Largest Lee County land deal closes, $100M for 1,745 acres in northwest Cape CoralMajor 2 vehicle crash shuts down NB lanes of U.S. 41 in Charlotte
Largest Lee County land deal closes, $100M for 1,745 acres in northwest Cape Coral The most lucrative land deal in Lee County history just closed at a price of $100 million for 1,745 acres in northwest Cape Coral, where building up to 3,500 homes and commercial property to support it has been in the planning stages for almost two years.
CHARLOTTE HARBOR Major 2 vehicle crash shuts down NB lanes of U.S. 41 in Charlotte After a major traffic accident near Sunseeker Resort in Charlotte County, all Northbound lanes of U.S. 41 were closed.
FORT MYERS Apple AirPods lead LCSO to an arrest ; over $100,000 worth of stolen items recovered Through the use of Apple Airpods, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office was able to locate nearly $100,000 worth of stolen items, leading to an arrest.
LABELLE Hendry County rolls out cameras for school speed zones The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office has rolled out a new way of enforcing school zone speed limits by using cameras that will target drivers traveling over a certain speed in a school zone.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral officials approve replacement funding for hurricane-damaged stop signs The Cape Coral City Council has approved funding to replace stop signs damaged during Hurricane Milton, resulting in an emergency purchase.
Holiday events happening in Southwest Florida Southwest Florida is embracing the holiday spirit with a variety of festive events this Christmas season.
Collier man accused of supplying fentanyl-laced pills, enough to kill 531,500 people The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man accused of supplying more than 10,000 fentanyl-laced pills disguised as prescription painkillers.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral council supports construction of I-75 interchange into city The Cape Coral City Council has approved a resolution requesting support from Lee and Charlotte counties to prioritize state and federal funding for the Interstate 75 Interchange at Slater Road.
PUNTA GORDA Crews removing derelict boats from Gilchrist Park Crews are working to remove derelict boats from Gilchrist Park after several of them washed ashore during Hurricane Milton in October.
33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee County Another Florida panther has been killed by a vehicle, this time in Hardee County, increasing the death toll of the endangered species to 33 for 2024.
the weather authority Cool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon After waking up to a cold morning, the Weather Authority is tracking warming conditions to the low 70s this Thursday.
Police release threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
Largest Lee County land deal closes, $100M for 1,745 acres in northwest Cape Coral The most lucrative land deal in Lee County history just closed at a price of $100 million for 1,745 acres in northwest Cape Coral, where building up to 3,500 homes and commercial property to support it has been in the planning stages for almost two years.
CHARLOTTE HARBOR Major 2 vehicle crash shuts down NB lanes of U.S. 41 in Charlotte After a major traffic accident near Sunseeker Resort in Charlotte County, all Northbound lanes of U.S. 41 were closed.
FORT MYERS Apple AirPods lead LCSO to an arrest ; over $100,000 worth of stolen items recovered Through the use of Apple Airpods, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office was able to locate nearly $100,000 worth of stolen items, leading to an arrest.
LABELLE Hendry County rolls out cameras for school speed zones The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office has rolled out a new way of enforcing school zone speed limits by using cameras that will target drivers traveling over a certain speed in a school zone.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral officials approve replacement funding for hurricane-damaged stop signs The Cape Coral City Council has approved funding to replace stop signs damaged during Hurricane Milton, resulting in an emergency purchase.
Holiday events happening in Southwest Florida Southwest Florida is embracing the holiday spirit with a variety of festive events this Christmas season.
Collier man accused of supplying fentanyl-laced pills, enough to kill 531,500 people The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man accused of supplying more than 10,000 fentanyl-laced pills disguised as prescription painkillers.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral council supports construction of I-75 interchange into city The Cape Coral City Council has approved a resolution requesting support from Lee and Charlotte counties to prioritize state and federal funding for the Interstate 75 Interchange at Slater Road.
PUNTA GORDA Crews removing derelict boats from Gilchrist Park Crews are working to remove derelict boats from Gilchrist Park after several of them washed ashore during Hurricane Milton in October.
33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee County Another Florida panther has been killed by a vehicle, this time in Hardee County, increasing the death toll of the endangered species to 33 for 2024.
the weather authority Cool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon After waking up to a cold morning, the Weather Authority is tracking warming conditions to the low 70s this Thursday.
Police release threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
MGN Online FALL RIVER, Mass. (AP) – A perjury charge was dropped Friday against the fiancee of former New England Patriots star and convicted murderer Aaron Hernandez. Shayanna Jenkins had pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors had said she lied dozens of times to the grand jury that investigated the death of Odin Lloyd, who was dating her younger sister. Hernandez was convicted of first-degree murder in Lloyd’s killing last month. Prosecutors asked a judge to dismiss the charge in a filing Thursday, citing Jenkins’ testimony in Hernandez’s trial in March. On Friday, in a hearing that lasted just minutes, Superior Court Judge Susan Garsh agreed and dismissed the charge. Outside court, Jenkins said, “I’m feeling great. I’m happy to start my future with my daughter and move forward.” Jenkins and Hernandez have a 2-year-old daughter together. When asked if she and Hernandez were still together, Jenkins said, “Eh” and grabbed her large diamond engagement ring and twisted it. She quickly cut questioning short and walked away, not answering when asked if she has spoken with Hernandez. Hernandez was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole last month in Lloyd’s killing. Hernandez’s lawyers appealed the conviction this week. Jenkins’ lawyer, Janice Bassil, said outside court that the perjury charges should never have been brought. “She made an honest mistake,” Bassil said. Gregg Miliote, a spokesman for the district attorney’s office, said prosecutors disagreed with the contention that the charges never should have been brought. He said the office moved to drop the charges because she later cooperated more fully at trial. “As a result of her more truthful testimony at trial, we could not in good faith continue the prosecution in this case,” he said. Bassil has said Jenkins was bombarded with 1,630 questions over two days before a grand jury and didn’t willfully lie. Prosecutors had said Jenkins repeatedly lied in testimony, including about getting rid of a box from the basement of her and Hernandez’s North Attleborough home at his request. They say Jenkins told grand jurors she couldn’t recall where she threw out the box, which she put in a trash bag along with baby clothes. Prosecutors have said the box may have contained crucial evidence, even the murder weapon, which was never found. In the appeal, filed this week, Hernandez’s lawyers argue that “no rational jury” could have found his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. “Rather, improper speculation, conjecture and guesswork was required to reach a guilty verdict,” they wrote. They also argue that even if there were enough to support a murder conviction, the judge should reduce it to second-degree murder because there wasn’t enough evidence that he acted with extreme atrocity or cruelty. A second-degree conviction would allow Hernandez to be eligible for parole after 15 years. Under Massachusetts law, all first-degree murder convictions are automatically appealed. Prosecutors have 30 days to respond. Miliote said Friday that the appeal could take years. Also this week, Bristol County Superior Court Judge Richard Moses temporarily barred the sale of Hernandez’s 2005 Hummer. The vehicle turned up for sale at a used car lot in Wrentham this month. Moses is overseeing a lawsuit brought by Ursula Ward, Lloyd’s mother. Her lawyers have been trying to track Hernandez’s assets. In court documents, Ward’s lawyer says there is a substantial likelihood she’ll win more than $5 million in the case, and they asked the court to issue a preliminary injunction barring the Hummer’s sale. The judge set a hearing for May 21.