Rock for Equality: SWFL non-profit hosts benefit concert for PalestineWarm, breezy Saturday with a few showers possible
Rock for Equality: SWFL non-profit hosts benefit concert for Palestine A Southwest Florida non-profit hosted a benefit concert on Friday night to help with humanitarian aid in Palestine.
Warm, breezy Saturday with a few showers possible The Weather Authority is forecasting a breezy, warm weekend in store across Southwest Florida, with the chance of a few showers, particularly on Saturday.
CAPE CORAL Active investigation underway in South Cape Coral Police are investigating at a home on Southwest 49th Terrace in South Cape Coral.
16 transported after 2 airboats crash in Collier County According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, two airboats crashed south of U.S. 41 east between mile markers 74 and 75, leaving well over a dozen people injured.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA New bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes There could be new detectives on the block, located in your nearest auto shop. A new state bill aims at trying to stop hit-and-run drivers from getting away.
CAPE CORAL New leash on life; Cape Coral shelter dog beats cancer with drug being tested for humans A drug now being studied in human trials to kill cancerous tumors, is already approved and helping animals.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral planning a new interchange with I-75 The city of Cape Coral is in the early stages of planning a new interchange with I-75, an idea that has been discussed for more than a decade.
Tracking invasive species after hurricanes Hurricanes Helene and Milton didn’t just bring wind and rain, they brought new threats to southwest Florida’s ecosystem.
PUNTA GORDA Woman in Punta Gorda shooting charged with 2nd degree murder A woman in a homicide investigation on Nasturtium Drive in Punta Gorda has been charged with 2nd-degree murder.
Lee County mother continuing fight to get children a bus stop The school district already told her she lives too close to the school to qualify for a bus route but she has not given up.
NORTH NAPLES Grant Thornton Invitational returns to Tiburon Golf Club Stars on the PGA and LPGA Tours are back in Southwest Florida for the Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburon Golf Club.
FORT MYERS Black Flag brings classic punk energy to The Ranch in Fort Myers Legendary punk band Black Flag made their mark in Southwest Florida during the Fort Myers stop of their “First Four Years” tour.
Charlotte Technical College breaks ground on aviation facility The Charlotte County School District is flying high and keeping its “Space Academy” designation with a new aviation training facility for students.
CAPE CORAL Man arrested in connection with Cape Coral home invasion The Cape Coral Police Department has announced the arrest of one of three men suspected in a home invasion that took place earlier this month.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral residents react to $100M North Cape land deal The city of Cape Coral is seeing two projects that will change the city. One is called one of the most lucrative deals in county history.
Rock for Equality: SWFL non-profit hosts benefit concert for Palestine A Southwest Florida non-profit hosted a benefit concert on Friday night to help with humanitarian aid in Palestine.
Warm, breezy Saturday with a few showers possible The Weather Authority is forecasting a breezy, warm weekend in store across Southwest Florida, with the chance of a few showers, particularly on Saturday.
CAPE CORAL Active investigation underway in South Cape Coral Police are investigating at a home on Southwest 49th Terrace in South Cape Coral.
16 transported after 2 airboats crash in Collier County According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, two airboats crashed south of U.S. 41 east between mile markers 74 and 75, leaving well over a dozen people injured.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA New bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes There could be new detectives on the block, located in your nearest auto shop. A new state bill aims at trying to stop hit-and-run drivers from getting away.
CAPE CORAL New leash on life; Cape Coral shelter dog beats cancer with drug being tested for humans A drug now being studied in human trials to kill cancerous tumors, is already approved and helping animals.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral planning a new interchange with I-75 The city of Cape Coral is in the early stages of planning a new interchange with I-75, an idea that has been discussed for more than a decade.
Tracking invasive species after hurricanes Hurricanes Helene and Milton didn’t just bring wind and rain, they brought new threats to southwest Florida’s ecosystem.
PUNTA GORDA Woman in Punta Gorda shooting charged with 2nd degree murder A woman in a homicide investigation on Nasturtium Drive in Punta Gorda has been charged with 2nd-degree murder.
Lee County mother continuing fight to get children a bus stop The school district already told her she lives too close to the school to qualify for a bus route but she has not given up.
NORTH NAPLES Grant Thornton Invitational returns to Tiburon Golf Club Stars on the PGA and LPGA Tours are back in Southwest Florida for the Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburon Golf Club.
FORT MYERS Black Flag brings classic punk energy to The Ranch in Fort Myers Legendary punk band Black Flag made their mark in Southwest Florida during the Fort Myers stop of their “First Four Years” tour.
Charlotte Technical College breaks ground on aviation facility The Charlotte County School District is flying high and keeping its “Space Academy” designation with a new aviation training facility for students.
CAPE CORAL Man arrested in connection with Cape Coral home invasion The Cape Coral Police Department has announced the arrest of one of three men suspected in a home invasion that took place earlier this month.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral residents react to $100M North Cape land deal The city of Cape Coral is seeing two projects that will change the city. One is called one of the most lucrative deals in county history.
FORT MYERS, Fla. – Traffic nightmares happen every day across Southwest Florida and there may be no end in sight to the long commutes. “I normally leave no later than 10 minutes to 7,” said Mary Vogt of Cape Coral, who travels Monday through Friday to her office just over 10 miles from her home. Vogt has to leave 70 minutes early to prevent being late. “My family thinks I’m crazy,” said Vogt. “It’s bumper to bumper just about the whole way.” Vogt says she risks more than doubling her commute time if she leaves any later. But her story isn’t unique, she’s just one of thousands of commuters who hit the road every morning and sit in traffic throughout Southwest Florida. Donald Scott is the executive director of the Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization. The group looks at roadways across the area and tries to figure out what needs the most improvement. Scott says growing pains are expected as more people call Lee County home. “We’re at about 658,000 right now,” said Scott. “More population is going to bring more trips.” The solutions to manage the traffic aren’t easy. An intricate highway system with toll roads and freeways isn’t an option for Southwest Florida. Not just in the near future, but even in the long term. Zachary Burch, a communications manager for the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), says the department is “Working with what we have available. We don’t have 10 existing interstates that we can do connections to like in Orlando where they have I-4 and I-75, and 275.” Burch says systems like that cost billions of dollars, and that’s money the state doesn’t have. FDOT wants to connect the City of Cape Coral to I-75, but the federal government won’t allow it. That’s because they own the highway and have strict rules when new ramps can be built. “One of the neighboring interstate exits has to be failing,” said Burch, meaning too many cars are using the exit. One example would be the new Southwest Florida International Airport direct connect. Burch says the reason why the new exit ramp is so long, is because the federal government wouldn’t let the department move it, since it is not failing. So, FDOT had to build a road to the exit just off the highway in order to follow federal guidelines. Another problem is the lack of popularity when it comes to flyovers, which the state says helps drivers avoid busy intersections altogether. The dismissal of projects like that can cause more traffic nightmares and be bad for business. “If you have a situation where there’s a really busy intersection and people are waiting for a long time to get through it, they will avoid it if possible,” said Burch. However, not every project is hitting a red light. Millions of dollars are being spent at growing and repairing current roads. “Burnt Store Road towards the north in Charlotte County, Homestead in Lehigh,” are just some of the roads under construction said Scott. However for Vogt, it’s just about getting to work on time and it doesn’t seem like she’ll be able to sleep in anytime soon. “Every morning, it’s the same way,” said Vogt. “Once seasons hits, it’s going to be even worse. Definitely.”