THIS IS SOUTH WEST, FLORIDA, IN FOCUS.

COMING UP, THE CLOCK IS COUNTING DOWN TO THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS AND WITH TIME RUNNING OUT THE CANDIDATES VYING TO BE FLORIDA'S NEXT GOVERNOR ARE LOCKING IN THEIR MAIN TALKING POINTS TO ENTICE VOTERS A BONITA SPRINGS LANDMARK IS CELEBRATING A MILESTONE.

WE'RE CHECKING OUT THE FESTIVITIES AS THE SHANGRI-LA SPRINGS SPA HOLDS A CENTENNIAL JAMAREE.

AND WE SHARE THE STORY OF A WOMAN WHO FLED MEXICO AFTER BEING KIDNAPPED.

THEN ESCAPING TO FIND A GREENER FUTURE.

MANAGING ONE OF THE TOP GOLF COURSES IN THE REGION.

I'M JENNIFER CRAWFORD, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US WITH THE GENERAL ELECTION.

NOW, JUST 7 WEEKS AWAY, THE BROAD ISSUE OF AFFORDABILITY IS TAKING CENTER STAGE IN FLORIDA'S RACE FOR GOVERNOR.

BOTH OF THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE BYRON DONALDS AND THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE DAVID JOLLY ARE USING IT ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL AND IN POLITICAL ADS, ALTHOUGH THE CANDIDATES APPROACH THE PROBLEM QUITE DIFFERENTLY, THEY OFFER VERY DIFFERENT REMEDIES AS WELL.

BUT IT REMAINS A FOCAL POINT IN A RACE THAT INDEPENDENT POLLS SHOW IS TIGHTENING.

AS WE MOVE CLOSER TO NOVEMBER.

JOINING ME NOW FOR A CLOSER LOOK IS WGCU HOST AND REPORTER JOHN DAVIS.

AND JOHN, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

AFFORDABILITY IS ONE OF THE KEY ISSUES IN THE FLORIDA GUBERNATORIAL RACE.

I THINK AFFORDABILITY REMAINS A KEY ISSUE AMONG.

>> FLORIDA RESIDENTS AND VOTERS.

>> YOU KNOW, WE PAY THE HIGHEST PROPERTY INSURANCE PREMIUMS IN THE COUNTRY.

THAT'S TO THE YOU KNOW, COMBINED ARE INCREASED RISK OF CATASTROPHES FROM HURRICANES AS WELL.

AS YOU KNOW, INFLATION DRIVING UP, REBUILDING COSTS, INCREASING PROPERTY VALUES MEANS INCREASING PROPERTY TAXES.

SO THAT'S MAYBE MAKING ART ARE PARTICULARLY FOCUSED ON FIXED INCOMES TO REMAIN IN THEIR HOMES, EVEN ON THEM OUTRIGHT HEALTH INSURANCE COSTS ARE ON THE RISE.

WE KNOW, YOU KNOW, FEDERAL SUBSIDIES FOR INSURANCE PLANS UNDER THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT WE'RE ALLOWED TO EXPIRE IN JANUARY.

FLORIDA HAD THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO RELIED ON THE ACA FOR ACCESS TO HEALTH COVERAGE.

JUST IN SHEER NUMBERS AND AND PROPORTION OF RESIDENTS, SOMETHING TO THE TUNE OF 400,000 OR 450,000.

PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY JUST DROP THEIR ACA PLANS BECAUSE THEY SAW THERE IN PREMIUMS DOUBLE OR IN SOME CASES, EVEN TRIPLE THE COST OF FUEL WE KNOW IS CONTINUING TO CLIMB THE CUT BECAUSE OF THE WAR WITH IRAN.

THE COST OF UTILITIES HAVE INCREASED AND JUST COST OF EVERYDAY CONSUMER GOODS.

EVERYBODY'S FEELING THIS.

SO THIS CREATES KIND OF AN UNUSUAL OPENING FOR DEMOCRATS TO CAMPAIGNS BECAUSE REPUBLICANS HAVE DOMINATED IN STATEWIDE AND LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS HERE IN FLORIDA IN RECENT YEARS.

SO THE QUESTION CAN I AFFORD TO LIVE HERE IS POTENTIALLY A MUCH MORE POWERFUL QUESTION ELECTORALLY.

