What SWFL Is Talking About 4/19

Health officials are warning swimmers to stay out of the Caloosahatchee River beach at the Cape Coral Yacht Club due to high levels of fecal bacteria. The water is scheduled to be tested again Tuesday.

63 year old Stephen Lawrence of Port Charlotte has been found guilty on charges of vehicular homicide after intentionally crashing his SUV into motorcyclist Aaron Wesley in May of 2017. Lawrence is a Christian school teacher.

23 year old Matthew Nero of Port Charlotte was arrested after police found a variety of drugs and drug paraphernalia. According to police, the suspect had hidden some of his stash in his rear end. Nero and his passenger, 18 year old Alexa Powers were arrested on various drug charges

55 year old Kathryn Deal of Naples has been arrested on charges of misusing 911. Police say she called 911 5 times, and she's a repeat offender, having been arrested on a similar charge in 2011

Harvey Weinstein to be Prosecuted as Sex Trafficker

Harvey Weinstein can be prosecuted on grounds of sex trafficking, a judge has ruled.
The decision, made Thursday by District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein, effectively consolidates a number of claims against the Hollywood producer into one case. The victims' attorney, Elizabeth Fegan, says the decision was appropriate because Weinstein "used his power to deceive and manipulate women, knowing he intended to sexually abuse them."
In his attempts to streamline the upcoming court proceedings, Hellerstein also eliminated 17 claims against Weinstein and dismissed six of the 10 defendants in the case. Fegan says she plans to appeal that ruling.

Cops, Lyft to Offer Cheap Rides to Stoned Passengers

How times have changed. Whereas the local police departments once arrested people for smoking weed, a number of them are now helping stoners celebrate 4/20 Day.
In an effort to remind people that driving while high is just as illegal as drunk driving, the police in eight cities have partnered with Lyft to give potheads discounted rides on Saturday. The price for a ride? $4.20.
The discounted Lyft trips will be available all day Saturday in Boston, San Francisco, Colorado, Las Vegas, Seattle, Detroit, Ottawa and Toronto.

Britney Spears ‘Overwhelmed’ By Free Britney Movement

Britney Spears has been in the news more than she likes especially when the news is about her being in a mental facility. The singer says she’s “overwhelmed” by the #FreeBritney movement that has been growing on social media.
Britney has been in a facility dealing with her mental health for the past three weeks and her doctors are planning for her to return to her life.
“Britney just wants to get out and be with her family. Her kids miss her terribly and she has gotten what she needed to get out of this, which was some peace of mind and serenity,” says a source.