Evan Dean

Fort Myers

Investigative Reporter at WBBH-TV (Fort Myers, FL)

Michigan native now living in the Sunshine State. Special projects at @NBC2. Former anchor & reporter at @WOODTV and @9and10News.

Articles

Lee County Golden Apple Teacher: Janet Bernard

6 days ago | gulfcoastnewsnow.com | Evan Dean

A COLLIER COUNTY TEACHER WHO'S BEEN IN THE CLASSROOM FOR 4 DECADES IS NOW NOMINATED FOR GOLDEN APP. >> AS GULF COAST NEWS, EVAN DEAN LEARNED FROM JANET BERNARD SUCCESS ISN'T ALWAYS MEASURED IN AWARDS. HARMS MARSHALL MIDDLE SCHOOL IN LEHIGH ACRES. ACTS SQUARE MINUS. IT'S BEEN QUITE A CAREER FOR 8TH GRADE MATH TEACHER, JANET BERNARD, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU CONSIDER THAT TEACHING WASN'T THE ORIGINAL PLAN. MY DREAM WAS ALWAYS TO HAVE A HOME WHERE CHILDREN WHO NEED HAVE JUST COME MONDAY. >> THEY'VE HAD.
What are your rights if someone boards your boat without permission?

2 weeks ago | gulfcoastnewsnow.com | Evan Dean

Former prosecutor and longtime defense attorney Michael Hornung, like many others, has seen the viral video of two boaters arguing on the Peace River. “It was pretty astonishing,” Hornung described. Hornung believes that Brock Horner, the charter boat captain in the video, will likely face criminal charges for his role in the confrontation.
Lee County Officer of the Year finalist: Jamie Bungard

2 weeks ago | gulfcoastnewsnow.com | Evan Dean

>> THE HOLES OF LAKE COUNTY SCHOOLS ARE PATROLLED BY SOME OF THE GULF COAST. FIND US AT OASIS MIDDLE SCHOOL IN CAPE CORAL. THERE'S ONE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER. HE'S NOT ONLY PROTECTING OUR KIDS, BUT BRINGING ENERGY TO THE HALLWAYS. JAMIE BEEN GUARD IS ONE OF 5 FINALISTS, FAIRLY COUNTY OFFICER OF THE YEAR. GULF COAST NEWS REPORTER EVAN DEAN FOUND OUT HOW HE'S LIVING OUT HIS DREAM. >> AND OASIS MIDDLE SCHOOL IN CAPE CORAL CHEF DAY AMONG THE 800 PLUS STUDENTS.
Lee County Officer of the Year Finalist: Nick Jones

3 weeks ago | gulfcoastnewsnow.com | Evan Dean

>> AND OVER. >> ALL SOUTHWEST FLORIDA. THERE'S POLICE OFFICERS THAT EXTRAORDINARY THINGS EVERY SINGLE DAY HONORING THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST LAW ENFORCEMENT ACROSS THE GULF COAST. FIRST RESPONDERS WHO GO ABOVE AND BEYOND DURING THE GOOD TIMES, SOMETIMES. >> PEOPLE THAT WE DEAL WITH THE COMMUNITY, THEY JUST NEED SOMEBODY TO LISTEN AND THE BAD WANT TO DO YOUR BEST FOR FOR EVERYBODY. BUT SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T WORK OUT THAT WAY. WE'RE INTRODUCING YOU TO ONE OF OUR AREA'S SELFLESS HEROES.
FMPD hopes to avoid arrests under new public sleeping ban

1 month ago | gulfcoastnewsnow.com | Evan Dean

In 2021, Lions Park in Fort Myers looked more like a makeshift campground than a public park. Out of the COVID-19 health crisis had emerged — a homeless crisis. “Thirty-eight tents (were there),” Mayor Kevin Anderson said. “Thirty-eighttents." Anderson remembers the situation clearly. It took time, but he and others were eventually able to get people out of the park and into transitional housing. “What we need is services,” Anderson said.
New legislation would create tougher penalties for illegal arcades

1 month ago | gulfcoastnewsnow.com | Evan Dean

Twin bills filed this week in the state legislature are taking aim at illegal arcades in Florida. House Bill 953and Senate Bill 1404 would create major changes to gaming laws in the state. The legislation, if approved, would create harsher penalties for people who run gambling houses, people who work at them and even those who rent space out for them. The bills also call for major penalties and fines for people who bring slot machines to the state for illegal arcades, among other penalties.
Nonprofit that helps adults with mental illness looks to renovate, expand

1 month ago | gulfcoastnewsnow.com | Evan Dean

13. 3 MORE MEETINGS ARE IN APRIL. >> IT'S ESTIMATED THAT. >> MORE THAN ONE IN 5 ADULTS HAVE A MENTAL ILLNESS. BUT ACCORDING TO THE FLORIDA HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION, ONLY ABOUT 63% OF THOSE FOR 63%. DO NOT GET TREATMENT TONIGHT. GULF COAST NEWS REPORTER EVAN DEAN SHOWED YOU THE NONPROFIT WORKING TO HELP MORE PEOPLE IN NEED. >> I WAS IN DENIAL LIKE I WAS LIKE, THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING TO ME. >> WHEN JACOB BROWN SUFFERED A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS A COUPLE YEARS AGO, IT CHANGED EVERYTHING.
‘Need to be felonies’: The push for tougher penalties for illegal arcades

1 month ago | gulfcoastnewsnow.com | Evan Dean

In 2023, the arcadecrackdown had reached Lee County. The Florida Gaming Control Commission sent letters to more than 50 arcades in the area, warning they may be operating illegally. Sheriff's deputies swarmed several of the small strip mall casinos, hauling off slot machines by the dozens. Amid the raids emerged one main question: Would this signal the end of illegal arcades for good in Lee County?
How one Lee County farm cut back on water usage by 40%

2 months ago | gulfcoastnewsnow.com | Evan Dean

While farming may be one of the oldest professions in Florida, they're embracing something new at Sakata Seed off State Road 82. The farm is now using soil moisture sensors. Thanks to ever-evolving technology, they can get the results right to their smartphones. “It's a matter of efficiency. It's a matter of being good stewards of our resources,” Cory Dombrowski told Gulf Coast News. “It enables us to get the plant just what it needs at the time it needs it.
Fentanyl overdose deaths decline in Lee, Collier counties

2 months ago | gulfcoastnewsnow.com | Evan Dean

While Marilyn Foley didn’t give birth to her son Jeremy, she was every bit his mother. She adopted him at just 5 weeks old. “He had a wonderful sense of humor,” she said. “He was very compassionate.” However, Jeremy Foley struggled with medical issues since birth, and surgeries often led to the use of heavy medications. Eventually, he started abusing drugs, including fentanyl. It's a pharmaceutical opioid that’s also illegally made and sold, usually in powder or pill form.