Florida Boy Burger Co. opens first restaurant in Fort Myers For the owners of Florida Boy Burger Co., defining the Sunshine State has less to do with beaches and Jimmy Buffett and more to do with swamps, walking through the woods, hunting and fishing.
PUNTA GORDA Body found in Charlotte County water A marine unit is searching waters in Charlotte County after a body was reportedly found.
WASHINGTON (AP) Harris raised $361 million in August from nearly 3 million donors, campaign says Vice President Kamala Harris raised well more than double what former President Donald Trump took in from donors in August, her campaign announced Friday, saying it raised $361 million from nearly 3 million donors in her first full month as a candidate.
NEW YORK (AP) Judge delays Donald Trump’s sentencing in hush money case until after November election A judge agreed Friday to postpone Donald Trump’s sentencing in his hush money case until after the November election
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral approves adding speed detection cameras for school zones After years of concern from parents and the community in Cape Coral, the city is finally taking action.
New Service of Florida Hurricane season forecast eased On Tuesday, the meteorology company AccuWeather scaled back its forecast for this year’s hurricane season after the Atlantic Ocean was relatively quiet over the Labor Day weekend and had “limited” tropical activity in August.
CHARLOTTE COUNTY Temporary lane closures on Harbor Blvd. in Charlotte County Harbor Boulevard at Kenelm Avenue will have temporary lane closures to repair road damage beginning next week.
CAPE CORAL Man accused of selling meth near school in Cape Coral The Cape Coral Police Department has arrested a man who stands accused of selling meth in the vicinity of a school zone.
Exclusive: Byron Donalds’ spokesperson speaks to ethics complaint against congressman An ethics watchdog has filed a complaint against Florida Congressman Byron Donalds, demanding that the Office of Congressional Ethics investigate him for failing to follow federal law.
Naples City Council approves property tax increase Naples City Council approved a slight tax increase to 1.23 mills to pay for needed resiliency, public safety and quality of life expenditures.
CAPE CORAL Injuries reported following 3 vehicle crash in Cape Coral A crash with injuries involving three vehicles, one of which was an oil tanker, has been cleared in Cape Coral.
Tim Aten Knows: 3 more Chick-fil-A locations planned in Naples area After the Naples Design Review Board sent the architect back to the drawing board this spring, representatives for the Atlanta-based fast-casual chain were back in town Aug. 28 to give the city a second look at its plans for a drive-thru restaurant at the site of the former Red Lobster restaurant at 2355 Ninth St. N.
Charlotte County woman arrested for embezzlement of over $200K The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office arrested a former assistant to Laishley USA, accused of embezzling funds of over $200,000.
the weather authority Rain and storms for your Friday late-afternoon and evening plans The Weather Authority is tracking rain and storms along with high temperatures for your Friday afternoon and evening plans.
FORT MYERS Memorial run held for 21-year-old woman found dead in Caloosahatchee River Runners from Lee County paid tribute 21-year-old Arielle Valdes, who lost her life after being the focus of an extensive search.
Florida Boy Burger Co. opens first restaurant in Fort Myers For the owners of Florida Boy Burger Co., defining the Sunshine State has less to do with beaches and Jimmy Buffett and more to do with swamps, walking through the woods, hunting and fishing.
PUNTA GORDA Body found in Charlotte County water A marine unit is searching waters in Charlotte County after a body was reportedly found.
WASHINGTON (AP) Harris raised $361 million in August from nearly 3 million donors, campaign says Vice President Kamala Harris raised well more than double what former President Donald Trump took in from donors in August, her campaign announced Friday, saying it raised $361 million from nearly 3 million donors in her first full month as a candidate.
NEW YORK (AP) Judge delays Donald Trump’s sentencing in hush money case until after November election A judge agreed Friday to postpone Donald Trump’s sentencing in his hush money case until after the November election
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral approves adding speed detection cameras for school zones After years of concern from parents and the community in Cape Coral, the city is finally taking action.
New Service of Florida Hurricane season forecast eased On Tuesday, the meteorology company AccuWeather scaled back its forecast for this year’s hurricane season after the Atlantic Ocean was relatively quiet over the Labor Day weekend and had “limited” tropical activity in August.
CHARLOTTE COUNTY Temporary lane closures on Harbor Blvd. in Charlotte County Harbor Boulevard at Kenelm Avenue will have temporary lane closures to repair road damage beginning next week.
CAPE CORAL Man accused of selling meth near school in Cape Coral The Cape Coral Police Department has arrested a man who stands accused of selling meth in the vicinity of a school zone.
Exclusive: Byron Donalds’ spokesperson speaks to ethics complaint against congressman An ethics watchdog has filed a complaint against Florida Congressman Byron Donalds, demanding that the Office of Congressional Ethics investigate him for failing to follow federal law.
Naples City Council approves property tax increase Naples City Council approved a slight tax increase to 1.23 mills to pay for needed resiliency, public safety and quality of life expenditures.
