Broken gate on Lovers Key Beach Resort frustrating residentsSt. James City Church plans $700k flood-proofing project for future safety
FORT MYERS BEACH Broken gate on Lovers Key Beach Resort frustrating residents Residents of Lover’s Key Beach Club in Fort Myers Beach are frustrated with a gate that remains wide open, despite “No Trespassing” signs, since Hurricane Ian struck two years ago.
St. James City Church plans $700k flood-proofing project for future safety Hurricanes have caused flood after flood, and one island church, The First Baptist Church of Saint James City, wants to build higher.
Romance scams rise in the US, AARP warns residents to beware Romance scams are on the rise, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting over 64,000 cases in the U.S. in 2023.
Fort Myers Savannah Bananas make their way to Fort Myers for first time The Savannah Bananas have made their way to JetBlue Park for Friday’s sold-out game in Fort Myers to watch “the greatest show in sports.”
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral Yacht Club receives key permit Cape Coral received a key permit for a Yacht Club Community Park. This permit opens up the necessary steps for the park to be built.
PORT CHARLOTTE Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church holds 31st annual Greek Fest The Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Port Charlotte kicked off its 31st annual Greek Fest on Friday.
Donations helping young kids get fed Food insecurity is a pressing issue in the community, and organizations like the Harry Chapin Food Bank, Meals of Hope and the Guadalupe Center are stepping up to help.
New risk factors contribute to heart disease February is American Heart Month, a perfect time to assess your heart health.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte High School student arrested for possession of BB gun According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, a student has been arrested after a BB gun was found in his backpack on Friday.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers Regional Library to undergo multiple repairs due to Ian The Fort Myers Regional Library is preparing for essential repairs, nearly two years after Hurricane Ian made its impact.
Drug bust at Collier County home leads to triple arrest Three people are accused of running a drug house that held opioids, fentanyl and other illicit narcotics in Collier County.
Charlotte County’s first Grain & Berry opens Fast-growing organic vegan restaurant franchise Grain & Berry opened in Port Charlotte, making it the 19th in the state out of a total of 23 nationwide.
GOLDEN GATE Body found in Collier County canal prompts death investigation Collier County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a death investigation after a body was discovered in a canal.
FORT MYERS DeSantis’ new Boater Freedom Initiative would end random FWC boat safety inspections Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the new Boater Freedom Initiative will protect Sunshine State residents’ right to boat.
CAPE CORAL Couple celebrates their lifelong love on 62nd Valentine’s Day together Hollis and Linda Nash might be living proof that love doesn’t fade with age.
FORT MYERS BEACH Broken gate on Lovers Key Beach Resort frustrating residents Residents of Lover’s Key Beach Club in Fort Myers Beach are frustrated with a gate that remains wide open, despite “No Trespassing” signs, since Hurricane Ian struck two years ago.
St. James City Church plans $700k flood-proofing project for future safety Hurricanes have caused flood after flood, and one island church, The First Baptist Church of Saint James City, wants to build higher.
Romance scams rise in the US, AARP warns residents to beware Romance scams are on the rise, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting over 64,000 cases in the U.S. in 2023.
Fort Myers Savannah Bananas make their way to Fort Myers for first time The Savannah Bananas have made their way to JetBlue Park for Friday’s sold-out game in Fort Myers to watch “the greatest show in sports.”
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral Yacht Club receives key permit Cape Coral received a key permit for a Yacht Club Community Park. This permit opens up the necessary steps for the park to be built.
PORT CHARLOTTE Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church holds 31st annual Greek Fest The Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Port Charlotte kicked off its 31st annual Greek Fest on Friday.
Donations helping young kids get fed Food insecurity is a pressing issue in the community, and organizations like the Harry Chapin Food Bank, Meals of Hope and the Guadalupe Center are stepping up to help.
New risk factors contribute to heart disease February is American Heart Month, a perfect time to assess your heart health.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte High School student arrested for possession of BB gun According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, a student has been arrested after a BB gun was found in his backpack on Friday.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers Regional Library to undergo multiple repairs due to Ian The Fort Myers Regional Library is preparing for essential repairs, nearly two years after Hurricane Ian made its impact.
Drug bust at Collier County home leads to triple arrest Three people are accused of running a drug house that held opioids, fentanyl and other illicit narcotics in Collier County.
Charlotte County’s first Grain & Berry opens Fast-growing organic vegan restaurant franchise Grain & Berry opened in Port Charlotte, making it the 19th in the state out of a total of 23 nationwide.
GOLDEN GATE Body found in Collier County canal prompts death investigation Collier County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a death investigation after a body was discovered in a canal.
FORT MYERS DeSantis’ new Boater Freedom Initiative would end random FWC boat safety inspections Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the new Boater Freedom Initiative will protect Sunshine State residents’ right to boat.
CAPE CORAL Couple celebrates their lifelong love on 62nd Valentine’s Day together Hollis and Linda Nash might be living proof that love doesn’t fade with age.
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers has increased the reward from $3,000 to $5,000 for any information that leads to the resolution of unsolved cold cases in the region. There have been roughly 400 unsolved cold cases in Southwest Florida. Sometimes years, even decades have passed in these cases, and Crime Stoppers believes they can still be solved. All tips to Crime Stoppers are completely anonymous. You will never have to give your name, show up in court and if your tip leads to an arrest, you get paid. Hundreds of families are waiting for closure and counting on you. Behind every face, every name, every date is a family and loved ones waiting for justice. In 2011, Prinnis Battle was shot and killed in his vehicle near Cochran Boulevard in Port Charlotte. His assailants still hadn’t been found. Then there was Courtney Thomas, who went missing in 2017. A year later, her body was located in the woods of Alva. Her killer is still out there. Mary Optiz will be 17 years old forever. In 1981, she was shopping at the Edison Mall with her mother. To date, her body had never been found and neither had her killer. There are 19 more pages full of cold case fliers. “Some of these cases are 20, 25, 30 years old and sometimes when these cases kind of fall out of the news cycle, people forget that they’re still unsolved,” said SWFL Crime Stoppers spokesperson Trish Routte. On Tuesday, Routte announced an increase in reward money for cold cases, all of them, regardless of how high-profile they are. If your tip leads to an arrest, you could walk away with $5,000. Paul Dumolo, Lauren Dumolo’s father, expressed his dismay with the number of unsolved murders in our area. “Makes me sick. That is such a small area. This has to be the highest crime rate in the United States right now. It has to be. I’ve never heard of 400 unsolved murders. It’s such a tiny little area,” said Paul. Lauren Dumolo, a single mother from Cape Coral was last seen in July 2020. Her body is still missing. Her killer has yet to be found. It haunted Paul when WINK News anchor Emma Heaton spoke with him 175 days after Lauren disappeared, and it haunts him nearly four years later. “Because you don’t have that closure, you know, because there was never any. There is no, there’s not a body, there’s not a rest. There’s not, there’s nothing. There’s just one day you’re there. The next day for the last four years, you’re gone,” said Paul. Paul prays the incentive will help families like his, who wake up every day without answers. “It shouldn’t even have to take money,” said Paul, “people should do it because it’s the right thing to do.” “There are folks in our community that have information that can help solve these crimes. For whatever reason, they’ve not chosen to come forward all over all these years,” said Routte. “These people do not deserve your protection,” Routte added. Anyone with information about any of these cold cases, or any not listed, can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-8477. Tips may also be made online or on the P3 Tips app. Tipsters will remain anonymous.