Jake’s story: A mother’s mission to share her son’s story and help other young peopleOwner bars public from Barefoot Lake, LCSO installs Watch Tower
FORT MYERS Jake’s story: A mother’s mission to share her son’s story and help other young people One Fort Myers mom is turning her pain into purpose after her son, who she refers to as her “heavenly Angel,” took his own life.
LEHIGH ACRES Owner bars public from Barefoot Lake, LCSO installs Watch Tower Every weekend, roughly 200 people go to Barefoot Lake in Lehigh Acres to relax, fish, swim and have a good time.
CAPE CORAL Concern over water shortage in Cape Coral Concern is flowing through Cape Coral as neighbors are seeing their canal levels low and their wells run dry.
FORT MYERS FSW softball swinging for success in the postseason Now their focus shifts to states which means the newbies are looking to the experienced sophomores for advice.
BONITA SPRINGS Young SWFL tennis player competing with professionals You may not know her name now, but you might want remember it because 16-year-old Cookie Jarvis-Tredgett is already competing with professionals.
NORTH NAPLES ‘It’s all about connection,’ Statement Peace makes jewelry with sustainability in mind The brand Statement Peace, once started inside founder Jessica Lee’s home, is now in 2,700 stores across the country
Pine Manor 2 arrested for firing gun at birthday party in Pine Manor A party ended with two people behind bars.
FORT MYERS Shooting investigation on busy Fort Myers street Police are conducting a shooting investigation that involves a traffic crash near Michigan Avenue and Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard.
FGCU New FGCU athletic director Colin Hargis ready to build on department’s success New FGCU athletic director Colin Hargis talks about the department’s future amid the age of NIL and the transfer portal.
FORT MYERS More middle-aged women being treated for acne You probably thought you broke up with it after high school, but acne is rearing it’s ugly blackheads in adult women.
Lee County student ran up and hit teacher in head, report shows The report says a 13-year-old student ran up and smacked a teacher in the head because multiple classmates offered him money to do so.
NAPLES Collier Planning Commission continues discussion for apartments near Fiddler’s Creek The developer of Fiddler’s Creek wants to build hundreds of luxury apartments on a slice of a 600 acre-plus property known as section 29.
CAPE CORAL Fatigue sets in for third day of FEMA hearings Flying several hours to come to a FEMA code compliance hearing in Cape Coral is the reality for John Gasparini from Maryland.
Prescription drug shortages lead to higher prices There are currently more than 250 medications on the nation’s drug shortage list, according to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. The organization says 2023 marked the worst year for shortages in about a decade.
Mental health resources to help children Here are some resources to help you navigate the mental health system when it comes to help for children. Park Royal Park Royal does not have in-patient options for youth; however, the facility’s launched a new intensive outpatient program for 14 to 17-year-olds. It typically last several weeks or months, and offers three to five […]
FORT MYERS Jake’s story: A mother’s mission to share her son’s story and help other young people One Fort Myers mom is turning her pain into purpose after her son, who she refers to as her “heavenly Angel,” took his own life.
LEHIGH ACRES Owner bars public from Barefoot Lake, LCSO installs Watch Tower Every weekend, roughly 200 people go to Barefoot Lake in Lehigh Acres to relax, fish, swim and have a good time.
CAPE CORAL Concern over water shortage in Cape Coral Concern is flowing through Cape Coral as neighbors are seeing their canal levels low and their wells run dry.
FORT MYERS FSW softball swinging for success in the postseason Now their focus shifts to states which means the newbies are looking to the experienced sophomores for advice.
BONITA SPRINGS Young SWFL tennis player competing with professionals You may not know her name now, but you might want remember it because 16-year-old Cookie Jarvis-Tredgett is already competing with professionals.
NORTH NAPLES ‘It’s all about connection,’ Statement Peace makes jewelry with sustainability in mind The brand Statement Peace, once started inside founder Jessica Lee’s home, is now in 2,700 stores across the country
Pine Manor 2 arrested for firing gun at birthday party in Pine Manor A party ended with two people behind bars.
FORT MYERS Shooting investigation on busy Fort Myers street Police are conducting a shooting investigation that involves a traffic crash near Michigan Avenue and Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard.
FGCU New FGCU athletic director Colin Hargis ready to build on department’s success New FGCU athletic director Colin Hargis talks about the department’s future amid the age of NIL and the transfer portal.
FORT MYERS More middle-aged women being treated for acne You probably thought you broke up with it after high school, but acne is rearing it’s ugly blackheads in adult women.
