THIS IS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.

COMING UP, MORE BOATERS THAN EVER ARE EXPECTED TO BE ON THE WATER THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

WHILE BOATING DEATHS ARE DOWN, OUR COASTAL COUNTIES STILL TOP THE LEADERBOARD WHEN IT COMES TO BOATING ACCIDENTS, A CELEBRATION OF BLACK CULTURE IN PUNTA GORDA AS EMANCIPATION DAY BRINGS FESTIVITIES AND REMEMBRANCES.

SOME WANT TO TURN THE ANNUAL TRADITION INTO AN OFFICIAL STATE HOLIDAY AND A SHOW OF FAITH AS A COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER TO PROVIDE A BETTER LIVING SITUATION FOR A MARINE IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE.

HELLO, I'M JENNIFER CRAWFORD.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

A RECORD BREAKING NUMBER OF BOATERS ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE TO THE WATERS THIS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND.

AND DESPITE THE CONGESTION ON THE WATERWAYS, BETTER SAFETY PRACTICES APPEAR TO BE ON THE MINDS OF VOTERS.

THE LATEST REPORT ON VOTING STATISTICS FROM FWC SHOWS THAT BOATING FATALITIES DROPPED FROM 81 DEATHS IN 2024.

2.51, IN 2025.

THOSE NUMBERS DECREASING DESPITE THE NUMBER OF CRASHES REMAINING NEARLY IDENTICAL WGC USE SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTER TOM BAYLISS HAS MORE.

>> FLORIDA IS THE BUSIEST VOTING STATE IN THE COUNTRY WITH MORE THAN A MILLION REGISTERED BOATS.

THIS IS REALLY THE KICKOFF TO THE BOATING SEASON.

A NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK IS THE WAY FOR US TO REMIND VOTERS.

>> OF JUST SOME SIMPLE BOATING SAFETY TIP SO THEY CAN KEEP THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES SAFE.

>> MOST VOTING DANGERS ANNOUNCE THEMSELVES A POP-UP STORM.

A BIG WEEK.

ANOTHER BOAT COMING TOO FAST CAN SOUND ALARMS.

ONE KILLER DOES NOT.

>> SO ONE RISK THAT PEOPLE REALLY DON'T THINK ABOUT IS OPEN AIR CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING.

AND UNFORTUNATELY, THERE ARE FATALITIES EACH YEAR FROM CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING ON A BOAT.

AND ONE THING TO REMEMBER IS THAT CARBON MONOXIDE IS ODORLESS.

SO, YOU KNOW, GOING TO SMELL THAT.

>> WHEN YOU'RE OUT ON THE BOAT, THAT'S PIG PHILLIPS DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL SAFE BOATING COUNCIL WHO WORKS WITH PARENTS OF CHILDREN WHO HAVE GONE TO SLEEP ON THE BACK OF THE FAMILY BOAT AND NEVER GOTTEN UP.

CARBON MONOXIDE POOLS AT THE BACK OF THE BOAT GETTING WORSE WHENEVER THE VESSEL SLOW DOWN LIKE IN A LONG, NO WAY FOR MANATEE ZONES AND COMAIR AND THE ODORLESS GAS HAS NOWHERE TO GO.

PHILLIPS SAYS PARENTS OFTEN WAVE OFF THE WARNING SIGNS BECAUSE THEY'RE SIMILAR TO MOTION SICKNESS.

>> THE OTHER THING TO REMEMBER ABOUT IT IS THE SYMPTOMS OF CARBON MONOXIDE TOXICITY ARE KIND OF THE SEASICKNESS.

SO IF YOU START FEELING LIGHT-HEADED, MAYBE A LITTLE NAUSEATED, GET A LITTLE BIT OF A HEADACHE.

YOU MIGHT YOU MIGHT THINK ABOUT CARBON MONOXIDE RATE, ESPECIALLY IF YOU DON'T NORMALLY HAVE SEASICKNESS.

AND ESPECIALLY WITH CHILDREN BECAUSE THEIR LUNG CAPACITY IS SMALLER.

SO WE UNFORTUNATELY WORK WITH SOME FAMILIES THAT HAVE HAD HAVE LOST SMALL CHILDREN.

AND THEY.