THEN STAY A CONVENTIONAL DEMOCRATIC ARGUMENT ABOUT NATIONAL POLITICS.

>> HOW ARE THE DEMOCRAT, DAVID JOLLY AND REPUBLICAN BYRON DONALDS.

HOW ARE THEY FRAMING THIS ISSUE OF AFFORDABILITY IN THE CAMPAIGN?

>> SO JOEY AREAS JUMPING ON THIS OPPORTUNITY.

LIKE I JUST MENTIONED, HE'S REALLY FRAMING THIS AS A FAILURE OF REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS AND TURNING AFFORDABILITY KIND OF INTO A REFERENDUM OF THE EXISTING REPUBLICAN GOVERNANCE MODEL.

AND HE'S STRONGLY EMPHASIZING INSURANCE COSTS HERE.

HE WANTS TO CUT AFFORDABILITY.

HER EXCRETE EXCUSE ME, INCREASE, ADDRESS AFFORDABILITY BY CUTTING INSURANCE COSTS.

HOME INSURANCE COSTS BY 60 TO 70% THROUGH THE CREATION OF THE STATE RUN HURRICANE INSURANCE PROGRAM.

HE WANTS TO CAP POWER COMPANY PROFITS TO STOP OUT OF CONTROL RATES.

HE WANTS TO ADDRESS HEALTH CARE ACCESS BY ESTABLISHING LOWER COST HEALTH CARE CLINICS IN ALL.

67 COUNTIES ACROSS FLORIDA, DONALD, BY CONTRAST, HAS A VERY DIFFERENT DIAGNOSIS FOR WHAT'S BEHIND THE AFFORDABILITY CRISIS AND THEN THAT IT'S THE GOVERNMENT TAXES AND REGULATIONS AND MARKETING PROBLEMS THAT ARE DRIVING UP COSTS.

AND IT'S KIND OF INTERESTING THAT HE IS MAKING AFFORDABILITY.

A CENTRAL ISSUE AS WELL AS JOLLY BECAUSE THIS IS REALLY A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE FROM WHAT WE'VE SEEN IN YEARS PAST WHERE, YOU KNOW, CONSERVATIVES HAVE TENDED TO FOCUS ON THE CULTURE WAR ISSUES.

SO I THINK WE'RE SEEING A SHIFT AWAY FROM THAT AS WE SEE THE DESANTIS ERA COMING TO AN END, DONALD SAYS HE'S GOING TO CONTINUE TO WORK TO REDUCE HOMESTEAD PROPERTY TAXES, EVEN IF AMENDMENT 3 DOESN'T PASS A NOVEMBER ON INSURANCE.

HE WANTS MORE MARKET ORIENTED REFORMS AND YOU MAY HAVE SEEN THESE ATTACK ADS CLAIMING THAT JOLLY'S PLAN WOULD AMOUNT TO HER HURRICANE TAX THAT THEY SAY WOULD REQUIRE ABOUT 30 BILLION DOLLARS IN STATE FUNDS AND THEY CITING AN ESTIMATE THAT IT WOULD COST THE AVERAGE FLORIDA FAMILY ABOUT $1000 A YEAR.

NOW, JOLLY'S PLAN IS ACTUALLY BASED ON A MODEL, BUT HE INTRODUCED AN CONGRESSIONAL LEGISLATION.

HE DIDN'T GET PAST WHEN HE WAS IN CONGRESS FOR A NATIONAL CATASTROPHIC FUND.

IT'S NOT AN ACTUAL TAX LEVIED ON INDIVIDUALS OR HOUSEHOLDS.

IT'S REALLY JUST A REALLOCATION OF TAX DOLLARS.

BUT THE STATE ALREADY TAKES THEM.

SO IT WOULD ESSENTIALLY MOVE THE CATASTROPHIC HURRICANE RISK WHEN DAME AND RISK OUT OF POLICIES THROUGH THE PRIVATE MARKET, PRIVATE INSURERS TO PROVIDE HOME INSURANCE WILL STILL COVER THINGS LIKE FIRE AND FAST.

BUT THOSE THINGS THAT COULD POTENTIALLY AND, YOU KNOW, AND INSURANCE COMPANY IF A MAJOR STORM OR MULTIPLE MAJOR STORMS HIT THAT WOULD THEN BE COVERED BY THE STATE'S CATASTROPHIC FUND.

