IT'S THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.

COMING UP.

IT MAY SEEM LIKE AN UNLIKELY PAIRING OF GROUPS COMING TOGETHER TO HELP PEOPLE FROM ANOTHER NATION.

A SOUTHWEST FLORIDA RESTAURANT AND A JEWISH CONGREGATION TEAM UP TO HELP PEOPLE REELING FROM THE EARTHQUAKES IN VENEZUELA.

FIND OUT HOW A SHELTER FOR HOMELESS AND ABUSED CHILDREN IN COLLIER COUNTY.

IT PROVIDES MORE THAN BASIC NECESSITIES.

THE STORY OF 4 YOUNG PEOPLE OVERCOMING EXTRAORDINARY CHALLENGES TURN THEIR HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS.

AND MULTI MILLION DOLLAR EFFORTS ARE UNDERWAY TO REVIVE THE HEARTBEAT OF THE DUNBAR COMMUNITY.

WE TAKE YOU THROUGH HISTORIC MCCOLLUM HALL TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PLANS FOR ITS FUTURE.

HELLO, I'M JENNIFER CRAWFORD.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

ACCORDING TO U.S.

CENSUS NUMBERS, THE POPULATION OF VENEZUELAN RESIDENTS HAS GROWN IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN THE PAST DECADE WHEN EARTHQUAKES ROCKED THE COUNTRY 2 AND A HALF WEEKS AGO, KILLING ALMOST 4,000 PEOPLE.

THE CALLS FOR HELP WERE FELT IN OUR STATE AS WELL.

THESE ARE SCENES FROM AFTER THE QUAKE STRUCK THE REGION ON JUNE 24TH IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, A LATIN AMERICAN RESTAURANT AND A JEWISH SYNAGOGUE.

IT HAVE JOINED FORCES REACHING ACROSS THE SEA TO GIVE BACK WGCU NEWS CULTURE AND CONNECTIONS.

REPORTER ELIZABETH ANDARGE SHOWS US THEIR WORK AND WHY IT IS FAR FROM OVER.

>> IN JUNE, A POWERFUL EARTHQUAKE TORE THROUGH VENEZUELA KILLING MORE THAN 3,000 PEOPLE.

HUNDREDS ARE STILL MISSING.

WATCHING IT UNFOLD WAS TOO CHALLENGING FOR EL ON THE CAPE RESTAURANT OWNER ELIZABETH PUT R US.

>> LET'S DO SOMETHING WHEN WE START COLLECTING ITEMS SO WEAK TO START SENDING TOO MANY SWIN CASH INTO ANOTHER ORGANIZATION.

WE FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A CONTAINER IN MIAMI THAT THEY WITH FILLING UP TO SEND TO A NICE WIN THAT SO WE TEAMED UP AND WE SEND >> WITHIN DAYS, A LARGE ROOM WITH HER RESTAURANT TURNED INTO A RELIEF WAREHOUSE FOR PEOPLE AFFECTED DIAPERS, FOOD, PET SUPPLIES, HYGIENE PRODUCTS, ALL PACKED AND READY TO GO UNDER A VENEZUELAN FLAG ON THE WALL.

WORD TRAVELED FAST ALL THE WAY ACROSS TOWN TO LIVE LAU FOR HIS CONGREGATION, TEMPLE.

BETH SHALOM.

>> WE HAD SEEN ON THE NEWS THAT TERRIBLE DEVASTATION THAT WAS GOING ON AND VENEZUELA BETWEEN THE 2 EARTHQUAKES AND KNEW THAT WE HAD TO DO SOMETHING.

WHATEVER IT WAS.

SO WE HAD GOTTEN IN TOUCH WITH ELIZABETH FOR MILK HAD IT.

WE AGREED THAT SHE WAS DOING A COLLECTION.

>> NOPE ATTORNEY SAYS EFFORT TO HELP WAS SPREADING TEMPLE.

BETH SHALOM STARTED GATHERING ITEMS AS WELL.

THEN SHOWING UP WITH CAR LOADS OF SUPPLIES, DONATIONS EVENTUALLY PILED UP.

AND THUS FAR AS COLLECTING AT ALL TURN SO THAT WAS THE EASY PART.

