This region is a role model for homeland security preparation…that’s according to a recent analysis from International College. 13 students there just completed a three-month research project, which focused on how well prepared southwest Florida is to combat terrorism.
The students looked at many factors… including overall preparedness, Florida’s 1st alert system, sea and airborne preparations, as well as readiness among at churches and schools.
Assistant professor of Interdisciplinary Studies - Dr. Judith Kolva says her students found solid plans in place – and agencies willing to work together. She says projects like this are what this Interdisciplinary program is all about.

“Our paradigm is very much a practical application. In other words, we of course talk about theory, and we talk about background, and we talk about foundational stuff. But then most importantly, we want to know how we can take this out of our classroom – out of our safe learning lab – and make it useful in our real lives.”

Students interviewed experts in law enforcement, emergency management, air patrol, coast guard, and even local school districts. They also talked to former Homeland Security Secretary – Tom Ridge. Their findings were presented at a forum Tuesday night in Naples. A case study of their findings will be published as a book early next year.

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Florida’s senior United States Senator, Democrat Bill Nelson, told supporters in Southwest Florida today that Secretary of the Interior, Gale Norton, has come up with a way to open the Gulf Coast of Florida to oil drilling.

“There is a bill coming before the senate, it is a tax and spending bill that by law cannot be filibustered. The secretary of the interior, gale Norton, is going to attach drilling off the coast of florida, as well as drilling in the artic national wildlife refuge, to this bill so that I cannot stand up and filibuster the bill and therefore under the senate.
24 the bill has to be passed because its part of the budget act.”

Senator Nelson his previous filibuster kept prevented legislation enabling drilling to go forward. Florida’s congressional delegation, along with Governor Bush, is united in opposition to drilling in the gulf off Florida. Nelson was in Southwest Florida speaking at a campaign fundraiser at the Coconut Point Hyatt in Estero. He says he faces a tough re-election challenge next fall. So fall the only declared candidate for the Republican nomination is U.S. Representative Katherine Harris of Sarasota.

U.S. Senator Bill Nelson was in Southwest Florida Wednesday where he spoke at a campaign fundraiser. Nelson faces a re-election challenge next fall. Valerie Alker reports.

More than a decade ago, wildlife scientists introduced 8 Texas cougars into Florida – hoping to help the failing panther population rebound. New research suggests the effort was successful.
At the time there were only 30 adult Florida panthers left, and many showed signs of inbreeding. By introducing Texas cougars – which are part of the same species as the panther – scientists hoped to bolster the population, and add to its genetic diversity. There are now 87 adult Florida panthers. This new study concludes that introducing the Texas cougar is a large…if not primary…factor behind the increase. Stuart Pimm of Duke University is the study’s principal author. He says he was skeptical of the plan to introduce cougars at first.

“As it turned out, I was wrong. With the introduction of some cats from Texas…5 of them eventually bred. And their children and grandchildren have dramatically increased the number of panthers in south Florida. And importantly, increased the places where they could live. The hybrid panthers seem to be a lot more vigorous at occupying areas where we didn’t think panthers occurred in the past.”

Pimm’s study found that hybrid kittens are three times more likely to reach adulthood than purebred panthers. The hybrid cats ARE still considered a federally listed endangered species.
Pimm says the study is probably controversial – because other scientists have stated that some areas cannot sustain panthers and therefore development should not be limited.

“What our work shows is that panthers can occupy a lot more areas than we previously thought. So to use the argument that panthers are not present in this area so it’s ok to develop it…that argument isn’t going to work anymore.”

There has also been contention over how the study was done. Pimm’s conclusions are based on data contained in thousands of pages of documents compiled by various agencies – like the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. In a recent article in the Journal Science – the Commission’s panther team leader – Darrell Land – said Pimm’s team might have acted unethically by using other people’s data. Pimm says all his conclusions are drawn using data from public documents.

Immigrants are not the only people who fall prey to human trafficking. Ryan Warner reports.
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The Charlotte county commission Tuesday decided the fate of the Old County Courthouse in downtown Punta Gorda. It will proceed with plans to restore the building, which these days, sits empty and neglected. Valerie Alker has more. (AUDIO)

There’s a new date when Southwest Florida International Airport expects to open its new terminal… Friday, September 9th. The airport missed a target date last month—because it lacked a certificate of occupancy—or C-O. Lee County is prepared to issue the airport a temporary CO today. That will allow for a “pre-move”… during which employees can start training in the Midfield Terminal. Airport spokeswoman, Susan Sanders, says a team—in place for the past year—is ready to execute the move.

“It’s basically a committee of people from different areas of the airport—includes our tenants. And this is something we’ve been working the logistics out for quite a long time. Yes, we did visit other airports that have done this. We’ve also done this before. We still have employees here who remember page field to this airport. So, this is something that’s been going on behind the scene while terminal was being built.”

September 9th is the first Friday after the busy Labor Day weekend. And it’s historically a slow time for “RSW.” The new midfield terminal doubles the number of gates at Southwest Florida International… and leaves room to grow.

The number of endangered snail kites in the Florida Everglades declined 50 percent in the last 4 to 6 years. That’s according to figures from the National Wildlife and Florida Wildlife Federations. They blame the decline on water management practices by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Monday the groups filed suit against the Corps in federal court. Valerie Alker has more. (AUDIO)

Lee County is now out of the business of running nursing homes. The county turned over full ownership of Shady Rest Care Pavilion to a not-for-profit in Fort Myers today. Lee County has owned the nursing home since 1958, when it opened the 60-bed facility. It’s been expanded several times over the decades… and now has 180-beds. Lee County commissioners agreed to work toward privatization more than 5 years ago. The not-for-profit - Shady Rest Care Pavilion, Inc. – has operated in the interim…and now has full ownership. The County’s Director of Human Services - Karen Hawes – says it took immense effort and dedication to make the transition possible. She says she has confidence in the new owners.

“County government shouldn’t be in the business of owning and operating nursing homes. It’s much better when they’re in the private sector…and this being a not-for-profit, community board of directors, it will continue the love and the care that we’ve had traditionally in this community.”

The Lee County Board of Commissioners authorized the issuance of $7 million worth of Industrial Development Authority Bonds to finance the purchase. Fifth-Third Bank handled the financing. The staff and management at Shady Rest will remain.