Cape Coral man faces 16 charges after fleeing multiple traffic stopsSanibel residents brace for traffic surge with new advisory and app aid
NORTH FORT MYERS Cape Coral man faces 16 charges after fleeing multiple traffic stops Marcus Selby, 24, is facing multiple charges after a dramatic series of events involving Cape Coral police and Florida Highway Patrol troopers.
SANIBEL Sanibel residents brace for traffic surge with new advisory and app aid Sanibel residents are bracing for increased traffic as the city issued a “heavy traffic advisory” for the entire week.
FGCU FGCU’s Casey Santoro battles back from Achilles injury FGCU women’s basketball player Casey Santoro is back on the floor after suffering an Achilles injury a season ago.
BABCOCK RANCH Heaviest Florida panther ever recorded located in Babcock Ranch Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission biologists recently captured and collared the heaviest Florida panther ever recorded.
Lee County deputies using VR for safe high-risk training scenarios The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has taken a significant step forward in training by incorporating virtual reality technology.
NAPLES FC Naples signs local soccer star Joffre followed his dream across continents after graduating from Gulf Coast. Now he’s back on the professional soccer pitch in his hometown.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach businesses face floodplain compliance deadline Fort Myers Beach’s businesses face pressure to comply with floodplain regulations or leave the island by March 1.
NAPLES Persistent red tide bloom off Naples to Boca Grande raises concerns As the weather warms up, more people are heading to the beach. However, those with beach plans in Southwest Florida should be aware of the persistent red tide affecting the coastline.
FORT MYERS Community aids in search for missing pitbull after Lee County crash A crash on I-75 near Daniels Parkway in Lee County turned a routine drive into a heartbreaking search for a missing pet.
LEHIGH ACRES Community supporting Lehigh Acres church after destructive fire A massive fire recently burned the Christ at Crossroads Church in Lehigh Acres, and the community is rallying to support the church’s recovery.
FORT MYERS Kids battling cancer in Fort Myers receive cuddly companions from donor Children battling cancer in Fort Myers are finding comfort in a special friend thanks to a generous donor.
2 SWFL veterans find relief at Harry Chapin Food Bank Two veterans in Southwest Florida routinely receive vital support through local food distributions, highlighting a significant issue affecting many who have served our country.
Researchers found lasting effects from COVID-19 COVID-19 cases today are less severe than five years ago, but new research indicates severe infections may have lasting impacts on the heart.
PORT CHARLOTTE Connecting service dogs with veterans A 76-year-old veteran is transforming lives by connecting fellow veterans with support dogs, and the results have been life-changing.
Peace River Wildlife Center celebrates reopening Peace River Wildlife Center in Punta Gorda reopened at Ponce de Leon Park after being closed since hurricanes Helene and Milton flooded the center and its hospital that treats injured wildlife.
NORTH FORT MYERS Cape Coral man faces 16 charges after fleeing multiple traffic stops Marcus Selby, 24, is facing multiple charges after a dramatic series of events involving Cape Coral police and Florida Highway Patrol troopers.
SANIBEL Sanibel residents brace for traffic surge with new advisory and app aid Sanibel residents are bracing for increased traffic as the city issued a “heavy traffic advisory” for the entire week.
FGCU FGCU’s Casey Santoro battles back from Achilles injury FGCU women’s basketball player Casey Santoro is back on the floor after suffering an Achilles injury a season ago.
BABCOCK RANCH Heaviest Florida panther ever recorded located in Babcock Ranch Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission biologists recently captured and collared the heaviest Florida panther ever recorded.
Lee County deputies using VR for safe high-risk training scenarios The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has taken a significant step forward in training by incorporating virtual reality technology.
NAPLES FC Naples signs local soccer star Joffre followed his dream across continents after graduating from Gulf Coast. Now he’s back on the professional soccer pitch in his hometown.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach businesses face floodplain compliance deadline Fort Myers Beach’s businesses face pressure to comply with floodplain regulations or leave the island by March 1.
NAPLES Persistent red tide bloom off Naples to Boca Grande raises concerns As the weather warms up, more people are heading to the beach. However, those with beach plans in Southwest Florida should be aware of the persistent red tide affecting the coastline.
FORT MYERS Community aids in search for missing pitbull after Lee County crash A crash on I-75 near Daniels Parkway in Lee County turned a routine drive into a heartbreaking search for a missing pet.
LEHIGH ACRES Community supporting Lehigh Acres church after destructive fire A massive fire recently burned the Christ at Crossroads Church in Lehigh Acres, and the community is rallying to support the church’s recovery.
FORT MYERS Kids battling cancer in Fort Myers receive cuddly companions from donor Children battling cancer in Fort Myers are finding comfort in a special friend thanks to a generous donor.
2 SWFL veterans find relief at Harry Chapin Food Bank Two veterans in Southwest Florida routinely receive vital support through local food distributions, highlighting a significant issue affecting many who have served our country.
Researchers found lasting effects from COVID-19 COVID-19 cases today are less severe than five years ago, but new research indicates severe infections may have lasting impacts on the heart.
PORT CHARLOTTE Connecting service dogs with veterans A 76-year-old veteran is transforming lives by connecting fellow veterans with support dogs, and the results have been life-changing.
Peace River Wildlife Center celebrates reopening Peace River Wildlife Center in Punta Gorda reopened at Ponce de Leon Park after being closed since hurricanes Helene and Milton flooded the center and its hospital that treats injured wildlife.
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