Death investigation unfolds at Eastwood Golf Course in Fort Myers
by Lacey Lee
10:41 AM EDT, Fri March 25, 2022
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FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Fort Myers Police Department is conducting a death investigation at the Eastwood Golf Course off Ortiz Avenue and Hanson Street.
FMPD confirms the body of a man was discovered on the course. NBC2’s Lacey Lee spoke with witness, La’Tasha Mann. Mann owns the food truck Classy Chics on the site. She said she called 9-1-1 after realizing all of her food was stolen out of the freezer.
“I was talking to my general manager and I said why is the freezer cracked. He opened it and we looked inside and everything was gone.”
About two hours later, FMPD was back on the premises. Someone found a body.
Despite first responders on the scene, golfers continued to put. Doug Meehan said he was inside signing in when he heard a call come into the desk about a situation.
“Without knowing any details of what happened it doesn’t feel unsafe or anything like that.”
FMPD has only said the person was a man and they do not believe the two incidents to be connected.
Mann said she’s now out of $3,500 since her food items including shrimp and snow crab legs have been stolen. She said she and the employees operate the restaurant and country club in the golf course also.
“I just feel sorry for whoever body was there but again how did he get on the property. Everybody is asking me if it’s tied in. How would it be tied in? I don’t know maybe he saw something. I don’t know.”
The medical examiner has arrived.
FMPD has not said if the death is considered suspicious or not.
Despite the investigation, the course is still open to golfers.
https://nbc-2.com/news/local/2022/03/25/death-investigation-unfolds-at-eastwood-golf-course-in-fort-myers/
Same chick in this story:
Downtown Fort Myers restaurant owner refuses to apologize amid allegations of racism
by Dave Elias
6:28 PM EDT, Fri March 25, 2022
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FORT MYERS, Fla. — A showdown between the NAACP and the owner of the First Street Restaurant took place in Downtown Fort Myers.
The civil rights organization demanded the owner of the restaurant apologize for racially insensitive comments made by an employee.
However, after a 15 minute meeting the group left without an apology, so the clock is ticking for a second chance.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Fort Myers restaurant owner combats customers’ racism accusations
The meeting between the two came after Social Media Influencer Nora Potts was paid to hold a gathering at the restaurant several weeks ago. She alleged the staff members were rude and she said one of them was blatantly racist.
“She said I am from Virginia and I have never seen this many black people at one time,” Potts recalled.
The comment brought the NAACP to the front door of the restaurant for a meeting with the owner Bill Babamov.
“We told him we came to make peace,” said NAACP President James Muwakkil.
He wanted an apology from the owner Babamov who admitted earlier this week his employee made the comment.
“One of the managers she may have been a little, unused to diversity. But she is no longer here,” Babamov admitted.
However, after the meeting between the NAACP president emerged to say Babamov refused to apologize saying another manager had already apologized for the comment.
The staff manager made the apology in a text message.
RELATED STORY: NAACP calls on city leaders to revoke downtown Fort Myers restaurant’s license
Muwakkil described Babamov as being defiant during the meeting.
“He wanted an opportunity to think on what is happening and he wanted an opportunity to look at the facts that we received,” Muwakkil said.
Muwakkil expects an apology no later than early next week.
Babamov commented on the meeting.
“Today we received correspondence from the local NAACP chapter regarding alleged incidents at our restaurant involving certain staff. We take this matter seriously and are investigating the allegations,” Babamov said. “Our business is committed to diversity and inclusiveness, as demonstrated by our diverse staff, and we will be treating this matter in accordance with that commitment.”
No date has been set for the two sides to meet again.
Tags: Fort MyersNAACPracism