FORT MYERS BEACH What’s next for red-tagged properties on FMB? In July, seven properties on Fort Myers Beach were smacked with red tag notices and given sixty days to get into compliance.
orlando Gov. DeSantis to hold news conference in Orlando Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is set to hold a news conference in Orlando.
The Weather Authority The Weather Authority: Hot and mainly dry Monday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking a hot start to the workweek as most will stay dry throughout the afternoon.
Fort Myers Death investigation at Target on Dynasty Drive The Fort Myers Police Department is investigating a death at the Target on Dynasty Drive in Fort Myers.
FORT MYERS Displaced resident speaks out after fire at Winkler Apartment Complex For the second time in as many days, a fire broke out at the Retreat at Vista Lake Apartment Complex in Fort Myers.
Florida politicians react to 2nd Trump assassination attempt Florida politicians are reacting after an assassination attempt at Donald Trump’s West Palm Beach golf club.
FORT MYERS FMPD asking for public’s help in solving 2013 cold case The Fort Myers Police Department is asking for information regarding the 2013 homicide of Laura Howard.
FORT MYERS Possible kitchen fire at Winkler apartment complex Authorities are investigating a possible kitchen fire at the Retreat Apartment Complex Sunday afternoon. This comes after a fire at the same complex yesterday.
WEST PALM BEACH Trump safe after gunshots reported, Biden and Harris have been briefed Donald Trump was safe after gunshots were reported in his vicinity Sunday afternoon in Florida, his campaign and the Secret Service said.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers Police seek public’s help in Carrell Road hit-and-run investigation The Fort Myers Police Department is requesting information regarding a hit-and-run involving a vehicle and pedestrian.
LEHIGH ACRES Man arrested in Lehigh Acres for holding a woman against her will A man in Lehigh Acres has been arrested for holding a woman against her will for over 24 hours, threatening her with a knife and attempting to strangle her.
southwest florida WINK Neighborhood Watch: Inmate attacks, reckless driving, and a hit-and-run This week’s segment of WINK Neighborhood Watch features a man sentenced to 15 years for attacking another inmate, reckless driving, and a fatal hit and run.
golden gate Canal accident: car found in Golden Gate canal One person was transported to the hospital for evaluation after their vehicle ended up in a canal.
southwest florida How Harry Chapin Food Bank is helping SWFL families combat hunger As the price of just about everything is up, some say they have to choose between groceries or paying the bills.
naples Collier County hosts inaugural Emergency Readiness Summit To make sure we’re ready when disaster strikes, Collier County hosted an Emergency Readiness Summit.
FORT MYERS BEACH What’s next for red-tagged properties on FMB? In July, seven properties on Fort Myers Beach were smacked with red tag notices and given sixty days to get into compliance.
orlando Gov. DeSantis to hold news conference in Orlando Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is set to hold a news conference in Orlando.
The Weather Authority The Weather Authority: Hot and mainly dry Monday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking a hot start to the workweek as most will stay dry throughout the afternoon.
Fort Myers Death investigation at Target on Dynasty Drive The Fort Myers Police Department is investigating a death at the Target on Dynasty Drive in Fort Myers.
FORT MYERS Displaced resident speaks out after fire at Winkler Apartment Complex For the second time in as many days, a fire broke out at the Retreat at Vista Lake Apartment Complex in Fort Myers.
Florida politicians react to 2nd Trump assassination attempt Florida politicians are reacting after an assassination attempt at Donald Trump’s West Palm Beach golf club.
FORT MYERS FMPD asking for public’s help in solving 2013 cold case The Fort Myers Police Department is asking for information regarding the 2013 homicide of Laura Howard.
FORT MYERS Possible kitchen fire at Winkler apartment complex Authorities are investigating a possible kitchen fire at the Retreat Apartment Complex Sunday afternoon. This comes after a fire at the same complex yesterday.
WEST PALM BEACH Trump safe after gunshots reported, Biden and Harris have been briefed Donald Trump was safe after gunshots were reported in his vicinity Sunday afternoon in Florida, his campaign and the Secret Service said.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers Police seek public’s help in Carrell Road hit-and-run investigation The Fort Myers Police Department is requesting information regarding a hit-and-run involving a vehicle and pedestrian.
