LCSO: Lehigh Acres investigation underwayRock for Equality: SWFL non-profit hosts benefit concert for Palestine
lehigh acres LCSO: Lehigh Acres investigation underway The Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a scene in Lehigh Acres early Saturday morning.
Rock for Equality: SWFL non-profit hosts benefit concert for Palestine A Southwest Florida non-profit hosted a benefit concert on Friday night to help with humanitarian aid in Palestine.
Warm, breezy Saturday with a few showers possible The Weather Authority is forecasting a breezy, warm weekend in store across Southwest Florida, with the chance of a few showers, particularly on Saturday.
CAPE CORAL Active investigation underway in South Cape Coral Cape Coral police are investigating at a home on Southwest 49th Terrace in South Cape Coral early Saturday morning.
16 transported after 2 airboats crash in Collier County According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, two airboats crashed south of U.S. 41 east between mile markers 74 and 75, leaving well over a dozen people injured.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA New bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes There could be new detectives on the block, located in your nearest auto shop. A new state bill aims at trying to stop hit-and-run drivers from getting away.
CAPE CORAL New leash on life; Cape Coral shelter dog beats cancer with drug being tested for humans A drug now being studied in human trials to kill cancerous tumors, is already approved and helping animals.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral planning a new interchange with I-75 The city of Cape Coral is in the early stages of planning a new interchange with I-75, an idea that has been discussed for more than a decade.
Tracking invasive species after hurricanes Hurricanes Helene and Milton didn’t just bring wind and rain, they brought new threats to southwest Florida’s ecosystem.
PUNTA GORDA Woman in Punta Gorda shooting charged with 2nd degree murder A woman in a homicide investigation on Nasturtium Drive in Punta Gorda has been charged with 2nd-degree murder.
Lee County mother continuing fight to get children a bus stop The school district already told her she lives too close to the school to qualify for a bus route but she has not given up.
NORTH NAPLES Grant Thornton Invitational returns to Tiburon Golf Club Stars on the PGA and LPGA Tours are back in Southwest Florida for the Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburon Golf Club.
FORT MYERS Black Flag brings classic punk energy to The Ranch in Fort Myers Legendary punk band Black Flag made their mark in Southwest Florida during the Fort Myers stop of their “First Four Years” tour.
Charlotte Technical College breaks ground on aviation facility The Charlotte County School District is flying high and keeping its “Space Academy” designation with a new aviation training facility for students.
CAPE CORAL Man arrested in connection with Cape Coral home invasion The Cape Coral Police Department has announced the arrest of one of three men suspected in a home invasion that took place earlier this month.
lehigh acres LCSO: Lehigh Acres investigation underway The Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a scene in Lehigh Acres early Saturday morning.
Rock for Equality: SWFL non-profit hosts benefit concert for Palestine A Southwest Florida non-profit hosted a benefit concert on Friday night to help with humanitarian aid in Palestine.
Warm, breezy Saturday with a few showers possible The Weather Authority is forecasting a breezy, warm weekend in store across Southwest Florida, with the chance of a few showers, particularly on Saturday.
CAPE CORAL Active investigation underway in South Cape Coral Cape Coral police are investigating at a home on Southwest 49th Terrace in South Cape Coral early Saturday morning.
16 transported after 2 airboats crash in Collier County According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, two airboats crashed south of U.S. 41 east between mile markers 74 and 75, leaving well over a dozen people injured.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA New bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes There could be new detectives on the block, located in your nearest auto shop. A new state bill aims at trying to stop hit-and-run drivers from getting away.
CAPE CORAL New leash on life; Cape Coral shelter dog beats cancer with drug being tested for humans A drug now being studied in human trials to kill cancerous tumors, is already approved and helping animals.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral planning a new interchange with I-75 The city of Cape Coral is in the early stages of planning a new interchange with I-75, an idea that has been discussed for more than a decade.
Tracking invasive species after hurricanes Hurricanes Helene and Milton didn’t just bring wind and rain, they brought new threats to southwest Florida’s ecosystem.
PUNTA GORDA Woman in Punta Gorda shooting charged with 2nd degree murder A woman in a homicide investigation on Nasturtium Drive in Punta Gorda has been charged with 2nd-degree murder.
Lee County mother continuing fight to get children a bus stop The school district already told her she lives too close to the school to qualify for a bus route but she has not given up.
NORTH NAPLES Grant Thornton Invitational returns to Tiburon Golf Club Stars on the PGA and LPGA Tours are back in Southwest Florida for the Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburon Golf Club.
FORT MYERS Black Flag brings classic punk energy to The Ranch in Fort Myers Legendary punk band Black Flag made their mark in Southwest Florida during the Fort Myers stop of their “First Four Years” tour.
