Fort Myers Police respond to rollover crash; driver flees sceneWest End residents frustrated by security failures, lack of response
FORT MYERS Fort Myers Police respond to rollover crash; driver flees scene The Fort Myers Police Department responded to a crash involving one vehicle on Colonial Gardens Circle and Colonial Boulevard.
FORT MYERS West End residents frustrated by security failures, lack of response A nearly $64 million luxury apartment complex that close to 500 people call home, but somehow, security seems to fall through the cracks.
NAPLES Collier County nearly doubles tourism budget On Tuesday, Collier County Commissioners approved a nearly $12 million budget for a tourism marketing campaign.
Florida policyholders urged to contact OIR if policies are canceled or nonrenewed If your insurance has been canceled or is not being renewed due to this year’s storms, the state of Florida wants you to reach out to the Office of Insurance Regulation.
BAREFOOT BEACH Woman thinks QR code got hacked A Fort Myers woman says a fraudulent QR code at Barefoot Beach caused her credit card to be hacked. She’s on a mission to warn others.
CAPE CORAL Sticker shock: Cape Coral residents hit with unexpected property tax hikes This is the time of year when people start paying their property taxes, but what happens when you get your bill and it’s more than you expected?
SANIBEL Sanibel workshop teaches residents benefits of elevating homes and businesses With each hurricane that brings damage to our area, many people rush to be more resilient. On Sanibel, more than 300 people have RSVP’d to learn about raising their homes and businesses.
SANIBEL Sanibel Causeway construction causing confusion and costing local business Repairing the Sanibel Causeway after recent storms has caused more than just traffic back-ups.
DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS Speakeasy in downtown Fort Myers honors local historic figures Everything inside the Escondido Lounge whispers an authentic speakeasy, from the dim red lights to the fancy vintage glasses.
ESTERO Caught on camera: Man steals money from tip jar in Estero A business manager feels violated after a man took money from a tip jar on Tuesday.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral ranked 13th for establishing small businesses A blog set out to find the top U.S. cities where aspiring business owners can thrive in 2024, Cape Coral was named 13th.
NAPLES Minimally invasive balloon procedure for sinus issues Battling a sinus infection is bad enough, but contending with chronic sinus infections can be a real problem.
Most Wanted Wednesday: Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for November 13, 2024 Here are some of Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for November 13, 2024.
ESTERO Car crashes into restaurant window in Gulf Coast Town Center Authorities are investigating after an SUV crashed into a restaurant at the Gulf Coast Town Center in Estero.
WEST PALM BEACH Trump picks Sen. Marco Rubio as his Secretary of State President-elect Donald Trump named Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida as his nominee for secretary of state on Wednesday.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers Police respond to rollover crash; driver flees scene The Fort Myers Police Department responded to a crash involving one vehicle on Colonial Gardens Circle and Colonial Boulevard.
FORT MYERS West End residents frustrated by security failures, lack of response A nearly $64 million luxury apartment complex that close to 500 people call home, but somehow, security seems to fall through the cracks.
NAPLES Collier County nearly doubles tourism budget On Tuesday, Collier County Commissioners approved a nearly $12 million budget for a tourism marketing campaign.
Florida policyholders urged to contact OIR if policies are canceled or nonrenewed If your insurance has been canceled or is not being renewed due to this year’s storms, the state of Florida wants you to reach out to the Office of Insurance Regulation.
BAREFOOT BEACH Woman thinks QR code got hacked A Fort Myers woman says a fraudulent QR code at Barefoot Beach caused her credit card to be hacked. She’s on a mission to warn others.
CAPE CORAL Sticker shock: Cape Coral residents hit with unexpected property tax hikes This is the time of year when people start paying their property taxes, but what happens when you get your bill and it’s more than you expected?
SANIBEL Sanibel workshop teaches residents benefits of elevating homes and businesses With each hurricane that brings damage to our area, many people rush to be more resilient. On Sanibel, more than 300 people have RSVP’d to learn about raising their homes and businesses.
SANIBEL Sanibel Causeway construction causing confusion and costing local business Repairing the Sanibel Causeway after recent storms has caused more than just traffic back-ups.
DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS Speakeasy in downtown Fort Myers honors local historic figures Everything inside the Escondido Lounge whispers an authentic speakeasy, from the dim red lights to the fancy vintage glasses.
ESTERO Caught on camera: Man steals money from tip jar in Estero A business manager feels violated after a man took money from a tip jar on Tuesday.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral ranked 13th for establishing small businesses A blog set out to find the top U.S. cities where aspiring business owners can thrive in 2024, Cape Coral was named 13th.
NAPLES Minimally invasive balloon procedure for sinus issues Battling a sinus infection is bad enough, but contending with chronic sinus infections can be a real problem.
Most Wanted Wednesday: Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for November 13, 2024 Here are some of Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for November 13, 2024.
ESTERO Car crashes into restaurant window in Gulf Coast Town Center Authorities are investigating after an SUV crashed into a restaurant at the Gulf Coast Town Center in Estero.
WEST PALM BEACH Trump picks Sen. Marco Rubio as his Secretary of State President-elect Donald Trump named Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida as his nominee for secretary of state on Wednesday.
Southwest Florida residents shared photos of their home after Irma’s destruction. IMMOKALEE, Fla. Mold covering walls. Roofs completely gone. And for hundreds of students, this is home. “I’m living here because I have nowhere else to go,” Greg Martin said. “I’m just holding on to the little thread that we have, but it’s basically we don’t have anywhere.” MORE: The price for repairs skyrocket after Hurricane Irma He and his niece, Makayla Tindell, share a common bond — both are Collier County students in homes rendered technically unlivable by Hurricane Irma. Reality set in after Greg and his father returned to see their house after the storm. The destruction was strewn about each room — shattered picture frames and memories lying broken across the floor. “It got emotional, and then my dad started crying,” Greg said. “I was hoping, praying, everything was going to be fine, but I guess God had another path for us to go.” Greg goes to Immokalee High School and Makayla attends Pinecrest Elementary. Greg was living with his sister, Petrona Gaspar, while Makayla lived with her mother, Samantha Tindell, in another trailer. Petrona moved in with an uncle after the storm, but Greg still lives in the trailer, even though it has no roof. “Every time I come here, I’m just like, everything’s gone,” Greg said. “The worst part is just losing everything, everything that you had, everything you worked hard for, and seeing it all gone.” Makayla spent time living in a tent after the storm and is now back living with her mom, brother and father in their mold-ridden trailer, with a tarp for a roof. MORE: Marco rescue pilots seeking help to rebuild hangar after Irma About 1,000 students in Southwest Florida live like Greg and Makayla, whom the school district considers homeless because of the conditions of their homes. More than 440 students are homeless, or at least technically so, because of the storm in Collier County. That number is 570 in Lee County, and it’s almost 100 in Charlotte County. “I think first you have to think about the traumas they experienced just going through the hurricane,” said Caroline Brennan, homeless education and foster care liaison for Collier County schools. “And then to go home and find their homes destroyed, their personal belongings are gone,” Brennan said. “Many of them did not have school supplies anymore. They didn’t have uniforms to come to school. And so that makes it really hard.” Still, Makayla is staying positive, and she wants other kids in her shoes to do the same. “Don’t get depressed — just keep the spirit up,” she said. School districts in Southwest Florida are collecting backpacks, food, gas cards and other supplies to help people like Makayla and Greg. For more information, call district headquarters at the following numbers: Collier County — 239-377-0001 Lee County — 239-334-1102 Charlotte County — 1-800-628-8938 Hendry County — 863-674-4642 Glades County — 863-946-0202