Drivers react to FDOT project on US 41 and Pine Island RoadBishop Verot boys basketball coach celebrates 500 career wins
NORTH FORT MYERS Drivers react to FDOT project on US 41 and Pine Island Road Drivers are reacting to the traffic being caused by a Florida Department of Transportation project at the intersection of U.S. 41 and Pine Island Road.
FORT MYERS Bishop Verot boys basketball coach celebrates 500 career wins Bishop Verot High School boys basketball head coach Matt Herting celebrates 500 career wins and reflects on 29 years coaching the sport.
NAPLES Shy Wolf Sanctuary to host Wolfstock Music festival Shy Wolf Sanctuary will soon host its 6th annual Wolfstock Music and Brewfest.
More women and younger adults getting cancer Mortality rates for cancer continue to decline. The American Cancer Society’s annual report says there was a 34% decrease in deaths between 1991 and 2022, but the report isn’t all good news.
FORT MYERS LCSO deputy struck by suspect vehicle at Page Field Commons A Lee County Sheriff’s Office deputy was injured after being struck by a suspect’s vehicle.
Man arrested after multi-county chase stemming from carjacking A man has been arrested after a carjacking turned into a chase that crossed county lines.
LCSO responds to calls for Carmine Marceno to resign The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has responded to the calls for Sheriff Carmine Marceno to resign on Thursday.
CAPE CORAL 16 bands performing at free 239 Fest in Cape Coral after hurricane delay The show must go on. 239 Fest, which was canceled last year due to Hurricane Milton, will be returning and bigger than ever.
Naples’ CFO formally appointed Naples city manager, city manager’s new job disclosed Naples City Council unanimously agreed Deputy City Manager Gary Young will become city manager, formalizing a decision made two days earlier.
SWFL community raise $1600 for family of fallen Charlotte County Sgt. Southwest Floridians were asked to come out and support the family of fallen Charlotte County Deputy Sgt. Elio Diaz, and you showed up.
Collier commissioners increase opposition to possible move by Naples Airport Collier County commissioners increased their opposition to possibly relocating Naples Airport, supporting a resolution against two sites near Ave Maria and rejecting the airport authority’s request for assistance.
PORT CHARLOTTE Georgia man found guilty of engaging in sexual activity with minor in Port Charlotte A Georgia man has been found guilty of engaging in sexual activity with a minor and possessing a firearm as a person with felony convictions.
New recreational marijuana amendment proposed for 2026 Florida ballot Smart & Safe Florida, the political action committee primarily funded by Trulieve – the state’s largest medical marijuana company and fourth largest in the U.S. – this week filed a new proposal to put an amendment on the ballot in Florida in 2026 that would legalize adult recreational use of marijuana.
NAPLES Naples Pride releases statement on city council’s vote Naples Pride has issued a statement on the Naples City Council’s decision to approve this year’s festival but with a caveat.
Punta Gorda scraps plan for new $16M City Hall building Prior to the hurricane in September 2022 causing City Hall’s closure, the previous City Council, including three incumbents who were unseated in the Nov. 5 election, planned to build a new City Hall on its current site at 326 W. Marion Ave.
NORTH FORT MYERS Drivers react to FDOT project on US 41 and Pine Island Road Drivers are reacting to the traffic being caused by a Florida Department of Transportation project at the intersection of U.S. 41 and Pine Island Road.
FORT MYERS Bishop Verot boys basketball coach celebrates 500 career wins Bishop Verot High School boys basketball head coach Matt Herting celebrates 500 career wins and reflects on 29 years coaching the sport.
NAPLES Shy Wolf Sanctuary to host Wolfstock Music festival Shy Wolf Sanctuary will soon host its 6th annual Wolfstock Music and Brewfest.
More women and younger adults getting cancer Mortality rates for cancer continue to decline. The American Cancer Society’s annual report says there was a 34% decrease in deaths between 1991 and 2022, but the report isn’t all good news.
FORT MYERS LCSO deputy struck by suspect vehicle at Page Field Commons A Lee County Sheriff’s Office deputy was injured after being struck by a suspect’s vehicle.
