Apple AirPods lead LCSO to an arrest ; over $100,000 worth of stolen items recoveredHendry County rolls out cameras for new school zone safety program
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 new school zone safety program 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 new school zone safety program 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.
Three Oaks Parkway Extension Project. There is an expansion project in the works to help accommodate the booming population in Lee County and increased traffic flow. The one hiccup is that a trust owns a chunk of the land near Fiddlesticks and Daniels, and Lee County has filed a lawsuit for eminent domain. That lawsuit is just one piece of the puzzle. The county doesn’t just get rights to the property by filing an eminent domain lawsuit, though. Even if a judge agrees, the county must reach a financial agreement with the landowner. After 20 years of talking about it, a former commissioner said Lee County can’t afford not to get this done now. Nobody likes traffic, Wendy Tauscheck included. “Oh, it’s crazy right now. And we get hung up all the time.” Traffic is only expected to worsen because Lee County’s population is growing. Former county commissioner John Albion said he has proof from the office of economic development. “When you look at Alico to Daniel’s, which is where this extension is supposed to take place. If you use US-41 as a western terminus, and Skyplex, which is about two miles east of I-75, the number of jobs in that rectangle in 2019 was approximately 90,000 to 95,000 and is projected by 2030 to possibly be as high as 140,000, maybe even a little higher,” said Albion. Fifty thousand additional people are going to and from that small area, so something has to change. “The reality is, is that having these alternatives to I-75 is going to be critical for Lee County,” Albion said. Three Oaks Extension Project. (Credit: Lee County) “It will give us another option for our north-south access. It will help us to avoid the Daniels Fiddlesticks intersection. We don’t have to get on I-75. Just (to) head south,” said Tauscheck. The Three Oaks Parkway Extension Project would provide another north-south option for drivers. Tauscheck said moving forward with the plan will be convenient and safe. Albion said not only that but said moving forward, the project is essential. “Areas have to be opened up to where people can afford to live to be able to fill the jobs that we need filled,” said Albion. For a long time, there was only US-41. Then came I-75, and now Lee County wants drivers to have another north-south option by connecting Three Oaks Parkway from Alico Road to Daniels Parkway. The plan is still on the table, with construction yet to begin 20 years after the project’s inception. Emma: “Why does it take so long to make something like this happen? What factors go into it?” Albion: “When there is a disagreement in the acquisition stage, for example, which is what’s going on now, the county is decided they need to use eminent domain to condemn the property. And they’re going through the process now.” On Tuesday last week, Lee County filed for eminent domain to take possession of someone else’s property. Property that the county needs to move forward with construction. “They must pay fair value for the property. And if there’s buildings involved, you know, other costs that might be associated,” said Albion. That is where the hold-up is. The attorney of the trustee for the land the county needs is working on an analysis of the county’s appraisal. Like in most things, money talks. “We hope that it goes through,” said Tauscheck. The attorney for the trustee said if all goes well, meaning the county offers the right amount of money, the deal for the land could be done within the next 90 days.