Apple AirPods lead LCSO to an arrest ; over $100,000 worth of stolen items recoveredHendry County rolls out cameras for school speed zones
FORT MYERS Apple AirPods lead LCSO to an arrest ; over $100,000 worth of stolen items recovered Through the use of Apple Airpods, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office was able to locate nearly $100,000 worth of stolen items, leading to an arrest.
LABELLE Hendry County rolls out cameras for school speed zones The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office has rolled out a new way of enforcing school zone speed limits by using cameras that will target drivers traveling over a certain speed in a school zone.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral officials approve replacement funding for hurricane-damaged stop signs The Cape Coral City Council has approved funding to replace stop signs damaged during Hurricane Milton, resulting in an emergency purchase.
Holiday events happening in Southwest Florida Southwest Florida is embracing the holiday spirit with a variety of festive events this Christmas season.
Collier man accused of supplying fentanyl-laced pills, enough to kill 531,500 people The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man accused of supplying more than 10,000 fentanyl-laced pills disguised as prescription painkillers.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral council supports construction of I-75 interchange into city The Cape Coral City Council has approved a resolution requesting support from Lee and Charlotte counties to prioritize state and federal funding for the Interstate 75 Interchange at Slater Road.
PUNTA GORDA Crews removing derelict boats from Gilchrist Park Crews are working to remove derelict boats from Gilchrist Park after several of them washed ashore during Hurricane Milton in October.
33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee County Another Florida panther has been killed by a vehicle, this time in Hardee County, increasing the death toll of the endangered species to 33 for 2024.
the weather authority Cool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon After waking up to a cold morning, the Weather Authority is tracking warming conditions to the low 70s this Thursday.
Police release threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
FORT MYERS Apple AirPods lead LCSO to an arrest ; over $100,000 worth of stolen items recovered Through the use of Apple Airpods, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office was able to locate nearly $100,000 worth of stolen items, leading to an arrest.
LABELLE Hendry County rolls out cameras for school speed zones The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office has rolled out a new way of enforcing school zone speed limits by using cameras that will target drivers traveling over a certain speed in a school zone.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral officials approve replacement funding for hurricane-damaged stop signs The Cape Coral City Council has approved funding to replace stop signs damaged during Hurricane Milton, resulting in an emergency purchase.
Holiday events happening in Southwest Florida Southwest Florida is embracing the holiday spirit with a variety of festive events this Christmas season.
Collier man accused of supplying fentanyl-laced pills, enough to kill 531,500 people The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man accused of supplying more than 10,000 fentanyl-laced pills disguised as prescription painkillers.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral council supports construction of I-75 interchange into city The Cape Coral City Council has approved a resolution requesting support from Lee and Charlotte counties to prioritize state and federal funding for the Interstate 75 Interchange at Slater Road.
PUNTA GORDA Crews removing derelict boats from Gilchrist Park Crews are working to remove derelict boats from Gilchrist Park after several of them washed ashore during Hurricane Milton in October.
33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee County Another Florida panther has been killed by a vehicle, this time in Hardee County, increasing the death toll of the endangered species to 33 for 2024.
the weather authority Cool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon After waking up to a cold morning, the Weather Authority is tracking warming conditions to the low 70s this Thursday.