Man arrested after multi-county chase stemming from carjacking A man has been arrested after a carjacking turned into a chase that crossed county lines.
LCSO responds to calls for Carmine Marceno to resign The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has responded to the calls for Sheriff Carmine Marceno to resign on Thursday.
CAPE CORAL 16 bands performing at free 239 Fest in Cape Coral after hurricane delay The show must go on. 239 Fest, which was canceled last year due to Hurricane Milton, will be returning and bigger than ever.
Naples’ CFO formally appointed Naples city manager, city manager’s new job disclosed Naples City Council unanimously agreed Deputy City Manager Gary Young will become city manager, formalizing a decision made two days earlier.
SWFL community raise $1600 for family of fallen Charlotte County Sgt. Southwest Floridians were asked to come out and support the family of fallen Charlotte County Deputy Sgt. Elio Diaz, and you showed up.
Collier commissioners increase opposition to possible move by Naples Airport Collier County commissioners increased their opposition to possibly relocating Naples Airport, supporting a resolution against two sites near Ave Maria and rejecting the airport authority’s request for assistance.
PORT CHARLOTTE Georgia man found guilty of engaging in sexual activity with minor in Port Charlotte A Georgia man has been found guilty of engaging in sexual activity with a minor and possessing a firearm as a person with felony convictions.
New recreational marijuana amendment proposed for 2026 Florida ballot Smart & Safe Florida, the political action committee primarily funded by Trulieve – the state’s largest medical marijuana company and fourth largest in the U.S. – this week filed a new proposal to put an amendment on the ballot in Florida in 2026 that would legalize adult recreational use of marijuana.
NAPLES Naples Pride releases statement on city council’s vote Naples Pride has issued a statement on the Naples City Council’s decision to approve this year’s festival but with a caveat.
Punta Gorda scraps plan for new $16M City Hall building Prior to the hurricane in September 2022 causing City Hall’s closure, the previous City Council, including three incumbents who were unseated in the Nov. 5 election, planned to build a new City Hall on its current site at 326 W. Marion Ave.
Ian Baunach, 43 (CREDIT: Hendry County Sheriff’s Office) Hendry County detectives were investigating a missing person report which quickly evolved into a homicide investigation, according to the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office. On September 30, a report of concern about a missing mother of two young children came to Sheriff Steve Whidden who immediately responded and acted. 39-year-old Katie Baunach stopped by her residence on September 29 and stepped out for a moment leaving her two young children at approximately 9:00 p.m. Katie said she was going to run by her ex-husband’s house to pick up a few things and be right back, according to the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office. Through further investigation, the ex-husband was identified as 43-year-old Ian Baunach of Fort Denaud, Florida. Ian and Katie had a contentious relationship involving domestic violence, according to a report. Sheriff Whidden sent a marked patrol car over to the residence of Ian Baunach, where Katie Baunach’s car was located in the driveway. After several attempts to make contact with either Katie or Ian failed, the patrol deputy left. Approximately 45 minutes later the patrol deputy again arrived at Ian’s residence and found Katie’s vehicle had been moved and parked on the side of the road abandoned. The driveway gate was locked to prevent any incoming traffic. Detectives with the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Unit and Major Crimes Unit quickly got a search warrant for the residence, under suspicious exigent circumstances, to search for Katie. A call was placed to Ian’s residence as deputies approached the residence. According to HCSO, Ian was seen pacing in front of his house and refused entry to the deputies. The driveway gate was breached and deputies with the SWAT team approached Ian and secured him without incident. As Detectives and SWAT members cleared the residence, they were unable to locate Katie. Deputies observed numerous things within the residence that led them to believe criminal activity had occurred. Detectives got a second search warrant seizing the residence and land as a homicide investigation. Detectives spent four days with crime scene investigators combing the residence and five-acre parcel. Detectives discovered human remains at the residence and property of Ian Baunach. Detectives are not able to make an identification on the human remains at this time and are in the process of working with DNA testing, according to HCSO. Ian is being held at the Hendry County Jail with a $325,000.00 bond on unrelated charges.