Evan Dean

Fort Myers

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

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

Articles

Bills that would change Florida contractor laws fail in House, Senate

2 days ago | gulfcoastnewsnow.com | Evan Dean

ABOUT KILLING MORE CATS. THERE'S A NEW PUSH FROM SOME LAWMAKERS TO CRACK DOWN ON BAD CONTRACTORS SIDE. IS THERE ENOUGH SUPPORT TO MAKE THESE CHANGES HAPPEN? GULF COAST NEWS INVESTIGATOR EVAN DEAN IS FINDING OUT. HOW DO YOU THINK IT LOOKS? >> WE WE LOVE IT. YEAH, WE LOVE IT. >> ALLEN BUSH FINALLY HAS A NEW DRIVEWAY JUST FINISHED EARLIER THIS YEAR. FINALLY, WE SAY BECAUSE HE'D FIRST PLAN TO REDO IT NEARLY 6 YEARS AGO. IT'S EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING.
Hurricane victims say Irma rebuild program is plagued by problems, delays

1 week ago | gulfcoastnewsnow.com | Evan Dean

At Lisa Abraham’s home in North Fort Myers, some of the damage caused by Hurricane Irma has yet to be fixed. It gets worse with each new hurricane. It’s been like this for almost 8 years. “I mean, what can you do? I just feel restless and bored and angry,” Abraham told Gulf Coast News. “My life is nothing, you know. It's reduced to nothing.” Abraham didn’t have insurance when the storm hit.
The worst-rated bridges on our Gulf Coast - and what’s being done about them

2 weeks ago | gulfcoastnewsnow.com | Evan Dean

>> A LITTLE MORE THAN A YEAR AGO, A CARGO SHIP HIT A MAJOR BRIDGE IN BALTIMORE, KILLING 6 PEOPLE AND PUT A SPOTLIGHT ON THE STABILITY OF BRIDGES IN OUR COUNTRY ON THE GULF COAST. ARE BRIDGES HAVE BEEN BATTERED BY HURRICANES IN RECENT YEARS IN WASHED AWAY. PART OF THE SANIBEL CAUSEWAY CUTTING OFF ACCESS FOR WEEKS. OVERALL, THOUGH, FLORIDA IS A STATE WITH STRONG BRIDGES. THE LATEST DATA FROM THE NATIONAL BRIDGE INVENTORY SHOWS LESS THAN 3% OF OUR BRIDGES ARE IN POOR CONDITION.
Lee County Golden Apple Teacher: Kelsey Olsen

2 weeks ago | gulfcoastnewsnow.com | Evan Dean

>> SOMETIMES LIFE COMES FULL CIRCLE SOMETIMES AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME. LAKE COUNTY TEACHER KELSEY OLSON HAS LEARNED TO EMBRACE THE JOURNEY, ALWAYS KNOWING WHAT HER DESTINATION WOULD BE AS GULF COAST NEWS REPORTER EVAN DEAN FOUND OUT THE JOURNEY HAS HELPED HER BECOME GOLDEN. APPLE AWARD WINNER. >> IN FORT MYERS AT THE EDISON PARK, CREATIVE AND EXPRESSIVE ARTS SCHOOL. THERE'S RICH HISTORY HERE. WE'RE READY. >> YEAH.
Lee County Golden Apple Teacher: Jamie Miller

3 weeks ago | gulfcoastnewsnow.com | Evan Dean

>> IT COULD BE TOUGH FOR A TEACHER TO MAKE CIVICS LESSONS. INTERESTING TO MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS, STAFF COAST NEWS REPORTER EVAN DEED INTRODUCES YOU TO AT LEE COUNTY TEACHER JAMIE MILLER. HIS LESSONS ARE ROOTED IN HISTORY. THE LITTLE HUMOR THROWN IN. AT HARNS MARSH MIDDLE SCHOOL IN LEHIGH ACRES. BAR THAT SEE MILLER TEACHES 7TH GRADE CIVICS. THAT'S RIGHT. CIVICS. >> GETTING STUDENTS TO KNOW WHAT MUCH LESS CARE ABOUT. IT CAN BE A CHALLENGE.
Lee County Golden Apple Teacher: Danielle Hopkins

3 weeks ago | gulfcoastnewsnow.com | Evan Dean

At Hancock Creek Elementary School in North Fort Myers, maybe it’s her colorful glasses. Maybe it’s her homemade jewelry. But there’s just something about Danielle Hopkins that gives it away that she’s the art teacher. “I have a fun job,” Hopkins said, smiling. The proof is on the colorful walls, in the creative decorations and with the unique student assignments. But Hopkins is adamant that art is more than just the "fun" class. “The kids are learning skills that they can take outside the classes.
Lee County Golden Apple Teacher: Paul Chilson

3 weeks ago | gulfcoastnewsnow.com | Evan Dean

IN THE CLASSROOM. >> MOST PEOPLE YOU WOULD EXPECT WOULD BE LOOKING FOR THE EXIT. BUT THAT'S NOT THE CASE. FAIRLY COUNTY TEACHER PART TILSON WHO IS STILL GIVING 150% GULF COAST NEWS REPORTER EVAN DEAN INTRODUCES US TO THE GOLDEN APPLE NOMINEE. >> WE'LL TELL THEM ENTRY IN ESTERO. I'M GONNA PUT THE PICTURE ON THE SCREEN. PAUL GILLES SIMON IS NOW IN ITS 33RD YEAR AS A TEACHER. IF YOU THOUGHT ALL THAT CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE MIGHT DAMPEN HIS CLASSROOM EXCITEMENT, THINK AGAIN. I GO HOME, I'M EXHAUSTED.
Lee County Golden Apple Teacher: Janet Bernard

3 weeks 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?

1 month 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

1 month 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.