ALVA Woodpeckers build home in Alva woman’s house You may have heard of squatters, but this woman is dealing with squawkers. Who needs a rooster to wake up when you have woodpeckers?
FORT MYERS Man claims he was trapped in a high-rise for 5 days A 77-year-old man wants justice after he claims he spent days trapped on the 24th floor of a high-rise apartment building.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte Correctional prisoner arrested for death of another inmate State Attorney Amira Fox convened a grand jury, which decided to move forward with a case against a Charlotte Correctional inmate.
SANIBEL Construction near Dairy Queen eagle nest on Sanibel raises concerns While many eagle nests may be a bit difficult to see, one nest has always been a favorite for Sanibel residents and tourists.
The environmental effects of artificial sweeteners Experts are studying how the foods we eat affect the environment, especially after we flush our waste down the toilet.
Victim reacts to man exposing himself to her Ring camera You get a notification on your phone from your ring camera app that someone is at the door, only to find out it is someone exposing themselves. It’s the last thing victim Maria Kivi wanted or expected to see last week.
LEE COUNTY The art of capturing your eye and drawing you in How do you capture young, hip, trendy, fun, movers and shakers, all in a pose? We take you behind the scenes of a Gulfshore Life cover shoot.
FORT MYERS The lives of two SJC Boxers changed in the ring Two SJC Boxers, Mario Nunez and Arbon Kurtishi, help each other in the ring as each of them had their lives changed because of boxing.
FORT MYERS Chlamydia cases rising sharply in Lee County If you think about a crowded space- something with more than 250 people- if it’s in Lee county, statistically one person has chlamydia.
SANIBEL Sanibel resort day passes hope to get more business on the island A pass will allow vacationers to hang out at a Sanibel beach club for a day in hopes of drumming up some business.
Voting equipment tested ahead of Lee County elections Voting equipment is being tested in Lee County. This is to ensure all ballots are printed and counted correctly for the upcoming election.
Collier County teen assaulted after leaving party The teen has been charged and the sheriff’s office said they’re aware that many believe felony charges are in order, but under Florida law, there are very specific criteria that must be met for felony charges to be filed.
WINK weather team watching tropical wave over Atlantic Ocean The Weather Authority is watching a tropical disturbance over the Central Atlantic Ocean.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral drug bust leads investigators to fake fentanyl, cash and guns Cape Coral man arrest on drug charges. Investigators said they found, guns, drugs, and more than $32,000 in Richard Riley’s home.
NAPLES Naples youth flag football team to compete in Ohio tournament This weekend, the Naples Lunatics Green will compete in the Superhero Sports tournament in Canton, Ohio.
ALVA Woodpeckers build home in Alva woman’s house You may have heard of squatters, but this woman is dealing with squawkers. Who needs a rooster to wake up when you have woodpeckers?
FORT MYERS Man claims he was trapped in a high-rise for 5 days A 77-year-old man wants justice after he claims he spent days trapped on the 24th floor of a high-rise apartment building.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte Correctional prisoner arrested for death of another inmate State Attorney Amira Fox convened a grand jury, which decided to move forward with a case against a Charlotte Correctional inmate.
SANIBEL Construction near Dairy Queen eagle nest on Sanibel raises concerns While many eagle nests may be a bit difficult to see, one nest has always been a favorite for Sanibel residents and tourists.
The environmental effects of artificial sweeteners Experts are studying how the foods we eat affect the environment, especially after we flush our waste down the toilet.
Victim reacts to man exposing himself to her Ring camera You get a notification on your phone from your ring camera app that someone is at the door, only to find out it is someone exposing themselves. It’s the last thing victim Maria Kivi wanted or expected to see last week.
LEE COUNTY The art of capturing your eye and drawing you in How do you capture young, hip, trendy, fun, movers and shakers, all in a pose? We take you behind the scenes of a Gulfshore Life cover shoot.
FORT MYERS The lives of two SJC Boxers changed in the ring Two SJC Boxers, Mario Nunez and Arbon Kurtishi, help each other in the ring as each of them had their lives changed because of boxing.
