Ryan Arbogast

1 week ago | gulfcoastnewsnow.com | Ryan Arbogast

“Something that we encourage people to purchase is an EPIRB, which is an emergency position-indicating radio beacon. When your boat is sinking, you don’t know if you’re going to have 10 seconds or 10 minutes,” said Capt. Randy Yanez with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). FWC officers gave Gulf Coast News an exclusive look at the technology they rely on to save stranded or sinking boaters in life-or-death situations.

1 week ago | gulfcoastnewsnow.com | Ryan Arbogast

Gold and silver can now be used to pay off debts, taxes, and other financial obligations in Florida, thanks to a new law signed into effect by Gov. Ron DeSantis in late May. House Bill 999, sponsored by Rep. Doug Bankson, passed unanimously in both the Florida House and Senate.

1 week ago | gulfcoastnewsnow.com | Ryan Arbogast

A controversial proposal to build a large-scale boat docking facility in Chokoloskee Bay is drawing fierce opposition from island residents ahead of a public hearing scheduled for June 12.The proposed project, located at 388 Calusa Drive on the southern tip of Chokoloskee Island, includes a request for a 72-foot extension on top of the already allowed 20 feet. If approved, the dock would extend 92 feet into the bay.“I don't want a boat or that dock to tear my historical building down.

2 weeks ago | gulfcoastnewsnow.com | Ryan Arbogast

Twice a month, a hawk named Lilith takes to the skies over Naples Airport — not for show, but for safety. The Canadian-based company Predatory Bird Services is hired by airports across Florida to help prevent bird strikes — a potentially deadly threat to aircraft. Starting next month, their trained raptors will begin working at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), joining existing operations in Naples, Marco Island, Page Field, and Key West. “We call this abatement falconry.

2 weeks ago | gulfcoastnewsnow.com | Ryan Arbogast

BEFORE BEARS BECOME THE TARGET. >> IT'S TIME MANY HAVE AN OPINION TROPHY HUNTING IS PURE EVIL. PEOPLE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE. THIS PROPOSAL JUST AMOUNTS TO A UNREGULATED BEAR KILLED FIGHTING FOR AND AGAINST THE KILLING OF FLORIDA BLACK BUT IT DOES A CHILD HAVE TO KILLED OR SOME OTHER HALF TO BREAK OPEN COURT BECOMES AND THIS GREAT IMPORTANCE. PLEASE STOP TRYING TO DEFEND THE INDEFENSIBLE. FWC COMMISSIONERS BROKE DOWN WHAT A PROPOSED FLORIDA BLACK BEAR HUNT TO CONTROL.