Proposal to bring in police cameras to Marco IslandIncreasing deportation raises concerns for migrant workers in SWFL
MARCO ISLAND Proposal to bring in police cameras to Marco Island Marco Island city leaders are considering a proposal for police officers to wear body cameras. The idea aims to modernize the department and increase trust with citizens.
FORT MYERS Increasing deportation raises concerns for migrant workers in SWFL With the fear of mass deportations and raids many are wondering whether any will happen here. Any mass deportations could adversely affect construction and agriculture.
Lee County schools survey parents on classroom phone restrictions Lee County Schools is considering changes to its student code of conduct regarding the use of wireless communication devices during the school day.
NAPLES New NCH technology to destroy tumors NCH is upping its cancer-fighting game by becoming the first in Florida to acquire a new technology designed to destroy tumors.
FORT MYERS Alliance for the Arts to host 39th annual All Florida Juried Exhibition The Alliance for the Arts will be hosting the 39th Annual All Florida Juried Exhibit.
ESTERO FGCU softball coach David Deiros to retire after 2025 season FGCU softball head coach David Deiros will retire from coaching at the end of the 2025 season.
Tim Aten Knows: SWFL to see expansion of Oar & Iron, Kelly’s Roast Beef The restaurant franchise group for the Boston-based Kelly’s Roast Beef and Oar & Iron Raw Bar & Grill recently burst out of the gate in Collier and Lee counties with aggressive expansion plans for both dining concepts.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers man gets life in prison for fatal fentanyl distribution A Fort Myers man will spend the rest of his life in jail for distributing a lethal dose of fentanyl.
Fort Myers council to discuss $11.5M bid for News-Press site redevelopment The Fort Myers News-Press building, a site with a long history and untapped potential, may soon undergo a transformation.
Collier mental health center building contract approved Collier County approved the construction contract for the roughly $50 million, 87-bed Collier County Behavioral Health Center, just two weeks before the contract was set to expire, and costs would rise by millions.
City of Fort Myers receives competing bids on former News-Press site The City of Fort Myers plans to vote Jan. 21 on whether to meet March 3 to consider Catalyst Community Development LLC as the buyer for almost 10 acres at 2442 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., former site of The News-Press newspaper.
Charlotte County awaits demolition plan for Cultural Center During a Jan. 21 commissioners workshop meeting, county Facilities Director Travis Perdue said a demolition consultant will provide a demolition plan sometime in March.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach town manager announces resignation Fort Myers Beach’s town manager has announced he will not renew his contract and plans to return to northern Florida.
WASHINGTON (AP) Senate confirms Marco Rubio as secretary of state, giving Trump the first member of his Cabinet The Senate confirmed Marco Rubio as secretary of state Monday, voting unanimously for President Donald Trump’s Cabinet.
BABCOCK RANCH 2 juveniles accused of crime spree in Charlotte County and neighboring Lee County Two juveniles have been arrested after allegedly committing multiple vehicle thefts and burglaries in Babcock Ranch.
MARCO ISLAND Proposal to bring in police cameras to Marco Island Marco Island city leaders are considering a proposal for police officers to wear body cameras. The idea aims to modernize the department and increase trust with citizens.
FORT MYERS Increasing deportation raises concerns for migrant workers in SWFL With the fear of mass deportations and raids many are wondering whether any will happen here. Any mass deportations could adversely affect construction and agriculture.
Lee County schools survey parents on classroom phone restrictions Lee County Schools is considering changes to its student code of conduct regarding the use of wireless communication devices during the school day.
NAPLES New NCH technology to destroy tumors NCH is upping its cancer-fighting game by becoming the first in Florida to acquire a new technology designed to destroy tumors.
FORT MYERS Alliance for the Arts to host 39th annual All Florida Juried Exhibition The Alliance for the Arts will be hosting the 39th Annual All Florida Juried Exhibit.
ESTERO FGCU softball coach David Deiros to retire after 2025 season FGCU softball head coach David Deiros will retire from coaching at the end of the 2025 season.
Tim Aten Knows: SWFL to see expansion of Oar & Iron, Kelly’s Roast Beef The restaurant franchise group for the Boston-based Kelly’s Roast Beef and Oar & Iron Raw Bar & Grill recently burst out of the gate in Collier and Lee counties with aggressive expansion plans for both dining concepts.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers man gets life in prison for fatal fentanyl distribution A Fort Myers man will spend the rest of his life in jail for distributing a lethal dose of fentanyl.
Fort Myers council to discuss $11.5M bid for News-Press site redevelopment The Fort Myers News-Press building, a site with a long history and untapped potential, may soon undergo a transformation.
Collier mental health center building contract approved Collier County approved the construction contract for the roughly $50 million, 87-bed Collier County Behavioral Health Center, just two weeks before the contract was set to expire, and costs would rise by millions.
City of Fort Myers receives competing bids on former News-Press site The City of Fort Myers plans to vote Jan. 21 on whether to meet March 3 to consider Catalyst Community Development LLC as the buyer for almost 10 acres at 2442 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., former site of The News-Press newspaper.
Charlotte County awaits demolition plan for Cultural Center During a Jan. 21 commissioners workshop meeting, county Facilities Director Travis Perdue said a demolition consultant will provide a demolition plan sometime in March.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach town manager announces resignation Fort Myers Beach’s town manager has announced he will not renew his contract and plans to return to northern Florida.
WASHINGTON (AP) Senate confirms Marco Rubio as secretary of state, giving Trump the first member of his Cabinet The Senate confirmed Marco Rubio as secretary of state Monday, voting unanimously for President Donald Trump’s Cabinet.
BABCOCK RANCH 2 juveniles accused of crime spree in Charlotte County and neighboring Lee County Two juveniles have been arrested after allegedly committing multiple vehicle thefts and burglaries in Babcock Ranch.
Elevation rendering of Sunseeker Resort. Credit: Sunseeker Resort. The Sunseeker Resort by Allegiant Air is scheduled to open in Charlotte Harbor in 2021 and expected to bring hundreds of jobs to the area and hundreds of thousands of tourists each year. We looked to see if the area is prepared for this new growth in the near future. Immediately, the project has brought construction. “You just see a bunch of cranes sticking up in the air,” said Mark Bienz, with a laugh, at Port Charlotte Isle. “And they have a nice wall as you go by driving.” Sunseeker resort construction site. Credit: WINK News. Soon, Sunseeker is expected to generate lots more visitors as well. “I’m sure they’re right,” said Kenneth Norfleet in Port Charlotte. “It’s going to explode.” Therefore, it will change the makeup of the area as people know it. “It won’t be quaint and quiet anymore,” said Rachel Mays, who was visiting from Nashville. Allegiant expects the resort to attract 300,000 visitors annually when it opens in spring of 2021. “I think it will bring more opportunities for people to stay and put it on the map a little more,” Norfleet said. The new resort is expected to create 800 jobs. That’s on top of the hundreds of construction jobs already filled. The hiring process for the Sunseeker Resort is already underway for some positions. Charlotte County believes tens of thousands of those short-term visitors will decide to stay long-term and eventually move to the area permanently. “They need to have a plan to handle all of the people it’s going to bring in,” Norfleet said. The county says it’s preparing for the increase in crowds by widening Main Street next to the property and a Sunseeker funded turning lane for drivers entering the resort. “Basically, the amount of traffic that will be on the roads that we don’t have now,” Norfleet said. While not everyone is accepting of the future change, others argue progress is the cost of living in paradise. “I don’t care what city you’re in, they are going to want to try to grow,” Bienz said. “And you’re going to have to deal with that.” MORE: Sunseeker Resort – Careers with Sunseeker