16 transported after 2 airboats crash in Collier CountyNew bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes
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.
Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association breaks ground on new Fort Myers headquarters As Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association’s president pointed out, about 1,000 people are still moving to Florida every day, and many of them are finding their way to Southwest Florida.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte County drug trafficker sentenced to 10 years A Charlotte County man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for drug trafficking.
lehigh acres ‘How to sign away parental rights?’; Lehigh Acres woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby.
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.
Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association breaks ground on new Fort Myers headquarters As Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association’s president pointed out, about 1,000 people are still moving to Florida every day, and many of them are finding their way to Southwest Florida.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte County drug trafficker sentenced to 10 years A Charlotte County man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for drug trafficking.
lehigh acres ‘How to sign away parental rights?’; Lehigh Acres woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby.
CAPE CORAL, Fla. — Authorities have made 21 arrests related to online sex crimes as part of a joint operation by the Cape Coral Police Department and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, both departments announced Tuesday morning. “Operation Cyber Guardian,” which ran from June 13-19, targeted offenders who used computers to seduce, solicit and entice children into sexual activity. Six additional arrests are pending, officials said. Investigators lured suspects to a southwest Cape Coral residence where they were apprehended upon arrival. One person traveled from Port St. Lucie, while another rode a bicycle from North Port, authorities said. “As you heard them say, one individual traveled all the way from North Port, Florida, on a bicycle in sporadic rain, at times stopping to ask directions,” Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott said. “He was so committed to coming and having sex with an underage child. It shows the level and the depth of their perversion.” Both departments did not allow reporters to ask questions about the operation, then provided heavily redacted reports for each arrest: All 21 are facing charges of obscene communication for the use of a computer to seduce, solicit or a lure a child into an unlawful sexual act. Those arrested are as follows, with additional pending charges in parentheses, where applicable: *After the initial arrest, charges were not brought by the state for some suspects. Richard Brown, 33 (use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony) Richard Desrosiers, 23 (obscene communication for traveling to meet a child after using a computer to lure that child) Michael Drew, 44 (obscene communication for traveling to meet a child after using a computer to lure that child) Douglas Feddersen, 64 (obscene communication for traveling to meet a child after using a computer to lure that child) Dominique Felicetti, 28 (obscene communication for traveling to meet a child after using a computer to lure that child) Jorge Gonzalez-Benavides, 26 (obscene communication for traveling to meet a child after using a computer to lure that child; possession of 20 grams or less of marijuana) Fabian Grajales, 52 (obscene communication for traveling to meet a child after using a computer to lure that child) Roger Gregory, 36 (obscene communication for traveling to meet a child after using a computer to lure that child) Rodolfo Hernandez, 33 (obscene communication for traveling to meet a child after using a computer to lure that child) Travis Holcomb, 26 (obscene communication for traveling to meet a child after using a computer to lure that child; violating probation) Michael Hoyman, 23 (obscene communication for traveling to meet a child after using a computer to lure that child; cruelty toward a child for transmitting harmful information) Franklin Klein, 72 (obscene communication for traveling to meet a child after using a computer to lure that child) Serguei Korneev, 46 (obscene communication for traveling to meet a child after using a computer to lure that child) John McEnroe IV, 22 (obscene communication for traveling to meet a child after using a computer to lure that child) Kyle Narring, 22 (obscene communication for traveling to meet a child after using a computer to lure that child) Paul Newport, 48 (obscene communication for traveling to meet a child after using a computer to lure that child) Nilson Orozco, 19 (obscene communication for traveling to meet a child after using a computer to lure that child) Samuel Ribel, 48 Bradley Vetter, 72 (obscene communication for traveling to meet a child after using a computer to lure that child) Ian Wagoner, 25 (obscene communication for traveling to meet a child after using a computer to lure that child) Additional Suspect (After arrest, the state did not file charges)