Coin flip could solve Marco Island City Council conflictLocal leaders in SWFL focus on sustainable water solutions
MARCO ISLAND Coin flip could solve Marco Island City Council conflict The Marco Island City Council remains deadlocked in its efforts to appoint a seventh councilor.
FORT MYERS Local leaders in SWFL focus on sustainable water solutions Water is a critical resource in Southwest Florida, supporting everything from fishing to boating and beaches.
COLLIER COUNTY Two girls hoops players from Ukraine reflect on year in SWFL Sasha Rubanova and Sonia Kiritsa reflect on the past year in Southwest Florida after leaving Ukraine.
EAST NAPLES Christopher Worrell among Jan. 6 Capitol attackers released by Trump pardon An East Naples man is now among three Southwest Florida Jan. 6 Capitol rioters released in response to President Donald Trump’s series of pardons.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers plans safety upgrades for Veronica Shoemaker Blvd. The City of Fort Myers is considering a study to explore potential improvements to Veronica S. Shoemaker Boulevard.
SANIBEL Community leaders discuss Sanibel’s future Sanibel Island has faced significant challenges in recent years, including hurricanes and flooding.
LCSO launches K-9 unit to provide emotional support for community The Lee County Sheriff’s Office now has a crisis care K-9 unit to provide emotional support and connection to community members in need.
CAPE CORAL Exclusive interview with Cape Coral leaders about families displaced through city project Residents near Bimini Square in Cape Coral face displacement as bulldozers demolish buildings for a new development project.
CAPE CORAL Demolition begins on Bimini East properties Demolition has begun on the Bimini East properties that are part of the City of Cape Coral’s revitalization development.
Lee County Most Wanted Wednesday: Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for January 22, 2025 Here are some of Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for January 22, 2025.
Charlotte County sheriff: deputy-involved shooting suspect was on 68 medications Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell has revealed new details regarding a deputy-involved shooting on Eager Road last week.
Plans for Aquarius Hotel receive final design approval in Naples A proposed 18-unit boutique hotel with a restaurant received unanimous final design approval Jan. 22 by the Naples Design Review Board.
What you need to know for FEMA transitional sheltering assistance Many in Southwest Florida are dealing with unlivable conditions after a series of hurricanes hit the area last fall.
FORT MYERS BEACH Suspect wanted for stealing electric bike in Fort Myers Beach Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect who stole an electric bike in Fort Myers Beach.
Kelly’s Roast Beef, Oar & Iron continue SWFL expansion A Massachusetts-based restaurant company is bringing a taste of its home state to Southwest Florida, plus a new surf and turf concept aimed at people who call the region home.
MARCO ISLAND Coin flip could solve Marco Island City Council conflict The Marco Island City Council remains deadlocked in its efforts to appoint a seventh councilor.
FORT MYERS Local leaders in SWFL focus on sustainable water solutions Water is a critical resource in Southwest Florida, supporting everything from fishing to boating and beaches.
COLLIER COUNTY Two girls hoops players from Ukraine reflect on year in SWFL Sasha Rubanova and Sonia Kiritsa reflect on the past year in Southwest Florida after leaving Ukraine.
EAST NAPLES Christopher Worrell among Jan. 6 Capitol attackers released by Trump pardon An East Naples man is now among three Southwest Florida Jan. 6 Capitol rioters released in response to President Donald Trump’s series of pardons.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers plans safety upgrades for Veronica Shoemaker Blvd. The City of Fort Myers is considering a study to explore potential improvements to Veronica S. Shoemaker Boulevard.
SANIBEL Community leaders discuss Sanibel’s future Sanibel Island has faced significant challenges in recent years, including hurricanes and flooding.
LCSO launches K-9 unit to provide emotional support for community The Lee County Sheriff’s Office now has a crisis care K-9 unit to provide emotional support and connection to community members in need.
CAPE CORAL Exclusive interview with Cape Coral leaders about families displaced through city project Residents near Bimini Square in Cape Coral face displacement as bulldozers demolish buildings for a new development project.
CAPE CORAL Demolition begins on Bimini East properties Demolition has begun on the Bimini East properties that are part of the City of Cape Coral’s revitalization development.
Lee County Most Wanted Wednesday: Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for January 22, 2025 Here are some of Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for January 22, 2025.
Charlotte County sheriff: deputy-involved shooting suspect was on 68 medications Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell has revealed new details regarding a deputy-involved shooting on Eager Road last week.
Plans for Aquarius Hotel receive final design approval in Naples A proposed 18-unit boutique hotel with a restaurant received unanimous final design approval Jan. 22 by the Naples Design Review Board.
What you need to know for FEMA transitional sheltering assistance Many in Southwest Florida are dealing with unlivable conditions after a series of hurricanes hit the area last fall.
FORT MYERS BEACH Suspect wanted for stealing electric bike in Fort Myers Beach Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect who stole an electric bike in Fort Myers Beach.
Kelly’s Roast Beef, Oar & Iron continue SWFL expansion A Massachusetts-based restaurant company is bringing a taste of its home state to Southwest Florida, plus a new surf and turf concept aimed at people who call the region home.
FILE – This June 20, 2019, file photo shows an existing home is offered for sale in Rutledge, Ga. Weaker home sales trends are expected to contribute to a sharp slowing in the home remodeling market. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File) A mixture of falling home prices, low-interest rates, below three percent to be exact, and the famous sunshine are all contributing to the rise in home sales in Collier County. This is good news for consumers and realtors alike. “Homes that have been on the market for years without any attention or direction are suddenly selling like sliced bread,” said Dirk Fischer, Realtor in Naples. At first, Realtors like Fischer were scared because the coronavirus pandemic was causing so many issues for them “When COVID started it was a nightmare because there were flight and travel restrictions, investors couldn’t come here and prices started to drop,” said Fischer. But what realtors originally thought would hurt them, actually seems to be helping. “We’ve had already more pending sales so far in the first two weeks in July then we had the whole entire month of June so the market is on fire,” said Dennis Grimes, another Realtor in Collier County. Grimes definitely believes he’s seen more of those ‘For Sale’ signs coming down more rapidly, recently. In addition to warm weather and low-interest rates, Florida has less strict COVID regulations which are attracting people from states such as New York and Michigan, which have stricter regulations. “No I don’t want to go those places,” said Ana Payero, who lives in Naples. “I think we’re doing pretty good here in Naples. It’s optional.” Rental properties on the other hand are not doing as well. Many of the renters from up north who would usually come to Florida during the summer are declining to do so because of the recent spike in cases. Home sales may be rising for now in Collier County but some are still having difficulty paying their mortgages. “Unfortunately, a lot of them have lost their jobs, don’t have an income right now, cannot satisfy their mortgages and we might see a foreclosure rate rolling toward us.” Realtors also said if the cases continue to rise in the state, they could very well see those sale rates plummet once again.