LEHIGH ACRES Man arrested in Lehigh Acres for holding a woman against her will A man in Lehigh Acres has been arrested for holding a woman against her will for over 24 hours, threatening her with a knife and attempting to strangle her.
southwest florida WINK Neighborhood Watch: Inmate attacks, reckless driving, and a hit-and-run This week’s segment of WINK Neighborhood Watch features a man sentenced to 15 years for attacking another inmate, reckless driving, and a fatal hit and run.
golden gate Canal accident: car found in Golden Gate canal One person was transported to the hospital for evaluation after their vehicle ended up in a canal.
southwest florida How Harry Chapin Food Bank is helping SWFL families combat hunger As the price of just about everything is up, some say they have to choose between groceries or paying the bills.
naples Collier County hosts inaugural Emergency Readiness Summit To make sure we’re ready when disaster strikes, Collier County hosted an Emergency Readiness Summit.
DELRAY BEACH, Fla. (AP) The stunning collapse of Alfred Angelo Bridal last month dashed the dreams of thousands of brides. The Sun-Sentinel interviewed people who raced to save the Florida company in its final days, and paint a picture of a once-storied business that failed to change with the times. The Delray Beach-based company was one of the nation’s largest wedding dress retailers. Under the Alfred Angelo system, brides visited the stores to try on sample wedding dresses. If they liked the look and the feel, they put a deposit on the dress and it was ordered, usually from China. Industry experts say brides want gowns more quickly than they did in years past and may not be spending as much as the members of past generations. More brides are searching online for vendors for their weddings and search for dresses and jewelry by browsing on the internet and engaging in social media. “Today’s bride has a short fuse – they want things instantaneously from a store,” said David Wood, president of the Association of Bridal Consultants in Connecticut. The failure to adapt ultimately forced the respected chain of worldwide stores to file for liquidation under Chapter 7 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Last month, Alfred Angelo simultaneously closed its headquarters and stores worldwide. Today, a load of 10,000 dresses worth $1.2 million are locked away in a warehouse in San Diego, subject to a lien for unpaid shipping charges, lawyers say. The dresses were aboard a boat from China when the company went out of business. Brides stood outside many locations, including those in Boynton Beach, Sunrise and Coral Gables. They desperately hoped that representatives would unlock the doors and give them access to their chosen wedding dresses. The lucky ones included Yadira Castro, 27, who said she finally connected with the Boynton Beach store’s seamstress who had her dress, a Princess Jasmine-inspired design from the Disney line that had won her heart. She had invested a total of $1,250 in wedding attire at the store. “I did get my dress and everything worked out perfectly, besides that whole situation,” said Castro, who married Kyle Bonilla, 28, on July 22 at Lake Pavilion in West Palm Beach. Miami bankruptcy lawyer Patricia Redmond, who represents the company, said she and others had been “working hard” to reopen stores and let people get their dresses and accessories. “We have been able to connect over 100 brides with their seamstresses and they are working together on finishing alterations,” Redmond said last week. But around the same time, Alfred Angelo’s bankruptcy trustee, Margaret Smith, delivered devastating news. In a note on the company’s website, she warned customers that if a dress order has not been delivered, it will “remain unfilled” because of the “logistical and financial strain.” Deliveries, said the trustee, are “no longer possible.” Founded in 1933 in Philadelphia by Alfred Angelo Piccione, the business was joined by his wife, fashion designer Edythe Vincent Piccione, according to a corporate history on the company’s website. They worked together for 45 years. Edythe died in 2012 at age 91 in Palm Beach Gardens; her husband predeceased her. The founders’ son, Vincent, and daughter Michele Piccione, then chief creative designer, ran the business after their parents’ retirement. Michele Piccione retired in 2015, according to an article by industry magazine Vows. Trouble came when the U.S. real estate crisis hit in 2009-2010, knocking the company’s growth strategy off-course. More retailers began selling online rather than open new brick-and-mortar stores.