SO THEY'RE SAYING THAT THAT WOULD ACTUALLY MAKE FLORIDA A MORE COMPETITIVE MARKET FOR HOME INSURANCE COMPANIES AND THAT WOULD BRING DOWN PREMIUM COSTS.

BUT DONNA'S REALLY RAISES A LEGITIMATE QUESTION HERE.

IF THE STATE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THIS DAMAGE FROM HURRICANES, SOMEONE ULTIMATELY HAS TO PAY WHEN THESE CLAIMS EXCEED THE MONEY ACCUMULATED IN THE FUND.

THAT'S GOING TO COME IN THE FORM OF ADDITIONAL STATE BORROWING REDUCTIONS IN GOVERNMENT SPENDING, HIGHER TAXES AND FEES OR SOME COMBINATION THERE OF.

SO THE REAL POLICY DEBATE ISN'T IS JOLLY PROPOSING A HURRICANE TAX?

DOES SHIFTING CATASTROPHIC HURRICANE RISK TO A STATE-BACKED FUND ACTUALLY REDUCE FLORIDA RESIDENTS TOTAL COST OR DOES IT MERELY SHIFT THAT CAUSED FROM INSURANCE PREMIUMS?

>> TO ALL TAXPAYERS BECAUSE THE MONEY HAS TO COME FROM SOMETHING OR NOTHING IS FREE.

HOW IS THEIR MESSAGING PLAYING OUT AMONG VOTERS?

>> WELL, THE SHORT ANSWER IS WE REALLY DON'T KNOW.

I HAVEN'T SEEN ANY NON PARTISAN ACADEMIC POLLING ON FLORIDA'S GUBERNATORIAL RACE THAT WAS CONDUCTED THAT HAS BEEN CONDUCTED SINCE THE AUGUST 18TH PRIMARY.

THANK YOU.

JOHN DAVIS TOOLS.

>> COMING UP, OUR ELECTION COVERAGE CONTINUES WITH A LOOK AT THE TRIO OF FLORIDA AMENDMENTS, INCLUDING MORE ABOUT MONEY WITH VOTERS DECIDING ON ISSUES LIKE LOWER PROPERTY TAXES AND A STATE-WIDE RAINY DAY FUND.

WHEN FLORIDA VOTERS CAST THEIR BALLOTS IN THE NOVEMBER ELECTION, THEY WILL BE ABLE TO VOTE ON 3 PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.

THE AMENDMENTS REQUIRE AT LEAST 60% APPROVAL IN ORDER TO PASS ONCE AGAIN, WE ARE JOINED BY SANDY PARKER, THE CO-FOUNDER OF THE NON-PARTISAN ELECTION RESOURCE SPARK OR SO BOX TO HELP US LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE 3 PROPOSED AMENDMENTS.

YOU'VE DONE QUITE A BIT OF RESEARCH ON 3 AMENDMENTS THAT VOTERS WILL GET TO TO CHOOSE COMING UP IN NOVEMBER.

TELL US WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT ABOUT OUR HOMESTEAD PROPERTY TAX AMENDMENT.

THAT'S COMING UP.

>> THIS IS AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT DECISION FOR VOTERS.

THE THING THAT I'M MOST CONCERNED ABOUT IS THAT PEOPLE THINK WHAT'S WRONG WITH LOWERING GETTING RID OF PROPERTY TAXES?

WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME?

NOT HAVING TO PAY SUCH HIGH PROPERTY TAXES AND THE PROBLEM IS THAT OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND OUR LOCAL SHERIFFS AND OUR LOCAL MUNICIPAL LEADERS ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT THIS WOULD MEAN.

IT'S INTERESTING THAT THIS IS A LAW THAT WOULD BE PASSED ON THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION AND IT LIMITS THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO LOCAL I DON'T THINK PEOPLE REALLY UNDERSTAND THAT.

>> HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT EXPLAINING MORE ABOUT THIS?

>> RIGHT.

SO AMENDMENT 3 HAS A HAS A TITLE OF INCREASED HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION.

A LOWER CAP ON INCREASES IN NON HOMESTEAD PROPERTY ASSESSMENTS.

