ALVA Woodpeckers build home in Alva woman’s house You may have heard of squatters, but this woman is dealing with squawkers. Who needs a rooster to wake up when you have woodpeckers?
FORT MYERS Man claims he was trapped in a high-rise for 5 days A 77-year-old man wants justice after he claims he spent days trapped on the 24th floor of a high-rise apartment building.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte Correctional prisoner arrested for death of another inmate State Attorney Amira Fox convened a grand jury, which decided to move forward with a case against a Charlotte Correctional inmate.
SANIBEL Construction near Dairy Queen eagle nest on Sanibel raises concerns While many eagle nests may be a bit difficult to see, one nest has always been a favorite for Sanibel residents and tourists.
The environmental effects of artificial sweeteners Experts are studying how the foods we eat affect the environment, especially after we flush our waste down the toilet.
Victim reacts to man exposing himself to her Ring camera You get a notification on your phone from your ring camera app that someone is at the door, only to find out it is someone exposing themselves. It’s the last thing victim Maria Kivi wanted or expected to see last week.
LEE COUNTY The art of capturing your eye and drawing you in How do you capture young, hip, trendy, fun, movers and shakers, all in a pose? We take you behind the scenes of a Gulfshore Life cover shoot.
FORT MYERS The lives of two SJC Boxers changed in the ring Two SJC Boxers, Mario Nunez and Arbon Kurtishi, help each other in the ring as each of them had their lives changed because of boxing.
FORT MYERS Chlamydia cases rising sharply in Lee County If you think about a crowded space- something with more than 250 people- if it’s in Lee county, statistically one person has chlamydia.
SANIBEL Sanibel resort day passes hope to get more business on the island A pass will allow vacationers to hang out at a Sanibel beach club for a day in hopes of drumming up some business.
Voting equipment tested ahead of Lee County elections Voting equipment is being tested in Lee County. This is to ensure all ballots are printed and counted correctly for the upcoming election.
Collier County teen assaulted after leaving party The teen has been charged and the sheriff’s office said they’re aware that many believe felony charges are in order, but under Florida law, there are very specific criteria that must be met for felony charges to be filed.
WINK weather team watching tropical wave over Atlantic Ocean The Weather Authority is watching a tropical disturbance over the Central Atlantic Ocean.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral drug bust leads investigators to fake fentanyl, cash and guns Cape Coral man arrest on drug charges. Investigators said they found, guns, drugs, and more than $32,000 in Richard Riley’s home.
NAPLES Naples youth flag football team to compete in Ohio tournament This weekend, the Naples Lunatics Green will compete in the Superhero Sports tournament in Canton, Ohio.
ALVA Woodpeckers build home in Alva woman’s house You may have heard of squatters, but this woman is dealing with squawkers. Who needs a rooster to wake up when you have woodpeckers?
FORT MYERS Man claims he was trapped in a high-rise for 5 days A 77-year-old man wants justice after he claims he spent days trapped on the 24th floor of a high-rise apartment building.
PUNTA GORDA Charlotte Correctional prisoner arrested for death of another inmate State Attorney Amira Fox convened a grand jury, which decided to move forward with a case against a Charlotte Correctional inmate.
SANIBEL Construction near Dairy Queen eagle nest on Sanibel raises concerns While many eagle nests may be a bit difficult to see, one nest has always been a favorite for Sanibel residents and tourists.
The environmental effects of artificial sweeteners Experts are studying how the foods we eat affect the environment, especially after we flush our waste down the toilet.
Victim reacts to man exposing himself to her Ring camera You get a notification on your phone from your ring camera app that someone is at the door, only to find out it is someone exposing themselves. It’s the last thing victim Maria Kivi wanted or expected to see last week.
LEE COUNTY The art of capturing your eye and drawing you in How do you capture young, hip, trendy, fun, movers and shakers, all in a pose? We take you behind the scenes of a Gulfshore Life cover shoot.
FORT MYERS The lives of two SJC Boxers changed in the ring Two SJC Boxers, Mario Nunez and Arbon Kurtishi, help each other in the ring as each of them had their lives changed because of boxing.
FORT MYERS Chlamydia cases rising sharply in Lee County If you think about a crowded space- something with more than 250 people- if it’s in Lee county, statistically one person has chlamydia.
SANIBEL Sanibel resort day passes hope to get more business on the island A pass will allow vacationers to hang out at a Sanibel beach club for a day in hopes of drumming up some business.
Voting equipment tested ahead of Lee County elections Voting equipment is being tested in Lee County. This is to ensure all ballots are printed and counted correctly for the upcoming election.
Collier County teen assaulted after leaving party The teen has been charged and the sheriff’s office said they’re aware that many believe felony charges are in order, but under Florida law, there are very specific criteria that must be met for felony charges to be filed.
WINK weather team watching tropical wave over Atlantic Ocean The Weather Authority is watching a tropical disturbance over the Central Atlantic Ocean.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral drug bust leads investigators to fake fentanyl, cash and guns Cape Coral man arrest on drug charges. Investigators said they found, guns, drugs, and more than $32,000 in Richard Riley’s home.
