Sibling rivalry brewing between SWFL Super Bowl championsFort Myers mother warns others after falling victim to ticket fraud
FORT MYERS Sibling rivalry brewing between SWFL Super Bowl champions Philadelphia may be known as the city of brotherly love, but here in southwest Florida, there’s a brotherly rivalry brewing between two of our own.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers mother warns others after falling victim to ticket fraud A mother’s intended surprise turned into a disappointment when she paid for Savannah Bananas tickets but never received them. The tickets were meant to be a special gift for her son.
Legal expert weighs in on 17-year-old found not guilty of murder of mom Collin Griffith, a 17-year-old, has been found not guilty in the death of his mother, Catherine Griffith, who was fatally stabbed in the neck.
FORT MYERS $150k worth of equipment stolen from Lee Health Fort Myers police arrested a hospital employee accused of stealing more than 150 thousand dollars worth of medical equipment from Lee Health.
NAPLES Award-winning stylist to host event during Naples Automotive Experience On Friday, an Emmy Award-winning Hollywood stylist will host Forever Fabulous, a charity event with the St. Matthew’s House.
FORT MYERS Colonial and I-75 diverging diamond to be completed by spring The diverging diamond at Colonial Boulevard and Interstate 75 in Fort Myers is diverting drivers.
NAPLES 20th Annual Spring Home & Garden show coming to Naples The 20th semi-annual Spring Home & Garden show is coming to Naples.
NAPLES Collier Publix worker spreads joy with kindness cards In Collier County, one person stands out for his daily acts of kindness, bringing smiles to those around him.
FGCU FGCU softball pitcher ranked among the best in the country FGCU softball pitcher Allison Sparkman enters her sophomore season ranked as one of the top pitchers in the country.
Congress steps in as Port Charlotte widow searches for husband’s ashes A Port Charlotte woman continues to fight to find her husband’s ashes, lost in the mail. Members of Congress are now backing her efforts.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers mom recounts dramatic chase to find kidnapped daughter A mother’s worst nightmare unfolded when her 2-year-old daughter was taken from her in Fort Myers on Monday.
ESTERO Copperleaf Community fights hunger through fundraising The Copperleaf Country Club community in Estero is making a significant impact in the fight against hunger.
NAPLES Collier County students explore trade careers at job fair Hundreds of Collier County students explored potential future careers at the Build My Future Job Fair.
NORTH NAPLES New orthopedic hospital nears completion in Collier County A new orthopedic hospital is nearing completion in Collier County, Florida, with an estimated cost of $140 million.
Real estate deals that shaped the SWFL landscape in 2024 The rise of online retail and continued regional population growth played a large role in a series of yin/yang real estate transactions that defined Southwest Florida’s top deals of 2024.
FORT MYERS Sibling rivalry brewing between SWFL Super Bowl champions Philadelphia may be known as the city of brotherly love, but here in southwest Florida, there’s a brotherly rivalry brewing between two of our own.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers mother warns others after falling victim to ticket fraud A mother’s intended surprise turned into a disappointment when she paid for Savannah Bananas tickets but never received them. The tickets were meant to be a special gift for her son.
Legal expert weighs in on 17-year-old found not guilty of murder of mom Collin Griffith, a 17-year-old, has been found not guilty in the death of his mother, Catherine Griffith, who was fatally stabbed in the neck.
FORT MYERS $150k worth of equipment stolen from Lee Health Fort Myers police arrested a hospital employee accused of stealing more than 150 thousand dollars worth of medical equipment from Lee Health.
NAPLES Award-winning stylist to host event during Naples Automotive Experience On Friday, an Emmy Award-winning Hollywood stylist will host Forever Fabulous, a charity event with the St. Matthew’s House.
FORT MYERS Colonial and I-75 diverging diamond to be completed by spring The diverging diamond at Colonial Boulevard and Interstate 75 in Fort Myers is diverting drivers.
NAPLES 20th Annual Spring Home & Garden show coming to Naples The 20th semi-annual Spring Home & Garden show is coming to Naples.
NAPLES Collier Publix worker spreads joy with kindness cards In Collier County, one person stands out for his daily acts of kindness, bringing smiles to those around him.
FGCU FGCU softball pitcher ranked among the best in the country FGCU softball pitcher Allison Sparkman enters her sophomore season ranked as one of the top pitchers in the country.
Congress steps in as Port Charlotte widow searches for husband’s ashes A Port Charlotte woman continues to fight to find her husband’s ashes, lost in the mail. Members of Congress are now backing her efforts.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers mom recounts dramatic chase to find kidnapped daughter A mother’s worst nightmare unfolded when her 2-year-old daughter was taken from her in Fort Myers on Monday.
ESTERO Copperleaf Community fights hunger through fundraising The Copperleaf Country Club community in Estero is making a significant impact in the fight against hunger.
NAPLES Collier County students explore trade careers at job fair Hundreds of Collier County students explored potential future careers at the Build My Future Job Fair.
NORTH NAPLES New orthopedic hospital nears completion in Collier County A new orthopedic hospital is nearing completion in Collier County, Florida, with an estimated cost of $140 million.
Real estate deals that shaped the SWFL landscape in 2024 The rise of online retail and continued regional population growth played a large role in a series of yin/yang real estate transactions that defined Southwest Florida’s top deals of 2024.
