida are paying off. Dawning Technologies Inc. is going to locate its headquarters, R&D, and manufacturing operation in Lee County. The company – currently based in New York - makes computer software used in the medical industry.
Lee County joined forces with the Governor’s office and Enterprise Florida to recruit the Dawning.
Jennifer Dunn is Communications Manager with the Lee County Economic Development Office. She says it’s a great example of the type of companies her office is trying to attract.

“We are looking to attract companies that could really locate anywhere, but that would bring in some high wage & high skills to the market. We do have a very talented workforce here, so we’re looking to bring in some of those innovative, high-tech companies.”

Dawning Technologies looks to focus on R&D – working to create connectivity solutions for end users such as hospitals, labs, and medical systems vendors. Their offices will be located off Metro Parkway in Fort Myers. Dunn says southwest Florida’s booming growth – and talented workforce – are major reasons why Dawning Technologies chose the area.

“One of the things when we talked to them as far as their decision to move here…you know they talked about how they see a growing economy here, and a positive business atmosphere…and that’s one of the reasons why they chose southwest Florida for their headquarters.”

The company was also considering Virginia, South & North Carolina and Georgia. Dunn says she thinks Lee County’s population growth is creating new opportunities…adding that the area’s starting to get a lot of regional and national recognition…and that people are beginning to realize that it’s not only a great place to live, but that it’s also got a great business climate.

Thomas Alva Edison is synonymous with wizardry and invention. During the late 19th century, he was one of the most celebrated people in the world. His second wife, Mina Miller also made her own lasting impression – especially in Fort Myers, where the Edisons spent their winters. To hear more about Mina Miller Edison’s life and her time in Fort Myers, watch Untold Stories “The Wizard’s Wife” tonight at 9:00 on WGCU-TV. Kathleen Moye has more. (AUDIO)

Where there are victims of war, of natural disaster, and of disease, there’s most likely someone from Doctors Without Borders, as well. Known internationally by its French name, Medecins Sans Frontieres, it has a presence in 80 different countries.

A past president of the organization in the U.S. Carole Etherington speaks tonight at a benefit in Naples. First, she spoke with WGCU.

Unless lobbying efforts in Tallahassee are successful – Florida Gulf Coast University will get only about half the money it needs for new students next year. It’s often called “enrollment growth funding.”

The university requested 4-million dollars to pay for its expected 12-percent enrollment increase. But, as it currently stands, FGCU will only get about half.

More than 140 new students are expected to attend next year…bringing the total student body to nearly 75-hundred.

University President – Dr. Bill Merwin – says the effects of a shortfall would be felt on campus…

“If we don’t get the money it means that there are fewer sections of classes offered for students to get the courses they need to graduate on time. Probably more part-time faculty, rather than full-time faculty…class section sizes get a little bit larger…so my plea is to get our legislators to say, lets fund all those new students who are coming into institutions around the state…and especially into southwest Florida.”

FGCU’s not alone…so far lawmakers have agreed only to pay for about half of ALL state universities’ enrollment growth.

But, Dr. Merwin says he’s hopeful the funding outlook will change… citing the state’s recent $2 billion surplus.

“Well we’re encouraged by the windfall…the 2.2 billion dollars that was recently identified…that was given the legislators…and so they’re trying to figure out where to spend that, and I have some suggestions for them…of course, my suggestion would be FGCU.”

Of course, many other parties are also vying for the money.

Increased sales tax revenue from hurricane repairs – and taxes on record-setting home sales – have given legislators an extra $2.2 billion.

President Merwin says no matter how much FGCU gets from the state – capping enrollment at the rapidly growing university is not an option.

The Chancellor of Ave Maria University—in Naples—once studied under the man who has just became pope. Ryan Warner explains.

Young Catholics— hearing the announcement of a new Pope—will likely remember the event for the rest of their lives.

The principal at Bishop Verot High School in Fort Myers, Father Christian Beretta, told Ryan Warner there was A LOT of excitement on Tuesday… when the world found out.

Southwest Floridians ages 60 and older – regardless of income – may be eligible for special grant money to help with hurricane recovery.

The Area Agency on Aging – formerly Senior Solutions – is sitting on nearly $4 million in federal disaster money that it must distribute before November 30th.

Folks 60 and over in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, Lee and Sarasota Counties are eligible… again, regardless of income.

Program Coordinator Crystal Ribarzick says the money is aimed at older hurricane victims who are either uninsured, or under-insured…

“And that’s the situation that many of our seniors are finding themselves in…is that they have some money from insurance, and it’s covering some things, but unfortunately it’s not covering everything they need and so these sources are out there to kind of fill in the gaps.”

The grant money covers things like home repairs and debris cleanup.

In Charlotte and DeSoto Counties, volunteers will come to seniors homes to help them fill out paperwork.

Anyone interested should call the Area Agency on Aging in Lee County… or go to their website SENIORSOLUTIONS.org.

In related news…the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – or HUD – has awarded $9 million each to Charlotte and DeSoto Counties—to help fund critical recovery needs following last years’ hurricanes.

That money will be used to repair or replace public infrastructure, provide housing and help boost local economies.