>> WE STILL HAVE A LOT OF ITEMS THAT WE HOLD.

A BLESSING COMES FROM ANYWHERE AND TELLS US, HEY, I HAVE A LITTLE SMALL SPOT OPEN THAT, YOU KNOW, WE CAN SHIP SOME STUFF.

I WOULD GLADLY BRING IT TO THEM.

>> EVERYTHING STILL HAS TO GET TO MIAMI TO CATCH A SHIPPING CONTAINER ALREADY BOUND FOR VENEZUELA.

THEY'RE ASKING ANYONE WITH A CONNECTION TO REACH OUT TO THEM DIRECTLY.

>> I FEEL THAT.

>> NOT JUST BECAUSE SOME TO US, BUT BECAUSE SOME HUMAN BEING THAT WE NEED TO HELP EACH OTHER.

AND I ALWAYS SAY THAT THOSE THAT HAVE HAVE SICK KIDS TO THOSE THAT DON'T AND THEY NEED OUR HELP DESPERATELY THE PEOPLE AT THE COLLECTING THE PEOPLE AND THE 18 FLORES OF RUBBLE AND THEY WERE TAKING THEM OUT AND THEY NEEDED HELP.

AND IF WE DON'T HELP EACH OTHER, THEN WHO WOULD HELP THEM?

>> FOR WGCU NEWS, I'M ELISABETH ANDARGE >> FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE DONATIONS BEING COLLECTED FOR VENEZUELA AFTER THE DEVASTATING QUAKES AND TO SEE MORE CULTURAL STORIES ACROSS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

YOU CAN VISIT WGCU DOT ORG.

LOSING YOUR HOME IS A SIGNIFICANT FEAR FOR SOME PEOPLE IN COLLIER COUNTY FOR TEENAGERS, HOMELESSNESS CAN CONTRIBUTE TO PROBLEMS WITH MENTAL HEALTH SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.

ALMOST 2000 CHILDREN IN COLLIER COUNTY ARE HOMELESS.

BUT WITH THE HELP OF A COLLIER COUNTY YOUTH SHELTER FOR TEENAGERS WHO WERE ONCE HOMELESS ARE NOW ON THE TRACK TO SUCCESS.

JOINING ME IN STUDIO, THE CEO OF YOUTH HAVEN, LINDA GOLDFIELD TO SHARE MORE ABOUT 4 REMARKABLE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO DEFIED EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES TO GET THEIR HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT, ALI.

MY PLEASURE TO BE HERE.

IT'S AN HONOR.

>> 2 TO BE HERE TO SHARE THE STORY OF THESE 4 TEAMS AND THE SHARE, THE STORY OF HUGH PAYMENT.

>> CAN YOU FIRST EXPLAIN THE MISSION OF YOUTH HAVEN?

ABSOLUTELY.

SO WE WERE FOUNDED IN 1972.

WE'RE THE ONLY SHELTER IN OUR COMMUNITY FOR CHILDREN HIT THEN REMOVED FROM THEIR HOMES BY THE DEPARTMENT.

>> OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES FOR PEACE, NEGLECT AND OFTENTIMES HOMELESSNESS.

OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE HOME HOPE AND HEALING 2 CHILDREN AND TEENS OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

OUR CAMPUS IS A 25 ACRE CAMPUS AND WHICH CHILDREN TEENS LIVE ON THAT CAMPUS HEAL FROM THE TRAUMA MOVE BEYOND THAT TRAUMA REGAIN THEIR CHILDHOOD REGAIN THEIR TEENAGE YEARS AND HAVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR BETTER FUTURE PART OF YOUTH HAVENS PROGRAM IS A PROGRAM CALLED DROPS COTTAGE.

SO HOMELESS TEEN TRANSITIONAL PROGRAM FOR TEENS AGED 16 TO 21.

WE HAVE CLOSE TO 1800 HOMELESS TEENS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

TEAMS THAT ARE COUCH SURFING, LIVING IN THE WOODS LIVING IN THEIR CARS, LIVING IN A HOUSE WITH NO APPARENT ON OUR PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO ENSURE THAT HOMELESS TEENS AREN'T HOMELESS ADULTS.