FILE – In this Monday Nov. 27, 2017 file photo, Britain’s Prince Harry and his fiancee Meghan Markle pose for photographers during a photocall in the grounds of Kensington Palace in London. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to marry on May 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) In pajamas and old wedding gowns, with high tea or a bit of the early morning bubbly, royal watchers in the U.S. and around the globe are fascinator-ready to watch the nuptials of Prince Harry and his unprecedented fiancee: Meghan Markle. He’s the spare to the heir, soon to be booted to fifth in line for the throne, but Harry is forever the people’s prince to many inside and outside the Commonwealth who once wondered whether the bad boy of Windsor would ever tie the knot. She, of TV “Suits” fame, has whipped up some big fan buzz, including those thrilled by her mixed race heritage. Their “woke” wedding (the Spice Girls are expected) is May 19 at midday, Windsor Castle time, or about 7 a.m. in the Eastern U.S. Viewing party plans are in the works, as are pricey hotel packages and bar meet ups. The frenzied have their own Facebook groups and some have cajoled less-enthused spouses to jet across the pond to watch the pomp in person from a spot on the carriage route. Julie Brillhart, a hardcore royal enthusiast in Hurricane, West Virginia (population, 7,000, maybe), said she fired up her Harry and Meghan Facebook page to connect fans with parties back in November, “the minute I woke up in the morning and found out Meghan and Harry were engaged.” She and her twin sister now have nearly 5,000 members. “We are in love with Meghan Markle,” said Brillhart, a former career logistics specialist in the Army. “For every little black girl who has ever wanted her very own princess who is a well-known, modern princess, they now have one. Isn’t that wonderful? She will always be our American princess.” The group’s members share wedding updates and plans for gatherings, and they live in 91 countries on six of the seven continents. “We’re actively looking for contacts in Antarctica,” Brillhart said. “They had their own Women’s March so we thought wouldn’t it be great for them to have their own little get-together for the wedding. They need something to break the monotony.” Stateside, a recent AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll shows 19 percent of Americans are very or extremely likely to watch the marital hoopla. Another 20 percent said they’re somewhat likely to tune in and another 61 percent said they were not very likely or not at all likely to watch. In Indianapolis, legal assistant Kelly Bentley, is on board. She’s married to a Brit. From North Yorkshire, to be exact. She’ll be the one in a crown as they sit at the bar of the Aristocrat Pub & Restaurant, sipping something yummy as the wedding unfolds. “He doesn’t get as excited as I do,” she said. “It’s really fun that she’s from the United States. It’s that added connection. I got up early for William and Kate and the Charles and Diana wedding.” Melissa Uhte, the Aristocrat’s general manager, said the place usually opens for breakfast at 8 a.m. but she’ll hang the welcome sign an hour early for the wedding. On the bar side, for those 21 and older, reservations were filling up for a royal brunch. On the restaurant side, kids are welcome. Royal attire is encouraged. Uhte’s 5-year-old daughter will be Elsa from “Frozen.” “I’m going to try to squeeze into my wedding dress. I might have to wear a sweater to cover the back of it. It’s been nearly 15 years,” Uhte laughed. “There’s no shame. We’ve asked the moms to break out their wedding dresses, too.” Royal media commentator Eloise Parker in New York said much of the U.S. hype is due to Markle’s status not only as an American but a divorced one. She’s “kind of all of us and we could use a good news story right now,” she said. As for Harry, Parker said, he likely will never be king but, “people have a soft spot for him as the royal bad boy.” For 31-year-old Esha Dev, who is Indian-American, the fact that Markle is a fellow woman of color offers an added connection. “There’s definitely that, seeing that representation join the royal family,” she said. Dev plans to host a viewing party, complete with mimosas, English tea and pastries, for a small group of friends in her tiny one-bedroom apartment in Philadelphia. It will be come as you are, fascinators provided. “I didn’t even exist when Princess Diana got married,” she said. “The William and Kate wedding didn’t seem like such a big deal to me but this one has really stirred me up.” For the well-heeled, hotels are also gearing up. The Brazilian Court Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida, has on offer the “Royal Romance Suits You” package for a cool $24,000 with a four-night stay in its “Brando Suite.” Upon arrival, guests will receive a bottle of Tignanello and banana cake – Markle’s favorite wine and the flavor chosen for their wedding cake, the hotel said. They also get the Strathberry tote bag that sold out after Markle was pictured carrying it and an introductory helicopter lesson to honor Harry’s service in that department. A yachting excursion, a bespoke necklace modeled after Meghan’s engagement ring, afternoon tea, traditional English breakfast in bed and dinner at Cafe Boulud are included, with 5 percent of proceeds going to some of the couple’s favorite charities, along with a local humane society. Kristin Contino in Philadelphia will be marking the occasion in Windsor. She’s flying over for the wedding, husband in tow. “I grew up loving the royal family,” she said. “My mom was a big fan of Princess Diana. My sister’s name is Diana, if that gives you an indication. I missed going over for William and Kate’s wedding so my husband said if Harry ever gets married we’ll go. He honestly thought Harry would never get married.” Gossip columnist Rob Shuter, a Brit, royal wedding podcaster and former executive editor of OK! Magazine, called the wedding excitement a slow burn in the U.S., though cheeky Harry has always held a special place in the hearts of many. “I think this wedding is going to be a way for all of us to escape,” he said. “Who doesn’t need that right now?”