Drivers react to newly opened intersection on Colonial Blvd.Dinosaur from Shell Factory finds new home in Saint James City marina
FORT MYERS Drivers react to newly opened intersection on Colonial Blvd. The dreaded drive through one of our busiest intersections has been the focus of several construction projects.
Dinosaur from Shell Factory finds new home in Saint James City marina A dinosaur has found a new home at the soon-to-be Nauti-Dolphin Marina in Saint James City, Florida. This prehistoric attraction is already drawing attention even though it’s the only thing currently on the property. Dean Zoner, owner of the Nauti-Dolphin Marina, acquired the dinosaur from the Shell Factory, a local business that was going out […]
Florida lawmakers to vote on revamped Governor backed immigration bill on Thursday The House and Senate are set to vote on a new immigration bill on Thursday. The bill aims to address illegal immigration and support federal mass deportation efforts.
CLEWISTON Community raises concerns about Clewiston Animal Services The Clewiston Animal Shelter has made significant improvements, but there is still work to be done to bring conditions to a more humane level.
Collier County beachgoers react to Gulf of America name change The Gulf of Mexico has been officially renamed the “Gulf of America” following an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump.
ENGLEWOOD Englewood Beach’s closure impacts local economy; businesses seek answers Business owners on Englewood Beach are growing increasingly anxious as they await the reopening of the beach, which has been closed since hurricanes Helene and Milton.
FORT MYERS BEACH Food truck park proposal on Estero Blvd divides Fort Myers Beach locals The Fort Myers Beach Local Planning Agency recently voted on whether to transform a vacant lot on Estero Boulevard into a food truck park.
CCSO works with ICE to catch suspects in Southwest Florida State lawmakers are working on a new immigration bill. Here in Southwest Florida, one county has been following strict guidelines on illegal immigration for quite some time.
Burn ban in effect for Collier County The Board of County Commissioners has authorized a burn ban in Collier County.
FGCU FGCU’s Zavian McLean shares student athlete experience with podcast FGCU men’s basketball guard Zavian McLean shares what its like to be a Division I student athlete in his podcast “Truey Talks.”
Locals react to egg price increase Egg prices continue to soar. In fact, prices have gone up about 37% from where they were just one year ago, and the pricing and supply issues have started to impact Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS BEACH Trump’s executive order on straws stirs debate in Fort Myers Beach President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order to bring back plastic straws, reversing a previous plan to reduce plastic reliance in the federal government.
Charlotte County official’s usage of racial slur prompts calls for resignation Charlotte County Commissioner Stephen Deutsch is under scrutiny after a complaint surfaced last week alleging he used the N-word during a work meeting.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral woman finds hope with new ALS drug A breakthrough discovery of a drug offers new hope for patients with a genetic form of the disease.
Elevate Florida program to help homeowners strengthen properties against storms The Florida Dept. of Emergency Management announced the launch of its new “Elevate Florida” residential mitigation program.
FORT MYERS Drivers react to newly opened intersection on Colonial Blvd. The dreaded drive through one of our busiest intersections has been the focus of several construction projects.
Dinosaur from Shell Factory finds new home in Saint James City marina A dinosaur has found a new home at the soon-to-be Nauti-Dolphin Marina in Saint James City, Florida. This prehistoric attraction is already drawing attention even though it’s the only thing currently on the property. Dean Zoner, owner of the Nauti-Dolphin Marina, acquired the dinosaur from the Shell Factory, a local business that was going out […]
Florida lawmakers to vote on revamped Governor backed immigration bill on Thursday The House and Senate are set to vote on a new immigration bill on Thursday. The bill aims to address illegal immigration and support federal mass deportation efforts.
CLEWISTON Community raises concerns about Clewiston Animal Services The Clewiston Animal Shelter has made significant improvements, but there is still work to be done to bring conditions to a more humane level.
Collier County beachgoers react to Gulf of America name change The Gulf of Mexico has been officially renamed the “Gulf of America” following an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump.
ENGLEWOOD Englewood Beach’s closure impacts local economy; businesses seek answers Business owners on Englewood Beach are growing increasingly anxious as they await the reopening of the beach, which has been closed since hurricanes Helene and Milton.
FORT MYERS BEACH Food truck park proposal on Estero Blvd divides Fort Myers Beach locals The Fort Myers Beach Local Planning Agency recently voted on whether to transform a vacant lot on Estero Boulevard into a food truck park.
