Witnesses react to boat getting stuck under Matanzas Pass BridgeSplash the otter, the unlikely hero bringing families closure
FORT MYERS BEACH Witnesses react to boat getting stuck under Matanzas Pass Bridge While the boat has since gotten out from underneath the bridge, it’s raised some questions about safety for onlookers.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Splash the otter, the unlikely hero bringing families closure Mike Hadsell has trained many animals in his lifetime, but the newest member of Peace River K9 Search and Rescue dive team, Splash the Asian small-clawed otter, is a first, even for him.
FORT MYERS Scrolling on your cell phone may be bad for your health; FGCU professor weighs in Scrolling through your phone might seem like a fun way to pass the time, but new research shows it can actually make you feel even more bored and unhappy.
Collier County teachers reach contract agreement Collier County teachers have come to an agreement with the school district in their contract negotiations.
WEST PALM BEACH DeSantis launches investigation into 2nd assassination attempt on Trump Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he will personally oversee the investigation into the second assassination attempt on former President Trump.
FHP reveals details behind crash that killed 4 young people A mangled car is all that remains from a crash that took the lives of four young people.
FORT MYERS 2 fires in 24 hours displace families in Fort Myers Two vicious fires left families’ homes and lives in ruins. Now, we are learning what help they are getting until their lives can be put back together.
Trump assassination attempt suspect removed serial number from gun Law enforcement is holding a press conference on the attempt of former President Donald Trump’s life at his West Palm Beach golf course.
FORT MYERS BEACH Matanzas Pass Bridge reopens after boat crashes into it, closing it for hours The Matanzas Pass Bridge has reopened to traffic after it was shut down for hours when a boat crashed into it.
MATLACHA Little Pine Island Bridge in Matlacha to temporarily close The Florida Department of Transportation has announced the temporary closure of the Little Pine Island Bridge.
Lee County man receives 3 life sentences for molesting child On Monday, a man was found guilty and given three life sentences for molesting a child between 2013 and 2019.
NORTH FORT MYERS Shell Factory & Nature Park to permanently close, land to be sold The Shell Factory & Nature Park has announced its plans to close permanently after 86 years.
WEST PALM BEACH (AP) Suspect in apparent assassination attempt on Trump was near golf course for 12 hours, records show A man suspected in an apparent assassination attempt targeting former President Donald Trump was charged with federal gun crimes.
ESTERO 3 women wanted in Estero for stealing nearly $900 in liquor Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is seeking information on three women wanted for stealing nearly $900 in liquor from an Estero Publix.
NAPLES Man accused of taking photos of minor in bathroom stall at Naples mall A man has been arrested after allegedly taking photos of an underaged girl from underneath a bathroom stall at a Naples mall.
FORT MYERS BEACH Witnesses react to boat getting stuck under Matanzas Pass Bridge While the boat has since gotten out from underneath the bridge, it’s raised some questions about safety for onlookers.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Splash the otter, the unlikely hero bringing families closure Mike Hadsell has trained many animals in his lifetime, but the newest member of Peace River K9 Search and Rescue dive team, Splash the Asian small-clawed otter, is a first, even for him.
FORT MYERS Scrolling on your cell phone may be bad for your health; FGCU professor weighs in Scrolling through your phone might seem like a fun way to pass the time, but new research shows it can actually make you feel even more bored and unhappy.
Collier County teachers reach contract agreement Collier County teachers have come to an agreement with the school district in their contract negotiations.
WEST PALM BEACH DeSantis launches investigation into 2nd assassination attempt on Trump Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he will personally oversee the investigation into the second assassination attempt on former President Trump.
FHP reveals details behind crash that killed 4 young people A mangled car is all that remains from a crash that took the lives of four young people.
FORT MYERS 2 fires in 24 hours displace families in Fort Myers Two vicious fires left families’ homes and lives in ruins. Now, we are learning what help they are getting until their lives can be put back together.
Trump assassination attempt suspect removed serial number from gun Law enforcement is holding a press conference on the attempt of former President Donald Trump’s life at his West Palm Beach golf course.
FORT MYERS BEACH Matanzas Pass Bridge reopens after boat crashes into it, closing it for hours The Matanzas Pass Bridge has reopened to traffic after it was shut down for hours when a boat crashed into it.
MATLACHA Little Pine Island Bridge in Matlacha to temporarily close The Florida Department of Transportation has announced the temporary closure of the Little Pine Island Bridge.
Lee County man receives 3 life sentences for molesting child On Monday, a man was found guilty and given three life sentences for molesting a child between 2013 and 2019.
NORTH FORT MYERS Shell Factory & Nature Park to permanently close, land to be sold The Shell Factory & Nature Park has announced its plans to close permanently after 86 years.
WEST PALM BEACH (AP) Suspect in apparent assassination attempt on Trump was near golf course for 12 hours, records show A man suspected in an apparent assassination attempt targeting former President Donald Trump was charged with federal gun crimes.
ESTERO 3 women wanted in Estero for stealing nearly $900 in liquor Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is seeking information on three women wanted for stealing nearly $900 in liquor from an Estero Publix.
NAPLES Man accused of taking photos of minor in bathroom stall at Naples mall A man has been arrested after allegedly taking photos of an underaged girl from underneath a bathroom stall at a Naples mall.
The Cheesecake Factory opened its second Southwest Florida location Tuesday. Coconut Point outdoor shopping center in Estero now has the nation’s 212th Cheesecake Factory. The Coastland Mall Center location in Naples opened in February 2005. Ellenie Figuroa, who managed the Naples location, moved to the Estero location, 23130 Fashion Drive, to be its first general manager. She has risen through the ranks of the company since beginning as a server 26 years ago. The company received about 2,350 applications and hired a little more than 300 employees to get things going. Fortune named Cheesecake Factory to its 2023 annual list of top 100 companies for which to work, said Alethea Rowe, senior director of public relations and global branding for Cheesecake Factory, which also has 31 international locations. “Coconut Point is such a fantastic property,” Rowe said. “I think Estero itself is a great location right in the middle of Naples and Fort Myers. It’s very accessible.” More than an hour before the 11:30 a.m. grand opening, Jonathan Holy arrived to be the first in line. He planned to order a slice of Very Cherry Ghirardelli Chocolate Cheesecake. “I was really a big fan of The Cheesecake Factory,” said Holy, who works at the nearby Best Buy and moved to the area from Chicago. “I’ve been to a couple up in Chicago. It’ll be interesting to see what they did to the Stir Crazy.” Stir Crazy Fresh Asian Grill used the 9,000 square feet of space between 2008 and 2019 before closing. Cheesecake Factory didn’t divulge the cost of reconstruction inside, but the entire interior appeared to have been gutted and replaced. Most appetizers fall in the $10-to-$20 range. Burgers ranged from $16 to $20, and most entrees cost $20 or more. There are more than 30 different cheesecakes on the menu with slices ranging from $9.50 to $11.95. The most decadent cake on the menu isn’t actually cheesecake, but carrot cake, which contains 1,750 calories. Everything on the menu is made from scratch daily at the restaurant except for the cakes themselves. Those are made at the company’s actual two cheesecake factories, in Calabasas, California, and Rocky Mount, North Carolina, before being shipped nation and worldwide. “Believe it or not, we started as a cheesecake factory,” Rowe said. “In 1972, Oscar and Evelyn Overton opened a bakery in Los Angeles called The Cheesecake Factory. And six years later, their son David thought he needed to open a restaurant to showcase his mom’s cheesecakes.”