IT DOESN'T EVEN HAVE THE WORD PROPERTY TAX IN THE NAME OF THE AMENDMENT.

SO THAT STARTING THE CONFUSION RIGHT THERE.

BUT IT REALLY DOES 4 THINGS.

THE AMENDMENT WOULD RAISE THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION FOR NON SCHOOL PROPERTY TAX.

SO IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW THIS IS NOT GOING TO AFFECT SCHOOL TAXES.

IT'S PROPERTY TAXES THAT IS CURRENTLY THERE'S A HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION.

A $50,000 THAT WOULD BE RAISED TO $150,000 NEXT YEAR.

250,000 IN 2028 AND THEN INCREASED AMOUNT BY INFLATION THEREAFTER.

SO WITH THAT IS THAT HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION IS SOMETHING THAT REDUCES THE VALUE OF A PROPERTY THAT GETS TAXED.

SO IF YOU INCREASE THE EXEMPTION, THEN YOU'RE HAVING A LOWER VALUE BEING TAX.

THAT'S THE FIRST THING IT WOULD DO.

THE SECOND THING IT WOULD DO IS IT WOULD REQUIRES THE LEGISLATURE TO SET A PROCEDURE THAT WOULD ALLOW LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO RAISE THAT EXEMPTION EVEN FURTHER ON THEIR ON THEIR ROUTE.

SO ALL THE WAY UP TO NO PROPERTY TAXES.

IF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT WERE TO DECIDE TO DO THAT.

THE 3RD PART OF THAT IS TO LOWER WHAT'S CALLED THE ASSESSMENT CAP ON PROPERTY SUCH AS BUSINESSES AND SECOND HOMES FROM 10% TO 5%.

AND THEN THE FOREST PART WOULD LIMIT WHAT COUNTY'S AND CITY'S CAN ACTUALLY SPEND THEIR PROPERTY TAXES ON.

AND THIS IS SORT OF A LITTLE UNDERSTOOD COMPONENT.

BUT WHAT SOMETHING THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ARE VERY, VERY FOCUSED ON.

IT WOULD SAY THAT WE COULD ONLY SPEND MONEY ON A DEFINED LIST OF SERVICES.

PUBLIX OR PUBLIC SAFETY EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS, INFRASTRUCTURE, NATURAL RESOURCES, BOND, DEBT SERVICE, RETIREMENT BENEFITS FOR LOCAL EMPLOYEES AND OPERATIONS AND ADMINISTRATION.

THIS IS WHY ORGANIZATIONS FROM THE FLORIDAS, SHERIFFS.

FIREFIGHTERS, ALL KINDS OF ORGANIZE LOCAL GOVERNMENT GROUPS IN THE STATE HAVE COME OUT OPPOSED TO AMENDMENT 3.

THERE'S A LOT OF CONCERN ABOUT WHAT THIS WOULD DO TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT'S ABILITY TO PROVIDE SERVICES.

>> AND AMENDMENT TO ALSO IS DEALING WITH PROPERTY TAXES.

BUT REGARDING AGRICULTURALLY RIGHT?

>> AMENDMENT 2 IS CALLED THE A FLORIDA AMENDMENT TO EXEMPT TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY ON AGRICULTURAL LAND FROM TAXATION.

LONG TITLE.

BUT REALLY WHAT IT WOULD DO IS IT WOULD GIVE A TAX BREAK TO THE FARMING INDUSTRY.

AND RIGHT NOW BUSINESS IS PAY PROPERTY TAXES ON EQUIPMENT THAT THEY USE IN THEIR BUSINESS.

THERE'S CERTAIN EXEMPTIONS.

AND RIGHT NOW THE FIRST $25,000 OF THAT VALUE IS TAX FREE FOR EVERYONE AND SO ARE ITEMS LIKE FARM EQUIPMENT, TRACTORS, IRRIGATION SYSTEMS.

THEY'RE ALL TAXED ABOVE THAT.

$25,000 MARK, WHAT THIS WILL DO IS IT REMOVES THE TAX ENTIRELY FOR THE FARM EQUIPMENT REGARDLESS OF ITS VALUE.

SO IT IS MAKING A TAX BREAK FOR FARM EQUIPMENT.