HAD SPENT THE DAY OUT ON THE BOAT.

HAD A GREAT DAY READY, WERE HEADED BACK IN AND FOUND THEMSELVES IN A LONG NO WAKE ZONE, WHICH WE HAVE A LOT OF THOSE IN FLORIDA.

FIND YOURSELF IN A MANATEE ZONE.

YOU MIGHT BE IN A NO WAKE ZONE FOR 10, 15 MINUTES, WHICH MEANS YOU'RE GOING IDLE SPEED.

IF IF IF THERE'S NOT MUCH WIND IF ITS A VERY CALM DAY, CARBON MONOXIDE CAN BUILD UP ON THAT VESSEL.

>> CAPTAIN PHILLIPS SAYS THE MOST IMPORTANT BOATING SAFETY TIP IS TO WEAR A LIFE JACKET.

NOT WEARING A LIFE JACKET ON BOARD.

SHE SAID IS LIKE RIDING IN A CAR WITH NO SEAT BELT.

YOU WOULDN'T WAIT UNTIL AN ACCIDENT STARTED AND REACH FOR YOU.

SEE IT WOULD BE TOO LATE.

BUT EVERY YEAR THE SAME GRIM DETAIL REPEAT.

THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE FOUND DEAD IN THE WATER WERE NOT WEARING A LIFE JACKET.

>> THE SAME APPLIES WITH US TOWED LIFE JACKET.

IF YOU GOT IT UNDER A SEAT OR IN SOME KIND OF COMPARTMENT IM, NOT GOING TO HAVE TIME TO GET TO THAT BEFORE.

YOU ARE FIND YOURSELF IN THE WATER.

SO JUST GOING WHERE IT AND IN FLORIDA, I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND LOOKING AT INFLATABLE LIFE JACKETS ARE BOTH PACKS BECAUSE THERE ARE HIGH VERY COMFORTABLE.

SO I WOULD I WOULD LOOK AT SOME OF THOSE OPTIONS.

>> THE SAME GUY SHOWS UP BEHIND MANY OF THE CRASHES THEMSELVES.

MOST CAPTAINS HAVE NEVER TAKEN A FORMAL BOATING COURSE.

LEE COLLIER AND CHARLOTTE ARE AMONG THE TOP 10 COUNTIES IN FLORIDA.

WITH THE MOST BOATING CRASHES.

>> AND THE BEHAVIOR CHANGES BOATERS WEARING LIFEJACKETS BOATERS GETTING THEIR STATE SPECIFIC EDUCATION VOTERS MAY BE GETTING SOME WATER OR TRAINING.

SO THE COMBINATION OF THIS TEAM, 2 THINGS ARE DEFINITELY SAVING LIVES.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT.

WE DO BETTER BECAUSE BOATING ISN'T JUST A WAY TO RELIEVE STRESS, STRENGTHEN FAMILY BONDS AND HAVE FUN.

IT'S SUPER HUGE BUSINESS.

THE NATIONAL MARINE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION SAYS THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF VOTING IN FLORIDA IS OVER.

31.3 BILLION DOLLARS.

AND FLORIDA HAS MORE DOCUMENTED VESSELS WITH MORE THAN 1.0 2 MILLION.

THAT INCLUDES TRADITIONAL VESSELS.

YOU WOULD THINK OF AS BOATS, BUT ALSO DINGHIES PERSONAL WATERCRAFT, CANOES AND PADDLEBOARDS.

MORE THAN 100,000 JOBS THROUGHOUT THE STATE ARE TIED TO FLORIDA'S OBSESSION WITH BOATING AND THE STATE'S BOAT OWNERS SPEND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS EVERY YEAR ON NEW BOAT'S ENGINES AND AFTERMARKET SUPPLIES.

AND THE RULES APPLY TO ALL EVEN A PADDLEBOARD COUNTS AS A VESSEL IN FLORIDA.

ANYONE ON ONE HAS TO CARRY A LIFE JACKET.

AND AFTER DARK, A WHITE LIGHT THAT CAN BE SEEN.

FROM EVERY DIRECTION THEY ALWAYS SAY.

STAY HYDRATED WHILE YOU'RE OUT ON THE BOAT.

BUT LET'S SAVE THE ALCOHOL TIL YOU GET BACK TO SHORE.

