Driver charged with DUI after crashing SUV into restaurant in Gulf Coast Town CenterGreat Wolf Lodge celebrates grand opening, economic impact in Collier County
ESTERO Driver charged with DUI after crashing SUV into restaurant in Gulf Coast Town Center The driver of an SUV that crashed into a restaurant at the Gulf Coast Town Center in Estero has been charged with DUI.
Tesla issues sixth Cybertruck recall in a year, over 2,400 vehicles affected Tesla stock might be up, but their Cybertrucks have another recall for their drivers to deal with.
Great Wolf Lodge celebrates grand opening, economic impact in Collier County With pomp, circumstance and an appearance from retired NFL player Rob Gronkowski, Great Wolf Lodge celebrated both its grand opening and its economic impact for Collier County.
CAPE CORAL Orientation for new Cape Coral City Council members Five fresh new faces are on the Cape Coral City Council.
the weather authority Tropical Storm Sara forms in the Caribbean The Weather Authority is tracking Tropical Storm Sara in the Caribbean.
Local builder Paul Beattie gives up license, agrees to pay fine Beattie Development has been accused of taking customers’ money and not completing work promised, and now the company’s owner is surrendering his license.
NAPLES Naples Botanical Garden performs prescribed burn in garden area The Naples Botanical Garden is conducting a prescribed fire as part of its maintenance of the nature preserve.
NEAR FORT MYERS Jerry Seinfeld to perform at Barbara B. Mann in SWFL Comedian and co-creator of a popular sitcom of the same name, Jerry Seinfeld, is set to perform near Fort Myers.
COLLIER COUNTY DOH-Collier cautions of blue-green algae at Lake Avalon The Florida Department of Health in Collier County (DOH-Collier) wants to caution the public of the presence of blue-green algae in Lake Avalon.
City, Naples Beach Club to preserve green space in perpetuity More than 104 acres of recreation and open space at the former Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club’s golf course will be forever preserved.
FORT MYERS The 52nd annual Fort Myers Boat Show begins An annual Fort Myers tradition has returned as the region’s premier display of boats and boating products, which will be on full display for enthusiasts to enjoy.
the weather authority Gorgeous Thursday afternoon with highs in the mid 80s The Weather Authority is tracking pleasant afternoon conditions with temperatures in the mid-80s this Thursday.
SANIBEL Failed air quality tests push back reopening date for The Sanibel School The tentative reopening of The Sanibel School has been pushed back once again after being closed since Hurricane Milton.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers Police respond to rollover crash; driver flees scene The Fort Myers Police Department responded to a rollover, single-vehicle on Colonial Gardens Circle and Colonial Boulevard.
FORT MYERS West End residents frustrated by security failures, lack of response A nearly $64 million luxury apartment complex that close to 500 people call home, but somehow, security seems to fall through the cracks.
ESTERO Driver charged with DUI after crashing SUV into restaurant in Gulf Coast Town Center The driver of an SUV that crashed into a restaurant at the Gulf Coast Town Center in Estero has been charged with DUI.
Tesla issues sixth Cybertruck recall in a year, over 2,400 vehicles affected Tesla stock might be up, but their Cybertrucks have another recall for their drivers to deal with.
Great Wolf Lodge celebrates grand opening, economic impact in Collier County With pomp, circumstance and an appearance from retired NFL player Rob Gronkowski, Great Wolf Lodge celebrated both its grand opening and its economic impact for Collier County.
CAPE CORAL Orientation for new Cape Coral City Council members Five fresh new faces are on the Cape Coral City Council.
the weather authority Tropical Storm Sara forms in the Caribbean The Weather Authority is tracking Tropical Storm Sara in the Caribbean.
Local builder Paul Beattie gives up license, agrees to pay fine Beattie Development has been accused of taking customers’ money and not completing work promised, and now the company’s owner is surrendering his license.
NAPLES Naples Botanical Garden performs prescribed burn in garden area The Naples Botanical Garden is conducting a prescribed fire as part of its maintenance of the nature preserve.
