Caught on Camera: Cape Coral mailbox hit by drifting carDeSoto County man sentenced for deadly DUI crash
CAPE CORAL Caught on Camera: Cape Coral mailbox hit by drifting car A Cape Coral homeowner was left in shock after a car sent her mailbox flying through the air and left tire tracks next to her home.
ARCADIA DeSoto County man sentenced for deadly DUI crash Justice for a mother and son killed by a man driving under the influence.
NAPLES Oldest Black-owned business in SWFL continues to serve community Cleveland Bass Movers, founded in 1969, stands as the oldest Black-owned business in Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS BEACH Broken gate on Lovers Key Beach Resort frustrating residents Residents of Lover’s Key Beach Club in Fort Myers Beach are frustrated with a gate that remains wide open, despite “No Trespassing” signs, since Hurricane Ian struck two years ago.
St. James City Church plans $700k flood-proofing project for future safety Hurricanes have caused flood after flood, and one island church, The First Baptist Church of Saint James City, wants to build higher.
Romance scams rise in the US, AARP warns residents to beware Romance scams are on the rise, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting over 64,000 cases in the U.S. in 2023.
Fort Myers Savannah Bananas make their way to Fort Myers for first time The Savannah Bananas have made their way to JetBlue Park for Friday’s sold-out game in Fort Myers to watch “the greatest show in sports.”
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral Yacht Club receives key permit Cape Coral received a key permit for a Yacht Club Community Park. This permit opens up the necessary steps for the park to be built.
PORT CHARLOTTE Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church holds 31st annual Greek Fest The Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Port Charlotte kicked off its 31st annual Greek Fest on Friday.
Donations helping young kids get fed Food insecurity is a pressing issue in the community, and organizations like the Harry Chapin Food Bank, Meals of Hope and the Guadalupe Center are stepping up to help.
New risk factors contribute to heart disease February is American Heart Month, a perfect time to assess your heart health.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte High School student arrested for possession of BB gun According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, a student has been arrested after a BB gun was found in his backpack on Friday.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers Regional Library to undergo multiple repairs due to Ian The Fort Myers Regional Library is preparing for essential repairs, nearly two years after Hurricane Ian made its impact.
Drug bust at Collier County home leads to triple arrest Three people are accused of running a drug house that held opioids, fentanyl and other illicit narcotics in Collier County.
Charlotte County’s first Grain & Berry opens Fast-growing organic vegan restaurant franchise Grain & Berry opened in Port Charlotte, making it the 19th in the state out of a total of 23 nationwide.
CAPE CORAL Caught on Camera: Cape Coral mailbox hit by drifting car A Cape Coral homeowner was left in shock after a car sent her mailbox flying through the air and left tire tracks next to her home.
ARCADIA DeSoto County man sentenced for deadly DUI crash Justice for a mother and son killed by a man driving under the influence.
NAPLES Oldest Black-owned business in SWFL continues to serve community Cleveland Bass Movers, founded in 1969, stands as the oldest Black-owned business in Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS BEACH Broken gate on Lovers Key Beach Resort frustrating residents Residents of Lover’s Key Beach Club in Fort Myers Beach are frustrated with a gate that remains wide open, despite “No Trespassing” signs, since Hurricane Ian struck two years ago.
St. James City Church plans $700k flood-proofing project for future safety Hurricanes have caused flood after flood, and one island church, The First Baptist Church of Saint James City, wants to build higher.
Romance scams rise in the US, AARP warns residents to beware Romance scams are on the rise, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting over 64,000 cases in the U.S. in 2023.
Fort Myers Savannah Bananas make their way to Fort Myers for first time The Savannah Bananas have made their way to JetBlue Park for Friday’s sold-out game in Fort Myers to watch “the greatest show in sports.”
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral Yacht Club receives key permit Cape Coral received a key permit for a Yacht Club Community Park. This permit opens up the necessary steps for the park to be built.
PORT CHARLOTTE Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church holds 31st annual Greek Fest The Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Port Charlotte kicked off its 31st annual Greek Fest on Friday.
Donations helping young kids get fed Food insecurity is a pressing issue in the community, and organizations like the Harry Chapin Food Bank, Meals of Hope and the Guadalupe Center are stepping up to help.
New risk factors contribute to heart disease February is American Heart Month, a perfect time to assess your heart health.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte High School student arrested for possession of BB gun According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, a student has been arrested after a BB gun was found in his backpack on Friday.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers Regional Library to undergo multiple repairs due to Ian The Fort Myers Regional Library is preparing for essential repairs, nearly two years after Hurricane Ian made its impact.
Drug bust at Collier County home leads to triple arrest Three people are accused of running a drug house that held opioids, fentanyl and other illicit narcotics in Collier County.
Charlotte County’s first Grain & Berry opens Fast-growing organic vegan restaurant franchise Grain & Berry opened in Port Charlotte, making it the 19th in the state out of a total of 23 nationwide.
MGN image Economists say we haven’t seen inflation rates spike like this since the energy crisis of the 1970s. For so many families, the cost of living is now outpacing what most people earn. Whether you make $20,000 or $200,000 a year, the price of the necessities in Southwest Florida is digging into everyone’s wallets. Gas, food and housing are all rising with no end in sight. “It’s worrisome for every family when prices rise faster than money wages do,” said FGCU Economics Professor Victor Claar. Claar said across the board we are paying roughly 10% more for what we need now compared to last year. The average family in Fort Myers is paying $1,760 in rent. In Naples, that number is $2,000, and that is if you can find a place to rent. At the current rate, you will likely spend $160 more per month at the pump than this time last year as gas prices continue to rise. The pain is also felt at the grocery store, where prices are up 7%. “Whatever you used to buy with $1 now costs at least $1.10 across the board in Southwest Florida. So families need to be really careful with budgeting and watching how prices are changing, especially on the staple things that they buy every single month,” said Claar. Claar said now is the time to have an honest conversation about your finances with your family and your employer, “because it’s a time when employers are desperate for people who will come in turn up when they’ve said that they’ll turn up, and tell their friends about open positions. So this might actually be a pretty good time. There’s never a great time to ask for a raise.” Asking for a raise is easier said than done. Claar said there is no timetable as to when you could see prices going back to normal. Some of it depends on what happens with Ukraine. Not everyone can ask for a raise. Carolyn Medugno said she and her husband are retired. Going back to work is not an option for them. “No matter how much money you have. It still hurts,” said Medugno. She first noticed the price spikes at the grocery store. “I probably only shop like every six weeks. So I’m going to say maybe $300 at BJs? And maybe $150 here?” Medugno said last year, “Probably maybe, $250 BJs? And maybe $100 here.” Then she started to see it at the gas station, but thankfully she said, she doesn’t need to fill up too often. “The last time I got gas was probably two weeks ago. And it was $3.45 in the same place. It’s $3.99 today,” said Medugno. While Medungo owns her home, she knows the home values are soaring too. “And the houses there are twice the price what we paid in 2019. So it’s really it’s ridiculous.” The National Association of Realtors says in Lee County, just 53% of families can afford to buy a home. In Charlotte County, that number is 50%. In Collier County, it is even lower at just 40%. In other words, in the last year, 22,500 families have been priced out of a home in Southwest Florida. Submit Copyright ©2025 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.