New bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashesNew leash on life; Cape Coral shelter dog beats cancer with drug being tested for humans
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Super hero float at the Edison Festival of Light parade. (Credit: Edison) Roads in and around downtown Fort Myers will be closed starting early Saturday morning for one of Southwest Florida’s biggest events. The Grand Parade is a two-hour extravaganza featuring national participants & local marching bands, floats, local government and law enforcement officials, clowns and more. Crafts on the River – The Craft show is from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. along on Hendry and Main Street spanning to Broadway and Main. Parade Celebration – Begins at 11 a.m. and bands begin at 3 p.m. also on Edwards Drive you can catch free entertainment on the stage. Cloggers, vocalists, dancers! Food vendors and beverages too. Edison Festival of Light 5K Run Over the years, the Edison Festival 5K Race has gained international notoriety. Well over 1,400 participants and thousands of spectators take over the streets of the Downtown River District. Register your team for this 3.1mile race for fun and a chance to win cash prizes. The event is coordinated from start to finish by the Fort Myers Track Club and includes chip timing and an after-event awards program. Packet Pickup / Registration Saturday, Feb. 15 Campo Felice 3:00 PM – 5:30 PM 2500 Edwards Dr, Fort Myers 5K Run The shotgun start is at 5:45 p.m. and thousands of local, national, and international runners and walkers will take it to the streets just before parade time. The race starts on Edwards Drive. Edison Festival of Light Grand Parade On Saturday people from all over the world will be lining the streets along US 41 and throughout the Downtown River District to watch the biggest night parade in the Southeast. The parade is from 7 – 10 p.m. This year, a few favorite viewing spots will change due to a new route to accommodate the construction progress of a new hotel. Where to watch the Edison Festival of Light Grand Parade? Do not plan to sit on Monroe St. or Edwards Dr. in front of Harborside Event Center. Instead, you can go to Main Street or Hendry. Or find a prime spot on US 41 between Lions Park and MLK. Fireworks will be set off from Centennial Park at the end of the parade around 8:30 p.m. Traffic: The Fort Myers Police Department stresses that traffic will be extremely restricted along the parade route and motorists must seek alternate routes. The parade exit route from downtown will be along Jackson Street to Edison Avenue which will be closed as well. Southbound traffic on US 41 will be diverted off the Caloosahatchee Bridge and detoured onto McGregor Boulevard. Lee Memorial Hospital entrance after road closures will be at Cleveland Avenue and Canal Streets. The Fort Myers Police Department stresses that traffic will be extremely restricted along the parade route and motorists must seek alternate routes. “The parking is always difficult because there’s so many people here, you know, coming to see the festival,” Debbie Jordan said. “… You have to just park wherever you can find a space.” Parking Tips: Park in parking garages Local churches and businesses allow free parking on their lots Be prepared to walk “Park away from it. Catch a ride maybe,” Chris Keiling said. “Buddy up with somebody, your family or friends.” People say it’s worth it. “We normally do come early, and we just enjoy the day,” Jordan said. “I think it’s worth it. It’s been here so long. It’s tradition.” More than 200,000 people attend the parade and there are more than 200 units including floats, marching bands, trucks, dignitaries, and much more participating! For more information about the route or other Edison Festival of Light activities visit edisonfestival.org.