>> AND THEN THAT ONE BUDGET, STABILIZATION FUNDS.

>> WHAT IS THIS ABOUT?

RIGHT?

SO THE BUDGET STABILIZATION FUND IS BASICALLY THE STATE'S RAINY DAY FUND.

IT COVERS UNEXPECTED REVENUE SHORTFALLS OR EMERGENCIES.

AND UNDER THE CURRENT LAW, THERE'S A CAP ON HOW BIG THAT FUND CAN BE AND IT'S CAPPED AT 10% OF THE PRIOR FISCAL YEAR'S NET GENERAL REVENUE COLLECTION, 10% OF THE REVENUE NET REVENUE THAT CAME IN AS THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT THAT YOU CAN PUT IN THAT RESERVE ACCOUNT UNDER AMENDMENT ONE.

THAT CAP WOULD BE RAISED TO 25%.

SO IT'S ALLOWING A BIGGER, RAINY DAY FUND.

NOT JUST ALLOWING IT.

IT WOULD REQUIRE THE LEGISLATURE TO TRANSFER 750 MILLION DOLLARS OR HOWEVER, MUCH IS NEEDED TO REACH THAT CAP EVERY SINGLE YEAR INTO THE FUND.

SO IT IS MANDATING TAKING MONEY OUT OF GENERAL REVENUE OTHERWISE AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR STATE.

ACTIVITIES AND PUTTING IT ASIDE INTO A RAINY DAY FUND.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SANDY PARKER, THANK YOU FOR EXPLAINING THESE TO OUR AUDIENCE.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> YOU'RE VERY WELCOME.

AND PLEASE HAVE PEOPLE COME TO SPARK OR SOAPBOX WHERE THERE'S A LOT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW EACH OF THESE AMENDMENTS WORK.

YEAH, IT'S JUST SUPER CRITICAL THAT VOTERS TAKE TIME TO READ ABOUT THESE AMENDMENTS BEFORE THEY GO TO THE POLLS BECAUSE THEY ARE COMPLICATED AND EVERY SINGLE VOTER REGARDLESS OF YOUR PARTY, EVERY SINGLE VOTER IN THE STATE IS GOING TO HAVE THIS ON THEIR BALLOT.

ALL RIGHT.

THANKS SO MUCH.

THANK PARKER.

>> FOR MORE NON-PARTISAN INFORMATION ON POLITICAL RACES AND BALLOT MEASURES.

YOU CAN HEAD TO SPARK ERS DASH SOAPBOX DOT COM.

>> GRANDPARENTS WHO PARTICIPATED IN CARE OF THEIR GRANDCHILDREN, DRIVING THEM TO AND FRO COOKING FOR THAN LEISURE ACTIVITIES WITH THEM AND SO FORTH HAD BETTER COMPETITION AND BETTER COGNITIVE OUTCOMES OVER TIME THAT INDIVIDUALS WHO DIDN'T CARE FOR THEIR GRANDCHILDREN.

>> FOR GRANDPARENTS SPENDING TIME WITH THE GRANDKIDS MAY DO MORE THAN LIFT SPIRITS.

IT CAN COME WITH COGNITIVE BENEFITS AS WELL.

ACCORDING TO A STUDY BY THE AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION, GRANDPARENTS WHO CARED FOR THEIR GRANDKIDS SCORED HIGHER ON TESTS FOR MEMORY AND LANGUAGE SKILLS.

THEN GRANDPARENTS WHO DID NOT THE STUDY INCLUDED NEARLY 3,000 PARTICIPANTS OVER AN EIGHT-YEAR PERIOD, CLEVELAND CLINIC, NEUROLOGIST DR DYLAN WENT SAYS THIS HELPS CONFIRM OTHER STUDIES ON THE IMPORTANCE OF STAYING ACTIVE.

WHILE WE AGE.

>> I DON'T WANT THIS TO BE SCARY FOR THOSE WHO MAY NOT HAVE GRANDCHILDREN OR ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO ACTUALLY DIRECTLY PARTICIPATE IN THEIR CAREGIVING.

I THINK REALLY THE LESSON TO TAKE AWAY HERE.

