WGCU Staff

Jim Atterholt is retiring after swerving six years on the Fort Myers Beach Town Council, effective at the end of the year. First elected in March 2019, Atterholt's tenure included navigating the Town through the COVID-19 pandemic and multiple major storm events, including Hurricane Ian.

Streamlined care now available at Salus Care for adults and children experiencing co-occurring substance use and mental health care crises.

The name Ed Carlson is synonymous with the Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary and he could rightfully be described as a legendary figure in the Southwest Florida environmental community. He passed away on Dec. 9 at the age of 75. Carlson’s stewardship of the sanctuary began when he stumbled into an internship right as he was graduating from high school in Miami in the late 1960s. He studied zoology and ornithology in college at University of South Florida with an eye on working with the land and water and wildlife. When Audubon received a grant to study wetlands from the National Science Foundation - right as he graduated from USF - it led him back to the sanctuary and he never left. We remember him through a conversation recorded in 2019.

A 20-year-old Sarasota man has been indicted for possession of an unregistered firearm, a firearm with a removed serial number and receiving child sexual material. Lucas Alexander Temple faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison if convicted. Temple was previously arrested on a criminal complaint.

Lee County Parks & Recreation is inviting community members to share their favorite memories from past fairs and Southwest Florida Ag Expos as part of a special photo exhibit celebrating this year’s theme, “Roots ‘n’ Rides: A Celebration of Tradition.”

A search has been suspended off the Gulf shore for 57-year-old Attorney Randall Spivey, and his 33-year-old nephew Brandon Billmaier. The Coast Guard said they were reported missing at about 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19.

Entries are being accepted for the Friends of Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve 2026 Photo Contest honoring Carolyn Babb. The deadline is Jan. 31, 2026. The contest is limited to amateur photographers and only digital entries can be submitted. Photos must be of native species and must have been taken at the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, which includes Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve North.

The Sarasota County Fire Department wants the community to have a safe holiday season by sharing safety tips and demonstrating the possible dangers of a dry tree and flammable holiday décor. Dried-out trees are a fire danger and should not be left in the home or garage or against the home outside. Decorations should be at least three feet away from heat sources.