>> THE BOATS KEEP COMING, THE CRASHES.

KEEP HAPPENING.

CAPTAINS ARE STILL NOT GETTING TRAINED, BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT LAST YEAR, DESPITE ALL THAT, MORE BOATERS LIVED.

THAT MEANS THE RECENT NUMBERS SHOW THE THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF PEOPLE LIKE CAPTAIN PHILLIPS AND HER NATIONAL SAFE BOATING COUNCIL, PEOPLE ON THE WATER ARE SAFER.

>> THAT IS A SILVER LINING IN SOME OF THE DARK NEWS THAT IS AND CONTAINED IN THAT REPORT.

>> YES, THANK YOU, JENNIFER.

ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, TOM.

>> AND BE SURE TO FOLLOW ALL OF TOM BAYLES REPORTING AND ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE AT WGCU DOT ORG.

COMING UP AFTER YEARS OF RECOVERY FOLLOWING STORM DAMAGE, A PILLAR OF THE PORT CHARLOTTE COMMUNITY IS BACK OPEN AND THIS LIBRARY OFFERS MORE THAN JUST A CHANCE TO READ THE LATEST LITERATURE.

JUNETEENTH BECAME A FEDERAL HOLIDAY IN 2021.

IT RECOGNIZES JUNE 19TH 18 65 AS THE OFFICIAL END OF SLAVERY IN THE UNITED STATES.

NOW SOME FLORIDIANS ARE MAKING THE CASE TO HAVE MAY 20TH BECOME THE STATE'S EQUIVALENT HOLIDAY IN 1997.

THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF STATE AND THE MUSEUM OF FLORIDA HISTORY BE KING BEGAN THE FIRST EMANCIPATION DAY.

CELEBRATIONS WGC YOU REPORTER JOHN TO PARK SPOKE WITH PEOPLE ABOUT THEIR EFFORTS TO TURN MAY 20TH INTO AN OFFICIAL STATE HOLIDAY.

>> UNBEKNOWNST TO MOST FLORIDIANS MAY 20TH THIS HISTORIC DAY IN FLORIDA.

SOON AFTER THE CIVIL WAR ENDED IN 18.

65 SLAVERY WAS LEGALLY ABOLISHED ON THIS DAY IN FLORIDA.

MULTIPLE GROUPS ARE READY TO PERSUADE THE STATE LEGISLATURE THAT MAY 20TH SHOULD BE DESIGNATED AS FLORIDA'S EMANCIPATION DAY.

RELEVANT HISTORICAL REENACTMENTS TOOK PLACE AT THE BLANCHARD HOUSE IN GORDA.

FORREST MYERS IS CHAIR OF THE SONS OF UNION VETERANS.

>> FORT MYERS WAS HELD ON IN OUR.

WE WERE VICTORIOUS FORT MYERS WAS THAT OFFENDED?

5, 200 AND TURNED COLLAR TROOPS.

ONE WHITE BOY.

210 BLACK AND WARD.

HOW COOL IS THAT?

>> THE MILITARY VICTORY WAS ONLY THE START TO ADDRESS THE HARMS OF SLAVERY.

ACCORDING TO BE AN ACT.

IMMENSE EMPHASIZING HOW BLACKS WERE DEPRIVED OF BASIC RIGHTS.

REYNA COLEMAN IS A GREAT, GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER OF A B COLEMAN.

HISTORICALLY, THE ONLY BLACK BARBERSHOP OWNER IN GORDA.

SHE EXPLAINED WHAT EMANCIPATION MEANS TO OUR PERSONALLY.

>> THE HIGHEST LAW OF THE LAND FINALLY KNOWLEDGE OUR RIGHT TO EXIST AND THE LIKE.

BUT A PIECE OF PAPER NO MATTER HOW HISTORIC CANNOT.

AND STILL DEEP, EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL TRAUMA, A SIGNATURE ON A DOCUMENT DIDN'T BUILD HOUSES FOR PEOPLE WHO HAD ABSOLUTELY NOTHING SIMILAR TO COLEMAN.

>> JOURNEY FULL AND HAS DEEP ROOTS IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

SHE IS A 5TH GENERATION NICE OF DANIEL SMITH WHO WORKED ON THE REGION'S RAIL ROAD PROJECTS AND BECAME ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF GORDA AT THE BLANCHARD HOUSE FULTON REFLECTED ON A MEMOIR BY THE FIRST BLACK U.S.

