33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee CountyCool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon
33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee County Another Florida panther was 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 The Weather Authority is tracking cold morning conditions before temperatures warm up to the low 70s this Thursday.
Students react to 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.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs Elementary School’s demolition plans There’s a new lesson plan at Bonita Springs Elementary School: Demolition 101. The school is set to be knocked down, and there’s good reason.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island Councilmember’s dogs allegedly attack 13-year-old girl Councilor Tamara Goehler is coming under fire after her dogs allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl and the girl’s five-month-old puppy.
PUNTA GORDA Gilchrist Park’s future brightens as boat cleanup commences The boats blocking Gilchrist Park are ready to be moved two years after Hurricane Ian.
Lee County Department of Health issues red tide alert for Bowman’s Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Bowman’s Beach.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral working on project to address canal safety An older Cape Coral couple drove into a canal last year. Neighbors are now saying something needs to be done about canal safety.
NAPLES Collier County mental health center receives $4 million donation A giant donation is dedicated to providing people with better mental health care in southwest Florida.
LABELLE City of LaBelle under precautionary boil water notice A water main break has the City of Labelle under a precautionary boil water notice.
33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee County Another Florida panther was 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 The Weather Authority is tracking cold morning conditions before temperatures warm up to the low 70s this Thursday.
Students react to 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.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs Elementary School’s demolition plans There’s a new lesson plan at Bonita Springs Elementary School: Demolition 101. The school is set to be knocked down, and there’s good reason.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island Councilmember’s dogs allegedly attack 13-year-old girl Councilor Tamara Goehler is coming under fire after her dogs allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl and the girl’s five-month-old puppy.
PUNTA GORDA Gilchrist Park’s future brightens as boat cleanup commences The boats blocking Gilchrist Park are ready to be moved two years after Hurricane Ian.
Lee County Department of Health issues red tide alert for Bowman’s Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Bowman’s Beach.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral working on project to address canal safety An older Cape Coral couple drove into a canal last year. Neighbors are now saying something needs to be done about canal safety.
NAPLES Collier County mental health center receives $4 million donation A giant donation is dedicated to providing people with better mental health care in southwest Florida.
LABELLE City of LaBelle under precautionary boil water notice A water main break has the City of Labelle under a precautionary boil water notice.
Merchandise hanging in Synergy Sportswear’s new store front in Sanibel. Sanibel Island is continuing to recover from Hurricane Ian, as many other Southwest Florida communities are. What many thought would be a long process is turning into a quick turnaround for many on-island businesses this season. The Sanibel and Captiva Chamber of Commerce President, John Lai, says by the end of this season, there should be dozens of new businesses open to the public. The Sanibel and Captiva Chamber of Commerce on Sanibel Island. “We were averaging four ribbon cuttings a week right now. So when you think about that, if you know, that’s 12 weeks, I’m sorry, four weeks, 16 a month. So we’re probably looking at 40 businesses from the beginning of the year, until the end of season that have just come back online in some form or fashion,” said Lai. Post Ian, there are 141 businesses reopened between Sanibel and Captiva. This is compared to the 541 businesses they had before Hurricane Ian. RELATED: Another piece of Sanibel Island is being restored with birds flocking because of it His offices have attended these re-openings and have seen the community come back one open sign at a time. Lai said what they expected to be year’s worth of rebuilding is starting to finish much faster. “For those of us who remember what this island looked like the day after we came back from Hurricane Ian. In our heads, it was going to be a five to 10-year rebuild process. So, the fact that we can shorten that timeline or expedite that timeline, maybe three to five. It’s encouraging, and it’s rewarding and inspirational for all of us on the island that work and live and play here,” said Lai. Island business owners becoming family Bringing businesses back in time for this year’s season came with hardships for some. After being closed for over 400 days, the Sanibel Cafe re-opened in December and has seen customers in and out of its doors since. Owner Richard McCurry said putting up the open sign is a group effort. With each business’s doors opening, other owners and islanders are cheering them on from the sidelines. The Sanibel Cafe re-opened after being closed for over a year in December of 2023. “We’re all rooting for each other. We want to go help the guys and gals that are getting ready to open if they need help, they know they can call us, or if we need help, we call them. We work together; we support each other, lift each other up,” said McCurry. RELATED: The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum is back and better! At the other end of the plaza from Sanibel Cafe is a retail shop, Adventures in Paradise. Josh Stewart and McCurry have seen the progress on the island from outside their shop windows because they live on the island. Stewart said being a part of recovery as a business owner and homeowner, he’s gotten to see how strong their community is. “It’s humbling, but it’s also really encouraging to see everybody more like-minded on wanting things to get back to normal as fast as possible.” Newest business on the block Synergy Sportswear just opened its doors Tuesday for the first time since Hurricane Ian. Catching customers mid-season, they said being back up and running is something they’ve waited for. “We just reopened yesterday. Still getting set up. This is probably the best table, but the others are getting filled as we speak. We just got in some boxes,” said Vice President Michael Tateosian. RELATED: Sea Shelling do’s and dont’s With boxes still to be unpacked and merchandise to be hung up, customers have welcomed this reopening with open arms. Amidst being open for just shy of two days, they’ve seen people come through their doors ready to invite them back to the island. Sanibel attire on sale for the first time in Synergy Sportswear since their closure after hurricane Ian in Fall of 2022. Tateosian said, “It was good. Busier than I thought it was gonna be, and customers are happy to be in here. They don’t mind the mess. Because a lot of people are dealing with it themselves.” More openings are on the way Speaking of re-openings, one of the many businesses to re-open this month since Hurricane Ian is Over Easy Cafe. According to their Facebook, on March 17th, the restaurant will celebrate their Grand Re-opening. With more people on the island and more businesses coming back, Lai said coming back stronger than ever is the island’s motivation. “Every day, we’re one day closer to the new Sanibel Island and Captiva Island coming back online. What’s next for Sanibel is a more resilient Sanibel. We take what we know we built Sanibel on in the past and incorporate some of the lessons that we need to learn for the future,” said Lai.