Largest Lee County land deal closes, $100M for 1,745 acres in northwest Cape CoralMajor 2 vehicle crash shuts down NB lanes of U.S. 41 in Charlotte
Largest Lee County land deal closes, $100M for 1,745 acres in northwest Cape Coral The most lucrative land deal in Lee County history just closed at a price of $100 million for 1,745 acres in northwest Cape Coral, where building up to 3,500 homes and commercial property to support it has been in the planning stages for almost two years.
CHARLOTTE HARBOR Major 2 vehicle crash shuts down NB lanes of U.S. 41 in Charlotte After a major traffic accident near Sunseeker Resort in Charlotte County, all Northbound lanes of U.S. 41 were closed.
FORT MYERS Apple AirPods lead LCSO to an arrest ; over $100,000 worth of stolen items recovered Through the use of Apple Airpods, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office was able to locate nearly $100,000 worth of stolen items, leading to an arrest.
LABELLE Hendry County rolls out cameras for school speed zones The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office has rolled out a new way of enforcing school zone speed limits by using cameras that will target drivers traveling over a certain speed in a school zone.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral officials approve replacement funding for hurricane-damaged stop signs The Cape Coral City Council has approved funding to replace stop signs damaged during Hurricane Milton, resulting in an emergency purchase.
Holiday events happening in Southwest Florida Southwest Florida is embracing the holiday spirit with a variety of festive events this Christmas season.
Collier man accused of supplying fentanyl-laced pills, enough to kill 531,500 people The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man accused of supplying more than 10,000 fentanyl-laced pills disguised as prescription painkillers.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral council supports construction of I-75 interchange into city The Cape Coral City Council has approved a resolution requesting support from Lee and Charlotte counties to prioritize state and federal funding for the Interstate 75 Interchange at Slater Road.
PUNTA GORDA Crews removing derelict boats from Gilchrist Park Crews are working to remove derelict boats from Gilchrist Park after several of them washed ashore during Hurricane Milton in October.
33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee County Another Florida panther has been killed by a vehicle, this time in Hardee County, increasing the death toll of the endangered species to 33 for 2024.
the weather authority Cool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon After waking up to a cold morning, the Weather Authority is tracking warming conditions to the low 70s this Thursday.
Police release threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
Largest Lee County land deal closes, $100M for 1,745 acres in northwest Cape Coral The most lucrative land deal in Lee County history just closed at a price of $100 million for 1,745 acres in northwest Cape Coral, where building up to 3,500 homes and commercial property to support it has been in the planning stages for almost two years.
CHARLOTTE HARBOR Major 2 vehicle crash shuts down NB lanes of U.S. 41 in Charlotte After a major traffic accident near Sunseeker Resort in Charlotte County, all Northbound lanes of U.S. 41 were closed.
FORT MYERS Apple AirPods lead LCSO to an arrest ; over $100,000 worth of stolen items recovered Through the use of Apple Airpods, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office was able to locate nearly $100,000 worth of stolen items, leading to an arrest.
LABELLE Hendry County rolls out cameras for school speed zones The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office has rolled out a new way of enforcing school zone speed limits by using cameras that will target drivers traveling over a certain speed in a school zone.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral officials approve replacement funding for hurricane-damaged stop signs The Cape Coral City Council has approved funding to replace stop signs damaged during Hurricane Milton, resulting in an emergency purchase.
Holiday events happening in Southwest Florida Southwest Florida is embracing the holiday spirit with a variety of festive events this Christmas season.
Collier man accused of supplying fentanyl-laced pills, enough to kill 531,500 people The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man accused of supplying more than 10,000 fentanyl-laced pills disguised as prescription painkillers.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral council supports construction of I-75 interchange into city The Cape Coral City Council has approved a resolution requesting support from Lee and Charlotte counties to prioritize state and federal funding for the Interstate 75 Interchange at Slater Road.
PUNTA GORDA Crews removing derelict boats from Gilchrist Park Crews are working to remove derelict boats from Gilchrist Park after several of them washed ashore during Hurricane Milton in October.
33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee County Another Florida panther has been killed by a vehicle, this time in Hardee County, increasing the death toll of the endangered species to 33 for 2024.
the weather authority Cool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon After waking up to a cold morning, the Weather Authority is tracking warming conditions to the low 70s this Thursday.
Police release threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
Not too long ago, a parent’s high-anxiety decision was figuring out when to hand over the car keys to their teenager. In this day and age, the debate has become knowing when is the proper time to connect a child to the world with a smartphone. So, how young is too young to buy a child a smartphone? It happened at a young age for Annmarie Novak’s 11-year-old and 9-year-old daughters. Novak handed her daughters a smartphone when they were in the third grade, presenting them with a huge responsibility. “That was when they started going places and hanging out with their buddies without mom and I started to let go a little bit and said, ‘OK, you can go with her,'” Novak said. More: Apple urged to help curb kids’ smartphone addiction Rhonda Chapman’s 4-year-old son first asked her for a smartphone last year — in kindergarten. “We basically told him middle school,” Chapman said. “And he said it was because someone in his class had a cell phone. I couldn’t even believe it. I mean, it just threw me.” According to Influence Central, a company that tracks consumers, the average American child receives their first smartphone at 10 years old, which is roughly fourth grade. “If I believe my child was mature enough in fifth grade and we had had the need and means for it then he will get a phone,” mother Sarona Wyant said. There are some positive aspects of a child having a smartphone at a young age. It’s easier for kids to stay connected, there are great learning apps and it can be a good safety precaution. But Wyant’s biggest concern is her 10-year-old son becoming addicted to a smartphone. “The social interaction of them not being around other children has definitely deteriorated because they have their face in front of a phone of some kind,” Wyant said. Smartphone addiction in younger ages is real and there can be visible side effects, Lee Health licensed psychologist Siddika Mulchan said. “A lot of social difficulties that can lead to things like depression and anxiety as well in children and teens related to smartphone usage,” Mulchan said. The American Academy of Pediatrics does recommend for parents to limit their child’s screen time. Parents who worry smartphones can put their child even closer to online bullies, predators and adult websites can download new apps that allow them to watch their kids smartphone usage, right down to their exact location. “Wherever they are you can get directions to wherever they are, how long they have been there,” Novak said. Novak’s daughters know their mother has unlimited access to their smartphone. “I know who you are talking to, I know who you are looking at, and I know where you are going and they go, ‘Yes mom,'” Novak said. Sprint offers a website where your children can take a test to see if they are ready for a smartphone. To visit the website, click here. Verizon offers FamilyBase, an app to help parents set smarter boundaries, monitor and manage their child’s smartphone use. With FamilyBase, parents can: Set restrictions so their children are off the phone during school, family time, and late night. Block unwanted contacts or websites and apps that are too adult. Establish harmony between phone or tablet time and family time to create a positive experience for their children. Parents can also see who their kids are messaging and how much. The Family Online Safety Institute has plenty of general advice on digital parenting including a contract for parents to set up ground rules with their children for safer and more responsible use of technology. To visit their website, click here. T-Mobile recommends these apps for parents: Net Nanny: https://www.netnanny.com/ FamilyTime: https://familytime.io/