Oldest Black-owned business in SWFL continues to serve communityBroken gate on Lovers Key Beach Resort frustrating residents
NAPLES Oldest Black-owned business in SWFL continues to serve community Cleveland Bass Movers, founded in 1969, stands as the oldest Black-owned business in Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS BEACH Broken gate on Lovers Key Beach Resort frustrating residents Residents of Lover’s Key Beach Club in Fort Myers Beach are frustrated with a gate that remains wide open, despite “No Trespassing” signs, since Hurricane Ian struck two years ago.
St. James City Church plans $700k flood-proofing project for future safety Hurricanes have caused flood after flood, and one island church, The First Baptist Church of Saint James City, wants to build higher.
Romance scams rise in the US, AARP warns residents to beware Romance scams are on the rise, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting over 64,000 cases in the U.S. in 2023.
Fort Myers Savannah Bananas make their way to Fort Myers for first time The Savannah Bananas have made their way to JetBlue Park for Friday’s sold-out game in Fort Myers to watch “the greatest show in sports.”
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral Yacht Club receives key permit Cape Coral received a key permit for a Yacht Club Community Park. This permit opens up the necessary steps for the park to be built.
PORT CHARLOTTE Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church holds 31st annual Greek Fest The Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Port Charlotte kicked off its 31st annual Greek Fest on Friday.
Donations helping young kids get fed Food insecurity is a pressing issue in the community, and organizations like the Harry Chapin Food Bank, Meals of Hope and the Guadalupe Center are stepping up to help.
New risk factors contribute to heart disease February is American Heart Month, a perfect time to assess your heart health.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte High School student arrested for possession of BB gun According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, a student has been arrested after a BB gun was found in his backpack on Friday.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers Regional Library to undergo multiple repairs due to Ian The Fort Myers Regional Library is preparing for essential repairs, nearly two years after Hurricane Ian made its impact.
Drug bust at Collier County home leads to triple arrest Three people are accused of running a drug house that held opioids, fentanyl and other illicit narcotics in Collier County.
Charlotte County’s first Grain & Berry opens Fast-growing organic vegan restaurant franchise Grain & Berry opened in Port Charlotte, making it the 19th in the state out of a total of 23 nationwide.
GOLDEN GATE Body found in Collier County canal prompts death investigation Collier County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a death investigation after a body was discovered in a canal.
FORT MYERS DeSantis’ new Boater Freedom Initiative would end random FWC boat safety inspections Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the new Boater Freedom Initiative will protect Sunshine State residents’ right to boat.
NAPLES Oldest Black-owned business in SWFL continues to serve community Cleveland Bass Movers, founded in 1969, stands as the oldest Black-owned business in Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS BEACH Broken gate on Lovers Key Beach Resort frustrating residents Residents of Lover’s Key Beach Club in Fort Myers Beach are frustrated with a gate that remains wide open, despite “No Trespassing” signs, since Hurricane Ian struck two years ago.
St. James City Church plans $700k flood-proofing project for future safety Hurricanes have caused flood after flood, and one island church, The First Baptist Church of Saint James City, wants to build higher.
Romance scams rise in the US, AARP warns residents to beware Romance scams are on the rise, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting over 64,000 cases in the U.S. in 2023.
Fort Myers Savannah Bananas make their way to Fort Myers for first time The Savannah Bananas have made their way to JetBlue Park for Friday’s sold-out game in Fort Myers to watch “the greatest show in sports.”
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral Yacht Club receives key permit Cape Coral received a key permit for a Yacht Club Community Park. This permit opens up the necessary steps for the park to be built.
PORT CHARLOTTE Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church holds 31st annual Greek Fest The Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Port Charlotte kicked off its 31st annual Greek Fest on Friday.
Donations helping young kids get fed Food insecurity is a pressing issue in the community, and organizations like the Harry Chapin Food Bank, Meals of Hope and the Guadalupe Center are stepping up to help.