NAPLES Naples youth flag football team to compete in Ohio tournament This weekend, the Naples Lunatics Green will compete in the Superhero Sports tournament in Canton, Ohio.
Ahzuwop performing at listening party. CREDIT: Adonis Romero AHZUWOP, AKA Anthony Leto, an artist based in Southwest Florida, debuted his new hip-hop album at an exclusive listening event that also showcased his handmade artwork. The album/release party The show was a low-key event at a photography studio in Fort Myers last Friday. AHZUWOP stood and sat on a centered white block while wearing a mask under a spotlight as his new album played to attendees who encircled him. AHZUWOP during listening party on March 8, 2024. CREDIT: Adonis Romero “Earth Baby” comes almost a year after 2023’s “AJ Hand Me Down.” The album features songs that didn’t make the former album, and instead of releasing a deluxe reissue, AHZUWOP compiled a new seven-song tracklist. RELATED: Southwest Florida band DONEFOR celebrates over 100,000 streams on Spotify The album is shorter than the former, an intentional choice by AHZUWOP. “My last album was 15 songs, and it was just a long listen, and like this one, I want to be very short to the point, have some groove to it,” he said. “AJ Hand Me Down” focused on topics such as heartbreak, depression, loneliness and even police brutality. However, “Earth Baby” has a different focus. “The album hits on knowledge, love, having fun and having a positive message,” he said. “That’s kind of what I touch on the album for the most part.” AHZUWOP during listening party on March 8, 2024. CREDIT: Adonis Romero Even though the album can be filed under hip-hop, AHZUWOP said that its beat selection is diverse. “It’s like a universal thing, honestly. If you really dive into my lyrics and stuff and even the instrumentals, you’ll listen to them, like, this is very diverse. At some points, it sounds like a reggaeton beat, but at the same time, it’s a hip-hop beat,” he said. Prior to the album, AHZUWOP released “Another Year,” a birthday-released single that reflects on the trials and tribulations we face as we grow up. AHZUWOP’s listening party. 3-8-24 CREDIT: Abigael Williamceau Pain leaves you crippled, the emotions bounce back like the oceans ripple AHZUWOP, “Another Year” The art Before the show, attendees were welcomed to see his art showcase, which was all for sale. Artwork displayed at listening party. CREDIT: Abigael Williamceau AHZUWOP said that the artwork was various pieces he created over the past five years. It included paintings, collages, one-of-a-kind clothing pieces, props and more. All of which were made by hand. Handmade clothes displayed at listening party. CREDIT: Abigael Williamceau “I work to inspire through my art and produce fun, interesting pieces to look at. I also hope my art helps the viewer to think a little deeper than usual or let loose and not think at all. My intentions with these pieces are to honestly display and sell them to build revenue, so I’m able to create bigger products on a greater scale,” he said. Artwork displayed at listening party. CREDIT: Abigael Williamceau RELATED: Cape Coral businesses unite, supporting Ollie’s Pub Records and Beer The community came out to support not only the music but the artwork. “I’m just so grateful to be tapped into that, for real, and to have the support, too. It’s really organic. That’s the best part about it,” he said. While AHZUWOP is stationed in SWFL, he hopes his brand reaches a greater distance. “Music or in art, I’m trying to take it global,” he said. “I’m trying to get all over the world with it. I really love what I do, and I feel like the field that I’m in with art and music, it’s a longevity game, and it’s about leaving a legacy, and that’s my end goal, is just leaving a legacy for Anthony Leto, my family and to also even feed off of this.” The SWFL scene SWFL’s music community is small in size but big in scope. The community constantly shows up to events such as these and supports local artists, and that’s something AHZUWOP notices. “To be an artist in Southwest Florida means to keep your feet planted but also move around and get with your community. It’s all about community. I feel like without your community, you’re just gonna be another artist as well. There’s a lot of us out there. I think just being original, for me at least that’s the most important,” he said. AHZUWOP at listening party on March 8, 2024. CREDIT: Abigael Williamceau The community’s support has helped AHZUWOP continue making art in all forms. “When I first started presenting myself as an artist, I had no idea because I was just surrounded by my friends who were skateboarders and stuff. I had no idea that here in Southwest Florida, there was such a huge scene of artists that are on the same wavelength,” he said. RELATED: SWFL thrash punk band, Except You, releases EP on exclusive, recycled vinyl AHZUWOP talked about the authenticity of SWFL’s scene. “Everyone’s got their own character and personality. No one’s really trying to bite off anyone’s style. It’s like everyone’s got their own thing going, and I think that’s dope,” he said. When not making art, AHZUWOP works with the social media team at the Quality Life Center in Fort Myers. He and DelaRose–part of the SWFL-based R&B collective Billie Rose Music–are planning on starting up a program that teaches kids how to produce and distribute music. The album was recorded at Trackout Studios and Indapendant Studios in Fort Myers. DelaRose helped master the album and add bass lines. AHZUWOP at listening party on March 8, 2024. CREDIT: Adonis Romero Click here to learn more about Hippie Circle, a local entertainment agency that promotes and educates independent artists through development, which AHZUWOP is affiliated with. It’s also a publishing and event management cooperative.