Online vs. in-store: How shoppers are tackling Cyber MondayShy Wolf Sanctuary receives $150,000 donation
Online vs. in-store: How shoppers are tackling Cyber Monday Just when you thought it was safe to put your credit card away, Cyber Monday takes another bite out of your budget.
NAPLES Shy Wolf Sanctuary receives $150,000 donation The Shy Wolf Sanctuary, one of Naples’s hidden gems, is now benefiting from a healthy donation from Thomas Golisano.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers man arrested for shooting bicyclist with shotgun A man in Fort Myers has been arrested after he allegedly shot a bicyclist with a shotgun.
tice New details after woman stabbed, boyfriend beat up in late-night Tice home invasion Deputies have released details after arresting a Tice man after a reported stabbing that left a woman injured and a man assaulted in Lee County.
FORT MYERS Boy with autism drowns in Fort Myers pond We have learned that a child drowned in Lee County on Friday.
NAPLES Man arrested for sex crimes with underage girl on Naples Pier A Naples man has been arrested for allegedly having sex with a minor on the Naples Pier.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte man accused of storing child porn on Xbox A Port Charlotte man has been arrested and accused of storing child pornography on his Xbox.
FORT MYERS Man accused of stealing Twisted Tea from Fort Myers gas station Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is seeking information on a man accused of stealing a 12-pack of Twisted Tea from a Fort Myers gas station.
Small-town LaBelle lands big-name franchise Culver’s That small-town feel continues for Culver’s, which just opened its first location in Hendry County’s LaBelle, a city that recently eclipsed 5,000 residents and is skyrocketing in growth.
Collier County Sheriff’s Office warns of voicemail scam The Collier County Sheriff’s Office is warning of a scam in which a fraudster leaves a voicemail advising their intended victim to contact a specific person at the sheriff’s office.
port charlotte Charlotte County opens cold weather shelter for the homeless The Charlotte CARE Center has opened its doors to displaced people needing shelter from the cold temperatures.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island City Council seeks applicants for official positions Marco Island City Council is recruiting qualified residents to fill Advisory Committee or Board positions.
BOKEELIA Man wanted in armed robbery at Bokeelia business Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is seeking information on a man wanted for an armed robbery at a Bokeelia business.
Person shot and killed at Nasturtium Drive in Charlotte County The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office says a person was shot and killed at Nasturtium Drive in a neighborhood in Charlotte County.
Online vs. in-store: How shoppers are tackling Cyber Monday Just when you thought it was safe to put your credit card away, Cyber Monday takes another bite out of your budget.
NAPLES Shy Wolf Sanctuary receives $150,000 donation The Shy Wolf Sanctuary, one of Naples’s hidden gems, is now benefiting from a healthy donation from Thomas Golisano.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers man arrested for shooting bicyclist with shotgun A man in Fort Myers has been arrested after he allegedly shot a bicyclist with a shotgun.
tice New details after woman stabbed, boyfriend beat up in late-night Tice home invasion Deputies have released details after arresting a Tice man after a reported stabbing that left a woman injured and a man assaulted in Lee County.
FORT MYERS Boy with autism drowns in Fort Myers pond We have learned that a child drowned in Lee County on Friday.
NAPLES Man arrested for sex crimes with underage girl on Naples Pier A Naples man has been arrested for allegedly having sex with a minor on the Naples Pier.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte man accused of storing child porn on Xbox A Port Charlotte man has been arrested and accused of storing child pornography on his Xbox.
FORT MYERS Man accused of stealing Twisted Tea from Fort Myers gas station Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is seeking information on a man accused of stealing a 12-pack of Twisted Tea from a Fort Myers gas station.
Small-town LaBelle lands big-name franchise Culver’s That small-town feel continues for Culver’s, which just opened its first location in Hendry County’s LaBelle, a city that recently eclipsed 5,000 residents and is skyrocketing in growth.
Collier County Sheriff’s Office warns of voicemail scam The Collier County Sheriff’s Office is warning of a scam in which a fraudster leaves a voicemail advising their intended victim to contact a specific person at the sheriff’s office.
port charlotte Charlotte County opens cold weather shelter for the homeless The Charlotte CARE Center has opened its doors to displaced people needing shelter from the cold temperatures.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island City Council seeks applicants for official positions Marco Island City Council is recruiting qualified residents to fill Advisory Committee or Board positions.
BOKEELIA Man wanted in armed robbery at Bokeelia business Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is seeking information on a man wanted for an armed robbery at a Bokeelia business.
Person shot and killed at Nasturtium Drive in Charlotte County The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office says a person was shot and killed at Nasturtium Drive in a neighborhood in Charlotte County.
FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. – The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity activated an emergency loan program on Thursday to help local businesses recoup losses suffered from Lake Okeechobee water releases. But some Southwest Florida business owners said they will not participate. The department surveyed more than 100 businesses affected by record high waters at Lake Okeechobee. The Pink Shell Beach Resort on Fort Myers Beach was one of 27 businesses from Southwest Florida that reported economic loss. The resort lost between $250,000 and $500,000 and laid off 12 employees, according to reports. David Ribeca of Sea Level Fishing Charters and Eco Tours in Cape Coral said he has had more cancellations that he remembers in his 18 years with the businesses. “It’s the worst I’ve just ever ever seen. I just lost money in the last 60 to 90 days,” Ribeca said. Fred Simcic owns Snoot Hut Bait and Tackle in Cape Coral and said his business is down 20 percent because tourists don’t want to fish in murky brown waters. “A tourist will spend in our store, on average $10 to $20 a day when they are here,” Simcic said. “When you don’t have that tourist here, that’s $100, 200 a week that we don’t see.” Both Ribeca and Simcic have explained their problems to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. Morgan McCord of the Florida Department of Economic Development said Ribeca and Simcic are valuable assets to the state’s economy. “We know small businesses are the backbone of our economy here in the state so DEO is committed to doing everything we can to help get these businesses back on their feet,” she said. But the business owners said the last thing they want is to participate in a loan program. “I don’t need a loan. I just need more customers,” Ribeca said. Simcic agrees. “I don’t need a loan,” he said. “I just need people to come in and buy product, go fishing.”