WEATHER ALERT
Number of dead sawfish soars to 40 as reports of spinning fish continue to roll in
Read full article: Number of dead sawfish soars to 40 as reports of spinning fish continue to roll inThe Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is now reporting at least 40 endangered smalltooth sawfish have died since January of this year. That number is up by two from last week.
Man bitten by crocodile in Florida Everglades after capsizing sailboat, falling in water
Read full article: Man bitten by crocodile in Florida Everglades after capsizing sailboat, falling in waterOfficials say a 68-year-old man fell off a sailboat in the Florida Everglades and was bitten by a crocodile while trying to swim to shore.
Video shows man being bitten, dragged out of boat by shark at Everglades National Park
Read full article: Video shows man being bitten, dragged out of boat by shark at Everglades National ParkA group of fishermen experienced a terrifying moment after one of them was pulled into the water by a shark that latched onto his hand.
Man accused of shooting at Everglades park rangers dies in custody
Read full article: Man accused of shooting at Everglades park rangers dies in custodyThe death of a 37-year-old man in federal custody who was accused of shooting at Everglades National Park rangers and police officers is the focus of an investigation.
Redheaded reptiles spreading across South Florida, raising concern
Read full article: Redheaded reptiles spreading across South Florida, raising concernThe Peter’s rock agama is another non-native reptile species calling South Florida home, and their skills as agile hitchhikers have scientists concerned.
Investigators search for arsonist after 11 suspicious fires at Everglades National Park
Read full article: Investigators search for arsonist after 11 suspicious fires at Everglades National ParkFederal and state investigators are searching for an arsonist who has been setting fires at the Everglades National Park.
Officials search for arsonists responsible for setting the Everglades on fire over the span of two months
Read full article: Officials search for arsonists responsible for setting the Everglades on fire over the span of two monthsA series of fires in Everglades National Park seem to have been intentionally lit by an arsonist, or multiple arsonists, over the past two months — and officials are looking to put an end to it once and for all.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announces signing of environmental agreement
Read full article: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announces signing of environmental agreementAt a news conference in Wellington, Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the signing of the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir’s Project Partnership Agreement.
Calling all stargazers! Everglades National Park rangers are inviting you to look up to the skies this weekend
Read full article: Calling all stargazers! Everglades National Park rangers are inviting you to look up to the skies this weekendEverglades National Park will be hosting special events this weekend to celebrate ‘Miami Dark Sky Week’.
Man charged with trying to kill Everglades park rangers
Read full article: Man charged with trying to kill Everglades park rangersMIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A 37-year-old of Palmetto Bay man faces federal attempted murder and firearms charges after authorities say he opened fire with an AK-47 at park rangers who were trying to get him out of an area of Everglades National Park on Sunday. According to a criminal complaint affidavit, investigators were responding to a domestic violence call where they observed “scrapes and marks on the face of Sikes’s alleged victim.”They then went searching for Sikes along Highway 9336, between the Mahogany Hammocks and Flamingo Park sections of Everglades National Park. Ad“At that point, according to the complaint affidavit, officers heard gunfire and felt rounds traveling over their heads. Despite officers’ continued commands that Sikes cease fire and emerge from the woods, Sikes continued shooting, says the affidavit.”Sikes is alleged to have fired 50 rounds at the rangers. Prosecutors say officers negotiated for over an hour with him before he eventually came out of the woods and was arrested.
Man who shot at rangers at Everglades National Park apprehended
Read full article: Man who shot at rangers at Everglades National Park apprehendedHOMESTEAD, Fla. – An active shooter response was initiated at Everglades National Park on Sunday after a suspect fired shots at law enforcement rangers along the main park road on State Road 9336. It all began earlier in the day when two park rangers responded to a domestic violence investigation at Mahogany Hammock. At 5:52 p.m., rangers located an empty vehicle on the main park road, just south of Paurotis Pond. Park rangers encountered an active shooter about 20 miles from the Homestead of Everglades National Park. (WPLG)Approximately 20 miles from the Homestead entrance at 6:45 p.m., the 33-year-old white man suspect fired shots at law enforcement rangers along the main park road on State Road 9336, authorities said.
Controlled fires in Florida Everglades being set to eliminate ‘monster’ invasive plant
Read full article: Controlled fires in Florida Everglades being set to eliminate ‘monster’ invasive plantBROWARD COUNTY, Fla. – Fire crews with the National Park Service have been igniting controlled fires in the Florida Everglades to control an invasive vine that’s been wreaking havoc on the native ecosystem. The plant, called Lygodium Microphyllum - and also known as Old World Climbing Fern - is a stealthy and invasive plant that was likely introduced as decorative vegetation that made its way into the Everglades in 1999. While many may think of the invasive Burmese python as a great threat to wildlife, scientists like Dr. Ellen Lake with the USDA Invasive Plant Research Lab in Davie say Lygodium could be more dangerous. (WPLG)Michael Gue, prescribed fire specialist with the National Park Service, said the vine can be easily spotted from a helicopter. “We’ve seen in Florida, in general, an increase in Lygodium so of course the Park Service is concerned,” said National Park Service botanist Hillary Cooley.
Traffic Alert: Crash blocks North Okeechobee Road in Miami-Dade
Read full article: Traffic Alert: Crash blocks North Okeechobee Road in Miami-DadeMIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A multivehicle crash is blocking U.S. 27 on Monday in Miami-Dade County, east of the Everglades National Park. The crash was blocking both the southbound and northbound lanes of U.S. 27, also known as North Okeechobee Road. The collision was on the southbound lanes of U.S. 27, between Krome Avenue and Northwest 186th Street. This is a developing story. Local 10 News Assignment Desk Editor Sandra Antonio contributed to this report.
US gives Florida wider authority over wetland development
Read full article: US gives Florida wider authority over wetland developmentFlorida accounts for about a fifth of the country’s wetlands and includes the Everglades, among the state’s most important environmental jewels. “The fact is that Florida’s proposed program to take over wetlands permitting doesn’t comply with federal environmental laws,” she said. Florida becomes the third state to gain broader permitting authority of wetlands under the federal Clean Water Act. Florida's request to gain sole permitting authority was launched under the administration of Gov. Ron DeSantis, also a Republican, took on that mantle and earlier this year formally petitioned the federal government to transfer that authority.
$25,000 offered for info about dead smalltooth sawfish
Read full article: $25,000 offered for info about dead smalltooth sawfishEVERGLADES CITY, Fla. – Wildlife officials and a non-profit group are offering $25,000 for information about six critically endangered smalltooth sawfish found killed in Florida. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Thursday that it would pay up to $20,000 for information leading to a criminal conviction or civil penalty. The Center for Biological Diversity announced an additional $5,000 reward. An Everglades National Park employee recently reported the dead sawfish and two dead bonnethead sharks along a causeway south of Everglades City, which is in Collier County. If you have information, you are urged to call the NOAA Enforcement Hotline at 1-800-853-1964.