ARMY NURSE WHO SERVED DURING THE CIVIL WAR.

>> HE SAYS AN KING TO THEIR FORCE NEEDS WC REESE JUST A CHAPTER.

THE TEXTBOOK.

IT MADE ME SEE MORE OF THE HUMAN COST THIS YEAR.

THE PEOPLE LIVE IN EVERY SINGLE DAY.

THE COURAGE IT TOOK TO LEARN HOW TO READ THE COURAGE.

YOU COOK TO HOPE.

>> UNITED THOSE GATHERED TO CELEBRATE FLORIDAS HISTORY THESE READINGS AND RE-ENACTMENTS TOOK PLACE AT THE BLANCHARD HOUSE, WHICH REOPENED LAST AUTUMN AFTER RECOVERY FROM HURRICANE IAN CHAIRMAN OF THE BLANCHARD HOUSE CUMMINGS.

EXPLAIN THE UNIQUENESS OF FLORIDA IN AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY.

HE SAYS THAT COMPARED TO OTHER SOUTHERN STATES, BLACKS IN FLORIDA MOSTLY ENJOYED FREEDOMS FROM SLAVERY BEFORE IT BECAME A STATE IN 18.

45 DURING PRESIDENT ANDREW JACKSON'S ADMINISTRATION, FLORIDA.

>> FROM THE TIME OF SPANISH, FLORIDA AND BRITISH FLORIDA.

IT WAS A PLACE OF PEOPLE WOULD ESCAPE TO FREEDOM.

AND SO >> IT WAS IT WAS ACTUALLY ILLEGAL FOR TO BE DISCUSSED.

BUT THE ON THE GROUND WHERE A VOTE WAS 3 TIMES LARGER.

>> THE SOMEONE COMING TO THE SOUTH BECAUSE BASICALLY DURING THE SPANISH TIMES.

>> IF YOU ARE BLACK, YOU ARE FREE OF WHEN JIM CROW LAWS WERE ENACTED IN FLORIDA IN 18.

85, THOUGH THE STATE WAS THE HARSHEST IN ENFORCEMENT.

HOWEVER, GORDA WAS AN OUTLIER AND HAVING RACIAL UNITY.

ACCORDING TO CUMMINGS.

>> HE WAS FOUND IN BLACK AND WHITE FROM THE BEGINNING.

DESPITE FLORIDA HAVING THE CROW LAWS, WE A COMMUNITY THAT WAS THAT DID NOT FOLLOW THE CUSTOM OF THAT.

YOU KNOW, YOU MAY HAVE STATE LAWS OF PEOPLE HAD TO FOLLOW THE LAW, BUT THE CUSTOM OF IT, YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO FOLLOW AND PEOPLE THAT IS SO WE REALLY DIDN'T HAVE A LOT OF WHAT ONE WOULD PERCEIVE WHAT EXAMPLE PEOPLE.

MY FAMILY WERE ONE OF THE FIRST ONE WAS ABOUT TO BOARD A ALWAYS LOOK AT THE ENTIRE TIME.

THERE NEVER WAS LIKE NEVER WAS A TIME WITHOUT THAT.

THIS IS VERY, VERY IT IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS WHERE BECAUSE OUR COMMUNITIES CITED.

HE WAS BEST OF EVERYONE THRIVES FREEDOMS LIKE THESE ARE WHAT STRENGTHENS THE COMMUNITY.

ACCORDING TO CHECK BOTH E.

>> I RETIRED TO LEE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER.

THE CIVIL WAR PERIOD IS ARE REALLY AT ITS THE CRUCIBLE, WHICH MAKES AMERICA WHAT IT IS TODAY.

>> IT WAS NOT FOR THOSE SOLDIERS.

750,000 OF WHOM WERE IN THAT WAR AND BECAME CASUALTIES.

WE WOULDN'T BE THE COUNTRY WE ARE TODAY.

SO I AM BLESSED TO BE HERE TO HELP EDUCATE THE PUBLIC AND OTHERS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS ERA.

