Florida

‘Everybody is quiet': Business owner seeks answers after Florida City gas explosion

Published

9 months ago

June 19, 2025

‘Everybody is quiet': Business owner seeks answers after Florida City gas explosion

New video was released Thursday of a gas explosion at a Florida City strip mall last month as one of the business owners at the plaza said he and his attorneys have even more questions after seeing the footage.

Rudy Betancourt is the owner of Rainbow Smoke Shop, one of several businesses damaged and destroyed in the May 24 gas explosion.

He was able to retrieve surveillance video from inside and outside his business showing the blast. He nor his employee were not there at the time but there were other people at the strip mall that morning.

“Lost everything, lost the business, the workers don’t have work now,” Betancourt said. “Everybody is just not saying anything, everybody is quiet.”

The owner of a Florida City restaurant that was the scene of an explosion speaks.

The video shows that seconds after the blast, people started to make their way outside. Betancourt and his attorneys say in the video, you see the gas employees walking out too.

“You see the man walking away from the explosion, they see it occur, they know it occurs and they walk away and drive off,” attorney Vivian Fazio said.

Attorneys representing the smoke shop are suing the gas company, Florigas. They filed a lawsuit Wednesday, alleging Florigas made several failures.

“Florigas is responsible for the negligence of their contractor whether licensed or unlicensed,” attorney Sam Coffey said.

A Florida City Police report reveals there was gas present in the pipeline which likely led to an explosion at Caribbean’s Heart restaurant. A total of 10 people had to go to the hospital.

Nearly a month after a propane gas explosion at a Florida City strip mall, new surveillance footage is showing the blast from inside one of the businesses while a new lawsuit has also been filed against the gas company.

The police report says a technician from Anel Costatrueba Company told an officer he was working on the gas line to make sure everything was working properly and as soon as he turned on the gas, there was an explosion.

Betancourt’s attorneys say they cannot locate Anel Costatrueba Company but they believe they were the subcontractor. The attorneys say the company didn’t follow basic safety rules.

“If you follow the safety rules and you pull a building permit and you used a licensed contractor to install the gas appliances the explosion should never occur,” Coffey said.

However in this new video the attorney’s shared Thursday, there’s a truck with the name Radiant Propane Gas, which raises more questions for Betancourt, his attorneys and everyone else impacted by the explosion.

“Thank God that nobody really got hurt but just do the right thing, we didn’t create this problem, whoever created the problem come fix the problem,” Betancourt said.

NBC6 reached out to Radiant Propane Gas Thursday. Someone who picked up the phone said that they and Florigas fall under the same ownership. NBC6 has also not heard back from Florigas.

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Florida

Collier County’s most expensive home sold in February sold for $25M

Published

11 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Press Room

Collier County’s most expensive home sold in February sold for M

These are the Top 10 most expensive homes sold in Collier County in February.

Data provided by: Royal Shell Real Estate.

1. 4115 Cutlass Lane, Naples

List price: $28,750,000

Sold price: $25,000,000

Neighborhood/Development: Port Royal

Size: 6,291 square feet

Year built: 2022

Days on market: 355

Amenities: Gulf Access, Boat Dock/Lift, Jet Ski Lift, Beach Access, Private Pool/Spa, Outdoor Fireplace/Kitchen/Shower

View: Basin

2. 1365 Spyglass Lane, Naples

List price: $21,500,000

Sold price: $19,950,000

Neighborhood/Development: Port Royal

Size: 6,736 square feet

Year built: 2023

Days on market: 76

Amenities: Bayfront, Boat Dock, Beach Access, Clubhouse, Tennis Court, Private Pool/Spa, Built-In Gas Fire Pit/Grill, Deck, Fence, Outdoor Fireplace/Kitchen

View: Bay

3. 600 Galleon Drive, Naples

List price: $19,995,000

Sold price: $18,100,000

Neighborhood/Development: Port Royal

Size: 7,195 square feet

Year built: 2002

Days on market: 104

Amenities: Bayfront, Boat Dock, Tennis Court, Private Pool, Outdoor Kitchen

View: Bay

4. 1818 6th Street S., Naples

List price: $19,495,000

Sold price: $18,000,000

Neighborhood/Development: Aqualane Shores

Size: 6,305 square feet

Year built: 2025

Days on market: 0

Amenities: Gulf Access, Boat Dock, Private Pool/Spa, Built-In Grill, Deck, Outdoor Kitchen/Shower

View: Canal

5. 1640 Dolphin Court, Naples

List price: $15,995,000

Sold price: $15,150,000

Neighborhood/Development: Royal Harbor

Size: 6,500 square feet

Year built: 2025

Days on market: 65

Amenities: Bayfront, Private Pool/Spa, Built-In Gas Fire Pit/Grill, Deck, Outdoor Fireplace/Kitchen

