ALVA Woodpeckers build home in Alva woman’s house You may have heard of squatters, but this woman is dealing with squawkers. Who needs a rooster to wake up when you have woodpeckers?
FORT MYERS Man claims he was trapped in a high-rise for 5 days A 77-year-old man wants justice after he claims he spent days trapped on the 24th floor of a high-rise apartment building.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte Correctional prisoner arrested for death of another inmate State Attorney Amira Fox convened a grand jury, which decided to move forward with a case against a Charlotte Correctional inmate.
SANIBEL Construction near Dairy Queen eagle nest on Sanibel raises concerns While many eagle nests may be a bit difficult to see, one nest has always been a favorite for Sanibel residents and tourists.
The environmental effects of artificial sweeteners Experts are studying how the foods we eat affect the environment, especially after we flush our waste down the toilet.
Victim reacts to man exposing himself to her Ring camera You get a notification on your phone from your ring camera app that someone is at the door, only to find out it is someone exposing themselves. It’s the last thing victim Maria Kivi wanted or expected to see last week.
LEE COUNTY The art of capturing your eye and drawing you in How do you capture young, hip, trendy, fun, movers and shakers, all in a pose? We take you behind the scenes of a Gulfshore Life cover shoot.
FORT MYERS The lives of two SJC Boxers changed in the ring Two SJC Boxers, Mario Nunez and Arbon Kurtishi, help each other in the ring as each of them had their lives changed because of boxing.
FORT MYERS Chlamydia cases rising sharply in Lee County If you think about a crowded space- something with more than 250 people- if it’s in Lee county, statistically one person has chlamydia.
SANIBEL Sanibel resort day passes hope to get more business on the island A pass will allow vacationers to hang out at a Sanibel beach club for a day in hopes of drumming up some business.
Voting equipment tested ahead of Lee County elections Voting equipment is being tested in Lee County. This is to ensure all ballots are printed and counted correctly for the upcoming election.
Collier County teen assaulted after leaving party The teen has been charged and the sheriff’s office said they’re aware that many believe felony charges are in order, but under Florida law, there are very specific criteria that must be met for felony charges to be filed.
WINK weather team watching tropical wave over Atlantic Ocean The Weather Authority is watching a tropical disturbance over the Central Atlantic Ocean.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral drug bust leads investigators to fake fentanyl, cash and guns Cape Coral man arrest on drug charges. Investigators said they found, guns, drugs, and more than $32,000 in Richard Riley’s home.
NAPLES Naples youth flag football team to compete in Ohio tournament This weekend, the Naples Lunatics Green will compete in the Superhero Sports tournament in Canton, Ohio.
ALVA Woodpeckers build home in Alva woman’s house You may have heard of squatters, but this woman is dealing with squawkers. Who needs a rooster to wake up when you have woodpeckers?
FORT MYERS Man claims he was trapped in a high-rise for 5 days A 77-year-old man wants justice after he claims he spent days trapped on the 24th floor of a high-rise apartment building.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte Correctional prisoner arrested for death of another inmate State Attorney Amira Fox convened a grand jury, which decided to move forward with a case against a Charlotte Correctional inmate.
SANIBEL Construction near Dairy Queen eagle nest on Sanibel raises concerns While many eagle nests may be a bit difficult to see, one nest has always been a favorite for Sanibel residents and tourists.
The environmental effects of artificial sweeteners Experts are studying how the foods we eat affect the environment, especially after we flush our waste down the toilet.
Victim reacts to man exposing himself to her Ring camera You get a notification on your phone from your ring camera app that someone is at the door, only to find out it is someone exposing themselves. It’s the last thing victim Maria Kivi wanted or expected to see last week.
LEE COUNTY The art of capturing your eye and drawing you in How do you capture young, hip, trendy, fun, movers and shakers, all in a pose? We take you behind the scenes of a Gulfshore Life cover shoot.
FORT MYERS The lives of two SJC Boxers changed in the ring Two SJC Boxers, Mario Nunez and Arbon Kurtishi, help each other in the ring as each of them had their lives changed because of boxing.
FORT MYERS Chlamydia cases rising sharply in Lee County If you think about a crowded space- something with more than 250 people- if it’s in Lee county, statistically one person has chlamydia.
SANIBEL Sanibel resort day passes hope to get more business on the island A pass will allow vacationers to hang out at a Sanibel beach club for a day in hopes of drumming up some business.
Voting equipment tested ahead of Lee County elections Voting equipment is being tested in Lee County. This is to ensure all ballots are printed and counted correctly for the upcoming election.
Collier County teen assaulted after leaving party The teen has been charged and the sheriff’s office said they’re aware that many believe felony charges are in order, but under Florida law, there are very specific criteria that must be met for felony charges to be filed.
WINK weather team watching tropical wave over Atlantic Ocean The Weather Authority is watching a tropical disturbance over the Central Atlantic Ocean.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral drug bust leads investigators to fake fentanyl, cash and guns Cape Coral man arrest on drug charges. Investigators said they found, guns, drugs, and more than $32,000 in Richard Riley’s home.
NAPLES Naples youth flag football team to compete in Ohio tournament This weekend, the Naples Lunatics Green will compete in the Superhero Sports tournament in Canton, Ohio.
The School District of Lee County announced Tuesday that Tortuga Preserve Elementary ESE Teacher Alyssa Smith is the District’s Teacher of the Year. Alyssa Smith is in her sixth year of teaching at Tortuga Preserve Elementary in Lehigh Acres. Her focus has always been on Exceptional Student Education and she is currently a Special Education teacher in a Social Functioning classroom. “I grew up in a household with two sisters who have special needs on opposite ends of a need’s spectrum,” Smith says. “As long as I can remember, I have voiced that I wanted to be a teacher for children like my sisters. I believe that every student, no matter what their abilities, deserves every opportunity both in school and in life.” Smith is the ESE Contact/Grade Level Chairperson at Tortuga Preserve this year. She developed a K-5 Social Functioning Blended Scope and Sequence to ensure all student levels are being met and the three social functioning teachers are on track. Her attention to each student’s individual academic needs has led to every student in her classroom meeting their learning goals. Smith’s use of Zones of Regulation increased student compliance from 40% per day to 80%. Students are able to take control of their emotions by being asked if they feel either Green (ready), Blue (sad), Yellow (worried) or Red (mad), asked why they feel that way, and then given the tools and strategies they need if they are not in the green zone. “Alyssa makes every effort to be a child advocate,” says Tortuga Preserve Principal Jennifer Shonack. “Her beliefs and commitment to her students go above and beyond. While working with her and observing her with her students, I have been continually impressed with her driving commitment to excellence…for herself and her students.” As Teacher of the Year Smith wins a prize package valued at more than $3,000. Smith will now be nominated for Florida Teacher of the Year. The Florida Department of Education will announce the winner in the spring. Miguel Teixeira Teacher of the Year candidates are nominated by their school principals. Applications are reviewed by a team of District administrators and former Teachers of the Year. Semi-Finalists are then interviewed and three Finalists have a second interview. The judges say this year was extremely competitive and wish to also congratulate the two other finalists Miguel Teixeira is the Peer Collaborative Teacher of Social Science at Lehigh Acres Middle School. He has been a teacher in the District and at LAMS since 2011. Civics EOC scores have improved the last three years because of Teixeira’s leadership. Sara Wechter Sara Wechter is in her 7th year with the District as a teacher and first at Edgewood Academy. She teaches 4th grade and is the teacher lead for her grade level. She was previously at Orangewood Elementary and is credited with the school’s improved scores in math and reading.