>> IN MIDST OF THE CELEBRATIONS, ANOTHER HISTORIC REENACT ARE POINTED OUT HOW THE CIVIL WARS FIGHT AGAINST A DIVISIONS SEEMS TO BE REPEATING ITSELF IN CURRENT TODAY, RAYMOND FROM AND SAYS THAT CHANGES IN SOCIETY ARE SOME TIMES FRIGHTENING TO WITNESS.

>> VERY CLOSE TO WHAT'S GOING ON RIGHT NOW.

AND THEN IT'S NOT GOING TO CHANGE INTO PEOPLE CHANGE.

TAKES PEOPLE TO CHANGE IT, YOU KNOW, IN THE HEARTS AND MINDS.

>> FORREST MYERS CONTINUES ORGANIZING THE SONS OF UNION VETERANS BECAUSE HISTORICAL RE-ENACTMENT IN EDUCATION.

CONSIDER THIS ANTIDOTES FOR WORRISOME SOCIAL DIVISIONS YOU'RE NOWADAYS.

I KNOW PEOPLE ARE TALKING TO EACH OTHER.

>> THAT ARE IN THE SAME FAMILY BECAUSE ONE LIKES ONE CERTAIN CANDIDATE AND THE OTHER ONE CAN STAND IT.

SO THAT THE VISION IS BEING REBORN.

IT'S SCARY.

WE DON'T NEED THAT.

WE CAN LEARN FROM OUR PAST DIVISION.

ACTUALLY, WE'RE STRONGER UNITED.

THAT WE ARE AS ONE.

>> TO FACILITATE THESE IMPORTANT CONVERSATIONS.

DIRECTOR MARTHA BERETTA HOPES THAT THE BLANCHARD HOUSE CAN BE THE SITE WHERE PEOPLE LEARN LESSONS FROM HISTORY AND BEGIN UNDERSTANDING ONE ANOTHER.

RIGHT NOW.

MANY PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO HIDE AMERICAN HISTORY.

AND SO IT IS CRUCIAL THAT THE TRUTH.

AND OUR COUNTRY.

RACE RELATIONS AND JUST RELATIONS WITH PEOPLE.

WILL NOT BE HEALED.

UNLESS WE TELL THE TRUTH OF AMERICAN HISTORY.

AND CONTRIBUTING TO AMERICAN HISTORY.

>> MEANS TO HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE STATE JOINED FORCES TO RAISE AWARENESS.

FLORIDA'S EMANCIPATION DAY OF MAY 20TH.

>> WE ARE NOW JOINED BY WGCU REPORTER YOUN-JOO PARK.

AND YOUN-JOO, THAT WAS A PRETTY INTERESTING LOOK AT THE HISTORY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA AND ALSO THOSE CELEBRATING FLORIDA'S EMANCIPATION DAY ARE REALLY INTENT ON MAKING THIS A STATE HOLIDAY, CORRECT?

YES, ABSOLUTELY.

>> MANY MUSEUMS AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS ARE MARSHALING RESOURCES AS WELL AS EFFORTS TO LET THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE KNOW THAT MAY 20TH IS A VERY IMPORTANT DAY OF EMANCIPATION OF BLACK HISTORY.

AND WHAT'S VERY INTERESTING ABOUT BLACKS IN SOUTH WEST, FLORIDA, IN PARTICULAR, IS THAT OF ALL THE CONFEDERATES SOUTHERN STATES, FLORIDA IS THE STATE, SOLE STATE THAT GRANTED THE MAXIMUM FREEDOMS TO BLACKS.

>> THAT'S VERY INTERESTING.

AND YOU ALSO WERE COVERING ANOTHER CELEBRATION TAKING PLACE IN CHARLOTTE COUNTY.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

I WAS IN CHARLOTTE COUNTY WHERE HURRICANES ARE NOW ABLE TO DAMPEN THE EFFORTS OF REBUILDING AND THE SPIRIT OF ENTHUSIASM AMONG THE COMMUNITY IN TRYING TO REBUILD FROM THE GROUND UP.

AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED AT THE MIT COUNTY REGIONAL LIBRARY ON SATURDAY.

IN PORT CHARLOTTE, THE MID COUNTY REGIONAL LIBRARY, C'EST CELEBRATED ITS GRAND REOPENING NEARLY 4 YEARS AFTER INCURRING DEVASTATING DAMAGES FROM HURRICANE IAN.