DID YOU SAY 1800 S THAT'S UNBELIEVE?

IT IS UNBELIEVABLE.

AND WE LIVE IN WHY WE LIVE IN SUCH AN AFFLUENT COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE LOTS OF SADLY POVERTY IN OUR COMMUNITY.

FAMILIES THAT ARE STRUGGLING.

JUST ONE INCIDENT AWAY FROM FROM TRAGEDY AND WE'RE HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO SERVE THESE CHILDREN THAT HAVE COME FROM SITUATIONS THAT BY NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN.

BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO CONTINUE TO LIVE WITH THEIR FAMILIES.

>> AND THEN YOU RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THAT YOU HAD FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WE'VE SEEN MANY GRADUATIONS RECENTLY ALL ACROSS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA DURING A MAY.

IT'S A POPULAR TIME, OBVIOUSLY FOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES.

WHAT MAKES THESE 4 CASES SO AMAZING.

>> SO THESE YOUNG TEENS ARE JUST EXTRAORDINARY.

>> HAVE PASSION, CONVICTION HAVE OVERCOME SO MUCH ADVERSITY TO TO WALK ACROSS THE STAGE AND RECEIVE THEIR DIPLOMAS.

SO FOR SO MANY OF US, OUR CHILDREN, OUR GRANDCHILDREN, NIECES, THAT NEPHEWS, OUR OWN EXPERIENCE, OUR SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL WAS FILLED WITH FUN ANTICIPATION, THE THOUGHTS OF FAMILY TOGETHER WITH PHOTOS AND AND PARTIES AND CELEBRATING WHERE YOUR NEXT CHAPTER WOULD BE.

BUT FOR OUR CHILDREN WHO'VE HAD FOOD INSECURITY, HOMELESSNESS, ABUSE, NEGLECT.

THE ABILITY TO GET UP EVERY DAY AND GO TO HIGH SCHOOL TO SHOW UP FOR CLASS WAS ACHIEVEMENT IN ITSELF AND THEN THEY FOUND THEIR WAY TO YOUTH HAVEN AND WERE ABLE TO REALLY FLOURISH.

BLOOM AND EXPLORE ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE.

>> HOW DOES YOUTH HAVEN HELP THEM ACHIEVE THIS DIPLOMA?

WHAT EXACTLY DO THEY DO?

SO WE HAVE A COTTAGE OF STAFF THAT SERVE AS MENTORS PROVIDING ARE PROVIDING RESOURCES WHETHER IT IS EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT.

>> CASE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT FINANCIAL SUPPORT, ALL OF THE THINGS THAT THEY NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

ONE OF OUR YOUNG MAN THAT REALLY COMES TO MIND REALLY STRUGGLED WITH HIS HOME LIFE.

AND BEFORE YOU CAME TO UP, THEN I WAS TOLD THAT HE WOULD NEVER AMOUNT TO ANYTHING.

AND SO IF YOUR ENTIRE LIFE YOU CAN TELL THAT YOU CAN'T ACHIEVE SUCCESS, THAT YOU'RE NOT WORTHY.

YOU START TO BELIEVE THAT.

AND WHEN HE MADE HIS WAY TO YOUTH HAVEN BEING SURROUNDED BY LOVING, NURTURING, CARING PEOPLE WHO SAW THAT HE WAS RIGHT, THAT HE HAD THE CAPACITY WHO BELIEVED IN HIM.

HE TOO STARTED TO TRANSFORM HIM, BELIEVE IN HIMSELF.

GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL WAS HONORED TO WATCH HIM WALK ACROSS THE STAGE.

HE WANTS TO GO INTO THE MILITARY AND IS CONSIDERING GOING TO COLLEGE FOR PHILOSOPHY UP OFF THE HICKS.

THAT'S WONDERFUL.

IT IS GOING TO.

AND HOW ABOUT THE OTHER 3 GRADUATE?

SO WE HAVE ANOTHER YOUNG MAN ON THE CAMPUS WHO WHEN 2 TECHNICAL SCHOOL AND HAS NOW DECIDED THAT HE SUPPLIES JUST APPLIED FOR COLLEGE AND WANTS TO BECOME AN ENGINEER.

