16 transported after 2 airboats crash in Collier CountyNew bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes
16 transported after 2 airboats crash in Collier County According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, two airboats crashed south of U.S. 41 east between mile markers 74 and 75, leaving well over a dozen people injured.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA New bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes There could be new detectives on the block, located in your nearest auto shop. A new state bill aims at trying to stop hit-and-run drivers from getting away.
CAPE CORAL New leash on life; Cape Coral shelter dog beats cancer with drug being tested for humans A drug now being studied in human trials to kill cancerous tumors, is already approved and helping animals.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral planning a new interchange with I-75 The city of Cape Coral is in the early stages of planning a new interchange with I-75, an idea that has been discussed for more than a decade.
Tracking invasive species after hurricanes Hurricanes Helene and Milton didn’t just bring wind and rain, they brought new threats to southwest Florida’s ecosystem.
PUNTA GORDA Woman in Punta Gorda shooting charged with 2nd degree murder A woman in a homicide investigation on Nasturtium Drive in Punta Gorda has been charged with 2nd-degree murder.
Lee County mother continuing fight to get children a bus stop The school district already told her she lives too close to the school to qualify for a bus route but she has not given up.
NORTH NAPLES Grant Thornton Invitational returns to Tiburon Golf Club Stars on the PGA and LPGA Tours are back in Southwest Florida for the Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburon Golf Club.
FORT MYERS Black Flag brings classic punk energy to The Ranch in Fort Myers Legendary punk band Black Flag made their mark in Southwest Florida during the Fort Myers stop of their “First Four Years” tour.
Charlotte Technical College breaks ground on aviation facility The Charlotte County School District is flying high and keeping its “Space Academy” designation with a new aviation training facility for students.
CAPE CORAL Man arrested in connection with Cape Coral home invasion The Cape Coral Police Department has announced the arrest of one of three men suspected in a home invasion that took place earlier this month.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral residents react to $100M North Cape land deal The city of Cape Coral is seeing two projects that will change the city. One is called one of the most lucrative deals in county history.
Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association breaks ground on new Fort Myers headquarters As Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association’s president pointed out, about 1,000 people are still moving to Florida every day, and many of them are finding their way to Southwest Florida.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte County drug trafficker sentenced to 10 years A Charlotte County man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for drug trafficking.
lehigh acres ‘How to sign away parental rights?’; Lehigh Acres woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby.
16 transported after 2 airboats crash in Collier County According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, two airboats crashed south of U.S. 41 east between mile markers 74 and 75, leaving well over a dozen people injured.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA New bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes There could be new detectives on the block, located in your nearest auto shop. A new state bill aims at trying to stop hit-and-run drivers from getting away.
CAPE CORAL New leash on life; Cape Coral shelter dog beats cancer with drug being tested for humans A drug now being studied in human trials to kill cancerous tumors, is already approved and helping animals.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral planning a new interchange with I-75 The city of Cape Coral is in the early stages of planning a new interchange with I-75, an idea that has been discussed for more than a decade.
Tracking invasive species after hurricanes Hurricanes Helene and Milton didn’t just bring wind and rain, they brought new threats to southwest Florida’s ecosystem.
PUNTA GORDA Woman in Punta Gorda shooting charged with 2nd degree murder A woman in a homicide investigation on Nasturtium Drive in Punta Gorda has been charged with 2nd-degree murder.
Lee County mother continuing fight to get children a bus stop The school district already told her she lives too close to the school to qualify for a bus route but she has not given up.
NORTH NAPLES Grant Thornton Invitational returns to Tiburon Golf Club Stars on the PGA and LPGA Tours are back in Southwest Florida for the Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburon Golf Club.
FORT MYERS Black Flag brings classic punk energy to The Ranch in Fort Myers Legendary punk band Black Flag made their mark in Southwest Florida during the Fort Myers stop of their “First Four Years” tour.
Charlotte Technical College breaks ground on aviation facility The Charlotte County School District is flying high and keeping its “Space Academy” designation with a new aviation training facility for students.
CAPE CORAL Man arrested in connection with Cape Coral home invasion The Cape Coral Police Department has announced the arrest of one of three men suspected in a home invasion that took place earlier this month.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral residents react to $100M North Cape land deal The city of Cape Coral is seeing two projects that will change the city. One is called one of the most lucrative deals in county history.
Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association breaks ground on new Fort Myers headquarters As Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association’s president pointed out, about 1,000 people are still moving to Florida every day, and many of them are finding their way to Southwest Florida.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte County drug trafficker sentenced to 10 years A Charlotte County man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for drug trafficking.
lehigh acres ‘How to sign away parental rights?’; Lehigh Acres woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a woman accused of killing her 4-month-old baby.