CAPE CORAL Injuries reported following 3 vehicle crash in Cape Coral A crash with injuries involving three vehicles, one of which was an oil tanker, has been cleared in Cape Coral.
Tim Aten Knows: 3 more Chick-fil-A locations planned in Naples area After the Naples Design Review Board sent the architect back to the drawing board this spring, representatives for the Atlanta-based fast-casual chain were back in town Aug. 28 to give the city a second look at its plans for a drive-thru restaurant at the site of the former Red Lobster restaurant at 2355 Ninth St. N.
Charlotte County woman arrested for embezzlement of over $200K The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office arrested a former assistant to Laishley USA, accused of embezzling funds of over $200,000.
the weather authority Rain and storms for your Friday late-afternoon and evening plans The Weather Authority is tracking rain and storms along with high temperatures for your Friday afternoon and evening plans.
FORT MYERS Memorial run held for 21-year-old woman found dead in Caloosahatchee River Runners from Lee County paid tribute 21-year-old Arielle Valdes, who lost her life after being the focus of an extensive search.
The Monroe County State Attorney’s Office issued a warrant for the arrest of Collier County Commissioner Rick LoCastro. LoCastro issued the statement below following the arrest warrant being issued for him on Tuesday. Today, I am saddened to share that the Monroe County State Attorney’s office has pressed charges against me for something I did not do. From the outset, let me be clear: the charges against me are false. They have no merit. I have never done anything to harm any person, physically or otherwise. Four months ago, my date at a social engagement became very intoxicated and fell. Police officers at the scene determined there were no injuries nor any indication of wrongdoing. That evening, she did not blame me or anyone else; she described it as the accident it was. Later, she chose to tell a much different story. I’m grieved that she would falsely accuse me or anyone else. But I am not afraid of the truth or the facts. They will exonerate me. I have fully cooperated at every step of this matter, which should have been closed four months ago. In America, we follow the basic principle of rule of law. It is extremely unfortunate how much damage one false accusation can do to a person’s reputation. But, by the same measure, our legal system is designed to protect everyone and to guarantee a fair hearing. In recognition of these principles, I will continue to cooperate to the full extent of the law. I believe my actions demonstrate my innocence and will accelerate the process toward a speedy resolution. While our legal system supports a presumption of innocence, it is too often the case that the court of public opinion judges prematurely. I urge everyone to give a full and impartial review of the facts. I will share now that there is a substantial amount of evidence that the woman in question continued to communicate with me after this incident, conveying remorse for making false claims, and also sending many messages of a casual and friendly nature—about sporting events, for instance. At no time has she given any of the indications one would expect of a woman who is afraid or has been injured. My entire career has been about service to others, and I do not retreat from that duty now. Our legal system is absolutely vital, and it should never be abused. We will work to ensure the truth is made known according to the due process of law. The case against LoCastro centered around a domestic incident dating back to October 2023. According to the Naples Police Department offense/incident report, LoCastro and his girlfriend got into a dispute at the London Club in the Bellasera Hotel in downtown Naples. They left the club, and she called 911 when they stopped around First Avenue South and 10th St. South in Naples. Officers said LoCastro told them the dispute arose because of the girlfriend’s “high level of intoxication,” and, while attempting to settle the bill, she “grabbed his pants, inadvertently tearing them.” LoCastro also reportedly blamed her bloody nose while inside the club on a deviated septum. Naples PD allowed LoCastro to leave, and the girlfriend left in an Uber. Claims against LoCastro Several days later, on Nov. 3, 2023, the woman filed a report with the Marco Island Police Department about a previous battery involving LoCastro. Investigators said she told them she was too afraid to press charges during the October Naples incident but changed her mind. During a recorded statement with investigators, she told them the two had been dating for four months, and he became upset when she questioned him about texts she received from other women he’d dated. The two left the restaurant together, but she asserted that she asked him to pull over so they could talk. She stated he became upset, pulled over, walked around the vehicle and pulled her out of the vehicle, hit her nose and pushed her into the bushes. That’s when she called 911. She told police she got scared because of LoCastro’s authority as a commissioner. LoCastro Bio: Collier County Commissioner, District 1 – elected Nov. 3, 2020. Colonel, U.S. Air Force (Retired 2012) U.S. Air Force Academy Graduate (1988) Multiple Military Base Commander Worked for two U.S. presidents Air Force One Support Commander Leadership Collier Graduate Naples Business & Healthcare Leader Marco Island Resident The London Club bartender and manager statements listed in the offense/incident report both support the woman’s version of events. The Monroe County State Attorney’s Office will handle the case after being appointed by the governor and to avoid any conflict of interest. When asked for an interview regarding the situation, County Manager Amy Patterson offered this following comment: “On behalf of the County Administration, we are saddened to learn of Commissioner LoCastro’s current situation. We offer him and his family our collective prayers and hope for healing.”