ONE OF THE YOUNG GIRLS ON THE CAMPUS AGAIN CAME FROM IT.

PEACE OF SITUATION WHEN ALSO TO A TECHNICAL SCHOOL.

AND WHAT'S BECOMING A STATISTIC AN AND THE 4TH GRADUATE WAS PLAYING BASKETBALL AT HIS HIGH SCHOOL, STRUGGLED WITH THE FAMILIES TO CHEW ATION.

THAT WAS, AGAIN, A PIECE OF A NEGLECTFUL AND IS WORKING AND WANTS TO PASS THE PURSE, PURSUE AN EDUCATION IN THE TRADE.

>> WHY IS THIS SO SIGNIFICANT IN COLLIER COUNTY?

>> TO SEE THESE MILESTONES BEING MET BY THESE YOUNG PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY THINK WE LIVE IN A COMMUNITY WHERE EVERYONE SEES SUCH ACCESS AND AFFLUENCE AND JUST ASSUMES THAT THAT'S WHAT THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY IS.

AND WHEN YOU'RE A YOUNG TEEN WHO IS STRUGGLING TO TO FIGURE OUT WHERE YOUR NEXT MEAL IS COMING FROM.

WE'RE GOING TO FIND ELECTRICITY TO STUDY.

WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A SHOWER.

HOW ARE YOU GOING TO GET TO SCHOOL TO BE ABLE TO?

GO THROUGH ALL OF THAT AND THEN ACHIEVE SUCCESS GRADUATE AND SEE THAT YOU HAVE A PATH FORWARD AND JUST SEEING THAT PROGRAM, MANY TEENS WHO'VE COME BEFORE YOU'VE HAD GREAT SUCCESS AND ARE AND THEN BARKED ON THEIR CAREERS ARE LIVING INDEPENDENTLY.

STILL KEEP IN TOUCH WITH US ARE STILL PART OF OUR COMMUNITY.

AND FOR THOSE KIDS TO SAY THAT THAT IS THEIR FUTURE, I THINK, IS REALLY UPLIFTING AND INCREDIBLE FOR THEM.

>> IF ANYONE WANTS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUTH HAVEN AND ITS PROGRAMS OR VOLUNTEER, WHAT SHOULD THEY DO?

ABSOLUTELY SHOULD LOOK AT OUR WEBSITE YOUTH HAVEN.

>> WHERE YOU WWW CADENCE SW F L DOT ORG.

YOU CAN LOOK AT OUR WEBSITE TO SEE THE OPPORTUNITIES HAVE HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT OUR ORGANIZATION, HOW YOU CAN BECOME INVOLVED ARE MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO BE A LAY LEADER ON OUR CAMPUS, TOO, TO COME IN AND INTERACT WITH THE CHILDREN TO GET TO KNOW THEM TO BE A POSITIVE INFLUENCE IN THEIR LIVES BECAUSE FOR ALL OF OUR CHILDREN ON OUR CAMPUS, THEY HAVE BEEN CONTINUALLY DISAPPOINTED BY ADULTS IF SHE FAILED TO SHOW UP FOR THEM.

SO FOR THEM TO SEE THAT THE COMMUNITY SUPPORTS THEM IS ENGAGED WITH THEM, IS THERE TO SUPPORT THEM REALLY MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR LIVES AND IN PARTICULAR, IN ROB'S COTTAGE, OUR OPERATING BUDGET THIS YEAR IS 9 MILLION DOLLARS FOR YOUTH HAVEN.

8 MILLION OF THAT COMES FROM COMMUNITY SUPPORT.

ROB'S COTTAGE ENTIRE BUDGET COMES FROM COMMUNITY SUPPORT, THE SHOWING FOUNDATION AND THE AND AND CF WHICH IS THE WINTER WINE FESTIVAL ARE THE 2 PRIMARY FUNDERS FOR THAT PRESSURE.

TRULY INCREDIBLE.

HOW GENEROUS THE DONORS.

ABSOLUTELY.

WE COULD NOT TO WHAT WE DO WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY THAT WE HAVE.

THE CHALLENGES WERE NOT HELPING HOMELESS TEENS.