HE'S THAT STAYING BUSY AND ACTIVE COGNITIVELY ENGAGED PHYSICALLY ENGAGED, SOCIALLY ENGAGED ARE WAYS THAT WE CAN PRESERVE OUR BRAIN HEALTH IN THE SECOND LESSON IS.

THIS CAN HAPPEN IN THINGS THAT YOU LIKE TO DO ANYWAY.

SO DON'T FEEL LIKE YOU'VE GOT IT.

INVENT SOME NEW KIND OF WAY TO GET THIS ACTIVITY.

IF YOU'RE DOING THINGS THAT KEEP YOU ACTIVE, THEN THAT'S GOOD.

>> FOR SOME PARENTS, THE LAST FEW WEEKS MAY HAVE MEANT A CHILD HEADING OFF TO COLLEGE AND LEAVING THE FAMILY HOME BEHIND WGCUS TEDDY BYRNE HAS MORE ON WHAT PARENTS CAN DO AS THEIR KIDS GRADUATE INTO THE NEXT PHASE OF THEIR LIVES.

>> ARE YOU A PARENT WHOSE CHILD RECENTLY LEFT HOME FOR COLLEGE OR ANOTHER ADVENTURE?

IF SO YOU MAY BE DEALING WITH EMPTY NEST SYNDROME.

>> I GUESS IN DURHAM IS NOT A CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS, BUT IT IS A VERY REAL FEELING THAT PARENTS EXPERIENCE.

IT IS A NORMAL PHASE AND EMOTION WHEN YOUR CHILD LEAVES HOME FOR THE FIRST TIME.

>> PARENTS EXPERIENCING EMPTINESS SYNDROME, A FEEL SADNESS, LONELINESS, HOPELESSNESS AND OTHER DIFFICULT EMOTIONS.

CLEVELAND CLINIC PSYCHOLOGIST DR SUSAN ALBERTS SAYS TO GIVE YOURSELF TIME TO FEEL THOSE EMOTIONS BUT THEN WORK ON FINDING WAYS TO MOVE FORWARD.

IF YOU'RE STRUGGLING WITH EMPTY NEST SYNDROME, DR ALBERT'S RECOMMENDS CONNECTING WITH PARENTS GOING THROUGH THE SAME TRANSITION.

SHE ALSO SUGGESTS FOCUSING ON STRENGTHENING OTHER RELATIONSHIPS AND EXPLORING NEW HOBBIES OR INTERESTS.

AND WHILE YOUR CHILD MAY BE LIVING SOMEWHERE, NEW REMEMBER, THEY'RE JUST A PHONE CALL AWAY.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT TO STAY CONNECTED WITHOUT COVERING SET A TIME THROUGHOUT THE WEEK.

THAT IS CONVENIENT FOR BOTH OF YOU SO THAT YOU CAN CHECK IN AND STAY CONNECTED.

>> IF FEELINGS OF EMPTINESS SYNDROME PERSIST OR BEGIN TO AFFECT YOUR DAILY LIFE.

DOCTOR ALBERT SAYS TO REACH OUT TO A MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL, THEY CAN HELP YOU NAVIGATE AND IT JUST TO THE NEXT PHASE OF PARENTHOOD.

FOR WGCU NEWS TEDDY BYRNE.

>> PERHAPS ONE WAY TO DEAL WITH AN EMPTY NEST TO IS TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE AND ENJOY STAYCATION FOR ANYONE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

THAT MAY INCLUDE THE SHANGRI-LA SPRINGS.

AND THIS YEAR, THE BONITA SPRINGS LANDMARK IS CELEBRATING A MAJOR MILESTONE WGCUS GAVIN WHIDDEN JOINED IN ON THE CELEBRATION.

>> HIDDEN BEHIND THE GREEN DURING OFF OLD 41 STAND.

SHANGRI-LA SPRINGS, A HISTORIC GEM IN THE HEART OF BENITA SPRINGS.

THIS WEEK.

PEOPLE LIKE SALVATORE TABASCO GATHER TO CELEBRATE 100 YEARS OF HISTORY AT THIS HISTORIC TIME.

>> WE KNEW THAT SAYING WITH HAND HISTORY.

BUT WE HAD IN WE HADN'T REALLY HAD INCLUDE HAS SO MUCH HISTORY.

>> THE HISTORY OF SHANGRI-LA STARTS IN THE 1920'S.