Police release threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
Children’s Books at a library. Credit Lydia Liu via Flickr https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ The 22nd annual Southwest Florida Reading Festival has arrived, and with it comes a fully virtual celebration of the power of reading. The festival showcases nearly 30 best-selling authors in addition to crafts, contests and prizes all month long this March. Live events start March 1, but attendees can visit the festival website now to view the author lineup, plan their schedule and take a look at the virtual marketplace booths. Visit eventhub.shop/readfest for early access to the online festival. Nightly author presentations are offered weekdays March 1 through March 12 on the event platform. Youth and teen authors stream online at 6 p.m. and adult authors follow at 7 p.m. These presentations are also being broadcast simultaneously on LeeTV (Comcast Cable channel 97 and CenturyLink’s Prism TV Channel 88 in Lee County). The award-winning authors scheduled to present as part of the festival include adult authors Jennifer Chiaverini, Gregg Hurwitz, Jayne Ann Krentz and Kyle Mills, as well as youth and teen authors J.C. Cervantes, Greg Pizzoli, Julie Berry and Ryan La Sala. The complete list of authors can be found listed on the event website, along with the presentation schedule. “The Lee County Library System is proud to put together such an outstanding event every year,” Library Director Mindi Simon said. “The Southwest Florida Reading Festival has a stellar reputation for bringing the best literary talent to our community, and this year is no exception.” Attendees won’t want to miss the Live Meet & Greet events immediately following the author interviews for their chance to engage with the best-selling lineup via video and text chat. Additional opportunities to chat with authors will be offered during the Saturday Live Booth Sessions on March 6 and 13. Attendees should check each author’s virtual booth to see when they are available to chat. After the author presentations conclude on March 13, festival attendees will be able to watch the recorded content on-demand in the video archive booth through March 31. This year’s festival introduces a virtual marketplace featuring local authors and writing organizations. Vendors will be available to meet festival attendees during the scheduled Live Booth Sessions the first two Saturdays, from 1 to 3 p.m. March 6 and 13. Attendees will be able to chat live within in each participating author’s booth. Other components of the festival were designed to reflect the activities typically found in the annual in-person event. Participants of all ages can enjoy the grab-and-go crafts, online reading program, festival bingo and S.T.E.A.M. contests featuring LEGO, art and creativity challenges. Even autographed books will be provided to attendees in the form of signed book plates that can be adhered to the inside of books. A limited supply of signed book plates is available at no charge and requests clearly indicating the author preference, along with a physical mailing address, should be made by email to readingfestival@leegov.com. As in previous years, the festival will provide each participating child and teen with a free, new book. This year, the free books will be distributed inside of the age-appropriate grab-and-go craft kits, which can be requested from any of the 13 Lee County Library System branches through curbside pickup or at the reference desks from Feb. 22 through March 13, while supplies last. Crafts and free books are specifically tailored for each age group: babies, pre-k, kids (grades k-2), kids (grades 3-5), middle and high school teens, and adults. Festival participants are encouraged to sign up for the online reading and activity challenge or to complete the paper-based reading bingo for chances to win prizes and book baskets with festival author book titles. The deadline to log reading and activities is March 31. Free reader accounts can be created using the READsquared app or by visiting the website readfest.org. S.T.E.A.M. contests for all ages featuring LEGO building, art, and creativity challenges will take place online, with top vote-earning entries winning fabulous prizes like LEGO sets, art supplies and more! Visit readfest.org to enter the contests between Feb. 22 through March 14, and vote for your favorites from March 15 through March 31. “The Southwest Florida Reading Festival has really tried to provide something for everyone this year,” Festival Coordinator Melissa Baker said. “As festival planning goes, this was a first for us to go all virtual, and with so many of the online features of the event being self-paced we hope that participants can enjoy the content whenever and wherever it is convenient for them.” The Southwest Florida Reading Festival is free and community-supported through donations, sponsorships and grants. To help ensure the continuation of this free community event, please visit ReadFest.org to make a secure online donation or more information. ABOUT THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA READING FESTIVAL The Southwest Florida Reading Festival is a family-friendly event that celebrates books and the written word. The Festival began in 1999 with the goals of emphasizing the importance of reading and bringing the finest literary talent to Southwest Florida. Now in its 22nd year, this free festival has grown in popularity and attracts thousands of book-loving attendees annually. Some of the past authors include Sue Monk Kidd, Susan Mallery, R.L. Stine, Janet Evanovich, Nelson DeMille, Jeff Kinney and hundreds more. The Reading Festival’s objectives are to promote reading and literacy, increase awareness of the library’s programs and resources and foster partnerships between the Lee County Library System and the community. It is also an opportunity to share with the community the available resources and services at their local Lee County library branches. The Reading Festival aims to build a literate community by encouraging children to develop an interest in reading independently, which fosters an increase in vocabulary and improved writing skills.