NOW HOMELESS CHILDREN NOW SADLY TAX DOLLARS WILL BE HELPING THEM LATER IN LIFE BECAUSE THEY'RE MORE INCLINED TO HAVE HEALTH ISSUES.

BUT EMOTIONAL HEALTH ISSUES, PHYSICAL HEALTH ISSUES, MORE INCLINED TO END UP HOMELESS AGAIN, I END UP INCARCERATED AND SO WE NEED TO ENSURE IS A COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY.

THEY ARE THE FUTURE OF THIS COMMUNITY.

THEY DESERVE EVERY OPPORTUNITY THAT OUR OWN CHILDREN AT THAT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

I THINK MY PLEASURE.

THANK YOU.

>> COMING UP, MORE PEOPLE MOVING TO THE AREA MEANS MORE DEMAND FOR MAIL SERVICES.

WE LOOK AT CHALLENGES AND POSSIBLE TECH SOLUTIONS WHEN IT COMES TO MAKING SURE THOSE LETTERS ARE DELIVERED THE POPULATION GROWTH ACROSS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA STRAINS INFRASTRUCTURE AS WELL AS OTHER SERVICES THAT WE RELY ON EVERY DAY.

WGCU REPORTER YOUN JO PARK LOOKS AT HOW DEVELOPMENT IMPACTS MAIL SERVICE AND HOW THE POSTAL SERVICE IS WORKING TO KEEP UP WITH INCREASING DEMANDS.

>> HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA ARE GOING UP.

IN FACT, SO FAST THAT IT'S COMMON TO SEE CONDOS AND HOUSES POP-UP FROM THE GROUND IN WEEKS.

MORE RESIDENTS IS MEANS A GREATER IMPACT WHEN IT COMES TO DELIVERING THE MAIL BECAUSE MORE HOMES MEANS MORE MAILBOXES IN ESTERO NEW COMMUNITIES ALONG CORKSCREW ROAD.

KEEP MAIL CARRIERS LIKE RODNEY.

DORIS LEE >> MORE ON THAT.

THAT WAS IS KEEPING THE NEW HOUSE PEOPLE CAN MOVE IN.

EVERY SINGLE DAY TO MOVE IN.

THAT'S WHY THIS VOTE IS GOING OUT NOW.

YOU KNOW, WHEN I FIRST SAW HERE WERE NOT SO MUCH THE CITY IS AT ALL.

WELL, NOW, YOU KNOW, WE HAD A PUBLIC STREET, YES, IT GOING IN AND OUT COMMITMENT.

WE'RE IN THE MORNING FOR FOLKS TO COME.

>> FOR DOOR, SULLY, THE ROSE AND ROSE AND ROSE OF MAILBOXES.

OUR EVIDENCE OF HOW HIS ROUTE HAS GROWN BY 2 FOLD.

INSIST 2 YEARS.

LOOKING TO HELP OUT MAIL CARRIERS LIKE DOOR SUNDAY, THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE IS OUTFITTING SEND DISTRIBUTION CENTERS WITH UPGRADED TECHNOLOGY, INCLUDING ADVANCED SORTING MACHINES.

THESE NEW SOPHISTICATED SORTERS COULD NOT HAVE COME FAST ENOUGH FOR JAMES CHAMBERS.

POSTMASTER OF THE FORT MYERS POST OFFICE.

WE ARE GROWING.

>> WHEATON BOUNDS HERE IN THE FORT MYERS CAPABLE AREA.

AND THESE FACILITIES ARE MUCH MORE TECHNOLOGY.

ADVANCED.

AND WE CAN ADD THOSE NEW DELIVERIES MUCH QUICKER, MUCH MORE EFFICIENT AND GIVE PEOPLE THE MAIL ON TIME.

>> HE EXPLAINS THE DIFFERENCE THAT THESE MACHINES MAKE.

>> NOW WE CAN ONLY SAW ONE PERSON UP TO ABOUT 280.

THIS MACHINE WILL SOAR 4600.

>> THAT'S NEARLY A 15 TIMES INCREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF MAIL THAT CAN BE SORTED.

FIA AUTOMATION.

THESE NEW UPGRADES ARE COMPLETED AT THE PAGE FIELD LOCATION.

A FORT MYERS.