THE WHITE DOUBLE DOORS OPEN TO REVEAL A CAVERNOUS SPACE OF DIVERSE OFFERINGS.

THE BUILDING CONTAINS NEW TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES, HISTORY CENTER AND STUDY POTTS.

WE'RE LIBRARY PATRONS CAN FOCUS ON THEIR WORK IN CREATING THIS PLACE FROM THE GROUND UP.

LIBRARIANS HAVE THE EXCITING OPPORTUNITY TO IMPRINT THEIR VISION ON STATE OF THE ART FEATURES.

ACCORDING TO THE LIBRARY SUPERVISOR, HONDA BROWN.

WE'VE BEEN HEARING ABOUT THE STUDY PODS ANDS.

>> BUT WE SHOULD TRY.

IT WOULD ADD SOME.

>> QUIET STUDY SPACE IN THIS BIG OPEN BUILDING THAT WE HAVE AND >> SO IT'S LIKE, OKAY, HOPEFULLY PEOPLE WILL BE AFRAID TO TRY THEM.

>> YOU KNOW, I I WONDERED IF IT WOULD FEEL LIKE YOU'RE IN A FISHBOWL ARE SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

BUT NO THERE THERE ACTUALLY WONDERFUL.

YOU CAN GO IN AND SLICK.

TAKE A DEEP BREATH LIKE THE SILENCE IS SO NICE.

REALLY.

>> GROUPS NATURALLY GRAVITATED TOWARD THE SPACES OF ZEN.

IN CONTRAST TO THE SIDE OF TRANQUILITY, ONE-THIRD OF THE LIBRARY LAST THE CHATTER OF TRUMP WE PLAYED AND LEARNED IN THE CHILDREN'S SERVICES.

THE DESIGN OF THE SECTION WAS METICULOUSLY PLANNED AS YOUTH SERVICES LIBRARIAN ASHLEY EXPLAINED.

>> SO AT COUNTY LIBRARY, OUR BOOKS ROLE WITH OUR READERS.

WHEN YOU WALK IN, YOU SEE OUR BABIES AND TODDLERS PLAY AREA AND THEN YOU WALK THROUGH TO OUR PICTURE BOOKS AND THEN HIDDEN IN A CORNER.

WE HAVE OUR LEGO CORNER.

ARE BUILDERS CORNER?

AND THOSE OF FOR A TRANSITIONAL READERS ARE KIDS THAT ARE READY TO BEGIN READING THEIR CHAPTER BOOKS.

AND THEN AFTER THE CHAPTER BOOKS, WE PUSH INTO OUR TWEENS SPACE.

SO THEY HAVE A LITTLE SPACE AS WELL.

AND THEN OUR YOUNG ADULTS HAVE A SPACE WITH THEIR GAMING AND ALL OF THEIR BOOKS.

AND THERE'S A SPLIT IN GENRE SO THEY CAN REALLY FIND THEIR KNEES AND KEEP READING GOING THROUGH ALL OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND JUST CONTINUE THEIR LIFELONG LEARNING, WHICH IS OUR GOAL.

>> AT THIS LIBRARY EVEN CERTIFIED THERAPY DOGS ARE ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS AND HELPING CHILDREN WITH LIFELONG LEARNING.

CJ MAN BE BROUGHT HER DOG LAKESHORE TO MINGLE WITH THE LIBRARY.

PATRONS.

>> NATIONALLY, THE SOME DOGS HOURS IN SLOW KIND OF I THINK, ARE MADE FOR THIS WAR.

IS IT?

THEY JUST LOVE BEING OUT OF PUBLIC, MAKING NEW FRIENDS.

SHE AND SHE'S IN HER CARE.

THEY'RE JUST SOME DOGS ARE VERY CALM, LIKE LAKESHORE.

SHE'S LAZY, ISN'T IT?

>> NEW CANINE COMPANIONS SAT STILL AND GENTLY LESSENED AS YOUNG CHILDREN LIKE VIOLA PRACTICE, READING SKILLS THE LIBRARY ALSO HAS A ROOM WHERE GUARDIANS CAN ASSIST CHILDREN IN CREATING SOME ARTWORK THAT'S INSPIRED BY THEIR MEETING.