(Pixabay) For many people, cooking with the family is a Christmas tradition. For others, it’s a special dinner out. Whether it’s your tradition, you’re stuck working or you have a cooking disaster, here is a list of some restaurants that are open on Christmas Day. According to RetailMeNot, the following national restaurants are open Wednesday. However, keep in mind, hours may vary by location, so you should give your restaurant of choice a call to confirm. Boston Market Buca di Beppo Buffalo Wild Wings Denny’s Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar Fogo de Chao IHOP Legal Sea Foods Macaroni Grill Marie Callender’s Morton’s The Steakhouse Old Country Buffet Perkins Restaurant & Bakery Ruth’s Chris Steak House Smith & Wollensky Starbucks Waffle House If you’re looking to go somewhere that is more local, Fort Myers Beach has a long list of restaurants that are open not only on Christmas but some of them are also open on New Year’s Eve and Day. (CE = Christmas Eve; CD = Christmas Day; NYE = New Year’s Eve; NYD = New Year’s Day.) Banyan Grille – CE(buffet), NYE(buffet), NYD Bayfront Bistro – CE, CD, NYE, NYD Cabanas Beach Bar at Diamondhead – CE, CD, NYE, NYD Casablanca Cafe – CE, CD, NYE, NYD Charley’s Boathouse Grill – CE, CD, NYE, NYD Coste Island Cuisine at Diamondhead – CE, CD(buffet), NYE, NYD Deckside Cafe At Outrigger – CE, CD, NYE, NYD DeRomo’s – CE, NYE, NYD Doc Ford’s – CE, NYE, NYD Dixie Fish Co. – CE, NYE, NYD Edelweiss Burger – CD, NYE, NYD Felipe’s Mexican Taqueria – CE, NYE, NYD Fish-Tale Waterfront Dining – CE, NYE Flippers on the Bay – CE, CD, NYE, NYD Fresh Catch Bistro – CE, NYE, NYD Island Cafe – CE, CD, NYE, NYD Island View Restaurant – CE, CD(buffet), NYE, NYD Junkanoo – CE, NYE, NYD Kava Culture – CE, CD, NYE, NYD La Ola Surfside Restaurant – CE, CD, NYE, NYD Lighthouse Tiki Bar – CE, CD, NYE, NYD Love Boat Ice Cream – CE, NYE, NYD Mango Rita’s – CE, CD, NYE, NYD Matanzas on the Bay – NYE, NYD Nervous Nellie’s – CE, CD(menu), NYE, NYD Original Shrimp Dock – CE, NYE, NYD Parrot Key Caribbean Grill – CE, NYE, NYD Pete’s Time Out – CE, CD, NYE, NYD Pierside Grill – CE, NYE, NYD Pinchers Beach Bar at the Wyndham – CE, CD, NYE, NYD Pink Shell Beach Resort – CE, CD(buffet), NYE, NYD Plaka Restaurant – CE, CD, NYE, NYD Rae’s on the Beach – CE, CD, NYE, NYD Royal Scoop – CE, CD, NYE, NYD Rib City – CE, NYE Sabal Palm Patio Bar & Grill – CE, CD, NYE Seminole Casino – CE, CD, NYE, NYD Shamrock Irish Pub – CE, CD, NYE, NYD Shuckers at the Gulfshore – CE, CD, NYE, NYD Skye’s Mexican & More – CE, NYE, NYD Smokin Oyster Brewery – CE, NYE, NYD South Beach Grille – CE, CD, NYE, NYD Sun Deck at the Lani Kai – CE, CD, NYE, NYD Sunset Beach Tropical Grill – CE, CD, NYE, NYD The Beach Bar – CE, CD, NYE, NYD The Doghouse – CE, NYE, NYD The Salty Crab – NYE, NYD The Sandbar & Grille – CE, CD, NYE, NYD The Whale – CE, NYE, NYD Truly Scrumptious – CE, NYE, NYD Tuckaway Cafe – CE, NYE, NYD Yucatan Beach Stand – CE, CD, NYE, NYD According to Open Table, there are multiple restaurants across SWFL that will be open as well. Tanglewood – Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa Roy’s Bonita Springs Sails Restaurant Sale e Pepe – Marco Beach Ocean Resort South Fork Grille Continental Naples Terrazza – The Ritz-Carlton, Naples The Deck at 560 – Hilton Marco Island Resort & Spa Ristorante Farfalla Tarpon Bay at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa GameTime – Fort Myers Figs Grille Ember Korean Steakhouse Tokyo Bay – Bonita Springs Cote D’Azur AMORE Ristorante Molto Trattoria Rae’s on the Beach Lamoraga Shula’s Steak House – Naples The Claw Bar The Pearl Steak and Seafood Restaurant Noodles Italian Cafe & Sushi Bar Twisted Vine Bistro Chez Guy Yabba Island Grill Alberto’s on Fifth Escargot 41 Mezzo – The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples Jack’s Chez Boet Cavo Lounge TARTINE & TARTELETTE Van Van Cuban Cafe La Pescheria Coast Cafe Luna at Ramada Inn Naples Normandie Seaside Cafe at West Wind Inn Sushi Thai Downtown 1500 South Restaurant Verdi’s Bistro Sale e Pepe – Marco Beach Ocean Resort Tesoro – JW Marriott Marco Island TGI Fridays – Port Charlotte Latitude 26 Caffe Milano Other area restaurants that are open for the holidays: Bimini Bait Shack India’s Grill Spice Club Indian Grill Remember, if you’re looking to see if a specific restaurant is open, just give them a call or check out their website for hours. If you know of a restaurant that we missed on this list, let us know by sending us a correction email below.