Students in Collier County will soon get a chance to feel what it’s like to drive under the influence – thanks to a new vehicle that simulates impaired driving. SIDNE (syndney)—or The Simulated Impaired Driving Experience – is an electric go-cart that allows drivers – once a switch is thrown – to feel like they’re driving drunk. The Collier County Sheriff’s office saw the 13-thousand dollar vehicle at a conference – but didn’t have money to buy it… until several local businesses stepped forward to foot the bill. Safety and Traffic officer - Lt. Harold Minch- says the hands-on experience is invaluable.

“Especially for new drivers who may have not had a lot of time behind the wheel – they actually have to control it on a course first as it drives regular, and then we hit a switch and can control your level of impairment as it drives around and simulates that. Because with kids we find they’re their best teachers – when they get to feel it and touch it and drive it it’s better than having a 42 year old man stand in front of you and tell you it’s bad to do something…we’d rather have you see that for yourself.”

The SIDNE go-cart will only be driven on an enclosed obstacle course – under direct supervision.
Students must first get a feel for driving on the “normal” setting before teachers throw the switch. Once it’s thrown - the level of impairment can be controlled remotely. Officers are undergoing training over the summer – and then will begin putting SIDNE to use once school’s back in session. Drivers education classes will be targeted first – but Lt. Minch says they may eventually use it on adults, also.

Florida and 30 other states require students in public school to get a vision screening. Of those, the vast majority—including Florida—don’t require that youngsters who fail receive further treatment. A new bill co-sponsored by U.S. Representative Connie Mack – of Cape Coral—seeks to address that issue in Florida and around the country. Mack stopped in Fort Myers today/Monday to announce the legislation – and encourage parents to monitor their children’s eyesight. He says an undiagnosed vision problem as a youngster made his academic career an uphill battle… and that he struggles even today.

“Those first couple years really do make a difference. I struggle today with my writing and with my grammar – and it’s because of missing those early years, those building blocks that you need so you can have a good long successful education process.”

The legislation would provide money to school districts for eye exams for kids who’ve failed initial vision screenings – but whose families don’t have the means to get them full exams. Lee County Schools Superintendent – Dr. Jim Browder – says Mack’s vision on this issue is crystal clear.

“His ability to if you will, see the future, is critical. And I believe that what he’s doing will allow all youngsters throughout the United States to come to school with an equal opportunity to learn because they can see clearly what they need to be able to see to be successful.”

Representative Mack says it’s still early in the legislative process – and that there’s still a lot of work left to get it passed.

Last week's passage in congress of the Central American Free Trade Agreement – or CAFTA - was bad news for domestic sugar producers – in south Florida and the Midwest. CAFTA allows countries to increase the amount of sugar they import to the United States. Domestic producers fear this will lower prices, cost jobs and lead to more trade concessions in the future. The close vote split Florida’s congressional delegation along party lines – with a notable exception. Valerie Alker has more. (AUDIO)

Congress has agreed to authorize eighty one point one million dollars for the expansion of Interstate 75 in Southwest Florida. U.S. Representative Connie Mack, a Republican of Cape Coral, who sits on the Transportation Committee, praised the appropriation. Mack aid, Jeff Cohen, says funding for improvements to the area’s crowded interstate highway has been a priority.



“He convinced the chairman of the house transportation committee to come and see for himself just how bad off I-75 is. In February or March Chairman Don Young did come to southwest Florida and we had a town hall about our problems and shortly thereafter the 72 millions dollars was authorized and here were are a few months later and its actually been upped to 81.1 million dollars. Connie is very happy.



Cohen says Mack worked together with fellow Floridian and Transportation Committee Member, Representative Mario Diaz-Ballart. Mack also acknowledged the support of Florida senators Bill Nelson and Mel Martinez in getting the appropriation bill out of the Senate. The funds will be used to widen of I-75 between the Lee/Charlotte County line and Golden Gate in Collier County.

Wildlife officials are using cutting-edge technology to monitor and manage the Florida Black Bear population…with an emphasis on bears killed by automobiles. While the exact size of the Florida Black Bear population is unknown – the number of bears that become road kill is rising.

In conjunction with the state’s Department of Transportation – scientists at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recently finished a study using genetic analysis to evaluate the overall size of the bear population – and how significantly roadkill is affecting it. Henry Cabbage is spokesman for the FWC.



“We set up about 7-thousand sites around the state – which are basically a square ring with barbed wire with some kind of lure inside. The bears would climb through the barbed wire to get to the lure and would snag their fur on the barbs and we would take those samples and send them off for DNA analysis so we could identify individual bears, and what became of them, and draw some conclusions about that.”



The study determined there are about 2-thousand Black Bears left in Florida. In southwest Florida, Big Cypress is home to approximately 700. It concluded the number of bears-- killed on roadways-- was occurring at a sustainable rate…and doesn’t pose an immediate threat to the overall population. There were 28 bears killed on roadways within the study area in 2002… more recent statistics were unavailable. Black Bears are Florida’s largest native land mammal. Vehicle collisions with bears can cause significant injury not only to the bear, but to motorists as well.

School impact fees in Lee County could rise 95 percent for every future single family home built. Those are one-time fees charged on new construction to help pay for services, including new school construction. The increase is a recommendation in a new 32-page study on school impact fees, released today. Amy Tardif has more.

Following the announcement a real estate developer is buying the Babcock Ranch… activists continue their calls for its preservation. In a letter today/Friday, the Babcock Preservation Partnership encouraged its members and supporters to contact local and state lawmakers.

Real estate developer Kitson & Partners is under contract to buy the 91-thousand acre property. CEO Syd Kitson has said his company wants to set aside “a large portion of the land for preservation.” That might include selling land to the state or counties. Kitson reiterated that goal during a conversation with Liz Donley of the Babcock Preservation Partnership. Donley says she wants details about how the state or counties might buy the land.



“Are those going to be fee-simple acquisitions wherein whomever buys it, owns the property outright. Or would some of them be less than fee-simple—which would be conservation easement. He also mentioned there could be a combination of those things.”



The preservation partnership wants the state and counties to buy as much of the land outright as possible. Donley says her organization also opposes changes to comprehensive plans in Lee & Charlotte counties that would allow for more density on the property. Much of Babcock Ranch is currently zoned “agricultural…” which allows for just 1 unit per 10 acres.