BESIDES FORT MYERS, THE OFFICIAL USPS SPREADSHEET SHOWS THERE ARE 4 OTHER REMAIN POST OFFICES IN THE COUNTY IN BONITA SPRINGS ESTERO, THE HIGH ACRES IN SANIBEL.

CURRENTLY THE LEE COUNTY DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY MAP SHOWS A FLURRY OF NEW HOUSING CONSTRUCTION MOSTLY EAST OF I-75 THE NEWEST MAIL.

SORTING MACHINES ARE INTENDED TO IMPROVE POST OFFICE EFFICIENCY.

BUT THE QUESTION REMAINS HOW MIGHT MAIL DELIVERY SPEED IMPACT IT AS MORE HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS ARE BUILT ACROSS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA FOR WGCU NEWS.

I'M YOUN JOO PARK.

>> WHEN IT COMES TO HISTORIC BUILDINGS IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

ONE OF THOSE THAT'S STILL STANDING AND HAS BEEN THROUGH MULTIPLE RENOVATION FACES IS MCCOLLUM HALL IN DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS.

THE BUILDING HAS ITS OWN HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND REDEVELOPMENT WEBSITE.

THE CALLS THE CENTER A BEACON OF COMMUNITY CREATIVITY AND CONNECTION WGCUS CULTURE AND CONNECTIONS.

REPORTER ELIZABETH ANDARGE GIVES US A LOOK AT WHAT ONE GROUP HAS IN STORE TO PRESERVE THE BUILDING AND ITS HISTORY.

>> OUTSIDE THE ART TELLS THE STORY OF WHAT THIS PLACE ONCE MEANT.

INSIDE.

A DIFFERENT PICTURE.

>> THIS SILLY.

WELL, AND THIS IS GOING UP, BUT THERE WILL BE ABOUT ME.

>> CLIFFORD MCCOLLUM BUILT THIS WHOLE IN 1938.

SO BLACK RESIDENTS HAD SOMEWHERE TO GO SHOPS ON THE GROUND FLOOR AND THE BALL ROOM UPSTAIRS WHERE LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND DUKE ELLINGTON PERFORMED THIS PART OF THE CHIPMAN CIRCUIT DURING WORLD WAR 2, IT'S SERVED TO SEE PROGRAM FOR BLACK SERVICEMEN.

OVER THE DECADES.

BUSINESSES CLOSED AND THE CROWDS STOP COMING.

IT WAS.

>> AND WILL BE AGAIN, LIKE THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY.

THIS IS WHERE AFRICAN-AMERICANS HAD A PLACE TO SHOP DURING SEGREGATION.

THIS WAS THE PLACE TO BE.

>> MICHELLE HILTON, TERRY IS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY.

HER ORGANIZATION BOUGHT THE BUILDING IN 2008, 3 DEVELOPERS TRIED AND FAILED TO RESTORE IT LAST SUMMER.

THIS YEAR A COMMISSION TOOK THE PROJECT OVER THEMSELVES AND THIS WEEK THEY PUT UP A SIGN SHOWING THE PUBLIC.

SO WE WHERE THINGS STAND.

>> WHAT HIS NEW CONFIDENCE, IN FACT THAT WE'RE DOING.

WE HAVE BEEN DIRECTIVE.

BUT THE COMMISSION AND THEY ARE 100% BEHIND US AND SUPPORTING STAFF TO GET IT DONE.

SO WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT THIS TIME IS THAT THE PUBLIC PEACE, WHICH WAS WHAT IS GOING TO BE REQUIRED.

>> THE PLAN CALLS FOR CULTURAL ARTS CENTER AND THEY'VE ALREADY STARTED ACCEPTING PROPOSALS FOR RESTAURANT.

STILL HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD'S HAVE TO SIGN OFF BUT IF APPROVALS COME THROUGH CONSTRUCTION COULD START SOON.

THIS COMMUNITY IS WATCHING ARE ELECTED ARE WANTING.

>> ALL EYES ARE ON THIS PROJECT BECAUSE IT'S SO IMPORTANT.

>> AND SO GIVING UP IS THAT OPTION?

>> THE ORGANIZATION IS PROMISING 2028 AND DUNBAR IS WATCHING FOR WDC.

