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 motherās 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 motherās 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.
LONDON (AP) — From sure bet to suspended, Michel Platini’s career in soccer politics could be over. The UEFA president is likely to be barred from standing in February’s emergency FIFA presidential election, with his minimum 90-day ban starting only a few weeks before he would have had to pass integrity checks. Thursday’s decision by the FIFA ethics committee throws into doubt who will succeed Sepp Blatter as head of the world’s most popular sport on Feb. 26. Here’s a look at some of the questions concerning the election: ___ WHY HAS PLATINI BEEN SUSPENDED? Officially, the FIFA ethics committee is not saying why because of secrecy rules the all-powerful executive committee refused to ease last month. But Platini was suspended for 90 days along with FIFA President Sepp Blatter two weeks after they both became embroiled in a Swiss criminal investigation. They were questioned by the Swiss investigators about why Platini received 2 million Swiss francs (about $2 million) from FIFA in 2011 for work carried out up to 2002. The case appears to be more serious for Blatter, who is considered a suspect. Platini is being treated “between a witness and an accused person,” according to Swiss authorities. Both deny wrongdoing and have not been charged. The case could hinge partially on whether there is a written contract that shows Platini was owed the money. Platini said he wasn’t paid in 2002 because of FIFA’s financial predicament. ___ WHY IS THERE A PRESIDENTIAL VACANCY AT FIFA? Blatter was re-elected for a fifth, four-year term as FIFA president on May 29, despite some of his closest allies being arrested in Zurich after they were indicted by U.S. authorities in a far-reaching soccer bribery case. Four days later, the 79-year-old Blatter announced his decision to quit, seemingly under pressure from sponsors and the threat of legal action. The presidential election date was set for Feb. 26, with the deadline for contenders to submit their candidacies on Oct. 26. Not only do they require the backing of five of the 209 federations but they must pass integrity checks to show they are suitable to run FIFA. Platini submitted his candidacy documents on Thursday morning, shortly before he was suspended by FIFA. It’s seems highly unlikely he could be approved to make the ballot while banned from carrying out any role in soccer for 90 days. ___ IF NOT PLATINI, WHO COULD WIN? Platini’s closest challenger before his suspension was Prince Ali bin al-Hussein. The Jordanian had the support of Platini and much of Europe in the May election when he challenged Blatter, but the prince turned on the Frenchman when it became clear they would be rivals in the new election. The prince will hope to sweep up support in Europe, but for now Platini appears to have maintained his backers. And when Europe’s 54 nations meet on Thursday at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, they will be discussing whether to stick with Platini or search for a new candidate to support. South Korea’s Chung Mong-joon, a former FIFA vice president, was ruled out of contention on Thursday when he was banned from soccer for six years over breaches relating to the investigation into the 2022 World Cup bidding contest. Here are some other people who have expressed an interest in standing for FIFA president but who have yet to say if they have five nominations: — Brazil great Zico — Former Trinidad and Tobago captain David Nakhid — Former Nigeria player Segun Odegbami — Liberia federation president Musa Bility — Former Nigerian state governor Orji Uzor Kalu ___ OTHER POTENTIAL CONTENDERS? — Two Gulf sheikhs, who are members of FIFA’s executive committee, are constantly linked with the presidency: Asian Football Confederation President Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa from Bahrain and Sheikh Ahmad Fahad Al Ahmad Al Sabah, an Olympic powerbroker from Kuwait. Neither has offered any public intention they want the top job. — South African businessman Tokyo Sexwale, a longtime confidante of Nelson Mandela, says he is still considering whether to stand. He made a high-profile international trip on FIFA business last week, mediating between the Palestinian and Israeli soccer federations in Tel Aviv. — Jerome Champagne, a former FIFA deputy secretary general, is still mulling over his options after failing to gain the five federation nominations required to stand in May. — German soccer federation president Wolfgang Niersbach is expected to be a future leader, but his immediate ambition appeared to be replacing Platini at UEFA. ___ CAN ANYONE BE FIFA PRESIDENT? A recent FIFA rule states that would-be candidates must have an active role in soccer for two of the past five years. But International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach called for a “credible external presidential candidate.” Some IOC officials have suggested a figure like former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan could be a possibility for the presidency. ___ Rob Harris can be followed at www.twitter.com/RobHarris and www.facebook.com/RobHarrisReports