THE PROPERTY WAS BOUGHT BY KILLER HEITMANN A PROMINENT FIGURE IN BONITA SPRINGS.

THE TIME IN 1926.

THE BONITA HOTEL OPENED AS A PLACE TO STAY FOR BUYERS WHETHER HOMES ARE BEING BUILT NEARBY.

PEOPLE IN THE GENERAL MANAGER, SINGER OFFSPRING'S SHARED MORE OF THE HISTORY.

>> OVER THE YEARS, THE PROPERTY OF ALL FROM THE VIDEO HOTEL, THE BELLE OF INDIA, THE SHANGRI-LA HEALTH RESORT AND EVENTUALLY SHANGRI-LA SPRINGS.

A LOT OF CHANGE THAN 100 YEARS.

BUT THE STORY BUILDINGS, BEAUTIFUL GROUNDS AND THE MIDDLE OF SPRING AND SPELL SO CHARACTER OF THIS PLACE HAS A DOOR.

AND TODAY WE HAVE THE PRIVILEGE, THE BEGINNING OF THE NEXT CENTURY.

>> SHANGRI-LA SPRINGS WITH ITS NATURAL BEAUTY REMAINS AN INSPIRATIONAL CENTERPIECE OF THE TOWN.

IT CAUSED THEM.

THE NEW SPRINGS RESIDENT RACE AND EQUITY ARE I >> VINNY, THIS RACE IS UNIQUE IN THAT.

IT'S GOT ONTO IT.

>> AND AGAIN, COMING FROM THE SMALL TOWNS, YOU DON'T WANT TO NEVER LOSE IT.

>> FOR WGCU I'M GAVIN WHIDDEN.

>> HERE'S ANOTHER INTERESTING FACT FROM THE WGCU NEWSROOM.

ACCORDING TO SHANGRI-LA THE HISTORY OF THE SPRING STARTS WITH THE CALUSA INDIANS WHO USED THE MINERAL SPRING WATER FOR MEDICINAL AND TRADING PURPOSES IN THE EARLY 15, 100'S.

THE WATERS WERE DISCOVERED BY FAMED EXPLORER JUAN PONCE DE LEON AND HIS QUEST TO FIND THE LEGENDARY FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH.

YOU CAN FIND MORE LOCAL BUSINESS STORIES BY CHECKING OUT OUR WEBSITE WGCU DOT ORG.

COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, FOLLOWING A KIDNAPPING IN MEXICO, ONE WOMAN PUT HER PAST BEHIND HER TO FIND A FUTURE, MANAGING SOME OF THE MOST PRISTINE GOLF COURSES IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

FOR MANY PEOPLE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, THE GOLF COURSE IS A WAY TO ESCAPE THE TOILS OF EVERYDAY LIFE.

BUT FOR THE CLUB SUPERINTENDENT AT BONITA BAY, HER PATH TO MANAGING 5.18 HOLE CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF COURSES IS A REMINDER OF THE SANCTUARY.

THE GREENS PROVIDE AFTER FLEEING HER NATIVE MEXICO.

MANY YEARS AGO.

WGCUS CULTURE AND CONNECTIONS.

REPORTER ELIZABETH ANDARGE HAS THE STORY.

>> TO THAT SINGLE IS GOOD.

>> OKAY.

PERFECT WORLD.

THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING.

>> AT 05:30AM, IN THE MORNING, THE COAL IS HERS TO MAKE THE MORNINGS.

I HAVE THE MEETING AND THEN ADD.

>> TELL THEM WHAT DO.

AND I SAID CHECKING FOR.

>> WAS 2 OF ON THE GREENS.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE.

>> I RECEIVED 3 INCHES OF RAIN.

SO THEY SAID ALSO, I'M CHECKING KNOW THE SPOTS THAT OKAY.

SO WHAT DO I NEED TO WATCH IT TONIGHT?

AND DO I WANT 100% AND 50% AND CHECK ON THE JOB CENTRE THE WEEKEND.

WHAT GETS WATERED?

WHAT GETS MOWED?

WHO DOES WHAT?

>> EVERY DECISION ABOUT THE SABAL COURSE FRANCE THROUGH BONITA BAY CLUB SUPERINTENDENT, ONE IDEAS, CRISTOBAL, THERE WAS A TIME WHEN SHE HAD NO CONTROL AT ALL.

