Community Corner

🌱 How a longtime Immokalee grower landed in a multimillion-dollar fraud case

Coming up on the Immokalee Patch calendar: Wednesday Playdate @ Immokalee Branch

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Thursday September 17th Patch AM
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Hello again Immokalee! We're bringing you the latest town highlights. Don't miss out, keep going! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a longtime Immokalee grower landed in a multimillion-dollar fraud case
  • What does a 78% staff cut mean for Immokalee's panther refuge?

Also on today's calendar: Toddler Storytime @ Immokalee Branch and 5 more events.

Today's riddle: When geese fly, one side is longer than the other. do you know why that is ? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Humid; a p.m. t-storm or two, with a high of 89 and low of 72 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Friday: Humid; a p.m. t-storm or two, temps: high: 90, low: 73.
  • Saturday: An afternoon t-storm or two, with a high of 90 and low of 72 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Farmer partnered with Oakes Farms takes plea deal after hiding more than $6.7M in crop sales (winknews.com) — A farmer who operated Frisbie Farms in or around Immokalee has agreed to plead guilty to falsifying federal crop-insurance claims, after allegedly hiding more than $6.7 million in bell pepper sales. Prosecutors say the scheme, tied to a partnership with Oakes Farms, led to over $1.6 million in overpayments, and the farmer has now agreed to cooperate with a broader agriculture-fraud investigation.
   

• Florida is losing its federal wildlife staff in droves as species protections decline (tampabay.com) — Immokalee's Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge has seen staffing slashed by about 78 percent over 16 years, leaving just a handful of employees to manage more than 26,000 acres of critical habitat. The article details similar losses across Florida's refuges, raising concerns that shrinking federal wildlife staff and reduced on-the-ground enforcement could further threaten endangered species statewide.
   

📸 Around Immokalee

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Immokalee

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★ Featured events ★

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Other local events

📣 Immokalee Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Thursday September 17
  • Code Enforcement Special Magistrate Hearings →
    Town Hall - Council Chambers, 6231 Estero Boulevard, Fort Myers Beach
    9:00 am
  • Island Matinee
    Fort Myers Beach Public Library, 2755 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach
    1:00 pm
  • Home Basketball Game vs. Bonita Charter
    Three Oaks Middle Gym
    5:45 pm
  • Basketball Game 5 vs Gateway Charter (Home)
    Bonita Springs Middle Center for the Arts Bonita Springs, FL 34135
    6:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • KFC posted a job opening for Shift Manager in Immokalee. Apply here.
  • Dunkin' posted a job opening for Assistant Manager in Lehigh Acres. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Immokalee here.

🗞 Nearby News

Lehigh Acres

LaBelle

Golden Gate

  • Who's on top of SW FL Super 10 football rankings entering Week 5? (naplesnews.com)

Ok Immokalee! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: because there are more geese on that side (Thank you jo L. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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