THERE IS A SERVICE FOR THE OLDER ADULT PATRONS WHO MAY BE INTERESTED IN CONDUCTING RESEARCH ON SOUTHWEST FLORIDA'S HISTORY.

ONE SECTION OF THE LIBRARY IS DESIGNATED AS THE CHARLOTTE COUNTY HISTORY SECTION.

JENNIFER IS OPEN LINE WORKS AS A HISTORIAN OR WE'VE HAD SO MANY PEOPLE EVEN TODAY.

>> THAT JUST CAME IN JUST TO SEE WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO AND LEARN MORE.

SO I'M HOPING THIS SPACE BECOMES A TALKING POINT AND THAT MORE IN PEOPLE LEARN ABOUT THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVEN'T LEARNED ABOUT WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO AND AND HOW MUCH HISTORY THERE IS HERE BECAUSE I THINK THAT SOMETIMES GETS LOST AS WELL.

>> ANY OPPORTUNITY TO IGNITE THE LOVE OF LEARNING MEANS MISSION ACCOMPLISHED FOR THE MID COUNTY REGIONAL LIBRARY AND THE ATTRACTIVENESS AND MODERN FEATURES OF THE NEW FACILITIES ONLY MAKE IT A WELCOMING PLACE.

>> AND THIS REOPENING IS A PRETTY BIG DEAL, NOT JUST FOR BOOK LOVERS, BUT ALSO WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE GROWTH OF THE COMMUNITY.

>> YES, THAT'S RIGHT.

AND WHAT SES FASCINATING TO ME IS THAT A PUBLIC LIBRARY IS A REPOSITORY OF ACTIVITIES AS WELL AS SOCIAL SERVICES INCREASING THE OVER THE YEARS BECAUSE I REMEMBER EVEN ABOUT 20 YEARS AGO, THERE WASN'T SUCH A PLETHORA OF ACTIVITIES.

SPONSORED BY THE LIBRARY, BUT NOW THERE ARE IMPORTANT PARTNERSHIPS WITH PUBLIC SCHOOLS AS WELL AS DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS AROUND THE COMMUNITY ARE THAT CONNECT ONE TO ANOTHER AND BECAUSE SENSE THE POTABLE EXCITEMENT WHEN PEOPLE WALKED THROUGH THOSE DOORS TO PARTAKE OF THOSE INTO EXCITING ACTIVITIES.

IT IS A BEAUTIFUL FACILITY IS NOT.

IT IS ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL.

AND THERE WERE MANY TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES AS WELL AS THERAPY DOGS THAT WERE ON HAND WONDER TO ACCOMPANY THE STUDENTS WHO ARE READING THE BOOKS TO THEM AND I'LL HAVE A PACKAGE ON THAT LATER NEXT WEEK.

SO PLEASE STAY TUNED.

ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING THE STORY WITH THIS YOUNG TO THANK YOU, JEFF, FOR MY PLEASURE.

>> AND YOU CAN KEEP UP WITH ALL OF THE EDUCATIONAL HAPPENINGS ACROSS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA BY HEADING TO OUR WEB SITE AT WGCU DOT ORG.

AFTER THE BREAK, ENSURING NO ONE WHO SERVED IS LEFT BEHIND AS MEMORIAL DAY APPROACHES.

WE LEARN HOW THE COMMUNITY CAME TOGETHER TO PROVIDE FOR A MARINE IN NEED.

A MARINE VETERAN FROM DUNBAR BROUGHT TO TEARS AFTER BEING GIFTED A BRAND NEW HOME BY BUILDERS CARE IN THE CITY OF FORT MYERS, THE 71 YEAR-OLD VIETNAM VETERAN RECEIVED THE KEYS TO HIS NEW HOME ALONG WITH PRAYERS AND APPLAUSE.

WGCUS CULTURE AND CONNECTIONS.

REPORTER ELIZABETH ANDARGE HAS THE STORY.

FATHER GOD, WE THANK YOU.

HEAVENLY FATHER, FOR THIS FAMILY FOR THIS NEW HOME, FOR THESE NEW BEGINNINGS.

WE JUST PRETTY PUMPED ABOUT THAT BASS AND HIS HOME.

