Apple AirPods lead LCSO to an arrest ; over $100,000 worth of stolen items recoveredHendry County rolls out cameras for school speed zones
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 school speed zones 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 school speed zones 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.
Brandon Albanito mugshot. CREDIT: LCSO A Cape Coral man was sentenced to more than two decades in prison for possessing and intending to distribute fentanyl, possessing counterfeit drugs for sale, bank fraud and more charges. According to the Department of Justice, Brandon Albanito, 37, was sentenced to 21 years and 10 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to multiple charges from June 2023. An investigation involving the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations began in 2016 when several packages sent to Cape Coral and North Fort Myers were intercepted. The intercepted packages had the powder form of Viagra, tryptamine, which is a drug precursor used in manufacturing hallucinogens, and controlled substances, including methamphetamine in bulk. As a result of the investigation, Albanito was in some way associated with each address. The United States Secret Service began investigating Albanito’s finances and discovered several bank, crypto and gambling accounts he controlled. After investigating further, the USSS found some suspicious purchases from China-based companies. Authorities also discovered frequent money transfers displaying money laundering techniques that criminals usually make. Federal investigators connected evidence to Albanito showing he was running a large-scale drug manufacturing operation. In January 2021, a Florida Highway Patrol trooper stopped a former cellmate of Albanito in Alachua County. FHP found a package of cocaine and parts for a machine used to compress materials into a pill, also known as a pill press. Investigators determined the cocaine and pill press materials were heading for Albanito’s Cape Coral home. In January 2023, the USSS, FDA-OCI and the Cape Coral Police Department executed a search warrant at Albanito’s home. Authorities quickly found a large commercial-grade pill press in Albanito’s garage and hundreds of counterfeit oxycodone pills. FDA investigators found the counterfeit pills contained fentanyl. The fake pills looked identical to prescription oxycodone pills. During the search, investigators also found more than 40,000 fake Xanax pills in a five-gallon bucket. The fake Xanax pills contained the designer drug clonazolam. Authorities also found 20 pounds of a pill binding agent, pill dyes and two firearms inside the Cape Coral home. DNA testing from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives concluded that Albanito possessed the guns. This means that Albanito, a convicted felon, was illegally in possession of the firearms. Authorities also uncovered information at the Cape Coral home that they said pointed to him defrauding an online bank out of nearly $100,000. Albanito appears to have bought a luxury vehicle and watch from this account. The court ordered Albanito must pay a fine of $500,000 as well as forfeit $97,146 to the United States and make full restitution to a victim of his bank fraud. Albanito pled guilty in June 2023.