YOU NEWS ONLINE, ELIZABETH AND RG.

>> COMING UP, PROOF THAT YOU'RE NEVER TOO OLD TO SET FOOT ON THE DANCE FLOOR OR PICK UP A NEW MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

AND THE CLASSIC VEIN OF VARIETY SHOWS FROM THE PAST.

SEE HOW THESE PERFORMERS SHINE ON STAGE.

THE U.S.

JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AND 17 STATES REACHED SETTLEMENT AGREEMENTS WITH 3 MAJOR AG PRODUCERS TO RESOLVE ALLEGATIONS THAT THE COMPANY'S COLLUDED FOR YEARS TO RAISE A PRICES THAT INCLUDES WHEN THE CUT COSTS SOARED TO RECORD HIGHS LAST YEAR.

MARISA, DO HANEY LOOKS AT HOW THE INVESTIGATION STARTED AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOU.

THE NEXT TIME YOU GO TO BUY A CARTON OF EGGS.

>> REMEMBER WHEN EGG PRICES SPIKED LAST YEAR?

TURNS OUT IT WASN'T INFLATION.

3 MAJOR AT PRODUCERS CAL-MAINE FOODS FOR SILVA AND HICKMAN'S EGG RANCH HAVE REACHED A 3.3 MILLION DOLLARS SETTLEMENT WITH THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AND 17 STATES OFFICIALS ACCUSE THEM OF A SECRET ARRANGEMENT TO ARTIFICIALLY INFLATE DAILY AT PRICES BETWEEN 2022 2025.

AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE COMPANY'S BETTING SCHEME TO MANIPULATE THE NATIONAL INDEX, THE CONTROLS WHAT GROCERY STORES AND RESTAURANTS PAY FOR BILLIONS OF EGGS BY ALLEGEDLY BREAKING THE DATA.

THEY DIRECTLY DROVE UP WHOLESALE COSTS, FORCING GROCERY STORES, RESTAURANTS AND EVERYDAY CONSUMERS TO PAY THE PRICE.

AVERAGE USA PRICES SOARING TO A RECORD HIGH OF ABOUT $6 AND $0.23 PER DOESN'T IN MARCH 2025, AND PRODUCERS BLAME SEVILLA BIRD FLU OUTBREAK THAT FORCED FARMERS TO SLAUGHTER MILLIONS OF EGG-LAYING CHICKENS FOR THE SKYROCKETING PRICES.

BUT CRITICS ACCUSE THE CORPORATE GIANTS OF WEAPONIZING THEIR MARKET DOMINANCE TO GAS CONSUMERS TRIGGERING A GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATION UNDER THE DEAL.

NONE OF THE COMPANIES ADMITTED WRONGDOING, HOWEVER, TO SETTLE THE STATE'S CLAIMS.

THE EGG PRODUCERS WILL BE ON THE HOOK FOR 3.3 MILLION DOLLARS.

AND 53 MILLION EGGS.

THE MONEY WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE STATES AND THE EGGS DONATED TO NONPROFITS AND FOOD BANKS.

THE SETTLEMENT STILL NEEDS COURT APPROVAL OF THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SAID TUESDAY THAT THE PROPOSED SETTLEMENT, QUOTE, RESOLVE YEARS OF CONDUCT THAT DRAGGED ON AMERICANS, FINANCES AND THEIR EVERYDAY LIVES.

>> COMING UP, THEY SHOULD THEY RATTLE.

THEY ROLLED ALL WELL PLAYING HARMONICA, PIANO AND SINGING THE OLDIES, A CHORUS OF RESIDENTS FROM CARLISLE, SENIOR LIVING IN NAPLES PERFORM A VARIETY SHOW WGC YOU REPORTER DANA HARPSTER TAKES US THERE.

>> RESIDENTS >> FILLED THE LARGE LIVING ROOM AT THE CARLISLE AND A RECENT SATURDAY EVENING FOR THE 1950'S THEMED SHOW FEATURING MEMBERS OF THEIR COMMUNITY.

MOST OF THE PERFORMERS WERE IN THEIR 80'S AND AGE.

CERTAINLY DIDN'T TELL THEIR ENTHUSIASM FOR THE SONGS OF THEIR YOUTH SHAHRAM.