Charlotte Technical College breaks ground on aviation facility The Charlotte County School District is flying high and keeping its “Space Academy” designation with a new aviation training facility for students.
CAPE CORAL Man arrested in connection with Cape Coral home invasion The Cape Coral Police Department has announced the arrest of one of three men suspected in a home invasion that took place earlier this month.
Nervous Nellie’s to reopen on Saturday after Hurricane Ian destruction. CREDIT: WINK News Restaurants on Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel, open for years and intertwined with everyday people, disappeared under a catastrophic storm surge as Hurricane Ian tore through the area exactly 18 months ago today. After the debris cleared and lives drifted back to routine, a demand from the locals began to emerge. Restaurants on Fort Myers Beach and the Island of Sanibel have opened to answer that demand with a feast. Restaurants on Fort Myers Beach, such as Junkanoo Below Deck, The Rude Shrimp, Hooters, Doc Fords and Salty Crab Bar and Grill, are places where families have made memories for years. When the storm clouds passed and the flood waters receded, some were gone, and others were heavily damaged. In defiance of the uncertain future ahead, businesses began to rebuild. Junkanoo Below Deck on Fort Myers Beach appeared nearly unrecognizable after Hurricane Ian. Evenings normally set on a beautiful beach with a packed house right at sunset with a cold beer in hand were gone. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Junkanoo Below Deck (@junkanoofmb) After Ian, Junkanoo’s had nearly crumbled to the ground. Focus, grit and patience would bring the restaurant back from the brink in February. Now, there are days without an empty seat at the restaurant, like in the post below. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Junkanoo Below Deck (@junkanoofmb) This is the theme with many of the other restaurants. The Rude Shrimp went from a booming business to a destroyed building before cleverly and quickly coming back as a trailer. View this post on Instagram A post shared by THE RUDE SHRIMP CO. (@therudeshrimpco) Ian didn’t keep The Rude Shrimp down forever, as the restaurant would eventually fully reopen in January 2023. Doc Ford’s on Fort Myers Beach, Captiva and Sanibel were a regular spot for many visitors and locals on the island. Unfortunately, the Captiva location would end up closing permanently. However, despite still standing after Hurricane Ian, the restaurant on Fort Myers Beach knew it wouldn’t be easy to reopen. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille (@docfords) It took 10 months and overcoming many challenges, but on July 31, 2023, the Doc Ford’s on Fort Myers Beach reopened. Nervous Nellies is a restaurant known to locals and snowbirds on Fort Myers Beach for the food and the iconic big yellow chair out front. Like the abovementioned, the local favorite received devastating blows following the intense storm. If the well-known waterfront eatery were to reopen after Hurricane Ian, it would need much work done. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nervous Nellie's (@nervousnelliesfmb) It took over a year to reopen, but the day eventually came. Nervous Nellies reopened on Jan. 20, 2024. Aware of the arduous effort to reopen the restaurant 477 days after the hurricane, the restaurant posted a picture of the refurbished building. Nervous Nellies reopening after the hurricane. CREDIT: NERVOUS NELLIES FACEBOOK The area has also seen brand new spots open in the 18 months since Hurricane Ian. One of the most notable places is Margaritaville Resort in Fort Myers Beach. RELATED: Grand opening of the Margaritaville Resort in Fort Myers Beach Before opening, Margaritaville caused some controversy on the island. Since then, it seems locals and visitors have warmed up to the resort and are now enjoying the new addition to the area. The resort opened in December 2023 and is one of the latest examples of how far Fort Myers Beach has come since the hurricane. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Margaritaville Beach Resort Fort Myers Beach (@margaritavillefortmyers) Not all of the restaurants impacted by the storm had the chance to recover after Hurricane Ian. Whether washed away or leveled to the ground, some well-known businesses never opened their doors to the public again. One of those was the Hooters on Fort Myers Beach. It was a common spot for beachgoers to grab a quick bite between tanning and swimming. During the storm, pictures of the orange-roofed restaurant began circulating when it appeared to be crushed by the devastating storm surge. Where Hooters stood on Fort Myers Beach after Ian. CREDIT: WINK News It’s possible the company tried salvaging the remains of what remained of the wing joint. However, Hooters on Fort Myers Beach never served another customer after Ian. One quality people in Southwest Florida put on full display after Hurricane Ian: resolve. In the face of adversity, countless obstacles and helplessly watching as the storm surge washed away neighborhoods, SWFL has returned stronger than before. The new places offer locals and visitors the ability to make new memories. Places that have been restored give people a sense of familiarity. By crossing off one goal after another, people and businesses in Southwest Florida are moving forward 18 months after Hurricane Ian. We won’t stop now.