16 transported after 2 airboats crash in Collier CountyNew bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Marc Smith (Credit: CCSO booking photo) A Port Charlotte man was arrested Friday after deputies say he verbally assaulted two kids and then waved a gun around near their day care while he was intoxicated. The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office says Marc Smith, 72, was upset because the kids, ages 9 and 11, were putting out trash cans for pickup from Sunny Day Academy on Muriel Avenue. Smith began yelling and cursing at the kids about not wanting to look at the cans all weekend and then told them to go get an adult. The two were being supervised by the day care’s director as they took out the trash, and she called the day care’s owner when Smith’s diatribe escalated. The owner went to talk with Smith and told him not to speak with the children at the day care. Smith was angered by this request and pulled a handgun on him, CCSO says. The day care was placed on lockdown as children and parents were in the direct line of fire if the firearm were to go off. “Smith continued to wave the firearm around in a rude, careless, angry and threatening manner after committing the aggravated assault,” said CCSO. Amber Garland, a mom of four and the director of Sunny Day Academy, told WINK News that nine kids were outside in the parking lot, along with some parents, when Smith brandished a gun and waved it around. “It was picture day on Friday; everybody got their cap and gown photos, ending the day … And then it escalates over trash cans,” she said. Garland watched her son Jacob and another student, Hunter, as they took the trash cans to the curb. Suddenly, 11-year-old Jacob and 9-year-old Hunter heard Smith yell. “He came out and started yelling and cussing at us. We put the trash cans down. And he started stepping closer to us, so we ran inside,” Hunter said. Garland called the day care’s owner. “He [the owner] stepped one foot into the road and the guy started yelling at him and pointed a gun at him,” Garland said. “Zachary put his hands up in the air and told him, ‘You’re not going to talk or treat the children at my facility that way.'” Jacob says “it was scary and I didn’t like it because he also took out a gun, too. And I was scared. That’s why my mom told me to come inside to protect me from the guy who took the gun out.” Parents and day care workers rushed the kids inside for the lockdown. “Truthfully, fear struck, and then protective kicked in,” Garland said. Jacob says once he got inside, he knew he was safe, and “I was relieved that my mom and everyone else was out there to help us.” “Because the adults can save us,” said Hunter. Smith is facing charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill, improper exhibition of a dangerous weapon or firearm, and using a firearm while under the influence of alcohol. “He just seemed mad. Just mad,” said Garland. “Something’s got him so angry and he was just lashing out.” Smith remains in the Charlotte County Jail. His bail has been set at $8,000.