HE SENT A PRICE TO SIGN IT RIGHT?

>> FOR THE FIRST TIME IN YEARS, LEWIS FREEMAN IS ABOUT TO HAVE THE HOME OF HIS OWN WILL.

FREEMAN, WHO SPENT ALMOST HIS ENTIRE LIFE IN DUNBAR.

HE LEFT ONCE TO SERVE IN THE U.S.

MARINE CORPS DURING THE VIETNAM AFTER AN HONORABLE DISCHARGE.

HE CAME BACK AND NEVER LEFT AGAIN.

>> IT'S A LONELY.

BEING A WORLD THAT NOBODY CARES.

I HAVE A FEW RUTH.

I DON'T WAS OFF OF THAT.

THEY'RE THERE.

>> LIFE DON'T FREEMEN A HARD HAND, A STROKE IN 2015 LEFT HIM UNABLE TO WORK AND LIVING ON A FIXED INCOME WHEN HIS RENTAL HOME WAS SOLD UNEXPECTEDLY, HE MOVED IN WITH HIS NIECE, HOPING ONE DAY FOR A PLACE TO CALL HIS OWN AGAIN.

>> THEY DID.

YOU >> I WAS LIVING AT A FAMILY HOME ON PRICE STREET.

YOU KNOW, YOU CAN SAY WHAT YOU WANT TO SEE THEM, IDEAS OF HOW SLOWLY.

DIFFERENT FROM JUST NUMBER ONE ON THE ON THE HOUSE.

BUT, YOU KNOW, BEEN ALONE BODIES OF THE LONG IT'S GOTTEN HARD.

IT IS BIG CONCORD GOT.

OVER THE HUMP.

KNOW THAT.

DOES BUILDERS LEE COUNTY, NONPROFIT CONSTRUCTION CHARITY PARTNERED WITH LOCALS TO BUILD FREEMAN.

A BRAND NEW 2 BEDROOM, 2 BATHROOM HOME.

>> WITH BLOOD DONATED BY THE CITY OF FORT MYERS.

THE WHOLE STRUCTURE WAS BUILT IN JUST 44 DAYS AT NO COST TO FREEMAN.

>> HE >> DOESN'T HAVE FULL RANGE OF MOTION OF ONE OF HIS ARMS.

AND WE'RE ALSO THINKING AHEAD INTO THE FUTURE.

WE'VE THE COMMON AID WITH SOME RAMPS WITH SOME LOWER STEPS INTO THE SHOWER INTO THE FRONT ENTRY OUT OF THE BACK PORCH.

JUST TRYING TO THINK AHEAD FOR A HOME THAT HE COULD AGE IN PLACE FOR AND BE COMFORTABLE IN FOR A LONG TIME.

WE HAVE A GREAT BACK PATIO WITH A NICE TABLE AND SOME CUSTOM DOMINOES THAT WERE MADE.

WE ALSO HAVE AN EMPLOYEE WHO MAKES THESE HAND CARVED WOODEN AMERICAN FLAGS.

AND THAT'S AT THE CENTER PIECE OF HIS LIVING ROOM ABOVE HIS COUCH >> I DO GOOD.

>> LETS HIM THAT HIS FAMILY OR LESS HIS HOME WITH THE LOVE OF CHRIST.

WE DID THIS TO YOU NEXT YEAR.

WE'LL BE FEELING THIS HOUSE WHEN THAT YOUR PRESENCE BE FIELD ALL THROUGHOUT EVERY ROOM, EVERY CHRISTMAS, EVERY SPACE YOU GO WHERE YOU THINK, YOU KNOW YOU FOR THESE IN JESUS NAME AMEN >> WELCOME HOME.

MR.

FREEMAN AND I GET TO HAND YOU THESE BEAUTIFUL KEYS.

1, 2, 3 WELCOME HOME MR.

FREEMAN >> FOR WGCU NEWS, IM ELIZABETH ANDARGE.

>> AND COMING UP ON OUR NEXT PROGRAM, PAYING RESPECT FOR THOSE WHO GAVE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE.

THE MISSION FROM ONE MOTORCYCLE GROUP TO ENSURE THAT NO ONE IS FORGOTTEN.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE WGCU DOT ORG WHERE YOU'LL FIND ALL OF OUR STORIES.

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.