FORT MYERS Chlamydia cases rising sharply in Lee County If you think about a crowded space- something with more than 250 people- if it’s in Lee county, statistically one person has chlamydia.
SANIBEL Sanibel resort day passes hope to get more business on the island A pass will allow vacationers to hang out at a Sanibel beach club for a day in hopes of drumming up some business.
Voting equipment tested ahead of Lee County elections Voting equipment is being tested in Lee County. This is to ensure all ballots are printed and counted correctly for the upcoming election.
Collier County teen assaulted after leaving party The teen has been charged and the sheriff’s office said they’re aware that many believe felony charges are in order, but under Florida law, there are very specific criteria that must be met for felony charges to be filed.
WINK weather team watching tropical wave over Atlantic Ocean The Weather Authority is watching a tropical disturbance over the Central Atlantic Ocean.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral drug bust leads investigators to fake fentanyl, cash and guns Cape Coral man arrest on drug charges. Investigators said they found, guns, drugs, and more than $32,000 in Richard Riley’s home.
NAPLES Naples youth flag football team to compete in Ohio tournament This weekend, the Naples Lunatics Green will compete in the Superhero Sports tournament in Canton, Ohio.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office held a press conference to announce an arrest following an Animal Cruelty Task Force investigation. Watch below or click here. According to Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno, Lehigh Acres man Jonathan Benitez, 31, was arrested Tuesday morning. The sheriff did not mince words during the news conference. “A gut-wrenching view of torture and a cruel death for a helpless animal.” On Tuesday at 11 a.m., Lee County deputies were called to a sad, disturbing scene—an animal cruelty case at a Lehigh Acres home on Brian Avenue North. “Let me explain how horrible and heartbreaking conditions oreo was found in. Oreo was left alone in a cage for six hours directly in the sun with no access to food or water. His cries for help were unanswered,” said Marceno. Animal cruelty investigation. (Credit: Lee County Sheriff’s Office) Marceno said his deputies found Oreo, a 7-month-old, 60-pound English bulldog mix, dead inside a small cage only four inches wider and longer than the pup. So tight, Oreo could hardly move, turn around, or lie down. “Oreo tried to chew his way out of a metal cage. Oreo was found dead with his teeth still biting the cage, trying to chew out,” Marceno said. The sheriff said 31-year-old Jonathan Benitez is the man responsible for Oreo’s death. He now faces felony aggravated animal cruelty charges. The arrest report says his girlfriend’s mother, who lived in the home with Benitez and her daughter, called LCSO to say Oreo was in trouble. She explained that she couldn’t help the dog because she’s wheelchair-bound. Neighbors, fellow dog owners, and the sheriff are unsettled by Oreo’s death. “That’s why I keep my dog inside. Because I know it’s hot. You know? I mean, that just like leaving your child in a car. You know, same scenario,” said neighbor Wardell Scott. “If anyone abuses an animal in this county, we’re coming for them. We’re going to hunt them down, and they’re going to jail. I promise you,” said Marceno. LCSO posted a Facebook video of deputies arresting Benitez at the home. If you know of a case of animal cruelty, you can call the Lee County Animal Cruelty Task Force at 239-477-1622 to report it. If you are unsure if the situation is abuse, you can learn more about examples of abuse and neglect by clicking here. According to the Lee County Animal Cruelty Task Force website: “April 2020 — Sheriff Carmine Marceno announced an initiative to combat animal abuse in lee county by establishing the Animal Cruelty Task Force, which will continue focusing on educating residents on animal abuse and neglect and enforcing Florida Statute 828.12. Marceno selected experienced detectives to investigate all misdemeanor and felony animal abuse cases within the county. Sheriff Marceno has zero tolerance for animal abuse and will seek justice for those who cannot speak for themselves. The US Humane Society’s website says that a study conducted by the Chicago Police Department from 2001 to 2004 revealed a, ‘Startling propensity for offenders charged with crimes against animals to commit other violent offenses toward human victims.'”