SHE GREW UP IN A SMALL TOWN IN MEXICO.

SHE SAYS SHE WAS 14 WHEN A LOCAL MAN KIDNAPPED HER TO FORCE HER INTO MARRIAGE >> THEY TOOK ME 2 PLAYS.

WHERE NOBODY CAN SEE ME.

>> SHE DOESN'T LIKE GOING INTO THE DETAILS.

BUT ONCE SHE ESCAPED, SHE DECIDED TO LEAVE HER HOME COUNTRY.

>> BUT THE SITUATION MAY SEQUOIAS DIFFICULT IS NOT, YOU KNOW, YOU SEE JUST THAT ALWAYS.

>> THE FOLLOWING YEAR AT 15, SHE LEFT THE COUNTRY ON FOOT.

>> IT WAS DIFFICULT.

YOU HAVE TO BRING YOUR OWN FOOD IN.

ARE YOU WAUKEE UNTIL I LOVE THE AREAS AND IT IS TO US.

I KNOW IT SO WELL AND SO AND >> YOU RAISE YOUR LIVE IN HER FIRST FEW MONTHS IN THE U.S.

SHE MOVED IN WITH HER BROTHER IN NAPLES.

SHE SPENT THAT TIME WORKING ON AMERICAN FARMS, A FLOWER NURSERY.

IT WAS THERE THAT SHE HAD FIRST HEARD ABOUT GOLF COURSE WORK FROM HER ROOMMATES.

>> IT'S THAT TALKING ABOUT WE MADE BUNKERS.

WE WILL GREENS AND I SAID I GOT ONE DOING WHAT THEY DO IN THAT.

THE SOUND SO GREAT.

I WANT TO DO THAT TO, YOU KNOW, AND THE MORE THEY I WAS ASKING, THEN THE MORE I WAS LIKE, I GOT ONE OUT.

BUT I THINK SHE GOT HIRED AT HIDEOUT GOLF CLUB AND WAS ONLY ONE OF 2 WOMEN WORKING THERE AT THE TIME.

I START FROM THE BOTTOM.

>> AND I MOVE A LITTLE BY LITTLE I S I THE SUBMARINES.

AND THEN, WOLF, I'LL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TO LEARN, YOU KNOW, AND AN HE GAVE ME THE OPPORTUNITY AND ICE DATA IN THE FIRE MONDAY IPM DEPARTMENT HAS SPRAINED GREENS WEEDS AND THEY AND THAT'S HOW I I START ON THESE INDUSTRY.

>> RISING INTO MANAGEMENT MEN EARNING THE RESPECT OF A CREW THAT HAS NOW GROWN WITH MORE MAIL AND FEMALE STAFF.

>> I HAVE LIKE A 15 LADIES.

I THINK WE YOU KNOW, HE ALWAYS HAS AND THEIR GRADE THEY THEY LIVED IN.

THEY SEE THAT THEY CAN DO THIS.

AND I ALWAYS TELL THEM LIKE THAT, YOU KNOW.

HE SAYS JUST.

TIME AND THAT IS NOT THAT DIFFICULT.

>> THE AMAZING BOSS WE HAVE.

SHE'S VERY GOOD.

AND SHE HELPS US.

SHE TEACHES US EVERYTHING VERY WELL.

SHE DESERVES THE JOB DONE SO MUCH MORE.

SHE SHOULD KEEP RISING.

>> IF YOU WILL, WHAT HIDE?

AND YOU HAVE THIS PLAYING IN THE NATION'S I THINK IS ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.

>> FOR WGCU NEWS IM ELIZABETH ANDARGE WITH VIDEOGRAPHER ANDREA MELENDEZ >> COMING UP ON OUR NEXT PROGRAM, THE HOT, WET AND HUMID WEATHER CREATES THE PERFECT CONDITIONS FOR CANE TOADS TO BREED WE LEARN MUCH MORE ON HOW YOU CAN KEEP YOUR PET SAFE FROM THE POISONOUS AND 50 INS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

MAKE SURE YOU HEAD TO WGCU DOT ORG WHERE YOU'LL FIND ALL OF OUR STORIES.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AGAIN RIGHT HERE ON SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.