86.

>> OK, FRANK, I'M 86.

>> I MAYBE 6.

>> AND WHAT TIME THE YOUNG 1, 7, 76.

>> MANY WERE POODLE SKIRTS OR FEDORAS FOR SOME LIKE FRANK PSAKI.

IT WASN'T THEIR FIRST EXPERIENCE SINGING FOR AN AUDIENCE, BUT PERHAPS IT WAS THE MOST JOYFUL ONE THAT THIS THING WITH THE CHURCH CHOIR FOR ABOUT A YEAR.

>> THEY TOLD ME I WAS OFF KEY.

SO I JUST SAID >> I WOULDN'T BOTHER THING.

YOU NEED MORE.

SA FEE IS ORIGINALLY FROM ALBANY, NEW YORK AND RETIRED FROM THE AIR FORCE.

PIANIST.

CAROL MEZA ORIGINALLY FROM NEW JERSEY, ACCOMPANIED THE PROGRAM MOSTLY WITHOUT SHEET MUSIC.

>> IT'S A AND GET THE GOD REALLY LIKE TO SIT DOWN AND PLAY A SONG.

I LIKE HIS HIS RAGS TO RICHES.

IS THAT RIGHT?

DANA PLAYED.

>> A FURRY FOUR-LEGGED FRIEND PLAYED A PART AS AND MONICA PLAYER BUZZ COHN HAD RESIDENTS CLAPPED AND THE U.S.

THIS WAS NOT THE CARLO COURSES.

FIRST PERFORMANCE.

THEY ALSO STAGED AN ODE TO BROADWAY.

BUT THE 50'S THEMED EVENT REALLY ROCKED THE U.S.

>> AFFORDABLE UGC NEWS SAYS DANA HARPSTER.

>> WITH ELECTION SEASON RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER, WGCU IS BRINGING YOU UPDATES ON ISSUES AFFECTING YOUR LIFE LOCATIONS.

YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT.

AND ALSO THE CANDIDATES WHO YOU WILL SEE ON THE UPCOMING BALLOTS.

ON THURSDAY NIGHT.

WGCUS JOHN DAVIS AND NEWS PRESS REPORTER AT AMY BENNETT.

WILLIAMS MODERATED FORUM FOR 6 CANDIDATES WHO ARE RUNNING FOR THE LEE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD AS PART OF OUR COVERAGE LEADING UP TO THE AUGUST PRIMARY AND INTO THE NOVEMBER ELECTION.

WGCU PARTNERED WITH THE NEWS PRESS AND LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF LEE COUNTY FOR THIS FORUM.

IT TOOK PLACE AT THE FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY'S WATER SCHOOL AND STREAMED ONLINE BY ALL 3 OUTLETS.

THE COUNTY IS THE 8TH LARGEST DISTRICT IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

THE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD OVERSEES ALMOST 120 SCHOOLS AND ENROLLMENT EXCEEDS 100,000 STUDENTS.

AND EVEN IF YOU WEREN'T ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE IN-PERSON FORUM.

BUT HE WAS STILL LIKE TO KNOW MORE AND SEE WHAT THE CANDIDATES ARE IN WHAT THEY ARE SAYING.

YOU CAN VISIT WGCU DOT ORG.

YOU CAN ALSO CHECK OUT THE WGCU FACEBOOK PAGE.

AND AS FAR AS THE NEXT DATE FOR THE LEE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD RACES THE NEXT DATE ON THE CALENDAR IS THE PRIMARY ELECTION COMING UP, AUGUST 18TH.

COMING UP NEXT ON A SOUTHWEST, FLORIDA IN FOCUS, THE INTERSECTION OF HUMAN INTELLIGENCE AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE HAS COME TO FORT MYERS.

WE'RE STEPPING INTO AN INNOVATION HUB TO INVESTIGATE HOW H I A I IS INTEGRATING HUMAN JUDGMENT TO INCREASED RESPONSIBILITY AND AWARENESS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TO MAKE SURE YOU VISIT WGCU DOT ORG, WHERE YOU'LL FIND ALL OF OUR STORIES.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AGAIN BACK HERE NEXT WEEK FOR SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.