LCEC to stage outreach tent in Sanibel LCEC announced that they will stage an outreach tent at 1700 Periwinkle Way on Monday, October 14.
Fort Myers Beach works to recover from Hurricane Milton For the first time since Hurricane Milton ravaged the area, Fort Myers Beach officially reopened to the public Saturday morning.
North end of Manasota Key open to residents and businesses According to Charlotte County, the north end of Manasota Key opened to residents and businesses at 4 p.m on Saturday.
CAPE CORAL Harry Chapin Food Bank holds emergency food distributions after Milton In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, many Southwest Florida residents are facing increased hardship, including food insecurity.
Charlotte County to hold news conference regarding Milton Charlotte County is set to hold a news conference to provide an update on its response to Hurricane Milton.
President Biden approves federal aid for Florida after Hurricane Milton President Biden approved a Major Disaster Declaration for Florida following the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Milton.
ENGLEWOOD Hurricane Milton survivors face delays as FEMA aid remains unavailable In the wake of Hurricane Milton, many Floridians are facing the daunting task of rebuilding their lives, but financial assistance from the government is in short supply.
FORT MYERS Debris drop-off sites in Lee County In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, Lee County officials have announced the planned opening of multiple public debris drop-off sites to aid residents in managing storm damage.
The weather authority A drier start to the weekend with a few showers expected The Weather Authority says we are starting out the day with temperatures feeling rather pleasant in the low 70s under partly cloudy skies.
What’s open and closed after Hurricane Milton In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, services and businesses in Southwest Florida are beginning to reopen.
SANIBEL/CAPTIVA Recovery efforts on Sanibel and Captiva after Milton Crews have opened the Sanibel causeway to everyone, even those without a hurricane re-entry pass, but the city asks that people avoid the island unless they live there or need to travel there for business.
CAPE CORAL Boat pulled away by storm surge lands in Cape Coral backyard A boat built by a father and son smashed into pieces after Hurricane Milton. Not only did the boat wash onto shore, but it washed into the seawall of someone’s home on McGregor Boulevard.
MANASOTA KEY Residents hope to return home to Manasota Key Life will never be the same for people living on Manasota Key. Right now, only emergency services and county officials are allowed on the island.
Man rescued by two Charlotte County residents during Milton Two Charlotte County men saved an evacuee during Hurricane Milton on Wednesday night.
MATLACHA Impact on local businesses on Matlacha after Milton Residents are focused on rebuilding one brick at a time.
LCEC to stage outreach tent in Sanibel LCEC announced that they will stage an outreach tent at 1700 Periwinkle Way on Monday, October 14.
Fort Myers Beach works to recover from Hurricane Milton For the first time since Hurricane Milton ravaged the area, Fort Myers Beach officially reopened to the public Saturday morning.
North end of Manasota Key open to residents and businesses According to Charlotte County, the north end of Manasota Key opened to residents and businesses at 4 p.m on Saturday.
CAPE CORAL Harry Chapin Food Bank holds emergency food distributions after Milton In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, many Southwest Florida residents are facing increased hardship, including food insecurity.
Charlotte County to hold news conference regarding Milton Charlotte County is set to hold a news conference to provide an update on its response to Hurricane Milton.
President Biden approves federal aid for Florida after Hurricane Milton President Biden approved a Major Disaster Declaration for Florida following the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Milton.
ENGLEWOOD Hurricane Milton survivors face delays as FEMA aid remains unavailable In the wake of Hurricane Milton, many Floridians are facing the daunting task of rebuilding their lives, but financial assistance from the government is in short supply.
FORT MYERS Debris drop-off sites in Lee County In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, Lee County officials have announced the planned opening of multiple public debris drop-off sites to aid residents in managing storm damage.
The weather authority A drier start to the weekend with a few showers expected The Weather Authority says we are starting out the day with temperatures feeling rather pleasant in the low 70s under partly cloudy skies.
What’s open and closed after Hurricane Milton In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, services and businesses in Southwest Florida are beginning to reopen.
SANIBEL/CAPTIVA Recovery efforts on Sanibel and Captiva after Milton Crews have opened the Sanibel causeway to everyone, even those without a hurricane re-entry pass, but the city asks that people avoid the island unless they live there or need to travel there for business.
CAPE CORAL Boat pulled away by storm surge lands in Cape Coral backyard A boat built by a father and son smashed into pieces after Hurricane Milton. Not only did the boat wash onto shore, but it washed into the seawall of someone’s home on McGregor Boulevard.
MANASOTA KEY Residents hope to return home to Manasota Key Life will never be the same for people living on Manasota Key. Right now, only emergency services and county officials are allowed on the island.
Man rescued by two Charlotte County residents during Milton Two Charlotte County men saved an evacuee during Hurricane Milton on Wednesday night.
MATLACHA Impact on local businesses on Matlacha after Milton Residents are focused on rebuilding one brick at a time.
Cassandra Smith’s mugshot. Credit: Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office A woman found guilty of DUI manslaughter, among various other charges, has been sentenced to 29 years. Cassandra Smith was sentenced to 15 years for vehicular homicide and 14 years for DUI manslaughter, to be served consecutively. Smith was arrested for killing Charlotte County Deputy Christopher Taylor in November of 2022. Her blood alcohol level was more than three times the legal limit at the time of her arrest. The sentencing was held at the Charlotte County Justice Center, and she, as well as the victim’s parents, spoke before the judge handed down his sentence. Taylor’s father, Richard Taylor Jr., tried to keep it together in court as best he could, describing the last 14 months without his son. “I walked into the room, and Chris was lying there. His eyes were open, and they were open weirdly. I said, ‘Chris get up, get up, there’s people to help you,'” he recalled of the night he first saw his son deceased. “His hand was ice cold, blanket over his eyes and ears. I said, ‘Christopher, get up,’ and I fell to the floor, and I said, ‘God, take me, not him.'” Then Taylor Jr. looked Smith in the eyes and said, “I hope the buzz was worth it.” “I died that night too,” said Taylor Jr. During her testimony, Smith brought up her struggles with mental illness and wished she could take back that night on the road. “The image of him laying there … I wouldn’t wish this feeling on my worst enemy,” said Smith. Taylor’s family said the sentence feels like a form of justice, but nothing will bring Taylor back home. She was convicted in December of killing the 23-year-old deputy. RELATED: Cassandra Smith guilty of DUI manslaughter and more During her trial, the prosecution showed video footage of the moment Smith, while driving drunk, crossed three lanes of traffic and struck Taylor. At the time of her arrest, video evidence had shown Smith wandering around the scene, looking through her vehicle and fixing her make-up. After the sentencing, Sheriff Bill Prummel made a statement: “The next step for us is to honor Chris’ sacrifice in a more permanent way, and we are making progress on that through Rep. Roach’s bill to rename the I-75 Peace River Bridge in his memory. That bill has already begun the approvals process, and I will update you once we cross the finish line so we can again celebrate Chris’ legacy together.”