NEAR FORT MYERS Jerry Seinfeld to perform at Barbara B. Mann in SWFL Comedian and co-creator of a popular sitcom of the same name, Jerry Seinfeld, is set to perform near Fort Myers.
COLLIER COUNTY DOH-Collier cautions of blue-green algae at Lake Avalon The Florida Department of Health in Collier County (DOH-Collier) wants to caution the public of the presence of blue-green algae in Lake Avalon.
City, Naples Beach Club to preserve green space in perpetuity More than 104 acres of recreation and open space at the former Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club’s golf course will be forever preserved.
FORT MYERS The 52nd annual Fort Myers Boat Show begins An annual Fort Myers tradition has returned as the region’s premier display of boats and boating products, which will be on full display for enthusiasts to enjoy.
the weather authority Gorgeous Thursday afternoon with highs in the mid 80s The Weather Authority is tracking pleasant afternoon conditions with temperatures in the mid-80s this Thursday.
SANIBEL Failed air quality tests push back reopening date for The Sanibel School The tentative reopening of The Sanibel School has been pushed back once again after being closed since Hurricane Milton.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers Police respond to rollover crash; driver flees scene The Fort Myers Police Department responded to a rollover, single-vehicle on Colonial Gardens Circle and Colonial Boulevard.
FORT MYERS West End residents frustrated by security failures, lack of response A nearly $64 million luxury apartment complex that close to 500 people call home, but somehow, security seems to fall through the cracks.
Victor Brown Jr. (Credit: CCSO booking photo) A Port Charlotte man who was already in jail was tied to an attempted kidnapping that happened nearly a year ago thanks to leaving his DNA with the victim, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday. Victor Brown Jr., 24, was jailed Oct. 15 for loitering and prowling and resisting an officer without violence after a foot chase in the area of Starlite Lane in Port Charlotte. That same day, DNA results came back from a Nov. 7, 2019, incident in which deputies say Brown tried to kidnap a woman near the intersection of Felda Street and Ollie’s Pond Park, which is near Brown’s home, according to CCSO. A woman was taking a morning run when an unknown man slapped her on the buttocks. When the victim turned around, she saw a man wearing a black ski mask made of wool. She described him as being about 5’10”, slender/muscular, and around early- to mid- 20s. Ollie’s Pond Park in Port Charlotte (Credit: Google Street View) The sheriff’s office said the suspect grabbed her by the hands, picked her up, dragged her into the woods, and slammed her onto the ground where he stood over her. The victim attempted to fight back but was unsuccessful with physical force. Fearfully, the victim attempted to talk the suspect down by asking questions and speaking spiritually. The suspect ultimately held her hand and told her to “go home.” The victim suffered minor injuries prior to getting away from the attacker. Once the victim returned home, CCSO was contacted. The neighborhood searched for a suspect matching the description with no success. Deputies gathered evidence that included the victim’s clothing, which would ultimately lead to Brown’s arrest. On the bottom of her running shirt was believed to be the blood of the suspect. The blood was collected and sent off to be analyzed. On Oct. 15, the same day Brown was arrested on unrelated charges, detectives received word from FDLE that they had a CODIS hit which came back to Brown. Detectives discovered Brown lived about 1,500 feet from where the incident took place. “Without the DNA evidence, I can’t believe that we would actually have an excess full closure on this case,” said Claudette Bennett, public information officer for CCSO. Joyce Roth of Deep Creek refuses to walk around Ollie’s Pond Park without a friend and remains cautious along the quiet path. “I have a can of pepper spray on us,” she said. “I remember that incident and I thought no way am I going to take that risk.” Despite the arrest, Roth said she plans to keep her guard up and hopes others don’t back down. “I hope the law does the right thing and puts him where he needs to be.” The sheriff’s office said Brown was on felony probation at the time of the crime, and he is now facing charges of kidnapping and violation of probation. He was still in the Charlotte County Jail as of Wednesday afternoon.