New risk factors contribute to heart disease February is American Heart Month, a perfect time to assess your heart health.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte High School student arrested for possession of BB gun According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, a student has been arrested after a BB gun was found in his backpack on Friday.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers Regional Library to undergo multiple repairs due to Ian The Fort Myers Regional Library is preparing for essential repairs, nearly two years after Hurricane Ian made its impact.
Drug bust at Collier County home leads to triple arrest Three people are accused of running a drug house that held opioids, fentanyl and other illicit narcotics in Collier County.
Charlotte County’s first Grain & Berry opens Fast-growing organic vegan restaurant franchise Grain & Berry opened in Port Charlotte, making it the 19th in the state out of a total of 23 nationwide.
GOLDEN GATE Body found in Collier County canal prompts death investigation Collier County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a death investigation after a body was discovered in a canal.
FORT MYERS DeSantis’ new Boater Freedom Initiative would end random FWC boat safety inspections Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the new Boater Freedom Initiative will protect Sunshine State residents’ right to boat.
In 2003, when Hawaiian surfer Bethany Hamilton was just 13 years old, she lost her arm in a shark attack while surfing in Kauai. Her positive approach has also given her a unique perspective on life after the attack. In 2003, when Hawaiian surfer Bethany Hamilton was just 13 years old, she lost her arm in a shark attack while surfing in Kauai. After losing nearly two-thirds of her blood, her life and future in surfing were anything but guaranteed. Surfing with one arm is a tall order, and doing so professionally nearly impossible, but when you combine unthinkable passion, unrelenting resilience, and the desire to fulfill lifelong goals, the impossible seems a little more feasible. Her positive approach has also given her a unique perspective on life after the attack. “Looking in hindsight, I see all the beauty and good that’s come from the loss of my arm that I wouldn’t change life to be how I think it should be, but rather just embracing life as it is.” Miraculously, just 26 days after the attack, she was back on her board. Two years after that, she was a national champion. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bethany Hamilton (@bethanyhamilton) Hamilton’s faith proved crucial in her return to the sport. “When tough times come my way,” Hamilton told CNN World Sport’s Patrick Snell from Kauai, “I definitely rely on my faith in God and just be like ‘hey God I don’t know why I lost my arm but I’m going to trust you and know that good can come from this situation.'” If Hamilton’s faith helped her surf again, her natural ability and work ethic vaulted her to the top of her sport. She won the National Scholastic Surfing Association National Championship for the 18-and-under age group in 2005. She made her World Tour debut in 2009, with her best result coming in 2016 when she beat then six-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore and, world No. 1 at the time, Tyler Wright, in a third-place finish at the Fiji Women’s Pro. Passion for surfing After losing an arm in a shark attack, most people would try and avoid returning to the place of the incident, but not Hamilton. “I guess my passion for surfing outweighed my fear of sharks, and I was just waiting until the doctor said I had the OK to get in the ocean.” Hamilton’s mindset played a big role in her journey to the top of surfing. “This is what I dreamed of, and the loss of my arm didn’t stop that dream,” she reflects. “It’s just my mindset and my approach to the obstacle and thinking on what I can do and how you know what is possible versus, what’s the challenge of it.” As a wife and mother Hamilton tackles new obstacles every day, and she enjoys figuring out how to conquer each one, not least “trying to figure out the jump rope with one arm, and it’s a super fun challenge.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bethany Hamilton (@bethanyhamilton) Her unique journey and positive perspective has inspired people around the world and has now manifested itself into a documentary, ‘Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable.’ The film shows Hamilton’s remarkable journey and highlights her triumphs over every obstacle life throws at her, from surfing with one arm, to raising two young boys. Keen to encourage others to, “live an unstoppable life,” she says she feels “privileged to be a role model.” As good a surfer as Hamilton is, she is not immune to wipeouts, but every time she gets knocked down, she gets back on her board. That philosophy of dealing with one wave at a time is one she also practices in life in dealing with the challenges that have been thrown at her.