CCSO works with ICE to catch suspects in Southwest Florida State lawmakers are working on a new immigration bill. Here in Southwest Florida, one county has been following strict guidelines on illegal immigration for quite some time.
Burn ban in effect for Collier County The Board of County Commissioners has authorized a burn ban in Collier County.
FGCU FGCU’s Zavian McLean shares student athlete experience with podcast FGCU men’s basketball guard Zavian McLean shares what its like to be a Division I student athlete in his podcast “Truey Talks.”
Locals react to egg price increase Egg prices continue to soar. In fact, prices have gone up about 37% from where they were just one year ago, and the pricing and supply issues have started to impact Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS BEACH Trump’s executive order on straws stirs debate in Fort Myers Beach President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order to bring back plastic straws, reversing a previous plan to reduce plastic reliance in the federal government.
Charlotte County official’s usage of racial slur prompts calls for resignation Charlotte County Commissioner Stephen Deutsch is under scrutiny after a complaint surfaced last week alleging he used the N-word during a work meeting.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral woman finds hope with new ALS drug A breakthrough discovery of a drug offers new hope for patients with a genetic form of the disease.
Elevate Florida program to help homeowners strengthen properties against storms The Florida Dept. of Emergency Management announced the launch of its new “Elevate Florida” residential mitigation program.
“Since he was a six year old he was a quarterback,” White said. FORT MYERS, Fla. – The mother of an 18-year-old star athlete said she told him to be safe before he was killed in cold blood after a summer teen party. Stef’an Strawder decided to attend the bash at local nightclub Club Blu at the last minute, his friends said. He shared a Facebook status at 7:38 p.m. on Sunday, asking which of his friends would be attending. Snapchat videos show a large group of kids dancing to club music inside Club Blu, located on Evans Avenue. The club is darkly lit, but the kids are wearing glow sticks as necklaces and around their wrists. Minutes later they would “hit the floor,” scramble to “find a table” to hide underneath, then pour out of the front entrance of Club Blu. Authorities have yet to confirm his exact time of death, but before the day came to an end 18-year-old Strawder would be dead, placing his life in the way of bullets to save another. Strawder’s mother, Stephanie White, said she is still in a state of disbelief. Her son, like many of the other kids in Club Blu, was just trying to have fun. Stefan Strawder, 18, as pictured in his school yearbook “I can’t, it’s just too hard. I can’t believe he’s gone,” she said. But White was not blind to the gun violence that stains the reputation of Dunbar, which is a predominantly black neighborhood that has seen the lives of children as young as 5 years old taken senselessly. She said she drilled Strawder. Her instructions rattled of as if she were preparing him for battle. “Before he left I told him to please look around. Make sure you know all the exits. If anything go off, hit the floor, find a table, put it up, and make sure that you stay there until everything’s over,” White said. She was trying to find a balance between protecting her son, a rising high school senior, and letting him experience the freedom that comes with growing up. But even with her cautionary send off, the light that was Strawder’s life was snuffed out. “It’s not fair. He was just going there to have a good time. I didn’t want him to go in the first place. But it happened out the door, so he couldn’t go nowhere,” she said. The bullets that killed her son were taken to save another, White said. “Somebody was in front of him and he pushed them away, and he got shot,” she said, becoming visibly saddened. “He’s a person that appreciates life and that I loved him for that.” There were 70 to 80 teens in the club, according to security guards working the party. White’s son was one of two victims killed. The other was four years his junior: 14-year-old Sean Archilles, a student of Royal Palm Exceptional School. Strawder had dreams of playing in the NBA. The star player was well on his way and preparing for a season of competitive offers from colleges, coaches said. His death was a team loss, but also very personal, his former high school coach Dawn McNew said. “Quite frankly, it’s like losing a son. He was basically the glue to this family,” she said. As far as his mother goes, she is left to dream about the things her son gone too soon could’ve accomplished. “A person that could have been in the pros. That could have been anything — football or basketball. That was one of his dreams that he was gonna make in the NBA,” White said. Three people were detained Monday in connection to the Club Blu shooting: Derrick Church, 19, Demetrius O’Neal, 19, and Tajze Battle, 22. The Fort Myers Police Department said the shooting is not believed to be an act of terror. The motivation behind the shooting is unknown and police would not say whether it was gang-related. They are looking for witnesses to come forward. Stephanie White looks at photos of her son, whom she remembers as an athletic, driven and selfless person. “Since he was a six year old he was a quarterback,” White said. Stefan Strawder, 18, as pictured in his school yearbook Sean Archilles, 14, as pictured in his school yearkbook