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.
Do you know what’s going on in your child’s dating life? If you answered no, you’re not alone. February is teen dating violence awareness month and The Shelter for Abused Women and Children, and a local teen, have been on a mission to encourage you to get involved, to ask questions, and to educate kids about healthy relationships. Gabriella Angy knows the struggles of being a teen. She’s a 16-year-old Collier County student. “We’re at an age where we are influenced by what we watch and what we see,” she said. She sees the influence on relationships from social media, celebrities, and tv shows, saying, “You start to have this new perception of love. And it messes up with your future relationships.” Angy said she’s worried for other teens and their relationships. The same goes for Gizelle Perez. “With all the different types of media outlets, we are constantly normalizing those unhealthy behaviors.” Perez is a prevention advocate with The Shelter for Abused Women and Children. She educates students across the county on relationships. “The unhealthy signs that you can see in a relationship include intensity, where relationships are moving way too fast,” Perez explained. For example, “saying, I love you, like when you’re two weeks into a relationship, you know, or even isolation.” According to the CDC, nearly one in 11 girls, and approximately one in 14 male high school students report having experienced physical dating violence in the last year. A toxic relationship can also involve sexual violence or psychological aggression. Perez added, “They say, because I love you, this is why I do this. Or if you love me, you should do this for me too. And so now they’re thinking this is normal for a relationship, or they don’t know any better and may take that into their next relationship as well. So now they’re also repeating the cycle of abuse.” Gabriella warns if you think that your child is in a healthy relationship, “you should research with them and talk with them and try and understand what they’re going through.” Perez and Angy encourage partners, friends, and parents to speak up and ask questions so you can prevent and stop the cycle of violence. Resources for victims of domestic violence in Southwest Florida Many think of domestic violence as physical hitting with potential signs of bruising of a victim, but it can also include verbal, mental, financial, and other types of abuse. It can also impact people of all ages and of any sex. During the hour we’ll tell the stories of survivors, red flags to look out for in a relationship, and provide resources. Resources National Network to End Domestic Violence: Financial Abuse Consider applying for a micro-loan with NNEDV’s Independence Project to begin rebuilding your credit score. Domestic violence myths Domestic Violence Centers map Charlotte County Center for Abuse and Rape Emergencies Phone: 941-639-5499 Hotline: 941-627-6000 SMS Text: 941-449-8534 TDD: 941-627-6000 Website: carefl.org Chat: resourceconnect.com Collier County The Shelter for Abused Women & Children Phone: 239-775-3862 Hotline: 239-775-1101 TDD: 239-775-4265 Website: naplesshelter.org DeSoto County Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center Phone: 941-365-0208 Hotline: 941-365-1976 TDD: 941-365-1976 Website: sparcc.net Glades County Abuse Counseling and Treatment Phone: 239-939-2553 Hotline: 239-939-3112 TDD: 239-939-3112 Website: actabuse.com Hendry County Abuse Counseling and Treatment Phone: 239-939-2553 Hotline: 239-939-3112 TDD: 239-939-3112 Website: actabuse.com Lee County Abuse Counseling and Treatment Phone: 239-939-2553 Hotline: 239-939-3112 TDD: 239-939-3112 Website: actabuse.com Below are mental health resources available to Southwest Floridians at the national and local levels. National Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-8255 suicidepreventionlifeline.org David Lawrence Center (Collier County) (239)455-8500 davidlawrencecenter.org SalusCare (Lee County) (239)275-4242 saluscareflorida.org National Alliance on Mental Illness, Collier County namicollier.org National Alliance on Mental Illness, Lee, Charlotte, Hendry Counties namilee.org The National Alliance for Caregiving offers a free handbook Circle of Care: A Guidebook for Mental Health Caregivers Collier County Mental Health Court ca.cjis20.org/home/collier Lee County Mental Health Court ca.cjis20.org/home/lee Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance convio.net Local Support Groups: Anxiety and Depression Association of America adaa.org U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Mental Health and Addiction Insurance Help) hhs.gov/programs/topic-sites/mental-health-parity Local veterans resource: Home Base SWFL https://homebase.org/home-base-southwest-florida/