View: Bay

6. 1040 2nd Street S., Naples

List price: $13,495,000

Sold price: $12,000,000

Neighborhood/Development: Olde Naples

Size: 5,486 square feet

Year built: 2020

Days on market: 20

Amenities: Private Pool/Spa, Built-In Grill

View: Landscaped Area

7. 436 Putter Point Court, Naples

List price: $10,900,000

Sold price: $10,100,000

Neighborhood/Development: The Moorings

Size: 5,156 square feet

Year built: 2025

Days on market: 62

Amenities: Private Pool/Spa, Fence, Outdoor Fireplace/Kitchen

View: Landscaped Area

8. 16961 Sud Cortile Court, Naples

List price: $7,897,000

Sold price: $7,650,000

Neighborhood/Development: Mediterra

Size: 5,128 square feet

Year built: 2015

Days on market: 49

Amenities: Lakefront, Beach Access, Clubhouse, Community Pool, Golf Course, Lap Pool, Private Membership, Putting Green, Tennis Court, Private Pool/Spa, Built-In Grill, Courtyard, Deck, Outdoor Fireplace/Kitchen

View: Golf Course, Lake

9. 2900 Indigobush Way, Naples

List price: $7,750,000

Sold price: $7,625,000

Neighborhood/Development: Grey Oaks

Size: 6,605 square feet

Year built: 2000

Days on market: 93

Amenities: Clubhouse, Community Pool/Spa, Concierge Services, Golf Course, Lap Pool, Private Membership, Putting Green, Sauna, Tennis Court, Private Pool/Spa, Built-In Grill, Outdoor Kitchen

View: Golf Course

10. 424 Spinnaker Drive, Naples

List price: $7,250,000

Sold price: $6,825,000

Neighborhood/Development: The Moorings

Size: 4,724 square feet

Year built: 2025

Days on market: 59

Amenities: Beach Access, Private Pool/Spa, Built-In Grill, Courtyard, Deck, Fence, Outdoor Fireplace/Kitchen

View: Landscaped Area

Please support local community journalism and stay informed about Southwest Florida news by subscribing to The News-Press and Naples Daily News; download the free News-Press or Naples Daily News app, and sign up for daily briefing email newsletter, food & dining and growth & development newsletters here.

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Florida

Florida woman confesses to stabbing 76-year-old roommate to death, authorities say

Published

23 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

Florida woman confesses to stabbing 76-year-old roommate to death, authorities say

A Florida woman confessed to stabbing her 76-year-old roommate to death before covering his body with a tarp, stealing his truck and driving away from the scene, according to authorities.

The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect as Shannon R. Giblin, 48.

Shannon R. Giblin (Photo: Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office)

In a news release, the sheriff’s office said deputies were dispatched to a home on Sunday after they received a report about a person who was not breathing. When they arrived at the home, they found a man, later identified as Paul De Wayne Bradley, who was dead.

Police said they tracked Giblin down in Bradley’s truck, which was missing from the driveway, in Sarasota County.

“As Charlotte County detectives questioned Giblin, she provided a confession to stabbing Bradley following an argument,” Sheriff Bill Prummell said in the release.

“After realizing that the victim was beyond help, Giblin then covered Bradley with a tarp and left the scene in the victim’s pickup truck,” Prummell added.

Online jail records show Giblin was charged with second-degree murder, as well as grand theft of a motor vehicle.

“I want to recognize my Major Crimes detectives who worked this case through the night and identified the suspect quickly,” Prummell said. “They truly show a dedication to their craft and the results are irrefutable. I also want to thank the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office for their quick actions in locating and detaining her based on the intelligence my team was able to share. As I have always said, Southwest Florida is fortunate to have law enforcement who work together so effectively for the people we serve.”

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Giblin is being held without bond, according to the release.

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Florida

Florida No Kings protests planned for Stuart, Fort Pierce

Published

1 day ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

Florida No Kings protests planned for Stuart, Fort Pierce

There are two No Kings protests planned for the Treasure Coast; one in Stuart and one in Fort Pierce.

No Kings Day protests are scheduled for March 28, with over a thousand protests planned across the United States.

Organizers say the No Kings events will challenge President Donald Trump as he escalates “his attempts to control us.” Dozens of protests are planned across Florida, including two on the Treasure Coast.

Here’s what to know about the protests.

What is a No Kings protest?

No Kings is a nationwide protest organized in response to President Donald Trump and his administration.

“It is on us, the people, to show that we will fight to protect one another and our country,” according to the nokings.org website. “If he believes we will roll over and allow him to take our freedoms, he is mistaken.”

One core principle of No Kings is a commitment to nonviolent action. The organization’s website states participants should seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with dissenters and act lawfully.

No Kings protest in Stuart

No Kings protest in Fort Pierce

No Kings protests in Florida

There are dozens of protests planned across Florida, including two on the Treasure Coast, with one in Stuart and one in Fort Pierce. Find a protest near you.

Olivia Franklin is TCPalm’s trending reporter. You can contact her at olivia.franklin@tcpalm.com, 317-627-8048 or follow her on X @Livvvvv_5.

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