Next to winning the $10,000 grand prize for the annual\u00a0Florida Python Challenge, capturing and eliminating the longest python during the competition comes with some serious bragging rights.<\/p>\n
The grand prize winner is determined by most snakes eliminated, which is the point of the Python Challenge, held this year from July 10-19.<\/p>\n
This year's ultimate grand prize winner for most snakes removed was Tom Rahill of Lutz, who harvested 96 pythons\u00a0to claim the $10,000 award.<\/p>\n
Python hunter Rahm Levinson took the honors in the professional division this year for longest python. A python he turned in to officials measured 16 feet, 5 inches. He won $1,000. Levinson caught the snake in\u00a0Everglades National Park.<\/p>\n
In the novice division, Vincent Poole won $1,000 for longest python \u2212 8 feet, 2 inches.And in the Military Division (active and retired) the $1,000 prize was earned by Jeffery "Heath" Roser of the U.S. Army. His big catch was 8 feet, 7 inches.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n
The 2026 Florida Python Challenge was hosted by the FWC and the South Florida Water Management District. \u2013 Mark Bickel\/USA TODAY Network-Florida<\/p>\n
The\u00a0cyclosporiasis outbreak\u00a0is escalating in Florida which includes seven new cases in Lee County in one week.Florida added 87 new cases of the parasitic illness associated with "explosive diarrhea" for the week of July 26 through Aug. 1, according to the\u00a0state Department of Health\u00a0update.<\/p>\n
Collier County added one case while\u00a0Lee's seven new cases matches how many new cases it saw in the prior seven days.<\/p>\n
Since May 1 when public health authorities began tracking the outbreak, Florida has had a cumulative 342 cases in 42 counties, according to DOH.<\/p>\n
Lee's cumulative is 30 and Collier is at 7. The state figures include confirmed and probable cases. \u2013 Liz Freeman\/USA TODAY Network-Florida<\/p>\n
If you missed Friday's Marco Eagle, you can read those stories online now at marconews.com or click on the\u00a0eNewspaper\u00a0and read it and other past issues online, just as they appear in print.<\/p>\n
\u00a0Island weighs major rezoning \u2013 Hilton, Rose Marina seek to expand<\/p>\n
Joe Belardo named Marco Island's new police chief<\/p>\n
From sports bar to Italian eatery \u2013 Ador\u00e9 Bar & Cucina replaces Pelican Larry's<\/p>\n
In Now You Know: Marco building largest Vietnam memorial in U.S.; commissioner works to repair ATONS; Rhinestone Rodeo preview.<\/p>\n