Lee County student ran up and hit teacher in head, report shows The report says a 13-year-old student ran up and smacked a teacher in the head because multiple classmates offered him money to do so.
NAPLES Collier Planning Commission continues discussion for apartments near Fiddler’s Creek The developer of Fiddler’s Creek wants to build hundreds of luxury apartments on a slice of a 600 acre-plus property known as section 29.
CAPE CORAL Fatigue sets in for third day of FEMA hearings Flying several hours to come to a FEMA code compliance hearing in Cape Coral is the reality for John Gasparini from Maryland.
Prescription drug shortages lead to higher prices There are currently more than 250 medications on the nation’s drug shortage list, according to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. The organization says 2023 marked the worst year for shortages in about a decade.
Mental health resources to help children Here are some resources to help you navigate the mental health system when it comes to help for children. Park Royal Park Royal does not have in-patient options for youth; however, the facility’s launched a new intensive outpatient program for 14 to 17-year-olds. It typically last several weeks or months, and offers three to five […]
Jorge Guerrero-Torres A grand jury has returned an indictment for multiple charges against Jorge Guerrero-Torres, the state attorney’s office announced Thursday. The State Attorney’s Office held a press conference, along with members of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. The grand jury returned an indictment for Guerrero-Torres on First-Degree Murder, Kidnapping, and Lewd and Lascivious Molestation in the death of Diana Alvarez, 9, of San Carlos Park, who went missing nearly two years ago, according to Chief Assistant State Attorney Amira Fox. Guerrero-Torres was found guilty on May 16, 2017 of producing and possessing lewd images of Alvarez and was later sentenced to 40 years in prison. Guerrero-Torres will remain in the Lee County Jail until trial for these new charges, investigators said. If convicted, he would first serve his sentence in state prison before being transferred to federal prison to serve his additional sentence. MORE: Man linked to Diana Alvarez held without bond on new charges Guerrero-Torres’ arraignment is scheduled for May 7. Undersheriff Carmine Marceno said he hopes the indictment would help Diana’s family begin the road to healing. “We know today that we will never bring Diana back, but we also hope we bring some closure to the family,” Marceno said. A mother’s reaction Hernandez expressed her frustration Wednesday afternoon during a press conference, hours after the state attorney’s office announced a grand jury returned an indictment against Guerrero-Torres. MORE: Man linked to missing girl found guilty in child porn trial Hernandez is heartbroken, but said she wouldn’t “wish this on anyone.” Hernandez said she’s happy Guerrero-Torres will never be able to be able to hurt another child, but fundamentally disagrees with the maximum punishment he faces. Hernandez said if she could choose, she’d ask for the death penalty. “If my daughter is not alive, then he doesn’t deserve to be alive,” Hernandez said. MORE: Graphic images of Diana Alvarez found on person of interest’s phone When asked if Hernandez wanted crews to keep searching for Diana’s body, she responded: “Why keep searching?” As she’s come to terms with the unnerving realization that her daughter is gone. ‘We’re not gonna quit’ Michael Hadsell, president of Peace River K9 Search and Rescue, identified one key piece of evidence investigators are missing: a body. “I’m surprised that the murder one charge, but if they feel they’ve got enough evidence to do that, good for them,” Hadsell said. The search for Diana has been ongoing after two organizations announced in May they’d restart their pursuit, and for their efforts will not waiver. MORE: Diana Alvarez still missing on 10th birthday “We’re not gonna quit until we do find her, one way or another, we will find her,” Hadsell said. Search tactics include retracing and tracking Guerrero-Torres’ past movements in places like Central Florida. “We’ve been searching mostly off Highway 60, and that was one of the last area’s that his cell phones were pinging,” Hadsell said. Hadsell added how the dry conditions could provide an advantage in the search. MORE: Search to resume for missing San Carlos Park girl “Right now it’s dry so it gives us access to a lot of areas we didn’t have access to last year,” Hadsell said. Hadsell spoke fondly of Rita Hernandez, Diana’s mother, and expressed his dedication to continue the search. “We are in this for mom, so we will stay in it until the end,” Hadsell said. MORE: Renewed search for missing San Carlos Park girl unsuccessful Authorities still haven’t found her body. Eighty-eight percent of cases without a body result in convictions, according to the U.S. attorney’s office. 31 cases have resulted in capital punishment. “Lee County is a great agency and they’ll do what they have to do to bring this case to a resolution,” Hadsell said.