Businesses struggling to stay open in downtown Fort MyersNew numbers show open hotel rooms in parts of Lee County are low
FORT MYERS Businesses struggling to stay open in downtown Fort Myers Snowbird season is over, traffic is a mess from the Caloosahatchee Bridge closure and the new parking system isn’t exactly perfect in downtown Fort Myers.
FORT MYERS BEACH New numbers show open hotel rooms in parts of Lee County are low Lee County released new data this week on how different areas in the county are bouncing back after Ian by looking at how many hotels have reopened since the storm.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Lake Okeechobee on the rise after recent tropical moisture, days of rain Lake O’s water level has gone up by half a foot over the last several days due to the drenching the southern part of the state has received.
SOUTH FORT MYERS South Fort Myers neighborhood tired of dealing with flooding Residents in a south Fort Myers neighborhood had water going up to their garages after the downpour ended.
Tech-less program helping to keep Charlotte County students engaged The Charlotte County School District is pioneering a unique approach to make summer learning more engaging.
SAN CARLOS PARK Sewage overflows due to rain in San Carlos Park Many in San Carlos Park are worried about the water being hazardous for kids.
Fort Myers City Council extends contract with Edison Restaurant Bringing a restaurant loved by the community back to life. Last year, Fort Myers City Council hoped to save the Edison Restaurant.
PARKLAND Demolishing Marjory Stoneman Douglas High begins For six years, time stood still inside the 1200 building of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High, and on Friday, the site where 17 people were massacred is getting torn down.
President and CEO of Lee Health on future of healthcare system A decisive vote has set the stage for a major shift in southwest Florida’s healthcare landscape. Thursday, the Lee Health board voted 9 to 1 majority in favor of transitioning Lee Health, the largest non-for-profit public health system in the state, to a private entity. The move has sparked both support and dissent within the community.
NAPLES Naples Art Institute hosts Childhood Classics, original illustrations The Naples Art Institute has more than 100 timeless pieces of art and illustrations on display as part of a Childhood Classics exhibition.
SEBRING Evidence reveals Sebring killer’s spiral from fantasy to murder A chilling timeline of evidence revealed what a killer was thinking leading up to mass murder at a Sebring bank.
NAPLES NCH piloting the use of smart stethoscopes We’re all accustomed to our doctor using a stethoscope to listen to our heart at just about every visit. It’s one of the most fundamental screening tools. Now, thanks to artificial intelligence, the stethoscope just got a whole lot smarter.
How to spot a flooded car Cars submerged in water are all around Florida thanks to the rain and flooding brought out by this storm. That doesn’t mean you won’t see them on car lots later, seemingly ready to hit the road again.
Conservation prioritized in DeSantis’s new Focus on Florida’s Future Budget Nature will continue flourishing on Floridians’ doorsteps after Governor Ron DeSantis ensured conservation remains a top priority with his 2024-2025 Focus on Florida’s Future Budget.
Number of toxic cane toads growing in SWFL during rainy season As the rainy season continues, local animal trappers say we’re likely to see more invasive cane toads.
FORT MYERS Businesses struggling to stay open in downtown Fort Myers Snowbird season is over, traffic is a mess from the Caloosahatchee Bridge closure and the new parking system isn’t exactly perfect in downtown Fort Myers.
FORT MYERS BEACH New numbers show open hotel rooms in parts of Lee County are low Lee County released new data this week on how different areas in the county are bouncing back after Ian by looking at how many hotels have reopened since the storm.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Lake Okeechobee on the rise after recent tropical moisture, days of rain Lake O’s water level has gone up by half a foot over the last several days due to the drenching the southern part of the state has received.
SOUTH FORT MYERS South Fort Myers neighborhood tired of dealing with flooding Residents in a south Fort Myers neighborhood had water going up to their garages after the downpour ended.
Tech-less program helping to keep Charlotte County students engaged The Charlotte County School District is pioneering a unique approach to make summer learning more engaging.
SAN CARLOS PARK Sewage overflows due to rain in San Carlos Park Many in San Carlos Park are worried about the water being hazardous for kids.
Fort Myers City Council extends contract with Edison Restaurant Bringing a restaurant loved by the community back to life. Last year, Fort Myers City Council hoped to save the Edison Restaurant.
PARKLAND Demolishing Marjory Stoneman Douglas High begins For six years, time stood still inside the 1200 building of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High, and on Friday, the site where 17 people were massacred is getting torn down.
President and CEO of Lee Health on future of healthcare system A decisive vote has set the stage for a major shift in southwest Florida’s healthcare landscape. Thursday, the Lee Health board voted 9 to 1 majority in favor of transitioning Lee Health, the largest non-for-profit public health system in the state, to a private entity. The move has sparked both support and dissent within the community.
NAPLES Naples Art Institute hosts Childhood Classics, original illustrations The Naples Art Institute has more than 100 timeless pieces of art and illustrations on display as part of a Childhood Classics exhibition.
SEBRING Evidence reveals Sebring killer’s spiral from fantasy to murder A chilling timeline of evidence revealed what a killer was thinking leading up to mass murder at a Sebring bank.
NAPLES NCH piloting the use of smart stethoscopes We’re all accustomed to our doctor using a stethoscope to listen to our heart at just about every visit. It’s one of the most fundamental screening tools. Now, thanks to artificial intelligence, the stethoscope just got a whole lot smarter.
How to spot a flooded car Cars submerged in water are all around Florida thanks to the rain and flooding brought out by this storm. That doesn’t mean you won’t see them on car lots later, seemingly ready to hit the road again.
Conservation prioritized in DeSantis’s new Focus on Florida’s Future Budget Nature will continue flourishing on Floridians’ doorsteps after Governor Ron DeSantis ensured conservation remains a top priority with his 2024-2025 Focus on Florida’s Future Budget.
Number of toxic cane toads growing in SWFL during rainy season As the rainy season continues, local animal trappers say we’re likely to see more invasive cane toads.
Amanda Bent, a first-year, work-study student at Florida Southwestern State College, isn’t like most college freshmen. “I’m just coming back to the education environment after 13 years,” said Bent. But she’s faced many of the same challenges as her peers who came straight out of high school. “To learn the process of school, how to input assignments, learn the campus, learn the websites, and how to navigate, was a lot,” she said. That’s why FSW created a new program this summer, the Buccaneer Bound Summer Bridge program. “We have a new program that we’ve developed for students who have just graduated high school,” said Christy Gilfert, FSW associate vice president for academic success. “It’s designed to help students transition from the high school environment over to the college environment.” Starting June 25 from Monday through Thursday, for six weeks – these buccaneers will take two courses. Each made to help the students build a foundation for their journey through college, while introducing them to all to the campus resources. “We also offer with the program a $1,000 scholarship,” said Gilfert. “And so that will cover students’ tuition and fees. And so, it’s really also an opportunity for them to take these classes without financial worry.” That’s something students like Bent said they could benefit from too. “Yes, I wish that was available to me,” she said. “It keeps the structure fresh out of high school introduces the new structure which it can be intimidating. It’s great. I wish I would have had that experience.” Gilfert said if this program takes off, they’ll work on opening it up to other incoming students. As of now, only first-time-in-college, high school graduates are eligible. Spots are filling up quick! With 25 open seats for this program, they’ve already gotten around 20 applications from interested students. If you’re interested, click here, to find out more information on how to apply for this program. Applications are open until June 11.